Footsteps walking down the stairwell echoed in the corridors and Delia stirred. When she opened her eyes, she noticed dawn was about to break. She had taken advantage of the calm after the attack and was grateful for the little sleep she could get. Her gaze wandered over to Jack who was already awake and lying on the ground. Unrest had settled upon his face as the footsteps approached, revealing to be the Commodore.
Delia immediately noticed the dark circles around his eyes, revealing he had not slept, either. He wore his usual stoic expression, but something had changed in his eyes. It was as if he was grieving. He did not regard the pirate in the slightest and headed straight for her door, unlocking it wordlessly. Last night had come as a shock to all, it seemed.
The woman rose as the door opened with a squeak, exchanging glances with Jack as she walked towards freedom. Her heart sank at his nervous expression.
She remembered last night; how he had distracted the pirates before they could harm her and helped her with her shoulder. And knowing he was about to meet his demise later in the day while she would walk around freely saddened her somewhat. Thus, she pondered, her mind racing as she was thinking of a way to make it up to him.
She genuinely wanted to save him.
Her gaze landed back on the Commodore, seeing him attach the key ring on a hook on his belt, and an idea came into her mind.
She halted before him, gazing into his green eyes, and smiled at him, placing a hand on his chest. "I'm glad you're alive, Commodore," she spoke, "thank you for remembering to come here despite all the trouble you must have had last night."
His stoic face broke and was replaced by surprise as he gaped at her. "Of course," he then replied with a nod, closing the door behind her. As soon as he turned his back to her, she sought Jack's gaze again and winked at him, signalling to the pirate that she had a plan. He smirked and lowered his head, sending her a barely visible nod.
As Delia and the commodore were about to pass Jack's cell, she gasped in feigned pain.
The man reacted swiftly, turning around to see her holding her right arm. "Are you alright?"
"M-my arm," she said with a trembling voice, "it hurts."
"What happened?" The concern in his tone was evident. He rushed to her side, his hand about to touch the spot on her upper arm she was holding onto, but she flinched away.
"D-don't touch me," Delia stuttered, but Norrington was adamant to help her, circling around her, his back now facing Sparrow who had pretended to be asleep the entire time.
"I can't help you if you don't let me," the Commodore insisted and she gave in, letting him feel her upper arm. "Where does it hurt? Here?"
"Yes," came her reply, flinching slightly as his thumb circled on a spot threateningly close to her joint. "I dislocated my arm last night when the pirates came."
"Let me see what I can do." No further explanation was needed for the gentleman as he now gently prodded at her shoulder, feeling for any sign of a dislocated joint. She watched the concentration upon his face as he did so. They were so close she swore she could even feel his breath and gulped.
She then noticed a set of hands appear from behind him, the nimble fingers reaching for the keys attached to the side of his belt. They disappeared just as quickly with the keys, never making any sound.
"It seems your arm is merely sore," Norrington announced and her eyes snapped back to him. "The pain should subside within a few days."
"Thank you," said Delia with the kindest smile she could muster, her gaze locked onto his with their faces still inches apart from each other. They lingered like that for a moment, until he became aware of it as well, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks as he cleared his voice and straightened his posture. "You're welcome," he replied in his usual serious tone before motioning for her to walk beside him as they would leave for the stairs. "Nonetheless, I shall have a medic examine your shoulder later today."
"That is very kind of you." Delia gave Jack one last glance as she left, smiling as he was now the one to wink at her, holding up the keys in his hand with a broad grin.