Hey everyone! I know I haven't updated "An Eye for an Eye, A Kiss for a Kiss" in ages but I will do it soon! In the meantime I'm posting this short fic. A two-shot , so to say :)

Hope you enjoy!

Huge thanks go to Florencia 7 who helped me as beta reader!!!

10 years after AWE...

"Forever Beloved" Part 1

Elizabeth was sitting in the front of her cozy house, that was built on a high steep cliff with an amazing view over the sea. She knew it was the day of William's arrival.

One short day ashore...such poor compensation for ten long years of hard servitude aboard the Flying Dutchman, a decade spent on ferrying lifeless bodies into the Land of the Dead.

It was one of those breathtaking sunsets, illuminating the Shipwreck Island with all shades of coral and gold, and she was prepared to see the familiar flash of green at any moment. To her surprise, the sun has fully submerged into the depths of the Caribbean Sea, and nothing happened. She frowned wondering what could have gone wrong. Was William in danger? Shaking her head, the Pirate King realized how silly were her "what-ifs". After all, there was nothing that could pose a threat for the immortal captain.

Her son was quickly climbing up the hill, rushing towards her nearly out of his breath.

"Mum! I've not seen any strange light on the horizon, and it's already getting dark. Are you sure it's today?''

"Yes, I'm absolutely sure. I have no clue as to why he hasn't arrived..."

"Well, maybe he actually has arrived, but on that other island where he left you ten years ago?"

"I don't think so, my dear. He knows where we are. Shortly after you were born, one of my former crewmen, Mr. Bristling, ran into the Dutchman on the open sea, as it suddenly appeared out of nowhere to pick a drown sailor floating nearby. He took that opportunity to announce our new location."

"Could it be, that his navigatory skills or perhaps his captain qualities aren't sufficient to find the Shipwreck Island ?"

Elizabeth shrugged. She had no idea what was going on, and all she needed at the moment was a warm meal and the comfort of her wonderful four post bed.

"Let's go home, sweetheart. We've waited long enough." she said glancing at the sea for one last time, blue depth gradually turning black, mimicking the sky and uniting with it.

"It's getting real cold out here, but I have something that will warm us up." she smiled warmly.

"What is it? Rum?!" the boy asked with his face beaming from excitement.

"Well, certainly not for you !"

"Oh, muuum!" he groaned. "I'm a big lad! At me age, daddy used to take some tiny lil' sips of rum. Just to get the taste, of course. You told me yourself! "

She did. And now she regretted it deeply. "Oh, but he was nine years old, my sir! When you turn nine, we can come back to this topic."

"Well, truth be that..." he dropped his gaze resigned. "But it's only ten days! How can you allow something that maddeningly insignifficant to ruin me plans of becoming a racy sailor?" he pouted.

"And what has rum to do with becoming one?"

"All men of the sea drink rum. Simple as that."

"All?"

"Well, some drink port. But honestly, I'm not into that stuff..." he winced, sticking his tongue in and out of his mouth in disgust.

"Not... into it? And how can you possibly know what it tastes like, hmm ?" she asked sternly.

The boy raised his hands up in a defensive manner, and took two small steps backwards, just in case.

"Alright, I'll tell you everything, but first off, you need to know, that the idea wasn't my own. Johnny planned it all out, and I only participated in it to keep him company."

"And what is that you participated in?"

"A few days ago, we sneaked into your office and found a bottle of port in the cupboard. Each of us took a little sip, and we returned it back immediately."

"A little sip? That bottle was there in case of important guests who prefer portwine to rum. One of them happens to be Mr. Jocard, who visited Shipwreck Cove last week, and I nearly died of shame presenting him a half empty bottle!"

"One...big sip, then...?" the boy corrected himself flashing his mother a sheepish smile "The weather that day was incredibly hot and we were extremely thirsty..."

Elizabeth was boiling with anger, almost ready to explode but seeing his sweet pout and his big puppy eyes, all she managed to do was to roll her eyes in annoyance and sigh in disbelief.

"Listen carefully, my son. If that happens again-"

"Of course it won't happen again, mum! You have me word!"

