A/N: Okay, this is the last time I'm doing the disclaimer. We do not own POTC. On with the story!

Chapter 8

Allie straightened up and stretched. Her back was killing her from bending over the mop all morning. She sighed and looked around. Jack was standing at the helm, guiding the ship over the Caribbean waters. Her mind wandered back to the day before, and she wondered for the hundredth time why and how she and Liz were here. Oh, she didn't mind being here-in fact, it was a dream come true. Ever since seeing "Pirates of the Caribbean" Allie had loved the idea of sailing the seas for months on end. It had taken watching the movie a few times for her to fall for Jack Sparrow, but fall for him she did. She loved almost everything about him: his walk, the way he waved his hands all over the place when he talked, his facial expressions, and how passionate he got when talking about the Pearl.

Allie leaned up against the mop handle and stared out at the sea. It was gorgeous. The sun was reflecting off of the water, making it sparkle. She sighed again. I could use a nap, she thought, rubbing her tired eyes with one hand, holding onto the mop with the other.

"Beautiful, isn't it, luv?"

Allie let out a small yelp and spun around. She hadn't heard Jack come up behind her.

Jack chuckled. "Didn't mean to startle ye."

Allie smiled. "It's alright, Captain," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She let out a yawn.

"Tired, luv?" Jack asked.

Allie nodded. "Only a little."

Jack smiled. "Well, go on ahead and head down to the galley and grab somethin' to eat, luv. Ye could use a break."

Allie smiled back gratefully. "Thanks, Captain." She glanced down at the bucket, then back up at Jack. "What do you want me to do with the bucket?"

"Jest dump the water overboard and leave the bucket by the side." Allie walked over to the side of the ship and dumped the remaining water. She turned to Jack.

"One more thing Captain, where is the galley?"

"Down the main stairs and to your right."

"Okeeday." Jack watched her leave with a bemused look on his face.

Allie walked into the galley and saw Liz hard at work, putting the final touches on lunch. She walked over and tried to grab a piece of bread. Liz whacked her hand. "That's for the crew!"

"I am part of the crew!" Allie said indignantly, rubbing her hand.

"It's for lunch."

"Well, Jack told me to get something to eat. I'm just trying-" Liz cut her off.

"Well, as part of the crew, you can wait just like everybody else."

"But Liz, I'm hungry," Allie whined. "I've been working my butt off all day in the hot sun. My back is killing me!"

"Well, I've been in a kitchen all day, working over a hot stove. So you can wait 10 more minutes for the stew to be done."

Allie sighed dramatically. "Fine. But if I die from hunger, it's all your fault." Then her eyes lit up. "I'll show you a new clogging step that I learned."

"Go sit down," Liz said, waving Allie away.

Allie walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. She propped her feet up on another chair, and closed her eyes. A minute later, she heard footsteps approaching. She didn't move, but acted as though she was asleep.

Jack walked into the galley and saw Allie fast asleep at the table. He chuckled. Guess she was tired after all. He stood there just watching her. Allie tried not move and keep her breathing equal.

Jack was all of a sudden snapped out of his trance when he heard someone clearing their throat behind him. He turned around to see Will smiling at him.

"If you're… busy… Captain I can…" That was it; he couldn't contain his laughter anymore, "I can ask another time. That's a good look for you by the way." Will finished cracking up at Jack's embarrassed face. It was short lived.

"Quiet whelp, I've seen you make plenty of googly eyed looks before. Many more times than I ever have." This shut up Will. "I was simply trying to figure out what to have her do next." Will stared at Jack.

"I have not been giving looks to Liz," Will argued. Jack grinned.

"I haven't said anything about Liz, mate. Simply that you have made more dumb awe struck looks than I have. Maybe you have been giving a few more this past day though." He rubbed his chin in mock concentration. It was now Will's turn to be mortified.

"Okay, Jack, point taken. I'll keep my mouth shut if you do."

"Deal. What was it you wanted to bloody ask me anyway?" Will thought a moment.

