Will looked at Jack dreading the decision that he alone had to make, "I'm going to talk to William in private. I'll be back as soon as we are done."
William followed his father down to Will's cabin. "He never harmed you son?"
"No father. He just kept telling us that we were nothing but a simple exchange to him."
"Did he ever mention why he wanted Aphrodite?"
"No, he only said no other man could ever have her or love her but him. He said he would kill anyone or anything that kept him from her."
Will lowered his head. He cared deeply for Aphrodite but at what cost. "Look son, stay here. I've got to talk to Uncle Jack and then I'll be back to talk with you some more."
"Dad," William said as Will opened the door to leave.
"Yes."
"You're back to yourself. You seem – I don't know better – you know since Mom died."
Will smiled at his son, "I have you back that's all I need." It was almost as if he were trying to convince himself as much as his son.
Will walked slowly up the stairs back to where Jack stood talking to Jess. Jasmine had began to chase Cotton's parrot once again and the poor bird could be heard squawking as she chased him from where he perched each time.
"Ah, Will, the man who looks like he bears the weight of the world."
Will's face was so serious, "we can't Jack."
"We can't what me boy?"
"I can't risk William and I can't ask you to risk Jess, Jasmine and the Pearl just for her."
Jack and Jess said nothing but looked at each other and then back to Will.
"I mean, we just got you back Jess and how could I put our children in danger." Will shook his head. He knew his decision was right but he felt so guilty. "Jack, sail towards Tortuga and home. We aren't going to follow Ares."
"Aye," Jack said barely above a whisper, Will could have sworn there was a twinge of disappointment in his voice. Jack knew Will must be dying inside all over again but he respected Will's decision.
"Will," Jess started to say as she walked towards Will.
"Jess, please, not now. I need to go back to William and I need some time. I'll talk to you later," seeing the look on Jess' face, he quickly added, "I promise."
Jess smiled an uneasy smile at him and Will turned and went back below to his son.
"Jack."
"Hmm love?"
"What exactly happened while I was gone and who is this Aphrodite that Ares wanted so badly."
"Well she is a beautiful young lady, but not nearly as beautiful as you," Jack said as his wife shook her head with a smile, "she doesn't remember any of her past but her and Will seemed to do well enough together. She fell in love with him Jess and he with her. They just were about to discover that too when Captain what's he face, Captain bad man, Captain dress all in black, Captain…"
"Jack! Enough already. The story please."
"Oh yeah. Well she finally got Will out of his shell and at least he was coping with losing Elizabeth and then after seeing Elizabeth again and her having Will whipped she nursed him back to health."
"Wait a minute. Saw Elizabeth again? And who had Will whipped?"
"Yup and Elizabeth."
"Jack tell me all of it – now darling."
"Short version or the Jack Sparrow special version?" Jack smiled trying to bait her into the Sparrow version
"Short with facts." Jack's smile dropped.
"OK – we got sent to another world but the same except there was another me and Will, both seemed rather evil though. Elizabeth was alive and married to Norrington. Will, the other one, had killed Governor Swan. Norrington was Governor. They captured us because the other Sparrow and Will had attacked the town and because they hated Will they whipped the boy until he almost died, although he can't. Aphrodite and a couple of the crew rescued us. We woke up to find you after we got back to our world."
Jess stood there her mouth slightly open; her eyes closed; shaking her head. "I have to think about this for a minute."
Jack stood there quiet for a minute then started fidgeting with his belts.
"Any other details that may be important?"
"Um. Well I didn't tell Will since he was unconscious at the time and dying – well close to it; but in the other world Elizabeth was killed again."
"That's awful Jack. I can see why you didn't want to tell him."
"No, the main reason was," Jack looked around to make sure no one was listening then he leaned over and whispered to Jess, "she was killed by the other Captain Sparrow."
"Oh Jack no! Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. And I have told no one but you."
"And no one will ever learn of this Jack. It must have been hard for you to see."
"But Jess, it wasn't our Elizabeth. Will kissed her and she hit him. She wanted him dead. She was cold and heartless and she was married to Norrington for God's sake."
"Ok Jack. I get it."
Jack smiled and gave a quick nod then he looked over to his daughter to see two feathers – one stuck behind each ear. He shook his head, "some things never change." Jess looked over and closed her eyes.
"Jasmine to the cabin NOW!" Jack and Jess yelled in unison.
"Jack, if what you say is true and this woman brought our Will back to us, nursed him back from the brink of death and he fell in love, why aren't we going after her?"
"Well, she did bring our Will back, he can't die another long story but he appears to be immortal but she did tend to him and he took longer to heal than usual and he is in love but he doesn't want to go after her."