Disclaimer: I only own what isn't recognizeable. Everything else is © Disney.

Notes: I'm going to keep my "I told you so"s until the end. That's all I have to say.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Devil's Riddle

Chapter Five: I wasn't Planning on Sleeping

By: MJ

"Isn't it a bit early to be drinking scotch, Admiral?"

"If you've come here to tease me, Miss Swann," Admiral Norrington replied to Elizabeth's sarcastic question with a glare as he poured himself a decent serving of the alcohol, "then you could at least wait until I'm just a bit tipsy." He smiled firmly at her, moving from the bar to the window. It was pouring down rain outside on the morning after Elizabeth had arrived at his mansion. Already, it was hard enough to deal with Beckett's pressuring; now he was hiding a fugitive.

"That takes the fun out of it for me," she said saucily. He rolled his eyes and turned away from her. She moved towards the bar, and grabbed the bottle. She pulled a cup from the cabinet, and poured herself her own decent sized serving of the alcohol. She sipped it gingerly, and leaned against the grand oak bar, looking at him for a moment. "You're a broken man."

"You're a broken woman," he replied back looking at her. "Who's drinking my scotch?" He looked at her for a moment. "I suppose I'm in no position to tell you not to drink it?" He asked lightly, hoping it would be enough. It wasn't, and he came to realize this as she took another sip; he wondered if she had done it out of spite. He grimaced, leaning against the wall to look at her. "Best way to mend a broken heart?"

"Mine was trampled on, thank you, and it's all your bloody fault," she raised her glass in a toast, mocking him soundly. He glowered.

"Then it'd only be fair to say that it's all your bloody fault that my heart was trampled on," he raised his glass to her in a toast, and she seemed affected by his words. She glanced down at her glass, a finger tracing the rim. She bit her lip, and sighed.

"…I… I really don't know what you want me to say, James. I feel that it may have broken your heart more if I agreed and spent the rest of my life with you, when I'd have only been thinking about another man. It's why I believe I won't marry at all, especially now that Will," she was about to admit, once again, that Will didn't love her, not that he wasn't dead, but she kept out of it. She decided to end the sentence there for a bit of dramatic effect.

"How did he die?"

She gripped the glass a bit harder, her mind full of things to say, wondering how gruesome she could go and still make it believable. She almost laughed; in two years she had battled undead pirates, Davey Jones, and the foulest creature of them all, the Kraken. Obviously the unbelievable is still believable. She bit her lip and looked away. "I… I don't want to talk about it, all right?" He nodded his head, and took a sip, glancing back out the window. He squinted and sighed. "What is it?"

"We have unexpected company. Go on, upstairs!" He ushered her out and placed both of their empty glasses back in the cabinet, before he swiftly went to the lower lobby of his house. Elizabeth wasn't even halfway up the stairs, "Go! Or do you want to get caught?" She ran the rest of the way, and once upstairs, she only turned back to glower at him before she disappeared down the hall. There was frantic knocking at the door, and James sighed. "Here we go," he whispered, almost reassuringly to himself, as he shooed away his maid (who was about to get the door) before he answered it himself.

"Interested in knowin' o' de future, Admiral?" A silky voice called, a brown hand extended, holding onto a fogging crystal ball. James rolled his eyes, about to shut the door, when the woman continued, "'Ow about the som'tink on a certain William Turner?"

"We already know of his death, thank you, please—just go!"

"Wha' if'n I tol' ye he be alive?"

"I'd say you're insane," James said, opening the door fully. He glanced at the island woman, whose dreadlocks were hanging low from the heavy downpour, and her clothes were clinging to her skeletal frame. "But I'm sure there's some sort of price I have to pay to get the information, correct?"

"All in good time, James, all in good time," he would've been more taken aback that she knew his name, if he weren't as high up in the social status as he was. Everyone in Port Royal knew about him and his past; he wasn't at all surprised that it even circled around to the gypsies. He sighed, and held out a hand to usher her in.

"Come, I'll make some tea."

"I dun' want yer tea, I wan' ye t'listen ter wha' I got t'say!" She huffed, pushing the crystal ball upwards, so that it met his eyes. "Ye be holdin' someone 'ere 'oo shouldn't be, don't'cha?" She said, sniffing the air suddenly, as if she could smell Elizabeth's presence. "Why don' ye tell me about her?"

"Did Beckett send you?"

"How da 'ell be Beckett! I come 'ere because 'e sent me!"

"Who sent you?" James asked, ushering the woman into the parlor, where he promptly took his glass back out to pour himself another generous serving of the alcohol. The woman grinned at him, revealing blackened teeth.

