Hey guys, just thought I'd post this quick before the holidays. I told myself (and my best friends) that I'd post another chapter out before we all get swept up in eating cookies, watching epic movies, opening Christmas gifts, and the like. Anyway, here it is! Before you read, I just want to wish everyone a happy holidays to everyone celebrating! At the most, I'll see you next year, but most likely I'll see you a few days after Christmas! Enjoy! :D

5.

Sophie bounded through the door to Narelle's bedroom early in the morning. She flung open the windows, effectively shining the light into the sleeping woman's face and rousing her from her slumber. Narelle turned over, only to be bathed in more light, and she groaned.

"You revealed yourself?" Sophie shouted.

Narelle's hand flew up, and gave a dismissing wave.

"No! I'm not leaving! Do you realize what you've done?" Sophie's cheeks were starting to turn red, not only because of the shouting, but because she was shouting at her employer. She hasn't yelled at Narelle like this since she was a teenager, and even then, it wasn't quite like this.

Narelle sat up, and rubbed her eyes. She peered at Sophie through her mostly-closed eyelids. Eventually she swung her legs out of the bed, and she stood.

"Listen, Sophie," she said, her voice soft from just waking up. "It's not like I had a choice. Last night…" she trailed off.

"Did you get into a fight last night?" Sophie asked.

The brunette nodded, and she went to her mirror. She shrugged off the piece of nightgown covering her shoulder, and made a face. Her shoulder, once tanned from the sun, now was mostly purple, black, and blue from the drunken man punching her so much. It hurt a bit when she moved her arm, but she was pretty sure she would be okay.

Sophie gasped.

"What happened?" she demanded.

Narelle covered her shoulder and spoke to Sophie through the mirror.

"Drunk from the tavern," she said. "James and I wer-"

"James?! I thought he was the day officer?"

"One of my lieutenants was ill, so he stayed and covered the patrol part. Anyway, he and I were partnered for the streets, and we were trying to get one of the drunken men home, when he attacked us."

"How did he take the reveal?"

"He was pissed, for sure, but as soon as I told my men- well I basically showed them, 'cause I took my hair down- he came around. I just have no idea what it'll be like today."

"I'm sure it'll be mostly fine, but I must give you a letter. It arrived shortly before I came in to yell and scream. I apologize for that by the way; I didn't know you didn't have a choice."

"Not a big deal, Sophie. Just remember that you've screamed at me before anyway."

The maiden handed over the letter, and Narelle carefully opened it. She noticed that the wax seal was the governor's.

Must be important, she thought.

She read the letter, and gave a face.

Miss Westbrook,

I understand a situation popped up last night, and now the night shift knows that they have a female commanding officer. I heard the whole story from Captain Norrington, who felt that it was necessary to contact me. Good to know that you only told your men when you didn't have a choice. From what I've heard, your men took it rather well, and for that, I'm very grateful.

Now that the entire fort basically knows, I'm going to switch you to the day shift. There's more than one reason for the switch, so you should talk to Norrington for that. I'm also approving you to hunt down pirates just like you did in London. You'll be fighting alongside your troopers, just like you patrolled with them in the night. I'll be putting you under Norrington's command on the Dauntless. I doubt he's seen you fight with a sword, and it would be a great place to show him what you're truly capable of.

Take today off, and just go see Captain Norrington. I'm pretty sure he's at the Fort, even with the wild night you two had. No pun intended.

Hope you're doing well,

Governor Swann

"Day shift?" she moaned. "I might as well just hold up a sign saying 'come get me, I'm a female officer.'"

"Now, Miss Narelle," Sophie said. "This is a step up. Who knows what you'll see?"

"A lot of sober people." Narelle crossed her arms. She sighed, got up, and went behind the changing screen.

"What color today?" Sophie asked.

"Something light. I love the green one that my not-so-evil uncle gave me."

Sophie shook her head, laughing. "You mean your uncle William?"

"Yes. Him."

A good twenty minutes later, Narelle emerged from behind the changing screen in the dress, flattening out some of the lace on her front. She went to her vanity, brushed her hair, and started pinning it up. She only pinned half of it up, and left the bottom half down, the curls bouncing down her back.

She finally left the house, and started down the street. She passed by a few of the day guards, and smiled as they gave small, discreet salutes to her. She gave a small wave to a few that she knew, and they smiled and nodded back to her.

Eventually, she made it to the Fort. She nodded and smiled to the guards at the door. They smiled, and waved her in.

I almost feel like a celebrity, she thought as she smiled.

