[A/N: Was going to ship my OC with Brodie but fuck it. I'm a sucker for the Enemies to Lovers trope. Plus May/December romances are underrated. A 'Rensie' chapter.]
Chapter 7: Capitaine
It was February 3rd, 1945. The Scottish ship was returning from the war. The escapades of strife closing in on a bitter end. A death count insurmountable. A world ravaged by needless violence. The Scots were ready to assemble anything remotely normal in the rest of their lives as they had time to live it. As they approached the coast, the men chatted excitedly.
One said, "My Darlene has been writing me like mad. Reckon she'll want a wedding in the next week. Can't wait to have a warm shower, a hot meal and a woman's embrace again."
"Aye! First place I'm going to is the pub to find the very same thing."
One asked, "What about you, Major Rennick? Got a woman onshore?"
Rennick leaned against the rail of the boat, looking down to rapid waters. He replied, "Aye, I do. My high school sweetheart, Linda. That is if she isn't caught already."
"Donnae flap, Rennick. Even if she is, no lass can resist a man in uniform!"
"Let's hope not," he said coolly as they started to dock. Surely enough, along the deck were crowds of loved ones cheering for their men coming home. Rennick could see Linda pushed up to the rope. Her hand swaying in the air and 'Davey' calling out her mouth. She wore a red blouse tucked into a skirt. Her blonde hair held back in a low bun with a red cloche hat.
Rennick pushed through his comrades eagerly. He leapt from the raft to the deck with his cap in his grip. He ran to Linda and twirled with her in the air, reuniting with a soft, closed mouthed kiss. She celebrated, "Oh, you bampot, I was so worried about you!"
"I missed you everyday, love. Everyday! Please tell me you're still single." He said in tears, swaying her lightly.
"Of course I am, ya eejit! Wouldn't be here if not!" She kissed his cheek, "Now about that date you promised me…"
Rennick smiled and said, "Let's not wait, then. Let's go, now!"
Many dates followed. To the diner, to the dance halls, long nights of sweet nothings being said. Conservative shows of affection. Soon, Rennick was on one knee proposing. Rennick's work in a car shop got them the money to pay for a higher-class stead. Linda's eyes laid on it the day after their wedding. Soon after, startlingly soon (even for the forties) they had a baby. A little boy named Jack. A year followed and Callum was born. An idyllic home sown together in the matter of four years. By that time, Rennick was thirty two. Linda twenty nine. The wake of World War 2 was a boom of families. The Rennick's counted happily among them. After seeing the threshold of death in so many living haunts, the paradise of a peaceful and normal life was rushed without a second thought. Many nights spent nurturing their weens, dancing to The Chords' 'Sh-Boom' in their living room as it played on record. Linda and Davey were certain without a second thought it would be an entire life together.
Then Rennick awoke in his cot. The North Sea raging a power outside the window. A quarter of a life later. His hand no longer weighted in a wedding band. His memories of home scarce and faded. Even of his sons. Neither had spoken to him in years. His wife, Linda, always in the back of his head. Almost taunting. Then he took a breath in as he prepared to wake. It wasn't the usual smell of his cabin. There was another scent stronger, pulling his focus from the memories of over twenty years ago. It pulled him to the memories of the night prior. The scents were reminiscent of Josie. Her perfume, the conditioner she used for her fluffy and wavy hair. His fingers still had her scent, too. Possibly the best scent she had. His belt was still undone, as well as the buttons on his shirt. It was nearing six in the morning – she had only left a couple hours ago.
Every moment of the night before came back vividly. Every sensation and rebirth of his youth from Josie like a movie coming alive. For the first time in a long time, Rennick woke up on the Beira in a fair mood. He went to the shower stalls when everyone was certain to be out of it. Put on a new button up and tie. Jeans and a belt. His glasses that still had Josie's lingering finger and lip prints. Then his work boots and red Cadal work coat that was known well by the Beira crew. One glimpse of the red sheen of his coat would send his personnel into fear. Today, he wasn't fixed on the war path as of yet. Today, he was simply waiting to see a certain mechanic he only despised two days ago. Or he thought he did. Perhaps everything Josie claimed was true. That there was always an infatuation guised as hate. A bitterness making it easier to not succumb to the feelings. That was long passed now. Now she was the compass of his thoughts.
