Chapter 18

Liz walked up to Jack, who was standing at the helm of his ship, like he always was.

"Captain, do you know where Allie is?" Liz asked. Jack thought for a minute.

"I think she's in me cabin washin' the windows." Liz smiled.

"Thanks Captain," Liz told him, then left to go find Will. She'd need all the support she could get.

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Allie was washing the windows when the door opened. She turned around, smiling, expecting to see Jack. Her smile faded a little when she saw Liz and Will enter.

"Hey you two. What's up?" Allie asked, turning back to what she was doing.

"We wanted to talk to you," Liz said.

"About what?" Allie asked nonchalantly.

"About why we didn't tell you the truth," Will said, walking over to stand next to her.

Allie stood there for a moment, just thinking. At last, she put the rag down and turned to face her friends.

"Alright," Allie said. "I'm ready to listen." She walked over to the bed and sat down. Will grabbed the only chair in the room and positioned it in front of Allie then sat Liz down on it. He walked behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders so she knew he was still by her side. They all sat there for a few minutes in silence. Liz wasn't really sure how to start but knew she needed to.

Allie was growing impatient. "Well. Are you going to talk?" She asked looking at her friend. Liz swallowed.

"Allie. I'm…I ah…I didn't tell you that Will and I were together because…" She died down. She didn't know how to go on. She felt Will squeeze her shoulders supportively and found the courage she needed to continue. She took a deep breath. "Allie, I didn't tell you because Will and I decided it would be best not to tell anyone until we were sure about each other. We were scared of the feelings that we were having. We've both been in bad relationships, you know that, but we decided to give this thing a try, a sort of trial. When, and if, we decided this is what we wanted we would to tell everyone…" Will interrupted her.

"Allie that is just one of the reasons. Honestly, it was my idea not to tell anyone, I didn't want Liz to have to put up with crude remarks from the crew. After all, I did tell them they weren't to touch her. And here I am following her every move like a school boy. Anyway, Liz felt horrible for lying to you. But she is right, we wanted to see how this would work before we had eyes on us all the time. We did what we thought was best for us. I hope you understand." He looked down at Liz. "We hope you understand. I'd hate for Liz to be miserable like she was last night, all of the time." Liz turned around and gave Will a week smile. Thank You, she mouthed to him. Allie was silent for a minute.

"Dang it, Turner! Just lay on the guilt, why don't ya?" Allie said, grinning. Then she turned serious. She got up and walked over to Liz, and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Liz. I shouldn't have gotten so mad at ye. Can you forgive me?" Liz grinned.

"As long as you forgive me." Allie laughed.

"Already have, Liz. I already have." Will spoke up.

"Well, as lovely as this meeting is, I've got to get back to work. And so do both of you." Will started to leave, but Liz quickly spun around from Allie and stopped him.

"Oh, no you don't!" She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug. When she pulled back he pulled her closer and gave her a peck on the lips. Allie rolled her eyes.

"Oh, please. Go get a room!" she said, jokingly. Will looked at her, confused.

"What?" he asked.

"Never mind, Will," Liz said, blushing slightly. "Just go back to work." Will looked at Liz, one brow raised.

"Alright, but I expect a full explanation from you later," he said, pointing a finger at her. Allie started laughing, but groaned in mock exasperation when Will leaned over and kissed Liz on the forehead before walking out the door.

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It had been about 2½ hours since Liz had asked him where Allie was. She's got be done with the windows by now, Jack thought to himself. He decided he'd best go look for her.

"Paul! Take the helm. I've got some business that needs takin' care of!" Jack yelled to the nearest crewmember. Then he went searching for Allie.

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Liz and Allie were dancing around in a circle in the middle of the room. It was wonderful to not have the weight of an argument on their shoulders. Liz decided they needed to have a little fun.

"Hey Allie, remember this…" Liz got up on the table and began singing one of her favorite melodies.

