It happens all the time and it's beginning to drive me crazy.  Every time I enter the Pub, alone or with someone, whatever the time, and he is there, I secretly hope he's involved in a conversation with someone so I don't have to initiate or get into a real conversation with him.  He intimidates me so much and I'm clueless as to why this is.  He's loved by everyone - so strikingly handsome, gentle, caring, wickedly funny, but so dominantly male and commanding, he scares the shit out of me.  Besides all of the above, the hair on the back of my neck ripples in waves whenever I see him, as if I was subconsciously resisting a remembrance or a memory of some sort with him.   No one else at the Pub did this to me.  Only Jack.  He was about the only person I had never had a drink or a personal conversation with at the Pub, and I was curious why we seemed always to avoid one another.  Or was that just my take on things?

On this particular afternoon, as I swung carelessly through the doors, he was sitting at the bar talking with Andy and fussing about something in his hand.  He looked up as I approached, his blue sea-colored eyes taking on an intense darkness as they often did, and I had the distinct impression he felt the same way about me as I did about him - that something was there, and it was better to leave it alone, unexamined.  He looked back down at his hands quickly after nodding briefly and smiling in my direction.

I decided to bite the bullet and dive in.

"Hi, Jack.  What's up?  What've you got there?  You look like you're worried about something." 

His eyes crinkled at the corners.  "Carol.  How nice to see you.  This is a fortuitous meeting indeed.  May I finally buy you a drink?  It does seem we keep missing the opportunity.  What would you like?" 

He was so charming it disarmed me and I blurted out, "Just a vodka rocks, please.  Thanks, Jack.  Hi, Andy."

Andy gave me a funny look like my hair was standing on end or something and quietly put my drink in front of me.  "There ya go, luv.  Captain's treat."

I sipped from my glass and glanced over at Jack's hands in which he was holding a beautiful, engraved gold pocket watch.  He was fiddling with it and seemed concerned about the fact that it was not working properly.

"Maybe the stem is broken or something."  I offered lamely.  "May I see it?" 

He gave me a discerning look and readily handed it to me.  I took the shining gold timepiece out of his hand and examined it closely, marveling at its symmetry, craftsmanship and beautiful elegance. 

It felt strangely warm and familiar in my hand as my fingers rubbed lovingly over the smooth gold surface and the raised initials and insignia on it,

"This is really beautiful, Jack.  Where did you get it?  It's very old." 

He gave me a strange look, as if I should know the answer to that question.

He answered in a whisper, looking me directly in the eyes.

"Yes, it is very old, Carol.  It was a gift from a most beloved and special friend a long time ago."

I nodded appreciatively, feeling inexplicably sad about the watch not running, wanting to somehow make him feel better and solve the problem at the same time.  My mind floundered with this odd emotion as I suddenly flashed back to a little shop where I had once had a bracelet fixed.

I gasped happily, remembering what a great job they had done on my jewelry, and realized this was the very place he needed to take it for repairs.  The thought came to me, however, that I wanted to do it for him - as if my offering to do so may make him feel that I cared enough about him to want to please him.

"I can get it fixed for you, Jack.  If you'll trust me to care for it.  There's a little old shop near where I live that specializes in repairing antique jewelry and watches  - just about anything old.  They are master jewelers and I'm sure they could fix this."  I clasped it tightly in my hand; my mind already made up that this is what I was going to do.

"Of course I trust you with it, my dear." He smiled gently.  "I appreciate your kind offer and I'm most happy to take you up on it."

I grinned in genuine pleasure, slipped the watch into my jeans pocket and finished my drink.   "Good.  I'm glad, Jack.  Trust me.  They do a great job and it won't take too long, I promise." 

He stared at me for a long moment, his lashes casting shadows down his cheeks, covered my hand affectionately with his own, and ordered me another drink, refusing to take no for an answer.

I excused myself quickly after my second drink and told Jack he could be confident that his watch was in good hands.

"Be assured, dear Carol, I know this."  He smiled warmly and stood up as I slid off my stool.   "I'll be waiting to hear from you about it."  He leaned over me and briefly kissed my cheek with soft lips. 

"God, what a really gorgeous, lovely, tactile man." I thought, my stomach tightening unexpectedly.  

