What Is & What Will Never Be

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not & cannot obtain ownership of POTC 1, 2, or 3...

AN: I am a BAD person and I forgive you if you blast the bejesus ou' of me with your little cannons and pilfer my weasley black guts out. I know I haven't written in like...5 weeks (cringe) but I've been terribly busy and spending time w/ my family & on a long vacation. I promise I will update continually for the rest of the summer!

Hey, did you see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory? EEh! I loved it!

"Wotcher, mates! 'Tis so good to see you two back in town again, eh?"

James Norrington and Belle Berneray smiled politely at the old sailor, seen frequently around Port Royal. He was of British/Irish decent, and wore a blue seafaring suit.

Belle connected arms with her husband, briefly glancing up at him, before speaking to the sailor.

"Yes, thank you. It's good to be back up and about."

Norrington nodded, smiling, and tipped his hat to the man, who nodded in acknowledgment.

"Keepin' up wi' the duties, gov'nor?"

This was probably meant as a joke, but whether or not the seadog really believed Norrington was the governor, you could never tell.

James laughed politely. "Oh yeah. I've obtained a few weeks off to spend with my lovely wife here."

With this, James gave her a kiss.

"Mmm...Mighty well good. Mighty well..."

The sailor stared hard at Belle, then looked back at the Commodore.

"Well, I congratulate ye. She's a terrible pretty 'un, in't she?"

He looked back at Belle. "Care fer a snog, luv?"

Belle blushed to the color of crimson. Norrington actually looked a bit angered for a split-second, but before either of them could say anything, the rogue spoke.

"Jus' jokin', jus' jokin', mates! Honestly, t'was a tease to see ye." He waved his hand in a farewell gesture.

"You just watch yourself there, mate", James called after him as he began to stroll away. "You're lucky I've forgiven you, but next time, I'll have you banged up!"

"Oh, James, please!" Belle gently scolded as they continued on their way. "Of course he was joking!"

"Better have done, miss", Norrington responded to her. Her cheeks were still pink.

"That's what you get for conversing with those from downtown London."

Belle looked at him in moderate surprise.

Norrington raised his eyes emphatically. "And that's a fair warning."

Belle sighed, rolling her eyes, as she wrapped her arm around James's, and they strolled together through the bazaar.

Jade Rochet strolled up to a kiosk in the midst of the lively marketplace.

She peered at the ornaments and jewelry, and at the dolls that were woven out of a type of tree bark. These she took a fancy to; seeing their unique exquisiteness, with their little dresses made of pretty, beaded cloth, and their hair of yarn, and their eyes of dazzling petite stones.

Just as she picked one of the dolls up, running a finger over the doll's dress, she felt a touch on her back, and a clearing of the throat. She turned around.

"Jack", she greeted pleasurably. She half-frowned, but the corners of her mouth were not able to resist lifting in a smile, for her clear bliss in seeing him. She was annoyed at the pirate, however, for earlier, as they were walking through the village, (while Jack was walking behind her nearly the entire time) at one moment, Jade looked back to tell him something, and he'd disappeared.

"Where have you been?"

Jack only smiled, and answered with a kiss. He then stepped back, and reaching into his pocket, extracted a slip of paper.

Jade lifted her sparkling eyes in question.

"Bumped into Gibbs back there", Jack explained.

"Gibbs? Mais, isn't he avec the crew in...?"

"Aye, Tortuga, he was." He slipped the parchment back into his pocket, then rolled his eyes.

"But apparently, the bloody crew wants me for somethin'...they say it can't wait...And I told 'em...I told 'em I'd be layin' low fer a while with my best mates and my lass, but what do they do? Bloody summon their Captain fer a negotiation o' some sort. Bollocks..."

"Well...must you go?"

"Most likely. Crew's gettin' restless. An' I don't trust 'em to leave Tortuga without my knowledge an' consent. But I might find a way 'round it."

He suddenly dropped the subject, as his eyes averted to the doll in Jade's hands.

For a fleeting moment, Jack was worried, and cautiously asked,

"What's that, then?"

Having forgotten that she was holding the doll, Jade looked at it in remembrance.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought about petite Jenevieve when I saw it."

"Oh..." Jack inwardly sighed in relief. He nodded and recalled the other miscellaneous things Jade had picked up for that baby girl over the past two weeks; playthings, ribbons, a pillow, accessories...

He smirked. "Soon that lassie'll start expectin' things from you, and'll call you Auntie Jade if you keep spoilin' her like tha'."

"Oh, Jack", she shook her head, and placed the doll back on the table. "Elle c'est trop adorable."

Jack felt the tinge of motherliness emanating from her...maybe it was auntiness?

Clearing his head of these thoughts, he took her arm. "Are you ready then, love?"

"Oui. Monsieur Turner is probably wondering what's taken so long. And you must tell me more about this venture you've been called to take part in."

Jack sighed. "We'll discuss it at the house."

Jade was curious at Captain Sparrow's tone, but did not question the matter further until they reached the Turner's household.

Jack himself was questioning the matter over in his mind. He had left specific instructions with the crew—and especially Gibbs, who was in charge of the lot. So it must be something important. Was it just another negotiation? Or was it something more? Whatever it was, Gibbs didn't want to go on into details about it, and he was in a mighty hurry by the looks of it, only giving Jack the note, and telling him to get to Tortuga quickly.

