(a/n) AFTER ALL I PUT THAT POOR GIRL THROUGH! HOW COULD I KILL HER?LOL, I hope you liked the small twist, but I am not done with my twists…oh no, not by a long shot, so here we go, Elizabeth has some 'splaining to do!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN POTC!

"What do you mean?" Will asked.

"I went with James and a few marines to my father's mansion. My father had gone completely crazy, I don't know how, maybe he was always this way. Apparently he had been taking some money from Port Royal, for himself, fraud…so James and I gave him an ultimatum. Stand trial for fraud, or leave Port Royal for good."

"We don't have a Governor I assume…" Bill said.

"Oh, we have a Governor. Before my father left he signed all responsibilities over to me." Elizabeth heard the shocking silence, and continued. "We asked several marines to the house and discussed what took place at your hanging. I was to go in disguised as the hangman, shoot James, to make it look like I had no allegiances. When I cut the three of you loose, I knew I had to reveal myself, and I shot Caleb dead."

Will looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped. "The marines were at my command, that's why there wasn't such a large presence at the hanging. So that's it…any questions?"

"You have died, killed a Commodore, shot another Commodore, freed three pirates, ousted the Governor, and became one, …all in one night?" Jack said.

"Yes." Elizabeth smiled.

"That's my girl! I knew that you would take some of my traits away with you! I knew all along!" Jack said gleefully.

"Shut up Jack! You had no bloody clue, none of us did!" Bill said annoyed.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, I didn't want you to act any differently."

"What if the lever was pulled?" Will asked.

"The mechanisms below had been pulled out. Besides your ropes weren't tied to anything, if those doors, did, manage to open, then your would have fallen right through and landed on your own two feet." Elizabeth then stood up. "I am truly sorry, if I gave you a scare."

"You scared me. I thought you were dead…" Will stood up and took her hands. "I would never have forgiven myself."

"It's all over Will." Elizabeth then hugged him.

"No it's not." Will whispered.

"What?" Elizabeth pulled back.

"Your Governor of Port Royal…you have a duty…"

"I have a decision."

"Do you know if your going to stay?" Jack asked also standing up.

"No, I don't know."

XXXXXXXXX

Sleep was just not coming easily. Elizabeth was awake, thinking, there were so many decisions to make, so many choices, just so much at once, and it was entirely overwhelming. Elizabeth turned in bed and looked at Will sleeping, her decision would effect him as well as her, she had to consider him, his feelings, but she knew Will would never tell her what he felt, because he only wanted what she wanted.

Elizabeth rose from bed and walked to the study and sat behind the desk. If she wasn't going to sleep then she might as well get some work done. Papers that needed to be signed, affidavit's, contracts, legal jargon she had little care for, what she wanted to do was help people.

"Not sleeping?" Jack said as he stood in the doorway.

"How can I?" Elizabeth then put her head in her hands. "This is not an easy decision."

"Didn't say it would be." Jack then sat down across from her. "Whatever you decide, I'm pretty sure, it will be the right one."

"I never thought by having my father sign those rights over to me…I never thought it would be such a difficult decision."

"At the time? Or after?" Jack smiled.

"Please I'm in no mood…" Elizabeth said as she got up and walked to the windows. "I could do so much here…" Elizabeth whispered to herself. But something in her heart tugged at her, and she knew what that was, that was the sea…

"Elizabeth, life is full of difficult choices. I have made them, Bill has made them…and Will one day will."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth turned around and asked.

"Both Bill and I decided that life on the sea was no good for our children, and Will and yourself will one day make a decision similar to ours. Staying here, is a one choice, and going to the sea is an entirely different one. It is up to you ultimately."

"I wish I knew the right answer. Nothing is sure."

"No it isn't. If myself and Bill knew that ten years later we'd be looking at our two children, and both of them being in love, neither would have ever guessed that…it was a decision, we made it, and we live with it. That's it Elizabeth, you just have to make your decision, and whether or not you can live with it." Jack paused. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I am tired, my bones ache, and I have a desperate need for rum. Try and get some sleep."

"I'll try." Elizabeth smiled as Jack left the study. Decisions were meant to be made, they were made all the time, they were being made right now as Elizabeth stood in the study, the only thing was, she hadn't made one of her own.

(a/n) Will she stay or will she go? And don't forget…more twists and turns along the road…