Hello ya'll! My story is almost over, can you believe it?

Thanks for all the reviews and info.! To STC- i have no idea what you are talking about, but it sounds cool! :)

Enjoy

Jack sat down in the waiting area to talk to the Admiral. It was about three thirty and the Surprise had been in port since nine the last night. He looked around the room that had been so archaically decorated. The sunlight brought a kind of haunting presence into the room. Jack looked around and found a mirror. He looked into it and saw the port, as the mirror was place opposite of a window. He looked at all the small people walking by and one of them caught his eye. He jumped up and was about to look out the window when the door to the Admiral's office opened. A man stepped out and smile spread across Jack's face.

"Anthony? Anthony Conner isn't it?" Jack said peering at the man.

Anthony turned and looked at Jack and a happy expression swept across his solemn face. "Jack, how wonderful it is to see you!"-The two men shook hands-"I can't believe it! The last time I saw you...I don't even remember the last time I saw you!"

Jack smiled. "Well it's been a couple of years. I see you're a captain, which ship is yours?

"The Molly and if I am not mistaken, yours is the Surprise, is it not?"

Jack shook is head and replied, "Yes. How did you know?"

Anthony lifted an eyebrow and cried, "How could I not know? Your famous, Aubrey!" There was a pause and Anthony continued, "What brings you to port?"

Jack looked down and then held his head up, "My doctor, and very dear friend, was killed in a storm. I have to find him a replacement."

Anthony frowned. "I'm sorry brother; it must be a very hard blow."

"Yes, well, only time can heal. What brings you to port?"

"Oh, I had to get my orders for my next mission." He patted the packet that was pressed against his side. "We're going to the Red Sea."

"Ah, well, I mustn't keep the Admiral waiting." Jack smiled, "I'll see you later."

"Bye." Jack watched Anthony walk out the door and onto the streets.

Jack walked into the office to find the Admiral drinking tea the Admiral didn't seem to take notice of him until Jack bowed and said his greetings. The Admiral put down his cup of tea and asked, "Would you like a cup, Aubrey?"

"No thank you sir." Jack smiled and took a seat when the Admiral had gestured for him to do so. "Sir, you may be wondering why I'm here..."

"I know why you're here Captain; I heard Conner and you talking out there." His face turned grave and continued, "I am sorry about your doctor, it is most unfortunate. AS for getting a new one, you have my permission to go to the Hospital and take which ever doctor you feel suited." The Admiral took a piece of paper and scribbled rather quickly on it and handed it to Jack. "When you go to the Hospital, just give this to the head doctor, Dr. Samuels, and he'll know what to do."

Jack took the note and found, even though it had been scribbled, the hand writing was easily read. "Thank you, sir." There was a short pause and Jack turned to leave when the Admiral spoke up again.

"Aubrey, I am having a party tonight and I would most enjoy your presence. You can also bring a friend, of course. I have already invited Captain Conner and he has accepted and I told him that I was going to invite you when you came to see me."

"Why I would find it most enjoyable sir. How did you know I was coming to see you sir, if I am not intruding."

The Admiral smirked and replied, "Well, being the Admiral of this port, it would be hard pressed for me not to know when a ship arrives and with every ship I can count on a visit from its captain."

"Ah, I see," Jack said looking down.

"I will see you at six thirty at my house then."

"Six thirty sir," Jack repeated and walked out of the office. Being that it was now four, he decided to go four a small meal, as he had skipped out on lunch, and then go straight to the Surprise to get ready for the party.

Julian smiled as he ran down the busy docks. He had just come from the town along with John Riley, a midshipman. They had been walking around town, until a bird had caught Julian's eye and was now in hot pursuit. He watched the bird soar, sweeping the skies with its long wings out-stretched and gliding across the wind.

"Julian! Julian, slow down!" John cried breathlessly as he was becoming tired of chasing the man. "Julian please, it's just a bird! You see them every day!"

Julian slowed his pace and cried out, "Its not 'just a bird', it's a beautiful creature!" Julian picked up his pace again and ran, unknowingly, headlong into a group of men and fell right into them taking a boy to the ground.

Bonden, Blakeney, Pullings, and Killick stood out on the dock in front of their ship. They had been on the Surprise preparing the doctor's cabin for the new doctor, which meant taking every thing below the ship, or letting it go, in the case of a live insect. Bonden and Killick had let their feet dangle over the side so their feet could feel the cool ocean water and Pullings and Blakeney stood, all talking.

They heard pounding feet coming towards them and yelling of some sort and were taken by surprise when a man ran into them, taking Blakeney to the ground.

Julian seemed somewhat embarrassed and looked down at Blakeney and helped him up. Blakeney looked up at Julian with big, wide eyes with the expression of shock on his face. Julian got a better look at Blakeney and his face was like a mirror of Blakeney's face. Julian looked up at the other men and found that they were also shocked.

"Doctor?" Bonden asked after a long pause, "Doctor, is that you?"

Julian looked at Bonden and a flicker of recognition crossed his eyes.

Blakeney held out his hand and brushed Julian's face, as though to make sure that the man before him was real. "It is the doctor!"

Julian looked around very confused. 'These men, I know them,' he thought, 'but who are they?'

Just then John came running up and stopped when he saw the group of men looking at Julian like they knew him and as though Julian knew them.

"Julian?" he quivered.

%dances around happily% i love the way this chapter ends. ;)

It was kinda hard for me to write when Julian and Bonden and all met again, so I hope that it was okay!