Author Notes -
Well, this is the last OFFICIAL chapter of "What's In a Name?" There is of course the Epilogue that follows this chapter and I hope that you all enjoy it. Not much to say...on with the thanks.
-A-
Author Thanks -
Anaknusan - Thanks, mate! Enjoy!
Eccentric Banshee - Thanks! Hope my review explained what's gonna happen to some extent. Enjoy!
RK9 - Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
TriGemini - Thanks, mate! Port Royale is definitely the safest place for Christy and Rhia. Jack knew that. Like you said, he has a duty to his crew and also needs to focus on keeping Christy and Rhia safe as well. Enjoy!
anonymous - Thanks! (Are you TriGemini just reviewing twice? The two reviews are shockingly similiar.) Quick get away but definitely a safe one! Enjoy!
Jeeves Swineford - Thanks! Lol, mate, its not an ending. Just wait. Trust in me a bit. This is a bit of a treat, then I suppose. An early present, lol. Enjoy!
Trinity144 - Thanks! Enjoy!
Blackcat69 - Thanks, mate! Have a good day yourself. Enjoy!
RMB - Thanks, mate! I'll try not to loose my job...I really like it, lol. Enjoy the chapter!
Moulin-Rouge-Pirate - Thanks! Just wait and see, mate. Enjoy!
-A-
Last Time-
I left Rhia with the chief housekeeper, who had always adored her and then we made our way to the fort.
-A-
What's In a Name?
Chapter 30 - Norrington's Queries
-A-
When we reached the fort, I allowed Elizabeth and Will to walk before me as we went into the building. There, we announced ourselves as being here to see Norrington and waited until our guide came.
A young private ushered us to Norrington's office and after hearing the call to enter, left us, smiling at me and blushing slightly.
I stayed behind Will and Elizabeth, hoping to steel myself against whatever else is coming. My hands shook and I longed to be anywhere but here.
We went further into the study, seeing Norrington at the study and took the seats indicated to us. I sat nervously on the edge of my seat, perched like a bird. My hands continued to shake and I struggled to keep calm, putting myself mentally in another place, a worry-free place.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Norrington said calmly from his seat at his desk and smiling kindly at us.
"Not a problem...is there something that you needed?" Will asked.
There was a sickening silence.
"Actually, yes. There are a few questions that I need answers for."
Elizabeth nodded. "And those would be...?"
Norrington looked down as he shifted the papers on his desk slightly. "There is one thing. I discovered last night that the Pearl had been spotted near Port Royale. But by the time my men reached the beach, she was gone. I know that Jack Sparrow's involved in this. Do you know anything about it?"
Will shook his head. "No, we hadn't heard."
Norrington coughed slightly and said carefully, "You don't know, then, how it was that Jack Sparrow was at your home for the last two weeks, then?"
My heart stopped.
Time slowed.
I could hear my heart thudding in my chest.
I could feel my blood pulsing though my body and rushing in my ears.
I stared down at my lap, hoping not to give away what I was feeling and thinking at the time being.
He knew.
Some how he knew.
He knew that Jack had been here.
And he could probably guess what Jack's connection to me was.
'Think calm, Christy. Think calm. Don't panic. Don't assume anything yet. Just keep calm. Don't give out anything that isn't necessary. Don't loose your temper.'
After what seemed like an eternity, Elizabeth said calmly, "James, Captain Sparrow is a friend of ours and he has aided Port Royale and its citizens many times."
The Commodore coughed once more and looked at his desk once more. "I'm just making sure that ... that there was justification for the reports from my men that he was here. I only making sure that I am not sending one of my ships off in search of an innocent man."
I breathed for the first time in moments but continued to look at my lap.
"Commodore, Jack was merely stopping in for a visit. That's all," Will said calmly.
Inwardly I marveled at how calm they could be in the face of this. My heart was still racing in my chest.
"I understand..." Norrington said seriously. "But I'll take your word that he did nothing that would do any harm to the citizens of our city and did not break any laws, apart from being here in itself."
