Nick groaned as he rolled onto his side, the stitches pulling painfully along his shoulder. It had been almost 2 weeks since they had stopped in Cockburn; the ship's physician only able to do so much after the incident. The shard of glass had cut part of Nick's brachial artery and while he had been able to stop the hemorrhaging, the doctor hadn't been able to dislodge portions of the bottle. Unbeknownst to Nick, the Captain had ordered the stopover in Grand Turk while they found a more competent surgeon.

The first few days had been a blur, fading in and out of consciousness. Nick could hardly tell day from night and the many faces that swirled in front him were unrecognizable. But when he closed his eyes, he could see Jo, soft words murmured in comfort. It was her voice that finally pulled Nick out of the fevered stupor, telling him that she needed him home. Mindfulness suddenly upon him, Nick was disappointed to find only McKenzie sitting next to the cot.

After several days at the island's only hospital, Nick was ready to get back to the ship, the pain in his shoulder nothing compared to his need to finish the voyage. Captain Wallace had insisted on at least two more days; he had taken advantage of the time in port to pick up additional cargo and make some more money. Nick wasn't sure where they were going to put everything; the added weight was only going to slow them down. So much for a three-month journey.

Staring at the ceiling, Nick contemplated whether this was all worth it. His return to sea wasn't at all what he had expected. Nothing was typical when it came to sailing but this trip was affirming what he had already known before boarding. His place wasn't on the ocean – at least not as a merchant marine.

The hospital room door slowly began to open, Nick already planning his story for whatever doctor could release him. Instead, McKenzie's head peeked around the frame, a wide Scottish grin somewhat taunting. "How's the patient?"

"Ya gotta get me outta here," Nick pleaded, pulling himself to a seated position, a difficult task as his injured arm sat in a sling. "I'm goin' crazy."

"Doc said you'll be free t'morra." McKenzie stepped into the room, the door swinging wider to reveal another visitor. Brady stood behind him, a sheepish look on his face as his fingers played with the brim of a hat.

"What's he doin' here?" Nick growled angrily, sitting up a bit taller, prepared to fight.

McKenzie blocked his sight line, trying to appease the situation. "Wallace let 'im outta the brig – on account that he'd apologize ta ye." He turned back. "Right?" Brady rolled his eyes, a short nod his only agreement.

"Apologize?" Nick asked, dumbfounded. "He almost kills me and that's the punishment?" He'd seen stricter discipline at Plumfield.

"C'mon Riley," Brady finally spoke up. "You gotta know I didn't mean it…"

"You been ridin' me since I got on board," Nick argued, his voice rising. "I'm surprised it took ya two months…"

A groan came from McKenzie as he pulled Brady further into the room. "Actin' like foolish bairns," he muttered. "Tell 'im whatcha told me," he said, urging the man to Nick's bedside.

Brady sighed, his gaze fluttering around the walls, avoiding Nick's. Silence filled the room; Nick was becoming increasingly frustrated. "Well?" he asked. "I ain't got all day…"

"Sure ya do…" McKenzie piped up, quickly biting his tongue and backing away. Nick shot daggers at him, knowing he was completely right. There was no place to go.

"Look Riley," Brady finally piped up. "I messed up… I didn't mean ta actually hurt ya."

"Ya coulda fooled me…" Nick rolled his eyes. The supposed apology was failing miserably.

"I guess… well, I guess I was mad… you go missin' from the ships for two years, livin' some soft life and then Wallace makes you Second Officer? It just doesn't sit well with me." Brady shrugged. "At this rate, you'll make Captain in no time. But it should be somethin' you earn – somethin' I've been tryin' to earn for years."

Nick shook his head. Sadly, he understood. It didn't seem quite right that he could walk into that type of position. But it wasn't something that Nick had gone looking for. He hadn't asked for this – for any of it. If he had his way, he'd still be in Concord, on a picnic with the one person who made his world make sense. The one person who made all the hardships and struggles he had endured in his life worth while.

He understood where Brady was coming from – if the roles were reversed, Nick would have been furious. But he needed Brady to understand why he had accepted the role of Second Officer – that it wasn't because he felt that he deserved it but that he needed it. Getting back on a ship was the only way he could get back to the life he wanted.

