Obligatory disclaimer: The Mouse owns all, save my own original characters.

A/N: A very quick update to the story, but only because I was trying for several days to upload the previous chapter. Again, thanks to all of you who have read and a very special thank you to my reviewers. I appreciate your patience with the story!

Julia opened her eyes, squinting into the darkness in an attempt to see, and pushed herself up onto her elbow. She could have sworn that she heard music, but try as she might all Julia heard was the sound of the waves crashing against the ship's hull.

Must have been just a dream.

After several moments, straining to hear the song that pulled her from sleep, Julia gave up and plopped back down against her pillows, closing her eyes.

"I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company"

Her eyes popped back open.

I knew it!

Sighing in a cross between amusement and frustration, Julia nudged the cat off the bed, then tossed back her coverlet and rose. Now that she knew it was not just a dream there would be no returning to slumber just yet, as Julia knew she would hear every note of the song, so she figured she would find the source of the music.

"Though the night be as dark as dungeon, not a star can be seen above
I will be guided without a stumble, into the arms of my own true love"

Grabbing her dress, she quickly donned it and pulled her hair back with a ribbon. Despite the impropriety, Julia opted against shoes. She had no intention of staying up too much later; Julia just wanted to see what the celebrating was all about.

"I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company"

Opening the cabin door a crack, Julia watched her feline friend slip into the hallway. The singing became louder, more distinct and clear. Making sure that there was no one coming in either direction, Julia crept into the darkness, the door closing behind her with a soft click.

"He stepped up to her bedroom window, kneeling gently upon a stone
He whispers through her bedroom window, my darling dear do you lie alone"

Julia crept along, her bare feet making no sound on the rough wood planks as she followed the music. She had to stop every so often to get her bearings, as the hour was late and all the lanterns had long since been turned down – and in some cases, extinguished.

"I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company"

Her hand sliding across the smooth handrail, Julia slowly traversed the steps leading down to the crew's quarters. Knowing Captain Norrington would be furious if he caught her, Julia hesitated only slightly before continuing onward. After all, she would just claim that they woke her and was only investigating the source of the noise.

"It's only me your own true lover, open the door and let me in
For I have come on a long nights journey and I'm near drenched to the skin"

Light radiated from around the corner and shadows danced on the hallway walls. As each step brought her closer to the music, Julia stopped listening to the lyrics of the song and started listening to the voice of the singer. More melancholy than sad, her heart did a little skip at the thought of how far away the men had to be from their family and friends.

"I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company"

Julia peeked around the corner, amused by the scene before her. Several of the men were involved in an animated game of cards, their voices low as to not drown out the melody. The others were laying in their hammocks, with either a mug of rum in hand to help push them over to sleep or they were already well on their way to dreamland, hands clasped behind their heads.

"She opened the door with the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she let him in
They both shook hands and embraced each other, until the morning they lay as one"

Mister Wolfe stayed his fingers on the fretboard of his mandolin and turned to face the darkness, the song reminding him of his late wife and their courtship. But the low light splashed against the delicate features of Captain Norrington's passenger, whose face was contorted in a cross between delight and exhaustion. Mister Wolfe mentally willed her back to bed, but was pleased to see her in a dress rather than nightgown as the men were sleepy, but they would all be instantly awake if the passenger showed the slightest hint of impropriety. I bet the poor poppet just wants to get some sleep, but music must have been too much of a draw after all the boredom on the ship.

"Are we bothering you, Miss Ramage?" Mister Wolfe made sure his voice was low and soft, lest he startle the woman before him.

Julia took a step backwards, hiding in the shadows of the doorway, shyly shaking her head in the negative. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, despite her efforts to appear impassive. "Nay. I should apologize for intruding upon your time. It is just… that… I thought I heard music. Which, obviously, I did. But when I realized that it was not just a dream, but indeed fact, I admit that I became curious. Please, go back to your playing, Mister Wolfe. 'Tis a shame to quiet such a talent. And Mister Greene, your voice is lovely. Please continue."

The ship's boatswain colored red at the compliment directed towards his voice, but smiled brightly in response. "Please. Join us. We have very little to offer but song, however…" his voice trailed off at the shaking of Julia's head.

The hour was late and sleep was luring Julia back to bed. Struggling to not only keep her eyes open, but to stay upright, she hated barging in on the men only to immediately turn around and leave. But the captain would verbally explode – or worse – if he saw her amongst the crew. Knowing that she needed to get back before the captain noted her presence amongst the men, Julia smiled in gratitude. "No, but I thank you. I really should get back–."

"Missus Ramage! I thought I told you to keep away from my men!"

Julia spun around, Captain Norrington's venomous words raked across her skin with the same pain as a sword edge. The scowl on his face would have been enough to stop a run-away horse dead in its tracks. Julia felt her eyes narrow in response, her chin jutting out in indignation. She felt her fingers curl, her hands balling into fists. How dare he accuse her of dallying with his crew! Especially after she reveled having a husband. What nerve. But at least my title has been adjusted accordingly.

Her reaction inflamed the captain and he slammed his palm against the wall to the left of her head. How dare she act like the wronged party! Obviously letting his guard down around was an error in his judgment. Norrington wanted nothing more than to shake the living daylights out of his passenger so in order to curb his desire, he busied his hands by repeatedly raking his fingers through his hair.

