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: These next chapters will probably take forever to get out. This is my last week of college before exams…after that, I'll be writing all day long! YEAH! Thanks for the help with the ideas…I'm working on a few…not still sure what to do with this…   

CH 15…

     Will lay in his bed that night, eyes wide-open, thoughts flying through his mind. He continuously went over the evening's events in his head. He remembered every detail, every word that was spoken between Kira and Elizabeth. And he also remembered every detail of Kira. The way her long, black braided hair blew across her face in the sea breeze, the way her hands shook slightly as Elizabeth spoke. And most of all, how her eyes gave away every inner detail she possessed. Elizabeth had referred to them as lifeless, but Will knew they were Kira's most stunning features. He seemed to get lost when he looked into her vivid green eyes, like he was sucked into her world and could see all the problems she was facing. When he looked into them earlier that night, he knew she was lost herself. He knew everything that she had gone through and knew that she hated it all so much. When he looked into her eyes, he saw doubt in herself and her current situation. But something inside him wanted to help her. He wanted her eyes to be clear of troubles, and he wanted to be the reason why. But he couldn't. She was Jack's. And there was no worse an act of betrayal than for the first mate, and best friend, to take away the captain's one true love.

     Will allowed a single tear to fall hopelessly down his cheek. He knew he shouldn't even be thinking this way about Kira, but he couldn't help himself. He wanted her. And the fact that he knew this to be true was most troubling.

************************************************************************

     Kira found herself unable to sleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes, images came to her mind. Everything Elizabeth had spoken of, she saw before her very eyes. It was absolutely horrifying to her to see Jack slump lifelessly to the ground after being drained of blood. But every time she witnessed this act, her stomach ached for the liquid. She rolled over and looked at Jack's figure in the darkness. He looked so peaceful, so innocent. She could bite him right here, right now, and he'd never know. She could easily drain him within seconds, and his passing would be painless.

     Kira shook her head. No – she couldn't allow herself to be thinking this way. She placed a hand on Jack's cheek and gave him a light kiss on his lower lip. He grumbled a bit, moaned, and then rolled over. Kira took the opportunity to slide out of bed and tiptoe over to the cabin door and out into the moonlight.

     The ship was lit with an eerie silver glow from the night's full moon. Kira walked barefooted to the railing and took a deep breath of the Caribbean air. All she needed was to clear her mind. If she didn't think about blood, she could control her thirst. But she couldn't keep the thought of the sweet crimson liquid from her mind. They needed to set anchor somewhere – anywhere. She needed blood, and she couldn't risk letting herself go in the middle of the ship. She promised Jack, Will, and the crew that she'd never harm a single one of them, and she vowed to stick to that promise. But when she allowed the thirst to overcome her mind, there were no promises.

     Kira's sensitive ears picked up the slightest sound from across the deck. She turned her head towards the wheel where she found Will, staring straight back at her.

     "Couldn't sleep?" he asked her innocently.

     Kira shrugged, "Too much on my mind,"

     Will nodded with a slight smile; that was the same reason he was up. A thought came to his mind, was her mind dwelling on the same feelings he currently was? He quickly tucked that thought into the back of his mind before studying her further.

     She wore a tight fitting, sleeveless shirt and her usual black, baggy pants. Her unusually pale skin stood out in the darkness as the moonlight beautifully accented her impressive, yet feminine, muscles. Will smiled to himself when he noted her bare feet, but concern came to his face when he saw her ghostly white eyes, "You okay?" he asked.

     Kira looked away and back at the dark sea, "Yea, I'm fine,"

     Will placed a rope around one of the handles of the wheel to keep the rudder straight, then walked down the small set of steps to where she stood, "I've know you long enough by now to know when something's troubling you. You're eyes give it all away,"

     Kira looked back at him, "I know. I'm trying to control –"

     Will cut her off, "I'm not talking about the color," he paused and took another step closer to her, "I mean your eyes give away your very soul,"

     Kira looked down, "I don't have a soul,"

     Will placed his arms around her shoulders, "No matter what anyone tells you, you do have a soul. Don't let anyone tell you different,"

     Kira turned towards Will and allowed him to fully embrace her in a hug.

     "Thank you, Will," she said into his shoulder, "That means a lot to me,"

     Will rubbed her back gently with his hands as he let a barley audible sigh escape from him lips.

     It felt so good to be held by Will, Kira couldn't deny that. But she also knew that it was wrong. She loved Jack more than anything she ever knew, but thoughts of Will kept seeping into her dreams at night. This moment of affection they were currently sharing felt as if it had come from a dream. It all felt so surreal, so out of character. She felt like an entirely different person when in Will's arms. But she had to keep telling herself no. She should be in bed with Jack, not out her on deck in Will's arms…but it felt right.

     Will closed his eyes as he continued to rub Kira's back. He had hugged her before, but this time, it felt more intimate, more special…or more dangerous? What would happen if Jack came stumbling out of his cabin door and saw him holding his woman? Will mentally shook his head. Enjoy the moment. he thought.

     Kira began to break away. Will let go, although he secretly wished to continue to hold her all night long.

     "Thank you again, Will," Kira said with a warm smile. Will noticed that her eyes were once again green, causing him to smile with content.

     Kira began to walk away back towards Jack's cabin, but stopped before the door. She turned her head back and saw Will staring after her. He looked so handsome in the silver moonlight, and so alone. Kira gave Will one last smile before returning to Jack's bed.

     Will remained on the deck alone, still looking where Kira stood moments before.