Hello everyone! This follows after my last story, "Isle of Rissa". I am bringing the crew back to SCROFF. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Firouz and Velda on screen. I've decided to keep her alive through one of my stories. Of course, I am throwing in some Sinbad and Bryn moments as well. Enjoy! I hope you like it...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to The New Adventures of Sinbad - all this recognition goes to the Creater, Ed Naha.

The Nomad was only a day away from docking into the Port of Scroff. Sinbad could tell his crew was eager to reach land. They've been at sea longer than he anticipated due to a storm that he chose to avoid. He knew his friend and physician, Firouz, was probably the most anxious out of all of them to reach their destination. Throughout the week he watched Firouz keep himself busy throughout his ship, from what he guess, to have the sense of time flying by. In doing so, he would often immerse himself with an invention, a game of chess or a scientific book below deck while off duty.

It was now dusk when the Captain set foot onto his deck. At this time, he knew Firouz was on the tiller, with Doubar soon to follow after his shift. As he went to stand next to Firouz he noticed Bryn and Anders were talking amongst themselves in front of them at the bow of the ship. From where he stood he could also see Rongar seated on a crate sharpening one of his blades.

"Hi, Sinbad", Firouz greeted his captain cheerfully.

"Hi, Firouz," Sinbad replied. "How are you doing?"

Firouz smiled with a nod of his head, "I am doing great! It's smooth sailing tonight".

"We should be in Scroff by late tomorrow afternoon", Sinbad explained, "I apologize for the delay. I know you are looking forward to seeing Velda".

"Don't apologize! You chose a better route for the ship and crew's safety", Firouz replied quickly. "I've waited only a couple months to see Velda. What are a few more days?"

Sinbad smiled at his friend's attitude. He knew he was just being nonchalant as always, but deep down he sensed that Firouz was feeling a little antsy to reach Scroff. He knew he would be if someone he cared for was waiting for him there. "I appreciate your patience". He smiled again as he watched Firouz shrug his shoulders easily. He looked up at the clear sky. "Hopefully, we will get more nights like this while in port".

"Perhaps those storm clouds passed over Scroff during our detour", Firouz contemplated out loud, "Hopefully it missed the city all together".

"That is my hope as well", Sinbad replied.

xxxx

Bryn was leaning over the rail with Anders standing next to her. She glanced at him and noticed his brow was knitted in thought as he studied her features. "What is it?"

"I'm on to you", Anders replied. He looked out towards the ocean.

"What do you mean?" Bryn appeared confused. She had no idea what he was talking about.

Anders looked over his shoulder before he spoke, "Sinbad is on deck". He watched Bryn appear uninterested.

"Yes, he does do that often", Bryn replied a little confused by the change of subject. This time it was her turn to study his features. She wondered what was going on in his mind.

Ander laughed softly at her quick wit. "I know you're avoiding him. Ever since we left Kingsley, something has been off with you two. What's going on? Want to talk about it?"

"I'm not avoiding him", Bryn answered quickly. One look at Anders and she could tell that he didn't believe that. "Okay, maybe a little". She sighed heavily. She was unsure of what else to say. She looked out towards the water.

Anders stepped a little closer to Bryn to whisper, "Remember when you told me that your door is always open to talk? It goes both ways". He heard footsteps approaching and saw that Sinbad was heading their way. "Better yet, maybe he's the best person to talk to", he whispered before quickly leaving her side.

Bryn glanced over her shoulder and saw Sinbad was just behind her. She watched Anders quickly retreat below deck. Bryn looked at Sinbad again and gave him a welcoming smile.

"Was it something you said?" Sinbad commented as he too watch Anders quickly walk away. He looked back towards Bryn.

"I am unsure", Bryn replied with a shrug. She looked back up at Sinbad and was at lost for words. Anders was right, she was avoiding him purposely. She wondered if Sinbad noticed it as well. She decided that he must have. They've been back on ship for a little over a week and have rarely spoken since Kingsley; at least, not alone. She's been pretty successful at dodging his company. This time though, not so much. They stood in awkward silence trying to figure out what each other were thinking.

Sinbad gave a small chuckle at the situation with a shake of his head and decided to just go for it. He moved in quickly, placed a hand on her side and kissed her. He knew he surprised her when he felt her jump. He was please to feel her hand rest on his arm for balance. Even more pleased to feel her kiss him back. He was prepared for her to not welcome it in the first place considering their week. He broke off the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, "Thank you, I needed that", he whispered.

Bryn was still at lost for words. All she could think about was that she needed that too. She realized it's been a long time since that's happened. She took a step back feeling a little flushed, realizing they weren't the only ones up on deck. The crew was kind enough to turn away from them. "Sinbad, I know I've been..."

"Distant?" He finished for her.

Bryn nodded her head, "Yes".

With a hand still on her side, he stood next to her near the rail and spoke quietly. "Talk to me, Bryn. I can tell something is bothering you".

"Sinbad, I…" Bryn tried to find the right words.

"I am starting to believe you are avoiding me", Sinbad quickly added a little hurt.

Bryn sighed. There's that word again. She saw deep concern in his eyes. Just when she was about to speak,Strock ran up on deck and called out Sinbad's name.

Sinbad reluctantly turned away from Bryn to see what the matter was. "What is it?"

