In Search of Paradise

Chapter Seven

Will tapped the uneven surface of Elizabeth's old wooden table as he mulled over the explanation the young woman had given him. The words 'well this is one fine mess you have got us into" came to mind but it didn't seem to him that things were quite as bad as she had made them out to be. Perhaps he was being too optimistic. He shook his head and looked over at the small frame of the beautiful young woman. She had fallen asleep on the couch a while ago, exhausted from crying. Will had found it heart wrenching watch the tears fall down her white cheeks. He had always seen the free, elegant and independent young woman not the one burdened by the rigmarole of aristocracy and an over-bearing father. As his eyes slid over her sleeping form he smiled. He had encouraged her to rest, to calm down and had reassured her that it would all be alright. Although, he wasn't exactly sure how he was going to make it so. "We need a plan" He sighed as he stared out the window.

Will stopped tapping and leaned back in his seat putting his hands behind his head. A smile crossed his lips momentarily as he thought about Jack and what he would do in this situation. He could almost envision the old pirate with wide eyes telling him to hightail it and reminding him once again that all women were evil. He crossed going to Jack of his mental list although he had a feeling that the old scoundrel may be able to help him when it came to Lord Beckett. After all, Jack was very good at finding out things that others didn't want to know and from what he had gathered about the whole situation Lord Beckett was going to be the more difficult problem to solve. Will felt quite certain that he could talk Elizabeth's father around, the man only wanted the best for his daughter which was something that they had in common. He also thought that he could handle whatever they threw at him when it came to the Dutchman.

If he was honest, this was the problem that he was most worried about. The Flying Dutchman had been an obsession of his since he was a child. He had sketched designs for it throughout his entire schooling and college years and it irked him that the replica could be in danger due to a couple of pitiful old men. He glanced again at the sleeping beauty on the couch and prayed that it wouldn't come down to any impossible decisions.

When Elizabeth awoke the house was empty. There was, however, a neatly written note explaining that Will had gone to see a few people and telling her to keep her chin up. She smiled and walked through her bedroom to the bathroom. Her body ached from sleeping on the small, uncomfortable couch but apart from that she felt one hundred times better. Keeping the series of individually insignificant facts secret had taken a toll on her, one that she hadn't even recognised until they were all tied together the previous evening and she fell to pieces.

Elizabeth cringed slightly as she looked in the mirror. Her eyeliner and mascara had smudged badly under her eyes and her hair was in disarray. She dropped her clothes and threw herself into the shower, letting the hot water soothe her aching body. "And to think, if I hadn't fallen asleep on that bus…" she muttered to herself. Though, honestly, she wouldn't change that day for anything. What had started out at the worst day of her life had actually been the beginning of a new chapter. Yes, her father had been providing her with a home and a job, something he seemed ever determined to do. But he had nothing to do with Will Turner, and she suspected that it was a coincidence that she ended up working in the place that he spent so much of his time. After all, she doubted her father would want to encourage her 'unbecoming behaviour'.

Noting that winter was getting closer as she felt the biting cold upon stepping out of the shower Elizabeth sighed. The fact of the matter was that their relationship was anything but. Will treated in a way that her father would have approved of, if only he could see it rather than hear the tales from Lord Beckett. She grimaced as she thought of the foul man and his secret agendas. She had heard rumors of the undertakings of Lord Cutler Beckett since she was a teenager. Her father had always snapped when she had tried to explain them to him, explain her hesitation. "Do you listen to the rumors about me too, do you think them true?" She had backed down then, she shouldn't have.

She had just picked up her hair dryer when there was a bang on the door. "What now?" She questioned quietly as she carefully put away the hair dryer and headed to the door.

Jack Sparrow was absolutely beaming as he listened to his charges request. "I'm so proud boy" He said interrupting.

Will rolled his eyes. "Will you just listen, if you get this wrong… I don't even want to think about the consequences"

"Calm ya'self boy, you can always get another ship – I'll commandeer one for you!" Jack said with a laugh. Will didn't laugh; he knew only too well that the crazy pirate was not joking. Not only that – he had actually considered the possibility – if worst came to worst. He shuddered as he realised his worst fear had just come into being – he was becoming his adopted father: a pirate.

