Continued from Pearl and Liam 3.



Liam blinked awake, his arm a little numb from the position he was sleeping in, but that was okay; he'd had a wonderful dream. In it, he and Pearl had spent the day together, finally overcoming whatever barrier had kept them apart for so long. They'd made love in a fragrant field under the open sun... He tried to move his arm, snapping fully awake. Pearl was curled up against his chest, and he remembered suddenly that it hadn't been a dream... He smiled, and remained still, savoring the feel of her.

Once she got into that deeper sleep, she stopped being such a light sleeper, though if he moved much it would probably draw her out. She sighed peacefully, though she was still apparently asleep.

Liam didn't try to wake her for a while as he slowly blinked the fuzz off of his mind. After a bit, he started to feel more playful, though, and he glanced down, seeing Pearl's ear, unprotected by her hair. Without moving the rest of his body, he shifted his head, catching the bottom of her earlobe between his teeth and starting to suck on it.

Pearl's face responded to that, she looked confused. Then she fell out of sleep and pulled her ear away from him. She reached up and wiped it off. Then she turned her head up and looked at him sleepily, rubbing at her eyes. She smiled. "Hi," she said. "I sleep better next to you," she noted.

He smiled, nuzzling her neck. "I'm glad I'm a good pillow," he said teasingly, though he made absolutely no motion to rise. "It's mornin'," he noted somewhat stupidly, looking towards the window and the cool gray-yellow light streaming in. "An' I was so looking forward to dessert..." he teased, growling playfully. "Dessert for breakfast?" he suggested, though he didn't really mean it. It was too early for sex. Sex was more of a mid-morning to lunchtime activity...

Pearl smiled. She laughed quietly in response to his nuzzling and growling. She scooted down a little so he'd pull his head back from her neck and see his eyes. "Too early," she echoed. Then she kissed him, shortly and sweetly on the lips. "Maybe later," she said. Though she wondered when that would be. Artemis would keep Jade all of today if she had to, but that would be taking advantage of her. They had their fun yesterday, and they would find time for repeats again, if Pearl had anything to do with it.

Liam nodded in agreement. "Alrighty then," he replied, smiling as he caught her in a tight hug. He held her like that for exactly four seconds, then asked, "Now?" He made it clear by his tone and his laughter that he was just playing, though. He sighed, loosening his grip. "I suppose we should get up and go fetch Jade," he noted, though he didn't seem to be in a terrible rush. "He misses his mum, I'm sure."

Pearl laughed at that, and shook her head. She thought for a moment about Jade and shook her head again. "Jade likes Artemis. Let's keep the morning to ourselves," she pleaded. "Or a least most of it... We can pick him up before noon so that Artemis won't have to feed him lunch," she said.

Liam was perfectly happy to agree, nibbling at her neck again. "I'm hungry," he said, and his stomach growled in agreement. "How about I make us a nice big breakfast, and then see how we feel afterwards?"

Pearl nodded and after a second she got up, so that he could. With a smile she slipped into her room to change, since she was still in the dress she wore yesterday. They would go get Jade later, and Pearl would positively glow at Artemis when she asked for details about yesterday.



Life in Pearl's home fell into a smooth rhythm over the next few months, making it six months that they had been living together. Pearl found a job working with the local horse-trainer, which left Liam at home to take care of Jade, which he did with great enthusiasm. He spent a whole week cleaning out and fixing up Pearl's home--not that it was messy, mind. Liam just did the deep-cleaning that few people ever had time for. He fixed spots in the roof that would have needed mending in the next storms, and he chopped firewood for them, stacking it off in the back of the house. Jade was always his little helper, wide-eyed and curious about everything Liam did. The neighbors noticed how helpful and hardworking Liam was, and ten days or so after he had started living with Pearl, Pernelle had come over while he was working one day and asked him to fix a door. That set him on fixing up Pernelle's place too, the parts Roger hadn't been able to do for his age. Roger wasn't living with Pernelle yet, but he did wander over almost every day, sometimes staying for a day or two. Liam had never seen an old cross lady suddenly turn so happy. Liam was happy too... happier than he could ever remember being, and it wasn't just waking up with Pearl in his arms every morning either. He belonged in this place, helping the people here. It was a wonderful experience.

The morning of the harvest festival dawned bright and a little cool, frost clinging to the strands of grass. Breakfast had already been prepared, eaten, and cleared away, and Liam was just finishing buttoning Jade into his coat. "Look at this," he said, pulling Jade's arms out to show that the cuffs of the jacket stopped mid-way down his forearm. "Growin' like a weed! We better put a brick on his head so he doesn't poke through the roof!"

Pearl entered the room with a basket full of laundry. She took a look and laughed. "We might have to," she said with a sigh. She shifted the basket onto her hip and fished through it. "Try this one," she said, handing Liam another jacket for Jade. It would still be too short on his arms, but it was bigger than the other. "We can get him a jacket today."

Just then Artemis appeared at the door, and knocked briefly before thrusting her head in and looking around. She spotted them in the middle of the room and entered, shutting the door behind her. "Come on, guys," she said anxiously, putting her hands on her hips. "It's time to go!" Actually, it was quite early, she was just excited.

Pearl looked up at her and sighed. "Hi, Artemis," she said, with a hint of a smile, through her exasperation. She went into her and Liam's room with the basket and put it down. She looked around for her cloak which was back out in the living room.

Artemis shook her head at Liam. "This is your fault," she accused him light-heartedly, "She never used to spend so much time getting ready."

He shrugged, walking over and giving her a platonic peck on the cheek. "Yer just jealous, Artemis, darlin'," he told her once he had twisted Jade into the other jacket. "Besides which, yer early. Nothin' will be open, just yet. Yeh got some hot item yeh want to find? Is he handsome?" he teased.

"Arty!" Jade yelled happily, way too hyper this early in the morning. He rushed over to her once Liam had got the jacket on him, reaching up as if to pull himself into her arms.

Artemis smiled at Liam mysteriously and turned to Jade. She picked him up and spun him around once, and hugged him. "Hey, little man," she said. "You excited about today?" she asked him. She looked over Jade's shoulder. "Pearl!" she whined.

Pearl came out of the room and huffed at Arty, slowing her pace just to spite her. She found her cloak and put it on over her dress. She pushed past Artemis and opened the door quickly. "Come on, what's taking you so long?" she asked teasingly, since they had actually been waiting for her.

Liam smiled, hanging behind to let Pearl and Artemis go first, and then he locked the door behind them, and then he hurried a bit to catch up with the others. He wasn't overly eager to be there. Festivals really weren't his thing. Too many people... too much activity. It was exhausting, and he didn't care for it. He resolved not to let his feeling show, though, taking Pearl's hand as they walked along. "So, Jade's coat, and another mixing bowl. Anything else we need?" he asked.

Pearl smiled at him and laced her fingers through his. "I guess we'll see when we get there," she said, shrugging. Then her expression switched. "I love festivals." She reached out with her free hand and ruffled Jade's hair. He did too.

