Early the next morning Danni was down in the Elbow Room cleaning up after the party the night before. She smiled to herself as she remembered what happened between her and Blake. They had danced together and later that night, Blake led her outside to the bench that overlooked the harbor and kissed her. She had opened up to him and told him her secret. She even told him that she was willing to give him a shot at a relationship.

About an hour later, Danni finished cleaning up the Elbow Room. She sighed and ran a hand through her tousled dark hair. Just then, she heard the tiny bell above the front door chime. She turned around and smiled broadly when she saw who it was.

Blake walked over to her with a crooked grin on his face. He had a dozen roses in his hand and Danni's smile only widened at the sight. As he handed them to her he leaned over and kissed her.

"So," he murmured quietly, "You said you'd give me a shot. How am I doing so far?"

Danni laughed slightly.

"Very well."

Blake gave her another crooked grin and leaned in to kiss her again when the door opened.

It was Emily. She strode in with an obnoxiously happy look on her face and a twinkle in her eyes.

"Hey you two," she said with a knowing wink, "I saw you sneak off last night."

Blake smirked, "It's not what you think."

Emily nodded, "I know. Jake Harris saw you guys sitting out on that bench."

Danni saw Blake tense up slightly.

"Anyways, don't you want to know what happened with me and a certain somebody last night?"

Danni's eyes widened when she saw the look on Emily's face.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Blake looked utterly lost. He furrowed his brow in confusion and glanced back and forth between the two women.

"Let's just say I didn't go home alone," said Emily with a wink.

Danni's mouth flew open in shock.

Blake raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly at Emily.

"Who's the lucky guy?"

Danni felt her heart stop beating for a moment in panic. She gave Emily a pleading look but she did not see it.

"Josh Harris."

Danni squeezed her eyes shut, imagining what Blake's reaction would be.

Blake's entire body tensed up and anger glimmered in his eyes. Emily suddenly remembered the feud 

between the two men and gave him an apologetic look.

"Oh, Blake I'm sorry!" she said, shooting Danni a concerned look, "I forgot!"

Blake forced himself to relax. He shook his head and sighed.

"No, it's okay."

"It's just hard, you know?" continued Emily, "I mean, Danni and I are best friends and the guys we like hate each other. I wasn't thinking."

"Its fine, Emily," said Blake with a slight smirk, "I'm happy for you. Let's just not go on any double dates, okay?"

Danni and Emily both laughed at that.

"Don't worry," assured Danni, "I don't mind taking risks but I'm not suicidal. That would be a blood bath, not a date!"

Emily laughed and nodded in agreement.

Blake smiled but instantly grew serious when he remembered the reason he was here. Danni saw the look on his face and grew serious as well. She gave him a concerned look.

"Blake? What's wrong?"

Blake swallowed and cleared his throat.

"We're, um, heading out today. Trying to beat that storm that's coming in. They say it's gonna be pretty bad. So…I guess I really just came here to say goodbye."

Danni bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her emotion. They had just started this relationship and now he was heading out to sea, possibly right into a storm too.

"It's not goodbye," insisted Danni, "It's see you later."

Blake smiled and brushed a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear. He gave her a long hug and a kiss before he turned toward the door.

"See you later then," he said quietly.

Just then, the door opened and Josh Harris strode into the room. Blake froze mid-stride when he saw him. The two men shared a glare of hatred as they passed. Danni and Emily exchanged nervous glances.

Blake shot Josh a final glare as he opened the door and left. Danni felt her heart tighten with fear for him as she watched him walk down to the dock.

Josh saw the look on her face and gave her an understanding look.

"So you two hit it off, huh?"

Danni smiled slightly, eyes shining with emotion.

"Yeah…we did."

Josh walked over to Danni and gave her a hug of comfort.

"He'll be fine," he said quietly, "He's so hard-headed and stubborn…nothing will keep him from coming back."

Danni gave Josh a grateful look as he walked over to Emily. The young couple shared a knowing, loving look as they embraced. Danni saw Josh murmur something to Emily and saw her friend's face fall. The couple embraced again and Josh turned back to the door. He nodded to Danni as he left.

"Are they heading out too?" asked Danni quietly.

Emily nodded, looking very crestfallen. She slunk away to the upstairs room for some privacy. Danni watched her friend walk up the stairs. Her face mirrored Emily's emotions. They had both fallen quickly for those two men and now they were both leaving to brave the Bering Sea. And on top of that, they were trying to beat a particularly deadly storm on their way out of Dutch Harbor.

Danni sighed and looked out the window. The Maverick was already pulling away from the dock. The Cornelia Marie's engines were starting up. They would be following the Maverick shortly. The Northwestern and the Time Bandit were already leading the pack out of the harbor. Danni took a shaky breath and sighed quietly.

"Dear God please bring them back…"

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