Shinzon looked over his shoulder at the Romulan. "This is the 'man' who abducted you?" He returned his gaze briefly to Sammy then back to the Romulan and waited patiently for her reply. His left eyebrow lifted and an uneasy smile spread across his face. He should have expected this.
"Yes." It was barely a whisper yet she saw him flinch as her breath passed gently along his cheek. The air was thick with tension. There was something in his expression when he looked back at her just now, was it recognition? Disgust? It was just a glimmer of emotion that she couldn't quite grasp. Did he know this man?
Sammy stared past Shinzon searching for a means of escape. How was she going to get herself out of this alive? Would she need to ally herself with one of them? Who was worse, she thought to herself ... the Romulan or the human captain? If the time came and she was forced, would she be able to make a decision between the lesser of two evils?
The Romulan: He had been cordial. He had not held a dagger to her throat. She touched her neck at the thought of the cold steel. He seemed to feel that this captain posed some kind of a threat. He had kidnapped her and threatened her father. He was holding her captive against her will even thou she had completed her side of their bargain. He was guilty of lying, kidnapping and who knew what else. Alright, she had to admit it, he was a bad man.
The Captain: He was disturbingly quiet. He had held his dagger to her throat yet she was still alive. He had kissed her so soundly that the mere thought of it made her heart skip a beat and in return she kidnapped him. Well this wasn't going to get her a second date with the man that was for sure. She laughed to herself. His demeanor and voice belied a much more commanding presence which he kept well guarded. He was an arrogant self-serving bastard yet he had displayed a modicum of compassion and respect. She supposed HE, no matter how vile, was innocent until proven guilty for the moment.
If things went awry who would she choose; the man with the disruptor or the man with the dagger?
Shinzon spun and with an air of dignity walked slowly to the force field. Inches from it he stopped, clasped his hands behind his back, held his head high and asked pointedly, "What do you want from us?"
Roman laughed and looked lecherously past Shinzon to Sammy. "Nothing from the woman, thou I wager she'll bring a fair price at the slaver's market, but you?" His eyes returned to the captain. "You are our bargaining chip. Our ace in the hole."
Shinzon restrained himself. He wanted to wipe the smugness off the traitor's face. He would not be used as a pawn by some rogue Romulan privateer. "We will not bargain with the likes of you." He turned and strode back to the cot to sit down.
"Oh they will bargain for you or you will be returned to them one piece at a time." Sammy's head snapped to attention. Had she heard that correctly? The Romulan gave her a curt bow then spun on his heels and made to leave the outer chamber.
Sammy yelled after him. "My ship? Did you keep your word? Was it released?" She took a page from the captain's book and cautiously approached the force field. Roman continued walking. Was her father alright? Damn it! She needed to know!
Roman spoke as he left the room. "They were released the second you returned with the Praetor." His answer was cold but she didn't care as long as she was assured that her father was alive and well.
Sammy let out an audible sigh of relief as she watched the door close behind her captor. When she turned back to the captain she saw emotion in his eyes again. It was becoming clear that he hid his emotions well. Since they were gone in an instant she was not sure if it was pain, pity or what. She had the urge to reach out to him, thou whether to smack him or hug him she was not sure. Instead she shook her head to clear the confusion and went back to the window to contemplate their escape. When had it become "their escape" she wondered.
Her fingers idly traced along the bottom of the cool window. The ship shook and she watched as the stars began to streak by. Her legs felt heavy as she turned towards the cot. The warp-induced vertigo was messing with her sense of balance. She needed to sit and think. Her father was safe. Now she could do what she did best; get out of tight situations alive and well.
She teetered but managed to get to the cot without crumbling to the floor. She would either be rescued or escape on her own. She felt better knowing her father was safe. The Romulan and his crew would pay for this trechery, she would see to it. She would be OK. She kept telling herself that. They would be OK.