He smiled, kissing her cheek. "I'm glad you do," he replied. Pretty soon, they made it into the center of town. Liam had been wrong, there were already dozens of people milling around. A band with a few violins and drums had set up in one corner, coaxing the people out of their homes with a bit of music. As Liam went by, a fire-eater shot out a huge bloom of flames. Liam groaned. "I think I know what our son wants to be now..." he teased. Sure enough, Jade was staring up at the man with huge, excited eyes.

Pearl laughed. She smiled at 'their' son, and turned to Liam with a smile. "That's the side-effect of these places," she said. She shrugged slightly and glanced around. Artemis was watching the fire-eater excitedly with Jade. Then Pearl saw it and her eyes lit. She pulled on Liam's sleeve, "Let's go over there!" she suggested excitedly.



Later that day....

Richard sighed as he sat down on a log outside the bar, weary. He had been searching for months for Pearl and his son, but he had barely gotten a whiff of them. His last clue had led him to this town, but so far he had had no luck. He knew Pearl liked festivals, if she was within miles of it she would probably come, at least for Jade. But alas, that seemed to be too much to hope for.

Liam sighed at almost the same time, almost wishing he could tie a collar around Jade's chest to reign him back when he tried to wander too far off. "Slow up, little man!" Liam yelled at him, pushing his way through the crowd with muttered, "Sorry"s and "Pard'n me"s. Finally Jade saw something that slowed him down for a moment.

"Liam! Lookit!" he cried, pointing at a pigeon man. The man had dozens and dozens of tamed pigeons swarming all over him, eating out of his hands. He carried a bag of birdseed at his side, and for a few pence would give you some food and let one of the birds eat it out of your hands, or hair. There were dozens of kids around him already. "Can I feed the birds, Liam?"

Liam sighed in relief. "Sure thing, little man," he replied, putting a two-pence coin into his hands and walking over with him. At least that would get him to stay still for a moment. Liam looked over his shoulder, lifting to his toes to try to see over the crowd. Pearl and Artemis were supposed to be getting turkey legs for all of them for lunch, but Jade had wanted to rush around some more. Liam stood on a stump, craning his neck to look for the girls as Jade squealed with delight, three of the birds in his hands.

The girls were on their way back. Artemis was chowing down on one of the turkey legs, and Pearl was carrying the rest. Pearl spotted Liam first so she nudged Artemis and they moved toward him. But suddenly Pearl halted and Artemis bumped into her, dropping her chicken leg. Pearl was staring at Jade in disbelief, barely able to keep a look of horror from her face. The lunch she was carrying started shaking in her hands.

Jade looked up and smiled. "Look, mommy, birds!" He laughed as more flew at him.

Pearl grimaced. She looked scared when the other birds landed on him and uttered a little cry. She had attempted to move toward Jade, but Artemis was fast. She grabbed her before she could make a fool of herself and clamped down on her arm, hard. "Calm down. They're just little ones, Pearl. They're harmless," she spoke firmly rather than reasoningly--out of experience. There was no reasoning with Pearl when it came to birds--but it is because Pearl knew it was unreasonable to be scared of birds and the knowledge did nothing to assuage the fear.


Liam frowned at Pearl's reaction, and moved over to Jade. "Come on, little man," he said, taking his hand.

"But I have more food..." Jade protested, but Liam gave him a tug.

"Jade, Mummy doesn't feel good," he said, shooing the rest of the birds away. Jade looked over at his mother's back, and stopped resisting. Liam walked over to Pearl, taking the tray from her hands and setting it on the ground, holding her hands. "Pearl, are you okay?" he asked, lifting her hands to rest curled against his chest.

Pearl wouldn't look at him. She was blushing fiercely with embarrassment but she still looked shaken. She nodded and pulled away from him and turned to Jade.

Artemis touched Liam's arm. "Pearl is afraid of birds," she explained quietly. "And she's embarrassed," she added warningly.

Pearl picked Jade up and hugged him tightly, trying to get her breathing under control.

Artemis needn't have been worried; Liam saw nothing funny in this situation. Well, almost nothing funny. But he knew demmed well not to let any amusement show on his face. He let Pearl hold Jade, though he wanted to hold her himself.

Jade knew something was wrong, but he didn't understand what. He let his mother hold him for a little bit, and then he started to squirm like any little boy would. "Mommy, I'm hungry," he protested, trying to wriggle away.

Pearl was frowning, but she released him and set him down. "Jade," she said seriously. "Don't play with birds, okay?" she pleaded, petting his hair. "I'll tell you why later."

Jade frowned a little bit but he nodded. "Okay," he said and went to Artemis, who now had the food.

Pearl turned slightly and saw Liam and looked down and rubbed her foot in the dirt as he approached her.

Liam wouldn't allow any of that. He stood close to her, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her close. It was a perfectly innocent hug, which was a little odd for him, but he didn't want to push her. "I'm sorry," he murmured into her hair. His voice was soft and genuine--he meant each word. "You should have told me."

Pearl relaxed against him, her arms in front of her, against his chest. She grabbed his shirt in her hands, and shuddered in his arms. "I hate birds," she muttered. "I hate them," she repeated. She wanted to say it again, she wanted to say it over and over. I HATE BIRDS. she thought. She felt like crying but she was holding it back. She slipped her arms around him and hugged him back. And after a moment she pulled away and tried to compose herself again. She cleared her throat. "I'm hungry," she said quietly, casting her eyes about for Artemis.

He kissed her forehead, but then let her go. "Um..." he said, looking about. Artemis and Jade had wandered over to the side of the street, where a large shade tree had been turned into a resting area, more logs and stumps put about the trunk to serve as seating for the festival-going crowd. "Over there," Liam pointed, taking Pearl's hand and walking that way. Little did they know that trouble was also resting under that tree, though on the opposite side of the trunk and sleeping with his hat over his eyes. Pearl and Liam's day was about to take a painful turn for the worst...

Pearl walked with him. She felt so embarrassed--she always did. And this was one of the least embarrassing encounters she'd had with birds in a long time--there were times that she'd run around screaming because a bird "was chasing her."

Artemis spotted them and tried to clear the worry from her face. She nodded at Pearl reassuringly, to show her it was okay. She was used this by now, in fact, it had been her birds that started it.

Pearl was tempted to sit by her, to draw comfort from her, but she had calmed down enough not to want to push Liam away, so she sat with him and scowled at the turkey legs. She wasn't sure she could eat it without making a spectacle of herself by eating it like she was taking something out on it. And the table was awkwardly silent. Pearl shifted uncomfortably in her seat and then started eating, making a special effort to eat normally.

Liam swallowed. He always found uncomfortable silences.... uncomfortable. "So, Jade," he said lightly. "Do you like yer new coat?" he asked.

Richard heard a familiar name, but didn't bother to lift his hat from his eyes. It was a fairly common name, after all. No reason to get up. He did listen a little more closely, though.

