Disclaimer: See previous chapters

A/N: I'm SO sorry it took me so long to update... nearly a year. That's horrible. My muse deserted me. But I'm back now. I hope I didn't lose my reviewers...

Thanks to: DeHydra- THANKS! You made me feel better about the story; Raven Deathood- Thank you so much for reviewing!; Maren LP- Thanks for the encouragement; Bvixen- Thanks for reviewing; White Roses for Me- Your advice has helped on some other stories I'm writing, and I'm doing my best to incorporate it into this story. Thank you so much.; oH tHe InSaNiTy- here ya go...finally; Mintika- Thanks for being there early on in the writing process; Novalea- Same goes for you, you were the first to review so thanks!

on with the story

A humid ocean breeze blew through the inn's open window and brushed across Brigid's face. The sounds of a few late night stragglers and their whores reached her ears. Bootstrap was asleep in the room's only bed. Brigid watched as his chest rose evenly with every breath. She was curled up in a chair in the corner, unable to sleep, and questioning what was going on inside her mind and heart. Her eyes were tired, and they repeatedly tried to close on her. She had tried sleeping, but every time she did Will's face appeared behind her eyelids, every minute detail enhanced. When she had seen those thugs attack him her rage had gotten the better of her. She hadn't meant to kill them, just to maim them a bit.

Brigid rose from the chair with a cat's grace and started to pace restlessly. For five minutes she made her way around the room, debating on a course of action. Finally, she pulled a piece of parchment and an old quill pen from her pack and scribbled a note to her uncle. She pulled out a clean cloak and slipped from the room. The brisk port air chilled her slightly as she made her way through the familiar streets to Jack's favorite inn. The lamps still burned on the walls of the outer courtyard, telling Brigid that the tavern was still open for business.

The old inn keeper, shriveled, bald and tough, smiled greedily at her. In years past, she paid him to give her information on Jack's comings and goings. Now, she made her way across the room to the bar with more coin in her purse, and more purpose in her step. She ignored the numerous cat-calls and whistles from the drunken men. One especially daring man got a small cut from her dagger when he tried to pull her into his lap. Taking the lesson seriously, the other men quieted themselves and returned to their drinks. She approached the old man behind the bar.

"Always a pleasure to see you young lady. I wondered when I would be seeing ye," he purred by way of a greeting.

"My pleasure Gregor," she replied with a small smile. "There was a young man, no more than a whelp, with Jack. What room is he in?"

"Ahh, Brigid," he sighed dramatically, "Ye know the rules. I can't just go giving out that information." She held out her hand with four gold coins. "We have a new policy. That won't be nearly enough. Information on new people costs more than old targets."

"Gregor, don't push your luck," she growled quietly.

"Ten. No less, no more."

"Oh really? Think I could change your mind?" She lunged at him, and slammed him into the shelves behind him. You want the money, or do you want me to tear your inn apart?"

"Room at the end of the hall, left side, top floor. Jack's in his usual room," the innkeeper gasped out.

She let the old man fall to the floor with an absent nod, dropping the coins on the bar. She wound her way through the tables towards the stairs. Finding the room was easy, and getting in was only slightly harder. Will had locked the door. Brigid slipped a small dagger from a sheath on her wrist, and slipped it between the door frame and the door. The old latch rope was weak and her blade sliced through it easily. She slid the dagger back into its sheath and gently pushed the door open. She entered the room cautiously and froze when she realized Will was no where to be seen. Her senses, already heightened from nerves, sharpened further, but she was totally unprepared when she was suddenly grabbed from behind. She didn't struggle, the cold steel blade at her throat didn't brook arguement.

"Are you going to kill me Will? Or are you just holding me like this because you love me?" she joked, voice casual.

Will relaxed at the sound of her voice and lowered the blade. Free of the restrictions of his arms, Brigid moved to sit on the bed, patting the place next to her. Her skin tingled with the loss of contact from where he had been restraining her. Will closed the door slowly, and then he turned to face her. Brigid grinned at her long time friend, but he just stared at her as if she were a stranger. The smile faded from her lips. "What is it Will?" she asked quietly.

"Who are you Brigid?" he asked her, his voice quiet and sad.

"What do you mean William?"

"Don't play coy with me! I've seen too much lately. You're not the person I've known for so long, you're not the person that I-" Will stopped when Brigid placed a finger to his lips. She kept her finger where it was as she spoke, the moonlight illuminating and enhancing her dark features.

