Well ! – I'm utterly shocked and disappointed.  Johnny did not win his Oscar!!! Can you believe it? I can't; he really really REALLY deserved it! Stupid jury…*grumbles* Don't y'all agree?

But ye'll get the next chapter anyways – thanks for the reviews! Exactly 100 – weheee! Thanks and enjoy!!

(Oh, the one small part in the middle is kinda like Will's P.O.V…)

~*~

Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she lifted her hand to knock on the old wooden door to the forgery.  But as already several other attempts this one failed too, due to her lack of courage.  Her hand dropped for the hundredths time; at least that's what it felt like.  Elizabeth scolded herself; she was being childish and a coward.  She bit her lower lip and shuddered a little before she finally lifted her hand quickly and knocked resolutely on the door.  She stood there and waited for what seemed like ages.  If she hadn't been taught otherwise she would have bitten her fingernails, but now she just wiggled her hands impatiently in front of her. 

"No customer's today" a tired voice sounded from inside. "Can't you read the sign?"

Will.  His voice. It sounded so hopeless and exhausted that it broke Elizabeth's heart.  She took a deep breath before she knocked again.

"Will.." she croaked and cleared her throat.

"Will" she repeated louder this time. "It's me..Elizabeth."

No answer.

"Will, please – we have to talk!"

Elizabeth froze at the cold reply that came after a dreadful long moment of silence and tears started forming in her eyes.

"There's nothing that needs to be talked about Ms. Swann. You have made yourself …inescapably clear."

Elizabeth felt anger flaring up inside her. 

"Will! Stop being so damn egoistical! We both need to sort this out!" Elizabeth rapped at the door again and stumbled as it was opened forcefully.

"Egotistical? I'm egotistical? Of the two of us, I think only you can be called egotistical, caring only about yourself…but what am I talking to you anyways…there's no point in fighting." Will ended weakly and Elizabeth angry face became soft as she saw the hurt in Will's eyes.

"Will –" she began and then lost her confident façade and moved towards him, burying her face in his vest and clinging to him, sobbing.  "Oh Will.  I'm…I'm so sorry" she managed to say between sobs.  Will's arms were hanging loosely at his side and he didn't know what to do.  He looked down at the tearful woman he loved and self-consciously placed one of his arms on her back, feeling rather awkward.  He cleared his throat in embarrassment, coughed nervously and carefully stroked her hair. Elizabeth was shaking uncontrollably in his arms and he felt overtaxed by such an outburst of emotion; he didn't know how to deal with her, didn't know whether to feel sorry or angry. Elizabeth straightened up and loosened her grip on him.  She wiped her face with a dirty handkerchief that Will handed her and averted her eyes.

"I can understand if you hate me now and if you never want to see me again" she started and Will was about to interrupt but she silenced him. "But think of Jack.  This is not his fault.  Only I am able to control or – in this case – loose control over my feelings.  You cannot blame it on him, Will! I feel so guilty and ashamed for what I have done and what I feel, but…but" she sputtered, searching for the right words.

"..but I can't change them, I cannot change my feelings and I feel…like a…caged bird without Jack." She finished rather lamely. She dared to look up and meet Will's eyes. 

"Am I too boring for you then?" he asked, his eyes aflame with anger.  "Do I not provide the great pirate adventures that young missy needs then?" He looked offended and Elizabeth understood him and reached up to touch his cheek.

"No, Will." She said softly and Will swallowed hard as he gazed into her beautiful eyes that were brimming with tears. "That's not true, and you know it. Please Will, I – I understand you.  I understand how hurt you must feel.  But do you want me to betray myself? To pretend to love someone I don't?" At this Will's eyes flashed with despair but he made sure Elizabeth didn't notice. "To be unhappy…?" she finished and looked up at him.

"Of course not…" Will replied quietly as soon as he felt he could trust his voice.  Elizabeth gave him a weak smile.  "Oh god Will, I feel terrible too." She said and pulled him into a tight hug, which Will returned, though with the knowledge that it was not a hug of two lovers but only friends. "Do you hate me now?" Elizabeth asked as he pulled away.  "Forever and ever." Will joked although he wasn't in the mood for jokes at all.  Elizabeth smiled a little smile and suddenly brought a hand to her mouth in shock. 

"Oh what of Jack! He will be hung at dawn tomorrow. We, uh…I have to –"

Will flinched at the mention of Jack but knew that there was no point in hating one of his best friends.  "Yes; we have to do something." He said and smiled as Elizabeth stared at him. 

"You…you are going to help me?" She asked astonished.  When Will nodded she pulled him into another hug and held him tightly.

"Why?" she asked timidly.

"Because I still love you…and I want you to be happy." He said, his voice breaking.

Elizabeth looked up at Will and her voice was barely a whisper.

"Thanks, Will." 

~*~

It still hurt.  Although he tried his best to block those dreadful feelings out he still felt a pang at his heart every time Elizabeth mentioned Jack.  But Will knew that he couldn't get her back anymore and the last thing he wanted was to make her life miserable.  It was true what he had said earlier; he still loved her, and always would. But he wanted her to be happy, so there was no choice for him but to get over it.

