Notes: This is a gift-fic, requested by Nancy.  She asked for a Sentinel/Pirates of the Caribbean crossover (like THAT'S easy!), with Jack as a Sentinel and Commodore Norrington as his non-too-impressed Guide.  Well, this is the end result.  Nancy, I hope you like it. :oD

 

I am positive that Susan's wonderful Sentinel Pirates crossover had an influence on this story - it definitely showed me (in times of despair) that it is possible to reconcile two very different universes.

 

If you're looking for a story that features Elizabeth, Will, Barbossa or the monkey, please look elsewhere.  In this story, Jack is Captain of the Black Pearl, Elizabeth appears as a minor character, Barbossa and his monkey do not appear at all (hopefully Barbossa's visiting a good dentist), and Will gets to stand on the street and smile.  Once.  Sorry, Will!

 

Thanks: My thanks go to Susan and Eileen for allowing me to post my AU stories on their site, Nancy for the constant encouragement (harassment), and Georgie for taking the time and trouble to beta my story, replace my mislaid commas and generally point out when I was writing total gibberish.  Thanks, guys!

 

~~~

 

A Tale of Two Sentinels

by Arnie

 

Blair Sandburg lifted his face to the breeze as the ship he was on neared Port Royal.  It was sheer luck that had led to him being on the boat on his way to the thriving colony.  He was, by heart, a scholar, but studying, while fascinating, did not pay well; it was only rich men's sons who could afford to study.  He was neither a rich man's son nor any man's son, and he therefore had his own way to make in the world.

 

However, he was a writer.  And, fortunately for him, a friend of his, John Walter, was editor of the recently founded English newspaper, The Times.  Determined to make his newspaper the envy of the civilised world, John had contacted Blair and asked him to travel to Port Royal and write an article on the men who had turned the port from being a den of pirates into being the envy of the Caribbean.  Naturally, all of his travelling expenses had already been covered and Blair had received a handsome advance on his writer's fee.

 

He smiled.  John had made it sound as though Blair was doing him a favour but he knew that it was the other way around.  Although he'd had a few articles published before, he could not flatter himself into believing that he was such a sought after writer that newspapers were lining up to ask him to write for them.  No, John had offered this temporary position to an old friend who was sorely in need of funds, although the fact that Blair had never yet let him down was undoubtedly enough to ensure that the favour was offered in the first place.

 

And now, Blair was about to arrive at his destination.  In his pocket he carried letters of introduction to the Governor of Port Royal, and he had hopes that Governor Swann would introduce him to the high ranking officers who ran the garrison stationed here.

 

Once off the ship, he left his bags at a respectable looking inn and hired a hackney carriage to carry him to the Governor's mansion.  The Times' writers must arrive in style, John had insisted, although he added that it would be well not to give too much of a tip to the driver.

 

Peering through the window, Blair gasped when he saw the governor's mansion.  It was easily the most impressive building in Port Royal, although it was situated a few miles from the fortified town itself.

 

Once out of the carriage, and unhappily watching as it returned to Port Royal without him, he took a deep breath and approached the front door.  He'd never been good at facing butlers in impressive mansions - although he hadn't had to face that many before.  Adjusting the modest ruffles at his throat and wrists, he knocked at the door and assumed the air of a writer for a reputable paper.  Even if he himself would not be welcome, his letters of introduction should ensure his entrance.

 

He stiffened his backbone as a most impressive butler, obviously chosen to go with the building, opened the door.

 

"May I help you, sir?"  The raised eyebrow and accent on the 'sir' would have betrayed a well-restrained sneer even if Blair hadn't been able to discern it.

 

"My name is Blair Sandburg.  I believe that Governor Swann is expecting me."

 

The sneer disappeared.  "Ah, yes, sir.  If you will follow me, I will inform his Governorship of your arrival."

 

Blair was unsure whether or not to thank the man but he did anyway.  Civility cost nothing and it always paid to have the servants on your side or, if you couldn't manage that, to at least avoid antagonising them.

 

"Ah!  Mr. Sandburg!"  The governor surged towards him with all the friendliness of a puppy.  "Mr. Walter said that you'd be arriving today and he was right!  Excellent man!"  There was a pause as the governor shook his hand enthusiastically.

 

"How do you do, Governor Swann?"  Blair flexed his hand unobtrusively as he tried to get some feeling back into it.

 

"Capital, man, capital!  Where are your bags?  Has Sutton taken them up to the blue room already?"

 

"I left them at the King's Arms.  I assumed -"

 

"Nonsense!  Of course, you'll stay here.  Sutton!"  The governor rushed to the door.  "Send the carriage to the King's Arms and collect Mr. Sandburg's bags."

 

"Very good, sir."

 

"I - I really don't want to put you out -"

 

"It's no trouble at all!  We have plenty of rooms!  Now," he wrung his hands happily, "where would you like to start?"

 

By the time Sutton returned to remind the governor and his guest that it was time to dress for dinner, an almost breathless Blair had heard all about the governor's early life and military career before being given the charge of Port Royal.  He'd thought that he could talk non-stop but the governor had him beat!  Any comment sent the governor careering off along a diversion that was as entertaining as it was interesting.

 

Dinner passed in a blur of several courses, different wines and an array of cutlery that made Blair watch his host carefully in order to figure out which piece of silverware was the correct one to be used.  And the whole meal was accompanied by a non-stop biography of the governor's life thus far.  The governor's daughter, a very lovely Miss Elizabeth Swann, seemed used to her father's monologues and only interrupted to draw him back on course when he threatened to sink into a whirlpool of diversions that had no end.

 

After her third such intervention, Blair bit his lip and gazed sternly into his dessert.  He would not laugh.  To do so would be to insult his host and Blair liked the man too much to do that even if convention had not forbade it.

 

"I'm rambling again!"

 

He looked up into the smiling face of his host.

 

"Do forgive me, dear boy.  I have a terrible habit of running on."

 

"Not at all, sir.  It was most entertaining," Blair assured him sincerely.

 

"You're being polite!  My feelings won't be hurt, I assure you.  Elizabeth has told me time and again that I talk too much!"

 

"As it's a fault that I share, sir, I assure you, I do not object to your talking.  In any case, as I am here to write about you, your men and Port Royal itself, it would be most unfortunate for me if you did not talk!"

 

"Ah!  There, you see, Elizabeth?  Sometimes talking is to be encouraged!"  He nodded at his smiling daughter then turned back.  "Have I missed anything?  Do you have any questions left to ask?"

 

Blair laughed.  "I do not think so, sir, you were most comprehensive.  I would like to take some time after dinner, if I may, to make notes of what you have told me so far."

 

"Of course, of course!  Take all the time you need!  Tomorrow, we'll be meeting Commodore Norrington..."

 

He threw a glance at his daughter as he said this and Blair's interest was piqued.  Obviously the governor wasn't above a spot of matchmaking.

 

"...who is in charge of the Navy here.  The day after will be spent with the members of the Watch.  Admirable men!  They keep order here in Port Royal, you know."  He shook his head.  "If it weren't for them, we'd be overrun by pirates.  Port Royal used to be as bad as Tortuga but now, well, it's so respectable that ladies can walk about without armed guards!"

 

"I have heard that pirates were very active in this area," Blair admitted.

 

"Active!  That's one way to describe it!  Port Royal was infested with them, positively infested.  However, thanks to the Watch they're all but gone now.  Naturally, we still catch them now and again, but most pirates know to avoid Port Royal unless they want to do the hangman's dance!"

 

~'~

 

Like most days in Port Royal, the next day was bright and sunny as Blair and the governor went to the fortified castle that dominated the port.  Miss Swann accompanied them, although Blair could tell she was more interested in the local blacksmith's shop than she was in Commodore Norrington.  The commodore, however, was very interested in Miss Swann and Blair was positive that Norrington would have preferred it if he, Blair, had taken a walk with the governor, instead of Miss Swann being escorted down to the town.

 

Once the pair had disappeared out of sight, the commodore's gaze turned back to Blair and he found himself being looked up and down.

 

There was a second's pause as each of them recognised the empathic ability hidden within the other, then Blair exclaimed, "You're a Guide!"

 

One eyebrow was raised.  "As are you, Mr. Sandburg."

 

Blair nodded, then began, "Are you -"  He broke off.  Guide etiquette insisted that he did not demand information of another Guide about the state of his or her bond.

 

"Bonded?" Norrington continued.  "No, I am not."  He raised an eyebrow again, the question obvious.

 

Blair shook his head.  He did not intend to bond with anyone, although he had no intention of divulging that to the commodore.  Military Sentinels and Guides tended to take a dim view of those who did not intend to 'do their duty' and bond when a suitable partner appeared.  "Do you... intend to bond?" he asked, as delicately as possible.

 

"Naturally, when my Sentinel appears, I will bond with him.  Of course, there are a few provisos."

 

"Provisos...." Blair repeated blankly.  The commodore had a list of conditions his Sentinel had to fulfil?

 

"It would be most awkward if my Sentinel were to be an ordinary sailor.  I am, after all, an officer."

 

"Of course!"  Blair understood now; social niceties must be observed at all times.  As the Sentinel would nominally be in charge of the partnership, you couldn't have a Guide who insisted on being saluted every five minutes.

 

"However, I would not object if my Sentinel were to be, say, a respectable member of the town."

 

Blair nodded.  He could not see such a rigidly correct officer as Commodore Norrington deigning to bond with anyone but a respectable person, and he would obviously prefer an officer to a civilian.

 

"My intended Sentinel, however, is neither here nor there.  You have some questions to ask of me, I believe."

 

"Yes."  Blair dismissed his thoughts of Sentinels and Guides and dragged his mind back to the interview he had planned.  "I'd like to get some background information, if I may, before we move onto your early career."

 

The commodore nodded and settled back in his chair, a resigned look on his face.

 

Blair smiled, feeling nervous, and began to ask questions.  Hopefully the members of the Watch would be more like the governor when it came to interviewing them.

 

~'~

 

By the time Governor Swann and his daughter had returned to take tea with Commodore Norrington, Blair felt as though he'd been put through a wringer.  Every piece of information had had to be extracted with numerous questions.  Blair sincerely pitied anyone who attempted to interrogate that military officer; he was naturally close-mouthed.

 

Even with the lovely Miss Swann, there was an economy of words.  Blair was more than happy to sit back and allow the governor to dominate the conversation, while he watched the subtle courtship being enacted before him, and picked up more about the commodore's character than his brief responses to Blair's questions could possibly portray.  Although Norrington would have died rather than admit it, Blair could tell that he was in love with Miss Swann, although her affection for him seemed to spring from having known him for so long instead of a genuine love of his character.  In spite of his taciturn nature, Blair had a liking for the steadfast officer and hoped that he was not headed for a disappointment in that area.

 

It was obvious that the governor was very much in favour of a match between his only child and one of the youngest commodores alive.  Few men had reached the heady heights of that rank at such an early age and the governor seemed disinclined to let such a prize slip through his daughter's fingers.

 

All too soon, duty called the commodore away and the party were left to return to the Governor's mansion.  Miss Swann had an air of relief that was obvious to Blair, although he was positive the garrulous governor had no idea of it.

 

As the carriage made its way through the town once more, Miss Swann leaned forward, a blinding smile on her face.  Hurriedly glancing over, Blair caught sight of a young dark-haired man with a similar smile on his face and knew that the commodore was indeed headed for a broken heart.

 

~'~

 

The conversation that evening veered from Commodore Norrington and his glittering prospects to the officers who headed the Watch under Governor Swann's command.  The governor admitted freely that he left all aspects of the Watch to their admirable Captain, a man called Simon Banks who was, to Blair's surprise, a black man.

 

"He was a slave?!"

 

"No, no, dear boy!  Captain Banks has never been a slave.  His father was, I believe, an emancipated slave but Captain Banks was born a free man.  He's the first black man to be a captain, you know.  Admirable man!  No pirate would dare stand against him.  The Watch is safe in his hands, I assure you!  In fact," the governor leaned across the table and spoke confidentially, "it's said that he and Captain Ellison were the ones who captured the dread Pirate Roberts!"

 

Blair's fork hit his plate with a clatter.  Everyone had heard of the dread Pirate Roberts whose exploits had left many a seafarer trembling with fear that they might run into the fearsome pirate who never left captives alive.  His capture and death had relieved not only the law-abiding communities he had terrorised, but also his rival pirates who had lost many a ship to that pirate.  The dread Pirate Roberts was not a man who believed in the accord.  It was rumoured that the first attempt to parley with him had left the attempted parleyer fit only for a lunatic asylum.  After that, no pirate was willing to attempt parley in case it was true.

