Kidnapped Without ComplaintA Story by Nicole Im thinking of doing a whole rewrite with the same plot... This is the origial though and I really was just hoping to get feedback on the dialouge and plot line. Its the entire story so it is lengthy...
Prologue Alexander Graham Norcroft was the one who stole my heart. His kiss was the only one, which both quickened and slowed the pace of my heart, and his touch robbed me of all breath as my world stopped and spun faster then my mind, could comprehend. The thought of walking away from him was unbearable and the thought of him pushing me away was more then my mind or soul could go through. Though the latch of his heart was cold as metal, and hard as steel, I found with time my love would unnerve him and I was to be the object in which he could not control, no matter his strength.
Chapter 1 - 2 years earlier – " How much longer, papa? " Clarice Stephanie Augustus asked. " How much longer do you purpose to keep Molly and I shut up here on this island. There are no proper suitors! " She exclaimed. " Do not drag your sister into this, " Markus Augustus boomed at his eldest daughter. " She has no input towards it. " He said, now quietly. Having only two daughters and four sons, Markus was not inclined to many daughter-father conversations with either/or daughter. Clarice, being the oldest being the oldest of the six, was more inclined to speak out. She had more spunk then one person could have in the tip of their pinky finger. Jake, Nathen and Phillip came before Molly, and then there was little Tyler. Jake was the next one to be leader of 'August Winds.' His skill of household knowledge and the way he ran the house with a kind but strict manner was refreshing compared to other on Marlsburg. Having lost his wife, Amy, and being left with his five year old daughter, Glory, Jake was not the same man that Molly and her other siblings had grown up with. Nathen was the brains. He used intellect and cool skill to solve problems and think through everyday life. Phillip was a bit of both. When you needed to have an ear to listen for you, or a shoulder to lean on, there was Phillip. Ready and willing, Phillip was always there for Molly, or anyone else who needed a friend, ready to give advice. He wasn't what many would call the settling type, but Molly considered him her greatest companion. And the last son of Marcus Scott Augustus, was little Tyler Evens Augustus. At age four, Tyler was without a true mother. During the struggling birth, Karen Marie Augustus could barely hang onto life. Her last words were, " Name him Tyler," Before her eyes closed on the world, never to open again. She had been much too old for childbirth and she was sorely missed after her passing. Molly had been fifteen years old when her mother passed, and she just recently had her nineteen years of life celebration. When Tyler had been born, Molly looked after him as if he was her life, and she was fine with the life style. Clarice, however, wanted change. " She needs a chance as much as I do to find a suitable husband." Clarice said, angrily, yet quietly. Molly walked into the house as Clarice and her father were glaring at each other " What's going on?" She asked, Tyler walking besides Molly, holding her hand, while his free thumb occupied his mouth. Her father shot her a quick glance. " It tis none of your concern." Markus spat out, returning his gaze back to Clarice, whose eyes began to cloud with fury. " It does concern her, it concerns the both of us." She said, walking over to Molly now. Tyler seemed to sink into Molly's riding habit as his eldest sibling made her way towards them. " Tell papa you wish to go to Aunt Patty's with I, Molly." Clarice said, her eyes somewhat pleadingly. " It would be an adventure, " Molly said hesitantly," but I don't wish to leave if I am needed." She said, hoping her answer would not start another round about of shouts. She was wrong, only this time it was directed towards her person. " Molly!? How could you sit here, how could you ruin my life? All you had to say is that you would love to go accompany me, but I suppose that, even is to difficult for you." Clarice started madly. Her nostrils had flared she was so angry. " Hold your tongue!" Both girls jumped as their father barked out his order. With one last look at Molly, Clarice left the room. Molly had to fight back tears. 'Oh shoot' she said as she went down to hug a shaking Tyler.
Chapter 2 Two days had passed since the argument in the entrance hall, and Clarice still refused to speak to Molly. It made sharing a room and bed difficult, but Clarice didn't seem to mind. Though Molly had apologized a million times over, it made no difference. So Molly decided it was time to take action. After standing outside her father's study for at least a quarter of an hour, she finally rapped her knuckles upon the door. " It’s open." She heard her father call, before a rustling of papers. Taking a deep breath, Molly opened the door. She held up her head and entered the room. Her father looked up just as his daughter closed the door behind her. " Molly? I was not expecting you. What is it?" Her father asked. He seemed to think something was terribly wrong. " It's not of urgent care, father, I just wish to... exchange words with you." Molly said nervously. Her father raised an eyebrow. He motioned for her to sit down, but Molly politely declined. " It is just that... well you see...,," She began weakly, " I think it would be a good idea if I accompanied Clarice to Aunt Patty's after all." Molly said. She waited for her father to explode, but he merely sat there. " Did your sister put you up to this? Has she threatened you if you did not come to me?" He asked suddenly, making Molly gasp at his outrageous question. " No father." She said, shocked he would believe it, even were it to be true. " Then why the change of heart daughter? Why would you wish to leave Marlsburg to travel across the seas to London?" He asked. Leaning back in his chair, with his hands supporting his chin, he waited for her voice level as she spoke. " Clarice is unhappy here, she longs for London, papa. My life is fine here but I would gladly go to London as an escort for a season, and come back to my life if my sister will be happy." Molly knew her father would not be happy with should she have lied, so Molly came as close to the truth as possible. " So it tis' really your sister who put you up to this?" Her father asked. Molly lowered her head, not able to answer her father’s question. " I see. And what of your youngest brother? You would leave him as well?" He asked. Tyler had been Molly's only roadblock. " Only if you would have it so." She said, almost a whisper. At the thought of leaving her brother behind, Molly's eyes teared. " You would expect to take him with you? to London?" Her father asked, "Preposterous. I will not hear of the idea." He said. Molly was now choking back a wave of tears. " Though, I will allow you to escort your sister." He said after a moment’s hesitation. Molly dared to look into his eyes for a brief moment, before her head hung low once more. " Thank you, father." Molly said, barely audible. " If you will be ready you shall depart two days hence of now. I will put the plans together." He then began shuffling papers about on his desk, as a warning to Molly that their conversation was over. After quietly exiting herself from the room, Molly ran. She ran to the garden behind the house and quietly wept.
Chapter 3 " This is so exciting, don't you agree Molly?" Clarice asked as she, Molly, and Nathen sat in the back of the family carriage, driving to the dock to board the 'Sky Flyer.' Molly continued to stare out the window as she had since leaving the house, fearing the moisture that hung upon the bottom of her eyes would be noticed, or the shake of her breath would be evident should she try to speak. " We are nearly there." Nathen announced, saving Molly the need to answer. Clarice turned her attention back out the window with a gleeful shriek. " Oh they are pretty." She said, addressing the ships, which lined the dock. When the carriage stopped, Nathen descended from the carriage to assist an excited Clarice first, and then Molly. Nathen wrapped his arms around Molly, and she could barely stop the tears that clouded her eyes. " Travel safely, sister." He whispered. He released her so suddenly, Molly had to stumble before regaining her balance. As if she were going to fall, a pair of arms grabbed her waste. " Careful, " The strong masculine voice said. He was holding her against his chest, firmly yet delicately. Molly's breathing nearly stopped. It seemed like forever before he let her go, but in the moment he held her, reality disappeared and her life became one large fantasy. " Molly?" She heard Clarice call from what seemed miles. She didn't acknowledge the call until she heard her brother call. " Molly, where are you?" Nathen called. " I’m sorry." Molly starting to back far enough away, he pulled her back towards his person and lowered his mouth towards hers. Their lips met in a sweet, soft union, only lasting a moment, but causing the world Molly's feet stood upon slow to the one second it took. " Till next we meet?" He asked with a smile upon his lips because of the dazed expression Molly's eyes were playing." And don't fret, my dear, for we shall meet again." * * * " What has gotten into you Molly? You are not yourself." Clarice commented as the two stood on deck of the 'Sky Flyer', sailing further and further from home, and closer to London. " You know not what you speak of." Molly said lightly. A quick look at her sister confirmed the doubt Molly was sure her sister felt, but Molly knew not how to explain to her sister, the actions which took place the very same morning as the day they stood sailing in the afternoon. " If you say so." Clarice said, " I wish to retire for the evening. Will you be long?" She asked. Thankful her sister understood her need to be alone, she shook her head. With a goodnight, Clarice left her sister to her thoughts of the man she could feel such away about a male, especially for a man she didn't even have a name for. She also didn't understand why her every thought of the day had involved the brown-haired, blue-eyed man with no name. She knew it was ridiculous , the way she was feeling for him, but she couldn't deny the attraction she felt for him. " Oh well," She said to herself, " I suppose I won't be seeing him anytime soon." And she begun walking to the cabin she and her sister shared for the trip, not knowing how wrong she really was.