"Ah, Monsieur Sparrow, Mademoiselle Rochet, you're just in time", the butler welcomed the couple as he let them in. "Monsieur and Madame Turner and just sitting to tea in the dining room, and they would be pleased if you would join them."

"Merci—"

"Thank you", Jack and Jade answered, and left with a nod towards the dining hall.

As they entered, they saw Will and Elizabeth sitting at the table by the window, looking happy as they spoke to each other. Sunlight poured through the window, lighting the room, and making it a beautiful setting.

Elizabeth was still dressed in nightgown and robe, all of Will's doing, certainly. Within but a moment, he looked up and saw Jack and Jade, and rose to greet them. Elizabeth made to stand as well, but Will fussed about his wife, insisting that she stay put and relax, for she needed rest in her recuperating condition.

"What a pleasant surprise. We'd been wondering where you two got off to this morning", Elizabeth greeted smilingly.

"Just made our way around town. Pilfering an' the like", Jack answered.

"Tsk, tsk..." Elizabeth murmured.

"How are you feeling? And how is Jenevieve?" Jade asked as she sat down next to Mrs. Turner.

"Oh, I'm very well, I must say." She glanced towards Will, who was pouring the tea. "But my iniquitous husband won't let me out and about on such a gorgeous day."

"Elizabeth", Will reproved gently, as he set a cup of tea in her hands, and in turn, set cups of tea before Jack and Jade.

"Anyway", Elizabeth continued. She then paused. "Oh Will", she started up again as he sat down and took a drink from his cup.

He lifted his gaze to her. "Mmm?"

"Did I tell you father is going to be along in a few weeks?"

"No, you didn't", Will responded a bit warily. Jack suddenly turned wary as well.

"Well, unless he gets delayed, of course."

"Knock on wood, mate", Jack elbowed Will, and muttered in his ear.

Will gave a light chuckle, but shook his head.

Elizabeth noticed the gesture, and was about to comment, when Jack cleared his throat.

"Speaking of delays..." He looked towards Elizabeth, and said, in attempt to flatter her, "'Lizbeth, luv." His attempt didn't work as much as it used to...

"I might be reported in the midst of one as we speak."

"Oh, Jack", Jade exclaimed. "What was that mess you were speaking of that made us so late?"

His eyes seemed to darken, and he looked as if he thoroughly disliked embarking upon the subject. He spoke, nonetheless.

"Well, of course, I was told by ol' Mr. Gibbs, tha' I'm needed to come down to Tortuga immediately..."

These words sent Elizabeth into a flurry. "You have to leave, Jack? Now?" She clasped and unclasped her fingers. "I know I shouldn't expect you to stay long..."

Will drew Jack aside. "Jack, I know it has been two weeks, which is quite the longest time in a while you've been on land, but we talked about this."

"I know, mate..."

"Listen, Jack. At any other time, you leaving would be fine. But under the circumstances..." he glanced over at his wife. "Elizabeth's recovering; she's taking care of our baby; she's just getting back into the swing of things. In this state of vulnerability, who knows if bloody Norrington'll make his way back here...And her father as well. If he starts hammering her with questions, and rubbing it in some more about me..."

He sighed. "She just can't handle that stress right now."

"Will, mate, I understand."

"I just..." He ran a hand through his hair. "With me going back to work full-time tomorrow, Elizabeth will be here with our baby from morning till night everyday...And at this point, I'm worried about her. About her safety..."

"Alright..."

"So, Jack, you know—if you could stay just a bit longer to make sure everything's alright. Then I'll have the courage to trust the housekeeper and the butler."

"Jesus Will! Dump all this bloody pressure on me, eh? Already got one lass to monitor; now ye want me to keep tabs on yours?"

Will looked taken aback for a second.

Jack rose to his feet. "I'll do what I can, savvy?"

"My, look at the time", Jack murmured as he glanced at the grandfather clock, which timed half-past four. "I'd best be off to the docks to see what I can do about my sudden expected departure."

Will and Elizabeth bid him farewell; afterwards, Elizabeth rushed to the nursery to check on Jenevieve, who was sleeping peacefully.

Jade accompanied Jack to the door.

He gave her a kiss goodbye, but before he departed, Jade placed a hand upon his arm, stopping him.

"What really is the nature if this, Jack?"

Jack sighed. "Look, darling, I'm not sure meself, but after I have this meeting with Gibbs, I'll know everythin'. An' I have a feeling it's something underhanded tha' only Captain Jack Sparrow can handle", he said with a smirk.

"Alright, just come back soon."

With a roguish I-can't-believe-you're-worried-about-this;-I'm-Captain-Jack-Sparrow smile, he lifted his hat, and murmured, "Tah", before closing the door behind him.

Jade breathed out as the door closed, and leaned back against it, sighing, then retreated back to the dining hall, only to find it empty.

After taking another sip of her half-finished tea, she quietly peered into the nursery, whence she found Will and Elizabeth playing with their daughter. Jade was happily invited to take part.

Elle c'est trop adorable: She is too adorable