Sentinel fic - A Tale of Two Sentinels, part 2

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Part 1.

Blair sighed and snuffled his face into something soft as he slowly came back to consciousness. Memory, however, flooded back and his eyes shot open, dispelling the last wisps of sleepiness.

The room was filled with a dusty light as the sun struggled to break through the dirt on the windows. Remembering the state of the mattress, Blair leapt off the bed hurriedly. If he hadn't been too tired to move after bonding, he would never have slept on that bed. He relaxed as he realised that he had actually been sleeping on Captain Ellison's coat, and the large garment had lain between him and that mattress. He guessed he had his Sentinel to thank for that. Talking of whom....

With perfect timing, the door opened and his Sentinel walked in, a large jug of water in his hand. "Good morning, Chief."

"Hello." Blair hovered, uncertainly, at the other side of the bed. He had no idea of the etiquette of these situations as, while there were whole stacks of books that covered the etiquette for every occasion, Sentinel and Guide etiquette rules were unwritten. Part of his mind followed that train of thought, wondering why, and whether he should write a book about it, while the rest of his mind shrieked in unremitting panic about his situation. If he had been by the door and not trapped on the other side of the room, he would have bolted.

His Sentinel looked him up and down and Blair had no doubt that his extreme nervousness was being picked up on.

Considering the situation, the conversation was amazingly banal. "The service in this inn is abysmal." Captain Ellison poured some water into the cracked bowl on the washstand. He swilled it around for a few seconds then carried across the room and attempted to open the window with one hand, then, "Here, hold this."

Blair automatically took the bowl and looked down into it. He wasn't surprised the captain wanted to clean it out before washing in it as disturbed dust was floating on top of the water, changing its clarity into a murky grey.

He watched as Captain Ellison struggled with the window, then crossed to the washstand and put the bowl down. Returning, he ignored the sudden stillness that had filled his Sentinel, and leaned in to put his hands on the window frame itself. "Now try."

Between them, they managed to force the window open, the protest from its rusty hinges showing that it had been many a day since it had been opened last.

"This must be the worst inn in Port Royal!" Blair exclaimed.

Captain Ellison paused, the bowl in hand, "I didn't exactly look it over before asking for a room." A faint redness crept up his cheeks and he turned back to the window and poured the dirty water out.

An outraged cry was heard from below and Blair dived forward to see who it was, then giggled like a loon when he realised that the wet 'gentleman' below was the landlord of this fine establishment.

Laughter shook the large frame of his Sentinel and, as the landlord looked up and shook a fist at the open window, the two of them hurriedly ducked back out of sight.

"Serves him right!" Blair said, grinning widely. "It's probably the first bath he's had this year."

"You mean the first bath he'd had this past decade!" Captain Ellison retorted, laughter still in his voice. "Get washed quickly and we'll get out of here. I do not want to stay and taste the food."

Blair shuddered. "I doubt if we'd survive it."

The sounds of washing broke the awkward silence that had filled the room after their momentary alliance against the window and, as Captain Ellison took his turn at the washstand, Blair moved over to the bed and gathered up the thick coat that lay there.

He waited until the captain had finished then held out the coat. "Thank you, Captain," he said, hoping it was obvious what he was thanking him for.

"You're welcome, and it's Jim."

"Jim."

"C'mon, Chief, I'll buy you a breakfast at the King's Arms."

One warm hand rested on his shoulder and guided him into the passageway. Blair smiled at the thought, his stomach rumbling in approval. That had been the inn he had briefly visited originally and their cooking had smelt divine, although he had never had a chance to taste it. The only time he'd come back to town had been to see Norr - "Oh, Lord!"

"What?"

He looked up into Jim's concerned face. "Commodore Norrington! We have to go to the fort and tell them what happened. Lieutenant Gillette will probably clap us in irons!"

Jim was smiling again. "Don't worry, Chief. I'll protect you."

~'~

By the time they reached the fort, the excellent breakfast his Sentinel had insisted he eat was lying heavily on Blair's stomach. Getting in to see the authorities posed no problems at all as Governor Swann was at the fort and saw them approach.

Blair kept his eyes on the ground when he saw him coming. He really didn't want to have to deal with the governor right now. While his irregular birth didn't bother him, he knew that there were far too many people ready and willing to make a fuss about such a commonplace thing.

"You're bonded then!"

Blair looked up in surprise as Governor Swann came to halt in front of him. He sounded pleased.

"Capital, capital!" The governor enthusiastically shook hands with them both before continuing, "I shall be able to boast that I had Captain Ellison's Guide staying with me when they first met. I shall, you know! I've already had Lady Denby asking if it were true. Just wait until the news gets around the town." He paused and leaned in closer to murmur confidentially to Blair, "I've never met a Sentinel and Guide before, so it's just as exciting for me!"

Blair felt a laugh begin to bubble its way up into his throat. Only the governor could be this excited about that chain of events. "Oh...your vase...I'm truly sor-"

"Think nothing of it! What's a Ming vase compared to the excitement of seeing a Sentinel and Guide meet for the first time? Lady Denby was positively green with envy - I swear she was!"

Glancing up at Jim, Blair could tell that he was on the verge of laughter too.

"Oh my goodness, I completely forgot!" The governor looked dismayed. "Have you come to help search for Commodore Norrington? He's missing you know - heat of the battle. No one knows where he is at all!"

