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Master & Commander: Secrets and Stowaways	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: M through R > Master and Commander Views: 1494 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Master and Commander, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Master & Commander: Secrets and Stowaways
- 2-Chapter Two
- 1
- 2
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New Boy

A knock came at the door and the doctor looked up from his books that he
was placing on the shelves. �yes?� The door opened and the captain stepped
in.


�Ah, Stephen, I see your settling in nicely.� The doctor gave a
slight nod and went back to securing the books in place. �I understand you
brought a new assistant on board for this voyage. I have yet to meet him, I
thought you might be able to introduce us.�


�I�m sure he�s quite eager to meet you as well, unfortunately he is
still putting a few things away in the infirmary and making sure we have enough
bandages and supplies until we dock again. I�m sure we have enough until then,
but I like to make sure.�


�I see.� The captain said looking about. �Higgins seems quite
distraught feeling as though he�s been replaced.� He said inspecting the
lock that had just been installed on the doctor�s door and his request. Some
sort of complaint about the animals and creatures that he collected getting out
each time someone opened the door without giving him a chance to lock them back
up.


�Well, as it turns out, my new assistant is quite well versed in this
field, and has worked with me for years. Honestly I can�t understand why I
haven�t brought him with me before now. Has much steadier hands then Higgins
by far.�


�That�s good news.� The captain said. �I should like to see a
demonstration of fighting tactics if you don�t mind.� The doctor paused and
peered at the captain over his glasses, �I like to know that everyone on my
ship is more than capable of defending themselves.�


The doctor closed his book, �And I suppose that taking my word for it
is completely out of the question.� He stated looking at the Captain
seriously. Jack looked at him for several moments before sighing.


�I trust your word completely, but if we were to be engaged in a . . .
.� He stopped and shook his head, �The boys life is on your head. If he
can�t defend himself it will be your job to sew him into his hammock.� That
was all he said before leaving the room. Stephen had already thought about this
extensively, and it was a concern.


Just then, his assistant walked in the door carrying a box of supplies.
�Set them down right there.� He instructed walking past him. The assistant
did as they were told as Stephen looked out into the hallway left and right
before closing the door and locking it up tight.


He walked over to the assistant and began peeling off their shirt, �you
look ghastly, you�re a civilian, order those men to move things about for you
instead of doing it yourself.� He said tossing the shirt aside as the
assistant removed their cap and their long hair fell down about their shoulders.


�It�s no different . . . then wearing . . . a corset.� She said
quickly between short labored breaths. The doctor quickly untied the cloth that
had been wrapped around the woman several times and tied unmercifully tight to
flatten her breasts. When it came off she gasped a deep breath and nearly fell
but he quickly caught her. There were marks where the cloth had cut into her
skin, and a sort of pale sickly color from where her circulation had been
restricted. Her breasts were rather large and flatting them down like that was
both painful and put her body in great distress. Yet she hid it well.


�It�s cold at sea, from now on you�ll wear heavy coats and such, we
won�t have to tie you so tight like this. Some days if it�s cold enough we
might not even have to tie you at all.� She nodded suddenly feeling very tired
with the sudden onrush of oxygen flowing into her lungs. �lay down.� He said
helping her over to the hammock and putting her in it. Reaching up he ran his
fingers through her hair. � I honestly don�t want to cut it.� He said.


�But you still think we should.� She said softly.


Slowly he nodded, �If your cap flies off at any point, and your hair
comes down it�s going to be obvious . . . lord how I hate to even imagine
doing such a thing.� He said with distain in his voice. She was starting to
fall asleep having had an extremely long day, she had never worked so much, so
hard, or even a fraction of what she had done today. The doctor just watched her
for a while and touched her hair again with a frown as he picked up his
scissors.

Aftermath


�What�s the butchers bill?� The captain asked walking through the
wounded that had been tended to after the battle. There were so many wounds, and
so much blood.


