A/N: Not much to say this time, surprisingly enough. This would've been up sooner, but I only finished half of it before I met Matt Damon and George Clooney in person. I know I always have an excuse, but that truly did happen. lol As for the post, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm definitely straying from the norm with the beginning, so let me know what you think. I always love to hear from my reviewers and anyone who takes the time to write more than "Post soon" (not that it's not appreciated), I will try to respond to you. Thanks.

Jonathon Greene was usually a calm, level-headed person if you asked him, not that anyone did. But if the question had arisen at some point, he would be able to meet the person straight on and answer with the confidence that only a man who practiced honesty could. When Elizabeth's behavior had changed so suddenly, he tried to reason rationally with her and speak with her as if they were both adults, which they just so happened to be. In the days following the last and final outburst Elizabeth had experience in his presence, he told himself that she had started the debacle herself by not showing up and he had only been asking her why. There had been no wrongdoing in his actions, she was the cause of their argument. And when she disappeared after that, he told himself the same thing, that it was not his fault she had fled from the mansion she had called home for so long. He couldn't stop her from leaving if he knew nothing of her plans to do so, and he could not be responsible. Still, he had lied for her, telling people she was ill or somewhere else at the moment. He had taken the time to cover for her so no one would know that she had become such a disgrace as governess, and three months later, he was finally fed up with her and her little antics.

He raised his hand to knock swiftly on the door four times, pressing an ear to its heavy oak surface and speaking aloud, making sure that the housekeeper down the hall could hear him. "Governess Swann, it is I, Jonathon. I would like a moment of your time, please, to speak with you about a pressing matter." He plastered on a friendly smile as he twisted the knob, giving the housekeeper a small nod of recognition before disappearing into what he knew would be an empty bedchamber and letting the door fall closed behind him. He didn't know if he did the elaborate entrance to her bedroom anymore for the others around him or for himself anymore, but he always felt the same sense of accomplishment when one of the other inhabitants of the house would ask about her whereabouts and a lie rolled off his tongue so easily.

He stood in her empty room again, amazed by the cleanliness of the room once again. He had thought of every tiny detail to make it seem like she really was still sleeping in these bedchambers. He would pull the sheets loose from their tight hold every night and turn out her light, moving a gown from her wardrobe to the floor outside the door where one of the many housekeepers would always come for it. He had left the room disheveled one morning, leaving the room somber and telling the nearest servant that Elizabeth was having a rough day and had just thrown a tantrum. Other mornings, he would leave the curtains closed and the door locked, telling people she needed time to herself to lament over the loss of her father. He always had an excuse for her empty quarters as well: She was having tea in the gardens, she had business to attend to elsewhere, she was visiting a friend, she had just left but return soon. And until now, he had thought he had the answer to everything, that he would be able to protect Elizabeth until she finally chose to return to her position. But he had overlooked a previous engagement.

Elizabeth had been summoned to attend a meeting with all her Lords, the many advisors that took small sections of the territory she governed to lighten the burden that the job of governor, or in her case, governess, entailed. The Lords had been arriving as of late, and he was sure that they wouldn't put up with his meager stories about failing health and deep depression much longer. Finding a substitute Elizabeth Swann for the meeting was out of the question because, while this was the first time all twelve Lords would be meeting with Elizabeth, they had been meeting with her father for years. They had known the girl since she was a baby, and they would know without a doubt if the woman they met with was a fraud. He would either need a believable alibi for the governess, or he needed to get her back here.

Sighing to himself, he walked around the perimeter of the room, trying to find yet another clue to her disappearance. It did not take a genius to know just where she was, she had gone back to her husband of course. It was her motive for leaving now of all times that Jonathon couldn't quite figure out. She had disappeared into the night without a trace, no one had seen her leave, and he had asked almost everyone. He had even gone to people associated with pirates, having to convince them for long periods of time that he wasn't going to arrest them if they would just give him as much information as they possibly could. The only small detail he had found out from a man who was quickly drinking his way through his life savings was that she had entered a bar near the harbor frequented by pirates, and no one saw her leave.

