A personal note to Margaret:

Thank you once again for your lovely, in-depth review. I do look forward to your comments and thoughts. They are always insightful and salient.

Yes, Chapter Five covered a lot of points that had to be revealed and many things that needed to be said. Also, some human traits and desires Daniel had forgotten. Remember, the poor guy couldn't even recall his own birth date when Candy and Jonathan asked him! Or could he?

Of course, Turner was utterly wrong when he rashly assumed our couple would just tumble into bed together and blissfully forget the appointed hour. He was so confident he'd finally won the battle. His eternal failing is his inability to understand something he has never experienced. To put his own needs and desires aside for the sake of love and understanding. Is he in for the mother of all shocks? If so, his chagrin will be boundless and dangerous.

Now is the crucial time for our couple to have no more secrets, no more hiding from any truths, however unpalatable. One truth that needs to be faced is that Daniel's soul is not for sale and never will be again. A rash moment of confusion and despair and Turner took advantage.

So, does the blasted demon finally collect what he thinks is his due, or does he get his a** whooped and Gull Cottage a new owner…? Ah-ha! Read on, McDuff!

Side Note: Thank you. You are more than welcome for "Evermore." From my Beauty and the Beast tunnels straight to Gull Cottage with much love and respect. A wonderful marriage of my two universes. What could be more perfect!?

Be Well, Always

-Judith

Chapter Six

The Deal Is Off

The new day dawned warm and still. Carolyn stood with Daniel watching the sunrise through the wheelhouse window.

"I'll see you soon…" she whispered, hugging him close with her arms around his waist.

"I will meet you out beyond the house as soon as you can get away." He kissed her hair.

"I must go…" Carolyn said regretfully, reaching up to kiss his lips before she hurried away.

She made sure she was back in her room and changed into her nightwear before the children woke up and came running in to wish her good morning. Despite spending a sleepless night in the wheelhouse with Daniel, she felt rested and ready to do battle with the demonic Mr Turner. The prospect was daunting, but she was determined to see it through, for her own sake, as much as Daniel's.

The Captain remained in the wheelhouse until the children had greeted their mother before clattering downstairs to the kitchen for their breakfast, Scruffy barking at their heels.

Making sure the way was clear, he slipped out of the house by the door in the back of the foyer beyond the stairs. He walked quickly out of sight of the house and waited for his love to find him.

Carolyn ate a hasty breakfast of toast and black coffee before she handed the children their packed lunch boxes. She walked with them to where the school bus was waiting outside the front gate.

"You reckon the Captain will be back home today, Mom?" Jonathan asked anxiously. "I sure miss havin' him around."

"I'm sure he will be," Carolyn reassured him. "He promised he would finish your story, remember? And the Captain always keeps his solemn word."

"Yeah, he does, doesn't he?" Jonathan brightened. "I really wanna know what happened next. It's a real good story."

"You always get all the best stories," Candy complained as she opened the front gate. "The Captain won't tell me anything like the stories he tells you."

She shook her head as she deepened her voice to mimic Daniel's. "My salty stories are not suitable for the delicate ears of young ladies."

"Yeah, he did say that, didn't he?" Jonathan giggled.

"Well, I say it's not fair," Candy grumbled as she kissed her mother before climbing aboard the bus.

"Bye, Mom…" Jonathan accepted his mother hugging and kissing him with a small sigh. "Tell the Captain he'd better be home when I get back. Or I'm gonna be mad."

"I'll tell him." Carolyn smiled as she stood back, watching the bus drive out of sight.

She returned to the kitchen. "Martha, it's such a lovely morning. I think I'll go for a long walk to clear my head."

"Good for you. I'm going to bake some cherry pies." the housekeeper approved as she pulled out her baking pans. "You've been cooped up in this house for far too long. The fresh air will put some colour back into your cheeks."

She shrugged. "And who knows, you might meet the Captain out there. If you do, tell him it's high time he came home. He's worried you enough with his stubbornness. And Jonathan's been talking non-stop about hearing the end of his shark story. If the Captain doesn't put in an appearance this afternoon I'll have to make up the ending myself just to get some peace."

"I'll tell him if I see him…" Carolyn nodded quickly, leaving the house by the back door leading into the garden.

Daniel was waiting for her in the first hollow of land beyond sight of the house. They linked hands immediately as they turned to walk along the narrow path leading toward the distant headland.

