Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates of the Caribbean, its story and characters, is owned by Walt Disney Pictures.

Chapter 5

Graham laid flopped down on the bed, staring up at the canopy above him as Mina sat in front of the mirror brushing her light brown hair. The light shimmered off of the light brown curls as the hair straightened and re-coiled as the bristles of the brush ran through the strands. He had to force himself not to look at her, for fear that he'll lose all thoughts as he stared at her. She was so beautiful. She wore only a large white nightshirt, that went to her mid thigh, the rest of it was large and lose, covering everything. Still, the sight of those long, shapely legs and the knowledge of what was underneath the loose fabric was enough to drive him wild.

He wore his own nightshirt, but had it hidden underneath a large robe that was wrapped tightly around his waist. He fingered the tail end of the belt as he listened to Mina humming softly as she brushed her hair. "Are they always like that?" he asked idly.

She didn't stop or even turn to look at him. "Who?" she asked.

"Your parents," he elaborated. "Are they always that... intimate?"

She giggled softly, and he felt a trail of goose bumps run up and down his flesh. "Not all the time," she explained. "I don't really know why Dad acted like that, but usually, when we're around other people, Father doesn't like to be that intimate." She shrugged her delicate shoulders and caused the soft curls resting on them to bounce slightly. "I guess he was a little upset about dinner," she added softly, laying the brush down on the nightstand.

"It must have been wonderful," he said quietly, a bit of envy dripping into his tone. "Being with parents that are that affectionate, I mean. No wonder your so open about your feelings."

She turned to look at her fiancée then, pity present in her clear chocolate eyes. "Gram-Gram," she said softly, using her pet name for him. Mina knew what it did to him. Usually anytime he was upset about something, she'd just have to kiss his cheek or call him by that name and it'd be all better. It didn't work this time however.

Graham rolled over on the bed to face the opposite wall, not wanting to meet her gaze. He didn't really want to be comforted right now. He wanted to be angry and get this off of his chest. "I'm afraid I don't even know what it's like to be loving or affectionate. But you do. You're used to it. You're used to 'I love you's' and kisses and the like... I'm not… it's not proper." He curled slightly on to his side, feeling a well of emotions tighten his throat. This wasn't appropriate for a man of his status. "You deserve someone who can show you this type of emotion. Someone who can hold your hand or kiss your cheek without blushing like a fool."

Graham felt a dip in the mattress as Mina climbed in next to him, wrapping her tanned arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulders. He shuddered as the sweet smelling hair from on top of her head brushed against his cheek and the heel of his foot touched the smooth skin on her leg. "Do you love me Graham?" she asked him in a hushed voice.

"Yes," he replied breathlessly, feeling the goose bumps form on his flesh again.

Her soft, full lips pressed gently against his cheek, lingering for a few wonderful seconds. His eyes almost fluttered shut from the pleasure he felt. "And I love you," she said, her lips brushing against his cheek as she said so. "That's all that really matters. I know you have a hard time with things like this in public, but we can get past that. I can teach you to be intimate." She pressed her smaller body against his in a strange, yet wonderful, embrace.

He loved her so much. She was sweet, strong, and above all beautiful. He didn't deserve her, but he couldn't help but want her. He felt his member stir and respond to her touch. Wait, he told himself forcefully. Just wait.

Will nearly jumped out of his skin as he felt Elizabeth's soft lips press against his cheek. His mind was racing and he couldn't think. He turned around abruptly, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked at the beautiful woman laying next to him on his bed. Her golden brown hair was loose and resting on her shoulders on top of her soft white robe. The robe was made of silk with soft, silver looking roses embroider into the fabric. It hung open slightly, resting on her pale arms and exposing the soft white nightgown that she wore underneath. The straps hung loosely on her shoulders and seemed to be made of silk. She looked at him with half lidded eyes and her full lips pursed.

Will found himself breathing harder. He was surprised when his body seemed to react to her. His hands flinched and his fingers ticked with the need to rub up and down that soft skin. Her face, her body, everything about her was driving him wild. It was as if he'd been sent back in time, to when he was only a boy of eighteen and this very situation had been his dream.

She smiled at him, noticing that he was reacting just as she had planned. Leaning over, she pressed her small body against him, her face pressed close to his. Will felt his eyes widen and a gasp escape his lips, but he didn't move. He didn't seem to be able to. Her lips brushed over his as she mumbled his name, her voice low and seductive, and before he knew it he was kissing Elizabeth.