Chapter 4 Alex had watched her walk away on his promise. What was a gentle breeding women such as her doing wondering around the docks? He asked himself as he boarded his own ship, the Fiery, and his seconded- handed, and best of friends, Kevin Daniels was already heading his way. " What took you so long?" Kevin asked. Alex shrugged, not wanting to get into with his friend at that moment. " We ready to sail?" He asked instead. Being captain, Alex loved using his ship and her progress as an excuse to change the subject at his will. Kevin only smiled, when he did this, cause it meant he would get his answer sooner or later. " Just finishin the loaden of some of our plunder for a pay off. The boys were startin to grow restless, so once your ready, so should they be." Kevin told his captain. Alex nodded his approval and looked out towards the horizon. " What ship is that headin out now?" Alex asked his friend. Kevin joined Alex's side and watched just as Alex had. " That would be captain Ozark's the Sky Flyer." Kevin said. " Why do you ask?" Alex knew his friend wanted answers,but Kev. would be disappointed once again. No really answer was forth coming. " I think I'm ready to sail, Kev." Alex said. And with a moment’s hesitation, Kevin started barking orders at the crew. Alex smiled. * * * " Look Alive, folks." Molly awoke to an uproar from above her. Quickly dressing and awaking Clarice, so she could do the same, Molly ran out the cabin's door and right into trouble. " They’re gaining on us, cap'n." One man shouted. " Lord save us from these devils!" Another man prayed. " Miss Augustus?! You should go back below." A lad told her with fright heavily clouding his eyes. " Wh...What’s going on?" She asked, instead. The boy hesitated before speaking. " It the devils em' self Miss. Molly, comin. straight from hell to take us." He said, only loud enough for her to hear. " What?" Molly asked, fear, no doubt, lacing her voice as though she were made of silk. " Pirates." The boy said. Before he could say more, Molly felt someone grab her shoulders and she jumped a mile high. " Molly? What's going on?" Clarice asked. Molly threw her arms around her sister before quickly pulling away. "We must hide." She said, turning and pushing Clarice back towards the cabin. Her sister did not fight her, but continued asking questions. " What are you talking about?" She asked, " Why? " Molly did not answer, but silently prayed. 'God help us.' She repeated over and over in her mind. When coming to the bottom of the stairs to the bottom of the ship or hide in the cabin. She took to long, she realized, as she felt a hand grab her shoulder. She released Clarice and was about to scream when her capturer twirled her around. She gasped. " You?" She asked almost breathless. He smiled and her knees went weak. He took the opportunity to throw her over his shoulder. After getting over the shock of what he had just done, Molly started pounding on his back. " Release me!" She shouted at him. He did not do as she told, but rather, he chuckled. " It's no that easy." He said. He kept walking away from the cabin, further and further. He kept going farther then the ship after that, and the next thing Molly knew, she wasn't on the Sky Flyer anymore.
Chapter 5 " Let me go!, Please?!" Molly pleaded as the man continued to carry her. " Not yet." He said, seeming to endlessly walk on. " You don't think " Please?" She asked in a whisper he had to strain to hear. He stopped and put her feet to the floor. If he had not positioned himself in the way she needed to go in order to get back on deck, Molly would have started running. " Not yet." He said, seeming to endlessly walk on. " You don't think I'd come after you just to take you back, now do you?" He asked her. Molly gave up the struggle against him and held her tears at bay. " Please? " She asked in a whisper he had to strain to hear. He stopped and put her feet to the floor. If he had not positioned himself in the way she needed to go in order to get back on deck, Molly would have started running. " Do you know who I am?" He asked. She shook her head no, waiting for him to go on. " I am Captain Alexander Norcroft, of the Fiery." He said. Molly gasped. " It can not be true." She said. " So you do know me?" Alex asked. " Nay, sir. I know of you." Molly told him hotly. How dare he kidnap her?!?!? " There is no difference." He said lightly, beginning to force her down the hall by her shoulders. Her feet moved against her will. " I beg to differ. with you, sir." Molly said still straining, or at least trying. " Of course you do." He said, coming to a stop. Molly turned and glared up at him. " What is that supposed to mean?" She asked. He pushed open a cabin door before answering. "Just as I said, "He said, " Of course you do." His head had descended downwards. His lips claimed hers, heating her face and making her stomach flutter. Her knees went weak and if he had not brought his hands to her back, as to support her, she would have fallen. " Now, are you finished ranting and raving?" He whispered as his head moved away, putting distance between her lips and his. " Uh-huh." She said, barely able to breath. He smiled at the dreamy __expression her eyes shown. " Good, in here." He said, pushing her in the open door. And with a frightened shriek, she was thrown into complete darkness. * * * " Wh...Wh...What’s going on?" Molly's voice shook. A candle lit some distance away, but it was not Alex holding it on the other end. " Captain Norcroft?" Molly called as the man with the candle came closer. " No need to worry, lassie. Only doing what the cap'n been orderin of me." He said. " What pre...precisely has the captain ordered of you?" Her voice shook. The man holding the candle lowered his hand and the room was luminated. " I be preparin your quarters. I hope you find ever thing you need." He said. Molly's knee nearly buckled as he said this. " And, wh...what am I to do? precisely." She asked, still a bit shaky. The man shrugged. " I'm just told what to be doin, your ladyship, not what others are supposed to be doin." He went to leave. " Wait!" Molly almost shouted. He turned raising a questionable eyebrow." What is your name?" She asked him. He smiled. " Derek, mum." He said, proudly. He turned then and left the room. " Thank you, Derek." She called to the door.
Chapter 6 " Are you damn crazy?" Kevin shouted. Alex wasn't even really listening to his friend. " You don't even really listening to his friend. " You don't even know the chit! For all we could know she could have a rich b*****d for a father, and here you go, just taking her as you please! Have you any idea of what you've just done?!" Kevin had been pacing the cabin, as Alex sat behind his desk and looked down into his brandy glass, smiling. " She's amazing, Kev., I hope you get to meet her. She has a hot-temper, but seems very reserved." Alex said, still continuing to stare. " You haven't heard a damn word I've said, have you?" Kevin asked. Alex looked over at him now. " What?" He asked. Kevin nearly jumped across the desk to strangle his captain, until he laughed. " Settle down, Kev.. I have heard every word you have said, I just don't give a damn." Alex walked to the pantry where he kept all his liquor and grabbed down his whiskey decanter. " Well, you should." Kevin told him, sitting in the chair opposite the desk. Alex handed him one of the two glasses, filled with the amber liquid." You could hang for this, you know, kidnapping the daughter of a rich man." Alex raised an eyebrow. " And you know for certain she has a great expanse of riches?" He asked. Kevin opened his mouth, and then, because he didn't have a certain answer, he closed it again. "So I gathered." Alex said with a chuckle. He finished off his whiskey as a knock sounded at the door. " Enter." Kevin called as Alex let the liquid find it's way to his stomach. " Cap'n?" A pirate by the name of Stevens, called from the doorway. " Aye?" Alex asked. For a moment, Stevens hesitated, " Well, spit it out, man." Alex barked. Stevens gulped and shuffled on his feet before speaking. " Seems we have a problem." He said. * * * " What the hell do you think your doing?" She heard his voice, rather than heard him approaching. " What the hell does it look like I'm doing?" Molly yelled back at him. He stopped, stunned at her words, before looking angry, then amused. "Do you plan on jumping?" He asked. Molly stood on the rail of the ships deck, where the sea flowed not to far from her feet. She had not been planning to jump, exactly, she just planned on getting some prospective. " Perhaps I just may." She said instead, raising her chin. God how he wanted to kiss her. " Alright, then, go on. Jump." He said. He watched as she looked from the sea to him, shocked. "Just as I believed. You will not. Now, come down from there. " He said. He even raised his hand to assist her. At that moment, without knowing what others would think unthinkable. She jumped off the edge of a moving ship away from the notorious captain Norcroft, against his distinct orders.
