A/N: Sorry, but I had to think a while. And I don't spend much time on the comp as much on weekends as I do on weekdays. Keep reviewing, thanks!

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Chapter 12: The Feast

Evening came too fast for Jack. A formal dinner? With those oafs, that was near impossible. He was not the man to mind his manners anywhere, let alone in front of men who hated him. If he managed to pull this off at all, it would be for Isabel and Isabel only.

On the contrary, Norrington was quite pleased. Finally, something decent and orderly. Not like Sparrow, he thought. This would be my chance to show Isabel how elegance and finery is shown in a man. Sparrow would probably make a fool out of himself in front of everyone! What fun. He combed out what was left of his wig and washed his breeches and coat to prepare for the feast.

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I clearly was not right in the head. A dinner for forty people? My main intention was not to serve the crew, but to form a peace treaty. After hearing the hushed exchanges of words, I felt that something must be done. Two men who secretly wanted to kill each other were not going to help the rest of the crew last in open seas. I chuckled at the thought of Jack in clean clothes and went into the kitchen.

That night, everyone bustled into the dining hall of the ship. Seats were scarce but I had managed. Ana-Maria wore a dress (which was rare, for she never did), Gibbs wore a suit, and Pintel and Ragetti's faces were clean. Jack was most impressive. His face was free of dirt and grime and his hair was neatly braided and combed. He wore a dark velvet coat unlike the leather one he usually wore, and his boots were clean. I approached him. The usually pungent odor of rum, salt, and perspiration that usually lingered in the air when he walked into the room was no longer apparent.

Jack came forth and bowed. "I am present, madam."

Smiling, I replied, "Your appearance and etiquette so far seem to have improved. Take your seat, Captain."

Next up came James. Seeing him, I was not surprised as I was with Jack. His attire was usual, it being a uniform of an officer . One could not get any more perfect than Norrington.

"Good evening, James."

"Evening, Isabel."

"Shall I show you to your seat?"

"Of course, but let me be the first to say that you look ravishing tonight." He took my hand and kissed it.

I did what would be the polite thing to do; I curtsied. "Thank you for noticing, James."

I took back my hand and led him to his chair. I watched his reaction as he discovered that his seat was next to Jack's. Being the polite gentleman he was, he said nothing and tried to hide his disgusted face.

Jack nearly jumped when he turned his head and saw Norrington next to him.

"What ye doin' here?"

"I'm sitting in my assigned seat, Sparrow." He kept his voice dangerously calm.

"If ye say so…" Jack immediately looked away to the tray of food that was carried out.

I had tried my best to combine the supplies the ship provided with my knowledge of cooking, resulting with beef with parsley, biscuits with butter, and some leafy greens with pasta. With no other refreshments, I provided rum, wine, and water. My cooking wasn't the best and the food inventory was limited.

I sat down with the others as they were about to devour the food.

"Before we begin to eat, shall we say grace?" I reminded them. "Would you care to lead us, Commodore?"

"My pleasure, Isabel." He paused for a moment, put his hands together in prayer and closed his eyes. "Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. And may I thank the Lord for sending a beauty of a woman so kind and may I become more than just her acquaintance. Amen."

Blushing, I was startled by the last few words of his prayer but said nothing. A low rumble came deep from Jack's throat. Glancing up, I felt Norrington's stare on my face.

"Let's sup, now, hmm?"

The crew prepared themselves by spreading out cloth napkins onto their laps and pulling handkerchiefs from their pockets. Voices and laughter grew loud as they talked and ate. But the cheery atmosphere was not to be sustained with James and Jack sitting in adjacent seats.

"Pass the peas, Sparrow."

"Say what," asked Jack, his mouth still full of potatoes.

"I said, pass the peas."

"Get it yerself, Norry. I ain't reachin' anywhere."

Norrington was near boiling point. "What do you mean 'reach'? It's right there to the left of your hand! You barely have to strain your arm. Now hurry, pass the peas!"

"Make me," growled Jack.

Roaring with frustration, Norrington pushed back his chair, stood up, and snatched the bowl of peas from the table. With the bowl in midair, he overturned it and dumped it onto Jack's head.

"That, you obnoxious brute, is how you pass the peas."

Suddenly, the room was deathly silent. A fork dropped from someone's hands and clattered onto the plate.

"Oh dear," I gasped.

Warm, mushy peas fell down into back of Jack's shirt, a most shocking feeling.

"Ye did not just do that. Pinch me, I must be dreaming." Jack's eyes narrowed into slits.

Norrington reached over and pinched Jack on the arm. "No, I really did dump peas on your head."

Jack bared his teeth and shoveled his mash potatoes with his hands and threw it at Norrington. It hit his chest.

"Perfect aim, don't ye think so, Commodore?"

"Why I ought to--," started Norrington.

"Stop it, both of you! Very childish, indeed. And may I excuse myself from this preposterous scene, I will be in my cabin." I gave a huff and stalked off.

The evening did not go anywhere near the way I planned it.

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A/N: I don't know what to think of this chapter. Maybe some reviews, so I can make up my mind?