The Map

Usual Disclaimer: I own nothing and making nothing from writing this.

A/N: *Hides head in shame* I’m sorry, so sorry, it’s taken me forever to get this far. I just thank everyone for their patience and encouragement to continue this story. I hope it’s worth the wait.


Chapter 46

Going Back.

Doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago.
You can dream about it every now and then, but you can’t go home again.


Six months later.

Nell sighed deeply, her fingers clenched tightly around the dark blue material of the Commodore’s top coat.

“I think I felt better facing the monks,” she breathed out, her other hand went to the tightly fitted waist of the elaborate morning dress she was wearing.

“Relax, Nell,” Commodore Norrington replied in an undertone. “You’ll be just fine.”

Nell nodded, sending the curls around her ace swinging prettily. She flexed her fingers into the material of his elbow as he guided her through the more respectable part of Port Royal. She took another deep breath and wished again she could loosen the ties that held her so tightly in place.

“Nell, what’s the worst that could happen?” Norrington patted her hand reassuringly as they entered the correct street.

“Jack asked the same thing,” she muttered under her breath aware he could hear her well. “It’s just…” she sighed, her steps slowing as she realised they were nearing their destination. “I don’t know him, James… I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me… why did I come?”

Norrington heard the panic clearly in her voice and he slowed to accommodate her; aware that he could not stop, and reassure her in the way he wished he could, without making a public spectacle of them both.

“Because if you don’t you’ll never know; there’ll always be a part of you that is unanswered.”

“Damnation, James!” She shook her head. “Did Jack tell you what to say to me? That’s exactly the nonsense he was spouting in Tortuga, except he was drunk and you’re not!”

“Well, as much as this pains me greatly, Jack is right. And no, I have not conversed with your husband; that really would be tempting the hangman’s noose for both of us!” Norrington did stop then, he didn’t turn to her, but he did pause and look sideways at her. “Nell, he’s your brother and he has the answers you need to hear; and he has the right to know his sister.”

“I’m frightened.” Nell blinked, suddenly aware that she had voiced emotions that she hadn’t even shared with Jack. She looked up at the Commodore and shrugged slightly. “I’m frightened he won’t want to know me.”

Norrington smiled reassuringly at her. “He’s had his own cross to bear, Nell, maybe he’s frightened too.” He urged her forwards again and clasping her hand tightly he lead her to the steps that led up to the front door of her brother’s house.

Nell took a deep breath and watched as Norrington lifted his hand and knocked on the door. It was opened immediately and Nell was not surprised to see a maid standing at the door, obviously expecting them; she gave a curtsey and stepped aside to let them in.

Norrington motioned for Nell to go ahead of him and Nell found herself being lead into a small drawing room by the pretty young maid.

“Mister Wearing will be along presently,” she smiled and left the room leaving Nell to look at Norrington in surprise.

“Not what you were expecting?” Norrington smiled at her again and placed his hands behind his back.

Before she has time to answer the door was opened and Nell turned; her stomach fluttering nervously. She suddenly wished that Jack were with her and not on the Pearl, anchored miles away in a neighbouring bay. She cleared her throat nervously and shuffled her feet, waiting for what seemed like hours, as the door stood open but no one showed themselves.

“I understand you wished to see me,” came a dry voice that held a touch of pain. Nell’s eyes widened considerably as a man came into the room; his hair was prematurely grey but his posture was straight and stiff. Pain had etched itself into his face, but she could clearly see that he had been handsome before the lines had been carved into his skin.

“Stephen.” Norrington stepped forwards his hand extended to the younger man, but made no move to help him after shaking his hand; Nell suddenly realised they knew each other well. She frowned slightly, wondering why Norrington had not told her; he had led her to believe that they were merely passing acquaintances. “How do you fair this day?”

“Perfectly well, James, perfectly well.” Stephen moved forward towards one of the chairs set around the small and tastefully decorated room. “Please sit, don’t stand on ceremony for me.” He eased himself onto the chair and Nell was aware of the relief that sitting brought him. He looked at her then, when she made no move to take the chair Norrington had indicated to.

