A/N: Mae Govannen! ;)

As always, enjoy reading! Here comes the icebreaker chap, if you could say that. Though it might not be so surprising as I think it is. But it's not my job to judge, but yours who read this!

PS: Thanks again to LadyAmazon for now adding this story into favorites! Happy! ^^

~lindam2254

The next morning was grey and it rained again.

Eve had managed to get some sleep, but saw nothing but nightmares. In fact she was woken up by one too as she suddenly gasped awake, almost falling from the box she had apparently fallen asleep. Another dream about John.

Eve shook her head. It ached. She let out a breath as stood up, walking up the stairs to the main deck, only to be surprised as immediately she reached the last step of the stairs one of the Jones' men stepped in front of her. Giving her a rope, grinning.

"Up you go, and get to it!" he said, nodding toward the shredded sails.

Eve sighed, nodding herself as walked past him. And rounding to the right she climbed the stairs toward the upper deck in order to reach the ratline to get to the mast. And so went the whole day. Climbing up and down the masts and running around the ship, as Bo'sun kept on shouting more and more orders just when the last task was finished.

But Eve kept on going as long as her shift ended. And after released from her duties she then returned below the deck, falling on the same box she had woken up an eternity feeling moment ago. She hardly had seen Will anywhere. Or his father. But now Eve was too tired to care, and instead her thoughts started to wander. Most urgent thought rising was the fact that she had to get her heart back.

Eve let out a sigh as stared at the ceiling. What would she do? Her heart had to be on the Dutchman, as Davy Jones had been able to control her with it earlier. Back at the wreck when he had caused Eve feel such pain that she couldn't use her powers against his men. That was also a reason enough for her to have it back. Could he be able to control her completely with it? Making her say or do things she did not desire herself? That thought gave Eve shivers. No, she did not want to be Jones' puppet. Not anyone's.

Then her thoughts flew back to Elizabeth and she became worried.

Was she alright? Most probably yes, if his father had been smart enough to get his daughter out of that prison before Beckett could've made his move. Because as Eve had said her concerns out loud, she did not believe him to honor the agreement made with Will and try to murder Elizabeth as soon as possible. Unless it had already happened, which was also probable.

Eve chest felt tight as she thought about this, but then tried to push such thoughts away. No, Elizabeth wasn't just a weak noble girl as she had proven so many times to be true. Eve let out amused laugh as remembered the time back in the pirate cave of Isla de Muerta, when Elizabeth had been beating the crap out of Barbossa's men with that golden pole.

Eve closed her eyes and sighed again, her thoughts still continuing to wander.

Jason. His name and face had started to come back into Eve's mind more and more often. Her perfect little boy… She felt herself nearly cry every time she dared to try to remember carefully what he had looked like. So small, fragile little being with his father's looks. Already a little gentleman in that age. He would've grown up to look just like his father Eve reckoned. Just as handsome and strong. John…

Eve had often thought why she had been given such a cruel fate as Tia Dalma had also said. Eve couldn't understand what was the reason for her every happy memory eventually bring only pain and suffering to her.

Eve couldn't see the reason why every time she was able to experience some bits of happiness, they were taken away. No matter in what era or time she had lived, she had always lost everything in the end. Was it only just by dying or not. But even if she had had a happy life just come to an end by her sudden death, still she could remember all that happiness which once was hers, and then make her only suffer more as she realized not having it anymore.

As said she could even now remember all the happy things happened to her during her countless lives. But she couldn't get it in her head why after her most recent death many centuries later in the future, her soul had returned to the past to this specific moment. When she had been the happiest in her entire lifetime. And the saddest as well.

Eve was frustrated. She had always been strong. Both inside and outside. But now as everything seemed to remind her of both John and her dead son, her confidence had started to grumble.

Will's father, the dreams she had been having for months now, this new quest to save Elizabeth again and the personal drama it brought her... For the first time ever Eve really had started to feel tired. Tired of living over and over again, as the history kept on repeating itself always in some form. And in the end she always ended up dying. So maybe Jones' curse was finally starting to win her over as Tia Dalma had feared.

