Author's Note: OMG I am so sorry about the two month delay in my update! A butt load has happened since my last update and I just haven't gotten a chance to write. Anyway, here is the long awaited update and I apologize to my fans for my lack of updates. I will try to be a bit more… on top of things. There will only be a few more updates after this one but I will try to make them prompt! So I hope you like it. Please R&R (Like you have been already. Thanks for all of your comments!)

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

Chapter 7:

To Keep a Woman's Love

Waking up in a dank prison cell was not a feeling Will was used to. His head was throbbing and his eyes would not focus. It took him a moment to get to his feet and take a look around. He soon recognized the brig of the Black Pearl. It was not new to him by any means. Once he had figured out where he was, it took a short while for him to piece together what had happened the night before.

He could only remember bits and pieces. He remembered the ship he had been a stowaway on pulling into Tortuga and he remembered another stowaway leading him to a nearby bar but after that, it was difficult. He could remember threatening Jack but he could not remember how the fight ended. 'Given the brig I'm in, I'm guessing it did not go well,' he thought to himself. He sincerely hoped he hadn't killed Jack. Jack may have stolen his fiancé but she chose him as well so that was no reason to kill him. With a sigh, he said down on the wooden bench in the small cell and waited

Elizabeth wanted desperately to go talk to Will. She doubted that he could remember much of what had transpired the night before and she wanted to ask him why he had decided that stage that outburst. However, today, her duties were with Jack. He would be fine eventually but for now the ships doctor had confined him to the bed, not something he was happy about. So Elizabeth had been put in charge of keeping him there at all costs.

Mr. Gibbs was handling the purchasing/steeling of supplies and loading them onto the ship. As soon as Jack was aloud out of bed, he wanted to dump off Will and then set said before he could catch up. Elizabeth was trying to reason with him but she was also unsure about Will at the moment. She had known him most of her life but she had never seen him act as he did the night before. She wished she could get Jack to sleep so she could go talk to him but the Captain was not about to let her do so.

Jack Sparrow had never lost a fight. He had never backed off and tried to stop a fight. He usually started them and also finished them. His skills with a sword were so far unmatched. Yet, last night, he had lost. Not only did he loose, he backed away. He had tried desperately to stop a fight in order to keep a woman's love.

With a groan, he rolled over. As he did, the shape of Elizabeth sitting in a char next to the bed came into view and he remembered why he wanted to keep this woman's love.

"Keeping an eye on me Pet?" he said with a grin, lifting himself into a sitting position, groaning slightly from the pain in his leg.

Elizabeth grinned as well and leaned forward, "I would have it no other way." She leaned forward a bit more, causing their mouths to meet in a passionate kiss.

"Jack," Elizabeth began, her voice a bit shaky for some unknown reason, I have to go talk to Will."

Jack stared blankly at her for a moment then replied, "And why must you do that?" His voice was soft and friendly, not harsh like Elizabeth had expected.

"I don't believe his story about wanting to find his father and I want to know the truth," She said with a newfound confidence in her voice.

A long sigh escaped Jack's lips. He knew exactly why Will left Elizabeth and he was afraid if Will told her, she would go back to him. However, Jack also knew, very well, that if Elizabeth wanted something, she would get it.

Flashback

"Why do I care if you leave her? She isn't my responsibility."

"Because, she is in love with you. My first priority is that she is happy and I know she would not be happy with me."

"And what makes you think she will be happy with me?"

"I'm not saying that she necessarily will be happy with you. I just know what I can't say with her."

End Flashback

Jack could remember the conversation very well. He had not stopped thinking about it since it happened. And as Elizabeth had begun to show her willingness to love him, he accidentally found himself loving her as well. With a sigh, he repeated Will's words.

"He left you because he knew you were in love with me," Jack said, his voice very low, his eyes locked on hers. "His first priority was that you were happy and he knew you would not be happy with him."

Elizabeth wasn't sure how to react. It was true that she had been in love with Jack instead of Will but had she been obvious enough for the man who loved her to leave? How did Will know Jack would love her in return? She understood why Jack was reluctant to let her leave. It was a jealousy and position issue.

Leaning forward once again, Elizabeth kissed Jack deeper and more passionately that the first time. "I love you," She murmured, "And I will never leave you. But I need to sort this out with Will. I will be back. I promise." She kissed him again, rose to her feet headed towards the brig.