Pirate AU
Chris glared at his drink. "Where the hell are they? It's been over an hour!"JD gulped down the rest of his ale. "I'll go look for them," he offered, putting down the mug and rushing out.
"You think something might have happened to them?" Josiah asked, the worry clear in his voice.
"Josiah, this is Ezra and Nathan we are discussing!" Buck huffed. "Remember how peaceful life was before we met them? A few battles, an occasional skirmish with the governor's troops and that was it. Now, we get trapped in caves, sunk by storms, stranded on deserted islands, engage in battle every two days... It's not normal! We've been through three ships in the last weeks!"
"We're also rich, have a much better ship, and we've never had so much fun before." Vin added softly.
Buck sighed. "Yeah, there is that. You sure get attached to those two, don't you? Not to mention the boy, who's as bad as them. We should start calling them the 'Troublesome Threesome'."
JD walked in at that moment, a small pouch in his hand, worry shining deeply in the hazel eyes. "I found Nathan's herbal pouch," he announced as he sat down. "It was lying on the ground, in the middle of the street."
"Damnit," Chris murmured angrily.
"Captain Larabee?" A small voice asked from beside him.
He turned his head to see a young boy, maybe six or seven years old, looking expectantly up at him. "Yes?"
"I have something for you." the boy said, big blue eyes blinking fearfully, giving Chris a folded sheet of paper before running away and disappearing from the tavern.
Chris unfolded the note and read it, feeling his anger growing as the words impacted into his soul.
"What does it say?" Vin asked.
"'Meet me tonight at midnight with the treasure or he dies. I will be waiting at the Standish plantation.' It's not signed, but I can guess who it's from."
"Rupert Standish." JD stated firmly. "But... the note says 'he dies'? He must mean Ezra. But what about Nathan?"
"Hopefully, the note was written before they were captured. They were probably just trying to catch Ezra, but he's never been alone so they decided to take Nathan as well." Josiah replied.
"Now what?" Buck asked.
"We get ready for tonight." Chris growled. "And this time Standish is not getting away from me."
=-=-=-=VA=-=-=-=
They left Port Royal as soon as it got dark; JD driving a cart loaded with large wooden boxes to hide their cargo, the rest of them on horses. It would give them an edge over whatever Rupert Standish had planned for them.
They had been traveling the dirt road for nearly an hour when bad luck struck again. Vin was riding beneath the branches of an overhanging tree when a dark figure dropped without warning from the foliage. The attacker landed on Vin's back, sending him crashing into the ground.
Vin's terrified mount reared up in panic but the attacker hung on. For an instant, Chris was too startled to react, but reflexes honed by years of danger took command. He quickly reached for his pistol, his hand as steady as a rock as he aimed it at the bandit.
The robber, fighting to control the horse, was a difficult target but Chris' aim was deadly; his bullet struck the man in the middle of the back. The bandit flung his arms out with a cry and fell sideways from the saddle, his hands still tangled in the reins. Secured by the weight of the body, Vin's horse could not move.
"Chris --" JD began.
"Not now!" Chris interjected with a shout.
He remained where he was; road bandits rarely worked alone and sooner or later more would emerge from the shadows. He did not have to wait long. Three more rose from the long grass beside the road; one made for Vin's unconscious frame while the rest made to approach the cart.
Without a thought for the consequences, Chris charged at the two heading towards JD, using his thighs to guide his mount while he turned the empty weapon into a club. One blow felled the man on his right and he kicked out with his left leg, striking the other in the face. Both men reeled away, driven off by the savagery of his resistance.
The robber who had run towards Vin was bending over him with an upraised dagger. Before he could so much as move, Buck ran him through with his sword, a single thrust which tore the man's throat open.
"No one hurts my friends!" The mustached man growled angrily.
Wheeling around the tree, Chris looked up. The branches were empty, so he slid from his saddle. "Everyone all right?"
"Yeah, yeah." JD replied shakily.
Chris nodded, rushing over to Vin. He knelt by the younger man. A quick touch on the warm throat confirmed he was still alive. "He's fine. Must have hurt his head when he fell down." He patted Vin's face gently. "Vin. Vin, wake up."
The other man groaned, opening his eyes and looking up dazedly at him. "What happened?"
