Barbossa was not looking forward to making an enemy of Miss Elizabeth, but being on the wrong end of a mutiny was not a part of his travel plans. He had a reputation to uphold. Allowing the crew to doubt the bloodthirstiness of their captain was a recipe for disaster, so clemency was out of the question.

By dusk, most of the crew was loitering around on deck to see what would happen. Barbossa called Elizabeth to him, and she shrugged out of her fiancé's protective grasp and came forward. She did not look pleased.

"Why do you always do this to me?" she demanded, hands on her hips. "Why am I always to be sacrificed for something that's not my fault?"

It took an effort, but he managed a perfect sneer. "Oh, stow the complainin, it's only a couple of lashes. I'll take care of it myself." He gestured carelessly. "Somebody hold her."

There was a slight commotion as Will tried to break free of the men who stood restraining him.

"And you calm yourself too, Mr. Turner," the captain advised with a smile that was decidedly not friendly. "Before I make it really difficult on ye, and offer ye the chance to do it yourself."

The boy looked horrorstruck, but Elizabeth just narrowed her pretty eyes at him. "I'm not afraid of you," she declared, "No matter what you do."

He stepped up and whispered in her ear, "I told you you were brave."

The rumble of distant thunder just added to the ominous atmosphere. Barbossa smiled at the sound, loving the feeling of plans on the verge of success. And there be our storm.

He addressed the spectators. "Your crewmate behaved like a child and so he's earned a child's punishment. We don't even need the cat for this – a strap will do us fine."

Several of the pirates laughed. "My mum used to chase me with the strap every day," one snickered.

"Mine used a broom-."

"-a shoe..."

While they were talking among themselves Barbossa unbuckled his heavy leather swordbelt. He gave Elizabeth a dark smile. "Wouldn't want to do damage to those pretty shoulders," he purred.

She was looking at him in a way distinctly reminiscent of the first time she saw him transform into a skeleton. "You don't mean you're really going to…?" But she saw he did mean it. She tried several times for words and finally produced: "This is barbaric."

He seemed amused. "All right, gents, someone hold her. But mind that arm, she's shot."

Barbaric, eh? Well, if that was how she felt before it even started, then there was not much point going easy on her, was there? Besides, Barbossa's main concern was that Turner got the message so this scene would not have to be repeated.

So he put his whole shoulder into it and landed the belt across her back with a perfect swishCRACK. As he'd expected, Elizabeth stubbornly tried to keep silent through the first few blows, but – being a girl and brand new to the world of physical pain – she was no match for him. She soon realized it and just gave him what he wanted to hear.

Barbossa took note of who looked ill and horrified: they were weaklings who could not be trusted. On the other hand, there were also a few men who showed a sick kind of satisfaction, practically drooling every time Elizabeth cried out, and he took note of them too. He didn't have to like them, but they might have their uses sometime.

When he had established that screaming would not move him and was sure that Turner had had enough, Barbossa stopped and caught his breath. "I suppose that's enough. But the next time I'll mark her so that it lasts forever, boy."

Elizabeth shoved her way past him with a good elbow, furious but practically unharmed, and muttered, "You're a beast" under her breath.

Barbossa just laughed indulgently. Let her rail, goodness knew she'd earned it.

Elizabeth closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Will was sitting at a table, his head resting on his hands as though he were praying.

Perhaps this could be handled with humor? She put her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "I can't believe you got me whipped like a naughty schoolboy!"

Will's head jerked up. He'd heard the smile in her voice but it didn't matter. "Elizabeth…" he swallowed. "I swear I-"

"No!" she cut him off and took a sharp step forward. "No vows, not that kind. Remember our purpose here? To have even a chance at rescuing Jack we must all stand together."

Will looked away and almost couldn't speak. "So you stand with him."

She knelt by his chair and took his face in her hands. "I stand with you, Will, against anyone who is your enemy, you have to know that," she whispered. "I love you. I would choose you over the captain, over my father, over Jack… I just…"

"You just don't want to choose." It sounded like an accusation even to his ears.

"There's no need for it. You shouldn't be enemies. Please, try and make this voyage work. For me."

