The Gift

Chapter 17:

Setting: Post POTC 3

Characters: Norrington/ OFC

Gillette knew that the onboard battle was taking longer than it should when a pirate suddenly fell into the jolly boat. Andrew gave the bloody body a swift kick to confirm the man was dead then threw him overboard. Lucy shook with fear and although Andrew hated to leave her, he had no choice.

"Lucy, take this pistol," he said, kneeling closely as he placed a wood and steel contraption into her small, cold hands and placed her forefinger on the trigger. "If The Falcon is taken and the officers killed, then..." He sighed heavily, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "That is to say, if we are all killed, it would be better for you to end your own life than become a slave to pirates. Do you understand me?"

To make his point clear, he lifted her hand and the pistol to her temple.

"One shot, here."

She was crying but stoically answered, "I understand."

"Good…." Andrew stood, trying to smile. "Now there are two shots in that pistol, so you have a spare if anyone should board this boat….I leave in you in charge of this sloop, Captain Gagliano," he said, turning to the ropes and with a quick salute, ascended up the rigging to the Falcon.

Lucy cried more out of pure and utter anger than fear. They just wanted her to sit in the jolly boat until the worst should come and then shoot herself! Dressed only in her chemise and corset and Gillette's naval jacket, she decided to board The Falcon, too.

"God be damned if I'm going to let the man I love die without a fight!" She declared to the empty boat as she stuck the large pistol between her bosoms and her corset and ascended the rigging behind Gillette.

On board, Norrington was locked in a bitter duel with Barbossa. The outcome of their fight would bear the winner of the day and the loser; and James Norrington was determined not to lose.

Clank.

"Fine missy you have there," Barbossa smiled as sword meet sword.

CLANK!

Norrington didn't answer for a moment then said, "Very kind of you to save her for me."

Clank.

Norrington snarled, as their blades grated and slid to the hilts.

"When I'm through with you, Barbossa, you shall be drawn and quartered for your treason against the King."

They fell back then their swords matched again.

"Your head will be placed on a spike at Port Royal!" Norrington seethed.

Clank.

"Your four parts thrown into the four seas!"

But Barbossa only laughed heartily.

"I'm sure the Ol' Baily would enjoy hearing the details of me life. Especially the parts that involve my conjugal relations with your sweetheart. Italians are such a lusty bunch!"

This time, sparks few as the swords clashed. Again and again, Norrington took aim with his full body, finally backing Barbossa to the ship's railing, the pirate captain's sword flying overboard. Norrington's green eyes burned with fire, as he demanded through a tense jaw, "Burn in hell!"

Then drawing back his blade to pierce the man's heart, he felt a sudden pain in his back and knew he'd been stabbed. The weight of his own sword was suddenly too much, and he sunk to his knees, leaving Barbossa to steady himself and pick up his blade.

"Sorry, Admiral, today's just not my day to meet ol' hob."

He lifted the fine sword, ready to behead the sinking Norrington when suddenly a shot pierced him right between the eyes; and with sword still in hand, he fell overboard. There was a second shot that hit a pirate to his right. The man that stabbed him in the back fell, as well; but Norrington sank to the deck, his hands growing sticky with his own blood when suddenly, the sky opened up and it began to rain.

"James!" Lucy ran forward to him, and he felt her pull the knife from his back. "Oh, dear God James! Speak to me!"

He felt cold but tried to smile.

"Lucy," he managed, weakly taking her hand.

"I love you, James! I love you!"

She was crying, her hair wet, and she moved to cradle him, her white chemise and corset stained scarlet.

"I love you, too, Lucy."

Tears welled from her eyes and fell to his cheeks. Or was it the rain?

"I'm sorry."

She looked at him in awe.

"No! No, James! You're going to live!"

Suddenly, Groves was besides her to gauge the situation then called out, "Get the surgeon! It's the Admiral."

And Doctor Ingram came quickly, huddling against the rain as he studied the injury.

"We must get him in the cabin. Part of the blade is still in the wound."

Lucy felt strong arms wrap around her and pull her back from her love.

"No, I must go with him!" She cried, fighting the arms around her as Groves, Ingram and Mowett lifted Norrington's lifeless body. "Let me go! Let me go!"

