“Joanne,” he murmured.

He quickly left Surprise, and headed for his room at the tavern. Joanne was on her way, and he wanted to make certain he was ready for her. A quick shower and a change of clothing was in order before her arrival.

Beej pulled up the bike on a bluff overlooking the harbour. She never tired of gazing down on Surprise from this vantage point. She was hoping to spot Jack going about his business. She always hoped to ‘surprise’ him by never letting him know in advance that she was coming, but of course, their connection was too strong, and he could ‘feel’ her as soon as she entered the magical world of The Point.

She was a little disappointed at not seeing him on deck. She thought he must be below, but suddenly realised that he wasn’t on board at all. She could feel his presence, but it wasn’t close enough to be on Surprise.

She got back on the bike and headed off towards the hotel and her cosy room. She would relax and unwind for a while before heading off to the tavern to find her favourite man. She had decided to do something special for him this visit, and wondered what he would say when he saw her ’gift’ to him.

She smiled as she was unpacking her bag, thinking that for once in her life she hadn’t been too careful as she threw the clothes in her pack. She would have to get domestic and find the iron…unless she took the lazy option of hanging things in the bathroom and turning the shower onto ’scald’ to let the steam smooth out the creases.

Deciding to take the easy option, she would never become ‘house trained’, she hung the offending garments around the bathroom, and was just about to turn the shower on full when there was a knock on the door.

Rushing through the lounge room, she flung the door open, a huge smile on her face, expecting to see Jack standing there. The smile froze on her face for a second, then faded as she realised it wasn’t her Jack after all.

“Oh, hi Jeff.”

“G’day, Beej. I can see from your face you were hoping I was someone else luv.”

“I’m sorry, Jeff. Of course I’m pleased to see you, it’s just…”

“I know. Luv,” said Jeff, placing his hand on Beej’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jack won’t be too long. He asked me to let you know he’ll be downstairs in half an hour.”

“Right, thanks for that,” replied Beej, her face brightening again.

“Oh, and he said he’d keel haul me and hang me from the highest yardarm if I let you go down there unescorted, so how about a cuppa before we head down.”

On hearing that typical Jack-like remark, Beej began to giggle, which started Jeff off too. She pulled him into her room before he collapsed in the corridor, pushed him down onto the sofa, and headed into her little kitchen to put the kettle on.

A few minutes later, they were sitting side by side catching up on each others’ news. Before they knew it, the time had come to head downstairs and meet up with Jack.

As they walked into the bar, Beej felt the butterflies that always seemed to take flight in her stomach before meeting up with Jack. She vaguely registered the fact that she acknowledged the greetings from the boys at the bar, but her mind was on other things, and her eyes were scanning the booths for a sighting of a certain sea captain.

She could feel that he was close, but she had yet to spot him. The tavern wasn’t busy, and she wasn’t sure why she couldn’t find him. Then everything went black! Her eyes were covered by a pair of exceptionally large, calloused hands. She grabbed them with her own, lowered them from her face and turned into the arms of her tie-mate.

“Good evening, Joanne.”

“Good evening, Jack.”

Beej linked her arm in Jack’s and allowed him to lead her to a quiet booth, after thanking Jeff for looking after her. Jeff took their order and went to the bar.

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for weeks, Jack.”

“As have I, my dear. As have I,” replied Jack, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

“Jack, I have so much to tell you, I just don’t know where to start,” Beej said, excitedly.

“Calm yourself, my love. We have all the time in the world to talk, but first, there are more important things,” Jack said, taking her hand and lightly kissing the back of it.

Just then, Jeff returned with their drinks and the menu. Beej laughed as Jack studied it intently. Trust him to put his stomach first. He would never change, and she loved him for it. They ordered a bar meal, not wanting to go to the restaurant, and were soon enjoying swordfish, baked potato and salad, followed by a suet pudding and custard, especially for Jack.

When their meal was finished, they took a walk in the garden, enjoying the moonlight on the roses, and one another’s company. Jack turned to Beej.

“Where would you like to stay tonight, my love? Your rooms, my rooms?”

“I would really love to stay on the ship if I may, Jack. I love the gentle roll. It relaxes me and helps me to sleep.”

Jack smiled. He knew she had a problem with insomnia, and was pleased to know that Surprise helped her get some rest, but he was hoping once on board, sleep would be the last thing on their minds.