Her power was weakening. Eve was weakening by the pressure of the curse ripping her apart from the inside. Her mortality and immortality were battling against each other, making it possible for her to die. But still she didn't die, as always she kept on waking up living a life she hadn't had a moment ago, but which she suddenly remembered as her own. It all was very tiring.

Eve started to think that maybe only thing she wished from the bottom of her being was death. True death with no possibility to live again...

Will's shift ended, and it was already night when he then made his way down from the main deck. But then he suddenly remembered Eve. He hadn't seen her at all that day. Where could she be?

He glanced around randomly looking for her with his gaze, but didn't see her anywhere. He then continued his search around the ship, still not finding her at all. He wrinkled his brows.

Recently he had again started to wonder how Eve really was. She hadn't talked about it even once after leaving Port Royal, but Will was aware that she had been suffering from nightmares concerning her past. Elizabeth had once or twice started to discuss about it, clearly worried about Eve.

Eve had seemed more tired during these past weeks. Not in a normal way, but she didn't seem to be so cheery anymore. Either had she come to visit Will to the blacksmith shop as often as usually during the past year.

Will could see there was something bothering her inside. Something heavy and emotionally challenging. Could it be about John or her late son? Well probably them too, as those many things which had happened to them during this new adventure and before had brought them back to Eve's mind. And Will couldn't forget those words spoken between Eve and Tia Dalma. They bothered him as much as Elizabeth's imprisonment.

In these puzzling thoughts Will continued his random search, now finding himself down in the brig.

It was mold invested, wet place with different sea fungus and animals attached to everywhere. The walls and the bars were all slimy and disgusting to touch. Will looked around examining and came to the conclusion that Eve wouldn't possibly come down there, as he also felt himself uncomfortable in such place.

But then as he was about to turn to leave, he heard a clang a bit further from the brig. His curiosity lifting its head. Was there actually someone in here?

Will listened as started to walk farther in, letting his eyes sweep through the cells. Until finally his eyes found a man sitting his back toward him, leaning against the bars. But what surprised Will was that he wasn't any of those disgusting creature like crewmen, but only a normal man. Wearing white shirt and light pants, boots on his legs. And they were expensive ones.

Will examined the man as then walked over to the cell, now meeting a pair of deep blue eyes, which stared into his rather surprised themselves. The man Will was now looking didn't seem to expect anyone to come down there.

He was around Will's age, maybe a little older and very handsome. Not very normal looking for a pirate, but he seemed to be something completely else to Will. He looked like a soldier, from the Navy or such. And concluding by that very distinguished golden rapier hanging from his belt in a sheath, which was decorated by a silvery rose, he was very high rank even.

The man had light brown hair, his curls hanging freely on his shoulders and his face looked gentle. Friendly. And indeed he then gave Will a polite smile with a nod, lifting an eyebrow.

"I didn't know it was my time to get out yet", he said, his deep voice amused. Will then looked somewhat puzzled as he then returned the smile.

"No I… I am looking for someone, so I did not come here to get you out", Will answered, the man then only lifting his eyebrows and leaning his head against the bars.

"That's what I thought", he then answered smiling widely. "You're new I reckon? Have you enjoyed your time on the Dutchman?"

Will shook his head. "I am not here to serve. I have not sworn any oath to this ship."

The man looked at Will extremely puzzled. "Then why on earth are you here? You should leave. I do not know what is your purpose aboard this ship, but believe me when I tell you to get away from here as fast as you can!"

"You are not the first to say that", Will said, now making a half smile as met the man's eyes. "But I cannot leave here until I've obtained something that will save one very important person to me. Well actually two. I cannot abandon my commission I've been put into, until I've saved these two people most important to me."

The man looked thoughtful and then nodded smiling.

"Are you talking about a woman? Your fiancé maybe?" he asked, surprising Will for a short moment until he saw the man look at the ring on his finger.

But it wasn't Will's. It was Eve's engagement ring! Will had completely forgotten about it and worn it these two years, not remembering to return it after Eve had given it to him as a parting present at Tortuga.

