Disclaimer: Norrington and other POTC characters and settings are owned by Disney. Everything else is owned by me. Do you think that they would consider a trade?
The week leading up to the Christmas Ball proved highly stressful for Katherine. It began with a luncheon with Mrs. Norrington during which for some unaccountable reason Katherine had felt as if she were being vetted for some unknown purpose. It continued with her having conversations with Mr. Jenkins in which she again pleaded that work should continue on her house only to find that in spite of the overly generous wages she offered she was still denied her request. The capper however took place when Elizabeth decided to deliver over a month earlier than the doctor had predicted.
The last event only firmed Katherine's resolve regarding marriage. Elizabeth's birthing was the first that she had ever been present for and it had appalled her. Why on earth would a woman choose to go through that amount of pain? Still, she had to admit that Elizabeth and Will's daughter was indeed adorable.
That evening Katherine met with Jack and informed him of the birth.
Jack was surprised to find that the news did not bother him as much as he had thought it would. Actually he felt a rather large measure of happiness for the couple. Now that was indeed surprising. Ever since he had begun his meetings with Katherine, his longing for Elizabeth had slowly waned. He did not kid himself that he was in love with Katherine but evidently she had managed to help him navigate through the sting of rejection. In fact he now found himself anticipating his next trip to Tortuga and the delights to be found there. "What did they decide to call the whelp?" Jack queried.
"They named her Pearl. I am not sure why but the name seemed to have some deeper meaning for them. At any rate, it's a beautiful name and she is a beautiful baby."
Jack smiled upon learning their choice of name. It was fitting that the child should be so named. He only hoped that she fared better than his once beloved ship. "I'll have to leave the young lass a present when I attend the party."
"Do you really think that wise, Jack? You do not want to call attention to yourself. After all, no one but me knows that you are attending," Katherine worriedly questioned.
"Don't worry about me, luv. With my costume not even your Commodore will recognize me. I'll be hiding in plain sight, so that even if one were to look at me and see me one would not actually be seeing what one thought he was seeing, savvy?" he reassured her with a cocky grin.
Katherine anxiously scanned the ballroom. She was nervous. No she was more than nervous. Between Jack sneaking in and her plan to ask James for an affair there were too many plots afoot for her comfort. She had not worked out exactly how she was going to approach James. After all, how does a young lady inform a gentleman that she would like to be his mistress? Katherine's stomach churned at the thought that he might decline her offer or even worse laugh at her. Jack had reassured her again and again that neither of these possibilities was likely to happen but still she was nervous. Moral support was called for. If only she could find Jack, but he had maddeningly refused to tell her what his costume was going to be and with the crush of people present it was difficult to search him out.
"Plain sight. He said that he would be in plain sight," she mumbled to herself as she made her way through the crowds. It was odd how relatively silent the ballroom was given the amount of people but most seemed to be taking the idea of remaining incognito until midnight to heart. Speaking would be one more clue with which to identify people so many merely made due with pantomime conversations and dancing. Then she spotted him lurking at a table in a darkened corner. Her lips quirked at his choice of costume. It certainly was audacious but there was no doubt that no one but Jack would show up in such a costume.
Relieved that she could at last pour out her last minute doubts and fears, she joined him at the table. "I must admit that your choice of costume is inspired."
Jack merely tipped his head in acknowledgment at her compliment.
"This is quite a turnout. Elizabeth had said that Governor Swann invites almost the whole of Port Royal but I had thought she was exaggerating."
She still received no verbal response.
"Okay, Jack, you have decided to remain mysterious but you have to give me credit for finding you out." Katherine noted his quick intake of breath when she addressed him by his name. "Well really, Jack, do not be so shocked that I figured it out or I will be insulted that you so doubt my intelligence."
Jack remained mute.
Heaving a sigh, Katherine told him, "Fine. Remain silent. You will not get me to second guess myself. I have far more important things to worry about. I have already spotted James," and here she laughed, "Can you believe that he dressed as an Admiral? That man has absolutely no sense of romance or adventure." Suddenly sober she confided, "That's what has me worried, Jack. I do not know how he will respond to my suggestion of an amorous liaison between us. He is so damn prim and proper."
Silence met her confession.
Growing frustrated Katherine informed him, "Jack, your game really is not helping my composure so I shall take my leave. If you decide to take a look at Pearl, she is in the third room to the left on the second floor. I would suggest that you leave before the unmasking."
She left to go find James and speak to him. The waiting was only increasing her state of unease so she would just get it over with and then they could enjoy the party. Maybe they could even take a stroll to the more secluded part of the gardens.
With a smile she made her way towards the Admiral only to be waylaid be Zeus, also known as her father. "Kat, what a crowd Swanny has assembled. There is hardly room to walk let alone dance. Fellow always did know how to throw a party. By the way have you seen him? He did not tell me what he was dressing as and I wanted a few words with him."
