LOL. I'm sure Jack is hoping for her to be in a VERY good mood! Oh my - the plot just gets thicker and thicker. I'm beginning to think they might not be wanting to use the last name of Norrington. It seems this "witness" of the navy's could cause a kink in their plan later on. Can't wait to see how things progress.

'Nothing that Jack Sparrow was involved in was likely to be straightforward; she should have remembered that.'

I suppose it's the pregnancy hormones that are leaving Liz open to such tormenting speculations. Poor kid!

'Elanor Cavendish, if that was her real name, was no one’s mother or wife, and certainly no man's plaything.'

Yep.

'She let her eyes drift around the cabin as if making sure that Jack wasn’t hiding somewhere...'

That'd be just like him, wouldn't it?

"Surely you have known (Jack) long enough to know that he talks a lot but says little much of the time? And when he is saying something, that’s the time to get really worried.”

Yep, again!

"Jack is to be your brother in law, your very rich brother in law.I’m sure he’ll enjoy that immensely... Though maybe not as much as he’s hoping to, pretty though he is. Unless I’m in a very good mood that is.”

Even in her present state of flux, Liz should be able to derive some amusement from that scenario. I know I did!

> ...he’d enjoyed watching Anamaria trying to teach her to look playful and submissive... he’d gained much pleasure from watching a tiger trying to teach a lioness to play the kitten. The current risk had been worth it just for that. <

Oye, that is an image.

And a welcome bit of comic relief, to counterbalance the grave situation ahead...

Thank you so much for the frequent updates, you are very, very good at leaving the reader wanting more - I certainly do.

This story is amazing, so involved, threads weaving about all over the place, but always coming together in a very satisfying way.

Thank you for posting the stories here, and taking the time to do this, it is incredibly generous of you, as it must take a prodigious amount of time to work the story out and then actually put it into words that describe the scene and the characters so wonderfully well. I watched Dead Mans Chest on tv last night, and it is getting difficult for me to remember that the back story you have provided didn't actually happen in the original films; sometimes I start disagreeing with the way the film plays out, as your version is so authentic.

I hope you have a very happy and successful(whatever that means to you) year in 2010, but please whatever you do, a very selfish plea from me, please, please keep writing.

I guess Jack really does love a wedding.

Mrs. Norrington- I never get tired of that alias! :D

You've woven a great deal of dark, mysterious air in the scene where Pintel, Ragetti, and Marty find Jack sitting in the Pearl's main cabin.

-The figure must have shifted slightly as they turned to stare at him, for suddenly the shadow lifted a little and the candlelight shone on a bent head, burnishing the copper tints in the long dark hair and picking out the shadow of heavy lashes on a gilded cheek. A red scarf bound the thick falls of hair back from the familiar face and the lowered eye was lined in kohl, but it didn't take those familiar accoutrements to identify the sitter, each of the three would have known him anywhere.-

You can almost hear the collective "Oh crap" from the three pirates when they realize just who is sitting before them. Very suspenseful.

Hathaway's interpatation of Jack's mannerisms and insidious nature are dead on and well written. The vocal cadance that you created for him is wonderful and well-rounded. I get the impression that Hathaway feels his experience with the notorious pirate captain wasn't *entirely* negative. I am interested to see where his character goes in this tale.

'...the mind of Jack Sparrow is not easily read Mr Groves. All smoke and mirrors is Captain Sparrow and the man beneath them is not so easy to fathom. The biggest mistake you can make in dealing with him is to judge him by what he seems to be...' - I love this line. Full of mystique.

'...your wants and needs and wishes. Sparrow reads them and far better than most, and he adjusts his behaviour accordingly.' - You created a great picture of the manipulator we all know Jack to be here with this line.

'Corner him and he'll shine and shimmer and in that reflected light you'll not see the shadow beneath, but the shadow will be what matters.' - Very insightful and deeply descriptive.

I enjoyed this first chapter very much.
-bean.

> I’ll grant you she was a fair enough lass and one that reminded me of my past, but that life long is behind me luv. I know that.” “Here’s to words and vows and her not bein’ so terrible as she sometimes seems.” <

One can only hope, given all these hidden agendas.

> “Tell me luv, do you have an religious or moral exception to wearin’ skirts?” <

That's a picture.

It says something, that this story is still intriguing on the second go-around.

Building expectations, I see...

Wow, that was a trip. Just what was Jack doing there the last time?

Your account of the branding is one of the best I've read, and that's not for lack of competition!

Little Boy Jack Come Blow Your Horn... but I doubt it's to summon sheep and cows!

> "If we succeed though, then he and I are going to have words. When he is back amongst the living. Then... I'll shoot him!" <

Yeah, I can definitely picture that.

May the wind be at your back, Sparrow.

Enjoyable. I can't wait to see more!

> "One of those eh?"

"Yes luv, most definitely one of those." <

Jack never does things in an ordinary way, does he?