Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and its characters are owned by Disney, NOT me.

Notes: Another chapter that is necessary in order for everything to make sense. Not much action, but a revealing chapter…enjoy!

Chapter 3

Elizabeth quickly sat down on the nearby settee, now curious as to what the commodore had aided them with so much. Commodore Norrington began telling his story.

"You see, I ran off with the chest in an attempt to distract Davy Jones's crew which worked perfectly. Elizabeth was able to escape the island, unharmed. When the crew finally caught up with me, I surrendered the chest and ran off…"

"Davy Jones got his heart back!" Elizabeth interrupted. "You just handed it over!"

"Let the man finish telling us what happened!" commanded her father. "Please continue, commodore."

"I gave them the chest, and only the chest. Nothing more. It was empty. Before I had decided to sacrifice myself for your safety, I had witnessed Jack Sparrow take the heart out of the chest, and conceal it in his jar of dirt…I still don't quite understand the jar of dirt's purpose…but nevertheless, I unsuspectingly took the heart out of the jar of dirt and hid it in a sack. While I was leading the crew away, I quickly buried it in a pile of leaves. Then, after I was sure that Davy Jones's crew had left with the chest, still believing the heart was inside, I went back to the pile of leaves and took it back into my possession."

"But how did you get off the island?" questioned Elizabeth.

"Well, a ship from the East India Trading Company had heard rumors that Jack and his crew would be stopping at the island, and passed by, looking for the Black Pearl. I was able to flag them down, and luckily the ship was crewed by some men I had worked with before. Thank goodness it wasn't a pirate ship, for I wouldn't have had anything to barter for my passage with! Nevertheless, I still had some trouble convincing them to take me aboard since they were now working for Cutler Beckett and I was a wanted man."

"So how did you get on board?" questioned the governor.

"I told them that I had something of immense value that Sir Beckett would want to take a good look at. Of course they asked if it was Jack's broken compass. I told them 'No, something far bigger' which seemed to persuade them. When I finally arrived at Cutler Beckett's office, I told him of the prize I had come across and although he tried his best not to seem eager, I could see the excitement in his eyes."

"So you gave the heart to Beckett? What did you receive in exchange? Your ranking?" asked Elizabeth.

"Yes, I got my old life back." He paused for a moment. "And haven't you ever wondered how you were able to have your own life back? I mean, you were a wanted criminal, too."

This question actually had occupied Elizabeth's mind during the first week she was home. She had asked her father how he had managed everything, but would never get into details. "I took care of it," he would say." She never thought anything of it. She was just glad to be out of that horrid prison cell.

"Why yes, it has crossed my mind…" Elizabeth admitted.

"In actuality, I used my new authority to annul your sentence as well as Will's. I also requested Cutler to give your father his powers as governor back, too," explained Commodore Norrington.

"And why would you do such a large favor for us? I mean, I know you still may have feelings for me, so why then did you excuse Will from his sentence?" inquired Elizabeth.

"Even though you are not mine, I still care for you, and that is a fact. My only desire is for you to be happy," the commodore responded.

Truth be told, he had only saved Will in an attempt to make Elizabeth grateful to him. For her to think of him as her hero. Commodore Norrington thought that somehow, Elizabeth would get used to his presence and he would grow on her until she finally fell in love with him.

"Why thank you Commodore, you have no idea how appreciative I am," replied Elizabeth. She came to a sudden realization. "Father! You knew he was alive and did not inform me!"

"I thought it would come as a shock to you, after having dealt with his absence and all…I didn't think you were ready!" the governor defended himself.

"Oh, I see," Elizabeth replied in a sarcastic tone. "A shock indeed!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Surely the commodore is going to attempt to win me over!…I wish I had known so I could have prepared something to say," she thought.

Becoming aware of how much time had passed while they were chatting, Elizabeth rose and gained her composure. "Why, this is all so exciting! But I really must be on my way now! I ought not to keep Miles waiting any longer, or he'll think I was kidnapped by pirates!" she said as she hastily exited the grand front doors.