When he ambled into Administration to retrieve some documents for his office, he finally caught her. She was at the front desk in solitude – quickly jotting down logs of her work for the books from yesterday. Her Cadal helmet set beside her as if she was soon to head out to the Deck. She didn't look up right away. Not until her suspicion of whoever was behind her standing and staring went on a bit too long. She flicked her head back and jolted in nerves, then coolly went back to her document with a hidden smile.
Rennick reanimated then and reformed back to his indifferent gruff. Even carelessly nudging Josie on the side as he walked past her for the binder he needed. She shot an annoyed glare his way and he (purposely) ignored it. She didn't say a word even though she wanted to. She brushed it off as a minor inconvenience and kept scribbling away. Discreetly enjoying just his company even if it was quiet and grumpish. Rennick was loudly present. Throwing open the binder to take a few sheets out on the other side of the counter. The quiet weighted in so much tension of the night before. Almost as if both were waiting for one of them to say something. Still inherently stubborn.
Then Rennick slammed the binder closed. Josie was sure she'd hear his feet stomp out the office and back to the Installation Manager's module. She delighted in surprise to hands folding along her hips. Then they tucked her into Rennick. He kissed up the side of her neck and jawline. Josie's smile could have broken her face. She bit down her lip to keep back an excited giggle. She moved her hands to grip over his forearms. He started to sway with her slowly, then whispered for her to meet him in Utility. She managed a 'yes'. Her voice fleeting against the sheen of his glasses cooling her cheek. A door in the hallway swung open, accompanying footsteps.
Rennick released her quick, leaving her flushed and pattering breath. He left without a second word to his office. They both mutual in keeping it secret. The age gap alone was something the Beira crew would find strange. But the most glaring being Josie and Rennick's recurrent hate for each other the last eight months. Publicly displayed. The fact she was his subordinate. However, it was really their shared pride. Not wanting to show an ounce of weakness to anyone else – including their affair. The risk of becoming a laughingstock. They were more than content in hiding their bubble to themselves, and no one else.
"You canny just leave, Davey! The boys are still at camp. What will I tell them when they come home?" Linda nagged across the kitchen counter.
Rennick implored, "Just tell the lads I found work opportunity. A great opportunity! Imagine how much money we'll make from this. The oil sector is booming right now. Six weeks of this and we'll afford that new car you've always wanted. The extension to the house. Savings for the boys when they start university. You ken that, we've been talking about this for months. You were fine with it."
"Aye, because you neglected to mention it would be a whole year out in sea! You might as well be going to the jail. Or back to the bloody war! What about me? You'd honestly just leave us like this?"
"I'm not trying to leave you, Linda. You ken I'd love to be here with you. All of you. But… the recession is getting bad, love. Oil is one of the few industries still keeping head above water. I want to make life better for us. I canny do that at the shop."
Linda sighed with a hand rested to her hip. "We'll manage. The shop is close to hame. We donnae need material if we donnae have our family the way it should be. You tie this family together, Davey. Money is not the most important thing."
"Of course not, but it keeps us comfortable, doesn' it? I'll write ya, Linda. You and the boys. Look, I start in two weeks. Let's not make these two weeks a stooshie. We'll be right! We got through the war, remember? We can get through this." Rennick came over to Linda, who was still apprehensive to take his hand. However, she comforted in his arms eventually. Allowing him to plant a kiss to her forehead.
Josie strode up to Utility, keeping a vigilant eye to anyone watching her. Without any alarms, she opened the door to him just entering from the other hatch. She giggled, "What is zis, Capitaine? You know I'm not dropping my undies in here."
"No one comes in here. You can drop your undies and then some," he said as he closed the hatch. He didn't waste much time in coming over to her and sweeping her into his arms. Indulging soft and insync kisses. Josie chuckled against his lips.
"Zare… is… no… way, Capitaine. Goodness, what's gotten into you?"
He sighed as he touched his nose with her's. Josie wove her arms over his shoulders and kept her snug into himself. He said, "I canny stop thinking about you. Got me yaldy like a teenager again."
"All you had to do was fire me, l'amour," she replied making the two softly laugh. "I'm surprised we weren't doing zis sooner. I've only had a crush on you since I started."
"You've got a strange way of showing it."
"I wasn't raised with concrete emotional wellness." She said, giving him another peck, "You are a brute, but it turned me on. Never been in a May and December fling before. Figured it be harder to get you… you know. Hard."
Rennick gave her a gentle slap on her side, "Fuck off." They laughed before he added, "You've been giving me a stauner long before last night."
