Disclaimer: Disney owns all of POTC. I make nothing from my little stories.
AN: Sorry that this took awhile but I had a horrible case of writer's block. Probably too stressed out from work. Thank you to all my faithful reviewers. To those of you who haven't reviewed, please do so. I'm sure it's an antidote to writer's block!
James stood in a secluded corner of the terrace trying to reign in his temper. Right now he wanted nothing more than to wring Miss Thompson's pretty little neck. He had known that it would be a mistake to attend the dance but he really had not had much choice. For the past five weeks he had successfully steered clear of Miss Thompson and he would have continued doing so indefinitely, if the Governor had not intervened. Unfortunately, since she was staying with the Governor, his avoidance of her had also resulted in what appeared to be an avoidance of the Governor. At first when Governor Swann had commented on the marked lack of social calls that James made to the mansion, James had been able to excuse himself by pointing out that he had much to catch up on after his journey to England. However, as the weeks passed this excuse wore thin and his only choices were to either admit that he wished to forego any interaction with Miss Thompson or attend the dance. Given that she was the daughter of one of the Governor's oldest and dearest friends, the later had seemed like the more politically astute move.
Now here he was; alone in a darkened niche and attempting to regain his calm and dignity. He had admired her sharp tongue when she had delivered her set down to Miss Witherspoon but when that same tongue was turned on him he found himself wanting to forcibly silence her. Unbidden, several rather enjoyable means of obtaining this objective came to mind; the same enjoyable means that had filled his dreams and disturbed his sleep since the night that she had kissed him.
The woman really was a menace to herself. Could she not understand how dangerous it would be to live on her own? She refused to listen to reason and insisted on going forth with her plans. Then inspiration struck and James cursed himself a fool for having taken so long to realize his new strategy. As a military man he should have known after the first frontal verbal assault that she was not going to concede, so the logical thing to do was adopt a flanking strategy. Instead of telling her how dangerous it was, he would show her. The first thing that he had to do was get her alone and in private. With that goal in mind, he reentered the ballroom.
As she half listened to Governor Swann relate an amusing anecdote to the small circle that she was standing with, Katherine noted that for the past half hour Commodore Norrington was not to be seen amongst the guests. Perhaps he had left for the evening and would cease tormenting her with his disapproving presence. She smiled to herself as she remembered the look on his face when she had delivered her barb. Mr. Peterson had been a godsend arriving when he did, for leaving to dance with him had allowed for her to have her say while giving the Commodore no chance to reply. It had not been the repayment for his slights that she had originally envisioned, but it would do nicely.
She had just finished mentally applauding her adept handling of the Commodore when she felt him walk up behind her and insinuate himself into the small group. He stood immediately to her right and did not acknowledge her by word or deed but joined in the general conversation.
After several minutes had passed, he turned to her and ever so politely inquired, "May I have the pleasure of the next dance, Miss Thompson?"
Katherine was about to sharply deny his request when she spotted the look of beaming approval on the Governor's face. Elizabeth had told her that her father viewed James almost as a son. Damn it, she could not be rude to the Commodore while the Governor looked on. So instead, she said politely but firmly, "I must decline your kind offer, sir. The next dance is a waltz and I do not waltz." She prided herself on the fact that while it was a convenient excuse, it was also a truthful one. From the quirk of his eyebrow, she could tell that he did not believe her.
"Oh come now, Miss Thompson, do not be so modest. I have seen you climb a ship's masts with the ability of a trapeze artist. Surely a waltz is not beyond your graceful capabilities?"
Governor Swann, who could not resist an opportunity to act as matchmaker, chimed in, "After those pretty words of flattery my dear, you can not refuse James. I do not believe that I have ever heard him speak so admiringly before."
Katherine's eyes met James' and she could read in them his amusement at her dilemma. She was feeling trapped and did not like the sensation. The worst of it was that she really did not like to waltz and she had very good reason. Deciding that honesty was the surest route to quelling the discussion she admitted, "While I appreciate the kind words, I must reiterate that I do not waltz. I fear that I should do harm to the Commodore's toes. You see, I was always the tallest young lady in my dance classes and as such often had to assume the role of the gentleman. This has left me with the tendency to want to lead rather than follow."
Amidst the laughter that greeted this confession, only Katherine was able to hear James' low and dryly muttered, "Why does that not surprise me?" She shot him a fulminating glance.
"I believe that my toes are up to the challenge. I am afraid that I must insist, Miss Thompson. " James pressed his request with an air of charm that Katherine had not seen him before exhibit. His gaze dared her to continue to refuse and give the gossip mongers fodder for speculation.
"Very well. It will be my pleasure, Commodore," Katherine's mouth said the words but her eyes told him that she would find the dance anything but pleasurable. James merely gave her a mocking smile and led her to the dance floor.
The music began and she went stiffly into his arms. For the first few measures of music, they danced awkwardly and Katherine did indeed fall into her habit of trying to lead. Then James pulled her closer and tightened his hold on her waist. Tingling sensations ran through her body and she could feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of her gown and the warmth of his breath stirring her hair. Suddenly it was all she could do to remember to breathe and her feet began to move automatically without thought or planning.
As they danced, James was facing his own difficulties. He silently berated himself for not considering the pitfalls of this plan. While the dance was surely making her uncomfortable, it was doing the same to him. She fit into his arms like she was made to be there and to continue the dance was taking every ounce of concentration that he possessed. Irritated at his reaction to her presence he taunted her, "You appear to be doing fine with waltzing. Evidently you just needed a firmer hand."
