Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Negative Press

Will sat in the locker room, although layers of cement and rebar down, they could still hear the roar of the audience in the stands. The freshmen on the team were running around frantically looking for mouth guards and socks. Even though they would only step foot on the field when the team ran on, then be sidelined for the rest of the game, they still acted as though the team would suffer if they were not at their best. Will just smiled and took it all in as he finished lacing up his cleats. Joseph, a sophomore defensive lineman finally off his redshirt season, took a seat next to Will on the bench.

"Excited?" He questioned.

Will smiled at his young teammate. Will had met Joseph in the beginning of the training season at practice. He had blocked one of Will's passes, and apologized after the practice in fear that Will would hold resentment. Since then he was like a younger brother, one which always seemed to be around and always full of questions…

"Yeah, the Titans have a strong offensive line this year, but their defense needs some work." Will replied as he placed on his wrist bands.

"I wasn't talking about the game! The party tonight is going to be off the charts! The girls are going to be breaking down the door just to get in." Now that Joseph was no longer a red shirt, and was actually playing in games, he had discovered that his new position also offered new opportunities with the female gender.

"It'll be fun." Replied Will, as he skimmed the playbook and tried to stay focused on the game ahead.

"Fun!" Cried Joseph, "I heard about your ta ta show at the luau! You'll have you pick of the litter tonight!"

"My girlfriend also witnessed that ta ta show…" Will mumbled as he furrowed his brow at the memory.

"Ah yes, the famous Elizabeth Swan. I have yet to meet her ya know."

"She'll be there tonight," Will replied, trying to bury his head in the playbook hoping to give Joseph the hint to leave.

"That bunny must have quite the tail to have you so played." Joseph chuckled. Will sighed and finally looked Joseph in the eye,

"She is amazing." He said roughly, "Joseph, I really have to review these plays I'll talk to you later ok?" Will's voice stayed monotone as he tried to control his annoyance.

"Ok, later Will." Joseph slapped him on the back as he got up and ran over to one of the starting receivers. Will couldn't help but smile as he tried to focus on one of the new plays, but all he could think of was Elizabeth in a bunny suit shaking her fluffy tail at him.

"All right team!" The coach yelled. "Time to take the field, let's huddle up!" Everyone stood up and ran out to the tunnel, Eric, a starting defensive lineman, came up to Will and patted him on the back on the way out to the tunnel.

"What's the smile for Turner?" He questioned with amusement.

"Just can't wait to get out and conquer some tail." Will replied with laughter, still trying to shake the fluffy image from his mind.


As soon as Will started walking to the center of the field for the coin toss he started to search the crowd. He knew where Elizabeth's token seat was, but it seemed everyone in the stadium blurred together in the mass of black and red. The key was to find his jersey. Elizabeth wore his away game jersey for home games-so all he had to do was find a black and red jersey. Easier said then done. He began to worry as he approached the referee until he noticed the small frame with a mass of brown curls protruding from underneath a knit black hat. With further inspection he noticed the giant 14 on the jersey top and instantly smiled, found her. As the referee spoke his familiar liturgy Will kept his eyes focused on Elizabeth, and as if on cue she started to jump up and down waving a single red gloved hand in the air.

"Heads," he smiled to himself. Wondering what prompted her to such a decision. The referee then turned to Will who announced his decision. The coin was tossed, and the result was heads, Elizabeth's inkling was right again.

As the flag was raised Will could almost feel her eyes burning into his back. She had told him before that one of her favorite parts of attending the games was admiring the way his uniform fit. The first half went fast, Will completing almost every pass, and the Pirates destroying the Titans at half time 49-7.


Elizabeth watched as the marching band took the field, and took a bite out of her hotdog. Anna stuffed some nachos in her mouth, and then started violently coughing and pointing up in the stands. Elizabeth turned to see the cause of her friends near demise, when her mouth dropped at the sight before her. Jessica Loe was walking down the stadium stairs to her seat wearing her Jimmy Choo boots, black Hudsen jeans, and wearing a pirate jersey…with the number 14 printed on the front.

"What the hell is she doing wearing Will's jersey number?" Anna choked out. Elizabeth just turned quickly around before she was spotted staring.

"They sell his jersey at all the local stores," Elizabeth replied, fuming with anger.

"But she is dating Jeremy, his jersey is sold there too."

"It doesn't matter," Elizabeth glared forward trying to act interest in the band, "she can tattoo his number to her ass for all I care, Will loves me and she knows it. It doesn't matter what she wears… or doesn't wear for that matter, she is the real loser here." Anna went back to munching on her chips, and trying to focus on the band. She knew it was only a matter of time before there was a confrontation between Elizabeth and Jessica, and she only hoped she was around when it happened. She would greatly enjoy planting her fist squarely into her plastic nose.


