"That may be a good idea," agreed Will as he removed his arm from Elizabeth's shoulder and stood up. He began to pace back and forth, thinking to himself. Elizabeth turned her attention back to the Commodore, who was beginning to stir where he was lying on the cart. She studied him for a moment – his handsome features seemed somewhat worn, probably from work, but he certainly seemed younger with the absence of his wig. She smiled softly as he drew a breath and opened his eyes slowly.
"James…" she started quietly as she held onto his coat sleeve. Will glanced over his shoulder from across the forge and watched for a moment before gracefully making his way to Elizabeth's side. James shut his eyes against the invading light as he brought his left hand up to rub his face. A sinking feeling in his stomach overcame him as he thought about consciousness. He finally opened his eyes once more as Elizabeth spoke. "James, are you well?" she asked with a hint of worry. Elizabeth had known James since she was a little girl, and thought of him more as a close family friend than anything else. He was composed and reliable always; never vulnerable. She found the situation unique, if not slightly uncomfortable.
James quickly brought his hand down and turned his head toward her…perhaps too quickly. The lightheadedness flew through his features as he grimaced and rolled painfully onto his left side. He placed his right hand behind his head and felt his bloody scalp. James rolled onto his back and sighed heavily as he allowed his arm to fall back onto the cart. "What in the hell happened…?" he asked, the confusion mounting in his tone as he stared at the ceiling.
Elizabeth shot a glance up to Will, who paused for a moment as he drew a hesitant breath. Her eyes searched his for a decent explanation to the situation that the Commodore now found himself in. Will quickly made his way to the Commodore's side and straightened his posture. He gave a reassuring glance to Elizabeth before he began. "Commodore…you were attacked by a thief, sir, a half-crazed rogue, to be precise. He jumped from the roof of the forge and came down right on top of you," Will declared as he looked once more at Elizabeth with a small, triumphant grin.
James furrowed his brow in bewilderment. He drew himself up on one elbow and glanced at the couple next to him for a moment before becoming dizzy and collapsing back on the cart. "Bloody hell…" he muttered under his breath.
Elizabeth allowed a small smile to cross her face as she drew closer to the Commodore. "James," she began somewhat hesitantly. "It would be best if you just remained still for a moment. You fell and struck your head on the street."
"I should hope so, or else my health is failing miserably on its own," James declared. The pounding in his skull seemed to be subsiding slowly, though he was still feeling quite disoriented. "So, after the criminal fell from the sky, Mr. Turner, what happened next? I don't suppose you apprehended him?"
Will shifted his stance. "Unfortunately, Commodore, I did not. I was unarmed at the time because I was out speaking with you. For that reason and for the safety of Elizabeth, I did not pursue him."
James drew a frustrated breath. "I'm having a troublesome time believing that some rogue attacked me for no reason, Mr. Turner," he said as he turned onto his right side and made to get up. It was only then that the cart shifted off its blocks and rolled forward, dumping Norrington face first into the dirt floor of the forge. He lay there a moment in a heap before Elizabeth broke the silence.
"Brilliant, James," she remarked with a smirk. "Now, would you like to take my advice now and stay still?"
James sighed. "I am quite capable of standing, thank you Miss Swann," he declared as he painfully picked himself up off the floor.
Elizabeth shook her head. "It's Elizabeth. And of course you're capable of standing; I suppose that would be why you fell off the cart just now," she declared confidently. Will had to force away the impending laughter. Elizabeth was always upfront about her thoughts when in private – it was one of her qualities that both Will and James appreciated. She smiled some before taking James sternly by the sleeve and sitting him down on the nearest bench. Will soaked a rag in water and handed it to her before making his way to stand in front of Norrington. Elizabeth stood behind James and began to delicately apply the cloth to the back of his head as she listened to Will speak.
"It may seem strange, sir, but I assure you it is what happened," he said as he looked down at the irritated Commodore. Will decided a change of subject would improve the situation. "I would like to apologize, Commodore."
James looked up to Will and flinched as Elizabeth began to examine the wound. "You want to apologize for some half-crazed idiot in a drunken stupor falling from a rooftop and taking me down in the street, Mr. Turner?" he asked sarcastically.
Will shook his head. "No, sir. I wish to apologize for putting you in an awkward situation regarding Mr. Sparrow. It was selfish of me to think allowing him here would even be possible," he said as he looked over to Elizabeth, the secret safe in his gaze.
Norrington drew a breath and softened his expression some at Wills apparent sincerity. "I regret that it has to be this way, Mr. Turner. I know how Sparrow assisted you both and I can understand any good feelings you have toward him, but the fact remains true: the man is a pirate, and should he come within my sights at anytime, whether here or on the open sea, I must bring him to justice." James studied Will for a moment, wondering what and spurned this rapid change in opinion in the lad. He shook it off, however, partly due to the fact that his head was throbbing, and partly due to his desire to return home. James stood up slowly and thanked Elizabeth. She turned back to retrieve his hat and wig from the cart and handed the items to him, and gasped softly when he absently brushed his short, dark hair away from his forehead.
"James, what is that?" she demanded.
James was taken by surprise as he turned and looked at her. "What is what, Miss Swann?" he asked with a slightly exhausted tone.
"Enough with formality. My name is Elizabeth, which you should very well know by now," Elizabeth said as she flung down the cloth and took a couple quick steps toward him. James nearly stepped backward as she reached up to deftly brush the hair away from the left side of his head, revealing the scar left from the gunshot wound only two weeks prior. "That," she declared with a stern look on her face.
"Uh oh," said Will, poking fun at Norrington's predicament. The smile quickly faded from his face when he realized the situation was not as funny as he had initially thought. He crossed his arms and cleared his throat as he glanced down at the floor.
James sighed as he turned to look at Elizabeth. "We were engaged with two pirate vessels weeks ago, and I regret that the sharpshooters do not enjoy my company as much as others…"
"You were shot in the head!? James, you never told anyone about that," she said, somewhere between concern and disappointment. The things Elizabeth always enjoyed about Norrington were his tales from his exploits at sea. Her father always invited the young Captain to tea, and he would share his adventures. She had grown up with them, and felt genuinely let down when she was not kept apprised of the current events in the area.
Norrington shook his head as he replaced the wig and hat. Her response was eerily similar to Katherine's. "It is of no consequence, Elizabeth. Unfortunately I have not had the time to visit with you and your father lately, and I apologize. But thank you for your concern."
"Well perhaps you would have time tomorrow for tea, Commodore," declared Elizabeth as she matched his expressionless demeanor. "My father is having Mr. Meyerson and Miss Reynolds over, and I should be delighted if you attended as well. Will and I shall be there, so feel free to bring your delightful sister if you see fit."
James looked at her as he folded his hands behind his back. "I should be delighted to attend, Elizabeth," he said as he flashed a small smile. He turned back to Will and nodded. "Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Turner. I shall see you both tomorrow afternoon." With that, James followed Will out into the stables and retrieved the sleeping Darby from his stall. Norrington refused Will's offer to accompany him home, hoping to save what little dignity he had left at that point. The entire situation was embarrassing, and it all took place in Elizabeth's presence. James slowly made his way home, only to be barraged by Katherine's questioning. Having satisfied her as to his whereabouts and cause for his bloodied collar, he quickly ate and freshened up before turning in for the night. Katherine watched after him as she pondered the coming day's events.
"This should be interesting," she remarked to herself as she stood with arms crossed against the balustrade, thinking about an impending conversation with Elizabeth and perhaps some more conversation between James and Melissa. A smile slowly crept across her features as she turned back to her room for the evening.
