Chapter Seven

Lorelei set the tray with breakfast on the bureau and sat down on the edge of William's bed, delighting when the soft mattress bounced under her weight. The giggle soon turned into a scowl when the only reaction the young blacksmith made was to turn over and cuddled into his pillows. With a sigh she reached out and shook his shoulder gently muttering for him to wake up but all he did was batter at her hand and wedge the pillow over his head. Lorelei cursed silently under her breath. She was beginning to feel frustrated, after all it had been William's idea that she show him around the Island today. It had been the first chance they had to escape their chores to go gallivanting around Haven since they had spent the night talking.

Lorelei found it hard to believe that a truce, if not complete peace had been declared between them. The first week of their acquaintance had been decidedly stormy. But in the three days since that last fight they had been inseparable friends. William had even helped her mopping the decks of the Maiden as well as training with her in blade work. All well and good then, but now he needed to get his lazy arse out of bed. She grabbed the top edge of the comforter and reefed it back until it pooled on the floor at the foot of the bed.

"Wake ye lazy sod. I thought ye be a tradesman nae some laze a bed noble. C'mon tha days a wastin."

Will sneaked open one eye and couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from curling up and a laugh starting low in his throat. "Not half anxious are ye?"

Lorelei placed her hand on her hips and glared. "I be doin this for ye. I be raised here so seeing tha rest o Haven nae be high on me list ta do. I could always go back ta bed meself if ye'd rather." She shrugged, "Since ye don't wanna go tha' be fine." She turned to walk for the door.

Will reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her down onto the bed beside him and grinning against her shoulders. "Okay. We'll both lie here for a bit longer. I must be getting old. This bed is just really comfortable today."

"Don't be daft." Lorelei pushed herself up, "Ye idiot, yer breakfast be on tha sideboard."

Will pouted. "You're no fun. It was just getting all snuggly again."

Lorelei rolled her eyes, she didn't want to admit that she would have been happy to stay in his embrace, but she had been down that path and it had caused her too much agony and self doubts. She picked up the tray and turned to hand it to him, it landed with a crash on the floor as it slipped from nerveless fingers.

Will's brow furrowed in concern at the stricken look on her face, then blanched white as he followed her gaze to his current state of undress. When she'd thrown the covers from him, it hadn't even occurred to him that he'd slept the night in the nude. "Ummm..." His hands flew instinctively to cover himself. "I was... hot." i 'Not half as hot as I am right now though.' /i The realisation that she'd just been cuddled up against him, with him being starkers had him turning a brilliant shade of purple as vivid memories of the two of them in her bed, on her ship, assailed him.

"So I see." Lorelei swallowed, she focused her eyes firmly on his face determined not to glance downward no matter how much temptation.

Will's Adam's apple bobbed furiously as he fought to find his voice again, his body currently throbbing and coming even more to life than it typically was in the morning. It was ridiculous. She was his friend. They were entirely wrong for one another. He shouldn't go rock hard at the slightest attention from her. Granted, this particular time was a bit more than innocent. His eyes drifted down her torso to her juice-soaked bosom, and he licked his lips nervously. The white shirt she wore left her taut rosy nipples open to his hungry eyes. Hell he was a bastard, but she was simply too beautiful for words. He might as well give up; he was rendered mute and helpless to look away from her, no matter how he willed himself to do so.

Lorelei slowly backed away, her face flushed. She could only hope that he thought the cause was embarrassment and not the sudden desire that infused her. It was the same as that day on the ship; if she wasn't careful she would let it overwhelm her reason. He had made it clear that it wasn't on the cards, would never be.

"I'll ummm... clean up here and... ummm... be out in a minute." Will croaked out when he finally managed to unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth. It took every ounce of strength he had not to drag her to the bed and ravish her senseless. The fierceness of his sudden desire shocking him to the core.

Lorelei literally fled the room, slamming the door behind her; she rested against it sucking in a deep breath. He was testing her willpower. If she didn't know better she would have accused him of deliberately engineering this little incident to throw her off balance, or something of that ilk. He hadn't wanted her before; nothing would have changed in less than a week.

Jack looked up from his breakfast, startled by the slamming door, and leaned back in his chair to peer down the hallway. He wasn't too concerned; truce or not Lorelei and Will still managed enough kinetic energy to give wind to the whole British fleet. They were perfectly suited for one another, but they were typically oblivious. Jack's lips twitched momentarily at the sheer panic on Lorelei's face. He took in the soaked shirt, the flushed cheeks, and the ragged breathing, and it took all his discipline not to start wading through the infinite supply of possible scenarios. He schooled his features and filled his voice with concern. "You okay Lorelei?"

Lorelei scowled at Jack, "Nae a word ye brigand. Nae one filthy lil word from ye benighted mouth; or one simpering snigger."

