A/N: Okay first things first. I want to make this perfectly clear. Thefrench below may not be accurate for I used an online translator.Not a big deal considering I don't speak french but its the same song as before.

Chapter 23: A Love Dilemma

Lia's POV:

"Entendez comme les vagues des notes flottent. Montant au delà de la
Foule intimidée... "

As I sat on the deck of the Black Pearl watching the sun rising above the ocean line, a song popped into my mind and I felt my lips move as I began to sing.

It was a song my mother wrote when she was young about the sweetness of a melody. I closed my eyes as I felt the sound of my voice trailing in the wind, singing as if I knew what I was saying. Just from growing up in the tavern, listening to the many different travelers from many distant lands, my mother managed to learn to speak French.

I could recall many times singing this song at home with my mother. I didn't know French but had a great joy out of singing this song. She owned a black diary where she printed any song she created for the two of us to enjoy.

I tore my eyes away from the setting sun to look down on my lap where that familiar black book laid.

Affectionately I ran my fingertips softly over the firm black surface, worn from age and harm. A part of me thought I was pretty dumb to not see this book in my hands…

"It doesn't matter anymore…" I said, pushing the memory out as I flipped through the pages, rips marked the many torn pages like old scarred wounds on a person's skin.

"À travers la musique va que les arrêts à un battement simple
Peuvent vous maintenant entendre le piano couler? Dans toute sa
Gloire, il joue une mélodie douce "

As I continued to sing, I gasped as I felt a hand on my shoulder. My breath caught in my throat for second before seeing it was Jack, a look of unperturbed contentment on his face.

He kept his hand on my shoulder as he looked towards the sun.

"Its unbelievable how much you sound like yer mother."

A small smile came and left as I tore my gaze from Jack to look back at the rising sun, "I wish I remembered her better…"

Sad but true, I had left my mother six years ago in my memories where I knew, not by choice, she was meant to be. And sadly I could feel her slipping away still.

I felt Jack press his lips against my temple in a quick kiss as he sat next to me. I felt his hand graze mine as he reached for my mother's diary, taking it off my lap. He slowly flipped through the pages.

"I remember this."

I chuckled, "Completely renewed."

Jack shook his head in disbelief, "How you managed to piece this thing back together is beyond me."

I grinned smugly, "Well besides a voice, I did inherit the brains in this family. Something you wouldn't really know about."

I laughed as Jack playfully acted offended, "Now that's not fair."

"Life is never fair." I replied sarcastically as I pulled the blanket I had wrapped around me over my shoulders.

"At least I was left with the striking features." He retorted with a smug grin. With a mock sneer, I pointed to myself. It was quite obvious what I was trying to say.

"Which you passed, unknowingly, to me." I said, emphasizing on the unknowingly part.

Jack looked me up and down with fake disbelief, "I certainly don't see it."

The glint in his eyes told me he was kidding. He laughed as I scoffed with fake appall.

We fell silent before he spoke up again, "Now do you mind tellin' me what yer doin' out here this early?"

I sighed and blew a strand of hair out of my face, "I just needed air. Its nice once in a while."

He chuckled, as he looked down, "Well sweet, you're still not well. I'd feel a lot better if ye went back to sleep."

"But Jack…"

"You need yer rest, Lia."

I wrapped the blanket tighter around myself as I stood up. Jack reacted as I began to sway, ready to catch me but I pushed him away. I shuffled my feet softly as I walked across the deck to get to the cabin, wanting to disappear from Jack's sight. I tried to push it back but I couldn't help but feel some anger toward him for not letting me be.

I just wanted to be alone.

Will's POV:

"Get up you lazy arse!"

I groaned from exhaustion as I opened my eyes to see Anamaria standing over me. An irritated frown marred her features as she stood firmly with her hands on her hips.

"What the hell is going on?" I groaned.

"Its half past ten, Will!" She said as if she expected me to know, "Get up!"

She stormed out of the room without saying anymore. I had no clue what was her problem, nor did I care at that moment.

I pushed myself up with my elbows. As I slipped on my boots, I groaned with weariness for I did not get a good night's sleep.

As I sat with Lia in her room last night, she became silent and I don't know but I thought I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. For some odd reason I felt as if she didn't want me in the room anymore so I quickly mumbled some excuse and got out of there.

All night I had tossed and turned with no luck of drifting off. My mind was filled with much confusion but at the same time it was working itself out. I had come to my conclusion of whose heart I would be breaking.

