10. Torrents

I leaned against the railing on the bow if the ship, admiring the setting sun. It's orange glow created such a beautiful pallet of colors in the sky, almost every range of color imaginable. Not only that, but it reflected in the water, making a mirror image, however, the water was also dazzling. The rays to light reflected off the waves in what seemed like gorgeous sparks dancing on a glass floor. I marveled at it for a long time, also cherishing the small mist and the wind that was whipping through my waves of hair.

"'Ey!" Jack's voice suddenly yelled. "Anna, darling." I turned to look at him. He was standing at the wheel of the ship, looking like an actual captain. "Why don' you and William mosey on downstairs and he can show you your new quarters, savvy?"

I noticed Will was already standing down by the stairs. "Okay."

I made my way toward Will, but I quickly glanced up at Jack. He gave me a wink. My cheeks reddened lightly. I knew Jack was trying to get us alone. Just the thought kept the blush stably plastered on my face. I turned my attention back to Will, who was giving me a small smile. As I followed Will down the steps, I pretended not to notice Jack's gaze on our backs.

Will led me into the small room that I'd already glanced at earlier. He walked to the opposite side of the door and grasped the hammock. "Welcome, Miss Belle Swann, to your new quarters. This is your new bed," he said as he pushed the ropes slightly, making it move. A smile spread across my face. "Sorry it's not the luxury that I'm sure you're used to, but you may pretend it's a fluffy mattress topped with lovely billowy blankets and marvelous pillows." A faint grin appeared on his face.

"Well, Mr. Will Turner, it's not the comfort I'm frightened of," I said, walking up and grasping the other end of the hammock, so Will and I are facing each other and I can see into his eyes. "It's more, I'm afraid, the fact that I do not know how to get into such a contraption without falling on my usually powdered face."

The smiles continued. "It's not that hard," he promised. "Just try once."

I eyed Will as he backed away and waited for me to get in. I sighed and looked at the hammock. It looked terribly unstable. But, despite the better part of my brain, I turned around and jumped, hoping to hit the ropes. I did, but I'd only caught the edge and as the tipsy hammock backed away at the sudden weight, it flipped me and I slid right off. My bottom hit the floor with a huge thud and a sudden pain came over my whole backside.

And so I sat shocked, sore, and humiliated as Will, rumbling with laughter, ran over to help me up. I looked up and saw him standing in front of me and just watching me suffer. "I'm glad to see my pain brings you such joy," I said sourly.

"No, no. I'm sorry," Will said, trying to subside his laughter. "Here, let me help you up."

I had appreciated the offer. I pushed myself up when suddenly, Will grabbed my upper left arm. My tender cut from the previous night shot horrifyingly sharp pains through my entire arm. I whimpered as I instinctively drew my arm away from his, sending me flying backwards once again. This time, Will caught me. Very quickly my main focus stopped being the throbbing I felt and turned into Will's strong grasp on my waist. Though the sharp ache was still running through my body and scrunching my face, I suddenly felt warm. My right side was pressed to his chest and when he spoke, he spoke in my ear, which made my breath catch in my throat. "Belle? Are you okay?" His voice was much more serious than a moment ago.

I sat stunned by the pain and comfort for a few seconds. "Ow."

"Maybe the hammock's not such a good idea." I shook my head, trying to disagree and say that it was my arm that hurt the most, but since words failed to file out of my mouth, Will didn't catch on. Showing off his strength, Will lifted me with ease and settled us into an empty corner on the floor. He went quickly and grabbed a blanket before settling to my left. I bit my lip and held my arm, trying to put pressure to stop the throbbing. "What happened?" Will asked quietly as his cool hands lightly traced the lines in between my fingers grasping my arm. The touch sent shivers through me.

"It's not from the hammock," I explained the best I could. "It's from last night, during the invasion. A pirate cut me here."

A frown plainly etched Will's face. He carefully removed my hand from my arm and set it in my lap. He softly grabbed the end of my sleeve and made to push it up. "May I?" he asked. I nodded as he pushed the cloth further up my arm, exposing the bandage that Noah had secured. Carefully and slowly, Will untied the bandage and unwrapped my arm, exposing the nasty purple and red slit running horizontally around it. Will grimaced and shook his head. "I'm so sorry."

I looked at him, confused at his reaction. "This isn't your fault, Will."

He shook his head more insistently. "Yes it is." He met my gaze, his eyes blazing with sorrow. It nearly broke my heart. "If I hadn't left you alone…I shouldn't have and…If something happens to you, I don't know what I will do with myself." He sighed and grabbed the hand that was in my lap. Will's thumb lightly rubbed against my knuckles, filling my fingertips with tingles. I watched our hands as he continued. "I can't see you hurt. I won't let you be hurt, especially after all this, and Elizabeth."

Elizabeth. There had been so many questions burning my mind about her, most that Will couldn't answer, but one he could. "What happened exactly to her?" I asked, never taking my eyes off of our hands.

"I don't know the whole story," Will admitted, "but as I was fighting pirates on the street, I looked up and saw her being dragged by a couple pirates. They were pulling her toward the ship."

Tears threatened my eyes. I tried to think of Elizabeth being towed away, being handled by dangerous and foul pirates. I took a deep, shaky breath and tried to focus on Will's thumb dragging across my hand. "Ho – how could this have happened?" I asked with a cracked voice. A tear escaped and I used my free hand to wipe it away.

He looked at me, a frown creased in his forehead. "I don't know." His voice was gentle, but the answer was like a blow to the stomach. My sister was gone and I had so many questions, yet no one could answer them thoroughly. As my heart sunk and my stomach squeezed the air out, a torrent of tears flew down my cheeks. I withdrew my hand from Will's and I buried my face in my palms, embarrassed slightly at my sudden outburst. Will drew me into a tight embrace and rested his chin on my head. Soothingly, Will rubbed my back as I drew harsh and irregular breaths. Will whispered gentle noises into my hair as I wept my frustrations out. After a minute, I relaxed, taking deep breaths and squeezing out my last tears.

Once I was finished with my emotional whirlwind, I couldn't help but savor the feeling of Will's body surrounding mine. I rested, beaten and tired, into his chest and his arms enveloped me, keeping me warm. I could feel Will's breath tickling hairs on my head as mine ruffled his loose shirt. He smelled so good, like a mixture of fire and sea salt. "Would you like me to stay the night?" Will whispered. I thought of the idea and it made me blush, but he was so comfortable that there was no way I would refuse. I nodded into his chest. I felt his chest rumble slightly in an almost silent chuckle before all went quiet and peaceful. That was the best word for how I felt. Peaceful.

And such was how I felt, how I laid, as I fell asleep curled up in Will's arms.

A/N: Ooh some action! Haha. Not really but kind of. Thanks so much again for the loove! By all means, keep sending reviews because I love them! :D