I am so sorry that I haven't updated for over four months! Exams, holidays and Indian exchanges have been rocking (and, in the case of the Indian exchange, shocking) my world. However, all that is behind me, and now I can do some real writing.

On with chapter 3! And a quick thanks to all who reviewed in my absence.

Chapter 3: New Lizzy

"You have a visitor, Mr Turner." Will rubbed his eyes and looked up at Jenkins.

"I do?" he asked sleepily.

"Yes, sir. Do you want a moment to… freshen up?"

"Depends on who it is." Will picked up his fork and proceeded to attack his bacon.

"He calls himself Robertson." Will dropped his fork and stood up. Jenkins nodded and escorted him to the hall, where Robertson was smugly stood. Nobody spoke.

"Jenkins, prepare a breakfast for the gentleman," Will muttered inattentively.

"No need ter do that," Robertson drawled. "I just came to see you an' explain about last night. I feel it's mah duty t'inform yer that yer not that great on stalking or spying."

"Sorry?"

"I could see yer, when I was talking to Liz."

"Her name's Elizabeth."

"Ah, I think Lizzy sounds best. Kind of rough and ready, yeah? Lizzy Swan…" He winked, and Will's face turned red. "The sort of name you'd give to a pirate."

"Elizabeth Turner, if you please. Now, that is enough! Out, out, out!"

"Ah, but I ain't come to mah point yet. Look, she wants excitement. Adventure. And I set sail this afternoon." Will's previously inflamed face drained to a ghostly pale.

"What do you mean?"

"I want ter invite her to become part of our crew. We'll only sail for a few months, just ter explore a little. An' we'd love ter have her on board. It's not just men," he said quickly. "There's Mary, an' Kate. An' not forgetting our best swordswoman Jill."

"She'll send her answer this afternoon, be in the Black Horse at three, see you there, goodbye." Will pushed him out and slammed the door in his face. There was a tense pause. Jenkins cleared his throat.

"More bacon, Mr. Turner?"

I'd kill for some bacon, Elizabeth though wistfully, listening to their echoing footsteps go back toward the dining room. But I'm supposed to be asleep. She waited until she could hear the scrap of a fork on a plate, and silently crept out of her hiding place – a curtain on the stairs. She was surprised that Will hadn't noticed. Robertson had though – he'd winked at her.

Robertson was setting sail. He wanted her on board! She'd become a pirate! Oh, the joy! All she needed to do was write a note, and be at the Black Horse at three. And then she'd be free! It would break her heart to leave Will, but it was only for a few months. With this thought crushing the seemingly constant guilt, she tiptoed back to her room and wrote a note for Will. But as with all goodbye notes, it was difficult. For a start, she didn't even know how to address the letter. Dear Will? Dearest Will? My William? Darling? Or just plain Will? She settled on Dearest Will – enough affection, yet not over the top.

Now came the difficult bit. She had to write the letter.

Dearest Will,

This morning, when you were talking to Robertson, I wasn't asleep. I was in the hall, listening. And I heard what he said, and I knew what I had to do.

Before I go on, I have to tell you I love you. You must believe that. I may not show it, and I know I can be moody and cold at times, but I love you. Our marriage hasn't been the most successful, and maybe this will do us good. I wanted you to be exciting and wild, unpredictable and alive. What I didn't want was for life to carry on the way it had for twenty-odd years, going to balls and wearing dresses with corsets so tight I turn blue. I wanted you to stay the same, but you changed. I changed too, after last year. 'The pirates and the curse and all the near-death experiences' as you put it, were the most fun I've had in my whole life. Please don't think it's you. It's all me.

Marriage is a big adventure. But this is a bigger one.

I'm sorry, but this is something I have to do. I do not want you to worry about me – although I know you will. I'm going, Will. And I'll live the life I want to lead.

All my love,

Elizabeth.

The Black Horse was crowded, even though it was only three. Elizabeth picked her way through the throng, ignoring the catcalls. She spotted Robertson at the other side of the room. "Hello," they said in unison. Elizabeth blushed. "You'se ready to go?" he grinned. Elizabeth paused, surprising herself. "I don't know," she said softly.

"Well, I can't stand here all day waiting fer yer answer. You'se coming or not?"

"Give me a minute!" she said crossly. She thought about her father, and Will. What he'd given up for her. What she'd given up for him. She thought of last year, and Jack and Barbossa – the curse and the coins and her capture. The excitement, the anticipation, the adventure. She thought of her safe house, and her safe life. She thought about how bored she was, and how she needed to do something wild…

Will tore through the streets, the Black Horse nearly in sight. Elizabeth's note clutched in his hand, his mind racing, his heart pounding. It was five past three – how could he have not seen the note earlier…?

"Lizzy, I need your answer now. Coming or not?"… "Just let me think!"…

Will stopped dead outside the Black Horse, and watched as Lizzy Swan ran on board the boat with Robertson, laughing and shouting. The main sail was hoisted, and he sank to his knees as the boat glided out of the harbour. He was too tired and too depressed to even cry.