We Meet Again
.
"Miss Bennett, please wake up!" The curtains were sharply opened by Mary, and sunlight poured into Isabelle's room, shining right on her face. "Your father wants you dressed and to meet him downstairs in less then an hour!"
Groaning at both the sun and the thought of her father, Isabelle turned to her side, away from the sunlight. Truthfully, she had never gone back to sleep - not after she heard her father promise her to a man that she barely knew. It still made her sick just thinking about it. She didn't want to even get out of bed.
"Hurry, Miss!" urged Mary. "And your father wants you to wear this!"
Cracking open her eyes, Isabelle stared at the dress Mary was holding out. It was beautiful, dark red with gold swirls and white lace around the sleeves, and she could also see a pair of white gloves and a small hat that matched sitting on the nearby chair. It would go wonderful with her pale skin and dark hair. But at the same time, Isabelle could only question the reason her father had gotten all of this for her. Still, she also knew she had no choice but to wear it. So reluctantly, she crawled out of bed and let Mary do her job to make her look presentable.
"Oh, miss, its sounds wonderful, to be invited to the ceremony for Captain Norrington." Isabelle, nibbling at her light breakfast, could see Mary blushed in the mirror as she brushed out her long black hair. "He was quite a handsome man, wasn't he, Miss?"
"I suppose," Isabelle muttered in answer. Yes, she supposed if she was in any other situation, she would find the soon-to-be Commodore quite handsome.
"I wonder if he's single," said Mary offhandedly, and Isabelle almost winced at the innocent comment. "Oh, you and the Captain would make a lovely couple."
"Enough," Isabelle as she stood. "That's going too far, Mary. Please, just bring me the dress."
Startled, Mary nodded and apologized more out of habit as she went to the fetch the dress - and of course, the bloody corset that went with it. "This is really a lovely dress, miss. Your father said he brought it all the way from England."
And as she thought, it was beautiful, and it fit her wonderfully - though the corset felt too tight, as always - and the gold jewelry that was picked out to go with it only helped. But Isabelle, as she ignored Mary's constant comments about how lovely she looked, couldn't help but wondering what strings were attached to this dress. Looking herself over in the tall mirror, from her loosely pulled up hair to her dyed-to-match red shoes, Isabelle sighed. Well, it was best to get this meeting over with. She wonder what her father would tell her besides what she already knew.
The door flew open, causing Isabelle to jump and Mary to give a little shriek of terror as Johnathan came barreling into the room, almost tackling Isabelle down as he gave his elder sister a hug. "Bell!"
Laughing, Isabelle crouched and gave him a tight hug, ignoring the squeak Mary gave - who was probably worried she wrinkle her dress. "Hello, Johnny. And how's my favorite little brother today?"
"I'm your only brother, Bell," pointed out Johnathan, but his smile just grew larger. "Momma said she's gonna take me to the ocean today!"
"That sounds wonderful," said Isabelle as she stood, taking his hand as she lead him out of her room. "I wonder if you'll see any pirate ships," she said in an excited whisper. Even though she didn't care for pirates, her half brother had a fascination with them, and she didn't have the heart to tell him that she hated them. It was a secret they shared, one that they didn't dare tell their parents, and instead discussed it in secret.
"Naw, pirates wouldn't dare come to Port Royal, not while Father's around," Johnathan said with a puffed chest, proud of his father. Even though he was interested in pirates, he was also a son of an Admiral, and admired them just as equally.
"Well..." Isabelle glanced around to see if anyone was around. "Can you keep a secret?"
When Johnathan nodded, Isabelle bent down to whisper in his ear. "Did you hear of the break-in last night?"
"Uh huh. I heard Mary telling the cook." Johnathan had a bad habit of eavesdropping on the servants, even though didn't understand what they were saying sometimes. Isabelle tried telling him to stop, but after while, gave up on that, since it seemed to come as second nature to her brother.
"What if I told you that the thief... was a pirate?"
"Really?" Johnathan's eyes were wide. "No lie?"
"No lie," Isabelle assured him. "But remember, you can't tell anyone, alright?"
