There'll be no livin' with her after this

Chapter 8-Blooming relationship

Disclaimer: No, I don't own POTC…

One can imagine the look on Will's face when Captain Jack Sparrow came waltzing in, with a girl on his arm. Will's jaw dropped, but Jack glared at him, and continued walking the girl to a room.

"Oh God, Jack", Will mumbled, shaking his head.

Jack presently came out of the room. "What?" he said when Will glared at him.

"Jack, I've told you a million times—don't get involved with a girl!"

"Will", Jack said calmly, but restlessly, "We have to leave now."

"Well, that's what I've been…" Will cut in, but Jack kept speaking.

"You know that bloody guard I appointed to watch me ship and such?"

Will nodded slowly.

"Well, he was cheatin' me an' scheming against me the whole bloody time, savvy? Now he's uh…dead…"

"Jack!"

"No, I had to, mate…He was goin' to do somethin' dreadful to Jade…But now they're all after me…Jade as well."

"Jack, you get into so much…It takes a fool to do what you did."

"Well, it's very good I'm not a fool, then, aye?" Jack said with a smirk.

Knowing that he was not going to win this argument, Will gave up. "Let's go."

"One more thing, mate", Jack said, with a sly look on his face. "Did it hurt?"

"Did what hurt?"

"You know; snip-snip?"

"Oh my bloody God, Jack!" Will exclaimed, infuriated.

Jack burst out laughing. "And I'd like to hear your lovely singing voice!"

Jade sat on the bed, looking at her surroundings. It was the same room she had been in before, when she had met the spirited Captain Jack. She put her hand to her lips, where Jack had kissed her, and sighed.

(Knock, knock, knock, knock)

The sound at the door startled Belle, wondering who it was at this time of the morning. She went to it, and was open to open it, when she saw a note on the floor.

'Jade's with me. Don't tell em anything. Jack'

She looked in surprise at the note, not sure what to believe. More knocking caught her attention, and she opened the door to some Navy guards.

"Miss, do you happen to know the whereabouts of a Miss Jade Rochet? I've heard you know of her."

"Um…"

"And a certain rogue; a Captain Jack Sparrow?"

"Deserves to be hanged, that one does", one guard said.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I've only seen Miss Rochet once or twice around town, and to that pirate rogue-(she mocked a scoffing look) I've never heard of him."

The guard studied her for a few moments, then finally said, "Alright lads, let's go. Thank you for your time."

All the guards left, but one stayed behind.

"Belle."

"James!" she exclaimed, happy to see him.

"Belle, what was that? I can't believe…"

"James", she interrupted. "Jade is my friend. She's apparently in danger if she were to stay here…so please tell your guards to stop the search. Yes, she left…" Belle quickly let him glance at the note. "But it's not for superfluous reasons. I know her. She's fine."

Norrington seemed lost for words, but finally said, "Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Alright then."

"Thank you."

"Would you…"

"Would you like..?"

They smiled at one another. "I'd be obliged to, James. Why don't you come over 'round late afternoon?"

"Yes", James said, and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "See you then."

Belle softly closed the door behind her, and sighed pleasantly.

Precisely, at 2:00 pm, Commodore Norrington arrived at Belle's house again. Belle was nervous. Of course she had conversed with the Commodore before…amongst other things…but she was worried about going out with him on a real date.

Nonetheless, she opened the door.

"Superior evening, madam."

Belle smiled and blushed. "Indeed i'tis, sir."

The two relaxed throughout the evening, feeling more comfortable as they talked.

"Miss Berneray…"

"Yes, Commodore?"

"I would just like to say again, that I am remorseful. I should not have let it go that far…"

"Don't worry", Belle said, touching the Commodore's hand. "It was my fault as well. Now we can get to be, truly, familiar with each other…and see how it goes."

Bienvenue il dans votre vie

Belle remembered what her dear friend had told her, when she returned home. She wasn't as worried about her as she had been. She had made a mental note to send Jade a telegram, saying it was safe to return to Port Royal, if she wished it.