SarahKOM: Sammy Winchester? I have no idea who that is… and I love writing Sera cute! Did you get your sneak peek? My comp kinda messed up when I tried to send it, so I don't know if you got it…
Princess Amberly: well, you're not married yet… and if you were normal, would your life be near as fun as it is now?
Kitten: 1) yes, the movie comes out soon, 2 days before my birthday! And yes, how could kitty think so?
2) I'm not familiar with that quote.
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As he followed the governor down the stairs and into Weatherby Swann's study, every possible scenario flashed through Kipp's mind. Does he know Jack and I are related? What has he done this time? Is this about Scamp stealing his watch?
"Please, sit." Swann interrupted his thoughts, motioning to a chair situated strategically in front of the large oak desk while Swann took his place behind it. Kipp sat in the overstuffed dark leather chair.
"Sir, if this is about your pocket watch-" he began, but Weatherby held up a hand to stop him.
"A little over a month ago, a junior partner from the law offices of Veerman and Lund arrived from London. He was told you sometimes dock here he was to wait a week and if you still didn't show, he was to leave this in my care." Weatherby pulled out a letter from a drawer and held it up for Kipp to see. "The contents of the letter pertain to you, and it is somewhat… astonishing. Perhaps you should read it?" He held the folded paper out to Kipp who took it and scanned it, then looked up at the governor a bit apprehensively.
"Who else knows?" he asked.
"Well, naturally, I had to tell the Commodore Norrington."
Kipp closed his eyes. "I would appreciate it, sir, if you didn't tell anyone else."
Swann nodded. "Not the response I was expecting, but understandable, I suppose. Of course, the commodore wanted to see you after you got the letter. I have a guard here to escort you to the fort, we wouldn't want you running off on us."
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Sera had insisted her kitten join them for the evening meal, and a saucer of cream was set in a corner of the large room, were the little fuzz ball was happily lapping up the thick liquid.. When Sera pouted and asked why Kipp wasn't there, the governor said something about unattended business. Katrina had to bite her lip from asking why she saw him being led away by a military man not an hour before.
Katrina sighed, picking at her food and pushing it around her plate, too worried about Kipp to be hungry. "Is there something wrong with the food?" the governor asked her. "Too cold perhaps?"
Startled Katrina looked up at him. "No, uncle, I'm just not very hungry tonight. I think I'll just go for a walk." She got up and pushed her chair back, moving out of the room, leaving the governor to frown over her unusual behavior.
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She wasn't even aware of where she was going until she got there. The waves were lapping gently against the short span of beach that Katrina sat down on and stared out to sea. Watching the sun start to brush the horizon. She jumped when a hand closed over her shoulder.
"Now, wash a purtty thin' like ye doin' all alone like?" a slurred voice said on alcohol drenched breath.
Katrina shrugged the hand of and commanded. "Go away."
""Now, tha wasn't nice now was it?" the man sat down next to her. "Name's Hopkins." He stated proudly.
"Leave me alone." Katrina demanded, inching away from him.
"Purtty lil thin's shouldn't be alone at nigh'." He slurred, taking a swig from the bottle in his hand.
"Good thing she isn't alone then." A blessedly familiar voice said as the man was hefted to his feet and shoved into the water. "Go sober up." the voice continued as the man came up sputtering while the newcomer took the seat just vacated by the drunk. Katrina turned to see concerned gray-blue eyes looking at her, and collapsed against Daniel's chest.
"Hey, now." he tried to soothe, rubbing her arms.
"They took him, and doing who knows what."
"Who?"
"Soldiers, they came and took Ki-, Captain Hunt." She supplied between sniffles. "What if they found out that-" she stopped, aware that she was talking to a man of the navy, and she almost gave away Kipp's secret, one that could aide the law in convicting him of crimes.
"That his uncle is the infamous Jack Sparrow? That he often harbors and aids the pirate? Or that he occasionally attacks ships of countries not actually at war with England?" the young officer supplied.
"You… what makes you say that?" Katrina faltered.
"Katrina, I know." Daniel told her, kissing her forehead and tucking her head under his. "Kipp is an old school mate. I'd never turn him in."
"Really?" she sniffed.
"Really." He confirmed.
"Then why did they take him?" she asked pulling away from him and sitting up straight. "Could someone else have found out?"
Daniel Norrington looked at her tear rimmed eyes, and nodded. "They probably took him to the fort."
"Oh Daniel, you have to help him, they could hang him!" Katrina pleaded.
He nodded again, and helped her to her feet. "Lets get you back to the Turner's, at least." The walk to the Turner's house was short and quiet. "I will see what I can do though it may not be much." He told her before letting her enter the house.
"Thank you." Katrina brushed his cheek with a kiss then hurried into the house.
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Elizabeth was just finishing up with supper's dishes when she heard the front door open. She smiled and wiped her hands dry on her apron before removing it and hanging it on one of the pegs on the wall. Not hearing Will's normal greeting, she frowned and went to see who it was.
Katrina was standing in the shadows, in front of the closed door, leaning slightly against it, her head down.
"Katrina?" Elizabeth asked, confused. Why wasn't she at the manor?
Katrina jumped slightly and looked at Elizabeth, her eyes red from crying and hair slightly disheveled.
"Katrina? What is it? What's the matter?" A thought struck Elizabeth and she gave a small gasp. "Is it father?"
"They took Kipp, soldiers took him! What can we do?" Again, Katrina was crying and she slowly slid down the door to sit on the floor.
"Oh! Do you think they know that-" Elizabeth started as she pulled Katrina off the floor and led her to the couch in the parlor off to the side of the hall and sitting down next to her, one arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"I don't know, Daniel said he would try to help, but if they can find something tangible to convict him of…" she leaned her head against Elizabeth's shoulders as Elizabeth slowly rubbed her back. Katrina closed her eyes and could remember her mother doing the same for her when she was a little girl and had gotten a scrape or stubbed her toe. Slowly, she calmed down and grew sleepy.
Elizabeth smiled slightly and slid off the couch, placing a pillow under Katrina's head.
"Elizabe-!" Will found his mouth covered before he could finish.
"Will! Jack!" his wife whispered, glancing behind her husband. "Quiet, Katrina's sleeping in the parlor."
"In the parlor?" Will whispered back. "Why is she in the parlor?"
"Come with me, I'll tell you in the kitchen."
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"I'm presume that you are surprised by this turn of events?" the commodore paced the length of his office.
"Yes, sir." Kipp responded from the straight backed wooden chair he was sitting in.
"I can't tell you how society will take this, it is rather disturbing." The commodore continued. "I was-" a knock on the door interrupted him and he went to open it.
"Uncle James?" Kipp heard. "I need to talk to you… Kipp!" Daniel said coming into the office.
"Hey, Danny." Kipp grinned and leaned back as far as the chair would allow, which wasn't much.
"What… why are you here?" Daniel asked the young captain.
Kipp glanced at the commodore. "You want to take this one, or should I tell him?"
"It would probably be best if he heard the truth from you." James Norrington conceded.
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Yes, I am aware that it is rather short. Yes, I am evil for leaving it there. Guess you will just have to wait and see what is going to happen, no?
Quote:
"Did God paint you?"