Chapter 7 He was stunned! She had actually jumped. The men ran to the side to see what happened to her. Alex was among them, and when he saw her head pop up over the waters edge, he backed away and started walking away. " Captain!" Derek called from where he stood. " Oh, alright." He said walking back and mumbling about troublesome women as he took off his boots, hat and jacket, throwing them into one of the men’s arms as he dove over the rail of the ship gracefully as Kevin began barking out orders. " Alright, men, look alive. Gotta get the cap't out." He shouted as men began to scatter. " Ye know what to do." He shouted. By then Alex had caught up with Molly. " Quit struggling you fool, you've caused enough trouble." He said, between breaths. She stopped moving. " You've brought it all upon yourself, though." She could barely get the words out. " I did? Women you are impossible!" He exclaimed as he saw the row boat heading in there direction. Alex started swimming towards it, letting go of his captive, who began to sink. " Damn. " Alex muttered, and dived downwards to assist her. They came to the surface, both gasping for air to fill their lungs. "There thee be." The voice came from the row boat. In seconds, hands helped both Alex and Molly into the tiny boat, and each given a blanket for their shoulders. No one spoke until his or her arrival upon the Fiery. " Come with me." He said, grabbing her arm and nearly dragged her with him. " Will you please slow down?!" She asked after they were out of the crew’s sight. She tried to pull her arm from his grasp, but failed and continued to be forced his way. " In here. " He commanded, opening the door and pushing her in. They were in the captain’s quarters. As soon as he had closed the door and turned the key in the lock, he grabbed Molly against his wet clothes and claimed her mouth. * * * " What the hell did you think you were doing?" He barked as his lips moved away from hers. " Your foolishness could have cost you your life. You realize you also risked my life by your own stupidity?!" He exaggerated. " And your carelessness has.... " He came to a stop as she began laughing. " May I ask what you find so amusing?" He asked angrily. " I'm sorry. " She said, trying not to laugh. And then, just to surprise him, she wrapped her arms around his neck quickly. " What has gotten into you? " He asked her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, a smile playing on her lips. " How do you know, my dear dashing pirate, that this is not me? You hardly know me." She said. " That is not true." He said, weakly. She raised an eyebrow. " Then answer me this, pirate. What is my given name from the day I took my first breath of air?" She asked, still with that silly as sin smile playing upon her kissable lips. " What day do I celebrate the day in which my eyes first drank in the sight of this very earth we live on?" She continued. The smile faded from her lips as her next question was asked, " And what is the one thing I'd give my life for?" Alex stepped closer once again. " That last one is the easiest." He whispered. "You'd give your life for love."
Chapter 8 It had been twenty-four hours since Molly had jumped off of Alex's ship. She had been thinking about what he had said in the cabin after words. He had been right. She would give her life for love, but she was afraid she was falling for a dangerous man. The captain made her feel emotions she thought would never exist. Derek had become her friend, the one who sat and talked with her while the captain was preoccupied. A week after the jumping incident was the first time Molly was shaken out of her imaginative vacation. Though the Fiery was the best pirating vessel on the water, it did not stop other ships from trying to seize the vessel. Alex sat with Molly, watching the stars as the Fiery sailed gracefully through the serene sea. " There are so many." Molly commented. Alex smiled at the amazement she found in such small things. She brought such joy to everything she saw. When Alex said nothing, Molly looked over at him. Their eyes met and she could read the want clouded there. She moved closer, daringly, so as to look out at the sea as she was held in his arms. " Molly. " He ground out. She leaned closer and closed her eyes. " Hmm? " She muttered. His arms wrapped around her tighter and he sighed. " You could be the death of me." He whispered into her ear, sending a wave of shivers down her around so she was facing him, and she smiled. " I hope not." She whispered, and his lips started towards hers, until he felt her stiffen. " What is it? " He asked. Molly then felt his spine straiten as he looked behind her. " Sorry to break up ye love-er-ly union, cap'n, but if ye be king enough to realize er ladyship ere, no harm needs be done. " A new voice interrupted. " Martin? is that you?" Alex asked. " Aye, cap'n Norcroft." The man named Martin responded. Alex's mouth would have dropped open had he not been accustomed to odd happenings. " What happened to you? I haven't seen you since you were just a boy." Alex said, trying to move Molly to the side. " Ah-Ah-Ah. Not a smart move, cap'n. The last time you be seen me, you was given me off to some gent so as I could have the life I never so much as wanted." Martin said as he clicked the bullet of the gun into it's hole in the barrel. Alex froze. " So why involve the lady when tis really betwinst the two of us men?" He asked, his voice sounding somewhat nervous if Molly was correct. " Well, ye see cap'n Norcroft, there happens to be quite a sum this here lady be wortfh, and I collectian seems like a good idea, if ye catch my drift." Alex saw Martin wink. " I see." Alex said, noting how Martian was slowly pulling Molly backwards, his gun aimed at Molly. He had to stop Martian, but how? Molly gave him the opportunity as she repeated the same act she had before. Upon reaching the rail of the deck, Molly threw herself over the edge after thrusting her elbow into Martin's middle. Alex saw Kevin out of the side of his eye in the shadows behind Martin, and just as Martin turned back from the rail, Kevin punched him in the nose, and Alex ran to the edge of the ship, and this time with no hesitation dove in the icy cold water.
Chapter 9 It took approximately five minutes of holding onto the side of the ship before Alex and Molly were rescued. " Good thin we put that there rung where we did after all." Kevin said as Alex climbed back aboard after Molly. Her body was shaking from the cold and Alex could her teeth as they hit each other with click-clank sound. " Are you alright?" He asked ignoring his friends comment. Molly nodded. " I...I...I'm fine Al... Alex." She mumbled. " G...G...Go. I'll make du...due." She said, looking his eyes. He kissed her quickly. " I'll come to you in half an hour. Wait for me?" He asked, rather then commanded. She nodded and he handed her off to Derek so she could get safely to her cabin." Where did you put him?" Alex asked Kevin. He was frowning, but answered nevertheless. " Below, just like any other would be placed." He said. Alex began the walk to the ships lock ups, Kevin behind him. " And the ship he got here on?" Alex asked. Kevin would have chuckled had the matter not have been so damn serious. " Left the fool after he got aboard. Found most of all the crew tied up before I found the mastermind himself on deck with you, so I suppose they were supposed to be waiting on him." Kevin said. " Poor b*****d. He was a goner either way." Kevin added. By the time Kevin finally finished explaining, they had reached the lock- up. Upon entering, Alex saw Martian tied by both hands and feet, side ways on the wooden floor. Glad that the cell's gate blocked him from murdering the man on sight, Alex reminded himself Molly was fine. " What have you to say for yourself?" Alex asked. Martin merely looked away. * * * Alex came within the half hour as he promised and Molly was in his embrace only seconds after he walked in. His arms wrapped around her and she wept openly into his changed shirt. Her tears were as if hot coals were being thrown on top of his chest, making him wince at every sob, every tear that touched his skin. He picked her up and laid her lightly upon the bed, He kneeled besides her bed and rubbed the back of her neck as her tears came to a slow halt. " Oh, Alex. I was so scared." She whispered. He shushed her. "It's alright now, sweetheart. Your safe, I'm here now." He said. It broke his heart that he couldn't stop her tears, which flowed slowly down her cheeks and into his palm. He once more felt the pain as if a hot iron was being settled upon his flesh. He said naught of this, yet sat quietly, waiting for her tears to subside and for sleep to overcome her. " Alex?" He heard her sweet voice, though it was barely a whisper. " What is it, Love?" Alex asked. He waited. It seemed like hours before she finally spoke. " Share my bed."