Swallowing hard, Julia decided to try a different tactic. Taking several deep breaths, Julia locked gazes with the captain and, after a moment, curved her lips into a syrupy smile and said sweetly, "I was just about to thank the men for the lullaby's they were playing to help put me to sleep. In fact, I was about to put in a request before I retreated back to my cabin. But if you have more pressing matters for them to attend to, I shall retire now and get out of your way."

An eyebrow arched. "And just what song was it that you were asking them to sing?"

Was he trying to catch her in a lie? Well, in theory he did, she mused, so Julia picked the first song she could think of. "I had not yet had a chance to ask. But if you must know, I was to request Broom of the Cowdenknowes." Not even giving a second thought as to where the melody suggestion came from, for she hated the melancholy tune, Julia turned back to the men and asked, "Do any of you know how to play it? I would much like to hear it as I drift off to sleep. That is, if you find that acceptable." Julia spun back to face the captain, her hair flying like a whip behind her.

His voice was icy with barely restrained fury. "What I would find acceptable, Missus Ramage, would be for you to retire to your cabin. Right now. Alone."

Julia's eyes narrowed. She could feel each set of eyes boring into the back of her head as she stared down the most insufferable man she had ever met. And I have met my fair share. Her hands balled into fists as she tried her best to radiate enough anger to physically knock down the captain. Her mind raced as she attempted to formulate an appropriate response.

Rather than sputtering out a retort that would make her look any more foolish, Julia decided that the best response was to turn the tables on the captain. To take the emphasis off of her and to set it squarely on his shoulders. "Do you speak to your wife like you do me? Or am I just lucky enough to bear your entire hatred towards the fairer sex?" she finally spat out. Not quite he retort she was looking for, but it would do.

Norrington looked as if he had been struck. Even in the low light, Julia could see the color drain from his skin. The corners of his mouth tightened. His nostrils flared. "That will be enough, Missus Ramage! I think it would be most appropriate if you retired to your quarters. Now."

It then dawned on Mister Wolfe just what Captain Norrington had been inferring. Seeing that Miss Ramage was putting up a brave front despite the accusations being lobbed at her – even they could possibly be true – he felt had to intervene on her behalf. "Captain, 'twas nothing like you be thinking. If nothing else, it should be us apologizing to her for the commotion we caused that pulled her from sleep. Jes' let her be captain."

Pressing his lips tightly together to bite back a retort that might cause mutiny, Captain Norrington surveyed his men with a calculated eye. All stared back at him with open curiosity. Norrington knew that if he played the scene out incorrectly, all respect from his crew would be lost. If he pushed the issue, the man would abandon their obedience to him and side with Missus Ramage. However, if Norrington backed down from his stance, it would set a precedence that the men would try to work to their advantage in future disputes. Norrington then again looked at the woman before him, disgusted with her wantonness and the spell she had cast on his men.

A near-tangible tension hung in the air as Norrington and Julia stared one another down, while the crew watched in hushed fascination to see who would back down first. After a good amount of time had passed, with neither one budging, Quartermaster Samuel Heaney decided that enough was enough and echoed the earlier words of Mister Wolfe.

"Captain, be it as it may, we were the one's who woke up poor Miss Ramage. Now, I think we should all follow your advice and blow out the lanterns. What say you men?" Mister Heaney turned to the crew and commanded them with his eyes to agree.

But his glare was unnecessary. The men were as uncomfortable as the quartermaster and a chorus of "Ayes!" quickly followed. Satisfied, Mister Heaney turned back to the captain, his arms folded across his chest and a smug expression painting his features.

Which quickly dissipated at the withering expression Norrington bestowed upon the quartermaster. However, Norrington decided enough was enough. In a battle of wills, he and Missus Ramage would remain engaged for hours. Given the opportunity to move past their stalemate, Norrington grasped at it… even if the end result was somewhat different than he had hoped. "Anyone – and I mean anyone – who is not supposed to be above deck at this moment, I highly suggest that you douse the lights. I will be making rounds in fifteen minutes hence." With that, he spun on his heel and departed as quickly as he appeared.

Rather than feeling vindicated that the crew had rushed to her defense, Julia somehow felt that she was going to regret the outcome of the altercation. The captain was an extremely proud man who lived by his convictions. And he was convinced that Julia was…

A whore. Maybe even worse than that. Morally bankrupt? Does he now think that I will lie down indiscriminately? And without the benefit of payment? That man! What happened to the tentative… friendship… we had cultivated at the inn? Is there a man in this world that might treat me with an ounce of respect?

The men were starting to put away their diversions. A yawn escaped her lips despite her attempts to squelch the action. Sleep was starting to beckon her back to bed despite the adrenaline rushing through her veins, but before Julia retreated back to her cabin she wanted to thank the men. Unsure of what to say, Julia wet her lips and turned away to ruminate on how to express herself. As she pivoted, Julia found herself watching the retreating back of the captain. As the shadows cloaked the captain into the darkness, Julia pondered his unhappiness and what may have caused such pain in a man living such a footloose and carefree lifestyle.

Suddenly feeling deflated, Julia leaned against the doorframe and sighed. No words came to her, but a serene smile came to her lips when the cat reappeared by brushing itself against her ankles. Scooping the feline up into her arms, Julia rubbed her cheek against the top of its head. "Thank you for everything. Pleasant dreams," she said, unsure if anyone actually heard her. Then, with an exaggerated curtsey to the men, Julia retreated from the men's quarters to her cabin.