I hope you will love this chapter as much as I do...

December 7, 1774

Lily was sitting on deck reading one of her borrowed books when she heard it. "Ship sited to the stern. Just visible!" Lily whipped around looking the nearly empty deck for the person who had yelled, before her eyes fell on the crow's nest. Of course there would be someone up there, but she had never met him. huh.. he must take his job very seriously.

Lily set the book aside, and walked to the back of the ship. As she walked up the steps to the upper deck she noticed Remus, Sirius, and Captain Potter looking through the telescope. James looked angry, so she decided against going over there. She instead began to talk to Ralph, who was manning the wheel. She could at least hear what the captain was saying from a bit of a distance.

"Morning Ralph, how's your day been?" Lily asked. She half listened to his answer as she also watched the other three men.

"What do u mean that ship just took their British flag down?! Who would do something like that?" Sirius said in exasperation as he snatched the telescope from Remus.

"That's the fastest ship I've ever seen. Whoever the captain is, must have quite the fortune to sail with such technology advances. I have a guess as to whom it might be." Remus said nervously.

James was barking orders about the sails, and readying the canons. He was nearly to the stairs when Lily was noticed. "Get below deck Miss Evans. Now."

Lily gulped and nodded. She had come to the conclusion that there was no room for arguing when he used that tone. They had seen each other often over this past month, talked occasionally, fought that once, but he still intimidated her. Maybe it was the aura of confidence, respect, and command around him, or maybe it was the way she reacted whenever their eyes met.

She waved goodbye to Ralph and hurried below deck with her book. Could it possibly be Will?!

...

Hours later Lily couldn't take it any longer. She knew the ship was near, but they hadn't fired the canons?! How odd! She tried to remind herself, that it probably wasn't Will. The oceans were vast. What were the chances he would find this ship? Lily tried to go back to reading her book, but couldn't focus. She set it aside, and quietly made her way towards the stairs. Maybe if she could just listen in, she could reassure herself that everything was going to be fine. Then she would go right back to her room and not anger Captain Potter.

She climbed the wooden stairs silently, skipping the 4th and 6th steps that squeak. She paused at the door listening. There were multiple male voices arguing. Lily strained her ears to hear the actual words.

"-There is no reason. I am sorry for your loss Sir, but that is not my concern. I am on a strict schedule to make this shipment." James' voice said stiffly.

There was another voice she could not hear clearly. Search the ship? Who had that authority? The French? What would happen if the French found her aboard a pirate ship? They might not recognize her and have her hanged as a pirate? Although ...how would they even know it was a pirate ship? The men looked respectable and they fly no skull and cross-bone flag.

"We did not attack, since you approached peacefully. There is no breech of law." Sirius sounded annoyed. Even Lily knew he was always looking for a fight. I wonder why he was trying to make peace this time.

Then she heard it. The loud authoritative voice she would recognize anywhere. She burst through the door "Will! I knew you'd find me!" Lily ran to him and hugged him fiercely.

Will started in surprise and hugged her back. He was so relieved to find her happy, healthy, and not imprisoned. The men in front of him were lucky she had not been harmed. He didn't care what his uncle had said, if Lily had been harmed he would take action. "Hey there Lily-pad." He kissed the top of her head, and then took a step back. He assessed her for any sign. No, she appeared happy as ever and totally healthy.

"Oh Will, how I have miss you. Let me go get my things before we leave. Come along with me! You will find my living situation quite humorous. I think my room is the size of your butler's dressing room. I don't mind though. You know how I love the sea. Just the other morning I was.."

She had taken his hand, and was leading him below deck. The rest of the men on deck were staring in surprise at the turn of events. Her happy chatter reminded him of their days spent in the garden. Lily happy to carry on the conversation as he drew various plants. If only they could go back to a time when that was possible. He became anxious at what he was about to tell her.

"Actually Lils, we need to talk." She turned around with a frantic look on her face. The thing about Lily is, she always knew by the tone of my voice how upset Will was and when something was wrong.

She glanced behind her at the captain and his 2 first mates in resignation. She looked out at the water and whispered, "William you have not come to take me back. Have you?"

Will was about to respond when the captain came forward, "Let us go to my cabin and discuss this in private, Your Highness."

Potter led us straight ahead into a fairly spacious Captain's cabin. His 2 mates stood near the door, while Will led Lily to the two chairs in front of the desk. The captain slipped behind his desk and made himself comfortable.

Lily stared at the rolled up maps in the corner of the room as Will explained everything. This whole situation now felt like an out of body experience and it wasn't really happening to her. He was sorry that he couldn't protect me. He felt responsible for the kidnapping, because he had not been with her. He apologized profusely for not escorting her home. His father is very angry at Will for leaving to colonies to find his cousin, but of course Will doesn't care. He's never cared what his father has to say. He had to see that Lily was okay.

Lily looked up at his earnest face and tried not to be too disappointed. Of course he cannot take me back to England, there is the uncertainty around my mother's death. "I have no idea what my father thinks my being in the colonies will help? He is still taxing them through their teeth." Will was saying passionately.

Lily nodded again. She had no expression on her blank face, and all 4 men in the room were becoming more worried. "You know I would bring you back with my if I could. My sources tell me that at home in England the investigation is becoming more and more political. There is now proof of pirates involvement in the murder Lils. Now people are assuming your father is associated with pirates, especially after the news of your kidnap has reached my father. There is so much uncertainty." He looked at her pleadingly.

