A/N: Hola!

Yes I know. The title of this chap might be quite cheesy. But it is better than the first name I gave it and I had difficulties come up with anything else reasonable so... I got this in my head. And remembering about the Bible jokes made out of our dear heroin I thought it to be at least a little amusing title. Or not. My sense of humor might be nonexistent... :)

But yea, here's the 10th chap! YEY we have reached the round zero numbers! HOORAY! And I'm quite surprised actually... I got most views yesterday than any other day so far after publishing this. Nearly hundred!And it was Wednesday for that matter... I only hope my review lists would have the same effect...

But whatever, I am only pleased to see my stories have some readers! :D

Lastly I inform that the moment many of you might have been waiting for is finally here! Took me long enough, about 18 chapters. But THIS IS IT guys. The reason this fic exists! I won't say anything else so I won't do spoilers.

As always, enjoy reading!

With love and cookies! ~lindam2254

"Get up you lazy bums!" a rough voice exclaimed and kicked the barrels Will and Eve had fallen asleep on.

They were startled awake and instantly Eve noted her head resting on Will's chest. She had fallen asleep in Will's arms!

Eve lifted her gaze and met Will's as surprised eyes, but then separated herself from him sitting up both of them looking a little awkward. Will's arms had been around her the whole night they had spent on the barrels. But then Eve sighed and smiling turned back to Will a sincere look in her eyes. She was now completely calm by what Will concluded.

"Thank you Will", Eve said her smile spreading as she put her hand on Will's. "It is pretty embarrassing to say this but it did me good to be able to cry against your shoulder. So…" Will then froze first when Eve suddenly gave him a hug. "…thank you for not leaving me alone yesterday. Alone I wouldn't have probably survived from the shock. Thank you."

After the first surprise Will then relaxed and answered Eve's hug. He smiled. She really seemed to be much better than yesterday evening and Will was relieved for that.

But then Eve let go of him and giving him one more smile she then stood up and started to walk toward the main deck in order to get to work.

Around the early midday the crew took a break. It was again gray and depressing day, eventually the rain coming back after a day's absence. The crew had started to play the liar's dice, a game very popular among sailors.

Eve had seen it being played a couple of times but Will hadn't. And as he and Eve stood there watching the game Will studied it quickly learning the rules. Soon Bootstrap came forth standing next to Will just after three Jones' men made a wager for ten years.

"You wonder how's it being played?" he asked Will glancing at him. Eve saw Will smooth his jaw until crossed his arms.

"I understand", Will answered examining the players. Maccus the hammerhead was already accusing one of his companions being a liar and Eve lifted her eyebrows as she had never understood the fancy of this game. "It's a game of deception. Your bet includes all the dice, not just your own", Will continued then giving his father slight questionable glance. "What are they wagering?"

"The only thing we have", Bootstrap answered.

"Years of service", Eve finished for him in thoughts, until gave a quick glance at Will and his father who smiled at her until all of them started to follow the game again.

But as Eve happened to glance at Will once more she saw a familiar expression forming on his face. Will clearly thought of an idea just popped into his head. Eve had never liked that expression as it always meant him doing something stupidly heroic or other way around.

"So any crewman can be challenged?" Will continued asking, looking at his father from the corner of his eye.

Now Eve directed a careful look on Will. Yes, she knew that look. Will then turned serious.

"I challenge Davy Jones", he declared suddenly and everybody fell silent.

Eve's eyes widened but she didn't have a chance to complain how obviously stupid and reckless idea that was, until that same familiar clomp of a wooden leg started to approach. Little sea creatures attached to the ceiling above them pulled in their shells as the clomping footsteps passed them and now slowly the crewmen started to laugh amused. Eve wrinkled her brows as then as ordered Jones walked down the stairs, stopping to look at Will.

"I accept it-uh", he said quite amused.

Eve let her gaze move between him and Will for a while until then a new game board was brought by other crewmen and Will sat down, Jones walking over. In front of their places were placed a cup and five dices. Will stood back up as Jones came forth, directing a serious look at him. Jones tilted his head and Eve heard a slight crunch when it happened.

"The stakes?" Jones asked very indifferently. Will answered death serious.

"My soul. An eternity of servitude", he said. Eve gasped.

"No!" Bootstrap breathed and Eve gave him a quick look until turned to Will again.

"What? Will…" she started but was brushed off by Jones.

"Against?" he asked again even more indifferently.

Eve now saw Will take out the cloth from his pocket and she realized his plan. But it was crazy all the same!

"I want this", Will said and dropped the cloth on the gambling table.

