Nick lifted her head a little, little warning bells going off in her head. "Didier, I didn't mean it like that," she said, turning her head to look up at him. She lowered her arms, placing one a little behind her for support so that she could look at him, the other resting across her stomach. "You're one of the toughest guys I know. If I had been hurt that bad, god knows what might have happened. I probably woulda keeled over right then an' there." Her eyes were serious, her eyebrows set in a stubborn line. They softened a little when she heard the last part, and smiled a little. "Aw, you know I worry about you too..." She tucked a curl behind her ear. "That's why I'm gonna stay here and hound ya until you get better, ok?" She couldn't help but chuckle at that last part, despite her efforts to keep a straight face.

Didier just listened until she was finished, a small smile never leaving his lips, "I'm just a silly Frenchman, aye?" he laughed again. He heard she was being serious, even though he hadn't been originally. It always hit home with Didier when Nick was sincere about her feelings with them. More than she realized probably. "If you were hurt like this, you would have gone on a rampage and you know it. You'd have taken the whole crew on by yourself." he laughed a bit more, knowing her temper.

He smiled a little wider at the last bit, "Oh great! You're going to bully me into feeling better!" he laughed, closing his eyes. His wounds still hurt, and it was wearing him down slowly. Not that he would admit that to her, though.

Nick laughed, a full, hearty sound that filled the cabin. "Yes, a little chit of a girl like me could really take on a whole crew of sea dogs who are all three times my own size." She shook her head, smiling at the notion. "My temper may be great, my dear boy, but my physical shell ain't as strong as I'd wish it to be." She rolled her eyes at him, then held her head high, trying to hide a smirk. "And for you're information, Master Didier, I will not bully you into feeling better. A lady does not bully anyone." It was a joke among the crew, calling Nick a lady when she was anything but.

She watched him as he closed his eyes, her own green orbs filling with worry. He looked like death. She folded her arms on the edge of the bed and hid the lower half of her face in them. "Of course you're a silly frenchman," she said, her tone becoming more sincere once again. "You're my silly frenchman, Didier." Didier was Nick's best friend and partner in crime. She would have felt incomplete without him by her side.

She didn't know if he was still awake, or if he could even hear her. She watched him carefully, then closed her own eyes and began to hum. It was a lullaby that had been sung to her once, a long time ago on a different ship. Even though the name was long forgotten, the song still brought back memories of strong arms and a gruff beard that tickled her cheeks whenever her father gave her a kiss. She paused and sighed, taking a moment to cherish the memory, then returned to humming, the flickering flame of the candle casting shadows over her closed eyelids.

Didier laughed a small bit, "Nah, I'm sure you could do it, you are stronger than you give yourself credit for..." he told her. He laughed a little. Indeed, it was a long running joke about Nick being a lady. By society standards, she was no where near a lady. Didier laughed again, "Well, you may not be a typical lady one would see in a dress, but by your own standards, you're a helluva woman." he told her, then was shocked that the words had actually left his lips.

When Didier closed his eyes, he just listened to her. He smiled at her word. 'Her Frenchman', he rather liked the sound of it. He had always felt close to her; partner in crime, great friends and allies... Didier couldn't imagine life without Nick in it, and what's more, he didn't want to imagine it.

He was about to speak, finally, when she began to hum. He could feel her at the edge of the bed, he caught her scent, which even after battle or weeks on the sea was the most welcoming scent he had ever witnessed. He reached a hand out and managed to gently stroke her hair, "Why don't you come up here?" he whispered, "It's gonna be awful uncomfortable on the floor all night..." he said, not moving his hand from her. He opened his eyes partially and looked at her, smiling.

She had to smile at what he said, about her being one helluva woman. She hadn't heard him say anything like that about enything else, and it pleased her that he thought so much of her. Of course, she thought the world of him, but she preffered to show it through actions.

She opened her eyes when she felt his hand on her hair, green eyes peering up at him. "Are you sure," she asked softly, one eyebrow raised. She would have loved to get in the bed- her body was tired and sore, and the floor wouldn't have helped her a bit. But she knew the bed was small, and they'd have to squeeze in tight for both of them to fit.

His eyes still partially open, he looked at her and laughed lightly, "Of course I'm sure. I wouldn't have offered otherwise, would I?" He took his hand back from her hair and pushed himself up slowly, trying to move farther back so she could fit on the bed with him, "It is your bed after all..." he said when he managed to push himself in a sitting-up position. Slowly and carefully, he moved farther to the other side of the cot. He moved as far over as he could, back nearly against the wall. So long as she didn't push on him, he wouldn't hit the would against the wood. He knew that he had given her more than enough space though, despite the bed being so small. He just smiled, waiting for her to get off the floor.

