Author's Note: Just wanted to say "thanks" to Little Leaf of the Redwoods for giving her blessing to this story, and especially for being my beta!
This story is an "interlude" taking place in the time frame between "Knots" and "Knotted Together".

Chapter 1-"The Seed of An Idea"

Norman stood in the kitchen listening to the Mustang rumble down the street, its purr barely disturbing the quiet of the early dawn. Blinking back the stubborn moisture in his eyes, he ambled to the sink and filled the tea kettle. His gaze fell on the coffee pot, still half full and steaming...the reminder of Sig and his coffee habit was bittersweet. He could hear the faint sounds of Edgar sobbing upstairs in his room. Poor kid. Sounds like he just lost his best friend. Come to think of it…he kinda has. We're definitely gonna miss you, big brother. Guess it's time for the OTHER big brother to show his stuff. He left the tea kettle on the stove without turning on the burner. ..who knows how long I'll be up there. Don't want to start a fire. Taking the stairs two at a time, Norman set out to put his "big brother" skills to work.

Knocking softly on Edgar's closed bedroom door, the elder brother didn't wait to be invited inside. He opened the door and hesitantly approached the bed where his young brother lay. Edgar was hidden under the blankets, the mattress vibrating with his sobs. Norman sat down on the edge of the queen-sized bed and gently touched the soft, cropped hair…the only part of his little brother that was visible.

"C'mon, kid. You'll make yourself sick. He'll be okay. Remember how he promised? A Hansen always keeps his promises, Edgar. Especially Sig. You know that." Edgar quieted for a moment, mulling over his brother's words. Yeah, he did always keep his promises. Even when the promise was a paddling for smoking…and it was really hard for him to do it….he kept his promise.

"I—I—I know. I'm j-jj-just gonna miss him soooo much! And, an-and...what if something happens to him? He could get hurt, or drown, or..." the littlest brother broke back into sobs, pulling the covers off his face and burrowing into Norman's massive chest. He sighed as he held tightly to his little brother, offering the solid comfort that the kid needed. The two sat that way for a long time, Edgar's sobs gradually quieting while his brother spoke softly, stroking his back. "He'll be back, kid. You wouldn't want him to miss out on his dream, would you? Sig's wanted this for a long time. We need to be happy for him, you know?" Edgar raised his head from his brother's chest, his hair standing on end. He swiped his hand under his reddened nose, sniffling.

"I know. I AM ha-happy for him." I just wish I was going with him. I still think my idea about doing my schoolwork on the boat with him would've worked. Then we wouldn't have to be apart. I could learn to find the crab, finish school, and still get to be with Sig. Even though his dad was home now, Edgar was realizing just how much he'd come to depend on his oldest brother for guidance…and security. Even though dad was there, he wanted Sig. His thoughts went back to the conversation he'd overheard on Friday when he'd gone to work with Norman at the hardware store.

***FLASHBACK***

Edgar was really enjoying his "work days" at the hardware store. Norman had showed him all of the tools, explaining carefully how they were used. Edgar's analytical brain ate up this information, absorbing it like a sponge. He was helping his brother take inventory when a couple of fisherman entered the store…he was acquainted with both of them, being as how they were the "competition", so to speak.

"Hey Norman," drawled the younger of the two. "How's it goin'?"

"Can't complain, Earl. What are you doing here? Ain't you going out for the crab this season?" Norman set his clipboard on the top step of the stepladder. No sense in trying to count and have a conversation at the same time.

"Naah, boat's in the dry dock. Don't have enough cash for the repairs. I might try to hire out with someone…a few haven't shipped out yet. Your brother gone?"

"Nope, he'll be heading out Monday. Neil Lammond is helping him get the boat to Alaska, then he's doing First Mate school. Man, he's finally livin' the dream." Norman smiled, thinking of how much fun Sig would be having. "How 'bout you, Sir? Your boat's not out of commission, too, is it?"

John Hillstrand Sr., a burly guy about the same age as Sverre, set some boxes of screws and a couple of drill bits down on the counter. The father of Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand, he was a gruff old captain who'd definitely earned his share of respect among the fishing community for his prowess on the high seas. It was expected that his two sons would follow in his footsteps.

"I'll be leaving Tuesday at dawn. Won't be able to have the boat ready before then. I was talking to Sig the other day down at the docks. He's gonna hang back and take it easy starting out, and I should be able to catch up with him Tuesday night. We'll stick close to each other till we get to Alaska." Norman nodded. John's boat, the Time Bandit, was a little bigger than the Northwestern but not quite as fast. As long as Sig wasn't going full speed, John would have no problem catching up with him.

"Andy and Jonathan going out with you this time?"

"Damn straight. Now that John's out of school...they ain't got no choice. I need all the help I can get."

"Awww," Norman drawled, "they love it. Crabbin' is in their blood, just like yours. They wouldn't want to be anywhere else." The older man smiled slightly, thinking fondly of his boys. Without warning, his countenance changed to a frown.

"As long as I can keep them out of trouble. Hair-brained crazy, those boys of mine. That John...he's given me almost every gray hair you see here on this head. "All the men laughed heartily, knowing it was true. The Hillstrand boys were well known for their antics.

Edgar stood quietly behind the counter beside his brother, his mind wandering. He hit upon an idea so crazy, it almost took his breath away for a minute. Maybe I won't have to let Sig go. I know he said my idea about going with him would never work, but if I somehow got myself out there in the middle of the ocean, he'd at least have to take me to Alaska. Then I'd have days to convince him to let me stay. The inevitable stiff consequences that would follow such a stunt flitted across his mind. No, don't go there. It would be worth it…I think. Edgar knew the Time Bandit. It had been designed by John Sr., and was state of the art, with queen-sized beds in the staterooms and even a sauna. He and his dad had been given a tour of the boat last summer, and the layout was still fresh in his memory. I can think of a couple places where I could hide. It could work...

***END FLASHBACK***

Edgar remained sniffling in his brother's arms. The sky was steadily lightening. Shafts of sunlight slanted on the brown carpet, dust motes floating on the cool air from the open window. Daisy could be heard barking in the back yard. Maybe a cat or something, mused Norman. Edgar heaved a big sigh and snuggled closer. Norman's arms tightened, and he rested his chin on top of the soft hair. "You ok now, kid?" he asked softly.

"Y-yeah." He pulled himself out of Norman's embrace. "I'm ok." The older brother watched as Edgar walked unsteadily to the bathroom, grabbing some toilet paper to wipe his face and blow his nose. Poor kid. He was visited with an idea.

"Hey, you want to go miniature golfing today? It's our last day before school's back. They have that new arcade and golf place over by the docks. Whatdya say?"

Over by the docks? Awesome, then I can check out where the Time Bandit is docked. Don't think about that. Just be grateful he's trying so hard to make you feel better.

"Sure, Norm. Sounds like fun." Edgar offered his movie star grin, but it faded as he saw a look cross Norman's face. Heart dropping to his feet, he ventured, "….what's that look for?"

"Shit, forgot I'm grounded. Well, it's the last day…maybe Dad will let me off." Right on cue, both boys heard the low hum of the Mustang's powerful engine. "There he is, no time like the present!" Norman helped Edgar remake his bed, and caught the boy in a hug as they walked out into the hallway. "Love ya, kid."

"Me, too."

...to be continued...