-Little Miracles-

Disclaimer: If I owned the rights to the movie, I wouldn't be working for minimum wage. I'm just having a bit of fun, and making no profit unless you count the practice at writing…

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Chapter 7

It was the very early hours of the morning when James awoke. The sun had not yet risen, and there was a very slight chill to the air. As he became more aware, he found a slight pressure and warmth at his side. He rose slightly, and found Lily pressed against his side clutching her little cloth puppy. Thus far, she carried it everywhere she went and had yet to put it down.

It was then that he remembered the comparatively minor nightmare she had woken to sometime around midnight. She had arrived at his door, quite timid at first, but at his invitation and assurance that it was, indeed, all right for her to enter, she had shot forward. There had been few tears this time as well, indicating that it had not been near as bad as the one she had the previous night.

He lay there several minutes, watching her sleep, then gently picked her up, careful not to wake her, and carried her back to her own bed. After laying her back down, he tucked her back in and smoothed out the covers. He placed a light kiss on her forehead and slipped back to his own room to get ready. There was much at the fort he no doubt had to catch up on.

"Good morning, Sir," Cecil said, waiting, as usual, with some warm water. The bed had already been made, though not properly, and a fresh uniform and clothes lay at its foot.

"Good morning, Cecil," he said, still rather bleary-eyed. He dressed quickly and made his way down for a quick breakfast. As he passed through the dining room, he swept his hand across the back of the taller chair Jacob bought yesterday for Lily to use.

"Good morning, James-lad," the cook greeted.

"Good morning, Jacob," he answered, still trying to wake up fully. Jacob placed some eggs, bacon and a slice of sweet bread in front of him next to the hot tea already present.

Yesterday's break from duty had, indeed, given his mind a rest. It had allowed him to think of things other than the recent troubles with pirates and the Spanish, and duty rosters and current supply inventories, but it had also left him with a feeling of guilt; a sense of dereliction of duty.

Though Gillette had said to think of it as if he were sick or wounded, his mind and sense of duty wouldn't let him. He hadn't been sick or wounded—thus the guilt. He knew that today, he would be working extra hard to try and make up for it, if only for himself, despite the fact that he had stopped by the fort on his way home yesterday. Gillette had brought him up to date on all that had happened, and he had also signed some of the outgoing dispatches after approving them.

As he finished his last few bites, his thoughts turned to Lily. He wasn't entirely certain how she would react to his absence today, nor was he certain what to do, exactly. The child had become so obviously attached to him, that she had barely spent more than fifteen minutes away from his side unless she was asleep. He knew without a doubt today would be quite a test.

Whether it would be more a test for Lily or himself, however, was the question.

He knew he would be able to cope well enough. He had been alone for all these years and had had no problem in completing his duties, after all. Today would be no different. He was certain now. It would be a test for Lily.

He finished the rest of his tea and stood, knowing it was time he left for the fort. He was much more awake, now, and had no desire or intention to dawdle. "Thank you for the breakfast, Jacob. I shall see you again this evening."

"You're welcome, Lad. If I might ask before you leave, though, what should I do when she wakes?"

James thought about it for a moment. "Would you explain to her that I shall return this evening? I would tell her myself, but I don't wish to wake her."

"I will, but what if it isn't enough?"

"Distract her, if you can. It may work. Other than that, just do whatever you feel is best. I trust your judgment; I always have."

"Aye, Lad. I'll do what I can. You try and have a good day."

"I will. Good day, Jacob," he said as he left the kitchen. He met Cecil at the door and quickly buckled his sword around his waist. "Thank you, Cecil. Have a pleasant day."

And so he left his house, donning his hat as he passed the threshold, to walk the short distance to the fort. The morning air was already humid and rather warm. It would be particularly hot later. He looked to the eastern sky and found a red sunrise just beginning to peek over the horizon. Perhaps it wouldn't be quite as warm as he thought with the storm sure to come.

He returned the guards' salutes as he entered the main gates and hurried to his office. Lieutenant Stone met him just outside his door with the satchels containing the day's incoming reports. It was a rather mundane routine, but one he greatly appreciated. His childhood years spent with his grandfather had been well structured and organized, and the few occasions spent with his parents after had shown him just how much better and easier life could be. He had a feeling Lily would benefit as well.

He settled into the familiar tasks. First, he reviewed the small notes Gillette left for him. Most of them were detailed about what had happened, but not all that new to him after speaking with the lieutenant. A few of the notes were more humorous in nature, however, in an obvious attempt to keep James from being too serious. Such as the one suggesting he stash several loaves of sweet bread throughout the office.

