Jess stayed by Elizabeth's side, gently wiping her brow. It had been at least a half an hour since Jack had given Elizabeth the cure and Jess thought that her color was slightly improving. As she took the cloth in her hand to wipe Elizabeth's brow again, Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes. "Elizabeth, Elizabeth you're awake. Oh Elizabeth!" Tears of joy began to spill out of Jess's eyes. "Doctor, she's awake."

She left the doctor to check on her as she ran from the room. She went as fast as she could down the stairs and did not even bother announcing herself as she flung the library doors open.

The Governor seeing the tears streaming down Jess's face cried out, "No, not Elizabeth!" Jack lowered his head.

"No Governor! She's awake, her eyes are open. Come see for yourself."

Jess no more had the words out than Elizabeth's father and Norrington, headed up the stairs. Jess started to follow them then stopped and turned to Jack. "Thank you again Mr. Sparrow. You saved her life; you brought Elizabeth back to us."

"You may call me Jack. And I seemed to have liked the thank you from before a little better. I believe a celebratory hug and kiss would be in order."

"Mr. Spar-"

"Jack" he reminded her.

"Jack, I'm not that kind of girl."

"What's a friendly kiss between new friends?"

"I'm forever grateful for what you have done for Elizabeth but-"

"Come now love was it so bad before? Am I too ugly for even consideration?"

Jess giggled, "They did talk about you, Mr. Spar-, Jack. So I do know a little about you. You and your adventures."

"All lies love unless of course they are good things about me."

"I believe that we should go check on Elizabeth now Jack."

"Why of course Jess. May I call you Jess?"

"I suppose after all you've done and because you are friends of Elizabeth and Will. Will, where is he Jack?"

"That's a long story; let's just say I need to check to make sure Elizabeth is fine before going to retrieve young William."

"He's alright, isn't he?"

"He was fine when I left him. He was just worried about Lizzie."

Jess started up the stairs with Jack following after her. Jack smiled and thought to himself, 'not such a bad view.'

Back in Elizabeth's room, Jess and Jack entered to find Elizabeth sitting up and talking to her father. She smiled at seeing them both, "Jack. Jess. Please come sit with me. Father, could I please have some privacy and talk to them?"

"Of course Elizabeth but only a few. You'll need your rest."

"Father, I believe that I've had enough rest."

The Governor looked back at her and smiled as he, the doctor and Norrington left.

"Jack, where's Will. My father said he wasn't with you but he was safe. Where is he?"

"Lizzie love, Will had to stay with Tia. He had to so that he could protect you from harm. I am going to go retrieve him now. I only wanted to wait until I knew of your condition."

Sadness came into Elizabeth's eyes. Jess hugged her and tried to reassure her, "He'll be alright Elizabeth. Jack will go and get him."

"Jess, what exactly have I missed?"

"Lizzie, we are friends here," Jack smiled. "Oh, William did ask me to give you this." Jack handed Elizabeth the note. She carefully unfolded it. She read it and began to cry.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong what did it say," Jess asked her.

"It started out so beautiful and after it was signed there was a post script. Jack, he doesn't think he's coming back." Elizabeth could not say anymore through the tears. She merely handed the letter over for Jack and Jess to read.

My Dearest Elizabeth,

I find myself writing to you when I only long to hold you in my arms. We should be married soon and yet I find myself separated from you by something evil. I am doing everything in my power to save you my love.

You have brought me more joy than one can imagine. When we met, I knew as a boy that I loved you. I loved you from afar. You are the Governor's daughter and I am just a lowly blacksmith. I only hoped that you would feel the same for me. And it took a pirate to bring us together. What an adventure we had. That's a story that I long to tell our children as they are in their beds.

I dream of your kisses and the way that you feel in my arms. My arms are empty without you in them. My heart longs to see you again.

My words tend to ramble, my love, my thoughts of you keep running through my mind. Elizabeth I love you. I love you so much.

Yours forever,

Will

PS- I find myself unable to come to your rescue my love, unfortunately I truly feel as if I will not see you again. There is some great evil keeping me from you, pulling me away. If I am not still here at Tia Dalma's place, I do not want any of you to come looking for me. That means any of you including Jack. I love you and always will.