As I left the Pub, and walked toward my car, I retrieved the watch from my pocket, feeling a strong need - a desire - to hold it in my hand.  I gripped tightly as I drove to my neighborhood and searched for a parking space outside the tiny shop aptly named,

I put my car in park and slid out, and felt the watch like a warm, comforting talisman in my hand.  As I walked toward the door of the shop I began to tinker with it, studying it closely, and discovered by chance that it had the appearance of having not one, but two compartments in the back.  I didn't want to fuss with it and possibly damage it further, so I didn't attempt to open it, deciding to let the experts open it for me, but I did begin to wind it.  I immediately found, to my dismay, that I was inadvertently winding it backwards.  Unexpectedly, it began to play a sweet, melodic tune - a lovely, old, classical piece by Boccherini.  Whoa.  How did I know that?  The hair on the back of my neck rippled again and shivers shot up my arms.  I recognized the music.  For an unknown length of time I stared blankly into space.  Suddenly, my vision and balance wavered so dramatically as I reached the door of the shop, I had to hold on to the antique latch handle for a long moment to steady myself for fear of falling. 

I felt disoriented and unsteady.  I thought I saw lights flashing at the outer edges of my eyesight ... I felt some odd fluttering feeling against my skin, almost as if I was in a tunnel and wind was rushing past.  It was so sudden, so unexpected, and so foreign that I was just on the edge of panic ... when it stopped just as suddenly as it began.  I took a deep breath to restore my bearings.  A charming bell tinkled near me; I wondered when the shop had installed the bell as the last time I'd been there, they'd had one of those new buzz-in doors with the accompanying metallic whine it made as they admitted you. 

For some reason, my attention went to the watch in my hand.  It was running!  Feeling a nameless, creeping fright I looked up to see the oddly dressed proprietor behind the counter and asked him for the correct time.  The watch was correct.

I looked at my surroundings which I was shocked to find were now completely unfamiliar and alien to me.  The whole atmosphere of the shop had taken on an antique, old fashioned ambiance.  There were little signs on the wall in script writing about different items of jewelry that were for sale, the lighting was dim and seemed to come only from little oil lamps on the counter.  There were heavy curtains at the windows, which were made of a dense wavy glass, and the proprietor wore a suit of rather antique appearance.  

I felt a type of panicked dread and fear that I was the only one not in on this joke.  Was I on the set of a period piece movie being made?  Did the proprietor just decide he would dress in a historical old-fashioned way for the day?  I looked down at my own attire then, and became unnerved to discover my jeans and tee had been replaced by an old-fashioned frock.  I fingered the material in an amazed daze.  It appeared to be a type of lavender silk taffeta.  I had a delicate pearl bracelet on my wrist; a pearl ring was on my finger.  Looking down, I lifted the hem of my dress to discover I was wearing white hose and black leather lace up shoes with pointed toes and little heels.  My head swam as I lifted my arms to touch my hair.  It was piled up high on my head, seemed to be long, with little wispy curls escaping and brushing my neck.  I wore drop pear earrings.  I gave the proprietor a nervous smile and walked closer to the counter behind which was a large old-framed mirror.  I gaped at my image, my mouth open in astonishment.  I was certainly no house drudge.  I looked beautiful.  I also looked totally lost. 

I asked the shop keeper what year it was, risking that he might throw me out for being insane, and he said,

"1805, m'Lady.  It's 1805.  Are you unwell?  You seem very confused and ...and, well, at odds and ends..."

Apparently my clothing was totally de rigueur for the time as he didn't question my garb, but looked at me with the pity reserved for the mentally incompetent.   

Desperate, quaking fear enveloped me.  Everything was changed back to a time I have never known; yet my memory was intact.  I was convinced I had by some means stepped back in history - to Jack's time - and I instinctively knew he was the only one who would know me in this place.  But, where am I?   I also know for a certainty that his ship is on its way into port - due to arrive soon.  How did I know this?  All my senses were awake yet I didn't know what was real.

Struggling to overcome my panic, I breathlessly asked the proprietor if he would be kind enough to take a look at the watch to make sure I wasn't mistaken about it running properly.  He took it gently from my hand and smiled warmly.  He obviously recognized it. 

"Ahh, yes ...  I remember when you purchased this lovely article, my Lady.  Have you been happy with it?  Or I should say, is the gentleman you purchased it for happy with it?" 

