James was sat on an upturned barrel supervising the mop-up operation as Gillette herded another batch of prisoners past and he recognised his old colleague Joshamee Gibbs amongst them. With precious little regards for his enervated limbs or agonising throat and chest he leapt to his feet and yelled, 'Halt!'
Gillette did so and turned towards him as the two marines continued to guard the prisoners. 'Release that man! He crewed the vessel that brought the reinforcements.' Norrington snapped, with a gesture towards Gibbs.
'But Sir, look at him he's a….'
'Silence!' Norrington bought the full force of his commanding personality to bear.
Jack chose that moment to appear on the scene, whistling nonchalantly as he wove his way through the chaotic streets, pockets stuffed with the spoils of Gariol's crew. Norrington beckoned him over. 'Captain, I would be most obliged if you would take a tour of the gaol to ensure that no further members of your crew have been captured by mine in a fit of overzealousness.' He requested formally and the shock of being addressed correctly by the other for once temporarily silenced Jack.
Gillette's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he realised who the comparatively clean and well-turned out Jack was. 'But Sir… the… he!'
'He is a guest of Governor Swann and did his duty as a servant of the crown in aiding the Royal Navy in defence of this port. I will not allow him or his crew to be harassed!' Norrington replied quelling any further objection.
Gillette quailed under his superior officer's icy-calm rebuke. All of a sudden he felt like a child being scolded by his great father's ire. He saluted hurriedly. 'Yes Sir!'
Commodore Norrington acknowledged the salute and strode off towards Governor Swann's residence. Jack paused, 'Gibbs, do as the man says and get everyone back to the Pearl.' He vanished again before Gibbs could object or question his actions.
'I thought I'd find you like this, lad.' Jack mused aloud as he supported Norrington. He'd found the man half-collapsed against a wall in an empty side-street, tears and blood pouring from him as his body was wracked with another episode of malaise.
Gradually Norrington straightened, inch by painful inch, resuming his starched posture, pride stiffening his back. 'If you are quite finished making a fuss, Sparrow, I have to report to the Governor and oversee the restoration of order.'
Damn' the man to blue blazes! Jack cursed angrily under his breath and trotted after the man, trying to keep up to his longer strides. He had to wonder why the gods had lumbered him with a big daft navy-boy with none of the sense th' gods gave a proper pirate! Still, walking along in silence wasn't his style so he fished some of his new oddments out of his pockets and started to tell the made-up-on-the-spot tales of their acquisition. He'd just got to the bit when the comely mermaid had dragged him 'neath the stormy waves to her amorous nest when Governor Swann bustled out of his house, a huge smile lighting his face.
'James! You and Captain Sparrow have saved the day!' Until a few nights' previous Jack hadn't understood the kindly older man's affection for Norrington, the cold fish. Now he'd seen a bit more and knowing that the Governor did not have many true friends among the sycophants and schemes around it made a bit more sense.
'Oh James! You're safe!' Norrington just had time to half-turn and brace himself before Mrs Turner embraced him fiercely like a brother.
Elizabeth hugged dear James, almost weeping in gratitude that her dear friend had been spared as well as her husband, who had sped back to the mansion as soon as the pirates had surrendered. She frowned as the flat of her hand pressed against his back encountered the hard, sharp bones of his spine and ribs. Jamie needed to find himself a wife to take good care of him! She released him and then turned to Jack and clasped his hands fervently in her own, despite the fact that his hands were somehow once again filthy.
'No heartfelt embrace fer yer old mucker Jack?' the pirate mocked-pouted at Lizzie's blatant favouritism.
Elizabeth grinned, dagger-sharp. 'Pirate.' She reminded him and he had to laugh at that.
Weatherby Swann smiled at the joyful reunion and stepped forward once the three youngsters had settled. 'Would you consider taking the Royal Marque? Your breathtaking display of courage and cooperation with the Commodore are doubtless proof of what a marvellous privateer you would make.' As he spoke Swann's new son-in-law arrived and made a beeline for his wife.
Jack paused, shocked by the suggestion. One grubby mitt rose to tangle his fingers in his matted beard as he tried to think. It was dangerous close to respectable, to Jack's thinking too close to the Navy and their orders and constant oppression of a man's free spirit. He caught Norrington's eye.
'Just think on it before you make a decision.' The other seaman suggested and Jack realised that James truly would regret having to kill him after their experiences together, but would feel obligated to do his duty. His eyes widened at that realisation and he looked up at the man in consideration. He gave a determined nod to him.