Disclaimer

As much as I want to, I do not own POTC or any of its characters…they bloody own me.

Edited 04/03/2010

As the "beastie" took down the Black Pearl and its beloved Captain, the few surviving crewmembers watched from the distance in the long boat they had been ordered to board.

The tears that escaped Elizabeth's hazel's eyes, cleared a path through the dirt on her face. "I'm not sorry….I'm not sorry." She chanted in her head.

She averted her eyes from the grotesque creature and its helpless prey, and although she covered her ears, she could not escape the sound of the Black Pearl being crushed between the tentacles of the Kraken. Even more dreadful, were the anguished screams from Jack Sparrow. This would surely torment her memories for eternity.

Will's thoughts quickly darted to and fro. From his best mate's demise to the piercing memory of Elizabeth's and Jack's kiss. He grabbed Elizabeth's wrist, causing her to wince from the pain his fingers inflicted. "Elizabeth, look at me! What in bloody hell happened back there?" He demanded.

She thought carefully about every syllable before she spoke. She cast her eyes in Will's direction, not meeting his intense stare. "Captain Sparrow opted to stay behind and give us a chance to escape." She said as she jerked her wrist free from his grasp.

"I find that unlikely. It is Jack Sparrow we're speaking of. Your account would have settled better with me had you said that he stayed behind to save the rum." He retorted.

Gibbs became increasingly concerned about the return of the Kraken and his own fate. "Your differences best be resolved when we get to land. We have a lot of water to cross, so I suggest we all take a crutch and be gettin' as far away from here as we can." He said.

Will picked up a crutch from the bottom of the long boat and started to row. "This isn't over." He said through gritted teeth as he glared at Elizabeth.

"I'll have to ask ye to help Elizabeth, we're far from being out of danger." Gibbs said as he slid his crutch through the water.

Raggetti handed Elizabeth a crutch and without much effort, she began to row.

*****

As they drifted through the narrow passage that led to Tia Dalma's bamboo shack, several mourners lined the way. Each holding a candle, honoring Jack's memory. Elizabeth lowered her head. "What have I done?" She quietly asked herself. "What have I done?"

A young black boy stood waiting for them at the edge of a tattered dock. When they were close enough, Gibbs threw him a line and he secured the vessel.

Will stepped onto the dock first and turned, extending his hand to Elizabeth. She hesitantly accepted his assistance. The rest of the crew followed and wearily started making their way toward Tia Dalma's shack.

Will held tightly to Elizabeth's hand, not allowing her to join the rest. "Not just yet Ms. Swan. I still need to speak with you." He practically spat the words.

Tia Dalma greeted the others with a nod and ushered them inside. When the door was shut, William turned Elizabeth around to face him. "I want an explanation Elizabeth." His voice low and threatening.

She tried to step around him and pull free from his hold. "The others will wonder where we are."

Will tightened his grasp and Elizabeth sucked in her breath. The thin flesh of her wrist already purpling beneath his fingers. "Ow, William, you're hurting me." She cried.

He slightly loosened his hold. "I don't give a damn about the others! I give a damn about you, about us, about…Jack! I need to know what happened! I…I saw you kiss him!"

She knew an explanation was in order, and honest explanation. She studied his face for a moment. Here before her stood the man that loved her with his entire being. The man that had selflessly put her before all others. The man that risked his life to save hers on countless occasions. The man that would give his life for hers.

Not long ago, just a day or so actually, she wanted nothing more then to become Mistress Turner, waking every morning in his arms. That vision wasn't quite so clear to her now. She had tasted the life of living at sea. The wind in her hair and the roll of a ship beneath her feet. She felt as if maybe not all of her heart was with William anymore. Part of it now belonged to the sea.

"Are you listening to me? I saw you kiss him Elizabeth…..Do you…I mean, did you love him?" Will asked.

Unable to bring herself to look at him, she turned away. "Would it matter if I did? He's dead now."

William put his hands on his hips and leaned his head back. He sucked in a deep breath and then exhaled with a whoosh. "Yes, Elizabeth, it does matter."

Finally turning to face him she hesitated a before speaking and when she did, her voice came out barely above a whisper. "I killed him."