Disclaimer: Wow, if I owned POTC…I would've drowned it with Norribeth…or even Sparrowbeth…heck, even Beckabeth.
Story: Elizabeth finds What if's too much to bear and wishes that if she could, she would want things to be different from the first time around.
Set after AWE.
Spoilers: For all three movies.
Pairings: Norribeth [Norrington/Elizabeth
Warnings: Not sure…
"Goodbye my almost lover
Goodbye my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
I should have known you'd bring me heartache,
Almost lovers always do
We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images
And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you would never
Ever forget these images, no." –Almost Lover (A Fine Frenzy)
My Almost Lover
Chapter Four: A Fine Frenzy
Elizabeth hummed to herself as she continued her walk to James' office for a visit. Giggling lightly, she waved to Andrew and then walked in unannounced.
"Elizabeth, I love you. Would you marry me?" James pronounced to the window, back straight and jaw jutting out.
"I'm over here," Elizabeth said, offering a weak grin. Her heart beat wildly.
James whirled around, eyes wide. He offered no explanations and Elizabeth didn't push it. While James hadn't meant to say it, he wasn't going to take it back. She decided to pretend it hadn't happened and allow him to do it properly, as he would want to do.
"I have something to tell you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth wondered if James was going to try again right then. She felt herself fill up with anticipation, but pushed it down. It wouldn't do if it was something else.
"I'm to become Commodore of her Royal Majesty's fleet," he told her anxiously.
"That's brilliant, James! Congratulations!"
He smiled weakly, before deciding he should sit down. He offered her the same before quickly looking down.
"I remember you were very disappointed to learn I didn't tell you I was becoming Captain last time. Even though I didn't know, I know how much you would want to be told first. Well, this time I was the first told by the Admiral and now I've told you. As of right now, we're the only two who knows. It's like a secret between us, yes? And the Admiral, but he doesn't count."
Elizabeth laughed delightedly, rushing over to him and pulling him into a hug.
"I'm near your station now," he said meaningfully.
"I know," she replied with a mysterious smile.
This was the day she had hated waiting for. Not only because of the changes that had been and would be wrought, but also for how Jack Sparrow, the Black Pearl, and her destiny would meet. And her engagement.
As last time, her father came in with a gorgeous dress and that blasted corset. He hinted at the marriage proposal she should accept from Commodore Norrington and she suddenly stopped Estrella from finishing her job with the dress. She looked her father in the eye and impishly stuck out her tongue. Her father sighed but Elizabeth wasn't finished.
"Father, I've waited for this far longer than you think. I know what you're trying to do and let me do it my way."
Her father looked surprised, "I see. So you weren't kidding when you said you wanted to marry him when you were twelve."
Elizabeth choked on her breath. "You actually remember that," she muttered embarrassed.
Governor Swann shrugged and jovially walked away, content with his daughter's happiness in hand.
"Estrella, don't pull my stays too tight. Have the corset breathable. I don't wish to faint because of it," she said, looking back to the last time she had worn this dress. Maybe she could salvage it this time around.
Because of her looser corset, Elizabeth was able to appreciate the ceremony better. She smiled brightly and looked on proudly at James. He looked over to her and smiled back, seeing her proud look for him. Afterwards, she got the usual case of déjà vu, only this time it was because James asked her for a moment once again to the parapet.
"Elizabeth, I –"
"Be straight, James. There's no need to be nervous and ramble around me," Elizabeth cut him off, not really impatient –after all, she's waited how many years again? –but more to help him feel better and keep calm.
"I love you. Maybe since I first met you, but I've only just realized when I saw you gliding down that staircase in such a vivid vision of green that my heart stopped for a moment. I've been so terrified that I'd lose you to Mr. Turner or to some other man that I didn't know if I could make you as happy. I've tried hard to reach this position so that I may be of closer station to you and be allowed to ask…for your hand in marriage."
Elizabeth smiled softly and tilted upwards to plant a small kiss on his cheek.
"And you have it," she said softly.
A grin slowly spread across his face and he pulled her closer and muttered thanks into her tightly wound hair.
'No, thank you…'
Smiling, she excused herself to inform her father when she decided to spy on James a little. She was happy enough that she hadn't fainted; maybe her luck would last a little longer.
Down a few levels, she stood near the rocks at ground level with the ocean nipping at her toes.
She leaned back a little to see James, only to see him staring down at her.
