Disclaimer: POTC and its characters are owned by Disney and all that goes with it. I am poor and make no money of this. I would like to borrow Norrington though.

Chapter 18: Girl Interrupted

The night of the Wilson's ball arrived in typical Caribbean fashion, star lit and steamy. A slight wind made the trees whisper, competing with the rush of the waves and the chirp of the insects in a cacophony of sound that filled the air. The atmosphere proved to be exciting as the carriages dropped their occupants at the grand stairs of the Wilson Mansion.

Pru and Elizabeth were helped from the carriage by a footman. Will Turner was already waiting at the steps. As the Wilson family had been particular friends of the Governor, they were more than happy to include Elizabeth's fiancée in the invitations. Will commented that the two finest looking ladies had finally arrived, causing both girls to smile at the compliment while denying it profusely. It was true, though. Elizabeth had donned a deep pink gown that complimented her skin color beautifully while Pru wore a green silk gown that brought out the amber flecks in her dark brown eyes.

Taking her uncle's arm, the Swann/Turner party ascended the stairs and joined the line for introductions. The Wilsons were a kind family and inquired about all the proper things one must at a ball and the Swanns responded in turn with all the complimentary sayings required.

Finally they were free to mingle through the crowd. Pru's dance card was quickly being filled by eager gentlemen of her acquaintance. Nervously, Pru glanced about for a tall man in a dark blue brocaded coat, white shirt, and cream breeches. He was nowhere to be found as she circled the room in search of him. Disappointed, she leaned against a column by the large curtained window. He said he would be here…

"Looking for someone?" a deep voice inquired.

Pru turned and smiled in delight, hitting him with her fan. "You know very well who I was looking for. You nearly weren't allowed a dance, sir. My card is filling quickly…"

"I outrank them all. I would have demanded a dance."

Pru rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm sure that would be so entirely proper…"

An amused light appeared in his eyes as he sighed in feigned disappointment. "Alas, I know. However, to my extreme good luck, I arrived just in time."

"If I'll allow you a dance now…"

"You will."

Pru scoffed lightly. "So sure of yourself, Ja-Commodore? I suppose I'll allow you a dance…" Pru held her card up for his perusal.

He scanned the card and quickly signed his name in the remaining three spots. Pru drew in a quick breath. "You can't have three dances…"

He interrupted, "Yes, I can. I just signed for them, see?"

She frowned. "You know that's entirely improper! People will think we're engaged…"

He suddenly laughed as he erased his name in one spot. "Nervous are we?"

Pru noticed the smile he gave her didn't reach his eyes. "You're acting odd tonight…"

"I'm fine, Miss Martin."

The music started playing, a sprightly gavotte. She looked up at him. "You've got the first dance. Shall we?"

Dancing a fast dance with James was wonderful, although not as thrilling as the waltz had been. He was graceful and sure in his steps. He didn't allow her to falter. She quite envied his grace. Is there anything he can't do well in public, she asked half-annoyingly and half-humorously.

The dance ended in half the time Pru thought it should. James deposited her by her uncle's side, bowed, and promised he would anxiously await his second allotted dance. He then proceeded to stand directly by her side for the rest of the evening. My fearless protector, Pru thought as she rolled her eyes. Fearless protector indeed. His presence caused a rapid drop in her popularity among the gentleman. Save for the few that came by to claim her for a dance, few stayed for conversation. Pru began to be rather annoyed at his proprietary actions.

She looked into his eyes. "Commodore…what do you think you're doing?"

He arched a brow. "Protecting you?"

"What? Oh yes, I see. It's very dangerous for any gentleman to approach me in the middle of a ballroom! All manner of things could happen!Do you know why the men are staying away?" she asked in a falsely cheerful voice.

"Why no…I consider it most unusual…"

Just then a sailor appeared at their side. Handing James a note, he waited for the response. Norrington quickly read the note andordered the sailor to return to the fort. James turned to Pru with a frown on his face.

"Forgive me. I've just received news that there are reports of piracy within the area. I must get ready to sail immediately. I regret I won't be able to claim the second dance…"

"I know you have to go. Don't fear a rebuke from me. I save that for your more asinine actions and this is not it."

He gave a quick smile andnodded as he pulled her farther away from listening ears. "I must go, but promise me something…"

"What?"

