Chapter 33:  Reunion

 

Admiral Norrington cleaned the blade of the penknife again.  There was no need to, really—Jack’s blood had long been washed away.  A few soldiers had managed to remove all evidence of the beating from Norrington’s cabin.  Norrington had washed the blood from his hands, though he could still see the cuts he himself had made.  He took a drink of rum, continuing to go over the same thoughts in his mind.

Jacqueline was alive.  Somehow, she had defied death.  Norrington had to find her.  He had to find her to protect her.  He had once said that he wished to care for her and keep her from being hurt again…and he had failed.  But he would not fail again.  Jack knew where his daughter was—Norrington had to break him.

Norrington looked at the blade in his hands, remembering how it felt to strike Jack, to knife him, to hurt the man who had caused Jacqueline’s suffering.  He savored the feeling of power, craved it…

Norrington had left Jack alive.  This was only because Jack had information Norrington wanted, but it made Norrington angry with himself for letting the pirate live.  He also had many other pirates to go after, to kill.  But how could he find and then protect Jacqueline if he was putting himself in harm’s way while seeking revenge?  His purpose, which had been clearer than ever merely hours before, was suddenly no longer as apparent.

Someone knocked lightly on his door.  At first, Norrington ignored it and willed the unwanted visitor to leave, but whoever it was knocked again, a little louder this time.  “Admiral?  Are you awake, sir?”  Norrington rolled his eyes at Gillette.

“Yes.  Come in, Captain.”  Norrington quickly stowed the penknife in his coat as Gillette opened the door and peered in.

“Are you all right, sir?”

“Do you have something to report, Captain?” Norrington asked coldly, ignoring the inquiry into his personal state.

“Yes, sir,” Gillette said, shifting his weight nervously.  Norrington noticed that the Captain’s cheeks had flushed slightly.  “We have discovered another stowaway, sir.”

“Have we become a pirate transport?” Norrington muttered, his hands becoming tight fists.

“Sir?” Gillette said in confusion.

Norrington shook his head.  “Nothing.  Go on.”

“I believe you may…like this one, sir,” Gillette said, choosing his words carefully.

Like one of them?  “Oh, really?”  Norrington’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.  Wait a moment…  “Really?” he repeated.  Was it possible?  Could Jacqueline be onboard the Ruthless?

Could she really be here?

“Miss Elodie,” Gillette said quietly, motioning to someone just out of view outside Norrington’s cabin.

Norrington’s heart raced.  Elodie was the name that Jacqueline had given as her own when the two had first met.  Gillette had been there as well.  He must not have ever discovered who Jacqueline really was.

Norrington struggled to breathe as a woman—no, a goddess—stepped into view.  She was still wearing the green dress that Lord Beckett had bought for her, though it was now rather dirty and worn.  Oh, she is beautiful.  “Jacqueline,” Norrington breathed, his eyes eagerly taking in her beauty through his tears.  “Oh, my God…”  He stood and strode over to her, wrapping his arms tightly about her and holding her close to his body.

“I’ll just leave you, then,” Norrington heard Gillette say.  But the Captain’s voice seemed so far away—it was as though he and Jacqueline were the only living beings in the world.

“Thank God you’re alive,” he whispered in his love’s ear.  He breathed in deeply, relishing her scent, his body cherishing the woman’s warmth and her touch as she returned the embrace.  This is real…she’s alive…  Norrington took a step back into his cabin, pulling her with him, and he closed the door.

“James,” she began quietly, but Norrington cut her off with his lips.

The kiss started out as light and gentle, just as their first kiss many years before.  Then Norrington’s hand ran through her hair and held her head closer to him, and his mouth coaxed hers open.  He kissed her more deeply than he had ever dreamed of doing, and finally there was no feeling of guilt or fear—he could do this now.  She was no longer engaged to another man.  She was his to love, his to protect.

She was his now.

After what felt like hours, though it was likely hardly a minute, Norrington reluctantly parted from her.  Jacqueline swallowed hard and tried to catch her breath.  “I…”  She seemed completely overwhelmed by Norrington’s behavior, and he desperately hoped that he had not overstepped any boundaries.  However, Jacqueline smiled reassuringly.  “It’s nice to see you too,” she said with a little laugh.  Her laugh was lovely, just like the rest of her.

“You are so beautiful,” Norrington whispered as he kissed her cheek.

“You have mentioned that,” Jacqueline said with a nervous giggle.  “On the island, remember?”  She shivered as he pressed his lips to her ear.

“When I was drunk, you mean?”  Norrington moved to kiss her neck.

Jacqueline gave another little laugh.  “You smell of rum, James.”

“I’m not drunk, I assure you,” he breathed into her neck.  “Not from rum, at least,” he added.

