The Oldest Story in the Book
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: Not mine. But I'll learn to live with it. Or die. Whichever.
Author's Note: It's a miracle! I found some time to write! A longish update, even. Don't count on it happening ever again. Actually, I may or may not have time on Memorial Day to do some work. No promises, mind, but maybe. In the mean time, enjoy:
Darkness had fallen several hours past when a member of the crew finally appeared. "The Captain wishes to speak to the Commodore," he announced.
"I am the Captain of this ship," Gildren said, stepping forward. "By rights, I should be heading up negotiations."
"I have my orders," the crewman answered, opening the cell containing only the Commodore and the man who had attempted to murder Pearl.
"It's all right," Norrington said quickly, moving agreeably forward to follow the crewman. "I've dealt with the Sparrows before. Perhaps I can get us something proper to eat. That is, unless the man plans on starving us."
"I learned long ago not to try to predict what any of those Sparrows will do at any time," the crewman answered. "My orders were to bring you, and so I will. You'll come quietly?"
He nodded. "There wouldn't be much point in my trying to escape. I'd have to free the crew in order to get anywhere, and I dare say someone would notice before we got too far."
The crewman smiled. "Miss Pearl said you'd see it very logically."
The man led him quickly and easily up, across the plank that rested between the anchored ships. Norrington noted with interest that Jack had taken them into a harbor so he could keep the ships lashed together as the man led him to the Captain's quarters. Norrington had to admit that he had always wondered what Jack's cabin looked like.
The man opened the door and ushered him in, closing it soundlessly behind him, giving Norrington enough time to study his surroundings uninterrupted.
The furnishings were exactly the sort of thing to be expected of a pirate; gold and trinkets set out on display, silk hanging here and there on the walls along with the odd tapestry, the well-carved table dominating the room. It was the people Norrington found his gaze drawn to.
Pearl sat behind her father with his back facing her before a roaring fire, candles set up around them as she studied his left shoulder, occasionally taking a wet rag from a dish of water next to her to wipe at the shoulder. For a moment he though Jack must have been injured, until he caught sight of the needle in Pearl's hand she was occasionally dipping into a bottle of ink sitting next to her. Apparently Jack felt another tattoo was in order.
Emmie was a few feet away in a chair pulled close to another containing a woman he had never seen before, surrounded by candles with a book open in her lap. She wore the same outfit she had worn on deck mere hours ago.
The woman next to her was dark, black hair pulled back. For a moment he thought he was seeing Anamaria before he took a closer look. Her skin was more caramel, her features finer. Her hair was drawn back and wrapped in a scarf that glowed golden in the candlelight with small gold coins hanging from it that tinkled lightly as she moved. Her shirt was blood red and fell low on her bust, a dark green shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her skirt was blue, lined with the same gold disks, and twisted around her to reveal her ankles, which were surrounded by gold bracelets.
"But you do love him," Emmie was saying as he entered.
Her back turned to him, Pearl remained unaware of his presence, as did Jack for the same reason. The other two either didn't notice him or didn't feel the need to inform the two resident pirates of his presence.
"Darling, I keep telling you, it doesn't matter," Pearl answered.
"But you do love him," Emmie persisted.
"Of course she loves him, darling," the dark woman answered, an odd twist to her words he couldn't identify. "If she didn't she'd not work so hard at avoiding saying it."
"I'm not avoiding it," Pearl argued. "I don't mind saying it. I do love the dear Commodore. But it doesn't change that fact that he's married and it had no hope of working before Maggie came into his life. I don't want to get my daughter's hopes up for no good reason. And besides, aren't you just a bit old to be doing the whole wanting your parents back together routine?"
"I don't think you ever outgrow that wish, luv," Jack remarked, rolling his shoulder, the grin apparent in his voice.
"You know, you could make it work," Emmie said. "I mean, you can do anything if you really put your mind to it."
"You've gone out of your way to prove that more than once," the strange woman said.
"You can't cage Pearl Sparrow, and that's a fact," Pearl informed them both.
"He could sail off with you."
"No, Emmie, he couldn't. He'd have to abandon Maggie and Ethan and his post and a part of him would always hate me for forcing him into it. Isn't that right, Edward?" She turned suddenly to look at him.
He stood frozen by the door for a moment before he finally forced himself to move, hoping the flickering firelight hid the blush he knew stained his cheeks. "If you say so, I suppose. You always professed to know more about the situation than I did." He was pleased to note that the tattoos were gone from her face before she turned back to her father's shoulder.
"Edward, that was quite nearly hurtful. I believe you're finally starting to learn," Pearl remarked completely indifferently. "This is Nikkoderan. We call her Nikko," she added with a wave toward the new woman. "Nikko, Edward."
