Surprise! Here's another update, and so close too. Pretty cool eh? Yeah this is me procrastinating on my "real" novel. Le sigh, but hopefully doing this will kick me into gear with the novel. Hope you enjoy, and let me know what you like and dislike!

James closed his eyes and released a long low groan of unexpected pleasure as Ashlynne's mouth finally pressed against his. Her tongue slid between his lips, a delicious and familiar caress that swept across his teeth and drew another hungry moan from him. Without considering the consequences and forgetting his anger, he twisted her hair around his fingers and tethered her to him so this breathtaking fantasy wouldn't end before he wanted, and he wanted it to go on forever.

James knew was dreaming, he'd dreamt of this before and other scenes like it, as she'd often come to him in his sleep. For the first few years after her death, at least once a month, he would be plagued by her caresses, her kisses, her smiles. When he would wake in the morning, drenched in sweat and the lasting evidence of his fantasy sticky against his skin, he would curse himself and her. He hadn't had such dreams for some time now but something had been triggered and now here he was again, holding the phantom body of the one woman who'd ever savagely ripped his heart apart with no chance for repair.

At her responding moan, James tilted his head and pressed harder against her mouth, his tongue brushing hers, delving in deep to taste her. When she clutched his jacket tightly in her fists in response he felt a shiver of desire shoot through him. His breathing turned rough as he reacquainted himself with her sweetness and warmth, though he knew it was a fantasy he still relished it. He was allowing his dream state mind to rekindle a passion whose embers had burned deep in his heart all the time they had been apart. Ashlynne moved against him, her lips suddenly soft, slowing the kiss until he wanted to groan and pull her against him, wanted to thrust his tongue back into her mouth and show her just how much she made him feel.

All too soon, her lips left his but she remained close. She let go of his jacket and reached up to stroke his face, her fingers mapping the lines the sun had weathered into it. Her eyes held a pained though passionate look and her lips, swollen from the kiss, glistened, begging for more. He bent his head, fully intent up sucking her lower lip in between his, when she pulled back again, this time pushing away until she had him at arm's length.

"You must forgive me."

James paused. Never had she spoken in his dreams before. It had always been a physical intimacy that they shared, words never spoken except perhaps names roared out on the waves of climax. He found himself releasing her and stepped back, taking in her full visage. She too looked older, more mature, but she still had that quality of strength in her stance that he'd always admired.

"Why?" He found himself responding to the phantom, his arms crossing over his chest.

Tears began to trace lines down her overly pale cheeks. "Because I love you."

"You certainly proved that when you left." He growled at her, his passion swinging into anger with startling force. Where he'd once desired to cradle her against his chest he now wanted to rip her to pieces. "You're love is a curse."

With horror, he observed as the phantom Ashlynne suddenly tilted her head back and let out a pained scream. He clutched at his ears in response until suddenly the scream was shattered into silence. Slowly, with sickening slowness, he watched as her body was lifted up and floated in the air as if the air were water. She fought against the air, her mouth opening and closing in silent cries. After a moment her movements grew less and then, as her eyes fixed themselves on him, she grew still and her body relaxed into death.

"No!" James reached out into the air above his bed, his other hand clutching at the sheets tangled around his body. It took him a moment to remember where he was but once he did he dropped his arm over his head and drew in shaky breaths.

He'd never quite dreamt that before. Not only had she spoken in this one but he'd also witnessed her drown. James threw off his tangled sheets and stood. He padded over to the window and threw it open. The moist night air did little to cool his feverish state but the freshness of the night did relieve his nerves marginally. Blinking multiple times, James did his best to get the image of Ashlynne's lifeless gaze out of his mind.

He had to be honest with himself, especially after such a dream. He knew that the dreams had returned because of Miss Devonshire. With Elizabeth he had felt a patient affection, almost more of an ownership that one might feel towards a prized horse—if he were honest enough to own up to feeling such a thing towards such a lovely woman as she. Miss Devonshire, though they had just met, had kindled in him an intrigue that had not been kindled since Ashlynne. In a short span of time, due to her smiles, her laughter, her clever dialogue, Miss Devonshire had managed to stir up the beginnings of feelings he'd long kept buried underneath propriety.