They walked hand in hand towards the dock, and were soon climbing aboard the ship. Once on deck, Jack swept Beej into his arms for a long, searching kiss.

“I have missed you so much. My darling,” he breathed.

“I’ve missed you too, Jack. I’ve been counting the days until I could get back to be with you.”

Jack lifted her up and walked towards the great cabin. Once inside, he gently placed her on the stern locker, smiling down sweetly at her.

“Are you in the mood for some music, my lady?”

“I’m in the mood for you, my Captain.”

Jack pulled her up and led her by the hand into his sleeping cabin. Once there, they kissed tenderly once again. Their kisses soon turned more intense, and they soon found themselves on his narrow bed, thanking goodness his hanging cot was still absent, reacquainting themselves with each others’ bodies.

Passion spent, they wrapped around each other, kissing and stroking softly, and finally they fell into a deep, restful sleep.

Beej awoke with the first rays of morning streaming through the window. She tried to get up, but found herself trapped under the man mountain that was Jack Aubrey. Jack was dead to the world and snoring gently, like a huge tiger purring in its’ sleep.

Beej needed to relieve herself, so she gently shook Jack, to no effect. She then pushed him, hard. He grunted but didn’t move or wake. Finally, in desperation, she pinched the inside of his upper thigh. He yelped and sprang awake at once.

“I’m sorry sweetheart, I really need to use your amenities,” Beej said, smiling shyly.

Jack rubbed his eyes, smiled back, kissed her gently and moved off her, allowing her to slip from the bed and relieve herself.

Hurrying back into the sleeping cabin, she dived back under the sheet and hugged a semi awake Jack.

“Hell’s teeth!” he exclaimed. “You are like a lump of ice.”

“It’s pretty chilly this morning, Jack, despite the bright sunshine.”

“Then I suggest we stay snug and warm under the covers, my love.”

“Oh, Jack, there’s nothing I would rather do, but I did promise to let Hando take a spin on the bike this morning.”

Jack sighed, remembering Beej had mentioned this while they ate dinner the previous evening. He knew Beej always kept her word, and would never let her break a promise for no real reason. So he reluctantly got up, dressed quickly, and told her they should go to the tavern for breakfast, then to their rooms for a shower and change of clothes.

They had a wonderful full English breakfast, and after showering and changing, they met up again in the foyer. They could see Hando waiting outside, so they went out to meet him. Jack kissed her and said he was going to do some work with John, and would meet up with her for lunch. He said a quick good morning to Hando, and strode off down the drive.

“G’day. Hope I haven’t put his nose outta joint!”

“No worries, mate,” said Beej, winking at Hando. “I told him last night I’d made a promise to you. He wouldn’t want me to break it. Are you ready?”

“Bloody oath!” Hando replied, walking towards the bike.

“So, listen. I make a lousy pillion passenger, so why don’t you take her out on your own?”

“Are you sure?” asked Hando, not believing what he heard.

Beej nodded at him, receiving a bone crushing hug and a kiss on the temple as he took the keys from her and put on the helmet.

“I’ll take care of her Beej, I promise.”

“I know you will, Hando. Enjoy!”

As Hando roared away, Beej looked around her, momentarily at a loss. With Jack busy helping John, what was she going to do until lunchtime? She wandered around aimlessly, and soon found herself back at the dock, in front of Surprise. She stopped and listened. From Jack’s cabin she heard the sound of soft, sad music. Jack was there!

She climbed aboard and crept below, silently pushing the door open to find Jack, standing at the window, playing his violin. She shut the door behind her, leant against it, and was soon lost in the music.

Jack stopped playing and turned round. Beej was shocked to see how sad he looked. His face lit up when he saw her. He placed his violin down and rushed across to her, worried that something was wrong.

“I let Hando take the bike on his own, Jack. I’m a lousy passenger. I had nothing to do, and you said you were with John. I thought I would wait for you here, but was curious when I heard you playing.”

Jack looked at her with a guilty expression on his face.

“I’m sorry to have to admit that I told you a falsehood. I had no appointment with John at all. I didn’t want you to feel guilty about going off with the boy as you had promised. I thought it best to let you think I too had plans for today.”

“Oh, Jack. I’m so sorry. I just didn’t think,” Beej said, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. “I’m here now, and I have an idea.”

