A/N: All right, here we go with chapter 6. Hope you like it.

Chapter 6: The Sea is Freedom

Lia's POV:

My eyes went wide with surprise. I was about to speak when Jack beat me to it.

"What?" he was as surprised as I was.

"I would like to come along." Will repeated.

"I 'eard what ya said, Will." Jack said, "But why?"

Will tensed up but stood his ground, "I have my reasons Jack."

Jack was silent for a while. I tried to read his eyes for an answer but I couldn't tell what he was thinking. After a long silence he finally spoke.

"All right, Will." He said, "It would be good to have an old friend on board."

I smiled as they shook hands. Outwardly I appeared to be calm and collected but inside I was screaming with excitement.

'Yay! Will was going to come with us!'

I was so caught up in my excitement that I didn't even notice it was nighttime.

"You better get to bed, sweet" Jack said to me, "Yeh got an early rise tomorrow."

"Aye." I replied as I walked down the steps and toward the direction of the blacksmith shop. Jack and Will stayed behind.

Jack's POV:

"So I see ya 'ave changed yer mind about becoming a pirate?" I smirked for I already knew Will's answer to that one.

"Jack I've told you a thousand times no."

"Well now that would make it a thousand and one."

Will shook his head and rolled his eyes. I just laughed.

"You haven't changed Jack."

"Well except for bein' a father now." I was so tempted to ask about Lia like I asked her about him but I thought it best not to cause anymore trouble, better leave that to Lia.

We walked down to the blacksmith shop and stopped in front of the door.

"Well Jack I better go." He patted my shoulder and walked off.

"Yeah, say hi to the bonnie lass fer me." I said as he walked away.

He didn't respond but simply waved his arm, telling me he heard. I walked into the blacksmith shop. Everyone was already asleep. I went up the stairs and knocked on Lia's door.

"Come in." She called from behind the door.

I opened the door. She was sitting on the bed. Her belt was removed and placed on the night table.

"Yes Jack?" She reached behind her head and pulled on the bandana she used to tie up her hair. Her hair fell around her shoulders elegantly as she wrapped the bandana around her wrist. I pulled up a chair and sat by her bed.

"I'm not here to tease ya luv." I said, "I just want to talk."

She nodded, twiddling with the hanging drawstring of her neckline, "I already told you that I don't like him that way. I was upset and he was helping me."

"Heh, even I don't blame you for being upset after what happened with Elizabeth."

Her eyes widened, "How did you know?"

I laughed, "Anamaria and Mr. Gibbs told me everything. They seemed frantic as if you were going to kill someone."

"She insulted mum. She had it coming!" She ranted on defensively

I raised my hand asking her to calm down, "I know sweet. She had no right to say what she said. Don't tell Will I said this but yeh did good."

She smiled as she pulled out a flask from her sleeve. She took a sip and tossed it to me. I quickly recognized it, "You mad pickpocket! How did you manage to swipe this?"

Lia let out a giggle, "When Mr. Gibbs pulled me off Lizzie."

I shook my head, "You're crazy."

Lia raised her eyebrows with a smirk, "Well, I was taught by the best and now if you excuse me, I've got an early rise tomorrow."

I rolled my eyes as I heard Lia imitating my tone as she said the last bit. She ducked under the blanket and pulled the covers over her head. I sighed heavily as I got up to leave.

Lia's POV:

"Ok, sugar?"

"Got it."

"Bread?"

"Yes."

"Apples?"

It was half past 2pm the next day. We all were up since 7am gathering supplies and sending the rowboat back and forth to the ship. Will and I stood on the docks with Anamaria who was reading off the last of the checklist to Mr. Gibbs who was in the rowboat looking through the supplies to confirm the list.

"Yes, We've got apples."

"Rum?"

"We've got about four kegs. I figured that should be enough."

"Damn it Gibbs!" Anamaria was getting very frustrated; "Ye know Jack needs some rum in bottles in his quarters."

"Don't fret Anamaria. Will and I can go get it." I said suddenly.

Will nodded in agreement, "Yes, we'll take care of it."

"Then go get to it squirt." She ordered, "Also we need some meat. I trust ye to decide what kind of meat."

Will and I walked off the dock and back into the city. I knew rum was the most important thing (especially to Jack). The tavern was not too far into the city. Will was about to go in when I stopped him.

