Chapter Eight

Will watched the sky fade from purple and orange, to peach and pink, and sighed softly, wishing that Ruby would join them. He'd wished it every night for the past two weeks, but she seemed to prefer her room to sitting on the porch watching the sunset with the guys. It made no sense to him. There was something going on with her, but he was helpless to figure her out. In fact, the closer they got to one another, the further away from him she seemed in some ways. He shook his head to clear it and a small smile blossomed on his face. He'd take her some sweets, and see if that didn't open her up. She loved her sweets. "Da, Jack, I think I'm going to take Ruby some of the honey cakes and tea and see if that won't coax her out of her room. Something is gnawing at her; I just wish I knew what."

Jack shared a quick glance with Bill and rose to protest, but seeing the look on William's face he sat back down again. As William ran up the hall with a full tray he glanced again at Bill. "How long till that explosion?"

Bill laughed softly. "Well, depends I suppose. I give him five minutes before tha initial weak one, suppose it'll depend on just what position he finds her an' Mr. Wrong in as ta how badly he'll damage tha unwitting fellow."

Jack nodded and took another deep pull of rum, "Ye sure that this pirate be so wrong fer Ruby?"

"Ye know the answer ta that as well as I do Jack. Yer no fool. No matter how ye pretend ta be."

"I be think' Ruby be smart enough to make her own choices in life." Jack cocked his head and grimaced. "Two, Three One." Right on cue there was a clattering down the hall.

Will sat heavily on her bed and stared at the hallway wall, taking no satisfaction whatsoever in the sight of tea sliding down the surface, the honey cakes pinned beneath the edge of the tray, the honey that oozed out over the floor boards. What a bloody fool he'd been. For two weeks he'd been concerned about her, afraid that some deep dark pain drove her to retire to her room rather than remain in their peaceful company. He snorted. What a joke. She was off at the Tavern fucking that... What good did it do him to even care? He'd made his opinion crystal clear, and she'd now made hers just as clear. He stood on deceptively sturdy legs and made his way to the front of the house, easing himself into the chair and laughing sardonically.

"Go ahead and laugh. I know you long to. After all, what a fool I must be that for two weeks I didn't see it. You both must have been giddy as I kept talking about how her behaviour worried me. How I wished she would confide in me. Go ahead, laugh. Stupid innocent Will couldn't even pick up on the fact that what ailed her was a need for a good old scratching of her itch."

Bill regarded William soberly. "Ye think we be laughin at ye Will? Nay lad. Aye we know Ruby be making a mistake. But we donnae own her. Ye made it clear ta her tha' ye be her friend only."

Will shrugged. "She's made her choice now. I'll not say another word against him. If she wants to take her pleasure with that... man, then I'll not stand in her way a moment longer."

"Have ye been standin in her way William?" asked Jack with raised eyebrows, "I weren't aware tha' tha nature of yer relationship with Ruby were of love."

Will grasped the handles of the chair violently, but then released them helplessly. "No, you are right, it's not love. Not that I know the first thing about the notion, if I even believed it real anymore, which I don't. No... perhaps she has the right of it after all. I've spent my life a sentimental fool and it got me deserted like so much rubbish. Perhaps that's all I need. A good meaningless sexual relationship. After all, that's what you told me on first meeting me. Hell, why wait. Might as well go for it right now, strike while the iron is hot."

Will stood from his chair and marched down the steps in the direction of the Tavern, tossing a "Don't wait up for me" over his shoulder and burying any thought but his present course. He was tired of thinking. It'd never gained him anything but heartache in the past and he'd be damned if he gave into it now.

Watching the young man depart Bill silently held up his empty glass which Jack promptly refilled. Will was twisting himself into knots of his own creating and Bill could do nothing but watch.

Will made his way blindly to the tavern, not allowing himself a single thought. Teetering so close to the edge of something that he couldn't name yet scared him senseless, that he would rather just remain blank. She'd laughed at his innocence, looked down on it. And now she'd proven that he was nothing special anyway, just a convenient man in her cabin. He was such a fool. He pushed open the doors and took in the room and its patrons, pausing for just a moment as he found her just as expected, at a table with the bastard.

