WOW! that took forever. Sorry about that guys... my computer crashed! i had to steal away my dads laptop for a little while. I hope you enjoy this chapter...and as always - dont forget to review my faithful readers!

The suitcase landed on the floor with a bang. All the clothes that were sparsely lying inside before, flew out in a mess.

"No Liz! I refuse to let you go." Will protested. He bent down and picked up the mess quickly before throwing it on the bed.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "I am not going to be left behind. Besides, you need me." She retorted, repacking once again

"What I need is for you to stay here and stay safe. It's not worth it." He said. As Liz was throwing clothes in, Will simultaneously was tossing them back out and behind the changing shade.

"Well I'm not a delicate little flower. I thought you'd have a little more faith in me than that." When she finished speaking, she faced him. Her eyes were anticipating his reply.

Will let out a sigh and dropped the garment in his hand. He rubbed his forehead thoughtfully and slowly approached her. "I have all the faith in the world in you. I just – I just want you to be safe. You know that don't you?"

"Of course" she said toying with a button on his vest. "And I hope you know that I wouldn't even suggest it if I couldn't handle it."

Will looked in her eyes and back at the disheveled display of a suitcase. His eyes went to the floor as he shook his head, as if regretting the decision before be made it. "Alright."

XXXXXXXXXX

Mr. Gibbs took Elizabeth's hand as she boarded the Pearl. (Much easier now considering she was wearing pants) when she reached the deck, she hugged the raggedy man with all her might. "Mr. Gibbs! It's been ages since I've seen you."

He chuckled and awkwardly returned the same sentiment. "Aye. You too lass." They parted and she gave him a warm smile. "Are my eyes deceiving me, or is Miss Swann expecting a baby?"

She laughed and placed hand on her swollen middle. It was hardly distinguishable from the billowy white shirt she donned. "I am. It won't be long and you and Jack will be uncles."

"Oi girl! Ye makin' me feel ancient. It seems just the other day you were singin' of pirates and pulling young lads out of the water."

Liz smiled and glanced at Will who was talking to Jack across the ship. "Yes it does seem like yesterday…" she said more to herself that to him.

Liz sighed and thoughtfully touched her stomach. Then turned towards Gibbs and gave him a bright smile once more.

"Well no matter, we've got quite a job ahead of us, don't we? Do you know the plan of action?" she asked intently.

Just before Gibbs could speak, a strong hand was placed on her shoulder. Liz turned to see a familiar face. "Bill! I didn't know you'd be joining us. I'm so glad to see you."

Bill gave her a slanted grin. Chills ran down Elizabeth's back. It was the same Will would glance her way occasionally.

"Of course I be join'n you. Don't think I'd let this curse get out of hand like it did before. I intend to put a stop to it." He looked at her up and down with amusement. "But look at you now, back on the Pearl with Will's breeches on no less. You're the one I wasn't expectin' to see on here." Bill saw her weary look. "…Well…you know…considering…" He stumbled, trying to find her favor. Liz straightened slightly. "Bill I'm quite capable. And I'm just waiting for the day when you and your son will get that through your thick skulls." And with that Liz turned on her heel and went up the stairs to the upper deck near the wheel as she looked back on the harbor, hands clenched tightly to the wood siding.

Bill made an attempt to go after her but Gibbs grabbed his arm. The elder Turner looked at him in response. "No mate. That ones got quite the temper. Best to leave her be when shes like that"

"Oh you know her that well?"

Gibbs stifled a laugh. "Aye. Since she was yeigh high." He marked with his hand horizontal to the ground.

"How so?"

"Her fathers the governor of Port Royal. I was in the navy in my younger years. She practically grew up on those ships…always fascinated with pirates…the sea and such." As he spoke the men glanced up and the young woman still standing on the deck above, now being approached by Will.

"The governor's daughter…"Bill smiled fondly. "My boy did make his way in life."

Bill snapped back to the present situation and turned his full attention to Gibbs. "Listen, I was asked by Will not to disclose all the plans to Liz. He doesn't want her to be burdened with more than is needed. S'that clear?"

Gibbs nodded and gave a quick salute. "Aye Cap'n"

Before Bill turned away he faced the man again and smiled with a wink. "I won't tell Jack if you don't"

Gibbs chucked for letting such a reply slip. Bill had that kind of impressionable effect on most men.

XXXXXXXXXX

Will saw Liz stand alone on the deck above him. He excused himself from a few crew members and approached her. Before speaking he put his hand lightly on her back. "Are you alirght?" He asked, noticing her fidgeting fingers on the railing in front of her.

