InsaneJournal

Twelve

The next morning James woke late to angry voices downstairs. First he didn’t really pay attention, he thought it was just Mary being angry with the kitten, so he just buried his head deeper in the crook of Tom’s neck and tried to get back to sleep. But then he recognised the voice and jerked upright immediately.

Elizabeth…

Elizabeth was furious. She had been trying to get in touch with James after that party at her father’s house just to hear that he had to go out to sea and hunt after pirates, and now, after he had returned, he couldn’t even care to visit her. So she had to go and see Mrs Eidan, who always looked at her as if she had done something wrong, just to hear that James hadn’t been at home all night. Elizabeth had no idea where to look for him, so she decided to come to Tom, partly because he might know something about James (they had been together at sea after all), partly because she wanted to know whether he managed to solve his problems with James and partly because she needed to tell someone about how angry she was with James.

So now here she was at Tom’s house, arguing with a very angry maid, who simply couldn’t be convinced to go upstairs and wake Tom, no matter how hard Elizabeth tried to make her do it. The girl didn’t seem to be impressed by anything Elizabeth had to say and especially not by the fact that she was the Governor’s daughter and had a right to do whatever she wanted. So all she could do was try to be as loud as possible in hope that it would wake Tom.

Tom was still more or less out. But the distinct shout from Mary had him startled and rolling off the bed and falling onto the floor with a thud. She so rarely raised her voice, that when she did... it meant business.

"What I do?" He sat up from his new found place on the floor, looking around rather startled. He blinked several times and looked over to James, "Do I hear Miss. Swann?" He asked sleepily, getting up finally and rubbing his rear.

Mary did NOT like this Elizabeth. She has been set to sleep in, because she knew for a fact that Tom and James would... after they'd kept her awake all night. But no... she was awoken to banging on the door, and evil incarnate standing outside. She'd had to rush to dress, and her hair was still down, her feet bare.

"Now missy, I told you. The master is asleep. You can come back later! You ain't got a single weight about in MY house. I don't care who your father is... he could bloody well be the KING OF BLOODY ENGLAND!" She paused as she heard the thump from upstairs. She put her hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently. "If you've woken the master, oooh, you'll be hearing if from me missy, you will. He works very hard you know, God forbid he gets rest when he can. Not that YOU would know anything about work would ya? All you have ta do is sit about an look pretty. Posh!"

“Ah, Tom, there you are” Elizabeth shouted happily, ignoring Mary completely as she saw Tom coming down the stairs. “This raging kitten of yours wouldn’t let me in. It’s very touching of her that she cares about you so much, but I’d be very happy if she could recognise me as a friend and would not sink her claws in me.” She quickly embraced Tom and placed a kiss on his cheek, smiling brightly.

Tom was still not quite awake. He was mostly dressed, shirt, breeches- vest still unbuttoned though. Hair tied back, stockings and boots on.

"Miss.Swan, what a pleasant surprise." He hugged her back, looking rather surprised as he saw Mary glaring at him. Her cheeks were flushed with anger, and the little thing looked like she might burst. Or attack... Tom didn't really want either. "Mary, what ever is the matter?" He asked, moving towards her. But she wasn't having any of it. She turned on her heel, heading straight upstairs, and into Tom's room. Slamming the door behind her and, and glaring straight at James.

"You brought her here." She said in a low, dangerous voice.

“Oh please, Tom, don’t tell me you’ll be like Will. He simply can’t get used to calling me Elizabeth. Promise me you won’t play the same game with me. Now come on, tell me, how you have been. I was so looking forward to talking to you and getting to know you better but then you so suddenly had to sail away. I wanted to ask you how your chat with Jamie went. I simply don’t want to believe he would not like you, I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding. And speaking of James… have you seen him recently? Mrs Eidan said he didn’t spend the night at home. Do you know where he…” but she suddenly stopped talking as she accidentally let her eyes wander around the room and she saw a white wig lying on one of the chairs. She looked questioningly at Tom, but wasn’t expecting an answer, she was already quite sure of what it would be.

