I had learned much in my time at Port Royal, mostly just to be myself and express myself freely without being afraid that someone might hurt me for it. I was a different person, a person who belonged in 1765. But my previous life was still very real.
I had friends now, a new and happy life, one that I was not ready to leave. But I knew I had to go back sometime, face them again. Every time I saw the fort, I saw the door, and a foreboding crept over me that shook me. Would my parents even listen to me, accept me as someone who no longer belonged to them? Either way, I had to go tell them that I had my own life, and that I no longer wanted to be associated with them.
At least two months had passed, three complete months since my arrival. I had not seen Norrington much – he had left about a month after the dinner at the Governor's home in search of a band of renegade pirates. During that month I had seen him only twice, and just briefly for the space of about an hour or so each time. Our conversations had been very easy, and he had even smiled once or twice. We talked a great deal about the navy, and I had promised him a story about my time at the Virginia Beach port with my uncle.
The last I had heard from Norrington was a letter Mrs. Mason had given me one day when I was returning from a fencing lesson with Will Turner. The script was elegant, the envelope sealed with a stamp. I opened it as I jogged up to my room.
Miss Fitzgerald –
Duty calls me to the sea. I am to leave in two days, so I will have to postpone our meeting and your promised story until I return. Unfortunately, I cannot say exactly when I will return, but I do not doubt that I shall return within a few months. Pirates are not that hard to find and capture.
Wish us safe passage, and I hope to return soon as my curiosity cannot be kept at bay much longer concerning your story.
Regards,
Capt. L. Norrington
Now, I waited, passing the time at work, with Will and Elizabeth. It was well into May, the weather balmy and wonderful. I had begun adapting to 18th century clothing, finding it easier to wear men's clothes, but wearing women's when I needed to. I would only wear dresses around Norrington and the Governor and at the fort, but I would switch to more comfortable dresses that didn't need corsets at work and wear men's clothes with Will.
"Fiona!" Will appeared from a side street, weighed down with swords and buckles. He staggered up to me, and I grabbed some of the load. "Thank you."
"Where are you headed?"
"The fort. These are officers' things that needed repairing."
"I'll help. Come on." He smiled with relief, and we evened the loads, going off to the fort.
"We are we going to have our next duel?" he asked.
"I don't know. I've been thinking about finally going back to 2004. I think I may have found a way."
"Why? You're happy here, aren't you? What's the point? I thought you hated life there."
"I do, but I feel obligated to go back, give an explanation, and then leave. I mean, they should know, right?"
"I suppose. My father died when I was young, so I don't remember him. My mother died when I was 9, so I came out here."
"Sorry."
"It's all right." We were quiet for a moment. "I've been wanting to thank you for what you've been doing for me and Elizabeth, the meetings. We wouldn't have been able to meet had you not shown up."
"No problem, really. I think Norrington is beginning to get the idea that Elizabeth doesn't like him as a possible husband. As a friend, that's ok. But she loves you." Will grinned sheepishly, almost giddily.
"How do you know about Norrington?"
"I don't know, per say, I'm just getting an inkling from the way he acts around her now. It's changed – he's not as interested any more. And it doesn't seem to bother him."
Will shrugged, not caring the slightest bit as long as he had Elizabeth. We arrived at the fort, an officer directing us to the armory, where the swords were taken by a young man. I was still in my work clothes, a dress that couldn't be placed in the common or the upper class and a bodice.
"Well, I've got to get back to the shop," Will excused himself. I wandered across the ramparts, glancing between the bay and the door I had seen when playing Bach. I was looking back towards the bay when my eyes fell upon the Dauntless, which was anchored in the bay. Norrington had left on the Dauntless. Turning to the nearest soldier, I asked,
"When did the Dauntless return?"
"Not 10 minutes ago, Miss," he said. My eyes frantically darted over the docks, until I saw the tall figure, signing papers with a flick of the quill. A sigh escaped me, my heart slowing. What's wrong with me? I thought. Why should I care about him? I pulled myself back into the shadows, both physically and mentally. No, I can't, I can't risk that. I slipped down the stairs to the parade ground, then hesitated. My eyes flitted towards the door, and I walked towards it. Standing before it, I could hear my heart pounding in my chest and ears. Reaching out, I wanted to open it, turn the latch and go fix everything and come back. Or not come back. Cold brass came in contact with skin, and my fingers curled around the latch.
"Fiona!" My hand leapt back as I stepped away from the door. Boots crunched on gravel, and Norrington appeared. "Fiona?" he said, sounding concerned. His hand touched my arm. I took a deep breath, still staring at the door. Then, I greeted him.
"Welcome back, Captain," I said.
"Thank you. Are you well?"
"I think so." I followed him out onto the ramparts. "Was your escapade successful?"
"Yes. All were killed, and the ship was destroyed at sea."
"Any British casualties?" I asked.
"Only a few wounded." I nodded, feeling distant. I had to leave, and soon.
"Excuse me, Captain, I have to go." I curtsied clumsily and fast-walked out of the fort, only breaking into a run in the town.
I sat on the bed, lower back touching the backboard. My legs were drawn up, my arms resting on them, my chin on them, a semi-fetal position but sitting up. I wasn't thinking about anything – I was in a limbo of sorts.
A faint knock came, and a servant girl came in.
"'scuse me, miss, but a boy done just brought a note for ya, said it was urgent." I held out a hand, not looking at her, and felt the rectangular piece of parchment in my palm.
"Thank you," I excused her flatly. After the door shut, I held up the envelope, and recognized the elegant script of Norrington. What could he want? Opening it, I soon found out.
Dear Fiona –
What were you doing in the fort this afternoon? You seemed distant when we talked, and you were extremely pale. I may be forward in writing this, but your condition has caused me some concern.
While I am desirous of an explanation, please do not over-exert yourself on my account. I look forward to seeing you sometime in the near future.
Regards,
Capt. Lawrence Norrington
The first three things I noticed where his opening address, his closing address, and the almost casualness of the note. First it had just been 'Miss Fitzgerald,' in person and in letters, now it was 'Dear Fiona.'
I dropped the letter on the bed, stretching out. He did deserve an explanation. Where would he be now?
Grabbing my coat, I dashed out onto the street, jogging to the fort. The night air was cool against my skin, bringing in the scent of the sea. As I reached the fort, two redcoats stopped me.
"Sorry, miss, no one allowed in the fort after dark," said one.
"I'm here to see Captain Norrington."
"Sorry, can't let you in 'less I got orders from Captain Norrington or the commodore."
"Forsythe, what's going on down there?" barked a familiar voice.
"Someone here to see you, Captain," called back Forsythe. "Young lady named…."
"Fitzgerald," I told him.
"A Miss Fitzgerald, sir."
"Let her in!" A side door opened and I was admitted. Norrington was there in an instant, frowning. "What are you doing here at this time of night?" he asked lowly, pulling me into the shadows.
"You said you wanted an explanation! So here I am!"
"I didn't say now!"
"Never a good as time as the present!"
"Tomorrow. I'm on duty and cannot take up time with such trivial matters as this. I have a city to protect, and with the recent killings of those pirates I could soon have a lot of angry pirates on my hands coming to get the three being hanged in the morning." I bit my lower lip, then nodded, turning away. "I was hoping you'd understand, Miss Fitzgerald," he said, more calmly, "that the protection of this city is my first priority. I meant no disrespect to you."
"Of course you want the best for the townspeople. I'll be on my way…And the explanation is that I've found my way back. The door you saw me at is my way home. I'll be leaving in a few days, so if I don't see you again, goodbye." I slammed the door behind me, and marched down the street.