Slink. Slank. Slunk. (Temperance)

[HUNTER KNOX]

The moon was hanging high in the sky above New York. It cast an unearthly light on the entirety of the harbor, as the shadows and glimmers mingled in the softly bobbing waves. It was the perfect setting for such a sordid affair. It gave Hunter the perfect cover to slip undetected onto simply whatever boat he liked and have his way with it. He wasn't ready to leave the city, not just yet, but he figured that it would be best to know he had a way out should circumstances take a turn for the worse. One never knew how things would turn out when that blasted mermaid was involved, and he'd much prefer to have a tried and true line out of the Northeast than be caught unawares with a demoness like Lorelei on the loose.

Like a living shadow he darted across the dock, trying to keep as low to the ground as possible. he would much prefer that should anyone see him that they wrote it off as just another shadow in the night rather than having to actually talk with security. At this point he had yet to actually partake in any illegal activities at the docks, but guards or what have you always made things a bit trickier. Not impossible or even all that difficult, just...tricky. Besides, he couldn't be bothered to find a place for the bodies this evening.

He had to be honest though, he had picked the right dock to come to. He had never before had such a fine selection of yachts and ships to choose from. he didn't know what it was about Maine or Santa Fe, but they clearly didn't have the same level of distinguished taste as the New Yorkers did when it came to sailing experiences. These were all some quality ships. The sad truth of it, however, was that he couldn't take any of them. Not at this point in time. They would all be missed. There would be some big hulabaloo about it. It would be in the papers. The police would be sent out after it. He couldn't risk it.

In order to get away with it without raising any concern, he had to go after a smaller one. A dinky little boat. Something no one would want to raise a ruckus over.

Like a miracle from God above, he found the perfect candidate, just floating there. A rotten little fishing boat if he ever saw one, but absolutely perfect for what he had in mind. He slipped on board the unfortunately named 'Ching Shih" and in the process knocked over a fishing rod, rather noisily.

Hastily picking it up, he thanked his lucky stars that no one was around to hear it...

[smee1]

Temperance Bae lived a quiet existence. She lived on her fishing boat, WHICH WAS NOT A ROTTEN LITTLE FISHING BOAT, but a vessel of dreams and escapism. Sure, some might not be able to appreciate the quiet beauty of Ching Shih, but fuck them. A boat didn't have to be a gold plated yacht to be of worth. First of all, it was pristinly maintained. Inside and out. Not a tear in her sails, not a scuff on her deck, not a dirty dish in her cabin. It was Temp's home, it was her safe place. Where she could dream adventures she was not having herself.

And that's what she did, laying in her dark cabin. Unlike most of the dock patrons, Temperance had no home to go home too. She was there. Her raven black hair laid on the small pillow which rested on her cot, thick and long. Her black eyes stared in the empty darkness, trying to let the sea's waves lull her into a sleep. She was a tiny thing, barely peaking above five feet, with pale skin, and a heart shaped face. Her petite frame made her look younger than she was (21, thank you very much), and her usually baggy cloths did not assist. Sighing deeply, she rolled on to her stomach, trying to get comfortable. In truth, her tiny body was made perfect for Ching Shih, who (while being beautiful) was a bit on the cozy side. The digital clock on top of a the counter of her kitchette read 12:16, and she began to realize that sleep was not going to happen for her tonight.

Oh well, that's why God invented coff-

Crash

Already sitting up, Temperance grabbed a little black pistol from under her cot. After all, the Docks were not exactly reknown for their safty. And in knowing this, Temperance had made sure to become quite proficient with the gun, who she fondly referred to as Mr. Bangbang. Wrapping herself in a lumpy cardigan, and slipping on her boots, she crept up to the deck, silent as a mouse. Bonny, her tabby, was also inspecting the strange figure that WAS TOUCHING HER FATHER'S FISHING POLE! That bastard. Anger flushed through the tiny Chinese American, who had the advantage of his back being turned.

Big mistake, Prick.

Rising to the deck, she cocked her gun, the click offering all the threat she needed. "Trespassing is against the law, you know." Her quiet, polite, voice informed conversationally. "Put your hands up, and turn around. Slowly." She kept the gun aimed at his torso.