Was he happy that he even still had such feelings after so long, he didn't know. Was he about to act on them and pursue Miss Devonshire, though they had met just the once, he also did not know. All he knew was that he needed to get THAT woman out of his mind, and well away from his heart, if he wanted to get any sleep.

There was no point in dragging up the dead, even in dreams, if there was a possibility of life with someone else. Ashlynne had betrayed not only him but also her country. So feel anything towards her memory other than sheer disappointment and disgust gave him much frustration. He couldn't control his dreams, he knew that, but if being exposed to Miss Devonshire so much caused him to dream even more of Ashlynne then that was indeed a double edged sword. While she could, hypothetically speaking in the best sense, offer him hope for a future, at the same time she could continue to remind him in her oh so subtle ways of Ashlynne, and that might drive him mad.

The excuse of seeing her again on the morn, to double check her statement and the like, would help James determine what exactly he wanted from both Miss Devonshire and himself. In the meantime, he needed to get some sleep and hopefully this time it would not be plagued by THAT woman.

"Are they gone?" Her quiet voice trembled along with her body, unsure of what to do with him standing so close to her after so long. If she leaned only slightly forward she would be completely in his arms. She watched as James glanced around the dim alleyway. After a moment he stared back into her eyes, refreshing her memory of every fleck of silver against stormy grey. It had been too long since she had seen him this close, and it felt even longer since he had kissed her.

"Not yet," he whispered against her lips, a split-second before his mouth claimed hers. Desire leapt to life within her, burning away the fear she'd felt after she'd initially seen him stalk closer to her.

Only a moment passed before she loosed a deep breathy moan, unable to keep it in from all the sensations his kiss had caused. She felt him stiffen in response, his fingers wrapping around the nape of her neck, pressing them in and dragging her closer still. The heat of his kiss reawakened lost passion and a need for him that had yet to die. Her fingertips grazed his neck and pushed into the hair at the back of his head. She felt more than heard him groan, the vibrations rumbling against her chest. His touch sent waves of warm pulses dancing along every nerve in her body. Tilting her head back, she allowed him to thrust his tongue into her mouth. He slid a hand around her waist at the same time, pulling her so close to him that her breasts pushed against his chest with each gasping breath she drew. He eased his hand lower to her hip and Ashlynne turned her head to the side to gasp in breath as she felt him edge her legs apart with his knee, pressing closer.

"Ashlynne." His voice was husky with desire, his breath hot against her neck. "Come back to me."

She managed to gulp in some semblance of sanity, despite the fact that his hand braced against her hip began to slide downwards over her thigh. "You'll kill me."

"I won't." James pulled his head back and stared down at her. "I may be an idiot but I won't kill you." His hand dipped lower and edged closer to where she burned, where she craved his touch. "I need you."

Ashlynne's eyes grew wide and her breath escaped her in a rush when his hand finally cupped her, pressing intimately against her. She leaned her head back against the wall behind her and allowed her eyes to drift closed for a moment, the sensations threatening to overcome her. When she opened her eyes again she found James smiling triumphantly at her.

"What are you smilin' at?"

He leaned closer and kissed just below her ear, "Give me a chance and you'll find out."

Before she could question him further a bright light erupted before her eyes and she groaned. Where he'd once filled her arms and held her in warmth, Ashlynne now felt chilled and alone. She rolled over and blinked the world into focus. It took a moment but soon her eyes fell upon a familiar figure standing near her window. She dropped her head back against her pillows and let out a sigh.

"What're ye doin' in here?" She growled, not at all appreciating the interruption to her dream or the fact that she'd been caught having such a dream; she could only hope she hadn't been doing anything or saying anything when he'd come in.

