The silverware gently clinked against porcelain plates. Soft chewing could be heard through the thick silence. Weatherby glanced back and forth between myself and Elizabeth. I silently ate, ignoring his looks. Elizabeth acted similarly. We both had been waiting for the other to break since we arrived back at the manor.

The scrap of a knife against the porcelain made my skin crawl but I did not look up from my food. I heard the clatter of silverware and a soft sigh. "Will you two please talk to each other? I cannot bear this silence," Weatherby said.

I looked up at Elizabeth who seemed reluctant to speak. My lips pursed, "If it will please you, Weatherby."

I stared at Elizabeth who stared back at me with defiance. My brows lowered. This childishness has gone on for far too long.

"Elizabeth, you understand that what you had done today was immature and reckless, yes?" I began. "Protecting a man who is a pirate is beyond your power."

Her eyes narrowed, "He was still my savior. How was I to know he would resort to taking me hostage?"

"He is a pirate."

"That means nothing to me."

"Does it?" I grit my teeth. "The title pirate means nothing to you? The title of a thieving, villainous thug means nothing to you?"

She nodded proudly. Holding her chin up high for all to see, "The title pirates does not refer to one's character. I am sure there are pirates out there who are respectable men but were simply labeled as something so villainous for minute reasons."

"Perhaps "pirate" does not refer to one's character, but it still has a basis in one's actions. Not all pirates may intend to murder but they always will in the end."

"Can the same not be said about our own soldiers?" She retorted.

"No, it cannot be said. Our soldiers protect the English government, the English people."

"While pirates protect the freedom of themselves!"

"By taking it from others," I growled. "Life is full of give and take but unjustly taking from others is how corruption takes hold."

"Then I guess that the Crown is corrupt," She stated firmly.

Weatherby coughed into his glass. I looked at her warningly, "Do not say that."

"You have proven my point," she grinned cockily. My eyes widened before narrowing fiercely. I felt my finger nails dig into my palms at her arrogance. Sad memories tinted with fury rose to the forefront of my mind.

"That does not mean that it was not foolish to step between the Commodore and the Pirate," I retorted angrily. I felt my hold of this discussion slipping like water between the crevices of a cupped hand. "Knowing that he had committed crimes in his past does not mean he will not commit one in the future. Even if he had saved you, it could not cleanse the blood completely from his palms."

"But it should allow some leniency."

I scoffed, "Leniency? That man will hang no matter if he saved hundreds or thousands. The promise of death has been burned into his skin."

"But if he saved that many it is a promise that they will return the favor in due time."

"Just as you repaid the favor to him," I said coldly.

Her jaw clenched and she rose, "Please excuse me, but I am beginning to feel tired."

Elizabeth left the room gracefully, but you could hear her struggle to hold from stomping her feet. My hand combed through a little curl in my hair. A shaky breath escaped from my lips. I abhorred fighting since that… time... but this was inevitable. Weatherby glanced up at me, "You did well."

I nodded. The adrenaline pumping through me making my hands feel shaky and my legs weak.

"I have a discussion with Commodore Norrington about his proposal," He said hesitantly with a glance between me and the door Elizabeth just left through. "Would you be willing to come?"

My lips thinned. In honesty, I did not want to. Elizabeth did not love the man, but currently the house felt stiff from our argument. Leaving would be better for the little one to relax, besides I could give this Commodore a warning. Perhaps dissuade him from his choices. A wicked smile pulled on my lips.

"Yes, I will go."

I stared off into the distance as I leaned against the parapets of Fort Charles. The lack of starlight this evening was disheartening but at least I could spot the moon peering down every so often. It's soft rays making all the world appear similar when it was far too different. The soft wind kissed my cheeks with it's sea salt breath. A deep breath escaped me.

I glanced over at Weatherby and the Commodore. They had asked for privacy for a moment. Discussing issues that I did not have the need to hear. I had a sneaking suspicion that the topic was the execution of the pirate. It was a matter not privy to a woman's attention until the day of the execution where she would be dressed grandly to watch a criminal die for his crimes. Even the ominous noose was there to be seen but not talked about. Another huff of air escaped from me when Weatherby motioned for me to return.

I nodded, straightened my skirts, and walked towards the men. Commodore Norrington bowed his head gently then we began our journey across the wall.

"I hear that you have proposed to Elizabeth," I began firmly.

Weatherby fumbled in his steps ahead of us. Irritation prodded at my mood from the argument with Elizabeth; striking those unfortunate enough in its way. Those in its way were Weatherby and a man who simply wanted my Elizabeth for nothing more than her beauty and mask of properness. Perhaps it was a bad idea to have me here; at least for Weatherby it would be bad.

"She has," the Commodore responded warily.

I smiled sweetly, "Then I assume she refused?"

He was stunned, stopped in place blinking as Weatherby whipped around to me. "Mercy!" he chided, now getting slightly angry with my attitude.

