CHAPTER 9: You Could Be Mine

Ava stretched - cat-like in the huge, fluffy and warm bed she smiled to herself. Her entire body felt full and complete and utterly at peace. Before she even opened her eyes she took a deep breath in and was greeted by the sea: He was still asleep next to her. Ava sat up and looked around for her clothing but couldn't find a single article. Instead, she quickly hopped out of bed and padded over to her suitcase that - miraculously - made it upstairs. She quickly and quietly unzipped the black bag and pulled out an over-sized sweat shirt and cotton shorts. Looking back at Sig, she decided she'd wake him up rather than go exploring. After all, she didn't want to find anything that otherwise would be off-limits.

She leaned over him and pressed her lips to his forehead. He stirred, eyes blinking quickly.

"I believe today I'm meeting the crew of the Northwestern. Before I do that I'd really like a shower - any in particular I should use?"

Sig grunted and pointed to the frosted glass door. It must be the master bath, Ava noted.

When she stepped in the bathroom, her jaw dropped. It was like a spa. There were sinks on either side, both double, and in the middle was a massive soaking tub. To the left was a massive walk-in shower with over-head shower heads and to the right was another frosted door. She guessed it lead to a walk-in closet. Ava didn't dare peek in there.

Her shower was heavenly and she rather enjoyed being wrapped up in a fluffy black towel while Sig went about dressing for the day. They barely spoke except for short sentences.

"Do you think they'll like me?" asked Ava as she buckled up her seat belt.

"Of course they'll like you. They'll love you. What's not to like?" Sig looked back at her.

The drive to the dock took only a few minutes. Ava was locked in her head, a million thoughts going through it at once. She knew of Sig's other brothers - Norman and Edgar - but not of the other crew. It was as if Sig was reading her thoughts.

He took a drag of his cigarette before he started. "There are two other deckhands on the boat. Matt Bradley, who's been a friend of Edgar for decades now, and Nick Mavar. Nick is kind of reserved like Norman, but Matt is the opposite. He's loud, outgoing but is a recovering addict. He's made such a great recovery and we're happy for him. Dude deserves a fresh start and I'm glad it's with my boat. And..." he trailed off.

Ava was hanging on to his every word. "And?"

Sig laughed a bit. "We have a new greenhorn. A rookie, if you will."

"How did you find him?" Ava asked. She knew that it was very difficult to get a job on a crab boat as Sig had told her how he counted his lucky stars every day.

"Jake's a friend of Nick's brother. He's not going out for King crab this fall, but he'll be there for Opies in the winter. And he'll be there today."

She bit her lip. Why was Sig acting so strange when he was talking about Jake? Was he young like Ava? Was Sig unsure about a new greenhorn on his ship? Just from what she'd read about the crew and from what information Sig had given Ava, she knew it was like a family. In order to work on the deck, everyone had to trust each other like family. It took a long time for that trust to be earned and once earned it was treasured. The jobs were few and far between and whoever could get in with a crew in Dutch Harbor was practically set for life if he worked above and beyond his best ability.

"He's Norwegian." Sig laughed really hard at this for some reason.

Ava couldn't help but chuckle a bit, too. "What's so funny about that?" she questioned as they pulled to the curb, Sig parking the truck.

"He's going to be just as hard-headed as me and my brothers that's what. Plus... Well, I'm just going to keep him away from you."

Sig looked at her, his blue eyes hardening. She knew that look. It made her lick her lips. "Why's that, Captain Hansen?"

"You're mine, that's why. And you're not going to get involved with a crab fisherman unless it's me. I trust me. I don't trust other guys out there."

Ava rolled her eyes. "You worry too much. What makes you think I'm going to fall in love with Jake and run away with him to Vegas, hm? Don't worry."

They had to walk a few blocks to get to the dock. During this time Sig prepped her.