Will gazed at the ring, circling it around his finger, until then just smiled amused as this man had still guessed right about the purpose of him being here.

"How did you know?" Will asked, meeting the man's eyes as he shrugged smiling also.

"I too once had that kind of determined look on my face as tried to save the one dearest to me", the man answered, Will now seeing pain flash through his eyes. The man then looked forward, next gazing at one ring also on his ring finger. It was simple silvery with small decorations on it. It reminded a little the one Will had on his.

"What is your name sailor?" the man then asked and looked at Will again. Will smiled and extended his hand through the bars.

"Turner", he answered simply, the man shaking his hand with returned smile.

"Vice Admiral Crooke at your service", he answered nodding. Will thought a moment.

"Which corps?" he asked. Crooke smiled.

"His majesty's Royal Navy", he revealed. But surprisingly Will detected bitterness in his tone as he said the words.

Will then leant against the bars. "Why are you here?" he asked, honestly curious gazing at the man questionably. Crooke tilted his head.

"Aboard the Dutchman or do you mean in the brig, Mr. Turner?"

"Either."

Will saw Crooke's eyes now become hard as he turned away thinking. Whatever had happened to this man, it wasn't pretty. Will could tell it by only looking at his stiff figure.

"I was betrayed", Crooke then finally said, now lifting up his eyes full of anger at first. "I was told I was doing the best for my country and for my King by following orders which didn't seem just to me. And as I failed to obey and did what my own judgment told me to be the best, I was taken away everything which had become dear me. I was murdered by the government I had so loyally served my whole carrier in the marines. And lost not only my life, but my beloved wife and our child. I was never there to see our child to be born. I do not even know is my wife alive or dead, possibly murdered innocent just like me…"

Crooke kept a break and Will saw him squeeze his hands into fists. He felt sorry for him. To think him to be murdered by his own companions and lose both his wife and child. Will couldn't even think if something like that would happen to him. But then he remembered Eve, and he felt himself turn gloomy too. She had been through something like that.

Crooke then shrugged, that grave pain vanishing mostly from his young face, as he then gave Will a look.

"That is how I ended up in here on the Dutchman. My still sightly alive body was thrown into the ocean, and the next thing I knew was that I was laying on the deck of this ship. Davy Jones himself peering over me and asking me if I feared death. I didn't, but my burning desire to live again and see my wife made me hate the thought of dying… So foolishly I said yes. And now I am stuck at this cursed ship for a century."

Crooke then made half amused, half gloomy laugh. Will felt sympathy for him. He understood what it felt like loving someone so much you could do anything to her. He was the same. Will then wrinkled his brows in wonder.

"Why were you put in the brig then?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Crooke looked at him and smiled, then shaking his head and let out another laugh.

"I tried to escape", he answered and Will's brows rose for surprise. "My wish of being able to meet with my wife and child once more formed during my last moments before final death had clouded my reason. I had thought that becoming part of the Dutchman's crew, I could cheat death and return to my loved ones. But it was indeed a thought of a fool. Thought of a fool in love. I couldn't anymore bear the days not being able to see my wife, as she always was in my mind. So eventually I tried to run. To go see her again, if not possibly forever but at least to hear her voice once more. Even that would've been enough. But I was caught, and put in here to think the next time I desired to fail my commission and run away…"

Crooke was now smiling amused as met Will's gaze. Will nodded in understanding. Crooke didn't even know how much Will understood him. But then he started to speak again, waking Will from his thoughts.

"You should go Mr. Turner", he remarked, then nodding toward the exit. "You might get very unpopular among the crew if seen rubbing elbows with a troublemaker like me. But whatever you do, save your girl. Whatever it takes, make sure she stays out of harm if you truly love her. Do not fail her as I did fail my own loved one by not being able to protect her."

Will met Crooke's now serious gaze and nodded as serious. But then he remembered his original reason to come in the brig in the first place.

"About the person I am looking", he started lifting his brows. "Have you seen a young woman with brown hair come down here?"

