A/N: So here's chapter 3. I want to give a huge thank you to my beta PirateRN. You are awesome! You really helped me with my wordings. Well, I'll stop now and let you get to the chapter. Oh! Please Review!!!

"Gillette, fetch some irons!" James exclaimed bitterly. Will wrenched his wrist out of James's grasp with ease. The naval guards quickly surrounded him, anticipating his escape attempt. Yet to everyone's surprise Will remained at James's side, calm yet notably disgusted.

I couldn't take in the scene another moment! Did James have no sense of decorum? I stepped in front of Will, "I really must protest, James. Pirate or not, this man saved my life!"

Gillette came forward and began to handcuff Will. It took all my strength not to jump between them. I had an overwhelming feeling to protect Will.

James looked at me and softly replied, "One good deed is not enough to redeem him of a lifetime of wickedness."

"Though it seems enough to condemn a man," Will sarcastically said under his breath.

I turned and gave him a look of warning. Now was not the time to be mouthing off to an officer. I looked back to James, "Look at him! He is of my age. His life has barely begun and you wish to lock him up!"

"Take him away," James nonchalantly commanded, promptly ignoring my outburst. Gillette and Grover began leading Will back towards the naval base.

"James—," He cut me off.

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. The law is the law," he stated simply.

I glared at him; my eyes revealing the hurt in his disregard of my feelings. Seeing him reflect momentarily then stare defiantly back at me, I turned quickly in hopes of catching the soldiers. James grabbed my arm. "Elizabeth, you should stay away from him. He's dangerous."

I pulled my arm roughly from his hand, "I trust him." I ran towards the naval men escorting Will and abruptly stepped in front of them. "I need a moment alone with the prisoner." They looked at me with utter confusion. "Now!" I snapped. When they still did not move, I looked towards James and pleaded. "He saved my life, the least I can do is thank him without an audience." James rolled his eyes and motioned for the soldiers to step aside. Once clear, I smiled sweetly at Will, trying to put on my best outward show of appreciation, and whispered, "I'll figure out a way to set you free, I promise."

Will shook his head grinning, "Elizabeth, I am a pirate. They're not going to just grant me pardon. You shouldn't worry about me."

I reached up and touched his face. He surprised me by leaning into my hand and closing his eyes. I saw James take note of his gesture, "Here sir let me help you wipe that from your face." I stated loudly, now tracing Will's cheek with my thumb. "I have to try. You saved my life. The least I can do is return the favor." I quietly murmured.

His grin softened to an adorable smile. "Thank you, Elizabeth," he said quietly. He turned his face and placed his soft lips on the palm of my hand. His dark eyes met mine, and I felt a moment of despair as his lips left my skin. "But do not worry. I've been in far worse conditions." He replied with an airy confidence.

Grover and Gillette came over and took him roughly by the arms guiding him back towards the base. I stood still for a moment, still caught up with the feeling of his lips on my skin. James took my elbow and turned me to face him. I stared blankly at him for a moment, then couldn't stand to look at him another minute. Tearing my arm from his grasp, I ran back towards the courtyard. Hot tears spilled over my cheeks as I quickly stepped into my carriage and ordered to be taken home.

"But, Father, he saved my life! You cannot allow this injustice!" I replied, trailing my father through the manor.

"Elizabeth, he has been branded by the East India Trading Company," My father sighed. "This means he has done some great crime or a multitude of offenses to warrant such a mark."

"But you don't know that for certain!" I retorted. "He could have been marked by mere association!"

"It does not matter," he turned to me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Even to be connected to piracy is a crime."

I contemplated his reasoning for a moment then was unable to contain myself. "This is utterly ridiculous. He did nothing wrong! I cannot let him suffer and die for showing mercy upon me!"

My father smiled sympathetically, "I understand sweetheart, but there is nothing that can be done. It is decree that all pirates hang by the noose. His fate has been decided."

Once again I started to cry, "You are the Governor of Port Royal, surely you can do something!"

He shook his head, taking me into his arms. "My hands are tied darling. Tomorrow he will be sentenced and in a few days he will hang."

I looked up from his shoulder, "You mean he will not be executed tomorrow?"

He released me and began shuffling some papers on his desk. "The gallows have to be rebuilt. The wood had begun to decompose and it was no longer stable."

A few days, I thought. That wonderful rotten wood had bought me some time. I had to help Will escape! I wouldn't let James or some silly decree end his life without just cause.

"Then I wish to see him," I exclaimed. Father looked up from his desk, "I mean…to help him…repent! Yes! I want to help him father, and if I can't save his life then at least allow me to save his soul!"

He frowned and went back to his paperwork, "Elizabeth that would not be safe."

I moved closer to his desk, "He saved me father. Please allow me to do the same for him! As a devote Christian I see it as my duty."

He sighed, taking a moment for contemplation, "I can see your point…all right. You can see him, but he will remain behind bars. He may have saved you, but he is still a pirate and cannot be trusted."

"Thank you father." I could hardly contain my smile as I left his office. I had just been granted to see Will daily, and with both our minds at work his freedom was practically secured.

That night I could hardly focus on my book. My mind was reeling with the past day's events. Estella entered my room and sat next to me on the bed. I looked up from my book and when she didn't respond I did, "What?"

"Have you answered James yet?" She asked without missing a beat.

"About his proposal?" She nodded. I shook my head, and looked to buy myself some time. "No, matters like this take great contemplation, I fear my answer will take a few days."

"Why?" she asked, frowning. I rolled my eyes and gave up my ruse,

"I have no wish to even speak to him at the moment, and I certainly do not want to marry him… ever," I sighed.

"He is a good man Elizabeth, He would be able to provide and care for you, we should all wish to be so lucky." Estella said causally avoiding addressing me directly.

I narrowed my eyes, "Did father put you up to this?.

She began to fidget, "Of course not, Miss Swann."

I raised my eyebrows, "You're a terrible liar."

She let out a huff, "I know, but it would be a fine match; you and the Commodore."

"I don't care," I said, placing my book on the side table. "I do not care about James. He is a coward. He finds it much easier to follow decree than to take honor in standing up for what he knows is right."

Estella now narrowed her eyes at me. "Might this have something to do with the fact that Commodore Norrington happened to put a very dashing pirate in jail today for the crime of saving your life? If it's not too bold to ask?"

I smiled pointedly at Estella, "It may have something to do with Will."

"Will?" she asked, confused.

I nodded, "His name is Will Turner. Oh, Estella, you should have seen him! His hair was long and soft with gorgeous brown eyes to match. He was strong willed and handsome. He looks exactly like I've always pictured a pirate. Although instead of being fierce and cruel he was sensitive and endearing. He treated me as an equal instead of giving me some false bravado. He was perfect."

Estella gave me a teasing grin. "What?" I asked.

"I think, Miss Swann, that you have fallen for a pirate," she said simply.

I was shocked. These feeling couldn't be love, it was mere infatuation... But what if Estella was right? The more I thought about it the more I realized that Will meant the world to me. That his simple act of kindness today was one of the greatest moments of my life. I smiled; of course!

"I'm in love with a pirate."