"William Turner sent me," she said, walking over to the window, placing a hand on it to trace the raindrops that were sliding down the glass. "'E sent me t'tell ye yer a fool, and tha' 'e wants 'is Eliz'beth back," she said, turning back towards James.

"How am I supposed to believe you--? Why wouldn't he come here himself?"

"And risk I' captured an' 'ung because ye betrayed 'im? Unlikely, James," the woman chuckled. James gripped his glass harder and took another sip.

"Who the hell are you?"

"The name is Tia Dalma, not tha' it be any of yer concern," she snapped, her hands flying to her hips. "Where are ye hiding the woman? C'mon, now, I jest want to take 'er back t' 'er lover!"

"What's in it for you?" James asked suddenly, after a pause. She looked shocked for about a minute before she was able to recover.

"I dun' know wha' ye be talkin' 'bout."

"Oh, come on! What kind of idiot do you take me for, Miss Dalma? You're obviously a gypsy, and therefore you are highly susceptible to being forced into work! I'm surprised some of the lesser men in this town haven't already stolen you off to go to the auction block! Why would you risk your life and your freedom just to return two lovers to each other?" Norrington asked, staring at her for a moment, a smile dawning on his features. "Is Turner paying you--? What has he done to Elizabeth--?"

"'E's done not'ing, and I be here on me own accord, aye? If anyt'ing, I am only 'ere to get da two o' dem t'stop dere childish fightin' an' make peace, aye? Besides, yer sweet Eliz'beth 'as done much more t' William den William could evah do t'er, aye?" Tia Dalma said, moving closer to Norrington, who was now frowning by this latest revelation. "Wit'out da girl, William be a wreck. I need 'im t'be strong so dat we can rescue Cap'n Jack, aye? So, please, stop messin' wit' me 'ead an' bring me da girl!"

"Will is a wreck?" Elizabeth said, suddenly, from the doorway. Norrington and Tia both turned to stare at her. She sniffed, her arms folded over her chest, wrinkling the fabric of the gown Norrington requested that she wear. She looked down at her feet and then up at Tia Dalma, who smiled.

"Aye. Ye didn't 'elp da situation by bein' kidnapped. 'E's waitin' fer ya down at de docks t'tell ye himself," Tia said, frowning.

"Tell me what?"

"I'm sure that it's because he loves you," James interjected, noticing something hit Tia's eyes just as the island woman was about to answer. "And it's obvious you still love him. Did you tell me he died to keep me from going after him?" At Elizabeth's nod, he sighed. "I was going to try and help you both. I suppose I still can—is your father still asleep?"

"Yes, but please don't wake him. I'm afraid he has fallen ill," Elizabeth said quietly, worry in her eyes. James nodded.

"Grab a coat—we're going down to meet William."

"We?"

James sighed, looking about his large parlor for a moment, lost in thought. "Elizabeth, I am a broken man… I thought that what I really, truly wanted was to be a military man of the highest status; to be admired by young and old alike—to be a respectable man in a respectable trade," he said, taking a quick sip of his scotch. "…And I was happy when I came back and was appointed Admiral; I would've been a fool not to be, but… but when I met your father on the streets—a man I had held in my highest esteems, it hit me…" He sighed, looking back at her. "My dreams caused others to be unhappy. Others who I have always loved… And there isn't enough power, money, fame—there is nothing in the world that could make me continue to hurt those that I love."

"What are you saying, James?" Elizabeth asked quietly, her eyes carefully searching his as Tia Dalma made a rather odd noise under her breath.

"I'm saying… that I wish to join the Black Pearl's crew. After all, I got you all into this predicament; I might as well help you all get out."

"Turner! We be headin' back t'th' ship! Ye should come wit' us!" Barbossa yelled over the storm, but Will was adamant in his reply of,
"No! I will wait and make sure Elizabeth is all right before I do anything!" Will said. He was shivering, even under his leather jacket, but he refused to move from his spot amongst the trees. Ana Maria offered him a warm smile, but she climbed back into one of the long boats (along with Pintel and Rigetti, who had come to shore shortly after they had to help carry everything along), and soon they were making it back to the ominous ship.

Will sighed and bit his lip, his chocolate eyes looking towards the town for any sign of Tia Dalma, Norrington, and—most importantly—his Elizabeth. He leaned against one of the large palm trees before he slid down it, taking a seat in the wet sand. "C'mon," he whispered, his eyes closing ever so slightly. He was physically and mentally exhausted; he had stayed up all night pondering over how he should react when reunited with Elizabeth. Should he take Melusine's advice and bury the hatchet with Elizabeth, or was Tia Dalma right--? …Did Elizabeth really love Jack, and was Will so selfish that he would deprive her of being truly happy just to ease his breaking heart? He sighed and closed his eyes, drifting off into a light sleep, the rain around him like a soft lullaby.