�9 dead, 27 wounded, volumes of scrapes and bruises.� He said as they
walked through looking about at the mess. They walked back to the surgery area
where his assistant was closing, and dressing the wound. There was blood on
their clothes, arms, and even some smeared on his face, but it didn�t even
cause him to flinch, like it usually did Higgins. �Joey, Have the men move him
to his hammock, make sure he�s comfortable.� He instructed. Joey nodded and
called over the men that were helping.


The two men walked away, �Joey?� The captain questioned.


�Yes, an uncommon name I�m told.�


�It�s been 4 weeks since we set sail, it�s the first time I heard
it.�


�He doesn�t talk very much, Jack. Unless it�s to me or it�s
absolutely necessary. The quiet type you know.� The doctor paused and looked
around, �it�s going to be a few days before your crew is back up and running
to �full capacity� as you would put it. For the most part, except for the
severe wounds, I should say that everyone less severely injured shall pull
through.�


�Good news indeed. Hopefully all of them will.�


That evening, Joey went around to each of the men, checking their
bandages and replacing them for clean ones if they needed them. Joey spoke
softly, and cooed to the ones that were in pain and upset and most of them
seemed to fall asleep and relax with the gentle words.


�Joey.� Stephen�s voice said from the doorway, �You need your
rest too.� He said motioning to come to him. Joey pulled the blanket up on the
man that she�d been attending and walked past Stephen going down to his
office. Once more, the doctor looked around to make sure that there was no one
close by before slipping in and locking the door behind them. �How are you
holding up.� He asked.


�I�m alright.� She said taking off her jacket and cap. Stephen
walked over and reached under her shirt untying her cloth so she could breathe
easier.


�You don�t need to lie to me dear, you�ve never been in such a
situation as this before. First combat, then being surrounded by wounded and
dying men. Tell me the truth. How are you.�


She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, �It will take some
getting used to.� She whispered.


�Are you hungry?� He asked tossing the cloth aside and walking over
to his desk, �I noticed that you haven�t eaten since before the battle.�


�I haven�t really been hungry.� She said sitting down in one of the
chairs next to his desk. �Been to busy tending to all the wounded.�


He studied her before sitting down in the chair next to her. �I
understand that this is nothing like the practice we were in back home. It�s
much worse and it moves at a much faster pace. There�s no denying that.
There�s blood everywhere, ghastly wounds, and usually a number of people
waiting to be tended to after the one your working on. If you want to get off,
we�ll be putting into port soon for supplies and provisions.�


�No.� She said quickly. �No I want to be here. I want to help.
Those men . . . I know it sounds awfully vain and egotistical of me, but it
feels like those men out there need me. If you put me off who will help them?
You are only one man Stephen.� She said gently.


He half laughed, �Well, that is true enough it itself isn�t it.� He
said smiling at her. �However . . . if it gets to be to much for you, I�ll
send you home as soon as I can. Just make sure you tell me when it gets to that
point.

She half smiled and put her and over his, �Don�t worry about me
Stephen, I can hold my own.� She said softly. He wasn�t sure he believed
that completely but he gave a nod.

Lies


�STEPHEN YOU LIED TO ME AND THAT IS BEYOND CONTEMPTIBLE!!� The
Captain roared as he paced back and forth, both in anger and in slight panic,
this had never happened before, and it was more then a severe problem. �Three
months we�ve been at sea, and you haven�t breathed a word of it!�


�Most likely because you would have the reaction your having now
Jack.� Stephen said calmly even though he was a bit anxious himself. Joey and
the Captain had been cornered in a fight together, right before the enemies
called a retreat. She had been wounded, and the captain rushed over and ripped
her shirt open to put pressure on the wound and help stop the bleeding. The
revelation of her gender came swiftly.


�Going about, giving her duties, dressing her like a man, calling her
Joey . . .� He ranted continuing to pace.