"We were attacked by bandits. One of them jumped on your back and knocked you from the horse. Think you can ride?" Chris asked softly.
Vin sat up, touching the back of his head gingerly. Chris was relieved when the hand came back with no blood. "Yeah, I think I can manage." Vin answered. "Just don't ask me to put my thoughts into any kind of order, my head hurts too much."
Chris helped the other man rise. "I didn't know you could think," he quipped with a grin.
Vin made a face. "Ha ha. Trying for Court jester, Larabee?"
Chris patted the man's back softly. "I might. Wait here, I'll get you your horse." Three strides allowed him to catch the trembling horse. He kicked aside the body of the thief he had shot to free the leather straps and returned to Vin. "Here. Try to stay on it this time." He chuckled, springing onto the back of his own horse. "Let's keep going. We still have at least half an hour before we get to the plantation."
=-=-=-=VA=-=-=-=
Ezra watched his uncle pacing around like a caged animal before him. It was nearly midnight and they were waiting by the steps of the collapsed main building. The rope binding his ankles had been severed, but his hands were still firmly tied behind his back, and one of the guards had a tight grip on his arm.
"What do you intend to do with me?" He finally asked.
His uncle grinned evilly. "Trade you for the treasure, of course."
"And will you allow us to leave safely?" Ezra asked dubiously.
"Do you doubt my word?" The senior Standish asked, raising an eyebrow in mock puzzlement.
"In a word... Yes." Ezra drawled sarcastically.
His uncle laughed. "And you should. You are correct; I do have other plans. Like killing you, nephew. You are the reason why I have been surviving on bread and water for the last days, why I have been sleeping on the ground like a common vagabond. Before you came along, the slaves knew who the Master was and how to behave. But because of you I have lost everything I held dear. You have cost me my plantation, my fortune, my position as governor, my strongest ally's life, and even that treasure. It's time I take matters into my own hands; you must pay for what you have done."
"Larabee won't allow you to kill me." Ezra promised, knowing his lover would do anything in his power to get him out of his uncle's clutches safe and sound.
"He won't have much choice. Not with a pistol aimed at his men. And by the time he realizes what is happening, it will be too late."
"You are mad!" Ezra spat angrily.
"Perhaps," his uncle conceded. "But I will be an extremely rich madman in a few more minutes. And you will be dead."
=-=-=-=VA=-=-=-=
As soon as they drew close enough to the plantation, Chris was able to see the three men standing before the main house; the light from a lantern shining eerily around them.
He recognized Rupert Standish immediately, in spite of it having been some time since he had last seen the man. He still stood tall and rigid, forever the plantation owner, so full of himself. Not even being on the run had slumped the man's proud bearing.
Behind him stood Ezra, his hands obviously tied behind his back, the third man holding a dagger pressed against his neck. Chris shuddered as he realized that just one slip would be enough to kill his lover.
"Larabee!" Rupert Standish spat when they were finally close enough to talk.
"Standish." He drawled back, making no move to dismount from the horse.
"Let's get down to business, shall we? I believe I have something you want, and you have something I need."
"You want this?" Chris asked in a deadly voice, gesturing towards the cart.
"Bring it closer." The man ordered harshly.
Chris shook his head. "Release Ezra first. And where the hell is Nathan?"
Standish laughed humorlessly. "I believe you have yet to understand who is in charge here, Larabee." Turning slightly, "Mr. Pitt, if you please," he spoke nonchalantly.
Answering to his voice, the man holding Ezra pressed the dagger closer to his captive's neck, breaking the skin and making the other man cry out in pain.
Chris glared at Standish, but relented. "All right! It's your move."
"That's better. Mr. Pitt, you can rest for a moment. Answering your question, Larabee, the slave is no longer here. He didn't interest me. He was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Is he dead?" Chris asked in a low, dangerous tone.
"Dead? My goodness, no! That's the last thing my men would want to see happen. But I still have my dear nephew. And unless you give me what I want, I will kill him."
Chris saw Ezra trying to speak, but the dagger brushed dangerously close to his throat and his lover quieted down. He had to make the exchange rapidly, before things got out of hand.
