Rose woke up at what appeared to be the middle of the night, as all sounded still and calm above her bed on deck. Were it morning, she would hear the creaks and moans of the waterlogged floorboards. She woke up out of fear, just as she had for many mornings now. Fear that when she awoke, the past eleven months would all be a dream; That her powers, having been fully revealed in all their glory to Will, would not be the vessel's main source of power and influence across the seven seas, that her status among the crew would not be elevated beyond her wildest imaginings, and that James would be but an illusion, a fantasy of some memory from long ago.
But after a moment of panic, Rose looked at her surroundings, and breathed a sigh of relief that in fact all of these wonderful things had come to pass.
Her mind was aflutter, but as soon as she let the many thoughts that raced through her fall silent, she felt herself begin to drift back into sleep. After a few minutes of peace, a sharp rap at the door startled her so much that she nearly levitated out of bed. She darted for her white cotton underdress and then lunged for the latch.
"Yes?" she asked curtly, her face pressed quite close to the small opening in the door that she had allowed.
The quartermaster was waiting outside and only gulped. It was apparent that even after nearly a year since the Defoe kerfuffle, he still didn't trust Rose after she attacked him. He said curtly, "The Captain requests your presence at once."
Oh no. Rose gave a brief nod in corroboration and began to close the door. Right as she went to move, he called out, eyes over her head and peering into the room, "You as well, Norrington."
Rose froze, preparing some hasty excuse or negation, but none ever came, as she felt James appear behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist assuringly, and she let her face fall, looking at the quartermaster wide-eyed to gauge his reaction. His brow was furrowed and his eyes incredulous, while James's demeanor was nearly the opposite. He beamed unabashedly and his eyes shined with utter glee. "Tell Turner we'll be there," he said. "Together." He then took the knob from Rose's hand and proceeded to close it on the quartermaster's bewildered face.
She spun around and looked up at James. "The art of subtlety is not your strong suit, is it?"
He shrugged. "Subtlety, no, but I am trained in the art of strategy."
Rose rolled her eyes and continued to get dressed. "Well that seems to be working so well for you thus far. What is your strategy? Beyond getting us into danger!"
"We've rather accidentally landed in the perfect position," he said, climbing back into the half of Rose's bed he had decided was his in silent protest of the quartermaster's demands.
She looked at him skeptically. "Do explain."
"With pleasure," he retorted. "They can never harm us again."
He was being frustratingly vague. "I say again," said she, "Do explain."
"Rose, it's been a year. You need not fear for my safety, nor I yours." He turned on his side, propping himself up with his elbow. "They've seen what you can do. How powerful you are. And with our union, they will fear us. Or, you. Nobody fears me."
"Yes but," she sat back down next to him, "It isn't this simple with pirates. They might try to control my abilities through harming you. Blackmail, perhaps."
He leaned in close to her, almost so that their foreheads were touching. He said quietly, "Let them talk. What have we got to fear?"
Rose embraced him and waited until she felt his arms wrap around her in return. She then ran her fingertips along his back where underneath a thin layer of cotton, those horrid and just barely-healed scars were concealed. He flinched at the touch. "I cannot let them hurt you again," she whispered into his ear. "If that means living behind closed doors, I will do what I must, even if it takes ninety-nine more years of secrecy." She released him, laying a hand on the side of his face. "That's why we need to see Will regardless. Perhaps knowing and understanding where we stand…especially now, will put him on alert."
Rose opened the door and led the way. He called after her, close on her heels, "Mark my words, he'll be less than pleased upon hearing about us!"
Will was less than pleased upon hearing about them. James and Rose stood before him, an awkward and uncomfortable space between both of them as they stood like guilt-ridden children before a stern parent. Will just stood between them, glowering in silence. When he finally did speak, his voice was low and accusatory.
"I would have preferred to have spoken with each of you individually. That is what I ordered. But apparently, my commands were jumbled when you two were discovered in a single setting." Rose could feel herself start to grow red. "A setting," he continued, "Which provides an answer to my first question I would have asked the both of you, but now I need not ask it."
Rose looked to James. His eyes were fixated on their captain with bristled amusement, ever challenging his authority.
"You both have made your…romance, I suppose," Will groaned, clearly uncomfortable with the thought of his friend and foe in love, "Fairly obvious."
Rose gave a sheepish glance to Will. It was true. Even though they had tried to be discreet, their gazes from across the deck, obvious attempts to stay away from each other during the day but stealing away to a distant corner of the ship to talk to each other by night, and James having not slept in his bunk in months were not fooling anyone.
"How long has this been going on?" Will asked.
