Chapter Four:
I Have to Getaway

Cutler Beckett stood proud on the HMS Poseidon. Still gloating in his triumph over the pathetic Jack Sparrow, and that Norrington fellow. He'd gotten them. Port Royal was nowhere near from safe. In fact, it would be his victim. "Mercer! Full sails and a heading of southeast!"
Mercer nodded, and Beckett smiled. "Port Royal needs a new Governor, and I'm just the man to fill those shoes."

Elizabeth and Constance were sitting in the garden when Constance suddenly spoke up: "Oh, Elizabeth, I have some good news! The man Miss Connors was thinking about for my husband, declined! I'm so happy, I know I'll need to marry soon, I just want to choose and marry for love like you are."

Elizabeth smiled, "I hope your father will let you," she paused, "I can't believe I'm going to finally become Misses Turner in two days!"

"I know I'm so happy for you," Constance paused, "Elizabeth, I want to tell you about something. That nite of the dance, I danced with a wonderful man. We talked in the garden, until I ran from Misses Connors. He had such lovely eyes -- but they were sad -- he said the same about mine." Constance smiled at the thought.

"Who was he?" Elizabeth asked, curiously.

"Now, that I think about it, we never removed our masks, so I'm not sure."

"A mysterious gentleman," Elizabeth said with a smile.

"I wish now I did know who he was," Constance said sadly.

"Will or I might know who he is. Maybe try looking at some of the gentleman's eyes?" Elizabeth suggested.

"He's in the Royal Navy," Constance said, hoping it would narrow things down.

Elizabeth looked surprised, "Do you mean James Norrington?"

"I don't know. I highly doubt it. Miss Connors tried to pick him as my husband."

Elizabeth turned white. She needed to see James immediately.

James folded the map, and slid it inside his coat. He would find Beckett, no matter what. He'd realized just in days the mistake he'd made by giving Beckett Jones' heart.
"All because of my foolish desires," he thought angrily.
With the wedding coming closer, he wanted to be far away. He placed his sword on the desk. The one Will had made for his promotion to Commodore. He dipped his head and sighed. Raising it upward once more, somewhere between a cry of desperation and a prayer, he said loudly: "When will I be able to let her go?"

A knock came at his door.

"I wish to be alone."

"James, its Elizabeth, please let me in."

James turned, startled to hear her voice. "Come in."

The door opened slowly, and Elizabeth entered. "James, there's something I need to speak to you about."
He nodded, trying to keep himself busy by straightening items on his desk.

"Last nite a woman, Miss Connors, introduced herself to you."

"Yes, how can I forget how obstinate and unsympathetic she was."

"That's her. She mentioned a woman named Constance, no doubt?"

"She didn't tell me her name, but she did speak of a woman."

"It was Constance. She's my friend, and.."

"I can't marry her, Elizabeth."

"James, I.."

"I can't be unfair, and marry someone I don't love.." he paused, and turned to face her. "Not when I still love you."

Elizabeth started to cry. Coming to James, she took his hands, and enclosed them with her own. "That's why.. That's why I couldn't marry you. I loved another. Please James, you have to let me go, and not so you can marry another woman either, but for your sake."

James broke her grasp violently, "I can't, Elizabeth! No matter how many times I try, I can't! This should be you and I! Not you and Will!"

Elizabeth covered her mouth, surprised at his sudden bitter outburst.

James breathing was heavy, and his gaze stayed on Elizabeth for a moment, before turning his head, his jaw locked tight, and looking out the window.

"James, I know I hurt you.."

"I knew you wouldn't be happy with me. I just never accepted it."

Elizabeth stood there awkwardly. "You're leaving?"

"I have business I have to take care of."

"Beckett?"

"Yes."

"You're not going alone, are you?"

"Yes. I want to be by myself."

"Be careful James. You may not think so, but I do care about you. A lot of people do."

James just looked at her, "Goodbye, Elizabeth."

She watched as he walked out the door. She had a bad feeling, his goodbye was numb and perhaps with a bit of finality in his tone.

Miss Connors flitted about the room, babbling to herself about James and Constance, and contriving a plan. "If you marry perhaps he will take you on a ship somewhere exotic. Oh, how exciting! Isn't it, Constance?"

"How I wish I could get away now.." Constance muttered. "Wait a minute," she thought, "I can do just that! Leave on a ship!"

"Constance! You're not even listening!"

She smiled, "I'm going to go watch the ships for a bit, Miss Connors."

Miss Connors rolled her eyes, "When are you going to start thinking about ladylike things, Constance? Young wives and mothers can't be thinking about these things! They have bigger responsibilities!"

Constance ignored her and walked out of the room. Hurriedly she made her way to the docks. Looking at the vast amount of ships, she finally settled on a navy blue one with white trim, called 'Elizabeth'.
Quietly she snuck up the gangplank. She only saw one man on the whole ship. She descended the stairs and slipped into what must've been the Captain's cabin. Ducking in one corner, she smiled. "I'm finally free of Miss Connors!"

James untied 'Elizabeth' from the docks, and abruptly turned his back -- not giving another look at Port Royal. It felt good to be on his own. He'd make things right and find Beckett like he promised Elizabeth and then he'd just disappear.
He'd been a fool by giving the Heart of Jones' to Beckett, and now he almost felt like nothing was holding him to Port Royal, perhaps he'd ask for a transfer to somewhere. Maybe one of the penal colonies, at least he wouldn't have to see Will and Elizabeth together.

Constance yawned, but became quickly alert when she saw the Captain walk across the deck. "He looks familiar.." Her mouth dropped open, "Oh no! It's him! James Norrington!"

She may have escaped Miss Connors, but apparently, she couldn't get away form her 'future husband'!