So on that mild spring day, Bootstrap Bill Turner came, once again, into Will's life. The told the young man heroin tales on the sea as Elizabeth and Will sat intently listening to his escapades. It was almost as if his absence went without mentioning. After Paul and Andrew had their own ordeal with their father, Will could see exactly where Bill was coming from. But why hadn't he come back when he wasexiled from the Black Pearl?

Bill looked down at his boots

"It was simple really…I was afraid"

"Afraid? You battled four Spanish ships in the Mediterranean, captured a string of islands in the Caribbean, and was a member of the feared Black Pearl…you weren't afraid then." Will said with astonishment.

"But with all that, YOU weren't involved."

Will looked at him with a pause, wanting for him to continue.

"Of course after I had gotten free of the restraints in the water, I got ashore, it wasn't later until I realized I was a cursed man. My body was damned by the night, void of emotion, and I couldn't have let you see me like that. Also, if they found you with me then they would have surely killed you."

Will solemnly nodded.

"You hate me." Bill stated in a low voice.

Will looked up again. "No I don't hate you. It's just a lot to think about. But I have to put myself in your situation." He paused again. "With my child on the way it's made me look at things from your perspective. I don't think I would have done much different."

When this was mentioned Jacks eyes grew. He looked from Wills hand on Elizabeth, to her, to her untouched glass of rum and back to her.

Elizabeth noticed his eyes on her and smiled.

"Oh" she laughed. "Sorry to tell you like this Jack."

"Damned right." He said, leaning forward in his chair. "I resen' the fact you didn't inform me earlier." He said in a half mocking tone.

They all laughed. "Yes, sorry Uncle Jack." Will winked.

Jack threw him a glare.

"Well congratulations my boy! That's wonderful news! Did you hear that Jack? I'm going to be a grandfather." Bill patted Will on the Back and elbowed Jack who just slumped in his chair when the burley man, jabbed him, slightly too hard.

"This seems like the right time to give you this…" Bill stood up and went outside the door, when he came back a moment later it was with a trunk of treasure. He could barely keep it off the ground to move it.

"What's all this?" Will questioned, going toward the chest.

"Barbossa's Treasure." Chimed Jack.

"Oh no, we don't want any part of that" Elizabeth said as she took her place by Will.

"No it's alright. After Barbossa was killed, the Red Coats took all the treasure back to Port Royal, but in high pirate fashion –" He said proudly. "We decided to take our share. But don't worry…" Bill took his sward handle and beat the lock off as it banged then clanked to the ground. He opened it to reveal a mound of gold, jewelry, silver, precious jewels, and money from all over the world. "We already checked, not one piece of Aztec Gold."

After Will took his eyes from the gleaming metals he glanced at Liz. She looked back and shrugged.

"Are you sure you want to give ALL of his to us?"

"Yes son, besides Jack and I have already go our share, this is your part."

"Alright." Will said hesitantly. "Thank you. Liz and I are indebted. You don't know how much this means to our family." Will smile was growing.

Will embraced him and slapped him on the back.

Jack cleared his throat. "Say, what 'bout puttin' us up for the night mate? That tavern smelled of stale ale…usually I wouldn't complain, but there aren' any women to accomp'ny the stench."

Elizabeth smiled. "Sure Jack, but its not exactly like there are any women for you here either."

He winked. "But you've got free rum."

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Later that night Will was lying in bed, reading the one of Liz's poetry books like he usually did late at night.

Liz turned over and smiled.

"How about you read aloud. I love to hear William Wordsworth."

Will nervously turned the page. "Oh, no I'm tired. We had better get some sleep.

"Oh come on now, just one page, that's all."

Will laid the book on the nightstand and attempted to lie facing the other way with an inaudible response.

"Mr. Turner" She said as she turned his shoulder. "What has gotten into you?"

Will looked away, then back at her. "I'm sorry. I just can't."

"Sure, its not that late, we – "

She could tell he was going to say something he was nervous about. Whenever he grew embarrassed his hands fumbled and his face went slightly warm.

"I mean…I can't read."

"What?" she looked on him softly.

Will looked away then reluctantly back to her eyes. "I never learned to read properly. Mr. Brown started to teach me as a boy, but later said it was useless, just that I needed to learn metallurgy and literacy would never benefit me."

Elizabeth was surprised.

"So when you read every night you're…"

"Attempting." He shied.

"Why didn't I know this?" She said softly.

"I didn't want you to know… you're so smart Liz. You grew up with tutors and scholars. Anything I learned paled in comparison to what you knew."

She looked on upon him with compassion. "Oh love please don't think that way. I never would have thought less of you if you told me, and I still don't. I love you." Liz leaned in and kissed him firmly. He smiled back at her and touched her cheek.

"So." She leaned across him and took the book from the table and turned to a marked page. "How about you start here – and I'll help you."

Will took the book and looked upon the words with concentration as he began:

"She was a…a …" he paused.

Then Liz spoke.

"A phantom"

Then he repeated it:

"She was a phantom of delight.
When first she gleamed upon my sight;
A lovely…." He glanced at her again.

"Apparition" She stated sweetly.

Will nodded. "A lovely apparition
To be a moment's ornament;
Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;
Like... Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From… May-time and the cheerful Dawn;
A… dancing Shape, an Image gay,
To… to…. haunt, to startle, and way-lay."

When he finished halfway. Will smiled and she could tell he felt some accomplishment.

"That was very good." She cooed.

"Now you read it. I was trying to concentrate and didn't understand a word." He laughed.

She complied and took the book and finished the poem:

"I saw her upon a nearer view,
A Spirit, yet a Woman too!
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin liberty;
A countenance in which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A Creature not too bright or good
For human nature's daily food;
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears and smiles.

And now I see with eye serene
The very pulse of the machine;
A Being breathing thoughtful breath,
A Traveler between life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warm, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright,
With something of angelic light."

Will looked over at her out of the corner of his eye.

She smiled shyly. "What?"

"I think you were the muse of this poem."

She laughed but just played along. "Well… Mr. Wordsworth did come and visit my father years ago. This is the book he gave me of his publications.

"I knew it!" he said excitedly. " That's it! If we have a daughter, no men will be coming within 100 miles of her! Otherwise she'll become the subject of poets romances." He said, tapping the book.

"Hmm. A hint of jealousy?" she teased.

He shook his head with a smile and leaned closer.

"No…" he kissed her. "They could never know you…" he kissed her again " like I know you."

She nodded intently as he leaned against her, his lips against hers.