Elizabeth nodded. "Jack's a friend. He's a good man. Didn't do anything to prove otherwise. You know that Captain Sparrow has offered services to Port Royale on numerous occasions and has never given reason for chase."
Will nodded his approval from his spot at Elizabeth's side.
Norrington smiled, looking very relieved.
The invisible hands clutching my heart seemed to loosen their vice-like grip on it and I was able to breathe slightly easier.
"Miss Smit, may I ask you something?"
I looked down, abashed. "You know that you can call me Christina, but yes, you may ask me something," I whispered.
"I was wondering ... just to be certain that I have everything understood, the first time that you met Captain Sparrow was just recently, correct?"
I felt my face flush a deep red colour but nodded my head.
Thankfully, Will saved me. "Christy just met Captain Sparrow two weeks ago, that's right. She doesn't really care for pirates too much, so you'll understand, no doubt, while she doesn't want to talk about the subject."
"I see," Norrington murmured. "Did Sparrow offend you, Christina?"
Not wanting to give Norrington further reason to go after Jack I decided to speak up. "No, Captain Sparrow was kind. I have no grudge against him. I just am not keen on his lot at the moment, of course, so it was an odd period. But he was courteous, to be sure. I just thought that at felt at first it was awkward." I did not look up while I said this, I knew that my face must be burning and I was afraid that my lie would be obvious in my eyes.
"I'm sure it must have been difficult for you."
Will grabbed my hand in a friendly gesture of support. "Although, you must also consider that she didn't interact overmuch with Jack, she just had her baby shortly after Jack's arrival and was lying in bed for several days following it. So her exposure to him was limited."
"Oh?"
I felt my flush recede and I looked up for the first time to face him. "Yes, my baby girl. About a week ago, actually."
"Congratulations. What's her name?"
"Rhiannon Isabella Smit," I said quietly.
"I'm very pleased for you, Christina. I'm pleased that you are safe. All too often birth and death lie close together."
"Yes, well, my cousin and Elizabeth have been very kind."
"But, Christina, I was not aware that Port Royale had a skilled midwife in town. Who helped deliver the child? Our last midwife with any merit to her name died earlier last year. Surely you had assistance in the birth."
I grinned slightly as Will took the reigns quickly. "It happened, to our immense relief that a member of Jack's crew had some skill in how to deliver children and was brought ashore to aid in the birth. It was this man's assistance that might have saved my dear cousin's life."
Norrington nodded. "That was most fortunate."
The tone in his voice made me relax and realise that he meant us no harm and that for the time being, my situation was safe.
"Indeed. Colin was exceptionally helpful. His knowledge of birthing far surpassed my own and he was wonderful help," Elizabeth added from her seat. She was smiling slightly and grasping Will's other hand.
"Christina if I may make one further query, it would be much appreciated."
I nodded my acceptance of the matter.
"What are your future plans?"
I smiled over at Will and Elizabeth. "Well, my cousin and his wife have offered me lodgings until my own home, which is to be built by this time next year, is suitably prepared to live in. I will, beyond doubt, be staying in Port Royale. There is nothing left for me in London and I have little other places that hold any promise to me. Besides, it would not be suitable for me to travel with an infant and alone in the first place. Think of how it would appear. A young woman with child in tow traveling throughout the Caribbean alone. And Port Royale has some semblance of a home for me now and it would do little good to leave again."
"It is wonderful that you will be staying in our city a bit longer, Miss Smit. If you need anything, you will always be very welcome to inquire about it with me. I am most willing to help you in any way that I can. You only have to let me know ... Well," Norrington said, smiling smoothly. "I think that's all of my questions for the moment. Have a good day all of you."
The three of us said quick good-bye and left.
All in all, the day went very well and I did not begrudge Jack for leaving and knew it was for the best. But more than anything, I was immensely pleased that Jack was safe and the Pearl was in no imminent danger.
-A-
Author's Notes -
On with the epilogue, then. Although, first, review this chapter, then the epilogues, if you please!
