"Things That Go Bump in the Night"

Carolyn stared at the Captain who was standing before her, looking as guilty as a schoolboy. "I beg your pardon?" she said, in disbelief. Irritated by her inability to see reason, the Captain's eyes flashed. "I realize that this is my house, but I've heard you say often enough that you have a lease, so have some rights. I just thought I'd let you know that I'm expecting a guest today."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What kind of a guest?"

"What KIND?" He was taken aback.

"Man or ghost?"

"Well, actually..." again the Captain hesitated. "Not a man ... exactly ..."

Carolyn looked at him closely. "Captain Gregg, are you blushing?"

"Certainly NOT, Madam!" Affronted, he turned to pace, his hands clasped behind his back.

"It looks like it. Is Elroy Applegate coming again?" she continued to press.

"No."

"So it's another of your ... ghostly friends?"

"I suppose you might call her that..." the Captain broke off, vexed that he had given her that much information. Blast it, in his own home, he should have some say as to visitors without having to explain himself or feel so uncomfortable about it!

"Her??!!" Carolyn drew herself up as tall as she could be.   Unfortunately, she was still about a foot shorter than the Captain!  "Who is it?" she asked, trying to sound casual. All the time, her mind was racing. Kathleen? Abigail? Prudence? Not ... not Vanessa, surely!

"You'll find out soon enough. I'll introduce you." the Captain spoke abruptly. He vanished, even as Carolyn was opening her mouth.

"Captain!" she called angrily. "Captain, you come back here!"   There was no answer. "Stubborn ghost!" she muttered under her breath. Then she looked down at the half-finished page in her typewriter. She certainly did NOT feel like doing any more typing now! Restlessly, she moved around the room, went out the doors to the balcony and spun the wheel, then climbed to the attic, hesitating at the closed door. At last she knocked.

"Come in, Mrs. Muir." the Captain's voice bid her enter, so she did.   She stepped in, and stopped abruptly, gasping audibly. The Captain was resplendent in his naval uniform. She had only seen it a few times before. She swallowed hard, then managed to croak, "I ... excuse me, but ..."

"What is it, Mrs. Muir?" Then his eyes went past her, and a smile spread across his face. "Come in, please!"

Carolyn felt something cold brush past her, then saw a faint outline of a woman approaching the Captain. Carolyn's fingers clenched around the door as she recognized Vanessa's image becoming clearer by the minute. Vanessa curtseyed to the Captain, then with a light laugh, stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. Carolyn couldn't help herself, she stood in the doorway, unnoticed by the two in the attic, and studied the new arrival. She was as beautiful as her descendant -- the Vanessa Carolyn had already met.

"My dear," the Captain spoke in a tender, gentle voice to Vanessa, "I'd like you to meet someone."

Surprised, Vanessa looked around. Carolyn gritted her teeth. Had the woman not even noticed her when she brushed past?

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry!" Vanessa both looked and sounded contrite and sincere. "I was in such a hurry to see dear Captain Gregg that I'm afraid I paid no attention to anyone else." She studied Carolyn for a split second, and her smile lit her face. "Captain, she's mortal! How enchanting she is! And she's not swooning..."

"No, she's not." Carolyn announced, dryly. She wondered whether or not to hold out her hand, then realized she was being ridiculous.  "I'm Carolyn Muir. I lease Gull Cottage. And you're Vanessa Peekskill."

"Why, yes! How did you know? Forgive me, it's so nice to meet you and to be able to speak with you." Vanessa stepped closer, a friendly look on her face.

Carolyn fought against the feeling of liking that swept over her, then was instantly furious with herself. She would NOT see Vanessa as a rival! Why should she be jealous? She would NOT ... but she DID feel a burning jealousy. A small sigh escaped her lips. "I recognized you from your picture. And, of course, your descendant. The other Vanessa was here once."

"My picture? My descendant? Another Vanessa?" Vanessa turned to the Captain, a questioning look on her lovely face.

"Your picture is still in the sea chest. Along with your trousseau." the Captain spoke shortly. "Why the devil didn't you take it away with you?"

Vanessa's face crumpled at the harsh tone in his voice. "I'm sorry, Captain." she whispered. "I ... I just couldn't bear to come back."

Carolyn frowned. She didn't understand, and she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the whole story, but didn't Vanessa have any gumption?  Why didn't she stand up for herself? She supposed it had been the custom to speak of one's betrothed rather formally, but why was Vanessa still using the Captain's title instead of his first name? If SHE were given the opportunity ... instantly, Carolyn clamped down on her thoughts, and returned to Vanessa. "Why ... why are you here?" she asked, a little hesitantly.