Chapter 10 Alex awoke with a lazy grin. He rolled over in the bed he and Molly had been sharing for the past while, ever since the night Martin tried to take her, but found the bed besides him empty. " What the hell?" He muttered as he retrieved each piece of clothing needed from the floor, and rushing out of the cabin. He walked on deck and saw that they had made port. " Alex!?" Kevin exclaimed questionably. " Where the hell are we?" He asked, looking around, " and where is Molly?" He was afraid she may have left, but let that thought slip away as he remembered the previous night, and some before that. " We made port in Cainsville not even ten minutes ago, " Kevin told him, " and I haven't seen your lady friend since this morning leaving your quarters if I may be exact." Kevin said, uninterested. " Thanks anyways." Alex said sarcastically. He saw Derek running towards them then, holding his head as if he was suffering a great pain. " Captain, ye need ta hurry. He's escaped, and he's taken Miss. Molly." Derek said as he ran towards them. Alex could not move, he seemed stuck to the one spot. " He said he'd be commin back for ye after he be done deliverin her, that was afore he knocked me out, cap'n, but I swear to ye I was tryin to save 'er." Derek added. " Son of a..." Alex muttered. His feet finally put themselves into motion and he ran off the ship, intent on finding where Martin had gone. * * * " Come Along now." Martin commanded. He had Molly tied around her wrists. She dragged her feet, which only made Martin pull on to the end of the rope he was holding even harder. " What’s this now?" asked the ship captain. Martian smiled. " We heard ye be travlin' to Marlsburg." He said. The captain raised an eyebrow. " Aye that I am." He said, after hesitating only a moment, to caught up in his own curiosity. " Well this here is the missing Augustus daughter. Perhaps you 'eard of 'er?" Martin asked the man. " Well, blow my whistle," said the captain, "But why is it you got her all tied up . You are trying to take her home, aren't ya?" he asked. " I reckon it'd be easier if home was where she wanted to be goin'." Martian said, shrugging him off. " You mean to tell me your forcen her home?" The captain seemed amazed by the thought. " Well, her pa said to be bringing her home. What have you I do?" Martin asked. The captain said nothin, merely moving aside so that Martin could pass and drag Molly with him. ' What am I going to do?' She asked her self. " You got someplace we can lock her up?" Martian asked. Molly became infuriated. " I will not be locked up like some common thief. I demand you untie me this instance." Molly said out loud to no one in particular, but it was of course her captor who answered. " I don't think so, puppet. I don’t think so." He said. * * * " Let me out of here." Molly yelled for the millionth time, it seemed, that day. When there was no answer she went over to the bed and sat down, wrinkling the clean, made bed. As her thoughts began to travel she let them settle on the night before and all the other thoughts she had of Alex. How her heart ached for his arms to wrap around her. He had looked like an angel the very morning. His brown hair had been a bit tumbled and his baby soft lips parted ever so slightly. She had left before he awoke, and now only wished she had lain abed just awhile longer. She heard a rustling outside the door. Someone was coming in! She grabbed the fire poker from near the bed and positioned herself where you could not easily see her. As the door creaked open, rather loudly, she swung the rod at the character. She knew she had made contact as she heard a string of very familiar curses. " Oh good lord, Molly, what'd you have to do that for?" She heard him ask, as her breathing stopped a moment. " Alex?" She called from her hiding spot.
Chapter 11 " No, damn you. I'm the devil himself rising from the depths of Hell to take you away." He replied sarcastically, walking into the room, his hand rubbing his head. " I'll be damned if I don't die trying to save your neck from one thing or another." He said. " Oh, Alex!" Molly exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. " Oh, no you don't, women." He said, pulling her away from him, through not far enough to not hold her. " You will answer for this." He told her. " If you had just been there this morn. when I had awoken, none of this would have happened." Molly was nearly ready to slap him. " No, you will not blame me, Captain Norcroft." She said, exaggerating the word captain. Alex rolled his eyes and turned to walk back where he came from, mumbling about crazy, unappreciative females. " Don't turn your back to me Alexander Norcroft." She called to him, using his longer, given name. " We are not done discussing this." She told him. " Yes, we are. For now." He shouted down as he continued walking. Molly raced after him. " Oh, aren't we in a huff. What did you do?" She began somewhat mockingly, " Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" She continued. Alex stopped and turned, pulling her closer to him, so close she could feel the air exiting as he was breathing in oxygen. " As a matter of fact, no. But I did wake up to one half of my bed empty and the women who was supposed to be occupying it gone." He said. She was sure she could hear a bit of his voice sounding as though he had been worried, even if it did seem to be fading. " So you will have to excuse my extremely poor mood." He told her before his head, meeting his lips to hers just as soon as he words left his lips. Molly sighed with contentment and moved closer. Caught up in the moment that the two of them shared, they could barely here the small 'he-hem,' come from the top of the stairway. " All sets captain." Kevin said, his voice showing no emotion but sounding very cold. He left before hearing a reply from Alex. " We'll finish this discussion later." Alex murmured. Molly smiled and looked up at him. " I certainly hope so." She whispered back to him. He groaned. " Do not twist this around and play with it anymore then need be." He said before stepping back and beginning to walk up the set of stairs. Molly smiled when he did not release her hand. She had won.
Chapter 12 A Week later, Molly had taken a turn for the worst. Her pain was more then Alex could bear. Derek would take her a meal during the day and when he brought it back out, the tray looked as full as when he had gone in there. On the occasion Alex traveled into her room she would be sleeping. He would sit next to her bed and hold her burning palm in his hand. A single tear flowed down his cheek only once after Molly had not awoken a half week later. Her heartbeat was slow, scary, seeming on the line of continuing on or stopping all together. Thomas Canon, the only man experienced in medicine, put a serum to her lips twice a day. " What is her condition, Canon? Will she survive?" Alex asked after the first time Thomas had gone into inspect her situation. " I've never seen a fever like this, captain." He said gravely, " But she could survive, I'm sure. It all counts on her strength." He told Alex, who nodded slightly. " Yes, I suppose your right." Alex said, though his eyes kept to the floor, his head sat high upon his shoulders, as they had since long before he could remember. He murmured a thank you and Canon left. " What are you going to do?" Kevin asked from where he stood at the side. Alex could say nothing because he did not know what to do. He felt helpless, for the first time since anyone on his crew had asked him a question, Alex could not answer. * * * The room was dark as Alex entered. He went to the bed slowly, knowing that Molly would not wake up at that very moment and be the bright, beautiful, full of life women she had been from the first day he laid eyes on her. He went to sit next to her and put his head in his hands, tears so close to dropping, he was surly going to let them go. He felt as if it were all his fault. She had not awoken for the past week, and it was because he was a selfish jerk who wanted whatever the world could offer. He had always thought it a good thing, being able to go out into the world and take whatever he pleased, but sitting in that room, with Molly possibly on the verge of death, he felt so alone, as if nothing was worth it unless she survived. He had taken her from her home and her family, not knowing what she left behind, or for that matter, caring. But after all the time he had spent with her, he realized he did care. "Molly, I'm so sorry." Alex said. He grabbed her hand. It took him a moment to realize her hand did not burn his. " Molly?" He said, rising. He put his hand to her forehead. She wasn't hot. Her head was cool as well as her hands and her arms. Her fever had broke. " Molly!" He exclaimed. He began lightly shaking her shoulders, continuously calling her name. He paused as she moaned. " Tyler?" She called out. Alex froze.
