The Commodore paced around the small cabin, unable to sleep for fear of being plagued by more such…dreams. He wasn't quite sure he could take any more stress. Pirates. Weddings. Jack. The combination was enough to drive any man insane.
With a quiet sigh, the occupant of the bed shifted, and Norrington looked over with a small smile at a bared shoulder, coppery-red head resting on a white pillow. Gillette. If anything still made sense in this world. It could only be Gillette…dear, wonderful Gillette.
He crossed the room and slipped into bed; the younger man woke with a start…relaxing when he recognized Norrington. "Thank goodness!" he breathed. "I'd been having the most horrid dream."
Norrington flinched at the word "dream", in spite of himself. "What happened," he wondered, gently.
"You and Elizabeth had just…gotten married. And I was supposed to make a speech, but I couldn't think of anything to say and then it all…just spilled out and I'd told everyone everything and…"
"Oh. Oh, dear, that sounds dreadful," Norrington replied, in a gentle comforting voice.
"It was. They were going to hang me and…" Gillette smiled, a bit wistfully. "And I don't want you to marry Elizabeth."
"Just…just because…I'll be married, it won't mean that…I still…" the commodore babbled, uncertainly, trying to be reassuring.
"Everything will change," the young lieutenant interrupted softly. "It will. You're an honourable man. You keep to your word. It's one of the most wonderful things about you." He gazed up at Norrington with a look of complete adoration. "You do care for Elizabeth, and once married to her…you'd never be unfaithful. I know you too well."
Those words went through Norrington; his stomach turned to ice. Unfaithful. Jack. He cursed his wayward thoughts. "We shall simply have to make sure I don't marry Elizabeth, then."
Gillette smiled, rather adorably. "Which is why we're risking body and soul for her blacksmith." A pause, and then, softly, "Captain Sparrow says we're nearly to Isle des Muertes." His voice shook, a bit.
Resolutely banishing all thoughts of the pirate captain from his mind, Norrington wondered softly "Are you frightened?"
"I'm more frightened of your marrying Elizabeth," Gillette admitted with another heartbreaking smile.
Norrington wasn't quite sure what he was the most frightened of…but it certainly wasn't battling undead pirates. "Nearly there, you say?"
Gillette nodded.
"Good," Norrington breathed, with a smile of his own. "We've a little time yet." That said, he reached out and brought Gillette into his arms. You never knew, did you, what the next day would bring?
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And now, for the author's notes. *grins*
I'd just like to thank everyone for reviewing, and comment on their comments, and hope that this will inspire more reviews. ;)
Pen Is Ink – thank you muchly for reading and reviewing, even if you don't like slash or the commodore – I'm glad you read and enjoyed anyway.
Ann Valentine – thank you! I'm glad you liked it, and I'll definitely try to rock on!
Mercuria – it makes me happy too! *grins* There has to be more to the Commodore…much more…oh yes…
LadySlash – thanks, mate! I think Gillette would look smashing in eyeliner too – maybe in the course of this story, we'll get to find out? *grins* Your story was very cute too, by the way. ;)
Poptart – thanks! That was what I was going for, after all.
Thanks again for everyone who takes the time to read and review. I'll be sure to acknowledge all of my reviews – so please, keep writing them! And keep enjoying it!
Peace,
Elske
