A/N: I couldn't help giggling over this chapter. You'll see why. No hidden meanings in this one. This is more "getting to know you" sort of stuff. I realized that the two of them are blushing alot, and this clears up why a bit more. Natania's shy and not used to being around guys, plus she always found him very handsome so it's no wonder. Natania isn't about to go 'fangirl frenzy' on us, but I think that us girls can relate to being around a person we find attractive and aren't 100 comfortable. (Oh yeah, I torture my characters. Real life is tough, why should fanfiction be any different?) She's not falling over herself, and I think she tries to cover it up (as most of us girls do) with humor. As for James... well.. you'll see why. Enjoy, this has one of my favorite visuals in it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribean, nor do I own Commodore James Norrington. In fact, I have to feed him yet get no true benefits from it. Sort of like a parasite.

James Norrington: I resent that... -huff-

Sorry... but you are alot of fun. I just can't have as much fun with Disney owning you and all. Natania is owned by me, and so is her witty dialog that I write.

Natania: Hey... let me get some credit.

You get a cookie. So do reviewers!

He watched as Natania, her grin never fading, stood and retrieved a strange black and silver device from a shelf. It had a crank and black cord protruding from it, the center black iron mass seemed to be able to rotate. To James looked more like a torture device than a cooking implement. The cord fit seamlessly into a hole in the wall, and she resumed gathering items from cabinets and a large box that when opened gave James a slight chill. He didn't pay close attention to what she had gathered, but fixed his gaze on a strange bottle of what looked like molasses Natania had placed in front of him. It proclaimed "Vermont Maple Syrup" boldly on the label, and he watched the contents shift as he titled it.

She noticed his intense interest in the maple syrup, held back a giggle, and continued to whisk a batter forming inside of a ceramic bowl. Cooking for someone else was a new experience for her, and was a little pleasant. James kept himself distracted a bit longer, the gooiness of the syrup seemed to entrance him.

"It is a strange thing." He said softly, not really looking up from the sight of brown goo slowly crawling to the lowest point of the tilted bottle. "You know so much of this world, and of mine. You even know about me." James pushed away that group of recent memories that were regularly creeping up in his mind. "Yet I have never met you, and all I know is your name."

Natania stopped whisking the batter, feeling a bit awkward. She didn't talk about herself much really to anyone. Even the few friends she had now took a long time for her to speak up with. She beat at the batter a little more before setting down the bowl.

"Not sure what to say, I guess." Drawing a long pause she fiddled with the device, her back still facing him. After a few painful moments of silence she finally spoke again. "What do you want to know?"

Watching her back for a few moments, James sat up and smoothed his shirt and breeches out with his hands as he tried to find a question to start at. There were far too many, so he plucked out one that bothered him a little.

"Where are your parents?" To James, this seemed an important piece of knowledge for multiple reasons. Back in Port Royal it was unthinkable for a woman to be in the presence of a man she didn't know without escort. There didn't seem to be any servants in the household, and no one rushed to Natania's side during their scuffle so it had to be just the two of them. The other issue was if he was to be confronted by an undoubtedly angered father for being in the presence of his daughter unattended.

Natania flipped open the device and poured some of the batter onto the black iron. That was an easy question for her. "They are in Florida, finalizing some plans for a house down there." She thought it was wise not to mention that she was going to join them in a week or so.

"They just… left you to take care of yourself?" He put down the bottle of maple syrup as his eyes hardened a bit. "Have they not considered the dangers of you without protection?"

Thankfully, James didn't notice her shoulders stiffen at his response. Natania bit down on her tongue, holding the sides of the oven in front of her. 'Remember… he's from the 1600s… things were different then. It wasn't an insult. Calm. Calm. Calm. Don't be sarcastic, it won't help. Be nice Tania. Be nice.' She chastised herself a little more before turning to him with a soft smile.