Chapter 13 She had called out another mans name. Another besides himself. Who was this Tyler? How could she be with him and have another at home? Why hadn't she told him? She had been a virgin, hadn't she? These were questions, which burned Alex's mind since Molly's fever had broke, three days ago, and she had called for another. "God damn." Alex shouted, throwing the glass, whiskey decanter at the wall and it shattered. Kevin opened the door and stepped through. " What's going on, Alex? What's with you?" Kev. asked. Alex was drunk. "Go away." He commanded. Kevin ignored him and walked towards him. "You've never acted like this before." He said, "Unless I was with you, of course." He added. "I don't want to... I don't... I don't want..." Alex attempted to finish his sentence. " Yes, I know you don't want to talk about it, but I don't happen to care." Kevin said. Alex jumped up. His head spun and instead of letting out the string of curses he meant to drowned his friend with, he fell back moaning and groaning in pain. * * * " It's dark," Molly said to herself. " No, duh! Your eyes are closed." She said back. " Well that's how I like it." Molly said. " Then will you quit complaining?" Her inner voice answered. " Will you go away?" Molly asked. " Fine, I'm gone." Then, slowly , Molly opened her eyes. She looked around. "Miss. Molly?" She heard. She looked to the side of her. " Derek!?" Molly said, sitting up. "Where is the captain? Where is Alex?" She asked, expecting him to pop up besides her. " I haven't a clue, he been keeping to himself as late. Thought he'd nearly die himself when Canon told 'em ye might not make it." Derek said. Molly smiled, inside and out. " I have to find the captain." Molly told Derek, and before he could object, she was out of her bed. "But, Miss. Molly, ye have ta..." He drowned out as Molly left the room. "Well I'll be damned if they don't got it fer one another." Derek said with a chuckle.
Chapter 14 " Alex, where are..." Molly stopped in the captain’s quarter’s doorway. He was hunched over his desk, every bottle in his whiskey cabinet, it seemed, littered the floor around him. Had she caused him this pain? It tore her heart out thinking she had done this to him. " Alex?" She called, rushing over to him. "What is it? What's wrong?" She asked worriedly. He looked up at her and his eyes were cold. He did not speak Molly wished he'd hold her in his arms, and tell her everything would be alright, but she knew it was childish and put the thought behind her for the moment. "What is it you wanted?" Alex finally asked, His voice, like his eyes, cold , and felt hard as stone. " What do you mean? Alex, What's wrong?" Molly's voice shook. " Why would anything be wrong, mi' lady?" Alex asked as he stood. Molly was hurt and confused by the way he was treating her, she could say nothing as he continued on. " Why would you possibly believe their is something, anything wrong?" He had walked to the opposite side of the room. He turned to face her, emotionless. " I don't understand. " Molly whispered. His words seem to undo his charade. " Damn it, Molly, how could you?" He asked harshly. She was silenced, and he wanted to strangle her. " How could you even pretend everything between us was real?" He asked, " You led me to believe we had something." He went on when she had gone to interrupt, He paused. Molly rushed over to him and grabbed his shoulders. " It was all real!" She said. He pulled away from her and once again went to the opposite side of the room. " Don't give me that crap. Your story is out, and I refuse to be the second man in your life. But no worries..." He said. Molly was holding back her tears, feeling as if she were back in her fathers study. " Wh... Why's that? " She choked out. She couldn't look at him. " We've already set our course, and we're heading back to Marlsburg." * * * Molly wept. She let her tears flow down to soak her pillow. He had told her, in so many words, he was taking her home. No matter the want to see her family, let them know she was safe, she had long ago choose to stay. She had naively believed Alex was the one person she was supposed to be with, yet he had said she was to blame, that what they had was not real. But it had been, at least for her. He had also said something about not being the second man in her life. This confused her, because she never knew there had been a first. All night and well into dawn, Molly's tears flowed. She was in love with a man she couldn't have.
Chapter 15 The journey home seemed to go by to quickly. Molly kept to her cabin and only left it to stand on deck, usually during the night. A knock sounded at her cabin door. " Miss Molly? " Derek called, " We've made port. " He said through the door. Molly went and opened the door. " Derek! What is it? " She asked as she saw the tears which had escaped and found there way down to the somewhat over grown beard. He wiped the tears away. " I'm just an emotional man is all. Not rightly happy to be seen you leave, is all. " He said. Molly wrapped her arms around his waist. " I'll miss you to." Molly whispered, tears now flowing down her cheek as well. " Well, we best be off. Captain wants to head off as soon as can be." Derek said. Molly was happy he would not take her tears for what they really were after mentioning Alex's name. " Yes I suppose that would be best." Molly said quietly. * * * Alex watched her walk down to the dock. She looked back towards his ship and then, as if sensing him, her eyes found his through the small window. He saw hurt, betrayal, and confusion clouding her eyes. She looked away and her hand, he had no doubt, raised to clear the tears from her face. " It's for the best, Alex." Kevin said from the chair he sat in behind him. Alex said nothing, but continued to watch as Molly disappeared through the crowd, Derek as her guide. * * * " Molleee!" The little boy ran up to meet his open armed sister. She hugged him against her and he hugged back just as tight. " Molly?! " Jake asked, and at the same time acknowledged the fact that she was there. There was a lot more hugging and a few kisses. Clarice was in tears ranting and raving about how it was all her fault. Everyone was silent as his or her father came through though. He just stared at her a moment. " What did they do to you? Who was it?..." He kept going on and on with his questions. " Father, please, stop." She said, cutting in. He did, but only a moment. " You would openly defy me my answers?" He asked. Molly was still holding Tyler, and for the first time in her life, she realized everything was still holding Tyler, and for the first time in her life, she realized everything was everyone else’s way. Until she had met Alex, she thought others commanding her life was fine. She sighed before answering her father, and when she did answer she looked directly at every person standing before her before settling her gaze to her father. " I suppose, if openly defying you answers means I will not tell you who I was with, then yes." She said. Her father was about to cut in, until Molly put her hand up. " I will tell you this. I was not held against my will. If ever I asked to be returned home, I would have been brought back with the utmost urgency." She said. It had seemed she had quieted her family. "Though I love you all with all my heart and soul, I realized I never really controlled my life. Everything was every one else’s way, and I can take it no more." She said, never letting her gaze stray from her fathers. "Now if you will excuse me, I believe I shall go lie down." Molly walked away then, holding and cuddling Tyler.
Chapter 16 Derek returned to the Fiery shortly after he had left. " Is she home safely home then?" Alex asked. He knew at this point, Derek would prefer to strangle him then reply, but he answered with Alex being the captain and all. " Aye her family met her at the door, or just about anyways." Derek said. " Good, Good." Alex said, clearing his throat. Derek had walked away and Alex sighed. The only person who didn't seem to want to murder him for in any way "hurting" Molly's feelings, was Kevin. " We're better off without her, you know." He would say. Alex wouldn't answer. Nights were hell since half of the bed was not being occupied. Though Alex kept telling himself he would get more sleep, but in all actuality, he was lying to himself. After a week of torment, Alex finally figured out what was wrong with him. He missed Molly. He was still angry, but missing her came second, and close to first. But he knew her life wasn't here with him. " We know how you feel." Derek said, surprising Alex as he stood on deck looking out at the great expanse of water. " I don't know what you are talking about." Alex lied. Derek laughed. " Stupidest thing ye could have done, cap't." He said. Alex was just about to deny what Alex said, but knew what his friend had said was true. " She has another man in her life. What am I to do? Keep her from her life?" Alex asked. He had told no one of Molly having another man in her life, but Derek had been Molly's friend, and Alex believed he had a right to know. " What? Well of course she did." Derek said, surprising Alex, " She just happened to have four in her life. Tyler would have been her most important though." He said. " Yeah," Alex said with disgust, " I know." Derek looked out at sea to. " I don’t think she would have lived if she hadn't gone back to him." Derek said, " Is that why you took her back, to see him?" Derek asked. " Yeah I suppose that’s the reason." Alex said. It irritated him that she would talk to Derek about this Tyler fellow and not him. She could she why she hadn't but it still angered him. " Then why didn't we just bring her back? " Derek asked. Alex looked at Derek with disgust. " I refuse to be a second man. The one she choose over the right choice." Alex told him. Derek looked at Alex with amusement in his eyes. " Now don't tell me your jealous of a four year old lad." Derek said. " What did you say?" Alex asked. What was Derek talking about? " Are you telling me you don't really know who Tyler is?" Derek asked, amusement disappearing from his face as it seemed to hit him, " You didn't. You judged her, didn't you?" He asked, then groaned. " What the hell is wrong with you?" Alex asked. Derek looked at Alex. " How did ye find out about Tyler, Alex? Was it while she was sick? Did ye hear her callin for him?" He asked. " What of it? What aren't you telling me Derek?" Alex asked. Derek seemed to be mumbling curses under his breath. " Damn it, Alex. You didn't even give her a fair chance when she came to you. All you did was judge her, which left her hurt, and confused." Derek said. If he'd wanted to strangle Alex earlier, then now he would have happily taken a gun to the man. " What are you talking about. Damn you, tell me!" Alex ordered. " No way, not this time, CAPTIAN. This is something you and Miss. Molly have to figure out." Derek said, and that was what Alex planned on doing. * * * It had been a week since Molly had come home. She gave up on Alex coming back, and was attempting to escape all the memories, at least until one morning when she was woken with a strong sense of nausea, which had her running to the chamber pot. All the contents of her stomach were emptied in the span of ten seconds. She was also eating double at every meal, and her corsets barely fit anymore. It left her wondering and guessing. Could she, was it possible, that she was pregnant with Alex's baby? It was confirmed after at least three days of wondering. " Girl, your in trouble." Cynthia Rowsfield, the cook and caretaker of 'August Winds' said. She had five children and knew how to find out if a women was with child. "So I was right?!" Molly exclaimed. Cynthia didn't smile the way Molly did. In fact, she didn't smile at all. " Do you know what your daddy is going to do? Going to say?" Cynthia asked. Molly wasn't listening though. I'm gonna have Alex's baby! She said to herself. Now, she thought, how do I tell him?