I took a deep breath and gathered some courage as I stood up to do what I had to do.

Lia's POV:

I woke up a good four hours later when I felt someone hovering over me. I struggled as I tried to open my eyes. When I finally did, I rolled over to face Jack who I knew was there. My breathing hitched as a sting of pain shot up my side.

"And how are we this mornin'?"

I groaned, "Pain..."

"Where?"

I rested my hand over my wound, "Right here."

Jack put his hand over mine and slowly peeled it away. He began to tug at my shirt but I grabbed his wrist swiftly.

Jack sighed, "Let me see, sweet."

Reluctantly I let go and rested my hand by my side as he pulled up my shirt, exposing my bandaged wound. I looked down to see a small deep red patch of dry blood, soaking the front.

Jack frowned, "I think it needs to be changed."

I sat up suddenly.

"Jack, I think I can do it by myself." I said quickly, anxiety quivered in my voice. Jack frowned again having no idea as to why having him change my bandage for me was a big deal.

"Ye sure?" he asked.

I nodded, "Really, they probably need you outside."

Jack nodded. He patted my thigh before sitting up and headed outside, closing the door behind him.

I fell back onto the bed and threw the sheets over my head in remorse. My subconscious mind told me that Jack was my father and wouldn't hurt me in any way but I still felt a fear of some kind.

I sighed heavily through my nose before kicking away the sheets and sitting up. I inhaled sharply as a small jolt of pain creped up my side. The wound may not have been fatal but it sure hurt like it was one.

I shuffled over to the desk across from me and opened one of the top drawers. I pulled out a roll of bandages and set them on the desk.

I pulled my shirt up and over my head and tossed it on the chair. Slowly I began to unwrap the bandage around my stomach. Looking in the mirror behind me, I saw that it was healed. All that remained was a deep red scar about three inches long. Most of my bruising had healed except for a few welt marks on my back and the scar on my cheek that I knew was there to stay.

I almost decided on leaving the wound as it was but I thought it would be for the best since the scar was fresh and I knew there was that chance of it reopening.

After finishing up, I took the other bandage and wrapped it around my chest like I have done a million times before. Unlike other cloths I used, the bandage kept me from exposing myself when I got soaked from sailing since my shirt was white and needless to say it was quite comfortable and supportive.

I then walked over to my bed and pulled out a comb I kept tucked under the mattress. I sat in front of the mirror as I began to detangle my hair.

I stopped as my eyes drifted behind me. Sitting on my nightstand I saw a familiar white handkerchief, Mr. Richards's handkerchief.

I had completely forgotten that it was wrapped around my shoulder. Anamaria must have removed it when he got me out of my bloody shirt.

I snarled with fury as I slammed the comb on the desk and ran over to the handkerchief. I balled it up in my hand and went over to the window.

I let out a small shriek as I threw it with all my might out the window. It flew in the breeze before hitting the water. I closed the window and crawled back into my bed.

I squeezed my eyes closed as if I was in pain. My breathing hitched as I tried to go back to sleep. The mere sight of that handkerchief played back the horrid memories all over again like a montage. My body trembled as it recalled the abuse.

As hard as I tried I still couldn't get myself to calm down. I clutched my wound as it throbbed from the sudden movements, the pain grew but I didn't care. As much as I wanted to call out to Jack, I fought the urge. Talking about it wouldn't help.

A few minutes later I heard knocking at my door. I opened one eye, seeing the door through the sheet over my head, a rough silhouette.

"Come in." I called flatly.

I heard the creaking of the door open and close but no voice. I lowered my sheets so I could see who it was.

"Will?"

He nodded as he came closer to my bed and sat on the chair Jack had set out when he watched over me.

I raised my eyebrows sardonically, "Why didn't you say it was you!"

My voice rose as I spoke but I quickly brought it down. I began to wonder why all of a sudden everything considered scarring was hitting me so quickly all at once. Shaking my head, I looked back to Will.

He reached behind his head and scratched the nape of his neck, sighing heavily. He seemed nervous.

"Are you alright?" I asked

Will nodded his head, "I'm fine."

I nodded as he sighed heavily. Everything seemed to have stopped then. I looked down at my hands; absently drumming my fingers on my thighs while Will gazed out the window.

The silence and the stillness of everything around me suddenly felt so overwhelming. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the door and silently I began to hope that someone would walk in to get Will outside to work or to check on me.

Anything just to disrupt the silence.

"Will?"

