The first thing that went through Horatio's mind was, 'that's it, the Captain's drunk himself in'. But the memory of Border's errand dispelled that notion and Horatio found himself running down to the lower decks, heading to the back rooms. It took no time at all, and he nearly tripped over Archie's inert body. "Archie?" He bent down and cradled his friend's head. His eyes were closed, and there was no obvious sign of injury. He pulled Archie to him and turned to Morgan, who had followed. "Get the doctor, quickly man! Go!" Morgan nodded and hurried off as Borders bent over his shoulder.

"He gonna be all right, sir?"

"I don't know, I don't know what's happened." With one hand Horatio loosened Archie's shirt at the throat and felt his pulse. Steady enough. "I supposed he could have just collapsed."

"Not good to bring an ill man on board. And with that bum arm. . ."

"Oh, get off the arm notion, his arm is fine." Horatio snapped, trying not to panic, and felt his friend's forehead. "This fever your men had, how did it start? Was there weakness beforehand?"

"Aye, it was. That and a loss of appetite."

"Those men with the fever are in quarantine?"

Borders frowned. "They were transported to the other ship, sir. They ain't here."

"But the Captain said. . ." Horatio fumed silently. "Dammit." His attention shifted as Archie gave a low groan. "Archie?" He patted the man's cheek. "Archie, can you hear me?"

After a moment, eyes slitted open. His chest rose as a deep breath filled his lungs. "Horatio?" The voice was small.

"Are you all right?"

Archie took another deep breath and opened his eyes fully. He blinked a few times, then noticed he was being held. "Oh, this will never do," he muttered.

Horatio chuckled and looked up as the doctor approached. "Thank God. He just woke up, I don't know what has happened." He waited as the doctor felt his forehead and checked his pulse much as Horatio had done. After a few moments he backed off with nothing to offer.

"Let him rest," was the only advice he gave before disappearing.

Archie gave a small smile. "His expert opinion, of course."

"So it would seem. Can you stand?"

"I believe so."

Horatio supported his friend as he wobbled before finding his footing. Archie gave a single nod and eased Horatio from his side, noticing and appreciating that his friend still kept a firm grip on his arm. Morgan was there to help, but Borders had retreated with the doctor. The two men eased Archie back to the cabin, shakily, pausing to let the younger man get his bearings. Once at his hammock he lay back carefully and winced, throwing one arm over his eyes in his customary fashion. "Thank you, Mr. Morgan," Horatio said gratefully. "We appreciate your assistance."

"Think nothing of it, sir. Hope Mr. Kennedy is okay." Morgan gave a nod and left the two men.

Horatio sighed and looked down at his friend. He hadn't moved. His lips were parted slightly as he took in deep inhalations. "How are you?"

Archie licked his lips and shifted his arm, his eyes now studying the beams above him. "Confused." His eyes met Horatio's. "What happened?"

"I've no idea. I sent you for ropes, then Mr. Borders came running out of the hold yelling that there had been an accident. I thought you had been gone longer than necessary, but felt maybe you had trouble finding someone to haul the ropes up. Which we didn't need, by the way."

"Rigging was okay?"

"It was." Horatio took in Archie's pale face. "Are you really all right?"

"I feel strange in my head. Not bad, just disjointed. Lord, do you supposed I fainted like a woman?"

Horatio couldn't help but smile. It made him feel better to hear Archie poke fun at himself. But his worry remained.

It didn't fade during the night. In fact an event happened that through the situation into further turmoil. For the first time in what seemed like ages, Archie had a fit.

It wasn't as severe as they had been, thankfully, but it did wake Horatio. He hurried to his friend's side, holding his arms and smoothing his damp hair from his forehead while talking in calm, hushed tones. Although the fit wasn't severe, it seemed to last longer than normal, and upon awakening Archie was more confused. He shoved Horatio away several times before realizing who he was and what had happened, and then the poor man just lay in the hammock panting, sweating, and listening to his friend assuring him that everything was going to be okay. And that was when Archie remembered what had happened.

