Hey everyone! First I wanted to apologize for that whole mix up of chapters. I was writting two things at once and that really screwed me up. So, i'm dreadfuly sorry. Well, i'm going to try finish up this part of the story and in about three weeks I will have the next part up. Thanks for understanding...I hope you enjoy these last chapters of this part of Brenna's life!

The ship stopped, making me sit up straight from my slumber. Where were we? Were we home? Then I remembered the brave act I had pulled…we were going in after the bloody pirates. I knew that in only an hour, my husband could slay them all and take us home…but…something was different about these pirates.

They didn't hunt like normal pirates. They didn't need food or supplies and to my little knowledge of pirates, that was their usual goal. No, these pirates hunted for one thing and one thing only. A chest of golden coins for some ridiculous curse! This curse that was supposed to save them…but…this bloody curse was killing my marriage! It was already plummeting into the depths of destruction and all they wanted to do was get in the way of things.

I composed myself into a straight sitting position, trying desperately to calm my nerves. To no avail, I picked up the pillow and began to curse as I strangled it into anger. I burrowed my face into its soft contours, screaming into it until my throat was hoarse.

"Brenna, we must talk." James's voice boomed behind me, making me drop the pillow in shock.

I turned slowly, my back straight and my chin upward stubbornly. But instead of a face which wanted me hung for my insolence, there was a face of torment, pain and…guilt. My heart sank immediately. I was breaking this man's heart, and even he couldn't hide it. He, who had to show no emotions to his men, to keep them on their heels and kill them if necessary, could not contain his feeling of hurt. If I didn't have a post to stand next to at that moment, I would have collapsed in grief.

He motioned over to a chair, and without a word, I followed his command. Though inside I was practically broken from his true affections, by law and god I was his wife, so I would obey.

He sat down as well, his back straight and his features cold and rigid, but his eyes searching for some way to tell me the truth. "Brenna, I must speak my mind."

James waited for my reply, but all I could do to keep from crying was nod for him to go on.

"This issue which has arisen because of my lack of intimacy with you and my…problems to pursue the very thing that I want has altered my course of action. I don't know what I want. I'll admit it." He paused for a moment to gaze into the fire, but snapped his head back towards me, his heart in his eyes. "I want you, I love you. I have never felt so much passion, desire and furry in my life. But you must understand. Miss. Swann is like a sister to me. I have watched her grow and become a fine woman. Compared to you she doesn't seem like much, but, get her a room alone with flowers blooming behind her and she could give you a run for your money."

I half expected a smile to touch his lips when he spoke of her, but nothing came. There was only sadness and guilt. He continued with his explanation, throwing me into the pit of horrible wives.

"I remember the first time I gazed on your face. You were pale and a delicate little thing, afraid to make a sound because…because you were running from something. I longed then, to just…take you in my arms and tell you everything would be alright. But then surprised me with your very formal etiquette and I thought, this woman is way out of my league." The memory dashed across his face, softening them, curving around his eyelashes and brightening his face. "Then," he continued with a laugh, "you saw my brother and I sword fight. We were both drenched in sweat, but you still stood there, gazing happily at us though your eyes sad…as they usually were at that time. After that, I believe things just carried on from there. I tried so hard to forget you, but I couldn't. Never, ever, have I felt this way about Miss. Swann. It's as if Miss. Swann is only slight warmth in my heart when you are the boiling contours of life within it."

I couldn't stop them then, the tears spilt over and to my great surprise I knelt to his feet. I grabbed his hand in mine, kissing it, soaking it with my tears of sorrow. He touched my cheek, feeling its soft wet flesh.

"I don't deserve you…" I whispered sadly into his hand, while kissing it.

He chuckled at me, picking me up. "No, my dear, it is I who doesn't deserve you."

I barely broke a smile to him but all I could show was regret. "I am so sorry James for my idiotic behavior."

He laughed again, cuddling me in his arms. "You have every intention to be angry with me. You shouldn't apologize to me because this wasn't your fault. In fact, it is I who am the sorry one."

I laughed then too, feeling happiness rejuvenate my body. "You are forgiven, but, how can I ever repay the love you've given me?"

His smirk revealed everything then, all of his deprivations of me from the past week. He cradled me in his arms, setting me upon the bed, kissing my neck tenderly. I would yield to him as I always did, but this time it was to be different. This time it was to be an act of love so powerful that it could shake the very folds of society.