Chapter Eighteen

Will wasn't sure what kind of reaction he would get from Elizabeth after disappearing for a good three days, but he definitely hadn't expected her to come barreling into him, crying as if her heart had been torn to pieces with one simple tug.

"Will! I thought you left! I thou-thought I'd lost you again!" She wailed as quietly as she could.

Will gripped Elizabeth tightly, "I know...shhhh...I know." He was tongue tied, trying to decide what to say in a situation where to much has been said. She pulled away slowly and he gazed lovingly at Elizabeth as she bit her lip, "Can we..." Will began, but was interrupted.

"James Norrington II, you are not going outside until you have finished your studies!" Elizabeth spat. Will twirled around quickly too see Young James, attempting to sneak out, but not succeeding.

Elizabeth heard Will gulp nervously. "James...you remember...the man who saved your life? He came to check on you." she said stepping up to him, pulling Will with her.

"Oh, yeah! The Pirate!" Young James said excitedly.

"James where are you manners?" Elizabeth asked, poking her son in the ribcage.

"Sorry, thanks...um...what do I call you?"

Will stood still, not saying a word, just staring at Young James. "Will?" Elizabeth said abruptly, breaking his gaze. She motioned quickly as Will contained himself.

"Oh, yes...just call me Will. Good to see you are doing well..." Will chose his words wisely, understanding now how hard it was for Elizabeth not to slip on her words.

"Well, Thanks oodles Will!" Young James said, shaking Will's hand.

"Now go to your room mister...and study like a good boy should." She gave him a pat on the back as he gallivanted up the stairs.

"Can we talk?" Will asked as soon as the little boy was up the stairs completely. "Privately?"

Elizabeth grabbed his hand, "I have something to ask you," She pulled him up to her room, which she knew was almost improper, but breaking the rules was her newest specialty.

"Will?" Elizabeth said, as soon as her door was securely closed and her anger set in, "First I want to know why you left me again, without saying good-bye. How could you leave like that! You could have at least told me you where leaving!"

Will didn't want to get started on something like this again. Instead, he stared deeply into her eyes..."What is it you wanted to ask me...?" He said fiddling with the cuff on his shirt dramatically.

"Will...stay with me...with us." Elizabeth said hopefully. "We could get married, start a proper family..." Elizabeth stopped as Will looked away.

"I..." He started, trying not to look her in the eye.

"What? Is something wrong?" She asked, walking towards him.

"Elizabeth..." Will said, turning away from her completely, "Ten years ago...that might have been an option for me...but after a decade on a ship, out on the sea...I can't leave that life...here...on land...I..."

Elizabeth looked torn, "But I thought you didn't want to lose me again." She said, desperately looking for an answer, walking forward and turning him towards her again.

"Elizabeth, I didn't want to lose you...And I still don't...I just don't want to lose the sea either. This time, I have the life...you don't." He ran his hand through his hair, "Come with me...back to the Black Pearl."

Elizabeth stared at him, if he had asked her first, before she had proposed that he stay, she would have gladly said yes...but now, after he had said no to her offer, he just seemed greedy, "Will! How can you say that!? Do you think that after you shot down my offer I'll just gladly take yours?"

"Elizabeth...I'm not just thinking of me here. There is nothing for you in Port Royal either."

"Well, maybe there is and you are just too blind to see it! I have my father, my son, my...friends..." She said, realizing all of her friends where just as fake as her love for the Commodore had been.

"Ten years ago, I told you that there was too much in Port Royal for you to leave; now there isn't. How where you so inclined to run away then... but not now?"

"Young James...it...it isn't the life for him..." Elizabeth said, it was her turn to turn away from Will.

Will rolled his eyes, "Excuses, it's all just excuses Elizabeth...have you forgotten? He's my..." He started, laughing slightly, but was interrupted.

"Will, I'm sorry, I can't leave with you...you have to choose, Me or...or... the lonely life you claim to love? Pick wisely..." Elizabeth said cleverly, crossing her arms.

"I just don't get you Elizabeth...I just don't get you. First you rejoice that I came back for you...and then tell me to leave with out you! I can't stay if I don't think that it is right...or your reasons adequate. At least you know, Elizabeth, I came back this time! Good-bye Elizabeth..." And then he left...walked out the door and down the stairs...then down the drive and back to the inn where he had obviously returned to stay for another day or two.

Tears began to brim in Elizabeth eyes as she watched him through the window. She felt an urge to run after him or to call out, but her feet wouldn't move and her voice wouldn't give way.

She had waited so long for him; now he could be all hers, but she had refused him. Why? Was she scared? She knew Young James was no excuse...he would do anything in order to be a pirate.

But her reasoning had to be right? Wasn't it? Will must not love her enough if he picked pirating over her. He must not care enough to think of what is best for her, too. But what was best for her?

There was no turning back now... ...Sliding down the wall behind her, Elizabeth started to cry.

&

Outside Elizabeth's window, someone clutched to the ivy covered trellis, listening to her sobbing. That person had heard it all. They had heard the plea from Will, and then the resentful anger of Elizabeth. They had heard...but they weren't sure what it all meant.