Norrington's Revenge

By Victoria Rose Ochocki

One

"Good Lord, James. If I see you looking out that window one more time, I shall shove you right out of it." Sarah Norrington shifted restlessly on the settee, and tossed her novel in a corner. Her brother turned his head to look in her direction, but she could tell he had only heard half of what she had said.

With an exasperated sigh, she rose and went to him, patting his shoulder awkwardly. They had never been very close even as children, and his years of Navy voyages and foreign postings had rendered them nearly strangers. "Do listen to me. She's thousands of miles away, and most likely married by now. You must buck up, dear, really you must. If you look about you I'm sure you may find any number of young ladies just dying to meet you." She poked him and he turned again with a frown.

"It won't be the same – don't you see?" he snapped. "I wanted Elizabeth, not one of those rattle-brains that are always giggling at me over their teacups." His features softened and he half smiled. "Elizabeth had spirit, and courage! I still can't believe she climbed out of the Dauntless' cabin window on a string of sheets. She was never keen on heights." His fingers twitched the sheer draperies back into place as his smile faded.

"Well, I for one am very glad they've all gone back to England. I still cannot understand her choosing a blacksmith over a Commodore." Sarah frowned and tried to look worldly. "You couldn't very well have attended the wedding, under the circumstances, and Governor Swann couldn't possibly give a reception and not invite you." She flicked her dark ringlets and admired her reflection in the nearest mirror.

Her brother pulled one of her curls and made an oddly droll face at her. "Thank you for your sage advice, little sister, but I hardly expect you to understand this sort of thing. Elizabeth and Will couldn't very well ask all of her relations to come here from England for the wedding, so naturally they would have to go back home. And her father's health was suffering in the tropics as well," he added. "Lieutenant-governor Bainbridge will no doubt be appointed Governor in due time. He's a good man."

"Oh, I care nothing for Bainbridge, he is quite aged." Norrington smiled at that, as Bainbridge was two years younger than himself. "But I very much like Captain Gillette. I think he may make an offer for me soon. I shall refuse him of course, at least at first." A sly smile crossed Sarah's face, and Norrington's grin vanished at the thought that his sister had learned all the wrong things at finishing school. Now that their mother had died, he would have to make sure his sister behaved properly. Ye gods and little fishes.

"Right, well, I have barracks inspection in half an hour, and then luncheon with Bainbridge. Please tell Kidder that I plan to dine in this evening." The camaraderie of a few moments ago was lost; Sarah had no idea what she had said to put her brother back into his foul mood. He bowed formally, and strode out of the parlor.

He needed a wife, no doubt about it. But not a reckless girl like Elizabeth Swann, oh no! Someone quiet, and proper, and perhaps a bit old-maidish, as would suit James's advanced age. Sarah smiled again, imagining her tall handsome brother giving balls and dinners with his wife as hostess.

She herself would of course be the pretty girl that all the young men would dance with! She laughed out loud and twirled happily, letting her full skirts swirl about her as she imagined dancing with any number of officers. And after a year or so of constant enjoyment, she would have received half a dozen offers of marriage. She would choose the handsomest of them all, and have a fine home of her own.

"If he won't look for a wife himself, I shall just have to find one for him," she promised herself with a nod.

The merchantman Yorkshire had the honor of transporting Weatherby Swann, his daughter and future son-in-law to the motherland. It was neither a fast ship nor a particularly imposing one, but it had been available, and Elizabeth and Will wanted to be married as soon as possible; it was bad enough that the voyage to England would take over a month. Governor Swann's sister in London had been notified by a faster mail packet, and was even now planning the impressive ceremony and reception.

Her father had used his considerable influence to see that the ship was not over-crowded with passengers; each of them had a private cabin, the Governor's being situated directly between that of Elizabeth and Will for propriety's sake. But the young people still enjoyed long sunny days on deck, and often a stolen kiss or two when the crew was busy with their labors.

"Will, look! What on earth is that creature leaping above the waves?" Elizabeth laughed and leaned over the rail, pointing. Will broke off his conversation with the first mate, and hurried to her side.

"I've no idea, love. Mr. Collins, what is that thing?"

