Captain of the Bloody Rose

"She'll be my first mate, and welcome in here whenever she pleases. But I'm sure she'll want her privacy." Joseph reasoned.

He sat down and sighed, having not slept well the night before. "She's in the inn tonight. I'm thinking Ill escort her back to the ship in the morning. The last thing I want is for her to see you and get herself in a tussy."

Collins nodded, knowing full well what she could be capable enough when she was in the right kind of mood.

"What do you think about her...well..." He didn't need to really explain further. It was rather obvious that Collins was very concerned about Jane's mental health as well as her physical health. It was obvious just looking at her that she wasn't very well, at least it was obvious if you had seen her back when she was healthy and if not happy, at least content.

"I think she just needs some time to mend." Joseph said simply. "And don't we all?"

He picked up a bottle of wine, poping the cork out with his teeth before taking a swig. He had to drink the wine, the rum being too heavy on his stomach after the whole 'ocean tossed insides' ordeal...

He put the bottle down, looking back to his bed where Jane had slept. He didnt want to admit it even to himself; but he was worried about her.

"I can agree to that." Collins said sadly, rubbing his head tiredly. Some more than others of course, but everyone needed time sometimes to pull themselves back together. Looking up, Collins asked another question he was sure that Joseph didn't want to think about.

"I'm sorry if this seems forward, but did you get a look at her leg or her ribs? I don't know how those wounds are doing but I see her limpin occasionally and I worry about it."

"I havnt checked." he laughed. "It was, eh.... A bit less revealing last night than I think you think." he informed Collins. "I'll have to ask her later."

He was more worried about her lack of muscle tone or fat more than any leg issue she might have had. In all honesty, an injury you could live with; he did it for years now.... Malnutrition was far more dangerous.

"Ah." was all Collins said, deciding it was in his best interest to not pry into this. He'd learned long ago that there are some things that no man wants to know, and when that little voice in the back of your head started warning you, it was best to listen. So he just nodded, and fell to thinking about it himself, wondering at the extent of the damage they would be dealing with. Or at the very least what Joseph would be dealing with.

"Alright I'll tell you one thing. You need my help for anything, don't hesitate to ask alright? Don't destroy yourself trying to save her." He said simply, feeling like he might have finally overstepped his bounds with that last comment, but felt it was necessary none the less.

Joseph looked over sharply, though didnt bother to raise his voice. he viewed Collins as a friend and respected him as such. "If I need help, you'll be the first to know." he informed him. His tone made it clear that the topic of conversation needed to change.

He stood up, stretching his legs. "I'll have someone carry this all down to your cabin. If they give you any lip, tell me. It's a young crew, and I need to make sure I have their respect."

Collins nodded, knowing a dismissal when he heard one. At least he hadn't gotten angry with the old man. Most men, friend or not, wouldn't have taken what Collins said well, but Joseph wasn't really like most men.

"I'll start getting everything set up as well. Who knows when I'll have my first patient eh?" He said, laughing a little. Sometimes a change of subject to something lighter was the one thing needed. He stood slowly, seeming far older than he had only months ago and stetched. It was getting late in the day, and he wanted to set everything up before he slept.

"I spose I'll head out and talk to the crew a bit then. Always good to get off on the right foot. Have a good night Captain." He said, friendly and sincere though the last sentence had that added meaning. The hidden wondering of where he would be spending the night. Would Joseph go to Jane like he said? Or would he let Jane come to him in the morning. He was curious, but knew better than to ask, so he left, in search of other crewmates to talk to and start to get to know. He figured Joseph would send the man to him that had taken his stuff into the room so that Collins actually knew where it was.

For the rest of the day, Joseph wasn't seem by the majority of his crew. True enough, a woman did approach Collins and inform him that his supplies had been put into a cabin below deck designated for him, though that was all the word the elderly man received from his new captain.

---

Joseph ended up leaving the ship with his hand on, walking stick in hand and no gold on his person. He walked silently over to the inn, ignoring the few strange looks he recived. Most pople recognized him by now and dismissed him as the crazy new captain.

Jane sat on the floor in the barren room, her purchases on the table in the corner of the room. She had no pack or bag to carry anything in, having abandoned most of her things months ago. She just sat there staring up at the ceiling, silently thinking.

She had told the inn keeper that a man may come looking for her, and to just send him to her room. No questions asked. She wasn't really worried about anyone else finding her there since they had no idea who she was anyways. The man had given her an odd look, wondering like many others in the town who the hell this woman was. She spoke with authority, a tone that brooked no room for argument. Yet, she looked weak and haggard, barely able to stand on her own two feet. He'd offered to send more food to her room, seeing she had barely eaten any soup but she refused, leaving him standing with a bemused and yet concerned expression on his face.

"I'll handle it." a voice said behind him. "Scuse me. You're in my way." Joseph tipped his head before reaching past him, opening the door. He slipped in, closing it behind him- leaving the poor fellow for the second time in three minutes bemused and alone with a door inhis face.

Slowly she turned her head to look at him, the dead look to her eyes startling until it faded to a kind of tired smile that lit up her face.

"You came." She said, pointing out the obvious, yet she sounded surprised like she really hadn't expected him to come at all. She was so used to being alone that having someone, anyone, around that actually cared about her was odd and unusual.

She gestured lazily to the purchases on the table before pulling out the cloth bag he'd given her before, still heavily waited with coin. She hadn't spent much.

