Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 25 – Conspiracy Unmasked

Theodore smiled sadly to himself as Jill repeated the shocking gossip she that had heard in the marketplace, suspecting correctly that Robert Gillette was covertly involved with spreading the news. "Said she'd run off with Mister Wells, she did ... and he seemed such a nice gentleman too. Who would've believed it?" Jill paused for breath only when a loud knock sounded at the door.

Theodore was surprised to see the Commodore standing on his doorstep. "If I may have a word, Captain Groves?" He stepped inside without waiting to be asked.

"Some tea, Commodore?" Jill bobbed a curtsey on seeing who the guest was and, when he nodded, hurried to the kitchen. Theodore led the Commodore into the lounge.

"Well, that went better than I thought..." James Norrington began.

"Sir?" Theodore frowned, wondering what the Commodore was referring to.

James Norrington raised one eyebrow as he looked at Theodore. "Jack Sparrow and your little deception..." he explained.

"Sir?" Theodore paled as he realised that he had been discovered. He sat quietly waiting to hear his punishment, nervously twirling his cuff button.

James Norrington smiled, Theodore's reaction confirming his guess. "Don't worry, Captain, nobody else spotted it, I'm sure of that. Sparrow had me puzzled even at the dance, but I am sure it was him, especially since your sister now appears to have gone as well. It was him, wasn't it?"

Theodore grasped for words. "How long have you known, Sir?" he asked.

The Commodore waited for Jill to serve the tea and leave. "I've suspected since we met. He had me fooled to be sure, but there was something there I couldn't shake. By the time I was more certain, he was too useful in the hunt for von der Kirchhoff. I never thought he could keep it up for so long, especially at the Governor's mansion, the dancing and all. I was going to confront him this morning but he has already left." He sighed disappointedly. "Will you tell me why the deception?"

"I owed him my life, Sir, that time up in New York... when he was hauled onto the Resolute my only thought was to get him safely back to his ship, but it just took a bit longer than I imagined. Plus I owed him Catherine's life, twice over..."

"And your sister?" James Norrington ventured.

Theodore sagged, realising that he would have to tell the Commodore. "She recognised him immediately, Sir. I don't know how, women's intuition or something." He paused. "They intend to marry, or so I believe," he added quietly.

"Well, the Black Pearl will be well out of these waters by now," James Norrington sighed. He paused. "I cannot order naval ships not to fire on the ship, even if I know your sister might be on board."

"I understand Sir..." Theodore acknowledged.

The Commodore smiled kindly. "But I can order them to unofficially look the other way if they can. Sparrow has proved useful twice now... perhaps third time will pay all?" he suggested.

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The new crew members eyed the stranger before them... the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Everybody had thought him dead when he had been knocked overboard in the battle with the Muratania but it appeared that he had since then been fighting on a English naval ship pretending to be a spy! Then, having lived two weeks in Port Royal, been wined and dined at the Governor's residence, he steals the sister of one of the naval officers as his woman... no, wife he had said. The younger pirates looked at him in awe.

The woman, Kitty, was talking quietly with a number of the old crew, hugging and laughing. She obviously had been on board before and had dressed in one of the captain's shirts and old cut-off breeches. All eyes faced forwards though when Joshamee Gibbs walked along the line with the captain, introducing each new man in turn.

"Right, well yer've been on board for a while so you've had Gibbs' chat an' know how we work. We'll get t' know each other later." His voice dropped ominously. "I only have one thing to say, an' I'll say it now, an' I'll say it but once – touch Kitty an' I'll kill you." He paused, watching faces as his threat registered. "Back to work!"

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