Vanessa immediately laughed and batted her lashes at the Captain.  She seemed to change moods with lightning rapidity. "I came to see  Captain Gregg, of course. I do hope it's not inconveniencing you." she glanced back at Carolyn. "Captain Gregg and I met again, FINALLY, at the last combined meeting of our spectral societies. It has been so many years. We just wanted to talk over old times, isn't that so, Captain?"

He looked irritated, and Carolyn wanted to slap him when she saw Vanessa's cringing look return. "Yes." the Captain finally said.   Then he looked at Carolyn. "Don't you have some work to do, Madam?"

"Work?" Vanessa sounded puzzled. "Surely you don't work ... You don't look like a servant. Why, you don't even have a cap or apron on. And you're showing your ankles!" scandalized, she gave a little scream as she suddenly realized that Carolyn was wearing a knee-length dress. "Captain Gregg, don't look at her!" and she stepped in front of the Captain to block his view of Carolyn, her face turning red, and her eyes downcast.

Carolyn clenched her jaw for a moment, and the Captain broke into a hearty guffaw. Vanessa frowned at him. "I did not mean that to be a joke, sir!"

"She has put YOU in your place, hasn't she, Mrs. Muir?" murmured the Captain, wickedly.

"It sounded rather more like YOU she was scolding!" retorted Carolyn.

"Please, don't be harsh with each other. I cannot bear to hear discord." Vanessa put a hand to her forehead.

"We shan't be harsh, my dear. Please, don't let it upset you." the Captain put his arm around her tenderly.

Carolyn rolled her eyes, then noticed the Captain frowning at her again. Furtively, when Vanessa wasn't looking, Carolyn stuck her tongue out at the arrogant Captain Gregg. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"I'm going back to work." Carolyn announced. "If you need anything ..." she broke off suddenly. What would or could two ghosts possibly need? She wasn't at all sure she even wanted to think about that!

"You're really going to work? Oh, but of course, I'm forgetting which century I'm in." Vanessa's smile broke out again. "You could be a teacher ... but aren't you married? Didn't Captain Gregg call you Mrs. Muir? Surely your husband..."

"I'm a widow." Carolyn said, abruptly.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry for you." Vanessa looked contrite. "I know I shouldn't be prying like this. Terribly bad manners, I realize that. But you must have a man to look after you! A father perhaps, or a brother?"

"Mrs. Muir thinks she can look after herself." Captain Gregg cut in, amusement and condescension clear in his voice. "And she's a thoroughly modern woman, Vanessa."

"I can also speak for myself, Captain Gregg, thank you very much."

Carolyn couldn't put up with any more. "And I am quite capable at taking care of myself, thank you! Please, excuse me." and she quickly left the attic, closing the door none too gently behind herself.  Once in her bedroom, Carolyn sat at her desk, staring at the blank page, unwillingly reviewing the entire humiliating scene. She had acted like a shrew! So this was Vanessa ... the Captain's Vanessa.

Grudgingly, Carolyn admitted that the other woman was very lovely. That cloud of midnight black hair -- Carolyn clearly remembered the Captain's letter to the woman. "Your hair is a storm at midnight, your eyes black pearls from the ocean deeps, your voice an angel's song in the wind..." Certainly very different from Carolyn's appearance! Vanessa seemed very sweet, too. Perhaps a bit TOO sweet? A little cloying for Carolyn's taste. Vanessa seemed to be the biddable type. She kept her eyes lowered most of the time while around the Captain, and apparently thought of him as a god! Well, Carolyn conceded to herself, so did SHE were she to be truthful to herself, but she would never give him the satisfaction of letting him know that! At any rate, Vanessa did indeed seem to be a perfect wife by nineteenth century standards.

Carolyn typed a few words at random, then ripped the paper out of her machine and viciously crumpled it. Scruffy pushed into the room and whined a little.  "I know." Carolyn grimaced at the dog. "I feel like whining, too, but what good will it do?" She sighed, resting her chin on her hand, and wondered how long Vanessa planned on staying. What a time for Martha and the children to be away for a couple of days!! Carolyn could have used the distraction. Maybe she should follow them...?