I looked at him, astounded, and asked how long ago had it been since I had made this purchase.   He gave me a quizzical expression, assessing if I was in my right mind. 

"Why it was about six months ago, my Lady.  Do you not recall?  You came in looking for a "special gift for a special gentleman," I believe you said.  You spent two hours examining every time piece I have in my shop, and decided on this one because of its elegance and the fact that it played a particular piece of music you seemed to fancy.  You bought it and asked me to engrave it for you.  See?"  He then opened a thin plate of gold covering the very back of the watch and held it up for me to see.  My eyes widened in disbelief as I read,

I was speechless - I had no such memory.  As I read the inscription again and again and ran my fingertips over the letters, I began to get a sense of who "Caroline" might have been to Jack, but it was very nebulous.   How could I have had it for six months?  Did Jack know I had it?  Had I/Carol/Caroline given it to him yet?  How did he come to have it at the Pub?  My mind whirled in utter confusion.   Staring perhaps too long into space, I caught the expression of the proprietor as he watched me, his brow furrowed in perplexity.

I attempted to gather my wits and asked him if he could recommend any dignified homes or rooms where a lady could safely abide for awhile.  He gave me a couple of suggestions, writing them down for me and looking at me as if I was a lost child.  I thanked him profoundly for his kindness and then stepped out of his door to make my way alone in this completely foreign little town the shopkeeper informed me, was Punta Arenas in Chile.     

Before trying to locate the addresses he had given me, I walked unsteadily down dirt alleys and winding little cobbled streets, looking for a marina or dock.  As I walked I held Jack's watch in my hands, running my fingers over the engraved letters.  I knew in my heart that Jack was near and I needed to find him immediately.  He had to save me. 

I stared boldly back at people who looked askance at me - who gave me direct, assessing stares as I wandered, apparently aimlessly, without servant or luggage, around the town.  Gathering up all the courage I didn't feel, I tightened my grip on the watch.

The locale was spectacular, full of vivid color and exotic cooking odors unlike any I had ever experienced.  Despite my fear, I felt heady with adventure. 

I eventually found my way to the marina, and stood at the railing among many strange faces who waited, keeping vigil with me, in total absorption as the Surprise, still far out in the waves, slowly navigated its way in to port.  My pulse sped up and my nerves grew taut with expectation - and ... what?

As the impressively huge Royal Naval vessel approached, I held my breath and scanned every face as it came into view, searching for him with my heart pounding in my throat.  Will he know me? 

The crew aboard the ship appeared to be a dirty, bedraggled, motley assortment for the most part, but the ship looked to be in excellent condition, despite its apparently having been in a number of battles lately, as the word of its expeditions spread throughout the crowd.  I heard English though I was in Chile.  Hey.  Why not?  Add it on to the rest of the absurdities that were becoming my life. 

The men were hanging from the rigging for a better view, or lined up along the deck, excited expressions on their faces and huge eager smiles exposing bad teeth.   Time on shore usually meant the promise of a period of drunken revelry was soon to be enjoyed by all, and they had been at sea for a long, battle weary time. 

I saw officers and red-coated Marines lined up neatly on deck, and I shuddered in anticipation of seeing Jack, my eyes narrowing against the bright sun as I searched for his golden countenance amidst all his men.  Then I saw him there - his men flanking him - standing tall, resplendent in his uniform, bright yellow hair gleaming, wearing his authority and rank like an invisible cloak.  It oozed out of his bearing, stance and expression as he surveyed the crowded dock area, looking for ... whom? 

I was desperate with worry.  Would he know me?  Would he recognize me?  If he didn't, I knew I would have a lot of explaining to do that I wasn't sure I was capable of delivering.  How does one explain the unexplainable?       

I watched as they all slowly disembarked according to precise naval military protocol.  I watched Jack intently and I knew one thing for certain - if he didn't already know me, I would make damn sure he would get to know me as soon as possible.  The man was breathtaking - incredibly beautiful.  My nether folds flooded with moisture as I watched him walk in my general direction, scanning the crowd carefully.  He was searching for me/her, I just knew it.  I felt that whatever feelings she had at the sight of Jack in all his glory, I was experiencing them too.

