Ok, here's the third one in my first ever trilogy. I am speechless beyond evre thought to be possible. I owe it all to my incredible reviewers. I ran out of title names, so this one will have to do. I have idea's for another potc linked to this one. But it will not be made as part of this trilogy. It will be a whole new line. I already know the end for this story, so when you read it, please don't kill me, as I know most of you will want to. But it will play a key role in my next one. Anyway, please enjoy and R&R.

Disclaimer: My very first disclaier, I apologize, but honeslty see no reason t. The only thing I own is this trilogy. -damn i love that word.- Enjoy

Chapter 1

Rhia woke half an hour later and blinked in the bright light, then gasped in surprise as she saw Bill at the foot of her bed.

"Hey, you're awake!" He said when he saw and heard her. She would have sat up if she wasn't so stiff.

"Um, listen, about last time." Bill began hesitantly. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean for it to go so far. But, really, I do love you Rhia. And as more than my cousin." Bill said quietly. Finally Rhia found the strength to sit up.

"But why; Why me? You have the choice of hundreds of proper women. So why me?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I know you Rhia. I know you can be a proper, respectable lady. And men will adore you, bow at your feet as you walk past." Rhia shook her head at his words.

"It's not the life for me Bill. I don't want adoration, I want respect, and freedom and adventure. And," She paused, unsure of whether or not to go on. But he needed to know now, before he could get hurt worse. "And, I want love Bill. And, I don't love you, at least not the same way." Rhia said.

"You love David don't you?" Bill asked. Rhia nodded.

"Bill, I love you as family, not the same way you do."

"I see. Well, then I'll go get him, he asked me to get him when you woke." Bill said and he left before Rhia could say anymore. She cursed and tried to stand up, but her legs would not support her. She stumbled and fell forward just as someone walked in. Strong arms caught her and she heard her father's voice.

"Glad to see you're up and, um, almost on your feet."

"Thanks dad." Rhia said, bracing on him as he helped her back to the bed.

"You had quite the adventure and gave us all quite a scare." Jack said, sitting on the bed next to his daughter.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you and get mother back. I didn't mean to put everyone in danger and cause so much trouble." Rhia said, head bowed. Jack wrapped an arm around her and lifted her head up.

"I understand, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it. We love you and worry about you. We didn't want you to get hurt. I knew Jones was after you so that's why I sent you to your aunt's. You would be safe, or so I thought. But I forgot how much like your mother and me you are. But we'll talk about all this some other time. From what I here you have a couple of suitors." Jack said, grinning. Rhia barely suppressed a giggle.

"Yes, but I declined one. There's only one of them I could ever truly love, as more than family." Rhia said, thinking of David.

"I figured that much. But I keep having this gut feeling that something will go wrong on that path."

"You can't be serious, David is wonderful, and Bill… Well, Bill is different. He's to, colonized. I could never be the kind of woman he's looking for."

"I know that. You misunderstand me. I have a feeling that someone will get hurt, whether emotionally or physically I can't say. But I can say this, do what you think is right, when the time comes. Follow your heart. For everyone's safety." Jack said, as he kissed his daughter on the forehead. She leaned against him for a minute, until he helped her stand.
"Now, come on deck. Everyone's anxious to see you, including David. I told him to wait and I'd bring you up. So he's probably traced a dent in the deck from all his pacing." Jack said and he helped his daughter out into the sunlight.