I'm Baaaaaaack! Thought I was gone forever? Nope! I am here! Alright, I'll shut up now...

Disclaimed: You know what I own...and what I don't...I obviouly can't own Jack, like the other million and a half girls or women out there...because Disney does...but I can own my very own Jack pillowcase! huggles pillow

Meg during this very long year tried to stay out of the Warren's way. Mrs. Warren noticed how Meg was so very quiet.

"What's wrong, child?" she asked one afternoon when Meg was inside. She looked up and shook her head.

"There's somethin' wrong, Meggie, you must tell someone."

Meg sighed and looked at the floor. She set down the book she was reading for the millionth time.

"I'm not sure what is wrong, ma'am…I just…I really don't know…" Meg looked around the room and took a deep breath. "I suppose it's…well…it's stupid really…"

"Come, come, dear…you will feel a lot better as soon as it's outta ye." Mrs. Warren urged. Meg sighed again.

"I…I fell in love with one of the pirates aboard the ship…but he was married-" Mrs. Warren gasped. "Oh, no, we didn't do anything. But I miss him sorely…I don't know where he is…or what has happened…" Mrs. Warren stood patiently listening. Meg shook her head, unable to say any more.

"Might I tell you a secret, Meg?" Mrs. Warren asked. Meg looked up. Felicity smiled. "Kearney has taken a great liking to you."

Meg's eye widened and she looked at the floor.

"Oh, hmm, that's interesting!" she said, trying to sound a little bit happy.

Later, Meg went up to her bedroom and collapsed on the bed. Kearney? Liking her? Impossible! She rolled over and looked at the doorway. Lilly, the now six-year-old, was standing there.

"Meg? Are you alright?" she asked in her high pitched voice. Meg smiled and nodded.

"Aye, Lilly, I'm fine…how're you?"

Lilly shrugged and came into the room.

"Christmas is next week…"

"It is? Well I better get to my shopping for this year, eh?"

Lilly smiled and looked at the floor.

"I was wondering…what could I get you?" she asked sheepishly.

"Oh, you don't have to get me anything—"

"But I must!"

Meg smiled again.

"No you mustn't. If you go and tell the family for me that I won't be joining you for dinner tonight, then we can call that your gift to me, alright?"

"Alright…but why? Don't you like mother's cooking?"

Meg laughed.

"Of course I do! But I want to go and get everyone presents like I did last year, remember?"

Lilly smiled and nodded.

"Now, go, run along and I'll be back before bedtime."

Lilly nodded again and left the room. Meg wondered how Gracie was at that moment as she pulled on her coat and the gloves that Kearney had gotten her last year for Christmas. However, Meg had left the other pair in one of the coat's pockets. She pulled out the savings that she had earned over the summer doing little odd jobs for the richer folks and pocketed that. Then she slipped downstairs and out into the light of the gloomy and cold afternoon. The hours passed and soon she had everything she needed. Just as it was getting dark, Meg slipped back into the house and ran upstairs to hide the packages.

Sorry that was short...you know what do to peoples! TALLY HO!