"Fine!" He barked furiously. "JD, take the cart over to our former governor." He smirked as the man glared at his words.
The young man nodded, slapping the reins and forcing the horses to move a little closer to the three men. He stopped when he was inches away from Standish and jumped from the cart, walking backwards carefully, his eyes never leaving Ezra's captors.
Chris saw Standish gaze curiously at the boxes and nod. "Good, good." He drawled softly. "You know Larabee, I have to say I'm disappointed. After all this time and you still haven't learned your lesson." He grinned. "You, sir, are a fool," he told Chris as he gestured for his man to act.
"No!" Chris shouted as he pulled out his pistol and tried to shoot the man who was swinging his blade down over Ezra's exposed neck.
He heard Josiah yell something from behind him, then a shot rang out, but his eyes never left the man holding Ezra. He held his breath as Ezra suddenly kicked the man in the shin, then dropped to his knees, taking advantage of the fact the man had moved his arm slightly away. Not wasting any time, Chris aimed his pistol at the man, shooting him in the stomach.
Seeing the man fall down in a heap on the ground, Chris finally risked looking at the others. They were all standing together, surrounding a dead Standish.
"Who killed him?" He asked.
"I did," Josiah replied apologetically. "He was going to shoot Buck, I had no choice."
"By no means do I wish to interrupt such lively conversation, but would it possible for one of you gentlemen to cut my ropes?" Ezra asked sarcastically from behind them.
"Sorry, Ezra." Chris grinned, cutting through the binds imprisoning the other man. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," Ezra replied, touching his neck with a grimace. "It's merely a scratch. I have to say, though, that is one experience I have no wish to relive again."
"Pitt?" Chris asked.
"Dying." Ezra stated. "With a bullet in his stomach, it will take him a long time to do so. Is that the treasure?" He glanced at the cart.
"No." Buck chuckled. "We filled the boxes with rocks, figured your uncle wouldn't have much help, and would be too busy with you and Nathan to check it. He was such an arrogant bastard, it didn't even cross his mind we would try to double-cross him. He should've known better."
"Taking a great risk with our lives, weren't you?" Ezra chided, glaring at Chris.
"I'm sorry. But we didn't exactly have much time for planning. Where's Nathan, Ezra?"
Ezra's eyes darkened. "My uncle had a second man working for him, he took Nathan back to Port Royal. Intends to sell him tomorrow at the slave auction. We have to hurry back to town."
"They can't sell him! Didn't you give Nathan his freedom papers?" JD asked with a frown.
"Yes. But I heard my uncle speaking with one of the men, they destroyed the document. There's no way of proving Nathan is free now, we will have to buy him back." Ezra replied grimly.
Buck exhaled softly. "Lord, I will never complain about not having anything to do all day. If we keep going this way, we'll all perish from exhaustion!"
"Josiah, release the horses from the cart, we can leave it here. Ezra and JD can ride the horses back to Port Royal. We have a long ride ahead of us and we have to be up early for the auction." Once both Ezra and JD had their mounts, Chris nodded. "Let's ride. We have a friend to rescue."
CHAPTER VI - Brand New Life
The town's square was filled to capacity as they arrived for the auction. Chris watched the proceedings with an unemotional eye, trying not to let his distaste at the whole thing get the best of him. In spite of having been a pirate until recently, it never ceased to amaze him the amount of evil man could dispense on another human being. It was truly a frightening thing to behold.The six men waited patiently as slave after slave was sold, man, woman and child alike. Finally the merchant gestured to his helpers, who brought a tightly bound Nathan forward for inspection.
"Fine slave, new this morning," the merchant told the crowd. "As you can see, he's a strong one, well built, fit for hard work. He's cultured too, well spoken. Not too many of 'em like that. Name's Nathan."
"How much?" Someone shouted from the audience.
"For you, Master Johnson? Three gold coins."
"I'll give you five!" Another voice yelled from the back.
Chris looked around. The square was full of soldiers; they would not be able to fight their way to rescue Nathan. They had tried to find Governor Perry that morning to let him know what was happening, but were told the governor was away on business. The only thing left to do was buy Nathan back. At least now they had the money to do it.
"Six coins!" He shouted, grinning as Nathan glared at him.
"Very good!" the merchant crooned. "Who else?"
