A/N: I was extremely surprised to receive 12 reviews on the last chapter. That is the most I have ever gotten on any one chapter. Thanks so much, and enjoy! Special thanks to Savvy Jack Sparrow who wouldn't leave me be until I started writing and ErinRua who gave me the incentive to keep writing until this chapter was finished.

Return of the Sparrow

Chapter 2

Jack watched helplessly (for the most part) as what seemed like the entire British navy boarded his ship.

"What seems to be the trouble, Commodore?" he asked, trying to ignore the fact that all the soldiers had them surrounded and their bayonets were out.

"Well Mr. Sparrow," Norrington began sounding as though he was merely discussing the state of the weather, "as I'm sure you're aware, one of our ships was attacked by pirates six days back." He smiled.

"Aye, I am – aware. That one of your ships were attacked, that is," Jack said slowly.

"Good. You are hereby under arrest for the attack and slaughter of - "

"What?!" Jack exclaimed, throwing up his hands. "What proof do you have?"

"We know it was pirates, Mr. Sparrow, what more proof do we need?"

"We didn't do it!?" Jack argued.

"Then who did Mr. Sparrow?" Norrington inquired.

"How should I know? I wasn't there. We were just sailing along, minding our own business, trying to stay as far away as possible from you."

"So, you just chanced an encounter with a ship of ours that was destroyed and you know nothing as to how it happened, is that what you're saying?" Norrington asked skeptically.

Jack thought for a moment. "Yeah."

"Well, I'm sorry Sparrow, but I have orders to bring you and your crew back to Port Royal.

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Please remember Commodore, that you are presently on my ship. I don't take kindly those who are trying to remove me from it."

"And pray, what choice do you have in the matter, Sparrow?" Norrington asked wryly.

"You are stuck in the middle of the Caribbean, practically helpless, while all your cargo and belongings float further out to sea. The phrase 'you are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever seen' comes to mind. I however stand here, on your ship be that as it may, with fifty of my soldiers who are none too happy about the state of the Challenger. I don't think any of them would take kindly to you trying anything foolish. Do we understand each other?"

"I think so, let me say it back to you to be sure." Jack said, sauntering up to Norrington, ignoring the bayonets that inched closer in warning. "You want to take me and my mateys back to Port Royal without a fuss so you may hang us all from a nice little platform like some wonderful play in front of the citizens of the entire town. That's what you're saying, isn't it?"

"Close Mr. Sparrow. Very close," Norrington said pleasantly, a false smile spreading across his face. "You got it all right up until the hanging part. If you cooperate and come without a fuss, I shall see if I can manage a lifetime sentence of hard labor instead. How does that sound?" His eyes glittered with a touch of malice.

"I would rather hang!" Jack spat.

"That can be arranged, Mr. Sparrow. Now really, we've stood around discussing this matter long enough." He turned to the soldiers. "Would you kindly escort Mr. Sparrow and his crew back to the ship? And when you've finished with that, please blow up this cursed piece of pirate filth," he added sweeping his arm in an arc to include the whole of the Pearl.

Norrington turned away and the soldiers moved in.

"Not my ship!" Jack practically screamed, launching himself at Norrington.

Soldiers immediately dove for Jack, hauling him off the Commodore.

"Mr. Sparrow!" Norrington roared, straightening his wig. "Behavior like that does not assist in pointing towards your innocence in any way. Get him out of my sight," he snapped.

One of the soldiers hit Jack over the head with the butt of his rifle, sending the pirate down unconscious to the wooden deck.

There was a slight gasp among the crew of the Black Pearl as they watched their captain being dragged away and the other soldiers advanced on them.

Unwilling, though not knowing what else to do, they allowed their hands to be bound and went quietly into the other boats that took them to the British ship.

Onboard, they were shunted and shuffled in the direction of the brig.

"Wait!" Anamaria called to Norrington just before she went below.

The Commodore looked at her with disdain when he realized it was a woman that addressed him.

"We get a hearing and a trial, don't we?"

"Yes," he said stiffly as though wishing it weren't true.

"Then leave the ship until we've been convicted."

Norrington looked at her as though she had gone mad. "You want me to leave it sit for the next week while you're being tried so anyone can come by, steal it and wreak even more havoc?"

"We are innocent," Anamaria said confidently. "And besides, who else sails these waters that would take it?"

Norrington's face turned red with anger. "Get her below," he shouted, stalking to the railing and staring at the pirate's ship, sails unfurled in hopes of catching even the slightest breeze.

He had always prided himself in being a just man. It was true he loathed and despised pirates, but if there was a slight chance Jack and his crew was innocent, it didn't seem fair that he should destroy their ship on a spiteful whim.

He clenched his fists in agitation before turning around, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Sir?" One of the sailors asked, awaiting instructions.

"Leave it there to rot," Norrington said quietly. "Take us about. I want to make it back to port in record time!" And with that, he strode off to his quarters to ponder his ethics.

~~~

A/N: Please forgive me, that was extremely short. I have never put up anything that short before and hope to never do so again. It was a fitting place to end it however, so we'll just have to make do until the next chapter. Thank you all so much for your kind reviews. I really appreciate them, and the thought of all you out there that wanted me to continue forced me to sit down and finish this chapter. Below you will find individual replies to your reviews. It's something I do in all my chapters to show my thanks. And if any of you would like to be notified when I update, leave and email addy in a review and I will be sure to let you know.

jackfan2- Let's see, first off, I am exceedingly happy you liked it and I'm glad you liked the dialogue. Second, if Norrington just went and blew them out of the water, I wouldn't have much of a story to write, don't you agree? And third, I do believe Will and Elizabeth will be in the story. They have yet to tell me otherwise, at any rate. Thanks!

potclover247- Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I will certainly keep writing.

Maeve- Oh, I'm so glad you think I wrote Jack well. That was what I was mainly worried about. Thanks a lot!

Russetwolf713- *sticks out tongue at Russet* Thank you, thank you, and yes, you are evil. Love ya, thanks!

Rachel the Insane Unicorn- I'm glad you like. See, I'm writing more, happy? Thanks! :o)

Cherrychica- Thanks!

hollow-ambitions- Exellent! Another who thinks our dear Captain Jack Sparrow was in character. I must be doing something right then. Thank you.

Savvy Jack Sparrow- Thank you, Miss Savvy. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You already know how much of help you've been so there's no point in me boring you further. Thanks again!

Spoofmaster- I'm really glad you are. Here I am, continuing. Thanks!

J. Liha- Good, good! I'm glad you liked the way I wrote him. Thanks for the review!

Becky- Well thank you. I'm pleased to know everyone thinks I'm doing such a fine job with Jack.

ErinRua- As I told you before, I appreciated that review more than you will ever know. And just as I said I would, I sat down and finished this chapter. Thank you very much! P.S. I saw in your bio that you have Border Collies. I have two and they are the coolest dogs. Exellent taste. :o)

~*Kayden~Eidyak*~