A/N: That fun moment when you spend over ten years writing a fic where Sam Claflin and Keira Knightley are cousin/adoptive siblings and you want so badly for a movie where Sam Claflin, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Orlando Bloom, or Keira Knightley are in a non-POTC movie together, and then Charlotte comes out with Sam Claflin and Keira Knightley… playing lovers.

I think I made a deal with a genie in another life.

If you haven't seen it already (I saw in actually when it was during the festival circuit a few years back) I recommend it for the novelty of Keira and Sam in the same movie. It's animated, so it's just voice acting but Keira is a surprisingly great voice actress. The movie itself is like an animated Wikipedia page, but it's a decent movie.

But seriously, lovers? How could you guys do this to me?

Birds of a Feather

The Curse of the Black Pearl

Chapter Forty-Five

Return to Port Royal

They returned to Port Royal on the afternoon of Saturday, March 7, 1739.

A great crowd greeted the Dauntless as it made berth. Not just the families of the soldiers, but many a townsfolk had turned out to see the safe return of the Governor's daughter and the heroism of William Turner and Philip Swift. But there was also a small minority who had heard rumor from letters sent on Saint Albinus of a mysterious young girl named Miss Finson and had come to make measure of the woman who had stolen Philip Swift's heart.

"Papa!" a squeal ripped through the crowd.

All were treated to the precious sight of Theodore Groves scooping up his little curly black haired son and swinging Joshua around in happy reunion.

Philip had his own child greeters as Emily and Mimsy Ratlin raced over to hug him. Laughter filled the air as he greeted his special little friends and received a hearty clap on the back from Matthew Ratlin.

"Mister Philip?" Mimsy shyly whispered as she saw Syrena watching them with a smile. "Who is that?"

Philip crouched down and spoke in a low conspiratorial voice, "That's Miss Syrena Finson. She's my new special friend. She got taken from her home like Miss Elizabeth. Do you want to meet her?"

Mimsy shook her head and hid her face in her father's leg. She was still in a very shy phase. Her brunette sister, Emily however had outgrown that.

Emily leaned in to him, "She's very pretty, Mister Philip."

Philip grinned, "Yes, she is."

Matthew Ratlin chuckled, "I think Mister Philip has done very well for himself."

Philip reddened and the little girls squealed with laughter.

Estrella was the first to greet Elizabeth. She had been overcome with guilt and grief for abandoning Elizabeth to the pirates and wouldn't stop telling Elizabeth so. It was only upon insisting that Rosalyn – another one of Elizabeth's maids – wanted to say how happy she was to see Elizabeth safe that finally pried Estrella off her. Thankfully Rosalyn caught on quick what her mistress was getting at and put on a performance worthy of the Globe.

Syrena of course had no one to greet her, so Will – who couldn't find Mister Brown in the crowd – took it upon himself to point out various acquaintances.

"That's Prudence," Will pointed out a very neat and sour faced woman with ice blonde hair tied up very tightly. She was conversing with Gillette with the same warmth one would their lawyer at the appointment to write one's will. "She's Gillette's wife, though you would barely tell by the way they act together. I think I've seen them twice once in public the entire time they've been married."

The mermaid smirked as she watched the couple confer discretely, though it wasn't hard to guess their topic by the looks they kept shooting Syrena.

"Do you think they touch as little at home as in public?" Syrena noted how Prudence's collar was buttoned one higher than most proper ladies.

Will shrugged, "They have three children, so I assume they much touch once in a while. Likely as a birthday present kind of situation for Gillette."

Syrena giggled. She almost didn't believe Will until the three polite, blonde-haired, blue-eyed children filed up with a nanny to Gillette.

It was only the youngest one – a brightly smiling little girl – that hugged Gillette. They shared the briefest embrace before Gillette pulled away from his daughter, but Syrena couldn't deny there was a sparkle in Gillette 's eye that she had never seen before.

