Elizabeth watched James head out to his quarters and waited for the maid to return. Once she returned she had her warm the bed with some coals and take her clothes to be cleaned. Dressing in the nightgown she removed the coal pan after a while and climbed into bed. Snuggling down under the warm covers she couldn't help but think of Norrington. The way his cologne mingled with the smell of the sea, the way she felt wrapped in his arms. Blushing she felt like a giddy school-girl. Closing her eyes she slowly drifted off to sleep, this time having pleasant dreams.

Waking up to the morning sun pouring in through the porthole, Elizabeth sat up yawning. Feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep she opened the door to let the maid in to help her dress for breakfast. Overhearing the captain call for fair weather for the day she decided to pick a soft lavender dress. Once she had all the ribbons in place she sat down at her mirror and began to work the knots out of her hair from yesterday. As she worked the knots out she heard Norrington walk by and make his way up to the deck. I'd better hurry so I don't keep them waiting again. she thought as she worked the last knot out. Making a quick decision she pulled out a lavender ribbon and tied it around her hair in a simple bow. Standing she quickly slipped on her shoes and made her way out and up onto the deck where she saw Norrington and her father talking. Smiling at the feel of sunshine on her face she made her way over to where the two men were standing.

James laughed. "--only because you wanted me to, Governor!" James joked. They were talking about when they started working together and all the funny stuff that had happened. Then James turned around, still smiling from laughing, then froze and his face turned serious at the sight of Elizabeth. She looked so beautiful in Lavender. He wanted to say that to her, but what would the sailors, especially her father, think of him? He had no right to flirt with the girl who turned down his proposal.

"Good morning, Elizabeth," James said. He certainly had no problem with calling her by her first name. "How did you sleep last night?" he asked as he pulled out the chair for her and pulled it in for her. He caught a whiff of her perfume and his heartbeat increased. He loved the smell. He closed his eyes and smiled and then sat down next to Elizabeth.

As Elizabeth drew near she heard Norrington laughing. He must be feeling a bit better this morning. I'm glad. she thought as she saw him turn around to face her. Her heart dropped a little bit and she had to fight to keep her own smile on her face. Back to business I guess she thought as she sighed softly and drew near the table. Greeting her father she gave him a hug and assured him she was feeling much better.

"Good morning Commodore" she replied as she took the seat offered to her by the Commodore. Once she was scooted up to the table she placed her napkin in her lap and turned to face Norrington. "After all the excitement yesterday I slept like a baby. The bed is so comfortable and you hardly notice the rocking of the ship." Thanking the cook's helper, she placed some toast on her plate and passed the plate to her left where the Commodore was sitting.

James smiled at Elizabeth. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm afraid to announce that I slept terribly. I kept waking up and falling back asleep...waking up...eh, you get the gist," he said as he took the plate and placed some toast on his plate and continued it to his left. He grabbed some strawberry jam and spread some and then bit into his toast. After taking a sip of some water, he looked up at the sky. "What are the plans for today?" he asked everyone.

He looked back on things he should do today. For one thing, he has to keep the ship's crew inlined and then he wanted to get some writing done of a book he was starting. Secretly, it was about him and Elizabeth -- the way he dreamed it would be. But he just changes the status of each character and their names. So far, he was doing actually pretty well for not writing for a few years.

(( You can get creepy skin now. :rofl: ))

"I'm sorry to hear that Commodore. Perhaps today will be a better day." Elizabeth smiled, determined not to let him retreat into that shell of his. Picking up her goblet she took a sip of her orange juice and nibbled on her toast thoughtfully. After finishing her toast she moved onto her eggs and ham. The breeze was gentle and you could hear the cry of a few gulls in the distance over the splashing of the sea against the ship.

"I think I shall sketch today." Figuring she'd have some spare time on the voyage she had packed her easel and pencils. While not very good, at least in her opinion, she was trying to get better. She had brought a few unfinished ones along with. She had recently started sketching herself standing next to a man, the problem she was having was filling in the face on him. It was a series of sketches she was doing about what she thought her future might bring...but she was so unsure now that she figured she'd sketch the ship instead.

((lol...yes but how :cry:))

After a few minutes of eating, everyone heard a large echoey bang. And then felt a shudder in the ship. Then everyone became alarmed when a sailor yelled "PIRATES, CAPTAIN!".

James jumped out of his seat as he ran to the ship's wall and looked far away at a pirate ship. "Pirates? Here? Sailor, do you know where we are?" James asked the Sailor next to him. "About Singleport Royalefoe, sir," the sailor answered.

