Disclaimer: None of this is mine in any way whatsoever.
Henry looked up from the book he was writing in as Abe reentered the room.
"Where is Jo?"
"Oh, she's still here – she's just putting away her coat and purse and getting some fresh air." He glared at his father as he sat down. "So, I hear you got a gift from Adam."
"Yes, and I won't use it."
"Well, it's nice to know that you never considered it..."
Henry sighed. "Yes, Abraham."
"Well." Abe took a sip of his wine. "At least you have Jo now."
"Yes. With all of your favourite traits."
"Well, that's apparently what works best at talking sense into you, so I'm not complaining. Besides, shooting you would probably work better that hitting you over the head with common sense."
"Very funny, Abe."
"I know – hysterical, right?" He grinned.
Henry shook his head with a fond smile.
"So, did you figure out what happened to the Empress?"
Henry laid the book down in his lap, leaning back thoughtfully. "...Yes."
Abe waited, taking another drink. Finally, he gave up. "And?"
"Pardon? Oh. Well, the ship was nearly a thousand miles further north because the slaves escaped."
"They got free? But you said you didn't get the key to them..."
"I didn't." He leaned forward again, almost tipping the book to the floor. "When they dragged me out of the hold to the deck, the key fell to the ground and they were able to unlock themselves. Although the ship was badly damaged, it survived to carry many of the former-slaves to live freely in the North."
"That's wonderful! See? It's not a curse. And did you find out where the Captain got the map?"
Henry paused for a moment and Abe frowned.
"Henry. What is it this time?"
He sighed. "Isaac Monroe told me the end of the story – it was his obsession to find the sunken ship, and he owned the map. According to his story, a survivor made the map to the ship; and passed the story and map down to his descendants."
"Yeah? So? Oral tradition – happens all of the time. That's not what's bothering you."
"He also knew that a Dr. Henry Morgan dropped the key after being shot, that I was aboard the ship."
"Oh. I see." He thought about it for a few seconds, setting his glass aside. "This guy, Monroe – didn't you mention him before? Some club or something, with gold..."
"Yes, the Explorer's Club. He gave away his motive and then invited Jo out for a date."
"Yeah, exactly. You haven't told her about this, have you."
"No."
"Henry! For crying out loud, if not because she is a part of our family, then because she might be considering this guy – don't you think she should know everything?"
"Yes." Jo took the seat opposite Henry. "What am I supposed to know?"
"How to deal with stubborn old men..."
"I think..."
"Not me, of course."
She smiled. "Of course. Henry?"
He set the book aside. "When Monroe told me the story of the Empress, he also told me that I dropped the key."
She stared at him for a moment. "And it didn't occur to you to mention this earlier? Wait," She held up a hand to stop his answer. "I know. It occurred to you, but you didn't think it was relevant."
"It was something along those lines, correct."
She looked at Abe in exasperation. "No, I'm just the one he keep asking out on dates – why would it be relevant?"
"I am sorry, Jo."
"It's fine – but what do you do now?"
"Nothing."
"Abraham..."
"No – if he were a threat, don't you think he would have found you by now? Taken advantage of it? Maybe if the story still get passed down it might become dangerous; but right now?" Abe shrugged. "Let it be – it's not harming anyone. Who knows? Maybe it'll even be helpful later."
Jo nodded in agreement. "That makes sense at least – if he went through all that trouble to find the ship, then finding you probably wouldn't have been harder."
"Yes, thank you for that observation." He sighed and then forced himself to relax. Suddenly changing the subject, he turned to Jo with a teasing smile. "You bring your gun to a romantic date? What did you expect to happen?"
She sighed and shook her head, defending herself. "Well, you're a doctor and brought your instruments to perform surgery – why shouldn't I bring my gun and catch the killer?"
AN: And the episode is finished. Again, due to problems in reality, any new chapters on this will not be able to be written for a few weeks - I am very sorry. Thank you for your patience and for taking the time to read this. Gramercy, and God bless you!
