Disclaimer: Standard statement. I don't make money of POTC. And for the last time, I DO NOT have Norrington in my closet. Really, these federal officials are quite annoying.
"Women will shoot off like a loose cannon if you do not guide them. Unfortunately, loose cannons always end up hurting someone and it is always the gentleman who gets hurt…"
-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies
"Gentlemen want to rule the world and sometimes will not listen to gentle reasoning. It is then that drastic actions are required…"
-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen
Chapter 12: Revelations
Pru waited a whole day before she came to her husband to tell him about his sister. It wasn't that she was afraid of James. No, quite the contrary, she was one of the few people who were brave enough to stand up to him. In waiting, Pru had other plans in mind: namely to allow Anne's ship to get farther from Port Royal.
Eventually, if Pru was going to still look innocent, she would have to tell James. Otherwise, it would become obvious that she knew. Finally, she made her way to Fort Charles and her husband's office. Accordingly, Pru also requested that Lieutenant Gillette would be present as well.
The situation was quite awkward. Even without either of them speaking, Pru could feel the animosity and broken trust between the two. Perhaps this will heal the rift, so to speak, She thought.
"Darling, is there a reason for this unexpected visit? There must be if you required my Lieutenant's presence."
"James," Pru said, "I've come to tell you something…"
He noticed her trepidation. "Is it the children? Are they ill? Are you ill? Is Anne ill? What…"
"She's not there." Pru said in a rush.
"What?"
"Anne isn't at home. I haven't seen her all day. I merely assumed she was staying in her room because of your beastly behavior. Finally, I thought she could use a change of scenery, so I knocked on her door and she didn't respond.
I opened it and found no one within the room. It was then that I found this…" Pru handed James the letter. It was addressed to Commodore James Norrington and Lieutenant Andrew Gillette, Royal Navy:
James and Andrew,
If you're reading this, someone has discovered that I am not here. Rest easy, as I am perfectly fine. I am currently on my way to visit a friend, the location of which I will disclose once I arrive. It is my hope that she will be able to find me a position as a nursemaid or a governess. If I am to not have children of my own, I would very much like to take care of the children of others.
I realized last night that you two were nearing an irreparable break because of my relationship with Andrew. I cannot allow that to happen. I care too much for you to be the cause of the end of such a great friendship.
It came to me that the only solution would be to remove myself from the area. Perhaps I was never meant for marriage. Andrew, do not think it to be your fault. I'm sure with time you will find someone you love and despite your earlier convictions, will marry. I would never want to marry you because my brother wished it and you felt you had to comply. I care too much for you to allow such a stifling life to be set upon you.
James, please do not be angry at Andrew. He has been perfectly honorable and has tried his best to keep his word. Anything that has happened is my fault and mine alone. Do not cut yourself off from himon my part.
Do not come after me. I am perfectly safe and contrary to what you believe, perfectly able to take care of myself. Please allow me the right to make my own choice in the matter.
I will write you as soon as I arrive at my friend's home.
Love,
Annie
p.s. I will write you often, I promise. I'll write both of you.
"Sir, with your permission, I'd like to take the Hunter and find the ship she's sailed on. I'll bringAnne back." Andrew declared.
"Order the ship to be readied right away. Have Groves make inquiries at the docks as to what ships left recently and where they were going. She's my sister, I will be the one to retrieve her."
"She's the woman I love and wish to marry, sir! I think I should go and get her." Andrew said determinedly.
Silence.
Pru spoke excitedly, "You love her? I knew it! I told you James-"
"Do you love her, Andrew?" James asked calmly.
"With every fiber of my being."
James sighed.
"Then I suppose I must give my blessing, however odd it still seems to me. She could dofar worse.However, I will be going with you." James said firmly.
Andrew nodded as Pru stated, "Good idea. I'm going too…"
James turned to Pru. "You are not!"
"Yes, I am."
"I forbid it."
Pru snorted. "Yes, forbidding something has worked so well for you in the past! I'm going whether you like it or not, Commodore!"
Pru had gotten up in his face by then and her eyes were flashing with determination and annoyance.
"No, and that's final. Come Gillette."
He quickly left the office with his Lieutenant. Pru heard the tumblers in the lock turn. Her anger surged as she realized that he had locked her in.
He should know by now that locked doors only infuriate me. They never keep me where I'm supposed to be…
Pru calmly pulled a hair pin out of her hair and began fiddling around with the lock…
Andrew found James observing the preparations to set sail.
"Sir, I think I've found the ship she was on."
James turned to him. "Well, which one is it?"
"The Bonny Lass. It's on its way to the New York colony."
An hour later, the Hunter was ready and they set sail. Both Andrew and James knew the waters well and could almost pinpoint the course the Bonny Lass would have to set if it were to arrive at its intended destination.
"Lieutenant, stop pacing! Go get yourself a Brandy or something. You're making the men nervous." James ordered.
"I can't. She's out there somewhere alone! Unprotected! She could be assaulted by anyone on that ship-"
"Gillette, I know that captain. He's one of the most honest in the Caribbean…"
Andrew had already moved on. "or attacked by pirates! You know what they're capable of! She could be robbed, murdered, or-" Andrew's fingers bit into the railing until his knuckles were white.
"I've had enough of this! Gillette, in my office. Now."
