Chapter Ten: Norrington's Proposal

Jack and I raced back down the beach, thrilled with the prospect of getting off the island. I was completely walking on air – the climactic swordfight between Jack and Barbossa was around the corner, I had yet another chance to screw with Norrington's head, what could possibly go wrong here?

Oh, shit.

The little longboat was apparently faster than we thought, for Norrington, Murtogg, Mullroy, and two other marines were standing on the beach, looking a little wary. Norrington had Lizzie locked into an embraced, the former looking relieved and rather pleased, while the latter looked equally relieved but extremely uncomfortable. As soon as Jack and I came into range, all four marines aimed their guns at our chests, Murtogg and Mullroy looking a little reluctant. We skidded to a halt, and Jack put his hands up. I scowled but followed suit.

Norrington let go of Lizzie and smirked at us. "Miss Winslet! Oh thank god you're safe! What were you doing with Sparrow?"

"Captain. Captain Sparrow. And are you forgetting that this pirate saved my life and Elizabeth's and rescued her from the evil Captain Barbossa?"

"No. But I will see to it that you and Miss Swann are perfectly safe while, Captain Sparrow is safely behind bars." He said smugly.

"But you can't! Commodore! I thought we were friends..." I exclaimed then ended sadly.

"She's right, you know," Jack piped up. "And up until the point where this one –" He gestured towards Elizabeth, whose mouth opened slightly in indignation. "– got 'er hands on our means of liquid refreshment, we were havin' quite a good time."

"Oh, I don't doubt that," Norrington replied, glancing disapprovingly towards the pile of clothes.

"He didn't do anything, I swear! We just wanted to make ourselves at home considering Barbossa left us here. It's nothing I assure you. Miss Swann is fully devoted to you anyway...right?"

"So it may seem. I've missed you greatly. I enjoyed our conversations." he said with a smile.

"Yes, commodore. May Jack and I go retrieve our belongings?"

"You may, Miss Winslet."

Jack and I went to collect our things, when we heard,

"My father?" Lizzie repeated. "He's here?"

"Yes. He insisted on helping to look for you, and wishes you to come back to Port Royal immediately. He is very concerned about your safety."

Lizzie froze. "Port Royal…no! We can't go back yet! We have to save Will!"

I rolled my eyes and finished tying the laces of my boots as they launched into an argument. I stood up and grabbed my vest.

Jack suddenly put his hand on mine. "Let me get that for you, luv," he said softly. He gently took the vest from my slightly trembling hands and slid it over my shoulders, his fingers trailing goosebumps over my arms. I shivered slightly, but hastily coughed loudly. Norrington would just love this, wouldn't he?

"No worries, luv," Jack whispered in my ear. "We'll get out of this in no time."

"Do you have a plan?" I whispered back.

I heard him chuckle softly. "O' course I do. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" He gently brushed his lips against my ear. "But you knew that already, didn't you?"

I smiled. "All too well."

One awkward boat ride later, Jack and I were standing in between Murtogg and Mullroy aboard the Dauntless. Norrington had taken his place to the right of Governor Swann, and the two nameless marines had slunk off to do generic marine stuff. Elizabeth was once again trying to plead Will's case.

"But we've got to save Will!" she said for the umpteenth time.

"No!" Governor Swann refused firmly. "You're safe now. We will return to Port Royal immediately, not go gallivanting after pirates!"

"Weren't you gallivanting after us for the past four days?" I cut in. "Seems a bit hypocritical to me." Everyone stared at me, and Jack looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh. I cleared my throat loudly. "Um…sorry."

"Then we condemn him to death!" Lizzie went on pleadingly.

Gov. Swann sighed. "The boy's fate is regrettable, but then so was his decision to engage in piracy."

"To rescue me! To prevent anything from happening to me!"

"And with complete reluctance every step of the way," I pointed out.