His private moment within the confines of her bedchambers was broken as a knock came on the partially opened door, and he was met with the flustered face of one of the young soldiers who helped on the premises where help was needed, seeing as there was no fight going on at the moment. This particular soldier was fairly new, and Jonathon knew him by name: Patrick Carter. He gave a small smile as he stepped into the room. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Sir, but I must request a moment of Governess Swann's time." Flashing a bright smile, he turned to look in the direction of the bed, and Jonathon fought to not laugh as he saw the young man's face fall with the same celerity. "Oh… I-I didn't know that Governess Swann was not here. Do you know where I might be able to find her?"

"No, I do not, Patrick," Jonathon answered with the same stability as he took a step closer to the man in front of him, shaking his head solemnly. "In fact, I would like you to issue a declaration to the people to inform them that Elizabeth Swann is missing. You must create a nautical search party, with myself in charge, and you as my co-captain. We leave this afternoon." Patrick nodded in approval before stepping towards the doorway once again, but Jonathon's mind worked much more quickly. He was already thinking back over the pain and anguish the young woman who had trusted him so much had then in turn put him through. Wasn't it only fair to reciprocate the same kind of punishment in return? "Oh, and Patrick?" He spoke before he could change his mind, and he was glad when he turned around, not sure that he would ask again later if he didn't do it in that instant. "I want you to issue a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest as well."

- - - -

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip so hard that she drew blood as she dropped down to the tiny stool behind the massive organ that acted as a heart for the massive vessel. If something went wrong now and she was forced to return to the Black Pearl already, she wasn't sure that even the knowledge of their unborn child would keep her going this time, would give her the will to live. Will's death had been the quake that had torn her life apart, the tidal wave that washed out all the stability she had once felt, and the knowledge of her pregnancy had been the aftershock that had forced her to realize it still affected her everyday life, the failure of strategy the third wave that came with the most force and power to pull her apart with it. Running her hand along the ebony keys, she let them play their lamenting notes until the sound became too much like wailing and she forced herself to pry her fingers from their smooth surfaces. The silence that filled the room in the music's absence was even worse.

She was about ready to go up onto the deck herself by now, demand to be a part of the conversation that affected her life just as much as Will 's and his father's. She sighed dramatically as she rose from the stool, feeling the way the floorboards creaked and moaned beneath her weight. She didn't know how anyone could possibly converse for this long, no matter the topic, and she was becoming more restless with each passing minute. It was then that she finally felt the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs, moving slowly as if the person were aged and had limited mobility, and suddenly her pacing stopped and she froze.

She dropped down to the stool once again when she felt like her knees would no longer support her, and she watched as he rounded the corner and entered the room, his surprise showing as he saw her waiting there. It was then that she realized she had told him she would be waiting in his quarters. His shock eventually dissipated and without a word, he began to search through the drawers of a small chest in the opposite corner of the room. When the movements finally ceased and he appeared again in front of her, he seemed nervous and on edge as he pressed something hard, heavy, and metallic into her open palm. "I've had a lot of time to myself on this ship, and I realized that I missed my days as a blacksmith. So, in my free time, I made you this. I have the other half, so I can finally convince you that I won't forget you. Ever." Turning the object in her hand, she saw it for what it was. It was a sliver locket, shaped like half of a heart, half of a whole she thought for a moment before tears started to sting the corners of her eyes. When she opened the small clasp on the side, it played a slow steady melody she recognized from a music box he had given her as a birthday gift when they were both much younger, and it finally dawned on her what this locket really was: a parting gift.

The necklace barely made a sound as it fell from her hand and hit the floor, and she barely noticed as she jumped back up to her feet, not even feeling his hands wrap around her waist to steady her. She shook her head with an urgency she had never felt before, her words flowing out of her mouth before she even knew what she was saying and her tears collecting quickly in her eyes. "I'm not leaving you again, William, I can't. For the past month, I've had the baby to keep my mind from straying to thoughts of you, but now that you know, I can't think of this child without thinking of you as well. And I'm afraid that I can't trust Jonathon anymore. If you send me back, I'll have no one."

Will wrapped his strong, warm arms around her quickly, and her tears spilled over as she squeezed her eyes shut to keep from seeing the pain etched on his own face. "Elizabeth…" His voice was soft and sweet, reminding her of the melody the locket had played, but it didn't hold the regret that she had been expecting. "I'm not going to send you away again, and I'm not going to leave you. Tonight, I'm going to see you back to the Black Pearl, and then I'm going to stay there for the time being. If things go as I hope they do, I will stay there with you until we arrive at the fountain of youth."