"Thank you, for a magical night." Carolyn laid her cheek against his shoulder as they walked. "I can't remember a more perfect evening."

"I wish it could have been more, for both of us. I loved being able to dance with you and hold you close."

"I know…" She slid an arm around his waist. "Jonathan wants you to come home, so he can hear the end of your shark story. He said you'd better be there when he gets back. He's worried about you."

"Ah, confound it, my apologies, my dear. I had forgotten that…" Daniel grimaced as he shook his head. "I will tell him the ending tonight."

"And maybe you could include Candy, as well. She's feeling a little left out."

"Very well, Madam…" Daniel sighed as he put his arm around her shoulders drawing her closer. "I will miss being able to touch you…"

"I know…" Carolyn shook her head. "Me, too…"

She stopped, turning into his embrace before reaching up to cup his cheek, inviting his kiss. "I will also miss being able to do this whenever I wish…"

"It will not be forever…" Daniel bent his head, drawing a sigh from her as his lips brushed softly across hers, teasing and tasting until Carolyn couldn't take it anymore.

Her hand rose to the back of his head and she deepened their kiss, relishing the intimacy when his arms moved around her, drawing her closer into his embrace, lifting her almost clear of the ground. They stood outlined by the warm sunshine, trying to make every last second count as they lost themselves, each in the other.

Finally, reluctantly, drawing apart, Daniel rested his forehead against hers. "We must go…" he said softly, regretfully. "Turner will not be kept waiting. A split second beyond my grace period and he will take immense pleasure enforcing the contract to its fullest."

"Yes, we must…" Carolyn nodded, kissing him again quickly before she stepped back to take his hand once more.

They walked on in silence, cresting the headland before starting down the rocky cliff toward the shore. The going wasn't easy and Carolyn was grateful for the strength of Daniel's grasp to steady her descent.

Finally, they stood hand in hand in the small secluded cove waiting for the devil's henchman to reappear. The tide washed in and out, reaching for their shoes, but never quite rising high enough.

Suddenly a single crack of lightning flashed and a vertical split opened up in the air just above the waterline. Turner walked out, looking around, and stopping with a cry of disgust the moment he saw them. His confident expression darkened to thunderous as he looked them over. Again, his horns were prominent, but this time the sulphurous smell of fire and brimstone came with him.

"You disappoint me greatly, Captain," the demon complained. "I did not expect to see you here, again. I had hoped you would be too blinded by love to remember our little rendezvous. Too lost in the sweet pleasures of the flesh."

He glared at Carolyn. "But it seems your lady can resist your much-vaunted charms. Or has it been too long and you don't remember how to woo a beautiful woman into bed? Oh, my dear Captain, how sad."

His scowl deepened. "No, I think it's more likely her will is even stronger than your own and she managed to resist her own wanton desires. How fortunate for both of you."

"None of that is any of your concern, demon," Daniel replied grimly, stepping closer to deflect Turner's too-close attention on Carolyn. "We are here, now. At least you kept your word, this time. It wants but a few minutes to ten o'clock."

"Oh, if I had my way, I would not be here at all." Turner waved a dismissive hand. "I'd secured what I wanted, your eternal soul. But, the boss…" He lifted a discontented shoulder. "I truly would love to know what favour he owed you that he commanded me to return here or risk eternal banishment."

"It was a small matter of business between him and me." Daniel shook his head. "He owed me a favour."

"It must have been something really big…" Turner replied testily. "I detest secrets. Especially when they're not mine."

"I believe there is a contract…" Carolyn put in. "We wouldn't want to run over Daniel's grace period because of your delaying tactics."

"You know, I've never liked women," Turner complained, sneering at her. "They bore me utterly. And they're always picking up on the smallest of details, never seeing the bigger picture. Like we men do."

"The contract…" Daniel said warningly.

"Oh, very well…" Turner pushed one hand into the inner pocket of his suit coat, drawing out the familiar arcane-looking scroll with its blood-red ribbons and numerous black seals.

He held it out. "Last chance to change your mind, Captain…" he offered hopefully. "Everything you have ever desired is waiting for you down below…"

He raised his eyebrows in desperate hope. "Your lady can be your extra bonus for finally admitting I defeated you, fair and square. I want everyone to know it was me who finally bested you! You only have to say the word and it's all yours…"

"Burn it, you blasted fiend!" Daniel commanded, stabbing one forefinger at the scroll.

