Ben and Abigail stood near the railing for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. They were startled out of there reverie by the bosun who landed next to them after jumping from the rigging above them, "You done here? Need your help up in the rigging, Williamson."
Ben had done as the captain had asked so he went on to help the bosun, and Abigail once again found herself alone. Charles still had not emerged from the cabin and everybody around her was busy. She was restless, itching for something to do, when she remembered Sam. He might need help doing inventory. Glad that she had thought of something to do, Abigail returned to the kitchen's store room. She smiled when she found him, counting their supply of oranges. "Kitchen's closed," were the only words that Sam uttered, not realizing it was Abigail who had come to stand next to him. She gave a polite cough, causing Sam to turn his head in her direction, and said, "I was wondering if you might need help."
Sam smiled brightly at her, "Oh lass, apologies. But yes, yes please, I could do with another set of 'ands!" Abigail sighed with relief. She had found something to occupy herself with. She immediately went to work, counting supplies, checking for rotten food and marking off numbers, correcting them when needed.
After what felt like hours, Charles was finally done discussing things with his quartermaster. They had made lists of the supplies they needed for fixing the ship and decided on a suitable place for careening the ship. It would take them a week or more to get the ship into shape again. The rot was even more extensive than they had first thought. But now it was time for Abigail's lesson and thus he set off to find her.
She was nowhere to be seen on deck and he could spot Williamson up in the rigging assisting his bosun. He called Williamson down and enquired about Abigail's whereabouts. Williamson suggested the mess hall, thinking that Abigail had maybe decided to help the cook taking inventory.
Charles made his way down to the store room. He found Abigail and Sam working together, their silence only broken by a few words recounting what each had taken inventory of. They had not noticed him so he savoured the opportunity to watch her work. He could tell that Sam was already completely enamoured by her. She had that effect on people. He had noticed it on Flint's ship, the crew oddly protective of her.
But he knew the fierce warrior that lay beneath. He had seen it, twice. First in the fort in Nassau and then in Charleston. The image of her, in the bloody blue dress with the dagger in her hand, was burnt into his head. She was a survivor and he was sure that she would do well here.
He made his way over to them, his footfalls heavy and loud on the wooden floor. Both looked up at him and a smile lit up Abigail's face when she realized it was him. Sam greeted him with a nod and a, "Cap'n." Charles returned the nod and then focused on Abigail. "I see you found something to do," he commented on her work. She smiled up at him and explained that Williamson had been called away by the bosun, how they had encountered Sam doing inventory earlier and that she had thought that some help would surely be appreciated.
"We're almost done 'ere, Cap'n, so if you need the lass…," Sam interjected, addressing Charles. He then turned to Abigail and thanked her for her help, "You have saved me 'ours of work. Thank ye, lass." Charles motioned for Abigail to follow him and started on the way back on deck. Before Abigail followed, she bid farewell to Sam for now, "It was my pleasure. I'd be glad to help again."