"Anyways, you sure this girl of yours is worth all this?" Jack asked as he poked two fingers into Will's chest. "If it were me, I'd just..."

"I know what you would just do" Will snapped interrupting Jack mid-sentence , "I am in way over my head" He sighed, "I love her Jack."

Jack dramatically fell to the ground clutching his heart, then proceeded to burst out laughing. "Tis your funeral boy" He said from the ground, "Still I'm going to enjoy all this meddling you're putting me up to" He said as he danced out of the Black Pearl.

"Where are you going?" Will called after him.

"Gotta go see some Barbossa"

"I thought you two weren't on speaking terms, something about a ship…" Will trailed off, shuddering again.

"Just a technicality boy, he'll want in on this" Jack called.

Will shook his head with a small smile and sat down at the bar. He still had quite a bit more to do if he was going to get them out of this mess. He ordered a beer and stared at the quaint surroundings of the old pub while he thought over what else he needed to do. Just as he had decided the next step his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi Will" Elizabeth said quietly.

"Hi, are you alright?" He asked sensing that something was wrong.

"Yeah, better, look I've got a favour to ask"

"Sure, anything" Will said,

"I need to get back to Port Royal, my Father is sick" She said carefully, she sounded uncertain, almost scared.

"Is someone there Elizabeth?" Will asked carefully

"Not anymore, look I know Beckett is a horrid man, but I don't think he is making this one up, Father might be… but I can't just wait and see… Beckett obviously thought I'd have no other way of getting back…"

"When do you want to go?" Will cut in, unconsciously clenching his fist as he thought of Lord Beckett at Elizabeth's apartment.

"As soon as possible," She replied, "Look I hate to ask, but I can't go with Cutler, I won't go with Cutler"

"It's fine, on one condition…" He snapped.

She paused, "Which is?"

"I'm coming with you" Will stated firmly.

"But the Dutchman…" She said quietly, knowing how much the replica meant to him.

"It will be fine, ''I'll tell the board that I am meeting with our partners in Port Royale. Besides…" He trailed off, unsure of how to tell her that he intended to meet her father anyway. "I'll arrange the flights and I'll let you know when we are going." He paused suddenly feeling guilty about snapping at her.

"Thank you Will" Elizabeth said gently, obviously slightly hurt by his abruptness, before hanging up.

Will cursed under his breath. The knowledge of Lord Beckett being anywhere near his Elizabeth had shaken him. He shouldn't have let it get to him, she was quite capable of looking after herself, and she had come to him for help not to be berated. He silently promised to apologise to her later while he dialled the number for James Norrington on his mobile.

Elizabeth flew around her apartment throwing things into her suitcase. She hadn't really expected to get on to a flight that evening – but it had happened and Will had given her less than an hour to pack. Not that she had that many things that she had needed longer but she would have preferred to be in less of a rush. Not just that, she had so much to think about. Firstly she wasn't even sure if her Father was sick, and now Will was coming with her, and Beckett was undoubtedly already informed of her booking on the flight and on his way there. "Stalker" She muttered wondering if she could manage to get some sort of restraining order against him.

She had just slammed the lid of the case shut when there was a bang on the door. "I'm coming, hang on" she called and then there was loud thud as she, and her ridiculously heavy suitcase hit the ground.

"Elizabeth?" Will questioned through the door, "Are you alright"

Elizabeth cursed quietly. "ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow" She muttered under her breath, "So much for elegance" She muttered to the floor as she started to pull herself up. "Why do I have to be so clumsy"

"I wouldn't have you any other way" Will's deep voice told her softly. She looked up into his dark eyes which sparkled with mirth. His hand was outstretched, offering help. She took it with a blush and a smile and he pulled her up with ease. She let herself enjoy the sight of his magnificent physique while picked up her suitcase.

"Come on then my lady, otherwise we are going to miss this plane" Will said holding the door open for her.

She smiled, flicked the lights and locked the door.