Chapter Three: Secrets

"William Turner! Don't you touch that stove!"

Will immediately turned around, seeing Juliet in the doorway, hands on her hips, tapping her foot. "I want an explanation," she said.

"I was trying to cook…"

"Why?"

"I was hungry…"

"And you couldn't ask me?"

"What? You think you can cook better?" he asked, his brown eyes dancing.

"No. I KNOW I can do better!"

"All right then," said Will, crossing his arms. "Prove it."

Juliet crossed the room; she wasn't going to let a little injury stop her from a challenge. She still remembered the way he had sliced her arm, then nearly killed her…

But she was glad Will had found her. They had become incredibly close even though she had only been there for a week. He had a breathtaking smile, and gorgeous, chocolate brown eyes. It seemed like she had finally found someone who cared for her.

Will watched Juliet as she cooked. Her golden brown hair glinted in the sunset. Her personality was better than anyone's he knew… even Elizabeth. Juliet had just about pushed her to the back of his mind. She had the most beautiful eyes—like the color of the ocean during a storm. Also, she was incredibly kind—like insisting that she have the sofa and he keep his bed. When Will refused, she wouldn't hear of it.

"It's my house, my rules!" he exclaimed.

"I don't care, I'm not going to be the reason you have to give up your bed!" she rebuttled.

"Fine then. I know the solution. This may seem awkward but… why don't we…er…share it?"

"William Turner! I will NOT do something like that! What kind of man are you?!—"

"No! Not like that, I mean—" he broke off, laughing.

"What is so funny?" Juliet asked impatiently, her arms crossed.

"Nothing… just… this whole situation… plus, you're pretty funny when you get mad…"

Juliet smacked his arm. "Stop it!" she said, but Will could see a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"So… do we have a deal?" asked Will after a minute. "I mean… I don't sleep naked or anything, and I wouldn't try to do something like that to you."

"Good, because neither would I. And I don't sleep naked either," she added.

"Will?" Juliet asked. "Will!" she said more sharply.

"Sorry?" he snapped out of his trance.

She smiled. "Supper's ready."

Juliet wasn't kidding.

She was an excellent cook. The stew was simple, yet delicious, even the mashed potatoes… much better than what Will could do.

"Where did you learn to cook like this?" he asked.

Juliet shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "I…was a cook in Tortuga once. At a tavern."

"The one in the middle of town?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I was there, with Jack!"

"Really? I never saw you… I was always in the backroom, cooking. But before that I was a waitress. That was a nightmare. Way too many catcalls and whistling drunks. But the only good thing that came out of it was meeting Jack."

"And you've worked there ever since?"

"Pretty much. Why?"

"No reason, it's just I heard Norrington saying talking about that place being invaded by pirates recently, that's all."

Juliet, who'd just been taking a sip of milk, choked on her drink.

"Are you all right?" asked Will in alarm.

Juliet, finally getting herself under control, nodded. "Yes," she said hoarsely. "I'm okay, but I think I'm going to bed now."

"All right," said Will. "I hope you feel better."

"Good night," she said as she quickly walked off.

"Good night," said Will, extremely confused.

* * *

Juliet closed the bedroom door and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. Why had she kept the secret from him? That the reason the pirates invaded the town was because of her? She shut the curtains, blocking out the dark sky, and changed into her nightgown. Hopefully there was nothing to worry about.

Hopefully.

* * *

"Jack! We found him!"

Jack Sparrow looked up from the wheel of the boat apprehensively. "Cotton! Take the wheel," he yelled. Cotton ran forward, and Jack ran toward the edge of the boat, watching as members of the crew hoisted Gibbs out of the water. When they finally got him on deck, Jack knelt down beside him. "You all righ', mate?"

He looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"Take him below," Jack ordered.

Once they were in the belly of the ship, Jack made the others go back up.

"Gibbs, what happened?"

Gibbs took a shaky breath, and uttered two words. "He's back."

Jack's eyes got as wide as saucers. "Tell me everything."

"I don't know how he came back, but I do know why. I heard him talking to the first mate, and we've got to get to Port Royale as fast as we can, how far are we from there?"

"We're near southern Brazil, so probably about a month, why?"

"Because that's the town they were closest to when they threw her off…"

"You mean…" said Jack slowly.

Gibbs nodded. "Jack, he's after Juliet."

~*~

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