Disclaimer: I don't own nothing, all rightfully belongs to Patrick O'Brian's estate. I'm only doing this for fun and to improve my English.

Author's ramblings: Introducing a new character is hard, harder than I thought. I want people to know my new character and like her as much as I do, and to do so I need to introduce her, to write more about her in the beginning. Yet I do not want her to become the center of attention, because she isn't the main character. But I have no choice but to do so in this chapter, as the reader needs to know what happen in order for the plot to move on. I have tried hard to tell her tale in a way which wouldn't seem so "look-at-my-Mary-Sue-she-so-hot-and-the-only-important-thing-in-this story-and-the-other-characters-are-there-just-for-the-show", but I couldn't. Guh. I wish I could fast-forward later in the story where Aileen is more in the background, and have interesting interactions with the other characters, because that's what I want to write about. But it will have to wait...so stay tuned ;-) !

In which we learn more about the misfortunes of the heroine before her rescue

When Aileen awoke for the second time, she found Doctor Maturin once more sitting next to her. But this time, he noticed immediately that she had regained consciousness.

"So, said he, "you have finally chosen to come back amongst the livings for good or…?

- Yes, this time I think so, I feel better. I've been unconscious for how long?

- Overall, nearly five days.

- For so long…Did you have, by any chance, any news of the Crusader?

- No, apart from you, we did not see anyone. But trust me, you are not the only one to worry about the Crusader's fate. Captain Aubrey read the log you had with you, and as soon as he understood what had befallen the ship, he ordered that we search for them, but, alas! We found no sign of the Crusader or of its crew. And I believe the Captain will wish to meet you when you shall have recovered a little bit.

- Very well, I will report to him immediately. I know the Navy enough to be sure Captain Aubrey won't want to lose a minute about this…

- You shouldn't leave your cot so soon, Miss…

The young woman smiled and scratched her head ruefully:

- Oh yeah, it's true, I was so busy threatening you with a knife that I did not introduce myself. My name is Aileen O'Reilly. And I am truly sorry for what I have done to you. Usually, I'm a nicer person than that….at least, most of the time!

- I forgive you. I can understand the state of confusion you were in when you awoke. And it was a scalpel; mind you, not a mere knife, that I use for my dissections. I am also a naturalist.

- Thank you. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go and meet Captain Aubrey, since he wish to speak to me….

- But I do not excuse you at all: I refuse to let you leave your cot, you have not recovered enough, it is most contraindicated!

- Please sir, my story will surely help Captain Aubrey decide of a course of action! Captain Wallace and I had our disagreements, but I honestly believe something must be tried to rescue him or, at least, avenge him and his men. One of his attackers might still be around, probably heavily damaged, and perhaps…

- Very well, since you must. However, I shall be coming with you, and should the interview proves too much for you, back to bed you go!" said Maturin.

Supported by the Doctor, Aileen made her way toward the great cabin, where Maturin informed the sentry that the young woman was ready to see the captain, if he so wished. A little behind him, Aileen was the centre of attention, since everyone could now take a good look at the mysterious stranger. She was well aware of that, and she felt rather awkward, wondering how she should behave, wishing people would stop ogling. Aileen decided to concentrate on the ship, and noticed it was, as far as she could tell, very well kept, very clean. She also noticed all the officers were clean-shaved, except for Dr Maturin, and wore what seemed to be their finest uniforms. That was also the case aboard the Crusader, and she wondered why, knowing already that water was always rationed. "All the officers are probably wealthy, or else it's some naval tradition…" But already the Marine had come back, saying the captain was waiting for her.

"Ah, Miss", cried Jack Aubrey, "Please, do come in and take a seat. Thank you for bringing her to me, dear Doctor. You may leave us now.

- It is out of question", answered Maturin, ignoring Jack's astounded look, seldom used to having his authority so blatantly disregarded. " I shall stay, I shall stay. I must ensure you shan't exhaust my patient. And should you do so, I will immediately take her back in the sick berth.

- Very well then", said Jack, seeing he could not win this battle. "May I have the pleasure to know your name, Miss?

- Of course. I'm Aileen O'Reilly. I am much obliged to you and I sincerely apologize for the way I behaved toward your surgeon." Jack assured her it was nothing, commended her boldness, but hoped she wouldn't do such thing again, ah ah.

" I assume you wish to know why I was left alone in the middle of the sea… And I suppose Captain Wallace did not have time to write much of what happened that day before entrusting his papers to me." Jack only nodded, and Aileen began to tell her tale.

" I only had been a passenger aboard the Crusader for a few days when a sail was sighted on the horizon. It was a lateen one, and the officers on deck soon stated her to be the Cacafuego, a curious hybrid of a xebec and a frigate, or so it was explained to me. I think it had something to do with her sails. I was also told she carried 32 cannons, more than us, and that they were also more powerful.

- Yes, I know her well, and had the chance to study her from a very close range. We had a chance meeting with her, and we owned our safety only to the fact she confounded us with a Dane merchant. But do go on, please.

