Usual disclaimers :(

Thanks to Gidgit, Summery-ice, Sector-Lutter, wamy, FantasyLovingFreak, Chica, Caribbean-Mama, Opi666, Rachel Sparrow, SummerRain, Chelsey, Killer Kadoogan (great name!), Aurora and Hilary for your kind reviews.

KK – your review made me laugh out loud. I hope what bit of Spanish I have written is correct. I use a translation site, so don't blame me if it isn't! :p

FLF and Sector-Lutter, I'm relieved you don't see Jenny as a Mary-Sue. I think that is every authors dread that their readers might see the heroine as such.

Opi – you can't really blame Jack. He is a mere man after all!!

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Chapter twenty three: 'He threw you in the brig? That damnable man!'

'Why did he leave me?' Jenny tortured herself with the thought as she lay in the bath, luxuriating in the scented water. She dressed hurriedly in a simple brown shift dress and made her way to the drawing room where James Norrington was sitting in his easy chair, sipping a whisky.

'Jenny. That looks better, please come and join me. Would you like a sherry?' He sprang to his feet and made for the drinks cabinet.

'No thank you. I'd like a rum, if you have any?'

'Rum?' James Norrington spun his head and stared at her with consternation.

'Aye… yes a rum please.' She felt a perverse sense of satisfaction at seeing him dumbfounded.

James handed her the drink and sat back down, scrutinising her closely. 'So what happened?'

'We sought out the treasure of Sancho Lopez and I was brought home.'

'That is it? I find that hard to believe, knowing Sparrow as I do. How did they treat you?'

'I was treated very well, got thrown in the brig a couple of times, but otherwise…'

'He threw you in the brig? That damnable man!' Norrington spat, his disgust plain to see.

'I did assault him the first time and drew a sword on him the second so I suppose I deserved it,' she shrugged, trying hard not to laugh out loud at the look on his face.

Governor Norrington looked uneasily at Jenny, wondering at the change in her and hoping it was only temporary. He was alarmed that she still had the braid in her hair, and as for drinking rum… 'She'll soon be back to normal, once she puts this dreadful experience behind her,' he thought and reminded himself to smile.

'I'm sorry James but I've had a really trying day. Would you mind if I went to bed early?' Jenny feigned a yawn and stretched her arms.

'N-no, not at all.' Inwardly he cursed as he was hoping to find out more about what happened and where Sparrow might be going next. 'There's always tomorrow to ask,' he reminded himself.

Jenny walked over and kissed James on the cheek then took her leave, virtually running up the stairs to avoid meeting with anyone and darted into her room, locking the door behind her

'Why did he leave me?' The thought came back to Jenny and stayed with her all throughout the night as she lay on the too soft bed, unable to sleep. What she did know for certain was that she could not stay at the Governor's house. She was already feeling stifled and had had to mind her P's and Q's on more than one occasion since walking back through the doors. 'I'll go and see Will Turner tomorrow and decide what to do with my loot.' Once she had made the decision, sleep took her soon after.

…

It was after lunch before Jenny was able to flee the attentions of the Governors' household and escape to the smithy. She opened the door and peered into the gloom, smiling as she saw Will hammering at the anvil.

'Will,' she called softly, not wanting to disturb him.

'Jenny! Hello, come on in. I gather you've had a rather interesting adventure.' Will smiled and offered her the only chair in the building.

'Yes I did rather. I understand you have something of mine?'

'Yes, Jack dropped it by yesterday.'

The sound of Jack's name made Jenny catch her breath and she fought down a lump in her throat. 'Did… did he say anything about me?'

'No. He was very quiet actually, like he had something on his mind. Here I'll show you the chest if you like?' Will led the way to a back room then down to a small cellar, lighting a torch as he went. 'I use it for storing tools and suchlike, it never gets searched.'

'Does the Governor know you're friends with Jack?'

'Oh yes. He tries having me watched every now and then but it's no use. Jack is too wily to get caught. It's worse still since the new Commodore took over at the fort - he's useless. I think poor Norrington despairs sometimes. Here it is.' Will handed the torch to Jenny and lifted the lid of the chest, raising his eyebrows at the large amount of coins, jewels and gems within. 'It must have been a good hoard.'

'It was, one of the best most of the crew had ever seen.' Jenny looked at the treasure, blinking hard as tears welled up once more, remembering when they had first found it. Happier times.

'Are you all right, Jenny?'

