Disclaimer: If POTC was a musical, I'd want Jack to sing "Over the Rainbow". Not sure why. His humorous falsetto would be quite awesome. But I don't own POTC, or Jerry Bruckheimer, or a beating heart from Davy Jones. I do own a plastic sword, though. That has to count for something.
A/N: Hello, luvlies! I've decided to lose that evil streak for a bit and give you an update quite sooner than anticipated. I know- I've been horrible at keeping a regular updating pace. Classes can do that to a gal. I hope everyone is enjoying their delightful Spring season, and I hope you enjoy Chapter 28 even more!
With all the pineappley lint in the world,
PineAppleLint
It had been hours. Captain Sparrow had long since abandoned any thought about keeping still. He paced up and down the narrow corridor in his long-stepped swagger, keeping his gaze connected to the floorboards as if counting them. He paid no attention to the Commodore, who sat comfortably in a chair perched next to the door. Norrington had long since loosened his white cravat and unbuttoned his cufflinks. He appeared more relaxed, with his toned frame slouched and his wigged head resting against the wall. Every once in a while, he'd open his eyes and watch Jack in amusement.
"How long are you going to continue your sorry habit of wearing ruts into the woodwork?" Norrington asked in a bored manner.
"As long as I'd like, Norrington," Jack replied icily, breaking his stride to stare pointedly at the Commodore, "What, are you goin' to try to stop me? Not like you could, really. You've tried to stop me before and failed miserably."
Norrington closed his eyes once more, not wanting Jack to see the irritation in them. "You are tired and upset, Sparrow. And you are taking all your frustrations out on me. Find someone else to annoy, because I am not taking the bait."
Instead of hearing Jack start pacing all over again, he heard the unmistakable sound of wood scraping against wood. Opening his eyes, he found Jack pulling up another chair right next to him.
"When will they be finished?" Jack questioned calmly.
"I am not the doctor, so I do not know." Silence surrounded them as Jack twiddled his dirty, ring-clad thumbs.
Finally, Jack bit out, "How do you know June?"
"Ah." Norrington smirked. "The question finally arises. I wondered how long it would take for curiosity to get the best of you."
Jack fluttered his hands about, signaling for the man to get on with it.
"Our fathers were friends," Norrington continued, tugging on his cravat to loosen it further. "Miss Oleander and I were childhood playmates."
"Did you spend time wit' her before she disappeared?"
"Yes. She was very charming, a kindred spirit, if you will. She grew into quite the sophisticated young lady." He added, smiling, "Despite being very outspoken and unreserved, she managed to win the hearts of all the elites in Port Royal."
"I cannot tell you, mate, exactly how much hell she's given me these past few months."
Norrington grinned at this. "I am sure you deserved it, Sparrow."
Glaring at him, Jack continued, "So any notable stories of Miss Oleander's past that I need to indulge in? What is this about a kindred spirit?"
Norrington uncharacteristically began sharing stories from his youth, and all the stories included June. It began with them playing pranks on each other as children, to an irreplaceable friendship as they grew in their years. When June was about seventeen years old, she tackled a thief in the middle of the Port Royal marketplace in order to save an old man's finest silverware. It had been a flurry of arms, feet, and lacey petticoats, Norrington said. She had also been fond of taking care of her father's small boats, and once in a while, she and Norrington would steal them out onto the water.
When Norrington felt like he shared enough, he sank back into his chair and sighed. "We all thought she had passed, since she never returned. It is a real shock to find her alive, let me tell you. Perhaps even more of a shock to find her throwing in her lot with you."
Jack said with a boyish smile, "The women can't resist me, mate."
"I figured such, considered you being on a first name basis with her."
"Really, Commodore. Just because I call her by her first name doesn't mean I'm…" he paused, looking for the right word, "…corrupting her innocence. It had been corrupted long before I ever came into the picture."