James sighed, knowing they still had quite a long ways to new port. If they got interrupted by pirates now, then that meant they had other pirates to get through on the way. James was glad he ordered extra cannon powder and cannon balls to come with the ship.

"When they get closer, release the cannons on them," James ordered as the sailor nodded his head as he hurried down to the bottom level to let the guys know and prepare the cannons. They were lucky the cannon sprung from the pirate ship towards them just missed them but half.

James then turned to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, I don't want to tell you what to do, but please beracade yourself in the captain's quarters. That. Is. An order," he said as he then turned to Governor, meaning the same to him. He sighed as he didn't wait for what they have to say and ran up to speak with the Captain, who was shaking and eying the pirate ship.

((That's easy. Just go check the exchange. There's a lot of people who have it for sale for 350g. :yes: ))

Elizabeth's heart began to race as she heard the sailor shout about pirates. She'd always wanted to see one but never quite like this. Looking all around she hoped she could catch a glimpse of their ship before she knew someone would ship her off to the bowels of the ship. She watched in fascination as the sailors began to run around in an organized chaos getting the ship ready to do battle with the pirates.

Soon Norrington came rushing up to her and ordered her to go to the captains quarters and lock herself in. She wanted to disagree with him but her father had taken her by the arm and was pulling her in the direction of the quarters. Oh I hate this... she thought They insist on treating me like I don't know how to take care of myself. Scowling the whole way she grudgingly followed her father down through the bowels to the quarters. She watches as he went to lock himself in his own, looking around she spotted some nondescript clothes the captain had left out and got an idea.

((I've never gone there before O__0))

Once the pirate ship had gotten as close as possible, and weapons were being fired, Pirates began to invade the ship. James looked up at the pirate organizing this and glared at him. "Ah, Jack Sparrow...," he said.

"That's Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack quickly corrected as he yelled for who to do what. "Good to see you again, Commodore," he then said as he walked over to James and circled him, as drunk as he usually is when they meet.

James' eyes averted to the door that led down to the bowels of the ship and saw a pirate breaking in. Elizabeth! He quickly jumped away from Jack and hurried after that pirate as he chased him. The pirate had just opened the door to the room Elizabeth was in as James tried to throw a punch. He had forgotten to grab his sword. The pirate froze, turned around to see who had given that girlish punch, and took his sword and used the handle to knock out James. He hit him fast as James dropped to the ground, first in pain and then unconscious.

The Pirate looked at Elizabeth and smiled evilly.

(( No time like the present to go someplace new. It's where I get most of my stuff from. ))

Elizabeth quickly took off her dress and donned the clothes. They were just a touch big for her but they'd have to do. All those years in tight dresses and corsets she didn't have to worry about being found out right away. Looking around she found an old hat and began to stuff her hair up in it, as soon as she finished she heard the sounds of fighting going on above her. Looking around franticly all she could find for a weapon was a heavy brass candle holder.

Picking it up she heard a pounding on the door. Then she watched as the handle began to turn. Oh no! I forgot to bar the door.. she thought as the door opened and some buck-tooth pirated looked in and spotted her, she saw the Commodore coming up fast behind him. Suddenly the pirate turned around to face him and she saw Norrington get knocked down. As this was happening she had made her way over to the door, when the pirate turned around to smile evily at her she bashed him in the head with the candlestick.

((Yeah, I found a place to get the skin from, but the user is barely on due to problems with internet. :cry:))

When James opened his eyes, it was to a beautifully carved cealing. Yupp, I'm still on my ship, he thought to himself as he lightly got up, groaning at the pain coming from his head. He placed a hand on the back of his head and cringed at the pain. Then he suddenly didn't feel too good. Then he saw the pirate knocked out on the floor.

"Wha--" he started.

((sorry it was short. :/ I couldn't think of much to put down...))

(( Then find another one? :XD ))

Elizabeth looked around wildly, making sure there were no other pirates nearby. Seeing that the coast was clear she rushed over to Norrington's side. "Commodore?" she said quietly, trying to rouse him. Unable to wake him she went off to check on her father and make sure he was still alright, making sure to carry the candle stick with her.

(I've tried to post 3 times. I hate baseball. >.> )

((Eh...I are too borededed))

James tried his best to get on his feet as he pushed past the dizziness. He shook his head and tried to focus on finding Elizabeth. He struggled to get up the steps to the main deck to find a lot of fallen pirates and injured crew members. He sighed. Then he saw Elizabeth talking to her father, who were both in one perfect piece. He hurried over to them.

