Chapter Four

Two weeks had past since Miss Corin's odd appearance on the Surprise, and she found herself falling into a routine. She spent as much time sitting on the quarterdeck as possible, out of the way of course. She would amuse herself by watching what was transpiring on deck around her, or she would merely stare out into the ocean. She found the rolling hypnotic, like staring at a lava lamp for hours on end. She would often sing softly, or would attempt to sing softly, she had a bad habit of getting louder as she went on, which drew attention, something she normally attempted not to do. No one found her singing offensive, but the reaction was often one of surprise to hear a lovely soprano voice ringing out on the wind. Because of her singing, she was unknowingly given a nickname among the men, the Siren. They did their best to keep this from the officers, for the nickname had a certain ominous touch to it. Sirens lured sailors to their deaths, and seeing as how it was bad luck to have a woman abroad, many of the less educated men (and admittedly some of the most educated) felt that she would certainly cause their doom. However, none protested to her singing, for it was often a cheerful song that would help to lift their spirits as they went about their tasks.

Olivia found herself wondering if she would ever get home again. So far she thought she had done a decent job of covering up the minor fact that she was from nearly two hundred years into the future. She would slip up every now and then, but for the most part she watched her words and mannerisms and attempted to be well mannered at all times. Dr. Maturin had inquired later about her friend she that she had said studied medicine, but she had somehow managed to fumble her way through the conversation by saying she was not entirely sure where exactly they had studied, for she only recently came to know them. Mel was in fact Olivia's former roommate who studied athletic training and would complain constantly about subjects moving around and not keeping their feet in the right position. Olivia, often being Mel's practice subject had gotten quite good at sitting still and going about her work while Mel wrapped her feet with Lord only knows how much tape. It was from Mel mainly that she had learned all about sprains and how to wrap them, and therefore she knew that her ankle was healing nicely. So nicely it was almost completely back to normal.

It was around Tom Pullings she found herself relaxing and slipping into her normal ways of behavior, but the most he ever questioned her with was an odd look. Besides, it did not bother her when she slipped up and said something foolish, for however odd she behaved poor Tom would soon do something clumsy or say something foolish that would soon be a distraction. She had to admit she found his slightly clumsy manner around her very amusing and even charming. She knew from watching him set about his duties that he really was not clumsy at all, it was just around her for some odd reason that his confidence disappeared. She found him very considerate, which was most refreshing, even though his constant nervous inquiries to her health, ankle, and every little thing that could possibly be wrong slightly irritated her, but he was so sincere and just plain nervous that it made up for it. Olivia decided that her mission was now to calm that poor man down a bit and make him more comfortable with her presence. Olivia always had a need to make everyone around her at ease, and besides, if Tom was to be the person she had the most contact with on the ship, she wanted to become his friend.

It was late in the afternoon and Olivia was sitting in her usual spot on the quarterdeck, staring out over the waves. She was trying to recall the lyrics for the melody that was running through her head when Tom approached. He normally came over to inquire after her health and to see how his charge fared, but today Olivia was determined to detain him for a moment to speak with. Meals with him were usually surprisingly silent, and he offered her little more than explanations for nautical events. Trigonometry not exactly being her strong point, she found this impersonal conversation rather dull.

"Good afternoon Miss Corin." He greeted. "I hope I find you well."

"How could I not be well Mr. Pullings? Look at that sky! It is clear blue." She replied with a smile.

Tom returned her smile shyly, "That it is, Miss Corin." He replied.

"Do you see much weather like this in your home, Mr. Pullings?" She asked boldly, determined to start a conversation.

Tom laughed, "Hardly ever. It is mostly gray and rain. You have not been to England I gather?"

Olivia shook her head, "Of course not. I've never really been anywhere of importance. I always wanted to travel though, see the world firsthand, have exciting adventures, and meet fascinating people." She laughed. "I imagine you've been to a great many places, and you probably find my thoughts rather childish."

Tom smiled at her honest sincerity, "Not at all Olivia. I find them only surprising. I thought all women longed for a secure home, good husband, and healthy babes."

She raised an eyebrow amused, if she'd been at home she probably would have shouted or sent him flying, for as small as she was, Olivia packed a mean punch, but considering where she was she found his reply amusing and laughed. "Hardly so. Call me crazy, but I'd rather see a bit more of what's out there before deciding where I want my home to be. A good husband would be nice, I guess, eventually, maybe, but I'm not exactly going to break my neck looking for one, besides my grandmother claims I'm far too independent for any decent man's tastes. And as for children..." She made a face, pausing to think. "I like the idea of children. Little ones are cute sometimes. But it's the whole birth thing that really scares me. I mean, think about it, they're like this big" She indicated an infant's size with her hands, "And they come out that size! Looks downright painful to me." She said, rambling on as she often did.

"I see." Tom gave her an odd look, and Olivia immediately knew she had gone too far in her words. Tom however, was pondering all she had said. He had certainly never thought of babies before in that manner, but in thinking on it he imagined that it would hurt quite a bit, and was also now surprised that any person was born at all and that any woman survived giving birth and would actually do it again.

"I'm sorry, I've gone too far." Olivia quickly apologized. "I do that sometimes."

