A/N: OK this is the new chapter, new and improved and longer. Heh, I'm REALLY hoping you all are enjoying the changes for I worked quite hard on them

Chapter 22: Trauma and Confession

Lia's POV:

It was two days later in the middle of the night that I finally woke up. A few times during these days, I would have brief moments of consciousness, which occurred along with utter waves of confusion. I would also wake up due to horrible dreams. My body shook with disgust of the dreams' events. There was nothing but pain, agony and despair in those images, playing over and over like a song you can't stop humming or the sea that went on and on with no end.

I jerked awake with a gasp, taking notice of the darkness that surrounded me. My forehead was dripping with a cold sweat as my heart hammered away in my chest. I felt a slight panic as I forgot for a second of my whereabouts. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I tried to shake out the images floating in my mind.

I pressed my palms to my forehead as I let out a small whimper, pushing the tears back. I could feel my skin crawling as my body continued to tremble.

It was then that I felt a comforting hand pushing my soaked hair from my face, "Shh, its okay, Lia."

Jack spoke soothingly as he stroked my short brown locks. My cry had obviously awakened him from his light sleep. He continued to stroke my hair as he whispered soothing words of comfort. I recoiled as a sudden spark ignited immediately followed by a soft orange glowing light as Jack lit the candle on my nightstand.

"How are you feeling?" Now that I could see him, I knew that he didn't catch a wink of sleep.

"Achy but a bit better…" I said, my voice cracked as I spoke. A small smile graced my features as a thought occurred, "This is just like old times, huh?"

Jack chuckled, "Old habits die hard I'm afraid…"

He smiled a sad smiled which immediately left me feeling a pain in my heart. If anything I did not like causing remorse or gaining sympathy from anyone.

"Well this was quite an adventure, wasn't it?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

A smile stretched across Jack's face, "I guess you could say that." We were quiet for a minute when he spoke up again, " And by the way, thanks for savin' me neck back there."

I shrugged, "You're welcome, Jack."

Jack grinned smugly, "But… I hope you realize that I had everythin' under control. I have gotten out of worse situations than that. Eventually I would've gotten out of that mess because…

"I know, because you're Captain Jack Sparrow, right?" I said lazily as I stifled a laugh. I knew Jack wasn't going to give me full credit.

Jack kept on his smile, "Aye, seems yer finally getting the hang of it."

I made a small moan of acknowledgement as I felt my body surrendering to blessed sleep, "I sure am."

I felt Jack's hand softly run up and down my arm as he sighed wearily, "Sleep now, Lia. Its still night."

I nodded softly as my eyes closed. Before completely nodding off, I felt Jack's finger run through my hair as he kissed my forehead.

Will's POV:

For two days, Jack didn't allow anyone to watch over Lia but himself. It was the next morning that she finally woke and managed to keep awake. When Jack came out to tell us of the news, he was to my surprise in a very pleasant mood as he went on with his day.

His face was beaming and he held a smile that I was sure wouldn't go away.

I didn't get a chance to talk to him until later that day.

I was in the galley fixing up some food for Lia to eat.

As I sat on the long table slicing an apple, I heard a light knock at the door. I looked up and saw Jack leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed in front of him.

A hint of his smile still lingered on his lips and he was looking quite passive.

"What are you doin', Will?" he asked.

I half smiled as I continued slicing, "Lia hasn't eaten in days and I thought I would bring her something light."

Jack left his spot on the door and sat right across from me. I heard a small thumping noise as Jack drummed his fingers on the wooden surface, resting his chin on his other hand.

After a long silence, Jack looked to me as if thinking what to say. I looked up at him, patiently waiting for him to speak.

"Will, I…" he trailed off as he spoke.

I furrowed my brows, "What is it?"

Jack sighed, "I just wanted to say thank you."

The usual grin was gone and it its place held a mixture of seriousness and contentment.

"For what?"

"For taking care of Lia." His face remained content as he spoke. I studied him carefully; "I don't think she would have made it without ye to watch out for her."

I smiled, "You're welcome Jack. I was just doing what was right."

Jack nodded, "Well it meant a lot to me. You were there when I couldn't be and I greatly appreciate that. Ye know? I would be damn proud to find a nice chap just like you for Lia."

I felt the smile slowly slide off my face. I lowered my eyes from his calm gaze.

"I'm sure you will, Jack" I said flatly.

I then sighed inwardly. I felt a strong bond to Lia, stronger than it should have been. A shiver went up my spine as culpability coursed through my body like a dark plague.

I loved Elizabeth and harming her in anyway was never my intention but I also felt something... something stronger and bolder with Lia

I couldn't help but feel that a part of me really wanted to be that chap Jack spoke so pompously about.