"It's not only that you call her by her first name, you twit," Norrington snapped, offended by being seen as hopelessly naïve at such an age. "It is how you say it. It sounds intimate. I'm not sure I like it."
Jack shifted in his chair, suddenly uncomfortable by the Commodore's scrutiny. He decided to change the subject. "What are you boys doin' in Barcelona?"
Norrington decided to ignore his demeaning 'boys' comment and just answer. Leaning in close to Jack, he replied, "We were looking for you and your crew."
Dammit. He knew this would happen, that he would have to pay a price for June's safety and well-being. Ana and Will led the whole Navy right to him, and that was what the soldiers wanted all along.
"You have committed a wide array of crimes against the Crown, Sparrow," Norrington stated coldly, "And that sort of thing does not go unpunished under my command."
Jack began subtlety checking out his surroundings, trying to plan the best way of escape. "Why haven't you already clapped me in irons, Commodore?" Jack asked dryly.
"I figured that would upset Miss Oleander. She doesn't need to be worked up in her present condition. Especially since I am also the bringer of bad news."
"Bad news?"
"Her father has come down with pneumonia and at his old age, he is not getting any better. I fear his health has taken a turn for the worse. I want to bring her home immediately." Norrington paused, his face growing soft. "He has always been a good man, and he would be ecstatic to see his only daughter alive and well."
Another soldier came up the stairs, carrying a bayonet. "What news of the patient, sir?" he asked Norrington, making a point of avoiding the pirate.
"No news as of yet, Davis. You may sit with us, if you would like."
The young soldier nodded and sat on the floor, making sure to keep the bayonet close. He eyed Sparrow in distrust.
"Actually, that works out perfectly, mate," Jack replied, continuing the conversation. "I was hopin' that you'd take June off me hands."
"And why is that?" Norrington seemed a bit appalled.
Jack grinned and pulled a piece of paper out of his vest.
"Oh dear God," Norrington said, rolling his eyes, "If you say that's a treasure map, I'm going to have you hanged immediately. With whatever rope I can find."
"Fine then." Jack unfolded the parchment and said dramatically, "This non-treasure map is very valuable. Highly unique. One-of-a-kind. Was handwritten by pirate lass Mary Read herself and given to a young soldier that helped her up to her last breath."
Norrington looked half-intrigued.
"I'm willin' to give you part of the spoils if you agree not to arrest me or inflict any harm upon my person," Jack said nobly, "There's only one problem."
Norrington raised his eyebrows.
"I only have half the map," Jack admitted sheepishly.
"I have the other half," the soldier, Davis, suddenly piped up from his quiet corner.
Both men stared at him in alarm.
"The soldier who helped Mary Read, Jonathan Grisham, was my grandfather."
"Well, well, well." Jack licked his lips. "It's fate! How can you two pass up this adventure, eh?"
"Really, Sparrow," Norrington drawled, "Do you expect me to go treasure hunting with pirates?"
"I expect Mister Grisham here to help solve the mystery of Mary Read and make his late grandfather proud," Jack answered.
Both men didn't have a comeback to that.
"And the pirate lass?" Davis inquired, pointing to the closed door.
"That's Miss Oleander," Norrington corrected firmly, "And I shall provide her safe passage home. I suppose it all works out, really. I get her out of your hair and save her from your ungentlemanly wiles."
"And you get a portion of treasure if it is indeed found," Jack said with a flap of the torn map, "Unless you don't want it…"
"I don't need your treasure," Norrington muttered. "I would rather see it as not wanting to upset Miss Oleander."
"I knew you liked me, mate," Jack grinned.
Suddenly, the door creaked open and the doctor walked out, sighing. His apron and his fingers were stained with blood.
"How is she?" Jack jumped out of his chair. Both military men followed suit.
"Fine. Weak and unconscious. The blade managed to knick her kidney and cause a bit of internal bleeding. I have managed to stop it with surgery. She just needs a lot of bed rest to recover." He shook his head. "She's one lucky woman. A few millimeters deeper and she'd be dead for sure."