She pulled Jack from the cabin, across the deck and off the ship. He soon found himself waiting outside the tavern while Beej went inside. She returned shortly with a picnic hamper, which he took from her. Next stop, the stables. Jack’s eyes lit up at the thought of going for a ride. This was the kind of horse power he understood. East chose a nice gentle bay mare for Beej, and a slightly spirited gelding for Jack.

They were soon on their way across the meadow and through the wood until they came to a sun dappled glade. Deciding it was a good place to stop, and hearing Jack’s stomach growl, they laughed, decided this was the ideal time for lunch.

Jack dismounted, and went across to help Beej down. She took the blanket from behind her saddle and spread it on the grass. Jack helped her empty their lunch from the basket, smiling at the choice the kitchen had made for them.

As they sat together, eating their lunch, Jack asked Beej what it was she was so excited about telling him the evening before. Beej turned to him, her eyes glowing.

“I finally did it, Jack. I went to Portsmouth and visited Victory!”

Jack stopped eating, and turned to face Beej, paying more attention to what she was saying.

“It’s…Jack it’s wonderful. I never had any idea…I mean…I did and I have no idea why it took me so long to finally get there. The dockyard…there is so much to see. The first stop was to HMS Warrior, the first iron clad warship. It was so big, but didn’t seem alive, if you know what I mean.”

Jack nodded in agreement.

“Then I saw the Mary Rose. They raised her remains from the mud of the Solent a few years ago, Jack, and they are trying to pump preservative into the timbers, so one day they can actually rebuild a section and allow the public to walk around on her. They actually let you pick up some of her timber, a cannonball, and some rigging that still smells of tar 500 years after being sunk. It was a wonderful feeling, Jack.”

Jack didn’t say anything, but Beej could see he was fascinated by her report.

“I left Victory until last. I was amazed at how many decks there were, we went right down into the hold. The steps were very narrow and steep, and there was barely enough headroom for me to stand straight, so it would have been unbearable for you, my love.”

Jack leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, touched that she should worry about his comfort.

“We went into the great cabin and I was completely blown away.”

“What do you mean, Sweetness?” Jack said, a worried expression on his face.

“Oh sorry-- It means I was overwhelmed…I have never seen anything so beautiful. They rope it off so you don’t get too close. The long table is set for a captain’s dinner. Nelson’s hat is on a chair near the stern window, and they have one of his uniforms there too. I never realised he was so small.”

“Oh, yes. Small in stature, but a giant among men.”

“Jack, they have a plaque on deck to mark the place where he fell, and they have a painting below, depicting his death.”

Jack looked down as a feeling of immense sorrow washed over him. Beej reached out and took his hand in hers to comfort him.

“And there’s more. I also went up to London to the Maritime Museum at Greenwich. They have the actual uniform he was wearing on show. I have to admit that I wasn’t prepared for the emotion I felt when I saw it. His breeches are in two parts where the surgeons cut them off, and you can see the bullet hole in the shoulder of his jacket…And… and….his stockings still have blood stains on them!”

Beej stammered to a stop and began quietly sobbing. Jack sprang up and moved round to where she was sitting on the edge of the blanket, enclosing her in a warm embrace.

“I’m sorry…I feel... know I shouldn’t have told you all of this, especially as you met the man and held him in such high esteem.”

“No…do not fret, my love. I am pleased that you wanted to share this with me, and I hope one day we will find a way to visit these places together. Maybe I can bring it more to life for you.”

“Now that…I think *that* I would like above all things,” Beej replied, hugging Jack and reaching up to place a kiss on his lips.

Jack brushed the remains of their meal from the blanket, and gently laid her down, kissing her urgently on her mouth, throat and shoulders...anywhere he could find bare flesh he touched. They were soon entangled in each other’s embrace, loving away the pain they felt following the description of the visits.

They lay on the blanket in the dappled shade, content to stay silent in each others arms. All too soon though, they realised it was time to make a move. Hando would be back with the Harley, and wondering where they were. They packed up their picnic, saddled up the horses, and headed back to the stables. East told them he would take care of their mounts, and after thanking him, they headed back to the tavern. The Harley was parked outside, but Hando was nowhere in sight. Jack took her hand as he and Beej headed up the steps and through the doors.