It was everything she'd dreamed of for the past twenty years. His lips pressed against hers, feeling just as it had the very first time. Just as right, just as beautiful. She'd never forget how amazed she was the first time she had pressed her lips to his and found that they were as soft as rose petals. She wondered now if she had been the first one to claim those lips or had that pirate stolen that from her as well. Just as he had stolen Will himself.

Will stiffened uneasily, as if realizing what was happening to him. He gently rested his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and slowly pushed her away. She stared at him for a moment in confusion, but the firm yet sympathetic look in his eyes told her everything. "Elizabeth," he began. He bit down on his lower lip for a second, trying to think of what to say. "I... I can't," he said after a while. He shook his head sadly at her and then turned away, unable to take the confused look on her beautiful face. "This isn't right."

"Why?" she blurted out hurriedly. "Don't you want me?"

"Not in that way..." he said, his eyes still down cast. "Not anymore."

She simply stared at him, unable to process what he was saying to her. "I don't understand..." her voice was small, barely above a whisper.

"Things have changed between us Elizabeth," he explained. "I have two children now, that I love dearly, and then there is Jack-"

Elizabeth snorted at the mention of the pirates name. "Him," she scoffed, a frown creasing her delicate features. "None of this would have happened if it hadn't been for him. Bloody pirate."

"I love him," Will said fiercely, staring her right in the eyes. He didn't like how she had been treating Jack this whole evening. Everything she had been saying to him and their children had seemed so back handed, and now she actually had the nerve to insult his man right in front of him. "I love him, Elizabeth, and I know that that fact upsets you, but it's something that you will simply have to live with.

"Maybe things could have been different. Had we had the chance to wed, we may have been happy together. But that's all in the past now. There's no chance of us being together any longer. I'm sorry, but that's simply how it is."

Her fair face seemed to crumple right before his very eyes as he spoke those words. She seemed so much smaller now, so much younger. It was almost as if he'd just slapped a china doll. He knew it was harsh, but it had to be said. "So that's it then...?" she asked meekly in disbelief. Her brown eyes began to brim with tears. "This is how it ends is it?"

"Elizabeth-" he began but was cut off by a mere wave of her hand.

"No, I understand. I'm alright," she said, but it was clear from her tone that she wasn't. "It's just that..." Her slim shoulders began to shake as she bowed her head and Will could tell right away that she was crying. "I've waited... so long for this... and now... and now..."

Will felt very uncomfortable at that moment. He felt like kicking himself. How could he be so cruel? This woman loved him, and he had loved her once, and yet he was treating her so harshly. He awkwardly pulled her into a comforting embrace, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Elizabeth," he murmured to her, trying his best to ease her frantic nerves. "I didn't mean to upset you so."

"Oh Will," she sobbed. "You don't understand what it's like for me. I didn't want to marry him, but I was so upset over you that... that... I couldn't think straight! And before I knew it, I was... pregnant."

"I know," he said. He had heard the story before, at their first reunion. It was eerily similar to what had happened to him. He never wanted to go to bed with Jack, but he was so upset and worried about Elizabeth that he allowed himself to get drunk and in his intoxicated state, he was easily talked into Jack's bed. However, he had fallen in love with Jack after a while, Elizabeth didn't return James' feelings. She held on to her dream of reuniting with him. I suppose she has a stronger will then I, he thought. "And I do know. I do know what it's like Elizabeth, to be forced into something against your will, but you didn't have to marry him. You still had a choice, but you made the wrong one, and now you'll have to live with that and find your own way out of this situation."

She stared up at him, with red puffy eyes pleadingly. "What should I do?" she whispered.

He kissed her forehead briefly. "I'm sorry, I don't know either. Only you can truly know what the right choice is."

She smiled up at him tiredly before pulling away and wiping at her tear stained cheek. "I suppose you're right Will," she said. "This is my problem, and I'll have to deal with it." She got up rather abruptly, the soft fabric of her robe and nightgown shimmered around her as they fell back into place. "I'll leave you to your rest. Goodnight Will," she said as she headed toward the door.

"Goodnight, Elizabeth," he called, just as she quietly closed the door.

He flopped back down on the mattress with a sigh. He couldn't have closed his eyes for more then a few minutes before Jack came in. The pirate crawled over to him and wrapped his arms around the younger man's waist, nuzzling at his neck. Will smiled, but turned away from him. "Not tonight Jack," he murmured tiredly.

Jack frowned at him and peered over his shoulder to glance at his face. "Why's that, luv?"

Will chuckled at him. "Do you really expect me to sleep with you after the way you acted tonight?"