Jack frowned. "Touché Lorelei. I just asked if ye be okay."

"Just shut it." Lorelei snapped as she headed for her own room to change. She shut the door firmly behind her and sank on to her bed, tucking her knees up underneath her chin. How long before she cracked under the strain of emotions she felt around the young man? He ignited her temper easily, but it didn't stop her for wanting to kiss him, or from wanting to run her hands over his body. And some how, the more she tried to keep herself from that very situation, the more she was thrown into it. She took a rapid succession of deep breaths before she felt calm and in control of herself once more. She rose and slowly stripped off her shirt, quickly replacing the plain bleached cotton with a vibrant gypsy green.

Will buried his face in his pillow and groaned as the fleeting scent of her hair rose to greet him. He was losing his bloody mind, that was all there was to it. So she was beautiful. She wasn't the first beautiful woman he'd ever seen. What she i was /i though was the first truly close friend he'd ever had, and the last thing he planned on doing, was anything to jeopardise that. He stroked the bed beside him slowly, nearly able to feel the soft heat of her body, and he growled into the pillow one more time before leaping to his feet and set about cleaning up the mess. Once that was done, he hurriedly donned his clothing, suddenly quite concerned that she might be upset at him. He had leered at her shamelessly; he wouldn't blame her if she wanted to bloody him to a pulp. Hell, he'd let her too. He opened the door and stepped out, pausing in the hallway in a bid to gather a bit of strength and the right words to say.

Jack heard the door to Will's bedroom creak open once again so he leaned back in his chair, a smirk firmly in place. "What ye been doing lad? She left fer her room in a right tiz."

Will groaned and turned to Jack, his face drawing up tight at that smug expression. "Aw stuff it Jack."

Jack threw back his head and guffawed loudly, they were both in right snits and he had no doubt that they would both dance around the subject. "If ye want me advice boy, maybe ye should just git it all outta yer system savvy?"

Will glared at him. "Get what out of my system. There's nothing IN my system. She just dropped the tray, that's all. Ye dirty ole lecher."

Jack rose and lurched his way to Will, he patted the young man's shoulder. "Yer greatest desire, whatchye want most in tha world will become yer greatest torment if ye don't give inta it. An' ye want the girl, that be as plain as day."

Will sighed and closed his eyes at the twinge of pain in his gut. "Unfortunately just because you want something doesn't mean you can have it, or should have it."

Jack just sighed, leaving the issue alone against his better instincts. He couched slightly, "Whatever ye think best fer ye boy. Just try not ta do anythin stupid."

Will couldn't help grinning a bit at the familiar adage.. "Now why would I do that?

"Cause ye always seem ta be missin tha opportune moments" Jack shot back with a sigh, but he retreated before he could say something that would annoy Will, even if it was said in the spirit of fun. The boy was sensitive to teasing, especially when it came to his light of loves.

Will rolled his eyes heavenward, too scared to look too closely at what Jack said. He had made a play for Elizabeth, and she'd deserted him. If he lost Lorelei now... after learning how good it was to have her friendship, he couldn't even bear the thought. It was impossible to explain, but in only three days she'd managed to worm her way completely into his life and he knew for certain he didn't want her to ever leave. He moved toward her door, having no idea what he was going to say but hoping it would come to him. He knocked on her door and waited with baited breath for her answer.

Lorelei opened the doom fully dressed and composed. She gave Will a bland but pleasant smile. "We can get breakfast at tha Tavern, Da has packed a picnic basket fer us...which ye get ta carry."

Will's face settled into a relieved smile. "My pleasure," He held out his arm to her. "Milady?"

Lorelei hesitated for only a fraction before slipping her arm through his. She directed them to the kitchen and swooped up the basket that Bill had left on the bench for them and shoved it into Will's chest. He grunted but hooked an arm around it. They headed for the door, where she smacked Jack upside the head as they walked past, and the last thing she heard as they walked out of the house was his cursing.

Will laughed heartily at Jack's colourful use of epithets. "He really does have quite an imagination when he wants to use it doesn't he?"

"Indeed," Lorelei giggled, "He be worse when he is truly drunk." She broke into a trot and looked over at Will. "Come on lazy, Last one ta tha Tavern pays fer breakfast." She let go of his arm and took off in a run, her auburn curls flying behind her.

Will laughed happily and sprinted after her, cursing the basket at his side that kept slamming into his thigh and preventing him from taking his full stride. He still managed to pull up next to her, mere inches behind, but at the exact moment he would have pulled ahead, a man stepped from the porch of the tavern and he was forced to dart to the left and go around or kill them all. He reached the door a mere second behind her. "I suppose you will say he's part of the course right?"

