Disclaimer: Will, Jack, Elizabeth, and Barbossa don't belong to me. They are the property of Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted, and Terry.

A/N: Thanks everyone for your reviews! I'm hoping to get over 400 this time. Just so you know, we are slowly but surely getting to the part where Will returns. The time jump should be in chapter sixteen, where the ten years are almost up! Sorry for the shorter chapter but school is very demanding. Keep reading and reviewing - it keeps me going.

In response to Em, who wants a William/Sammi fic - I actually have been thinking of writing a (relatively short) fic about them after this story is finished. I think it would take place eight or ten years later. What do you all think? Would you read it? Are you interested? Let me know. Now, on to the story!

Ch. 14: Consequences

That same night, while Sammi was eavesdropping on her parents, William was facing the wrath of his mother. Elizabeth had carried him through the cottage, letting him down only when they reached his room. Elizabeth stared at her son with blazing eyes as he changed clothes and climbed into bed.

"Why, William? Why did you do it?" she whispered, sitting down next to him on the bed. "Why didn't you tell me what was going on?" This soft, disappointed tone was much worse than yelling, William decided. In fact he'd preferred it if she yelled at him - he knew he deserved it.

"I wanted to tell you," William said in a small voice, his chin trembling. He sat up in bed so he could address his mother properly. "Really, I did. I just didn't want Sammi to get in trouble. I knew you would tell Uncle Jack if you knew that we were planning to sneak out. Sammi would've been so mad at me!" At that moment Elizabeth had to remind herself how young her son really was. He was usually so mature. Seven year-olds were allowed to make mistakes - she just didn't want him to make one so big that they'd never recover from it.

"William, if you told me that you were going to sneak out with Sammi, then yes, I would've told Uncle Jack and Aunt Ana," Elizabeth said sternly. "But wouldn't you rather Sammi get in trouble and be mad at you for a couple days, instead of her being kidnapped?"

"Yes," he said sadly. "I don't ever want her to get hurt." Elizabeth sighed, pushing her son's stray hairs away from his face.

"William, you must never go off by yourself without an adult. And for that matter, neither should Sammi. Especially at night when it's much more dangerous," she warned. "You know this!"

"I'm sorry, Mum," William sniffed, tears glistening in his honey brown eyes. "I promise I won't do it again." His eyes were so sincere, Elizabeth was reminded of Will yet again. Her heart began to ache for her husband's presence, and Elizabeth tried her hardest to banish thoughts of Will from her mind.

"William, you scared me tonight," Elizabeth said, blinking back tears. "What if it had been you the men had kidnapped?" She choked back a sob. "I don't know what I would've done if they took you from me! Since your father is away, you are my whole world, William." She hugged him fiercely, not wanting to let go. "I just want to protect you and shower you with love, but at the same time I know I must teach you the ways of the world. And unfortunately, our world is not always safe, as you learned tonight. But you should be safe if you listen to me and follow my advice." She gently kissed his forehead.

"So next time if the opportunity presents itself for you and Sammi to do something reckless, what will you do? Will you just do it without thinking about the consequences?"

"No!" William answered emphatically. "I'll be sure to ask you about it first before we do something I'm not sure is safe. I don't want what happened tonight to happen again; I've learned from my mistake."

"Good." Elizabeth gave her son a half-smile but her thoughts weren't there in that room with her son. What if she had been forced to give up the chest to save Sammi? What if Beckett wanted the immortality that went along with being the Captain of the Flying Dutchman? Could she let Will be killed, never to see him again? She wasn't so sure if she could give up her husband, even to save Sammi's life and that scared her. What would Jack say if he knew?

"Are you thinking about Father?" William's voice penetrated her thoughts.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, trying to push her worries and guilt away. He nodded.

"You've got that sad, serious look on your face. I don't like seeing you sad, Mum." Elizabeth knew that she had to pull herself together, to be strong for her son.

