A/N: I am SO SO SO sorry for the recent lack of updates, but, as you know, I am in Hawaii. If you want to know how that went, just ask! I don't want to waste your time if you don't want to know about it. lol All I will say is that it was amazing and I got LOTS of inspiration for my stories there. Here's a little treat for you all. Yes, another new story. Please R&R, and I hope you enjoy!

P.S. I missed all of you guys! And a huge THANK YOU to my beta Jack.Sparrow.1245

Disclaimer: PotC belongs to Disney.

Chapter 1: A Carefully Devised Plan

Another piece of paper; ruined. Why couldn't she just get her thoughts down correctly, without problem?

Elizabeth sighed as she threw yet another half-written letter to Will across the room, unhappy with its contents. Having just recently received a letter from Jack, which said that he'd be visiting her very soon, she wanted to make sure that she had a little something for him to pass on to Will if he ran into him. The letter had to be perfect.

Only two months had gone by and yet she felt as though it had been two years. Two eternities. She was lonely, but she couldn't put that into the letter for it would only make Will sad and regret the fate with which they were both destined to have. The fate that they both made a promise to make sure was not intervened. How could she even begin to express the love she felt in her heart, the pain that taunted her every time she saw that damned chest, the sorrow as she went to lay down in bed every night and saw that the other side had not a wrinkle in sight?

She hated the lonesome life she was living and would be forced to live for the next nine years and ten months. She shook her head profusely.

Why am I sulking? I should be grateful that Will is alive and that I'll see him in ten years. I should be a good wife and be faithful and wait right here. I have to wait. Have to? No. I want to wait. I want to wait for Will. I want…

Another ruined piece of paper. She had to get this right. What could she say? Hi Will, how are you doing? I'll see you in nine years? No. Nothing seemed to suffice. She wanted to reassure Will that she was alright and that she was willing to wait for him. She wanted him to have a clear conscience, but nothing she thought up seemed to express what she felt. Determined, she grabbed her quill and the last piece of paper left. She could always go back to Shipwreck Cove and get some more, but it was of no use. If she couldn't do this now, she wouldn't be able to do it later.

My Darling Will,

These past few months have been awful without you. I miss you more with each breath I take and I want you to know that I will wait for you. I shall keep your heart safe and I will not break the promises I have made to you and to us. You are my strength, my love, my rock. You are what keeps me going every day. I sleep and wake to the sound of your heartbeat. I wish I could be there to tell you all of this myself, but you know I cannot. Please, stay safe and do not worry about me. If you are reading this letter, then it is because Jack has delivered it to you. I truly believe that we will get through this and, if you can, write me back before he leaves so he can give it to me when he stops by again. I used to think it would be alright, but I miss you more than ever. The days that have passed feel like years. I still remember the last thing you said to me, and I'm keeping my eye on the horizon, Will. I love you. I'll be here when you return.

All my love,

Elizabeth Turner

She smiled, pleased with her final copy. It wasn't perfect, but it would do. After all, what does one write to someone they won't see for such a long time? If she were to put all of her feelings on paper, it would take hundreds of sheets of paper to do so. And unfortunately, not all of those sheets would be dedicated to Will.

She still felt so awful for all that had happened between Jack and herself. The whole killing ordeal still haunted her at night. She hated that he never officially forgave her, and it made her question whether or not she should have acted on those strange feelings that overcame her whenever she was in Jack's presence. It was too late for regrets, though. Her choices had been made and this time she hadn't make them alone. She made them with Will, and now? Now she had to own up to them.

Elizabeth neatly folded the letter, put it into a nice envelope, and gave it a kiss, thinking of the last kiss she shared with Will. She wondered if perhaps there was a way that they could be together. Maybe if Jack found the Fountain of Youth, she could go with Will to the other side and live with him there. Or maybe they would just have an infinite number of one days. Maybe it wouldn't make a difference at all. And after all, it was just nine more years. If she were faithful, which she had no doubts would be the case, then Will should be free from his terrible curse and they can live like they've always wanted to.

