Chapter Six

Olivia did not appear on deck at all the next day, pleading illness. Apparently she had quite the headache, and Tom could not help but smirk just a little. His smirk was quickly wiped off his face when the Doctor inquired after the terrible bruised state of his nose. He had stuttered out an excuse, a simple accident, nothing more, he assured the Doctor he was in no pain, and quickly excused himself from the Doctor's company, finding reasons to be occupied for the rest of the day.

When Olivia did not come out the next morning Tom decided to see her. He was mostly tired of waiting to talk with her about what had happened. Before he had been dreading it, but now he found waiting for the inevitable conversation was even more nerve-racking and irritating.

He found Olivia appearing quite well, sitting at the window looking quite comfortable. She looked up when he came in, smiling. "Good morning." She greeted.

"Good morning." He returned her greeting. "How are you feeling? I heard you were ill." He said, not being able to help his smirk.

Olivia sighed, "Oh, I surely had too much to drink, and suffered the consequences." She looked up at him with concern. "The worse thing is I can't remember a thing. I hope I didn't do anything too stupid."

Tom felt his mouth fall open and quickly shut it. "You... you don't remember anything at all?" He asked, staring at her in shock.

"Not a thing." She replied. "Why? Oh no! I did something!" She exclaimed with concern, rising to her feet.

"Well..." Tom drifted off, unsure of how exactly to explain.

"What? What did I do?" She asked, worriedly. "I didn't tell the Captain he looked like a rabid three-legged spider-monkey on pot did I?"

"No- what?" He looked at her quizzically, wondering where that came from and what on earth it meant.

She smiled faintly, "Never mind. That was just what I called someone last time I was completely and hopelessly drunk. So I've been told anyway." She shook her head, "But don't change the subject! What did I do?"

Tom paused, not exactly sure how to explain what had happened. She really had no idea that she had kissed him.

"Tom, what happened to your nose?" She asked, her voice filled with dread.

He just looked at her, watching the vague understanding cross her face.

"Oh no. Did I do that?" She asked, wide eyed with concern.

"Yes. You did." He said, touching it tenderly.

"Oh I am so sorry Tom!" She apologized quite sincerely. "Really I am! I am such a horrible drunk! I really should never be allowed to touch the stuff. I don't know my limits at all! I'm hopeless completely hopeless! Oh Tom, I hope it doesn't hurt much."

He smiled weakly at her rambling apologies. "You were not yourself." He told her. "I will not hold a grudge." He obviously was not saying what he wanted to say, and she could plainly tell he was holding something back from her, but since she had no memory of her actions, perhaps he could merely pretend it had never happened. "Well, I suppose I ought to take my leave. Good day Miss Corin." He turned to leave, but she stopped him.

"Tom!" She caught his arm, an action that surprised him and he turned to meet her eyes. She paused, as if attempting to find the right words to say to him, finally she seemed to give up and instead of speaking, she moved closer, and as if acting before she could convince herself not to, she kissed him.

Tom was completely taken by surprise, yet again. She had a way of doing that to him and he found it rather unsettling at times. However, this kiss was different from the previous. For one thing Olivia was not drunk and was completely aware of what she was doing, which helped considerably. He quickly recovered from the initial shock and found himself returning the kiss. He was aware of what this could start, and what this kiss could mean, but at the moment he found himself simply not caring about propriety. He never wanted this moment to end, pulling her closer in his arms, surprised at the strength he found in such a small form. When they finally broke apart they were quite breathless.

Olivia looked up, meeting his eyes quite calmly, a smile creeping across her lips. "That's what I thought." She said simply. "What now?"

Tom sighed, turning from her a moment to gaze out the window, his hands clasped firmly behind his back. After a moment of silence he regained control of his voice. "A ship is no proper place to court, Olivia."

Olivia approached him, searching his face and then gazing out as well. "I've not exactly what you would call normal or proper, Tom." She pointed out.

Tom chuckled softly, "I would say, I've never known a proper lady who had such a powerful punch."

Olivia grinned, "You think that was bad? You should fight me sober. I'm not above kicking below the belt."

He laughed and turned to face her, smiling, "Remind me never to make you angry, Miss Corin." He said, teasingly.

"Then don't change the subject." She replied firmly, with a small hint of a smirk in her eyes.

Tom took her hand in his own, "I am in no position to marry at present." He told her earnestly. "I have not the means to support a family."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Who said anything about marriage?" She asked. "Tom, I'm not exactly in a position to marry anyone either! I'm far from home with no idea how I got here! I'm so out of place, and alone. If not for your company..." She trailed off as her thoughts overwhelmed her. "I don't know what I would do without you, Tom. I feel like I have to completely pretend around everyone on board but you. Tom, I-" She sighed, frustrated, lost for words. "I don't know, all I know is that when I'm with you I feel.... I feel comforted somehow. And there are all these feelings swarming around, feelings that I don't quite understand myself. It's almost as if I'm supposed to be with you, like it's, I don't know, fate or something. It's almost as if you're the reason I found myself floating in the ocean without a clue how I got there. As if something wanted me to be here, with you." She shook her head, looking away. "I know it sounds ridiculous."

