Jess had heard about some commotion that happened in Port Royal last night so at daybreak she headed off to Elizabeth's home. Elizabeth would know what was going on. She hurried along with a gut feeling that something was terribly wrong. Then as she started to go to the gate, she saw the feet of two soldiers. She ran to them and saw that they were both dead, their throats had been slit. She didn't scream, she wasn't that type of girl. No screams were going to help these poor men. No she must go to the mansion and get help. As she walked on the other side of the wall, she saw Elizabeth. Her heart cried out no – she can't be dead! She dropped to her knees leaning over Elizabeth. Her throat had not been cut, she was breathing. She needed to get help and quickly. She ran to the mansion door and started beating on it yelling "Help!" The servant answered it and all Jess could say was "Elizabeth needs help. Guards are dead."

The Governor who was at the top of the stairs after hearing the pounding, sent the servant to fetch the Commodore and guards.

Jess and the Governor ran back to Elizabeth. The Governor had tears in his eyes. Looking at his daughter, he gently touched her pale face. "Here, take these things." He told Jess as he handed her the empty vile and the blank parchment. Then he gently picked up her unconscious daughter and carried her back to their home. He carefully walked her up the stairs and placed her in her bed. Jess followed him and removed Elizabeth's boots.

"Governor, sir, I've sent the cook for the doctor."

"Thank you Jess. What have I done?"

"Governor you didn't do anything."

"I locked Will up and then whoever did this went after Elizabeth instead."

"No Governor" Jess started to say but was interrupted by Norrington.

"I've placed guards around the mansion, sir. What happened here?"

"Jess just found her outside by the gate like this. This vile was nearby and this blank parchment was in her hand."

"Blank, sir?"

Governor Swan handed the parchment over to Norrington. In the mean time Jess, sat by Elizabeth as a tear fell down her cheek.

"Will must be told Governor." Jess said.

"Yes, yes you are right Jess."

"No, Mr. Turner needs to stay where he is Governor." Norrington replied.

"Norrington, William needs to be by her side now. Send word and release him."

Jack and Will woke up to hear two of the guards talking.

"I can't believe someone would just kill them in cold blood."

"Aye, and they were fine soldiers too."

"Still don't know what happened to the Governor's daughter though."

"At least she's alive."

"What?" Will shouted. Will pulled on his shackles in a fit of rage. His wrists which had been bruised now began to bleed.

"Tell me what's happened!" Will demanded.

"Well, seems the guards posted at the mansion last night had their throats slit. And well, the Governor's daughter was found unconscious outside. That's all I know"

"Release me! That's my fiancé! I need to be with her."

"Sorry mate, can't do that Commodore's orders."

Will pulled and fought even harder against the shackles. The cuffs of his sleeves now being bloodied. "Easy Will," Jack said calmly, "You're not helping her by hurting one self."

"For once Captain Sparrow is right."

"Norrington, release me! I have to go to Elizabeth!"

"That's why I am here. Guards the keys." Norrington unlocked the cell containing Will and walked over to unshackle him. "They found an empty vile near her and a blank piece of parchment. The doctor is with her now but he thinks she was poisoned."

"Poisoned? Elizabeth why?" He turned to Jack, "I thought it was me they were after?"

"Don't know why Elizabeth." Jack turned to Norrington, "Release me to see if I can help."

"Don't you think you've done enough help? You've landed your friend in prison and his love has been poisoned. Yes, Sparrow you've done enough. All this has bought you one more day of life though." Norrington sarcasm was more than Jack could take.

Jack tried to grab Norrington through the bars. He'd like nothing better to get his hands on this man.

Norrington finished unshackling Will, "she's at the mansion."

Will said no more and ran as fast as he could to the mansion. When he reached it, he flew open the door not even bothering to knock. "Elizabeth!" he screamed.

"She's up here, Will. She's in her room." Jess answered from the top of the stairs.

Will ran up the stairs and looked at Jess. He gently touched her arm and she threw her arms around him and hugged him. She started to cry, "I'm so sorry Will." He pushed her back and stepped into Elizabeth's room. The Governor was standing at the foot of the bed. The doctor passed Will at the door.

"I'm too late?" Will said as he looked at a pale Elizabeth.

"No son, but she's gravely ill. The doctor can do nothing."

Will sat gently down at Elizabeth's side. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. She was cold almost as if death was close upon her. "I love you Elizabeth, I'll always love you."

The Governor started to cry at the emotional exchange.

Will turned his attention to the Governor. "Who would do this and why? If they wanted me, why do this to her?"

"I don't know son, Jess found these things – the vile was next to her and the parchment in her hand. The parchment is most mysterious. Why leave a blank parchment?"

"I do not know sir. Is there nothing the doctor can do for her?"

"He said there is no cure but she can not be moved for it will make the poison act faster."