Well, not entirely, he'd expected them to be locked in some lurid embrace or tucked away in some dank hole in the wall room fornicating shamelessly. But it didn't matter. She was here with him. That was all the proof he needed. He moved to the bar and ordered two bottles of rum, slapping down a goodly sum of gold when the bartender started to object, effectively silencing him. He picked them up and made his way smoothly to her table. He stopped short and ignored the warning glance of the other man, setting one of the bottles in the center.

"On the house, since it seems that nothing will keep the two of you apart. Congratulations mate. Ye must be something after all to keep the lady's interest despite all protests." He turned to her and managed an acerbic smile. "Enjoy." he murmured before turning on his heel and making his way to an empty table.

Will's voice startled Lorelei out of her reverie, she'd been so engrossed in thinking over the last two weeks. The fun she'd had with Will as they roamed the Island. The noticeable improvement in Bill's balance and speed since Will had started teaching him how to swim again. She'd also wondered what was wrong with her, every moment her mind turned towards William Turner, in a way that was unacceptable for his adoptive sister. Her attraction for the blacksmith, which could never be fulfilled, was creating havoc within her. She'd come to the Tavern a few nights ago to take time out from that intenseness, but she had bumped into the young pirate who'd wanted to get to know her. They'd had a drink and done some kissing and touching, but then Lorelei, out of character stopped him from going any further.

Never before had she felt like that. She was turned on by a man who had pushed her away sexually, yet chose to be her platonic friend, but the man who wanted her in his bed she felt nothing for, not even a small stirring of desire. She followed Will with her eyes as he stalked away from her, after slamming a bottle of rum in front of her face. Her lips tightened, why was he acting like this? He was her adoptive brother so he kept reminding her, was she not allowed to attempt to move on from her feelings and find someone who would be what Will, couldn't, wouldn't or didn't want to be?

Will shook with his restrained emotions, but he refused to analyse any of it. Not that it would help. Nothing made sense anymore. He had a queer feeling that nothing ever would again. And that just made him angrier. He scanned the room, seeking desperately to find any woman that sparked the least interest in him, longing to make good on his intentions, but none of them managed to turn anything but his stomach. He undid the bottle of rum and tipped it back, the fiery trail it made down his throat bringing tears to his eyes and a bit of warmth back into this insufferable emptiness.
Only twice in his life had he ever been near enough to a woman to even speak to her, and even with the sting of Elizabeth's betrayal and desertions fresh in his mind, he'd managed to fall stupidly, helplessly, and heedlessly in love with Ruby too. Though he had a feeling this time would not just wound him when it fell apart, it would cripple him.

Lorelei stared at the bottle and blinked away scalding tears, instinctively flinching and pulling away as the man next to her reached for her. She tossed her head to avoid his kiss and pushed at his chest when he tried to bulldoze his way to her mouth. Will buried his head in his arms and cursed himself a fool. A fool of the worst order, they called them hopeless romantics. And it was no wonder men that suffered from the affliction were held in such disdain. He could only imagine what fodder he'd already given for the amusement of others.

Lorelei tore her chin out of the pirates grasp and slid down the bench." Stop it. Leave me be." She snapped but he persisted, one of his hands clenching into her hair. She shouted in surprise when he yanked sharply as his lips clamped down on hers. She bit his lip till she tasted metallic blood, she cried out sharply as the palm of his hand smartly cracked across her cheek bone, spinning her from the seat.

Will didn't remember anything of the succession of events that followed, all he remembered was hearing her cry, seeing the bastard strike her, and then he found himself face to face with the coward, holding him aloft against the wall with one arm and the man's mouth was smeared with blood. Had he done that? Or was that Ruby's doing? "Leave this place this minute you spineless maggot, or I swear on my mother's grave that I will kill you despite the consequences. I suggest you do not tarry either, for my gut tells me that I am not the only one that would love to send you to the devil. And that's not taking Jack into account."

In one great heave he threw the miscreant towards the door, no one stopped to help the man. All knew the consequences if Jack Sparrow caught up with him, not to mention what would happen if Bill Turner found out the man had abused his daughter. Lorelei groaned and stirred, a pain shooting through her cheek to her eye. She clapped a hand over the bruise and struggled to her feet.