"Actually, sir, we believe we know where he is." Jim's voice was calm.

"Already? I say, you fellows don't waste any time, do you? Well, come in, man, come in. You too, Blair. Lieutenant Gillette will be more than happy to see you both."

Following on the heels of his Sentinel, Blair muttered, "I doubt that."

It seemed that the lieutenant doubted it too. Upon hearing that his commodore was a Guide who had been claimed by the Sentinel hunting him, speech deserted him for a full three minutes. Finally, after a gulp of brandy, Gillette managed, "He was claimed?! Well...we have to get him back!"

The frown on Jim's face was obvious, as was the warning tone in his voice. "Commodore Norrington was claimed by his Sentinel. 'Getting him back' is not an option."

"He's a Commodore in the King's Navy - not some...some..." one hand waved vaguely in Blair's direction, "writer for a newspaper!"

The growl that erupted from Jim's throat got all of their attentions and even seemed to dim the governor's excitement for a few minutes.

"No disrespect intended to Mr. Sandburg, of course!" Lieutenant Gillette hurriedly added. "I just meant that he has a certain position...and duties - he can't just abandon them!"

"He hasn't abandoned them!" Blair put in indignantly. "We were on our way back to the fort when Captain Sparrow -"

"That pirate?!" The lieutenant hastily took another gulp of brandy.

"That pirate is a Sentinel," Jim growled. "He found and claimed his Guide. As you know, Lieutenant Gillette," he advanced to stand over the shorter man intimidatingly, "Sentinel law supercedes civil law. He has claimed Commodore Norrington as his Guide and there's nothing you can do about it."

"Well, I know that but...." The lieutenant's voice trailed off.

"I'm quite sure that Commodore Norrington will wish to return to Port Royal, if only to assure you of his well-being," Jim continued.

"Oh yes! Norrington's a good man - he'd never leave us all hanging!" the governor said. Then added hastily, "In a manner of speaking."

Lieutenant Gillette looked as though he were about to add another protest but Jim overruled him firmly.

"It's done. Captain Sparrow will take good care of his Guide, you may be sure of that. Now, I have to find Captain Banks. Chief."

Blair allowed Jim's hand to draw him to the door. In truth, there were a few uncomfortable thoughts buzzing around his own head and he wanted time to sort them out.

"Good day to you, Governor, Lieutenant."

It wasn't until they were outside the gate that Blair spoke again. "What will happen if Captain Sparrow is captured? He's a pirate - they'll hang him, then what will happen to Commodore Norrington?"

"It's not as simple as that, Chief. Sparrow's a bonded Sentinel now. While he may be wanted for piracy under the King's law, as a bonded Sentinel he can't be hanged for it as it would be condemning his Guide to death too. As his Guide is a Naval Officer and not a pirate, that would never be tolerated."

"You don't think Captain Sparrow bonded with Commodore Norrington just to save his neck, do you?" Blair was furious at the thought. While he was rapidly coming around to the idea of being bonded, not that he'd had much choice, the idea of a Sentinel bonding for ulterior motives was a repugnant one.

"No!" Blair was pulled to a halt as Jim stopped in the middle of the street. "Sparrow was free; he could have escaped from Port Royal with no one the wiser. He deliberately went looking for his Guide. And I wouldn't be surprised if Sparrow came here looking for Norrington. It's possible that he knew his Guide was in Port Royal."

Jim started walking again but Blair stayed still. "How would he know? Did you know I was here?" He blinked at the wide grin he got in reply.

"I knew you'd arrived although I wasn't sure where you were. I had an itchy feeling."

Blair allowed himself to be escorted along the street, a half-indignant look on his face. "You could have got a lotion from the doctor for that, you know. Just think of all the trouble you'd have saved yourself!" Itchy feeling indeed!

~'~

Jack inhaled deeply as he sailed the Black Pearl into the port of Tortuga, revelling in the smells and sounds that greeted him. He liked Tortuga. He was quite sure that his Guide would not like Tortuga but he'd never allowed the small things to bother him. He frowned suddenly. He was quite sure that the pirate infested port would love to give Commodore Norrington a hot welcome - and not a pleasant one. Jack made a mental note to destroy what was left of Jamie's uniform jacket. If he did allow Jamie to enter Tortuga, the commodore would go as Jack's Guide.

His Guide. He could feel his smile growing even wider at that thought. Jamie was on the mend, and very irritable, although Jack was sure that was due to his capture and impending bonding rather than his shoulder wound. That was mending just as it should, thanks to him keeping the doctor on board. Naturally, the doctor had put up a protest, stating that he had patients to tend to in Port Royal - all of whom were far more likely to pay their bill than a pirate on a pirate ship - but Jack had dismissed the man's concerns. His Guide's welfare came first!

He'd guessed that Jamie would try to persuade the doctor to help him escape, or give him a message to bear back to Port Royal for him - probably to let his men know where he was so that they could come to his rescue - but Jack had been too smart for that and he'd made sure that Jamie and the doctor were never left alone. Although it was possible that Captain Ellison of the Watch had already told Jamie's men where he was.

Jack frowned. It was possible that Ellison had not told them anything - after all, he would have to admit to his part in leaving Jamie in Jack's more than capable hands. Not that Jamie's men would see it that way. Of course, Captain Ellison would be as well aware as Jack was that Sentinel law would not allow them to interfere once he and Jamie were bonded. The only way they could stop him would be by hanging him before he could bond with his Guide.

