Disclaimer: Pru Martin is the only thing I own and the fact I don't own Norrington is a sad, sad thing indeed.

Chapter 19: Hell Hath No Fury

It had been one and a half weeks since James Norrington had woken up in the infirmary. One and a half weeks of lying in bed with little to do but think. He wasn't completely alone. Many people had come to visit. Governor Swann had visited and announced his intentions to hold a dinner party in the Commodore's honor. Gillette came by frequently, out of concern for a friend as well as to conduct the business of the navy. James insisted on the last. Gillette had wanted to protest, but James simply felt he would go mad if he weren't allowed to do his work.

It was one and a half weeks since James had woken up to find Pru crying on his behalf. In that time, Pru had visited faithfully at tea time. To his disgruntlement, she neglected to bring chocolate biscuits, as it was the doctor's orders that he eat healthy.

It had been longer since his encounters with Pru resembled any sense of normal. Normal of course being constant sparring and teasing combined with moments of insightful tenderness. Pru seemed withdrawn, unlike herself. She was wonderfully friendly, unfailingly polite, and an impeccable nurse. In short, it was making him sick.

So it was two weeks later that James finally couldn't hold his frustration in any longer. Pru had just served tea with a polite smile. "Drink this, I think it's doing wonders for regaining your strength."

He scowled. "Stop."

Pru frowned in confusion. "Stop what?"

"Being so nice! It's driving me mad!"

Pru retorted sarcastically, "Being nice is driving you mad? I'd better not smile then, it might set you back a month!"

He frowned back at her. "That's better."

Pru straightened. "But it's not something I'll continue…the doctor advised…"

"Hang the doctor, Pru. He's already let me off bed rest if I don't collapse on my way to my quarters after his final check up. If you're just doing this…"

"What, being nice?"

"Yes! You're not acting normally…"

"What are you trying to say?…that I don't act nicely when I'm 'normal'?" She asked.

"No…that isn't…No…Pru, Something seems to be lacking when we've talked since I was injured. I just want you and I to feel comfortable and normal again…and if that takes arguing with you, then so be it!"

"Well, I refuse. You need to rest and more importantly, to stop acting like a child…"

He scowled. "I am not acting like a child…"

She gave a patronizing smile. "Think what you will, but I do think it's time for you to take a nap." She rose and made her way to the door. As she exited, she looked back and said, "Perhaps tomorrow you'll be in a better mood and cease this argument nonsense. Until tomorrow, rest well, James."

The surgeon had just completed looking at the wound and declaring James to be perfectly healthy when Pru arrived. She burst into the room with no warning. Her face taut and her mouth tight with anger, Pru stomped toward Norrington's bed. A part of James that normally never cringed, even in battle, shrank inward in preparation for a fatal blow.

She stopped before the bed. "Surgeon…Is he recovered?" she asked stiffly.

The surgeon knew to pick his battles and this was certainly not one he wanted to participate in. "Yes. Perfectly healthy. As long as he takes it easy and rests when he feels weak…"

"Understood. Thank you." Pru summarily dismissed the surgeon. That left Pru and James, again ready to do battle…

"Hello James."

He smiled in greeting. "Back so soon, Pru? Is there a reason for this wonderful visit?"

Pru was calm, too calm, as she turned and stared into his eyes. "Yes, well I wasn't intending to come back so soon for more of your delightful 'protection,' except for the fact that I overheard a rather exceptional conversation in the garden that I just knew you had to hear about…"

"You're right. I've needed to hear a few gardening tips…"

"Cut it, Norrington, or I'll cut it myself…" Pru glared at him.

Norrington knew when he could get away with something when it came to Pru. This was most obviously not one of those times…

"We can't talk here…Follow me and I'll show you a place where we can have privacy."

Pru was angry, it was quite obvious. Extremely angry. Her head high with anger, she took his arm and they slowly walked to their destination.

Their destination proved to be his office.

"You were saying?" he asked.

