Calm before the storm...
 
 
Justin reached out, determined to make up for his former childishness by drinking down the  contents of the tankard, and accidentally knocked it to the floor, watching in dismay as the liquid soaked into the rough boards. He closed his eyes and sighed.

He remembered his harsh words to him, and felt panic rise within him. What if he didn't come back? What if he washed his hands of him and left him to the rough ministrations of the crew? He owed him nothing? He already had done his duty by him as a member of the human race...
 
The man barged into the cabin and startled Justin. He must have dozed off for a bit. This time he carried a bowl whose tempting aroma promised more nourishment than water and wine. 

Justin stifled the exclamation of relief that sprang to his lips, and sadly contemplated the tankard, which continued to roll about the floor in lazy circles. 

The man's expression darkened. " I thought I told you to drink it." he said a little too harshly.

 Justin was taken aback. "I...I couldn't," he admitted meekly. Mutely he held up his bandaged hands.

The man swore, the words sending him back against the rough pillow as if he had been pushed.

"I can't help it," he added tearfully, ashamed of his own weakness.The dark man put the bowl on the table and ran one exasperated hand through his greasy hair. " Don't get all weepy on me, just don't." he said.
 
" I have some chicken soup for you and you're going to fucking eat it. " Justin quietly put his head down." After that I'm going to change the bandages and see how your hands are healing." Justin nodded. 

He was starting to feel uneasy. This man was going to feed him and perhaps want to bathe him. It didn't matter that he was a picture of  rudeness standing on his own two feet glowing down at him from great height.


" I know I must be a trial for you. And I'm sorry. For all the horrid things I said about you. And for being so annoyingly helpless. I'm not used to being an invalid."  Justin looked away from the dark eyes of this stranger.

The man realized he had to be patient if he was going to get anywhere with the blonde. He said, "Forget it."

The man sat down on the bunk. His hand lifted a spoon from the bowl and thrust it toward the blondes mouth with grim purpose. "Eat."

Justin ate, the embarrassment of having to feed from this man's hand keeping him silent. Swallowing was difficult, and his arms had a tendency to tremble when he tried to hold himself up. 

And he was afraid.

 It was not until he cast an uncertain glance at some spilt soup that he noticed his lack of clothing. Justin had a thin sheet which left nothing to the imagination. 

With a startled sound, he pulled the blanket over the thin sheet clutching them to his chin. 

" I'm almost naked." the blonde said. One dark eyebrow of the man quirked skywards.

" I hadn't noticed."

A chill went through Justin as if he knew a foreboding evil was yet to happen. 

"As long as you and I are forced into this situation, he paused and looked into the mans eyes. Don't you think we should introduce ourselves."

The black rat grinned. " You first." he said. 

"I'm Justin Taylor, and what might you be called."
 
The man smiled. 

"I am Captain Gold. You may call me Ethan."

Tbc...


 A.N. Thank you again to everyone who is reviewing. I really am thrilled. I promise to answer all feedback. I'm on a roll and want to just keep going. Hope you enjoy this chapter. I know alot of people are reading, so lurkers thank you so much. Hugs, Annie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





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