Hey guys, I'm back.... I hope ya'll haven't waited too long. i have been a bit busy as of late with my little siblings and all. I have church convention next week so you may not get another chapter for a week or so. Sorry, the hotel I am going to does not have internet access, so you will just have to wait. Anyhoo... here is chapter 7. I forgot the damn title for this chapter so I have to make up a new one. It will probably come to me when I am laying in bed tonight on the edge of peaceful sleep and drill into it painfully. (stupid hits head on wall stupid)

Chapter 7: Come Sail Away

As Lia and Jackson had their moment on the beach, back in the blacksmith's shop there was an equal amount of emotion. Anamaria was sitting on the cement floor cross-legged and crying. Jack was kneeling down to comfort her and, Will was still standing in the same spot as he had been when he met Lia. Shouldn't we go after her? asked Will urgently.

Jack looked up at him and said reassuringly, Jackson as gone after er. Ye can trust me' son when it comes to Lia. There is no need to worry ye'self

Will stared at the empty spot where Lia had stood but a few minutes ago. How can that be my daughter? She is a bloody scallywag, a no good cur at that. Jack told me that he would raise her right. I should never have sent her away! It was the biggest mistake that I think I have ever made. Will thought to himself.

Jack saw the look in his eyes and stood. He spoke as he came to stand beside Will. She isn't as bad as she seems. Ye' just gave er a lil' scare that's all. She wasn't expectin' to meet er real father. I mean, she only just found out about ye'. Cut er a lil' slack, will ye? She's been through a lot lately.

Will looked at Jack out of the corner of his eye and breathed deeply. Then, shaking his head he said, How did this happen? How can that be my daughter? he pointed to the doorway. I wasn't even expecting to ever see her again, much less come face to face with her as she was stealing from my sword case! Explain to me how all of the pillaging and plundering came into play, Jack! I want to know just how much damage has been done so I can determine just what I need to do to keep myself safe from my own flesh and blood!

Jack winced at the harsh words of his friend. He expected that Will would probably be less than thrilled with his daughter being a pirate, but there wasn't really that much that could be done about it now. Jack took a deep breath and placed a hand on Will's left shoulder as he voiced his thoughts. Willie boy, I know that ye' are less than thrilled about how ye' daughter has grown up, but think about it all for a moment now and ponder it. What did ye' really expect to witness if you saw her again, silk gowns, corsets, and pretty lil' umbrellas flowin' in the wind? C'mon mate, get ye' head outta the bloody clouds already! Ye' knew rightly well that ye' were sendin' ye' only daughter to live on a pirate ship with a bunch of scallywags. It is only fittin' that she become one herself to survive. Ye' can be as mad at me as ye' bloody well please, but don't ye' dare hurt Lia for any of these circumstances. Just because she is ye' daughter don't ye' think for one second that ye' can break her and get away with it. She may be a bloody scallywag, but she is still ye' damn daughter, and ye' better damn well treat her as such! Do I make my point clear, dear William?

Will looked at Jack awestruck and suprised at his outburst. He had not expected Jack to be quite so offensive about the child, but something about it did touch him deeply. He knew that Jack had fulfilled his promise to him, and he felt a bit reassured by the gesture. Will's eyes lightened a bit at the realization that he had just met his daughter! He had just been reunited with the one that he thought he would never see again. A sudden lightheadedness washed over him as the thought sunk in. He turned to Jack and crushed their bodies together in a tight hug, knocking the breathe out of Jack at the unexpected gesture.

Well mate, I'd say that it's bout time ye' came around. I was beginnin' to worry bout ye'. Jack said as he returned the hug, Do ye' remember what I said when ye' handed me ye' daughter and bid me farewell?

Will looked at Jack's eyes and cocked an eyebrow in question, No, I can't say that I do.

Jack glanced at Anamaria, who had since stopped crying and was now listening with intent. He turned back to Will and answered, I told ye' that ye' had nothin' to worry bout, that Cordelia was in good hands with Anamaria and I. I told ye' that I would raise her well as one of me own, so ye' knew this would probably

Will cast his eyes downward and said, Yes, and I said that I loved her more than anything and asked you to guard her with your life and soul, to not let her stray, and keep her safe and happy. I told you that she was everything that I lived for and she was all that I had left. Then... He trailed off as his eyes widened in realization.

Jack smiled and replied, patting Will on the shoulder, Then ye' gave me the medallion. Ye' told me to give it to er when she was sixteen and explain to er the lineage she bore, ye' being, and ye' unconditional love for er, in the chance that ye' ever met again.

Will placed a desperate look on his face and opened his eyes a bit wider than before. Jack snickered at the look that the smithy was giving him and and opened his mouth to answer, but before he could get any words out he was cut off by the voice that he had wanted to hear for the time that it was absent. As all heads turned to face her, she spoke calmly and gently. He kept is promise. I received it as was planned. she walked over to the group, clasping Jackson's hand tightly, I am sorry for the way that I was actin' back there. I ad no right to voice some of the things that I did. She walked to Jack, I am sorry for runnin' away like that. It was the childish thing to do. I should not have acted as I did. I should ave been more mature and handled the situation as an adult. I am sorry. She stepped up and kissed him on the cheek.

She walked over to Anamaria and knelt next to her, I am so sorry. I should not ave said many of the things that I said. Much wind pours from me mouth. Everythin' that was said was said out of a blind rage and utter confusion. I didn't think before I spoke. I'm sorry, Momma...

