Chapter 5

Amanda spent a good deal of the next day helping Norrington scrub the decks of the Black Pearl. Jack seemed to get a kick out of ordering Norrington around. Norrington submissively did as he was told. Amanda wondered how much more he would take before he came undone and lashed out at the bossy Captain.

Norrington splashed the soap suds on the deck. He scrubbed viciously, taking his anger out on the Pearl's woodwork. He eyed Elizabeth, who was pouting on the steps of the Pearl's poop deck. Elizabeth made eye contact with him and he glanced away.

"I think you're done with that spot." Amanda pushed the soap bucket forward and handed Norrington another rag to scrub with.

Norrington could tell that Amanda was upset about him liking Elizabeth. He probably should not have told her about it last night, but she needed to know. Norrington watched as Jack flirted with Elizabeth, it made him sick. This woman could have any man she wanted. It was as if she could not decide which one she liked best.

"If all you are going to do is stare at her, you are going to end up scrubbing this deck by yourself." Amanda flung her rag at him.

Norrington caught it before it hit him in the face. "I'm done starring at her. Amanda, don't go."

"Oh, I very much doubt that. You're just as bad as she is."

"Excuse me?"

"You stare at her, but you want my presence. Which is it going to be, James? Her or me?"

Norrington grabbed Amanda's arm to keep her from walking off. "Amanda, I don't know. Just give me some time."

"You once told me that you loved me more than this very life. What happened to us?" Amanda began scrubbing the deck again. "I cannot go on like this."

" . . .full pardon. Commission as a privateer on the behave of England and the East India Trading Company . . ."

Norrington's head jerked up. A full pardon! Where did they get that? That would solve everything! But how to get it away from Jack?

"James!"

"What, Amanda? Did you hear what Jack just said? That is our ticket out of here!"

He is not even listening to me! Amanda was so mad she could have slapped him, but he was already making his way toward Elizabeth. Amanda listened in as she pretended to continue scrubbing the deck.

"It's a curious thing . . ." said Norrington to Elizabeth. "There was a time when I would have given anything for you to look like that while thinking about me."

"I don't know what you mean," lied Elizabeth.

"Oh, I think you do," replied Norrington.

"Oh, don't be absurd. I trust him, that's all."

Norrington laughed. "So you never wondered how your latest fiancé ended up on the Flying Dutchman in the first place?" Norrington shook his head in disbelief and walked back to Amanda.

"You said 'there was a time', what did you mean?" asked Amanda.

"I want to let her go. I don't know if I can, but I want to give us a chance. Do you still want me?"

Amanda flung her arms around him. "Yes, James, I still want you."

"Good, because I now have a plan . . ."