Disclaimer: My dreams have not been answered yet. I still do not own the POTC characters. They won't even let me play with Norrington. :(

Chapter 6: Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Morning dawned far too soon for James Norrington. Normally, he had nothing against mornings, but today was different. For today, he was under obligation to question their unexpected 'guest'. It wasn't that he had trouble with interrogations. He excelled at getting people to tell him what he wanted know. The problem he had was the inappropriate reaction James had experienced in the encounter with the stowaway. He was a brave man who calmly led his men into battle to be sure, but the chance of another questionable reaction made him pause from ever going down to the brig.

James sighed. Maudlin and cowardly thoughts really would not do. He had a job to do and was duty bound to see it through. Before he could leave his quarters, a knock sounded at his door. "Come in," Norrington barked. Really, did he always have to be interrupted?

It was Lieutenant Gillette. I should not bark at the man., James thought, He is my most trusted officer. It would not do to alienate him completely. "Yes? What is it," he inquired.

"I just came off watch. Might you have something to update me on? Perhaps the guest in the brig? You never managed to brief me on it last night.," chided his lieutenant.

"Ah, yes. I believe there is a guest in the brig. Satisfied," James retorted.

"Not nearly. Now what's the real story?"

"I'm about to go and find out. I'll be sure to inform you of the results.," James sarcastically replied.

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A pirate's life for me! We pillage, we…"

"We hang pirates around here, Swann," a stern voice remarked

Pru gave a small yell. "You gave me a fright, you cad!"

"Gave you a fright? What are you, a girl," the commander questioned.

Please God, he thought, let this person be a girl. It would explain my body's… excited greeting.

"No…that is…No," Pru protested.

Damn.

"Enough! I'm here to find what exactly your story is, boy."

"Could I, at least, be supplied with a name, o questioning one?"

"I don't believe you need my name and I will not tolerate this disrespect. You are at my mercy here, if you haven't noticed."

"Oh, I have noticed. However, I don't believe I shall be answering your queries until I know who you are."

"Yes, you will. Cease being stubborn."

"No… Tell me does it hurt?"

"Does what," the confused commander asked.

"The stick up your arse? Does it hurt," a sarcastic Pru asked.

"Silence, now! I will not have you act this way toward your captor."

"What is your name then?"

He sighed. "Commodore Norrington of his Majesty's royal navy. Now why are you on my ship?"

Pru felt that she owed him an answer. "I needed to get to Port Royal."

"Finally, the truth. Why would you need to stowaway on a ship of his Majesty's fleet then?"

"Because.," Pru childishly replied.

"WHY DID you need to get to Port Royal," he pressed.

"I'm not sure I want to answer that."

"Answer it you will or more crimes will be added to your offenses.," Norrington growled.

"I really don't wish to answer. Do go away now, will you? I'm rather busy, you know.," Pru flippantly remarked

"I WILL NOT…," Norrington exploded.

"Go on! Shoo.," ordered Pru with a patronizing smile

"YOU….I….."

Norrington was clearly without words. Giving her a glare that would have melted anything softer than iron, the Commodore, shoulders tense from frustration, left the brig. Pru gave a small laugh. It would be entirely more funny if he wasn't coming back. She knew the type of person Norrington was. She knew it because she was as stubborn as he. It really was ironic that a quality that might have been valued in a male was so under appreciated in females, but that was the least of her problems at the moment. He would be coming back.

James scowled at the sunlight as he appeared on deck. Bloody Hell, he thought, I have to have the most damned annoying stowaway in my charge with the best damned eyes I've seen in months. You'd think I would have earned a peaceful voyage after that Black Pearl nonsense.

He blamed the whole event for why he was gone from Port Royal in the first place. After he relinquished his hold on Elizabeth for her to marry the blacksmith, the entire town of Port Royal had decided James needed a shoulder to cry on. No, it wasn't the entire town. It was every woman of marriageable age who wanted desperately to comfort him. Everyday he had some matchmaking mama invading his home or office. He had been forced to double the guard and barricade himself inside his office until finally he announced his intentions to find Captain Sparrow again out of pure desperation.

His reverie was interrupted by Gillette's arrival at his side. "Well, why do we have the honor of our stowaways presence," Gillette inquired.

"Dashed if I know. The bloke wouldn't answer my questions. I couldn't get any answers without questions being thrown back at me. If you want to bloody know the details, you try questioning the boy. I've got reports to write."

Norrington stomped away from a very puzzled Gillette. The lieutenant looked in his commodore's direction with a grin. Norrington was usually so calm, rational, and sure of himself to the point of being annoying. Something about the boy in the brig must be quite unusual if his commander was reacting in this way. How interesting it would be to find out what that element was. With that thought in mind, Gillette went off to confirm the Hunter's coordinates.

AN: Mrs. Capt Jack Sparrows- Thanks! I like your pen name. I'm going along as I can. I promise to update more soon!

Black Pearl Sorceress: Pru does seem to not be imaginative when it comes to aliases, doesn't she:)