"Are you two okay?" he asked with too much worry to comprehend.

He looked around for the pirate ship he saw earlier and saw it sailing off. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to find the Captain. "Commodore -- they gave up and fled," he said.

James pushed his eyebrows together. "You let them go!?" he complained.

The Captain sighed. "We ran out of cannon balls and ammo," the Captain pointed out.

James sighed. "How far are we on schedule?" he then asked.

The Captain raised his eyebrows and remembered. "We're far ahead on schedule, Commodore. We'll be there within one week," the Captain assured James.

James sighed and looked back at Elizabeth and then her father and then back at Elizabeth.

((I don't like sports. >.<))

( LoL )

Walking up to her father's door Elizabeth knocked on it. Hearing nothing she began to knock louder and the door cracked open. Upon seeing her, her father thought she was a cabin boy and asked about his daughter. It was then she remembered she had donned some clothes of the captains and a hat, removing the hat she let her hair fall about her shoulders. Her father seeing it was actually her opened the door all the way and hugged her before scolding her that it was not proper to dress in mens clothes. She explained to him that her idea was to be thought of as a cabin boy to escape capture.

Assuring him she was fine they both headed up onto the deck to see the pirate ship sailing off. Looking around she saw some of the men laying on the deck, none dead, just wounded. Turning to her father she began inquire if she should go see to their wounds when she heard the Commodore speak to them. "Yes, I'm a bit shaken up but I'm quite alright Commodore. What about yourself? I should check to make sure they didn't crack your head open" She then turned and gave him a caring, worried look.

(It's minor league. We have the contract for all the local team's opponents. And they steals all the internets when they here)

James rubbed his head a little and cringed. "He could've knocked me dead if he wanted to," he said, ignoring what Elizabeth had just said. He sighed and sat down in one of the nearly-broken chairs. He rested his elbows on the broken table and put his head in his hands. Can my life get anymore worse? he thought. He sighed and shook his head and then looked back up at Elizabeth, feeling nothing but stressed at the moment.

((Eesh, I sowwy))

(( It's ok :hug:))

Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips as the Commodore and sat down at the table. So much for breakfast.. she thought as she looked around at the broken plates and spilled food. Walking over to the table she looked at the back of Norrington's head before she reached out and gently began to feel for any open wounds. Not feeling anything out of the ordinary except for a large bump where the pirate had hit him. She then turned and ordered a sailor to go get some ice wrapped in a towel, while waiting she cut down some rope to be able to tie the ice in place. Once he returned she placed it gently over the spot and tied it down. Satisfied it would stay put she went over to check on the other sailors. Kneeling down, and thankful for the pants, she carefully tended to all the men who were wounded in the battle. Once she was sure she had everyone taken care of she returned to the table to sit down.

James was most gracious for Elizabeth's help on the ship. And the captain sure was too. He smiled as she placed a towel with ice in it to his head and he smiled at her as she tended to the other wounded sailors. She was so kind and caring and so strong-willed. That was another reason why he was so madly in love with her. He shook his head as he asked the sailor for any soup and was shortly brought a big cup of satisfying chicken noodle soup. He wasn't feeling too good and he felt himself compelled to at least eat soup. He might be spending most of the day in bed. He looked at Elizabeth when she sat down and smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you, Elizabeth...for your help," he thanked her earnestly as he ate some more of the soup.

He sighed as he placed the empty cup down on the table and got up as he slowly walked over to the door that led down to the quarters. He struggled to keep his balance due to the painful headache and bump at the back of his head, but he seemed to make it to his room alright. As much as he wished he could spend more time around Elizabeth, he needed to at least think about himself for once. He let out a deep moan as he dropped onto his bed and got comfortable. The rocking of the ship from side-to-side was helping a little. Slowly, he closed his eyes and drifted off to a nice suitable nap.

Sitting at the table Elizabeth looked around at the deck of the ship, signs of the battle were everywhere. Reaching up she tied her hair back with some rope to keep it out of her face. This is going to take a while to clean...but I got to see a Pirate! Not quite what I was hoping for however. she thought as she signaled to the sailor she'd take some soup as well. You hear all these tales of dashing "swash-bucklers" and then you find out they're nothing more than dirty nasty men. Huffing mentally she took the soup from the sailor as her stomach growled.