Norrington bowed to her. She stood, he assumed to curtsy, but instead she came forward and placed her hands on his face, studying him closely. A chill passed through him as she studied him, more so when he realized the golden hoops around her ankles and wrists made no sound despite her movements. "You're Aztec," he whispered, the realization coming on him suddenly. There were tales of Aztecs capable of capturing a man's soul just by looking in his eyes. The chill intensified.
"Indeed," she agreed. "An Aztec gypsy, as point of fact. Not an easy thing to be just at this moment, but I make do. Don't fear, I'm not bewitching you," she added. Reaching up she took his face in her hands, turning it this away and that. Next she picked up his hands and studied them. He watched all this in confusion, but didn't object.
Turning toward Pearl she said something in a language he didn't know. Whatever it was it earned a nasty look from Pearl, a giggle from Emmie, and a guffaw from Jack. "What's that?" he asked.
"Nothing, dear," Nikko said. "I can see why she's chosen you. You've a good and pure soul. That's a rare thing to find in these days, in this place. But there's a fire in you as well."
"Oh, stop being so melodramatic, will you?" Pearl called.
"Darling, you're the pirate daughter who fell in love with the Commodore as is trying to hang your father. You set the story up. I'm just filling in the pieces." Pearl rolled her eyes. "So tell me the truth, Edward, if I may call you that. Do you love our dear Pearl?"
Norrington found his hand closing around hers. "More than life itself."
The woman smiled. "Excellent answer. And do you cling to that love, despite the wife and child you have at home?" He frowned, opening his mouth to correct her, but she seemed to read his thoughts. "Not in spite of them, Edward. Not with lessened love for your family. I do not ask if your love for our Pearl eclipses your love for your wife. It obviously does not. But do you find your love for Pearl pure and true? Will you see it continue to endure despite the obstacles ahead, as you have thus far?"
He stared at her in shock. How had she read his mind? He felt Emmie's eyes burrowing into him as he nodded.
Nikko grinned again. Standing on tiptoes she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Then she will be yours. Hold to that faith." Drawing back she brushed a gentle kiss over his cheek. Then, releasing him she returned to her seat, the gold bracelets around her wrists and ankles remaining mystically silent, and turned to Pearl to say, "Aye, he'll do. He's handsome enough at least."
"Glad you approve," Pearl chuckled. "Have a seat, Edward. Emmie, why don't you get him something to drink? There should be some wine left from that royal French fleet we sacked. If it was good enough for a French prince I don't believe he will turn up his nose at it."
Norrington sighed. "You're going after the French now?"
"Now?" Jack repeated. "We always have. We're pirates, lad. Equal opportunity thieves. We don't hold any nation in any higher regard than any other."
"I don't know why I'm surprised. But royalty? Really, you have to be careful. Thank you, Emmie," he added as she placed a bottle and glass before him.
"We're never careful," Pearl informed him.
"No fun in that," Jack added.
"How is Ethan?" Emmie interrupted eagerly.
"Fine," Norrington answered. "I must say, he has gotten into considerably less trouble since you left. I believe I finally know who the mastermind behind the majority of those plans were."
"I would think that would be abundantly clear," Jack remarked. "Ow!" he cried as Pearl suddenly drove the needle a bit deeper than necessary.
"Sorry, it slipped. I suppose he'll be going into the royal navy soon," Pearl said.
"He wants to sail, that much is certain. As that will be the easiest route for him I imagine he will. He's only twelve, after all. He can't enter the navy until he's sixteen."
"That's a long wait," Emmie remarked.
"Longer for you. They don't allow women," Pearl pointed out. "Be glad you have pirate connections."
"I am, every day," Emmie grinned.
"What about Will and Lizzie?" Pearl asked.
"They're very well. Business is excellent for Will. Men are coming from England to purchase his swords. He's made quite the name for himself. You should really come visit them some time. I believe they miss you something terrible, Emmie. And I would hate for Ethan to forget you completely. He still talks about you from time to time. Asks the Turners for news."
"I'm sure we will visit, eventually," Emmie remarked. "We're a bit busy at the moment."
Silence settled for a moment as Pearl concentrated on the tattoo--a crown, as Norrington could now see--and Emmie and Nikko began quietly discussing the book held between them. Norrington knew he should be discussing terms to get his crew released, but instead he found himself lost in Pearl. He had expected the spark between them to have faded. After all, it had been four years since they had set eyes on one another, and fifteen since they had so much as kissed. But he still felt heat fill him every time he looked at her. Everything about her weathered features seemed gloriously beautiful. Even the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes, exaggerated when she smiled, seemed to call to him.
Finally she finished the work, patting Jack on the shoulder and holding up a mirror so he could see. "You've outdone yourself again, luv."
"Thank you," she replied. "You next, Edward?" she asked, laughing as his eyes grew round.
"You'd have to tie me up," he informed her.
