A/N: Finally updated! This chapter is set quite a bit earlier than the other chapters and does contain Will Turner in it. Hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: Nope. They belong to the mouse.

Wrath makes him deaf.
3 Henry VI 1.4.54, Queen Margaret, speaking of Clifford

"Come out and fight like a man, Sparrow!"

"I'd rather not and say we did." Jack muttered as Elizabeth raced forward to apprehend her enraged ex-fiancé.

"Will! Stop!"

"Stay out of this Elizabeth. This has nothing to do with you."

"NO! IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH ME, WILLIAM TURNER!"

Both men flinched, but only Jack focused on her as he stepped out of the shadows.

She met his grim gaze briefly and then grabbed Will's arm…to no avail. Turner was dashing forward, sword drawn, and a glare of fury on his face. His anger was too great. They had pushed him too far with all of that kissing and groping on the stairs…that shouldn't have happened, but felt sinfully good…

"It was only a kiss." Jack said, meeting his gaze. "She loves you, William. I can't compete with that."

"If she loved me she wouldn't have wanted to kiss you. It hardly matters anymore."

"Then why are you doing this, mate?"

"If I can't have her, no one shall."

"Actually, that's entirely up to her." Jack growled, drawing his own sword.

Elizabeth sighed in frustration. Someone was about to get hurt and she needed to stop it. "He's right."

Will snarled in her direction. It no longer mattered to him whose choice it was. He was beyond caring. It was unacceptable that she might care for the both of them. He hadn't been raised to consider such a notion…and really neither had she...

The two men circled each other like territorial beasts of the plain waiting for the first slip in defense. Elizabeth stared in frustrated silence. I caused this. Someone could die and she cared far too much for both men than to just let them kill one another.

"I DIDN'T BREAK OFF THE ENGAGEMENT FOR JACK!" She screamed, causing the men to stop in their tracks and look at her.

Being the calmer of the two, Jack was the first to break the silence after her outburst. "Then why did you do it, dearie?"

Ignoring him, her eyes locked with Will's. "You were never cut out for the life of a pirate, William. You and I both know it…and…I…am, believe it or not. This has nothing to do with Jack, but I won't deny I have feelings for him."

Jack's eyes widened.

Will's shoulders slumped in defeat, his anger rapidly disintegrating. "I don't understand…"

"It's over, Will. I did love you…do love you, but our paths were never connected. You chose your father long before you had me. I can't compete with that. Please understand. Don't take it out on Jack."

Will's jaw clenched, his fury returning. "So that's it then?"

"That's it."

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

"No. I'm sorry." Jack flinched at her words. I'm not sorry.

"Go to hell." He spat and then turned to Jack, who cringed under his harsh glare. "Apologies, Sparrow."

The other man nodded, only looking at Elizabeth, who was shaking.

An angry tear slid down Will's cheek as he turned to stalk down the gangplank and out of her life forever.

Jack stepped close to her. "He won't be coming back, Elizabeth. Are you certain this is the path you want to take? With me?"

"Yes." She whispered.

Then, as the sobs started, he pulled her close, comforting her, shielding her, forgiving her…loving her.