There was something important, one must know when talking to the police after fending of the intruder. As long as the fucker was dead by the end of it, and you used that magic little sentence "I was in fear for my life', everything would be okay. Don't aim for the head. One jerk, he was free as a bird. Or the legs, because then he could sue you, and that was far too much trouble. But the torso, well, you're chances were far less likely, weren't they? She waited for him to comply with her demands, hand steady, eyes narrowed in the darkness.

OUTFIT

[HUNTER KNOX]

God, and he'd thought he doing so well at being sneaky. Blast that infernal fishing contraption. It was more trouble than it was worth (Which honestly, wasn't that hard to achieve. He doubted that damned piece of metal could be worth anything more than scrap metal. It was disgusting, that's what it was.) He made a mental note to toss it over the side once he managed to get out to deeper water. That and whatever other crap had accumulated on the god-awful little dinghy. Glancing around he saw that it would take him a while to pitch all of the knickknacks over the side. He had no need for fishing lures or nets or -

"Trespassing is against the law, you know. Put your hands up, and turn around. Slowly."

Oh, how utterly wonderful. Someone had heard the ruckus. Well, at least it was just dock security, the most they had was tasers, and even then they hardly ever knew how to use them. Cooly, he turned around on his heels, hands folded behind his back. He looked demurely into what he fully expected to be a shaky, quivery guard who had only just recently been hired.

This could not be further from the truth. With a pistol aimed squrely at his chest, it was important for him to carefully rethink his options and his plan of action. Well, this was certainly for distressed damsel. She looked quite determined.

This certainly complicated matters.

"Oh, darling, I wasn't trespassing."He attempted to appeal to her using his most calm, reasonable tone. Perhaps if he pleaded his innocence he could slip away. "I was just out for a nightly stroll and it looked as though your boat wasn't tied up properly. It would have been dreadful for this gem of a ship to float off in the night, wouldn't it?" He waved vaguely at the mooring, hoping she would let him go. As he spoke he took a stride toward the side of the boat, in order to further inspect the ties.

"Oh, well, how foolish of me, it seems that these are tied quite securely. I guess it was just a trick of the shadows. You know, mirages and all that. I suppose I'll be going along then."

He mentally kicked himself for picking this blasted ship. It wasn't even desirable, and he would be QUITE annoyed if he died or was injured just for the sake of having such a filthy little fishing boat.

[smee1]

He turned around, though he didn't bother putting his hands up. It made Temperance nervous, how he had them hidden (or at least out of sight), behind his back. Keeping the gun on him with her left hand (being a lefty), she flipped on the deck light, revealing the intruder. He was... well, there was really no getting around it. He was attractive. At least to look at. Though his words seemed innocent enough, Temperance took them to great offense. She always tied the boat properly. Who the hell did this jackass think he was? "And you're just a concerned citizen..." She scowled, her tone heavily laced with skepticism. Still, she watched as he continued the charade, inspecting the ropes to tell Temperance what she already knew. They were perfectly knotted, perfectly secure. Oh, now he wanted to go? Well, that suited Temperance just fine.

"I suppose that's best." She replied, flippantly. Lowering the gun, she wrapped the cardigan tighter around her slim frame, eyebrows raising. "But if you're wanting to steal a boat, you're in the wrong dock. These are the frequent sailors. The ones who are actually from New York." She wanted him to know that she wasn't stupid. She knew what he was doing. "The seasonal tourists keep their boats on the East Dock." She pointed in the distance, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thataway." It was probably illegal, to give him that advice. But it wasn't like she was ordering him too. She was merely making conversation, merely speaking in hypothetical.

There was something about this guy... maybe he had been hanging around the Alleyway? That seemed likely. Perhaps scoping out a poor fisherman to steal a boat from... though, under that theory, it made little sense that he would have found himself on the Ching Shih. Temperance was well known as a Harbor resident. Even if it was as 'That little Asian girl who likes fish'. Bonny the tabby cat sniffed the stranger, ever the investigator. It was an old sailor myth, or perhaps fact, that cats were goodluck on ships. And in that same bit of folklore, women were said to be unlucky. Together, they probably balanced it all out.