"That can be arranged," Jack said at the same time Pearl said, "Don't tempt me."
They both laughed and Norrington's eyes flickered toward the door, obviously plotting escape. "Come on, I'd love to mark up this lovely, unmarred skin." She came closer, pushing up one sleeve to run her hands over his arm. "I could tattoo 'Maggie' on here. She'd love it."
"I very much doubt that," he informed her, jerking from her grasp. "Shouldn't we be discussing releasing my men? Or at least feeding them."
"Feeding them?" Emmie repeated.
"Jack, I told you to be certain to send some food down to them," Pearl sighed.
"And I told you to do it," Jack returned.
"Yes, because I don't have enough trouble convincing these men I'm serious. Turning me into a serving wench will obviously help matters," Pearl snapped sarcastically. "Nikko, would you mind going and telling Gibbs to send some food down there, maybe bringing some in here?"
"Oh, so you'll make me into the serving wench?" Nikko asked.
"Of course not. But you're not a pirate," Pearl pointed out. "You don't have to prove to them that you aren't some soft woman."
"No worries, luv," Jack called to Nikko. "You're far too pretty a creature to be made a serving wench. I'd see to that."
Nikko laughed. "Such a gentleman, Jack."
"Just doing my duty, seeing a beauty like you gets her due."
"Flirt," Pearl accused.
"Says the woman sitting in the room with a married man whose child she's carried," Jack answered.
Pearl glared at him. "He wasn't married then."
"He was promised to darling Magpie. And before you tell me you hadn't made any promises and broke no vows, it was you as tempted him away. If you hadn't tormented him he never would have turned his back on her."
"He didn't turn his back on anyone," Pearl objected. "And I knew him long before she did."
"That's more than enough, the both of you!" Nikko cried. "I'm going just to get away from you."
Norrington, in his own discomfort over the turn of discussion, found himself turning his eyes away from the arguing pair. They fastened on his daughter. Emmie sat slumped in the corner, eyes glued on the book in her lap, although they didn't seem to be making the movements reading required. Her hand was at her bust, playing nervously with a necklace she had pulled from beneath her shirt. His necklace, he noticed with a start. Pearl had said she was going to give it to her, so she had proof that Edward Norrington would protect her should they ever have a run-in with the Navy. It would be a hard thing for him to explain, but it still made him feeling better, knowing he could give his daughter some small promise of protection.
Pearl settled for a glare at her father, to Norrington's immense relief, accepting a bottle of rum from him and settling into a chair of her own. Jack grabbed a bottle for himself and settled as well. "All right, let's discuss the plan. First off, I don't want this ship. Too big, wouldn't make much of a pirate ship. We've unloaded most of what we want from her. Finish that up tomorrow and we can disembark. This naturally leaves us with two problems."
Norrington nodded. "Keeping us in the cells until you're well away."
"Right-o. You can fix that. We can hide a key within reach, and you conveniently wait a few hours before coming across it."
"What makes you think I would do that?" he demanded.
"Well, for one, the alternative is to leave you locked down there to starve to death," Jack answered with an indifferent shrug. "Honestly, the thought doesn't trouble me so, but I dare say my daughter and granddaughter would be unhappy with me and I make a point of avoiding that eventuality often as possible." Norrington had the sneaking suspicion this was a bluff on Jack's part. The crews he took hostage often remained completely unharmed, and had never yet all turned up dead. "The second reason is because you do pull out the key too soon and come after us to engage in a no-holds-barred all-out battle your lady love and daughter will be directly in the line of fire the entire time. That isn't me trying to blackmail you, Edward, it's them ignoring any and all orders I give to stay out of it." The two indicated women shared rather evil smiles.
Norrington sighed heavily. "What's the second problem?"
"You're short about half of your crew. The turncoats are mine, and they will sail with me. I'm not leaving them for you to hang."
Norrington shrugged. "I don't see why this should be a problem. We can mange."
"Manage isn't good enough," Pearl said.
"There's a nasty storm heading this way," Emmie said, eyes distant as she turned toward the west.
Norrington's eyes darted to Pearl. "She's got it too?"
"Of course," Pearl answered. "It runs in the family. I know you're stuck on her being your daughter, but you must remember that she has my blood flowing in her veins as well."
"I never forget," he assured her. "So I assume you have an idea as to how to solve this problem."
"Sabotage the ship," Jack said. "Much as I hate to harm the poor dear. I wanted to know what we could hit that would convince the men to head for the nearest bunch of islands but not slow you down and still allow the ship to be operational after a good storm."
This, naturally, led to a long and involved discussion on the various ship components. Nikko returned with a tray of cheese and bread for the Commodore, depositing it silently before him and withdrawing to her chair and her book. Sailing was obviously not her area of expertise.
