a/n: Hey everybody, sorry it's taken me so long! I've just been really, really busy.

I hope everyone had a great holiday! My cousin burnt the rolls so we used them to play baseball (really, I'm serious).

Thanks again for all of the reviews! Please keep up with them, they mean a lot to me!

Romen

Disclaimer: Unfamiliar; mine. Familiar; not mine.

Chapter 19

Will and James

The next morning, Will woke to a shaft of warm, golden sunlight dancing across his face. He stretched before dressing and hurrying down the stairs. The quarters had a pleasant bustle about them, the sound of voices resembling the buzz of bees. He was mildly surprised when Margaret found him and told him that there were no dishes to be done, and that he had the whole morning free. For a while he wandered the grounds, pondering what to do with his free-time, when he decided to go see Susan.

He was in a very good and gracious mood.

Just as he thought, she was in the kitchen, busily churning butter. He sat down on a stool beside her, smiling. "Hello."

She stopped, staring at him before snapping, "What do you want?"

"I just came to say hello, and see how your day was going."

"Like it usually does. I have hours of work to do, and I'm wasting precious moments by churning butter and talking to you."

He slipped from the stool. "Is there anything I can do?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Is there anything that I can do for you? I have nothing to do, and if you want me to do something I'm more than ready to help."

She turned slightly to the left, a look of doubt flashing across her face. "Why?"

"Because I have nothing else to do, and I would like to help you."

She shrugged. "All right. Now let's see if there's anything that you could do..." She fell silent, thinking. "Oh yes! Deliver this package to Tom." She pulled a bundle out from the front pocket of her apron. "It arrived this morning."

"All right." He observed it. "I'll be right back!"

He hurried out of the kitchen and into the sunlit day. The weather was lovely; clear skies, pleasant air. The mugginess was gone. He tucked the parcel under his left arm, glancing up at the white, full, fluffy clouds. He laughed, speeding his walk into a canter.

He found Tom up front, digging a space for a cluster of bushes. When he noticed him, he plopped down on the grass in greeting. Will snorted and sat down next to him, but not half as heavily.

"What are you doing here?" Tom wheezed, shielding his eyes from the sun.

"I have a package for you."

"Really? How thoughtful of you."

Will rolled his eyes, handing it over. "I'm delivering it for Susan, since I don't have any chores. She said it arrived this morning."

Tom frowned, taking it from him and ripping the paper open. "Susan? Why didn't she just deliver it herself?"

Will shrugged. "I don't know."

Tom examined the contents idly. "We've been waiting for these bulbs for quite some time now." He stood, not bothering to brush himself off. "Let's take them to the shed."

Will rose and followed him, but he did brush himself off.

"So how did the gala go?" Tom asked, running one hand over his face.

"It went very well," Will admitted, thinking of Elizabeth's swirling (blue) skirts as she danced. "I really enjoyed it..."

"I'm glad you did." He paused. "So did you dance?"

Will nodded. "Uh-huh."

"With who?"

There was a beat of silence before, "I danced with Miss Swann."

"Good for you." He groaned, cocking his head toward the path ahead of them. "Look who it is."

Will's eyes went to the heavens, wondering why he chanced to come upon James when his day was going so well?

"Just ignore him," Tom muttered under his breath as James started walking in their direction. "Don't take anything he says seriously."

Will didn't get a chance to reply.

"Good day," James greeted curtly, not pausing to wait for a response. "I was wondering if any of you have seen Lizzy?"

Tom shook his head. "No, Mr. Brunswick."

Will frowned. "No, not today."

"Oh. I was just wondering, since I haven't seen her all day. I've looked everywhere." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe she's baking. I hope it's chocolate, I like that much better than-"

"Anything Elizabeth makes is good," Will interrupted suddenly, not thinking. "It doesn't matter whether it's chocolate or not."

They were both looking at him sideways. He pulled his shoulders back, perplexed. "What? What did I say?"

James's eyes narrowed. "You called her Elizabeth."

Will's tongue felt thick. "N-no, I didn't, I-I said..." Had he? Had he actually said 'Elizabeth'? He looked at Tom, who had a similar expression on his face, as if he'd sworn.

James shrugged, surprising him. "It doesn't matter, I suppose. You two are friends."

'Maybe he isn't so bad after all,' Will thought to himself, the gracious feeling from earlier in the day lingering yet.

"Lizzy told me that your father works on a merchant ship," James blurted, his face unreadable. "Is that true?"

"Yes." Will shuffled his feet. 'Or maybe he is that bad.'

"What's the name of the ship?" he pressed.

Will felt his face flush. He longed to shout, 'None of your business!' but instead said, "I don't know."

"Well, we must be on our way," Tom interrupted quickly. "We'll keep an eye out for Miss Swann..."

James ignored him. "Your mother didn't tell you?"

"She died before she could," he muttered suspiciously. "Why?"

"Oh. I was just thinking that maybe you could ask her." He paused. "So she never told you the name?"

"No, she didn't." He gritted his teeth.

"Are you sure that he even worked on a ship?"