A million questions raced through her mind as she looked back up at him, her big brown eyes still glazed over and slightly pink and swollen, but when she saw the same feelings of love and tenderness reflecting in his gaze, she couldn't speak. She returned the strong embrace, not caring that she didn't know the details of their expedition or the hardships it entailed. She didn't care that she had no idea who would take his place as captain or how staying away from the ship would affect him. Instead, she rested her chin on his shoulder as a soft smile spread over her face, and she whispered the two words gently into his ear. "Thank you."

- - - -

Bill Turner would be the one to stab his own son's heart and lose his own life in return, Elizabeth knew that now as she sat in the tiny row boat that was used for going ashore or in case of emergency while sailing on the Flying Dutchman. He would no longer fit into society if he were given the chance to stay on shore again, and he wasn't going to leave his son on the ship, so it seemed to be the perfect option despite Will's arguments. The Flying Dutchman would give up its daily course and follow the Black Pearl to the Fountain of Youth so all involved would be there when the time came to take part in the riskiest part of their contrivance. It would be a few months until they reached the Fountain, and while it would affect all aboard the Dutchman, it would not be long enough to make them as much a part of the sea and Davy Jones' crew had become. Their endeavor was really going to happen now, yet Elizabeth couldn't relax.

She bit her nails, played with her hair, and tapped her foot against the wooden bottom of the boat until Will placed his own foot over his to stop her. Her eyes flickered up to meet his own and she saw the playful smile he gave her when his foot brushed against her ankle again. But, surprising even herself, she pulled her own foot back, that small touch would drive her crazy when she knew she could feel him any closer. She grasped his wrist firmly in her hand a minute later and pulled him down so he was resting in the space between the two wooden planks that served as seats. Then, she lowered herself to sit between his legs, knowing that if they were both in the middle, there was no chance they would throw off the balance of the small vessel. She moved her hands to rest over his on the oars, moving them in the same sure circles that he did, enjoying the feeling of his slightly damp skin beneath her own.

She knew that it would take most of the night to get to the Black Pearl, but it was a small sacrifice to pay. They left so late at night so no enraged crewmembers could thwart their plans and force them to stay, but now as her eyelids began to droop, it didn't seem like such a good idea. To keep herself from falling asleep there in his arms, she finally spoke aloud. "Do you think that this will work?"

She did not need to elaborate for him to know what she was talking about, and she felt his weight shift as he shrugged his shoulders in response before realizing that she would be unable to see the tiny gesture. She felt herself relax even further when his confident voice filled the quiet. "Love is not a victory march, you know that. But… I think we have a good chance."

She nodded her head against his chest, pulling her hands away from where they rested on his on the oars. She heard the sound the oars made as they struggled through the water now, with only Will's hands to guide them, and she turned around to face him, looking straight up at him. "Why your father, Will? What did he say to you?"

Will's gaze had met hers the minute she turned around in the tiny boat, but now they strayed anywhere but her face. She could feel the movement of the boat pick up speed as he moved his arms faster, taking his frustration out on the oars, and she knew that he wasn't as convinced about the decision he had made as it had seemed on board the ship. "He said that I was his son and he was willing to do anything for me. And… I couldn't argue him this time because I know how that feels now… Wanting to do anything for your child."

Elizabeth's eyes glazed over with tears as she turned back around, her back settling perfectly against his chest, but she didn't notice. She played with her hands in her lap for a minute before resting them on her abdomen, feeling closer to the child within her if that was even possible. Her cheeks flamed with the guilt she felt, and she couldn't even convince herself that Will had deserved to know, not now when her confession was about to cost Bill Turner his mortality. Maybe he was right, maybe he wouldn't be accepted into a society he hadn't been a part of even before his death, and maybe it wouldn't have worked out anyways, he would still be bound to the ship, but now there would be no knowing if there was another chance for him. She had taken that away.