Shrugging, he dismissed those concerns. It was a fine day, the Black Pearl was his to command, Tortuga was beckoning, and his Guide was below decks and would soon be well enough for bonding. All in all, it was a good day.

~'~

James would not have agreed with that.

So far, he had endured having the shot ball removed from his shoulder - although that was a necessity. After that, he had had a pirate Sentinel hovering over him night and day. The man had even insisted on feeding him! James admitted that he had been quite shaky for the first day or so after his surgery, but the doctor would have been more than capable of tending to him. Oh no! The doctor was only allowed near him when his dressings required changing or Sparrow was convinced James' temperature had risen.

His temperature had risen quite a lot lately but that, James was sure, was due to his temper and not due to any infection.

James scowled. He had not even been able to pass a message to the doctor as they were never left alone! And, he was sure, if he did manage to ask the doctor to pass on any information for him, it could lead to the man being stranded on board the Black Pearl for the rest of his life - or dropped off in some remote part of the Caribbean in order to stop him passing the message on.

A thought struck him and James sat up straight, then winced at the pull on his shoulder. Captain Ellison! He knew what had happened that fateful night in Port Royal, Mr. Sandburg too. Surely one of them would have contacted Governor Swann or the fort?

"Jamie!"

The door burst open, Sparrow barrelled his way in and skidded to a halt by his bedside.

James raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

"I was about to ask you that, matey. Your 'eartbeat sped up."

He was appalled. "You were listening to my heartbeat?"

Sparrow grinned and winked as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I always do, Jamie. Your 'eartbeat's very soothing."

"Well!" Of all the nerve! "I find it to be most invasive listening to my heartbeat without so much as a by your leave!"

"Jamie!" The irritating pirate lolled at his leisure. "You're my Guide, of course I listen to your 'eartbeat."

James scowled and looked past the Sentinel to gaze out of the window. Realising for the first time that they were somewhere as opposed to simply 'at sea', he demanded, "Where are we?"

The relaxed attitude disappeared although Sparrow didn't move. "Tortuga."

A port! There was silence for a few seconds as James looked at his chance of escape, well aware that the Sentinel was watching him. "I suppose you'll be letting Dr. Anderson go now."

"Probably." The tone was careful.

"In Tortuga? Or will you be sailing back to Port Royal first?"

Sparrow's eyes met his, the gaze shrewd and assessing. "No matter to you, Jamie, you won't be seein' either port until we're bonded."

James raised his eyebrows and resisted the urge to smile triumphantly at winning a point. "I can see the port now, Mr. Sparrow, and we're not bonded."

That gold grin appeared as the Sentinel leaned forward. "I can change that in a trice, mate!"

"Uh...no!" James leaned back into his pillows, one hand clutching at his injured shoulder defensively. "I'll take your word for it."

Sparrow moved closer. "In any case, Jamie, it's Captain Sparrow, or Sentinel Sparrow or just Jack. Savvy?"

He looked down, not willing to challenge the Sentinel. Yet. "Savvy."

"Good." Sparrow stood and stretched. "You need food."

"I'm not -" He left the rest unsaid as the door swung shut leaving him alone. He had no doubts that damned annoying Sentinel would insist on feeding him again too.

~'~

"Where are we going now?"

Jim smiled as he noticed the 'we'. It seemed his Guide was accepting their bond quicker than he'd hoped. "I want to introduce you to Simon and the rest of the Watch. After that, we'll go to the governor's mansion and collect your belongings. My lodgings -" He stopped at the muffled sound of dismay from Sandburg. "What's the matter?"

"My things - they're in Commodore Norrington's office!"

So his Guide had gone back the fort last night. Jim felt relieved. "We'll collect them after you've met Simon. As I was saying, my lodgings are big enough for both of us and Mrs. Hudson will delight in having someone else to fuss over." He stopped and grinned down into Sandburg's face. "As a member of the Watch I can take care of myself, which limits her fussing." He watched as that sank in and a look of dismay filled his Guide's eyes.

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes! Her children left home years ago so she'll be pleased to meet you."

"Jim! You'll have to protect me!"

"From Mrs. Hudson?" Jim laughed. "I'd sooner face a boatful of pirates." He ignored the protests coming from his Guide and shepherded him into the building the Watch were based in. "Don't worry, Chief. She'll love mothering you."

"Oh, Lord!"

"No, this is Simon. You remember Simon, don't you, Chief?" He grinned at the look his Guide threw him.

"Of course I remember Captain Banks. How do you do, sir?"

"So Jim found you, then? I'm not surprised. Although," a chastising look was cast Jim's way, "I would have preferred to know that as I still have half a dozen men patrolling the port."

"Sorry, Simon. I had my mind on other things."

"I can imagine. Well, come on in, Blair, let me introduce you around."

~'~

Blair felt rather nervous as he followed the tall captains around the Watch headquarters and was introduced to all the Watchmen there - all of whom were large. Did the Watch only employ tall people? He was feeling shorter by the minute. However, everyone was friendly enough so he relaxed after a while.

The memory of the article he'd promised John came back and, not one to leave any opportunity ungrasped, he took his chance to question the men of the Watch, ignoring the rolled eyes of his Sentinel. Even if he were never to return to London, he owed it to John to complete the article and send it back to him.