"Well, in a few years, we'll get your father back, and then I won't be sad anymore, will I?" She gave him an optimistic smile. "Now, you should get some sleep - tomorrow and sunday you'll be helping me organize and clean the cottage." William sighed miserably. He knew he deserved the punishment. At least he would get to see Sammi on monday at school.

"I love you, Mum." William gave his mother one last hug, glad that she wasn't still angry.

"I love you too, son. No matter what." Elizabeth kissed him goodnight, and he was left in darkness.

333

Mrs. Turner didn't return to her bedroom. Instead, she headed for the basement. Walking to the very end of the underground space, she opened a secret compartment in the floor and took out the Dead Man's Chest. She sat down with her back against a wall, holding the chest in her lap. Using the key that hung around her neck, Elizabeth unlocked the chest. It opened with a resounding bang. There it was before her - her husband's living heart. She closed her eyes, just listening to the strong thump-thumping. Will's steady heartbeat helped to calm her down, but her worries still persisted.

"Oh, Will," she sighed, looking down at his throbbing heart. "I miss you so much. I really could've used your help today with our son." She recounted the events of the night. "We saved Sammi from the EITC agents, but I can't help but think about what would've happened if we had to give them the chest. I promised you that I'd keep it safe, and I don't intend on breaking that promise. I'm just so afraid, Will! Afraid something will prevent you from being freed from the curse. I don't think I could live without you for another decade." Then she was silent, contemplating that very real possibility. It was too much to heavy to think about so very early in the morning, and Elizabeth couldn't help but break down. She didn't know how long she sat there sobbing, clutching the chest. It was the only link to Will that she had, other than her son, of course. She certainly hadn't cried this hard in a long time. Thankfully, her tears eventually subsided.

"I love you so much, Will," she sniffed, wiping her eyes. "In the years that we've been apart, my love for you hasn't faded. If anything, I love you more than I ever did. In my case, it seems, that absence really does make the heart grow fonder." She swallowed her tears, pushing her grief away.

"You should see our son, Will. He is so much like you it amazes me. And not just physically, either. Even though he's never met you, his demeanor is so similar to yours. He's only seven, and yet he already thinks it's his job to protect little Sammi Sparrow." Elizabeth chuckled to herself. "I can't wait until you see how Jack has adjusted to family life. Yes, Will - he's done the unthinkable. He actually committed himself to one woman! AnaMaria and I have grown close over the years, just as Sammi has with William. Jack is such a natural father to Sammi, just as I know you will be with William. And thanks to Jack's influence, I'm afraid we've got another notorious Sparrow on our hands..." Elizabeth continued to talk to the chest for a good while. It didn't matter that Will didn't hear her - it still helped Elizabeth to vent. She ended on a wistful note.

"I hope that wherever you are, that you can just hold on for a couple more years. Because, I'm waiting for you, Will. I've been faithful. And I know, deep within my heart, that you have been faithful to me. I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to get to Shipwreck Island on our ten year anniversary so that you will be free. I have to believe that we will be together again on that day. I hope that on that day you'll be able to take me in your arms, a mortal man once more. I want you returned to me, just as kind and caring and brave as you were on that day we were married. All I want, Will, is your love." Elizabeth paused, just imagining how it would feel to be in Will's arms. "I hope all is well on the Dutchman, and with your father. I will see you soon, Will. That's a promise."

Elizabeth placed her hand over her heart, and closed her eyes as she pictured his handsome image in her mind. Then, before she could change her mind, she slammed the lid shut and placed the chest back where it belonged. She returned to bed and dreamt of William Turner, the compassionate new captain of the Flying Dutchman, who assured lost souls they didn't have to fear death nor his wrath.

333

The following day, Jack returned from interrogating the EITC agents just in time for breakfast. He gave Ana a quick peck on the lips before he took a seat beside her at the kitchen table.

"Where's Sammi?" Jack asked, helping himself to some bread and jam.

"She's upstairs cleaning her room," said Ana. "So, how did it go?" Jack shrugged.

