Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Pirates of the Caribbean. If I did, I would not encourage Sparrabeth rumors, and ended the third VERY differently!

A/N:

*Hello readers! This chapter has been edited! I came home one day, re-read the original, and thought 'I can do better'. So, here we are!

*I know that Will's having nightmares about his father is a very common theme in post-COTB fan fiction, but I refuse to believe that someone who thinks that they have killed one of their parents would sleep soundly. I don't even sleep well when I feel that I've let down a friend!

*Many of the themes involving Will and Liz have also been covered in other fan fictions, so I'm not the first to think of them. But, honestly, when you have a pairing this great, there's bound to be repeats!

*The following chapters have also been edited to allow for the plot changes.

-Thanks to everyone who's shown interest in this!

-OK, adult themes ahead, nothing explicit. I do not write smut! Oh, yeah, and this is my first time writing that kind of thing, so go easy…please?

-Part of this is based on a sketch on Deviant Art called Honeymoon by crystaltear127 (which has since been removed by the artist. Darn!)

-And Norrington will not be OOC. He might have an OC relationship (absolutely no romantic interest in Elizabeth!), but aside from that, I'll try to keep him in character.

-Flamers shall be walked off a plank (seriously…find something more constructive to do!)


TWO MONTHS EARLIER

Elizabeth Swann stormed out of the mansion in a fury. Who do they think they are?! She was perfectly capable of making her own choices! She already had; so why could no one accept it?

Oh, she had expected her "esteemed" others to object, and why not? It was scandalous enough when the two had just been friends. But her father…

God, Elizabeth had expected him to accept it. She was happy; she felt alive for once! So why did he insist that it was wrong; that it was just an infatuation brought on by her "traumatic experiences"…but all the other suitors that had been all but paraded in front of her had been perfectly dull, only interested in owning Elizabeth.

She aimed an angry kick at the well-groomed flowerbeds and determinedly set out for her one refuge: the blacksmith shop.

Her black mood almost immediately vanished as she stepped into the stifling heat of the forge. How could it not? His presence was reassuring, calming. Unashamedly, she let her eyes wander over his form, taking in his unruly dark hair, which had escaped from its cloth tie to fall over his face, the way his loose, white shirt stuck to his sweaty body, outlining his muscular torso and arms…

He hadn't noticed her sudden presence. Elizabeth bit her lip, a plan forming in her mind…did she dare?

It took less that three seconds to decide on an answer of "yes".

She waited until he had put down the half-finished sword and stepped away from the searing fire, reducing the risk of injury…and then she pounced, wrapping both arms around his waist and planting a kiss on the side of his neck, tasting salt. Her efforts were rewarded with a small "Ah!" of surprise.

Will Turner spun around to face his attacker, his dark eyes meeting the mischievous ones of… "Elizabeth!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with happiness.

"Hello," she replied, leaning up to kiss him.

Will met her warmly, gently brushing his lips against hers. "What are you doing here?" he asked when they finally broke apart, slightly breathless.

Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder. "I had to get away…I couldn't stand it anymore!"

She felt his chest rise and fall slowly as he sighed. "Who is it this week?"

Elizabeth tilted her chin up so she could meet his eyes. "What?"

"I'm not entirely blind, Elizabeth. Who was it this week?"

The young woman let her head drop again. "Henry Babington."

"And?"

"Will!" Elizabeth smacked his chest playfully. "He's arrogant! Arrogant and self-centered and thoughtless…and he's old enough to be my father…he's just like all the others." Elizabeth took a few breaths to calm herself before continuing. "Why? Why does he insist on doing this? I love you; I always have! Why is that so hard to understand? You saved my life; I can't say as much for any of my other so-called suitors. That should be enough! But it just isn't," she said, defeated. "I've tried…God knows I've tried! All he ever says is that you're wrong for me; that you can't provide for me…That I should decide on someone more 'worthwhile'."

"I suppose he's standing on propriety. After all, that is what's expected of him. And you," he added as an afterthought. "Not that your disregard for propriety is a bad thing…I mean, it is for some, but not me, that's why I love you…well, it's not the only reason…"

Elizabeth giggled. "I think I know what you're trying to say. Thank you." Now that her fury had calmed (for the time being, at least), she could truly enjoy Will's company. She tipped her head back so she could see his beloved face. "Will, you look terrible," she murmured, for he really did. His face was pale, and his eyes were circled by dark shadows. His hands were bruised, and wrapped with several bandages.