"Seven!" Master Johnson shouted back.
"Eight!" Chris offered. "Josiah, have a quiet word with Master Johnson, will you? Persuade him it is not in his best interest to buy that slave."
Josiah chuckled. "Right away, Chris."
Chris watched the big man move through the throng of people in the square until he was by Johnson's side. Josiah said a few words, and suddenly the startled man looked straight at Chris, who saluted him and grinned. Seconds later Josiah was back with them.
"Will he stop bidding?" JD asked anxiously.
"Yes." Josiah replied, looking very pleased with himself.
"What did you tell him?" Buck asked. "The man is white as a ghost!"
Josiah chuckled. "Well, I told him Chris was the famous Captain Larabee and that if he so much as looked at Nathan again, we would snatch him from his home one day and cut him up into little pieces, which would then be sent to his family."
"Josiah, really!" Ezra chided, but he had a wide smile on his face. "I would have told him we would gut him and feed his insides to the farm animals. But... I guess that will do." He deadpanned with a mock sigh, making the others laugh.
"Who will give me more than eight coins?" the merchant called out. "No one? Then sold to the man in black."
"Come on, let's go get Nathan." Chris told the others.
A few minutes later they had paid for their 'slave', who was glaring at them while he rubbed sore wrists. "Did you really have to buy me?" Nathan grumbled.
"It was the only way. Couldn't find the governor and there are too many guards around. Come on, let's get out of this place."
"Not yet, Chris." Nathan interjected. "Joseph's here."
"What? Why?" JD exclaimed. "I thought he was hiding in the jungle with the other slaves!"
"He was. But every once in a while, some of them come to town for food. He was caught two days ago, and when he couldn't prove he was free and no one claimed him, he was sent to the auction."
Chris sighed. "His papers are back on the ship, we can't prove he's a free man either. All right. We'll buy him as well. At least it will save us the trouble of having to go after them in the jungle."
=-=-=-=VA=-=-=-=
Twenty minutes later, Joseph was hugging Ezra enthusiastically. "Young Master! Ya is well!"
Ezra smiled gently. "I am fine, Joseph, and please, don't call me that anymore. Seems like life has given us both a hand, because we were ready to go in search of your hideout tomorrow."
"Why?" Joseph asked curiously.
"The new governor has given me the deed to the plantation and also the slave's ownership documents."
"So the plantation is yours?"
"Yes. And I have also made arrangements for all of you to be free. The documents are signed and safely back at Captain Larabee's ship."
Joseph's eyes grew wide. "W-we're... free?"
"Yes. Is it possible for you and the others to meet me tomorrow at midday at the plantation? I want to give you the papers and make you all a proposition."
"Proposition?" Joseph echoed.
"I wish to rebuild the plantation, Joseph, and I would be infinitely grateful if you kept working there. Not as slaves, but as independent workers. You would receive a small salary at the end of each week in exchange for your services. I don't know how much I can afford to pay, since it will probably be a few years before the fields will give us enough to make a profit, but --"
"We stay and work for ya," Joseph interrupted to assure. "You's a good man and we needs money to be free men. What we been doin' in that jungle ain't livin'. You're givin' us a second chance and I thinks everyone will take it. We be there tomorrow."
Ezra nodded. "Thank you. Don't forget, tomorrow at midday."
"That reminds me," Buck said when Joseph had left. "We left the bodies behind."
"Good. Maybe the animals fed on them," Chris stated cruelly. "If not, we will bury them tomorrow. I'm sure Standish's former slaves will rejoice in seeing their nemesis' dead body."
Josiah yawned suddenly. "Lord, I'm exhausted!" He muttered.
Chris nodded. "Let's go back to the ship. We can use a few hours sleep after the night we had. I think it's time for us to start enjoying the free days we've been given before meeting with Orrin Travis."
JD sighed contentedly. "Yeah. All's well that ends well." He groused, yelling as Buck cuffed him on the head. "What?!"
Chris exhaled softly as he followed the six men back to the ship. They were finally rid of all their enemies, and Lord willing, they would finally be able to have some much deserved peace.