"What are you trying to say?" Will's voice was steadily rising.

James crossed his arms. "Maybe he was a farmer. Or, maybe she didn't really know who your father was, so she made up the whole story."

"My father works on a merchant vessel!" Will shouted, stepping forward. "He's a good, strong sailor!"

"At least you think he's your father!" James countered. "Like I said, she could have thought he was just-"

But James never got a chance to finish, for at that moment Will swung his arm and punched him in the jaw.

For a moment all three of them stood in shock, before James lunged at him, knocking Will off his feet and onto the ground. With surprising speed and force, he hit Will in the nose. He hit him again. He could feel and taste blood running down his face, but he ignored it and kneed him in the stomach. James cringed and relented slightly, giving Will time to push him over and punch him in the chest. James rolled over and elbowed him in the face. Will kicked him in the shin.

James grabbed the neck of his shirt as Will took a hold of him by the shoulders, trying to pull him up toward him. They both pulled forward, their heads knocking together roughly. At that moment, James shouted, calling for help as Will fell backward, his head reeling. He pushed himself to his feet as James stood. They ran for each other, struggling once again.

Someone screamed, and for a moment Will thought it was James when he realized it was coming from behind them. He didn't stop. He fought against the strong arm that he felt wrap around his waist. He cried out, watching as James was restrained.

"What is the meaning of this?" Again, the voice was familiar. Deep and slightly nasally...

"Sir, I can explain." Tom licked his lips nervously. "It- It was-"

Will stopped struggling, the gravity of what he had done slowly sinking in. Margaret (who, along with Mary, was holding James's shoulders) looked down at him gravely. Tom's face was contorted. Will's eyes slowly went to the face of the man that was holding him.

"Lieu- Lieutenant Norrington," he choked out, his eyes widening. He was getting blood on the neatly trimmed sleeve...

"What is going on here?" Norrington repeated contemptibly, for some reason looking down at Will, and not at James.

Will tried to say something, but the only thing that came out was a strange gurgling noise.

(Space)

The next thing Will knew, he was standing in the parlor. He stared down at the floor, his face burning with shame. He didn't dare look up at the governor, or at the door whenever James's father burst in.

Weatherby Swann massaged his temples, heaving a sigh. "Explain to me how this happened."

Will couldn't find his voice to speak. He was probably going to be sent away...Elizabeth would never want to see him again...

"Can't you see what happened?" Mr. Brunswick bellowed. "This- this- deviant attacked my son!"

"Aye, I knew he was a bad egg from the beginning!" Mary quipped. "Always knew he would be nothing but trouble-"

"Mary, please." The governor dismissed her with a wave of his hand. She left, but not without glaring at Will first. "Anyway, was this how it happened, Will? Did you attack James for no reason?"

Will swallowed. "N-no, sir..."

"Liar!" Mr. Brunswick looked as if he were about to strike him. "My son's safety is in danger, as are the others of this household! Weatherby, if you don't send him away, then I suggest you lash him."

Will felt his stomach twist in an uncomfortable knot. He guessed that it would be better if they just lashed him...But they would probably end up lashing him and sending him away...

The governor shook his head. "Henry, this child isn't a threat to anyone. This was just a mistake."

"Mistake! Mistake! Look at this!" He pointed to the fat lip and swollen jaw that marred James's pretty-boy features. "Do you think that this just happened by accident! No, this boy is a menace, a-"

James cleared his throat. "Actually, I must admit that I goaded Mr. Turner's arm."

Will was taken aback. He glanced up at James's face. He looked calm and sincere.

"Wh-what?" Henry stammered. "James, what do you mean?"

"It is my fault that the fight began. I shouldn't have said those things. Therefore it is actually I who deserves the greater punishment."

Weatherby looked to Will for verification. Will nodded. "Yes, sir, that is how it happened, but-"

James cut him off. "I am very sorry, and it will never happen again."

"All right." The governor brushed invisible lent off of his sleeve. "Henry, I'll leave you to deal with your son. Meanwhile, please excuse the young Mr. Turner and me." He waited until they left the room before turning his attention to him. He stood, standing in front of Will, who felt his shoulders droop. "I am very disappointed in you, Will," he said at last. "I expected better from you."

Will bit his already cut lip.

"This behavior can not go unaccounted for," he continued. "That's why I have decided to-"

Will couldn't take it anymore. He felt his face twitch as he tried to appear collected. "I'll go get my things," he interrupted, his voice cracking.

The governor frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're sending me away, aren't you?"

Elizabeth's father chuckled. "Of course not, my dear boy! Why ever would I do that?"

"But- but you just said-"

He set one hand gently on his shoulder. "Will, I am disappointed in your actions, and I want you to know that is not acceptable here, but I am by no means sending you away."

Will blinked. "Are you going to lash me?"

"No, neither shall you be lashed. There will be a punishment, however."

"I am sorry, sir."

"There now. Go get yourself cleaned up."

As the governor watched him leave, he was suddenly thankful he was the father of a daughter.

TBC...