"Are you sure you want to do this, James?" Isabel asked. "I mean, you let him go and now you are going after him again?"
"Jack Sparrow must be caught," he explained to her. "He has done foul deeds against the crown, and the punishment for piracy against the crown is death."
"I understand that you want all pirates to be brought to justice," she told him. "But then what was the point of letting him go yesterday when you had him at the gallows? I understand Will Turner interfered, and you let him go only because of Elizabeth. But then you had a chance to go chase Sparrow afterwards."
"I know, Isabel. I guess it was just something I had to do since he did help us capture the pirates that took Elizabeth, and the very ones that have hurt you. But, I still have a duty to do. Capturing and arresting Sparrow is my duty now. I must go after him and bring him to justice."
"James. Please. Please don't go," she said. "Just stay here, and continue your duties that you have here. You don't have to go after him. No one is making you. Don't force yourself to do this, please."
James looked at her, and saw that hurt in her eyes. She was afraid that if he left, he might not come back. Chasing pirates isn't an easy task, especially when going after the Black Pearl, the fastest ship in the Caribbean, and captained by Jack Sparrow. Going after the Black Pearl is no easy task, and he remembers that clearly from their journey to finding Elizabeth. And James didn't want to either, but he had to for he was the one that arrested Sparrow first, and made the choice to let him go, but now has to go after him again for he is also responsible for the escape of Sparrow.
But, in truth, James didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay behind in Port Royal and spend more time with Isabel. Last night, at the gala, he enjoyed his time with her. He wished the night had been longer, but that couldn't happen. Now, he had a duty to do, and he had to see it through. He was torn between two choices. One was following his head and do what he must, and the other is to follow his heart and just let Sparrow go and stay behind and be with Isabel.
"You shouldn't have to do this, James. He has the Black Pearl, and it is the fastest ship anyone has ever seen. And he also has a crew too that know the ship very well as much as he does. How can you expect to capture him when he has all that?"
"I'm sorry, Isabel. But, it's my duty. I must go. I have no choice."
"You always have a choice, James. Just promise me one thing?"
"What is it?" James asked.
"Come back home safely. Or at least, just come back home. Please."
He could see that she was close to tearing up. He didn't want to see her cry, nor did he mean to. He took both of her hands and kissed the knuckles. He then pulled her into a hug, placing a hand behind her head.
"I promise to come back," he said. "I promise to come back to you, Isabel."
Isabel wrapped her arms around him, fighting back the tears that had formed in her eyes. She didn't want him to go, but he would still go no matter what she would say. She knew he had a duty, but she knew it would be impossible for him to catch up to the Black Pearl. But, it would be on him still to catch Jack Sparrow. He had a job to do, and she couldn't keep him from doing so. She had to let him do his job. She just had to. She didn't want to, but he won't listen. Anything she said wasn't going to change his mind.
"Be safe, James," she said. "I'll be here, waiting for your return."
"And I'll make sure to return to you, Isabel."
James brought her hands to his lips, kissing her knuckles. He then placed his hand on her cheek, rubbing his thumb against her. He didn't want to leave her, not after what just happened between them. Both of them admitting their love for each other, and spending the night at an event together that same day. But, he had his duty first before anything else. He got Jack Sparrow, and then he slipped away afterwards. It was either go after Sparrow again or be shamed for failing. And he had to go after Sparrow.
James let go of Isabel's hands when it was time to leave. He looked back one last time before he boarded, seeing Isabel holding back her tears. He wanted to stay behind, but he couldn't. And Isabel knew that as well. She gave him a small smile, and waved. He smiled back, and nodded at her. Elizabeth was not too far behind, watching the two of them. When the ship started to leave port, she walked up to Isabel and wrapped her arm around her shoulder.
"He's a fine gentleman, Isabel," she told her. "He'll be back for you. I'm sure he will."
"I know, Elizabeth. But, I just wish he didn't have to do this."
"I know what you mean. James is an honest and a hardworking man. But when it comes to duty, he always puts that first. He loves his country very much, and is willing to arrest all the pirates out there. Jack is an exception, but now must go after him before word gets out that he let him go on the day of his execution."
"I just hope that he doesn't capture him," Isabel said. "I know that sounds cruel, but the odds are against him. He's the captain of the Black Pearl, the fastest ship to ever sail the seas. I just want James to stay here, and attend to his other duties. I know he doesn't like failure, but still."
"I know what you mean, Isabel. I know he won't be able to capture Jack. He isn't one to give up, but after seeing him that day, I think he's changing. Slowly, he is. But, I am sure he will give up his search to just come home and be with you."
"I hope you are right, Elizabeth," she said. "I hope you are right."
"Come on. Let's spend the day together. It has been years since we last did that."
"Since when we were just kids was the last time we spent time together, before that incident."