Jade smiled. "This one fits," he confided, nodding. He liked it.

Pearl smiled at Jade, but she was still at a loss for a conversation topic. Artemis however was not. She fished around and asked, "Liam, how is work on the dowager's house going?"

Liam laughed, setting aside his turkey for the moment. "Oh, Art'mis yeh wouldn't believe it. I spend half me time listening ta the sweet ol' hag go on forever about every person in the town, an' the other half listening to Roger's stories about how thin's were in 'the good ol' days'. It's a miracle that I get any work done at all." He smiled. "Especially when the Dowager won't leave off that she an' Roger, an' Pearl an' I should have a double weddin'!" he laughed, but then his smile slipped slightly, and he glanced at Pearl. He'd forgotten that he hadn't mentioned these conversations to Pearl. "Which, o' course, is ridiculous."

Richard frowned, pulling his hat away from his face... A woman named Pearl, another named Art'mis (which was probably a mispronunciation of Artemis), a child named Jade... Surely this was too great of a coincidence... He sat up, listening for a moment more before making his move.

The birds were forgotten. Both of Pearl's eyebrows were raised. "Oh really?" she asked with a smile. Then her expression sharpened. "And is it ridiculous?" she inquired. There was an unbidden hint of a smile tucked in the corner of her mouth, she was teasing him, but she was curious as well.

Liam's mouth opened slightly. "I, uh... buh... No? No." He said the last word rather firmly. "No, just a little early... ta think about things like that. Now. I mean, crikes, we've only met a few months ago..."

"Six months," Pearl pointed out. "That's more than a few. But--"

Richard smiled, sure now that he had nothing to worry about. He stood up, walked around the tree, and over to the group a few feet away. "Pearl..." he said in greeting. "I've missed you."

"Daddy!" Jade said happily, dropping his food and rushing over.

"Hey, J-man!" Richard replied, sweeping his little boy up into a bear hug.

Liam felt like someone had punched him in the gut. No, worse, actually. He bit his tongue and tightened his hands around the plate in this hand to hide the fact that they were shaking.

Pearl dropped her food and her mouth fell open. She gripped Liam's arm firmly. "R-R-" she stuttered in a mixture of horror and disbelief. She glanced at Jade and frowned at his reaction, and then glanced at Liam, ignored Artemis, and looked at Richard with increasing annoyance. "Richard." Her eyes narrowed.

Richard didn't notice, swinging Jade around a bit before letting the laughing boy back down. "God damn it, you've grown, you little bastard," he said affectionately. "Pearl, you wouldn't believe it, I have the best news in the world. When we were out last time, we were attacked by pirates. Oh, don't worry. I gutted them all myself. It took days to soak the blood out of my clothes. Anyway, we fought off the pirates and took their ship. I had to spend a lot of my share to get here to find you, but I'm still a rich man." He smiled triumphantly at her. "Don't you see?" he asked, oblivious to the way the color was creeping into Liam's face. "We can be a family again. We'll get married, and be a family."

Liam's ears had started to ring when this man, whoever the hell he was, called Jade a bastard to his face. The slight distraction had become a roar, and his nostrils flared, and his breathing was heavy. His hands clenched into fists, and he felt a growl rumble in his throat, wanting to break free. He started to stand, but Pearl's grip on his arm tightened.

Pearl was fighting with herself. She wanted to be civil in front of her son--something Richard didn't care about. But the rest of her want to fly across the table and ground him into the dirt, or at least let Liam pummel him. The latter was a reaction she was considering, they'd both feel better. But her grip on his arm tightened anyway. She was afraid to stand but she had to. She stood.

Most of his words went over her head, but she had gotten the last bit. "Richard," she said crossly. She cast her eyes about. "You remember Artemis," she said offhandedly.

Artemis regarded him coldly. "Richard," she said. She looked at Jade and then at Pearl.

Pearl had the same idea. "Jade, go with Artemis," Pearl ordered. She looked at Jade with every ounce of parental authority she had. She still expected him to disobey her, but she let none of that show.

"No, no, Pearl. This is a family event," Richard protested, messing up Jade's hair. "If anyone should leave, it should be those two," he carelessly waved a hand at Artemis and Liam. "They're not family, after all."

Liam licked his teeth, glaring at the table. "Family?" he asked in a dangerous growl.

Richard nodded, enjoying the discomfort of this person who had presumed to try to take his place. "Of course, Paddy. I'm his father." Richard said this slowly, doubting the gyppo's intelligence.

"Father?" Liam repeated, glaring up at him and standing. He looked so angry and ferocious that Jade backed away, scared, towards Artemis. She was the only one who didn't look angry. "Father? What kind o' father abandons his child? An' what kind o' a man thinks he can just waltz inta another person's life an' tell her that he's goin' ta marry her without so much as a 'by-yer-leave'?!"

Richard walked towards Liam, giving him a patronizing smile. "Look, Paddy," he said, still speaking as is talking to a drunk two-year-old. "I appreciate you keeping my side of the bed warm, but you don't belong here. Why don't you go home and chase leprechauns or something, and leave my boy... and my girl.. to me?"

Liam smiled then, but there was no mirth in his eyes. Richard missed everything, but Liam didn't. His fist hit the man's face hard, but Richard was tough. Liam dodged one swing but missed another. It worked his jaw around good, but he didn't feel the pain. He threw himself at the other man, and they grappled, gouging fingers seeking eyes.

Pearl was grounded firmly in shock, trying to absorb all of this, and seething with annoyance at Richard, and his careless, arrogant demeanor--much too fired up to go cold at anything he said. Her attention flicked to Liam, who had truly switched into protective mode, and she watched them battle it out. Liam was good, but Richard was younger and more ruthless... She stood where she was and cheered Liam on, vaguely wishing in the back of her mind that she'd been able to get a punch in first.

Artemis was impressed by Liam as well. She had gripped Jade firmly when he came to her and she saw the discussion heating up, but once they actually started fighting Jade was going crazy. He started to cry, and he stepped the top of his 'Aunt''s foot with all the power he could and ran toward his father, and his new father-figure. "Jade don't!" she yelled, unable to stop him.

Liam growled in triumph as he slipped under the arrogant sailor's guard, getting his hands around his neck. He wouldn't kill him, of course. But a good choking would probably do wonders for the asshole's personality.

"Liam, no!" He turned, seeing Jade at his side, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Don't kill my daddy!" he sobbed. Liam's anger slipped away, and instantly, he released his hold on the other man and turned to Jade.

"Jade, I..." he started.

Richard was a good fighter because he knew an opportunity when he saw one. He reared back and smashed his fist into the Irishman's face. He staggered, but stayed on his feet, which was just fine with Richard. He held his two fists together and smashed them down like a club into the back of his head. The gyppo fell on his face in the dirt and didn't move. Richard smiled triumphantly, and spat on him. He turned to Jade, who was staring openmouthed at the unconscious man. "How was that, J-man. Your dad really showed him, huh?"

