Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, Ted and Terry.

Rating: T for now.

Characters: Most of the entire cast

Pairings: Will/Elizabeth, Jack/Anamaria,

The Chosen

Chapter 10: Evacuation

Elizabeth stared in fear at the two young men standing in the entrance, only half listening to what her father said as she tried to form a plan in her mind, ignoring the emotions as they clawed at the back of her mind. There was fear for her own life and what her husband had become and was responsible for. There was also sorrow and regret. She knew she was going to regret hurting those she cared about in order to escape.

“Do not be afraid, Elizabeth dear,” her father approached her. “Everything will be quite fine in a few minutes.”

By hurting them she would be able to flee her house, and by fleeing her house she would help to cure them and her husband. The pain would only be temporary, but she was willing to do what she had to in order to save those she cared about.

“I am feeling fine,” Elizabeth said calmly before she turned to the other men. “Gentlemen, I’m sorry, but now is not a good time for a visit.”

“We are not here for a visit,” Thomas said, never loosing the large grin on his face. “We are here to help you.”

“Help you help us usher in a new age.” Michael was not smiling; his lips were pursed when he wasn’t speaking.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder to see her father was still carrying the candelabrum. “But I am not going to need your help.” She turned around and ran towards her father. “Forgive me,” she whispered before she elbowed him in the stomach, causing him to grunt. She grabbed onto the candelabrum and blew out the flames before she slammed the blunt end on her father’s head.

“Elizabeth,” her father grunted before he fell forward.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized again before she leaped over his unconscious form and ran towards the fireplace.

“That was very improper Miss Turner,” Thomas unsheathed his sword.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Michael agreed.

“I have been improper for the past few years,” Elizabeth grabbed the lone sword that remained over the mantle and spun around to face them.

Thomas was the only one to catch up to her. He brought his blade down against hers.

Elizabeth deflected his sword with hers. “I am certain my husband will frown down on his Minions if they hurt his wife.”

“How do you know what we are?” Thomas asked as he deflected a counter strike.

“I won’t tell you,” she swung back, careful to block each of his attacks while trying to get the upper hand. She wondered what held Michael back until she heard the sound of two other swords parrying against each other.

“Does Admiral Norrington know?”

“He doesn’t,” she grabbed a small vase from behind her.

“Don’t try it.” His eyes were on the vase.

“What?” She raised it, ready to throw at his head. She stepped forward and stomped down on his toe. “This?” She took the opportunity of his recoil to slam the pottery down on his head before she knocked the blade from his hands.

“You cheated,” he jumped away from her and dove for his blade.”

“Pirate,” she whispered before she tackled him. She kept his arms pinned down while she angled her head. “This means nothing.” She kissed him. Her kiss did not land on his lips, but an inch away on his face.

“You are one of his,” Thomas blinked before his eyes closed and his head dropped.

She was one of his? Elizabeth wondered how he knew that little detail and reached up to touch her ears. During the sword fight her hair had come undone and revealed the points.

“Elizabeth?” James Norrington called out. He was the one who was sparring against Michael.

“James?” Elizabeth crawled off Thomas’s body and stood up. “I’m in here.

“They have hurt your father,” James said as he entered. “I knew you weren’t safe.”

“They didn’t strike his head,” Elizabeth stared down in shame. “I did. He’s a Minion.” She tried to hold back her tears, squeezed her eyelids shut to keep them from seeping out. First they got to Will and now her father.

“Elizabeth, I’m sorry.” James said.

“I don’t think I can be strong, not for this.”

“Don’t say that,” he stood close. “You stood up to Barbossa and his crew. You told me you came after Beckett with a pistol. You fought against Sao Feng and his crew and Groves told me you were an almost equal match for him when it comes to swords. You will be strong for this.”

She opened her eyes. His warm smile did reassure her a bit. “Thank you.”

“You managed to defeat him,” James pointed at Thomas.

“I kissed him.” Elizabeth nodded.

“Tia Dalma was right about our kisses affect on Minions.”

“I did not kiss his lips, I missed.”

He stared at Thomas before glancing back at her. “She didn’t say it had to be on the lips, only when we create new Favorites.” He held out his hand. “We must leave. Mr. Harris would have most likely be bringing more Minions.”

