Sighing with relief as they exited the warehouse, Jack now had to deal with where to take this man for tea. "Let's go to," He paused, a tavern just wouldn't do. If anybody recognized him in there, he'd never live it down. Besides, he wasn't even sure taverns served tea. Where did one go for tea? "Ummm, you know. My favorite place for tea is probably closed. Being it's so late and a holiday. Probably getting ready to go to this New Year's Ball later tonight. Why don't we just hold off on the tea until," Grasping for
words as he slowly prodded the Commodore away from the warehouse. "Tomorrow! I'll meet you tomorrow for tea."

Norrington stopped and looked at the woman, "But your cough. It will do no good to wait till tomorrow for your tea and besides..." Straightening his jacket. "I have a town to protect. I'm afraid I cannot let you go now without tea besides I'm certain you want to be well for the ball tonight yourself?"

"Oh," Jack tittered, "The ball. Yes, the ball. Perhaps I'll feel better once I get home. Yes, that's it," He continued improvising. "When I get home I'll have my maid make me a hot tisane and then I am certain I shall feel well enough to attend the ball. Now," Shooing Norrington off, away from the warehouse, "Off with you. You must have so much to do before the ball, being the Commodore and all."

Norrington looked at the woman, "Yes I do have many things to attend to, but allow me to escort you home first so I can at least ensure that you will get some tea. It wouldn't be proper to do anything otherwise."

Jack stumbled. "Walk me home?" His deep voice popped out. Switching quickly back to the falsetto, "You don't need to do that. I'll be fine, just fine," Waving the commodore off, "You just go on, on with you."

Will opened the crate he was in as soon as he heard Jack and Norrington depart. Looking around, he pulled himself out and whispered. "Gibbs! They're gone. Hurry up and let's get out of here before anyone else comes back."

Gibbs nodded as he stood to his feet and wiped his pants off. "Yes we need to hurry," He rushed towards the front of the warehouse." Hurry up Will and where's the bloody rum? We may need some to help Jack out."

"Rum? You're looking for rum?" Will looked at Gibbs in total exasperation. "I should have known rum was involved. Wait a minute," He eyed the other suspiciously. "You didn't come to Port Royal just to visit me, did you? You came to steal the rum for the ball tonight!" Triumphant that he figured out the real reason behind the unexpected visit, he suddenly spotted an open crate sitting next to a desk. Looking in it, he grinned. "Rum is in here. Odd," He scanned the rest of the room, "Must just be a 'personal' supply as everything else in here is just crockery."

Gibbs grinned at Will, "Why yes we just came to visit you, young William. We thought we would ring in the New Year with you. We were so pleased that you thought to include us in yer ball." Gibbs said to Will sarcastically. Rushing over to the crate Will indicated he opened it up. Smiling widely, he pulled out a bottle with reverence due to good rum and took a swig. Smacking his lips in pleasure, he glanced at Will once more. "Yes this is definitely rum. Get me a teapot and two cups quickly." Gibbs yelled as he grabbed an
unopened bottle of rum and rolled it towards Will's feet.

Outside, the voices could now be heard issuing from within the warehouse. Jack grimaced, knowing full well that the commodore could hear them.

Norrington did hear the sounds. Looking skeptically at the warehouse, he reluctantly continued in his efforts to be kind to the 'elderly lady'. "Well I have to ensure that you are well. It would not be looked well upon if I allowed a lady such as yourself to go home alone when she wasn't feeling well."

"It's not my ball; it's the governor's ball! You idiot! And it wasn't my idea not to invite you. Elizabeth felt that Jack wouldn't feel comfortable being around the Norrington and all those naval officers. He's not exactly the most popular man with the His Majesty's navy you know," Stooping down, Will picked up the bottle. Looking at Gibbs, "Isn't this a rather odd time to stop for tea? Shouldn't we be getting out of here?"

"Oh, trust me, I'll be fine..." Jack then started to hear the shouting coming from the warehouse again. Noticing Norrington's gaze, "Why don't we go get that tea after all?"

Gibbs shook his head at Will, "Well are you the least bit surprised then that Jack showed up then? I mean come on Will. Never said Jack was popular, but you could have at least invited him. " He then walked over to Will, "And, if you haven't been listening Norrington isn't exactly wanting to leave of his own accord so he will need a little help in the matter. Provided by this." Gibbs said tapping the bottle. "Now set it up and we best hide because it sounds as if they are returning." Gibbs said as he dashed back behind a few shelves.

Norrington looked at the woman and then at the warehouse, "I think we better go inspect that warehouse. That doesn't sound like rats to me." Norrington said as he turned to head back towards the warehouse.

"NO! WAIT!" Jack wailed and started after Norrington.

"Well," Grinning, Will helped finishing setting out the 'supplies' and started back towards his crate, "You are right. I should have expected Jack to show up when the word party was mentioned," Settling back in to his hiding spot, he pulled the top of the crate back over his head.

Gibbs couldn't help but chuckle as he heard Will admit he should have expected it. He then could see Norrington reentering the warehouse, "Now quiet." Gibbs whispered as he ducked down.

Norrington looked around and scratched his head, "This is quite odd. I am certain I heard voices in here," he said as he entered the warehouse again and began to walk down the aisle.

"Uh, Commodore, oh commodore," Jack's singsong voice lilted after the retreating form of Norrington. COUGH! COUGH! HACK! HACK! "Oh, my. Listen, why don't we have that tea right now," Spotting the supplies set out for him, he swooped down on them and began to light a small burner and placed the teapot full of water on it. "I'd forgotten my husband keeps everything on hand in case he desires a spot of tea while working."

Norrington turned back and looked at the woman skeptically, "Well alright but I must be quick about it. I do have things to be done." Norrington said as he walked back over to her. "Why didn't you mention this before?" Glancing around the warehouse certain there was someone in there.

"Um, I just completely forgot," While Norrington was looking about, Jack quickly poured a generous portion of rum into the teacups and then took a quick swig. "The rats distracted me."

The teapot finally whistled merrily. Grabbing it with his bare hand, "BLOODY H..!" A deep voice popped out of Jack's mouth. His eyes popped open wide. Pulling the scarf more firmly about his face, he used the end of it to pick up the hot teapot and poured the tea into both cups. "Here," He tittered, "Your tea is ready commodore."

Norrington walked over and took the teacup from her sniffing it. He pulled back, "It smells a bit strong." he commented as he slowly and reluctantly took a sip but knew she would be offended if he didn't. He made a face as he took a sip. "This is the most unusual bit of tea I've ever tasted.".

"From Singapore," Jack assured him. "My husband has it specially blended for him and imports it."

Norrington looked at her oddly, "Ahh I see.. It's quite, ah, strong." he said to her as he reluctantly took another sip.

Gibbs began looking around frantically when he noticed a back door that was unlocked. He crawled over and carefully lifted the lid on Will's crate. "Back door." Gibbs whispered.

"Coming," Crawling out of his crate, Will followed quietly after Gibbs. Almost to the door, he suddenly hit his knee on a box, "MMPFT!" He tried to muffle the sound with his hands and then took off out the door.

Norrington heard a noise and set his teacup down. "Now I am certain that was not a rat," he said as he began to walk towards the back.

Gibbs looked at Will, "Ye alright mate?" Stopping once they were far enough away from the warehouse, he decided to continue in his venture to find the real rum. "You do know where the rum for the ball is, don't you? Jack and I have brought a special shipment from Tortuga with us we'd like you to help us put it with it."

Will stopped dead. "Tortugan rum? You've got to be kidding me? Why would Jack, of all people, give up rum?"