His Green Eyes
Oct. 17th, 2007 08:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ericadawn16His Green Eyes 1/4
Summary: 25 years after The Twinkling of an Eye
Characters: James, OCs
Pairing: Norribeth, Willabeth, OCs
Rating: PG Some questionable themes and implications
Disclaimer: This is totally AU. Disney owns everything and Ted and Terry are wonderful guys so please don’t sue!!!
Comments: I admit it, Stephen is named after Stephen Colbert.
Chapter One
The Admiral was cautious about the weather after having lost a ship in such weather years ago. His flagship was tied up at the dock and he as well as all the crew were safely contained within a local tavern. He was perched before a window with a book, but he was too anxious to read. It felt as though something was going to happen today and he kept glancing up at his ship, making sure it was still there.
“Admiral!” cried Lieutenant Ellis, coming in through the open doorway. The commanding officer rose up immediately and had already grabbed his coat and hat by the time he reached Ellis to ask, “What has happened?”
“The Spanish galleon La Galga is sinking offshore,” the man informed him and the Admiral questioned, “But that’s a treasure ship.” They were in the hallway now as he put on his coat and hat and the Lieutenant explained,
“It was also carrying English prisoners bound for Spain.”
The older man nodded and ordered, “Ready the men and prepare the longboats.” He made one more stop before returning to his ship; he informed the proprietor of the inn who promised to tell the mayor and constable. The survivors would need food and lodging even if they were Spanish.
The scene was one he had seen many, many times before whether it was in the Caribbean or here on the border of the colonies of Virginia and Maryland. However, it was mostly men who varied from stoicism to screaming in the water as they clutched debris or were still clinging to the ship that was already half submerged. The prisoners had been released rather than let drown which he appreciated. It was an easy pattern of retrieval and taking them back to shore until he saw a young woman by herself who was definitely not Spanish. In fact, he felt as though he’d seen a ghost.
She was the spitting image of Elizabeth and couldn’t be anyone but Jessica Turner. Her green eyes appeared to be the only evidence of her paternity.
“Admiral!” cried one of his newest Lieutenants, Bently, who was still unsure of his place, “Admiral Norrington.”
James turned his full attention back to his men. However, he had already provided plenty of fodder for idle gossip no doubt. Their commanding officer was not known for ogling women.
“We have room enough for one more on the boat, sir,” explained Bently.
“Then, aim for that lady there!” James commanded and pointed towards Jessica as rain sprinkled down on them. As they made for shore, the last of the survivors were rescued and James was able to look at the young woman again. She wore a simple dress that he noticed was concealing a pistol and she had at least one knife because there was one in her boot. Her nails were short and her hands had definitely seen work…he had a sinking feeling that she took after Will and Elizabeth in occupation.
James held out his hand to help her out of the boat and onto the dock. It was reluctantly accepted and he led her out of hearing range.
“You had plans of robbing the ship,” he accused. Jessica looked surprised at first to his allegation before changing to defiance, “And what if I was?”
“Because I probably shouldn’t have expected anything less from Jessica Turner.”
Now, she did show genuine shock on her face before she asked, “How do you know my name?”
“I knew your parents,” he answered honestly. Sadness crossed her features and he guessed that Will was no longer in this world either.
“There’s a storm coming. You should take shelter,” James suggested, not quite sure what else to say. She nodded and started to walk toward town before turning back, “And who are you?”
“Admiral Norrington,” he replied which she acknowledged with another nod. He went back to his task of making sure everyone was safe, but his thoughts kept returning to Jessica and whether she’d been able to find a room. Hours later, as the wind picked up and the rain was bucketing down, James sloshed into his room except there was already someone in his bed. He hurriedly lit a candle and held it over the figure.
“Jessica,” he uttered with a sigh. There was nothing to be done though. He had to change out of his wet clothes before he caught cold in the damp Virginia air. Off to the side, he put on his nightshirt with a spare pair of trousers. James looked at the goose feather mattress and pillow with longing, but he took off his wig, set it carefully besides him and took a cloth bag of socks for a pillow. He awoke a few hours later by a thunderous crash that shook the building and sat straight up.
Jessica was in the same position until she turned to look at him.
“Why are you sleeping there?” she questioned and he saw that she wore his extra nightshirt.
