Things Fall Apart

08 homecoming and capture

Disclaimer: Previous chapter.

Author's Note: Mmkay, our characters now know the plot, they are in place, and so here it is – the plot itself in action. Things are bout to get very interesting. And the whelp returns next chapter. I promise.

Many, many thanks to all my reviewers. Your words keep me writing. :D

****************************************************************************************************

The house had not changed a bit. That was the first thought that sprang into Elizabeth's mind as she navigated the long corridors of the Governor's mansion. Everyone appeared to be out for the day, she saw no sign of servants or of her father. A hand was placed on the banister once she reached the long main staircase and she caressed it for a moment, remembering all the things that had gone on in the house. After just arriving in Port Royal the new Governor and his daughter had no real friends or acquaintances, and so their time was spent in their new home. Having just lost her Mother, the closeness of her remaining parental figure was a comfort.

But then the work began to take up most of his time and Elizabeth was left to roam the halls alone, sometimes making friends with the children of serving people, and with William Turner.

She ascended the stairs with ease, careful to make sure she did not trip over her dress. There was a time when she was accustomed to such things, but walking in heels and a floor length dress did take a certain amount of skill.

Her room was just as she had left it. For a moment, in fact, she could have sworn that the pillows she'd place under her sheets as a decoy were still in tact. Smoothing the blanket she took a seat on the bed, a small music box coming into her line of sight as she did so. Slowly she reached for it, and when opened it sprang to life. The tiny figures of two dancing lovers spun round and round to a repetitive melody. She imagined that the figures were she and Jack, but then giggled to herself, imagining her love dressed as a lord, powdered white wig and all. It was while she was lost in this strange daydream that she suddenly heard her father's voice, and dropped the box.

By luck alone the thing did not break, it only caused a loud crashing noise, which caused the voices outside in the hallway to fall silent. Kneeling quickly to pick up her mess, she heard footsteps hurry to the doorway and stop, when she looked up again her father was staring at her, mouth hanging open. He blinked a few times, as if he was looking at a ghost of something he'd given up on.

"Elizabeth?"

He had found her note, left amongst a pile of pillows, but that had not stopped the pain of loosing a child. In a way Governor Swann always expected something like this, but the sensible thinker in him quieted those fears, and he considered Elizabeth's fascination with pirates to be nothing more than childhood fantasy. After trying unsuccessfully to form a sentence the girl simply shrugged, a nervous smile present on her face.

Her face had not changed all that much. Her visage did not appear as childlike as it once did, the naïve innocence was gone. Other than that she appeared to be in good health. And, speaking of good health—

"Father," She looked him over, noting that he did not appear to be dying, "are you well?"

He seemed unmoved by the question, as it was custom to inquire about a person's wellbeing after a long period of separation.

"Now that you are hear, my dear."

He walked towards her, and, despite the fact that displays of emotion were not encouraged by the upper-class, pulled his long lost daughter into a hug. Her arms stayed at her sides for a moment, still running what Gillette had said through her head, but finally embraced her father. After a moment she took a step back.

"By well I mean are you," She shook her head, trying to process what was going on, "—you're not dying are you?"

He peered at her for a moment before responding, rather shocked.

"Heavens, no! Where did you get that id—"

Shit. He was unable to finish his question. Eyes went wide, like that of a frightened animal, and Elizabeth realized at once what was happening. The quickness with which she caught on was actually to Jack's credit. He had had quite an influence of her. It was in the moment that the light bulb in her head went on that she breathlessly uttered one name, before dashing past her father and out the door.

"Jack…"

Skirts in hand she hurried down the stairs, almost falling in a few places, and through the corridors, finally reaching the back way that she had entered through. No, no, no, this can't be happening, her mind screamed. But it was happening. Once she was outside again she rushed to the area where Jack said he would waiting, looking around as if she'd lost the most precious treasure in the entire world.

"Jack!?" She called, allowing herself to hope for a moment that he would answer.

But he didn't.

Through her panic she heard the heavy breathing of her father behind her. He had struggled to keep up, to see just what his daughter had run out so quickly over.

"Elizabeth what on ear—"

She whirled around, eyes flashing with rage, and shouted at her father. She didn't care, in that moment, that she had missed him, or that they had not spoken in a year. She was certain that he had planned all of this, he was the Governor, after all.

"Where. Is. He!?" She demanded, fists and teeth clenched tightly.

"Where is who?" Her father inquired, genuinely confused.

She started to yell at him again, but the look his face told her that he was really ignorant to the entire thing. Satisfied she answered him.

"Jack." The governor sighed and rolled his eyes, his suspicions that Elizabeth had not come home for good confirmed. At his display the anger in her voice began to rise again, "We came across Captain Gillette, who told us that you were on your deathbed, which is why I'm here." She nodded back in the direction of Jack's hiding place, defeated, "It appears it was a trap."

