Did Hennessey drink himself to death after betraying James? Or did he wait until tales of Flint for really bad, realised it was James getting his revenge, and just retire on the spot? As we don’t ever see Hennessey again I’m concluding that one of these two things happened. Sorry

comtessedebussy:

Well, the rather sad and out-of-story reason we never got to see Hennessey again is because the actor died. 😦 😦 

But, honestly, I can absolutely buy @flintsredhair‘s meta that Hennessey didn’t actually betray James, but that he had no choice, Alfred Hamilton was too powerful and the most he could do was intervene so that James only got exiled and not, you know, imprisoned and hanged (which is what really should have been the more likely outcome for a low-born gay man who pissed off a lord at this point in time). And that he said those things to make James leave quietly, because if James stuck around making trouble he definitely would be hanged. 

Honestly I’d kind of kill for an AU in which Hennessey in some way realizes James is Flint (idk how, since even Peter didn’t realize?) and secretly gives him aid? Tells him Peter colluded with Alfred Hamilton? Lets him know about the Maria Aleyne? I even rather like the idea of Hennessey speaking at James’ trial in Charleston, though logistically there is no way that could happen. 

I wonder if Hennessey had to get anyone else’s approval to dismiss James, though? I like to imagine him explaining it to other people in the navy, ‘oh yes, our most promising lieutenant had to be dismissed because, um…” And the war with Spain continues, and James wreaks havoc in Nassau, and all Alfred Hamilton wanted was power and control of Nassau and James has pretty much ensured that’s never going to happen. Alfred Hamilton must be going “oh shit” because that nice island in the new world that he wanted control over again? Yeah that ain’t gonna happen now. Oops. Maybe he shouldn’t have pissed off a certain redhead…

You know – you speculating about the reason that Hennessey gives the Navy made me wonder. Do you think he even actually told anyone why? Was James actually dismissed or did Hennessey tell him he had been and then pretend he had no idea what had happened to their most promising young lieutenant and act as if he had disappeared? If I were him I’m pretty sure I’d have found a way to pin James’ disappearance on someone Alfred had in his pocket knowing Alfred could say nothing because to do so would be to get Thomas killed and that evidently isn’t what he wanted. I need fic or meta about the politics going on after James’ and Miranda’s exile because I’m sure there was some definite maneuvering going on. As to that fic where Hennessey figures out who Flint is and helps him – I really do want to write a fic like that and @penflicks had prompted one not too long ago. It’s on the to-do list!