Heart of the Sea

Chapter 9 - The First of Many

"The judge has made a decision," Emma announced.

"Due to the inadequacy of the sheriff's facilities, Lilianna"

"It's ahna," Lili whispered.

"Jones will be put in house arrest for one month. She will be required to fulfill two hundred hours of community service. Considering her living arrangements, she will need someone to take her in for her sentence. Is there anyone willing?"

Murmurs rippled through the courthouse. Who would want to house a thief??

"We'll take her," David spoke up.

Lili's head whipped around to look at him. Why the hell would the prince volunteer to keep a pirate in his home??

"And where shall she serve her community service sentence?"

"I'll keep an eye on her," Granny declared.

Sod. She just knew that wasn't going to be pleasant.

The judge knocked the gavel once. "So it shall be. Court dismissed."

Everyone got up, leaving, the family grouping up. "So. A month wi' me, eh highnesses?"

"Only if you stop calling us that."

"Alright Dave, I s'pose I can make an exception f'you." She winked, grinning, and he rolled his eyes.

"Behave, lass," Killian chastised gently, wondering why the bloody hell she'd taken after him.

"Like I don't always?" she grinned.

"Come on kid, let's go get your stuff. I'll meet you guys at the loft, okay?" Emma said.

Her parents nodded. "We'll see you there."

The drive to the docks was silent. Emma stopped at the pier, getting out and following Lili as she walked down to her ship. Lili cast a glance over her shoulder. "You gonna follow me all the way, love?"

"Judge says you've gotta have a chaperone at all times."

Lili snorted. "Not like I've got anywhere else t'go," she murmured, ducking under the canopy and jogging down the stairs. She pulled out a duffle bag she'd found onboard, neatly folding all of her new clothes, with the exception of her dresses, and stuffed them into the bag. She ducked into her satchel, other bag in hand, turning back to Emma.

"Small place," Emma commented, looking around, arms folded over her chest. It reminded her of one of the apartments she'd stayed in before she met Henry. Empty. Nothing but the bare essentials.

"Yeah, well, it's the closest thing I've found to home," she said quietly, something flickering in her eyes as she ducked past Emma, back up to the fresh air. She paused at the rail, stroking it, if Emma dared to think, lovingly. "I'll be back soon enough, love," she murmured.

She shouldered her duffle bag, heading back to the car, Emma a few steps behind.

Lili threw her bags across the seat, sitting down beside them.

Emma started the car.

Lili looked out the window.

"I'm sorry."

Lili's gaze flicked over to the rearview mirror. "F'wot, love?"

"That you lost your home."

"Don't be. He did what he needed t'do. That's the way it's always been, always will be." She smirked, eyes growing cold. "I've never been a priority t'him, and I don't believe that'll change anytime soon, nor do I wish it to." She paused. "He's happy, and that's all I ever wanted," she added quietly, her gaze drifting back out the window.