DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything POTC related.

NOTE: Second overhauled chapter! Yay!

EXTENDED SCENE

CHAPTER 2

A Life Started and a Future Ended

Hope slowly walked through the streets of Port Royal enjoying the breezy summer day. She didn't know what it was she liked so much about the Caribbean. Perhaps it was the salty, sea air that welcomed her every morning or just the atmosphere. She heard what it was like living in England and being surrounded by several buildings and avoiding horse drawn carriages and large groups of people from Elizabeth and Edward. The only place she had really ever known was Port Royal. When her father traveled to other towns she was never allowed to go with him. She wondered if that was the reason she was so fascinated with pirates. They were free to do what their hearts, even if blackened, desired. They saw the world and she wanted that as well. Though she loved Port Royal she wanted nothing more than to get out and have just one adventure, or at least visit a neighboring town. Her father always questioned her wanting to be adventuresome and she never really could answer that question. Walking up the stairs and into her home she immediately caught sight of Lieutenant Norrington.

"Lieutenant Norrington," she said simply with confusion.

"Good day, Miss Danforth."

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Hope asked removing her bonnet and giving it too one of the maids.

"I have actually come to speak with your father." Hope smiled wide knowing his reason.

"So you have finally found the courage to ask my father for permission to marry, Catherine." He smiled and looked down.

"Indeed. She is fine woman," he said returning his gaze to her.

"Yes she is. She's very caring of others and has been a surrogate mother to me since our mother died giving birth to me. She will make an excellent mother one day." Hope said as she started towards the staircase. "She loves you. More than you probably know. You will make her a wonderful husband, James." Norrington was about to say something when the butler came from Reverend Danforth's study.

"You may go in now, sir."

"Thank you."

"Good day to you, Lieutenant Norrington. I wish you luck with my father, though I doubt you will need it. He has admired you since the day you both met." Norrington smiled and nodded.

"Good day, Miss Danforth," Norrinton said as he headed toward the study but not before turning back towards Hope as she reached the upper landing.

"Miss Danforth!" Hope stopped and looked down to him.

"You honor me with your blessing, Hope." She bowed her head before she walked to her room. Norrington watched her leave before he continued on into the study. As Hope walked past Catherine's room she knocked.

"Enter," a muffled reply came from within. When Hope entered she saw Catherine sitting at her desk reading. "Hope. Come in."

"You will never believe who is here," Hope said sitting on the bed.

"And who would that be?"

"Lieutenant Norrington." Catherine's head shot to her as she jumped up.

"Why did no one come and tell me," she said going to the mirror, fixing her hair, and heading to the door. Hope stopped her before she got too far.

"He came to speak with father," Hope said giving her sister a look. Catherine instantly realized it and her eyes brightened.

"Are you serious?" Hope nodded and smiled. Catherine laughed and hugged her.

"Can you believe it? I will be Mrs. James Norrington."

"Yes. I can't believe it has been one year already."

SCENE CHANGE

After Reverend Danforth finished his business with Lieutenant Norrington he walked upstairs to tell his daughters he would be leaving for a week. Once upstairs he heard laughter coming from Catherine's room and smiled before knocking.

"My dears, may I enter?" he asked.

"Yes, father," Catherine said.

"I just wanted to let you both know that I will be going to Port de Poix for about week. It may be less and it may be more. The minister there is a close friend of mine and he is gravely ill. His family wishes me to be there in case the worst should happen. Will you be all right here by yourselves?"

"We will be fine, father. If anything goes wrong we can go to the, governor."

"Very well. I will be leaving tomorrow morning." The girls nodded. Danforth headed back out of the room but not before turning back towards them. "Before I forget, Catherine. Lieutenant Norrington has asked me permission to marry you and I have agreed. He says he will return tomorrow night and ask you properly." Catherine smiled big.

"Yes, father." He then turned on his heels and exited. As he closed the door he heard the girls laughing once again.

SCENE CHANGE

The town of Port Royal was set ablaze as blasts from cannons echoed through the streets combined with the screams of the terrified citizens. Hope stood motionless on the balcony of her room, and watched in no apparent fear as a ship fired its cannons at Port Royal. Though it was night she could see that the ship was unique. As the several blasts lit up the night sky she caught sight of red sails.

"What kind of ship has red sails?" Just as she spoke one of the maids ran into her room.

"Miss Danforth. Please, come quickly. We must hide you. Pirates are attacking the town." She said pulling Hope away from the window. The two of them along with several other servants ran down the stairs and into the front hall just as the door swung open and Lieutenant Norrington came in carrying Catherine. Hope saw that his entire uniform was soaked with blood and his hat was gone. She thought it was his own blood until he yelled out, "She's been shot." A few of the maids ran over and led him into the parlor where they laid Catherine on the settee. Hope edged slowly towards the parlor, fear and confusion etched on her features. She stood in the doorway staring.

"Someone get the doctor," one of the maids screamed as they began taking her clothes off so they could cleanse the wound.

"He's dead. That was the first place I went," Norrington informed them. The servants helping looked at him in disbelief.

"What about the midwife, she may not be a medical doctor but she is the only chance we have."