Lily had been quite happy last night when Gillette stopped by again, and Jacob served sweet bread with dinner. Her face had lit up with one of the rare bright smiles she had given him so far and had later been quite content to push her little toy ship around on the parlor floor while he and Nathan had visited. It made him wonder what other sorts of toys she might like to have.

Once up to date on what Gillette had done, exactly, he moved on to the newest reports and rosters. Five more men had been added to the infirmary list in the fitness report. Three of which had illnesses of a more mild nature, one had an injury and the last was quarantined. That particular illness was apparently not deadly or harmful, really, just more irritating and quite contagious.

Supplies were normal, and the reports' figures matched the running tally James kept in mind at all times. He also noted eight men had been added to the disciplinary list, one of which was the same individual who had gained the injury. After a bit of searching, James found the corresponding incident report; a small scuffle in the dining hall that had been a difference in opinion.

The image of blonde curls and blue eyes came to mind, and James wondered if she had woken up yet. That then brought the question of what her reaction to his absence was. He checked the time and found he had already been here for two and a half hours. Lily had to have woken by now. Her reaction, however, was a mystery and would remain so for now. It worried him, though.

Shaking those thoughts away, he reoriented himself with what he had been doing. Reports. Just starting on the ones from last night's watch. Nothing really out of the ordinary had occurred. Drunken brawls in two different taverns, another drunken sailor that had caused too much trouble for the proprietor and a private home that had been broken in to. The woman of the house had been alone and had gotten frightened with her husband at sea. She hadn't known what to do, so she sought the help of a nearby patrol.

He wondered how Lily, Jacob and Cecil were getting along. What they were doing at the moment. He knew Lily was fine. Especially in Jacob's more than capable hands. The elder cook had certainly looked after James enough when he had been younger and had done a fine job. He also hadn't lost his touch at all since the last meal James had eaten at his grandfather's house. He wondered what Lily had for breakfast.

So absorbed in his thoughts, was he, that he didn't hear the knock on his door, nor Gillette calling him. "Commodore?" The younger man peeked his head in, though James didn't register it, then approached him. "Sir?" He snapped his fingers. "James?"

James felt a hand touch his shoulder and, startled, looked up to find Gillette standing in front of him. "Yes?" he asked, his expression confused. What had I been working on?

"You were staring at the wall. You didn't hear me knock or call your name. I tried snapping my fingers as well. What's on your mind?"

James' forehead knit together as he tried to recall just what, exactly, his thoughts had been. It came as a slight shock, then, when he realized his thoughts had centered on the small child at home. Getting through just the morning alone had been more difficult than he had thought it would be. He realized also, that his mind had strayed to Lily several times before as well, if only for a brief amount of time. He was puzzled. How and when had Lily become so persistent in his thoughts?

"James?" Nathan inquired gently. His expression softened into a smile. "Lily is fine, or will be, at least."

"I know she will be, Nathan," he sighed, "I know better than anyone that Jacob is more than capable of watching over her. I just worry about her reaction when she wakes and finds me gone."

"Why would you worry? You'll return home this evening."

James stood up and came around the desk. "Yes, but I also had no chance to tell her so. I allowed her to sleep this morning, and I didn't say anything last night. Henderson said her father left her with him, and from what I gathered, it was without a word to her in explanation. Her mother is dead. She is only three, Nathan. Why do you think I might worry?"

"Calm down, James. You're getting yourself worked up."

James paced to the window, continuing as if Gillette hadn't said anything. "You didn't see her when she first stepped off the ship." He paced back to the desk. His increasing agitation and worry closed in on him. It made his tongue a little looser than usual, causing him to reveal just what troubled him, exactly, when he normally wouldn't dream of doing such a thing. "You didn't see how she flinched away from me." He stopped and looked at his friend. "A child, Nathan! I could no sooner hurt a child than I could cut out my own heart. It took quite a bit of patience just for her to come away from the docks with me," he said as he continued pacing back and forth.

"That and fruit and sweet bread," Gillette said dryly, though he sobered quickly. "Did Captain Henderson say how she'd been during the crossing?"

"Yes," he answered, rather distracted. She probably thought he had abandoned her as everyone else had. Just what would she do when she first saw him again? Would she run away? "He said she barely spoke the entire time. That she was quite timid." Would she cower in a corner as she had when he had first tried to approach her after her nightmare that first night? His pacing increased in speed as her possible reactions swirled through his head. Would she flinch away as she had when he had first met her? Or, dare he hope, would she run to him straight away, merely happy to see him?

