Chapter 42 - Mistrust
The Nautilus , Indian Ocean: October 4th

Skinner hadn't felt like himself since the rescue of Nemo and Ishmael four days earlier. He couldn't shake the guilt for almost getting Mina killed. The heavy burden of Pavan's death weighed on him even more so. He should have never let his guard down. If he hadn't gotten injured then Pavan would have stayed hidden in the automobile. He'd still be alive.

Despite the fact he blamed himself, his anger tended to find an escape whenever Lupin was nearby. He couldn't help it. It was because of him and his gang that the League was out there in the first place. Why did Lupin deserve to be saved whilst Pavan had died? Skinner's attitude didn't improve in seeing him trying to worm his way out of trouble by getting the sympathy vote by over-exaggerating his injuries.

Quatermain and Skinner were up top, getting some fresh air. It was very warm and Skinner was dressed, bandaged and painted so it didn't help his mood all that much. He just wanted to get a bit of air and have a good talk with the hunter whilst he practised his shooting. He'd been cooped up in the infirmary for too long. His wounds were stinging, but he tried not to pay it too much attention.

It was about an hour later that the Frenchman showed his face. Skinner knew Lupin had spotted him staring at him. Lupin went as far out the way of the others as he could and paid them no attention. Instead, he tried to enjoy the warm breeze and the land that was barely visible on the horizon: Madagascar.

"What's Nemo thinking of, letting him out?" Skinner asked, not caring if he was heard by the subject of the conversation.
"Nemo trusts him. He also hasn't done anything wrong whilst he's been here. Whether you like it or not, it's Nemo's choice," Quatermain explained quietly, firing his rifle and reloading. He was about to call out to the crewman to release another target but he waited, knowing Skinner wouldn't leave it at that.

Neither of them saw Lupin jump at the noise of the gun, or how he hurt his chest as he spun around to see the source of the noise. Seeing it was Quatermain, he turned back around, wincing.
"So you're telling me he isn't doing anything wrong?" Skinner frowned.
Quatermain sighed and stood his gun against the side of the wall. "What are you going on about, Skinner?"

Skinner leaned against the railing, watching Lupin as he massaged his chest gently, hissing as he did so.
"Allan, he's just acting, he has to be. You need stronger glasses if you can't see that. I've cut up my shoulder and my arms but I'm not going on like he is. If Dorian were alive we wouldn't have him on the ship letting him wander. Why is Lupin so different?"
"Because Lupin is alive and he isn't a killer. He's had seven shades of blue knocked out of him while fighting for his life and almost got his throat slit. He is going to be sore as all hell and will be for a good few days more too. It's not a competition to see who hurts the least, you know? How the bloody hell have you managed to get it in your bloody head that he's acting?" Quatermain questioned, clearly not really believing in what the invisible man was saying.

"I don't know," he said quietly. He didn't want Lupin to overhear him, not that it was anything he wouldn't say to his face. "I just wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Ones like him are always up to something, I know what they're like. They constantly plan things out and everything falls in line with what they want. I'm not going to get tripped up. Someone left the clues that we were able to follow and I've a good guess who. If he wanted the mission to be all that peaceful, he wouldn't have done that. I don't trust him."

"And without those clues, we might never have found Nemo in the first place. He's only here for a week or so then we probably won't see him again. Don't try and look for trouble where there is none," Quatermain grumbled.
"Hmph, you've changed your tune," Skinner pointed out.

"I like him and trust him no more than you do, Skinner. But, I don't think Nemo would appreciate anyone stirring up trouble when Lupin's trying to keep to himself. There are more important things than that to worry about… Look, if you don't like him then keep away from him. It's that simple. He'll be out of our way soon enough."
"Well I don't talk to him, but there's only so far away I can get before I run into him. I'm not going to watch as he tries to be all melodramatic again. I mean look at him! There's him pretending whilst there's Pavan waiting to be buried. That's not fair, Quatermain."

Lupin tensed, his back perfectly straight and his head still. After a moment he relaxed and with a gentle sigh, he pushed himself away from the railing and walked back to the door to go downstairs. The door had been shut, though not fully sealed. The thief had to use his one good hand to loosen it before he faced Skinner. Words were desperate to leave his mouth- Skinner could see it. Instead, he turned away and went downstairs, not bothering to seal the door behind him.

Quatermain went over and shut it gently, he then retrieved his gun to commence shooting.
Skinner sighed "Quatermain, I'm telling you he's up to something."
Quatermain called for a new target to be released before insisting "Even if there is, I'm telling you to leave the man alone. Unless something definite comes up there's nothing you can do."

With that, Quatermain fired his gun.

(*Meanwhile*)

Lupin forced himself to carefully climb down the ladder, which was much harder with only one functioning hand. He had to hurry. He didn't know how long he had. There, on the top of the Nautilus, he'd seen the Albatross! She was barely a speck in the sky, but Lupin had long since learned how to spot her when he'd been out on a mission. He hoped the others hadn't seen her yet, but she would overtake the Nautilus soon. Nemo wasn't going to be happy about that, but it also meant she was in range. He wanted to get a message to them, tell them he was alive and make sure no one else was injured or worse. He knew in the likely case he was caught it would cause trouble but to him, it was worth it.