Will lurched forward and pulled her into his arms, not caring what anyone thought including her. He honestly wasn't sure why he didn't kill the man, but something bigger than himself had restrained him, and he could only guess that it had to do with her warning last time, that to spill his blood would mean never finding Haven again. He kissed her forehead and leaned back to stare down at her, brushing the hair from her face tenderly and tracing the red mark almost imperceptibly with his finger. "Oh God Ruby, are you all right?"

Lorelei nodded lick her lips, trying to rid herself of the taste of blood, some of it her own. She was shaking hard, she'd been brought up amongst the toughest and sharpest of pirates, but never once had they struck her. Sure, she'd trained against them in sword fighting but never had one slapped her. She'd been denying the man her body, but that was her right and beyond a few kisses and touching in the first few days of coming to the tavern, there had been nothing. She hadn't felt like it with her courses on her, and the confusion caused by William. What she'd been wanting most of all was a diversion from that, and the company of people close to her age.

Will leaned down and lifted her into his arms when she didn't speak to answer him. The very fact that she wasn't screaming and chasing after the man to kill him herself spoke more clearly than words to the true state of her emotions. And it was obvious from the stunned faces in the room that he wasn't the only one that knew it. He gripped her to his chest and made his way to the doorway, determining that he would make his way back to the tavern later tonight, and if that bastard was still anywhere on the island, it didn't matter the cost, he would kill the bastard. Slowly. Painfully. Agonisingly.

Lorelei was enveloped in a familiar warmth, and that completely musky male smell that always told her that Will was around, combined to penetrate her shock, but it made her feel safe. She curled into him, and she sighed when his arms tightened.

"It's okay Ruby love. I'm right here. He can't touch you again. I'll never let him near you again, I promise love." Will kissed her cheek and quickened his pace, wanting to get her to her bed so that he could wrap her up in his embrace properly. And so that Jack could go make certain the bastard and his crew had sailed.

Lorelei squeezed her eyes tightly closed. She could hear the anger vibrating in Will's voice, it made it hoarse and deep. "William?" She whispered, "Promise me ye wannae go after him. Donnae do anythin that will het ye barred from the Island, I couldnae bear it."

Will sighed and groaned all at once. Did she have any idea what she asked of him? And yet, she was speaking again at least. "I promise that I will not kill him on Haven. I cannot promise what might happen if I ever come across him elsewhere though." It was the best he could do, and even those words cut him to the quick to say.

"Just nae here." Her voice was almost a panicked wail.

The hitch in her voice caused an ache within him that he'd never felt before. Not even when he'd known Elizabeth to be at the mercy of Barbossa. He leaned down and kissed her, for once, forgetting to mask his emotions, not that he'd have been able even if he tried. His lips moved over hers and his tongue traced her lips, wishing with every second that he could erase the feel and taste of that bastard from her. "I promise Ruby. And I will not break it."

Lorelei wound her hands around his neck, relaxing fully against him, lost in the feelings that burst forth as his lips danced over hers. It was what she'd been reaching for with her unfortunate choice, but in that moment she knew that she'd never find it with anyone else, not ever again and the thought left her empty, she drifted back to that moment in her cabin where Will had carefully pulled back from her, his expression telling her that he couldn't take her to bed. With his lips on hers, his warmth soaking her skin, she'd never felt more alone.

He was lost. Hopelessly lost. Never had he felt the like of this kiss, and somehow he realised that his feelings for Elizabeth had never been love. They couldn't be if this was even a reflection of love. No, he'd pined for Elizabeth, been willing to die for her, had wanted her for as long as he could remember, but never had kissing her made him feel as if they were one being, with one heart and one mind. Never had it made him feel like she was bringing him inside her, just by mating with his lips. In this moment though he'd be hard pressed to know where he left off and Ruby began, if indeed the line still existed. The thought frightened him to death too, because she simply didn't see him that way. She had only minutes before been with another... man was hardly an appropriate word. No, to Ruby he was simply someone to fill the ache, and ache that he suddenly recognised only too well, but she would never love him like that. She wanted adventure, she wanted freedom, if he ever even dared to long for more, she would only end up fleeing him just as Elizabeth did, and he wouldn't survive it this time.

