Author's Note: This story is sort of a sequel to my previous PotC fic, "Family Reunion." For those of you who haven't read it, here's what you need to know. Norrington and Jack Sparrow were named guardians of their 13-year-old niece, Laura, the daughter of Norrington's brother and Jack's sister. At the end of "Family Reunion," Jack leaves Port Royal on a mission to find and retrieve the treasure Laura's father had hidden for her. That was three years ago.
Laura stood on the battlements, staring out at the horizon. The setting sun behind her cast its bright rays onto the ocean and the gentle waves sent the light glittering over the water's surface. Laura loved watching the ocean, especially at sunset. It really was most beautiful then. It reminded her of her father and mother. And it reminded her of her Uncle Jack, the pirate.
The past three years in Port Royal had been wonderful for Laura. She did miss her parents, of course, but she also adored her Uncle and guardian, Commodore James Norrington. He was often busy, and had a tendency to be overprotective and strict, sometimes even difficult, but he meant well, and he was good to her. She had also become close friends with the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann, who, for two years now, had been Elizabeth Turner.
"Laura?"
She turned around and smiled at the Commodore. "Hello, Uncle. You're not busy?"
He smiled slightly. "I escaped."
"Escaped?"
"From a seemingly endless list of reports and inventories and other such things I won't bore you with. How was your afternoon?"
"It was fine." Laura shrugged. She had been practicing needlework all afternoon, and thought she would much prefer the Commodore's reports and inventories. "I've been watching the sunset."
"What were you thinking about?"
"What do you mean?"
"I spoke your name three times before you heard me. You seemed deep in thought. I don't mean to pry; I'm only curious."
"Oh." Laura turned back towards the horizon. "I was just..." She hesitated. "It's been three years since Uncle Jack left and... and he's not back yet. Do you think something could have happened to him?"
Norrington sighed. Discussions about Laura's only other living relative had to be handled most delicately, and he generally tried to avoid the subject of Jack Sparrow. "Laura," he said carefully, moving to stand next to the girl. "If Captain Sparrow hasn't returned by now, I think it highly unlikely that he ever will."
Laura turned towards him with a frown. "What are you saying?"
"I think you ought to be careful where you place your trust. I fear I made a foolish decision in allowing Sparrow to go after your father's treasure. He is, after all, a pirate."
Laura's frown deepened. "Uncle, what are you saying?" she demanded. "You think he's stolen my father's money?"
"I'm merely suggesting - "
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" she cried. "That would make you right, wouldn't it? It'd prove he's nothing more than a bloody scalawag!"
"Watch your language, young lady."
"You hate him! You always have. You always think the worst of him. You just hope he's stolen the treasure so he'll be gone and you can be justified in hating him!"
"Now, I never said - "
"You didn't have to say it! It's perfectly easy to see!"
With tears in her eyes, Laura turned and hurried away, leaving Norrington with nothing to do but stare after her in bewilderment. He found himself unable to comprehend the girl's increasingly volatile temperament. Usually he and Laura enjoyed each other's company. She was happy in Port Royal - she had said as much on many occasions - and he was happy to have her in his life. But recently, ever since she had turned sixteen, there were times when she could be quite contrary. Her insatiable fascination with the sea, with pirates, and especially with Jack Sparrow proved to be an increasingly significant obstacle in their relationship.
"Everything all right, Commodore?"
Norrington looked up into the inquiring face of Lieutenant Groves. He sighed and threw another glance after Laura.
Groves followed his gaze. "Ah." A smile played at the corners of the lieutenant's mouth. "What did you say to her?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? You stepped out here, silently, and she became so upset that she left?"
Norrington threw the lieutenant a scolding look, then turned and paced towards the battlements, clasping his hands behind his back. "I just don't understand her behavior. Usually she's quite agreeable, though lately she's been prone to bouts of this sort of outburst. It's gotten so I never know what will set her off. I believe she is happy here but that's what makes this sort of behavior so... puzzling."
"Well, Commodore, if you were hoping for some sort of advice, I'm afraid I'm the wrong person to ask," Groves said awkwardly. "I don't have much experience with young women, especially raising them."
"Forgive me, Lieutenant. It's a personal matter - none of your concern."
"If it's any help at all, sir, I don't think her actions are any fault of yours. I'm told most children go through a rebellious period." Again, the quirky smile. "Though I suppose you were always perfectly compliant, even at her age."
"That will be all, Lieutenant," Norrington said, but not harshly. Actually, the Lieutenant's words had almost made him smile. Almost.
There will be a plot, I promise. This is what they call "rising action." ;) Leave a review and let me know what you think of this idea!