Eve stared at the cloth until turned her eyes on Jones a bit careful, who glanced between the cloth and Will a couple of times until took the cloth into his claw opening it. Will's expression didn't falter even a bit as Jones saw the key on the cloth, his face consuming by slight anger as he then threw the cloth back on the table. The crewmen also knew what the cloth was and they were now whispering around them.

"How do you know of the key?" Jones asked as looked at Will, Eve seeing true surprise on his face. But Will brushed the question off.

"That's not part of the game, is it?" Will said back even smiling slightly as sat down, looking at Jones the whole time. "You can still walk away."

"Will this isn't a good idea…" Eve said then examining Jones but eventually looked at Will seriously.

"Don't worry. It'll going to be fine", he just answered not putting much thought in his words. Eve rolled her eyes and leant closer.

"That's what you men always say to shut us women up", she said. "But what if something goes wrong? Then it is me who has to explain to Lizzy why you didn't return. And what about me then? I would miss you too if you were stuck in here for an eternity…"

Will then met Eve's eyes surprised for a moment, until then Eve turned to look at Jones as did he eventually.

Eve gave Jones examining look again. It was clear he was hesitant and his crewmen were watching him in wonder themselves. But then a bit reluctantly Jones did sit down facing Will.

Then giving Will now a serious stare Jones' tentacles then started to pull away from the left side of his chest, there where his heart should've been, and the tentacles then pulled out the key. The same described on the cloth. Eve's eyes widened slightly and she let out a breath, glancing at Will whose eyes were fixated on the key until it was returned into Jones' chest. Eve sighed. There they went again.

"One more thing…" Will said then surprisingly. "If I win, I want Eve freed from her father's debt."

Eve whipped her head toward Will. What did he just say?

Will met her eyes again and Eve stared at him speechless. Jones didn't look that happy, but after he shot Eve a death glare which she answered even more coldly, he just let out a grunt. Everybody figured it as a consent even to this small claim more.

Eve let out another sigh and her chest was filled with relief. And joy. Will might've just saved her with this crazy plan of his. She smiled at him.

Both Will and Jones put the dices in the cups and after a shake, placed them back on the table. But then Eve noticed Bootstrap come forth and he surprised everyone by joining the game. Jones gave him quite bewildered look.

"What's this?" he asked looking at Will's father. Eve's eyes had widened again but she only stared at the trio her mouth slightly open. Will was shocked.

"I'm in, matching his wager", Bootstrap said serious.

"No! Don't do this", Will pleaded but his father didn't falter as he only met Will's gaze.

"The dice is cast", Bootstrap answered.

Eve wrinkled her brows even more worried, but Bootstrap then even gave her a slight smile before turning to Jones. Even so she really didn't like this…

"I bid three twos. It's your bid captain", he stated.

Eve heard Jones utter a small laugh under his breath as Jones then said his bid, making his crew make some contented and clearly entertained sounds.

"Four fours", was his. Eve then turned her eyes on Will who looked a bit hesitant at first as thought.

"Four fives", was his bid then in the end.

"Six threes", Bootstrap bid again. Jones gazed at the two of them until looked under his cup.

He then leant closer to Will contended smile on his face. "Seven fives."

Will thought a moment again and also gazed under his cup. So did Bootstrap and Eve noticed that calculating look on his face. That never knew good when it came to Turners. Eve's brows wrinkled again in thoughts.

Will then made his decision. "Eight fives."

He looked at his father who turned to look at Jones with Eve.

Jones started to smile and Eve let out a nervous breath. It was so nerve wrecking to just stand there and do nothing while Will could be just on his way making himself a slave for all eternity. And was there really a point? Would Jones really give him the key to a chest which contained his beating heart? Eve didn't think so.

Jones then leant forward again. "Welcome to the crew lad", he said confidently uttering amused laugh. Then his eyes visited Eve.

"You can be sure master Turner that after this meaningless attempt of obtaining the key it is she that will pay the price of your gamble. What was it lads, ten lashes she was sentenced last time but didn't receive them? Now we just have to give her the luxury of extra amount of your final count in dices… Being eight fives at that."

The crewmen laughed at the threat Jones had made in clear mind of paying back the key incident.

Will glanced at Eve alarmed, whose eyes were throwing daggers at Jones. But then she flinched as Cripple came right behind her, his regrown eel now crawling over Eve's shoulder. Eve made a disgusted face.

Next also Will turned his now enraged eyes back at Jones who was laughing again. But then Bootstrap cut in.