“I believe…” Nell was at a loss for words. She had no idea what she was going to say to the stranger in front of her; it was clear to her that the cross he had to bare had been far more than anything she had ever even contemplated and her anger at her guardians increased ten-fold. Her hands clenched into fists as she stared at the life that was taken from both of them.

“You look like our mother,” he said quietly. “If there had been any doubts they have now gone.”

His words took her by surprise and she blinked as he motioned her to sit down. “Sit down, Helen, please sit down.”

“Nell,” she muttered letting Norrington guide her to the chair. “My name is Nell.” She sank into the chair still staring at him. “I had no idea I had a brother, no idea you existed.”

“I knew about you,” he said quietly and stopped as a soft knock sounded at the door. The young maid brought in a tray of tea things and then left shutting the door quietly.

“I think I’ll do this,” Norrington muttered and, with no further formalities, knelt next to the tea tray and began to pour the hot liquid into the cups.

Nell hadn’t even registered the arrival of the refreshments as she continued to take in the sight of her only blood relation.

“I’m six years older than you, Hel…Nell.” He stumbled over her name. “You were seven when Beaumont took you and I was thirteen. I won’t speak of that night, not even to you.”

“You have lived a life of pain,” Nell said quietly.

“So have you, from all I can gather,” he replied and took the tea cup and saucer from Norrington with a quite “thanks”.

“Not to the same extent,” she pointed out quietly as she took her cup from Norrington. Her hand was shaking so much the cup rattled in the saucer dangerously and Norrington rescued it before it crashed to the floor. “I don’t know…” Nell looked down in horror at the empty saucer, unable to comprehend the emotions and feelings that were being unlocked.

Norrington stood up and crossed to the door. “I’ll be a moment,” he said vaguely and went out still holding Nell’s cup in his hand.

“I don’t know what you want,” Stephen said slowly, ignoring the shake in her shoulders now. “I have nothing to offer, nothing of value, nothing that will stand you in any stead either here or in England. I have enough to keep myself and if you are in need of shelter, I shall provide it, but that’s all I have to offer.”

Nell’s chin lifted in pride and the backbone she had acquired surfaced. “I am in need of nothing and I ask for nothing material. You are sadly mistaken if you think I am here for merely profit alone.”

“I apologise,” he chuckled sitting back slightly, awkwardly. “I did not wish to offend you, but you must realise that I do not know you.”

“Nor I you,” Nell reminded him and placed the saucer on the tray.

“What do you want?” he asked and clasped his hands together in his lap, regarding her with eyes very like her own.

“I wanted answers,” Nell said quietly, aware that the initial shock was wearing off. She felt awkward still but her courage had returned with his honest approach to her.

“Why I never came to rescue you,” he said and closed his eye briefly; silence stretched between them, a silence that made Nell realise that more had been lost than time. Some things that are lost can never be found and she realised that now; sitting in the chair in the drawing room of her brother. You can think about the past, you can try and understand and accept, but you can never change it, nor can you go back.

“There wasn’t a week that went by that I didn’t think of the little girl with her hair in blue ribbons. Of the little girl who was frightened of thunder storms but never batted an eye at snakes or insects; she was lost to me and for years I tortured myself with the knowledge that I was useless in bringing her home. I was thirteen, at death’s door for over year; so badly damaged that my muscles and skin are completely shattered. When I was able to think about bringing her home, the chance had been taken from me. I was powerless, there was no proof; I didn’t even know where she was; and when I finally made contact with Beaumont’s estate I was informed he had never made the voyage across; that a storm had taken the ship and all on her to the bottom of the sea. I had lost everything, I had nothing left to do but lay the little girl with blue ribbons to rest in my memory.” He drew a deep breath, his eyes not leaving Nell’s as he spoke. “You don’t wear blue ribbons anymore.”

“No,” Nell shook her head unaware of the tear that slid down her cheek. “Who told you of Beaumont’s…” she ground to a halt and looked away swallowing hard.

“James, and Lieutenant Bryant.” Stephen gave a harsh laugh. “I was surprised; as I’m sure you’d understand. It was quite a revelation; in fact, I refused to believe it at first. Refused to believe it until my eyes could not deny it. You look like mother.”

Nell looked back and realised he’d been here, waiting for her for several months. Just like Jack had told her he would.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“What for?” he asked and the bitterness was now apparent. “Because you don’t wear blue ribbons or because you didn’t’ drown?”