James was forced to practically drag Andrew into his shipboard office. The crew glanced at each other, wondering what the Lieutenant could have possibly done to merit a set down…
Inside the office, James pushed Andrew into a chair.
"Calm down, Andrew. I have no reason to believe that the ship would be attacked by pirates. It's carrying mainly passengers! Nothing of value to pirates."
"I don't care what you think!" Gillette paused. "That didn't come out right…"
"Indeed." came from James in amusement. "My God, you're entirely too worked up about this. Save your energy for being angry at Anne once we reach her. I am."
Andrew looked up at James. "So calm are you? Remember when your wife was captured by pirates? You were practically wearing a path on the deck with your pacing. You were frantic. Anne may not be in that much danger, but that doesn't stop me from worrying. I personally think I'm doing better than your panic attack…"
"I did not panic! I was rightfully terrified over what those murderous bastards would do to Pru. Still, I see your point. I had been just as frantic. Yet, may I remind you that I followed your orders."
James filled a glass with Brandy. "Drink." he ordered.
Just then, a marine knocked on the door and entered. "Sir," the man began, "A stowawayhas just come up from the cargo hold…"
"A stowaway?" James asked.
"Yes, sir."
James closed his eyes. He had a good feeling he already knew, but in false hope he asked, "Who?"
The marine was interrupted by the entrance of a woman.
"Hello, darling."
James stood up, his face angry as he growled, "I forbid you…"
"Yes, I always thought that was stupid of you. You really haven't realized that I'll always do exactly what you forbid me to do? I saw no reason for not coming…"
"Perhaps because I wanted to keep you safe in Port Royal?"
"Come off it, James! Anne, I'm sure, will want a sympathetic person aboard, and frankly, neither of you would fit the bill."
"I still say-"
"Shut up." With that, Pru stood up to her fullest height, wound her arms around his neck, and passionately kissed him on the mouth until the anger drifted out of his body.
"Don't think that means I'm not angry at you compromising your safety again!" James angrily stated, though with considerablyless vehemence than before.
"Leave Gillette and for goodness sake, calm down." Pru ordered. She yanked James's head down for another kiss...
"Pru...We can't do this here! Ohhhh..." James groaned into her mouth.
Andrew left as soon as he saw that Pru was making short work of James's uniform. He drew blinds over the windows in the door on his way out for privacy. If the moans James was making was any indication, the couple would need it...
A while later James stepped out of the office. To most observers, he appeared totally in control. Gillette, however,was not most observers and noted the slight dazed quality to his eyes. He smirked at his friend.
"Commodore, did you finally…settle things with your wife?"
James glared at him. "Indeed."
The officer in the crow's nest announced seeing a ship in the distance. Gillette and Norrington lifted their spyglasses to the horizon. Barely visible was a ship on the port side.
"Right," James said, "Lieutenant, continue course to intercept that ship. When we get closer, signal that we're friendly and we want them to stop for a chat."
"Of course, sir." Gillette answered.
James nodded and turned away.
"Commodore?" Andrew called out.
"Yes?"
Andrew's mouth lifted into a smirk. "You might want to fix the buttons on your waistcoat. They're askew."
James swiftly looked down to a neat row of buttons. He glared at Andrew. "Andrew…so help me, if there weren't witnesses I'd kill you…"
Anne stood against the rail of the ship. By this point, she had dried her tears. After making sure her eyes didn't look puffy, she decided a turn about deck was in order.
She greeted a few of the passengers. She found she rather liked the kind older couple that was traveling to New York to visit one of their sons, a merchant there. Others, Anne found to be slightly annoying and would test her patience to be polite to, such as Mr. Dudley. He regaled everyone who would listen about his farm in New Jersey and his completely boring theories about dairy farming.
Still, there would be plenty of ways to entertain herself until they arrived at their destination. Anne lifted her face to feel the sea breeze. This is the right thing to do. I'm sure I've made the right decision, so why do ache so much?
The captain startled her out of her reverie. "Miss, there is a ship approaching. We're asking that all passengers go down below to their cabins."
She frowned at him. "Is something amiss? Do you think the ship to be dangerous?"
"No, miss. But with pirates still roaming these waters, I don't want to take chances."
"Of course, Captain. No more need be said."
Anne made her way back to her cabin. Entering her room, she rummaged through her satchels and found the pistol that she'd brought as protection…
"Sir, we're approaching the Bonny Lass."
James stood and came from behind his desk. "Very well. I believe I'll let you retrieve my erstwhile sister. I'll speak to the captain."
Andrew frowned. "What changed your mind?"
"I've been thinking about it and I know I can trust you. I merely reacted out of anxiety about my sister."
Pru's voice interrupted, "Meaning I finally knocked some sense into him."
"I told you to stay in the cabin."
"And I told you that I wouldn't, but I will remain on the Hunter, as a compromise."
The argument ended as James and Andrew were able to board the Bonny Lass.
"Captain," James greeted, "This won't take long. We're to recover a missing person for a rather important official in Port Royal. We'll be as quickly as we can in retrieving her…"
His voice faded as Andrew began walking. Andrew was already on his way down to the cabins…
I will not act rashly because I am angry and worried. I will not act rashly because...
AN: I promise I'll have another chapter up by morning. I just felt like leaving it a bit of cliffhanger again. :)