Title: Fires of Purgatory: Act of Contrition (6/10) WIP
Author: QteCuttlfish
Author email: mizbara@yahoo.com
Rating: R
Type: Angst/Slash/Rape
Summary: Will has withdrawn from Elizabeth, and Jack drowns himself in rum. Will Elizabeth be able to heal them?
Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean, its characters, and plots belongs to Disney. I do not own any part of them, even though I wish I did…*starts dreaming of owning Jack and Will*
WARNING: Mentions of m/m RAPE! PLEASE do not read if you no like!

Pairing: Jack/Will, mentioned Will/Elizabeth, Jack/Elizabeth, will be Jack/Will/Elizabeth

Authors Notes:

Iawen: (mouth wide open)

QteCuttlfish: What is it?

Iawen: Th-this chapter has actually been typed up? I think I'm going to have a heart attack.

QteCuttlfish: (sheepishly) Um…college sucks? (sweatdrops)

Iawen: (still in shock)

QteCuttlfish: (ignores her muse) Thank you to everyone who has ever reviewed "Fires of Purgatory! (hugs and cookies to everyone) ^_^

Fires of Purgatory

Chapter Six

Act of Contrition

Ever since Will had awakened that morning, he knew something was wrong. The first indication of that thought had been when his eyes opened. Elizabeth had not been next to him. That was unusual since Elizabeth tried to spend as much time as she could with him, all the while giving him the space he needed. Sleeping beside him was one of the few times she could spend time with him. And she stayed with him until he himself got out of bed. So her absence was very strange. But other incidents told him something was up, as well.

The servants scuttled around, muttering among themselves like buzzing bees. Will could hear them, but their voices were too low for him to understand the words. He shrugged it off at first, and went to work.

His work was one of the few areas of his life not destroyed by what had happened to him. In fact, it had improved, as had his three hours practicing with his swords. After his marriage to Elizabeth, he had decreased those hours by half, but after being kidnapped by the pirates, he'd returned to his old habit. He threw his energy into never being easily taken like that again.

But even at work something was off. Commodore Norrington had walked into the forge to commission some swords for his men. His entire demeanor had been one of worry, and he had not met Will's eyes once during their entire conversation. Will could not begin to guess why, until some passers-by's conversation drift in through the window.

"I 'eard 'twas the Black Pearl. She just sailed in and left, all in one night. I ain't got no clue as to why, but I 'eard tell they dropped off some treasure…" the man's voice trailed off, as he walked on.

Will froze at his words, his hammer halfway lifted above the metal he was pounding. The Pearl? What was she doing here? Jack…his thoughts began over one another. He still couldn't face what had happened. Almost every night he was plagued by the same nightmare, a nightmare he kept silent about. Will's heart kept trying to force him to face what he had always known, but he refused. One question stayed in his mind, though. How can I love two people at the same time? He had known he loved Jack since the moment he realized Jack's plan all along had been to regain the Black Pearl while keeping Will safe at the same time.

"You've been planning this all along, ever since you learned my name!"

"Yeah."

Will had trusted Jack from that moment on, and had realized he loved Jack as well as Elizabeth. He had tried to ignore it, of course, but his heart had twisted in his chest when Jack had tripped and fallen, his words interrupted. Will wished for a minute that Jack had taken he and Elizabeth with him.

Morally wrong and selfishly, Will wished, even now, that he could have them both. He tried to shove that desire aside, shame filling him when he couldn't. Though he was now physically afraid of Jack, his heart still longed for the pirate's presence, in spite of Will's vulnerable and pregnant wife, who he loved dearly.

Will felt that one day he would rip in two. He knew this could not go on indefinitely. One day he'd go half-crazy if he didn't face up to everything. Yet he couldn't do it on his own. Something drastic would have to happen before he could.

That night, he returned home rather late, later than usual. Just hearing the name of the Pearl caused Will to punish himself by working as hard as he could. The house was dark as he opened the door. The quiet of the house crushed him as he walked in. It reminded him of a cold, damp place, and he hated it.

Where is everyone? He had a puzzled look on his face as he closed the door.

"Evenin' William," a voice spoke out of the shadows.

Will's eyes widened. "Jack," he strangled out.

The figure of Captain Jack Sparrow unfolded into the moonlight. He took a step towards Will and stopped. The two eyed each other with caution and wariness.

Will swallowed. "What are you doing here? Isn't it dangerous?"

"Danger's me life, boy. Pirate, remember?" Jack said.

Will felt exasperation rise under his caution and fear. "Then what are you doing here? What could be worth risking the noose?"

"Seems my crew dropped me here, and yer bonny wife has decided to turn pirate herself. Are ye sure there's no pirate blood comin' from her mother?" Jack said, his zany manner speaking hard to follow.

Will was surprised to feel the smile cross his face at Jack's words. After all, that very thought had occurred to him. But then Jack made a motion towards him, and Will took a step back, his heart pounding. Jack turned away then, which Will found odd.

"What do you mean Elizabeth has decided to turn pirate? She's all right, isn't she?" the worry came out in Will's voice.

"Yer wife is fine. She's just decided to kidnap me, is all," Jack said.

Neither man appeared to hear the rustle of skirts from the landing, nor did they notice a young woman peering over them from the landing.

"What? What do you mean?" Will said, confounded.

Jack shrugged. "She won't let me leave, lad."