“Because it’s taken me six months to come here.” Nell lifted her chin slightly and met his eyes. “I’ll never wear blue ribbons again, Stephen,” her voice shook slightly when she said his name but she continued on. “That little girl died along time ago; so long ago I don’t even know who she was; she may just have well gone down with the ship. I don’t even remember you… not a single thing and that scared me. I was a coward and put off coming to see you; I was scared of what I’d find, scared that I’d find someone who didn’t care.”

“Who says I do?” he asked her quietly but there was no bitterness in his voice now.

“Maybe you do, maybe you don’t.” Nell shrugged. “I came here thinking I needed to know my past; but I don’t. Not really; I can’t change what happened, even if I knew every detail of those seven years it would change nothing now. I made the mistake of thinking I could go home, but I can’t. But you are my brother, my blood runs through your veins and no amount of time will change that; I would like to know you for who you are now. I would like you to know me, without the ribbons or the habit, or the past. But that’s your decision to make, not mine.” Nell stood up and taking a deep breath she straightened the skirt of the dress she was wearing. “I expect James has already told you that I’m staying with the Turners in the Governors residence for awhile.” She turned to cross to the door, her hand on the handle when he spoke.

“You married a pirate, didn’t you?” he asked, no inflection in his voice giving anything away of his feelings.

“Yes, I married a pirate,” she replied and looked over her shoulder at him. “My name is Sparrow now.” Nell opened the door and took a step through when he spoke again.

“Wearing was your name,” he said quietly. “Helen Alice Wearing. Montilice was the name of our butler.”

Nell’s eyes closed but she didn’t look back. “Thank you, I have wondered about that.” She went through the door and made her way out onto the street into the blazing sunshine. A hand closed around her elbow and for one moment she thought he’d followed her, but when she turned it was Norrington who stood at her side. She was surprised to feel the threads of disappointment slip through her.

“Are you feeling well?” he asked quietly. “Would you like me to take you back now?”

“Yes, that would be… yes, please.” Nell took another deep breath and walked slowly with him. She knew that Norrington would ask her no questions and for that she was grateful; she just wanted the agreed week to end and for her to be able to see Jack again. Now more than ever she realised she had no home but beside Jack on the Pearl; and that was just the way she liked it.

<><><><><><><><><>

Elizabeth watched Nell with a sharp eye but she made no comment; she was heavily pregnant now and was bored with doing nothing but sitting all day long and stitching. Her ankles were the size of cannon balls and her back was sore and aching, her feet had long since disappeared to her view and the only thing she could recommend the state of pregnancy was the doing away with the corset.

Will turned to where Nell was sitting quietly staring out of the window at the sea view. He knew where her thoughts lay and it amused him; he flexed his hand again, the small ball in his palm that the doctor had given him to strengthen the muscles.

“He’s probably drunk right now, lying sprawled flat out on his back, snoring loud enough to raise the dead!” Will grinned as he caught Elizabeth’s eye. “Either that or he’s well on his way to that state.”

“He doesn’t drink all the time,” Nell defended Jack hotly and then shrugged. “Well, there are times when he’s not drinking… I mean he rarely charts a course when… oh bother! He drinks, yes, but he’s not often drunk… or at least not drunk more than normal… damn you, William Turner!” Nell caught the gleam in his eye and laughed. “You’re teasing me.”

“You don’t have to wait you know,” Elizabeth said quietly and patted her round tummy. “You’re not bound here.”

“I just might go,” Nell said quietly and smiled apologetically at them. “I miss… him. I miss the feel of the deck beneath my feet, the constant movement. I can’t get to grips with standing still when I’m standing still.”

“And that’s a Sparrow statement, if ever I heard one,” came the amused drawl of Norrington as he came into the room followed by Bryant and the Governor.

“To what pleasure do we owe this visit?” asked Elizabeth pleased to see them. She accepted the kiss her father gave her and the pat he bestowed on her stomach.

“It’s a month of revelations it would appear,” the governor said looking very pleased with himself.

“What do you mean?” asked Will. He could see that neither the Commodore nor Bryant knew what he was referring to either. They both pressed kisses to Nell’s cheek and then crossed to sit down near Will.

