Disclaimer: I own nothing from PotC.
A/N: I'm so happy that you all seemed to like this story. Nobody liked it ending that way for Jack, did you ;-)
Destroyed:
"Admiral! Admiral! It's been done, Sir!" the Admiral's aide burst into his cabin, completely out of breath, an ear to ear grin spread across his red face.
"Mr. Bertrem, I don't need to remind you that an Admiral's time is his own, and disturbing that time requires at the very least a knock." The older officer stood with his back to the lieutenant, gazing out at Kingston's harbor. He had not been engaged in any important business, just enjoying a good glass of port and a few blessed moments of peace and quiet.
The aide bowed his head in polite embarrassment, but remained unabashed. Straightening his uniform jacket and clearing his throat, he began again, his voice more composed. "Of course, Sir, but news such as this …"
"Yes, yes, what is it?" the Admiral waved his hand, gesturing for Mr. Bertrem to get on with it. These days, he seemed to have less and less patience for the impertinence of youth.
"It's the Black Pearl, Sir. She's been destroyed!" the aide fought for control, but he could not keep the excitement from his words anymore than he could keep the smile from retaking his face.
Destroyed. The word hung in the air between the seasoned Admiral and the eager young lieutenant. Gazing across the harbor, the older officer could see memories of himself at that age. Over thirty years had passed since he first enlisted in the King's Navy, set on changing the world. He had risen smartly through the ranks to become the scourge of piracy in the West Indies. The Black Pearl and her Captain were the last true pirate threat in these waters. Destroyed. That one small word shot across the room and hit Admiral James Norrington with the force of a full broadside.
Slowly, the officer turned to face his aide. "Survivors?" he managed, through a suddenly dry throat.
"Only one, Sir."
"Sparrow?"
"No."
An inexplicable pang of sadness spread up from the Admiral's chest. Jack – Captain Jack Sparrow. Norrington smiled ruefully, he could afford the late pirate the meager kindness of getting his title correct, for once. The wily pirate had been a thorn in his side for the better part of his life, turning his whole world on it's ear more times than he could count. The man was a womanizer, a thief, a trickster and so many more things, but he was deep down a decent person. He was honorable and true to his word, not to mention the fact that he had the luck of the devil. Truly, he had been a worthy opponent for all these long years. So many men flying the black flag were more violent, more bloodthirsty, and certainly more threatening than Sparrow. Norrington had almost believed that there would always be something more pressing for the Royal Navy, than finally chasing down the infamous Black Pearl. He was almost sorry to see Sparrow's run come to an end. "Who was the one, then?"
The aide shook his head. "A woman."
The glass of port fell from the Admiral's hand, hitting the deck with a resounding crash. The young lieutenant rushed across the room to lend whatever support he could to his commanding officer. "Dear God," Norrington breathed.
Annie. Of all the woman that had passed through James' life, there had only been one Anamaria Tarret. Her father, a physician, had come to Kingston years ago, wedding a native woman. From the day of her birth, Annie's dark skin had set her apart from the proper English colonial society. She was excluded and ridiculed throughout her youth, and, if not for two overprotective big brothers, she may have grown to hate herself for her differences. Her life had not been easy, losing both parents early on, and then losing her dear brother Findley when he was sixteen and she only twelve. Later, the well-to-do women in Kingston had tolerated Annie because she had become the wife of Captain Christopher Laffley, one of the most daring, not to mention most wealthy, men in His Majesty's Navy. From that point on, Annie's life spiraled out of James' understanding. One way or another, she met Jack Sparrow and left behind the life she knew to become a member of his crew. Remembering her fire and her spirit, James wondered if she had not made a fine pirate.
"Sir, are you quite alright? Shall I send for the surgeon?"
Norrington shrugged off his aide's help. "No, I'm fine," he said. "This woman, who is she?"
The lieutenant spread his hands out in a gesture that indicated he had no idea. "Probably some girl waiting for ransom money from her rich parents," he scoffed. "She's in the hold up at Fort Arthur. Probably scared to death, but no one knew what to do with her. Some of the marines tried to convince us that she was a pirate herself, if you can believe that?"
The Admiral pressed his lips together and forced a smile. He had no wish to see Annie. They had fought on opposite sides for too long, how could their friendship have survived? She had given her heart to the pirate Captain with whom she sailed, though she'd never admitted this to anyone, maybe not even herself. No doubt, his loss was weighing heavily on her heart. Sighing, he closed his eyes. He was pleased that she had managed to avoid the notoriety that her Captain had won. "Call away my gig," Norrington instructed. "I would be interested to speak with this woman." He would let her go free. It was the least he could do.
TBC
Alright, I've never written from ol' Norry's point of view either. So, how did I do? And how did you like this chappy? Please, leave me a review before you're off.