Jax was leading Luc back to the Captain's cabin feeling just a little guilty that he would leave the lad alone. But not enough to change his mind. As they turned he noticed a faint glow from the galley and figured a hunk of dried salted beef might help the boy relax into sleep. Full belly might chase some nightmares away. Worth a try if only to lessen his own flutters of unsettled choices. 

So with a quick step Jax swung toward the door. Brashly he pushed it opened and stepped inside with Luc still under his arm like two drunken sailors helping each other home. But they weren’t drunk and this wasn’t really home. That was obvious as soon as the door slammed shut behind them with the leftover force of a fleeing storm. They had intruded. That was very clear as the closeness of the two filled the air all around the empty room. Captain and his sea witch. It was thick with intimacy of some kind. Oh they were dressed and not sucking each other’s air at all but the way they touched each other and the silent caresses of words Jax did not hear made their presence awkward. A child and a wet worn man there ,where just two lovers should be. 

They could just turn and leave. But Jax made the exact opposite decision. “Ah,” He opened his arms wide and grinned, leaving go of Luc. “Just who we wanted to find.” Luc glanced to Jax not sure what that meant and his look said so. “I was just taking the lad back to your quarters Captain.” Jax took another step into the galley leaving Luc confused and a bit behind. Luc lowered his head and stood still. 

“Thing is, he has seen enough.” Jax didn’t try to lower his voice but he directed the conversation toward the lovers, Thomas and Antonia. They were worn and dirty too, blood evident on them just as it was on Jax and even a bit on Luc. “And now?” He opened his arms gesturing at the two of them. Somehow he wished he was right where they were. Oh not here in the kitchen but softly reassuring each other with touches and eyes in a different cabin along side his boots. And that need, desire, want, weight more than the hesitation he might have been where he shouldn’t be. “Now, if I can leave him here in your care, might be the best.” He turned from the two of them to glance at Luc. “All of us have nightmares.” He spun back to Thomas and smiled, “Even Captains.” 

Jax opened his mouth to say more but closed it quickly, enough said. Enough seen. Enough done. He moved toward the door before either Thomas or Antonia could protest the dumping of the boy into their private time. Right before he left he nudged Luc who was still by the door and gave him a wink. He had no idea why or what he was trying to convey. Just it was all right? Was it? But Jax knew where he needed to be. It wasn’t here. It wasn’t with the young frightened boy or the two consoling lovers. 

Mr. Davenport had never been know to be the fastest of the crew. But then he was now more than just the man he had been. More directed. More sure. More filled. In fluid steps like water of a wave he was inside Nicki’s cabin and on her. His arms around her with little doubt of his meaning. She sang to him. He knew it. All the melodies that danced in his head were calls from her. She wanted him. She wanted him to take her away from all of this and surround her with his body and soul. She wanted him to take her. Take her, all of her, and go off together into the sea. That’s why she sang to him. That why she called. He knew this and with quick steps he meant to tell her he would obey the call, the song.

She might fight or pretend to resist. Yet that was all part of this melody they made together. She would pretend strength when she was weak with her desire. For him. For their song together. He would prevail. He would make sure she knew he would so she could fall into him exactly as she really wanted to. The song said so.

Holding her tight any way he could he would pull her from her room and bring her out to the wind and sea so she could know. So she could feel the song better as the splash of the fading storm sang to them both. Together they would leave this horrid place and instead fly from the deck into the notes of a promised union crashing in the sea. Down into their depths. Down into each other. Down into the waters that would save them both.