Tom took his free hand and gently turned her face back towards him. Their eyes met and he kissed her once more. "When we come to port, I will court you properly." He promised. "And we shall see how it does, I suppose."

"But what about now? Are you courting me improperly?" She asked innocently, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

He smiled at her amusement and took both her hands. "Unofficially courting, I suppose. Unofficially and quietly of course, as I doubt an officer courting a woman on board would be smiled upon, especially since Captain Aubrey despises having women aboard." He pointed out. "They have a tendency to cause trouble on ships, you see." He explained, turning slightly red and hoping he had not offended her.

"I'd say I've caused enough trouble for you." She said with a laugh.

Tom grinned, kissing her hand. "And I am grateful for it."

Olivia paused, a curious expression crossing her face. "I am glad I turned up here." She said finally. She nodded, as if coming to a decision. "Truly, I am."

Tom paused a moment, he wanted to say so much to her, but had never been good at finding words. His mind was spinning with all that had just happened, and he knew that it would soon be his watch and he ought to leave. Finding the will power to do so however was proving difficult. "Well, I best bid you good day." He said, giving her a small bow. "Stay well, Miss Corin." He said with teasing formality, kissing her hand once more.

She attempted to keep a straight face, but gave up and laughed merrily. "Good day, Mr. Pullings." She replied.

He turned to leave, but looked back at her when she called out to him. "Oh! And Tom!"

"Yes?" He asked.

"Next time I'm drinking too much, give me a kick will you?" She teased him. "I'd hate to give you another black eye or break your poor nose."

He laughed, "Next time, Olivia, I'll be better prepared." He assured her. "Good day." He turned and left the Great Cabin, unable to keep from smiling. He felt so wonderfully happy he simply could not contain himself. He felt like a schoolboy with his first love, and held back the desire to whistle and sing. He could not however, keep the smile from his face.

He passed the Captain on deck and saluted him politely with his usual greeting. Captain Aubrey, who had been walking in the opposite direction as Pullings, turned and gave him a second look. He wondered why exactly the man was so pleased and was about to question him when Miss Corin appeared, also seeming to be oddly pleased.

"Good day Miss Corin." Jack greeted. "Shall the Doctor expect you in sick-berth today?" He asked politely.

She continued to smile, "Yes sir, I had promised the Doctor I would sit with his patients today." She told him. "I just thought I'd get a bit of air quickly before I went."

"Well, I would not want to keep you then." He told her, still wondering with a frown why she also seemed so pleased as she bid him good day and continued on her way.

Then he saw her exchange glances and a smile with Tom Pullings, and watched him stare after her as she went. Jack shook his head with a frown as the realization hit him. Muttering to himself he went to make use of his cabin while Miss Corin was with Stephen. "Honestly, is this a ship in his majesty's navy or a damn pleasure yacht?" He grumbled, annoyed that Pullings should even think of behaving in such a manner. Still, he could not help but smile at the younger man's obvious affections, and he also could not help but feel glad that she seemed to return them. The poor man was at such a loss around women, and the great scar across his face did not help matters. He hoped that Pullings would have the sense to be discreet and not act too inappropriately.

Jack smiled to himself, wondering what Sophie would make of this, and decided to take the time that he should spend on official documents, to write her. He was quite certain she would be pleased for Tom, and perhaps amused by all the unfortunate, but rather amusing accidents that happened to befall while poor Mr. Pullings was in Miss Corin's company. With a fond smile, he began to write his dear wife.

A/N: All together now: Awwwwwwwwww "Tom and Olivia sittin in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Hm... unless I think of a better way to break this up you guys are in store for another short chapter then a reeeaaaallly long one. Maybe I'll figure out how to break it up. When I wrote this I just wrote. I didn't think of chapters because to be honest I never thought I'd post it or finish it... which I kinda still haven't really but I'm very very close.

Gaeriel Palpatine: Haha so we've established Pullings is a puppy. I think lots of guys are puppy. Like in Pirates, Will Turner is very much a puppy. He's Elizabeth's puppy. Pullings is Olivia's puppy. And Obi-Wan in episode one is just a puppy in general... Qui-Gon's puppy mainly but in a different way... as always, thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

MusicBoxDancer: So sorry I didn't have that scene you wanted. I wrote this part of the story months and months ago you see.... I think this part was written in February or March... or maybe even January... it has been a while. Anyway, that was a good idea and him seeing the doctor was kind of in there.... Unfortunately the good, kind, and noble Doctor (haha yes Jack I am building my ego if you're reading other people's messages for some odd reason) is not really a main character in this story. He's in there. Just not a whole lot. My main focus is Pullings because he has a name that's funny. Glad you liked the last chapter and hope you enjoy this one too ï