No. That would be running away. To say nothing of the fact that she would then be leaving Vanessa alone with the Captain. After all, Vanessa needed a chaperone. A smile spread over Carolyn's face. Of course! She would tell Vanessa she would be her chaperone. Carolyn conveniently ignored the fact that, as a widow herself, Vanessa really didn't need a chaperone any more than Carolyn did! Less, in fact, since she was now a spirit!

And yet ... Vanessa could touch the Captain! She had seen her kiss his cheek. Carolyn hadn't ever had the nerve to try. Oh, on a few occasions, they had brushed against each other, but she wasn't sure if the tingling, the jolt of sensation that shot through her at those times was actually TOUCHING or just a deep desire for it to be, along with feeling the force of the Captain's personality!

Determinedly, Carolyn went back up the stairs to the attic.  Knocking on the door, she pushed it open, to find Vanessa seated on the love seat looking demurely at the floor while the Captain stood by the figurehead in his favourite pose, his hands clasped behind his back. The two looked at Carolyn.  She ignored the Captain. "Mrs. Peekskill, wouldn't you like to see the rest of Gull Cottage? There is no need for you to remain cooped up here in the attic. My family is away for a couple of days, so there is no one else to bother..."

At that point, Scruffy rushed into the attic, barking frantically at Vanessa.   Vanessa jumped and drew her skirts tight around her ankles. "I know it's ridiculous, but little animals frighten me ... they are so unpredictable, aren't they?" she said, nervously, eyeing the dog with a timorous air.

"Scruffy, stop that!" Carolyn conquered her urge to laugh. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Peekskill, he just has to get used to you."

"That walking rug has a hard time getting used to anyone!" thundered the Captain, annoyed at the interruption. "Scruffy! Cease and desist this detestable noise!"

Immediately Scruffy sat down with a thump, and stopped barking.  His tongue hung out as he panted, his body quivering, and his eyes were fixed on the Captain.

"That's much better." the Captain approved. "Mrs. Muir ..."

Carolyn shrugged off his narrowed look. "Come, Mrs. Peekskill. Have you seen Gull Cottage before? But of course, you must have. Before your marriage..."

The Captain's scowl became thunderous. Vanessa's face flushed, and she timidly said, "Actually, yes, I have seen some of it ... Captain Gregg finished building it shortly before I left to visit my cousin in Boston ..." She saw Carolyn's look of chagrin, and added quickly, "But I would like to see it again, Mrs. Muir. I never did see anything beyond the parlour, of course!"

"Allow me to give you the grand tour, then." Carolyn smiled.

Vanessa rose instantly, smiling guiltily at the Captain. "I really am interested, Captain."

"You weren't when you were alive." he spoke gruffly.

"Captain Gregg!" Vanessa's black eyes swam with tears. "How can you say that? You know how I was looking forward to living here ... with you!"

Carolyn cleared her throat, but the others ignored her.

"Then why did you have to make the trip to Boston just then?" demanded the Captain. "Only a few months before our wedding? Without even waiting until I returned from my last voyage?"

"You KNOW I had to go! My grandfather was ill." Tears began to spill down Vanessa's cheeks. "Please, Captain, don't shout at me. I can't bear it."

"And I can't bear to see a woman cry! Blast!" and the Captain disappeared.

Vanessa looked so woebegone that Carolyn almost wished she could put her arms around her to comfort her. Then she hardened her heart.  Vanessa must have done something while in Boston all those years ago to alienate the Captain ... yet he had kept her trousseau and picture undisturbed! Carolyn's mind whirled with the questions that had arisen before, and had never been answered to her satisfaction.

Perhaps Vanessa would tell her the whole story. Carolyn opened her mouth to ask, then thought better of it. She wasn't at all sure she wanted to know. What if she heard that the Captain had been madly in love with Vanessa, and the other woman had simply gone off and married someone else?

Finally Carolyn said, "Come, Mrs. Peekskill, I'll show you the bedrooms."

"The bedrooms!" Shock dried Vanessa's tears instantly. "Oh, Mrs. Muir, I COULDN'T look at the Captain's bedroom!"

Rather impatiently, Carolyn stalked out the door of the attic, and Vanessa scurried after her, casting a wary glance at Scruffy who growled at her.

At the bottom of the stairs, Carolyn waved down the hall. "The bathroom, guest room and children's room are that way, I'll show you them next. My bedroom is through here." and she pushed open the door.

"Oh, Mrs. Muir! This is so large!" Vanessa's eyes were huge, and she looked around. "You have so many papers. ARE you a teacher?"