Josie giggled as Rennick kissed into her neck again. Leading her to the wall. She got lost in the rush at first. Letting her body take the controls just long enough he started to zip down her Cadal suit. When she heard the rip of the zipper, she swatted his hand away and scooted out of his arms.
"I am not fucking in a Utility closet, connard! Wait until tonight like a gentleman."
"Oh, come on. I thought you liked taking risks. Just imagine I'm a generator spitting out monoxide or something."
Josie amusingly smiled, "Get fucked."
"That's what I'm trying to do."
"Not in a Utility closet!" Josie chuckled, pushing him back playfully, "Anyone could walk in."
"No one is going to walk in, lass. Donnae flap."
Josie rolled her eyes, still keeping a smile as she went back to the door. "I will see you tonight, Capitaine. All of my holes are at your service zen. For now, fuck off back to your office chair. Dirty old man. Tsk tsk."
Rennick folded his arms across his chest and smirked as she went to leave. Then he said, "Mon amour. Tu es si belle aujourd'hui."
Josie stalled at the door and turned around with wide, stunned eyes. "Zee fuck did you say?"
"Je veux t'entendre crier encore mon nom, chérie. Juste ici. Contre ce mur."
Josie's face lit up like fireworks, her smile cheek to cheek and an excited skip in her feet as she clutched her chest. "Tu connais le français?! Why didn't you ever tell me?!"
"I had no reason till now. You drukit yet?" Rennick amused.
She gasped, "Say more! Continue!" Josie leapt in one spot again.
Rennick said huskier and more titillating than before, "Tu ne veux pas que je revienne en toi, Joséphine?"
Josie squealed into her hands and ran into Rennick with force. He gruffly ached at her strength and picked her up by the thighs. She replied happily, "Oui, Capitaine! You better speak French zee entire time! Sale français, tu comprends?"
"Oui, manquer," he replied before pushing her against the wall, silencing her excited squabbles with his mouth.
Their breath, sloven kissing and clothes rustling overtook the noise of the hatch opening behind them. Then a sudden yelp broke their kiss and dropped Josie to the floor.
"Oh, fuck! This isnnae what I came in here for!" Finlay barked aloud, gripping both Rennick and Josie in horrid surprise.
"Putain..." Josie wheezed in pain, "Je crois que je me suis cassé un os du cul."
"Hello! I'm hame!"
Rennick barged into his home like a soldier on shore leave. In his mind, he may as well be. It had been 8 months since the last he stepped inside his house. His pores still reeked of oil and grime. But he had on the blazer, button up and tie, and jeans he left with. Jack and Callum rushed downstairs in happy squalls. Both calling for their father excitedly after the time missed. Firstly, Rennick noticed how much they'd grown. It raged a silent guilt. No time to really feel it when they rushed for a hug. Then he noticed the house had changed. Different furniture and even family photos exchanged for just his wife and the boys. He was scarce in photos along the wall. Then lastly, he noticed his wife nowhere to be seen. Linda knew his day of return, he had hoped to have her waiting at the door. Even pushing out the door to meet him.
He visited with Jack and Callum. Asking them about their new hobbies with rugby and cricket. Their schooling and what he had missed. In that time, he'd hoped Linda would emerge.
"Linda?" He called, "Where's your mum?"
Jack replied, "Oh, she's upstairs."
Finally she came down, breathing a large smile to fill her face. She walked up to him and held him tight. He went to kiss her, and she almost fought against it.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
Linda nodded in jitters, "What? Yes, of course. I'm just glad you're home. We've missed you."
Rennick tried to believe her. He wanted to more than anything. But something felt dry. So dishearteningly distant between the two of them. A wall she had set up sometime during his leave. Now he had no clue on how to break it down. Get back to the family he had assembled and loved so fiercely. Sacrificed eight months of memories to support.
"Finlay!"
Rennick jogged behind her fast jaunt towards Accommodation. He gripped at his side and ached, "I'm too old to be chasing, Evin. Jesus Christ… Where you off to in such a hurry?"
Finlay sighed and turned back around. "I'm on my way to forget, mate."
"We need to talk."
Finlay grumbled, "We really donnae. Now I get why you didnae sack her, at least."
"Aye, but she is the only damn mechanic we have. If I fired her, it be more a state here than it is already."