~*~

"What?? What do you mean 'seduce' them a little?  I –"

"Just to distract them, Elizabeth." Elizabeth smiled as Will used her name again.  It had hurt her to be called Ms. Swann after she had finally gotten him to use her first name.  She was grateful that everything was at least closer to normal than just hours before.  But as Will waved a hand in front of her absent-minded face she focused back on their discussion.

"But I can't, I mean I – "

"Do you want to save Jack or not? It's nothing really – flashing a bit of thigh, batting your eyelashes…" Will grinned.  Elizabeth looked at him, totally surprised.

"I'd never thought you would say something like that to me, not to mention asking me to do it…" Will winked at her and Elizabeth hit him playfully on the shoulder. 

"Wait!" Elizabeth suddenly remembered something.  "This is Port Royal. The guards know me.  I'm the governor's daughter!" She grinned triumphantly, glad to have avoided the unpleasant situation.  Will contemplated this for a moment and Elizabeth looked worried as his face lit up.

"I think I know what to do about that…." , he said with a smirk on his face.

~*~

"I look absolutely horrible with this wig!" Elizabeth complained and tugged at the strands of hair, smudging the thick make-up in the process.

"It'll do" Will assured her.  "Black suits you.", he added with a wink. Elizabeth only scowled.

"Alright, let's get this over with." She sighed and marched resolutely over to the guards.  Will, standing back, had to keep himself from laughing out loud as 'Ms. Swann' - that prissy governor's daughter - flirted with the redcoats. And successfully so, he had to admit.  Soon they were gazing hungrily at her and as she whispered something into their ears they broke into loud guffaws.  Elizabeth beckoned them over to the side and they followed her like puppies.   She was amazed at how easy it was.  Almost too easy. 

Meanwhile Will sneaked down the slippery stair to the cells.  He swallowed as he saw Jack slumped in a corner and hoped he wouldn't ask any questions. He wasn't ready to really talk to him yet. 

Jack looked up as Will descended the last few steps and opened his mouth in surprise at the sight of him. 

"Will? You? I thought you-"

"Not now, Jack." Will interrupted. "We don't have much time." Jack wanted to add something but decided against it and closed his mouth shut after a moment.  He watched Will fingering at the lock, which sprung open easily.

"How did you do that??" Jack asked amazed.

"Blacksmith" , Will answered and smiled bitterly. Jack nodded understandingly after a moment and gave him a fake smile. 

"Let's get going." Will ushered him out and rolled his eyes as Jack grabbed his 'effects' from a hook on the wall.  

~*~

"So what are you going to do now?" Elizabeth asked Jack anxiously. Now that Jack was saved and hidden safely inside one of the many rooms of the governor's mansion, Elizabeth was worried that he would just sail off.

Unfortunately her prediction was proven right.

"Ah, luv, ye know how I am.  Can't stay in one place fer more than a day.  'Cept for Tortuga that is, of course." He said carelessly. 

Elizabeth averted her eyes. 

"What's it luv?" Jack asked concerned, begging that she wouldn't break into tears or some other womanish thing of that sort.

"Jack, couldn't I…I mean can't I …" she stopped in mid sentence and lifted her head.

"…can I come aboard the Black Pearl with you?" she finished strongly.  There. It was out.  She bit her lip and awaited Jack's reply.

Jack's heart jumped at her question and for a moment his eyes glinted with hope. 

"Luv…you know this wouldn't work." What? What had he just said?? He could have slapped himself.

But he knew it was true.  She was the governor's daughter and definitely not made for the sea.  And what would become of his reputation as a feared pirate if he brought a sissy upper-class woman aboard his ship.  Someone he actually cared for. Oh no, this definitely would not be a good idea. He swallowed hard as he saw Elizabeth's hurt look in her eyes.

"Look luv, the sea's not yer place.  Ye belong here."

His heart was breaking. 'Why?' One side of him asked. 'Because she deserves better.  And she wouldn't be happy.  Neither would I be.  It wouldn't work.'  the other answered.  'Wouldn't it…?' the voice piped up again, but Jack ignored it.

"But –" Elizabeth started and Jack hushed her by placing a ringed finger on her lips. He braced himself for what he would have to say next.

"The sea's me only love, Lizzie. It just would –"

"- not work between us, I know!" Elizabeth hissed, her hurt expression turning into an angry one, contorting her beautiful face.  

"You are…" Elizabeth searched for the right word "…weak!" she spat at him as she bounded out of the room.  

~*~

A/N: Don't worry, don't worry.  I'll sort this mess out :) There's about 2 or 3 more chapters to come, so it's nearly done.  But reviews are still veeery welcomed!! ;)  Oh yes, and I have a question.  Does anyone know how to take off one chapter? Because I wanna take off that author's note…Please tell me if you know!!

Until next time,

~ Sereture