"Lucy Gillette," Will provided a name. "Sweet little girl, though a bit quiet. Only five and her mother has already made a woman's place in the world clear to her. The boys are Arthur and James."

"James?" Syrena said in surprise.

"Yes, named after Norrington. According to Elizabeth, it made him incredibly uncomfortable, not that he's ever said anything to the Gillettes. Must have worked; not long after James was born, Gillette did get his promotion to Lieutenant. We've all taken to calling the boy Jamie."

"Jamie Gillette."

"It was better than Jimmy Gillette. Now here's another fun one," Will turned Syrena to face towards two brunette women who did not look unalike who were exchanging long hugs with Murtogg and Mullroy. "Martha and Margaret. Martha is Murtogg's sister and Mullroy's wife while Margaret is Mullroy's sister and Murtogg's wife… or is it the other way around? I can never remember who goes with who."

"Well, who lives with who. Maybe that will help?"

"They all live in the same house together."

"Uh… yes. I could see how that would leave things unclear."

Will then caught sight of who was approaching Philip next, "Oh, you'll want to make this acquaintance sure enough."

Syrena didn't need an explanation on who the man who greeted Philip was: the cassock and collar gave it away instantly.

Pastor Thomas was a friendly, slightly balding round-faced man of forty odd years. He had grey eyes, dark hair, and had a little bit of facial hair in much the same style as Philip but grown out fuller.

At his side was a blonde-haired woman who looked thin and flighty but had a glorious smile as she hugged Philip like her own son. Syrena recognized her to be Anne, Thomas' wife, though Philip had disclosed that Anne was not her real name. She had particularly ostentatious parents who named her three daughters after flora. But they couldn't be satisfied with names like Rose and Lily; their daughters had to be special. So Anne had two sisters named Amaranthus and Forsythia, while her proper Christian name was Chrysanthemum.

Syrena only wished she was so lucky to have an embarrassing name from her parents.

But while Philip was greeted by Thomas and Anne, it was the third member of their party that caught Syrena's attention.

"Praise the Lord, Philip! You're okay!"

Before he could say a word, a small blonde flurry had launched herself at him and locked her arms around him.

If you asked Elizabeth, she didn't want to be unkind, but Hannah reminded her of a small, yippy dog. Cute, loyal, energetic, but someone you could easily tire of. She had strawberry blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a button nose, and was quite petite. In some ways she reminded Elizabeth of the Skylark clan. While not a twin of Katherine Skylark, she could easily pass as a cousin, which either was a big reason Philip was sort of attracted to her, or a major reason he really wasn't.

Sometimes Elizabeth wondered if her father imagined the better version of Elizabeth as Hannah. She was prim, proper, well put together, kind, friendly, religious, and the sort of social butterfly needed in a minister or politician's wife to bring a community together. The one measure Hannah ever seemed to fail at was how desperate she attempted to take on such a role. Elizabeth had never forgotten about how when they first arrived in Port Royal, Hannah had tried to latch onto Will thinking him the Governor's religious nephew. When the misconception was corrected, she turned to Philip without batting an eye.

Elizabeth didn't think Hannah was a status climber, but she was a minister's daughter and wanted to be a minister's wife. Had Philip been unattractive, Hannah may have rethought thinks, but the handsome, Godly boy her age appeared to be God's gift to her and any deeper layers on who he was over who he was were irrelevant in her mind.

Philip had never forgotten the way Hannah went from Will to him without a breath. Perhaps that was why he never truly connected to her. Sure, everyone expected Hannah and Philip to end up together, but there had never been true chemistry like Will and Rachel had had when that expected match materialized.

But try as he might, Philip liked Hannah. She would make some man a fantastic wife and mother, but that man was not named Swift. It was something he was not looking forward to telling her.

"I've missed you too," Philip gently pulled out of her embrace. "You and all of my friends home here in Port Royal have been in my thoughts and prayers."

Her brow creased ever so slightly at the word friends.

