A/N: I don't own POTC or James Norrington, unfortunately. Read and review, sil vous plait! And hopefully I'll get these chapters up quickly, I had to drive to Philly this weekend, so that's why I couldn't post! Thanks for reading, by the way!
Norrington continued to teach young Simon how to duel. He was a surprisingly astute learner, who picked everything up the first time. Soon, he was able to beat even James. Smiling approvingly, he said.
"Simon, I do believe swordfighting is in your blood," James laughed as he dodged a blow. Simon smiled.
"Thank you sir. It almost gives me the hope that my father was a respectable swordsman. Of course, I don't know," he muttered, slightly put off. James parried an attack.
"Well, Miss Ginny doesn't know," he said, and Simon slashed viciously.
"Sadly, I doubt that. There's something mysterious about her, Captain, which I regret to say as she has cared for me all these years," the boy fought hard. Norrington put a hand in surrender.
"Stop, stop, you'll wear yourself out," Norrington lay his sword down and put an arm around Simon. "You are becoming a fine sailor indeed."
"Thank you sir. I don't believe a finer complement has been paid to me yet," Simon smiled up at Norrington. "Captain, if it's not too bold to say, you're the closest thing to a father figure I have ever had. Miss Ginny has done her best to raise me well, but she was not meant to raise an adventurous boy. There's something haunting her captain, I can feel it," the boy looked in his eyes. "She's not once tried to be courted, nor has she explained to me who I am," Simon looked out to sea. James looked down at him.
"Come with me, Simon," he said, and took him down to the captain's quarters. He reached under his bed, and handed Simon a long box. "Open it," he said to the boy's apprehensive looks. Simon tentatively lifted the lid.
"Oh captain! Is it real?" he asked. Norrington laughed.
"Yes, it's real, so don't stab me!" Norrington had had one of the swords in the lower deck sharpened and refurbished to be new, and had it packaged as a gift for Simon. "I was going to wait until I finished training you, but I do believe you're ready to have your own sword." Simon looked up at Norrington.
"Oh Captain, thank you! I'll use it to honor us both, sir," he said, pulling out the sheath and sliding the sword in carefully. Norrington smiled.
"What do you say we go and find something to eat, aye?" Simon eyed him at his use of common language, but said nothing as they ascended the stairs.
Later that evening, a knock was placed on Norrington's door.
"Captain," came Avery's voice, "I've just spoken with Miss Shields, and she requests that, seeing as the boy is most obviously in your care now, at the next port, we stop and allow her departure from this vessel," he said. Norrington eyed him suspiciously.
"Has she now?" he said. Avery nodded.
"Yes captain. You can ask her yourself," he added. Norrington rose.
"Indeed, well, I believe I will do just that," he strode to the door. Reaching Ginny's cabin, the spare which Beckett kept on hand for, shall we say, certain female visitors, James lifted his arm and rapped heavily on the door. She opened it. "Oh Captain.it's you," she said with a frown. Norrington ignored it. "So, you are prepared to disembark from the ship then?" he asked. Ginny scowled.
"Within the day tomorrow," she said. Norrington sighed.
"Indeed. Well, we should arrive in Port Elizabeth," his breath jumped inside him even as he said the name, which still caused him pain internally, "around 11 in the morning tomorrow, so my suggestion would be to be packed and prepared by then," he spun and then stopped. "Shall I fetch the boy for farewells?" he questioned. Ginny sighed.
"Yes, all right. Thank you Captain," she slammed the door shut. James closed his eyes. He made his way below deck, where a few sailors were teaching Simon a card game. They straightened up as the captain approached.
"As you were gentlemen, Simon, with me," he nodded curtly. The boy scurried to follow him.
"Yes Captain?"
"Miss Ginny has chosen to depart in the morning, and has left you with the option to stay with me." Simon rolled his eyes.
"I must stay with you Captain. I simply must. Wherever Miss Ginny ends up, bless her, but it shan't be with me," he sighed. James nodded.
"Would you like to go and tell her goodbye in private?"
"No. I shall tell her in the morning with the rest of the crew," Simon walked away.
That night, James once again had difficulty sleeping. When he did drift off, he had a most peculiar dream.
Jones and his pirates were raiding The Guardian. The Dutchman was ripping apart Norrington and his crew, who were screaming. Jones came up close to James' face, his tentacles brushing close.
"Ye stole my heart, and ye shall pay for the betrayal of ye friends. First, however, comes torture. We shall kill what ye love." James found himself tied to the mast of the Dutchman, as four figures stood, backsides facing him. The first was spun around to reveal a badly mistreated and malnourished Andrew Gillette, Norrington's former first mate and lieutenant. He was forced out onto a plank, where a giant tentacle arose from the black waters and pulled him down. Norrington gave a yell. The second figure was revealed to be Camron Sharpe, who met the same fate. The third figure was Simon, who also became a meal for the creature. Norrington eyed the final figure. It appeared to be a woman.
'Elizabeth?' his subconcious brain assumed, and was then filled with questions. 'I still love her?' But before he could consider the thought, the woman revealed herself to be Ginny. James felt his eyes widen. He loved Ginny? As she made her way to the plank, he fought, oh how he fought, but it was too late. With one sweeping tentacle, she was gone.
He awoke in a full sweat. What did it mean? What could it mean? He obviously didn't care about Ginny in this way, in fact, he barely cared for her at all. Sure, she was the only soul on board the ship that he had trusted his secret with, but that meant nothing. She would take his secret with her, wherever she went. James didn't understand why she wasn't staying, it was no longer a Navy vessel, as she at least knew. He rolled over, stomach in knots. Her departure time came much too soon. About ten-thirty, Captain Norrington madehis way to her door, and knocked.
"Yes?"
"It's the captain."
"Oh. Come in," she sighed. James opened the door.
"I just wanted a chance to bid you farewell in private," he laughed. "It's silly, but...I'm very glad I got the chance to meet you, and uh...Miss Shields..."
"Yes?"
"I...uh..."
"Yes?" Ginny questioned almost hopefully.
"I...um...wanted to wish you good luck, I guess," James finished. Ginny's face fell.
"Oh..." she said dissappointedly. "Indeed. I wanted to wish you luck with whatever you come to do," he smiled. She nodded.
"Thank you," she replied. James made no effort to move. "Captain...I've got to go up deck now."
"Oh, right. Um...well...goodbye then," James bit his lip.
"Goodbye, and thank you for everything Captain," she smiled, and went up the stairs. Norrington stared after her for a moment, and proceeded to seclude himself in his office. Feeling the ship stop, he could hear her departure, and soon felt movement again. From his peephole, he watched the land shrink into the distance. She was gone.