Mr. Crooke looked puzzled, but eventually he just shook his head. "If there truly is a woman on board, I cannot wait to get out and see her myself! But no, no such a woman has passed through here, as I think that this place is avoided by most of the members of the crew even…"

Will tilted his head agreeably. He got a point. Crooke then smiled at him and lifted his head.

"If you don't see me in two days, please sent someone to fetch me. It is highly possible that they forget me here…" he said sarcastically, Will then making amused grin as nodded.

"Sure thing."

Will was then about to leave, when suddenly Crooke stood up with wide eyes. Staring at Will's hand in shock. Will was frozen on his spot as he now turned puzzled to see Crooke rush to the bars, staring at the ring on Will's finger, his gaze suddenly burning for an emotion Will couldn't read.

"Where did you get that?" Mr. Crooke asked, his voice suddenly much lower and intense as he now stared at Will sharply, making Will very uncomfortable. Will wrinkled his brows in confusion.

"From a friend", he then answered after a moment of hesitation. "It was a gift from very dear friend of mine."

Crooke had gone completely stiff and his eyes once again stared at the ring. Will saw him breathe more heavily due that emotion he couldn't figure out. Why was he asking about Eve's ring?

Will gave this new acquaintance of his a measuring look, until Crooke now shook his head, uttering a sigh. He then gave Will a small smile.

"Forgive me", he said. "I must be losing my mind. There is no possible way for it to be the same…"

Will was left then there staring in even greater confusion as Crooke turned his back on him, leaning now on the bars separating them. Will gave him one more puzzled look until walked out of the brig, directing his steps straight toward the deck. Who was that man?

Will then went back below deck. And there he did find Eve finally. Fallen asleep on a trunk, her arm slumped over to the floor.

Will made a happy smile as then strode to her, sitting next to her on the trunk just watching. Should he wake her up? But Will was kind of relieved her to have some quiet sleep, as it didn't seem she was having another nightmare. And she must've been exhausted to fall asleep here.

Another smile made its way on his lips as he watched Eve. He bent to lift her hand from the floor and placed it on her stomach, but then with a big gasp she woke up suddenly. Her head rising up with a startled yank and her eyes snapping open, starting to glance around until they stopped quickly on Will. She sighed and let her head sink back on the box.

"Don't do that", Eve said and opened one of her eyes to give Will accusing look. Will lifted his brows.

"Do what?"

"Sneak upon me that's what! If I would have my heart, I could've had a heart attack!"

"Forgive me Eve, I didn't mean to wake you. You just seemed to be so deeply in sleep that I thought not being able to wake you…"

Eve cocked an eyebrow and sighed, letting her head sink again back on the trunk.

"It wasn't entirely your fault. My dreams were quite restless themselves, so I wasn't that deeply in sleep", she answered. And that made Will lift a questionable eyebrow. Really, she had looked like not even cold water could have woken her. But then Will turned serious.

"Were you having those nightmares?" he asked, couldn't hold it in. Eve rose up in complete amazement and shook her head.

"How did you..?"

"Elizabeth was worried about you. So she talked to me about your nightmares", Will answered truthfully, then making slight apologetic smile. "I'm sorry Eve. It might've not been the most settle to talk about you behind your back, but we're worried about you. I am worried. Why haven't you talked to me about your dreams?"

Eve didn't answer at first as she just sat up, staring the floorboards. Then she smiled. "There's no reason for you to apologize", she started, meeting Will's eyes. "I am only pleased to hear I have met such wonderful people, who take the time to worry over me. It makes me happier than you might know…"

Eve's eyes then turned very sentimental and she looked away, somehow emotionally distressed. Will wrinkled his brows.

"Eve…"

"And when it comes to not talking to you about the dreams…" Eve then continued, cutting Will off and making a sad smile. "I didn't see a reason for it. Yes they bother me and make me recall some things about my past that are painful but… I just have to stand them. I hate to see those dreams. It feels like my assent for everything which has happened to me, bad or good, is wasted, as now those dreams bring back such strong feelings I thought to have vanished two years ago when I met you…"

Will stiffened as Eve now met his eyes again. He was slightly dumbfounded, and seeing Eve now smile that smile he had learned to like the most his heart skipped a beat. What did she mean by that?

