One day Lea was going to figure out why the hell people were so devoted to Ace. One day. Provided Ace didn't blow anything up, smear anything on his head, or forget what Lea's actual job on the ship was, except that happened more or less every day. Being told not to follow Thatch, though, just added a little twist in his gut. It wasn't like he wasn't completely aware of how he was setting things up for himself, allying himself more closely with Thatch instead of Ace, making the tasks he set him a priority...it was how he was used to operating. Not that it went well the last time, either.

"You know, the easier solution would be to actually tell me things." It was said mostly to himself as he rested one hand on the door frame, ready to leave but not sure where exactly to go afterwards.