"Yes. I can handle myself quite well. You must understand Commodore; women of this time are for the most part looked upon as equals. I can go where I have to on my own, I cook for myself, and I don't feel the least bit in danger. That isn't to say I do not take precautions to ensure my safety."

James forced back any retort, either verbal or physical. Her tone came across a bit like slightly pricked pride. He wouldn't press the issue.

"Are you married?"

Natania just raised her bare left hand, with the front of her hand facing him.

A little heat crept up the back of James' neck. He was a bachelor, alone in the world, with only a single young woman his refuge, who lived on her own. No guardians. No chaperone. Perhaps in a few of his more intimate dreams would he ever think of such a situation, but it was terribly inappropriate none the less. A little thrilling in a way, but he was worried of what whispers she would be at the mercy of from his inconvenient arrival and subsequent care.

He couldn't hold back the blush in his cheeks this time, but perhaps lessened it. He turned his head away from her and fixed his gaze at the floor. "Is it… also appropriate in this age for women to be left without chaperone around a bachelor?"

Her eyes relaxed a bit. Natania was aware of the social thinking he was used to, and didn't want to come across as mocking. It seemed like talking to him would have to be handled more delicately then she originally thought. Pressing a finger to her chin and looking towards the ceiling as if in deep thought, she said slowly, "Well… not terribly appropriate I guess. I can see how that might pose a problem. However, there is no social stigma against being alone with a friend. It doesn't matter even if they are of opposite gender as long as they are a friend. And it is most certainly understandable for a friend not from the area to spend a few nights over."

James looked back up to Natania, catching a faint smirk on her lips. He felt a bit more relaxed and even returned a soft smile. He was glad this wasn't a problem, even if it was a bit uncomfortable. As she started to place down strange shiny plates and silverware on the table James processed her words further.

'She already finds me to be a friend? I feel more like her ward than anything. I'll be eating her food, using the shelter of her roof, sleeping in her-' James stopped that line of thinking quickly. It had floated up into his mind as she had to lean over him to put down a papery scrap next to the plate before him. He cleared his throat after remanding himself and finding his voice.

"Are you certain that I do not hamper you in any way?"

A smile was his only answer. Natania opened her mouth to say something, but a strange noise blared behind her. She took the plate from him and returned to the device that had her previous attention.

"Excellent! And here, is your first taste of the new world." Natania spun around with flair and placed the plate back down. It now had something round and fluffy with square groves in it that looked a bit like fresh bread. In fact, it smelled like fresh bread only sweeter. "Tada! Waffles! Enjoy, Commodore!"

He poked the fluffy bread with his fingertip. It felt soft and even a little porous. "James."

"Hmm?" Natania tilted her head a little at him.

"If we are to be friends… then I insist you call me James. Commodore is far too formal." He looked up to her.

"Oh… sorry… um. Habit I guess." She blushed a bit.

He gave a smile that Natania would personally rate as perfectly charming. "Not a problem."

She turned to prepare her own breakfast when she heard his voice again from behind her.

"Er… Natania. How- how do you eat this?"

A/N: I don't care if it's silly, I think the idea of James mesmerized by the maple syrup is hilarious. I can't wait to show him the lava lamps I own. They're soooo pretty and gooooooey... And of course, how do you comfort a man any other way than... dun dun dun... COMFORT FOOD! And nothing says comfort food like freshly made waffles, I tell yah. They're like pancakes with extra delight pumped in. You know what else is delightful? Reviews! I don't mind people reviewing previous chapters to review my updates, since I can gauge if I'm keeping the flow right, and you are still enjoying yourself. I wanted this chapter up sooner for you, but I had to tidy up a little in the house. However I have the next two all finished as I write this. I want to clean those up more but it shouldn't take too long. Enjoy my sweet readers, and I shall see you again. MWAHAHA!! -dashes off into the night mysteriously-

PS - I left a word out and HAD to fix it. If anyone sees any spelling or grammar issues don't hesitate to send me a private message. I want to give my audience quality, darn it!