"Especially when she's fixing you up, too, eh." Finlay said dryly. "The lads been saying you were in a better mood today, now I see why. Who you root is your business, Davey. As long as it doesnae make things worse around here. If you're worried I will tell others, you can rest easy. Canny see me telling a single soul of this."
Rennick rested his hands to his hips and sighed in relief, "Right. I hope you don't."
"Davey," scolded Finlay as he started to walk back. Rennick turned around and she added, "Aren't you married? What you reckon your wife would do if she found out you were rootin' a crewmate? A crewmate less than half your age. She could be your ween, big man. I get the need for a shag when you're out for months on the waters, but this donnae feel right. I'll keep my gob shut but you should be warned."
"You donnae ken fuck all, Evin. You see a ring on my hand? You keep it shut, good on ya. If not, you'll be in the shite. Believe me." Rennick said darkly.
Finlay shook her head, "As will you."
Josie was uneasily walking back to Engineering. She had finished her work in the Processing Quad and was going back down to the generators to check on the exhaust. Then Finlay appeared. "Oi, Cartier. A minute."
Josie felt like she was about to be scolded by a mother or matronly teacher. The same kind of anxiety when she saw Finlay pacing to her in a stern glare. In response, she made sure to flare her crass and headstrong demeanour a little more vibrantly.
"Sixty seconds, Finlay."
Finlay amused at the attitude and crossed her arms. She looked around one last time for good measure in case any ears were listening. "You ken he's married, right?"
Josie's confident stance waned then. She straightened and her face curved to a glare. "What? He's what?"
"He's married, Cartier. As far as I know. Has two boys and all." Finlay admitted, "He told me way back when. When he wasn't so cunty. They live out in Peterhead."
"How… far back?" Josie muttered.
"Six months ago? You were here, for sure. How long has this been going on? Before then?"
"Non! Two… two nights ago. After I fixed zee genny."
"So, it's new? Good. Means you didnae get far enough ahead that'll make it worse. Just… choose wisely, eh? You're a grown lass, you do what you want. I wonnae tell anyone. Not for Rennick, but for you. I still consider you a mate. A slag of a mate, but a mate, nonetheless." Finlay's sternness eased as she placed a hand to Josie's shoulder, "You want to be something bigger than a mechanic? Take my advice. Donnae do it. If he didn't fire you when you fixed the genny, he'll fire you when you two have a quarrel. A real lover's quarrel, when spirits get heated. Or if anyone besides me was to find out. Let's say Cadal, for example. That would fuck your grant and job competency."
Josie was trying to listen, but really, she was silently seething. Angry at Rennick and herself. "I… I never thought anyone would be stupid enough to marry zat prick. Never saw a ring, either. Fucking Christ. I knew Rennick was bad, not zis bad. God…" Josie slammed her hands into her face and sighed through them, "I feel fucking gross."
"You'll be right," said Finlay, "Now you know. You didnae know before. Not your fault."
"Oui," grumbled Josie before wiping a tear from her eye, "I know whose fault it is."
The next morning, Rennick was on his way through Administration. Same as yesterday, he needed files for his office to go over. Gibbo caught him and smiled, "Oi, boss! How's things?"
"Shouldnae you be in Engineering?"
"Aye, I was just on my way…"
"Then the fuck you doin' in the admin module? Move it!" Rennick's classic bark was back. Making Gibbo quickly flee down the isle to the nearest exit out the deck.
Gibbo hushed to himself, "Fuck, well the good mood didnae last long."
It certainly didn't. Especially considering Josie did not show up to his cabin the night before. He knew being caught by Finlay gave her a spook – even if she wouldn't outright admit it. When he found her in Administration doing more logs of the mechanical fixes, he hoped it to be his moment to find out for sure.
Josie looked up to him with a subtle glare, then started to scribble in the logs to hurry up. Not wanting to indulge company with him for a moment longer.
She tensed when he came to her side. Just like yesterday they were alone. Josie was not relieved. "What do you want, Capitaine?"
Rennick puzzled at the snarl in her tone. She stayed writing, not even looking up from her documents. He said, "You didnae come by last night."
"Nope."
"Can I ask why?"
Josie said through gritted teeth, "No."
"Did I do something?"
"I think you know well what you did, Capitaine. Just another connard who can't keep it in his pants a moment away from his wife. What's her name? I'd love to tell her myself. Maybe we can bond over you being a one-pump chump."
Rennick snipped back, "My wife? The fuck you on about?"
