-1"Come with me."

Those three words rang clear in the native princess's mind as she fully took in John's words to her. Was he serious? Would he really ask her to leave behind everything she had every known? Her friends, her people, her father? She knew she loved him, but leaving everything familiar in exchange for a new land and culture She sighed. Perhaps the more important question would be was she willing to. Slowly she turned back to face him. "What did you say?"

John seemed as calm as ever. "Come with me. To England. I know it is not the ideal situation, Pocahontas, but if we want to be together, we have no other choice. You know I would never ask you to do something you didn't want to do. There is no pressure either way. I am simply offering the sole solution to our problem."

She shook her head in disbelief. "John, are you serious? You wish me to travel back to your homeland with you."

The captain nodded. "I have never been more serious in my life. Yes, I want you with me." he paused. "But only if you truly desire to be with me as well. You know I would never force you to come."

Pocahontas placed a hand alongside his face. "Whether I wish to be with you is not the issue, John. You know that I love you. You know that I want always be with you. The problem lies within me alone. I don't know if I could leave my life here behind. My friends, my people. I am needed here as well." She sighed. "I am not sure if I am ready to leave all of it behind me."

"But you would not be alone. You would be with me." He would not easily be swayed.

The woman smiled gently at him. "Yes, John. I would have you. Do not think for an instant that nothing would make me happier than being by your side, but there is the other option to consider."

At his blank look, she continued.

"Spirits forbid, you don't make it thought this alive." Just speaking of it caused tears to well in her eyes and John gently brushed them away. "What would I do, John? I would be in an unfamiliar land with people I know nothing of. It is not even as if any of our friends from the settlement were returning with you. I would have no one, John! No one! Then what? I would have an improbable chance of getting home. I just don't know if I could or want to risk it.!"

She collapsed against him in another sobbing heap, the mere thought of losing him becoming to much for the young woman to bear. The captain comforted her, holding her to the best of his ability considering his current state. Stroking her hair and pressing soft kisses to the top of her head, he whispered words of solace in her ear, trying his best to soothe her pain.

"Shh. Shh, my love. I am here. I did not mean to upset you." he whispered as he held her. "I was thinking only of myself when I asked and did not take your feelings into consideration. I apologize, Pocahontas."

She pulled away and shook her head. "Don't. You have nothing to apologize for. These past few days have been highly emotional for me and it was only now that I had reached my proverbial limit." She offered him a small smile. "As for being selfish, I wouldn't say that. You want to be with me, just as I want to be with you. Call it selfish if you must, but I do not view it that way."

John brushed a piece of stray hair out of her face. "I have never met anyone like you before. You are truly a remarkable woman, Pocahontas."

She smiled again. "And you, a brave and worthy man who won my heart. Much better than Kokoum ever was."

A split second later she realized what she had just said. She gave a squeak of mortification and quickly brought her hand to her mouth. Not able to say anything more, she simply stared wide-eyed at John, waiting for him to ask her what in the world she was talking about.

But nothing happened. He simply sat there and waited for her to continue. His expression was patient and there was not a hint of judgment anywhere in his manner. The shocked expression on the native's face caused him to chuckle. "Pocahontas, I already know. Nakoma accidentally mentioned it to me during our conversation. We all have our pasts, my dear. Some more prominent than others, but all pasts nonetheless."

She relaxed. "So you know we were meant to be married."

He nodded. "Yes, but that is all I know. You do not have to tell me the rest if you don't want too." He took her hand. "I too have had others that meant something to me. The important thing is the here and now."

Pocahontas sighed. "I should have known Nakoma would say something. Though she doesn't mean too, she often gives away information that was meant to be for ears only."

John held up a hand. "One moment, Pocahontas. One matter that is important to me is honesty. I am glad Nakoma told me about Kokum. I would like to hear the rest from you, but only if you want to tell me. One day down the road, I will tell you of my past if you still wish to know."

"Very well." She shifted to a more comfortable position. "There really isn't much to tell. My father had just returned from a battle with a neighboring tribe. I wasn't even there when he arrived with the warriors. Nakoma had to come and tell me that he was back. Anyway, I returned to the village and my father told me that Kokum had asked for my hand. I had nothing against him, he was just always so serious."

John smiled. "And you aren't"

"Exactly." she chuckled. "It was not something that I wanted to do, but I did consider it for the sake of my father. Then my life changed." She smiled at him as he squeezed her hand. "You walked into my life and turned it upside down. But I wouldn't change that for the world. And you know the rest." she finished.