"Uh, you see this adventure has been revelatory and life changing and uh…" Philip glanced over his shoulder, "Hannah, I need to introduce you to someone. This is Syrena Finson."

Hannah's eyes tracked the path of Philip's to the girl behind him. The very beautiful girl.

The girl smiled at her, taking a step forward and placing a gentle hand on Philip's arm.

"It's wonderful to meet you, Hannah," the girl held a bit of an accent. "Philip has told me so much about you."

The look on Hannah's face was heartbreaking. Her smile froze and in her eyes, one could see the pain of an entire lifetime's expectation of their future come crashing down like scaffolding crushed beneath stone.

Philip Swift had never felt like such an awful person.

But then a hand squeezed his arm. He looked at Syrena and she smiled. His heart filled with warmth; he loved this woman, and he never would love Hannah. No one could make him feel guilty about that fact. Hannah had no rights over his heart, and if Philip was honest, he himself didn't either. His heart belonged to Syrena: always had, always would.

Besides, hadn't he met Syrena first? Technically Syrena had dibs.

"Oh," Hannah's eyes flicked back and forth between Philip and Syrena. There was a break in her voice she tried so hard to fight, "Well, ahem, it's nice to meet you, Syrena. Philip, where did you find this lovely friend of yours? Just passing through, Dear?"

Syrena looked to Philip, "Actually, I will be staying for the foreseeable future."

A very high pitched, strangled noise came from Hannah. Her eyes practically bugged out of her head as she fought so hard to stay her natural happy and polite self as Philip swift stomped her heart into the dirt. Really there was nothing wrong with him falling in love, but why wasn't it with her?

"Syrena was kidnapped by the pirates too," Philip felt a little bad for lying to Hannah. Wasn't her putting her through enough? "Her family was killed and home destroyed, so she doesn't have anywhere to go. Uncle offered that she come stay with us."

"Oh, just for a little while, while Miss Syrena gets things figured out?"

Philip and Syrena looked at each other.

"Well," Philip cleared his throat, "Maybe a bit longer than that. We're taking things as they come."

"Philip!"

The trio turned to see Pastor Thomas and Anne approaching the group. Anne had a very sympathetic look towards Hannah. The natural kindness and welcoming of her spirit battled with a mother's instinct to comfort her daughter.

"You must be Miss Finson," there was no coldness in Anne, but there was something a little sad. It was not for the loss of Philip as a potential son-in-law but at her daughter's heartbreak. She had seen this coming for a few years, noticing how Philip always seemed too polite and a little bored with Hannah. It had been Thomas who pushed the match, and even then in the past year he had started to move away from that game when it became clear Philip would just never see Hannah in the way they all wanted.

"Welcome to Port Royal, Miss Finson," Pastor Thomas shook Syrena's hand. "We are very happy to have you join our community. Have they been treating you well?"

"Depends on the person," Syrena smirked. "Mister Turner, Mister Swift, and Governor Swann absolutely, but Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth – who had been assuring some of her high society "friends" she was safe – frowned when she noticed Will, Philip, Syrena, Pastor Thomas, Hannah, and Anne Woodberry staring at her.

"Well, we have our fun," Syrena's grin deepened.

Hannah scowled when suddenly something hairy clambered onto Syrena. She let out a shriek and tried to swat but Will Turner caught her hand.

"No worries. That's just Jack." Will paused as he saw a full contingent of Navy officers leading Captain Jack Sparrow off the ship. "No relation."

The group laughed, but Will stayed stone faced as he watched Jack Sparrow be led away.

For a moment their eyes met, and Jack nodded. Without really registering that he was doing it, Will pulled out his mother's handkerchief and held it up. Kohl lined eyes widened and then softened. A small honest smile graced Sparrow's lips.

"It's not fair," a voice startled Will. He was glad though to see it was just Elizabeth. They shared a grin and Will offered his arm, which she took. It was a move that led to many a gasp and murmur around the dock. Elizabeth just wanted to scream out to them all that yes, she really was going to marry William Turner and they could all just choke on it. "Jack doesn't deserve this."

