Title: Promises

Rating: PG-13 for violence and gore

Warning: May contain mild spoilers for "POTC: Dead Man's Chest"; character death; violence and gore; mild slash.

Disclaimer: This isn't what happened, nor do I own the characters. This was a dream I had after watching "Dead Man's Chest", and decided to write it in more detailed form. I'm taking liberties with a few of the scenes that happened in the movie. Forgive me if some of the details don't fully line up with the real movie. If the characters don't seem their 'normal' selves, its in purpose. That is how they were portrayed in my dream. That's why it's called fiction.

Characters (Main): William Turner, Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Turner, Bootstrap Bill Turner, Davy Jones, James Norrington, and the pirate crews.

Summary: Will makes his promise to his father, and after some rough treatment, is thrown overboard. He lands on the shore of Isla Cruces where he is recovered by the crew of the Black Pearl. When the chest is discovered, Will must make a choice that will spell out the fate of both pirate crews.

Promises- Part One

"He's my son."

The voice was barely a whisper by the time the last word fell from his lips. All on the deck grew silent. He stood between the captors and their captive, now unsure of what exactly he should do. He could see the young man straining to see who had spoken, anger clearly written across his features. There was something else he could detect, however, only something a father could; his son's total distress. Not just by the current situation, but by many things life had thrown his way.

He hadn't been there, and had no way of knowing about his son until Jack had spoken of him. Now he was standing here in flesh and blood, living flesh and blood that these creatures were trying to harm. Looking at his only child's bare back, muscles quivering slightly in fear and from the cool breeze, he knew he could not allow the punishment to occur.

At the sound of the voice, Will whipped his head around, stunned. That man said he was his father? How could that be, his father was dead. The crew of the Pearl told him that his father had sunk to the bottom of the ocean with a cannon ball tied to his boots. He once again struggled against the creatures that were holding him, trying desperately to break free of them.

"Your son you say? Well then, I think it's only fair that his father be the one to teach him the lesson. Maybe next time he'll pay more attention to the task he is given." The voice sent chills up Will's spine as Davy Jones emerged from the crowd, stepping up next to his father, handing Bootstraps a nasty looking whip. "Go on then, ten lashes."

"No." Bootstrap stepped back a pace, glancing with worried eyes towards his still struggling son. "I'll take his punishment."

The crew laughed heartily at this. Davy Jones stepped closer to Bootstrap and placed the whip in his hand. "Do it or he will receive much worse." His voice was frighteningly calm, though his anticipation was palpable in the air.

Bill looked down at the whip and tried very hard to repress the shudder that wanted to skitter up his spine. It had a cold, metal handle with the whip long and split at the ends. Some places had small metal pieces intertwined, or even bits of broken shells. He knew from experience how much damage one lash could cause, let alone ten to his bare back. Could he hurt his own son after being reunited with him after so long? It would be saving him from what the crew would do, but he couldn't be the one to do it.

"No." With that, Bootstrap Bill dropped the whip on the ground and stepped closer to Will.

"Very well then. You get to watch!" Two creatures came over, seized his arms, and drug him over to stand facing Will. "Have at him!" Davy Jones picked up the whip and delivered the first lash, but frowned when the boy didn't cry out. He let if fall again, harder, over the same spot three more times. Blood seeped out of the lash mark in his skin, but still Will had not made a sound.

Bill watched in sorrow as Will's face contorted with pain as the lashes rained down upon him. He could tell the younger man was trying desperately not to cry out, but after three more lashes that connected with the soft skin of his sides, his willpower crumbled. A small cry of pain escaped as he screwed up his face, trying to take his punishment with grace.

Soon the crew grew tired of his bloodied back, and wrestled him around so they could continue on his chest and stomach. Blows, too, rained down upon him from fists, feet, sword hilts, gun pommels, anything within reach that could cause damage, was used. After a few more minutes, Will could no longer cry out though his mouth gapped open in silent screams. His legs began to give out and he crumpled to the ground like a deflated sail.

Feet lashed out again causing William to curl up on himself, weakly trying to protect his already abused body. Finally, the crew grew tired to their toy and one by one, left the scene, going back to work.