"Will, how about you get the meat and I'll get the rum."

"Are you sure, Lia?" he asked

"Yes, It will be faster. Anamaria is ready to explode."

Will looked toward the docks, "Yes I know that. All right then, you get the rum and I'll get the meat."

He patted me on the shoulder and took off down the road. I opened the door to the tavern and went in. I immediately walked up to the counter and sat down.

"Can I help you?" It didn't take long for the bartender to see me.

"Yeah, I need four bottles of rum."

"All right. Give me a minute lass." He walked away toward the back of the bar.

As I waited I noticed a man sitting in one of the booth seats in the far end of the bar. He didn't look like the typical sailors of Port Royal. He was bald with a greasy complexion. He wore a brown coat over a white shirt with breeches and boots. He just sat there very still. Staring at me.

Judging by his clothes I had a feeling that he was a pirate. I avoided his gaze by looking at my hands but I still felt his eyes upon me. More uncomfortable then scared I got off my chair and walked over to his table. I put my hands firmly on the table and leaned in towards him.

"You know it's very rude to stare." I said acidly.

He narrowed his eyes, "Sorry, lass." He grabbed his cup and took a drink.

"Miss?"

I whirled around and saw the bartender holding the four bottles of rum I asked for. I walked over and dumped all my shillings on the counter and got out of there quickly with the rum.

The price I paid was probably WAY more than it had cost but my nerves were shot by that mysterious pirate's stare and I knew I had to haul out quickly.

I walked briskly back to the docks and handed Mr. Gibbs the bottles. Will was already there with the meat.

"What took ye so long?" Anamaria asked, her eyes clouded with a devilish glare.

"Oh nothing just a little hold up."

We finished loading the boat and Mr. Gibbs started rowing back to the ship with Anamaria. Will and I watched them row away.

"So what now, Will?" I asked.

"Hmm I don't know. They won't be back for a while."

"Let's go for a walk." I suggested.

Will led me off the dock and onto the beach. We walked side by side along the coast.

For a while we said nothing, a peaceful silence of just enjoying each other's company.

"Can I ask you something, Will?" I asked.

"What is it?"

"Why did you ask Jack if you can come along?"

He was silent for a few seconds; hesitating.

"Well to be honest things haven't been going great for me here. I just need to escape for a while." He said.

"Is this about Elizabeth?" It felt like the perfect time to ask.

Will looked at me, still hesitant, "Yes. I don't understand though. She was so different before we got married. Now she is all about the upper class life. She even wanted me to quit my blacksmith job and work on learning how to be governor."

"Wow! That sounds heavy." I commented

Will continued, "I kept telling myself it was because of the pressure her father put on her and it would pass but she never changed back to the woman I fell in love with. I never realized how different we actually were. I love the simple life and have the desire to travel a lot but she doesn't like that anymore and we have fought constantly about that."

Will walked closer to the water. Just staring out at the ocean.

"Once we leave here, where will we be going?" he asked.

I walked over and stood next to him. Both of us just staring out at the ocean, "I don't know. Did you know before we arrived here I didn't see land for a period of three months?"

"Where were you before the three months started?"

"Hispanola and that was only for a week."

"Is that all you do is travel the seas?"

"There is more to the sea then a way to other lands, Will. The sea is freedom." I turned and faced him. We just gazed into each other's eyes, "Not many people can see that."

"I know."

The silence consumed us again as I felt myself become lost in the deep brownness of his eyes.

His eyes drifted from my own and lingered on my lips as he slowly brought his hand up and placed it on my cheek. I closed my eyes, taking in the moment. His fingers traced down my jaw line, sending sweet shivers through my body. I opened my eyes and smiled as he brushed his knuckles softly across my cheek. I wanted him to kiss me so badly.

I began to notice the distance between us began to reduce. I felt my breath catch in my throat at the thought of this exciting moment. My mind was going a mile a minute and my heart was fluttering. I closed my eyes, waiting eagerly to feel his lips on mine.

I opened my eyes as I felt Will urgently step away from me.

"Hey you!"

A rustling sound followed as Jack came out from the field of trees near us, "I've been looking for you two everywhere. We need more rum barrels."

I glanced over at Will who had a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. I knew I must have looked the same because I really wanted to kill Jack at that moment.

That Night….

I tossed and turned in my bed, completely restless. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Will leaning in to kiss me.