"I forgot." Allie couldn't hold in her giggles anymore. She bust out laughing and the two men looked down at her.

"Having a fun conversation boys?" After recovering from his shock Jack looked at Allie and said,

"That's not very nice luv." She looked at him innocently.

"What ever are you talking about?" She looked at the men with a sweet smile. They were speechless.

Liz walked out of the kitchen to see if everyone was ready for lunch and she saw her friends on the other side of the galley. She headed over to them.

"What's going on over here? Are you talking about me?" She asked jokingly. Will got a little redder and looked away and Allie started to laugh again. Liz noticed this so she asked,

"What? What is going on?"

"I'd tell ye, but Will would probably kill me." Allie explained. Will moaned.

"Excuse me; I have something to do." he said, and walked away quickly. Liz watched him leave confused.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I'll tell ya later." Allie mouthed to her friend.

"Okay," Liz looked at Jack, "What time would you like me to serve lunch?" Jack was relieved to be on a different subject.

"Now is fine lass. What we havin'?"

"Bread and stew. Is that okay?"

Jack grinned. "It's more than all right. We haven't had a good meal in quite some time."

"I'll go get everything ready then." Liz turned and walked back to the kitchen. Allie waited until Liz was out of hearing range, then grinned mischievously.

"Now Captain, what was I hearing about googly eyes?"

"Forget what you just heard lass, it was joking around between friends."

"Okay, Jack. Whatever you say," Allie said, not believing a word of it.

"Captain, luv."

"Sorry. Captain." Allie's stomach suddenly growled. Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Didn't I tell ye to get something to eat?" Jack asked changing the subject again.

"I tried! Liz wouldn't let me. She told me I had to 'wait just like the rest of the crew." Jack laughed.

"Good fer her. Ye should be treated as one of the crew."

"You're taking her side?" Jack looked around and noticed the room was filling with pirates. Then he focused his attention back on Allie.

"When she's right, I am." Before Allie could say anything Liz announced it was time for lunch. "See ye later, luv." He made his way over to "his" table as Liz started to serve everyone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The galley was now empty and Liz was cleaning all of the dirty dishes. Lunch had been a success. All of the pirates loved her cooking, and they couldn't wait for dinner. She'd make boiled potatoes and meat she decided as she finished washing the last dish.

"Nice job Liz. You really surprised me with your culinary skills." She spun around to see Allie standing behind her. She walked to the other side of the room.

"Hey you." Liz said in a greeting while starting to get potatoes out of a bin. Allie smiled at her. Liz continued talking. "Thanks. It did turn out all right didn't it? But you wouldn't believe how hard these kitchen supplies are to use." She was walking to the table now with an armful of taters.

"You look like you're busy. Aren't you done?" Allie asked.

"I've got to start dinner or it won't be done until late." Liz paused. "Are you going to tell me what y'all were talking about earlier?" She asked eagerly. Allie just grinned at her.

"I'll answer your question if you answer one of mine. I thought you said Will was a meanie head?"

"What?"

"Last night you said Will was a meanie head. Now this morning you two are holding hands." Allie could see Liz start to pinken.

"Well…he was…yesterday. But this morning he apologized and now we're friends." She explained.

"Friends? Are you sure that's all? What about the hand holding?"

"That was not what it looked like. I was nervous about meeting the crew and he was a strong block. It was a friendly gesture."

"You looked mighty comfortable to me."

"Well, we're just friends. You know how I feel about intimate relationships. Now tell me what was going on in the galley earlier." Liz sat down and started to peel potatoes with a knife. Allie sat down across from her.

"Be careful! Don't cut your fingers off." Liz looked at Allie slightly annoyed.

"I'll be fine. My grandma taught me to do it this way. Now please tell me what was going on. What was wrong with Will?" Liz begged.

"Ok I'll tell ye. See, you had just sent me out of here to wait for my lunch. I went to sit down and heard footsteps behind…"

"Allie?" They heard someone call from the galley. "Allie."