Nick's face softened with acceptance. "I get it, Brady. I do. But I ain't doin' this to make ya mad." Nick shifted painfully towards the edge of the bed, direct eye contact to make sure his point was made. "Wallace came ta me, figured I could do the job. And I took it cuz so I could make it my last." Brady's eyes widened a bit in surprise. "I don't want Captain – didn't even really want Second. But when the offer came up, I couldn't ignore it. Because of this one job, I'll be able to be where I want ta be. And that ain't on a ship." Nick moved back, laying against the pillows, his energy spent. He glanced up at Brady. "Trust me, the faster we get home, the better. And after this, I don't think I ever wanna see your mug again."

Brady chuckled; his shoulders released in relief. "I guess I was wrong about you, Riley." He scanned around the room, his eyes lighting up. "Ya know… Wallace is headin' to Spain on his next trip. Maybe ya could put in a good word for me?"

Nick scoffed in exasperation. With his head shaking and a small smile, absolution was made. "Not in a million years…"

XXXXX

"Read it again, Dan," Tommy pleaded, the children sitting around the classroom, the day's lessons finally finished. Mrs. Jo had given them a new writing assignment, with an added surprise. They were to respond to a telegram that had just arrived from Jamaica. Nick had sent quick note just for the students, reassuring them of his well-being and promising to return soon. Mrs. Jo had re-read those short lines so many times throughout the afternoon, the kids knew every word. Dan didn't want to admit it, but he was just as thrilled as the rest. Nick was coming home.

After they were dismissed, Mrs. Jo handed the letter to Dan before quickly leaving the barn, another envelope in hand.

"Kids," Dan began, as the children sat completely silent, gathered around him. The usual after school antics set aside.

"Made it to Jamaica.

Quick stop in Grand Turk - rough going through the narrows.

Ship took damage - we will stay here until it gets fixed.

Captain is hoping to be sailing by the end of the month.

If the weather stays, we could make it home by November.

Take care of each other.

Nick"

Dan figured the incomplete sentences were a mix of Nick's shorthand and the cost to send a telegram so far. The telegraph could get expensive over long distances, although still the fastest way to send mail. As it was, September was almost over – the ship could already be on its way home.

"Jamaica must be fun," Tommy said dreamily, "Nick's lucky he gets to stay."

"Doesn't sound like they'll be staying for long," Nat piped in hopefully, his knees pulled up under his chin as he sat atop of his desk. "November isn't that far way."

"That won't leave us a whole lot of time for a treehouse," Nan muttered. "By the time Nick gets home, there might be snow on the ground."

Dan stared out the schoolroom window, the large tree next to the barn calling.

"Yeah – it would have been nice to have it done," Emil added. He stood and gathered his books. "Too late now. I guess it'll have to wait until next summer."

The other students followed his lead, starting to file out the door, when an idea strung Dan. "What if it isn't too late?" he asked, his gaze still on the tree. "What if we could get a start on the treehouse? Surprise Nick when he gets home?"

"Sounds like a pretty big job," Nat said, his eyes following Dan's out the window. "Where would we get the wood?"

"There are plenty of old boards in the barn," Dan explained, an excitement coming over him. "And I've got a ton of fence posts that we could use."

"There's some old paint sitting in the cellar," Emil said, an eager grin on his face. "I saw it the other day when I went to find beets for Asia."

"And I've got some old fabric that we can use to decorate," Bess added, resulting in a lot of confused looks. "You know, for curtains and such."

"Yeah, that could work," Nan tried to sound supportive. "At least if we got a start on it, we might be able to use it before it gets too cold."

"Maybe we could add in a stove!" Tommy exclaimed, searching the others faces for approval.

"I think we should just start with the frame," Dan replied. "We can let Nick decide if we should add a stove."

The kids were buzzing with anticipation as they cleared out of the schoolroom. "Great idea, Dan," Nat said as they trailed behind.

"We will see," Dan mumbled, still sizing up the tree, trying to figure out how to use the posts as supports. "I just hope it works."

"Of course it will," Nat reassured, placing a proud arm around his shoulders. "We've got you."