Jade was shaking from head to toe, and started to scream, finding his mother's skirts and burying his face into them, still screaming.

"Don't worry, J-man!" Richard called. "Your dad isn't hurt at all..."

Pearl had gone immediately to Liam, to see if he was alright. Then she straightened and caught Jade as he came at her. She was past furious--she was in the kind of rage her body hadn't endured since her parents were murdered--and that rage was partially misguided. This was not. She rubbed Jade's back when he ran to her and then stepped away from him and gave him to Artemis. "Hold him this time," she demanded and stalked over to Richard, clenching her hands.

"There's my girl," Richard said, as if he thought she was going to kiss him or something.

She glared at him. Another time she might have smiled sweetly to mock him, but she didn't bother to do so now. She punched him in the eye, and when turned back toward her in shock, she broke his nose.

"GO TO HELL RICHARD!"

Liam pushed himself up to his knees, though he couldn't see a thing with the stars that were swirling in front of his eyes. He pushed himself unsteadily to his feet, still unable to see. "Pearl?" he asked, holding out a hand.

Richard fell back against the tree, stunned but getting over that quickly. He balled up his fists to punch Pearl, but then he noticed that there were quite a few people gathered around now, and more than one sword had been drawn.

"Fightin' another man bare-knuckle is one thing," one fellow, a burly man said. "But hittin' a lady is another thing entirely."

Richard looked at the crowd, and even he was able to see when the odds were against him. Still holding a hand to his bloody nose, he stormed away. But when he was well out of range, he turned. "This isn't over, Pearl," he declared. "Jade is my son, and if you don't share him with me, I'll take him." Wisely, once these words were out, he blended into the crowd and was gone.

Liam's vision was starting to clear a little, but his head felt split in half, and his mouth ached fiercely. A wash of dizziness poured over him, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to catch himself.

Pearl caught him. She hadn't wanted to turn her back on Richard but she knew him well enough to know that--in this crowd--she was safe enough to do it. But Richard's threat made her go cold.

Artemis was still shushing Jade and looking at Pearl warily. Pearl positioned herself at Liam's side. "Liam," she said, supporting his weight as best she could, and trying to keep him conscious. "Liam..."

Liam draped an arm around her shoulders. "I... I can't see..." he murmured, leaning heavily against her. "It's... It's blurry..."

The man who had warned Richard off moved a little closer. "Can I help?" he offered, seeing Pearl was struggling a bit with Liam's weight. Closer, it was plain to see that he worked hard for a living--the muscles were bulging under his shirt. "I can help you take him anywhere he needs takin'."

Jade burrowed his head into Artemis's arms, bawling still, though he was quieter now. He was scared and confused and wanted everything to be better. Now.

Pearl nodded at Liam. "Okay," she whispered. She looked up at the man gratefully when he detached from the crowd and made his offer. "Um," she said. She glanced at Liam. "If there's somewhere he could lay down..." There were houses on the street around them. "Would anyone be willing to let us into their house? Or is there an inn really close by or something?" She looked over at Jade sadly. This was a mess.

"Come with me," a young woman offered. "My father's shop is this way."

The man that was now holding up Liam's other arm nodded, and started him that way. Liam tried to move his feet, to walk, but he could barely lift one up and then the other. The man, whose name was Hamnet, turned to Pearl. "If I may..." he said, and then without waiting for her reply, he turned and scooped Liam into his arms like he was a child.

"I can walk..." Liam protested weakly.

"I know, friend," Hamnet replied kindly. "But this is faster."

They were at the woman's father's shop a few minutes later, where Liam was shuffled into the back room and laid out on a straw-palleted bed.

When Hamnet took Liam away Pearl went to Jade and took him. He hesitated but then he threw himself at her from Artemis's arms. "Mommy," he wailed. She squeezed him tight, trying not to cry with him. Artemis found a place to sit down heavily.

She didn't go into the room with Liam and Hamnet, much as she wanted to. There was nothing she could do for now but worry anyway. That was a horrible thing for Richard to do to him. She found a chair and looked at Jade seriously, he had calmed down and what she was about to say was very important. "Daddy--Richard--" she said for emphasis, "Is a very bad man, Jade," she said, and it was true. "I know you love him, but he is not safe," she emphasized each word to get it across to him. She petted his hair. "I know he and Liam scared you. But Liam was protected us from your dad," she explained.

Jade stared at her, he didn't understand. He frowned and clung to her again, shuddering.

Artemis took one of his hands and patted it. "We're safe now, Jade," she said. "All of us."

Hamnet laid the hurt man out, turning to the girl as she brought in bandages and water. He was out of it, the hurt man, but as Hamnet put the cloth to the blood around his lips, he hissed, and reached up, grabbing his arm. "Pearl... Jade... Where...?"

"Easy now," Hamnet said soothingly. "They're fine. They're in the other room. You're the one that you should be worried about..." He shook his head, but released Hamnet's arm. "What's your name, friend?" he asked, cleaning the blood.

Liam blinked. He could see better now--the fuzz was gone, but his head throbbed. "Liam. Liam Dempsey."

"All right, Liam. I'm Hamnet, and you're laying in the bed of my future father-in-law, Kael Thatcher. This is my bride-to-be, Rosa. When is your birthday, Liam?" he asked, wanting to keep the man awake.

"Are yeh goin' ta throw me a party?" he asked, but then reached into his mouth, ripping out a tooth--the canine on the upper-left side.

Hamnet handed him a glass of water, and Liam took a swallow, swished it around in his mouth, and spat it back out, bloody. "Well, if you can make jokes, I think you'll live."

Liam grunted, laying back. "The way he looked at me..." Liam muttered.

"Who, the friendly fellow that hits a man when he's down?"

"Like I give a shit how he looks at me." Liam shook his head, making Hamnet put the rag in his mouth. "Jade... He was so scared..."

Hamnet didn't know what to say, so he said nothing, cleaning Liam's face and then turning to Rosa. "Love, why don't you ask the nice lady to come back here?" he asked quietly. Rosa nodded and moved into the other room.

A moment later Pearl came into the room. Rosa had stayed out. She looked worried and she was twisting part of her dress in her hands. She saw that Liam was awake and glanced at Hamnet.

"He'll hurt for a while, but he'll be okay," Hamnet told her, but then stood and walked out, closing the door softly behind him.

Liam looked at Pearl, and then shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said softly, reaching up to wipe blood from his lips.

Pearl smiled at him faintly as she crossed the floor and sat by him. She found a part of his face that wasn't bruised and kissed it lightly, and then ran her fingers through his hair. She nodded, frowning. "He deserved more than that," she said firmly, "Those guards better catch him." Her eyes flashed. If they didn't catch him she would track him down and turn him over to them, or dispose of him herself. His threat was eating at her already--she knew from experience how dangerous revenge could make someone. She forced a smile. "You should have seen me break his nose," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

Liam would have appreciated it, under better circumstances. At it was, he took her hand from his hair and held it tight. "I'm sure it was magnificent," he replied quietly, shivering. "God, it can't be as cold as it feels," he muttered, not putting together that he was in adrenaline letdown. His hands were shaking badly now, and he closed his eyes, tears leaking from the corners and sliding into his hair. "How is Jade?" he asked, eyes still closed.

