Chapter seven! Yay! I'm so happy right now. Come one people review, you know you want to. Remember, the first one who does gets their name written in somewhere.

Warning, mild sexual content in this chapter. Basically all that happens is that Remy finds out that they are roommates, and well, stuff.

It was late that night and it was suggested that Mariette went to bed, or well, hammock. Hornblower realized that he would have to explain why he Mariette were sharing a room. It would be easier now that there were a bunch of other people on the ship to take up space but, still, this was her brother. He picked Mariette up and began to walk to his quarters.

"Where are you going with my sister?"Remy asked.

Horatio winced. Busted.

"I'm taking her to quarters."

"With who?"

"With myself."

"You and my sister are roommates?" he said furiously.

"Yes." he said quickly, not wanting to be at his wrath later. "It is for her own protection. You know how men can be. It was better to trust her to me, then put her in the focastle. At least that's what the captain thought."

Now Remy's brotherly anger was directed at the captain.

Pellew gave Horatio a look that clearly said 'your dead.'

Horatio shot one back that said 'it was your idea.'

The captain said brusquely "it was for the best. She needs care, and Mr. Hornblower can provide it. Besides, Mr. Hornblower has a minute amount of confidence, which means, that he probably won't do anything to her. Besides from what I understand, he sleeps in a chair. Is that correct."

Hornblower swallowed and nodded. "Yes sir." Bloody hell his arms were getting tired. She was light, but, anything held for a long amount of time makes you tired.

"You may take her to quarters now Mr. Hornblower."

"One moment Mr. Hornblower. I would like to speak to my sister." so he set her down and they conversed. Horatio could understand French, but they were whispering too much. When they were through, and Horatio and Mariette were back in quarters, he asked her

"What did he want, if you don't mind my asking miss."

"What is with this 'miss' suddenly? He wanted me to tell him if you ever, you know, touched me."

"Oh, mnn." he said in a very uncomfortable manner. He stood straighter and clasped his hands behind his back.

"And what did you tell him?"

"No. Obviously. You 'aven't. So why would I lie?" she asked accusingly

"I'm just nervous Mariette. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that." he said sighing. He rubbed the bridge of his nose in concentration.

"It is alright mon amour."

He smiled at her. She was laying in the hammock, his hammock he had to remind himself, looking so welcoming, and tempting. He thought to himself 'well, a kiss couldn't hurt anything.'

He walked over to her, looked her right in the eye, and kissed her. It was gentle at first. He was leaning over the hammock so he didn't squish her. He was a few inches taller than her and probably twenty pounds heavier. Then he deepened the kiss, letting his lips gently nip at hers. He felt that fullness again, this time her brother wasn't around to squash the feeling. He pulled away for a second and climbed unsteadily into the hammock. He laid down next to her and pulled her to him. They began to kiss again, but this time it was different, when they had kissed on shore, it had been quickly and in a very rushed manner. This was slower, with more deep-seated passion. His hands began to move around her, not just at her waist where they had been, but up. He kissed her for a time more, then he began to caress her. She laid there for a moment, but then began to frantically try to get away. He stopped and began to caress her forehead in a soothing manner.

"Mariette, Mariette." he called softly. "My love, what is the matter?"

"I'm sorry, you scared me."

"I did not mean to, my dear. I am quite sorry."

"It is alright. But, please, stay?"

He nodded. She lay in the crock of his arms for a time before he asked

"Mariette, what did I do to scare you. I will try to never do it again."

"No. You did what any man would. It is healthy and natural." she wasn't even looking at him now, he thought in despair.

"You see, when I was still quite a child, the Marquis forced me to work for him." she took a shuddering breath then went on "when I was thirteen, I began my menses. He seemed to know this. For a month later, he took me. That is the only way to describe it. I did not want to, but he forced me. I am not pure, my Horatio. I cannot be loved." she finished with a sniffle.

It took him a moment to process this information. It explained why her brother was so protective. He looked down on her sobbing form. Did it really matter that she had been touched before? Especially if it was unwillingly?

He cleared his throat. She looked up at him with a look that was akin to someone who expected a beating. It made his heart wrench. He looked down at her and began to stroke her hiar, and murmur sweet phrases in her ear. It was obvious she was comforted, but she didn't let it last.

"I don't want to take anymore of your time Mr. Hornblower, so-"

But she didn't get to finish. He grabbed her around the waist as she attempted to leave the hammock. He pulled her back to him, and began to caress her hair again. He put his nose to her hair and inhaled deeply. He then put his head on top of hers and sighed.

"Mariette, there is one thing I must ask you." he said in a calm quiet voice.

"Anything my love."

"Have you ever carried another man's child? That would be the one thing I could not stand. It would mean that another man had a claim to you, but you are mine and mine alone."

Mariette couldn't believe her luck. Horatio as accepting the fact that she had been touched.

"No, Horatio, I have not."

"Then all is right in the world my love. I only wish that we had been able to remain while they were cutting his head off. I would have castrated him."

She giggled slightly. He smiled down at her and with his face in her mind she drifted off to sleep.

Wow, that was long. But worth it. Remember, if you review first you get noted in the story. But, if you review, I will also post it afterwards.