Nodding furiously, Johnathan then proceeded to ask a series of questions, but Isabelle stopped him with a hand on his head. "I'll tell you about him later, alright? I'm sure father's waiting for us."
Even Johnathan knew better than to keep their father waiting, and he nodded in agreement. And together, the half siblings headed down to the living room, the smell of the strong tea their father always drank in the morning floating through the air.
"Ah, Isabelle, Johnathan, good morning," rumbled their father, placing down his cup of tea.
"Good morning, Father," they said in unison, "good morning, Mother."
"My baby," said Rose from her father's side, ignoring her step-daughter as she held her arms out to her son, who didn't hesitate to run to her arms and receive a kiss on his head. She whispered something to him, and then she gently forced Johnathan out of the room, leaving Isabelle and her father alone the moment the door closed.
"Sit, Isabelle," said Matthew, waving a hand towards the chair in front of him. "I have something to tell you about Captain Norrington."
Heat skipping a beat at those words, Isabelle did as she was told, her dress rustling as she sat down. "What is it, Father?" she asked, even though she already knew every word that was going to come out of his mouth.
"Last night, I reminded Captain Norrington of a debt that his father owed me, and he has agreed to marry you after your twenty first birthday."
"Marriage?" It was still a shock. "But I don't even know the Captain, sir."
"You do, actually," said Matthew. "Do you not remember the boy you played with, back when we were living in England? You were about five then."
Isabelle was about to protest again that she didn't know him, but then a memory interrupted her thoughts. Of when he mother was still alive, and the older boy that often came over to play with her while his father talked to her's.
Fifteen years ago...
"Slow down miss!" called out a maid as she ran passed her. "You'll hurt yeh self!"
Laughing, a five year old Isabelle raced through the halls of her large home, glancing back briefly. The Norrington boy, James, had been chasing after her in a game of 'catch me', but it seems like she lost in him this time. He always was able to catch her cause he had longer legs. But this time, it looked as she finally might touch the stairs, the safe spot.
Turning down a hallway, Isabelle thought she was in the clear as she saw the stairs ahead. Then she squealed as large arms wrapped around her, bringing her to a halt. "No!" she whined loudly. She thought she had finally won this time!
"Gotcha," said James in triumph.
"Its not far!" Isabelle moaned as James let her go, turning to face him, her neck bent back so she could look up to him. "You're so much bigger! It gives yeh a unfair ad-ad-" She frowned. "What's that word, James?"
"You mean I have an unfair advantage?" said James with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Yah, that's it!" said Isabelle with a nod. "Yeh have an unfair advantage! That mean's yeh cheating!"
Chuckling, James ruffled her shoulder length black hair, earning a yelp of surprise from the young girl. "Don't worry, Isabelle. Someday, you'll be as tall and fast as me."
"Nuh uh!" Isabelle said with a shake of her head. "I'll be taller, and faster, and smarter then yeh!" she said passionately.
"Girl's don't get taller then boys," James informed her. "Boy are always taller."
"That's not fair," Isabelle frowned. "Well, don't matter, I'll still be faster and smarter than yeh! And that's a promise!" She paused. "I will see yeh when I get older, won't I?"
"I hope so, Isabelle." James smiled. "I can't wait to see you all grown up."
"But then you'll be all old!" said the young girl with a wrinkle of her nose. Sometimes, she didn't like it that her friend was so much older then her. Then again, she liked bragging to the other girls that she did. "You can't grow up anymore, James!"
"Its not something we can stop," chuckled James.
"Well... will you still like me when I'm older?" Isabelle asked shyly. "Even when you're all old?"
"I think I will," said James with a nod. "But just to be safe, don't change too much, alright? Because if you do, then I won't recognize you."
"I don't want that!" Isabelle said with wide eyes. "Don't worry, James, I won't change! I'll stay the same forever and ever!"
That had been the last time Isabelle had seen Norrington, because not much later, her father had them move to Port Royal not much later. She had forgot about him as she grew older, as most children forget about their childhood friends. But she never expected James to be Norrington - the older version seemed more... strict.