"Twelve fives", he said making Jones' smile die on his lips and he whipped around to stare at him. Bootstrap first met Jones' eyes before he looked at Will and then Eve. "Twelve fives. Call me a liar, or up the bid."

Eve let out a breath as she realized. He was bluffing. And Jones knew it.

"And be called a liar myself for my trouble?" Jones answered with a hard stare and then he revealed Bootstrap's dices. "Bootstrap Bill, you're a liar and you will spend an eternity on this ship", he declared. Jones then turned his head toward Will standing up, giving him as hard glare until turned amused. "…Master Turner, feel free to go ashore with your little wench… the very next time we make port."

Jones and his crew started to laugh even more amused. Eve wrinkled her brows as glared at Jones, following him with her gaze when he now walked away going back to his cabin, his crewmembers following him. Eve shuddered as the eel head swept through her neck as Cripple also reluctantly left. Will looked at his father.

"Fool, why did you do that?" Will asked leaning closer. Eve also looked at Bootstrap and saw him stare forward for a while before answering.

"I couldn't let you lose", he said now meeting Will's eyes. But Will had a serious look on his face still.

"It was never about winning or losing", he said back, Eve getting then interested and she stepped forth lifting an eyebrow.

"And what do you mean by that?" she asked, now letting her annoyance for the whole game thing be heard from her voice as Will answered her gaze momentarily. Then Bootstrap realized.

"The key", he stated. "You just wanted to know where it was."

"Now as we know where it is, we can get it", Will said now smiling contended. Eve glanced at them, eventually smiled, until then became serious again. She crossed her arms.

"Forgive me for bursting your little bubble, um Will", she said now smiling sweetly until leant near Will, getting support from the table turning her tone only irritated. "You're telling me that I had to just fear for you to become endless slave to that squid headed child killer for nothing so for you to know where the bloody key was?! Oh great! Why am I not at all surprised that you go along with your crazy ideas like this?"

Eve then straightened and sighed rolling her eyes to herself, her voice next faked dramatic. "I feel sorry for Lizzy to think what she has to go through with you in the future. Because I am starting to have enough myself!"

Even Will had looked a bit awkward of Eve's straight opinion he then smiled looking up to her.

"It wouldn't have been for nothing", Will then answered turning to Eve. "I would've still freed you from your debt. As I did now…"

Eve then turned her eyes back down to stare into Will's. They were those same warm brown as always, but now they were filled with emotion. Eve sighed and tilted her head, exchanging that long look with him until then smiled that sweet smile of hers.

"I know that", she said. "And I thank you. Again thank you Will. I don't know what would I do if I didn't have you here saving me all the time…"

Then Eve bent down to give Will another quick thankful hug today. But when she was about to let go, Will's hands stopped her.

"But I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I would've lost", Will then continued now serious. "If you would've been lashed for it…"

Eve wrinkled her brows. She could hear the sincerity and the horror of that image from Will's voice. His tensed up body also proved his words. Will truly cared about her then.

Eve answered his hug for a while until let out amused breath and smiled. "Well I guess you can thank you good luck for it. And your father…"

Eve now directed a sorry look at Bootstrap who had been watching them smiling. "I am so sorry Mr. Turner. I cannot even say how…"

"Well I couldn't let the boys whip you either", Bootstrap answered smiling until exchanged more serious glance with Will.

"What are you going to do?" he then asked from Will. "About the key."

Will turned then thoughtful. "We'll have to do it tonight. Try to get the key from Jones and escape somehow."

"We're in middle of the ocean Will", Eve cut in again crossing her arms. "How are we escaping from a ship with all this water around us? We can't exactly borrow a boat if we don't want to be noticed…"

"We might not have any other choice Eve…"

Then all of a sudden someone came down the stairs interrupting their talk. And as Eve turned around she noted in anxiety that the comer was John.

Will saw Eve's face drop as she stared at John for a couple of seconds, who had also frozen on his spot as saw Eve. Eve's eyes reflected nothing more than deep pain.

"Excuse me", she said quietly and left, walking past John with quick steps. No she couldn't face him. Not after everything he accused her for yesterday. She couldn't look at him in the eyes without starting to cry again.

Will stood up but still let Eve leave, watching after her in pity. Until he then directed his hardened gaze on John who was wrinkling his brows. Will wasn't sure was it regret he saw on John's face right now. But didn't have the time to figure that out as John then also turned around, walking to the other direction with now serious expression on his face.

Will let out a breath. He felt so bad for Eve as it must've been hard to be forced to stay in the same ship as John. But thank god they would leave tonight if everything would go well.

