I do not own the copyrights to Bonanza

Authoress' note: This is an AU story NOT cannon only in the sense Captain Stoddard remarried before Elizabeth passed away. However; she is not actually in this story -only mentioned.

Scene 3

Captain's Meeting

Once again Charlotte sat near the fireplace talking to Ben and Adam. Their talk still focused on her past while Hoss and Little Joe, much against Joe's desire, were outside wrapping up evening chores. It wasn't an action that bothered Elizabeth's stepmother for she was far more comfortable with only Ben and Adam's ears listening to what she had to say.

"I might not have consented to go only I heard an all too familiar voice, and it wasn't soft." She – involuntarily shuddered.

"Let's get out of here." Charlotte didn't argue when Jack ended up carrying her as he raced down the beach and out of sight of the old lighthouse keeper.

"I didn't fight him carrying me." Charlotte shook her head. "My leg was hurting and making a slow departure wasn't an option."

"His fist would have found you again?" Adam's inquiry really wasn't a question and they both knew it.

"Most likely."

"Relax, Charlotte." Jack spoke softly as set her down and knocked on Captain's Stoddard door. "He won't mind."

"Elizabeth will. She's picky on late night visits. Besides, we don't exactly see eye to eye."

"That's only because you two are more alike than she wants to admit." Jack chuckled and then grew serious. "She's not going to complain with me here."

"Elizabeth minded I could tell; however, with Jack with me he was correct; your wife kept quiet."

"I'm sorry…" Ben was now confused. "Surely, Elizabeth would have said something about your bruises...they had to have been visible."

"No…" Charlotte shook her head. "I wore a long dress with fairly lengthy sleeves. My neckline might have shown her the bruises only remember I'd been wearing a heavy shawl I'd grabbed near the door as I raced out, habit more than anything. They covered up any damage by Mr. Painter.

"Elizabeth, please tell your father we are here." Jack spoke politely, but with no room for discussion.

"Okay, but you could have waited until morning." Elizabeth, sweet a lady as she was, did not hide her annoyance at such a late night call.

"Morgan had to have only been told Jack was at the door for when he came in he was wearing a long night shirt and slippers. When he saw me, well…" Charlotte couldn't help but giggle. "Let's say the captain excused himself without hesitation and went ahead and put something on more...suitable?... for... gentler company?"

"Wonder why Elizabeth didn't say anything. That doesn't seem like her." Ben found it hard to believe his late wife kept quiet on who was at the door.

"No, no it wasn't." Charlotte focused on telling what had occurred knowing Elizabeth's mood would quickly be known.

"Captain, I don't know what you wanted to speak to Miss Charlotte about, but…." Jack took off part of the lady's shawl covering her neck and collar bone before the young lady could protest. "She can't go back."

Captain Stoddard was surprised but, not entirely shocked, at what he saw; therefore he quickly recovered. "Please, sit down, Miss Charlotte.' He pointed to a nearby chair. "Please, don't leave Jack, Elizabeth's in a foul mood tonight – carrying a baby and probably missing Ben isn't helping any." Morgan then turned his attention to the lady he'd expected to see the next morning.

"I was going to talk to you in the morning, but now…" He looked closer at her arms, and her neckline. "… I think I need to know upfront if the rumors among men I walked today are true."

"I squirmed that night." Charlotte shook her head. "I didn't want to admit it to anyone at that point, but he'd already seen some of the bruising. I couldn't find my voice but managed to nod my head.

"Jack, could you stand at the bottom of the stairs? In case my daughter gets it into her head to come down. Give me a warning if that is the case, she doesn't need to overhear our talk."

"Aye, Captain." Jack left the living room and stood guard.

"As you know." Ben's father-in-law spoke low. "People are trying to force me into leaving the sea even though I am still very capable of handling a ship."

"So, I heard." Charlotte hated the idea only because she knew how much Captain Stoddard loved being on the open sea. "But why talk to me about that? I have no power to keep you on any boat."

"Aye, but you do and…" The captain leaned back. "I was going to talk to you about a particular route one I figured would respect you and still keep me at sea- without coming across as a selfish old man, now; however, I think it best if that route is changed."

"What route had my father-in-law been thinking the first time?" Ben didn't have to be told any discussion of marriage had not been on the table before that night.

"Doe it really matter?" Charlotte asked raising her shoulders ever so slightly before dropping them.

"No, I guess not. Go on."

"I will, but…." Charlotte heard voices outside heading their way. "I think it best we wait until morning."