All right, as promised, here is the next chapter. Thank you for the reviews; they mean a lot to me lol. Please keep them coming!

I wanted to get it out here sooner, but there was crisis on my favorite TV show. (Bursts into tears)

Anyway, the responses are at the end of the page.

Please enjoy!

Romen

Disclaimer: Familiar is not mine Unfamiliar is mine muwahahahaha!

Chapter 7

Revelation of the Cross

"Here, I brought these." Elizabeth sat down on the blanket, unrolling a shawl that hid several dried figs. "They're rather sweet, but still good."

"Miss Swann, you are going to get yourself into trouble..." Will's voice trailed off forebodingly.

Elizabeth shrugged, popping one into her mouth. "I don't care. What are they going to do to me?" She stood, brushing herself off. "I have to go speak with my governess, but I will be back soon."

"She has a point, Will." Susan handed him a dish, tucking a loose strand of hair beneath her bonet as Elizabeth walked off. "Besides, it's not that bad."

Will snorted. "I suspect that you are saying this from experience?"

"Of course." She pulled something from her apron pocket and set it down on the sheet. "For instance, Mary's cross."

He gasped. "Susan, you were the one who took it?"

"Who else. Oh, don't look at me like that Will. Mary's a selfish wench; everyone knows that."

"Stealing is wrong."

Susan rolled her eyes. "Please, Will, don't speak to me like an old man!" She suddenly grew serious. "You're not going to tell anyone, are you?" He didn't answer. "Oh, come, Will, it's not that bad."

"I won't tell anyone," he finally admitted, taking a plate from her. "Why did you take it?" He picked it up, observing it.

"Well, there were several reasons." Susan leaned back, propping herself up with her elbows. "For one, I don't like Mary. She slapped me when no one was looking when I accidentally tripped over her enormous feet. I'm also hoping to sell it to some foolish bloke so I can make some money of my own."

"Why?"

"I want to get away from here someday. I don't want to spend my life as an old spinster and a maid. I want to go back to England."

"Mmm." Will didn't say any more on the matter, and Susan didn't seem to mind, for she quickly changed the subject.

(Later on that day)

"You there! Boy!"

Will turned around. He was at the foot of the stairs, halfway to his room. Mary was coming towards him, her sharp beak-like nose and cold black eyes glittering.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Don't you 'yes ma'am' me!" She grabbed his wrist, her hands cold and rough. "Where's my cross?"

"I don't have it," Will quickly protested, trying to pull away from her.

"Don't you lie to your elders! Where do you have it?"

"I don't have it," he repeated. "Ma'am, if"-

"Come along. If you won't tell me, maybe you'll tell the govenor." She dragged him to the door and out into the night, stomping determinedly towards the mansion.

"Governor?" Will repeated, in shock as they entered the main house. "Please, ma'am, I do not have your cross."

She led him down a hallway, stopping abruptly at the end, knocking on the door.

"Yes?"

"Govenor Swann, I have a matter of importance to speak to you about."

There were a few seconds of earsplitting silence before a, "Come in."

Mary turned the doorknob with suprising speed and threw Will in. He dug his heels in the carpet, stopping himself from falling over as Mary slammed the door behind her.

"Good evening, Govenor Swann, Miss Swann. Look up, boy, stop acting so pitiful. I'm sorry to disturb the both of you on this fine evening, but, as I said before, I have a matter of importance to discuss."

The govenor nodded, his eyes questioning as Elizabeth moved to stand behind his chair, the same look of curiosity on her own face. "Yes, Mary?"

Mary drew herself up proudly. "Well, as you know, I have a very valuable and very sentimental cross that I wear every Sunday to service. It's been passed down from generation to generation in my family. When this- this child arrived, it went missing. Being my normal cheery, sweet-dispositioned self, I wasn't one to jump to conclusions. Even though he used uncooth language and looked rough, I don't judge people in that way. I knew that if he was just treated kindly and given some churching, he would turn out a fine young lad."

"Yes, please, go on." The govenor cleared his throat, shifting in his chair.

"Well, Sarah Whitthouse came up to me today and said, 'Mary, that boy has your cross.'

"And I says, 'Sarah, you shouldn't say things about people that you aren't sure of, especially innocent children. Remember, the Lord sayeth unto you that you have to enter heaven as a child.'

"And she says, 'I know it's true. I saw him with it.'

"I trust Sarah, and I always have. I went to speak with this boy, to try and coax the truth out of him, but he was obstinate, and refuses to hand the cross over."

The govenor cocked one eyebrow higher than the other. "Well, Mary, thank you. I find it hard to believe that our young Mr. Turner would steal, however."

Will looked up hopefully as Elizabeth's father turned his attention to the boy.

"Will, where is the cross?"

Will felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. It took him a moment to gather his wits. "I don't have it!" he finally stuttered. "I never took it!"

The govenor sighed, folding his hands. "Will, if you tell me where it is and why you took it, you will not be punished."

"But I don't have it, and I never stole it." Will felt his face grow hot. "It wasn't me."

"Then who was it?" Mary sneered, thrusting her chin out defiantly.

"I- I don't know, but"-

"Exactly." Her face was now only inches from his. He backed away, his eyes growing wide.

"You may fool others with your lies," she continued, "but I can see right through you, you little lying git!"

"Mary, that is enough." The govenor cleared his throat as the maid backed away. "Will, I am going to ask you one more time: where is the cross?"

"I don't have it," Will repeated, his jaw tense. "I'm not lying."

"Very well then." The govenor stood, walking over to the door. "Until you decide to tell us the truth, you will not eat dinner and will spend your days in your room."

"Father," Elizabeth began in protest, but he interrupted.

"Young Mr. Turner will have to face the consequences of his actions." He opened the door.

"He's getting off easy, if you ask me," Mary muttered to herself. "In my day we would have given him a thrashing for each lie that he told."

Will watched helplessly as the door closed in front of him, feeling very alone.

TBC...

Duh duh duh duuuuh! Responses:

Meowbooks: Ah, thank you, you are right. I'll have to change that some time. :) I hope that you enjoyed this chapter.

RoXySuRfEr12: (Hides behind Susan) I hope that it got here soon enough! LOL I also hope that you liked this chapter. I wanted to get it out here soon but, as I said before, there was crisis on my favorite TV show. Poor, poor Boone...

Jenn1: I really agree with you about good ole' Sue. Don't worry; she'll get hers in the end.

Coollilyflower: LOL I hope that I didn't wait too long! I also hope that you liked this chapter; it was a little hard for me to write.

Please keep up with the reviews; I really like them. :)