A/N- Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I am glad everyone enjoyed the last chapter as the feedback was really positive and great to read. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter as well!

Chapter 26

"Constance… wake up my dear….".

The voice was deep and thick in Constance's ear and she smiled softly as the Spanish accent soothed her. Her eyes fluttered open and for a brief few seconds she believed that she was on board the Silent Mary with her love. But as her vision cleared she felt everything suddenly hit her. Indeed, she was on board the Silent Mary and she was also with her love, but it was not how she had always imagined it.

Armando was knelt down and cocking his head almost mechanically at her as he was trying to wake her. She jolted up and remained as calm as possible as she watched his hair gently sway as though it was perpetually trapped under water.

"How long was I out?" She asked quietly, her voice hoarse.

"Not too long". Armando replied as he straightened himself to his full height and walked away, slightly dragging his foot towards the remains of his desk. Constance began to take in her surroundings and was saddened to observe how much the Silent Mary had deteriorated from a once proud ship to the twisted skeletal frame which was now before her. The sight of the Silent Mary caused Constance to carefully stand and walk towards Armando who was now stood over the half-destroyed desk, its map fragmented almost like the man himself.

"How did this happen?" She whispered, fighting back tears. Constance grabbed his sleeve and forced the shadow of the man she had fallen so hard in love with to face her. His eyes were almost a window to his soul and the pain which she could see reflected in them was staggering. He gave a tired sigh and she gave him an encouraging smile, hoping he would be able to explain.

"We had nearly been successful in eradicating the plague of the pirates on the seas. In fact, we had destroyed several vessels but one, just one was getting away". He growled and she moved away when he suddenly jolted away, his hair moving in a mesmerising fashion behind him. She was not used to this anger that was radiating from him and told herself to try and not fear him. Despite his appearance it was still the man she fell in love with. He looked as though he was trying to collect himself and she watched as he slowly turned and faced her once again. She supposed she would have to get used to his new behaviour and his mannerisms.

"We chased the ship, the Wicked Wench, but in the final moments, those pirates managed to throw ropes around the reefs and turn the ship around at the last minute. We could not have possibly have attempted a similar manoeuvre in the time available and in an attempt to avoid a major collision, I made the decision to keep on course into uncharted waters". As she spoke, his jaw clenched and the dark black liquid seeped through his teeth. The rage which was brewing in his eyes was both terrifying and magnificent to behold. Constance tentatively touched his arm, hoping to bring him back to reality and was amazed when his eyes locked onto hers and she saw a glimmer of humanity return.

"Due to not knowing the waters, we soon collided with rocks within the Devil's Triangle. The hit was enough to cause an explosion so big that I can still feel the heat of it brushing against my face. The next moments were a blur and I can only recall certain bits as they are fragmented but through all the chaos I believe I tried to escape. All I can remember was pain so agonising however, and it came from my head". He said as he gestured to the park of his face that was missing and cracked. "And that is all. We were then dead and trapped in that god forsaken triangle for years". He growled and Constance felt her heart break for him.

Without thinking, she pulled him closer and gave him a long hug. He didn't react at first but eventually she felt his arms wrap around her slender frame. She felt one of his hands delicately bury itself into her hair and she squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt not to cry at his tale. He pulled back slowly, and very gently tipped her chin up so that her eyes were locked onto his own.

"I longed for you Constance. I thought of you in any spare moments I had, for you were the light in the eternal darkness which I had been entrapped in". Armando rasped out and she felt her heart flutter at his words, his appearance no longer shocking her. But then any kindness disappeared from his eyes and an almost demented look fell across his face.

"But I spent the majority of my time thinking about Sparrow". He hissed and turned away once again leaving Constance to feel cold. "The young pirate had mocked me and had caused my death. He took everything from me and now he must pay. He had the gall to shout at me that I may surrender to him and I will never forget his arrogance from the crow's nest, and from that day on I have vowed to kill the sparrow. And now I am free, I will see to it that he suffers as much as I have". As he finished speaking, Armando stabbed his rapier into the already decaying wood of the ship causing Constance to cower back ever so slightly.