She smiled ruefully. Jack had said not a lot got past Will Turner and she had just found it out for herself. 'I have to get away from here Will. I have to find Jack.'

'What happened? Come on, let's go above and talk. I have a bottle of rum stashed away somewhere.'

Will led the way back to the smithy and turned the sign on to the door to 'closed' then sat and listened intently as Jenny told him the whole story, leaving nothing out.

'I have to find him, Will. I have to know why he left me behind. Do you know how I can get to Tortuga? Jack should be there soon, after he's been to the Isla de Muerta.'

'I have an acquaintance who goes to Tortuga on a regular basis. He's not a pirate, but he does trade with them. I can find out when he's going next for you.'

'Would you Will? Oh thank you,' Jenny stood and kissed him on the cheek, grateful for his friendship. 'What about my booty?'

'Well, he'll probably take that for you as well, but I would not risk it in Tortuga. Maybe take some with you for living expenses and leave the rest here. If necessary, you can come back with him when he returns to Port Royal.'

'I don't think I'll be doing that. Once I leave here, I don't intend returning. Besides, whether you get searched or not, it's too risky to leave the chest here.' Jenny stood and smiled. 'I must be getting back, thanks for everything Will, I feel better now.'

'It's a pleasure Jenny, I'll send word to you when I have spoken to my acquaintance.'

… … … …

'Jenny, Jenny! You have a visitor.' She jumped up and put down the book she had been reading.

'All right Norah, I'm on my way.' She straightened her dress and made her way downstairs where Elizabeth Turner was standing in the hallway. 'Elizabeth! It's wonderful to see you.' The two women embraced then Jenny led the way to the garden, wanting privacy.

'Jenny,' the younger woman spoke quietly, looking around to make sure they were not overheard. 'Will saw his man and he leaves in a couple of days time, early in the morning. He is willing to take you and a small chest.'

Jenny's head spun, she hadn't expected it so soon. 'That is wonderful,' she grinned, excitement bubbling up. 'Tell Will I'll see him tomorrow and arrange things.'

'I will,' Elizabeth smiled but with a pensive look in her eyes. 'Are you sure you want to do this? Tortuga is no place for a woman, especially one on her own.'

'I will find Jack Sparrow and that is the best place to do so. I'll be careful, don't worry.' Jenny escorted Elizabeth back through the house and to the gates, kissing her on the cheek as they parted then hastened up to her room, already wishing the next day or so to be over.

Before she had time to recollect her thoughts, there was a knock on the door. 'Jenny. May I come in?'

She groaned inwardly at the sound of James' voice but managed to beckon him in in a cheery manner.

'I understand Elizabeth Turner has just paid you a visit and you were seen going to the smithy yesterday. May I enquire as to what is going on?'

'You may enquire, James,' she replied cooly. 'But it is none of your business, I'm afraid.'

The Governor looked at her in shock before pinching the bridge of his nose. 'What has happened to you? What did that pirate do to you?'

Jenny sighed, realising that she would have to tread carefully so as not to arouse his suspicions too much. 'I'm sorry James,' she apologised contritely. 'There was something that Captain Sparrow asked me to do, a message he wanted sending to the Turners and I was merely fulfilling his wish, that is all.'

'He kidnapped you and expected you to run errands for him?' he exploded, his face growing red with anger. 'The nerve of the man.'

'James, James,' she soothed, going over to him and patting his arm. 'He treated me well. It was no trouble for me to do this.'

'Hmpf! Did he mention where he would be heading next? Or are you not at liberty to tell me?'

'I was merely a means to an end,' she replied, the words almost sticking in her throat. 'Captain Sparrow did not share his plans with me.'

'And the loot? I gather there was some treasure?'

'Yes, there was,' she admitted. 'Enough for him to retire from pirating if he so wished.'

'God, I wish that he so wished,' James Norrington sighed, rubbing his brow. 'Very well. I take it you have no further need to see the Turners?'

'They were friends long before I was kidnapped by Jack. They will remain so.' Jenny replied, her voice becoming icy. 'Am I to remain here under your employment? I understand you have another governess for the children.'

'You are to remain here until I see fit to trust you and when such time arrives, then we shall see, Mrs. Samuels.' He turned and strode to the door, giving a curt nod before exiting and shutting it firmly behind him.

'Damn!' she cursed. 'Damn, damn, damn!' Jenny knew she had just made the task of escaping more difficult. Much more difficult.

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Next chapter when I receive sufficient reviews for this one… Mwahahahaha!

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