This story is AU/OCC I wrote this as a one shot( a very long one shot) for a group challenge and now I am posing it on my page. I am doing a little editing and I will probably add onto the story later but for now it is complete. The next two chapters will be up this weekend. *** fair warning Ana will be with someone other than Christian but it is a HEA for C&A eventually)
Below Deck
"Welcome to the Fantasy of the Seas Ms. Steele. Here is your ships guide, map, itinerary and key card. Benvenuti in un avventura sui mari! Welcome to life on the Seas!"
"Grazie sono molto ecciato!" I think I just shocked the old man handing out the welcome packages by thanking him in Italian. He doesn't know I am fluent in Italian among other things. I am so excited! This isn't what I had planned to do after going to Yale but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Last year after everything happened with Scott I was so upset. I was not looking forward to going back to Montesano and seeing our friends and family. This opportunity came at the best possible time. It gave me the out I needed. Adventure Cruise Lines will pay me to do what I have wanted to do all my life, travel. They will help pay off my student loan and I still get paid. I always thought I would use my degree to translate the novels I love to read or maybe be a translator at a large company. This was never in the picture but once the recruiter came to school I knew this was for me. I have a Linguistics degree from Yale and minored in Dance. I was in the dance theater when Emily Koates the YDT faculty director and the recruiter called me over. They asked if I was interested in a career on the seas. I didn't really know what they were talking about but apparently I was being head hunted even before graduating. They need people who can communicate with the passengers that come from a host of countries. My being able to dance on top of it made it a two for one. I wasn't sure at first but everything with Scott solidified my decision.
Luckily I hadn't told him anything so when I started training and spent spring break getting certified by the Coast Guard in all the maritime rules and regulations he had no idea where I was. I didn't need to see him after what he did. Only my dad knew why I wasn't coming home for Christmas break and why I was so busy.
May 15th was graduation and by the 19th I was on a plane from New Haven to Venice. I love that Ray flew out for graduation. Mom of course couldn't make it. I think she is on husband number nine or ten. I stopped learning the last names. I think this one is thirty five years older than mom. That just seems weird. If she wants to pull an Anna-Nicole and change some old guy's diapers, whatever floats her boat. I have read that is a thing…yuck. No thank you.
I had already packed before graduation and Ray is having everything shipped home. I am bringing one suitcase and my backpack. From what I have read the crew quarters are tiny on Cruise ships. I do not care; I do not intend to spend my free time in my room unless I am asleep.
"Ouch" oh shit I just ran into a wall of muscle and landed on my ass, graceful Ana.
I look up and see an amazingly handsome man in uniform, tall, short brown hair dark eyes and an amazing body.
"I am sorry, are you okay?" The beautiful stranger ask. Who doesn't love a man in uniform? He reaches out his hand and helps me off the floor.
"Hi, sorry about that, I was looking for the elevator and I think I might have gotten lost." I mumble.
"It must be your first day, Anastasia right?" The stranger know who I am. How? Huh?
"How do you know my name?" I question.
"Well you have your name tag and I am second in command of ship's security. I help with security screenings and I remember your name. My name is Sawyer." He reaches out his hand to shake. I feel like an idiot.
"Hello Sawyer it's nice to meet you. Sorry you just startled me by knowing who I was." Cue blush, ugh that is so annoying.
"Don't worry about it. I will tell you a secret, my twin sister was obsessed with Princess Anastasia and she would constantly watch the movie. When I saw your name it reminded me of her and how she made me dance around and sing the songs with her." The beautiful stranger states; I guess he isn't a stranger anymore.
If I am not mistaken he is now blushing. Glad I am not the only one that happens to.
"Let me see your map and I will give you some tips about getting around this boat." Sawyer helped me get to the elevators and even to my room. He asked me to meet him for drinks tomorrow night in the crew bar. Normally I would say no to someone I don't know but I am going to try new things. I will be on this tub for at least the next nine months. We have a week until we officially come out of dry dock and I want to enjoy myself. I have always been the good girl that never breaks the rules; I was always super ready for every test. The first at dance practice and last to leave. I can still do my job while enjoying my time off. Let the adventure begin.
I open the door to my cabin. I am pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a closet sized room with bunk beds. Instead, I have a room with light blue walls, a flat screen television, a small desk, a closet and the best thing - A single full sized bed; no bunk beds means no roommate. Granted the bed touches both walls and I could probably fit this cabin in my walk-in closet at dads but it is worth it. I turn around and as I close the door to the room, to my surprise there is another door. I have my own bathroom and shower! This keeps getting better! I spend the next hour putting my things away and studying the welcome package. I know I said I would be a new Ana, but I don't want to be a lost Ana.