He exchanged polite words with several people, pausing, bowing to the women, smiling with all the proper etiquette of the day, nodding in recognition at many people.  I thought, how could he know so many people in a port that was new to him?  Why did I know this was new to him?  I was beginning to realize that Carol/Caroline were sharing, if not the same body, at least some of the same memories, and I was definitely beginning to share her apparent love and desire for him.  The sight of him created chaotic floods of emotional yearnings that were being transferred almost effortlessly to my psyche.

As he moved through the crowd, talking with one of his crewmen, he gradually drew closer to where I was standing.  My heart thudded wildly in my chest - threatening to burst - I was breathless.   Memories were struggling to surface that I could not identify.  Deep reserves of emotion for this man were bubbling up inside me like a tidal wave of molten lava.  Oh yeah, there was a definite connection here. 

He got close enough that I could see the texture of his fine, ruddy, wind-blown skin, the shimmering gold of his hair.  He wore it long and clubbed, which in the vernacular of the day meant tied back with a black ribbon.  And I knew this how? He carried his black felt military hat under his arm and strode forward as he gained his land legs.  His deep blue Captain's uniform was impeccable, hugging the outline of sturdy wide shoulders and deep chest.  Cream colored breeches, tucked into high black boots, hugged his muscular legs and outlined a considerable swell in his crotch.  He was magnificent. 

He glanced up then and looked directly into my eyes, stopping my heart completely.  His own clear blue-green eyes widened, in surprise, grew instantly soft, and he smiled at me with genuine affection.    

"Caroline!  My dearest girl!  You came!"  He declared, stepping in front of me and taking possession of my hand, bringing it to his lips.  I gaped in awe at his countenance.

"Jack!  Jack .... Yes, I ...."  I foundered pathetically as suddenly he swept me into his arms, held me tight against him, and murmured against my ear,

"You are a vision, my flower!  A true vision!  Thank you for meeting me.  I was so afraid you would not be here."  

I had marveled at the fact that I 'knew' Jack's ship was coming ashore at this time.  I had had a sense of relief that my hero was on the way to save me from being lost, long before I began to feel my lover was coming as well.  I believed that whoever Caroline was, she was his love, and as such, she had certain knowledge of his whereabouts, locations and plans.  She seemed to be trying to share with me what that intimate knowledge was; that if I could but let it happen, maybe we could both enjoy him - her again, me for the first time.  I began to realize that what 'came' to me as innate knowledge, yet was in reality foreign, was coming from her. 

I melted into his embrace and felt the passion of the moment wash over me, bringing with it tides of knowledge and the certainty that this man was my/her lover.  I had bought the watch for him as a 'welcome-back-to-me' gift, and had not yet given it to him.   I had noticed that it was not running and had run to the shop in a panic to have it examined before he reached shore.  That's why I was here - to give him his gift - to give him my/her love.

He hugged me for a long moment, breathing in my scent and murmuring endearments in my ear as the ground came up to meet me and I swayed in his arms.

He grabbed a hold of me, concern registering sharply on his face.  

"Are you well, my dear?"  He asked, "Here, let me hold on to you.  Would you like to sit down a moment?  You look pale."  

He maneuvered me to a nearby bench and we sat for a long moment, thigh to thigh, staring into each other's eyes like besotted, love struck youths.   I reached up instinctively, cupped his face in my hands, and whispered fervently. 

"Jack, I am so happy to see you.... I missed you so much...." I began falteringly.  I felt unequivocally that the physical touch of Jack's body to mine was the trigger that opened the floodgates of Caroline's passion for Jack in me.  I was becoming her more strongly with each breath.

He interrupted me, leaned into my caress, and stroked my hands that still held his face.

"You will come with me to my quarters, will you not, dear heart?  You must be where I am.  Where are you staying?" 

I answered obtusely, not sure how much information to relate, and said I was staying in a local house that rented rooms. 

He shook his yellow head immediately and decisively.

"This will never do.  You will come with me, Caroline.  Stay with me as before.  We have much to catch up on.  Are you sure you are well?"  He stroked my cheek with his thumb and his concerned eyes scanned my face for my reply.  I had already answered him in my mind, as if there was any doubt. 

"Of course, Jack, of course I'll stay with you.  Where else would I want to be?"

He smiled like a beam of sunlight and nodded.  "Let us go, then.  There is a coach waiting for us beyond the marina.  Can you walk steady now?  Shall I carry you?"

