A/N: I wish I had laptop. So I can write whenever, wherever. And I'll always try to write as often as possible. At least once a week? But school's not yet that extreme.

Disclaimer: Flip back. Owning POTC is called wishful thinking.

Chapter 2: Yet Another Heartbreak

Storming out of Beckett's office, he stomped home. Norrington's face was flush red with anger. He felt his heart tear a little at the corner. Maybe he should break off the betrothal. She'd be dancing with joy, thought Norrington. But where else in Port Royal would he find such a woman as Isabel? It seemed to him that Isabel was the only woman left. That only she can fulfill his wants and needs. Last time she had been away from him, he had assigned a fleet of ships to fetch her only to have her slip away again. Having more ships going after a mere maiden was a waste of government money. But then again, she wasn't a mere maiden at all. She was a goddess. Sighing, Norrington went to bed in his uniform to again prepare another trip to look for Isabel.

- - -

"What do you mean, there are no spare cabins? There has to be!" I paced the deck, practically in a crazed frenzy.

"I'm sorry, miss. Ye will have to find someone to bunk with or ye can sleep below deck." Gibbs was exasperated.

"I refuse to sleep with rats or any men, for that matter."

"How about a night with the captain, aye?" Jack loomed out of nowhere.

"I don't think that is such a good idea, Jack."

"Don't judge me, love. Or you'll be sleeping with rats. And I'll say that rats are dirtier than I am."

I hesitated and groaned with disgust. "Fine."

I turned and headed to Jack's cabin. I tried to shut the door. Jack's hand stopped it.

"Give me a moment, will you? I need to change."

"My cabin, my rules. I'd like to sleep now, eh?"

"Excuse me? Then where will I undress?"

"Either below deck or right here." Jack smiled.

"Hah! I don't think so, Jack. And I'll sleep on the ground if you prefer the bed." I shuddered at the thought of undressing in front of Jack. And sharing a bed was out of the question.

"Ye can have the mattress. The ground won't be too comfortable."

"No thank you, Jack. Since it's your cabin."

So I took spare sheets and spread it on the ground and put a pillow on top and went to sleep in my corset.

- - -

The morning after, Beckett found Norrington waiting for him at the office door.

"What is your purpose here today, Commodore?" He was not surprised to see Norrington up this early.

"To request a four week release from Port Royal to find Lady Isabel of Windsor." Norrington's facial expression was grave and serious.

"Of course, as long as you like."

"Thank you milord." He took off his, bowed, and backed out of the door.

Perfect. Once Norrington has her, I'll take her away from him. A pretty object for my eyes and a bait for Sparrow. Simply perfect. Beckett sat alone, staring at a fixed area out the window, his hands clasped together, smiling at nothing as these thoughts floated through his mind.

- - -

I woke up, finding myself not on the floor as the night before, but on the bed with my corset loosened. Jack was still asleep, keeping on his side of the bed.

I tightened my corset and washed up in the basin. Heading out onto deck, I ran to Ana-Maria.

"Breakfast time, yet?"

"No, not yet. Would ye be a darlin' and go fix something for the crew? I'm running out of hands." Ana-Maria held a bucket and a mop in her hands.

"Sure, I'll do just that."

I went below deck and gathered leftover supplies and headed towards the kitchen.

A few eggs and biscuits later, Jacked emerged into the kitchen and sat down at a nearby table.

"How was yer sleep, love?"

"Well, I found myself not on the floor and my corset untied." I raised my eyebrows. "Suppose you can explain that, Jack?"

"I'll have ye know that nothing indecent happened. Just for your comfort, love, is all." Jack kept a straight face.

I laughed and kissed him on the cheeks before handing him his eggs. "I appreciate that."

Jack secretly flipped out the broken compass under the table. He watched as Isabel moved about the kitchen and watched how the needle followed her movements. He said nothing but continued to devour his breakfast.

- - -

A/N: Review, please? I'm hoping fans of my last story would find this one just as good. And also hoping that new fans will read both. 3