Ria hadn't had a chance to talk to Gin since the boiler room. Migal had been on her tail every minute as she moved around the Opal, so there was no opportunity for privacy.

But she had shared glances and smiles with Gin every now and then. And all she could think about was being in his arms again, like a longing for someone she'd never seen for years. She missed him, though she saw him every day.

She was now staring at Gin across the room inside the captain's chamber as he leaned on a map spread over the table.

Captain Zalez murmured something and pointed at the map.

"No. It's better to set our shooter here," Gin said. He glanced up at her and caught her staring. She would never get fed up with the way he looks at her. The side of his mouth curved into a half-smile.

"Gin," the captain was saying. "Are you listening?"

"Uhm... yeah. So, it's better here." Gin ducked his head, embarrassed that he was distracted.

Ria suppressed a laugh that came out as an awkward smile. She looked up at Migal beside her and found him staring at her. Jealousy surged from him as if he wasn't even trying to hide his emotions.

Ria looked away, pretending to listen as the captain and Gin argued about the best positions and the way they should enter the compound where Enzo could possibly be hiding.

When they finished their plan, the captain whispered in Gin's ear.

Ria looked at how Gin's brows furrowed. She sensed displeasure from him, and she wondered what the captain had said.

Gin headed out the door first without looking at Ria. She was disappointed that he didn't. She started to follow him when Migal stopped her with a light touch to her elbow.

"Ria," Migal said, standing beside her.

She looked up at him, and more jealousy came.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you and Gin. What's going on between the two of you? Why won't you tell me what happened when you were with him?" She knew she couldn't hide from his questions forever. Sooner or later, she would have to answer them.

"Migal, I--" self-pity and anger emanated from him now.

"Is there something between the two of you?" Migal asked, but the way his voice roughened, it was as if he implied it.

Ria swallowed. She didn't want to admit things to Migal this way, but she thought there was no other time. "I should have told you a long time ago," she said, searching for the part of him that cared so much about her. It was there, buried under all that jealousy, self-pity, and anger.

"What are you talking about?" Migal's dark brows furrowed.

"It's been two years," she said. "I know how you feel. I thought I would eventually feel the same thing for you. But we don't choose who we love." She shook her head.

"Are you saying you love Gin?"

"I'm saying I don't feel the same way about you. You're my friend, and--"

"Stop."

"Migal, please, I--" she begged, but he averted his gaze.

"Don't. You've said enough." Migal stepped away from her and stormed out the door.

Ria followed him outside, but he kept walking. "Migal." She called, but he continued to the back of the ship.

"Don't worry about him, lady." Ria heard Sam by the railings, tying a knot. When she looked at him, a faint smile played on his lips. "Let him brood. Gin's in the galley." He winked.

Ria looked once more at the direction Migal had gone. She let him have his space, and they would talk when he was ready. Though she felt guilty for rejecting him, for now, she would set it aside. She pressed her lips together, then headed to the ladder that led her below decks. It was as if her legs were floating as she jogged to the galley--to Gin.

She stopped at the door and saw him sitting on a bench holding a knife. A sack of potatoes rested in front of him.

As if he sensed her there, Gin looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened. He dropped the knife into the sack and stood up, looking over her shoulder.

"Is the big guy not following you?" Gin asked when he saw no one behind her.

She shook her head. "Not anymore. I came to see you." She stepped forward. "We weren't able to talk yet."

Gin's gaze was soft on her face, but something gloomed from him. Something inside him prevented him from stepping up to her as she did to him.

"What's wrong?" Ria asked.

"You're the princess," Gin said, and there it was--the truth behind the emotion she sensed.

"I'm the princess," she said, admitting something she'd never acknowledged before. Despite her brother knowing that she wasn't adopted, he had treated her like a sister. So, perhaps she was a princess after all. And saying it out loud made her want to believe.

Gin's lips parted. A realization grew in his chest. "I wish you couldn't sense me right now."

Ria nodded, then turned from him, looking to the doorway from where she came. She heard Gin chuckle at the gesture.

"Thanks, but I prefer you looking at me," he said. "Eyes on me, princess."

She slowly turned back to him and caught the smile on his lips and his eyes. "Are we going to be alright?" she asked.

Gin approached her, closing the gap between them until they were only inches apart. "I don't know." His fear was met with bravery.

Ria stared into his brown eyes and mirrored his courage. "I missed you," she said, hoping to hear the same thing back.

Gin's smile grew. "I missed you, too." His hands moved quickly, taking her by her waist, guiding her to him, and pressing them into each other as their lips touched, hungry and passionate. He trailed kisses on her chin, neck, and collarbone until she moaned, closing her eyes shut at the pleasure.

"I think we should stop," Gin said, pulling his lips away, but he didn't release her. He pressed his forehead to hers. Eyes half closed, drunk on their kiss.

"What? Why?" Ria asked, breathing hard.

"Because someone might walk in on us like this," Gin said, his words heavy.

"I don't care," Ria said, trying to pull him back, looping her arms around his neck.

"I don't either, but I'll never hear the end of the teasing the crew will give me if they do."

Ria caught her breath and giggled. "Are you afraid of a little light teasing?"

"Trust me, the way they do it is never light." He pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"What will happen after?" Ria asked.

"Maybe we shouldn't worry about it for now. We have to retrieve the documents first and then get back to Sivona alive. If we make it through this, we'll talk." Gin rubbed his nose against hers.

"After all we've been through, I certainly think this task is no feat." Ria smiled, and he smiled back.

"True," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

They stayed that way for a while longer, teasing each other for more kisses and more warmth. But when they heard footsteps in the hall--footsteps that never came--they parted to allow Gin to get back to his chore of peeling potatoes. But Ria had stayed, sitting on the bench beside him. They talked about themselves and laughed at their past experiences, getting to know each other better and enjoying this moment before things could go awry again.