Parlan chuckled, "I received a note from the barracks earlier this morning. It seems that the good Commodore would like to call you in for further questioning regarding the market vendor." He moved closer until he sat on the edge of the bed. "I get the feeling that this summons has more than just the vendor attached to it. I'll be going with you. Now get dressed." He swatted her rear as he stood and started towards the door. "Oh and try not to worry, I don't think he'll kill you."

Ashlynne snarled as she threw a pillow towards the door. It took more time than normal to get ready, shaking off the effects of the dream had proven most difficult. Parlan of course offered her no mercy when he sat with her over breakfast – Will had already departed to be with Elizabeth for some wedding plan or another. Ashlynne did her best to ignore him until they were out on the street and then he only made it worse, questioning her on what sorts of dreams she usually had, the average number of nightmares versus "delicious" dreams, and etcetera. She only barely kept herself from thrashing him and was saved from giving in to temptation when Groves met them just outside the barracks.

Groves tipped his hat and gave a slight bow, "What brings you both out here so early in the morning?"

"It seems that the Commodore would like to double check my sister's statement." Parlan eyed Groves. Ashlynne had told him and Will the day before about Groves knowing who she was. Parlan now wondered if Groves had inadvertently given Norrington reason to suspect something.

"Ah," Groves frowned but stepped aside and gestured for the others to precede him into the barracks, "I'm not quite sure why he would need to do that unless either the vendor or another witness came up with some reason why her statement was false or inapplicable. I'm sure its nothing." He gave Ashlynne a knowing look. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

Ashlynne nodded, hiding her nerves behind a pasted smile, thankful for her wide-brim hat and fan, behind which she could better hide reactions. One of the best things about a female disguise was the fan or hat, both offered great shielding opportunities while negotiating. She had a strange feeling that she would need the fan and hat today, to hide behind. Especially after such a "delicious" dream as she'd had the night before, to see James again so soon would be difficult for her to handle.

"Here we are." Groves held his hand up and rapped lightly on the wooden door. A moment later they heard, "Enter," and Groves pushed open the door, bowing slightly as was customary as both Parlan and Ashlynne walked back into the room.

James was hunched over his desk scribbling something furiously but then something caused his head to snap up, almost violently, and his grey eyes locked onto her. Immediately she felt the ghost touches of his lips and fingers, a warm heaviness drifting down her stomach to settle between her legs. She knew her cheeks were flushed but was thankful, for once, that the day was hot and humid and she could blame the weather for her blush. It was most curious, however, to note that James too had a redness about his cheeks and his breathing had hitched ever so slightly when he'd first seen her.

Ashlynne didn't know how much time passed from the moment they walked in to the moment Groves cleared his throat but with that sound the spell, or whatever it had been, was broken and James became the Commodore again.

"Thank you for coming down here on such short notice." He stood and gestured towards the two seats in front of his desk. "Please have a seat."

Ashlynne allowed Parlan to properly escort her to her chair and help her sit before he sat as well. Sometimes she found the odd traditions of propriety and decorum to be amusing and had to smother her laugh. With a flick of her wrist she extended her fan and set to waving it, it was bloody hot after all, even without her attraction to James.

"Not at all. We are happy to be of service." Parlan answered for her, both of them having earlier agreed that the less Ashlynne spoke, even with her accent properly in place, the more likely their disguise would continue to work. "What exactly would you like us to do?"

James shuffled through some of his papers before he pulled out the one on which Groves had written Ashlynne's statement the night before, "It says here that you intended to buy five oranges," he held the paper out towards her and she was careful to avoid contact with his fingers as she received it, "yet even the vendor will confirm that he attempted to force you to pay for two more than your original number, and he stated that with his additions it would round out to eight oranges." Ashlynne could only blink at him and James chuckled in response. "I understand it may sound like a minor discrepancy but in regards to matters such as this we try to be as precise as possible so that all parties involved may come out knowing true justice was administered. We don't like to act to hastily."