He knew she was hurt too, and after a battle like that, there was nothing like a bed to fall into. He knew that, and he felt horrible taking her bed from her because he couldn't make it into his room by himself. He especially couldn't make it onto the bed, even if he had tried, seeing as he was on the top bunk. Didier appreciated her taking care of him more than she knew, and more than he could find the words to express.

Nick hesitated for a second, then grinned and got up as he moved over, crawling onto the bed. Even with how far he had scooted over, there was only a few inches between them. "You don't have to squish yourself against the wall," she said, as she lay on her side, facing him. There was more room when she lay like that. "It would probably be best if you lay on you're stomach," she added. She sighed and rested her head on the pillow, closing her eyes for a moment. She had a lot to do when the sun rose- her first priority being that she sewed Didier's back up. Then she'd have to make the rounds, making sure she helped anyone who needed it, making sure they'd be able to hold out until they reached a pirate-port, where a doctor could be found.

She opened her eyes again and looked up at him, merely for the sake of looking. He had always been a safeport for her, someone who was always there when she needed him most, and for that she was most grateful. That was why she did the things she did, she figured.

He leaned forward onto his arm, so he was sort of on his stomach, but propped up to leave more room for her, "I don't want to take up the whole bed..." he said, only thinking of her. Didier was always more concerned with her. He cared about her, he always had. And she was always taking care of him when he got hurt, like with his back...

He had no idea what he was going to do. The wound was too prominent, there wasn't much he would be able to do aboard the ship. He was going to be useless until they got into the doctor. Nick would probably sew up the wound, and that might help, but the pain was going to be... He didn't want to think of that. He sighed into the pillow he was sharing with Nick. HE just had to try to think about the possibilites. He could die and he knew it, but he refused to accept it.

"Go ahead," she urged, reaching out one hand to rest it on his shoulder. "You need the room more then I do." She let her hand linger for a moment before sliding it away, returning it back to her side. She shifted slightly, her knee nudging his gently as she moved. She knew that she probably would have been more comfortable if she moved over a little, but she was more concerned with Didier getting enough sleep. If she needed to, she could sneak a cat nap later.

She closed her eyes again, the fatigue and worry evident on her face. She almost dreaded morning- she would have to fix Didier up, and it would hurt him. She shuddered at the thought of it. They were still at least a week away from the nearest port, and she was suddenly terrified that he wouldn't make it.

Her hand seemed to stay longer than necessary, but Didier wasn't bothered by it. He liked it. Her hand was warm, despite the cool temperature inside the cabin. Didier laughed, "You just want me to lay on my stomach so you can get closer to me and steal my body heat." he accused, smiling. He took his arm out from underneath him, he put it over Nick, letting it land over her stomach, his hand ending up by her hip, and he fell onto his stomach, lifting his head and repositioning it on the pillow so he was looking at her. He stuck his tongue out at her, "La. - There." he said, in French without meaning to, then translated into English. He was careful to speak in English when he spoke again the next time, "Happy?" he asked, waiting to be pushed away and hit in the head, despite his injury. He figured she would forget about it long enough to hit him, seeing as he had his hand- well, more his arm- on her.

Nick's eyes flew open when she felt his arm drape across her; she fought down a sudden, mysterious blush as she scowled at the tongue he stuck out at her. "Yeah, I totally want to steal you're body heat," she said, then took the incentive and snuggled in closer. She wasn't lying; it got kind of cold in her cabin, like it was now.

"You're lucky you're injured... and warm," she said, her voice muffled as she burrowed her face into the pillow. "Or I'd kick your pretty little French rear across the ship." She peeked up from the pillow, her eyes searching for his in the low light. "Is it uncomfortable," she asked, sounding unsure of herself. She wanted to smack herself across the face; she had never been unsure of herself, so why was she now? She shrugged and buried her face against the pillow again, sighing blissfully as her bed cushioned her sore muscles.

Didier laughed lightly as she moved closer to him; he had been playing around when he suggested her getting closer to steal his body heat, but she had actually taken him up on the offer. He pulled her against him as gently as he could. There was nothing wrong with this, right? They were friends. Just trying to keep warm... no, nothing wrong at all. But Didier had this odd feeling in his stomach, it was a tingly one, and warm... it couldn't be bad, but it was different.

"Aww, you think I have a nice butt..!" he smiled, taunting her a little. In all honesty, he couldn't believe she had said that. "Is what uncomfortable?" he asked, trying to see her in the darkness. Her voice was different than usual. It lacked the confidence it usually contained, like she was embarrassed or shy now. Then he realized what she was talking about, "Oh.. do you want me to leave?" he asked, "I can get on the floor, if you want." he said. She was uncomfortable sharing her bed with him. Even if they were friends...

