The sudden tautness of Sebastian's body immediately put Marabelle on the alert. This whole situation had to be difficult for him, knowing Alice lashed out at the only person she held responsible for everything. She had reached an age where she was no longer naive and understood everything that was going on around her. Including the physical abuse that Marabelle received at the hands of Joseph after one too many drinks. What she wasn't expecting was the question to come out of his mouth, requesting she and their daughter return to the ship when they decide to leave port. Opening her mouth to speak then closing it when she realized she didn't have an answer, she pulled back to look directly into her husband's emerald green eyes. "If I do, then I will need time to clean up matters here as my father's health is failing and..." Making a face as if she tasted something sour, she dropped her gaze. "There's always the matter of Joseph." He hadn't awoken yet from the strike Alice had delivered to his head, and it was unknown if he would. "How long would I have?" Staring down at her hands in her lap, Marabelle was almost afraid to look up as she didn't want to see the expression her husband was wearing. -------- Elijah heard the voices and the footsteps long before Jack entered the dining area. Fighting back against his fight or flight response, he stayed put, willing himself invisible. He knew the other man knew about his involvement in the dissolution of their engagement but wasn't sure to what extent. Feeling the gaze of the larger man on him, his body froze, mug hanging midair halfway between the table and his mouth. [i]What do I do?[/i] Elijah was used to solving battles between others, but when it came to conflict that involved him, he was at a loss.