“James Norrington, you come down here this second.” she called upstairs impatiently, the blush on her face showing how angry she was. James would never have thought that an angry Elizabeth would make him so happy, but right now anything was better than facing a furious Mary. Why couldn’t he be surrounded with gentle, loving women, who found it disgraceful to shout and become angry? He quickly stood up and straightened the clothes he had put on earlier and carefully avoiding Mary’s gaze he tried to get out of the room without earning a slap from her.

"You're lucky." Her eyes narrowed at him, before letting him free and making to her own room. Dressing in the finest clothes Tom had gotten her, and making herself up. Just to spite the little strumpet downstairs. She went into Tom's room, staring at herself in the looking glass for a time, before making her way downstairs, and into the kitchen, ignoring the other for the moment.

Tom looked terrified, and sat heavily in a chair, face paling. They were found out! Of course, he should have known Mary wouldn't let THAT little bit slip by either. She bustled out of the kitchen, basket of food in one hand, kitchen knife in the other. And straight towards Liz. Tom quickly stood and held her back.

"You breathe a word to anyone and I'll kill you in your sleep!" She shouted. Tom had no idea what to make of this. Sweet little Mary wasn't violent... never... and yet, she was protecting he and James, wasn't she? Could he really expect less from the girl?

“James Norrington” Elizabeth started immediately as she saw James coming down the stairs, and yet again she completely ignored Mary and her knife. That little maid should really learn how to control her temper. “How dare you leave Port Royal without saying goodbye? How dare you be away for so long and then not even visiting me to assure me that you’re fine? How dare you? But apparently whatever you have been doing with Mr Pullings was more important than a good friend who has been worried sick about you.” she turned on her heels and walked to the door. “I’ll leave you to sort out that overprotective mother hen while I have a word with Mr Pullings.” she added and looked expectantly at Tom before she stepped out of the house. She waited for Tom to follow and once he did she started walking away from the house so as not to be disturbed by that annoying Amazon.

Mary watched them leave- and threw the knife at the door. It was a dead shot, rather deep into the door... where her head might have been. Who would have known? She turned, and looked at James before she burst into tears.

"I hate her! I hate her!" She cried. "How does she think she can come in here and treat me like dirt! That selfish- gerrr!" She stamped her foot, dropping the basket on the floor. "You should have seen her! She just pushed her way inside, and wouldn't listen to a word I said! She bloody well ignored me. I even tried to be nice! I asked her to come back later, but no... no! She just has to get what she wants! It's not fair! Who is she!? My better... sure... my better. Ack!"

James tried to calm Mary down without having to get too close to her. He was afraid of losing vital parts of his body if he did. So he just stood at a safe distance and tried to soothe her.

“Mary, I’m sure she was just a bit annoyed that you wouldn’t let her in. Remember, she has been brought up safe in the knowledge that whatever she desired she could get immediately. I’m not trying to protect her.” he added instantly as he saw Mary’s angry glare. “I just… erm… shouldn’t we be making breakfast for Tom?” he tried, hoping that it would distract her from biting his head off. She sniffled, moving over to James and wrapping her arms around him.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you." She said softly, sniffling more. "She just made me so cross... I shouldn't have taken it out on you... it's something my father used to do... I'm sorry." She straightened herself, and wiped her eyes. "I'll make you two breakfast... though it is lunch time... I have to get going though. I've... I'm going to visit someone." She said, grabbing up her basket, leaving the knife in the door as she went into the kitchen. Beginning to whip up something for them to eat. James just smiled warmly as Mary went into the kitchen but then thought differently and followed her.

“Mary” she said as he entered the kitchen “I just wanted to apologize for last night. I shouldn’t have disturbed you and I definitely shouldn’t have said what I said. I’ve had a bit too much to drink and… anyway, please forgive me my behaviour. And… I’m happy for you and Will. He has a great heart and deserves to be happy. And I’m sure you could help him to… well, to find happiness.” he said with a sad smile.