I chuckled at his gallantry, not sure why it touched me so deeply.  No - I was sure why it affected me so deeply - I was completely unused to it in my time.  It was as foreign to me as it was second nature to Jack.  Gallantry, courtesy, authority - they were innate in him.

"I can walk, Jack.  Just watch me." I stated with surety.

He laughed in relief and his deep rumbling voice went straight to my twitching sex like an electric jolt.  We proceeded to the roadway where, indeed, a massive black coach pulled by two white horses, stood at the ready.  I realized he was an important man, accustomed to such luxuries.  He was comfortable and expectant of such special treatment.

I, on the other hand, was like a child in a toy store.  I let everything happen and wash over me as if I was in a dream from which I never wanted to be wakened.  I wanted to give full power to Caroline to take over my body and yet on some level I was holding tightly to 'me,' my own priorities, my real life love for Zack.  I recalled my mistakes with SID and knew I didn't want to repeat them.  I couldn't let my real past disappear from my mind, but I knew also that Caroline and I had some manner of connection, and she was trying to re-live her passion for Jack through me.  The watch, the physical presence of Jack - these were accomplishing this for her through me.

Is that not perhaps why I always felt 'something' when I saw Jack in my modern life at the Pub?  Is that why I avoided getting too close to him?  At some moment in time, on some planet, Caroline and I shared a definite bond.  I wanted to help her reconnect with her Jack in whatever way I could.  My loyalty to my friends knows no limits - I will happily make the sacrifice.   My heart pounded, as hers must have on many such occasions of reunion with Jack.  I was beginning to understand the depth of their attachment.

He took my elbow, assisted me into the coach, spoke a few words to the driver and climbed in with me.  Thus began the most surreal, superb and lust-filled adventure of my life; but with Jack, it didn't feel like lust.  It felt like love.  The more time I spent with him the more assured I became that 'we' shared a long intense history filled with many erotic and loving episodes.  Small details and remembrances surfaced from the fog of my brain as time passed.  Certain phrases he used, gestures of affection, the way he stood in his distinctive dominant manner, the way he used his hands when he spoke, all brought to clarity 'our' past times together.  I felt myself becoming more deeply in love than I had ever been.  This must be what Caroline felt.  She wanted me to feel it and to share it with her - to help her experience and relive her life again with Jack, and she needed me to do it.

I decided not to delve too deeply into questions about things that were not logical in my mind and wouldn't be in his.  If I couldn't answer my own questions, how could I expect him to?  Questions like how he seemed to be so familiar with an area he had not visited before, how his quarters were not 'new' to him, but reflected his taste in decoration, books, bedding, furniture, as if he had prepared the place himself.  He appeared to live liberally but not lavishly.  How did he know where things were, and what was in each room?  It all baffled me, but I remained silent about it and just took incredible pleasure in letting him oversee everything without question, especially me.  My own growing attachment to Jack was quickly being overtaken by her passion for him.

I couldn't wait to give him his gift.  Like a child, I anticipated the delight in his eyes when he opened the box.  I knew he would love it and I was impatient to make him happy.  He apparently felt in a similar fashion about me, because as soon as we entered his quarters, and the man servant put his personal locker box of belongings down beside the bed and left us to ourselves, he closed the door, locked it, and immediately pressed me up against it with his whole body.  He kissed me passionately, feeding hungrily on my lower lip, my upper lip, then my whole mouth, tasting me with his probing sweet tongue and ran his hands over my rounded cleavage and down my back until I leaned limply against him.  He moaned as his hands skimmed over my skin and he whispered his sweet hot desires against the skin of my neck.  He inhaled my scent and told me I smelled like paradise, pressed his huge erection against my pubic bone, and told me in detail what he wanted to do to me.  His velvet voice thrummed against my throat as he kissed my flesh.

"I have come back to you, my darling.  Never doubt that I always will.  You are my safe haven, my port in a storm, my home, my joy ..." he murmured.  "I want to make you weep with loving me.  I want you to yield to me like a flower opening to the sun."

I couldn't speak - just wound my arms around his neck tightly and shuddered with the intensity of my yearning for him.  I could no longer hold back Caroline's feelings.  I let her take the lead and I happily followed. 