What was so familiar about him? It hardly seemed the time to ask, but she probably wouldn't get another chance too. Though, why did she care? If she couldn't remember, he obviously wasn't that important. It frustrated her, that even with that logic, she still wondered. Damn.

[HUNTER KNOX]

Frankly, Hunter was glad just to have gotten off that bot alive. It was rare that he got himself into such a sticky situation. He hardly ever made such a stupid mistake as to pick a boat that someone was sleeping on. Good lord, he needed to check his form. Another awful mistake like that and he might not live to tell the tale should he continue to walk around unarmed.

Making a mental note to himself to procure some kind of sidearm at the nearest juncture in time, Hunter began to slip away from the boat. It was what she called out to him that made him pause, though. It made him stop for a moment to recollect his thoughts and reevaluate the situation.

"But if you're wanting to steal a boat, you're in the wrong dock. These are the frequent sailors. The ones who are actually from New York. The seasonal tourists keep their boats on the East Dock."

Was she actually trying to help him? If so, that changed matters entirely. Perhaps she was of some use. perhaps he could twist her around so that she could help him out, give him a place to stay for his duration in New York, show him the ins and outs of the city so he had a bit more of an understanding of his new surroundings and the seedy underground belly of it all.

Once again, for the second time in the space of about ten minutes, he turned cooly on his heels to face her, this time with a large, conspiratory grin plstered on his face.

"I don't suppose there's anything ELSE you want to tell me about this mysterious East Dock, is there, missy?" he implored, holding eye contact with her. "No trip wires? Guard dogs? Any more fine young ladies like yourself lying in wait for me?"

[smee1]

As he got off the boat, a part of Temperance wanted to ask if they had met before. But no, it was probably for the best if he just left. He'd be on his way, Temperance would go back and pretend like she was going to get any sleep done tonight. All would be right with the world.

And then he turned around.

It must be his signature move or something, with how the fluidity he pulled it off with. "I don't suppose there's anything ELSE you want to tell me about this mysterious East Dock, is there, missy?" The eye contact he held was unnerving, if not even a little arousing. Temperance wanted to look away, but she couldn't. The contact was magnetic, it was constricting. It was feral. "No trip wires? Guard dogs? Any more fine young ladies like yourself lying in wait for me?" Temperance swallowed a little, pulling her gaze away from him, a small smile playing on her lips that inquired if he was joking.

"Lying in wait you say? I do believe you have me confused with someone else." Temperance said, her voice quiet. She listened to the water for a moment, as it sloshed against the side of her boat, braving looking up at him again, despite the risk that he might capture her eyes again. "Though I would have to ask if you think I'm really going to assist you in taking someone else's boat after you just tried to take mine. Because, if you were, I'd say that takes quite a bit of gull." Despite her words being that of an offended part, if anything Temperance looked amused by the entire situation. "Though, you would definitely get points for being... I don't know? Bold." With a slight laugh, Temperance headed down to her cabin, slipping on the light.

It was a simple little place. A cot, a kitchenette, a chair. On the counter was a fishbowl with three goldfish, making there rounds outside their little castle. Setting her pistol down next to it, Temperance expected that to be the end of the conversation with the dashing, boat thiefing, stranger. Removing the cardigan, she leaned on the counter, staring at her fish, her black hair falling down her shoulder gracefully.

[HUNTER KNOX]

He had never really thought about having a partner in crime before. The combined amalgam of Hunter and Hook's minds seemed to be enough to serve as constant system of checks and balances, but now that Hunter's poor failing brain was playing less and less of a role in the decision making process, it would certainly be helpful to have a third party available for bouncing ideas off of, and it seemed readily apparent by her under the wire lifestyle that no one would miss her should she turn out to be a less than satisfactory companion.

He also just so happened to be massively turned on by the little sea wench's coyness. He didn't know what exactly it was, but something about the way she could tote a gun and yet still remain ever so enigmatic was a the equivalent of a massive star next to her still yet to be discovered name in his book.