By the time he had all the information he could get - if not all the information he wanted - it was past time for luncheon and his Sentinel was making angry noises that suggested that his Guide had better come and get fed or face the consequences. Accepting that life as a Guide apparently involved eating three good meals a day, Blair rolled up his parchments and tucked them safely inside his coat before following his Sentinel back to the King's Arms.

After that, it was a short walk to the fort to collect Blair's bags, and then Jim insisted that it was time for Blair to face Mrs. Hudson.

Blair hoped that Jim was exaggerating. After all, Jim seemed to be a very practical man and how much fussing could a practical man put up with? Surely if Mrs. Hudson was as much of a fusspot as Jim had claimed, the Sentinel would have moved by now?

He hadn't exaggerated. As soon as Jim appeared in sight, Mrs. Hudson fell upon him with exclamations of relief.

"Captain Ellison! I was so worried about you and the dear boys of the Watch!"

Blair hid a grin as he contemplated Captain Banks' face upon being referred to as a 'dear boy'.

"Those awful pirates were everywhere, Captain, everywhere. Mrs. Chigley swears she saw one peering in through her bedroom window. It gave her quite a turn, what with her in her stays and her husband out."

Blair's eyes widened, then he realised that she meant Mr. Chigley had not been in the house as opposed to not being in a corset.

"Fortunately, they didn't dare approach this house, dear Captain Ellison. I dare swear it was because they know I have a Captain of the Watch here and they'd be hunted down like the dogs they are if they tried anything!"

Finally, Jim interrupted her description of exactly what he would have done to them, (hanging being the most charitable thing involved), and Blair found himself being introduced and clasped in her arms as she thanked the good fortune that had given Captain Ellison his Guide. She could not have been more delighted to meet him had he been a long-lost member of her family.

Once he was released from the imprisonment of her hug, Blair's face was patted and his hair ruffled as the lady continued to exclaim out loud. "Such a dear wee boy!" she cried, to Blair's displeasure. "We must all be thankful that you never met up with those pirates, dear Mr. Sandburg, for surely it would have gone very badly for you if you had!"

Blair promptly tried to disabuse her of that notion. "I was at the port as the pirates were driven back, Mrs. Hudson. I was with Commodore Norrington -"

"Well, I'm sure the dear commodore, being such a brave man and all, managed to take good care of you!" She patted his face again happily.

Finally, his Sentinel saved him from being smothered to death, and escorted him to the rooms he rented, leaving Mrs. Hudson to rush off and make tea and a few sandwiches to tide them over until dinner.

Once inside their rooms, Blair leaned against the door. "How do you put up with that?"

Jim grinned. "I told you, she doesn't normally fuss over me. She only reacted that way today because of the pirate attack last night. Fortunately for me, I had you to distract her."

Blair scowled. "Lucky for you that we bonded last night then, or you would have been facing her on your own!"

He got another grin for that before Jim took his bag through a door on their left. "This will be your room, Chief. I hope you like it."

Blair followed him slowly. He realised now why the Sentinel stayed here; the place was spotless. Not one speck of dust disturbed the gleaming woodwork and the rooms smelt fresh and airy. Then again, if he had been a speck of dust, he would have done anything rather than settle in a place where he'd be forced to listen to Mrs. Hudson for any length of time.

~'~

"Well, Mr. James, your shoulder is well on the way to being mended, and there will not be any complications." Doctor Anderson glanced at the Sentinel pirate who had been keeping him on board solely to tend to his injured Guide and hoped that the reassurances would be enough. He turned his eyes back to the unhappy looking Guide in the bed and almost managed to feel sorry for him. "So, I'll be taking my leave of you."

The Guide opened his mouth to answer but the Sentinel spoke first. "Say goodbye to the nice doctor, Jamie."

From the glare Mr. James threw at Captain Sparrow, Doctor Anderson saw ructions ahead.

"Goodbye, Doctor Anderson. Thank you for all your assistance."

"Not at all, Mr. James. I'm glad I could help." The doctor saw nothing wrong in lying to his patient. The past few days had seen him held hostage by a madman whose only concern was for his Guide - not that Doctor Anderson hadn't expected that from a Sentinel. It was the man's blatant insanity that had him worried. And, the doctor fumed silently, given all the fighting in Port Royal the night he had been kidnapped, he'd missed out on quite a few paying patients.

"Norrington!"

The fragile silence that followed that was like glass, and the doctor broke it. "I beg your pardon?"

The Guide looked challengingly at the Sentinel, who crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, smirking. "My name is Norrington. Commodore Norrington."

He felt his jaw drop. His patient was Commodore Norrington...and he was on board a pirate ship? Ignoring the last part, his snobbery asserted itself. "Commodore! What a pleasure to meet you. I had no idea! Of course, I've always been a firm admirer of yours. The work you and your men have done in cleaning up Port Royal has been much appreciated by honest men like m-" The doctor realised what he'd said and in whose company, and broke off.

"Aye. Very glad us 'onest men have been to 'ave Commodore Norrington on our side," Captain Sparrow said, smiling widely. "Now, Doctor, I'll show you to the pier."

Refusing to return to his earlier flattery, the doctor wished his patient a simple goodbye and left, hoping to Heaven that the pirate escorting him had not taken offence and intended to make him walk the plank.

His fears were groundless. Once on deck, Captain Sparrow escorted him off the ship to where another pirate was waiting for him. Doctor Anderson was even more astonished when Captain Sparrow paid him.

