Hello! I can't believe that this is my last Chapter!!!!

Special thanks to all those reviewers out there! A super-special thanks to AloneDreaming for all of the help!

ENJOY!!!

:)

The party was buzzing with conversations from guests that had just finished their dinner and were now moved out into the ballroom where a quartet played contently in a corner. Some of the couples managed to waltz about the small groups of people that had found their conversations taking place upon the dance floor. On both sides of the room, there were refreshment tables with punch and trays of small foods that found their ways into many of the party's guests, which is where Jack was to be found.

Jack sighed heavily as he listened to the beautiful music fill the room and, subconsciously, tapped his foot. He turned to the dishes and picked up a few of the snacks and put them in his mouth one-by-one and turned his attention back to the groups of people talking about such things as government and battles. Usually, he would be one of those people, but tonight he seemed to be quieter than usual. He had spoken to a few of the people, giving them greetings or chatting about insignificant topics such as pets and the taste of the dinner. He was so absorbed with his study, that he didn't notice that Captain Conner and approached him.

"Jack?" Anthony said. Jack blinked and looked over at him and smiled.

"Anthony, the Admiral told me that you were coming tonight. How has your night been?" Jack asked seeing that Anthony was very happy about something.

"Oh, my night has been wonderful, how about yours my friend?" Anthony said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"It has been a very good night, I thank you." Jack looked back out into the crowds of people and looked back at his friend. "I just can't seem to find any of these people very good company tonight. I dare say I must seem a bit quieter than usual."

Anthony smiled. "Well that is partly the reason I came to see you. You seem sad, but I believe I have someone that I want you to meet that will brighten up your day." Anthony looked around the room standing on his tip-toes as he was considerably shorter than Jack. He gave a quick sigh and turned to Jack with a disappointed look on his face, "It seems I have lost track of him, but do not fear," Anthony said with a now determined expression, "I'll find him and when I do I'll take him directly to you!" Anthony marched into the throng and was soon engulfed.

Jack shook his head with a smile upon his face, he found this oddly amusing. He soon realized that he was alone again and that the room was becoming, surprisingly, uncomfortable and looked around for any possible escape.

"Ah ha!" he mutter to himself when he saw the doors leading out to the garden open.

He stood on the stairs leading down into the garden and took a big breath of the fresh air. He looked around and walked down the stairs. 'A stroll in the garden wouldn't hurt' he thought.

He proceeded to walk down the small path when he heard a ruffling sound in the pushes. A small amount of alarm spread throughout him, but was soon taken over by curiosity.

"Hello?" he cried, "Is anyone out there?"

The sound stopped and a voice called out, "Yes! I am!"

Jack put a smile on his face at the remark, but he knew he knew that voice from somewhere. "Who, exactly, is 'I'?"

There was a creaking sound, maybe laughter and then the voice responded. "I am sorry, sir. I am Julian."

At this name, Jack's stomach flipped. That was the name that Bonden said that the man that looked like the doctor went by. Jack began to walk down the path again, at a faster pace, as he desired to see what Julian looked like.

As he walked, he didn't notice the man crouched in front of him and tripped with a loud squeak escaping him.

After a few moments, in which both the men were in sock, Jack got up and began to pull the other man up.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I should of warned you, I was in the bushes trying to catch a peculiar bug and I wasn't watching where I was going...," the voice of Julian kept rambling on but stopped when he saw the way that Jack was looking at him. In deed, Jack was gaping at Julian. Julian looked harder at Jack, and his face soon showed the same expression.

Julian began to shake, not with fear or anxiety, but with an emotion that could barely be described. He gulped, rather loudly, and opened his mouth to speak. "You," he stammered, "you're the man from my dreams, though I don't know who you are or why you haunt my dreams." Julian rubbed his lips together and continued. "Pray, do tell me your name."

Jack was now trembling and tears were brimming and threatening to flow at any moment. At this question, one of his tears fell down his face. "My name is Captain Jack Aubrey of the HMS Surprise. You are the surgeon of the ship." Jack paused for a moment trying to get a hold of himself. "Do tell me that you remember Stephen."

Julian's expression became blank, as though he were no longer thinking, but in side of his mind, the memories came rushing back and at long last, he remembered what happened. His blank face soon became very emotional and tears welled within his eyes. "Jack?" His voice shook as he talked.

Jack face became lighten up with joy and the tears fell steadily. "Stephen!" Jack pulled Stephen into an embrace and the two men now shed tears onto each other's shoulders.

"I thought I'd never see you again! I thought you were dead, how much joy I feel!" Jack cried as he wiped tears from his face.

Stephen nuzzled his face into the warmness of Jack's neck in reply and trembled with a happy sob. He ran his fingers through Jack's hair and closed his eyes. It was just the way he remembered it. The two men pulled apart at long last, but still had their arms attached to the others. Stephen saw the tears that escaped Jack's eyes and took his thumb and wiped it away with a smile.

"I am glad to see you too friend. How miserable my life would have been if I never found out who you were!" Stephen cried.

Jack smiled. "How horrible it would have been for the two of us!"

There was a pause in which both men stared at each other to make sure they weren't dreaming and embraced again.

"Where have you been, my dear?" Jack exclaimed.

"I have been with a man named Captain Anthony Conner of the HMS Molly," Stephen replied. Stephen was about to continue, when he heard a man call out to them.

"I see you have met the man I have wanted you to meet," the voice of Captain Conner rang out as he approached, "Now only if I could meet him."

Stephen and Jack released each other and Stephen smiled. "My name is Dr. Stephen Maturin of the Surprise Anthony."

Anthony smiled and looked at the two friends, beaming. "Well, now I finally know who you are!" he exclaimed. "Clearly the meeting of two lost friends has come about, and I must not interrupt it."

"Captain Conner, I don't know how to repay you," Stephen said. "You showed me the greatest kindness in my time of need and I thank you with all my heart."

Anthony put a smirk on his face and replied, "I'll think of something." He turned to walk away, but was stopped by Jack.

"Please, let me invite you to dinner. It's the least we could do," Jack cried.

Anthony shook his head and said, "No, I think seeing to great friends come together is a prize more worth than gold, besides I leave port tomorrow morning, so I dare say that this is the last time I shall see you before I leave." Anthony gave a bow. "Good-bye Stephen and Jack, maybe I'll see you again someday." The two men said their good-byes and watched Anthony walk away. They knew that they would never forget him.

Jack turned to Stephen and said, "Why don't we take our leave? We can head back to the Surprise and pay the men a visit."

Stephen turned to Jack and replied, "I would like that of most things Jack."

So the two friends started towards the ship to start a new journey that they would make together.

Finis

WOW! the story is over! I hope you liked the ending! :) C-ya!