A/N: Hey! I have to apologise for the lack of chapters, I have had severe writer's block with this particular fan fiction. Well here it is, 'The Show Must Go On', please read and review!! By the way, James' exit was meant to be like Peter Wong's in 'Get Over It'. Oh and I don't whether the understudy for Romeo would initially get a small part but I've already written it down so I guess not much could be done about that.

Chapter 3 – Burn Baby Burn, Pirate Inferno

Will buckled his belt tightly and smiled at his dirty reflection in the bedside mirror. He took the gel pot from his windowsill and began to smooth a handful of gel roughly into his dark brown hair. He pulled an elastic band from his wrist and wound it into his long, scraggly hair. Will glanced over at the electronic alarm clock, standing on the worn, wooden dresser. The repetitive beeping of the clock alarm alerted Will and he hastily made his way downstairs. Will picked up his lunch from the kitchen table and gave his mother a kiss on he cheek and a acknowledgeable nod of the head towards his father, who as usual was sitting at the TV, a bottle of Budweiser clutched firmly in his hand.

Will sat at the back of the large vehicle as he always did, with a copy of the script in his hand. Jack sat across the opposite seat to Will's, with his hat placed jauntily on his head. Anna, however was sitting with her hand firmly resting on the sill and her fingers spindling a lock of her dark, curled hair. Her mobile phone buzzed and she reached for it in the depths of her bag. Once, she had retrieved the item, Jack took it from her hands and began to answer the call.

"You're my wife now" Jack hissed menacingly, waiting for a reply.

"Jack, piss off" Elizabeth yawned, her large canvas bag hitting her ankle precariously as her father's car careered round a sharp corner.

"Anna, I won't be able to come to college first thing, I've a doctor's appointment" Elizabeth looked over her hospital note before answering Anna.

"Are you okay, Liz? Nothing too serious, I hope?"Anna furrowed her brow and began to scratch her head thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, Will threw his script at Jack's seat harshly; Jack struck his lighter and lit the cigarette he was holding in his tattooed hand. The paper from the script landed in Jack's firing line and it slowly caught light. Jack jumped up in alarm, sending the script floating into the air. The two of them watched as the script began to fall onto Tiffany Matlock's beautiful blonde hair. Suddenly, Miss Matlock screamed and began to grab at the scorching hot paper. Her best friends, Haley and Beth used their freshly manicured hands to fan the flame out; their efforts went unnoticed as the flame was still left un-extinguished. James Norrington a.k.a. Romeo, alerted the driver, he quickly glanced round and quietly cursed his job. The bus drew to a halt as the whole class ran down the steps as quickly as they could. Jack fell down the steps and began to cough violently as Anna and Will, clutching each others waist. The driver took out his phone and dialled for an ambulance. Anna sat on the curb and began to breathe deeply, clutching her throat. Will puts his thick hooded sweatshirt around her shoulders and turned to face Jack.

"What the bloody hell were you thinking? Lighting that fag? You are an arse. You could've got everyone killed" Will grimaced as Jack's brow furrowed, a look of hurt and pain gracing his usually bright, slightly drunken face. Anna stared at her brother with disappointed eyes, her hands rubbing her shoulders nervously. Will threw his hands down at his side, walked towards the curb and sat down beside Anna. Jack watched as he put his arm around Anna, his blood boiled and his heart pounded inside his chest.

"Hey, why are being you being so matey with my little sister? What, you got a thing for your best friend's sister?" Jack shouted uncontrollably, Anna shook her head in disbelief as Jack continued with his drunken monologue.

"Jack, will you just shut-up? Will has been more of a brother than you'll ever be. Where were you when Ben broke up with me? Uh, you were pissing around with your mates, getting drunk. Will wasn't with you that night, you want to know why? He was at our house, giving me the talk you should've been giving me. I'm tired of making up excuses for why you weren't at school or why you were sick on Mum's new rug? Just try being a big brother, okay. Instead of a drunk who occasionally comes home" Anna collapsed into Jack's arms, Will watched in amazement as Jack slowly stroked his sister's dark brown hair. Anna looked up; the tears on the corners of her eyes were glistening softly in the sunlight. Jack smiled as Anna gently wiped away her tears with her jumper sleeve. Will took out his mobile and began to dial the numbers quietly.

"07342519…3968" Will smiled as Elizabeth picked up, her voice sounded cracked and distressed. She wiped the tears from her eyes, smiling at Will's news of what had happened whilst she had been absent.

"Oh my god, are you okay? Is Anna okay? And I can't believe I'm asking this…is Jack okay?" Elizabeth took her long hair and brought round it over her back, letting it drape over her left shoulder.

"We're all okay. Are you alright? Anna sounded really concerned on the phone earlier" Will sat on the curb, tapping out a familiar tune on his opposite knee.

"Yeah, I'm fine. The doctor says it's natural, just growing pains. Nothing serious that you need to worry about" Will smiled as Elizabeth pulled up alongside the school bus, with her canvas bag swinging over her shoulder.