I looked over at him as he looked up at me, waiting for me to speak.

"Back when we first met, back in Port Royal, why did you give me that confused look when you first saw me?"

Will eyes clouded with perplexity, "What brought this on?"

I shrugged, "Just making conversation."

Will's lips stretched into a small smile as he leaned back on the chair. His eyes drifted off, recalling the moment.

As I waited for him to answer, I propped up my pillow and sat up against the headboard of my bed.

"You're sarcasm was without a doubt very familiar to me."

I chuckled slightly, "Really?"

"I knew it could be but I wasn't sure. I hadn't seen Jack for over three years. Change could have been possible."

I scoffed sarcastically, "Change is something his mind is deprived of."

Will laughed at my comment, "Well that is something I wanted to talk to you about."

I drew my knees up, "Jack?"

Will shook his head, "Change."

My breath caught in my throat as he scooted his chair forward and took my hand in his.

"For years I had this feeling thinking it was real and it had caused me a lot of excitement," he drifted off again as his mind played back the feeling he was talking about, "What I didn't know was that I had been poisoned by it, not perceiving the reality that it was just an infatuation of the feeling and not the feeling itself."

I began to feel a bit nervous, "Will, where are you going with this?"

"With you, that feeling seemed to change into what it was meant to be all along."

He went quiet for a minute. I could feel my head instinctively tilt to the side in utter confusion.

He took a deep breath, "I should have said this sooner, Lia…"

Those brown orbs clouded with warmth as his hand softly traced small circles on the back of my hand.

"I love you."

I felt slightly stunned by his words. I thought that was what I wanted to hear but now that I heard it, it didn't feel real to me. This was wrong but then again nothing felt right.

"I can't…" I whispered as I pushed Will's hand off of mine.

Will face contorted into a mix of astonishment and hurt, "What?"

My eyes welled, "I'm sorry, Will. But I don't want you to spend the rest of your life filling a hole where Elizabeth was. I am not her and I never will be."

The hurtful look on his face disappeared and was immediately replaced with a look of appalled anger.

"How could you think such a thought!" he spat.

I shook my head, "Will, I…"

"No." he interrupted, "How dare you think that I would think of you as a replacement. Everything I have been feeling about Elizabeth has nothing to do with you! But like I've said before what would you expect from a pirate."

My mouth dropped, "And what is that supposed to mean?"

Will suddenly stood up and began to pace, "Oh I think you know exactly what it means."

I threw the sheets off me and sat up on my knees on the bed, "That's not fair!"

At this point I was breathing really hard, trembling with fury. Will eyes changed and for a second I thought I saw guilt in them.

I turned my head, not wanting to look at him anymore. I could feel the tears coming but I refused to feel guilty in front of Will. To refuse his comfort that I knew he would bestow without any sort of regret, comfort that would pull me in where I didn't want to go.

"Can you honestly…?"

"Will, just go, okay!"

Silence.

I turned to face him. His face held an expression I couldn't read but it seemed intense. I couldn't bear it anymore. I could feel the fire burning in my soul.

"Get out, Will! Just get out!" Will stepped back as I threw one of my pillows at him.

"Lia…"

"Leave me alone!"

I yelled again before throwing myself on my bed and went under the covers, not wanting to see him. A few seconds later I heard his footsteps trudging away followed by a slamming door.

I covered my mouth to silence my sobs as tears streamed down my face, soaking my pillow. How could I have been so stupid?

'Its for the best.'

That thought repeated over and over in my head but I never thought that piece of advice could be such a lie. That doing the right thing could cause so much pain. A part of me did believe that Will wanted to be with me for all the damages in his relationship. My god! He sailed all around the Spanish Main for that English hussy for Christ's sake!

But it was a very small part that believed.

As much as the other half felt that he loved me for real, I knew I had to let him go. My heart was already filled with a dark heavy burden and I did not want to add the responsibility of their broken marriage if I had said yes to Will.

Will's POV:

As soon as the gangplank was down, I hurried off The Black Pearl and onto the familiar harbor of Port Royal.

The air was crisp and the sun felt pleasantly warm as it beamed down on the city. I informed Jack that it would be safe to dock in the harbor seeing as it was empty. The coast would be clear.

As soon as I stepped off the gangplank and onto the dock, I turned to look at Jack who was standing at the top of the plank.

His eyes were squinted a bit from the sun, waiting for me to say something.

Not really having any words, I thought of the first thing I should say, "I'm sorry, Jack."

