Author's note: Hope you guys enjoy this chappie, I've been dying to post it. Never seem to have enough time do anything 'cept homework. I really have Chapter 4 written on paper. Just no time to post. I'll try harder though, I promise!

Chapter Three: "Consider that done"

Lise followed Stephen down the corridor. The Captain had stayed in his cabin, instructing Stephen to take her to where she was to stay at night. Stephen strode past multiple rooms quickly. Lise's steps were a little shy, if not reluctant. The Captain's attitude towards her was truly discouraging.

"The sailors' sleeping quarters are extremely crowded," the surgeon said. Stephen still couldn't understand why each man was only allowed a total of fourteen inches to sling his hammock. It must be insanely cramped, he sighed inwardly.

"Perhaps our Captain should narrow his restrictions to twenty inches per hammock."

"The restrictions are currently set at fourteen inches though, Miss Riviera." Stephen chuckled.

"Fourteen?" She laughed, "Even with all the officers in the Ward?"

"Well...we're not an extremely grand ship. Just comfortable enough, to my taste."

Lise shrugged, "I think I can deal with fourteen inches then."

"Actually..." Stephen paused. "You won't be sleeping in the same quarters as the other sailors."

"Oh..." she said, puzzled. "But, I'm not an officer. You can hardly give me a cabin."

"That's true." Stephen replied, reluctant to venture towards the subject. He'd have to sometime, the doctor scolded himself.

Meanwhile, Lise was confused. What were they planning to do with her then? Sleep on deck? Impossible. Perhaps this was an excuse to get her off the ship. But Stephen would have told her, wouldn't he have? Most probable, she reasoned.

"But...um...then, where are we going?" she asked.

"To my cabin."

Riviera sighed. The good doctor probably forgot something inside. She was sure that he would explain to her where she was to sleep.The two entered Stephen's cabin. Her eyes widened at the sight of the numerous creatures preserved in the jars of alcohol.

"You're a naturalist as well as a doctor?" she exclaimed.

He nodded. "I find that the animals are all quite fascinating. And, in these times, we are only still learning more about the science of life, so...researching about it and discovering other species' would be my hope."

"It is quite interesting." Lise smiled. "What's that?" she peered at a wasp. "I've never seen that before."

"Yes! It's a wasp. I am very fortunate to have this sample. It's from America."

"An American wasp then," she laughed.

Stephen grinned. He rarely ever met another person who might share his interest in natural things. She would be a good roommate, he concluded happily.

"Well...uh." He began slowly, "My cabin will be your sleeping quarters as well. With your consent, the two of us will share this room." For some reason, Stephen felt a little embarrassed speaking to her about it. Perhaps it was because he was afraid that she would decline.

Lise was a little stunned. She hadn't been expecting to share a cabin with the doctor. In one way, she regarded it as a favor. None of the sailors would be allowed such private space. Yet, it wasn't really private space. She would be sharing the cabin. It wasn't really her own.

But then, the doctor seemed like a nice fellow. Thinking back on Captain Jack, she considered Stephen Maturin a friend. She would also be able to ask him about being a naturalist, or maybe even borrow a book or two on medical theories.

Her common sense told her to think realistically for a moment. As usual, realistically meant negatively. What if he was only acting courteous? If there were only two of them at night...how would that be? Suppose he got drunk every night and beat her?

Or worse.

She shook away that thought. It didn't seem likely to her. Especially if he was a doctor. And Captain Jack's friend. She could trust him.

Could she?

It was worth a try. What else did she have?

"Sure." She smiled a little.

A look of sweet relief crossed his face. He cleared his throat, "Thank you." He added.

Lise nodded.

"Well then," he said, looking around, "The samples...do they bother you?"

"Of course not."

Stephen was pleased. "Do you have your own hammock?"

"Yes...but it's meant for just over twenty-two inches in width."

"Oh!" he chuckled, "Our fourteen-inch rule need not apply here. Unless you want a new hammock, yours will do fine. It can be slung along here." Stephen gestured to a spot next to his hammock. It wasn't too close to him, and not so far that it wasted space between them. "You can also put any belongings beside or underneath your hammock. For bathing and using the necessities, you may use the ones that the officers use down the hall. Or there is always the one behind the bowsprit..." he paused, "For sailing duties and the like, I suppose they're pretty much the same as what you've done before. Though I may be wrong...I'll probably have a midshipman talk with you on that, or the first lieutenant may do so himself. Am I missing anything?"

"What about clothing? I have uniforms, but they have the insignia of a different ship. Is it possible to have new ones issued?"

"Oh of course! Necessary clothing and weapons will be issued after Jack has a talk with you. I'll take you down to the stores to be sized sometime today."

"That would be nice." She said.

"Oh, I forgot!" he said suddenly, "Unless you're on watch duty...the day starts at noon. After the initial day of training and parades...all sailors will be give a due period of time for leisure and rest until bedtime. The Captain would like it if you were to come below decks to your cabin during that time. Usually, practically always, I am here as well. If you wish, I will..." he paused and coughed.

Lise broke in, "Do you want something to drink?"

He shook his head, "It's nothing. Here, sit down." Stephen added and gestured to his hammock. She sat and he followed suit, doing his best to keep a comfortable space between them. She smiled gratefully at him, but he coughed again. This time, it was more insistant.

Her features darkened, "I'll go get water." He protested but she ignored him. She scanned the room, but there was no half-filled cup of coffee or sailor's canteen.

She opened the door and found a midshipman who was just passing by. She followed him, trying to muster some courage to speak to him. "Uhm..." she said, and he turned around, "Do you know where I could find some water? Clean water for drinking," she added. The green water ration that was issued to regular sailors was out of the question. "I need it quickly, please sir."

The boy untied the water canteen at his hip, "Will this do? I've just filled it, miss."

"I'm Riviera, by the way. Lise Riviera."

They shook hands briefly, "I'm Peter Calamy." He added.

"Well, thank you very much, Peter. I'll return it to you later."

He shrugged, "Take your time."

Lise gave him a small smile and disappeared into the room. Stephen cleared his throat and coughed again. Lise unscrewed the lid and gave the canteen to him.

The doctor drank deeply and asked, "Who was outside?"

"Peter Calamy." She answered.

"He lent this then?" Stephen asked and she nodded. "He's a good boy. Very responsible, I think." He downed the rest of the canteen.

"Are you...all right?" she asked timidly.

"Yes." Stephen said thoughtfully, "I probably caught a chill on deck, that's all. Now what was I saying before?"

"That I should come below decks after my duties were finished." She recalled.

"Yes, that's right." He nodded, "Have you any interest in becoming a surgeon?"

"I enlisted to become a sailor." She said flatly.

"I know. I meant...when you're down here, there's time for me to teach you to assist me, if you'd like."

Lise stared, "But...um...I can't read. Or write, for that matter."

"No? Well, I can teach you that."

"You would?"

"Of course."

Lise couldn't do much else, "I don't know how to repay you."

"As long as you're willing to learn, I'll consider that done."