“Because you have stolen the bed.”
“Only half needs to be mine; the other half could be yours,” Jessica said in a manner very much like her mother.
“…or I suppose it’s going to be heaving bosoms and bare ankles for the remainder of the voyage,” James whispered softly, remembering.
“I could not hear you,” she complained.
“It was nothing,” he mumbled, “just something your mother had said once.” He knew that look she now wore; she wanted to ask more so he distracted her by saying, “To most, it would appear highly improper for an Admiral of the King’s Navy to share a bed with a young, unmarried woman. When I told you my name, I wasn’t issuing an invitation.”
“Everywhere else was taken…but if you’d like me to leave,” she said as the wind sounded particularly fearsome.
“No, I couldn’t allow that either so I’ll remain on the floor.” Jessica gave him an incredulous look and threw him down the pillow before saying,
“I told them that I was your niece.” She turned away so that she faced the wall and he breathed in deeply. It was beyond belief that she was even here. He’d never thought he’d see her again.
All too soon the next day, were another set of knocks on his door.
“Sir, Admiral Norrington; we were…we are waiting for you downstairs to give us further orders,” stated the voice of Bently. James closed his eyes and groaned into the pillow. It seemed way too early for him to be that late. He rose to his feet and strode to the door where he plied it open just a crack. He didn’t realize he was wigless until Stephen’s eyes grew wide.
“Admiral, who is it?” asked Jessica in a sleepy tone. James let go of the door in surprise so that it swung back, exposing the young woman on the bed to his Lieutenant. He looked from one to the other and it was no use.
“Lieutenant Bently, this is Jessica…my niece who’s staying with me for the time being,” the older man explained as he shut the door, “And if I hear a single piece of gossip, you will be on watch every night for a month, do you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, now you will excuse me for a moment,” said James before entering his room again, shutting the door and quickly put the rest of his uniform on.
“Who was that?” asked Jessica, “You said a lieutenant of some sort?”
“Lieutenant Stephen Bently,” he confirmed, “who you will hopefully not see again and how long before you move on to the next town? The next plot?”
“You never know what the tide will bring,” she answered while shrugging, “and I don’t know where Billy is.” Of course, it all made sense now. She was on one ship of the fleet while her brother was on another. James nodded and left.
Jessica appeared to have no plans to leave whatsoever and he was torn between wanting her to stay forever and leave as soon as possible before things were found out. The gold was gone, sunk with the ship or having been pillaged by the townspeople themselves. Her room was now a separate one but she wasn’t far from his side as he was the only one she knew or trusted so she was accompanying him to the ball thrown by the governor of Virgina.
Her strawberry blonde hair was done up nicely and she’d allowed him to buy her a dress. It was one of the subtle differences he had started to notice between her and her mother. Elizabeth had never appeared comfortable in dresses, appearing happiest in trousers, but Jessica’s smile was brightest in the dress she wore now. They stopped in front of acting governor Thomas Lee.
“Why, Admiral, who is this beautiful creature you’ve enchanted to come with you?”
“This is my niece…” started James before she interrupted.
“Jessica Norrington” she said and offered her hand. He kissed it and spoke, “I hadn’t recalled that you had a brother, Admiral.”
“Sometimes I suffer from the same malady, sir,” James spoke and the other man gave him a strange look so he laughed as though it were a joke. It was a relief when the Governor found someone else to greet.
“Oh, there’s Bently,” Jessica remarked and he noticed a look on her face he’d never seen before. He looked at Bently who was also staring in her direction and knew that look. They were both smitten for each other. James wasn’t sure how it worked that two people could meet and that was the only person for them, but he’d seen it happen before with Elizabeth and Will.
The lieutenant walked over to them and with a nervous stammer, asked, “Mi-miss…Jess…Norrington, would you care to dance?”
There was a nervous giggle and she replied, “I’d love to.” Bently took her arm and led her away onto the floor. James was watching the two young people when he saw someone come alongside him.
It was Miss Morgan, a woman younger than Jessica who had taken to fancying him. With her brown curls and sweet smile, she could have any gentleman she wanted so he couldn’t imagine why she wanted him.
“Is she your daughter?” she asked in a polite manner.