"Here I was, looking to stare at the ocean depths only to see my fiancé lurking down there. What are you up to, Elizabeth?"
"Spying on you," Elizabeth said bluntly.
James burst into laughter and Elizabeth grinned widely at his response. She stepped back to get a better view of him, only to realize she was stepping into water.
"James!" she gasped.
She plunged into the waters, pulled down even more with the weight of her dress.
"Elizabeth!"
Without a second thought, James jumped off the parapet and went into the waters after her.
"What a crazy couple," Jack Sparrow stared at the remnants of a splash, with Murtogg and Mulloy next to him.
James struggled a little to bring Elizabeth back up, but the weight of her dress was too much. Hoping she would forgive him, James ripped her dress off and swam to the surface. Not really wanting to make it to any other shore before checking Elizabeth, he settled for a flat surface of a rock and kept Elizabeth on his lap. Seeing her still not breathing, this time he hoped for Governor Swann's forgiveness and he quickly cut her stays and let the corset fall into the waters. Averting his eyes, he took off his jacket and put it around her before hugging her close to keep her warm.
"'Ello there, mate! Need a hand?" James blinked at the weirdest looking man he'd ever met, swimming near him. Then his eyes narrowed as he realized it was a pirate.
"Not from the likes of you, pirate!"
"Just wantin' to help, is all. Are you sure?" Jack gave him a toothy grin.
James hesitated before wincing, "If you'd get us a boat, it'd be much appreciated."
"Then I'll be back."
James watched as the man swam back to two figures he recognized as Murtogg and Mulloy. Together, they pioneered a small boat to the correct side and then Jack came sailing back, still with a toothy grin.
"Here she is, mate. By the by, name's Captain Jack Sparrow."
James introduced himself with a bland face, "Commodore James Norrington."
"And the lass?" Jack asked as he came closer and stopped before him.
James winced again, but accepted the other man's help in bringing Elizabeth into the boat.
"My fiancé, Elizabeth Swann," he answered shortly.
"Alrighty then. Let's start sailing back, you two crazy lovebirds," Jack started humming something awful, and James unwillingly felt his mouth quirk upwards into a smirk.
"That there smirk is better than that horrid scowl on yer face, Norrie," Jack said cheerily.
James rolled his eyes, "It's Commodore Norrington, Sparrow."
"And it's Captain Sparrow, Commodore," Jack said with cheek.
James almost bit back his next words, but he put them out regardless, "Not that you really deserve it, Captain Sparrow, but I have a mind to offer you a privateer spot and have your crimes…forgotten. As my thanks."
"Privateer, eh? No thanks, I like bein' Captain."
'Captain of what?' James thought with another eye roll.
"You'll still be captain of your ship, only your occupation would be as a privateer, idiot."
"Well then, if that's the case we 'ave an accord!"
James sighed and clutched Elizabeth closer, feeling her cold body warm up.
"As long as it isn't by the East India folks," Jack muttered.
James was surprised, "You know Cutler Beckett, then?"
Jack actually scowled, "I've got stories to tell you about that man that'll make any pirate seem like a saint."
James smirked, "Then we have another accord."
They shared another look, and settled into an even more companionable air.
The screams tore through the night. Elizabeth was terrified. Her earlier happiness from the engagement and from listening in on James and Jack's conversation was nowhere near as she felt the fear of running away. Only hours before she had thought of how different and crazy things had gone, now she could only think of how much everything had gone the same.
She paused. She had been a pirate lord and proficient in a swordfight. Why was she scared?
Oh, she had been scared back then too. But she had pushed it down and fought like a hellcat.
Taking inspiration, Elizabeth gathered her wits about herself and found a sword. It was a bit rusty and didn't seem like much use, but she did her best fighting with it. She only needed to see Pintel and Ragetti and say parlay, but until then she would protect the mansion.
Coming in, Jack gaped in surprise at how she fought back the pirates.
"Now that lass has some spirit in her."
Unfortunately, the two Elizabeth had been waiting for came up behind Jack and knocked him out. As he crumpled into place, Elizabeth caught sight of the two and stopped. Inches before a sword cut into her, she proclaimed, "Parlay."
And now was where the true changes would begin.
Started 10/1/07 –Completed 10/1/07
What if James had had the guts to confess his love to her earlier?
What if Elizabeth had not fainted on the parapet?
What if they had gotten engaged on the parapet?
What if James had jumped in after her?
What if James had Jack help him and offered him a privateer job?