Tom smiled at her, "Not at all, Olivia. You speak your mind and say what you think plainly. I find that much more refreshing than merely allowing others to guess." He assured her. He paused a moment, as if wondering whether he should voice his thoughts or not, finally he spoke once more. "Do you miss your home at all?"

Olivia was caught by surprise. She had not really thought of it in those terms. She had been more concerned with how exactly she managed to time travel and end up there. She thought of the mountains and suddenly was hit with overwhelming longing for the familiarity of them. The comfort in seeing her mountains day after day, her school was in a relatively flat area, but she need only travel an hour or so to see mountains once more.

She sighed, gazing out at the waters. "Now that I think of it I do. There is much comfort in the mountains. They provide protection in a way, or at least a protective feeling that I never realized until I left them. They're constant, strong, the sea, well, it changes constantly, and is quite the opposite I suppose." She laughed at herself, crossing her arms. "I suppose I'm a paradox. Longing for adventure, yet missing the familiar sights of home." She turned to Tom, curiously. "I don't suppose you ever get homesick?"

"I am home." He replied almost immediately. He then paused, searching for comforting words. "But, when I was a younger and new to the life, I suppose..." He trailed off, lost in thoughts, trying to recall days long since gone. "I find that home is often what is most familiar. This is what is familiar to me, your mountains are what is familiar to you, especially since you do not remember how you came to be here."

Olivia smiled, "Home is where the heart is." She said in a singsong voice. She then sighed, crossing her arms. "But where is that?"

"Where do you wish it to be?" He said simply, his hands behind his back watching her as she stared out to sea. She seemed in a reflective mood today he noticed, which was most curious. She also seemed a bit sad, and he kicked himself for bringing up her home and making her notice how she missed it. He fought the urge to draw her close for comfort, seeing as how he was standing on the quarterdeck it would be most inappropriate, not to mention he had become in these past weeks, more aware of the nature of his feelings towards Olivia, and was doing his best to keep their relationship professional and not become too close, which could be dangerous. How it would be dangerous he was not sure, inappropriate surely, but dangerous he did not know how he came to that conclusion, but he had and was firm in his will.

Olivia turned back to him, her eyes held back tears, but whether they were from the wind or not he was uncertain. She let none of them fall though and met his gaze wordlessly, as if she could gaze into his very soul and see whatever she wished.

Tom swallowed hard and forced himself to look away, wondering if she knew the power her gaze held over him. He gave her a small bow, stepping back with a rather small nervous smile. "Well, good day, Olivia." He said, quickly turning to leave.

"Good day, Tom." She said back, in a strange voice, as if holding back tears.

Tom paused a moment, wondering if he should return to her side, wanting to somehow comfort her, but not knowing how. He paused in his steps with his back to her, biting his lower lip and closing his eyes a moment with a sigh. No, going back would only bring eventual trouble. Gathering his will, he forced himself to continue on his way, leaving Olivia as alone as one could ever be, although she was on a ship surrounded by men, staring out to sea.

Olivia sighed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear and furiously wiping her eyes. She had felt perfectly fine before she spoke to Tom, only a bit worried about getting home but hardly dwelling on it. Now she was confused, lonely, and homesick. That man had in one brief conversation had turned her inside out. She frowned, it was certainly not what she expected, but at least he had spoken to her without hurting himself for once. Therefore, Olivia categorized the conversation as a small victory and certainly a step in the right direction. Drawing a deep breath and smiling to herself, she turned her gaze back to the rolling sea, humming a piece from Madame Butterfly, which eventually turned into her usual song, carrying on the wind.

A/N: Okay so this chapter is sappy to say the least. And Tom didn't make an idiot of himself. That's no fun. Next chapter I promise you someone will make an idiot of his or herself. Cross my heart.

Psycopixie: Thank you for the review. Here's an update. Do I give fast service or what?

Gaeriel Palpatine: Thanks for the reviews of course. Hm... the song... it's a random song I pulled off of an opera CD I happened to be listening too when I wrote this. Chanson Boheme from Carmen. I believe Carmen is Bizet... I'm too lazy to look it up at the moment but I'm pretty sure. It's a fun song. And glad you found Aubrey with pudding on his head amusing. Hehe poor Tom... he's got it bad.

Captain Jack: Yo. Even though you didn't review (haha I don't care... you reviewed when you read it like many months okay) I just have to comment. Yes, I wrote sap. And no! I won't take it back! is proud to be sappy sometimes

Angel of the Night Watchers: Hello m'dear. Glad you found the pudding amusing. No, I don't believe Tom is Catholic. For one thing they never say he is in the books and they probably would have because it would be rare to see a Catholic officer in the British navy during this time period because when they got their commission they had to renounce the Pope. Whoa... I've been doing my reading can you tell? Anyway, Olivia's actually was raised Catholic but that doesn't come up in this story.... The reference to the Pope was just me referring to the Pope when I wrote the chapter. Because hey, even though I'm not Catholic I still would be horrified if I spit on the Pope and kicked him. Who wouldn't? Unless they're like... evil. And I updated. Are you proud?

Please review. I like reviews. They make me feel important and big.