Another soldier rushed up the stairs with a new bowl of hot water and soap. The doctor continued to clean his hands thoroughly.
"Thank you for your help, Doctor Isaac," Norrington said, nodding his head in appreciation, "It is much appreciated. You have saved an old friend's life."
"Remember, much bed rest and as little movement as possible," Isaac warned, shaking a finger at him, "She should wake from the drugs I have given her in a couple of hours."
"May we enter?" Jack said, fidgeting impatiently.
"I'd prefer only one person to watch over her while I clean up a bit," Isaac said, "But perhaps she'd enjoy more visitors when she wakes up."
"Where's Miss Walker and Mister Turner?" Norrington asked.
"They are resting. I'll wake them later," Davis said with a smile, "They're in a room downstairs."
"Well, who's going to watch Miss Oleander for me, then?" Isaac questioned, looking eager to go clean up, "I would like to change my clothing."
Both men, Norrington and Sparrow, stepped towards the door. Immediately, they both glanced at each other and scowled.
Next chapter, prepare yourselves for a bit of Ana/Will fluff, and June crankily waking up from her gawd-awful surgery. The battle of masculinity between Norrington and Jack will ensue! Please review, ye scalawags!
Reviews to reviews time!
CharlieBlackNails: Hello, dearie! Haha, I try to be a temptress whenever I can. Will is certainly one of the most heroic of the bunch. And he has good aim. Yum.
The DuTchess of Doom: Cliffhanger, indeed. They are my favorite. Jack just doesn't know what he feels. You know how he is. Sure when it comes to rum and the sea, unsure on his feet and with his heart. And what's in store for our lovely Devon Duville, eh?
Pirate Gyrl: Haha, no, I'm not really mean. It's great to hear from you! I like Commodore Norrington. He's probably my second favorite male in POTC. I wonder who's the first…?
Jack Sparrow's Pirate Chick: Huzzah for unexpected pasts with handsome and heroic Commodores! Thanks for the review, me dear!
Padme4000: I'm glad you loved it! Yay!
Leanan Sidhe: Thanks for reviewing, chica! You know, I was thinking about your From Hell story the other day. That story was awesome. You should continue it sometime when your Abberline muse comes back. Haha, June lost her piratey accent! Not her English accent! That would be weird if June was from the future. Or if she was an alien! Whoaaa. That blows my mind. Harlot, eh? Who you calling a harlot you…you…you woman! (I'm not very good at insults)
Anastasia Walker: The AIM chats about this story fill my heart with warm mushiness. Hah. Thanks for the input, dudette. You rock hardcore.
Sparrow'sVixon: Hehe, wow indeed! You were bitten by the cliffhanger bug!
Iheartdean: Twists are the best. Like twists of lime, or lemon.
Rynn: Poor June, heck yes. Getting stabbed isn't fun. Even for pirates. Thanks for the review!
Orlyluv: I love the penname. O RLY? (an owl flies around) I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long!
Remember How I Used To Be: Hah, Jack's life just got a little better, now that he knows he has the second half of the map. Thanks for reviewing, dearie!
Wanderer of the Roads: Thanks, luv! I hope you liked how Commodore Norrington and June's pasts are connected. Their fates will soon become more intertwined! (foreshadowing, foreshadowing)
Princess-Maiden: I updated speedily! Yay! Thanks for reviewing, it is much appreciated.
Senatorsarah: What's a fanfic without two handsome males fighting? That's the best part! (teehee)
Queso Blanco: Thanks for following this story! That makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I hope you liked the chapter!
Felicitousmomento: No dying. Yay! I updated ASAP, just like you asked. Thanks for reviewing.
a-boy-named-sue: Every six months, pooh pooh! I'm hoping to do away with that. I hope you like the new chapter and the new developments.
That's all, I believe. If I missed you, know that I give you many hugs. Reviews are the best.