Bill knelt down to help his son up when two crew members came over and drug him down into the ship's hull and into the cells. It took all Bill could do not to try and stop them, but he knew it would only get his son in more trouble. So, he silently followed in the shadows, down to the brig where he watched as they harshly threw his son into a dirty cell and slammed the door closed.

He lay in an awkward heap of tattered clothes and mangled flesh for a moment before he had enough energy to try to move. The floor was damp and dirty, covered in barnacles and other such sea-dwelling creatures. The stench was of stale death, something not so pleasant when mixed with the coppery scent of one's own blood and sweat. It was lit fairly well for a prison, leaving only the corners to be veiled in shadows. Two lanterns hung on the posts of the doorway, directly in front of his cell, and a few lined the walls farther down the way.

Will slowly pulled himself upright, though swayed precariously until he steadied himself against the cold wall. Pain flared in his chest and head, echoed by other minor pains elsewhere on his back and stomach. His once white shirt was now tattered and bloodstained; by some stroke of good fortune, his pants were intact, though a little tattered from his punishment. Pulling away the remnants of his shirt, Will looked down upon his chest and stomach, grimacing at the bruises already forming and the blood that wept from the gashes made by the cruel whip. He groaned aloud, wondering in what state his back was in as he slid down to sit upon the floor.

A creaking noise to the right of him snapped his attention away from his injuries for the moment. He peered out the cell door to see a figure emerging from the shadows. "Who's there?" Will called out softly as the figure approached him further. It wasn't until he was directly in front of him that full recognition hit William. "Father?"

"Yes, Will." Bill's voice was soft as if he were talking to a small child, not his full-grown son. His eyes sparkled slightly and a small smile up-turned the corners of his lips.

Will shook his head desperately, trying in vain to cease his spinning vision. Blood trickled down into his eyes from a large gash near his temple. He furiously swiped at it, but soon found that he was much too tired to worry about such a trivial matter at the moment. Resting his head against the metal bars, he closed his eyes, trying to push his pain into the back of his mind so he could once again focus.

When he opened his eyes again, he was looking directly into the concerned eyes of his father. His father. The words seemed so foreign to him for he hadn't seen his father in so long. The last memory Will could recall was watching his father walk out the door to leave on a merchant ship. The proud face and warm eyes he remembered where ghosts of what they used to be. The man in front of him was gaunt and pale, a prisoner in his own body, with lifeless eyes that spoke of naught but tragedy and hard ship. The once raven locks, always tied neatly back, were now hanging down in long greasy tendrils like seaweed. This man looked very little like the father he remembered, but despite the barnacles and other sea creatures that now inhabited his face, Will could now sense that it was truly his father.

Tears welled up in his eyes as Will once again spoke. "Father." His father's bony hand slipped part way through the bars and grasped his sons. Bill's were as cold as death while Will's were warm with life.

"Oh Will. I am sorry. I just couldn't do it. Please forgive me." Bill looked down for a moment, afraid that his son would reject him for what he had done. And though he wanted nothing more than to stay joined with his son, he would not blame Will if the boy were to turn him away.

Will just shook his head tiredly and once again let his eyes slip closed. His head was swimming and his stomach pitched worse than the waves of a stormy sea. His chest seemed to rattle and creak with each breath, which pulled and stretched the swelling skin on his back and stomach. A slight groan escaped his lips as he slowly forced his eyes back open. Now was not the time to rest. He needed to get what he had come for and get off this ship, though now there had been a slight change of plans. He would not be leaving without his father.

"How did you get here, Will? Before, you looked neither dead nor dying. How did you come to be upon this ship?"

Will's lips twitched as he let a small smile show through. It was a long story and he did not have the time nor the energy to relay it. "I came looking for something. A key and the chest it opens. They are the only way to save me and the woman I am to marry."

Bill slowly absorbed the information. His son was to be married? What kind of chest and key would save them? What kind of trouble were they in? Multiple questions flooded his mind, but he settled upon the easiest one, or so he thought. "What key?"

"It looks like this." Will pulled out the ragged piece of fabric with the drawing of the key and handed it to his father.

