How was it that Padriq only found patience when he was waiting for everyone to leave the Yards Office" One by two the workers left. Starting with Tristan, to whom his nose wrinkled a bit at seeing, then Rico and Ajia followed, talking to one another quite warmly. Perhaps, just perhaps, that would be Aja and Pad some day, out in the open and carefree. Once they were out of sight, he made a break for the doors with Kidd like grace, which wasn't very much, and into the office before he could be identified; granted with that swagger it would be hard to not pick one of the Kidd's and who else would be haunting out so close to Aja other than Padriq"

Sneaking up the stairs slowly, he grinned. This could get him killed if the sole occupant in the building was in a suspicious mood and armed, and she was always armed. Which was something he liked about her. He was thankful her door was wide open as he came to a stop in the hallway to watch for a bit as Aja worked at her desk. He could have moments like this, at least in his own little way. He certainly did enjoy admiring her at a distance.

It took him a minute to find her. The fancy new digs of the Arcadia Shipyard Offices had thrown him at first, but he had spent a little time watching from outside and knew that Aja's office was likely the one at the end of the hall on the corner of the second floor. That was the one where the lights were on till after midnight for the last two nights and since he had seen Tristan, Rico and Ajia leave, that only left Aja as a possible occupant to the office.

He watched as Aja flipped through files, signing them, then setting them aside in a focused manner. A couple got muttered about and went to a completely different pile. He was about to move closer when the phone rang. Aja looked at it then picked it up, smiling as she said.

"Hello brother of mine." she said in a cheery voice. "And what has you up so late?" she listened a moment and nodded slightly. "I'm putting you on speaker while I finish up." she pushed a button then set the handset back into the cradle. "So I got ratted on, huh?"

"Ajia didn't rat you out." the smooth baritone said with an concerned tone. "She was concerned about your habit of working so late."

"And she tattled on me to you." Aja grinned as she flipped another file open. "That's rattin, Ajay."

"Love, Aja." he replied with a soft chuckle.

"Fine. I no argue with you." she grinned at the phone then took a deep breath before continuing talking. "She tell you I was using my work to hide or something?"

"Something like that." her brother replied. "She also said that the two of you had a pretty intense conversation the other day." that made Aja pause and stare at that phone. Then she grinned.

"If you suddenly don't hear from her, it means I've super glued her mouth closed."

"She's just concerned." Ajay laughed. "No need to get the glue."

"She is a hopeless romantic trying to get me to see the error of my ways." Aja made air quotes even though she didn't need them with the tone of voice she used. "She doesn't understand me, J."

"That's a tricky thing to do when you don't tell her anything." Ajay gently reminded her.

"Fair point." Aja smiled for a moment. "But we went through a couple things the other day." Aja said and fiddled with a pen. "I thought maybe she'd understand that not everything is as easy as she thinks it is."

"I thought about something after you two left." her brother started to say and Padriq watched as Aja froze. "I think I forgot to say was that whatever you decided to do about the situation is fine with me. All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy." He saw Aja relax and smile at the phone.

"I appreciate that, J. I do." she smiled a little more fondly. "And it's all I want for you and JiJi too." the use of the nicknames made Padriq grin. "I mean. I know you want the big fancy royal wedding." she smiled fondly at the phone. "And fer you, I will suffer though said event. I'd just like to have the right groom, if ya don't mind too horribly."

That brought Padriq's curiosity to a new level. He was grinning so broadly his dimples were going to burst. His eyes glittered with mischief as he scooted closer to the door, but kept his body shielded by shadow. He knew he was going to be in trouble for listening, especially if he got caught.

"And I would prefer you married for love, not obligation." Padriq was beginning to like Aja's brother, quite a bit.

"Thank you." Aja turned her chair to look out over the harbor. "I thought...maybe...when Tristan came back...it was going to be like it was." He could hear her take a deep breath. "And it isn't."

The pirate couldn't help but nod in agreement when he heard Aja's brother say, "Can't go backwards, Aja."

"I know. And I didn't think that's what it would be...Not that I had any way of determining how it would be, but I think I've changed too much to be with the man that is here now. I'm not who he knew. He's not who I knew...We're different." Aja leaned on her arm for a moment as she thought for a second then added. "Too much I think to make that work again."

"Have you tried?" Ajay asked and Aja stared at the phone.