As she slipped back indoors, Hunter made a snap decision. He would follow her. That's right. he would hop back onboard the mysterious gun toting Asian's boat. Sure, it probably wasn't the wisest of ideas, but he simply had to follow up on this. If she pulled the gun on him again, then he would run away like a scared little girl, but if she gave him a chance to talk, then maybe, just maybe, he would be able to work his magic and convince her to let him stick around for a while. Heck, she had her own boat, and a gun. This could in and of itself be a situation which worked wonders for his drug dealing business. Who would ever imagine a dealer to be taking refuge in a small little fishy dinghy like this? They would be caught up sniffing around in alleys and parks, not down at the marina. If he could pull it off, this would be perfect for him.

Slipping quietly back on board, he nudged open the door to her petite little cabin carefully, grinning as he poked his head inside.

"Now, sweetheart, the first thing your have to know about me is that boldness is one of my most endearing qualities." He pushed his way through the door, hands folded behind his back. "By the way, what's up with the whole Ching Shih name? Is that some kind of Chinese curse sentencing me to death for trespassing? I generally try to keep track of exactly how many supernatural forces are attempting to kill me."

[smee1]

Folding her hands neatly near the fishbowl, Temperance sat her chin upon them, watching her little goldfish swim around their castle. No worries, no troubles, barely any memory at all. Through the warped glass, she saw her cabin door open, the intruder standing casually in its way. Instantly, Temperance's eyes flickered to the gun on the counter, but she decided against grabbing it. He seemed to be peaceable at the moment. And if he decided to no longer be peaceable, there was enough distance between he and and her, that she could simply rectify the situation then. Keeping her face passive through the fishbowl glass, Temperance decided that his grin was rather charming. "Now, sweetheart, the first thing your have to know about me is that boldness is one of my most endearing qualities."

Apparently so, as her eyebrow arched a little at being called 'Sweetheart'. "Will I?" She asked, lkeeping her eyes on the fish and watching the intruder with her peripherals, jaw in stiff defiance to his flirtation. After all: Stranger who just tried to to perform boatnapping? Probably not the type to bring home to the folks. Not that Temperance had folks to bring him too, but that was hardly the point.

"By the way, what's up with the whole Ching Shih name? Is that some kind of Chinese curse sentencing me to death for trespassing? I generally try to keep track of exactly how many supernatural forces are attempting to kill me." He stood quite formally. Like someone use to commanding a great deal of respect.

Lifting her head, she considered her choices as far as answering him. After all, she should ask him to leave. This was hardly safe, after all. And it might add insult to injury that this appeared to be a man who found not being shot to be an invitation to further intrude. But then again, she did oh so very much enjoy talking about Ching Shih, Temperance's all time favorite historical figure. Her eyes went to the gun briefly, before she looked back at him. "You came down here to ask me about my boat's name?" Her voice was doubtful, almost scoffing. The cat darted between his feet, hopping on to the counter, it's yellow eyes watching the fish. Temperance sort of knew how the finned friends felt, as the man in the doorway stared at her. "I have to be honest, that certainly prompts the question 'how many supernatural forces do you usually have attempting to kill you'..." Oh dear lord, was she flirting back? True, it was quite quiet and demure, her voice soft. But, for instance, she made no move to put on her cardigan to be properly covered up.

"It's not a curse though, I'm afraid. It means "wife of Zheng Yi". She was a very prominent and successful pirate in China, during the Qing dynasty. In fact, she was actually one of the most successful out there. All of Blackbeard's riches were simply pocket money to her." There was a certain swagger in Temperance's words, as she let out a clever little smile that merely tweaked the edges of her full lips. Yes, she was definitely flirting, but that didn't mean that she wasn't aware. "Now, what are you really doing down here, Captain? Need a map to the East Dock?" The term Captain was meant as a joke, as he obviously had no ship to be captain of, if he was attempting to steal hers. But it did have a certain ring to it, and it wasn't like she knew his name. It seemed to suit him, and his imperious stance.

Captain.

Hrm.