"You know I am overly protective... it was not my place to snap at you..." She took a breath, making eggs and beacon. "I like you Captain, I think you're good for the Master… he loves you... and truly, could I have a child, it would be an honour to give him your name." She plated the food, moving to James. She pulled him down and kissed him on the cheek. "Be careful what you tell that lass, she's got a bit mouth."

James smiled warmly down at Mary. “I’m glad you’re not angry. And Elizabeth… She’s got a rash temper, but she’s a nice girl and she cares a lot about the people she loves. Actually, in a way she reminds me of you.” he said, quickly leaving the kitchen before Mary could throw anything at him. She just glared at James' back.

Tom and Elizabeth were walking quietly side by side for about a minute, but then she couldn’t hold back any longer. She turned to Tom and with an excited, bright smile on her face she asked:

“Now tell me everything. What happened? How did you two end up like this? When did it start? Do you love him? Of course you do, I could see it in your eyes the first time I saw you. I knew I didn’t just imagine it. But does he love you back?” Her eyes were shining and she was completely unaware of all the people around them and that she was speaking too loudly. Tom's eyes widened, and he put his hand over her mouth.

"Elizabeth!" He hissed, "We're in public. You can't speak of such things!" He leaned close, "We could both be hanged for it."

“What do you… how do you mean HANGED?” she was confused. She didn’t know of these things, she had been brought up in silk and velvet, well protected from suffering, after all. She didn’t understand what Tom was saying. She didn’t even know what part of what she had said could bring trouble. So she just stared and hoped Tom would give her an answer.

"Elizabeth, can we talk about this in private?" He asked, leading her back towards the house. "I can explain better where there are no eavesdroppers..." He looked around, attempting not to look worried. But already fearing that someone might have heard.

Elizabeth just nodded and let Tom lead her back to his house. Her heart was beating fast and she feared what would come. As they entered the house she immediately turned to face Tom.

“Tell me what’s going on, Tom. You scare me.”

"It's a crime, Elizabeth." He whispered, leading her into the sitting room. Looking questioningly at the knife stuck in the door as he went. "James and I... it's a sin in the eyes of the church... and a crime to the eyes of man. The punishment is death. Not all the people hung at the fort are pirates and villains, Elizabeth. You can't breathe a word of this. That's... Mary was so defensive I'm sure, because of this. Because she knew James was here with me, and she doesn't trust anyone with that. She is a caring person, and she was trying to protect us." Elizabeth couldn’t say anything for a long time, she just continued to stare at Tom with eyes wide with horror and shock.

“This is ridiculous.” she managed to say after a while. “How could anybody in their right minds even momentarily think that they have the RIGHT to… No, I won’t let this happen. I won’t let two of my best friends have to hide just because the world is full of bloody idiots! This is MADNESS, Tom! How can you just state this like that, how can you not be outraged and fighting for justice? I… I will talk to my father. I’m sure he’ll help us. He’s the GOVERNOR for Heaven’s sake! He’ll… he’ll do something… I won’t let…” but the look on Tom’s face made her stop. “I can’t do anything, can I?” She asked very silently, tears welling in her eyes. It was just so unfair. No one deserved to be treated like that, especially not such fine men as Tom and Jamie. How could she live in a world, in a society where things like that could happen? She suddenly moved closer and put her arms around Tom, kissing his cheek. “If there is anything… ANYTHING I can do…”

"It's a fact of life, Elizabeth... some things just are as they are. Had you not been so closely shielded, as a lady of fine birth is... it would be no surprise to you." He took Elizabeth's hands. "All I ask is that you keep this a secret. But I don't believe I must truly tell you that. I trust you with this, Elizabeth. In this, we are trusting you with our lives." That’s when Mary entered the dining room with the food. "Food!" She announced, "Leaving." She added then. Taking the lunch she'd made for her and Will, and doing just that. Wanting to get far, far away from the evil woman known as Miss. Swann.