“No, she is not,” he answered, “She’s my brother’s child.”
“Ah, then that’s it,” she rambled, “I knew I saw a resemblance…particularly with the eyes.”
Having her around, James was forced to admit such things, like Jessica tending to like propriety and rules as well as her height actually being an inch or two taller than her mother’s. He had been too silent because Miss Morgan laughed nervously as though she’d said something wrong.
There were eyes watching him and he knew he was expected to ask for a dance, but he didn’t want to lead her on or cause any hope for reciprocation of her feelings.
“Do excuse me,” he said despite her hurt face as she nodded. James caught a glimpse of Jessica and Bently before engaging the mayor in conversation. He hated these things almost as much as Elizabeth had, a necessary evil of a man of his position although it was made more pleasurable tonight by how Jessica was enjoying it except that had a lot to do with Bently. Bently…he wasn’t sure how to think about that. He was a nice enough boy, but…Bently?
Still, he wanted her to be happy. Then, he had to quickly engage Jacob Morgan in conversation before Robert Dinwiddie could approach. The Admiral knew that he should make his assumptions for himself with evidence gathered firsthand, but when so many people of whose opinion he trusted in the highest regard kept repeating their dislike of Dinwiddie, he couldn’t help sharing it as well.
“Lieutenant, could I have a word?” James asked the next day as Colin Ellis passed by his cabin aboard his flagship. The younger man entered and the Admiral shut the door behind them.
“What is your honest estimation of Lieutenant Bently?” he questioned as he took a seat at his desk and motioned for the other to take a chair.
"Well, Admiral, as a person, there is nothing bad to be said of him. He neither speaks badly of anyone nor displays any despicable traits," Ellis spoke, “However; he’s a weak officer, too concerned with being liked than what needs to be done.”
“And his personal life?” James inquired, knowing that it wasn’t proper as his superior but he wanted to know for Jessica’s sake. The younger man hesitated prior to answering, “All he ever talks about with regards to that is your niece, sir. He’s quite taken with her.”
James was afraid of that. Now that he had her back, he was going to lose her again which was selfish but how he felt, although could she even leave behind her pirate upbringing to marry an English officer?
Summary: 25 years after The Twinkling of an Eye
Characters: James, OCs
Pairing: Norribeth, Willabeth, OCs
Rating: PG Some questionable themes and implications
Disclaimer: This is totally AU. Disney owns everything and Ted and Terry are wonderful guys so please don’t sue!!!
Comments: I admit it, Stephen is named after Stephen Colbert.
Chapter One
The Admiral was cautious about the weather after having lost a ship in such weather years ago. His flagship was tied up at the dock and he as well as all the crew were safely contained within a local tavern. He was perched before a window with a book, but he was too anxious to read. It felt as though something was going to happen today and he kept glancing up at his ship, making sure it was still there.
“Admiral!” cried Lieutenant Ellis, coming in through the open doorway. The commanding officer rose up immediately and had already grabbed his coat and hat by the time he reached Ellis to ask, “What has happened?”
“The Spanish galleon La Galga is sinking offshore,” the man informed him and the Admiral questioned, “But that’s a treasure ship.” They were in the hallway now as he put on his coat and hat and the Lieutenant explained,
“It was also carrying English prisoners bound for Spain.”
The older man nodded and ordered, “Ready the men and prepare the longboats.” He made one more stop before returning to his ship; he informed the proprietor of the inn who promised to tell the mayor and constable. The survivors would need food and lodging even if they were Spanish.
The scene was one he had seen many, many times before whether it was in the Caribbean or here on the border of the colonies of Virginia and Maryland. However, it was mostly men who varied from stoicism to screaming in the water as they clutched debris or were still clinging to the ship that was already half submerged. The prisoners had been released rather than let drown which he appreciated. It was an easy pattern of retrieval and taking them back to shore until he saw a young woman by herself who was definitely not Spanish. In fact, he felt as though he’d seen a ghost.
She was the spitting image of Elizabeth and couldn’t be anyone but Jessica Turner. Her green eyes appeared to be the only evidence of her paternity.
“Admiral!” cried one of his newest Lieutenants, Bently, who was still unsure of his place, “Admiral Norrington.”
