A/N: I think it's time for the second chapter. This story isn't bad. Really. Just give me a chance. (Sigh.) Okay. In case, you stumbled over this story, please review.
Oh! And...Merry Christmas to everyone! Especially to the members of the NDL!

Chapter 2

Commodore James Julian Nathaniel Norrington stood at the window looking at Port Royal bay, his hands behind his back. The bay used to be his haven, once. Well, Governor Swann's officially, but he only fulfilled representative obligations. He trusted James for the day-to-day protections, and James had never disappointed him. They both had the same aim in the end: peace and prosperity for Port Royal. Now this port looked like an asylum and there was just nothing James could do about it. It seemed so ..... unfair!
A soft knock brought his thoughts back to the present. Without turning he asked: "Yes, Gillette?"
James had been able to keep a few good men and Captain Robert Gillette was one of them. One he could rely on without question. He and James had served together for such a long time ever since that they needed few words to communicate.
"Mrs. Norrington, Sir."
James allowed himself a short smile. It had not been a love match. He and Juliet shared neither the bedroom nor the bed itself , but within the last three years a kind of..... friendly relationship had developed between them. He very much liked and appreciated Juliet. He hoped that she felt something similar for him.
"Yes."
He turned around when Juliet entered the room.
"Good day, James."
"Good day, Juliet. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?"
"Strictly speaking it was only a flight from Lieutenant Finch."
James grimaced. "Hmm... that can be dealt with. Gillette!"
"Sir?" Gillette asked.
"Shoot him!" James ordered, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Yes, Sir," Gillette said smartly, turning to the door in an about-face.
"Gillette..."
"Yes, Sir?" Gillette said with exaggerated mournfulness, turning back to the Commodore. The Lieutenant's bearing was that of a dog called off the hunt too early.
"Stay!" James said, further strengthening the dog-like impression. "We cannot shoot the Lieutenant."
"Of course, Sir, but for one moment I was really looking forward to it." James' lips curled in a small smile.
"Thank you, Gillette. Dismissed."
"Sir. Madame." Gillette bowed in farewell and left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Well, what is the news, James?"
He sighed softly. "You mean except tax increases, mass executions and political murder? Nothing."
"I was with Jack Sparrow. Pardon me! Captain Jack Sparrow."
James rubbed his eyes. "Why?"
"I wanted to take a look at him. Interesting fellow."
"Isn't he?"
"Don't worry. I was not alone. I took Murtogg and Mullroy with me."
James raised a brow. "Two of my most capable men? Well, all of my worrying was unfounded, you were so well taken care of."
"And then, of course, there was Lieutenant Finch."
"Ah! Even better! He is not only very able, but also exceedingly conscientious and decent." Juliet smiled slightly. "Merely a minute ago, you've wanted Gillette to shoot him."
"Did I? You must have been mistaken, dear."
"Of course."
He became serious. "Juliet, did he harm you?"
"Finch?"
"Yes."
"No."
"If that should ever be the case, please tell me about it. I'll take care of everything else," James said with his signature chivalrous courtliness.
"Thank you, James. I will," Juliet answered, well aware of the fact that she would never do so. Of course, she didn't know what James had in mind when saying "taking care of everything else," but she could imagine. Whatever he was planning to do then, it was too dangerous.
"If you...."
Outside the room voices became audible and Gillette's most distinct: "I'm really sorry, Governor, but Commodore Norrington is in a conference. I'm not allowed to let you pass."
"Well, Captain, it seems to me, you don't care too much about your rank."
James and Juliet stiffened, though for different reasons. Knowing that Gillette despised Winter from the bottom of his heart and that the young Captain was too inexperienced to hide his feelings properly, James was more than concerned for his second. And Juliet was very well aware that Governor Winter himself was ... Well, she just felt very uncomfortable when he was around. Since she was a child she felt uncomfortable dealing with people. She had always been a lone wolf, but she adapted to high society after Jack had given her to her foster parents. They had cared for her schooling and social education, but people like Winter still gave her the shivers. She stared into vacancy, lost in thought. That was something that fascinated her about James. She never felt uncomfortable when he was with her, not once. Not even the first time they had met.
