Obligatory disclaimer: The Mouse owns all save my original characters.

A/N: Thank you for stopping by. I am sorry that the updates are slow and sporadic, but I hope that will change soon. Also, thank you all for your kind words. And to those of you who dropped kind tidings, the wedding went off like a dream. We were married in our backyard surrounded by family and friends. Small, intimate and laid back. Some thought it should have been more grandiose, but it was perfect for the two of us. Have a safe and happy Fourth!

It took everything in Helen's power not to plant her hands on her hips and sigh in frustration. James was acting like a spoiled child and it was ever so tempting to shake him hard enough that his teeth rattled loose from his head. Instead, Helen wet her lips and crossed her arms across her chest in the most unladylike manor, hoping to conceal her irritation by appearing aloof or bored.

"No? What are you saying? That if you cannot stand on your own then you shall accept no help and crawl back to your bed? That is a fine option, I must say. A fine option." Helen then let her tone soften. "James, I was asked to care for you. Let me get some towels to mop this spill up. Let me find a robe or something similarly appropriate for you to don. Then, I shall help you to your feet." So much for keeping the contempt out of my voice. Could I sound any more annoyed?

"I said no."

Well, apparently he can sound more annoyed than me.

The emphatic tone in his voice caused Helen to actually feel somewhat sympathetic towards her ward. It was obvious that James was used to being in control of the situation and when the tables were turned on him, panic was the immediate response. Her voice took on a hushed timbre as she dropped her gaze and turned her face away in deference. "James, please explain to me why you do not want my help and I might consider your request. Otherwise, you need my help."

A brow arched in vexation. What gall! The nerve of the woman! James felt the bite of his fingernails into his palms as his hands balled up into fists. Her condescending words were not a good way for Helen to endear herself to him. In fact, James could not remember when he was more angry. "I owe you no explanation. This is my home. And in my home, I may do whatever I like. In fact, if you are here to take of me, that makes you an employee of mine. That said, you shall do as I say."

Helen refused to let James' tone ruffle her feathers. In fact, she was mightily amused by what he had just said. Out of all of the jobs I have held, this is the least rewarding – and the most aggravating. But also the one where I want to spend as much time with my so-called employer. "Employees get paid to do as their employers direct. Since I am here without the benefit of salary that makes me… more of an irritating houseguest. That established, I must ask… You shall crawl to your bed if you cannot walk?"

James raked his fingers though his hair, oblivious to the fact that the mere act caused his chest muscles to flex. The spilled bath water was rapidly cooling and he was very aware of how uncovered he was and, thus, how vulnerable his position was on the floor. But even after the passage of several moments, James found his legs not responding. In all his years, this was the most frustrating situation he had ever found himself in.

Although, if he was going to be so underdressed in front of Helen, would it not be fair for her to offer to place herself in the same circumstances?

Helen had to force herself not to look at James' moving limbs and torso and instead concentrate on the bitterness in his voice. "What I do is of my concern, not yours."

Swallowing hard, Helen then pressed her lips together until a white line formed. The walls of the room were suddenly much closer than they were just a few moments ago. As James moved, so did his towel. Do I point the impropriety out? If he moves just a bit more, this discussion will turn in a direction neither of us wants. Instead, Helen decided to try and take control back. "Actually, I beg to differ. Elizabeth asked me to care for you while you convalesced."

The velocity with which his words burst forth startled Helen. "But she did not ask me!"

James dropped his head and curled into himself, as if the thought of either Elizabeth or Helen was too much to bear. His breath as ragged and fury caused him to shake. Or, Helen mused, James was cold. Regardless, approaching him at that moment was not an option. In fact, Helen felt her fingers curl around the doorframe, as if looking for an option to escape.

But Helen remained silent. So there was the crux of it – James felt that all control had been taken away from him. He was given no choice in the matter. A man of such high raking in the Royal Navy was used to giving orders, not taking them. One did not get promoted to such a position as Admiral in such a short amount of time by lacking ambition… and a strong work ethic. And not working – or doing – was slowly killing James.

Which was ironic since he had just come back from the dead.

But looking at James now, wet hair curling past his uncovered shoulders, his bare chest heaving and long, unclothed limbs sprawling about him, Helen felt her stomach tighten. Before her was a beaten man. His own body was his enemy and neither James nor Helen seemed to know why.