"You mean when I killed those men don't you?" he nodded. "I've never been what I portrayed. I'm not a maid, I'm not a lady, I'm not what anyone expected me to be," she said, a deep sadness shining from her eyes. "I was abandoned when I was young. I lived on a ship for awhile, but I ran away from those who loved me. I ended up here. Tortuga is not a kind place, only prostitutes and murders can thrive in a place like this. Naturally, you can guess which one I turned out to be."

Will's eyes were wide with shock. Brigid drove on, "Tonight, in the alley, you only saw a fraction of what I can do. I'm dangerous, and I've been gone so long the people here have forgotten that. I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner Will."

He reached up and gently took her hand in his. He stared into her eyes, searching for the truth. He knew she was hiding something else, but he wasn't going to press her. She'd revealed so much already, and the truth shocked him. "Why didn't tell me sooner? Did you think I'd abandon you too?"

"I think the important question is why exactly she is here now," interrupted an angry looking Jack Sparrow. Brigid leapt to her feet next to Will. "I was on my way to the lavatory when I heard your voice whelp. Thought I'd stop in to say 'hello' to your friend."

Will stared at the man in the doorway. This was a changed man before him. Gone was the attitude of a crazed man, and in his place was a man who looked like he had just discovered a terrible retribution. His eyes, when they looked at Brigid, filled with fear, anger, and longing. Will shifted closer to his friend, growing defensive for a reason he didn't want to put a name to.

"How about you answer my question now," Jack growled at Brigid.

The young woman only shifted her stance, planting her feet firmly. Her blade was eased in its sheath. She watched the pirate in front of her with caution, her violet eyes reflecting the same anger and longing, but instead of fear there was the utmost hatred. "Information for information, you answer my question and I'll answer yours," she snapped.

"Ask it then!"

"Where are you taking this man?" Brigid replied, motioning to Will standing behind her. He gestured frantically at the pirate to lie. Jack chose to ignore him.

"I'm taking him to find his lady love, the beautiful Miss Swann. She has been captured by Captain Barbossa, and this gentleman would like to retrieve her. Now answer my question."

Brigid turned to look at Will. He stared back at her, misery shining from his eyes. 'So, he has forsaken his blood. He has forsaken me.' she thought miserably. 'So be it. At least I know why he's here.' Her face slipped into the same mask of indifference she had worn when she killed the thugs earlier. Her heart contracted at the pain in Will's eyes as her own turned away from him in seeming dismissal.

"You're both fools. Go after him, give him the chance, and Barbossa will kill you. So much the better," she intoned icily, staring at Jack. "You deserve to die."

She moved towards the door, but Will grabbed her wrist. She looked back at him, the pain inside her hardening her resolve. She tried to be indifferent, tried to pretend it wasn't killing her to walk away.

"Brigid, please don't leave like this. Don't condemn us to death in your anger. You're my truest friend and I don't want to lose you. I love you," he begged.

She stared at him, 'Your friend is all I'll ever be to you William, and that will kill me someday, but not yet.'

"If I am your friend, as you say, you will let me go. I have no friends, I cannot afford the distraction they bring. No... I have no friends."

She wrenched her arm free and strode towards the door. Jack tried to block her way, still wanting her to answer his question, and received a punch in the face for his trouble. He fell to one side of the door way, his nose bleeding profusely. He watched her pass in mute anger. As she passed she spoke one last statement, "I don't answer to betrayers, and someday you will find yourself impaled upon my blade Jack Sparrow."

With that she was gone. Jack looked back at Will, who hadn't moved since Brigid had pulled away from him. The lad had tears in his eyes as he looked past the spot where Brigid had stood a moment before. He felt a moment of sympathy and compassion for the younger man. "You shouldn't have told her you love her. She doesn't take well to love, and she probably never will."

Will glared at him. "I love her more than words can say."

For the first time he realized just how true it was.

Brigid entered her room at the Silver Raven, and started as Bootstrap spoke. "How is he? My god Brigid... what's wrong love?"

She rushed to her uncle, and collapsed into his arms. She couldn't keep the tears in any longer. Her world was crumbling around her, and she was powerless to hold up even a small piece of it. Bootstrap held her close, petting her hair gently.

"Shhhh... what happened?"

"I've lost him uncle. I've lost him just when I realized how much I love him."

There you go. A new chapter, and sorry it took me SO long to update. My muse was being just downright evil. Angsty isn't it? I hope I haven't lost ALL my reviewers. Please come back! I'll have the next chapter soon I promise.

Much Love,

KaylieAysel