“Well, the birth of my first grandchild is imminent and while I’m certainly not in my dotage yet, I do feel that in my current capacity I cannot be the grandparent I desire to be.”

“What are you saying?” asked Elizabeth with a look of dawning understanding on her face.

“I am resigning my position, well, actually I have resigned my position as Governor. I had rather hoped that you, Commodore, would be the next in line but word has arrived this very day that you’re worth far more to the navy in your current capacity.”

“You’re what?” asked Elizabeth shaking her head in disbelief. “You love being Governor; what one earth made you do this? You’ll be a wonderful grandfather and Governor!”

“No.” He shook his head slowly, “No, I can’t deny it any longer, I’m tired, Elizabeth, tired of the political dealings, tired of juggling the plantation owners and the local workers, I’m too old to play peace keeper with people who are no better than children. I want to enjoy myself, I deserve to enjoy myself.”

“Of course you do, father,” Elizabeth was taken aback.

“Who is the new governor?” asked Norrington carefully, a small chill of apprehension slipped down his spine.

“I have yet to find out, word will arrive and the new Governor will no doubt be coming from England soon; I shall continue my duties until he arrives of course.”

Nell caught Will’s eye and realised that he was thinking the same thoughts she was. “A new governor could prove to be difficult about things,” she said softly.

“He need not be told anything,” Bryant replied quietly. “Gillette is the only one who could do any damage there and he’s well and truly controlled at the moment.”

“He’s going to have to return to port sooner or later,” Will pointed out.

“Yes and then he’ll Captain the next ship going out, don’t worry, he’s pleased with the situation, more than me probably, and that’s saying something.” Bryant smirked and catching Nell’s eye he grinned and winked.

“Who’s for some light refreshments?” asked the Governor clapping his hands together gleefully bringing to an end any further arguments.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Nell lay listening to the sound of the sea; it was distant and even with the window opened she had to listen very carefully. She lay with the covers pulled to her chin, the only light in the room coming from a lantern that was burning low on the bedside table. She had been in the Governor’s residence now for three days and it was two days since she’d spoken to her brother. She sighed and turned onto her side away from the window, no longer able to hear the sound of the sea; she slid her hand under her cheek and sighed again. She would leave tomorrow; she would make her way to the spot that Jack had told her to go to if there was any problems. She knew that he had a guard posted there at all times and she’d be taken back to the Pearl safely. She didn’t regret coming, didn’t regret speaking to her brother; it had crystallised things for her, made her realise that the only important thing was the present and the future. She heard a sound outside the window and idly wondered if it was safe to leave the window open at night. She rolled onto her back, turning her head to look towards the window. A movement made her gasp, but before she could do anything, a hand was pressed to her mouth and a familiar shape loomed above her.

“Sssh!” Jack grinned down at her, his hand still covering her mouth. Nell’s eyes registered her fright before she sighed as her heart slowed from the double time it had taken up.

“Can’t sleep, Nell?” he murmured as he took in the lantern. “Have you been sleeping with that lit all night?” He frowned down at her and removed his hand to catch a handful of her hair.

“It’s not the Pearl,” she said breathlessly. “And you’re not here, well, at least not usually. Jack! What are you doing? You’ll be hanged!”

“Only if I’m caught and I have no intentions of that happening.” He slid onto the bed shoving her sideways to make room for him.

“You took a risk!” Nell sat up and looked down at where he was lying on his back, his hands behind his head the dagger still in one hand. “Jack, if you’re caught not even James will be able to help you.”

“I’m Captain Jack Sparrow, love; I don’t need the good Commodore’s help.” He reached up with one hand and caressed her cheek gently. “You’re a witch aren’t you? Three days you’ve been gone and I’m so bewitched by you that I had to come and find you.”

“Take me back, Jack, take me back with you. We’ll leave now, I’ll write a note to Elizabeth, they’ll understand.” Nell’s voice was filled with desperation.

“Aye, that they would,” he replied, his fingers grazing across her jaw line lazily. “And what of your brother, have you met with him yet?”

“Yes,” Nell nodded, watching the moonlight play across his face. She placed her hand on his chest feeling the regular thump of his heartbeat sooth her. “I’ve met with him; apparently my last name came from the family butler.”