He was jerked to a halt as two firm hands grasped his shoulders and held him in place. Startled, James finally took in his surroundings noting, most especially, the stern expression on the lieutenant's face. "Yes, she was quiet and timid but look at her now, after just two days with you," Gillette said resolutely. "James, no matter what her reaction is to this, all will be well. She will learn and come to understand that you aren't leaving her. That you have a duty to help others as well and cannot possibly always be at her side. Every child learns this eventually. She will too."

It was obvious to James that Nathan truly believed this and it made him wonder. What kind of childhood had his friend had, really? He had always kept things of his past to himself, but they were both were like that. James himself knew little of Gillette, other than a few stories of childhood mishaps and his experiences in the navy. Some things just weren't meant to be told to others, but suddenly, he found himself wondering just what might have happened in the younger man's life.

"I know, Nathan, it's just that—" A knock on the door stalled his comments. "Come in."

"There, you see? He isn't gone. He hasn't left you." Jacob then looked up. "James, Lad, I am sorry to bother you here at the fort, but I truly didn't know what else to do," Jacob said as he entered the office. James looked down and saw Lily clutching the older man's hand with one of her own, her puppy firmly clutched in her other. James' breath caught painfully at the tear tracks he saw marring her face and her glassy eyes. She was hiccupping also.

"What happened?" he said, forcing himself to look at the older man.

"I told her you would be back, but she's just cried all morning. I couldn't get her to eat either. The only thing I could think of was to bring her here. She only quieted when we entered the fort walls."

James nodded and knelt before her. "Lily?" he asked quietly, reaching for her. She shrank back from him slightly, but didn't move away completely. He gazed at her several moments as his mind tried to wrap itself around her reaction, his heart sinking to the very ends of his toes. He had let her down. The trust she had in him was gone, or nearly so. His head fell forward dismally and his eyes slid shut. He tried to swallow, but found his throat had closed itself off and he couldn't. Though he had imagined this as a possible reaction, his imagination hadn't quite been able to prepare him for the pain the experience might cause. The feeling that his heart had just been torn to shreds.

He felt a hand grasp his shoulder, followed by another. Though he knew his friends' sentiments and accepted their offers of strength, it didn't seem to help much. He heard the door close, and when he looked up again, he found himself alone with Lily. Gazing at her, he could see that she, too, looked as if she had been deeply hurt. Mentally, he rebuked himself, knowing that he had been the one to cause that hurt. "Lily…" he began, but faltered. He didn't know exactly how or where to begin.

"You promised," she said quietly, sniffling.

He reacted automatically, retrieving a handkerchief, though it felt as if the walls of his office were suddenly closing in on him. "Here," he said gently, "blow." What he really needed was some fresh air. As he finished taking care of her nose, an idea occurred to him.

"You promised you wouldn't leave," she repeated woefully.

James cringed inwardly. "I know Lily. Would you like to go outside with me? I'd like to show you something, if I may."

She looked at him with that searching gaze much as she had on that first day. As before, James hid nothing from her, allowing her to see what she would, though it hurt him more that she should feel the need to do so again. Finally, after several moments, she nodded, lifting her arms. He smiled sadly, wondering if being carried was just something every child wanted or if she simply craved the attention. He gladly obliged her, though; only too happy to provide what comfort he could to her.

They passed Jacob and Nathan on their way out. Gillette opened his mouth either to ask where they were going or how it went, but James gave him a look he hoped conveyed for the man to wait a bit. "We shall return in a moment," he told them quietly.

The corridors were fairly populated, and they received some curious glances from the soldiers, but none interfered, as was expected of them. James ignored them, in any case, other than returning their salutes, as he made his way out and up onto the battlements. Both were silent. He had no way of knowing what Lily was thinking, but memories of the morning walks he had taken every day to think mere months ago filled him with a sense of peace. It had been another routine for him to clear his thoughts for the day, though the day after his promotion and all the events that had followed had disrupted that part of his routine and he had fallen out of the habit.

Perhaps that was why he had changed since his promotion as Gillette had mentioned. Why he no longer felt like he was doing his duty properly.

He came to a stop at a point that overlooked the bay, the town, and also gave a good glimpse of the island itself. "Lily, I know I promised I wouldn't leave you, and I haven't, have I? I am still here, as you can see." He paused, his gaze sweeping the horizon and back to her. "I said it would take quite a bit for me to leave you, and I mean it. I couldn't leave you for all the world. But do you see all the people walking around in town? The ships in the bay and the island over there?" he asked pointing it all out.

"Yes," Lily said, her tone still downcast.

James swallowed as best he could and continued patiently. "Though you are very special and so very dear to my heart, those people are under my protection as well, and I cannot abandon them, either. They look to me and the men who serve under me to keep them safe and help them. Just as Mister Coger looks to Captain Henderson. I will not abandon you, if I can help it, Lily, but there are some times when I will have to leave you for a short time."

