A/N: For those who previously read Chapter 3, there have been several changes to that chapter. The whole thing underwent a re-write and was updated on July 2nd, 2007.

While Elizabeth was being sailed away upon The Black Pearl, Captain James Norrington was in his study, pacing. He was pacing the floor over and over again, trying to figure out what exactly he was going to do. During his incapacitation, he had been transported home and awoken the next morning in his own bed with a throbbing headache. The back of his head was still slightly tender from the blow he had received while attempting to free Elizabeth from the pirates' grasp. Now, he was in his home while Elizabeth was lost at sea with a group of scoundrels. He worried about her safety and her virtue aboard that ship. He didn't know what they would do to her while she was with them. He only hoped they didn't cause her any harm. He would not ever be able to forgive his failure if anything happened to her. Something had to be done. He felt that it was his own fault that Elizabeth had been captured. He should have known better that she wouldn't obey an order given to her if she could find a way around it. He had to do something. He couldn't just stand around all day trying to figure out what to do. He needed to take action.

Earlier in the day, he had gone to Fort Charles to deliberate with Admiral Middleton on a course of action to retrieve the governor's daughter. The Admiral had nothing that would be quickly dispatched, nor any idea where exactly to head to save her. He wasn't honestly sure if the Admiral was doing so on purpose, or if he really didn't have a clue where to start. So much had happened between him and Elizabeth, but she was the governor's daughter, all the same. James knew the Admiral was a respectable man, but there was something in the way he dismissed other ideas that made James wonder about his motives.

A couple of the men, Mullroy and Murtogg, had mentioned that Jack Sparrow seemed to have knowledge of The Black Pearl. As the Admiral had no desire to hear any of it, it was quickly brushed aside, but this set about the formulation of a plan in Captain Norrington's mind. He knew it was reckless, especially for a man in his position, but he also knew he had to do everything in his power to save Elizabeth. No one else seemed to be willing to take the risks that he would. All he had to do was figure the exact way to execute the plan, and everything would work out to his advantage.

An idea formed in James's head and he walked quickly out of the room. He knew if his plan ever got out, he would be in for a lot of trouble. It wasn't like him to act so rash, but something was driving him further; to do things he never would have done before. Elizabeth was in danger and he felt that it was his duty to save her.

James didn't bother calling for his horse as he left his home, hoping to draw as little attention to himself as possible. He left quickly and quietly, and walked the streets of Port Royal until he arrived at the blacksmith's shop. He let himself inside and looked around until he spotted William Turner near the fire. He glanced over at the drunken, passed out John Brown sitting in the corner on a stool. James raised his brow then turned to Will.

"Mr. Turner, I was hoping I could have a moment with you in private to discuss a perplexing matter."

William looked over at Mr. Brown before he replied, "he won't hear a thing."

James nodded and continued. "You are very capable with a sword. Some of the finest skills I've seen. That is why I am here. I am in need of your assistance in a private matter. As you may know, Eliz – Miss Swann has been captured by the pirates who stormed Port Royal last night. As a military man, I am supposed to follow the orders from the Admiral, not do anything until he commands… However, seeing as Admiral Middleton seems to be in no hurry and has no idea where to even start, I cannot sit idly by while she is out there, in danger."

"Where do I come in, in this plan of yours?" William asked.

"I need yours and Jack Sparrow's help in rescuing Elizabeth. I cannot do it alone. You are an excellent swordsman, and you were the one to help build the prisons. I know it is a lot to ask, but I would hope you could see where I am coming from; that you would do the same thing were you in my shoes," James pleaded with as much dignity as he could muster. He held his breath as he waited for William's answer, knowing that if he should refuse, James himself was likely to be locked in the cell next to Jack Sparrow.

"Alright, let's do it. What exactly is your plan?"

It wasn't too much later that the pair left the blacksmith shop and headed as covertly towards the prison as they could manage. There was no turning back now. James and William crept down the stairs to where the first level of prison cells were, and laying on the floor in the corner cell, next to the staircase leading down to the next level was Jack Sparrow. He looked as though he had been up to something before they arrived, but after a quick glance around, James couldn't decipher what it could have been. There was no evidence aside from Sparrow's feigning innocence to suggest something had been going on.

"You, Jack Sparrow," James started.

"Captain Jack Sparrow," Sparrow interrupted.

"Yes, Captain Jack Sparrow… What do you know of The Black Pearl?"

"Only that she is the fastest ship in the Caribbean," Sparrow replied nonchalantly.

"Where does it make berth?" Turner asked.

"Where does it make berth?" Sparrow laughed as he sat up. He looked amused by their questioning, but clearly not willing to give up too much information. "Haven't you heard the stories? The Black Pearl sails from the dreaded Isla de Mureta, an island that cannot be found – except by those who already know where it is."

"Well, the ship is real enough, so it's anchorage must be a real place. Surely you have knowledge of where it is." James stared down at Sparrow.

"Now, why would you think that?"

"Because, you're a pirate." Turner responded before James could say a word.

"And you two want to turn pirate yourselves?" Sparrow asked.

"Never. They have taken Miss Swann, and I intend to see her safe return," James replied fiercely. He had no intention of ever becoming a pirate, but at the present time, this seemed to be the only option.

"Ah, so you're off to rescue the fair damsel in distress. Well, I see no profit in it for me."

"We can get you out of here." Turner announced.

"And exactly how would you be doing that? The key's run off."

James glanced down the staircase, noticing that the dog that guarded the keys was in fact missing. He never quite understood why it was they used a dog to guard the keys.

"I helped build these cells. Those are double barrel hinges. With the right leverage, and proper application of strength, the door will lift free," said Turner.

