Clara's eye's opened and it took a few moments to realize where she was. She'd seen Sturgis asleep in the chair nearby and she scanned the room to be certain they were alone.

"Sturgis?" her voice was not strong, it came out a whisper but the boy's eyes flew open. He leaped up and stumbled over something he could not see in front of him.

"Clara?"

"I'm here," Clara said and he followed the sound of her voice to her bedside. She tried to sit up but her head spun and the pain caused her to lie back down again.

"Try not to move too much. You've been shot and lost a lot of blood. Doc said it was important you don't move that arm. You don't want to start bleeding again, do you?"

Well, that explained things. "How long have I been unconscious?"

Sturgis had no concept of time but guessed... "A few hours, definitely less than a day. I haven't been topside in a while, and without seeing shadows of daylight it's hard to say."

Shot. She remembered it now. The Lieutenant drawing his weapon, she did not hesitate, she did not think, she just pushed Richards out of the way, but obviously got shot in the process. The rest was all a bit hazy.

"Do they know?" Clara asked alarmed, as the thought just occurred to her.

"No, your secret is still safe. For now," Sturgis reassured her. He was grateful she was awake as if she remained asleep for days she would have undoubtedly been discovered.

Lord Fitton entered the room. "So, Sturgis how is our..." he stopped dead in his tracks as he had seen those crystal blue eyes staring back at him.

"Claremont! You're awake!"

Clara was about to reassure him and then remembered she shouldn't talk, so she smiled at him instead.

Claremont still looked so pale. When he looked in on him earlier, Lord Fitton couldn't help but think the worst. Paler than death Claremont seemed, and he prayed like he never has before that the boy would be spared.

It was difficult for Fitton not to feel responsible. He felt he should have protected him better from being taken. He could not believe the tale he was told on what happened aboard the ship. The crew was a buzz, the tale, slowly slipping into myth and legend.

Clara had seen the cuts and bruises on Lord Fitton's face the bandage around his chest peaking through his partially unbuttoned shirt. She frowned and pointed to her face and then his.

Lord Fitton could not believe Claremont was, after all, he had been through, concerned for him. He smiled. "It is not nearly as bad is it seems. I am doing just fine. Thank you." He laughed at the frown and look of complete disbelief that flashed across Claremont's features.

"I brought a change of clothes. I thought perhaps I would..." Lord Fitton looked self-conscious, but then pressed, "Your wound, the blood..."

Clara looked down at herself and she did indeed look a fright, but this was not the time or place to strip down and she felt the panic of how to refuse and came up empty headed.

Sturgis however, came to her rescue. "Doc said, he shouldn't be moved. Doesn't want that wound reopening. I'm sure Claremont would want to get dressed but right now it is best he waits."

"Of course," Lord Fitton said, "I'll leave them here, so when you can you have them available to you."

Clara smiled her thanks to him, wishing she could do the same to Sturgis, that was very quick thinking on his part. Lord Fitton came over and rested a hand on her shoulder. "I can not begin to express my relief that you have returned to me... to us," he stumbled. "I feel dreadful about what happened in that alley. I should have..."

Lord Fitton saw Claremont shaking his head in denial of his word and frowned. "No! I should have protected you."

Clara reached out and grabbed his wrist. Still shaking her head no. It was so frustrating not to be able to use words to fix this situation. To reassure him that he was not at fault but there was little she could do.

"I promise you. It will never happen again. I will look out for you, for both of you," Lord Fitton said wishing to include Sturgis who stood silently nearby.

"Does the Captain know?" he asked. "He has been just as concerned for you as I have been."

"No. Claremont woke up moments before you entered. No one knows but us," Sturgis said.

"Then I will go at once and spread the good news. I am sure they will all be as elated as I am to have you back."

Once Lord Fitton left Clara immediately said, "I need your help, Sturgis. I have to change out of these clothes before someone else decides as Lord Fitton has. I won't be able to refuse them."

