Obligatory disclaimer: The Mouse owns all, save my own original characters.

"Sit."

James was about to protest, saying that he was not in need of sutures for his wound, but the adrenaline that coursed through his veins earlier had long since abandoned his system and pain was starting to throb in his upper arm. So James did as Julia directed, sinking into the kitchen chair without comment as Julia glided across the keeping room, setting lights aflame and quietly humming to herself. He would admit to no one, especially Julia, but he was almost looking forward to the upcoming ministration of his injury, for James could not remember the last time someone took care of him… rather than the other way around.

But remember, you would not be in this situation if Julia had gotten herself in that predicament.

James sighed heavily and when Julia turned, concern furrowing her brow, he feigned a yawn and waved her off.

Although, she would not have found herself in harm's way if you had just kept your damn mouth shut.

As a means to perpetuate his cover of exhaustion, but also as a means to clear his head of such thoughts, James gave a rapid shake of his head and rolled some of the tension out of his shoulders. James then looked around the keeping room, noticing details that had slipped by during his last visit. The cat's bed by the hearth was new, but there were signs that a dog also lived there. A half-gnawed bone. A tattered quilt lying on the floor. A large bowl filled with water.

Probably asleep somewhere. Some guard dog.

James then blinked. Come to think of it, where is the cat? Hmm… probably off together somewhere, making plans or dreaming the night away.

Getting back to what was in front of him, James absorbed his surroundings. Just as much as his last visit, if not more so this time, James still loved the pleasantness of the room. Large and comforting, the room reminded James of the wide skirts of his maternal grandmother, wide and inviting… and how she used to swing around her own kitchen, baking him cookies. Smiling at the memory, James looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see bunches of dried herbs and flowers looking down on him. Practically a sea of flora, the ceiling beams housed every variety – and then some – of medicinal plants James could imagine. Despite reading her letters and knowing that their worlds were so different, the realization that Julia had to eke out an existence in a civilization carved out of wilderness came crashing down on James.

Julia interrupted James' visual tour. "So, tell me about these job offers you are entertaining. I must say that after a life of the sea, any time spent on land will be like adapting to a completely different culture. How exciting and terrifying, all at the same time!" The dimple in her cheek appeared, but the look in her eyes was all seriousness. Julia was not so much concerned about where James was going, for uprooting her life was of no worry to her, but by giving up everything he held near and dear, what was James jumping into?

James eyed Julia as she prepared the instruments to seal his wound. She had set a pot of water to boil and had picked out several sewing needles from a basket set beneath the giant spinning wheel. Then, she had opened a cabinet and removed a small wooden box, setting it near his elbow on the kitchen table. Her brows were drawn together in concentration once the lid was opened. Curious, James leaned forward to see what was so vexing. Several spools of black thread and white thread were meticulously lined up, like flowers in a garden. James knew that the thread was used only for people rather than fabric, but he was intrigued as to why it was kept out of Julia's sewing notions.

Shrugging, James retreated back into his seat and answered, "Not much different than setting sail for a whole new world. I applied – and was accepted – to teach at several universities, both here in the Colonies and back in Mother England. I have not completely decided that academic pursuits should be my next vocation, so I had also thought about exploring this new land and have put out queries about becoming a surveyor. After all, I have charted the waters, so land is the next logical step. But the more I hear about the plight of the Indians at the hands of the Europeans, the more I sympathize and wish not to take any of their land for the colonists' use. It seems to me, that we have taken enough as it is."

Julia silently agreed with James about the plight of her native neighbors, but was too overwhelmed to say much of anything. In fact, seeing James sitting before her, his features sharply highlighted by the flickering lights, was causing her to feel a little too overwhelmed to do anything. Yes, he is handsome. And yes, the idea of leading him upstairs again is very appealing. But he is taking his own sweet time in letting you off the hook and until he answers properly, it needs to be business as usual. Or… as unusual, as the case may be. "A professor at a university sounds very… interesting, as well as challenging."

