A/N: I own nothing and mean no disrespect to any members of the Deadliest Catch show.
Sig sat at the kitchen table a look of complete disbelief on his face. Across from him was his youngest brother, Edgar, spelling out his demands for the upcoming Red Crab season. So far the list was somewhat reasonable and completely doable however this last demand was completely ridiculous. Sig's eyes slid from Edgar to his brother Norman. Norman's face was completely blank, his poker face was in full effect. Sig hated him a little bit for being able to appear so calm. Sig on the other hand felt like the vein in his forehead was about to explode. Edgar noticed Sig's distraction and slammed his hands down on the table startling everyone. A baby began crying in a back bedroom and a muffled curse was heard from the kitchen . Samantha walked from the kitchen to the back of the house throwing a scowl in Edgar's direction.
"I think your wife is mad at your little temper tantrum" said Norman.
"Thanks captain obvious" replied Edgar.
"Edgar" began Sig.
"No you listen, I need all these things in place or I'm walking" said Edgar. "My plan was to stay home and help with the baby this season, but you made such a big deal about me not training anyone to take my place that I have to come back. Well I'll come back to train Junior or Matt but only if you provide me with the things I've asked for."
"Edgar, I'm willing to get a new comfortable mattress for your bunk, to give more time off to rest between strings but there is no way that I'm going to hire a massage therapist to come along on the trip" said Sig.
"Well no therapist, no Edgar" said Edgar firmly.
"Ok lets just say I agree, which I don't but lets just say I do, where are you going to find someone to do your "therapy"?" asked Sig.
"I'm going to ask the girl that does it now" said Edgar. "If the money is right, I'm sure she will take the job."
"I can't imagine what the right price would be" said Sig.
"Whatever the price it's worth it or you are going to have to find another deck boss" said Edgar.
Sig realized that this discussion was going nowhere and if he didn't get out of the house soon he was going to hit something or someone. He hated being manipulated and he felt that he was definitely being forced into agreeing to Edgar's ridiculous demands for the sake of the season.
"I'll talk to you later" growled Sig.
He didn't direct his farewell to anyone in particular just presented the general statement and headed towards the front door. Edgar and Norman watched him leave then turned to each other and shrugged.
"I thought that went well" said Edgar.
"Yeah, better than expected. No one got hit and nothing got thrown" said Norman.
Samantha appeared in the room holding a squirming baby girl. Norman walked to her and scooped the baby into his arms. He made little cooing noises as he walked around making a quick circuit of the room before turning back towards the baby's bedroom.
"So how did it go?" asked Samantha.
"Better than expected" said Edgar.
"Really? Did he agree to your rock star demands?" asked Samantha.
"Not exactly, but he will. He needs me and I refuse to go back on the boat without some comforts. I'm too old and too hurt for another season like opies" said Edgar.
"I can't believe he agreed to the massage therapist" said Samantha with a snort.
"Yeah well I need to find out how much Natalie will charge to come out with us" said Edgar.
"You're going to take Natalie?" asked Samantha in surprise.
"Yes, she's the best. She knows basic aid and can do physical therapy work if needed" explained Edgar.
"Yeah, but has she even been on a boat?" asked Samantha.
"I don't know, but you hadn't either and look how you turned out" said Edgar.
"I'd been on boats before just not a commercial fishing boat. But Natalie? I don't think she'd be interested in doing it no matter how much money you throw at her" said Samantha.
"Everyone has their price and she's clearly invested in my well being. She's made house calls here multiple times this summer" said Edgar.
"I think she comes over here to see the kids and have dinner with us because she's our friend" said Samantha.
"Maybe, but I believe if I ask her she will do it as a personal favor, as a friend" said Edgar.
"That would be one hell of a favor" said Samantha.
The Northwestern sat docked at the Ballard locks waiting patiently for her crew to arrive. The first one to the boat was Edgar, he hopped aboard the quiet deck and looked around. This was his favorite time of the season, the quiet before the chaos. Tossing his duffle bag in his bunk he went up to the wheelhouse to turn on the engine. Edgar wanted to do all the system checks before the rest of the crew arrived. Firing up the main he headed down to the engine room barely taking a moment to put on his ear protection. By the time he emerged from his engine check Norman and Sig had arrived.
"Hey Edgar, how's the old girl running?" asked Sig.
"Everything is running well" said Edgar.
"It should be, having the engine rebuilt this summer cost us a huge chunk of money" complained Sig.
"Yeah well it had to be done" replied Edgar.
Sig nodded his head and walked up the outside steps to the wheelhouse. Norman turned to Edgar and studied him sagely before asking the question that had been on his mind since the discussion in Edgar's kitchen a month ago.
"So, did Sig meet all your demands?" he asked.
