Aloha faithful readers!

Review replies:

Westbabe: Sorry I missed you out before. Thanks for the review! Catherine is a great character to write. Watch this space.

Arein: Oh yeah. She likes him. A lot. Just you wait for this chap... heh heh. Oh wait, you don't have to, it's right here. Thanks for the continued support!

Carn: Thanks. I love it too. Obv. Yes, that dratted Jack will be in it more. Well, you know that as you've already read.

Julian: No way, no way, no way was ANYTHING your fault. Never never never think that. And that is an order. Your review made my day. Love Erin x

We arrive at Port Royale at dusk the next day. The silences between Norrington and I since our conflict are palpable and painful. He has not said two words to me, save from explaining that Sparrow and I will stay with Will and Elizabeth while he and his crew sail off somewhere to terrorise some pirates.

The sun is just sinking beneath the cloudy horizon when the three of us get off the ship along with an armed guard. The air is heavy; there will be a thunderstorm later. The streets are quiet. The stamping of the guards' boots does nothing to fill the silence; only outlines it, defines it. I become aware of a muffled sense that something is wrong; something bad is going to happen.

We arrive at the Governor's mansion, and a guard, spotting Norrington, bows us through the wrought-iron gates. Norrington marches up the drive and bashes the door brusquely. The butler opens the door as I arrive behind Norrington, and a vision in a white wedding dress rushes out, barges past Norrington and almost knocks me over as it hugs me.

"Hello, Elizabeth," I wheeze, wishing she would let me go.

"Oh, Catherine, isn't it wonderful? The ceremony's tomorrow, and of course you're invited, in fact, you shall be my bridesmaid; yes, that would be delightful!" she gabbles. "Oh, isn't this dress a beauty? Father got it for me from London. You can wear one of my gowns; I hardly think that old thing would do for a wedding." She indicates the dress I am wearing.

"Thank you," I say, offended, as Elizabeth releases me and pulls the baffled Sparrow into a hug. "You can be Will's best man, Jack, he's been talking about trying to contact you; we thought it was too late, but you're here now; I must tell Will!" Elizabeth pauses momentarily, partly to draw breath, and partly so her brain can catch up with her mouth. "Oh, no, heavens, I can't; I can't see him before the ceremony; Jack, you shall have to tell him."

"Er... OK," Jack agrees. "I'll, er, I'll stay with him tonight, then, shall I?"

"Yes, if you like," Elizabeth waves her hand carelessly. "He's staying at the old blacksmith's for tonight."

"OK." Sparrow half-waves to me, and retreats out of the manor grounds.

Elizabeth turns to Norrington, all set to hug him too, and then, seemingly, remembers who he is.

"Oh... hello, Admiral. Will you come in?"

"No, thank you," he replies curtly. "Catherine will be staying with you for a while; I must undertake a long voyage."

"Certainly," Elizabeth nods. "How long will you be gone?"

"Around six months."

Six months! I think. He's leaving me with Elizabeth for six months! I look at Norrington in horror, but he refuses to meet my eye.

"Do have a safe voyage," Elizabeth says. "Good evening."

"Good evening, Miss Swann," Norrington nods, and leaves, the footsteps of his guard marked against the dead of the surroundings. Norrington and the guards vanish from sight, along with the last glimmerings of sun, and leave me alone in the dark with my worst nightmare.

Hope you liked! R&R if you are nice!!