"So… Finally, Captain Jack Sparrow must face his fate!" Hades chuckled as two demon guards brought Jack forward, unwillingly. Jack grinned.

"Suppose so, well, it was a pleasure meetin' ye, be sure, but… about this whole… 'deal with Jones' bit… Ye see—"

"Ah… Yes, it says it right here in rather fine print!" Hades said, squinting. Jack grimaced, having hoped to talk his way out of it, but obviously, he was mistaken. Jack sighed, and rolled his eyes, muttering to the demon on his left,

"Bit o' a 'ard-ass, ain't 'e?" The demon merely growled, and Jack too it as his cue to be quiet, but not before muttering to the demon on his right, "Wha's up 'is arse?"

"Enough!" Hades shouted, lifting a hand. Immediately, Jack fell quiet, staring at the man's hooves for feet with interest. "It says here you owe a hundred years before the mast to Davy Jones."

"Aye. Unfortunately."

"Regretting our decision, are we?" Hades chuckled, opening Jack's scroll a bit more. "Oh, and better yet! It says here that ye're in love!"

"Wha'? A piece o' paper can tell ye tha'?" Jack asked; he was about to take a step forward when an invisible force came about him and threw him back. He glared at the demon on his left, who was chuckling.

"…With yourself," Hades grunted, shifting in his chair. "And here I was getting excited over nothing. Well, what are we to do with you?"

"Second chance?" Jack shrugged, flashing his golden teeth. At that, Hades bellowed his laughter, not afraid to hide his amusement.

"Seems you've had a lot of second chances, Jack Sparrow, not this time. Although, technically, I am inclined to send you back on your merry way to Jones, I personally can't stand the urchin," Hades grunted, growling under his breath. Flames shot, literally, out of his nostrils as he spoke, and Jack took an involuntary step back. "Keeps all the best criminals for himself! I rarely ever get the chance to torture anyone these days… A hundred years on a haunted ship, and a shark head for your face, and they all going flying to Jones… Makes me sick," Hades spat, and his spit made it steam on the platform. Jack took another step backwards. "So… I'm keeping you here until your debt is paid… or," he read closer to the scroll once again, "Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann get here in enough time."

"Will an' Liz? Wot do they got ter do with this? …Besides everything," Jack added, after thinking about who put him in this situation.

"Turns out that they have just visited with my brother, Poseidon…"

"No…"

"Yes," Hades rolled his eyes. "And they're going to fulfill the prophecy. Well, Jack—"

"Captain," Jack grunted. Hades rolled his bright red eyes one more time before he snapped his fingers and Jack was gone. To the empty fog around him, he grinned and said:

"Well, Captain Jack, as you like to say—this is about to get interesting."

"There's no one here!"

"Dey left da boat, dat be all dat matters, aye?" Tia Dalma grunted to Elizabeth's frustrated sigh. The island woman was slowly pushing the young woman towards the long boat that was dangerously close to floating away.

"You told me Will was here! You told me he was waiting for me!"

"He must've gotten tired o' bein' in da rain! 'E was out 'ere all night!"

"Why didn't you bring him with you—he's still so weak! He could've gotten a cold, or… or the flu, or—or!"

"Or, Elizabeth, I'm just fine."

She turned to see him, leaning against a palm tree with an amused smile on his lips. She looked at him curiously—hadn't he been so angry and hostile with her just days ago? Hadn't he told her, quite frankly, that they couldn't make it work—and he was smiling? Did he find it funny to play with her heart like this?

His shirt was sticking to his body underneath his black leather jacket. His hair had fallen out of the tie he usually held it up in, and his adorable curls were dripping with the warm, Caribbean rain. He looked exhausted and slightly sick, but at the same time he was able to look so handsome and adorable, that she was able to forget about their confrontations. By the way he was hobbling quickly over to her, it seemed as if he had to. He outstretched his arms, and she fell into place, holding him tightly and crying, ever so softly, into his shoulder. He was resting his head on top of hers, and she could've sworn he was crying too.

"It's all right, Elizabeth," he said, lifting his head. He reached a hand and gently picked up her chin with two fingers so that her eyes were gazing into his. She began to cry harder and the love and forgiveness he held so passionately in his chocolate brown eyes. He wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead. "It's all right—I forgive you. I can forgive you, Elizabeth… I can forgive you because I love you, and I have never stopped."

"Oh, Will!" She cried, pulling away just enough to kiss him, firmly, on the lips. They held the tight embrace, taking in each other's close presence for a moment; savoring the idea of them so close together. The weeks they spent apart angry and bitter just washed away in that one moment when their lips joined together.

"Ahem."

