Author's Note: Long time, andI apologize. Lots of drama, a trip to LA, and endless finals and make-up work. Oh well, summer's coming in about two weeks and besides honors english assignmentsand tennis, my summer is free. So here you go. Once again, a long awaited chapter. Flashback. sorry there's been so many lately, butI promise Jack and Solia are coming back soon.

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She had sat through dinner without a fuss. She had endured the after dinner conversation. She had looked pleased on the outside, but on the inside she was a mess. How could they promise her without her consent? How could they force her to marry the one that she now despised? After dinner, after the conversation, after she felt that her live had been ruined beyond repair, she saw Norrington to the entrance of the estate.

"I'm honored to have a beautiful woman such as yourself, as my fiancé." He said as he kissed her hand. She smiled politely.

"Nonsense. It is my honor." She lied through her teeth, keeping the smile on her face. "Although the thought escapes me as to why I was chosen." It was an act. An act of desperation. What sort of woman would reject Commodore James Norrington? "I'm sure a man such as yourself, James, could have any woman you wanted." She smiled, hoping that it would get him thinking, cause him to change his mind.

"Surely you of all people should know." He said with a smile. He paused and took her hand. She looked at him curiously, as he looked into her eyes. "I love you." Those three little words cut into her like a knife, piercing any hope she had left of rejecting him. She knew from that moment she could protest all she wanted, yet her parents would object. She looked away in silence, for lack of the words to say. She shook her head as she looked at the ground.

"You don't even know me." You could barely hear her over the wind.

"You're beautiful, strong and independent." The list went on, but she couldn't stay focused. It seemed like the world was spinning and she was falling into a tunnel with no way out except marriage. She had no idea how she had remained humble, while in reality all she could feel was anger, and disgust. The clatter of hoofs on the cobblestone was the only sound she could hear as she knew it would bring her temporary relief.

"Your coach is here." A trace of false disappointment in her voice.

"They can wait." He smiled as he moved closer to her. She backed away slightly, uncomfortable with the sudden closeness.

"No, it wouldn't be proper. You should go." Fair and just too. He thought.

"How could I leave someone so beautiful?" He said as he stroked her cheek. Her soft skin cool under his touch. She took his hand and moved it level with her waist, yet away from her body. What right does he have to touch me?

"Do not make them wait on my account." Her voice was firm, yet understanding. "You're my fiancé. There will be plenty of opportunities to see me later." But you must leave now. Someone else was speaking for her, another woman who would kill to have a man like James Norrington, but Solia would rather be killed.

"As you wish." He said with a smile. "But bear in mind I did not do so without protest."

"I shall." She smiled, a sweet smile with the slightest hint of visible satisfaction. He kissed her hand once more, taking in the sweet fragrance of the lavender soap she had used.

"Goodnight. For it will indeed be a good night as I shall dream of you."

"And I, you." The smile on his face could only be identified as that of a man in love. He went to his carriage, every so often turning around to see if he could catch a glimpse of her. He did the same as the Mederas estate vanished into the darkness.