"I heard Elizabeth and Will in the garden chatting. It seems they were talking about me. Keeping my word, I haven't been out of the house at night though I've wanted to do so many times. It seems they noticed that as well. Why do you suppose they noticed?"

"I'm not quite sure…"

"Really, James? They were talking about being tired as it appears that they had been staying up late the past TWO WEEKS making sure I didn't go anywhere alone. Sweet isn't it for them to do that? But, it isn't sweet is it? Not when they've been asked to BlOODY SPY ON ME AT YOUR REQUEST AND KEEP THAT VERY FACT FROM ME! Of all the proprietary actions…the managing…manipulating ideas…You son of a…"

"Don't call me things you don't mean, Pru…" James was getting tired of being yelled at. Blast, he'd had pure intentions…it was his tactics that left something to be desired…

"Oh, don't worry…I'll mean it…" Her eyes shot fire arrows at him.

"Stop. Enough. Can't you get it through your head? Port Royal is not safe for a female alone at night. I cannot allow you to roam at night and be in danger. Can't you see? I would never have been able to relax if I knew the slightest possibility existed that you'd go out. I know that what I did could be considered masterful…"

"Damn right." Pru muttered.

"But I did it with the best intentions in mind. Your Safety."

Pru looked away…"Is that the only reason then? You were concerned that the Governor's niece would get hurt and that would ruin your reputation?"

Of course not! You have no idea how much I enjoy that time with you. I act that way to hide the fact that I care for you a great deal…That, with you,I'm not James the Commodore or James the Wig…but James the man, plain and simple. I just can't believe you can't see that…

He shot a wounded glance her way. "Oh, my only motive to keeping you safe is because you're the Governor's niece? Thank you. Now I know how truly happy you are to have my company…If you'll excuse me, there are things I need to see to. Good day." He rose from his chair and opened the door.

He tried his best to ignore the hurt look in her eyes, he really did, as she went through the door. It didn't work. The idea of her being hurt in any way would be haunting him all night as he tried to sleep…

He was miserable for the better part of the next week and surly for the other. The next week showed him to be back in the ice Commodore mask he'd been trapped in before he met Pru. He even managed to freeze Gillette out a few times. He buried himself in work, hoping that if he just worked hard enough, it wouldn't hurt so badly…

She cried the first evening and didn't even attempt to go out. She pleaded a headache the next and for the rest of the week convinced everyone that she was reading a riveting novel. She had only read the first page in all that time. A cloud of sadness stayed over her head. Elizabeth and Will tried to preoccupy her, but nothing worked. She stopped confiding in Elizabeth and just said she wasn't feeling well. No one believed her, but she never was forthcoming with answers…

The night of the Governor's dinner party in honor of the Commodore arrived. As was their custom, Elizabeth and Pru got dressed and prepared for dinner together in Elizabeth's room. Pru sighed, something she had been doing quite a bit lately.

Elizabeth looked at her cousin. "Pru, What's wrong? Don't tell me that you're sick…I know better…"

Pru was tired of keeping it inside. "Last week, James and I had a fight and we haven't spoken or seen each other since…"

"You two argue all the time and nothing comes of it. What happened this time?"

Pru blushed. "It started when I overheard your comments in the garden about the letter he sent…"

"You…heard that?"

"Yes. I wasn't angry. You were merely doing what he'd requested. Besides, I didn't have any more room for anger; I was far too full of anger already for James. I couldn't believe he would go behind my back and arrange for me to have keepers! I gave him my word and he didn't believe it…"

"Pru! What I got from that letter was that he didn't want you going out alone at night, which is very sensible really, and arranged for you to be able to go out anyway when he was unable to do so himself…You can't be too angry with him, can you?"