[HUNTER KNOX]

"You'd be surprised...."Hunter muttered to himself. Really, now that he had time to think about it, it was pathetic how often he DID find himself running into trouble with different mythical characters who really had no business existing. Mermaids and flying boys and the like, NONE of them were supposed to be real and yet...they all seemed to have a way of worming their ways into his life. It truly was strange how Hunter, who had never particularly gone out of his way in either his life as Captain Hook or the particularly underwhelming Hunter Knox could wind up with so many fantastical creatures coming after him.

He nodded slightly as she explained the boats name and continued to ask him questions. Truthfully, he was still far away, inside the memories and thoughts that rose unbidden inside his head, of an island far away, lost in the sea where ships were caught and ensnared and couldn't sail away, trapped on a miserable excuse for a land that inhabited solely by savages and children with the intent to maim his personage. Absentmindedly, he rubbed his wrist, remembering the pain and humiliation at having lost it, and the pure and utter rage that still burned within him, ready for revenge on the impertinent little imbecile who had done it. That was the root of it. He could care less about the mermaids and fairies and what have you. It was the mundane CHILDREN that truly ruined both of his lives. Even in his blissfully uneventful life as a teenager, it had been a child that had forceully wrenched everything he had away from him. It had been a CHILD that was the cause of all his turmoil and pain and anguish. It had all been the work of some inslent boy who had thought that it would be FUN to set fire to a school, consequences and potential loss of life be damned.

"Now, what are you really doing down here, Captain? Need a map to the East Dock?"

Hunter looked up at the title Captain. It was refreshing to hear someone refer to him as such after so long. He hadn't had anyone greet him properly since he'd been trapped in this flimsy boy's body. It at the very least was what he had needed to get him out of that dreadful downard spiral of depression he had set course for. He couldn't break down into a sniveling jellyfish now. He had to impress. He had to win this young lass over to get what he wanted: her boat.

"Oh God no, darling," he laughed, once again flashing her that cocky, intelligent grin he had stolen from the young Hunter Knox's early days of wooing women. "In fact, it seemed to me, missy, that you were awful lonely on this here vessel. Any chance that you could put up with a lone crew member like me, or at least point me in the direction of someone that could? I promise, darling, I won't be no trouble." Sure, he could have spent a bit longer wooing her and making sure that she had taken the bait before putting himself so far out on a limb like that, but he figured that it would be better to just cut to the chase. Why waste time beating around the bush when he could just ask her flat out, without clouding the whole discussion with pleasantries.

[smee1]

He was a bold one, most definitely. How presumptuous of him to just assume she'd let him stay. The gull.

Though...

He was quite handsome. And charming in a... ostentatious way. Smug, almost. He had swagger, and what was worse, he knew it. She sort of wondered if he could back up his bark with some bite. Not that she... That would be ridiculous. And besides, he's probably just wait for her to fall asleep, and steal her boat. And then she'd have to shoot him, and then their would be an investigation. She wasn't going to just sleep with this random guy, who tried to STEAL HER BOAT!

But it was late. And it did seem wrong to send him to the crack head, crabs ridden, prostitutes that hung out by the alleyway.

Yeah.

She didn't have to sleep with him.

She was just being a good citizen.

Thank you, inner monologue, for rationalizing this potentially life threatening choice.

Giving him a shrewd, appraising, look before a small grin came on her face. "I guess that depends on what you're looking for, Captain." She replied, her natural coyness showing through. "If, for instance you wanted an easy lay-" She opened the pantry, grabbing a bottle of spiced rum and two glasses, which she put three ice cubes each in. "Than the Alley way is all sorts of full of skanky little tarts who will simper whatever your name is in your ear." Temperance grinned, pouring the rum into the glasses, the ice cracking in contrast to the liquid. "But... if you want somewhere to sleep, than you're welcomed to my floor." Her eyebrow arched, Temperance slid the glass across the counter to him. Yes, her floor. That's what she was offering.

And, say, she decided he was not completely awful by the time she was ready to lay down, that might change.

However, as it stood... the fact that she was still sore about the boat napping attempt, the floor was his.

Taking a sip of the rum, and grabbed her extra afgan, walking it over to him, and pressing it to his chest. "But, if you try to steal my boat again. I'll shoot you." Her smile was joking, but her tone was quite serious.