=-=-=-=VA=-=-=-=
Chris walked into his cabin to find Ezra already in bed and fast asleep. The other man was lying on his stomach, and obviously naked under the sheet covering him. Not that the linen was doing much; it was pooled around Ezra's waist, showing the smooth expanse of his back, a leg also uncovered from the thigh down. All in all, Chris thought, a beautiful sight.
He shuddered as he noticed the small wound on Ezra's neck, the result of Pitt's dagger. He had come close to losing Ezra yet again, this time forever. He suddenly felt the need to be with the other man, to touch him, to love him.
Knowing most of the crew was on shore, and that they were virtually alone, he decided to take the chance. Even if the others heard them, it was not as if they didn't know what was going on between them.
He undressed quickly, then knelt on the bed, allowing his eyes to feast on his lover's body. Finally satisfied he had memorized every sensuous curve, he crawled up on his hands and knees until his lips were directly above Ezra's shoulders. Grinning wickedly, he leaned down, nibbling first one shoulder, then the other, licking on the creamy skin to ease the sting. Ezra moaned and squirmed beneath him, but still didn't rouse.
Moving the sheet aside, he ran his tongue up and down Ezra's spine, slowly, little catlike strokes that had his lover moaning and whimpering almost continuously.
"Chris..." Ezra groaned, coming fully awake. "Please..."
"Please what?" He asked teasingly, hands gripping his lover's firm mounds and kneading gently. "Please... do this?" Running his tongue slowly up and down Ezra's cleft, he gripped tighter as his lover whimpered and jerked. "Or please... do this?" He breathed hotly over the tiny pucker before licking slowly across the opening.
Enjoying Ezra's little mewling sounds, he began to lave it with his tongue, nipping the wrinkled bud with his teeth and stroking the other man's balls and hardening cock.
"Make love to me, Chris," Ezra begged in a restrained voice, his breath coming in tiny gasps of pleasure with each sweep of Chris' tongue.
"Are you certain you are prepared now?" Chris teased, nibbling at the sensitive skin.
"Lord, yes!" Ezra shouted impatiently.
"Very well," Chris whispered as his tongue dipped inside the tight channel, making Ezra groan low in his throat, his legs spreading wider in wanton invitation. "Turn over, I want to see your face."
Ezra turned around, lying on his back, and Chris straddled his hips, one finger brushing lightly across a taut nipple. He moved his hand low to brush across Ezra's smooth skin at the juncture of hip and thigh, while his lips targeted the twin peaks. His wet tongue slid slowly across the hard nubs, wrenching a low moan deep from within Ezra's body.
He felt Ezra wiggle under his body weight, trying to press harder against him, wordlessly expressing his need. Chris chuckled, kissing and licking across Ezra's tightly wound body, enjoying the way his lover arched into his touch.
He moved over his lover, possessing the sweet, addictive mouth thoroughly. Ezra opened up to him immediately, both of them moaning as their cocks brushed heatedly together.
Pulling their lips apart, Chris reached for the jar with the oil and slowly coated Ezra's cleft with it. Sliding one finger inside the tiny puckered entrance, he moved it carefully in little circles, until the channel grew used to the intruder. When he thought Ezra was ready, he added a second digit, smiling as his lover groaned at the strange sensation. He gently manipulated his fingers first one way then another until Ezra was writhing helplessly on the bed.
Finally a third finger joined inside the tight channel, and he waited for Ezra to loosen up. At last, that moment came and Chris tenderly caressed his lover's flank in response, stilling his probing motions.
"It's time, Ez." He whispered, watching the glazed green eyes shining approval.
He rubbed the oil up and down his shaft, coating it thickly so Ezra wouldn't feel too much pain. His fingers pushed gently at the loosened hole, making sure his lover was prepared. He lined up his cock with the entrance to Ezra's body and began to slowly penetrate the tight opening.
Ezra tensed up almost immediately, groaning painfully beneath him. He made as if to push Chris away, but Chris grabbed the wandering hands, pressing them firmly to the pillows with his own.
"I know it hurts, Ezra. Take a deep breath, let your body get used to me," he gritted out, brushing his lips gently over Ezra's sweat sheened forehead, while he tried desperately to control the impulse to thrust into the virgin heat of his lover's body.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he felt Ezra's body loosen up around him. He remained still for a moment longer; their gasping pants the only sound in the otherwise silent cabin.
