Chapter 28 – Old Endings Begat New Beginnings

Two months had passed. After Ambassador Wellington's unprecedented success with peace negotiations, Amelia had wasted no time in returning Montressor. Pushing the Legacy to the limits of its speed, the tired crew had finally pulled in to port only hours before. Delbert had waited patiently as Amelia dealt with the necessary administrative duties that were invariably required of her when she returned to port and more so this time considering the importance of her role in the recent tumultuous mission. He watched as the last members of the Royal Navy High Command made their way off her ship, promises of commendations drifting up from the gangplank as they departed, before making his way to where she stood. Although they were now the only two remaining on board, he still chose to respect her wishes and, careful to not draw attention to them, discretely brought his hand to the small of her back, tracing small circles against the rough fabric of her topcoat.

"Done?"

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly at the simplicity of his question.

"Done," she nodded and turned to him. "Take me home?"

"It would be my pleasure, Captain."

"The Captain is no longer here, my dear Doctor," she murmured.

Delbert laughed softly. "Well, in that case, I would be honored to escort the lovely Amelia home. Would that suit her?"

"Of that I have no doubt."

XXX

Once safely nestled behind the burgundy curtains of the carriage Delbert had summoned, Amelia wasted no time in taking advantage of the relative privacy and silence, tucking her arm though Delbert's own and resting her head against the soft linen of his shirt. Delbert smiled affectionately and ran his fingers through her soft hair, brushing it away from her sleep-lidded eyes, content that they were once again safe and, more importantly, together. He could tell she was both emotionally and physically drained. The voyage had been especially rough.

After the harrowing events on deck – watching Antonius plunge to a senseless death - Doppler had become rather subdued. Amelia had spent every free she had moment with him, listening as he tried to make sense of what had happened, how a man could choose what had been chosen. The nights were filled with haunting questions, the days consumed by bureaucratic questions and even then, there were still more questions left than there were answers.

Espionage, treason and a somewhat-love triangle had left his better and usually-more-motivated half seriously lagging. He lowered his lips to her ear and softly inquired of her present state. "Tired, darling?" "Exhausted."

"Hmm, I imagine you are."

She nestled closer. "You?"

"Worn beyond years," he chuckled. "At the risk of being labeled a killjoy, I'm going to decline all offers for any upcoming adventures in the foreseeable future."

"You have my complete support," Amelia chuckled lightly, momentarily lifting her head and then settling back in his embrace. "How much longer until we're home?"

"Yours or mine?"

"Where am I staying?"

"Mine, I hope," Delbert murmured as he dropped a kiss on her brow.

"Sounds absolutely perfect."

A comfortable silence fell upon the coach and Delbert closed his eyes as his thoughts once again drifted to the events of the past few days. It had been a whirlwind of emotions as disappointment warred with elation. A heavy sadness filled him as he contemplated Antonius. The harsh reality of his death was something Delbert still had not fully processed. The knowledge that Rupert had felt it the only option saddened Doppler. He had truly come to respect the man in the short time he had known him. Discovering the truth had shaken him, and he knew it would be quite some time before he'd be able to process it.

"Something weighing on your mind, darling?"

Amelia's soft question floated up to Delbert's ear, pulling him from his silent contemplation. He drew a breath and then released it, the soft rush of air floating lightly over her head.

"I was thinking."

"About Rupert?"

He nodded. "Such a shame."

"Indeed." She shifted against him. "But it was the decision he chose."

Delbert looked at her, a bit taken aback by her lack of compassion. "That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

Amelia shrugged. "Perhaps, but nonetheless true." She placed a hand against his, forestalling the inevitable protest she knew would fall from his lips. "I'm not being insensitive, darling. I'm merely stating a fact. I know you had become close with Rupert, and I am truly sorry for your loss. But the man was a traitor, and whether he truly believed what he was doing was right is not the issue. Treachery is not something I'm willing to make concessions for."

Doppler bit his tongue, understanding the strong emotions which fueled Amelia's belief. Having been through a mutiny with her and then dealing with the emotional backlash, he knew that in her mind there was no middle road. To Amelia, loyalty was an absolute. He lowered his head, a silent admission of agreement. "Still. Such a loss."

"Yes."

Silence existed once again, each occupant letting their mind wander. As Amelia settled in against him, a lighter thought entered Delbert's mind, and he was more than happy to pursue it and draw his mind away from the brooding thoughts that had inhabited it of late. He smiled to himself as he considered it, the idea entirely amenable to him. But would she be willing to consider it? The corner of his mouth lifted and he shrugged almost imperceptibly. Only one way to find out.

He shifted closer toward her, trailing his fingers along her thigh. "Amelia," he began thoughtfully, "There's an observation cruise leaving in a few months traveling to the outer Pandora Nebula. I was thinking," he paused for a moment as she snuggled closer and then resumed his gentle caress, "that maybe we ought to go. Get away for a few days. No duties, no lectures, just you and I enjoying the Etherium. What do you think?"

