Even So

Written by: Ariaelle

Based on: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Movie/Book)

Featuring: Jack Aubrey . Stephen Maturin . Lise Riviera (Original)

Genre: Action-Adventure

Rated: PG-13 for violence, character death

Author's note: Here's my new story!! I hope you'll all enjoy it! If you're also reading my other two stories, thank you so much for supporting me! Also, if you ever find anything...a little stray from the books/movies, don't hesitate to email me at: because feedback is always welcome.

I'd like to dedicate "Even So" to Patrick O'Brian, whose awesome books are a great reference. And also: Russell Crowe & Paul Bettany for their portrayals of the Jack & Stephen duo.

At this time, I am reading the first book: Master and Commander, so if my plots are a bit odd, it's because I haven't had a chance to read the stuff.

As of August 25, 2004, I've made some changes. Lise's last name is Riviera not Andoera. The first chapter's title has been amended to "Just let me try." Instead of: The Address. And Lise served about the Victory (Lord Nelson's warship.) not the Spirit.

Chapter 1: "Just let me try."

Odd.

Again, Jack checked the handwriting on the sheet of parchment where was written many names of men who wanted to work on his ship. All, he had crossed out.

Except the last.

The last one was an address alone. No name. No age. Nothing special whatsoever. Jack frowned; he was looking for seasoned sailors, ones who would last, ones who were loyal. All the other names had added a little of private sailing history, to the very least, even though they were all failures. This one was different.

The Captain sighed; he was looking for sailors who wanted to sail, not to gain prize money. Sailing was the worst way of gaining prize money. It was so easy to die. So easy to get shot. So easy to be swept overboard by a cold wave.

So easy.

Then again, perhaps this one will show promise. Unlike all the others who had signed up on his list, the sniveling deck rats who didn't know North from South, he thought.

Jack Aubrey passed an old store on his left. His instincts told him to stop and take a better look. He checked the address once again.

It matched the store's.

"Thank goodness," he muttered, and strode through the open door.

It was a typical London store. A little old, but neat. All the goods were placed in organized sections. Jack looked about in the dim silence.

A young girl sat at the counter, head bowed over some parchment. The quill in her hand danced and the soft scratches were all that could be heard.

She seemed to take no notice of him.

The girl sighed and put the quill back into the inkbottle. She lifted the paper and blew at the ink to dry it. Her gaze fell on Jack.

She dropped the paper, "Oh, I'm sorry," she stood up and walked around the counter. "How may I help you, sir?"

"I am Captain Jack Aubrey, miss. Do you know anyone working here who signed up for the H.M.S. Surprise? I was looking for someone to replace a few of our sailors."

She smiled courteously.

"This was the address written on the sheet." He added.

The girl looked around the store, "Oh, sir, actually, I signed your list."

Gently, she swept her rippling hair back. It hung a little lower than her shoulders. Her chestnut colored eyes matched her hair. The girl's once royal blue dress was dull and frayed. Her features were built sturdily. The way she carried herself hinted that she hadn't taken her lessons, on how to act feminine, seriously. For a fleeting moment, Jack felt as though he knew the girl.

She had signed the list for her master, he thought, "May I see your master then, miss. After all, I wouldn't want him to miss his duty."

She looked confused, "Why not?"

The question confused Jack still more, "Well, he wants to sail, true?"

The girl frowned, "With all due respect, sir, I signed the list for myself. I wish to be a part of your crew."

Captain Aubrey raised his eyebrows, "Miss, we do not take female crew. No ship in their right mind would take female crew. Don't waste time playing tricks, miss, it'll only itch tempers." Jack turned to leave.

"No, please! Wait!" she cried, "Please, just let me try on your ship, Captain. Please!"

He turned back around to face her, "Life on the sea is rough, miss. It is no place for women. Besides, I was looking for experienced crew. I cannot afford time to train new recruits." Jack snapped.

"Sir, I've served on a ship. They-"

"Which one?" he interrupted.

"The Victory, sir."

"They took you in?"

"I disguised myself as a boy." She paused, "But they found out. When they returned, they had to leave me here."

"Well, you're working here now. I'm sure your master cannot afford to lose you."

"I have no money, sir," she began, "I have to find work somewhere else."

Jack looked shocked; "Your master does not pay you?"

"He does, but he will be selling the store in about a week."

"He'll find a place for you, I am sure of it." Jack turned and strode out, leaving her there.

