Chapter 11: Captain to Captain
As Chris walked up the stairs to the wheelhouse she felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest. Sig was nice enough in front of his crew, but would he be just as kind to her when they were alone?
She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the worst, and then opened the door and slipped inside the wheelhouse.
Sig was sitting in the captain's chair staring out over the harbor with a faraway look in his eyes. He didn't even realize Chris was there until she spoke.
"Captain?" she asked quietly as she walked over to him.
He jumped slightly but relaxed when he realized it was her. He motioned for her to sit down on the bench-like seat behind the captain's chair and she complied.
"Alright," said Sig, studying her face, "What is so important that you couldn't wait till after the season to tell me?"
Chris swallowed nervously and cleared her throat. He was being civil but the guarded look in his eyes reminded her that they were not friends. This was strictly a captain to captain conversation and nothing more.
"I…I came to apologize to you," began Chris, forcing herself to meet his intimidating gaze.
Sig blinked in surprise at that and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"For what?" he asked, suspicion and uncertainty in his eyes.
Chris swallowed again and glanced at him.
"For what my father did to you and your crew," she said quietly, "It was wrong…I don't think he knew how serious that prank was going to be. But regardless, it was wrong and he shouldn't have done that. I know my last name is sort of a curse around here, but I plan on changing that. I know you don't like me, Captain Hansen, but I promise you that I'll prove myself to you and to the fleet. I'm not my father."
Sig stared into her eyes for a minute, trying to gage how serious she was and to see if her words matched what she felt. All he saw was desperation and a strong drive in her. She was dead serious about this and he couldn't help but admit to himself that it was rather impressive.
He nodded slightly after what seemed like hours to Chris. She relaxed slightly, happy that he wasn't going to throw her off the boat or go into a yelling temper tantrum.
"Okay," he said quietly, "You're obviously serious about this. We'll see if your words match your actions. How's that?"
Chris smiled gratefully, "Thank you Captain," she said as she extended her hand, "I hope that in the future our boats will become friends rather than rivals."
Sig raised an eyebrow at that as he accepted her hand and shook it.
"Don't get carried away," he said as he squeezed her hand tighter, "Let's just see how this season goes, alright?"
Chris smirked, "If that's what you want."
Just as Chris turned to leave the wheelhouse, Sig called her back.
"Oh, and Cotter?" said Sig, "I think my son is rather taken with you…for now I'd like for you two to stay apart from one another…we'll see how the future goes, alright?"
Chris felt a wave of anger hit her. Her eyes flashed slightly and she quickly glanced away so he wouldn't see how much that irritated her.
But Sig had noticed. He narrowed his eyes slightly and tried to hide a smirk of amusement. Apparently she was falling for his son just as hard as Griffin was falling for her.
She steadied herself and forced her eyes to remain neutral when she turned to answer him.
"Okay…if that's what you want, I'll keep my distance."
She desperately wanted to argue with him and to tell him exactly what she thought about him telling his adult son who he could and couldn't see. But she knew that if she was going to end this age-old rivalry, she was going to have to stay calm and collected and respect his decisions.
Sig was rather surprised by her response. He half-expected her to whirl around and start yelling at him. He was somewhat impressed by her reaction to his order. Captains usually never took well to being given orders, especially from other captains. After she left the wheelhouse he nodded to himself and smiled.
"Alright…I guess she really is serious," he muttered to himself, "We'll just see how she does out on the sea…"
…
As Chris came down the stairs from the wheelhouse, the Northwestern crew gathered around her and began to ask her a million questions. She smiled and held up a hand to silence them.
"We talked…and I think he's willing to give me the benefit of the doubt," she said slowly, "He's going to see if I'm true to my word this season and then go from there."
Edgar looked shocked.
"He said that?" he asked in disbelief, "We are talking about the same guy here right?"
Chris laughed, "Yeah, Sig said that. I really have to go. My crew has to be wondering where I've run off to again."
Baylee went over and gave Chris a hug before she could escape.
"I'm sure things will work out," she murmured, "Just stay strong and have faith! We're here for you."
Chris shot her a grateful look as Jack rushed over to give her a hug too.
"Yeah, you're not so bad," she said with a wink.
Chris smirked as she made her way to the door.
"Thanks guys…I'll see you all after the season," she said as she walked back out onto the deck.
Griffin was standing on his toes, looking over the rest of the crew at Chris. He saw her leave and quickly made his way through the small crowd and followed her outside.
Matt nudged Norman and nodded in Griffin's direction.
"There goes trouble," he muttered.
Norman shook his head, "Those kids better be careful…Sig'll have both of their heads mounted on his wheelhouse wall if they're not!"
…
"Chris!"
Chris was just about to climb off the boat when she heard Griffin calling her name. She cast a wary glance up at the wheelhouse and then smiled slightly at Griffin.
"Hey," she said softly.
"I'm so glad things are working out!" he exclaimed, his blue eyes gleaming happily, "I mean…Dad just got us all together and talked to us about Jake and now he's talking to you? Things are looking up!"
Chris' eyes widened at that, "Wow…I can't believe he talked to you guys about Jake. That is a really good sign!"
Griffin was practically bouncing up and down he was so happy. Chris couldn't help but smirk in amusement as she watched him.
"Hey, Griff?" she asked, her face falling slightly.
Griffin stopped fidgeting and gave her a concerned look when he saw the sadness in her eyes.
"What is it?" he asked softly as he reached out to lift her chin up.
Chris took a step back immediately and her heart tightened when she saw the upset and confused look on Griffin's face.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, "But…we can't see each other."
Griffin gave her the most despairing and confused look as he took a step back, shocked by what she had said.
"Griff…"
"This is my Dad's doing isn't it?" he asked bitterly.
Chris sighed and reached out to him, but he pulled away.
"No, don't Chris," he muttered, "I don't want to get you in trouble."
Chris frowned and was surprised to feel tears beginning to form in her eyes. She hadn't felt this way for anyone in a very long time and it was killing her to push him away.
"I'm sorry," she said, trying to keep her emotions in check, "I just can't risk going against what he said. I want to make things better between our families…then maybe we can see each other."
Griffin nodded, not meeting her gaze as he turned to go back into the galley.
Chris ran a hand through her hair and angrily wiped the tears from her eyes. She climbed off the boat and
walked down the dock, looking down at the ground and holding her parka close to her.
Meanwhile, in the wheelhouse….Sig had seen and heard the entire exchange…
…
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Thanks so much to everyone who is reading and reviewing!!
I'm gonna go ahead and post another chapter…it'll be shorter than this one but it'll have some pivotal things in it!!
