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

Chapter Twenty Eight

Dawn rose early the next morning, yet I didn't want to get up. I just wanted to curl up under my blankets and never get out again. I was still tired from the past two days and nights, but that wasn't the only reason I didn't get up. I also felt ashamed.

Ashamed for the things that I had done without thinking, the foolish things that I had known better not to do. And now I risked shaming my father and losing Will.

Standing up to get dressed, I felt a wave of nausea hit me. Gasping, I fell back onto the bed, closing my eyes. This couldn't be happening. I couldn't afford to be sick now.

The nausea finally passing, I managed to get up and get dressed. Stumbling out of the room, I felt my head beginning to spin wildly and I fell to my knees forcing myself not to vomit. I felt someone rushing to my side and helping me to my feet.

"Are you alright, Elizabeth?" Jack said, keeping a firm grip on my arms so I wouldn't fall.

I gasped as tears fell swiftly down my cheeks. "I don't know. I was getting up and all of a sudden I felt sick."

Jack said nothing, just guided me to the blacksmith table and helped me sit down on the chair. As I sat down, I looked up into his face and saw that it had darkened with concern. I rarely saw any emotion in his face and this sudden concern for me made me tremble. Something must be truly wrong if Jack was this emotional.

Bootstrap and Will suddenly came through blacksmith doors. They obviously had a heart to heart talk because Will seemed happier, more light of foot. His smile disappeared quickly, however when he saw me sitting with Jack half-heartedly patting my back, trying to make me feel better. He rushed over to where I sat and knelt down in front of me, pushing my hair out of my face.

"Elizabeth, what's the matter?" he asked.

"She was having the queasies a bit when she came out of her room, so I brought her over here," Jack exclaimed.

Bootstrap walked over, standing beside his son. He gave me a knowing look, as if he knew the cause of my sickness. Whatever it was, I wished he would tell me so I could put my mind at ease. I certainly didn't want to come down with any dreaded sickness.

"Should we go for the doctor?" Will asked, his eyes full of concern as he pressed a hand hard against my forehead.

"The streets are too dangerous for us to go out right now," Bootstrap Bill said, "they are still looking for us."

Will stood and looked at his father. "But we cannot stay here and watch her die! I will not have it! I love her, father."

Bootstrap chuckled. "I don't think she's going to die any time soon, my dear boy. Might be a little bit uncomfortable for a while, but she'll live."

I looked up at Bootstrap in horror. "You cannot be saying that I'm—"

Bootstrap chuckled and shook his head, patting my cheek. "Ah, don't mind me, child. I don't know any doctoring'. You might just be sick is all."

Will looked back and forth between me and his father. He obviously didn't understand what had passed between Bootstrap and I. And until I knew for sure, I wasn't going to get Will's hopes up.

Still chuckling, Bootstrap Bill helped me to my feet. "No matter. I say until we can get a doctor, we should pack you off to bed."

"But I'm perfectly alright. It was just a passing thing, as it were. I'll be alright. I've just had too many long days."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "By the looks of things, it wasn't a passing thing. And if it's something that you're going to pass on to the rest of us, I don't want you anywhere around me."

I looked at Jack curiously. He never seemed to be the type to throw insults at the ones he loved best. But then again, Jack hadn't seemed himself in the past couple of days. I guess you could never really trust a pirate after all.

Will wrapped an arm around my waist. "Don't mind Jack, Elizabeth. He's just sore he can't have the most beautiful woman on in the world. He's green with envy."

Jack glared at Will. "Are you calling me jealous? Because I've never been jealous in my life, laddie boy. I could never be jealous of a pretty lady like Elizabeth."

Bootstrap Bill laughed. "I think you're lying to save face there, Jack. I can remember many occasions when it was just the opposite."

Jack scowled. "That's Captain Jack Sparrow for you, Bootstrap, you mark my words."

Bootstrap Bill bowed slightly. "My apologies, captain, sir."

I couldn't help but laugh as Will helped me back to the room I was occupying. "Those two are a riot."

Will smiled softly. "Those two are closer than blood brothers. Nothing can separate them."

"Obviously." I sunk onto the bed and leaned back against the plumped up pillows. Never had a bed felt so comfortable.

Will sat on the edge of the bed, stroking the edge of my hand. Nothing else felt so comforting. More than ever, I longed to be married to Will. That's all I dreamed about just to keep me going.

"Will," I said, "don't leave me."

Will kissed me gently. "I will never leave you, Elizabeth."

"You left me this morning," I said.

"And for that I am sorry." Will stroked my cheek. "But for that I deemed it necessary. I will make it up to you someday."

"I hope that is a promise."

"I swear it upon my honor," Will exclaimed, crossing his heart.

"With what little honor we have left," I stated, resting my hand in his lap.

"Ah, but we are but honorable men who know the true meaning of honor. We can do no less in our own eyes," Will smiled.

I laughed softly. "Of course."

Will kissed my forehead. "You should get some rest, Elizabeth. I'll still be here when you awake, I promise with all of my heart."

"If you insist, Will Turner." Without another word, I slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep, knowing no more. Love and peace continued on even in sickness.

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Author's Note: Chapter Twenty Eight for everyone. I promise I'll be getting back into the action in the next few moments. I needed to take a couple chapters out to let the gang have a reprieve. They just can't keep going on if they don't have one, if you follow me, laugh out loud.

Anyways, thanks to everybody who have reviewed the past day or so, I really appreciate it. As always, it keeps me going.

And as always, I'll update as soon as I can, most likely tomorrow by the way I've been updating this past couple of weeks. Don't forget to review!