"No." Carolyn laughed softly. "I'm a writer."

"A writer?" Vanessa's voice was full of awe. "I didn't know women could write. Do you write ..." her voice dropped, "romances?"

"Some." Carolyn's lips twitched.

"Oh!" Now Vanessa was eyeing her askance. "I've never met a romance writer." She looked around the room, and noticed the binnacle and telescope. "Goodness, what is THAT doing in here?"

"THAT is my telescope, and where else would it be, pray, but in my cabin?" the Captain almost snarled as he materialized by the telescope, a protective hand curving over the eyepiece.

"YOUR cabin?" Vanessa gasped, reaching out for a chair to steady herself. "But ... Mrs. Muir! You said this was YOUR room! And your things..."

"We share the room, Vanessa." The Captain sounded impatient.

"Oh, my!" Vanessa fanned herself with a paper she found, then noticed it was one of Carolyn's pages from her article, and dropped it quickly. "Mrs. Muir, I must say I find I'm rather shocked by all of this. It seems... forgive me, but it seems quite unladylike."

The Captain grinned at Carolyn, then said, "If you ... LADIES ... will excuse me?" and he bowed and vanished.

"You really share this room with him?" Vanessa spoke in a strangled voice.

"It's not the way it sounds." Carolyn spoke gently.

"You mean you haven't ... I mean, he hasn't ..." Vanessa's face crimsoned. "You're fairly attractive, in a pale sort of way. I find it hard to believe that such a virile man as the Captain would ..." again she broke off. Then her curiosity seemed to overcome her prudishness, and she whispered, "Don't you find his kisses to be divine?"

"I wouldn't know." Carolyn said, rather shortly. She changed the subject quickly. "Captain Gregg gave me a shawl -- it was originally intended for you. He bought it in Morocco. Let me show you ..." and she rummaged in her drawer. Finally she drew out the shawl, touching it with loving hands. "I ... I suppose I should give it to you, but ..."

Vanessa laughed again. "I have no need of a shawl. You can keep it. It is nice enough, I suppose ..." she picked up a corner of the shawl, and examined it critically. "But really, you know, Mr. Peekskill gave me so much more than the Captain would ever have, in the way of material things." She dropped the material, and turned around, losing interest in one of Carolyn's prized possessions.

Wondering why she had even bothered to show it to Vanessa, Carolyn folded it carefully and returned it to its place. They continued the tour, but rather half-heartedly. It was obvious that Vanessa was just going along with Carolyn because she felt it was the polite thing to do. Carolyn tried hard to get along with Vanessa, and admitted to herself that she didn't dislike her, but somehow they didn't "click".

She wasn't sure what the problem was, and to be honest, she didn't care too much. She knew that Vanessa thought Carolyn was much too forward and bold and was shocked by some of her attitudes and behaviour. Carolyn, once she pretended she was gathering ideas and information for future stories about nineteenth century women, managed to hold on to her temper.

By the time Vanessa had seen the house, it was quite late. Carolyn could think of no more excuses to stay by Vanessa's side, and the Captain had appeared and invited Vanessa up to the wheelhouse for a glass of Madeira. His exclusion of Carolyn was not pointed so much as absent-minded. He had eyes only for Vanessa. As the two disappeared, Carolyn took a deep breath, fighting the stinging tears in her eyes.

She would NOT cry! The Captain wasn't "hers" -- never HAD been hers the way he had been Vanessa's. She wished she knew what had gone wrong, and why the two had never married ... why Vanessa, who so obviously was attracted to a man who adored her, had married someone else, and left some of her possessions in Gull Cottage -- never bothering even to send for them. She seemed the sort to really care more about her possessions than the people around her! Then Carolyn scolded herself for her cattiness.

Rather listlessly now, Carolyn fed Scruffy, and returned to her room. Work on her article was out of the question. She tried to read, but found it hard to concentrate. Then, while curled up in the chair by the fireplace, she suddenly heard something. A slow, rhythmic noise. Puzzled, she let the book fall unnoticed on to her lap, and she listened harder. What could it be? It was almost a thumping sound which faded away, then returned with renewed force.  Then her face crimsoned. Could it POSSIBLY be ...?

Her unwanted "green-eyed monster" reared itself again. The noise went on. And on. And on. It seemed to be coming from the attic, right above her room. The thought, poor Vanessa!, popped into her mind. At last she could bear it no longer. Seething with jealousy, Carolyn ran up the stairs and stood outside the attic door, wanting to fling it open and confront them. She could still hear the noise, and was trying to get up her courage to knock when the Captain suddenly appeared beside her.