"Yep, every single one" said Edgar proudly.
"So when does the newest crew member arrive?" asked Norman.
"She'll be here in a couple hours, right before we leave. Antha is bringing her" said Edgar.
"Antha is fine with her coming on the boat with all of us?" asked Norman in disbelief.
"Yes, why wouldn't she be?" asked Edgar clearly confused.
"Because she's a woman in close quarters with you and 5 other men" said Norman.
"She's very nice and pretty, but my heart already belongs to my wife. There is no room for anyone else" said Edgar. "But I guess she's up for grabs for the rest of you."
"I'll make a note of that" said Norman.
"Yeah maybe you can arm wrestle for her" said Edgar.
"If only it was that easy" muttered Norman to himself.
Norman and Edgar parted ways at the galley. Both attending to last minute details before the rest of the crew arrived.
A few hours later the whole crew was outside working on securing the deck for the trip to Dutch Harbor. There was still one crew member missing and Edgar kept an eye on the dock in anxious anticipation of her arrival. The deck was almost secured and Sig was chomping at the bit to leave. He was about to tell the guys to pull the lines when Samantha's SUV appeared on the dock. Natalie stepped out onto the dock and reached into the trunk to grab a seabag and a collapsed massage table. She hoisted the bag over her shoulder and walked towards the boat. Edgar scampered onto the dock and grabbed her bag.
"Glad you made it" he said.
"Thanks, sorry we're a little late but your lovely wife insisted we stop for one last meal" said Natalie.
Edgar shot a questioning look at Samantha who just shrugged in response. Tossing the bag onto the deck he turned back to Natalie with a smile.
"I hope nothing in the bag was breakable" he said with an apologetic smile.
"Nope, I left all valuables at home" said Natalie.
Edgar walked over to Samantha and swept her into a fierce embrace. He kissed her soundly then whispered something in her ear before opening the back doors of the SUV and kissing his children. When he turned away from the car his eyes were slightly misty. Natalie handed him the massage table and stood on the dock trying to determine the best way to get on deck.
"It's easiest if you just jump" said Edgar.
"It's a 10 foot drop" said Natalie.
"It's not, you'll be fine" said Edgar.
Natalie watched as Edgar dropped to the deck with practiced ease. Mentally stealing herself for what was bound to be a serious injury she jumped, landing heavily on her feet and immediately dropping to her knees.
"Well that's one way to get on the boat" said Matt holding out his hand.
Natalie looked up through lowered lashes before accepting the proffered hand and standing up.
"Hi, I'm Matt."
"Natalie, nice to meet you."
"Enough chit chat Bradley, get her inside and lets pull the lines" barked Sig over the hailer.
Natalie grabbed her table from Edgar and picked up the seabag from the deck. She followed Matt into the galley and quickly found a place to temporarily stow her stuff. Natalie was about to head back outside when Sig's voice called to her from the wheelhouse.
"Don't go back outside, just come up here. I want to make sure everyone is safe and since you've never been on the boat before it's easier for me to keep an eye on you when I can actually physically see you."
Natalie didn't bother responding she just climbed the stairs to the wheelhouse. Sig sized her up for a moment before motioning for her to sit on the bench seat. Natalie took the seat and stayed silent as Sig moved to the portside controls and pulled the boat away from the dock. As the boat moved slowly through the locks she remained quietly seated watching the scenery and surreptitiously studying the captain.
"Do you talk?" asked Sig as they cleared the last lock.
"Yes, but I didn't want to distract you" replied Natalie.
"I've gone through these locks at least 4 times a year for the better part of 20 years, I can hold a conversation and drive the boat at the same time" said Sig.
"Right. Well, I'll remember that for next time" said Natalie.
"I'm Sig by the way."
"Natalie, nice to meet you."
"I'd be lying if I didn't say that Edgar demanding you be on the boat is less than ideal" began Sig. "My dad is probably rolling over in his grave right now because of you."
Natalie remained silent, she was at a loss at what she could say in response to such a comment. At the silence Sig turned around and studied Natalie a little more. He was looking for tears or perhaps a blush, instead he was met with cold indifference. Her stoic face reminded him a little of Norman's poker face, she gave away nothing. He made a mental note to get her to play cards with them some time it would make for an interesting game.
"So what kind of magical healing do you do?" asked Sig.
"I don't do anything magical" replied Natalie evenly.
"Well according to Edgar you are the only thing keeping him upright" said Sig.
"I do healing massage and physical therapy. I can help with strains and pulled muscles by working through massage, I'm also trained in Reiki healing and basic first aid" said Natalie.
"Can you cook?" asked Sig.
"Yes" said Natalie.
"Great, you can take over the cooking" said Sig. "Maybe Matt will quit bitching about having to make all the meals."
