Authors Notes: First off I'd like to say that this story is based on the Horatio Hornblower films and not book canon.

Secondly, I've taken many literary and historical liberties because I love reading and writing love stories and there isn't much opportunity for that in the Hornblower world without resorting to slash which I love to read but just am not ready to write yet. I also tend to write female lead characters and it would be impossible to develop a love story without putting her on the ship in the midst of the action and thus in close proximity with her love. I like playing with what if's, what if women were allowed on navy ships, what if the women as doctors movement started sooner. These are the two big things I needed to allow if I was going to write the story that I wanted. And I don't think they really change the Hornblower stories all that much.

The stories that I am writing follow the episodes of the movies themselves with some notable explanations needed. Timelines at times are changed. Events are changed or switched around, ie: Pellew doesn't kill Simpson, Simpson's abuse of Archie is both physical and sexual in nature, Simpson serves on the Indy, Bunting doesn't die, etc,... Known actions are committed by different characters This is not a 'purists' version.

I think that's all for now and I'm still researching the history of the time so any historical corrections are much appreciated and will either be applied or not depending on how it affects the story. Either way, the thoughts and time are greatly appreciated. Hopefully you read and enjoy this story with an open mind and not be put off by the, in my mind, insignificant changes. Take it for what it is. A fans version, with all the fun and imagination that that entails.

Chapter One

"Bloody hell!" Emma Stuart cursed as she was pushed backwards against the dining room's double doors and into the parlor. She would have landed flat on her back if it hadn't been for two hands that reached out quickly to steady her. Oh how she would make her little brat of a cousin, Amy, pay!

The little monster had spilled ink all over the front of her dress when Emma had insisted it was time to take a bath. Emma turned to explain to her father that Amy had had thrown the ink bottle that had been resting on the table in the hall at her and had run off after shoving Emma. Surprised embarrassment made her jaw drop open. It wasn't her father, James that had caught her but a stranger. Emma grimaced and tried to apologize with as much dignity as she could muster in her disheveled stained state.

"I'm heartily sorry, Sir! My young cousin is quite a handful and at the moment is rather passionate in her refusal to bathe." Emma explained, trying to avoid her father's gaze. She was certain he more than likely looked about ready to burst. The stranger merely nodded at her and smiled.

"No need to apologize, miss." he assured her.

"Just as I said, isn't she, Horatio?" her father spoke. Emma finally risked a glance at James Stuart. To her surprise, her father didn't seem embarrassed at all. In fact, he looked down right amused. It was true that when it was just the two of them, James had always been rather entertained by his daughter's free-spirited antics but in the presence of company, he set a great store by having Emma behave in the most proper manner. She would grow up to be, in his words, 'a proper lady.' What was the difference with this stranger that put her father so at ease? Horatio? Dear Lord, what an unfortunate name for such a nice looking fellow. Emma had to bite her lip. It would hardly further her father's ambitions for her female propriety if she had a giggle at the young man's name.

"Emma, this is Mr Horatio Hornblower. An officer in his majesty's navy." Oh dear indeed, Hornblower? Emma was cut off from any reaction when she registered the last part of her father's sentence. An officer? Here? Was her father in trouble? Emma threw her father a worried glance. "And this is my daughter, Emma Stuart." he said with a relaxed smile. Why wasn't he upset? Frightened? Why wasn't he running like the dickens?

"A pleasure, Ms Staurt." he said taking her hand.

"Like wise, Mr...." Emma halted on the man's last name. She just couldn't say it without smiling.

"Hornblower." he supplied.

"Indeed." Emma nodded. She was worried that she might have embarrassed him when she noticed that his cheeks had gone slightly pink. She released his hand. "If you'll excuse me, I really should go find Amy."

"Hang on a moment, Emma. Let Lorna take care of Amy. We have an important matter to discuss." her father said.