"It sounds very relaxing. When did you say it was?"

"In a few months. Sextem … September," he amended with a blush.

Amelia gave a low laugh and raised eyes to peer in to his. "Are you certain you only have rest and relaxation on your mind?" she teased.

"My intentions are wholly honorable," he assured her.

"Good heavens, Delbert. Honorable intentions sound absolutely horrible," she opined, and then gave him a saucy smile. "I'll go, but only under the condition that you promise to be a complete rake."

Delbert liked the sound of that and laughed before resting his chin atop her auburn tresses considering the idea. "A complete rake, eh? I think I can do that."

"I was teasing, dear."

"I know you were, but I can be rakish."

Amelia bit her lower lip in an attempt to keep from laughing. "Delbert, I think rakish is the last word I'd ever associate with you."

"I'll have you know that I can be quite rakish," he responded indignantly. "What about the costume party at the University? I thought my pirate costume was rather dashing. I was quite the ruffian."

"The earrings took away from the overall effect."

"But pirates wear earrings!"

"Yes dear, but not golden hoops encrusted with sapphires."

"It's all I could find," he muttered. "If B.E.N. hadn't taken my other ones …"

Amelia patted his arm and intertwined her fingers through his. "I know. But still … I much prefer my bumbling academic to any rake you might think to offer."

There was a moment of considered silence, and then she heard a soft, "Really?"

"Really."

"Oh. Well, I, ah … that's good to know." More silence. "But, still, if I wanted to be …"

She wasn't going to win this battle, and she knew it. Better to surrender this small victory than hear about it for the remainder of the ride home and most likely well in to the next week. "If you wanted to be, and with much coaching," she added, "yes, you could be a passable rake. Satisfied?"

"Quite."

"Wonderful. Now, about tonight?"

"What about tonight?"

"Your house?"

"I thought we already had decided that." Delbert looked completely lost. "Did you want to stay at yours? I realize it's a little closer, but I'd assumed we'd simply travel on to mine. Roomier, you know."

"Yes, I know," Amelia smiled. Roomier wasn't quite the word she'd have chosen to describe the elaborate Doppler estate. But that was her Delbert. He had a knack for the understatement. She yawned. "Your house is fine. I was merely making certain. I believe I still have some things over there."

Delbert's mouth lifted in a goofy smile of remembrance. The ivory silk robe. "Ah yes, I believe you do."

Amelia, still trying to fight off sleep, failed to notice Doppler's wistful tone. "Yes, a few things. I might stay through tomorrow night, as well, dear. I can make my reports from your study. Do you mind?"

"Of course not. That is, I don't mind," he corrected, lest she misunderstand him.

"I will, of course, have to send the more official ones from my own residence, but I see no problem in delaying those a day or so. Won't do to have the ID tags being followed back to your primary connection." She placed a soft kiss against his neck. "Nothing personal, dear, you realize."

"I do."

"Such a nuisance at times."

"Hmmm. Yes."

"But what can one do. It wouldn't do to have my mail sent to your home. Too many raised eyebrows, I would suspect.

"Far too many," Delbert agreed distantly, an abstract idea rolling through his thoughts. Amelia was talking in the background. He kept one ear open to what she was saying, nodding thoughtfully when the comment called for it, but his thoughts were focused elsewhere on an idea was quickly gelling within his mind. He caught her last statement and he willed himself to focus on the lovely feline in his arms.

"I'm certain we'll come up with something some day," she was assuring him.

Delbert nodded and was going to agree with her, but his mind apparently had other ideas, for when he opened his mouth, the words tumbled out unbidden.

"You know, we could avoid these problems if you simply referred to yourself as Captain Doppler." While his tone was casual, the insides of his stomach were churning. Why did I say that aloud? He questioned himself frantically. He had merely been going to reply with a simple, 'you're correct,' but once he opened his mouth, the other had found its way out. And now there was no taking it back.

Amelia, barely listening, breezed right on through his statement. "I seriously doubt that would help, darling. After all, I am, by everyone's account, a single woman, and with that comes certain –" She stopped in mid-sentence, her sleep-laden brain having finally processed what Delbert had just said. Slowly, as if in a trance, she lifted her chin and her wide-eyed gaze found him, silently questioning what she thought she'd just heard him say. After a moment of what, to Delbert, seemed an eternity of silence, Amelia's voice was finally able to put sound to the words she'd been working her lips around.

"What did you say?" The question was uttered in a barely audible whisper.

Delbert blushed, a dull stain rising from his neck to his ears. "Well, uh, I," he cleared his throat, "I just thought that if you were to introduce yourself … my last name … people might not …" his words trailed off as his voice grew quieter and less confident. "It was a ridiculous idea," he finally conceded. "I shouldn't have suggested it."

The old insecurity rising to the surface, Delbert turned his head away from her piercing gaze. He didn't dare look in to her eyes, afraid of what he might see there. The carriage traveled past a darkened glade and he squinted his eyes, focusing on the blackened silhouette of the trees below.

