A/N: Just letting you readers know that I've been re-editing this fic for a while now. The editing is still in progress, so if you're new to the fic, please bear with me.
Bigger summary: Set right after DMC. Will's sister, Anna, hears the fate of Jones' heart. To support her brother from afar, she sets her sights on finding James and retrieving the heart by any means necessary. However, James finds her first, hearing her plan as he does so. To protect himself, he comes up with a fake name and story, proposing that he'd help her find "Norrington." They set off, joined by Murtogg and Mullroy. However, feelings soon change when James comes to care for Anna, and he realizes he's put himself in a horrible mess. Meanwhile, Will, Elizabeth, Barbossa and the rest of their crew find a woman afloat at sea. It turns out being Gibbs' daughter, Catherine. They take her in, , just in time to find Jack again. Adventure, disaster and various hijinks await them all on their journey to get to the end of the world. JamesOC1, JackOC2, Willabeth.
James Norrington went out of the building with a satisfied smirk on his face. He had his job- the only thing that really mattered to him- back. All it took was separating from the pirates. It was damn near poetic. He kept on going over plans of how he was going to get his life back and sorted out when he turned the corner towards Port Royal's town square when he rammed straight into something- rather, someone, who was moving as fast as he was. He didn't notice he caused them to fall backward, too busy trying to brush himself off. "Watch where you're go…" He looked at the other person and frowned, realizing it was a woman he had knocked over. Well, that could've gone better. "Oh..."
The woman sent a hazel-eyed glare his way and sighed, shaking her head. "A syllable. That's all I get. Bloody men who think they own the streets..." She muttered to herself. She shoved the brown locks of hair that had fallen out of its updo back behind her ears and struggled to stand.
Promotion temorarily forgotten, James mentally kicked himself and struggled for words to make up for his blunder. The time he spent on the wrong side of the law had already taken its toll, and he hated it. He blamed it for starting the meeting off on the wrong foot right away. He wondered if his life hadn't taken a downturn he would've bothered to hold his head up- literally and metaphorically, enough to see the woman coming his way. Best start changing that way of thinking now. He offered his hand, which she reluctantly took with her own muddy one. He pulled her up, put his hands on her shoulders to steady her, and then started to dust her off. "Forgive me, madam. I wasn't watching where I was going. My mistake." He started to brush off her clothing.
The woman scowled up at him, and batted his hands away. "Well, you changed that attitude fast." She snapped. She started to dust herself off, taking extra care to get the mud off of her vest and skirt. "You Navy men are all the same, they think they own the damn place and make sure everyone knows it, too…" She muttered. "Each and every one of them..."
"I heard you the first time." James muttered, then flinched, hoping she hadn't heard him. Then again, she seemed to have quite the mouth on her for a woman, herself, so he doubted she would mind. Her vocabulary rivalled some of the womens' of Tortuga- to a point, was far, and then there was too far, when it came to that comparison. He had to give her some leeway, having just met her- and made her fall, for that matter. He glanced back at her and frowned, finally getting a better look at her. He realized that she was somehow familiar to him. However, he knew he had never seen her before- or at least, he didn't think he had. "Pardon me, but… have we ever met? I don't believe I've ever seen you here in Port Royal."
The brunette woman arched an eyebrow. "Rude and oblivious. That's a new combination. For your information, Officer, I've grown up here most of my life. I'm sure we've crossed paths more than once. I moved her when I was thirteen, with my aunt to take care of my little brother. Right now, however, I'm here on business- not that it's any naval matter."
James blinked innocently. Who the Hell did this woman think she was? He swallowed his pride. Now wasn't the time to go chasing any annoyances. It was best if he would be rid of her quickly. He could get his life sorted again quickly if that was the case. "Well, then, let me assist you with whatever it is you're doing. It's only fair, being that I caused this little hindrance for both of us... Is there... anything I can do?" He asked.