"Jack, Jack ... you are making me wild!" I whispered hoarsely against his smooth throat.  He ground against me suggestively and sighed into my mouth,

"Forgive my premature ardor for you, dearest Caroline.  I adore you!  I have waited for you so long; I can wait no longer."  He said huskily.  He need not have worried, for I understood the impetuosity of his nature when he came ashore after so long at sea.  It was this headstrong overtaking of me that I loved so much. 

He swept me up into his arms and deposited me on the bed, and then he stood straight again and began to disrobe in front of me, taunting me knowingly with his unique form of seduction.  Could he really not know how beautiful he was?   

His uniform was treated with dignity and respect as he hung the wool coat carefully over the back of a chair, but his breeches, boots and underclothing received no such special treatment.  He took them off piece by piece, staring hotly into my eyes, and dropped them on the floor.  I beheld the beauty of his tall, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, solid musculature, and feasted my eyes as they moved slowly down his form to his groin where his large thick cock was standing up against his stomach, already weeping. 

I held out my arms longingly and begged, 

"Please... Jack ... come here, my darling ... I want to touch you."

He smiled at this and sat on the bed facing me.  He allowed me to finish undressing him - which consisted only of removing the black ribbon from his long hair and to shake it loose.  It fell about his shoulders like a waterfall of gold silk.  He had removed every other piece of clothing himself.  He sat back with a heavy-eyed expression of pure lust and let me kiss and suck his smooth skin.  He hissed his pleasure as my mouth found sensitive sweet spots on his breast, ribs and torso to torture with my hot, wet mouth and fluttering fingers.  His breathing became heavier and deeper as he lifted me up to his mouth. He pulled the combs from my hair and let it fall around my face and shoulders.   

"Caroline I must have you..." he said hoarsely, and began to undress me.  He lifted the hem of my dress as I worked the small buttons open down the front, and he lifted it over my head impatiently, dropping it to the floor.  Murmurs of appreciation at the sight of my lace under things rippled from his lips as he kissed my nipples through the material, laving each breast with devotion and the workings of his busy tongue until the material was wet through to my skin.  Wetness flooded my folds as I trembled in anticipation of his entering me. 

With his characteristic ebullience at such times, he breathed against the skin of my breast,

"My love, my beautiful love..... How long I have burned to be right here, just like this!  You transcend all my memories each time I see you again, Caro!"  

His thick fingers rent the lace of my corset in his haste, releasing me from its confinement as he lowered his head and suckled me eagerly.  My nipples stood at attention under his ministrations, sensitized to a painful degree, and his fingers moved purposely down my stomach, stroking and soothing, until he reached my curls.  He ran his fingers into the hair and groaned deep in his throat as he inserted first one then two fingers into my slick flesh.  I arched my back in eager response, pulling his mouth to mine for a deep kiss. 

"I love you, Jack ... I love you so much ..." I gasped into his mouth.

"As I do you." He murmured into me, then dipped his head and moved slowly down my body.  He licked and sucked sweet morsels of my flesh into his mouth, nipping and lapping until his mouth was at my drenched curls.  He parted the lips of my sex and lapped at my juices with his hot tongue, tasting me and lavishing devotion on the sensitive bud of nerves at my opening.  I was delirious - transported to heaven by the intensity of sensation he was creating in me as I ground my hips up into his face, unashamed and devouringly hungry for his every touch, my hands fisted in his hair.

"Your skin is like satin ..." he moaned.  "You are so wet for me ... so heated and primal!  It's truly coming home to be with you like this."

I threw my head back and mewled.  I could feel his cock at my slick entrance and I raised my hips demandingly, letting him know how desperately I wanted him to sink deeply into me. 

"You are my life, my light and my love." He breathed.    The heat caused by the tension in his body was coming off him in waves; he was breathing heavily.  It was indeed an agony to have him prolong our torturous passion as he did it so deliberately to further heighten our appetites for one another.   

Finally he could endure it no more, lubricated the head of his cock in my wetness, and sank fully into me to his root in one smooth slide.  My creamy walls tightened around him and squeezed grunts of need from his lips.  My own cries echoed in my ears as he rocked inside me, his cock hitting my womb with each stroke.  I wanted this feeling to endure for all time as I moved under him.  We both struggled toward and away from the pinnacle of mutual climax - wanting the pleasure to last forever.  Our breathing became ragged gasps as we mindlessly murmured endearments to each other, stroking, nuzzling, kissing, until we exploded together over the edge of the world in a blazing, light-splintering, soaring coming.  He pumped a few times more and I felt jets of hot cream spurt into me with each throbbing thrust.

