Author's Note: First off thanks for the thoughts. It's been quite a while since I've written anything. I have really had a rough time writing this chapter for some reason, but hopefully I can get over that. Thanks.

Chapter 3

"Elizabeth, I am going to adjourn this walk for the time being, and go back to the house. I am rather tired at the moment. I feel wretched for ending our journey in the gardens so soon." Catherine stated tiredly.

"Oh it is fine. Are you sure you are ok?" Elizabeth asked putting a gentle hand on Catherine's shoulder.

"Yes, I shall be fine. I just need to take a moment."

"Catherine, I will have Estrella bring you up some tea. I will get you when the time comes to go to Will." Elizabeth stared at her trying to find the ailment, but could see nothing.

"Thank you most kindly Elizabeth. I shall see you soon darling." Catherine walked off to the home, only to go to her room.

~*~

Once in her room, Catherine looked into the mirror. She didn't look ill, in fact she looked as if she were rather healthy. The only problem that she had had was an annoying cough that never seemed to want to leave, but a doctor gave her an elixir that has cured it for the time being. She went over to the desk noticed that Ellen had put everything away for her, pulled out her journal, glasses case, put on her glasses, and began to write.

II cannot help but feel as if I am living ill harmoniously with myself. I want to do so many things in my life, which I have yet to comprehend what exactly to do first. First, as always, is to find my misguided freedom. There are times that I think the only way it will come to me is if I am to just fly away. Just to go far away where no one can find me, where I can enjoy the love of my life.

Life. It should equal freedom, oddly enough it never does. I envy Elizabeth for having the right to choose her marriage, where I have yet to convince my own Father of the idea of having a choice. I have been quite tired lately to a reason that is unknown to everyone, even to me and that frightens me. I need my own fairy tale prince to come into my life, sweep me off of my feet to carry me off in style. /I

As she closed her leather bound journal, a knock was heard at her door.

"Yes?" She called, tucking the journal back into the drawer from which it came.

"Miss, Lieutenant Collins is here to see you. May he be permitted to enter your chamber, while I bring in your tea?" Estrella asked and promptly picked up the tray again.

"Yes, Estrella."

Collins opened the door for Estrella and even let her enter the room first. She carried the tray to a table near Catherine. Catherine went to stand, but Collins stopped her.

"Catherine, please do not get up. I have talked to Elizabeth as she entered from the gardens. She told me that you were not feeling well. Are you feeling well?" Collins asked sitting himself in the chair across from her.

"Collins, please, all the fretting about nonsense all over me. I am fine, just after being on a ship for quite some time will make one tired and weak that is all. There are no pressing ailments that I know of at this time." Catherine sweetly smiled.

"Your tea Miss." Estrella announced handing her a cup of tea on a saucer.

"Thank you Estrella." Catherine took a sip.

"And you Lieutenant Collins." Estrella handed him a cup of tea on a saucer as well.

"Thank you Estrella." Collins continued to stare at Catherine, as Estrella left the room.

"You know if my Father knew that you are in my room, he would most certainly be displeased."

"If you remember correctly Catherine, your Father told me to watch over you a while ago." Catherine smirked, remembering a funny situation between them the first day on the ship on the crossing from England.

"Collins, you are quite right. I was rather ill that first night wasn't I? I can guarantee that it was meant until I was over the sea-sickness that I had."

"My dear Catherine, you are more than likely right, but I am still going to protect you from whatever may come your way." They continued to drink their tea for a while until Catherine asked him a question.

"Collins, what did Commodore Norrington want with you today?"

"He wanted to tell me that he had something made for me. Norrington has not seen me since the day he left with Governor Swann and Elizabeth."

"Oh, it seems kind of him to have something made for you because of your arrival."

"Yes, I suppose it is. He should have spent the money on something else. Norrington is my sister's husband's brother."

"I still think that it is rather nice of him." Catherine concluded, finishing her tea.

~*~

Commodore Norrington walked to the blacksmith's shop to talk to Will about his order. Jack was still rambling on about Catherine. Will had learned that Jack only thought Catherine to be cute, but at the same time, someone he wanted to invest his time in. Will honestly thought that he should go against that idea this time, mainly because it involved Elizabeth's cousin.

"Shush Jack. Someone's coming." Will glanced to the window trying to see if he could make out anything.

"What are you doing telling me to…" Will covered Jacks mouth.

"If you don't hush, I will be forced to tell Norrington about you. Come to think of it, I believe that Norrington is here to get that blade." Will looked over at the boxed sword from earlier.

"Hide." Jack fled to the back of the shop, while Will went to the front to greet Norrington.

"Hello Commodore. Here to pick up your order I presume?"

"Yes Mr. Turner I am. Should have the name 'Collins' on it."

"Ah yes Commodore. Ready to go, here you are." Norrington took the box and paid Will the money owed to him for his craftsmanship.

"Good day Commodore."

"Good day Turner." Norrington then left as quickly as he had come.

~*~

Elizabeth sat reading a novel, which was not holding her interest at all. She was much too worried about Catherine. She decided to go upstairs to check in on her and it was practically time to go get Will anyway.

Lieutenant Collins happened to be emerging from Catherine's room and he noticed Elizabeth's presence. They paused to converse.

"Good afternoon Lieutenant Collins."

"Hello, Miss Swann. Catherine is in her room having already finished her tea." Lieutenant Collins stated.

"Thank you Lieutenant Collins. I shall go see her now." Elizabeth continued her way up the stairs to her room.

Catherine sat thinking to herself. She knew Elizabeth would be in her presence at any moment. She caught herself wondering if Collins could very well be the man that she loved and would one day marry and bear his children. The thought left a smile on her face as she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Yes?" Catherine called.

"Catherine it is me, Elizabeth. May I come in?"

"Yes, Elizabeth please come in." Catherine looked toward the door where Elizabeth soon emerged.

"Do you feel well enough to go into town to get Will?" Elizabeth asked, her voice still saturated with concern.

"Yes Elizabeth I am fine. I would be happy to go with you to get Will." Catherine stood up brushing the wrinkles that may have formed in her dress away.

The two ladies walked down the semi-spiral staircase, pausing at the study's doorway to tell the Governors what they were up to and not to worry that they would be back before they needed to call out the Royal Navy. Then they continued to go out to the carriage, which would ultimately take them to town.