Welcome back, m'teys. I've finished my b-day celebration last night and it was a hellava kitty party (I was dressed one of the fellow feline partygoers, meow). Now back to the story.

(Thank You Notes piano theme) A very special thanks to Diana/Amani-Ishikawa: my beta savior for solving some grammar problems!

Enjoy reading! :D

A Sleeping Mermaid and Memory Brunch

The next day, as the Dauntless sailed smoothly on the morning sea, Norrington stood at the bridge, with his stealthy eyes fixed on the lower deck where Cat, with Cadbury trailing behind, walked beside the railing. She paused and looked sadly out at the clear water until Theodore Groves greeted her and engaged her in friendly chat.

James harbored slight disapproval of his lieutenant's lifestyle, perhaps even a bit envious. Theodore, unlike the newly engaged Phillip Gillette, was a well-behaved, generous, and appealing gentleman with a soft side. He seemed to enjoy courting young ladies of different classes, though he seemed particular to the female pirate in question. James hadn't directly told Theodore to be more careful, but he hoped that he would be wise enough to consider it as an indirect order.

Dr Shaw revisited the girl's cell again, bringing her some bread and cheese to share during their afternoon meal. He remained with her and attempted to get her to recall what had happened to her. After several attempts, Cat was still in a hopeless state, and restoring her memory would not be without a hassle. According to her responses, the only thing she seemed to remember was some of her childhood with her mother and her brother aboard a merchant ship and where she (or they?) were heading.

James stood outside of the brig with his arms folded as he watched Dr. Shaw and Cat. He fully expected the ship's doctor to rectify their guest's lack of speech. Cat's gibberish perplexed Dr. Shaw, but it sounded so silly that he had to hold a hand to his mouth to stifle his amused snort.

Later that night, after dinner with his officers, James passed the hall alone where Baxter stood outside the entrance of the brig. The guard saluted, and James nodded politely before entering the brig to visit Cat.

She lay upon the bench, sleeping with her curled body covered under the blanket as James looked on. She was so peaceful and alluring, and James recalled how startled he was by her morning beauty on the day he had discovered her adrift in the dinghy. He thought that she looked like a mermaid slumbering on the rocks at Moonlight Isle, for her face was so captivating that he could lose his sanity every night. Her eerie beauty cast a spell as white as heaven on his very soul. He gazed at the pale perfection of her slumbering face, an impulse of strong sensuality flickering like electricity inside him.

James wondered what the devil it was about her that he found so arousing. He was thirty-two and a gentleman of honor and virtue. His social status was limited to only women of high society, including Miss Swann and Sir Reginald Salinger's daughter, Lady Marion, whom James had escorted home to England. Fine beauty and courtesy held charm for him, and his sense of propriety was very important.

She was like an unwelcome intruder in his dreams, as though he had been hypnotized, this pirate maiden blazing of sheer rebellion and vividness that he found extremely captivating.

Stop controlling yourself, James. You'll put it in a basic term to be acted as a respectable person. Deep down, sir. You have to be careful what'll you become…

He winced after the spell broke, and after some hesitation, he decided he couldn't stand over this woman, for the very sight of her claimed his senses. The surprise reverberated through him as though he were struck by lightning, and he felt tingly.

James decided to leave her alone and left. As he wiped his sweaty face with his handkerchief, he decided to seek the safety of his cabin, the one place on the ship he knew he could be alone with his own private thoughts. He rebuked himself for his foolishness as he made his way to his quarters to retire for the night. He washed, changed into a clean shift, and went straight to bed. After he extinguished the flame of his lantern, he lay on his side with blankets against his body, pillowing his head against both of his hands, and stared out the window where the moon illuminated the starry sky as his thoughts meandered aimlessly into slumber. James smiled peacefully as he slept, his dreams haunted by a raven-haired mermaid who beheld a striking resemblance to Cat.

The Dauntless returned to the Caribbean and berthed at Port Lake late into the night after the storm.

James paced the quarterdeck as he watched the morning scenery about the seaport town after giving his report regarding the ship's damage at the fort nearby. The port had been their best chance at repairing the ship and replenishing supplies before departing in a few days. He sighed collectively, but then saw Dr. Shaw carrying a large, curious box.

