Author's Note: This is my first (and, most likely, only) attempt at writing a Ghost and Mrs. Muir story. It is a gift for Diane (VioletStella), for re-introducing me to the show and being so patient while I took care of the plot bunny invasion I've had recently. I hope you like this!

Carolyn Muir awoke, and it took a moment before she remembered where she was. Of course, Gull Cottage. She'd come here with her two children, hoping to make a new start. The cottage had seemed nice enough on the outside. The children loved it immediately. But then, they went inside. The house had formerly been owned by one Captain Gregg. He'd been a sailor about a hundred years ago, and even though he was dead, he remained in the house. A ghost.

Carolyn didn't know what to make of him. He'd frustrated and infuriated her from the very start. When she just couldn't stand it anymore, she took the children, all their belongings, and Martha. Despite the children's reluctance, they left. She would never return to Gull Cottage as long as she lived. But before they'd even gotten a mile from the house, the car actually turned around all by itself! They'd had no choice but to go back. Left with no alternative, Carolyn had to take Captain Gregg up on his offer to let her stay, in spite of the fact that she had a lease. After yet another argument with the captain, she'd gone to bed. Unfortunately, it had been the best night's sleep she'd had in a long time. But that wasn't the worst part.

The strangest thing was the dream she'd had. In it, Captain Gregg stood at the foot of her bed. While she slept, he watched. That alone would've been frightening. A strange man watching her sleep. Never mind that he was a ghost. But on top of that was what he'd said. Or what she thought he said. "If I'd known you a hundred years ago, I'd have carried you off to sea and shown you how beautiful the world can be." Carolyn had always been a sensible woman. That was why she'd had such trouble even believing in a ghost, until she saw one firsthand. She knew that dreams were just a trick of the mind, nothing more. But, if that was the case, where did those words come from? Did some part of her wish that the captain felt that way? As she got out of bed, and her mind began to clear, she shook her head. No, of course not. She had just been overtired from the long drive, especially after being forced to turn back. Between that and her anger at this man...or, rather, ghost, no wonder she'd had such an odd dream. "It was just a dream," she repeated over and over as she put on her robe. She nodded, as if agreeing with herself. She had to put this nonsense out of her mind before she went to wake the children.

Just as she was about to leave the room, she felt a sudden draft on her back. When she turned to see where it had come from, her heart stopped for a moment. The window overlooking the sea had been opened. Carolyn knew she'd closed it before going to bed. "If you ever do that again, Captain, my children and I are leaving. For good!" With that, she slammed the door shut.

Captain Gregg smiled to himself as he appeared in his room once more. "Madam, you've already come back here once. You might as well face the fact – you're meant to be here."

The End