"I-I remember him," Isabelle finally said. "But that was years ago, when I was a child. I still don't know him! Father, I just meet him yesterday for the first time in fifteen years!" She had to make her father understand, she couldn't marry him!"
"You'll get to know him," was Matthew's simple answer. "He shall be announcing his engagement to you at his ceremony today. I expect you to be on your best behavior then. This will be good for the family. Son of a very well liked Admiral, who is on his way to becoming an Admiral himself. His family name isn't half bad, and neither is his family fortune."
"... Is that the reason I'm being forced to marry him?" Isabelle finally asked. "Because of his rank? I thought you would let me marry the man I chose, like you did with Momma!"
"Don't be foolish, child," Matthew said coldly. "I thought you would have realized by now - you're mother lied to you. Our marriage was arranged by our families."
It hit Isabelle as if she just been shot. Her mother... lied to her? She had always told her about the romance she went through with her father, reminding Isabelle of a fairytale. How they quickly fell in love, how they had her not even a year after their marriage. It had been the one thing Isabelle had looked forward to her life - the dream that she would be able to chose her own husband. What else had her mother lied to her about?
"Its for the best, really," Matthew went on. "This marriage will assure me that you will have a good husband and good money. Of course, its up to the two of you whether you have children or not, but I'm sure they will come eventually."
Feeling numb, Isabelle simply nodded as her father continued about her future husband and marriage. She should have know this was going to happen. Really, she should be happy it was someone that she knew, even if it was long ago. And who knew? Maybe, eventually, they would fall in love.
Just like her mother.
~o0o~
The ceremony was short and brief, and really, the only thing Isabelle remembered was the sword that Captain - no, it was Commodore now - Norrington was presented with. It was a beautifully crafted sword, the style reminded her of William Turner's work, who did her own sword. She wondered if she'd see him here.
As the crowd started to moved now that the ceremony was over, most directly went to Norrington to congratulate him of his new promotion. Deciding to wait her turn, Isabelle decided to wander about, not wanting to stand still for long. Besides, he probably didn't want to see her anyway, after her father blackmailed him into marrying her.
Reaching a quiet and empty area, where cannon's lined the wall, Isabelle was delight to see that it also gave her a view of the ocean. She sighed as she leaned against the stone wall, the only separating her from a long fall. The ocean was beautiful today, the blue waters sparkling in the bright sunlight. She wished that she could have gone to the beach with Johnathan, even if it was with Rose. But of course, her father would be angry if she even tried to go - because soon, she was going to announced as the future Mrs. Norrington.
"Miss Bennett?"
Looking to the voice, Isabelle had to force a smile. "Oh, hello, Miss Swann." Even though she was polite to her, she had no love for the Governor's daughter, who she believed was spoiled by her father. In fact, the only reason she talked to her was because her own father insisted. "Its nice to see you."
"I wasn't aware that you knew Ca - Commodore Norrington," said Elizabeth smoothly, though it looked a little pained. Isabelle could see her discretely clutch at her stomach.
"We don't," Isabelle answered. "Our father's knew each other long ago."
Nodding at the answer, Elizabeth stepped forward, making it look as she was staring down at the water even though her eyes flickered to her. "How is your father, Admiral Bennett?"
"He just returned from a trip last night," Isabelle said.
"Was he there during the break-in?" Elizabeth asked casually.
Really, Isabelle wasn't surprised that she knew about the break-in, gossip was a source of entertainment in Port Royal. "No, he had yet to return with my stepmother and brother."
"So you were there all alone? How terrible. And I heard you tried to stop him?" said Elizabeth with a curious expression. "Did he try to hurt you?"
"No, actually. The most he managed to do was scare the maid."
"Oh." Looking a little disappointed, probably because it wasn't more exciting, Elizabeth said her goodbyes before she moved down the wall, out of hearing, but not out of sight. Sighing with relief, Isabelle smoothed out her dress. She was glad she didn't have to talk to her anymore, she wasn't sure she could stand another second of it.
"Miss Bennett?"
