The Captain's Lady (16 page)

If it was an act, she was definitely convincing. It sent a chill up his spine as the thought took hold. He made a mental note that, as soon as he finished talking with her, he would speak with Joe, to at least let him know his suspicions regarding her emotional stability.

This confrontation was going nowhere. The lies and the deception were making him angrier, to the point of losing reason. This whole thing didn't ring true. “Until further notice, you will confine yourself to the supply room to complete a full inventory. You will not step foot into sickbay. Do I make myself clear?"

"You can't do that, sir; you're just getting back at me! I know this is a boy's club and you all lie and stick together."

Larry felt his blood pressure soar and the heat flood his face. “You heard me, Carruthers. I gave you an order.” He let out a low sigh of frustration. “No more games. I want you to go report to the personnel office for reassignment pending the outcome of this investigation."

As her mouth fell open, he waited, expecting her refusal. He feared that if she voiced it, he would physically move her and escort her there himself, consequences be dammed.

"I'll be filing a grievance,” she threw back at him, but finally turned on her heel and stormed to the door.

He gave a mock salute of farewell. “Go right ahead, Carruthers, but heed me; you will not get away with this little stunt of yours."

Larry stood firm, watching through the open doorway as she stormed down the hallway, shouldering several crewmen out of the way. He hoped they hadn't overheard much of the exchange. Gossip spread too quickly as it was. Though he was shaking inwardly, Larry fixed them with a calm look of warning before they acknowledged him. “Sir,” they spoke, and continued on their way.

He swiped his face with the flat of his hand, wondering how this had gotten so far out of control. He couldn't help feeling somewhat responsibility for this volatile situation. Even though consciously he knew it was not his fault, he felt a moral obligation. This was a false accusation that could affect not just a good man's career, but also his life. The self-recrimination and the
what ifs
swirled in his mind. Looking at the now-empty passageway, he came to the understanding that he needed to take a tougher stance with everyone under his direct command, so nothing like this could ever come to fruition again.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Nineteen

She eased to the edge of the bed and stood slowly. Feeling no twinges, either internal or external, Abby placed a supportive hand around her large belly. “Okay, so far so good."

Her heart was hammering. Even though she wasn't told she couldn't leave the room, the implication was there: stay in bed, take it easy.

She just couldn't stay in that bed any longer. Exercise was supposed to be good. It shouldn't affect the baby or incite labor. That had been triggered by the nightmare and nothing more. Abby didn't want to risk her baby, not even for Eric. But the need for answers and to get out of this room was just about overpowering. Why, her legs were nearly moving of their own accord. She took a few careful steps, again pondering the wisdom of such a bold gesture, then made a deal with herself. The moment she first felt anything—even the tiniest twinge—she would turn right around and go back to bed.

With a nod to seal her self-made agreement, she tiptoed to the door. Her slip-on thongs scraped on the floor. Supporting her belly with one hand and holding tight to the handle on the door with the other, she eased it open. She leaned her forehead against the solid frame. How to get passed the guard, she wondered. Before she lost her nerve, she pulled the handle with purpose and then looked up at the tall, somber faced guard at the door.

"Can I help you?"

"No thanks, I just need some air. I'm going to take a short walk and stretch my legs."

Feeling sure and confident, she watched the uncertainty cross his eyes. For a moment she wondered if he would refuse to let her leave, but he just stood there, and then opened his mouth as he fidgeted in his stance, gesturing his hands open in front of him. “Are you sure you're supposed to be doing that?"

Abby sensed an opening and spoke quickly and with confidence. “Absolutely. It's fine. Besides, I won't be long.” Before he could think, she squeezed past him and headed aft, not sure where she was going, but smiling at the curious stares she received, dressed in the borrowed buttoned shirt and pants.

The rumble of the ship was louder here. It shook the floor underfoot. The passageway that stretched ahead was dark, with steel gray pipes lining it like sentries. There was a steady flow of activity. Abby stopped to absorb all the newness. Jolted by the sudden slam in her shoulder from a passing crewman, she stopped short. “Oh, I'm so sorry..."

