Broad Seas || One X One || Caebeeb and Pirate

[Okay, okay. You're right, I fixed it xP He needs to feel some competition anyway. It might motivate him to pursue true love XD]

Edward chuckled at Jackson's words. "Smart man. Knows his place. Well, I think you can humor us and at least enjoy what little time you do get in a place like this," he said, placing a hand on the pirate's shoulder and guiding him further into the house. "Besides, I'm sure dear Alice would hate it if you left without saying goodbye. She's rather sentimental that way." He stopped talking as they entered the dining room, a grand table stretching down the middle intended to seat a party of people. Four places were set at one end, a fifth one being put in place by a servant. Although it was the Marquis's house, it seemed Edward had taken over things during his stay. The prince gestured for Jackson to take a seat at the place setting that had recently been set before he took his place at the head of the table. The Marquis sat on his left having followed them into the dining room. "The women should be out any moment," the prince said, glancing toward a servant at the side. "So Jackson, what is it you do?" He'd hardly asked the question when Alice and her godmother entered. The girl's appearance had completely changed from when she had first entered through the door. Her hair, still a little damp from her bath, was falling in curls down her shoulders, shiny after it finally got brushed by something other than her fingers. She was wearing a yellowish gold dress that complimented her hair and eyes and her godmother had powdered her face to hide her newly gained freckles. Edward brightened when he saw his future bride and he rose from his seat to greet her. "My sweet Alice," he greeted her, falling to one knee before her and kissing her hand. "I worried for you while you were gone." Looking down at her hand, he frowned and rose to his feet. "Your ring?" She glanced down at her hand and an apologetic look crossed her features. "I'm sorry, Edward. It was taken from me." He shook his head, giving her a rather forced smile. "No matter. I'm sure you have been through much since your kidnapping. Here." He led her to the seat beside Jackson and pulled her chair out, waiting for her to sit before taking his seat. Alice looked to Jackson, offering him a smile. "I'm glad you stayed. I was worried you might leave before I said goodbye."

Alice frowned at Jackson's response, a little hurt by his comment. He seemed eager to leave. Had any of the time they had spent together meant anything to him in any way at all? He could at least have the decency to give her a proper goodbye. Falling silent, she looked down at her plate before lifting her gaze when food was brought to the table. Dinner proceeded from there with gossip about politics and war. Alice's godmother turned the conversation to the wedding, which happened to be a week away, and Alice was drawn into the conversation, although she was her usual quiet self and only spoke minimally. When dinner was over, Alice accompanied Jackson to the door, finally alone with him. She looked up at him, still feeling like the rift that had come between them was very present. "Thank you," she murmured softly, giving him a smile. "For everything. I hope your journey goes well, wherever you end up next." She hesitated a moment before kissing his cheek. "Goodbye, Jackson." She pressed her lips together, looking down at the ground and shifting her feet slightly. It felt odd to say farewell to him.

Alice looked up when he spoke, smiling softly at his comment referring to her shoe incident. There wasn't any chance of something like that happening again, but at least he was making some sort of last minute effort to patch up what was left of their friendship that had formed throughout their journey. When he turned to leave, she let out a soft sigh and turned away as well, taking a few steps toward the stairwell. She stopped short at his question, squeezing her eyes shut and clenching her fists. Exhaling slowly, she nodded, not turning to look at him. "It is an honor to be marrying his highness," she said firmly, although her voice lacked some of the emotion it should have had. She continued her progression up the stairs, never looking back after that. She didn't want him to see her doubts. She didn't really have a say in the marriage anyway, so she had no place to doubt the engagement. Making her way to her bedroom, she noticed that the hallway seemed devoid of servants which was unusual at this time in the evening. She reached the door to her room and pulled it open, stepping inside and pulling it closed. She leaned back against the closed door, letting out a soft, sad sigh. She didn't like saying goodbye to Jackson. A movement caught her eye and she lifted her gaze, thinking it was her maid coming to help her undress. However, she froze in place when she saw who was really standing there, a vengeful look in his eye.

