AN: I'm sorry this is such a short chapter...but this will be plenty to take in...

Chapter Eleven

Elizabeth wasn't able to leave the house as early as she had expected to meet Will. For one thing, the Commodore had invited Gillette to dinner, which in trade became a fest of small talk and admiring compliments, followed by a late evening scotch in the parlor, which Elizabeth had skipped. Just the smell of alcohol after her night in the tavern made her head spin.

Secondly, James' breathing was particularly out of line tonight, probably because of his alcohol consumption early in the evening. Elizabeth worried she would never get out of the house, but finally the Commodore's breathing eased and fell into its normal pattern that she knew so well. She slipped silently out the door, moving slowly, since again, she didn't have a candle.

She was halfway down the stairs when she realized she had forgotten her robe, but decided it was too late to go back, she would just have to do without.

She was just slipping through the door when gruff hand feel on to her shoulder...

&

Will took one last look at himself in the cracked mirror. His appearance really didn't matter, but something felt important about tonight. He was clean shaven and had pulled his hair back out of his face, but still wore his ripped shirt, which had been used on two occasions, both because of the need of a Norrington.

Walking out the door as quietly as he could, he winced as her heard yelling coming from a room down the hall and some other noises that he would have preferred to ignore. This place was definitely not high class. But being a pirate, he was used to these conditions.

It was a chilly night and due time for a storm. He pulled his jacket up tighter around him, though the worn leather didn't hold out the wind as well as he could have wished. Walking down the now familiar path he had tread so many times, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for anything that came at him.

&

"Elizabeth, dear, you forgot you robe, I'm sure that Mr. Turner's embrace is warm, but not warm enough on a night like this." When Elizabeth didn't respond, The Commodore held up a note, and it immediately hit her, "I found this on the table...Elizabeth, how could you?!"

"James...I..."

"I what? How about I am a whore? Or I am a slut? Which do you prefer?"

"Aren't you jumping to conclusions? James, that note could mean anything!" Elizabeth said, "That note could mean I met up with Will and he hugged me, or kissed me, or..."

"Slept with you?" The Commodore asked, suddenly looking hurt, "Elizabeth, I thought that you had learned to at least respect and care about me..."

"James, I..." Elizabeth started but couldn't' finish, she didn't have anything to say. He had jumped to conclusions, but he was right. When she didn't respond, the Commodore rolled his eyes impertinently and pushed past her out the door.

Elizabeth stood still, not knowing what to do for a moment. But she couldn't just stand their, or go upstairs like nothing had happened. Least of all could she go to Will...though she wanted to so badly. Not really thinking about the consequences, or what she would do next, she rushed out the door, just as a tropical downpour burst from the clouds.

"JAMES!?!?" She yelled as she saw him, just reaching the gate, obviously ignoring her call. He was walking fast, turning in the direction of his office.

Then Elizabeth ran... ran like she never had before. She cascaded over every cobblestone laid on the street, following her husband up the road.

Finally, she caught his arm, right before the four way intersection of 14th Avenue and Elizabeth Road...Elizabeth Road. It was named after her, as a gift on their first anniversary.

"James, I..." She said, once again, caught for words.

"Aren't you happy? Weren't you ever happy?"

Elizabeth had had trouble finding the right words all night, and suddenly they came to her, "Happy?! Happy would have been standing up for me when my father dragged me away ten years ago, happy would have been letting me marry Will, happy would have..." She stopped as she watched his scowl disappear.

"Didn't I ever please you?" he asked, looking sorrowful and hurt.

"Oh, James! Of course... I grew out of my love for Will, but then...he came back and everything just, changed..."

The Commodore threw up his arms, not bothering to say anything, instead he turned to Elizabeth, then turned away, walking out towards the intersection, right as a fast paced, out of control carriage turned the blind corner of 14th Avenue...