Liam grinned, ducking his head but still getting hit by Xander's hand. His grin faded as he watch her take her time to answer him. 'Her parents... Damnit Liam, you idiot!' he thought, cursing himself for his stupidity. Her parents were snobs, rich snobs, but snobs none the less. Liam remembered watching through a window the special lessons Xander had to go through in order to become a lady like her mother. It made him laugh, but he bit his lip in order not to disturb her thinking. When she finally did speak, she spoke of her father's approval, not of her mother's. He remembered her father as well, remembered that he thought of him as a 'fine lad' but not the kind of lad he wanted hanging around his daughter.
"Well Xander," he said, looking at her as she rested her upper body on the top of his desk. "I have to say, I think your accomplishments are wonderful, if only they were made for our side." Liam sighed, bringing their differences into play. "I mean, from an objective point of view, I'm estatic that you've made it this far! Really I am!" he said, his eyes shining how they used too, whenever they talked about pirates and sailing on the sea. "I truly am." he smiled, bringing his hand to her face. "I'm torn Xander. I really am." he said suddenly, shutting his eyes. "I can't ignore my duty, but I can't ignore the fact that it really is you." he said exasperatedly. Liam looked away from her, his hand still on her face, "I don't want to lose you again. Not to myself, or by any other Captain, Naval or otherwise. I... I don't think I could bear it." he said finally, looking at her, his mouth set and firm, but eyes desperate for some sort of agreement.