Chapter 3: A man with regrets

I must have been sitting here for hours, no doubt. The sun was just beginning to set. What if he was disgusted by me? But then again...what possibly could I offer him? Nothing...thats just it nothing at all. I am a mermaid and he is a man. A very handsome man to be exact. Last night I could not sleep at all, his eyes haunt me. The sorrow I saw in them, was too much to bare.

After a few minutes of pondering whether if he would come or not...I gave up. I don't want too get in deep, it will be too dangerous. Just as I was about to swim off, I heard footsteps and saw the bushes move.Then, he appeared...sending my heart to sing.

He looked so glorious, a god without doubt. He no longer wore those tattered clothes, in place of that was a new crisp clean Admiral's uniform. Complete with a sword resting elegantly by his side, wig, and black tricorn hat. The brocade displaying nicely on his well toned body. His face clean shaven, now I was able to see his handsomely chisled chin.The sent of him was magnificent, I inhaled secretly. But something jumped out at me...his eyes. They were brighter today and that made me beam with joy.

James smiled when he saw me. Its like he was happy...he wanted to see me again.

"Am I interrupting"? James asked. He practically made me melt with his rich velvet voice echoeing to my ears.

"Not at all, Admiral Norrington". I remembered to address him properly, for propriety...for his sake.

"Please, you can call me James. Besides I prefer it that way, actually". He sank down to sit by the lagoons edge.

"As you wish...James". I replied swimming closer to edge he was sitting by. "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question"?

"Not at all".

"Today you came all fresh and clean, only yesterday you were not dressed in a civilized way...pardon my boldness, but what caused the change"? I laughed a little, making my melodic laughter echo through the entire lagoon, making James smirk. I had to ask, maybe this can give me some kind of answers to what type of man he is.

"Well, it is rather a long story". his smirk vanished and he looked down to the ground, as if he remembered something unpleasent. I mentally kicked myself, how is he going to open up to me if I kept bringing up things he wishes not to remember.

"Fine, we can save it for another time. Why did you comeback"? His head shot up to look at me.

"I...I was curious to see if you would be here".

"Oh", was my only reply. But I practically jumped inside, he wanted to see me again!

"And I was also curious to hear you sing again. You have a beautiful voice, Narissa".

My heart fluttered, I love the way my name sounds coming from his voice. "You could have been here earlier, maybe I would have sang".

"I had duties at the fort, I apologize".

"Don't worry, you do not need to apologize, we barely know eachother. I can also see that you are a busy man".

"And a man full of regrets". James muttered under his breath.

I turned sharply to face him, I did not hear clearly what he had said. "Pardon me, did you say something"?

"Nothing. Have you been here all day"? James quickly changed the subject.

"Well yes, but I love this lagoon, it is my place of peace. Peace I can only attain here."

"I know what you mean, I felt the same way. To me this was the only place I can think clearly and push all my worries away". James replied.

"What do you mean was. It can still be yours, you will just have to share it". I smiled warmly making him smirk.

"Thank you. I never saw you here before".

"I only discovered it a couple of months ago...when my father died". I tried to hold back my tears with all my might, but one slipped down my rosy cheeks.

James gave me the most tender look, then looked away as if he remembered that secret pain again. That agony that was stored up inside and wanted to unleash itself. But he did a marvelous job at holding it all in. He was afraid to show his emotions...I could feel it.

"I am sorry for your loss". James finally turned to me.

"Thank you. But I am not completely alone, I have my mother and two younger sisters".

"Well at least thats good you are not completely alone". replied James. He, on the other hand had no one. The only people in his grand mansion were servants.

"I am thankful for that. Which reminds me, I must be getting back". I did not want to leave him, but I also did not want to stir up suspicions.

"I understand. I also have to get to back to the fort. Good evening Narissa".

"Good evening James". I slowly turned to swim off into the sunset, but I felt something touch my arm. James had grasped my arm, which caused him to wet his arm along with his naval coat.

"Narissa". his voice sounded a bit uneasy, as if he did not want me to leave.

"Yes", I looked into his sparkling green eyes.

"Will I see you again"?

"Perhaps...if you promise to tell me your long story, that caused such a change".

"If it is the only way we can meet again...and if you promise to sing". James smiled hopefully, how could I deny him?

"Tomorrow, at sunset". I smiled back at him. I did not want him to let go, the feel of his touch warmed my skin and made it tingle.

"At sunset". He whispered and let go of my arm. I swam away feeling my heart flutter, I was content...he wished to see me again. But I had this weird feeling that at any moment something could go wrong...

A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed...keep it up! I am glad you are loving this! Thanks!-Michelle