I do believe it is time for an update. I apologize for the time that's lapsed in between updates; real life has a way of distracting you from a day dream doesn't it? In any case I fear that this update will nary be long but it is important as we begin to creep forwards towards the second film. Beware…

The door crashed open seconds after Ashlynne disappeared from view. Panic robbed him of breath and he hadn't the time to pinpoint why he felt it. James yelled for the men to cut him free and after some bumbling and cursing they did so. While behind him he vaguely heard Theodore begin to answer questions, James shot to the window, seemingly unable to get there fast enough and near falling out of it himself in his haste.

Upon first inspection of the hillside he could scarcely see anything beyond the thick, tropical flora but then, looking closely, he saw her and everything stilled. No longer could he hear the voices behind him. No longer could he feel himself breathing or his heart beating. Everything was muted as his eyes took in the broken form of Ashlynne, partially impaled upon a pike-like plant, her neck cocked at an odd angle as her lifeless eyes stared back up at him.

Without warning James retched over the window sill, emptying the contents of his stomach at the same time that he felt the last of his principles drain away from his soul. He'd done this to her, just as much as she'd done it to herself. If he'd been willing to listen, willing to bend just once then maybe…

"Oh Ashylnne!" James heard Groves come up beside him and felt the man place a shaky hand on his shoulder. James continued to heave even though his stomach was beyond empty. Tears streamed down his cheeks, from his retching and from the loss he knew. Groves must've seen the pathetic state he felt himself to be in, surely they all saw. "You men quickly go retrieve that woman and take her to the medic's ward." When there wasn't immediate movement James felt the vibrations in the air as Groves near growled the next order, "Your Commodore is ill-disposed at the moment and I am ranking officer. Now go dammit!"

The soldiers snapped to attention then and scurried off, thundering down the corridor. James couldn't stop staring at her, noting how even in death she looked beautifully defiant with one fist clenched and the other thrown over her head as if posing for a playful portrait. He noticed then a crimson trail leaking from her mouth to the greenery below, bright against the paleness of her skin.

"Come away Commodore." Groves grabbed him tightly about the shoulders and after some forceful movements managed to pry James away from the window and back to his chair.

He sank into without a word, his mind blank aside from the repeating images of his last encounter with Ashlynne. If he concentrated hard enough he was certain he would still be able to taste her on his lips. How could it be that she was now dead? The force to be reckoned with that had only just resurrected from the dead was now, by his hands, truly deceased.

"Commodore." He faintly heard Groves calling to him but James felt not the inclination to respond. Instead he remembered her accusations, as both herself and as Miss Davenport; he replayed in his mind every moment where she'd nearly given herself away, recognizable now in retrospect; he tried to pinpoint when it was that his mind had decided to betray him by loving her once more. "Sir." Groves shook him just enough to get his attention again. "The medic has examined Miss Davenport and pronounced her deceased."

At first confusion still clouded his mind but then James stiffened, his eyes darting towards the window. The light had changed from that of morning to noon and he realized that he must've fallen into a stupor since Groves had helped him sit down. When he looked back to Groves he saw that the man also looked ill, his eyes hollow and his jaw tight. No doubt he was mourning the woman as well, though in a different fashion. James frowned. No doubt Groves blamed him for Ashlynne's death as well, and he rightly deserved the accusation.

"Did he say if she suffered or not?" James surprised himself with the question, and from the look on Groves' face he'd surprised his lieutenant as well.

"He didn't say sir. He mentioned that if she hadn't broken her neck from the fall then she would've bled out from her internal injuries. There was nothing anyone could've done to prevent her death."

James felt his stomach heave again. Yes, he could've prevented her death if he'd listened to her.

"Commodore Norrington!" Gillete suddenly near fell into the room, his face flushed.

"What is it?" James did not at this moment want to be the Commodore and hated the reminder that despite his wishes he still was.

"The Pearl sir," Gillete gulped, "it's been sighted just off our southern coast."

James felt a strange fire leap into his chest at the mentioning of the Pearl. On that cursed ship would be a cursed pirate, one who had most likely cursed Ashlynne, and one who was just as guilty—in James' mind—of her death as he was. James glanced at his desk clock and frowned. They had little time to ready the ship and set out before the tides changed but if they hurried there was a chance.

"Head to the ship and tell them to make ready, we sail in pursuit of the Pearl." James surged to his feet and turned towards his weapons cabinet. He heard Gillete trot away but nary a sound from Groves. As he strapped his cutless to his side and retrieved his pistols from the cabinet, James spoke over his shoulder, "What is it Groves?"

"Are you really sailing after the Pearl, now sir?"

James turned around, "WE are sailing for the Pearl now yes. It is our sworn duty to hunt down these pirates and eradicate them from our waters. Do you have a problem with that Lieutenant?"

"I understand our duty, sir, but-"

"Lieutenant," James walked back to the desk and leaned over, bracing his weight on clenched fists, "you must understand the delicate situation that you are in right now. You aided a pirate earlier and defied direct orders. You should be up for a court martial and at least dishonorable discharge if not a hanging." Groves' jaw clenched in response. "Miss Fitzpatrick was correct in that you are a good officer, I acknowledge that, and I truly believe that you were misguided in your actions and perhaps believed yourself operating for the greater good."

"Sir, I-"

"Let me finish, Lieutenant." James held up a hand to still Groves' interruption. "As you and I were the only ones aware of Miss Fitzpatrick's true identity and actions taken this morning, I see no reason not to overlook your discretion granted that you oversee, personally, the pursuit and apprehension of her 'brother' once we have returned from our mission." Groves was strangely still when James finished and James allowed the silence to continue for a moment longer before he sighed and straightened to his full height again, "Do you accept my terms Lieutenant or will it be the brig and a hanging for you?"

Groves looked out the window when he finally replied, "What are you going to do with her body, sir?" He put extra emphasis on the last part.

James felt a jolt in his gut again, still finding it hard to grasp that Ashlynne was indeed dead and now he had a body to dispose of. When had he grown so callous and cruel?

"I believe she would've liked to have been buried at sea," Groves looked back to James when he said this and James felt himself fighting a strange urge to blush, "so we will canvas her body and leave her to Davy Jones' locker once we are out of port."

"Very well sir," Groves nodded, "I'll see to her body and I accept your terms." He assumed a formal stance. "Is there anything else sir?"

James shook his head and watched as Groves gave him a stiff salute and disappeared down the corridor. How quickly this day had turned to disaster. Miss Davenport was Ashlynne, Ashlynne loved him but wasn't willing to surrender, Ashlynne died after his insistence that she surrender, Sparrow surfaces, and now…now he was to watch the body of a near beloved pirate sink to the depths.

James clenched his fist, "Damn you Sparrow."