"…The queen of the seas… born from the depths of grieve… storming waves in her hair…" Eve sang quietly as sat on the railing again, staring down in the grey water in sad thoughts. "… by the might of a man you once were overthrown… entranced by his mortal soul… adored he was but betrayed your trust… so there's no hope… of balm…"

Eve hit the side of the ship as squeezed her eyes shut, trying to prevent the tears. But she couldn't stop one stubborn tear managing to fall down her cheek, as she let out a deep broken breath and was again consumed by indescribable sorrow. This song described her so well right now. The words were like telling her story… She was frustrated and angry. But most of all she hadn't expected of getting her heart broken once more after such a long time of acceptance of certain things. Figuratively speaking.

Disconsolate she looked down at her wedding ring again. The ring she had these past years treasured as the most important possession of hers. Now it only felt like iron weight keeping her sunken into all that pain and sorrow, which John had made her feel. And so to get rid of it all she wanted to take it off, remove the ring and throw it away but… couldn't.

She let out another broken breath as shook her head.

Eve didn't understand why all this was happening. She had said her goodbyes. She had let go of John and their son and everything that had caused her unneeded suffering. But why did she have to meet with the love of her life again only to be beaten down by him? Eve felt so miserable that she couldn't even explain it to herself. And she didn't know how she was going to handle this. John's hateful words had felt much more painful than his death.

Then Eve heard a creek and she turned around, for some reason expecting Will to stand behind her. But her mood sank as she then saw his father standing there watching her. Eve let out a small sigh and gave him a weak smile. Bootstrap looked apologetic.

"That is a sad song…" he started. "What is it about?"

"It tells a story of my mother's sister. Goddess of the seas, Calypso…" Eve answered smiling sadly.

"Will told me what happened between you and your husband…" Bootstrap then said changing the subject and making Eve jolt. But she then only nodded turning away.

Bootstrap soon came to stand next to her. "He shouldn't have said such horrible words to you, your husband. He should be more than aware to know that a parent would do anything to protect their children in the expense of their own life. You did what you could at the time."

"Please, Mr. Turner, do not say such compassionate words to me", Eve answered smiling sadly again. "After what he told me I feel like I do not deserve such compassion."

"He was consumed by grief. He did not mean what he said. I am sure of it."

"No. That man I spoke yesterday was not my husband. He is gone. And never would've accused me of such unforgivable act he said I had committed. I saw it in his eyes… They were hard and full of hatred. He did more than mean his words."

Bootstrap turned to look at Eve. She was staring down with defeated look in her eyes. He felt pity for the girl but didn't let it show.

"If that is the case then you should forget his words. They were spoken out of bitter regret and you have no reason to punish yourself any more than unquestionably you already have", he said seriously. Eve sighed and then lifted her gaze now more serious.

"His words did not make me pity myself", Eve answered in turn. "His words only hurt me very deeply as those weren't the words of my loved husband. But I guess time and death changes a person more than you can even imagine… Even it was hard and took a long time, I have accepted the fact that I was not responsible for my son's death. I was able to see it because of someone who has always understood me from the day we met the first time…"

Eve now smiled sweetly all that gloominess vanishing for a while. Bootstrap smiled.

"William?" he asked. Eve made one more smile and nodded.

"Will has never judged me. After meeting him I felt like starting living fresh, new life. Being able to meet with both him and Lizzy has changed me into so much better I ever thought me or my life to possibly become…" Eve continued. Now Bootstrap nodded understandably.

"You do know that my son cares about you very much, don't you?" he asked. Eve answered with another nod until had strange look on her face.

"As I care for him."

"Then you can be sure that William will not let you down. Even I've known my son only for a couple of days I can see that he'll never leave by your side in a way or another…" Bootstrap then said. He saw Eve then smile.

"We'll always have each other's backs", she said back first amused until that same hard to read expression came back again. "And I will not leave him either as long as I am given to live this life of mine."

Will let out one deep sigh more.

He couldn't think at all about the fore coming evening as the only thing that circled in his head was Eve. How was she? She had looked very hurt as John had showed up on the deck earlier that day and then she had just vanished.

Will's father had told him about their little chat, but even she had seemed better than expected Will still worried. After all she had gotten her heart broken again by John, the man she once loved more than anything. Maybe still did after all this time…

Will kicked a barrel in frustration. Remembering last evening and John's accusations against Eve made him so angry inside that Will could've strode right to him and hit him. How could he hurt Eve so much even he claimed to love her? He was indeed a crook and didn't deserve Eve's love for him.

