One Day at a Time
By: MJ
Epilogue

Clang!
Clink—clank—CLANG!

Clack—Clack—Clack

CRASH!

"Bloody 'ell!" Jack roared as Johnny stood over top of him, grinning like an idiot. His sword was in his hand, waving threateningly over Jack's face. Johnny held out a hand instead, and helped his "uncle" to his feet. Jack was wearing the Pearl's entire stock of metal pots and pans, having strapped them to his body in many various ways. Just because he was immortal, did not mean he couldn't feel the pain of having an arm get chopped off by "accident" (and feeling it grow back was that much less enjoyable for him). "I'm not fightin' wif ye any longa," he nodded briskly, beginning to take off his effects. "'Specially if ye continue t' figh' dirty… ye're fightin' like yer father!"

"Pirate," Will reminded with a grin as he walked out from below. Johnny ran towards his father, laughing hysterically at his win against his uncle.

"Father!" He shouted, and Will picked him up quickly, although he was getting a bit old for that sort of affection. Neither seemed to care; they were merely making up for lost time. "I beat Unca Jack!"

"It's not that hard," Will said mockingly at the iron-clad pirate, who was glaring sourly as he tried to pry a frying pan off of his behind.

"Oh, har, har, dear William," Jack mocked right back, a smug smile on his features, "but I do remember beatin' ye quite a few times…"

"You didn't fight fair," Will countered.

"Pirate," Jack replied with a shrug. His face took on more serious of tones. "How is she?"

"… I don't know," Will said softly, setting down his son. "Go play, Johnny," he said, and the boy skipped off towards Pintel and Ragetti with a mischievous grin. Will walked back towards Jack, who was watching the lad's movements closely. He seemed preoccupied and worried, his eyes distant and unreadable. When he smiled, it didn't quite reach his eyes, and it was all because Elizabeth had taken ill three weeks ago.

It was close to four months since Will received his freedom, and the entire Turner family had been brought aboard the Pearl two days after Will's initial return. It warmed Jack's heart to see the lovers reunited once again, but to see Will like this was just plain wrong. Four months, and Elizabeth was desperately ill. It wasn't quite fair for him to suffer, especially already having suffered for one long decade.

"She'll get betta," Jack offered. "She's a figh'er, tha' one."

"Will?"

His head snapped towards the entrance to down below, and Jack followed his gaze to the sickeningly pale form of Elizabeth. She was almost completely white, her eyes looked sunken in, and she had bags underneath them. She began to climb out further, but lost her balance in a bout of dizziness and began to fall. He caught her in a moment, and held her in his arms.

"What are you doing out here?" His firm, but gentle voice rang clearly across the deck, which had gone silent. "You should be down below—we're about to make port."

"Will… I think I've realized what's wrong," her voice was so tiny; Jack had to strain his ears to hear her. Will panicked, thinking that she may be dying, so he shushed her quietly with a soft kiss to her lips.

"We'll be in Tortuga in a moment, love," he whispered, brushing her hair past her ear. She was sweating so badly; she had a slight fever. "We'll get a doctor—you'll be fine."

"Will," she tried again, this time sounding just a bit annoyed. "Please."

"Shush," he whispered, kissing her lips once more. "Just… go down below… When we make port, I'll send Johnny for the doctor… I don't want you walking—"

"Oh, honestly, Will!" Her weak voice nearly shouted. His eyes widened as she laughed at him. "I'm not a child!"

"Please, Elizabeth," he begged her once more. "I cannot lose you!"

"You will not!" She huffed, pulling him closer towards her, and whispering in his ear. He nearly dropped her then, a shocked expression on his face. "See? I'm fine."

"No… no, you're not," Will shook his head. "Down below immediately," he said, looking towards Jack. "Can we make this ship sail any faster?" He yelled, causing Elizabeth to wince.

"Will… I have a headache," she moaned. He swooped her up in his arms, carrying her below without so much as a second glance at the pirate Captain, who sat puzzled on the steps.

"Lovers," he muttered to himself, removing the cap from his flask and taking a large gulp. "Bloody hell they depress me."

Will was anxiously pacing the deck as Henry had come aboard the Pearl to examine Elizabeth. It had been nearly a half-hour ago, and he—along with the rest of the crew—was getting restless. Finally, he heard the door to Jack's cabin open, and the grim face of Henry welcomed him. Upon seeing Will, he smiled and patted his arm. "She can see you now," he offered, and Will took this opportunity to run immediately to Elizabeth's side.

"How are you?" He asked, sitting beside her on the bed. She was propped up against a few pillows, and was looking positively overwhelmed.

"I'm… I'm…" she muttered, blinking profusely, as if confused. She looked into his warm, worried eyes and smiled. "…pregnant," she whispered, her eyes searching his. They widened at first before rolling back into his head and then they fluttered closed as Will lost all consciousness.

"Someone—help!" Elizabeth's feeble call alerted the entire crew, and one by one they crammed into the cabin, only to see Elizabeth beaming over the unconscious form of her husband. At everyone's questioning stares, she smiled even wider, "I'm pregnant," she repeated, and everyone understood. "He… simply fainted at the thought." She shrugged, causing a roar of laughter from the crowd. Will stirred suddenly at the noise, and looked around him in confusion. Suddenly, it all came flooding back to him.

"Elizabeth!" He whispered, sitting up quickly. It wasn't until he felt her light touch pushing him back down to the ground did he relax.

"Shh…" She shushed him softly, a coy smile on her lips, "Don't rush it… you don't want to faint again."

"I fainted?" He asked sheepishly, suddenly realizing that most of the crew was watching them.

"Yes… yes, you did," she replied in between giggles.

"Oh."

"Mama—are you feeling better?"

Everyone turned to the door to see Johnny's worried face. He rushed forward, but paused once he saw his father was on the ground.

"What's wrong with Papa, Mama?" He asked, looking at her incredulously. "Did you hit him?"

"No!" Will said firmly, his cheeks burning up as this had caused more laughter from the crowd. He looked pointedly at Jack, who was laughing the hardest. Getting the point, the Captain of the ship shooed his crew from his cabin, before walking out himself and giving a wink to the couple.

"O' course ye bloody fainted, Will! It's not ev'ry day a eunuch 'as a baby!" Before Will could retaliate, Jack had shut the door and walked away.

"Papa—what's a u-nitch?"

"Err," he said, running a hand through his hair, "not now, Johnny…" He turned back to Elizabeth. "How—why—when? What shall we name it? Where will we stay? D'you think we should make port here, or continue sailing with the Pearl? Elizabeth… when are you due--? Oh, God, I'm going to be a father… again," he rambled on, causing Elizabeth to smile. She shushed him with a soft kiss to his lips before she pulled away and smiled.

"Relax, Will… we'll just take everything one day at a time."

So... this story began and ended with a pregnancy, and the same line. Kind of corny and cheesey, but it leaves everything open for the next story... Which will be titled...

I dunno yet...

Here is the summary, though, so keep a weather eye on the horizon!

It's been four long, hard months since Will Turner left behind the Flying Dutchman, leaving it in the care of Calypso. However, when her heart is broken once more, and the seas turn dangerous for all, the Pirates Court must gather once more, and there's a heavier price to pay this time around...

Thanks for reading this story--it's the first one I've finished!--Let me know what you'd think in a review... I'd love to break two-hundred. -winkwink-