"Well, it's not as if it was the smoothest reentry in the history of the realm." She almost grinned but with her voice, her face took a more serious expression as she continued. "There were things going on. When those got settled, I think I felt I had to try. For the sake of ..." she rolled her hand around. "whatever. Vows made, even if they were years ago."

"Aja, no one. Absolutely no one would fault you for lack of effort on this situation." Ajay's calm tone had the barest hint of concern then, it forced Padriq's brows to knit. "But I think you blame yourself." The scruffy, shadow lurker nodded softly, but continued to listen. "Perhaps too much."

"I don't know about too much, but I do take the responsibility for this mess." she said simply. "Had I paid more attention to Tru, I might've seen it coming, might've been able to stop it." she rubbed at her head and stared out the window while she spoke. "But I didn't and thus ...Padriq did what he did with the time travel thing and then there was Tristan and again, I felt like it was somehow, all my fault."

"What ..how could you have possibly have known that would happen?" Ajay reasoned, Aja smiled slightly. "It's not like this has ever happened before, Aja."

"Since when have our lives ever worked out normally, J?" Aja looked at the phone with a very duh like expression. "Fer Zeus's sakes, you were half a bird fer how many years" Our family has never been normal." she scrubbed at her head again and dropped the arm to the desk top. "I should've come to expect that sort of thing by now."

"Since when has lack of normality bothered you?" her brother laughed, thankfully covering up Padriq's own chuckle. "You've always seemed so flexible when it came to whatever life threw at you."

"I am. But there are times," she trailed off for a moment. "Just once, I'd like the Bird family to catch a break. Have something normal for a change. If anything, you and JiJi deserve it after everything."

"And you?" Padriq leaned forwards, almost giving himself in to the light.

"I made my normal." Aja grinned towards the phone. "With the exception of my love life, that is. That...I don't think will ever be or may never should be normal.." she paused considering that and changed her mind a little. "maybe. I don't know. I've never seen what normal is with that. Except fer you and Sher."

The thoughts that took over Padriq's mind stumbled slightly closer to that of his brothers when listening to Ajay speak of his love life, "And that wasn't normal the whole time. With me being a half bird." Dangerously close to that of his brothers.

"But it was devotion and love, Ajay. Sher stuck with you through it all. I'd never seen it ...well, not since Jose and Tanner. And that time was cut all too short when she died."

"This Padriq fellow, according to your sister, is quite devoted to you." Padriq was going to have to kiss Ajia the next time he saw her, she was quite a woman.

"I know...but it's the rocket speed that makes me nervous, J." Aja got up to pace the room.

"I know that it does." there was a smile in Ajay's voice. "From what Ajia is saying though, I believe you have nothing to fear." Perhaps Padriq would even kiss Aja's brother.

"Don't you jump on that bandwagon." Aja paused to grin at the phone. "I'd like to solve this one on my own. Figure out..." she paused again forcing Padriq to grin. That was Aja alright, he enjoyed her stubborness. "Maybe not even figure it out. Just be with him. He's a very in the now sort of guy. And I like that."

"Message received." Ajay laughed. "Just let me know when I can throw my baby sister a wedding, ok?"

"I promise you'll be like the third person to know, J." she grinned at the phone for a moment than she got a wistful look on her face as she retook her chair. "I just don't know if that's the right move. Not yet." Aja sighed and rubbed her head. "I think...I just need time. I need to have things just be.." she struggled to find the right word and grinning at the only one that she could think of considering what had been said already. "normal for a while. To not have every complication in the book in the way so I can have fun with it all."

"Not an unfair request." Padriq nodded, actually agreeing with that desire. He craved for normalcy and not the life of that which was being the other man.

"I really hope it's seen that way."

Padriq hated hearing that out of her lips and couldn't help but put his boot down. "Since when do I nae listen t' wut ye wan' Aja luv?" He grumbled, knowing his secret was out. Casually he swaggered his way in, the sweetest look gracing his face.

The sound of his voice almost had her reach for her weapon, but she realized who it was and shook her head slightly with a grin then she looked at the phone with a smile.

"Ajay, meet Padriq." She looked up at Padriq standing near the door. "Padriq," she motioned to the phone. "Meet my brother Ajay." she paused with a grin then. "The King of Ballentine."

