Hey y'all! I know that it has been a while, but I have had a lot on my plate, including turkey, cranbarry sauce, and sweet potataoes! ;) Anyways, I thank all of my reviewers and readers! Hugs to all of you!

Enjoy!!!

As a spy, Stephen usually found a way to conceal his true emotions by being stoic or showing indifference, and today was no different. The doctor was sad and disappointed, but his face showed a smile or a sheer smirk. These disguises didn't really help though as he was really upset that Jack had not said anything to him today of all days, Stephen's birthday. It was true that the cellist had never taken to the idea of big celebrations, but somehow, every year, the crew of the Surprise would always celebrate with him and Jack. This year was different though. The Surprises, her captain, and her surgeon were on land, most of them near Ashgrove Cottage actually and there Stephen sat listening distractedly as little Charlotte chatted about something insignificant out on the lawn of the house.

"You know," the small girl continued, "dad said that you once took a man's brains out and put it back in. Is that true?"

Stephen gave a small smile. He wondered how many times Jack had told that story. "Well, not exactly..."

"But you did cut open his head, didn't you?" Charlotte urged.

"Yes," Stephen gave in, "yes I did."

Charlotte cocked her head and pursed her lips. "What do brains look like?"

Stephen, rather taken aback, answered, "They look a lot like pounded beef, to put it simply."

"Oh," the little girl said quickly. She started to skip in circles and then piped, "He also told me that you once took a man's arm off. Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because if I didn't, the infection in the boy's arm would of spread to the rest of his body and caused him to die," Stephen replied, rather annoyed.

Charlotte skipped around some more, as though trying thinking of another question. "He also said...."

"Charlotte," Stephen cried, tiring to not snap," shouldn't you be helping your mother or playing with you sister?"

"No," she replied, not taking the hint.

Stephen sighed loudly. "Why don't you go see if they need you? I'm sure your sister is getting lonely."

The girl stopped abruptly and put her arms behind her back, attempting to look as sweet as possible. "But Uncle Stephen, I want to stay with you."

Stephen slouched a little. How could he tell her no? Well, he didn't have too because Sophie called out for her. "Charlotte! Come and help mommy with the dishes."

The girl pouted and kicked the dirt. "But mommy..."

"Charlotte!"

The blonde snapped into attention and ran to the house, so that Stephen was alone again. Jack was gone, he went into town. Why would Jack leave without telling him, he didn't really know. All he knew was that he was becoming bored just sitting on the front lawn of the cottage.

"I wonder if it is too early for tea..." Stephen mused. He got up and walked towards the kitchen door. He stopped to listen to what was going on when he heard shuffling and someone shushing something or somebody else. Then the door cracked open and Sophie's head popped through.

"Yes?" she asked anxiously.

Stephen gave her a smile, trying to hide his apparent confusion about what was happening. "Um, I was just wondering if I could have some tea...?"

"Oh! Yes, of course Stephen!" Sophia looked behind her, as though checking her surroundings, "You'll have to take it outside in the back though; it is rather messy and busy in the kitchen. No room for anyone else."

"Of course." Stephen waited while Sophia got his tea and looked around the door. Inside there were hisses of 'Tea! Pour a cup of tea!'

Sophia cracked open the door once more and the tea was forced out. She gave a quick smile as Stephen looked her over with a strange look on his face.

"Are you okay my dear?" he inquired, "You look rather...stressed."

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine Stephen," she said quickly. They both stood there for a moment and stared at each other. "Um...bye." The door snapped shut and Stephen lifted his eye brow. Something strange was going on.

He shook his head and headed towards his favorite tree. He settled down gently and sipped at his tea, pondering on what was going on. Then he heard carriages pull up to the front of the house. He listened quietly as he heard many hushed voices and footsteps towards the house. Stephen got up and was about to go check on who it was when Sophia shot out of the kitchen door.

"Stephen!" she cried, "Um, would you like some more tea?!" She held out the pot pleadingly.

Stephen took note that at the sound of his name, the voices stopped and the footsteps quickened, but as discreetly as possible. "No," he replied knowingly, "I think that I'll just go back to the tree."

Sophia became noticeably relaxed and sighed with relief. "Okay." She went back inside and took a look over her shoulder to make sure that the doctor had taken his seat back under the tree.

That had to be Jack and the others; he knew what was going on now. Yes, it was making absolute sense now! Jack left to go to town to find the rest of the crew and get them here for a party, but not just any party. It was going to be a surprise party…well not anymore as Stephen had already figured it out. So, Stephen ignored the loud shouts, the shushing, and the clinking of hurried plates and decorations, trying to seem as though he were totally oblivious. He would let the others have their fun with this as he sat there amused at what was going on.

Soon, though, the scuffing of feet and the loud voices died away with one loud shush, from Jack no doubt. The kitchen door creaked open and a glowing Jack stepped out. His goofy smile left little slits of gleaming blue eyes that were jumping with excitement. He was proud of the 'surprise' that he was about to give him.

"Stephen, my dear, how lovely it is to see you up and about!" his voice boomed at a rather strange, tenor octave, "I was going to bring you with me, but you sleeping so peacefully that I couldn't bring myself to do wake you."

Stephen pulled himself up and smiled. "Think nothing of it Jack; I was just drinking a cup of tea and very contently at that."

Jack wrapped his arm around the doctor's slender shoulder and walked him towards the kitchen. "Pray Stephen; do tell me you weren't too utterly bored. I hope that Charlotte didn't talk your ear off. You know that she is rather fond of you."

"Yes," Stephen replied dryly, "I have noticed that."

Jack opened the door. "Will you take some more tea with me?" Jack gently nudged Stephen into the kitchen where everything was dark until he heard the inevitable, "SURPRISE!"

All of the crew members, Sophia, and the children shot up from behind tables, chairs, doors, and even behind open drawers. Stephen smiled brightly and chuckled as Jack squeezed him into a triumphant embrace.

"We surprised you entirely! You should see the look on your face!" Jack cried amused.

Stephen secretly rolled his eyes and went on to greet everyone to his no-so-very-surprising party. This was possibly the best birthday he had ever had.

ohh, lines....anyways Review if you like, Review if you don't!