Will had felt her body stiffen against his, he could feel the way she curled in around herself as if maybe then she would be able to hide from him in this tiny rowboat, but he knew better. Instead of trying to tell her that he did not blame her for this or that everything would be okay, he knew that the first would fall on deaf ears and the second was an untrue fact, and she knew both of those things already. He let the oars rest in their holders on the sides of the boat, moving his hands to cover hers, and he let them linger on her stomach a little longer than necessary before pulling her hands away and wrapping them on the oars, guiding them with his own this time. He bowed his head closer to her neck, leaving a kiss on her earlobe as he whispered into it. "Tell me something else. I've missed the sound of your voice."

And Elizabeth did just that, telling him idle stories about her life before she had returned to the sea, about Jonathon Greene and her new servant, Abigail Watson whom she had confided in when she no longer trusted Jonathon with her many secrets, albeit the baby. She told him about the way being back in the area surrounding the harbor made it impossible for her to think of anything about him, and how sick she had been when she finally did return to the sea, something that hadn't been a side effect of the pregnancy, but true seasickness. She told him anything and everything she could possibly think of, even stories of Jack the monkey that caused him to chuckle softly, and she was able to pick up on the vibrations of his chest, letting herself think for the moment that it was the reason why she could not feel his heart beating.

Eventually, her voice faded into the night and Will was sure she had fallen asleep before she spoke again, her voice soft and slightly shaky, but strong and determined all the same. "Did you ever dream about me?" Will hesitated a moment before nodding in response, his head bobbing up and down and his chin just barely grazing the crown of her head. She pulled her hands away from his once again, letting him take full control of the oars, and she laced her fingers together to procrastinate for just a moment, then asking her next question. "What were they about?"

The only sound for a long time was the oars slapping the calm surface of the water, and Elizabeth feared that she had asked the wrong question, one he chose not to answer because it was too painful. But his voice finally met her ears again, slow and hesitant at first before building to its normal demeanor. "That same spot on the beach where we said goodbye. I came back to you and I told you that I didn't have to return to the sea. I held you in my arms, I kissed you, I heard your voice, and when I woke up, I felt like I could still feel your skin against my own." Silence followed, and he felt Elizabeth shift uncomfortably beside him. "Are you alright?" He felt the way she nodded her head, the back of her hair brushing against his chest, and he bent down to leave a soft kiss on it. He rested his chin on the top of her head as he spoke aloud again. "What did you dream of?"

Elizabeth let her teeth graze her bottom lip as she struggled within herself over whether or not she should tell him the truth. She couldn't believe she was admitting this, even to herself, but she was jealous of Will for being able to have such peaceful dreams when she had been fearing the nights she spent alone. But he had given her pure honesty, and she owed him the same. "Well… at first…the dreams were a lot like that day. We would be together somewhere, the ship, the beach, Tortuga, and then I'd have to watch you die all over again, and no matter how many nights I had the same dream, I couldn't stop what was happening. But… when I started sailing on the Black Pearl again, the dreams changed. I was always falling, the same way I did when I fainted all those years ago, but I was conscious and the water never met me. Sometimes, I would see Jack trying to stop me from falling or I would see Jonathon just letting me fall, but they never saved me and I never stopped falling. I don't know what was below me."

Will did not know how to respond to her as he listened to the melancholy tone of her voice, feeling like someone had just punched him in the stomach, causing him to double over. Once again, this was the pain only he had caused her, and it was a feeling that he hated. Leaning down again, he whispered to her, wanting to calm her as she started to shake in his arms. "Well, I'm here now, and I won't let you fall. You should try to get some rest." He felt her nod and settle in a different position in his lap. It wasn't long before he felt her breathing change and he knew that she was fast asleep. Her words rang through his mind as he continued to row the small vessel, and he couldn't imagine a time when his guilt had been this strong. He had hurt her in a way that he never though he could, and he couldn't take away that pain. Ever.

He spotted the glow of a lantern first, then the outline of a ship, and minutes later, Jack's voice filled his ears, giving him directions on where to row the ship to give them the easiest access to the Black Pearl itself. He waited as long as he possibly could before leaving another soft kiss on Elizabeth's shoulder to cause her to wake up. He heard her moan, and it caused him to smile, despite the torment he had been putting himself through. "Your arms…" she mumbled after a minute, and Will wasn't sure he had heard her right until she continued on a minute later. "… it was your arms I was falling into." And finally, he felt like he was starting to make things better for her.