Hey ho to the Pub I go

To heal my heart and drown my woe

To Liz's surprise, Allie joined in, so Liz held her hand out and helped her friend up. Dancing around like merry Hobbit's the girls continued.

Rain may fall and wind may blow

But there still be…many miles to go

Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain

And the stream that falls from hill to plain

Better than rain or rippling brook

Is a mug of beer inside this Took

When they were done with the song Liz turned to her friend.

"Allie, I thought you didn't like Lord of the Rings?"

"I may not like Lord of the Rings but that is a fun song and I knew you would like it." The girls started singing the song again. Jack walked in around the middle of it and wasn't very amused with the two girls dancing all over his table, but quite charmed with the song they were singing. He stood there behind them not making a sound. When they were done singing it for the fourth time, Jack finally spoke up.

"If ye girls are quite finished, ye need to get back to work now." Allie spun around quickly and fell off the table with a yelp-right into Jack's arms. He grinned.

"I knew ye'd eventually fall for me, luv." She struggled and he put her on the floor.

"How long have ye been there?" Allie asked, after she regained her composure.

"Long enough to hear that fascinating song. I jest 'ave one question." Allie waited for a moment.

"And what would that be, Captain?" she finally asked.

"What's a Took?" Allie looked over at Liz, and they burst into laughter once again.

"I think I have to get back to work. Good luck explaining this one, Allie." Liz hopped off the table and headed towards the set of double doors. When she got to the door frame, she stopped and turned back around. "Captain, we'll need to stop to get supplies soon. We're almost out of food." Jack nodded.

"Aye. We'll set course for Port Esgaroth," he said after thinking for a moment. Liz gave a small smile and left, humming the drinking song as she went. Jack turned back to Allie.

"So, luv," he said, sliding an arm around her shoulders, "alone at last." Allie grinned and decided to play along for once. She turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Aye. Whatever shall we do?" she asked, still grinning.

"I could think of a few ideas, luv," Jack said, placing his hands on her hips. He was surprised that she was actually flirting with him and playing along. However, he wasn't going to complain. Allie raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Like what?" she asked softly, the grin never leaving her face. She was starting to lose herself in his eyes. Jack started to lean in slowly.

"Like getting…better aquatinted," he said, slowly pulling her towards him until their bodies were touching. His lips were now a mere inch away from hers.

Allie's heart started pounding, and she had to fight to keep her breathing even. Her eyes had closed of their own accord as she anxiously awaited the feel of his lips upon hers. After a few moments, nothing happened. She opened her eyes and found Jack grinning slyly down at her.

"What?" she asked, trying not to sound breathless.

"I promised ye I wouldn't kiss ye again unless ye asked fer it, luv," Jack said, sounding pleased with himself.

Before Allie had a chance to reply, one of the doors to the cabin opened, and Paul came running into the room. He stopped short when he saw the position that Allie and Jack were in.

"Sorry, Captain," he mumbled, looking at the floor.

Allie disentangled herself from Jack, walked over to the bucket that was sitting by the window, picked it up, grabbed the rag, and headed out the door.

Jack watched her leave, then turned to Paul. "It's alright, mate. What did ye need?"

"I jus' thought ye ought to know that a storm's a commin', Captain. It looks like it's gonna be a big one." Jack thought for a minute.

"Alright. Alert the crew." Paul nodded and left. Jack walked out of his cabin and headed out on deck, looking for Allie. He spotted Will instead and called him over.

"Will, I want ye to go down to the kitchen and take yer lass to me room. She's to stay there until the storm is over." Will nodded, but didn't leave.

"What about Allie?" Jack waved Will away.

"I'll deal with her. Jest go get yer girl." Will turned and left. Jack grabbed a random crewmember who happened to be walking by.

"Have ye seen Allie?" he asked. The crewmember nodded.

"Aye. I saw 'er by the crew quarters." Jack thanked him, and went in search of Allie.