 

"Now you see why Port Royal is such a safe place to be!" the governor told him.  "Captain Ellison, too, is a fine man.  His father is, I believe, a lord, although Captain Ellison has never boasted of his connections.  Very modest man - he was a very good soldier, as was Captain Banks!"  He nodded and smiled.  "We're lucky to have them heading the Watch."

 

Blair blinked down at his plate.  Port Royal was certainly unusual, he'd admit that.

 

~'~

 

"Now then, dear boy, this is Captain Banks, and this is Captain Ellison."

 

Blair shook hands with the tall black man who was looming over him.  He could see why pirates tended to give Port Royal a wide berth; if he'd had a guilty conscience, he would have done the same thing rather than run the risk of offending the overly tall Captain Simon Banks.  Turning, he went to offer his hand to the other captain, who was only a couple of inches shorter than his companion, but stopped.  Captain Ellison's eyes were fixed on him in a narrow glare, and his nostrils were flared as if he was scenting the air.  And...was the man growling at him?

 

His heart leapt into his throat as his mind caught up with events.  Sentinel!

 

As Ellison moved forward, he reared back and retreated to behind one of Governor Swann's elegant chaise-longues.

 

"Guide!"

 

"No!"

 

"Is there something wrong?"  Typically, the governor seemed to be the only one present who hadn't realised just what was going on.

 

"Bond, Guide!"

 

"Look, you don't want me!"

 

"Oh my goodness," the governor had caught up at last, "is Mr. Sandburg a Guide?  How exciting!"

 

"We'd be better off staying out of their way."  At least Captain Banks seemed to realise that this was neither the time nor the place for Governor Swann's enthusiasm - although Blair would have appreciated some help in dealing with the feral Sentinel.

 

As Captain Ellison moved forward, Blair backed off yet again, trying to keep away from the walls.  The Sentinel would try to trap him.

 

"I'm not the right Guide for you - really!  The Guide you want is Commodore Norrington!"  He heard an exclamation from the governor as that piece of news sank in.  Obviously Norrington hadn't exactly spread it around that he was a Guide.  "He's from a good family - so are you!  He's in the Navy, you were in the military.  I'm telling you, you have so much in common, you're perfect for each other."

 

The Sentinel wasn't talking as he moved forward, angling his approach in an obvious attempt to back his chosen Guide into a corner.

 

"You're both based in Port Royal as well.  What a coincidence!"  Blair was seriously beginning to panic now as nothing seemed to be putting the Sentinel off.  "You really don't want me.  I rarely stay in one place longer than a month.  And I have no idea who my father is!"  He could hear the governor tut tutting in the background at this scandalous revelation but the Sentinel didn't even blink.

 

Finally, he was backed up to a large table which had a vase of flowers on it.  Desperate, and not really caring that the vase looked valuable, he grabbed it and hurled it at the Sentinel.

 

The governor made a horrified noise then visibly relaxed as Captain Ellison caught the vase safely.  There was a second's pause as Blair almost gave up hope, then the Sentinel began to sneeze.

 

Taking his chance, he fled.  From the sound of smashing china and the cries of distress from Governor Swann, he guessed that the Sentinel had dropped the vase after all, but then he was out of the front door and running for his life.

 

~'~

 

By the time he reached Port Royal, Blair looked dishevelled and windblown.  Unable to stop and catch his breath, he had run all the way, although he was careful to keep off the main road in case the Sentinel had recovered and was trying to hunt him down.  As the two captains would have visited the governor on horseback or by carriage, Blair was definitely at a disadvantage as he was on foot.

 

As he approached the harbour, he turned several plans over in his mind.  His first objective, he decided, was to find a ship that was leaving soon and buy passage away from Port Royal.  Hopefully, he would have time to return to the governor's mansion to collect his things, however, as he had all of his money safely on his person, he was prepared to do without them and simply buy what he would need for the journey home.  He hoped that John would not be too angry at him for abandoning his report partway through.  He had enough notes to write up the majority of the article he had planned, although the view of the Watchmen would, naturally, be missing.

 

Putting it from his mind, he concentrated on finding a ship that was preparing to set sail with the evening tide.  Suddenly, he froze, then hurriedly ducked behind a nearby group of people.  The large figure of Captain Simon Banks, unmistakable even at this distance, was on the pier - accompanied by a group of men whom Blair could only assume to be the Watch.

 

As he lurked and observed, he noticed the men taking up positions along the pier, almost as if to ensure that a wanted felon, or Guide, would not escape.  He cursed fluently in Spanish.  Obviously Captain Banks was willing to aid his friend in finding his chosen Guide, regardless of the chosen Guide's views on the matter.

 

Easing back, he did his best to keep out of sight as he left the pier.  A straightforward escape was now out of the question.

 

~'~

 

James Norrington was surprised when Mr. Sandburg arrived back at the fort; he had assumed that the writer had asked all the questions he had needed to.  "Mr. Sandburg, to what do I owe the pleasure?"  He frowned as he looked the younger man up and down.  Mr. Sandburg looked as though he'd run all the way from the governor's mansion and desperation was leaking from his very pores.

 

"You have to help me!"

 

One entreating hand was laid on his sleeve and James looked at it before looking back at the anxious face.  "I am an officer of the King's Navy, naturally, I will do what I can to assist you."

 

"You know Captain Ellison...of the Watch...?"

 

"I haven't met him myself but I know that he's a good Watchman.  He and Captain Banks were both in the military, you know."

 

"Yes, I do know.  Well...he's a Sentinel."

 

"I see."  James didn't really see why one Guide was telling another Guide that someone was a Sentinel, but he was prepared to listen.

 

"He...tried to bond with me."  Mr. Sandburg's face flushed.

 

James was surprised.  "He failed?!"

 

"Not quite.  He...I...."

 

"You ran away."

 

"Well...yes."

 

James was sure that he knew what the difficulty was now.  "I'm certain that Captain Ellison will understand how nervous you were, and that he'll be willing to give you another opportunity.  Perhaps I could explain it to him for you?  If you feel unable to explain it yourself, that is."

 

From the look on Mr. Sandburg's face, James was beginning to think that he didn't know what the difficulty was, after all.

 

"I don't want to bond with him," the Guide whispered, his face reddening even more.

 

"What?!"  James was shocked, then hurriedly moderated his tone.  He did not want to draw attention to this disgraceful state of affairs.  "I mean...what?"

 

"I don't want to bond with him!"

 

"Captain Ellison is a fine man and, I am sure, a fine Sentinel.  Why don't you want to bond with him?"

 

"I just don't!"

 

"Mr. Sandburg, it is the duty of every Guide to bond with their Sentinel.  If Captain Ellison has chosen you, you should be honoured," James stated repressively.

 

"Well, I don't want to be honoured!  Look," the hand was back on his arm and this time James frowned as he picked up far more emotion than he had the first time around, "I don't want to bond with anyone."

 

"It appears that you have little choice."  He shook the hand from his arm.  "I suggest that you return to Captain Ellison, admit to being a little...hysterical..."

 

"I'm not hysterical!"

 

"...and ask him to forgive you."

 

Indignation filled the blue eyes facing him.  "Forgive me?  Forgive me?!  I'm not the one who was growling!  I'm not the one who attempted to leap on a Guide and drag him into a bond!  He has nothing to forgive me for!"

 

"I think you will find that he may take a different view of that!"  Suddenly noticing that Lieutenant Gillette was standing at his elbow, James turned, his tone far less calm than he would have liked, "What is it?"

 

"Excuse me, Commodore, but Mullroy and Cotton apprehended a civilian attempting to board the Interceptor."

 

"Attempting to b-"  James' jaw dropped.  "What civilian?"

 

The lieutenant turned and indicated a group of three men standing not far away, the one in the centre apparently extremely reluctant to enter the fort.  "That civilian, sir."

 

"Hmmm."  James frowned.  "Looks like a pirate to me."  Turning back to the other Guide, he ordered, "Wait here."  Matters of piracy took precedence over reluctant Guides.  Approaching the three, James was conscious of a pride in his job.  Ridding the world of pirates was an honourable profession that he was happy to undertake.  Annoyingly, Mr. Sandburg was close behind him, but James put that to the back of his mind; he would deal with his fellow Guide later.  "Well, well, so you were attempting to board a ship, Mr...."

 

The dark-haired man didn't answer, but his dark eyes narrowed as he returned James' stare and his nostrils flared.  Tension seemed to drain from the lithe body as a flashy gold grin spread across the face.  "Sentinel Sparrow, at your service, mate.  Or should I say, Guide."

 

James stiffened, resolutely ignoring anything but the man's name.  He held out his hand as if to shake hands with the other man.  "How do you do, Mr. Sparrow?"

 

There was a delicate hesitation, then one hand firmly gripped his.  "Sentinel.  Or Captain, if you prefer."

 

The Guide ignored the tingles of sensation that warned him that this was a Sentinel, and instead forced up the man's sleeve revealing a branded 'P'.  "I see you've already had a run in with the East India Trading Company."

 

"Some time ago, Guide.  Nothin' that need worry you, savvy?"

 

James frowned.  The damned...pirate was scenting him again and he could feel a pressure on his mental barriers that wasn't there before.  "That's Commodore Norrington to you, Sparrow."

 

"Commodore, that's such a harsh Christian name.  Didn't your parents like you?"

 

"His first name's James," Mr. Sandburg chipped in, altogether too cheerfully for James' taste.

 

"James!  Good strong name is James.  I think I'll call you..." his eyes wandered up and down briefly, "Jamie, though."

 

James thought that Lieutenant Gillette was going to have a stroke.  "That's Commodore Norrington to you, pirate!"

 

"I'll call my Guide what I please, mate," the pirate snapped in return.  "And Jamie is what pleases me."

 

Four people choked loudly as Sparrow and Mr. Sandburg positively smirked at each other.

 

"I am not your Guide!"  James was determined to take back control of this absurd situation.

 

"Not yet, mate, but you will be!"  That damnable pirate winked.

 

"I hardly think so, Mr. Sparrow."

 

"Captain, Captain Sparrow!"

 

Ignoring that, James forged on, "After all, you'll be meeting the hangman tomorrow morning."

 

Sparrow did not seem in the slightest bit worried about that pronouncement.  "You won't be 'angin' me once we're bonded, Jamie!"

 

"I think you'll find it difficult to bond with anyone from a prison cell, Mr. Sparrow."

 

"You don't know what I can do from a prison cell, Jamie.  Very versatile, I am."

 

James lost his temper.  "Take him away and lock him up!"

 

"Don't worry, Jamie.  I'll be back soon."  The pirate continued to call reassurances as he was dragged away, leaving the two Guides alone.

 

"And as for you -"

 

Mr. Sandburg interrupted him with a wicked gleam in his eye, "Commodore, it is the duty of every Guide to bond with their Sentinel.  If Captain Sparrow has chosen you, you should be honoured."

 

"Honoured?!"  James couldn't remember when he was last so angry.  "Honoured in bonding to a pirate?"

 

"Well, I know he's not a respectable member of the town but he is an officer...of sorts."

 

"He's a pirate!"

 

"And a Captain!"

 

"Mr. Sandburg," James drew himself up to his full height and glared down at the shorter man.  "I am aware of your reluctance to bond with Captain Ellison but to compare my situation to yours is absurd!"  He raised as hand as Mr. Sandburg attempted to speak.  "I do not know what purpose you had in coming to see me, but if you believed I would aid you in your foolish attempt to escape your duty in bonding to an honourable man, you were mistaken!"

 

There was silence for a few seconds, then, "Yes...I can see that I was."  His voice was softer, sorrowful rather than the teasing tone of a few seconds before.  "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Commodore."

 

The sincerity deflated James' anger somewhat and he grasped the other Guide's arm as he made to move away.  "Mr. Sandburg...Captain Ellison is a good man.  I am sure he will take good care of you."

 

"Commodore, I don't want anyone to take care of me.  I'm quite capable of taking care of myself."  The blue eyes stared at the ground.  "And if Port Royal wasn't a port, I wouldn't be asking for your help now."

 

James believed him.  Port Royal's main access was by boat.  The rugged terrain behind the town made travelling in that direction difficult for a native and downright impossible for anyone not well acquainted with the area.  He sighed and said, much against his better judgement,  "I will go and see Captain Ellison - attempt to intercede with him on your behalf.  That's all I can do!"

 

He got a beaming smile in return.  "That's all I ask!"

 

"You'd better avoid the fort today as he'll know that I've seen you.  Come back at sunset."

 

"Thank you, Commodore."

