DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I do not own any of the Pirates of the Caribbean story or characters... Tragic, isn't it? -_- *sigh*

I like this chapter. Mainly a lot of fluffy stuff between Will and Elizabeth... and I will have to keep you all waiting for Depp-- I mean, Captain Jack Sparrow-- to make his appearance. I'm so sorry to keep you all waiting, especially from all the great reviews I have received (thank you all reviewers!! *hugs them until they suffocate like dear Elizabeth, minus the corset*). LOL. But I think this chapter will make up for it... it's a very big jump into my plot, as it is changing. Or has already been changed, now straying from the original story. But that's what fan-fic is, isn't it? Running away with your own imagination as you write, no guidelines to go by save the rule of proper grammer. *Ahem*... I sound too smart, don't I?? Ewww... I'm starting to sound like my English teacher. Ucky!!! Anyway, please R&R. And not only that... if you have any suggestions or comments at all, PUH-LEASE email me at ChelleLee489@yahoo.com. I love hearing back from you all!! ^_^ Enjoy!





Chapter 6



It would be at least three more weeks before Will would see her again. He was under Mrs. Whitaker's care for now. She was a common nurse that had previously served in the Swann family, and who now lived not far from the Governor's mansion. Despite how he had pleaded, Will was not able to see Elizabeth. He needed to rest, they would say, though he felt he was at least able to walk; even without the help of crutches.

His leg was one of the most wounded tokens of his courageous rescue. His femur bone had been detached from his tibia bone in his leg, leaving his knee-bone utterly shattered and another minor fracture. This, in part, also aided in tearing his muscle tissue. Or so the nurse told him. Nurse Whitaker was a kind-hearted woman, yet she had this obsession of restraint that Will couldn't stand much longer.

Finally, she let him go, though he still walked with a limp. Will didn't care, however; only as long as he was able to see if Elizabeth was all right. He was told repeatedly that her condition wasn't nearly as bad as his, and that she was almost fully healed. His heart was greatly satisfied at the fact that he had saved her from her death, even without forsaking his life for hers. He would have done it nonetheless, for that was his main objective.

Will found himself limping towards the door of the Swan mansion. He had tried to smooth his hair back as he was customed to, but the large jab in his head provided it uncomfortably painful. He tried to ignore it as the maid, Magdalene, answered the door.

"Mister Turner!" she said, somewhat surprised. "I thought your condition was—"

"Nevermind that, I'm all right," he insisted. "May I see Eliz—erm, Ms. Swan?"

"Of course. She is now dressing in her dormitory at the moment. You may go up, if you wish," she said as she gestured to the staircase.

"Oh. Um, yes, of course. Thank you very much," his eyes averted to the staircase, seemingly growing in length as he stared longer. He was suddenly nervous of seeing her, despite of how he had longed to come to the mansion over the past couple of weeks. Come on, Will. You had courage then, so why not put it to use now…, he swallowed hard as he made his way up the stairs.

He frowned in concern as he heared sharp gasps and screams from inside her room. Elizabeth… was she in trouble?

"Elizabeth?"

Will didn't know why he had opened the door. Maybe it was out of apprehension, or maybe the blow on his head finally had affected him.

But there she was. Just sitting there on a small stool, wearing nothing but a corset over her light under-skirt. The maid that was helping her dress was the probably first one to scream, while Elizabeth was simply frozen in shock.

"Will!" she exclaimed after an awkward pause.

"I'm extremely sorry Miss Swann!" he finally was able to burst out, slamming the door closed behind him. He felt so… so stupid. How could he have done such a thing? How could he have been so absent-minded? Will sighed heavily, and shakily at the same time, deeply humiliated by his astonishing entrance. He banged his head against the wall as he waited for Elizabeth to shout at him all of the insults he deserved.

As Will was leaning against the balcony of the staircase in the hallway, he was startled by the door suddenly opening, revealing a gorgeously dressed Elizabeth. She was wearing an angelic, untainted white dress that Will had never seen before. It reflected the sunlight that had entered her room, making it shine with a great brilliance and bringing her face to a glow. He noticed the longer sleeves that stopped at the ends of her delicate wrists, most likely covering up recent scars and scabs. Her face, however, was unscathed; as fair and as beautiful as ever… save one small cut on her upper cheekbone that was hardly noticeable; at least, not to Will.

"I—I am terribly sorry, Miss Swann… I… I feel… horrible," he stuttered.

He said this shamefully, but in reality he knew that it was only partially the truth. He did feel horrible, in embarrassment; but he was ashamed to admit that the moment he saw her in her bedroom like that, his heart had literally stopped beating… causing him to unwillingly let out a small grin. Will hoped that Elizabeth hadn't noticed this disgraceful sin he had just committed…

"It… it's quite alright, Will," she stumbled over her words, still somewhat thrown off by the unanticipated event. She smiled wanly at him, her usually rosy cheeks now unnaturally pale.

"Is something wrong, Miss Swann?" he questioned her exhasperated expression. She attempted to cover it by smiling again.