"He is dressed as Bacchus. I last saw him by the buffet table. You might want to start there."
"Thank you, my dear. I hope that you are enjoying yourself."
As she watched her father walk away, Katherine realized that she had now lost sight of James. Searching, she finally found him on the dance floor with a shepardess. Oh well, there was nothing to do but wait until the dance was over. As she stood off to the side, the strains of a conversation drifted to her.
"I must say that this is going to be a very jolly Christmas. Between tonight's festivities and the extra cash, the holidays are off to a good start."
Another male voice that sounded suspiciously like Mr. Jenkins answered, "Yes. The money has certainly been welcome," and he chuckled, 'Even more so because it was for doing absolutely nothing."
"Did he ever tell you why he didn't want the house completed?"
"No. But far be it for me to question the Commodore, especially when he was being so free with the sterling. However, I'll be glad when he gives the go ahead and I don't have to listen to Miss Thompson plead her case every day. She's a hard lady to deny."
Their voices faded as the two men walked away. Katherine stood stock still digesting what she had heard. James Norrington had been blocking the progress on her house. How dare he? She could feel herself nearly quivering with anger at the unmitigated presumption of the man. Impatiently she waited for the dance to end so that she could claim his attention. Only now it was not so that she could make her proposal but rather so that she could give him a piece of her mind!
As the last notes of the music died out, Katherine made a beeline to the Admiral and quickly reached his side. "This is my dance I believe," she told him throwing over all strictures that dictated against a lady asking a gentleman to dance.
With a small shrug of his shoulders, he acquiesced and took her into his arms as a waltz began. Katherine was so enraged that she could not find the words to tell him what she thought about his actions. They danced silently for a bit with her holding herself stiffly.
"You… you… you are the most annoying odious man it has ever been my misfortune to meet," Katherine hissed at him at last finding her voice.
"Well now, luv, that is a bit of an overreaction to my costume, wouldn't you say?" a merry voiced teased her. "Here I thought I was being right clever by joining the enemy so to speak. Besides I hear that women can't resist a man in uniform."
Katherine did not hear any of Jack's comments after his first few words. It felt as if her stomach had dropped to the floor. Dear God this was Jack! She should have known immediately that it was not James with whom she was dancing. Not only was Jack slighter of build and a few inches shorter but she had not felt the tingle that occurred every time she touched James. The mistake had been easy enough to make when separated by a crowd but up close it was obvious that this was not James Norrington, a fact that she certainly would have registered earlier if she had not been blinded by fury.
But if this was Jack then who was the pirate she had confided in earlier? The room started to spin and she felt as if she were going to faint. "Jack, take me out of here. Now, please."
Jack could hear the urgency in her voice and for once fulfilled a request without bothering to tease. He escorted her out into the garden and stopped near a fountain. After helping her to sit on the edge, he pulled off his mask and then hers. "Katherine, calm down and take a breath. Put some water on your wrists," he soothed and sat down next to her placing a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Now tell Uncle Jack what's wrong."
"Yes, please do tell Uncle Jack what is bothering you, Katherine." The cold voice caused both Jack and Katherine to jump up and shoot startled glances at the glowering pirate who had followed them from the ballroom. James had watched ever since she had made her way from his table. At first he had been too stunned by her unintentional revelation to him to say or do anything. That she had expressed a desire to have an affair with him initially filled him with joy but this feeling was soon replaced by a simmering anger. An amorous liaison she had said. She wanted to have a short term temporary sordid little tryst with him. The very thought of this made him see red. He was in her life for good and the sooner that she accepted that the better. As for her snuggling out here with Sparrow, well he would soon put paid to this little scenario. "Sparrow, I suggest that you leave us. Katherine and I have matters to discuss privately."
Matching the iciness of his tone, Katherine denied, "We have nothing to say to each other, Commodore Norrington."
"Oh I beg to differ, Katherine. We have your interesting offer to discuss. Surely we must sort out the terms of our liaison?" he silkily contradicted. "Leave, Sparrow, before I call some marines to clap you in irons."
Jack hesitated. He was torn. It was not that he was bothered by gallant thoughts of protecting her from Norrington's wrath but rather that the coming events were certain to be amusing and he did not wish to miss them. However, a look at James' face assured him that leaving was the wisest option. "Yes. Well you two lovebirds have much to talk about. I'll just be leaving you then." He ignored Katherine's outraged "Jack!" as he sauntered away.
Katherine and James stood glaring at each other. Neither wanted to be the first to speak. Finally, James arched an eyebrow and inquired, "Well?"
"Well what?" Katherine spat at him.
"I am waiting to hear you elaborate on your comments from earlier. Surely you must agree that if we are to have an affair then we need to decide how to proceed," he stated in a supercilious tone.