"It was Borders," he said softly, after some prompting. "He came up behind me, quickly, I think he was waiting for me. He made a snide comment. I faced him and suddenly found myself on the ground. He'd pushed me, and he was standing over me with a sneer on his face. I've no idea what he intended, really but. . .I lost it, Horatio." Archie sounded surprised, and his expression complimented. "I-I rose and tried to beat him! I saw red, I though it was Simpson facing me. I think I scared him," he gave a stale laugh, "he had gone all cocky on me since we first arrived. He was in the gunnery that day I was examining the guns, and he made comments, and I remembered that and. . . I lashed out. I remember him hitting me hard, and I think I blacked out from the pain. Just here," he reached for the back of his head, and Horatio reached out to feel a firm knot. "Just as well he did, because I may well have killed him." He paused, shaking his head in consternation. "I was furious, Horatio, I didn't know what to do, or think, I just hit hard and fast and with everything I had."

Horatio breathed out softly and placed his hand on Archie's shoulder. "I think you just exorcized your demons, Archie. You stood up to a man that tried to back you down. Maybe he didn't deserve the beating you gave him, but I bet he thinks twice about approaching you in the same manner." He glared for a moment, and once again examined the knot on the back of Archie's head. "Borders. That son of a bitch. Why didn't you mention him that day?"

"So Horatio could come to my rescue?" Archie gave a wry smile. "I guess I needed to deal with this on my own, and I did. And I'm glad."

"Then why the fit, Archie? Bad memories?"

The bright eyes darkened. "Probably because I enjoyed beating him." He turned woeful eyes to his friend.

"Archie . .." Horatio sighed and rubbed his friend's arm before standing. "You've nothing to regret. You let your temper get the better of you, yes. Now put it aside. At least you've learned to fight the battle, and win."

Archie nodded. "You reckon I should apologize?"

"No. Leave it be." He gave his friend a final pat on the arm and returned to his hammock. "I had wondered why he disappeared so fast. Bet you beat him pretty badly."

"He's afraid to show his face?" The thought amused Archie.

"Literally, it would seem. It would also explain why he seems rather considerate all of a sudden. I feel as though he pushed his game too far, and now he's debating the consequences. And by god, I shall give it to him!"

"Let it go, Horatio. No harm done, really. Maybe he's learned his lesson; I fear we have enough to worry about without this to compound it. I honestly believe I'll have no more trouble from him, and we need every man we've got."

"You may be right. But I'll keep my eye on him, rest assured."

"I'd never doubt it."

"Well." Horatio leaned back. "Now let's get back to sleep, eh? More problems on the morrow."

"I can't wait," Archie muttered, and snuggled back down.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next few days were rather uneventful, considering. Borders apparently did repent, for whatever reason, and showed nothing but respect towards the young Mr. Kennedy. Archie, being the graceful man of honor, never brought up the subject to use against him. But Horatio saw the glances Borders gave when Archie wasn't looking, and the resentment burned him. If Archie wasn't going to watch his back, then Horatio would simply do it for him.

His tension was compounded by the obstinance of the Captain. Rapier would not discuss the upcoming siege; instead he fixed his sights on questioning Mr. Kennedy on his knowledge of naval tactics and, more importantly, about his family. Horatio was excluded from these little insights into his friend's mind, and he found this new interest amusing at first, but as time pressed on with no companionship, it became rather annoying. He found himself hesitating outside the Captain's quarters, hearing the voices inside, mostly Rapier's, of course, but plenty of action from Archie as well. For a painful moment he wondered if he felt jealous because his friend was occupied, or if maybe, just maybe, he felt jealousy because this esteemed, if questionable, Captain, had taken interest in his friend rather than himself. Only once did his Archie comment on this development, a whisper as he walked by, "mad, purely mad, Horatio," without so much as a telling glance. This lightened Horatio's mood, but only for a short while. He was well immersed in his gloom when Goddwyn found him at the rail. "Are you thinking on this venture, Horatio?" Goddwyn asked him quietly.