"Oh, god!  Jack!  Oh, yes!  Jack!  Don't stop!  Don't ever stop!"  I begged piteously.   He roared out his powerful release and shuddered with waves of aftershock as he collapsed on top of me, his breath torn from his throat. 

"It's been too long, my love, too long..." he groaned against my breast.  "We must strive to be together more often, if only my orders would allow."

We lay for a long time entwined and floating, working our way back down to earth, caressing gently. 

"Jack, you must be so hungry and exhausted.  Might we go out and find you some food and a bottle of fine wine to cap off our reunion?"

He smiled against my neck and twirled my hair in his fingers.  

"You know what I need and like, do you not, my love?  That is a capital suggestion.  But are we up to the challenge?  Do you have any energy left?  If you do, I have not seen to you properly."

I laughed and cupped his face.  "Any more properly and I'd be a wisp on the wind!  I need sustenance so I can see to you properly later on."

He chuckled and couldn't refute that offer so with that, we slowly aroused ourselves to get ready to go out.  He never seemed to notice I had no luggage or other clothes, his mind being so otherwise distracted.  I watched him don his uniform again, brushing dust from everything before putting it on, which gave me another delightful opportunity to adore him with my eyes.  I think he knew this because it took him a long time to get dressed.  I offered, no - begged, to brush his hair and tie it back for him.  He smiled in amusement as I slowly and sensuously brushed the length of his golden locks, kissing and smelling him like a kitten noses around for a hidden treat.  He grabbed my hands, kissed them, and pulled me onto his lap. 

"May I be so forward as to point out, dear lady, that you are naked?  I'm not used to having my hair tended by a naked woman, more likely a truculent manservant.  It's quite distracting, if I may say so.  But in a wonderful way."

He ran his tongue over a nipple and sighed into my breast with adorable satisfaction.   

It was difficult to take my hands off him but I knew if I didn't cease and desist we would never leave the room.  I wanted him to go downstairs to make his arrangements for the evening so I could get dressed and find his gift which I had hidden in the folds of my dress which still lay in a heap on the floor.

I kissed him hotly and tied back his hair, and chided gently, 

"Now go, sir, and allow a lady to make herself presentable. "  He chuckled under his breath, hugged me tight to his chest, and released me. 

"Well then, we've not a moment to lose."  He declared and bowing deeply, departed the room, closing the door behind him as I sat in all my glory on the bed, suffused with a warm flush of color at his bold stare as he left.

He was too delicious.  I quickly prepared myself, sucking my breath in as I buttoned up the tiny front buttons, without the stays of the corset to pull me in.  I looked worriedly at my breasts, which spilled abundantly over the top of my frock and smiled evilly to myself.

"This should drive him crazy."

I retrieved the wrapped gift box and sat back at the dressing table to arrange my hair appropriately for the evening.   

He was back in rather a hurry after making arrangements to determine where we would have supper.  His color was high and his eyes shone brightly.  This was Jack at his charming, lusty best and nothing ever looked more titillating.

The officer's quarters had a dining hall that was open only to them and their guests, and he had made arrangements for us to dine there.  It was close by so we didn't need the coach, but rather could enjoy a romantic stroll on a gravel path, through the lush greenery of the property to where it was located. 

Jack obviously liked old ways and old wine because he chose the menu with special care, but without asking me what I preferred, and he ordered very old, rare wine to drink with the meal, and a rich local Madeira to accompany dessert.  He could have ordered peanut butter and jelly - I would not have cared, I was so enchanted and in love.  I guess he couldn't order pb&j, could he?  Well.  You know what I mean.  Sometimes my thoughts are not Caroline's.

After our stroll along the lamp-lit path, during which we stopped several times under overhanging branches for quick passionate kisses, we tucked into our delicious meal of chicken soup, fresh baked bread, roast beef, roasted vegetables and a rich torte for dessert. 

