As they say, obstacles were encountered, ensued, were overcome. Or something like that. Really, Giddy just had to go see the movie a third time for 'inspiration' (aye candy).

Two pirates perched aloft on a spar, inconspicuously following the action in the bow. The lankier man stretched his neck for a better view.

"Now they's 'oldin' 'ands," he commentated. "I think 'e must just be bet'er with the ladies than we is."

"Naw," returned his balding, bearded cohort. "E's just prit'ier than us."

The first looked somewhat offended. "Yor sayin' we ain't prit'y?

"O'course I ain't sayin' that," he snapped at the ridiculous question. "But maybe, as 'e looks so much like a girl, 'e gots some kinda girly connection with 'em."

"So, like I said, 'e's bet'er with the girls."

"No…sorta…'oo bloody cares? 'E's back in with 'er, so we ain't got no chance no more!"

The blond steadied himself on the spar with one hand, uncrossing his wooden eye with thegrimy fingers of the other, and then fell into a pout. "That don't mean we can't tease 'er no more, right? It's the most fun I've had wiv' a girl in years!"

The other sighed. "Not while 'e's there, with that red 'ot poker up 'is arse." Looking down, he mumbled, ruefully, "To bad Norry the Commodorry jumped ship. Least 'e could laugh at 'imself, when 'e was awash."

Below and forward, Elizabeth had found words again. She would not let Will make this easy for her. She did not deserve it, and she would not rely on his charity and good nature to salvage a part of 'them'—it made her feel weak and without volition. Craving justice upon herself, she would arm him with daggers and throw herself upon them. She took his hand, warm and work-worn, and held it to her breast with both of her own. Eyes averted, she murmured softly, "What is it you forgive me so freely, Will? What do you know of what I have done? I know you have some idea—I saw how hurt you were, and I know you still are. You are hopeless at lying, you know."

"Elizabeth, I—it isn't necessary—"

"Yes, it is. You will know all of it, or I will accept no forgiveness from you."

Will flushed, and his youthful face contorted in what seemed an attempt to smile. There was only hurt in it, and some shame. "I saw you kiss him. I thought—I thought that kiss was for me, but you gave it to him, all of it. I know you meant it; I could see that much. I just thought," The young man, who had only recently really grown into himself, struggled for the words to reach this being he needed so desperately, "I wanted you to know that, if it wasn't…as much…with Jack as it was with me, and you would rather…"

"I see," Elizabeth spoke, saving him from stammering on needlessly, "You want to forgive me. Maybe you can. But, can Jack?"

Her friend and one-time fiancé wrinkled his brow in confusion. "Jack, forgive you?"

"Jack was a survivor, Will. You don't think a man who grasped opportunity like he did would simply stand still and die?" She looked straight into his expressive eyes now; 'Let him know what I have done. Let him judge me then, and he will free himself.' "I killed him. I killed him with a kiss that I stole from you. I bound him to his dying ship to save the rest of us, and I ran like the pirate I am. He came back to help us,"—her eyes were filling with hot tears, against her will—"and I murdered him!"

William Turner stood frozen, stunned. He had wondered at the eccentric captain's last-minute decision, but had never, for an instant, suspected that he hadn't made it himself. Tears running down her face now, Elizabeth released his hand as he turned to look out over the gleaming billows of the sea. She did not run, though. She would face this, at least; besides, where on this bounded craft could she go that would shield her from his knowing?

His eyes locked still on the unchanging horizon, he asked the one question whose answer mattered right now.

"Would you do it again?"

She would not lie.

"Yes."

He did not turn. And Elizabeth, because she was being honest, realized she had to be honest with herself, too.

"I would do it again, but not for myself. I would kill, Will. I would kill, if it would save you."

The headwind carried the bow spray aft, and silence.