Disclaimer: don't own anything from the movie...

~Authors note, thanks to my first two reviewers! Elfwine: I would just have her take her mother's name as her first name but I had to start out with her changing it a few times, you'll see in this chapter and later ones. Sunfish: thanks, glad you like it~

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As Norrington went in search of the local taverns, his thoughts went back to what Smitty had said. "Her name was now Samantha Jade"

"Samantha Jade...Jade" Norrington said as he thought back to when he was a little boy.

~~ Flashback

"When I grow up I'm gonna change my name to Samantha Jade" an 8 year old Sam said while running around the docks of Port Reyes.

"And why would you do that, and don't say gonna it's not proper." Sam stuck out her tongue at her older brother.

"I don't wanna be proper." She said but then became serious " I want moms name to live on with me since I killed her" she said with tears filling up her eyes.

"Sam don't think such things, you did not kill her." He looked down at his sister and pulled her into a hug.

~~ End of flashback

Norrington smiled as he thought of his sister taking on his mother's name. He then found himself outside a tavern called Seaside View. Norrington entered the tavern hoping to find Andres. Inside there were a few tables and a bar near the rear but since it was early, very few people occupied the tables. Norrington made his way towards the bar, and approached the man working behind the bar, he guessed he was the owner.

"Um excuse me," Norrington said as the man turned to face him. "Do you know where I could find a man named Andres Cruz?"

The man nodded but waited to answer Norrington, he looked like he was thinking it over whether or not to tell him about Andres.

"Any reason your looking for him," he asked taking in the coat Norrington was wearing, not sure what the Navy man was up to.

"I need to speak with him, no harm intended." The owner nodded.

"He is usually coming in around this time, give him a few more minutes and he'll be here."

"Thank you" Norrington took a seat at the bar and declined anything to drink from the man.

He sat there watching as more people slowly started to trickle in. After waiting about 20 minutes a man in his late 30's came walking towards the bar. His clothes looked weathered from the seawater and sun, and although he looked like a pirate or sailor would, he seemed to have no weapon on him.

'Either this man has no enemies or he is that good of a fighter people stay clear.' Norrington thought, and just as he was about to continue to watch the other people he heard the name Andres. Norrington brought his attention to the owner who was now talking to the man that Norrington was just watching. The man was now next to him ordering some rum. Norrington cleared his throat and decided it was now or never.

"Are you Andres Cruz?" he asked trying not to sound to much like a Commodore, even if he looked like one.

"Depends on who wants to know" came a not too friendly reply.

"I was looking to find a Samantha...Jade, I was told to come to you" Norrington said trying hard not to upset this man.

"And who would have told you?" the man asked now turning his head to get a good look at Norrington.

"Smitty, the towns blacksmith told me" Norrington replied.

The mans expression softened a bit, "Well then come join me for a drink, and I'll see what I can do for you, since you seem to be one of Smitty's friends" Andres answered before grabbing another bottle of rum and walking towards an empty table. Norrington followed and sat down across from Andres.

"Well then why is it that you want to find Sam." Andres pushed a bottle of rum towards him but he shook his head. Andres shrugged it off and took it back for himself.

"I have something to give her" Andres' eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Well if you have something for her I would help you but I'm afraid I haven't seen her these days. But if you are to go looking for her not many know her as Sam anymore, most just call her Jade." Norrington nodded and started to rise from the table.

"But perhaps I can help you out, if you can do something for me in return" Norrington sat back down and nodded for him to continue.

"There is a fellow who would know of her more recent whereabouts. He owns a tavern in Tortuga, and if you were to go there I might need a lift." Andres said while finishing off his rum. Norrington took a moment to think about it before slowly nodding, knowing he didn't have any other options as of yet.

"I'll give you passage to Tortuga, if you would help me get there and help with the finding of the man." Norrington said while waiting for Andres to think it over.

"Aye," Andres said as he shook Norrington's hand.

"I'll be at the docks in about an hour, we can leave as soon as you wish" Norrington nodded, "We can leave as soon as your there." And with that he got up and headed off to talk with Smitty.

~~ Norrington walked into the Blacksmith shop to find Smitty working on a sword. As he walked down to met him Smitty looked up.

"Ah little Commodore, I suspect you found Andres." Smitty said as he put down the sword he was working on.

"Yes, I'll be taking him to Tortuga. He knows someone there who might be able to help." Smitty smiled at this, "Well I hope you're not plannin' to show up there in those clothes", Smitty said as he laughed at the thought of a Commodore showing up in Tortuga.

"I suppose you're right" he said looking down at his uniform.

"Here I might have somethin' that will fit ye" Smitty motioned for him to follow. Smitty headed into a small backroom, and rummaged around through some old clothes he had in there. He picked out a tan colored shirt and brown pants and handed them to Norrington. Smitty left the room and Norrington changed out of his clothes. But made sure to put the letter in his new clothes.

"You can leave those in the room, I'm sure you'll be back for them sometime." Smitty asked as he saw Norrington come out holding his old clothes in his hands. Norrington put them back in the room and Smitty walked back to the sword he was previously working on.

"And what 'bout a crew and a ship?" Smitty asked as he looked over his work for any flaws.

"Well..."Norrington realized he hadn't even thought about that yet.

Smitty laughed softly, "I figured this much, I rounded up a few of my friends and your old ones, they are all happy to be on the sea again. They shouldn't give you any problems. And my old ship the Exporter is at the docks. But I want it returned ye hear, and maybe pay a visit to the owner when ye come back."

Norrington smiled at his old friend. "I'll be sure to bring it back to you in one piece, and pay a visit as well, besides I'll be needing my old clothes."

"You're too kind little Commodore. But remember never act like a Commodore to anyone you met, you must act like a sailor, or even a pirate. When ye ask for Sam, say you have a message for her, no more, no less. Understood, no more no less."

Norrington nodded at Smitty's sudden seriousness, taking in what he said even if he didn't fully understand it. But he trusted Smitty, he had been around all types of people and he would believe whatever Smitty told him. Norrington thanked Smitty and let him get back to his sword. Norrington headed towards the docks to find his ship and crew. Although Norrington had figured his father's funeral would be soon, he couldn't stay for it. He wasn't too sure that he could get help again from someone he just met if he waited for the funeral. Once at the docks Norrington took a moment of silence for his dad and then continued towards the crew lined up in front of Andres.

"I'm guessing this is you crew." Andres said as he saw Norrington approach.

"So it would seem." Norrington responded, as he looked over the crew, then gazed at the ship behind them, the Exporter. It was a fairly good size ship, not as large as the Interceptor or the Dauntless but big none the less. Norrington smiled despite himself as his thoughts were on him being a captain of his own ship and not under high commands from the Navy.

Norrington brought his attention back to the crew in front of him. He nodded his approval and told them he was there Captain and that for now Andres was the first mate. He walked up the gangplank and Andres followed in suit.

Once all of the crew was aboard and Norrington checked the ship for supplies and condition, he started with orders.

"Set sail for Tortuga, Andres", at the mention of Tortuga the crews spirits seemed to pick up as they hurried to make the Exporter ready to sail.

Norrington waited until they were in open water before retreating to his quarters. He figured he should be at the helm or even overseeing the voyage. But he didn't know the way to Tortuga himself and there wasn't much he could do yet. So instead he settled down for a short rest while he had some time.

~A/N: let me know what you think. Reviews help me write more!~