Before Gillette could say something he would have regret for the rest of his life, James went to the door and opened it.
"Governor! What can I do for you?"
"Commodore! I was told you were in a conference."
James forced himself to smile at least a little. "My wife was just about to leave."
"Ah! The lovely Mrs. Norrington."
"Governor Winter," Juliet said with forced civility, managing somehow to keep her voice steady. Winter took her hand and kissed it effusively. Juliet waved her fan before her face as if ashamed, hiding her disgust. She just couldn't stand Winter's touch.
"What can I do for you, Sir?" James requested.
"Did I ask you already why there's a Captain as your maitre d'?"
"It is somewhat difficult to get a Captain on the water without a ship. If I remember properly, you have confiscated Captain Gillette's ship because you needed it for 'unscheduled exportation' of goods. But you didn't come here for that reason, did you?"
"Indeed. I have learned that you have arrested Jack Sparrow."
"Yes, Sir."
"I can't see any gallows."
"Well, we have arrested him just about three hours ago."
"I can't see your men building a gallows, either," Winter said with oily courtesy.
"We have more than enough time tomorrow and more than enough other things to do today. What difference makes a pirate more or less?"
"He is to be hung, Commodore! This very day! If you can't manage this, I am confident that Lieutenant Finch would gladly take care of it."
Even at the distance Juliet could see James' gray-green eyes darken in anger, but he had been an officer of the Royal Navy for far too long to be provoked so easily. Her fingers clenched around her fan. Yes, Jack was a pirate, and yes, British law was quite precise what to do with pirates if you're able to imprison one, but...... Jack? Hanging? She inhaled sharply and was just about to say something absolutely useless and silly, when she saw James made a quieting gesture. Winter, who, of course, had heard her, turned to Juliet.
"Is anything wrong, Mrs. Norrington?"
She forced herself to smile. "No, I...... No. Everything's fine. I.... well..... It's just the..... the corset, you know?" She smiled again, waving her fan busily. Winter returned the smile.
"Yes, I see. Of course. Well, Commodore?"
"Your wish is my command, Governor. If you'll please excuse me, I'll take care of the hanging immediately. Gillette!"
The young Captain entered the room.
"Give orders to build a gallows."
"Yes, Sir."
James turned to Juliet. "Concerning your aunt, perhaps it would be better if you get her a few things she might need before her condition grows serious. I'll come home a little later this evening."
The urgency in his voice made Juliet pay even more attention. She looked puzzled for a moment, but then regained composure. Whatever he was up to, he wanted her to join in.
"I will tell the cook to keep something to eat warm for you."
"Your aunt, Madame?" Winter required. "Is she ill?"
"I don't know, Governor, but she doesn't feel well, therefore I wanted to look in on her. But James is right. I can hardly show up there without anything at all. I will pack and then... purchase..... some things for her at the market...Yes."
"Could you do me a favor, Juliet?"
"Why yes!"
"Please take a little detour and take Dasher's bit into Mr. Turner for repairs. Tell him I'll send someone by to pick it up on one hour."
"Of course, James. Well,....I'd better be on my way, then." She dropped a curtsy. "Governor Winter. James." She had almost reached the door, when James' voice held her back.
"Juliet?"
She turned to him. "Yes?"
He went to her and embraced her lightly. He usually never embraced her, but, of course, Winter wasn't aware of that. With his lips barely touching her cheek, James whispered almost inaudibly: "Be careful. He may suspect something."
"You, also," she whispered back and then walked away, though she wanted to run. If she had understood James correctly, she was supposed to go home, grab everything she was capable carrying, and then they all would meet in one hour at William Turner's forge.
What the hell was James about to do?

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So...What do you think? Shall I continue writing? Or shall I give it up? I.