~R~

"Rory is psychic." Ace said.

"What? No, Ace. I'm not psychic." I replied, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. I focused on patching up Thatch's wounds. He kept squirming. "Stop moving!" I snapped. "It'll hurt more if you move!" I was kind of sleepy, so please excuse the slight temper.

"Sorry..." Thatch said, and he held still. Or at least tried to. Meanwhile I tried to ignore the fact that he was only squirming because he was trying to look at my chest. If he kept it up, I was going to hit him.

"Well how else could you have known what was happening? You're psychic." Ace said.

"I didn't know what was happening. I just got a feeling. It just happened to be right." I replied. "It's not psychic, just instinct."

Suddenly Ace grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "Quick, what am i thinking?"

"I don't know Ace! I'm not psychic!"

"Just guess. It's a color. Guess the color."

"Uh...Purple?" I guessed.

"No. Okay, maybe you're not psychic." Ace released my chin. I rolled my eyes and sighed as I went back to bandaging a gash on Thatch's arm.

"Aha!" Thatch said suddenly. "I see what's different! Rory-chan doesn't wear underwear when she sleeps?"

The slap that followed could probably have been heard by the whole island. I huffed and walked away from the boys.

~A~

It was a very quiet ride on the way back, thanks to Thatch. Rory was staring straight ahead of her, quietly seething with her arms folded over her chest. Thatch was sitting as far from her as possible, with good reason. There was a very noticeable red hand-print on his cheek. She wouldn't speak to either of us.

It had me wondering how one little comment was worse than that bathroom incident before. I wasn't at fault this time, though, so I don't know why I was getting the cold shoulder too. Girls...

As soon as we got back to the ship, Thatch hurried past me to get aboard. "Good luck." He said to me as he passed. What? I glanced at Rory and noticed she had nodded off. Oh, I see. Thatch left me to carry her onto the ship.

Traitor. I feel like she'll bite me if I touch her. I couldn't just leave her though. I knelt next to her gently put my arm around her shoulder as I prepared to lift her. She shuddered once I touched her, and to my surprise she curled closer to me, shivering. Had she been cold the whole time? She could have said something. I hooked my arm under her knees and lifted her up.

I carried her onto the deck, and on my way toward her room, I saw Thatch explaining what happened to Marco. Marco was discreetly studying the hand-print on his cheek, and then looked my way and quirked an eyebrow questioningly. I only shrugged. I didn't want to explain it, and besides I had nothing to do with it. I left them to talk amongst themselves.

I carefully turned the nob and then nudged the door open with my foot. I gently placed Rory on her bed, and as I pulled the blanket over her, I noticed a small booklet on her nightstand. Curiously, I picked it up and thumbed through it. I picked a page and scanned it, picking out a few words. Then I blushed and slammed the thing shut. It was a journal! There's no way I could read that, although it was extremely tempting. I placed it back on the nightstand, intending to leave after that. But I was rooted to the spot, gazing at the booklet.

Just think, I could learn what Rory really though of the crew. What she thought of me.

I shook my head. Why do I need to know that? If she didn't like us, me, she'd say so, right?

But it couldn't hurt to take a peek, right?

No. She'd never forgive me for invading her personal space like that.

Then again, how could she find out? She's asleep, and I'd put it back just where I left it.

But do I really want to know? It could be like Pandora's Box. Whatever is inside could destroy the world. Or at least, my world.

I vigorously shook my head and forced myself to back away. No! No reading the journal! I stepped towards the door, cast one last helplessly tempted glance at the booklet, and then forced myself to step out of the room and shut the door behind me.

Of course once I was out, I started sulking. I missed the perfect chance... I pinched the bridge of my nose. What am I thinking? Its a good thing I didn't invade her privacy.

Right?

I sighed and had a feeling I'd have trouble getting to sleep that night.

~R~

I stretched once I stepped out into the sunlight. Now that I had gotten some sleep, I could find in myself to somewhat forgive Thatch. Somewhat. I plan on getting revenge, count on that. But I'll take my time, and it won't be anything more than a small prank, really. As for Ace, I only hope he knows I didn't mean anything by it when I ignored him too. I was just tired, and my fuse was pretty short, especially after everything that happened.

I headed for the dining room to get breakfast. I retrieved my food and then sat down where Ace and Marco were sitting. Ace was asleep, using his food as a pillow. This isn't the first time that's happened. "Good morning Marco." I said.

"Morning." he replied. "So Thatch told me you can use a bow?"

"Oh, yeah." I said. "I used to practice a few years ago. Then I left home."

"I see. Hn. Maybe you should get made for you." Marco said.

"Why?"

"That way if stuff like last night comes up, you'll have a weapon you can use right of the bat."

"Hm...That's actually a good idea." I said.

"I know." Marco replied. "I'll have somebody start making one then."

"You could just buy one..." I said.

Marco shook his head. "Most things work better if its custom made, right?"

"I guess." I replied. I could use an already mad one just fine though.

Ace suddenly snorted and lifted his head sleepily. "Oh, g'morning, Rory." he said.

"Morning, Ace." I picked a piece of bacon off his face. "You need to stop sleeping in your food."

"Heh." Ace smiled sheepishly and wiped his face.

A few minutes later he had fallen asleep again. I rolled my eyes. "He's so weird..." I said. I smiled. I wouldn't change a thing about him.