"Meeting you and Elizabeth made the horror of returning to this life more bearable", Eve continued again, now shaking her head. But then she let out the deepest of sighs, closing her eyes as now sank her head on her hands.

"…But I feel like I cannot do this anymore. As Tia said my power is growing thin day by day as Jones' curse is upon me. My soul is stretching and damaging by every new life I get thrown into, and I'm getting sick of it. I… Will, I've started to wish for death. I just wish I could die. Really die, and escape from all this pain and agony I am not let to forget. I just want to find a way out of this Will…"

"What did Tia Dalma say to you exactly?" Will asked wrinkling his brows. "What was it about your strength weakening and the curse making you perish?"

"This curse is damaging me more the time passes. Like I said it stretches my soul, makes it all the time more thin, and eventually it is so weak that it cannot find another life or body anymore. I'll be left cast away into emptiness. And this curse, as it shackles both my human being and my Godly immortal part of me under it, it is starting to levy my powers as a Goddess. In a way, that after some time also them will vanish and that way also I vanish. Without my powers I am no Goddess, and without my soul… I am nothing. So if I won't get my heart back from Jones I will not just die... but end up much worse than my fate as a wandering spirit."

Eve was now staring ahead. And Will saw something now reflect through her eyes, which made him feel a sting of pity and grief in his chest. He couldn't say he understood her. Because he could never know what it felt like being forced to live a life after life, loosing everyone you love. But Will was getting quite horrified due what Eve just told her about maybe vanishing without her heart. He didn't want that.

But because Will was so bewildered by Eve's words, he only stared at her hopelessly. Seeing her head now turn down to gaze at the ring on her finger. She was thinking about John. Until then she let out somewhat gloomy laugh.

"Maybe I should just give up. Maybe I should just accept Jones' offer to join his crew to get back my heart, and get to Beckett voluntarily to be hanged. That way I could reach my goal sooner than expected. It is an option."

"Don't you ever say that Eve!" Will then said loudly as straightened, making Eve gasp for surprise by his strong reaction.

Will took a hold of Eve's arms, staring at her into eyes. "I cannot really understand what you're going through, but I understand you are in pain. In much deeper pain that I can imagine… But I want to help you Eve. I've told you there's nothing you can't talk to me about..."

Will then reached out his arm, pulling Eve into a light embrace.

"I am here for you as much as I am here for Elizabeth. I don't want you to vanish Eve. I couldn't live without either of you. So by my words I promise to you…" Will then separated from Eve, meeting her questionable eyes seriously, squeezing her hand. "… By that power I have as I get the key to the chest to save Elizabeth, I'll do everything I can to have your heart back from Jones. I promise that to you, Eve. I will find it and give it back to you."

Eve stared into Will's eyes speechless. She couldn't believe he just went and promised something like that so easily! But nevertheless Eve was happy and she then smiled at him, putting a hand on his chest. She felt so warm and happy for a long time that she didn't exactly know what to say.

"You're so sweet to me as always", Eve then said. "Thank you, Will. I really appreciate your worry, and it makes me the happiest to see you so concerned. But do not promise something you cannot possibly do. Nevertheless after finding the key and the chest, you must save Lizzy. She is your priority…"

Will was then surprised as Eve pressed a light kiss on his cheek and then stood up smiling, nodding up.

"It's probably time for my shift", she said. And with a small wave she left, leaving Will sit alone below. Sunken in his thoughts.

What was wrong with him? Eve's words made him so depressed, as if that pain would've been his own. Will wanted to save her, but what if she was right? What if he did promise too much by saying he would save both her and Elizabeth?

Sighing heavily Will then also stood, walking up toward the deck too. He wasn't tired anymore, so he should work the next shift as well.

He got out from below. It was now pouring down even more harshly, the water hitting against his shoulders and making his slightly dried clothes drench again. He sighed once more vexed. Would it be the whole time such a crappy weather as this?

