Chapter 14
"Commodore, the Pearl is docked at Tortuga Port, sir," one of Norrington's sailors informed him as he gazed out over the sunny waters of the Caribbean.
"Very well, we'll make good time. The wind is on our favor," James nodded and the sailor rushed off to give the heading.
Norrington sighed as his eyes fell on the distant horizon and smirked, "The faster I get Keira back and Sparrow in the ground, the faster I fulfill my promotion."
"Jack I really don't think we should stay here if Norrington's after us," Keira insisted, chasing Jack down the main road of Tortuga Port.
"Relax, love, we'll heave too at first light, but I need to restock me rum supply before I do anything. You know full well I can't live without me rum," he smiled over his shoulder at her.
Keira snorted and caught up to him, wrapping her arms around his middle as they walked, "Then get the rum and leave, Jack. I know the Commodore only has one thing in mind, and that's marrying me!"
Jack stopped in his track looking disgusted, "Well you do have your ways of charming men, love."
"Jack Sparrow you are impossible!" she laughed, stealing his hat and running into a pub.
"CAPTAIN!" he yelled after her. "Captain Jack Sparrow!" and he chased her into the pub to get his hat back.
Commodore Norrington quietly docked the Dauntless in a remote part of Tortuga Port. He was clad in plainclothes, his dark hair tied at the base of his neck. To most he was unrecognizable with out his white wig and military uniform. He nodded to the small group of men who were accompanying him through the rowdy port and they descended into the throngs of drunk men and women crowding its streets.
"Lovely Keira, you've come back to grace this cruddy pub once more! How you be, Lass?" Old Marty greeted Keira as she stumbled into the pub where she was once employed.
The young woman caught her breath from running and laughing, "Marty, good to see you old man. I see this place hasn't changed much since I was here last."
"How 'bout you fix me up the regular, hun?" he grinned, showing his black rotting teeth.
"Sure, mate," she grinned and moved behind the familiar counter.
"Keira Turner give me back my hat!" a familiar voice rang through the crowded pub as she poured Marty his drink.
She grinned and looked to the door to see Jack, his arms out, gesturing wildly as he made his way over to her. She removed the hat from her head and twirled it around her finger, tempting him.
"Come and get it then," she giggled as he moved around the counter.
"Hold it right there," another familiar voice from the door called, followed by the cock of a pistol.
Jack froze, his eyes shifting from Keira to the man now standing in the doorway of the small pub. His smile faded and Keira slowly turned around, following his gaze. She frowned at the man and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Commodore," she growled. "To what do I owe this pleasant surprise. I must say, you look better without the wig."
"You are under arrest, Miss Turner," he said flatly, his pistol leveled between her eyes.
The woman sighed in annoyance, "We've been through this, mate."
"Now you have charges," James growled. "Shall I list them?"
"Don't waste your breath," she replied, her green eyes locked with his. "All I want to know is what I must do to get you off my tail."
James looked irritated and he grabbed her arm, pulling her out from around the counter and over to one of his men who clapped her in irons. He looked down at her and softened.
"There are only two ways to receive pardon, Miss Tuner," he started but was cut off by Jack.
"Well, I guess I'll just leave you two to it then, tah," he winked at Keira and strode toward the door.
"No so fast Mr. Sparrow," James growled.
Jack froze and turned to him, looking weary, "What can I do for you?"
"Don't think you can slip away Sparrow. You are still wanted for a long list of crimes, Gillette clap him in irons," James said quickly before Jack could react.
"No! Leave him, take me in his stead!" Keira yelled.
James wheeled around at her outburst, "Why in God's name would I do that?"
Keira looked him square in the eye, her eyes flashing dangerously, "He has nothing to do with this, James. Take me and have that be all."
"Apologies, but I can't do that, I am bound by the law," Norrington protested.
"Commodore, take me and leave the rest," she growled determinedly.
"Love, really I don't think—" Jack started.
"Hush, Captain, I'll handle this. James, if you take Jack I will not negotiate with you. I will keep my silence until the moment I am hanged," she insisted.
By now Jack was already in irons and leaning against the door of the pub, calmly watching the exchange. He was impressed with Keira's sudden determination, his warm brown eyes watching her with desire.
Norrington pulled Keira away from the group and looked down at her pleadingly, "Let me take Sparrow. He won't be hanged, but he will locked in the gallows. That is my only negotiation past this point."
Keira considered her options and nodded, "As long as he is not harmed, but the minute I get word he is to be hanged or punished in anyway, I swear to you, Norrington, I'll kill you myself."
"As you wish," he grinned, looking almost jubilant to be killing two birds with one stone.