- The Cacafuego being much stronger, Captain Wallace had no intention of engaging her, knowing well it was unlikely he would win, and so he gave orders to run like smoke and oakum. The Spaniard was fast, but so was the Crusader, and everybody thought we could outpace it, although we might have to abandon the Athena and I believe….

- The Athena, you say?

- Yes, I am sorry, I forgot to mention it. It was a Greek merchant captured by the Crusader some time before the chase. It was a small vessel, carrying very few cannons. She was loaded with olive oil and cashmere, and surrendered without offering much resistance." Jack nodded and urged her to go on.

" I believe perhaps Captain Wallace hoped that another British ship would come to our aid, us being near Minorca. And so the chase began and lasted for many hours. But it soon became obvious that the Crusader would not make it, even if all the canons were tossed overboard. In spite of this, Wallace refused to believe all was lost; he had much faith in his ship and his crew. Finally, he decided not to abandon the Athena, but to use it during the fight. Because fight he would, he said, there was no question of surrender without firing a single cannon. They could win this!"

Aileen paused. She remembered not sharing the captain's enthusiasm. The young woman did not feel so confident, knowing not the Crusader's capacities, and remaining in the dark as to the precariousness of their situation. Until then, she had never been involved in a naval engagement, and it suddenly hadn't seemed so exciting anymore.

"However, whilst everyone's attention was directed toward the Cacafuego, the look-out's voice was suddenly heard: "On deck here! A sail two points to starboard!" Every man on deck turned to look in this direction, and we all saw, to our utmost dismay, racing towards us the Pegase, a French frigate of 38 cannons, most of them ten-pounders (this the midshipman beside me told me). The two ships were converging on our poor Crusader and the Athena, with the intent, clear even to me, to take us. And that was what was disturbing: it seemed both enemies were working as a team, and bearing on us fast. And further observation confirmed it was no mere suspicion from our part."

Upon hearing this, Jack frowned:

" This is rather unusual. The French and the Spaniards, although they are allies, bear no love for each other. They fight side by side during fleet actions, but otherwise they avoid each other. And I certainly don't recall any action where a French frigate and a Spanish privateer worked together!

"Captain Wallace, faced with this dire situation, went deep in conversation with his first lieutenant for many minutes. I did not hear what he said. Then, he left the quarterdeck and went briskly to his cabin. He met me on his way, and ordered me to follow him, without telling me more. Once in his cabin, he told me what he had in mind. Believe me, I hadn't foreseen this!"

" Mlle O'Reilly, I shan't hide the truth from you: our situation is pretty desperate. My ship is fast, and my men aren't no cowards, yet I cannot hope to defeat both of our pursuers. With God's blessings, and a little luck, I could outrun one, or fight it successfully, but if both ships indeed attack us together, well, I'm afraid we are laid by the lee, doomed. Despite the odds, I shan't surrender without a fight, and I intend to thump' em as hard as I may before I strike my colours, by Jove!

- I understand, sir. I commend your courage. You can depend on me, I know how to fight, and I won't let you down!

- Don't be ridiculous, woman! 'Tis not your place!

- No, you do not understand, I really can fight! Else why would I travel alone all by myself if I could not defend myself?" Aileen answered, irritated. Her injured pride made her forget her previous fears, and now she was angry. She knew well that the captain's reaction was normal, and usually she did not mind. But she was nervous, and spoke without thinking.

" Miss, please, time is running out and I have none to spare for such childishness! That is precisely because I suspect you can survive alone that I refuse to keep you aboard with us!

- And where do you want me to go? We're in the middle of the sea!" said Aileen, now really peeved. She knew she was being childish again, but frankly didn't care. She did not understand the man: first he complimented her about how she could manage by herself, acknowledging that she could defend the ship, and then wished to get rid of her. In her skittish mind, it was a nonsense.

Wallace sighed once more: he who loved spirited woman was starting to change his mind.

" I want you to take these documents with you, documents which are, I believe, of the utmost importance. Normally, when a ship is about to be taken, her captain throws them overboard, but I cannot, I do not want to do so with those. Furthermore, my instincts are telling me, and mind you they seldom have been wrong before, that our pursuers are here solely for those papers. They would not expend so much efforts to catch us otherwise, we are small, we are not worth the trouble. And it would be foolish of me to pride myself they are after me only for the Crusader's reputation. In any case, I will not let you fall into the hands of those brutes. The Pegase's officers will treat you with respect, but it will not be so aboard the Cacafuego…"

Wallace looked up from the letter he was writing to see a very humbled Aileen, who suddenly felt very small, all bravado gone. He quickly continued: "But I will not let this happen, do not be afraid. You will be far gone when they'll reach us, carrying the mission I just gave you. Soon we will part from all of our small boats, like every captain do when he wish to pick up more speed. Our enemies won't slow down their chase for that, and certainly won't spare a second glance to them. You will hide in one of them, with food and water aplenty. It shouldn't be long before one of our own find and rescue you, we are not far from Mahon, and our fleet frequently patrols the area, especially at this time of the year. Furthermore, we will give you a compass just to be sure….you do remember your lessons, don't you?