"I mean," Will hesitated," maybe not for what he did this time. But he is a good man. I know it seems ridiculous to say, but if you just-"

"I agree with you. He is a good man. Maybe not a great one, but a good one."

Will's heart softened, "And this is just one of the many reasons I love you."

"Because I agree with you?"

"Because I don't have to explain to you for you to understand my heart. I suppose it makes sense; it's belonged to you for so long."

"And mine has always belonged to you."

He wanted to kiss her so badly. Right then and there in front of all of Port Royal, but he knew what kind of scandal that would cause and he just didn't have the energy in him that day to deal with it. Will would throw Port Royal into an uproar another day, perhaps on Sunday when he and Syrena attended church on the arms of Swanns for the first time.

Speaking of, Syrena appeared to be settling in with the Woodberrys. She was laughing along with Philip and the ministerial couple. Hannah had slunk not too far away, clearly not ready yet to deal with the existence of Syrena yet.

"Poor girl," Elizabeth leaned against Will, watching as Hannah conversed with Groves.

Hannah would occasionally watch Joshua for him when the grandparents were unavailable, but with Fanny's parents preparing to move to the other coast of Jamaica soon, Laurence Groves' nearly bedbound health, and Rose Grove's declining mental state, Elizabeth wondered if Groves needed to find someone more permanent to help out.

"I can just imagine she woke up today thinking that Philip would finally have come to his senses about her during the adventure, and now Hannah has to rethink her entire future." Elizabeth played with the cuff of his sleeve, "I remember how hard that was for me when you showed up at church that day on Rachel Brown's arm. Still not sure if I'm over it and I won in the end."

Will rolled his eyes, "Then thank goodness she's far away or else I would have to worry about what you might do to her."

"She stays in Louisiana and we won't have a problem."

"Says the woman who was recently engaged to another man."

"Like you weren't plotting against him."

"Hey, I told Jack that I wasn't okay with murdering Norrington."

Governor Swann who had made the mistake of walking up at that moment, looked at the pair strangely.

Weatherby asked his daughter, "Why is it whenever I walk up to you in moment such as this, you're always speaking about the most inappropriate things?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "At this point, I suspect a family curse."

Will stifled a laugh and the Governor just sighed.

Weatherby looked over at Philip and that was when Pastor Thomas noticed him. Instantly Thomas' eyes pointed over Philip's shoulder and Weatherby followed them to the sight of a strange man.

He was tall with dark hair and very put together. At first, Weatherby thought it was his interim Governor who took care of Port Royal in his undefined absence to search for Elizabeth. Then he noticed the large cross and ornate bible and Weatherby got a queasy feeling.

Weatherby looked back to Pastor Thomas. Thomas nodded and then touched Philip's arm. They couldn't hear what was said, but a moment later Thomas led away Philip towards the man. Weatherby wordlessly followed.

Across the crowd, Syrena frowned but did not follow. She just continued to converse with Anne, who she found she quite liked.

Elizabeth traded a scowl with Will, especially after they caught eyes with Syrena and the mermaid just shrugged.

"Come on," Will caught up Elizabeth's arm and she led him over to their other friends.

"Hannah," Elizabeth didn't care that she was interrupting her conversation with Groves. "Who is that man?"

She looked towards the stranger who was now in deep conversation with Weatherby, Thomas, and a very nervous looking Philip.

Hannah's expression darkened, "That? That's Archdeacon Rutherford."

Elizabeth and Will looked at each other.

"Who?" Elizabeth asked blankly.

"Archdeacon Rutherford," Hannah repeated. "Surely Philip has told you about Pastor Adam?"

"Not ringing a bell," Will admitted.

In frustration and worry at being overheard, Hannah pulled them in very close.

"His diocese is technically in Barbados, but he travels all around the Caribbean seeing to areas of concern for the Church of England."