Keira bowed her head and let the Commodore lead her to where Jack was waiting. She only lifted her eyes to look at Jack and flash a small smile before being pushed out of the pub and into the darkness of the town.
"What do you want with me Norrington; I'm tired of your games!" Keira yelled frustratedly.
She was now pacing Norrington's study on the Dauntless. She and Jack had been locked in the brig below after their run in on Tortuga, Keira only being let out a few hours later on the request that the Commodore wished to speak with her.
Norrington watched her pace in front of his desk, his eyes not leaving her slim figure.
"Please, have a seat," he offered calmly.
Keira glared at him and kept pacing, "Well?"
"Let me explain the reason for your charges. Mr. Turner only wished for your best. Running from the law is not the answer, so he came to me."
"Let me guess," Keira snapped, "Will told you to get me to Port Royal by any means, even if you have to press charges against me. Therefore you decided to press charges, go after me and are going to bargain, I get my freedom if I marry you, is that right?"
"No quite," James grinned, looking impressed. "But close."
Keira kept her silence, crossing her arms over her chest and continued pacing. Norrington took this as his cue to continue.
"Will told me to press charges, go after you and tell you that you only have two ways to get out of going to the noose."
"And they are?" Keira asked, her eyebrows raised.
"Either you marry me, or stay on Port Royal with Will and Elizabeth and leave your pirating comrades to live civilly like you were raised," he smiled, his blue-grey eyes twinkling.
Keira considered for a moment and scoffed, "You are really determined to take a wife, Commodore, Why the urgency?"
He laughed, "It comes with the position, to be Commodore you must be married, I proposed to Miss Swann, but she turned out enthralled with your beloved brother. I met you and I haven't been the same since, to say the least."
Keira it her bottom lip and moved around his desk, sitting on the edge of it and looking down at him. She was actually tempted by him for a moment, but she pushed the sudden feeling away, at the thought of Jack in the brig. She leaned close to him, her face inches from his, her lips hovering over his to tempt him.
"And why have you not been the same since?" she breathed, her eyes on his lips.
He caught her off guard, quickly cupping her cheek and pulling her to him, his lips pressing against hers with a longing she didn't know a man of such propriety could possess. She closed her eyes, but did not open her mouth to welcome him. He pulled away looking astonished at his own behavior and Keira grinned.
"I see, Commodore, you can't resist," she whispered, licking her top lip.
"My apologies, I forgot my place," he said, not looking at her.
"You want my freedom, my careless nature. You long for my ability to do what I please. Curiosity, Commodore. You want to know what it tastes like," she muttered.
Their eyes locked and he got to his feet, "You got all that from—?"
"Yes," Keira got to her feet as well. "If I have no choice I'd rather be married to a noble man than live a suffocating life with Will and Elizabeth. I accept your proposal Commodore."
James looked shocked and staggered as the ship rocked. He looked down at her and smiled, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," she said softly, her eyes meeting his. "But you must let Jack go back to the Pearl."
"I knew there'd be a catch," he muttered.
Keira grabbed the front of his coat and pulled him to her, kissing him with everything she had. She pulled away and looked up at him, her green eyes pleading, "Let Jack go."
James nodded, still taken away by her sudden affection for him, his eyes locked with hers as got lost in the green depths. "V-very well. As soon as we dock at Port Royal, I'll let Jack leave without any trouble."
"Now," Keira breathed, "Let him leave now."
"Keira, be reasonable—"
"James, let him go now," she demanded, her tone final.
"Very well," he nodded and Keira let the front of his shirt go.
She watched him leave the study and slumped into his vacated chair. She buried her face in her hands and felt her eyes well with tears.
"What have I done?" she sobbed. "This is not what I wanted."
She looked up when the door to the study opened. Gillette smiled at her and motioned for her to come out on deck. Keira got to her feet and strode to the door to see Jack climbing into a long boat. She rushed to him and hugged him from behind. Jack spun around and looked down to see Keira clinging to him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Now, Love, what's the matter?" he asked softly, wiping the tears away with his thumbs.
"I'm so sorry, Jack," she whispered. "I didn't mean for us to part like this."
"It's alright, Love, we'll meet again, I'm sure," he assured her.
"Jack, I love you," she sobbed, her eyes glistening with tears.
He looked startled and grinned, "Lass, I'll miss you."
Keira understood the meaning behind this and hugged him. He cupped his hand under her chin gently and kissed her before turning his back on her and climbing down the side of the ship to the long boat. Keira sniffed and backed away from the ledge, wiping frantically at her face to hide the tears.
"This is not the last time I see you, Jack Sparrow," she whispered to his retreating form before turning and running back into the study she'd emerged from.