Disclaimer: It's all Disney's. Except Mari. She's my character, mine, my own!! My precisssious pirate persona... erm. Yeah.
A/N: Big thanks to BlackJack, Takada Saiko, and especially SonofAnthronis and Samluvsbanana! I know who you are! sinister laugh
A door slammed heavily somewhere above them. James Norrington looked up skeptically.
"I wasn't aware that bats are capable of using doors," he commented. Will and Elizabeth carefully avoided sharing a glance; Norrington noticed.
"Are you absolutely certain you've heard nothing from Sparrow or any other pirate?" he asked again. Elizabeth directed her nervousness into an offended mien.
"Why, Commodore! How could you accuse us of such a deception? Really, do you believe we would harbor criminals?"
"Indeed," Will joined in, "don't you think I would try to avoid a reputation of dealing with pirates? The last thing I need is to lose business!"
Norrington stood stiffly, looking down on the couple with disbelief evident in his eyes. "
Then I suppose you won't mind my seeing about your...bat problem? Perhaps I could be of some assistance." And he strode toward the steps. Will and Elizabeth scrambled after him, tossing out protests.
"As grateful as we are for your help, there is really no need," Elizabeth babbled. "Will and I are quite capable of solving this problem on our own."
The Commodore paused and turned to face them both.
"Come now, Master Turner, Madame Turner. We both know you are harboring someone in this house, and I believe I know precisely who it is. Now, please, allow me to do my duty by doing yours."
With that he resumed his journey to the second floor. He traversed the hallway briskly, stopping when he heard sounds coming from behind a door. With a glance at the Turners, still close behind him, he flung the door open. There was a small, feminine yelp, and a gasp from the Commodore, who quickly averted his eyes.
"My abject apologies, my lady!" he said stiffly, looking resolutely to the left. "And, I suppose, to you also, Will. Elizabeth. It appears I was quite mistaken."
Confused, the Turners peered around the doorframe only to see Mari in a dressing gown, her hair damp and neatly combed. She had a rather amused smile on her face, and was quietly edging her pirate memorabilia further out of sight behind the changing screen. Jack, thankfully, was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm terribly sorry, Commodore, in the confusion about the bats," this word was said significantly in Mari's direction, "I forgot to mention that my...cousin! Yes, my cousin, Margaret Swann was visiting us from England."
By this time, the look on Mari's face had changed from amused to downright perplexed. However, she recognized the Commodore and had the presence of mind to play along. She stepped forward with a properly humble look on her face and dipped a slight curtsy.
"It is an honor, Commodore," she said, all trace of piratical slur erased, "although I do wish it could have been under more...formalized circumstances."
"Indeed, Miss Swann, I must ask your pardon. I am on the trail of a rather infamous pirate. I had reason to believe that he was hiding here."
Mari's eyes grew wide with alarm. "My goodness, I wasn't aware that Port Royal had such a problem with those blackguards! Lizzie never told me."
The Commodore cleared his throat.
"That is indeed a surprise, knowing Mrs. Turner's fascination with them. Once again, I extend my apologies for so invading your home. Good evening Master Turner, Madame Turner, Miss Swann."
With that, he began to make his way downstairs. As soon as his footsteps receded, Jack opened the door in the bedroom wall, a grin plastered on his face. The four exchanged glances, then broke into laughter. Quiet laughter; the Commodore had not yet exited the house.
"Ruddy brilliant, Elizabeth!" Jack exclaimed. "A deception worthy of any great seafaring scallywag!"
"It never would have worked without Mari's excellent acting skills," Elizabeth said with mock modesty. "But what was all that racket up here?"
"Yes," Will added, "that's what brought the Commodore dashing up the stair in the first place."
"We were settling our family dispute," Mari said flippantly.
"Indeed, things tend to be...violently misplaced when more than one Sparrow is in the room," Jack agreed.
"My surname is Cutlass," Mari muttered. Jack waved the bit of paper from her belt pouch under her nose.
"This little bit of incontrovertible evidence speaks otherwise, my lass."
"What precisely is that?" Will inquired. "I think it's time we heard the full story of what's going on."
A/N: See? I said things would move faster! They're gonna start up double quick. Oh, and James' role in this is faaaar from over!! Review, I beg of you!