"What? No," Nick said quickly, sitting up a little so that she could see him better. "I meant was it uncomfortable for you having me so close. Like, is it bothering you're back lifting you're shoulder up like that?" She was scrambling for excuses, for reasons. "Sleeping on the floor isn't going to help you anyways," she continued.
"Look, just forget I asked that," she said, laying back down. "If you even think about getting up I'll sit on your legs or something." She was teasing him now, getting him back for the butt comment, but she was partially serious.

Didier laughed a little. She was trying so hard to explain herself, it was cute. He smiled at her, "No, it's not uncomfortable," he began to answer, even though she said forget it, "My shoulder blade is the least uncomfortable bit of me right now." he said, putting his arm back where it was when she lie back down. "If I'm uncomfortable, I will let you know." he said, encouraging her to move back how she was against him.

"Thank you," he said suddenly, closing his eyes. She was such a great friend to him, and he didn't thank her enough for all she had done for him. Especially not with his back today and taking care of him like she had been.

"Alright," she muttered, then scooted back to where she had been.
"You're welcome," she said, a little surprised. "What are friends for and all, right?" She felt a lump in her throat as she said that. She swallowed it down and pressed her face against the pillow, scowling. They were just friends, and she was taking care of him like a friend should... Right?
[[Eek, short post is short >.<]]

((Short post is fine, darlin'. xP ))

Didier smiled as she moved closer to him, back to where she was. He knew she'd be warmer that way and he wanted to take care of her the way she always did him. Plus, it was nice to have non-piratey- contact with someone. The other guys on the ship could be rough, and while Nick could, this was different... This was warm, friendly and it was... nice... He smiled a little as she spoke, "But we're more than friends, right?" he asked, then realized it sounded a little odd, "I mean we're like best friends.. right?" he asked.

Then he went onto explain more, "I have never known anyone like you, Nick." he whispered with a smile, "you're a much better person than you give yourself credit for. An' like I said, you're a helluva woman." That was the point where he had to resist the impulses his body was putting out, and instead he just twitched. He knew it was strange, but he had had the urge to lean in and kiss her cheek. He laughed a little, to cover it up so she wouldn't worry and he wouldn't have to explain. Didier hoped she wouldn't catch on. Instead, to fulfill the impulses, he reached up and stroked her hair lightly, again hoping he wouldn't get smacked.

Nick peered up at him again, as she felt his hand touch her hair. She was surprisingly pleased; it made her feel like she was a girl instead of just a pirate. She was used to shoving and messing around with her crew mates, but this was... nice. It was something her father used to do for her, but it felt different. She dismissed his twitching when he laughed; his back was probably hurting, and his body was just reacting to it. Like a flinch, or something.
"Of course, you're my best friend," she said, rolling her eyes. "You took care o' me when I first came here a scrawny, beat up, miserable lil' thing, and you stood by me when I told everyone I was a girl." She shrugged, pushing her arms under the pillow. She had her reasons, and she hoped he would just take it as her trying to keep her arms warm. "And I'm really not that great," she said. "I'm one helluva woman, sure, but I ain't no lady, and that's what counts the most," she said, her voice almost a little sad. "I ain't ever going to fit in anywhere but here." As she said it, she realized she didn't care as much as she used to. Didier was here, and that was enough for her.

Didier laughed, "You still remember all that?" Didier remembered it, but he thought Nick had forgotten by now. He smiled a little, then felt her move her arms under the pillow, "Are you still cold? You can move closer." he said, moving towards her a bit more, slowly, so he wouldn't hurt the gash any more than necessary.

"Hey," he said listening to her talk about her not being a lady and not fitting in, "You fit in here. Being a lady isn't what matter so much as being a good person. We might be pirates, but were not as bad as some. You're caring and you can be quite sweet when you're not ripping someone's head off." he laughed a little, "You're perfect the way you are." he said, tussling her hair jokingly and laughing.

Nick laughed and playfully headbutted him in the chest, gently so as not to hurt him. "Of course I remember all that," she said, snuggling a little closer. "You were the only person I had when everyone else was all for dumping me at the next port." She shivered; she had seen what happened to women pirates abandoned by their crew, and it was terrible.

She lowered her eyes as he talked, listening and taking his words to heart. "Yeah, I guess yer right," she said. "But I'm a woman either way, an' these things are gonna bother me." She shrugged and pressed her forehead to his chest again. "Carin' and sweet, huh? Unfortunately, I like ripping people's heads off." She chuckled, able to feel his heartbeat against her forehead.