�I call her the same when we�re at home.� Stephen interjected, Jack
looked at him waiting for him to expand on that comment even though his pacing
did not stop or slow down. �Joey, has been her nickname since she was a
child.�


�Oh, I see. All is forgiven over that one small over sight.� Jack
ranted even further.


�I think your over reacting to this. She has more then kept her keep
since the first day she stepped on the ship, she has worked as hard as any man
here, and even harder then some. Something she�s not accustomed to in the
least bit, but she does so without complaint.�


�She�s getting off at the next port. She�ll be given fare to get
home, and I�ll even grant an escort of anyone other then you, but that�s the
extent of my charity.� Jack said slamming down his weapons taking them off.


�You can�t be serious. She�s done nothing to deserve such
treatment.�


�My dear doctor, you have no idea the depth of the severity of this
entire situation. Do you have any idea what sort of chaos is going to break out
on his ship if it�s discovered there is a woman on board?� He stopped and
starred at the Doctor, �Putting aside the fact that it�s a curse and
extremely bad luck to have a woman on board . . . what do you think those men
out there will do who haven�t seen a woman for months much less been close to
one.�


�She is more then capable of taking care of herself Jack, as you have
witnessed for yourself on several occasions since we left England.�


�Damnit man, she obviously means something to you. Can you honestly
tell me you think a ship of his majesties army is a fit place for a woman� The
doctor fell silent and looked away. �Have you no shame at all?� The captain
said causing the doctor to look up at him in surprise, �God man, every other
sailor aboard this ship is forced to control himself can you not go without?�
Stephen couldn�t believe his ears, not to mention was insulted beyond all
reason. �I understand you have a wife at home, I�m sure she takes care of
you when we�re not at birth doesn�t she? What was her name again? . . . Joes
. . . . Joesa . . .� He stopped right there as his eyes went wide.


�Josephine.� The doctor said as if to smack the captain with his
reply. The captain was shocked all
right, and made that much more nervous for the crew to find out.


�Something to be kept doubly secret. Honestly Stephen, I�ve serious
questioned your judgment at times, but bringing your wife on board this ship is
by far your worst laps in judgment. What ever passion you feel for each other
can be exchanged at home.�


�I haven�t touched her since before we left England.� Stephen said
growing even more indigent at the Captain�s accusations. �Not so much as a
kiss on the cheek goodnight!�


�Oh . . . posh. You expect me to believe that a woman with a bosom as
large and as beautiful as that, with velvet milky white skin, and curves that
would but the horizon to shame at your fingertips, you haven�t touched her?�


Stephen closed his eyes for a moment, �Jack, please don�t speak of my
wife�s features in such a way. It makes me feel compelled to challenge you in
a match that I would most certainly lose, not to mention arouse suspicion among
the sailors as to why the captain and the ships doctor were trying to kill each
other.�


Aubrey realized he might have crossed a line there and sighed sitting
down in the chair across from Stephen, �She doesn�t belong on this ship
Stephen, Her safety and her life is at stake. I have no idea why you brought her
on board, but she has done nothing but risked her life as well as others.�


The doctor looked at the Captain in disbelief, �How can you say that
Jack?� He said leaning forward, �Since she has been on board and assisted me
taking Higgins place our casualty rate has been cut in half, our recovery time
has nearly doubled . . . and she has saved your very life, on more than one
occasion. She is not only well educated since I�ve taught her myself, she has
a healing touch.�


�She doesn�t belong in combat Stephen.�


�Until now you were glad to have her by your side and even commended
her on more than one occasion! Now your telling me that all of that gratitude
and awe is gone because she�s a woman?�


The Captain slammed his hand on the table and stood up, �You have
absolutely no idea how things work in the real world Stephen! And you obviously
have no concern for your families own well being! If you loved her you would
never have brought her here in the midst of all this . . . grotesque hell!�


�I do love her and that�s why she�s here.�


The captain stopped in mid step and starred at the doctor, �Would you
care to explain that logic?� He questioned.


