Disclaimer: Only plot and characters you don't know are mine! everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce

Chapter six

The sun was falling beneath the horizon by the time Ashley and Loren arrived home. Loren's mom was sitting on the porch swing with her father. Loren ran out of the car and up the front steps to hug her dad. She had missed him so much.

"How have been you Tiger?" Drake asked his daughter

"Great pops and you?" Loren smiled as he shook his head.

"I'm good now. Hello Ashley, long time no see, I hope you've been keeping my son in line?"

"Of course, wouldn't want to let you down captain now would I? Kyle's home?"

"Yes dear," said Loren's mom. "Go on in." Ashley smiled at Loren and walked into the house. Loren watched her friend walk into the house. Drake watched his daughters face, he could see the pain and sadness in her eyes.

"Is there something wrong Tiger?" Loren smiled and looked at her mother.

"Conner cheated on me with Cassidy, can you believe it?"

"Oh, honey! I'm sorry. When did you find out?"

"Today, at the mall, they were practically making out in the parking lot." Drake looked at his daughter.

"Who is this Conner?"

"Um...my...my...boy...ex-boyfriend." Loren looked down at her feet. She could feel her father tense up.

"You were with some one here and Alex...Alex and you are engaged, Loren!"

"I know pops, but Conner and I were going out before I even met Alex...I just can't go to school one day and say 'Well I can't see you anymore', with no reason!" Drake shook his head and motioned for his wife to follow him inside. Alex came out on the porch to stand behind Loren.

"Hey stranger." Loren said with a smile, she leaned against the porch railing.

"Same to you." Alex moved towards her and put his hands on her waist. "It's been a while hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has." Said Loren. Alex smiled and brushed the hair from her face and put a kiss on her lips, Loren moved her hands to his shoulders and ran her fingers through his hair. It was a long beautiful mane of dark brown. It was cut to just below his shoulders and framed his face nicely. She loved everything about him, his smile, his touch, and his eyes. His eyes were what entranced her the first time they met. One her first adventure at sea with her father. She could remember it so vividly. The waves were as high as the ship deck and growing. The first mate, Gregor, now her adopted Uncle, had thrown her a rope to tie the main sail to the ship as a huge wave swept over the boat. Everyone on board had been washed out to sea. She, her father, two brothers, Alex and Gregor where the only survivors. She could feel again the crushing waves against her eleven year old body, the arms of Alex around her as he pulled her to safety. She smiled at the thought.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Loren chuckled

"You pick up our lines pretty quick, don't you" Loren asked quizzically.

"I had a good teacher." They both laughed. Alex placed another kiss on Loren's lips. "I missed you..."

"I missed you to..."

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They walked back inside hand in hand, laughing and joined Kyle and Ashley on the couch in front of the TV.

"Hey sis, sorry to hear about Conner, he shouldn't do that to people."

"Conner who, Loren?" Alex asked. Loren gave her brother one hell of a death glare.