True Love; Forever Reunited

AN: First, I want to apologize for the incredibly long wait since my last update. School was absolutely insane this semester, but I am now on vacation and will have much more time for this fanfic, along with my others that haven't been updated. I'm sure many of you may have thought I abandoned this fic, but I assure you that is not the case. I have a long 3 and ½ month vacation, so be sure to see plenty of updates from me. Second, I apologize that this is a bit of a short chapter. I just really wanted to get something posted. So, without further ado, here is chapter 23!

Chapter 23: A Deadly Duel

Willy stared in horror at Groves, who lay bleeding on the ground. Before anyone even dared to move, the door to Clinton's office flew open, and out came Jack, Andrew, Barbossa, Captain Teague, Norrington, and Ana Maria, all battling a EITC agent. Willy looked around frantically for any sign of his parents, but there was none. The door slammed, locking shut with a sound that made Willy sick to his stomach.

"Willy!" called Jack, knocking his opponent to the ground, "What happened here?"

"Gillette kidnapped Anna, and I came after her, and then we all ended up here," said Willy, hardly breathing between words. "Groves challenged Gillette, and then shot Groves," Willy felt tears of fear come to his eyes, but he wiped them away.

Anna held tight to Willy's arm, and Willy to hers; he wouldn't let anyone hurt her again.

"Bloody hell!" shouted Jack, "We have to get Groves to safety."

"What happened to my parents?" questioned Willy, "Where are they?"

Jack looked at him for only a split second, not able to meet his eyes. He didn't respond to the question. Once all the EITC agents were defeated, the group gathered around Groves, the darkened hallway promising only a few minutes until more guards appeared.

"Amelia, what happened here?" questioned Andrew, pulling her to him in an embrace. "Why aren't you on the ship?"

"It's a long story," she said, "But Anna was kidnapped, and Willy ran after her… and it just erupted into a big mess."

"Anna, darling, are you all right?" asked Andrew, beckoning his children forward for an inspection. "And you Charles?"

"I'm fine Papa," said Charles.

Andrew's eyes moved to Anna, who was still grasping Willy's arm. "And you Anna?"

"I'm fine," she answered, "Just frightened."

"What about you Willy, are you hurt?" asked Andrew.

Willy shook his head. He didn't like the look in Andrew's eyes; something was very, very wrong, and he had a horrible feeling that something had gone awry with his parents.

"Where are my parents?" he questioned, "I need to know."

"We'll explain in a few minutes," cut in Captain Teague, "But first we need to get this lad to Mr. Riley's shop to see what can be done for him," he said, gesturing at Groves.

Willy wanted to argue, but refrained for Groves' safety. Andrew and Jack hoisted Groves with as much ease as possible onto their shoulders, and carried him off to Mr. Riley's shop, the others following behind them.

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Will flew after Clinton and Elizabeth, fury flooding through him like fire. Just who did Clinton think he was? What would he do to Elizabeth if Will didn't get there in time? A feeling of dread hit the pit of his stomach in a knot, terror filling him. The piecing night air hit him like a block of ice. Very unexpectedly however, he ran straight into a wall of very familiar faces, and he was forced to skid to a halt.

"Will?" questioned the voice of Jack, clearly relieved at the sight of Will. "What the bloody hell happened in there?"

"Clinton took Elizabeth and ran off. She's unarmed" answered Will shortly, making to run again.

"Wait, William," said Jack, not allowing him to move. They moved into the light, and Will was surprised to see the large group of people surrounding Jack.

"Willy," said Will, surprised at the sight of his son. "Why aren't you on the ship? And you Amelia? And…" his eyes fell on the pale Groves. "What happened?"

"We'll explain in a moment," said Amelia, "Let's get inside my father's shop first," said Amelia, the dark lines under her eyes more pronounced than ever at the news that her best friend had been taken by the enemy.