"Greetings, Padriq." you could hear the smile in Ajay's voice.

"Aye, well met mate, err...Ajay...err...Highness." Padriq flopped in a chair on the other side of the desk before piping up." Wut wud ye wan' me t' call ye, sir?"

"Ajay will do just fine." Ajay chuckled. "I do expect to be meeting you very soon. Discuss your intentions for my baby sister."

"Hey...there'll be no discussions where I get traded for a goat or some cockamainey nonsense like that." Aja cut in with a smile.

"I wud nae ever dream of tradin me goat fer ye Aja. I wud nae do tha' t' Barny." Padriq teased before he cleared his throat. "Ajay, me friend, I wud be "onored t' "ave a chat wit ye about "ow beautiful yer wee sister be. I "ave a sister t' so I understand wholly."

"I do look forward to that." Ajay said his tone having changed to a more formal one since Padriq's presence was made known. Aja picked up the handset to say goodbye to him then.

"I'll call you later on.....Yes....That sounds good." she smiled into the phone. "Oh, the shipment will be there by Thursday. ...No. That isn't necessary...J....J...J." Aja was apparently matched in the stubborn department by her brother. "Fine. Be that way. Yes. Love you too. Kisses to Sher. Now get on back to bed before she has yer head. I will. I promise. Zeus almighty, J. Shoo." she hung up giggling about the end of the conversation and looked at Padriq. "I see someone's all crafty this evening." she nodded at him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I "ave to "ave a reason t' see ye?" Padriq gave her a smile.

"No." she said lightly and looked at him. "But ya have one." she grinned as she leaned on her elbows smiling at him.

"A little birdy told me ye be workin t' "ard." He paused a little, his frame leaning forwards. "Did I "ear righ?" The weddin" be off?" Padriq may as well be honest about how much he heard, there was no hiding it from her.

Aja just nodded sitting up a little figuring out how long he had been standing there and what he had heard.

"I'm seriously going to super glue her lips shut." she muttered and then gave Padriq a wry grin. "Ya did. I've been holdin it off...while I figured things out." she flipped the file she had been working on closed and looked at Padriq. "While things worked themselves out. And I discovered that Tristan isn't who he used to be. Neither am I." she took a deep breath. "And there was another factor to the story that was very important to me."

Padriq shifted, moving a bit closer so that he could close his hand over hers while he listened. His thumb grazed her hand gently. He paused a little, giving her time to let it all out, thought a little, and frowned. "Iffin the movin" be botherin" ye, I'll make ye a promise here n" now." He locked his eyes with her. "Nae more proposin", nae unless ye do i" or ye tell me t' do i". Yer pace is our pace. An" wut ever be importan' t' ye, wha' ever i" be, i" be importan' t' me t"."

Aja nodded with a smile while squeezing his fingers between hers.

"Look. I know, I'm not the easiest person ta deal with sometimes." she grinned as if daring him to agree to that. "But I do realize what is right in front of me." she smiled as she added. "Most of the time." she gave him a wink. "And I know how hard it's been fer you to let me work this out...to let me think it through. But it was necessary to consider all the options. For all parties involved." she paused then. "If it was just about followin" hearts or whatever it is my sister likes ta say." she exhaled and looked at him seriously. "We would've been halfway "round the world by now. But I have more than that ta consider. And as much as it sucks sometimes, I have to take those things into consideration or I'm not the person I fought so hard to be."

"Aye luv, I understand tha' n" nae matter how lon' ye've needed I nae be goin" anywhere bu' "ere. Err...Goin" t' visit yer brother t' talk bou" ye." He gave her a reassuring smile, squeezed her hand, then gave in to a serious look, letting it settle on his face. "Jus" promise me ye nae will change, I luv ye way t' damn much the way ye be. I dun need nuthin" more tha' ye as ye be."

Aja grinned at him and if the lighting in the office had been a touch brighter, he might've caught the barest hint of a blush then.

"I do love you." she said looking at him. "That's never..." she paused squeezing his hand in hers. "Never been in doubt. But there were things that came before...and I had to..for my own sanity, make sure that what was twenty years ago wasn't still true now." she sighed. "I don't know if I can explain this in a way that anyone would understand. "But my life back then...was soo much different than it is now. I was different. It took him dying for it all to change." she exhaled slowly. "And when he came back...well...I thought I owed him ...I don't know if that's even the right way to phrase it." she shook her head. "But, it's as close as I can get." she inhaled slowly. "While Tanner saved my life, I think Tristan saved another part of me. He deserved more than a quick brush off."