Lily looked up at his face for a second, and then back at her hands. Will wished she hadn't gone into proper lady mode, "I understand." She said barely above a whisper.

Will felt the guilt wash over him, "I would take you back to the colonies. With the political unrest there also, it would not be safe. I fear that your father is even glad that you are not around to witness it. I would fight every man on this ship if I thought taking you was for the best Lils. You are the most important person in the world to me. You know that right?"

Lily looked back up suddenly, "Oh Will, I know. Just as you know how much I love you."

Will smiled weakly, "I feel as though I have failed you. I talked to your father, he has not been able to get the key. He will as soon as he can though."

"How is father?" Lily looked concerned.

"He's doing alight. He's very busy, so I think that helps. He misses you though." Will reached for her hand and squeezed it.

James listened to the conversation and couldn't stop the jealousy. He kept telling himself it was completely unreasonable, but there it was. Their relationship was so close. He had never had the chance to get to know his family. As he grew though, he had the chance to make his own. He glanced at his brothers near the door.

Over the past month he had watched Lily and come to admire her. She was sweet and kind to every member of the crew, and not once did he notice a sign she was from the wealthiest families in the world. She confused him and intrigued him.. not a good combination

Suddenly the prince was looking at him, "The message I have for you is simple. Do not harm Lily in any way, or we will both hunt you down and make you wish you were dead. Then we will end your lives in the worst way imaginable. Also, Evans needs more time. He will get it and send it to you as soon as he can. He was quite angry when he heard what you had done. If you had given him more time, he would have had everything situated, and you would have your damned key without taking Lily."

James nodded that he had heard the message. Lily looked a little pale. Surely she knows we have nothing to do with the pirates surrounding her mum's death..

The prince did not look appeased, "Give me your word that no harm will come to her under your care."

James scoffed, "You want the word of a pirate?"

The prince looked disgusted, "Give me your word as a man."

James looked at Lily, who was still staring at her hands in sadness. She glanced up and caught his eye. Those strikingly green eyes. James looked away quickly towards the future king of England. "You have my word that no harm shall come to her while she is with me.

The prince seemed appeased by that and handed a letter to him.

Will then took a bag he was carrying and gave it to Lily. "Here Lils, Ellie sent me a bag for you. She put as much as she could in there that she thought you would need. I added a little something as well. It's quite heavy. Ellie also told me to tell you she missed you more than words can say, and she can't wait to see you again soon."

Lily looked at the bag placed at her feet and her protective walls cracked. She could no longer sit here and pretend everything was fine. All of the sadness she was feeling showed in her eyes the next time she looked up. "Thank you for bringing that William. It is wonderful to hear news from home. Please write to Ellie and tell her I appreciate everything she sent. Tell her I am working on my stitchwork diligently even though I am not. That will put her mind at ease because she will assume that I am some place proper. Good bye Will. I'm so glad that I got to see you and say goodbye. I know you must hurry home. Please do not fight too much with your father. I love you and I miss you already."

Will smiled sadly, "I love you too Lils. I brought your sword for you though. Now it shall be like when we played pirates when we were younger." He tried to joke as he stood. He kissed her cheek as the first sob escaped. She tried to wave him to leave but he picked her up and held her close murmuring soft reassurances to her. The sobs were heart wrenching for the other 3 men in the room to hear, but none left. "Lily-pad please don't cry... I promise no matter what happens after all of this is done I'm bringing you back to the palace to live with me. If what they're saying about your father is true he can never return to England, but you must. It is unsafe and unfit for you to be anywhere else. I promise to come back for you."

Eventually her sobs quieted to hiccups, and she pulled back. He handed her his handkerchief. "Sorry about that Will."

"There's nothing to apologize for." he said firmly. "Although, I do not remember the last time I have seen you cry. Maybe sometime in the future I shall make fun of you for it. At the moment I am too sad myself to do that. I really must go though. Farewell." He kissed the top of her head and walked briskly from the room.

Lily knew he hated showing emotion. He has always been pressures as the Prince to be in control. and this goodbye was difficult for him. He was used to solving all the problems in his life, and this was apparently not something to solve yet. She looked at the bag with a frown. So she was staying? Will was leaving her? She never would have predicted this outcome. She began to feel anxious again but tried not to show the other 3 men in the room. She took a couple deep breaths to steady herself, but it didn't work. Suddenly the ship began to move slowly, and she couldn't stand being in this room. She stood up and sprinted out. She looked around frantically, and sprinted to the stern of the ship. She was heading south, while Will was heading north.

"WILLIAM GEORGE! PLEASEEEE DONT LEAVE ME..." She began to sob again as she reached the stern of the ship. "you're leaving me to walk the plank. you promised. you promised." she sobbed on the ground as her cousin sailed away with her last hope of rescue. I'm so scared Will. Pirates? How could you leave me with people who might know my mother's murderers? Who could kill my mother? She was so kind and good.

James couldn't rid himself of the terrible feeling in his gut when her cousin talked about taking her back to the palace. He stood by and watched her as she cried on the ground for some time after her cousin was out of site. The guilt was unbearable so he signaled for Sirius to carry her back to her room. He wished the theory out of site out of mind worked on Lily for him...

Well? Tell me what you think in tons of reviews. Then I will update!

~Grace