"Can I trust you?"

"Why not? Since I will be gettin' me rum legally in just ten days' time, why would I risk me butt for a few sips of some miserable port, eh?"

"I don't wish to hear a single word about liquor of any kind again!" she growled warningly. "Now go and eat your dinner. You must be starving."

"Aye, mum!" He obediently entered the house, rushing to the kitchen hungry like a wolf.

The next day passed them on keeping their eyes on the horizon, and trying to guess why Will hadn't shown up; his absence remaining a mystery. He only had a couple of hours left before his one day ashore would come to an end , and yet there was no sign of him, wall to wall. Did he not care anymore? Strangest thoughts continued to cross Elizabeth's mind, who was visibly getting tired of the long wait. Slowly sipping her spiced rum, she shut her eyes closed, letting the warm sunrays caress the gold tanned skin of her youthful face. Pictures of him, the man she would never cease to love and desire danced under her heavy eyelids. Her lips twisted into a subconscious smile as her soul continued its wanderings in a different world. Once again she was under the spell of his skillful touch, his hungry lips, and the voice that haunted her in her dreams when he was absent.

All of a sudden, an emerald lightening shook the sky and the eyes of the Pirate Prince brightened up.

"Wake up, mum! I've seen it! The green flash!"

Shook out of her daydream, Elizabeth stood up rubbing her eyes and rushed after her son. He looked so cute in his tricorn, singing his favourite song "Yo ho a pirate's life for me" on his way down the hill. When they finally reached the beach, the ship was still too far to spot anyone on board.

"Is it him? Is this the Dutchman?" asked the boy smiling broadly. He was proud to be one of the very few ones who have seen the legendary ship.

"Yes, that's him." Elizabeth smiled back. "Will you remember to follow my instructions?" she asked with concern, placing her palm on his shoulder.

"No worries mum, I'll not let you down."

She held him close, her eyes locked on the sails of the approaching ship. William was standing at the helm of his mighty vessel, looking out for a sign of Elizabeth and his son. He couldn't see them yet, but the thought of meeting his dear ones surely made his heart race. If only he had one...

Soon, a dinghy in the distance could be seen, as well as the silhouette of the person rowing as fast as the oars would allow. He figured that his time was running out, and all that he had left was barely an hour in the company of his family.

She was as beautiful as always, and looked exactly like that memorable day he had seen her last. Well, maybe except that this time she wasn't dressed that scantily. It struck him that Elizabeth did not age in the slightest during the past decade. "As if the time has stopped for her..." he thought.

"Elizabeth! My son! Let me hug the both of you!" He was deeply moved holding his beloved ones and telling them how happy he was to be there with them. Will embraced the woman who has been waiting ten full years to see him, wishing to kiss her sensuous lips. A single look at his son made him blush and kiss her cheeks instead.

"We were waiting. Why are you coming so late? Your time on land is almost over!"

"I regret that I couldn't arrive as planned. There was a bloody sea battle between several ships yesterday and I had to wait till it ended to ferry all the dead to the other side. I simply couldn't leave them for the sharks to do the job. I'm so sorry Elizabeth..."

"It's alright Will. I understand it was your duty and I don't blame you." she smiled heartily

"What's your name, lad?" he asked turning to the boy

"I be Jack."

"Why did you name him... Jack? " he asked with a distinct hint of disappointment. He was convinced that the boy standing in front of him was William junior.

"Well, because if not for Captain Sparrow, he wouldn't be here with us."

"Beg pardon?" He couldn't understand why she was talking in riddles, making him confused.

"What I'm trying to say is that Jackie wouldn't exist if Jack Sparrow did not stab Jones' heart with your hand. There would be no you, no us-"

"Since we are talking about us, Elizabeth..." he cut her off, nervously rubbing his temple with his fingers. "Have you heard that any man bound to the Flying Dutchman, including the captain, may go free after just ten years of servitude if only his wife was faithful?"

Elizabeth paled in a matter seconds. Her body trembled, and she only hoped that William would blame the cold breeze for that...

to be continued!

Reviews are welcome as always!