(A/N) Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN POTC!
"Elizabeth dear, I am so glad you have decided to come." Governor Swann said as he helped Elizabeth into the limo.
"Yes, I should get back to a routine, and mom's charity is important." Elizabeth said as she moved the mountains of mesh that filled her ball gown.
"Detective Turner is your date?"
"Yes." Elizabeth blushed slightly at her father's raised brow. "He is following in one of the security cars behind us."
"Well, he is a good man."
"He is." Elizabeth nodded and looked forward.
"Come on Elizabeth, be honest with your father…"
Elizabeth smiled and laughed. "I love him."
"Does Will know?"
"Yes he does, and he loves me back dad…he's so warm and caring…" Elizabeth's mind drifted. "Do you have a problem with this?"
"Well I had always thought you'd be on the arm of a politician or lawyer…like James Norrington, but things change." He looked into her eyes. "You're so much like your mother, so headstrong. I am very proud of you Elizabeth…" Her father then flashed her a mischievous grin. "Are you considering that vacant seat in the Senate?"
Elizabeth laughed. "Always trying to get the good information…I guess I learned from the best though, because the both of us have a pretty good reputation for tearing apart a material witness."
"Oh, but your very good at avoiding the question…so?"
"No, I'm not interested." Elizabeth looked out the window. "When I have my family in order then I'll make a run of it."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it."
Elizabeth smiled and touched her father's hand and squeezed it. Tonight would be a very interesting night.
WEWEWEWEWEWE
Will was riding shotgun in the security car right behind the limo that carried Elizabeth. Captain Washburn, the pompous windbag was blowing off steam in the backseat.
"So why do you look so fancy and cleaned up?" Washburn bellowed.
"Because I was asked to come as a guest." Will said as he kept his eye on the limo.
"Taking advantage of the Governor's daughter? That's low, even for you Turner." Washburn said with a snort.
"You know what?" Will turned and looked back at him. "I don't care what you think. You've been harping on me since I transferred to your precinct, what the hell did I ever do to you?"
"I just don't like you Turner. And you're lucky the Governor is on your side, otherwise I'd have fired your ass a long time ago."
"Well, it shows pretty damned poorly on you since he doesn't trust you with his daughter? So if I were you I'd be careful about getting canned." Will then turned back in his seat and saw that they were pulling up at the Park Plaza Hotel. Without another word, Will got out of the car in just enough time to see the Governor get out of the limo.
"Well, I imagine calling you Detective would be rather rude." Governor Swann said when he saw Will.
"Maybe, Will would be fine sir."
"No sir nonsense. Tonight you are a guest and my daughters escort." Governor Swann then looked at his daughter. Will reached into the limo and look Elizabeth's hand and helped her out of the limo.
She wore an ice pink ball gown, that was so light, it was almost white. It was sleeveless and covered with a silver mesh pattern that looked like small flowers. Her hair was curled and waved with crystals placed throughout it. Will thought she was truly a vision, gorgeous, and all his.
"You look very handsome." Elizabeth said as she smoothed out the lapels of Will's tuxedo.
"You're absolutely gorgeous." Will kissed her hand.
"Shall we?" Elizabeth hooked her arm in his as they walked into the lobby. The Governor ahead of them, taking care of the press.
WEWEWEWEWE
"I see Jack." Elizabeth said as she walked into the ballroom.
"He's here with a couple of his men. They are looking for Barbossa, and keeping an eye on you."
"I thought that was your job?" Elizabeth asked with a smile.
"It is." Will's smile faded. "If anything goes wrong, that's what Jack's here for."
"What do you mean go wrong?"
"If anything happens to me tonight, you trust Jack, and Jack alone. Do you understand?" Will asked as they stopped at the bar to get a few drinks.
"Will, you're scaring me." Elizabeth looked into his eyes.
"Elizabeth, it's my job to protect you…" Will silenced Elizabeth when she was about to speak with a wave of his hand. "I love you Elizabeth, and if anything were to happen to you because I was enjoying myself too much…just like what happened in Chatham…I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
"Chatham wasn't your fault."
"No it was. If I had been paying attention, I wouldn't have let you gone alone. If I had gone with you, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. If I had asked you out the first time I met you, maybe just maybe you wouldn't have been raped, and then you wouldn't be in this mess…" Elizabeth gasped slightly.
"Is that what you think?" Elizabeth asked as she stepped away from the bar and towards the large dance floor.
"Elizabeth, it's what I feel."
"Will, the reason you or I didn't ask each other out all those months ago was because both of us were just starting our careers. We were colleagues and we wanted it to be professional. Will I don't want you to blame yourself for any of this…"
"Elizabeth I can't help it."
Elizabeth took his head in her hands. "Promise me?"
Will closed his eyes. "I promise."
"Good." Elizabeth then kissed his cheek. "Now, I want you to dance with me."
"Oh, I can't dance all that well."
"Then why did you come?" Elizabeth asked with a smile. "Come on." Elizabeth took his hand and pulled him to the dance floor, where several couples were already dancing the waltz.
"Elizabeth, I don't know the first thing about the waltz."
"Just hold my arms up, keep your head up and eyes on me and count one, two, three, four, and move your feet in a square and sweep around in circles." Elizabeth motioned towards a couple.
"I don't know…" Will watched the impossible happen…dancing.
"If you fall, I'll fall with you so you won't look completely ridiculous." Elizabeth laughed. Will took her challenge with robust and began to waltz.
"See, you haven't fallen flat on your face." Elizabeth said after a couple of times around the dance floor.
"I guess not." Will then glanced into her eyes…now was the time. "Elizabeth I have to ask you a question…"
"What is it?" Will stopped her in the middle of the dance floor. He then reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small box. Elizabeth's eyes widened at the sight. The whole roomed seemed to stop as Will asked her a very important question.
"Will you marry me?" Will's smile was catchy and Elizabeth had the same smile. "I know we haven't known each other all that long…but I love you and…" Elizabeth put her hand over his mouth.
"Yes." Will hooted and slipped the ring on her finger and picked her up and spun her around the air. "You're happy?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh yeah, very happy." Will kissed her deeply.
Elizabeth looked up and saw her father smiling behind them, clapping with the rest of the guests. "I'm happy for the both of you." Governor Swann said.
Elizabeth noticed the tears in her father's eyes. "Oh dad." Elizabeth hooked her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"You won't be my little girl any longer…"
"I'll always be your little girl." Elizabeth whispered.
"Do you think you would still dance with your poor old dad?" Elizabeth smiled and winked to Will, who stepped back and let father and daughter have their moment.