Lieutenant Gillette stood at the main deck with a warm smile at Shaw. "Enjoying the town, doctor?" asked Gillette. He observed the box. "And you came from the shopping district, I'd say. What's in the box?"

"A simple, decent gown for the young Miss Cat, Phillip," Dr. Shaw replied as he came on board.

"Just why are you being so generous to this pirate?"

"Phil, my dear lad," Shaw chuckled. "I've been generous and civilized to many people."

Gillette snickered. "Except your wife?"

"She's of no concern," he replied humorously. "I've been married to my talkative shrew of a wife for nearly forty years. She's unstoppable, but she is a fine woman."

"Dr. Shaw," James greeted as he came upon them.

Shaw turned to James and smiled. "Morning, Commodore. Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." James cleared his throat. "You bought a gift for your wife?"

Gillette started to answer, but it was Shaw who did the talking. "It's for Miss Cat. And she needs proper attire rather than dressing as a boy."

James raised his brow. "Oh, I see. I don–"

To James's surprise, Shaw handed the box to him.

"What's the meaning of this, Doctor?" he asked dryly.

Shaw simply smiled. "Perhaps you should generously to bring this to her, Commodore."

"Why don't you bring this yourself?" James returned, gritting his teeth.

"Dear James," explained Dr. Shaw. "You're the one who's generously helping her, are you not?"

He stepped closer to him and glared. "For God's sake, Broderick. Are you suggesting I court a pirate?"

"Don't be so uptight, Commodore Norrington. After all, you're planning this," Shaw retorted. "Mr. Groves, Gillette and I witnessed that night on the deck. Remember? Come now, this isn't a scandalous courtship. It's only sanctuary for the pirate's life because you're responsible for her safety. Now be kind to her as a guest."

James was speechless as Gillette stood and said nothing, with a light smirk. Befriending a pirate would never hurt.

He abruptly took the box from Shaw. "Fine!" James snapped.

He marched away from his chortling men as he made his way below decks. He was insulted that he was being treated like a cabin boy rather than a commanding officer.

He reached Cat's cabin. James had ordered Cadbury to kindly transfer her from the brig before their arrival. He stopped and nodded at Cadbury to knocking the door.

"Y…yes?" Cat's muffled sound asked. "Who is it?"

"It's Commodore Norrington, Miss Cat." he replied, swallowing tensely "And I brought this dress from Dr. Shaw. May I please come in?"

A thud came from inside, and James ordered Cadbury to quickly unlock the door. He entered the cabin and instantly saw that her old clothes were draped over the back of the chair. Water had spilled from the washbowl onto the wooden floor, and his eyes followed a set of damped footprints toward the direction of the cabinet where Cat was hiding behind the open panel. His eyes followed her quivering bare legs, and his face suddenly reddened. He turned away from her immediately.

"Oh, my God…" he stammered, his throat clearing as he stepped back toward the door. "Er…my humble apologies. I didn't know you were…I…I shall leave you alone after you're finished–"

He paused and cursed himself. He'd almost forgotten to give her the dress. Bloody hell...

"No…please, sar," said Cat, nervously. "I didn't know yer were comin'. But do tell Dr. Shaw thanks fer th' dress."

"Right…er…" said foolishly replied in a strangled voice. "I'll…leave this on the bed, then."

He placed the box on the bed without looking at her. However, he gave a quick glance toward her and saw that she had popped out her head innocently from the door panel. They suddenly caught each other's stares, their eyes meeting silently as something seemed to spark between them. James's heart skipped as he gazed at Cat's dark eyes with compassionately. He ached as he battled willpower and infatuation. James briefly wished he could see her naked in front of him, but he knew he would only welcome temptation.

With a flush on her cheeks, Cat hastily hid as James again turned from her, embarrassed.

Damn it, focus, James thought with his teeth clenched. "After you're finished dressing, Miss Cat," he began, this time in a properly. "Would you be so kind to join me with Dr. Shaw at my office for a late breakfast? There will be discussion afterwards. Mr. Cadbury will escort you there shortly."