Didier let out a small "oof" when he was headbutted. It had rippled into his back and caused him to twitch from the pain, but he hoped it was unnoticed. It hadn't been that bad and he didn't want her to be worried about him or that she may have hurt him. "Well I didn't see a reason to leave you anywhere. You seemed like you had potential, not to mention you were very pretty and I was very young and impressionable." he laughed, covering the compliment so she wouldn't take it too seriously. He had meant it, of course. He had and still did find her attractive, but he wasn't willingly going to admit that to her. Especially under penalty of death.

He put his hand on the back of her head, petting her hair gently as she rested against his chest. Didier laughed at her ripping peoples' heads off comment, "Ha, well, I find that quite appealing about you..." he said, "I know you're a woman, and I know it's going to bother you, but I'm telling you you shouldn't let it." he said in a whisper.

Nick was oblivious to the fact that her little headbutt had hurt him. She closed her eyes, letting him talk. She snorted, in a faile attempt to choke back laughter. "Hah, pretty? I thought I was the ugliest little scoundrel to crawl up from the sea. I looked like a boy, after all." She chuckled again, shaking her head. Nick had always thought Didier was good-looking, and had been surprised that he had stuck with an ugly little thing like her. It had made her feel good, and she was always grateful to him for that.

She was feeling better now, and opened her eyes as he whispered. She had a sudden urge to touch his hair, or his cheek, or something. She suddenly wanted contact, and she didn't understand it. "You're so weird," she said, teasing him. "Jus' be careful you ain't the one on the other side of that 'appealing' character trait o' mine." She smiled and closed her eyes again, her head still tilted towards him.

[[wait, pain o' death?]]

(( Penalty of death = Nick beating the shite out of Didier. Lol. ))


"BOF!" he laughed in French, "Jim is the ugliest scoundrel to crawl up from the sea." he joked, then continued, "You were still very pretty, still are." he said the last two words very quickly and rather inaudibly. Didier could remember when he first met Nick. He knew she wasn't a boy and he was totally smitten by her. He really did think she was pretty, and he had quite the crush on her. Come to think of it, he couldn't remember exactly when he grew out of the crush... Maybe after a couple months? He couldn't be sure. But he told himself he certainly had.

Didier laughed again, lightly, "Well, it's quite sexy as long as it ISN'T ME, naturally." he said, not really aware of how he had said it, nor his phrasing. "Though, if you did, I'm sure there'd be a reason, a good one, for it." he said. Too bad it was so dark. He wished he could see her at that moment. He especially wanted to know how she was reacting to everything he was saying.

Nick laughed, hard, actually needing a few minutes to calm down and catch her breath. "A'right, you got me there," she said, still chuckling. "Jim is an ugly blighter." She grew quiet for a moment, a small blush staining her cheeks. She was almost thankful for the dark- what would he think if he saw her blushing like a fool? She let herself think for a moment, thinking about when she had first met him. She had thought he was the most amazing person she had ever seen, and now that she thought about it, she realized she had actually liked him. But I don't anymore, she thought, almost frantically. .....Right?

Her blush deepened as he continued, and she actually needed to sit up, putting a hand over the lower half of her face unconciously as her blush raged. "Y-yeah," she said, her voice slightly muffled behind her fingers. "Oh darn, I was hoping it would be terrifying, or maybe even mildly disturbing, but not sexy," she said, trying to redeem herself. She feared it was too late for that.

[[OH. lol. I can see that now.]]

((Yup. xP ))

Didier enjoyed hearing her laugh, and was happy he had done it. He smiled at her through the dark. He laughed also a bit at her comment, which was entirely true. Then he heard her hiding her face, or at least he thought that was what she was doing, as her voice was muffled, "You're embarrassed, aren't you?" he laughed, "Are you blushing? I think you're blushing..." he teased. Didier wasn't doing it to be mean, he just was always amazed when she reacted like that to anything. She tried to be so tough, and rightfully so, but when she acted like this, it was comforting, in a way.

"I-I am not," she said indigntantly, her blush depeening. "Ooh, you're lucky you're injured," she said, looking down at him. "Or I'd--"
There was a bang as the door flew open, light flooding the room as two of the crew members stepped in (one of them being Jim). "Oi, Nick, we needya ta--" Jim began, then stopped, his eyes widening. Nick shied away from the light a little, her cheeks still stained a deep scarlett.
"What do you want," she asked, her voice harsh.
"Nothin', I s'pose," Jim said, grinning a little as his surprise wore off. "We'll jus' get ya in the mornin'. Sorry fer disturbin' ye two." Nick yanked off her boot and hurled it at the door. Jim closed it in time to miss being hit by the door, leaving his lantern on her table. Nick got out of bed and crossed the room, snatching her boot up. She pulled it back on, then sighed and leaned her forehead against the door, partially to hide her still-flushed face and partially to think.
"They're goin' to give us hell about this tomorrow," she groaned.
[[Gotta love people who don't knock X3]]