Josie slammed the pen down on the counter and turned to him. "Don't fucking lie to me. I know. You may not wear zee ring, but you are, aren't you? You're fucking married! And I… you made me an accomplice to your bullshit."
Josie angrily slapped together her papers and Rennick grabbed her arm. "Naw. Stop. I'm not married! You think I would have pumped you if I was?" He whispered it.
Josie whispered back, "How can I trust a word out of your mouth? I don't even know you."
"You know me, Cartier."
"I know the shitty part of you and zat is it."
Rennick looked back the hall at hearing stirring, only to conclude no one was there. He hushed back, "Meet me under the chopper pad after supper. I'll explain everything."
"No! No more meetings. Not with you, Capitaine!"
He shushed her quiet, "Just… please." His brows leaned. A strange sight for Rennick to be so sincere. Then he shifted back to his brood. "Do what you want, Cartier."
Rennick grumpily left Josie at the counter. Left her to decide on the next course of action. Perhaps she was looking for a reason – a logical reason – not to start something with Rennick. The vicious Site Manager everyone had their opinions about. There was a laundry list of logical reasons. Even so, none of them seemed to truly keep her away. She was still hurt to think he was married. Even then, she was willing to hear him out. Looking for any reason to keep it going.
Rennick pulled into his driveway close to midnight. A bouquet of roses on his passenger. He stayed hopeful but couldn't fight the feeling his efforts would be in vain. A house with his sons' out the nest. In school or making families of their own. It was him and Linda. Both nearing their sixties and their marriage stagnant. He wasn't content in giving up, yet. Even given another string of weeks away from home. He got out with his briefcase and the flowers in his other hand. As he opened the door to his home, there was a gnawing in his gut. Still, his hope hung on.
"Linda?"
The more he took in of his home, the more that gnawing tore. When he saw the wine glasses on his kitchen table, he understood the feeling dreadfully. He threw the flowers in the trash and marched upstairs.
"Linda!"
As got up the carpeted steps he saw her peeking out of the bedroom door. A blanket draped along her chest. She even thought a good idea to close it, but Rennick's glare assured it wasn't. "Linda?! Are you…"
"Davey… go downstairs and we'll talk about this, right? Let me get changed first."
"Changed?! Why are you… Linda, who is in my bedroom?"
"Davey, just go!"
Rennick pushed through the bedroom door, even against Linda's objections. When he saw their neighbour staggering for his clothes in a panic, his vision went black. He marched in, certain he was about to see jail time after he was done. The man begged and pleaded; told him it wasn't his idea. It wasn't his idea. With that, Rennick threatened his life but nothing more. Ordered him to get out, and he did. Then he packed. Not saying a word to Linda as he did so. She followed him, suitcases and all to the vehicle.
She cried for him on their porch. He made a heated stomp to his vehicle and piled his bags in the trunk. Then left Linda's wails of regret as he closed the driver side door. He didn't start the car right away as he was diligently fighting tears. Battling the ache in his chest. At first, he considered it a heart attack. Even then, he wouldn't have cared. Twenty years were wasted away. The success and livelihood he built for his family at a detrimental cost.
Rennick paced under the helipad close to sun down. The skies were starting to lose their setting purple. The ruckus of the rig was quieting down as most personnel were in Accommodation. He would usually be in his office with a glass of scotch at this time. Making sure revenues and production quotas were filled out and correct. The moon was full in the sky. A super moon, undoubtedly. But under the chopper pad was creeping a chill in shadow. Rennick was beginning to understand she wasn't coming.
He muttered to himself, "Fuck it." He started back for his office. Then he saw her hooded figure coming out of the crew lift. She was wearing a large sweater and jeans of her own – out of her Cadal uniform. The sweater was so big it reached the top of her knees. Likely borrowed from one of the crew. Josie saw him and slowed her walk, tucking her hands into her pockets. He walked over to the rail looking out to the stack. Josie joined him there. Both not saying a word. Once again, a shared stubbornness of waiting for the other to open the door.
Josie remembered Finlay's advice then. To be the bigger person. "Well? You said you would explain. Please do."
Rennick sighed and leaned over the rail, looking out to sea. "I was married. Aye."
"Was?"