Strock pointed below deck, "There's a leak in the brig. It's pretty bad".

Sinbad saw Rongar stand up from the corner of his eye to help out. He knew he should go down there as well. "See if there is a way to patch it up. I will be right there". Strock nodded his head and ran back below deck. Sinbad turned to Bryn and looked at her apologetically. He watched her nod her head in understanding. "We'll finish this conversation when I am done?" It was more like a hopeful question than a statement. He was really disappointed that they were interrupted.

"Okay", Bryn replied quietly. It made him feel better when she said, "I will wait for you in my quarters, unless, you guys need my help now?"

Sinbad dismissed that last statement with a wave of his hand, "No, we should be fine. Hopefully it's not as bad as Strock says". He left her quickly with a smile. "I'll see you later".

Bryn sighed as she watch him run below deck. She on the other hand was glad for the interruption. She decided she should talk to him but more privately. The wind picked up and blew a strand of her hair in her face. When she turned her head to let it fly back into its place, she saw that Firouz was still up at the tiller. She went to go keep him company.

xxxx

When Sinbad got into the brig, he saw Doubar and Rongar were busily trying to locate the origin of the leak. They were standing in an inch or two of water. Anders and Strock were in the process of throwing the accumulated water out the open porthole.

"Sinbad, there is no entry on the floor. I don't know where the water is coming from", Doubar explained to his brother.

Doubar and Sinbad both looked at Rongar after he got their attention. They heard him knock at a near wall and pointed at the room at the other side of it. He seemed to think the water was coming from the hold. Sinbad nodded his head in understanding and went to the next room, which contained their supplies.

Rongar was right. The water was coming from this room, their barrels to be exact. Sinbad was relieved to see it wasn't his ship that was broken. He knew barrels break often from plenty of use in time. This was to happen evidently.

"At least we will be in Scroff tomorrow to replenish our water", Doubar spoke positively. "We'll need to purchase additional barrels as well".

"You're right", Sinbad answered. "Let's get this cleaned up", he pointed at the top deck above him, "You need to relieve Firouz though. We can take it from here".

"Aye, Captain", Doubar had no problem with that order. He was happy to leave the cleanup job for someone else.

xxxx

When Doubar went to go relieve Firouz from his shift on the tiller, he was pleased to see Bryn was there as well. Lately, he felt she's been keeping herself in her quarters while at sea. He greeted them both with a wave.

"Doubar, how are things in the brig? There was a leak?" Firouz asked as he handed the tiller off to his friend.

"A couple of our barrels broke in the hold. There is no leak on the ship, it was our drinking water flowing from the other room", he explained to the both of them. "It won't be a problem soon. We'll be in Scroff tomorrow to reload on the supply".

"Do they need my help?" Firouz asked.

"No, you should get some grub and rest", Doubar advised. "Sinbad, Rongar, Strock and Anders are seeing to it".

"Sounds like they have plenty of help", Bryn agreed. "With little space".

"Very well", Firouz replied, "I'm going to get some food than". He looked at Bryn, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I am all set". She replied with a smile. She appreciated the thought.

"Good. Have a good night than you two!" Firouz walked away and whistled his way below deck to the galley.

Doubar smiled at Bryn, "He sure is in a good mood".

"I wonder why", Bryn replied sarcastically with a smile. With a hand holding on to one of the lines, she leaned her back against the tall wooden mast next to the tiller.

Doubar found a comfortable stance to hold the tiller and took a deep breath of the sea air. He then let out a heavy sigh. Bryn smiled at his loud presence.

"It's good to see you up on deck at this time of the night", Doubar commented. "It seems we haven't seen much of you these past evenings".

"Tonight, I was in need of more fresh air, I suppose", Bryn replied. She looked above her and saw Dermott rested on one of the high beams. She thought about how much Dermott pushed her to get out of her cabin earlier.

"The other nights you were in need of solitude?" Doubar asked. He didn't give her time to really answer. "You okay, Bryn? Some of the crew was beginning to wonder if you were catching something".

"Yes, I'm fine", Bryn answered. In her mind she told herself that she would be. She was touched by the concern of her fellow crewman. She didn't realize they all noticed her lack of presence. "I didn't mean to worry all of you. I just needed…space". Time to think, she thought.

Doubar nodded his head in understanding. "We all could use a little of that. Especially while at sea". He wanted to say something else but decided to hold his tongue. He didn't want to meddle into his brother's business. He looked at her and thought, screw it, "Everything okay with you and Sinbad?"

Bryn looked at Doubar questioningly; she didn't give him a strong answer, but an honest one. It wasn't in her nature to lie. "I hope so".

Doubar was happy with that answer. He realized she didn't intend to say anything else when she took a step away from the mast. What surprised him was when she took a step closer towards his direction.

"Good night, Doubar", She said to him quietly before she planted a soft kiss onto his left cheek.

He nodded his head at her and could only smile. He watched her turn away and walk towards the hatch that would lead her below deck. Before she went below, she looked up as if she was talking to Dermott. He followed her gaze and saw that Dermott stayed put. "It looks like he doesn't want to come to bed", Doubar called out to her.

"He knows my porthole is always open", she replied with a shrug. "He will come in when he is ready".

"Good night, lass", Doubar wave at her, "Get some rest".