Chapter Forty-Five

This bed was certainly the most uncomfortable of her experience thus far, Emma thought as she slowly awakened. Then she opened her eyes to see the grey sky, and then a flash of dark colour that soon became her husband's dark curls. His face was awash in concern as he stared down at her.

"What on..." Emma wondered for one disoriented minute. Then a burst of cold air swept across her face and her memory cleared. She knew now where she was and what had occurred. "Oh!" She sat up and turned to see Matthews and Styles carrying Simpson's body off. "Did I...? Oh." Emma asked beginning to tremble. "Oh God, I...killed him?"

Horatio leaned close and gathered her against him. Emma wrapped her arms around him and held on tight as she watched Jack Simpson's body move further and further away.

"Aye, that you did. Then gave us all a scare fainting dead away." Captain Pellew informed her . He stood next to her and Horatio's crouched forms

Emma blushed with embarrassment. How humiliating, to have fainted like some fragile prissy lady.

Remembering her husband's wound, Emma pulled back and looked at his shoulder. "Are you alright?" It had been covered with a bandage and sling and the wound seemed to not be bleeding through.

"I'll live." Horatio assured her with a small smile. Hanging there unspoken were the words, 'and Simpson will not'

Emma grabbed her husband once more and buried her face in the side of his neck. "It's over. Thank God. It's over." She murmured shaking. When Horatio's father helped them both to their feet, Emma turned to the Captain hesitantly. "And now what happens?" She'd killed one of his men. Surely she would suffer some sort of penalty for that.

Captain Pellew stroked the end of his nose and appeared to be thinking on the matter. "You were simply defending your husband from an attack. There is no crime to be reported. Unless you'd like to come up with one to assuage your conscience." He asked, lifting his eyebrow.

"No, Sir." Emma replied quickly.

"Now, Mr Hornblower, I suggest you take your young wife back home to rest."

"Oh, you'll join us for dinner, Captain?" Emma offered grateful that she wasn't to be clapped in irons and carted away.

The captain looked over at Doctor Hornblower in amusement and Emma feared she had over stepped her bounds seeing as she herself was only a guest in the doctor's home. "Goodness, I meant no offence, Doctor Hornblower-"

"Consider it your home as well, my dear. Captain Pellew, we'd be honoured to have you join us again, Sir." Her father-in-law extended.

"Then I'd be glad to accept." The captain nodded. "Oh and Mrs Hornblower. This came for you by messenger earlier today." Captain Pellew dug into his coat and pulled out an envelope.

Taking it, Emma nearly buckled at the rush of emotion that burst through her at the one word written in the recognizable hand of the only man who knew her as 'Emmy'. Her father. Through tear filled eyes she looked up at the captain and then tossing aside etiquette, threw her arms around him. "Oh thank you, Sir."

"No need. No need at all." Captain Pellew insisted patting her hair gingerly.

She had confessed all in trust to him when she'd thought he was the only ally she had left in the world. He had not betrayed her when his position dictated he should have.

Though in truth, Captain Pellew would have had a hard time reporting James Stuart since her father had never gone into any great detail over the crimes he'd committed in the past. He'd done this to protect Emma in the event that he should be discovered. It'd be enough to know that he'd fought at Culloden against the English and even now engaged in activities that could be interpreted as traitorous to the English crown.

She clutched the letter to her chest and turned to her husband, eager to read it in the privacy of his bedroom.

Her father was well and hoped she was too. He gave his regards to Horatio. He loved her and would try to write again when he was able. Small words but they were more precious than jewels to her. She'd read the letter repeatedly through the rest of the day and even awoke a few times during the night to assure herself the letter had not been a dream.

Her body was still sore from her faint, but with an altogether different soreness between her thighs. She'd lain awake after Horatio had drifted off to sleep next to her and taken stock of how her body felt different to her now.

Outwardly, she surely appeared the same. Yet inside she felt as if a great room had opened up inside of her. In that room was the passionate woman who's responded to her husband's caresses, who'd given pleasure in return . The woman in that room had knowledge she would impart to Emma in slow measure. Emma could still recall how her body had tightened, stretched and welcomed Horatio. Think of England, indeed. Emma thought with a stifled giggle. Slipping a hand between her legs, Emma could still feel the torn bit of skin that would quickly heal itself. Pressing her fingers inside, her body surged with desire for her husband yet again but Emma did not turn to disturb his sleep.