Lorelei giggled and threw over her shoulder. "O' course, I didnae say anything about reasons, just who be last."

Will rolled his eyes and sighed heavily, but the grin was plastered to his face. "That's what I figured you'd say."

Lorelei grabbed Will's arm and pulled him to a table. She waved to the Tavern keep, "Yer best honey cakes an' some of yer apple cider."

Will laughed softly as a lock of hair fell into her eyes, causing her to go cross eyed looking at it, and attempt to blow it away instead of just moving it. He laughed a bit harder as she continued her blowing, and finally he gave into his itching fingers and reached up to gently brush it aside and tuck it behind her ear, his fingers lingering to caress her cheek for a mere millisecond that felt like an eternity to him.

Lorelei grinned and then ran both her hands through her hair, catching it and tying it back with the scarf that usually resided around her neck. "Damn annoyin, I think I might just shear it off."

Will's face drew up in a fierce frown. "No."

Lorelei jerked back in surprise at the moody look upon his face, "Whadda ye mean nae?"

Will licked his lips and eased his expression a bit. "I mean please don't. You have such beautiful hair."

"But it be gettin in me way aboard tha ship. It be easier ta manage shorn."

Will couldn't help but feel a bit sad at that thought. "I suppose that makes sense. It's just so beautiful." He reached out and grasped a tendril between his fingers, rolling it slowly. "Can't you just continue to tie it back?" The memory of having his fingers buried deep within that hair as their mouths mated was enough to boil him from the inside out.

For a moment, Lorelei was struck dumb by the feeling of his hand in her hair, but she swallowed and clamped down on any thought or feeling outside the realms of friendship. "If it pleases ye so much, I will." She could have almost slapped herself, with that sentence she sounded as if her brains had turned to mush and a love stricken maid had taken her place. She bit down on her bottom lip hard, this was not the time or the man to become all cow eyed over.

Will sighed his relief, a smile quickly returning. "It pleases me for you to be happy. If you really desire to cut it, it won't make you any less lovely. But I do love it long."

"I'll leave it fer a bit longer." Lorelei murmured as the bar keep set down two plates of fried oat cakes, smothered in honey and a tankard of fresh cider. She picked one up and bit into it hungrily, her stomach roaring as it caught the aroma.

Will watched her, helpless for a moment as she purred in contentment and began to lick the honey from her fingers one by one, eyes closed in obvious bliss. He had to snap out of this. What was wrong with him today? The male voice that sounded behind him, and the words he spoke, just about did the trick. His fists clenched and he watched Lorelei's face carefully as her eyes snapped open and she nearly choked on her food. Good, at least she didn't look happy to see the bastard.

Lorelei dropped her food in shock, but plastered a pleasant smile on her face. Seeing the man now, without the aid of rum, well he wasn't as handsome as she'd thought, but he still had fine rippling muscles. She shoved down the little voice that brought to light that Will was a blacksmith and had equal, if not more in that department. "Mornin'" She couched slightly to hide the fact that she'd not remembered his name.

Will watched him slither around the table and into the seat beside her, instinctively scooting closer to her himself and settling a hand on her forearm.

"I was hopin' I might see ye again afore we sailed. Was rather dis'pointed we was interupted s' rudely."

Will held his accusatory gaze with one that held no apology, and he arched an eyebrow as if daring the bastard to say more.

"Well ye've seen me. Would ye like a cake?" She held up her plate and offered him a honey cake. He really was kinda cut.

Will nearly bit through his tongue and turned to stare at Lorelei as if she'd just abandoned ship, or at least leave of her senses. Not seeing what a user he was when she was drunk was one thing, but she was dead sober today. Will turned to the man and handed him his plate instead. "Here you go, I'm not hungry. You can take mine and return to your mates, the lady and I were in the midst of a conversation to which you were not invited."

The Pirate scowled. He'd instantly recognised Will as the man who had broken up his tryst. He glared angrily at Will, "And what's ta ye if I court tha lady? I don' see no signs of ownership.."His eyes narrowed, "She be tha Capt'n o the Maiden so nae yer doxy. I be speakin' ta her, it be none of yer business."

Will leaned across the table until he was nearly nose to nose with him. "I'll warn you only once, she is certainly no doxy, but she is also not on the market. Not to the likes of you to be certain. No power hungry, sniveling, weasel that stinks of greed and lack of personal hygiene is worthy to even wipe the feet of my Ruby. Now I suggest you retreat before I take a different approach to removing you from her presence."

"I be nobody's Ruby, just me own." Lorelei broke into the tense situation; both men were fighting over her as if she were a choice bone amongst a pack of rabid dogs. "I nae be a bitch fer ye to play alpha male ta fight over." She stood up abruptly, brushing the pirate's hand off of her shoulder and stalked outside.

