-Six-

You Seem Familiar

The entire deck was awash with the soldiers and sailors, running about, shouting things to each other. It was utter chaos. Alice spied her friend Will Turner, and the pirate Sparrow, both pulling ropes as they ran around on the Dauntless, trying to ready themselves for sail. Sparrow seemed to be yelling at Will who only looked extremely confused. She stopped in her spot. She had always known about Will and Elizabeth's relationship; the odd attraction that they each held for the other... she supposed that he was probably going after her too... and using a pirate for help... well, everyone had their own plans it would seem. She only hoped for his safety.

"Grab the grappling-hooks men! Ready up beside the Dauntless! Port side!" Norrington yelled at his men. She could see the pure fury on his face.

Red grabbed her arm and yanked her forward. "Better look busy Miss, next thing you need is to be caught and punished." He shoved a thick rope into her hand, and she saw the hard grapple attached to its end. She readied herself with the others. The Interceptor pulled up alongside of the Dauntless, faster than the other ship could sail, and the ropes began to fly. Alice prayed hard... she wasn't used to tossing heavy articles. She knew she would get looked at if she missed. With all her strength and will, she tossed hers... and grinned when the hook caught onto the railing of the opposite ship.

With the two ships 'tied' together, soldiers began to swing across the gap on ropes - from one ship to another. Like some others, Alice grabbed onto a grappling rope, scrambling up the side of the Dauntless, Red helping her over the railing onto the other ship.

Norrington walked across the plank that had been lay down, some of his armed men behind him. He yelled more orders, for the ship to be searched from bottom to top. Alice saw two men grab some swinging ropes, and knew exactly what was to happen. Right before he kicked off to swing back towards the Interceptor, Will tossed a cautious look over his shoulder. His and Alice's eyes met... she knew, even in men's attire, he recognized her. His mouth fell into an 'o' before he swung himself over to the Interceptor; Jack Sparrow already hard at work making the faster ship move. Alice held a finger up to her lips frantically. Will nodded to her and she smiled.

Alice didn't say a thing. If her friend and Sparrow were on their way to save Elizabeth, she would let them. Anything to bring her friend back safely - if they got to her first, then that was fine by her... besides, it made the whole experience more exciting. Jack and Will cut all of of the attackers ropes, and the Interceptor began to move away, pulling the planks down with them.

Norrington turned, his eyes fuming. "SAILORS, BACK TO THE INTERCEPOTR, NOW!"

One of the men tried to swing across, only to fall into the water - the gap too big to swing. The others ran to the railings, throwing the man a buoy to swim. Alice grinned in the direction of the Interceptor. Jack was at the wheel, and was waving his hat in their direction. "Thank you, Commodore. For getting us ready to make way!" he called gleefully, "We would have had a hard time all by ourselves."

Without orders, the soldiers began to fire their muskets, only for every shot to miss as the two thieves' ducked out of harm's way. Norrington turned, storming towards the upper deck, arguing with Groves as he did so.

"Out and about! Run out the guns!" Groves boomed at the men, who immediately went to work at loading the ships many canons. Alice helped Red with one of the many ropes at the sails. The noise around them was almost deafening. She didn't know any of the sailor talk, and everyone moved so quickly.

"Commodore," the struggling captain called. "He's disabled the rudder-chain, sir."

She heard someone screech, and the horrible snapping of wood, unsure as to what was happening. After a few minutes the men stopped working on the canons in defeat, watching the Interceptor sail away. Some men were at the rails, helping fallen men back up onto the ship. Many had gone below deck to fix any damage the two thieves had caused. Norrington ordered the captain and a few men to go repair the displaced rudder-chain. The entirety of the Dauntless was in chaos.

Alice caught her breath, watching the Interceptor shrink into the afternoon sunlight. She hoped that Will and Jack found Elizabeth first... if they didn't... she couldn't imagine the consequences for their actions of treason.

"Once the ship is fixed and we are on course, we will need to make sure that all the men can fight. Use of a sword, and a pistol at the very least."

Norrington's voice was angry, solid. Alice could see the defeat on his face. She squeezed into the shadow under the stairs to the quarterdeck.

"Pistols and swords, sir? You expect our men to fight?" Groves' voice was one of surprise.

"If we follow in the wake of Sparrow, he will lead us to the pirates, which is no doubt where he and Turner are headed."