Will turned his gaze from Jack to the landing where he saw Elizabeth looking down on them.

"Elizabeth," he said.

Jack stepped back so he could see her as well. "Ahh, speak of the devil."

Elizabeth walked down the stairs gingerly, smiling at both men. She headed towards Will.

"I wish you wouldn't work so late, Will," she murmured.

He kissed her cheek as he did every night, but then looked sternly at her.

"Why is Jack here?" he demanded.

She looked over her shoulder. "Jack," she started.

He held his hands up in front of him. "Say no more. I'll be in the kitchen," he whirled around, and flounced into the kitchen.

"He really is something else," she said softly, but Will heard her.

Yes he is. Will found himself silently agreeing with her, as a smile fought to be set free.

"Elizabeth," he brought her attention back to him. "What is Jack's purpose?"

Their eyes met and held.

"He doesn't have one, Will."

"Then why is here?" Will's voice betrayed his growing frustration.

"Because his crew dropped him off here, without his knowledge or permission, and I refuse to let him leave."

"To what purpose, Elizabeth?"

"Because Will," she swallowed hard. "Jack has been trying to drink himself to death. And I refuse to let him."

Will's eyes flicked to the kitchen door. "Why? Do you know?" his voice somewhat frantic.

She nodded. "And so do you."

Will froze, his heart pumping wildly in his chest. He slowly looked into her eyes, searching desperately for an answer he didn't really want.

"You know." She nodded. "How?" his voice sounded gravelly.

Elizabeth laid a hand on his arm. "He told me, confessed it by accident, because he was too drunk to guard his words," she said. "Will, he's bleeding inside." She paused. "Like you." Her eyes seemed so sad in that moment. He couldn't bear it.

"Elizabeth," he stopped, not knowing what he meant to say.

She put a finger over his lips, smiling through the tears that threatened to spill. "I do not ask you to tell me in your words. Not as yet. I know you cannot speak of it. But I do have something for you to think about. Will you listen and think on my words?" she asked.

He slowly nodded. She put her arms around his neck, and spoke solemnly, from her heart and soul.

"I love you, Will Turner. I always have. And I know you love me." She paused, hoping for the right words. "Remember this: the three of us make a good team, no matter what society might say. We always will." She left that enigmatic note in the open.

Will did not quite understand her words, since he was too afraid to face what they could mean. Elizabeth nodded. She understood him.

"You should be resting," he changed the subject.

She laughed. "All right Will, I'll go, if you'll do something for me."

"Anything," he said.

"Go in and talk to him," she said, knowing what she was asking of him.

Will took a deep breath, before nodding.

She smiled, and kissed his cheek. But as she pulled away, he stopped her. He gently placed his lips atop hers, taking her completely by surprise. The kiss was short, but he hadn't been able to have intimate contact with her since he'd been rescued.

"I love you," he affirmed. The smile he received in return was breathtaking.

She began walking up the stairs, before stopping. "Help him, Will. He needs you, just as you need him," she said, before finishing her journey to her bedroom.

Will was puzzled as he turned towards the kitchen. Why would Jack need his help? Will had chosen for them both, because he had hated the touches of the other pirates, and he hadn't wanted them near him, whereas with Jack…he'd already wanted Jack for a long time, and while he'd known it would be painful, the pirates had given him an excuse to have Jack's hands and mouth on his body. Now he had shame and fear as a result, but…why would Jack be longing for death?

Will took another deep breath before opening the door. He walked into the kitchen, and Jack looked surprised to see him.

"Why Jack?" he said.

Jack smiled, but it wasn't a real smile. "I'd think ye, of all people, would know."

"But I don't!" Will's eyes were wild. Fear, physical fear of Jack, yet fear for Jack's life, made his stomach jolt around. Somehow he managed to calm his voice. "You were forced."

Jack shook his head. "Lad, what's the use? Ye can't absolve me of my guilt."

"But…" Will's voice failed him. He desperately tried to find words.

While his mind frantically searched from something to say, Jack was in motion. He somehow managed to back Will against the cold fireplace. He put his arms on either side of Will's body. He kept some space between them, but it was enough for the metallic taste of fear to grow in Will. His eyes looked like those of a trapped animal. Jack stared intently at him.

"This is why, young William. The fear in yer eyes, caused by my actions," he said, backing away.

Will grabbed his arm.

"Let go of me, boy," Jack said tiredly.

But Will didn't release him. Will had seen a flash of torment in Jack's eyes. He knew Jack would never hurt him again.

"You forget, Jack. I chose you. Between them and you, I chose you. And I still believe better you than them," Will said quietly.

Jack bitterly chuckled. "Then yer a fool, boy."

"Jack!" Will exclaimed. "What will convince you to forgive yourself?"

Jack stopped for a moment, thinking, before slowly saying, "When ye can look at me without fear in yer eyes, then I'll forgive meself."

A chill stabbed Will, as he despaired. He couldn't help his fear; his body still remembered the assault, though the injuries had practically healed. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to hide his fear from Jack. Somehow, Jack could read him like a book.

Jack chuckled again. "Don't bother, Will. I'm a pirate, headin' straight for hell. Forgiveness is not for the likes of me, savvy?" He yawned, not wanting an answer. "I'm goin' to bed. Good night, young William." He left the room, with Will frozen.

"But I forgive you," the barely whispered words fell heavily in the room. But there was no answer.

TBC