Jack's eyebrows wrinkled in perplexity but he nodded all the same.

"Thank you, Will," he said sincerely, "For everything."

I nodded softly.

"I must say ye'd make a fine pirate, Will Turner."

I forced a laugh, "Will I be seeing you again soon?"

Jack grinned his signature grin as he shrugged, "I'll have to get back to you on that one."

I held up my hand and waved, "You take care, all right?"

Jack pulled away from where he stood as the gangplank was pulled away.

"Aye, I expect the same from you."

I waved again as Jack left to resume his post at the rudder. As I watched the ship make way, I noticed Lia was sitting on the quarterdeck stairs.

She looked frazzled with her hair sticking out from all ends. If this were my first time seeing her, I would have immediately mistaken her for a boy.

Her eyes were red and inflamed from her crying, her hands trembled as she cradled herself and her skin was a pale sickly color. Seconds later, Anamaria came down the steps, wrapped a blanket around her body and began to lead her back to the Captain's quarters.

I stood on deck as long as I could until they were well on their way. Jack waved one last time before turning his attention to the crew.

As I turned and walked away, I could hear him barking orders as the ship sailed away.

Watching the ship sail away, I couldn't help but feel what a fool I was. I was willing to throw away a three-year marriage over another girl I knew for only a moment.

I walked away thinking that maybe it wasn't meant to be and for the first time in months, I couldn't wait to get home to my wife.

The town was somewhat awake since it was quite early in the morning. Most running about were the militiamen who, of course, got nothing better to do.

"Well if it isn't William Turner!"

A jolly voice rang out of nowhere. I looked up to see Jacob Price standing in front of me. With a smile on his face, he approached me with his hand outstretched. I shook it.

"How are you doing, sir?" I asked politely.

"Quite dandy I might say," He then frowned, "Where have you been? It feels like ages since I've seen you last."

I nodded in agreement, "I had some business to take care of."

"That's good," he said, "Having an assistant sure does help for long trips, huh?"

I felt my smile drop at the mention of Lia. I had forgotten that he thought she worked for me.

"Such a charming young lady," he kept going, " I assure you…"

"Nice talking to you Mr. Price," I said as I shook his hand again, "But I really have to be on my way."

I took off quickly leaving a perplexed Jacob Price behind.

I walked briskly past the town and up the dirt road leading to the governor's house. I could hear the servants chattering among themselves as I approached.

I pushed open the iron gate and made my way over to the house.

As soon as I got in, I noticed it was very quiet.

"Elizabeth?"

Nothing but the sound of my own voice echoed off the walls.

"Hello?"

As I approached the stairs I called to Elizabeth again but still no answer. I quietly began to walk up the stair incase she was still sleeping.

As I approached our bedroom, I could distinctively hear the sounds of muffled groans. I turned the knob and opened the door. As I saw what was unfolded before my eyes, I gasped in shock as I fell against the wall.

Pieces of different clothing were thrown everywhere. Rolling around in the sheets of our bed was Elizabeth and she was not alone.

"Elizabeth?"

She looked up, horrified. She gave a little scream as she rolled off whomever she was on and quickly pulled the sheet up to her shoulders, covering herself up.

As she rolled off, I was staring into the eyes of another man.

Commodore Norrington!

"Turner!" he shouted in shock as he wrapped the sheet around himself.

I looked over at Elizabeth.

"Why?" I asked solemnly

"I thought you were gone…" she said timidly.

I could feel my anger growing inside me. What made everything worse was that she had no sign of guilt whatsoever.

"Well, I'm sorry I interrupted!" I yelled mordantly, "Finish please!"

I turned on my heels and slammed the door behind me. Quivering with fury I tried to come up with my next move.

It was then that I remembered Lia.

I could still catch her if I hurried!

Quickly I flew down the stairs, out the door, past the gate, down the dirt path and back into the city.

My heart was hammering so hard that it echoed in my head as I ran to the docks.

As soon as I felt the sound of the wood pounding under my feet, I stopped. I bent over with my hands on my knees trying to catch my breath.

I looked up and that was when I felt my heart drop to my feet.

The Black Pearl was nothing but a small black dot on the ocean horizon.

My heart still pounded but I could no longer hear or feel it. As the feeling of heartbreak swallowed me up like a vast darkness and only one thought raced though my mind.

I had lost my chance…

A/N: And…CUT! That a wrap for tonight:Hands Will some water: We will be back to shoot the ending tomorrow.