Chapter 17 " Your what? " Phillip jumped up from his chair. " What do you mean your with child?" He asked. He seemed stunned into silence. " You know what I mean when I say I'm with child." Molly said. Phillip started pacing. " Molly, you have to tell me who did this to you." Phillip told her. Molly thought a moment. If Molly told Phillip, he'd tell Jake and Nathen. This was the domino effect Molly wanted, but she knew they wouldn't take her with them when they went to hunt Alex down. " I don't think I can do that." Molly said. " Why the hell not? We need to take care of this matter before it's to late." Phillip said, his voice raising. " Will you keep your voice down, please?" Molly hissed. " It's going to come out sooner or later. Your going to start...you know." He said, motioning that she would get bigger. " Yes, I know, but I prefer later then sooner. Molly said. Phillip looked at her as if she were crazy. " And why is that?" He asked. Molly wasn't sure why she wanted to reach Alex and let him know about their baby, especially after the way he treated her, but she knew it was only fair to tell him. " The moment my babies father knows, the sooner I'll make it known." She said. Phillip groaned. " What if he never finds out? And if he does, would he be willing to raise a family?" Phillip asked. The problem was, Molly couldn't honestly answer her brother. " Well, if he doesn't I'll raise the baby on my own, " Molly said, " The way I would have if I hadn't told him." Thinking Alex wouldn't accept her and her child brought tears to her eyes. " So tell me who it is. That way Jake, Nate, and I can drag the sorry son of a log back here to you." Phillip said. Molly sighed. " I want to be the one to him, Phillip." She said. " So the guys and I will bring him back to you." Phillip said, arms open, as if it explained everything. Molly rolled her eyes. " Alive or in pieces?" She asked. " Ha, Ha. Very funny." Phillip said, sarcastically. " This is no time for jokes." He added. " Who said anything about joking?" Molly asked, " And besides, I'd want to be THERE to tell him, not have to wait on the lot of you to bring him back." Molly said. " Hell, no." Phil told her, " No way." He said. " Then no name." Molly said, stubbornly. Phil seemed to stop to consider the risks. " Fine then, give me the name." He finally said. * * * " What the hell do you mean we're going back?" Kevin asked Alex. " Just as it is. I left details out, and I need to get it all straightened out." Alex told his friend. Kevin seemed infuriated, though Alex couldn't understand why. " It's only that..." Kevin was cut off as Robert Maronsky slammed in. " We've got trouble, cap'n." He said, before dashing out of the office. Kevin and Alex exchanged looks before jumping up. " What's going on?" Alex asked arriving on deck. A man pointed in the direction of Marlsburg's docks. A ship was quickly approaching. "Who the hell is that?" Kevin asked. " I'll be damned if I know." Alex said, frustrated. " Alright men, look alive." He then shouted. Everyone began scurrying around. " If it's a fight they want, it's a fight they'll get." He said. * * * " Let me out of here this instant!" Molly commanded through the wooden door. She was beyond infuriated. Her brother had kept good on his word. He had taken her with them, but just as they had caught up to the Fiery, Jake ordered one of his men to ' lock her below. ' She had to get out before they got Alex, she had to safe him, she had to... " Miss. Molly?" Her thoughts were interrupted. " Derek!?" Molly exclaimed questionably. When she heard his confirmed 'Aye' she got excited. " Oh, thank god, Derek you have to get me out of here." Molly said through the door. " And how do you propose I do that?" He asked. She groaned in frustration. " I haven't a clue, maybe you could break the door down?" She replied sarcastically. " Oh, yeah. Right 'o.' " He said. " Stand back." He added after a moment. Then, not two minutes later, he managed to bust through the door. " Derek! Your amazing." Molly said, kissing his cheek. " Now we have to go, hurry." She said, grabbing her skirts and running through the open doorway. She had a few brother's to kill.
Chapter 18 " Are you Alexander Norcroft? " The tallest of the three men called out. " Aye, what of it to you?" Alex called back. The three men walked across the makeshift board bridge. The first threw a punch throwing Alex off guard and causing him to fall to his knees with an 'oaf.' " We've got a bone to pick with you." The second said. The third guy stood back, seeming to try and fend off the crew. Alex looked up to see the first one swing his arm back. That's when they ALL heard her voice, and they ALL froze. That was also when three of them groaned. * * * " Enough!" Her voice was like a whip cracking in the air. Alex, Phillip, and Jake groaned. " Just let us take care of this." Jake said. " We know what we're doing." Phillip said at the same time. " What are you doing here?" Alex asked while her brother's spoke, also. Molly had crossed over onto the Fiery, Derek behind her. She went and stood between Alex and he brothers. " We have to talk." She said to him, his __expression stone cold, yet he nodded. She pointed to Jake then, " And I wont let you or Nate, or Phil take care of a matter you don't understand," She told him before pointing at the youngest of the three, " And you Phillip Thomas Augustus are a rotten brother for acting the way you did," She turned then and started towards the descending stairs to her old sleeping quarters. " Wait, Wait, Wait..." Phillip, Nathen, and Jake said in unison. Molly then turned and glared at the three of them in turn. " After the way you treated me, not only will you be lucky to have me actually talking to, but you'll have a hell of a time making me obey your commands." She said, before turning once more, Alex and her brothers scowling, but the rest of the crew on deck burst into a fit of laughter. Yet no one made a stop to stop Molly from proceeding. * * * Alex stepped into the room right after Molly, ready for war. As she turned to face him, Alex started before she could say a word. " What the hell do you think you are doing here?" He asked. She folded her arms. " I know you have a lot of questions," She began, keeping her voice low, " but I have something to say to you first." She told him. He opened his mouth, but she held up a hand. " No, you had your turn, that day you told me you were taking me home, now, I want mine." She said. " The day Derek took me back to 'August Winds' I realized my whole life had been controlled by others." She said, "I thought I had it great, with my home, and family. I never even considered that I was not my own person." " And then I met you." She said, "I was different around you. I made choices and did things I never thought I would." Images of jumping off ships jumped into her mind and it made her smile. " And we're the only person who could make me lose all my senses and make my blood boil at the same time." Her confession startled him, but she did not seem ready to stop. " After I became ill, and I awoke, confused, you were not there and I did not understand why." Tears began to form in her eyes, " When I came to you, you threw me out, you dismissed me. I did not understand, and I am still confused." He opened his mouth but once again she held up her hand. " No." She said. " I have to tell you before you speak a word." and he closed his mouth once again, becoming slightly annoyed. " I gave myself to you as I had no other. Not once considering the consequences, but they came nonetheless." She said. " I have no care for your reputation, if that is what you are trying to say." Alex finally got a word in. Molly's expression changed in that instant. " I have no care. I can't believe I actually believed you could care. Hoe foolish I am." She said, anger now filling her voice. Alex knew he did not really mean what he said, but he made no move to deny what she said. He merely shrugged. He could see tears now falling down her cheek. " You should go now, if that is what you came to say." He whispered. She let her head fall a moment before lifting her chin. " Your probably right." She said. He moved from in front of the closed door and she ran out feeling the fool.
