Broadside
The instant he walked off the battlement the smile fell from his face. He fought with his body, forcing himself to retain his stiff Commodore-ly posture because of the men following him, it would not do at all for them to see their Commanding Officer fall apart in front of them, would not do at all. He willed himself to take just one more step, and then another, and another until thankfully he was at the door to his office. Without turning to face the men behind him he said, "Back to your duties men" then opened the door, stepped inside, and slumped helplessly against it. As he slid to the floor tears began to fill his eyes, then fall uncontrollably down his cheeks. He swiped a hand dejectedly across his face and cursed himself for being such a fool. He should have known better really, there had been very few things in James Norrington's life that he had set his heart on, wanted so badly he could taste them that ever worked out for him. Why should marrying Elizabeth Swann be any different? He knew he should hate her for the public humiliation she had just put him through, but he could not. He knew he would never do anything but love her with all his heart; she would be the love of his life till the day he died. He lowered his face into his hands and let the tears fall.
When he had finally cried himself out, had managed to lock the pain away deep down inside him with all the other pieces of disappointment and heartbreak in his life that were stowed there he stood up, wiped a sleeve across his face, straightened his uniform, donned his stiff posture and visage, opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, Commodore James Norrington once more.
The End
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