"Have some rum," Rosemary offered.

An hour and a half later, Tara was in bed in the inn, dressed in some of Elizabeth's night things. She had told them what had happened in detail, and had been reduced to a sobbing, shaking girl by her own words. Elizabeth was standing by the window, looking out with a grave look upon her face. Will was sitting on the bottom of Tara's bed, watching her with a serious concern. Rosemary had just entered, holding a large flagon of rum.

"No, thank you, Rose," sniffed Tara, closing her eyes. "I really wouldn't care if I never had to go near that foul drink ever again."

Rose nodded. "Aw, honey. He's gone too far this time."

"It was only a kiss," Will muttered, earning himself a filthy look from Rose and a shrug from Tara.

"It was still too much," Tara said decidedly.

Rosemary set the flagon down and sat upon the other bed, pushing the loose red curls from her forehead.

"Tell me, Rose," Tara said shakily, "were you and Jack ever more than just friends?"

"Yes. We're really good friends."

"But never lovers?" Tara asked sadly.

"No," Rose said. "Never lovers."

Tara nodded, and closed her eyes again. Elizabeth crossed over to stand beside Will, and he held her close, resting his face on her hip and feeling comforted by her warmth.

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said softly.

"So am I," Tara whispered. "So am I."

There was a knock at the door. Tara's eyes flickered open. She, Rose, Elizabeth and Will all stared at the door.

"Who is it?" Elizabeth called.

"It's Ben."

"Come in, Ben!" Tara shouted.

The door opened slowly. Ben stepped in, looking extremely serious. He nodded politely to Rose, Will and Elizabeth and smiled sadly at Tara.

"Yer okay?" he asked.

"No," Tara sighed, shaking her head.

Ben nodded, and crossed over to her, grabbing her in a firm embrace, his arms around her neck and head. She rested her face in his warm stomach, and cried softly.

"Where's Jack?" Will asked.

"The Pearl," Ben informed them. "He got absolutely legless within twenty minutes of enterin' that inn, and he fell unconscious, so me an' Richard carried him back to the Pearl."

"You and Richard?" Tara asked, looking up at him. "As in...?"

"Yes, my lover," Ben nodded.

"So, you're gay?" Will asked, perfectly lightly, though his grip on Elizabeth had tightened slightly.

"Aye."

"Are you and Richard together then?" asked Tara.

"No," Ben replied with some bitterness. "But that isn't why I came over. Tara, yer must speak with Jack."

"Why?" Tara asked, moving away from him sharply. "Why?"

"Because it was a mistake," Ben said softly. "Tara, don't lose him over this."

"Ben, me and Jack, we've been here before," Tara snarled. "It isn't ever going to work, ever. We can't be together, Ben, it's as simple as that."

"Yer'll never know unless you try," Ben replied simply. "Please meet him, Tar'. For me."

Tara sighed. She loved Jack. What did she have to lose? "Okay."

Okay, please R&R. There are only three chapters left to come! Will it be a happy ending?