One of many. Horatio allowed a smile to cross his face. "What man isn't, Mr. Goddwyn?"

"Oh, I'm certain everyone on board is currently contemplating the cause of his own destruction, but I'm not so certain this particular campaign will be the cause of it."

"That is well for you to say. You're staying on board."

"Only because the Captain trusts you more so than I." There was a grudging respect in Goddwyn's voice.

"Now that's not true. I've heard Captain Rapier speak very highly of you."

"If I get his spirits to him on time, sure. But as a sailor? No. I'm far too young to his eyes."

"Good lord man, does he not look around? The navy is swarming with capable officers, all within our years!" Unconsciously Horatio surveyed the seas as though sailors were walking on the water.

"Not on his ship." Goddwyn leaned his elbows on the rail, his hands clasped, his gaze far away. "The only way I can further my career is to transfer. Yet the Captain refuses to let me go."

"Surely once this ship is in port at England. . ."

"Do you really expect to get that far?" Goddwyn faced Horatio solemnly. "Do you really see Captain Rapier having his boat towed back to England to be put into dock permanently? The ship is the man, and the man is the ship. He'll scuttle before returning."

"Scuttle? Surely not. . ." Horatio paused. "Oh my god."

"What?"

"He's holding a ship in reserve. He is putting us off at the shore. The grand venture he's planning at the harbor. . .he's going to scuttle the ship!"

"You're lying."

"Goddwyn, you just said it yourself! Why offload half his crew? And what are your orders, hm? What is to be done after Mr. Kennedy and I are cast off?"

Goddwyn just shrugged. He did not look the least bit put off by Horatio's tone. "We pull into port and await your signal. That is all I know."

"I bet he transfers everyone onto the other vessel. I bet, I bet, he uses this as a fire ship to destroy the port."

"Why?"

"No guns."

"No, I mean, why destroy the port? It is the native factions he wants to be rid of, why destroy the property of His Majesty? He is bent on saving the port, not destroying it!"

This was true. Horatio sighed and leaned on the rail. "Unless there is another port." He frowned and stared over the sea, pulling at his bottom lip in thought. "He never actually pin- pointed the port in his plans, he just mentioned it. What an ass I am! I merely assumed. . ." Horatio smacked the rail in frustration. "That is why he's no longer sharing his plans. As usual, he sees fit to notify everyone of his actions at the last minute!"

"And go out in a blaze of glory." Goddwyn nodded. "It is his way, Horatio, you'll do little to change it."

"I must discovery what this other port is, and where it is. For all I know Archie and I could be permanently disembarked."

"No, no, we'll simply pick you up in the other ship. It is that easy."

Horatio sighed. "If only it were."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The small ship slid past the cliffs. The cliffs were impassive, having stared out over hundreds and hundreds of years of arrivals and departures, usually people sneaking off to enjoy the white beaches. But this arrival was different. It was solitary and solemn in its approach. The cliffs had no care in the world.

Horatio had a care. He stopped rowing long enough to study the small beach and the rock wall completely surrounding it. One wooden oar thudded heavily into the boat, then the other. He leaned his elbows on his knees, eyeing the natural blockade and breathing hard. Archie too had stopped rowing, and looked over his shoulder. "Oh, that's nice," he muttered. "What do we do now?"

Horatio's words were more decisive than his tone. "We shall have to climb."

There was a moment of silence. "Horatio," Archie then said, slowly, "the next time I inquire as to our next action, feel free to pull the rudder and hit me over the head."

"Not funny, Archie."

"It is about as funny as climbing that wall!"

Horatio just gave a single nod. "Is your arm up to it?"

"The state of your mind is of more concern to me than the state of my arm."