The fourth quarter went by slowly with the Titans figuring out the best way to get around the Pirates defense was by completing short passes that would gain 5 or so yards, but ultimately end with a turnover. Even Will was glad to see the clock down to the last minute as the Titan offensive still fought hard to maintain control of the ball with the score 63-10. Finally the referee signaled the end of the game and the band chimed in playing the Pirate fight song. Will tried to dodge as many reporters as possible as he made his way back into the locker room. Will never enjoyed being the center of attention and was a fairly private person. The few lucky reporters who did stand between him and the tunnel usually only left with a few words recorded on tape and a shot of his shy smile. Once in the locker room Will quickly took a sharp right, then around a corner, then through a door, to get to his own private locker away from the chaos of everyone else. Will had requested this specific locker for this reason. There where other lockers in the room, and a table for the trainer to do stretching, but only Will had an assigned locker here. He placed his ipod ear plugs into his ears as he set to removing his cleats.

Elizabeth made her way from the bleachers to the main gate of the stadium; there was the door that leads to the locker rooms. The door was locked and guarded; only press was allowed down to talk to the teams. Elizabeth smiled at the guard as she approached the door.

"What a game Miss Elizabeth!" The guard exclaimed as he took his keys out. Edward was an elderly guard, who appeared well into his seventies, who had been in charge of securing the locker room door for the past 15 years. It was two years ago when he first met Elizabeth who was always patiently waiting outside the door for Will to appear. It was last year, first home game of the season, when Edward finally asked Will when he emerged if he could let Elizabeth come down to the locker room. Will had just looked astonished, and both of them told Edward they didn't want him to compromise his position. Edward just laughed at them and told Will he didn't like Elizabeth waiting around amongst the drunken fans, and would gladly let her in. Will then fixed it so Edward's wife had free admission to all home games, and ever since Elizabeth had no problems accessing the locker rooms. The only problem was avoiding the press. From the moment the team entered the locker rooms, the press was soon to follow. It didn't seem to matter that young men were stripping themselves of their uniform and talking to reporters in next to nothing. All the reporters wanted were a specific voice bit or picture and then they were satisfied. It was well known on campus that Will Turner was dating Elizabeth Swann, but very few people actually knew what Elizabeth Swann looked like. Elizabeth was bound to keep it that way.

Before she even entered the locker room she tied her hair up into a bun and tucked it under her hat. She then took off her jersey only leaving the black long sleeve fleece she wore underneath. Granted it still had the number 14 embroidered on left chest, but she owned very little Pirates gear that did not have Will's name or number on it some how. As she slipped into the locker room she was almost run over by two female members of the press as they chased down Luke Owens, a starting defensive lineman. She quickly hung a right, went around the corner, then spotted the door. She looked through the glass window to see Will with his back towards her. He had already taken his jersey and undershirt off and was working on the ties of his pants. She quietly slipped into the room taking off her hat and closing the door quietly behind her. Will continued to work on the strings of his pants as she sneaked up from behind him. She could barely control her laughter as she noticed he was plugged into his ipod and that per plan was going to be a complete success. As her hands reached for his very ticklish rib cage he suddenly spun around and took her completely off guard wrapping his strong arms around her and mercilessly tickling her. Elizabeth had almost wiggled free when he twirled her around to face him and crashed his lips upon hers. Elizabeth immediately gave up her efforts to escape and wrapped her arms around him pulling him close.

"What took you so long?" Will asked between kisses. Elizabeth smiled and rubbed her nose against his.

"How did you hear me come in?" She asked as she grazed her lips against his, clearly inviting him for more. Will kissed her again, then sighing replied,

"It's been almost a week since I saw you last, my eyes have been plastered to that door since the moment I came in, waiting for you." He then took her lips again, kissing her deeply, and moving his hands from her waist up under her fleece to her bare sides. Elizabeth shivered,

"Will your hands are freezing!" She exclaimed as she squirmed under his touch. This only encouraged him more as he moved his hands up and down the flanks of her rib cage.

"Well then you better warm me up Miss Swann." He cheekily replied as he kissed her again. As their kisses became more heated Will backed them up to the bench where he sat down, pulling Elizabeth with him so she straddled his legs. She could feel his excitement to see her as she sat upon his lap, winding her hands in his soft brown curls. Will's hands had now skillfully unlatched her bra and were massaging her chest as he kissed her with more intensity. Elizabeth's mouth left his lips and started across his jaw line, gently nibbling at his earlobe. Will sighed and began to move his hands to the bottom cuff of her fleece preparing to remove it when he saw a flash out of the corner of his eye. Looking up to the door he saw two photographers staring blankly back at him, then raised their cameras and continuing taking pictures. Will quickly picked up Elizabeth and moved her flat against the same wall as the door, out of sight from the press. Still trying to catch his breath and calm himself down he looked up at a very confused Elizabeth. Her lips were swollen, and she too was practically panting. Her eyes were filled with desire and confusion.