"I don't have a moment," said Will, his impatience getting the best of him. "I have to go and find Elizabeth! Clinton took her to God knows where, threatening to murder her and our unborn child!"

"Will, just give us a moment," said James, resting a hand on Will's leather clad shoulder. "We need to think about this before you just go rushing in there."

"I don't HAVE a moment!" yelled Will, "My wife and unborn child need me!"

"You might want to think about your son who needs you," interjected Andrew, his eyes boring into Will's. "Elizabeth would want you to make sure he was all right."

Andrew's words hit Will so hard that the breath nearly left him. He turned to Willy, who had finally released Anna's arm. A wave of warmth rushed over him at the sight of his son, a sign of the love he shared with Elizabeth, a sign that something was right in this chaotic world. The group piled into Mr. Riley's shop, laying Groves with gentle hands onto a couch that was kept for waiting customers. The door locked with a loud click behind them.

"Son," said Will, "I'm sorry. Are you all right?" He pulled Willy into an embrace, wishing, hoping, praying, that he would be able to bring his mother and unborn sibling back safely.

"I'm fine," answered Willy, "But I want to know what's happened." Will felt like the boy's eyes pierced his very soul, and he knew that he had to be honest. What good would it do to hide the truth?

"Clinton took your mother," said Will, both of his hands on his son's shoulders, his heart shattering while he spoke each and every word. "But I promise that I will find her," he said, tears stinging his eyes, "I will find her."

Willy fell into his father's arms, and Will could tell that it was all the nine year old could do to keep his tears in check.

"I'm coming with you Papa," he whispered. "I want to help."

"No," said Will firmly. "You will stay here with Jack and the others." His voice left no room to argue. "Besides, Anna will need you here."

Willy looked ready to argue, but thought better of it. A groan could be heard, breaking father and son apart. Amelia and Andrew were tending to Groves, who had just awoken.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice a groan. "Where am I?"

"You're in Mr. Riley's shop," answered Will, striding over. Guilt filled his heart; they had gotten Groves into this mess, and now he was on the brink of losing his life for it. He turned to Andrew. "Someone must run for Dr. Sullivan."

"But we're fugitives!" cried Amelia.

"Dr. Sullivan doesn't discriminate," said Will. "And Groves needs his help."

"He's right," said Andrew, "I'll wear my cloak over my face; it's dark after all, no one will recognize me." With one last glance at his wife and children he swept on his cloak and darted into the night.

Will's hand rested on Groves' shoulder for a moment before he turned to Jack, his face never looking more serious.

"Jack," said Will, his voice almost sounding broken. "I must get to Elizabeth… I must save her." Will noticed a small smile on Jack's face; he was obviously reminded of their first mission to rescue Elizabeth. Oh, how the times had changed since then. "But you must promise me that you'll look after Willy. I'd die if something happened to him, but if I took him with me Clinton would surely harm or kill him, and I can't risk that."

"Of course I'll look after him, mate," promised Jack, clasping Will's shoulder. "You can bet on it. But I have to tell you, if you're gone for too long, we'll follow."

Will was ready to argue, but thought better of it. He hugged Willy one last time before rushing out into the night, raindrops falling on his face. EITC soldiers lined the streets, each eyeing him with a stony stare. Familiar faces from Will's time in Port Royal were also there, hardly knowing what was happening. Will knew it was hard for them to see the naïve young blacksmith within the pirate who passed them by. None of them had any idea how frightened he was.

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Elizabeth was scared. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, especially not Clinton, but she was. She was afraid for her children more than anything else; both Willy and the child still residing in her womb. Will's safety too, was heavy on her mind. Clinton held her captive in her old house, which she found a clever act of cruelty. They were now in the ballroom, and she stood on the other side of the room from her foe, unarmed. A few candles were lit, their light dancing off the shadows of the hardwood floor. Clinton's voice cut through the air.