"Then it is decided."

Archie stared. "What? Wait, who decided?"

"I did." Horatio retook his oars, a smug smile trying hard to hide on his expressive face.

Archie nodded. "Right. Right, then. It is what, only two, three hundred feet or so."

"At most."

"Not a sheer face, I mean, there must be grips somewhere."

"Undoubtedly."

"Easily done, then."

"Of course."

"Like climbing the rigging, all the way to the top."

Archie caught his revenge as he saw Horatio angle his head downwards as he fought to stifle his own fear of heights. "Absolutely."

"Then explain to me why your are the one to make the suggestion, and I am the one whose heart is pounding."

"Adrenaline, Mr. Kennedy. The thrill of adventure!"

"Or maybe the fact that we have no idea what lies on the other side of those cliffs?" Archie's jest took on a more serious tone.

Horatio stopped rowing. "I know you were trying to cheer me, Archie, in regards to those cliffs, but I can see that you're holding your own fear in reserve. What is the matter?"

Archie pulled the oars a few more times, then stopped and leaned forward to catch his breath. His eyes were two anxious orbs in a tanned face. "It is this plan, Horatio. We've no idea what we're walking into, and what's more, you've allowed it! I would have expected more caution from you!"

"I fail to see where we ever had the luxury of deciding for ourselves!" Horatio fixed Archie with a stern look. "Look, I have every confidence in your ability. Have you none in mine?"

"Horatio!" Archie admonished. "Can you honestly ask me that?"

"Then believe me when I say we will carry out his orders, and find ourselves fresh and back on the Indie in no time at all."

"I do believe you. But I don't trust him. He's liable to sail away and leave us stranded here."

"And forgo his chance at his last great battle? I find reason to doubt that."

"Doesn't matter now, anyway." Archie pulled in his oars. "Here we are."

They scraped the boat onto the sand. Horatio winced upward, his hand shielding the glare from his eyes. He exhaled roughly, hands falling to rest on slim hips. He squinted at Archie. "We ready, then?"

Archie was studying the cliffs as well. "I think here," he pointed to a slight overhang, "we should be able to scale the cliff along this line, then bear to the right. Looks to be the safest route, what do you think?"

"Sound as always." Horatio clapped his hands together and rubbed his palms. He looked over his borrowed clothes. "I supposed if we put a few rips in these while climbing they will look even more authentic."

"Shame. I was looking to see about commissioning this as our new uniform." He eyed his dingy grey shirt and fingered the faded red kerchief around his neck.

Horatio merely smiled. He was similarly dressed, his shirt being slightly darker, and his kerchief blue. It was yet another surprise thrust upon them at the last minute; if they went in looking like the locals rather than officers of the seas, they were less likely to be shot on sight by the 'spies' set forth by the natives. Horatio had hope to complete the mission set in His Majesty's regalia, but had to admit this plan had merit. He held no hidden desire to be shot.

The climb started easily enough. Hand over hand, foot over foot. There were plenty of grips, though some were not so stable. Archie started out at Horatio's insistence. He said it was because Archie seemed to be able to pinpoint the exact path they needed to traverse, but the truth of the matter was, with his shoulder not yet fully healed, Horatio wanted to be able to observe him, just in case. He needn't have worried, Archie was spry as a monkey as he scaled the rock face. Horatio found it difficult to match his pace, despite Archie's urging. His hands, roughened by rope, hardly felt the rock he clung too. Or was that fear, could he just be numb? He was more worried about the venture than he was willing to show. It was all he could do to concentrate on his climb. His mind darted off toward different scenarios, each one rather unpleasant. So caught up was he in his thoughts that he heard Archie's warning too late.

A large rock bounced within inches of his head. Horatio startled, which was enough to loosen the rocks he was holding on to. He slipped, but managed to catch hold desperately, his legs swinging over nothingness. And there he dangled, just underneath the right edge of the overhang.