 

"Don't thank me yet!"  As he left, James was conscious of a sense of irony.  While bonding to a Watchman was not ideal, it was certainly far better than bonding to a pirate - especially one who would be hanged in the morning.  He sighed and shook his head as he made his way to the port.  He should have stuck to his first answer and told Mr. Sandburg to do his duty instead of answering the desperate appeal exuded by the other Guide and agreeing to talk to a determined Sentinel.

 

~'~

 

Captain James Ellison finally arrived at the pier.  After catching a vaseful of flowers thrown at him by his prospective Guide, he'd spent a good fifteen minutes sneezing and a further five minutes apologising to the governor of Port Royal over the loss of his Ming vase.  Fortunately for him, his friend and colleague, Captain Simon Banks - his superior in the Watch despite their equality in rank - had agreed to head straight for the pier and make sure that a certain Guide was not allowed to board any ship.

 

Jim was certain that Sandburg would have made his way directly to the pier in an attempt to escape but, as Simon had been on horseback and Sandburg had fled on foot, he was positive that his Guide had not had a chance to escape by boat before the Watch reached the pier.  Therefore Sandburg was still in Port Royal.  Somewhere.

 

He noticed Commodore Norrington's approach but paid no heed to him until the commodore enquired for him by name.

 

"Commodore Norr-"  He broke off.  A recently learned but bone-achingly familiar scent reached him.  Norrington had been with his Guide!  He grabbed Norrington's arm and held on firmly.  "Where's Sandburg?"

 

"That is what I came to speak to you about, Captain.  If we could talk in private?"

 

Refusing to let go of his only lead to his Guide, Jim towed the commodore along to a quiet corner of the port.  "Where is he?"  Inhaling, the Sentinel realised two things.  Norrington was also a Guide, and this Guide was nervous.

 

There was a few seconds' pause as Norrington appeared to debate how to begin then, "Are you aware that Mr. Sandburg is...unwilling to bond with you?"

 

He tightened his grip on the arm he held.  "That's none of your business, Guide.  Where is he?"

 

The eyes met his, holding his gaze firmly.  "At the moment?  I have no idea."

 

"But you know where he will be at some point," Jim replied, certain it was true.

 

The gaze dropped.

 

"When and where?"  When the Guide in front of him remained silent, Jim leaned in slightly and inhaled sharply.  There was a faint tang to the Guide's scent that confirmed the uneasy feeling he'd had for the past couple of hours.  "And where is your Sentinel?"

 

Norrington looked up, startled.  "I'm not bonded!"  He took a breath, then continued, "Captain Ellison, you are looking for a Guide.  I am...."

 

He paused and Jim crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall.  Was he about to be propositioned by a Guide?  With an effort, he kept his smile off his face.  "You were saying?"

 

The man flushed, and Jim bit his lip.  Whoever this other Sentinel was, he had this Guide panicked if the Guide was willing to approach another Sentinel in an effort to escape him.

 

"You are based in Port Royal, as am I.  We are both used to a military life.  A...bond between us would make sense."

 

A bond of convenience, there was an unusual idea.  Regardless of how comical he found the situation, Jim kept his voice gentle.  "It would indeed, however, I have already met my Guide and I can choose no other."

 

"I see."  The head was held high with pride.  "Thank you for your time, Captain Ellison.  I am sorry to have disturbed you."

 

"Not so fast."  Jim grabbed his arm once more and brought the Guide to a standstill.  "There's still the matter of my Guide and his whereabouts."

 

The startled gaze met his.  "I do not know where Mr. Sandburg is."

 

"But you know where he will be at some point.  Is he with the other Sentinel?"

 

"No."

 

Jim's voice tightened as his anger and fear surged at the very thought, "Will this Sentinel attempt to hunt him?"

 

The Guide shook his head, the embarrassed flush deepening.  "No!"

 

The Sentinel relaxed.  Whoever this strange Sentinel was, he must have chosen Commodore Norrington to be his Guide.

 

He relaxed even more as Norrington added, "The Sentinel in question is in a prison cell and will be hanged in the morning."

 

That explained everything!  A rigidly correct officer like Norrington would find it hard being bonded to a Sentinel with criminal tendencies.  "I see.  However, that still leaves us with one problem."  He waited until Norrington's gaze met his.  "You know where my Guide will be at some point."

 

"Captain -"

 

"Therefore, I see nothing for it but for us to stay together until I find him."

 

"I'm afraid such a thing is impossible, Captain Ellison," Norrington replied, admirably firmly.  "I have my duties at the fort to consider."

 

Despite the fact that Commodore Norrington was only an inch shorter than himself, Jim invaded the Guide's personal space intimidatingly, forcing him to step back, his head and gaze dropping submissively.  "Your duties at the fort will have to wait, Guide, until my Guide is found.  Of course, the sooner that is, the sooner you may return to the fort alone."  He waited for a few seconds until it became clear that Norrington would not give up Sandburg's whereabouts.  "Very well.  We are helping to search the town."

 

A muscle flexed in the Guide's jaw but he remained stubbornly silent.

 

"After you, Commodore."

 

~'~

 

This was getting ridiculous, Blair decided as he ducked, yet again, into a small alleyway.  The Watch were not only guarding the pier, they were also searching the town, and he had a strong suspicion he knew who they were searching for: one Guide by the name of Blair Sandburg!

 

Glancing around, he made sure that there were no Watchmen in view as left the alleyway.  If he could just find somewhere to hide out of sight until sundown, he'd be fine.  Once it was dark, he could make his way back to the fort to see Commodore Norrington and, hopefully, persuade him to help him get on board a ship in order to escape from Port Royal.

 

If Lady Luck was smiling upon him, or upon Norrington, then Captain Ellison might, just might, be persuaded to bond with the Guide in front of him, instead of chasing a reluctant Guide around the town.  That would solve all of their problems.  Captain Ellison would have a Guide; Commodore Norrington would have a respectable Sentinel who was also an officer, or ex-military officer anyway, and he, Blair Sandburg, would be free to leave Port Royal after completing the story he was writing about it.  Of course, Captain Sparrow would not be happy but, as he'd be dead in the morning, his happiness didn't really come into it.  It was a pity.  He had liked what he'd seen of the pirate and he suspected that Captain Sparrow would have been rather good for the uptight Naval officer he'd chosen as a Guide.

 

Shaking the regrets from him, he ducked down another alleyway.  If he kept this up, he'd be well qualified to write about the alleyways of Port Royal instead of the Watchmen!

 

Blair stopped at the other end of the alleyway and looked around carefully.  If he could make his way to the edge of town then he could go back to the governor's mansion and collect his things.  Fortunately for him, he always travelled light.  And it was possible that the search was being concentrated on the town - surely no one would expect him to return to the mansion?

 

His thoughts were interrupted suddenly at the sight of one Sentinel and Guide.  Captain Ellison had a tight grip upon the arm of a poker-faced Commodore Norrington and that told Blair all he needed to know.  They hadn't bonded.  If they had then the Sentinel would not need to keep such a tight hold on his Guide.  And the only reason that Blair could think of for the Sentinel to be escorting Norrington around the town, was that the Sentinel realised that the two Guides were planning on meeting up again.  'Damn and blast!'

 

He withdrew into his alleyway and chose a different route to the edge of the town.  Keeping out of sight until nightfall was even more of a necessity now.

 

~'~

 

Commodore Norrington would not normally have noticed the sunset.  Naturally, any vagabonds and thieves in the town became more active after dark but, aside from that, he had never really paid much attention to the setting of the sun.  Tonight, however, was different.

 

He had failed in his attempt to dissuade Captain Ellison from pursuing Mr. Sandburg and, at sunset, the aforementioned Guide was due to return to the fort.  As he was unable to stir a foot without Captain Ellison by his side, that meant that when Mr. Sandburg returned, he would be caught.  James Norrington could only feel that he had failed in his mission...and he did not like that feeling.

 

Therefore, when sunset came and went with no sign of any Guide apart from himself, he was almost overcome with relief.  Not that he showed it, of course.  However, Sentinel abilities don't need a visual display in order for them to pick up on something, (which is why you should never play cards with a Sentinel).

 

"He was due back at sundown, wasn't he?"

 

James turned to look the Sentinel in the eye.  "Obviously he saw us together and realised that to return would be dangerous."

 

"He has nowhere else to go, no one else he can turn to for help.  He has to come back to you."

 

His gaze dropped as shame filled him.  James knew that he had hardly been welcoming when Mr. Sandburg had turned to him for help, and hearing his stark situation put into words so bluntly brought that home to him.  However, that would help neither of them at the moment.  "He'd be a fool to come back here," he insisted.

 

"He's desperate.  My men are watching the pier, there is nowhere else for him to go.  He'll return."

 

~'~

 

Jim realised that he was attempting to reassure himself with that statement.  He was not positive that Blair Sandburg would return, but he hoped that he would.  Port Royal, while far from the den of iniquity it had been, was not a safe place to wander during the dark hours of the night.  Dark creatures with black motives stalked the innocents abroad during those hours, and the thought of his Guide being attacked was a real enough fear to turn his stomach.

 

Surely Sandburg would return rather than risk being murdered?  Surely, his reluctance to bond was not so great as to force him to spend a night hiding in an alleyway, prey to every thief or robber who passed his way?

 

He made a decision and stood.  He could not risk his Guide's life for the sake of the bond.  If his Guide was waiting for him to leave, then leave he would, and hope that he could catch his Guide before that individual fled from Port Royal.

 

~'~

 

Blair watched the main gate of the fort.  He had seen, from as far a distance as he could, Captain Ellison escort Commodore Norrington into the fort but he had not seen the Sentinel leave.  He sighed and leaned his head against the stone wall behind him.  The commodore was the only one he could turn to, for he doubted if the governor would help him now, but with the Sentinel on guard, he could not approach without being captured.

 

However, lurking in alleyways after the sun had set was an open invitation to be mugged or murdered, therefore a decision had to be made, and quickly.  He could attempt to spend the night in the alleyway and hope that the nearness of the fort would afford him some protection, he could go into the fort and be caught and bonded, or he could retire to an inn and hope that the Watch had not placed men in every inn in town.

 

He had finally decided upon the third course of action when the gate opened and Captain Ellison strode out.  Feeling as though his insides had melted with the relief, he watched the tall, imposing figure walk away and waited until there was no risk of the Sentinel hearing him.  As soon as the coast was clear, he ran from his dark alleyway to the safety of the fort and banged upon the gate for admission.

 

The gate opened and one of the first faces he saw was that of Commodore Norrington.

 

"Let him in!"

 

He grabbed at Norrington's arm, almost frantic in his relief.  "I was surprised to see Captain Ellison leave!  I was convinced he would stay until morning!"

 

"Wait!  Not here."  Glancing back he ordered, "Lock the gate!" before escorting Blair inside.

 

Once in the commodore's office, Blair dropped his bag, sank into the seat offered him and accepted the brandy he was given.  "Why did he leave?"

 

"He believed that you would spend the night outside rather than approach the fort while he was here.  He could not stay and put you in danger."

 

Blair felt his face redden.

 

"He is an honourable man, Mr. Sandburg.  I urge you to reconsider your position on bonding with him."

 

He put the glass down and stood to pace over to the window.  "I never thought he'd - I thought..."  He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face.  "What am I going to do?"

 

"Bond with him.  He put your safety above his own needs and wants.  You cannot ask for more."

 

"He's a Sentinel, that's what they do!  It's...instinct - inbred!"  Blair knew that he was arguing with his own conscience as well as the commodore.  Yes, Captain Ellison was an honourable man and would undoubtedly treat him well as his Guide but was that enough to make him give up his own dreams?

 

"Regardless, he did leave this fort in order to enable you to seek safety here."

 

Blair turned...to argue, to capitulate, to plead with the universe to not put him in this position, he was never sure what he intended to say.  His words were disrupted by the sound of cannon fire.

 

"What on Earth -"

 

Blair followed Norrington as he ran to the door and threw it open to practically collide with Lieutenant Gillette on the step.

 

"Sir!  Pirates are attacking the town!"

 

The fort was thrown into chaos with soldiers running through the gate in order to protect Port Royal.  Blair ran after Norrington.

 

"You're a civilian - stay here!"  The order was curt.

 

"I can fight!"

 

"I don't have time for this!"  Norrington attempted to brush past Blair, a pistol in his belt and a sword in his hand, but Blair stopped him.

 

"You need all the men you can get!"

 

For a second they stared at each other then, "Give him a sword and a pistol."  To Blair, "You get injured and Ellison will have my head!"

 

Blair took the pistol and shoved his into his belt.  "A win-win situation then!" he grinned.

 

~'~

 

Outside, it was even more chaotic as soldiers, the Watch and civilians all fought in an attempt to drive back the pirates who were attacking them.