Hopefully, that is. There was always a chance that things would go awry and that Will would continue to be cursed forever. But she'd rather not think on that but more on the positive things in her life.

Everything will be perfect, she thought. Just perfect.

In the meantime, Jack was sailing with all haste to Shipwreck Cove. He was a bit hesitant to see Elizabeth again, but he had promised Will that he would check up on her every so often. If only things had turned out differently. He reflected silently on what could have 

been. How Elizabeth- Lizzie - would have been at his side right at that very moment, and how he'd be trailing kisses down her neck while whispering sweet nothings into her ear. How she'd wrap her arms around him and tell him she loved him, how he wouldn't be able to resist replying with the exact same phrase.

He sighed, then frowned suddenly, upset with himself for wallowing in his sorrow. It was over and done with. There was nothing he could do to change things. She had made her choice. True enough, that choice left her devoid of company for a decade, but it was her choice nonetheless. He knew she loved Will. He just didn't know how much and whether or not that love could be broken down, carried away by the wind were he to sweep her off her feet.

I should just kidnap her.

Is that what good men do?

She wouldn't be angry for long.

No… but Will would.

Who cares about bloody Will?

Elizabeth.

He couldn't believe it. He had lost an argument with himself. Must be the locker. He checked with Gibbs to see how long it would take the Crystal Swan, his latest commandeered ship, to reach the Cove.

To reach Lizzie.

A few days later…

The sun's rays were just over the horizon as Jack spotted an island in the distance. His heartbeat quickened as they got closer. Oh how he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but she wasn't senseless and would have senselessly slapped him. So he decided that a simple hug would do. It took about an hour for the ship to finally reach the island and be docked. He stepped off, asking to go alone, then set off to find her.

It didn't take him long. The island was otherwise deserted if not for a little cottage at the top of a cliff. He smiled at the quaint little home and ran up to the door, holding his hand at shoulder height, debating whether he should knock or not. The decision was made for him when took a step backwards and tripped over a rock, causing a ruckus as well as Elizabeth to open the door and investigate its source. Their eyes locked for a moment and she gave a half smile, not sure if she was happy to see him or not. He smirked knowingly 

and pushed her aside, walking into her house as if he owned the place. She scowled at his nonchalance and closed the door.

"Nice place ye got here. Clean."

"Nice to see you, too, Jack."

"Isn't it always?" he chuckled.

Her smile grew. She liked seeing him this way. His usual quirky manner was once again present. He propped himself on her rather comfortable couch, watching as she sat down next to him.

"How've ye been, luv?" he asked, concern clear in his tired voice.

"How would one in my position be?"

"Lonely, I'd imagine."

"Very." She replied coldly.

"So why do ye stay?"

"You know." She sighed.

"I know. But… ye know you've always got a place on the… on me ship. It's not the same sailing without ye, Lizzie." He pleaded. Persuaded.

"I miss the sea, too. But I can't leave. I couldn't let that happen to Will. I won't let it."

"Come on, luv. What do ye owe him?"

"He's my husband!" she shouted.

After a moment of thinking, he decided to try a new approach. "I'm not entirely sure he even loves you."

"What are you talking about?" asked Elizabeth after stiffening up.

"Dear William was in love with Elizabeth Swann, the governor's prim and proper daughter. He can't love Lizzie the pirate if he doesn't even know she exists. To him, you're still that governor's daughter. You're not a pirate to him, luv."

"If he doesn't love me then why did he propose? Why did he marry me?"

"I proposed too, if ye recall. T'was ye who declined me offer."

"You wouldn't have married me, not really."

"Good point, luv. I wouldn't. I didn't marry you, therefore you aren't married."

"I beg your pardon?" she stood up, staring him down indignantly.