"They didn't feel like talking much, but their tongues loosened considerably when I threatened to break their fingers." Jack smiled grimly. "They told me they were working for Beckett, who sent them out here after the chest. Beckett instructed them to kidnap Sammi, William, or both, to use as bargaining chips for the chest." Ana inhaled sharply.

"Did they say how Beckett knew about Sammi and William?" Regretfully, Jack shook his head.

"They were mum on that, I'm afraid. More than likely, Beckett didn't ever mention it."

"Did they explain why Beckett wanted the chest?" Ana continued to press him for details.

"They said the chest would help Beckett eliminate the scourge of pirates from the seas, thus avenging the death of his dear old brother, Cutler. It's just as we feared, Ana." Jack sighed, putting his head in his hands.

"At least they didn't say that Beckett wanted to stab the heart," Ana said with a smile. "That's good news, isn't it?"

"Not entirely," said Jack, looking up at her with serious eyes. "I doubt that Beckett would be fool enough to tell them that stabbing the heart would give the person immortality. It's probably more likely he never told them why he needed the chest in the first place," he cautioned. "Otherwise, Beckett would be afraid one of them would stab the heart, thus stealing his chance for immortality."

"Oh," she sighed glumly. "I didn't think of that. What did you do with the kidnappers? Did you leave them in the Pearl's brig?" Jack shook his head no.

"After I gave both of them a good kick where it really hurts, I turned 'em over to the magistrate. He's going to keep them locked up for kidnapping for over two years, as a favor to me. I made him promise not to let them go until Will returns."

"That's good at least," said Ana, sighing. "I just wish I could've questioned those men with you."

"I would've brought you along, but someone had to stay home with Sammi," Jack pointed out.

"Pity - I would've enjoyed threatening those men who dared kidnap my daughter," Ana said wistfully. "Speaking of Sammi, she asked me about this this morning." Ana pointed to her slightly protruding stomach. "I told her that mum was getting fat, but I don't think she believed me. Should we go ahead and tell her, Jack?"

"I don't know," he whispered, taking hold of Ana's hands with his own. "What if something goes wrong? How are we to explain it?"

"We'll do the best we can," Ana reassured him. "But I feel like I did when I had Sammi, and not like I did with the others. Jack, I think that this time, we might have a good chance for success."

"Well then, there's no reason why we shouldn't tell her," Jack reasoned, smiling at his love. He kissed her gently, his mouth stifling her sigh of pleasure. Ana deepened the kiss, causing Jack to moan softly.

"Tell me what?" A loud, high-pitched voice asked. Jack and Ana quickly jumped apart.

"How long have you been standing there?" Jack asked. "Oh, never mind." He pulled Sammi into his lap. "Your mother and I were just going to tell you that you're going to be a big sister."

"Is Father telling the truth?" Sammi asked her mother, who laughed and nodded.

"Yes!" Sammi screamed, jumping out of her father's lap and running around the table in pure joy.

"Why Sammi, I'm hurt you think I would lie about a thing like that." Jack pouted, and pretended to cry, which drew an eyeroll from both AnaMaria and Sammi.

"I've got to tell William about this," Sammi breathed.

"You'll just have to wait until monday I'm afraid," Jack teased her. "Just think, if you hadn't snuck out, you could be telling William about it right now!"

"Jack, don't tease her," Ana scolded. Jack scoffed.

"I can tease her all I want if it proves a point," he argued as Sammi stuck her tongue out at him.

Sammi had to do a seemingly endless list of chores that weekend as as her punishment for sneaking out. But the thought of a little brother or little sister made the chores much more bearable. Before she knew it, Monday had arrived and she was able to share her news with William.

"Guess what! Guess what?" Sammi shrieked as she saw him come flying towards her.

"Good to see you too," William teased, giving his friend a hug. Ana and Elizabeth walked behind them as they made the journey to the schoolhouse.

"Will you just guess?" Sammi huffed. "What have I been wanting for a long long time?" William thought about it.

"Sword-fighting lessons?" Sammi sighed.