Will smiled weakly. "Charming, Miss Swann."

"Don't try to divert me; it won't work. Are you ill?"

Will stepped away from her embrace, listlessly shuffling a few items around on a nearby work table. "No…nothing like that…"

"Then what is it?"

The blacksmith didn't answer for a few moments. Instead, he lifted an indescribable (to Elizabeth's untrained eye) object and examined it closely, frowning, before tossing it atop a scrap pile. "Nothing's wrong, Elizabeth. Just let it go."

Elizabeth scowled and planted her hands on her hips. "I am not going to 'let it go.' Just tell me what's wrong." He remained hunched over the table, his back to her. "Will?"

"I haven't been sleeping," he finally responded quietly.

The young woman's face was immediately filled with concern. "For how long?"

Will shrugged. "A couple of months, I guess. Since the Pearl…since the curse was lifted…"

Elizabeth's eyes widened with sudden comprehension. "Your father…?"

A nod. "I keep seeing him…" He broke off, his voice tormented. Shaking his head, he said, "Never mind. Forget I said anything."

His confession had been so unexpected that Elizabeth could find no response. She'd known that he had been plagued by similar thoughts in the immediate wake of the Pearl's events, and she'd been quick to comfort him (despite his insistence that she need not), telling him that his actions had saved the lives of many, and that he had freed his father from a terrible fate. And for a time, her assurances seemed to alleviate his guilt, and the couple had spent several joyous weeks together, simply basking in the other's presence.

Of course, that had been before her dearest father began parading every eligible high-class gentleman before Elizabeth, hoping she would decide on someone 'worthy of her attentions.' She had been unable to slip away to the forge - in fact, this was the first time she had seen Will in weeks. So he had been left in the company of the drunken Brown and Bess the donkey with nothing to distract him from his crushing guilt and tortured thoughts.

Thus, Elizabeth said the only thing that came to mind. "Will, when was the last time you had a day off?"

The metal Will held fell to the floor with a crash. "What?"

Elizabeth's mouth twitched as she struggled to hide a grin at Will's shocked expression. It was as though she had suggested that he kiss Jack Sparrow full on the mouth! "A day off," she repeated. "When was the last time you just did nothing?"

Will laughed exhaustedly. "I'm afraid I can't. I have work…orders to fill…" He fell to his knees to recover the dropped object.

"Just one day?" Elizabeth wheedled. "That's all I'm asking."

"Elizabeth, I'd love to…but I just can't…I can't neglect my work…"

"But you're neglecting your health!" she exclaimed.

Will made a move to stand, but apparently forgot about the workbench: his head collided against the wood with a loud thud.

Elizabeth winced. "I believe that proves my point."

Will backed away, his eyes smarting, muttering something that sounded distinctly like a curse. "Won't your father send people to look for you?"

"They can look, but they won't find me."

She held her breath for a few moments. Will finally nodded. "Alright."


Henry Babington could not remember a time when he had been more humiliated. In the space of one hour, the lovely Miss Swann had questioned his manhood, implied that a rabble of pirates would be more adept at running his company, and finished by stating that she would rather be courted by an undead monkey, just before storming out of the mansion.

And who had she rejected him for? A common, filthy blacksmith.

Despite the Governor's assurances that her infatuation with Turner was merely a passing fancy, Babington had informed him that he was in desperate need of a solution before taking his own leave.

He swallowed the remainder of his brandy and slammed the glass down on his polished wooden desk. Henry Babington was not a man who took rejection well. He would have Elizabeth Swann. And for that, he needed William Turner out of the way. But the boy had been granted clemency (which he clearly did not deserve…had it been Babington's decision, Turner would have been hanged for piracy).

He needed the Governor's cooperation is he was to make Turner vanish. But how to convince him…?

An unpleasant smile spread across his face. It was too simple: he only needed to exploit Swann's weakness…his daughter.

"Edwards!" he bellowed, calling his elite spy. While that particular profession was not a mandate for a respectable household, it certainly was useful.

"Keep an eye on Miss Swann," Babington demanded as soon as Edwards entered the study. "I want to know everything she does outside the mansion."

Yes, he would have Elizabeth Swann one way or another.


