I waited for him to wake up. I didn't care if it took all night.

We were downstairs, and I was gently dabbing at the cut on his forehead, wondering how he sustained such an injury. It wasn't very deep, but I was afraid it would get infected. Truth be told, I had no idea how to treat wounds, but I was sure I'd handle it more delicately than Barbossa, or Jack at least. Who had sobered up considerably; enough to help me move the unconscious boy off the deck in the first place.

"Stay with him…" He said, eyeing him with suspicion. No concern to speak of - I think he was worried that we might be robbed. Of what, exactly? We weren't exactly hording treasure (at the moment), and even if he did attempt to, how would it go unnoticed? But I nodded anyway. Jack swaggered towards the door, probably to irritate Barbossa further. A favourite past-time. "When he comes to, ask his name, age, what have you. Want a pistol in case he's a violent chap?"

I merely rolled my eyes. I knew how to fire a pistol, how to use a sword. Expertly trained, but only because it seemed appropriate. I was, by association, a pirate just like Jack and Barbossa. I had to be able to defend myself, hadn't I? But I'd never engaged in a fight, or threatened anybody come to think of it. Jack shrugged and flounced away. I turned back, continuing to gently touch the piece of cotton to the boy's forehead. Would it prevent it getting infected?

Unlikely, but I continued anyway. I studied his face; eyes thoroughly sweeping across his features. He was handsome, I couldn't deny that. The more I looked, the more he became. I wondered what his eyes were like - just as remarkable as the rest of him? I didn't have much experience with boys, never courting anybody. Jack said I was a very odd girl, that I should be having the time of my life gallivanting around, like the women he knows. I shuddered at the thought.

I fell asleep, eventually. I was truly exhausted. But I didn't want to have him wake up alone, not knowing where he was, or how he ended up overboard in the first place. No, I intended to spend all night waiting, but slowly my eyelids began to lower, and I fell asleep right beside him.

"Mergh?" I woke up, confused. Rubbing my weary eyes, not knowing whether it was day or night or anything in between. Glancing up, the skies through the window panes were dark; what time, exactly, was it? How many hours had passed? And how had I fallen asleep? "Huh…" I sat up, realizing I had slept sprawled across the bed in my cabin, twisted into an uncomfortable angle. The next thing I realized was that there was somebody beside me.

I screamed.

"No, no, wait!" The boy said, alarmed. It took a minute for the memory to rush back - the person overboard, the boy I was to look after. He looked very different awake. When he slept, he was peaceful. Not that he was staring at me with open hostility - his brown eyes were kind, kinder than any I'd ever seen. But I was very aware that it was just us - me and this boy I didn't even know. "I just woke up, I don't - I don't - I'm sorry, where am I?"

My frown dissolved. We were sitting close. Very close. Whereas I had spent hours beside him, caring for him, now the proximity of our bodies made my cheeks flood with colour. Hastily, I pulled away. Trying to steady the sound of my rather embarrassingly loud breathing. I could feel a pair of very confused eyes on me. "You're on the Black Pearl." I said in a rush. "We saw you, out at sea, or do you not remember? We helped you aboard."

At the sound of this, he paled considerably. I watched him, seeing the emotions flash across his eyes. "There was an accident," He recalled slowly, and his fingertips brushed the cut across his forehead. Wincing in pain as he did. "I can't remember much, though. Nothing. Wait…" He paused, looking up in shock. "Did you say The Black Pearl? The Black Pearl?"

There was something in his voice I didn't like. "The one and only," I said coldly. I was in no position to get overly defensive - the ship may be my home, but I hadn't pledged devotion towards it. Still, I wanted to feel angry at him. Maybe then I could get my poor frantic heart to calm down. It was very unsettling. "Well, sorry we didn't let you drown then. We're terrible people, aren't we?"

"No-" He began to protest, shaking his head. "I'm sorry," He croaked, appearing genuinely apologetic. "I didn't mean for you to misinterpret that… I was just stunned. It's not everyday you wake up on a pirate ship. But thank-you. My name is Will. Will Turner."

I felt my face soften. Touched by his sincerity. True, I didn't have good instincts like Jack, who knew within ten seconds if a person was real, or if there was more than meets the eye. But it was hard imaging this person, Will, posing as any kind of threat. I very nearly smiled, and worked hard to not let my lips curve. I had a job to fulfil, didn't I? Jack asked me to find out all about him "Well, Will Turner." I liked saying his name. "Your age?"

"I'm twenty." He said weakly. "Listen, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way… I mean, I didn't mean to. I have nothing against you, any of you. Trust me, I just-"

I held up a hand. Surprised at how harsh I came off. Why had my temper suddenly flared up, springing into unwanted action? I didn't want to be cruel. Somehow, it happened regardless. "To be honest, Mr Turner, I don't care what your take on pirates is. It doesn't matter, and don't think me affected by anything you say, because I'm not. And your occupation?" I enquired.

His apologies trailed off into nothing. He pushed the wavy brown hair out of his even darker eyes, looking very tired. "I'm a blacksmith." He spoke quietly.

"Very ambitious," I remarked.

"Not all of us aim as high as piracy," He replied, not matching my hard tone. Instead, he sounded defeated. I regretted my icy interrogations.

"I'm not a pirate," I snapped at him. It bothered me when people thought otherwise. Yes, I could understand their assuming so. It didn't help I lived on a pirate ship, with my pirate uncle and his pirate best friend. Still, I didn't walk around like a pirate, and I definitely didn't act like one "You don't even know me. Who are you to pass judgement on me, anyway? We saved your life, you know."

"I didn't mean to pass judgement. You're right. I don't know you. What's your name?" He asked, surprising me again. There was something gentle in the way he spoke; the words sounded very soft, as if they weren't even words at all. For a moment, I stood there. Really, I should feel ashamed. Will had been in an accident, one of which he couldn't even recall, and I was treating him like he was something particularly disgusting.

I opened my mouth to answer, finally, but there was no need to. The door burst open, and in swaggered Jack. I was thankful for the interruption on the one hand - I wanted to end mine and Will's exchange quickly, feeling terrible. On the other hand, my heart sank at the sight of him. Which was peculiar. Almost as if… As if I were disappointed at the intrusion. And that was a very, very bad sign.

"Elizabeth!" He called, standing before me. He noticed Will. "You're alive," was all he said with childish optimism, before turning back to me. "Making quick stop to Tortuga. Very highly important business, cannot divulge with simple beings much like yourself. Was thinking of stopping overnight - No?"

I shot him a disgusted look, knowing that the excursion to Tortuga was nothing more than an excuse to gallivant around like an idiot, drinking, womanizing, the works, while I was left in a foul-smelling bar with men leering and grabbing and treating me like some piece of meat. Not my idea of fun. Shooting one last look at Will, I swept out of the room.