Why did Jack have to choose that time to bother us?

I could confront all I wanted but I knew Jack would not admit to me that it was done intentionally.

"ARGH!" I pulled the sheets over me. I didn't want to think anymore. Tomorrow night we would be on the Pearl sailing off to where ever the wind took us. In a way it was a relief. Will would be with us and I would have him all to myself.

Will's POV:

Sleep was the last thing on my mind as I paced back and forth in my bedroom. Every few seconds my eyes would look to Elizabeth, she was fast asleep. I was to tell her tomorrow morning of my decision to sail with Jack and Lia.

'Lia…'

My mind went back to when we almost kissed.

'Wait! No…' I shook my head, clearing it of the memory. I was very confused. I had someone already. I remembered three years ago wanting her more then ever but now…

I wasn't sure. I still loved Elizabeth. I still wanted to make things work between us. I also didn't know what caused me to lean in to kiss Lia earlier that day or why I was mad that Jack interrupted us.

In my frustration, I stomped out of the room, down the stairs and out of the house. I needed some time to think. I walked down the empty streets of Port Royal. Only the usual militiamen and sailors strolled around.

When I reached the docks, I turned left and walked down the coastline of the beach. I didn't know where I was going but I kept walking anyway. I stopped after getting quite a distance away from the city.

I sat down on the sand. I thought of what would happen tomorrow. Was it right to just leave? Who knew when I would come back? Was it too late to say no?

My mind raced with many questions.

The sound of a gun going off interrupted my thoughts. I jumped up and looked to the city. Were we under attack again? I looked to the docks; only a few ships were present but nothing suspicious. I took off towards the city.

My heart was pounding in my chest. What was all the commotion?

As I got closer I heard the sound of people clamoring. I ran into the city and was stopped by a crowd surrounding a few militiamen who were struggling to hold down somebody.

Someone was getting arrested…

Lia's POV:

I kicked away at my sheets and sat up on my bed. I stood up and ran my hands through my hair as I paced around. I glanced at the clock. It was 11:37pm. I groaned infuriatingly.

'Why couldn't I sleep!'

I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. All I needed was stress. I walked over to the window and started fiddling with the latch to open it.

I noticed Will walking in the streets below. I caught a quick glimpse of him before he turned a corner, disappearing from my sight.

Where was he going this late at night?

I decided to go find out. I quickly put on my boots and ran downstairs. Anamaria and Mr. Gibbs were still on the Black Pearl so I didn't have to worry about them. I noticed that Jack was gone too.

I went out of the blacksmith shop and ran down the street and around the same corner Will was at a few seconds before.

Nothing.

The street was empty. The only noise came from the militiamen on the docks and the rowdy men from the bar. I continued down the street toward the docks.

Maybe he was at the beach. I stopped when I felt someone's hand grab my butt. It was a young man. He looked about twenty. His eyes glazed over from his intoxication.

"What is a pretty thing like you doing out so late at night?" he slurred.

I tried to go around him but he kept blocking me from leaving.

"Now don't be that way." A lustful smile appeared on his face. I suddenly couldn't take it.

"I am not a whore!" I swung my fist at him, getting him on the nose.

He reeled back holding his nose, "You bloody bitch!"

He swung at me, I ducked and he swung again, getting me on the face. I put my hand to my cheek and felt blood.

"You stupid…!" He shouldn't have done that.

I threw myself on him. I was so full of rage that it added to my strength. I've heard that rage can sometimes make a person stronger in physical strength but I didn't believe it until now.

I clenched my fists and began punching him, over and over and over. I kept punching and shouting profanities. Then I heard a gunshot go off behind me, making me freeze.

I looked behind me to see three militiamen running towards me. They grabbed me. Everything was happening so fast.

I was hoisted up and roughly pushed against the wall. My hands were forced behind my back and someone fastened shackles around my wrists.

"I saw it!"

"She tried to rob him!"

"Stupid girl!"

The cries and taunts of bystanders rang in my ears as I tried to figure out what was going on. Someone roughly turned me around and I was staring into the eyes of a militiaman wearing a fancy officer coat and a white wig with a big hat. He looked pretty important.

"Well what do we have here?" the man sneered, "a worthless pirate?"

I narrowed my eyes as this man continued to insult me, "Or are you another poser? Not good enough to be a pirate."