Jack watched me with soft loving eyes and held my hand between courses, keeping the physical connection between us nearly unbroken.  I gazed back at him and felt myself blushing under his lover's scrutiny, even after all this time.  He smiled and his eyes took on a lidded look as he surveyed me across the table.  He leaned forward and whispered softly,

"Do you know how delicious you look, beloved?  You have a flush on your cheeks and your lips are shining from the richness of the food.  I want to kiss them until they're swollen, plump and ripe.  I'll bet they taste sweeter than fine wine." 

My head swam with the intensity of my passion for this man and my breast heaved with a deep sigh.  His eyes fell to my swelling bosom and he licked his lips enticingly.

I gazed back at him adoringly and broached a subject that was increasingly causing me stress and was relentlessly tormenting me. 

"How long do you have ashore, my love?"  I asked.  I didn't want him to see how upset I was at the thought of him ever leaving me again, but I was unable to stop my eyes from filling with tears. 

"Now, now!  What's all this?" he queried, tipping my chin up so he could see me more clearly in the candle light.  "Tears?  On such a beautiful occasion as this?"

"That's exactly my point, Jack.  Every occasion with you is beautiful and I'm getting to the point where I don't think I can bear to be away from you!  I'm sorry, my darling.  I don't mean throw a pall on our evening." 

Fresh tears replaced the ones he so lovingly wiped away with his napkin.  "I'm not precisely sure how much time, Caro ... but it will definitely be enough for us to get thoroughly reacquainted, I assure you.  Come, love.  Let us enjoy what time we have and not consider how long or short it may be."

He refilled my wineglass and looked so sad for a moment I was sorry I ever mentioned my concern.  I so wanted him to be happy.  Reaching under the tablecloth and into the secret folds of my dress, I brought out the little box and placed it in front of him on the table. 

"I have a gift for you, darling.  I think you will find it appropriate."

His beautiful eyes widened in surprise and a smile spread across his face.  "Whatever have you done?  What is the occasion?"  He asked innocently.

"The occasion is you, love, just you." I answered truthfully.

He opened the box and pulled the watch from its velvet bed, a look of amazement and delight shining out of his eyes.  

"Gods, this is wonderful!" He declared, studying it closely.  "You have had it engraved!  You are the dearest, most generous woman!  I love it, Caroline.  I love it.  And I love you."  He suddenly leaned across the table and kissed me deeply.  This sudden departure from his usual restrained public persona spoke volumes about how deeply he was affected by this gift and by me.  Had we been in a more public arena he probably would have struggled with such a display of affection, and been more distant, but as it was, the room was nearly empty and the light was very dim, and he was obviously very overcome.

"It plays music, Jack.  Listen."  I opened the secret back compartment of the watch and looked as his expression became awed.  

"'Tis Boccherini!  Caro!  Stephen and I have played this very piece many times aboard the ship!  How ever did you ever find this?"  He was clearly overwhelmed. 

"I looked at every piece the watchmaker had until I found this and I knew it was the perfect one.  Do you like it, my love?"

"Like it?  I will never be without it a day in my life.  I love it.  You have amazing taste, my love."

"In watches and men.....Yes, I have...." I agreed, smiling happily at his enchanted expression.  

He rubbed his fingers over the gold surface lovingly and played the tune several times.  "I will cherish this forever, as I do you."  He whispered.  "It will never be off my person."

We returned to our room and spent the night making slow rapturous love as I strove to keep my promise to give him a proper seeing to.  He slept deeply afterwards, his arms around me, his head on my shoulder, breathing evenly as I watched him with hot tears flowing down my face. 

"My darling, Jack...whatever happened to us?  Where did we go from here?  What did we do?  How did I ever survive without you?"  I sobbed silently.  Eventually I fell into an exhausted sleep as the long night closed around us.

When I awoke, I was in my own bed at home, alone.  I was naked, sore from our night of love, and distraught with fresh memories that I knew now would never leave me.   Jack's watch was on my dresser, to be returned to him.

The next day I returned to the Pub to find him, taking the repaired watch with me in my jeans pocket, after making sure it was in proper running order.  I would not allow my mind to probe all the questions that remained intact in my memory.  There were no answers that made sense.

But now, the feeling that always came over me at the sight of Jack at the Pub made perfect sense.  I knew now that he knew who I was, and knew also why he always gave me such a puzzling expression.  He remembered, too.   Some things are untouched by time.