Will closed his eyes for a moment, fighting down the urge to simultaneously rail at her, and kiss her senseless, making his claim obvious. His claim? He really was losing it. But damn it, even if he wasn't meant to have her, this bastard sure as hell wasn't right for her. He opened his eyes on the man again, standing to follow her and grasping the hilt of his sword when the pirate grasped the back of his chair and made to do the same. "I would prefer not to have to run you through."

Lorelei strode back inside, initially to grab the picnic basket, deciding that if she wasn't able to eat a comfortable breakfast in the Tavern then she would take the basket with her when she stalked off properly, after the initial shock of the sight that awaited her faded she latched onto Will's wrist tightly, her eyes wide in shock. "Ye spill blood here an ye'll never again find tha Island."

Will sighed and released the sword, reaching up to touch her cheek. "I'm sorry. I think I need a walk." If she wanted the bastard, who was he to stop her?

Lorelei nodded at the other man and scooping up the picnic basket followed Will out the door, "What be wrong now?"

"I don't like him." It was the best Will could do, he wasn't even sure why he kept reacting this way. Wasn't sure he wanted to try to figure it out.

"Ye donae' have ta like him William."

"I guess not." He said simply, his shoulders sagging a bit as he realised he had no right to stop her from seeing the man if she wanted to. It didn't make sense. Not once had he felt this rage toward Norrington, even knowing that the man was intended for Elizabeth and that he stood no chance against a man of that high a station.

Lorelei didn't understand men, pure and simple. Will had made it clear that on board the Maiden he could barely tolerate her, and now he'd made it clear that he liked her as a friend and sister. But did he have to honestly act like a brother. She gave up trying to figure out the subtleties of their relationship, the rules kept changing, so she settled for rummaging in the picnic basket and finding the apple that belonged to Will, and the sharp round of cheese that would have gone with his crusty bread roll. She held them up. "Now this will be fine fer breakfast."

Will turned to her with a small smile, realising that she was here with him, and she wasn't even yelling at him for being a big lug. How much their relationship had indeed changed. "Thank you. I'm sorry for ruining breakfast."

"I didnae mean I yer /I breakfast, I meant mine." Lorelei grinned up into his eyes as she took a large bite of his apple.

Will threw back his head and laughed, reaching out to tickle her side briefly before turning to look out over the horizon, watching the graceful flight of the seagulls. "It's so peaceful here. I never dared to believe such a place actually existed." Most of his life had been lived to the soundtrack of every manner of noise. The typical sounds of the lower end of the city, screaming women, squalling infants, children running rampant and up to no good, the clang of metal, and worse, the incessant voices in his head that taunted him in his loneliness.

Lorelei followed his gaze and considered his words. "Aye, it be peaceful, and t'will always be me home. But fer me it be confinin'. Stifling an' me spirit longs ta fly."

Will grinned. "I'd be surprised if you said anything else."

Lorelei raised an eyebrow in question. What did he think that? "Even yerself would be finding a longin' for adventure if ye be stuck here."

Will patted her leg absently. "Perhaps. But this is my adventure. I've found my father and you, a family. I never dared to dream that possible. Not to mention it's quiet here. I got so sick of the noise."

"Silence can be just as grating." Lorelei murmured, fighting the reaction of his hand on her leg silently.

"Why have you chosen the sea then? Surely that would be even more silent."

"Because there be a freedom in the waves tha' ye cannae find upon land, tha ability ta go where ye choose. Tha ocean itself speaks, it be like a siren song, but if ye listen closely ta tha wind an' tha sea ye hear its song."

Will shook with silent laughter. "Yes, I think I heard her a few times, but it's hard to hear anything with Jack jabbering in your ear."

"Jabberin'? I didnae think it got much beyond slurin. Try spendin' tha night in tha crows nest, ye'll hear her good an proper."

Will nodded. "I just might try that then."

Lorelei turned to look at him, amusement flaring in her eyes. "Make sure ye take an oil skin. Tha' be tha coldest place aboard a ship. An tha' smallest."

Will shrugged, his heart contracting just a bit. "Believe me; I'm very good at taking up as little space as possible. And I'm no stranger to the cold."

Lorelei looked him up and down, a wry smile gracing her lips "Little space? I be doubting it."

Will shrugged again. "You'd be surprised."

"We'll be seeing." She latched on to his arm, "Now let us be gone. There is a lotta ground ta cover."

Will did his best to snap out of the depression that hovered over him and gave her his best smile. "Where do you suggest we start?"

Lorelei led him across the Island, across the township into the forests. She slid her hand into his large, calloused one. "They be fools ye know."

Will's attention was dragged back to her with a jolt, he hadn't even realised he'd drifted away again. "They be fools? Whom?"

