Disclaimer: I have yet to get a call that I own any of the POTC characters. Offers for the purchase of Norrington, have thus far been rebuffed.

Chapter 7: I've Got a Secret

"He's ordering me to do what," an astounded Pru asked.

"The Commodore has ordered you to earn your keep by cleaning the deck this afternoon.," the officer replied.

"Who are you sir?"

"Lieutenant Gillette."

"Finally, I meet a person that can politely introduce himself. Now, whatever kept him from joyfully ordering me around himself? I would've thought he'd jump at the chance."

Gillette hesitated, "He had important business to conduct."

"Yes, I'm sure.," Pru dryly remarked, "Well, lead me away. I wouldn't want to irritate his highness by taking my time."

"Swab the deck, Swab the deck," Pru muttered.

"I'm Swabbing. Does anybody see me? I'm SWABBING," she yelled.

Pru wiped her forehead and leaned against the rail. She hadn't been feeling well all day. It was probably due to the work she'd done cleaning the deck in the hot sun. She was determined to finish it however. Nobody was going to accuse her of slacking. Certainly not Mr. high and mighty Commodore himself who had been watching her every momentshe worked. Well maybe not every moment, but his eyes lit on her more often than she thought the occasion warranted.

Every time his eyes fell on her, Pru tensed. It was as if she could sense his stare. It isprobably a Commodore talent he learned, she moped, He knows its got to be driving me up the wall.

"Taking a break are we," a deep voice laconically asked.

Pru jumped three feet in the air. "Will you STOP doing that," she demanded.

"I've done nothing unwarranted than walk about the deck.," Norrington smugly retorted, "You have as yet to finish your work for the day."

"Please, as if the deck needed cleaning anyway. You could have been eating off the bloody deck before I started!"

"I will take that as a compliment, but I don't believe I asked you to question my orders."

"Yes, it's such a shame that you won't ask, but there is help for you out there.," Pru placated, "The first step, after all, is admitting you have problem. Then we can get you help."

"Problem? I am Commodore and the ship is in working order. I have no problem," Norringtondenied

"Oh, really? You're arrogant, smug, disdainful of other's opin-"

"Mr. Swann! That will do! Resume your duties at once."

"I will not be ordered around by a tyrant such as you. I am tired of ob-," Pru asserted as she began to feel lightheaded. That didn't stop her from sticking her face up to his. Norrington rapidly moved back a step as if he found her repulsive. Of course, this only resulted in causing Pru's temper to soar.

"You will continue or…," Norrington began.

Pru exploded in anger.

"Or what? You'll…You…Y,"

Pru faltered. Suddenly it got to be too much: the heat, the sweat, and the sick feeling throughout her body. She collapsed. Norrington quickly moved to catch Pru's body. He looked to the nearest sailor. "Carry Mr. Swann down to my quarters.," he barked, "Mullroy, you fetch the surgeon and have him see to Swann." His orders were quickly accomplished.

This left James with a great many things to think about. Why is it that I lose any restraint and self control I have the moment that boy is within my presence? To lose it in front of my men was unpardonable. I must handle myself in a more restrained manner. I must behave in the manner of a Commodore of the Royal Navy... His thoughts ran down that path for several minutes.

It was fifteen minutes later that a hesitant Gillette came to his commander. He approached with a reluctant air that boded ill news.

"Report, Gillette. How is Mr. Swann," James demanded.

Gillette took a deep breath before replying.

"Well, you see…" the lieutenant began.

"Out with it, Man."

"The surgeon requests you come down to your quarters immediately.," Gillete reported in a rush of air.

"Very Well. Come along."

Without looking behind him, the commodore strode toward his quarters, Gillette in tow.

"I don't believe I heard you right. What did you say," Norrington said slowly to the surgeon, with the care of a person receiving shocking news one didn't believe.

"The patient has a deep fever and needs to remain in bed until their strength is regained."

"Thank you, but I heard that. What else did you say?"

"Commodore, the patient is what you would describe…the patient resembles...that is not so much resembles as is...that is to say the patient is…female.," the befuddledsurgeonexplained.

"Thank God.," Norrington muttered

"What was that sir?"

"I said, 'My God.'"

"Quite, sir. What is your course of action in this matter?"

It took a few minutes for Norrington to recover. Oh God, James thought, prayers can be answered. I wasn't lusting after a boy, I'm obsessed with a female. A quite fetching female.

"Sir," Gillette prodded.

"She will remain here. I will assist in caring for her until she recovers. I'll need to question her when she awakes anyway."

"Do you think that's proper sir," Gillette questioned

"Do you honestly think I would do anything inappropriate with a seriously ill female," Norrington asked with an arched brow that screamed "wounded dignity mixed with the authority to punish severely."

"No, sir. I meant interrogating an ill person the moment they woke up. What did you think I asked," Gillette smirked, "However, you are needed on deck…"

"You have authority on deck for the moment. I will work from the cabin. Dismissed."

"Yes sir."

Silence reigned as the other occupants left. James stared at the still form on the bed. His bed. No…No, he would not think of that now. He wet a cloth and laid it on her forehead. Questions abounded in his head about who she might be. That will serve for later, he thought, For now, I must focus on her health. She's turned my ordered world upside down and has tormented me from the moment I discovered her in the hold. Somehow, that doesn't seem to bar the strong attraction I feel… God help me, but her survival is not just important…it is vital and I have no idea why…

AN: Thanks for all the reviews. I know some of you are wondering where Sparrow is. I promise he will appear but not for several chapters unless he pops in unexpectedly. I don't channel him well anyway. :) Practice makes perfect though.

Also, the swabbing quote is paraphrased from "Pocahontas 2." I liked the line and thought it would be something a surly Pru would say.