i know its been a long time since my last update, i promise the next one wont take so long. as always R&R. enjoy!

Chapter 12

"Play Time"

After three hours of cleaning the mess from the rogue wave I was voted out of the galley and ordered on no uncertain terms to go to bed. Carefully lying in the bunk my mind soared with images of the night before. The sound of chaos in the dark was unpleasant and had left an impact on my mind. The quietness of the boat without her engines running and the screams of terror left an impact in my mind and my heart. I now fully understood what dangers lie on the Bering Sea, and I knew when I got home I would worry about the men who make their living here. It wasn't enough the fishing itself was dangerous but, who knew waves could be as well. Finally after moments of realization, relief, and the stabbing pain in my side, I fell into a dreamless sleep.

To lazy to change out of my pajamas I made my way out of Sig's cabin . Slowly made my way into the galley and poured a large cup of coffee, being sure to add an abundance of sugar. Groggily I walked up the wheelhouse stairs. Paying no attention to random things still on the floor. The boat jumping up and down with every wave. The rogue wave still fresh in our minds as we trudged forward.

"How are we doing?" I asked, sipping the hot coffee from my cup as I approached a very tired looking Sig.

"Good, we are just about full. If our calculations are right." he said, taking a drag from the cigarette in his left hand. "Should be done by noon."

"And then what?" I asked.

"Then, we take the twelve hour trip to offload in Saint Paul Harbor."

The calculations began to go off in my head. Done by noon, twelve hour trip to the harbor.. So that's midnight…and.. I looked down to my fingers, silently counting.

"Katie?" Sigs voice broke my concentration.

"huh?" I looked up to him.

"What are you doing?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Counting how many hours I have left on the boat." I told him. "Because, I need to call and order my plane tickets." I added quickly.

"That's right you'll be getting off in Dutch." he said sadly. "Actually, you will need to add in the time it takes to offload in Saint Paul harbor."

I got the feeling he was stalling which was fine by me, trying to keep me here as long as possible and that was fine with me.

"Then we will take you to Dutch Harbor, it'll be easier for you to catch a plane out then."

"You don't have to waste time doing that." I tell him.

"It might be difficult for you to get out of Saint Paul right away. I'd feel better dropping you off in Dutch, then one of us can take you to the airport." He explained.

I nodded, it seemed like a good plan.

"How's your stomach?" he asked with concern.

"oh, its fine. Only hurts when I move." I tried to joke, hoping he wouldn't worry about it as much as the lines in his face told me otherwise. "I see you guys left part of the mess for me to clean up." I commented changing the subject quickly, looking at the various things still littering the floor.

"Yea, we just got enough cleaned up so we could work." He shrugged, not seeming to mind the mess. "We didn't think you would be up so soon, figured we could clean it up before you woke up."

"Uh huh, I doubt that, but thanks for the thought." I smiled. "Did you sleep at all last night?" I asked stopping to stand beside him. The coffee in my cup splashing from left to right as we hit the large waves.

"No, after we got hit by the wave and after the clean up I just don't have time to get sleep right now." he shrugged. "I'll probably catch a little sleep on our way to the harbor."

I nodded, setting my cup down briefly I took the cigarette offered by Sigs outstretched hand, lighting it I collected my thoughts with a sigh, trying to calm my nerves. Sitting on the other end of the wheel house I looked over the large wide open ocean. It was amazing how desolate the open water could make you feel. I wasn't ready to leave but the time was creeping closer. I watched them pull the last pot aboard, stacking it in the last available spot. Their season wasn't over but, mine was coming to a close. With the last pot aboard and the tanks stuffed the men cleaned off the deck and came in for some well deserved rest. I made my way down the stairs and into the galley surprise crossing my face when I found Jake still awake and sitting at the galley table as if waiting for something.

"Do you want something to eat?" I asked the obvious question.

"No."

"Why aren't you sleeping right now? You gotta be exhausted." I said, sitting across from him at the table. Setting my coffee cup in front of me.

"I don't know, I couldn't sleep."

"why not?"

"Thinking to much I guess." he shrugged, taking a long drag from the cigarette in his right hand.

"Anything you care to talk about?" I asked.

"Oh, I don't know." he sighed. "The guys have been getting on me a lot lately."

"I think that comes with the territory. I know its hard but you just have to ignore the bullshit, and do your job. They'd never say anything but, the guys do respect you for the work you've done. Eventually you won't be the low guy on the totem pole anymore, I promise." I told him, I wasn't very good with pep talks, as you may be able to tell. Shaking his head he smashed the cigarette butt into the ashtray.

"I don't know about all that, but thanks."

