Finally, the drunken bas-, ah, potential captain noticed them.  Mary went on the balls of her feet at his sudden movement, but no, the man controlled himself.  the gave her as she was speaking, she was getting used to that.  It had already occured to her that posing as a boy had not, in fact, made her less of a target.  Not here anyway.<br/><br/>She turned to ice inside at his words.<em>He knows, oh Christ help me he.... knows?  No, no, he's just trying to get my goat.</em>the pain of Arouj's grip brough her back to alertness, stilled her rising panic.  Mary actually sagged against him in relief - much to the loud amusement of everybody who noticed.<br/><br/>"Thank you Captain"!  She said swiftly, ignoring his crack about the clap.<em> Bastard.  I bet he wouldn't worry about that if he got me alone.   Hell, maybe just in his cabin with God knows who else.</em><br/><br/>Shaking slightly with reaction, she let Arouj steer her along.