Stephen took a breath hoping he could explain this properly, even though
there was no way he could put it to make it sound right. �Because she and I
share the same interests and she is so well educated, she is not very popular
among our social class. Or any other if you think about it clearly. She�s
considered an outsider and a radical, and is treated as such, even though she is
very kind hearted to everyone. Even those who are less then deserving of it.
Whenever I am at sea, she is left secluded and alone with no other human contact
of significant other then the servants. She tries to offer help where it�s
needed but it�s automatically rejected because as you have pointed out she is
a woman.�


�Exceptions have been made for you before Stephen, if you are so
worried about her well being in this aspect, you need only speak with the kind.
Lord knows you�ve spoken with him on vastly more occasions than most.�


�Its not that simple and you know it far to well Jack. No matter what
the king orders or says, they will all still harbor the same feelings towards
her. She is very intelligent and her being here is a great asset that has been
and will continue to benefit this ship and her crew.�


A knock came at the door, and just like that the conversation was over.
�Yes?� The captain called out.


�Suppers ready sir.�


�Bring it in.� He said giving a look to Stephen before gathering up
the maps from the table. The doctor sighed, hating these taboos, as well as the
difficulty of the entire situation. Honestly, it wasn�t a practical place for
her to be.

Tending the Wounded


Stephen finished stitching the wound in Joey�s side and cleaned the
area around it completely. Then took a clean bandage and wrapped it tight around
her. HE was very careful and meticulous in tending her and studied each move he
made closely through his glasses. There was a grim and guilt ridden look on the
woman�s face. �I�m sorry Stephen.� She whispered.


He peered over his glasses
at her before looking back at his work, �Nonsense, this was hardly a fault of
yours.�


�I tried to stop him.� She said quickly, �I could not move, I could
hardly even speak . . .� Her voice pleaded laced with regret.


�It�s amazing you stayed awake as long as you did, Joey. Considering
the placement of this gash, and the depth, most would have fallen unconscious on
the spot.� He sighed clipping the end of the bandage and tying it neatly.
�You were never meant to be on the boarding party. It shall not happen
again.� He finished tying the bandage and covered her with the blanket to keep
her warm. �Rest now. That is no light scratch adorning your side.� She
watched him as he started to reach over to put out the light but she reached up
and grasped his arm pulling it back to her.

There was a desperately longing look in her eyes as she held his hand
close to her chest, and he nodded a little looking down. �I know darling.�
He whispered leaning over her while sitting on his chair next to the hammock,
�Lord how I know.� He said as he stroked his fingers through her soft hair
and felt the soft gentle thud of her heart beat against the palm of his hand and
fingertips.


He looked into her eyes for a moment, and before another breath could
pass from either of their lips, they hungrily consumed each others mouths.
Stephen tore off his glasses and put them aside to get them out of his way, and
wrapped his arms around her body pulling her to a sitting position and holding
her tight against his. She winced, but returned his affections just as hungrily.


From the very first start, they had always been extremely volatile
passionate lovers. Never had they been that way, nor felt that way about anyone
else in existence and it came as a great shock to both of them. It was not
always animalistic pawing, ripping of clothes, carnal urges at their worst.
Usually it consisted of hours on end of passionate lovemaking. However, there
were times like these were they had longed for each other so much, they
couldn�t barely control themselves. It had been an excoriating three months,
and each minute was harder then the last. With her being caught in a battle and
being wounded today, it only made him want to be with her that much more having
realized her mortality and how fragile her life truly was.


His hand moved down her chest to one of her breasts and cupped the
softness rubbing gently with his thumb, as they consumed each others mouths
famished for the taste. A moment of sanity snapped his eyes open as he pulled
back still breathing hard, extremely aroused, �Josephine.� He said quickly.

She paused as well with a look of absolute disappointment and frustration
in her eyes, but she knew that it wasn�t possible as much as he did. It was
part of the arrangement of coming onto the ship to begin with. She was a boy,
the surgeon�s assistant, and that was all. She would have to shed her title of
a wife as long as they were at sea. She dropped her head and took a deep breath
before covering her eyes with her hand trying to muffle her soft cries.


