Chapter 23: Slipped Away

Isabella slept peacefully. It was probably the first night she had gotten a good night's rest ever since they left Port Royal. After her blissful evening with James, she was content. Finally she was able to make love to him without feeling disgusted with herself because Beckett had touched her. All they need to do now is finish this and return home.

Isabella turned to her left hoping to take hold of James's arm, but she sat upright to see that he was not beside her. She looked around the small cabin, he was nowhere in sight. His uniform and sword were gone as well, maybe he was out on duty, she thought to herself. Isabella sighed and decided to put on a simple chemise gown.

As Isabella finished dressing herself, she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Something bad was going to happen...she can feel it. Just as she was thinking, she heard cannons being fired outside. She also heard the raucous outside.

She quickly ran outside.

"James what is going on"? Isabella asked as fear overwhelmed her.

"We captured a pirate ship. Please, darling go back to the cabin". James pleaded to her.

"No, I am staying here with you"! protested Isabella.

"Isabella, thats an order". James said sternly. "I will go back to the cabin once I fininsh."

Isabella just glared and left back to the cabin. She was impatient, she didn't want anything to happen to James. After a few minutes he returned with a grave expression on his face.

"James are you alright"? Isabella went over to him.

"To be honest...no, I am not. The pirate ship we captured belong's to Elizabeth. She is alive, I just saw her". James went over to Isabella and grasped her arms.

"But how...I thought she was dead".

"She is much alive". replied James

"Did she say anything"?

"Elizabeth is very upset with me, she just found her father died".

"She is also angry because we betrayed her. We took the heart".

"Isabella I had no choice"! James sat down on the bed and put his face into his hands. This cameback to haunt him.

"Where is she"? Isabella sat down next to him, taking his hand into hers.

"I gave orders to lock them in the brig. At first I offered her my quarters, but she refused". replied James. "Another thing that keeps haunting me is what she told me before she left."

"What is it"?

"I kept telling her I did not know about her father's death. I told her I did not know.Then, before leaving she said, know what...which side you chose". James turned to at Isabella who was trying to keep herself calm.

"What...what will we do now"? That was all ahe could say. If Elizabeth is angry with James, then she is most certainly angry with Isabella for letting James take the heart.

"I don't know, but all I know is that we need to get you out of here along with Elizabeth".


Two hours later, James stopped pacing the room. For the first time he did not know how to save his wife. To come up with a good plan to keep her out of danger. But at this moment it seemed impossible.

"Darling, you have been pacing for two whole hours, you are making me dizzy". Isabella watched him intently as he stopped.

"Forgive me. Its just that I want to keep you safe. I could not live with myself if I lose you. Our children need you. I love you too much". James kneeled in front of her, taking her hand into hers.

"James so do I. I don't know what you did to make me fall for you instantly...but you did. I love you". Isabella stroked his cheek. James wiped the tears that were running down her cheeks.

"I pormise to keep you safe". smiled James.

"I know so. We have been through so much more these past years, and we managed to be together and get through it. Remember in our first two months of marriage what I told you". Isabella looked into eyes. She saw love and passion in his. But they also had despair in them. "I said I would be with you till the end". Isabella leaned down to kiss, he responded with so much passion.

After a few moments they broke apart.

"Come with me". James took her hand and led her out of the cabin.

"Where are we going"?

"You will see". James said over his shoulder, not turning to look at her. He will save his precious Isabella at any cost.


In a few minutes they were below deck. Isabella gasped when she saw Elizabeth. Elizabeth turned to see James opening the brig door and Isabella behind him.

"Come with us". James told Elizabeth who showed no interest in moving from her place. "Quickly".

One by one the crew came out of the small cell, taking the only chance they had.

"What are you doing"? Isabella asked with concern. She was afraid. What was he going to do? He is risking everything.

"Choosing a side".


"No James, you are not doing this"! Isabella yelled with tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. She discovered his plan. He was going to let Elizabeth and her crew escape. He was going to tell Elizabeth to take Isabella with her. It was the only way to save Isabella.

"Don't argue this Isabella, please". James pleaded as he motioned everyone else to hurry.

Elizabeth came in sight and heard every word. "This still doesn't earn my forgiveness".