"Areas of concern?" Elizabeth noticed that Philip was getting increasingly nervous the more he talked to Rutherford.

"They call him The Fixer," Hannah whispered as if uttering the name would get her in trouble. "He goes around and deals with church problems."

"What kinds of problems?" Will asked.

"You know, things like the collection plate is being skimmed and the local preacher somehow suddenly has the funds to put another level on his home. Or maybe a pastor is a bit too close with a male friend. I knew a preacher's daughter a few towns over named Maria. She and her beau were rumored to be excessively affectionate. Rutherford was summoned and within a week, Maria and her beau were suddenly married. I thought it unfair, but sure enough, seven months later she gives birth to a very large and very healthy premature baby boy."

"So, when a prospective pastor breaks a pirate out of prison and steals a navy ship-"

"The Church of England sends The Fixer."

And all Will and Elizabeth could do with grasp each other's hand and watch from afar as Philip desperately fought for the future he had worked so hard for. Worked hard for and thrown away for them.

"Let us make this very simple, Mister Swift," Rutherford's personality was no nonsense, "your slot in the Pentecost Ember Week Ordination Examinations has been revoked."

Philip had been expecting it, but to actually hear it was still a punch in the gut.

"Pending investigation?" Weatherby asked in his best Governor negotiating voice.

"No," Rutherford answered simply. "Pending investigation, we may have a spot for Swift during the September Holy Cross Day Ember Week Ordinations, but the Whitsun opportunity is over. End of story."

"But we already have our Pentecost trip all planned."

"Then you'll have a lovely holiday, but ordination will not be part of it."

Weatherby gave a very heavy sigh, no doubt already exhausted by all he would have to do to readjust their plans. Philip was certain that he would be the one who had to write his grandmother about the news. At least he wasn't Elizabeth who would have to break it to the Skylarks.

Rutherford looked to Philip, "Your father was Nathaniel Swift, wasn't he?"

His spine and jaw tightened, "Yes."

"I remember hearing about him. His antics were a little before my time in my current role, but-"

"We're discussing Philip Swift here," Weatherby interrupted loudly. There was something unusually sharp in his eyes. "I have raised Philip from the day he was born and in practice is more my son than Nathaniel's. What Nathaniel did in his life is irrelevant and does not need to be discussed."

Philip knew how serious his uncle was by those words. If there was one line you didn't cross, it was calling Nathaniel not really Philip's father over Weatherby. The one time Agnes Skylark made that mistake was the one time Philip was ever scared of his father, and it was known Nathaniel once gave his own mother such a tongue lashing.

Even in death, Weatherby respected Nathaniel's feelings on the matter and almost never referred to himself as Philip's father over Nathaniel.

Philip wasn't sure exactly why his uncle was so hostile over Nathaniel's legacy in that moment, but he suspected there was a piece he was missing from the conversation that would make him understand.

"Archdeacon Rutherford," Philip said calmly, "I understand the position I have put the church in and I apologize for that. However, I do not regret what I did and I truly believe this was God's path for me, as is the Priesthood. For years I have focused on nothing by my calling from God and I will do what I must to prove to the Church that I am worthy of said calling. Jesus has asked me to spread the Word of God and I will spend my life doing just that. I hope I can make you see this is true."

The honesty in Philip's demeanour softened Rutherford slightly. He was no Egyptian Pharaoh whose heart was hardened at the word of Moses. He wanted to see the good in all and as he had stayed in Port Royal these past few weeks, he had heard nothing but good of Philip Swift. The boy was the kind of man the Church needed, but still what happened could not so easily be set aside.

"I hope you can," Rutherford said, "because this is your last chance. Either you prove to me that you are worthy of a September spot, or this is the end of the road for you. Is that understood?"

"Understood."

Thankfully the men around him were too much of gentlemen to mention how hard his legs were shaking.

"Welcome home."