Jack suddenly stepped forward. "If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion…" He approached Norrington. "The Pearl was listing near the scuppers after the battle. It's very unlikely that she'd be able to make good time…"

"…meaning that you'll be able to overtake her, send your men over, grab Will, and arrest about twenty-five pirates." I finished.

"Think about it. The Black Pearl…The last real pirate threat in the Caribbean, mate…how could you pass that up, right?" He playfully punched Norrington's shoulder.

Norrington took a deep breath. "By remembering that I serve others, Mr. Sparrow, not only myself."

"But this would be serving others," I argued. "You'd be saving the lives of thousands of Barbossa's would-be victims!"

"Regardless," Norrington said smoothly. "We will return to Port Royal, and Jack will be placed under arrest for piracy, commandeering the Interceptor, assaulting an officer of the king's Royal Navy, and numerous other crimes." He began walking away.

"Commodore Norrington," Lizzie interrupted, going after him, "I beg of you, please do this. For me…as a wedding gift." Norrington froze and turned back around, eyes wide.

Governor Swann's face lit up. "Elizabeth…are you accepting the commodore's proposal?"

Lizzie glanced over at Norrington, her face pale. "…I am."

Jack grinned. "A wedding! I love weddings! Drinks all around!" I burst out laughing, and everyone stared at us. I shut up reluctantly, and Jack held out his hands. "I know… 'clap 'em in irons,' right?"

Norrington walked with deliberate slowness back over to us. "Mr. Sparrow, you will accompany these fine men –" Murtogg and Mullroy grinned proudly. "– to the helm and provide us with a bearing to Isla de Muerta. You will then spend the rest of the voyage contemplating all possible meanings of the phrase, 'silent as the grave.' Do I make myself clear?"

Jack smiled weakly. "Inescapably clear." Murtogg and Mullroy gripped his arms and marched him off to the helm.

Norrington turned to me. "As for you, Miss Winslet..."

"Could I stay with Elizabeth? To talk to her?"

"You may, Miss Winslet."

I smiled slightly. "Congratulations."

Norrington's eyes seemed to soften a bit. "…thank you."

"No problem." The two marines led me off towards the cabin where Elizabeth was.

After they left, I ran towards the brig, to talk to Jack.

"You okay, Jack?"

He lifted his head and grinned. "I am now," he answered softly. He sat up and wrapped his arms around me, pressing his lips against mine. I eagerly returned the kiss, that same out-of-body sensation returning to me. This kiss was just as good as the first, but I felt a bit more of Jack's desire thrust onto me.

Jack slowly and reluctantly ended the kiss. "Mmm…Would this count as pushing it?"

I smiled softly, pressing a chaste kiss against his lips through the bars. "You know…I think it may be. But I've come to a conclusion; I like pushing it."

Jack chuckled and moved to sit against the bars, pulling me closer. "So tell me, darlin'," he began, taking one of my hands in his. "How's that contemplating coming along?"

I thought for a moment. "I've come to two conclusions. Conclusion #1: Norrington is going to kill you."

Jack snorted. "Completely unforeseeable. What's the other one?"

"Conclusion #2: I think I'm going insane."

Jack blinked. "What?"

"Just now, I heard this little voice in my head, and we started having an argument."

Jack grinned. "I like those little voices! They're always around to talk, they agree with you no matter what, and they tell you the best places to get rum."

I rolled my eyes. "Our little voices are apparently very different from each other, then."

Jack gently pulled me to lean against his chest. "You know what my little voice is telling me to do right now?"

"What?"

He smiled his Captain-Jack-Sparrow-grin. "It's telling me to give you the time of your life, savvy?" He kissed my forehead tenderly.

I closed my eyes, my breathing hitched. "Savvy."

The sound of footsteps jerked me back to reality. I immediately got off of Jack and darted over to the opposite wall, breathing hard. This had better be good.

Murtogg and Mullroy came into view. Mullroy cleared his throat importantly. "Commodore Norrington says we're to – what's the matter with you two?"

I glanced at Jack. He looked as startled and out of breath as I felt. "N-nothing," I stammered. "What are you two doing here?"