"The press," Will quietly replied. Suddenly confusion was replaced with fear,

"Will how long have they been there? Your hands…I was practically topless!" She backed up flush against the wall, and reached behind herself to refasten her bra.

"I don't think they could see much, you were facing me and still had your fleece on." Will replied still eyeing the door with anger, daring the photographers to come into the room.

"How am I going to get out of here?" She replied, "Those pictures will be on the front page tomorrow…what will father say?" Elizabeth had a glimmer of tears in her eyes.

Will gently smiled, and put his arms around her.

"Don't worry about the press; I will take care of them." He soothed, and lightly kissed her lips.

"Follow me out the door and once clear of me make your way back upstairs. My father should be waiting with the car, and I will be up shortly." She nodded and quickly kissed him back in return. Will, not quite satisfied with their reunion yet, kissed her back and did a quick sweep of her mouth with his tongue, to make his point. He didn't know how she did it, but Elizabeth forever tasted sweet, as if she had eaten strawberries right before kissing him. Her taste was intoxicating and he could never kiss her enough. A thud outside the door startled Elizabeth as she ended the kiss and stepped behind him. Will looked back at her,

"Once you are clear from the door," he reminded her. Elizabeth nodded, and quickly replaced her hat, tucking her hair up underneath. Will made his way to the door opening it, and almost being blinded by the cameras. Elizabeth, once free of Will made a dash back around the corner to the door of the locker room. Keeping her face glued to the floor and her hand covering the side of her face.

"Enough!" Will replied loudly with annoyance. The flashes stopped and the press looked at him as if he had grown horns.

"The photos you have taken are personal, and have nothing to do with the game or the team. Therefore I plan to speak to the board on this and if one picture is published without their permission it will cost you your rights to photo or publish any article about this team." Will looked at their ID badges and saw the logos of "The Daily News" and "Channel 9" embroidered on their jackets.

"Daily News and Channel 9," Will smirked, "My thoughts on the game are that we fought hard as a team, and without each and every player or the support of our fans it would have been our demise. Our efforts and support have won us the game, and if it continues we are going to have one hell of a year." Will went back to his locker letting the door slam behind him, and dug a shirt and hoodie out of his duffle. He quickly placed them on and threw the remaining articles from the game into his bag. Grabbing his duffle he quickly strode back to the door only to find the two reporters still standing there looking as if they had been slapped. He ignored them, and turned the corner hoping to avoid any more press still lingering around.


Elizabeth made her way quickly up the stairs back out into the stadium. She noted Will's father waiting by the gate. William Turner I was the CEO of a international shipping company. He was in the top 5 of the Forbes list of wealthy and powerful men. You would never know from his demeanor though, he was always warm and caring towards Will and Elizabeth, and of course had the famous Turner smile.

"Elizabeth," he smiled as she emerged from the locker room door.

"Mr. Turner!" She smiled, looking behind her quickly before embracing the older man.

"Please it's Bill," he reminded her noting the look of concern on her face.

"Is everything all right?" He asked as he pulled away from her to look at her.

"Yes," Elizabeth checked behind her again, relieved to see she wasn't being followed.

Bill Turner looked into her eyes and read her like a book.

"You are out of breath and look as if you've seen a ghost. What's bothering you?" Elizabeth looked into his eyes and saw two familiar brown eyes looking back at her, etched with concern. Why did all Turner men have such endearing eyes, she couldn't lie to him.

"Well, I was down saying hi to Will and some press stumbled upon us." She nervously replied.

A sudden realization came upon the older man's face,

"Where you just saying hi, or where you saying hello?" He continued, his question laced with a hidden meaning. Elizabeth dropped her head,

"Hello," she quietly replied. Just then a Daily News reported pushed through the door and started scanning the gate area. Elizabeth quickly pulled up the collar on her fleece and looked up at Will's father.

"I'm sorry Mr…Bill, but I have to be leaving, would you please tell Will seventeenth and main."

"Seventeenth and main?" Bill Turner questioned her. She let out a shy smile and quickly gave him another hug before quickly walking out the stadium gate and towards the street. Moments later William Turner II appeared from the door, and similar to the reporter started scanning the gate area. His attention was still focused elsewhere as he slowly approached his father.

"Dad did you see Elizabeth?" He questioned as he turned around and noticed the lingering reporter. Similar to a light switch the reporter suddenly realized that Will was standing next to his father and he ran over to the pair.