After a while a silence settled during which they were all carefully contemplating disabling a certain piece of rigging. It was then that Norrington heard it. It was quiet, a small noise, but constant. Norrington followed it back toward Nikko and Emmie, both of whom seemed involved in individual books. After another few moments he realized the sound was coming from Emmie. She was humming.
"Edward?" Pearl broke in. "Edward, you look a little peaky. Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered, glancing toward Emmie.
Pearl followed his gaze. "Emmie, hon, you're humming again," Pearl called to her.
"Sorry," she called back with a wave.
"She does that sometimes," Pearl said. "It's hardly reason to faint dead away on me."
"I'm not," he assured her. "I just forgot. I hadn't thought on it in years, is all."
"Thought on what?" Pearl asked, leaning forward to place a comforting hand on his leg.
"My mother used to do that. When she was reading, or sewing. No tune to it. She didn't even know she was doing it. I hadn't thought on it in years." He chuckled. "Used to drive my father batty." He smiled fondly. He'd been fairly young when his mother had died. It warmed his heart, seeing something even as simple as a tendency toward humming still alive in his daughter. She grinned at him as well. As a little girl raised as an orphan he knew every detail of where each trait came from thrilled her.
"Still drives me batty," Jack commented. "Would come from your side. Look, we need to get on with this."
"Right, right," Pearl sighed. "Your men may start to worry if we keep you much longer."
"If they're smart they'll worry anyway," Norrington remarked.
Twenty minutes later they had a working plan.
Norrington stood, straightening his jacket. "You realize I'm going to tell them I bargained this through with you?" he asked Jack.
"So long as you realize I'm going to tell my men that my daughter twisted my arm on this count," Jack said.
"Pearl won't mind?" he asked in surprise.
Pearl shook her head. "Nah. I actually encourage him to tell his men that I have complete control," Pearl said with a grin. "Come, Emmie. Say goodbye to your father. You won't get a chance to see him tomorrow."
"Goodbye," he said politely, accepting a hug. "You should come visit the Turners soon."
"Soon as we're able," Emmie answered. "Give them our regards."
"Come, Edward, I'll take you back down. Are you nearly ready for bed, Miss Emerald?" Pearl asked.
"Aye, nearly," she answered.
"Good. Nikko, can we expect you tonight or do you have more entertaining anointments?" She glanced toward Jack, who was studying his nails in feigned indifference and obviously watching very closely.
"I hadn't decided," she answered with a shrug, a smile drifting over her features.
"Oh, come on lass," Jack finally burst out. "You'll enjoy yourself, I promise."
She tilted her head, eyes staring at the ceiling as she appeared to think deeply about her options. Emmie laughed jovially, eyes shifting between Jack and Nikko as her grandfather approached the gypsy.
Jack sank down onto his knees before the woman, taking her hand in his, drawing her eyes down to him. "Please, luv?" He kissed one of her hands, then the other. Then licked her finger. Norrington felt his jaw drop open.
"Oh, I suppose," Nikko sighed. "Stop lapping at me, would you?"
"Whatever you say. Your wish is my command." He stood, bowing deeply.
"All right then. I'll see you both tomorrow," Pearl called, grabbing Norrington's hand and leading him out, snapping up a candle as they went. "Try to behave yourselves moderately until my daughter leaves the room."
Nikko giggled as Jack pulled her into his arms, lips fastening themselves to her neck. "I hope to see you soon, Edward," she called after them.
"You as well," Norrington called as the door closed. "Was that what I think it was?" Norrington demanded as they went up onto the deck and across the plank to the Naval ship.
"Probably," she answered.
"And it doesn't bother you that your friend is sleeping with your father?"
Pearl shrugged as they descended the stairs of the captured ship toward the brig. "No. They're both attractive people, and adults. Jack doesn't look near his age, and is still rather nice to look at, or so I've been told. And Nikko is a long way from ugly. They can make their own decisions."
He shook his head at her. "I just can't fathom it," he remarked.
"Well, it's a world that's far different from the one you've lived in. We pirates, we find peace where we may."
He nodded, mostly because he imagined more than understood the sort of world she described, and was glad for it. And, worst of all, it was a world his daughter was part of.
Lost in his thoughts as he was he nearly tripped when Pearl suddenly grabbed his arm and guided him into a dark room beside the stairwell. "I need to speak to you for a moment. Privately."
Author's Note: There you go. I know, I promised a little romance. Next chapter, you have my word. Maggie fans beware. Or does it bother you? If you're a Maggie fan and you review (please) let me know.
The comment on Jack was for whoever (and I'm very sorry I don't remember who) said in their review they didn't want to see Jack as old. Neither do I, and I'm choosing to believe that the Aztec Gold incident has left him aging more slowly. Which means Will is too. Yumminess for years to come. Happy birthday to us! And it's not even my birthday.