"Was. Yeah. Was married for thirty years. I met her in high school. I came back from the war with all of these plans. I had a lot of time drafted to think of them. Linda wanted them, too. So, we got married three weeks into my return. A year later we had Jack. Then the next year we had Callum. A whole family in the blink of an eye. Next thing I knew we were struggling for money. I was getting stiffed by some gobshite at a car repair I was working at. So, I took on a roustabout job on an offshore oil rig. Twenty years on vessels all along the UK coast. I'd be gone for eight months on end, come home for three weeks and each time I did, there was a greater wedge between myself and my family. Like I was a stranger disrupting their lives every time I'd return. I missed my sons' graduation from high school, universities. I was just the… foundry of funds. Making sure they'd live comfortably as I was out on the water. The father and husband I wanted to be gradually lost over those years."
Rennick was still and stoic through the entire regale. Staring out to the mists with his hands clasped. Josie was at his side, so she couldn't see the tears start to form under his eyes. He blinked them away before they had a chance to fall.
"So… you two divorced because of zee distance?"
"Naw," said Rennick swiftly after, "At some point, I donnae ken how or when, Linda was searching for more. I think it was my first trip. She never looked at me the same way after. She was… distant. Like she could look right through me and not care at all if she saw someone staring back. She was happy as long as I was out to sea, and she had my cheque book close to hame. When I was hame, naw… I just made her uncomfortable. I never understood why. Then two years ago I did. She felt guilt. That guilt was easier to ignore when I was away."
Josie asked softly, "What happened?"
"One night I come hame. I had just started working with Cadal. Just finished building this fucking rig. I didnae let her know I was comin'. I just wanted to see her, surprise her with the flowers I ken she loved. Try to fix whatever… fault was going on between us. I was always trying to fucking fix it. I step inside my house and things feel… off. I canny explain what or why – it was just a feeling. I see a pair of leather shoes that aren't mine. I see a jacket hanging on the table chair. Two glasses of wine. I threw those flowers in the bin. I run upstairs and I see it. All of it." Rennick took off his glasses to pinch at his eyes and groan. As if he was seeing it all over again. "I grabbed what I needed and left. Even with her mewling – begging me to stay. After that, I still tried to sort it. Not her. Not even after everything I had done for her and those boys, she never gave a shite. Then, six months ago I get a letter from the mainland. She confesses it wasnae that once. It had been the course of those twenty years. Different men, each time. Like she had a fucking sickness. Attached to the letter divorce papers. I just sent them back two weeks ago. Aye, I'm still married. Technically. But I'm not married. Haven't been married for a long time. Fairly soon here, I won't be at all."
Josie sighed down to her hands over the rail. It was saddening to hear it. However, it was the reason she needed. She glided her hand into his. He took it back firmly. Lightly grazing his thumb down her own.
She said, "Then I come along…"
"Aye, you did." Rennick scoffed with his glare easing a little, "The exact opposite of her, I ken that. Yet… with you I feel more like myself… than all the thirty years I had with her. Hell, if I even raised my voice at her once she wouldn't let me forget it for a month. Even then, she'd bring it up when I'd least expect it. I raise my voice at you, you raise it back tenfold, then it's forgotten in an hour."
Josie sniggered in her throat, finally looking up at Rennick who returned a smirk. They kept their hands together as they returned their gaze to the sea. He said back a bit softer, his voice still keeping its usual grit, but it wasn't off putting, "It's not a good idea. You're… forbidden fruit. Fuck sakes, my sons are older than you. Both of em'. You're my personnel. I know if anyone found out about us you'd be in the shit. It could ruin your career. But… being with you for just those two nights was like coming up for air after drowning for years. After some time, I forget the age gap and all the technicalities. Even before, fighting with you… I wouldn't have admitted it but it was nice to finally have someone who was on my level. You always called me out on my shite, and I liked it. But, if you want to forget all about this and get back to the work we do, I won't blame you. I'll never bring it up again. You got my word on that."
Josie petted her fingers up his hand and replied, "Bouffon. I wouldn't have come out here if I wanted zat." She was discreetly elated to see a gentler side of Rennick finally coming out. It was alien but so relieving. But she'd never admit it. "I have to say. Seeing zis soft side of yours' is driving me to puke."
Rennick snorted and jokingly pushed her hand away, making her laugh. "Shut it." Then he moved his free hand to grip her hip and slyly pull her in. His eyes still fixed out to the waves. "If that's so, will you come see me tonight? I wonnae get sook again."
Josie laid her head on his shoulder, "I suppose, Capitaine. Tu es mignon quand tu mendie."
