Chapter 5: A Night to Remember

As she could have predicted, Norrington came to visit her the following day. He asked to speak to her in the garden and, though she wanted nothing more than to decline his visit, she was curious as to what he would say. He offered her a seat, but she opted to stand instead.

"Alice, I wish to apologize for last night. I had not taken you to my house with such a thing in mind, and they way I acted was unacceptable." Alice snorted in a very unladylike manner.

"You shouldn't be apologizing for that."

"Then what should I be apologizing for?" his brow furrowed as he asked, genuinely confused.

"You should be apologizing for starting something that you had no intention of finishing," she sneered and crossed her arms tightly.

"I had no intention of even starting anything! I allowed drink to rule my thoughts and actions."

"You were perfectly coherent before that. But if that's what you need to tell yourself, go right on ahead believing it." She waved her hand impatiently. "And don't blame alcohol for allowing you to glimpse your desires. Blame this puritanical society for forcing you to be ashamed of them to begin with." Norrington seemed at a loss for words. "Are we finished here? Because I would like to return to my room, thank you."

"Alice…"

"Yes?" She waited for Norrington to say something, but he seemed to be searching for words. "Good day, Captain Norrington," she said shortly before turning around and walking back inside the mansion.

The next two weeks passed without any further visits from Norrington. His absence was so conspicuous that even the governor commented on it. When Alice did not give any indication that she knew the reason behind it, he chalked it up to the man being busier than usual with his duties. She hated that she had missed his company, and it ate at her, no matter how much she tried to stop it. She wondered whether he would ever come see her again. One afternoon Estrella found Alice alone in her room, and she closed the door behind her after entering.

"I've a message for you, miss. I was told to keep it private," she said as she handed Alice a small parchment envelope.

"Who is it from?" Alice asked, but she knew exactly whom she hoped it was from.

"I'm not sure, miss. A messenger brought it by, but he specifically gave it to me; even came to the service entrance and everything!" Alice turned it over in her hands. "I won't pry, miss," Estrella said with a smile and a small curtsey, and then she slipped out as quickly as she had come in. Alice looked at the envelope for a moment before carefully opening the unmarked wax seal. She pulled out the small folded piece of paper and read it several times.

Alice,

Please meet me tonight, around

10 o'clock, on the North side

of Fort Charles.

Please be there - I beg of you.

-James

The message seemed urgent, but Alice was unsure what he would possibly want. Probably another apology, she rolled her eyes. Or, maybe he wants to continue the other night, she thought, but then scoffed at that idea. She doubted Norrington had decided to set aside his moral leanings so easily. Whatever the case, she made up her mind to go, her curiousity getting the better of her. That evening, when Estrella came to ready her for bed, she informed the girl that she would be slipping out for a meeting with someone. She didn't go into detail and Estrella, though she badly wanted to, did not ask with whom she would be meeting.

"I know this meeting be private, but will you be wanting company, miss?" she asked instead.

"No thank you, Estrella," she smiled at the maid. Estrella nodded and smiled in understanding.

"You be careful out there," she warned lightly and Alice laughed softly.

"I'll be fine. Again, thank you."


Alice made her way to Fort Charles swiftly; she had not realized how fast she was traveling until she found herself short of breath. She had to know why he was meeting her here, and so late. She moved with purpose, but was careful to keep to the shadows as much as possible. Arriving at the northeast corner of the fort, she made her way along the north wall, stepping around the patchy shrubs that were growing everywhere. She saw a figure pacing along the wall and figured it was Norrington. He saw her and quickly walked her way.

"Thank you for coming, Alice," he greeted her quietly, his face partially lit by the moonlight.

"Why are we meeting here?" she whispered. He cleared his throat, looking around.

"Tomorrow is a very big day for me. I am being promoted to Commodore." Alice didn't say anything; she just waited for him to continue. He cleared his throat again. "That aside, I will be asking for someone's hand in marriage. I do not yet know whether this will come to anything, nor am I certain that it will not be a mistake. However, there is something I have done that I do know for certain was a mistake. Please give me the chance that I so foolishly rejected." He pulled her into his arms, his face close to hers.

"Why should I?"