Will dropped his head. His love was at death's door because of him. His heart was breaking and he was at a loss of what to do. If he had only been there to protect her, to fight and kill whoever did this to her. He slowly raised his head and looked at Governor Swan.

"Can I see what they found with her?"

"Yes of course, but they provide no clues." Governor Swan handed the empty vile to Will. When Will took the vile in his hand, he suddenly felt cold and all the color left his face.

"Will, are you alright?" Jess asked with concern.

"Yes, it's just that I feel so cold." He handed the vile back to the Governor and his color returned and he suddenly felt himself again.

"Here's the blank parchment, it is little use to us."

When Will touched the parchment, words slowly began to appear. It was a note, a note for Will. Will looked up at the Governor, "Elizabeth was to be this man's victim from the start, not me."

"What?!" Jess exclaimed.

Will read the note, "By now ye know that your love's been poisoned by Mami Utai's loyal servant. There is a cure, Tia Dalma will have it waiting for you. But you must go yourself to Tia's - no messenger. You must go in haste or your beloved will die."

"Governor, I have no option, I must go immediately to see Tia Dalma." Will said as he rose, "And Governor, I'll need Jack's help. He's the Captain of the Pearl – it's the fastest ship in these waters. We need his ship and his crew. He also knows where to find Tia Dalma."

The Governor looked at Will and shook his head, "You are asking me to free a pirate so you can sail off to God only knows where? He's a pirate! He can't be trusted."

"He's our only hope at this point sir."

The Governor looked at Will and then looked at Elizabeth. "You are sure that Sparrow will help you and save my poor daughter?"

"Sir he risked his life trying to warn us. He will help us, he will help me."

"Send word to Norrington to come here."

Norrington was not pleased to hear the Governor's request, make that his order. Letting a known pirate go was not something Norrington had ever wanted to do again, let alone the same said pirate. He slowly walked down the stairs.

"How is dear Elizabeth?"

"She's been poisoned. How do you think she is?"

"Then what brings you here dear Commodore." Jack questioned.

"Against my better judgment, I've been ordered to release you."

"Release me? As in free, as in walking out of this cell just past you – release me?"

"Yes, Sparrow as in free to do a job free."

"Captain, Captain Sparrow me boy. Job? What kind of job?"

"More like a mission I would say. For you and your pirate loving friend Will."

"Me and the boy? On a mission?"

Norrington unlocked Jack's cell and Jack walked out. The guard handed Jack his belongings, his sword and his pistol. Jack half expected the guards to start to fight against him.

"I'll escort you to the mansion, Captain Sparrow."

Jack was taken up to Elizabeth's room. She's was so pale he thought. Will explained everything he knew. Jack looked at the parchment. "It's blank, there's no message here." Will took the paper from him and again the words slowly appeared. Jack stood beside him and read the note.

"Well my boy, I see that we have two options, in me humble opinion. First, you can stand here and watch your beloved slowly die OR secondly, the Governor here can pardon me and me crew completely to sail with you on your quest to save your bonnie lass."

"Pardon you?!" Norrington shouted.

"Norrington, do not disturb my daughter with your shouting. As for you Sparrow, you may have your pardon with the return of the cure for my daughter."

"Governor, you can't possibly think…" Norrington started to say.

"I can and I've done it."

"Jack, we must leave with haste now." Will said with urgency in his voice. "Jess, take care of her. I'll be back and we will set her free from this death grip."

"I will take good care of her Will. Please hurry." Jess had tears streaming down her face. Jack watched the exchange between these people who were willing to do anything for Elizabeth. He had never seen this girl Jess before, but there was something about her.

Will went back to Elizabeth. He gently picked up her cold hand and bent down as he brought it to his cheek. He closed his eyes and remembered her kisses from just yesterday. He placed her hand by her side and kissed her lips. He realized that maybe this was the last kiss he would ever give his beloved Elizabeth and tears came to his eyes. "I love you Elizabeth." Then he rose, looked at the Governor, gave Jess a quick hug and said, "It's time Jack." With that both men left the room.

They went as fast as they could to the boat Jack had hidden. Will rowed faster than he had rowed before. Reaching the Pearl, they were greeted by Mr. Gibbs.

"I see all went according to plan Captain."

"No, Mr. Gibbs, it did not."

"But sir, you came to collect young Turner to protect him and 'es 'ere ain't 'e?"

"Mr. Gibbs, ready the sails and put this crew to it's best."

"Aye Captain, but where we be 'eading?"

"Eventually, down the river, to see an old friend."

"Tia Dalma sir? Now is dat the wisest course of action?"

"It's the only option," Will spoke up. He then walked away with his head down.

"What's up with de young Turner, Captain?"

Jack explained it all once the Pearl was headed toward her destination.

Will looked out to the sea wondering what will become of his beloved. What if he didn't accomplish his mission in time? He remembered her laughter, her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she saw him. He smiled and looked to the horizon.