"Bill Turner, what do you have to say about your son's relationship with Elizabeth Swann?" The reporter questioned. Will looked as though he was going to give the reporter 5 reasons not to interfere with his personal life as his brow narrowed and he pushed up his sleeves. Bill quickly put an arm across his son's chest as he saw a few more reporters approach them.

"You can tell the University that I donate scholarships to the Journalism department to support the education of young journalist not paparazzi. If one photo or story is published, that is not related to the game, it will prove to me that my charity is not appreciated." Bill Turner then placed his arm around Will's shoulder and guided him to the gate's exit. They walked in silence to the lone black Mercedes sitting in the parking lot. As they approached the car Bill's driver stepped out and went to grab Will's bag.

"Thanks, but I can get it Jeffery," Will replied quietly as he walked towards the trunk. Jeffery then opened the trunk and Will tossed his bag in. Once in the car, Will stated the obvious.

"So you heard huh?"

"William Turner, I thought I raised you better than that." Bill replied, "You happen to be dating an enchanting young woman, and to risk your future with her and almost soil her honor is deplorable." Will hung his head, knowing his father was right,
" I didn't mean for it to happen that way, we were alone… and with coach having the team stay out of town this week, we were just happy to see each other." Bill turned around to face his son,

"William what happens behind closed doors, never stays there, it comes out eventually. You know this! It is one thing to bring humiliation upon yourself, but to bring it upon someone else with your actions, especially Elizabeth, is unacceptable." Will let his father's words sink in, until another concern quickly resurfaced in his mind as the driver pulled out of the lot.

"Did she say where she was going?" He quietly asked. Bill turned around again, this time confusion was etched on his face,

"She said Seventeenth and Main? I thought her apartment was off Lincoln and 18th?" Will smiled,

"Jeffery can you please take a left on Main here please." Jeffery nodded as the car turned. Bill turned back around in his seat to observe the reason behind the sudden change in route. On the sidewalk in the distance he noticed a familiar brunette, who had apparently removed her hat and now had her hair cascading around her face with her head down to nicely conceal her face.

"Stop here please," Will told the driver as he reached to unbuckle his seat belt. Bill turned around and saw the look of mischief in his son's eyes.

"Will, haven't you done enough to the poor girl today," he urged.

"It will just be a moment dad." Will then quietly slipped out of the car, leaving the door slightly ajar to avoid too much noise. Bill and the driver watched as Will crept up behind Elizabeth, and then grabbed her from behind, and with Elizabeth screaming twirled her around before setting her back on the ground. Bill watched, half expecting Elizabeth to slap Will across the face, but was surprised when she burst out in laughter, grabbing her chest with one hand to relay her shock, and slipping her hand around his neck and pulling him into a kiss. Will eagerly replied, and wrapped his arms around her. Bill, thinking that the lecture he just given Will had went in one ear and out the other, reached across the car and honked the horn at the young couple. Will quickly laced his fingers with Elizabeth's, gave her one last kiss, and then turned to walk her back to the car. Both were smiling ear to ear as they approached the car. Will opened Elizabeth's door, then shut it behind her as he walked to the other side. Once in the car Elizabeth smiled at Bill,

"Mr. Turner, Jeffery so good to see you!" Bill smiled, knowing she purposefully used his formal name in front of his staff. As Will settled in next to Elizabeth, his hand instantly found hers as he once again laced their fingers. The driver started driving, and Bill turned around,

"Elizabeth I apologize you had to be run off by those reporters. I didn't even get to say what a pleasure it was to see you again." He smiled, and then looked to Will.

"I just wish I could have offered some protection, since it seems my son lacks all decorum."

"It is good to see you again also, Mr. Turner. Please don't worry, what happened was an accident and it shall not happen again." Bill, seeming please with her response, turned back around, and Elizabeth winked at Will. The look she got in return sent shivers down her spine. Will's eyes were dark with desire, and looked as if he was going to ravish her in the back seat of his father's car.

"Where to sir?" Jeffery questioned?

"To my dormitory please Jeffery." Will responded, keeping his eyes focused on Elizabeth as his thumb massaged the top of her hand.

"Elizabeth do you want us to drop you off at your apartment dear?" Bill questioned with annoyance that Will did not even consider his girlfriend's needs before his.

"No thank you Mr. Turner," Elizabeth replied, "Will and I have some catching up to do. After all, I haven't seen him all week." She replied cheekily, as she too centered her attention on Will. Bill Turner sighed aloud; he had a sinking feeling that today's drama was just the beginning.

Wow, one of my longer chapters...but yeah! I will try to update every 7-10 days. Reviews are always enjoyed and appreciated! : )