“It could have been worse, darlin’,” he chuckled.

“I can’t go back, Jack, I can’t change anything.” Her voice cracked slightly and she turned away from him. He caught her chin and turned her back to face him, sitting up slightly so he was level with her; his face was cast in shadow but he could see her perfectly with the moon shining on her.

“No one has asked you to do that, except yourself perhaps,” he spoke quietly, his fingers gentle but firm on her chin. He dropped the dagger on the sheets beside them and slid his other hand into her hair, his fingers cupping the back of her neck. “Meeting your brother was never about changing your past, Nell, it was about having answers.”

“He was so badly burnt, Jack, so badly burnt. His body is broken and old before it’s time; it hurt to see that; it hurt to know that for all I suffered he suffered more. He lost more than I did; he lost his sister as well as his parents. I don’t remember much, but his memory is clear. He remembers everything, every day; he suffers and I… don’t.”

“Life’s not fair, lass, no one said it was. But you can’t cut yourself up over this. He knows the truth now, knows that you’re well and happy and that should end his suffering.”

“But it won’t, don’t you see? I’m not the little girl with blue ribbons in her hair. I’m not the sister he remembers; he couldn’t save her then and he can’t save her now because she doesn’t exist.”

“I think you’re tired, overwhelmed and in dire need of me.”

“Jack!” She tried to pull away from him in exasperation.

“No, I’m serious.” He pulled her back. “I’ve had to let you deal with this alone; not tonight though. Tonight you’re going to lie back and sleep, you’re not going to dream, you’re not going to think anymore.” He pushed her till she was lying on her back beside him. He pushed the dagger under the pillow and lay beside her; turning on his side to pull her into his arms. Wrapping one arm around her stomach and tangling his other hand in her hair; he slid one leg between hers and sighed deeply.

“Sleep, Nell, I’ll watch over you tonight.”

Nell snuggled into him, her hands curled around his bare fore arm; she allowed herself to drift, her eyes closing, knowing she was safe. She was on the edge of sleep when a thought struck her.

“The Governor has resigned his position, a new one is coming from England; he told us today…” she sighed, feeling his arm tense slightly before she fell asleep.

<><><><><><><><><><>


Sunlight woke Nell and she stretched, feeling more rested than she had in a long while. She remembered Jack and shot up looking around her, but there was no sign of the pirate and she wondered if she’d dreamt it. She turned onto her stomach and lay back down hugging the pillow; her fingers closed over something metallic and when she drew out the small dagger, a smile crossed her lips. She hadn’t dreamt him; he’d watched over her last night and left the dagger for her.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Stephen Wearing hadn’t been this far from him home in more than ten years. He found himself sitting in the drawing room of the Governor’s residence with some reluctance; uncertain why he had decided to meet his sister once more. He knew she was due to leave that day and something had made him come here; what he would say when he saw her was beyond him, he could only hope for inspiration when she met him.

The door opened and she stepped through, wearing a light blue morning dress that was quite obviously borrowed as it was too long; her hair was dressed in the same style of ringlets that she had worn when she first came to see him.

“Stephen!” She stopped him from standing up and crossed to sit beside him, her hands clutched together in her lap. “I… do you… I think one of the maids will bring some tea.” Nell frowned as she realised that, while etiquette had been taught in the convent, she really had no idea how to act as a proper hostess.

“Nell,” he waved her worries aside. “I’m going to be brutally honest with you; when James first told me of your story I hated you. I didn’t want you coming here; I’d made my peace with the past and I was selfish enough to resent things being changed.”

Nell’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “Perhaps we are not different after all then, for resentment was among the first emotions I felt too.”

“And do you still resent me? For not rescuing you, for not coming to England and taking you away?”

“Stephen…” Nell broke off as a light knock on the door signalled the entrance of a maid with a serving tray; she waited till she had left and started again. “Stephen, I thank you for your honesty; I can offer you nothing less. I don’t resent you, not any longer. It’s taken me six months to sleep without having the cabin lit at night; it’s taken me six months to realise that brooding on things that can’t be changed is a waste of time. I will never forgive Beaumont or De Mornay for what they have put us both through; but… I can’t change anything and to try is foolish.”