Bill unfolded the cloth and stared with unmasked shock on his face. "You need this key? Why?"

"It is a long tale but Jack told me this is what would save Elizabeth." Will watched the emotions that flitted across his father's face; horror, shock, amazement, anger, wonder. They all made him dare to hope that his father had some idea about what he was after. "Do you know of it? Where can I find it and the chest?"

"I . . ." Will's father handed his son back the drawing and sighed, running a hand up and down his face before he dared to speak again. "I know where it can be found, though you won't be able to get it. It is kept at all times around Davy Jones' neck, near where his heart should be. As for the chest, I do not know where that is; it is hidden from all who seek it."

Will's face fell at this news. It didn't look as if he would be getting out of here any time soon, if ever. He said nothing for a few moments before he finally spoke the question that had been burning in his mind. "How did you come to be upon this ship? Everyone told me you were dead, sunk to the bottom of the ocean."

Bill nodded, a grim look upon his face as he once again looked into his son's soulful brown eyes. "They did throw me overboard, but dead? No, far from it. With the curse in place, I could not die and so was trapped in the crushing oblivion of the sea's depths, not living yet not able to die." Bill seemed to shudder at the memory, reliving those horrid days once again in his mind. "Davy Jones offered me a way out of that torture in exchange for servitude upon his ship. I accepted, though not knowing what other realm of hell I was about to enter."

Will fell silent then, not quite sure what to say. How long had he wished to see his father again, how many nights had he waited by the door for his father to return to them? Now that his wishes had come true, he had no idea what to say. Looking up at his father, he knew very little words were needed; he could see the same feelings in his father's eyes. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Bill rose from his spot at the cell's door and bid his son farewell; he needed to return to his duties before he was missed. William just nodded silently and closed his eyes, letting his body succumb to the sleep it craved.

"The word around the ship is that there is a lonely bride aboard. I wonder how that situation might be remedied." Jack cracked a wide smile as he sauntered up to where Elizabeth was sitting on the deck.

When she looked up, Jack's smile faded slightly, seeing the sorrow in those amber depths. He knelt down and let his finger gently trace over her cheek before he leaned in to whisper into her ear. "Tell me, love, what the captain of this fine vessel can do for you."

"Nothing, Jack. Nothing."

"Then tell me why you are so sad. Is it because our dear William is out there in that wide ocean, separated from you?" Elizabeth cast him an annoyed glare before it softened once again. She could never be mad at him, not for long. There was just something about Jack, luring and dangerous, that made her heart flutter. Sure, she loved Will, but being without him for three months had started to test her limits. Looking up at Jack, she could feel all those repressed feelings for him once again reemerge; feelings that had only grown stronger with time.

"I just thought this would be over by now; thought we'd be happy and married by now." She turned away from him to stare out at the setting sun. Closing her eyes, she could almost see Will's face again, could almost feel him next to her. But it just didn't feel right now; it wasn't like it used to be.

Jack was what felt right. Him being by her side, him talking to her, jesting with her, holding her. It scared her, but at the same time excited her. She knew when she opened her eyes, those deep brown pools would be staring at her, watching her every move closely. Despite the guards he put up, she could read his soul in those depths, she knew he felt the same way but would never say anything because of Will. Maybe that was the only area were he was a gentleman and not a pirate; he wouldn't steal her heart when it belonged to another.

Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes, avoiding looking at the pirate captain next to her. Standing up, she walked away from Jack. She needed something to get her mind off her heart's plight, so opened the compass, deciding to check their direction. The needled whirred about until it was pointing behind her. It couldn't be. She shook it, tried to clear her mind, and then looked at it again. Its position hadn't changed.

"Looks like it knows what your heart truly desires and that wouldn't be dear William." Jack's whisper made her jump and spin around to face him. He was so close to her that his body was nearly flush against hers, pressing her back into the railing. He leaned down letting his lips ghost over hers, over her cheek to her ear. "I would love to remedy that situation for you, if only you would let me."

"Yes", was the only word she could mutter before Jack's lips met hers. Softly brushing, not needy but passionate. He held her close, feeling her heart beat against his. This was what felt right so she let herself go.

