The rest of the morning was a rush and blur to Elizabeth. People – mostly neighbors came and left, the constable was present the entire time however. He was a short, plump, bearded man who was severely alert and talkative. A few of the Navy's officers accompanied him to the Swann mansion. Will had insisted he stay with Liz to comfort her and Katie, so that left Marty the job of fetching the authorities. At first, of course, they were skeptical of the rough, little man's story that included kidnapping and shootings but they were obligated to check up on the so-called rouse. When they arrived the Turners who lead them to the garden where they had respectively laid a blanket over George's still form, greeted them grimily. Elizabeth showed the constable her bruises left by the dead man on her arms and partially around her waist. Will continued to tell him how he had gotten in the house through the window and up the trellis, Will's gunshot wound had been cleaned and bound nicely and the constable inspected it thoroughly to make sure their story was how they said it was. A messenger was sent out to Port James, told to alert the governor and have him return immediately. The constable himself was gone for a time to visit the Mayfield's.

Elizabeth watched his carriage go steadily down the drive as she held Katherine close to her chest. Her breasts ached, weighted with milk and Katie's tiny hands begging her to unbutton the top of her dress so she could quell her hunger. Liz slightly opened her top just enough to suffice the little baby to feed. She looked down at her daughter, her soft, plump cheeks with a slightly rosy hue, her small hands clinging to her mother's breast as she so determinedly suckled. The wisps of blonde hair faintly moved in the breeze that the rain pushed through their porch. Liz looked back up to the shrinking carriage. How her heart broke for Mrs. Mayfield! Here she was, her child safely in her arms, while the other woman's son lay in the drizzling rain, his body unmoving, his face unforgiving. He had been a confused and jealous man and it had led him to his ruin. Perhaps she could have – should have tried to fight him off harder…Liz shook her head and crossed herself. George was such a big man, she still felt his hands upon her, his weight forcing her back, pushing her into the tree that made it impossible to move, impossible to have any other option but the drastic. She felt the same way she did the day that Norrington had been forced to jump to his fate, swimming to his finaly resting place on the dreadful island. Yes, she felt the same way - but worse.

"Penny for your thoughts"

Elizabeth turned quickly to find Will standing behind her.

"Sorry…didn't mean to startle you." He said with a small smile.

Liz turned back around to face the open door and leaned against its frame, watching the rain fall in front of her. Her free hand reached around her to pull Will's arm around her body. He stepped up obligingly as he laid a kiss on her bare skin between her neck and shoulder. Liz rested her head back on him wearily.

"I did the right thing, did I not?" She spoke softly, attempting to hide the doubt creeping into her mind.

"Yes love, nothing to be regretful about.

"Then why…" Liz closed her eyes and breathed heavily. "Why do I feel so…so –"

"Heavy?"

Her eyes snapped open and she turned in his arms to face him. "Yes, why do I feel so wrong?" She asked, her one hand clenching Katie's blanket while the other rested on her husband's chest.

Will looked in her eyes that were glistening with threatening tears, blending with the background of the gray, wet weather. "I don't know." He said, tightening his embrace. "I think you have a mother's heart now, and I – a father's heart…we feel too much."

Elizabeth rested her head on him once more, her eyes were heavy and her body was weak from the lack of sleep and the emotional havoc. "Well if there is a fault worth having, I think that must be the most anyone could hope for.

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Father Hammond and Constable Neville stepped out of the carriage with long faces. The priest straightened his collar and took a step towards the Mayfield's home but was stopped by the constable's hand on his arm.

"Father, Miss Swa-…Mrs. Turner is safe from damnation in God's eyes, isn't she?"

The priest saw the worried stare. Everyone in Port Royal was fond of their former rose. And seeing her again for the first time in almost a year brought back memories of her as a child, so beloved, so full of life. That poor girl…

"No sir." He said gently. "No, defending oneself is a primal instinct. It was merely protection Constable, as you know."

The constable nodded, his normal, chatty, incessant talking was stagnant and frankly unnoticed by the two men. As they turned their attention towards the large, ominous mansion, all of the parties and happy sounds of only three days previous were long forgotten and upstaged by the echo of a gunshot. 'Oh the Mayfields…I pity them and their sorrow.' Thought the constable. 'But that George…it was probably for the best…' The walk up to the doorstep was one of the longest they had ever experienced. Well, besides the trudge up to the Swann residence the night Miss Elizabeth had been taken by those pirates…

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Katie slept soundly in her mother's arms as they sat in the parlor. Elizabeth's eyes were heavy as she leaned her head back against the plush pillows of the sofa. Will emerged from the kitchen holding three piping hot cups of tea for him, his wife, and Marty – who sat patiently near the fireside. Will sat down the drinks and attempted to take Katherine from Liz so she could lie more comfortably. Elizabeth immediately awoke and straightened up.

"No…no that's alright Will. I think I'll just keep her here."

"Are you sure? I think you would both sleep better in your beds." He said, his hands still lingering to take the baby.

Liz paused and her voice was of deep sincerity. "I feel better if I hold her. Please I…I want to feel her against me."