With his brows wrinkled Will then left his spot from the rail, hurrying his steps toward the lower deck. He had to talk to Eve. Know she was alright if she ever could be.

Will was about to go check below but he was then stopped by who else than John, who suddenly came forth from the shadows.

"Will!" John called out to him, Will freezing on his spot in small surprise due him to use his first name.

Will then turned to face him. He was smiling at Will and stood next to him, then looking questionable. Will stared at the man rather tensely.

"Do you know where Eve is?" John then asked glancing around until gave Will another smile. "I'd like to talk with her. Continue our conversation where it was left yesterday."

"Well, I am sure she couldn't have vanished in such a small ship as this", Will answered making as well tense smile nodding briskly. John gave his tone a bit odd look until nodded.

"So you haven't seen her?"

"No. But didn't you say enough to her last evening? I am sure she wouldn't want to continue your conversation if you are going to only insult her more."

John looked first surprised but then shocked as he gazed at Will. "You… You know about that?"

Will didn't say anything. But after answering John's gaze with his hard eyes he walked past him, leaving him alone on the deck as continued his own search of Eve.

At first he couldn't find her, until then after circling around Will started to hear moaning from the brig as again wandered there accidentally. He wrinkled his brows for wonder.

Once again he entered the cell block as he had done at the night he had found John locked up. But when he walked forward eventually he recognized the voice moaning belonging to Eve. And feeling a slight shock he hurried forward, eventually finding Eve from one of the cells sleeping and witnessing now the first time how she was tossing and turning in a nightmare.

She moaned all the time in more panic and Will wrinkled his forehead for worry. He was next to her with only two steps and knelt, taking a hold of her shoulders trying to shake her awake.

"Eve?" he called. Eve was breathing quickly but heavy, her body twitching by the horror of the dream. Will felt helpless as he could see how distressed she was. "Eve! Eve, wake up! Wake up!"

"No", Eve whispered then. "No, don't… don't go… do not leave me!"

"Eve!" Will nearly shouted and then Eve did gasp awake all of a sudden, but only her eyes to be directed to look into Will's with a worried expression in them and Will was startled as Eve suddenly sprung up and her hands landed on his cheeks.

"John!?" she called out upset by the dream, staring at Will.

Until then she gasped examining Will's frozen face as it answered her gaze in confusion. She had thought Will was John subconsciously and now as realized her mistake, she had embarrassment on her face, blinking in confusion herself

"I'm sorry Will", she then said truly apologetic and dropped her hands away from Will's face looking down in shame. "…I fell asleep and was dreaming… Of course you are not him…"

Will just stared at Eve dumbfounded. But those last said words suddenly made him feel a sting in his chest and Will let his own eyes drop too. Yes, of course he wasn't John. He was nothing like John. Not even close to what he was...

Will's blood had rushed by Eve's sudden movement and the throbbing of his pulse was still intact. But now Will felt slight disappointment after seeing the change in Eve's eyes.

"Yeah, it is just me. I heard you moaning in your dreams as searched for you. You seemed to have a bad nightmare…" he then just said eventually making small smile and stood up. "But if you want to see John he was just looking for you too."

Eve looked up to Will. His eyes weren't so warm as they used to be and his voice had been slightly bitter as he mentioned John. Had something happened while she slept?

"No, I do not want to see him. Not right now…" she answered truthfully, then swinging her legs on the floorboards and sighing letting her head sink. "That nightmare was enough of him. I cannot look him into eyes without starting to lose my self-control."

"What was it about?" Will asked now worried. Eve shook her head.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Will didn't need Eve to tell her about the dream. That expression on her face was enough to tell him that whatever the dream had been about, it was something torturing. He wrinkled his forehead again as just looked away.

Suddenly Will felt himself a bit uncomfortable. Until then suddenly Eve stood up and with a quick smile to him walked out of the cell.

"I need some fresh air", she said.

Will followed her walk until after a couple of steps went after her. Right, he had searched her to talk. But at the moment he was more reluctant to talk about John. But as he followed Eve he found her now leaning against the rail of the main deck again in thoughts, as also had turned out to be her habit along the years.

Will stepped forth and Eve turned her eyes at him. Will couldn't read the new expression in them and he had already thought knowing each and every face of hers. Not knowing what she was thinking made him frustrated as he now stood next to her, Eve again turning to stare to the distance. But then she remembered something.

"How is your back?" she asked, now looking straight into Will's eyes. Will was surprised. Honestly he had not thought about the wounds for days and then carefully stiffened his shoulders and upper back. He then smiled satisfied.