A few hours later, Will woke begrudgingly to the sound of rushed footsteps in the dark. The candles had burned out long ago, plunging the entire brig into complete darkness. Slowly, Will turned his head as the footsteps came to a halt in front of his cell. Only half-aware of what was happening, Will was surprised when two icy hands grabbed one of his own.

He made to protest but the voice of the intruder stopped him. "Shhhh, Will. It's me; it's father." Will could feel his father wrapping something around his forearm, tying it tight before the shirtsleeve was tugged back into place. "I'm sorry I could not protect you, my son. Do not loose that." He patted Will's arm where the cord had been tied. "At all costs, don't let it seen until you are free."

"Father? What . . .?" Will's head was pounding and he couldn't comprehend what his father was trying to tell him. He tried to sit up more, but pain flared throughout his chest and back, making him whimper despite his best attempts to hold them in.

Bill knew how confusing this was for Will, but he needed the boy to understand just what was going to happen. There could be no slip-ups or Will would pay the ultimate price. "They are coming for you. They mean to throw you overboard. Listen to me Will. You have it now, keep it safe. Do what you must to save yourself. I won't be seeing you again, though. Promise me that you won't come back. Swear it!"

"I will stab his heart father, and rid you of this hell. I swear on my life." Will's voice was soft and slurred with sleep and pain, but the words made Bill smile. His son was trying his best to keep awake and fight for his father's life, but there was nothing he could do now.

"Here, take this as well. May it protect you until your crew finds you once again." Bill slipped a sheathed knife into the cell and tucked it firmly into Will's belt so as not to be seen. "My father gave it to me when he left for the last time. Now, I give it to you. Protect it and keep it well."

Will nodded slowly before he looked up and tried to make out his father's face in the dark. "I love you father."

"I love you too." Bill wanted to say more but he could hear the crew as they stumbled down the steps to fetch the prisoner. "Look very ill, Will, and they will cast you overboard. It is your only chance. I am sorry."

With that, Bill slipped farther down the hall to avoid being seen. He knew Will would have very little trouble acting ill for the boy was hurt badly. Somewhere deep in his heart, Bill knew that despite his best and sincerest hopes, neither father or son would survive this. A dark shadow had slipped into his mind and over his heart, a dark foreboding feeling wrapping its icy tendrils around his stomach. This would be the last time he ever saw his son again.

Light crept into the brig as five pirates came down and stopped in front of William's cell. Placing the lantern on the hook in the wall, one of the pirates stalked up to the door where Will was leaning against it, desperately fighting unconsciousness. Giving it a swift kick, the crew members laughed as Will jolted awake, then grimaced at the agony the movement caused.

A rusty key was shoved into the lock and turned, releasing the door. It swung open with an eerie groan, giving the pirates access to their prisoner. They strutted in and despite the weaken look of their captive, gave him a few good blows to his head and chest, back and legs. Will tried to curl up to protect himself, but it was in vain, as they drug him to his feet and out of the brig.

Once up on the deck, Will was drug over to the railing where Davy Jones was standing, the rest of the crew eagerly surrounding the captive and his captor. Will struggled to stand up by his own volition but his strength was fading fast. The captain slowly circled the younger man, looking with interest at the angry lash marks and deep bruises peeking out from under the tattered shirt. Dried blood marred his forehead and the side of his face from a gash near his hairline. The pale skin and sunken complexion spoke volumes of the kid's health, making Davy Jones smile. Just how he wanted it to end. The kid would go overboard and drown, not having enough strength or willpower to keep himself afloat.

"Any last words, master William? Anything to say to that betrayer you call a father? For surely if he had wanted to, he could have saved you from all of this." The crew laughed and Will grimaced at the sound as it made his head pound even more. "Anything at all?"

"My father is a good man, which is more than can be said for anyone else upon this cursed ship!" Will gasped as a punch was thrown at his stomach. He struggled to regain his breath before he turned to the captain of the ship again. A harsh glare was all he could manage before he was shoved over to the plank.