Ashlynne handed him the paper back and again set about waving her fan, this time with greater emphasis. Don't like to act hastily? True justice? Just what the hell kind of navy had he convinced himself that he worked for? Ashlynne chewed on the inside of her cheek to keep from lashing out at him and his blind following.

"I could not remember if it was five or six and I still cannot recall. The vendor had me in such a state of confusion." She pulled the fan up to momentarily block her view from James' and cast Parlan a glare. When she brought the fan down again she gave James an apologetic smile. "If it will help with the discrepancy issue I can say that it was six and we leave it at that."

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to change a number merely to ease the process, Miss Devonshire. That would be an untruth and what separates us from thieves and pirates but a desire and appreciation for truth?" James gave her a dashing smile while in response Ashlynne curled her fingers tighter around her fan and nearly snapped it in two. "Please, take a moment and reflect back to that day. Before you saw me, you were arguing with the vendor. If it'll help then you may close your eyes and visualize the moment. When you remember looking at your basket how many oranges were there?"

Ashlynne complied and closed her eyes, but mostly because she knew if she kept them open she'd glare holes through James' head. She supposed she should be thankful that he had grown into such a sanctimonious ass. Appreciation for truth? Sadly, James wouldn't know truth if it sat across his desk from him – and it was. Ashlynne took a deep breath and slowly let it out, making a show of remembering. When she opened her eyes again she pulled her fan up to emphasize a half smile.

"There were eight oranges when you greeted me. Therefore I must have agreed to pay for six. I can promise that I'm not just saying that to ease the paperwork and expedite the process. I honestly remember seeing eight oranges." She closed the fan and set it in her lap. "I too appreciate truth and when true justice is administered I am one of the first to cheer." She barely kept the venom of bitterness from her voice.

Before James could note her frustration Groves cleared his throat again, "Is there anything else sir?"

"Well," James glanced between Groves and Ashlynne then over to Parlan, "I don't believe so." He made to stand, the others quickly following suit. "Only that there will be an engagement celebration at Governor Swann's mansion tomorrow evening and he gave me strict orders to make sure all the right people were invited." He again flashed Ashlynne a smile meant to charm her and instead of having the target reaction she flicked out her fan and took to fanning herself again. "I know both Will Turner and Miss Elizabeth would be delighted if you could attend."

Ashlynne opened her mouth to decline but Parlan spoke first, "We'd be delighted." He moved closer to Ashlynne's side and took her hand, forcibly placing it on his arm. "What time would we be expected?"

"I believe the festivities will start at quarter past seven." James moved around his desk and walked with them to the door. "Till tomorrow then."

Parlan and Ashlynne bowed in response before hurrying through the door. Groves was close behind. Only once they were out of the barracks and on their way home again, Groves having bid them good day at the barracks entrance, did Ashlynne jerk away and speak.

"What the bloody hell Parlan? What are ye thinkin' sayin' yes to such nonsense as that?"

Parlan chuckled, "You really should be more careful when we're still in public, sister dearest." He reached out and jerked her hand back to his arm. "I said yes because I heard from Will that the innkeeper arrived sometime late last night, his boat landed on the other side of the island and he arrived by cart. The engagement party will be perfect. Most of the officers will be there, most of the gentry will be there, leaving the inn and the innkeeper a perfect target."

"Ah but ye forget one thing brother mine." Ashlynne nearly kicked in the door to their cottage once they came to it. "Ye just promised Norrington that we'd be attendin' the party."

"You will be, I will not. I will ask Groves to serve as your escort in my stead. Later on today I will eat something dreadful and come down with a case of the runs that will leave me horribly weak and in no state to attend any party of any kind. Thus freeing you to attend the party as a decoy while I investigate this sneaky innkeeper." Parlan looked proud of himself, his smug smile not helping Ashlynne's ill humor. "How does that sound, sister mine?"

Ashlynne growled, "Sounds like I need to remind myself on how to dance a jig."