Chapter 5
 Two weeks later, everything seemed to happen at once. This was especially startling since, for nearly three weeks, nothing had happened at all. The first major event was that the Indefagitable docked at Portsmouth and everyone aboard was granted a two week leave. The other was that Horatio's fever took a turn for the worse.

* * *

Captain Pellew sighed as he looked at the men in the darkened sick room. Kennedy's eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep and he looked as though he were about to drift off. Matthews was asleep sitting up, his chin to his chest, rocking back and forth with the motion of the ship. Oldroyd's head had fallen on Matthews' shoulder and he was snoring lustily, mouth open. Styles was awake but didn't look much better than Kennedy. Pellew had tried to get them to take advantage of their leave, but it hadn't worked. He'd given up in lack of a good argument; he himself hadn't left the ship since it was docked.
e's not gettin' better, Styles muttered.
Kennedy agreed in a sleepy murmur.
He hasn't gotten worse either, gentlemen. We can thank the Lord for that. Alarmed at how exhausted he sounded, he didn't even question it when his eyes began to close.

* * *

At first, he wasn't sure what woke him. Then someone shook him viperously. He ignored it, hoping foolishly that it would go away.
the someone hissed. Cap'n Pellew, sir!
he asked, not entirely awake.
Yes, sir. Ye've got to wake up, sir!
Styles, what- and then he heard it. A violent tossing and turning coupled with a low moan.

Horatio, listen! Everything's fine. Whatever you're seeing, it's just your imagination.
Pellew sat bolt upright. It was pitch black in the room, except for the light of a few lanterns. Matthews and Oldroyd were still asleep. Hornblower was sitting up in his hammock, eyes wide open, staring at something only he could see while Kennedy tried desperately to reason with him.
It's all right, Horatio! Please trust me. It's not there.
She's sitting right in front of me! he yelled hysterically, a tear spilling down his cheek. Do you think I don't know her?!
Oldroyd asked bleary, woken by Hornblower's shouting. Matthews also blinked himself awake as Styles sat back and stared in shock, stunned at seeing his hero crying.
The captain practically fell out of his hammock as he rushed to Hornblower's side and grabbed his shoulder.
Mr. Hornblower! he cried, but the boy jerked away violently, a terrified look in his vacant eyes.
What's goin' on? Matthews asked.
E's delirious, Matty, now shut up, Styles said gruffly.
Pellew looked helplessly at Kennedy.
It's all right, sir. I think you startled him, that's all. Do you want me to ask him something, sir?
Ask-ask him?
Yes, sir. Every once in a while you can hear things when you're out of your mind. He shoved Hornblower down in his hammock as he spoke.
Pellew winced. Kennedy talked as though being completely delirious was nothing out of the ordinary. He resolved then and there never to think less of a man who had an occasional fit and although he never knew it, at that moment Kennedy was forgiven for every mistake and misadventure.
Well, then-ask him who he's seeing.
Yes, sir. Hornblower continued his horrible tossing while Kennedy very gently reached out and touched the same shoulder Pellew had. he said softly. Pellew held his breath as Hornblower's tossing abated slightly. Horatio listen. The boy went still.
Horatio, we're going to make you better. Hammocks rustled as Styles, Oldroyd, and Matthews leaned forward, watching intently. But, Horatio, before we can make you better, we need to know who you're seeing.

Kennedy's expression was layered with curiosity, expectation, curiosity, concern, and more curiosity. Horatio, we need to know. Who are you-
Whatever answer Pellew (or, for that matter, anyone else) had been expecting, it was not the answer they got.
Horatio muttered, in a voice thick with emotion. I see Mama.