"Go," the butler spoke as the two maids rushed out the door. The butler looked up and saw Hope standing in the doorway. "Miss Hope, we could use your help." Hope broke out of her trance and ran to the settee. "I need you to comfort her, Lieutenant apply pressure to her wound I will be right back." As the butler ran into the kitchen a cannon ball shot through the window and threw him through the kitchen doors. Hope screamed out in horror and started shake in fear. Norrington placed his hand on her shoulder and tried to calm her down.

"Hope, I know this is difficult, but I need you to help." After a moment she regained composure and turned her attention towards her sister but not before realizing they were completely alone. The only sounds she could hear were the blasts from the cannons. Most of the servants had fled the house in fear. They shared a gaze before Norrington continued to clean the wound as best he could.

"Catherine. You have to hold on help is coming, you just have stay with us." Norrington said to her. Shortly after Catherine opened her eyes.

"James?" Norrington got up from his knees and leaned over her.

"I'm here. I'm right here," he said squeezing her hand and touching her cheek.

"Hope?"

"Right here," Hope said coming around and facing her.

"I love you both so very much. Do not forget that. Tell father that as well."

"I will, I promise." Hope said tears filling her eyes. After a few moments of silence Catherine spoke, her voice breaking as she did.

"I don't want to leave you like this, Hope,"

"Then don't. You just have too hold on a little while longer, help is coming."

"I cannot."

"Please, Catherine. Don't leave me, I still need you, James needs you, father needs you, we all need you." Catherine was silent for a moment before she looked back at Hope.

"You remember our song." Hope nodded slowly.

"Yes."

"I want you to remember that. Whenever you need me just sing that song and I will be right beside you even though you won't see me. That's all you need to do," Catherine reached over and wiped the tears away from Hope's face.

"James, I want you to promise me something."

"Anything," he said, his voice breaking.

"Watch over, Hope. Protect her and keep her safe. Promise me you will do this. Promise me."

"No. I will not promise…" Catherine was about to say something when he cut her off.

"I will not promise. I will swear. On my oath, I swear on my life, I will protect and keep her safe," Norrington said sincerely. Catherine smiled. "I swear to you," he said as he leaned down and kissed her. "I love you." Catherine looked at Hope and smiled. "Sing to me."

"Hark, a solemn bell is ringing, clear through the night. Thou, my love, art heavenward winging, home through the night. Earthly dust from off thee shaken. Soul immortal shalt thou awaken. With thy last dim journey taken, home through the night." As Hope finished Catherine closed her eyes and fell limp.

"Catherine?!" Hope said picking up her sister. "Catherine, please. Please don't leave me." When no movement was received Hope burst into tears and cradled her sister. Norrington fell back on his knees and lowered his head. A few moments later the two maids burst through the door with Victoria, the midwife. They stopped at the sight before them. Hope raised her head which was now tear streaked, red, and held a hint of anger.

"You're too late. She's dead." With that she re-lowered her head. Knowing that there was nothing more he could do for Catherine he could do one thing. With that thought he reached over and embraced the sobbing fourteen year old.

"It's all right, Hope. We'll be okay."

SCENE CHANGE

A few days later Reverend Danforth returned after finding out the death of eldest daughter. Those present at the funeral included Governor Swann, Elizabeth, Norrington, Gillette, Hope, and a few other officers and townspeople. Hope stared at the coffin in a blank stare. On her left Elizabeth stood providing as much comfort as she could by holding Hope's hand. On her right stood Midshipman Edward Gillette with a comforting arm around her waist. Both of them had been friends since the day they met and she had to confess she did enjoy his company. Hope took her gaze from the coffin and looked to her right at Lieutenant Norrington who stood stiff with a solemn expression. She felt sorry for him. She lost her sister but he lost the woman he loved, the woman he was to marry. She couldn't even imagine what that felt like.

"In your name, Amen," Reverend Danforth finished as he closed his bible. "Rest in peace, my daughter." He then looked over Hope and they made eye contact. She had managed to keep her composure throughout the entire service but in that moment she couldn't hold it in and the tears fell. Without thinking she cried into Gillette's jacket. She knew that wasn't the proper thing to do in public with a gentleman viewed by all as just a friend to her, but she didn't care. Gillette was caught a little off guard by this but he kept his arm around her waist and placed his other on her shoulder and comforted her, the best he could. Soon after everyone went their own ways including Reverend Danforth. Elizabeth stayed for awhile until her father placed a hand on her shoulder that told her it was time to go.

"I'm sorry. If you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me," Elizabeth said hugging Hope. Hope smiled a little.

"Thank you." Elizabeth nodded and left with her father. After a few moments Gillette turned to her.

"Would you like me to escort you home?" Hope looked at him then over to where Lieutenant Norrington stood alone. He must have felt her gaze on him because he looked over at her. There were no words, just the emotions they projected at the other. Hope then turned to Gillette.

"Yes. I would like that." He offered her his arm as they turned and left. When they reached the end of the cemetery Hope turned back to Norrington. He stood still staring at her coffin, the wind gently ruffling his jacket. Turning her gaze away they continued towards the Danforth House.

NOTE: So? What do you think? Better than original? Let me know. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

Next Chapter: The Art of Love