Lorelei whimpered when he took his lips from hers, and it seemed that with them he took her heart. She shivered against the chill that over took her, and she shied away from identifying the emotions beyond lust and desire, she took refuge in the constant throbbing in her cheek and sudden swelling of her eye. She was silent, watching the ground flash by under Will's quickened pace. She retreated inside herself until she heard the swift intake of breath and knew it was her adoptive father's.

Will silenced both Bill and Jack with a look, and sighed. "She's fine, the bastard is leaving, and Ruby has pleaded with us not to hurt the bastard on Haven. I promised, please do the same. He hit her; don't let him take her family away too. Beyond that, if we ever meet him off these shores, all bets are off and I'll rip him apart one piece at a time myself."

Lorelei began to struggle weakly against Will, it was too much. His apparent care and concern, the imagined love in his voice. It tore into her, sending that gnawing emptiness deeper and deeper within her. Will felt his heart ripping open and he pushed past the two men and ran to her room, laying her down gently and smiling when he felt both pairs of eyes quickly boring into his back. Bill could move much faster than he'd admit when he had reason to. He tucked her into the covers and wrapped her up in his arms again, wincing against the disappointment when her voice hitched on a sob and she called for Bill, wanting him instead.

Lorelei knew it was Bill's arms that wrapped around her. She curled into a ball against his chest. The pain and shock of being attacked, diminished by the knowledge that she loved hopelessly, and was cursed to be alone, more alone than she'd ever been forever. That love never fulfilled, just a promise where it would always remain a shadow and regret.

Will moved across the distance stealthily as he saw the dangerous glint in Jack's eye. He pulled him out into the hallway and held him to the wall. "Please Jack, promise me you will not harm him on Haven. If Ruby was to lose you it would destroy her. I was right there, and he only got one hit in. Nothing more, I promise. And from the look on the faces of all in the Tavern who witnessed it, they will make certain that he is gone as soon as his pathetic arse could run to the ship."

Will shook him slightly when he still didn't answer. "Jack, please. Don't go doing anything stupid." He smiled a bit as Jack snorted. "Please Jack. For Ruby. She begged us not to get banned from Haven. You and Bill are all the family she has. I promise you that if you want, I'll gladly sail out with you the minute the Pearl is back, and I'll help you kill him if you want. Just not here."

"Right ye are." Jack patted the younger man's shoulder cheerfully; it masked the boiling inferno of rage that seethed inside. But Jack Sparrow had never, ever acted on anger's impulse before and he wouldn't start now. Oh that young pirate and his ship wouldn't escape vengeance, it would just be served cold and when it was least expected. "They caused harm on Haven themselves, they willnae be back here. Not while they have tha' young scuz aboard."

Will nodded. "I know. She'll be safe here. Now go to her, she needs you, you big lout."

Jack cocked his head and stared at Will, "What's holdin ye back William. Be it yer love fer Elizabeth?"

"Holding me back from what?"

"From actin on yer feelins. A blind goat could tell ye be pining fer Ruby."

Will snorted himself this time. Trust Jack to know everything. "No. It's my love for her that holds me back. She's a free spirit, much like Elizabeth, but infinitely more precious. I could never hold her back, wouldn't want to. And I love her too much to lose her Jack. I could never survive it., And I would, even if by some miracle I wore her down and she thought herself in love with me, she'd need her room to fly eventually, and then I'd have nothing. At least this way I will always have her for a sister, and a friend. This way she will always return."

Jack chewed his lip. The old adage, If you loved something, you set it free, if it came back to you then it was meant to be struck warning bells in his heart. William was willing to sacrifice so much on that philosophy, he placed his trust in fate but Jack wasn't so sure it would work with such a lass as Ruby. Words meant nothing to the girl, actions were every thing, even with out realising it, she expressed herself, and accepted affection tactile.

Will sighed. "What is it? You want to say something; I can hear it bouncing around in your head."

"Ye will not listen to me so I may as well not waste me breathe saying it."

Will shook his head. "You never know. Just once in my life I might actually take your advice. But then again,if I don't, you can always gloat and tell me you told me so."

"Ruby be a lass who needs to be shown yer affection. She will not show it to ye until she is sure. I think ye might be mistaken in yer reasonin'. If ye love Ruby an' show her, tell her out right what ye be feeling then aye she may stretch her wings, but she would be matchin' ye wing stroke fer wing stroke. She'd fly with ye not away from ye."