"Ye owed 'im n" ye did wut ye cud. Ye showed 'im luv lass, n" ye tried t' give 'im back wut "e lost, but ye be righ".." He paused, giving her a reassuring smile," n" dun kill me, but ye brother be righ t". Ye canne go backwards luv. Bu" ye did wut wus righ"." He squeezed her hand," N" I cannae fin" anythin" wron' wit' tha". I's par" o' bein" ye. N" I luv tha' par" o' ye, every par" o' ye. Down t' tha' stubborn streak ye cherish."

She smiled at him for that and squeezed his hand before getting up and walking towards a bank of what appeared to be filing cabinets. She opened one of them revealing a mini bar of sorts. She got them out a couple of beers. The motions serving as a way for her to gather the wayward thoughts before speaking again.

Handing him one of the beers, she smiled.

"Ya gotta love all of me. I can't separate any part of myself." she winked at him. "I'm flexible, but me not being stubborn would take an act of the gods." before she retook her chair he pulled her into his lap, just so he could hold her while they spoke. "I am trying to be fair. To everyone, and yeah...I know.." she touched his nose. "There will be some hurt feelings. I can do what I can to make that less of an issue. I owe him that, Padriq." she looked at him seriously. "I should've explained that ta ya before, but I'm .." there was a small flounder while she looked for the words. "unaccustomed ta explaining myself."

He spoke before she could finish. "Ye be complicated luv. Ye be complicated. N" ye like i" the "ard way. Nae need to explain i"." He kissed her brow gently and looked in her eyes. "We've been though "ell n" back again luv, iffnae literally, figuratively. N" dun fuss bou" owin" me an explination lass, I've been behind ye all the way." She got a smile from him filled with tenderness. "N" I always will be, even iffin ye tell me t' bugger off."

"I think you'll recall, I don't do that." she grinned at him a little as she opened her beer. "Yer da one who disappears on me." there was a little wink to go with it to alert him that she wasn't angry, but if he knew her well enough, he'd realize that it bothered her a little. "I know that it seems like this is taking too much time to settle. But it has to go this way, I don't want to lose him as a friend too. We meant too much to each other before all this...craziness. We were friends first. I'd like ta save that if I can." "Aye lass. N"....I dunnae know if Ajia told ye or nae." He shifted, making her sit on her desk before he stood and moved to Ajia's desk. He fumbled through the papers for a moment then paused. "Ah. Cus, she "as nae foun" i" yet." He lifted up an order and held it out to Aja. "Read i" lass."

"Ya sent away fer a mail order bride?" Aja grinned at him as she reached over for the paper, taking a sip of her beer. She swallowed and shook her head slightly. "And no, JiJi is a tricky little scamp. She doesn't tell me everything." Aja read over the invoice, written in her sisters scrawl, for a new version of the Whirlwind. She took a moment then noticed a small note at the bottom of the page, also written by her sister that read, "Add closest to toss Aja into." it made her chuckle a little. "Ah. So a new ship. I'd recommend a new cabin boy ta go with it. Seriously, that one ya got ruined some damn fine work." she handed the paper back to Padriq.

He pushed the paper back to her. "Read the las" bi" luv."

"Ya mean after the bit about my sister suggesting a closet to put me inta?" she quipped taking the paper back and looking at it. Her brows knitted together. "Why would ya cancel it' Ya love havin yer own ship."

"Nae ship will carry me where I wan' t' be luv." He paused, a smile on his lips. "Each time I ran away, I go' sick fer ye, real bad sick. I found meself wishin" I wus "ere. So. Me crew "as agreed t' go intae the construction business." he shrugged a little to her," n" I've nae seen their wives "appier."

"Well, most women like ta have a place ta call home. And usually their husbands in bed at night." Aja just smiled taking this bit of news in stride like she did most things. Her smile did lean towards the pleased side of it when she heard what he had to say. "And it's not like we couldn't use more construction crews. I think word's gotten out about how things are here in Arcadia, safer and nicer than RhyDin City and still close enough so ya don't feel out of touch."