"The wounds are fine. The pain is not even close to that what it was when the lash marks were fresh", he answered. Eve nodded but then motioned with her hands small smile on her lips.

"Can I see? Just a routine check", she asked. Will nodded and first removed his jacket and then the vest, casually then leaning against the rail as Eve pulled his collar down to peek at his back. The wounds had closed and weren't infected. They had started to heal properly. Eve touched them lightly with the tip of her fingers until then smiled widely.

"All good. The wounds are healing the way they should. Though if they weren't you would feel it", Eve said meeting Will's gaze but did make a small face. Will grinned.

"Good. I would have been a drag to have them otherwise", he stated. Eve tilted her head.

"Yes, human body is amazing isn't it?" she questioned a bit thoughtful. "Thank goodness your back is okay, because if the infection would have kicked in it would have been everything but pleasant. The burning sensation can be so forceful that it feels as if your back is in true flames…"

Will's eyes snapped back on Eve and he saw her eyes being clouded for a moment. He frowned.

"Why were you lashed, Eve?" he couldn't help asking. Eve gasped avoiding his gaze.

"I wasn't", Eve said. Will sighed.

"I saw your back Eve. The scars were old."

"As well something I would like not to remember, Will", Eve then answered simply. But though of her answer Will noted her to place her hand on her stomach after that and a horrible thought rose in his mind. He frowned even deeper.

"Beckett?" he inquired. Eve said nothing but Will knew it was true.

"When Eve?" he asked again. This time Eve sighed slightly.

"While I was imprisoned in the Tower of London", Eve said.

A shocked breath escaped through Will's lips. But then fury took over him when he recalled something else. He directed even more horrified look at Eve's silhouette.

"But you were with child at the time, weren't you?" he asked. Eve did not answer either now but she didn't have to. Will gripped the ship's edge.

"That monster", Will spat his voice full of hate and contempt. "To whip expecting woman and place her in middle of the worst murderers and criminals… I will kill him for what he did to you."

"Let us not talk about this!" Eve said now louder and made Will gasp out of his hateful pondering, him realizing the topic was prohibited. He examined Eve from the corner of his eye for a while until saw her then smile a bit.

"So what is the plan?" she then asked changing the subject, her voice cheerier. "That is why you wanted to find me, wasn't it? Have you thought what we're going to do?"

Will was surprised but he then looked at Eve seeing her stare at him now that easygoing smile back on her lips. She made that all too familiar brow-lifting and Will felt a warm flicker in him. He truly liked to see her smile more than cry or being gloomy...

Will then shook his head, forgetting those gloomy conclusions made by him just now before answered.

"I sneak in Jones' cabin tonight and try to get the key", he told Eve and gazed now too to the sea. Eve looked wondering and turned now leaning her back against the railing.

"And then?" she asked again.

"I try to find your heart from the cabin. It must be there also and after that we escape from the ship. My father has promised to help us as much as he can."

"Will… No, you don't have to. Already getting the key is dangerous enough. I can get my heart back somehow on my own."

"I promised you Eve."

"And you know that doesn't make me nothing but happy. That you care for me so much... But I told you not to make promises you cannot…"

"I won't abandon you!" Will then exclaimed intensely making Eve gasp as he turned to look into her eyes. Eve saw nothing but sincerity in them.

"Will..." Eve just said wrinkling her brows but Will was completely serious.

"I won't let you disappear. Never, and I'll find your heart and get it back to you. I will not leave you or I will never cause you such pain, Eve… Not as John did."

Eve froze. Will was strange. That look on his face and in his eyes... They made Eve look away somewhat confused. But then she thought, turning gloomy as then answered.

"You have to leave me Will…" Eve said now even smiling a bit blue while meeting his gaze. "Someday you will die. And I won't. Then both you and Lizzy will leave me. And even more quickly than that. After you marry Elizabeth you hardly have time for me anymore, I'm sure of it."

Will didn't notice as his brows wrinkled. "That's not true Eve", he answered but Eve let out low laugh.

"Oh yes it is. After Lizzy is presenting herself as Mrs. Elizabeth Turner you two are so happy as a married couple that you have no eyes to anyone but to each other." Then Eve kept a small break and she smiled again blue. "… I can't help of saying that last part doesn't make me so happy…"

Will looked at Eve. She was now staring over the ship not smiling anymore. Will saw only loneliness reflect through her eyes which made his heart twitch for compassion. Yes, spite of all the lives she lived through she always was alone in the end.

Then Eve just sighed and he watched as in a slow movement Eve then let herself sink until she was sitting on the deck, leaning her back to the side. She looked defeated as if being dragged down by a heavy rock.