"No, love."

It was Gillette's voice, low and soothing. "Come, we've won the battle; and there's nothing you can do for him now. He's needs the doctor."

Lucy's body fell heavy and she sank grudgingly into the arms of her friend.

"I love him, Andrew," she sobbed against his chest.

"I know, Lucy. We both do."

And in the midst of the piercing rain and gale, they held each another and cried.

As the sailors locked the surviving pirates below deck along with Mrs. Gravely and Donaldson, Lucy's father and Jane Groves greeted her warmly. They covered her with warm blankets in the captain's quarters and gave her a mug of hot rum. Finally, Doctor Ingram entered, his white shirt sleeves stained scarlet.

"Miss Gagliano," Ingram said with a heavy voice. "He's alive."

"Thank God!" Lucy bound from her father's arms in relief. "But will he live, doctor?"

"Aye, if he fights the infection," replied Ingram, wiping a smudge of blood from his hands with a handkerchief. "You may accompany me to the surgeon's quarters."

Mister Gagliano and Jane stood, as well.

"It would be better if only Miss Lucy went," said Ingram, motioning to her father and friend. "He's battling a fever, and fewer visitors will make for a faster recovery."

Lucy kissed her father and gave Jane a small hug.

"I shall be alright." Then without further ado, she accompanied Ingram to meet her love.

He lay on the surgeon's table, freshly washed, his chestnut hair clean and free around his shoulders; a fresh linen shirt loosely on his shoulders, white britches and stockings on his body. His skin was as pale as his clothing, his lips a pallid grey. Lucy brought a fearful hand to her mouth.

"He's only sleeping off the laudanum. I had to remove a broken bit of blade from his back, but it missed any major organs," answered Ingram, and then reached into his black waistcoat. "This was hanging around his neck." The doctor held up a pearl ring.

"I thought it had been stolen!" Lucy said, softly taking the ring from his fingers.

"…The Admiral is very lucky to have your love, Miss Lucy," the doctor said with lowered eyes. And Lucy smiled sadly, knowing that the doctor had once hoped to make her his wife.

"We can't choose where our heart lies, Johann." Then she gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for saving his life. You are a fine man."

Ingram nodded and disappeared behind the cabin curtain. When the doctor had gone, Lucy turned to James and picked up a cloth to sooth his heated forehead. At the touch, his eyes fluttered open.

"James!" Lucy smiled.

"Lucy," James managed, his voice rasping from the surgery. "I'm... still alive?"

She nodded, touching his hair, and his breathing was heavy as he struggled for words.

"I refuse to die... at the hands of pirate."

She laughed.

"Good thing you weren't fighting the Spanish, then."

"Or the Spanish," Norrington repeated, his eyes fluttering shut. "Damned... papists."

"You found my ring."

As Lucy changed the subject and put the small band around her finger, Norrington began to mumble, "She took the ring off... She said she never would."

"I didn't take it off, you dolt, I suppose the pirates took it when they kidnapped me."

But he wasn't hearing her now, his mind deep in fever.

"I love her, but she...she doesn't love me, mother."

He began to cry, and it broke Lucy's heart.

"Shhh, dear!" She soothed, kissing his forehead. "She loves you. I love you."

And he quieted at her touch.

"I love you, too. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, mother..." he repeated softly over and over until he fell asleep once again.

It was then that Lucy realized they were not alone in the cabin. She turned to look upon Captain Groves with a puzzled expression and a broken heart.

"His mother was killed by pirates, Lucy…..He has never forgiven himself for not saving her."

And with that one revelation, so much became suddenly clear regarding the hard, polished exterior of the man she loved.

"What could he have done?"

"Nothing," answered Groves quietly. "He was only a boy back in England." He moved close to Lucy, his voice calm. "Don't let it trouble you, it's only the opium speaking. Doctor Ingram has sewn up his wound, and you have mended his heart...He will heal."

"Body and soul," she whispered to the proud man who lay humble before her. Another door to James Norrington had been opened; and she knew now that she had to prove her love to him with everything she was, with all her body and soul, so that he would never doubt anything in life again.

Author's note: If you're reading this fic-- I'd love a review!!