The Commodore held his hand placatingly to Weatherby, "She has not given a response yet."

"Ah, then I am correct," I responded while avoiding his gaze to look out at the cloud covered sky.

"Or it is because she has had a rather trying day, yes?" Weatherby grabbed my shoulders in a weak attempt to diffuse the situation, "Ghastly weather, don't you think?"

"Bleak. Really bleak," Commodore Norrington responded promptly.

I frowned at him interrupting, but let it go. His pleading eyes met mine for a second. His daughter had a chance at a good life, a life laying back and eating cake. A life I once had. A life I had soon lost. I glanced back at the ocean covered in fog. Vaguely through the fog I could see orange bursts of light against a dark hull. I squinted my eyes, but could only see the black form of the ship. The want to believe that it was just another ship was so strong, but the terror gripped me.

"What's that?" Weatherby asked curiously. I vaguely heard the distant booms that he heard coming from the bright lights on the water. Before I knew it me and Weatherby were both on the ground. A large explosion made my ears ring. I could see the debris crashing back onto the fort after being blown apart.

"Return fire!" the Commodore shouted as he scrambled to his feet. "Take to arms!"

Weatherby wrapped his arms around me as we stumbled around the fort wall. Men in uniforms bumbled past us quickly to get to the cannons. I felt tears of panic prickle but refused to let them fall. My hand reached into my pocket and grabbed the knife that lay hidden there. The loud bang of cannons deafened me, but I could still hear the cries of the people. A gasp came from my mouth when I saw a soldier being dragged away. The white of his uniform had been stained red like a blooming flower. His eyes looked up towards the heavens even as words stumbled out of his mouth like a babbling child.

The other soldiers looked frightened as the ground slowly had streams of red travel between cobblestones. They were so young. Some of them-barely teenagers-facing the reality of death. Their mothers, fathers, siblings, all weighing on these soldiers to protect them from these fiends. I blinked again. A small child stood in between the men. His soft red hair slick with blood, welts on his too pale skin, and eyes dulled with pain. A coin hanging around his neck. I watched him with my breath held. Keeping my eyes on him for as long as possible.

"Joseph?" I mumbled gently. I blinked again and he vanished. A wail almost left my throat but I kept it in. Tears slid down my face as memories tried to make this nightmare even more hellish. I saw the Commodore for a moment but then was quickly guided by Weatherby away from everything. Away from the chaos, away from the battle, away from death. Deep into the fort we went as he guided me into an office. He settled me gently into a chair before scuttling around to pull furniture in front of the door, barricading us inside.

The image of my little Joseph cycled through my mind again and again. The blood, his hair, those eyes. Oh Lord, how he must hate me for abandoning him. Leaving him with his father only to remain with him through death. How he must hate me for not being there when he died or being there forever with him in death. Perhaps that is what will happen today? Will I be reunited with my little Joseph? Will my life return to how it was? Will I ever see the grand tree again with my son and husband sitting at its base in the swaying grass? Will Rachel and Elizabeth be running down the hill to pick flowers? Will Elizabeth-

Elizabeth.

I snapped out of my trance. My surroundings suddenly made sense. Quiet booming was still heard outside, but there was no clash of metal yet. The maps hung against the wall and on desks were orderly and neat. Quills were nearby in their inkwell. A desk being used to hold the door closed had its drawer askew to reveal a clutter of documents.

"Where are we?" I asked as I looked around the room.

Weatherby seemed a little frazzled. Hairs from his neatly done wig were sticking out, but he smiled when he heard my voice. "The Commodore's office. He ordered me to barricade us in here."

I looked back at the cluttered papers in the desk drawer. I suppose the Commodore was not as neat as he led on then.

"Where's Elizabeth? Is she still at the Mansion?"

Weatherby wilted, "Yes"

My breath began to quicken again as Joseph flashed in my mind, "I need to get her."

"You must not be serious!"

"I will not lose my child again, Weatherby! I must get her and bring her here!"

"The Commodore will surely send soldiers to protect her! We cannot do anything but wait here!"

"I cannot leave her there, she will get hurt! Weatherby, please! I know how to protect myself!"

"You can protect yourself, but can you protect the both of you? I cannot let you leave. Even if it pains me to abandon Elizabeth. Nothing will get done if we are both dead."

I felt the tears begin to fall rapidly. The only person I could truly rely on to protect her was William. I only hoped his vendetta against the pirates would not distract him. Once more I had become useless. A useless widow who could do nothing to protect those around her, only staying in this room and praying for the safety of those beyond our doors. The bitterness kept me awake as the battle raged throughout the night.

A/N:

Chapter 8 and the last week of the college semester! Let's go! I saw a bunch of people start following my story and I am really excited to write some more. Just have to get keep this pirate inspiration...

CoconutPlums: Thank you! I really appreciate that. Yeah, she has essentially grown to try her best and be a good mother for Elizabeth even if that means replicating Rachel a bit.

Reviews are welcome, just be respectful! :)