Will then joined the rest of the crew in their tasks, and so went about two more hours.

At some point he heard Eve's name being cried through the pouring rain, and saw her climb up to the mast tying up a sail. With quick, careful and accustomed movements she reached the top fast, starting to work with also very accustomed movements, finishing in a matter of seconds. Will smiled to himself. Eve truly was a sailor by birth.

But then his attention was drawn immediately back up as he heard a low scream coming from above.

Will peered through the rain and saw now that Eve was about to fall, holding onto a rope she had managed to grab to prevent the drop. Eve had slipped as the rain made the sail very wet, and even she always was very careful, now her leg had accidentally glided astray. But luckily she had avoided the near falling.

Eve let out a sigh, as then was about to pull herself back on the sail. But then she felt the rope become somewhat loose, and in a blink of an eye it snapped broken. Making her loose her balance and she fell after all, feeling only a moment of slight fear, as she then landed on one of the Jones' original crewmen. And as Eve eventually ended up on the deck, she got a hard hit on her head and passed out.

Will ran to the scene then freezing, watching in horror as the crewman on whom Eve had fallen was the same who had a grunge against her. Cripple. And he stared at Eve in fury, crouching down as his comrades also stared at her angrily.

"This bitch's out cold!" Cripple shouted. "Annoying wench always there to break a havoc! Let's kill 'er now! I can have my payback now for the humiliation she gave me!"

"Let's give her a lesson!"

Will followed with widened eyes as Eve was dragged to the rail, two men holding her up. And then the scene from yesterday repeated, only that this time Cripple was handed the whip and Will watched in fear as now Eve's vest was thrown away and her shirt ripped open, her to be lashed like him. But now the crewmen looked surprised by the sight, until the hammerhead called Maccus noted;

"This one's already accustomed to be swung a few!"

Will's eyes drifted on Eve's back and it was true. She had bad, long scars of a whip decorating her young skin. They were healed so they were old, but still Will was even more shocked. His breath stuck in his throat as he then remembered Eve's words from yesterday:

"Let's just say I'm talking from experience…"

Will's heart skipped a beat. Eve had been lashed before. He didn't know that. But then the crew laughed and Cripple lifted up the whip, ready to swing it.

"I teach you to fall on me! I'll have my payment now!" he blustered, a cruel smile on his fish like face as he lifted his hand. Will dashed forward.

"NO!" he shouted. But as Eve had been stopped by preventing his whipping yesterday, also Will was now stopped by the crewmen, Bo'sun giving him a glare.

"If you won't stay out of this sailor, you shall have another five lashes to remind you to stay put!" he spat, and Will gave him a hateful glance until looked at Eve. She was still out of it.

"Come on wake her up!" one of the crewmen mocked laughing.

"Yea, rip that pretty smooth flesh off her back!"

"No! Eve!" Will exclaimed in turn, trying to fight back to prevent the upcoming hit of the hard lash. But he only could follow as the whip then swung forward, about to land on Eve's back.

Will froze as the pain from yesterday came back in his mind as a memory. His brows wrinkled.

But then suddenly there was a man who dashed forth and pulled out his sword, the whip's string wrapping around its blade just before it landed on Eve. Will and the other crewmen turned their surprised eyes on him. It was Crooke, freed from the brig it seemed.

Will yanked himself free and stared at Crooke in wonder. Why did he get involved?

Will saw him stare at Cripple with eyes reflecting pure anger as he then dropped the sword down, throwing the whip away from the puzzled sailor's hands, until Cripple let out a cry of anger and took a threatening step toward him.

"Who are you to stop me from getting my revenge you troublemaker!" he exclaimed. "Who cursed fool even let you out of the brig, where you were thrown by doing exactly the same as now!? Getting involved with other men's business again?!"

"I was indeed let out, and I will not allow you to even touch a hair from this woman's head!" Crooke exclaimed and pointed his sword toward Cripple, glaring. "If you have a quarrel with my wife, I suggest you settle the score with me and leave her out of it!"

