Chapter Nineteen

Will watched the people on the street for the rest of the afternoon. He loved looking at their emotions. The smiles, the tears...even the children playing...or the lovers walking hand in hand; reminding him of Elizabeth...

Why had Elizabeth done this to him? Or better yet, had he done this to himself? One minute she was relieved to see him and the next she was pushing him away again. Young James was her final excuse, but it was a poor one, if capable of being one at all.

There was a solid knock on the door. Will jumped to his feet, "Elizabeth..." he said opening it quickly.

"Well Mate, no ones ever called me tha'. But it suits me...don' ya think?"

"Jack!" Will exclaimed, happy to see the pirate, but at the same time, hiding his look of disappointment, "I thought... You should have been back 3 days ago." He said.

"Aye! But Will, you've forgotten...Pirates never keep there word, do they now? I had to keep me reputation! Fashionably late!" Jack said smiling. Now, aren't you gonna invite me in to your..." He looked around the musty room, "...fine space here...?"

Will laughed at Jack's attempt at being polite as he swayed into the room, "Wonderful view mate!" Jack said, "Though the draft is quite unbearable."

Will didn't respond initially, sliding down into a corner and hiding his head in his hands, he finally spoke, "More has happened this week than you could imagine, Jack..."

"Let me guess!" Jack said, leaning himself against the door. "Fire? Hurricane? Murder? Suicide?"

Will rolled his eyes, "Close" he said.

"I wasn't serious..." Jack said, "But I guess I was...what happened?" Jack asked, showing the slight bit of compassion he had for his friend's problem.

"Basically everything you just said...but worse..." Will said, exaggerating to make his point.

Then the whole story came out...saving Young James, seeing Elizabeth, the Commodore, sneaking around, the night at the inn, the Commodore's death, the reveal of his son, how he almost left, Elizabeth's relief and then finally ending with her sudden refusal.

"You're right," Jack said after Will was done, "That was worse. Will...realize this...she's running...letting her arrogant self get in the way...do you really want to be with a girl like that?"

Will looked at Jack, "I love her...I do."

"If she loves ye mate, she'll find a way to be with ye."

"I'm just not sure if you're right." Will spoke. Who knew a man who had never honestly loved someone in his life could know so well how he felt. "What if she really doesn't love me? What if I'm waiting on the edge of nothing?"

"Will...she's obviously in love with you...because love makes people do stupid things, and she is being very stupid. You can't force her to do anything mate, persuasion...love...and opportunity are the only compelling powers here...and sometimes, even they fail." Jack looked at Will, who was still moping in the corner, pondering what he had just said.

"But is there anything else I can do? Is there anything at all that I can say...or achieve to get her to come with me...?" Will asked, more to himself than to Jack. "I can't confront her...what if she says no again? I can't leave tomorrow knowing there isn't a chance she is coming with me. But what if I don't confront her...and I later find out that she would have said yes. Is it a chance I should be willing to take to know the truth?"

"Will...mystery is one of the most exciting parts of our world, you don't have to have a sure answer to be confident." Jack said, trying to be as assuring as he possibly could.

Will stood up slowly, cocking his head slightly as he thought.

"I think you know what you need to do." Jack said, "Though it may not be easy. Information can often times be disguised as persuasion. As little as possible, yet as much as you can get away with. Let her know the facts..."

Will turned his head away, "Yeah...I..." He started, but stopped as he reached for a piece of parchment in his coat pocket and started writing.

Jack rocked back and forth on his toes uncomfortably, then glancing towards the pocket watch on the night table, he spoke "Well look at the time! I had better be going...the crew is parked in a bay off to the east, we leave tomorrow morning...until then, I have a date on the beach with a bottle o' rum!" Jack said slapping Will on the back. "I'd invite you mate...but I think you've got some...er...complications to sort out."

"I know..." Will said, as much as he wanted to follow Jack, he knew deep down inside that he was right. He couldn't run...not yet anyways. Nodding to Jack to wait a moment, he finished his note and then followed Jack out onto the street.

&

"Best of luck, mate." Jack said as he finally reached the intersection in which he turned towards the beach.

Will just half smiled and nodded, as he turned the corner and walked quickly down the cobblestone street. Praying for the best, though he wasn't sure completely what that was.

&

There was a knock on the front door. Not uncommon these days. A tall shadow opened it, surprised that no one was there. Instead, there was a note, addressed to Mrs. Elizabeth Norrington. Stepping back inside, the shadow could not resist its temptation and carefully unfolded the note, silently reading...

Elizabeth, I know you are not inclined to take my offer and come with me tomorrow. But in the case that you change you mind, Jack and I will be at the beach at sunrise. We won't wait for you...just hope for your arrival ...Remember, I'll love you forever, whether you show up tomorrow or not. Mr. Turner

There was a gasp, and then an aw of realization as everything began to make sense. Then the shadow quietly stepped back and closed the door.

AN: I hope that was understandable, I should be doing my homework, but I wanted to give ya'll an update and this chapter needed major revisions. Thanks for reviewing!