Disclaimer: Although I wish I did, I own nothing Disney owns.

Chapter 4: Pain and Pondering

A/N: Wow. It's so interesting to see everyone's reaction to the outcome of chapter 3's duel. I got a 'thank you for killing the commodore' and a 'you're so evil for that.' And I can't forget the 'oh well'. (I'm paraphrasing!) Well, you asked for it you got it! Chapter 4!

            "Commodore!" Gillette knelt by Norrington's side. The Commodore opened his eyes weakly. "Commodore, are you alright?"

            He took a deep breath. "Do I look it?" He shook from pain and began to breathe jaggedly. The judge and Gillette pulled Norrington to his feet. They three men- Gillette, the judge, and the Governor, managed to support the Commodore so they could look at his wound.

            "Actually, sir-"

            "JUST," Norrington took a sharp breath again, "get me to a bed!"

            "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

            A doctor at the fort's hospital inspected Norrington's wound. "Please, Commodore, that is what the bullet is for!" The doctor said replacing the bullet between Norrington's teeth. He was biting it so hard he'd left teeth marks. "Well, Commodore, this is your problem," The doctor explained as he held a bloody lead bullet in crude tweezers.

            "I don't what to look at it, damnation!" Norrington yelled after spitting out the bullet in his mouth. He winced.

            "Commodore, please calm down. I have good news for you. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs or-"

            "Get on with it, man! Just tell me!" Norrington had lost his temper to pain.

            The doctor looked rather taken aback. "You should be up and about in about a week. Until then, I advise that you stay in bed and take this." He handed the Commodore a green bottle. "A spoonful each morning should do with the pain."

            "And if it doesn't?"

            "Then have two." He nodded curtly and went on to another patient.

            Norrinton looked around the hospital. Elizabeth seemed to be coming to. He hadn't realized that she'd fainted. Governor Swann was holding out a glass of water for her to drink but she refused and looked around the room, startled. When she saw Norrington she looked almost relieved. Was that a smile?

            "Elizabeth," Governor Swann said gently, "I have arranged for the Commodore to stay with us during his recovery." Elizabeth could not protest. She had heard the whole tale from her father.

            "Very well, Father. Whatever you wish," She answered plainly. She couldn't tell him how responsible she felt.

            "And, Elizabeth…Mr. Turner hasn't been seen all afternoon. We fear he's hiding somewhere…" Elizabeth looked worried but he could tell she was trying to hide it. And she was. She remembered the shot. Jack Sparrow.

            "Come on, Will, why so gloomy?" Captain Jack Sparrow swayed over to the railing Will leaned on. He'd noticed the dreaming look in Will's eyes. That only meant one thing. Elizabeth. "You're not thinkin' about that 'Lizabeth o' yours, are you?" Will seemed to let out a sigh but Jack couldn't tell what it was from.

            "I shouldn't have left her there."

            "Why not? It's not like she's going to marry Norrington's dead body!" He laughed at the thought. "C'mon, Will. I think you need…" He pulled out a small bottle, "a drink! Eh?" Will eyed it with a strange expression on his face. He stayed like that for a few moments and then took it from Jack. Actually, Jack didn't think he would but, surprisingly, Will drank down half the bottle before thrusting it back at Jack. "Well, you do have pirate in your blood!"

            Will made a sour face. "That's foul stuff."

            "It's an acquired taste. You'll get used ta it," Jack patted him on the back. Well, he tried to but he actually hit Will with the bottle.

            "I don't think I really want to, thanks. I don't plan on being a Pirate, no matter how much you try to persuade me. It isn't really the occupation that would win over Governor Swann," Will looked back out to sea but this time his eyebrows were furrowed in deep thought.

            "Well, it worked on Elizabeth, didn' it?" Will just glanced at him and sighed. "Eh…why don't you go below and get some sleep?" All he got was a pitiful look from Will and a nod. Once the boy was down the stairs and out of earshot, Jack shook his head. "Sorry, Bootstraps, but that boy'll never be a good pirate."

            "I think that's all, sir. Do you need anything?"

            "Some tea would be nice."

            "Very well, sir," Estrella curtsied and left the Commodore. He was lying, uncomfortably, in the spare bedroom of the Swann house. And if that wasn't enough, he had just taken that pain reliever which tasted like sour cherries and gin. The maid was nice, even if she was rather gossipy. He looked around the room. It was comfortable and it looked like no one used it. There were two bookshelves on one side, the second being only half filled. He could hear the sea from the three open windows. What a pleasant sound.

            Someone's footsteps were coming down the hall. It wasn't Estrella's. She walked much faster and with less hesitation. It wasn't the butler or Governor Swann's either. These were too delicate. He looked around the bedside table. The books had been removed and there was nothing he could busy himself with. The noise stopped and he looked up.

            Elizabeth had her eyes glued to her hands. She looked up only to see him for a moment and then went back to her hands. "Commodore, I was…I was wondering if you would like to have tea with me this afternoon…in the parlor." She didn't want to see his face. She bit the inside of her mouth.

            "Yes, that would be lovely, Elizabeth." He kept his eyes on her and waited for her to look at him. She took a deep breath and glanced at him quickly.

            "Alright. Thank you, Commodore. I'll…I'll have Estrella help you downstairs." She walked away quickly and tried to regain her breath. Will would hate her for this. But she had to be civil. He was staying in their home. And it was her fault. She wouldn't have that weight off of her shoulders until she could see Norrington alive and well. Will would hate her for that too. This was all such a burden.

            "Where are you, Will?" She whispered to herself and searched the sea from her window.

A/N: I know half of you hate me but I…I'M A NORRINGTON SYMPASIZER! I admit it. Sorry these chapters are so short. The next one will be better! I promise!