"Th…that would be nice, sar." replied Cat. "Thank yer and…" and she peeked slightly at James, standing stiffed without moving or leaving the cabin. "Er…I think yer should leave now–"

He winced again without looking at her. "I hope you will forgive me for my intrusion. Good morning, madam."

James then excused himself and walked quickly from Cat's cabin as Cadbury closed the door behind him as he valiantly tried to quell his nerves. He proceeded back to the deck to breathe some fresh air. James had remained silent after escaping from Cat's bewitching eyes. God, it would never have happened again this forsaken moment.

I can't believe how a pirate's erratic behavior to be uncivilized like this? Dr. Broderick Shaw thought, with his eyes stunned in horror. He was sitting next to James, frozen at the sight of Cat's disdainful, unladylike manners.

She paused as her eyes rose to look at them a moment, both men staring like fools. She turned timidly to Dr. Shaw as he shook his head at her lack of self-control. He gave her a tight-lipped, stern glare, and Cat shamefully placed her fork on the table, hiccupped abruptly, grabbed a glass of fruit juice, and took a long drink.

James cleared his throat after finishing his breakfast tea. "So, Miss Cat. How's the food?"

"Aye, sar," replied Cat as she swallowed deeply and placed her glass on the table. "It tasted good. Thank yer."

He nodded. "Miss Cat, Dr. Shaw told me that your memory began to heal a few days ago, but you don't remember the whole thing, yet. Is there anything that you have recalled that you wouldn't mind sharing with us?"

"How can I do that?"

"From the beginning. Begin with your past, before you became a pirate. Just simple answers."

Cat's face went blank and was silent for a moment. Dr. Shaw's guidance had been more effective since James transferred her to a cabin from the brig. She turned a questioning gaze to Dr. Shaw as he held gently on her hand to calm her down.

"It's alright, child," Dr. Shaw assured her. "Just take your time."

"I...don't know…where shall I began?" she stammered.

"How about this: something special you told me earlier?"

She looked down at the table with her lips tightened then parted to answer. "I was at t'e ship wit me Ma, like 'tis one but a different ship. I was very young: Me brother and I were sitting on t'e bowsprit. We were lookin' down at t'e ocean to find somethin' peculiar."

"What, Miss Cat?" asked James curiously.

"A mermaid, sar."

"Have you heard this, Commodore?" Dr. Shaw chuckled humorously but James said nothing.

James heard it before from one of the crews telling stories that a mermaid's kiss to a sailor from drowning, but others rumored to be true as deadlier. Even so, it was only a fairy tale from his childhood. He never thought that in his adult life he would actually see one.

"It's true!" she said in wonder. "I actually sar it–"

"Alright, Cat. I believe that," James hesitated. "Now let's get going to the next one. The one you've literally become? Dr. Shaw told me about it yesterday evening."

Cat's eyes blinked. "Sorry?" she said, perplexed. "What was that again?"

He sighed with a groan. "I mean when you were aboard the pirate ship recently. Please could you tell me specifically from the beginning how long you've been in service with your captain?"

"I'm still here, Cat." added Dr. Shaw. "Tell us as much as you can remember."

Cat lowered her head again at the table. "It's…it's been a while, maybe one year when I was on board, but I couldn't remember t'e name of t'e ship. Well…" Her eyes rose again at James then to Dr. Shaw. "…t'e only knew me duty is takin' orders from me captain. And I also served food for t'e crew." She paused. "…and we swabbed on t'e upper and lower decks of t'e ship."

"Swabbed, you'd say?" confused Shaw.

"Swabbers, doctor," James explained. "A crew that mopped the decks." He turned back to Cat. "And you were the only woman in the crew?"

Cat smiled sheepishly. "Commodore, it's too hard to explain why I'd joined t'e crew? Bad luck to bring a woman on board. I know t'e pirate code as well as t'e rest."

James was surprised. Were women really allowed on board on a pirate ship? Despite bad luck, it seemed that Cat had disguised as a man join and embrace piracy.

"So you dressed as a man," he smirked coolly.

Cat's eyes widened. "A…aye. That's right, sar. T'was the night at the bar in Tortuga with me brother..." She paused again as she mumbled with a twitch. "I took me name…Cameron. Cameron Smith. Me brother's name is Christopher Smith. T'was t'e quartermaster is t'e one who enlisted us."