She didn't really know how to feel about her situation. A large part of her was sympathetic to her love as he had been a victim of a curse so evil that she wouldn't even wish it upon her worst enemy. But it had left him as not the same man she had fallen for. She would catch glimpses of the Armando she fell in love with but his obsession for killing pirates was now stronger than ever and the passion he spoke about this Jack fellow was almost insane. She didn't know if she was a tad jealous at the thought that Armando had not thought of her as much as he had been thinking about Sparrow but she supposed that his rage towards the man was logical. After all, he had been a prisoner to a curse for nine years of his life and being trapped with your own thoughts was the equivalent of being trapped with your own demons in a personalised hell.

"Armanda, I can understand your hatred-". She began but was cut off by his loud hollow voice.

"No, no no. You do not. You cannot". He snapped and Constance tried her best not to glare at him. Taking a deep breath at the irritated ghost Captain, she rephrased her wording.

"Ok, so perhaps I cannot truly understand. But let me ask you this Armando, why on earth have you been killing those who are not pirates? This curse could not have made you do that. You have to try and remember who you were. It will end up destroying you!" She shouted the last part and she felt sick thinking about the idea that she may lose him in a totally different way. It was one thing to lose someone to death, but to lose someone due to them changing into a completely different person was awful. She would stand by him, that she knew, but she could not stand and watch him become a monster. Because deep down she knew that he was not a monster and that if anyone could save him, it was looking like it had to be her.

He did not reply at first and for a brief second, she wondered if she had already lost the man she loved and was about to be on the receiving end of his rapier. But very slowly her turned and his face was a mixture of shock and despair. She very carefully approached him and gently placed her hands on his face. She wondered if he may not have been totally in control of his actions after all and perhaps it was the curse which had caused his mentality to change so drastically.

"This is not you Armando. This is not what you stand for". She whispered and watched as the same black liquid which flowed from his mouth cascaded down his cheeks. His black tears wet her hand, and she was about to wipe them away when all of a sudden, he fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist. She was slightly shocked at his action, believing that he had almost lost all humanity and she felt him press his face against her stomach. He seemed to be distressed and Constance tried to soothe him by whispering kind words and running her hand through his hair.

She was determined not to give up on him and was glad that he seemed to be acknowledging his actions. But all too quickly, he composed himself and stood up to his full height, towering over her. He took a deep breath and his expression was back to its usual stern look. She wondered if she had just imagined the last few moments but the dark black liquid on her shirt confirmed that it did indeed happen.

"That will not happen again". He murmured and Constance began to realise how confused he was emotionally. She could tell that his human side was fighting almost desperately to get through but whatever had possessed the crew was keeping it locked up. She nodded her head knowing that she would never speak of the moment again but also knowing that it was crucial to his humanity.

"Armando, why don't you sleep? I can keep a look out for you". She suggested not wanting to ask any more questions concerning the curse as it seemed to have been so far, a rather harrowing experience. He gave her a look which made her furrow her brow in response.

"Constance, I am dead. I cannot eat, sleep or feel. I am tired but cannot rest. I am thirsty but cannot quench my thirst. I am.." He stopped and she very slowly pulled him closer to herself.

"Sit with me for a moment then. Can I ask you one last question however?"

"What is it?"

"Can you still feel love?" She asked, her eyes never leaving his own. He didn't react at first and only moved his head slightly. But then he closed the gap between them and his lips were barely an inch away from her own.

"As much as I feel pain". He replied, his accent thick and voice empty. She was about to reply when a sudden knock at the door interrupted them.

Very slowly, they watched as Lieutenant Lesaro walked through the door causing Constance to open her mouth in surprise and she watched as through the cracks of wood, Constance began to see some form of light trickle down.

"It is getting closer to the morning Captain". Lesaro smirked and Constance felt her back stiffen knowing that Armando would not think twice about killing Captain Barbossa. She was about to say something when Armando spoke quickly in Spanish and Lesaro nodded eagerly.

"Looks like the sparrow is harder to catch than I first imagined ". Armando smiled at her although it seemed forced causing Constance to grimace at the thought of the upcoming events.