Chapter 19 Molly said not a word as she and her brothers sat in the carriage going home. She had meant to tell Alex she was with child, but he had hurt her to bad, she hadn't even wanted to tell him anymore after he had openly dismissed him for the second time. " Did you even tell him?" Phillip asked. Molly didn't let her gaze travel any further then the scenery passing by. She didn't even answer her brother. " You can't keep it all bottled in Molly, you can't just go and hide in a shell. If anything you have to think of the baby now." Nathen said softly. Tears had formed and began steadily running down her cheeks. Jake put his arm around her, and she couldn't stop the sobs, which escaped. They had rode until about a mile from the house when the carriage stopped. They all sat upright, her brothers pulling out pistols from only they knew where. Just as Jake was going to the door, it opened from the outside. " I wouldn't be makin any fast moves, gents. All I be wantin is ye sister there." Molly heard the familiar voice and she gasped. " I don't think that’s something we're willing to give ya, my good fellow so if you will rightly..." Jake started before Martin let off a shot. " God.." Jake mumbled. " Drop your weapons and step out of the carriage." Martin said. Jake gave off a string of curses. " All right, all right." Jake said throwing his pistol to the hard, cold, floor. He steeped down and was grabbed from behind as four other men emerged from the woods. Nathen and Phillip were next. The same happened with them before Martin went into the carriage to retrieve Molly. " Let's go Miss Molly Augustus, hoity- toity misses." Martin said. Molly struggled against him, but he still managed to dodge her fists and get her out of the carriage. Martin pulled her up onto the horse with him while his friends unhooked the horses from the carriage. Martin smiled down at Molly's brothers who he had ordered to be tied to one of the trees. " You'll pay for this." Phillip said. Martin just laughed. " I have no doubt you and your brothers will have no problem getting out of these here ropes, maybe a hour at most, so this is what I want ye to do." Martin said. " After ye have gotten yeselfs free, I want ye to go back to the Fiery. From what I 'ave heard, they won't be leavin for the night. I want ye to be deliverin a message to good ole cap'tin Norcroft. Ye gents tell him he has twenty four hours afore I be killin the girl. He knows where I be at." Martin said before riding off. * * * Alex was still trying to get over everything that Molly had said when he saw one of the three Augustus brothers riding like the devil towards his ship. " God damn it. What now?" He asked. Derek looked up from his duty, hearing the captains cursing, and saw the brother as well, Phillip if Derek could remember correctly. " NORCROFT!" Phillip shouted as he ran towards the ship. Alex prepared himself for the worst. " What the hell do you want?" Alex asked after he saw that Phillip was not going to sock him one on the spot. " Damn it, you b*****d. You tear my sisters heart into pieces and then your going to get her killed." Phillip said vehemently. " What do ye mean?" Derek asked as worry filled his voice for Molly. " I mean that this b*****d is going to get our sister killed." Phillip said. " What do you mean exactly? I haven't seen your sister since she left here." Alex said. Phillip looked both terrified and angry. " What's happened to her?" Alex asked, now worried. " Don't act like your worried. I only came because we need to know where he took her." Phillip said. Alex raised an eyebrow. " Who?" Alex asked. He felt his blood start leaving his face at the thought of Molly in danger. How could he have been so stupid? He asked himself as he waited what seemed like an eternity for Phillip to explain. " Some A*s came after us after we left your ship. We were so close to the house and the b*****d came out of no where, claiming he was taking our sister and you'd know where to find him, only you would." Phillip said. Alex didn't catch on right away, wondering whom the hell it could have been. " Cap'n, it's the lad. Martin. He's taken Miss. Molly." Derek said, his face pale as well. " I don't give a care for his name all I know is he's going to kill Molly in twenty- four hours unless you go after her." Phillip said. Alex cursed and headed for the docks, going to safe the women he yet to knew he loved.
Chapter 20 " What do you think you will gain by doing this?" Molly asked her capturer as she sat tied to a wooden chair. Martin looked away from the small window he had been constantly staring out of and smiled. " You know, a man never likes to see his women tied to a chair, her life in danger. And how bout that babe ye be carryin?" Martin asked. Molly paled. " How did you know?" Molly asked. Martin smile grew wider before he answered causing Molly to shake in her seat. " It's surprising how a servant will give any information out if you have the right sum." He said. Molly gulped, not knowing what to say. " and though I am not well in the pockets, others are," Martin said as the door opened. " Others like me." The new voice said. Molly gasped as she saw who it was. " You b*****d. You were supposed to be Alex's friend." Molly said. Kevin laughed. " Yeah, that's what I'm told. I'm supposed to be his best friend." Kevin's __expression changed from amusement to anger. " Then you came along and ruined everything. I watched as the fool mad a jackass of himself, playing hero whenever you were around." Kevin said. " You would hurt him because he got close to ME!" Molly asked. Kevin shrugged. " Why not? If I harmed you, your family would kill me. He has no one, and he has a nortious reputation that would have him hanging in England. I was his friend, but then I became a guard for the English King." Kevin said. Molly was disgusted. " I can't believe you would betray him." Molly said. She would have killed him were she not tied up, or at least made a go for it. " I had no choice." Kevin said. Though he was trying to keep up an image Molly could see that he was upset about what he was going to be doing. * * * Alex rode fast and hard. Molly's brothers weren't nearly as fast on their slow poke horses compared to Grazer, Alex's stallion. All Alex could think about was getting to Molly before it was to late. As Alex came close to the cabin hiding in the woods that Alex and his crew would use to hide out whenever they needed to lie low. He could see shadows moving around, and he knew that just barging in wasn't going to be a good idea. He dismounted and tied Grazer to one of the many trees surrounding the cabin. Making sure that Grazer was hidden and satisfied, Alex patted his nose and began, quietly, sneaking towards the cabin on the only side that didn't have a window. He got to the side and started around the side of the house making sure he stayed out of eye sight. As he got closer to the window, he heard Molly talking and took pause as he heard Kevin answer. " When he does show up her, He won't even suspect that I'm in it, what do you think I'm, an idiot? I wouldn't ever tell him I signed that blasted treaty with the King." Kevin was saying. Alex shook his head in the dark as if that would make any difference. Then he heard Martin. " And once he finds out your little secret, he'll be to stunned to move. That's when I'll blast him." He heard Martin saying. * * * Molly was sure she heard something outside. Her hearing could have just faltered but she was pretty sure she had heard a horse. Kevin and Martin were two deep into their conversation, thinking she was listening, that she didn't think they had heard anything. As Martin started talking about 'blasting' Alex, Molly caught a shadow out of the corner of her eye and she could have swore it was Alex. Acting quickly she said, " Alex doesn't care that I'm having his child, I already told him, just before you picked me up." Molly said. If Alex was out there, he would have heard her and then when He did come in here he wouldn't really be surprised like Martin said he would, but she was sure he would be angry with her. " Did you now?" Martin asked. He seemed slightly disappointed but didn't say anything else. Then Molly heard one of the most frightening things she thought she would ever hear. Horses, and this time, she was sure Martin had to.