Looking into his peculiar eyes, Temperance was overwhelmed with the feeling that they had met once before. But... there was nothing familar about him, physically. She couldn't explain it. Realizing that she was staring, Temperance looked away, taking another sip from her glass. "Alright, Captain?"

[HUNTER KNOX]

Always the smooth operator, Hunter could see that he was starting to grow on the little lass. He had found a chink in her armor. He had discovered a way to get to her. Now it was just a matter of smooth sailing. She would certainly play right into his hands and let him stay the night, or longer, perhaps. There was no need to rush anything at this point. He was all set. He had found a new place to set up his base of operations, and if he played his cards right, he had found a nice young piece of booty to keep right at home. Honestly this was more of a bargain than he'd been expecting when he made his way down to the docks that evening.

She managed to momentarily take the wind out of his sails with her smartass little remark about the easy lay. Certainly, he hadn't expected to jump her bones QUITE so soon, but the fact that the tightass little bitch seemed to already be calculating ahead for just such an occasion bothered him. He didn't like it when other people tried to outsmart him. It wasn't fair. HE was the only one that was allowed to think ahead and prove just how witty it was, or at least that was how it ought to be.

Besides....the floor seemed to be quite an unappealing spot to sleep, certainly unfit for such a prestigious Captain to sleep on. He grit his teeth as he began to assess the situation. Certainly, it would be best for him to just take the deal and wait, wouldn't it? If he walked out on this delightfully psychotic little wench now, then he would be sleeping on the streets anyway. At least this way he had the chance to continue probing her for more weaknesses, trying to claw his way under her skin until she was forced to break and let him slither into her bed. It was bound to happen, eventually, just so long as he kept on good terms with her and made sure to keep from putting up a fuss on such trivial matters as this. It was probably a good thing after all, truthfully. Sex just made matters ever so complicated, and if he was to make this sassy Eastern princess his first lieutenant, he would have to keep his paws off....at least for a bit.

Picking up the glass from the counter, he took a sip, watching her intently. Yes, she would do. She would do just fine, and she certainly had a fine taste in her alcohol. He would just have to toe the line for a while with her. It would be a cakewalk.

He perked up at the threat of being shot, grabbing hold of the afghan defensively and holding it close to him. "My dear, you seem to be assuming all the worst about me. Trust me, missy, I'm but a humble and willing tenant on your fine ol' vessel."

He took another swig of the rum and set the empty glass down on the counter. "I do have to ask though, would you mind ever so much giving me a kiss good night and tucking me in? I'm sure that it would make my stay all the more enjoyable." He raised an eyebrow, grinning seductively at her.

[smee1]

He took the blanket without fuss, but insisted on his heart of gold, of which Temperance was highly suspect. "My dear, you seem to be assuming all the worst about me. Trust me, missy, I'm but a humble and willing tenant on your fine ol' vessel." As he drank his rum, the weightless indignation still on his face, Temperance raised her eyebrow in disbelief. Willing, she bought. Humble... not so much. A sly grin crept on his face, confirming her belief. "I do have to ask though, would you mind ever so much giving me a kiss good night and tucking me in? I'm sure that it would make my stay all the more enjoyable." Temperance gave a chuckle, knowing this game. True, his seductive grin- which was quite seductive when it came right down to it- made it seem like his intentions were clear. But underneath that, Temperance knew she was being weighed and measured.

Running her fingers through her sleek black hair, Temperance grinned at him, black eyes full of mischief. So, he thought he was the only one who could play? He would be proven surely wrong. Convincing herself it was to make a point more than her own thrill, Temperance maintained the eye contact, stepping back closer to him. She made no move to give him the kiss that he requested, and instead studied him unabashedly. He spoke so formally, for someone so young. Temperance had been often accused of the same thing. He had a nice jaw and chin, she noticed, and utterly intense eyes. Eyes that commanded attention and demanded respect. "I suppose it is about time to turn in." She spoke suddenly, her voice light, and vaguely disinterested. But she was interested. "Though, just a warning. I wake up at about five, every morning. And I'm not stopping my routine for the sake of a guest, but if you can sleep through it, you're welcome too."