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: Not mine. But I'll learn to live with it. Or die. Whichever.
Author's Note: It's a miracle! I found some time to write! A longish update, even. Don't count on it happening ever again. Actually, I may or may not have time on Memorial Day to do some work. No promises, mind, but maybe. In the mean time, enjoy:
Darkness had fallen several hours past when a member of the crew finally appeared. "The Captain wishes to speak to the Commodore," he announced.
"I am the Captain of this ship," Gildren said, stepping forward. "By rights, I should be heading up negotiations."
"I have my orders," the crewman answered, opening the cell containing only the Commodore and the man who had attempted to murder Pearl.
"It's all right," Norrington said quickly, moving agreeably forward to follow the crewman. "I've dealt with the Sparrows before. Perhaps I can get us something proper to eat. That is, unless the man plans on starving us."
"I learned long ago not to try to predict what any of those Sparrows will do at any time," the crewman answered. "My orders were to bring you, and so I will. You'll come quietly?"
He nodded. "There wouldn't be much point in my trying to escape. I'd have to free the crew in order to get anywhere, and I dare say someone would notice before we got too far."
The crewman smiled. "Miss Pearl said you'd see it very logically."
The man led him quickly and easily up, across the plank that rested between the anchored ships. Norrington noted with interest that Jack had taken them into a harbor so he could keep the ships lashed together as the man led him to the Captain's quarters. Norrington had to admit that he had always wondered what Jack's cabin looked like.
The man opened the door and ushered him in, closing it soundlessly behind him, giving Norrington enough time to study his surroundings uninterrupted.
The furnishings were exactly the sort of thing to be expected of a pirate; gold and trinkets set out on display, silk hanging here and there on the walls along with the odd tapestry, the well-carved table dominating the room. It was the people Norrington found his gaze drawn to.
Pearl sat behind her father with his back facing her before a roaring fire, candles set up around them as she studied his left shoulder, occasionally taking a wet rag from a dish of water next to her to wipe at the shoulder. For a moment he though Jack must have been injured, until he caught sight of the needle in Pearl's hand she was occasionally dipping into a bottle of ink sitting next to her. Apparently Jack felt another tattoo was in order.
Emmie was a few feet away in a chair pulled close to another containing a woman he had never seen before, surrounded by candles with a book open in her lap. She wore the same outfit she had worn on deck mere hours ago.
The woman next to her was dark, black hair pulled back. For a moment he thought he was seeing Anamaria before he took a closer look. Her skin was more caramel, her features finer. Her hair was drawn back and wrapped in a scarf that glowed golden in the candlelight with small gold coins hanging from it that tinkled lightly as she moved. Her shirt was blood red and fell low on her bust, a dark green shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her skirt was blue, lined with the same gold disks, and twisted around her to reveal her ankles, which were surrounded by gold bracelets.
"But you do love him," Emmie was saying as he entered.
Her back turned to him, Pearl remained unaware of his presence, as did Jack for the same reason. The other two either didn't notice him or didn't feel the need to inform the two resident pirates of his presence.
"Darling, I keep telling you, it doesn't matter," Pearl answered.
"But you do love him," Emmie persisted.
"Of course she loves him, darling," the dark woman answered, an odd twist to her words he couldn't identify. "If she didn't she'd not work so hard at avoiding saying it."
"I'm not avoiding it," Pearl argued. "I don't mind saying it. I do love the dear Commodore. But it doesn't change that fact that he's married and it had no hope of working before Maggie came into his life. I don't want to get my daughter's hopes up for no good reason. And besides, aren't you just a bit old to be doing the whole wanting your parents back together routine?"
"I don't think you ever outgrow that wish, luv," Jack remarked, rolling his shoulder, the grin apparent in his voice.
"You know, you could make it work," Emmie said. "I mean, you can do anything if you really put your mind to it."
"You've gone out of your way to prove that more than once," the strange woman said.
"You can't cage Pearl Sparrow, and that's a fact," Pearl informed them both.
"He could sail off with you."
"No, Emmie, he couldn't. He'd have to abandon Maggie and Ethan and his post and a part of him would always hate me for forcing him into it. Isn't that right, Edward?" She turned suddenly to look at him.
He stood frozen by the door for a moment before he finally forced himself to move, hoping the flickering firelight hid the blush he knew stained his cheeks. "If you say so, I suppose. You always professed to know more about the situation than I did." He was pleased to note that the tattoos were gone from her face before she turned back to her father's shoulder.
"Edward, that was quite nearly hurtful. I believe you're finally starting to learn," Pearl remarked completely indifferently. "This is Nikkoderan. We call her Nikko," she added with a wave toward the new woman. "Nikko, Edward."
