The rain kept pouring. And the men did not stop fighting. But they were all getting weary.

The promise that Will had made his father hung over him like a haunting memory. Time was running out and all he could do was hope that old Jack had things under his cunning eye. Elizabeth had told him what Bootstrap said: that he would never pick him over Elizabeth. It felt so bad to have his own father say those words. But although Will never admitted it, he knew that Elizabeth meant more to him than anyone else.

Will swung around, searching the faces around him for that one, familiar one, the one he always managed to find anywhere. There she was, fighting near Gibbs and Barbossa. Once he was assured of her safety, Will hurried to the nearest, available, loose rope, cutting down everyone in his path. Will held on to the slimy rope, tugging at it so seriously to check if it would carry him that he did not even notice his beloved nearing him.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, her eyes darting from the rope to him. He couldn't be doing what she thought he was doing, couldn't he?

"Trying to rescue my father," was his simple answer. "I have a promise to keep, Elizabeth. You know that."

"I know but you don't have to do this!" She held on to his arm firmly, in a desperate attempt to make him stay. But she knew it was a lost cause; Will always had to keep his promises. A trait of his she definitely hated now. "Let Jack handle it. Jack can do it."

"Can you honestly trust Jack?" he asked quietly, his voice barely audible behind the roar of the rain.

She knew what he meant, of course. Jack was most untrustworthy, capable of double-crossing anyone he could—even his own crew. But that wasn't what Elizabeth saw in his eyes right now. She saw that pain and anger in his eyes, probably at the memory of her kissing Jack Sparrow. Elizabeth realized that Will would never truly forgive her and just forget about it. "But this is too dangerous!"

"Wasn't it you who wanted to fight in the first place?" he retorted. Gently, he took her hand in his and squeezed tightly. "My father needs me more than you do right now. I can't let him down. But I. . . promise, I'll be back."

"But what if you—I—"

"I promised, didn't I?" Will's other hand was still hanging on to the slick and slimy rope. Honestly, he knew there was a big chance of not making it back, he knew that. But he was torn between his father and Elizabeth and it was breaking his heart so. He just needed to do this one thing for his doomed father—doomed because of him—and then hold on to Elizabeth for the rest of his life.

Elizabeth gave up trying to make him see the nil chances of surviving because she knew he would just cut her off and changed tactics. "So you're choosing your father over me then?"

"No," Will replied, sighing wearily and impatiently. He looked around, noting that the maelstrom was pulling them in faster, as the winds steadily grew stronger. Arguing with Elizabeth was always so difficult. "Of course not. You of all people know that I will never love anyone as much as I love you. You know that, don't you?"

His eyes searched hers questioningly as she bit her lip. Of course she knew that, always had. Will was not one who could keep something to himself; his emotions were always displayed on his beautiful and chiseled face. But all she could think about was that annoyingly selfless part of Will. Did he always have to be so honorable? Couldn't he be selfish for once, for her? "Yes."

"Then let me go."

Elizabeth hesitated. "Promise me." The look in her eyes were so intense and scared that Will wanted to pull her in his arms comfortingly. But there was no time for that now; Jack might be needing his help.

"I promise," he nodded as he pulled her in for an embrace. Painfully, she hugged him hard as she felt that same soothing warmth before she had betrayed him. She reached up to his lips and pressed hers against his, kissing him. And this time, she made sure it was worth dying for.

"Don't forget to come back." She smiled, because she knew he wanted—needed—her to. But it was a sad smile. And then he smiled back and everything felt right in the world again. While saying a silent prayer, she slowly let go of his hand and watched as he grew more distant and farther away.

And then, he was gone.And she continued on fighting.

I hope this wasn't a mess, like the one before, which I deleted. By the way, if you remember anything on that chapter, I need you to forget it. Pretend it never existed. Or else, reading the next chapters will make you confused. That means that Will and Elizabeth aren't engaged yet, okay? Thanks! Please review, you guys!!!