Title: Of Curses and Blessing

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Just from Curse of the Black Pearl but not even much from there

Characters: Jack, James, Will, Elizabeth, Ana, Gibbs

Parings: Jack/James Will/Elizabeth

Summary: slight AU James Norrington has a spell preformed on him. But is it a curse or is it a gift? Either way, Jack is now stuck with helping him lift it. SLASH warning

Disclaimer: I don't own POTC because of I did then you know this ship would so be cannon. As it is, I'm stuck with subtext as I am with most of my ships.

For: Katy and Shree who informed me that I do not need to be cured of this obsession… at least not until all the ideas are out of my head and onto the computer.

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Chapter One:

Gypsy's Dance

"We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it."

- Tennessee Williams

They fire burned fast and hot in the clearing. A woman, about thirty-five or so, was dancing around it. She had long chestnut brown hair and dark eyes that burned like the coal. Her long red broom-stick skirt swished and swayed along as the minstrels played a Gypsy's lullaby. She was not the only woman dancing. There were other woman, pretty women, younger women, women with red hair, and women with blonde hair. But they all danced and they all laughed and spun and moved about the fire. It was like watching a fairy dance, but life sized and with the fire lighting up every move they made.

All around them, people from the town gathered to watch the fun. It was the eve of the harvest moon and so the whole sky was out to greet the visitors. But not all the people who gathered where here for the amusement and dancing.

In the back of the crowd, a man stood watching with bitterness and dislike. "Gypsies," he muttered. If there was anything he hated more than pirates, it was gypsies, who slept with men for their money and preformed witchcraft on anyone who upset them. Fountain tellers and magic tricks where not the man's prerogative. He was not here for that anyway, he was here to make sure nothing illegal was going on. It would make his day to catch one of these wondering thieves in the act. After all, he had not been having the best month ever.

The man had spent the last few months at sea, tracking down a well known pirate who was always just out of his reach. It was rather like an annoying game he could never win. The reason for his sudden return to shore had been a wedding which would be starting in a week. He was invited, a guest of honor as a matter of fact. He did not want to go. He was looking forward to it like he was looking forward to a hole in the head. But he had no choice. When the governor said jump, you had to ask how high. This man, however, was getting highly sick of jumping.

His eyes watched the brown haired dancer who seemed the most spirited of the group. He couldn't call her attractive; it was more like she was interesting. Then her dark eyes met his and he frowned at her. She laughed and tossed her hair, turning and swaying some more. Every time she got the chance, she would look at him and flutter her lashes. It made him feel slightly sick. But still, he didn't stop watching her.

After awhile, there was a part of the dance where the gypsies went and grabbed partners from the crowd which was gathered. The man saw two people, William Turner and his soon to be wife, dancing with them and narrowed his eyes. He quickly looked away from the sight which he could not stand to watch.

"Dance with me," came a voice to his left. He turned and looked at the brown hair woman he had watched dance. She had a hand out to him and a smile across her face.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't dance," He turned away from her and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm very aware of that, Commodore. It is for that very reason that I offer now to teach you."

He turned back and looked at her. "How did you--?"

The girl pointed to his hat, then to his white wig, then to his outfit. "You don't try to hide your place of power, Commodore. I promise I will not bite."

"No," he said a little more firmly this time. He turned ready to leave this place and let someone else deal with anything that might be going on. If they got robbed it was their own fault for dancing with such creatures.

"Alright, Commodore, whatever you wish," the girl called after him, shifting her feet so the bangles she had on her ankles clinked. "Such a shame, though. I had something very special for you, James Norrington."

He stopped again. He didn't turn around. He was racking his brain. Had he told her his name? No. Had they met before? No he felt sure he would have remembered her. So who was she and why did she know his full name? He heard the clink of bangles and then she was standing in front of him.

"What's the matter, James? Did you see a ghost?" She fluttered her lashes.

"I do not believe in ghosts."

"Maybe you should start." She tilted her head to one side and started to spin a little. James' eye went to her bare feet which moved in small patterns, going farther and farther away. She did not need to ask him to follow. He moved a step at a time. They moved a little ways away from the fire, James' hand creeping toward his pistol, just in case the woman tried something. Then she stopped dancing and smiled. "Do you wonder how I know you, Commodore?"

"I have my guess," James answered.

"You are thinking I am a witch, are you not? I am very sorry, Commodore, but I am not, in fact a daughter of the devil. Although he and I are no strangers, either. I have come to give you a gift. A very fine gift if I do say so myself."

"What makes you think I will take anything from you?" he asked. "You haven't even told me your name."

"Names are relative, James. And who I am doesn't matter, it's you that matters." She started to walk around him. James didn't move but followed her with his eyes. "I know what you want in your secret thoughts. I know what goes on in your head while you dream." She was standing behind him not and put her hands on his head. "I know who you think of, whose name you call when you sleep. You know what name I speak of, do you not?"

James didn't move. But all around him he heard echoes of gasps in the moonlight, of hopes whispered only in his mind, now animated and seemingly skipping from place to place all around him. He opened his mouth to ask how she was doing this and for her to stop but suddenly she was right in front of him, a finger pressed against his lips.

"I know you are afraid. Who wouldn't be? My gift for you, Commodore James Norrington, is the lack of fear. And I am willing to give it free of charge. For I have taken a very special interest in you. What do you say James? Would you like to live without fear? Without inhibitions?"

He opened his mouth to say no, but instead what came out of his mouth was "yes." The woman smiled and pulled out a small bag. She stuck her hand in then, when she pulled it out, she blew some gold dust into his eyes. He flinched and tried to rub it out.

"From now on you do not want what you make others think you want," said the woman. "You will only seek what your heart seeks and will only act as your heart wants. And to ride yourself of this you will need to find me to ask me. From now on, Commodore, you are free." And she blew again, the sand spinning around him. James stumbled back and when he opened his eyes the woman was gone. He turned and looked back at the camp fire. She wasn't there. Had he dreamed it? He did not know. But he did know one thing.

"I need to get to Tortuga," he said allowed.

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Plot Bunny: Oh great, what have you done now?

RTK: Nothing. -shifty shifty-

Plot Bunny: You are going to make James do stupid things aren't you.

RTK: tee hee.

Plot Bunny: We are all doomed

RTK: If you love me, you will review, right?