 

Soon, the area around the fort was clear, although that was mainly due to the amount of soldiers who had come pouring out of the fort.

 

"Do we know who they are?!" James shouted as he headed towards the sounds of the battle, one hand holding Mr. Sandburg's shoulder firmly in order to make sure that he didn't lose the civilian in the middle of the fight.

 

Lieutenant Gillette shook his head, a dazed look in his eyes as blood trickled down the side of his face.  "From all accounts, they're retreating to the port, sir."

 

The commodore let go of his civilian and grabbed for his lieutenant's chin.  "Go and see the doctor.  Get patched up."

 

"I'm fine, sir!"

 

"Go back to the fort - that's an order!"  For a second he thought that the lieutenant would disobey him but then he got a nod in return and the officer retreated.  James watched to make sure that Gillette reached safety, although he doubted that there were any pirates near the fort now, and absently grabbed for Mr. Sandburg's shoulder again.

 

"I'm not going anywhere, you know."

 

His attention brought back to his present surroundings, James smiled grimly.  "I have no intention of facing Captain Ellison alone and attempting to explain that I lost you on the way.  Come on, it sounds as if they're on the run now."

 

They reached the port in time to join in the final push to rid themselves of their invaders.  Two pirate ships could be seen at the pier, their black flags with the skull and crossbones flapping in the wind.  A third ship could be seen at anchor a mile or so out, but she made no attempt to approach and was flying no flag at all, so James put it down to cautious civilians who were keeping their distance until the battle was over.

 

"Commodore!"

 

The cry of warning took him by surprise and he gasped with shock as a ball of fire seemed to engulf his shoulder.  Looking down, he realised that he had been shot and staggered back to be caught by Mr. Sandburg.

 

A roar of fury dragged his fading attention back to the battle and he saw Captain Sparrow leap at the pirate who had shot him.  "It's a delusion," he murmured.

 

"No delusion, he's out!"

 

"Fort.  Back...fort."

 

The other Guide understood him and hurriedly helped him from the port.  Although his men were there, they were engaged in fighting the enemy and James knew that Sparrow would have no difficulty in kidnapping him in the middle of the battle.  His only chance for safety lay in getting back to the fort.  Even Captain Jack Sparrow would think twice about storming a fort alone.  He hoped.

 

~'~

 

Holding onto his companion firmly, Blair hoped that he'd be able to get them back to the fort without encountering any Sentinels at all.  He still had not made up his mind what to do about Captain Ellison.  Dismissing that Sentinel from his mind, he was determined to get the commodore to safety.  Norrington had done his best to help Blair, and now it was Blair's turn to help Norrington.

 

He avoided the narrow alleyways as much as he could, preferring to stick to the empty moonlit streets, but they were only a short distance from the fort when he spotted a group of men in the distance.  He knew that all the able-bodied honest men were at the port, so he suspected that these able-bodied men were not honest at all.  Accordingly, he hurried down a nearby alleyway.  They had not survived this far to be mugged and possibly murdered by a gang of opportunists.

 

Norrington offered no protest.  Either he too had seen the men or he was too out of it to realise they had changed direction.  Blair cursed himself for an empty headed fool.  After infection, the main risk of being shot was blood loss.  He propped the commodore up against the wall and thrust his hand inside his jacket.  The blood he encountered was sticky.  Sighing with relief, he realised that the bleeding had slowed and the wound was merely oozing blood; Norrington was lucky.

 

The brief pressure Blair had exerted on the wound had been enough to rouse the wounded man from his stupor.  "What?"

 

"Just checking.  I never thought of blood loss!"

 

"It's fine.  The ball's still in there, so I'm only bleeding from one hole," he gasped.

 

"Oh.  One hole.  That's all right then."  Blair slid his shoulder underneath Norrington's other arm.  "Come on, we're almost there."

 

They had almost reached the end of the alleyway when a yowl rent the air and something ran up Blair's leg and leapt away, digging a thousand claws in as it went.  He shrieked with the shock of it.

 

Norrington hissed with pain as Blair jerked to one side to escape the claws.  "What are you doing?  Sparrow is a Sentinel!"

 

Blair resisted the urge to grab at his perforated leg.  "It wasn't my fault!  I think I tripped over a demon."

 

"What would a demon be doing lurking in an alleyway?"  The pain from his wound was evident in his voice and Blair hurriedly straightened up, giving the commodore more support.

 

"Waiting for me to trip over it, obviously!  It must be in league with Sparrow!"

 

"Well, shhh...we don't want him hearing us."

 

Blair fell silent.  He didn't want the Sentinel to find them either.

 

~'~

 

After disposing of the pirate who had shot Jamie, Jack swung around to look for his Guide but the spot were Jamie had been standing was empty.  His eyes narrowed as he thought back.  There had been another man standing with Jamie - another Guide; the one from the fort today.  He fought his way past the last few desperate pirates until he reached where his Guide had been standing.  Looking down, his sharp eyes spotted the drops of blood left behind when the two Guides had fled.

 

The hairs on the back of his neck pricked up and he spun to face the danger behind him.  A Watchman was there!  He sniffed.  A Watchman...and a Sentinel.

 

For a few seconds the two Sentinels weighed each other up, ignoring the dying battle going on around them.

 

"The other one yours, is 'e?" Jack asked, a jerk of his head indicating the spot where the two Guides had last been seen.

 

The Sentinel nodded.  "And Commodore Norrington is yours."

 

"That's right.  Got a problem with that?"  Jack watched carefully.  If he had to fight this Sentinel for his Guide, he would.

 

There was a shake of the head.  "As long as you leave my Guide alone, you can take yours and welcome to him."

 

Jack nodded.  The Sentinel was telling the truth.  "Let's go then."

 

~'~

 

As they followed the drops of blood away from the pier, Jim glanced at his temporary companion.  He had not attempted to introduce himself and, if this was the Sentinel that Norrington had mentioned, he was supposed to be in jail.  "I'm Jim Ellison, Captain Ellison, of the Watch."

 

The figure beside him tightened with tension.  "Jack."

 

"Just Jack?"

 

"Just Jack, savvy?"

 

Jim nodded.  He doubted if this Sentinel would remain in Port Royal once he had his Guide and that was fine with him.  He did not know why the Sentinel was supposed to hang in the morning; he could not believe it was simply for being a Sentinel and wanting to bond with the commodore - Norrington had not struck him as being an unfair man.  But, as long as Jack did not stop him from bonding with Sandburg, he was prepared to look the other way as the Sentinel collected his Guide.  If Jack had been intending to hunt Sandburg, though, he would have handed him over to the nearest Watchman.

 

They passed a group of drunken men and Jim inhaled carefully, filtering out the smell of booze; he could not detect the scent of either Guide upon them.  He heard Jack sniffing the men too and knew that he was searching for the same scents as he was.  Fortunately for the men, they had either not encountered the Guides or they had given them a wide berth.

 

They were not far from the fort when the bloodstains veered off into an alleyway.  Jack look puzzled for a second but his face cleared when Jim reminded him of the drunkards they had passed.  Obviously Sandburg had taken care to avoid meeting them.

 

A shriek of pain caught both of their attentions and the two Sentinels sped into the alleyway.  Jim recognised the voice of his Guide and relaxed slightly as he heard him bickering with Norrington.  He couldn't be badly hurt if he was able to argue.

 

The scent of Norrington's blood reached them far more clearly now, and the two Sentinels quickened their steps.  Jim thanked God that it wasn't his Guide who was bleeding, but he ran faster anyway.  Jack would not be interested in getting to Sandburg, therefore his Guide might escape while Jack's was caught.

 

The sound of a scuffle greeted him as he rounded the corner two steps behind Jack.

 

~'~

 

Blair was horrified when his fellow Guide was firmly grabbed by his Sentinel.

 

"Easy there, Jamie, I've got you."

 

Norrington recovered from the shock quickly, although his voice sounded forced, "It's Commodore Norrington to you, and you can let go of me!"

 

Valiantly, Blair threw himself forward, intending to wrench the Sentinel away from his wounded companion.  However, his best laid plan went astray when two strong arms encircled him mid-leap and yanked him back to rest against a taller, stronger body.

 

In the moonlight that was flooding the alleyway now, Blair saw the gold flash of a grin that the pirate Sentinel sent his way.  "You've got your Guide, Ellison, I've got mine.  I suggest we part company now."

 

"Agreed!"

 

The voice was terse and Blair could hear the Sentinel scenting him, snuffling at his hair.

 

"Let go!"  Blair wriggled, but was dragged away in spite of his struggling.

 

The last he heard from his fellow Guide was a muffled curse that was half a cry of pain, followed by a soothing,  "Now, now, Jamie, just relax.  I'll get you back to the Black Pearl in no time."

 

Held securely by his own Sentinel, Blair had no chance to escape as he was taken back to the nearest inn.  The fighting had long ceased in this quarter of town, and the inn was quiet and looked relatively undisturbed.

 

"A room!"

 

Blair's breath quickened as his panic grew.  His struggles were getting him nowhere, but the leering look the landlord had sent him promised no help even though the landlord had quite the wrong idea.

 

"You can't do this!  I won't - you can't!"  Blair's earlier doubts were lost in his terror as he kicked at the stairs, pushing the man behind him back although the grip around his torso never loosened.

 

"Settle down, Guide."

 

Unsurprisingly, he refused and continued to keep them from the stairs, and the private rooms upstairs, by the use of his feet.

 

The Sentinel growled warningly in his ear, then suddenly released him.  Before Blair could do anything with his brief freedom, he was spun on the spot and upended over the Sentinel's shoulder.

 

Half-dazed at his change in position, he grabbed at the back beneath his face, trying to ground himself somehow.  He realised that his position had worsened, although he wouldn't have thought it could.  Held over Ellison's shoulder, he was even more helpless than before, and they were going upstairs.  Blair wriggled frantically from side to side, hoping to tip himself free in spite of the arm that was hugging his knees, but the Sentinel remained steady and they continued along the hall.

 

"I'm afraid the bridal suite is occupied...gentlemen, but I'm sure this room will be to your liking."  The oily voice of the despicable landlord made Blair feel sick.  The man believed that he was leaving him to be raped and wouldn't raise a hand to save him.

 

"This will suffice.  Thank you."  From the clipped tones of the Sentinel, he had no more liking for the landlord than the Guide had, although that was small comfort in his present circumstances.

 

"No!"  Blair kicked and wriggled some more as he grabbed for the doorframe.  This was not going to happen to him!  His hands were wrenched free as the unstoppable force that was the Sentinel continued into the room then turned to slam and lock the door.

 

There was silence for a few seconds, then his world tipped again and he was flat on his back on the bed.  Horrified, he rolled to one side, but the Sentinel was quicker than he was, and two long arms wrenched him back and pinned him to the unsanitary mattress.

 

Since he couldn't run, Blair went for his second line of defence and tried to talk his way out of it.  "Look, this mattress is probably years old - who knows what it'll do to your senses!"  He stared up into the Sentinel's face, half-fascinated by the feral look, and half-terrified as that feral look was aimed at him.  "Feathers, bedbugs...you should complain!"

 

The face above him tightened as the Sentinel inhaled.  The mouth opened too as his scent was tasted and Blair's fears grew.  Forget fascination, all he was feeling now was panic.

 

His arms were pinned to the mattress so he bucked, trying to force the Sentinel away from him.  "You're not going to do this!"  Bucking again, he realised his mistake when his throat was exposed briefly, but that brief second was all it took.

 

He gasped at the bite to his neck, then moaned as endorphins rushed through his brain and the resistance left him, his mind melting into acceptance.  Slowly his eyes drifted shut as the sensations of bonding over-ruled everything.  He tilted his head back into the still-unsanitary mattress and eagerly welcomed the mind that was flowing into his with a determination to possess, to own, that would have terrified him only a few short seconds ago.

 

~'~

 

James gasped with shock as a gold-toothed Sentinel loomed up out of the darkness of the alleyway and grabbed hold of him firmly.

 

"Easy there, Jamie, I've got you."

 

"It's Commodore Norrington to you, and you can let go of me!"

 

As he had expected, Sparrow ignored him, instead flashing a smile at Captain Ellison.  "You've got your Guide, Ellison, I've got mine.  I suggest we part company now."

 

"Agreed!"

 

"Let go!"  Mr. Sandburg struggled but it was obvious to James that the Sentinel was far stronger, and the pair quickly disappeared out of sight.

 

Hoping that Sparrow was distracted by the other Sentinel, James attempted to wrench himself free, but only succeeded in causing a flash of pain to run through his shoulder.

 

"Now, now, Jamie, just relax.  I'll get you back to the Black Pearl in no time." 

