Chapter Five
Lord Beckett
The next morning, Jack was once again at the wheel when they sighted the white washed buildings of their destination. Most of the crew began celebrating, and made to dock around the other side of the island, a few of them planning to row into the port in a small fishing boat, pretending to be simple folk merely docking with their catch. The net full of tuna posed as the believable part to the plan, and Jack himself had volunteered to be one of three in the team to rescue Elizabeth, along with Will, and James. Had the latter not asked to be left here?
Rowing out into the blue waters, Will kept silent, as did Jack. All three were wearing 'disguise' looking rather Hispanic and foreign. Well, James didn't – but there was always the odd one out in a three wasn't there?
Pulling up to the jetty, they pretended to babble to each other in some strange tongue while Jack managed to fob the fees man into not paying – he soon got bored trying to prise some English out of the trio before they sauntered up to the market with their catch, keeping a sharp eye out for any larger ships docking in port, and a handful of guards gathering round. Jack new that this was the most likely thing to happen, and so they absentmindedly sold their catch and hung around. Waiting. Where was Norrington?
X x X x X
"I got here as soon as I could…" A nod to acknowledge his words.
"And a very fine attempt it was, Norrington. You've done me a great service, yes?" Norrington avoided Beckett's eyes. Yes, Beckett.
"I await further orders, sir?" A pause, and Beckett stood from being seated at the desk, strewn with a large map, an empty bottle of weak cider, a compass and some business documents. "Go back and tell them you know where she," he indicated his head to a door on the other side of the room, no doubt leading to the holding cells for slaves and other captives that the trading company had picked up.
"is being held, lure them here, and…" Norrington looked up as Beckett hesitated, and could see the man's scrutinizing eyes scanning his form.
"Go and make yourself a little more respectable, James?" A curt nod followed Beckett's complaint and Norrington left the small room.
X x X x X
"Captain?" James ran down the walkway, pausing for a second to catch his breath once more.
Gibbs raised a questioning eyebrow, and Will wasn't looking too sure himself of James' sudden arrival.
"I know where she is," he nodded with a small smile as Turner's eyes lit up; obviously the dark path had been brightened for him. "Follow," it was as if he was ordering a small dog.
They approached the large building quickly, and Norrington squinted up at it, raising a hand to shield his eyes against the white sunlight filtering down through the scarce clouds. He turned with a grave expression on his face, and dropped his eyes to the bleached dock.
"Excellent," Jack noted as they approached the Jail cells, dark eyes looking around for any sign that they were being followed, or that there were guards posted around the entrance. There was of course, but Will, knowing the port well enough, led them around a side alley and into another building. This way was how he had gotten in before, and dropping down a small trapdoor opening, Will led them along a dark, underground passage that opened right up into the main corridor. They had to be careful to avoid the guards on duty, but in to time they had followed James down to a row of holding cells, and a waiting Elizabeth.
As soon as they saw her, Will rushed forward, clasping her hands in blissful reunion. Jack however, caught her dismayed expression a little too late; for seconds later they had guns at their heads, arms twisted painfully behind backs. He looked across at Norrington, to find him averting his eyes and looking rather guilty. It was evidence enough let him know he had been a part of this all along.
"I'm guessing it's a Royal Navy thing?" He enquired with a small smile. As the barrel of the gun pressed closer into his back, Jack nodded, as he already knew the answer, adding, "Thought as much." In quite undertones as Beckett stepped forward.
"Escort Turner and Miss Swann to my office; I have a few terms they need to agree to regarding this."
"And what of Sparrow sir?"
"Captain, Captain Sparrow." Jack hissed quietly, before coming face to face with Beckett and falling silent. The man smiled.
"Captain Sparrow can be detained in the high security prison before his execution at Dawn."
Execution? No… no that wasn't ever part of the agreement… Norrington looked as though he was about to interrupt and suggest otherwise – perhaps make Sparrow serve a couple of years in prison… servitude… for the Navy? There was a chance he would die there anyway? God… he hadn't meant for deaths. Just… it didn't matter. It was Sparrow; one of two men who had ruined his life, and furthermore he was getting paid for what he had just done - money, to improve his life.
He turned and walked down the corridor, ascending the stairs with the guards behind him, and a struggling Jack being escorted the opposite way. James resisted the temptation to turn and giving a pleading look of forgiveness, but with soldiers driving him onwards and watching for his loyalties to Beckett, there wasn't a chance he would be able to without some punishment.
To be honest, friends improved life more than riches, didn't they? Hah – and no one upon the Pearl had particularly favoured him. True there had been some who were kind enough, but surely it was sympathy. As bittersweet as the pity that Elizabeth gave him. Norrington was certain that all empathy from her now had been doused.
X x X x X
"Norrington I'm pleased with what you've achieved…" A broad smile graced Beckett's wide face. James stood by the window, watching the gulls soar freely above the whitewashed buildings, black tipped wings skimming the frothing waves, lapping gently against the sides of the fishing boats. The further he looked, the more the ocean did indeed seem like freedom. And there was the Pearl, moored safely, flanked, camouflaged by the shadowing outcrop of the nearby cliff, behind a large sea rock bedecked in seaweed and barnacles.
"James, are you listening?" The guard at the door rapped the man on the shoulder with his sheathed sword. The ex-Commodore moved to the left a little to indicate he was listening. Slightly.
"I recognize your efforts and schemes… and there is one final thing," James closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
"Sir… I have other matters to –"
"Be silent!" A snappish remark at James' calm words. "You will do as I say – I have you hired for another seven years!" His face had become irritable, red and swollen looking, eyes like a hawk's, and monitoring Norrington's every move.
"Guards, take him to see Sparrow. If there is any information I need for other treasures, I'm sure Norrington here will be as so clever and cunning to find out where they are?" Beckett cocked his head to the side and the soldiers took James away.
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Author's Notes: Oh dear. Jamesyboi is in a spot of bother with his Captain. Who will he choose, Lord or Captain? Find out by the end of the fic:D This whole thing is about 20 pages long at the moment xD but you haven't seen some of what I've uploaded yet, so, continue reading (: That is, if you're enjoying yourselves? -worried look-