"I am a man whose entire life is ruled by stricture. I have to follow many codes, some of which I do not even completely agree with. Even this marriage is something that is expected of me now. I would like to make one decision entirely for myself while I have the chance. Please, Alice," he finished in a barely audible whisper. Alice cared for Norrington, but she had already told herself she would not become attached to him. She knew that if she didn't do this, she may also regret it, doomed to always wonder how it would have been. She closed the small space between them and captured his lips with her own. He kissed her back deeply, pulling her body close to him. She moaned softly into the kiss and his grip on her tightened. Breaking the kiss, he leaned back to look into her eyes as best he could. "Will you meet me back at my home?" Alice agreed and Norrington told her to keep to the shadows before sending her on her way.

She slipped off and wove through the alleyways while Norrington walked along the main road. She arrived just as he was unlocking his door and, with a quick look around, she all but ran inside. He locked the door and lit the lamps, turning to look at her in the light. He took her hand and led her up the stairs, where he lit a single lamp, removed his hat, and then turned and took her in his arms. He pulled off her hat and kissed her long and deep. The pair made their way to the bed, Alice breaking the kiss when the back of her legs came into contact with the mattress.

"Are you sure you want to do this, James?" she asked softly.

"I spent the past fortnight hating what had happened. But your words at the mansion that day kept coming to the forefront of my mind. Finalizing the decision that had been torturing me did not lessen my desire for you," he said barely above a whisper. "I am sure, in this decision at least," he finished with a whisper before resuming the kiss and lowering her onto the bed. She crawled backward pulling him to the center and wrapping her legs around him. He kissed her softly on her face and down her neck to her collarbone. There he sat up and began undoing the buttons down the front of her vest; when he opened it he reached his hand beneath to stroke her breasts through the thin white fabric of her shirt. His breath hitched several times and her nipples hardened against the palm of his hand. She sat up and dropped the vest before lifting up her shirt, exposing her small, but nicely sized breasts to the captain. He reached out slowly and stroked the contours of them before running his fingertips over her erect nipples. Alice found amusement in Norrington's fascination, and moaned quietly as he squeezed them.

She leaned forward and grabbed her boots, but Norrington moved to remove them for her, as well as her heavy socks. As he did this, she untied her breeches and loosened them. Her feet freed, she planted them on the bed and lifted her hips to slide off the remaining article slowly as Norrington carefully observed every inch of flesh that came into view. His breathing stopped unconsciously as her downy tufted mound became visible, and his eyes seemed to remain focused there. Having removed her garments, she stretched back onto the bed. He ran his hand down her soft stomach and then down her legs, avoiding touching her where she wanted it most. As his hands slid back up, she parted her legs, allowing him access, but his hands slowed in trepidation. She worked her fingers into his carefully styled hair, working bits of it free as she whispered his name. His trembling fingers came into contact with her warmth, and he stilled for a moment before stroking the coarse yet soft hair. His breath came in small gasps and Alice smiled. She could tell that Norrington was no virgin, but that his experience didn't extend much beyond seaside doxies. She carefully spread her legs further, exposing herself entirely to him as he sat propped on one elbow gazing at her pussy. His lips opened and closed softly, as though he was trying to make up words. He cleared his throat.

"May I," his breath hitched here, but his gaze never shifted, "kiss it?" Alice had to stifle a snicker at that, but she couldn't hide her grin.

"Of course." He sat up, staring transfixed, and moved closer until his lips were almost touching her. His nose pressed lightly against her hair and he inhaled deeply before kissing her just above her netherlips. His breath was hot as he opened his mouth, his tongue slowly dipping into the cleft. Alice's head rolled back and she moaned softly, which encouraged him to repeat the action. He did this for a few short moments before kissing his way up her body, stopping to suckle at her breasts. She could feel his whole body trembling by the time he reached her mouth. He looked deeply into her eyes. "Relax," she whispered, stroking his covered arms. He kissed her softly before slowly crawling off the bed to stand, removing his clothes carefully.

