The Love Boat - Day 1

[notjustaface]

It's supposed to be an easy mission, kick back - take a cruise, maybe work on their tans in the process. Baggage, check. Engagement rings, check. Wedding bands, check. Tuxedos, check.

Hannibal and BA boarded first thing in the morning as crew, giving them more than ample time to install some weaponry and a pair of clean cell phones in their cabin and start sweeping for suspicious signs of gun running.

The happy couple took the opportunity to sleep in and have a nice breakfast before heading down to the marina to board.

"It's a nice cabin," Face murmurs, depositing his suitcase on the large bed before heading to the closet to hang up their carefully wrapped formal wear.

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

"Right... stay cool."

He leads the way to the side of the deck where a small group of women is gathered. For all outward appearances, they're simply enjoying the view.

[notjustaface]

Stay cool? He could have invented cool, in his mind.

Collected and calmed after the strange conversation, he's ready to put his best foot forward again when he warmly says; "Afternoon, ladies..."

[notthatcrazy]

He leans against his side, trying to project an air of cheerful, non-suspicious politeness.

"Nice day, isn't it ?"

[notjustaface]

The girls offer them a friendly look, one in particular raising her eyebrow at Murdock's shirt.

"Little tropical for a northbound cruise," she smirks.

Content to simply watch, Face glances over the group for anything that may be out of sorts - they don't really know much about the person they're dealing with but liars always have a tell.

[notthatcrazy]

"I like to bring the tropics along for the ride."

He raises his glass, bland smile still on his face as his hand finds his partner's.

[notjustaface]

Reflexively, Face squeezes his hand tighter and takes the lead; "Just not a vacation without - besides, it's not that cold up north this time of year."

He shrugs, taking a sip of his drink.

[notthatcrazy]

He squeezes his hand back, interlacing their fingers.

"So what brings you ladies on this adventure ?"

[notjustaface]

A some what tomboy-ish blonde holds up her finger and tilts her head toward a lanky woman who's busy leaning over the railing taking photographs and the third, a stocky brunette who had mocked Murdock's shirt, gestured to them.

"Getting married," the blonde answered. "Guessin' you two are too."

Face nods, leaning a little more comfortably toward his his partner. "Love is in the air."

[notthatcrazy]

"Looks like congratulations are in order all around then."

He's still squeezing his hand, unobtrusively keeping an eye out for any tells or signals that might mean trouble. Face is usually better at reading people than he is - it comes with the con man gig - but two observers are better than one.

"Isn't that right, hon?"

[notjustaface]

This group is a lot less feisty than the woman at the bar, at least. They seemed decent enough, but not deceptively so.

"Sure are, babe." He murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of Murdock's head that drew out a soft 'aww' from the unengaged wedding guest.

"I'm Mia," she extends a hand toward Murdock first, offering another warm smile. "And this is Anne, my best friend, and her partner Jill."

[notthatcrazy]

He doesn't have to fake being madly in love, thankfully.

"Nice to meet ya."

He shakes the offered hand. "I'm James. This is Chad."

They're really going to have to have a talk about cover names.

[notjustaface]

He feels awkward, but there's nothing faked about the easy arm that loops around Murdock's waist instead of holding his hand after shaking the woman's - offering him someone steady to relax against.

"Pleasure to meet you," his smile spreads slightly and he asks; "Your first cruise?"

She shakes her head, and then glances back to the couple now both enamored with a flock of seagulls. "Their first, it was sort of my suggestion. You guys travel a lot?"

He nods quickly; "My, uh... fiancee here... works for an airline and I'm a frequent flyer."

[notthatcrazy]

He nods, leaning into the casual embrace. Still having a hard time with the fiance thing, apparently...

"It's not always an easy job, but it's got its perks."

[notjustaface]

"Our first time flying together was... some kind of crazy magic."

It's not a lie, just not what he's implying at all. That first flight pretty much sealed their friendship - which led them to where they happened to be.

"Mile high club?" She jokes, raising an eyebrow.

[notthatcrazy]

His laugh isn't entirely put on.

"A gentleman never tells."

[notjustaface]

Face, however....

He grins a little too wide and answers; "Not the first time."

Face licks his lips and adds; "But I'm a frequent flier."

[notthatcrazy]

He nudges him, but it's mostly affectionate.

"He never did claim to be a gentleman."

[notjustaface]

"It's one of my finer qualities," he murmurs against Murdock's cheek, pressing a kiss.

"Okay, you two are almost too cute for words and I might just throw up a little." Mia rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "Have you checked out the buffet yet?"

[notthatcrazy]

The sad thing is that that part isn't acting.

"Oh, not yet. Sound good to you, babe?"

[notjustaface]

It is kind of freeing, though, to be close when it's not just the two of them.

"I could eat, sure." He shrugs, finishing the last of his drink before depositing it on a table. "Lead the way."

"The last cruise I went on, the food was terrible... but I met one of the catering guys this morning, said they were changing up the menu a little bit."

[notthatcrazy]

"Great. I haven't eaten since breakfast."

He puts on the Normal Person Smile one more time.

"Nerves, you know. Was nice meeting you ladies."

[notjustaface]

"Nothin' to be nervous about, baby..." for as much as Murdock's twang wanes when he tries to act, Face makes up in laying it on with a Texas tilt. "Told ya, you're stuck with me as long as you can tolerate it."

He means that too.

[notthatcrazy]

He knows it. He's said the same thing before.

"You're such a romantic."

[notjustaface]

"Hopeless." He laughs, keeping a close eye on their escort as she cuts through the crowd of strangers directly to the end of the fairly small buffet line. She certainly does seem familiar with the setup if nothing else.

"So, Mia..." he asks casually; "you do a lot of cruises?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Completely and totally," he whispers as they're led to the line.

"I've been on a few," she smiles. "You get used to the routine."