"I told them all that you are a PR major and that you specifically are dealing with entertainment PR which'll be perfect for us. You'll be in charge of scheduling interviews, flights, busses, transfers, umm... TV shows. Coordinating meet and greets - you name it. You're my life organizer and the organizer for the entire Northwestern name."

The sky was bright blue overhead with light, wispy clouds. The water was a bit choppy and her hair was blowing in the wind. When Sig turned to offer his hand to help her on the deck, his breath hitched in his throat.

"You are so beautiful, Ava."

She blushed and smiled up at him. Why on earth did he think that Jake would win her heart? It was slowly bleeding out for Sig Hansen.

Ava was greeted by loud yelling and whistling. Edgar and Matt, she imagined. Because the water was a bit choppy, and because she was a bit of a clutz, Ava immediately had to grab ahold of something when Sig helped her up onto the deck. That something was Sig's shoulders. And she knew instantly that she was just a bit too close in front of a bit too big crowd. She blushed again and pushed away. Turning, she smiled widely at the crew. Matt and Edgar rushed forward to shake her hand. Well, Matt did and then Edgar had to top him. He shook Ava's hand and pulled her in for a hug.

"So," he began, "you're the one who's going to be our ring leader? Keep us all in line? Tell us where to go, when we're going there and what to say?"

Nodding, Ava said "Yeah, something like that. We'll take it one day at a time for right now. I'm just here to meet everyone and to lay out what you have going on for the rest of the summer."

As Ava was talking to Matt and Edgar, she was hoping she sounded professional. Was professional the way to be? Did she want to befriend the crew as to make it look like she was just another one of the guys? It was going to take a while to flesh out. Ava realized that Edgar looked nothing like Sig - the only similarity were their blue eyes. How could eyes be that dark blue? It was amazing.

"Anyway," she continued, "I am so excited to meet you all! And thanks for allowing me the chance to be your PR manager. I'm so excited. It's my first job right out of college."

"Will you move here?" asked Matt. They were slowly moving into the galley. Ava began to get a bit nervous. First, she had to answer and she had the sinking feeling that this is where Jake was hiding out.

Sig had disappeared up to the wheelhouse by now, but she could feel his hard and cold stare. She shivered involuntarily.

"Just in the summer. I live in Florida, actually, and want to stay there for another few years. My grandparents live there and they're not in the best health. I'd like to spend as much time as I can with them. One day, though, I would imagine I would be living in Seattle."

She was beginning to get a bit overwhelmed. Meeting everyone, the huge ship and the gentle rocking. Not to mention she knew Sig was no doubt listening in on their conversation. Her brain was throwing dozens of ideas around and she was trying to catch only the good ones. She tried to make everything as believable as possible. Ava hoped it didn't seem like she was on edge. And, of course, she wanted the crew to like her. She wanted to fit in.

Just to amp up Sig's heart she quickly added "Seattle is quickly becoming home. I love it here."

Edgar laughed. "Wait until the winter and spring. Snow and rain. It's a miracle it's sunny today!"

Ava laughed with Edgar and she flipped her hair back, the wind blowing it every which way.

When she entered, another Hansen greeted her - Norman.

"You must be Ava," Norman said with his hand outstretched. "I'm Norman, the only level-headed Hansen."

Matt's hands flew to his chest as he pretended to hold onto the shelves that held the TV with other various electronic equipment. "This is the most Norman's ever spoke. You must have a way with the Hansens! Please teach me!"

'If Matt only knew,' thought Ava.

Norman rolled his eyes and smiled sheepishly. He too pulled her into a hug. When he shook her hand she noticed that he wasn't married. Norman's hug was warm and genuine as opposed to Edgar's bear hug that she still wasn't sure about. Was he crushing her to his chest to feel hers or was it just the way Edgar was? Only time would tell.

"It's very nice to know you, Norman," Ava smiled.