Was she going to lay in bed, unwilling to sleep until she heard soft even breaths that indicated sleep? It would seem so. Yawning, she went to turn off the light, the harbor street lights shining through her window. She could see his outline, in the light. A small grin coming across her face in the cover of darkness, she approached the outline, standing on her toes. Gingerly, she pressed her lips against the scruff on his jaw, her hand on his cheek. Ten seconds, she stood there, before dropping to the flats of her feet, and taking a step back. "I think you can manage to tuck yourself in. Sweet dreaming, Captain." Finishing off her glass, she sat it on the counter, deciding to deal with it in the morning. Knowing her boat, even in darkness, she went to her bed easily, laying on the cot with her black hair spilling on to her pillow.

But no sleep. Instead she kept her breath even, watching his frame in the dark. What would he do? He certainly was interesting, if nothing else. Temperance couldn't help but have a quiet fascination. What was it that made Captain so...

There wasn't even a word for it.

[HUNTER KNOX]

Well, he had to admit that for one evening's work, this was FAR more than he had expected. When he left for the evening he had simply assumed that he would perhaps be getting a ship out of the night's work, and that was if he was lucky. Never had he suspected that there may have been not only what appeared to be a rather stable ship in it for him, but also a lovely and hopefully soon to be doting lieutenant as well. Truly, it was a nice turn of events to have something turn out so well. It was like Christmas and Birthdays and surprise sex all rolled into one.

As she turned her back on him, decidedly refusing to bestow that goodnight kiss he had asked for, Hunter couldn't help but let his grin slump into a more disappointed sneer. Well, that was no matter, right? He would have plenty more chances to get her to kiss him and more if he stayed on the ship as long as he wanted to. She would eventually succumb to his charm, just as every other wench had who the team of Hunter and The Captain had set their eyes upon.

Now that she was getting prepared to turn off the light, Hunter was prepared to turn in for the evening. He would need to be rested up in order to continue the playful banter between the two of them once the night came to an end. Sure, he was a tad bit sexually frustrated with the promise of such a fine, nubile young woman just a mere matter of feet away from him, but that was no matter. He was made of stronger stuff than that. He could resist the urge to invade her bed for now, at least until he had figured out exactly what it was he was getting himself into here. He wanted to be absolutely certain that this was a worthwhile relationship. She was different from a common street whore. She had potential to be useful past a one night fling.

Dropping the afghan to the floor, he prepared to curl up like some kind of animal in the dark. It was then that he felt the soft touch of her hand against his face, and her lips slowly caressing his cheek. He couldn't help but let out a soft groan as she let go, slipping back into the shadows. She was like a ghost, there for only an instant and then retreating out of sight.

Well, he couldn't exactly let her get away with that. Fumbling through the dark, he forged a path across the boat to the side of her cot, folding his arms and gazing down through the light to try and make her out. "Tell me, darling, what kind of a hostess goes and leaves her honored guest with something like that? That's no way to end an evening."

Bending down on one knee, he hunched about where he assumed eye level was as he still adjusted to the darkness. "Besides, I think you might have missed your target with that kiss of yours. You were just a bit low and shy of your mark. I'd be happy to give you another go."

[smee1]

Temperance's dark, almond, eyes watched as Captain's outline stumbled across the boat. Had she not been feigning indifference to the current boat mate, she might have offered a small laugh. He hovered over her, with a voice of indignation, and Temperance was sure a face to match. "Tell me, darling, what kind of a hostess goes and leaves her honored guest with something like that? That's no way to end an evening." Again, Temperance held back a laugh. This guy really thought something of himself, didn't he? Still, the heaviness in his tone, the dignified way in which he carried himself. He had barely flinched when Temperance had the gun pointed straight at his heart. So, perhaps, there was some honor present in the youth.

Still, Temperance had too keep her cool. Give him an inch, and he'd take a mile. Snuggling in her pillow, she let out a bored, even, tone. "Oh, it isn't, is it? So, tell me, oh honored guest, what would be a proper way to end the evening." Her heart pounded, her face was flushed. Temperance was glad for the cover of darkness, because in no way was her face as calm and collected as her voice. This man was bigger than her, stronger than her. If he really wanted something, even with the pocket knife tucked away in her pillow case, there was a good chance that he could very well just take it. It had been an astoundingly stupid choice to let him stay here, and yet, Temperance had no regret. The adrenaline was pumping, the excitement tickling her. She liked the danger she smelled off from him.

