The blue eyes regarding Stephen smiled as fondly as the soft lips beneath them when recognition registered on the surgeon's face.

"Mr Blakeney!"

"Doctor. Lovely to see you again." Blakeney - now 3rd Lieutenant on the Belfalas, an accomplished flutist, and a decent naturalist as well - shook Stephen's hand.

Lovely indeed. Stephen could not seem to shake the word.

"I am on leave and saw the Surprise in port." Blakeney still held Stephen's hand, his eyes now serious. "And I came to thank you."

"Whatever for?" Stephen felt unaccountably warm.

Squeezing the hand in his own tightly, Blakeney whispered, "Everything."