I loved both of them but nothing was stronger than the anguish that was inflicted upon me at the slightest thought of hurting either one of them

"Will?"

Jack had lowered his head to level his eyes with mine. A look of curiosity and concern clouded his eyes.

I blinked once. Twice.

I immediately picked up the small bowl with the pieces of apple and stood up abruptly.

"I think I should get this food to Lia, Jack."

Jack tilted his head, perplexed by my sudden agitation. I knew he felt it as well. He knew what I was feeling deep down in the pit of my soul. I had the slightest urge to tell him about my kiss with Lia but felt that certain things were better left unsaid.

Jack's lips pressed into a diminutive smile as he nodded.

"Of course ye should."

He waved his hand in a manner of sending me on my way. I walked out of the galley and proceeded on my way to the captain's quarters

Lia's POV:

I stirred softly, turning my head towards the door as I heard the doorknob jiggling. The door opened slowly and there stood Will with a small bowl in his hand. I smiled at his presence.

"Just came to see how you were feeling," he asked as he walked in and closed the door behind him.

"I've been better." I sighed. I pulled the covers up to my neck as a cold chill crept through me.

Will smiled wryly as he pulled up a chair from the desk and sat down by my bed.

"Are you in any pain?" he asked, concern was evident in his tone as he put his hand gently on my one bent knee.

I shook my head, "Just tired."

The cut on my stomach throbbed with a dull pain and the skin around it burned. My wrists burned as well but I knew everything was healing and I wasn't in much discomfort so I felt no need to alarm Will.

"Well," Will handed me the bowl, which contained small slices of an apple. I grimaced. The sight and rich smell of the apple churned my insides, nausea boiled in my stomach and spread outward inside me.

I had been so deprived of food that just looking at it made me sick.

Will shook his head, "You must eat something Lia. Or you won't get better."

I sighed as I picked up a piece of apple. Tentatively I put it to my lips and nibbled a small piece of it.

I quickly noticed how carefully he was watching me. Such concern and care beamed from those beautiful brown orbs, more precious and beautiful than any treasure I had seen.

When I felt that my body couldn't take any more food, I gave the bowl back to Will.

"I think I'm done." I said as I handed him the bowl with the a few uneaten pieces of fruit.

He nodded as he took the bowl. He walked off and placed it on the desk then came to sit by me.

"Some escape for you, huh?" I said recalling what he told me on the beach that one night back in Port Royal.

Will looked confused for a minute before smiling, "Yeah, I guess you can say that."

He reached up with his left hand to scratch his scalp and glistening in the candlelight was the gold band that symbolized eternal bond and love.

It sounds strange for me to say but that was the first time I really felt the feeling of taboo and heartbreak etch in my mind as I laid my eyes upon that ring.

It felt as if I was seeing it for the first time, really seeing it. Like as if it was hidden and waiting for the perfect moment to strike like a predator.

It hit me like a slap in the face.

'What the bleeding hell am I doing?' my mind told me in outrage and appall.

Will was indeed a married man and all I felt I could do at that moment was respect it.

It didn't take a sea master to see that I was indeed doing the wrong thing here.

Later That Night:

"It's not fair."

"What is, luv?"

From my bed, I looked over to Jack who was sitting on the table. He looked up from his plate, his hands and face sticky from the juices of the chicken.

I felt my nerves jump as I gazed into his concerned eyes. I was thinking out loud and didn't think that Jack was only but a few feet away from me.

I sighed as I picked up a piece of fruit from the plate in my lap and flicked it across the room with my fingers like I used to see the fishermen at home do when they were done with their cigars.

"I can't eat." I said, relieved. I was already beginning to feel the unwanted waves of nausea and the food was definitely not helping.

Jack nodded as he continued to wolf down his chicken as if it was his last meal. I leaned back on my pillows as I sank deep in thought. My mind fell into a deep ocean of reveries as I kept a cold stare at the wall, not seeing it but falling back into ghastly recollections.

I was home. I belonged here, and yet, my heart seemed to feel that none of this was familiar. It didn't feel right. What made it worse was the sheer aggravation that billowed along of not wanting to feel this way but feeling completely helpless and having no choice but to surrender to the feeling. It was like having an old battle wound that could never heal.

"Lia?"

I blinked away forming tears as I looked to Jack who had finished his chicken and was now staring at me with such interest. Languid confusion and concern clouded his eyes as he got up to come closer.

I smirked as he found a spot on the edge of my bed, not wanting to give myself away or cause any more apprehension. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." My voice trembled as I spoke. Jack leaned in to see my eyes, "Are you?"

"Just dandy, Jack." I said just a bit too chirpy as my eyes locked with his. Jack furthered on with his gazing, "C'mon sweet, why do you look so upset?"

Damn, he figured me!