Stephen sighed and kissed her forehead before holding her close. What was
this situation they had gotten themselves into?

Surgery


�Higgins�s?� The captain said walking past the man squatted down on
the floor with his head in a bucket. �Are you alright?� He questioned. The
man raised his head and had a sickly pale and green color to his face half
dazed. �Are you not supposed to be assisting the doctor today?� The man
nodded again his mouth still gaping open as if he was unable to close it.
�Where is he?� Slowly the man lifted a shaking hand towards the doorway
before his head disappeared into the bucket again followed by heaving sounds.


Aubrey had a definite sickly feeling himself, that this man was apart of
the crew and made his way into the next room. There was an immediate ghastly
smell that assaulted his every sense and he stepped back taking out his
handkerchief covering his mouth and nose before venturing back inside.


Stephen stood over a table with a man�s body open scraping out
infection that had gotten out of hand. Joey stood at the table by him assisting
him in every way possible, and both had handkerchiefs tied over their faces.


�Dare I?� The Captain said walking closer starting to turn the same
color as Higgins out in the hallway.


�He�s been hiding it for weeks, most likely began shortly after we
left England. This still might not save him, but it�s worth a try.� Stephen
replied as he rinsed out the open wound again making sure that it was as clean
as he could manage. �Can you close him up Joey?� She nodded and Stephen
handed her the tools before walking out into the hallway with Jack taking off of
his mask.


�I think perhaps an entire inspection of the crew might be necessary. I
expect them to report things such as this, but some sailors are to proud.
Complete physicals if you don�t mind.� Jack looked back towards Higgins�s
trying hard not to show his distaste, �I think you and Mr. Higgins can manage
well enough.�


Stephen didn�t say anything, knowing full well that Jack was not going
to approve of Joey assisting him now that he knew she was a woman. He�d given
up trying to protest it, and he couldn�t do it out of the Captain�s cabin or
when anyone was about at any rate. He just silently nodded and Jack turned
walking away.

Bath Time


�How long is this little ritual going to take?� The Captain
questioned as he stood at the aft of the ship watching the majority of the crew
bathing and washing clothing. They had docked for the time being to take on
supplies and the Doctor thought it best that all washed all articles of clothing
including themselves to avoid any further mishaps with the crewmen that had had
surgery preformed on him earlier in the week.


�Come on now lad!� A voice said from the other side of the ship where
the ladder was. �The doctor said everyone, and that means you too!!�
Obviously this was an argument that had been going on for some time before it
was loud enough for all to hear. �Stop being such a ninny and take off those
clothes!�


Jack and Stephen turned around as they saw Joey and two of the midshipmen
having it out, as another tugged at her clothes. Both men�s eyes went wide as
they hurried to intervene. But before anything could be said, Joey managed to
push one over the side, and hit the other with a length of thick heavy rope and
was preparing to strike again when Stephen caught her arm, wrapping his other
arm around her waist pulling her away from the crowd and down below decks even
though she was still trying to strike at the men.


The Shipmen who had been struck started to go after them, but the Captain
stepped in front of him, �Stand fast!� He ordered. �Mr. Blakely would you
mind explaining to me what all of that commotion was about?�


Down below Joey sat at Stephen�s desk with her elbows on her knees and
her head in her hands. She was embarrassed, she was scared of being found out,
and she was angry that anyone would try to paw at her like that. Stephen
didn�t say anything, knowing full well that she would be beating herself up
enough without his help as he sat across from her.