The girl stared after him in disbelief. With a frustrated sob, she returned to the counter and put the half-finished papers aside. She had been practicing her letters, having learned them only the day before. Accidentally, she tripped the quill in the inkbottle, which sent it over the edge. It shattered, and she could hear the ink trickle out as though the bottle was bleeding.

With nothing else to do, she put her head in her hands.

Jack returned to the ship. His crew saluted him, but he proceeded directly to the room in the stern of the Surprise; to the room that he used to play music in the carefree evenings.

"Any luck, Jack?" Stephen was right behind him.

Jack stiffened, "Could you just tap me on the back next time?"

"You found no one." the Doctor sighed.

"None of them fitted the standards of the Navy." Jack sat down in the chair, but Stephen just leaned on the stern, looking out the windows and observing the gentle waves that rippled slightly below the horizon.

"What about the last one? The one with the address, was there anyone there?"

The Captain turned his attention to the ground, "Oh, that. Well, yes, I suppose."

"Meaning?"

"There was a girl who wanted to join the crew."

Stephen frowned, "A girl? Why?"

"Her master was going to sell the store where she was working. She needed to find new work."

"How did she expect to be accepted? She has no idea what the navy is!" Maturin's frown deepened, "Is she perhaps a nurse?"

"No! Well actually... I don't know. She served on the Victory, dressed as a lad. They found out who she really was, and they sent her back to England." Jack sighed.

"Oh Jack, why didn't you let her come then?" he looked positively disappointed.

"Stephen, you know very well that I do not want women on my ship. Besides, women don't serve in the Navy."

"She has experience, Jack. The Victory! Why, you yourself served on that ship with Lord Nelson."

"Exactly, and I have never heard of any girl on that ship."

"She could have served there after you, Jack. And you know how well trained their crew must be."

"What about our crew? You know how they are!"

"It could be done, Jack. The crew respects your decisions. I'm sure they-"

"How are we supposed to find a proper sleeping area for her? What do we do about all the other complicated matters concerning a girl on board? Women only create more problems, Stephen." He folded his arms.

"Treat her just as you treat the rest of the crew. She's done it before." Stephen shrugged.

"It's different now. We know that she's not a lad. The crew cannot adjust-"

"How do you know, Jack?"

"She could be lying, for all we know." Jack grumbled.

"Look at what you're saying!" cried the doctor, exasperated, "Why would she sign for our ship, then?"

"I don't know. The prize money?"

"She'd risk her life for the prize money," Stephen muttered under his breath.

"Nevertheless, Stephen, she's not coming. Not on my ship." The Captain said stubbornly. "Besides, why do you care so much?"

"Jack, we need crew. She needs work." He waved his hand, trying to convince his comrade.

"Women cannot work as well as men. They aren't as strong." Jack began.

"Jack, she-"

"Look, why are we arguing over one more sailor?" the Captain snapped.

Stephen sighed and looked out the window once again. Deep in thought, he asked, "Does she have family?"

Jack weighed the question. Most likely, if she had a father or a husband, she wouldn't have been working on her own. Especially since she was young.

"I should think not." Jack admitted reluctantly. Those without family were more likely accepted into the Navy service.

"Can she read and write?"

Jack raised an eyebrow; "I believe so." He said, remembering that she had been writing something before he entered the store.

Stephen leaned against a cabinet; "She could work with me."

"I need crew, Stephen, not another doctor. You are the best. I wouldn't ask for more."

"I may be a doctor, but I am not immune to a rifle's shot, nor a sword's blow. What will you do if I am perhaps killed in battle, or if I take sick."

"There is Higgins." Jack said and Stephen coughed dramatically.

"I suppose so." He said sardonically.

"What makes you think she can do better than him?"

"I will teach her."

Jack scratched his chin, "Still, I was looking for crew, not a replacement for Higgins."

"She could work in the day like the rest of the crew, because there are officers supervising. When you all sit and relax and drink and the officers turn into a more, how shall I say it, carefree bunch," Jack glared at his friend, "she can work down here with me. About sleeping arrangements, I'm not sure what you want."

"I don't really want anything." Jack muttered.

"She could share my cabin. After all, I would be able to make sure she didn't get drunk." He joked.

Jack raised his eyebrows, "I don't know about that."

"What now?" Stephen sighed. "Jack, you can trust me, right?"

"Yes. Oh, all right, but this better work." The Captain picked up his fiddle and began to tune it.

"I'm just hoping it will." Stephen smiled and did the same to his own violoncello.