It was mid March and the dock was crowded with fishermen cleaning and preparing their boats for the spring. A chill breeze blew in over the waves and rustled the trees onshore. There had been a streak of good weather lately with temperatures in the forty to fifty degree range making it the ideal condition to take out the yacht. At the dock entrance Michael limped along on a cane while overseeing the equipment being moved onboard. Martine carried him a fresh thermos of coffee, the sun was lowering on the horizon and she didn't want him to catch a chill. He already looked as though he was at death's door.

"Here, I brought you some coffee. I want you to drink it."

"Martine I don't have time for..." She flashed him a disapproving look and his heart melted. "I'm sorry. Of course." He made a large show of sipping a bit through the mouthpiece on the lid and then sat it down on the worn wooden rail. "Did you make your hotel accommodations?"

"No. I didn't because I'm coming with you." She planted her feet firm and motioned behind her to where her luggage stood packed and ready to come on board.

"Martine absolutely not! It is too dangerous for you.."

"Oh, but just dangerous enough for you?" She smirked.

"I absolutely forbid it!"

She leaned in and wrapped her arms around his waist and carefully planted a loving kiss on his mouth.

"I forbid it." Despite his intent his once booming voice came out barely more than a whisper. All the anger was gone, sapped from it by her affection.

"If you're quite done bellowing I'll be moving my bags into the cabin now." She smiled as she let him go and he struggled to position his cane in time to support himself.

He cursed under his breath. She was a major weakness of his and her interference could cost him time that he desperately needed. Yet as he watched her smile and wheel her bags up the dock he didn't have the will to resist her any further. Perhaps this would afford him a few last nights with the one person he loved most of all.

Emil walked up to him bundled in his white wool coat. "I thought we agreed that she couldn't come?"

"I can't leave her Emil. She's my everything."

"She'll be the death of you this time."

Morbius turned hostile towards his once friend, "That is ridiculous. I will tell her to stay on deck and we'll start the first round of shock treatments at sundown."

Emil sighed and pulled up his sleeve to check his wristwatch. "That's maybe four to three hours tops then to get offshore. We must hurry."

Michael smoothed his hair out with his hand and took another sip of the still warm coffee. "The equipment is on it just needs to be hooked up and double-checked."

"And you're sure about Martine?"

"I can't talk her out of it. I actually ordered her.."

Emil stifled a laugh. "Yeah, how could she not be swayed by your forcefulness."

Michael side-eyed him but decided not to ruffle any more feathers until later. "Let's get to the lower deck then."

"Okay Michael, but this is very ill advised."

With that the pair shuffled off towards the boat. Both wary of events now set in motion.

The weather thankfully held it's cool and mild temperament and the boat made swift progress travelling for an hour. At about twenty-five miles from the coast they stopped to drop anchor. The sun began to dip towards the horizon and they all decided to take in some relaxation before the testing. On deck muffled noises escaped from the first floor cabin.

"Martine I have to go." He rolled over onto his back on the twin sized bed and tugged on his pants. Blankets were piled on the floor from being kicked off of the mattress carelessly. He barely had any energy left but if he hadn't taken the opportunity to make love to her a last time he was positive he'd regret it for eternity.

"Are you sure you have to work now? It's dark outside." She looked darling in her lace slip and he prayed he'd get another night at least to lay and hold her as she dreamt.

"That's why we have the generators. Do not worry about us."

"But why all this secrecy Michael? Why the ocean? Why rent the yacht?" She leaned on the bed and rested on her stomach.

He bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Please just trust me."

"I do Michael, but please be safe. All I want is for you to be safe." She sighed heavily and he turned to cover her with the blanket, taking a moment to caress her back before he exited the room.

"I will Martine... and I love you"

Below deck Emil was double checking the generators and listening to the weather report on the radio with the occasional hiss of static due to a lost signal. The hold was far smaller than their usual lab and machines had to be squeezed in on all sides. The lighted components and monitors produced an eerie green glow that reflected off the walls. Michael walked down the stairs hearing a reverberation with each footstep.

"Emil, is everything functioning?" He walked over to check the measurements on a small laptop towards the center of the room.

"Yes, everything is ready. You may want to change first." Emil motioned towards a small suitcase tucked in a corner.

Michael took it cautiously from the ground and opened it up beside the laptop on the counter. Inside there were two suits of clothes. One a silver conductive suit woven with circuits, the other to be worn under was a navy blue rubber polymer with a red collar, skintight and meant to insulate against the shocks he was about to get subjected to.

"I'll change. Just promise me Emil, if this doesn't work you'll take care of Martine won't you?"

Emil looked up with sympathetic eyes. "You know I will, Michael."