She knocked on James's office door, and heard him say for her to come in. She slowly opened the door, and smirked as she found that James didn't even look up when he spoke. He was busily writing away on some paperwork, and only spoke again when the door closed, still not looking up.

"Theo, I know that's you," he said wearily. "You don't have to go sneaking around, as Gilette would say 'like a sneaky ninja'. Just say what you have to say."

"I just want to know why I'm being switched to the day shift, James," Narelle said calmly.

His head snapped up at the different sounding voice, and his look of determination faded into a kind smile.

"Sorry," he said. "I was definitely expecting Groves. He comes snooping around at this time, and the one time I was prepared, it wasn't him."

"Whoops," she replied. "Sorry to rain on your parade."

"Not any trouble, Miss Narelle. Anyway, to answer your question for the schedule change, I just received a note from the governor that I'm being promoted in two months, so I want you to be under my direct command."

"Is this so you don't have to do any paperwork?" Narelle crossed her arms and gave a mischievous smile.

"Well, if that's what it takes. Besides, you probably have handwriting that's more legible than mine."

She playfully rolled her eyes. "So you're being promoted, huh?"

"Yes. I'm pretty sure you have to be there, so I won't bother with an invitation."

"That's fine. You can say that you sent one, but I couldn't come, just to keep the rest of society happy."

"Makes sense to me. Now, you start tomorrow morning, so come early. I'll show you what to do as far as working the day shift."

"Sure. Are you coming by later?"

He looked thoughtful. "I don't know. I have a lot of work today."

"It's not a big deal if you come or not. Just drop by whenever you need to."

"I'll keep that in mind." He smiled.

She smiled back, and left his office to go back home.

Two months later…

The sun was intense on the day of James's promotion. Everyone at the Fort was busy getting the square ready for people, and officers were hard at work by making sure everyone under their command was doing their part. Chairs were neatly lined, and the troopers that were part of the ceremony were practicing for the event.

Narelle stood towards the small set of stairs where she would be standing for the ceremony, watching everyone do their job. She tied her hair back today- she didn't need the public to see her as a woman. The past couple of months flew by for her. James stopped by a lot on the days leading up to today, expressing his worries about being the new Commodore. She kept reassuring her that everything would be fine, but the look she gave while she spoke made him doubt her. The sense of dread has been bothering her lately, and she wasn't sure if it was because of her, or because of James.

She hoped that nothing bad would happen to him. She noticed she started to have feelings for him, and Sophie noticed almost immediately. She liked spending time with him, whether it was at the Fort in her uniform talking business, or at her house when he stopped over. Narelle thought that maybe he had feelings for her too, from the way he leaned towards her when they spoke, when he smiled at her when she said "hi", and when he softly touched her shoulder when he looked at some paperwork she asked about.

She shook her head, clearing her mind. I can't let that get in the way, especially today, she thought. Gotta focus on the ceremony today.

"I think everything's set," Theo said, scaring Narelle and making her squeak.

"Damn, Theo!" she gasped. "You enjoy that way too much."

He grinned. "Sure do," he replied.

"Yes, I think everything's set, by the way. I think we're ready for people to come in."

"Okay, I'll give the word. Would you let James know that we're almost ready?"

She nodded, and left to his office. She knocked on his door, and heard a very weary "come in" reply to her. She grew concerned, and opened the door.

He was at his desk, head in his hands, covering his face. He sighed.

"James," she said softly. His fingers moved and he opened his eyes. He slowly dropped his arms to his desk, and looked wearily at her.

"Narelle," he said. "I don't know."

She gave a half-smile. "Come on, it's not like you're getting married."

He smiled lightly. "I suppose not."

"You can do this," she said. "I'm here to tell you that we're starting to let people in, and we're almost ready for you."

James slowly stood, and smoothed out his new coat. He came around his desk and looked at himself in the mirror. Narelle grabbed his ceremonial hat, complete with feathers she noticed, and gave it to him. As he placed it on his head, she straightened his bow tie.

"Men and bow ties," she mumbled. "I will never understand it."

"You don't have to," he replied. "I hardly understand it myself."

Satisfied with the offending piece of fabric, she gave a small smile. "All set." She opened the door, and poked her head out, and most of the people were there already. Some were milling about, chatting away, others were seated, anxious for the ceremony to start. She closed the door.

"I have to go," she said. James made a face, but nodded.

"Go ahead," he replied. "I have to make my way to the front of the Fort anyway. I'll see you after?"

She nodded, and left.

Eventually, she made her way to her designated spot. She stood next to Theo, and nudged him.