"Those tha' ignored ye and left ye alone. Tha ones tha' disregarded ye."

Will sighed, touched more than he cared to admit by her words, but still not sure he bought it. "I'll tell you, after Elizabeth left, I became convinced that they had to have had it right. I mean, there had to be some reason that no one cared. Even when I thought I'd finally found it, she couldn't stand to stay once she knew who I really was. Has to be me right?"

"Nay, 'tis not ye at all. It be her. Think will ye...she be a noble maiden an' in ye she saw something tha' she wanted. A dream, a chance ta break out of tha gilded cage of her life. An' now? I think she be finding her true self now tha' she has tha chance ta spread her wings."

Will felt the bile rising up in his throat and couldn't stop the frown from creasing his face. "Well good for her."

"She hurt ye, granted William, but I donnae be thinking she meant it. Does a wild bird ask permission ta fly?"

"No, but it doesn't scratch out the eyes of its mate in order to do so either. She didn't have to say yes, she didn't have to abandon me. Had she asked for her freedom I'd have given it to her. But it wasn't freedom she wanted, it was Jack. It was someone that I am not and can never be."

"I be thinking Jack be just an icon of tha' freedom she craved." She gave William's hand a squeeze. "People make mistakes an' tha next time ye see her she will admit ta it."

Will flinched and nearly spat the words out. "I never want to see her again. Never."

Lorelei pulled her hand out of his grasp and glared, there was no need for him to lash her with his temper. She was no the one who'd abandoned Will at the alter. She pushed forward and marched through the trees. Will cursed and raked his hand through his hair. He hadn't been directing his vehemence at her, but it was something that cut him deeply. He couldn't help the strength of emotion it brought about in him. He would have thought someone as intense as she would understand that, but apparently not. He marched after her and it rankled him that the one time he had ever admitted his feelings, had opened up to someone, now had him feeling guilty and was going to force him to apologise for it. He should have known better. He finally caught her and reached forward to grasp her elbow gently.

"I'm sorry Ruby. It had nothing to do with you. I shouldn't have taken it out on you though."

"Just remember I nae be her. I donnae deserve yer anger fer what she did."

"I wasn't angry at you, I was just being angry. I will control myself in the future however."

Lorelei shrugged and kept up her brisk pace through the trees. They walked in silence for the remainder of the walk, until they broke through the trees. It brought them to a secluded cove, the blue of the waters were crystal clear, the sand of the beach fine and soft in its golden glory. Lorelei pulled off her boots and skidded down the rocky path to the warm sands. Will followed her down the path, gathering his long practiced composure about him. It did him no good to dwell. He'd hidden his true self most of his life, it wasn't anything new. If she didn't understand, then she didn't understand. He'd just have to find another wall to punch later. He looked around them and a small smile played across his face despite his inner thoughts.

"It's breathtaking. What is this place?"

"It donnae have a name. No one comes here. Most tha crews tha' come ta Haven stay in tha town."

"Their loss."

"Aye." Lorelei dropped the basket and began unfastening the laces on her trousers. The waters were sun warmed, and perfectly refreshing. She used to come here a lot to swim. Despite living amongst pirates she'd loved the notion of swimming and bathing without dozens of male eyes peering at her. So used to coming here for a moment of privacy, so enticed by the cool blue waters that she forgot about Will's presence. She slid her trousers down her legs, and then undid the lacings on her shirt.

Will looked out over the horizon, losing himself a bit in the vastness of it, but the moment he turned to Ruby to comment on it, his jaw dropped open and he was positive his heart stopped beating for several moments before taking up a frantic pace. His face blanched white and he struggled to speak, instead imitating a fish out of water. Was it possible for her to be even more beautiful than he'd thought her that night in her cabin? He had to say yes because at that moment the sun was setting her hair aflame around her, and revealing to him ever detail of her perfect figure. Her skin looked like the finest silk, and he was positive that as her shirt fell to the ground and her taut nipples were revealed to his ravenous gaze, that he was going to take her right here on the sand, honour be damned.

Lorelei walked towards the waves, sighing as the water lapped around her toes. She turned back towards Will. "Are ye comin?"

Will shook his head helplessly. "Coming?"

"Fer a swim." Lorelei stepped into the water and waded further out, to swimming depth.

"Swim?" He shook his head still void of any thought other than touching her, being inside her. Burying his face between her breasts and never leaving again.

Lorelei dived under the water, surfaced and shook her hair of excess water, before pushing it out of her eyes with her hand. "Yeah a swim, ye know tha' thing ye do when yer in water."

"But you're... I mean... I... naked," Will stuttered helplessly.

Lorelei gave him a perplexed look. "Surely ye donnae expect me ta swim in me clothin."

Will shook his head, desperately trying to gather his wits about him, and failing spectacularly. "You don't have a suit of some sort?"

