A/N: So this would officially be my second fanfiction. Because the one that came after my first which I deleted sucked. It went nowhere, and the plot, I admit, was lame. Sorry those who looked forward to it. So I hope this would better attract the attention of readers. School just started and things can get pretty overwhelming. I'll try updating every few days, mmk? Jack and Isabel are back, along with Norrington and a few others!

Disclaimer: Anything that you do not recognize from POTC are mine. Anything you do recognize from POTC would be Disney's. Unfortunately.

The Brink of Submission

Chapter 1: Beckett's Objective

Jack looked at Isabel from afar. The frame of her face was narrow, with high cheekbones. Her skin was not as pale was before, but rather lightly tanned in the Caribbean sun. What made him want her? What made him want to have her at his side? Her charms, her beauty, thought Jack. In the past, he had always refused to commit to any woman. His love affairs were just one-night stands. He never felt real love. It was amazing that he was attracted to this woman. He wondered if Norrington's desire was as strong as his.

- - -

I stirred on the bed. My eyes fluttered open. I sat up alone in the captain's quarters.

"Jack?" I called. I ran out, only to run in to Jack.

"Yes, love?" He looked dazed, as if awakening from a dream.

"Where are we headed? What is the purpose of our journey?"

Jack felt unsure. He flipped out his compass. It pointed directly to where Isabel stood.

"I have no idea. Ye might not believe it, but I want to take a break from treasure hunting and looting, eh? Maybe ye have more luck." He handed the broken compass to me.

I took it into my hands. Jack looked over my shoulder from behind. It spun wildly.

Jack felt crestfallen. He had hoped it would point to him, like the way it pointed to Isabel when he held it.

I looked at Jack. "It keeps spinning and won't stop. What's that to mean?"

"You don't know what you want. And you don't have your priorities straight, I suppose."

I suddenly realized I had yet to ask Jack where the arrow pointed when he held it.

"Where did yours point?"

"Where did what point?" asked Jack, trying to avoid the question altogether.

"Come now, Jack. Tell."

"Nothing you'd be interested in, love."

- - -

Beckett was back in his office. He grabbed a new pair of pants and put it on.

Grumbling, he called, "Norrington!"

"Yes, sire?" He hurried in.

"Do you know the whereabouts of your fiancé?"

"Yes, I think so. She said she was going on a trip to see…" Norrington stopped. He realized he never had an idea of where Isabel might be.

Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Beckett chuckled. "Would you like to know?"

"Of course."

"Your so called 'fiancé' is currently on board with a Captain Jack Sparrow, going who knows where, and doing who knows what."

"She said…she…she…she didn't!" Norrington looked out the window to keep away from Beckett's icy stare, refusing to believe it.

"Are you certain? I saw it with my very own eyes. And the breeches to prove it. You can't trust women these days, can you?" A devilish grin crept up upon Beckett's lips. "Maybe I'll have her hanged for adultery? Would that ease your vengeful soul?"

"No. You can't have her hanged. She isn't married to me. Yet. And we have no proof anything ever happened between them." Norrington had no mind to hang her.

"Running away with that…beast of a man, is enough proof. And she promised you a betrothal as well, did she not?"

Norrington didn't want to believe it. He thought back to the kisses she had given him. They had been exhilarating. No other woman he'd ever kissed made him feel so happy. To hang a woman like that was a waste.

"Never. Might as well hang me if you hang her. And I won't have that." Norrington walked out, never looking directly into Beckett's cold eyes.

"Yes I might as well," said Beckett softly, lighting a cigar. "I might as well."

- - -

A/N: This was shorter than my usual four pages. School's being a drag. Review, maybe?