In the cool misty hours just before dawn, the Dauntless finally reached the ultimate destination – Isla des Muertes. At last.
Captain Jack Sparrow smiled, a small self-satisfied smirk. He'd done it. He'd made it. He could see his ship, the love of his life, his Pearl in the distance. His pistol was at the ready, as always, safe and secure and still holding that single shot. Soon enough, the pirate knew, that shot would be buried deep in the chest of Captain Barbossa and he would be sailing for the horizon, with his ship back, at last. Life was good…oh, yes, life was good.
Of course…there were still a few small matters to consider. Small matters – like the fact that he was currently a prisoner of the Royal Navy. Trifles, really. It wouldn't matter, in the end. If they survive the inevitable battle to come with Barbossa's men…then Jack would worry. There wasn't a ship built that could ever match the Pearl.
The two men who had been sent to watch over Jack had fallen asleep, and so it was no difficult task to slip past them and make his way off in search of the Commodore…to let him know that they'd made it, of course, and inform him of the plan. No. To coax him into coming up with the plan, because people followed instructions so much better when they thought they'd come up with them on their own.
He found the cabin quite easily, reached for the doorknob – and found it locked, much to his dismay. For all of the things Captain Jack Sparrow was skilled at…getting through locked doors was not amongst them. This would take a bit more work, it seemed – and then the pirate's eyes fell on something shining above the doorjam, and he reached up and brought down the key and unlocked the door.
Captain Sparrow tiptoed into the room on silent feet, about to go wake the Commodore – then froze when he saw that there was more than one occupant of the bed. Well, then. It couldn't be Elizabeth, could it? She'd only just agreed to marry him, after all, and since that was enough to get him to do what she wanted…it was obviously someone else. Well. It seemed that Norrington was going up in Jack's estimation. He hesitated, trying to decide if he should approach anyway – and see who the man's mystery wench was – and then his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone knocking at the door, and there was nothing to be done but to quickly conceal himself before the Commodore and his bedmate awoke.
He watched, wide-eyed, as the two rose and dressed…lingering over the task and over each-other for as long as they dared, in a way that made Jack uncomfortable – if only because it was a powerful reminder of how long it had been since he'd had someone to share his bed. The Commodore had now gone up very much in Jack's estimation. He watched and waited, as the Lieutenant left, as the Commodore carefully re-made the bed, methodically returning it to a pristine state, disturbing evidence of the occupants.
And there it was. The opportune moment.
Jack Sparrow sauntered out into the middle of the room with a smirk. "Good morning, Commodore,' he said brightly – and grinned at the look on Norrington's face.
Ah, yes. Leverage was a wonderful thing.
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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. ;)
Beguile the Time – thank you so much! *giggles* I don't think I've ever had fangirl-ing before. ;)
Pan Pingli (pan_pingli@yahoo.com) - thanks! I hope I'll still be your favourite once you've read more Norrington. I love Norrington fic!
Chayter (Blue Wolftin – I've never thought that Norrington was very bad either…he's one of my fave characters. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
pEaRlYgUrLs (frog_jer_2911@yahoo.com) - Hmm. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint. If I were you, I'd stay away from stories marked "slash" in the future, as they're bound to contain homosexual situations…this might keep you from being offended.
Moonbeam - I love Norrington/Jack too…although I think Norrington/Gillette might be my favourite pairing. Here's your next chapter!
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