"Maybe not for that…I know my safety is important. I'm not as reckless as he thinks…It's his actions that infuriate me so. He didn't even inform me on what he was doing. He didn't even ask…and then he deliberately asked you to not tell me what you were doing…I'm still angry at that…not that I'm the only one furious…he's still angry with me…I said something that wasn't quite the truth in haste: that the only reason he was accompanying me was that he felt it to be his duty to protect the Governor's niece…"

"Pru, that's completely untrue…"

"I know, but how can I apologize now? I'm still so angry with him…"

"Apologize. You may find that if you go first, he'll follow. You both have a healthy dose of pride within you. I think it's one of the reasons you're perfect for each other…You'll have to make compromises on this issue…It's time to go downstairs for the before dinner reception. Come let's show you off. That teal gown looks wonderful on you, cousin. Were you wearing it when you first arrived here?..." Elizabeth asked as she led Pru into the hall.

Downstairs, the room had just begun to fill with their guests. As Pru descended the stairs, her gaze instantly lit on James. He looked quite stunning in his best naval uniform and was looking quite improved in health besides the sadness that lingered in his eyes. Sensing her gaze, he looked in her direction, unable to look away. He immediately began moving in her direction.

"Is there somewhere we could have a private conversation where it's still proper to do so?" He inquired quietly.

"Of course, it's over here…" Pru led him to a partially hidden alcove.

James took her hand.

"I'm sorry…" they both said simultaneously.

"Pru, I've been an ass, if you'll forgive my words…"

"I've called you worse…"

"I should have talked to you first. If I'd told you my concerns we might have had a tamer disagreement. I should never have acted behind your back. Even I admit that it's a bit proprietary…"

"I'm just as much at fault. I was angry and I again blurted out something stupid and untrue. I know you're my friend and you're only concerned for my safety because I'm your friend, not because I'm the niece of a high official…I flew off without thinking and I've hurt you…Forgive me please…" Pru pleaded.

James gave her a soft smile. "Only if you'll forgive me as well…"

"Done. I've missed talking to you so much. I'm afraid I've been a bit of depressing influence around here…" Pru smiled at him, the smile that always made his breath catch just a bit…

He softly spoke, "I understand completely. I'm afraid I nearly bit Gillette's head off last Tuesday…" He made a swift appraisal of her dress. "You're wearing the dress I bought you…"

She blushed. "It's my favorite. I'll always have fond memories of this dress and the time on the Hunter…"

It was just then that Pru noticed an unexpected arrival to the dinner party. Her face turned white and she slid as far as she could into the alcove to be hidden.

James frowned in concern… "Pru, what's the matter? What's wrong?"

"Don't let them see me!" Pru burrowed into his naval jacket. Automatically, his arms gathered her into an embrace.

"Who? Pru, talk to me…" he demanded.

"It's my father!" Pru groaned, "and John Sills! Good God, they've come to take me back…"

James stood still. "I take it you didn't tell them where you had gone…"

"Of course! I couldn't marry that clod and my father was forcing me to do it anyway. He locked me in my room when I flatly refused, for goodness sake! I ran from that future…but it seems they knew right where to look for me…What are they doing…?"

"Talking to your uncle, who doesn't appear happy…"

"He doesn't have the power to let me stay in Port Royal when my father's here. Doesn't the law require I stay with my father? James, what am I going to do? I can't marry him. I can't!" Pru was quite on her way to panicking. I'm happy here! For once, I have a family and friends…and James! I can't go back. I won't!

"Calm down, Pru. I have a plan… Let me handle this. Just go with what I say. Do you trust me?"

She nodded. "As much as I trust anybody…"

"Good, come with me and follow my lead."

James took her arm and led her out of the alcove. He went to Governor Swann and bowed. He deliberately ignored the two newcomers. In a loud voice James said, "Governor Swann." Everyone went silent. He began declaring with a rather large smile, something most guests hadn't ever seen on his face before, "Thank you for allowing me to make this announcement now rather than later. I could not wait any longer to tell the whole of Port Royal the joyous news. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that Miss Prudence Martin and I are engaged to be married…"

AN: Yay! 50 reviews! Thanks for all that have reviewed…it gives me the confidence to write more chapters.