In his wounded state, Horatio was in no condition for a repeat performance of events earlier on in the day, but seemed satisfied that they had at least come together in that way once before getting himself shot. Emma had not appreciated his attempt at humour, but there was nothing to be done. She did however have the memory of every touch and movement branded onto her mind, and it was easy to recall the sharp feelings now as her fingers mimicked Horatio's movements. Her fingers were slim enough to cause only a dull ache and her body arched in release in minutes. Emma bit her lip to stifle her cry. She curled next to her husband and smiled burrowing her face into the crook of his neck. His breathing was deep and even. Emma placed a hand on his chest, feeling it rise and fall. Safe and sound. Finally.

Captain Pellew came by the next day to help Emma and Horatio carry Archie's books and other belongings to the young man's family outside the city.

"Mrs Hornblower, if I might have a word with you?" Captain Pellew asked coming into the cabin Horatio had shared with Archie.

"Certainly." Emma nodded, rising to her feet and placing Archie's folded shirts in his hammock. Horatio followed her out and they headed down the corridor, towards, Emma noticed, sick bay. Styles was in the doorway, seeming to be making some sort of repairs to the door.

He turned to her and Emma was shocked to see the wide grin on his face. Matthews stood next to him, looking like the cat that swallowed the canary.

'Ello, Doc." Styles said stepping back from the door and Emma gasped. Hinged to the door was a plaque that read: Dr Emma Hornblower- Ship's Surgeon. She took a step back, tears filling her eyes.

"I...I...don't understand." She said shaking her head. She turned to Horatio who winked at her and Captain Pellew who simply smiled and stroked the end of his nose.

"Need us a surgeon. You'll do." Styles explained.

"Since when?" Emma asked laughing.

"Since we know you'll do what needs doing." Styles replied.

"Captain?" Emma asked turning to the older man for confirmation.

"Don't look at me, young miss. Seems like you won them over after all."

"Because of Simpson? You want me to be your doctor because I killed a man?" Emma asked.

Both Styles and Matthews nodded.

"And what about the fact that I'm a woman?" Emma asked crossing her arms.

"Figure between Simpson and you. You're the lesser of the bad bargain." Styles informed her.

"Styles, how charming." Emma said laughing through her tears. "So does that mean I'll be seeing you on my table when we set sail again?"

Styles grimaced but lifted his shoulder in a shrug of acceptance. "Reckon a shot like you knows as much about taking them out as putting them in."

"Welcome, aboard Mrs H." Matthews said, touching his knuckle to his forehead.

"Thank you, Matthews." Emma said wiping her cheeks.

After the two men went back to work, followed by Captain Pellew, Emma ran her fingers over the sign. Then she gave a squeal of delight and threw her arms around her husband.

"Look at it. Isn't it lovely?" Emma asked as Horatio held her from behind.

"Quite." He said kissing her cheek.

Emma tightened her hold on Horatio's arms and went back to staring at her sign.

The End

A.N: Well we've come to the end of this episode. Hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm skipping the Bunting episode for the moment cause I really want to bring Archie back as I'm sure a lot of you miss him. (smiles at Sweet A.K)

You don't have to wait for the Bunting episode to follow into The Duchess and The Devil cause the most significant thing that happens in the end of the Bunting episode is referenced in the beginning of The Duchess and The Devil so it'll be able to stand alone as it's own story. I'm gonna be updating my BSG story for five chapters so it'll be a few weeks before the Duchess and The Devil episode is written. But hopefully you'll look for it. It'll be titled 'In Sickness and In Health' in keeping with the marriage vows theme.

Thank you to everybody who gave me feedback for this, it has meant so much to me and I hope to take the journey even further with ya'll!

Kidman5: Thanks for your feedback. Hope you like how this ends! Emma killing Simpson is something will stay with her for the rest of her life.

Marie9000: Thanks for reading! Emma and Horatio felt exactly the same way. (laughs)

Kasora: I try to keep most chapters and five pages each but sometimes I may have to cut it sooner or later so that I don't stop in the middle of the action. Thanks so much for your feedback. (huggies you)

NarfOnABiscuit: I'm sure a lot of people are happy now that Simpson's dead! Thanks for your great feedback! Hope you enjoy the ending and follow me into the next episode!

Sweet A.K: Amanda(sniffles) You've been a champion for this story from the very beginning. You and Cameryn have always encouraged me with your hilarious feedback to keep writing and I would not have finished this episode without you guys. I look forward to being entertained by your comments for many more episodes to come! Next, we have oh so very angsty crumpet!