In a mildly questioning tone of voice, he inquired, "May I ask why you are still up, my dear? May I help you?"

Carolyn stared at him, then at the closed door from behind which still came the noises. Then she faced him again, demanding, ""Where's Vanessa?"

"I don't know." now he sounded amused, and she knew he was well aware of her jealousy. "I don't keep track of her... I imagine she has gone to wherever it is she stays most of the time. I doubt we'll be seeing her again."

Now the noise was becoming insistent. Carolyn flung open the door and stormed into the attic. Nothing. She looked around blankly.

"What is it, my dear?" the Captain followed her into the room.

"What am I hearing?" Carolyn asked, bewildered.

He cocked his head to one side, listening, then grinned wickedly at her. "You thought ...? Mrs. Muir! I am shocked! And to think you have lived in Gull Cottage for more than two years! Haven't you learned to recognize the sound of the waves on the beach yet?"

Carolyn's green eyes widened in the dimness of the room, then she ducked her head, embarrassment seeping through every pore. For a moment she was immobile, then she ran from the room. She headed for the sanctuary of her own room, and let herself out on to the balcony where she clung to the ship's wheel and tried to cool down her burning cheeks by pressing them on the cool, smooth wood.

"Carolyn." the Captain's low, velvety voice broke the darkness.

She stiffened, but didn't move. She loved the sound of her name when he said it, but even that delight was overshadowed by her shame.

"My dear, much as I hate to admit it, I feel I MUST apologize for my behaviour today. I should not have teased you so."

Carolyn spun to face him. He NEVER apologized!

"You know, I told you before ... when I gave you the shawl ... the past is a pleasant place to visit. I enjoyed seeing Vanessa again, and talking with her. But, my dear, next to you ... she is rather insipid. I find your fire, your SPIRIT far more to my liking." his eyes held hers, and she swallowed convulsively. Then his gaze dropped to her lips. Carolyn moistened them, and saw desire cross his face.  She trembled, longing for what should not be. And yet, if anything happened between them, it would not be pure sex. It was love. So what was the problem?

That she could be so blase about intimacy shocked some sense into Carolyn, and she backed up. Had she gone crazy? Was she THAT deprived? Of course she was. Richard had been her only lover. Ever. And it had been a really long time since ...

She took another step back. What was wrong with her? Was all this caused by jealousy? Was she feeling that pathetically needy? She had enjoyed the physical aspect of marriage well enough, but this sudden craving she had to touch and be touched was shocking. Humiliating.

Totally unlike her. It had to be Vanessa's statement about the Captain's kisses that was affecting her now. Had he kissed Vanessa "divinely" again today?

"Carolyn, what is it? What do you wish to know?" the Captain sensed her quandary. "You can ask me anything. You must know that."

Yes, she did know that, Carolyn realized suddenly. The Captain, simply by being himself, had wound himself into her life, into her very heartstrings. For all her jealousy, she knew she could ask outright and would be given the truth. Could she bear it? Surely nothing was worse than what she had been imagining all these last two years!

"Daniel, why did you never marry Vanessa? Did she meet someone else in Boston? How could she care for anyone after you? Why have you kept all her things if she jilted you?" her questions tumbled out.

The Captain sighed. "It was actually quite simple. It just took me a long time to accept it." he said. "Vanessa went to Boston, as she said, to visit her dying grandfather. While she was there, I came home. The night after my arrival in Gull Cottage, I kicked over the gas heater. Vanessa never returned to Schooner Bay. That was another reason my death was thought to be a suicide ... it was assumed that I had been jilted." his expression grew fierce at the painful memories.

"So all those things you had picked up for her..."

"Were never given to her. I died first, Carolyn."

"I never thought of that." Carolyn's eyes swam with tears. "Oh, Daniel, I wondered ..."

"Do you know, my dear, that you have never before called me by my name? Now you have said it twice... I find I like to hear it. You know, that's another thing about Vanessa. Among other irritants, she was so confoundedly formal!"

Carolyn smiled crookedly. Oh, how she loved him! Then suddenly his mouth was on hers and he kissed her the way she had wanted to be kissed from the start.

"CAPTAIN GREGG!! UNHAND THAT MORTAL AT ONCE!!" a feminine voice shrieked.

