The sound of rain idly hitting the window resounded through the still house. The gray afternoon had stretched itself across the Carolina coast. Will sat in the parlor silently near the dying fire. He had a book in his hands that was unsuccessfully keeping his attention. His attempts at improving his skill in reading was steadily improving, but on this particular day he felt unsettled and slightly restless. The blame for this kind of unreasonable attention partially rested on his wife who was deeply sleeping on the couch just across the room from him. Her hair was disheveled, her soft cheeks slightly pale, and the book laying across her middle was steadily moving up and down with each breath. Will smiled at the vision in front of him. He got up and approached his sleeping angel. Lightly he took a blanket and covered her, trying his best not to disturb. Slowly Will sat down on the chair just next to where her head lay. Just a few hours before Elizabeth had been throwing up her breakfast, now she slept peacefully. Looking quite exhausted earlier, Will had to insist she rest. She was facing him, her head tilted to the side and slightly downward. The serene glow from the water streaked light invading the room made the contrast from the fire that much more lovely. Her hand was cupped up to her face, which Will kissed before he got up. He prodded the fire absent mindedly, contemplating weather to stoke it or not. Just then there came a knock at the door. Will put the poker back in the stand quickly, then glanced at Elizabeth who had made no indication of hearing the persistent banging. Irritably Will went to the door. "Yes yes I'm coming." When he opened it, it was Jack Sparrow standing there – wet head to toe.

"Jack?"

The pirate gave a smile and pushed by him to get to the inside where it was a bit dryer.

"Listen mate we've go' to talk."

"Shhh. Try to keep it down, Elizabeth is sleeping." Will said, taking his friends arm and leading him into the kitchen.

"Wha? Has she not had tha' kid yet?" Jack asked as he staggered through the hallway behind him.

Will laughed and turned his head "No Jack. It takes a bit more time than that." Will sat down at the small table and pulled out a chair for Jack. "Now what do I owe this visit?"

Jack sat; the sound of water splattering, as he sat down never drew his attention. "Well it's not really on the account o' pleasure…"

"Go on." Will replied curiously.

"Well it's been almost a year since our lil' adventure…" Jack began

Will rolled his eyes and smiled, wishing his friend would just get to the point. "I'm well aware, thanks."

"An' since then my crew and me 'ave been checkin' up on the Isla De Meureta, jus' to make sure there aren't any other pirates tryin' to claim it as their own." Jack rested his hand on his sword hilt, looking rather prideful at his own accomplishments. But soon he saw the look of anticipation on Will's face, cleared his throat and continued. "Last week I decided to do the checkin' on me own. But as I go' closer I noticed another ship there – not a crew manned ship, but a large one none the less." He paused, and leaned back in his chair, and then leaned forward again, he toyed with one of the many rings on his finger. "When I go' in the cave I heard voices. So I go' up in the top level – so as the men wouldn't see me. But when I go' a better look I saw it was only two of 'em…two boys."

"Boys?" Will asked, quizzical of why Jack seemed so urgent to tell him all of this.

"Aye. They were discussing somethin'. I didn't hear everythin' but I know enough."

"Jack what are you getting at? Why does any of this matter? …So they were in the cave – talking – why are you distressed?" Will said folding his arms, raising an eyebrow.

Jack leaned forward, his face tightening. "Because mate, they both took a medallion."

Will's eyes widened, his arms that were once across his chest, loosely fell on the table in front of him. "What?"

Jack nodded "The older one sounded like the ringleader, talkin' the younger into making much consideration of wha' they were doin'. I got the impression that their father had deserted them for the money- or treasure – or gold or somthin'. The older said they wanted a piece of their father back, the younger agreed….an' they took it. They mentioned some kind o' revenge or payment they were to be owed. It all sounded rather bitter if ya ask me."

Will sat in disbelief of what he had just heard. He spoke slowly, attempting to get the facts strait. "You're telling me that you didn't take that chest out of the cave?"

"And put it where mate? The ship? And risk a crewmember finding' it, getting a piece and be back where we were? …No thanks."

"We are back where we were Jack!" Will said standing up quickly. "This bloody gold has brought us nothing but trouble…." His voice was raised slightly. Jack sat motionless in his chair. Obviously in thought too.

Will paced the room for a moment, contemplating the situation. Then he paused and turned toward his pirate friend. "The boys…how old were they?"

"The oldest couldn't be a day past eighteen and the younger wouldn't be able to grow a full beard if he wanted to… why do you ask?" Jack sat back his chair, not seeing where Will was going with this.

"Did you catch either's name?"
He looked quizzical, and then threw his hand up in the air with a guess. "One of 'em was… Adam…or Aaron…somethin' to that effect"

Will sat down again with a defeated expression written across his face. He looked down sadly. "I know who they are. Andrew and Paul Barbossa…"

"B-Barbossa? Are they –"

"Yes, they're the sons of Captain Barbossa." He looked at Jack apologetically. "You've seen them before…you know when Norrington decided to launch an attack on us in the harbor? The boys you dropped off at the beach before we took off again were the same in the cave. Elizabeth and I didn't learn of their true identity until later…"

Jack was in the same bewilderment that Will felt earlier. "You mean you knew who they were and didn't tell me?"

"It didn't matter. The next time you saw us they had already come to terms with their fathers death…or so we thought…and left town to move northward. I thought it was all settled."

"You thought wrong mate… We're in quite a predicament now." Jack said defiantly.

Will sat in silence for a moment more then grew tired of deciding a course of action alone. "Do you know where they were headed?"

Jack shook his head. "Not sure. I know it was south. After I saw them leave I returned to my ship and go' here as quick as the Pearl could take me."

"South…what would be south of any importance to them…?" Will spoke his thoughts aloud.

"The only place I could think of was Port Royal."

Just then Elizabeth emerged from the doorway. She leaned against the frame with a faint smile on her tired features. "Hello Jack. I thought I heard your voice in here."

She looked at the two men, obviously not in good spirits. Her smile faded as she approached an empty chair and took a seat. "What's the matter?"

Will diverted his eyes when she attempted to get her answer from him. So then shelooked to Jack who sighed andhesitated before he spoke."The Curse…It's back love."