"I don't know how long can I do this, Will…" Eve then admitted opening her eyes as slowly. "I've always told myself to stay positive no matter what life throws at me. No matter what crap I have to go through I promised myself not to back down even a little but… I'm starting to feel I am not as strong as I thought myself to be…"

Will gave Eve a weird look and he also sat next to her staring.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked. Eve's tone made him suspicious.

Eve directed a tired look up and then turned her head toward Will, making his heart twitch by that immensely tired look from her light eyes.

"I thought of holding on as long as I could see you and Lizzy marry but…" she then started dropping her eyes momentarily on the floorboards. "I can't do this anymore. I cannot hold everything in and pretend I can survive. Because this time I feel I am too scarred to ever heal. John ripped all the old wounds open again and I… haven't felt this miserable for centuries, Will. I told you I've started to wish death. Well it is true…"

Will felt agony as he now saw that hopeless expression on Eve's face. Even he didn't like the sound of this he saw how much Eve truly suffered under the surface. She didn't cry, but now even Will could see the weight of her lived lives on her just as Tia Dalma had said. She then finished not avoiding Will's gaze.

"…I just want to die, Will. That is everything I want. And if you are able to give it to me I accept it more than gladly."

Will was shocked and his eyes widened. Did she… did she just ask him to kill her? No. No, he could never do something like that!

"No! Eve I will never kill you!" he exclaimed. "I could never…."

Then Eve let out half tired half amused laugh as closed her eyes again. "I am not asking you to kill me William. I would never ask you to do such a horrible act even for me… Besides you need my heart for it. But I am just trying to tell you that I…" Eve then hesitated. Her gaze wandered and she gaped until then turned completely toward Will who met her eyes feeling new sting of pain.

"I'm just trying to tell you something impossible. I've seen the question in your eyes for long now and I tell you no. I am not alright. I am not, but I am trying to make something out of myself so that others don't have to suffer for my pain. Least you and Lizzy. But you cannot know how I am feeling inside. How much it hurts or how much this everything makes me truly desire death in some part of me."

"You can't talk like that…" Will said back now avoiding Eve's so emotional gaze. Eve sighed.

"Then what else am I to say? I am just answering your question and isn't that what you wanted?" she said back more serious. Will lifted his gaze.

"But do not talk as if you want to die. You are right I cannot understand your pain because it is yours but… I want to understand. I don't want to see you in such pain."

Eve stared into Will's eyes. They were warm, brown and caring. Just the way she had always liked them.

Eve closed her eyes and again stood up, then looking down at Will smiling at him. "Then you should take away my true self. And that is not possible to anyone but God. But your words make my pain lessen. So you can be happy to be able to do even that much…"

There was a slight break until after examining Eve Will followed her suit again standing. But now stepping closer. Then that long avoided question came back in his mind and he wrinkled his brows until directed his eyes at Eve.

"Do you still love him? John?" he asked and Eve could detect somewhat tense tone in his voice. Eve lifted her eyes.

"Not like I used to. But these past weeks of having these dreams about him have made my feelings resurface even I've already accepted his death. And…" Eve silenced then for a moment and Will understood she meant John's servitude to the Dutchman and their meeting aboard. "I will always love him whatever happens", she then finished with a sure voice. Will twitched.

"You should forget him", he answered with the same tense voice. Eve shook her head.

"You know that is also impossible", Eve said back. "I will always love John in my heart."

"And that way he is only hurting you more Eve!" Will exclaimed then as intensely as earlier.

"It is not that simple! It's not like there's anyone to take his place!" Eve exclaimed back now turning more to Will who was staring at her with serious eyes. But then Will's gaze softened as he hesitated slightly.

"Isn't there?" he then said questionably surprising even himself, meeting Eve's eyes who again turned to look at him confused. Eve's forehead wrinkled a little for confusion.

"Why are you speaking like this Will?" Eve asked and felt then surprise being added to her confusion as she now met Will's very keen turned eyes. Will then took a step closer not breaking their stare.

"Because I don't want to see you sad Eve. You are always the one smiling and laughing even at the most gloomiest of moments. Seeing you like this makes me frustrated. Especially if there's nothing I can do to help…" Will answered. His voice was much smoother.

Eve answered his stare until then felt slight new confusion, freezing as Will then suddenly started to lean closer to her slowly, his eyes looking deep into Eve's light blue ones eventually half closing. Eve blinked in realization. She knew that look. Someone else had also looked at her with those eyes once.

"Eve…" escaped through Will's lips, his voice quiet but smooth.