The woman looked him up and down, then crossed her arms over her chest, then sighed and closed her eyes, trying to collect herself. She tucked her hair behind her ears again. James assumed it was a nervous twitch. She raised her head to look him in the eye and put as much of an apologetic look on as she could muster. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped like that. It was an accident. I've just... had a lot on my mind lately. The answer you're looking for is yes. I'm looking for a man by the name of Norrington. He betray my brother… it's… it's complicated. Do you know where he is, or even know of him, for that matter? I don't mean to harm him... just talk... or trade, or buy something from him..." She looked down at her hands and laced her fingers together.
James opened his mouth again, then shut it. The question of just who the woman in front of him was came back. Why was he asking for him, and if he 'betray' her brother, who was, in fact, the brother in question? It didn't take long for the answer to come to him. There was a small group of people who could've seen his actions as a betrayal- and two of them were male. The woman certainly wasn't related to Captain Jack Sparrow. She was too fair and seemed to proper for that to be the case. That left one person- Will Turner. He looked back at the woman, and realized it should've been obvious, based on the tight frown she was giving him alone. So, if she was a Turner, and looking for him due to a betrayal, just what could he do? What would she do if she found out that the one she was hunting was right in front of her? He didn't like the situation at all. Will was always wise with tricks- he imagined his flesh and blood would be no different. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, came up with an idea, and ran with it. "I'm afraid I haven't seen the Commodore for some time. May I ask who's asking for him, in case I see him in my travels?"
"Anna, Anna Turner." She replied. "…Do you have any idea where he could've gone? Any little thought could help me." She explained.
James offered a shrug, starting to figure out what to do when her last name confirmed his fears. "Not at all. He and I never really spoke much, to be honest." He lied through his teeth. He had nothing to lose now. Why not see if he could just talk the issue away? "I'll ask around, if that will help. It's the very least I can do. I assume I will see you again, then. Good luck, and farewell." He started off in the opposite direction.
"Hold on!" Anna called when he had made it a few feet away.
James froze. Had she seen through his lie so easily? He thought he had at least made himself sound convincing. He turned around and smiled innocently "Yes, Miss. Turner?" He arched an eyebrow. He hoped this wasn't the end for him. He had a feeling it would be, if she was anything like her brother.
Anna crossed her arms over her chest again. "I believe I missed my chance to ask you your name, Stranger. I hope you don't mind if I take it now." She replied.
"Ah, right. How silly of me, forgetting that of all things." He searched the back of his memory for any family name who no longer lived in Port Royal, or had distant relatives there. An old friend who had returned to England came to mind. "Applegate. My name is James Applegate." He smiled weakly when her eyes narrowed at the 'James' bit. "I share the man's first name. That's all."
Anna studied him once more, then relaxed. "Like I said, It's just been a long few days, forgive the impatience. I don't mean it."
James shrugged. "I think I can manage that." He offered with a smile. He managed to hold back a sigh of relief when she smiled back. He nodded again, and tapped his hat. "Again, I wish you the best of luck. I apologize I wasn't much help. I'll keep an eye out, though." He bowed his head in another farewell.
She nodded. "Thank you." She offered another uneasy smile, and then turned and headed towards the shops.
James watched her, waiting for her to turn again. When she turned a corner a few buildings down, he was satisfied that she wasn't coming back. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He knew he'd have to be on his guard now. Other townsfolk would give him away. He shook his head. As if he didn't have enough things to deal with already. He had just been promoted to Admiral, and now he couldn't enjoy it any longer. Things did have a way of crashing down around him as of late. He sighed and went on his own way back to his home. It was a shame, really, having to lie to a woman just trying to defend her family. She was beautiful, too. Had it been any other situation, he might've even considered pursuing her.
Wow this intro was shorter than intended. Soooo… What do ya think? I know Norrie was pretty OOC here. He'll be more himself in later chapters, I promise. Anyway Lemme know what you thought. Jack, Will and Elizabeth will be in the next chapter if there are good reviews.
