Chapter 3

Secrets Revealed

**Author's note: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Love, OrliBloomsGRL**

Will could not believe his eyes. A few seconds ago he barely understood Jack's ramblings. Now more than ever he thought Jack was suddenly a wonderful human being.

For what was inside the chest had the ability to cause Elizabeth to nearly fall over. Even when no corsets were involved.

"Jack" Will spoke a tremble of excitement building behind his voice. "Did you know?"

"Of course" Jack pointed to where the open chest lay scintillating in the sun, as it was full of gold.

Elizabeth, regaining her strength, straightened. "Is it cursed?" She was about to touch, but held back from fear.

"Nah, it's not, William Senior was a fair man, even for a pirate. He only took what was his dues and never more. This was his pillage, from years of work. Everyone respected him too much to dare touch it."

Will looked up at Jack, his hands full of gold and letting it rain down from his fingers. "Doubloons, Indian gold, all sorts of currency here." He looked to Elizabeth.

"It's mine, I can do what I please with it." Will placed a few coins in her hand.

"We can start our life together with this." He picked her up and swung her around, kissing her wildly. His face shone with a joy that was seldom present in him.

She looked to Jack once Will set her down. "But Jack, if you knew where it was, then why did you not take it for yourself?" One hand was on her hip as she questioned him.

"Lass, you see Bootstrap was more like a brother to me than a member of my crew. Savvy? He wanted his child to have it and now he does." Jack seemed slightly sad as he spoke.

Will walked over to Jack and roughly patted him on the back. "This means a lot to me, thank you."

Jack looked non pulsed. "Of course, a pirates first gold always does."

Will looked at the hapless crew that was watching the gold intently. He whispered to Jack "What do you suppose I give them a little of the top layer?"

Jack laughed "It's your funeral"

"Men, and Ana Maria" he added after a gruff look from her. "Here" he handed them each a handful.

He walked to Jack "This is for you" placing a sack in his hands.

Jack smiled and turned abruptly towards his crew. "I think this occasion constitutes a song, lets sing it" he waved his arms in tune.

"yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me, we pillage, we plunder and we rifle and loot, Drink up me 'hearties yo ho!" It took Jack till the second verse to realize no one was singing along with him."

Gibbs replied "We're not singing tha' damned song again, Jack. Captain or not we hate singing that song." Gibbs pointed to the agreeing crew.

"Well, aren't you a motley bunch of scalawags." Jack swayed up to his post at the helm.

He opened his special compass. "Well, go men fasten the rigging, anchors up! Here we go!"

Will and Elizabeth sat on deck watching the approaching sunset. Will looked over to her, watching her eyes sparkle in the early twilight. He looked back to the ocean. Something about being on the water made him feel more at home than being a blacksmith in port royale ever did.

Elizabeth watched Will as he looked at the ocean. A change came over him whenever he was at sea. He acted like he was finally satisfied with his life.

"Elizabeth, I want to ask you something. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. But if, me being a pirate bothers you, I will go back to be a blacksmith upon your request." He got down on one knee in front of her and held her hands. "Just please say you'll marry me, and make me the happiest man on all of the seven seas." He looked straight into her eyes.

"Of course, I will marry you. I love you. But I have one problem with what you said."

She watched as Will hung his head to prepare for her response.

She cupped his chin to make him look at her. "You must stay a pirate, because I wouldn't want you to be any other way." She kissed him. He pulled her closer to him.

As the sun set, all was well on The Black Pearl. But unfortunately it would not stay that way for long.

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**Sorry this one is short, I will have Chapter Four up by late afternoon after I get back from work. **