Usual disclaimers… pah!

Chapter 7 – In The Commodore's Office

Theodore squeezed Bessie's arm encouragingly on feeling how nervous she was. Once they were all inside James Norrington shut the door, walking slowly to his desk. He sat down, looking up at Bessie who stood before him, her youngest child in her arms and the other children clustered around her.

"This," he said quietly, his hands bridged before his face, "had better be good Mistress Sparrow…"

Bessie looked at him worriedly. "I had nowhere else to go," she said softly, trying not to cry. "Jack is dead…" Silent tears rolled down her face. At the mention of their father's name, several of the children started crying. Bessie tried to hold as many of them to her that she could. "I am here to beg for sanctuary for myself and my children…"

For a moment James Norrington just blinked. "Sparrow is dead?" he gasped.

"That's Captain Sparrow!" Jack retorted, unsure who this man was but not liking him failing to give his father his proper title.

"Jack!" Bessie hissed.

The Commodore barely suppressed a smile at the boy's words. So the child was called Jack he mused – another Jack Sparrow to antagonise him. "Perhaps you could tell me what happened…" he prompted, indicating for Bessie and Elizabeth to sit.

Bessie sighed, hoping that being allowed to sit was a good sign. "I don't know everything," she confessed. "But Bryn Corbin has the Black Pearl… and when we fled Tortuga he was trying to take over the town…"

"It would not be the first time that your husband has lost his ship," he pressed. "How do you know he is dead?"

"Because Corbin came to offer his sympathies," she said sniffing. "He wouldn't have the courage to approach me if Jack were alive…"

"It must have happened just after they escaped us," Theodore suggested. Bessie looked to him sharply. "We spotted the Black Pearl and gave chase. The Black Pearl had some damage – the top of her main mast was missing and she was holed, although it looked as if the repairs were still holding. If she had not fired on that merchant ship, I would have had him…"

"What would you have done?" Bessie whispered.

"Hanged him," Theodore admitted. "Your husband was a pirate, Bessie…" He sighed. "He must have had a run in with Corbin afterwards…"

"And what do you know of this Corbin?" James Norrington asked. He noted that the child did not insist on him receiving his proper title.

"Bryn Corbin is Welsh," Bessie said quietly. "He was captain of The Crow… and he and Jack have hated each other since before I knew him." She looked worriedly at the Commodore, hoping that he would accept her offer. "Before you held me here in the hope of catching Jack… now I offer myself as bait for Corbin…"

"And why do you think he will come?" the Commodore frowned.

"Because he wants me… he wants me because I was Jack's…" Bessie whispered. "All I ask is safety for the nine of us…"

"Nine?" Theodore puzzled. He was sure he had only counted seven children earlier.

Bessie looked downwards, blushing. "I am with child again…" she admitted quietly.

Elizabeth grinned, reaching across to hug her. "Congratulations Bessie!" she said warmly.

Bessie smiled at her before turning back to the Commodore. "I ask no charity," she insisted. "I have a home and can feed my family… I'll work if I have to… please?"

James Norrington frowned. She had not tried to sneak into town, but had approached him openly, asking for his aid – and although the manner of her departure before had caused the death of Captain Gillette, Bessie herself had committed no crime… other than associating with pirates. He sighed, looking at the children. A pirates brood perhaps, but he was no so heartless that he could not turn them from Port Royal. "You may stay," he said finally. "And I will watch for Corbin…"

"Thank you," Bessie smiled gratefully.

"Do you still hold the key to Mistress Sparrow's home?" the Commodore asked, turning to Theodore.

"In my study Commodore," he admitted, shrugging as Bessie looked at him in surprise. She had not thought about who would watch her home after she had fled. "I hoped if you were to return that you would come to me," he said. "If you walk with me I will fetch it for you."

"Thank you Captain," Bessie said quietly."

"If you have no further questions for Mistress Sparrow, perhaps I may see to getting the family settled?" Theodore offered, looking in askance towards the Commodore.

He nodded. "Give Captain Groves a description of Corbin and I will ensure it is circulated to the troops," he said, indicating that she was free to leave.

"Thank you Commodore," Bessie said gratefully, gathering her family about her before following Elizabeth and Captain Groves from the office. Again the two women shielded the children from the corpse hanging in the yard and they were soon clear of the fort.

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