NOTICE: Alright so this is my first POTC fic. I originally started this last year and tried to get it done before potc3 but it didn’t work out. Then I just got caught up in the tragic void that is my life and didn’t update for ages…and my readers kinda left, so I took it off to rework some things. Now, it’s back up with a few changes not only in the text but the plot itself. It’s not going to follow some parts of the actual movie because I wrote a great deal of it before the movie came out. It takes place right after where POTC 2 left off. You could say it's my version of World's End. The beginning chapters will be a bit short and possibly confusing, at least until I get to the good stuff. Please review! I beg of you, REVIEW!! Questions and predictions are welcome as well!

Chapter One

A Bargain

Beckett stared at the pouch the stranger had dropped before him. He quickly noticed the gentle rise and falls of the continence, and heard the subtle beating. A faint smile slowly spread across his face. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had devised a brilliant, yet very complex plan to obtain this wondrous source of power, and here this stranger stumbles in with not only the Letters of Marque, but the very said object of value itself. The whole scheme of retrieving the compass seemed rather unnecessary now. This was all much easier than he had expected. The heart of Davy Jones was now in his possession. The entire ocean was under his control.

"How did you get this?" he asked the stranger.

"That's not all important now, is it?" the stranger replied.

The stranger motioned for Mr. Mercer to hand him the Letters of Marque.

"As I said before, I took the liberty of filling in my name."

He handed the papers to Beckett and he closely examined them.

"James Norrington," he read from the parchment.

"That is my name, yes."

"I do believe we possess a warrant for your arrest, but do to current circumstances," he said, pulling out the arrest warrant from his desk, "I don't believe an arrest is necessary."

Norrington smirked.

"I do believe we have come to some sort of bargain. For the heart of Davy Jones, I'll give you your pardon, but you no doubt ably want me to restore you commission, correct?"

Norrington nodded. "Yes."

"Swear you allegiance and loyalty to the East India Trading Company and your position as Commodore is as good as restored."

"I do."

Having that been sworn, the guards started to lead him out.

"Oh, and Mr. Norrington," Beckett called.

"Yes."

"As your first duty to The East India Trading Company, I want you to assist me in the tracking and capturing of a few bandits of the law, Beckett said, handing Norrington the warrants of arrest along with pictures of the convicts.

"My lord, it would be my honor," Norrington answered taking the papers. But as he glanced at the faces of those he was to track down, his smile vanished.

“Do you know them?” Beckett asked, eyes steady on Norrington’s face.

“Their faces are familiar, but I do not claim to know them,” he answered limply, handing the photos back, “but I promise I won’t rest until they are captured.”

"Very good," he said, shredding the warrant for Norrington’s arrest.

"Gentlemen, please show Mr. Norrington where he can clean up, and get him some fresh clothes. He looks as though he's been sleeping with the pigs," Beckett ordered.

"Thank you, my lord. Thank you," Norrington said, bowing.

"No, no, Mr. Norrington, thank you," Beckett answered, smirking as he spread the Wanted posters across his desk revealing the faces of Jack Sparrow, William Turner, and Elizabeth Swann.