Norrington bowed to her. She stood, he assumed to curtsy, but instead she came forward and placed her hands on his face, studying him closely. A chill passed through him as she studied him, more so when he realized the golden hoops around her ankles and wrists made no sound despite her movements. "You're Aztec," he whispered, the realization coming on him suddenly. There were tales of Aztecs capable of capturing a man's soul just by looking in his eyes. The chill intensified.
"Indeed," she agreed. "An Aztec gypsy, as point of fact. Not an easy thing to be just at this moment, but I make do. Don't fear, I'm not bewitching you," she added. Reaching up she took his face in her hands, turning it this away and that. Next she picked up his hands and studied them. He watched all this in confusion, but didn't object.
Turning toward Pearl she said something in a language he didn't know. Whatever it was it earned a nasty look from Pearl, a giggle from Emmie, and a guffaw from Jack. "What's that?" he asked.
"Nothing, dear," Nikko said. "I can see why she's chosen you. You've a good and pure soul. That's a rare thing to find in these days, in this place. But there's a fire in you as well."
"Oh, stop being so melodramatic, will you?" Pearl called.
"Darling, you're the pirate daughter who fell in love with the Commodore as is trying to hang your father. You set the story up. I'm just filling in the pieces." Pearl rolled her eyes. "So tell me the truth, Edward, if I may call you that. Do you love our dear Pearl?"
Norrington found his hand closing around hers. "More than life itself."
The woman smiled. "Excellent answer. And do you cling to that love, despite the wife and child you have at home?" He frowned, opening his mouth to correct her, but she seemed to read his thoughts. "Not in spite of them, Edward. Not with lessened love for your family. I do not ask if your love for our Pearl eclipses your love for your wife. It obviously does not. But do you find your love for Pearl pure and true? Will you see it continue to endure despite the obstacles ahead, as you have thus far?"
He stared at her in shock. How had she read his mind? He felt Emmie's eyes burrowing into him as he nodded.
Nikko grinned again. Standing on tiptoes she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Then she will be yours. Hold to that faith." Drawing back she brushed a gentle kiss over his cheek. Then, releasing him she returned to her seat, the gold bracelets around her wrists and ankles remaining mystically silent, and turned to Pearl to say, "Aye, he'll do. He's handsome enough at least."
"Glad you approve," Pearl chuckled. "Have a seat, Edward. Emmie, why don't you get him something to drink? There should be some wine left from that royal French fleet we sacked. If it was good enough for a French prince I don't believe he will turn up his nose at it."
Norrington sighed. "You're going after the French now?"
"Now?" Jack repeated. "We always have. We're pirates, lad. Equal opportunity thieves. We don't hold any nation in any higher regard than any other."
"I don't know why I'm surprised. But royalty? Really, you have to be careful. Thank you, Emmie," he added as she placed a bottle and glass before him.
"We're never careful," Pearl informed him.
"No fun in that," Jack added.
"How is Ethan?" Emmie interrupted eagerly.
"Fine," Norrington answered. "I must say, he has gotten into considerably less trouble since you left. I believe I finally know who the mastermind behind the majority of those plans were."
"I would think that would be abundantly clear," Jack remarked. "Ow!" he cried as Pearl suddenly drove the needle a bit deeper than necessary.
"Sorry, it slipped. I suppose he'll be going into the royal navy soon," Pearl said.
"He wants to sail, that much is certain. As that will be the easiest route for him I imagine he will. He's only twelve, after all. He can't enter the navy until he's sixteen."
"That's a long wait," Emmie remarked.
"Longer for you. They don't allow women," Pearl pointed out. "Be glad you have pirate connections."
"I am, every day," Emmie grinned.
"What about Will and Lizzie?" Pearl asked.
"They're very well. Business is excellent for Will. Men are coming from England to purchase his swords. He's made quite the name for himself. You should really come visit them some time. I believe they miss you something terrible, Emmie. And I would hate for Ethan to forget you completely. He still talks about you from time to time. Asks the Turners for news."
"I'm sure we will visit, eventually," Emmie remarked. "We're a bit busy at the moment."
Silence settled for a moment as Pearl concentrated on the tattoo--a crown, as Norrington could now see--and Emmie and Nikko began quietly discussing the book held between them. Norrington knew he should be discussing terms to get his crew released, but instead he found himself lost in Pearl. He had expected the spark between them to have faded. After all, it had been four years since they had set eyes on one another, and fifteen since they had so much as kissed. But he still felt heat fill him every time he looked at her. Everything about her weathered features seemed gloriously beautiful. Even the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes, exaggerated when she smiled, seemed to call to him.
Finally she finished the work, patting Jack on the shoulder and holding up a mirror so he could see. "You've outdone yourself again, luv."
"Thank you," she replied. "You next, Edward?" she asked, laughing as his eyes grew round.
"You'd have to tie me up," he informed her.