Short, bony fingers grasped her shoulders to steady her. “Sorry yourself.” Wide-eyed Abby realized she was staring into the startled face of Gail Carruthers.

Gail removed her hands from Abby's shoulders, and took a hesitant step back. “You're not supposed to be out of bed.” It was said without conviction, as she looked unsurely back over her shoulder, then again at Abby.

"I needed some air. I had to get out of that room, just for a minute."

The urge to find out what was going on right from the suspected source was a temptation Abby couldn't pass up. “Umm ... is everything all right? I mean, earlier you looked really upset with the captain and doctor."

Gail's face paled. She licked her lips and crossed her arms, but before she could reply Abby jumped in and continued. “Is there a problem between you and the captain?” It was right to the point; Abby just wasn't any good at dancing around and playing coy. “I mean the way you were ordered out. Did something happen?

"Abby...” Gail paused, her single-word sounding condescending. Then raising herself up straight, standing a few inches taller than Abby, she looked down on her with firm lips. “It wouldn't be right for me to discuss it."

"Oh. I didn't mean to cross any lines it just appeared that there is a lot of tension and anger, and some hard feelings. I mean if I can help in some way?"

"You know he's not as he appears."

"Who?"

"What are you doing out of bed?” Abby jumped at the deep, familiar voice of the doctor coming up behind her. She felt his hand on her lower back, guiding her before she could reply.

He threw a meaningful look at Gail who stood open-mouthed. A few crewmembers hurried past, as though anxious to avoid whatever fallout might be happening. “You heard my orders,” Doc told Gail, sharply.

Abby didn't miss the thrust of her snubbed nose as Gail turned away and proceeded down the passageway. Doc led Abby back to sickbay past a sheepish guard who held up his hands as they approached. “I didn't know she was supposed to stay in there. I was just told to keep people out."

"It's all right."

"Really, Doc, I'm sorry. She just opened the door..."

Cutting him off before he could finish his plea, the doctor said, “It's okay, I know you weren't told, but Miss Carlton is to stay in bed."

The guard opened the door, allowing Doc to escort Abby inside. She felt the gentle nudge in her ribs as the doctor helped her back to bed.

His eyes were glossy as he strode distractedly to the counter, where he drew out the stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. “What were you thinking?” he asked as he returned. “You had no business getting out of bed. You were in labor yesterday. Did I not make it clear for you to take it easy? Are you trying to have this baby early?"

He was abrupt, which was unlike him. Abby felt suitably chastised. But she had questions regarding Gail's behavior. Forgetting any efforts at subtlety, she bulled ahead. “What's going on with Gail Carruthers? I mean, what I saw earlier, and now out in the passageway..."

Larry cut her off as he wrapped the blood pressure cuff around her arm. “It's just some onboard conflict that will soon be resolved. It's nothing for you to worry about."

Her jaw slackened. Stuck for a reply, she watched his face but his grim eyes were focused on the wall behind her. His movements appeared mechanical, as if he was here physically, but mentally elsewhere.

Abby yelped when he inadvertently pumped the cuff too tight. He stopped, his eyes widening as he ripped off the cuff. “Abby, I'm so sorry."

She rubbed her upper arm where a red welt had appeared. “I'm not stupid, you know. I know there's something going on. Why won't you tell me what's going on?"

She watched as he clenched his jaw, and met her gaze with sternness. He remained silent for just a moment. “I do not want you taking on anyone's problems, it is an added stress you don't need right now, so please stop worrying. You're looking good, despite your little adventure. Have you had any more contractions, is the baby active?"

She answered all his questions, “no and yes.” He was sidetracking her and he was good at it, but Abby was determined to remain on subject and get some answers. “Please ... where is the captain, is he all right?"

He let out a sigh, but as he stopped and met her caring gaze, his face softening. He was relenting, she was sure of it. “The captain is fine. He has responsibilities all over this ship. I am sure he will be here soon. Abby, listen, I know you care what happens to him. Yes, there are some problems...” He straightened up and gave her the stern doctor-look, not finishing his thought, as his expression then changed to concern. “You need to focus on you, young lady. Please don't worry about the problems on the ship. Conflicts happen. This is my responsibility and the captain's to handle. Don't give us more things to worry about. After last night, we need to get you safely through the end of the week without you going into labor again. That's the most important thing."

