Elizabeth smiled at James' ridiculous outfit, remembering his exact words of it being 'heavy, hot and rather itchy'. She supposed it would be, with the heavy blue coat and the usual white wig, complete with a new sword made by Mr. Brown's apprentice Todd. Quite frankly Elizabeth did not care about the sword. From his position on the stairs, James made eye contact and winked very discreetly. Elizabeth held back a laugh and - was it possible - a blush?

Of course not. She had known him for almost half her whole life, and it was entirely improper for one to fall for another they had known forever. It is improper, isn't it? She couldn't help but ask herself, yet she didn't know why she would ask such a question. Hiding another blush that seemed to be creeping back up her neck, she fanned herself, concentrating on breathing. The corset was too tight, she noticed, but she managed to stay conscious for the rest of the ceremony.

Soon, the ceremony was over, and the heat of the day combined with the tight lacing on her dress was making Elizabeth feel dizzy.

"Miss Swann, may I speak to you in private for a moment?" Captain James - Commodore, she repeated in her mind. The thought made her want to giggle for a moment, though she managed to hide it.

"Cap- Commodore, how many times must I tell you it is Elizabeth?" It was an old game, James had always teased her by calling her "Miss Swann" before, with her retorting with "Mr. James", both names getting on each recipient's nerves, but it was a sig of friendship. Nearly ten years age difference didn't mean they couldn't be friends. He was probably her closest friend. She'd had school friends, but they had all moved out of Port Royal or gotten married off. When will that be me? She wondered briefly, before accepting James' arm and following his natural step to the parapet, hoping she didn't swoon right into his arms. Or maybe she did hope, maybe she did want to fall right into his arms, besides, she had already fallen for-

"I apologize if I seem forward, but I must speak my mind," the commodore began, ignoring her comment, closing his hand around hers. She blinked in confusion, but smiled politely as if to say, Go on. He nodded minutely and continued, "Uh, this promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved..." he pauses to cath his breath, "...a marriage to a fine woman." Elizabeth grinned and said, very quietly, "Good luck with that, Jamie." She winked and he smiled softly, but it soon changed back to an awkward expression. Elizabeth caught her breath again, before she felt unconscious.

James looked out into the sea, pausing, as if he was hesitating to say something important. His grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly.

"You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth." He pauses again, waiting for her answer.

She really lost her breath. The world dimmed, her eyelids falling slowly, but she snapped out of it and stared into his green eyes, not knowing how to react. Especially considering the situation. The revelation that she had more than just a friendship affection for him shocked her as much as the proposal, but the fact that they happened at the exact same time was something that scared her. Coincidence? Or had she been falling for him all this time? Did he notice?

The biggest question of all: How long had he been wantintg to marry her? Was it out of just having to marry someone? Or did he really have feelings for her? She couldn't read the answer out of his eyes, nor his expression. All he wanted now was an answer. Her wondering made her dizzy again, and for a brief second she was unconscious again.

Before she knew it, she had fallen into James' arms.

Regaining her consciousness just in time, she jumped back, surprised. It was as if she had just tried to hug him unexpectedly, but James was more hopeful than anything. Did the attempted embrace mean a yes? Or was it a 'Sorry, but I think you should find someone else, I'm not ready yet' hug? Trying not to turn red like she had, James cleared his throat, realizing he still had her hand in his.

"I..." Elizabeth did not know what to say. What should she tell him? Yes? No? That the 'hug' was just her falling half-unconscious? No, you don't want to look like a silly girl fainting at a fine man, do you? She scolded herself. Without thinking, she said, "...I was, I mean, I am, I will, I mean, I..." she stumbled. James' hope rose higher. A smile was creeping its way to his mouth.

"Yes! I, yes, I mean, yes, I will, I mean..." Elizabeth struggled to speak without losing her breath again, "I accept your proposal!" She stuttered, breathing heavily to get her breath back.

James' smile couldn't have been any bigger.

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