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[catlover2x.livejournal.com]

Title: Pirates
Pairing: Nick/Greg, Ricardo/Archie
Rating: NC-17 in some chapters and I'm too lazy to rate each one
Disclaimer: Most characters are property of CBS et al, and I don't own them or make money off them. Although I wouldn't mind taking to the high seas and plundering them. OK, not all of them. OK, Greg. So don't sue, here be monsters. Got no booty.
AU: Completely and wildly AU, doesn't even take place in this century.
Dedicated to kahlualeia who shares my love of Georgette Heyer
Beta and semi-collab by fred_bear aka jennybel75, who held my hand, encouraged me and did research.

Chapter 1 here: here
Chapter 2 here: here
Chapter 3 here: here

Chapter 4/35



Gregory was unable to move inside the bonds that tightly curtailed his movements, so much so that he was unable to ease the various miseries from his injuries and stiffened limbs. His wound throbbed hotly and his head ached as he leaned back in the tall chair, his eyes falling shut.

He felt he should be thinking deep thoughts about escape but the blackness claimed his senses and he fell into a fitful pained sleep.

The time between when the captain left the cabin and returned was long but uneventful, without engagement with the other ship the lookout had sighted.

Gregory roused slightly as a warm hand was placed on his forehead, followed by a cool cloth. The relief was grateful to him and he sighed, turning toward the coolness.

“He’s burning up. I shall have to check his wound again,” came Ricardo’s calm voice. “Help me lift him.”

Gregory sagged as the ropes binding him were released and he felt himself lifted onto a soft surface. He was divested of his shirt and flinched as his bandages were unwound.

“I’ll clean this again. It seems deeper than I thought at first. Get me a basin, water and find more linen, Nicky,” came Ricardo’s calm voice.

Gregory wondered dizzily at the level of trust and intimacy that must live between Ricardo and the captain to explain the informality of the man’s order to his captain.

“We won’t move him,” assured the captain’s voice. “But how do we reduce the fever. This can’t be good for him.”

“Cold compresses, more water to drink. I’ll apply a poultice to soothe the infection and keep watch on him,” Ricardo answered. “Help me strip him,” he added as he finished rewrapping the bandage. “And no rum!”

“I haven’t given him any,” the captain said sulkily. “Credit me with some sense.”

“Oh, I do, I thought you’d have had his clothes off before this,” snorted Ricardo.

“I’ll take no unwilling partner, you know that,” the captain smirked. He released the riband in Greg’s hair, running his fingers through the silky curls spread on the pillow.

“Aye, sir,” teased Ricardo with a laugh, as he settled Gregory between the sheets. “Hopefully he’ll not move about too much and hurt himself. We must station a man with him while we are on deck.”

“What about one of his men? They seem to have some respect and caring for him.”

“Excellent, I’ll bring that fetching first mate of his. His concern for his lieutenant will serve as a lock on the door, if I read him correctly,” approved Ricardo.

When Archie was brought to the Lt’s side, he was shocked at the condition in which he found him. His fever had mounted and he tossed restlessly, looking for a cool spot on the damp sheets. Ricardo instructed him to bathe the young man with a damp cloth to bring the fever down.

“I’ll return to show you how to clean and dress his wound,” Ricardo’s green eyes smiled down into Archie’s brown ones. Archie nodded dumbly, and shifted his gaze back to the Lt. After a moment Ricardo left the cabin.

Archie was assiduous in his attendance to Gregory’s needs, bathing his fevered body with cool cloths, with the welcome result that the fever dropped as the night passed.

Sighing with relief, Archie watched Gregory’s relaxed face in the cool moonlight that spilled from the window. Starting, he realized the captain stood at his shoulder, looking down on the Lt with a curious mixture of concern and yearning. “Is he on the mend?”

“I believe so but I’m no healer. I merely followed Ricardo’s instructions. Perhaps he could have another look to him?” ventured Archie.

“I’ll fetch him,” and the captain whirled and left.

Archie smiled to himself.