"That can be arranged," Jack said at the same time Pearl said, "Don't tempt me."
They both laughed and Norrington's eyes flickered toward the door, obviously plotting escape. "Come on, I'd love to mark up this lovely, unmarred skin." She came closer, pushing up one sleeve to run her hands over his arm. "I could tattoo 'Maggie' on here. She'd love it."
"I very much doubt that," he informed her, jerking from her grasp. "Shouldn't we be discussing releasing my men? Or at least feeding them."
"Feeding them?" Emmie repeated.
"Jack, I told you to be certain to send some food down to them," Pearl sighed.
"And I told you to do it," Jack returned.
"Yes, because I don't have enough trouble convincing these men I'm serious. Turning me into a serving wench will obviously help matters," Pearl snapped sarcastically. "Nikko, would you mind going and telling Gibbs to send some food down there, maybe bringing some in here?"
"Oh, so you'll make me into the serving wench?" Nikko asked.
"Of course not. But you're not a pirate," Pearl pointed out. "You don't have to prove to them that you aren't some soft woman."
"No worries, luv," Jack called to Nikko. "You're far too pretty a creature to be made a serving wench. I'd see to that."
Nikko laughed. "Such a gentleman, Jack."
"Just doing my duty, seeing a beauty like you gets her due."
"Flirt," Pearl accused.
"Says the woman sitting in the room with a married man whose child she's carried," Jack answered.
Pearl glared at him. "He wasn't married then."
"He was promised to darling Magpie. And before you tell me you hadn't made any promises and broke no vows, it was you as tempted him away. If you hadn't tormented him he never would have turned his back on her."
"He didn't turn his back on anyone," Pearl objected. "And I knew him long before she did."
"That's more than enough, the both of you!" Nikko cried. "I'm going just to get away from you."
Norrington, in his own discomfort over the turn of discussion, found himself turning his eyes away from the arguing pair. They fastened on his daughter. Emmie sat slumped in the corner, eyes glued on the book in her lap, although they didn't seem to be making the movements reading required. Her hand was at her bust, playing nervously with a necklace she had pulled from beneath her shirt. His necklace, he noticed with a start. Pearl had said she was going to give it to her, so she had proof that Edward Norrington would protect her should they ever have a run-in with the Navy. It would be a hard thing for him to explain, but it still made him feeling better, knowing he could give his daughter some small promise of protection.
Pearl settled for a glare at her father, to Norrington's immense relief, accepting a bottle of rum from him and settling into a chair of her own. Jack grabbed a bottle for himself and settled as well. "All right, let's discuss the plan. First off, I don't want this ship. Too big, wouldn't make much of a pirate ship. We've unloaded most of what we want from her. Finish that up tomorrow and we can disembark. This naturally leaves us with two problems."
Norrington nodded. "Keeping us in the cells until you're well away."
"Right-o. You can fix that. We can hide a key within reach, and you conveniently wait a few hours before coming across it."
"What makes you think I would do that?" he demanded.
"Well, for one, the alternative is to leave you locked down there to starve to death," Jack answered with an indifferent shrug. "Honestly, the thought doesn't trouble me so, but I dare say my daughter and granddaughter would be unhappy with me and I make a point of avoiding that eventuality often as possible." Norrington had the sneaking suspicion this was a bluff on Jack's part. The crews he took hostage often remained completely unharmed, and had never yet all turned up dead. "The second reason is because you do pull out the key too soon and come after us to engage in a no-holds-barred all-out battle your lady love and daughter will be directly in the line of fire the entire time. That isn't me trying to blackmail you, Edward, it's them ignoring any and all orders I give to stay out of it." The two indicated women shared rather evil smiles.
Norrington sighed heavily. "What's the second problem?"
"You're short about half of your crew. The turncoats are mine, and they will sail with me. I'm not leaving them for you to hang."
Norrington shrugged. "I don't see why this should be a problem. We can mange."
"Manage isn't good enough," Pearl said.
"There's a nasty storm heading this way," Emmie said, eyes distant as she turned toward the west.
Norrington's eyes darted to Pearl. "She's got it too?"
"Of course," Pearl answered. "It runs in the family. I know you're stuck on her being your daughter, but you must remember that she has my blood flowing in her veins as well."
"I never forget," he assured her. "So I assume you have an idea as to how to solve this problem."
"Sabotage the ship," Jack said. "Much as I hate to harm the poor dear. I wanted to know what we could hit that would convince the men to head for the nearest bunch of islands but not slow you down and still allow the ship to be operational after a good storm."
This, naturally, led to a long and involved discussion on the various ship components. Nikko returned with a tray of cheese and bread for the Commodore, depositing it silently before him and withdrawing to her chair and her book. Sailing was obviously not her area of expertise.