A little while went by before the door opened and Jack stepped in closing
the door behind locking it so they wouldn�t be interrupted. �That, was
bloody stupid of both of you.� He said looking at them in disapproval. There
was no argument, and the two couldn�t agree more. �She shouldn�t have even
been on deck, and should have stayed down below until we set sail again. Out of
sight, out of mind sparking a memory?�


�It was an oversight Jack, it won�t happen again.� Stephen said
rather not having the Captain go off on one of his legendary rants in front of
Josephine. Joey stayed silent as the grave, and had never said a word around
Jack or near his presence. He had honestly never heard her speak.


�I would have put her off the minute I found out that she was a woman,
except for the fact we can�t waste a moment of time when we�re trying to
track a must faster ship then our own.� Stephen was silent and didn�t say
anything else, knowing that there wasn�t anything else to say, nor did he want
to argue in front of Joey who was already punishing herself enough. �I want no
more of this. Am I understood?� A moment went by before Stephen gave a nod and
Jack stormed out of the room slamming the door behind. The sound caused Joey to
flinch as if she had been smacked hard across the face.

Checking Inventory


Joey sat in the infirmary counting supplies and writing them down, while
putting the last of the new ones they had taken on away in their proper places.
She yawned having been at it for hours and stood up stretching her back
slightly. She heard the bell up on deck and realized it was nearly 1am and
sighed. It was well past lights out, and the majority of the crew was asleep.
Where she of course wished she already was.


�What are you still doing in here?� A voice said, and she looked up
seeing the Captain standing in the doorway. The infirmary area and surgical
table was absolutely spotless. She was hard at work at it all day and left no
spot unturned, no timber untouched. Joey quickly stood up making her obedience
to the Captain even though she wasn�t a sailor.


It was obvious that Aubrey didn�t approve of her in the slightest for
various reasons. He just gave her a disapproving glance as he started to go
through the cabinets and drawers searching for something. �Is there something
I may help you with?� She said softly.


The captain paused in place realizing that it was the first time he had
ever heard her speak and realized instantly why. She had a very gentle and
soothing voice, one that she most likely had to work at making it sound more
masculine when she did speak even though she was there under the guise of a
young boy. For some reason, it was as though the sound of her voice had nearly
disarmed him. �I was . . . Just . . .� He cleared his throat, �I was
looking for some clean bandages, mine need to be replaced and Stephen seems to
have retired.�


Joey walked over and opened one of the cabinets taking out a few supplies
and setting them down on the table laying them out. The Captain watched her for
a few moments, hesitant to let her assist him as she was apparently planning to
do. Yet Stephen seemed to trust her, and so did most of the men. For once, he
bit back his pride and walked over sitting down on the table. Lifting his shirt.


She carefully and gently removed the bandage that had bled through and
disposed of it. �This should have been changed days ago Captain Aubrey.� She
said softly, �You shouldn�t let things like this go.�


�There are duties on a ship that require the Captain�s attentions, my
dear nurse.� He said watching her carefully. �I cannot always come jaunting
down here every time I have the smallest irritation.� Joey took a wet cloth
and began washing the area around and over his wound making sure it was clean
leaving no traces of blood or dirt. The Captain�s body grew rigged at her
touch and he bit his lip. It was an unexpected reaction, but he suddenly
remembered seeing her bosom the day she was wounded, and couldn�t get the
image out of his mind.


Joey dried his skin thoroughly and then began wrapping it back in a clean
white bandage. �It�s healing well, despite your stubbornness.� She said
forgetting who she was talking to for a moment, but remembering. �Um . .
.Captain.� She said knowing that was hardly the way to try and correct her
tongue. At the moment he was far to distracted to care, trying to keep his
composure and wits about him. Joey clipped the cloth and tied it neatly. The
captain quickly pulled his shirt back down and stood from the table.


�Much better, thank you.� He said quickly. �It�s late, you should
get to bed.� Then he turned and left the infirmary without another word or
glance. Joey blinked a little confused but then sighed and put the things she
had used back where they belonged, and finished her inventory.
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Master & Commander: Secrets and Stowaways

Aftermath

Lies

Tending the Wounded

Surgery

Bath Time

Checking Inventory