Elizabeth sat on the dark, sandy beach, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. She ran her fingers through the sand, staring out across the twilit bay and thinking about the past.

When had things gotten so complicated? In Port Royale it had all been so simple - she had money, prospects and the admiration of a quiet young man named Will. She chuckled to herself, remembering how awkward he had been at first. They had grown up together, but still couldn't seem to get past the social barriers put in their way. Until she'd been captured by pirates. After that things had never quite been the same again. She had experienced more than most people did in a lifetime. She had sailed to the ends of the earth, she had helped to lift age-old curses, and more importantly she had experienced what it was to love and be loved unconditionally. But somehow it had all changed in the blink of an eye. Somehow she had gone from carefree and in love, to a single parent with a million responsibilities. It was never easy anymore.

Will. She sighed. She would not change him for world. He knew her better than anyone else, perhaps better than she even did, and he could weaken her knees with the slightest touch. Watching him walk away on the beach had been the hardest thing she had ever done, and it was only made worse by the waiting - he was so close yet forever out of reach. Every green flash reminded her of their love - a love that she was going to fight for.

And then there was William. He was her rock through all the times - both bad and good. He could cheer her up in an instant and was a constant reminder that no matter how far away Will was, a piece of him remained. He helped her to look for the positive, hopeful side of their situation, reminding her that ten years apart was much better than a lifetime.

She had sheltered him, that was true, not wanting him to gain false hope or unrealistic images of what life could be. She wanted him to experience a real upbringing, one that would teach him the importance of family and honesty - that second trait was the reason she had kept him away from piracy for all these years. Pirates may have been good people, but they certainly weren't honest and 'Captain' Jack was the living proof. He would have gladly sold his soul for immortality and instead it was Will who had gone down with the ship. Jack had stood there holding the heart yet did nothing. It was a bitter fate for anyone, let alone someone as good and noble as Will.

Did she blame Jack for Will's death? At first, yes, but perhaps she had learnt to live with what had happened. Perhaps she had been forced to - having a child left no room for grudges. As soon as she had realised she was pregnant everything had changed. She had stopped moping about, had found a job, built a proper home and gone about starting a new life for her family. A life that Will could come back to after ten years away - that was the agreement that she had made. Calypso had promised.

William was only one when she had come to visit and too young to remember. Elizabeth on the other hand remembered that meeting as if it were yesterday. She had been sat on the beach (much like she was now), a book in one hand, watching William crawl in the sand. Calypso had simply walked up through the waves and out of the ocean, fully restored to her human form. Elizabeth had practically cried out in shock but had not moved. She was suspicious of this woman - goddess - whatever she was. Calypso had strolled straight up to her, taking a seat on the sand and cooing over William. Elizabeth's impulse had been to snatch him away but she had restrained herself, wanting to hear this vile creature out.

"I want to make amends." was all she had said. Elizabeth snorted sarcastically.

"Make amends? You had your chance to do that two years ago but you didn't. You betrayed me and my people. Why should I trust you now?" Calypso had looked out to the sea, a look of sadness on her face that had caused Elizabeth to shudder.

"Because I know what it is to love" she had croaked, "and I know what it is to say goodbye, and I know what it is you crave."

She looked down at William. "This boy deserves to know his father," before turning to stare at Elizabeth, "and you deserve a second chance. You must believe me, Turner's life was never part of my plan. I did not foresee such tragedy in the winds. I want to put the natural order right or I cannot go on. I must set things straight for good."

Elizabeth had sat silent for a while before nodding, leaving Calypso to set out her basic terms - all she had to do was stay faithful to Will for ten years and he would be free. That was it. She smiled now, marvelling at the simplicity of the task. She had never once faltered or been tempted to look elsewhere. She only ever had eyes for Will and, whilst the ten years had been a trial without him, she was content in the knowledge that she could bring him back.

Until the night before when there had been no flash. Not in the ten years he had been away had Will missed a crossing on the first of the month. She knew something was wrong and she knew that he needed her help. But perhaps this 'quest' was going to be more difficult than she had imagined. Even if a crew did show up tomorrow she still had to trust Jack to lead her in the right direction.

She also had the added complication of William. He already bore so much responsibility at such a young age and she had a feeling that the next few weeks would require him to grow up faster than either of them had anticipated. She had a lot of explaining to do, but he was a smart lad and she was sure he would take it all in his stride - starting with the fact that she was actually the Pirate King. She could not save Will without him but felt somewhat guilty. Was she robbing him of his childhood?

She didn't have anymore time to ponder the question before William came bounding along the beach towards her.

"Mother! Uncle Jack just taught me a game. Will you come and play with us? Pleeeeease?" He pleaded. Elizabeth smiled, standing up to meet him and taking his hand.

"Of course my love." She replied before they took off down the beach towards the candle-lit house on the sea-front.

"Uncle Jack, hey?" she teased.

'Yes', she thought to herself, 'he's going to be just fine.'