Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 6

"I thought Commodore Norrington would surely have been here by now, especially considering the importance of our business." Governor Swann said in a bit of an impatient tone as he paced back and forth behind his desk.

"I'm sure he will be here soon Father." Elizabeth replied in a soothing tone.

"I'm thinkin our dear Commodore may have had a problem or two on his mind. Probably havin a nip or two of that fine brandy he stocks, take the edge off and all." Jack added with a grin.

"Jack, I've never known James to resort to alcohol even if he has the troubles of the world on his shoulders. What would make you think he was drinking?" Elizabeth said giving Jack a questioning look.

"Ah luv, for some problems alcohol is the only answer." Jack said with a flop of his hands.

"And just what kind of problem would require the use of alcohol Jack?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well luv, when you've had your heart……." Jack was interrupted by a knock on the door and the Governor's aide announcing the arrival of Commodore Norrington, who walked into the room with only a bit of an unsteady step, so slight that anyone that didn't know him well might not even notice. Unfortunately for James there were people in the room that knew him very well. Jack and Elizabeth noticed right away, and also noticed the Commodore lacked some of his usual stiff, stick up the arse posture, Will thought he noticed something, only Governor Swann didn't seem to notice anything.

"Ah Commodore, good, I'm glad you're finally here. Now we can go over the plans for this venture." Governor Swann said as he cast a smile at James, took a seat at his desk, and began spreading out some maps and papers.

"My apologies Governor, I found I had urgent business that needed to be taken care of." James said in reply, avoiding the stares of the other people in the room.

Elizabeth made a point of walking very close in front of James on her way to the desk. She even paused in front of him for a brief moment before continuing on. She walked behind the desk, stood beside her Father, and gave Jack a look as if to say he was right, there was alcohol on James' breath. Jack smiled, flopped his hands a bit, and gave her a look that said told you so.

"So Commodore….James, what was so urgent?" Elizabeth asked, as she finished in her mind the words Jack had left unspoken.

James' eyes snapped up to meet Elizabeth's for a brief moment, knowing he could never tell her what was eating at him, what was consuming him for that matter, and then he once again looked at the floor. It took him a few moments to regain his bearings before he could formulate an answer. "I would rather not discuss the matter. It is a bit… personal Miss Swa……..Mrs. Turner."

Elizabeth saw the pain in those green eyes in the brief moment they met hers. She started towards him and stopped. She had seen the truth there, he had loved her, loved her deeply. All this time she had been under the impression James had asked for her hand in marriage because she was the Governor's daughter and that had been the proper thing, that she had been the proper person for an up and coming young Commodore to wed. Hadn't he said exactly that the day on the parapet when he proposed, that his promotion had thrown into sharp relief that which he had not achieved….a marriage to a fine woman. He hadn't added the Governor's daughter, but he didn't really need to, she knew those words hung there unspoken. She had been so preoccupied with her own troubles and then the wedding, she hadn't taken the time to notice the subtle signs that had been there this whole time, had never thought for a minute she had torn James' heart out and stomped on it. Now she knew different, and was ashamed of herself. James had not deserved that, had not deserved that at all. Elizabeth started to speak in an abashed tone as she took a few steps in the Commodore's direction, "James….."

Governor Swann interrupted, "Really Elizabeth, we do need to get down to business."

Elizabeth didn't say anymore but continued to try to meet James' eyes, something that he refused to let happen, either by concentrating on Governor Swann or the wall.

Elizabeth finally shifted her attention to the matters being discussed but thought to herself, "That's alright James, go ahead and ignore me for the time being. I will make sure that doesn't continue to happen. As soon as this meeting is over we will talk, willing or not!"

Will knew something was going on between Elizabeth and James, but was at a loss to figure out just what it was. He looked from one to the other in confusion, finally shrugged his shoulders, and decided to pay attention to what was being discussed.

"Now Mr…..Captain Sparrow," Governor Swann addressed Jack in a tone that expressed distaste, "for the success of the mission it is imperative that your presence in Tortuga go as unnoticed as possible." Then without waiting for a reply began perusing some of the papers on his desk.

"Are you insinuating Governor that you don't have faith in old Jack's ability to be unperceived…….unobserved……..and or undetected as it were?"

This brought a snort from James, "Sparrow you could not go unnoticed if we bound and gagged you and put you in a bag inside a locked chest and buried you under Tortuga."

Jack gave James a slighted look, "Yer not bein a bit supportive or confirmative for that matter Commodore. And it's Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Start acting like a Captain and not someone who's had a bit too much rum and I might actually start calling you that." James said sarcastically.

"Speakin of too much rum, or shall we make that brandy………."

Jack was interrupted by Elizabeth's emphatic "Jack!" which caused everyone to jump in startlement, well everyone except Governor Swann who was engrossed in the papers on his desk and not listening to the conversation at all.

"What?" Jack said in a squeaky high tone as he bobbed back and forth looking surprised-ly at Elizabeth.

"You know what." she said a bit threateningly.

"No I don't." Jack said trying to look and sound innocent.

Before Elizabeth could reply her Father began to speak, "Well gentlemen…. and Elizabeth, I believe we are all in agreement, and have come up with the best plan to accomplish our objectives in the matter. I shall see you off in the morning. Now if you will excuse me I have other matters that demand my attention." He said this last as he rolled up the maps and various papers from his desk, shoved them at Will, and taking Will by the arm escorted him to the door and opened it. He then looked at the other three and said in a tone that denoted he had made it clear they had been dismissed, "Good day gentlemen……and Elizabeth." James, Jack, and Elizabeth filed out of the office after Will, and as the Governor shut the door stood there for a few minutes looking nonplus at each other.

"Did we actually come up with a plan?" Will asked looking around confused at the others as he stood there with an armful of papers.

"Well I guess we must have dear William." Jack said with a smile and a wave of his arms. "Now I've come up with a plan of me own. I plan to go to the nearest tavern and drink as much rum as I can get me hands on. Anyone care to join me?"

"Certainly not!" James said rather haughtily.

Elizabeth took James by the arm and began leading him away, "We most certainly will," and at the look from the Commodore added, "not to drink rum, but you and I need to talk."

"What is that all about?" Will said a bit muddled as he fell into step beside Jack.

"I think we're all fixin to find out young William." Jack said as he put an arm around Will's shoulders.

To Be Continued

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