DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Pirates of the Caribbean story or characters. Also, I'd like to thank Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio for using parts of their script as references to this fan-fic.

Whooohoo!! I love this chapter... a bit more exciting and *plunging* into the main twist of the plot. I told you, this is a WILL & LIZ fic... O_O... for those who are going mad with impatience, YES... good old Jack Sparrow will eventually come in. Just wait, please!! I'm developing the characters a bit before I throw him in, so you'll just have to bear with me. Please R&R, and tell others to R&R. I really need reviews... please tell me if you have ANY suggestions at all. Really, I feel like I'm talking to the wall... @_@. R&R, tell me how you like it!! Also, email me at ChelleLee489@yahoo.com.





Chapter 4



Elizabeth gasped for air as she was helped out of the carriage by her choffer. She tried to inhale, but it had proven to be difficult due to her corset. Why did she always have to wear the "latest fashions" that were most painful? Why didn't London come out with a new style that allowed circulation?

She tried to take her mind off of her breathing problem. Will Turner… why hadn't she really met him before? She had remembered growing up as a child, somewhat knowing him, but only as an aquaintence. Why? Because of her father. He wouldn't let her get near anyone of the opposite sex unless they were already married, with the exception of Norrington. Norrington… her father had gone on about him incessantly to Elizabeth, telling her how much they would make the perfect couple. Elizabeth accepted it, but still doubted the fate her father had chosen for her. She wanted to make her own fate, lead her own life. But that was highly unacceptable for the Governor's daugher.

"Come, now, Elizabeth," she heard her father say. "With the other ladies, please,"

She walked over to where the other ladies were fanning themselves, hardly able to breathe under their corsets. Atleast I'm not alone…, she thought to herself as she waved her fan in attempt to get more air. Elizabeth suddenly noticed everyone had turned their attention towards the center platform.

With choreographed precision, the Governor removed the sword and scabbard from the presentation case, held by a uniformed Navy man. He slid the sword into the scabbard and held it out vertically to Norrington, who was fully dressed in uniform. Norrington grasped the scabbard above Swan's hand as he let go.With a gallant gesture, Norrington drew out the sword. It flourished as he flipped it and snapped the blade in front of his face. The audience, still in silence, continued to watch eagerly as the Governor stepped up to pin the medal on Norrington's jacket. The now appointed Commodore turned smartly and nodded to his fellow officers, and then turned again to the audience – the dignitaries, merchants, plantation owners, and their families. Elizabeth noticed, as he nodded to the ladies, his eye caught hers in a small instant. After another flash of the sword, he returned it to its sheath.

The respectful silence was suddenly broken by loud applause by all of the audience and the Navy men and officers. Elizabeth only watched as the sun's hot intensity grew, and fanned harder to try to relieve herself. She brought her arms up to applaud briefly, but winced due to the tightness of her corset. She quickly tried to adjust the corset through the material of the dress. She saw one of the women next to her looking at her strangely, so she resumed clapping, trying to hide her discomfort.

Elizabeth heaved deeply, growing pale and perspiring. She fanned herself weakly, oblivious to the music and chatter. She slowly began to walk away from the crowd in dire need of fresh air. Suddenly, a figure came up behind her. Oh, no…not now…

"May I have a moment?"

Norrington extended his arm to her. In proper politeness, she took it, feeling nothing but obligation wearing her down. He walked her further away from the party, towards the parapet. Elizabeth leaned on the stone wall, closing her eyes and fanning furiously. Norrington was too nervous to notice, working up the courage to say something to break the painful silence.

"You… you look lovely, Elizabeth," he burst out. Elizabeth frowned, unable to focus, only concerned about her disability to breathe properly. Norrington bit his lip, mistaking her expression as a sign of disapproval.

"I apologize if I seem forward, but I must speak my mind," he cleared his throat as he worked up his confidence to do so. "This promotion confirms that I have accomplished the goals that I set for myself in my career. But it also casts a sharp relief that which I have not achieved…"

Elizabeth, not listening to a single word the man said, was staring off into the ocean. Her lungs felt as if they were literally on fire. She felt her eyes getting weary as her vision blurred. She tried to remain conscious as Norrington droned on with his speech.

"…the thing all men most require: a marriage to a fine woman,"

She looked over into the distance, back towards the ceremony. Her eyesight gradually distorted, trying to focus. Suddenly, she saw some vague figure appear coming towards the parapets. Her eyes squinted as she came to the realization, identifying him as…

"Will..." she said, almost in a mental state. Norrington looked at her questioningly, but then continued on with his rant.

"Ahem… a marriage, to a fine woman. You are a fine woman, Elizabeth,"

Elizabeth could see Will running towards them. He suddenly stopped when he saw her and Norrington. His face suddenly turned to an expression of sadness. Am I too late?, he thought. Did he already ask her… is it really all over? Will felt something instantly pierce through his heart, a combination of shame, jealousy, anger; but worst of all, the loss of love tore at his soul. He watched helplessly as he saw Norrington unveiling Elizabeth's appointed fate. He then saw Elizabeth, who was fanning incessently and not looking well, as if by suffication. He could see her looking in his direction, faintly whispering his name as he came to a sudden realization…

"Will… Will…" Elizabeth said under her breath. She thought it was only a mirage, but it was telling her something… a decision she should have thought about long ago…

"What?" Norrington asked, now irritated by Elizabeth not listening to his proposal.

"I… I can't breathe…"

"Well, yes, I am a bit nervous myself---" he was shocked to find that his to-be fiance had suddenly dissappeared from where she was standing. "Elizabeth?"

She closed her eyes and fell off the ledge by the stone parapet, unable to move or do anything about it. Not that she did want to do anything about it. She had realized at that very moment she would have rather died than have married Norrington. He didn't care about her, or love her at all. All he had desired was what would make him complete. She was but a 'requirement for all men; a fine woman'. She almost laughed to herself as she was falling, as if all time had stopped. This was her fate. She had to accept it.

"Elizabeth!" Will's voice echoed through her mind. "Elizabeth!"

Will hurried up to Norrington, who was staring blankly as she fell into her death. "How could you let her fall?" he asked furiously. "How could you let her just… just die??" Norrington continued to stare into nothing, simply awestricken by what had happened.

"It's a miracle she didn't plummet into the rocks," he said. Will looked at him as if he were insane. He knew the Commodore wasn't in the mood for saving his only love. He had to do it, even if it meant sentencing himself to a watery grave as well.

Will quickly took off his shoes and climbed onto the stone wall.

"What are you doing? Have you gone mad?" Norrington said.

"Yes, only madly in love," he said. He closed his eyes and dove into the air, plunging into the deep blue abyss.



** Please R & R, and let me know how you like it so far. **