~*~

After a long day spent sleeping Gregory regained his senses to find himself propped against many cushions, with Archie hovering anxiously over him.

“Are you better, sir?” Archie exclaimed, seeing Gregory’s eyes flutter open.

“What happened?” asked Gregory thickly.

“Here, let me assist you,” came the captain’s voice. He and Archie lifted Gregory under the shoulders and the captain sat on the bed, slipping behind Gregory so he could prop the Lt in a sitting position, cradled against his chest. Archie lifted water to Gregory’s lips, watching as he drank deep.

“Thank you,” Gregory whispered.

The captain made no effort to remove himself and Gregory found himself enjoying the warmth of the other man, feeling safe in the circle of his arms. He was still too fuzzy to question why he should feel so and he wondered at himself.

“You had a fever. Are you feeling well, now, sir?” Archie asked anxiously.

Gregory nodded, not trusting his voice as he lay against the captain’s shoulder. The captain moved, gently laying Gregory against the pillows again. “Sleep now, paloma. We’ll be needing your attention this evening. I shall require that choice from you of which I spoke.”

Gregory nodded drowsily and drifted back to sleep again.

“Follow me,” the captain commanded Archie. They left the cabin and Archie followed the captain to the helm. “I thank you for your attendance to the boy.”

“He’s no boy, he’s an able man, respected by the men and a navigator of note,” Archie defended his Lt hotly.

“Is he?” The captain had a considering tone to his voice. “Interesting. You raise his value in my eyes and I hadn’t thought that possible. However, onward to your fate. I would know your choice as to your future. Tonight we will be close to shore and I would allow those who don’t wish to cast their lot with mine to return to Port William. However, I’ve noticed some looks and conversation between you and my second, Ricardo. Am I wrong?”

Archie blushed and looked down. “No, sir,” he answered softly.

“Then a conversation between the two of you would be in order, I take it?” Without waiting for an answer he beckoned the tall African man over. “Take over for me here, ’Ric,” he ordered and vanished.

Ricardo surveyed the young man as he put a hand on the wheel and smiled gently. “I think there is some attraction between us and I would like to explore it. But if you choose to remain with us, be aware that you will be wrongly branded as a pirate and sought by the Navy. It would have to be worth it to you and I ask you to think carefully.”

“It would be worth it,” Archie responded softly. “It would be worth it, I think.”

Ricardo looked down at the shorter man. “I would try to make it worth it to you,” and kissed him. Archie’s arms came up and he clung to the taller man, deepening the kiss.

As Ricardo broke away, breathing heavily, he chuckled and said, “You are not a stranger, then, to love between men?”

“No, I am not.” Archie shook his head.

“See you; this is where you are a man and your lieutenant a mere boy.” Ricardo looked searchingly at Archie. “I see him respond to the captain and he is wholly unaware of what he feels. You could help him if you would.”

“I would help him with anything, but that is not why I choose to stay,” Archie said boldly. “If that’s what you fear.”

“I own, it was in my mind. And also that you might have a greater liking for him that he is aware of,” Ricardo probed.

“I did have in the past, but–” Archie bit his sentence short.

After a moment of meaningful silence, Ricardo nodded. “Thank you.”

~*~

“I will walk!” Gregory insisted fractiously.

“Do you wish to take the chance that you stumble and fall? Or would you rather be held up in front of the men? If you are carried on a litter, at least you would have your wits and be able to reassure them and guide them,” Archie pointed out as he helped the lieutenant dress.

“I will walk,” Gregory gritted out.

“Very well! On your head be it. I only hope you don’t fall ignominiously overboard and require rescue,” grumbled Archie as he pulled on Gregory’s shirt.

“Thank you, Archie, for everything,” Gregory said with his sweet smile. “If I may prevail upon you for your support I shall do very well.”

“You know you have only to ask,” Archie said fondly. He hoisted the Lt to his feet, supporting him on his good side as they made their way out on deck.