"No! That's what you have been wanting! Not that I wouldn't like sword-fighting lessons, I would, but I'd much rather have-"

"Just tell me," William pleaded as they neared the school house. Sammi beamed at him.

"I'm going to be a big sister!"

"Wow!" William exclaimed. "That's great, Sammi."

"I know, isn't it?" she gloated. "I kept asking my parents for a brother or sister and they finally they got me one!" Sammi grinned, an idea forming in her head. "Why don't you ask your mum for a baby brother or sister?" William shrugged.

"I would but I don't think she wants to have a baby when my father's not here. But when he comes back, I'll be sure to ask her." Sammi chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully, remembering what else she needed to talk to him about.

"I have something else to tell you, William. And it's-" Sammi stopped short as Elizabeth came closer to them, to kiss her son goodbye. "It's something I'll tell you at recess," Sammi finished.

"What were you going to tell him?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously. But Sammi just winked at her, not taking the bait.

"As me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies." And before Elizabeth could say anything more, Sammi ran inside the schoolhouse where she couldn't be bothered. William kissed his mother on the cheek and then followed Sammi inside. Elizabeth couldn't help but think that Sammi was turning out more and more like her father everyday. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing...

333

Meanwhile, inside the schoolhouse, Miss Dijon was calling for order. When she had all of her pupils' attention, she proceeded to tell them about a change in schedule for the next day.

"...And since the roof is being fixed tomorrow morning, we can't be holding lessons in here," she finished explaining. "Does anyone have any suggestions where they think we should go?" Miss Dijon saw one little girl's hand go up before all the rest.

"Yes, Sammi?" The teacher smiled at her. "What do you suggest?"

"I think that we should go to the library," the girl announced. "It would be very educational, and they're bound to have a much bigger selection of books to read than you do."

"That's true," the teacher admitted. "Well, you've got me convinced. Tomorrow, we'll all go to the library." William looked quizzically at Sammi, but she just smiled mysteriously. He had to wait until lunch to find out why in the world Sammi wanted to visit the library. William knew that it was for her own gain, but he couldn't figure out why she'd want to go to the library. The school day dragged on and on, and due to the sweltering heat, it was difficult for William to concentrate on his addition tables. Finally, a respite arrived in the form of lunch.

Sammi and William sat with David and his friends, munching on their lunches as they told the boys what had happened with the Callahan brothers in the woods. The boys were sympathetic, but Sammi didn't care about that right now. All she wanted was to tell William about what she'd overheard her parents talking about. Thankfully, she got her chance. David and his friends got up to go race, leaving Sammi alone with William.

"Why are we going to the library?" William asked immediately. Sammi grinned at her best friend.

"We need to do a little research. You see, I just remembered my mum talking about the chest way before the night I was kidnapped." William's eyes grew wide.

"Really? How can that be?" Sammi shrugged.

"It was on the night that I asked my father about Davy Jones. I think that Jones and the chest are related somehow, based on what my mum said." William frowned thoughfully.

"So we're going to research Davy Jones, in hopes we'll find something that will explain why this chest is so valuable?" Sammi nodded. "Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me something?" William watched her reaction carefully. Sammi settled for a half-truth.

"When I overheard mum was arguing with dad, she said that she was afraid I would tell you about Jones and the chest." William laughed.

"Oh, is that all? My mother doesn't want me to know about this Jones fellow, so your mum doesn't want you to tell me anything about him. It's understandable"

Sammi sighed. She didn't want tell him about the suspected connection between the chest and his absent father. Or that she'd heard her mum say that they had the chest and it was hidden on this very island. Not yet. She had to wait until the opportune moment, and that was when they had more information on Davy Jones and the chest. As Sammi joined William and the other boys in races, all she could think about was tomorrow's trip to the library!

End Ch. 14

A/N: (Off topic) I am so psyched about the last HP book! But, if anyone wants to talk about it, please don't say anything in your reviews, other than "I liked it", or "I hated it." I want everyone to remain as spoiler free as possible. If you want to talk specifics, feel free to PM me! And let me say in advance that I don't think Harry will die!