As she ate the soup she began to feel a bit better, she was still disappointed about the whole pirate thing. Elizabeth looked up as she watched Norrington totter toward the sleeping quarters. Having finished her own soup she got up and followed him silently down to make sure he made it alright. Silently she stood in the doorway and watched as he laid down and was almost instantly asleep. Poor Norrington, he must have and awful headache. Looking for her maid she instructed her to make some tea they had at the house that was good for removing headaches. Once it was brewed Elizabeth took it to Norrington's room and left it on his table next to the bed, before leaving she carefully removed his boots and covered him with a blanket. Exiting the room she closed the door as quietly as she could before heading up to the deck to speak to both her father and the captain.

When James opened his eyes, a warm tea-like smell was coming from his night stand. He looked over to find a still-hot cup of tea. He smiled, already knowing that it was from Elizabeth. He then noticed his shoes were off and he was covered in a blanket. He was glad he had taken off his wig, having to correct it later. He sat up and noticed that the painful headach was still there. It was hurtful to the point that he'd puke, but not near that enough. He sighed and took a sip of the tea and moaned. It tasted wonderful and he was glad to be drinking it. Within an hour of drinking the tea and preparing for what was ahead the rest of the day, his headache had subsided.

He walked up the stairs that had led to the deck and saw Elizabeth. He felt so compelled to talk to her and thank her. "Elizabeth, may I speak with you?" he asked her after he waited for the Captain and Governor to stop speaking wither her.

Upon arriving at the deck her father and the captain inquired about Norrington. She assured them he made it to his rooms alright and seemed merely to have a headache, she also told her father about how she had left some tea for him so he'd feel better. Once they heard that the captain asked if Elizabeth would go check on the sailors in the barracks and make sure they were doing alright. Agreeing she followed the sailor and checked the bandages on some, a few were ready to return to helping but there were three who needed bed rest. After sternly telling them to stay in bed she went back up to talk to both men about supper arrangements. The sailors below deck would need their food brought to them and she advised that soup and bread would be best.

Just as she finished explaining what might be good to feed the crew she heard footsteps behind her then Norrington speak up. "Of course Commodore. If you will excuse me gentlemen." She curtsied to both as best she could in pants, realized she'd have to change soon, and walked with the Commodore to the bow of the ship where no one was at the moment.

James smiled as he followed her to wherever she wanted to talk. "Thank you...so much for all you've done for us, Elizabeth. I don't know what'd we'd do without you. I don't know what I'd...do without you," he said, his expression turning more to the soft side. And then a thought came to his mind. He remembered hearing how Elizabeth didn't like how he had to be so proper around him.

He knew he was going to make such a big mistake. But it was a risk he wanted to take. He sighed as he cupped Elizabeth's face in his hands and slowly moved in until his lips touched her's. He didn't know how she'd react...whether she'd kick him where it'd hurt the most, push him away and run off, like it, or maybe not know if she liked it or not.

Elizabeth gazed forward over the sea, watching the waves crash up against the ship. It was so peaceful up here. Most of the sailors were toward the rear and sides repairing the damage from the pirate attack earlier. She looked back over her shoulder to see her father give her an encouraging smile then walk off with the ship's captain. Turning she faced Norrington and listened to what he had to say. She smiled at his words "Someone had to do it and who better to raise the moral than the governor's daughter helping? Plus it will make my father look good if his daughter is willing to help out the common sailor after they risked their lives to keep her safe." She figured that would be the proper answer, but really she did it to prove to Norrington she wasn't as cold as he thought.

When Norrington reached up and cupped her face, Elizabeth's heart began to race. What is he about to do? she thought right before he leaned in and kissed her. She'd never been kissed before, she'd seen other people do it, yet never done it herself. She was stunned and didn't quite know how to react, it's not something that was taught during "lady lessons". She puckered her lips and kissed him back before pulling away. "C-Commodore..." She started, her face was bright red and her eyes were bright as she looked at him, still too stunned to speak.

When James felt Elizabeth try to pull away, he immediately let her go and took a step back, respecting her space. "I'm sorry," he said after she had studdered. "I just...." He couldn't finish the sentence. He sighed and looked at the water and the bright sky as if searching for encouragement. When he found none, he smiled. "I'm sorry," he repeated in a lower voice.

Elizabeth's eyes widened when he apologized for kissing her. Great, now he thinks I didn't like it... Reaching out her hand she placed it on Norrington's arm. "You don't need to apologize..." she started, blushing even harder "it's not that I didn't like it..." she looked down at the deck and said quietly "it's just that I've never been kissed before." Her face feeling like it was on fire she continued to stare down at the deck.