Disclaimer: They are not mine but a girl can dream, can't she?

AN: Sorry, this took so long. I've been fighting with document manager for three days!Thanks for the reviews. Please keep them coming. I love them and they make me so happy.

Unikorn: You weren't far off the mark.

Contrary to her expectations, Katherine slept soundly that night. Unfortunately her troubled thoughts played out in her dreams. Dreams of weddings. Dreams of James and her kissing. Dreams of James and her playing with a small dark haired child that looked like a miniature James.

When she awoke the next morning, she felt more tired than when she had gone to sleep. Images from the previous night's dreaming fluttered through her consciousness and left behind a feeling of wistfulness. Katherine went to the window seat and moodily stared out at the ocean. What was wrong with her? Was she actually considering marrying the dratted man? No! It was merely the upset and excitement of the previous evening that had so disturbed her equilibrium. Anyway, he really didn't want to marry her: he had only proposed to her in a misguided attempt to protect her honor. When she saw him today, she would calmly and rationally explain that there was no need for matrimony. Her reputation had already been besmirched and the past few months had taught her that it mattered little to her. In fact, it gave her the freedom to act as she wished without worry or fear of censure. There was no good reason why, if they were discrete and learned to lock doors, that they could not pursue an affair. Last night had proven beyond a doubt that they were physically compatible even if they did incessantly argue.

Jenny's soft knock interrupted her musings. Jenny was surprised to see her mistress up and about so early in the morning. After last night, most of the household was sleeping in today. "Merry Christmas, Miss Thompson. I'm glad to find you awake. I know it's early but Commodore Norrington is in the drawing room and he insists that you two need to speak before this afternoon's festivities."

James anxiously paced the drawing room floor. He was nervous. More nervous than he could ever recall being before. He had vetoed Jack's idea of drawing straws. After all, Katherine was going to be his bride so it was only fitting that he should be the one to tell her of their upcoming nuptials. The other men had been more than happy to concede to the validity of his argument. Still, he was nervous and the throbbing in his head was not helping matters. Last evening he had overindulged in the celebratory rum and he was now paying the price. He smiled as he recalled how Katherine had once matched Jack drink for drink only to escape all negative after effects the next day. He wished he knew her secret.

When it seemed as if an eternity had passed, he caught a glimpse of movement in the doorway. Katherine was hovering by threshold and appeared uncertain whether to enter or not. Good, he was not he only one plagued by nerves. Although considering how well his last attempt at a proposal had fared, this attempt was sure to be an improvement. At least this time there was no parapet for her to throw herself from. This thought brought an unconscious smirk to his face. "Good morning, Katherine."

Noting his smile and wondering what on earth he could possibly find amusing about this situation, Katherine cautiously entered the room. "Good morning, Commodore Norrington. You are up and about early this morning. I am afraid that the rest of the household is still asleep." She crossed the room and sat on the sofa indicating to him that he should take a seat.

James stifled an exasperated sigh. So it was back to Commodore Norrington, was it? Obviously she was not in good humor. This conversation was going to exercise his considerable diplomatic skills. "I thought it best if we spoke in private. I realize that this is awkward but after last night we cannot pretend as if matters can continue as they have done in the past. It is time for us to come to an arrangement."

"I quite agree. The situation between us has changed. I am so glad that you realize it as well." Katherine was relieved that he was not going to beat around the bush. After their fight she had been convinced that he would require more coaxing and convincing but evidently he was prepared to be reasonable about the matter. "Despite the turmoil of last evening, I do believe that we are well matched."

This was going better than James could have dreamed of. It was almost too good to be true. He had girded himself for an argument but apparently she had accepted not only the necessity for but even the rightness of their marriage. Suddenly his headache was gone and he gave a broad smile. "Yes, we are indeed well matched. Your father has given his blessing. We can make an announcement this afternoon."

Katherine was fascinated by the way that his smile softened his features and made him look years younger. He was such a handsome man when he was not wearing his usual stern expression. So absorbed was she in her admiration of his appearance that she did not at first adequately process what he had said. "James, I would like to apologize for my pushing you into the foun…announcement? What announcement?" Even before he spoke, she knew that she was not going to like his answer. As sorrowful as her father had been for his misjudging her regarding Sir Huntley, there was no way that her father would give his blessing to an affair. Nor would he condone an announcement of their intentions to the world at large. "What exactly are we announcing?"

"Our wedding, of course. I know that it is more usual to hold a formal engagement party but most interested parties will be there today. Anyway we will not have time to wait as Governor Swann is arranging for a special license. Do you mind too much that your mother will not be present?"

"No."

"Well then, that is settled. We can…"

Katherine did not wait to find out what they could do; she interrupted him with a firm, "I meant no we are not going to marry. Did you not hear me when I said as much last night? The intervening hours have given me no cause to change my mind."