Chapter 21 " Looks like we 'ave ourself some company." Martin said. "And looks like our good friend brought along reinforcements." He added. Blood drained out of Molly's face. If Alex had just really come, then she couldn't warn him, or her brothers. " Better be ready for them then." Kevin said drawing his gun from his belt. Martin picking his up from the table. The next scene went by so quickly, surprising Molly. At the window, Alex's head popped up, gun aimed. He fired and hit Martin, making him fall to the floor, before shooting at Kevin. Instead of shooting to kill at Kevin he shoot his shooting arm. Kevin dropped his gun and fell to the floor in agony. Alex jumped in the window. He went over and started beating Kevin. Molly gasped as she saw the blood that Alex was causing to exit Kevin's body, punch by punch. The door flew open and her brother's rushed in, Derek behind them. As Phillip untied Molly, Derek went over and tried to hold Alex back. " ALEX!" Molly yelled, and he stopped turning to her, tears pouring down his face. She ran to him and he held onto her as they fell to their knees. Not able to stop tears from escaping, Molly and Alex held each other and let the tears fall down their faces. No one made a move to separate or interrupt them. Derek actually left the cabin, the Augustus brothers following behind shortly after, allowing the two to have their moment. * * * Alex rode Grazer back to 'August Winds' with Molly sitting in front of him. The whole event running through his head as well as hers. The one bullet Alex put through him had killed Martin, and Kevin's condition was critical. Alex was still trying to comprehend the fact that Molly had said she was with child. If she really was, it had to be his. At that moment of realization, Alex decided he wasn't going to let Molly go. He would make her see he WAS the right choice over this Tyler fellow. "Alex?" Molly whispered as they reached the gates of 'August Winds' and everyone went ahead. The stars were out and the moon shown brightly. " Yeah?" He answered. She snuggled closer into the crank of her arms. " I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did. I tried to tell you earlier today, but after everything that was said... I don't know. I know I should have told you and I'm sorry that I hadn't told you earlier." She said, softly. Alex's breath nearly stopped. He didn't have to ask her what she meant. He knew she was talking about the baby growing in her belly, their baby. " I am partly to blame I suppose. " He said. She smiled in the darkness. " Molly, since you are pregnant with my child, I think it only fair if we married. I don't want my child growing up a b*****d." Alex said. He said this as they reached the house. He dismounted and helped her down. He could see her frown. " You want to marry me because I am with child?" Molly asked. Alex looked confused. " Yes. I don't want to have a child that would be marked a b*****d when we could remedy that problem easily." He said. She shook her head, mostly in disbelieve. " I don't think I can marry you Alex." She said. Alex was shocked. " Why the hell not?" He exploded. A scene had gathered when Molly and Alex hadn't entered the house. They all stopped on the porch as they heard him explode. " You don't give me a good enough reason." Molly whispered. Alex threw up his hands. " Last time I checked, being pregnant with my child is a good enough reason, Molly." Alex said. Molly felt tears come to her eyes and knew Alex couldn't see them. " No," Molly said, shaking her head," After I met you, it's not good enough." She said, running into the house. * * * " What the hell does she want from me?" Alex asked as he paced the drawing room. Jake, Nathen, Phillip, and Derek were all there. Alex just couldn't understand why Molly had objected his proposal. No one answered his question as the door to the drawing room opened. " Uh, Oh. You might want to hide man. " Phillip said. Raising a questionable eyebrow at Phil, Alex hadn't even see the fist coming at him. " God..." Alex cursed. He looked up to see Molly's sister, Clarice, standing above him rubbing at her knuckles. " That's what you get, you a*s." She said. She was going to hit him again, Alex could see she wanted to, but Jake jumped up and stopped her. " Whoa, hold on sis. You just can't go hitting a man like that." He said. Clarice struggled against her brother. " What cause do you have." Jake asked. " Molly's been up stairs crying for the last hour, while you three sit here sharing your brandy and port with the man." Clarice hissed, out raged. Phillip began laughing. " Let her have a go at him, Jake." He said, " I'd like to see who comes out with the most bruises." He added. " Don't help the matter." Alex said. Jake let go of Clarice and she waited for him to rise before speaking. " What kind of idiot are you? Don't you see what your doing to my little sister?" Clarice asked. Alex's mouth hung open, and his anger began to rise. " What do you mean? I asked her to marry me. What else could I have done?" He asked. Clarice slapped him upside the head, though he was much taller then her. " You asked for all the wrong reasons." She said, " You never ever ask a women who is so in love with you, any idiot could see it, to marry you for just the child's sake." Clarice told him. All the other guys groaned. " You didn't" Phillip stated. " Now you've done it." Nathen said. " What an idiot." Jake said. " Are you really as stupid as I think ye are?" Derek asked. At that moment Alex did feel like an idiot. " What about this other guy in her life?" Was the only thing Alex could say in reply. He got a lot of weird, questionable stares, until Derek spoke up. " Tyler's ‘er baby brother." He said simply as if Alex should have gotten that. Alex groaned. He was an idiot. A humongous idiot who was in for a beating from any one of Molly's siblings. "Can I go see her?" Alex asked Clarice. She snorted very unlady like. "If she'll let you near her." She told him.
Chapter 22 Molly heard a knock sound at her door. She didn't say a word but heard the door open nonetheless. Thinking it was Clarice she didn't object, until she felt the all to familiar hands softly stroke her cheek. "Don't cry, love. " He said. She sat up and pushed her lips to his. He wrapped his arms around her as he deepened the kiss. " Oh, Alex. I am so sorry." She said. He shook his head. " No, I'm the one who should say I'm sorry." He said, " And I am, Molly. I am so sorry for not talking to you and thinking the worst. Sorry for judging you and most of all I'm sorry I haven't told you I love you every day since the day I first met you." He said. Molly's tears continued down her face, but she couldn't seem to breath. Could it be true had Alex just said what she thought he said. " Wh...What did you just say." She whispered. He smiled his knee melting, earth shattering smile and kissed her again before saying, " I love you, I love you, and I love you." He said. She wrapped her arms around her tighter as he began to twirl and spin her around her room. He came to a stop and claimed her mouth again. " Oh, Alex, I love you to. So much." She said. He smiled. " Now will you marry me?" He asked her. She gave him her earth shattering, knee melting smile and nodded. " Yes Alex, I'll marry you." She said. * * * They were married three weeks later on the deck of the Fiery. Alex had thought of the idea claiming it had started there, might as well end it there. Derek stood as best man and Clarice as maid of honor. Though Alex still had trouble coaxing with the fact that his best friend had ended up being his enemy, Alex seemed to be getting through the ordeal with a smile on his face. Molly and Alex hadn't announced her pregnancy, so only her innermost family knew, and Kevin, who at the moment suffered serious head injuries and was not likely to tell anyone any time soon. " Are you happy?" Alex asked her one night as they sat, looking at the stars in each other’s arms. She smiled and nodded. He smiled back and said, " Penny for your thoughts." She laughed. " I was just thinking about our situation." She told him. He raised an eyebrow questionably. She kissed him and smiled, " about how I was Kidnapped without complaint." She said, humorously.
Epilogue roughly one year later " And how are my two best girls? " Alex asked his wife as he fondled his baby girl’s chin. Elizabeth Marie smiled, and gurgled, causing everyone to laugh. " Aunt Molly?" Glory, Jake's six year old daughter, asked. " Yes?" Molly said. Glory looked over to where her father and his new lady, Holly Winters, were walking near the waters edge behind their house. " I think we need to get daddy to marry Miss. Holly." She said. Everyone laughed at the little girls comment, but Molly and Clarice. " You know, darling. I think your right." Molly said, with a twinkle in her eye. " Now don't let her get any ideas Alex. You've got to control her now. Heaven help you, I tried for nineteen years, so lets see you have a go at." Marcus Augustus said from his wheelchair. Everyone laughed. "Now see here father, don't get your hopes up." Phillip said. Molly laughed and looked into her husband’s eyes. " No worries papa." She said, " Alex and I have our mutual understanding." Molly said. Alex gave her one of his looks that said, 'better not push it, or I won't be responsible for what happens.' Molly laughed, cuddling her baby even closer, happy to know she had finally found her happily ever after. © 2008 NicoleAuthor's Note
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