Elspeth leaning closer in to Jayne.  She reached a hand up, touched his shoulder, then his cheek.  "Y'ain't hardly the same man, now."

For a second he did nothing.  Even melted against her touch a twinge.  Then something shifted, and he stepped away.

"That ain`t possible, El," he said sadly.  "We talked about that."

Elspeth let her hand fall down by her side, let her face show her feelings.  "Celibate Jayne," she said.

"Aye," said Jayne.  "Celibate.  S`what`s best."

Elspeth sighed.

A porpoise off in the distance hooted out a quick mating call.

"Ain`t ever gonna change, are ye?"

Jayne shook his head.  "Ain`t wantin to hurt folk again. Ain`t wantin' to hurt you, El, or a child.  I just ain't that man.  Whales call and I come.  I know that now."

"I'm a whaler too," said Elspeth.  "It wouldn't have to go the same way."

"You'll whale with child? No, I couldn't bear it.  The sea has me, El, and I'll not pretend otherwise.  I'll not see you hurt."

"Aye," said Elspeth, her tone turning sour.  "Aye, you'll not take the risk."

Silence fell between them. 

After a time, a hue and cry arose from one of the cauldron spigot-sides as a fresh barrel batch was siphoned.  A couple of rousters did a boily jig around the whale.

"You best off to the city," said Jayne, into the silence between them.  He wasn't looking at her.  "Fetch out them records we talked on, might help jig the child's memory, bring it out.  Gatherin' families' names, and the name of a child, if the records allow.  Ship's name being the Salubrious, wrecked.  Take the compass, show it to the quay master."

"I'll be coming back with the storm on my heels," said Elspeth. 

"Then it's best you set off soon," said Jayne.

Elspeth stood for a moment, staring at him.  But he didn't turn to face her.  He was staring out to sea.

"Aye, cap'n," she said.  Then she was up and shuffling the next barrel-load into the gully, taking up the head herself, and soon enough setting out with the rousters rowing back for the city.

Jayne, up against the whale, sat watching the night sky sworl slow over head for a long time before sleep found him. 

      *