A/N: And because Kane and Gabby are such a major couple in Search, here's some more on them...

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

049: Alcohol

Gabby tapped her cane back and forth in front of her. She clutched a box of empty bottles to her chest. Master Jonathan dismissed her thirty minutes early so that she could deliver them to the kitchens to be washed and refilled. Cold tea had powerful calming effects on blisters, open sores, and fevers when bandages were first soaked in it. Apprentices would refill the bottles with anything leftover from breakfast and take the bottles back up before lunch. It was a daily chore Gabby actually enjoyed. The smells that came from the kitchens were a treat even if she wasn't allowed to taste anything and this early in the morning the kitchen boys starting fires would likely share some scrap from the day before with her.

Kitchen boys had to get up at ungodly hours to keep their jobs. Because it was Gabby's turn to do the nightshift, she went off duty as they came on duty hours before sunrise. Gabby felt the box shift under her arm. She paused to correct it. Heavy footsteps came behind her. Assuming they belonged to a guard, she stepped aside towards the wall so she couldn't block his path.

As he came closer, Gabby realized that wasn't the case. Already the smell of alcohol reeked her nose. Gabby readjusted the box, took her cane in hand, and continued on her way. The steps quickened. She did too. As she walked faster she became more careless with her cane. Her foot caught the edge of a rug and she fell forward. The crate flew from her grasp. All around her glass shattered. Gabby sighed as she pushed herself up. She felt around her, searching for her cane. Suddenly two hands grabbed her shoulders and hoisted her up.

"Master Jonathan won't like that, you know."

The man put his face so close to hers she could taste the alcohol. Gabby tried to step away. "I know…I'll go get him now so he can see."

"Why don't I just help you clean it up?"

"I…"

"Maybe I can help clean you up?"

"I…"

Suddenly she was shoved against the wall. Gabby tried to scream but a heavy hand clasped over her mouth. She tried to push away but he secured both her wrists in one of his hands and shoved them above her head, pinning her with his body.

"Pretty nurse," he whispered to her. "Let's see how you are."

Gabby felt panicked. She tried to squirm free but he was stronger. A tear rolled down her cheek as he brought his hand down from her mouth to tear off her apron.

"Please," she begged him softly. "Please don't do this."

"What's the matter? You don't like it?"

"Please…don't…"

"Priss."

He put his lips against hers and grabbed a fistful of her skirt. Gabby began crying violently. Then, just as quickly as he'd come onto her, he was off. The terrible sound of body meeting stone echoed down the hallway.

"What the…" her attacker spat. "This isn't your business, Scout."

"I've made it my business," Kane's voice said coldly. Gabby shrank to the floor, tugging her skirt over her knees as she continued weeping.

"Stand down."

"No."

"I will report this to your superiors."

"Go ahead. You're not touching her again."

"Are you giving me an order, Scout? I am your superior!"

New footsteps approached them. "And I am your superior," another voice said smoothly. "You are dismissed, effective immediately. Guards!"

More footsteps. Gabby hid her face in her knees as she listened to the arrest. She was vaguely aware of someone coming and sitting by her. Kane's familiar arms wrapped around her. Gabby melted against him, burying her face into his chest.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Kane said to whomever was standing over them. It must be the king, Gabby decided.

Horace nodded as he offered his hand to the girl. Kane shook his head and nodded to her cane lying on the far end of the hall. Horace glanced back at it and pointed to his eyes. Kane nodded. Horace nodded again, understanding.

"What's your name, miss?" he asked as Kane helped her to her feet. He considered going for her cane but her grip on his arm was too tight for him to leave.

"G-g-g…" Gabby couldn't form her name. Being in the presence of a king didn't both her so much as the fear of what just happened. If Kane hadn't come by she would have been violated in the worst way. If Horace hadn't come by…Kane could have gotten hurt too.

"Gabby," Kane said for her. "She's one of the assistants at the medical wing."

"Gabby," Horace said gently. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

Gabby shook too much to take a full evaluation of herself. He hadn't done anything major before he was caught so she shook her head 'no'.

"Kane, you'd best get her to the healers for an examination. Tell them I want her full bill of health on my desk tomorrow. If she's got so much as a scratch he'll be nailed for it."

Kane nodded. "I will, sir."

Kane kept his arm around Gabby, trying to keep her together. Her sobs and trembling put him on edge. He'd never seen her like this before. Horace crossed the hallway and collected her cane. He put it against her hand. She took it without a word, fearing more sobs would be all that came out.

"Where were you going, Gabby?" Horace asked gently.

"I…to the kitchens, Your Majesty. To get the tea bottles refilled."

Horace looked to the broken glass. "I think Master Jonathan will need to order some new bottles."

Gabby began crying all over again.

"Don't worry. I'll let him know it wasn't your fault."

Gabby didn't think her mentor would blame her for the broken bottles but she wasn't in a state to explain that. "Thank you, sir."

"Were you on your way home?"

"Yes sir."

"Do you live in the servants' dorms?"

"No sir, with my family on Duxbury Lane."

Horace nodded. "Would you accept if I had you put up in one of our guest rooms tonight? You look like you need the rest. I'll assign Kane here to guard if you would like."

Gabby lay her head on Kane's shoulder, feeling spent. "Thank you, sir."

Horace nodded. He looked to Kane as he held his hand near her. Kane nodded. Horace touched her arm gently. "Send for me personally if any more comes from this, understand? I mean anything at all."

Gabby nodded. She let Kane guide her back to work, where Master Jonathan was equally furious. He refused to let Gabby go until every test possible had been run on her, and even then he tried to get her to stay in a private room for the night. Kane explained the king had already arranged a guest room for her and she was released. He walked her to the room, knowing exactly where the rooms for guests of the royal family were.

"Here you go," he told her as he led her to the bed. He tucked her in as though she were a child. "I'll be sitting just outside. If you need me just call."

"Kane?" Gabby called out the moment his touch left her.

"Yes?"

"Will you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?"

Kane smiled. "Of course."

He lay down on top of the blankets and wrapped arms around her. She closed her eyes and fell asleep quickly against him. Kane stroked her hair as she slept.

"From now on, I'll walk you to and from night shifts," he promised though she was asleep. "You'll be watched any time you're alone at night."

He made mental note to enlist his fellow Royal Scouts for his cause. Gabby had patched more than one of them up before and she was admired by all. They'd ensure nothing like this ever happened again.