“I don’t really mind if you are,” Jacqueline said, her voice revealing her nervousness.  Try as he might, Norrington could not force himself away from her.  “You’re always—.”  Norrington cut her off again, capturing her lips in his and kissing her passionately.

“How?” he asked quietly when he parted from her again.

“Sorry?”

“You’re alive.”  He kissed her forehead.  “How?”

“How did you come back?” Jacqueline asked after a moment.  Norrington was startled.  He had quite nearly forgotten his own death.  But no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember coming back to life.  He could not remember how he had returned.

“I don’t know.”

Jacqueline nodded slightly.  “The same.”  She inhaled sharply as Norrington began kissing her neck again.  “What are you doing?” she asked, sounding almost amused.

“Loving you,” Norrington replied in her ear.

Jacqueline laughed nervously.  “This isn’t like you.”

“I’m sorry.”  Norrington’s cheeks grew hot as he pulled away.  “I didn’t mean to make you…I’ve just…”

Jacqueline bit her lip, her face growing rather red.  “I’m sorry, I’m…I’m not used to that…being loved and all…”  After a few awkward moments of silence, she asked, “James, where is my father?”

Norrington felt his blood run cold.  “Your father?” he repeated.

“Yes.  I saw him get captured—I just want to make sure he’s all right.”  Norrington backed away, turning his back on Jacqueline.  “James?”  She walked up close behind him.  “What’s wrong?”

“He’s the reason why you became a pirate, isn’t he?” Norrington asked quietly.

“I…”  The question seemed to confuse Jacqueline.  “Yes, I suppose.”

Norrington smiled darkly.  “I knew it.”

“What?”

He turned back to her.  “We talked.  I came to the conclusion that your life of suffering was his fault.”  He placed a gentle kiss on her lips.  “You deserve to have the world served to you on a silver platter,” he whispered.

“No one deserves that,” Jacqueline said with an amused smile.

“You do.”

She blushed and smiled shyly at him.  “Are you drunk?”  Seeing the hurt look on Norrington’s face, she quickly added, “Not because you’re acting foolish or anything, you’re being very sweet but…I’m not used to it, I guess.”  She flushed harder.  “Where is he, James?”

“It was his fault,” Norrington said quietly.  “All his…”

Jacqueline studied him silently for a moment.  “James, are you all right?”

“Would you have become a pirate if your father had not been one?” Norrington asked, ignoring Jacqueline’s question.

“I don’t know…that didn’t happen.  Lord Beckett branded him a pirate because he did the right thing,” Jacqueline said, suddenly angry.  “Jack didn’t choose to be a pirate—I hardly chose it.  It was forced onto him, and because of that, indirectly on me.”  She worriedly watched Norrington take in this information.  “James, what’s wrong?”

“I was just wondering…everything’s fine,” Norrington said, averting his eyes from hers as he realized that he had been wrong about Jack.  “It’s nothing.”

Though it was unlikely that she believed this lie, Jacqueline nodded silently.  “Can I see him, then?” she asked after a moment.

Norrington looked into her eyes, noting that they were blue.  He felt so foolish that he had been unable to remember that fact.  “I…”

Jack had not been lying.  He had actually been telling the truth.  Norrington glanced at the wall that had been previously stained with blood, horrified by what he had done.  But how would he have known?  Jack was not known for his honesty.  Jacqueline would not lie to him…or would she?  Norrington looked at Jacqueline with suspicion.  She had lied to him before, quite often in fact—it was in her nature—but why would she lie to protect someone who had ruined her life?

“Come,” Norrington said, offering Jacqueline an arm.

Jacqueline took his arm, but watched him carefully.  “Is there something wrong, James?” she asked, his name sounding so sweet on her tongue.  Her eyes shone with concern as she appraised him.

Norrington took a deep breath.  “I have something to tell you…it’s…it may be…it will be…unpleasant.”  He could not tell her.  She may not understand why, seeing as she did not blame her father.  “When Jack was discovered,” Norrington said slowly as they walked down toward the brig.  “A few crewmen…roughed him up before he was brought to me.”  His heart stung as the lie passed over his lips.

“What do you mean?”  Jacqueline asked, gazing worriedly up at him.  Norrington avoiding looking into her eyes, afraid of betraying his lie.

“You may just have to see for yourself,” he said softly.

He nodded to the man guarding the brig, who unlocked the door.  “Sparrow is asleep,” the guard said.  Norrington breathed a small sigh of relief.  That would make this much easier.

“We’ll be quiet.”  Norrington looked at Jacqueline, who nodded.  Apparently, seeing was enough for her.  She wanted reassurance…but the sight she was about to behold would not comfort her.  Norrington flinched.  The last thing he wanted was to cause Jacqueline more pain.  But he had no choice.

Norrington opened the door.