"Nick's the only one not here today. His daughter's ballet recital is later this afternoon. HEY GREENHORN!" Edgar shouted. He shouted so loud that Ava cringed and she heard loud steps from the wheel house followed by those footsteps coming down the stairs rather quickly. "I'm sure Sig's told you about Jake. He's still a greenhorn. Hell of a kid. Pretty good looking, too. Well, nothing really compared to me, you know," he winked.

Ava chuckled and Matt playfully punched Edgar's shoulder.

The door flew open and she was assaulted by the brightest pair of blue eyes on the planet. This must be Jake. He was tall and lanky, about the same height as Ava and therefore just about an inch or two above Sig. His arms were long but muscled, not thick but toned. When he reached out to shake her hand Ava was shocked that they were already so rough and weathered by the sea. His hair was sticking out wildly under his black Northwestern hat and he had a matching black tee-shirt on.

He was her age, she guessed. Maybe a year or two off. And she knew why Sig was putting the warning out to her. His eyes widened when he took her hand in his.

"Ava, is it? Nice to meet you. I'm Jake Anderson."

"Nice to meet you too, Jake. Is this your first year on the ship, now?"

Jake nodded as he took his hat off to run his hand through hair. "Yes, ma'am. I'm staying behind for King but I'll be out with the rest of the guys for Opies next year."

He's never seen someone as beautiful as Ava. It wasn't supermodel beautiful - it was just wholesome beauty. Curves, shiny hair, and a great smile - not stick skinny and a face created by plastic. She was real and he was in love instantly. His mind was racing. What would Sig think? She was to be their lifeline in their crazy schedule that was their life now outside of fishing. Knowing Sig, Jake just knew that he would not like this idea at all.

Jake watched as Ava turned and took a few steps towards the large table. Once her back was turned Matt gave him two thumbs up and winked before mouthing "Holy shit..."

In a few minutes, Ava was seated around the dinner table with Jake and Edgar on either side as well as Norman and Matt at the ends. Sig was still up in the wheelhouse but the door was open.

Ava had her laptop out and was inputting every event that they had scheduled for the summer. How these guys fished and managed their hectic schedule of interviews and traveling was beyond her. She'd be exhausted in a week in their shoes. TV shows, radio talk shows, Disney World (she was going to try and find a way to go to that one, after all she lived in Florida), traveling to visit family in Norway. Not to mention school events for their children and just to have downtime with their loved ones. Norman really didn't go to too many events and neither did Nick. The two of them were more private which Ava thought was refreshing yet felt bad for them. How difficult it must be to have a sense of normalcy in their crazy world all thanks to a TV show.

An hour and a half later, their summer was planned. She'd be contacting airlines to reserve tickets and book hotel rooms. Calling to reconfirm already scheduled and confirm new show appearances. Every new item made her smile - it would be another day she'd be in direct contact with Sig.

She wondered what he was doing up there. Was he staying away since Jake was in the same room with her? She knew that Jake was staring. Sig would go ballistic if he knew.

Ava knew he'd go ballistic... Yet when Jake asked her a simple question she didn't know why her brain didn't register this fact one more time. She would admit to anyone that Jake was very good looking and so far very sweet to her, but she needed to keep her relationship with Sig. He was the one to pull her away from a life she didn't want to live. He made her feel alive. It was dangerous and she craved it. With every fiber of her being, she craved Sig Hansen.

They were headed out of the galley to call it a day when Jake grabbed her arm lightly. He was blushing like crazy and smiling wide. His eyes were so light... They were stunning.

He took a deep breath before he started. "Ava, would you like to get a drink with me tonight?"

She heard a loud crash from up in the wheelhouse followed by a few footsteps that stopped short of the stairs. He was waiting for her answer.

"Oh, Jake, I'd love to, but I'm so tired from my flight. I think I'm just going to call it a night. And Sig already told me he was taking me out to grab something for dinner quickly and to give me keys and phone numbers for my new cell phone..."

Was that too much? She just wanted to work his name in that sentence once. Of course, Jake had no idea so it wasn't like Ava was trying to convince Jake. She was just trying to convince herself that Jake was totally off-limits and that she'd have to put a stop to his deep stares.

