/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Twenty Seven

Bracing for the fall that would surely break every bone in my body, I was shocked when Bootstrap landed effortlessly on his two feet without so much as a scratch. As he placed me on my feet, I could hear the roar of exasperation from the guard whose prey had slipped through his fingers.

Bootstrap pulled at my shoulder. "It's time to go now, Elizabeth. No need to look at what has passed."

Silently we stole through the darkened alleyways. I felt myself tiring and I wondered how much further we were going to go when Bootstrap stopped suddenly. Keeping myself from falling, I grabbed onto the back of Bootstrap's shoulders. Steadying myself, I let go and walked around him. Looking at where we stopped, I realized where we were.

I turned to Bootstrap. "Why are we at the blacksmith's? What use do we have here?"

Bootstrap cleared his throat. "You are to stay here tonight. I will go on to get Will and Jack and we will meet you here. This is where we will be safe until we figure out what to do next."

"Are you sure about this?" I asked. "Wouldn't they be looking for us here?"

"They won't be looking where it is most obvious," Bootstrap stated. "This is where they will least expect it. We are safe here."

I sighed and nodded. There could be no arguing with logic. Bootstrap took my arm gently and led me inside. Amazingly Mr. Brown was sober and had been up waiting for us. That was a miracle in of itself.

"I'm sorry about all this, Brown," Bootstrap exclaimed. "But under the circumstances, I'm sure you understand."

"I can only do my civic duty, sir," Mr. Brown said. "I know yer son well, and I couldn't do anything less for those who know him best."

Bootstrap nodded and turned to look at me. In his eyes I could see tenderness for me that I hadn't noticed before. I had become the daughter that he never had. There was no doubt that he approved me to be with Will.

"I will be back soon," Bootstrap smiled. "Do not worry about Will and Jack; they have strength in them that will keep them alive."

I returned his smile and nodded. "I've come to expect no less from them. I know them too well to think differently."

Bootstrap laughed and gently stroked my cheek. "I'm so glad you have come to care for them as I have. I couldn't have asked for a better woman to be with my son. I know you make him happy, I see it in the way he treats you and talks about you when you aren't alone. He would die defending you."

Not knowing what to say, I couldn't help but smile, pleased at Bootstrap's words. The man was so much like Will and I could see the two of them had spent much time together before they were separated. Like father, like son, indeed.

Kissing me on the forehead, Bootstrap left the building without another word. I watched him leave, feeling the love for the men that had come into my life. Feeling a soft tap on my shoulder, I turned to face Mr. Brown.

"Let me show you where you'll be sleeping," he said.

Walking across the blacksmith shop, Mr. Brown led me to a small room off the side of the shop. Turning to me, he gave a small smile.

"This is it," Mr. Brown stated. "This is where your young Mr. Turner lived. It's small but comfortable."

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Brown. I'm sure your services to this community will be rewarded someday."

Mr. Brown nodded. "I'll be out here if you need anything."

I went into the room and closed the door quietly. Turning around, I breathed in deeply. It still smelled of Will after all of this time. And for me, that couldn't have been better.

Crossing the room, I sat on the bed that was nestled in the corner. Despite its small size, it was quite comfortable. Stretching out, I got myself comfortable. Soon I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

In what seemed like only several minutes, I felt a hand brush across my face. I opened my eyes slowly and widened them even further when I saw who it was.

"Will, you're back," I breathed.

Will smiled softly. "Yes, I am here. And I'm lucky to be here at all. I thought I wouldn't make it out alive."

"We all think that at some point," I said.

"Only a small few whose lives are forever entangled in those whose lives need saving," Will stated.

"Where is Jack?" I asked.

"Outside with my father," Will replied. "We are alone here."

"Don't you want to be with your father? You haven't seen each other in years," I said.

Will shook his head. "Right now the only person I want to be with is you. You are my first priority."

Will then kissed me on the lips. Sighing with pleasure, I pulled him closer to me, our kiss deepening. I couldn't stop even if someone had me at gunpoint. Will groaned and soon he slid into the bed with me. But just as quickly, the kiss ended.

"Elizabeth," he breathed. "I can't do this. I already feel guilty about last time."

I pulled him closer to me, nestling gently against him as I kissed him deeply. Pulling away slightly, I looked deeply into his eyes.

"There can never be anything to be guilty about, Will Turner," I whispered. "Don't ever stop."

Lifting himself onto his arm, Will kissed me deeply, more fervently. With his hand, Will gently moved his hand down my body, eventually sliding his arm underneath me and gently pulled my clothes off me.

I groaned with pleasure. He made the most simple of things seem the most important things in the world. Pulling his own clothes off, Will pressed gently against me, his kisses becoming more passionate and fervent.

As he entered me, I rose up to meet him, wanting to be as close to him as possible. Kissing him, I pulled him closer, close enough that we could barely move. If my father only knew what was happening, he wouldn't have sent me out into the world so willingly.

Hours later, Will finally pulled away. He was obviously exhausted and I couldn't blame him. Our days weren't necessarily peaceful.

Nestling closer to him, I could feel the heat and sweat sliding off him. In an odd way, it was comforting. I wished the moment could last forever.

Using his free hand, Will brushed my damp hair out of my eyes, giving me another tender, loving kiss.

"Marry me, Elizabeth," Will whispered. "I couldn't live without you."

I rubbed my hand across Will's face. "I would marry you a thousand times over, William Turner."

Will smiled and gave me another kiss. I felt as if I had died and gone to heaven. I couldn't have been more happier. Suddenly, Will got up and began dressing. Sitting up, I wrapped the quilt that had been on the bed tightly around me.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I just realized I have some things that I must see to," Will answered, never stopping.

"What things?" I exclaimed. "You've only just arrived and we can't go anywhere for a while."

Will looked into my eyes. "Yes, but there is other things I must do. I need to talk with my father."

"But you just said you didn't need to talk with your father," I started, but Will put a hand on my mouth.

"Things change, Elizabeth," Will said.

Giving me a kiss, Will left the room, closing the door behind me. I fell back onto the bed. I could understand his need to talk to his father, but I was still angry and upset at him. I wanted to be with Will as much as possible. There was no knowing what was going to happen tomorrow. Things certainly did change, and not always for the better.

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Author's Note: Chapter Twenty Seven for everyone. I made it extra long for you guys with some added spice to the soup with some more romance. I thought it was fitting because they're not going to have much time in the future if I stay on course. If I made things a little too detailed, I'm sorry, it just happened that way for some odd reason. The characters will write themselves, as they say.

Anyways, thanks so much to everyone who have reviewed, I really do appreciate it. One can never tell a person too much how much they appreciate reviews.

So anyways, thanks again. I'll update when I can. Don't forget to review!