But the fact that he was attractive, was dressed – or undressed – in such a manner, and was obviously brilliant caused Helen to reconsider her offer to Elizabeth. Helen knew she had been warned, but it was going to be nigh on impossible to remain detached from her grumpy charge. I would be equally upset – or more so – if I were him. Not knowing what was going on or why. In fact, he is absorbing the information much better than I would.

Helen picked up another towel and handed it to James, who took it without comment. Squatting before her ward, her words were soft. "I am sorry. You are absolutely right. What would you like for me to do? This is your house and here I have been, telling you what to do. It should be the other way around. So tell me what you would like for me to do."

Wishing his words came out with more ferocity than sadness, James draped the towel across his shoulders and sighed. "What I would like is a robe and chair. And privacy. And as soon as possible."

Biting her tongue, Helen nodded her head silently and exited the room without a word. He hates me. He is going to banish me. He is unable to care for himself, but would rather be alone than have my help. And I cannot blame him one bit. I hate me, too. It seems that I can do nothing right.

Helen returned with a robe and draped it over the seat of a cane back chair that she moved close enough to James that it touched his thigh. She then dropped several towels on the floor to absorb the water that had formed a small lake around James. Once James looked like he was floating on a white cloud, Helen retreated back to the door to the balcony.

"If you need me, I shall be within earshot. Give a holler if you need assistance. Otherwise, I am giving you the privacy you requested. I… I apologize for being a nuisance. I just… I just do not think you are in a position to care for yourself without help. But, you must be cold, so I shall retire to the waves."

James watched Helen turn away from him and suddenly felt so alone. "Wait!"

Helen paused a long moment, curious as to whether James would talk to her back, but when no further dialog followed she pivoted on her heel. An eyebrow rose in curiosity as she waited for James to continue. She did not have long to wait.

"Actually, I… I need to apologize. I am tired. And embarrassed. And confused. But I want to thank you for all your patience and help. Let me don this robe and pull myself up into this chair. Then, if it is all right with you, I shall call for your assistance to help get me cross the hall to my bed." The look on James' face was earnest and unwavering. Helen felt her breath hitch and she wet her lips as an immediate reaction. The next words she spoke would be very important.

"James, as I said, if you need me, please give a shout. I am here, at your disposal. You must be exhausted, so you might want to consider a nap once we get you into bed." Helen paused, her mind going places it should not. Stop thinking about him in bed. "Or at least a rest and read a good book. But I highly suggest that at some point we discuss the parameters of our relationship when you feel more up to it. That way, once we hash things out, I will not step on your toes any longer. Or, at least, keep the damage to a minimum. So, in my absence, mull over what you would like for me to do versus not do for you."

What I would like for you to do I cannot say. James was unable to speak, for sentiment and emotion washed over him, so he just nodded his head. He was unable to articulate himself for fear that Helen would be able to hear more than just what he was saying. But it was obvious that Helen was waiting for a response, so James said, "Do not go too far; I shall need you momentarily."

Helen nodded her head and stepped out onto the veranda, closing the door so that it only stood open a crack. She then leaned against the railing, the wind pulling at her hair and skirt. The tide was coming in and with that, the fisherman and their wares. The warm nights and sweltering days were a welcome change from the cold, wet years she spent in London. And while the city had much to do and even more to see, it was the lazy days of the Caribbean that Helen longed for. It is so nice to be back.

"Helen? If you have a moment, I would appreciate your help."

Helen smiled and went back into the house. It took some maneuvering, as well as Helen dragging the chair with them because James needed several breaks as they walked the distance back to his quarters. After depositing James on the bed in a most unceremonious manner, Helen let him arrange himself as she went over to pour her ward a mug of water. After setting it within reach, Helen said, "Well, you need to get some rest. I am going to finish setting your room to rights. Depending on how you feel when you wake, I think moving you into the master bedroom would be the best idea. But that is a long walk, so we shall see."

Reaching out and grabbing her wrist, James stilled Helen's departure. He then let his head fall back, his eyes closed in exhaustion. "How much did you see?"

Helen paused. "Excuse me?"

James let go of her wrist and turned his face towards the wall. "Do not make me have to explain myself. How much–."

Helen interrupted, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. "I understood what you were asking, but am unsure as to why. James, I admit that I have not been around a man in such undress in a very long time, but I assure you that I saw nothing improper. Yes, I saw more than you might be comfortable with, but I saw nothing that should cause you undue distress." The smile curving her lips brought a blush to James' cheeks when he turned back to face her.

"So you saw nothing… incriminating?" James hated the waver in his voice.

Helen's smile twisted into a smirk. "Why James, it almost seems like you are hoping that I saw something."