This time, Isabelle froze when her name was called for the second time, and it took more than a moment for her to turn and see Norrington as he came up to her. He looked different when in his full uniform and white wig... more stoic. "I'm glad to see you here."
"Congratulations on your promotion, Commodore," said Isabelle with a polite nod. "I'm sure its well deserved." She paused. "I..." She paused again to gulp. "It seems we are to be married, sir."
"I see that your father told you of our conversation last night," said Norrington stiffly.
"Only that we are now engaged thanks to a deal our father's made long ago, sir," Isabelle quickly replied. She didn't want to bring up anything that might discomfort him. "If it means anything... I'm sorry." At Norrington's startled look, she rushed on. "I wish dearly that my father had not forced this on us. And I wish that I could make him change his mind, but he seems adamant to make this happen."
Sighing, Norrington looked weary. "I don't blame you, or your father. If anything, I blame my father for making such a deal." He went silent for a moment as they both stared out at the ocean. "Do you remember me, from when you were five? I used to visit you while our father's talked."
Answering with a nod, Isabelle glanced up at Norrington. "Yes, I remember. It was such a long time ago, I didn't remember till this morning."
"I recognized you almost immediately," the Commodore admitted. "I remembered your dark eyes and hair. You've... you've grown into quite beautiful woman."
Her cheeks burning, Isabelle covered up her embarrassment by saying, "Then I feel bad that I didn't remember you as fast."
Chuckling - a nice sound, Isabelle decided - Norrington went on. "Quite alright. It was a long time ago, and you were young. I remember... I remember you once saying you like me because I didn't treat you like a child, yet all we did was play like them. We used to play that one game -"
"Catch me," answered Isabelle with a smile. "I'd run through the house, and you'd try to catch me before I reached the stairs, the safety zone." She laughed softly. "I never won that game."
"That's because I was so much older than you," Norrington reminded her. "Almost ten years older. But you insisted on playing, promising that you'd beat me one day." He looked to her. "You also promised that you would never change, because you wanted me to recognize you when you got older. It seems you've broken that promise. You've changed quite a bit."
"As have you, Commodore." Isabelle pointed out with a smile. "Because I certainly don't remember you have white hair when I last saw you."
Blinking, Norrington chuckled at her poor attempt at a joke. "A sense of humor seems to be something you have yet to gain." he said, teasing her gently.
"I'm offended, sir," Isabelle teased back. "It's not my fault that you have none."
Shaking his head at that, Norrington turned to her. "Miss Bennett. I know neither one of us wants this marriage. But maybe... maybe we can make the best of it. Its not as if we hate each other, after all. I'm sure we could... grow to love each other."
"I'm sure we can, eventually." Isabelle smiled gently. "But you already love someone else, don't you?"
Startled, it seemed that it was more out of reflex that Norrington's eyes went passed her. Glancing back, Isabelle was a little surprised to see that it was Elizabeth, standing next to the arch that held the bell, who was fanning herself as she rested a hand on her stomach. Really, Isabelle couldn't understand how he fell in love with her, but of course, love was blind.
Looking back to Norrington, she gave him a sad smile. "I'm sorry," she repeated. "If it wasn't for me, you could be marrying the woman you love."
"And as I said before, Miss Bennett, I don't blame you." He looked sad. "We are both caught in a situation we can't control. But I believe we can make the best of it. And I'm sure that I can still love you, if you give me time."
"Take all the time you need sir," Isabelle said. "I'll probably need just as much as you. But... maybe we can start by calling each other by our first names when we're alone?"
"If that's what you wish... Isabelle."
Blushing at the use of her first name, it took Isabelle moment to respond. "Thank you, James." Still, it seemed more right to call him Norrington in her mind.
Norrington seemed to study her for a long moment. "You really have grown, Isabelle. I'm glad to see that the such a wise child turned into a much wiser woman."
As her blush got worse, Isabelle looked to the ocean again. Even though she still felt bad, she also felt better than she had since last night. She may not want to marry Norrington, and neither did he, but at least it seemed that she wouldn't be totally unhappy. He still seemed to be her friend, and as he said, they would grow to love each other.