"With me?" Emma asked in surprise as her father rang for the maid and then instructed Lorna to see to Amy's bath. Emma swallowed a nervous lump and follow Horatio Hornblower......oh the poor man, really, to the sofa. Was her father being arrested? Was he going to give her instructions on how to care for the house in his absence? Emma fought against a panicked flutter. She was only sixteen. She didn't want the weight of all that responsibility on her shoulders. She wanted to go off and see the world. To become a great doctor.

"Mr Hornblower and I have entered into a contract of sorts. The two of you are to be married tomorrow and set sail for his ship that evening." her father announced. Horatio and James both were watching her. She must have gone quite pale because Horatio handed her a cup of tea. Married? Had her father gone insane? Emma looked at him. He seemed to be functioning quite normally. "It seems that the authorities have gotten wind of my past activities and I'm going to have to leave London-"

"Then I shall go with you." Emma insisted. James shook his head.

"No, darling. You cannot. I will not have you traipsing about the country on the run with me. It's much too dangerous and I want better for you. As I know you have your own dreams." James reached for her hand and held it tightly over hers. She could feel the slight tremble of his fingers.

"But, Father-"

"Please, Emma. I have to know that you are safe before I go. You can't be everything that I want for you if the authorities know you're helping me. They'll put a price on your head and I would rather be caught and hanged than to have that happen." his blue eyes met hers, desperately.

"Father, all that matters to me is you. You're more important than any silly old dream." which was what it seemed to Emma now. Silly, when it compared to being parted from the father she adored.

"Don't say that, Emma. Don't. You are my dream. Do you understand? I will run. I will run for the rest of my days if it ensures you're kept safe. Horatio has assured me of that." Through her tears, Emma finally steeled her attention on the young man sitting beside her. His dark brown eyes were shining with emotion. His long straight now was pink with the effort to control himself.

"Why are you helping him? If you're in the navy why does he trust you?" Emma asked him.

"James is a friend of my father's and I hold him in the highest estimation, myself. I've known him since I was a lad." The two men clasped hands.

"You will join his frigate as Emma Hornblower. I must be believed dead and you must take on this new identity." James explained.

"What will happen to you?" Emma asked frightened as she rushed to kneel by his feet.

"I will just disappear. After the wedding we will burn the house down-"

"Burn it?" Emma asked horrified. The elegant stone and wood building had been her home since she could remember. Her heart ached to think that it would be reduced to ashes.

"We must, sweetheart. Afterwards I will try and get word to you from time to time but it will be too dangerous to even attempt contact for a while." the man drew a shaky breath.

"When will I see you again?" Emma asked. Again her father's eyes met Horatio's and the younger man's hand went to cover Emma's. She jerked it back when the heartbreaking realization hit her.

"No! No, Father! I can't not see you again. Don't say that!" she pleaded no longer caring that her tears were running down her face unchecked. "I'll do anything you ask me, I swear. Anything. Just don't tell me I'll never see you again!" she begged throwing her arms around her father and burying her face in his chest. The same familiar smell of him enveloped her and eased her fears as it had all her life.

"Emma, listen to me. Listen." James clasped her face in his hands. His palms were broad and warm against her cheeks. She looked up and saw the tears in his eyes as well. "You must do this for me. I'm begging you, love. We won't say 'never'. God willing, maybe someday I will lay eyes on my precious Emmy again." He brushed a lock of red hair from her forehead. "But for now. For now, love, will you do this for me? Will you ease my broken heart by seeing yourself safe?" James pleaded kissing his child's forehead.

Emma was trembling so badly that she bit her tongue. Her father was trembling as well. For her. How could she deny him this one thing? After everything he had done for her? Raising her on his own after her mother had abandoned them both. She would not be selfish and heartless, as Rowena had been. Emma reached up to kiss her father's damp left cheek.

"Alright, daddy." she agreed, slipping back to the childhood endearment.

James' arms tightened around his daughter. "Thank you, my Emmy." he let out a shaky breath borne of relief and heart wrenching grief.