"Well, seein as I'm the rightful captain of the Pearl and I did not perform that marriage ceremony between you and Mr. Turner, it is indeed null. Void. Invalid. Therefore, you aren't married at all, my dear. In fact, it's quite the opposite." He also stood up, walking around her in a circle as he tried to explain his reasoning in a casual tone of voice.

"No… you're lying. Barbossa's a captain…"

"But not of the Pearl, which is where ye said yer vows, is it not?"

"We are married."

"Alright then, luv. But I do ask ye this. Where be yer ring? And yer marriage papers?"

"There wasn't any time for that! You should know that of all people. You're the one who…" she trailed off, debating whether or not she should continue on and blame him for that dreadful occurrence. It wasn't really his fault, was it?

"Who what?" He asked dryly.

"You're the one who… killed Will!" Stole my heart.

His expression turned grim. So she blamed him for Will's death? Lovely. Just lovely. He shouldn't have saved the whelp. Now she hates ye, mate. And ye've got no one to blame but yerself.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I…."

"Don't, Lizzie. Just… don't."

"But Jack… I know you saved him. And I should be grateful to you. I should be thanking you. I'm in your debt, but would you do something else for me first?"

"Depends, luv." He sighed. "What is it ye need?"

"Pass this on to Will, would you? If you see him, that is." Her voice shook, from emotion or nervousness he could not tell. He took the letter from her and looked at it for a moment before putting it into his coat pocket, smiling falsely.

"I'll be sure to, Lizzie-luv. After all, who am I to refuse a direct order from the Pirate King?"

She scoffed. "I'm no King, Jack. I'm not worthy of anything. I'm a lonely widow who lives on this island all by herself. No one would ever listen to me. And why should they? I'm not even…" she trailed off as Jack grabbed her roughly by the forearms and pushed her against the wall, eyeing her angrily.

"Don't ye dare say you're not worthy of anythin', Elizabeth. You're better than the stars, the sun, the moon, the sea. You're the Pirate King. You are Elizabeth Swann, Pirate Lord of Singapore, Captain of the Empress, and King of the Brethren Court. So don't say you aren't anything because you are, Lizzie. You're everythin'." He said in a low but stern tone of voice.

"Turner." She replied plainly.

"What?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I am Elizabeth Turner. You said…"

"That's what I meant, luv. Turner." Bloody Turner.

He looked her in the eye and she caught his gaze, trying to take in the mystery that they held. They stayed like that for what seemed like forever and she grew frightened. She was frightened of how easily he was making her forget Will and the chest. What was the chest again? And what did a heart have to do with anything? She was scared. He had to go.

"I think it's best you leave, Jack." she said, her voice slightly faltering.

He was genuinely shocked by her coherent bluntness. "Aye, luv. I'll just be on me way, then." He started for the door but turned around. "Are ye sure you're alright? There's always a place for one more on my ship."

"I can't leave. You know that and I know that. Nothing you say or do can change my mind."

"Really, luv? Ye sure you want to be makin' that assumption?"

"I actually am."

"Your loss, luv." He said huskily as he approached her, a short distance between their lips, his eyes hungry with desire.

He leaned in and she closed her eyes, ready for him to kiss her, but she unnecessarily prepared for a kiss that did not occur. And how she wanted it to have occurred! She opened her eyes only when she heard a door slam and noticed that Jack had left, leaving her speechless and disappointed. She wanted to yell for him to come back, but to what point and purpose? Would she kiss him for purely selfish reasons? At least he had some common sense. He left before things went too far, got too out of control. And what frightened her the most was that she wasn't sure if she would have been smart enough to do the same.

She went to the cabinet in which she kept Will's heart and opened it, caressing the intricately designed locks on that black chest, apologizing for losing her will to be faithful, if only for a moment.