"Well, if the rumours are true... hopefully the men really can fight."

"What rumours?" Norrington's voice carried a warning. "I have not heard anything odd."

Groves laughed. It was an uneasy sound. "That the pirates whom attacked Port Royal, sir, are the pirates of the Black Pearl."

Norrington was silent... the silence seemed to last forever. Alice held her breath. Groves coughed nervously. This felt like danger.

"Those pirates," Norrington's voice was almost dead quiet. Acidic. "Were. Not. From. The. Black. Pearl."

"Of course not, sir. It's just silly talk. You know the natives are superstitious." Groves was choosing his words carefully.

There was a pause before Norrington's voice returned to normal. "Be that as it may. I want to see every man prepared to fight. We never know what we will be getting into. The less Crown casualties, the better. We must keep the King pleased as well. Captain, aim this ship towards Tortuga. No doubt, Sparrow will make a stop there to find some reliable men for his crew."

Alice decided that she had had enough of eavesdropping, the stairs creaking over way. She began to slink her way from the shadows. The sun was like an assault to hr eyes and she let out a groan.

"You there, boy."

Alice froze... oh damn... "Aye, sir?" She slowly whirled to face Norrington and Groves.

"What are you doing?"

Alice swayed, looking around hopelessly. Red stood, stalks-till in place, his eyes wide. Slowly, he patted his chest with a wide-eyed nod. Alice blinked back in appreciation. "Erm..." she coughed, deepening her voice. "I lost my... brooch among the scuffle... I was just, er, trying to find it."

"A brooch?" Norrington raised his brow. Groves was trying to hide a laugh.

"Um... yes... my mother gave it to me... I'm new to the sea, you... see. And she wanted to give it to me for good luck."

"Your mother's brooch." Norrington was looking less impressed.

"My father was a sailor... he gave it to her after one of his trips... she said it brought them both good luck, so she gave it to me." Alice was trying her hardest not to blush. She felt like the sappiest 'boy' ever.

Norrington took a graceful step forward. "What's your name? You don't seem to be familiar."

"Er... Henry."

"And do you only have the one name, Henry?" She could see the corners of his mouth twitch.

"Leaf... Henry Leaf, if it please you, sir."

"Leaf... I do not recall that name on the regist-"

"He's my nephew, Commodore," Red stepped forward. "I thought he could help me down in the kitchens, and to be a deck-hand. I could always use help with the cooking... you and I cleared it up about a week ago."

Norrington frowned. "I don't recall... despite the fact that you seem familiar... then again... with my promotion, everything was everywhere... none the less. Can you fight, boy?"

"Fight, sir?" Alice felt a sinking feeling.

"Yes. Can you use a pistol? A sword?"

"No, sir."

James looked disappointed. "Very well... Hm... Well, I shall teach you. Train you when we have the opportunity... tonight maybe? When the men are asleep. Yes, that will do. Meet me in my office at nightfall. We shall talk and then train. Maybe if the rest of the men are resting, it can save you some possible embarrassment."

Alice felt her cheeks grow hot. "Very well sir."

With a curt nod, the two marched off. Red found his way over to her. "Well, nephew, you're in for a real treat then. He's an excellent fighter. You couldn't be trained by better."

Alice laughed nervously, gulping. "Do you think he'll realize it's me? I was to be betrothed to him... and then Groves."

Red groaned in exasperation, rubbing his forehead. "You have not made this task easy, missy. Betrothed to both? And you've known them for years. You have to make sure this disguise stays on, and for good. No one can know who you really are. Lady Alice Grey is back safe in Port Royal. The young Henry Leaf is a new sailor. Once you get back to shore, you can take the disguise off, Henry Leaf will be dead, and Alice Grey will be once more."

She felt sick. Truly, she had not thought of the consequences of this... was it treason? If she were to be found out, could she be arrested or killed? And Red... what kind of danger had she put him in... She looked at him, and she could tell that he knew what she was thinking.

He shrugged. "It's a little late for worrying now, miss. You're too far into this game."

Alice coughed, her voice sarcastic. "I've played more enjoyable games before."

Red laughed, slapping her on the back. "This was a game of your own making. Best make sure that you do not lose."

"And how am I supposed to do that?" She looked at him in indignation. He only looked amused.

"Don't get caught."