James turned his full attention back to his men. However, he had already provided plenty of fodder for idle gossip no doubt. Their commanding officer was not known for ogling women.
“We have room enough for one more on the boat, sir,” explained Bently.
“Then, aim for that lady there!” James commanded and pointed towards Jessica as rain sprinkled down on them. As they made for shore, the last of the survivors were rescued and James was able to look at the young woman again. She wore a simple dress that he noticed was concealing a pistol and she had at least one knife because there was one in her boot. Her nails were short and her hands had definitely seen work…he had a sinking feeling that she took after Will and Elizabeth in occupation.
James held out his hand to help her out of the boat and onto the dock. It was reluctantly accepted and he led her out of hearing range.
“You had plans of robbing the ship,” he accused. Jessica looked surprised at first to his allegation before changing to defiance, “And what if I was?”
“Because I probably shouldn’t have expected anything less from Jessica Turner.”
Now, she did show genuine shock on her face before she asked, “How do you know my name?”
“I knew your parents,” he answered honestly. Sadness crossed her features and he guessed that Will was no longer in this world either.
“There’s a storm coming. You should take shelter,” James suggested, not quite sure what else to say. She nodded and started to walk toward town before turning back, “And who are you?”
“Admiral Norrington,” he replied which she acknowledged with another nod. He went back to his task of making sure everyone was safe, but his thoughts kept returning to Jessica and whether she’d been able to find a room. Hours later, as the wind picked up and the rain was bucketing down, James sloshed into his room except there was already someone in his bed. He hurriedly lit a candle and held it over the figure.
“Jessica,” he uttered with a sigh. There was nothing to be done though. He had to change out of his wet clothes before he caught cold in the damp Virginia air. Off to the side, he put on his nightshirt with a spare pair of trousers. James looked at the goose feather mattress and pillow with longing, but he took off his wig, set it carefully besides him and took a cloth bag of socks for a pillow. He awoke a few hours later by a thunderous crash that shook the building and sat straight up.
Jessica was in the same position until she turned to look at him.
“Why are you sleeping there?” she questioned and he saw that she wore his extra nightshirt.
“Because you have stolen the bed.”
“Only half needs to be mine; the other half could be yours,” Jessica said in a manner very much like her mother.
“…or I suppose it’s going to be heaving bosoms and bare ankles for the remainder of the voyage,” James whispered softly, remembering.
“I could not hear you,” she complained.
“It was nothing,” he mumbled, “just something your mother had said once.” He knew that look she now wore; she wanted to ask more so he distracted her by saying, “To most, it would appear highly improper for an Admiral of the King’s Navy to share a bed with a young, unmarried woman. When I told you my name, I wasn’t issuing an invitation.”
“Everywhere else was taken…but if you’d like me to leave,” she said as the wind sounded particularly fearsome.
“No, I couldn’t allow that either so I’ll remain on the floor.” Jessica gave him an incredulous look and threw him down the pillow before saying,
“I told them that I was your niece.” She turned away so that she faced the wall and he breathed in deeply. It was beyond belief that she was even here. He’d never thought he’d see her again.
All too soon the next day, were another set of knocks on his door.
“Sir, Admiral Norrington; we were…we are waiting for you downstairs to give us further orders,” stated the voice of Bently. James closed his eyes and groaned into the pillow. It seemed way too early for him to be that late. He rose to his feet and strode to the door where he plied it open just a crack. He didn’t realize he was wigless until Stephen’s eyes grew wide.
“Admiral, who is it?” asked Jessica in a sleepy tone. James let go of the door in surprise so that it swung back, exposing the young woman on the bed to his Lieutenant. He looked from one to the other and it was no use.
“Lieutenant Bently, this is Jessica…my niece who’s staying with me for the time being,” the older man explained as he shut the door, “And if I hear a single piece of gossip, you will be on watch every night for a month, do you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, now you will excuse me for a moment,” said James before entering his room again, shutting the door and quickly put the rest of his uniform on.
“Who was that?” asked Jessica, “You said a lieutenant of some sort?”
“Lieutenant Stephen Bently,” he confirmed, “who you will hopefully not see again and how long before you move on to the next town? The next plot?”
“You never know what the tide will bring,” she answered while shrugging, “and I don’t know where Billy is.” Of course, it all made sense now. She was on one ship of the fleet while her brother was on another. James nodded and left.
