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[scourgeofpiracy]

He has a job to do, and he's doing it. Scrubbing the decks may not be the most pleasant work, but at least it helps him not to think too hard.

Or to think about what he has to do next.

One of those.

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[try_corsets]

The Black Pearl might as well be flying through the clear Caribbean waters, but the journey is still taking too long for Elizabeth's peace of mind. She helps out here and there, working in the rigging, hoping to coax a bit more speed from the patched sails.

She thinks about Norrington's words a great deal, dismisses them as ridiculous time and time again, and watches him with an annoyed expression when she's certain he won't notice.

She tries not to think about Jack.

Worrying about Will is easy enough and certainly to be expected. Elizabeth soon stakes a claim on the port stairs leading to the quarterdeck, returning there frequently to think.

Not to sulk. Definitely not that.

She's there now, doing her best to ignore Norrington scrubbing nearby.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

He's aware of her looking at him, and of her mood. He doesn't particularly care whether she's sulking or not, but he does notice.

Finally, "Don't you have anything better to do?"

[try_corsets]

Elizabeth stiffens.

"Didn't you used to pride yourself on your comportment?"

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"That", he observes acerbically, "was when I still had a career."

[try_corsets]

"I was unaware that manners are contingent upon employment in the Royal Navy," she says pertly. "And I do not recall being required to answer to you either then or now."

Pushing off from the stairs, she moves to stand directly before him.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"No, you never did, did you?" he retorts. "And losing everything does tend to leave a mark. Nor do I see any particular reason to be courteous to the woman who helped me on my way."

[try_corsets]

"I answer to myself," she snaps.

As well as her father and Will, but surely they can be ignored for the sake of argument.

Coloring slightly, Elizabeth scowls.

"Do you honestly mean to say that you blame me for your misfortunes?"

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"Not only you", he says calmly. "But come now, Miss Swann... I let Jack Sparrow escape partially because I knew you would want it so. Call it... a wedding present."

[try_corsets]

"Regardless of my thoughts on the matter, that was your choice," she points out. "Not mine."

Considering, she crouches so that their eyes are level.

"You say partially. What were your other reasons?"

She has her suspicions.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"I really don't think that's any of your business", he drawls.

[try_corsets]

"Is that so?" She sounds almost smug. "Or are you just not willing to admit that a part of you wanted to set him free, and thus accept equal responsibility?"

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"If that was so", comes the flat response, "would I have done what I did in the attempt at his recapture?"

[try_corsets]

"Because you are a good man, and recognized the same in Jack," she continues, firmly. There's a point to be made, and she will not be dissuaded from making it. "Besides, with Jack captured and hung -- the last real pirate threat -- what was left to accomplish? Letting him go was your choice."

His words finally sink in. Eyes narrowing, she jerks to her feet and looks down.

Reproachfully, "pardon?"

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

Norrington chooses to ignore her last question and focus on the speech. And laughs at her.

"The last real pirate threat? Oh, Elizabeth, how much you don't know. Jack Sparrow was the least of the threats I had to worry about, in the Caribbean, until recently."

[try_corsets]

Elizabeth does not handle being laughed at well. Her chin juts out as she glares.

"Until recently, yes," she replies coldly. "Is this not, to your knowledge, the fastest pirate ship in these waters? Would it be quite so troublesome with someone else at the helm?"

She walks to the port rail and runs a finger along the wood.

"Laugh all you like, former Commodore, but the reaction to his escape certainly seems disproportionate if such laughter is truly warranted." A pointed look. "The East India Company, for one, certainly seems interested."

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"The East India Company keep their own counsel", Norrington says flatly. "And don't often trouble to explain it, to those who must do their work."

[try_corsets]

Not quite sure what to make of this, Elizabeth turns back around and studies him, mulling it over.

"What did you do at this attempted recapture, James?"

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

He's not looking at her, and deliberately so. His voice is carefully even when he answers.

"I was ordered to bring back Captain Sparrow alive, and with his effects. I think you can imagine the consequences for a failure. So, I... did what was necessary to succeed, or die in the attempt."

[try_corsets]

"Meaning?" she prompts. He may not be looking at her, but she keeps her face expressionless, her tone even.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"Meaning", he says flatly, "I was very close to catching them, when a storm blew up. A hurricane. And I forced the crew to keep going, against their protests."

There's no self-loathing in his voice at all. But that's because there's nothing else, either.

[try_corsets]

He sailed through a hurricane.

Elizabeth flinches, feeling ever so slightly sick.

"How many survived?" Not so even, now.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"Of the three ships?" he asks wearily. "Perhaps a score."

[try_corsets]

Elizabeth remains silent for several minutes, gaze disbelieving, trying to reconcile this news with the blame he apparently places on her shoulders.

"When I suggested a part of you wanted to let Jack escape," she begins, "I did not say you had not come to regret that decision."

Watching the man she never wanted to marry, she struggles with what to say next.

"I know what your position meant to you. And I do not fault you that, nor your continued pursuit." She shakes her head. "But I did not expect this, James Norrington."

Not from him.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"Which part, exactly?" he asks, and his voice is as cutting as he can make it right now.

[try_corsets]

"Deciding to sail through a hurricane rather than waiting and living to give chase another day. Pure folly."

She had never considered him one to take such risks.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes", he says slowly, "a choice must be made, based on the situation at hand."

[try_corsets]

"Yes."

Elizabeth doesn't disagree. Hadn't she done the same when she agreed to marry him?

Squinting, she eyes the horizon. Slender fingers reach for the compass always kept on her person. She opens it and watches as the arrow points their course.

"I'd be interested to see where this needle would point were the compass in your hands."

She closes the casing with a small click, smiling grimly.

"I'll leave you to your work, James. Good day."

Elizabeth stiffly walks away with even more to ponder.

[scourgeofpiracy.livejournal.com]

He watches her go, and it's a long time before he starts to scrub the deck again.