Everybody were surprised once more. But mostly Will as he froze on his spot again, staring at that young man he had met earlier in the ship's brig. His wife!? Eve was his…

Then Will realized. This man's last name was Crooke. And so was Eve's married name. She was Mrs. Evelyn Crooke through marriage. Will was shocked and he turned his eyes from Eve back to the man who stood in front of her, his hard stare not faltering even a bit. This man was John? Eve's John?

Cripple gritted his teeth in anger, glancing at Eve. "That bitch's your wife?" he stated, John wrinkling his brows. "Well it doesn't matter. That little wench has humiliated me, and I will have my revenge! Step aside or I'll cut you aside!"

Will saw John's face fill with rage.

"I'd prefer if you'd stop calling my wife like a worthless hooker!" he breathed angrily. And with a fast move slashed his sword at Cripple, cutting off that eel creature sticking out of the crewman's back.

Cripple let out a cry of pain and anger as directed his flaming glare on John, who just stood there not even blinking. Will felt a twitch in his heart. He had told him to have loved his wife so much to have said yes to Davy Jones to see her again. And now he was defending her, Eve, with all he got.

Will wrinkled his brows as he then saw Cripple take another step toward John, still glaring.

"Alright then sailor! You've got it all on yourself now! You can pay for both you and your little wench there, as my hatred is on you this time! I'm gonna hurt you more than you've ever experienced pain in your worthless life!"

John only answered his hard stare with as cold eyes, then removing his shirt without a hesitation.

Will watched then in awe as he walked next to Eve to the rail, turning his back to the crewman as leant forward. Ready to take both his and Eve's punishment. His gesture shocked Will, as he then followed his brows wrinkled as John received ten hard and powerful hits of the whip given in huge hatred, not even flinching or letting out single cry. He just stood there squeezing the edge of the ship, until after the last lash he just put his shirt back on and bend down to Eve.

He lifted her body from the deck and walked away not saying a word. Not even the crewmen laughed or said anything, as in some way all of the men on the deck felt some sort of respect for John after seeing that scene. But even Will did feel respect for what he did to save Eve, he still couldn't help but feeling helpless in the situation as watched John carry Eve below as he himself only stood there still. Everything now returning to normal.

Will took in a deep breath. What was wrong with him? He had got extremely distraught by the thought of Eve getting whipped. And now as he should've been only relieved her husband to step forth and stopping the men from hurting her, still Will… wasn't. John's sudden appearance confused him. And what about Eve? How would she react meeting him again?

Will felt his fingers squeeze into fists as he then wrinkled his brows in thoughts, walking over the deck and turned to go down below where John had gone with Eve. And there he found them.

John was sitting on the same trunk Will and Eve had been talking about two hours before, Eve laying on his lap. Will watched from the stairs, stopping momentarily as saw John caress Eve's cheek with a smile on his face reflecting such gentleness and longing that it made Will freeze. He noticed himself swallow, but then John's eyes rose from Eve's face on his and he looked surprised, nodding with a smile in the end.

Will answered the smile and walked over to them, in turn nodding toward Eve.

"How is she?" Will asked. John smiled looking at Eve again.

"She is fine. She just hit her head quite hard. She'll be alright after she wakes up…" he answered, his voice silencing as he stared at his wife's face so lovingly. Will looked away.

"Are you alright?" Will asked from him after a small pause, meeting his gaze again. John nodded.

"It is nothing", John said, now wrinkling his brows for hatred. "It is better that he took his anger on me than Eve. I would've never forgiven myself, if I would've let them lash her. More than she already has been…"

Will froze and felt himself twitch, as he did see a glimpse of those horrid scars under Eve's ripped shirt. Will then examined John for a moment and realized him truly loving her. And Will knew it, as he had listened John to speak about his wife in the brig, and only by the way he now looked at Eve. Will averted his eyes making a small smile. But then John's question surprised him.

"How do you know Eve?" he asked. Will was awoken from his thoughts and felt slightly uncomfortable under his suddenly sharper gaze, as John now examined him. "Because it was her you were searching earlier wasn't it?"