He nodded. " Nakoma thought you were in trouble and was worried for your safety. She went to Kokoum and told him that she felt you were in trouble. Kokum somehow followed you to the glade. He saw me kiss you and attacked."

She nodded. "Part of that was clearly jealousy, imagine seeing your intended with another. Either one of us would probably have done something as well. Perhaps not to the extent of which he did, but something nonetheless."

"Exactly." John said. "Thank you for telling me. Now. You never did answer my question. Will you come with me?"

Pocahontas hesitated. "John, I-"

He held up a hand. "Obviously you need more time to think about this. I don't blame you at all, love. Tell me when you are ready to tell me. As I said before, there is no pressure. Talk it over with your father and Nakoma and simply let me know later on. Alright?"

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I will." Seeing his yawn, she rose to her feet. "I will let you rest now. I am glad you are alright considering you're circumstances. Sleep well, my love, I will be back later." She gently kissed him, then turned to leave.

"Pocahontas." John called her name.

She turned.

He smiled as he settled himself back against his makeshift pillow. "Tell Nakoma this wasn't her fault." He gestured to the bandage around his waist. "There was no way that she could have been responsible. Tell her that for me?"

She felt her heart grow with love for this man as she nodded. "Of course I will. Now rest." She blew him a kiss and took her leave.

Nakoma was passing by as Pocahontas stepped out of John's hut. She immediately called to her. "Pocahontas!"

The woman glanced up and smiled at her friend. "Wingapo Nakoma! Long time no see" she joked.

"Haha. Very funny." Nakoma replied dryly. She set the basket of cloths she held down on the ground. "How is John?"

"He's well considering his condition. We talked for some time. He asked me a very important question."

Nakoma's jaw dropped. "he asked you to marry him? Already? Pocahontas, it's only been a week. I know you love him, but think reasonably."

She held up a hand. "Nakoma, calm down. Of course he didn't propose to me. We both know that it is way to soon to even entertain the thought of marriage. No, he asked me to go with him when he returns to England."

Nakoma opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped by Thomas's entrance to the village. "Hello ladies. Pocahontas, is it okay if I look in on John again. I wasn't quite finished talking with him before."

She nodded. "Sure Thomas. I just left him to rest, but he should still be awake. Just don't keep him too long."

"Will do. Thanks, Pocahontas." Thomas said as he disappeared into the hut.

Pocahontas turned back to Nakoma. "As I was saying, he asked me to return with him. What should I do Nakoma? I love him and want to be with him, but the only way to make that possible would be to go with him."

Nakoma leaned forward. "Can't he stay here with you?"

Pocahontas shook her head. "Our knowledge of medicine is not sufficient to heal his wound. If he were to stay here, he would surely die from infection. I don't know what to do. I don't know if I'm ready to leave my life here behind."

Nakoma sat back and regarded her friend. "Pocahontas, I have known you my entire life. Never once have I known you to be afraid of something. You are a strong person. I can't tell you what to do this time. All I can tell you is to listen to your heart. Inside you know what you really want. Follow your heart, my friend. You will never go wrong that way."

Pocahontas smiled as she hugged her friend. "Thank you so much Nakoma. You always know what to say. I know one thing. If I do decide to go, I will miss you very much."

Nakoma smiled and picked up the basket again. "I have to go. These clots won't wash themselves. I'll stop by later so we can talk, alright?"

Pocahontas nodded. "That sounds good, Nakoma. I'll look forward to it. Oh, Nakoma!"

Nakoma turned as Pocahontas ran up to her. "What is it?"

Pocahontas came to a stop beside her. "John said that his wound was in no way your fault. No matter what you did, he can't see how you were responsible."

Nakoma smiled. "As I said before, he's a keeper, my friend. I hope things work out for the both of you."

The native smiled and hugged Nakoma. They were about to part way when Thomas came running up to them. His face was red, his expression panic stricken and he was out of breath.

"Pocahontas, something is wrong. We need help."

She immediately became alarmed. "Thomas, what is it?"

"It's John. I went in there to talk to him and something happened. I don't know what, but we need help./"

"What can I do?"

"I need you to go to Jamestown and gather as many people as possible. Together we might have enough medical knowledge to save him.

She opened her mouth, but Thomas cut her off. "Don't ask questions, Pocahontas. For heaven's sakes just go! Please!."

She didn't need to be told twice. As fast as her legs would carry her, Pocahontas took off toward the settlement, all the way, praying that her future might be saved.