AN: Hi everyone! I'm truly sorry that I'm late and this chapter isn't finished. I'll try to finish it, but I don't know when. I don't have an excuse of why i haven't finished it. To be honest, but I thank you for you patience and I hope you like this part of the chapter. :) And I would like to thank you for your reviews they mean a lot. I hope this leads up to everyone's expectations. Thank you again! :)

Chapter 8: Water Fight

His eyes flew open as he gasped for breath, filling his lungs with air. He felt his heart thunder against his chest as if he were running. He swallowed nervously as his eyes silently wondered the room, drinking in his surroundings, before they desperately searched for Pippa. He turned over onto his side, facing the small child. The dim grey light of the early morning dawn crept through the cracks of the worn wooden walls and shutters, allowing him to faintly see her.

She shifted a little beside him. Nuzzling her face against his arm as she hugged it close to her chest. Invisible golden sand swirled above her head; creating images of the story Jack had told her. Her small body slightly moving, slowly rising up and down as she took gentle little breathes.

Pulling the thin blanket closer to her; allowing only her face to peek out, Jack smiled softly to himself as he watched her dream, beginning to gently fondle her hair. His fingers entwined with her brown locks, knotting themselves and untying themselves from her and reknotting themselves again, carefully to not wake her up.

A light chuckle escaped his lips, reminiscing the night before; how Pippa smiled and laughed as she danced around the room. How her smile grew wider and her laughter becoming louder as he scooped her up, spinning her in the air and remembering how happy she was.

As his chuckles subtly turned into silence his soft gaze faded, remembering her eye. Remembering how she backed away from his touch, how she would clam up and not tell him what was wrong. Stroking back her bangs, finding her eye covered in black and blue. Remembering the small kiss he had given her and how she slightly cringed in pain. Remembering his broken promise.

Guilt washed over him as hurt and confusion tore him apart. Gently he rubbed his nose against hers. Everything is going to be fine. I promise, everything is going to be all right.

Pulling back he slipped away from her grasp, silently slipped out of the cot, leaving her side. In the dim darkness of the small room he dressed quickly, placing his nightshirt under his pillow. As he threaded his arms through his vest, his eyes looked to Pippa, his expression softening. He took his cloak and draped it over her, reassuring her, when she awoke that he would be right there, beside her. Don't worry little lady. I won't be gone for long. I'll be fast as a rabbit. Everything is going to be all right. I promise.

A soft fleeting smile brushed his lips as he withdrew, tiptoeing out of the small room. The cottage was silent and dim; the water bucket was empty, sitting patiently by the door, waiting to be filled. Grateful for the unspoken request he grabbed the bucket and creeped quietly out of the sleepy cottage.

The dirt path was cool against his bare feet as he made his way to the pump, near the center of the settlement. Jack walked quickly in hopes of returning home, before Pippa would awake, not wanting to leave her side for long.

As he approached the village's main water supply, he could feel the heavy gaze of eyes boring into his back as he heard snickers and whispers ringing faintly in his ears. He felt his anger starting to simmer as he tried his best to ignore them, discarding their boring eyes, tuning out their loud snickers and whispers. He pumped the handle of the spout, filling the wooden pale with water, cooling his temper that stared to rage in his chest.

They approached him, pushing off of the wall that they were leaning against. He heard their footsteps coming towards him; pumping the handle with a little more aggression. He felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Yes?" Jack replied smoothly, not wanting them to know he was all ready aggravated by their presence.

"We were just wondering Jackson. What is a damned hell raiser like you doing to bring yourself to this part of the town this early in the morning," Jake mocked, cracking his knuckles trying to intimidate Jack.

Benjamin said nothing as he sneered at Jake's enemy crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well you're not blind and you're not smart. But you can't be blind and you can't be stupid at the same time. Can you? I mean I knew the world was unfair, but I didn't know the world was this unfair," Jack retorted as he bent down, picking up the water bucket.

He started to get on his way, trying to escape, before the two boys worked out what he had meant; not wanting to delay any longer to return home.

Unfortunately by his tone they knew they were insulted. Jake's face twisted in anger as Benjamin scowled, unfolding his arms; his hands tightening into fists.

"What was that? Hell raiser." Jake grabbed Jack's arm, harshly tugging him back to face him. Jack's eyes narrowed, challenging Jake, standing his ground.

Her eyes opened ajar, allowing her to see very little. She blinked, awakening her tired eyes. Invisible golden sand retreated through the cracks of the worn shutters, returning to the little golden man on a cloud of golden sand, ready to depart.

Her eyes widened a little finding the cot half empty. She lifted her head from her pillow, raising herself onto her elbows, finding his cloak draped over her. She hugged it tight, burying her face in the cape, wanting him to be with her. She cringed slightly at the pressure, her black and blue eye still sensitive to touch. Her hair was dry unable to hide the black and blue that covered her eye.

The dim grey light of the early morning dawn was subtly turning lighter, making the room easier to see. She slipped out of the cot, leaving his cloak, letting it slip from her grasp. The dirt floor was cold against her bare feet as she made her way to the dim darkness of the small room. She replaced her nightgown with her brown and red dress, threading her arms through the sleeves, poking her head through the head hole; placing her nightgown on the cot.

Pippa struggled a little tying her small brown shoes, fumbling only once or twice with the bunny ears. A smile beamed across her face as she thought of what Jack would play with her today. Maybe we can go to the harvest ground and play tag or maybe hide and seek. Or we could play hop scotch or Jack could give me piggy back ride. Or maybe we could play in the haystacks. Eagerly she raced out of the room, no longer able to wait to see her brother.

The cottage was empty and dreary. Her eyes searched for her older brother as she wondered the room, trying to find him, but only to find the water bucket missing. An unusual quietness reign throughout the little household as she called out to him.

"Jack?!" Pippa softly called hoping he would answer, but her heart sank when no answer replied.

A soft warm breeze pushed the jarred wooden door open, leaving the small opening a little wider, letting the light of day break pour through the room. Pippa's eyes widen a little realizing he was gone. She walked to the door, slipping through the opening, leaving the small cottage to find him.

He took a sharp breath, as waves pain flooded over him, numbing his body. He could hear his heart faintly roaring against his chest as he took short heavy breathes. Jack was silently thankful that Pippa was not with him, not wanting her to see the fight.