Benjamin reached above board to find the crew preparing for a fight.

"Ready the guns! Full canvas!" Shouted Captain McCullen from the helm as he tried to gain more speed to put as much distance as he could between him and the ship behind him.

"What is it? What's happening?" Benjamin asked upon reaching McCullen's side.

"Not certain as of yet but the ship behind us coming up at a rather threatening speed. I thought it best to be prepared. Clara? Is she safe?"

"She is still in your chambers, should I advise her to move below?"

"No, I pray they are friendly and perhaps have a message to deliver but if the fighting gets started. Clara is your number one priority. No matter what happens here be certain you both get to safety, even if it means abandoning this ship."

"You don't think they mean to board?"

"I don't know what they mean to do. So, it is best to be prepared."

The ship was getting closer. Benjamin watched its progress through the spyglass. Something seemed familiar about this ship but he couldn't put a finger on it. Then he'd seen the flag, hoisted, waving wildly in the air.

"She is British!" Benjamin shouted and Andrew took the wheel as the Captain took a look at the ship himself.

"We take nothing for granted boys! HOLD STEADY!"

The relay of the message was brought to the gunners by route of the powder monkeys. Like a well-oiled machine, the guns were prepped and readied. They were just waiting for the signal.

"But the ship is British!" Benjamin argued. "It is one of our own."

"Or was one of our own," McCullen said instructing as he walked along making certain the muskets and pistols were ready and his men fully armed.

"Why do you doubt what you can clearly see?"

McCullen whirled on Benjamin, "Because I have seen what happens when you believe with your eyes. That ship may have been one of the Line now taken over and is filled with pirates ready to tear my ship apart, or the French who won it in a battle and are interested in where my loyalties lie. I can't guarantee a moment of negotiation will take part. So, take heed and be ready."

Benjamin nodded and prepared for battle arming himself with pistols, daggers, and swords.

The ship closed in further still, McCullen's ship lighter and faster kept itself just out of reach, but not far enough away that they couldn't fire upon him. The ominous sound of a cannon fire whistled past the stern of the ship as pursuer maneuvered themselves abeam.

"We must not allow them to come abreast with us? Get this ship moving."

"Aye, Captain," Andrew steered the ship just out of reach but their movements were hindered by the wind or the lack thereof. Still, Andrew managed.

"Well done," Captain McCullen approved.

"They are hailing us, Captain!" said the man from the crow's nest.

"What is their message?" The Captain hollered back, a few moments later he got his answer.

"Hand over the traitor and we will not open fire," the sailor reported.

"Traitor? What the devil are they talking about?" Captain McCullen looked concerned, as he knew an answer would need to be provided and soon. Any hesitation on his part could bring them to war.

Fear gripped Benjamin's heart he grabbed the spyglass from McCullen and rushed to get a better view of the ship. His suspicions were confirmed when he took note of the warship's name, VOYAGER in gleaming gold, freshly painted. "Lieutenant Airey!" Benjamin cursed.

"Explain yourself and make it quick!" Captain McCullen demanded.

"He is after Clara. We can't let him board this ship," Benjamin said panicked.

"Clara? Why would he..."

"Well not Clara but Claremont," Benjamin said as he sprinted at double speed across the deck. McCullen had to jog keep up with him.

"Clara was the one who destroyed his ship," Benjamin said filling in the last blank for the Captain.

"He's the man that shot Clara?!"

"Yes! I have to think!" Benjamin had no answers. What was he to do? How was he going to keep her safe?

"Benji they await my answer. I can't stall them and I can't refuse them. This ship is no match for 12 gunner. The best I can do is try and outrun it but if I fail..."

Benjamin knew that would put them all at grave risk. Then an idea took shape.

"Let them board. They are looking for Claremont. Claremont is no more. I will convince the Lieutenant that Claremont had died of his wounds. Perhaps then he will feel as though he received justice and leave us be."

Captain McCullen nodded giving his man the message to send. Meanwhile, Benjamin pounded on the door to McCullen's chambers. "Clara! It is me! Open up!" Benjamin demanded.

Clara unlocked the door. She heard the warning shot. She hated being cooped up in this room having no idea what was happening. Benjamin crushed her to him the moment the door opened, but just as quickly released her. Grabbing her hand he dragged her through the ship to their own room.

"What is it, Benjamin? What is happening!" Her heart was racing from the alarming speed at which Benjamin was maneuvering them through the ship. Whatever danger there might be it was evident it was close at their heels.

"It is Lieutenant Airey, Clara. He's come looking for you. Says you are a traitor to the crown. Well, Claremont, not you. We must make certain he does not recognize you."

"He is boarding this ship?!"

"There is no other recourse. McCullen can try to outrun the Voyager but if he fails..."

They all could die. "I understand. What do you wish of me?"

"Stay in our cabin. I will try my best to convince the Lieutenant that Claremont perished from the wound he received. Hopefully, he will be satisfied with that notion and leave us be."

"And if he doesn't. Then I will come to collect you and we will show him that Claremont exists no more."

Clara nodded she understood. Although she thought her current state of dress wouldn't fool anyone. Her hair was still short. She was the same height and build. Would the Lieutenant see through their ruse? Once again, the fate of a ship and all its men rested on her and this one answer.

Benjamin shoved her lightly inside. "Benjamin?" He gave her a brief kiss. "Stay here until I collect you, understood?"

Clara nodded.

The moment Benjamin closed the door, Clara began to pace the room. Once again, she has put them all at risk. Their lives hanging in the balance because of her. She needed to think. She had outwitted the Lieutenant before. She would just have to do so again. She must prepare.

"The game is over friend," McCullen said, "I truly hope you have thought this through."

