The voyage

3–Discoveries and propositions

They had been making good time since they'd set sail for the return voyage home. Now, James was studying the maps and navigation systems to make sure that all was going to plan.

And it was - or at least that was until the third officer and a couple of men who made up his crew, burst into the room and just looked at him.

"What?" He now asked, looking up from being hunched over the maps. He'd not really slept and instead had busied himself up in the wheelhouse . Edward had already tried to convince him to get some sleep, but James would not be swayed. He was stubborn when it came to being told what to do by others. Besides, he could rest up in his room later.

"We've found an extra passenger..." Clint Boston now declared, stepping to one side where a young woman was stood, her head bowed and shaking.

James blinked and pushed himself from the table, now coming to take a look at her. From under mousey brown hair, she briefly made eye contact with him, before looking down at the floor again.

This was no ordinary stowaway.

She was too well manicured to be. The first thing he noticed were her hands. They'd never done a days work in her life and he could see that. It had looked like she'd tried to make her dress not look as expensive as it should be.

Then there was the pin in her hair...

James took it out, letting it fall into waves around her face, looking at the hair accessory in his hand and then at her.

"Did anyone see her?" He now asked Boston.

"No, we managed to keep her away from passenger areas. She was down in the cargo hold, couple of the engineers said they'd heard something and found her..."

"Good...let's keep it this way then. No one needs to know otherwise gossip will be rife on the ship come supper." He told them and then looked at the woman. "You're too well dressed to be considered poor, so tell me - how has a girl like you come to end up on a ship like this? I'll give you credit, you've tried to dress down, but this..." he held up the hair accessory, "is something that gives it away".

The woman swallowed and finally spoke. "My name is Catherine..."

She'd not planned on being discovered, at least not this early and now she was face to face with an angry captain.

James nodded. "I see...so, why and how are you here?" There was some annoyance to his tone, and there should be. How did the crew miss this during final checks and even when they were loading the crates and other cargo onto the ship? They were always leaving no stone unturned when it came to people trying to sneak on while docked.

"I can't go back..." her voice shook, "please...don't send me back there..." the look of fear was upon her porcelain face, tears threatening to fall.

Boston and the other men looked at one another unsure of what action to take.

"What do we do with her sir?"

James thought for a moment. All of the rooms aboard were taken. Questions as to who she was would be raised if they even found somewhere to put her.

They couldn't turn back, and so all that would be left to do was to keep her aboard while he investigated why she was there, and what to do with her once they'd docked in New York.

"Take her into my office, give her something to eat and drink, I'll be along shortly". He finally said, the cogs in his mind turning as they worked to think of something.

Find out the situation. Decide the next step.

Yes. That was the plan.

Edward who had been off duty but was alerted of the situation, now ventured over towards his friend as the woman was taken into James office. "What's the plan pal?"

"I don't know...but we need to be tactful with this, questions will be raised when she gets to port, she's not on the passenger list. They're getting efficient about it, which is understandable considering they're getting a more more stowaways on the ships lately". The Stark Fleet had a reputation to uphold after all, and not for harbouring these kinds of people. It would be in every newspaper, and the company name would be tarnished.

"So what do you suggest?".

"Let me talk to her and find out what I need to, we'll go from there, but for now? No one should mention her. I'll brief you all when I know what to do ok?"

Edward nodded and took the helm, James making his way to his office and finding Catherine sitting quietly while two crew members stood by - almost guarding her. "Leave, let me speak with her". He ordered and once they were gone he turned to her. "Why are you running? More importantly, who from?".

"My fiancé, and my parents". She finally confirmed, taking a sip of water from the cup they'd poured for her. "Please Captain, I cannot return to that place, not when I know what awaits me there".

"An unhappy marriage?" That could be the only valid reason for her being here, and especially from what she had just told him.

She nodded, "and a potentially abusive one. Although he hides that side of him under his 'charm' that has won my parents over. They think him to be the nicest and kindest man, but he's not. He has already tried to claim me, to control me in some situations - I cannot do it". Her eyes met with James. "He will kill me if I am to be sent home once we arrive in New York".

There was desperation behind her eyes. Sorrow and fear also ever present.

He thought hard and then looked at her again. "We have no empty rooms, you'd have to have mine, otherwise questions will be raised by the passengers. And as for New York? They check the passenger lists of who comes in and out - the reason being because of stowaways like you".

She looked away in shame.

James really couldn't believe what he was about to suggest, but it was the only way. He wasn't going to turn his back on a woman who needed help, especially one of a high class. It almost made him laugh at the fact that he was far beneath her when it came to wealth, even if to others he was above them.

"Catherine...the only way you'll be able to pull this off is if you pose as my wife. They won't question why you're not on the list once we've docked, and then we can find you somewhere to stay". He told her. The ring that was still in his trouser pocket suddenly felt like it was weighing him down.

"You really don't have to...I'm sorry I've made things complicated..."

He held up his hand and silenced her. "I'm not the kind of man who would send you back to a life where you will be miserable. You wanted escape and you managed it. Now all you have to do is just play a part. I'll inform my crew, Barton's wife is aboard so you may be able to borrow some clothes for the duration of the journey".

Catherine smiled gratefully. "Thank you Captain, please, call me Kate - if we're to make this convincing then you will need to know my preferred name".

"Kate..." he rolled the name on his tongue and nodded to himself. "Well then Kate, you can call me James".