"Hey," she murmured.

"Hey," he replied. "You told him I assume?"

"Yep. He's nervous."

"Who wouldn't? This is a big deal for everyone."

"My ceremony was unofficial."

"That's because no one wanted to let everyone know that you're a girl."

An officer standing on the other side of Theo shushed them.

"We're starting!" he hissed.

Her eyes narrowed. "I'll find you later," she warned.

The ceremony went smoothly. She kept her eyes on James when she could, and was pleased to see his calm composure. Either it was pushed out of his mind, or he wore a very convincing stoic expression. She watched in slight awe as he twirled his new sword around his body, thoroughly inspecting it. She applauded graciously with everyone else, bringing the promotion ceremony to a close.

Narelle was speaking to Andrew and Theo when James joined the group. Andrew and Theo shook his hand.

"Nice show," Theo said to him. "Were you nervous?"

"Only when I twirled the new sword. I thought I lost it to the floor once."

"Not at all," Andrew chimed in. "Looked great, chap."

"Thanks," James replied. Narelle caught him looking at her, and she smiled. He smiled back, but only for a moment. He looked past her, and froze. He started muttering something about needing to leave, and he would talk to them later, and he left.

Confused, Narelle looked behind her, and saw the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann. The petite woman wore a yellow dress, and her hair was all pinned up, save for one curl.

Dress must be new, she thought. I haven't seen her in that before.

Narelle and Elizabeth were acquaintances; she'd only seen the governor's daughter at some parties, surrounded by the ladies of high society. The two had only spoken to each other a few times, and Narelle wasn't sure that Elizabeth liked the role she played in Port Royal. She had quite a fascination with pirates, and has accidentally mentioned that she'd like to meet one. Narelle simply responded to her that she should "keep her mind open, and don't let anyone else interfere." Personally, Narelle didn't care for the pirate folk- she's killed scores of them anyway- and she'd rather have Elizabeth stay on society's good side.

James went up to Elizabeth and pulled her away from the crowd. Narelle heard Theo and Andrew high-five, and laugh.

"What's going on?" Narelle asked.

"Norrington's going to propose to Elizabeth," Theo said.

Narelle winced, and felt her hopes and her heart shatter.

"Everything okay, Narelle?" Andrew asked.

She bit her lip slightly, and nodded. "Fine," she replied.

"We should head out," Theo said. "I'm sure tha-"

"ELIZABETH!" James shouted. Narelle's head snapped back up, concern washing away the hurt she felt. She trotted over to him as he shrugged off his coat. She glanced down, saw the splash, and smacked a hand on his shoulder.

"Sir, the rocks," she said.

"It's a miracle she missed them!" Andrew shouted.

Angry, James turned away. He quickly put his coat back on, and Narelle caught some movement off the pier. Someone jumped into the water.

"Commodore, we should head to the docks," she said. "I just saw someone dive into the water to save her."

Narelle, Theo, Andrew, James, Governor Swann, and a bunch of redcoats made their way down to the pier, just as a man hauled Elizabeth up from the water. Narelle noticed she didn't have her dress on anymore, just her underdress and her corset. Murtogg and Mullroy hefted her off of the man's shoulder.

"Not breathing," announced Murtogg in panic.

"Out o' the way!" shouted the man. He pulled out a knife and slit open her corset. Elizabeth instantly started coughing up water, finally opening her eyes.

"On your feet," James said, his sword pointing at the mysterious man. He slowly stood, and James took him over to Andrew.

"Commodore, please," Elizabeth pleaded. "Do you really intend to kill my rescuer?"

James sighed, and dropped the man from his grasp. He held out his hand.

"I believe thanks are in order," he said. Hesitantly, the man took it, and James pulled his arm closer into view.

"Had a brush with the East India Trading Company did we, pirate?" James asked.

"Hang him," the governor said, wrapping his coat around his daughter.

James pushed up the pirate's loose sleeve.

"Well, well," he said as he dropped the offending arm. "Jack Sparrow."

"Cap'n Jack Sparrow," said Jack, grinning.

Holy. Shit. Almost 2600 words…. I can't… I simply sat down to write, and I thought, well maybe I should start incorporating the movie, so I set up for the promotion ceremony, and added some of Narelle's feels in there, then it kinda went downhill from there. I write on Word, and this chapter alone is almost 6 full pages long…. I haven't written anything this long in forever… but anyway, hope you enjoyed. I kinda had to leave this one as I did, or I would scare myself off for a while. Anyways, I'll see you next time! :D