Disclaimer-I don't own any of the Surprise characters, they're copyright of Patrick O'Brian, but I do own the odd and crazy (well, actually, pretty much normal) Emma Doyle, my wonderful heroine who is going to rock the nautical world....

Note-Oh goody, time for my ramble. Okay, I found this in the depths of my hard drive last night, and I wrote it like a year ago (just the first chapter, mind) so I'll be writing new ones, but the idea is ancient, so it'll be kind of odd! As for my heroine....I needed a change, and I got one. Well, enjoy anyhow.

William Blakeney sighed happily and stepped onto the beach of the unnamed tropical island. Stephen was running out ahead of him, multiple collecting cages bouncing around on his back. Suddenly, he skidded to a stop and threw himself to the ground, studying a tiny fragment of lichen.

Blakeney turned when he heard a snort behind him. The captain was standing there, watching Stephen with a look of amusement. "How he does that, I'll never know," Jack said. "Run along, young Blakeney, take a walk, enjoy yourself."

"Yessir," Blakeney said automatically. He strode off down the beach, taking in the beautiful scenery. A few minutes down the beach, he made out a figure sitting on the sand and drinking something. Curious but wary, he moved closer-and gasped.

It was a girl about his age. She was dressed in odd trousers and a short sleeved shirt, and was drinking water out of a canteen. A thick silver wire ran over the top of her head and covered both ears, and seemed to be emitting some sort of rhythmic noise.

"Er....hello?" Blakeney said tentatively. She glanced up at him, looking surprised, and set down the wire. "Hi there," she offered. "S'up?"

What is she talking about? Blakeney wondered. "I'm William Blakeney, miss. Who are you?" he asked politely.

She stared at him, mouth slightly open. "W-William Blakeney?" she stammered. "That's not possible....."

Blakeney was taken aback. Not only did she dress and behave strangely, she also seemed to know him. "Have we met?" he asked uncertainly.

The girl shook her head as if to clear it, stared at him again, and seemed to snap back to normal. "Oh, no, of course not. I'm Emma Doyle, by the way." She sprang upright and looked around. "How did you get here? Your ship?"

"Yes, miss, the H.M.S. Surprise. It's captained by....." he trailed off because she didn't appear to be listening to him. In fact, she seemed almost bored by the information, as if she already knew it.

"I was shipwrecked here," she remarked as she picked up the shiny silver disk the thick wire was attached to. "Been here for, like, a month."

"Are you American, then?" Blakeney said, having finally deciphered her accent. She looked up at him sharply, then relaxed. "Yes, yes I am," she replied softly.

Remembering his manners, Blakeney asked, "Would you be so kind as to accompany me to the ship, miss?" He held out his arm.

She waved it off. "Less of the miss, dude. I can walk by myself. C'mon, let's move it or lose it, man."

They hurried off towards the Surprise, Blakeney feeling more confused than ever.