Title: My Heart Goes Ever On

Summary: Decisions made will effect everyone. Who will Elizabeth choose in the end?

Disclaimer: I do not own them.

A/N: Yes it is an AU fic.

Chapter 4

Jack and his crew were sailing off into a place that no one knew of lest they had been there. This place was much like the Isle de Muerta as it too was secretive. Yes, you could stumble across it, but that would be a dire mistake for most. Those who dared to enter this place, better have a bargaining chip to offer, lest they find themselves forever held in this place where time seemed to stand still.

Jack had no such offering, but he did have a good standing with Tia, or at least he hoped so as he and his crew paddled the small dingy towards the lit up entrance. Elizabeth had always found this place creepy to say the least, People stood and stared, as if they were made of wax, or some other thing, but they never moved. She wondered why these people stood outside, when they could be warm and safe inside their own homes, but they seemed as if they were the vanguards of Tia Dalama and she would not question them, she did not dare.

"Come along, we don't want to dwaddle outside."

Will turned to Jack as he tied up the small boat. "Why?"

"Better to not ask questions here young William. You may not want to know the truth." That convinced Will to tie a bit faster and follow Jack into the small house. Jack had went ahead, along with Gibbs, but Elizabeth stared at the house as if she were afraid to go inside. "What is it?" he asked, giving her his hand to step up.

"I do not like this place. I feel ..."

Will continued to help Elizabeth up the stairs, as she had taken to looking quite haggard the past couple of weeks. "You feel what?"

Elizabeth stood at the door, ready to enter, but she paused. "I feel like it knows me. Like it can read what I am thinking, and I do not like it."

Will nodded his head in understanding. Some secrets were best left unsaid. Opening the door for her Will followed her in, and they found Jack already seated. "Ahhh William Turner returns with his lady love."

"Greetings Mrs. Dalama," Will said in response.

This made Jack drop his bottle, and Gibbs stared as in disbelief. Tia laughed at them both before turning to face a now bewildered Will. "There has never been, nor shall there ever be reason to call me such. Tia likes her men as she likes herself free to do as they please. Free to take what they wish, and give pleasures to me."

Elizabeth cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. This is when Tia Dalama noticed her. "I see that you Mrs. Norrington did marry your betrothed."

"How did you know?"

"Tia knows many things, and she knows many things you have yet to speak of." Elizabeth's eyes grew wide. Tia knew, but how? She hadn't told anyone, and both Jack and Will seemed oblivious to it, thinking her only a bit sea sick. As if reading her mind Tia spoke again. "Tia knows not to reveal secrets that do not wish to be revealed. All in good time the truth shall be known."

Elizabeth seemed to calm after that, and sat down, taking the offered glass of water. She smelled it first, making sure it was not alcohol, for she trusted no cup in the vicinity of Jack Sparrow. "We shall now discuss what it is that brought you to me Jack. Is it that you wish to pledge yourself to me?"

Jack smiled, a friendly smile, and yet he backed away. "My only love is the sea I am afraid, though you do look lovely tonight. I came to ask a small favor."

"Do you have payment for such a favor?" Tia asked, taking a seat at the table.

"I ... well, I have no payment now, but I was hoping since we were old mates," Jack stuttered.

"No payment means no favor. You know this Jack."

"We shall be on our way then. Sorry to bother you."

Will stood up from his seat. "Are you mad? Norrington will find us within a day on the open sea. We do not stand a chance unless we find some out of the way place to hide for a while."

"You heard the lady, no payment, no help. So unless you have some magical trinket in your knickers there we shall be going."

Will reached in his pocket, and slammed down the small box on the table. "Will this do?"

Tia picked up the box, opening it to peer inside. A diamond ring with a emerald on each side lay on the small satin pillow. "This will do yes."

"Where did you? What was it for?" Elizabeth questioned.

It was for someone, but it matters not now. If it means we can be safe then I gladly give it up."

An hour later the crew was well on its way again. They would stop in Tortuga which was only a short sail away, and then they were headed back to the island that Jack had been marooned on. There they would be safe for a bit, for the island was not known to be inhabitable.