Jack cursed himself repeatedly for not acting like a pirate. Was he not notorious for taking what he wanted and giving nothing back? Why hadn't he kissed her? It would have been the smart thing to do. He boarded the Crystal Swan, recalling that he had forgotten to mention the ship's name to the person for which it was named. He should have kissed her. It may have been his last chance. Their last chance at… at what, he didn't know, but he knew that whatever it was, he blew it the moment he walked out. And he hated himself for it. Bloody coward.

He went straight to the Captain's quarters, not even bothering to talk to Gibbs about their next heading, just mumbling something about going anywhere else but here. He slammed the door and took off his coat and watched as an envelope fell from it. He eyed it curiously for a moment before realizing that it was Lizzie's… Elizabeth's letter to Will. Come on, Mate. She trusts you… And it's her own fault. She should know better.

He picked it up and sat down at his desk, opening the envelope carefully so as not to rip it. He read it slowly and felt his blood boil with every word. He wasn't angry. Not at all. But he was upset, saddened that those words weren't meant for him. Unless… but no. It would be wrong. It would be the opposite of being a good man. It would be immoral and corrupt and absolutely wrong. But it felt so right… Pirate. He searched through his desk drawer for some paper and a quill, getting ready to give them the one last chance they needed: a chance in the first place.

My Dearest Will,

The past two months have been awful without you, and I fear they won't get any better. I miss you less with each breath I take and I'm not sure that I'll be able to wait for you. I cannot bear to see your heart each day, and remember that you are gone, away from me for the next ten nine years. Everyday I'm afraid that I will not be able to keep the promises I made to you. I cannot stay on land, I cannot be caged up like some bird. I need to fly free, Will, to be the pirate I've become. I miss the spray of the sea on my face, the feeling of the wind blowing through my hair. I have the strength to let you go, Will, because that is what's good for me. All I've done is thought about you, and now I need to think about what is good for myself. I can no longer stand the beating of your heart, for it reminds me painfully of what I've lost. I cannot stay in an empty house when you are not there with me. Everyday I die a little more, stuck here. Do not worry about me, for I am sure that I will be happy, and maybe one day find someone who will actually be there for me and want me to be happy just as much as I want them to. If you'd really loved me, you would have let me go, and now I'm taking that step. I have to. I'm afraid I won't be here when you return, for I can no longer keep an eye on the horizon. No more waiting. I will miss you always, but I am sorry to say I cannot love you anymore.

Love,

Elizabeth Swann

He re-read the letter a few times, proud of his accomplishment. All that was left was to deliver the letter to Will and hope that he would buy it.

It would take some convincing but he was Captain Jack Sparrow. He could do anything. At least, that's what he hoped. This brilliant little plan could give him everything he'd always wanted. A fair chance at winning Elizabeth's heart. Now all that was left was to find William and deliver the letter. Find Will… deliver the letter. It was all so simple. Simple, and easy to remember. Too simple, he thought. Problems would likely arise, and complications would almost surely ensue, but he had faith in the higher forces of the world that once, just once, things would work out in his favor. No, he wasn't talking about finding a lost treasure or winning a battle, although it sort of was a battle. A battle of love, so to speak. Love? Could he even begin to try to decipher that emotion? Love? Did he feel it? Has he ever felt it? Yes. He felt it for two women in his life and only two. His mother, of course, whom he loved very much, and Elizabeth, whom he loves. Loves?!

Since when do I love Elizabeth?!

He was taken aback by this startling realization. He loved Elizabeth, and he would do anything to win her heart. Sometimes, breaking the rules of the game was the only way to go. He didn't just love her. He needed her in his life, at his side, in his arms. And me bed, he laughed to himself. But in all seriousness… he did love her. He was doing it all for her. He wouldn't sail all the way to World's End to find dear William, but simply wait for him to pop up and ask about Elizabeth, which shouldn't take very long. Before the sun set completely, he walked to the small window in his cabin and looked back to Lizzie's island.

I'll be seein' ye again, Darlin'. Count on that.