It happened in almost an instant. As Isabelle stared out at the ocean, she saw something yellow out of the corner of her eye, and thinking it was Elizabeth coming to talk to her again, she looked to her. But instead, she gasped in horror as Elizabeth fainted, tilting forward and narrowly missing the stone wall and falling to the ocean that surrounded the fort.
"Elizabeth!" cried Norrington in horror, and in sync, they ran to the wall and looked down it, just in time to see Elizabeth hit the water, barely avoiding the jagged rocks below.
"No!" Isabelle yelled as she grabbed Norrington's arm, who shrugging off his coat as he was got ready to jump over the wall, just as guards, who came at his cry, arrived. "You'll be killed!"
"But Elizabeth -"
"The rocks!" argued one of the guards. "Sir, its a miracle she missed them."
Pausing to think for only a moment, Norrington shrugged off Isabelle's grip. "To the docks! And someone alert the Governor that his daughter has fallen!" Then he raced off, the guards and Isabelle close behind him as they ran down the many steps. Even if she didn't care for the Swann girl, she did hope she was alright.
It took only a few minutes to reach the docks closest to where Elizabeth fell, but it felt like an eternity. it was during those moments that Isabelle wished she didn't have to wear heels or such a long dress, they just slowed her down. As they got closer, Isabelle could see that a man had saved her, and he was now bent over her, saying something that she couldn't hear.
"Guns at the ready!" ordered Norrington as he pulled out his new sword, and muskets out, the guards in red uniform were at Norrington's side as they finally reached Elizabeth and the stranger. He didn't even seem to noticed that Isabelle was just behind them as they all came to a halt, multiple guns and one sword pointed at Elizabeth's savior.
The man glanced up at their arrival, and Isabelle covered her mouth as she gasped.
It was Sparrow.
"On your feet," said Norrington coldly.
Glancing at the many weapons that surrounded him, Sparrow slowly stood, hands up high in surrender. Ignoring all the voices in her head screaming at her not to do it, Isabelle pushed her way forward, not letting Norrington stop her as she went to the shivering Elizabeth, keeping her head down in the hopes that the pirate wouldn't recognize her. "Miss Swann, thank goodness you're alive." She glanced up to notice two guards standing nearby, and she held out her hand. "One of you, give me your jacket."
Nodding, the larger of the two shrugged off his red jacket, handing it to her. Wrapping it around Elizabeth as best she could so everyone wouldn't see her in her underclothes, she tried to help her up. "Are you alright, Miss Swann?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said with a nod towards Sparrow, "I'm fine, thanks to him."
"Elizabeth!" Governor Swann raced to his daughter, throwing his much larger jacket over her shoulders and pulling her off to the side. "Thank heaven's you're safe." He then glanced towards the two guards, and one of them dropped what looked like a corset before pointing at Sparrow. Anger crossed his face. "Shoot him!" he ordered.
"Father!" protested Elizabeth before she turned to the Norrington. "Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?"
"Miss Bennett, please come to me," said Norrington calmly, ignoring Elizabeth. Nodding in agreement, Isabelle moved to his side, feeling much better once her future husband was protecting her.
"Bennett, was it?" Isabelle winced as Sparrow stared at her, a smirk on his face as he recognized. "It seems we meet again, Navy brat."
"You know this man?" asked Norrington, giving her a short glance.
"I..." Glancing between the Commodore and Sparrow, she knew she had no choice but to tell at least part of the truth. "I believe this is the man that broke into my home last night."
Realizing what she just said, Norrington glared at the pirate. "Keep your guns on him, men!" he barked.
"Sir, maybe we don't need to arrest him," Isabelle suggested slowly. "After all, I might be mistaken. And even if he is the same man, didn't steal anything, or hurt me. And he did just save Miss Swann. Maybe we could just... let him go?" She didn't really want to let him walk. He was a pirate, after all. But he had given back her mother's jewelry, and she wanted to repay him.