Benjamin knew James was putting his faith in him. If their duplicity was suspected then indeed the game was over.

Lieutenant Airey boarded the ship with two other officers. The rest stayed onboard the Voyager but Benjamin took note their weapons were primed and ready. The Lieutenant expected a hostile takeover, no doubt.

"What brings you on board my ship, Lieutenant...?"

"Lieutenant Commander Airey," the Lieutenant provided.

"You mentioned a traitor, Commander?" Captain McCullen asked. "I am uncertain of to whom you may be referring. I can vouch for every member of my crew. There are no traitors here."

"It is not your crew I'm am after, Captain. It is your cargo. The emissary, and those that you've been commissioned to return to England."

"You've come all this way for me. I'm flattered," Benjamin said, coming forward. Benjamin could see his cocky comeback brought the rise of heat to the Lieutenant's cheeks.

"Where is the boy? Where is Lord Fitton's valet?"

"I thought you were told not to pursue this matter from the Queen herself," Benjamin stated.

"We are at sea, Mr. McAlister, and maritime law states that Mr. Claremont is a defector and therefore a traitor to the crown. Hand him over or we will be forced to open fire."

A slow smile spread across Benjamin's lips. "You see there is a slight problem with that scenario, as I cannot provide something that I do not have."

"Do you take me for a fool? I know you were sent to collect Lord Fitton and I doubt he would travel without his valet. Not one he was so protective of that he sent Commander Redgrave to my ship to retrieve him."

"Be that as it may, Claremont is dead. Died of his wounds from being shot. I'm sure you can recall the incident as you were the one who shot him."

"I know you took particular interest in the boy's return. I believe you even threatened me should anything happen to him. So, you must forgive me if I refuse to take your word as proof that Mr. Claremont is no more. Where is Lord Fitton?"

"He has stayed behind in India, in the efforts to heal from the wounds caused by your men," Benjamin answered.

"You sincerely expect me to believe you are returning home empty-handed to face the Queen," Lieutenant Airey said with a smirk, a smirk both Benjamin and James would love to wipe off of his face.

"Believe what you wish," Benjamin asserted, "but neither Lord Fitton nor Mr. Claremont is on this ship."

"Search the vessel! NOW!" Lieutenant Airey barked at his officers.

Benjamin made move to stop them but heard the click of the Lieutenant's pistol. "Please do give me a reason, Mr. McAllister. I am practically itching to fulfill your death wish."

Benjamin froze in place. He could not start a scuffle. It would start a chain of events that no one wished to have happened. As much as it irked him, Benjamin was forced to stand down.

The ship was large and the search was long. Lieutenant Airey was getting weary from the wait. He called more men forth to aid in the search. With things moving more quickly, the officers had returned dragging a woman with them.

Both Benjamin and McCullen stepped forward. "Get your hands off of her!" Benjamin nearly growled, but the officers ignored him.

"There is no sign of Lord Fitton or Claremont. Just this woman was found below and more of the crew."

Benjamin took in Clara's state of dress. Brilliant girl. Clara had switched into her sari. Her veil wrapped not only to cover her hair but her face as well, pinned into place as it was.

"Who is this?!" the Lieutenant demanded to know.

"After Claremont passed, Lord Fitton took on a new assistant in India. This is Miss Aanya Anand, she is traveling under my protection to bring Lord Fitton's work to the Queen."

Airey was livid. He pushed past both James and Benjamin and got right into Clara's face. "Where is Lord Fitton?!" he hissed.

Clara's eyes darted over to James, who smiled at her. Such a clever girl. "She does not speak English, Commander. She is from Kerala, she only knows Malayalam."

"Then you ask her then?!" Airey ordered.

The Captain came forward and asked Clara a question to which she answered him in Malayalam. She did not learn much but as no one else understood what she was saying Clara knew it would not matter.

"She said she last spoke with him at the Ayurveda Center in Cochin."

Airey's eyes narrowed on Clara. She could see him assessing the situation, trying to decide what to make of her.

"What are your orders, Commander?"

"Ask her about the boy?!"

Captain McCullen again spoke to her but this time Clara just shook her head and shrugged in response.

"She does not know of the boy," Captain McCullen informed Airey.

"I've already informed you Claremont did not survive his wounds. He died before Lord Fitton ever reached India," Benjamin said, his fists held tight. He did not care for how close Airey stood to Clara. If he harmed her in any way...

"Your orders... Sir?"

It was evident the officers were not pleased about being here on the ship. Benjamin was pretty certain they didn't know of the Queen's command for them not to interfere. The fact that Airey's prey could not be found was shaking their confidence and loyalty in their leader.

"Let her go! We press on to India," Lieutenant Airey said. Turning on his heel he and the rest of his crew returned to the Voyager. The ships were disengaged, and Airey sailed on.

"You brilliant! Magnificent! Brave woman!"Captain McCullen said picking Clara up and spinning her around. "You have saved us all. I'm going to kiss you and I don't even care if your husband runs me through."

Captain McCullen lowered Clara and gave her a chaste kiss on her veiled cheek. Benjamin didn't even protest. Clara was suddenly mobbed by the crew who hoisted her in victory, parading her around the deck. Benjamin stood back and watched the spectacle. He's been wrong about her. So wrong to think she couldn't handle his world. That she couldn't handle being a part of it.

They lowered her in front of him her eyes were still sparkling with laughter.

"You are brilliant, magnificent, brave, and true, there is no wonder why I ever fell in love with you." Benjamin unpinned Clara's veil and he pulled her into his arms. In front of the entire crew and its captain, Benjamin claimed Clara's lips, crushing her to him.

The crew whooped and hollered in a jubilant expression of their own love they had for this woman. This woman who saved them all.