"You know, I never liked you…" Turner complained before he tossed the contract into the air where it flamed for an instant and was gone. "We made a bargain, fair and square, and you reneged. I still say I won this round."

"It matters naught to me what you believe. Now depart, demon. Your unholy stench offends me."

"Ah, there is just one other small thing…" Turner replied with obvious reluctance, his dark eyes filling with chagrin. "Um, the boss and I made a wager, you see." He sighed, pulling a discontented face. "And I lost."

He stared at Daniel with loathing. "It seems my master has not forgotten that he still owes you a measure of respect for whatever large favour it was that you performed for him." He fiddled with the set of his cuffs, before adjusting his tie, obviously stalling for time.

"Well, get on with it, man!" Daniel ordered. "Spit it out or begone!"

"Yes, well, the wager was that you would not be back here this morning, waiting for me." Turner shifted uncomfortably, glowering at Carolyn. "I had thought the obvious pleasures of the flesh would have kept you occupied and unmindful of the passage of time..."

His lips curled. "Damnation, you can never trust a woman not to betray you! Your eternal soul is mine by right, not hers! I earned it and she interfered!" He stabbed an accusing finger.

"I stopped you from taking everything from me," Carolyn hit back. "You have no rights to something that was never yours."

"Be very careful, Turner. Do not trespass too far on my patience…" Daniel warned in an ominous tone.

Struggling to regain his composure, Turner removed his spectacles with an unsteady hand. He polished them on a pristine handkerchief he pulled from inside his suit coat, before returning it to his pocket and them to the bridge of his nose.

"I should incinerate the pair of you, right here, right now, and take my chances with the boss. I can always say I slipped." His dismal expression deepened into sullenly resentful as he raised one hand to point a finger in their direction.

Daniel stepped quickly between him and Carolyn, shielding her smaller body with his own. "But you won't," he said with menace, clapping one hand to his hip where his sword should have been.

Carolyn stepped out from Daniel's shadow, putting a restraining hand on his arm. "Do you have something to tell us or not, Turner?" she demanded to know.

"Very well…" The demon lowered his hand reluctantly. "The boss said he was sure you would both be here, just as I was determined you would not. Therefore, since I lost the wager, he's decided to grant you a single wish from your brief earthly life. Any boon you desire shall be yours."

His look of inquiry sharpened. "He said you would know what to choose. And he would know the moment you did and grant it."

"Oh, I do indeed," Daniel reassured him. "Tell your master he has my undying gratitude and respect. And that the debt he owed me is now paid in full."

"And what am I to tell him about your wish?" Turner's brows rose.

"It's not for the likes of you to know, you misbegotten son of a harpy! Your master knows and understands. That is enough."

"You always were such a closed-handed fellow," Turner huffed. "Remind me never to play you at poker again. After that time in Barbados, when I was sure I held all the aces…"

Daniel pointed to the shoreline. "Take your sorry carcass back to whatever lower circle of Hades you've crawled from and leave us to get on with our lives!"

"Very well, very well. But I'm sure we will meet again…" Turner replied grimly, fussing with the set of his suit coat. "Your besotted love for this woman will surely outweigh your reason. You forget I know the depth of it, now. And the next time there will be no favour to be called upon. No boon to be granted. Your immortal soul will be mine. I can wait."

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Carolyn countered.

"Women…" Turner's mouth turned down at the corners. "Eternity would be so much easier without them around…"

He vanished as he spoke, vapouring into thin air. The sound of his cynical laughter echoed in the on-shore breeze.

"There… It is done…" Daniel sighed as he raised his face to the heavens.

He knew he was no longer human. The rising sun was beating down out of a cloudless sky. But he could not feel its vital warmth. He ran a hand across his brow only to find it dry.

He moved his shoulders to find the wool of his sweater no longer scratched across his skin. Once more he was dressed in his habitual clothing, almost as if nothing had happened within the last twenty-four hours.

Oddly though, when he focussed in on himself, deep down he didn't quite feel the same as he had before the demon had granted him his master's boon. He felt somehow more substantial, more earthly than he had ever felt before in his spirit existence.

It appeared as if he now existed in some kind of half-life, neither entirely spirit nor mortal. Concentrating his mind, he tested the theory, finding he could move between the two states at will, if somewhat erratically. It felt more like being a spluttering candle tossed by an errant breeze. He was aware it would take time and practice to perfect the transition and maintain it.