It took a long moment before Norrington sheathed his sword, thought he didn't order his men to lower their weapons. "As it happens, Miss Bennett is right." He held out his hand. "I believe thanks are in order."
Sparrow didn't seem too eager to shake the Commodore's hand, but the look on Norrington's face gave him no choice, so slowly, he held out his own hand. But the moment it was gripped, he was yanked forward, and Norrington pulled the dirty sleeve that covered his right forearm. Isabelle was close enough that she could clearly see the pale 'P' on his arm, a mark burnt into his arm that marked as a pirate for the rest of his life.
"Had a brush with the East India Trading company, did we, pirate?" Norrington said coolly while Sparrow winced at being revealed.
"Hang him!" the Governor ordered immediately.
"Gillette, fetch some irons!" As one of the guards did as he was told, Norrington pulled the sleeve back farther, revealing another tattoo, a sparrow flying over the ocean with the sun setting behind it. "Well, well." He let go of Sparrow's hand, which he eagerly took back, covering it back up instantly. "Jack Sparrow, is it?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir," corrected Sparrow.
Chuckling, Norrington glanced around. "Well, I don't see your ship, Captain," he taunted.
"I'm in... the market, as it were," Sparrow shot back.
"He said he'd come to commandeer one," said the taller of the two guards.
"Told ya he was telling the truth," said the guard that had given Isabelle his jacket, sounding smug about being right about something that she didn't know about. "These are his, sir," he said, picking up an assortment of items off the ground and holding out gleefully, like a child wanting praise for doing something right.
Raising an eyebrow, Norrington first picked up a pistol and examined it casually. Sparrow looked like he wanted to grab it out of his hands, but the guns surrounding him caused him to falter before he could do that. "No additional shots or powders." He then picked up a compass and opened it. "A compass that doesn't point north." He snapped that shut. And finally, he unsheathed the sword. "And I half expected it to be made of wood." He shoved it back in its sheath. "You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
"But you have heard of me," Sparrow pointed out with a smirk. Norrington glared at him for a long moment before grabbing him along, probably to be put in chains.
"Commodore, I really must protest," said Elizabeth as she rushed after them, shrugging off both the coats on her. Shocked at Elizabeth's indecency, Isabelle followed her, picking up the coats as she went.
"Carefully, Lieutenant," Norrington was telling the man shackling Sparrow.
"Pirate or not," Elizabeth went on, standing in front of Sparrow as if to protect him from the Commodore, "this man saved my life."
"Miss Swann, please keep the coats on," said Isabelle as she went behind Elizabeth and placed both the coats on her shoulders. "You're in the presence of men." At that, Elizabeth blushed, and tightened the coats around her shoulders while Isabelle looked over her shoulder to Norrington. "Sir, what Miss Swann says is true. Couldn't we let him go, just this once?"
"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness, Miss Bennett," explained Norrington firmly. There was a fire in his eyes that Isabelle couldn't understand, but she'd bet her short sword it had to do with Norrington's father being embarrassed by the fact that his son was rescued by pirates.
"Though it seem enough to condemn him," said Sparrow from behind her.
"Indeed. And do not forget, Miss Bennett, that he also broke into your home," Norrington reminded her. "What do you think would have happened if you hadn't stopped him?"
At that, Isabelle faltered. That's right. If she hadn't been awake, if she hadn't heard him and went to stop him, Sparrow would have probably stolen all her mother's jewels. She would have been devastated. Then there was also the fact that if Sparrow hadn't tried to break in, Norrington wouldn't have come to her home, and maybe it would have been a few more days of blissful peace before her father announced his plans to marry her off.
"Finally," Sparrow suddenly said. Then, without warning, Isabelle saw something gray thrown over her head, and she gasped in shock as the cold shackles were wrapped around her neck, the pressure almost enough that it was digging into her throat. Stepping back out of reflex, Isabelle soon found herself pressed against Sparrow's chest as he held against her will. She was a hostage.
"Why, thank you, love, for trying to get me set free," said Sparrow into her ear. "Maybe you can continue to help me."
As Elizabeth was pulled out of the way by her father, guns were aimed her way, and Isabelle couldn't help but flinch at the sight.