 

James gritted his teeth against the pain and against the annoyance of having such a soothing tone used towards him.  If only he hadn't been injured!  However, he had and, in spite of his struggles, he was forced to submit to being helped along the alleyway by the Sentinel who was determined to claim him.  "Where are you taking me?"

 

"Back to the Black Pearl, Jamie.  Once I've got you tucked away, safe and sound, I'll fetch a doctor for you."

 

"The fort is closer."  James didn't think that Sparrow would fall for it, but he had to try.

 

"They'd never let me in the gate...or rather, they'd never let me out again."  Sparrow flashed a grin at him.  "Your Sentinel's too wily a bird to fall for that one, mate, 'though I don't blame you for tryin'."

 

The pain was making him feel sick but he had to keep talking.  Surely he could dissuade this pirate from such a foolish course of action.  "A bond between us is impossible!"

 

"Nothin's impossible, Jamie, if you put your mind to it."  There was a pause as the Sentinel inhaled then, "And your scent tells me our bond is very possible.  So don't you worry about that, savvy?"

 

James tried once more to wrench himself free but Sparrow had taken his good arm and was holding it across his shoulders, another strong arm wrapped around his waist, making any struggle of his ineffective.  Nevertheless, he continued to try, and gritted his teeth against the nausea that was rising in him.  He swallowed and hoped that he wouldn't be sick - then hoped that he would if there was a chance it would put the Sentinel off!

 

As the lights of the pier came in view, James increased his struggling.  They were not close enough for any cry for help to be heard, but surely if he could break free he could get close enough.

 

Sparrow seemed to know what he was thinking and they veered away from the port down a narrow path that led them to a small beach.  The lights of the pier could still be seen in the distance but only a Sentinel could have heard him shout from where they were.

 

"Jack!  What are you up to now?"

 

James turned his head at the impatient tone and stared in astonishment at the man who had spoken.  "Mr. Gibbs!"

 

"Commodore Norrington!"  Almost by instinct it seemed, Gibbs straightened up and saluted.

 

"I see you two know each other," Sparrow said, another grin shining out in the moonlight.

 

James gazed blearily at the man then turned his head to look at the lights on the pier.  So near, yet so far, from safety.  They danced in front of him, taunting him with their beckoning haven, as the blackness grew deeper around them.

 

"Jamie?  Jamie?"  There was a sigh.  "'Elp me get 'im in the boat, 'e's almost out of it."

 

"You can't kidnap the commodore, Jack.  'Eeap o' trouble, kidnappin' an officer."

 

James would have agreed with him but the darkness surged up and swept him away.

 

~'~

 

By the time James regained consciousness, he was flat on his back and he wished he hadn't bothered waking up.  His head was aching, he felt hot all over, and someone was poking at his shoulder with a red hot iron.

 

"Jamie?"

 

The red hot iron was removed and he opened his eyes slightly.  There was a man bending over him, a man he didn't recognise, although he'd definitely heard Sparrow's voice.

 

"It won't be long now, Mr. James.  Just hold still."

 

The prodding resumed although the man did not appear to have a red hot iron in his hands, instead he was wielding a scalpel.

 

Of course...he'd been shot.  This man must be a doctor.  James regretted his decision to wake up even more as the doctor probed inside his shoulder.  He groaned.

 

Instantly, the probing stopped and the doctor could be heard spluttering indignantly.  James opened his eyes to see the doctor being shook back and forth by an irate Sentinel.

 

"You're hurting 'im!"  Sparrow looked feral.

 

"Please, Captain Sparrow!  It can't be helped; the ball must be removed."

 

Finally, the doctor was released and allowed to turn back to James.

 

James gritted his teeth.  He was an officer, a commodore, he could deal with this pain.  He dug his fingers into the mattress beneath him and held on as the doctor investigated his shoulder again.  Surely the man could not take much longer!

 

"Ah!  I have it!"

 

The probing stopped for a second then he felt a tug deep inside his shoulder.  The pang of pain it sent through him was stronger than any he'd had before and he gratefully fell into the approaching blackness again.

 

This time when the darkness receded, James came around enough to be more aware of his surrounding.  To his surprise, the doctor was still there, as was Sparrow, although James wasn't surprised about that in the slightest.  He'd barely opened his eyes before Sparrow moved forward to lean over him solicitously.

 

"Welcome back, mate.  Your shoulder's all bound up now and once you've drunk this potion the doc's made up for you, you can go back to sleep."

 

James forced himself to talk.  "Fort."

 

"No, Jamie, just relax.  You ain't going nowhere for a while yet."  Far more gently than James would have expected, Sparrow slid an arm under him and lifted him slightly.  "Come on, mate, drink this.  It'll put 'airs on yer chest."

 

James tried to turn his head away as a glass was held to his lips.  He did not doubt that the potion was a sleeping draught and he had no intention of sleeping.  He needed to talk to the doctor, possibly enlist his help - at the very least get him to carry a message back to the fort for him.  However, his hopes were dashed as Sparrow far too easily held his head in place and tipped some of the noxious mixture into his mouth.  He struggled weakly but was forced to swallow or choke.

 

"That's the dandy, Jamie.  Just a bit more now!"

 

He glared at Sparrow as more of the awful stuff was poured in.  He'd like to see the Sentinel drink this stuff - it'd be hell with his enhanced sense of taste.  Finally, the glass was empty and James sighed as he was laid down again.  Through the swimming in his head, he heard the doctor speak.

 

"I presume one of your sailors will be able to row me back to Port Royal, Captain Sparrow?"

 

"Back?"  The pirate sounded surprised.

 

"Of course.  I have patients to tend to."

 

"You 'ave a patient to tend to 'ere, mate, and you ain't goin' nowhere until 'e's well!"

 

James smiled as he slid into the depths of a drugged sleep.  Perhaps he and the doctor would be able to help each other after all.

 

~'~

 

Blair sighed and snuffled his face into something soft as he slowly came back to consciousness.  Memory, however, flooded back and his eyes shot open dispelling the last wisps of sleepiness.

 

The room was filled with a dusty light as the sun struggled to break through the dirt on the windows.  Remembering the state of the mattress, Blair leapt off the bed hurriedly.  If he hadn't been too tired to move after bonding, he would never have slept on that bed.  He relaxed as he realised that he had actually been sleeping on Captain Ellison's coat, and the large garment had lain between him and that mattress.  He guessed he had his Sentinel to thank for that.  Talking of whom....

 

With perfect timing the door opened and his Sentinel walked in, a large jug of water in his hand.  "Good morning, Chief."

 

"Hello."  Blair hovered, uncertainly, at the other side of the bed.  He had no idea of the etiquette of these situations as, while there were whole stacks of books that covered the etiquette for every occasion, Sentinel and Guide etiquette rules were unwritten.  Part of his mind followed that train of thought, wondering why and whether he should write a book about it, while the rest of his mind shrieked in unremitting panic about his situation.  If he had been by the door and not trapped on the other side of the room, he would have bolted.

 

His Sentinel looked him up and down and Blair had no doubt that his extreme nervousness was being picked up on.

 

Considering the situation, the conversation was amazingly banal.  "The service in this inn is abysmal."  Captain Ellison poured some water into the cracked bowl on the washstand.  He swilled it around for a few seconds then carried across the room and attempted to open the window with one hand, then, "Here, hold this."

 

Blair automatically took the bowl and looked down into it.  He wasn't surprised the captain wanted to clean it out before washing in it as disturbed dust was floating on top of the water, changing its clarity into a murky grey.

 

He watched as Captain Ellison struggled with the window, then crossed to the washstand and put the bowl down.  Returning, he ignored the sudden stillness that had filled his Sentinel, and leaned in to put his hands on the window frame itself.  "Now try."

 

Between them, they managed to force the window open, the protest from its rusty hinges showing that it had been many a day since it had been opened last.

 

"This must be the worst inn in Port Royal!" Blair exclaimed.

 

Captain Ellison paused, the bowl in hand, "I didn't exactly look it over before asking for a room."  A faint redness crept up his cheeks and he turned back to the window and poured the dirty water out.

 

An outraged cry was heard from below and Blair dived forward to see who it was, then giggled like a loon when he realised that the wet 'gentleman' below was the landlord of this fine establishment.

 

Laughter shook the large frame of his Sentinel and, as the landlord looked up and shook a fist at the open window, the two of them hurriedly ducked back out of sight.

 

"Serves him right!" Blair said, grinning widely.  "It's probably the first bath he's had this year."

 

"You mean the first bath he'd had this past decade!" Captain Ellison retorted, laughter still in his voice.  "Get washed quickly and we'll get out of here.  I do not want to stay and taste the food."

 

Blair shuddered.  "I doubt if we'd survive it."

 

The sounds of washing broke the awkward silence that had filled the room after their momentary alliance against the window and, as Captain Ellison took his turn at the washstand, Blair moved over to the bed and gathered up the thick coat that lay there.

 

He waited until the captain had finished then held out the coat.  "Thank you, Captain," he said, hoping it was obvious what he was thanking him for.

 

"You're welcome, and it's Jim."

 

"Jim."

 

"C'mon, Chief, I'll buy you a breakfast at the King's Arms."

 

One warm hand rested on his shoulder and guided him into the passageway.  Blair smiled at the thought, his stomach rumbling in approval.  That had been the inn he had briefly visited originally and their cooking had smelt divine, although he had never had a chance to taste it.  The only time he'd come back to town had been to see Norr - "Oh, Lord!"

 

"What?"

 

He looked up into Jim's concerned face.  "Commodore Norrington!  We have to go to the fort and tell them what happened.  Lieutenant Gillette will probably clap us in irons!"

 

Jim was smiling again.  "Don't worry, Chief.  I'll protect you."

 

~'~

 

By the time they reached the fort, the excellent breakfast his Sentinel had insisted he eat was lying heavily on Blair's stomach.  Getting in to see the authorities posed no problems at all as Governor Swann was at the fort and saw them approach.

 

Blair kept his eyes on the ground when he saw him coming.  He really didn't want to have to deal with the governor right now.  While his irregular birth didn't bother him, he knew that there were far too many people ready and willing to make a fuss about such a commonplace thing.

 

"You're bonded then!"

 

Blair looked up in surprise as Governor Swann came to halt in front of him.  He sounded pleased.

 

"Capital, capital!"  The governor enthusiastically hands with them both before continuing, "I shall be able to boast that I had Captain Ellison's Guide staying with me when they first met.  I shall, you know!  I've already had Lady Denby asking if it was true.  Just wait until the news gets around the town."  He paused and leaned in closer to murmur confidentially to Blair, "I've never met a Sentinel and Guide before, so it's just as exciting for me!"

 

Blair felt a laugh begin to bubble its way up into his throat.  Only the governor could be this excited about that chain of events.  "Oh...your vase...I'm truly sor-"

 

"Think nothing of it!  What's a Ming vase compared to the excitement of seeing a Sentinel and Guide meet for the first time?  Lady Denby was positively green with envy - I swear she was!"

 

Glancing up at Jim, Blair could tell that he was on the verge of laughter too.

 

"Oh my goodness, I completely forgot!"  The governor looked dismayed.  "Have you come to help search for Commodore Norrington?  He's missing you know - heat of the battle.  No one knows where he is at all!"

 

"Actually, sir, we believe we know where he is."  Jim's voice was calm.

 

"Already?  I say, you fellows don't waste any time, do you?  Well, come in, man, come in.  You too, Blair.  Lieutenant Gillette will be more than happy to see you both."

 

Following on the heels of his Sentinel, Blair muttered, "I doubt that."

 

It seemed that the lieutenant doubted it too.  Upon hearing that his commodore was a Guide who had been claimed by the Sentinel hunting him, speech deserted him for a full three minutes.  Finally, after a gulp of brandy, Gillette managed, "He was claimed?!  Well...we have to get him back!"

 

The frown on Jim's face was obvious, as was the warning tone in his voice.  "Commodore Norrington was claimed by his Sentinel.  'Getting him back' is not an option."

 

"He's a Commodore in the King's Navy - not some...some..." one hand waved vaguely in Blair's direction, "writer for a newspaper!"

 

The growl that erupted from Jim's throat got all of their attentions and even seemed to dim the governor's excitement for a few minutes.

 

"No disrespect intended to Mr. Sandburg, of course!" Lieutenant Gillette hurriedly added.  "I just meant that he has a certain position...and duties - he can't just abandon them!"

 

"He hasn't abandoned them!" Blair put in indignantly.  "We were on our way back to the fort when Captain Sparrow -"

 

"That pirate?!"  The lieutenant hastily took another gulp of brandy.