He gazed down at the gold coin in his palm and blurted out, "It's not stolen, is it?" Horrified at his stupidity, he looked up into the pirate's smiling face.

"Now, mate, you don't ask, and I won't tell you."

The doctor gulped. "Thank you, Captain Sparrow. It's been a...pleasure."

"Mr. Gibbs 'as arranged passage on a boat back to Port Royal for you, and Kursar will show you where to find your boat."

"Once again, Captain Sparrow...thank you." The doctor left before the bloodthirsty pirate could regret his generosity and murder him for the gold coin.

~'~

Below deck, James was fuming. That damned doctor! He told him who he was and what reaction did he get? The social climbing doctor was thrilled to have tended to him! It was enough to turn a man's stomach.

He stared out of the window at the alluring sight of Tortuga. Normally, he'd never dream of going there but, at the moment, Tortuga represented freedom and a chance to escape the Sentinel who was determined to bond with him. From where the room was situated at the stern of the boat, he could see the pier stretching away on his left, and he watched the doctor, that damned doctor, walking away. Chewing the inside of his lip thoughtfully, he sank back against his pillows and reflected on his situation.

His shoulder, while still weak and painful, was not so bad as to incapacitate him. If only there were a way for him to escape from Jack. The Sentinel was constantly hovering over him with, James thought bitterly, an eager anticipation for their bond. He scowled to himself and slid lower into the bed. He had to come up with an escape plan!

His musings were interrupted by the Sentinel himself.

"Well, Jamie."

James watched him warily as he leaned against the doorframe. What was he up to now? That amused look of his could hide a thousand madcap plans. "Jack."

"On behalf of all honest men, I just wanted to say thank you for ridding Port Royal of those dastardly pirates." His imitation of the doctor was perfect.

James bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. "Oh, go to Hell, Jack!"

"Already been there, mate." With a grin and a wink he was gone.

~'~

"Jim!" Blair threw open the door and rushed upstairs to find his Sentinel, leaving Mrs. Hudson exclaiming in his wake. Finding the rooms empty, he rushed back downstairs. "Mrs. Hudson, where is he?"

"The dear Captain left to see Captain Banks, Mr. Sandburg. And I don't think he'd be pleased to see you worrying yourself over him like this!"

"Perhaps not, but I have to find him!" Blair ducked her attempt to get him into her sitting room for a quiet cup of tea and raced out of the house. Fortunately for him, he was built for speed while the lady was more of a majestic galleon, and he was gone before she could follow him.

Bursting into the headquarters of the Watch was probably not his best idea, but he ignored the half-drawn pistols that greeted him and demanded to know where Captains Ellison and Banks were. He was pointed in the direction of Captain Banks' office and raced towards it only to meet his Sentinel running out.

"What's wrong?"

He skidded to a halt, helped by his Sentinel's hands on his arms. "Lieutenant Gillette!" He gasped a couple of times then continued, "The Pearl was seen in Tortuga - he's taking the Interceptor there to get Norrington back."

"Can he do that?" The deep voice of Captain Banks interrupted them.

Jim shook his head. "Once they've bonded, the bond can't be broken." His hands moved gently over Blair's shoulders and head. "Except by death."

Blair grabbed his wrists. "And if one dies, the other follows."

Jim smiled and he knew that his Sentinel recognised the statement for the promise that it was.

"Can we stop him?"

He shook his head at Captain Banks. "They were ready to sail when I saw them. They'll be gone by now but," Blair looked up at his Sentinel, "we can follow them, can't we?"

"No. Tortuga is out of our jurisdiction and Lieutenant Gillette is not breaking the law." Jim gave him a one armed hug across his shoulders and steered him into Captain Banks' office. "Sparrow will able to deal with Gillette. He won't let anything happen to his Guide or his bond, you can be sure of that."

~'~

Jack pushed open the door with one foot and carefully angled the tray to avoid knocking it. "Ready for your dinner, Jamie?"

There was a resigned look on his Guide's face. "Will I get to hold my own fork this time?"

"You will indeed, mate. I'll be 'oldin' me own." He settled the tray across Jamie's legs and moved to take his tray from Joshamee. "Thanks, Josh."

"Enjoy your dinner, Jack. You too, Commodore."

Jack hid his frown. While he was proud of his Guide's drive and ambition, it was bound to cause problems between them in the future. However, for now he was going to eat dinner with his Guide so such concerns could wait.

"I'm impressed." Jamie was looking his tray over.

"With?"

Jamie waved his good hand over the tray. "Where did you steal your cook from?"

He laughed. He'd known that Jamie had a sense of humour lurking beneath that uniform. "Found 'im on board a pirate ship, mate. Offered 'im a position aboard the Black Pearl which 'e was pleased to accept as 'is previous employer was a bit too addicted to port wine and was rapidly gettin' the gout."

He won a smile for that and secretly thrilled to it, hoping it signalled a thawing of his Guide's attitude. While he was completely determined to bond with Jamie, come Hell or high water, Jack hoped that they could build a friendship outside of the bond. And, although he made sure that not one hint of a doubt appeared in his confident attitude, he was not so egotistical as to assume that he could persuade Jamie to be friends against his will.

"Well, my compliments to the chef."

"I'll be sure to tell 'im." Without making it too obvious, he kept an eye on his Guide making sure he didn't strain himself. He had already cut the food up to make it easier and he had expected Jamie to make a fuss about it but, for once, his Guide let it go.