"Then what were we just discussing?" a perplexed James inquired. A moment later the light dawned, "Ah, you are back to the fanciful notion of us having an affair."

"I fail to see what is so fanciful about the idea. James, I cannot and will not deny the physical connection between us. But there is no need to marry. We are both of age and as long as we conduct ourselves discreetly it is no one's business but ours what we do. I care nothing for what the gossips say." Katherine's tone had become just a shade belligerent.

James considered the situation for a moment. He could charge ahead and demand that they become husband and wife. That was what he wanted to do. That was what he had a right to do. However, he knew Katherine and he knew that she would likely obstinately dig her heels in rather than concede that marriage between them was fated. In the end, he would get his way but the road to victory would be hellishly uncomfortable.

Instead, he could build on her acknowledgement of their physical connection. He would also exploit the side of her that he had seen her display when he had inadvertently seen her teaching young Ewan to read. While she would probably rather die than admit it, Katherine Thompson had a soft spot for those in need. As much as she tried to hide her nature, she was a warm caring woman who disliked seeing others hurt. Perhaps she would also come to his aid?

Damping down his irritation with her, he softly asked, "What of my reputation, Kat? Do you truly believe that it would be considered acceptable for me to bed a lady and not marry her? What would happen to my honor?" He paused for a moment to let this sink in and he added, "Is the thought of marriage to me really so repellant? We have much in common." James silently cheered when he saw his darts hit home.

Katherine felt shamed into silence. She had not thought of matters from his perspective. While she did not believe that marriage was necessary or even desirable for the two of them, she did have to acknowledge that it was not only her reputation at stake. Yet, in her book that was not a valid reason to marry. If only he would say… Katherine was startled at the direction her thoughts were taking; if only he would say, what? What exactly did she want him to say? What was she looking for from him? A dizzying combination of exhilaration, fear, and confusion had her ruthlessly slamming shut the mental door on this direction of thought.

Elated, James watched as the parade of emotions flickered across her face. Again he was tempted to push but thought better of it. She had been given enough to think about and affording her some breathing room was the wisest option. "Kat, I can understand how this may all be rather sudden for you. I suggest that we table this discussion until after today and just enjoy Christmas Day with our families and friends."

A bemused Katherine agreed to his suggestion, "Yes, James. That seems like a wise idea. I shall see you this afternoon at dinner? If you will excuse me, I need to see to if Elizabeth requires any assistance with Pearl."

James spent the next few hours explaining to the rest of the interested parties that it would be for the best if they did not make any mention of marriage to Katherine until further notice from him. Both Mr. Thompson and Governor Swann were impressed by his handling of the situation. Mr. Thompson even called James' tactic to allow Katherine some time to reach her own conclusion that their union was inevitable "brilliant and Machiavellian". Mrs. Norrington, not being in possession of the facts regarding the previous night's adventures, merely acceded to his request with a dry, "I'm sure you know best, dear. Don't wait too long though or she may find another beau."

The afternoon's festivities were going exceedingly well. Dinner had been delicious and on more than one occasion James had looked up to find Katherine regarding him with a speculative look.

Governor Swann was in high spirits. Not only did he have his daughter, son in law, and brand new baby granddaughter present but James, Mrs. Norrington, Katherine, Mr. Thompson, and Ewan completed the party. It had been a long time since the mansion had been so filled with celebrants on Christmas Day and it filled his heart with joy. As an added bonus, there were presents to open and there was little that the Governor enjoyed more than opening presents.

It was a very merry party that made its way to the front parlor and began exchanging gifts. There were cries of delight and many a "you shouldn't have" and in general everyone was greatly enjoying themselves when the storm hit. James looked up from his perusal of the new spyglass that his mother had given him when he heard Elizabeth say teasingly, "This one is for you, Katherine. Odd, the tag does not say who it is from. You must have a secret admirer."

James watched in horror as Elizabeth handed the small rectangular package to Katherine. In the hectic events of the morning and with his head pounding from last night's rum, he had forgotten all about that present. He had bought it and written the inscription whilst under the impression that it would be a happy fiancée who was opening it. Well there was nothing that he could do now but hope for the best and pray that she saw the humor in it and understood what he was trying to tell her.

Katherine took the package from Elizabeth with a small smile. She would bet that Jack had left it for her last night. Knowing Jack it would be something highly inappropriate but fun nevertheless. She unwrapped the paper and found that she held a book. Turning it over, she found the title embossed in gilt, The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. Funny, she had never thought of Jack as the literary type but he had chosen one of her favorite authors. On the flyleaf there was an inscription:

Katherine,

We never got around to discussing Mr. Shakespeare's comedies. In light of the heroine's name and our own rather tempestuous relationship, this play seemed apropos. However, I am not truly convinced that this work should be called a comedy rather than a tragedy. I look forward to all the days we have ahead of us to debate the issue.