Will sighed again. "Why are you so sure she would want me? There is obviously something lacking in me. Elizabeth walked away. Why should I dare to think Ruby would be any different? She's even more fiercely independent and outrageous, and free-spirited than Elizabeth ever dreamed of being."

"Because ye be two halves of a whole," Jack sighed and walked forward, touching and reassuring himself that Little Ruby was undamaged. As he looked upon her curled up into Bill, those green pools utterly frightened and strangely empty he knew there was a new grief inflicted on that soul. That made him angry, and yet he didn't have a source to vent at, for the perpetrator of the wound was more than likely utterly oblivious. He was reminded of child that he'd rescued, uncaring of her own burns in the face of the nightmare of that night. The look in her eyes was almost the same.

His words echoed through Will's head, and his heart raced frantically. He thought they were meant for one another? Really? Two halves of one whole? Dare he believe it? Even if he did, what should he do about it? He made his way back into the room and stared at Jack, trying to tell him silently that he was going to take his advice after all, and praying that he got it and they left.

Jack looked up from tracing the bruise around Ruby's eye and saw Will standing in the door way practically bouncing in place. He touched Bill's arm and whispered to the other man. They both rose and headed out of the room and outside. Will eased down onto the bed and pulled her into his embrace, kissing the crown of her head over and over, still grasping for the right words to say, the right way to proceed.

Lorelei stiffened when she felt her father leave and she knew without looking that it was Will whose arms held her. It was the scent of him, which told her. She wanted to struggle away from him, to rail at the injustice of life and love but her mind rebelled and snuggled closer to him. It made her sick in her heart because she knew she was just setting herself up for pain.

Will sighed and squeezed her tightly. "Ruby? Lorelei? Why do you think I hated that bastard so much?"

Lorelei shrugged, "Does it matter now? He be gone on tha next tide."

"Yes, it matters. To me." Will whispered.

Lorelei peered up into his face, her left eye almost swollen shut. She licked her lips, "Why? Why does it matter?"

Will decided it was time to stop beating around the bush about it. "Because the truth is that whatever you thought the reason, the real reason was that the thought of any man but me with you, drove me out of my mind."

Lorelei gasped, she swallowed. "What do ye mean? Ye pushed me away."

"I pushed you away because I was trying to do the right thing Ruby. I was trying to treat you like the amazing woman that I'd recognised in you from almost the first moment I'd met you. It had nothing to do with not wanting you. It had to do with respecting you. It also had to do with me being confused, and knowing you deserved someone that had no doubt about how precious you were to them."

Lorelei sighed and closed her eyes. She had the feeling that this was leading up to something she didn't want to hear. A we can never be speech and yet she already knew that much.

Will pulled back and looked into her face, willing her to open her eyes, when she didn't; he gulped hard and whispered hoarsely. "Why did you want me Ruby? Was it just because I was there, convenient?"

Lorelei felt colour rise to her cheeks. "Nae, convenience means nothin'. T'was because I reacted ta ye in a way I've nae reacted before. Though yer attitude ta me made it more of a game."

Will winced. "A game huh?" It ripped his heart out to hear that she didn't feel the same way. He'd been a fool to ask her if she cared about him. He should have just told her how he felt and let it go at that.

Lorelei touched his cheek, "Nae a game as in the feelings, they were the same. But.." She sighed again, "I were teasin ye ta get ye ta lose yer control. Ye kept pullin back and I wanted ye."

Will leaned his cheek into her hand and closed his eyes, reveling in the hope that flared. "I've wanted you too Ruby. So very much. Every minute I ache more. Every minute I long to get closer to you."

Lorelei whispered, "Why do ye call me Ruby?" What she didn't say that only those who knew her heart, knew her and loved her called her that. She didn't want to hope that William fitted into that category.

Will shrugged. "I... don't know really. You are just Ruby to me. You have been since we were on the ship. It was a struggle not to call you that. Even while we were fighting. It's just... you."

Lorelei uncurled from her huddled ball slightly. She gave him a small half smile and touched his cheek gently. She wanted to kiss him but was just too unsure of herself and of his emotions.

Will sighed, needing to know one more thing. "Now you know why I was so jealous of that bastard, but I need to know why you were with him."

"With him?" she murmured.