"Everything I purchased is there if you'd like to take a look."

"Why would I bother looking?" he raised an eyebrow. "It's your stuff." he said sitting down. "Keep the coin purse, it's yours." he added, rubbing one eye sleepily. "Have you eaten?"

She didn't argue, and just tied the purse to her belt again. She was too tired to argue, too tired to try and fight him. Just didn't have the energy. It felt like her entire body was weighing her down, each breath slow and heavy, hard to take. Perhaps it was her lack of sleep and nutrition finally catching up to her, or maybe it was just a busy day.

"I ate...earlier." She said slowly, not technically lying but at the same time she didn't think he would count a half eaten bowl of lentil soup as really eating per say.

"You should sleep." She added, turning the conversation back to him. She had never liked discussing herself in any way shape or form. That was one thing that had not changed.

"I'm sorry for taking your bed last night. I doubt you got much rest."

Joseph blinked. "I slept fine. Get some rest. I'll get you something for breakfast in the morning and we'll be on our way." he said looking worried still. "You look like you've had a long day."

"Not too long." She replied, looking away from him and staring at the wall. She knew she was worrying him. She could see it in his eyes. Yet she couldn't stop herself. Just couldn't bring herself to act more energetic or even happy really. Though she was much better with him around then when he was gone, she was still lethargic, and so very tired. Yet, for the life of her she couldn't just fall asleep.

"Stay with me?" She asked, turning to look at him again, her green eyes pleading.

"Of course." Joseph said taking his hat off, tossing it lazily aside. "You know, I ran into someone today." he said. "Collins. He's agreed to come aboard as my medic... If it weren't for him..." he held up the walking stick. "Guess you didnt notice how heavily I was leaning on this before, did you?"

"I saw it with you, but the next time I saw you was at the shore. I didn't really notice much." She said honestly, very concerned now about his back. Suddenly it occured to her that he had to have carried her last night, with a bad back.

"You carried me last night. Oh god." She said quietly, her eyes widening in horror.

Getting up she went over to him and forcefully pushed him down on the bed to sit. Thus began her visual examination of him, looking for any signs of discomfort. When she was satisifed that for whatever reason he wasn't writhing in pain right now, she sunk down to her knees before him, dejected in a way, and lay her head on his leg. Had it been any other kind of situation, their position could have been rather sexual. But it was obvious that at that moment that was the thing furthest from her mind.

"I'm so sorry." She said, her long hair spread out on the bed beside his leg. "I keep hurting you."

Joseph frowned, brushing her hair with his hand. "I promise carrying you didn't hurt. Losing you hurt far more."

He managed to find her chin and tilted it up. He was sitting shirtless thanks to her examination, all his scars showing off for a change, including the new ones acquired form the sea beating he received. the rope left a scar around his waist where it had tried to tear him apart, and the crude jagged tear in his side was pulln tight and indented in the horrible stitch job used. His stomach no longer indented in where organs had been hacked and made shorter, though he did seem thinner.

She nodded slowly not sure if she really believed him or not. She remembered too clearly what had happened the last time he had deigned to try and carry her. Though she had a feeling this time that she had been much lighter for him to carry then before.

"So you found Collins. I had a feeling he was still following me." She said, laying her head back down on his lap. She felt comfortable there, with his hand running through her hair. It was comforting in a way. Though the way she was sitting most certainly wasn't. Most people would have curled themselves around his leg, bent their waist. She sat rigid, like she was in a corset, with no bend to her at all. Her leg was also awkwardly positioned, held out to the side of her as if she was favoring it.

[Are you on IM?]



Joseph frowned then sighed. "Look, I'll sit on the floor. You need to get some rest, strengthen yourself up." he insisted.

Jane turned to look up at him, her green eyes unreadable as she processed his words. Without saying another word she got up and pushed him down onto the bed, not caring that he was shirtless or about any sense of worry or propriety he might have been trying to salvage. At this point she really didn't give a damn.

Because once she pushed him down onto the bed she laid down right there next to him and nestled her head where his arm met his chest.

"Now we can both rest." she said stubbornly, laying her hand across his broad scarred chest and looking up at him, daring him to try and argue with this one.

Joseph didn't argue. Far from it. Instead he nodded lightly, craned his neck and kissed her forehead. The arm she was laying on bent to wrap around her, his hand resting on her hip.

"Sleep." he encouraged, using his free arm to fish the blanket from under them. He managed to get it after a little shifting between the two, then tossed it over them, shielding them from the nights chill.

Jane did not sleep quite as well that night, having enough rest now for her nightmares to come back in full. She twicthed slightly in her sleep, moaning occasioanlly before something soothed her again. When the next morning finally dawned and she blearily opened her eyes she was thankful for the warm chest and the beating of his heart that calmed her instantly.

She laid like that for a moment, perfectly still, afraid to wake him. He seemed so tired to her, so beat down and she knew part of it had to do with her. She started to think about what he had said that night, about the gravestone and how much he had missed her. The tears she had seen in his eyes that night. It made her think about her own sorrow, the life that she had led since he had dissappered. What would life be like now? That was the great unknown now and made her afraid. What would happen now?

Joseph stirred lightly, tensed then relaxed. The way he was twisted was no good for his back, though he felt so comfortable with jane in his arm, he didnt seem to notice. I'd slept through the night, peeking one eye open when she was having a bad dream, jsut long enough to clam her down before nodding off again.... Neither of them were fully rested.