His comment pulled Katherine out of her haze. The man was truly an insufferable beast. All she needed was a firmer hand! She would show him. Deliberately she missed the next step and trod heavily on his toes. With a falsely sweet smile she looked up at him and apologized, "Oh do forgive me, Commodore. Someone bumped into me. I do so hope that it did not hurt too much?"
James suppressed a smile. Unwittingly she had just given him the perfect excuse to adjourn to a more private setting. "Do not let it trouble you Miss Thompson. It has become exceedingly crowded and warm in here. You are looking flushed." He was surprised to notice that this truly was the case, "Let us go onto the terrace for some fresh air." Without giving her chance to decline, he took her arm and led her outside.
Even if she had been given the opportunity Katherine would not have protested; she was just happy to be out of his disturbing embrace. The two stood quietly for some time gazing out over the gardens; each lost in their own thoughts and attempting to regain their equilibrium.
Abruptly and without meaning to, James asked, "Why have you never married?"
"I should think that you would find the answer to that obvious, Commodore. Wasn't it you that pointed out my lack of social skills and dress sense?" she quickly retorted.
"Ah. That stung did it?"
"Don't be absurd. Why should I care what you think of me?"
"Why indeed? Still you have not given me an answer."
"My reasons do not concern you."
James could not understand why he was pursuing this topic. It was not what he had intended to talk to her about and yet he could not stop his next question. "Elizabeth mentioned that Lieutenant Blackwirth proposed to you last week. I take it from his absence tonight that you refused him?"
"Again, I fail to see how it is any of your concern but yes, I did turn him down."
With a satisfied smirk James pronounced, "Good. He's had a narrow escape. He would not have been able to handle you."
An enraged Katherine practically shouted at him, "A narrow escape? Handle me? You see that is precisely why I have no desire to marry. I will not be owned by any man. I can take care of myself."
James fixed her with a disbelieving stare, "You need no assistance or protection?" He was happy that they had at last reached the topic that he had meant to broach.
"No. I am perfectly able to fend for and defend myself."
"Really?" James drawled.
"Yes."
"Shall we put that theory to the test?"
Through her fury Katherine slowly became aware of the turbulent waters that she had entered. Commodore Norrington looked both angry and predatory; a dangerous combination and he stood between her and the door. "I have had enough of this conversation. If you will excuse me, I should like to go back inside now." She waited for him to move aside. "You are standing in my way."
"Yes."
"Move aside," she ordered.
"Make me. Prove just how capable you are."
Mentally Katherine debated her options. Conceding defeat was not to be tolerated so she took the second option and flew at him with her fists. Shoving hard at his chest she tried to push him out of her path. To her dismay he did not budge. Instead he laughed as he took a hold of her by the wrists and easily secured her arms behind her back.
"Now what are you going to do?" he goaded.
Katherine was not about to give up without a fight. Twisting, she tried to bring her knee up. That was how she had freed herself from Sir Huntley's embrace. However, James was quicker than Sir Huntley and he yanked her against him before she could inflict any damage. Katherine found herself pressed closely up against the long length of him. She could not gain any leverage to free herself or kick out at James and her frantic attempts to do so were only serving to highlight that her breasts and indeed her whole body were now crushed tightly and intimately against him. At this realization, her mouth dried, her pulse quickened; she immediately stopped struggling and stared mutely at his chest.
James transferred both her wrists to his left hand and used his right hand to capture her chin and tilt her face up towards him. "Admit it. You cannot escape. For all of your claims, you are currently unable to defend yourself or stop me from doing whatever I wish to do to you. This is precisely why you can not and will not live alone." James had grown acutely aware of the feel of her body against his and was having trouble remaining focused on his objective.
Katherine stubbornly remained quiet and defiantly met his eyes. Their gazes clashed and grew more heated but it was with desire rather than anger.
"Admit it." James now used a coaxing tone.
"No," she whispered.
"Stubborn woman."
"Arrogant man."
"Infuriating witch."
"Impossible beast."
"Headstrong female." With each insult, James' mouth drew closer to Katherine's.
"Pomp…" and the rest of Katherine's words were drowned under the pressure of his kiss.
At first it was butterfly light; a mere brushing of lips against lips. James drew back and searched for signs of rejection. Finding none, he slid his hand to the back of her neck and deepened the kiss. After several minutes of this exploration, the chaste nature of their kiss was not enough to satisfy him. Returning the favor that she had granted him so many nights ago when they had run across Sparrow, he slowly traced her lips with the tip of his tongue. When her lips parted in a moan of desire, he took full advantage and invaded the moist cavern of her mouth.
Katherine felt as if she were melting into a puddle. It hadn't been the rum talking; his kisses did taste like heaven. When he had begun exploring her mouth with his tongue, she had been shocked by the intimacy of the act. Now she wanted more. Much more. Exactly what she wanted she did not know and she expressed her frustration with inarticulate whimpers of need. Wanting to touch him, she tried to pull her wrists free.
Divining her wish, James unleashed her hands. Katherine reached up and clutched at his shoulders trying to get even closer to him. When James removed his mouth from hers she gave a cry of protest but that soon turned into a gasp of pleasure as his lips caressed her neck. Slowly he worked his way towards the tempting feast offered up by the low cut gown. As his hands and his lips found her breasts, Katherine cried out, "James."
This one word was enough to bring him to his senses. Good lord, they were in plain sight and not fifteen feet away from an ongoing party. What was he thinking? That was just the problem, he was not thinking. Something about this woman drove all rational thought and notions of propriety from his mind. Lifting her hands from his shoulders, he withdrew and stepped back.
Both were unable to speak. They just stared at each other and struggled to bring their breathing under control. Finally James said, "I apologize. I had not intended for things to progress that far. Now will you admit that you cannot defend yourself against all dangers?"