Anamaria pulled her into a hug and held her for a few moments. Lia pulled away and dropped Jackson's hand. She walked over to stand in front of Will. Jack, Anamaria, and Jackson watched as she took Will's hands and squeezed reassuringly. She looked up into the eyes that matched her own. She could feel Will's muscles tense slightly at the touch. Will, I think that I owe ye' the biggest apology of all. I fear that I made ye' think all of the wrong things about Jack, Anamaria, and meself. I just want ye' to know that I really do love me life and the people in it. I don't know what I would do if I lost any of them. That is why I wish for ye' to not ask me to stay with ye'.

Will raised his eyebrows and questioned her, If you will not stay, then I guess that this is going to be goodbye...

Lia shook her head violently and said hurriedly. It don't ave to be like this. I
ave and plan. I know that it sounds crazy, but why don't ye' come with us.

Will gave her a shocked look and dropped his jaw, What do you mean, I seem to not understand.

She looked at Jack, who was equally shocked at her proposition. Jackson walked over to Lia and placed his arm around her waist. Will's eyes picked up on this and he cocked an eyebrow. Lia noticed but ignored it for the moment. I mean that ye' can come sail away with us. Come sail away with me. It would give us time to get to know each other. Ye' don' ave to, but ye' are welcome to if ye' wish.

She dropped his hands and placed one of her arms around Jackson. Will opened his mouth to speak, but Jackson beat him to it, No, Mister Turner, Lia and I are not together. I am her surrogate brother. That would be wrong.

Jack and Anamaria walked over hand in hand and joined the conversation. Jack waited a moment to look out the window and said, Ye' ave till tonight to decide what ye' want to do. Don't feel pressured here, but if ye' choose to go with us, ye' can never come back. Stay or go? The choice is ye own. I shall await an answer by the sunset tonight. Oh, and we will be needin' a place to stay for the day. The Pearl is out to sea and shall return to the shore at dusk. Until then, contemplate what ye' wanna do.

Will shook his head clear if all thoughts and turned his mind to the task at hand. You can stay in here for the day. If anyone needs sleep, my bed chamber is open. The bed will fit two people comfortably. The cellar has some rum and food stored if you're hungry. If you become bored, I can always use some help. The shop is closed today, as are all shops on Sundays, so we should not be expecting any visitors. Make yourselves at home and try not to make any noise. I will keep the door locked at all times. If you need me I will be working on a sword for the commodore.

Lia tensed for a moment, Is that THE Commodore? As in Commodore Welling?

Will nodded gravely. The one that wants you as his own, Jack dead, and Anamaria as a slave. He doesn't know about Jackson yet so that is a blessing.

Jack spoke up, Well, as long as ye' are all talkin', I will be headin' down to that there cellar. There is a bottle of rum callin' me name.

And with that, he scurried into the cellar. Anamaria looked at him and said, I better go after im before e hurts himself.

She scurried after him and slammed the door behind her. What was that ye' said bout not makn' noise? asked Lia, amused at the antics of her parents.

Will shook his head and smiled. Well, I must go clear my head. I would much like to speak with you later in private, Lia.

She nodded and yawned, Okie Dokie, but till' then, I am goin' to go and catch up on some much needed sleep.

Will nodded and walked into his work area.

Jackson pulled Lia to him and faked a yawn, Mind if I were to join ye'? he asked.

Lia rolled her eyes and gave him a mock glare, Okay, but ye' ave to count me coins when we get back to the Pearl...

he said as they climbed into the big, soft bed with red sheets and a blue wool blanket.

She lie on her side and he lie facing her. He watched her doze off into a light sleep and waited for the opportunity. When her breathing became shallow, he wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She didn't stir. He lifted her chin and studied a cut that he was not sure how she received. He leaned down, placing a feather-light kiss on it. She shuddered slightly, but didn't wake. What he was about to do, she would never find out about, for se was in a deep slumber as it happened.

He lightly brushed his fingertips over her eyes, nose, and lips, tracing every part of her face slowly. He came to rest them right under her lips. He took a deep breath and cupped her chin. She was so beautiful. He had always known it. But somehow, she was even more striking when she slept. Her eyes were closed lightly and her lips slightly parted showing the bottom of her top teeth with a sparkling whiteness unusual of a pirate.

He inhaled the scent of her being. She smelled of a white cotton blossom, fresh and clean. He dipped his head and rubbed noses with her lightly, letting his cheek caress her whole face. He came to stop when his lips brushed her cheek. He used his position to place a soft kiss on her rosy cheek. Her skin felt like a baby's skin, soft and smooth.

He cupped is hands around her cheeks, bringing her within inches of his face. She stirred slightly and opened her eyes enough to focus on him. she whispered, what are ye' doin'?

His lips curved into a smile as he replied honestly, Lovin' ye'...

Suddenly, as if on cue, Lia reached her face up just enough to fit her rose colored lips lightly to his peach ones. They lost themselves in this moment as they gently caressed their lips together moving in sync. Their lips were barely touching one another's as if the kiss were a phantom kiss, as if it wasn't real. As they lightly parted, they decided through the looks in each others eyes, that no one would ever know of this. This kiss shall simply never have happened...

So.............what did ya'll think of this chappie? I know it was a bit unexpected, but know where I am going with this. I promise. I will try to update soon, but I can't promise anything. I will be in San Antonio from Thurs. to Sun. or Mon. Well, church convention was great. Though I must say I am not looking foreword to FISH camp, I will have to make the best of it seeing as it is mandatory for band. OH WELL!!! Well, I have to go...ttyl. R&R and tell me what you wanna read l8ter in the story. Night!