Jessica appeared to have no plans to leave whatsoever and he was torn between wanting her to stay forever and leave as soon as possible before things were found out. The gold was gone, sunk with the ship or having been pillaged by the townspeople themselves. Her room was now a separate one but she wasn’t far from his side as he was the only one she knew or trusted so she was accompanying him to the ball thrown by the governor of Virgina.
Her strawberry blonde hair was done up nicely and she’d allowed him to buy her a dress. It was one of the subtle differences he had started to notice between her and her mother. Elizabeth had never appeared comfortable in dresses, appearing happiest in trousers, but Jessica’s smile was brightest in the dress she wore now. They stopped in front of acting governor Thomas Lee.
“Why, Admiral, who is this beautiful creature you’ve enchanted to come with you?”
“This is my niece…” started James before she interrupted.
“Jessica Norrington” she said and offered her hand. He kissed it and spoke, “I hadn’t recalled that you had a brother, Admiral.”
“Sometimes I suffer from the same malady, sir,” James spoke and the other man gave him a strange look so he laughed as though it were a joke. It was a relief when the Governor found someone else to greet.
“Oh, there’s Bently,” Jessica remarked and he noticed a look on her face he’d never seen before. He looked at Bently who was also staring in her direction and knew that look. They were both smitten for each other. James wasn’t sure how it worked that two people could meet and that was the only person for them, but he’d seen it happen before with Elizabeth and Will.
The lieutenant walked over to them and with a nervous stammer, asked, “Mi-miss…Jess…Norrington, would you care to dance?”
There was a nervous giggle and she replied, “I’d love to.” Bently took her arm and led her away onto the floor. James was watching the two young people when he saw someone come alongside him.
It was Miss Morgan, a woman younger than Jessica who had taken to fancying him. With her brown curls and sweet smile, she could have any gentleman she wanted so he couldn’t imagine why she wanted him.
“Is she your daughter?” she asked in a polite manner.
“No, she is not,” he answered, “She’s my brother’s child.”
“Ah, then that’s it,” she rambled, “I knew I saw a resemblance…particularly with the eyes.”
Having her around, James was forced to admit such things, like Jessica tending to like propriety and rules as well as her height actually being an inch or two taller than her mother’s. He had been too silent because Miss Morgan laughed nervously as though she’d said something wrong.
There were eyes watching him and he knew he was expected to ask for a dance, but he didn’t want to lead her on or cause any hope for reciprocation of her feelings.
“Do excuse me,” he said despite her hurt face as she nodded. James caught a glimpse of Jessica and Bently before engaging the mayor in conversation. He hated these things almost as much as Elizabeth had, a necessary evil of a man of his position although it was made more pleasurable tonight by how Jessica was enjoying it except that had a lot to do with Bently. Bently…he wasn’t sure how to think about that. He was a nice enough boy, but…Bently?
Still, he wanted her to be happy. Then, he had to quickly engage Jacob Morgan in conversation before Robert Dinwiddie could approach. The Admiral knew that he should make his assumptions for himself with evidence gathered firsthand, but when so many people of whose opinion he trusted in the highest regard kept repeating their dislike of Dinwiddie, he couldn’t help sharing it as well.
“Lieutenant, could I have a word?” James asked the next day as Colin Ellis passed by his cabin aboard his flagship. The younger man entered and the Admiral shut the door behind them.
“What is your honest estimation of Lieutenant Bently?” he questioned as he took a seat at his desk and motioned for the other to take a chair.
"Well, Admiral, as a person, there is nothing bad to be said of him. He neither speaks badly of anyone nor displays any despicable traits," Ellis spoke, “However; he’s a weak officer, too concerned with being liked than what needs to be done.”
“And his personal life?” James inquired, knowing that it wasn’t proper as his superior but he wanted to know for Jessica’s sake. The younger man hesitated prior to answering, “All he ever talks about with regards to that is your niece, sir. He’s quite taken with her.”
James was afraid of that. Now that he had her back, he was going to lose her again which was selfish but how he felt, although could she even leave behind her pirate upbringing to marry an English officer?
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Date: 2007-10-18 08:45 am (UTC)