Merry Christmas,

James

Katherine snapped the book shut and just barely managed to refrain from lobbing it at James Norrington's head. The insufferable pig. Taming of the Shrew? So he thought that he was going to tame her? That he would be Petruccio to her Katherine? That she would say the sun was the moon just because he claimed it so? How could she even have considered for a few moments that marriage to him might be acceptable, even desirable? The man was loathsome. Not only did she have no wish to marry him but now she wouldn't even have him in her bed if he came gift wrapped with a large bow!

Thankfully, Elizabeth had lost interest in the gift when she had seen that it was a book so there would be no awkward explanations necessary. Katherine was not entirely sure that she could manage to produce any acceptable discourse at the moment. Her eyes glanced up and caught James' questioning stare. Shooting him a venomous look, she took a moment to calm herself and then announced, "I think that I shall go for a short stroll, it is a little warm in here. Commodore, would you care to join me?"

Mr. Thompson noted his daughter's flushed face and correctly attributed it to the gift that she had just opened while James had intently looked on. His was beaming as the two left the room for the gardens. James would make a fine son in law. Evidently he had found just the right token to secure Katherine's affections.

For James' part, he had no desire to accompany Katherine on her "stroll" but he knew that their forthcoming confrontation was unavoidable. Oh well, he had tried to gentle her into acceptance but that plan had just spectacularly backfired. It was obvious that she was in a towering rage. Well that was just fine with him. He was tired of trying to be reasonable with her. If she could not see that his choice of book and inscription paid her a compliment than that was her own fault. He was not about to allow her to run roughshod over him.

No sooner had they walked beyond the sight of those still in the house than she rounded on him. She reminded him of a spitting cat. "James Norrington, you are the most unbelievably rude arrogant insufferable prig that I have ever had the misfortune to meet. I suppose you think that that was humorous?"

Refusing to be intimidated into feeling in the wrong, James glared back at her and coolly said, "Yes. It was humorous. If you were not so ready to jump to conclusions and if you really thought about what I wrote then you would also find it amusing. Have you read the play before?"

"Yes I have and I fail to find anything remotely funny about a woman being married solely for her dowry and then being forced to submit to a tyrannical despot. Evidently you and I have very different ideas of what is entertaining. But I did not bring you here to discuss literature. I brought you here to tell you that I am rescinding my offer to have an affair with you."

"Good because that was an offer that was never going to be taken up." James told her.

Stung that he so easily accepted her revocation, she snippily informed him, "While I may not be to your taste, James Norrington, there are plenty of men who find me desirable. They will take me as I am and not try to change me. It is simply a matter of time before I find the right gentleman. Perhaps I shall give Jack another try or maybe …"

Katherine never finished her statement. James had taken both of her elbows in a bruising grip. Her talk of other men had enraged him. Even more so because she had accused him of not accepting her as she was. Damn it! That was what his whole message had been about. When he read the play he had thought it a tragedy that Petruccio had so broken Katherine's spirit and independence. Those were two of the things that James loved most about his own Katherine. Although there were times, like right now for instance, when those traits were infuriating beyond the pale.

As James pulled her closer, her mouth went dry and for the first time since meeting him she was truly afraid of him. He looked capable of all manner of dangerous behavior. When there was less than a quarter inch between them he released one elbow only to capture her chin and force her to meet his furious gaze. Through tight lips he harshly grated, "Make no mistake, Kat, whatever else occurs I will be your first, last, and only lover. Any man who dares lay a hand on you will not live to see the next day and you will wish you had been as fortunate." Seeing her eyes widen apprehensively, James let go of her and turned away to compose himself. He could tell that Katherine had been shocked by his words but no more than he. He was not usually a violent man but his statement had not been an idle threat. There was no way in heaven or hell that he would countenance another man making love to her. The savageness of his own feelings shook him. Though not by nature a possessive or jealous man, there was something about Katherine that brought out his territorial instincts.

"Since I shall be returning to England with my father, it is of no concern of yours what I do with my future," Katherine bravely tried to reassert herself.

Having mastered his wilder emotions, James once again faced her. With his usual air of authority he bit out, "Miss Thompson, the only place that you will be going in the near future is to the chapel in two days' time. Your father has agreed to my offer and, like it or not, you are going to become Mrs. Norrington. Even I have to hogtie you and carry you myself. Now that we have that matter settled, let us return to the others." James started off towards the house without waiting to see if she was following. A thought occurred to him and he stopped, turned to her, and warned, "And I would not attempt to try to buy my way onto a passenger ship if I were you. I shall have a word with the captains and there will be a marine following you from now until we are married. I would not find it amusing to have to explain why my future wife is booking passage away from Port Royal," and with that he left to rejoin the others.