“I want to know you,” he looked away remembering her parting words to him. “I’m not promising anything, you’re not my Helen, not that I can see. You look like our mother and that’s hard. Hard to sit here and see you, so like her…” He leaned forwards slightly and lifted his hand to touch a curl that hung around her face. “But you don’t sound like her nor smell like her.” He grinned disarmingly then and Nell was taken aback by it. “You smell like roses and mother hated roses.”

“I’m sorry, Stephen, I’m sorry…” Nell closed her eyes. “You were happier before all this…” She turned to the tray and looked at it sightlessly. She didn’t know what to say to him to make things better; she knew she could never make things better. It just wasn’t possible.

“We are the victims of circumstance, Nell, neither of us has anything to be sorry about.” He moved and reached inside the jacket he was wearing. “I still… I have had this… you won’t remember.” He stumbled to a halt and Nell looked around at him in curiosity. Her eyes fell on the small cloth that was between his hands; he held it out and Nell realised it was a rag doll.

“Lottie!” Before she even registered what she was doing she had reached out and taken the doll. The gasp that left her mouth mirrored his; she lifted her eyes and stared at him in dawning recognition as memories long since buried began slipping through her.

“Lottie, my doll…” her voice cracked and she stared at the faded doll in her hand. “You used to tease me,” she whispered, her eyes seeing the memories that were beginning to surface. She lifted the doll and rubbed its woollen hair over her cheek, her eyes closing as her fingers tightened. “You would hide her, every opportunity you had you’d take her and hide her from me.” She opened her eyes and looked at him, seeing him differently. “You had black hair and it would always flop over one eye; I thought you were marvellous, unless you’d stolen Lottie from me and then I used to hate you. We were friends.”

“Oh gods, Nell.” Stephen’s voice broke and he looked down at his shaking hands. “If only I’d come and found out if it was the truth, if only I’d…”

“No, stop!” Nell pushed herself forwards onto the floor in front of him. She gripped his hands the doll between them. “There was nothing you could do; for pity’s sake, look what they did to you! Look what you were told? Where would the sense have been in trying to find a sister that they had buried anyway? They were bloody brilliant at what they did, Stephen, there’s no way you’d have been allowed anywhere near the truth.”

“If you’d sworn in front of me when you were seven, I’d have taken delight in informing our father who would have punished you.” He grinned slightly as he studied her face. “Do you really remember?”

“I don’t know why… for thirteen years I couldn’t remember anything past the crossing to England, but when I saw this doll…” She looked down at the doll again. “It was like a crack opening; some things… not much.”

“Nell,” Stephen tugged his hands free and placed them on her shoulders. “You’ll be visiting again, won’t you? I can’t loose you again.”

“Yes.” Nell nodded at him, smiling softly. “Yes, I will be coming back. I’m leaving tomorrow, but I will be back.”

Stephen shook his head satisfied; he had no idea how things would work out, but he was pleased so far.

<><><><><><>LLLL<><><><><><>


“Troops!” came a surprised shout from Will as he started down the spiral staircase to the bottom floor. “Why are there troops coming up to the house?”

The Governor came out from his study with a look of confusion on his face. “What do you say?”

“There is a procession of troops making their way from the docks up here!” Will said and headed to the main door.

“Well, it can’t be the new Governor, not this quickly. His ship is not due for another week.”

“They could have made good time,” Nell replied as she joined Will at the door.
Elizabeth was coming down the stairs slowly, one hand pressed to the small of her back.

“What’s happening?” she asked as she crossed to join them.

“A full compliment of troops,” Will said frowning. “I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all.”

“Well, it would be normal procedure if the new governor has arrived.” Governor Swann replied calmly. “Commodore Norrington would lead him up here straight away, rather than the Fort.”

“Nell, run upstairs and see if you can make out the Commodore. The Red Room gives a perfect view of the hill.”

Nell nodded at Will and turning, ran as fast as her corset would let her. She made the room, panting heavily and wishing for the freedom of shirts and britches; crossing to the window she peered down onto the procession that was just starting to march up the long driveway that wound its way up the hill from Port Royal to the Governor’s residence. She could not see Norrington at all and then, with a gasp of horror she saw Lord Davenport astride one of the front horses and beside him were Gillette and a man she didn’t recognise at all. Fearing the worst she turned from the window and raced back to the stairs.

