Leah yawned hugely as she stared about her surroundings. She leaned back in her wooden chair, making it balance on two legs. Captain Aubrey had let her use his cabin to eat privately. Her meal consisted of a glass of wine, bread, and bits of dried fruit. It wasn't much but hey, she wasn't complaining. After practically wolfing down her meal, she relaxed and considered her situation.

I'm suck on a ship from the 1800's captained by fictional characters that resemble Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany and it's taking all my willpower not to jump their bones...She thought hard. Is there a downside to this little scenario?

She took the quill Jack used to write with and began balancing it on her nose. The wine had given her a small buzz, and she felt her spirits rising. Maybe it won't be so bad in this place after all. A thought struck her. If I'm on the Surprise, and Robin isn't, then maybe she's in her own personal fantasy...She clung to that thought, hoping that Robin hadn't died while she herself had cheated death. Outside, she could hear the Bosun, Mr. Hollar, shouting orders and slight obscenities. She snickered.

A knock at the door sounded, and it surprised Leah so that she lost her balance on the chair and it tipped her backwards. With a loud thud, she hit the floor. A second later the door swung open and Jack's servant Killick, entered, his eyes sweeping the room for Jack. Behind him were Nagel, holding the model of the Acheron, and Warley. From the floor Leah managed a weak, " ..Medic?..."

Killick gave her one of his famous "looks". Nagel peeked his head in. " S'cuse me Miss, but have you seen the Captain?" He looked bewildered at the fact that Jack was keeping the woman in his quarters. In his mind he figured she was there to please the Captain on lonely nights. It was not unheard of; officers at sea bringing along their wives or mistresses for...company. Yet she had just been discovered not the day before. Leah gave a small shrug and winced, getting up and setting the chair back on all fours.

"No idea. He can't be far though. You're on a ship, you're more than likely to bump into him at any given moment." She nursed her broken wrist, holding it closely to her chest as it throbbed in pain beneath the bandages.

"Um, okay. Nice er, meeting you," Nagel said uncomfortabely while exiting with Warley. Off to lift the Captain's spirits with the model. Killick looked her over a few times before shaking his head and walking off muttering under his breath and closing the door behind him. Sourly, Leah watched them go and rubbed her back. That's gonna leave a mark...

Another knock came at the door, and before Leah could answer it, it opened revealing Dr. Maturin.

"Jack isn't here right now," Leah informed him, then picked up her glass of wine and finished off what was left at the bottom. Stephen stepped inside and took off his hat.

"I know. I was hoping I could talk to you..?"

Setting the glass back down, Leah made space on the desk and hopped on it, pushing the chair over towards Stephen with her foot. "Sure, have a seat." He thanked her and sat down, and a silence fell over them. Finally Leah broke it. "The way I understand it, when someone says they want to talk to you...they talk." She raised an eyebrow at him and he gave a small smile.

"Just wondering where to begin," he explained. Running his hand through his red hair, he slid back in the chair making himself more comfortable. "Where was it you said you were from?"

"I didn't. But I'm from America."

"I guessed as much," Stephen now leaned forward in the chair. "But where specifically?" Leah's mind raced. She didn't know exactly what areas were part of the US during that time period.

"Boston," she blurted out. Stephen seemed satisfied and her shoulders relaxed for a brief moment in relief.

"And your what, in your twenties?"

"I'm eighteen."

"Ah. May I inquire as to how an eighteen year old from Boston happened to be found in the ocean, not to mention by an entirely different continent?"

Leah shrugged. "Beats me." Stephen's eyebrows shot up.

"Excuse me?"

"It means I don't know. One minute I'm hanging out with my friend Robin, the next minute I wake up here. I don't even remember being in the ocean. So.." She shrugged again. Stephen pondered. Leah wished she could tell them, all of them, the truth. But how would they take in the fact that she was from the year 2005? They'd think she was loony. You'd think my clothes would give it away though...she thought. Indeed she had seen the Captain, Stephen, and several others looking her up and down because of what she was wearing.

"Mhmm.." She could tell this was not what Stephen wanted to hear. "It just doesn't make sense.."

Leah snorted. "Yea, your telling me." Unconsciously, she began playing with the bandages on her wrist. Stephen leaned forward again.

"Here, let me see that." His hands were pushed away.

"It's fine." Stephen gave her a look that said," I think I'll decide if it's fine or not." Reluctantly, she let him examine her, but not before he pulled his glasses from his pocket and perched them on the end of his nose.

"The swelling seems to be going down." He had unwrapped the bandages and was poking gingerly around her wrist. "Does it pain you much?"

"A little," Leah admitted. Stephen wrapped it again tenderly, not wanting to hurt her.

"Would you like something for the pain?" Off went the glasses again, neatly tucked in his shirt pocket.

"Nah. I'm good. Thanks for the offer though, Doc."

"Call me Stephen, please. And if you need anything while your among us, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Okay!" Leah brightened up. "When's dinner?"

Stephen laughed. "You just ate."

"So?"

Shaking his head and smiling, Stephen rose from the chair and stretched slightly. Leah hopped off of Jack's desk,. Together they walked out of the Captain's cabin.

AN: So? How was chapter four? Review and tell me. I'm trying to make Leah more comfortable around the people on the Surprise, I just didn't want her to be all, "oh no I lost my friend" one minute then being perfectly fine the next. I really hope I didn't do that here...(bites nails nervously) I got the name from the two names I want to name my kids should I ever decide to breed lol. Leah for a girl, Connor for a boy! Not that any of you really wanted to know, but just a little FYI Anywhoosers! Hope you all enjoyed it! I'll work on ch. 5 in the meantime!