"Yes I'm fine." She replied flatly.

He learned in trying to get a better view of her face. "You sure because I –"he started but was cut off by her turning sharply towards him, causing him to stumble back slightly. "Will I've already been asked by you three times, Anna once and the crew members have been giving me odd looks since I've boarded. Unless I tell you differently - I am fine." She said matter-of-factly, lips pursed.

He cleared his throat with his eyes widened. "Right"

She sighed and turned, going back down the stairs quickly.

It wasn't long until the ship was going full steam ahead, the winds gliding the large ship southward. Eventually the hot midday sun was replaced with the oranges and reds of the dying suns rays. Will had initially avoided talking too much to Liz. Of course she noticed and didn't pretend to know why. They ate dinner fairly cordially. Will was afraid he wouldn't mention something of their present mission to her and how also he was apprehensive to act wrongly towards her.

Night fell and the couple gathered their things in their cabin below deck. Silently they prepared for bed. Liz got on her side and Will slept closest to the door. For quite sometime they both lay in the dark, the swaying ship rocking them, the moonlight streamed in from the small window overhead. Liz bit her lip and rolled over facing him. She snuggled in behind him, unsure if he was asleep yet. She laid her head on his shoulder, intently gripping her fingers on his skin. Silently her lips kissed his bare back before laying her head near the nape of his neck. Will smiled with eyes closed. Slowly his hand was placed atop hers, and a tender kiss on her forehead. Without any words spoken, and apology was made.

XXXXXXXXXX

The ship and its restless crew members sailed on for two more days. A few of the men grew disgruntled saying there was no point – that they were never going to find the boys. It was as bad as finding a needle in a haystack. Of course Jack put their mind to rest by threatening to throw them overboard but the lingering doubt still stagnated around the Pearl.

Liz had grown tired of a few of the men aboard. They would stare at her as she passed, would even stop talking when she approached. But she wouldn't dare mention it to Will unless she thought they would act. He would only worry and respond rashly. No – she didn't want to prove him right for thinking she shouldn't have come. Liz saw Anna at the helm, watching over the changing winds.

When she approached the young woman her large faded black hat was obscuring her face from the unforgiving sun. She heard her walking up and turned to face Liz. "Ey mate. Been wonderin' when you would join me up 'ere." She slapped her on the back.

Liz returned the smile "Yes I thought we'd have a chat while we have the time."

Anna grasped the helm once more and glanced at the woman from the corner of her eye. " Aye I'm listen'n."

"Well…" She began as she tossed her hair from the side of her face, the wind blowing it back. "It seems as though no once wants to tell me any of our present mission…no plan or otherwise. I though since you and Jack…well…you would tell me."

Anna cleared her throat. She opened as if to say something but closed it quickly. "Ahem…the plan? Well we are…um…" she stumbled with her words. Never making eye contact with Liz who was now standing in front of her.

"Annamaria! Not you too."

Anna sighed "Liz really. I can't tell you but – "

"But what? I don't understand."

Her hands gripped tighter on the wheel. "Theres nothing to understand. Jack and Will have it all undercon-"

"Will…He told you not to tell me, didn't he?"

She asked, her eyes narrowing.

Anna looked down. "You didn't hear it from me mate."

Liz stormed off down the stairs; the smoke from her ears was spewing as her face turned a darker color.

She went in her cabin and emerged a second later with a sword. She went above deck once more and found Will, standing on the starboard side. He saw her coming and smiled but when the tip of the blade was at his chin the smile faded. "Liz? What are you doing?"

"Fight me."

"What?"

"Fight me Will. I'll prove you I can handle myself." She said. She was inches from his face, teeth gritted.

Will sighed, knowing why she was doing this.

"Elizabeth I'm not going to fight you."

But the young woman stepped back and lifted her blade to challenge him.

"Elizabeth… no" Will said sternly, but still with pleading eyes.

She was silent and unmoving for a second. Then a voice from behind came calling.

"I'll 'ave a go." Said Jack, sauntering up to the couple from the crowd, which had just now begun to form around them.

"Jack!" Will called through clinched teeth.

He turned to the young man with his sly grin. "Relax mate. Shes just steamed up. I'll take care of everything."

Upon hearing this, Elizabeth's brown eyes burned that much more. Her grip tightened on the handle of the sword. Jack lazily raised his blade up, as soon as contact as made, Liz attacked. Her quickness caught him off guard. Jack was on the defense. Within mere seconds his sword was on the ground, flicked from his hand and her tip was at his chest. He simply stared at the fiery young woman and her glare. The men around them were silent; Liz's angry breathing could barely be heard amongst them. She stepped back and away from the still stunned Jack. She walked slowly over to Will who looked on with mouth agape.

