Title: The Death of a Friend

Rating: PG-13, on the safe side,

Spoilers: If you have read all 20 books....then no. If you haven't then there are quite a few, but you don't have to have read the books in order to understand the story. So read at your own risk.

Notes: I know how much one hates seeing there beloved characters die, and hey I feel the same way. I have just always wondered how one would react to the other's death, knowing that nobody can live forever...even if they are characters in a novel that in reality will live on forever, but see that's not the point. I wrote this to satisfy my curiosity on exactly how one would die and how the other would react. So this is my view on how it would go, and hey if you see it in a different way, I would love to see it written on how you see it. I'm planning on another where the roles are vice- versa, but that all depends if you as a whole enjoy this one.

Warnings: Character Death

Author: Silent Train Conductor

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, I am happy to say they all belong to Patrick O'Brian.

The Death of a Friend- Jack's Reaction

The sea was again calling him out today. Jack shook his head and gently put down his scope. He would go back someday but for now he would just wait, wait perhaps for Stephen to bring him yet another adventure. He smiled on remembering that just next week Stephen would be arriving, oh sure he enjoyed the company that Sophie gave him, but it wasn't the same. No, he could not wait to see Stephen again, during the past months he had missed him terribly.

He was glad that Stephen had found another wife in Christine, it was a mighty fine thing that Brigid should have a true mother, and Stephen a true wife. Diana was never either of those things, and it hurt him to see Stephen suffer so whenever she felt the need to run off. Jack sighed, his thoughts reflecting onto how lucky he was to have Sophie, even though they had their fights; they always managed to pull through. Jack gave another small smile and sat himself down on a patch of grass, wary of the action; it seemed that he was getting old.

Although not old enough in that he couldn't hear the sound of a carriage coming up onto the driveway. He curiously turned his head towards the carriage; they were not expecting any visitors for once. He furrowed his brow on trying to remember, it would be hell and death from Sophie if she found out that he had somehow forgotten. He then saw the familiar figure of Padeen stepping out of the carriage. Jack's face lit up, it seemed that Stephen decided to come a bit earlier than expected. Yet there was no feeling of happiness flowing through him. As he saw the slow movements of Padeen, only dread managed to crawl upon him. He saw Padeen make his way to his cottage and remembered that he was the only one there for today (Sophie and the twins off shopping with Killick for George's return), and so he stood up and hesitantly made his way towards the gentle giant.

'Padeen?' Jack whispered up from behind the man. The look that Padeen gave him made Jack's heart plunge. His eyes were red rimmed, filled with despair. 'Padeen.' Jack stated forcefully. 'What happened?' Padeen opened his mouth, but nothing could make its way through, only a simple twisted croak. Padeen bowed his head in shame, and handed Jack a letter that hadn't been noticed. Jack saw the letter in Stephan's hand and quickly but carefully tore it open.

'My dearest Jack,

If you are reading this letter, it can only mean one thing. I am no longer part of the living, merely a thought to be remembered. If that is so the case then I wish you to accept my 'cello for the fond memories and adventures we always shared. I also ask of you to watch over Brigid and Christine, as well as Sarah and Emily if possible. I give you my deepest regrets if this message comes as a shock to you, and I regret no longer being alive. At least, I imagine I would. Whatever the case may be do not hold it against yourself (for I know you will somehow find some sort of guilt in this Aubery). It was my time, and although I'll no longer be able to see an eagle soaring over head or ride upon the dangerous waves of the sea, I imagine whatever death holds for me...will be yet one more new adventure. So loose not a moment Jack, and give me your blessings.

May Jesus, Mary and Joseph be forever with you my friend.

Stephen Maturin'

Jack could hardly believe such a letter, and he hardly knew what to say or do before he noticed another small piece of parchment still within. He pulled it out and noticed that this was also in Stephen's hand.

