~*A/N: So, I'm not writing this in, but just so you know, Will is staying in Swan Manor, in a room separate from Elizabeth's. Things are gonna get fun in this chapter ^^ *~
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Changes in the Wind
Chapter 3: What You Were Born For
Will, Governor Swan and Elizabeth sat in the study with glasses of brandy, musing over the hard day's events.
"Well, the Commodore looked well didn't he? I hear that the queen is looking into knighting him. Wouldn't that be incredible?" Governor Swan said cheerily, his eyes slightly glazed over as he poured his third glass of brandy, swiftly gulping it down.
"Yes, father, he looked wonderful…" Elizabeth said dryly, staring into the fire. Will stayed silent, turning the page of his book.
"Well, I think I will retire now, I do believe I've had enough to drink." Swan stammered, getting to his feet and tottering to his quarters.
"I'm never going to be good enough for him, am I?" Will asked after a long silence. Elizabeth looked up from her fire gazing and eyed Will curiously.
"What does it matter? You're not marrying him now are you?" Elizabeth smirked.
"Don't make light of the situation Elizabeth." Will snapped, his eyes flashing as he looked up at her, "I've tried everything to impress that man. I quit working at the smith, I obliged to be the captain of his ship, and I found one of the best coco farms in all of Spain that I can build a fortune off of and support you for years to come. What more does that man want from me?" Elizabeth bit the corner of her lip as Will started pacing the room.
"You've spent so much effort on trying to impress my father that you seem to have forgotten about what I care about…" Elizabeth muttered getting up and putting the brandy flagon back on its cart.
"What? I'm doing all of this for you Elizabeth!" Will said in disbelief.
"Yes, Will, but you're changing." Elizabeth said calmly, turning to face him, "I fell in love with the care free blacksmith Will Turner. I would have been happy to throw away my dowry and live a simpleton's life with you in the slums of Port Royal. But you decided to change into something you weren't born for." Will glared directly into Elizabeth's eyes, his lips pursed with anger.
"So what are you saying, that I should go back to being a poor blacksmith? Or maybe you're insinuating that I should throw away everything I've come to earn and be a pirate?" Will snapped, his fists clenched as his nails dug into the scar on his left hand.
"I just want you to be happy-"
"Well I am happy Elizabeth! Why can't you see that I can be good at this!?" Will yelled. Elizabeth took a deep breath through her nose and folded her hands in front of her.
"Who are you really trying to convince Will? Me, my father, Port Royal, or maybe…you just want to prove it to yourself…" Elizabeth sighed, leaving Will in the study as she walked out into the hall.
"Ms. Swan!" came a sudden cry from down the hall. Elizabeth's head snapped in the direction of the call as the sound of breaking china and clanking of cutlery reverberated from the kitchen. She dashed down the hall, hearing Will not far behind her.
"What in heavens is going on!" she muttered to herself as they reached the end of the hall. Two of the manor guards flung themselves out of the swinging kitchen doors, both trying to restrain a tall tan man. Elizabeth and Will stopped, both panting slightly as the guards tried to get to their feet.
"What's this then?" Elizabeth asked as she caught her breath, adrenaline still pumping shakily through her body.
"Found this scoundrel trying to swindle your rum cellar Ms. Swan," on of them said, yanking the man's hair back so that his face was revealed. Will couldn't help but smile as he stared with disbelief.
"Eylo Will," Jack Sparrow panted, his gold teeth shimmering as he gave Elizabeth and Will a wide smile.
"Jack? What are you doing here!?" Elizabeth hollered, trying very hard to keep herself standing at the sight of him.
"Long story actually-" Jack started, being dragged down the hall by the two guards.
"Wait! Wait just a second!" Elizabeth said, stopping the guards, "Where exactly are you taking our guest?" Elizabeth barked, giving the two guards a warning glare. The guards looked confused at each other and went to speak, but Elizabeth turned to Jack, starting to pat off his shoulders as the guards released him, "We weren't expecting your merchant ship for another week Mr. Smith, I'm so glad that you were able to make it up from Spain." She said, giving him a look that meant to play along. The guards looked Jack up and down, still not quite convinced.
"Er...Well, indeed, but your shipment of…of…" Jack faltered.
"Coco beans…" Will aided.
"Right…Coco beans…was ready early." He said, giving the guards a smug grin.
"You can leave now." Will said to the guards. Jack gave them a small salute as they made their way back to the kitchens.
"How exactly did you get to the rum cellar without anyone noticing until you were trying to escape?" Elizabeth asked when the guards were long gone.
"Ah…a magician never reveals his secrets…" he said, swaggering as he followed Will and Elizabeth back to the study, "Plus, whoeva said that I wasn't looking to get caught? You know me and my entrances…" he said, spotting the flagon of brandy and helping himself to a glass; a very large glass.
"Yes indeed…" Elizabeth smirked, catching herself as her eyes tried to rove over his body. She mentally slapped herself and turned her gaze back to the fire.
"So are you here with the Pearl? Don't you think that's a little risky Jack?" Will asked, picking up his discarded book and offering Jack a seat.
"Of course I'm not here with the Pearl! Commodore Norrington would have it blown to smithereens in a second." Jack scoffed, taking a swing of his brandy while trying to hide his stare on Elizabeth, "No, the Pearl is safe…well, more or less, in Tortuga. I stowed away on a textile ship. Of course…when they found me…I had to pose as an old lady and learn how to knit…but it's wasn't that bad…" Will laughed heartily and Elizabeth smiled, turning her gaze back to the two.
"It's good to see you again Jack." She said, giving him a genuine smile. Jack looked slightly abashed, not used to this type of courtesy on Elizabeth's part, but turned back to Will.
"So, what has the lovely couple been up to then? Planning a fancy to do wedding eh?" he smirked, giving Will a little wink wink, nudge nudge.
"Not yet actually, I've been busy working on a new trading corporation." Will said, his chest puffing out with pride.
"Those are pretty big words for a little man like you…" Jack smirked, seeing Will's face flush, "Well you better hurry up then eh? I want to be known as uncle Jack here soon!" Jack said critically, as if he was totally expecting the title of god father.
"Uncle Jack? I think not." Elizabeth said plainly, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile. Jack smiled keenly and took another long swig of his drink.
"Why are you here Jack? You don't exactly show up out of nowhere without reason do you?" Will asked, leaning back languidly in his chair. Jack took a deep breath and looked at Will side long.
"It's about your father Will…"