Rennick shook his head at the cheeky comment. "Le seul qui va mendier ce soir, c'est toi, connard."
"Hey, zat is my word… connard."
Rennick laid his newspaper down on his newly desk on the Beira D rig. The date was December 13th, 1974. He knew to be expecting a few new personnel on the day. Very much needed, as the Beira would be needing staffed if their quota for oil was to be achieved in the future. One certain applicant was brought to his attention by mail. Cadal written to the top caught his eyes among the many others.
Archie opened the door to his office. "Hey Rennick."
"Archie, for fuck sakes! Knock first, I told you."
"Right," he winced, "Sorry. Just that Oxford student is here. You said you wanted her to head to your office as soon as she got here?"
"Aye," said Rennick in grievance, "Cadal can try and leave some privileged gobshite on my rig all they like. I'm not putting them to work unless I make sure they know what they're doing. Send her in."
Archie nodded and went back again. A few moments later a tepid knock was heard at the door. "Enter!"
Rennick didn't look up from his many invoices and documents right away as the door pushed open. It greeted small and meek footsteps. Then a girlish coo, "Bonjour?"
He glanced up with a scowl, and subtly it drifted away. A fair young woman with long, auburn and wavy locks tied back in a low ponytail. She wore a knitted sweater and jeans. The most unlikely he thought would ever tread in his office. She seemed shy, even a bit fearful. Strangely enough, he had an urge to ease that anxiety. Any intimidation he planned to have was surrendered.
"Hello, darling. Come in. Don't be shy." He smiled and said warmly.
She came over to her seating, clutching her bag and setting it on her lap as she sat down. She leaned over with the jitters, holding out her hand for a shake. "I am… Joséphine Cartier. I am student, Oxford student. I am to be mechanic for you, oui? I do not have experience besides what I learn in university." Her accent was so strong it could barely be understood to an English ear. However, Rennick knew French. He was almost tempted to ask her to speak it to understand her, as he could barely comprehend her English. He stayed patient.
She continued, "But I do have courses to ready me for job. My resume is zare. I am passionate about machine and do good work if you let me. And I… um… I… I'm sorry. My English is not good."
"Naw. It's fine. Which part of France you from?" Rennick asked.
"Paris. Close to Canal Saint-Martin."
Rennick smiled, "I've been a few times. Gorgeous."
"It is." Josie giddily said back and smiled.
"You went to university for mechanical engineering, but you'll be a mechanic on the rig? Why is that?"
"Uh, oui…" Josie muttered, "They want my job competence? I sink zat what called? Mechanical engineer is not needed on rig for long times so Cadal asked me to do mechanic work, too. Zat way they can get funding and have someone to fix machine. Two bird with one stone, I sink. I will still be doing mechanical engineer but mechanic, as well. Zey figure mechanic will take up most of my time, so they gave me title."
"Right. As a former mechanic and mechanical engineer, myself, they've surely made it difficult to be either, nowadays."
"Oui," she sighed in exhaustion, "Zey have."
"Well, I'm Davey Rennick. I'm the Site Manager. My job is to make sure operations are run smoothly on the rig. I'll be keeping track of your progress and whatever you make will be sent to Cadal. They will send it to Oxford, and in two years, you should be done your program and free to pursue whatever career you fancy."
"Ah," smiled Josie, "So, you are Capitaine."
"What?"
"Is a joke, I'm sorry. You know, captain. Zis is your rig. So, you… Capitaine. Nevermind… I'm sorry."
Rennick smirked, letting a small chuckle sizzle out in his throat, "Aye. I'm the Capitaine. Let's see if you impress, Cartier. Welcome aboard."
[A/N: Gonna start putting translations of French as Josie speaks a lot of it. As well as Rennick's lines, too. A lot of it is dirty talk, so be warned!
"Mon amour. Tu es si belle aujourd'hui." = My love. You look beautiful today.
"Je veux t'entendre crier encore mon nom, chérie. Juste ici. Contre ce mur." = I want to hear you cry my name again, darling. Right here. Against this wall.
"Tu connais le français?!" = You know French?!
"Tu ne veux pas que je revienne en toi, Joséphine?" = You don't want me back inside you?
"Je crois que je me suis cassé un os du cul." = I think I broke an ass bone.
"Tu es mignon quand tu mendie." = You're cute when you beg.
"Le seul qui va mendier ce soir, c'est toi, connard." = The only one who will begging tonight is you, twat.