They found Hando inside with Terry and Andy. The boys looked up on hearing Jack and Beej approach.

“Brought her back safe and sound, mate. She rides like a dream,” Hando beamed as he held out the keys of the bike.

Jack grinned, and Beej dug her elbow in his ribs, knowing what he was thinking, but sure in her mind that he would keep it to himself. They joined the boys at the bar and were soon laughing and joking about nothing and everything. Beej looked at the boys, smiling and thinking once again how lucky she was to have them all as mates. She squeezed Jack’s hand and -- after a moment’s hesitation, always unsure about his reaction to such modern public display --rested her head on his strong, wide shoulder. His response made her inwardly smile as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her a little closer to him.

The rest of her stay flew by amidst much laughter, especially when John tried to teach them both to skate. It was fun comparing bruises after that little escapade. All too soon, though, it was nearly time for her to leave. Her last night was going to be something special. It was all arranged and she had managed to keep Jack in the dark about their final dinner of her visit.

Jack was on Surprise when Andy called up to him from the dock.

“Captain, I have a message for you, sir.”

Jake leaned over the rail and took the envelope from him.

“Thankee kindly, Andrew.”

“No worries,” Andy replied, hurrying away. He still felt in awe of the captain.

Jack took the envelope below, and sat at his desk, turning it over in his hands. He wondered who it could be from. On further inspection, he thought he recognised the writing. He smiled as he opened it.

Out fell a beautiful card, edged in gold, with ornate script requesting the pleasure of Captain John Aubrey R.N. at dinner that evening in the tavern restaurant. It ended with a further request that Captain Aubrey should wear his best uniform for the dinner.

Jack smiled, wondering why Joanne would want him in uniform, but decided to agree to her request as it was her last night before going home.

That evening, punctual as usual, Jack arrived at the restaurant, surprised to see everyone waiting by the main entrance, and all dressed in their finery. He was beginning to feel a little ill at ease. His beautiful Joanne would look so out of place amongst everyone else, and although they were all friends, he didn’t want her to be embarrassed in her usual jeans, vest top and boots. He looked around, seeing that she had yet to arrive.

John and Maximus came over to him and greeted him saying that they would all go in as soon as Beej arrived. They headed towards the bar, and soon the gentle murmur of conversation filled the room. A few minutes later, Jack, who had been absently playing with his drink, realised that it had gone very quiet. He looked around and noticed everyone was staring at the stairs. He turned on his bar stool to see what they were all looking at, and his mouth dropped open in surprise.

Standing at the foot of the stairs, looking more than a little self-conscious and timid, was Beej in a beautiful sage green satin dress and bolero jacket with silver sandals completing her ensemble.

Jack soon recovered from the shock, and quickly left his seat, racing to Beej’s side. He placed a hand on the small of her back and felt her shaking. Helping her down the last steps, he bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek and a word of encouragement, before escorting her to the bar for a before dinner drink, amidst gasps of admiration from the rest of the waiting diners.

For what seemed like an eternity, he sat there staring into her face, making her more embarrassed by the moment. He then reached over to take her hand in his, turning it over to kiss the inside of her wrist.

“You look beautiful, my darling,” he whispered. “May I ask why? You don’t ‘do girlie dresses’ as I recall.”

“Oh Jack, I did it for you, and for this special evening.” As Beej rose from her place at the bar and led Jack towards the restaurant, he struggled in vain to try and remember what special significance that evening held. Apart from the fact that his beloved would be leaving the following day, his mind was a blank.

Beej smiled to herself on seeing the baffled expression on Jack’s face. She reached for his hand as she slowly pushed open the double doors, revealing the restaurant, bedecked with bunting and Union Flags. There was a large ice sculpture on the main table depicting a certain famous ship of the line.

“Happy Trafalgar Day, my love,” whispered Beej.

“May the Lord and Saint’s preserve us. How could I have forgotten?”

“I think a certain young lady made sure you had other things on your mind this week, Jack,” said Maximus, placing his hand on Jack’s shoulder.

Jack sat back down, still gazing into Beej’s eyes.

“I do believe you’re right, sir,” he said to Maximus. “But on this occasion, I think Lord Nelson would forgive me,” he continued, reaching over to Beej and kissing her soundly, much to the delight of the entire restaurant.