I am trying to decide what to do first when someone knocks on my door. As soon as I open it a vivacious blonde starts to talk a mile a minute.
"Hello I am Kate, I am in charge of crew morale, crew activities and I also assist with the passenger entertainment. My room is down the hall. We are having a hall party tonight. It is tradition before a new cruise starts."
"Hello I am Anastasia but call me Ana. That sounds like fun. What time?" I am actually excited for this.
"Everyone usually opens their doors around ten but it doesn't get ragging until 11 or 12. We have parties in the halls or the crew bar all the time but usually you need to be careful for work the next morning. Since the passengers don't come aboard for a few more days we get a little leeway. I am going ashore for a few hours, would you like to come? Venice is beautiful and I love to shop." Kate is so excited, her energy is contagious.
"Oh my god, yes! Normally shopping isn't my favorite thing to do but now that I see that I have a little bit more room I would love to get some stuff."
"Yeah we are lucky. We are considered officers so our rooms aren't tin cans. Some people have four people to a room. My first year aboard I had a roommate and she was horrible. Susannah had a different guy in our room every night. I am all for fun and I am definitely not a prude but the only thing separating me from them was this curtain that left nothing to the imagination. She would sleep with anything with a dick. Whoever was last at the bar would end up in our room. Luckily for me she went back to a job on land." Kate talks a mile a minute but I like her. I think she will be a great friend. Kate explains that as long as we have our crew badge we can leave the ship. We just need to be back by ten.
We spend the day exploring Venice. I don't think I've ever laughed so much. My sides are hurting. Kate's friend, Jose, joined us. I was pleasantly surprised that he is part of the dance company on board. He is tall, dark, handsome and fabulously gay as can be. He has great taste in clothes and helped me find some beautiful dresses and an almost indecent bikini. Kate, Jose and I spent the afternoon checking out guys. Jose called dibs on some of the nicest eye candy ever.
We make our way back to the boat, and I see a Greek God in line in front of us. I thought Sawyer was built; the guy in front of us is the finest specimen of man I have ever seen. He has dark glasses on so I can only see a portion of his face but his copper hair is messy and gorgeous. I would love to run my fingers through his hair. I wonder what he does on board.
"Don't get your hopes up Ana." Jose pulls me out of my Greek God induced haze.
"What are you talking about Jose?"
"I saw you looking at the Grey God; don't get your hopes up. He doesn't usually fraternize with entertainment staff." That makes me mad.
"What does he have against the entertainment staff?" Jose laughs, I would love to be let in on the inside joke.
"Ana he is the ship's pianist and he will also sing on some occasions. He has a voice like Frank Sinatra. He is part of the ship's entertainment but because of some bad experiences he now only associates with us when he has to." That seems pretentious to bunch all entertainers in the same group.
"His loss!" I huff. I think he might have heard me because I could have sworn I saw him turn his head and smile, how confusing.
Kate, Jose and I go back to our cabins. I am pleasantly surprised that Jose is two doors down from me. I get introduced to a bunch of people once the party starts. It reminds me of a Frat party. I thought people partied hard in college, they take it to an entirely new level. People from all over the world partying in one place. Kate said we have 57 different countries working on board. I will certainly get to use all the languages I know. The alcohol was flowing until the middle of the night. I tasted alcohol from so many different places. I don't think I have ever been this drunk. Lucky for me my first meeting isn't until the afternoon. Why didn't I do this in college? Oh yeah the giant tool I thought I was in love with. Don't think about him, enjoy the sloshed feeling. Think about the hotness walking all around the ship. Kate said the crew pool is amazing. Hot men, oil, sun kissed skin, rippling muscles, almost naked…why did copper curls smile?
"Ana wake up!" Who is knocking on my door? I was having a great dream about rubbing hot oil all over Jamie Dornan, that hot Irish actor. Shit what time is it? I get up and see it is 12:00. Not too bad. I open the door. Kate and Jose are up and looking like they just got back from working out. They were more drunk than I was last night, how is that possible?
"How are you two standing? You two drank more than I did."
"Young Grass Hopper, you have much to learn!" Jose starts giggling like a girl. Glad I can make him laugh.
"Seriously? What did you do?"
"First you have to drink lots of water before, during and after the party. Make sure you keep hydrated all day. Second, next time try to stick with the clear alcohol, as great as everything is from all around the world ,mixing too many types of liquor is not good. Jose goes on explaining what to do, was I supposed to be taking notes? I think I might be too hungover to remember all of it.