 

"That pirate is a Sentinel," Jim growled.  "He found and claimed his Guide.  As you know, Lieutenant Gillette," he advanced to stand over the shorter man intimidatingly, "Sentinel law supercedes civil law.  He has claimed Commodore Norrington as his Guide and there's nothing you can do about it."

 

"Well, I know that but...."  The lieutenant's voice trailed off.

 

"I'm quite sure that Commodore Norrington will wish to return to Port Royal, if only to assure you of his well-being," Jim continued.

 

"Oh yes!  Norrington's a good man - he'd never leave us all hanging!" the governor said.  Then added hastily, "In a manner of speaking."

 

Lieutenant Gillette looked as though he was about to add another protest but Jim overruled him firmly.

 

"It's done.  Captain Sparrow will take good care of his Guide, you may be sure of that.  Now, I have to find Captain Banks.  Chief."

 

Blair allowed Jim's hand to draw him to the door.  In truth, there were a few uncomfortable thoughts buzzing around his own head and he wanted time to sort them out.

 

"Good day to you, Governor, Lieutenant."

 

It wasn't until they were outside the gate that Blair spoke again.  "What will happen if Captain Sparrow is captured?  He's a pirate - they'll hang him, then what will happen to Commodore Norrington?"

 

"It's not as simple as that, Chief.  Sparrow's a bonded Sentinel now.  While he may be wanted for piracy under the King's law, as a bonded Sentinel he can't be hanged for it as it would be condemning his Guide to death too.  As his Guide is a Naval Officer and not a pirate, that would never be tolerated."

 

"You don't think Captain Sparrow bonded with Commodore Norrington just to save his neck, do you?"  Blair was furious at the thought.  While he was rapidly coming around to the idea of being bonded, not that he'd had much choice, the idea of a Sentinel bonding for ulterior motives was a repugnant one.

 

"No!"  Blair was pulled to a halt as Jim stopped in the middle of the street.  "Sparrow was free; he could have escaped from Port Royal with no one the wiser.  He deliberately went looking for his Guide.  And I wouldn't be surprised if Sparrow came here looking for Norrington.  It's possible that he knew his Guide was in Port Royal."

 

Jim started walking again but Blair stayed still.  "How would he know?  Did you know I was here?"  He blinked at the wide grin he got in reply.

 

"I knew you'd arrived although I wasn't sure where you were.  I had an itchy feeling."

 

Blair allowed himself to be escorted along the street, a half-indignant look on his face.  "You could have got a lotion from the doctor for that, you know.  Just think of all the trouble you'd have saved yourself!"  Itchy feeling indeed!

 

~'~

 

Jack inhaled deeply as he sailed the Black Pearl into the port of Tortuga, revelling in the smells and sounds that greeted him.  He liked Tortuga.  He was quite sure that his Guide would not like Tortuga but he'd never allowed the small things to bother him.  He frowned suddenly.  He was quite sure that the pirate infested port would love to give Commodore Norrington a hot welcome - and not a pleasant one.  Jack made a mental note to destroy what was left of Jamie's uniform jacket.  If he did allow Jamie to enter Tortuga, the commodore would go as Jack's Guide.

 

His Guide.  He could feel his smile growing even wider at that thought.  Jamie was on the mend, and very irritable, although Jack was sure that was due to his capture and impending bonding rather than his shoulder wound.  That was mending just as it should, thanks to him keeping the doctor on board.  Naturally, the doctor had put up a protest, stating that he had patients to tend to in Port Royal - all of whom were far more likely to pay their bill than a pirate on a pirate ship - but Jack had dismissed the man's concerns.  His Guide's welfare came first!

 

He'd guessed that Jamie would try to persuade the doctor to help him escape, or give him a message to bear back to Port Royal for him - probably to let his men know where he was so that they could come to his rescue - but Jack had been too smart for that and he'd made sure that Jamie and the doctor were never left alone.  Although it was possible that Captain Ellison of the Watch had already told Jamie's men where he was.

 

Jack frowned.  It was possible that Ellison had not told them anything - after all, he would have to admit to his part in leaving Jamie in Jack's more than capable hands.  Not that Jamie's men would see it that way.  Of course, Captain Ellison would be as well aware as Jack was that Sentinel law would not allow them to interfere once he and Jamie were bonded.  The only way they could stop him would be by hanging him before he could bond with his Guide.

 

Shrugging, he dismissed those concerns.  It was a fine day, the Black Pearl was his to command, Tortuga was beckoning, and his Guide was below decks and would soon be well enough for bonding.  All in all, it was a good day.

 

~'~

 

James would not have agreed with that.

 

So far, he had endured having the shot ball removed from his shoulder - although that was a necessity.  After that, he had had a pirate Sentinel hovering over him night and day.  The man had even insisted on feeding him!  James admitted that he had been quite shaky for the first couple of days after his surgery, but the doctor would have been more than capable of tending to him.  Oh no!  The doctor was only allowed near him when his dressings required changing or Sparrow was convinced James' temperature had risen.

 

His temperature had risen quite a lot lately but that, James was sure, was due to his temper and not due to any infection.

 

James scowled.  He had not even been able to pass a message to the doctor as they were never left alone!  And, he was sure, if he did manage to ask the doctor to pass on any information for him, it could lead to the man being stranded on board the Black Pearl for the rest of his life - or dropped off in some remote part of the Caribbean in order to stop him passing the message on.

 

A thought struck him and James sat up straight, then winced at the pull on his shoulder.  Captain Ellison!  He knew what had happened that fateful night in Port Royal, Mr. Sandburg too.  Surely one of them would have contacted Governor Swann or the fort?

 

"Jamie!"

 

The door burst open, Sparrow barrelled his way in and skidded to a halt by his bedside.

 

James raised an eyebrow.  "Is something wrong?"

 

"I was about to ask you that, matey.  Your 'eartbeat sped up."

 

He was appalled.  "You were listening to my heartbeat?"

 

Sparrow grinned and winked as he sat on the edge of the bed.  "I always do, Jamie.  Your 'eartbeat's very soothing."

 

"Well!"  Of all the nerve!  "I find it to be most invasive listening to my heartbeat without so much as a by your leave!"

 

"Jamie!"  The irritating pirate lolled at his leisure.  "You're my Guide, of course I listen to your 'eartbeat."

 

James scowled and looked past the Sentinel to gaze out of the window.  Realising for the first time that they were somewhere as opposed to simply 'at sea', he demanded, "Where are we?"

 

The relaxed attitude disappeared although Sparrow didn't move.  "Tortuga."

 

A port!  There was silence for a few seconds as James looked at his chance of escape, well aware that the Sentinel was watching him.  "I suppose you'll be letting Dr. Anderson go now."

 

"Probably."  The tone was careful.

 

"In Tortuga?  Or will you be sailing back to Port Royal first?"

 

Sparrow's eyes met his, the gaze shrewd and assessing.  "No matter to you, Jamie, you won't be seein' either port until we're bonded."

 

James raised his eyebrows and resisted the urge to smile triumphantly at winning a point.  "I can see the port now, Mr. Sparrow, and we're not bonded."

 

That gold grin appeared as the Sentinel leaned forward.  "I can change that in a trice, mate!"

 

"Uh...no!"  James leaned back into his pillows, one hand clutching at his injured shoulder defensively.  "I'll take your word for it."

 

Sparrow moved closer.  "In any case, Jamie, it's Captain Sparrow, or Sentinel Sparrow or just Jack.  Savvy?"

 

He looked down, not willing to challenge the Sentinel.  Yet.  "Savvy."

 

"Good."  Sparrow stood and stretched.  "You need food."

 

"I'm not -"  He left the rest unsaid as the door swung shut leaving him alone.  He had no doubts that damned annoying Sentinel would insist on feeding him again too.

 

~'~

 

"Where are we going now?"

 

Jim smiled as he noticed the 'we'.  It seemed his Guide was accepting their bond quicker than he'd hoped.  "I want to introduce you to Simon and the rest of the Watch.  After that, we'll go to the governor's mansion and collect your belongings.  My lodgings -"  He stopped at the muffled sound of dismay from Sandburg.  "What's the matter?"

 

"My things - they're in Commodore Norrington's office!"

 

So his Guide had gone back the fort last night.  Jim felt relieved.  "We'll collect them after you've met Simon.  As I was saying, my lodgings are big enough for both of us and Mrs. Hudson will delight in having someone else to fuss over."  He stopped and grinned down into Sandburg's face.  "As a member of the Watch I can take care of myself, which limits her fussing."  He watched as that sank in and a look of dismay filled his Guide's eyes.

 

"Oh no!"

 

"Oh yes!  Her children left home years ago so she'll be pleased to meet you."

 

"Jim!  You'll have to protect me!"

 

"From Mrs. Hudson?"  Jim laughed.  "I'd sooner face a boatful of pirates."  He ignored the protests coming from his Guide and shepherded him into the building the Watch were based in.  "Don't worry, Chief.  She'll love mothering you."

 

"Oh, Lord!"

 

"No, this is Simon.  You remember Simon, don't you, Chief?"  He grinned at the look his Guide threw him.

 

"Of course I remember Captain Banks.  How do you do, sir?"

 

"So Jim found you, then?  I'm not surprised.  Although," a chastising look was cast Jim's way, "I would have preferred to know that as I still have half a dozen men patrolling the port."

 

"Sorry, Simon.  I had my mind on other things."

 

"I can imagine.  Well, come on in, Blair, let me introduce you around."

 

~'~

 

Blair felt rather nervous as he followed the tall captains around the Watch headquarters and was introduced to all the Watchmen there - all of whom were large.  Did the Watch only employ tall people?  He was feeling shorter by the minute.  However, everyone was friendly enough so he relaxed after a while.

 

The memory of the article he'd promised John came back and, not one to leave any opportunity ungrasped, he took his chance to question the men of the Watch, ignoring the rolled eyes of his Sentinel.  Even if he was never to return to London, he owed it to John to complete the article and send it back to him.

 

By the time he had all the information he could get - if not all the information he wanted - it was past time for luncheon and his Sentinel was making angry noises that suggested that his Guide had better come and get fed or face the consequences.  Accepting that life as a Guide apparently involved eating three good meals a day, Blair rolled up his parchments and tucked them safely inside his coat before following his Sentinel back to the King's Arms.

 

After that, it was a short walk to the fort to collect Blair's bags, and then Jim insisted that it was time for Blair to face Mrs. Hudson.

 

Blair hoped that Jim was exaggerating.  After all, Jim seemed to be a very practical man and how much fussing could a practical man put up with?  Surely if Mrs. Hudson was as much of a fusspot as Jim had claimed, the Sentinel would have moved by now?

 

He hadn't exaggerated.  As soon as Jim appeared in sight, Mrs. Hudson fell upon him with exclamations of relief.

 

"Captain Ellison!  I was so worried about you and the dear boys of the Watch!"

 

Blair hid a grin as he contemplated Captain Banks' face upon being referred to as a 'dear boy'.

 

"Those awful pirates were everywhere, Captain, everywhere.  Mrs. Chigley swears she saw one peering in through her bedroom window.  It gave her quite a turn, what with her in her stays and her husband out."

 

Blair's eyes widened, then he realised that she meant Mr. Chigley had not been in the house as opposed to not being in a corset.

 

"Fortunately, they didn't dare approach this house, dear Captain Ellison.  I dare swear it was because they know I have a Captain of the Watch here and they'd be hunted down like the dogs they are if they tried anything!"

 

Finally, Jim interrupted her description of exactly what he would have done to them, (hanging being the most charitable thing involved), and Blair found himself being introduced and clasped in her arms as she thanked the good fortune that had given Captain Ellison his Guide.  She could not have been more delighted to meet him had he been a long-lost member of her family.

 

Once he was released from the imprisonment of her hug, Blair's face was patted and his hair ruffled as the lady continued to exclaim out loud.  "Such a dear wee boy!" she cried, to Blair's displeasure.  "We must all be thankful that you never met up with those pirates, dear Mr. Sandburg, for surely it would have gone very badly for you if you had!"

 

Blair promptly tried to disabuse her of that notion.  "I was at the port as the pirates were driven back, Mrs. Hudson.  I was with Commodore Norrington -"

 

"Well, I'm sure the dear commodore, being such a brave man and all, managed to take good care of you!"  She patted his face again happily.

 

Finally, his Sentinel saved him from being smothered to death, and escorted him to the rooms he rented, leaving Mrs. Hudson to rush off and make tea and a few sandwiches to tide them over until dinner.

 

Once inside their rooms, Blair leaned against the door.  "How do you put up with that?"

 

Jim grinned.  "I told you, she doesn't normally fuss over me.  She only reacted that way today because of the pirate attack last night.  Fortunately for me, I had you to distract her."