He didn't fight the hands as they pushed him overboard, nor did he scramble in the air. He let himself fall head first into the waters below. Pain assaulted his body for a moment and his breath seemed stole away as he floated under the crystal waters. His lungs began to burn as they ran out of air, and it took all his energy to pump his arms and bring his leaden body to break the surface once again. He floundered around for a moment, trying desperately to bring precious air back into his body. After a moment of panic, Will forced himself to relax and focused on keeping his head out of the water for the time being. He knew he would have to conserve his strength if he were to get out of this alive.

The shouts and laughter of the crew faded away as the ship kept sailing on to the horizon ahead. Soon, they were out of sight and Will was left alone in the expanse of ocean around him. No land could be seen on any side of him, nor did he have any clue which way was which direction. The sun beat down upon him and slowly sapped his remaining energy. His eyes bobbed up and down as he tried to fight of the sleep that wanted to claim him just as his body bobbed up and down in the water. His billowy shirt, though now almost completely in tatters, was weighing him down, as well as his boots. After a brief struggle, he freed himself of the offending garments and allowed his body to float on top of the water, deciding he could afford a small rest.

Time crept on though Will knew not how long it had been since he had been cast overboard. He did know, however, that something had woken him from the light rest he had given into. Slowly cracking his eyes open, Will craned his head to try to see what had disturbed him. He could see nothing near his head and was just about to close his eyes again when he felt something bump into his leg.

Will shot up from his floating position on top of the water and looked around with fervent eyes until his sight landed upon a piece of wood. It looked like part of a very large crate one would find aboard merchant vessels. The wood, though wet, looked sturdy and undamaged, not to mention safer than floating around with his body hanging in the water.

It took more effort than he imagined, but Will hauled himself up on the board. Once on top, he lay back and willed his body to stop hurting for a moment so he could look around. He now regretted having taken off his shirt and boots when he had first been thrown over. Before they had weighed him down, but now they would have protected him from the sun's harsh light that had already started to burn his injured body. He tried to protect his already burned abdomen by lying with his back up, resting his head upon his hands. He tried to wipe some of the sweat from his face and felt something scratchy on his arm.

Picking his head up, he stared down at the black cord wound around his arm. Gently turning his arm over, Will gapped at what was tied there. It was the key he had been searching for! His father had gotten it for him. Vaguely, his remembered his father tying something to his arm and telling him to keep it hidden and safe. A small smile pulled at his lips, his father was a good man. He had risked his life to save William, even though he was now floating in the ocean alone. His father had saved him, now he had to figure out a way to return the favor.

Looking out around him, Will could still see nothing but water surrounding him. His raft moved the way the current was taking him, he just hoped that it was to land and not further out to sea. Maybe a ship would see him and take him aboard, much like it had done all those years ago on his crossing from England, the day he met his dear Elizabeth. Thinking of her, he thought he saw her face before his, floating like a specter. He reached his hand out, wishing only to touch her soft face again, to hear her voice, but the face disappeared. Groaning in frustration and pain, Will realized there was nothing more he could do, and so allowed himself to slip into sleep, hoping that things would look different by the time he awoke and knowing that for the moment he was safe.

Somewhere in the distance, he could hear waves crashing upon the shore. He could feel the waters begin to grow choppy as they pulled him under. Even though he may have wanted to, he couldn't fight their pull. His makeshift raft broke up beneath him, jabbing and cutting him as they were pulled under the water with him.

Water rushed into his mouth and nose, stealing away down into his lungs. No amount of coughing could bring it up, not when he was completely surrounded by it. For a moment he thought that this was where his life would end, far from anyone he loved, drowning in the middle of the ocean. That's when his feet touched something he hadn't felt for months: solid ground.

He tried to propel himself upwards, but lost his footing as another wave knocked him down. It rolled him up the sand until he was partially out of the water. The current had different ideas, however and began to drag him back out. He couldn't fight it anymore, didn't have the strength, and so resigned himself to the tug of war of the waves.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I would love it if you could spend a few more moments to drop a review and tell me what you thought. Flames will be ignored. If you don't like it, don't read. Thanks again, Part Two will be up soon!

LOSTinME