Disclaimer:  Still not mine, no matter how hard I wish . . .though I suppose I can claim a small portion after having spent much hard-earned money to see the movie three times, with the prospect of spending even more when it comes out on DVD . . .

AN:  Again thanks.  Still my first fic.  Still nervous.  Updating as quickly as possible.

A Taste of Misery

Part 8

Will and Elizabeth dressed as quickly as possible, calling out for their visitor to please be patient, while Ana-Marie slid back into the shadows, becoming as inconspicuous as possible, attempting not to laugh as Will tripped and fell trying to put his trousers on as he hopped towards the front door, which he opened while still in the process of tying his brown hair back into a respectable pony-tail.

"Commodore," he said rather loudly, giving Elizabeth and Ana-Marie fair warning of who was about to enter, "we didn't expect you today."

"I know, Mr. Turner, and I apologize for any inconvenience at the rather early hour, but I rather desired to talk to you and your wife for a few moments.  May I enter?"  Will glanced over to see Elizabeth fully clothed and nodding.  He stepped aside warily, wondering exactly how the meeting between the pirate and the fort commander would go.

"Commodore, it's so pleasant to see you again."  Elizabeth smiled, reaching over to grasp his hand lightly in greeting.  "You know that you are always welcome here, though I must admit the hour perplexes me."

"It is after dawn, m'lady, and the subject that I wish to talk to you about does not have that much time left."  Norrington looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"Jack?  You wish to talk to us about Jack?"  Will moved to stand beside his wife, his arm reaching around her waist as though on instinct.  There was something noticeably different about him this morning.  Where yesterday he had responded to Sparrow's name with something akin to hatred and the pain of betrayal, today he said it easily, almost . . .eagerly.  Stiffening, Norrington turned around . . .

And found himself face-to-face with a blade.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up.  The ship doesn't sail as fast when it's not cursed, I presume?"  The pirate stepped out of the shadows, circling Norrington warily.

"She's as fast as she ever was.  She simply made a small detour."

"A female pirate?  How strange."  Norrington paused, eyes flicking over the woman before him, sizing her up.  "I was rather surprised that they managed to get Sparrow into port.  I expected the Pearl would attack on the water, if she was going to attack at all."

"We're pirates, not fools, Commodore, and three ships of the Royal Navy acting as guardians could be a deterrent."

"So you are here for Sparrow."  Norrington clasped his hands behind his back.  "Good."

The sword dropped, nearly scraping the floor.

"What?!"  Norrington felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards as the three chorused the word, shock evident in their faces.

"Good.  I don't believe he's responsible for Jade, and I won't hang a man for a crime he didn't commit when there are so very many that he has.  I don't believe we've met before, though you obviously know me."  He held out his hand.

Ana-Marie clasped it quickly and dropped it, staring uncertainly at the man.  "If you're looking for a brand, Commodore, you won't find it.  I've never been caught."

"Ah, well.  Now, if you'd kindly put the sword away, we can talk about this whole mess."

A few minutes later, all four were seated around the small table in the main room.

"Now, I believe that you mentioned a detour that the Pearl took on her way here?  That wouldn't perhaps have been a detour to Jade, would it?"

"Aye, it was, and we found that Silverfirth wasn't at home the night of the attack.  There's a woman in her twenties, quite mad but quite beautiful, who lives in a small house perhaps twenty minutes from the port.  I'm sure you understand where the story goes from there."

Norrington sighed, slumping slightly in his seat.  "I knew Jade was a large island, but I hadn't thought to check to see if anyone lived outside the port.  So it wasn't Silverfirth that saw anyone.  It must have been that servant of his . . .no wonder the man avoids Sparrow like the plague, if he truly believes it was he who attacked Jade."

"Servant?"  Ana-Marie leaned forward.

"An inconspicuous man, brown-haired, brown-eyed, quite good at remaining unnoticed.  The only distinguishing thing about him is the scars."

"Scars?"  The word sounded almost like a hiss.  "Three horizontal scars below his left eye?"

"Yes.  You know of him?"  It was Norrington's turn to lean forward.

"Aye."  The pirate slumped back in her seat, one hand reaching up to rub her temple.  "Jack Sparrow, you bloody black-hearted fool, can't you ever make any pathetic enemies?"