Disclaimer: I still do not own POTC. Disney owns them and will not even let me borrow Norrington.

Chapter 9: Getting to Know You

Norrington had left the room only a few moments before Pru drifted to sleep again. As sleep claimed her, her only thought was her amazement that Norrington had asked fewer questions than was typical for him. Then again, it was far more likely that he would come back and question her again.

A few hours later, Pru woke, feeling weak, but altogether better than she'd felt earlier. A glance to the desk by the bed led her to see a letter that hadn't been there before. It was placed on a tray with a plate of toast and a fairly warm cup of tea. Curiosity proved far stronger than hunger, and Pru quickly took the letter. Clear masculine handwriting filled the page:

To Miss Pru Martin,

I felt that you would be hungered before long, so I took the liberty of providing a few pieces of toasted bread for you as well as a soothing cup of tea. As you will be alone quite some time as I am about my duties, allow me to offer the use of my private books. I have also provided parchment, a pen, and ink if you care to write or draw.

Above all, rest as much as you can. If you have need of anything, the bell I've also sent down will alert Gillette or I to come and inquire what you need. If you have further need of activity, it would be prudent to concoct a plausible story as to why you are on my ship in men's clothing. Be assured that I will be thinking of a solution as well. I will come down with supper come evening and we shall discuss our plans.

Please do not leave the bed without aid. You will need a few days of recovery time before you will be able to move on your own.

Regards,

James Norrington

P.S. The last is a direct order. As I know that you will try to find a way around my orders, I will put it more bluntly. If I see you on deck or so much as a step from your sickbed, you will not like the consequences. I do hope you know of me well enough to believe that I will find a way for you to stay in bed for rest.

Pru smiled. He knows me far too well for such a short time of acquaintance, she thought. Her stomach finally made a rather strong demand for food, and Pru began nibbling on a piece of toast. The tea truly proved to be a soothing remedy to her dry throat and Pru made a mental note to ask Norrington about what brew it was.

Her hunger and thirst sated for the moment, Pru perused Norrington's books. Out if the five, the most well worn was a book on historic naval tactics and regulations, proving the dedication he possessed for his job. She flipped through it and concluded that it could be quite interesting before she placed it on the desk. The second was a collection of the Greek playwright Aristophanes' plays. Hmmm…he has an interest in the classics. The third and fourth books proved to be histories yet again, this time the history of England.

The fifth book was rather large. It proved to be a composition book and was nearly filled with writings and drawings. As she flipped through, she concluded it was a journal of sorts. Pru, although dying of curiosity, closed it to cede Norrington a bit of privacy and reached for the book on naval history.

The book proved to be quite interesting, but the journal still called to her curiosity. She reminded herself time and again that Norrington's journal was private. Of course, she thought, He did say that I could look at his books. No, It would not be right. He obviously did not mean that particular book. I shall ask him when he next comes down.

Pru never liked being an invalid, so lying in Norrington's bed all day quickly became a nuisance. His bed., She thought, I wonder if it smells like him…Wait! Why am I thinking that? I'm not a bloody lovesick girl. Perhaps I still have a bit of a fever. Yes, that's it. Since it was obvious she suffered still from a fever, she took another long nap and upon waking,read a large part of the naval book. Deciding that she had to move or go completely insane, Pru vowed that she would be able to get out of her bed. Careful to not take "a step beyond her sickbed", Pru stood up and became woozy.

"Shouldn't have taken it so fast," she realized as she fell back on the bed. This time she sat up on the bed, waited to get her equilibrium back, before finally standing up. Satisfied that if she took it slowly, she could move around, Pru looked to the desk. She took a piece of paper and the pen and began writing.

Pru sealed the letter with a bit of wax and placed it on the desk. Tired of the continuing quiet, Pru rang the bell. She wanted human contact, for goodness sake. This time, it was Gillette.

"Yes, miss," Gillette inquired.

"Are you busy with your duties…or could you answer of few questions for me?"

"I am at your service, miss."

"I've had plenty of time to think while I was alone down here. I've come to the conclusion that the Commodore is extremely puzzling to me. I was hoping that you would be able to tell me a little about him."

"I cannot gossip about my superior officer…"

"I won't ask you to. Answer whatever you feel comfortable with. I'm just interested in learning a few things about how best to deal with him. Tell me, does he always order everyone about with sarcasm or is it just me?"

"He gives orders because he is the commanding officer, but I've never seen him use sarcasm, as you say."

"Why is it that he seems to jump back from me when I get close? Why do we continually spar with each other? It isactually quite fun, but I haven't seen him argue with anyone else…"

"No one would dare argue. We are all subordinates on this ship and it would be careless insubordination if we did. Furthermore, he has excellent judgment, so really it is not usually necessary to even mentally question his orders. He is not perfect, of course, but who is?

As to why he seems to act differently around you, I cannot say for certain. You are a bit of an unusual situation. I have noticed that you and he are very similar…"

"Similar? We are in no way similar! How," Pru demanded.

"Well, forgive me for saying this, miss, but you and he both have a strong resolve and strong opinions, among other things."

"That's putting it nicely," Pru commented.

"To put it shortly, I believe the Commodore is slightly of afraid of you."

"Afraid," a puzzled Pru asked.

The situation proved to be far too funny. She shared a smile with Gillette and began to laugh at the notion. Imagine, the high and mighty Commodore being afraid of her.

