Author's Note: I think this is a chapter that you, my beloved readers, may enjoy. Captain Parrish and Captain Jack Sparrow finally come face to face, as you had to know they would! I hope everyone enjoys it, and thanks again to all who reviewed!
Chapter Thirteen
The next night, a little before eleven PM, Parrish arrived at the docks. 'So far there is no sign of anyone else' he thought to himself, 'I'll probably see anyone coming before they see me, so that'll give me an advantage' he thought and grinned slightly.
Hidden in the shadows of the docks Jack watched Parrish. Jack planned not to reveal himself until a few minutes after eleven. He'd let Parrish sweat a little.
"Why are we hidden? That's only Captain Parrish!" The Governor said to Elizabeth.
"Father, be patient. I promise you will see something interesting enough to make it all worthwhile", Elizabeth whispered patiently.
"Why can't you just tell me what this is all about? Why are we hiding in the shadows, and why did we bring soldiers with us?"
"You will understand soon enough Father, I promise. Please be quiet now!" Elizabeth said.
"Why are we here, of all places?" Norrington demanded of Will, who was standing silently in the shadows next to him in a far corner of the docks. "It's not safe for me to be here, what if I'm caught?"
"This is all part of Jack's plan, just trust us Commodore, this will work, it has to." Will whispered.
"And if it doesn't? What then?" Norrington demanded.
"It will, just don't worry and be quiet. Jack will be here soon, that is if he is not here already and just hiding somewhere."
A few minutes after eleven, when Parrish started to fidget and check his watch impatiently Jack crept up behind him and said, "Hello Parrish." Parrish whipped around and stared at Jack, who grinned and said, "So nice of you to come, and on time too."
"Who the hell are you?" Parrish demanded.
"That's Jack Sparrow!" Governor Swann gasped. "What's he doing with Captain Parrish!"
"Hush! Father you must be quiet!" Elizabeth hissed, "It will all be explained soon enough"
"What does he think he's doing?" Norrington whispered anxiously to Will.
"Quiet Commodore, Jack has been planning this for some time now, he knows what he is doing." Will said calmly, not taking his eyes off Jack and Parrish.
"But that's Parrish! What does Sparrow think he's playing at?" Norrington hissed.
"You will see momentarily, be quiet now!" Will whispered.
"Ye don't know who I am? I find that hard to believe, considering ye worked, however briefly, under Norrington. The man is obsessed with catching me" Jack grinned and watched Parrish intently.
"Is he now?" Parrish said nervously, "Well I don't know you. Who are you?"
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, mate." Jack said.
"I see," Parrish said, "and are you the one who has been sending me notes?"
"Aye, that was me", Jack said nodding. "Ye framed Norrington", he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Why would that be of any concern to you, even if I did do such a thing it would be to your benefit if he has been trying to catch you." Parrish said.
"It's not o' any particular concern to me mate, I'm just curious as to how ye did it, could ye explain it?" Jack said, his eyes still narrowed, still watching Parrish intently.
"Why should I explain anything to you? Why am I even talking to you?" Parrish demanded.
"'Cause mate, I'm the one what holds all the cards here. If ye don't indulge me, I'll tell the world yer little secret, and make no mistake, ye will hang for it." Jack said coldly, "Did ye rape the girl yerself, then set up the scene to make it appear it was Norrington who done it?"
"If you already know everything, why should I be explaining", Parrish demanded.
"Just answer the question Parrish!" Jack snarled.
"Alright! That is what I did!" Parrish yelled, "But he deserved it! Mr. High and Mighty! Always getting the promotions that should have been mine! He'll never get another promotion again though!" Parrish said with a maniacal grin.
"How did ye make people believe it was him? Just a badge? I was under the impression Norrington was well trusted." Jack asked keenly.
"Simple!" Parrish sneered in a self satisfied way, "I just had that fool Gillette find the girl with me and he identified the badge as Norrington's and agreed that he must have done it and was definitely guilty! The idiot almost cried when he denounced Norrington, but once he did the whole town believed him since everyone knew how much he worshiped the Commodore, so they figured if he said it there was no room for doubt."
Jack nodded slowly, a triumphant glint in his eyes, "That's what I thought", he murmured softly.
"The Governor is a gullible old fool, he swallowed all of the evidence against Norrington. The only flaw in my plan was Norrington's escape" Parrish said, grinning at what he considered a brilliant plan.
"That's enough!" came a shout from the shadows, "Arrest that man!" the Governor said as he emerged from the shadows, pointing furiously at Parrish.
"No!" Parrish yelled as five soldiers rushed forward and surrounded him, "Governor!" Parrish said, his eyes wide, "I didn't mean it! I was just humoring him! He's clearly insane! I'm innocent!"
"Arrest him!" Governor Swann shouted again. In a matter of minutes, despite Parrish's struggle, he was bound and gagged.
"How will we get Commodore Norrington back?" Gillette asked, emerging from the men.
"No need Gillette, I'm right here." Norrington said as he stepped out of the shadows with a grinning Will behind him.
"Commodore! You have my full apologies, you will of course be reinstated", the Governor said.
"Thank you Governor Swann." Norrington said, excepting the apology.
Meanwhile Jack was quietly creeping away, trying not to attract any attention. "Not so fast you!" yelled a voice and rough hands grabbed Jack and dragged him into the light. "What do we do with Sparrow?" the man asked.
"Captain Sparrow, if ye please sir." Jack said.
Norrington looked quickly at Jack, however his expression was blank. "Lock him up!" the Governor said.
"Father!" Elizabeth said hurriedly, "If it weren't for Jack, you would never have discovered the Commodore's innocence!"
"He is still a pirate, we gave him leeway once, we can't do it again, we're bound by the law!" the Governor replied, "Right Commodore?" he said, glancing at Norrington.
"The law, yes", Norrington murmured not looking at Jack. He turned to the soldiers and said, "Take them both away!"
As Jack and Parrish were led away Norrington waited for the pirate captain to show some sign of anger or betrayal, but neither crossed his face. In fact, Jack didn't even look at Norrington, and his expression was completely indifferent. It was then that Norrington remembered Gibbs saying Jack had given the crew orders in case he didn't return. He realized Jack had known all along he may be arrested but had proceeded with his plans anyway. He also remembered the day Jack, Will, and Elizabeth had their meeting and he had overheard Elizabeth saying it sounded like there was some risk to Jack. Well now he knew what she had meant.
"We'll decide what to do in the morning", the Governor said, bringing Norrington abruptly back to the present, "Right now I suggest everyone get some sleep." There were nods and murmurs of agreement all around and everyone headed off to their separate homes. Now only the Governor, Norrington, Will, and Elizabeth stood together. "Commodore, I, ah, am terribly sorry for this whole misunderstanding", the Governor said apologetically.
"I understand Governor", Norrington said with a nod.
"Right, well we will discuss it in the morning. Come along Elizabeth, time to go home", said the Governor.
"You go ahead Father, Will and I would like to have a word with the Commodore", Elizabeth said.
After the Governor had left they both turned to Norrington and Will said, "You let Jack be arrested! After everything he did for you! It's because of him that your name is cleared!"
"What was I supposed to do?" Norrington demanded, "He is an outlaw! I would like to let him go, but I don't know how to do that!"
"Calm down, both of you!" Elizabeth said calmly, "Jack knew the risk when he came up with this plan."
"That doesn't make it right!" Will said furiously.
"I agree," Elizabeth said, "James isn't there anything you can do?"
"I'm not sure, I have to think", Norrington said, "Why would he risk getting arrested for me?"
"Because he is a good man", Will said.
"Apparently better than I knew", Norrington admitted.