Chapter 15
Disclaimer: Not mine. Pout
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long and it's so short. It's been torture writing this lately. Not because I don't enjoy it. I wouldn't want you to think that. It's because I know the story is coming to an end. tear One more chapter after this, I think. The good news is that I have an idea for a sequel running around in my head. We'll see what the Fanfiction Gods foretell, shall we?
"What are you going to do when we get back?" Norrington asked.
"I beg your pardon?" Pearl asked as she tugged her shirt over her head and began tightening the lacings.
"You refuse to marry me. What are you going to do when we get to Port Royal?"
"Well, deliver Lizzie's letter. I suppose I'll have to fanny about a bit and gush to everyone about how you saved me. Then I'll catch the first ship that'll have me back to Tortuga. If all is well I'll be home by this time tomorrow."
"Just like that?" he asked.
She shrugged again as she pulled her coat on. "Easier said than done. Why?"
"I had just hoping you may have reason to hang around for a few days," he answered.
"Not really. I'll be later than Jack expects getting back to Tortuga as it is. Why would you-" She stopped, looking back at him. "Oh. Oh, Edward, you can't be serious. A few days in your mansion wouldn't convince me. You can't change my nature, Edward, and you're only going to be hurt if you try. In fact, the sooner I leave the better for you."
"Don't think that," he said quickly, moving across the room to cradle her face in his hands. "Please don't think that. The sooner you leave the longer I'll hurt."
She pulled away to cross the room. "I wish you wouldn't say things like that, Edward."
"Why not? They're true. And you're very fond of telling the brutal truth. In fact, for someone so obsessed with avoiding regrets you're certainly willing enough to leave me with mine."
"I didn't ask for that," she shot at him. "In fact, I told you I wouldn't love! I warned you, so don't you dare try to blame your unhappiness on me!"
"I'm not. I'm just saying we can't all run around claiming not to care about people because of our jobs."
"Is that a fact?" she asked. "Well, I guess it depends on your view of things."
"What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
"It means I may be a pirate. I may rob and pillage sunup to sundown, but I don't kill people if I don't have to. I don't take my rules and set myself so high that I'm willing to kill others for not following my personal philosophy. Don't get me wrong, I've killed plenty of men in my life, but never when they didn't deserve it. Never when they hadn't hurt me, or threatened to. I don't hunt down and hang good men for a living. I just live with the fact that this could be my fate, or my father's, or the fate of almost all of the men I've ever cared about. So perhaps you should consider little things like that before you go accusing me of leaving others with regrets."
With that she turned and slammed up onto deck, satisfied that she had ended the conversation. After all, he could hardly carry on a lover's quarrel, even a philosophical one, in front of his crew.
"Port Royal ho!" the man called from the crow's nest. Norrington couldn't help but smile as he gazed at the approaching land. Another mission successful, at least by most standards, and he was home again.
Gillette came to stand next to him. "Where's Pearl? The first thing we'll be asked is if the Ladies are safe."
"She'll make her appearance when she's good and ready," Norrington answered. "That girl runs on her own time, no one else's."
"Indeed, but when she does appear it's well worth the wait," a voice announced behind them. They turned to find Bethany Maltrey standing there in all her glory. She wore the same blue calico dress she had worn the day she was 'kidnaped,' her brown wig looking slightly untidy, no doubt the wind's fault. White gloved hands wrestled a large straw hat onto her head as she tied the thick white scarf beneath her chin. "Nearly there?"
"Indeed," Gillette said before Norrington could say anything, eyes shouting a challenge. "Are you certain you can do this?"
"I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't," she returned. "Are you?"
"Separate corners, both of you. She had us reasonably well fooled before, Gillette. I'm sure she'll do fine."
"Think of it this way," Pearl suggested. "You could lose your jobs over this. If they find out who I am, it's my neck in the noose. I'd say I have good reason to do this right."
She drew close to Norrington, slipping her arm through his. Her demeanor was entirely different suddenly. There was a levelness to her walk that had been missing from her strong stride, as if she were accustomed to moving about with a crown balanced on her head. Her head remained down, eyes carefully regarding the floor, only furtive glances meeting his gaze. Now this was the woman the people of Port Royal would be expecting. A flighty, somewhat withdrawn and obviously frightened girl clinging to her hero.