“Lord Davenport and Gillette are with someone I do not know. I can’t see James or Joshua at all!” she called out as she made her way down the stairs, pulling at the boned corset.

“Gillette?” Will frowned at the Governor. “I thought he was still out to sea?”

“Perhaps he happened upon the ship from England?” Governor Swann said with some trepidation.

Will groaned and looked at Elizabeth with worry on his face. “You must leave, Elizabeth. Take Nell and leave through the back way. I don’t think this bodes well.”

“William, I’m pregnant! They wouldn’t dream of doing anything to me; and besides I refuse to leave.”

“We will hide ourselves,” Nell said quickly. “We will hide ourselves and wait and see what happens.”

“Where?” asked Will, aware they were drawing closer.

“Come, I know where!” Elizabeth replied and taking Nell’s hand she lead her from the room and towards her father’s study.

<><><><><><><><>

Will and the Governor opened the door and with a shared look of concern they stepped out onto the entrance way just as they arrived.

“Captain Gillette, Lord Davenport, what a pleasant surprise!” Governor Swann stepped forward with a smile as they dismounted.

He caught sight of the third man and did a double-take. “Lord Spencer?”

“Indeed, Governor Swann.” Percival Spencer dismounted from his horse and came to stand beside Gillette as he smiled at them.

“You are to become Governor on the 5th of next month?” asked Governor Swann as he stepped to one side to allow them to enter his house.

Several red coats stepped forward with their riffles raised and Will realised that things were not good. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I am Governor, as of, oh…” Spencer grinned coldly at them. “now. I have complete control over Port Royal. I have been sent here from his Majesty the King of England. Word has come to the royal court that things are just not…. completely lawful here. Commodore Gillette and Lord Davenport have been good enough to fill me in on the recent events here…”

“Commodore?” Will spluttered. “James Norrington is Commodore here!”

“Alas, but no.” Gillette, puffed out his chest and preening he smiled nastily at Will. “Norrington and Bryant are currently languishing in the jail, awaiting their trial for treason.”

“Treason?” Will moved forwards and two red coats immediately pointed their riffles at him. “On what grounds?” he demanded staring angrily at Gillette.

“On the grounds that he conspired with pirates, has taken treasure intended for the King, oh, and murder!” Davenport butted in as Gillette opened his mouth to rely. “Murder of my wife!”

“The same grounds that both of you are also convicted with; adding, of course, the charge of harbouring a pirate. Arrest them!” Gillette stood back as four more red coats stepped forward and clapped irons on the two men.

“This is outrageous!” Governor Swann cried loudly. “We have done none of these things, there is no pirate here! You over step the mark!”

“I think not…” Spencer stepped forward looking over his shoulder at the house. “Where is your wife, Turner? And not forgetting the pirate, or at least a pirate’s whore. All the same thing and leads to the same dance at the end of a rope.”

“No!” Will strained against his bonds. “You cannot harm Elizabeth!”

“Oh, we can, and we will. The law will not harbour criminals; no matter how pretty they may be. As I understand it, she has not birthed your child yet? We really will be killing two birds with one rope, won’t we?”

Will saw red as he lurched towards the man; a riffle was brought down over his head and he saw no more as slumped to the floor unconscious.

“Now we’ll have to drag him!” Spencer shook his head in disgust. “Search the house, but don’t break anything! My wife will no doubt want to inspect our new home and I don’t want her to have to pick her way through broken items!”

Red coats banged through the front door, spreading out as they began searching the mansion.

“I will have your head for this!” Governor Swann spat at Spencer.

“Correction, I will have yours!” he replied calmly and not in the least ruffled.

Several minutes passed where Governor Swann sweated, hoping against hope that Elizabeth and Nell would remain hidden. But his hopes were broken when they dragged a struggling and shouting Elizabeth out of the door.

“Let her go!” he roared as his daughter was man-handled down the steps. “She’s pregnant, you monster!”

“And the whore?” Spencer demanded furiously.

“She’s not in there, sir,” one of them replied. “Servants told us she’d left for the market earlier.”