The gentle reminder was enough for Abby to take a deep breath and agree, with some reluctance, that he was right. She did have to focus on the baby, but that would not mean ignoring her concern for the captain. Sighing, Abby decided it would be better to go right to Eric for answers.

Releasing an agitated breath, she tried with determination to take the doctor's advice and relax.

Except the unanswered questions were beginning to sorely test her already frazzled patience. Anxious, she watched the door. Where was he? This morning when he left, he said, he would be right back. She studied the doctor. He looked very tired.

As Larry turned away to write some notes in the chart, Abby cleared her throat. “I'm sorry for being so pushy. I didn't mean to cause you any worry. Is Gail Carruthers in some way related to the unsettled conditions around here?"

Larry took a quick look at the door, and then closed his eyes and muttered under his breath, “Shit.” Sighing deeply, he dropped the pen on the table, and turned back to her with his hands on his hips. “You're just not going to let this drop, are you?"

Abby lifted her head high, holding her chin firm as she waited for him to respond.

He let out a weary sigh, “This is nothing I can discuss with you, so please ... please, don't ask again."

They were interrupted by the captain's voice in the corridor. “Thank you, God,” Larry muttered as Eric strode in, looking much more rested.

Abby watched the two men. Larry fixed a pointed glare on the captain as he stopped beside him. A silent message passed between them.

The doctor was the first to actually speak. “I have tried to put her off, but she's like a pit bull. She knows something's going on with Gail and she isn't going to let it drop. She's concerned about you, my friend, and it's tearing her apart. And another thing...” he cast a glance at Abby, “I found her out in the passageway, talking to Gail Carruthers."

That got the captain's attention. He moved in closer to the doctor and crossed his arms. “You found her where? Out there?” He pointed toward the hallway and glanced over the doctor's shoulder at Abby who made sure she sat there looking as innocent as a newborn babe. “Did they talk?"

"I'm not sure what was said before I arrived but she doesn't know anything about...” He waved his hand in place of the words.

Nodding, Eric said, “I understand, Doc. Is she okay otherwise? Any more labor?

"No, she's fine. She is concerned and questioning the situation with Gail and the onboard conflict."

Glancing over his shoulder at Abby, Larry couldn't miss the glare in her eyes. Very quickly he turned back to the captain. He lowered his voice but not so much that she couldn't hear. “I'll leave you to her, but be prepared, she's not taking no for an answer.” Larry glanced down at his watch. “I'm going to go and get her dinner."

Eric reached out and patted him on the shoulder in passing. Abby felt bad for pushing so hard. Was she coming between them as friends? Well sometimes a person had to stand up for something, to try and prevent problems if at all possible.

Look at her sitting there
, Eric thought,
pretty as a picture, fire dancing in her eyes, even with the bruises still vividly coloring her face
. She had a vibrant ethereal beauty that reached out, along with a glow of determination that was directed at him. It was clear she would not be swayed from learning the truth. Arms crossed over her belly, she gave the appearance she might leap out of bed at a moment's notice. Smiling inwardly at the thought, his greeting was cut off by the fierce plea in her voice.

"Please tell me what's going on. I'm not stupid. There's something going on and I know it has something to do with that woman, Gail.” She gestured with her hand to an empty desk in the corner. He would rather sit beside her, but under the circumstances, maybe the chair was better. What did Gail say to Abby? He had the feeling he was about to find out.

"Has she done or said anything to upset you?"

Surprise colored her face. Her eyes flickered over the question as if not clear on what he was asking.

She hesitated for just an instant, and then shook her head. She pursed her determined lips together before responding. “No, she has done nothing to me, but I fear she has to you, and I want to know what it was.” She held up her hand to stop his protest. “The doctor insinuated it was something between you and her. Maybe it's none of my business, but I've come to think of you as a friend and ... well, if there's something wrong..."