'Keep in mind just because I am dead, doesn't mean for you to start up eating foods you promised to me you wouldn't touch. You are getting older Jack Aubery and fatter, and unless you want to leave Sophie as I have done with Christine, you will be smart enough to listen to what I say to you, even though I may have perished before you Jack, it doesn't mean you're the wiser being when it comes to health.' Here followed a list that told Jack how to act and what to feed upon, and also some messages for Sophie on how to take care of herself as well. Jack looked up at Padeen and as much sadness that he felt, he couldn't help but to give a sad smile on how Stephen was Stephen to the very end. Padeen allowed a small smile as well before he burst into tears.

ooo

Jack reread and reread the words on the page, and yet he still hadn't managed to accept them. Nor with Padeen's never ending tears has the letter managed to give any more truth to the actual fact of Stephen's death. Hadn't Jack seen Stephen survive many events and catastrophes? Stephen had survived many, many things; he survived the yellow jack, he survived being shot, he survived being poisoned and he survived the many near fatal tumbles he took. Not to mention how he survived throughout the missions he had to carry out as well as through the brutal torture the Frenchmen put him through.

How could it be expected from Jack to accept Stephen's death? Over the years Jack felt that nothing could ever bring Stephen down, that...that...his luck in living would never run out. What had finally brought him to meet his end? He noticed that Padeen was in no shape to answer any of his musings, but still felt the need to question Stephen's death.

'Padeen.' Jack started in a voice that was not at all his own, 'How did this come to be?' Padeen struggled for a great long while before he finally managed to come out with the words.

'Shot. Heart. Three times. No hope.' It was a great effort for Padeen and he sat back allowing more tears to fall. No hope. Stephen often mentioned how there was no hope if the aorta, was it, was damaged. He then knew after a long period of struggle from Padeen, that it took three bullets to the heart to take Stephen down, even when the first bullet brought the phrase 'No hope' to Stephen, he still managed to 'Not die.' As the enemy so put it, (It happened to be a Frenchmen that wasn't right in the head, driven for revenge on the failure of Bonaparte. Somehow knowing that Dr. Maturin had a part in his downfall).

Anger boiled within Jack upon finding out that his dearest friend was killed by a mad Frenchman. Padeen reassured that he himself had avenged the Doctor, pulling out the Doctor's own pistols from his dead corpse and firing upon the madman. It was then Jack realized that Padeen had been there to witness the whole thing, he hadn't given much thought on the fellow, but he gave his many thanks to Padeen on having done the Doctor such an honor. No doubt Padeen felt great guilt on not having been able to save the one who had many a time saved him, and the man who would hardly take time to kill a fly killed a man without a thought.

'Do Brigid and Christine know?' Jack reflected inwardly and then voiced his thoughts to Padeen, who shook his head in despair. He couldn't face being the one who told Brigid on the news of the death of her father, how Padeen loved her so, and she would be devastated at not being able to see her Papa with his birds once more. Padeen wouldn't be able to bear it, they were like siblings and the loss would be the same to them both. Jack gently placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort Padeen.

'Not to worry, I will tell them.' Padeen started to protest with the few groans he could carry, trying to say that it was not Jack's duty.

'Of course it is my duty; it is my duty as Stephen's friend.' Jack stated coldly and Padeen once again bowed his head in shame. Jack's look softened and squeezed Padeen's shoulder affectionately and gave it some quick forgiving pats before he let go. Padeen stood up as soon as he did so, and gave a signal that meant he would be a moment.

Padeen returned with Stephen's old 'cello in his hands and placed it before Jack. Jack looked to Padeen, and found that he was carefully looking at the ground, knowingly avoiding Jack's gaze. Jack sat down on the seat behind him and gently cradled Stephen's instrument. He still couldn't find himself to accept the loss of his particular friend. The next time he would set sail there wouldn't be a Dr. Maturin in which he should ask for his political views, there wouldn't be a Dr. Maturin in which the crew would cheer for when he took off the top of someone's head and set it right again. The next time he set sail there would be no Stephen in which he would play long into the night with.

Jack leaned against the 'cello and picked up the bow to play a few notes, it was then that Stephen's death struck Jack deep in his bosom. It was then Jack knew that the death was real. And it was then that he let his tears fall gently onto the smooth surface of the 'cello.

Fini