She nodded as she took his hand and followed him to the door. “Wait,” she paused by her father. “The strike to the head is only temporary.” She kneeled by her father’s unconscious form. “I know I have said this several times, but I will say it once more. I am sorry. This will only be a temporary sleep for you. When you wake it will all be over.” She kissed his forehead. “Sleep well, father.” She stood back up and followed after James.

Julia Carlisle stared at the large dollhouse in the corner of the room while holding onto the small and matronly doll that fit inside. “You world is simple.” Her fingers brushed against the corn silk like hair of the doll. “Every day you woke up and cooked breakfast, made sure your husband made it to his shop, watched over your children, cleaned the house, cleaned the clothes, met up with your friends for tea.” The corners of mouth turned up into a smile as she remembered the simple lifestyle she created for her dolls. “You never had to worry about nightmares coming true.” She placed the doll by one of the balconies. “Or should I say it was simple?” It had been years since she played with the dollhouse or her dolls.

She left the room when she heard the beating at the two double doors at the front of the mansion. Who was trying to visit at this hour, and why were they being loud and obnoxious about it, unless they were in trouble.

“Henry,” she called out to the butler once she reached the banister and stared down. “Who is it?”

“Do not trouble yourself Miss Carlisle,” Henry stared up before he opened the doors. He nearly stepped back at the sight of Mr. Cuthbert and his son, Greg, and daughter in law, Alice. “Good evening, what brings you to our home at this hour?”

“We have an invitation for Mr. And Miss Carlisle,” Cuthbert said.

“You have all come to see us?” Julia’s Father stepped out of his study. “At this hour?”

“It is very urgent,” Cuthbert said.

“It can’t wait any more,” Greg said.

“All three of you had to come?” Henry asked.

“Should we prepare some refreshments?” Julia asked as she descended down the steps.

“Not quite yet,” her father held up a hand. “Mr. Cuthbert, where is your wife, Mary?”

“She has become ill,” Cuthbert shoved past Henry. “She couldn’t quite join us.”

“Shouldn’t you be with her?” Julia asked. There was something off about the three of them.

“She is receiving the best care.”

“Are you feeling quite all right, yourself?” Henry was staring at Cuthbert. “There is something odd about your eyes.”

Julia knew she shouldn’t stare at Cuthbert’s eyes, having people stare at her own blind eye before, but she gave in to curiosity. Mr. Cuthbert’s once blue eyes had darkened and the white parts seemed to be a bit yellowish.

“Julia,” her father stepped in front of her and lowered his voice. “You need to run.”

“Father?” She shrank back when she heard the fear in her father’s voice.

“Henry, don’t let them in.”

“What ever could be the matter?” Cuthbert smiled.

“I’m sorry but you heard him,” Henry gently pushed the merchant out. “We cannot have visitors at this hour.

“Julia,” her father’s voice took on a stern tone.

“I’m not leaving you,” Julia slowly stepped back.

Henry slammed the doors shut and held the handles while he braced his body against the shaking doors. It would not be long before the Cuthberts would beat down the door.

“Now!” Her father shouted and ran after her.

Julia turned around and ran as fast as she could and did not stop when she had heard the doors finally give away.

Time was not on James’s best side, nor was it luck. He did feel some doubt as to whether Elizabeth would have been able to hold back Will. He knew she shouldn’t have gone alone, although he knew he shouldn’t have doubted her fighting abilities and was thankful she hadn’t come across her husband. James hated to admit it, but he had a feeling Will was slightly more gifted with the skill of a sword than he.

“What is the new plan?” Elizabeth asked as they neared the docks. She had been silent up until then. James knew she had a lot on her mind and was most likely thinking about her father and husband.

“The new plan is to regroup and take several ships out to meet up with Captain Sparrow,” James answered. “We will also be taking any Favorites created by the others.”

“You are going to turn the whole Navy into Favorites, aren’t you?”

He nodded. “We have no idea how many Minions there are.” He sensed her discomfort at his plan. “You are thinking of something else.”

“My husband is at my father’s mansion.” She stared at the direction of her old home.

“You are not thinking of going there,” James grasped her hand.

“If we are to try to get to him we have to speak with him.”