"I'll be happy to do the cooking" said Natalie.
Sig gave her a slight smile and turned back to the open ocean. After another hour or so Natalie stood up and stretched.
"Will I be required to stay up here the entire time I'm on the boat or would it be permissible for me to go downstairs and familiarize myself with the kitchen?" asked Natalie.
"It's called a galley and you can go familiarize yourself with whatever you want as long as you stay inside" said Sig.
"Thanks" muttered Natalie.
Natalie was rummaging through the kitchen trying to locate the bulk of the food. So far she'd managed to find all the utensils and pots but no actual food. The fridge was stocked with drinks but not much else. She'd opened all the drawers and found nothing edible. Matt found her bent over and half way in one of the bottom cabinets.
"Do you need some help?" he asked.
His voice made Natalie jump which caused her head to whack painfully into the top of the shelf.
"Mother fucker" yelped Natalie.
"Well you cuss like a sailor, clearly you'll do fine on this boat" said Matt with a chuckle.
Natalie pulled her head out and sat down on the floor rubbing the growing knot. Matt pulled an ice pack out of the freezer and placed it on her head.
"Lets get you off the floor" said Matt pulling her into a standing position.
Natalie stood up and moved over to the galley table and sat down on the banquette seat. She still had the ice pack on her head when Edgar walked into the galley.
"You're hurt already?" he said in surprise.
"It's just a bump. Matt startled me and I hit my head" explained Natalie.
"What were you doing?" asked Edgar.
"Familiarizing myself with the kitchen" said Natalie.
"Galley" corrected Edgar.
"Fine galley. I've been promoted to cook, so I thought it would be a good idea to see what kind of food is on the boat" said Natalie.
"Well you can make a shopping list of things you want to buy in Dutch. We usually only leave Washington with a few things for the trip up and all the frozen meat. Once in Dutch we either pick up the rest of have it delivered" explained Edgar.
"So where is all this frozen meat?" asked Natalie.
"In the freezer" said Edgar as if he was talking to a child.
"I checked that freezer and there is nothing but ice packs and ice cream in there" said Natalie.
"Oh, not in this freezer, in the one outside" said Edgar.
"I'll show her" volunteered Matt.
"Later, right now we need to show her where she's going to be sleeping" said Edgar.
"Sleeping? I thought there was no rest on the Northwestern" said Natalie teasingly.
"It's funny because it's true" said Matt.
"That's why you're here. When we are all beat up and tired you are going to heal us" said Edgar.
"I can't wait to feel you work your magic" said Matt.
"Oh it's magical" said Edgar wistfully.
"So where is she sleeping?" asked Matt.
"My room" answered Edgar. "We have the extra bunk and I doubt Norman will mind a bit of pretty scenery when he gets up in the morning."
Natalie scowled at the thought of her being called scenery as she followed Edgar to the stateroom.
The room was a lot smaller than she thought it would be. In fact the whole boat had a cramped feel to it that made moving around feel slightly claustrophobic. The room had three beds all on top of each other. There was enough room for her massage table if no one wanted to move in and out of the door. It was going to be tight as a treatment room but she could make it work. Her bag was already set in the corner of the room and her pillow placed on the top bunk. From where she stood on the floor she realized she would have to climb on the bottom bunk to even reach hers.
"So what healing stuff did you bring?" asked Matt.
"Everything I could think of" replied Natalie. "I even took a few refresher classes in acupuncture."
"I hope Sig volunteers for that" said Matt.
"No kidding, I'll volunteer him for it right now" said Edgar.
The door opened and Jake walked into the room. He looked between Matt and Edgar then glanced briefly at Natalie before returning his gaze to Edgar.
"What's up Junior?" asked Edgar.
"Sig is asking for you" said Jake.
"What does he want?" asked Edgar.
Jake shot Edgar a glare and then shrugged his shoulders.
"Next time he asks for me ask him what he wants" said Edgar.
"I will if I have a death wish" muttered Jake.
"Have you met Natalie?" asked Matt.
"No, not officially" answered Jake.
"I'm Natalie, nice to meet you."
"Jake, but everyone on here calls me Junior."
"Ok" said Natalie. "If you don't mind I'll just call you Jake."
Jake smiled at her pronouncement before turning and heading out the door.
"Well I should go see what Sig wants" said Edgar. "Natalie, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. Anyone should be more than willing to help, with the exception of Sig."
"Ok" said Natalie.
"Just say roger" said Edgar.
Natalie just stared at him with a confused look on her face.
"Matt will explain" said Edgar as he walked down the hall.
