A.N. - I am currently in the middle of re-revising this story. James Norrington is reffered to as John Norrington, but it's the same character. Like I said, I'm in the middle of changing things, sorry for the inconvenience.

Ballroom: James Norrington POV

"Dear friends, I thank you for coming this night to join me in celebrating my daughter's engagement to Commodore James Norrington." Governor Swan announced to all the guests.

" And I thank you, Governor for giving me your daughter's hand in marriage." I replied.

" No need to thank me. You're a great man. I trust she'll be in good hands." All of the guests applauded. I bowed lightly. He spoke in a lower tone to me, "Now, go find Elizabeth. I think both our guests and she, have waited long enough." He patted me on the back, then he looked at me curiously. " Do you hear that?" I strained to hear past the guests who had begun to chat in anticipation, knowing full well that Elizabeth would soon make her entrance alongside me. As I listened, I heard the booming noises and recognized them very well. I could feel the recognition show on my face.

" Cannons!" It escaped my mouth louder than I had intended. He looked at me uneasily, alarmed. There should be no battle tonight. The guest grew louder, it would be mere seconds before they panicked.

" Elizabeth." He responded and fear formed on his face.

" I'll get Elizabeth. Governor,get the guests and yourself out of here and to the fort as fast as you can!" I ran out the large ballroom doors and towards the garden.

Elizabeth POV

" I'm going to turn, don't shoot." He said as he turned slowly to face me. I took an unsure step back, then moved the gun to rest on his chest. It was partly uncovered, the top half of his shirt was unbuttoned. He was muscular and healthy, unlike a proper pirate. But that's beside the point at the moment, I told myself. He noticed me staring at his body and cleared his throat. I looked up to meet his eyes immediately.

" Enjoying the view miss?"

" No, of course not." I answered quickly.

" I'm attractive aren't I? Or at least, you think I am."

"How dare you talk to me like that?" Who did he think he was? A pirate obviously.

" Admit it." He tempted me and he grabbed my chin with his hand and tilted my face up closer to his lips. I in turn, lifted my free hand to slap him but he grabbed my wrist with a powerful grip.

" Let go!" I screamed at him in fear and anger.

" Fine. But don't shoot and I would like my gun back." He let me go.

" That's too bad because-" I fell harshly to the floor and dropped the gun as he pushed me aside and took out his sword, all in one swift movement.

" No George!" He said as his sword met with another pirate's.

" The wench was about to shoot you William!"

" She wouldn't do it. Look at her!" They held their swords still.

" She's harmless? Then let me have her." The first pirate slashed at the second and soon they were both going at each other. I pulled out of my initial shock then, and realized I was outnumbered.

" No, we're not taking prisoners." Well you're not going to kill me either I thought and got up as fast as I could and ran towards the staircase that was right outside the sitting room. I had only gotten up a few steps when I tripped on my dress and fell all the way back down. There was a stinging sensation of pain from my knee down to my ankle.

" Help!" I screamed but no one was around. The door to the sitting opened then and the second pirate ran out with blood seeping from his arm that made my stomach turn. I couldn't stand the sight of other's blood. He didn't even notice me though, and from inside the sitting room came menacing footsteps. They came closer and closer until the man stepped out of the room where I could see him, and he could see me. My heart raced in fear as I saw him and the bloody sword in his hand. I winced at the pain in my leg as I tried to get up to run- and succeeded, painfully of course, but I managed to take a step up the stairs before my knee gave in and I collapsed again. He looked at me curiously and stepped closer.

" Stay back! Leave me alone!" I screamed at him. His face was expressionless as he put his sword away and kneeled down next to me on the floor.

" My father's the governor, he'll give you anything you want just don't hurt me! Take anything, just don't touch me!" I cried as I looked down at my trembling hands.

" Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you" he murmured softly. I looked up at him and he waited for me to say something.

"HELP!" I screamed. Then I gasped for breath. He seemed angry and annoyed then and he covered my mouth with his hand. He leaned closer to me and I shuddered as he whispered in my ear, " I got my gun back and if you don't quiet down, I'm going to have to shoot you. Understand?" Silent fear filled my heart and I nodded with tears dripping down the side of my face and landing in his hand.

" Good." He removed his hand from my mouth and I gasped for air. Suddenly he picked me up in his arms.

