True Justice

"You had better be careful Jean." James warned, taking a glance up at where the Captain stood at the wheel. "You might be better than the Capt' with those knives of yours, but you are part of this crew, and if you go against him the other men may not take it lightly." he shrugged though. "I agree with you mostly. Seranoy should keep his hands off the prisoners. But I'd hate to cross him..."

"Mister Jean!" Captain Seranoy's booming voice called from above them, at the steering position. "Would you please be so kind as to join me up here." his voice was loud, hard, and extremely cold. It was clear he wasn't happy.

True Justice

Jean shrugged at James' advice. "I'm sick of taking all of his dirty talk and crudity. He's not worth following if he does that to a lady. I'll live until we get to port."

He looked up as the Captain called for him. "Yes sir!" He said, trying to take the sarcasm out of his voice. He looked at James. "Wish me luck, right mate?" Then Jean jogged up the stairs to the wheel.

True Justice

An hour later, Shay had packed her things and left a note for Riley, then met Adrian and Terence at the docks. They were still waiting for the ship to start boarding.

"Do you have any idea where to find Aeryn?" She asked Adrian. "Where have they taken her?"

True Justice

James nodded to Jean and sighed as he walked away.

Captain Seranoy turned to Jean as he approached. "You will be stationed at the Crow's Nest tonight for the twilight shift." He barked, none too kind. "You'll relieve Staton at Mid-night."

True Justice

Jean nodded. "Yes sir. I assume, of course, that you'll take the tiller then, as well." Several men were around, listening as they did their work. "It's the hardest shift. The captain doing it shows the men that he's worth of respect."

True Justice

Terence finished all the little details that needed to be completed before he could leave. Satisfied that he had tied up the loose ends and confidant of Kenneth's ability to take care of the shipyard, Terence prepared himself for the journey. He always kept a few things at the shipyard and he packed them. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he left, with a command to "work hard and don't slack."

He waited for Shay to arrive at the dock before he mounted the ship. He allowed her and Adrian to go into the ship before himself. He boarded the ship just in time to hear a man say, "Women aren't allowed to sail without a family member."

It took a few seconds for Terence to think of something to say, but he finally wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "What about a woman traveling with her husband?" He asked, his face was serious, but his eyes were lit with humor. He glanced at her shocked face and had a hard time keeping his laughter in.

True Justice

Shay couldn't believe her ears. First the man had told her she couldn't sail without a family member, then Terence did... this? What was he doing anyway? Lying just to get her on board the ship? And pretending to be her husband? Shay was livid, but for the sake of getting on board, she pretended to keep a level head.

"He's right," she said, although the words tasted bitter coming off her tongue. "I'm traveling with my husband." And Terence is a liar, she thought, barely managing to keep her anger under control.

True Justice

Terence's eyebrows shot up when he heard Shay agree. Grinning, he nudged her aside and signed the roster, for each of them, including Adrian. He almost wrote "O'Teale," but he quickly corrected his mistake and wrote his last name, to prevent suspicion.

The sailor looked it over and nodded. "I hope you have a pleasant sail, Mr. and Mrs. Rowland. If you wait just a minute, I'll show you where you will sleep. You'll have to forgive the modest sleeping quarters...It's a merchant ship, not a passenger ship. Hammocks in the hold will have to suit you, I hope."

Terence watched as he walked away and then he turned to Shay. "We'll have to wait a few minutes...Mrs. Rowland." He added the name before he started laughing.

True Justice

Shay whacked him on the shoulder. "Stop laughing! It's not funny!" Shay threw her face into her hands. "I've never been so embarrassed." She glared at him. "What were you thinking? I could've gotten my way on the ship without having to lie about it." She growled. "Or without having to impersonate Mrs. Rowland. That's one thing I will never be."

True Justice

It took Terence some time to stop laughing. Finally, he dropped his bag at his feet and crossed his arms, the grin still present. "You sound mighty sure of yourself...You never know when life will prove you wrong."

True Justice

Shay's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting that I'll become 'Mrs. Rowland' in my future? Pardon me, Mr. Rowland, but it takes two to get married. And getting married to you, even if you should ask me, is something I would never agree to do."

True Justice

"I didn't say you would be my Mrs. Rowland." Terence said, avoiding another snicker. "I do have cousins, you know...Though none of them are half as handsome or well-off as I am, so perhaps I am the better choice."

He watched her expression. She was angry and he was clearly enjoying that fact.

True Justice

"I will never be a Mrs. Rowland, if your cousins are anything like you." She poked a finger at his chest. "And I suppose I have to keep up this charade the whole voyage? Would you like me to bring you your lunch and mend your socks while I'm at it?" She folded her arms. "...Which, I'm not going to do, by the way."

True Justice

"You're not?" Terence asked, a look of shock registering on his features. "Are you sure? I could have sworn I saw a look of eagerness in those blue eyes of yours." He shrugged. "Then again, you know that I can do all that by myself...but if you want to do it, who am I to stop you from serving me as you wish, my little dove." He said with a smile, his voice slightly sarcastic.

True Justice

"I don't know what you saw in my blue eyes, but you've mistaken my eagerness for irritation." Shay scowled. "I told you, I'm not mending your socks. And I'm not your little dove. And if you know what's good for you, you won't call me that again."