Yes, I know the last one was a bit short, hopefully though this one helps make up for it.

This chapter is dedicated to:

CAPTIAN Matey Sparrow:

YAY! New reviewer! Thanks for the review! I love getting new reviewers, and I'm glad you like it! ; )

Nautical Assignment: Ship's cook, I hope you can cook…

AKAFredandGeorge:

Fred: Glad you liked it and like your title, I don't think that chocolate covered pineapple would be very good though… So yeah, laryngitis still lingering a bit, but I will survive.

George: Thankfully, my writer's block has gone away, at least, for know…

Sarah-K-O-M: Yeah, I know, but as you can see this one is a bit longer. And I'm loving it that your still reviewing it. : )

And with out further ado, and no more gilding the lily, I present to you…

(drum roll please)

CHAPTER 9!

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Katrina kept her eyes closed willing herself to sink back into the darkness where her head didn't ache and side didn't throb. After a few moments she gave up with a sigh, allowing her eyes to flutter open.

Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, Katrina gingerly turned her head to the side. A young man stood slightly bent over a map on the desk, a compass in one hand. His hair was tied back and shining russet from the light streaming through the large windows.

Seeming to feel her watching him, he straightened, set down the compass in the map and rounded the desk, his cobalt blue eyes colliding with Katrina's own turquoise eyes.

Startled, Katrina used her unbound arm to force herself into a sitting position, wincing and clutching the blanket to her chest like a shield.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Katrina demanded, wishing her voice wasn't so horse, that she didn't notice that his hair softly curled behind his ear and the fact that his blue double breasted coat made his eyes more striking.

Despite herself, the soft, reassuring smile he gave her quieted some of her hostility.

"I am Lieutenant Norrington, you are in the captain's cabin aboard the HMS Lexicon." He answered simply.

"How…?"

"You where found floating on a piece of deck, passed out... how is what I'd like to know. But as you have been unconscious for two days, I presume you are hungry. And perhaps you should be dressed more… suitably, before I ask questions."

Katrina flushed slightly, she was still in her shift.

"Fortunately," he continued "we have a lady passenger. No doubt she is willing to spare a few dresses."

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Briony Charmaine was pleasant enough, and Katrina felt quite amiable towards her, when she wasn't prattling inanely about slippers, dresses, balls, dinner parties and suitors. All of which were Briony's favorite discussion topics.

Briony gave Katrina a fine cotton dress of sea green, the hem, scooped neckline and tiny puffed sleeves were trimmed in pure white ribbon. Apologizing and lamenting for the lack of fashion the whole time she was helping Katrina into the dress, trying to minimize the pain that accompanied each movement of her arm. Briony explained the doctor didn't allow a corset because of Katrina's injured ribs. Quite honestly, Katrina was thankful that she wasn't to be squeezed into one of those awful contraptions.

"You are quite the topic on deck you know." Briony informed Katrina while brushing her hair. "What with you showing up out of seemingly nowhere on some planks of wood, covered with naught but a wet shift. There! What do you think?" Katrina took the proffered hand mirror with her free hand. The style was simple, hair brushed back and secured with a ribbon to match her dress.

Katrina smiled "Thank you, Briony, it is lovely. " Katrina offered, knowing it was the expected response.

Briony positively glowed.

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Katrina stared blankly at the small volume of poetry lying in her lap. A tray of half eaten broth and brown bread sat on the small table at the side of the overstuffed chair in which she sat.

"You must have read the same line at least a dozen times by now."

The amused voice jolted Katrina out of her reverie and making her start, causing a pang to shoot down her side. She swung her eyes to meet and amused pair of silvery blue eyes.

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She looked enchanting. Her slim figure engulfed in the large chair, her golden hair shining like a halo around her bent head in the muted light.

He didn't know how long he stood watching her, but suddenly he knew he wanted those captivating turquoise eyes looking at him.

"You must have read the same line at least a dozen times by now."

Yes, he decided, most captivating eyes.

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"Hello, Lieutenant." Katrina greeted.

"Good afternoon, Miss…I do believe you have the advantage on me." He gave a crooked grin, folding his arms and leaning against the desk

"Ellis, Katrina Ellis." She supplied.

"Well, Miss Ellis, I was wondering if you could tell me what you were doing floating around in the middle of the ocean."

"The ship I was on, the White Tiger was attacked. I was asleep below deck, a noise awoke me, and at first I thought it was thunder, but then realized it was cannon fire. I ran onto deck, the next round of fire threw me off the ship." Katrina could smell the acrid scent of gun powder.

"Do you know the name of the ship that attacked you?"

Katrina closed her eyes. She could see once again the hazy smoke, a smudge of red showing through. "Blood Stone." She whispered. "It was call the Blood Stone."

The lieutenant muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "damn bloody pirates".

Katrina opened her eyes to find him now sitting on the foot stool next to the chair. A thought struck her.

"Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Miss Ellis?" he looked up at her

"Were there… did you …find anyone else?"

he was silent for a moment "We did find some ship wreckage. There was one…"

Katrina's heart leapt. Jordie?

"A small lad, he was badly wounded. He didn't make it."

Not Jordie? "No one else?" she whispered brokenly.

He was suddenly fascinated by the tricorn hat he held in his hands, fidgeting with it.

"No." he said, slowly raising his eyes to meet hers. "I'm afraid not."

Any hope left in her eyes shattered, she covered her face and cried. Comforting arms came around her and soft hushing sounds were murmured into her ear. Not realizing what she was doing, she buried her face in the available chest and wept as if her heart would break, weeping herself into exhaustion. The steady heartbeat beneath her ear lulling her to sleep.

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Lieutenant Norrington looked down at the tearstained face cradled on his chest. She was sleeping. Gently he picked her up, placed her on the bed, pulling the blankets up to cover her.

Giving a deep sigh he left the cabin, quietly closing the door behind him.

"Lieutenant!" a young powder monkey ran up to him. "The commodore wan's ta see ya."

He looked up at the imposing figure overseeing the ship from the quarter deck. He mounted the stairs and approached the man.

"Commodore." he gave a smart salute. "Lieutenant Daniel Norrington reporting, you wanted to see me sir?"

James Norrington turned to look at his son. "How is are young lady? I heard she was awake."

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Well, did I fool you? Did you think the Lieutenant was James Norrington?

Oh well, reviews are as good as getting a free massage!