"Why'd I eat so much at lunch?" complained Gulliver loudly.
Not often sea sick, the big man looked green. Doug had been enjoying the dive through a spectacular cave until they'd exited the natural wonder. A kelp forest swayed gently on the ocean floor leading to a false sense of security. When Gulliver got caught in the cross current his stomach rebelled at the sudden and unexpected movement.
Ozzy, Doug's dive buddy noticed yet couldn't warn the rest of his team. Kallan separated the pairs just enough so communication would be impossible. Bruce's eyes stated he'd like to do unmentionable things to the dive instructor for the unpleasant trick. Bruce felt the affect to a lesser extent, understood her reasons and vowed to learn from the lesson. He wouldn't be caught again so easily.
Floating on his back, bile rose in Gulliver's throat so Ozzy pulled him toward The Gilligan. Goose stood on the open dive platform waiting to help them with an amused grin. He'd obviously expected at least one of them to feed the fish. Kallan paused patiently at the back of the group, watching her students exit the water and fielding hostile glares from the Sydney Boys. Dylan bobbed beside her on the clear blue sea, completely unaffected by her test. Diving these waters before, he knew what to expect, both from the cave exit and the astute woman.
"Are we diving again this afternoon," he asked quietly, worried for Doug Schmelling.
"Yes," Kallan kept her gaze on the four men trying to get Gulliver out of the water, "and again tonight. I need to assess skills in as many conditions as possible."
"I hope Gulliver recovers in time," Dylan remarked.
"If an unexpected event is able to take him off the dive roster," Kallan stated, professional assessment clear in her tone, "he won't have a chance of passing. Just because a student has the required skills on paper and under controlled conditions, doesn't mean their suitable for the IRO's ocean rescue teams at this level. You recognised that at a very early age, if your story this morning is true."
"It's true," Dylan hesitated, watching her reaction. A quick glance and a nod her response, Kallan returned her attention to Gulliver. "If we get the opportunity, I'd like to show you a hole in the reef not far from here." Feeling nervous, Captain Beyda wondered how she'd react to the suggestion. He suddenly felt insecure, as if asking her out on a date, one that might actually mean something. "It's a great day dive, but at night, it's spectacular."
Giving him all of her attention, Kallan couldn't work out his intention. "Where," her brow furrowed, "I thought I knew all of the spots around here."
"I grew up on the island," Dylan confessed with a shy but amused smile. "There are a few places the locals save for themselves."
Nodding, lips open and about to answer, Gulliver threw up. Reacting, both Kallan and Dylan swam over to the man. Suddenly surrounded by brightly coloured fish, it hampered their attempt to get Doug out of the water.
"Throw me a bag," Dylan called to Goose.
It took two seconds for the deck hand to understand his meaning as Dylan separated from the group. Remaining in the water but removing everything apart from his wetsuit, the young captain dumped his gear on the dive platform. Locating the net, Goose threw it as the man free dived beneath the waves.
"What," Kallan's attention, distracted for a moment, saw Dylan's intent. "Fresh protein for dinner," she grinned at Gulliver, "you did great burling the fish like that."
"Don't talk to me about food," he grumbled. Finding his legs, he stumbled to the bench and collapsed. "You're a wicked individual, Kallan," he glared at the bright pink clad woman stepping onto the boat.
Looking around his buddies, they agreed with his assessment. Not one of them completely unaffected by her ruthless initial dive, they observed the instructor replace her BC in its rack. Stripping off her gear, Kallan dived back into the water wearing only her red bikini. Ozzy, the least upset by their ordeal stood beside Goose. Together they watched the pair interact seamlessly, netting several large fish for their evening meal.
"They work well together," Bruce commented, hoping to force some information from the deck hand, "almost as if they'd done it before."
"Never seen Skipper act so freely," Goose shook his head in bewilderment. "Not that I can fault her. It's about time she let her hair down and had some fun. She's got too much responsibility on her shoulders around here. Ziggy might act like he's in charge, but don't make the mistake about the Skipper having the last word. I'm not sure why the IRO sent her here in the first place, she's way to qualified for this job."
"I thought they knew each other from flight school," Ozzy pushed, pointing to the pair about to surface.
"Maybe they do," Goose shrugged, "maybe they don't. Skipper's kind of a private person and we respect that. Still I'd like to see her with someone who makes her happy. For whatever reason, this guy seems have the ability to make her act more freely than I've ever seen."
Surfacing, they heard Dylan comment, "hey, Kallan, did you see the Humuhumunukunukuapua"a."
"I'm not," Kallan teased, grabbing for the net which he pulled out of her reach at the very last minute, "eating the Hawaiian National fish so you can take it out of the catch bag. Come on Dylan," flicking her eyes toward the boat, she turned completely serious, "I want to check on Gulliver and I'm not supposed to be out of the water before my students."
Winking at the two men observing them, Dylan watched Kallan swim towards the boat. Delaying a moment, Dylan allowed his eyes to track her graceful movements as she cut the water cleanly. Quickly catching up, he took his turn on the ladder first. Once out of the water, Dylan deliberately blocked Ozzy's view as their instructor climbed the ladder.
Leaning down Dylan offered a helping hand. At first Kallan looked at the gesture, trying to work out his intention. Shrugging, she allowed his palm to close around hers. The level of awareness the simple contact crated astounded her.