James watched as an odd look passed over Sparrow's face for a fleeting moment before it was gone. William had grabbed a bench and pried the legs between the bars. There was something in Sparrow's look that gave James a bit of hope. It seemed to be a look of recognition or interest. He wondered if perhaps Sparrow would be willing to help them in exchange for his freedom.

"What did you say your name was?"

"Will Turner…"

"That would be short for William, I would imagine."

"Yes, it is, but this is hardly the time to be discussing it," James interrupted impatiently. "We've precious little time before someone catches us here."

"Right then, you two spring me from this cell, and on pain of death, I'll take you to the Black Pearl so as you can rescue your bonny lass. Do we have an accord?" Sparrow stuck his hand out through the bars, waiting for someone to accept.

James, slightly hesitant at first, takes Sparrow's hand and shakes it. "Agreed."

"Alright, now stand back," William instructed.

William pushed down on the bench, causing the cell door to rise up. James moved quickly forward before it fell to the ground and guided it down as quietly as possible.

"Let's get out of here before we're discovered," said James.

James made his way up the stairs before the two others, knowing that if he were spotted coming out, it would not be questioned. Once he was sure the path was clear, he signalled down to William Turner that it was safe for them to leave. The two strode up the stairs, Sparrow taking a bit of time after Turner as he had grabbed his effects from the guard desk. James left ahead of them, keeping a look out for anyone who might try to stop their escape.

James continued on ahead of the two, knowing his presence on the docks would not be questioned either. He was a naval officer, and no marine would question his being there. He hurried along the bridge while William and Sparrow ran under it to keep cover. James ran up the pier where The Interceptor was docked and started shouting at the marines who were guarding the ship and preparing it for voyage. His plan was well underway.

"Sparrow has escaped. Quickly men! Into the village! There were reports that he was spotted heading towards the Governor's Manor. Search high and low! I want him found!" James ordered.

The marines grabbed their muskets and hurried off into the town, however, two stayed behind. James looked at the two men, Murtogg and Mullroy, who seemed determined to stand their guard.

"Go. I will guard the ship. That pirate will not get past me, I assure you. Only return once he has been re-captured."

The two nodded to Captain Norrington and ran off after the rest of the marines. James watched them go until they were out of sight. With the ship now deserted and the coast clear, he waved Turner and Sparrow over. The pair darted out from under the bridge and ran to the dock, not stopping until they were aboard the ship. James boarded behind them and shoved the gangplank away.

"Let's go, quickly, before we're discovered," James ordered.

As Turner and Norrington raised the anchor together, Sparrow took his place at the helm. The pair of Turner and Norrington worked quickly to release the sails, opening them up to catch the wind which was blowing in their favour. The Interceptor started moving away from the dock, and the marines had yet to notice anything was amiss. Fate seemed to be on his side that day and James was thankful for that, feeling slightly better about his betrayal. He knew it was the only thing that could be done to save Elizabeth before something happened to her. The smoother things went, the better.

It wasn't until the ship was nearly out of the harbour that anyone noticed what was happening right under their very noses. James could see marines and officers preparing to board The Dauntless in pursuit, but he knew it would not be of any use. The Interceptor was far too fast, and The Dauntless was nowhere near ready to make a voyage. By the time the ship was ready, the three of them and The Interceptor would be long gone.

"So, now that we have stolen –" Turner started.

"Commandeered. We have commandeered this vessel. Nautical term," Sparrow interrupted yet again.

"All right, now that we have commandeered this ship, what exactly are we to do?" Turner asked.

"Well, this is what we are going to do: We are going to bring her into Tortuga and pick up a crew. As delightful as the two of you are, the three of us are not enough to take on The Black Pearl all by our lonesome. Once we have our crew, we go after The Black Pearl. Savvy?" Sparrow informed them.

"What was your plan?" Turner asked James as he turned towards him.

"Well, to be honest, I hadn't actually thought that far yet," James admitted, embarrassed by his lack of planning.

"Well, then it's a good thing one of us is thinking," Sparrow noted.

James rolled his eyes and walked away from the two other men as they started into a conversation. He had done the hard part and that was all that mattered. If it hadn't been for him, they wouldn't even have the ship. In fact, had he not instigated his plan, Turner would still be working in the blacksmith shop and Sparrow would be rotting away in his cell, awaiting his execution.

James continued to move away from the pair, not caring to hear their conversation. He wasn't the least bit interested in Turner's life before that very moment, nor did he want to know about Sparrow's. He'd heard the tales, just as most people in the Caribbean had and that was enough. He didn't care to know what was true and what was false. He had more important things to think about. He walked along the deck of the ship and leaned against the railing, looking out at the sea. His mind was swimming with images that occupied his thoughts in times when there was nothing else to think of. When there was no work to be done or orders to be followed, James's thoughts drifted to the beautiful woman he was off to rescue.

James reached up to his head for a moment and took off his tricorne hat and powdered wig, knowing there was no need for the wig anymore. He had given up his position for her; had become a pirate just to save her, and he didn't seem to mind much. He placed the hat back on his head while he stared at the white wig. He tugged at the black ribbon bow holding the ponytail in place until it gave way, slipping away from the imitation hair. He tucked the ribbon safely in his jacket pocket before tossing the wig out into the sea. At that moment, as he watched the dreadful thing sink into the black abyss, he felt an odd sort of freedom. He felt as though he had been struggling for breath and could now breath without constraint. It felt good if he were honest with himself, but with this freedom, he knew there was a cost. He only hoped that it would all be worth it in the end; that Elizabeth felt for him what he felt for her. That would make it all worth it.