Eh, just another piece I wanted to do for lovely James and Elizabeth. A couple of chapters will be movie scenes, and others will be... I suppose behind-the-scenes? Enjoy!
James looked up from the map he and the Governor were studying to see Mr. Gibbs conversing with Elizabeth. James' brow furrowed; he'd spent most of his time on this trip trying to ensure Elizabeth had her space, especially away from Gibbs. He excused himself from the Governor, but as he began to casually walk away, he could feel Weatherby on his heels.
"Mr. Gibbs, that will do," James stated firmly, making sure the 'no argument' tone could be well heard. Gibbs wheeled around, but James' eyes were on Elizabeth's face. There was a bit of disappointment there, but no fear. He inwardly smirked; such a young girl, yet so brilliantly brave. Apparently his tone was not clear, for Gibbs walked forward with determination in his expression.
"She was singin' about pirates," he protested. James could honestly care less; there wasn't much Elizabeth knew about pirates, so it worried him not. "Bad luck to be singing about pirates with us mired in this unnatural fog. Mark my words!" Gibbs ended his objection. James fought the urge to roll his eyes. He had no fondness towards Gibbs whatsoever, only highly respectable tolerance.
"Consider them marked," he commented. "On your way."
Gibbs grumbled to himself for a moment, but as he passed James, he paused. "Aye, lieutenant. It's bad luck to have a woman on board too… even a miniature one."
James ignored the persistently arguing man behind him. Elizabeth held a lovely sparkle in her eyes at the subject, and James found himself smiling ever so slightly at her.
"I think it'd be rather exciting to meet a pirate," she told him. He chuckled, walking forward. He respected the Swann family, but there were times when he wondered how such a bright girl was so frequently naive.
"Think again, Miss Swann," he said, a smile still on his face. It was not a friendly smile so much as it was a smirk. "Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves a short drop and a sudden stop." His expression was nearly bitter now, and his mind was focused on nothing but these creatures he spoke so hatefully of. He watched Elizabeth turn her head out of the corner of his eye. By the expression on her face, he figured she knew well of what he was talking about.
"Lieutenant Norrington," the Governor began, coming between his daughter and James. "I appreciate your fervor, but I'm, uh, I'm concerned about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter."
James bit the inside of his bottom lip. Clearly an overprotective father, he thought.
"My apologies, Governor Swann."
As James dismissed himself, he shot a warning glare at Gibbs. He heard Elizabeth insist the fascination she had for pirates, and smiled more gently this time. An incredibly interesting girl…
"Look! A boy! There's a boy in the water!" He jerked his head up at Elizabeth's cry. He and the Governor rushed forward to the side of the ship, and indeed he saw a young boy on a floating piece of wreckage.
"Man overboard!" He shouted. "Man the ropes! Fetch a hook… haul him aboard."
As one of the men brought the young boy up and laid him down, he kneeled next to him, inspecting him. He left out a quick sigh; the boy was all right.
"He's still breathing," he confirmed calmly.
"Mary mother of God," Gibbs voice gasped behind him. He stood and turned, and his lips parted at the sight of a burning ship, destroyed and well split in two large parts. It's a miracle the boy is safe, James thought.
"What happened here?" Governor Swann demanded. James lifted his chin a bit at the damage in the water.
"It's most likely the powder magazine. Merchant vessels run heavily armed," he said coolly. He heard Gibbs clear his throat quietly and prayed he wouldn't say what he knew he was going to say.
"A lot of good it did them." James flashed a warning look in Gibbs' direction. "Everyone's thinking it, I'm just saying it," he defended himself. "Pirates."
"There's no proof of that," the Governor argued lightly. "It was probably an accident."
Not likely, James thought, but said nothing more to the two on either side of him. "Rouse the Captain immediately! Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats," he commanded. He heard the sailors doing such as the Governor requested his daughter to look after the boy.
Once James had made sure his sailors were safely on the water, he faced Elizabeth. She was leaning over the boy, and she appeared concerned. He wondered if the boy had awakened yet and approached the young pair.
"Has he said anything?" he asked. Elizabeth jumped slightly and turned.
"His name is William Turner. That's all I found out," she claimed. James paused. There wasn't something quite right about the situation, but he dismissed it.
"Take him below," he ordered the men behind him.
An accident? I think not.