Vincent tried to mask a smile as Evewen stomped out, slamming the door. He flinched as things rattled, but thought Right where I want her.... and his eyes turned as hard as granite. "Yes, Capt'n, I understand. Well, perhaps it's best if you sleep on it." he turned on his heel and followed Evewen out.

Wiliam was looking rather confused, first at Evewen leaving so abruptly, and then at Vincent. He growled and went back to measuring distances.

****

Vincent caught up to her on the deck. He grabbed her arm with a grip like iron and wrenched her around to look at him. "Alright Evewen...." he said, gritting his teeth. "I have a few things to saw to you. Number one, don't even begin to think you can tell me what to do. I don't take orders from wenches like you!" he glared hotly, his voice like that of an roaring ocean. "Secondly, maybe you should show some gratitude sometimes. Twice now I was nice to you. Don't count on a third time, especially if you dismiss me like you did in the cabin. Thirdly!" he got close to her face, and whispered, his words as sharp and knives.. "Stop bringing Isla, into this. Isla knew I loved her before her Father marooned her. If you did sleep in my cabin for one night, and I slept in the hold, it wouldn't matter to me or her! I was only trying to be nice to you because you looked like her, and, unfortunately, you are the Captain's daughter. Don't ever forget for one moment I'm a pirate born, and by nature. And though sometimes I'm nicer then your average sea dog, I can get angry and rough."

((OOC: Alright....I had too much fun with Vincent's speech. If it's too much Chloe, just let me know. )))

Evewen pulled her arm free of his grip and narrowed her eyes. "Do not think, even for a moment, that your place is higher than mine. By birth, I am rightly above you, in everything."

"I only show gratitude when it's deserved and you do not even deserve a little. No matter how much you think you do." She scowled. "And I will dismiss you any way that I see fit at the time."

"I have no idea what my sister ever saw in you. You may be incredibly handsome, but your attitude would cause any sensible woman to avoid your company at all costs."

Vincent growled and with one quick motion, back-handed Evewen. "Don't even think to say you're higher than me. You were born of a pirate and a thief....hardly noble." he hissed. "And, you may not dismiss me so easily. I'm not an easy man to get rid of when I wish to stay." he gritted his teeth, leashing his anger. "Isla loved me....and I her. Love can be strong enough to over-look many a thing, don't you agree?" he smiled, but it was hardly a friendly smile. "Now, I will no longer trouble myself with you." he spun on his heel and walked toward the door leading down to his small cabin below deck.

Evewen may have been a lady, but she'd been in her fair share of fights. It was obvious that Vincent wasn't pouring all of his strength into the blow, but she knew she would have a mark later. She spit to the side as he spoke, clearing her mouth of the blood that spilled from her cheek after being cut with her teeth.

She watched him walk away, her dark eyes narrowed as she shifted on her feet. "Thank goodness you've decided not to stay, then. Maybe I can actually find some peace and quiet now."

Vincent heard her words, but kept on walking, finally reaching the door and throwing it open. He slammed it behind himself and stalked to his cabin, his hands clenching in anger. He entered his living quarters, pushing off his boots and flopping down into his bed.

For a moment there was silence, only broken by the creaks of the ship and the sloshing of the sea. He closed the lids of his olive eyes and took several deep breaths. Isla is alive... was the first thought to race through his head. His second was his thought of reconsideration. Was slapping Evewen a hasty deed done only out of anger? Or had she deserved it? He convinced himself she had indeed, and that it was nothing to worry about. He hadn't hit her nearly as hard as he could have if he had tried. He sighed, sitting up and slipping off his shirt. For now it was a time to get a little sleep. This night had been full of many emotions and events....he figured a bit of shut eye would do him some good.

Evewen sighed as he disappeared. She rubbed her cheek and winced. There would definitely be a mark. Walking back toward her father's quarters, she opened the door and stepped down.

Dropping into the chair before his table, Evewen leaned her elbows on her knee and cradled her forehead in her hands.

"Evie..." William said, laying his tools down. "You're not crying, are you?"

Evewen's head shot up and she scowled. "No, I would never waste a tear on that dog."

"In the future, you mean. You've shed many in the past." William sat down in the other seat. He watched his daughter, his face tired. "You may have fooled everyone, but I'm a hard one to fool, Evewen. You know that."

"I don't want to talk about this, Father." Her eyebrow arched and her face was firm. "Ever."

