Title: Love's Blood
Author: Kali T'hara
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: R
Summary: Set after the movie…Jack finds a woman…but she not what she seems…and her friendship with Will jeopardizes his relationship with Elizabeth (boo-hoo)…how will things turn out? J/OC, W/E (beginning) maybe some of W/OC too. Vampire fic! (yeah!)
Disclaimer: Disney owns 'em…damn that mouse…I own Kira, but I wouldn't mind owning Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom…grrrrr…
AN: I want to thank the faithful reviewers…again! (Jack-Sparrow-Lover and Eradwyn! Thank you sooooo much!) And all the others! Keep sending them…they make me smile!
CH 12…
Kira remained in Jack's cabin for the rest of the day. Will and Jack occasionally stopped in to keep her company. She wasn't ready to reveal herself to the crew just yet, and she was sure some would notice that she wasn't injured. She often pondered how things would be if they knew what she was. But Will had a good point, she was still the same person, and Jack's crew was incredibly loyal.
Sunset had passed by the time Jack had returned again. He said nothing upon entering; he just sat on his bed next to her and gave her a long hug. Kira returned it, although she was a little confused at his sudden actions.
"I love you," he stated as he broke away from the hug.
"I know," she answered with a smile.
Jack kept his gaze on her eyes as he gently stroked her cheek, "I have a favor to ask you,"
"And that would be?" Kira asked.
Jack took a deep breath, "You told Will and I that in order to become a vampire, all you needed was t be bitten by one. So I was wondering—"
"No," Kira stated, "Do not ask me to do that,"
"But I want you to. I want what you have," Jack explained.
"No, Jack. I am not going to take away your life," she shook her head.
"But my life is with you, luv," Jack said, "I want to spend all of it together,"
"I'm being serious, Jack,"
Jack's eyes darkened, "And so am I,"
Kira sighed, "Please Jack. You're too good of a person for this,"
"I am a pirate, remember?"
"But you don't deserve this," she said.
Jack frowned, "And you did?"
Kira didn't respond, just lowered her head.
"Why did such a lovin' and understandin' person like you deserve this? Did you ask for it?"
"No," Kira muttered.
"I don't want you to be alone for eternity,"
"But it's not fair to you,"
Jack shook his head, "So it was fair when he attacked you? It was fair when he assaulted you and for all we know could've raped you?" Jack began to lose his temper, "It was fair when that bastard bit you and took you life away?" he yelled.
Tears formed in Kira's eyes, "Jack…please…"
"Listen to me, Kira," he paused, "All I want to do is make you happy. I want to be with you forever; I need you. Maybe having me with you will make it easier…for both of us,"
Kira shook her head again, "It's not that easy, Jack,"
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Kira woke the next morning cuddled next to Jack. She could already feel the warmth of the sun through the porthole adjacent to the bed. She lightly kissed Jack on the forehead, then carefully slid out of the bed and tiptoed across the cabin and outside to the deck, quietly shutting the door behind her.
Will stood at the wheel of the Pearl, a blank look of daydreaming upon his face. Kira walked up to him and nodded a greeting. Will smiled back at her as he watched her pace back and forth on the deck, looking out towards the water.
"The crew up yet?" she asked, eyes still on the sea.
"Not yet. I switched with Anamaria a few hours ago; we're the only ones up so far,"
Kira nodded as she turned to him, "I guess I'll fake a quick recovery today. I'm sure a few will be wondering how I'm up and about after that run through,"
Will shrugged, "You never know what they've seen in their time; this could never even phase them,"
Kira smiled at Will, "You always see the bright side of things,"
"Being a pirate has opened my eyes to new ideas," Will said, "That explains my situation with Elizabeth. She claims to be a pirate, but she still thinks like a rich girl," he continued, keeping his eyes on Kira, "I wish she could've been more like you,"
Kira gave Will a confused look.
"I mean how you went from the daughter of a rich British nobleman…to a pirate. You wanted this life and gave up everything for it. I just wish I had someone like that to share my point of view and with,"
Kira tried not to blush, "That's very sweet of you, Will. I know you'll find the right person, but I'm always here for you when you need a friend. Don't hesitate to come to me for anything,"
Will nodded, "Thank you,"
Kira turned her head to see Jack stumbling up the steps to the wheel, "Mornin' ladies," he greeted.
Will rolled his eyes, "Morning, Jack,"
"Kira, luv, I need to talk to you," Jack said as he turned to Will, "If the whelp doesn't mind…" he continued gesturing for Will the leave.
"You're hopeless, Jack," Will said with a shake of his head as he walked away.
Kira waited until Will was out of sight before she spoke, "If this has anything to do with last night – "
"I just want you to listen to me, luv," Jack interjected, "You're a vampire, but you're still a good person,"
"But it doesn't always end that way," she said.
"I just want you to hear me out,"
"No, Jack; you listen to me," she paused, collecting his entire attention, "When I was turned I still knew who I was. I was a pirate; I had an enormous love for the sea. And the shreds of it that I mentally held onto are what allow me to control what I became. I've seen other vampires, Jack. I know how they survive. Because they forgot whom they were in their previous lives is the reason they became creatures of the night. They can't control their thirst for blood. That's what separates them from me. And that's how I can appear to be a normal woman, but still be one of them as well. Most vampires can't do that. The transformation is too traumatic and when they die, everything they were before slips away and dies with them. I don't want to risk that happening to you as well,"
Jack sighed, "I just love you too much,"
Kira turned her head to the commotion on the other side of the deck. The crew was beginning to file out from below deck, "We'll talk about this later," she said and walked away.
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Kira mingled with the crew during the day. A few came to her and asked about her injury, but she quickly explained that it looked worse than it actually was and that Jack is an exceptional doctor. Most nodded or shrugged, thinking nothing of it. But there was one who didn't believe a word of it. Elizabeth's gaze was heard when it fell on Kira. And she apparently didn't mind that she showed it quite well.
"She's lying," she stated as she casually walked past Will.
"I thought you weren't speaking to me,"
"I'm just stating the obvious. It seems that no one else on this ship can see that,"
"You still don't get it, do you?" Will asked, "We're through…over and done with. And your perception on Kira is the reason why,"
Elizabeth huffed, "You speak like a total stranger,"
Will sighed, "Yet you are a total stranger to me. You're not the girl I grew up around in Port Royal, and you're not the woman I used to love,"
Elizabeth crossed her arms.
Will continued, "You don't even know Kira, or what she's been through. You never knew that she was the wealthy daughter of a British man, or that she too gave up her life there to be a pirate," Will paused, "Just like you,"
Elizabeth shot a glare in Kira's direction, "I'm supposed to believe that she was just like me?" Elizabeth asked, "I still don't believe any word of it. She probably lied about that as well. Odds are she was born to one of those slut wenches who shacked up with a pirate and was dumped on a ship to live alone,"
Will's gaze hardened, "You're pathetic. You know that? Pathetic," and with that he walked away towards Kira, never looking back at Elizabeth.