A slightly short yet important transitional chapter! Sorry for the little cliffy.

Chapter 5

Norrington paced the deck restlessly the following morning. It had been a long night and he hadn't slept much. All the kiss had done was heat his blood and fill his thoughts with one wild scenario after another. He had lay there replaying it in his mind until he was far too uncomfortable to sleep.

Her lips were soft and demanding, yet he fought it with every ounce of strength he possessed, determined not to respond. Just when he had finally lost his internal battle and given in to the passion that seemed to blaze between them she had pulled back, completely unaffected. He didn't understand how that could be. Had she not been participating in the same kiss he had?

One taste of the honeyed recess of her mouth and Norrington had wanted nothing more than to crush her to him and ravish her right there on the deck. Restraint be damned. He'd kissed women before but it had never been like that. And they had definitely never pulled away and said that it was awful.

Not that having her realize that nothing could happen between them wasn't just what he wanted but there was the issue of his wounded masculine pride. He had the inane urge to prove to her just how lasciviously he could kiss her given the proper chance but he tamped it down. He didn't need any complications that women always seemed to bring.

Speaking of complicated, he thought as Miss Gold choose that moment to arrive on deck. His breath caught despite the talk he was just giving himself. She was clad in one of her new purchases, a red velvet dress that seemed to spread a glow over her porcelain skin. Her thick red hair was piled in a knot on top of her head with curly tendrils escaping to frame out her face. His fingers itching to pull it loose and let it cascade down her back.

He met her eyes from thirty paces and she quickly shifted her attention. He watched as she smiled broadly at the men she passed until she reached Norrington and it slipped right off her face.

"Good morning Commodore." She said, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Good morning Miss Gold." He replied awkwardly. After last night he had no idea how to act so he took on the role of concerned host.

"Did you get breakfast?" He asked.

"I did. Thank you." She answered before they slid into an uncomfortable silence. Elise had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing as he cast around desperately for a topic.

"I trust you slept..."

"Commodore! Ahoy!" Mr. Jones, the lookout yelled. "Port side."

"Pardon me Miss Gold." Norrington excused himself and ran port side to see what Jones was talking about.

They were facing what was obviously the ruins of a ship. Large debris of wooden pieces, barrels and canvas from the sails were floating in clumps near the bow of The Defender.

"Drop anchor! All hands on deck! Keep a weather eye for survivors." He shouted.

Elise curiously went to look over the edge to see what was going on and her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the defeated ship.

"Miss Gold, get back to your cabin." Norrington ordered and ran in the opposite direction towards the lifeboats.

Elise ignored him and impertinently leaned further over the railing to read the encryption on a particularly large piece that must have been the stern. Painted in delicate gold letters was the name Gold's Red Angel.

She suddenly felt light headed and dizzy as her memory slammed back into place. Her eyes filled with tears as she stood upright and swayed on the spot a moment before forcing herself to take an unsteady step, searching frantically for the Commodore.

Norrington had just turned around to make sure that Miss Gold had obeyed when her eyes met his. She had a hand pressed to her mouth and tears were streaming down her face as she wobbled toward him unsteadily, looking as if she were about to faint. He ran toward her and caught her around the waist just as her knees buckled.

"You are not well! Miss Gold?" He asked, fanning her face urgently and stopping the next man who passed him. "Mr. Morgan?"

"Aye sir?"

"Please see Miss Gold to her quarters." Norrington said standing her upright and shifting her to Morgan.

"Of course. Come on missy." Morgan said and slipped an arm around her shoulders as he began guiding her below deck.

"Commodore?" She called as he began to walk off.

"Commodore?" She repeated louder in irritation and ground her heels into the deck to stop Morgan.

"James!" She shouted, ignoring the shocked looks from the surrounding officers. She shook off Mr. Morgan to return to Norrington's side.

"What is it Miss Gold?" He asked.

She grabbed his arm and led him back to where the stern was floating. Norrington looked at her as his eyes widened in surprise.

"Gold's Red Angel. That's one of my father's ship." She answered as tears welled up again.

"Are you certain Miss Gold?" He asked urgently.

"Absolutely. He named it after me. I'm his red angel. Or was his red angel. He has other ships, one named for each of my sisters." She sniffled and took his offered handkerchief.

"Has your memory..." He began.

"Yes. It has." She interrupted. "Commodore, my father was on that ship. I was on that ship."

"Listen to me. I'll take care of this but you don't need to be up here. I'm afraid this was the wrong way for your memory to be returned." Norrington said softly and waved Morgan back over.

"Take her to her quarters, Morgan. See that she stays there. That's an order Miss Gold." Norrington commanded before he disappeared into the action on deck.

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