"Aye, I've "eard tha' t". Actually, there wus another reason fer me comin", iffin" ye wan' t' take an adventure tonigh"." He grinned a little to her and brushed his hands over his dirty work shirt.

"Ya know how I like a good adventure." She grinned at him. "As long as it doesn't involve the undead." she chuckled. "Not enough explosives in da world fer dem." "Nae Zombies, go' i". Come on luv, le's put yer work behin" us." He winked to her and held out his hand, he wasn't going caveman on her tonight. However, he would have enjoyed whisking her away tonight, but this required a bit of a subtle approach.

Aja perked a brow and tilted her head to the side looking at him, then slid off the desk. "Alright, let's see what ya got up that sleeve of yers."

"I luv i" whe" ye talk like tha"." He took her hand and pulled her towards the door. It was only then did he pause, loop around to her hid-a-bar and snag them a few drinks. Once he had that done, he was off for the door again with a skip in his step.

She followed along with a grin. "Oh dear Zeus. Ya went and heisted somethin." She grinned teasing him. "Am I gonna have ta pit my guards against da Watch or something?"

"Nae, jus" make sure I install one of those "n me office."

He grinned as he headed down the steps, two by two as a matter of fact, he was quite excited. His head turned and he looked back to her," Yer gonna luv this."

Aja laughed as she followed him down the stairs. "Install one of what inta yer office" A guard?" she giggled. "Keep da hordes of women at bay?"

"Nae, one of those hidden booze majiggers." He grinned to her and stealthily pulled her out the front door and towards the baking district of town.

He was tugging her along too fast for her to bother locking the door, not that they needed to in Arcadia. She shook her head and followed him along the street.

The road blocks, the walls, everything had been torn down to allow them to walk right through. He swaggered and stopped, his grin growing as they approached the corner he had been working on. "Close yer eyes luv."

"And the puppy pounces on my head....when?" She grinned as she did what he asked.

"Tha' be "Ochi's departmen" nae mine." He chuckled as he pulled her along. His grin grew as they stopped in the center of the square, admiring the crafty work that went on in making a Java shop, a bakery, a bistro, and a meat shop all in one corner. When he had positioned her to where she was facing the Java shop he spoke softly in her ear," Open "em peekers luv."

She didn't know which was funnier, that Hochi was automatically thought of as the animal person or that Padriq had thought to bring it up. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. It was an impressive little square. One that would be heavily favored by the residents in Arcadia. The coffee place made her grin as she had recently taken a liking to the speciality coffee drinks these kinds of places offered.

"I can tell you now, I'll need an account here." She pointed at the coffee shop with a grin. "And my secretary...whose name I can't remember right now, will be making several runs to this shop." she grinned at him.

"Idn"i" Betty er somethin?" Trying to recall the woman's name as he grinned back to her. "Ajia told me ye needed "elp fillin" the square, so I found some thin's to fill i" with."

"Could be Flo-Jo fer all I can recall." Aja laughed and nodded. "JiJi's not completely off her rocker." Aja smiled. "She was right about this."

"Says ye. I thin" she is." He shrugged. "Even one who be daft cun be righ' bou" somin"."

"She ain't stupid...just..." Aja waved her hand around.

"Off "er rocker?" He helped while she waved her hand around.

"A hopeless romantic." Aja provided giggling about what he said.

He then nodded," Aye, tha' t". Goes on "ow ye need t' be followin" yer "ear" n" stuff."

"She does at that." Aja leaned against Padriq then. "Maybe we could set "er up in the match making business or something. Keep her busy." she grinned. "But the poor citizens. They might revolt." Teasing her sister didn't require her presence apparently.

"Er...fire "er" Run "er outta the city' Feed "er t' the dogs?" He was oh so helpful.

"Dragon. But ya got the idea." She laughed and kissed his cheek. "It looks wonderful." she came out of the lean and walked around inspecting the buildings idly. "I can see these shops doing quite well."

He watched her with a smile on his lips. "These people luv i" "ere Aja, n" they were more than willin" t' break outta the norm in "elpin" me ge" i" done." His arms folded behind his back while he stood there, bobbing on his feet ever so slightly. "I be glad ye like i"."

She ran her hand along side one of the buildings as she checked out the detail, than looked at him with a smile.

