Disclaimer : As usual nothing belongs to me.

The story is complete. I'll update either every 5 reviews or every Tuesday night (PM me if I forgot to)

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Missing tending scenes

Under the boat

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"We need a more defensible position" Amelia said when she saw the pirates' ship. "Mr Hawkins, scout ahead."

The boy grabbed the gun she was handing over to him.

"Aye Captain."

She moaned and her legs gave up.

"Steady, Steady." Delbert rushed to help her, "Now let's have a look at that."

He helped her to lie down on the spongy ground. Once she was secured under the ship, his hand moved toward the golden button of her coat.

"No, you don't" She said rather sharply before he could get the first one undone. "I've never let a man undress me before so back off."

He growled slightly with frustration. "I need to see your wound and try to tend to it."

"There is no wound just slight bruising." She tried to sit but moaned again. He put a hand on her right shoulder to keep her in place. "I'll be the judge. And I won't take more than your jacket off."

A new wave of pain prevented her from answering and he used that time to undo the first top button. "There's really no need…" she protested.

"Now, no fuss, the quicker I do it, the quicker it'll be over." She sighed and kept still. The doctor opened the heavy material to reveal her white undershirt. He didn't see any blood but he couldn't really tell with the outer garment still on.

"I have to remove it".

"Then you'd better help me take off my gloves, Doctor. In case your eyes aren't working they're above the sleeves." He didn't react to the attack and took her elbow. He pulled on the white fabric till it reached her hand. "Are those your real nails?" Delbert asked as he didn't know how to proceed from there.

"Actually they are more like claws", she muttered. However, she took the hint and removed both of the problematic gloves without as much as a look at her hands. The doctor, on the other hand, was staring in awe as she extracted her claws from the silky fabric. "I will need help with the sleeves though." She pointed out after a moment of still and silent watching.

He shook himself and proceeded to take her arms out of the coat. While she didn't say a word about pain when he was working on the right arm, she moaned quite audibly when he touched her left one. Once he had the garment off, he examined her left side, just beneath her breast. Her face was tense, yet one couldn't tell if it was the pain or the doctor's proximity. He reached for her left arm, his hand still on her torso. "Hum… I see… You need a sling."

She frowned. "No I don't. I'm sure I'll be just fine." He sighed.

"Can you please stop acting like a child?" She seemed to hesitate between pouting and glaring. She did neither. Delbert looked around.

"What do you need Doctor?" Amelia asked.

"A scarf or something to tie your arm to your body."

She sighed. "If you really have to, I have a scarf around my waist. But I would like to have my gloves back first Doctor."

"Allow me. You shouldn't move." She leant back and allowed him to take her hand. He gently slid the garment against her fur, stopping at the end so she could wriggle her long claws inside. He repeated the gesture with even more care to her left hand. He undid the knot on her hip and lifted her bottom to take it. She had a painful chuckle. "What is the matter?" he asked. "You're tickling me"

"Really? You're ticklish?" He wondered in wonder.

She simply nodded. He looked down at her with a mischievous smile. "No, you d…" she tried. He did it nonetheless. Soon she was begging for mercy, pain written all over her face. He looked immediately guilty. "I'm so sorry…"

"Just do the sling", she cringed. He picked up the scarf he had discarded and gently put her arm across her chest. He leant over her to tie the fabric behind her neck. He slightly jumped when he heard a soft sound. "What was that?" he asked.

"What ?" her lids were closed and her breathing was even.

"The noise… there it is again!" He seemed to panic a bit. "I can't hear anything." She didn't open her eyes.

He reached once again behind her neck, careful not to disturb her. His hand brushed lightly against her skin. He jerked away. "You're shaking!" She didn't react and he couldn't understand what was happening. He put his hand on the side of her neck. "Actually, it's more like a vibration…" he noted after a while.

"Then I must be purring", she muttered dreamingly.

"Purring? Why would you be purring now of all the times?" She finally opened her eyes.

"I guess I'm felling good in you hands." He blushed and nearly lay down on her to look at the knot he had been trying to tie all that time. He felt her move underneath him and jumped slightly when she started to nibble his neck. He rose a bit to look into her eyes. They were bright, but she also seemed feverish. His hands were still next to her shoulders and her mouth was slightly open. He couldn't resist, bent his head toward hers and watched as she closed her eyes with a soft sigh.

"Captain! I've found a safe place!" Jim called. Delbert jerked away while Amelia didn't even open her eyes.

"Good work", the doctor muttered. He put his hand on the Captain's cheek to wake her. She was burning hot and didn't move; the purring had stopped. Jim was watching them expectantly. "I'll just carry her", the older man suggested.

He lifted her upper body with care so her head was resting in the crook of his shoulder. He straightened her coat around her shoulder to keep her warm and slid his right arm under her boot-clad-knees before getting up.

The movement had disturbed the wounded woman. She moaned and her eyes fluttered. Delbert secured her against his chest.

"Jim's mission was a success, Captain"

She just nodded and closed her eyes again. A minute later she was purring in his arms. He smiled fondly, tightened his arms around her and let himself be smoothed by the vibrations she was emitting.

Tbc…