Title: Love's Blood

Author: Kali T'hara

Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance

Rating: R

Summary: Can a simple vampire change Jack and Will's life forever? Set after the movie…J/OC, W/OC…J/W?

Disclaimer: Disney owns 'em…damn that mouse…I own Kira, but I wouldn't mind owning Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom…grrrrr…

CH 23…

Jack walked quickly to the side of the Pearl. He outstretched both hands and placed them on the wooded railing, and looked outwards. Will remained behind him with his hands behind his back, head down.

"You can come closer," Jack said absently, without a glance back.

Will scratched his head. He took a step closer, paused, and then walked all the way to the railing beside his captain.

Jack drew in his hands and leaned on his forearms, "Do you love her?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the choppy blue sea below.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I didn't –"

Jack quickly turned to face him, "Do you love her!" he demanded with a harsh tone. His eyes filled with unshed tears; his gaze softened, "Do you love her?" he asked again, calmly, voice pleading.

Will felt like shit. There was no other way to describe it. That betrayed look in Jack's eyes…that tone of voice. Total shit.

He drew in a long breath, "Yes," he answered honestly. Jack's watery eyes remained on Will's, "It just happened, Jack," Will said, "Please let me explain…please?" he begged.

Jack looked away, "Why?"

"Because I want you to know before you judge,"

"Fine," he answered as he began to pick at his dirty nails.

Will looked down at his own hands now, "It was both of us – equally. I didn't push her, she didn't push me. It all began to subtly. Just her presence gave me butterflies, then her voice…her touch. Everything about her was mesmerizing. Words exchanged; looks from across the deck. I realized that I was falling in love with her. So…I quickly suppressed these feelings and tried to ignore my growing lust – but she became everything to me. I wanted her…I needed her,"

Jack nodded, this sounded familiar to him, "Go on,"

"I kept these feelings hidden because of you, Jack. I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally. You're my captain, my mentor…my best friend,"

Jack brought his hand up and quickly wiped a tear from his cheek.

Will continued, "But then I began to pick up on her emotions, just like you had. I also knew something was bothering her, that she wanted more. Jack, I think I understand it all now. Why she's so thirty…why she's distant, yet yearning for more,"

Jack looked back at him again, "What?"

"Look, we both love her. And she loves us both too. It's what she wants, Jack,"

Jack nodded again, processing the information, "I want her to be happy. No matter what that entails," he turned all the way towards Will, "As long as you promise…swear on your life…that you will never, ever hurt her," his tone was trusting, yet very stern.

"I swear on pain of death," Will answered with a slight grin, "We can make this work. We can give her what she wants," he assured.

Jack eyed him closer, "You sure you're up for this, mate?" he asked, "Being with her is quite different than just knowing her. There's times when you need to know when to back off, and times when you need to when to hold her. She's quite different than any other woman,"

Will nodded, "I understand her. And I will learn what you know, and how to cope with it all. I want this too, Jack,"

Jack sighed, "This is hard for me, mate. She was mine; no one else's. It's going to be difficult sharing…for both of us,"

"I understand, Jack," Will said, "I want to be a part of what you both share together,"

Jack nodded, "I understand too. I trust you more than any other man. So I guess I can trust you with Kira,"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kira's stomach was on fire. The anticipation was torturing her thirst. It was burning inside of her. She was craving them both…so bad. What were they talking about? What was Will telling Jack?

She felt nervous, excited, scared, and horrible all at once. She appeared cool and confident when she spoke to Will, but that was just a façade to cover what she was really thinking. She really wasn't sure at all what Jack's reaction would be. She trusted him, and knew him quite well by now. But this was something entirely different. This was deceitful; this was betrayal. What if he left her? What if he kicked them both off the Pearl? What had she gotten herself…and Will…into? This was all her fault. If she could've just quieted the thirst, none of this would've happened. She just cost Will his and Jack's friendship. All because she couldn't control herself.

The thirst was getting out of hand. Her humanity was slipping away with every rising sun. And the frustrating part was that she knew she was plunging further and further into this dark world. Jack and Will were all the sanity she had left. But with this new dilemma, she wasn't quite sure of the outcome; and whether or not she'd still have them both to comfort her in trying times like these.

Kira held her head in her hands. She had to get out of this cabin. She had to think. Everything just happened so fast. She could feel herself changing. Her sight was blurry, her breathing was increasing. There's one prisoner left…she thought hungrily.

She moved with inhuman speed. Not a soul, including Jack and Will, saw her pass across the deck, below into the hull, and towards the brig.