Disclaimer: I do not own POTC!

Elizabeth fidgeted as she waited in the car. Will sighed as they waited.

They had driven to North Conway, New Hampshire. From there they drove deep inside the beautiful White Mountains. They stopped at a cabin and waited for their help.

A Buick then pulled up behind them and stopped. "He's here." Elizabeth said as she got out of the car.

Elizabeth then went straight into her father's arms. "I'm so sorry." Elizabeth said into his neck. Weatherby Swann hugged his daughter.

"It's okay." The General pulled away and looked at Will.

"Let's get inside, we have a lot to discuss."

Elizabeth sat down on the plush sofa and looked at her father. "What happened?"

General Swann saw Will place a blanket over Elizabeth shoulders and sit down next to her, holding her hand. "I had to push you away Elizabeth. Believe me if I had known that your attack was connected…I would have handled this very differently."

"Please explain, tell me everything.'

"Well, what your mother was afraid to tell you was that I am your real biological father."

"What?"

"Your mother was in fact seeing both of us at the time you were conceived. A DNA test showed you were mine."

"Then why would she lie?"

"To protect you from me. I was told by Corbin that he would give me everything I wanted as long as you were mine, and if I would keep it that way. When, in anger, I said that, it was to provoke him. I knew you would go after him, and ask questions, but I never thought that his daughter would be involved."

"I don't understand."

"Corbin was under the assumption that you were his…when he found out, rather recently, that you weren't, he became enraged. I got what I wanted, and he didn't get anything.'

"You played him for a fool." Weatherby nodded.

"I knew that if I totally was oblivious to you, I knew he would believe that you were his." Weatherby sighed. "He began to threaten me with demoting me, ruining me. I had to get the upper hand to protect you and your mother."

"Mom knew?"

"Yes, a lot of this was staged."

"The divorce?"

"If we separated it was more convincing. I still love your mom."

"Mason?"

"Was gay."

"Jesus." Elizabeth let out a big puff of breath. "I want to say I am relieved…but…"

"Elizabeth, I love you dearly, you are my daughter. Don't hate your mother and I for what we did. I had to get rid of Corbin because he wanted you once you went into the FBI. It would be great headlines…you more than likely would have been approached if I hadn't told you that he was your father. He is always looking for the upper hand."

"How did Melanie find out?"

"Melanie was always in her father's life, just not publicly. I assume you went through his pictures and you always saw her there…"

"Yes…you were in some of them."

"When Corbin was a young senator, I believe Melanie was twelve at the time, and you were just born, he asked while we were in Rome for a dinner with the President, how you were doing…she overheard everything."

"She knew and planned all along?"

"My assumption with your evidence, yes." Elizabeth felt sick. "Elizabeth, this cabin is safe, no one knows about it and I want you to stay here with Will."

"What about mom?"

"I took her out of the country." Weatherby stood. "I have to go now. I'll call you when it is safe."

Without another word, he left. Elizabeth was stunned. "It's right out of a soap opera." Elizabeth muttered.

"At least we get the gist."

"My father and mother used me to get what they wanted. Corbin wanted to use me, but my father destroyed that bridge really quick." Elizabeth felt tears well in her eyes. "Everyone in my life has used me…"

Will took her in his arms. "Not everyone." Elizabeth stared at him.

"What?"

"Elizabeth…" Will took in a deep breath. "I am in love with you." Elizabeth moved away from him.

"What did you say?" She looked mortified. "No, that can't be right."

"Elizabeth I know you feel the same way."

"I can't Will." Elizabeth said angrily. "Physically I can't."

"Let me show you." Will took her hands. "Not all men hurt women, I would never hurt you."

"All I have to compare is a rape." Elizabeth said, her eyes blaring.

"Let me show you." Will repeated.

"No." Elizabeth stood. "If you hadn't walked into the room that night, he would have raped me again. He would have killed me and you would have seen it all."

"I am not him."

"But you remind me of it…"

"So you won't let yourself love me…"

"I love you Will…I felt those first flutters the first time I met you. The physical aspect, I can't handle it."

"The ball is in your court Elizabeth. I'll wait, for you…forever." Will stood up and caressed her cheek. "I love you Elizabeth…I will not hurt you."