~Chapter two: Occurrences and stirrings~

After placing the small and frail creature on his bed, he set to work before anyone could walk in on him and question his actions. With his eyes never staying on one place for longer than a second, he unbuttoned and removed her dress, leaving her in her under garments and wrapping her up in blankets that had been brought. When Hughes arrived, he excused himself and finally left his cabin.

As soon as he was out of sight in one of the corridors, he leant against a wall and clasped onto the wall behind him, his fingernails digging in as he steadied his breathing.

What was happening to him? He kept feeling anxious and breathless and had never felt this way before. And he knew it was because of the girl. Never had he held a woman the way he'd held her. Never had he even embraced Elizabeth like that, the only physically contact between the two having been her falling against him when Sparrow pushed her.

Norrington mentally scolded himself and straightened himself up, taking a few deep breaths as he remembered his station and where he was.

He adjusted his coat and walked confidently out on deck, watching as his men got about their work, quickly scurrying about as if nothing was wrong.

That's when Governor Swann made a show.

"I heard that there was a woman on board. Is it her? Elizabeth, have we found her?" He was obviously agitated and hadn't listened to anything other than a female being brought on board, a young sailor trying to explain behind him.

"It is not her Governor Swann. We found a survivor of what appears to be yet another attack by the Pearl. She is downstairs in my cabin and I ask that you and no one else sees her," James' didn't know what exactly he was saying, thinking that it wouldn't be protocol and trying to find logic in his words, "she's obviously been through something terrible and should only be seen by someone she knows and the doctor until such a time she can be visited by more. We need to keep her isolated and safe, perhaps she knows information about the Black Pearl that could guide us." James mentally sighed in relief, finally believing that he'd found some logical reasoning in making sure this girl was safe and in his care.

Governor Swann only seemed to sigh and look saddened.

"Very well...I shall...get back to work," he was obviously hurt by the news that it hadn't been his daughter who had been found, "...Commodore."

James observed as the governor walked slowly back to his private cabin, his stance drooping slightly as the weight of his emotions was visible to see.

"Gentlemen," he turned to his crew and took an authoritative breath, "for now, I shall be attending to our guest in the quarters. On with your duties."

He bowed his head slightly and turned, not watching as some of his men passed glances to one another before continuing with whatever duties they could do.

James yet again ventured towards his cabin and walked slowly towards the door, this time, not allowing his heartbeat to accelerate as he neared closer his destination. Opening the door, he walked in, just in time to see Hughes bandaging one of the girls arms.

"Commodore." He stood quickly, dropping the bandage and bowing slightly, stopping as Norrington waved his hand at him to continue.

"Never mind that Hughes, we've been friends for years and you know that's not necessary right now," James strode towards the bed and observed the girl, "how is she?"

"Her breathing is normal and her temperature is fine, she just seems to be exhausted. As far as I can tell, she's suffering from a few minor scrapes and burns, but nothing too bad. There's a few on her back, but she doesn't seem to want to be touched. Every time I got near her, she would pull away and recoil, I had to sedate her for a while. It should wear off soon, but she needs to regain her energy." Hughes explained quickly, finishing bandaging her arm and neatly tucking it away.

James took all this information in, all the time just staring at the girl on the bed. Indeed, she seemed to be sleeping and breathing easier than before and even had a slight blush back to her cheeks.

"Very well, I shall sit with her," James walked over to his desk and sat behind it, making his point, "I leave you in charge and should anything happen, you may come to get me. I have some work to look over and it would be more convenient than you having to come get me en case she wakes up and says something about the Pearl.

"Yes Commodore." Hughes stood up and bowed respectfully to James, before walking over to the door and exiting the room.

James watched him carefully, before he allowed his gaze to turn back and focus on the girl on the bed.

He just watched her for awhile, watching her face at peace as she dreamt. Watched the way her hair fell around her head and a single strand caught on the side of her cheek, Norrington having the strongest urge to go over and carefully sweep it away. His eyes wandered down as his mind thought to check her steady breathing. He watched her chest slowly rise and fall and he scolded himself, turning away with a heated blush on his face as he realised just how long he'd been looking at her chest.

Quickly getting back to his work, he set himself hard at work, his eyes and hands focused on the parchments before him, maps and various documents beginning to pile around him. All the while, his mind wasn't completely focused as he listened to the sound of her breathing, finding it a most pleasant sound.