Her looked turned incredulous. "A suit o' what? Donnae be so shy William. Tis only me here. No one else will see ye if ye get yer kit off fer a swim. An' I saw everythin' there was ta see this mornin'"

Will groaned softly so that she couldn't hear him. "You've seen me more than once, yes." i 'And every time fully aroused.' /i he thought helplessly. He stared at the water and longed for a swim, but he was genuinely afraid that he had no control left. It was beginning to seem that every moment they weren't fighting; he was battling his desire for her. No, even then he wanted her. It was insane, but it was a fact. It didn't matter. He couldn't resist her pull. He grasped the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head tossing it to the ground before reaching for his pants and undoing them, slowly pushing them over his hips, not daring to look and see if she was watching him.

Lorelei dove under the water again and emerged again to see Will wading in the water. She submerged herself and swam stealthily towards him, pulling his legs out from under him when she got near enough. Will shrieked and flailed helplessly as he fell into the water, his arms wind milling as he struggled to the surface, spluttering and coughing even as he heard her tinkling laughter. "You wench."

Lorelei pinched his hip and then swam off, her powerful strokes taking her rapidly away. Will leapt after her, running as quickly as he could through the waist deep water, crowing in triumph when he finally came near enough to leap and dunk her beneath him, holding her head down for a few seconds before allowing her to surface. He just grinned as it was her turn to splutter and cough. Lorelei shook her head, spraying Will with water. She rubbed it off of her face and then launched herself at him, using her weight to bear him down. She kicked herself to the bottom and scooped up some sand, which she proceeded to rub into his hair.

Will gasped, his lungs filling with water, as he felt her womanhood slide across his erection, his tip caressing her entrance as her hands tangled in his hair. He was going to drown. He was going to drown but he didn't care one whit. This was heaven, come early. He was sure of it. He reached up and pretended to struggle to grasp hold of anything, pretended that he accidentally grasped her perfect breasts in his hands, pretended that this burning in his lungs was anything less than welcome in that moment.

Lorelei gasped at the sizzling sensuous contact, she twisted out of his grasp. Not because she didn't want it, or enjoy it but because the temptation was there to like it too much. Will shot to the surface; coughing the water from his lungs even as he mourned the loss of the moment. He'd been so close to her, so close, and yet he was losing his mind. What was he thinking? He was a gentleman damn it, and she was a woman. She deserved better than this. He gave a nervous laugh as he continued to cough, the pounding of her hand on his back comforting and causing him to cough harder simultaneously.

"Ye realise Will tha' yer nae suppose' ta swallow tha' entire ocean."

"That's... easy... to... say. I... certain... didn't... mean to."

Lorelei stopped pounding his back and rubbed it soothingly as his coughing stopped, he was sucking in deep breaths. Once he was calmed she smiled up into his eyes. "Are ye feeling up ta more exercise or would ya rather eat?"

Will tried to smile, but he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. If they left the water, he'd be faced with her perfect body mere arm's lengths from his, if he remained in the water, he'd be faced with her perfect body mere arm's lengths from his. If they stayed in the water however, perhaps he could work off a bit of his energy and perhaps his body's reaction would ease a bit. "I think I'd like to swim some more. It's been a long time since I was free to swim."

Lorelei smiled and before he could read more than then cheekiness in it she'd dived under the waters and had again taken his legs out from underneath him. She stayed under, watching him as he fell into the clear water. Will managed to hold his breath this time, and he grinned at her beneath the water, reaching up to touch her face in a moment of shocking tenderness. She was fast becoming addicting to him, in every way. She made him angry, she made him laugh, she made him feel safe, she scared him senseless. She challenged him. She was his equal, his friend. He couldn't risk ruining that. Especially while he was still broken, still so raw. A movement beside them caught his eye and his mouth opened in awe. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen. A flat fish with a long tail and two beady eyes. It hovered there, not moving when he reached up to touch it. In fact, he could have sworn that it moved into his touch, as a dog or a cat might when it wants to be petted more. Absolutely fascinating.

Lorelei grabbed his hand and pulled him to the surface. She took a deep breath and motioned him too follow before slipping back under the waves and setting off. She looked behind her and was gratified that he was following him. After swimming awhile he made for the surface again, and took another breath, they were heading for the rocks, but ultimately to a sight so magical it tool the breath away, but it meant they had to dive underneath the rocks.

"Where are we going?" He asked curiously.

"Ye'll see." Lorelei grinned broadly as she dived back under. She reached out and caught his hand. Once they reached the rocky out cropping she raised for another gulp of air. "How long can ye swim with out a breath?"

