Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean or the characters.

Chapter Three

The molten sun was just setting out over the tired town of Port Royal when Elizabeth Swann started her way down to

the Brown's Smithy to see Will. Walking rather absentmindedly, she missed the rather scandalous glares sent her way.

Her hair hung free down her back swishing against the simple blue dress she had chosen for this outing. Deciding to

walk on the beach toward the Smithy, she slipped off her dainty slippers and held them carelessly in her left hand. With

the murky green tinged ocean lapping at her ankles, she went over the morning conversation, rather argument, with her

father. Before she had been filled with angry steam, but now a heavy blanket of sadness draped across her shoulders

filling her with despair. After the morning explosion, Will had held her until she stopped sobbing and had steered her

toward the woods that bordered the back of her house. Holding her hand, he had led the way for about a half of hour till

they reached a clever cove buried deep within the lagoon. He had stroked her hair until she fell into a dreamless state

and had awoken with her head buried under his chin lying on the sweet smelling grass. They had spent another hour

staring up at the clouds imagining shapes in the puffy white nothingness. Will had to return to work in the afternoon, but

as he dropped her off at her house he grabbed her shoulders and tipped her chin up while searching her eyes. His own

matching brown orbs had twinkled down at her before his lips crashed against hers. Leaning into her ear as he made his

leave making her shiver, he whispered, "Have a little faith."

Now she was on her way talk to him about the wedding. But mostly, she had just missed him this long afternoon. She

had been bored out of her mind with discussions of lace, tulle, and flowers. Arriving at the worn door, she quietly

peered into the smoldering room smiling slightly. Will was bent over the forge with relentless attention toward the

sword he was creating. His strong arms hammered on a steady rhythm that Elizabeth found matched her own heart beat.

Damp hair that had escaped from his tie curled around his face while his deep russet eyes reflected the burning embers

in their depths. Oh those eyes, she could get lost in their deepness. She stood quietly watching him create while

carelessly gripping the door handle. She had lost her shoes somewhere. So enthralled was she with her beloved, she

missed the angle at which it hung. Suddenly with a loud clank followed by a muffled thump, the door knob fell at of her

hands and on to the dirt floor. Silently emitting an oath, she reached over to pick up the handle and met Will's startle

eyes.

"Elizabeth, darling..." he paused, "did you break my door?" He suddenly smiled mischievous and made his way over

toward her. "You are aware that that door was quite significant, and I am afraid that you must be punished for your act

of gracelessness." Smiling teasingly, he stood in front of her looking down into her wide eyes.

A little breathlessly she spoke, "Please kind sir, must you punish me?"

His eyes slowly lost their mischievous look, "Well that depends, fair lady…"

But he never finished his sentence as Elizabeth closed the gap between them crushing her lips against his. His warm

arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders holding her to him. Hands moved frantically trying to hold on to some life

line through the insanity war raging through their bodies. Slowly opening his eyes, Will stared down at Elizabeth with a

slight smile gracing his slightly red lips. She was breathing deeply with rose tinted cheeks while slowly opening her

eyes. With a smirk, she whispered into his ear, "I think I must break door handles more often with you around!"

Laughing at her wicked smile, Will pulled her down on a stool and leaned against a table. "As much as I enjoy seeing

you, love and having you break my door handles… what are you really doing here?"

"Well, after you so thoughtfully distributed me at home to face my father, might I say alone, I decided that I should

avoid him at cost. However, he was down at the docks negotiating with Commodore Norrington about stationing more

sentry duties at the docks. So I was able to avoid him all together until he came home, and I happened to stumble

across him coming from the library." Her smile grew bright, "Oh Will, I was reading the most fascinating book! It

depicted a mysterious ship over a hundred years ago that raged across the waters pillaging and…"

Knowing she would ramble on about the novel completely forgetting her track about her father if he didn't intervene

soon, Will smiled gently and said, "You must show it to me Elizabeth, but what were you saying about your father?"

"Oh, right, my father. Well, he didn't mention this morning's, ah event, but just said that if we wanted to be wed in a

month that we needed to decided on some issues. Therefore, I spent the rest afternoon listening to various dress makers,

Estella, my Father…all about lace, tulle, and whatever else they were able to come up with! Seriously, did you know

that there are about fifty kinds of possible lace to sew on a hem?"

Listening to her slight rant, Will smirked glad that he was not part of those issues. Glancing up mid sentence,

Elizabeth noticed Will's arrogant little smirk and felt her eyes narrow as a small smile graced her lips. Will sensing the

change in Elizabeth glance down at her face. "Ah, Elizabeth…," he hurriedly spoke not liking the calculating look in her

eyes. "Dear, did you know thatthe Dauntless arrived…"

"Don't change the subject Will," she snapped, "I have just realized that I have sacrificed most of my day for my

Father's wishes while you got away to work. I would have gladly done the same, don't mark me wrong. But you did not

have to listen to my Father, therefore, your afternoon was more enjoyable. It has come to my attention that you, my kind

sir, shall accompany me back to my house to go over some plans."

Noticing her stubborn look, Will knew better then to argue. He did not want a full hurricane after this morning's

tornado. "Of course, dear. As long as I may be in your presence, I shall be happy to accompany you wherever."

Smirking again at her pouting face, Will knew she was disappointed at him agreeing so quickly. Reaching a hand out, he

pushed back some of her curls that had escaped around her face and gently kissed her forehead. "I swear Elizabeth,

sometimes I think you go looking for an argument. God knows why that is one of the reasons I love you." He placed his

hand in hers and pulled her up.

"I'm sorry Will. I'm just so frustrated that I feel as if I might explode if I don't let it out. I'll try better next time. I

really will." Smiling in a beseeching way, Elizabeth looked up to Will under lashes.

Will noticing the smile but more the mischievous light in her eyes only signed and took her hand and opened the door

for her. Elizabeth looking back at Will realized that he saw right through her apologetic act. Deciding to razz him once

more, she threw a brilliant smile back at him as he tried to close the door with out the handle. "I love you Will, catch up

with me when you get that door close." Muffling a shriek, she turned running as fast as she could after hearing the

handle drop onto the ground and Will's footsteps tearing after her.

To be continued…

Hope you liked it. It will pick up soon. Thanks for reading!