Chapter 20

Authors Note: Sorry the chapter was so short yesterday. but Johnny Depp was nominated for Best Actor at the Critics Choice Awards. Pirates of the Caribbean won for best Family Film!

Authors Note 2: I updated on the chapter from yesterday so this one won't be so confusing. There's more to it because it was so damn short!

"Commodore James Norrington you are tried with abetting and aiding a dangerous pirate in open battle, engaging in the release of two prisoners entrusted to the Navy's care, fighting under false colors, and assisting in the escape of two fugitives. How do you plead to these charges?"

"Guilty as charged, Admiral." Norrington refused to take the coward's way out. While some of the charges weren't true, the council heard the word pirate and flew into a frenzy.

He technically hadn't fought under false colors as there hadn't been any flying, Jack Sparrow had not been under the Navy's protection he would have been put in their own jail if that were the case. He didn't know what they would do, he would, in the best case scenario, be discharged. If that happened he would be free to do as he pleased.

The thought of losing his rank as Commodore didn't bother him as much as it might have. He would be able to explore, board a ship and sail the world. The skills he'd earned as Commodore would help him in the long run, he could still navigate, tell enemies from friends, negotiate, and barter freely.

The only thing that rankled was that Gilette now had a shot of becoming the new Commodore. He saw him now smirking in the background sporting a black eye. There was a small mark under his eyebrow that looked like the ring Jack Sparrow used to wear.

He could remember that ring well, he'd gone through all of Jack Sparrow's trinkets and effects for clues to the Pearl's whereabouts. That seemed like such a long time ago, Elizabeth had been free to marry whomever she chose, Will had been a blacksmith's apprentice and he had newly been appointed Commodore. Funny how that had seemed such an honor then.

"The Council will hold a short intermission and return shortly with our decision." The Admiral gathered his papers together and then left with the other seven men. None of them would meet his eye and the Commodore couldn't help but smile as he awaited his fate.

* * *

"Jack, what are you planning now?" Elizabeth had her hands on her hips and a defiant expression in place.

"Nothing for any of you to worry about." Jack put all of his effects back into place and outlined his eyes anew. Every inch the pirate captain he was, his stride meaningful and his eyes set in determination.

"That doesn't say much." Anamaria stepped in front of him and refused to move.

"You said that the council was communing over Norrington, aye?" he asked.

"Well yes, but-" Will started to say.

"And that they are going to contemplate charging him with aiding a pirate, all of tha?" he strapped the pistol into place.

"Yes that too, but-"

"Fine then. They want a pirate, I'll give them a pirate."

"What?!" Anamaria glared ready to slap him, "You're going to be hanged, you daft idiot!"

"It's no less than what the Commodore is doing for us."

"You could be killed!" she screamed at the end of her rope.

"I doubt that very much."

"What do you think they're going to do should you go barging in there announcing clear as day that you're a pirate? Invite you over for tea?! They're going to go for the noose and hangman!!! I'll be damned if I stand by and watch that happen."

"Anamaria, they are not going to hang me." Why was Jack so calm about this? Could he not see the danger he was facing?

"How are you so sure?" Jack didn't answer, just smiled with all the enthusiasm of an upcoming fight and dodged around her and out the door.

* * *

Well, all had gone as he had expected it to go. He was a free man as of this moment, no more duties to follow, no laws or regulations to uphold. Why, he could even go for a pint with Sparrow if he wanted to. So long as he was far away from Port Royale by morning. Speaking of the man what was he doing bold as brass walking down the street?

"What are you trying to do!" Norrington pulled him inside the nearest store he walked past, "Do you want to meet the noose today?"

"They charged you already?" There was almost a touch of disappointment to his tone.

"Yes, they have. What does that have to do with anything? More, however, to the point is how you came about that bit of knowledge. That trial was under the strictest of confidences. It was not to be a public matter."

Will, Elizabeth, and Anamaria weren't far behind. Did they all want to be charged, had the world gone mad?

"What on earth were you thinking?" he asked exasperated. There was no end to Jack's notions.

"That's a question I think all of us would like answered, Commodore." Elizabeth said.

"Actually, just James now. No Commodore or sir is needed." But where there should have been sadness and depression… Anamaria looked closer and saw relief and hope.

"They demoted you!" Elizabeth was working herself up to a fine rage. "How dare they! I'll speak to my father and see what he says about that. . ."

"Not necessary, although I do thank you for the thought. I have no intention of serving in the Navy anymore."

"Yes, about that," Jack crossed his arms and grinned showing a gold tooth, "What say you to a place aboard the Pearl?"

"You're offering me a place on the Black Pearl? The pirate ship?" Norrington said it incredulously.

"The one and only." Jack leaned back against the wall and surveyed them through hooded eyes.

A place aboard the Pearl? Such a thing was unthinkable! What had possessed Jack to make such a hasty decision? Should he accept? It was a completely different thing to aid a pirate than to become one himself. Could he do it? This was certainly taking a step in the opposite direction, but what would the outcome be? There were so many contradictions whirling about in his mind.

"I think-" Norrington started to say, "I think I would be honored."

Elizabeth and Will were again dumbstruck at Norringtons decision.

"Very good. You won't regret your decision. Never was there a more faithful or sea worthy vessel than the Pearl."

Norrington excused himself and went to pack some of what he owned. The less time spent in Port Royale the better, it wouldn't be long before the Council called for his arrest. What better exit than on the infamous Black Pearl?