He knelt down, and she could see the faint outline of his face. Nothing distinctive could be seen. The bowls of his eyes, his high cheek bones, his hair; it was a mixture of catching the light and shadows. He looked surreal. "Besides, I think you might have missed your target with that kiss of yours. You were just a bit low and shy of your mark. I'd be happy to give you another go." This time she let out a small laugh, shifting to her side to face him.

"Oh? You'd do that for me, huh? How very kind of you. I hardly deserve such charity." Temperance's voice was light, not a trace of exhaustion lacing it. Amusement? Sure. Flirtation? Possible. Intrigue? Yes, though she'd deny it allowed. But the ache of sleep no longer touched her. Grinning, Temperance leaned forward, her lips hovering over his, not enough that they touched, but enough that he could feel her grin. It was electric. It hardly even bothered her that he did not know her name, nor did she know his. It was certainly forgotten that he had tried to steal from her less than forty-five minutes before. "But I don't need it. I never miss my mark." She said, her lips flitting over his teasingly, never landing in a kiss."Ever." The breathy whisper that was Temperance's voice sounded unfamiliar to her.

But she liked it.

Falling back into her cot, she stared up at the ceiling, with a smirk across her lips. This was fun. Perhaps, if she didn't find him too detestable during the light of day, she might extend an invitation for him to come around more often. Looking back at the outline, she wondered if Captain could see her 'Your Move' grin.

[HUNTER KNOX]

Hunter had been prepared to keep firm to his rule of no sex with people who might turn out to be useful, but now he was beginning to reconsider. That rule really only applied when he thought that it would be easy to seduce the woman with his sexual prowess and wiles. This one, though... she seemed to be a different story entirely. With her it wasn't nearly so easy. She was more of a challenge. She was a prize to be won, and she clearly had no intention of making the game easy on him.

He felt his blood begin to rush as she slowly leaned over to him. It was then that he realized he needed more. That quick and gentle taste that he had received in the other room hadn't been enough. He had come to this boat with no idea what he was getting himself into, but now that he was here there was no way that he was leaving without getting a bit more than just a taste from this girl. Sure, he had yet to find out her name, and she had yet to get his, but wasn't that what made this all the better? The anonymity. The ability to caress and wrap themselves around each other without worrying about any emotions the net morning, without thinking about what the morning may bring.

But no. That was exactly what he had to worry about. He was still on board a boat belonging to this wonderful vixen. No matter how much electricity was generated by the proximity between their bodies, or how fast his blood and adrenaline ran through his veins, it wouldn't change the fact that come morning the sun would illuminate a scene of a man running away from a perfectly useful woman with a boat and a gun, having just made a new enemy. The only way to subvert that fate was to keep it contained. Keep control. He needed her. A ship was useful. A woman who knew her way around a gun was even more useful. He had to just back off, calm down, collect his thoughts. There would be other magical nights, and the joy was in the anticipation.

Now more and more committed to his idea of sleeping single for the evening, he stood up, patting her playfully on the head. Sure, he knew that killed the moment and no one actually patted a potential sexual partner, but if she was going to play hard to get then he wasn't going to bother fighting it. She had already given him a place to stay for the night. He wasn't ready to ruin that just yet.

"Well, darling, if that's really the only target you wanted to hit then I suppose I have no business being here any longer, do I?" He took a few steps away from the bed before pausing to turn over his shouldr and take one more glance at her. "Oh, and before I go and forget my manners, pleasant dreams, sweetheart." He was sure that she couldn't see him winking at her in the dark, but he felt it was necessary anyway. One couldn't imply all the sexual connotations that a sentence carried without a wink. It was simply unheard of.

Part of him still hoping that somehow, by the grace of God, this little vixen decided she didn't want to sleep alone tonight and came running after him, Hunter made his way back to the bundle of an afghan on the floor, collapsing on top of it and ready to sleep so the morning could come and he could find out more about where he was spending the evening.