Syrena looked out of the carriage in amazement as the carriage pulled up to the Swann Manor. She had heard many a story of large houses such as this, but seeing one in real life was like seeing in person the ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

"I want baths, bed, food, and clothing for everyone," Weatherby eyed Will who sat with Philip on the seat across from the Governor and the girls. "I think we could all use a good nap this afternoon. I'll have a room put together for you, William. I'm sure that some of Philip's old clothing will work for you as well."

"I'm flattered, Sir," Will said, "but really, I don't want to be a nuisance."

"Don't think such a thing, You saved my daughter; this is the least I can offer. I insist upon it. We'll all take the afternoon to rest and clean up, and we'll have a nice dinner together this evening. Then you can check on your master and your forge."

Philip lightly punched Will's arm at the term "your forge."

An army of servants were waiting for the carriage when they exited. Estrella and Rosalyn had worked some sort of witchcraft to beat the group home, but that was why they had such acclaim in the household.

There were some claps for Will, some strange looks towards Syrena, and in general confused murmurs about the group that emerged. Nothing surprised them more than when Philip Swift offered Syrena his arm and she took it, holding him much closer than a lady and gentleman should be.

"Rosalyn," Weatherby summoned the maid. "I believe you've become mildly acquainted with Miss Syrena Finson. She will require personal assistance with dressing, dining, errands, and other such ladies' tasks. I will ask you to act for Miss Syrena as Estrella acts for my daughter."

She looked surprised, "Understood, My Lord."

"You will be compensated accordingly. However, you will be expected to tend to your normal duties polishing silver, tending fires, making beds."

"Of course."

He hesitated and then stepped close, "I charge you not to tend to Miss Syrena while bathing."

"Sir?"

"The girl has been through some traumatic events with the pirates and does not feel comfortable being undressed in front of strangers at the moment."

Elizabeth frowned, "Like anyone is."

"I understand, Governor Swann," Rosalyn nodded. "Come on, Miss Finson. Let's see if we can find something of Miss Swann's for you to wear."

Everyone went through the prescribed treatment: bath, a small amount of food, a nap on a nice featherbed – Philip and Elizabeth never realized just how much they missed their beds until the moment they were back in – then a little grooming and some fresh clothing. Elizabeth unfortunately couldn't convince Estrella to let her wear trousers, but she was able to escape the iron claws of a corset.

Meanwhile Will was just glad he convinced the servants not to burn his only set of work clothes. He really had to write Rachel to make him some new ones soon, but there were more important things to focus his money on for the time being.

Like marrying Elizabeth first of all.

They all met up for dinner which was a modern feast laid for just the five of them. Pork wrapped in plantains and garnished with a sweet potato, mango, and pineapple hash served as the main dish. Bread made of cassava flour, bean, corn, and pickled fish (something Syrena would later call an offense against God himself) served as the side dishes with a myriad of produce. The Swanns had always been heavy handed with fruits and vegetables after Katherine Swann had read one too many nutrition texts and declared no meal in this house was considered complete without at least half the dishes being produce. Something about good health or such nonsense. It was one of those times she would go a little off the deep end like the time she started making them wash their hands before meals and after chamber pots uses because she read a bizarre pamphlet one time about religious handwashing and low death statistics.

In all fairness, after the produce proclamation, Katherine did become pregnant with and easily carried Tabitha to term, so that had been enough to convince Weatherby to continue the tradition even after her death.

Will could not remember the last time he had such a delicious meal. Even when he had briefly lived with the Swanns after moving to Port Royal, the cook they had hired turned out to be terrible and was fired shortly after Will moved into the smith with the Browns.

It was at the end of the meal when dessert had been cleared away that Weatherby surprised everyone by rising from his seat.

"A toast," he declared and watched in amusement as the confused children scrambled for their wine glasses. "The last time I sat at this table, I had a horrid fight with my daughter and the boy I consider my son. It was a fight about refusing to let their follow their hearts and when the next day happened and they were both gone, I realized just how much I had been in the wrong. Philip, Elizabeth, I want your happiness more than anything, and I am glad to see you have found it in these lovely young people here tonight."