"Ah, Mr. Turner, that'd be one a' them porpooses. I've seen 'em before, but that was mostly when I was in me cups, so I was never certain if they was real or not!" Collins grinned like a schoolboy.

Elizabeth clapped her hands at the animal's antics, then turned and smiled radiantly up at Will. He couldn't resist; he slid one arm around her waist and kissed her, softly at first, then with building passion. Collins pretended to consider the weather, whistling ostentatiously.

Loud voices penetrated the lovers' distraction. "Captain, vessel to starboard!" "She's struck her colors, sir, no tellin' where she's from!" The captain's shouted command – "men to the ready, she could be in trouble, or it could be a trick!" The whipping of rope as sails were trimmed, the creak of wood as the Yorkshire came about to receive the interloper. The oncoming ship was already much closer. "She's not disabled, Captain, moving fast!" The captain frowned and peered through his spyglass.

Will gripped Elizabeth's arm. "You'd better go below, there's no telling what this'll lead to."

Her eyes widened in outrage. "As if I would leave you here while I cower below decks, not knowing what's going on! Not likely. And if you think you can order me about just because we are to be married, you may think again, Mr. Turner!"

Will just shook his head. It wouldn't do to smile when she was being rebellious like that, it would set an unfortunate precedent. "Right. Then fetch a pistol, we don't need any slackers on deck." The crew was already busy adjusting their blades and checking the powder in their sidearms.

Pistol at the ready, Elizabeth stood unnoticed beside the captain as he scrutinized the ever-nearing ship. Her heart thudded as she stared into the distance. She'd seen horrors enough in her last brush with pirates, and now that she was so close to finally having her beloved Will, the thought of losing him in a sea battle was unbearable.

Cries of fury from the crew – "Her colors! The black flag!" Captain McKay hissed a curse, as he noted that the insignia on the flag indicated that quarter would be given and none harmed if the ship surrendered without a fight. Elizabeth gritted her teeth and tried to steady her hands on the butt of the pistol. It seemed that every time she wore a really stunning gown, something dreadful happened. It was enough to make you cry; but there was no time.

The captain heaved a sigh and turned to his first mate. "Strike our colors, Mr. Collins, and run up the white flag. We can't take the chance of battle with such important passengers aboard." Collins grunted unhappily, then turned to do his captain's bidding.

Elizabeth felt sick. Pirates would board their ship! And all they could do was hope that the bloody thieves would content themselves with taking the ship's cargo, and not harm the passengers or crew. In frustration she stared angrily at the nearing vessel, then suddenly sucked in a great breath. "Will! Look there – can it be?" Will stared too, then started to laugh.

Two

The captain gaped at the two of them as if they'd gone mad. "You will both go below. The deck is no place for you with those ruffians bearing down on us."

Elizabeth controlled herself first. "Oh, Captain, I'm sorry, really I am. But unless I'm very much mistaken, you're going to want us on deck when this ship is boarded."

Will had mercy on the captain's nerves. "They may be pirates, sir, but their captain, shall we say, owes us a rather large favor." McKay merely pinched his lips together and stood at the ready. Elizabeth winked at Will, and gestured to him to follow her as she stepped out of sight.

It seemed only minutes till grappling hooks sunk into the railing of the Yorkshire as the buccaneers drew beside them, and began to board. A scurvy lot they were, nearly all of them bearing fearsome scars, or even missing a body part.

McKay stood silent and proud at the mainmast as a ramp was laid and the pirate captain thumped across, a self-satisfied smirk on his roguish face. His long dark hair whipped in the wind, and his frock coat showed the wear and tear of months at sea.

The interloper held out a grimy hand, a single silver and onyx ring gleaming on one finger. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir, so sorry to inconvenience you." He smiled charmingly. "I just happened to notice that you're running a bit low in the water, and I felt the desire to be of some assistance in, shall we say, lightening your load?"

McKay gritted his teeth and ignored the proffered hand. "And if we refuse your kind offer, what then? You go on your merry way, and we remain best of friends?" The sarcasm was risky, but then so was a parlay with pirates.