Gregory scanned the faces of his men, anxious as to what may have transpired with them during his brief illness. He breathed a sigh of relief, they looked sound, wounds tended and well fed. This must be the oddest pirate ship of which he’d ever heard.

The captain watched Gregory’s slow progress on the arm of his first mate. Although the Lt was weak from his recent bout of fever, he held himself tall and proud before his men, his creamy pallor lustrous in the silver of the moonlight, contrasting with his dark hair and eyes.

Captain Nicholas Stokes strode toward the small group, glowing as if lit from within, as if he brought his own sun with him, a striking antithesis to the moonlit allure of the Lt.

“I don’t sail with unwilling men, pressed into service,” he announced. “You are plunder under the rules of engagement and I could sell you at some slave mart and some of you would bring a pretty price, indeed.” His glance flicked unconsciously toward Gregory and Archie. “I offer you a choice in exchange for a promise.” He turned and faced Gregory squarely, his eyes drilling into the Lt’s. “You may bind yourself to me in my service and I will release all of your men. After which they may choose to stay or go; it’s all one to me. You have five minutes to consider.”

Archie felt Gregory stagger as the abrupt choice was flung at him. He held him more firmly, knowing the Lt would preserve his countenance in the eyes of his men.

Sir Nicholas watched Gregory’s face, impassive in the moonlight. The dim light disguised any change in colour, but the young man’s throat moved convulsively and his eyes flared with sudden emotion.

“I accept. Let my men go,” the Lt said unhesitatingly.

A gasp arose from his men, several shook their heads and one moaned, “No.”

The captain locked eyes with the Lt and nodded slowly. “He’s made his choice, bring the boat.”

His own men brought a small boat up to the side, holding it ready.

“The Lt has made his choice, now it’s time for you to make yours.” The captain waved his arm toward the dinghy. “All who would go ashore, this is your one chance. Take it.” He turned away from the group and retreated into the shadow of the cabin to watch.

Gregory turned toward his men. “Do not fear for me, I shall be unharmed. You have families to think of. Return to them. I release you. Go with honour to serve his majesty another day.” He smiled at them, giving no sign of the turmoil raging within.

The men shuffled and mumbled and one asked, “Have ye any message for someone ashore?”

“Father Grissom, tell him… tell him… nothing. Tell him nothing of this, if you please,” Gregory suppressed a break in his voice as he thought of the gentle man, hoping to spare him further anxiety and pain. “Tell him I will not return, by my own choice. That I– I honour him. That is all.” He saluted the men, who all returned his salute.

They straggled toward the boats, looking back nervously. “Aren’t you coming, sir?” one man asked Archie.

“No, I’ll stay with the Lt.,” Archie smiled.

The men climbed down the rope ladder and as soon as they settled in the boat, Sir Nicholas’ men pulled for shore. When they were out of sight, Gregory moved toward the captain and said formally, “Thank you for your kindness and forbearance to my men.”

The captain nodded to the Lt and watched his slowed progress to the cabin leaning more heavily now on the support of Archie’s arm.

Once Archie had lowered Gregory to the bed, the Lt looked up at him and said, “You did not remain behind for me.” It was a statement rather than a question.

“No,” said Archie softly.

“It is fine, you have no need to explain to me, but why?”

“I will explain it to you one day, Lt. You need to rest now.”

“Yes.” Archie knew just how shaken Gregory was by the fact that he had agreed that he needed rest; it was at such variance with the man so determined to do his duty and usually so filled with energy. He helped him disrobe and propped him against the pillows. “There is water,” he nodded to the tankard on a table by the bed. “I’ll leave you to your rest.”

Once alone, Gregory’s eyes filled with tears. He wondered why Archie had elected to stay. It occurred to him, rather on the late side, that he’d not investigated the terms of his coming servitude. No wonder Father Grissom had acquiesced to his desire to become a seaman; he was certainly not cut out for life as a merchant or man of business.

Remembering the occasions when the Captain had touched him, he wondered suddenly just what kind of servitude he’d bound himself to.

TBC

paloma dove