Groaning, Jack watched as Norrington headed to the back. Then he saw Will and Gibbs outside hustling down the street and disappear around a corner. "Whew!" Refilling the commodore's cup with more rum and a 'spot' of tea Jack waited while he inspected the warehouse. "I'm certain it's rats, but if you insist, go ahead and check," He waved his arms about haphazardly. " I'll have some more tea ready for you when you are finished."

Norrington walked the entire length of the warehouse. "I'm certain that I heard something but perhaps I was mistaken. " He removed his hat and stood there for a minute. "I sure hope I'm not losing my mind." Norrington mumbled to himself. He looked down at the teacup, "I suppose one more won't hurt. It has a rather interesting effect."

Jack checked and saw the commodore was still searching. Taking the top off the teapot, he emptied the bottle of rum into it. "Good, isn't it? Now you understand why it is imported," Jack grinned watching Norrington gulp down the tea. "Here, have some more," Refilling his cup to the brim.

Norrington held out his cup and watched as he poured more into it. "I may have to come by on later occasions for more tea. This is quite good," Taking another swallow of tea, he felt a little faint. "Whoa," Reeling slightly, he sat on the crate next to him. "I'm suddenly feeling a bit light headed."

"Here, have some more!" Refilling his cup, Jack grinned as he watched the rum take affect.

Norrington slowly drank more of the tea. He then tried to stand and his head felt faint again. "Maybe I just need to sit for a few more moments." Norrington said as he didn't understand why his legs felt weak and he suddenly felt quite giddy. He looked at the woman and tilted his head, "You know you are quiet lovely. Why don't you come sit down next to me?" Norrington said to her sweetly.

Jack eyes opened wide when he heard Norrington's offer. Startled, the scarf began to slip below his chin. "Uh, why thank you," He tittered and batted his eyelashes as he pulled the scarf back up. "My husband says the same thing to me every night. Actually, you are looking quite tired, why don't you just lay down," Noticing a small bench, he'd started improvising. He needed to get out of here and quick!

Norrington took another sip of his tea and noticed the cup was empty again. "Do you think I could have some more? My head still isn't feeling quite right." Norrington said as he slowly tried to stand up using his hand to steady him. He took one step and stumbled. "Perhaps you are right. Would you mind assisting me over to that bench? I am not feeling quite myself." Norrington said with a stutter.

Jack grabbed his arm and assisted him over to the bench, grinning every step of the way. Once he'd gotten the man to the bench, he went back to the table. With his back to Norrington, he hastily downed his cup full of rum; poured himself another which of course he quickly drank, and then refilled the commodores cup. Walking back to the bench, "Here you go, darlin'," Smirking behind the scarf, "Drink up. This should help you feel better."

Norrington held the woman's arm tenderly as she assisted him to the bench. "Thank you my lady." he said with a slight nod of his head as he sat down on the bench. He then put his head into his hands. Why did everything seem to be so fuzzy? He wondered as he sat there. Once he heard the woman returning with the tea, he looked up and smiled as he took the tea and took another large drink. "Please sit and join me for a bit." Norrington said with a smile as he reached his hand up to try and caress the woman's cheek. He was unsure what was overcoming him but he didn't feel the urge to resist it at the moment.

Jerking back out of Norrington's reach, Jack vehemently shook his head no. "Uh, thanks but I've really got to go," He started backing towards the door. "Got to get ready for the ball you know." Grabbing the doorknob, he opened it and darted out the door. Dropping the scarf from his face, "Whew!"

Now that they were safely outside, Gibbs had stopped and turned to look at Will, "Aye, Tortugan rum, finest liquid treasure on the planet. And, we've brought it here just for the Governor's party. Course, kinda hoping we could trade with what you all have," He eyed Will, praying he'd buy the story.

Thinking it over, Will finally conceded. "A trade then? Well…"

"Tortugan rum," Gibbs reminded him. "Best in the Caribbean."

Will sighed. "Well, I don't suppose the Governor would mind."

"He'll be pleased, bet he's never tasted anything like this," Gibbs repressed a shudder as he recalled the taste of the vinegar.

"Still odd for Jack, but then he is a bit eccentric," Pointing towards a wagon tied at the end of the street. Will spoke again. "I've got that to haul the rum. Shall we?"

The two men headed to the wagon and climbing aboard, headed down to the beach to meet up with Jack's crew and the rum. With the help of the men, they quickly loaded the crates and headed up towards the mansion. Slipping in through the back door, they unloaded the crates rapidly.

Dusting off his hands, Gibbs smiled. So far, so good he thought. "Now, boy. Let's go get that rum you have and we can get it out to the Black Pearl."

"One good turn deserves another," Will pulled out the key to the warehouse. "Let's go do it." As they hurried back to the warehouse, he looked at Gibbs, "Seriously, why exactly did Jack come to Port Royal? He must have left the instant he received my letter for you to have arrived before the ball. I didn't know about it myself until just last week."

Gibbs smiled as he turned to follow Will back to the warehouse. He couldn't believe they were going to succeed and with Will's help. The plan was working better than he had ever anticipated. He broke out of his train of thought when Will began speaking to him and wiped the smile quickly off his face. Gibbs nodded, "Aye he had just received your letter and was quite disappointed that ye weren't joining us. I think he figured if he made a
nice gesture and waited till after the ball you might be more obliged to join us." Gibbs improvised knowing fully well that that had not been Jack's intentions at all but hoped that Will would believe it.

"Oh, after the ball? You know, I'd never thought about that. Everything just came up so unexpectedly I just didn't think about that," Will became thoughtful at the suggestion. "I could work that out. Things are rather slow after the holidays. Yes, I don't see why I couldn't go!" Becoming excited at the thought of joining Jack and Gibbs on another adventure, he picked up his pace. "Here we are," Pulling out the key, he opened the
warehouse door. "It should be back here, in this corner."

Gibbs nodded, "Aye. He thought coming here might be the best way to convince ye." Gibbs said to him quite relieved that Will believed what he was saying. He was certain Jack wouldn't mind the small bit of fabrication that he had provided. "Great! Jack will be thrilled to hear that you are joining us after all." Gibbs smiled as he saw into the open warehouse. Now they would have a supply of rum. He turned to the crew, "Ye heard the man. Go back in the corner, grab the crates and get them back to the Pearl." Gibbs instructed.

Will walked back to the area where the crates were supposed to be and stopped dead. There was nothing there! "Wait a minute! What happened? You don't suppose someone took them up to the mansion while we were going there?" He started to look about the warehouse. "Where has the rum gone?"