"It's fine work, Padriq. You have a good eye for this." she hadn't been kidding as the designs fit flawlessly into the look of the rest of the town while maintaining some individuality to keep it from looking cookie cutter. "Yer sister did most the designin, I jus" followed the plans." He mused as he looked to the Bakery. "She be good like tha"."

"I won't argue that. She's jist stuck on high speed most of the time." Aja chuckled. "Makes me a little crazy."

"Aye, jus" like me." He turned back to her, a small smile on his lips. "I be sorry fer me rate n" speed."

"Well." Aja said as she walked up to him and brushed the wrinkles out of his tee shirt idly. "Like ya had ta learn that full speed freaks me out...she's gonna have ta learn the same about her snookie wookie. Before she freaks him right out that relationship." she smiled at him softly. "Rikki's even more turtle speed than I am when it comes to some things. Perhaps ya can find a way ta relate that ta her..since it seems you two are of similar thought processes?" "Nae luv, I dun thin" I cud reach her. She be t' stuck in "er ways n" she be a Bird. N" I "ave t' tell ye. Stubbornness be one of "er strengths."

"Not that we're gonna argue that...but when it comes to relationships...that will only get a person so far." she reached up and touched his nose. "Faster" Great in bed, lousy fer actually gettin a person there." she winked at Padriq sassy then turned to look around the square again with a smile.

"Lass, yer sister be frettin" bou" more than "er beau." He confessed with a sigh. "She be on some "ype now, said somein about makin" yer ma n" da proud."

"Oh." Aja said airly. "I know. Jist figured since ya two seem ta be becomin pals and all, ya might be able ta relate some important info to her that I can't seem ta." Aja got quiet then for a moment before speaking again. "As fer the thing with our parents, I get it. But I worry about it."

"Wut's the paren" thin" about?" His head tilted a little as he studied her. "Because she's been goin" on "bou" i" alo"."

"Ya heard Ajay on the phone, yeah?" Aja asked and took a lean against a patio chair in the square's dining area.

"Aye." He opened one of the beers he smuggled out of her office and sipped.

"He's ...impressive." Aja smiled. "Seems...like a father figure." Aja tilted her head to the side and gave a fond smile. "And you get around that and ya want so much to earn his approval cause he's family that we never got to have. And he talks about duty and family honor in such a way...that you want to never let him down." she looked at Padriq then. "He can be a little intimidating. And I think she's fallen into that whole...Let's-do-this-for-family mode." "Ya dun thin" thi" cud end badly do ye?" He had to ask so he could warn the proper parties.

Aja shook her head, then smiled at him. "She aught ta be thankful she wasn't here when he was a dueling hot shot." Aja laughed a little. "Now that, got ta be pressure." she sipped her own beer. "Hanging ringside and one of the other big name duelist lookin at ya goin "Why can't ya be more like yer brother?". Made it hard ta not feel like a complete failure." Aja shook her head. "As it is, his legacy is pretty hard ta live up ta every time I step in a ring." she thought a moment. "Jist in swords. Ajay, like me, never took much of an interest in fists..And magic. With our linage, it makes us react a little strange. So he just stayed out of that arena."

"Aye, I cun understand tha", bu' wut bou" "er. Cun she "andle the pressure?" He had to ask, it was sort of nessessary.

"I honestly don't know, Padriq." she thought about Ajia for a moment then shrugged. "JiJi seems so focused on such odd things." she paused and held up a finger. "Not so much odd as...things that she has no control over. I really don't know what?s gonna happen." Aja sighed. "I have ta believe that if our parents were here...like say returned for a day, they would....with all the obstacles this family has had to over come, be pleased with how we all turned out."

He nodded, turning his eyes towards her and gave her a warm smile. "Aye, I thin" they'd scold ye fer yer choice n" men, bu' they'd be righ' proud."

"My taste in men is fine. Tru being the exception ta that since I wasn't given a choice on it." Aja made a face. "But, I think they'd like you." she grinned at him. "Ya ferget, I know what ya look like when ya make an effort ta spiff up." She winked at him.

"Aye, n" ye like i" too." He teased as he lounged back. His jeans looked a bit scuffed up, like he was sitting in mud all day, but other than that, he looked like the happiest pirate there ever was.

"I do." She smiled at him, checking him out a little just for fun. "But I don't need all the ..fluff. I like the insides best."