"We were ordered to watch Sparrow so that he doesn't escape again," Murtogg answered. He and Mullroy stationed themselves on either side of the door. "Don't try anything funny in there, 'cause we'll see it!"

Jack and I exchanged frustrated glances. "You have gotta be fucking kidding me," I groaned. Stupid karma.

Several uncomfortable hours later, Jack was allowed back on deck, as Isla de Muerta was close by. It was night time, and a full moon shown from the cloudless sky. The Dauntless glided smoothly through the graveyard of ships.

Jack stood at the railing and stared out over the water, an unreadable expression on his face. I took my place next to him. "So," I began softly. My voice sounded unnaturally loud in the gloom. "It's the big day, isn't it? The day you get back your ship."

A smile flitted across Jack's face. "Yeah…'s been so long, now…I've almost forgotten what it's like, sailing 'er." His eyes took on a glazed look. "You'll just love 'er, Ashley. Fastest ship in the Caribbean, never mind that ol' Navy wreck." We shared a chuckle. "And there's the perfect view, up from the helm. You can see for miles around." He sighed softly. "Best ship in the sea."

"Oh, now you're getting me all excited," I complained.

"I like it when you get excited," Jack replied. He kissed the top of my head. "When you get excited, good things happen to yours truly, as well."

I chuckled. "Depends on what I'm excited about." I smiled at him. "And remember, we're not out o' this yet. We still have kick Barbossa's ass, something that I am greatly looking forward to."

Jack snorted. "You and me both, luv." He put an arm around me. "Looks like we really are cut from the same cloth." I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway.

Elizabeth, noticing our conversation, came up to stand beside us. She was wearing a bright red jacket and a worried expression. "You two look cheerful," she said softly, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Simply wallowing in our near-at-hand triumph and the return of my ship," Jack said simply.

A ghost of a smile showed up on Lizzie's face. "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to count your chickens before they hatched?"

I grinned. "Elizabeth, we're pirates...umm well, I'm a newbie. Since when do we listen to civilized society?"

"Good point," Lizzie admitted. "Ashley," she said suddenly. "May I speak with Jack for a moment?"

I frowned quizzically. "Uh…okay, sure." I stepped away from the rail and crossed to the other side of the ship, only just within earshot.

What are you doing?, my inner voice suddenly shouted.

I'm letting Lizzie talk to Jack. She asked to be alone, didn't she?

Don't you remember what scene this is?

Uh…no.

Inner Voice sighed exasperatedly. It's the fourteenth deleted scene! Peas in a Pod! A SPARRABETH SCENE!

Oh…OH, CRAP! I started to run back, but the conversation had already started.

"You didn't tell him about the curse," Lizzie was saying to Jack.

"I notice neither did you," was the reply. "For the same reason, I imagine."

Lizzie hesitated. "He wouldn't have risked it," she said finally, staring out to sea.

Jack smiled jokingly. "Could've gotten him drunk." Lizzie looked up at him. "Don't get me wrong, luv…I admire a person who's willing to do whatever is necessary." The warning bells in my head began to go off, and I took an involuntary step forward.

Lizzie stared at him head-on. "You're a smart man, Jack, but I don't entirely trust you."

Jack smiled and took a step closer to her. "Peas in a pod, darlin'."

Okay, that does it! I gritted my teeth and walked back to them…only to see Norrington approach with the compass, looking as angry as me. Jack smiled innocently and stepped over to my side. As though to illustrate his apparent status, he wrapped me in a tight hug. I hesitated, but returned it.

Norrington didn't look fooled, either. "With me, Sparrow, Miss Winslet." he said simply, snapping the compass shut and tossing it back to him. Jack nodded and sauntered off towards the prepared longboat. I started to follow, but Norrington caught my eye. Once again, his hazel eyes seemed to soften as he nodded to me slightly. I returned the nod, feeling a slight smile tug at my lips.

This is where the fun begins!