"I have to move, Ezra." He breathed, his control just about gone.
Watery green eyes blinked opened and gazed up at him. "Then move," Ezra whispered back, a slight smile grazing his lips.
Slowly he began to undulate, his cock sliding gently in and out of the tight passageway. He kept Ezra's hands captive, lacing their fingers together as they began to move in a perfect rhythm.
He buried his face in his lover's neck, nibbling softly. One of his hands slid down and gripped Ezra's wilted cock bringing it back to full arousal, the other still binding Ezra's wrists tightly. Ezra moaned and whimpered in response to his dual assault, bucking frantically against him, their thrusts getting harder and faster as he continued to pump Ezra's cock, willing him to come on his hand.
With a loud gasp of completion, Ezra finally surrendered to him, his seed flowing hotly over Chris' hand and their bodies. The clenching of Ezra's inner muscles sent him over the edge as well; growling low in his throat he bit sharply on Ezra's throat, filling his lover's passage with his come.
They lay together for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms, allowing their heartbeats and breathing to slowly return to normal.
"Chris?" Ezra finally whispered quietly
"Yes?" He asked, his head never leaving its resting place on Ezra's chest.
"It was worth the wait." Ezra's tone was amused.
Chris chuckled lightly. "I'm glad you think so." He kissed the nipple closest to his lips.
Cuddling Ezra close, he wrenched the sheet free and drew it up over them before giving in to the sleep that always followed incredible lovemaking.
=-=-=-=VA=-=-=-=
When he woke up, Ezra was not on the bed or in the cabin. Dressing quickly, Chris walked out of what was now their quarters, finding his lover staring enthralled at the dawning day. The sky was changing from red into gold and then into a yellow-white brightness, the sun rising over the horizon, giving it the impression it was emerging from the calm sea.
"All right?" He whispered, wrapping his arms around Ezra's waist from behind.
"Yes. Just enjoying the view. It's been so long since I've been allowed to fully enjoy such a magnificent act of nature." He tilted his head up to look at Chris. "You do realize we are finally liberated, don't you? No more Captain Death, no more Governor Rupert Standish. We have been given the chance to start anew. No more ghosts from the past, no more hate."
Chris smiled, leaning down to kiss the upturned nose. "Yes. We are going to be all right."
"All of us." A new voice stated, and they turned to see Buck, JD, Vin, Josiah and Nathan standing behind them.
The seven remained in comfortable silence, watching the sun shine its light down on Port Royal, while the town slowly came awake. It was the start of a brand new day for the good people of Jamaica. But it was the start of a brand new life for the men who, from that day on, would see that the islands in the Caribbean Sea were a safer place to live.
Epilogue
Chris watched the frenzied activity going on all around the Standish plantation. All the former slaves had agreed not only to stay and be paid a salary, but also to help rebuild the buildings from scratch. It would take months, but after only three days work the grounds already looked different."Are you certain about this?" He asked softly to the man walking by his side.
"Yes." Ezra replied with a smile. "You don't belong on dry land, Chris, not anymore. It's the right thing to do."
"It will be months before 'Destiny' sets anchor at Port Royal again." He warned.
"I know; I can wait."
"Ezra --"
"Chris," Ezra interjected softly. "This is right. It would be wrong to make you stay at the plantation; you would wither and die of boredom here. I couldn't possibly see you go through that. You have to be Captain Larabee to be happy; it's in your blood. Your heart belongs to the sea."
Chris grabbed his lover by the arms, stopping their advance. "You're wrong," he said with a smile. "My heart belongs to you."
Their eyes met and held for a long time, then Ezra sighed gently. "Which is the reason why I'm leaving the plantation in Joseph's capable hands and joining you aboard the 'Destiny'. I will miss seeing it grow into the shape it once had, but I would have missed you a lot more."
Not wanting to insist and upset the other man, Chris simply wrapped his arms around him and hugged Ezra tightly to him. And he suddenly realized he was a truly fortunate man; he had everything his heart desired. A ship to sail the Caribbean Sea, friends who stood by his side through thick and thin, and most importantly, someone who loved him and who he loved back. Bliss indeed.
THE END
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