James chuckled, the sound a caress against Julia's skin, as he shrugged off his jacket in preparation for the upcoming repair of his arm. "Teaching a passel of unruly boys – who claim to be men – sounds like suicide actually. But I think that at this juncture in my life, I have enough knowledge and wisdom gleaned from past mistakes and other circumstances that others might find of interest. We shall see."

Julia had to turn away, lest James see the effect he had on her sans shirt. Grateful that she could focus on sterilizing the needle, Julia bent over a candle and held the tip in the flame. After a few moments, Julia set it upon a clean towel to cool and crossed the room to the hearth where she poured a cup of tea. Set the hot beverage next to James, Julia also opened a bottle of whiskey. "Well, I commend you for deviating so far from where you feel most comfortable, but again, I want it to be for you and not for me. And before you can reply to that, I have everything ready to suture you up. I promise, I will work quickly. The tea will help, but it will not make the pain nonexistent."

James arched a brow and reached for the alcohol, only to be surprised when Julia intervened by swatting at his hand. "The alcohol is for the wound, not you!"

"But…" Every other injury in the past that needed any doctoring was preceded by a long pull of whiskey. What on earth was she doing?

Julia shook her head slowly, a smile curving her lips. "Nay James. I have seeped some tea for you to help with the pain, but the alcohol in your veins may cause you to bleed more. And while the tea is not the most palatable, I promise you that it is more effective in acting as a pain foil than an equal amount of whiskey. If I am wrong, than I… shall…"

"Just give me the damn tea," James growled. Any way that Julia would finish that sentence was going to disappoint in comparison to how his mind had already completed the thought. Swallowing the hot beverage, and grimacing the entire way it went down, James wished for a lifetime of these moments. Rubbing his hand along his jaw, James was grateful that his skin still felt clean-shaven. As soon as this was over, he intended on exploring crevice of Julia's mouth and did no want to rub her cheeks raw as he did so.

But until he saw how much effort Julia was putting into repairing his injury, James still had been unsure of whether he wanted to tether himself to one woman for the rest of his life. Yes, Julia was the one he most wanted for that honor, but a sudden epiphany of Julia spending the rest of her life caring for him, as well as warming his sheets, made James' blood sing. He even smiled up at Julia when she removed the makeshift bandage.

Which quickly dissipated as Julia disinfected the injury. Splashing the wound with the alcohol, Julia winced as James let out a quiet groan. She knew it had to burn, but also knew his body would soon feel the effects of the tea. When his breathing returned to normal, Julia whispered, "I highly suggest you take a deep breath and let it out when I tell you."

James did as was told and when Julia commended, "Breathe out," he did so as the needle and thread pierced his flesh.

James hissed as the needle drew out of his skin, but it was more out habit than actual discomfort. Julia was right – the tea did help with the pain. But that did not make it a process he wanted to relive any time soon. The tea did not deaden the feeling of the needle closing the gap in his skin, but it did make the feeling less sharp. However, it was not the first time he had been sutured and James was sure it would not be his last. He was grateful that the injury was not worse than a mere surface wound.

"Done."

James looked down at the stitches, inspecting Julia's handiwork. They were even and smooth, barely even visible. And while he certainly did not relish the idea of being sewn back together any time soon, James wanted no one else to do his doctoring. "I must say, no one has ever done a better – or faster – job of setting down stitches. I… I thank you."

Julia smiled down at him, her eyes twinkling. "My husband used to say that stitching was women's work because they already knew how to sew. He then because angry when people would circumvent him and see me to fix cuts and wounds that ran deep." The smile on her face dissipated. "When he found out, he would beat me and take the money. But I then began to work in trade and that helped. Until someone would thank me. Then the beatings would commence again." Forcing the smile back into place, Julia chirped, "Now, let me put a clean bandage over the cut and retreat to the sitting room."