"I don't know, perhaps a minute or more." Will answered. In truth, he'd not swam much at all in his life, he'd learned as a very young boy, his da had taught him, but there wasn't much time for anything aside from blacksmithing after he'd arrived in Port Royale.

"Well take a deep one now. If ye find yerself unable ta hold it let me know. We will be underwater for about three minutes. "Lorelei treaded water casually while she waited for William to ready himself.

"Three minutes?" William gaped a bit. "Is it possible to hold your breath for that long?"

"Aye, but it leaves ye feelin a bit light headed."

Will laughed nervously. That was a feeling he was used to around her. "Okay. Just... don't get too far away from me. I can't guarantee anything. I've never held my breath for anywhere near that long."

"I'll be right by yer side tha' whole time, I promise." She gave him a brilliant smile. "On three? One...two...three." She pushed under the water.

Will dove under with her and followed her, pushing the pace as much as he could, determined to shorten the time they were without air if it was at all possible. He had to admit to himself, if not to her, that he wasn't so sure he could last that long. Lorelei swam powerfully, but restrained from shooting ahead of Will, she guided him under the rocks. She made sure she kept a close eye on him as they made it to the deepest part of the water. They couldn't surface as they had rocks blocking any opening. Will put every ounce of strength he had into his strokes, the darkness and the feeling of being hemmed in by the rocks, along with the tight burning feeling in his lungs, and the lightness in his head, was beginning to make him a bit panicky.

He could almost feel the walls closing in on him and as he looked ahead, it was sheer darkness, it seemed the end of their path would go on forever. Too long. He needed air, and he needed it fast. His strokes became even more frantic, he had to get there, he had to. He didn't want to die this way. She was right there though; she'd said they could make it. Obviously she had before. Maybe if he just kept his eyes on her he'd be okay. Lorelei almost let out her held breath in relief when a glimmer of sun light shimmered over the water. They just had to get one last burst of energy and push up towards it. She glanced back at William and noticed the panic in his eyes. She rolled over in the water and went towards him. She stopped his frantic splashes and brought her lips down on his, breathing out and then breathing in, giving him air to breath.

Will gasped as he felt her exhale her breath into his lungs, and groaned his dismay as she began to pull her lips away from his. He kicked hard so that he could remain connected to her, his every thought bent only on keeping their lips from losing contact. For a few glorious seconds, they remained locked in the kiss, and perversely, he nearly cursed the moment when they burst through the surface and his traitorous body broke that amazing kiss to drag in gulps of fresh air.

Lorelei gasped, it came out in a whoosh and she panted, closing her eyes against the light headedness that was more to do with the kiss than the lack of oxygen. She tugged at Will's arm, opened her eyes and pulled him towards the bank. Will followed her helplessly, collapsing on the bank beside her and not daring to deny his instincts as he turned onto his side and pressed his cheek to her neck, dragging in breaths as she did the same.

"Thank you" he whispered hoarsely.

"Yer welcome, truth be tha' I needed ta breath ta." Lorelei rolled onto her back and stared up. It appeared as if they were in a secluded cave, but truthfully they were in the centre of the rock island, and it opened up onto the sky. Surrounding them was the glittering of gold and silver.

Will sneaked his arm around her waist and lay on his back again, his head cradled on her arm, and he gasped at the sight of the glittering silver and gold all around them. "What is this place?"

"Dunno, we be thinking it was tha cache of the original pirates who found tha Island. Only Bill and I be knowing about this...maybe Jack but I doubt it, he ne'r showed any interest fer comin here. It was tha' gold from here tha' allowed Bill ta commission tha' I Sea Maiden /I .

Will smiled softly and then laughed. "Da can make the swim even without his leg?"

"Nay, but I can. I told him about tha' place when I found it. Da cannae make the walk tha ta beach."

Will's smile widened. "He can with both of us to help him."

Lorelei stared at Will, "Yer suggesting we bring him? He cannae swim, nae with his leg."

Will sighed. "He could at least see the cove. Wade out. It was only waist deep where we were. And I bet he could swim with one leg if he practiced. In fact, I bet there are a lot of things he could do with his one leg if he'd give himself a chance. Like get back on a ship."

"We can try, but iffen he donnae want ta I'll nae force him."

Will laughed. "No one could force da to do anything. You get that from him. But it's worth a try. I've seen pirates with one leg on Tortuga, so I know it can be done. I saw the way he looked at the Maiden, I know he misses it. And swimming used to be one of his favourite things. It's the first thing I can remember him teaching me aside from walking and talking."

Lorelei rolled into Will and kissed his cheek, "Da will love tha'. It will give him freedom again. An' I willnae feel like I I have /I ta stay here. Right now I don't wanna leave Da, cause sometimes he needs help with his work an all."

