A/N: Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1.

WARNING: OOC, CRUDE LANGUAGE

Chapter 2: Mishaps

Serph had arranged all of his things neatly within his cabin. They had departed and had now been in high seas for nearly ten hours.

He wondered how Argilla was faring.

They had separated ways when they had decided to inspect their cabins. Being a woman, the only woman within the expedition team, her cabin had been located at the most isolated part of the ship.

He frowned at that.

The only woman aboard. That could spell disaster.

He suddenly beamed; he was there. He would be the one to protect her. This time, it would be she who would be needing him and not the other way around!

He suddenly froze. Wait a minute.

Where was she anyway?

Serph left his room and there set out to find hers. He arrived there a few minutes later and there knocked. No response. He knocked again, a bit louder next time. There was still no response.

"Argilla?" he called out to her firmly.

Nope.

She wasn't there.

He frowned; where could she be?

'This vessel is filled with other strong men. Why would she be sticking around in her dull room?' a voice within his head drawled.

Serph sweat-dropped.

Was the voice insinuating that…?

He could feel his chest tightening and his silver eyes burning at the mere thought of it. It was disgusting.

What thought?

'That she's getting it on with someone at the storeroom perhaps?' the irritating voice taunted him, making Serph narrow his eyes into slits in utter displeasure.

Serph shut his eyes as tight as he could as he imagined his pink-haired friend "get it on" with a man in a…a…a broom-closet!

'Enough!'

He calmed himself and there just turned around, livid. He was going to find her.

XXXXX

His heart was beginning to sink. He was positive that he had searched all around the ship. But he couldn't find her still…!

He had been searching for over half an hour now!

He gritted his teeth in frustration as the seconds ticked by. And he wasn't going to ask the members of his tribe either.

No.

'I'd find her myself.'

He had checked the galley, the cabins, the Power Room, the storage areas…even the crow's nest!

'Where is she?'

He now stood at the forecastle of the ship, breathing in the soothing sea air when something caught his attention.

Actually, it had been catching his attention for the last five minutes. At first, he tuned it out. But as the minutes went by, he could no longer ignore it.

For the last five minutes, the man to his far left had been hacking his breath and was throwing up on the side of the railing.

Serph wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Well, some people were seasick and some were not. He was thankful that he belonged to the latter rather than the former.

He frowned as he once more heard the aforesaid man hack his breath and throw up, barfing uncontrollably. He was wearing not the Embryon uniform but a pair of pants and a heavy jacket and had thrown his hood over his face. Well, almost everyone dressed that way now. They were already within the Arctic Ocean and the temperature was already a few degrees below zero.

Well, he really couldn't enjoy the scenery this way. And so, he turned to leave when something else about the man caught his attention.

He gripped the railings tightly as he leaned over the side. It was then that he noticed it. He was hooded and Serph could not see his face. Whoever this person was, he probably didn't want to let anyone know that he was the seasick type.

But it wasn't just that what he noticed. They were several feet apart but he could see him pretty well from the distance and with his sharp eyes he saw his hands…more specifically, his fingernails.

It contained pink nail-polish, the fingernails long and curved.

Serph's eyebrow twitched.

Wasting no time, he waltzed over to the "man" with the hood and there spoke in a low tone, "Do you need some help…?" he asked firmly, not letting "him" suspect that he knew.

The person stiffened but didn't meet his eyes or even turn his head. He just leaned over the edge a little bit more. Serph arched an eyebrow and there grasped the man's shoulder, "Hey! Don't do that! You might fall!"

The man flailed his hand to the side, signaling for Serph to leave and that he was fine as he continued to barf and throw up.

Serph wrinkled his nose and there laughed, "I didn't know you were the seasick type Argilla."

The "man" stiffened once more but said nothing.

Serph scratched the back of his head, "Come on. I know it's you. No need for this charade."

The "man" groaned and there rested his forehead on the railing. Serph felt sympathy for her and there touched her back, sliding his palm up and down her spine, soothing her.

"He" stiffened and there threw up once more.

A moment later, "he" turned "his" head on the side and looked at Serph with a weary expression that he had never seen upon a face.

Yup.

He was right.

It was her.

She groaned, "H-how did you…know it…was me…?" she asked through slow notes, her voice slow and weak.

Serph chuckled, "I just knew."

She groaned again and said nothing, clutching her stomach.

Serph sighed, "Are you alright now?"

She looked at him with eyes that were half-lidded and nodded slowly, "I'm…barf…okay…Just an upset stomach…That's all."

Serph sweat-dropped. But at the same time, he was relieved. Well, there went, in the trash, his foolish imagination's concoction. There was just no way that Argilla would be "getting it on" with a man within a storeroom!

'Never!' he thought with an iron resolve.