Will tried to smile normally. "She is that dear friend of mine I mentioned", Will answered nodding to Eve. "It was she who gave me this ring as a token of friendship."

John's eyes flashed on the ring and Will felt a little uncomfortable again, until John turned to stare at still sleeping Eve.

"Then it wasn't my imagination when I thought I saw my wife's engagement ring on your finger", he stated, then smiling at Eve as smoothed her hair absentmindedly. "I truly thought of becoming crazy. As I thought it couldn't be possible for another man to carry a ring I had given myself to the woman I love, as a token of my feelings…"

Will twitched, as he didn't now had that been a hidden hint of some kind. John then continued.

"… but I must say that fact and your earlier words relieve me, Mr. Turner. And now seeing my beautiful wife in front of me and holding her in my own arms… It is a dream come true."

Will gave John a tense smile as he looked up to him. Will nodded. But then John looked honestly apologetic.

"But I have to ask your forgiveness, Mr. Turner", he then continued, putting Eve now gently down as stood up himself in front of Will. "… when I saw your quite strong reaction to my wife's whipping, I must admit I was jealous of thinking you had obtained Eve's heart over me. But now I see I made incorrect conclusion, and want to say I am sorry for the malice thoughts I had over you. Forgive this man in love, Mr. Turner…"

John then grinned and offered Will his hand. Will felt himself tense up but answered the smile, though as well tensely his expression slightly wondering, and shook his hand as had done in the brig.

"I will", he answered. "I couldn't understand you better."

John nodded. But then both of them jolted as Eve suddenly moved, now letting out a low wail as sat up slowly, holding her head.

"What hit me again?" she asked from herself with a low voice. But as her eyes then opened, Will saw her whole body freeze when her gaze hit on John who stared back at her with intense eyes.

Immediately Eve's face dropped, filled with first confusion. Then sadness and then again confusion, Eve wrinkling her brows until her expression turned only doubting. Will saw her eyes water as she blinked furiously in shock, the first tear then falling down her cheek. Slowly she stood up, letting out a breath.

"John?" she asked. Her voice reflected awe and it came out a bit out of breath. Will glanced at John and saw him smile at Eve now as emotionally, looking like he had never been away.

"Hello my love", he answered and Eve took in a hasty breath. Then wrinkling her forehead once she stepped forward and dashed to John, closing him into a tight embrace as closed her eyes crying.

Will gasped for her sudden burst of emotion, and after a moment of staring looked away uncomfortable. He had never seen Eve cry. Not like that. And somehow it made him sad even he should've been happy for Eve right now.

"Is this a dream?" Eve whispered. "Am I dead? Am I… finally dead to be here with you like this?"

John smiled as pressed his head against her curls, smoothing them. "No my love you aren't. And so am not I either, if you can say that…"

Will heard Eve let out a breath of relief. But she then gasped as her hand felt something wet on John's back. And for her horror she saw blood after separating from him.

Eve rounded John to see his white shirt being colored red and she wrinkled her brows, revealing the lash marks. She let out a breath.

"My god… You're bleeding John", she stated.

With a small surprise Will noticed her to take the same scarf she had used to nurse him, now about to wipe the blood from John's back away. But he only turned around, squeezing her hands briefly until hugged her again, sighing deeply.

"Better me than you", John answered. "You have suffered enough because of me. Because I left you. Forgive me, Evelyn. Forgive me."

Eve again sighed as well, but let him embrace herself. Will watched them for a moment, until then he knew he had to leave as he suddenly felt very uncomfortable by standing there.

Will then nodded to John who answered his smile, until Will then turned away, leaving the two alone. But he didn't see as Eve then lifted her gaze, following him walk up the stairs with a bit regretful look.

A/N:

So, how was it? Going overboard? Moving? Like crap? Well I hope this truly was the shocking, or at least a little surprising, twist in the plot so far as promised. At least that was what I tried to obtain here. But in any case, thanks for reading and comment! ;)