Storm clouds were rolling on the horizon, reaching out towards the small port city. Elizabeth stood on the edge of the overlook, arms crossed over her stomach as she watched. The expression on her face was unreadable, but her mind was a whirl with thoughts. They had been bothering her since two days ago, that something wasn't right or that something was about to happen. Maybe it was a little of both. But exactly what was going to go wrong she didn't know. All she had was a feeling in the pit of her stomach, her intuition. James had told her that maybe she was worried about something, not accepting her word that she knew something was about to happen on feeling.

Closing her eyes, she let the calm wind blow past her. The familiar tang of the sea made her relax slightly. She let it caress over the skin of her face like a gentle lover, letting its calming fingers do its magic on her. Slowly the unease began to leave her body and she found herself falling deeper into a meditative state, listening to the waves against the rocks below, breathing in the smell of ocean salt, feeling the wind against her. Then there was another scent wafting beneath her nose. One so powerfully familiar that she reached out her hand to touch it.

It was Will's scent. She lovingly remembered that scent, so many nights spent curled up in his arms at night. Her fingers stretched out, almost pleading silently for her to touch him, hoping that he was right there. But her fingers only brushed against empty air and the scent disappeared again. In defeat, she sunk to the ground, her skirts spreading out around her. She opened her eyes, gazing out at the open sea again and this time her expression was that of sorrow. The feelings of unease had returned to her, twisting her stomach in knots again.

"Mother!" She heard the little voice call out to her and glanced over her shoulder to see seven-year old Emma running towards her, book clutched tightly in her hands. James followed behind her at an easy pace, arms clasped behind his back. Elizabeth held out her arms as Emma dove into her lap, collecting the little girl. She offered James a gentle smile, which he returned immediately. He came over to stand by her side, looking out to the sea and the storm clouds as well. Her hand reached up, slipping into his.

"I think you best head home soon." James glanced down at Elizabeth. "We are going to be having some foul weather soon." Elizabeth shifted Emma off her lap for a moment and climbed to her feet with James' assistance. She wouldn't tell him about what she had just experienced. It was hard enough for him to wake up to her crying quietly in her sleep at night. He even held her until the sobs had stopped, letting her cry without comment or rebuke

"I will." She told him. "I just came out here to look at the scenery." She gave his hand another squeeze and then let go. "How have things been for you today?"

"Quite boring, I should say." He responded. "I might be home earlier than usual tonight." Elizabeth smiled.

"Then I shall have Estrella set a plate for you." She told him and turned towards Emma. "Come now. Let's get home before it starts to rain." She watched as Emma climbed to her feet, closing the book she had held so gently in her hands. The little girl made her way over to her mother, holding up the book.

"Mum, can you read this one to me before bed?" She asked. Elizabeth took the well worn book from Emma's hands, running a finger over the lettering on the cover. She didn't even need to open it anymore to know the story that lay inside. When she had been pregnant with Emma, Will had spent many a night carefully writing the story inside of the old journal he had bought. The story of them, Will and Elizabeth. From the chance meeting and rescue on the seas to his race to save her life, and of course where would the story be without Captain Jack Sparrow? The names had been changed to make it seem as if it were a fictional story of course. Emma always begged her mother to hear the story of the two handsome pirates who raced to the rescue of the young lady who had been squandered away by unscrupulous foes. It was her favorite.

"We'll see." She said, handing it back to her daughter and fixed a loose sable curl back into the bun. "If you eat up all your supper and do your writing exercises before bed, then I will read you the story." Her heart warmed as Emma's smile grew, lighting up the little girl's face. Suddenly she seemed quite eager to get home so she could do her writing and eat her supper. She tugged on Elizabeth's hand impatiently, starting down the stairs. Elizabeth turned to face James, noticing him watching the two with a content smile on his face.

"Be careful on your way home." She told him quietly, reaching out and brushing her fingers against his. He leaned forward, lips meeting hers for a brief moment. She closed her eyes, sinking into his kiss for a moment before feeling another tug on her arm. She broke away from him, an apologetic smile on her face. "I will see you at home." She told him and headed down the stairs with Emma, the little girl happily chattering the whole way home.

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Anamaria laid her hand against Will's forehead and raised an eyebrow. "I think I'll agree with Jack, William. We're at port now and I think the night watch can do with one last man for tonight. You're running a fever." She pulled her hand away and placed her hands on his shoulders, pushing him back down into the hammock.

