We'd been at sea for nearly two weeks, but it felt more like two years. My anxiety was bubbling to dangerous levels. I rarely ever got cabin fever, but now I had it so badly, I thought I'd go mad. Usually, I loved being at sea. Discovering places I'd never been, adventuring for treasures, raiding merchant ships of their cargo. It was typically exciting, but not this venture. I was nervous and scared, bordering terrified.

So many things plagued my thoughts. Could we even find the land of the dead, and if we did, dare we dream of returning? Further, what if we were truly successful? Would Jack even remember me? Would he still care for me as I cared for him? I tried to keep busy, but on such a small ship, it was difficult. Will was good company at least. I taught him to play Chinese checkers and he taught me a few card games.

I knew we were getting close when the snow stopped. By all logic, it should have gotten worse, not better. We were suddenly sailing into what seemed like nothingness. I wrung my hands as I stared out into the star filled sky. There was no moon to light our way, just thousands of twinkling little lights. It almost looked like we'd sailed right into them since the black water was so still it reflected them flawlessly. My stomach was churning, my intuition screaming at me that this was wrong.

I headed below deck, growing tired of my nerves and the nothingness. I flopped down on a thin cot and starred up at the wooden beams. The sun had only set not even an hour before, so every one was still above deck. I felt a sudden heaviness, and thought about going back up. I just couldn't find solace. Whether I was alone or surrounded by comrades, I couldn't find peace.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud pop. I snapped up, to see Will slam his fist into a post again. I twinged at the sound despite seeing it coming this time. I stood abruptly and went to him, grabbing his arm before he could hit it again. Poor lad was going to hurt himself before he hurt the thick wood. He jolted against my touch, but eased once he saw that it was me.

He let out a sigh, looking away from me, but didn't pull his hand from mine.

"Everything will be fine once we find Jack," he whispered harshly, "That's what she told me. As if how I feel doesn't matter at all." I gave him an apologetic look and squeezed his wrist tighter, trying to comfort him.

"Oh, Will," I started, unsure of what to say exactly, but knew I should say something. He jerked his hand from me then, shoving me back a little, his eyes glaring daggers.

"What help could you be when you're just the same?" he snapped coldly, turning his back to me.

I bit my lower lip, unprepared for his anger directed at me. What had I done?

"Why are you upset with me?" I defended. He turned back to me slowly, his eyes soft now, sadness and longing filling them.

"Are you all to be in love with Jack Sparrow?" he whispered. He let out a sigh and sat on a cot behind him. I took a step towards him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Will," was all I could say. He wasn't really mad at me. He wasn't really mad at all, he was hurting. He rested his head against my chest, letting me comfort him. I ran my fingers gently through his hair.

"It's alright, Will, I know it hurts," I cooed. I felt his own arms wrap around my waist, his hands gently touching my back. I pressed a chaste kiss to his forehead and he looked up to me then, his mood lightening. He gave me a light appreciative smile and I returned it.

"I'm sorry, Madelyn. You've been nothing but kind to me. You didn't deserve that," he said, standing up. I slipped my arms from him, and took a small step back, but he held me in place, his hands tightening on the small of my back. Before I had time to protest or pull away, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. My eyes grew wide in surprise.

My hands went back to his shoulders, but this time trying to push him back. What was he doing? He loved Elizabeth didn't he? He certainly knew my heart lied elsewhere.

He gripped my hips roughly and took my lower lip between his teeth, nipping it. I gasped and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside. It'd been too long, and it felt too good. God help me, I kissed him back. My eyes slid shut and began to slide my tongue gently against his in return. His hands slid down to my rear, squeezing it. I whimpered into his mouth and the kiss turned more fervid.

All of the stress that had me tightly wound over the last few weeks was beginning to unwind as Will's mouth and hands caressed me. His mouth trailed away from my own as he lightly pressed my back to the pole behind us. He nipped his way along my jaw to my ear, where he suckled the lobe. I moaned softly, trying desperately to keep quiet as his fingers worked to unlace my breeches. He continued kissing down my neck to my collar bone, gently tracing his tongue across it.

I was writhing against him, his delicate touches spreading fire through my body. There was something strangely familiar in his gentleness. My mind kept trying to remind me of something important, but I couldn't quite process it.

I slid my hands down his toned stomach to the edge of his trousers, slipping under his shirt to lightly trace his flesh. One hand slid lower, cupping his excitement and he jerked against me.

"Maddy," he whimpered. I choked back a sob and abruptly dropped my hands to my sides. Maddy. Jack's voice echoed through my head.

I pushed Will back and stepped away from him. God, what had I almost done? Will stepped up behind me slowly.

"I'm sorry," he stammered, "Maddy, I didn't mean-"

"Stop!" I said,and he quieted. I turned to face him then.

"Please, don't call me that," I whispered.

"That was what Jack called me. No one else has ever called me that. I'm sorry, Will. I'm so sorry. In a moment of weakness I took advantage of you," I told him, looking down at the ground.

He blinked at me slowly, utterly perplexed.

"I'm pretty sure I was the one trying to take advantage of you," he said. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one that's weak," he told me. I shook my head at him.

"You're a good man, Will. Don't let what happened with Elizabeth make you forget that. Thing's will turn out right," I told him. He gave me a half hearted smile and nodded before he headed back to the top deck.

I let out a sigh and sunk back to the cot. I gingerly touched my lips, the heat from our kiss still lingering, guilt coursing through me. How could I do that when I was so close to finding him again?

"I'm so sorry, Jack," I whispered.