"Ugh… curse these corsets. I nearly die of suffocation from it, yet my father still insists on me wearing it," she sighed, and looked gratefully at Will, "And I believe that I owe great thanks to my rescuer,"

"My pleasure," Will said coyly as a half smile slipped upon his face. "Merely doing my civic duties, only as a humble blacksmith," he said. She laughed, sending him high into the heavens. He loved it when she laughed…

"Mister Turner, I thank you sincerely for saving my life," she said formally as looked down at the marble floor, "Though, you have saved it, in many ways… ways that you have not realized…" she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Will to hear. He looked into her cinnamon-colored eyes, questioningly. Elizabeth looked up at him suddenly in alarm.

"Goodness! Will, I just remembered… your condition… oh it was horrible!"

"I am nearly healed now, Miss Swann," he said calmly as Elizabeth examined the deep cut in his forehead. "Oh, that… yes, the nurse just took the bandage off today. She said it would be better for it to heal,"

"Oh, that's wonderful that it's healing so quickly. And, your arm?" she lifted up his sleeve to further studied the many scratches and scars embedded into his left arm. Will felt her fingers softly trace the deep cuts and wounds, trickling down his arm until touching his hand. He shivered at her touch; not that it brought pain, but quite the opposite. Will knew it was wrong to be so close to such a lady of nobility. Nonetheless, he didn't move, locked in his place by her spell.

"It—it's fine. Well, it's still healing, but…" he trailed off as his words were hushed, not by Elizabeth but by himself. He froze as her smooth-skinned fingers interlaced with his. He subconsciously laid his free hand upon hers, blending a contrast of dirt and cleanliness, hard and soft, masculine and slender femininity; strength and beauty…

"Ooh," Elizabeth said in a strange reaction. She noticed his hand had laid upon one of the small cuts on her wrist, giving her a slight sting.

"Oh, I'm sorry… Blacksmith's hands… I know they're rough," he began to draw his hands back, when Elizabeth interrupted,

"No… I mean, yes, they are rough… but… wait. Don't stop," she said as he looked into his deep brown eyes. They were not as light as hers… darker than chestnut and amber; more like mahogany, or chocolate. But they were so dark and full of meaning, enveloped in the shadows of things she could not understand. She liked it that way… not being able to know the true meaning and desires in his heart… at least, until she could find it out for herself.

What was she saying? She suddenly felt foolish, just sitting there and staring into his eyes. This is Will… it's only Will…, she continued to persuade herself. But now she was looking at him as a totally different person. Not her former childhood playmate… no, he had now grown into a fine young man. As she had grown into a matured young woman. They had both changed over the years, having their differences and gradually growing apart. Away from the bond of friendship that had once held them together. As she continued to stare helplessly, locked in the eternal blackness his eyes had trapped her in, she tried to remember Will Turner as the boy she once knew. The boy they had rescued from that horrible wreckage… the one that had been with the pirates. Elizabeth gasped inwardly as her heart had increased its pulse, feeling the medallion growing in weight as if to be a burden on her soul. She had to tell him; she could not keep it from him forever.

But what if Norrington found out? Found out that he was a pirate… or at least had acquaintences with pirates, for that matter. Will would be hanged, executed; and this she could not bear to witness. He would not be hanged for a crime he knew naught of. She had to tell him in secret… somewhere in private… But no. Not now. She couldn't tell him yet.

"Will," she cleared her thoughts, saying his name. Will finally brought his hands away from hers, though he regretted it. He stared down, embarrassed.

"Do you remember our childhood… we used to be friends?" she questioned.

"Y—yes, of course, Miss Swan," he said.

"Then, we still are friends?" she asked.

"If you wish to be, Miss Swan," as he said this, he felt something release in his heart. Unknown to Will, Elizabeth had felt the same thing. Suddenly her expression had changed into a serious look.

"Will, I must ask you to speak no further if you resist calling me by my first name," she shook her head.

"All right, Miss Swa—Elizabeth," he corrected himself on purpous, letting out a sly smile. Elizabeth grinned as she continued,

"Secondly, I—" she was cut off by her father's sudden entrance through the front door of the mansion.

"Oh, Mister Turner! How kind of you to pay a visit… I trust our nurse has been treating you well?"

"Yes, sir. Nurse Whitaker as been very kind to me. I trust she has done her work well… I am already almost healed," he said, nervously trying to take his mind off of Elizabeth.

"That's wonderful! Mister Turner, I have told you of how deeply appreciated I am of your rescue,"

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir,"

"And you have received the bank notes---"

"Yes sir, I am grateful for your generous reward," he said truthfully.

"Splendid, then. William Turner, let me restate again that you have earned my outmost respect, and if there is anything you need---"

"Thank you very much, sir, but for the time being I am content," he smiled. "I really must be going, now, as a mere apprentice being waited on by his master. Goodbye, Elizabeth. Governor Swann." He said this as he limped down the stairs and left the mansion, stealing one last glace at Elizabeth.





** AS ALWAYS, Please R & R, and let me know how you like it so far. **