Pearl hesitated. "He's fine," she said, and sighed. "He's scared and confused, but he calmed down a little," she elaborated. She squeezed his hand and then let it go. She took off her cloak and covered him with it and then laid down beside him and snuggled up to him, and took his hand again. "What an awful day," she said.

"I should have stopped him," Liam said, hugging her close. "I should have known better than to turn my back on him. He could have hurt you... killed you both, and I would have been eating dirt. I shouldn't have... I should have..." he was just rambling now, tears continuing to slide out of his eyes, though he didn't sob or weep. He was shaking all over, and held Pearl close, wishing the room would stop spinning.

Pearl hugged him back. She shook her head. "I would've turned my back too," she admitted. "And he wouldn't have killed us," she said for a certainty. Richard had fully intended to hit her, but he wouldn't have killed her or Jade.

Liam shook his head. "I failed you," he said. "I... I don't deserve you..."

Pearl gave him a look that unmistakably said "you have got to be kidding me" and kissed him to make him shut up.

Liam kissed her back, a little more vigorously. He didn't care if it hurt, he needed to kiss her right now.

The door opened, and he looked over to see Hamnet standing there. "Whoops, bad timing," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry," he added, "But I thought you would like to know. They caught the ass--- erhm, that is, the man who roughed you up, Liam. He's cooling his heels in the dungeon now."

Pearl sat up and blushed a little. "Yes," she agreed. She breathed a sigh of relief at his news, but it was a quiet one--Richard wouldn't stay in there forever, and didn't he say he was rich now? That would cut his time in there as well most likely. She squeezed Liam's hand, which she had not released when she sat up, and looked over at Liam.

Liam's eyes were closed, but his chest was rising and falling evenly in sleep. He was still holding her hand, though.

Hamnet smiled. "Probably better this way," he said softly. "He'll sleep through the worst of the pain. Is there anything I can get you?" he asked, his honest face concerned.

Pearl smiled faintly and rubbed the back of Liam's rough hand with her thumb. She looked up at Hamnet. "I'm kind of thirsty," she admitted. Her face softened. "Thank you for taking us in," she said sincerely, and realized something. "My name is Pearl. Did you meet Jade and Artemis?" she asked.

Hamnet smiled, walking over to a cabinet. "Water or brandy?" he asked lightly, filling a glass of both and walking back. "Liam mentioned your name," he replied. "And, to be perfectly fair, I'd heard of you. Rosa is a bit of a gossip." He sat down in a chair near the bed. "I'd heard of the Irishman too, though I didn't realize it was him until he said so. He's gotten to be a little bit more famous than you are..." he said, holding up the two glasses.

She looked at the brandy dubiously and took the water instead, with a sigh. She smiled at him. "Then I thank you even more," she said. She chuckled at his last comment. "Is that so? Well, he has been helping nearly everyone with their houses lately," she said. "It gets dull gossiping about the same people and their scandalous lives all the time." She emptied the glass of the water. "And everyone gossips," she said in resignation. "I live next door to the biggest gossip in town, which doesn't help any," she added. Pernelle had continued gossiping about Pearl in order to direct attention away from her and Roger, but the gossiping was no worse than before--and perhaps it was even a little less spiteful, as far as she knew.

"Yes, I know," he replied, trying, without success, to hide his smile behind the glass of brandy. "Pernelle can be a bit of a talker... and exaggerator. Or do you really make love in the meadows in the sun when it is warm and the river when it's cold?" he asked teasingly.

Rosa came into the room then, catching the last part of Hamnet's words. "You big blabbermouth!" she squealed unhappily. "You are the worst, Hamnet, the absolute worst!" She turned to Pearl. "I am so sorry about him," she said, smacking him upside the head. "Ignore every word that comes out of his mouth, he's horrid!"

Pearl was very brightly colored from the revelation of that gossip. She was glad for Rosa's interruption. She smiled at her a little and forced her shoulders to rise and fall slightly. "It's fine," she said, since she was used to gossip and Hamnet had not been cruel when he repeated it. She released Liam's hand as she stood and set down the empty glass she was holding. She cleared her throat. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go check on my son," she said and left the room. She didn't think badly of either of them, but she wanted out of there.

"I can't believe you said that!" Rosa said in a hushed voice.

"What?" Hamnet protested.

"You big dummy!" Rosa was a little perturbed, but she loved her sweet, if slightly poor-mannered husband-to-be. "Not another word to her about the gossip, I mean it!" She turned on her heel and followed Pearl from the room.

Hamnet sighed, a little confused. He didn't really see what was so wrong. "She got it wrong, you know." Hamnet looked down. Liam was still laying on the bed, his face placid, in exactly the same position as before. His breathing was even the same, except for the talking. "We do it in the river when it's warm, and in the sunny meadows when it's cold."

Hamnet smirked. "Right-o," he replied.



Pearl followed a guard to Richard's cell and looked at him disdainfully. "That's him, alright," she said. She was there alone, the others were still imposing on Rosa and Hamnet's hospitality. She kicked the bars to his cell. "Wake up!" she said.

Richard growled, but then glanced up. He was dirty and bloody. His nose was crooked and looked to stay that way. "Where'th my thon, yeh bitcth?" he asked, his words slurred from the blood and the swelling.

"Away from you," she spat. "I should've hit you harder," she determined. "Just what did you think you were doing today?" she asked him. "I'd really like to know. You told me, in VERY explicit terms that you did NOT want to have anything to do with Jade, and then you show up here and expect me to trust you? To take you back?" She asked him, shaking her head.

"He'th my thon!" Richard yelled back, then cleared his sinuses and spat out black fluid--dried blood and mucus. "He belongs with his father! And I thought... I guess I thought we could pick up where we left off. I made a mistake, all right? When I said I didn't want you to be in my life, I was wrong, okay? I want a family, Pearl. I want my son to grow up knowing who his father is."

Pearl wished she had a wall she could use for support. Instead she locked her knees and stood there stiffly. She rubbed her face in her hands. "Richard," she said pleadingly. "You think you're going to make our lives better... You're just messing everything up! You don't love me, you never did, and I don't give a damn about you--especially not after today! Our last two encounters don't exactly put you high on my list." She scowled at him. "So find some other tramp to marry you and have your babies," she suggested. 

He crossed his arms and laid back on the straw cot. "Leave, Pearl," he said, his voice casual. "Go back to your gyppo and screw him hard. But you know that you'll never be able to feel him inside you without thinking of me." With that, he spat again and closed his eyes.

Pearl kicked his cell door again and pulled something out of her pocket and threw it at him. It was one of the toys he'd given Jade. She snorted at him and left, fuming.

