Hey guys, sorry it's been a while but things were kinda crazy, what with exams and assignments at uni, plus Christmas and New Year, plus we've been struggling with writers block, but here's another bit for yall. I'll try and be less sporadic with my undates. Call it a New Years resolution lol. Enjoy!

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Meanwhile, aboard Jack's ship, The Endurance…

Following Jack and Scully's heated argument and hasty exit from the clothes shop, they had finally managed to leave port aboard the ship. Gibbs busied himself swabbing the deck while Jack remained at the wheel steering the course, something that was proving to be a bone of contention between him and Scully.

"Don't give me that!" Scully fumed. "I saw your compass earlier, it doesn't even point north! How do I know that we're following the Adversary if you're incapable of simple navigation?!" Jack turned and shot her an indignant look.

"Well first of all I'd like to point out that this is not simple navigation, it is in fact very complicated and certainly not something that a mere woman such as yourself would be capable of. And second of all, it would be noticeably less complicated if the captain were left to his duties!"

Scully's eyes narrowed at the words 'mere woman', feminist indignance flaring inside her, strengthening her fury.

"Your only duty is to catch up with that ship so we can rescue Mulder! It's your fault he got kidnapped-"

"Pressganged," Jack interrupted, angering her further.

"Whatever. It's your fault her was taken in the first place." Jack regarded her for a moment, leaning casually against the wheel. It was all Scully could do to control the urge to knock him on his ass.

"Actually as I seem to recall, you were the one with the explosive temper whose fist ended up in dear Mulder's face, thereby forcing his entry into the Gin and Turtle and who then abandoned him to his deeply regrettable fate. And if it weren't for me and my ship, you would be stranded in Tortuga, unable to pursue him now, so we'll have less of the accusations, savvy?" Scully stood still for a moment glaring at him, jaw clenched in rage, while she contemplated how incredibly satisfying it would be to pull out her gun and shoot him on the spot. However, upon further reflection, she decided it probably wasn't the wisest thing to do. Instead she chose to turn on her heel and stalk off toward the bow of the ship, the turquoise ends of her bandana trailing in her wake.

Jack huffed out a frustrated breath before turning to Gibbs, who had been cleaning nearby and had heard the whole exchange.

"Bloody women. This is why we never have them on board. More trouble than they're bloody worth!" Both men fell silent for a few moments, lost in their own thoughts. It was Gibbs who spoke first.

"You know, you're going to have to say sorry."

"What the bloody hell for?!" Jack fumed.

"If you don't," Gibbs explained slowly, as if talking to a rather stolid child. "Then the rest of this trip will be a living hell. You know how womenfolk can be." Jack was quiet for a moment, apparently recalling such an incident, before replying.

"You're right." He then headed in the direction of the bow, leaving Gibbs shaking his head in exasperation.

Scully stood at the bow of the ship leaning her elbows on the wood and making a cradle for her chin with her hands. She gazed out at the clear blue waves of the sea, allowing them to calm her temper and return her to a more amiable mood. She let Jack's words play over in her head as the breeze rustled her hair, whipping strands across her face. Maybe he had a point, she thought. It was technically her fault. She'd allowed her annoyance with Mulder to cloud her judgment of the situation and left him alone. Maybe if she hadn't been so stubborn and gone back earlier, or, better still, not left him at all, the situation may have turned out completely different.
Had their positions been reversed, she knew for certain that Mulder never would've done what she had. The sound of a throat being cleared behind her broke through her thoughts. Scully whirled round and, on seeing Jack stood there, was immediately defensive.

"You must be brave, risking my 'explosive temper'"

"Ah… well," Jack began, stumbling over his words a little. "After a lot of… careful consideration… taking into account all contributing factors… and o' course, exceptional circumstances…"

"He's sorry," Gibbs translated as he walked past, mop and bucket in hand. Jack glared at him for a moment before returning his attention to Scully.

"Well… I suppose it is possible that my… intentions could be described as-"

"Apology accepted," Scully interrupted with a small smile. "Thank you. I guess I owe you an apology too. It was wrong of me to blame you for what happened to Mulder." Jack was silent for a moment, not quite knowing how to respond, having never really received an apology before. However he recovered rapidly.

"Good! Well, never mind then eh?" With this he turned and walked away from her, passing Gibbs and pulling out a bottle of rum from a hiding place near the wheel, before uncorking it and taking a deep draught.

"Well done Jack," Gibbs said, appearing beside him. Jack stopped in mid swallow, still rather embarrassed and not knowing exactly what to say. With a sudden movement, Jack grabbed the mop that was leaning against the side of the ship and thrust it roughly into Gibbs' hands.

"Back on deck you scabrous dog!" he bellowed. Gibbs grinned.

"Aye-aye Cap'n," he replied, resuming his task. Jack stormed off down the deck to his cabin, obviously wanting to be alone.

"Bloody women," he muttered, slamming the door shut loudly
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Please review!!! Call it our Christmas present!!!!
Lily
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