Hear Me Out

"Answer man!" growled Commodore Norrington. Gillette stood fast, staring at attention past the Commodore and making sure not to look him directly in the face. Norrington was enraged when he saw his sister and his most trusted officer on the grass, kissing for all to see. On their first outing together, no less! He was deeply disappointed with Katherine for being so insolent, and equally disappointed with Gillette for going against his word to be careful with the young woman. Norrington could only stand there, infuriated, as he held back his desire to throttle Gillette for all he was worth.

"James, stop it!" yelled Katherine as she ran up and stood between the two officers. James took a step back and stared past her to Gillette. "The blame is all on me – I kissed him first."

"Of all the people on this God forsaken planet…" said Norrington as he looked Gillette square in the eye. "You call that the conduct of a gentleman? You gave me your word." Gillette drew a breath and stood to his full height as he took the Commodore's verbal assault without flinching.

"James, enough!" snapped Katherine once more as she grabbed the Commodore by the coat sleeve and dragged him away. She turned to face him, her frustration now matching his anger. "You need to listen to me for one moment, James Norrington. Matthieu had nothing to do with this…"

"Kissing is not a one person activity, Katherine. He is equally guilty of inappropriate conduct as you are. The both of you gave me your word, and then proceeded to disregard them just as quickly."

"I gave you nothing! And you…stop playing jailer.  You are not my father," said Katherine with a deep, serious tone. James looked away and clenched his jaw. "It is my bloody decision James, not yours. You seem quite content to ruin the bond between us, and the friendship you have with Matthieu, all for what, some obscure notion called honor? Are you afraid I am going to dishonor you, James?"

James quickly turned to her and paused. "That obscure notion you speak of I have spent my entire life pursuing. It runs much deeper than the quick passions of some damn fling. This," he paused, pointing at the spot where he had found them, "is not the conduct of a lady."

"So you would prefer a medal over my happiness?" asked Katherine with a desperate air of exasperation. She shook her head slowly.

"That is not what I said," corrected Norrington as he stepped closer to her and gently grasped her arm.

"But it is what you implied!" she cried as she shrank away from his touch. Norrington paused and looked at her in disbelief as she backed away. He stood speechless for a moment before glancing at the ground.

"Never…I would die for you, Katherine, you know that…I simply do not want to see you hurt."

"I would never hurt her, sir," interrupted Gillette. There he stood, tall and confident, as he looked the Commodore straight in the eye. This was his chance to prove himself for his commanding officer and longtime friend. He took a step toward them. "Commodore, we have served together in many campaigns, bled together, sir….I would give my life for you, as I'm sure you would give your life for me. And I am true when I say I would lay my life down or whatever was necessary for Katherine if it were asked of me. I would never hurt her, sir."

Norrington rounded on Gillette and took a step toward him, trying to keep his voice at a civil tone. "I do not believe this is the time nor the place to discuss this, Lievtenant."

Gillette drew a breath and looked away momentarily. "You asked me to conduct myself as a gentleman, sir, and I believe I have done so."

"And I most certainly did not ask for your opinion," affirmed Norrington as he stepped toward Gillette once more, staring at him much the way he did when standing off with Turner that day at the gallows.

Gillette stood fast and returned Norrington's glare. He could understand why James was being so protective of Katherine. She was perhaps the only person he felt such a close connection with, and it would not be surprising for him to fear losing her. Gillette drew another slow breath and softened his expression. "Respectfully, James, I think it best to approach this like the dignified gentlemen we are. Please, hear me out."

Norrington's eyes narrowed at Gillette's words. "Positively not…" he declared as he looked down directly at Gillette's face. James put his hands behind his back and paused as he hovered over the Lievtenant, his demeanor dripping with silent authority and power. He then began to turn back toward Katherine to lead her away.

"Listen to him James," said Katherine quietly.

Gillette paused as he watched Katherine step up in front of James and take hold of his left arm. He gathered up his nerve and continued. "I realize that I am being forward James, and I apologize. But I feel I must say this in order for you to understand. I am becoming aware that I am fashioning very strong feelings for Katherine. I ask you – not as the Commodore, but as James Norrington – for your permission to court her."

Gillette stopped and gazed into Katherine's shining eyes. She smiled back at him, astonished at his sudden declaration and confidence. They both then turned and looked up at Norrington. His expression had drained of the flaming rage, but his air of superiority was still quite detectable. Katherine held his arm tighter as she gazed into his eyes. He stared Gillette down as those words rang in his head. She gently patted his arm before moving to Matthieu and standing proudly beside him.

Norrington merely stood there like a statue as he studied the two across from him. He looked off to the right for a moment and slowly shook his head.

It was at this very moment that Sergeant Wilkins came running up the hill and hastily saluted the two officers. Wilkins hesitated for a moment as he noticed the annoyed expression of the Commodore. He quickly shook it off and delivered his important news. "Commodore, sir. Miss Norrington…" Wilkins paused to acknowledge Katherine. "Pirate activity has been reported off Port Hudson. Two merchant vessels have already been preyed upon and whoever it is, is now moving east. Straight into the shipping lanes, sir."

"Very well then, alert the men, Mr. Wilkins. I want them ready to sail with the Dauntless and the Hambleton within the half hour," instructed Norrington. With that the Sergeant saluted once more and dashed off to Fort Charles. Norrington watched him depart before turning back to Katherine and Gillette with purpose. "Katherine, I shall send for a carriage to take you home. Gillette," he paused, as he looked straight to his second. "Ready the Dauntless and send for Captain Martin to bring the maps to my office. We're going hunting." The Commodore turned to Katherine to escort her back to the Fort when he stopped and looked at the two of them. The anger had dissipated from his being, but he was still strict and superior. "This discussion is far from over."