After she had gone, Richard rolled over, and got up to collect the toy. He'd be giving it back to his son, and there wasn't anything that wretch could do to stop him.

Hours later, the guards released him with a strict warning not to come back to this town any time soon. An order Richard would be disobeying.

Pearl was shivering when she got back to Hamnet's house. The festival was long over and there was trash in the streets. She pulled her cloak tighter around her, but even though the air was cold, the chill was inside her. Richard was more dangerous than he let on back there. It would be a big mistake to under estimate him now.

Their hosts had encouraged them to stay, and they had agreed--none of them wanted to be separated right now. Artemis had already become jumpy, she knew Richard as well, and Liam had been resting most of the afternoon so she wasn't really sure what he was thinking now. Jade was sad and wary about all of the grown-ups, and upset that he wasn't allowed to go outside and play. Pearl reached the house and entered slowly.

Liam was sitting in the main room, upright and alert, though one of his eyes was well on it's way to swelling shut and there was a nasty bruise on his jaw. He'd be okay, though. Jade was sitting on the opposite side of the room, still sulking. Hamnet and Rosa were back in the kitchen, preparing something in the way of dinner for their guests. Artemis was around somewhere.

Pearl shut the door and looked around. She removed her cloak and went to sit next to Jade. She was very worried about the effect that fight had had on him. He had always been such a cheerful boy. She had taken his toy, if the festival wasn't over she would have bought him another. She smiled at him carefully and gave him the slightest hug. "We'll go home tomorrow, sweetie. And everything will go back to normal," she said. And it would--eventually. Until the day Richard deigned to show up again...

"When's daddy coming home?" Jade demanded, though he accepted the hug from his mother, and remained leaning against her. "He's never coming home now, is he?"

Liam sighed, wishing there was some way Jade could understand. He let Pearl respond though. There was nothing he could say, and probably it would be better if he said nothing at all.

Pearl sighed. She had tried to tell him before that his father wasn't safe, none of what she said seemed to have stuck. He loved his father blindly, childishly. She expected nothing less. The fight would not be enough to show Jade how bad his father was, because Liam had fought as well and Jade would not understand the difference. It was possible that Richard might show up again, as soon as he was released even--which is what scared her. She wanted Jade to never want to see his father again, but it was too much to hope for. She had some thinking to do. If he hadn't been such a monster today she would certainly have considered letting him see Jade, though she never would have married him. "Maybe," was all she said, letting him interpret it any way he wished. She was tired. Her eyes flicked up to Liam's briefly. Richard could hurt them all so badly... She wished she knew what form his revenge would take. She gave Jade a squeeze and whispered as inaudibly as she could, "I'm sorry," and leaned her head against the wall behind her, looking up at the ceiling.

Jade looked up at his mother, and then hugged her close. He still didn't understand, but it seemed like his questions about Daddy made her sad. He resolved not to whine and not to ask about him again, so she wouldn't be sad. "I love you, mommy," he said with something of a desperate air, as if he wasn't sure that she would reply in kind.

Liam looked over at them through his not-swollen eye, a little sad, and angry at himself now for mucking things up as badly as he had. Yes, the twat had insulted Pearl. Yes, he had asked for it, but Liam was better at keeping his temper than that. He was man enough to admit that he really hadn't been fighting Richard because of the man's actions as much as the fact that Liam himself had acted much the same way with Connor, and his child had paid the price. Beating Richard was punishing the man, and Liam himself for the same action. That was why he was so furious. Without speaking a word, Liam got to his feet and walked outside to relieve his bladder and let the cool air ruffle his hair.

Pearl smiled at him. Her eyes were glossy. "I love you too, Jade," she said softly, hugging him back. She kissed him on the forehead and then squeezed him tight. But after a second she released him and let him settle down next to her. She rested her hand on the top of his head and stared forward. She had a wonderful son. She doubted herself a lot, but when it really came down to it she loved her son and it made up for the things she did wrong. And it helped that Jade was young and cheerful. She wanted him to stay that way. She had seen so many bad things in her life, she hoped he never would.

She turned and looked at Jade seriously. "How do you feel about Liam?" she asked him. She needed to know. She was not unhappy with him for fighting Richard, but it would've been better if that could have been avoided--easy to say now that Richard wasn't there antagonizing them.

"Well..." Jade burrowed into Pearl's arm. "I... He's scared me. Why did he hit Daddy? And why did Daddy hit him after he let go?" Jade didn't look up at his mother, staring at her knee. "He won't hit me, will he?"

Pearl nodded at his honesty. She gave him a comforting squeeze. "Liam?" she asked. "Liam would never hit you," she said. "He might spank you some day, but he wouldn't hit you." She felt very confident about that statement, but it forced her to realize what a very short time they had known each other. Maybe he was different underneath, more like Richard. He hadn't done a good job with his son. But she didn't really believe that. Liam was a good man, and he wouldn't ever hit Jade. Her thoughts returned to Jade and tried to explain. "Your daddy was being mean to us. When Liam stopped it was VERY bad for your dad to still hit him." But even still, a part of her felt awful for ruining the image of his father for him. She would've said that Richard loved him, but she didn't know that he did.

Jade still didn't really understand, but he was happy to know that Liam wouldn't hurt him. "Okay," he said softly, yawning. He closed his eyes, hugging his mother. After a few moments more, he fell asleep, exhausted by the events of the day.

Pearl sighed lightly. She could never tell how much her son really understood, or how to explain serious things to him more simply. She sat with him until he fell asleep, and enjoyed the quiet moment, with only the sounds of Hamnet in kitchen--Rosa came out to tell her that dinner was almost done. They had figured out the sleeping arrangements earlier so when she was sure he was asleep she picked him up and set him in his spot. She picked up two coats and slipped out the door.

She walked over to Liam. "I know you don't like the cold," she said after a moment, offering him the jacket he'd left inside.

Liam glanced down at her from his place in the tree above her. "It feels good on me face," he said softly, remaining turned slightly so Pearl wouldn't have to see his swollen, discolored face. Liam was quiet, his feet swinging slightly. "How is Jade?" he asked, though he didn't reach down for the coat.

Pearl lowered her arm and put on her coat, setting the other one aside. "He's fine," she said, turning to lean against the tree trunk, her face turned up so she could see him, though it was getting kind of dark. "We talked for a little while and he fell asleep." She paused for a moment. "I don't think he's mad at you or anything," she said, looking up at him.

"That's a relief, I suppose," he replied softly. He went quiet for a moment, and then glanced down at her. "Pearl, do you think a man can be forgiven?" he asked softly. "That there's such a thing as forgiveness?" He sighed, and then kicked off, falling out of the tree and landing silently a few feet in front of her in a low crouch. If he'd been thinking clearly, he would have remembered not to show-off his acrobatic skills like that, but he wasn't thinking.

