Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 10

James had been in the galley long enough to eat and start sipping absently on his second cup of tea, his thoughts focused on the mission ahead when Will and Elizabeth came in arm and arm looking rather flushed. He didn't even want to begin to ponder about why that would be; and so turned his thoughts back to where they had been previously.

Will gave him a friendly smile and a nod as he took a seat across the table. Elizabeth smiled as she walked past to fix them something to eat. James responses to both were the same, a preoccupied nod of his head, and then the return of his eyes to the rim of his teacup.

"Well Commodore, we are underway at last." Will said trying to make conversation.

"So it would seem Mr. Turner." James answered quietly, not looking up from his teacup, still immersed in his thoughts.

After a pause, "Well Commodore, how long do you think it will take to get to Saint Dominque?" Will said still trying hard to make conversation.

"It would depend on the conditions we have on the way." James said briefly, still not looking up.

And again another pause, "Well Commodore," Will said looking at Elizabeth who was no help because she had her back to him and could not see the uncomfortable expression that was starting to show on his face. "I hope we have the best conditions we can possibly have." Will said lamely with his eyes still on Elizabeth.

"That would of course, be the better of all options Mr. Turner." James answered, his eyes still lowered.

Pausing once again, "Well Commodore," and then seeing Elizabeth coming back towards him Will finished the statement with relief in his tone, "here's Elizabeth."

James did look up at Will then with an almost amused expression on his face as he said, "Were you not aware Mr. Turner that Mrs. Turner has been present the whole time?" He honestly did not hold anything against the couple anymore, but there was still a teeny tiny bit of perverse pleasure in seeing the young man thrown off kilter a little, and the sight of Will's mouth opening and closing several times without anything but unintelligible sounds coming out fed into this just a bit.

Will was saved from having to answer as Elizabeth reached the table and seeing the expression on James face said, "Well I'm glad you two are getting along so well." She sat the plates and tea down, took her seat beside Will, and as she started to eat said, "So what have you two been talking about?"

Will's mouth started moving again and once more no words came out.

"We were having a conversation about the weather." James said with a slight bit of amusement in his tone, the bit of a smile still playing on his lips.

"Well I guess that would be the preferred topic of conversation for sailors now wouldn't it." Elizabeth said with a roll of her eyes.

"I would hardly consider myself a sailor Elizabeth." Will said looking a bit sheepish.

"Oh now Mr. Turner, I think you underestimate yourself. I'm sure you would make a fine sailor if you put your mind to it, might even make a fine captain one of these days." James said, perhaps in a bit of atonement for his previous jibe.

Will looked at the man to see if there was any sign of sarcasm on his face and could detect none. "Thank you Commodore." he said with a bit of a questioning tone, still not sure if it was meant as a compliment or a dig at his parentage.

The Commodore gave him a nod and went back to sipping at his tea.

"So Will, how long till we get to Saint Dominque?" Elizabeth asked.

Will sputtered a little on the sip of tea he had been taking, and then with a quick glance at the Commodore said, "It would depend on the conditions we have on the way."

"Well then I hope we have the best conditions we could possible have." Elizabeth said as she sipped her tea.

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Will said with another glance at James who was smirking a bit into his teacup.

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A day and a half out of Port Royal the watch called out "Sail Ho" and pointed off to larboard. Jack raised his telescope but the ship was still too far off to make out much detail, other than the fact it appeared to be headed in their direction.

"More'n likely be a merchant makin towards Port Royal Cap'n." Mr. Gibbs said.

"Keep a weather eye out Mr. Gibbs, although you're probably right. Don't think the French or Spanish either one would be foolish enough to enter dear old Mother England's, or for that matter our dear Commodore's patrollin area. Not with just one ship anyway." Jack said as he lowered the telescope and walked off.

Mr. Gibbs shouted up to the man in the crow's nest, "Keep a sharp eye on 'em Patrick, Cap'n won't take it none too kindly if we get snuck up on."

"Aye Mr. Gibbs." the man called back.

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"Know of any ships that should be in the area Commodore?" Jack said moving his hands about as he sashayed into the galley where the three people sat.

"None that I am aware of Captain. Has one been spotted?" James replied, his expression as he looked up at Jack clearly showing curiosity and perhaps a bit of concern.

"They are still too far off to tell who they might be. Seems they be makin straight for us, at least for the present. Might not have noticed us yet, and there's the possibility they may change course once they do." Jack said with an expression that said he didn't really believe his last statement.

"I would think this development would bear keeping an eye on." James answered.

"My thoughts exactly Commodore. One way or another we should soon know their intent." Jack said as he walked over and retrieved a bottle of rum, sat down in an empty chair, and took a drink. "Only thing to do now is wait and see." Jack said between drinks.

"Do you think there will be trouble?" Will said looking worriedly at Elizabeth as he took her hand. It was clear his thoughts were for her safety.

"William Turner, I am capable of handling a sword as well as myself if it comes to a battle!" Elizabeth said as she jerked her hand out of Will's.

"Elizabeth, that's not…..I wasn't………..Elizabeth please…." Will started, not caring for the glare he was receiving from her.

Elizabeth held her hand up in a silencing gesture, "Just let it go William." she snapped at him.

James let out a snort, and Jack gave the couple a shiny grin as he continued to drink his rum.

"Cap'n , ye may be wantin to come and see this." Mr. Gibbs said as he stuck his head in the door. "Patrick spotted another sail."

To Be Continued

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