"Is this a gift or a curse?" he muttered. "The devil certainly has a twisted sense of humour. But I'll thank him for it."

Consciously, he moved again between his states. In his physical form he could still feel the heat of the sun and smell the richness of the ocean. He moved back into the spirit side of his body and both faded away as if they had never been. The new sensations puzzled him, bringing a heavy frown to his brow.

"I'm so sorry," Carolyn said softly, watching him closely, incorrectly divining his feelings in that moment by the intense scowl on his face. "But it had to be done. I could not allow your immortal soul be tortured by that fiend all because of your love for me."

"He isn't right, you know." Daniel refocussed his gaze on her sympathetic eyes. "Without you, my life would be intolerable indeed. Unbearable…"

"Oh, I know that. Because it would be the same for me." She looked down at their hands, no longer clasped together.

Already she missed the intimate contact. The ability to touch him has become vital to her in such a short time. But she was painfully aware it was for the best. To lose her beloved Captain forever was a future she didn't wish to contemplate.

"What did you wish for?" she asked, watching him compassionately.

"Something very precious and irreplaceable," he replied cryptically. "I will tell you as soon as I'm sure it's real. I know from bitter experience that Turner cannot to be trusted. If he can find a way to twist the knife in an open wound, he will do so. What may have been granted can also be rescinded."

"Somehow I doubt he would be that careless with his own existence. He struck me as an entity deeply invested in saving his own skin. And knowing the worth of it. His master would not be best pleased if Turner interfered with your boon for his own selfish ends."

She shook her head. "Of all people, he reminded me most of Claymore. Deeply self-serving and self-centred."

"A most excellent observation, my dear. I had never thought of it, but you are right. Have I ever told you how wise you are?" Daniel smiled down at her.

"Well, it's not every day you take on a nasty demon and win. It would make a great story. A pity I can't write about it." Carolyn shook her head in bemusement. "I suddenly have a craving for some of Martha's cherry pie. Isn't that odd? Shall we go home?"

Daniel smiled. "Yes, let us go home. I still have that shark story I must finish for Jonathan. Or he may never speak to me again."

"And Candy," Carolyn reminded him gently.

"And Candy." Daniel smiled.

They fell into step together, climbing toward the rocks at the back of the cove that led up to the headland. It had been easier walking down than going back up. In true gentlemanly fashion, Daniel went first, searching out the easiest path for Carolyn to follow.

She struggled a little behind him, finding the going difficult. About halfway up she almost slipped. She gave a small cry of annoyance. At the same moment, Daniel lunged down to seize her flailing hand in a firm grasp to prevent her from going over backwards and tumbling back to the sand.

"Thank you…" she said absently, concentrating on her footing as she began to climb again.

It was only when he drew her up to stand beside him at the top of the bluff, that she realised Daniel was still holding her hand as if he would never let it escape him again. There was a look of deep concentration on his face.

"I don't understand…" Carolyn turned her fingers within his to grasp his hand. "How is this possible. I thought you couldn't—"

"I was granted a boon, remember?" Daniel interrupted her gently, drawing her slowly toward him. "It seems the devil does care enough for me to grant this one wish from my brief resurrection to earthly life."

"He certainly made you work for it," Carolyn marvelled.

"You don't understand…" Daniel shook his head in wonder. "He knew making me entirely human was a very selfish desire on my part. But he allowed it to play out, just to torture me a little, until your love and care brought me to my senses. I could have lost you forever, and he knew it."

Daniel carried her hand to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers. "He's aware my ghostly powers are important to me, so now I seem to have a foot in both worlds. I couldn't tell you before because I didn't dare to hope until I was sure."

"Out of everything you could have chosen, you chose the ability to touch?" Carolyn stared up at him in wonder.

"I chose touch because it was such a wanton desire. I know I would fade away without it," he replied, his lips bare inches from hers. "The devil immediately knew my mind and understood. After all, he was an angel, once. He still has some compassion, though he buries it deep and pretends he has no soul."

"A very terrible angel…" Carolyn whispered, her gaze on his lips. "What shall we do with this unbelievable gift?"

"Make the most of it in this life…" Daniel replied softly, as his lips settled against hers and once again the world spun away beneath Carolyn's feet and she was forced to cling to his broad shoulders to prevent herself from falling back down the rockface they'd just climbed.

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