Sea Change by Darlene Marshall Page A

bandage securely. "There, you're done."
    He rose and walked to the door, then stepped outside and returned carrying a covered basket. "Here, this is for you."
    She took the basket from him and the weight shifted, causing her nearly to drop it. But she got the lid open and a bewhiskered head poked out, looking at her gravely.
    "I brought you a kitty. But he only speaks Spanish," Fletcher said straight-faced.
    The cat pushed himself out of his confinement and jumped to the deck.
    "I hope 'Rat!' is a universal call to action for felines, Captain," Charley said, studying her share of loot from the Spanish prize. The cat was a gray tom who looked like he'd seen his share of action at sea. One ear was nearly chewed off and she suspected there might be a need to dust him for fleas--did she have any pennyroyal in her chest? But he seemed to take his new surroundings in stride as he strolled through sick bay, checking into the crevices and crannies, then sat on the deck to lick one paw.
    "I don't suppose you bothered to find out if the cat has a name?"
    "I would not be at all surprised if they referred to him as 'cat' or more likely, ' gato. ' But if you feel it is necessary, by all means give him a name, Doctor."
    "Hmmm...Hippocrates is too much of a mouthful, and doesn't seem to suit his demeanor. I believe I shall call him...Pirate. Since he was stolen at sea," she finished with a bland smile.
    "A most appropriate choice," Fletcher said, rolling his sleeve down over his wounded arm. He frowned again. "You are moving stiffly, Dr. Alcott."
    "It is a long afternoon in sick bay, Captain. I am not used to working under such tense conditions. Remember, I am not a trained sea surgeon."
    "You are at least as good as most of the ones I've known. Drunks and derelicts, the lot of them!"
    "I am glad that I am in such illustrious company," Charley said.
    "That is my point, Dr. Alcott. You are not like most of the men who go to sea to practice medicine."
    "No, I dare say I am not," Charley said dryly.
    "You are younger than most, but I hope you never lose your enthusiasm and commitment to your patients," Captain Fletcher said, looking at her with sincerity shining out of those eyes like warm topazes.
    Charley's breath caught, and she had to clear her throat before speaking.
    "Thank you, Captain Fletcher. Your regard means more to me than I can say."
    "I am a plain-speaking man, Doctor, but I mean what I say. Would you like me to massage your neck for you, to ease some of that stiffness? A Chinaman gunner showed me some tricks that would relax your muscles in a trice."
    "No! I mean, thank you for your offer, Captain, but I must set the sick bay to rights."
    "Will we see you at supper?"
    "Please ask Mr. Lewis to bring me a tray, Captain. I have to write up my observations of today's events while they are still fresh in my mind. While I hope this will be the last action at sea for me, I cannot count on that."
    Fletcher only nodded at this. "Is there anything I need to know about the wounded?"
    "No, none of the cases are serious, assuming they don't do further injury to themselves. I do want to check on Henry though. Please send him to me."
    "Then I will see you later, Dr. Alcott. Thank you for patching me up."
    He opened the cabin door and Pirate scooted out to earn his keep patrolling the hold. Captain Fletcher turned in the doorway as she spoke.
    "No need to thank me, Captain, it is my job."
    "Nonetheless, you are skilled at your job, and I appreciate that."
    He left and she watched the empty space where he'd been standing moments before, filling her cabin with his vitality and joie de vivre. Then she sighed and began to put her sick bay to rights.

 
Chapter 7
     
    "...and the fighting was fierce, and Dav--Captain Fletcher was in the midst of it, his cutlass in hand, looking for all the world like he was enjoying a day in the park. I wish you could have seen it, Doctor!"
    "I have no doubt the captain fought bravely, Mr. Fletcher, but if you