Once the boat was tied down, the crew of three departed, leaving Jack, Will and Elizabeth to wander into Tortuga alone. Everyone was instructed to gather what they could and to meet back at the boat in one hour. "Just how are we to pay for these things?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack turned, a grin on his face. "We are pirates young Mrs. Norrington. We take what we can get, and give nothing back, it is the pirates way."

"You mean we are to steal!" Elizabeth yelled, aghast at the very idea.

"William, if you would keep your lady love there from yelling out our plans." He then approached Elizabeth. "We will be procuring the items that we need. If you find our methods less than honorable you are more than welcome to wait here for Woldsworth to come for you."

Elizabeth was enraged, but she also knew she had no choice but to follow.

By the time they were returning to the boat Elizabeth's hands were full with a couple of hammers, a bucket of nails, and several gowns. She handed these things off to Gibbs who was still muttering under his breath. "I send you for vital things and you come back with these?" Jack questioned.

Elizabeth crossed her arms, one hammer still in her hands as they stood outside the boat on the docks. "I will not be stranded on some island without a change of clothing. You may enjoy less than admirable hygiene but I do not."

"And what of the hammer then miss? Do you plan on building us a house while you are there as well?" Jack was laughing, but Elizabeth was pissed.

"I'll have you know if I put my mind to it I can indeed build a house. What do you plan on doing sleeping underneath the stars each night?"

Jack was about to reply when a drunken sailor walked by, grabbing Elizabeth's bottom while saying something quite vulgar. Her reaction was immediate as she swung the hammer, bashing him in the head. She turned back around to face Jack, waiting for his answer. "It seems you have procured yourself a weapon Mrs. Norrington, that is a good asset."

The Black Pearl shoved off just as another ship was coming into the harbor from the eastern side. "Weigh anchor men. We shall be going ashore here. Find out any information that you can, but be leery these are not the sorts of people you would wish to cross."

Norrington stepped back into the small room where Woldsworth was still struggling to get free. "We have made berth. I will be sending someone to fetch you from the ship while we are collecting what we need to find Jack Sparrow."

"You will be court-marshaled for this! I will have your title, your home, your life!"

"Seeing as I am the one here with the advantage I shall leave you to your delusions. Good day Mr. Woldsworth." Norrington left the small room, and headed ashore.

Norrignton's first stop was the local pub, if you could call it that. Inside were miscreants of ever shape and form, and none he would call reliable by any means. Several of the had slapped him upon the mention of the name Jack Sparrow. When his first mate went to ask, he waved him off. "Do not dare to think I would lower myself to take bed with one of these females."

An hour later James was getting worried. He had followed several leads to people who said they had seen Jack but none knew where he was headed. James was now sitting back in the pub, his head throbbing, his thoughts wondering how Elizabeth fared.

A very rotund man eased his way past a brawl in the adjacent room and took a seat opposite Norrington. "So, I hear you are looking for Jack."

Norrington lifted his head up to see a man who hadn't shaved in many days, and smelt highly of filth and booze. "If you do not have a strong lead then I would wander away from here. I am in no mood for trivial quests for more money."

The man stood, getting ready to leave, but as he did he stopped. "I just thought you would be interested to know their destination before they came here. I don't know where they are headed but perhaps she does."

Norrington was quick, his blade at the man's throat. "You will tell me where my wife is, or you shall die knowing the answer. Either way makes no difference to me."

"That was your wife?" the man asked, a smile coming over his face.

Norrington took the smile to mean something else, and his blade brought blood. "If you have harmed her your answer will not matter for I will kill you here and now."

The man twisted and turned till he could feel the blade growing tighter to his neck. "All right I'll tell you. They are headed to that swamp witch Tia Dalama's."

Norrington released his hold on the man a bit. "Where would I find such a place?" When the man did not answer he again felt the small trickle of blood running down his neck.

"Fine I will tell you!" He wrote down the heading for Norrington, and turned to flee. "I never touched your wife, but you can be assured that she will not be safe long in the company of Jack Sparrow. Norrington couldn't bear to think of anything or anyone harming Elizabeth. He had loved her for too long to have her taken by such as the likes of Jack Sparrow. Had he touched her he would die, yes, but a slow death.

