Title: Admiral Disguise

Author: WickedRum

Disclaimer: I have no right to use these characters, Disney has.

Summary/Set: Post AWE. Norrigton's new mission is to find Shipwreck City and eliminate the pirate breed from the inside out, starting at the top. But we all know he's not going to do that. AU of course, I could never bury such a character!

Genre: Romance/Drama.

Rating: PG for satefy's sake, in case I do anything unplanned.

Pairing: a bit of this, a bit of that, you know how Elizabeth can't decide sometimes?

Admiral James Norrington, or better known over the last couple of years as Jim Ferguson, first mate on the Maurinho, second to and right hand of pirate lord Jocard stepped foot on land. He sometimes found it curious how easy it was for him to behave and be like a pirate. Killing other pirates, sailing, following and giving orders, just like the navy, with the added advantage of every man for himself after a certain point. There were some good people, some bad people just like everywhere. Jocard was a good example, sailing on instinct, there was a sense of freedom with him, his men were free to jump ship if they didn't like his command. Just like he would've wanted to command himself, if he would be a captain of a pirate ship once for some reason. With the similar attitude though, he had earned Jocard's trust and finally he was allowed to set foot on the most secret location in the world, Shipwreck Island. Walking up to the City he looked around in awe, he didn't expect it to be this big, this spectacular, vivacious, with lights shimmering everywhere as if by magic. Yet again, he had underestimated the pirates just like before, just like Cutler Beckett and that shouldn't happen again if he was to complete the mission he was assigned, to find and kill the pirate king, along with as many lords he could manage. Even amongst the secretive pirates who had not trusted a newcomer he quickly found out that the king would normally reside at Shipwreck Cove and he was curious about meeting him, not to mention of finishing with this business once and for all as he didn't like double crossing his mates. He doubted there was a castle, so he'll just have to mingle with people in the inn and he might find out the identity of the king there. It wasn't much to his surprise though that the inn wasn't too far from the harbor, he could see people staggering out from it already, it was only a row of houses that separated him from it. He glanced at them in the passing, with a clear view at the entrance of the cove they were clearly those of the families of pirates expecting loved ones back from sea. He was looking up towards his destination and it was like that, that he hardly missed a night pot being emptied out from one of those houses. "Addlepate wench!" He called out in well acquired pirate talk.

"Why don't you use your deadlights, tar!" Came the prompt and vibrant answer.

James wanted to put the woman right back to her place, he was supposed to be second in command on Jocard's ship after all, but all the words dried out in his throat.

Her eyes already smiling at him in recognition, it was Elizabeth. Despite her large protruding stomach that indicated her pregnancy was well advanced she ran down the few steps of the house and embraced him cordially. "You're alive!"

James held her for a long moment, just happy to have her. Neither the extent of his injuries back then or anything else in fact seemed enough important to break the welcoming embrace.

Elizabeth closed her eyes for the moment, tightly in the safety of his arms. They were telling of a different life, one that wasn't that daring, but was nevertheless blessed with security and love, both from her father and James. She looked up to trace his beloved face with her fingertips, then came back to reality. Somebody might see this unusual display of emotions from her. She stepped back one and looked him over now. His lean figure, his wig, his elegant clothes were gone and there was nothing that could've made him different from a pirate. "James?" She questioned him softly.

"Jim, for now," he let her know, "I'm incognito," he told her. He wasn't intending to keep much back from her if she asked, but it wasn't the time and place right now. Whether she would stop him from killing the pirate king, he didn't know, it probably depended on who it was, but it could have not been that Jack Sparrow of hers so he was probably safe to carry on. "Came with the Maurinho," he added so that it was a bit more clear. "What about you? I want to hear everything! What happened to you?" He asked genially, like a long lost friend.

"Maybe better in the house," she looked around and pulled him up the steps. You could never know which lot's interest was to keep an eye on the pirate king at any one time.

"Jack! Jack!" She riveted, "look who the tide brought in!"

The two men, nevertheless, were a lot less excited as such. Jack, leaning back casually on a chair by the table seemed to be playing with a knife, which he was ready, at any eventuality to throw at the intruder, James was sure of that. The admiral stepped back a tiny step, looking at Elizabeth half apologetically, half deploring. He didn't imagine it like this when she pulled him behind her. Yes, she was carrying somebody's child, he knew that, but to be faced by the most possible culprit under the circumstances right away in a revoltingly cute little family setting with the stove sizzling and a little boy drawing in the dust by it, was another thing. Not to mention Jack who he wished never to see again. "Maybe I should just..."

"No!" Elizabeth said forcefully and stepped in his way to the door, "not before we catch up, I didn't even get to thank you for what you've done for me. You're staying for dinner."

James looked at Jack. It wasn't for his approval, oh no, he would not look for such a contemptible thing, even if this seemed to be his house. He looked at him because of wanting to give him a grave look, letting him know he would stay, mostly just to annoy him.

Jack returned the stare and leaned back more, leaving the knife alone. Those eyes were a lot more dangerous.

Tbc