"Gillette, take the helm," he ordered, placing a hand on Pearl's arm. "The harbor scout will want to speak with me, and it wouldn't hurt for you to be nearby."
"It never does hurt, me being near you," she remarked, striding carefully along beside him. At his odd look she added, "Sorry. I think it's the skirts. Men aren't the only ones that get odd ideas around them. Maybe that's why I don't wear them more often."
They moved to the prow. Pearl couldn't help but grin into the wind on her face as she reached up to keep the hat from being pulled off of her head. She hummed quietly under her breath.
"What's that?" he asked.
"Hmm?" she asked.
"The song. What is it?"
"Oh, an old song my father used to sing to me. Wind and sea and open sky. Sun on my face and sail by my side. Life divine set to a song. Whispering wind lead me on." She sighed, shaking her head. "'Tis exactly the sort of song that Bethany Maltrey would never know, let alone sing. I had best watch myself."
"You could say you picked it up from Jack when you were kidnaped."
"Oh, nay," she answered quickly. "I spent the entire voyage locked away from the roughiens. I only thank the good Lord above that they were happy enough to leave me to myself." Reaching down she gripped the gold cross that hung between her breasts. "In truth Elizabeth 'twas my only companion. I was sorry to see her so grieved by my distress, but I fear there was naught I could do but fear for my life."
Chuckling Norrington pulled her close, putting a protective arm around her shoulders and kissing her forehead. "Rest easy. You're safe now, and the ordeal is nearly over."
The harbor patrol caught up with them quickly. "Do you ever make them chase you?" Pearl asked as they watched the ship approach.
"No. Why would I?"
Pearl shrugged. "For the fun of it. You could say you were testing them."
"Pirates," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Thank you," she replied with a grin that faded quickly as the ship drew lose.
"Commodore," the man at the prow of the ship next to them greeted with a salute.
"Captain," he answered with a nod. Pearl realized he was one of the officers she had been introduced to the night of the Turners' wedding.
"I see you have recovered Miss Maltrey successfully," he said with a nod to the girl. She returned the nod, adding just a touch of curtsy as she clung to Norrington's arm, shrinking back as if to disappear behind him. "May I inquire as to Miss Swann's whereabouts?"
"Still aboard the Black Pearl, I'm afraid," he answered. Next to him Bethany squeaked at the sound of the name, gripping his arm more tightly and moving closer to him. He patted her arm soothingly. "Elizabeth is well. And stubborn as ever. I have a note for her father. I will explain it all when we land."
"Very good, Sir. I shall go inform the Governor of your approach."
Norrington nodded, and the smaller ship sped ahead of them toward the docks. "That was pretty good," he remarked.
"It isn't terribly hard. Really, I don't have to say anything. Just cling to you and make sad little puppy noises."
"'Sad little puppy noises'?" he repeated.
She nodded, then began whining as she lay her head against his arm. He laughed, shaking her off, went to oversee Gillette as he brought them in, Bethany hovering behind him.
As soon as they were docked Bethany appeared by his side, clinging to his arm again as they disembarked. Governor Swann was waiting for them in the cobbled street, and Bethany released the Commodore to run up to the man, throwing her arms around him. "Uncle!" she cried. "I am so happy to see you!"
The Governor was obviously off balanced by this, but he managed to pat her comfortingly on the back and reply, "And I you, my dear. Although I was hoping to see my daughter as well."
The last was addressed to Norrington, who only shrugged. "She was insistent, Sir, as was your niece. She needed to get away from that dreadful place, and your daughter refused to leave. Miss Maltrey has a note for you."
"Oh, yes," she said quickly, withdrawing the piece of paper. "She was very insistent that I get this to you as soon as possible. I nearly fainted when she began railing at the pirate for stealing her away without allowing her to give you notice." She giggled. "There is little doubt that Elizabeth will not be taken advantage of on board that ship."
"No, I dare say not," he answered, ripping quickly into the letter and reading it. He sighed as he folded it back up. "It is most certainly her hand, and written in her voice. It appears she is happy enough, and safe. Apparently all we can do is wait." He offered his arm to Bethany. "Come, dear, let me take you home. You must be exhausted after your ordeal."