"For you," he echoed. He looked into her tearful eyes and suddenly realized, disgusted with himself, that he couldn't refuse her. He took both her hands and kissed them. "I would do anything for you," he said, "Or at least I would try. But I just don't know if I can forgive someone who's harmed you. You were screaming. I-I'll never get the sound out of my mind…"

"Oh, honestly! He wanted to make a point. It was all show, he didn't even hurt me." But Elizabeth dropped her eyes.

"Don't lie to me." She was silent, and he pressed, "Let me see."

She blushed and laughed nervously. "Will!"

"I mean it. I have to know."

Elizabeth considered it for all of two seconds. "I suppose if we're going to be married…" She turned her back and peeled off her shirt slowly, then unfastened her undershirt too and let it fall away.

But Will could not enjoy the sight – he was too wholly riveted on the single bright red welt that had risen across her back. "Didn't hurt you?" he breathed incredulously.

She sighed. "One stung, Will," she lied. "One out of how many? I think it was a warning. He could have-"

"I know, I know. I'm not stupid, Elizabeth. Shortsighted perhaps, but not stupid." He took a deep breath and tried to get things in perspective. After all, it was hardly a mortal injury. "If it's what you want," he said slowly, "I will try to let this go…but you have no idea how hard it will be."

"You know I love you for trying." She peeked over her shoulder and blew him a kiss.

Welt or not, Will had a hard time battening down the urge to get an early start on their marriage.

Of course, straightening Will out was only half the battle. Next Elizabeth went to see the captain. "Evening, Miss Elizabeth…how feel ye?"

She didn't mince words. "You may not have had much choice, but I'm not happy with you. Neither is Will. I talked to him though, and I don't think there will be a next time."

He was quiet for a good long moment. "That's good, because I meant it when I said-"

"I know you meant it," she interrupted. "Actions speaking louder than words and all that."

"Did you show Turner?" He had to know if there was a duel in his future.

Elizabeth covered her buttocks with both hands. "Not this one. Brute."

"Had ye been cooperative and started howling right away, that wouldn't have been necessary." She made a disgusted noise but it was at least half pretend. And she was still feeling friendly enough to joke with him. That was promising. "And I trust you told him it was a terrifying and truly inhuman experience that he had better nevercause you again?"

"No, I told him you didn't even hurt me," she said with a proud toss of her head. "You really think I would help make him suffer?"

The captain didn't seem surprised. "Ah, but bruises don't lie, do they? I left you a few for dear William's viewin pleasure…"

"Just one," she said haughtily. "And it'll probably be gone by tomorrow."

"We'll see."

His tone was far too knowing and sinister for Elizabeth's liking, so she changed the subject. "You know, you're not fair to Will. He could be very valuable to you and instead you torment him. He fights well and he's an excellent leader…"

"Which is exactly why I need him to be obedient. Can't you take care of that? Try crying, that would probably bend him."

Honestly irritated now, Elizabeth decided to get a spot of revenge. She advanced on the captain with slow slinky steps, making herself as alluring as ever even though she was dressed in pirates' rags. She leaned close and whispered practically into Barbossa's mouth, "I have better ways of…persuading…my husband."

He froze. Swallowed. "Do you now."

"Yes." Her lips had parted and her eyes had dropped from his. She was looking instead at his mouth, and he had to give ground or risk losing what control remained. He took a step back, exhaling sharply, and she smirked at him. Point to Elizabeth.

"By the powers you are a very persuasive young lady." He laughed softly. "And you're invited to use your skills on me whenever the mood takes ye. But if Will Turner loses his head again," he warned, "No amount of persuasion will save you from a fair bit of permanent damage. Have I made myself heard?"

"Loud and clear, Captain Barbossa." The flirtatiousness had dropped from Elizabeth's manner all at once and she was looking surprised. "You're really…serious?" She could hardly believe it. "You're…"

"…a stone cold barbarian?" he suggested happily. His eyes lit up as he regained control of the room, backing Elizabeth up several paces. "Who'll mutilate a friend just to keep me riffraff pirate crew in hand? Yes. Never doubt it for a moment, missie."

She might have doubted it for a moment, but a moment was all.

TBC.

Ok, the projected rendezvous with Jack is still on schedule. It's coming, people, it's coming! Not that the ship can't be convoluted enough without him…

A word on why I treat dear Elizabeth so poorly: I think her performance with Beckett in DMC shows that she has potential to overcome her feminine softiness and become something ofan evil genius (who uses her powers for good). I just think she needs a little more coaching is all.

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