James rose from the chair, "I shall never lay a finger on you, Jewel."

Julia paused mid-stride, her chin slowly sinking to her chest. Her shoulders rose and fell as a sigh slipped past her lips. Were there any words to express the pressure that suddenly appeared in her chest… that tightened her lungs? Figuring it would be best to keep a light tone, Julia forced her voice to be cheerful as she pulled rolls of bandages from a cabinet before setting them on the table. "So are you finally answering my question?"

James crossed the distance between them in a few steps, his arms wrapping around her waist, his chest against her back, his chin resting on her shoulder. The words whispered against Julia's ear caused a shiver to dance through her muscles. "Like there was any doubt."

Turning so that she could look up into James' eyes, Julia smiled, her right hand arcing up and smoothing the hair along his temples. "Then do not say you will never lay a finger on me, for I would very much like it if several fingers were laid upon me in the same manner you did during your last visit. However, I need to place a dressing before anything irritates the stitches. And then you need to get some rest."

"So we are engaged?" James' green eyes glowed with delight.

Julia was stunned at the level of excitement in James. Her previous two engagements were power struggles of financial jockeying between her fiancés and her parents. She seemed to factor into the situation very little, if at all. Although Cutler did attempt to put forth some effort into wooing me. But that was before the engagement. Once we were betrothed, all he did was try to lift my skirts. This show of enthusiasm left Julia at a loss for words, so she struggled to reply. "It would seem so. So now you may have some drink. As a reward for being a good patient. And in celebration, I suppose."

"Ah, but now I do not need it." The words came out as a husky growl and Julia knew he could see the effect of his proximity and enthusiasm had on her person. James wet his lips in anticipation and his hold on her waist tightened.

All wide-eyed innocence, Julia asked, "And just what it is that you do need?"

James' eyes twinkled in mirth. He was amazed by how much he had missed their banter. He was also surprised by how content he was just holding Julia in his arms. You just fought a duel – an unplanned one at that – old man. Of course you are tired. "While the correct answer would be you, I must say a good night's sleep is what I need. So that I can show you just how much I missed you these past several months come morning."

Pretending to consider his words, Julia tapped her finger against her jaw. Thank the Lord. I am exhausted and want nothing more than to sleep the sleep of the dead. Maybe once I am lying in bed, I shall change my mind. But even if I do, I can do no persuading – nor allow him to persuade if he changes his – once we are upstairs. This man nearly died for you. Forcing him to rest and recuperate is the least you can do for him. Dawn's light… then you may show him more of your gratitude.

Then Julia nodded her head, as if finally deciding James' words were best – before a grin that she was trying to suppress snuck out. "I think I would like nothing more than to fall asleep in your arms. Unless you have a room at an inn…" Julia knew her unfinished statement was leading and was annoyed at the tone of her voice. Why does this man want to marry you, you twit?

"And I would like nothing more than to wake in yours. And yes, I have a room. I would not be so presumptuous as to think I would be allowed quarters here. No matter how hopeful I was. Thank you for letting me stay."

"Thank you for staying. Now, let us retreat upstairs. But first…" Stepping out of his embrace, Julia began to douse the lights. As she moved systematically across the room, James grabbed a lantern to navigate the stairs easier. Julia blew out the last lamp before returning to James' side, where she slid her arm back around his waist. "Let us have a good night's sleep so that we may have an even better morning."

Playfully tweaking Julia's nose, James teased. "It is a good thing that I will have you, as no man would want such a brazen woman as his wife."

Julia bumped her hip against James'. "And what does that say about you?"

"That I am either very lucky or a great fool. Or both." His gently chiding tone went quiet, softly caressing Julia's skin. "But more than that… I am grateful to finally find where I need to make my home. Anywhere you are."

Fin

A/N: Thank you once again for taking time out of your day to read my story. Your reviews have meant the world to me. There will be more tales, but James and Julia's story ends here so that what happens to them – or just Norrington – may be decided by you.