Taking Chances
by Layne
Ben and Rebekah
As they approached the foot of the dock, Ben Wade looked at the activity on board the Surprise. He recognized Captain Jack Aubrey, the Australian Terry Thorne, Bud White the cop, and a man he wasn't too fond of seeing on that ship--General Maximus Decimus Meridius.
It was the sight of the General that made him stop. Rebekah stopped beside him, looking at him curiously. "Is something wrong, Ben?"
Since Rebekah had started coming to this place, the General had been kind to her, looked after her, worried over her. Even though he wouldn't admit it--even to himself--Ben was jealous of that. This woman had a connection to Ben. Had come here to be with him, and yet there was the General always seeming to be trying to come between them.
For a moment, Ben faltered in his resolve. Was this really the right thing to do? Joining this little cruise of theirs?
When Richie Roberts had come to his cabin this morning to tell him about the trip that was being planned, it had seemed perfect to Ben. He felt that what was referred to as the magic in this place was manipulating he and Rebekah. That they couldn't be sure what was real between them and what wasn't. To join this trip seemed like the logical thing to do.
At this point, he and Rebekah had spent only part of a day and one night together in his cabin. A night way different from any other he'd ever spent with a woman. She had lain on one side of his bed, fully clothed, with a blanket over her. He'd lain on the other side, also fully clothed.
It had never been like that before in his entire adult life. There was no doubt in his mind, though, that this was how Rebekah needed it to be for awhile. That, despite her feeling of comfort and belonging around him, she wasn't ready for any intimacy between them. Not after the attack and rape she'd gone through several years before at the hands of a foster father.
That was another reason Ben wanted to go on this trip, and wanted to go badly. From the moment he'd known of that attack, he'd had the idea--the feeling--that it was up to him to get Rebekah some justice, since the law had done nothing about it. Here, he'd probably never get that chance, but at the end of the trip, he just might. And, for all the men he'd killed, he'd never felt as good a reason as this for killing.
"Ben," Rebekah said softly, at his elbow. "You don't have to worry about Maximus. I've told you that I came to be with you, not him. I've told him that too. He's just the protective sort."
It was as though she'd read his mind. She seemed to do that at times. Smiling at her, he relaxed a little.
"This is a big step, darlin'. You sure about this?"
"You asked me that about going to the cabin with you." She smiled at him, that golden-brown hair of hers shining in the sun, and those green eyes sparkling, in spite of her fears. "My answer now is yes, the same as it was then."
Had that really been only yesterday, Ben thought to himself. It was amazing how fast things seemed to be moving between he and Rebekah.
Returning her smile, he shifted the backpack with her things in it on his shoulders. The bag with his own things he moved from his right hand to his left. She was carrying, under one arm, the blue and white patchwork quilt from the bed in the cabin that she had insisted on rolling up and bringing with them.
Sensing her fear, and knowing that she felt it around others, Ben reached out and took her hand. They walked slowly down the length of the dock toward the ship. Stopping at the bottom of the gangplank, Ben looked up to see Maximus and Jack Aubrey watching them.
"If I'm rememberin' right, Cap'n-" he said to the general with a touch of his usual sarcastic charm, "-the right expression is 'Permission to come aboard'."
"Sir," Jack said in a less than friendly tone. "You would do well to address the commander of the vessel, not one of the passengers. You know fine well that I am the Captain of The Surprise, and it is I who grant or refuse permission to board her."
All eyes were on Jack, awaiting his decision.
"Madam," Jack turned to face Rebekah, "You are more than welcome to join our little cruise. You, sir, are a different matter entirely." He said, facing Ben once more. "I will allow you on board...but there will be conditions. I command this frigate, and you sir, will obey my commands, no matter what they may be. If you cannot comply, you will be put ashore, no matter where we happen to be. Is that understood, sir?"
"I'm sorry, Captain, but I don't feel very welcome if you aren't going to welcome Ben as well!" Rebekah's sharp retort came as something of a surprise to those on the ship. All except Maximus, who had seen changes in her since her first visit, particularly in the way that, despite her tension and unease around others, she had begun to defend Ben Wade, to take the outlaw's side. It disturbed the General greatly.
Wade, on the other hand, acted anything but disturbed. With a grin, he replied, "My apologies, Cap'n. I'm used to the General here handin' out the commands on land."
"Far as conditions go-" he continued, dropping his usual sarcastic tone, knowing it would do him no favors in this particular instance, "-I can deal with those. Long as they don' involve throwin' me overboard or makin' me walk the plank."
"I am no pirate, sir. We have no plank onboard. All I expect from the male passengers on this voyage is civility to the ladies and to lend a hand in the day to day running of the ship...call it a working holiday if you like. Miss Rebekah, I beg your pardon if my words have offended you. A ship is a dangerous place unless all hands pull together...even on a pleasure cruise. Please, come aboard and stow your gear. We sail on the tide."
Jack Aubrey's words brought back Ben's grin. "Bein' civil to ladies is my specialty, Cap'n. An' I got no objection to helpin' out. It ain't that I'm a lazy man. My usual work is just a little different from everyone else's."
Ben stood back, allowing Rebekah to precede him on board. It was Maximus who took her hand to help her. Ben took note of it. "General," he nodded in his usual insolent manner to Maximus, who ignored his tone.
"Wade," Maximus returned his nod, his eyes distant.
Ben noticed Beej and Bridgid, both of whom had stood quietly throughout the whole exchange. Tipping his hat to them, he said, "Ladies."
Feeling Rebekah take his hand and squeeze it, Ben turned back to take a last look around before stowing their bags.