Disclaimer: POTC is owned by Disney. They are selfish enough to keep my Norrington from me.

Chapter 10: One Good Turn Deserves Another

The sky, partially clouded, had turned a dark blue by the time Norrington and Pru came on deck.

"For tonight, what do you say to a small truce? We can resume our natural interactions later. If you can behave, of course…," Norrington said with a sly smile.

"If I can behave? How ungentlemanly of you to suggest that I am the one at fault," Pru laughingly exclaimed.

Norrington immediately turned somber. "Yes, of course. Accept my apologies. It was most…"

Pru interrupted, "Stop! Stop it now! Don't go behind your Commodore mask. I'm not one of your sailors and I refuse to be commodored tonight."

Norrington's eyebrow rose. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me! I was teasing you and you crawled back under the shell of your wig. Do it again and I shall be forced to throw your wig into the sea."

He'd be quite handsome without the wig and ripping it off would be quite fun as well as...NO! No improper thoughts. I do have some sense of decorum. I will haveno improper thoughts! Well, maybe later…

"You wouldn't…"

"Yes I…"

"Will you stop fighting or do I have to separate you two," a voice intruded.

"Hello Gillette," Pru greeted.

"Gillette, I will handle this, thank you.," Norrington replied.

"Yes, sir. Continue with your suave and charming conversation," said Gillette sarcastically before he returned to the helm.

"Will you agree to a truce then," Norrington asked.

Pru replied, "Will you stop acting pompous and stuffy?"

"I never act pompous. I merely have better judgment than most people. I can't help it if I'm right more often than not. However, I agree to your terms."

"Never? We'll discuss that later."

Pru loved the sea. It was so vast and tempestuous in nature. In its own way, the ocean was freedom. It had no master and was free to go wherever the waves carried it. It was as forbidding as it was enticing. Pru could never tire of it.

As Norrington led her about the deck, he took it upon himself to give Pru a full tour of the ship. Apparently, Norrington was under the misapprehension that Pru knew nothing about boats. Every nautical term was explained, every part of the ship identified. Pru hated it because he formed untrue conclusions about her. Pru loved it because she saw the passion, dedication, and pride he possessed in his words.

He may hide behind an unemotional façade, she thought, but I'm beginning to suspect that still waters really do run deep here. How intriguing that such a stuffy self-superior man is so different than my first impression. Not that I don't still view him as an infuriating know all who orders me around, but he can be an interesting infuriating know all.

Then Pru said it. It came out without thinking.

"You'll need to unfurl that sail if you don't want the wind to work against us."

"What was that?"

"Nothing.," Pru said quickly. Too quickly.

"You've already known everything I've told you about this ship, haven't you?"

"Well, my father did own a shipping business and I can be an insatiable learner…I'm sorry. It's just that you were so proud of your ship, I couldn't stop you. I admire that you have such passion for your work."

"Well, I suppose under the terms of truce, I should accept it as a compliment and leave it at that."

"Yes-"

"-but I won't."

"I thought you wouldn't."

"I demand a forfeit."

"What kind of forfeit," Pru asked warily.

James smiled. It had been an altogether delightful walk about deck. He should have felt embarrassed that Pru had fooled him so. However, he felt a foolish pride when she gave her reason for her deception. Thoughh their constant sparring matchesoccured often, compliments were few. What reasonable man wouldn't feel the same way? Of course, right now he wasn't feeling reasonable, hadn't felt that way at all since he met her, actually. So it was with uncharacteristic forwardness that he demanded, "Dance with me."

Pru's eyes widened. "HERE? Now?"

"Yes."

"b…but…There's no music."

"Is the sea, not music enough? I hear your sigh every time you gaze at it. Do you not hear its song?"

"Aye, but I never thought you to be a romantic."

"Neither did I.," James said quietly,"Will you dance? It won't be long. I know you're still weak."

"The air has already done wonders for me. Let me be the judge of whether I am fit or not."

"Very Well. Shall we? If you'll allow it, I'll show you a Viennese dance I've learned. Its actually considered quite scandalous in England."

"Then I must learn it. What is its name?"

"The Viennese call it the Volta, but I've heard it called the Waltz as well.," he whispered.

"Let us dance then."

James took her into his arms, but was careful to keep her at the most respectable distance. He was a strong leader and Pru was a quick learner. They made a few missteps in the beginning, much to their amusement, but they soon learned to move in tandem. For James, it was one of the most entrancing memories he would ever remember.

Pru couldn't be described as the most beautiful woman he had ever met. She was certainly on the pretty side of handsome though, but yetit wasn't that which drew him to her. Try as he might, James could not come up with an answer, so he let it be. It was hard, but it wasn't as if he were courting the lady, so the answer was not imperative. His past experiences with eligible females told him that she would be courted by far more suave and romantic suitors than him, even if he were interested in her, which he was most certainly not.

It was much too soon that James noticed Pru tiring. He knew she would never mention it, but she needed rest. Much as he would be disappointed to have the evening end, he knew his duty.

"Come, I will lead you back to your room.," he said.

