Author's Note: BAH! I apologize for my looooong absence! I have been incredibly busy with school and work, among other things, so I haven't really had a chance to get this chapter written up…but I'm here now, and so is chapter 3! Also, I've got the next couple chapters swimming around in my head, so if I get good feedback on this chapter, I should be closely followed by another!

Thank you to those who reviewed!! I LOVE YA"LL!! *sobs uncontrollably* hehe, that's creepy…anyways thanks to Seraphina2, Babs7, ;) and unplugged32-by the way this chapter is A LOT longer…I hope that is sufficient! J Please review-I love hearing everyone's comments and suggestions, especially since Jack enters in this chapter (WOHOO!) and I want to make sure I get his character right! So now, without any further adieu….

~Chapter Three~

A cool breeze blew off the water, sending the cool, fresh scent of the salty sea up to the open window of the governor's mansion. Elizabeth Swann sat with her face resting on her cupped hand and breathed as much of it in as possible. She longed to be on the rolling waves, free of the society that kept her in such tight bindings. Her heart yearned to be standing on the wooden deck of a mighty ship, the rising sun before her, the spray of the sea below her, and Will…Will would have his arms around her….

A knock on her door broke her from her reverie. She sighed and pulled herself away from the window.

"Come in."

Her father entered and smiled.

"Elizabeth, my darling! You look splendid!" She looked down at the new emerald green dress recently purchased for her to wear to the brunch of a rich lord, recently moved to Port Royal. She loved her father, and knew it was his duty to meet, greet and sweet-talk the English nobles, but still, she was tired of the incessant gossiping and pointless chatter of the upper class. But this is what her father wanted, so she forced a smile onto her face.

"Thank you father, although I wish you hadn't. I think that one corseted dress should be enough for any girl!"

"Nonsense, nonsense! Nothing is too good for my girl!" He offered his arm to Elizabeth, clearly missing the point of her comment, but she smiled and took his arm without saying anything.

As they made their way down the stairs, they heard the butler arguing with someone. As they drew closer they could make out some of the words.

"NO! Sir, I must INSIST that you leave AT ONCE"

"Listen you, I ain't goin' anywheres until I see-"

"Sir, I told you that Miss Swann is OUT at the moment, if you'll just come back LATER-" Elizabeth reached the end of the stairs and curiously peeked around the partition wall into the entrance hall to see who was so persistent in seeing her. When she caught a glimpse of the man she let out a very unlady like whoop of surprise and rushed into the room.

"JACK!?! What the devil are you doing here!!" she embraced him excitedly, but then remembered herself and drew back addressing the butler,

"Thank you Matthew, it's all right, this man in a friend." She looked back at the Captain and looked him over. A battered hat sat atop his bead-strung, dread locked hair; his eyes were bloodshot and rimmed with black charcoal and he walked with the slight stagger of someone perpetually drunk.

"Why Jack!" she exclaimed, "You haven't changed at all!"

"And neither 'ave you love…" he grinned lopsidedly "neither 'ave you."

"Well, I'm not sure is that's a complement or not, but-"

"AHEM" Elizabeth turned and suddenly remembered her father was there. She blushed and meekly said,

"Father…I believe you know Jack Sparrow…?" Jack stepped around her and stuck out his hand.

"CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow, sir." The Governor looked at him with disgust.

"Yes, I believe we have met before, Mr. Sparrow. I think it was when you escaped from your execution, was it not? Or maybe when you were assaulting my daughter?" Jack paused, and then retracted his hand, choosing to twist the side of his mustache instead.

"Yes…"he smiled "Yes I do treasure our moments together Governor…Well sir, if you'll just let me steal your daughter away for one minute…I promise we'll never meet again… savvy?" The Governor opened his mouth to protest, but Jack had already grabbed Elizabeth's hand and dragged her into the drawing room. Elizabeth sent an apologetic glance her father's way as she flew past, but was secretly brimming with happiness to see her old friend.

Jack swung around to shut the door behind them- and in the face of the protesting Governor.

"Jack!" Elizabeth gasped, her brown eyes sparkling mischievously "What are you doing here? You do know that my father could have you arrested at any time!" Jack chuckled.

"Ah, but you're missing one thing Lizzy," She placed her hands on her hips, fully aware of what was coming.

"And what's that?"

"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. "So!" Jack suddenly exclaimed "Where is 'e?" She stared at him blankly and arched an eyebrow, sure that he had finally lost it this time.

"Where is….who, exactly?" Jack grinned and shook a finger at her.

"Ahhh…don't be coy with me!" he swayed ever so slightly. She frowned in frustration and crossed her arms.

"I'm not being coy…what in God's name are you talking about?" Jack stopped swaying and walked closer to her, staring her straight in the eye.

"You…really…don't know what I'm talkin' about…do ya?" She let out an exasperated sigh and grabbed him but the shoulders.

"Jack Sparrow, do I EVER know what you are talking about!?" He pulled away and began to pace the room. Elizabeth stood and watched him for a minute when it suddenly dawned on her.

"Jack…is Will with you?" He looked up sharply, his eyes dark. Her breath caught in her throat. "Jack, I really want to see Will….he's with you, right?" Jack sighed,

"Look love, I thought he had stayed with you…" She made a choking sound and sank onto the footstool behind her. Jack came over and kneeled in front of her.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth," But she wasn't listening.

****" Are you sure you can't come?" he had stopped packing his small bag and was looking at her with large, mournful eyes. She put down the sword she was inspected and sighed,

"Will, you know I want to more then anything…but I can't." She looked at him and smiled, "And looking at me like that won't change things!" he grinned and crossed the floor of his workshop to scoop her up.

"Then I'll have to take you by force, Miss Swann!" she laughed and struggled, and when he eventually put her down, she embraced him tightly.

"Oh God, Will," she said softly, her voice muffled against his chest. " you don't know how much I wish I didn't have to stay for Norrington's wedding." He sighed and stroked her hair

"I know….but duty is duty…" he pushed her back and held her at arms length. "I have to go…" she nodded and bit her lip. He looked at her a moment longer and then let her go and walked back across the room to grab his bag. He was almost out the door when suddenly he swerved and came back to grab her and pull her into a deep kiss. Shocked at first, she soon melted into the passionate embrace. But then, as suddenly as it began, it ended. He pulled away with a grin and said,

"I'll see you soon!" and was out the door, leaving her in his wake, her hand on her lips and a slow smile spreading across her face****

The very thought of it nearly made her sick. That couldn't be it. That couldn't be the last time…. She turned her head away from Jack and tried to choke back the river that threatened to spill over. There was no solace in his words…no comfort in anything…and there never would be, if Will was gone.

~~~~~

OH NO! Poor Liz….but no worries…WE know that Will isn't dead…yet! MUAHAHA…wow, sorry, I just can't help being evil sometimes! Anyways, review PLEASE and I promise that I will have chapter 4 for you very VERY soon!