Eve was so confused and in some kind of a weird daze that she could only stand still, following Will as he then leant even closer, eventually their lips meeting each other. And Eve let him closing her eyes by the touch.

The kiss was light but soft and it sent electric current running through Eve's body. She felt tingling as Will's hand moved gently to smooth her cheek as if experimentally and everything just happened itself.

They stood there for a moment kissing, Eve feeling warmness spread in her chest and momentarily all that heartbreak and sorrow faded. She felt so light. As if nothing of that bad had never happened in her life. And now there was only Will. And how wonderful his lips felt against hers. Eve hadn't remembered that being kissed by someone would feel this good. To feel his warmness and caring fingers sweep her skin and now moving behind her neck through the loose hair…

Then suddenly Eve came back to the reality, snapping out of the bliss of the kiss.

She lifted her hands and gently pushed Will away taking in a breath. She felt now new pain in her chest as shook her head in denial to Will, who was staring at her confused.

"I'm not Elizabeth", she whispered her eyes still closed avoiding Will's eyes. She moved his hand away from her cheek. She now feared to face him. To look into his eyes and…

Will felt like being hit but then frowned. "I know you aren't…." he said back truthfully even knew himself hesitate.

"We can't do this. At least not this… I… I don't want to be a replacement for Elizabeth…" Eve continued then and Will did detect that small new pain from her voice. He automatically shook his head.

"Eve no that's… that's not what… that is not what this is", Will answered meaning his words, but still stuttering a bit as he couldn't figure out what to say. He was so clueless himself that even he wanted to correct Eve's wrong conclusions he couldn't.

Eve pulled away from him but finally met his confused gaze.

"You love Elizabeth. Not me. So forget you ever did that… That kiss…" Eve answered at first seriously, but at the end her voice broke and let out a breath.

Even she meant what she said she felt pain from her words. Or did she mean them? Eve was so emotionally challenged again that she thought of feeling those ghostly heartbeats in her chest due the memory of Will's lips. She tried to calm down but she couldn't crush the honest feeling of pleasure of the kiss still haunting in her mind.

Will felt his own heart squeeze for Eve's direct rejection. Though she was right. They couldn't do this. But still the words came out for themselves.

"No Eve, I…" Will protested but then silenced by the loss of words. He could only stare clueless at Eve who answered his gaze.

They then looked at each other for a while in that suddenly uncomfortable atmosphere, until Eve broke the tension by sighing. Without a word she then whipped around to leave.

"Eve wait!" Will exclaimed and instinctively grabbed her hand, preventing Eve from leaving not actually even knowing why. It had just happened like the kiss.

"Let go of my hand Will", Eve said then gently not turning. "You know it's the right thing to do."

After a moment of hesitation Will did release Eve's hand. Then she turned her head slightly toward him.

"Come tell me when the plan is put into action and I'll be ready", Eve then added but after saying that she then left, not looking at Will even once.

That made Will's heart sink a little as he then rubbed his jaw, turning to lean on the rail again. He was so confused and messed up that it couldn't be explained in any words. He had… kissed Eve…

Was he after all starting to fall in love with Eve? What else that kiss would've meant then? But that wasn't possible because as Eve herself had said Will loved Elizabeth. Had loved for years and he wanted to marry her to make her his wife but… Eve she… Will couldn't stop feeling himself being pulled by some mysterious string toward Eve. And that string pulled him every day stronger even there were some of them holding him back attached to Elizabeth.

But still when Eve cried or was hurt, Will couldn't stand it which he had noticed during these past days. When she was sad, when she was happy… So was Will. Eve was everything to Will. And so was Elizabeth too. With either of them not by his side he couldn't have managed. And if he lost either of them he couldn't have lived. And this dilemma as he now realized, was horrid and ripped Will's heart in different directions. And still he had kissed Eve but didn't… completely regret it. It had felt good.

What was Eve to him exactly?

What the two did not know was that John had stood in the shadows and witnessed their kiss from the start to the end, even he hadn't heard what they had said to each other. But either way seeing Will kiss his wife had made rage lift its head in him. And now he stayed there staring at pondering Will with flaming eyes, until also left the scene.

A/N:

Oh-oh, what to do? John's pissed! (**)

Want to know what happens next? Well, you most probably won't have time to tell me as I am so quick with my publishing.

But please at any time, if this chap is too full of stuff or is indeed too cheesy or anything wrong with it, TELL ME! REVIEW about it! And I shall try to fix it! This chap has changed quite a lot after all from the first version.

Thanks for checking this chap out! ;D

Till next time!