"There is no need for us to discuss anything, Commodore Norrington. It was a grave error in judgment for me to even consider such a possibility. I have since seen my folly and have no desire to pursue any sort of relationship with you. Now if you will excuse me, I should head back inside." Katherine was proud of how calm and controlled her voice seemed when in reality she wanted to shriek at him.
James' eyes narrowed. He could tell that she was furious, but why? Of the two of them, he was the injured party. Stepping closer he peered down into her face and demanded, "What is wrong with you? Why are you acting so affronted when I was the one insulted?"
Katherine did not know where to begin in her tirade. "Insulted? You were insulted by my suggestion? Well that certainly is rich coming from an overbearing high handed low down snake in the grass!"
"What are you talking about? I have done nothing but act the gentleman with you."
"You deliberately sabotaged my plans to have my house refurbished," she informed him while jabbing at his chest with her finger.
An unrepentant James acknowledged, "Yes, I did put a stop to the work. You could not be allowed to move in on your own."
"Allowed?" Katherine shouted at him.
"You heard me. Allowed. It is past time someone took you in hand and curbed your obstinate headstrong tendencies." His own anger leant harshness to his words.
"For your information, James Norrington, I am well able to make my own choices with no interference from a smug pompous bastard like you."
During their sparring they had drawn closer so that now they were literally nose to nose.
"Oh yes, I can tell just how capable you are. You demonstrated your talents tonight. Like some dimwitted strumpet you talked of illicit liaisons without even knowing who you were talking to," James forced the words through his clenched teeth.
"Strumpet? You dare to call me a strumpet? You... you… you…" Katherine's talent for words completely failed her so she resorted to pushing at his chest to express her outrage. Unlike the last time that she had attempted this maneuver, this time he was not as solidly positioned. This time he did indeed move. Not only did he move but he overbalanced backwards and landed with a splash into the fountain. Horrorstruck, Katherine just stared for a moment and then her sense of self-preservation kicked in and she quickly fled from the garden.
When she reached the house, she opted for the safety and seclusion of the library. She needed some time alone to regroup before rejoining the party. She poured herself a glass of sherry from the drink cart and had just finished drinking it in one swallow when she heard the French doors open. With a gulp she looked up to find one very wet and very angry James Norrington heading across the room towards her.
A quick glance towards the main door told her that she would never make it in time. Katherine barely managed to squeak out, "James, I'm sorr…" before she found herself hauled into his arms with his mouth crashing down onto hers.
This kiss was nothing like the last one that they had shared. This kiss was designed solely to punish and subdue. James' lips were hard and insistent and demanded entry to her mouth. When she refused to give it, his hand twisted into her hair and tugged. She let out a painful gasp and he ruthlessly used the opportunity to invade and further plunder. Katherine struggled to gain her freedom but his hold was like iron and he had no intention of releasing her.
For Katherine the worst thing was that not only was she fighting him but she also had to fight herself. From the first moment that he had touched her, her senses had begun their traitorous slide into surrender. When his hand found her breast and began to stroke and knead, she gave up the fight against herself. With a whimper of defeat, she began to angrily kiss him back.
Their sensuous battle continued and soon James' fingers found the broach that clasped together the bodice of her Athena costume. Deftly he unhooked it and the top of her gown pooled down to her hips. The construction of the costume had not allowed for a chemise and James found Katherine's bare breasts revealed to his hungry gaze.
"Beautiful," he whispered and began to caress her. Slowly his ire was ebbing away only to be replaced by a burning passion.
The feel of James' fingers on her naked skin was almost more pleasurable than she could stand. Sensation after sensation flooded through her. She had thought it enjoyable with Jack but this was infinitely more so. No longer having any wish to fight James she made no protest when without breaking their kiss, he guided her backwards to the desk and then lifted her up so that she was sitting on it.
When he had her situated where he wanted her, James broke their kiss and stared down at the lovely picture before him. Katherine's eyes were half closed and glazed with desire. Her chest was heaving with the effort to draw breath. James knew that he should stop now but he promised himself just a few more minutes of this bliss.
Katherine watched through her lashes as James bent his head and began to tease her with his tongue. Slowly he swirled around first one peak and then the other until she thought that she would scream with pleasure and frustration. His eyes flickered upward. He captured her gaze and pronounced possessively, "Mine," and then continued his sweet torment.
"James, please," Katherine pleaded.
Drawing back he met her eyes and demanded, "Say it."
Too lost to deny him this victory she huskily agreed, "Yours."
With a triumphant smile he bent down again, took a sensitive tip into his mouth, and began to suckle. Katherine let out a low keening cry.
Both were oblivious to the sound of approaching footsteps and voices. Neither heard the door open. It was the shocked voice declaring, "Good God, young man, what the hell do you think you're doing?" that caused them to break apart.