The men and the women smiled at each other, and Syrena reached across the table to touch Philip's arm. The pairs had been separated by gender but rather than Elizabeth and Philip sitting next to their uncle as proper, the couples had been permitted to face each other.

"Elizabeth," Weatherby turned to his daughter, "I am happy that you always choose to be no one else but yourself. As much as it sometimes gives me a headache, I would ask God for a daughter who was no other way."

She reached over and placed her hand atop the hand not holding his wine glass.

"Philip," he looked to his nephew, "you are an amazing young man with courage and determination. You have graced us with the addition of Syrena, and I wish the two of you only the greatest happiness. As for your ordination, I know that every person at this table will fight tooth and nail to get you the position you so rightfully deserve."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Syrena," it was her turn to get the Governor's gaze, "you have brought a light to this family that we lost with Katherine and Rebecca. I know things are strange for you but know that you are welcome in this household so long as you wish to be here."

"And I am glad to accept that offer," Syrena squeezed Philip's arm. A red hibiscus adorned her hair, matching the red outfit that Rosalyn had rustled up. Syrena had been surprised after her nap to find Philip had sent a large bouquet of them which made Rosalyn giggle as she explained to Syrena that red hibiscus meant love and passion.

"And William," Weatherby turned his glass to the blacksmith, "I owe you everything. You saved my daughter and for that I can never thank you enough. Though we have a very long road ahead of us, I want you to know that I am already proud to call you son."

"May that day come soon," Philip rose his own glass.

"To the future," Elizabeth thrust forward her glass.

"To the future!" they all chorused.

And the dining room filled with the clanking of glasses as they all shared a cheers.

It was late when Will finally came home to the smith. He had taken a good long time to say good night to Elizabeth, taking a peaceful walk in the garden after dinner to talk about their future.

Their future. Will could barely believe this was happening. When he went to break Jack out of prison to save Elizabeth, he thought he was giving up everything. Now he found that he was getting everything he ever wanted. The girl, the friends, the adoration and acceptance, and even the acknowledgement of the accomplishments as a blacksmith he had to mask for so long. His life was going right for the first time truly in his life, and once he had the smith, he would finally have everything.

And nothing could take that away.

The smith was dark when he arrived. It didn't surprise Will, he half expected to find it boarded up without his presence.

He fished his keys out of his coat and fussed with the door. Keeping track of his keys during the adventure was one of the most stressful things Will had endured in his life. He had grabbed them when he went out to battle the pirates raiding Port Royal and left them stashed in a pocket. Later when he found himself on a boat with a pirate and Philip the next morning on their way to Tortuga, the boys decided it was best Philip hang on to them. Philip had a few hidden pockets stitched into his coat, so keeping them in there was the safest way to make sure they didn't get lost. They had been so secure that Philip had completely forgotten about them until Will asked for them on his way home that night.

The lock stuck a bit, but with somewhat of a crash, he shoved his way into the smith.

Instantly he was greeted by a very happy donkey, and Dominic trotted right over to nuzzle Will. It was when Will was debating whether he should try to find a treat for his friend when he suddenly heard the voice coming around the corner.

"Excuse me! I'm sorry but we're closed! I'm afraid we're not going to open until- Will!"

Will had expected those words upon his return, but he was startled when he heard them. It wasn't the man's voice that he had been expecting when he imagined Mister Brown stumbling upon his errant apprentice, but instead it was a woman who had come to greet him.

A woman he knew very well.

"Rachel."

A/N: And that's why I was going to do the fake engagement bullshit. If Will thought that Elizabeth was going to marry Norrington, the unexpected return of his almost fiancée would throw a nice wrench in the plans. Who knows? Maybe they still will.

Fun fact, at least 70% of this chapter was handwritten because I was on the bus way too much this week. You know what's not fun? Transcribing handwritten chapters to the computer. I remember now why I don't often carry a notebook on the bus.