Jake looked instantly deflated. Ava heard Sig coming down the stairs.

"What's the matter, Jakey?" Sig asked. He was standing behind Jake and looking straight at Ava. She swore his glare was going to cut her right in two. Ava wanted to yell at the top of her lungs that she said no, that she'd always say no. Even though Sig couldn't give her an ultimate "yes," Ava just knew that she'd deny any other man in her life.

He turned around to face his captain. "Nothing, just got shot down asking this pretty lady out for a drink."

"She's a spitfire, this one. Poor Jake. Why not go out for a drink, Ava? Get to know some new people? I'm sure the Harris brothers will be wherever Jake is."

Ava's mouth dropped open. What was he getting at? Was he or was he not the one who warned her on their drive over? Was it a test? She had no clue what to say. Jake's back was now facing Sig and she saw Sig nod. His expression was unreadable. It made her uneasy at once.

She nodded and quickly said "Okay, sounds great them. Sig, we'll just meet up tomorrow to go over plans? Want to pick me up at 7, Jake?"

When Jake turned around his eyes were sparkling. "Great! What hotel are you staying at?"

"Actually," Sig began, "She's staying in my guest room. I want Ava to feel like family. Like one of us. I want her to feel welcome."

With that, Sig put his hand on her lower back to guide Ava out. She was out first, followed by Sig. Jake exited the galley last. Ava could feel Sig's hand hard on her lower back. She wished he could read her mind. She was terrified yet thrilled at the same time.

"What the hell was that all about?" Ava asked getting into Sig's pick-up.

Sig light up a cigarette and rolled down the window. "If Jake falls in love with you like I'm sure he's going to, you'd move out here."

She was very sure she was missing the big picture. Didn't Sig just warn her about Jake two hours ago? He was the one who was scared she would be interested in Jake.

"What do you mean?" she asked quietly. Ava had a sinking feeling she knew the answer. Could she do that to someone?

Sig took a deep breath in and let the smoke out through his nostrils. "What I mean, Ava, is that I saw the way you looked at Jake. It's not the way you look at me, but you think he's good-looking. He's a hell of a worker, treats ladies the way they should be treated. What would be so wrong with a relationship with him? You'd be out here in Seattle all the time. As in... You'd live here."

"...You want me to be in a relationship with someone and still have you on the side?" Her voice was monotone. She'd been right. How could she do this? Cheat on someone who would no doubt worship the very ground she walked on. Base a relationship off of a lie. Still be involved with a man who is married and has two children. How messed up would this situation become?

Sig laughed his deep, raspy laugh. "You're my main relationship. You are all I think about and all I crave. You feel the same way about me. I could not live without having you, Ava. I need you every second of the day. This would be a way to solidify everything."

Ava didn't respond to him. How could she? What was there to say? The hole they were both in was growing. It was too late to turn back with Sig, but would she be able to take innocent Jake along for a ride that he'd never know about? Would Ava condemn him to a life based off of a lie?

Sig looked over at Ava who was staring out the window. He rested a hand on her thigh. "Ava, I've already told you that you treat me better than my wife. I'm myself when I'm around you. I am good enough with you. Please don't take that away. It would put you in an awful situation, but I'm in the same boat. Pun intended."

Ava laughed a little bit.

"All joking aside, we'd be in the same situation together. Jake would never, ever hurt you. We could still carry on."

She shook her head, not saying anything.

They were quiet for a long while before Ava finally spoke. "Who says Jake will actually like me that much?"

"If he has half a brain, which I know he does - he's on my boat for crying out loud - he will. But he won't love you as much as I love you."

Ava's breath caught in her throat. '...as much as I love you.' She had him. Over the past few months her attraction to Sig grew to affection and slowly into love. Their phone calls at night while she was in Florida, their first time during her graduation party and now this: Sig loves her. Whether or not he meant it or not, he had said it, and those words would be her comfort forever.