James began walking to his quarters with a tray of food for dinner. It was not usual that he ate dinner unless Gillette forced him to eat. Far too often, James would be immersed in his work to the point that he would forget the time and simply not eat at all.

Today was different. Today he had promised Pru… Miss Martin, he mentally corrected… that he would join her for supper. They had many things to discuss, least of all to form an explanation of why she had dressed as a man and boarded his ship. Thus, during the course of the day, James had been frequently looking at his watch and watching for a disobedient Pru, Miss Martin, to come on deck.

He was extremely surprised and a bit disappointed truthfully when he saw no trace of her. The bell rang once or twice and Gillette was sent down to inquire to her needs. James desperately wanted to go down himself, but didn't want to be seen as too eager to be of service. The entire ship was probably already gossipingabout his relationshipto their guest. It would not be wise to compromise Pru, Miss Martin…Oh hang it all…Pru…I can call her what I want in my mind, further.

Finally, it became time to eat. As he approached his quarters, James heard conversation coming from within. As he peered in the room, he heard Pru's laugh. She was on the bed. Gillette sat in the chair and both were laughing. They looked quite cozy indeed. Too cozy, for his liking. He was giving his "disapproving" glare by the time they noticed he was in the room.

"Oh, sir! Is it time for supper all ready? Then it is time for my watch to begin. Miss. Martin, it has been a pleasure conversing with you. Sir.," Gillette said as henodded, thenleft the room.

"Tell me, is it your habit to talk so intimately with a strange gentlemen," Norrington acidly asked.

"No. I have already met Lieutenant Gillette before today. I was being friendly, Commodore."

"A lady should not be that friendly."

"What topics am I allowed to speak of then? The weather? Flowers? Embroidery? Or some other completely inane and boring subject?"

"Enough. Let's just stop right now. We have more important things to speak of at the moment."

"Like shoes," she sarcastically asked.

"No. I still have a few more questions…"

"Why am I not surprised…," Pru interrupted.

"What do you plan to do once you reach Port Royal? Your story sounded as if your uncle isn't even aware that you're coming."

"He doesn't know. My plans do largely depend on his reaction. I hope he will be willing to provide a home for me, in exchange for me being his hostess. If my cousin Elizabeth is to marry, he'll need another one. I had also hoped that I could act as a helper and companionto my cousin. I do believe that I could be content with being 'Aunt Pru' for the rest of my life."

"You could marry as well.," Norrington suggested.

"I don't think I'll have anymore luck with suitors than I had in Massachusetts. After all, I don't even have a dowry now."

"You might be surprised. You are quite pretty after all."

Pru suspected she saw a faint blush on his cheeks, but declined to mention it.

"Thank you," Pru said warily, "but I don't think men want to be saddled with a wife who has the temerity to be willful, opinionated, fairly intelligent and stubborn. They want a meek submissive female, and I will not become a woman like that."

"What if you won't be able to stay with your uncle, then? An unmarried woman has few options besides marriage. Do you really not want to get married? I thought all f…"

"I swear if you say 'all females want marriage,' I'll hit you. If I am not able to stay with my uncle or my father finds I'm in Port Royal, I'll seek employment. Perhaps I will be able to be a governess or if that fails, a lady's maid."

"If it comes to that, please, come to me first. I'll help you find a position.," Norrington said quietly.

"Thank you. Now, what story are we going to concoct?"

"I've been thinking all day…"

"Congratulations."

"Indeed. Here is what I've come up with today: You were going to Port Royal to live with your uncle, the Governor. While waiting in Georgia for passage, your maid abandoned you and assisted in robbing you of everything. In the process of the robbery, your dress was ruined, forcing you to procure men's clothes.

Now needing a way to Port Royal and having no money, you found that the HMS Hunter was sailing back to Port Royal. Desperate, you stowed away on my ship. When I caught you, you felt it prudent," he smiled," to lie about your identity. However, your sickness brought to light your true identity. I brought you back to health and made it my mission to deliver you to your nucle's home. Is that acceptable?"

"I believe so, but will your crew believe it?"

"Yes. Lieutenant Gillette and I will make sure of it. Your reputation will not be harmed, I assure you."

"Thank you. I'll need it if I am to be a governess."

"Or if you marry. Don't say anything; it's still a possibility, you know."

"If you say so. Will I be allowed on deck soon?"

"No."

"Why? I can stand up by myself. If I take it slowly, I'll be able to exercise and regain my strength. Is it because I don't have proper clothing," Pru protested.

"It is not that at all. I would not exclude you from the deck because of your clothing. I simply do not want you to be hurt."

"If I lie in bed, I won't become any stronger…stop coddling me."

"Very Well. I will agree to a small stroll on deck. We'll go from there, but if you feel sick in the smallest way, you will go to bed. I don't want to present the Governor with his ill niece in a few weeks, agreed?"

"Fine.," Pru said, obviously not happy with the concessions she had to make.

"Excellent. Do be pleasant about this, will you? I could have made you stay in bed."

"What would you have done? Tied me to the bed?"

Norrington stared at her in shock. No improper thoughts about the girl…Please, no improper thoughts, James thought, I am a gentleman. No improper thoughts. No improper thoughts about the girl. Or my bed. Or ropes. Or...

"I prefer the element of surprise. You really don't think I would tell you, do you," Norrington asked.

That made Pru quiet, for the moment at least. Knowing the silence wouldn't last long, Norrington gave her a plate of food and they started to eat.

AN: Thanks for the reviews! It is nice to know that some people read this:)