Aileen could only nod. Thousand of objections swirled in her head…Thousands of way it could go horribly wrong. Suddenly, reality seemed a lot less romantic than all those movies where pirates were, deep down inside, really nice guys just there to save the day. Her now panicked mind finally managed to pick one of the numerous reasons why this was madness:

"Er, what if I am rescued by a ship which is not British, and not on our side…

- If this happens, then you shall have no choice but to destroy the papers…

- And I…?

- This close to Mahon, it cannot be anything else but French or Spanish ships, no pirates dare to come this close anymore…"

Aileen wasn't feeling reassured, but she also understood that she had no choices, and that no path was without danger.

"I see. I shall do my best." She felt strangely calm. "I have no option left I suppose.

- Thank you very much….The best of luck to you!"

" The remaining time spent aboard the Crusader whizzed by, and it's rather vague now, I have trouble recalling it. The whole crew bustled around me, preparing the ship for what was to come, but I did not really saw them. I only remember Mr Foster's voice, explaining to me the basics of navigation, so I could steer my boat by myself. Soon, the jollyboat was lowered alongside the Crusader, with me aboard, well hidden under some kind of tarpaulin. The boat was finally cast off, and thus my journey began.

A few moments later, the Cacafuego passed me by, but as Captain Wallace had foreseen, the crew, which I heard clearly from my hiding place, did not waste time to observe carefully the small boat, and so I escaped unnoticed.

I stayed hidden for a while, but when I heard the roar of the cannons as the battle began, I could hide no more and had to watch. The four ships were in any case too far and above all too busy to notice me. With young Foster's glass, which he had kindly given me, I was able to witness the Crusader's desperate last stand. Despite its small size, the sloop mauled cruelly his enemies, almost each shot flying home, and the Athena did her best with the few cannons she possessed. But, inexorably, the Pegase and the Cacafuego were getting closer, ready to board the sloop. Then something amazing happened: the Athena, with one surprisingly swift move for such an old tub, rammed the Pegase with all her might. I don't think the French saw this coming! I believe perhaps that's why the Athena remained by our side, although she was much slower. In any case, I salute Mr Boyd, who commanded her: it was a dashing move! And it did give the Crusader a slight advance, although the Pegase's wings weren't cut off yet.

Once more, the Crusader's crew made their captain proud, and fought like lions, giving everything they got. However, the great number of their opponents was finally to be their demise. I witnessed the last moments of their resistance. God did I feel helpless. Soon after that, night fell and I could see no more. I did not see the Crusader's colours being struck. I was not hearing anything anymore, I was drifting away. Two hours passed like that, when a great light broke the darkness."

Jack was standing on the edge of his seat: "So? What did you see? Speak!"

When Aileen spoke again, it was with a low voice, full of sadness:

"It was the Crusader, I am sure of it. A few minutes later, I heard an explosion, and suddenly it was almost as bright as day. Some time later, the flames died and I could not see anything once again. You ought to believe me: I wished to go and aid them so much, I beg you to believe me, it was unbearable! But I could not disobey Captain Wallace: if those papers had fallen into our opponents' hands…all that…for naught…" Aileen dried her eyes, under the sympathetic eye of Stephen, while Jack, his face hard, was pacing in front of them. Aileen, however, hadn't finished her tale yet.

"Anyway, I do not think I would have make it. When the sun rose at last, I immediately tried to set sail towards what I thought was the spot where the battle took place. The sea was empty, and no ship could be seen, but I still could see some debris floating here and there. I said "tried", because I was never able to reach the wreck. I am no sailor, and Mr Foster's theory was well explained but…the strong current did not help me, and the wind was very capricious. And so try as I might, I could not steer the jollyboat in the right direction. I swear: I never had been this pissed off!" At those words, Jack and Stephen's eyebrows rose, but Aileen did not notice. "I saw the few remaining pieces dwindle in the horizon, totally helpless. And my navigation skills did not get any better later on: I found my bearings as well as I could, but even when I was sure of the direction to follow, I was not always able to keep it. Most of the time, I turned around in circles or sailed towards God-knows-where!

But the worst of it was, I think, when I realized one of my small barrels of water had a leak, and it was almost empty. I don't know how this happened…but anyway. Even if I was careful not to drink much, what remained wouldn't last long. And even I know that drinking seawater is not a good idea! But the more time passed, the more it became tempting… And the blazing sun wasn't being any help. Soon I weakened, and had not enough strength to steer the boat. Although, I've said it, I wonder if it would have made any differences was I able to do so. I don't remember when exactly I've lost consciousness….the last days were rather muddled….I think I had hallucinations. And then you have found me, and that's all."

Aileen rubbed her eyes, then looked at the two men, waiting for more questions. Jack indeed opened his mouth to ask for a second report of the battle, in case he could learn more crucial details, but Stephen beat him to it and spoke first: " My dear, I see that you are exhausted, as I feared." Then, looking at Jack: " All further questions you might have will have to wait, she must have some rest!" He gently shook Aileen, who had managed to fall asleep during this short lapse of time, and helped her to walk back to the sickbay. He was also full of questions, but he knew better than Jack how to bid his time.