"You need to trust me…"She said in a low voice.

Liz turned and left the crowd as she went down below the deck. The sword at her side with head down.

Jack straightened his jacket and looked around nervously. He quickly picked up and sheathed his sword. "Ahem…well…I'll be at the helm." He looked around at his men who didn't make eye contact with him. "Back to work you dogs!"

Will's eyes never left the door that Liz had departed from a minute earlier. His chest was tight, rather hurt and confused of his wife's actions. He started to make a move toward the door but Ana took his shoulder.

"No." she said kindly. "I'll go."

Will nodded and diverted his gaze. Defeated he went to the side of the ship. Will slouched down against the wood siding. His knees pulled up to his chest and ran his hands through his hair. Will sat there for quite sometime. Neither Anna nor Liz emerged from below deck. Will grew weary of all the worry and laid in the shade obscured by one of the Pearl's sails.

"Will…"He heard a voice calling him.

"Will…"he felt a hand prodding.

He opened his eyes slightly to see Anna standing above him. She extended her hand to help him up. As he stood he pleaded once more. "What did she say?

Anna sighed and pursed her lips. "I would tread easy Will."

Will looked down and rubbed his hands on the side of his pants in deep thought. The dusk sky behind them was making their faces hard to see as Anna tried to read him. "…you could go in there I 'spose but-"

"No it's all right." He said gently "I think I'll just stay out here tonight…it's a cool night." Will once again took his place on the deck floor. Anna began to walk off.

"Anna" He called

She turned halfway

"Thank you." He said with a sad but grateful smile.

She nodded and proceeded to go below deck.

As Will lay down he closed his eyes. He could hear the muffled voices of the crew members in the mess hall. Their laughs lingered though the night air. A joyous sound that was falling on deaf ears.

XXXXXXXXXX

Will was sleeping lightly on the cold hard deck floor when he heard the door hinges creek. He lifted his head a little to see a figure in white move across the ship. Will squinted his eyes to make out who it was, but already he had an idea.

She moved…he loved how she walked – how her feet hit the ground so lightly – the way her arms glided at her side – the way her back slightly arches when she is in deep thought. He loved everything about Liz.

Will got up quietly and removed his jacket. Slowly he made his way to her, his eyes never departing from her back that was facing him. Gently he placed the jacket around her shoulders. She jumped and turned around. Once she saw Will's face her immediate reaction was to give a relieved smile. But soon it was replaced with a diverted gaze as her attention went back to the sea in front of her.

He sighed to himself, unsure of what to say.

"Anything wrong?"

She turned quickly and gave him an exasperated look. But Will held up his hands in defense.

"I only ask because you're out here in the middle of the night."

The weary expression vanished. She merely grabbed the coat's edges and wrapped it tighter around her shoulders.

"No" she said quietly. "The – the baby was kicking so much… I couldn't sleep."

"Oh" he said with peaked interest. "Has it been doing that a lot lately?"

She shook her head. "Tonight's been the first time it's been so intense…I guess It knew their father wasn't lying next to me."

Will paused and took a deep breath. "Listen Liz I'm sorry I –"

But she put a tender finger to his lips. "No Will. Don't apologize. I've been irrational. I acted very immature today…I don't know why – well…yes – I do know why… I suppose it was all the changing moods have something to do with it. But really Will, its you not being able to trust me."

She looked down then quickly back up to gain his full attention. "Do you really think I would do something foolish if it meant putting our child's life in danger?"

Will's fingers fidgeted. "Well…you did cross blades with Jack today…"

She gave him a small smile. "Please…I knew I could handle him"

Will laughed, glad to see she wasn't too angry with him.

"But on the other hand" she continued. "I also know that you're doing this in my best interest. I don't intend on getting in the way of any fighting."

He smiled and took her hand into his.

"But please!" she laughed. "Do it in moderation."

"As you wish." He replied, kissing her lightly on the lips

Elizabeth's arm moved up his back and the other hand caressed his neck and up through his hair. She perused the kiss and eagerly deepened their union. Will's arms snaked themselves around her waist, reveling in her presence.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you t-"

The blast of a cannon ripped through the air as the lovers stood on the deck. A loud splash just feel away from the bow separated them in a wave of water. Mere seconds later Jack emerged, staggering from below deck, half dressed with his men filing out behind him.

"To your stations boys, we found the whelps!"