The deck of the Northwestern was pitching slightly as Natalie stood in the walk in freezer. She was trying to follow the completely obligatory organizational system for the bait and the food fit for human consumption. She and Matt had been in the freezer for about 10 minutes and Natalie was starting to shiver. There were boxes of meat and fish seemingly mixed in with each other. Natalie attempted to read the boxes but the titles were frosted over and the moment she placed her hand on any of the stacked boxes they would teeter slightly. Fearing they would topple over she stopped herself from touching them. There were gallons of milk frozen on the floor in crates and a few bags of frozen vegetables.
"I know the system is a little confusing but it's important not to move anything once we get all the bait in" said Matt.
"Why?" asked Natalie.
"Because when we are working 40 hours straight on deck, we can no longer focus on reading boxes, so we sometimes end up grinding the food in the bait grinder if stuff gets moved around" said Matt.
"Has that ever happen?" asked Natalie.
"Once" replied Matt.
"Does that mean you were forced to eat bait for the rest of the trip?" asked Natalie.
"No, we had cereal and cup of noodles" said Matt. "Although we did work a little harder to get the boat stuffed so we could head to town to restock."
"Well I suppose reorganization is out of the question. I don't want to eat cereal or cup of noodles for an extended period of time" said Natalie.
"It really wasn't so bad" said Matt.
"Still, I can respect the system" said Natalie.
"Are you cold?" asked Matt suddenly noticing her shivering.
"Yes, but to be fair we are in a freezer" said Natalie.
"Well lets get out of the freezer so you can defrost. Chances are the coffee is hot" said Matt.
Natalie slid into a seat clutching the cup of coffee in her hands. She was desperately trying to bring her hands back to their normal temperature. Nick slid into the seat next to her providing her with a nice amount of body heat. Natalie moved a little closer to him drawing more heat from his body.
"Are you cold?" asked Nick.
"Yes, freezing" said Natalie through chattering teeth.
Nick pulled off his sweatshirt and handed it over. Natalie wasted no time slipping it over her head. She immediately felt warmer and snuggled back into the seat. She picked the cup of coffee off the table and took a final sip then stuffed her hands into the front pocket of the sweatshirt. Looking down at the sweatshirt she saw a faded picture of the Northwestern surrounded by various spots and stains.
"What's all over this sweatshirt?" asked Natalie.
"Um, 10 years of fishing" said Nick.
"Maybe it's better I not know the specifics" said Natalie.
"I'm sure your sweatshirts will be covered with a few of them by the end of the trip" said Nick.
"I hope not" said Natalie.
"You can't help but get dirty on a crab boat" said Nick.
"Why would I get dirty? I'm not planning on doing any fishing" said Natalie. "Sig made me promise to stay inside."
"I'm pretty sure he didn't say that" said Edgar from the galley.
"Oh he did and I'm holding him to it" countered Natalie.
"You'll get bored in here, you need fresh air" said Edgar.
"I'll open a window" said Natalie.
"Yeah, we'll see how long you last being confined" said Edgar.
"As long as necessary" said Natalie.
Norman appeared in the galley and poured himself a cup of coffee before sliding into the seat on the other side of Natalie. He'd heard the tail end of the conversation.
"Why don't you want to work on deck?" asked Norman.
"Because that's not what I'm here for" said Natalie. "I'm here to keep all of you healthy and fed."
"You're going to be the new cook?" asked Nick.
"Does that mean there won't be any more Bradley whine with dinner?" quipped Edgar.
"Funny" said Matt. "It's a completely thankless job."
"Well at least I'll get to stay inside" said Natalie.
"Do you take requests?" asked Nick.
"No" replied Natalie with a completely straight face.
Everyone in the galley stared at her in surprise. After a beat Natalie smiled and winked.
"Oh she's going to give you a run for your money Norman on being the driest person on the show" said Edgar.
Norman just shrugged in response.
"Do I have to be on the show?" asked Natalie.
"Probably, unless you want to play the mute like Norman does" said Edgar.
"It's not as easy as it looks" said Norman. "Those guys are relentless."
"To be honest I've never seen the show" said Natalie.
"Never?" said Nick in surprise.
"Nope" said Natalie.
"Well that explains why you agreed to come on this trip with us" said Matt.
Natalie was starting to get concerned about what she'd gotten herself into. Her discussion with Samantha at lunch started to come back to her. The conversation which seemed completely bizarre to her at the time suddenly made perfect sense. The danger, the infighting and the fact that she was going to be trapped on a boat with 6 insane men for anywhere from three to six weeks was making her regret agreeing to do this. She tried to think back if Samantha had said anything positive about the whole experience. She found herself drawing a blank.
**ANOTHER NOTE: Just to let you know I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update this story. My personal life is rather overwhelming right now. I just had twins a month ago and I'm still adjusting to life. But writing these stories gives me a wonderful outlet from the stress of my life. I'll try to be conscious of my readers but I can't guarantee any kind of schedule for updates.