AN: I'm back!!

:ducks flying fruit:

I know!! I know!! I've been an absolutely horrible person and haven't updated in AGES. I'm sorry, I really am!! I got stuck after the last chapter and couldn't figure out how to keep going. But just recently I got myself a new muse, in the form of a boyfriend named Tiger. Yes, his nickname really is Tiger, and he's tall and skinny and introverted, just like my Tiger. The day I noticed the similarities – yesterday, actually – was the day I decided to get off my fat ass and write again.

I actually wrote out the entire plot in outline form from here on out. We're looking at about 25 chapters, plus an epilogue. So now I know what's going on when, and I should be able to write a lot faster. Note the "should", I know better than to make promises I don't know if I can keep. But hopefully, there won't be any more six-month-waits. Ideally, this thing will be done before I go to college in September – but how likely is THAT?

And yeah, this one is short. And not terribly exciting. Sorry. That's just how it played out.

Disclaimer – Same as the Prologue. Just click the back button and save yourself the trouble of suing me.

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Chapter 12 – Norrington

That night, the entire Warren household, Will, Jack, Tiger, Gibbs and the White sisters sat down to a feast, as prepared by the women (yes, even Mary). Good food, good drink, and good company was shared by all.

When dinner was over, the men showed their appreciation by offering to clean up. Not trusting them in her kitchen, Ana stayed inside to supervise.

Meanwhile, Samantha decided to take the three White girls for a walk down to the docks. Seeing them leave, Will motioned for Tiger to follow them. They weren't inside the city proper, but Tortuga is not a safe place any way you look at it.

With so many hands to help, the house was soon sparkling clean and the men had retired to the front stoop to enjoy the night air.

"So, Will. How were you planning to get your crew back?"

Will made a face.

"No idea. I could try and bluff it, I suppose. But with the crew that was sent with me gone, I doubt it'll work."

"Hoy, who's that?" Roger suddenly asked. Coming up the walk was a tall figure dressed in plain black breeches and a white shirt. Carried over his arm was a blue navy captain's coat.

Will and Jack both stood and reached for their weapons.

"Hold your fire, gentlemen. I'm not here to arrest you."

"Norrington." Jack said, keeping his hands on his pistols. "What other business would a naval commander have in Tortuga, other than to arrest?"

Norrington smiled grimly. "Call it curiosity. I'm here on my own business, not the Crown's. Yet."

Roger stood. "I'm Roger Warren, sir. And I would appreciate it if you would tell me who you are and why you are on my property."

Norrington looked up at him, nonplussed. "I beg your pardon. I am Commodore Norrington of the King's navy. And I am here because I was looking for Mr. Turner, here. I was directed to this home by a group of very polite young ladies I met along the road." He looked pointedly at Will. "If I had gone suddenly blind, I would have recognized Elizabeth's daughters." He looked at Roger. "I'm guessing the last was yours."

Roger looked at him for a moment. "Sit. Explain yourself."

"Thank you, sir." Norrington sat in the chair normally occupied by Tiger.

"I received a letter calling for all members of my squad to search for a certain Bluehawk and Will Turner, who had allegedly captured the daughters of Governor White of St. Andrew's Island. Of course, I immediately sent my squadron out to comb the seas. I knew they were Elizabeth's daughters, and I knew there may be reason for Will to capture them, if only just to know them, if not to take them permanently. "

"It wasn't until after I had sent out my fleet that I received a similar letter from Governor White himself. In his letter, he told me the date of the attack, how it had played out, and the strange fact that there had been no ransom note. He also informed me that the Black Pearl had departed the same day to chase the Bluehawk down."

"Several things were wrong with this. First of all, the original letter was from the naval base in the Carolinas. I realized that there was no possible way for a commander so far away to have heard about the attack and sent an order back, given the date of the attack. This, of course, led me to believe that someone had known about the attack beforehand."

"Secondly, the letter from the Carolinas had requested that the girls be brought to England, with prior notice. Why would this be? Why not take the girls back to their home?"

He looked pointedly around the group.

"I was hoping someone here would be able to answer that. Because if there is a corrupt man in the chain of command, he needs to be exposed and dealt with."

Silence.

Jack sat back in his chair and took another sip from his mug.

"It's going to be a long night."

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Reader response time.....

Tazz: Bum yourself, you haven't updated in as long or longer than me!! :meh:

Jess58: Thank you! I was a bit bored with all PoTC fics being the same, myself. Hence, this fic.

Shiranai Seito: Thank you! I try to stay as true to the movie and the characters as possible.

E-chan: Pencils and pens are so passé. I write on my brand-new, shiny, pretty laptop!! :grins happily:

PaIgE S: Here, have some more storie. :grin:

Blood-Covered-Ivory: Well, here you go. I promise I'm not done yet. Heh, people think about my writing..... eeep.....

Alright. I've done my part, now you do yours. Reveiw!!