Amelia recognized what he was doing and shook her head. After all this time, the man doubted his role in her life? Honestly. "Delbert?"

He still kept his eyes trained on the landscape outside.

"Delbert." She scooted closer to him and settled her chin against his shoulder, so that her lips were near his ear. "Delbert, I may be a top-notch captain, but a mind reader, I am not. Now please, kindly repeat what you just said."

"Amelia, your ears are as sharp, if not sharper, than my nose. I have difficulty believing that you didn't hear what I said." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm fairly certain I did hear what you said," she conceded, "but I'd hate to be wrong and say yes to a suggestion of Captain Doopler. Can't have that now, can we?"

The carriage fell silent as Delbert digested what he thought she was telling him. As his brain finally processed the situation, he turned around to peer in her eyes as she pulled away, allowing him to fully face her. "Amelia, are you telling me that if you heard me correctly, you'd be amenable to the idea of our … that is, if we … the two of us …" he stopped, running a hand over his suddenly clammy brow. "… you and I … well, to put it simply … us."

"You make it sound something terrible" was her teasing reply.

"No, no, of course not. It could never be terrible with you," he assured her. "It's just that I … well, I can't offer you the life of adventure you're used to. I'm not very good with battles and such, you realize."

Amelia laughed and placed a soft palm against his cheek as the other came to rest upon his arm. "Oh I don't know, Doctor, I think you were rather admirable in our most recent excursion."

Delbert snorted. "You've apparently forgotten the bar-room brawl and my trip overboard."

Amelia unconsciously tightened her grip on his forearm and her voice grew quiet. "I had not forgotten."

'Perfect, Delbert. Remind the woman you love of your idiotic brush with death – while proposing, no less!. What better way to set the mood. Bloody idiot!' he scolded himself, borrowing one of Amelia's favorite phrases.

"I didn't mean for that –"

Amelia nodded. "I know you didn't, darling. But," she continued, moving another inch closer, "I can think of no other solution than the one you've offered to retain my sanity. After all, what better way to ensure that you keep those foolhardy adventures to a minimum than by having you under my constant scrutiny?"

"There is that," he agreed, with a thoughtful nod. "And with me nearby, you'll never have to worry about celestial imbalances."

"Celestial imbalances? Honestly, Delbert, wherever do you come up with these things?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"I had to have something to offer in return," he protested, but was silenced by her slender finger placed across his lips.

"Hush, Doctor. I can't stomach anymore of your mindless prattle." And with that, she leaned in to him, curling up against his chest as his hands automatically gathered her closer to him.

"Fair enough," he laughed.

They were silent for a few moments, each comfortable in the other's presence, absorbing all that had just happened. Amelia could feel herself falling to sleep, content in the safety and warmth of Delbert's arms securely fastened around her. It was still unfathomable how he could do that to her – that an astrophysicist could allay her concerns and worries and enable her to feel alive again. She was drifting in to slumber when she felt him shift a little. His soft question reached her ears as he brought his head down to hers.

"Amelia?"

"Mmm?"

"My earlier statement …"

"What about it, Delbert?"

He hesitated a moment to gather his courage before continuing. "That was a yes?"

There was a thoughtful pause and then her soft response. "Yes, I believe it was."

Delbert sat still, letting her answer wash over him. Yes. He didn't dare believe it. Amelia, captain extraordinaire, pride of the Royal Navy had said … yes.

A bit concerned by his unusual silence, Amelia looked up, concern flitting across her features. "Delbert, is something the matter?" When he merely shook his head no, she straightened and looked him squarely in the eye. "Are you certain?"

"I'm fine, Amelia."

"Fine?" She looked affronted. "I just accepted your offer of marriage, and you're merely fine?"

Delbert laughed and fitted his hand softly behind her neck, drawing her closer. "Fine," he repeated. His lips closed gently over hers and he kissed her with a passion, communicating his love for her through the simple gesture.

When they finally broke apart, Delbert released her and watched as she nestled back against his warm body.

Her voice, when she was able to finally find it again, was subdued. "I see what you mean, darling. Indeed – fine."

He chuckled and drew her close to him. "More than fine, in fact. I am happier that I have been in my entire life. I love you very much."

"How much," she gently teased."

"How much do I love you?" Delbert repeated as he cast his eyes up in thought. He pondered the question for a moment, giving it serious consideration before settling on a response that accurately answered her question. "To be succinct my dear," he winked at her, "I can sum up my love for you in two words."

"Two words? I'm impressed."

"Mmm."

She looked at him expectantly. "And those two words would be?"

"Beyond measure, darling. Beyond measure."

The End

A/N

And so ends another story. I hope everyone has enjoyed it. I have ideas rolling about my mind, but this month will see me on a 16-day vacation, and then I have to buckle down for a while as I apply to graduate school. Please review! I love reviews! And no worries - if you want it, there will be more stories. For now, go read WeasleyKid and Courtesy! Their stories rock!