"I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. Don't go out at night by yourself while I'm not here. Do you promise?"

"James…"

"Pru, please. I'll be able to concentrate far better if I know you're safe. Please?"

Pru saw how important it was to him and how pressed he was for time. She couldn't find it in herself to argue. "I give you my word." she promised.

"Thank you. I must be going. Till we meet again…Pru." He bowed and kissed her hand.

"Be safe James. I couldn't bear it if you were hurt…by pirates, I mean. As for myself…that's another story. Be careful…"

He nodded and left to make his regrets to his hostess. Pru watched him while he remained in sight. As he disappeared, she closed her eyes and said a small prayer for his safe return. She then wandered off to find Elizabeth, to tell her the news. Suddenly, the party seemed far less exciting and interesting now…

Two weeks later…

Pru was in the town proper, dutifully accompanied by Elizabeth and a maid when they heard the HMS Hunter had returned from their pirate hunting mission.

Eager to see James after two weeks of absence, Pru dragged Elizabeth down to the docks despite her cousin's protests. The first off the ship was a man in a stretcher, obviously badly wounded. Pru's blood ran cold as she recognized the man. James. Oh God. Without thinking about what was proper and dignified, she ran as fast as she could to the marines who carried their commander.

Gillette was by their side, concern etched over his face.

"Lieutenant Gillette, What happened?" an extremely worried Pru asked.

Ordering the marines to take the Commodore to the infirmary, he took her to the side. Softly he told her what happened. "It was my fault. I wasn't paying attention and a damned pirate snuck up behind me with a pistol. Norrington tackled me just as the pistol went off. It missed me completely, but it grazed the Commodore's head…"

Pru's face went white and she began to tremble. "Will…Will he be alright?"

"I don't know. Being a head wound, he's lost a lot of blood and his fever is rising. We'll do what we can…"

Pru clenched her eyes shut, praying the welling tears would stay in. No..."Take me to the infirmary immediately. I'll nurse him…"

Gillette protested. "I can't. Surely, you must know that he wouldn't want you to act without propriety. He'll be furious at us both if you go..."

"Luckily, he can't exactly argue now, can he? Take me now or I'll find a way in myself." she demanded. Gillette saw how determined she was and appeared about to yield...

Elizabeth interjected. "The maid and I will go with her and wait a proper distance from the patient. It shall be perfectly fine and acceptable."

Pru looked at her cousin gratefully and squeezed her hand. "Thank You." She mouthed as Gillette assigned a marine to accompany them to the infirmary. As much as he wanted to go with them to help his friend, he was second in command and had to see the ship and their prisoners sorted out. He turned back to the ship…

Pru stayed in the infirmary for days. What little sleep she got she snatched when Elizabeth forced her to do so. Otherwise, she kept James cool with a wet cloth on his forehead, she murmured to him in his delusions, and prayed as the fever rose.

God, Pru fervently prayed, Please save this man. He's a good man, the best I've ever known. I…I couldn't bear it if he died. I'm kidding myself if I believe that all I feel for him is a deep friendship. I need him when he'ssarcastic, I need him when he's the overprotectiveCommodore.I need him more than I can say, more than I could ever admit.

I can't hide it from myself any longer, not now when he lies so close to death. I…I…I love him. I might have always loved him even as the ice cold unemotionalCommodore. I know he doesn't love me and probably won't, but I need him to be there. He may marry someday and I'll have to deal with that, but I can't see him die…I can't…

Pru put her face down into her cupped hands and cried. She cried for the possibility of a world without James Norrington. She cried for her love that she didn't think was returned.. She cried well into the night…

Sounds. Entirely too loud. God, what a bloody headache I have! What happened to me? Who the hell is making that noise? Oh bloody hell!

James became conscious very painfully. His temple throbbed like the devil and his throat was dry as a desert. His ears registered the sound of sobbing to his right. Female sobbing, from the sound of it…

He cracked his eyes open. "Pru?" he said, his voice a mere whisper.

There was a gasp. "James? You're awake?" she tearfully asked.

He grimaced. "Unfortunately. Could you get me some water?"