After dinner, he suggested a game of Piquet. Jamie had been used to an active life and, while he couldn't move around the ship that much while he was still healing, Jack suspected that the boredom must be telling. In a fit of gallantry, Jack even refrained from cheating as he would have sworn on his life that Jamie would never cheat at cards. He knew that he was fortunate that Jamie fell asleep near the end of the game otherwise he would have had to face the ignominy of being capotted. He could stand losing, but to lose by such a huge margin, especially to his Guide? That would be hard to bear!

"'Ow is 'e?"

Jack gave Josh the trays and turned to shut the door, taking one last glance at his soon-to-be-bonded Guide. "'E's fine. 'E's tired."

"That's to be expected, Jack, although 'e was lucky. That shot could have 'it somethin' vital."

Jack's reply was unusually sombre. "We were both lucky."

"Are you sure..." His friend's voice trailed off at the look on Jack's face. "Yeah, I guess you are sure. Never one for the easy road, were you, Jack? Couldn't find a pirate Guide who wouldn't 'ave to be snatched in the middle of a fight."

He grinned, his natural ebullience reasserting itself. "You know me, Josh. The challenge is 'alf the fun!"

~'~

By the time James awoke, the sun was streaming in through the window and bathing Tortuga in a clean sunshine that it totally did not deserve. He grimaced. He'd fallen asleep while playing cards with Jack - and he would have won! - and he still had not thought up a viable escape plan. He guessed that Jack was not expecting him to try to escape, otherwise they would have been in the middle of the ocean again, making the attempt that much more difficult.

He gazed out of the window. He could see the harbour at Tortuga but the rest of his view was filled with the wide open sea. Suddenly he frowned and leaned forward slightly, his good hand automatically going up to hold his shoulder. He knew that ship.

With a gasp that skirted the edges of pain, he recognised the Interceptor. There was only one reason that he could think of for the Interceptor to be heading for Tortuga - to rescue her commodore. Pushing back the covers, he slid from the bed and reached for his breeches. Whatever happened, he had to be ready. If nothing else, this might divert Jack long enough for him to escape. If he jumped overboard the Interceptor would be bound to pick him up - and that would end the battle. Whatever his faults, Jack would take no chance of harming his Guide; he would realise the sense in withdrawing and making another attempt to kidnap James again another time.

Once he was dressed, he had to stop and lean his head against the wall for a while. He felt as weak as a kitten! James shoved back the fatigue with determination. He could take all the time he needed to rest later.

Footsteps caught his attention and he listened intently. The Interceptor had been spotted; he could hear the pirates on deck hurriedly making ready to cast off, and someone was coming to check on him...or keep watch over him. Half-panicking at the thought of it being Jack, he reached for the chamber pot and reeled towards the door. If this was his only chance, he was determined to take it.

The door opened and Gibbs stuck his head in. "Commo-" The rest was lost as the brass chamber pot connected smartly with a loud 'BOING', and Gibbs collapsed in a heap on the floor.

James dropped the mercifully empty pot with a smile and reached for the pirate's sword. He would have liked to take the pistol too, but that was in the front of Gibbs' belt and James did not have the strength to roll him over.

Swaying with the ship's motion, he made his way into the passageway and aimed for the stairs. He had to get to the deck before -

"Goin' somewhere, Jamie?" Jack smiled down at him from the top step.

"I'm leaving this ship, Jack." He backed up as the Sentinel descended the stairs with a feline grace, and gulped as fear curled up from his stomach to wind itself around his heart.

"You're not goin' anywhere, mate. You're my Guide." His eyes flicked to one side. "What did you use to take down Josh?"

"The chamber pot."

"Ah. That was the noise I 'eard." Jack nodded, looking pleased. "Smart move, Jamie, I'm impressed."

"Regardless of how impressed you are, I'm leaving." James waved the sword slightly. "Move aside."

"Jamie, I can't let you do that. The Interceptor is bearin' down on us and although my crew are good, your determined lieutenant might catch up with us. I can't risk losin' you."

James's voice was harsh. "You've already lost me!"

"No, mate, we're almost out of time but we're not there yet. All we 'ave to do is bond before the Interceptor arrives and there's no chance that you'll be taken from me."

"I won't let you do that. Find yourself another Guide."

"I can't do that, Jamie. You're my Guide." The Sentinel smiled, his grin predatory, "I've been lookin' forward to this since I first scented you." He moved forward, then stepped back as the business end of Gibbs' sword was waved in his face. "If this is the way you want it, Jamie, this is the way it'll be." He slid his sword free of its sheath and flicked it at James' blade.

James moved back. He wasn't fool enough to think that he could defeat Jack right now - his shoulder was aching and he was having to fight with his left hand - but if he could hold him off long enough, maybe Gillette could board the ship.

"There's nowhere you can go, Jamie. You'll 'ave to fight me sooner or later...or put up your sword now."

James gritted his teeth and made a lunge at Jack. Still grinning, the Sentinel parried the thrust and knocked his blade aside. Recovering, James made another pass but that met with the same fate. His blade scratched the wall of the passageway and Jack frowned.

"Mind, Jamie! We don't want to damage the Pearl."

If he'd had the breath to spare, James would have pointed out that he didn't care if they sank the Pearl as long as it stopped Jack, but he didn't, so he lunged forward again, hoping that this time his thrust would break through Jack's guard.

