Shinzon sat staring strait ahead, focused on an imaginary point on the wall across from him. He tried not to think about what would happen to this human female if he left her in the hands of these Romulan traitors. It was her fault he was in this mess. She had gotten him into this and he'd be damned if he'd risk his life by adding her to his escape plans. She would surely get them both killed.
Foolish girl. Did she really believe her ship had been set free? From the way she behaved someone very special was on board that ship. Who was it, a husband, or maybe a lover? He shook the thought from his head. He didn't care as long as he was rid of her.
"Why are you dressed like that?" The Captain pointed the dagger at her dress.
Sammy smiled meekly. She sat a comfortable distance from him on the cot and stared at the floor in front of her. When she was nervous she had a habit of talking too much. In fact she down right rambled. This situation was no exception. She didn't feel she could stop herself even if she wanted to so she relaxed and let nature take its course.
"This is my wedding dress. I was on my way to Alpha Tokari with my new husband, the Prince, for our wedding night." Her eyes took in the torn dress. It had been a beautiful present from the Queen. She smoothed the skirt along her thigh. "The hunter green represents the prince's clan. I would have preferred white." This last revelation was but a whispered thought, a childish fantasy.
Shinzon glanced over at her. His eyes skimmed the length of her without her knowledge. "The green suits you." His eyes flitted back to the imaginary spot on the wall across from him and he tried to focus on his escape plan. He was finding it increasingly difficult to chase her from his mind. She was married. This explained who was on that ship, who had been used to leverage her into the pirate's plans. He imagined she was desperate to return to her husband and their honeymoon.
His comment made her feel warm and a blush crept slowly up her neck. "Thank you. Well where was I? Oh, yes, we were then ambushed by these Romulans before we were even 2 hours out of space dock and I was coerced into delivering their message to you." She wasn't ready to divulge more about the wedding. She felt humiliated by the circumstances and didn't want to experience this man's pity or worse yet his ridicule. "I swear I had no idea this would happen. I thought it was a message. That is all."
"I believe you. You have no reason to lie. After all you are about to be sold to the highest bidder." He knew he shouldn't have said it but he just couldn't help himself. He was certain he let it slip due to the realization of who his captors were. If he had been a little more honest with himself he would've acknowledged the pang of jealousy he felt when he heard that she was married to another man. No matter if it was her choice or not she had gotten him in this mess so he justified inflicting this latest barb and shook off the accompanying guilt.
"No!" She continued in a controlled voice. "They will come for me."
Shinzon gave it a thought. He closed his eyes and pictured her at the altar mere hours earlier. His hand ached to drop the dagger and replace her hand with his on her thigh. He felt a heat course through him and looked away from her. If she were his, he would let nothing stop him from getting her back. She was probably correct. There was a furious love-struck husband out there preparing to mount an assault on the ship. Did he have time to wait it out? He thought not. He forced his mind to return to plans of escape.
Sammy wasn't sure of anything anymore. She felt a rise of panic again, a sense of doom. She turned to the man sitting beside her and blurted out, "We need to escape. I sense danger. We need to get out of here and I don't think we can wait to be recued. We need to plan this together. I know I can help. At the very least I will not get in your way. At the first sign that I am slowing you down you can just leave me."
Shinzon let out a forced laugh. "Help?! Don't you feel you've been enough help?" His voice was crisp as he got strait to the point. "How can you help me?"
This sounded like a step in the right direction. He would think about planning a joint escape. "I have seen a bit of the ship. It's the size of a small star cruiser with warp capabilities. Three men transported to my ship. All were Romulan. There was at least one more back here working the transporter. I didn't see any others." She hoped her enthusiasm would sway him to help her. She didn't think she could do this alone or at odds with him.
"Thank you." Shinzon did not take his eyes off of the wall ahead of him. "It's a ship meant to travel long distances. There's probably a shuttle craft or escape pod on board then." His main problem was getting out of the cell and he knew that would be impossible. No Romulan was going to let him out. They had transported them directly into it. It was obvious they feared him.
Sammy gave him a grim smile. She knew he wasn't going to be able to get out of the cell. Then the plan came to her. First a brief taste, then the entire thing flooded into her mind. She shifted on the cot. The movement caught his attention and he looked down to catch her beaming up at him. "You haven't really answered me. If I get us out of this cell will you please help me escape?" She felt safer with him and sure that she would be able to find her father once they were free.
Shinzon's look of surprise made her giggle.
"IF you can pull that off, I will take you with me." He knew she wouldn't be able to do it but he also knew he was serious about taking her with him. He had even thought about taking her against her will but this was much more preferable. He didn't want to see her sold to slavers when she could be his for free.
"Do you trust me?" Sammy needed his trust. Shinzon thought for
a moment then slowly nodded.