Will shrugged. "For the last however long. You've been sneaking off to the Tavern to meet him. You were making out with him that day when I dragged you off. Did you... like him?"

Lorelei shrugged, "I donnae know. He was a distraction."

"A distraction?" Will felt his stomach tightening into knots all over again. She hadn't said she was or wasn't with the bastard, and he wasn't sure he had the guts to ask her the nature of their relationship. It also hurt like hell to think that she could fill his spot with anyone else if she felt anything near for him what he did for her. Because he knew beyond doubt that no woman could even come close for him.

Lorelei nodded, "I was thinkin tha' I could distract me desire fer ye focus them so they wouldnae hurt anymore...but I couldnae...they be ta strong. I couldnae even bear him touchin me."

Will let out a whoosh of air and stroked her face as his broke into a giddy smile, and he struggled not to laugh in his relief. "Really?"

Lorelei nodded again, and winced when her cheek throbbed. "Tis why tonight happened. Why he hit me. In tha end I was goin ta the Tavern fer company me own age. Company with nae demands on me emotions."

Will leaned down and kissed her cheek tenderly. "I'm so sorry Ruby. I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you."

"Tis nae yer fault Will. Ye donnae need to protect me."

Will laughed softly. "Yes, I do. It's part of the deal Ruby. I can't care for you and not protect you. Or at least try."

"Only if I can protect ye ta."

Will nodded. "Do you care about me Ruby?"

"Aye William, more than anythin in the world."

William leaned down and kissed her gently. "Me too Ruby. Me too."

That empty hole within Lorelei slowly filled as the pressure of his lips increased. She slid her arms around his neck and held him tightly, her hands threading through his thick dark hair. Will wrapped her up in his arms and melted into the kiss, his tongue reaching out to trace her lips tenderly before sliding within. His stomach clenched fiercely at the first touch of his tongue to hers, his body surged to life and he gasped at the decision that now lay before him. He'd told her how he felt, but should he follow Jack's advice and give into this desperate need he had for her, or should he wait till she had healed and they'd have time to adjust, for it to be natural? Or would it ever feel natural? Or would she not believe he loved her if he didn't make love to her. He was so confused.

Lorelei arched against him, she ran her hands over his back and then with a sigh she pulled back. She felt his reluctance and confusion. She believed his words, but she could see he held himself in rigid control. Was love for Elizabeth coming forth? She had no doubts that he still felt for the noble woman. "What now Will?"

Will sighed. "What is the right thing to do Ruby? I don't want to ruin this. I don't want to move too fast, or move too slow. I know how I feel for you, but I don't know what move to make next."

Lorelei slipped her hand under his shirt. "Go with what yer heart tells ye, William." She bent her head and kissed him softly, her fingers tracing patterns on his skin.

"What do you want Ruby?"

"Ye." she replied simply. "But are ye ready."

Will stared down at her lovingly, his heart still conflicted. Her face was swelling and an angry purple, and he knew what they should be doing was taking care of her, tending to her wound. But what he wanted to do was to bury himself inside her and never leave. To join with her completely. To finally stop trying to do the right thing all the time, and follow his heart. "I know I want you, need you. But that's all I know for sure."

Lorelei swallowed her disappointment, and hid it as she pulled him close to her. If he meant his words then there would be time for them to explore each other. His mixture of emotions was palpable and Lorelei wanted him to be certain of his intentions for her. She would rather never have him in her bed if she was going to lose him. If he never reconciled himself to loving her then she would rather never have had him, for all it would be would be a torture throughout her life alone. She sighed and hit her face in his neck, that emptiness gaped beneath her feet, not gone completely, if she made one wrong move then she would drop into that black pit.

Will sighed and couldn't get Jack's damn voice out of his head, taunting him about always missing the opportune moments. He could feel it in the sudden shift in tension that she was now resigned to them not being intimate now, and he could almost taste her disappointment. He'd managed to muck it all up again. He pulled back and touched her cheek gingerly, wishing so much in one way to go back and recapture that moment. But it was too late, it was gone. "I should get you a compress to put on this so that it doesn't swell anymore Ruby love."

Lorelei nodded and let him go dropping her arms to her side heavily. "If ye be wanting to move." She murmured softly, she was trying so hard not to take his reluctance personally. It was taking all her strength of self discipline not to cry. It wasn't like he had rejected her totally.