 

Blair scowled.  "Lucky for you that we bonded last night then, or you would have been facing her on your own!"

 

He got another grin for that before Jim took his bag through a door on their left.  "This will be your room, Chief.  I hope you like it."

 

Blair followed him slowly.  He realised now why the Sentinel stayed here; the place was spotless.  Not one speck of dust disturbed the gleaming woodwork and the rooms smelt fresh and airy.  Then again, if he was a speck of dust, he would have done anything rather than settle in a place where he'd be forced to listen to Mrs. Hudson for any length of time.

 

~'~

 

"Well, Mr. James, your shoulder is well on the way to being mended, and there will not be any complications."  Doctor Anderson glanced at the Sentinel pirate who had been keeping him on board solely to tend to his injured Guide and hoped that the reassurances would be enough.  He turned his eyes back to the unhappy looking Guide in the bed and almost managed to feel sorry for him.  "So, I'll be taking my leave of you."

 

The Guide opened his mouth to answer but the Sentinel spoke first.  "Say goodbye to the nice doctor, Jamie."

 

From the glare Mr. James threw at Captain Sparrow, Doctor Anderson saw ructions ahead.

 

"Goodbye, Doctor Anderson.  Thank you for all your assistance."

 

"Not at all, Mr. James.  I'm glad I could help."  The doctor saw nothing wrong in lying to his patient.  The past few days had seen him held hostage by a madman whose only concern was for his Guide - not that Doctor Anderson hadn't expected that from a Sentinel.  It was the man's blatant insanity that had him worried.  And, the doctor fumed silently, given all the fighting in Port Royal the night he had been kidnapped, he'd missed out on quite a few paying patients.

 

"Norrington!"

 

The fragile silence that followed that was like glass, and the doctor broke it.  "I beg your pardon?"

 

The Guide looked challengingly at the Sentinel, who crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, smirking.  "My name is Norrington.  Commodore Norrington."

 

He felt his jaw drop.  His patient was Commodore Norrington...and he was on board a pirate ship?  Ignoring the last part, his snobbery asserted itself.  "Commodore!  What a pleasure to meet you.  I had no idea!  Of course, I've always been a firm admirer of yours.  The work you and your men have done in cleaning up Port Royal has been much appreciated by honest men like m-"  The doctor realised what he'd said and in whose company, and broke off.

 

"Aye.  Very glad us 'onest men have been to 'ave Commodore Norrington on our side," Captain Sparrow said, smiling widely.  "Now, Doctor, I'll show you to the pier."

 

Refusing to return to his earlier flattery, the doctor wished his patient a simple goodbye and left, hoping to Heaven that the pirate escorting him had not taken offence and intended to make him walk the plank.

 

His fears were groundless.  Once on deck, Captain Sparrow escorted him off the ship to where another pirate was waiting for him.  Doctor Anderson was even more astonished when Captain Sparrow paid him.

 

He gazed down at the gold coin in his palm and blurted out, "It's not stolen, is it?"  Horrified at his stupidity, he looked up into the pirate's smiling face.

 

"Now, mate, you don't ask, and I won't tell you."

 

The doctor gulped.  "Thank you, Captain Sparrow.  It's been a...pleasure."

 

"Mr. Gibbs 'as arranged passage on a boat back to Port Royal for you, and Kursar will show you where to find your boat."

 

"Once again, Captain Sparrow...thank you."  The doctor left before the bloodthirsty pirate could regret his generosity and murder him for the gold coin.

 

~'~

 

Below deck, James was fuming.  That damned doctor!  He told him who he was and what reaction did he get?  The social climbing doctor was thrilled to have tended to him!  It was enough to turn a man's stomach.

 

He stared out of the window at the alluring sight of Tortuga.  Normally, he'd never dream of going there but, at the moment, Tortuga represented freedom and a chance to escape the Sentinel who was determined to bond with him.  From where the room was situated at the stern of the boat, he could see the pier stretching away on his left, and he watched the doctor, that damned doctor, walking away.  Chewing the inside of his lip thoughtfully, he sank back against his pillows and reflected on his situation.

 

His shoulder, while still weak and painful, was not so bad as to incapacitate him.  If only there was a way for him to escape from Jack.  The Sentinel was constantly hovering over him with, James thought bitterly, an eager anticipation for their bond.  He scowled to himself and slid lower into the bed.  He had to come up with an escape plan!

 

His musings were interrupted by the Sentinel himself.

 

"Well, Jamie."

 

James watched him warily as he leaned against the doorframe.  What was he up to now?  That amused look of his could hide a thousand madcap plans.  "Jack."

 

"On behalf of all honest men, I just wanted to say thank you for ridding Port Royal of those dastardly pirates."  His imitation of the doctor was perfect.

 

James bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.  "Oh, go to Hell, Jack!"

 

"Already been there, mate."  With a grin and a wink he was gone.

 

~'~

 

"Jim!"  Blair threw open the door and rushed upstairs to find his Sentinel, leaving Mrs. Hudson exclaiming in his wake.  Finding the rooms empty, he rushed back downstairs.  "Mrs. Hudson, where is he?"

 

"The dear Captain left to see Captain Banks, Mr. Sandburg.  And I don't think he'd be pleased to see you worrying yourself over him like this!"

 

"Perhaps not, but I have to find him!"  Blair ducked her attempt to get him into her sitting room for a quiet cup of tea and raced out of the house.  Fortunately for him, he was built for speed while the lady was more of a majestic galleon, and he was gone before she could follow him.

 

Bursting into the headquarters of the Watch was probably not his best idea, but he ignored the half-drawn pistols that greeted him and demanded to know where Captains Ellison and Banks were.  He was pointed in the direction of Captain Banks' office and raced towards it only to meet his Sentinel running out.

 

"What's wrong?"

 

He skidded to a halt, helped by his Sentinel's hands on his arms.  "Lieutenant Gillette!"  He gasped a couple of times then continued, "The Pearl was seen in Tortuga - he's taking the Interceptor there to get Norrington back."

 

"Can he do that?"  The deep voice of Captain Banks interrupted them.

 

Jim shook his head.  "Once they've bonded, the bond can't be broken."  His hands moved gently over Blair's shoulders and head.  "Except by death."

 

Blair grabbed his wrists.  "And if one dies, the other follows."

 

Jim smiled and he knew that his Sentinel recognised the statement for the promise that it was.

 

"Can we stop him?"

 

He shook his head at Captain Banks.  "They were ready to sail when I saw them.  They'll be gone by now but," Blair looked up at his Sentinel, "we can follow them, can't we?"

 

"No.  Tortuga is out of our jurisdiction and Lieutenant Gillette is not breaking the law."  Jim gave him a one armed hug across his shoulders and steered him into Captain Banks' office.  "Sparrow will able to deal with Gillette.  He won't let anything happen to his Guide or his bond, you can be sure of that."

 

~'~

 

Jack pushed open the door with one foot and carefully angled the tray to avoid knocking it.  "Ready for your dinner, Jamie?"

 

There was a resigned look on his Guide's face.  "Will I get to hold my own fork this time?"

 

"You will indeed, mate.  I'll be 'oldin' me own."  He settled the tray across Jamie's legs and moved to take his tray from Joshamee.  "Thanks, Josh."

 

"Enjoy your dinner, Jack.  You too, Commodore."

 

Jack hid his frown.  While he was proud of his Guide's drive and ambition, it was bound to cause problems between them in the future.  However, for now he was going to eat dinner with his Guide so such concerns could wait.

 

"I'm impressed."  Jamie was looking his tray over.

 

"With?"

 

Jamie waved his good hand over the tray.  "Where did you steal your cook from?"

 

He laughed.  He'd known that Jamie had a sense of humour lurking beneath that uniform.  "Found 'im on board a pirate ship, mate.  Offered 'im a position aboard the Black Pearl which 'e was pleased to accept as 'is previous employer was a bit too addicted to port wine and was rapidly gettin' the gout."

 

He won a smile for that and secretly thrilled to it, hoping it signalled a thawing of his Guide's attitude.  While he was completely determined to bond with Jamie, come Hell or high water, Jack hoped that they could build a friendship outside of the bond.  And, although he made sure that not one hint of a doubt appeared in his confident attitude, he was not so egotistical as to assume that he could persuade Jamie to be friends against his will.

 

"Well, my compliments to the chef."

 

"I'll be sure to tell 'im."  Without making it too obvious, he kept an eye on his Guide making sure he didn't strain himself.  He had already cut the food up to make it easier and he had expected Jamie to make a fuss about it but, for once, his Guide let it go.

 

After dinner, he suggested a game of Piquet.  Jamie had been used to an active life and, while he couldn't move around the ship that much while he was still healing, Jack suspected that the boredom must be telling.  In a fit of gallantry, Jack even refrained from cheating as he would have sworn on his life that Jamie would never cheat at cards.  He knew that he was fortunate that Jamie fell asleep near the end of the game otherwise he would have had to face the ignominy of being capotted.  He could stand losing, but to lose by such a huge margin, especially to his Guide?  That would be hard to bear!

 

"'Ow is 'e?"

 

Jack gave Josh the trays and turned to shut the door, taking one last glance at his soon-to-be-bonded Guide.  "'E's fine.  'E's tired."

 

"That's to be expected, Jack, although 'e was lucky.  That shot could have 'it somethin' vital."

 

Jack's reply was unusually sombre.  "We were both lucky."

 

"Are you sure..."  His friend's voice trailed off at the look on Jack's face.  "Yeah, I guess you are sure.  Never one for the easy road, were you, Jack?  Couldn't find a pirate Guide who wouldn't 'ave to be snatched in the middle of a fight."

 

He grinned, his natural ebullience reasserting itself.  "You know me, Josh.  The challenge is 'alf the fun!"

 

~'~

 

By the time James awoke, the sun was streaming in through the window and bathing Tortuga in a clean sunshine that it totally did not deserve.  He grimaced.  He'd fallen asleep while playing cards with Jack - and he would have won! - and he still had not thought up a viable escape plan.  He guessed that Jack was not expecting him to try to escape, otherwise they would have been in the middle of the ocean again, making the attempt that much more difficult.

 

He gazed out of the window.  He could see the harbour at Tortuga but the rest of his view was filled with the wide open sea.  Suddenly he frowned and leaned forward slightly, his good hand automatically going up to hold his shoulder.  He knew that ship.

 

With a gasp that skirted the edges of pain, he recognised the Interceptor.  There was only one reason that he could think of for the Interceptor to be heading for Tortuga - to rescue her commodore.  Pushing back the covers, he slid from the bed and reached for his breeches.  Whatever happened, he had to be ready.  If nothing else, this might divert Jack long enough for him to escape.  If he jumped overboard the Interceptor would be bound to pick him up - and that would end the battle.  Whatever his faults, Jack would take no chance of harming his Guide; he would realise the sense in withdrawing and making another attempt to kidnap James again another time.

 

Once he was dressed, he had to stop and lean his head against the wall for a while.  He felt as weak as a kitten!  James shoved back the fatigue with determination.  He could take all the time he needed to rest later.

 

Footsteps caught his attention and he listened intently.  The Interceptor had been spotted; he could hear the pirates on deck hurriedly making ready to cast off, and someone was coming to check on him...or keep watch over him.  Half-panicking at the thought of it being Jack, he reached for the chamber pot and reeled towards the door.  If this was his only chance, he was determined to take it.

 

The door opened and Gibbs stuck his head in.  "Commo-"  The rest was lost as the brass chamber pot connected smartly with a loud 'BOING', and Gibbs collapsed in a heap on the floor.

 

James dropped the mercifully empty pot with a smile and reached for the pirate's sword.  He would have liked to take the pistol too, but that was in the front of Gibbs' belt and James did not have the strength to roll him over.

 

Swaying with the ship's motion, he made his way into the passageway and aimed for the stairs.  He had to get to the deck before -

 

"Goin' somewhere, Jamie?"  Jack smiled down at him from the top step.

 

"I'm leaving this ship, Jack."  He backed up as the Sentinel descended the stairs with a feline grace, and gulped as fear curled up from his stomach to wind itself around his heart.

 

"You're not goin' anywhere, mate.  You're my Guide."  His eyes flicked to one side.  "What did you use to take down Josh?"

 

"The chamber pot."

 

"Ah.  That was the noise I 'eard."  Jack nodded, looking pleased.  "Smart move, Jamie, I'm impressed."

 

"Regardless of how impressed you are, I'm leaving."  James waved the sword slightly.  "Move aside."

 

"Jamie, I can't let you do that.  The Interceptor is bearin' down on us and although my crew are good, your determined lieutenant might catch up with us.  I can't risk losin' you."