Watching the uptight and proper man undress was more intriguing than any striptease she had ever witnessed. As he shed his layers, starting with his boots, she could tell that he was feeling more and more vulnerable, and that delighted some part of her. As he removed his shirt, she could see faint scars on his skin in the dim light, each one telling a different story. He got to his breeches and paused for a moment, his fingers trembling even more, and then he slowly removed them while watching her face. She was unconsciously suckling her lower lip in anticipation. The dense pubic hair became visible first, followed by glimpses of swollen flesh that ached to escape. He got down even further and his erection sprang free, bouncing up to point at her. She sat up and moved to the edge of the bed as he finished undressing and stood up, his brows knitted together as he watched her.

She reached out to grasp his throbbing cock, and he gasped loudly as her fingers made contact. Stroking it slowly for a moment, Alice leaned forward, her lips parted, and she took the swollen head into her mouth. Norrington grabbed her hair and moaned loudly, his legs stiff as he tried to stop his hips from thrusting. Gripping his thighs, she slid it into her mouth and sucked softly, moving in slow strokes, but it was too much for Norrington; he tried to pull her head away as his hips bucked and he came into her mouth. She held on fast to his hips as she swallowed jet after jet of the bitter ejaculate, finally releasing him as she sat back on the bed. Norrington immediately tried to apologize, but she smiled at him, assuring him it was quite all right, and then telling him to relax for a bit. With wobbly knees he crawled onto the bed and took her into his arms, kissing her softly and stroking her soft skin and tender breasts.

It wasn't very long before Norrington's erection had returned full force, and he was ready to go again. He climbed on top of Alice, resting between her legs, and she reached down to guide his aching prick into her wet cunny. He gasped as the head pushed in slowly and let out a long moan as he slid all the way in. Alice's moans were broken up by small gasps and she hissed pleasurably as he slid out and back in again. They established a slow rhythm, neither one in a hurry for this to end, and Norrington kissed her deeply. As he went to sit up to break the kiss, Alice grasped his shoulders and was lifted as well; she adjusted her hips so she was sitting on his thighs, rocking slowly on his cock as he held her tightly. She kissed and nipped at his neck and shoulders and chest, and he closed his eyes, enjoying every fiery touch. His deep ache became greater and he lowered Alice back onto the bed; she wrapped her legs around him as his strokes came faster and harder, until she was crying out in pleasurable ecstasy. His moans were loud and punctuated by sharp exhales, and he pounded her frantically, his eyes almost rolling in his head as he let out a loud growl and stiffened. His entire body became a pattern of jerking twitches as he ejaculated deep inside of Alice, and then he exhaled loudly before collapsing on her.

The pair lay there for several moments, both of them gasping for breath. Norrington slowly moved off of her and rolled onto his back, pulling her sweaty body close to his. She rested her head on his chest and could hear his heart thumping wildly as he continued to take deep breaths. He stroked her hair softly and kissed her on top of her head.

"Thank you, Alice," he said quietly, his voice slightly gravelly. She looked up at him and smiled gently, and he kissed her delicately. They stayed there for some time, each one trying not to fall asleep.

"I had better get back," Alice finally said, pulling away from Norrington slowly. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back for another kiss. She smiled and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, dressing slowly. Norrington wrapped a sheet around his waist and sat in the center of the bed watching her. Finished dressing, Alice turned to look at him.

"Even dressed in men's clothing, you are beautiful," Norrington smiled and Alice giggled. "Will I see you tomorrow? At the ceremony? I expect Governor Swann will want you to attend."

"So long as I'm invited, I wouldn't miss it." Norrington was pleased to hear that.

"Thank you, Alice," he repeated. "This night has meant more to me than you can imagine."

"I needed it as much as you, James. In all that I have been through recently, I forgot how soothing and invigorating an intimate touch could be." Norrington climbed out of the bed, still wearing the sheet, and escorted her to the front door. He took her hand in his, raised it to his lips, and kissed it tenderly.

"Until tomorrow," he smiled.

"Goodnight, James," she smiled in return and slipped out into the dark night. It was colder than she was used to, probably due to the fact that she was usually quite tossed when out this late, and she mentally grumbled once more about needing to purchase a coat. The walk home seemed longer than usual in her weariness, and she was as grateful to see her bed as the first day she was here. She held a pillow close to her and nuzzled it, thanking Norrington for reinvigorating her. As she drifted off to a sober sleep, her thoughts switched between replaying the evening, and apologetically wondering what sort of prudish woman Norrington would be asking to marry him.