Will pulled her tighter against him and kissed her possessively. "No Ruby, I don't want to move. If I had my choice I'd never move from your arms so long as I lived. But seeing your face continuing to swell is tearing at me. It's also making me regret my decision not to kill the bastard whilst I had the chance."

"If ye had then ye would never be able ta come back, and where would we be?" Lorelei replied bitterly. Were they any where at all besides where they started when they first met?

Will sighed. He'd definitely mucked it all up. Jack was right, he was stupid. "I know love, and believe me; only the thought of being separated from you was enough to stay my hand. Only you."

Lorelei gently pushed at his chest. The moment had indeed slipped away, it would remain to be seen if they took their relationship beyond friendship. "While yer getting the compress fer me eye, I wouldnae mind some tea and somethin sweet."

Will's shoulders sagged as she dismissed him so obviously, and his heart ached as if it would break. "I'll get you some of the honey cakes and tea that I prepared for you earlier."

Lorelei watched William walk out of the room and then she sat up, tucking her knees under her chin. Her face hurt, her head and eye ached and her heart was heavy. She knew that she'd hurt him with her actions. In some ways she was afraid of sticking her heart out there to be broken. It seemed safer to keep it closely guarded for now.

Will made his way to the kitchen and set about readying her honey cakes and brewing her tea, and he shrugged when Jack and his da entered the kitchen. "She needs a compress for her eye. It's swelling like mad."

"Does she need the doctor?" Bill asked with concern.

Will nodded, burying his own confusion and pain as deep as he could and revealing only his concern. "It might be good for her to see one just in case."

"All right, I'll go for him. Ye stay with her William."

Will gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course."

Bill turned to leave, and turned back to grab Jack by the arm. "Come on, yer comin too." He pulled the pirate captain out of the door.

Will bounded back to her room, slowing once he'd reached her door and stepping through hesitantly, his heart breaking all over again when he saw her curled up and looking so forlorn. He should know by now that stupid as he might look, Jack had the annoying tendency to be right. He eased down beside her with the tray on his lap, and he reached up to lift her face to him, smiling softly. "Here you go. Freshly made honey cakes with plenty of honey, and jasmine tea. Da says it's one of your favourites."

"Aye," Lorelei nodded and took the cup that Will handed her. She curled her hands around it, soaking the heat into her palms. "Me thanks."

Will picked up the compress and raised it to her face, easing it gingerly against her skin and holding it there as she ate. "Bill has gone for a doctor. Just to be certain there isn't any serious damage."

"I be fine, there be no need fer the doctor."

Will smiled a bit at her tone. "Well, he'll be here shortly nonetheless. Better to be safe than sorry."

Lorelei scowled, "I donnae need a doctor."

Will leaned forward and kissed her lips softly, licking the stray honey and sugar from her bottom lip, a low moan sounding low in his throat. "Mmmmm, delicious."

"Kissing me willnae take away the fact I donnae need a doctor." Lorelei muttered, despite continuing the kiss.

"No, but it might keep your mind on other things until he's here." Will grinned and silenced her protests by deepening the kiss and wrapping his free arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer to him, not caring one whit in that moment that the tray teetered precariously between them.

Lorelei ended the kiss slowly with one last sweep of her tongue. She sighed against his lips and then help up a dripping honey treat to his mouth. After he had bitten off his share she popped the rest into her mouth. She slid her arms around his waist and leaned into him, her head on his shoulder. Her auburn hair was bright against the paleness of his shirt.

Will caressed her back absently, breathing deeply of the clean salty scent of her hair. The one thing he could make certain he did differently this time, was he could make certain that he gave full voice to his feelings as he had waited so long to do with Elizabeth. Perhaps had he spoken those words to Elizabeth before the adventure convinced her he was a pirate, he might have discovered her true feelings for him long before she tore out his heart. "I love you Ruby, and I'll prove it to you, I promise."

Lorelei looked into his face, and those deep expressive eyes told her without words that he was serious. He believed what he was saying; the panic in their depths also told her how afraid he was. She cupped his cheek, and kissed him softly. He wasn't ready to take their relationship past their exploration of each other but he was telling her that soon he would be ready. She'd wait for him, forever if need be.