“They may already know about us.”

She shook her head. “Only Thomas knew about us and he is in a coma.”

“We should get the other items first,” his grip increased. “You know it is the only way.”

She shook her head. “What if it is too late?”

“Too late? How would it be too late? If we don’t find the other items and the William and his Minions succeed, then it would be too late.”

“I might not be able to reach him,” she blinked back the tears that were forming. “I might not be able bring him back, his soul might be lost forever.” She pulled away. “I have to go now.” She turned towards the direction of wheels creaking and hooves.

“Elizabeth.”

“Don’t say it. I won’t believe you.”

“I believed you once,” he had to choose his words carefully, she already flinched and he wondered if she thought he meant her promise to marry him. “I believed you when you told me about Cutler Beckett. I lowered my sword and watched, while I wondered if I stood on the right side. It was the letter that confirmed it, but I was leaning to your words.”

“James.”

“Your husband will not be too far gone. Your words will reach him. He will feel your tears, your thoughts and your love. He will know how you feel. He should already know how much you love him already. The one thing I have known about your husband is has the most noble soul in the world.” He paused to take a deep breath. “You may not want to believe me, but believe your own heart.”

“He will listen,” Elizabeth whispered. Her hands relaxed and she opened her eyes as they carriage they heard had pulled up and the horses had stopped.

“You are with the Navy?” the youth driving the horses couldn’t have been much older than fifteen.

Before James or Elizabeth had a chance to answer the door opened and Abigail Peterson stormed out. “Of course he is with the Navy. He is Admiral Norrington.” She glared at the youth as an older woman, Mrs. Peterson and a twelve-year-old girl stepped out. “I knew I should have driven the horses instead.

“Abigail,” Elizabeth blinked as her friend approached them. “What is wrong?”

“Half the city has gone mad,” Abigail said. “The Mackenzie’s stormed into our home, killed the servants. Father and Jonathon stood behind to keep them at bay while the rest of us escaped.” Two more carriages pulled up behind them

“My eldest,” Mrs. Peterson wrung her hands.

“He is already starting to attack,” Elizabeth gasped.

James shook his head. “He is just trying to raise an army.”

“Do you know what is going on?” Abigail stared at them.

“It is hard to explain,” Elizabeth said. “I don’t even think I can explain.”

“Port Royal needs to be evacuated,” James said, his eyes were on the arriving carriages, horses and people running towards the docks. “Elizabeth I need you to find Theodore and tell him to spread the word. Everyone needs to leave the city. We will take as many aboard as possible.”

“What is going on?” Abigail demanded.

“Abigail,” Julia Carlisle ran up to her friend. “Elizabeth, what is happening?”

“That is what I want to know,” Abigail crossed her arms.

“We can’t have everyone panicking,” James continued. “Any lieutenant or Marine you come across, tell them to join me, now go.”

“I will return as soon as I can,” Elizabeth said before she raced through the docks.

“Admiral Norrington,” Mr. Carlisle addressed him. “I believe I may know what is going on.”

“You do?” James raised an eyebrow.

The older man nodded. “I have encountered something similar twenty three years ago.”

This had happened before? “Anything information that may be of help I will use,” he motioned with his finger for Carlisle to step closer. “But we cannot reveal the truth to this crowd and it would be better to speak when everyone is safe.”

“When will that be?”

“When everyone who is unaffected has left,” he turned to face the still growing crowd. Many people were staring around in confusion, speaking to each other. Abigail and Julia were whispering to each other and Abigail shot him the occasional glare.

“What shall we tell them?”

“We will tell them it is a horrible disease,” he looked up when two lieutenants and three Marines were heading his way. “You and Julia will be amongst those who will travel with me and Elizabeth.”

Carlisle nodded. “Julia, come here.”

“Admiral?” Lieutenant Pryce asked.

“I need the five of you to help direct these people to different ships.” James said before he turned to the crowd. “Ladies and Gentlemen. We will help you to safety, but try to remain calm and orderly.” He hoped no one would break out in a panic. “I will be directing you to different ships.” He turned to the other military men. “They will help guide you to the ship. If your last name starts between A and E you will be aboard the Naiad.” Alphabetical order was the first idea that had sprung to his mind.