iclaimerDay: Iay itllsay on'tday wnoay iratespay foay hetay aribbeancay, ndaay nfortunatelyuay robablypay evernay illway. Ha! Try decifering THAT disclaimer! (try pig latin)

Will groggily blinked his eyes and slowly raised his head. He was lying on the dusty floor of the smithy and the sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon. There was a pounding sensation somewhere in the back of his skull - he was pretty certain that he'd have a lump later. He didn't remember much; he remembered Elizabeth in his arms with tears running down her face, a sinister laugh, a bootstep on the floor. But beyond that...nothing.

Will painfully sat up and cradled his aching head in his heads. He didn't look up at his bed. He was afraid of what he might see. He was afraid that it would be empty.

Will suddenly found he couldn't breathe. The torment he had gone through when Elizabeth had been taken by Barbossa was too much to survive again. If she was gone again - he didn't know what he'd do. Panic, go out of his mind - no! He would not lose control. He had to get the courage at least to look - if she was still here, then he wouldn't have to worry. He could just put this little episode behind him. But if she wasn't... No! Will cut himself short. Just look, god dammit, Will! Breathe - get a grip...JUST LOOK FOR GOD'S SAKE!

Will slowly lifted his head. He couldn't bring himself to look at the bed. But, all in a rush, he turned his head slightly and looked. To his immense relief, there was a lump in the bed, buried under sheets and blankets to ward off the wintry chill. Will rose to his feet and quietly moved towards the bedside. If Elizabeth was sleeping, he didn't want to wake her.

Will sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, he only looked at her huddled form. He couldn't quite believe that she was still here - but then again, after last night's strange events, he didn't know what to believe. After a minute's hesitation, he laid a hand on what he judged to be Elizabeth's shoulder to gently shake her awake.

To his horror, she was as cold as ice. Only one horrible thought was running though his mind: Oh God, she's dead; they've killed her; she's DEAD!

Will froze, his hand still on Elizabeth's cold form. He couldn't bring himself to pull back the blankets. He was in too much shock - she was dead; she had been killed, right under his nose. While he lay on the floor like a discarded rag doll; after he had promised he would protect her!

Will reached a shaking hand up to grasp the hem of the covers. In one smooth swift motion he ripped back the blankets to find -

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Oooo! What does he find? Hmm? HMM?