Disclaimer: i do not own POTC

"Elizabeth are you ready?" Claire asked.

"Yes, how do I look?" Elizabeth held out the pleats of her dress. It was a light blue gown, it had a low circle cut. The bodice was adorned with an intricate gold embroidery, underneath was a pure white velvet underskirt, her hair was pinned up, but a few curls were down.

"Lovely my dear…Come now Reginald will be waiting with the carriage, and I imagine Gabe and Jack shall be waiting as well." Claire then lead Elizabeth downstairs. Elizabeth's breath was taken away when she saw Jack, he looked incredibly handsome.

Jack felt the same way, Elizabeth was beautiful, her hair, her dress, everything, the smile she showed him was enormous. "You look handsome." Elizabeth whispered as she took his hand in hers.

"If it weren't for where we were going I'd say we would definitely be upstairs in our bed, having 'our' fun…" Jack whispered back as they walked to the carriage. Luckily for them Gabe was escorting his Aunt and neither or them were in listening distance.

"I would agree." Elizabeth giggled.

The court was immaculate, even more so than Elizabeth remembered. The castle was decorated in violet silk and lilies. As Jack and Elizabeth entered the castle they felt incredibly out of place, they were pirates, and in the King and Queen's presence, this would be something they could tell their children.

"Your majesty, this is my lovely niece Elizabeth I have told you about, and this is her husband Jackson Astor." Claire announced to Queen Mary, who was seated next to King William.

"More like bragged Claire…" The Queen said jokingly. "Now let me have a look at you…" Elizabeth then stepped forward nervously swallowing hard. "Beautiful child you are. Pity you are married, I would match you with lovely Earl Henry Harrington. Are you in love Elizabeth?"

"Yes your highness I am." Elizabeth curtseyed.

"Lovely…"

"Sir, what do you do for business?" King William asked.

"Ship building, trading of sorts." Jack answered.

"Interesting. Are you related to the Astor's of Wales?"

"No your highness, I am from the Caribbean colonies."

"Is trading lucrative there?"

"Very lucrative."

"Well my wife and I won't keep you two, please enjoy the festivities." The King said. Elizabeth and Jack bowed and quickly made their way into the crowd.

"My God Jack!" Elizabeth said as they hurried around a corner, they were going to talk in one of the long hallways, no one would be there to hear them.

"I know, he knows the royal couple as well."

"I think we have gotten in over our heads. We shall strike during the masquerade ball, that is when we will find him. Christ thank God you went with me, otherwise I would have to meet him…" Hushed voices were coming from down the hall. Jack pulled Elizabeth into a dark corner into the hall as the two voices were coming closer.

"Well it is very lucrative, I assure you that your money will be tripled by the years end." Elizabeth went wide eyed in fear, and Jack sensed her breathing become heavy, that was Henry Hailey.

"I shall visit you at your home then and we can talk more. I actually am a bit curious, have you ever heard of a Jackson Astor? He is supposed to be a trader and shipbuilder in the Caribbean." The other voice was Gabriel's.

"No, I haven't. Why the question?"

"He is married to my cousin, and I know I have seen him before, I just can't remember."

"Well I suggest good hunting."

"Thank you." Then the voices went quiet again and Elizabeth and Jack emerged from the corner.

"Jack, what if he finds out?"

"Well, then we better hope he doesn't." Jack then grabbed Elizabeth's hand and took her out of the castle and back to her Aunt's home.

"Jasper! Jacob!" Jack bellowed through the halls.

"What happened?" Jasper and Jacob said at the same time running to meet them in the hall.

"Let's talk in the study…" Jack then started to lead them to the study.

"Jack I am going to go to our room, I am not feeling too well." Elizabeth said as she started to walk away.

"Go on ahead." Jack told Jasper and Jacob. Jack then went after Elizabeth.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked.

"I just didn't like being that close to him…" Elizabeth said exasperated. "I am tired, I just want to rest, I promise if I need you I'll call for you."

"Alright." Jack then gave her a kiss and then joined Jasper and Jacob in the study.

As Elizabeth walked into her bedroom, and turned to shut the door someone pushed through the door. Elizabeth tried to scream but a hand went over her mouth.