a.n. Well, here it is, the final part of A Flash of Green. I'm sorry it has taken me this long to get it up, but I've been busy and I had some trouble figuring out what to write for the third part. I really have enjoyed writing this story and I want to thank all of you who reviewed this story; they certainly made my day. I hope to some time write another POTC fic, but I have too many other stories on my plate to finish before I can even think of another one. By the way, I took the liberty of making some assumptions about Will's parents for the purposes of this part of the story. Feel free to correct me if you know what the truth is. Read, Review, and Enjoy!

Part III: Ten Years

It's almost time. I can feel it in my soul. Ten long years at sea are about to come to an end. And I couldn't be happier.

It has been an agonizingly long decade for me, and there were days when I didn't think I'd be able to go on. The one thing that got me through the long days and cold nights were my thoughts and memories of her. Every night, I dreamt of her and her lovely face and that was the only thing that could keep my mind off of the harsh reality of the separation between us. I have done my duty faithfully, no matter how pained it made me, just so I would one day be able to see her again.

A small, cliffy island suddenly appears in the distance and I know that we have returned.

My mother was one of the most important people I ever had in my life. With just the two of us most of the time, it was up to her to teach me the lessons of life and to raise me as well as any single mother could hope to raise her son. I spent my early years practically glued to her side, never wanting to leave her for fear that she would suddenly be taken from me. As I grew older, that fear never subsided, though I did learn to be more independent and not so reliant on her. When she got sick, I had to learn how to be strong and how to take care of both myself and her. With her death there was no one else around to care for me and I made my way across the ocean, in search of my father and, maybe, a new life.

I can just barely make out a dark shape standing atop the cliff. Slowly, this dark blur begins to take shape and my breathing quickens as I recognize the figure.

My father had been a mystery for most of my life, a big void, a missing part of me. I never saw him much when I was younger, only a few times a year at most. Those few times I managed to see him, he always made sure that he showed me how much he loved me, how much my mother and I meant to him. He was never home very long and always left shortly after returning, but I never forgot how much he loved me. For these last ten years, I have known my father as I never have before. I have gotten to know him as I had always hoped to know him. He has been a constant source of strength for me in all those times when my strength failed me, which happened every time I thought of her. He was always there to support me and reassure me that I would one day see her again.

It is her. The one I have been longing for for ten long years. Just a little closer and I will be able to see her lovely face.

I remember the first day I met her. I opened my eyes and there she was, looking down and watching me like an angel. Ever since, not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about her. I was devastated when she was kidnapped all those years ago, relieved at finding her, and overjoyed when she returned my feelings. When I was sent on that quest for Beckett, the only thing on my mind was to succeed so that I could make it back to her and set her free. The tense times following that adventure were hard on me, for I would willingly have given up the love of my life if I thought she would be happier with someone else, even though it would have pained me to do so. When I saw her deliver that rousing speech to the Black Pearl crew, I knew then that even though we had had our differences, there could be no one else for me to love. Finally being able to marry her made my life complete and even though I feared never being able to be with her again, I was glad to have given my life protecting hers. That one night we shared together has always remained with me, a memory that I will never, could never, forget.

We are almost upon the island now and from my high perch I can see her standing there, looking as lovely as I remember. She looks as she did the last time I saw her, never seeming to have aged a bit in the last ten years. Her beautiful golden-brown locks, slightly curled, blowing gently in the wind and her soft brown eyes meeting mine only heighten the affection I have always felt for her. I can feel a smile creeping upon my lips as a stare at her beautiful form. My eyes suddenly drift to the small figure standing to her left. For a moment I am slightly puzzled before the realization suddenly dawns on me. I didn't know it was possible but I believe my smile grew even wider and the love that I felt for her increased even more than I could have possibly ever imagined. My love, my life, my wife, my Elizabeth is there waiting for my return.

And I, William Turner, captain of the Flying Dutchman, have indeed returned to her waiting arms after ten long years away, just as I always have and as I vow to always do, though I am pleased to know that I will never be separated from her again.