Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.

Chapter 25: Norrington's Surprise Visit

Dinner was delicious, and despite Annie's protesting Camille and Ana Maria helped clean up while Will and Dorian talked over tea and the children went to play. Everybody was in high spirits that night, and the next couple of days. Peter and Sheila got along very well with Cadence and watched over her carefully whenever the three of them would play. Dorian and Will got along famously, and before long Camille had nearly forgotten her pirate life of the past three years.

That night, Camille had just finished helping Annie in the kitchen. She went out back, breathing deep the air that had just the slightest tint of salty sea breeze in it. She watched the children play for a moment, as Peter flitted about, pretending to be an explorer while Sheila and Cadence played with their dollies. She smiled, listening to them laugh and watching the sun go down.

She put her hands to her mouth. "Children! Time to come inside and get washed up for bed!"

Sheila looked up. "Five more minutes, Miss Camille? Please?" she begged.

Camille laughed. "That's what I said five minutes ago! Now!" she asked. She watched as they whizzed by her, Peter carrying Cadence. She smiled, taking one last glance at the sunset.

Then she sensed another presence. She stiffened, listening. Someone was sneaking up behind her. She began lifting up her skirts, reaching for the dagger that she always kept underneath her dress at her thighs. But before she could get it, two strong arms reached around her and held her tight.

She opened her mouth and began to scream, but it was muffled as one of the hands enclosed around her mouth. "Darling, it's me," she heard in her ear and immediately stopped struggling, turning around.

"My God Jack, you practically scared the life out of me!" she scolded. "All you have to do is knock on the door and I'll let you in," she insisted.

But he put his finger to her lips. "May we talk inside?"

She nodded, pulling him just inside and locking the doors. She narrowed her eyes, observing the backyard and gardens. Sure enough, she saw bits of red coming through them. She turned to Jack. "Again?"

"They saw the Pearl weigh anchor, I suppose," Jack said calmly. "You're as good as gold here, Camille, I'm not."

"You were stupid enough to sail right into the main port and you want me to save your arse?" she whispered fiercely. "Jack, you have to get out of this house right now, you are endangering the children," she warned him. But it was too late. There was a knock on the door.

"That would be Norrington," Jack informed her. "And might I add, once again, that you have underestimated me," he said indignantly.

She rolled her eyes. "Front closet," she said, hurrying to answer the door just as Jack hid.

Just as he had predicted, there stood Norrington in his Commodore's outfit. He looked a bit taken aback at seeing her standing there, but quickly regained his composure.

"Good evening, Miss Quartermaine. Forgive me, I was under the impression that you no longer resided here in Port Celebros."

"That's quite all right, Commodore. Do come in," she said, disguising her Irish accent. "Shall I summon my father?"

The Commodore put his hands behind his back, looking around suspiciously. "Well I was planning on speaking with him, but perhaps you may be of assistance."

"Of course, Commodore. Anything I can do," she said.

Norrington cleared his throat. "Miss Quartermaine, the pirate ship The Black Pearl has just weighed anchor in Celebros' main port."

She feigned surprise. "Has it really?"

The Commodore nodded. "Yes. You were the last person seen with Jack Sparrow, so I've come to ask about any information you may have regarding this pirate. Please keep in mind that any information withheld may be a warrant for your arrest."

"Commodore, please. I've not seen Captain Sparrow in quite some time," she pleaded.

He lifted his eyebrow. "You were seen boarding The Black Pearl with him."

"Yes, but I escaped shortly after that," she said, almost hesitating.

"Did you?"

"Yes, I did. And I would like to say that man has paid for his filthy deeds, but I'm afraid I don't know what's become of him."

Norrington looked at her, searching her face for any sign that she was lying. She had long perfected this technique, and Jack had even tested her for it. The woman could lie about absolutely anything if she needed to.

She took a breath. "Commodore Norrington, has he been spotted here in Port Celebros?" she asked in a low voice, looking as frightened as she could.

Believing the look of terror in her eyes, Norrington shook his head. "No, Miss Quartermaine. And I assure you, a full search is being conducted."

Camille bit her lip. "Good. That man and his entire black-sailed ship should hang for the heinous crimes they have-"

"The sails are not black."

"I beg your pardon, Commodore?"

"They're white."

"What?" she paused for a minute. "White sails? And no Captain Sparrow? That's very odd Commodore, are you sure that Captain Sparrow is even here?"

"Miss Quartermaine, there is no doubt that Mr. Sparrow is with that ship."

"Captain," she corrected under her breath.

"What was that, Miss Quartermaine?"

She cleared her throat. "Uhm, what I meant to say was, Captain Sparrow has always been a fairly clever-well I shouldn't say clever, but stealthy pirate. It doesn't seem to make sense that he would sail his ship into the main port, where he and his entire crew could easily be arrested," she pointed out. She spotted Ana Maria at the top of the stairs. Ana Maria just nodded, and was out of sight.

"James? James, is that you?" Dorian's voice suddenly called. He appeared upstairs and began descending the staircase.

"Good evening, Dorian. It's quite a pleasure to see you in good health again," Norrington said.