"Take her to the prison." He ordered as he shoved me into another officer. They began to lead me away.

"Commodore Norrington!"

The man who insulted me turned around. The crowd parted as someone pushed and shoved their way through. I gasped as I saw Will, staring intensely at the Commodore.

"Let her go Norrington!" he barked.

Norrington looked outraged by this, "And why should I, Mr. Turner? She tried to rob this man."

I didn't say anything. I was too shocked. Hoping desperately that Will could get me out of this.

"How do you know? For all you know that man could have attacked her first."

I looked to the man. I was actually surprised at the damage I did. His face was bruised and blood flowed from various gashes all over his face. He was sitting on the ground, dazed and confused. I almost felt sorry for him.

Commodore Norrington became speechless. Will had gotten him there.

"She works for me." Will continued, "I know she meant no harm."

"Prove it. If she works for you then prove it."

Will lowered his eyes, not knowing what to say. I felt my stomach turn inside out. If only there was something…

"Wait sir! I can bear witness!"

My hope rose as I saw a familiar face emerge from the crowd. It was Jacob Price! The same man whom I delivered a sword to yesterday.

"This girl does indeed work for Mr. Turner." He said pointing a finger at me, "She delivered a sword to me yesterday."

It was as if Jacob Price was a leader of some sorts because the second he spoke up, a few more people stepped forward and gave their testimony that I was indeed the hired help for Will's blacksmith shop.

The commodore surveyed the crowd with defeat as I beamed. Will exhaled in his relief.

I swear I would have kissed Jacob right then and there!

"Let her go." He ordered. The shackles were removed from my wrists right away. I walked slowly towards Will. I stumbled briefly as the commodore roughly shoved me forward.

"I may have been merciful this time but if she puts another toe out of line, you will be the one detained, Mr. Turner."

Norrington and his men cleared out along with the bystanders. I looked around the leaving crowd, wanting to thank Jacob Price but he was nowhere in sight. In a few seconds, it was only Will and I standing in the street.

"Well this night could have been a lot worse…" I tried, smiling weakly. Will raised a brow sardonically, not understanding how I could have been so calm and humorous after almost landing myself in jail.

"I think that would be quite the understatement for you."

I swallowed the dry lump in my throat as I turned around. Standing in the middle of the street by the corner where the road turned that led to the blacksmith shop was Jack. I winced mentally at his expression. His eyes were so dark, completely furious unlike I have ever seen before.

He walked over to me and grabbed me roughly by my arm, dragging me away from Will.

"I think you and I should have a little talk." He said tersely. I let out a small barely audible gasp of pain from Jack's tight, painful grip on my upper arm. For a moment I thought I should pretend to stumble and maybe he would let go but I quickly reconsidered for knowing Jack, he would have just kept going, letting me drag behind him on the dirt.

"I'm so dead…" The thought kept repeating over and over in my head.

He opened the door to the tavern we stayed at when we first arrived. Roughly, he pulled me in front of him, slamming the door behind him and headed for the stairs to the bedrooms. I could feel my skin flaming as the faces of many of the drunks gawked at us but Jack did not give a bleeding rat's arse.

"Sir, you can't go in there!' The innkeeper followed as Jack started up the stairs. He stopped cold when he realized the boiling rage clouding Jack's eyes and immediately backed off.

My heart began to pound as Jack pushed open the first door he saw with his free hand. He stormed inside and sat me harshly on a lone chair. I winced as I sat down hard.

Jack began to pace, I braced myself for his upcoming rage. My arm throbbed from his grip but I quickly relaxed myself, not wanting to show Jack just how nervous I was.

"What the hell were ye thinkin', Lia!" Jack roared. Now I have seen Jack mad many times but I have never seen him THIS mad, "Just what the HELL were you thinkin'!"

"But I was just…" I started, my voice softer than a mouse compared to Jack's unleashed anger.

"No buts Lia!" Jack said vehemently, pointing a finger at me, "I thought ye would be damn smarter then that but NO!" His voice rose with each word, "Not only did you disregard my direct orders to not stray about at nightfall, but you have betrayed my trust yet again."

I had remained quite, soaking up Jack every word but his last words really struck a cord in me. At that point I couldn't stand for it anymore. I stood up abruptly, my hands clenched at my sides, "That's not fair, Jack! You have no bloody right to bring that up AND that was an accident!"