Vincent awoke the next morning a shaft of sunlight resting on his face, flooding his dark vision with a brightness not usual to sleep. He groaned softly, and sat up, blinking back the blurriness from his eyes. The customary creaking and sloshing met his ears, and he smiled a bit, sliding out of bed. He pulled a fresh cotton shirt from his drawer and slipped it on. The material rubbed against his skin, and made him itch, but he ignored the nagging sensation and pulled on his boots.

His thoughts raced back to the night before, and he recalled, with a pained grimace that he had slapped Evewen. His anger had all subsided and now a twinge of guilt came. He sighed, knowing he couldn't take it back.....but did he want to?

Vincent belted on his sword, then left his cabin, going up onto deck. Several sailors greeted him, and he was happy to see that some of the men had returned to sleep on the ship, instead of in the taverns. He glanced around the deck for Evewen. He wanted to know where she was, but he wasn't sure why. Just so I can keep my distance.... he told himself.

He didn't see her immediately so he took his mind off it and barked orders to a seamen wrapping the ropes the wrong way. Last night seems like a strange dream now.... he thought.

Evewen was on the deck. Her hair was pinned up, out of her face, and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. In front of her, on a crate, there was a bowl of slightly warm, soapy water.

The events of the previous day and night had her worn out and listless. She stared out into the ocean, her hands resting inside the water in the bowl, a rag twisted around a few of her fingers.

Around her, the sailors moved about, but they ignored her and she did the same to them.

Vincent caught the sight of Evewen, standing near the rail of the ship staring pensively out into the sea, after several sailors sauntered from their positions and revealed her. He took a breath and just stared at her for a moment, feeling the twinge of guilt returning, and the thoughts of reconsideration filtering into his head. He had learned, after many years on the sea, and on this ship, that your temper was something to control. Especially if you were under another officer. If not, things would be difficult for everyone. He had learned to leash his emotions when they sought to grab a hold of him. Last night though, his grasp had slipped, and his anger had come out in a way he was now regretting. This didn't mean he held anything in him for Evewen, but she was a lady, and he had hit her.

The facts still remained she had been being haughty, and needed to hear that she was wrong in treating him this, but no, he admitted to himself, she hadn't deserved his violence. He struggled with himself for a moment, then strode toward her, with an almost, disgusted, sigh. Apologizing was not easy.....and he wasn't accustomed to it. When he drew near her, he made sure no crew were near then cleared his throat. "Evewen...." he began, his voice tight. His olive eyes revealed no emotion. "Now, do not take this the wrong way. I am in love with Isla, completely and totally....but..." he tried to think of how to say this.

Evewen closed her eyes for a few seconds when Vincent approached. She wrung the rag out and set it aside. "I'm really not in the mood to talk, Vincent, and honestly, you are the last person I want to hold a conversation with..." She glanced at him, touching her right cheek, which was a little black and blue.

However, he began to speak and Evewen clenched her jaw, listening as she wiped her hands off. Tossing the water over the side of the boat, she turned and shoved the bowl into his stomach and nearly growled her next words, "Why do you always bring her into everything? I didn't come here to listen to you speak and sing the praises of Isla to the mountaintops!"

Anger sparked in her brown eyes, followed by the dull glaze of an emotion rarely brought out into the open.

Vincent grunted as she shoved the bowl into his stomach. His eyes sparked to life, and flamed with anger. He took a deep breath, taking a little step closer, and letting the bowl drop to the deck. "I didn't come here to sing her praises." he said, with restraint, detecting the emotion in her eyes. "I came to say I'm sorry." he explained with gritted teeth.

Evewen observed him for a few seconds, her gaze scrutinizing, as if she thought he was joking. She picked the bowl up, put the rag inside and said, "I have work to do..." There was a slight quiver her in her voice, despite her efforts to hide it.

"Evenwen." Vincent said, somewhat more gently then he had. He caught her arm, but didn't hold it with much force. "I'm sorry. I made a mistake last night, and, I apologize."

Evewen said nothing for a few moments and then finally replied with, "I think we both did..."

"Please let me go." Her eyes avoided his gaze, but she didn't try to pull away.

Vincent nodded and released her arm. "I suppose we both have things we need to do." he diverted his gaze, and heard her walk away. Well that went better then I expected... he thought with a sigh. Several crew members were staring oddly at him and he turned on them with a fierce gaze. "Don't you have anything to be doing!?" he snapped, and they sidled away quickly.