A/N: Okay, I know I haven't written in a while (I like to post about every two days, but I couldn't) so I'm eager to get started. I'm estimating that there will be about two chapters after this, but I'm not sure. Thank you for all of your reviews, I really love them!! Oh yeah, just so you know, this is only a possible continuation of the AS, I really don't think it will happen, but it's nice to dream of Will & Lyra meeting again. So, here we go- chapter 5!
The two lost all track of time talking, and both Will and Lyra were startled when there came a knock on the door. Getting up slowly, Lyra opened the door and let out a gasp of delight.
"Sean Lee!! Ma Costa! What are you doing here?" She exclaimed.
"Didn't Will mention us? Dear, how are you? You look tired." Will remembered that the Gptians were planning to visit Lyra.
"Come in, Will's here too, and oh," Lyra said, checking the time, "The kids should be home in a few minutes." She stepped out of the way, and Sean Lee and Ma Costa stepped inside. After exchanging greetings, Lee realized that Lyra and her friend must have a lot of catching up to do; by the way they kept exchanging glances.
"Lyra, dear, we wish we could stay longer, but we must unload the boats and begin our trading. But we would be honored to have you two and the children for a dinner tomorrow night, before we set sail again." Lee offered, looking from Lyra to Will.
"Of course, that would be wonderful." Will accepted, seeing Lyra's face light up.
"Yes, we'll see you then," Lyra said, and led her two friends to the door. Then the two sank back into deep conversation, reliving the old times, and forgetting where they were. It wasn't until that evening, after the kids were in bed that Lyra turned the conversation to more serious matters.
"But Will, what are you going to do now?" Lyra asked, and Will felt a longing in the back of his heart. "You can't have the window open too long, because remember, Dust is being lost all of the time." She continued, feeling the same longing in her heart.
"I don't know. I mean, we already agreed that we should live our lives separately, fully, but now that this happened,"
"Oh, Will, what are you thinking?"
"I'm not sure I can leave now that I've seen you again."
"We've both changed so much," Lyra said gently, "We aren't kids anymore."
"I know, but listen to this, Lyra, we've already lived the best years of our lives. If I stayed here, I'd be happy with this life, having experienced life in both worlds, one without and with you, and—
"No," Lyra almost whispered, biting her lip and obviously trying not to cry. She stroked Pan, now curled up around her neck, "I couldn't. How could I let you fade away before my eyes? Forty years old is such a short life—
"But much longer than twenty five, as I would have lived if I had come with you in the first place." Will added, and he felt his heart jolt as he heard her reply.
"No. We can't, I can't, this is just like last time. You know we can't be together until we die. We have to be strong Will," but already tears were streaming down her face. Leaning on Will, she sighed, "I'm so glad you came back, but I think this is only hurting us, to be ripped away from eachother again. I can't do it,"
"We can, Lyra," Will said, realizing what he had to do, for himself, and Lyra. "We can get through this. I just had to see you, I missed you, every day, every night,"
"Me too."
"So I'll stay, but only until,"
"You can go back with the Gyptains."
"Right."
"We can do this," Lyra said, but it was more like a question than a comment.
"I know."
A/N: How was it? Sorry it ended on a sad note but as I said, this is how Pullman made it. Don't worry, I'll write two more chapters, and I promise the last one will end as happy as I can make it. But for now, please review!!