"I had nothing to do with your father's death. But that does not absolve me from my other sins". James looked down as he told Elizabeth. "I need you to take Isabella with you. She is not safe here anymore. Please, take her".

Elizabeth nodded and hoisted herself up to climb on the rope.

"Come on Isabella darling, its time". James offered his hand to her, but she did not take it.

"I am not going anywhere"!

"Yes you are. Now, make sure Elizabeth doesn't go to shipwreck cove. Beckett knows of the meeting of the brethren, I fear there might be a traitor among them. I don't want them to use you as leaverge".

"Then come with me, please I don't want to leave you. Don't do this to me"! Isabella was getting impatient.

"Who goes there"! A sudden voice yelled from up top. They probably knew someone was trying to escape.

James paniced and grabbed Isabella, he placed her behind him. "Go...I will follow".

"You are lying...I can see it in your eyes". said Isabellla. After knowing him for so long, he never needed to necessarily say his feelings because she could see it clearly in his eyes.

"Our destinies have intertwined Isabella, and they will always be joined". In one quick bold move, James took his precious Isabella into his arms and kissed her with all the love he has ever had for her. "I love you".

"I love you too." Isabella whispers softly as their lips are still close together.

"Go now". James helps her step up to the railing. "Take this". He hands her his sword.

Isabella hesitates, but takes it with a heavy heart. She straps it on to the ribbon of her dress and begins to make her way to the Empress.

By the time the crew member arrived, Isabella was already half way.

"Back to your station sailor". James warned.

"No one leaves the ship".

"Stand down, thats an order"!

"Thats an order. Part of the crew, part of the ship". Bootstrap starts chanting, James begins to worry.

"Steady Man"!

"All hands...prisoner escape"! He starts yelling.

"Belay that"! James pulls out his gun.

"James"! Isabella yells for him.

James turns to Isabella and debates on what to do. "Forgive me". He decides to pull the trigger aiming it at the rope, letting it fall with everyone still on it along with Isabella. The rope quickly falls to the water, Isabella lets out a blood curling scream, making James hate himself for what he just did.

As soon as James turns back, Bootstrap plunges the sword into him. Isabella sees this and begins to scream uncontrollably.

"James, James"!!


With the help of Elizabeth, Isabella made it aboard the Empress. Isabella was going to let herself drown. She wanted to die after what she saw happen. She saw him die.

Isabella was below deck, crying her heart out. She wanted to be alone. She sank to the floor, clutching onto the only thing she had left of James...his sword.

"Isabella"? Elizabeth came in to see Isabella sobbing in the distant corner.

"Leave me alone". replied Isabella.

"Isabella you need to get out of that wet dress before you get a cold. I thought you might want to my quarters". Elizabeth went over to her.

"I don't care. I certainly do not need your pitty. I want him! I want my husband!" Isabella grew angry. "Leave me alone...get out!"

Elizabeth nodded and decided it was best to leave her be. Isabella just sobbed, clutching to his sword. Tonight her whole world came crashing down. How is she going to tell her children this? How will she face life from now on? How will she live without him? Tonight she lost their father, her best friend, her lover. The only man she has and will always ever love...


I miss you, miss you so bad
I don't forget you, oh it's so sad
I hope you can hear me
I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same
Ooooh

Na na na na na na na

I didn't get around to kiss you
Goodbye on the hand
I wish that I could see you again
I know that I can't

Oooooh
I hope you can hear me cause I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same
Ooooh

I had my wake up
Won't you wake up
I keep asking why
And I can't take it
It wasn't fake
It happened, you passed by

Now you are gone, now you are gone
There you go, there you go
Somewhere I can't bring you back
Now you are gone, now you are gone
There you go, there you go,
Somewhere your not coming back

The day you slipped away
Was the day i found it won't be the same noo..
The day you slipped away
Was the day that i found it won't be the same oooh...

Na na, na na na, na na
I miss you

- Slipped Away - Avril Lavigne


A/N: I know it hurt me to do this, but I did it for a reason, you will see why later on...I promise. Please forgive me, I was sobbing when I worte this, it hurt my heart to do this to my beloved James. But only time will tell what will happen. PLEASE R&R! Update will come soon! Thanks-Michelle