" No, don't touch me! Put me down!" I said as I pounded on his chest and tried to push myself away from him and his body.

" Don't scream- or else." He reminded me. I realized then that I needed to show some resolve, some bravery, if my life and honor were on the line.

" I know what you want me for." I told him as he carried me into the sitting room.

" And what is that?" He asked bluntly." You'll take me to your ship and you and your pirates will have their fun with me and then I will be killed or kept as slave or held for ransom or some other cruel scheme but-"

"Stop. I said I wasn't going to hurt you."

" And I can't afford to trust a pirate. Whatever it is that you are planning to do; know that I will not go down without a fight." He laid me down on the settee.

" You 're not going to need to fight and even if you needed to, I doubt you could defend yourself Miss. You're hurt and helpless." He knelt down beside me and lifted the skirt of my dress up.

" What are you doing?" I said as I smacked his hand away.

" I need to see your leg, you're hurt."

" No I'm not, leave me alone."

" Just look at it, you're bleeding." My leg did throb but I never checked to see what had actually happened.

" Fine." I lifted my skirt up and saw my stocking covered in blood. It had stained the fabric o n the inside of my dress.

" Are you in pain?" He asked worriedly, looking up at me.

" Yes. I'll be fine though." I answered looking around the room, avoiding his eyes.

" Here let me help you."

" I'm fine." I insisted.

"After all, a lady doesn't whine." I said and raised my chin. That made him laugh.

" But even ladies feel pain."

" And that's funny?" He didn't answer, just kept looking at me. Finally he said, " I don't care how high and mighty you think you are. I'm going to help you, so please don't try to stop me." And he reached for my leg. I didn't protest that time, I was in pain. He removed my stocking and threw it carelessly on the ground.

" That's a large cut." He said, then he traced the length of my wound with his finger all the way down to my ankle. That sent pain and shivers up my spine.

" You like that?" he whispered. Before I could stop myself, I answered, " Yes."

He smiled and started removing his vest and sword.

" What are you doing?" I questioned when he started undoing the buttons of his shirt.

" Helping you." He removed his shirt and ripped it. Then he asked, "What? You've never seen a half-naked man before?" and directed his gaze to my ring.

" No, I haven't. This is my engagement ring. And today was my engagement party, which you ruined. And my name is Elizabeth Swann by the way." He wrapped a part of what remained of his shirt around the wound and I winced.

" I'm sorry." He said as he looked at me.

" About hurting you I mean, not your engagement." Then continued working on my leg as I admired his muscular body. What that how James looked under his uniform? Then I became conscious that I didn't really care, not at this moment.

" and why is that mister pirate?"

" My name's William Turner. And I'm not sorry because I'm not the marriage type."

" So you don't have a wife Mr. Turner?" Strangely, I hoped he didn't.

" I do have a woman I'm with, but she's not my wife."

"Oh." I answered without emotion. But on the inside I felt broken. Why had I even hoped that he didn't have anyone? It's not like I could be with him.

" Well your leg's done, I have to go and I'm still going to take the things I found here since you owe me a shirt." he picked up his things, put them on and then stood up. But I didn't want him to leave. I might never see him again and that made me afraid. I had to tell him. And if he didn't feel the same way? I realized I really couldn't tell him how i felt.

" You could've used my dress instead of your shirt."

" but you wouldn't have liked that." A thought ran through my head then.

" Take this too." I slid the ring off my finger and handed it to him. At least he would have something of mine with him. Even if it was only for a little while before he sold it and even if it was from another man, it still was mine and he would have it.

" For helping me." I said. He grabbed it and looked at it for a second before putting it in his bag.

" Thank you for saving me from that man William." I said quietly trying not cry, to betray my sadness. Then there was silence. I tried to keep my face composedbut he obviously noticed that something had changed and leaned down looking into my eyes. Another few seconds passed before he raised his hand and lifted my chin up delicately. He hesitated again and i closed my eyes as he put his lips to mine. He kissed me softly for a moment, then whispered to me, " I hope we meet again some day."

" As do I." I answered. He took a step back to leave then, but as he was about to walk out the door, he turned around and said, " I really do hope we meet again."

I hadn't meant to give him my ring, it was an impulse, a desire for him to have a part of me to remember. James wouldn't be happy, and I would be questioned later about everything, but for now I was content so I drifted off to sleep.

And that was the day my life changed.