It had been going on for nearly a year, and it progressed just as Rose wished it to. Pleasantries grew into attraction, attraction grew to intense respect, and respect developed into love. They had tried to keep their relationship a secret not only for safety, but also as not to distract from their first duty, which was to the Dutchman. As things progressed, however, it became clear to both James and Rose that their priorities had shifted, and their feelings had become harder to control.
"Not long," Rose lied.
"A year," James said simultaneously, inciting a swift glare from Rose.
Will pursed his lips. "A year." He began to pace the room, looking at neither of them and visibly struggling to find the right words. "I...I am not particularly in favor of this union, for I only see woe coming from it."
"Ah," James piped up. "Is that because you admire Rose and despise me?" Rose nudged James, motioning him to watch his tongue.
"Not in the slightest, Norrington. Personal preference has nothing to do with this," chirped Will briskly without hesitation.
"Come now, Turner," James bristled. "Why else would you disapprove? Aren't you the primary advocate of pursuing the notion of 'true love,' despite prior engagements?"
Her nudge turned into more of a slap that time. Obviously, Rose's part in winning James's heart did not alter his feelings of hostility towards Will in the slightest.
Will stalked James as though he was ready to devour him whole. "Namely, Norrington, I refer to the shirking of your duties."
Rose's heart dropped. She knew exactly of what Will spoke. "I can explain," she began.
"I would love to hear that," Will said to her. "I would love to hear how you managed to completely vanish off of the Dutchman, not to be found by a thorough search from myself and every man onboard for the two of you. Where did you steal away to, without my permission?"
James and Rose looked at each other, silently conversing with only their eyes. All crewmen aboard the Dutchman had the ability to transport themselves from the ship to anywhere else with just the slightest bit of focus, as long as they were on Earth when they did so. It was a simple process, and the crew was not bound to the same land limitations as Will was. "Which time?" James finally asked.
Will's jaw was set. "There was more than one time?"
Rose winced. "Yes, um…three?"
"THREE TIMES?!"
Just then, the three of them heard someone enter through the doors behind them. It was Bootstrap, coming in to discuss some assortment of business with his son, but stopped in his tracks when he saw the tense standoff that was currently underway.
"Oh," he said. "I'll come back later."
"No, no," Will replied, motioning him in. "Please stay. The fun has just started."
Bootstrap uncomfortably entered the scene and leaned against a wall near Will, facing James and Rose. He crossed his arms over his chest and stayed there as a silent onlooker.
"Rose was just about to explain why she and Norrington have been off my ship without my permission not once, not twice, but three times," Will said furiously to his father. He turned to Rose. "Proceed," he ordered.
"Well," she nervously began, "One time, we visited my father."
"Teague?" Bootstrap asked from the rear of the room. "How does he fare?"
Rose grinned, "Well, thank you!" To a brooding Will, she explained, "We hadn't seen each other since before my death, so it was good to catch up. Oh," she said, remembering, "And James wished to reunite with him as well."
"He saved my life when I was a child," James explained. "I found it right to properly thank him."
Will narrowed his eyes. "I would have granted you permission to visit had you but asked."
James snorted. "Doubtful."
Will glared at him. "And the other two times?"
Rose spoke up again, this time more excitedly. "Elizabeth was another time."
Will's face was red with anger. "You visited my wife without my knowing?" he said to James.
James grinned. "We all found it exceedingly curious that you never thought to mention to your bride and mother of your child that a significant figure from her past was serving on your crew. Especially Elizabeth, who apparently asked you about me a few years back. Concerned about fidelity, Turner?"
"Is that how you consider my observed kindness toward you in letting you aboard?" Will spat.
James raised his eyebrows. "It's not healthy to keep secrets from your spouse, Captain."
"I don't need spousal advice from the likes of you!" Will retorted.
"Regardless," Rose interrupted, breaking the tension. "Elizabeth and Henry were extremely happy to see us, and they miss you dearly, of course. And," she said, pulling out a stack of bound parchment from the pocketed folds of her skirt, "Letters from Elizabeth." She saw Will soften a bit as she handed them to him. "She was wondering if I could serve as a liaison between you two."
Will looked up at her, considering this. "Yes, I would like that," he said, "But only with my express permission. Understood?"
"Absolutely."
Will's voice lowered, and he grew closer to Rose. "How do they fare?"
"Henry has grown so much," she said with a smile. "Looking more and more like you each day. And Elizabeth continues to astound me. Clearly, the title of King suits her well."
This report pleased Will, but Rose wasn't completely doing their visit justice. Elizabeth was completely beside herself at seeing her closest friend again, and then once again when it was revealed that James was not lost to her forever. The two were finally able to make full amends as Rose reunited with her beloved Henry. Then the moment came when James and Rose told Elizabeth of their affections, and she was positively floored by the notion of two parts of her life coming together in such an unexpected way. It was a beautiful time, and Rose was so pleased that Will would permit her visiting Elizabeth often to deliver letters between the two of them.