The Governor thought for a moment, unsure of how to react. He had wanted nothing more than for Elizabeth to come home to Port Royal, he had spent a very long time worried about her welfare, but he had not been in on the lie. Part of him thought that such a thing was a wonderful idea, but the part that saw the look on his daughter's face was unsure.

"I didn't know anything about it." He said honestly. Hoping that that would soothe her.

But it didn't.

Jack's hands were bound by this point. It had been done somewhere between the mansion and the fort, which is where he was dragged away too. Unlike most pirates, who were simply put into prison, he was being taken to the Commodore's office. For a moment Jack had wondered if Elizabeth had set him up, but, he quickly dismissed that idea, scolding himself for ever having it. It was then that he realized what was going on, and just how screwed he was. The pirate was thrown unceremoniously into a dimly lit room, a familiar scowl sitting on the other side of a mahogany desk. The force of the shove had been such that Jack was knocked off his feet, and with his hands bound his balance was more off than usual. Hitting the floor, face down, he struggled to rise to his feet again.

"I see you still have the same grace as always, Mr. Sparrow." Norrington said, still not bothering to stand.

Once Jack was on his knees again he responded, the same sarcasm as usual.

"An' you haven't lost your sense of hospitality, Commodore." He nodded down at the floor, and then looked at the other man again, "A little help please?"

Norrington stood and walked over to his prisoner, helping him up in such a rough fashion that it was abundantly clear he didn't really want to be helpful at all.

"Thank you." Jack said. Norrington huffed and returned to his place behind the desk. Though this time he did not sit.

"I imagine you know why you are here?" The Commodore questioned.

Jack shrugged, and took a stab in the dark.

"Because you missed my rogue charm and raffish good looks?" He looked away, an apologetic expression on his face, "Sorry, mate. I'm taken. S'not that you aren't a lovely chap. That sorta thing just isn't my cup `o` tea, is all."

James Norrington was reaching the end of his patience, and having his sexuality called into question was not helping matters. A fist slammed into his desk and he decided to explain to the pirate just what exactly was going on.

"You are here, Captain Sparrow," He had meant the title as mockery, but Jack grinned anyway, "because his majesty has grown tired of your kind's temper tantrums."

Quietly Jack fumbled with the ropes about his wrists, more to alleviate the pressure and the pain that came with it, than make to make an escape. He nodded cordially, only half paying attention, but the last thing that had been said caught his attention.

"Temper tantrums?" He cluelessly shook his head, leaving the door open for Norrington to explain.

"Yes, yes." The man replied shortly, "That's all piracy is, you know. One big childish tantrum, by thousands of nobodies who cannot simply accept their place in the world, and, do what they're told."

"I see." Jack's tone was patronizing, the ever present smirk on his face was intent on annoying the naval officer to death. "As opposed to yer job? The good Lord certainly did waste a brain on your kind, `onestly, a spinal cord alone would have sufficed. Take orders, fall in line, and never bother to ask questions. Why, oh why did I go and abandon such a life?" He feigned a gasp, as if he'd had a revelation, "Oh yes! I remember now, s'cause my brain, sir, did not go to waste."

Norrington had had just about enough. To gain the upper hand with his prisoner he delivered a fierce blow to Jack's jaw. Which, once again, sent to pirate to the floor in a heap. Seemingly unbothered, he spat out a tooth that had been knocked free, and the blood that followed, and mumbled to himself.

"Not sure I deserved that."

Not going to be bothered by debating whether or not Jack had the hit coming, the seething officer cracked a small grin.

"You'd of done better to tell me you were in it for the treasure."

"Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate."

The first time had used that phrase had been in speaking with Will. In that scenario he had been talking about Elizabeth, and the treasure that she was to Turner. It seemed strange now, that he was still referring to her. He hadn't expected the Commodore to pick up on this, but for whatever reason, he did.

"You won't be seeing Miss Swann again, Sparrow."

The notion of that alone stung more than Jack would have liked to admit. But he remained silent. Not bothering to struggle to his feet again he remained on his knees, and watched Norrington pace the room, continuing his explanation.

"Tomorrow you will go to trial. The threat that you pose to society will then be measured and you will be punished accordingly." Court was a triviality to make it look as if the law was fair, Jack knew exactly what fate had in store for him. "Assuming that the magistrate finds you to be a menace, you will hang." He stopped his pacing and knelt, making eye contact with Sparrow, "Make no mistake, sir, there will be no daring escape this time."

After his point had been made the Commodore opened the door of his office and nodded to the two Royal Marines guarding the door. They once again jerked Jack from his place on the floor and carried him off, as roughly as possible, in the direction of the jail.

Elizabeth was already on her way.