Elizabeth gave her a small hug, and the two of them decided to walk through town. They talked about last night and about other things as well. Things were different now, but Isabel was still herself. A caring person who put others first before her own well-being, proved many times over during her voyage with James and his crew to rescue Elizabeth from Barbossa and his men. They made a small stop at Will's shop, and Elizabeth was learning how to use a sword from him. Will offered to teach Isabel, but she just shook her head and watched the two of them. She was happy for Elizabeth, and glad that she would be able to spend her life with Will. The two of them had a history together, and could tell that the two of them had feelings for one another for a long time. It just took them a while to finally admit it to the other. Just looking at them made her sad for it will be a while for her to be able to spend more time with James.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Elizabeth called her name. After saying no countless times to learn sword play, she finally caved after countless begging from Elizabeth. She wasn't comfortable, but she remembered that she had to learn to defend herself in case of another pirate attack on Port Royal, or when out on travel. It was best that she learned swordplay now instead of waiting. Plus, she had Elizabeth with her and what better way to learn swordsmanship than from someone who actually makes them. It did take her while to get use to the footing, but she was doing well, especially with Elizabeth as her partner.
Aside from sword training with Elizabeth, Isabel wanted to continue her father's business. She was a merchant, and did help her father a lot during his travels as one. But, she really didn't want to though. But, she had to make money somehow. Instead of working as a merchant, she worked at the local tavern. She found it rather enjoyable, what with all the stories she hears from other sailors from around the world. Days turned into weeks while waiting for James from his voyage, and she had not heard from him since the day he left. She worried every day, but Elizabeth would tell her that he will return soon. She didn't want Isabel to think the worse, and she was glad that Elizabeth was instilling that hope into her every day.
It had almost been a month since Isabel last saw James. She missed him so much, and she would always keep weather out on the horizon, hoping that it would show up before sunset. She waited every day for his return, and every day Elizabeth would stand there with her, keeping her company. Only merchant ships came and went, and not his ship. Until one day after sunset, when she left to go home.
Isabel couldn't tell if she was dreaming or not. There he was, standing by the window in her living room, his back facing her. Still dressed in the uniform he left with, and completely unharmed as well. It wasn't until she said his name did he turn around and face her.
"James. Is it really you?" she said.
He gave her a small smile, and nodded his head.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to come home, Isabel. But, I'm back. Just like I promised."
Isabel couldn't contain herself anymore. She ran towards him, and threw her arms around him as well. She couldn't hold back the tears. She just let them come out, and he just stood there, rubbing her head and the other arm wrapped around her back.
"I'm so glad you're back," she said. "I've missed you so much."
"And I missed you too. I thought about you every morning when I woke, and every night when I went to sleep."
"Did you catch Sparrow?"
"No. I stopped my search two days ago," he told her. "Sparrow is no longer important now that he has the Black Pearl. And I couldn't spend another day away from you. I just had to return and see you again, Isabel."
James then cupped her face, looking deeply into the eyes that haunted his dreams during his voyage. He had missed them so much, and now he could see her right in front of her. He brushed his thumb lightly against her lips, and soon his lips met with hers. Isabel wrapped her arms around his back, not wanting to pull away. She had waited for this for a long time, and it was well worth the wait. He was right there, safe and holding her close to him, and sharing their first kiss after his return. Just this moment made the wait very worth it for both Isabel and James.
When they pulled apart, Isabel rested her head against him, and he pressed his cheek against her head. They stayed like that for what seemed like forever to them, until James broke the silence between them.
"I'm sorry to have made you wait so long," he told her. "You never left my mind the moment we left port."
"And you were always on my mind as well, James," she said back to him. "I'm just glad that you came back safely. And the wait was worth it, James. It was worth it."
"There is one more thing I would like to do," he said.
He pushed her back just a bit, taking her hands in his, and giving her the same caring look he gave her during their time on their rescue journey for Elizabeth.
"Isabel, from the moment I first saw you, I felt something. It was different from when I felt about Elizabeth. And the more time I spent with during that journey, the deeper my feelings grew. And when the first thing you said was my name, I was hurt. I was hurt because I thought I might have lost you that night, and that I wouldn't be able to hear your voice anymore. But now, I'm glad that you survived, and glad to know that you have given me your heart. And now, I would like to know if you would share your life with me."
James then got down on one knee, not breaking the eye contact he had with her.
"Isabel, would you do me the greatest honor of being my wife? Will you marry me, Isabel?"
She was at a loss for words. They hardly had any time together when they returned to Port Royal, but here he was. Here was James, down on one knee, and already asking for her hand in marriage. But to her, she didn't care if they only had one night together. They had a journey together, even though James was mostly on the search for Elizabeth. That was more than enough, and that evening they had together was also enough for her. She truly loved James, and with what he is doing right now, she could tell that he truly loved her as well.
"Yes, James," she said, tears streaming down her face. "Yes. I will marry you. I would love to be your wife, and share the rest of my life with you."
James smiled brightly at her, tears starting to form in his eyes. He got up, and gave her a hug, letting out a laugh, glad to hear her answer. He spun her around a few times before letting her down, and kissed her once more. He cupped her face while giving her long kisses, and she did the same to him. Things were going to be different now for them, whether it is good or be bad. Things are never set on one side. It is always set in between, but with Isabel and James, they were willing to work things out.