Will was satisfied at this status report of his family, but had to get back to the matter at hand. "And what of the third time you went ashore?"
Rose and James exchanged another glance, asking one another a silent question about a truth which they both were incredibly uneasy to approach with just about everyone except themselves. Despite her anxiety and apprehension, Rose gave a brief nod, then said, "Actually, that would have been the first time we went ashore. It was when James proposed. We intend to be married."
Will's jaw dropped. "Married?! Under who's authority? Certainly not mine!"
"It had better be yours!" James shouted. "You're our Captain, and you shall marry us, despite the many prejudices you carry."
Bootstrap let out a small chuckle, a hand casually concealing an amused grin as he watched this all unfold and his son become gradually more and more agitated.
"Listen to me," Will said, trying very hard to keep his voice level, "I may have admitted to misjudging Norrington in regards to what I presumed was his dangerous nature, but that doesn't mean I approve of him."
"Oh tell us how you really feel, Turner. Don't hold back," growled James sarcastically.
Rose tried once again to circumvent another verbal spar. "I promise you, Will, and this is no falsehood; I love him." She smiled to herself after the words fell out of her mouth. Love. Love that she knew was shared. Love that would never leave her. Permanence. The feeling was majestic.
Will escorted her privately to the side of the room and lowered his voice. James craned his neck to listen in to their conversation, but Will was careful to block his entry.
"Rose," Will began. "This man wanted to marry Elizabeth for no true reason but status. He tried killing me many times, and your brother many more. What would Jack think about this?"
She raised her voice to include James in the exchange. "And he also saved Elizabeth. He saved me. He spared your life when he could have executed you for freeing Jack. For your many reasons to distrust him, I have just as many reasons to trust him." With that, Rose swept to James's side, sliding her arm through his and leaning into him comfortingly.
She felt him slightly turn and kiss her forehead. A calm relief flooded through her chest as she drew closer to him. She felt his chest rise to speak again. "I thought I would never be able to...feel again. You cannot deny me this. I care not if you are the keeper of my soul. This much," he said, holding Rose tighter, "Is not in your control."
Rose held his arm steadfast, hoping she could provide enough support that he needed in that moment. She looked up at Will, who was staring at her as though carefully considering something.
"So this is where your heart truly lies?" Will asked finally.
Rose smiled. "Actually," she said warmly, "Technically we already were wed. Years ago, in fact."
"We were?" James asked in alarm.
Rose pulled away and looked up at him. "Tortuga. The Bride Auction. You bought me, remember?"
Suddenly, James did remember. It was the day Jack had gone on Tortuga, the same day Rose hated remembering. Rose had been disguised beneath a red wig and entered a bride auction as a diversion so Jack could have ample time and limited distractions in his quest. It had all ended badly when James, having caught up with the Pearl in his pursuit, outbid Jack for Rose and held her at gunpoint to capture them both. Ultimately, Jack and Rose got away, but in fact, James had been the highest bidder.
He grinned. "Indeed I did." His gaze lingered on her for a moment, then returned to Will expectantly.
Will sighed, paused for another moment, then said to her, "A wise woman you knew well once told me that for what we want most, there is a cost that must—"
"'Be paid in the end.'" Rose finished, reciting Calypso's words that she knew all too well. "And we have already paid that price dearly. Lives full of misery and loss should be granted an eternity of happiness."
He blinked and nodded, "Aye, if it were but that simple." He turned back to Bootstrap with a concerned look.
After a moment of tense silence, Bootstrap said aloud, "You have to do it now."
James narrowed his eyes. "Do what?
"Now?" asked Will.
Bootstrap nodded. "It's not fair otherwise."
Will sighed and shook his head. "I knew I should have said something sooner."
"Said what?" asked Rose.
Bootstrap shook his head, and to Will, he said, "You were under orders not to. It's not on you."
"What are you talking of? Speak!" cried James.
Will approached Rose, taking her hands and sitting her down in his chair. Gently and cautiously, he told her, "Rose…you aren't dead."
She didn't understand his meaning. "Well, I'm certainly not alive…"
"You're not either. Recall how your body was at war with itself when that black magic was upon you? It wanted to kill you, but your body refused to perish."
She squinted. "What are you saying?"
"When Calypso intertwined her powers with you, she made it impossible for you to die.
James shook his head. "I don't see what the problem is then."
Will kept his gaze on Rose, taking a deep breath, "It means that you cannot be bound to the 100 year servitude as the dead are. We have no idea how to free you. Rose…you're here for an eternity."