"You mean, your room. Surely there is somewhere else I could be. I would hate to take up your space…"

"Nonsense. I am quite comfortable in my office."

"Nonsense, but I suppose you'll not back down," Pru observed as they reached his quarters.

"Finally, you agree with me."

"I never said-," Pru interjected.

"I had a delightful evening, Miss Martin.," James said as he kissed Pru's hand and bowed.

"As did I. Thank you.," Pru said with a soft smile as she walked through the door.

Norrington walked away. Pru looked at her hand, which was still tingling. She smiled and abruptly frowned before she closed the door and got ready for bed.

James was shouting something at her. Another fight, Pru thought, What a surprise. Well, he won't get away with thinking he can browbeat me into submission by being all Commodorish.

Pru came as close as she could to James. Her face nearly nose to nose with his, she glared at him and said something. She thought it was "Shut up, naughty boy." Then, in a fit of pique, she tore his wig off his head and threw it into the ocean.

Uh oh. Bad Idea, there. His furious face looked into hers. Before she could even appraise his wigless looks, James picked her up as if she were a sack of flour and carried her off. Soon, she found herself standing in his quarters, the door slammed shut, his eyes staring into hers with the gaze of man at the end of his rope.

"So you like it that way, Pru," he asked.

He crowded her, until her legs hit the side of his bed. Oh God, HIS BED. His arms went around her. Suddenly, his lips were on hers, kissing her as if his life depended on it. Pru gasped as she her hands went around his neck. His hands were all over her…

Pru gasped as she quickly sat up in bed. My god, Pru thought, is it hot in here. Convinced that her room was practically burning, not to mention every object in it reminded her of her dream, Pru decided a trip on deck was necessary.

Gillette was on duty. She quickly made her way to the helm where she sat, content to talk with a man who was quickly becoming a friend, particularly one that she didn't continually fight with.

"What are you doing on deck, Miss Martin? The Commodore won't like it.," he cautioned.

"The Commodore won't know if we don't tell him. Besides, I couldn't sleep and I needed some air."

"Well, I suppose it's all right…"

"How far are we from Port Royal," Pru asked.

"Oh, I believe we'll arrive in a few days. Do you have family there?"

"Yes. My uncle is Governor Swann and his daughter Elizabeth is my cousin."

Gillette nodded, "I know them both."

"Personally?"

"Not that closely. Actually, Commodore Norrington knows them far better. He was…engaged to Miss Swann for a short time before she broke it off to be with the blacksmith."

Pru went still. "Norrington was the man that she shunned?"

"Yes. I would have thought…"

"Never mind that. I'll just sit here awhile if you don't mind.." Pru said quickly.

"Of course, miss."

He fancied my cousin enough to propose to her and she broke of the engagement., Pru pondered, He doesn't seem the sort to propose without a great deal of thought. Is he still in love with her, I wonder…

Eventually, the lull of the ship and the coolness of being on deck drugged her into a deep sleep. Gillette, not wanting to wake her, let her stay where she was.

James was on the forecastle of his ship. He should have been paying attention to his countless number of duties, but his gaze, as well as his complete attention, was on the lady on deck. She was looking at the sea with a wistful expression, as if she didn't want this voyage to end. How well he understood how she felt. When they arrived at Port Royal, this idyllic interlude would be broken, never to be the same again.

Without consciously realizing it, Jameswas walking to where she stood. Little time had passed when he finally was by her side, where he should have been the whole time. She looked at him immediatelywhen she sensed his presence.

"James," greeted Pru with a smile.

James. How wonderful his name could sound.

"I've been wanting to ask you something.," she continued.

"Anything."

"Will you kiss me?"

Her eyes entreated him to do so, not that he needed any encouragement. He reached for her as her hands rose to his hair, sans wig. James kissed her deeply and bent down. He rose up, carrying her in his arms and began the walk to his quarters. Her gaze held everything he wanted a woman to look at him to say.

As he sat on his bed, He still cradled her, her body as soft as feathers…FEATHERS?

James awoke with a start. He was sitting on the cot in his office, a feather pillow cradled in his arms with loving tenderness. He groaned as he tossed the pillow aside.

Since he was awake, James decided he might as well check up on the status of their voyage. He approached the helm where Gillette was stationed. Close by, Pru was fast asleep.

"Why is she up here? She shouldn't be going about on her own.," Norrington remarked.

The Lieutenant replied, "She said that you wouldn't find out. She gave the reason of needing some fresh air before she could fall asleep."

"If everything is in order…"

"Of course it is, sir."

"Then, I shall escort Miss Martin back to her room."

"Very Well, then. I was about to give watch over to Groves."

"Carry on, then.," Norrington ordered.

James picked up a sleeping Pru and began his journey to his quarters. At least part of my dream is being realized tonight, James mused ironically. He laid her down in bed and watched her for a moment to make sure she didn't wake.

"Sleep Well, Pru.," James murmured.

AN: They might actually arrive in Port Royal next chapter! I think I was as reluctant to have this voyage to end as James and Pru are!