"Having hot sweaty sex works too!" Kate chimes in. I don't see that happening.
"Thanks guys but I think I am too hungover for this."
"Don't worry Ana, we pass out a guide to the newbies but it is tradition to wait until after the first night. You have to get your first hangover. We have all been in your shoes. Next time you will be ready." Kate states
"I don't think I will ever drink again!" Kate and Jose start chuckling like hyenas.
"Ana, we aren't laughing at you, trust me. Kate and I have both been in your shoes. Pretty much everyone on the ship has, except the few who don't drink at all. They usually are suffering from over indulgence at the buffet; those desserts are to die for. Don't worry we will fix you up. Take these two ibuprofens and this shake it is a special hang over shake The Smoothie Hut makes. It has Kale, lemon, banana, some cucumber and some pineapple. You will start to feel better by the time you get out of the shower. We are going to shower and change, and then we can all have lunch before the meetings start." With that they are out of the room. Okay I can do this. Pills, drink, shower then clothes. I just need to ignore the comfy bed.
After a very hot shower that was far too short I am dressed and ready. According to the welcome package this week is casual dress. I just need to change when it is time to practice the new routines. I am not worried about dancing, I got that. I am not really worried about speaking; I am fluent in eight languages and can hold a conversation in another ten. I just need to be confident in myself. Before I fall down the rabbit hole of self-doubt, the knock at the door pulls me from the edge.
Kate, Jose and I have brunch. They are right. A good portion of the crew is hungover. I will not let this happen again. At least I hope I won't. I have heard that the cruise line will not tolerate crew members being hungover during their shifts and they have even been known to do random tests with breathalyzers.
The first meeting is at two o'clock. All two hundred fifty of the entertainment/ activities crew members are present. You can tell a lot of this is a repeat and tiresome for much of the crew. I am trying to make sure I don't miss anything when I feel like someone is staring at me. I look around without trying to be obvious. Just as I look at the row behind me I see a mop of copper hair turn away. Could it be? I wonder if my mystery man was really staring at me? He's not mine but I absolutely wouldn't complain. Then again he has an issue with other entertainers. I wonder what his story is. Copper curls looks back up at me. He is too far to see what color his eyes are but he is gorgeous.
"Ana, they're calling you up!" Kate pulls me out of my daydreaming.
"What?" Shit! Caught staring and missed when they called my name.
"Anastasia Steele, please come up to the stage." I walk past the rows of crew members not quite sure what I am being called up for.
"Hello Anastasia, I am Daisy Moore. I am the entertainment and activities director. I have asked you to come up on stage because not only are you one of our most accomplished dancers aboard you also speak Italian, Spanish, Farsi, French, Japanese, Arabic, Mandarin, German, Russian, Turkish, Portuguese and a few more, to total about 18 languages. We often have issues where a crew member needs assistance with a guest. I just wanted to give everyone a chance to see who you are so if you are available you can be of assistance until we can get a translator to the location. Thank you for coming up here." I shake hands with the director and make my way to my seat. Copper curls is staring at me, this time I am sure of it. I look away before I start to blush, he isn't the only one looking at me and I don't want anyone else to notice.
After a few more meetings Kate takes me on a tour of the boat. I really didn't know what I was getting myself into. Fantasy of the Seas is a ten year old boat that just had 30 million dollars in upgrades added three years ago. It isn't the largest cruise ship in the world but at 1500 feet in length 1400 passenger cabins and 950 crew members the ship is a giant floating city. I can't wait until I can walk around this place without a map or without Kate and Jose. I feel like a puppy following on a leash. While we are walking we bump into Sawyer. Thankfully I didn't land on my ass this time. Sawyer is holding on to me so I didn't fall.
"Ana, nice to see you again, hello Kate, I hope you lovely ladies are doing well today. We are still on for tonight right Ana? Do you need me to come walk you or do you know where the Crew Club is?"
"Hi Sawyer, yes we are still on but I have no idea where the bar is."
"Don't worry Ana, Jose and I are going there tonight, we will make sure you arrive. What time?" I have no idea so I just stare at Sawyer waiting for an answer.
"How about nine thirty?" I just nod my head. Sawyer speaks with us for a few more minutes until he is called away by Taylor whom I later learned is the Head of Ship security. As soon as Sawyer has walked away Kate pounces.
"Spill Steele, when did that happen?"
I retell Kate my not so exciting story of how we met and our meet up tonight. Kate declares that we need to look our best, so we go to the ships spa. Everyone is setting up for the passengers' arrival later this week so the spa is empty. Kate's friend sets us up with manicures and pedicures and even helps with some much needed waxing. The last thing I need is to look as if Chewbacca is living under my dress. Not that anything is going to happen with Sawyer, but you always have to be prepared. It has been six months since I learned the truth about Scott's deception so I am more than ready.
