/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Four

When I woke up the next morning, I felt disoriented and more tired than I had been when I fell asleep. Sitting up and stretching, I glanced over to my left and saw Will slumped against the bed, asleep. He must have come up after I fell asleep.

Not wanting to wake him up and thus ensuing another argument, I slid quietly out of bed. Dressing hurriedly, I went out of the room and headed downstairs. As I came towards the kitchen, I could hear voices.

"…and then they made me their chief," Jack was telling my son as I came into the kitchen.

I laughed as I looked at Jack's widened eyes, staring at the pirate captain with complete awe. He was obviously enraptured with the man's never-ending escapades. I only hoped that my son wouldn't get any ideas and think he could become a pirate himself.

My son turned to look at me, a broad smile on his face. "Did Captain Jack ever tell you about his time with the savages?"

I smiled and ruffled Jack's hair as I strode into the pantry for food for breakfast. Coming out again, I looked over at the two Jacks.

"Yes, he's told me that story at least a hundred times," I said, preparing the food. "And they're not savages, young man, they're natives. I think the only savages on this place are ourselves, coming in here and ravaging about as we please."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "What are you playing at, girl? You never used to be this serious."

I laughed as I placed the food onto the table. "I guess I have just grown up a bit. It's kind of impossible when you have to raise a son."

"I wouldn't know, I never had one," Jack said lazily, stretching his arms above my head.

I smiled and shook my head, placing the last of the food onto the table before sitting down. I watched Jack eat, studying his features closely. He hadn't changed much in the last ten years. Same lean, fit body, same long, tangled hair and heavily etched eyes. It was as if he was preserved for all time.

Jack looked up at me, our eyes locking. In them, I could see a hint of wistfulness of bygone days and dying hopes and dreams that never materialized. Ones that I could never fulfill for him.

Gasping slightly, I broke away from the pirate captain's gaze and stood up hurriedly. I was married to William Turner, blacksmith of Port Royal. I was in love with him, not some blood thirsty, gold searching pirate.

"Is there something wrong, mama?" my son asked, eyes rising to look up into mine.

I sighed wistfully, my finger tracing my son's boyish face. "Everything's fine, love. I've just realized that your father is still abed at this hour and I must go wake him, or he'll never see the light of day."

"I'm sure you've fared worse, Lizzie," the pirate spoke up, a knowing smile spreading on his face.

I regarded Jack coolly. "Indeed. And I'm sure you now consider yourself an expert on the ways of solving other's marital problems."

"What does 'marital' mean, mama?" my son asked.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Jack answered for me. "It's a fancy word that rich people like your mother like to use for 'marriage'."

"Does that mean that you and Father don't like each anymore?" Jack asked.

I glared at the pirate before turning to my son. "No, it doesn't mean anything of the sort. Now, I do believe that someone in this household hasn't started their chores. And I can promise them they won't get anymore stories or play time outside if they don't go and do them now."

Jack made a face, but my threat did the trick as he scampered off his chair and hurried out the door. I watched him go, feeling myself wishing that I could be as carefree as him.

"You're too hard on him, Elizabeth," Jack commented as I began clearing the table.

"If he is to become a respectable man of society, he needs to learn responsibility," I said firmly, scraping the leftovers out the window for the birds to feed on.

"But does responsibility and respect always mean you have to be a slave to what others want of you?" Jack asked.

I turned to look at the pirate with whom I've come to consider a close friend. I wanted to say something witty, but I held myself back. I didn't want to start the day with an argument. I've had one too many already.

Before another word was spoken, Will strode into the kitchen, his hat clutched between his hands. Giving him a once over, I noted that my husband was dressed his best. He was obviously going somewhere that required his best.

"I'm sorry about last night, Elizabeth," Will finally said, his eyes searching mine. "I know you deserve better than what I gave you."

I sniffed and turned back to my dishes. "There's no need to apologize, William Turner. All is forgiven."

Jack cleared his throat. "I do believe that the young Jack Turner needs help with his chores. I'll see if he's getting along alright."

Jack quickly left the room and through the window, I watched him stride to the barn, whistling an old pirate's song as he went. Sighing, I turned back to Will, my hand unconsciously reaching for a stray piece of hair and twirling it. I've come to accept that this action was a nervous habit and there isn't any way for me to stop it.

Will crossed the kitchen floor and stopped in front of me, his hand resting gently on my cheek. I felt a small shiver tingle my spine. I still loved him, despite my misgivings.

"I know the pain I have caused you, Elizabeth," Will said softly, "as much as you try to hide it. You've got to believe me that I'm trying my best despite what it seems."

I smiled softly and touched his hand that was still on my cheek. "Don't worry about it, Will. I know what you do for us and Jack…and I'm forever grateful, and I still love you. It's just so hard to keep up with our goal in mind sometimes."

Will smiled and kissed me gently before pulling away. "We'll get through this, Elizabeth, I promise. Today all I want to do is be with you, our son, and Jack."

"Do you promise?" I asked him, my doubts still lingering.

"I promise." Will smiled, the smile warming my heart. It was still a boyish smile, the one that I remembered from childhood, some of his youthful innocence still reverberating from his soul.

I cleared my throat. "You look like you're dressed for the town. What's the occasion?"

Will's eyes shadowed for a brief moment and my smile fell from my face. Something was wrong, but I didn't dare put a voice to it. Somehow I didn't want to know.

"You're father sent a message to me while I was at the blacksmith yesterday," Will stated. "He wishes for me to see him this morning."

I frowned. "But, Will…you said you were going to spend the day with me today, with Jack. You promised."

"It's not going to take but a moment, Elizabeth," Will's voice hardening. "I mustn't ignore your father. He has the power and the influence to make me or destroy me."

"I know, but you promised, Will." Despite myself, I felt tears filling my eyes, spilling over onto my cheeks. "You lied."

"Please, Elizabeth, I didn't mean it for it to be this way," Will begged. "Believe me, it's all for you and Jack."

"How can I believe you when you can't even tell me the truth about your day anymore?" I said angrily.

Pushing past Will, I ran out of the house and started running as fast as I could. Slowing my steps, I found myself heading down to the harbor. The only place that I could feel any comfort. And along the way, I could only think of one question, one that I had a hard time finding the answer to. How did we ever allow ourselves to become this way?

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Author's Note: Chapter Four for everyone! I'm sorry I haven't been updating like I have, but college started and I haven't had time to even eat practically, if that's even possible for me. I hope I can get this story up and going again sometime soon, but I'm not making any promises.

Anyways, thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter, I really appreciate it. Thanks to those certain people who've been pushing me to keep the story going, I wouldn't have made it without you. I hope everybody enjoyed the story so far and I'll update as soon as I can. Don't forget to review!