The further down the ladder he went the more his sprain hurt. Gripping the ladder was proving too sore. He instead wrapped his arm around the ladder to keep himself balanced as he used his good hand to hold on to one of the rungs further down. It wasn't an easy process or an entirely fast one. He could feel his good hand getting uncomfortably cold against the bare metal.

Lupin had to get away from Skinner too. He didn't want to say anything to him but the temptation had almost got the better of him. He certainly wasn't acting at all, in fact, he wished he was just pretending. He was instead trying to act as though his injuries didn't hurt; that he was not constantly on edge, that every sound, every moment, anything at all that was unexpected didn't startle him.

He did not feel safe on the Nautilus. He expected trouble at every possible moment, for someone to turn on him when glares just weren't enough yet he would not hide away. But if Skinner wanted him to be up to no good, well he was going to get that wish. He had to talk to Robur, tell him he was alright. He didn't care for the consequences anymore.

He was almost at the bottom when an almighty bang sounded. It echoed down the ladder and startled the thief when he was balancing with his bad arm. He instinctively brought his arms slightly closer to him but as he did his sleeve slipped off the metal. The next thing the thief knew he was on the floor, hissing powerfully through gritted teeth. Both his chest and his hand felt like they had exploded into flame. He'd landed on his hand. Somehow he did not cry out, he was too shocked to shout. He just gritted his teeth to the point he thought they'd shatter.

"By Jupiter, now I've gone and done it," he managed, straining his voice as he tried to manage the pain, taking deep but shaky breaths.

Lupin couldn't get up as he was disorientated and winded. He shuffled out of the line of sight and leaned against the wall, hoping the dizziness would pass after a few seconds. He brought his knees up to his chest as he brought his injured hand closer to him. It seemed the two men above him had not heard him at least. For a moment, Lupin just sat with his eyes closed, waiting for the pain to fade. He had to get up, had to pull himself together as quickly as he could. He didn't have much time if Nemo made the ship dive he could easily lose contact. Just a few seconds , he decided, at least until he could get up without falling.

(*Meanwhile*)

Nemo was at the bridge, preparing to make the Nautilus dive now the solar panels were charged. Jekyll had tried to insist that he rest but Nemo prefered to keep himself busy. It provided his mind with a distraction. His ankle made things difficult, but he tried to keep the pressure off it when he could.

He knew Quatermain was outside shooting to help pass the time with Skinner. After leaving instructions for the officers to stand by, Nemo decided to go and personally ask them to come inside. A gunshot rang out, which was slightly unexpected but none too much. What did surprise him was the thud and strangled hiss that followed, the groan of pain.

Walking downstairs with the smallest of limps, instinct drew him towards the conning tower. He was sure that was where the noise had come from, in fact as he approached he could hear heavy breathing. He was right. Lupin sat on the floor, holding himself in pain, and tears in the corner of his eyes, breathing through the pain. Nemo could not help but suspect he had fallen. Why was he even going up and down ladders with his hand in such a state?

"Lupin," he called quietly, gaining the thief's attention. Nemo went over to him and crouched down beside him.
"Captain," Lupin greeted, though his voice was hoarse. Nemo watched as he tried to get up onto his feet. As the thief rose up from the floor, so did the captain. He made it halfway, but he wobbled and tried to steady himself with his sore hand. It buckled and he fell again. Nemo caught him to slow his fall. His ankle twinged in pain but he did not let his pain show.

"You have pushed yourself too far," Nemo said quietly as he held out his hand and offered to help, at which the thief could only accept.

Carefully, Nemo lifted Lupin to his feet, being sure not to hurt him further. The captain could not help but notice the weariness and the pain that clouded his eyes so heavily. He tried to hide it behind that infamous smile but it didn't work this time. "What happened?" Nemo asked.
"My foot slipped. It's nothing- I'm fine, really."
"I very much doubt it. You are not healed enough yet, Lupin," Nemo scolded.

"I said I'm fine," Lupin answered, though a little harshly. He seemed to immediately regret the tone of his speech and looked away with a sigh. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "This just isn't exactly my finest hour as I'm sure you understand."

The captain sent him an imploring look; he wondered if something else was troubling him- something beyond that of his fall. The thief did seem to be gradually becoming more irritable as the days passed.
"Indeed, but I will only believe you're as fine as you say once Jekyll has checked your wrist. May I help you walk to the infirmary?" Nemo pressed on gently.
"I'll manage, but thank you."

Deciding not to push Lupin any further, Nemo allowed him to walk himself. He looked steady enough on his feet at least now. Nemo watched him as he walked to the end of the hallway and out of sight. Nemo knew the thief well enough to know something was on his mind. He didn't know what exactly, but his instinct was too strong to ignore.

Despite how Lupin was fairing, Nemo had to get everyone inside. He climbed up the ladder carefully and out into the open. Quatermain fired one more shot, which destroyed the buoy several hundred feet away.

"Gentlemen, it's time to go below. The Nautilus will be diving in a moment."

Skinner sighed and went downstairs without a word. Nemo raised an eyebrow slightly in confusion due to his manner.
"Don't mind him, Captain. Skinner is just... worried. He doesn't trust Lupin and he's got himself worked up over it," Quatermain said, swinging his gun onto his shoulder.
"Indeed, he is not the only one who mistrusts him, I have noticed the amount of suspicion on board. I trust Lupin although I suspected such would occur amongst the League… I only hope nothing comes of it."