He started to tug at his shirt as he spoke," Well iffin ye like insides wut am I doin" still dressed"!"

"Crazy ass pirate. I mean yer heart." she laughed and swatted his arm lightly. "Don't be showin off da goods ta people." She winked.

He turned to press a kiss to her cheek. "I though' ye'd say tha"."

"I don't run around half naked.." she chuckled then. "Feel it sometimes when Sivanna puts me in a dress fer one of dem fancy events. But eh...what can I do' I love that elf chick like a sister."

"I luv ye in dresses, bu' ye still be sexy as ye be righ' now." His brows did a little dance as he studied her from head to toe.

Aja laughed and shook her head. "One of us Bird girls wandering around in a dress is enough." she motioned to her standard attire of leather pants, white tank and over-shirt with her boots. "This is comfortable. And functional."

"N" sexy." He grinned to her broadly.

"I have a feeling ya'd think that if I wore a burlap sack." she laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Will ye be wearin" one of those soon?" He teased, his hand moving to comb through her hair.

"Likely not." She grinned and leaned into his hand. "I hear they aren't that comfortable."

"Well the", there nae be a reason fer ye t' be wearin" em, or anythin" else fer tha' matter." Of course he would say something like that while he grinned like a hound.

Aja chuckled, deciding to that that hang there then took another look around the marketplace. "This really does look good, Padriq."

"Aye, n" the crew "ad "oped ye'd "ire them fer the work ye see "ere. We "ave a few ideas fer town "ouses." He winked to her. "N" an ol" fashioned fish market."

"Maybe that we can make arrangements fer." she glanced down the alleyway to the shore beyond the buildings. "Little far from da docks here. Which is good fer pretty, not so good fer moving fishies."

"Aye, bu' we may "ave a spo". Jus" gotta talk t' a few people tha' own those docks." He pointed to the old docks people used to offload their private sail boats and such.

Aja nodded a little thinking about it then smiling. "We have time. Ain't neither of us goin anywhere. Right?"

"Righ". I nae be goin" nae where." His arms wrapped around her, his brow resting to hers.

Aja kissed him and smiled.

"I like the idea of that, Kidd."

"You best be likin" i" Bird, cause there be no gettin" rid o' me now." He returned the kiss and squeezed her close. "Oh sweet, Zeus. What have I gotten myself inta?" She teased and poked his side. "Be saddled with a dirty, scruffy pirate" Whatever will Ajay think?"

"Oi! I bathe once a month!" He teased. "I dun smell tha' bad. N" Ajay will be fine iffin I take Robby alon' fer comparison."

"Ooooh no!" she giggled. "We're never taken Robby ta Ballentine unless ya'd like ta see Ajay lock me in a room till he learns I ain't crazy?"

"Bu" ye be crazy." He said, his voice rather serious if his face wasn't showing it. She swatted him with a grin.

"Shut up." she laughed. "If ya brought Robby ta Ballentine...we might wind up in da dungeon."

"Chains n" ties fer people to be latched t' the wall." He paused. "Soun's kinky." That just made her laugh even more.

"I thin" we cun risk i"." He kissed her head softly. "I'd go through "ell n" back fer ye."

"I know ya would." she smiled at him warmly. "Ya already have."

He chuckled. "I nae be done ye", leas" tha' be me gut tellin" me." His gaze turned star-wards. "I still "ave t' meet yer brother."

"Yes you do." she grinned. "Ya had ta go and speak so he heard ya...and now...yer doomed." oh that was such a wicked grin she was sporting now. Taking home Padriq to meet her brother who was on a kick of being head of family' It was bound to be funny.

"Ye know. I didnae wan' t' give me self up, bu' ye "ad t' make yer wishes known, n" be damned iffin I nae fufill them fer ye." He winked to her. The dimples on his cheek growing as he smiled.

Aja reached up and caressed his cheek. "Yer gonna be fine. Ajay jist wants me ta be happy." she smiled. "As long as it's you keeping me happy, yer gold."

"I" be me goal." He kissed her hand softly. She smiled at that.

"Speakin of happy..." she moved to get up. "I am starved. I missed dinner. Let's go an' find us something ta eat."

"Aye." He stood and offered his hand to help her up. "I thin" I know jus" the place."

They walked off, hand in hand, once things were handled with Tristan that would be a more common sight.