Later after dinner, Kate does my hair as Jose finds me something to wear. I have no idea if they have a dress code. Jose and Kate are a god send. I finally feel ready and we head out to the Crew Club. This place is amazing. It looks and feels like a club on land. We head to the bar and Sawyer comes up behind me and places his arms on my shoulders. He whispers into my ear asking what I would like to drink. I can tell Jose and Kate want to comment but thankfully they remain silent. I order a margarita and a glass of water. I don't want to be hungover all day again.
Eventually Kate and Jose start dancing and the club is jumping. Sawyer and I have slowly gotten closer in the booth as the night has gone by and the liquor has continued to flow. I don't think I have ever just made out in front of random people. Even in high school Scott was against any PDA. We make our way to Sawyer's room and I try not to think about what I am about to do. I have only ever been with Scott. I don't really feel that spark with Sawyer but I really just want a night of uncomplicated fun. He is most definitely fun. I spent half the night laughing. We get to his room and it is much bigger than mine. He too has a single cabin but his is on the third deck behind a white door near the captains quarter and the bridge. Apparently, the higher ranked officers are up here.
After several hours of an amazing work out between Sawyer's sheets I make my way back to my room. Just as I am closing my door two guys come out of Kate's room. I need to ask Kate about that in the morning. I set my alarm for eight am. Four hours of sleep will give me plenty of time for the gym in the morning, not that I need it. I fall asleep remembering the enjoyable feeling of one Luke Sawyer.
I wake to my alarm beeping. I feel much better than I did yesterday. I get ready for the gym and meet Kate and Jose in the hall. I have to ask her about the guys I saw leaving her room but before I have a chance they are both question me about Sawyer.
"Did you and Sawyer hook up last night?" Jose seems more excited than I am. I can't stop the blush that covers me from head to toe. Kate and Jose start squealing.
"How was it? I have heard he is hung like a horse?" Kate really has no filter. I should be embarrassed because I just met these two 2 days ago but I feel like I have known them years. I give in and tell them all the gory details. I have never done that.
"Wait a minute; did you say that was your first one night stand?" Jose interrupts me.
"Yeah, I was with my ex for over five years. He was the only person I have ever been with. I have kissed a few people before him but even he wasn't as hot as Sawyer."
"At least you popped your one night stand cherry with a hot man who knows how to use it. I wonder who your next guy will be."
"Just so you know the ship is a bit of high school, jail and college all mixed together." I am sure I must look completely confused because Kate continues. "Remember in high school, where everyone knew everything about everyone else's business? Who was hooking up with whom, who cheated on who and the love triangles. Well that is the ship's life with great amenities, no homework, and lots of inexpensive alcohol. The rooms are tiny and you are in a giant tin can that you can't easily leave."
"Good to know, what else?" These two are much more helpful than the hours of training I did.
"You have married people that have their own separate lives on the cruise ship. Some have a ship mistress', others sleep with anything and everything. Some people have a don't-ask-don't-tell kind of policy. They consider what happens on the boat stays on the boat. I have had friends that on the ship were completely out-of-the-closet but when they went home to Closedmindville they had to be straight as a board. I don't have time for that."
"I am not one to be a mistress. I try not to judge what others do but cheating isn't my style." Kate chimes in. I wholeheartedly agree. "Last but definitely not least, unless otherwise stated in advance it is a one-night stand. Some people have multiple hook ups with the same person but unless you have that 'We are in a relationship' conversation always play it cool and accept it is a one-nighter. Nobody likes the crazy clinger."
"Thanks guys, I will remember all of that. I am not looking for anything serious. Been there, done that and I ended up broken hearted. I just want to have fun, make friends and visit amazing countries." We finally start to work out. I get lost in the music from my iPod and start singing along in my head while on the elliptical. As I start my cool down I look next to me and Copper curls is on the treadmill. I wonder how long he has been next to me. I hope I wasn't singing out loud. He is smiling at me. I see his mouth moving and remember to remove my earbuds. As I go to stop I go flying off the elliptical in front of a gym full of coworkers and land on my ass, how embarrassing.
"Are you okay?" Copper curls lift me off the floor.
I feel a spark between us. As soon as I place my foot down I fall into his chest. "Ouch, I'm sorry; I think I twisted my ankle with my stunning dismount of the elliptical." He actually laughs. He picks me up bridal style.
Thank you to Hofit and Jean for your outstanding assistance : )