A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. I have not had anytime to even think about writing another chapter but now I've finally got one up! I wrote it in a bit of a rush so please excuse any errors. Thanks to my reviewers and I will try to have another chapter up ASAP!

Chapter 5

Elizabeth was still in shock as she walked back home. Had James Norrington really just kissed her? Never in a thousand years had she expected him to be that bold. This was going to be on her mind all day today.

She continued to walk, completely engrossed in her own thoughts. Unfortunately she failed to realize that she was about to walk right into someone. All in just a matter of seconds she collided into the person. She stumbled losing her balance and about to fall when a pair of strong arms caught her. Flustered she never looked up at the person, she just began to apologize.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention and-" but she was cut off.

"Oh yes, how unfortunate that a beautiful woman should run into me and force me to have her in my arms" a smooth and very familiar voice spoke.

"Cutler?" Elizabeth looked up at the man and met his magnificent blue eyes. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. He evoked such wonderful feelings inside her. He smiled at her.

"And what brings you out here so early in the morning?" Cutler asked her. He was still holding her and did not seem to be in hurry to let go.

"I enjoy early mornings every once in awhile," Elizabeth said.

"As do I," Beckett said and slowly he released her from his arms. Elizabeth stared down at her feet, unsure of herself suddenly. She was thrilled that she ran (quite literally) into Beckett but she was still lost in thought about James. "Are you alright, Elizabeth?" Beckett suddenly asked.

"Oh yes, my apologies. Well since we've run into each other would you like to join me and my father for breakfast? I'm sure he will be pleased to see you," Elizabeth offered.

"As much as that would please me I must decline. I have a bit of business to attend to this morning but I could come by this afternoon if you would like?" he said.

"That would be lovely," Elizabeth accepted the alternative.

"Great, then I shall see you later," Beckett took her hand and kissed it softly. Elizabeth loved how soft his lips felt against her skin. "Good bye," were his departing words. Elizabeth managed to choke out a good bye herself and then rushed off back home to eat breakfast and hopefully see Beckett soon.

---

The morning went by slow. It always did when Elizabeth expected company. Finally noon was approaching and Elizabeth heard a knock at the door from the sitting room. She had been curled up on the love seat reading one of her favorite books. She peered through the doorway hoping to catch a glimpse of the visitor and hoping it was Beckett.

She caught sight of one James Norrington standing at the doorway. Her stomach dropped. She had not expected him to come around today, especially after the earlier situation. She licked her lips remembering the feeling of his lips against her own. Carefully she stepped out of the sitting room and made eye contact with James. He looked like he was blushing.

"Commodore, what a pleasant surprise," Elizabeth heard her father's voice from the stairs. How inconvenient that he decided to greet the visitor. "Come in, Commodore. Shall I have a servant bring you some tea and biscuits?" Weatherby asked warmly when he reached the doorway.

"No thank you, Governor, I do not intend to stay very long," James said politely.

"Oh non-sense. I insist that you stay for lunch, you know Lord Beckett should be here shorty to join us," Weatherby said, genuinely excited about his company today. Elizabeth saw James' expression change to what briefly looked like disgust and then back to the polite happy look.

"The Fort really needs my attention today I'm afraid," James was desperately trying to get out of the situation and Elizabeth felt bad for him.

"Oh I'm sure the Fort will be alright for a short while. Please Commodore I really do insist you stay. You need not to be shy, we will all have a lovely time," Weatherby simply would not take no for an answer. Suddenly there was another knock on the door. Elizabeth stopped breathing for a moment. This was going to be quite an uncomfortable situation.

The butler answered the door and there stood Cutler Beckett. His eyes instantly locked onto James. Elizabeth thought she saw them both exchange glares. Weatherby, completely oblivious to the growing tension between the two men greeted Beckett.

"Lord Beckett, so glad you made it early. I hope you don't mind the Commodore joining us?" Weatherby said.

"Oh, not at all. It's always a pleasure to be in such nice company," Beckett glared at James again when Weatherby was not looking. Elizabeth was amazed at how her father could honestly not sense the tension.

"Elizabeth, you look rather lovely today," Beckett said.

"Thank you my lord," Elizabeth said happily.

"Lunch should be ready shortly but in the meantime shall we retire to the sitting room?" Weatherby said and advanced to where Elizabeth earlier came from. Everyone nodded in agreement and followed the Governor.

They all took their seats as a servant served them some tea. Beckett and Norrington barely spoke to each other and when they did it was almost always an argument between them. Elizabeth still could not figure how her father did not feel the tension.

Lunch was finally served and it was equally as uncomfortable. Norrington barely spoke while Beckett focused most of his attention on Elizabeth. Weatherby was happily conversing with everyone and eating his lunch.

Elizabeth glanced over at Norrington. She knew that he must feel terribly awkward right now. A few hours ago they were kissing. She knew he came to talk about kissing her earlier. He probably was wanting to apologize again for it but she wished he would not. Truthfully she was thrilled that he kissed her but terribly confused now. Beckett was obviously very interested in her and she liked him a lot too. Suddenly Norrington stood up and looked at Governor Swann.

"Governor, I really must excuse myself now. The Fort really needs me by now I'm sure," Norrington said softly. "Lunch was nice and I thank you for your hospitality." Governor Swann stood as well and held his hand out for Norrington to shake. Norrington grasped his hand firmly and shook it.

"Thank you for staying for lunch Commodore," Governor Swann said. Norrington nodded and briefly glanced Beckett's way and nodded to acknowledge him.

"I'll walk you out Commodore," Elizabeth spoke up. Norrington nodded and made his way to the door with Elizabeth by his side. Once they were out of earshot of Beckett and Governor Swann Elizabeth turned to Norrington. "James, I'm so sorry you had to endure that. I know that you don't care much for Lord Beckett."

"Well on the bright side I got to spend some time with you," Norrington said cheerfully. He then looked down at his feet, finding it impossible to look her in the eyes.

"Did you come here to talk to me....about earlier?" Elizabeth decided that she would just get what was on both their minds out in the open.

"Um..ah..yes...yes I did actually," Norrington said shyly and then added. "I'm so sorry if I offended you in any way, I wasn't thinking....that was so...so stupid of me and-"

"And you have nothing to be sorry for James," Elizabeth cut him off. Norrington simply stood there too shocked to reply. Finally after what seemed like forever he found his voice.

"So...you don't hate me?" Norrington truly seemed relieved.

"I could never hate you James," Elizabeth said. Norrington was about to open his mouth to say something when Beckett entered the room with Governor Swann. He looked between Elizabeth and Norrington and almost smirked. Clearly he had interrupted an important conversation and was happy that he did.

"Apologies for interrupting, I thought you were gone already Commodore," Beckett said.

"I was just leaving," Norrington said. "Good day," he nodded to Beckett and the Governor and turned to Elizabeth and smiled. "Good bye, Miss Swann," and with that he opened the door and walked out. Elizabeth was staring at the spot where Norrington was standing. She had smile on her face that annoyed Beckett to no end. He knew that Norrington was his competion for Elizabeth's affections and was going to need to get him out of the picture and quickly.