Summary: Set after CoTP. Elizabeth is beginning to believe that Will and life at Port Royal isn't enough for her and that her heart truly lies somewhere else. Every night she leaves the safety of her home and becomes a different person, slowly destroying her relationship with Will and her own life. Is anyone able to put an end to Elizabeth's self-destructive cycle?
A/N. My first attempt on a PoTC non-one shot. Not too sure where I'm going with this, let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. Disney owns all...even me...
'Belonging – (noun) happiness felt in a secure relationship.'
"Elizabeth? Are you feeling okay?" Elizabeth cringed as, once again, Will asked her if she was 'feeling okay'. She felt like grabbing something heavy and smacking him on the head with it. Not because she was angry with him…just because he made her angry.
"Yes, I'm fine thank you." Elizabeth replied politely, smiling at her fiancé. Will frowned and put a hand to Elizabeth's forehead.
"Are you sure?" He asked, concerned. Elizabeth fought the urge to roll her eyes and batted his hand away.
"Yes, I'm fine." She repeated.
The couple were currently sitting in the living room of the house Elizabeth's father had bought for them. Though he still didn't completely agree with the relationship he knew it made his daughter happy, so he made sure that they had a 'proper' place to live and that William was earning a 'proper' income.
'Proper.' Elizabeth thought, sourly. 'Who is he to judge what is 'proper' and what isn't?'
"Elizabeth, are you listening?" Will's voice broke into Elizabeth's inner-rant.
"Of course." She lied. "Carry on."
"I'm finished." Will sighed. "I don't know what's wrong with you lately. You don't seem as though you're really here."
"I am here." Elizabeth felt annoyance pulling at her from inside, twisting and tightening her stomach. "I'm always here. I never bloody leave here!" Will winced slightly at Elizabeth's tone.
"I wish you wouldn't curse so." He said, in a voice that reminded Elizabeth strongly of her father. "And I was just saying that Robert and his wife have invited us over for tea tomorrow." Elizabeth scrunched her nose.
"Why would Dobbin want us at his house. He doesn't approve of you at all." Elizabeth said, bluntly.
"Robert and I have become better acquainted over the last few weeks. He gave us a large order…"
Elizabeth felt her mind wandering elsewhere as it usual did when Will started talking about his work. He was still a blacksmith but, no doubt thanks to Governor Swann, he was now fairly well known.
"…and his wife is a nice woman as well."
"Retta?" Elizabeth let out an unladylike snort. "She's nothing more than a snob. Thank god they didn't have children!"
"She's not a 'snob' she's just rather…proud. And her name is Loretta. She dislikes being called Retta."
"And I dislike being called Libbie but that doesn't stop her." Elizabeth sighed. "Do we have to go?"
"I've already said we would go."
"Can't you just say that something's come up?"
"Elizabeth…" William said in a 'you're being unreasonable' tone.
"Fine." Elizabeth stood up. "I suppose I should find something to wear."
"It's not until tomorrow."
"And how would it look if I turned up in something I've worn before? Surely it would be embarrassing for you." Elizabeth said, sarcasm dripping from every syllable.
"Yes…I suppose you're right." Will agreed, not noticing the sarcasm in Elizabeth's voice or the incredulous look on her face. "Would you like me to send for a maid to help?"
"No thank you. I'm sure I can manage." Elizabeth replied, turning on her heel and walking upstairs.
When she got into her…their…bedroom Elizabeth threw herself onto the bed. She lay there for a few moments, trying to contain the urge to have a very loud and very childish tantrum. Elizabeth wasn't angry at with Will. She was angry with what he meant for her.
Once upon a time William Turner was excitement to Elizabeth. He'd been rescued from a wreckage and he'd worn a pirate medallion. When they were growing up Elizabeth would play with him outside. She knew it annoyed her father but, to her, it made it even more worthwhile. Elizabeth always knew that she'd end up with Will and that thought had always made her warm inside. Because he was special. He wasn't like all the other men that she saw. He was impulsive, rash and exciting.
Elizabeth couldn't remember the exact moment when all that fell away.
It could've been when she was taken by the pirates.
'No, because he was still the same then. He still acted before thinking.'
It could've been when she'd met Captain Jack Sparrow. Maybe she was comparing Will's character to Jack's.
'Not that I want Will to be like Jack. Jack is just an example…just an extreme of what I thought Will was.' Elizabeth mentally added.
Or maybe it was when they moved in together and Will started listening to what her father had to say.
'Yes, that must be it. My father is trying to mould Will into something he's not.' Elizabeth thought. 'That must be why I'm feeling like this…because my father can't stop interfering…I do love Will.'
Elizabeth sat up and looked determinedly at the wall.
'I love Will…and nothing will change that…nothing.'