"And do you know his name?"

"His name…" Cat fell silent as she thought hard. "Rooker. Mr. Rooker. Aye…I…I remember it, aye."

James suddenly leaned toward her. "So you remember it, then?"

"Probably…that's all I knew. He kept an eye on us from getting harmed."

"Is he your…a close friend?" Then, bothered, James added, "Or a lover?"

She jumped angrily. "'Tha' old man? Hell no!" She looked away in dismay. "We're still close t' each other like an ol' uncle. He suddenly found out that I was a woman, so he kept me and me brother a secret."

"Please, my apology." James coughed. "Did he hurt or molest you while you were aboard?"

"Nay."

"Is there's anyone who hurt you, Cat?"

Cat was silent and then she stammered with an apathetic expression upon her face, as James called her once more. Her voice trembled as she spoke the venomous name of whom she was afraid. "Mordecai…"

"Who?" Dr. Shaw asked with his brows up.

"Mordecai," she replied the name again. "T'e first mate, he sort of cold-hearted methinks. T'e rest of our mates 'fraid of 'em, while others obeyed."

"What else." the Commodore's voice lowered. "What about your captain? Did he hurt you as well?"

"I…" Cat swallowed with her own hands clasped in tense. "I…I thought he was a good captain. But something's disturbs me…he's not what he used to be…human. Kit didn't know about 'tis…but he's still protecting me from 'em, he's held there, I have to saved 'em…but he…h-h-he…"

Dr. Shaw calmed her down again with his hand holding hers. "Stay calm, my child. You're close…slow down."

James gazed at her sternly. "Catherine Smith. Is that your true name?"

"I…I think so, aye," she nodded quickly.

"Now then, Miss Smith. I need you to remember who your captain is. You know the rest of the crew but what I need is the certain pirate who's in charge of the vessel. If you seek revenge: I'll find him. I'll hunt him down, kill him or hang him with my own hands. He will never hurt you anymore and your brother. I promise."

Cat's was nearly speechless as James rigidly moved closer to her. "Who is your captain?"

She shook her head nervously. "Please…I can't." Her body quivered. "That's all I remember the whole thing …I don't remember the rest –"

Abruptly, his fist banged on the table. "Damn it, woman!" James snapped, frustrated. "I need to know!"

"Norrington!" cried Dr. Shaw as Cat held both her hands against her head, fell limp and weak. The doctor approached her and helped her stand.

"Forgive me, doctor." Her voice was weary and unsteady. "I'm not feelin' so good..."

Dr. Shaw quickly turned to Private Cadbury. "Mr. Cadbury, escort Miss Smith back to her cabin. I'll come by to check on her later."

Cadbury nodded, held Cat's arm, and carefully escorted her away from the office. Shaw frowned with his arms crossed and turned an agitated glare to James. "For heaven's sake, James! Be sensitive, please? Can't you see she's still recovering?"

The Commodore groaned as he leaned back in his chair. "I'm sorry, doctor. I got carried away, but it's almost there."

"Seriously, be more convincing to her and do not nag her. She needs a little more time, and she's not going anywhere."

"A little more time?" scoffed James, protesting. "How long then?" He paused. "Oh dear god, I'm not giving up. What if I refuse to help her?"

"Do you intend to send poor Cat to the gallows for nothing?" Dr. Shaw asked suggestively.

"She's a pirate," corrected James. "And she's one like Sparrow."

James groaned and stood stiffly from his chair. He heard a knock on the door. "Enter."

Lieutenant Groves entered. "Everything on the ship is prepared, sir. Are we ready for departing Port Lake soon?"

"Yes, Mr. Groves. I'll be coming right at the quarter deck at 9:00."

"Aye, aye, sir."

As Groves left, James arranged his naval uniform and walked to the door. "Now if you excuse me, Dr Shaw. I have duty."

He left his office and then he sighed from irritation. Thinking of Cat's misfortune bothered him, and getting her to remember would be a stressful ordeal. However, he had not the time to think of that, for they had to be getting underway.

Please R&R, kupo!