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 enjoy having Elizabeth argue with everyone…this one's my favorite! Muhahahaaaa…
CH 13…
Kira stood at the bow of the ship, eyes locked on the choppy water below. The sun was beginning to set, illuminating the Caribbean with a soft orange glow. She let her hair blow carelessly across her face, never blinking an eye. A figure walked up behind her, breaking her mind from her thoughts.
"Can I help you?" Kira asked, emotionlessly, eyes still on the water.
"I don't require your help," a voice spat back.
"Then what do you want, Elizabeth?"
"I want to know what you've done to my husband!" the other exclaimed.
"What I've done?" Kira asked with disbelief, as she turned, "I've done absolutely nothing to Will,"
"Yes you have!" she yelled, "You've cast some sort spell on him! He's not who he used to be!" Elizabeth paused, "He doesn't love me anymore!"
The attention of the rest of the crew was caught now. They all stopped what they were doing and were watching the two women.
Kira's eyebrows lifted slightly, "Maybe, dear Elizabeth, he never truly did…"
Elizabeth gave into her rage. With one swift move, she slapped Kira across the cheek. Kira remained silent as the red mark disappeared instantly.
Elizabeth backed up in terror, "What are you? You're not human!"
"Well, you're finally making some sense then," Kira teased.
"I hate you Kira! You've ruined my life!"
"And saved Will from it," she stated calmly.
"Stay away from Will!" Elizabeth roared, "And stay away from Jack! You're no good for him,"
Kira crossed her arms, "Jack loves me…and Will doesn't love you. Why can't you understand this?" she asked sarcastically.
Elizabeth began to lunge at her with her fist, but Kira caught her wrist and held it tight, "I wouldn't do that if I were you,"
The spectating crew watched intently at the women as they fought, at the front of the group, Jack and Will stood, silently watching.
"You're evil Kira! That's what you are! You're here to destroy people's lives!"
"Now you're getting closer," Kira instigated.
"Damn you, Kira!" Elizabeth bellowed.
Kira's gaze turned cold and hard as stone, "I was damned the day I was sentenced to walk this Earth for eternity," she spat.
Jack felt his stomach tighten at Kira's words. It hurt him to know how she really felt about what she was. And it also pained him to know that he wanted it as well. Will placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. He knew his place now, and it wasn't with Elizabeth. When he heard those cold words come from her mouth, he knew there was nothing there for him anymore.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "You're so full of it. Give it a rest,"
"I wish I could, but I speak the truth," Kira paused, "Ask Will; I'm sure he can explain it to you,"
Elizabeth began to shake with rage, "Go to hell!" she shouted.
Kira's eyes became slivers, "This is my hell," she ended as she pushed past Elizabeth and walked away, but stopping only once to look at Jack, then at Will.
The crew all turned to their captain with looks of pure confusion upon their faces.
" 'Scuse me cap'n," Gibbs voiced, "But…um…what did Kira mean by 'walking this earth for eternity'?" he asked.
Jack sighed and looked at Will who shrugged, "I guess I should tell you all this," the captain began, "Kira is not exactly human…she's more on the immortal side," he explained quite lightly.
The crew responded with silence as they processed what their captain had just told them.
Jack decided to take another route, "Do you feel threatened by her?" A few shook their heads, "Does she frighten any of you?" More shook their heads.
Jack looked around at his crew, "She is a vampire," he stated. He looked at his crew's surprised expressions, "Yes, they do exist," he confirmed.
Still no one said anything.
Jack continued, ". She would never harm a single one of ya," he promised, "She's an extraordinary woman with an unwanted gift. All she wants is to be able to belong somewhere. She's different though; she's not a bloodthirsty monster. She has a soul…and that soul belongs out here on the sea, like the rest of us. Is she not he same person you all met in Tortuga?" Jack asked.
"Aye, Captain," Anamaria broke into the silence," She be the same woman I saw on the docks, the same woman I met in the tavern, and the same woman I call my crewmate and friend,"
"Aye, Jack" Gibbs agreed, "This crew's been through a lot together. We stand by you…we stand by her as well,"
Jack smiled, "That's all she wants is acceptance,"
"You all must be mad!" Elizabeth interjected, "You're all going to believe that it's safe to live on a ship with a vampire? Don't you feel vulnerable? She could kill any one of you!"
"She'd never do that," Will said.
Elizabeth frowned and huffed loudly, "I can't believe any of you are listening to this!" she said before stomping off.
Jack turned to his crew, "Let me tell you her story, "he began with her wealthy father and trips to the Caribbean. Then explained how she became a pirate and joined the Desolator to leave all she had behind. The crew shared Jack and Will's sympathy when he told them of her attacker and how she fought against her transformation and unwelcome death. The crew was enthralled by her story and it quickly put any doubt they had about her out of their minds. To them, she was not a vampire, just a simple girl who needed a place to call home.
************************************************************************
Kira tucked her knees in towards her chest and rested her forehead on her arms. She sat on Jack's bed, alone, in the dark cabin. Alone, in the dark…how she would always be.
A knock came to the door. Kira knew who it was. She wiped her tears away from her eyes before answering, "Come in,"
Jack and Will entered wordlessly, each sat on either side of her upon the bed.
Will broke the silence, "I'm sorry,"
"For what?" Kira asked.
"Elizabeth…the things she said,"
Kira sighed, "But they're all true,"
"But you haven't ruined my life at all. I'm better off without her, you said it yourself," Will explained.
Kira shrugged and looked at Jack. His head was down, hair blocking his face.
"Jack…?" Kira spoke ever so quietly.
"They know,"
Kira took a deep breath in, "And…?"
"They stand by you as a member of this crew," she said, raising his head with a smile.
"They're not scared of me? They don't think I'm going to kill them all?"
Jack shook his head, "Nope…well…all but Elizabeth, that is,"
Kira nodded, "Are you okay?" she asked him, noticing his shaking hands.
"Yea, fine, luv,"
"What's wrong, Jack?"
"I know you hate the life you have, but I still wanna to be a part of it,"
"No," Kira said firmly, while shaking her head.
"What?" Will asked, clearly confused.
"Jack, I begged you. Don't make me do it,"
"But I want it. I want to stay with you forever,"
"What?!" Will asked again in comprehension, "Jack, are you serious?"
"With all my heart,"