Spencer regarded the house carefully, before he shrugged. “Take some men, Commodore, and search the entire town till she’s found.”

Gillette saluted and with quick orders, several red-coats followed at he mounted his horse and rode back the way he’d come.

Davenport stepped forward and peered at Elizabeth. “It’s a shame you have to be hung, really…”

Elizabeth looked up at him through the tangle of her hair and spat squarely in his face.

Davenport roared with laughter and stepped back again, wiping the spit from his face with a snow white handkerchief. “Such a fierce little wench…”

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Nell thought she was going to pass out or burst; or quite possibly do both. She had found walking in the restricting corset hard, but to run was practically impossible.

Elizabeth had drawn her into the study and told her straight that there was nowhere to hide; and that if something was wrong as Will suspected, then the only chance they had was for Nell to escape back to Jack and arrange help. Nell had discovered how insistent Elizabeth could be as she was thrust out through the servant’s quarters; she knew in her heart that Elizabeth was right, but she had felt wrong leaving the pregnant woman behind. But as she fought her way through the undergrowth that surrounded the Governor’s property on three sides, she realised that if she was having trouble, Elizabeth, heavily pregnant, would not have stood a chance.

Branches and thistles caught at her morning dress, tearing the fabric, but Nell could think of only one thing; making it back to the agreed meeting point. She had remained hidden in the bushes to the left of the mansion long enough to realise that things were severely off. She had made her way quietly and carefully far enough away from them before starting to run towards the dirt track that would lead her to safety.

Nell tripped over an exposed root and fell face first onto the ground, scratching her hands slightly. She was winded, her breathing laboured and hard as she lay on her front for a few minutes, trying to get her breathing under control again.

The sound of marching feet had her rolling to one side and hiding further in the undergrowth; just as a group of red coats passed by, riffles loaded and held ready. She kept herself low and held her breath; praying that they would miss her.

It was with relief that she struggled to her feet; after allowing them enough time to pass by completely. But it was relief short lived when she realised they had headed down the path that would lead to the meeting point. A new fear overtook Nell; that Jack and the Pearl would be discovered and also captured. Unable to carry on towards the pirates, Nell bit her lip as she tried to think what to do next. As she stood now, she was an easy target; she had to blend in and hide while she tried to think what to do next.

<><><><><><><><><

“Something is amiss,” Jack whispered to Hock as they perched high above in the trees. “That many red coats armed and moving about inland; makes my skin crawl.”

“They’re looking for us?” Gibbs questioned from just underneath them on the next branch down.

“Why would Norrington send a troop of men after us?” Jack replied. “He knows we’re here, on account of Nell being with the Turners.”

“Think ‘e’s turning traitor?” Gibbs whispered back. “’e is a red coat and once a red coat, always a red coat!”

“Not always, Mister Gibbs, Andrews and Potter spring to mind.” He mentioned two of the red coats who had elected to stay aboard the Pearl after the Reclamation had returned to Port Royal.

“Aye, well…” Gibbs humped quietly not convinced.

“Nell isn’t going to risk coming down here if it’ll alert any red coats to our presence.” Hock pointed out reasonably. “I know they were going to turn a blind eye an all, but they’re looking for something.”

“Agreed.” Jack replied and scratched his chin. “Mister Hock, take Master Jimmy and head into the town. You’re not known and you’ll blend well. Find Nell and bring her home.”

“Aye, Capt’n!” Hock shimmied down the tree quickly, whistling to where Jimmy was hiding with his father in one of the other trees. Jack watched as the two men disappeared into the undergrowth together; he had a bad feeling in his stomach that things were going to become busy. Something he didn’t really want.

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A/N: I’m sorry about the delay, and I apologise for not doing as I said and uploading the whole story. It’s not too far from finishing now, only about five or more chapters. I want to thank everyone who has encouraged me with this story and left lovely messages! It’s great to think that people still like this. I just hope that you continue to like where this goes.

I’m not sure if people are going to compare Spencer with Cutler Becket; it was not my intention to have a similar character. In fact, Spencer will be seen quite rarely in the next few chapters; he, in my story, is a means to an end for my plans with Norrington and Bryant.

Thanks again and please let me know if you liked this one.

Have a great day wherever you are!