They broke away (with heated blushes that would not go away, even in the rain) to see a very amused Admiral and a slightly disgusted Tia Dalma. Will was grinning like an idiot, and Elizabeth looked slightly embarrassed and excited at the same time. The rain couldn't wash away their smiles, and that made Norrington grin larger.

"Not going to take us away now, are you?" Will asked the elder man quietly. Norrington chuckled.

"Actually, Turner, I was hoping you could take me away from here. I think Beckett has enough lap dogs, I doubt he'll miss me," Norrington chuckled, pulling at the sack attached to his military belt. He handed it over to Will, "or Davy Jones."

"Mister Mercer, could you fetch for me James Norrington? I would like to know why it is taking so damn long to bring me Swann and Turner!" Cutler Beckett bellowed slightly, slamming his fist on his desk as he spoke to his henchman. Mercer rolled his eyes, taking out his dagger and polishing it lightly with his handkerchief.

"I would, sir, if the newest Admiral to the royal fleet hadn't already left with both Swann and Turner on the Black Pearl."

"Black Pearl?" Beckett asked uneasily, looking off towards the sea, as if expecting to see the ship there. He took an anxious sip of his whiskey, and then clenched the crystal glass in his grip, looking back to Mercer who was chuckling softly.

"Yes, the very one," he said, a hint of sarcasm in his already monotone voice.

"…Did he… Damn it, did he take the heart with him?"

"No, no…"

"Oh, thank God! Well… I'll just have to go and—"

"He left it in the care of William Turner."

Nothing came from Beckett's mouth, but the shattered crystal echoed against the office walls.

"Will, let's go—you and James can discuss the plan of action later—you are soaking wet, and I don't want you getting the flu!" Elizabeth fussed, pulling her fiancée away from James Norrington and towards the Captain's cabin. Will sighed and Norrington grinned cheekily, moving towards Barbossa, who was glaring at him vehemently.

"…I suppose I am to talk to you about joining the crew."

"How," Barbossa paused, looking James up and down, "am I supposed to know that you aren't just here…" he met James eye for a moment, and sent him a warning stare, "to get information."

"I gave Turner the heart of Jones, and that alone has lost me my position as Admiral. I have no power over anything anymore," James said slowly, and Barbossa grinned.

"Now we can agree on 8omething'. Yer t'help, or we send ye on yer merry li'l way at th' nearest deserted island," Barbossa chuckled, "an' ye ain't no damned Jack Sparrow, so I doubt ye'd be able to get ou' o' dat, understand?"

James grinned, "Perfectly.

"Will, please, just--!"

"Elizabeth, honestly—I'll live, all right? I'm already ten times better now that I am with you again," he pulled her towards him again, embracing her in a hug which kept her from fussing over his wet clothes. He kissed the top of her wet head, and she pulled him closer. "…I thought they were going to kill you—I thought—" He couldn't finish. She pulled back and kissed his lips.

"Once again, Mister Turner," she said playfully, kissing him again, "you underestimate me. And that is no one's fault but your own."

"That sounds… familiar," Will grinned, and Elizabeth giggled insanely as he kissed her lips again. "C'mon…we're both wet, tired, and uncomfortable… And I'm sure we're going to have to deal with Jones bright and early, if not within the next few hours." Elizabeth sighed, pulling completely away from him. "So how about some sleep?"

"To be quite honest, William," Elizabeth said silkily, leaning up against him again to rub her cheek against his, giggling as his stubble tickled her sensitive skin. Her lips were only a few breaths away from his ear, "I wasn't planning on sleeping."

"Oi, Henry! A new arrival from the platform of doom!" A man chuckled, helping up the latest arrival from hell; the poor man had landed flat on his face upon his snap appearance. Jack looked up at the man who was helping him to his feet, and his jaw dropped. The other man dropped his grip on Jack's arm, and he immediately began sinking in the sand that surrounded them. "Jack Sparrow?" He called, pulling the man up again. Jack's eyes held a certain twinkle that had been missing for a while now.

"Bootstrap Bill Turner… that's in'tresting."

...I told you so. I TOLD you it was a Will/Liz story.

Bonus points for anyone who can tell me who Henry was. hintHe's a pirate!Hint

Thanks for sticking it out with me--I fianlly was able to give you a dose of pure Will/Liz fluff!

What to Expect Next Chapter:
Will and Elizabeth; the morning after.
James; how he is adapting to his new life.
Jones; Will calls Jones to him through the heart.
Barbossa and Tia; a hitch in the plans?
The Prophecy; a large section will be revealed. hintLook at the title of the first chapterhint
Jack and Bootstrap; Bootstrap reveals to Jack as to why he is in hell.

Thanks for the reviews!
♥