[This is where I figured I would dramatically set it up for Shane to make his return XD]

[You are a mind reader XD]

Alice's eyes flicked from Shane to the dead maid and then back to Shane, swallowing slowly when she realized that he had every intention of killing her too. Despite how scared she was, the only visible sign of it was the quivering of her lip. If she had learned one thing on her previous adventure with the scoundrel of a pirate, it would be that it was best to remain calm and think through the situation rather than just succumbing to the fear and letting him do as he pleased. She clenched her jaw as he gestured to the window, making a wide arc around him to stay as far away as possible. Although Jackson had taught her a few basic self-defense techniques, she hardly believed in her abilities to handle the former captain. She saw that the ivy growing up the wall had provided a natural ladder leading to her window and she saw what he wanted her to do. Carefully, she climbed over the side of the balcony and made her way down the wall with much difficulty, the skirt of her dress constantly getting caught. When she reached the ground, she considered running, but she had a feeling the man could shoot her much faster than she could get away, so she slowly walked toward the drive, seeing Jackson through the leaves walking toward the end of her property. "Jackson," she called faintly, her voice quivering slightly with fear.

[Clearly I have no idea what I'm doing.]

Alice whimpered when Shane grabbed her, instinctively tipping her head back to avoid the sharp blade threatening her delicate throat. Her eyes fell on Jackson pleadingly, hoping he could somehow convince his brother to release her. She whimpered again as she felt the cold metal against her throat, trying to keep the tears at bay. He wasn't going to kill her yet; she didn't need to be afraid at the moment. She thought about how Jackson had held her similarly a few days ago, although this time it was the real feeling of adrenalin pumping through her veins. She couldn't do anything to escape without risking being hurt by the knife. His hold on her was too snug. She looked helplessly at Jackson, silently begging him to help her. There had to be something he could say or do. She flinched when Shane touched her, trying her best not to make any sounds of fear. "I don't know where Edward's soldiers are posted. But if you go through the east gardens, we should be covered. People rarely go to that side of the property."

Alice walked awkwardly forward, restricted by her tight shoes and Shane's iron grip. When they reached the edge of her property, she sighed inwardly. She had hoped they would have run into a guard or a soldier, even though she had been honest when she said that this was the less populated area of the property. She felt the knife disappear and she sighed in relief, her shoulders falling. However, her relief was short lived at the sound of a click distinctive to a gun. But nothing happened and she was pushed forward roughly into Jackson's arms. She collapsed against him, holding onto him tightly and letting out a sob. Although she was scared, she felt better being in his arms. She knew that, even if it was just for a moment, she was safe there. They started walking and she clung tightly to the man, her fingers digging into his shirt where she gripped him. She was afraid, but at least she had him. When he told her to run, she shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving you. He'll kill you."

Alice shook her head as he persisted in trying to get her to flee. She wouldn't run. She couldn't risk him getting hurt. She began to protest once more, although it died on her lips when Shane told them to be quiet. After a while, she was beginning to feel fatigued from the combination of the exertion, the heat, and her restricted breathing with the corset. Sweat was beading at her hairline and her breathing was starting to get heavier as they trudged on. She was relieved when Jackson stopped, although she was about to insist that he keep going to appease Shane when he spoke. "I'm really alright," she said, although her words were drowned out by Shane's question. "Please, can we keep going?" she said, trying in vain to calm things down before they escalated. They were too focused on each other to hear her soft voice. "Jackson, please st-" she started to say when he spoke, only to be cut off by the sound of the gun. She jumped, a squeak escaping her lips when she saw the blood blooming from Jackson's shoulder. "Oh my God," she whimpered, her hands going to her mouth before hesitantly going to Jackson's shoulder. She didn't know what to do. At Shane's order she turned to him in disbelief, tears already spilling out of her eyes. "He can't go on like that!" she cried, her tone pleading with him to be reasonable. She straightened as the gun was pointed threateningly once more and she sobbed. "Please don't. We'll go." She turned away from the cruel pirate, taking Jackson's uninjured arm to prompt him forward. They had no choice but to move. She was openly crying now, unable to combat the fear she had been trying so hard to suppress.

[Jeez Cae. All of your male characters get shot. You're so abusive.]

Alice looked down when she felt Jackson's hand in hers, returning his squeeze. She was comforted by the gesture, although it hardly took away from the gravity of the situation. By the time they reached the barn, she was exhausted. Her feet hurt from the long walk and her chest hurt from being unable to breathe properly. She was relieved that Shane was allowing them to stop. Walking inside, she looked around at the rather empty space. The hay bales looked enticing and Alice sat down beside Jackson, letting out an exhausted sigh. She looked up at him, worry creasing her forehead. "Is there anything I can do to help it?" she asked, her eyes falling to the red stain on his shirt.