My absence has been abominable! Sorry sorry sorry! As a recap, when we left off Samuel had just punched Thomas for saying that Lily was betrothed to him. There was a massive mix-up about who had betrayed who and both Lily and Samuel were trying desperately not to love each other anymore. See if they succeed...

Please review and tell me what you think!

Chapter 23

"How dare you strike me, sir?" Thomas demanded, recovering from the blow.

Samuel didn't even look back at him, still glaring fiercely at Lily.

"His fiance?" he hissed.

"I said get away from her," Thomas yelled, pushing the other man back and away from Lily.

That was it. Samuel snapped.

Furious, he swung a fist at Thomas, catching him squarely in the gut. As he keeled over, Samuel advanced, kicking his legs out from under him and kneeling when he fell.

He drew his sword, laying the blade across Thomas's chest to stop him from getting up.

"You're really starting to piss me off, lover boy," he snarled

A sob caught in Lily's throat, half from fear and half sorrow. Everything was going so completely and horribly wrong, and just moments ago she had been utterly, exquisitely happy.

"Don't!" she called, taking a few hurried steps forward and laying her hand over Samuel's, trying to push his sword away from Thomas.

"Stay out of this, Lily," Thomas said, his eyes fixed with hatred on Samuel.

Lily didn't listen, her hand closed around that of the pirate who had once loved her.

Or so she thought.

As her small hand encircled his there was an audible intake of breath, a sharp snatch at reality. Even though the shudder that ran through him was a wonderful response to her welcome touch, even though he longed for her to be close with all his heart and every fiber of his being, it was no good. His face remained hard for he knew that he must resist this onslaught of feeling and couldn't let himself be drawn in.

He must not let himself be bewitched again.

And so, under hers, his hand clenched around the hilt of his sword and the muscles in his arms became taut.

"Get out of it."
There were such fathoms of cold and such a lack of emotion in his icy voice that Lily flinched back, her eyelashes fluttering faster than a hummingbirds wings. It was as if he had struck her. In fact, a physical blow probably would have made less impact.

Samuel turned his burning eyes downwards so they locked with those of the cornered Thomas. The young man was making a valiant effort to appear brave and unconcerned but Lily could see the tremor at the corner of his down-turned lips.

Samuel could see it too but it struck no chord with him. All he saw was the man who presumed to lay a claim on the girl that he himself (as he was slowly coming to realise) was completely in love with, beyond all hope of release.

It wasn't to be borne. It was impudence of the highest and worst level.

"Please."

Her quiet voice came from behind him, but Thomas's eyes shifted, no doubt to lock with hers. That one small word...that voice...

No. He could not waver now. He was his father's son; the captain's son.

This man was nothing. And neither was she.

So thinking and repeating to himself, Samuel raised his sword.

It all happened very fast after that.

Thomas shut his eyes and Samuel's lips curled in contempt. His grip on his sword tightened, his nerve steeled. The sword came down, heading for Thomas's chest and heart. But it never reached its target.

Lily could not remain still and helpless to save her life, let alone Thomas's. She ran forwards and grabbed Samuel's strong arm, a sob catching in her throat as she used all her strength to stop the blow from falling.

At the same moment, conscious of the struggle, Thomas opened his eyes. Seeing Samuel distracted the young man seized his chance and kicked out, sending the sword spinning away.

Samuel growled, Lily's closeness nearly sending him mad. He couldn't think straight, didn't know what to do.

So he did what his instincts told him to. And Samuel, like it or not, was a pirate.

With very little effort he pushed Lily away, relishing the clarity of thought that returned to him once her soft skin was no longer against his. As she fell back Thomas yelled with fury and sprang to his feet, wasting no time in aiming a solid punch at the pirate's stomach. Samuel, though he stumbled back a pace, was not deterred and reciprocated with another, stronger punch.

Thomas buckled, still weak from the other blows, and – as if in slow motion – he fell.

Within seconds Samuel had drawn his fist back again, hate and fury and something else, some unnamed, dark emotion, flickering in his piercing eyes.

But the blow never fell from his clenched fist. He was stopped by the clattering of swords.

All around him swords were being dropped by both sides. Samuel looked around in bewildered fury, wondering why his father had surrendered. And even more unusual: both sides had.

The pirates and sailors were glaring at each other, breathing heavily, with each side carrying serious injury.

"Father?"

Samuel's voice was strained. All he could hear was ragged breathing and a pool of stony silence from behind him.

Where Lily was standing. Hating him.

"Drop yer weapon," Barbossa snapped, glaring at his son. "We've called truce."

Samuels pistol clattered to the deck and he stepped away from Thomas, anger clear on his handsome face. Though he wouldn't admit it his anger was mainly due to the fact that he knew how this would end.

Rather than risk the noose his Father would give Lily over, Thomas would carry her off into the sunset, and he would never see her again.

The fairytale ending. God, it made him sick to think of it.

Behind him Lily was faring no better. She hated herself for her weakness, for all she could think of when rescue was so close was having to leave Samuel. Or worse, that he might be killed. She knew that Thomas was lying there injured because he'd been brave enough to come for her but she just didn't feel anything about it. Nothing like the painful tide of emotions that washed over her every time she thought Samuel's name.

Which, in case you were wondering, was approximately every heartbeat.

She loved him and he'd betrayed her...it ought to have been simple. But if she'd learned one thing it was that love – real love – was not simple. It was painful and confusing and vast...inexplicable and...wonderful.