Her eyebrows had risen at his leap, but it wasn't particularly unusual that he could land so well. She was quite good at climbing trees herself, in fact she had retreated up a tree during that first battle with Oriana where she'd earned the scar on her back for her other foolishness. She'd climbed trees most of her life.

She leaned her head against the tree tiredly and looked at the sky. She shrugged, but then her head turned and she looked at him thoughtfully. He could've meant anything by that comment--could've meant himself, Richard, or any man. She was inclined to think he meant himself. "Forgiven for what?" she asked, and paused. "Everything?" she supplied. She looked away and murmured, "Lately I've come to think it's a waste of energy to hold grudges," lately being the past few years of her life.

He looked at her, and for a full second, he considered telling her everything. "Sorry," he replied. "Forget it." He walked over to her, putting his arms around her and holding her tight. "I guess I'm just feeling a little depressed, and anxious about that ass coming back. I feel like we'll always be watching over our shoulders from now on... I hate that feeling." Considering I've had it my whole adult life... he didn't add.

Pearl frowned slightly at his words but let it go, and retreated to the comfort of his arms around her. She held him back, just wanting to let all conversation dwindle away. But she also wanted to talk. After a moment she let her arms hang more loosely around him and looked at his messed-up face. "I'm scared of that too," she agreed. "This is what he wanted us to feel like."

"We won't give in," he promised her, kissing her shoulder. "I gave him two hits for free. He won't get a third." Liam rested his forehead against her shoulder. "Pearl," he murmured softly, still not looking directly at her. "I love you."

Pearl smiled. Her face softened. She reached up, and turned his face gently with one hand and searched it with her eyes. Then the smile fixed itself there and blinked rapidly a few times. Then she kissed him, enveloping his lips in a long and sweet kiss. And when they pulled apart she reached up again and ran her fingers through his hair once. "Liam," she whispered, "I love you too."

Liam felt a goofy grin pull at his lips, even though that hurt a little, and he hugged her tight, pushing her tight against the tree-trunk. "Do you think they'd notice," he said softly, "if we didn't go back inside?" he teased, kissing her neck and nibbling at her ears. "Or if we made love right here?" He let his hands wander over her body lightly and playfully.

She shivered slightly, a smile spreading across her lips as well. Her body was responding to him more strongly than she would have liked. She swallowed. "Dinner's almost ready," she murmured. But her face was full of conflicting emotions, she didn't know if she could resist him. "Must we always do this so publicly?" she inquired half-heartedly, letting her cloak slip off her shoulders to the ground. She didn't even know if he was just being playful, but her body was already feeling a growing desire. She found she didn't want him to stop, but she cast her eyes about for some place a little more secluded.

Liam backed off, sensing her conflict, and his own desires. "We should wait until later tonight," he said, still close, though not as close as before. "When it's just us." He nibbled at her shoulder, groaning reluctantly. "Wouldn't want to give the gossips more to talk about," he muttered, sighing, and finally managing to pull away. "God, I want you, though," he murmured, sitting heavily on the ground a few feet away from her.

Pearl moaned quietly, barely managing to stop it from coming out as more of a whimper, her body wanted more. She realized she was panting and touched her racing heart. She stared at him those few feet away, on the ground in front of her. Then her mind took control again and she took a deep, shaky breath, and lightly said, "We'll just have to go to bed early... After all it has been a long, exhausting day..."

Liam glanced back at her and nodded. "Tonight, then," he agreed, groaning as he pushed himself up to his feet. "Dinner should be ready by now." He offered his arm to her, and stooped to pick up her cloak.

Once they were inside, Rosa looked over at them, and Hamnet snickered faintly. The pair of them and Artemis had already started the meal. "Well, we didn't expect to see you back," he replied casually. "Finish fast?" He flinched, and it was clear that he'd just been injured under the table.

"Finished talking, he meant," Rosa clarified.

Pearl shot a look at Artemis as she entered and took a seat. There was no keeping the faint blush from her face--she'd already been flushed from before. She saw Hamnet flinch and looked at Rosa sidelong. She smiled faintly at her own expense. "Finished talking," she agreed, fixing her plate solemnly, thinking though that comment could still apply even if we did do something. Hamnet was certainly not shy. Artemis could barely contain herself--after this long, crazy, awful day, she wanted to laugh. Pearl looked at her sharply.

Liam kept his gaze on his plate and let Pearl do the explaining. She always did a better job than he could manage, but Hamnet noticed. "Nothin' to say, Liam ol' boy?" the larger man teased.

Liam's smile was a little twisted. "Mouth hurts," he explained.

Hamnet nodded. "You look like a bloody clown, my friend. I can believe it. I suppose that puts a damper on things, doesn't it?" He flinched again.

"No worldly comments at the dinner-table," Rosa scolded.

Pearl smiled faintly again. Time to try a new tactic. She batted her lashes playfully. "I don't think he looks like a clown," though really she did. She leaned over her plate to put the food in her mouth and turned her head toward Liam, smiling still and raising her eyebrows. Lighten up, Liam, it's the only way to deal with gossip and teasing like this. Artemis couldn't contain herself anymore, she chuckled, and then she started laughing.

"Wait 'til yeh see me jugglin' act," he replied lightly, though he knew that they were completely correct. "But Pearl likes me ta look like this. Why, the first time we met, she threw a tankard of ale at me head and started a brawl that had me lookin' a might worse than this."

Hamnet smirked, but he could see from Pearl's form and personality, and the punch that had busted the jerk's nose, that this was undoubtably true.

Pearl looked surprised, but then she smiled--he had a point there. She smirked back at Hamnet and didn't deny starting that brawl.

"Is it true that you spent the night together in the stocks?" she asked, as if to confirm the bit of gossip that she'd heard from Pernelle.

Liam nodded. "True as snow in the winter, rain in the summer, and flowers in the spring," he confirmed, but his face darkened a moment. "Also true that the guards didn't feel terrible 'bout roughin' up a drunk who didn't give no cause for it."

Pearl had resumed eating, she was almost done. Her eyes flicked up to Rosa's face. Really, she was quite a gossiper, and now she could go around saying "They stayed at MY house. Slept in the SAME room too. Of course, I expected no less... Hamnet was just awful--he kept telling them what we were saying. They didn't even care! And they said they really did get thrown in the stocks for starting that brawl at the bar!" She caught the last bit of Liam's statement and patted his arm. She frowned slightly at the memory. "He fell asleep and didn't wake up right away so they kicked him," she winced, "broke some of his ribs." She removed her hand and started eating again, thinking back on that day, a six months ago.

Liam smiled faintly, pushing the thoughts of sweet vengance away. It really wouldn't be a good idea to sneak into the guard barracks just to lace their beer with a diarrhetic that made them spend the next day in the privvies... it was tempting though. A good farewell to the Highwayman. They might even have to get brown uniforms... "Bah, the Irish are always gettin' knocked about. Most times, it's our own fault. When it ain't..." Liam shrugged nonchalantly.

Hamnet nodded. "All the Irish I've met do enjoy their fighting," he agreed. "Though I'll also grant that the guards are getting a bit overzealous."

