Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 28

"By the stars you're right Commodore. So my advice on the subject would be ta start talkin afore that circumstance happens."

"And just what would it be you would expect me to talk about?" James said through smooshed lips. As he spoke he was mulling over in his mind the chance that a swift movement backwards would not wind up causing irreparable damage to his person. The man was not leaning against him as heavily as he had been and the knife did not feel as tight against his throat as it had a few moments ago. James was trying to judge the exact position and placement of the person behind him, and the chance that a sudden push off the wall would succeed in knocking the man off balance enough for James to gain the upper hand without aiding and abetting in the slitting of his throat in the process. Just as he decided to act upon his plan regardless of how incautious it may be there was a shout and feet running and he was suddenly unhanded, the knife removed from his throat, and his accoster was gone.

"Commo………James! Are you all right?" William said as he came running up. "What happened? Who was that?"

James pushed himself away from the wall, wiping the grime from his cheek that had accumulated there during his intimate contact with said wall, straightened his shirt and his posture, and replied, "I believe it was someone who was interested in some sort of information he was under the impression I was privy to. Other than that Mr. Turner, I am at a loss."

Teague and Jack walked up as James was speaking. "He didn't specify what information he was after Commodore?" Teague said.

"No he did not. Did none of you get a good look at him then?" James said looking questioningly at the others.

"William here is the one noticed you James, and how he managed that as dark as it is in this alley is a wonder." Jack said flopping a hand in the general direction of Will. "If it hadn't been for him we'd have scurried right on by without so much as a by your leave."

"I just happened to look over and saw your green bandanna kind of glowing in the moonlight James. I wasn't even sure it was you at first, but knew something wasn't right so I decided to investigate." Will said self-effacingly.

"Well I for one am very glad you did Mr. Turner." James replied with a ghost of a smile on his face.

"He was too far down the other end of the alley before I got close enough to see what he looked like." Will said in a disappointed tone.

"Well the important thing is ya saved our bonny James here from all sorts of humiliatin, perturbin and embarrassin goings on William. Aye?" Jack said with a flourish.

"I don't know about all that Jack." Will said looking doubtfully between Jack and James.

"Well of course ya did William. Who knows what alarmin, appallin, and atrocious deeds may have been visited upon our fair James' person if ya hadn't interceded." Jack said grandly.

William continued to look doubtful, James snorted and muttered, "Oh please." and Jack continued to smile at the both of them.

"I'd be thinkin now is the time to return to yer Pearl, afore that scalawag comes back with his friends." Teague said as he headed back out of the alley.

As James started to walk past, Jack leaned into his face, stared at his cheek, and pointing at said cheek with his finger said, "I believe ya missed a bit o the muck right there James."

James slapped Jack's hand away and snarled, "Indeed!" and walked past. Jack grinned as he watched the Commodore walk several feet away before he could no longer suppress the urge to take hand to cheek and attempt to wipe off the non existent sludge from his cheek.

"That was a petty thing to do Jack." William said reprovingly.

Still grinning and watching James trying to rub off his cheek what wasn't there he answered, "Aye it was at that William."

Will shook his head as he followed Jack's sashaying movement towards the street.

Jack and Will caught up with James and Teague and they reached the Pearl shortly after that. As they went aboard Teague took Jack by the arm and headed him towards the Captain's cabin. James and Will looked askance at each other and then headed for the galley.

"By the looks on their faces Mr. Turner, I would judge that is not a discussion we wish to be a part of." James said with a smirk.

"I think you're right Jam…Commodore." Will replied.

"Mr. Turner, you may call me James if you wish." James said with a slight smile.

"You've all ways been Commodore to me, James just doesn't sound right when I say it Commodore." Will said with an apologetic shrug.

"Your choice Mr. Turner." James said noncommittally.

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"Now Jackie," Teague said as he escorted Jack through the door and closed it behind them, "About that compass."

"What's so important that ya need me compass?" Jack asked having already made the judgement that there was no way out other than the door that Teague was standing in front of, that was unless he wanted to make a break for the windows, which he judged would be useless as Teague would be on him before he made it half way there. "Bugger!" he mumbled to himself as he realized Teague knew him too well and subterfuge or surprise was not something that was going to work in this situation. But maybe he could bargain with the man. He was after all Captain Jack Sparrow…..and Captain Jack Sparrow was never defeated unless he accepted defeat which he made a practice never to do.

"I know what yer thinkin Jackie, yer wiles will do you no good when yer dealin with me. I did, after all, teach ya almost everything ya know. But we might be able to come to an accord perhaps…" Teague said as he grinned a sly grin at Jack.

"How does he do that?" Jack thought to himself, and then out loud to Teague, "Wha'd ya have in mind?"

To Be Continued

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