Will knew the prospect of her daughter being kidnapped or harmed was a shock, as he too obviously knew and Elizabeth felt as if she needed to protect her right now. He nodded and gave her a small, reassuring smile before he turned and handed her the cup of tea and took his place beside her on the sofa, his arm finding its way behind and around her shoulder.

It wasn't long before there was a knock at the door, and quickly the butler, Mr. Paxton answered it.

"Good day sir. They are not taking any visitors at this time."

"Who is it?" called Will.

"It's Mister –" he began but was cut off my Marty who jumped up from his seat and ran to the door.

"Its you! Some gall you have showing your face around here!"

Will immediately went to the foyer to see the guest. He was met with a tired, sad looking; young and short man who was nicely dressed and very haggard looking.

"Hello, whats going –" Again Marty interrupted before Will could find out for himself.

"That man was in on it! He schemed with that George character."

Will's anger and uneasiness got the best of him as Marty spoke these accusations. In one swift movement he had David up against the doorway with his fist under his chin, gripping his fine shirt very forcefully. "Is this true? Is this true you bastard? Speak!"

David nodded the best he could with Will's vice holding him. "Its true…but I didn't go through with it. I swear to you."

Elizabeth appeared in the doorway, watching the display. Her figure across the foyer caught his eyes and he looked past Will as he continued to speak. "I swear. You must believe me."

Will looked down at Marty. The little man shrugged. "Maybe he's right. I saw them quarreling last night. Perhaps he walked away.

Will and David locked a harsh gaze once more before Will released him and took a few steps back. "I'm sorry I…you must understand my state of alarm." As Will spoke he didn't look at the man, instead he looked downward considerably, rather ashamed.

"No apology is necessary Mr. Turner. I should be the one apologizing to you, for my friend. His actions were absurd and irrational… he was blinded by lust."

Liz shifted her weight from one foot to the other uneasily. Everyone in the room knew what he was referring to. After a moment of complete silence Elizabeth stepped forward, her eyes sorrowful. "David I'm sorry about…about George's fate. He –"

"Please none of that. I know why you did it. I came here to tell you not to worry. I'll cooperate with the authorities, I'll tell them George's plan… his severely premeditated decisions that he made."

"Thank you." Will spoke quietly

David gave a polite nod and stepped out of the still open front door. He turned before walking down the drive. "Good day, and good luck." He said. Then he looked down at Marty and gave him a knowing smile before reaching in his coat pocket and tossing him a brown leather pouch, half full with the gold coins he had promised him. Then he was gone. Will watched him get into his lavish carriage, watching him leave before shutting the door.

"You see Will, some people are still on our side." Liz said, her hand over his.

He turned towards her, looked into her eyes for a moment then leaned forward slowly and kissed her forehead. He knew she was right but Will also realized how he had changed. He was so quick to draw a sword, his guard was always up and ready to fight. How many more attempts on his life, Elizabeth's life, his daughter's life, his happiness? How many more could he take? And why would anyone deserve to look over their shoulder for the rest of their life?

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Will shifted in the bed, his mind turned even in his sleep. He could hear the pounding, the pounding at the door. It was nearing, drawing closer, it was downstairs, it was…. coming up the stairs?

Then it stopped…but now he was being shaken.

"Will"

He wanted it to go away, to leave him alone.

"My God Will open your eyes!"

Will was catapulted awake by firm hands taking him by the shoulders. His brown furrowed as he attempted to concentrate on the figure in front of him. It was the governor.

"What happened? I got word something dreadful had happened…where – where is Elizabeth?"

Will looked to his side at an empty bed and a cold pillow. Quickly he threw the governor's hands off him and jumped up from the bed. He took off down the hall towards the nursery. Will glanced in and saw nothing out of the ordinary, but most importantly he saw no sign of Elizabeth. Will went to the crib quickly to see his infant daughter sleeping soundly and he sighed a breath of relief. Then a glimmer of white caught his eye near the front of the room. Liz was lying on the small old sofa in the corner; her nightgown was her only covering against the night air. And Will felt his chest bruise from the intense beating of his heart. He approached his wife as a smile crept over his lips. Slowly Will bent down and took her in his arms. He gently cradled her head against his chest as he lifted her up from the couch, her bare legs draping over his strong forearms. Once he had lifted her she stirred and looked up into his warm face.

"Will…I just wanted to…" Her voice was a tired whisper.

"Shhh, not now love, not now."

Weatherby, who was previously in the doorway stepped back to allow his son-in-law to pass. He watched how carefully the young man held his daughter, just as any lover would do. Yes…Will Turner was a fine man. He would allow the couple to retire for the night, and crossed himself for barging in – for he arrived at an ungodly hour. As the elder Swann walked somberly back to his bedchamber, he remembered what had happened earlier that day. The young boy who was struggling for breath, legs tired and wobbling from his hurried ride from Port Royal. He had handed the governor a hastily written note with a shaky signature from Constable Neville. He had prepared a carriage and hired a roused his driver as fast as he possibly could and as he drew nearer to his home, a cold sweat took a hold of him, thinking of his daughter and his grandchild being harmed in this "dreadful news" as the letter said. Weatherby glanced up at the large clock in the corner of his room. Its late. And answers would have to wait until the morning.