"Did I miss anything?" Will laughed as Elizabeth walked up to them with her arms open wide. Anna enveloped her in a warm hug that screamed 'Help! I need some female company' Elizabeth noticed out the corner of her eye, James Norrington being wheeled precariously on a stretcher out of the smoky school bus. He was coughing and spluttering with an oxygen mask placed loosely round his mouth. The driver hastily explained the situation to the paramedics, who solemnly shook their heads and told them that he was unable to perform due to the smoke culminating in his chest.

"James' out, Will" Elizabeth turned and leapt at Will, her arms tugging gently at his neck.

"What are you on about? Out of what?" Will hadn't noticed the trouble behind them; Elizabeth turned him so he could rest his eyes upon what would seal his fate in terms of getting his chance with Elizabeth.

"You ready to play Romeo to my Juliet?" Will gulped nervously, turning back to face her. Jack smiled and stuck his thumb in a congratulatory gesture.

"I need to get some air" Will stumbled and sat down on the kerb, his arms slumped over his knees.

"What did I do?" Elizabeth crossed her arms and pouted grumpily; Anna placed a comforting arm round her shoulder and began to purposely cough to get her brother's attention. She jolted her head towards Will's direction and watched as the light bulb finally lit up in the distant corners of Jack's mind.

"You didn't do anything, he'll calm down" Anna smiled as Elizabeth hugged her quickly.

Jack sat beside the kerb, taking a folded piece of paper from his jean pocket and smiling. He handed it over to Will, who looked at it with questioning eyes.

"The e-mail you sent me telling me about this amazing girl, who is drop-dead gorgeous with an intriguing personality" Will smiled as he knew what his friend was talking about, it was the email he had sent to Jack, a few years ago after seeing Elizabeth in his English class. He had completely in awe of her, with her brilliant and equally sharp wit, beautiful brown eyes and her incredible intelligence. He hadn't managed to woo girls as he'd like, with only two girlfriends to notch onto his bedpost.

"You loved her back then, what happened? Did you lose your masculinity or something? She's attraa-ctive!" Jack smiled as Will read through the email quickly, screwing it up roughly into a ball. Jack took it from his hand, scowling fiercely.

"No, it's just that everything's changed. She and I are going to be in a play that involves a lot of kissing" Will glanced over at Elizabeth who was busy chatting to Anna, who gestured animatedly towards the still smoky school bus.

"So what, now you can tell her how you feel" Will smiled as Jack sat down beside him, spreading his hands out in the grass of the pavement. He ran his fingers through his mangled hair and shook his head from his 'dream'.

"I guess, but what if she doesn't…feel the same?" Jack pointed towards Elizabeth resisted speaking until Will understood what his gestures meant.

"Oh, for Christ sake, she loves you" Will stood up steadily with his hands squeezed tightly at his waist. Elizabeth watched as he strode confidently, finally enveloping her tightly in a hug.

"What's all this for?" Elizabeth muttered as she parted from Will's warm chest.

"You're my best girlfriend" Will's eyes shot open as soon as he realised what had just escaped his lips.

"I mean, 'girl' friend" Elizabeth laughed gracefully, Jack nudged Anna and winked cheekily.

Elizabeth smiled and picked up her bag from the lawn, walking with a seductive sway. Will ran after her, hands firmly in his pockets. Elizabeth linked arms with him; walking slowly towards the bus as the gathering crowd surrounded it.

"What's going on?" Elizabeth leant over Will's shoulder to catch more a glimpse of the happenings surrounding the doors of the bus.

"The fire service knows who caused the fire" Someone from the building crowd shouted, waiting for the announcement.

"We found a lit cigarette on one of the seats, and the driver has informed us that there is only one person who smokes this brand of cigarette. Would Jack Sparrow like to come forward?" The crowd separated, leaving a surprisingly presumptuous Jack to walk cockily towards the bus, with a confident swagger and wicked smile cast towards most of the females. The firewoman crossed her arms and shook her head, pointing towards the police car assembled awkwardly on the side of the pavement.

"He can't. This'll tip Mum over the edge" Anna sobbed quietly, her face set deep into Elizabeth's shoulder. Will touched Elizabeth's back softly, comforting Anna with his reassuring words.

"Anna, it's gonna be okay. He's gonna be okay" Elizabeth clutched her friend tighter till she began to complain about not being able to breathe.

"Liz, careful, can't breathe here" Anna smiled weakly, Elizabeth patted her back supportively. Will admired her kindness and sympathetic nature towards each one of her friends, including Jack.

"Don't you want me to take you home? I'll tell Mr Owens that you're ill or something?" Anna nodded shyly, wiping the tears gently with her trembling fingers.

Elizabeth turned to face Will solemnly, bowing her head and cupping her hands round her cheeks.

"Will, I need you to know that I never meant to upset you…" He smiled, holding onto her shoulders and guiding her chin up to meet his eyes.

"You didn't upset me, Liz. I was just shocked that's all" Will took a band from his wrist and tied his long hair back absentmindedly but still his eyes were clasped on Elizabeth.

"Good, good, glad that's sorted then" Elizabeth rubbed her stomach nervously, a queer smile gracing her dimpled face.

