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

My apologies for taking awhile to submit this chapter! Been a busy week - work, class (finals!) and guest (visiting from Hungary!) have all happened at once! Every chance I got, I tried to sit back and do some writing. Thank you to those who have left a review! You guys help motivate me to keep writing! - No worries! Some questions with the characters will be answered soooon!

Chapter 9

"What have I done to make this true?" Sinbad was slightly amused by her admittance. He watched her features and she appeared unsure of what to say for a moment or hesitant of what she wanted to say. He did not know which. What she did do gave no answer. She let out a frustrated growl as she bent down to pick up her mug of ale to bring to her lips. Before she got a chance to take another sip Sinbad removed the mug from her hands.

"What are you doing?" Bryn tried to reach for her mug but Sinbad held it away from her.

"I think you're done", Sinbad voice was stern.

"How would you know?" Bryn again tried to reach for it but he still held it away from her grasp. "You haven't seen me all night, I very well may have just begun".

Sinbad watched her with knowing eyes. She certainly was not going to fool him and she knew it. What he did next was deserving of the look of dissatisfaction that Bryn gave him. He brought her mug of ale to his lips and downed it. When he finished, he handed it back to her with a smile and said, " You will thank me in the morning".

"You certainly are testing my patience", Bryn peered into her now empty mug and frowned. Without a word she walked past him. From Sinbad's perspective it was more like a stagger. Her movements were not steady. She walked as if the ship was on rough waters. Sinbad's eyes followed her as she seated herself on top of one of the crates that was up on deck. She crossed her legs and smoothed her skirt down. When her eyes met his, there was no anger there. What he saw was uncertainty.

"Sinbad, will you answer one question for me?", Bryn placed the mug down next to her on the floor before continuing. She lingered bent over because as she was placing the mug down she some how knocked it over. She put every effort to have it right side up before continuing.

Sinbad walked towards her and stopped directly in front of her. He looked down at her with crossed arms, "You have not yet answered my own".

"What question?" Bryn squinted up at him perplexed. She didn't let him answer, "Wait! You answer mine and I will answer yours". She smiled happy with her suggestion.

Sinbad wasn't sure if he had any choice. Too please her, he nodded his head in agreement to her request.

Before a question came out of her mouth, he felt her tug on his shirt, "Do sit down! I grow tired of you hovering above me like so", she gestured at his stance and patted the crate next to her, "Looking up at you is making me dizzy".

Sinbad controlled his exasperation. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night. He honestly wasn't sure what to expect. He's never seen Bryn in her cups before. He told himself he should consider himself lucky. He would rather take care of a drunk Bryn than a drunk Doubar. While sitting down he shook his head and smiled in amusement.

"Now tell me, Captain", Bryn was fumbling with the hem of her skirt, "What do you think we should do?".

Sinbad stared at Bryn. He had no idea what she was talking about. He waited until she looked up at him. "Do about what, Bryn?"

"Do about us", Bryn said quietly. Sinbad barely heard her. "I don't think I can do it anymore…there's this thing", She was unsure of how to describe it.

She stood up from the crate realizing she couldn't seem to sit still. This time she faced Sinbad with her arms crossed, as he was just moments ago, "I saw you tonight…with your current conquest", she muttered while looking away feeling slightly embarrassed.

Sinbad looked at the woman in front of him. He knew she was referring to Katrina from earlier in the evening. "I'm not sure what you saw," Sinbad replied, "but Katrina is not a conquest nor would she be mine".

"This Katrina will probably say other wise", Bryn became frustrated. She didn't even want to know her name. She was just fine with calling her the blonde one. The one with the wandering hands.

Sinbad was more interested by what she said before that. "What is it that you can not do?"

She looked at him and sighed. "I can't go on pretending there is something between us when there isn't!" Bryn said all in one breath. She convinced herself that she needed to move on. She could never compete with all the beautiful ladies in port. She looked defeated. She looked at him and diverted her gaze when he didn't say anything.

Sinbad ran a nervous hand through his hair before answering. He didn't mean to open these doors right now. He thought about how earlier in the evening he told Doubar that he wanted to have a conversation with Bryn about something like this. Now, this just didn't seem to be the right time. When is it ever the right time? He sighed realizing his silence has hurt her feelings. She turned and walked away from him. He knew he couldn't just let it go. He stood up and followed her.

Bryn was leaning over the rail again; looking ahead of her as if there was something there that caught her attention. All there was to see was the moon reflecting over the still ocean. A sight he often soaked up as well. Right now, from his perspective, the view was more interesting with Bryn in the picture.

"Bryn", Sinbad walked up behind her and whispered in her ear. He had both of his arms resting on the rail with her trapped between them. "You know I'm not pretending and I know your not either".

Bryn took a glance back at Sinbad and saw truth in his eyes. She didn't know what came over her but she said it before she could stop herself, "I felt jealous", Bryn turned to face the ocean again, "Anger".

Sinbad finally spoke from behind her, "Which one is it?"

"Both", Bryn bit her lower lip now not knowing what else to say. She knew she had to explain now that she has said something. She looked at him again and tensed up. She turned around to face him and he didn't move.

"Is it safe to say that me being under Katrina's affection is what I've done to make you crazy tonight?" Sinbad asked. He watched her as she nodded her head in response. For a moment he didn't say anything else.

"You're hovering over me again", Bryn observed.

"I am", Sinbad still didn't move. He could tell she was feeling uncomfortable by his close proximity. She was getting flustered and it pleased him. He liked that she reacted to him in this way. All of the ladies in past travels have seek his attention boldly and aggressively. He knew their want was selfish. Bryn on the other hand was different. She was always sincere. She didn't have to try so hard for him to notice her. To him, she was the simple truth and the biggest mystery. "I don't know if you will remember this by morning, but I'm just going to say it anyways." He let go of the rail and placed his hands on each side of her waist. He pulled her in closer.

Bryn nearly lost her balance and held on to him. She grew curious of what he wanted to say. "What is it?"

He bent his head closer to her ear. "My heart is set on you", Sinbad whispered, "I don't want anyone else".

"Really?" Bryn wasn't sure if she heard him right. She looked at him unconvinced.

"I'm going to make you see", Sinbad lifted her chin with two fingers and leaned in for a kiss. After they parted he watched her smile, and he quietly said ,"I promise".

Bryn raised an eyebrow in interest to his promise. She wasn't sure how he would convince her, but deep down she knew he was right. She too wasn't pretending.

"SINBAD?"

They were both interrupted by the sound of Firouz calling out to his captain. They stepped apart from each other and both turned to see Firouz coming aboard.

"I'm here", Sinbad looked at his crewmate, "Is there a problem?"

"Good! You found Bryn, " He studied them both for a second realizing he may have interrupted something.

"Firouz?" Sinbad interrupted his thoughts.

"It's Doubar and Gunnar. They got into a fight outside the Tavern". Firouz explained, "I came for my medical bag and to look for you two."

Bryn stepped forward, "Are they okay?"

"Just minor injuries. Nothing a few stitches won't fix up!" Firouz turned to make his way below to gather the supplies he needed. When he returned on deck he saw Sinbad and Bryn were waiting for him. "I'm ready".

Bryn stepped forward to leave but was stopped by Sinbad, "Did you want to stay back and rest?" She knew he was referring to her state of balance.

"I'm fine. I should see Gunnar", Bryn didn't want to be left behind. The idea of him and Doubar getting hurt was a sure buzz kill. She would manage.

Sinbad studied her and nodded his head, "Okay". He let her walk in front of him, "Just don't over do it".