Will felt a pang of regret shoot through him along side the jolt of desire as her breast pressed into his side making him all too aware that they were still naked. If she didn't need to stay there, then she would be on the Maiden, and if she were on the Maiden, then he couldn't be with her. Why did he have to open his bloody mouth? "You are that anxious to be back out to sea?"

"Nae all tha time. I truly do love it here an' I love Bill. But, I feel restless an' if I were able ta take tha Maiden out for lil trips I'd be content."

Will felt his heart soar with hope at that, and he had to mentally kick himself. What was he thinking? He was thinking that he didn't want to lose his first real friend ever. That was it. That was all. Aside from his inevitable reaction to her body that was. But what man wouldn't react that way to a woman as stunning as Ruby? None that he'd ever known, "I can definitely understand that." Will's brow furrowed suddenly. "Ruby? What possessed you to swim this far out of the way and find this cave? You couldn't have just happened across it."

"I be curious about tha clump o' rocks. I climbed up from tha cliff, Ye can access the top from there. I found that "blow hole" an' peered down, when glitter caught me eyes I figured there had ta be a way in so I investigated until I realise' tha' it could only be from tha' sea. So when I was old enough and a strong enough swimmer I tried it."

Will chuckled. "Now why doesn't that surprise me at all? Adventurous and thrill seeking even as a young girl."

"It was all I could do. For years I be the only youn' un here."

Will pulled her tighter against his side and squeezed her gently. "I'm sorry love."

"Dannae be sorry William, it gave me tha time ta explore, ta indulge in me imagination. "

Will grinned. "Okay, then I won't be sorry." He lay there for long moments before finally gathering the courage to ask what he knew it was time to ask, but he was loathe to. "So what's next?" He whispered.

"We swim back." Lorelei smiled mischievously up at the sky. "Unless ye wanna stay fer awhile. Though it nae be a good idea to stay until dark."

Will shook his head. "No, not a good idea at all. The thought of drowning because we can't see where we are supposed to surface holds no appeal whatsoever."

"I be startin ta get hungry."

Will smiled and gave into the urge to lean forward and kiss her softly. "I am too." Though what he was hungry for would best remain unspoken.

Lorelei's breath caught and she stood up holding out her hand blindly to hide the reaction to his firm warm lips. "Will ye be right ta swim out? We can climb up if we must, but it be a long hard way."

Will shook his head. "We can swim. I'll be okay I think. And if I'm not, we can always share our air again."

"Let's be going on three." Lorelei positioned herself on the edge of the bank. "One, two three," She dived in gracefully, her sleek form barely causing a splash. Will dragged in as much air as he could, then dove in beside her, not afraid at all now, and yet somehow wishing that he would be just for the excuse.

They made it with out incident and surfaced just outside of the rocks with great whooshing gulps of air. Lorelei felt a startling sense of calm. It was nothing like she'd ever felt before and it had everything to do with William. She'd not been inclined to like him when they first met, even though his body had enticed her, her reactions to him before had been driven by a need to tease the boy who'd she'd seen as prudish. The difference now is that she understood him, not completely but she empathised with him more. It didn't stop her wanting him to love her but it made it easier to accept and understand why he wouldn't. She raised a hand and splashed a handful of water into his face. He reacted by pouncing her. For almost an hour they played like two young otters, till hunger and growling stomachs had them heading towards the beach. They emerged from the water dripping and Lorelei searched through the basket till she found the length of sheeting that Bill had placed at the bottom as a picnic blanket. It would serve them just as well as a towel. Then they could use it to sit on and eat their lunch.

Will sat beside her as they ate, oddly at ease with their nudity, even as the awareness thrummed through every nerve ending. He'd never known you could feel this at ease with anyone, this accepted. Not since his mum and da, but after all the years he'd begun to even believe that his memory of that was accurate. Now, he knew, and he was still astounded at the one who'd shown it to him. She was so much different than he'd first thought, and yet not. The one thing he knew was that the thought of never seeing her again, of being away from her or from Bill for long, tore at his heart. He'd found paradise, and he didn't want to have to let it go.

Surely they needed a blacksmith here on Haven? And if not, he was a hard worker, he'd do whatever was necessary. He just didn't want to return to Port Royale. It wasn't as if there was anything for him there. Nothing worth leaving this for anyway. Their lunch seemed to disappear before them, and all too soon they had watched the sunset and the chill was chasing them back into their clothes. He watched her every motion as she dressed, drinking her in and committing her to memory, even as he slid into his own clothes. It had been a perfect day all in all, and he prayed silently that they have many more to come. Fear teased at his mind, taunting him that nothing good ever lasts forever, but he shoved it away mercilessly. He refused to allow himself to go there. He was in paradise, and however long it lasted, he was going to revel in it. They walked back through the trees, to Bill's home hand in hand. For now he was content to live day by day.