Well, this is the last OFFICIAL chapter of "What's In a Name?" There is of course the Epilogue that follows this chapter and I hope that you all enjoy it. Not much to say...on with the thanks.
-A-
Author Thanks -
Anaknusan - Thanks, mate! Enjoy!
Eccentric Banshee - Thanks! Hope my review explained what's gonna happen to some extent. Enjoy!
RK9 - Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
TriGemini - Thanks, mate! Port Royale is definitely the safest place for Christy and Rhia. Jack knew that. Like you said, he has a duty to his crew and also needs to focus on keeping Christy and Rhia safe as well. Enjoy!
anonymous - Thanks! (Are you TriGemini just reviewing twice? The two reviews are shockingly similiar.) Quick get away but definitely a safe one! Enjoy!
Jeeves Swineford - Thanks! Lol, mate, its not an ending. Just wait. Trust in me a bit. This is a bit of a treat, then I suppose. An early present, lol. Enjoy!
Trinity144 - Thanks! Enjoy!
Blackcat69 - Thanks, mate! Have a good day yourself. Enjoy!
RMB - Thanks, mate! I'll try not to loose my job...I really like it, lol. Enjoy the chapter!
Moulin-Rouge-Pirate - Thanks! Just wait and see, mate. Enjoy!
-A-
Last Time-
I left Rhia with the chief housekeeper, who had always adored her and then we made our way to the fort.
-A-
What's In a Name?
Chapter 30 - Norrington's Queries
-A-
When we reached the fort, I allowed Elizabeth and Will to walk before me as we went into the building. There, we announced ourselves as being here to see Norrington and waited until our guide came.
A young private ushered us to Norrington's office and after hearing the call to enter, left us, smiling at me and blushing slightly.
I stayed behind Will and Elizabeth, hoping to steel myself against whatever else is coming. My hands shook and I longed to be anywhere but here.
We went further into the study, seeing Norrington at the study and took the seats indicated to us. I sat nervously on the edge of my seat, perched like a bird. My hands continued to shake and I struggled to keep calm, putting myself mentally in another place, a worry-free place.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Norrington said calmly from his seat at his desk and smiling kindly at us.
"Not a problem...is there something that you needed?" Will asked.
There was a sickening silence.
"Actually, yes. There are a few questions that I need answers for."
Elizabeth nodded. "And those would be...?"
Norrington looked down as he shifted the papers on his desk slightly. "There is one thing. I discovered last night that the Pearl had been spotted near Port Royale. But by the time my men reached the beach, she was gone. I know that Jack Sparrow's involved in this. Do you know anything about it?"
Will shook his head. "No, we hadn't heard."
Norrington coughed slightly and said carefully, "You don't know, then, how it was that Jack Sparrow was at your home for the last two weeks, then?"
My heart stopped.
Time slowed.
I could hear my heart thudding in my chest.
I could feel my blood pulsing though my body and rushing in my ears.
I stared down at my lap, hoping not to give away what I was feeling and thinking at the time being.
He knew.
Some how he knew.
He knew that Jack had been here.
And he could probably guess what Jack's connection to me was.
'Think calm, Christy. Think calm. Don't panic. Don't assume anything yet. Just keep calm. Don't give out anything that isn't necessary. Don't loose your temper.'
After what seemed like an eternity, Elizabeth said calmly, "James, Captain Sparrow is a friend of ours and he has aided Port Royale and its citizens many times."
The Commodore coughed once more and looked at his desk once more. "I'm just making sure that ... that there was justification for the reports from my men that he was here. I only making sure that I am not sending one of my ships off in search of an innocent man."
I breathed for the first time in moments but continued to look at my lap.
"Commodore, Jack was merely stopping in for a visit. That's all," Will said calmly.
Inwardly I marveled at how calm they could be in the face of this. My heart was still racing in my chest.
"I understand..." Norrington said seriously. "But I'll take your word that he did nothing that would do any harm to the citizens of our city and did not break any laws, apart from being here in itself."