Rosa looked over at Pearl and then Artemis, biting her lip and feeling awkward. It was a lot easier not to worry about what you said about other people when you didn't know them. "So Pearl, what are you doing nowadays?" she asked, trying to lighten the conversation and not let the boys make everything so grim.

Pearl's eyes flicked up to her. She smiled, slightly. "I've been working with Horst--training horses." She nodded a little, and smiled a small smile.

"I've met Horst. He buys things at father's shop," she nodded. "Seems like a good man." She bit her lip, but there was one question she was dying to ask. "Can I ask you a rather awkward question?" she asked. "Do you know what's going on with Pernelle and this Roger fellow?"

Pearl nodded. "He is. Good enough to take pity on a qualified, if scandalous, woman and let her work for him," she said. She raised her eyebrows at Rosa's question and frowned despite herself. She glanced at Liam. After a long moment she turned to Rosa and forced a smile. "They're courting--Liam tells me Pernelle's thinking about marriage. If Roger had asked her already I think the whole town would know." She paused and took a steadying breath, and glanced at Liam again, and then looked between Rosa and Hamnet. "You've done so much for us already, but can you do me another favor?" she asked, setting down her fork and pushing her plate away, she was done. "Squash anything you hear about them that's really bad?" Artemis lifted her eyes and looked at Pearl thoughtfully and nodded at her slightly.

Rosa flushed, and then nodded. "Pernelle's been like a mother to me," she said. "I just wanted to know... I mean, well... She hasn't been around as much lately, I just..." She stared at the plate, wishing they were talking about guards and politics again.

Hamnet saw her discomfort. "Well, anyone want something more to eat? Some bread? It should be cool now..."

There's an idea--Pernelle for a mother. Pearl repressed a shudder at the thought. She looked at her plate and then at Liam and then at Hamnet and shook her head. "No," she paused, "Thanks anyway, I'm stuffed." She smiled at him and Rosa both. "It was delicious," she said with a nod, as she slid back her chair and stood. She pushed in her chair and then yawned. "I think I'll turn in," she said. "It's been such a long day..." She walked towards the guest room they'd given her. "Good night."

Liam watched her go, and then sighed, glancing over at Hamnet and Rosa. "Thank yeh both so much for what yeh've done," he said softly. "If there's ever anythin' I can do to repay yeh..."

Hamnet cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Not a word of that," he interrupted. "Folk should help each other. It was our pleasure." He grinned. "That's the good solid bed," he said with a lift of the eyebrows. "Doesn't squeak."

Liam smirked back even as Rosa turned scarlet. "That's good to know," he replied casually as he stood, and he gave Artemis a kiss on the temple. "Night, Moongirl," he said, and then moved to follow Pearl, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Artemis pulled a face at that nickname. And turned to Hamnet and Rosa and smiled at them. "Guess I'll turn in too," she said, pushing in her chair. "Need any help putting away these dishes?" she offered.

Rosa shook her head. "No, it's fine dear. You're a guest, after all." She smiled. "Goodnight.

Pearl was sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked up at Liam when he entered with an innocent expression on her face. "Whole room to ourselves... What could we possibly do in here for all that time?" she inquired, suggestively.

Liam grinned back, and walked over to the bed, sitting a little ways from her and pulling his boots off. "I can think of one thing," he said seductively. He pulled his feet up onto the bed, and then turned into the pillow. "I'm going to sleep," he informed her, but even with his eyes closed, he was still smiling.

Pearl watched him. She bit her lip and then she climbed onto the bed and laid on her side next to him, resisting the urge to sit on top of him instead. "Sleepy?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at him.

He opened one eye--the one that wasn't swollen shut, smirking. "Mmm-hmm!" he replied, sounding like Jade when someone asked if he liked cookies. "Don't want to do nothin' but sleep." He kept it up for one moment more, then rolled to face her. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her a little bit. "Come here," he urged, pulling her to sit atop his hips.

She grinned at him and moved to sit on him, hiking up her dress a bit. When she settled there she put her hands on either side of him and leaned forward for a kiss.

Liam kissed her, his hands resting on her hips. When their lips parted, he was panting. He reached up, toying with a curl of black hair that dangled by her face. "Yeh are so beautiful," he said softly, smiling with wonder and admiration spread across his face. "Pearl, will yeh say it again?" He awknowledged her confusion with a smile. "Say yeh love me? Please?"

Her face softened at that. Then she grinned. "I love you, Liam," she said. She kissed him quickly twice. And then she just couldn't take it anymore. She slid her hands under his shirt seductively and started to remove it.

Liam felt his heart try to flutter out of his chest, and he knew that no matter how tired he was, it would be a while yet before they went to sleep.

A little bit later that night...

Hamnet laid in his bed in the room next door to the guest room, which was on the opposite side of the house from Rosa's room--not that this had ever stopped her from crossing the distance in the dark of night. He'd spoken truthfully. The bed was completely solid and didn't squeak a peep. Unfortunately, the floor was all sorts of squeaky. He laid awake with a drowsy Rosa in his arms and smiled. He was happy for the couple next door. They were good pair. He wished them all the happiness in the world. They deserved it.

"Stop listening to them and go to sleep," Rosa's sleepy voice drifted up towards him.

"You're not going to tell anyone about this, are you?" he demanded in a tone of voice that seemed to say that she'd be kicked out of the bed if she answered 'yes.'

"Of course not," she replied. "They're good people... and not the only couple to enjoy each other's company before they wed."

Hamnet smiled, and kissed her. "This is true," he replied, yawning.



In a tavern a few towns away...

Richard growled at the bartender, who frowned, but delivered another tankard of ale. It was his sixth or seventh, though he’d lost track after three. “Motherf***ing Paddy bastard!” he snarled at his ale, as if it was the cause of his troubles. “Sh*t-faced gyppo!”

A man across the way walked over, sitting nearby. “Sounds like your upset about something,” he said casually, smiling as he offered a bottle of gin.

Richard snarled, though he accepted the bottle, upending half of it into the ale and then taking a swallow of the vile concoction. “That bastard, Liam. Who the hell does that f*cker think he is? Pearl is my woman, and Jade is my boy. My boy! He can take his stupid f*cking accent and go back to his motherf*cking Irishland!”

The man’s gaze grew a little more intent. “This gyppo, what does he look like?”

Richard sneered, liking the taste of his drink and downing a fourth of it. “Tallish. Sh*t-brown hair. Old f*cker. Hair’s going gray. Stupid lookin’.”

The man, Omin, glanced over his shoulder towards another figure that was shrouded in shadow. “What do you think?” he asked respectfully, his tone betraying his fear of the person in the shadows.

“It’s him,” the person confirmed. “He’s gotten stupid. We’ll catch him this time.” That person stood, and Omin recoiled. There was murder in those cool hazel eyes. “An’ this time, yer gonna die, Liam…” that person hissed.



Continued at Pearl and Liam 5