[OT: If you notice the rating for this fic has been changed to M just in case. Although it is PG-13 material (if it were on screen), I wanted to make sure this upcoming scene between Elizabeth and Will didn't offend anyone. Only a one/two chapters to go!

Will stroked his wife's blonde wet head hair and kissed her forehead gently. His son was seated nearby, swathed in a dry blanket and observing his father. The captain smiled tenderly to the boy, but William scowled at the gesture. Will accepted the expression for now as he scooted next to Elizabeth's trembling body.

The woman was finally awakened, but she cried out hysterical words that were incomprehensible. She shuddered and slid farther under the blanket, murmuring something concerning the Empress and Calypso.

"My love, be easy. You are safe. I'm here. I'm watching over you."

His blacksmith hands trailed her face, and she reached out and clasped his hand. "Will," she whispered twice.

The cabin door creaked open and Jack sauntered in. "Is she-"

"Jack." Elizabeth voice boomed.

"That answers that."

The woman sat up abruptly, but held her head in anguish. "Easy on the movement, love." Jack noted, taking a seat beside William, now free of his soaked jacket and water laden boots.

"You don't have shoes."

"Neither do you." He pointed to her little feet that peeked out of the blanket. Elizabeth threw off the layer to see she was dressed in a fresh green shirt, once worn by Will, and loose brown trousers drooped at her hips.

"Are we dead?" Her question was blunt, but reasonable as to their location.

"No," all three males said.

"This is all real?"

"Every minute, Elizabeth." Will squeezed her hand for comfort as he answered his wife, admiring her lovely features.

"How long can we stay?"

"So many questions." Will stated.

Elizabeth became weary upon glancing at Jack, and nearly wept at William's perturbed face. She knew he couldn't comprehend why his father was suddenly around. Ten years. She had said it would be ten years until he knew his other parent.

"That short?" she finally inquired. "Do we have an hour? Two?"

"Until nightfall, Elizabeth." Jack responded, and Will grinded his teeth at the revelation. "It is late afternoon."

"Have you solved your quandary, Jack? Or has Will at least aided in your alternative motive?"

"Beg your pardon?" Jack appeared almost innocent.

"You are not here just for me."

"My kiaughs are not to incommode Will Turner."

"If you refuse to reveal your plan in front of me, escort William from the room. I want to talk with Will."

Jack followed his request and informed William as they exited, "I tell you, lad, once someone becomes a Pirate King their ego precedes their normal thoughts. Follow the footsteps of me and become a normal pirate, ey?"

"Normal doesn't define you in the least." Elizabeth called after him as the wooden door shut.

The woman sat up in the hammock and criss-crossed her legs, still embracing Will's right hand. She held up her other hand, which Will met tacitly. Winding their hands together, Elizabeth leaned in and let her lips graze against Will's cheek, over his scruffy whiskers, and up to his lips that had parched for his bride's flesh. Their tongues wandered, and their hearts fluttered with passion. Will released his right hand and caressed Elizabeth's silky face, letting his limb trail the curves of her body. He fingered the buttons of his vest, but Elizabeth clasped his hand again as their lips parted and their foreheads pressed tenderly against one another.

"I love you, Will," Elizabeth whispered, "with all my heart."

"I love you too." He fiddled with the edge of Elizabeth's dark green shirt and lifted it to her stomach where she pushed it softly back down. Confusion diffused across the man's face.

"You cannot spend every moment with me. William deserves time with his father."

Speaking through his desirous breath Will said, "But I've missed you. Please don't refuse me..." He fervently kissed his wife and leaned farther into the woman. "We can be..."

Elizabeth's head dropped backwards as Will kissed her neck, becoming completely entranced by her own salacious yearning. As they stripped off their clothes, their passion began to roam rampantly, and the restrictions of consideration for their son and Jack were tossed aside when their bodies entwined in the white hammock. The couple vanished in their combined lust and love, unaware of the world around them.

An hour later, Elizabeth kissed Will's nude chest and twirled the loose curls around his ears. As she snuggled closer to the man the door swung open and their son barged in whining his mother's name. Elizabeth squealed as she tucked her bare shoulders under the covers, and Will pursed his lips, attempting to conjure up a reasonable explanation.

William took two cautious steps with his countenance quizzical. "What are you doing, Mama?"

Will cleared his throat to speak when Jack joined them in a laughable manner. "Terribly sorry for the interruption, Mr. and Mrs. Turner. Come along William; your parents will discuss this later."

Will chuckled as they dressed while Elizabeth's cheeks burned in mortification. "How will I – we explain this to him?" she asked incredulously as the woman slipped on her brown trousers.

"Trust me, Elizabeth, it is not as bad as it seems. He is only three years old. William will recover."

Elizabeth crossed her arms as Will finished dressing. "Will, I wish you would spend the rest of the evening with William. I think he is confused as to why you are alive, but can't exist in our house."

He nodded, kissed Elizabeth on the cheek, and then opened the door for his wife. They strolled out on deck where William met Elizabeth with a loving embrace.

"Mama!"

She grinned as she picked up the boy and planted a kiss on his brown head. "Now that your father and I have had some time alone, he would like some time with you before we leave." William sheepishly agreed, and Elizabeth passed him to Will's muscular arms. The man carried his son off, conversing in a low tone and beaming at his son's quirky comments and behavior.

Jack approached Elizabeth and handed the woman a bottle of rum. "I assume your day has vastly improved since the Empress was swallowed."

"Most definitely." she replied, eyeing the beverage before swigging a drink.

"Good to hear it, love."

"And I assume your troubles are on their way to becoming resolved?"

Jack's eyes twitched, and he shrugged. Switching the topic, Jack gestured to the helm and asked, "Any chance you will convince ol' Bootstrap to allow me to commandeer the navigation of the Flying Dutchman?"

"Not a chance in the world."

"Not even if-"

"No," Elizabeth cut him off, grinning at his persistent pleas.