Elizabeth nodded. "Jack's a friend. He's a good man. Didn't do anything to prove otherwise. You know that Captain Sparrow has offered services to Port Royale on numerous occasions and has never given reason for chase."
Will nodded his approval from his spot at Elizabeth's side.
Norrington smiled, looking very relieved.
The invisible hands clutching my heart seemed to loosen their vice-like grip on it and I was able to breathe slightly easier.
"Miss Smit, may I ask you something?"
I looked down, abashed. "You know that you can call me Christina, but yes, you may ask me something," I whispered.
"I was wondering ... just to be certain that I have everything understood, the first time that you met Captain Sparrow was just recently, correct?"
I felt my face flush a deep red colour but nodded my head.
Thankfully, Will saved me. "Christy just met Captain Sparrow two weeks ago, that's right. She doesn't really care for pirates too much, so you'll understand, no doubt, while she doesn't want to talk about the subject."
"I see," Norrington murmured. "Did Sparrow offend you, Christina?"
Not wanting to give Norrington further reason to go after Jack I decided to speak up. "No, Captain Sparrow was kind. I have no grudge against him. I just am not keen on his lot at the moment, of course, so it was an odd period. But he was courteous, to be sure. I just thought that at felt at first it was awkward." I did not look up while I said this, I knew that my face must be burning and I was afraid that my lie would be obvious in my eyes.
"I'm sure it must have been difficult for you."
Will grabbed my hand in a friendly gesture of support. "Although, you must also consider that she didn't interact overmuch with Jack, she just had her baby shortly after Jack's arrival and was lying in bed for several days following it. So her exposure to him was limited."
"Oh?"
I felt my flush recede and I looked up for the first time to face him. "Yes, my baby girl. About a week ago, actually."
"Congratulations. What's her name?"
"Rhiannon Isabella Smit," I said quietly.
"I'm very pleased for you, Christina. I'm pleased that you are safe. All too often birth and death lie close together."
"Yes, well, my cousin and Elizabeth have been very kind."
"But, Christina, I was not aware that Port Royale had a skilled midwife in town. Who helped deliver the child? Our last midwife with any merit to her name died earlier last year. Surely you had assistance in the birth."
I grinned slightly as Will took the reigns quickly. "It happened, to our immense relief that a member of Jack's crew had some skill in how to deliver children and was brought ashore to aid in the birth. It was this man's assistance that might have saved my dear cousin's life."
Norrington nodded. "That was most fortunate."
The tone in his voice made me relax and realise that he meant us no harm and that for the time being, my situation was safe.
"Indeed. Colin was exceptionally helpful. His knowledge of birthing far surpassed my own and he was wonderful help," Elizabeth added from her seat. She was smiling slightly and grasping Will's other hand.
"Christina if I may make one further query, it would be much appreciated."
I nodded my acceptance of the matter.
"What are your future plans?"
I smiled over at Will and Elizabeth. "Well, my cousin and his wife have offered me lodgings until my own home, which is to be built by this time next year, is suitably prepared to live in. I will, beyond doubt, be staying in Port Royale. There is nothing left for me in London and I have little other places that hold any promise to me. Besides, it would not be suitable for me to travel with an infant and alone in the first place. Think of how it would appear. A young woman with child in tow traveling throughout the Caribbean alone. And Port Royale has some semblance of a home for me now and it would do little good to leave again."
"It is wonderful that you will be staying in our city a bit longer, Miss Smit. If you need anything, you will always be very welcome to inquire about it with me. I am most willing to help you in any way that I can. You only have to let me know ... Well," Norrington said, smiling smoothly. "I think that's all of my questions for the moment. Have a good day all of you."
The three of us said quick good-bye and left.
All in all, the day went very well and I did not begrudge Jack for leaving and knew it was for the best. But more than anything, I was immensely pleased that Jack was safe and the Pearl was in no imminent danger.
-A-
Author's Notes -
On with the epilogue, then. Although, first, review this chapter, then the epilogues, if you please!