Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.

Chapter 26: My Crewmembers

Camille looked at her father. "Father, Commodore Norrington was telling me that the Black Pearl has been sighted near the main docks, but with white sails. Isn't that odd?" she said, hoping her father would get the hint.

Dorian looked at his daughter for a moment. "White sails, did you say? Well, that does sound rather out of the ordinary. And at the main docks, too? How obvious!"

"Yes, it does seem a bit out of place," Norrington agreed. "Nevertheless, we shall conduct a full search of Port Celebros," he said, finally satisfied that Camille held no useful information. "If you hear anything about him, please do not hesitate to contact me. There is a reward for 800 pounds on his head."

"Well James, it certainly was nice to see you. We shall have to do tea some time," Dorian said, smiling and shaking his friend's hand.

"Yes, we shall," Norrington said. "Good evening, Dorian. Miss Quartermaine," he said, tilting his hat.

"Goodnight, Commodore," Camille said pleasantly before shutting the door. She leaned back on it and breathed an enormous sigh of relief. Dorian looked at her disapprovingly.

"I refuse to keep defending your shenanigans like this. You are a grown woman, Camille. You can't possibly think that you are going to remain on that ship with those pigheaded men."

"Pigheaded men? Father, I'll have you know that I have not been less than ladylike with ANY of my crewmembers!" Camille argued.

"Your crewmembers? Camille, you are my daughter, and I will not lose you again to those people! You are staying here, and that's final," he said before going into a coughing fit.

Her blood was still boiling about what had just been said, but she helped him find a seat on the couch until it stopped. "Father, maybe you should go upstairs and get some sleep. It just doesn't seem to me like your cold is getting any better."

"Nonsense, Camille. The doctor said I would have a dry cough like this for a few weeks. I'm fine," he said, acting like the previous argument had never taken place.

"Well, I still think you should get some sleep. Now go on upstairs. I'll turn down the lights," Camille said, making sure that her father was out of sight before opening the closet door.

Jack was leaning against the wall inside, cleaning his nails. He looked up. "Well done, love. I must say, you've become quite the actress lately."

"I learned from the best."

He stepped out of the closet, looking around in amazement. "I don't remember your house being this big," he said, closing the door.

"To be honest, neither did I when I walked in. But that is beside the point. Jack, you've got to lay low. Ana Maria went to warn the others, I'm sure they'll know what to do."

But Jack shook his head. "Unlikely." He started toward the door, but Camille grabbed onto his arm.

"No, Jack! They're looking for you; they'll catch you if you go out there. Stay here and lay low for a bit."

He looked at her. "Camille, what do I have to do to get it through your head that I have no interest in staying here?"

"It doesn't matter if you're not interested in staying here. I'm not going to let them catch you. Please, Jack. Stay. You don't have to say a word to my father, I promise you," she said, trying to guess the reason that Jack didn't want to stay.

He got that look on his face; that look that he always got when someone challenged his authority. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her. He tried to be angry with her, he really did. He did not want to have to set himself up, only to say goodbye to this woman forever. He was still having trouble figuring out what she meant to him. But she was so sincere, and looked so stunning in that dress that he couldn't just walk away. He gave in. "All right, all right. I'll stay. For one day."

She smiled. "One day is not good enough, I'm afraid."

"Bloody hell, woman. Two days. Two days, that is final," he said sternly.

"I'll show you to your room. And Annie will wash your clothes, and if you ever get tired of the children Ana Maria or I will watch them, and-"

Jack put his finger up to her lips again. "You're really glad to be home again, aren't you?" he asked sincerely.

She nodded. "I never thought I would miss this, but I guess I was wrong," she admitted. "Come on, this way," she said as she began ascending the staircase.