After a while a silence settled during which they were all carefully contemplating disabling a certain piece of rigging. It was then that Norrington heard it. It was quiet, a small noise, but constant. Norrington followed it back toward Nikko and Emmie, both of whom seemed involved in individual books. After another few moments he realized the sound was coming from Emmie. She was humming.
"Edward?" Pearl broke in. "Edward, you look a little peaky. Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered, glancing toward Emmie.
Pearl followed his gaze. "Emmie, hon, you're humming again," Pearl called to her.
"Sorry," she called back with a wave.
"She does that sometimes," Pearl said. "It's hardly reason to faint dead away on me."
"I'm not," he assured her. "I just forgot. I hadn't thought on it in years, is all."
"Thought on what?" Pearl asked, leaning forward to place a comforting hand on his leg.
"My mother used to do that. When she was reading, or sewing. No tune to it. She didn't even know she was doing it. I hadn't thought on it in years." He chuckled. "Used to drive my father batty." He smiled fondly. He'd been fairly young when his mother had died. It warmed his heart, seeing something even as simple as a tendency toward humming still alive in his daughter. She grinned at him as well. As a little girl raised as an orphan he knew every detail of where each trait came from thrilled her.
"Still drives me batty," Jack commented. "Would come from your side. Look, we need to get on with this."
"Right, right," Pearl sighed. "Your men may start to worry if we keep you much longer."
"If they're smart they'll worry anyway," Norrington remarked.
Twenty minutes later they had a working plan.
Norrington stood, straightening his jacket. "You realize I'm going to tell them I bargained this through with you?" he asked Jack.
"So long as you realize I'm going to tell my men that my daughter twisted my arm on this count," Jack said.
"Pearl won't mind?" he asked in surprise.
Pearl shook her head. "Nah. I actually encourage him to tell his men that I have complete control," Pearl said with a grin. "Come, Emmie. Say goodbye to your father. You won't get a chance to see him tomorrow."
"Goodbye," he said politely, accepting a hug. "You should come visit the Turners soon."
"Soon as we're able," Emmie answered. "Give them our regards."
"Come, Edward, I'll take you back down. Are you nearly ready for bed, Miss Emerald?" Pearl asked.
"Aye, nearly," she answered.
"Good. Nikko, can we expect you tonight or do you have more entertaining anointments?" She glanced toward Jack, who was studying his nails in feigned indifference and obviously watching very closely.
"I hadn't decided," she answered with a shrug, a smile drifting over her features.
"Oh, come on lass," Jack finally burst out. "You'll enjoy yourself, I promise."
She tilted her head, eyes staring at the ceiling as she appeared to think deeply about her options. Emmie laughed jovially, eyes shifting between Jack and Nikko as her grandfather approached the gypsy.
Jack sank down onto his knees before the woman, taking her hand in his, drawing her eyes down to him. "Please, luv?" He kissed one of her hands, then the other. Then licked her finger. Norrington felt his jaw drop open.
"Oh, I suppose," Nikko sighed. "Stop lapping at me, would you?"
"Whatever you say. Your wish is my command." He stood, bowing deeply.
"All right then. I'll see you both tomorrow," Pearl called, grabbing Norrington's hand and leading him out, snapping up a candle as they went. "Try to behave yourselves moderately until my daughter leaves the room."
Nikko giggled as Jack pulled her into his arms, lips fastening themselves to her neck. "I hope to see you soon, Edward," she called after them.
"You as well," Norrington called as the door closed. "Was that what I think it was?" Norrington demanded as they went up onto the deck and across the plank to the Naval ship.
"Probably," she answered.
"And it doesn't bother you that your friend is sleeping with your father?"
Pearl shrugged as they descended the stairs of the captured ship toward the brig. "No. They're both attractive people, and adults. Jack doesn't look near his age, and is still rather nice to look at, or so I've been told. And Nikko is a long way from ugly. They can make their own decisions."
He shook his head at her. "I just can't fathom it," he remarked.
"Well, it's a world that's far different from the one you've lived in. We pirates, we find peace where we may."
He nodded, mostly because he imagined more than understood the sort of world she described, and was glad for it. And, worst of all, it was a world his daughter was part of.
Lost in his thoughts as he was he nearly tripped when Pearl suddenly grabbed his arm and guided him into a dark room beside the stairwell. "I need to speak to you for a moment. Privately."
Author's Note: There you go. I know, I promised a little romance. Next chapter, you have my word. Maggie fans beware. Or does it bother you? If you're a Maggie fan and you review (please) let me know.
The comment on Jack was for whoever (and I'm very sorry I don't remember who) said in their review they didn't want to see Jack as old. Neither do I, and I'm choosing to believe that the Aztec Gold incident has left him aging more slowly. Which means Will is too. Yumminess for years to come. Happy birthday to us! And it's not even my birthday.