Elizabeth POV

When I awoke, I felt a soft, warm bed under me, not sitting room furniture, and equally soft and luxurious blankets over me. That was odd. I opened my eyes and sat up. I realized I was in my room, and on my bed wearing my nightclothes. A few rays of sunlight came in between some curtains that hadn't been completely drawn together. Had it been a dream? I quickly slid the blankets away from my body and saw my leg in new bandages. So it hadn't been a dream, I should've known that since my leg felt sore but everything now seemed so unreal. I had never been anywhere near a city under attack, much less being under attack myself. So he had been real, he was real. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as a very loud yawn involuntarily escaped my mouth, and afterwards heard a soft groan that wasn't mine. I looked over to see John asleep on chair by the window, and Marie a few feet away from him, also asleep on a chair. That must be uncomfortable, I thought; well, at least they were upholstered. John slowly opened his eyes and stretched. As soon as he saw me, he got up startled and ran to my bedside s fast as he could in that groggy state. He didn't seem to have gotten much sleep last night.

" Elizabeth are you alright? How do you feel?" He asked me worriedly.

" What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the fort?" I asked.

" That's not important right now. Tell me, how are you feeling? Does your leg hurt?"

" No, it doesn't. Well, only a bit, but I'm fine. Did you sleep on that chair all night John?"

" Except for the few hours that I was watching over you, yes. I was supposed to be looking after you, in case you woke up, but I guess I must have fallen asleep. Marie stayed here too, It wouldn't have been entirely proper for me to be up here by myself."

" You didn't have to do that John."

" Of course I did. You're my fiancé now, it's my job to look after you. I haven't done a very good job so far, seeing as you were hurt last night."

" Oh." I said, suddenly remembering William again. Then realizing I needed to tell him something more, I choked out, " No, you're doing a great job, that wasn't your fault."

" I doubt that." Then he continued. " Do you remember anything? Anything at all? I didn't find you until you were already asleep in the sitting room."

" No." I lied. " Well, actually I remember going inside because there was a terrible fog outside in the garden. Then I- I fell asleep. Yes, I fell asleep because all the excitement of the party had left me awfully tired, and I had woken early that morning."

" Is that everything?." He asked expecting more.

" It's all a bit blurry, that's all I can remember." He was a good man, he didn't deserve me lying to him.

" No pirates?" His words just added to my guilt. Should I tell him? That I befriended a pirate, if you could call it that?

" Oh yes, John, I saw one come into the sitting room while I was there, I was very startled; I think I must've fainted. I don't know, it's all a blurr."

" That still doesn't explain your injury- or your missing ring." That made me feel even worse.

" My ring is gone?" I looked down at my hand and tried to look surprised.

" Yes it is. Elizabeth, Port Royal was attacked yesterday, we were lucky that we were able to respond in the time we did and caught some of the pirates, but things in town are still quite a mess. I have to admit, it could've been much worse but we should just be thankful that we have prisoners that will give us information."

" Prisoners?" I questioned.

" They'll tell us what we need to know, then we'll dispose of them." Dispose of them- Will could be one of those! " But you need not worry about that. All you need to think about is you leg, and remembering some details, I'm sure I can find you a ring even more beautiful than the one before." He said, obviously trying to cheer me up, but unless he told me Will was alright, it wasn't going to work.

" That sounds nice." I said casually, trying to stay calm.

" You don't sound to happy." He replied. I reached for his hand then, to reassure him.

" I'm just tired."

" Well you rest up. I need to tend to some business, then I'll be back to see you later if I can. I'll tell the maids to bring up your breakfast on my way out. Oh, and the doctor came and checked your leg last night, he said if you needed anything to call for him." He gave me my usual goodbye kiss, and I kissed him back a little reluctantly, but without him noticing that. Then he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. Now instead of resting, I worried about Will. It was pathetic really. He wasn't mine to worry about; I had John, and Will had some other woman, but I was still restless. I had to make sure he was alright, that he was safe, and after a few minutes of thinking I had a plan.

" Marie?"

" Marie?" I tried calling to her again.

" Wake up." It was mean for me to wake her, but I didn't think she would mind, not once I told her what was going on, what I was planning to do. I got up and off the bed and walked over to her.

" Marie. Wake up!"

" I'm awake, I'm awake, what do you want?" She said sleepily and a bit annoyed, then she stood up in a flash and said, " Oh my goodness! What time is it?"

I was about to tell her that I wasn't sure, but she screamed, "Hold on Lizzie I'll be right back!" as she darted out the door,and didn't even give me time to say a word. Great, now I would have to wait for her to get back from whatever 'crucial' errand she had to run. Wasn't I the priority? I slowly walked back to my bed and sat. This was an utter waste of time, just sitting here, waiting. I finally decided to dress, which was a bit difficult without help. I chose a beautiful gold gown- a present from John- to wear. I would need to keep John happy and look my best for him; all part of the plan, but in reality, I wanted to look good for an entirely different man.

OOh! Wonder what's going to happen next. Any ideas?