Jack looked up from the letter, "I am still going to Tia's and he may still be there. This letter may be just nonsense. Except the part about loving you dear Lizzie, for I know the boy loves you and who's not to believe the boy's love for you because you are his love, savvy."

Elizabeth smiled at Jack's attempt to make her feel better. She took at deep breath. "Jack, I'm not giving up on Will. I will not accept the last part of this letter."

"I will set sail just before dawn and I'll bring him home to you."

Elizabeth looked at Jack and then to Jess. "I'm going with you Jack."

"What did you say?" Jess asked in shock.

"I'm going."

"Lizzie be reasonable darling, you are still getting over being poisoned!"

"Look Jack, I can not stay here and not now especially with knowing what is happening with Will. If you do not take me Captain Jack Sparrow, I'll find other passage and Will can be upset with you for letting me out of your sight and your protection. Could you live with that IF something happened to me?"

Jack thought long and hard. He knew just how stubborn she could be and her argument did have logic. Will would go after him if something were to happen to her. Now it seemed that Jack had no options. He looked at Elizabeth, "I don't like this idea but it would seem you leave me no choice. You can come. Be at the shoreline just before dawn."

"Jack, you can't possibly even consider her request. She's not well. She's not thinking clearly." Jess turned and looked back at Elizabeth.

"No Jess. I am thinking clearly – I am thinking with my heart."

"You are not going to change your mind are you," she questioned as she looked down to the ground and then back to Elizabeth. "I'm going with you."

"What?" Now it was Jack's turn to be surprised.

"I'm going with both of you and you can't stop me. IF you do not take me with you, I will tell the Governor and Commodore Norrington of your plan and I think they could find a way to stop you both."

"I can clearly see that this girl has spent entirely too much time with you Lizzie."

"Jess, please. You don't know what it's like on a ship or how dangerous this could be."

"You'll be needing me to watch out for you Elizabeth and I don't see how either of you can deny me without denying yourselves."

"Two, two more bloody women on my ship. I must be insane."

Elizabeth and Jess smiled at each other.

"Jack tell father and the commodore that you are leaving to get Will. They surely won't keep you from your mission. Jess and I will meet you at the shoreline just before dawn. Oh and Jack, don't even think about backing out of this."

"Wouldn't dream of it love." Jack said shaking his head. He left the room to tell the Governor and Norrington that he was leaving.

As Jack left, Elizabeth asked Jess to give her a parchment, pen and ink. Elizabeth began writing:

Dear Father,

I am sorry that l must leave you a note but I knew that you would try and stop me. I must try and help Will. I do not know what all of this will bring but I have no life without him and I must find him.

When we return, we shall have the biggest, happiest wedding Port Royal has ever seen.

Don't give up hope on us father I will be in good hands, Jack will watch out for me until Will can take his place as my protector. Jess is going with us against our better judgment. We'll take care of her too.

I love you father and we all will be home sooner than you know.

Your devoted daughter,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth folded the note in half and placed it under her pillow. She got out of bed and Jess helped her with a robe. She slowly started to walk to the door. She started to stumble and Jess grabbed her arm. "Elizabeth, I don't know if you are truly up to this rescue mission."

"I'm fine just a little weak from all that time in bed. Really, I'm fine," she told Jess as she opened the door and started towards the stairs.

The Governor closed the door after letting the commodore out the door. He turned to see his daughter at the top of the stairs. "What are you doing out of bed child!"

"I'm fine father; I just wanted you to see for yourself. I've asked Jess to stay here tonight father just to keep me company and catch up on things I've missed so she's going to get a few things for the night and she'll be back."

"Fine Elizabeth, just please go back to bed now darling."

"Is Jack gone father?"

"Yes dear he left before the commodore. I think he's anxious to retrieve Will for you."

"Father could you come and keep me company until Jess returns?"

"Why yes of course. Jess we will see you soon." He said as he opened the door for her and closed it behind her. "I always have time for my daughter."

The Governor left for bed after Jess returned. It would be a short restless sleep for Elizabeth wondering what had become of Will. For Jess, sleep would not come; she could not begin to imagine the adventure that could be ahead of her. For Jack, after he prepared the crew for their newest passengers; he had the crew prepare the Pearl for its return voyage to Tia Dalma's home.