Title: At Least Once More

Rating: PG-13

Summary: A day just like any other. But this day was going to be special. Will was finally going to propose to Elizabeth, and he even brought back Jack Sparrow to celebrate the wedding! But there's only one thing wrong with Will's plan: there was no blushing bride-to-be on Port Royal.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything POTC, so don't kill me.

AN: Hello! Thank you to those who reviewed! I love you! I hope you enjoy what's next to come.

Part Six: Father's Suitors

The day was starting slowly, and Elizabeth dreaded it with each second. It was hard to keep Bradley from talking about 'Mr. Clarks and Mr. Gibbs' with her father. If he heard about them, it would not only blow their cover, but get them thrown back into the ocean and back to Port Royal.

As the days passed by, Will and Jack would stop by when they were sure the Governor wasn't in. They would talk with Bradley some more, and then in private with Elizabeth. But it still wasn't the same; they were pretending to be people they're not.

With a sigh, Elizabeth left her room and walked down the stairs. Bradley and her father had left over an hour ago to a meeting at the Country Club. It was empty in the large home, just as Elizabeth longed for it to be. The few maids and servants that were around minded their own business, busying themselves with cleaning and cooking. Smiling to herself, Elizabeth walked into the den, taking a seat on the couch.

The peace and quiet was enough to calm her nerves. That and the fact that Will and Jack would be arriving shortly brought another smile to her lips. The day was just beginning, and she had to plan how they would avoid her father yet again.

A knock on the door broke her thoughts. One of the servants answered it, and Elizabeth could hear Will's voice from where she sat.

"Miss Swann, Mr. Clarks and Mr. Gibbs are here to see you," the servant said.

Elizabeth stood, "Thank you. Good day, gentlemen."

Jack was the first to approach her, "Good morning, Milady."

Elizabeth grinned, "Jack, my father is out at the country club, you don't have to act today."

"Ah, that's a relief!" He sighed, allowing himself to fall onto the couch, taking an apple from the fruit tray in front of him.

Elizabeth laughed lightly, looking up at Will. "Will? What's wrong?"

He paused, but shook his head, allowing a fake smile on his face. "Not a thing, Elizabeth. I was just lost in my thoughts."

"And what has you so trapped in your mind?" Elizabeth asked playfully.

Will took a seat next to Jack, acting as though he didn't hear her question.

"Will? Did you hear me?" She asked, turning around to take a seat across from him.

"Huh? Oh, no, I didn't."

"What's going on?" She caught Jack's eye for a second. It was enough time to tell that the old pirate was uncomfortable.

"We heard a little rumor this morning," Jack said, exchanging a glance with his friend.

"Well, what did you hear?"

"Your father is lining up suitors for you," Will nearly whispered. "The top on the list is Colonel Bradley."

Elizabeth shook her head, "No. He… he can't be doing that!"

"Sorry, love," Jack said. "He's arranging them to come to the mansion at dawn."

Elizabeth stood, walking over to the fireplace. "No. He knows I won't go along with it. It was all just a nasty rumor."

"That's what I thought," Will spoke up, leaning forward. He placed his elbows on his knees, exhaling loudly. "But I saw your father on the way here. He's not at the country club, Elizabeth. He's finding eligible bachelors."

"Then what are we going to do?" Elizabeth asked, not allowing herself to cry. Her father was doing just what she feared. And even though Will was by her side, she won't be able to marry him. It would blow their cover if she even spoke about him, not to mention make the suitors come sooner.

Will gritted his teeth, "I don't know."

Jack took a bite out of his apple, taking glances at Elizabeth then Will then Elizabeth again. They weren't looking each other in the eyes, as if they were afraid to look at one another. With a shake of his head, Jack dropping his apple back into the tray. "You need to try harder, mate," he said, turning over to Will.

Will frowned, staring at his friend in confusion. But the look in ol' Jack's eyes told him something else. "You have an idea, don't you?"

Jack grinned, "Aye. I have an idea."

XOXOX

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Will asked, lifting his fake beard below his chin to stop the itching.

Jack glanced over from under his giant hood. "Best stop worrying, mate. It's going to work. Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

Raising an eyebrow, Will glanced over at his friend, placing the fake beard back in its place. They had come up with the plan, leaving the Bradley mansion within the hour. It took them much longer than planned to get the right costumes, but it was worth it in the end. Deciding to try out the effect on the costumes, to see if anyone would recognize them, they knocked on the Bradley mansion door and scared Elizabeth. But that was Elizabeth; her father is someone completely different.

And he stood ahead of them, talking to Colonel Bradley near a shop. Will leaned closer to Jack, quietly whispering, "now we have someone else to fool."

Jack nodded, pulling his hood over his face some more. "Time for a show," he said as they neared the Colonel and Governor.

Governor Swann glanced up in mid sentence to stare at them, his expression stating the fact he didn't know who they were. With a sigh, he straightened his back and seemed polite. "Can I help you gentlemen?"

"Yes," Will said, making his voice deeper. "You're that one governor, right?"

"I beg your pardon?" He replied, a confused look on his face.

"What my friend here means to say," Jack said, changing his voice as well. "Is are you Governor Swann? The Governor from Port Royal?"

Mr. Swann laughed lightly, "Why, yes. I am. Who, might I ask, are you two fine gentlemen?"

"My name is Charlie Turner," Will said, bowing his head slightly. "I am a merchant sailor, and this here is my partner, Jacks. We heard that your daughter is looking for a fine suitor, is that correct?"

"Yes, it is," Bradley said, an edge in his tone. "And you two are wishing to…?"

"Meet the lovely lady," Will completed his sentence. "Heard she was a wonderful sight to see, and we figured we might as well, while we're in London."

"Well, tomorrow at dawn you may have that pleasure," The governor said. "But, let me warn you, my daughter doesn't take kindly to people she hasn't met and are trying to win her affection. So, try not to mention the word 'suitor' around her."

Jack nodded, "Very well, then. We'll see you gentlemen tomorrow at dawn."

"Where is it being held at, exactly?" Will asked.

"My mansion," Bradley said. "Just out of town, you can't miss it."

"Thank you very much, Governor," Jack said, bowing his head slightly. "We are truly excited to meet your daughter."

Will waved as they began to slowly back away. Once they had their backs turned to them, and they were far enough out of sight, Will pulled the beard down again. "Do you think that worked out?"

"Bradley may have been suspicious," Jack said, pulled the hood behind his head a little. "But that may only be because he's expecting to win the battle."

"Well, he's going to have quite a fight," Will said. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

Jack grinned slyly, "The question is, William, are you?"

Will grinned in return, and they walked back to their hotel room to prepare for the next day.

XOXOX

"Well," Governor Swann said, straightening his jacket after the two sailors left them. "They seemed to be nice."

"I wouldn't trust them, sir," Bradley said, his eyes still trapped on the two men as they walked away.

"Why is that, Colonel?"

"They are sailors, dirty, filthy men; not sensible to court a fine lady such as your daughter."

"Well, I guess they'll have to prove themselves tomorrow against the rest of the competition, then, won't they?"

Bradley nodded, "Yes. I suppose so."