Carolyn gasped and tore herself out of the Captain's arms. Vanessa was glaring at them both. Eerily, she seemed to be glowing with the light of her fury. "You KNOW that is against the rules!" Vanessa stormed. "There is to be no needless interaction with mortals! Do you realize how you are upsetting nature's balance?? Look at the poor girl! She's half-swooning from the distress of the encounter! You realize I'm going to have to report you? The powers that be have been suspicious of you for quite some time."

Half-swooning? Carolyn made a move to protest, but caught Daniel's quick glance of warning, and subsided. She wasn't sure what was going on, but quite obviously the Captain did not want her to speak up in her own defense.

"My dear Vanessa," the Captain drawled smoothly, "I certainly did not expect to see you back again quite so soon."

"THAT is quite obvious, sir! And just what did you mean by saying 'among other irritants'?" Vanessa's fury seemed to slip into hurt.

Carolyn bit her lip. She hated feeling remorse for innocent actions. Well, maybe not so innocent. She knew full well what she had been inviting, and had wanted it to happen. But she knew how hard it was to hear something uncomplimentary from someone you care about.

"Vanessa?" Carolyn spoke quietly, forsaking the more formal address. "Vanessa, could you help me?"

Vanessa softened even more. The Captain folded his arms and narrowed his eyes, but the women ignored him.

"What is it, Mrs. Muir?" Vanessa's voice was calm. Evidently her moods swung quickly from one extreme to the other.

"Please ... the Captain hasn't given me many guidelines for acceptable behaviour." Carolyn cast a quick glance at the Captain and half smiled at his expression. "You see, I fell in love with him."

Vanessa's eyes grew wide at the candid admission, and she opened her mouth.

Carolyn forestalled her, "I was so very jealous of you ... after meeting your great-great-granddaughter and realizing how beautiful you must have been, I thought I had no chance of ever getting the Captain to look at me. Except, of course, that I was the only female available."

The Captain made a strangled sound in his throat, and both women glared him into silence. The surprise kept him like that.

"I had no idea that a ... a spirit and a mortal could ... well ... could even touch." Carolyn continued.

"It should never have come to this!" Vanessa shook back her curls.   "Captain Gregg knew better!"

"But I encouraged him." Carolyn's eyes dropped. She was afraid that if she looked at the Captain, she might laugh. Or cry. "Vanessa, I love him."

The words hung in the air. No one spoke. No one moved. Carolyn looked up at last. Vanessa was staring at her, then at the Captain. His eyes were on Carolyn. Warm and compassionate, and full of love.

"It's real love, Vanessa." Carolyn continued at last. "I don't pretend to know the rules ... but real love ... that doesn't come to us all the time. It's so very special. I can't believe it's wrong. Please, Vanessa, tell me it's not."

Vanessa took a step back ù through the balustrade. She was hovering by the balcony, gnawing on her lower lip with indecision. Finally she nodded. "You're right. I'm sure that somewhere in the rules there is an exception to them." Then her face lit up in a gamin grin, and she whispered theatrically, "You were really jealous of ME?"

"Really." Carolyn confirmed.

"I was of you, after meeting you." confessed Vanessa.

"Vanessa ... Carolyn ..." the Captain started to speak, but neither was listening.

Vanessa leaned forward again to say to Carolyn, "I was right about his kisses, wasn't I?"

"Oh, yes." agreed Carolyn fervently.

"You are a very lucky woman." Vanessa sighed. "I do hope you have better luck with Captain Gregg than I had."

"Count on it." Carolyn grinned.

"Good bye, Mrs. Muir ... Carolyn. I AM glad I met you ... and came back to talk with you now! It cleared the air somewhat for me."

"Good bye, Vanessa."

Slowly Vanessa faded, calling out, "Goodbye, Captain Gregg! Good luck forever, my friend!"

When she was gone, Carolyn turned back to the Captain.  "Did you mean everything you said?" he demanded arrogantly, as if he had the right to know.

"I did. Brazen as it may have sounded ..." Carolyn lifted her chin defiantly.

"I thought it sounded beautiful, my love." was his astonishing response. "Naturally, until I hear for sure from the Council, my hands are tied. Figuratively speaking, of course." and he pulled her into his arms, his lips covering hers before she could ask what he meant.

Carolyn  melted against him. He kissed her until her knees buckled, then turned her around, pushed her gently inside the room and disappeared! She had too much pride to beg him to kiss her just a few more times. Blast! How could he do this to her? She'd give him a taste of his own medicine. Right after she had a cold shower and a terrible night's sleep!