True Justice

"My dear? I'm afraid that's yet another term of endearment I shall not permit." Shay rolled her eyes as she dodged the comment about being too forward. "Though I suppose it's better than 'my little dove'."

She raised her eyebrows innocently. "Don't push you?" She gave him a light shove with her fingertips. "What, you mean like this?"

True Justice

Terence shook his head and glanced around. "Is there a rope or something around here?" He chuckled. "If you can't keep your hands to yourself, then we're gonna have to do something about that..."

True Justice

"If there is any rope around, it's the kind I braided back at the shipyard, and I'm afraid that won't be much help. You see, if I know how to make the rope, I also know how to undo it." She grinned. "Besides, I've never let anyone tie me up in my entire life, and I don't intend to start."

True Justice

"Then it's the brig for you...if they have one...I didn't even think to check." Terence rubbed his stubbly chin. "Or I could always toss you overboard...Whichever you prefer. I'll at least be nice enough to let you choose your fate."

True Justice

"Of course, you wouldn't dare," Shay nodded knowingly. "The penalty for throwing your wife overboard would be quite large, I'd imagine." She shrugged, a spark in her blue eyes. "Then again... I can swim."

True Justice

"I wouldn't dare?" Terence guffawed. "Would you like to see me try?"

"For an added challenge, maybe I'll tie your hands and feet together. Hmm?"

True Justice

"Hmm, tying my hands and feet together? Sounds fun." Shay didn't back down. She knew that she wouldn't be able to get free if he tied her hands and feet together, but she counted on the fact Terence was a gentleman and wouldn't go through with it.

"I thought you said you didn't like sparring, Terence... I can assure you that's what will happen if you attempt to tie me up. I'd like you to be warned that I can defend myself." She shrugged. "Just something to consider before you do something you regret."

True Justice

"Don't assume just because I don't have any brothers means I can't hold my own in a fair fight. I've had my share of fights. If we were to have a little spar, I'd say the odds are a lot more in my favor, though." Terence motioned to her. "No offense, but you're tiny. It would be like disposing of...a kitten." He shrugged. "Although, kittens do scratch..."

He waved a hand, "But, since I'm so much of a gentlemen, I'll let you remain dry. Also, I think chasing you and then tying you up would make me sick quicker than if I just sat here."

True Justice

"Tiny but powerful, Terence." She gave him a patronizing smile. "You may be surprised to find out that I'm not a kitten and that I'm stronger than I look." She smirked. "Though, you are right. Kittens do scratch. I'm glad you've figured this out."

She paced along the deck a little, then returned. "Your kindness is appreciated, sir. If I didn't know any better... I'd think you were scared."

True Justice

Terence's jaw dropped open. "Me? Scared? Miss O'Teale, if there's one thing I never am, it's scared..."

He stood from the crate and took a step toward her. They were now inches apart. "Careful what you say, Shay...one day it might get you in trouble."

With those words, Terence bent a little, hooked one arm behind her knees and one behind her back, lifting her in the air before she could protest or resist. He held her tight, despite her flailing, as he stepped over to the railing. "I can't remember...did you say you could swim or you couldn't?"

True Justice

"Get me in trouble? What do you mea--"

Her words were swept away by the wind as he pulled her up into his arms and held her against her will. She flailed, but couldn't escape his strong grasp. "Terence!" She shrieked. "Put me DOWN!"

True Justice

Terence laughed, still keeping a tight hold on her. "Into the water or onto the deck?"

By now, especially after Shay had shrieked, there wasn't an eye on the ship that wasn't pointed in their direction.

Gremlin Hunters

Dotty bit her lower lip at the mention of the basement. She hated dark spaces. "Do you really think we need to cover the basement?" she said to Vertex. "I mean, wouldn't it be better to stay closer together instead of farther apart?"

Vertex shrugged. "It's to hard to know for certain. The available information on gremlins is sadly rather sparse and inconclusive. Keeping that in mind though, you are probably correct--we should stay as close together as possible. Therefore I suggest that you and Wolf guard the chemical storage area while I take the computer room with Benciark available to both groups." He turned to Wolf, suddenly unsure of his ability to give commands. "Is that a satisfactory plan?" he asked.

True Justice

"The deck would be preferable!" Shay spat out the words, but didn't stop flailing. Everyone was watching her, and she hated it. "You're being ridiculous. Besides, it might be a bad idea to throw your wife overboard with all these people watching, don't you think?"

True Justice

Terence chuckled as he set her back on her feet on the deck. He backed off a couple feet, just in case she decided to swing those fists of hers. He crossed his arms and said, "Calm down, Shay. Look at you, you're turning red..."

Two things crossed Terence's mind: The first thing was how Shay had fit perfectly in his arms. She was probably an even better fit when she wasn't struggling or mad. The second thing was that she brought up the "husband and wife" thing more than he did. The second thought struck him as funny and he began to laugh harder, returning to his perch on the crate.