Chapter Eight

The sun was shining and the Caribbean wind from the south cascaded up the sea causing sweet, warm winds and disturbed water. Will watched it, eyes focusing on the horizon, hoping to see white sails come up over it and sail towards the port.

He needed to stay. There was too much conflict between him and Elizabeth to just right up and leave. But that would be so much easier...and he was used to easy. That was what ten years of pirating brought out of a person. He understood Jack's crave and love for the ocean and the blue waters better than he had years before. After all...he felt it himself.

He had to get together with Elizabeth. And he would tonight...But how? It was Tuesday evening, and if he had planned ahead instead of losing himself in thought on the beach again, he probably could have gone straight to her door and arranged something.

But now it was 6:00 and the Commodore was most likely home. The whole family would be sitting around the dinner table, enjoying themselves. He would have to be discreet.

Will pondered, was it worth his time? He wasn't even sure she would accept his offer...Things had been uncomfortable with them since he had arrived, but now, after they had kissed... she could have decided that seeing him again was improper and that nothing should happen between them, even if it was just an innocent talk.

It was all a chance he was willing to take...

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Like every night, Elizabeth sat calmly at the dinner table. Silence. It was very traditional at the Norrington's household during dinner. Speak only when spoken too...and today, since the Commodore was enjoying his turkey very much so, no one spoke. But Elizabeth didn't mind. It gave her time to think.

The kiss she had shared with Will had been unlike anything she had experienced for...say...ten years. She had loved Will since the day he left Port Royal...even if she had only just noticed. Even if she had avoided the thought for a decade...But so much more was involved now.

She had pondered whether to see him again, all night after he had walked her home and all of this morning. Around noon, she had made her final decision...OF COURSE she would see him again, but things would have to be kept professional. It was a well thought out verdict, not chosen lightly. She felt like Young James playing pirates. She knew it was wrong, but the call to her true love was unbearable and had to be dealt with somehow.

The peace was interrupted by a knock at the door, just moments later, the butler walked into the dining room. "Commodore Norrington... someone here to see you, sir."

Elizabeth was not surprised at the caller. Many people came to inform James that he was needed somewhere to do something. She, too, stood up, almost done with her meal and followed him into the foyer, hoping nothing was too serious. A little boy, slightly older than Young James, stood at the door.

"Commodore, Gillette sent me to tell you that your needed down at the docks." The boy seemed slightly overwhelmed and nervous informing such a noble...important man such as Norrington.

The Commodore, in trade, looked surprised to see such a young boy delivering a message, "Is it serious?" he asked.

The boy looked startled at the question, pondered for a moment, and then answered, "I'm not one to judge sir, I...I was just sent by Gillette..."

"Well, it must be important if it concerns the Navy..." The Commodore said, turning towards the butler, "Get my coat Roberto and ready the carriage."

Elizabeth smiled at her husband as she watched the boy slip away down the steps."I hope it's not serious," she said, yet almost praying deep inside that pirates or some form of fun had made their way into town.

"I'm sure it's nothing." He said, reaching for his wife to kiss her on the cheek.

Elizabeth smiled, and put her hand on Young James' shoulder, not reacting to the Commodores futile attempt to romance her. He stepped out the door as the two moved to the front window, watching his exit. No sooner had the buggy turned the corner than there was another knock on the door.

"Don't worry Roberto, I'll get it." Elizabeth said excusing the butler. "Go help Freida and Nan with the table."

Elizabeth heard yet another persistent knock as she watched Young James bound up the stairs to his room, probably on his way to sneak out his window. She knew it happened almost every night when he should have been studying...he was a clever boy and was always back by dark...she had seen him crawling out the window once, but decided to let him have his fun. Young James was a little boy and deserved to be let out of this stuffy cage on ocassion ...she almost wished it was just as easy for her to escape...

"Coming, coming," Elizabeth said as she opened the door slowly, then leapt in surprise. "Will! I Mean Mr. Turner..." She said, astounded at the guest.

"Mrs. Norrington," He said bowing politely, then glancing inside, "I came to check on Young James. I assume he is recovering well?"

"Oh Will! Don't worry, the servants are in the kitchen cleaning, and the Commodore..."

"The Commodore is at the docks, tending to some business." He finished, smirking.

"How did you...?" Elizabeth asked before realizing that the call to the docks was a clever attempt on Will's part to get the Commodore out of the house and safely tucked out of his business. "So how much did you pay the little messenger boy?" She asked as she closed the door behind her and pulled Will down the steps to the side of the house.

"Does it matter?" Will asked as he turned his back to the brick wall. "Elizabeth, could you possibly meet me again tonight. I'm not sure you want to, after all...it is slightly uncomfortable...and I am sorry for my improper actions..."

Elizabeth interrupted him, "Will, I will meet you tonight as long as our...er...relationship stays...um...professional. As much as I love you Will, I have to realize...I'm married. But I will spend time with you, as long as you respect..."

"The Commodore?" Will asked, hoping to finish her sentence once again.

"Not just the Commodore...my marriage. As much as we don't want it to, it does exist."

"So you will..." He began, but then changed the subject abruptly, "Elizabeth...did you perhaps say...you loved me?" Will asked, giving her a hopeful glare.

"Will..." Elizabeth turned away, red in the face as she realized her mistake, "Don't dally...the Commodore could be back any second."

"Did you?" Will said laughing, pulling her gently to look towards him.

"I thought I told you to respect my marriage...don't linger on the play of words..." Elizabeth gave Will a disciplinary stare.

"So you will meet me tonight?" He asked, pleasing her by changing the subject.

"Just tell me the time," Elizabeth said, "and I'll be there."

Will smiled...happily surprised at Elizabeth's casual acceptance of his apology. "As early as you can." He said, she nodded and began to walk away, turning the corner around to the front of the house. She was about to disappear when Will grabbed her arm. "And Elizabeth..." He said. "I love you too."

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AN: This is my extra treat to ya'll. A prologue to the next chapter (my personal favorite to write...very plot moving...exciting and fun!) Just to get everyone interested. Enjoy as my present. All I ask in return is a REVIEW!

Elizabeth listened intently to the Commodore's breathing. Waiting patiently for it to steady.

He had returned only minutes after Will had left. Upset at the fake call, but too tolerant to figure out what caused the interruption. "Just a little boy causing mischief." He had laughed, trying to be compassionate in this situation, "A lesson for Young James to learn from." He ruffled his son's hair, who in turn smiled, but never took his stare of the plate of chocolate cake in front of him.

Finally, obedient snores began emitting from Norrington's open mouth. Elizabeth paused for a moment before creeping slowly out of bed and towards the door.

The moon wasn't out tonight, and if it had been, the clouds would have hidden it cleverly. Without a candle, walking down the stairs was extremely difficult, but Elizabeth, still only in her night gown and robe, made her way to the door, stepping out into the chilly night...

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