Jack was a long way from forgiving me, "That's not the point Lia! You could have been killed! Will has put up with a lot to keep us for the time we've had here and jeopardizing his life by going about causing trouble for the militia seems a pretty rotten way to repay him!"

I felt my eyes drop to my hands resting in my lap. Maybe he was right at that. I never thought that I could have easily caused Will everything. No clemency would have been granted for such a crime to help a pirate.

Jack continued to rant, "Norrington could have easily figured out you are my daughter! Then he would have found me and my body would be hangin' in a noose before morning!"

'Me! Me! Me! My ship, my crew, my life!' That's all I heard from Jack's selfishness! Did he really think I could be so naïve and cause trouble because I didn't know any better?

"Why is everything always about you!?" I screamed, "You didn't even care to ask me if I was alright! I was attacked! But of course all you care about is your goddamn self!"

Jack looked stunned by my words as I continued to yell, "Everything's always been about you Jack! What about three years ago when you took me out of Devon? You didn't even care to see that I didn't even want you in my life. But of course you didn't give a damn…!"

Jack slammed his fist on the table, "Shut up Lia!"

I shook my head violently, "No! What about when you left mother because you simply had to degrade yourself to a lowdown good for nothing pirate!"

Jack raised his hand and smacked me across the face. My head snapped to the side, leaving me with a stinging pain on my cheek. I had gone too far.

I glared furiously at him, "I hate you…"

Slowly I saw a look of hurt emerge in Jack's eyes. I've said that to him but before I knew him as my father. This was different.

I got up and stomped out of the room. Jack didn't bother to follow me.

Will was standing by the door, listening in on everything. I pushed past him and ran down the stairs. He followed quickly behind me. He put his hand on my shoulder as I got to the bottom.

"Lia…" he began but not even his soothing words would help me this time.

"Get away from me!" I roared as I pushed him away.

I ran down the streets to the blacksmith shop. I opened the door and threw it shut behind me. I ran to Will's desk and kicked it as hard as I could. My foot throbbed from the impact.

I sat at the table, resting my head on my hands. I had so much anger towards Jack but I also felt really guilty. I had let him down again. What if Norrington found out I was his daughter? He would have searched the entire town and what if he did find Jack?

Worse but this was not the first time I let him down. I broke our trust. But then again it wasn't my fault. But if I had only stayed on The Pearl…

I pulled down the sleeve of my right arm. On my forearm just below my wrist was a "P" burned into my skin. I felt the hatred brewing inside me as my mind went back to that time. How my first betrayal nearly cost us our lives. I kicked the table leg and laid my head in my arms on the table, not wanting to think.

A knock at the door caused me to jerk in surprise

I groaned loudly. I knew it was Will wanting to talk. Or it could be Jack.

I didn't move. I didn't want to deal with anyone. But the knocking carried on.

"Ok fine!" I shouted. I stood up harshly causing my chair to fall back. The knocking stopped as I came near the door. I opened it but there was no one there.

"That's odd."

I turned around to go back in when I felt a hand clamp tightly over my mouth. A muffled scream escaped my throat. An arm wrapped around my waist and dragged me to the alley nearby. I grabbed his hand that was locked on my hip, trying to peel it off but he was very strong.

I let out a groan of pain as he threw me against the wall, facing him.

My eyes widened in shock. It was the same man I saw earlier that day in the bar when I was buying rum! I continued to struggle but it did no good.

"Shh. Don't fight me." It was all he said.

In desperation, I reached out my hand and dug my nails into his face. He screamed in pain, letting go of me. I tried to run but he reached out and grabbed me again, shoving my head against the wall.

Pain ran through my head as everything around me began to sway and become hazy. The man lifted me up and slung me over his shoulder. He walked out of the alley and away from the blacksmith shop. My eyelids grew very heavy but I fought to keep them open.

I strained to peer into shops we passed hoping to spot Jack and Will, but my eyes wouldn't let me see farther then the ground beneath me.

What was left of my strength gave away quickly and I allowed myself to drift slowly into darkness.

A/N: Now the adventure FINALLY begins! Wasn't this an intense chapter? I hope you all liked it. I might take a lot longer getting chapter up from here on. I start college in two weeks and I'm going to be busy getting my stuff together for it. But I'll write as often as I can.