The scene was picturesque: the turquoise water, gently lapping against golden white sand, the beach surrounded by lush green vegetation, hidden from prying eyes. The image brought back countless memories of playing pirates, of swimming in the warm waters, of sneaking out at night to watch the stars…and of later years, of the day Will had told her that they could no longer see each other…of the many lonely hours spent on the soft sands, longing for the company of the one person she could not see.

And now, five years later, they were once again together. Elizabeth smiled fondly at Will's reclined form. He appeared to be asleep, though, as Elizabeth watched, the corner of his mouth quirked into a small half smile. "I can feel you staring," he said, opening one eye.

"How terribly rude of me," Elizabeth quipped. "Please accept my apologies." She leaned forward to brush her lips against his. One of his hands cupped her cheek; the other rested on her back. Elizabeth sighed and rested her forehead against his. "And to think, a few months ago, you couldn't even say my name."

"Never again, I promise you." They kissed again, more passionately this time. "Marry me," he whispered.

Elizabeth pulled back. "Will?"

"Elizabeth, I love you. I always have." He gently brushed the hair out of her face, staring deeply into her caramel eyes. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes…yes!" Elizabeth cried joyfully.

Will laughed delightedly. "I don't have a ring…"

Elizabeth kissed him deeply. "I don't need a ring." She trailed a hand down the side of his face, tracing every line and angle. Her fingers ran down to his tanned chest, brushing the open collar of his shirt aside to expose more skin. Her nails grazed over his bare shoulders…

To her surprise, Will pushed her away. "We can't."

Elizabeth lowered her eyes to her hands. "I - I haven't seen you in weeks. I don't know when I'll be able to see you again. While we have this time…I want to be with you as wholly as possible."

A work-roughened hand closed over her own. She raised her eyes to meet Will's loving gaze. "Are you sure?"

She smiled. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life."

Will hesitated only a moment before pulling her into a searing kiss, sliding his hands down to her waist to bring her closer.

Elizabeth lost track of time and reason, melting beneath her lover's gentle touches, reveling in the feeling of Will's warm body pressed into hers, lost in their own paradise.


Elizabeth sighed contentedly as she ran her fingers through Will's thick, dark hair. His head rested upon her breast, his deep, even breaths rustling his discarded shirt, now draped over Elizabeth's delicate form.

Elizabeth had decided to let him sleep after he had dozed off, allowing him to receive some much-needed rest.

She fondly contemplated her beloved. When she had been kidnapped, he would have moved heaven and earth to find her. And he was a wonderfully tender and gentle lover, she thought with a smile. She had only felt the slightest of pains when they were finally joined.

Will stirred slightly. "Did I fall asleep?" he mumbled.

"You did."

He closed his eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry."

She smiled. "You needed the rest. Besides," she added, "I liked watching you sleep."

His eyes remained closed as he rested on her chest, though a small half-grin spread over his face. "I can hear your heart."

"What's it saying?" Elizabeth teased.

"I wouldn't presume to tell you." He gently caught her hand and brought it to his lips. Elizabeth marveled, once again, at how well they fit…

Will sighed and lowered their clasped hands. "It's getting late. We should be heading back."

She pouted. "Must we?"

"The world continues to turn. They'll miss us." He lifted a had to her shoulder. "I'm going to need this back."

Elizabeth smirked seductively and lifted the shirt from her slender frame with a whisper of cloth against skin. She delicately dropped it in Will's lap, and then rose from the blanket to collect her clothes. Will continued to gaze at her with adoration.

She could feel his gaze as she slipped into her chemise, and giggled slightly. "Were you planning to dress at all? You would cause quite a stir if you returned like that." The young woman stifled a laugh: she could almost sense Will blushing.

Minutes later, she felt his strong arms wrap about her waist and his warm breath upon her neck. She sighed happily and leant back into his embrace.

Will kissed her slender neck, letting her scent of lavender and vanilla wash over him. "Thank you," he murmured.

Elizabeth tilted her head back, enjoying her fiance's - how wonderful that sounded!- attentions. At this moment in time, there was nothing outside of her lover's tender touch.

There is nothing on earth, Elizabeth thought, that could tear us apart.

TBC…

So! This is the revised version. Plenty more W/E for you guys! If you're a registered user and would like to review this (I know you can't review a chapter twice), please send me a private message. Hope you liked it!