He was brought back from his reverie as he heard the distinct sound of more breath-hacking. He sighed and there slid his palm up and down her back, "Maybe I should take you to the infirmary…"

She groaned and looked at him with the most pitiful facial expression that he had thus far seen on her. Her eyes were dull, almost colorless, her cheeks were drooping, her eyelids half-way closed, and her full luscious lips were now dry, chapped and pale…so was the rest of her face.

"There…is nothing that they could give me. I…barf just have to barf duke this bitch out…"

He blinked; he was surprised that she could still cuss at her current state. Oh well; that was just one more thing that he didn't know about her…

"Errr…Are you sure?"

She nodded and slowly smiled at him, "Actually, I'm fine now. Thanks."

Serph smiled back, "I'm glad."

His smile vanished as he saw her suddenly jerk towards him, her palms over her mouth, "Oh my god…! Urk!" she said through muffled words, barfing.

Serph scratched the back of his head.

It would be a long night.

XXXXX

Serph sat by Argilla's bedside, handing her a cup. She took it from him with both hands and held it with trembling fingers.

Serph saw her discomfort and there assisted her as she held the cup. He stiffened and had his eyes widened, as he stared at her. There, as he touched her hand…he felt electrical surges within his veins…

He now looked at her, wondering if she felt it too…

But as he saw that her eyes were not on him but on the cup within their hands, he realized that it was just him who was feeling things.

His heart sank in disappointment.

'Maybe I'm being overdramatic.' he told himself.

He blinked as he saw the woman in front of him scrounge her nose, "What the heck is this stuff Serph?"

He sweat-dropped and spoke slowly, "It is…um…ginger ale." he finished with a low tone…Almost like a mouse's squeak.

"Say what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ginger ale…" he said a bit louder. He touched her shoulder as he smiled and pushed at her gently so that she rested her back on the pillow that in turn, rested on headboard of her simple bed, "Lie back down and relax. Take this. It'll calm you." he spoke gently.

She sighed, "Alright…You're the boss."

She took the cup to her mouth and there tasted it.

Serph chuckled as she finished the entire cup in a manner of seconds; she must have liked it.

Argilla smiled at him, her pink eyes gazing at his deeply, "You made this yourself?" she asked in incredulous playfulness.

He nodded, "Yeah…I did." He blinked suddenly; why? Was something wrong?

She seemed to have read his eyes and she shook her head, chuckling, "No…It's nothing bad Serph. I'm just surprised…That's all."

"Surprised…?" he asked, confused.

She nodded, "Uh huh."

Serph was beginning to feel happy within. Now, it was she who needed him. Perhaps now she could see that he was now ready to protect her. Perhaps, now she would be able to realize that he was ready to stand on his own two feet…without her.

"It's not everyday I see a man knowing how to make this kind of stuff."

His heart sank at that.

"I mean, if anything, it's the guys who want to be served!" she laughed; slapping her palm to her forehead, "I mean, you're really something Serph!" she chirped cheerfully, "You're really in touch with your sensitive side!"

Serph blushed but said nothing. In touch…? With his…sensitive side…?

He groaned inwardly. She was twisting everything that he was doing! The ginger ale was supposed to tell her that he was independent and knowledgeable in things such as these…! It wasn't intended to make him sound like a…like a…like some sissy!

And with the way she was convivially conveying her mirth at that moment, he knew that this little plan of his had backfired at his face. Yup.

She still didn't see him as a responsible matured man…but rather, a sweet and caring boy-scout.

He sighed at that.

He stiffened though as he felt something warm on his hand. He looked at his hand that rested on her blanket and there saw her hand draped on his, holding it firmly. His eyes immediately flew to hers and saw them sparkling, "Thanks Serph."

Suddenly, all thoughts of insecurity…felt bearable.

"You're welcome."

XXXXX

They had been aboard the ship for almost three days now, and he had been told of an icy landmass a few miles up ahead. He narrowed his silver eyes in deep thought.

Landmass…

Land.

Ice.

It was something new.

It was a good thing; a breakthrough.

He blinked as he stared at the ceiling of his cabin. He couldn't sleep. His cabin was too small for his tastes and being within it for three days and two nights was beginning to get to him.

He was beginning to feel claustrophobic.

He wanted to get some fresh air.

He walked out of his cabin and walked through the hallways when he suddenly thought of his pink-haired comrade. He suddenly had the urge to visit her…

But…it wouldn't be proper. It had been way passed midnight. She was probably asleep. Oh well.

With a sigh, he walked onward. A few minutes later, he found himself by the forecastle of the ship. He breathed in the cool sea air and stretched his arms, as he lightly yawned.

His antics were cut short though as he caught sight of another person with him. He gazed at the aforesaid person and saw that it was his comrade, Argilla, leaning by the rails, staring at him with a grin, "Hey leader."

She was still in her arctic gear and her hair was slightly disheveled; it looked as if she had put it in quick buns…She had probably done it and had gone out here out of impulse.

He blushed; he felt uncomfortable whenever she would address him in that manner.

To him, they were friends and there wasn't a need for such formality.