 

James voice was harsh.  "You've already lost me!"

 

"No, mate, we're almost out of time but we're not there yet.  All we 'ave to do is bond before the Interceptor arrives and there's no chance that you'll be taken from me."

 

"I won't let you do that.  Find yourself another Guide."

 

"I can't do that, Jamie.  You're my Guide."  The Sentinel smiled, his grin predatory, "I've been lookin' forward to this since I first scented you."  He moved forward, then stepped back as the business end of Gibbs' sword was waved in his face.  "If this is the way you want it, Jamie, this is the way it'll be."  He slid his sword free of its sheath and flicked it at James' blade.

 

James moved back.  He wasn't fool enough to think that he could defeat Jack right now - his shoulder was aching and he was having to fight with his left hand - but if he could hold him off long enough, maybe Gillette could board the ship.

 

"There's nowhere you can go, Jamie.  You'll 'ave to fight me sooner or later...or put up your sword now."

 

James gritted his teeth and made a lunge at Jack.  Still grinning, the Sentinel parried the thrust and knocked his blade aside.  Recovering, James made another pass but that met with the same fate.  His blade scratched the wall of the passageway and Jack frowned.

 

"Mind, Jamie!  We don't want to damage the Pearl."

 

If he'd had the breath to spare, James would have pointed out that he didn't care if they sank the Pearl as long as it stopped Jack, but he didn't, so he lunged forward again, hoping that this time his thrust would break through Jack's guard.

 

It didn't.  The lunge was blocked and James almost lost his sword with the shock of it.  Stepping back, he took the time to take a few breaths.  All of Jack's fencing had been on the defensive side so far, and he doubted if that was about to change.

 

"Gettin' tired, Jamie?"

 

There was an alluring sympathy in the Sentinel's voice but James shook it off and used it to fuel his anger.  He knew he was tired.  His breathing was noisy, his arm shaking with fatigue, but he was determined to avoid submitting and his anger was the only thing he had to keep him fighting longer.

 

For a second Jack's attention was caught by a noise from above and James took the opportunity to thrust forward once more.  Jack's attention snapped back just in time, and he caught James' blade with his, turning it aside at the last second and stepping in close to grab his Guide's wrist and force it down between them.  Panicked, James stepped back, but the iron grip on his wrist never faltered and he couldn't go far.

 

"It's time."  The Sentinel's tone was harsh and determined.

 

His sword was taken from his hand with an ease that suggested Jack had been playing with him before and there was a clang as the other sword was discarded.  James began to struggle, but Jack's wiry strength had not faded while his was all but gone.  If Jack hadn't been holding him up, James was sure he would have fallen to the floor by now.  Therefore, he was barely able to resist as he was forced backwards down the passageway and into another bedroom.

 

His panicked gaze registered the change in locale before settling back on the feral Sentinel in front of him.  "Jack, don't do this!"  Staring into the Sentinel's face, he wondered if there was anything of the man left.  The devilish gleam in the eye was gone, leaving them darkly intent, and the mocking smirk had disappeared leaving the teeth bared in what could only be described as a feral smile.  "Jack, please!"

 

The nostrils flared and the smile widened as the Sentinel pushed him down onto the bed and followed him down with a growl of, "Guide!"

 

"No!"  James writhed as much as he could as he tried to escape.  His good arm was pinned above his head, leaving only his weaker arm free.  Frantically, he ignored the pain shooting from his shoulder and threw his arm out trying to find something, anything, to use as a weapon, but his searching fingers found only the blankets.

 

Jack's free hand grasped his jaw with hard fingers and pushed his face to one side, leaving his neck exposed and vulnerable.  James jerked away as he was scented there, shouting out in anger and fear.  His incoherent protest turned into a moan, however, as the Sentinel caught the soft flesh with his teeth.  He wasn't biting down, not yet, but James hovered on the edge; his thoughts were still rational and reeling from the immensity of what was happening, but a flush of heat was filling him, luring him into letting go.

 

Trapped between the two emotions, he froze, overwhelmed with confusion, then cried out as the teeth bit down and Jack's mind plunged into his, shattering his barriers beyond repair.  He tilted his head further back as his mind tumbled happily into the bond, and felt lost in the swirling storm of memories and emotions that were pouring in from Jack's mind.  The room spun around him, seemingly caught up in the maelstrom that was filling his brain, he snapped his eyes shut to avoid the spinning sight and fell into the darkness.

 

~'~

 

"Jamie?"  Jack patted his Guide's face gently then smiled.  He didn't think Jamie would be waking up any time soon.  Carefully, he moved his Guide up the bed and opened up his shirt to check on the shoulder wound.  He peeled back the edge of the dressing and smiled again.  It hadn't broken open.  That had been the one thing he had worried about during bonding as he had not supposed that Jamie would give in without a fight.

 

Scowling suddenly, he leapt off the bed and stood between the door and the bed, tuning out the murmured protest from his Guide.  Whoever it was could not be allowed to approach his sleeping Guide.

 

The handle turned, the door opened, and Joshamee staggered in, one hand clutching his bruised head.

 

Jack relaxed slightly although he kept his place.  "'Ow's the 'ead?"

 

"Bloody sore - what did 'e 'it me with?"

 

"The chamber pot."

 

"Charming."  Josh rubbed his head ruefully.  "I'd expect better from a commodore, you know."

 

"At least it was empty.  Be grateful."  Jack smiled, gloating over his Guide's quick wits.

 

"That's a point."  A thought seemed to strike him and Joshamee looked around, "Where is 'e?"

 

Jack indicated the bed behind him with a jerk of his head.  "Sleeping."

 

"At a time like thi - you bonded?"

 

"Just in time too.  It sounds like the Interceptor are about to board us.  C'mon!"  Jack hustled Josh from the room then came back and covered Jamie up carefully, shushing the sleepy distress.  "I'll be back as soon as I can be."  Then, pausing only long enough to lock the door securely, he grabbed his sword and followed Joshamee up on deck.

 

As he had expected, the Interceptor had caught up with them and the boarding ropes were already being tossed across.

 

"Pirate!"

 

Jack grinned at Gillette.  "Lovely afternoon, isn't it, mate?" he called across.  "Come to visit my Guide, 'ave you?"

 

The frantic race to board the pirate ship stilled.

 

"That's right.  We're bonded."  Jack smiled, glorying in the beauty of the day.  "Now, you're more than welcome to come aboard and see my Guide - but I'd prefer it if you didn't use boardin' ropes to do it with.  'Ell on the woodwork, you know."  He watched as the other officers looked towards Gillette, waiting for orders as to what to do next.

 

"How can I take your word that you're bonded?  You might be lying!"

 

"It's entirely possible, mate, but Commodore Norrington wouldn't lie, would 'e?  So you'll just have to come aboard and ask 'im yourself.  Although you'll 'ave to wait to speak to 'im - 'e's sleepin' right now."

 

There was another pause, then Gillette moved forward.

 

Jack held up one hand.  "Unarmed, if you please.  Not that I don't trust you."

 

After a few seconds' hesitation, Gillette discarded his sword and pistol, then scrambled up and jumped lightly across to the pirate ship.

 

Smilingly triumphantly, Jack led him below deck and unlocked the door.  As he'd suspected, his Guide was fighting the exhaustion that was keeping him under, needing to wake up in order to search for his Sentinel.

 

Gillette made to step forward but Jack stopped him.  "You can see 'im when 'e wakes up.  Joshamee!  Take good care of our guest."  With that he stepped into the room and shut the door firmly before locking it.  Dismissing everyone else from his mind, he made his way to the bed and settled down, sliding his mind into his Guide's in order to shelter him from the crew's emotions.  "It's all right, Jamie.  Go back to sleep."

 

The fretful lines faded from Jamie's face and Jack smiled as he felt his Guide slip back into unconsciousness.  Jack stretched out on the bed and curled one arm possessively around the sleeping figure, then murmured, "I'm sorry about that, mate; I know you needed me 'ere.  Seems your lieutenant was anxious to know that you're all right."  He tightened his arm slightly and breathed in his Guide's scent, allowing it to soothe him.  "You'll be fine once you've rested up for a bit."

 

~'~

 

This time when James awoke, it was to the knowledge that no escape plan could help him now; he was bonded.  Oddly enough, he didn't mind it as much as he'd thought he would.  Jack's profession, if piracy could be called a profession, was the source of much concern but being bonded to Jack himself did not bother him in the slightest.

 

"Evenin', Jamie."

 

He turned his head to look at his Sentinel.  "Good evening, Jack."  He frowned.  "Was I dreaming or is Lieutenant Gillette on board?"

 

He got a grin for that.  "'E's on board, mate, and agitatin' to know 'ow you are."

 

"Oh, dear."  James supposed he would have to face him sooner or later.

 

"If you don't want to see 'im, you just say the word."

 

"I'll have to see him.  He'll never believe you that we've bonded."  He gave Jack a straight look and got another grin in return.

 

"You sayin' my word isn't good enough, Jamie?"

 

"Lieutenant Gillette definitely believes that!"

 

"All right, then, Jamie.  You want to face 'im, you can.  But if 'e says the wrong thing, I'm throwin' him off the Pearl, savvy?"

 

"Savvy, Jack."

 

"All right, then.  'E's in your cabin."  Jack smirked.  "I didn't like to leave an officer of the King's Navy wanderin' around the Pearl; 'oo knows what kind of trouble 'e'd get up to?"

 

"Jack?"

 

"Yes, Jamie?"

 

"I'm an officer of the King's Navy, remember?"

 

"'Ow could I forget, mate?" Jack replied, indignantly.  "I'll 'ave to lock you in your cabin every time I board a ship!"

 

James sat on the edge of the bed and regarded his Sentinel steadily.  "Seriously, Jack, this is going to be a problem."

 

"I know, Jamie, but what can I do?  I'm a pirate - it's what I do, it's what I know!"

 

"You could become a privateer instead."

 

Jack frowned.  "What's the difference?"

 

"A privateer doesn't attack English ships - only the ships of her enemies."

 

He rolled his eyes.  "So far, mate, that just sounds like a way to cut down on my profits with no benefits to me or my crew!"

 

"You and your crew wouldn't be pirates, you wouldn't be hanged for being pirates."  He had Jack's attention now.  "Officers of the King's Navy would not be obliged to arrest you upon sight!"

 

Jack thought about that for a second, then, "Because we'd be workin' for the King?"

 

"Unofficially, yes."

 

"Unofficially?"

 

"Well, if you were captured boarding a Spanish frigate, the Navy wouldn't be sent in to rescue you."

 

The grin flashed out again.  "Mate, if I can't rescue myself, I'd allow them to 'ang me!"

 

Something he'd wondered about came back to James at that point.  "Jack, how did you get out of that cell?"

 

"At the fort?"

 

James nodded.

 

"Bloody great cannonball came through the wall.  Nearly took my 'ead off."

 

"Good God!"

 

"That's what I said, mate.  Or words to that effect.  Now, we goin' to tell Gillette the good news about me and my crew becomin' privateers?"

 

James laughed at the thought of it.  "Jack, I hope you disarmed him.  He'll probably want to shoot you for it!"

 

"Don't worry, mate.  Your Sentinel already thought of that one."

 

~'~

 

James lifted his face to the breeze as the Black Pearl neared Port Royal.  Gillette had taken the news badly but he had accepted it in the end, and now the Interceptor was escorting the King's latest privateer ship into Port Royal.  He glanced over at his Sentinel who was happily steering his ship.  This was not the life he would have chosen, he was, after all, very happy being a Naval Officer, but Jack could never give up the Pearl.  And it wouldn't be a bad life.  He smiled suddenly.  At least with Jack there'd be no paperwork.  He suspected that Jack would throw him overboard if he tried to make him write a report.

 

Moving to the side of the ship he smiled as he saw Captain Ellison and Mr. Sandburg waiting for them.  So they had bonded after all.

 

"Glad to be back, Jamie?"

 

He didn't bother to turn his head.  Even if he hadn't recognised his Sentinel's voice, there was only one person who called him 'Jamie'.  "It'll be good to see Port Royal again.  Maybe meet my replacement."

 

"Whoever 'e is, 'e won't do as fine a job as you did, Jamie.  Port Royal was gettin' quite a reputation for 'angin' pirates."

 

James grinned and looked his Sentinel in the eye.  "I can only think of one pirate I failed to hang, Captain Sparrow.  It seems I had to settle for reforming him."

 

"Reformin'?"  That devilish gleam was back in his eye.  "Well, we'll 'ave to see about that, won't we?"

 

~finis~

 

19th December 2004