Pearl saw Norrington's eyes widen just a bit. He hadn't counted on the Governor stealing her away from him. Luckily, Pearl had.
"Forgive me, Uncle, but seeing as how I was abducted from your home, and that the good Commodore did rescue me, and has been ever the gentleman, would you be terribly upset with me if I spent the remainder of my stay at his home? It would not be long--I have a cousin to the south marrying as well and I swore I would be there. I plan to depart soon as possible. I would not have you insulted, Uncle, but--"
"No, no my dear," he said quickly. "Wherever you are most comfortable. It seems you have made quite an impression on my dear niece, Commodore."
"How could he not, rescuing me from pirates and all?" she said, lowering her eyes and blushing as would be expected.
"Indeed," the Governor agreed. "Well, I have pressing matters to attend to. I am sorry to see you go, my dear, but perhaps we shall see you again soon?"
"Not overly soon, I would not think, but perhaps," Bethany agreed.
"Very well. I shall have someone deliver your things to his home. Well then, good day and should I not see you before you depart, have a safe trip."
"I shall. Thank you Uncle," she answered as he bowed and left the two alone.
"Bravo," Norrington remarked.
"Thank you, thank you," she answered with a deep curtsy and flourish of her arm much like a player on the stage. "Do you have to stay to secure the ship?"
"No. Gillette can do that, although I should report to my commanding officer. Do you want me to leave you at my house?"
She turned thoughtful eyes on the docks. "I should see if there's a ship departing tonight."
"Tonight?" he repeated.
"Indeed. The sooner the better. Why do you look so shocked?"
"I just thought perhaps you would spend one more night here. That I would have one more night to say goodbye to you."
"Edward," she sighed out. "It would be considerably better for both of us if I were to leave as soon as possible."
"I think I know what is best for me a bit better than you do," he argued.
"I would disagree with that," she answered. "But if you're going to be insistent I can't pretend I wouldn't like to spend one last night with you. Very well. Take me to your home. I'll change and sneak down to the docks. No one is ever going to believe I'm a pirate in these clothes. I will find someone departing tomorrow morning."
"Thank you," he whispered, kissing her hand before tucking it under his arm and leading her toward his home. "Just be careful you don't get caught."
"No worries. I'm exhausted from my trip, and any servant that disturbs my sleep shall find something very hard and possibly pointy flying toward their head."
"Please don't wound my maids," he requested.
"I won't, so long as they behave themselves," she answered with a toss of her head.
Author's Note: So what do you think? One final night and I wash my hands of this story. Anyone think I should do a sequel? Let me know. Poll by way of reviews. Besides which, reviews are my bread and butter. My life force. And all of my reviewers are amazing people. Don't you want to be amazing people?
Oh, I nearly forgot. Since they are so interested in him I want to give Dodge-This the nasty little leprechaun. He annoys the heck out of me anyway. Where is that nasty red-headed rodent?
Jack walks in with the leprechaun on his shoulder drinking from a miniature bottle of rum
Me: Um, Jack, I need that thing back.
Jack: What're you going to do with my newest pet?
Me: Give it away. It's obnoxious.
Jack: But that's his good point. Asides, I've been trying to teach it to talk for me.
Leprechaun: RUM! Burp
Me: I see it's working. Jack, you don't need it to talk for you. You still have your tongue.
Jack: Never hurts to be prepared, luv.
Me: In this case, it can. He bit me yesterday! It still hasn't healed.
Leprechaun: Meh he he.
Jack: He says he won't do it again.
Leprechaun looks at him like he's mad.
Me: No he hasn't, and he won't. I want that thing out of here.
Leprechaun: Holding up empty bottle RUM!
Me: No more rum for you. I want you out. Your new owner will decide whether you get rum or not.
Leprechaun: RUM!
Jack: Don't be cruel luv. Let me keep him. You won't even hear him. I promise.
Me: I had better not or he's dog food. Got that?
Leprechaun: RUM!
Jack: Come on, little guy. I'll get you some rum. You can have some of mine.
Sorry Dodge (may I call you Dodge?) looks like you're out of luck. Oh well. If he bothers me too much I'll get insistent and force Jack to hand him over.