It didn't. The lunge was blocked and James almost lost his sword with the shock of it. Stepping back, he took the time to take a few breaths. All of Jack's fencing had been on the defensive side so far, and he doubted if that were about to change.

"Gettin' tired, Jamie?"

There was an alluring sympathy in the Sentinel's voice but James shook it off and used it to fuel his anger. He knew he was tired. His breathing was noisy, his arm shaking with fatigue, but he was determined to avoid submitting and his anger was the only thing he had to keep him fighting longer.

For a second, Jack's attention was caught by a noise from above and James took the opportunity to thrust forward once more. Jack's attention snapped back just in time, and he caught James' blade with his, turning it aside at the last second and stepping in close to grab his Guide's wrist and force it down between them. Panicked, James stepped back, but the iron grip on his wrist never faltered and he couldn't go far.

"It's time." The Sentinel's tone was harsh and determined.

His sword was taken from his hand with an ease that suggested Jack had been playing with him before and there was a clang as the other sword was discarded. James began to struggle, but Jack's wiry strength had not faded while his was all but gone. If Jack hadn't been holding him up, James was sure he would have fallen to the floor by now. Therefore, he was barely able to resist as he was forced backwards down the passageway and into another bedroom.

His panicked gaze registered the change in locale before settling back on the feral Sentinel in front of him. "Jack, don't do this!" Staring into the Sentinel's face, he wondered if there was anything of the man left. The devilish gleam in the eye was gone, leaving them darkly intent, and the mocking smirk had disappeared, leaving the teeth bared in what could only be described as a feral smile. "Jack, please!"

The nostrils flared and the smile widened as the Sentinel pushed him down onto the bed and followed him down with a growl of, "Guide!"

"No!" James writhed as much as he could as he tried to escape. His good arm was pinned above his head, leaving only his weaker arm free. Frantically, he ignored the pain shooting from his shoulder and threw his arm out trying to find something, anything, to use as a weapon, but his searching fingers found only the blankets.

Jack's free hand grasped his jaw with hard fingers and pushed his face to one side, leaving his neck exposed and vulnerable. James jerked away as he was scented there, shouting out in anger and fear. His incoherent protest turned into a moan, however, as the Sentinel caught the soft flesh with his teeth. He wasn't biting down, not yet, but James hovered on the edge; his thoughts were still rational and reeling from the immensity of what was happening, but a flush of heat was filling him, luring him into letting go.

Trapped between the two emotions, he froze, overwhelmed with confusion, then cried out as the teeth bit down and Jack's mind plunged into his, shattering his barriers beyond repair. He tilted his head further back as his mind tumbled happily into the bond, and felt lost in the swirling storm of memories and emotions that were pouring in from Jack's mind. The room spun around him, seemingly caught up in the maelstrom that was filling his brain; he snapped his eyes shut to avoid the spinning sight and fell into the darkness.

~'~

"Jamie?" Jack patted his Guide's face gently then smiled. He didn't think Jamie would be waking up any time soon. Carefully, he moved his Guide up the bed and opened up his shirt to check on the shoulder wound. He peeled back the edge of the dressing and smiled again. It hadn't broken open. That had been the one thing he had worried about during bonding as he had not supposed that Jamie would give in without a fight.

Scowling suddenly, he leapt off the bed and stood between the door and the bed, tuning out the murmured protest from his Guide. Whoever it was could not be allowed to approach his sleeping Guide.

The handle turned, the door opened, and Joshamee staggered in, one hand clutching his bruised head.

Jack relaxed slightly although he kept his place. "'Ow's the 'ead?"

"Bloody sore - what did 'e 'it me with?"

"The chamber pot."

"Charming." Josh rubbed his head ruefully. "I'd expect better from a commodore, you know."

"At least it was empty. Be grateful." Jack smiled, gloating over his Guide's quick wits.

"That's a point." A thought seemed to strike him and Joshamee looked around, "Where is 'e?"

Jack indicated the bed behind him with a jerk of his head. "Sleeping."

"At a time like thi - you bonded?"

"Just in time too. It sounds like the Interceptor is about to board us. C'mon!" Jack hustled Josh from the room then came back and covered Jamie up carefully, shushing the sleepy distress. "I'll be back as soon as I can be." Then, pausing only long enough to lock the door securely, he grabbed his sword and followed Joshamee up on deck.

As he had expected, the Interceptor had caught up with them and the boarding ropes were already being tossed across.

"Pirate!"

Jack grinned at Gillette. "Lovely afternoon, isn't it, mate?" he called across. "Come to visit my Guide, 'ave you?"

The frantic race to board the pirate ship stilled.

"That's right. We're bonded." Jack smiled, glorying in the beauty of the day. "Now, you're more than welcome to come aboard and see my Guide - but I'd prefer it if you didn't use boardin' ropes to do it with. 'Ell on the woodwork, you know." He watched as the other officers looked towards Gillette, waiting for orders as to what to do next.

"How can I take your word that you're bonded? You might be lying!"

"It's entirely possible, mate, but Commodore Norrington wouldn't lie, would 'e? So you'll just have to come aboard and ask 'im yourself. Although you'll 'ave to wait to speak to 'im - 'e's sleepin' right now."

There was another pause, then Gillette moved forward.

Jack held up one hand. "Unarmed, if you please. Not that I don't trust you."

