Disclaimer: I don't own POTC. Title is a song by Garbage, one of my favorite bands.

Chapter 40: Stupid Girl

She was just putting out the fire when Will entered the room, and she jumped with fright as he did so. He looked at her before locking the door. (They had to share the room to pose as a married couple.) "Is everything all right, Camille?" he asked.

"Yes fine, just…fine," she said, calming down. "I've just spoken with Jack."

Will narrowed his eyes. "When were you with Jack?" he nearly demanded.

"Awhile ago. He said we should head for Aguadulce without him, he's got to locate The Pearl which never docked here," she replied, ignoring his tone. "He's quite confident in me being able to follow the map, but I have my doubts."

"Not to worry," Will said, although he still sounded a bit upset. "It just so happens that our luggage boy, his names is James, has offered to be our guide to Aguadulce. He says that he is very familiar with the area."

"Well isn't that extremely lucky for us?" Camille mused. "I only hope that the others can find their way just as easily."

"I'm quite sure they will, especially with Norrington."
"And with Jack," she added.

Will sighed, taking off his overcoat. "Why do you insist on provoking me?"

"Because I'm quite curious as to why you feel that you must protect me around Jack."

"My God Camille, he sleeps with other women!" Will said, raising his voice but maintaining some control.

"And I've slept with other men, what business is that of yours?"

"Because you're in love with him! I can see it in your eyes when you look at him, since as long as I've known you. And he's a good man, I can't deny that. But not when it comes to women. You are my closest friend, Camille. You don't deserve a man like that, a man who puts your life in danger and ranks you among his treasures; among his ship!"

"And what kind of a man do I deserve, dear William? A man like you? If you've got something to say, why don't you just say it instead of being so bitter against everyone?"

He shook his head violently. "No," he said. "No, I made a promise. Not now; not after Elizabeth."

"I know that it still might hurt to hear this, but Elizabeth is dead. And she is not coming back anytime soon. Repressing any feelings of passion that you have for any other woman is not healthy, William. You can't just pine away over one person for the rest of your life. You've got to enjoy things, enjoy love, while it lasts. And you have got to love Cadence."
"I do, Camille. I do love Cadence, just as much as I loved Elizabeth. And I will love her until the day that she dies, just as I did with my wife. But until that day comes, I will continue to miss Elizabeth. She meant absolutely everything to me."

Camille stayed silent after this. She couldn't comprehend how a person could care that deeply for another. Perhaps she wasn't in love with Jack, perhaps she had been going about it all wrong. "I don't understand you, Will," she said softly.

"Nor I you," he said calmly. "But that is how I feel, and I don't think that it's ever going to change."

"Well," Camille started, but she really couldn't think of anything to say to that. She was completely transfixed on Will's feelings for Elizabeth. How could someone that in love lose his wife? He certainly hadn't done anything to deserve it. How unfair! It made her heart wrench with agony, to not be able to imagine what he had gone through.

"Camille-"

She put her hand up. "No, don't say anything else. I'm going to bed. Goodnight, William." She wasn't upset, but she was puzzled. Will was such a symbol of innocence to her that she felt guilty for her entire relationship with Jack: arguing, sleeping with other men, and putting others in danger for their own thrillseeking. She fell asleep with a very heavy heart that evening.