"It's Jack." the girls said together. They walked through the door into the bigger room and saw the Captain.

"Ah. There you are." Jack exclaimed.

"Yes, Captain. What can I do for you?"

"Get back to work lass. Your stay here is not free. Ye've had a long enough break."

"All right, all right. I'll tell you later, Liz. I promise." She headed for the door followed by Jack. Before he left he called to Liz.

"Great meal, Liz. The best I've had to eat in months." He walked out.

Liz tried not to let her head get too big but the complement from the Captain was the best so far. Now if only she knew what Will thought. Come to think of it she hadn't even seen him at lunch. Odd, she thought. Oh well. Guess I've better get back to work.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner went the same as lunch. And now it was already over. Liz was back in the kitchen washing more dishes. She sang a little song as she dipped her hands in the hot water. Someone opening the door startled Liz and she spun around quickly spilling water down her front.

"Sorry." Will said, "I didn't know you were still in here." He grabbed a towel off the counter and handed it to her. Liz mopped up the water the best she could.

"It's okay. What are you doing in my kitchen anyway?"

"Just looking for a bite to eat." She handed him a loaf of fresh baked bread and a knife. He took them from her and walked over to the clean table.

"I guess I'll let it slide this time."

"What?"

"You coming to the kitchen for a late night snack. There are certain times to eat, William Turner, and you're expected to eat then. I'll be busy in here all other times and I don't need you here making more of a mess." She said crossing her arms over her chest, drawing attention to the wet spot. Will glanced away quickly.

"I'm sorry Princess. I've already told you that." Liz sighed.

"It's okay, Will. Hurry so I can use the table." He looked at her.

"You're not finished? It's late; you should be getting to bed."

"I have to make the biscuits tonight and if I don't I'll have to get up early. So either way I will not get a lot of sleep. I'm doing it tonight. So finish up and Get out!"

"All right you stubborn woman," He finished a few slices of bread and handed the rest back to her. "Just don't stay up too late, Princess." He gave a small bow and left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Close to one a.m. Liz was still in the kitchen baking biscuits. Just one more batch, Liz thought to herself, as she rested her eyes for "only a second."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Will looked at his pocket watch and saw that it was 1:30 and Liz was still not back. He didn't want to make her mad by going to check up on her, but he was getting worried. So Will decided he'd just take a peak to make sure she was all right.

He walked through the galley and opened the door a crack, then a little bit more when he saw Liz sleeping against the table. He walked over to her smiling. Will looked at her face and smiled bigger. She had flour on her nose and cheeks. So adorable, he thought then changed his mind. He was not supposed to think she was adorable. Never again, he reminded himself.

He bent down and shook her gently. She didn't move. This is familiar, he thought as he remembered last night. He knew from experience that she would not wake up. He grabbed a towel and wiped the flour off her face. Will finally scooped her up and started for the door.

When he got back to the room, he set Liz on the bed and stepped back. He was about to go get ready for bed when he heard her stir. Will looked down just as she opened one eye then the other.

"How'd I get here?" Liz asked as she stretched out across the bed.

"Well, Princess, for the second night in a row you have received a free ride to your luxurious sleeping accommodations. Are you planning to make this a habit for us?" he said with a wink. She stared at him dreamily.

"Will, I'm half asleep; you can't use such big words." He chuckled lightly.

"For the second night in a row I have carried your sleeping self to your bed."

"That's much better wording…but why didn't you just wake me up?"

"Believe me, I tired. You wouldn't budge. Go to sleep, Liz. You've had a busy day." He went to leave again, but was summoned back.

"Wait, Will…" He looked at her. "Can you tell me what was going on in the galley this afternoon?" she asked, looking at him with pleading eyes. Will knew his face was reddening again and was thankful for the cover of darkness.

"Good night, Princess," he said with finality.

"But…"

"Good night," he said as he grabbed his things and turned for the door. Liz tried once more.

"But Will, I just want…"

"Sleep well, Liz." And he was gone.