James Norrington was not a fearful man, but he knew that this was not a place for respectable men to be going. His sword was at his side, but he pulled the small pistol even closer. This place was dark, dank, and felt like he had rowed into some place out of time. He was about to turn back despite his desire to find Tia Dalama when he saw a light off in the distance. Sighing, he took a deep breath and rowed faster. He just hoped that his ship and crew would still be waiting for him when he returned, if he returned.

He had only taken a step towards the door when it opened and a very strange looking woman stepped out. He took out his sword, ready to meet any foes she would send, but instead she turned and walked back inside, leaving the door opened. Norrington took the stairs two at a time, slowing when he got to the door. He peered inside at was on alert immediately.

Jars hung from the ceiling, some containing parts of animals, some human eyes. James wandered just what he come to. Perhaps he man had led him here to be killed. He was about to get back in his boat and try to make an escape when Tia spoke. "It is rude not to accept an invitation in when it is given James Norrington."

James took a step back, "How did you know my name?"

"I make it my business to know of the comings and goings here. Your wife has spoken of you."

This prompted Norrington inside, his sword drawn. "You know of Elizabeth? What harm have you brought to her?"

A man entered the room, and shoved Norrington into a chair, then leaving he closed the door behind him. "There was no harm brought to the one you love, though I cannot say that you have not harmed her in some way."

Norrington gasped. "I would never harm her. You speak in riddles and I want answers!" He peered across the table. He didn't know where the man went, and his back was to the door, unable to see him if he entered again. "If you are to kill me then go ahead, otherwise I will be leaving here before you can utter more nonsense."

"Tia Dalama speaks only the truth."

"What truth. If you can see all then you would know I have never harmed my wife, and would kill anyone who did. You know nothing, and are but a fraud."

Norrington had almost made it to the door, furious with himself for having wasted so much time in his hunt for Elizabeth to follow this lead. As is hand reached for the doorknob he halted in his tracks. "There is more ways to harm someone without drawing blood."

"Just say what you mean for the love of God!" Norrington had no patience left. For months now he had yearned for nothing more than to see Elizabeth, to feel her skin, to see her eyes peering into his and to know she was safe. "I am sorry. I did not mean to offend, I am just tired and this has been a useless trip that has cost me many days in my hunt to find her."

"You will find what you seek if you follow your heart." Tia said, a smile on her face now, one that scared James a bit if he had to admit it.

"Where shall I follow it?' he asked, praying she would answer.

Tia came to stand by him, a hand upon his heart. "You will go back to your ship and search where you have found Jack before. When you get there be leery for you shall come across your wife indeed, but you may encounter someone you have yet to meet."

Norrington smiled a small bit, and thanked Tia for her information, but before he left he had to ask. "What did you mean I had harmed Elizabeth? Is it because of what I have done to Woldsworth? Will there be a retaliation for my actions?"

Tia walked to the table and took a seat, gesturing for Norrington to do the same. Only after he was seated did Tia began to speak. "You have a love like no other, but a ship is no place for a woman."

"Elizabeth has sailed before, and a right good sailor she was if I am not mistaken. Why would being on a ship bring her any harm?"

Tia stood again, bringing Norrington to his feet. She motioned for him to remain seated but he didn't. "A ship is no place for a child to be born young James."

"A child? What are you talking about. Sure, Elizabeth is young, but she is far from a child." Tia continued to smile at him, and then it struck Norrington to true nature of what she meant. "Do you mean ... how?"

"You will make a fine father, if you can get over your lack of verbal skills. Go, go and find your wife, for time draws nearer to your child coming."

Norrington felt his legs waver beneath him, and he sank to the floor. "Are you saying? You mean that I ...," and the tears started to flow. He was so happy, and yet he now felt even more lost. Now Elizabeth was out there, and she was carrying his child. Tia helped him up, and opened the door for him ushering him outside. He didn't even realize the door had closed behind him till he found himself standing in the small dingy again.

Norrington wiped the tears from his eyes. He was going to be a father. His mission now was to find Elizabeth before the baby was born, and he had a short time to do that in. Taking the paddle he rowed back to his boat, calling out orders before he even got back on board. "Heave anchor, raise the sails and be quick about it!"

No one dared ask him what the new found hurry was, for there he was still barking out orders but now a small smile had settled on his face.