"I'm fine." Will protested groggily. His face was flushed red from the fever, but Jack doubted it was anything serious anyway. "I can do my watch." He insisted, but didn't resist against Anamaria. In fact, he looked as if he was comfortable. "Just give me a minute..." He raised a hand to stifle a yawn, eyelids drooping heavily. Eyes closing, his head tilted to the side. "Then I'll get up." A moment later he was sleeping softly.

Jack shook his head as they headed out the door and back up to the deck. "Just as stubborn as his father." He muttered, beads jangling around his face. Ana reached out and tugged on one of the dreads, a small smile on her face.

"So where are we off to tonight, Jack Sparrow? The Faithful Bride? The Boar's Head?" She pressed her body against his, pressing her lips softly on his. He took the bait, running his fingers through her hair as they spent the moment in their own little world. Finally she broke the kiss, laying her head against his chest. He put an arm around her shoulders, resting his chin on the top of her head, eyes closed. She smiled slightly.

"The side of Jack Sparrow that most don't see." She said quietly, fingers trailing through his dark hair. "Of course, I'd rather keep it that way."

"And if you tell anyone, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you on an island with only one shot." Jack replied casually. She swatted him, pulling away and heading for the rail of the Pearl.

"Catch me if you can, Jack Sparrow."

-------

Hearing the silence on deck, Will slowly opened his eyes and glanced around. The cabin was empty, most of the men out on the town in Tortuga, spending their share of the loot collected over the past few months. Swinging his legs over the side of the hammock, he slid down to his feet and picked up his shirt and boots. He crept up to the deck and peered out, looking for any sign of Jack or Anamaria. Seeing neither, he pulled on his shirt and boots and headed for the side of the ship, hoping there was at least one more boat back to shore.

Rowing to shore ended up being more of a difficult job than he suspected. It was enough of a battle for one man who was healthy, but being sick presented its own problems. More than a few times he would have to stop and let the dizziness pass over him before picking up the oars and rowing again. It took twice the normal time to get to shore, but he took pride in knowing that he got there without passing out. A leave on land was very rare and he would be damned if he was going to miss it.

Will scrambled out of the boat and pulled it up onto shore, far enough that it was out of reach of the tide dragging it back in and leaving him stranded. Brushing off his hands, he headed up the shore towards the city. He knew the few taverns that the Pearl's crew liked to frequent and decided to take the time to search for them.

A flash of red caught his attention and he glanced around. A frown appeared on his face as he saw the uniformed British Navy soldier speaking to a man off to the side. Most of the denizens wandering the street were already drunk enough that they barely took notice of the oddity; either that or they found no reason to fear the man. Will, however, found this appearance of the law in a town known for being a haven for pirates very strange. The Navy never came into Tortuga, making the island an unofficial sanctuary. Even if they were to come, it would be with a full force.

Wait, what man would be stupid enough to venture here alone? Not many and I'm sure that a soldier of the Navy would be less inclined, which can only mean one thing. Something is about to happen here.

Suddenly he forgot that he was sick and turned back to the town, all thoughts of finding a tavern to buy himself a drink suddenly disappeared from his thoughts and finding Jack became urgent. He pushed his way through the crowd, earning a few curses from the citizens and sailors that were cognizant enough for the moment. A few wenches called out offers to him and he ignored them, looking for the familiar hat and red bandana.

"Jack? Jack!" He called out over the crowd. It was hard to hear if he had gotten a response over the roar of the crowd, pistol shots, and general brawling. He was getting more paranoid now. Something about the situation seemed so wrong. One soldier in a pirate sanctuary at the same time as one of the most famous pirates in the Caribbean.

"Jack!" He called again, frustration in his voice. He listened a moment for a response and then opened his mouth to shout again. A hand reached out, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him aside. His first instinct was to fight back, but he relaxed when he found that the man who had grabbed him was the one he'd been looking for. "Jack, we have to get out of here now." He said breathlessly.

"They can't do anythin' to me here, mate. Besides, I get captured, I escape again, savvy?" Jack smirked at him and nodded to the tavern a few doorways down. "The whole crew is in there drinkin'. Come on." Will shook his head and followed at Jack's side. "Besides, how are they goin' to find one pirate amon..."

The pistol shot was lost among all the others, but the sudden end to the pirate captain's words made Will pause and turn around.

"Jack, what's wrong?" He stopped dead, eyes going wide.

"Jack!"