<div style="text-align: justify;">Elizabeth's heart nearly stopped while she waiting for Hans to say something. It was hard to wait, but she did her best to. When he finally said it wasn't what she was thinking - that he had hated the kiss -, Elizabeth finally breathed. She hadn't even realized she was holding her breath. When Hans said the kiss had come as a surprise, Elizabeth nodded. "I know. I didn't really think before doing it", the girl replied softly.<br/><br/>She smile in seeing how red her friend's face was, and waited for him to regroup. She knew she needed some time to do the same. While he was silent, she also thought about their situation. She didn't fear any sort of abuse from the crewmen. Sure, they would speak, but they wouldn't treat her poorly. She might not be considered a real member of the crew, but she was part of their group.<br/><br/>She was the one who treated their wounds and illnesses, and the one who sat with them when they needed someone to simply talk to. That wouldn't change, so maybe things would work out if they stopped pretending they were nothing but good friends. "I wouldn't let anyone else touch me, Hans".<br/><br/>Elizabeth looked up at her best friend, and now, apparently, something more. "It will be you, or no man at all". As Hans pulled her in that hug, Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder, comfortably. She didn't want to let him go, but the broth and the warmth of his body were making her feel like resting again. She might even have asked Hans to stay, but footsteps coming from the deck down made her finally break the hug. "I think you have to go back up, don't you?"</div>