With the faint blush still on his cheeks, he made his way over to her, losing his voice, causing him to clear his throat impromptu, "Err…why are you still up?" he asked, holding the rails.

With her grin still in place, she spoke, "I could say the same about you. Well, as for me, I just needed some air. I can't stay in that room…cabin…whatever…forever. It was beginning to tick me off."

Serph blinked; so she had been there for the same reasons as him eh…?

Well, that was something they had in common.

"How is your 'condition'?" he asked her, smiling a bit.

She shrugged her shoulders, "Can't complain. I'm feeling a lot better. That ginger crap you gave me the other day really worked for me Serph. Thanks."

He nodded, "Don't mention it. I'm glad you're better." he spoke concisely.

She nodded in return and decided to change the subject, "So, how is this 'adventure' working out for you so far?"

He smiled, "It's fine…They found landmass. We should be able to reach it in a few more days."

Argilla groaned and bend her body forward, like a child. Serph chuckled; she was acting like a child.

"A few more days in this crummy old ship…?" she asked childishly as she pouted, after standing upright and turning to see her leader.

"I'm sorry if it's crummy…" he said meekly.

Argilla blinked and laughed, playfully shoving him, "Oh come on Serph! I was just kidding! I'm sowwiiiee…" she drawled childishly, making baby noises at him.

Serph rolled his eyes. He had mixed feelings about what she was doing. A part of him felt like laughing with her as she spoke her words. She was being cute. She was trying to entertain him.

But on the other hand, he felt hurt. Was this what she really thought of him? Did she really think of him as if he were a child…? Did he…sound like a child? A boy…?

'I hate that…' he pouted within.

"Aah…Serph…"

Serph blinked, and saw that Argilla turned to the horizon, to the endless night…to the endless water before them. She closed her eyes as she gripped the railing tighter, leaning her head backwards, "Just feel that…Isn't it amazing…?"

Serph's eyes remained fixed on her face as she spoke her words. Again, he felt tongue-tied. His body was heating up once more…The way her hair, the loose locks of her pink hair danced in the wind…the way she quaintly smiled…the peaceful way her face looked…

It was…

'Beautiful…'

"Serph?"

He blinked, "What?"

She blinked as well, "You zoned out on me for a second back there." she said firmly. "Are you okay?" she asked seriously, taking a step closer to him, her smooth palm touching his face, "Are you feeling okay?"

He could feel himself shrinking in his clothes as she continued to penetrate his eyes with her powerful stare…

A voice then piped in, 'Baby…'

He stiffened and she did as well.

"Serph? You okay?"

He then gazed at her coldly; she was doing it again. She was treating him like a helpless wimp; like an invalid.

When would she stop asking him that?

She was smothering him…Couldn't she see that?

"I'm fine." he told her curtly, taking a step back, making her recoil back her hand swiftly. He ignored her shocked and surprised gaze and spoke in a low tone, "You had better get some sleep. It's late."

Argilla blinked as she gazed at Serph's now expressionless face. Had she done something wrong? Had she said anything to offend him?

"Do you want me to escort you to your cabin?" he asked flatly, his eyes piercing hers intently.

She shook her head as she felt the overwhelming persona that was oozing from her leader. She blinked, "No…I can manage."

He nodded, "Alright. I'll see you at 0600 hours." and with that, he left a surprised Argilla.

Serph growled as he lay on his bed within his cabin. He didn't mean to be…well, mean, towards Argilla back there…He didn't want to be rude and he knew that his behavior outside was just that.

He sighed.

He just…He just hated it whenever she would do that. Up to now, he had tolerated it. He had even found humor in it.

But as the time went by and she kept doing it, pestering him to play the "baby" while she played "mummy", it all just…stacked in his brain. He was the one being pressed to play the feminine part while she proudly assumed the male part of their professional and personal relationship!

And now, he was just afraid that he wouldn't be able to take it anymore. That was why he decided to vent it out…little by little…

She had just been surprised to see it at all…

"And…why shouldn't she be…? After all, I've…been putting up with it…for as long as I can remember."

He sighed at that.

It really was his fault to begin with. He was the one, after all, who had allowed all of this to happen. Because he said nothing whenever she would treat him like a child, like a woman, it became like a silent permission for her to do so…and in time, it became a habit. The transition was seamless.

'Stupid!'

Yes; it was really stupid. How was she to see him as a man then…?

His heart stopped; yes, how indeed? He closed his eyes and there…he saw a vision of him and her…with their lips in a furious duel.

He sighed, 'She doesn't see me like that…'

'Like that?' a voice within him asked tauntingly, 'She doesn't even see you as a man. She sees you as a boy damn it! Forget that! She goddamn sees you as a damn wimp! A sissy-assed boy! She sees you as a woman damn it!'

'You screwed it!' the voice finished, scoffing at him.

'…'

So he did.

He narrowed his eyes.

It would change. She'll see. She'll see soon.

"I'm not a boy Argilla."

"I'm a man."

XXXXX