The other commander just grinned. "Ah, but you're not going to do that, are you? Come, captain, we are both men of the world. Let us tread out the dance according to the steps prescribed, and we'll both be moderately happy men at day's end."

McKay was about to reply, when Will stepped forward and shouted, "You – pirate! Avast!" In a flash Will had his fine blade at the pirate's throat. Almost faster than the human eye could follow, the pirate drew his own blade and parried Will's.

McKay knew he had gone mad himself then, for the pirate captain burst out laughing, and excited cries came from his crew. Will grinned as he sheathed his blade and held out his hand to Captain Jack Sparrow. "You scallywag, I never thought I'd see you again!"

Jack took his hand and clapped him on the shoulder. Then his elated posture sagged, and an exaggerated look of resignation stole across his face. "I suppose this means I won't be taking home nearly as much booty as I'd hoped, eh?"

He cast soulful eyes to Elizabeth, who stifled her smile to give him a stern look. "Certainly not! You can hardly plunder Will's friends after he saved you from the noose, Jack." Suddenly she caught sight of someone over Jack's shoulder. "Mr. Gibbs!" She was overjoyed to see her old friend, still Jack's first mate, and rushed to throw her arms around the crusty buccaneer. She was certain Gibbs was smirking at the crew as she turned back to speak with Jack.

McKay, still incredulous, holstered his pistol and signaled his men to stow their sidearms. "Would someone care to tell me what the hell is going on?" he bellowed. Will took the poor man aside and explained as best he could.

Elizabeth noticed Jack giving her a sly look. "I suppose you and the whelp are very happy and all that; no second thoughts?" A gold tooth gleamed in the sun as he leaned closer to her, smiling.

It took her a moment to catch his meaning. "Captain Sparrow! I forbid any more of this talk, it's quite improper." But she smiled to take the sting out of her words.

Jack heaved a sigh. "Pity. You're the only woman I've ever known that hasn't clocked me in the jaw."

"It's never too late, is it?" she teased. "And of course, you usually deserve it!"

"Aye, perhaps. And where might your honored father be? I can't very well come calling without having a word with the Governor."

Elizabeth's brow creased. "He's been poorly for weeks. Started with a mild fever back in Port Royal, but he's never really been well since. He sleeps a great deal."

Jack glanced over his shoulder, then lowered his voice. "I don't expect you know where they keep the rum on this tub, do you?"

Her eyes slid to McKay and Will. "As a matter of fact, I just might. If I get the mate to bring out some supplies and such, will you take yourselves off? I really don't expect Captain McKay to ask you to stay for dinner."

Jack winked. "I know just what you mean, love. But if you'd be so kind as to introduce me, aye? Being anonymous has never been my forte." She could tell that his quick mind had already changed gears from raiding to rum, and breathed a sigh of relief that there would be no bloodshed to mar this fine day.

"Of course I shall. Captain McKay? I know this is rather odd, but… please allow me to present Captain Jack Sparrow, master of the Black Pearl." The two captains eyed each other for a long moment, then McKay bowed formally.

"I cannot say I am either pleased or honored, Captain Sparrow, but I will greet you as one seafaring man to another."

Jack swept his tricorn off his head and bowed in turn. "As for myself, I'm pleased as can be to meet any friend of Elizabeth and Will's. Magnificent hat you've got on. I'm very sorry, but we mustn't overstay our welcome. Elizabeth, if you could just take care of that little matter we mentioned, I'll pack up me crew and be on our way." He nodded to her significantly.

Elizabeth had already convinced Mr. Collins to let Gibbs and Cotton carry off some of the ship's best spirits, on the grounds that it would be reimbursed out of her father's personal fortune. Collins himself felt no inclination to get between thirsty pirates and their rum, and cheerfully unlocked the section of the hold where it was stored. Thus, as Captain McKay turned a puzzled look to Elizabeth, Gibbs and the crew returned to the Pearl pleasantly weighed down.

Elizabeth drew a sigh of relief as Jack mounted the boarding ramp. He turned and smiled. "Gentlemen; my lady. This is a day you will always remember as the day that… oh, bloody hell!" He stared, transfixed, into the distance.