I broke my gaze as I rolled on my side, facing away from him. Talking about it didn't feel like it was going to accomplish much. As a matter of fact, it just seemed to make everything resurface.

I felt Jack's hand rest on my hip as he tried again, "Please, you know I'm not going to hurt you."

My eyes shot up to look at Jack who seemed a bit proud that he was getting somewhere, "You're not that difficult to figure out, Lia. Yer like an open book if you ask me."

I felt a smile coming but quickly forced it back as I turned my body to face him again, "I don't know." I whispered, "I just feel so scared."

Jack's face went blank at that moment, taking in the seriousness of what I was trying to say, "Scared of what?"

"Of what I'm feeling, " I said, almost shouting. I could feel tears streaming down my face but I wasn't crying. I was too tired to cry, "I was frightened every second I waited for you, thinking I was going to die. Everything may seem all right now but its not. I can't seem to let it go…"

I could feel Jack's penitent eyes boring into my soul as I confessed myself in all my brutal honesty. He shook his head softly in remorse as he spoke, "I'm sorry, sweet."

"For what?" I asked with such puzzlement.

Jack spoke slowly, "For not being there when you needed me. I could have gone after you right away when you ran off. I could've been there." Although his tone was soft and full of regret, I could feel the power of his hatred for Mateo and his crew, damning them to the depths of hell.

I fell a pang of guilt as he said this. I knew it wasn't his fault. I looked away from Jack in shame, "You couldn't help it. I think it would have happened either way or worse." My voice was so soft as I spoke. My vision blurred from forming tears, "Im so sorry, Jack..."

Jack didn't need much of an explanation as to what I was apologizing for. I was not only referring to our little argument that night I was taken from Port Royal but everything else. I knew by the words I'd said on The Mystic that he had forgiven me already but I felt as if I needed to make my amends clear.

I then felt Jack place a comforting hand over mine, "Lia, I want you to know that none of it was yer fault. We both overreacted and unfortunately for me, you not only inherited yer mother's beauty but me sharp tongue."

I smiled through the tears as I wiped my face, "Still I had no right to say some of the things I said. And I didn't mean any of it."

"I know," Jack smiled broadly, "Do you really think I am a lowdown good for nothing pirate?"

I smiled weakly, "Do you really want me to answer the question?"

Jack and I shared a laugh as he brushed a stray hair out of my face. I felt his fingers then softly trace my jaw line, his hand softly grazed over my cheek.

He squeezed my hand almost protectively as he looked at the marks, bruises and scratches on my face. His finger went down my arm and softly grazed over the markings on my wrist.

I squeezed his hand back, returning the gesture of affection.

"If anything, it was all me fault, Lia."

"Why?"

Jack sighed heavily, "All you have been through. I should have kept a closer eye on you that night." He tilted my chin up so I was looking at him, the seriousness in his eyes, "I want you to know that I would never let anyone harm you, sweet. I would die before allowing anyone to lay a finger on you. You are a part of me I can't replace and a part I love very much."

My lips slowly parted as I gaped at Jack in complete awe. His sincere words had stroked a nerve. It was truly one of the most beautiful displays of affection and concern I had ever heard from anyone.

I was also quite surprised for Jack had never been this open with anyone.

"I love you too, Jack."

He smiled as I pulled him into a hug. My tears were now from happiness as I embraced my father. Pulling away, I noticed he had shed a few tears as well.

I scooted over as Jack rested on the pillows. I put my head on his shoulder as he kept a hold of my hand that rested on his lap.

I watched Jack's hand holding mine. My sleeve was rolled up to my forearm, exposing my wounds. Jack fingered the hem of the sleeve before pulling it down to my knuckles, throwing my nightmare aside to never be seen again.. Jack snaked his other hand around my waist to rest on my back as I laid my head on his shoulder.

"If I let you off the hook, do you know how much you owe me?"

I looked up to Jack with a smile, "Back to ten percent?"

Jack sighed as he pondered a bit, "Regretting it already but yes." He chuckled a bit, "But I think I made ye suffer enough."

I rested my head back down on his shoulder, "Oh thank God."

It was meant as a whisper to myself but it made Jack laugh all the same.

I felt Jack's lips press against the side of my head, "Sleep now, sweet."

I smiled as I fell asleep that night, not only for what just happened between Jack and I but also having a bit of hope that tomorrow might just be a better day.

A/N: I'm sorry this took me quite a bit to get out but I was busy with Christmas shopping and I don't think I'm going to get another one out until after the holidays. Not to mention I have been feeling a bit nostalgic and according to my calculations, only two more chapters to go. Also for your viewing pleasure I have opened up a fan board for this story. Go to my profile and click on my homepage to go to it.

Feel free to check it out a leave a message. Merry Christmas!