Thomas hauled himself to his feet, wincing as he worked his jaw to get some feeling back.

"I'll negotiate, Captain," he said to Barbossa, narrowing his eyes.

Barbossa looked him over with a contemptuous laugh but shrugged, making his way into his cabin.

"Very well."

"I'll come back for you," Thomas said in a whisper to Lily. He ignored Samuel rolling his eyes as he turned to him. "Don't lay a finger on her whilst I'm gone."
Samuel was aching to hit him again but stopped himself just in time. He glared at Thomas's back as the young man walked into his fathers cabin, only punching the mast after the door had swung shut.

The other pirates gave him a wide berth and the sailors grabbed this opportunity to board their own ship to wait for Thomas, as the pirate ship was giving them the creeps. So now Samuel and Lily stood alone on the empty deck, avoiding each others eyes completely but at the same time so aware of the others presence that it didn't matter.

Samuel spoke first into the silence.

"His fiance?"

Lily turned, her eyes blazing. "I'm not! But it wouldn't matter even if I was. You said you loved me...it was all a lie. You completely fooled me Samuel, congratulations." Her laugh was bitter as she ran a hand through her hair. "You really got me there."

"Look, if you're mad about what Pontac said -"

"Damn right I'm mad! You made a bet on me Samuel?"

"It wasn't like that Lily -"

"No, I'm sure it wasn't. I'm sure you're completely innocent and I'm the wretch for having Thomas fall in love with me."

"Yes and you led him on a merry dance! How do I know you aren't just stringing me along as well, you little tease?"

"How dare you! Thomas is a good man! He -"

Now it was Samuel's turn to cut her off.

"But you don't love him."

"Why I - he...I think he's -"

"You think he's boring. I know you, don't forget Lily. You can't fool me like you can fool him and all those other 'fine young men'."
Lily's eyes flashed. "Stop it Samuel."

He stepped closer. "Tell me you love him, then I'll stop."
I love you! Lily thought fervently, but her pride would not allow her to say it. You and always you.

So, to keep herself under check, she said nothing at all. Merely arched one eyebrow as if she couldn't care less.

Which, of course, was far from the case.

"You can't do it, can you?" Samuel said triumphantly, stepping closer still. "You can't say it because you know it's a lie."

"Stop it."

Samuel just laughed. "That's right. When things get too much you expect them to go away, right? If you can't cope you quit."

Lily's expression was stony. She didn't move.

Samuel, looking at her, felt a pang of regret, but he couldn't back down now. He began to walk away.

"And just so you know, I didn't make that bet," he said over his shoulder.

Lily flinched as if he'd slapped her. "And I never agreed to marry Thomas," she threw back.

She watched as he stopped where he stood and slowly turned round.

"What the hell are we arguing about then?" he said in a voice that seemed over-loud in the silence.

Another moment of stillness stretched out before Lily began to laugh. "I don't know!"

Samuel's laughter was exultant as he crossed the distance between them and took her in his arms, twirling her so her curls flew.

"You – Lily! You aren't going to marry him? You never were?"
"No of course not, idiot!" Lily buried herself in his arms, holding him close. "You didn't make that bet?"

"No!"

"Oh Samuel...Samuel I'm so glad!"
They couldn't get close enough, they didn't want any space between them at all. Love was clutching at them, making it hard to breathe.

"God I love you," Samuel breathed, holding her as tight as he could without hurting her.

"I love you too!"

In their jubilation they had forgotten a very important thing: Thomas.

At that moment the captain's door swung open revealing Barbossa, Thomas and the captain he'd hired for the journey. Barbossa looked positively thunderous but Thomas looked like he couldn't be happier.

That is, until he saw Samuel and Lily embracing.

"Get away lad," Barbossa barked. "Girl, go with them."

Suddenly Lily couldn't breathe. "No..." she breathed. And then louder, "no! I won't!"

Samuel didn't let go of her. "Father -"
"Don't argue. Below."

Thomas frowned, stepping towards Lily.

"Lily come with us. It's why we came all this way...why I came all this way. For you..." he paused, swallowing. "To save you, Lily."

"She's fine where she is," Samuel growled, but even as he said it he knew it was a lie. He didn't know what his father had planned for Lily but it probably wasn't pleasant, and who was to say he could protect her?

Looking down at her he could already feel his heart aching with loss.

He had to let her go with them, to safety. Because he loved her.

He let go of her and stepped back.

"Samuel," Lily almost sobbed, and he felt his heart tear in a thousand places at the pain in her voice. "What are you -"

"Lily go," he said, keeping his voice and face calm. It was for the best. For her. "Go with them."

"No! I won't leave you!"
Samuel had to take a minute to compose himself, but when he did he turned and walked to the galley so he wouldn't have to see her go.

"You have to."

"What is this Lily?" Thomas demanded, looking between her and the pirate. She looked distraught, standing there and looking at the place where he'd been standing. "Did he hurt you? Come on, we need to get you back, alright?"

He went to take her arm but she pulled away, tears balancing on her thick eyelashes.

"No..." she sobbed once, seeming to crumple. Thomas caught her before she could fall but once she was in his arms she fought him like a wildcat. She didn't want those arms around her, she wanted Samuel.

Thomas was forced to lift her off the ground in order to get her to the ship, she kicking and fighting all the way. It was only once he had deposited her in her cabin and the ship was moving, moving away from her love, that she stilled and surrendered completely to her anguished sobs.