A/N- My sincere thanks to those of you who reviewed. As always, your words are appreciated.

Chapter Six

The metallic sound of forks clanging softly on plates was the only sound that could be heard in the large dining hall, accompanied with the occasional scurrying to and fro of a servant. The three who occupied the table all shifted awkwardly at intervals. James cleared his throat, wishing for nothing more than this uncomfortable dinner to be over with. Of course, he had not expected the evening to go perfectly, but he had thought he would be able to cope with the situation a little better.

Not for the first time that night, he stole a look at Miss Dubois out of the corner of his eye. At first glance, she appeared rather at ease with the situation, but when he looked harder, it was obvious that she would rather be anywhere but there. There was a stiffness in her posture that told him that she wasn't in the least bit comfortable, and at the corners of her eyes was a tightness that signified tightly bottled up anger. Also, she made subtle gestures and sighs that let him know just how unhappy she was. He smirked. It served her right.

James wondered about her. The way she held herself at the table and the manners she showed while eating and drinking spoke of an aristocratic upbringing, but… then why had Will picked her up in Tortuga? He knew enough about that place, both from hearsay and experience, that a young lady from a respectable family would have no business there.

Seeing that Will had finished his meal, James pushed himself back from the table and said, "Mr. Turner, what do you say to a smoke in the parlor?" He still had not gotten his answers.

Will too seemed relieved that the awkward dinner was at last coming to a close. After an instant of consideration, he nodded, also standing. "Yes, Admiral, I believe a smoke might do me good."

Both of the men looked to Celeste when her chair scraped backwards, and she too stood. "Well, since you are both going," she began, "I suppose I'll…."

But James interrupted her. "Miss Dubois, you must be tired after your journey," he said, ignoring the look of indignation on her face, "I'll have the head maid, Mrs. Pierson, show you up to your room."

"But, I…."

He once again cut her off. "Mrs. Pierson!" A rotund old woman came bouncing into the dining room.

"Yes, Mr. Norrington?"

"Please show Miss Dubois up to her room and help her get settled in for the night."

"Yes, sir."

James could still hear Celeste's furious protests as the old maid led her away. He knew that he had greatly angered her, but he couldn't say that he really cared. He needed to talk to Will, and he wasn't in the mood for that ill tempered French chit to get in the way. Besides, it wasn't custom for the ladies to follow the men out to the parlor after dinner anyway.

He was surprised when he looked over and saw an amused grin lighting Will's face. Will glanced over at him and saw him looking. "You roused her temper," he chuckled lightly, "Although that is something that isn't extremely difficult to do, I have found."

"So it would seem," James replied with smirk of his own, "She must have been an… interesting… traveling companion."

Will snorted. "Interesting doesn't cover it."

James pulled open the door to his parlor and followed Will into the room. It was a comfortable room, not as big and spacious as some but not small either. The furnishing was tasteful, not overly extravagant but elegant. James went to sit down in one of the cozy chairs, and Will took his seat across from him on the settee. There was a long moment of silence, reminiscent of the unease experienced at dinner, after the two men had lit their cigars. James was at a loss as to what to say to start the conversation off in the direction he wanted it to go. What could he say? Anything he said about Elizabeth was sure to make the situation even more uncomfortable than it already was. The fact that she was not with Will paired with the fact that he had not mentioned her the whole evening told James that something was amiss with the happy couple. And he feared that the other subject that he wanted to bring up that evening, the detestable Jack Sparrow, had something to do with it. He had observed and learned a few things during the short time he was on the Black Pearl.

But luckily for James, Will decided to take the plunge. "I believe there is a reason more than your goodness of heart for having invited me here, Admiral."

James sighed, but he was thankful for the opening. "Yes, there is, but first I would like to say that I believe we have been through enough together that there is no need to stand and ceremony and call me by title. You may call me by my given name if you so wish." The experience of sinking down to one of the lowest beings on earth had made James ecstatic about having the title of Admiral, but he thought that this situation called for less formality.

Will appeared to consider it, but finally he nodded. "Yes, I suppose we have been through a lot together… James." A dark, hurt look came into his eyes. It was only there for the barest instant, but James didn't miss it. "And we have a few things in common."

"Elizabeth," James whispered softly, understanding what that last cryptic statement meant, "Will, tell me what happened at World's End."

Will looked away as he took a long pull on his cigar. As the smoke billowed out in the air, James read the expression on his face, and for a moment he thought the other man might crumple in anguish, but again, the emotion was gone almost as quickly as it came. He took the cigar out of his mouth and looked back at James. "Well, you of course know of Lord Beckett's…." The name was spat with utter hatred… and James couldn't blame him, nor could he say that he felt much differently. "… Plan to eliminate piracy in not only the Caribbean but the world. With the heart of Davy Jones, he knew that his plan would be much easier to execute." At this there was an accusatory look, and James sought to defend himself.

"I did what I thought I had to do."

Will nodded slowly but did not acknowledge the comment further. "With Davy Jones in league with Beckett, it was harder to find and rescue Jack," he continued, "But with Barbossa leading us, we sought help from pirates of all corners of the world, but this too you already know." Indeed, being just a step below Beckett in authority of the sea, James did know much of the details of Beckett's plan to eradicate piracy, but he had not been at World's End to witness much of the goings on. "At World's End after we had reunited with Jack there was a large battle." Will paused for a long time, and James almost thought he wasn't going to continue, but finally he did. "I was… wounded badly and separated from the rest. I found my way to Tortuga, and now here I am."

"Elizabeth? And… Jack?" James asked, cringing.

Will gave him a level look. "I hope they are happy together."

"You mean, they…?" James didn't really want to know the answer, but he had to ask. If Elizabeth could not choose him then he would at least rather her be with a man whom he had some amount of liking for, not that… that… bloody pirate!

Will let out an exasperated breath and stood quickly. "They became quite close after Jack sold me out to Davy Jones. Didn't you notice?" Although he had noticed, James decided that that was a question that needed no answer. "I hope she's finally found what she really wants."

James didn't know if Elizabeth would ever be satisfied with a man. She was far too free spirited and flighty. Elizabeth Swann was a bird that no one would ever be able to cage. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that although beautiful in body and in spirit, Elizabeth would have never been the wife he wanted. That realization made the rejection a little more easy for him, but how would Will cope with it. "Then, Miss Dubois, are you and she…?"

Will laughed slightly and shook his head. "No. Celeste is beautiful, and I like her, to be sure, but I don't think I could ever feel about her what I have felt for Elizabeth. Celeste is more like a younger sister that I never had. While, Elizabeth, she's… she's her."

That was the truth for sure. "And you don't know where either of them are now?"

"No," Will replied, shaking his head, "I thought maybe you might since you are so close with Beckett." Again the accusatory look. "Have you spoken with him lately?"

As James nodded, his mind drifted back to the conversation he had had with Beckett, back to when he learned of his new betrothed. "Yes, I spoke with him, but it was very brief, and he mentioned nothing of that. He is gone now, but he will be returning in a few weeks time."

"Gone?" Will prompted, "Where to?"

"Back to England… to retrieve his sister, my fiancée," James replied woodenly. Lady Jane Beckett was to be brought back to Port Royal, after which their wedding would take place punctually.

"Fiancée?" Will uttered incredulously, "I had no idea you were engaged."

"Yes, it's something that I just learned of recently myself," James replied sullenly.

Will nodded slowly, a deep look of understanding in his eyes. Silence descended over them as they finished their cigars, both content to smoke in the quiet.

----------

A/N- Hope you guys liked this chapter. Please review! I really want to know your opinions.