"You know Mrs. Turner," he said, his voice smooth as silk, "You are a beautiful woman." He turned sharply, his eyes surveying her in a manner that made her rather uneasy.

Elizabeth merely glared in response.

"Despite your… choice of lifestyle, I have no doubt that any man would find you desirable." He moved with rapid steps across the room, coming face to face with her. "And you must admit, I'm not bad looking myself."

Goosebumps raced across Elizabeth's skin; this was the last thing she had expected, and it terrified her. She may have been a fantastic swordswoman and a fair shot, but the fact was, she was unarmed, and Clinton was much taller and much stronger than her.

"I'm a married woman, Clinton. And you are the last person in the world I would consider being intimate with. Have you forgotten we are sworn enemies?" Elizabeth's hand rested on her stomach. She wouldn't let Clinton do this to her; it was the worst thing that could be done to a woman.

"Well, that doesn't matter much to me, you see. I always get what I want. Or else I take it." He ran a hand through his raven hair, his eyes slits of desire.

Elizabeth's eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat as he moved closer.

"If you give in to me, I might consider granting your dear husband a quicker death. A much less painful one than I have in mind for him now." His hand moved to her face, cupping her chin roughly, forcing her to look in his eyes. He pushed her up against the floral patterned wall, lifting her skirt.

Elizabeth did the only thing she could think of to defend herself; she bit down hard on his hand, kicking him in a place she knew would hurt the most.

"Wretch!" screamed Clinton, grabbing her and binding her to the nearby chair. "Your husband will pay for your insolence! And so will you!"

His hand flew across her face, slapping her so hard an angry red handprint rested there.

"You'll see," said Clinton, "And you'll regret not cooperating with me in the first place."

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It struck Will that he had no idea where Clinton had taken Elizabeth. But when lightning illuminated a house standing upon the highest hill in Port Royal, he knew just where his beloved was; the governor's mansion, the house she once called home. Clinton had no shame. No guard stood around the house, and Will opened the door with ease. Darkness engulfed him when he entered; a lone light snuck out from under the door leading to the ballroom. Will stopped, his boots squeaking on the wooden floor. Memories of this house washed over him; delivering Governor Swann the sword for James Norrington, the days of his and Elizabeth's engagement, the ball Governor Swann had hosted for them, just to name a few. He drew his sword, prepared to battle Clinton for everything he was worth. He kicked the door, and it swung open, nearly falling off its hinges.

"Well," said Clinton, his smug face revealed the minute the door was opened. "I'm glad to see you finally joined us."

"Shut it," growled Will, his eyes landing on Elizabeth. She was sitting in a chair, bound to it by rope, her eyes ready to spit fire. She looked ready to fight as ever, but there was a trace of something else, some sort of fear that hadn't been there before. He knelt beside her, his hand resting on the purple bruise forming on her cheek.

"What happened?" he whispered in the softest voice possible so Clinton couldn't hear. He untied the knots binding Elizabeth to the chair. Clinton, for some reason, did not stop him.

Her eyes met his, and before she even answered he knew what happened.

"He tried to take advantage of me," she responded, a shiver running down her spine.

Will whipped around, his sword drawn. "How DARE you!" he exclaimed. "How DARE you attempt to do that to my wife! You are the scum of the earth!"

"I'm a man who knows what he wants," answered Clinton, drawing his sword. "And I know something else; I want you dead Mr. Turner. You, your wife and children, Sparrow, and anyone else who had anything to do with my uncle's death. Anything standing in the way of my rule over the seas."

"You fool," said Will. "That business in long done with. As to your rule over the seas, you can forget that dream. Calypso will never give it up to you."

"Enough!" yelled Clinton. "It is time for you to leave this earth, Mr. Turner."

"You haven't a chance," said Elizabeth. "Will is the best swordsman in all the Caribbean!"

"We shall see," said Clinton, barely affording her a glance.

Lightning struck over the house as the swords clanged together. A duel for the ages, and a duel to the death.