"So when's the next rehearsal?" Will nudged her softly on the shoulder, walking towards his bag which was lying roughly on the kerb.

"Tomorrow, 4:15. Be there or be square" Elizabeth laughed quietly at her private joke, Will raised his eyebrow inquisitively.

"Definitely not square" Will watched as Elizabeth bent down to gather her belongings from the pavement, tucking her hair behind her ears mischievously.

"Yeah right? Whatever you say?" Elizabeth held Will's backpack out and nodded her head sarcastically. He took it graciously, smiling back.

Walking towards the bus, Elizabeth nudged Anna gently, pulling her aside roughly. Will took out his phone and began to dial furiously. Jack held up his fastened hands up to the officers sat at the front of the car, uncomfortably rummaging through his pockets for his phone.

"Brap! What's up, Will?" Jack smiled as the poor boy stuttered and barely managing his words.

"Nothing, I…I just wanted to see if they've given you the chair yet" Will smiled nervously, glancing down at his watch.

"Shut up!" Jack muttered softly under his breath, trying not to draw attention to himself.

"I just wanted to check if you were alright so I can tell Anna" Jack sighed deeply, swiping his fingers through his hair.

"She's pissed at me, isn't she?" Jack shook his head, cursing himself silently for his wrongdoings.

"What'd you expect? You almost killed us" Will waved at Elizabeth who sat in her father's car quietly with Anna, who remained with her head in her hands.

"I'm gonna have to really make it up to her" Jack knotted his fingers into his hair precariously, the policewoman turned to see what was happening.

"Yeah, mate!" Will wandered towards the car, opening one of the back doors, smiling helplessly at Elizabeth, who had just turned around.

"What did Jack want? To apologise?" Will shook his head and laughed, before shutting his phone off and answering Liz's question.

"No, he figured he needs to do that in person" Anna remained silent, with her arms leaning up against the window solemnly. Elizabeth clambered through the gap between the two front seats and sat herself in the middle, with her arm around Anna.

"Come on, he's gonna do it" Elizabeth reassured her, leading her head gently towards her neck, rubbing her arm warmly.

"I hope so" Anna smiled lightly, with her hand waving slightly as the car began to stir wildly. Will watched as Elizabeth slowly shifted her arm from her friend's shoulder and rested it firmly across her leg.

"Will?" Elizabeth nudged his shoulder softly, waking him from a pleasant daydream. H e held up his hands and smiled.

"She speaks! O, speak again, bright angel!" Will smiled, shocked at the fact that he knew so much of the text.

"Whatever, Smart Arse.What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet" Elizabeth turned to him, smiling gloatingly. Will simply leant forward with a reluctant smile, rubbing his arm nervously.

"W-What do you think you're doing? Elizabeth pulled away nervously, Will followed suit.

"I don't actually know" Elizabeth giggled at his adolescent nature, Anna turned towards them with a raised eyebrow.

The car journey was awkwardly silent, neither party corresponding with one another. Anna sat silently, leant against the window carefully. Elizabeth leant back, running her fingers messily through her knotted hair. And Will sat forwards, thinking of how incredibly stupid he had just been. Elizabeth's father meanwhile was gently humming along to the song which was booming from the radio. All of the backseat turned and laughed uncontrollably at this merry man, belting his heart out to a song that neither of them had heard of. Elizabeth smiled as she opened up the door slightly, letting Anna slide across her lap.

"Bye!" Elizabeth waved out her hand from the window; Will continued to sit quietly with his head in his hands.

Soon Will and Elizabeth were both home safely. Elizabeth opened the door to her bedroom and fell onto the bed tiredly, spreading her fingers amongst the sheets. Smiling, she picked up her diary which was coincidently placed by the side of her bed with a pen lying on the top. Opening its crisp, fresh pages, Elizabeth sighed softly.

Dear Diary,

Will was acting strange today! He was perfectly alright yesterday; I didn't what the problem was with stating the obvious! God, why is he being so precious? I didn't honestly want him to be Romeo; it would've made things complicated and now guess what he is! I really need to get to my emotions sorted out, they just getting in the way all the time! I still can't believe that Will, the Will that used to pull my hair in primary school, is going to be Romeo! You know when I said I didn't want him to play Romeo, I lied! It would be so incredibly amazing; I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it! Anyway, I need to tell you something that I probably won't tell the others, which is the worst thing about it! I went to the doctor's today and she said that I have this problem with the fluid that isn't draining properly from my brain, its called hydrocephalus! Basically, I will a shunt to be fitted so it drains it all away! Piece of cake, or so the doctor said!

Anyway, I best be off to practice my lines and rehearse properly without any interruptions from Dad asking what the hell I want for dinner!

Ciao for now! Adios!

Liz oxo

A/N: I wanted to finish it on a high note, well writing wise! I hope you liked it, I enjoyed writing it! Hydrocephalus is a defect often identified at birth, I have got it and a shunt to prove it so I am glad to have incorporated it in here somewhere! Thanks for reading and hopefully reviewing!!