"Your arm?" Sturgis argued, "And how can I assist you. I can not even see."

"I'll guide you, please?"

Sturgis nodded that he would and with Clara's instructions she had managed to undress with ease. She gave up, the thought of changing her bindings that kept her breasts bound as it would be far too time consuming and complicated to manage even with Sturgis' help.

Sturgis had just finished buttoning up her shirt when the Doc demand, "What are you doing out of bed!"

Clara was grateful for long shirttails, as she had not managed to put on her trousers yet. All important parts were covered but her legs were left bare. She held up the bloody, tattered cloth that was once her shirt.

"That could have waited. Your arm is priority one, Claremont. You've lost a rather large amount of blood and if you re-open the wound..."

Clara pulled up her sleeve and showed him her upper arm, that the bandage was still clean.

"Never you mind about that. You HAVE to be more careful," Doc demanded.

"You are wasting your breath. I sincerely doubt our cabin boy knows the meaning of the word?" Captain Redgrave taunted.

His eyes met hers and Clara suddenly wished she managed to finish dressing, she suddenly felt exposed under his intense gaze. She thought it odd as she did not feel, threatened or exposed in her dealings with Sturgis or Doc. Not even the suggestion of Lord Fitton undressing her, alarmed her other than that she may be discovered. She swallowed hard and looked away.

Misreading her reaction, Redgrave said, "You are not in trouble if that is your fear. In fact, your return to us has caused the entire crew to erupt in celebration. You have become quite the hero, among them."

Clara looked back at him, pointed to herself and shook her head no.

"Modest too, a good trait to have. I wouldn't want you to become full of yourself. Who knows what daring deeds you would try to accomplish next."

Clara rolled her eyes and shook her head. These men were being ridiculous certainly there must be one among them who would have done the same. She couldn't very well leave the crew to live out their lives in slavery even if it was to benefit her own country.

"May I have a moment?" Redgrave asked the occupants of the room.

Doc nodded. "Since the arm is not bleeding there is not much I can do here. Just make sure he does not continue to use it. He has been lucky thus far. Come, Sturgis, you must be hungry. I will take you to get something to eat.

Sturgis wished to refuse but knew he could not. He was deathly afraid of Clara's secret being discovered. He had no idea what that would mean for her. Death? Imprisonment? Marooning? Who knew? Doc had placed his hand on Sturgis' shoulder and guided him out of the room.

Clara felt even more afraid now that she was alone with the Commander. She knew it was crazy to consider that she was in danger from him but she could not help feeling on edge, as his gaze once again locked on her.

Instinctively she grabbed her trousers and pulled them closer to her. There was no way she could manage them on her own. Redgrave moved over to her. He picked up the garment and said, "Come on. I will help you."

He held the trousers so she could step into them. Her hand had to rest on his shoulder to keep her balance. He was so close to her. He slid the fabric up over her legs and she was quick to step away so she could tuck her shirttails in, she wanted to curse when she realized the buttons were nearly impossible to do. The movement causing pain to radiate from her fingertips up to her shoulder.

He had seen her wince and stepped forward to help her again. His eyes never left her face and his expression was difficult to read. She knew he did not mean any of his actions to be considered as intimate but that did not keep the flush from her cheeks or made the embarrassment any less.

"Better?" he asked before stepping away.

Clara slowly nodded. She sat on the edge of the bed and waited for whatever it was to happen next.

Redgrave flexed his shoulders and moved his head side to side trying it would seem to either shake something off or to relieve tension. He said she was not in trouble, so Clara wondered at what could cause such a reaction.

She did not have to wonder long. He came right out with it. His gaze became hard, as he said, "You are hiding something from me, Mr. Claremont. And I need you to know I too will go through great lengths to keep my crew safe. So, if there IS something you would like to tell me. I suggest you do so now," he said, handing Clara a new notebook and piece of graphite covered in leather.

"One way or another I will have the truth, Claremont. The choice is up to you."