Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the characters.

Elizabeth's mind slowly floated out of her dream world and into the harsh reality that awaited her. Keeping her eyes closed, she tried to quickly cook up an excuse for her absence the previous night. She was annoyed by the constant rhythmic tap…tap…tap she heard and cautiously opened her eyes. Will was sitting in the wooden chair by the bed, feet propped up on the desk. He was leaning back, so that the front legs of the chair were off the ground, and tossing the crumpled letter in the air and catching it repeatedly.

He was watching her like a hawk waiting for his prey. Upon seeing her eyes open, he caught the crumpled paper holding it up for her to see.

"I see you read my letter."

"I did."

He tossed the letter in the air a few more times waiting for her to continue. When he got no further response, he spoke again.

"Well?" he asked tossing the paper across the room without looking and effortlessly making it into the wastebasket.

"Yes?" she smiled sweetly and swallowed nervously at the same time. She was startled by the abrupt movement of him tipping his chair down and leaning his elbows on his knees.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" he cocked his head to the side.

She sat up before answering. Stalling for time, she partially avoided his question. "Will, I had no idea how bad you felt! I didn't know you thought such things. I didn't know you felt so alone and……miserable."

He let out a sarcastic laugh. "Alright. But that's not what I meant." He glared an icy stare at her. "Where were you last night? Hmm? With Jack? And how about the night before?"

Elizabeth was beginning to sweat and her skin felt hot and sticky. She began to pray that she could talk her way out of this one. "Well, it is true that I was with Jack last night but it is not what you think," she protested. "Lately, I've been having trouble sleeping. At night, I usually get up. Sometimes I go up on the deck for fresh air. Sometimes I go to see Jack and we talk. That's it. Nothing more."

"Talk?" He smiled in amusement at her, his eyes shining with disbelief.

"Yes, talk."

She barely had time to get the words out. In a flash, Will had jumped out of his chair and rushed to her. His hands gripped tightly around her thin upper arms and shoved her harshly backward pressing her into the mattress. Anger had taken over his body and without realizing it his fingernails began to dig crescent shaped moons into her flesh.

"You lie," his voice came out a gruff whisper.

"Please, you're hurting me!" She struggled underneath his hold. She was frightened by the icy empty stare his eyes held. Hearing the panic in her voice, he loosened his vice-like grip on her but keeping it tight enough to still hold her in place.

"Tell me the truth," he said firmly.

"I'm telling the truth," she pleaded with him, tears slipping from her eyes.

"I want to believe you…" he sighed letting go of her completely and sitting back down in the chair.

"But you don't," she finished for him shamefully averting her eyes from his.

"Elizabeth, you have to prove to me that you're innocent." His voice cracked and she could she the tears shining in his eyes that threatened to fall. He knew he would have to monitor her closely and catch her red-handed before he would have any concrete proof against her. After a short pause, he stood quickly walking to the door. "I'll be waiting for you in the dining hall." He gave her a forced smile before exiting the room.

She lay there stunned for a few moments and then it all hit her. She felt as if her whole world was crashing down on her and she broke down into a hysterical fit of tears. She banged loudly three times on the wall between her cabin and Jack's. Within seconds, Jack burst in, worry and concern etched in his face. He rushed quickly to her side kneeling down by the bed.

"Shh. What happened? Tell Jack everything," he cooed cradling her head against him stroking her hair. It took him several minutes to get her calmed down enough to choke out what had happened just before he was summoned to the room. Halfway through her story, she rushed over to the wastebasket and plucked out the crumpled letter. With shaky hands, she opened it up and smoothed it out before shoving it into his hands.

"Read this!"

His eyes quickly scanned the letter Will had written and was taken aback by some of the words he had used. He felt horrible for how out of hand he let the situation get. He had gotten in too deep though and knew he couldn't give up.

"Wow," he whispered. "Well, what are you going to do?" he asked knowing the end was near. It was what he had feared all along. Soon Elizabeth would have to choose between the two men. The simple thought made Jack's heart race pumping his veins full of adrenaline.

"I…I don't know," she answered breaking out into sobs again with new fresh tears. Jack hugged her tightly against him speaking soothing words.

When she was finally calm again, he walked toward the door. "The situation is totally in your hands, love. Your decision." Then, he left.

Elizabeth slowly got dressed and headed to the dining hall to meet Will as he had requested. She hung her head low as she walked trying to hide her puffy red eyes. She entered and was relieved to see Will sitting alone at the table. He patted the chair next to him motioning for her to sit down. She did so without complaints or hesitation.

He smelled strongly of rum and she noticed his fingers wrapped around the base of a dark glass bottle. She didn't know why but his sudden openness was making her uncomfortable and she shifted slightly in her chair. She watched him freely swallowing gulp after gulp of rum like it was an occurrence that happened often. She propped her head up on her hand and studied him intently. He seemed almost as if nothing had happened that morning. He was smiling at her and shoveled a large fork full of eggs into her mouth. She coughed on a piece of egg that had slipped down her throat. Will patted her on the back and offered her a sip of his rum.

Declining his offer, she asked, "Will, are you alright?" her brow crinkled with confusion.

"Fine," he answered with a goofy grin, eyes slightly glazed. She sighed turning her gaze elsewhere assuming the rum was already taking its toll. They sat silently together as he polished off the rest of his breakfast. She stood when she saw he was finished and began to walk to the door with him hot on her heels. He reached out grabbing her wrist and roughly spinning her around to face him.

"Where are you going?" his face was close to hers and his hot breath flushed her skin.

"Well…you were finished…and…I…"

He grabbed her by the shoulders pushing her against the wall harder than he had intended. Her head thumped lightly on the wall causing her to momentarily see stars. He pressed his palm into her chest pinning her effortlessly to the wall, his other hand pointing a finger in her face. "You will stay by my side at all times today," he ordered.

She timidly shook her head at him looking like a frightened little animal being hunted down. A few silent tears slipped from her eyes and his demeanor softened. He felt he had been rough enough and wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. He lowered his face to hers and captured her lips in soft kiss letting his tongue explore her mouth. When he finally broke the kiss, he hugged her gently cradling her head against his chest as her tears began to fall yet again.

"I'm sorry I scared you," he apologized feeling terrible about his rough actions. He then spent the better part of the morning trying to make up for his behavior.

A/N: I hope I didn't make Will too mean! Please read and review! I'll try and get the next part up really soon.