Disclaimer: i do not own POTC

"Elizabeth dear?" Claire called through the house, she walked upstairs and started to head towards her bedroom.

"Elizabeth? Are you in there?" Elizabeth became startled as her pistol and weapons were out on the bed. Tonight was the night of the Ball, and Elizabeth need to figure out how to take all of these things without them being seen. She quickly through the coverlet over the bed and hid them.

"Come in." Elizabeth said smoothing out her dress.

"Elizabeth, where is your charming husband the ball is in only a few short hours?"

"With Gabriel, and our servants. I believe they went to dress at the tailor's, we said he would come back and pick me up in the carriage."

"I am not going tonight my dear…" Inside Elizabeth was relived, but she had to play her part.

"Why?"

"I am getting too old. These old bones need to rest every once in a while. I do however want to see you get dressed. Madeline!" Her Aunt called. Quickly Madeline one of the servant girls came rushing in.

"Yes my lady?"

"Elizabeth needs to start getting dressed now, and I would like you to do it. Her garments are in the closet there." Elizabeth took that as her cue, she started to take off her shoes stockings and dress. She was wearing only her chemise as the servant came back with her dress.

"My lady this is a beautiful dress." The servant smiled as she laid it on the bed. It was ivory in color with gold embroidery throughout it, the bodice had white lace wrapped around it, it was a beautiful dress.

The maid then helped Elizabeth put her garters on, to help keep her hosiery in place. Next was the corset, the part Elizabeth hated.

"Please not too tight." Elizabeth said.

"Elizabeth you know it has to be tight…" Her Aunt said as she sat in an armchair looking over the procedure. "…the only way you must not wear it that was is if you are with child…" Her Aunt then looked her face. "Are you?"

"No, I don't think so." Elizabeth said with honesty.

"You're a young girl, perhaps you don't know the signs?" Claire said.

"No I do, I am not sure if I am with child. I will consult a physician as soon as possible." Elizabeth said. In the past week she had noticed she had felt the same way as when she first found out she was having a baby, which raised Elizabeth's suspicions.

"Madeline, do not lace the corset too tightly then."

"Yes my lady." The maid did as she was told. Next came the dress, which fit her perfectly. Then the shoes, which were white.

"Sit down at the vanity Elizabeth, I shall do your hair. Madeline, please bring the basket on my dresser here, and the box on the bed.

"Right away."

"Elizabeth, my sweet child…" Claire said as she brushed Elizabeth's hair. "…please say you won't be leaving in only a day. It is too soon."

"I am sorry Claire, my husband found there to be a problem in one of his yards, I must go."

"Please say you'll visit again, and do not forget to write."

"I promise. Thank you Madeline." The servant had placed the basket on the vanity.

"You may stay here and clean up the room a bit, take Elizabeth's clothes to the laundry room so they may leave with her tomorrow."

Claire then put Elizabeth's hair up with a twist. There was a defined center if you looked on the right side of Elizabeth's head. In the center of it Claire took a white rose which was properly washed and trimmed, and pinned it in her hair. Claire also took a bit of golden dust and sprinkled it on Elizabeth's hair to make it sparkle.

Claire then stood in front of Elizabeth and put some pink powder on her cheeks, took kohl and lined Elizabeth's eyes to make them stand out, and took rose scented lotion and placed a tiny dab on her lips to make them soft, with a slight shine.

"All set my dear."

"Thank you Claire."

"No problem my dear, now in that box that is on your bed I got it for you for this occasion. Your mask is right beside it."

"Thank you."

"I will leave you to finish. I shall see you off." Claire and Madeline then walked out of the room to leave Elizabeth by herself. Quickly Elizabeth ran to the closet and pulled out her sack that had her weapons. Jack, Jasper, and Jacob had already taken theirs so they may assemble it at the tailor's. She lifted her skirts and tied the daggers and pistol to her garter, there would be no way that she could hide her sword. Luckily it was a masquerade ball, Jack, Jasper, Jacob, and Gabriel could leave theirs out in the open. Elizabeth then opened the box her Aunt had given her. When she opened it Elizabeth gasped.

It was a beautiful white mink cloak. The inside was lined with white silk, it was beautiful. Elizabeth quickly put it on and put her mask on, which took up half of her face and flowers and pearls were placed throughout it. She looked into a mirror and realized no one would recognized her. She went downstairs where Claire and Jack were waiting.

"You look lovely." Claire said. "You know that cloak was your mothers when she was a young lady, she left it here because she didn't need it in the Caribbean when she left."

"I agree with your Aunt, you look beautiful." Jack said as he took her hand. Jack was wearing a tuxedo with tails, a black cloak, and his sword, the one Elizabeth had gotten him on his side. His mask was white and had no adornments.

"Now you two go. Have fun." Claire said as she waved then off.

As Jack helped Elizabeth into the carriage Jasper and Jacob were in their waiting, both were dressed similar to Jack.

"Where is Gabriel?" Elizabeth asked.

"He is already there." Elizabeth went silent again, she was terrified, she was so afraid she would freeze up in front of Haley.

"Don't worry…" Jack said as he took her cold hands. "…I will always be watching you, and Jasper, Jacob, and Gabriel will be around the exits. The four of us will know where you are at all times."

"Yea, I won't let me eyes off of ye." Jasper said.

"Thank you." Elizabeth then exhaled loudly. The carriage then pulled up in front of the castle. The three stepped out and met with Gabriel that was waiting for them at the top of the stairs.

"He is inside. There is dancing, so step in when ever you are ready Elizabeth." Gabe said as he looked into her fearful eyes.

"I can't do this…" Elizabeth said as she started to back away. Jack grabbed her by the arm to prevent her from going anywhere.

"Elizabeth we have come this far, we cannot turn back. You are a strong woman, the strongest I have ever met, I will not let you cower to this man, we will follow the plan, and we can live the rest of our lives in peace." Jack spoke to her harshly, he needed to get her point across.

Elizabeth seemed to breath heavily. "I'm ready." Elizabeth walked in the grand hall, seemingly separate from Jack, Jasper, Jacob, and Gabriel, once they walked in the five went their separate ways.

Elizabeth watched the dancing…then she saw him at the other side of the room. All the women and men were beautifully dressed, none compared with Elizabeth, she got many looks of lust and envy. As she crossed the room she also saw Jack follow parallel to her. Not wanting to be too obvious she made her approach carefully, and went to the table and got herself a glass of champagne, and watched him.

Henry Harrington noticed the beautiful women that was walking across the floor. 'How did a beautiful woman like that have no one to dance with?' Henry walked towards the woman.

"Excuse me my lady."

"Yes my lord?" Elizabeth answered innocently.

"Would you care for a dance? A gorgeous woman such as yourself should never be alone." Elizabeth felt faint but kept her wits about her.

"Why my lord, such a gracious complement…" Elizabeth said.

"I do not give them lightly…" He then picked up her hand and kissed it. "Now, you have not answered my question…"

"And which question would that be?" Elizabeth said turning the charm switch on.

"You are bewitching my lady…" The Earl grinned. "Would you like to accompany me on the dance floor?"

"I would love to join you in a dance." Henry then took her hand and lead her across the floor.