Pru put the cup to his lips. Cool water spilled from the cup onto his dry lips and into his parched throat. As she placed it back on the side table, she sat back with a weary smile. "I was so worried James…"

"What happened? I remember fighting the pirates…"

"You tackled Gillette to save him from a bullet and managed to get shot yourself. You collapsed and you were brought back to Port Royal…Your fever raged for thepast few days. I wasn't," Pru swallowed."I wasn't sure you would make it. Don't do this to me again…" she demanded emotionally.

"Trust me," he smiled weakly, "I'll do my best to avoid this happening again in the future."

"See that you do. You have no idea how many people were worried about you. My uncle has been by at least five times…Elizabeth was finally sent home to rest after being with me here the whole time…Gillette has been in here every second he possibly could and was seriously considering moving a desk in to do his work in the infirmary…"

"He's always worried too much over me…"

"With good reason in this case! Why-"

"Miss, I don't think arguing with him will improve his health…stubborn though he is…" the surgeon admonished as he entered the area.

"Nonsense," James replied, "I feel ten times better all ready." He tried to sit up, but fell back down immediately.

"Better, eh? Now be a good lad, and let me examine you." the surgeon said as Pru left the room to allow privacy.

Minutes later, the surgeon declared James to be lucky indeed. He encountered no protests as James felt the exact same way. As the surgeon left, James ordered that Pru be brought back in for tea. A much happier and less tearful Pru came back in less than a minute afterward.

The tea cart came. Pru poured the special herbal tea into cups and deposited a peace of bread on his plate. "I was hoping for chocolate biscuits…" he remarked.

"You're still weak and so it is to be sick person food for you. Of course, if you don't complain too much, when I next visit, I might be persuaded to smuggle in a few."

"You would have my undying devotion, Pru." He smiled at her.

Pru looked down as she smiled. Odd, he thought. "When next you visit…?" he asked.

"Well, now that you're out of the woods so to speak, I must return home. I daresay I look a fright…"

"Never, Pru. Mussed hair looks good on you."

She arched her brow in amusement. "You're just saying that because I have you at my mercy and you must be nice. As I was saying, I'll leave after tea…and I will return tomorrow for tea. It shall be our regular appointment."

They finished their tea and the cart was taken away. Pru got up to leave. A sudden thought occurred to him. "Pru…" he began.

"Yes, James?"

"I know I said that you couldn't go out at night without my being here. Knowing you, I feel the need to clarify it." She grinned at him mischievously."What I'm trying to say isthat Imeant that you don't go out unless I'm accompanying you. Is that clear?"

"Clearer than Crystal, oh wise one! I suppose I should, as I did give my word. Until tomorrow," She gave a jaunty salute as she exited the infirmary.

James couldn't wait to get out of the infirmary. She thinks she has me at her mercy, he thought, hardly true, at least not the way she meant it… The time I have to spend in here will stretch forever. I had better heal quickly. I've duties to attend to and certainladies to protect. Pru will find a way to do what she wants and without me there to protect her…

An idea came to him. He saw some paper and pen nearby. He grabbed it and began writing:

Miss Swann and Mister Turner,

As you've probably heard by now, I am on the long road to recovery, largely due to your cousin's actions. Please convey my heartfelt thanks to her. I owe her far more than she will ever know...

I'm writing for an entirely different reason besides conveying my gratitude, although it does involve your cousin. Please watch over her. She is very willful and independent, as I'm sure you must know by now. I am not condemning those traits mind you, but I also know what she's capable of. Please do your best to make sure she is accompanied with someone suitable wherever and whenever she goes somewhere.

I trust you to watch over her until I am able to do so. I know you care about our common…friend as much as I do.

Regards,

Commodore James Norrington, Royal Navy

P.S. One last thing has occurred to me. Miss Martin is not to find out that I've sent this letter. I confess that I believe she would be furious if she found out about my management of her safety, however much she might need it. Remember, tell no one of this letter, most of all Miss Martin. I'm sure we would not like the consequences...

Sealing the letter, James rang for a sailor. Handing over his missive, Norrington ordered for it to be delivered to Mister Turner immediately. Resting easy now that he had arranged things to the best of his ability, he decided that a nap was in order. His head sank against the pillow as a last thought occurred to him: That shall have to do for now. I just pray that Pru doesn't find out…

AN: Thanks for the reviews! I can't begin to say how much I love hearing what everyone thinks, particularly if you like it!