After a few seconds' hesitation, Gillette discarded his sword and pistol, then scrambled up and jumped lightly across to the pirate ship.

Smiling triumphantly, Jack led him below deck and unlocked the door. As he'd suspected, his Guide was fighting the exhaustion that was keeping him under, needing to wake up in order to search for his Sentinel.

Gillette made to step forward but Jack stopped him. "You can see 'im when 'e wakes up. Joshamee! Take good care of our guest." With that, he stepped into the room and shut the door firmly before locking it. Dismissing everyone else from his mind, he made his way to the bed and settled down, sliding his mind into his Guide's in order to shelter him from the crew's emotions. "It's all right, Jamie. Go back to sleep."

The fretful lines faded from Jamie's face and Jack smiled as he felt his Guide slip back into unconsciousness. Jack stretched out on the bed and curled one arm possessively around the sleeping figure, then murmured, "I'm sorry about that, mate; I know you needed me 'ere. Seems your lieutenant was anxious to know that you're all right." He tightened his arm slightly and breathed in his Guide's scent, allowing it to soothe him. "You'll be fine once you've rested up for a bit."

~'~

This time when James awoke, it was to the knowledge that no escape plan could help him now; he was bonded. Oddly enough, he didn't mind it as much as he'd thought he would. Jack's profession, if piracy could be called a profession, was the source of much concern but being bonded to Jack himself did not bother him in the slightest.

"Evenin', Jamie."

He turned his head to look at his Sentinel. "Good evening, Jack." He frowned. "Was I dreaming or is Lieutenant Gillette on board?"

He got a grin for that. "'E's on board, mate, and agitatin' to know 'ow you are."

"Oh, dear." James supposed he would have to face him sooner or later.

"If you don't want to see 'im, you just say the word."

"I'll have to see him. He'll never believe you that we've bonded." He gave Jack a straight look and got another grin in return.

"You sayin' my word isn't good enough, Jamie?"

"Lieutenant Gillette definitely believes that!"

"All right, then, Jamie. You want to face 'im, you can. But if 'e says the wrong thing, I'm throwin' him off the Pearl, savvy?"

"Savvy, Jack."

"All right, then. 'E's in your cabin." Jack smirked. "I didn't like to leave an officer of the King's Navy wanderin' around the Pearl; 'oo knows what kind of trouble 'e'd get up to?"

"Jack?"

"Yes, Jamie?"

"I'm an officer of the King's Navy, remember?"

"'Ow could I forget, mate?" Jack replied, indignantly. "I'll 'ave to lock you in your cabin every time I board a ship!"

James sat on the edge of the bed and regarded his Sentinel steadily. "Seriously, Jack, this is going to be a problem."

"I know, Jamie, but what can I do? I'm a pirate - it's what I do, it's what I know!"

"You could become a privateer instead."

Jack frowned. "What's the difference?"

"A privateer doesn't attack English ships - only the ships of her enemies."

He rolled his eyes. "So far, mate, that just sounds like a way to cut down on my profits with no benefits to me or my crew!"

"You and your crew wouldn't be pirates, you wouldn't be hanged for being pirates." He had Jack's attention now. "Officers of the King's Navy would not be obliged to arrest you upon sight!"

Jack thought about that for a second, then, "Because we'd be workin' for the King?"

"Unofficially, yes."

"Unofficially?"

"Well, if you were captured boarding a Spanish frigate, the Navy wouldn't be sent in to rescue you."

The grin flashed out again. "Mate, if I can't rescue myself, I'd allow them to 'ang me!"

Something he'd wondered about came back to James at that point. "Jack, how did you get out of that cell?"

"At the fort?"

James nodded.

"Bloody great cannonball came through the wall. Nearly took my 'ead off."

"Good God!"

"That's what I said, mate. Or words to that effect. Now, we goin' to tell Gillette the good news about me and my crew becomin' privateers?"

James laughed at the thought of it. "Jack, I hope you disarmed him. He'll probably want to shoot you for it!"

"Don't worry, mate. Your Sentinel already thought of that one."

~'~

James lifted his face to the breeze as the Black Pearl neared Port Royal. Gillette had taken the news badly but he had accepted it in the end, and now the Interceptor was escorting the King's latest privateer ship into Port Royal. He glanced over at his Sentinel who was happily steering his ship. This was not the life he would have chosen, he was, after all, very happy being a Naval Officer, but Jack could never give up the Pearl. And it wouldn't be a bad life. He smiled suddenly. At least with Jack there'd be no paperwork. He suspected that Jack would throw him overboard if he tried to make him write a report.

Moving to the side of the ship he smiled as he saw Captain Ellison and Mr. Sandburg waiting for them. So they had bonded after all.

"Glad to be back, Jamie?"

He didn't bother to turn his head. Even if he hadn't recognised his Sentinel's voice, there was only one person who called him 'Jamie'. "It'll be good to see Port Royal again. Maybe meet my replacement."

"Whoever 'e is, 'e won't do as fine a job as you did, Jamie. Port Royal was gettin' quite a reputation for 'angin' pirates."

James grinned and looked his Sentinel in the eye. "I can only think of one pirate I failed to hang, Captain Sparrow. It seems I had to settle for reforming him."

"Reformin'?" That devilish gleam was back in his eye. "Well, we'll 'ave to see about that, won't we?"

~finis~

19th December 2004