"Like today?"

"Yes, just like today. There are also some times when I will have to leave you for several days at a time."

"Do you go out on your boat?"

"I do. The men here at the fort take turns doing different tasks, and I must take a turn at my own tasks as well. One of those is coming to the fort every day, but I will return every evening. Another of those tasks is leaving on patrol, which I have to do every so often for two weeks. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she said glumly. "Can I come with you on your boat?"

Hope glittered in her eyes, and he was loath to destroy that hope, but knew he had little choice. "I am sorry, Lily, but as much as I would like for you to, it is no place for a little girl. I don't want you to get hurt. I would rather have you stay here where I know you will be safe. Will you be brave for me, and take care of Jacob and Cecil when I have to go on the ship?"

"Do I have to stay?" she whimpered, tears welling once again in her eyes.

"You do, Lily. I would change it if I could, but I can't. And I don't want you in danger. I need you to be brave for me and stay at home. Will you do that for me?"

"I guess," she said miserably, picking at the gold trim on his lapel.

"Thank you, Lily. If you like, you can stay here with me at the fort for just today."

"Can I?" she asked, perking up happily.

"Yes, but starting tomorrow, you must stay with Jacob."

Her happiness waned a bit again, but she put on a brave little face. "Will I see you before you leave?"

"Do you want me to wake you that early? I leave when it is still a bit dark."

"Please?"

"If you're certain." Lily just nodded. Perhaps it would help stabilize what had surely been a chaotic life for her. "Very well, I will wake you when I get up." He quickly composed himself, feeling much better. "Now then, I believe I heard Jacob say that you wouldn't eat this morning. Are you hungry?" Lily nodded slowly. "Then we will go back and find Lieutenant Gillette and Jacob and find something to eat. How does that sound?"

Lily just snuggled closer to lay her head on his shoulder, though she moved lower, tucking her head closer to his chin after a small sneeze. The walk back to his office was a little slower, and traffic in the corridors hadn't changed. But it was a happier pace for James as Lily was no longer upset with him.

He would have to thank Gillette.

As mischievous as the man usually was, he had been a great help so far.

Nearing his office, he found Jacob and Nathan waiting for him to return, though Lieutenant Evans had joined them. He carefully adjusted his slipping grip on the little girl as she became more of a dead weight. He suspected she had either fallen asleep or was near doing so. "Gentlemen," he greeted softly.

"How is she now?" Jacob asked. "She certainly looks much more calm now."

"She's more than 'calm'," Nathan said. "She's fast asleep."

"I trust all is well, then?" Jacob asked looking directly at James.

"It is. For now, anyway." It was then James remembered the fact that whatever issue Gillette had come to him for had yet to be mentioned. "What did you need to see me about, anyway, Gillette?"

"Well, the other day, you had forgotten lunch. I had thought to come and remind you."

"Is it that time already?"

"It is," Thomas Evans answered.

"I am assuming that to be the reason for your presence as well?" James asked.

Thomas looked amused. "It is."

"Well. I suppose it might be wise to go find a meal then."

"It might at that," Jacob said. "Would you like me to take her off your hands while you do?"

James looked down at her as best he could, "If you think you can, be my guest to try."

Jacob looked down at her as well, though obviously more at her hand than anything. "We can try, anyway." He reached forward to gently pry her hand lose from in between the buttons of James' vest. Though she didn't stir, her face scrunched in distaste and her grip tightened. Jacob gave up after only a few moments, much to James' amusement. "An iron grip that one has. Even in her sleep."

"An unrelenting one, to be sure, when she wishes," James answered. "I found that out the first night."

"Yes. Let's just hope she doesn't have any need for that again."

"Indeed," James said quietly.

"Well now," Jacob began, ignoring the curious looks given by Nathan and Thomas. "Is it safe for me to assume she's to be staying with you today?"

"She is."

"Then I will just leave you to your lunch and meet you at home this evening."

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Love it? Hate it? I'd love to hear from you!

Author's Responses:

I would respond to each person individually, but I found that you all basically said the same things, though in different ways. I'm very, very pleased to have such positive responses to this chapter and to the story in general. Thank you all for the wonderful comments. I can't express how much I truly appreciate them. I've always liked Norrington's character, and it saddens me to see him portrayed so viciously in other stories. I'm glad to know my pacing isn't too fast for how things are developing, and that everything seems to be accurate.

But as to the exact nature of James and Mary Kate's relationship, I think I'll let you keep wondering and keep my secrets for now. :p

Again, thank you for all your wonderful comments, and I'll be back next week with the next chapter.

Take care until then!

- Seaweed