"Do not shoot!" snapped Norrington. "I repeat, do not shoot! Sparrow, let her go. Now."
"Oh? And what is she to you, Commodore?" asked Sparrow, she could hear the smirk in his voice. When Norrington didn't answer, he tighten the chain briefly, and Isabelle choked in pain. "An answer, please. I don't mind from who."
"He's my fiancé!" Isabelle answered quickly, and she saw Elizabeth gasped silently, while Norrington just glared at Sparrow.
"I'd knew you'd warm up to me," Sparrow said. "Shame your fiancé won't do the same."
"Please, just let me go." begged Isabelle. She was afraid, she would admit that. It would be all to easy for Sparrow to choke the life out of her. After all, he was a pirate. He wasn't above killing someone.
"Can't do that, love," Sparrow said with a shake of his head. "See, right now, you're my ticket to freedom. I'm sure your loving fiancé would do anything to make sure that you aren't hurt."
A wild, dangerous thought ran through Isabelle's head. What if Norrington decided to let Sparrow kill her? After all, it would work out for him - no fiancé, no arranged marriage. Then he would be free to marry Elizabeth, the woman he loved. Spurn on by this thought, Isabelle tried to struggle, but the chain simply tightened around her neck again for a moment.
"Now, now, calm down, love." Sparrow might have sounded concerned for a moment. "I don't wanna hurt yeh."
"Just do as he says, Isabelle," Norrington said firmly. "Please."
"Ah, so that be yer name," Sparrow chuckled. "Well, Isabelle, I'll let you go soon enough. Now, Commodore, effects, please, and my hat." When Norrington did move right away, he called out his name again. "Commodore!"
Even though it looked like it pained him, Norrington turned to the man holding Sparrow's belonging's, who handed them to him.
"Now, Isabelle, if you would be so kind as to take my effects from the Commodore and place them on me."
Her hands shaking, Isabelle wished for her sword as she took the items from Norrington. She had felt so strong when she faced Sparrow with her sword last night. Now, she just felt weak. She gasped as Sparrow forced her to spin around, facing him. "You're a bastard," she whispered, wising she sounded more angry. "I can't believe I tried to help you."
"Sorry, love. But I'd rather keep my neck, if you know what I mean. Besides, thinking of this as repaying a debt." Sparrow nodded towards the items in her hand. "If you would."
Not meeting Sparrow's gaze, Isabelle did as she was told, buckling the belt with his sword around his waist, handing him the pistol, and letting the broken compass dangle from his side. Then finally, she placed the hat on his head. She glanced up, gaining courage and glaring at him. But the glare disappeared when Sparrow suddenly leaned forward, whispering in her ear something that burned in her mind before whirling her back around, letting her face the Navy officers again.
"Gentlemen, m'ladies," Sparrow said as he stepped backwards, this time placing the barrel of the pistol at her head. "You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain - Jack - Sparrow!" Then removing the chain from her neck, Sparrow threw Isabelle into the arms of Norrington before he whirled around and raced off, not wasting any time.
"Isabelle! Are you alright?" asked Norrington as his men went after Sparrow. "Are you hurt?"
"I-I'm fine," Isabelle forced out, but she didn't let go of Norrington, clinging to him as tears pricked at her eyes. She was safe. That's what she keep telling herself.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Norrington gave a few quick orders to his lieutenant before he started to lead her way. "Come on, lets get you home."
Nodding, Isabelle let Norrington take her away from the docks, but she couldn't help but look back as she heard the sound of gunfire, and the words Sparrow whispered to in her ear ran through her mind again.
"You aren't made for this life. Come to me if you ever want to leave it."
.
This story is now dedicated to my baby:
R.I.P. Juanita - 3/13/1992 - 9/22/11
I never will regret taking you in when your mother didn't want you, just because you were the runt of the litter. You were my best and longest friend. You listened to my problems and comforted me when I didn't even know I needed it. I hope you're in a better place now, where there's lots of catnip and plenty of places to do your favorite thing - taking naps.