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dwgmHere's another little bit continuing that post-AWE Norrington A/U I wrote a while back. The original story is here.
~ A Clandestine Arrangement ~
"Hullo, former-admiral," said an all-too-familiar voice.
James looked up from his drink and narrowed his eyes. "Sparrow. I'd ask, To what do I owe this pleasure?, but that would seem too facetious."
The man only grinned and slid into a chair, setting a bottle of the tavern's finest rum on the table. "Thought I'd stand you a drink," he said, apparently determined to be amiable. "Haven't seen much of you since Will brought you back."
"I've been busy."
"As have I. Her nibs keeps us hoppin', don't she?"
"She does," James said, more mildly. Elizabeth had asked him to take a thorough survey of Shipwreck Island, using modern scientific methods, and he was aware that Sparrow had been working hard, too, sorting out the Cove's extensive library of maps and charts. "I’m surprised at the evidence of industry you've displayed these last weeks."
Jack shrugged. “I like cartography, hydrography, lots of those 'ographies. And no one's put a hand to that library in years. Bloody disgraceful, if you ask me."
James couldn't help quirking a smile at Sparrow's disgust. The pirate took note of it and scowled in return.
But he only said, "It's been weeks of work, and I've had it. For the moment at least. The Pearl's off at dawn."
"Off? Where?"
"Holiday, mate. Fishin' by day, feasting and rumfustian by night. There's a little scrap of an island about fifteen leagues from here that's a perfect paradise, good hunting, nice wide white sand beaches. Even a hot springs where one can bathe. What do you think?"
"It sounds delightful." It really did. James knew a pang of envy.
"Aye, of course, but what do you think? Are you coming or not?"
James stared. "You're inviting me?"
"Haven't I just been saying so?"
James stared some more. Felt his color rise and cleared his throat. Picked up his tankard and drank deep, then met Sparrow's eyes again, which were laughing now.
He was going to regret this.
"All right. At dawn?"
"Good man!" Sparrow exclaimed, and reached across to slap James on the shoulder. But then, settling in his chair again, the pirate looked about surreptitiously. "Just don't tell Lizzie, eh? We'll be back in a week -- she'll barely notice we're gone."
James had his doubts on that score, but he raised his tankard in a toast, anyway. "Mum's the word, I believe."
~.~
~ A Clandestine Arrangement ~
"Hullo, former-admiral," said an all-too-familiar voice.
James looked up from his drink and narrowed his eyes. "Sparrow. I'd ask, To what do I owe this pleasure?, but that would seem too facetious."
The man only grinned and slid into a chair, setting a bottle of the tavern's finest rum on the table. "Thought I'd stand you a drink," he said, apparently determined to be amiable. "Haven't seen much of you since Will brought you back."
"I've been busy."
"As have I. Her nibs keeps us hoppin', don't she?"
"She does," James said, more mildly. Elizabeth had asked him to take a thorough survey of Shipwreck Island, using modern scientific methods, and he was aware that Sparrow had been working hard, too, sorting out the Cove's extensive library of maps and charts. "I’m surprised at the evidence of industry you've displayed these last weeks."
Jack shrugged. “I like cartography, hydrography, lots of those 'ographies. And no one's put a hand to that library in years. Bloody disgraceful, if you ask me."
James couldn't help quirking a smile at Sparrow's disgust. The pirate took note of it and scowled in return.
But he only said, "It's been weeks of work, and I've had it. For the moment at least. The Pearl's off at dawn."
"Off? Where?"
"Holiday, mate. Fishin' by day, feasting and rumfustian by night. There's a little scrap of an island about fifteen leagues from here that's a perfect paradise, good hunting, nice wide white sand beaches. Even a hot springs where one can bathe. What do you think?"
"It sounds delightful." It really did. James knew a pang of envy.
"Aye, of course, but what do you think? Are you coming or not?"
James stared. "You're inviting me?"
"Haven't I just been saying so?"
James stared some more. Felt his color rise and cleared his throat. Picked up his tankard and drank deep, then met Sparrow's eyes again, which were laughing now.
He was going to regret this.
"All right. At dawn?"
"Good man!" Sparrow exclaimed, and reached across to slap James on the shoulder. But then, settling in his chair again, the pirate looked about surreptitiously. "Just don't tell Lizzie, eh? We'll be back in a week -- she'll barely notice we're gone."
James had his doubts on that score, but he raised his tankard in a toast, anyway. "Mum's the word, I believe."
~.~