-1Chapter 6
A Caged Bird

Elizabeth sat huddled in the corner of her jail cell, avoiding the two rough looking pirates on the other side at all costs. Gazing around the stuffy room she noticed only a single soldier guarding the cell, and he didn't seem to be paying much attention, either. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and as she glanced up, her eyes froze in surprise. It was Norrington. Coming down the stairs, Norrington looked mighty fine, but the dull looking soldier with him looked like he had been slapped with an ugly stick. The guard keeping watch outside the cell suddenly straightened up authoritatively, and stopped them.

"Nobody can come down here." He told them.

The soldier accompanying Norrington leaned into the guard.
"It's okay." He whispered.
"Beckett ordered him to come here immediately."

The guard, choosing his battles wisely, let him pass.
Norrington took one look at Elizabeth and hurried to her side.
"Elizabeth!" He told her gripping the bars of the cell.

Elizabeth, more than relieved to see a familiar face, rushed over to him filled with joy.
"James! What are you doing here?" She asked.

He sighed, his serious demeanor obviously flustered.
"I got word that you were captured."

"Yes...Beckett's brother is out to avenge his brother's death."

Norrington, sad to see her behind bars, tried to lift her spirits.
"I'll go talk to him; right now! I can make a bargain."

Elizabeth shook her head in objection.
"No! you can't! You've finally gained back the power that you lost by helping Jack escape...I can't...! I won't let you lose it again to save me."

As much as it pained him to hear it, he knew the words she spoke were of truth. He sighed, then looked into her eyes; sorrow reflecting from his.
"I must do something! I can't leave you to die." He told her, cupping Elizabeth's hands in his.
"I still care for you, Elizabeth"

Elizabeth looked down embarrassed and pulled her hands away, saddened that she didn't share the same feelings.
"James..I..."

"I know you have never cared for me in that way." He said interrupting her. "But please tell me, how can I help?"

Elizabeth paused, but knew immediately what she was going to say.
"Find Will...! Tell him I'm fine and not to come looking for me!"

He shook his head.
"But why?"

"If Beckett finds him, he won't even live to see the gallows. Please, do this for me..." She begged him.

The worry and devotion in her voice for Will stung at Norrington's heart, but he nodded; knowing all he could do was accept it.

Elizabeth quickly explained to Norrington how to find Will, and he parted, promising her he would do as she asked.

But Norrington wasn't going to leave her to her fate. He wasn't going to stand around and let something bad happen just because he had regained a power among certain people. Instead of going immediately to find Will, he walked in the other direction, and headed straight to Beckett's office.