I had planned on getting so much more writing done this weekend than I did. I started to get a cold on Friday and the weekend went down hill from there. Still sniffling and coughing but wanted to update this story at least a little bit since you guys have been so wonderful. I truly appreciate every review and story alert am very glad you guys are enjoying this so much. :)

Title: A hint of normalcy
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Marta/Aaron

It'd only been three days but some how Marta felt so much better. Maybe it was the hours spent sitting in the sunshine instead of cooped up below deck. Since they were still docked at the marina Aaron had bought her a floppy straw sun hat and sun glasses as a disguise for her to wear. It took Marta a full day to convince Aaron that she was alright to be by herself. She was keeping fluids and food down and the rash that had appeared on her skin was going away.

It was just after midday when Aaron slid into the chair next to Marta. With a smile Marta glanced up from the spiral notebook she'd been writing on. While Aaron had been helping Mario with the boat repairs she had been helping Carlos with his English. Though as Aaron had pointed out earlier the teen was a fast learner and didn't need much coaching. Still it was something to keep Marta busy and she enjoyed it.

Since reading the newspaper article Aaron had chosen to wear a black baseball cap, usually on backwards, and sunglasses when he was above deck as his disguise. However with helping Mario with the boat repairs Aaron had taken off his shirt and was wearing only a pair of jean shorts, sneakers, and the baseball cap. The sunglasses were hanging from a black cord around Aaron's neck. Marta had never denied that Aaron was a sexy, good looking man. The kindness and affection he'd shown her over the past week had only magnified his attractiveness. The combination of good looks and a good heart was a hard thing to find. The way Aaron was looking at her now took Marta's breath away.

"Hi."Shearing greeted as she put her pen down.

"Hi."Aaron responded with a grin. "You look even better today than yesterday. You've got a lot of your color back. How are you feeling?"

Marta felt her heart melt like a teenager at Aaron's continued concern for her welfare. "Feeling a lot more human and a lot less like I got hit by a truck."

Aaron leaned in and kissed Marta quickly. "Good. You feel up to dancing?"

Shearing raised an eyebrow. "Now?"

"No, there's a festival in the village tonight celebrating the fishing season."Aaron replied with genuine excitement. "Carlos told me that a lot of the neighboring villages come in for this. Lots of people we can stay to the outskirts of the crowd...good food...music."

Aaron's enthusiasm was catching and Marta laughed. She nodded and looped her arms around his neck pulling the former outcome agent in for another kiss.

"Sounds wonderful."Marta stated when the kiss ended.

Aaron tipped the rim of Marta's hat back. "Guess we could consider this our first date."

"Yes we could."Marta replied with a smile. "Since there is dancing and food involved."

Cross kissed Marta once more before reluctantly looking at his watch. "I better go."

"How are the repairs coming?"Marta asked as she untwisted her arms from Aaron's neck and settled into the chair.

"Almost done. Mario thinks we'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon."Cross replied as he stood.

"Good."Marta acknowledged.

"Be ready at six."Aaron instructed with a grin.

"Okay."Shearing agreed as she watched Aaron head to the stern of the junk where Mario was waiting.

As Marta tried to return her attention to her notebook she found herself looking forward to the festival. With all she and Aaron had been through in the last few weeks they deserved to have some fun.