I cannot be attracted to his man, she mentally berated, he's my student. Grey eyes locked onto chocolate and she understood this wasn't one sided. Dylan Beyda's behaviour finally made sense. He's trying to fight it too and having about the same level of success as me. It's the reason I'm finding his signals so difficult to read. This just can't happen, so I have to stop it right now.
Pulling her hand way, Kallan saw the moment he understood. Nodding at her decision, Dylan turned back to the main group. In the instant before he completed the movement, they silently acknowledged their disappointment.
"Gulliver," attention focused on the slightly less green looking man, Kallan asked, "you feeling better."
"Describe better," he gave her a withering look.
"Let's clean up the gear," Kallan ordered. "Next dive is in half an hour. We'll be taking it a little more leisurely if a lot deeper. You'll need a duel oxygen system. Work out your assent stops with your buddy. We'll be going to a maximum depth 56 meters with good conditions and visibility. Goose can you help refill the tanks."
"Kallan," Dylan waited until they both knelt beside their equipment, slightly sheltered from the others, "do you want to take Gulliver and I'll buddy up with Ozzy on the next dive?"
"Ozzy's the lead diver for their team," she returned, aware the man watched the quiet interaction. "He needs to stay with his colleague. Part of my responsibility is to ensure they can work together under the most extreme conditions. If anyone can pull Gulliver through this, it's Ozzy. Don't underestimate their determination to pass. Like you they have a good reason. Ozzy's got a promotion riding on this, just as you have."
"Kallan," placing a hand on her forearm, Dylan felt the sizzle of attraction. Ignoring it he said, "Gulliver's their weak link."
"No," she allowed the sincerity into her gaze, "Gonzo is. You don't have all the information, Dylan. While I value your insight, right now you're the student, not my colleague. I appreciate the concern, please remember the responsibility for this group starts and ends with me."
Something hard flashed through Dylan's intense glare. "You're right, I'm not your colleague, but I have as much diving experience, probably more in rescue situations. I can tell you what I see. Gulliver is the weak link, just keep that in mind."
Kallan stood, infuriated. The man in question moved slowly, organizing his equipment for the next round. Ozzy, finished with his own preparations came to help his buddy. Gonzo and Blue stood nearby, ready to lend a hand if required. Still, Dylan's words echoed in the back of her mind.
Have I misjudged the situation, she considered? What is Dylan seeing that I'm not? He has a point. Captain Beyda does have more rescue experience than me and knows these waters extremely well. No one's ever passed my initial test before. Then again, I've never had a student question my judgement before. Is that what I'm reacting too? I hope not because I never considered myself conceited and above reproach. Or, the consequences shocked her, is my attraction affecting my professional judgement?
Glancing around the deck, Kallan noted Dylan sitting alone. His brown eyes watching her, he'd almost read the expression's crossing her face. Allowing the ghost of a smile to crease his lips, he understood her position. Used to being in charge, Dylan Beyda found it hard to return to student mode with the instant bond between them. Commander Thurman mentioned taking Kallan onto the backup team. From what he'd witnessed so far, that wouldn't be a bad idea.
Speaking of ideas, Dylan remembered the one and only time he'd suffered seasickness, I'd better get Gulliver something to line his stomach before the next dive. He might not appreciate it now, but it'll make him feel less queasy.
"Who's going to clean and gut the fish for this evening?" Ziggy called from the fly bridge, observing the young captain brush past Kallan. It broke the moment as the individuals on the main deck looked up. He'd be a fool not to notice the magnetism between the dive instructor and the IRO Captain.
"I'll do it," Goose offered, "while you lot are in the water, but I'm not cooking it."
Watching with expectant eyes, the group speculated who Kallan choose for KP. Exiting the main cabin, Dylan gave the four-man team a quizzical look as their eyes narrowed on him. Offering the leftover sandwich to Gulliver, the big man wrinkled his nose.
"I'm not eating that," he complained.
"Better take it," a board smile broke out on Kallan's face. "Trust me. You'll need the energy after expelling your lunch. I'll make the evening meal tonight, that way you can all get ready for your first night dive."
Groaning, they'd assumed a second dive would signal the end of their day. Ozzy's gaze clashed with Beyda as he moved towards his gear. It didn't come as a surprise to him. Calmly the young captain began to suit up for their deep dive. His movements quick and nimble, Bruce knew he'd pass this course easily. There'd be no point attempting to beat him.
Whatever Dylan whispered to Kallan placed a wedge between them. The earlier almost playful interaction disappeared as Skipper shimmed into her suit. For someone so small, she managed the bulky tanks easily, Ozzy observed. It displayed her expertise and familiarity with the aquatic environment.
"What are you thinking, Oz?" Gonzo's gaze followed his leaders. Grinning he shook his head. "Don't bother. If she's not taken, she will be by the end of the trip. At first, I thought it might be animosity left over from a past love affair. After watching them together on the last dive, I know it's attraction and not one sided either."
"Doesn't mean," Ozzy grinned maliciously, "we can't offer a little payback, on either of them."
"Got any ideas?" Gulliver asked with a frown on his face. Annoyed at churning sensation in his stomach, he wouldn't mind a little remuneration. Unwilling to admit the snack worked Doug felt the olive branch didn't make up for his earlier reaction.
"Plenty," Ozzy replied allowing a wide, delighted grin to cover his face. "Let's get this dive out of the way, and then we can go below and plan a little surprise for Lieutenant James and Captain Beyda. They both need to have a dent in their reputations and we're just the group to put it there."