"Anytime." I nodded, watching him disappear into the dark stateroom. Looking to my right I spotted a camera man setting his gear down and looking for a place to rest. With limited bunks aboard they usually were on their own when it came to sleeping arrangements.

Keeping myself occupied for the time being I took inventory of the pantry while the crew slept. In order to make a list for the grocery store, they were low on supplies and would need to restock before their next run. The boat listing wildly back and forth made me wonder how everything in the pantry didn't find its way to the floor. The pain in my side growing from the gash, I finished the list and made my way back into the galley. Placing the list on the fridge by a magnet I looked down to find a noticeable bloodstain on the front of my shirt. Cursing under my breath I lifted my shirt just enough to find the red stained gauze. Coughing heavily from the flu that still infected my lungs only made the stabbing pain much worse. Knowing the gauze needed to be changed and not wanting to rudely wake one of the men up to change it I picked up the first aid kit I made my way to the wheelhouse and to Sig.

"I need help changing the dressing on my wound, please." I told him, scrunching my face from the pain.

Nodding Sig stood.

"Doesn't someone have to stay in the chair?" I asked with concern.

"It'll be alright, not like we are going down stairs." he said.

I lifted my shirt giving us better access to remove the blood-soaked gauze.

"How long have you been bleeding like this?" he asked, concern lining his face.

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Not like I was staring at it." Sucking in a breath when he began moving the gauze pad directly on the wound.

"Sorry." He apologized.

"Not your fault." I breathed.

"When you get back I think you should see a doctor." he told me his voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine, really."

"If the blood doesn't stop you won't be fine, you'll be dead."

I didn't see the severity of the wound yes it hurt, but it would heal on its own. Shrugging off his concern I waited for him to finish putting on the new gauze. Throwing the old gauze into the garbage he brushed his hands together. "All done." he smiled.

Nodding, I pushed the shirt down, knowing my favorite shirt was now ruined I sighed. Sig sat in the plush captains chair if you have to sit for hours on end you may as well be comfortable.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"Anything for you." He whispered so the cameras wouldn't pick it up. "Don't let me forget to grab a duffel bag for you so you won't be putting your clothes in garbage bags."

"Oh shit, that's right I don't have suit cases anymore."

"Are you excited to be going home?"

"Not really, not like I'm going home to anyone."

"Are you at least happy you came aboard?"

"Definitely." I nodded.

Standing for a few seconds he reached over to turn off the camera that was pointed toward us. Walking past me he also turned off the camera that was pointed toward the deck, not wanting audio to be captured.

"Are you allowed to do that?" I asked

"My boat." he smirked.

"Right."

Sitting down he took my right hand he looked up at me, the emotion in his eyes unreadable. Smiling I stared back at him as he lightly stroked my fingers with his. "I'm glad you're here too, I know it hasn't been easy."

"Its certainly been an adventure."

Carefully he pulled me onto his lap, making myself comfortable I took a deep breath. Slowly he ran his fingers over the gold cross necklace I wore. Studying it as he picked the small piece off of my chest. We didn't speak for quite awhile, truthfully nothing needed to be said. It had been a long time since I had been held like that, it was nice. My long hair brushed his arm as it supported my back. His right hand on the throttle we looked out over the ocean, listening to random radio chatter as we moved closer to the harbor. The sunlight finally breaking through the clouds. The waves slowly calming down. This was truly our moment, one I will forever remember. I looked to him, trying not to stare but something in his blue eyes enticed me. Smiling softly he leaned over to lightly brush his lips with my own. Closing my eyes slowly I let the moment take me. Wrapping my arms around his neck his hand left the throttle to wrap around my waist. Careful of the gash his hand finding its way to my hip. Slowly he deepened the kiss, when he pulled away the tingling sensation in my body didn't stop.

"You think you could get away for a little while?" I asked softly with a mischievous grin.

"No, I promised Norman at last four hours before I woke him up to take over." His voice full of irritation and disappointment as he leaned his forehead against my cheek.

"Too bad." I sighed.

"Indeed."

Taking a deep breath I moved to stand from his lap.

"Where do you think your going?" he asked, tightening his grip on my waist.

"If I don't stop this now I won't be able to. I'll take you here right on the wheelhouse floor and with my luck someone will wander up here at just the wrong time." I explained.

"That's okay with me." he smirked with a wink, his usually light blue eyes clouding with lust as they changed to a dark blue hue right before my very eyes.

"I'm sure it is." I chuckled, licking my suddenly dry lips. Leaning over I pressed my lips to his hard. Running my fingers over his cheeks I could feel the butterflies in my stomach, the pure electricity when our lips met was enough for me to never want to let him go. Our tongues locked in an epic battle for dominance. One hand rested on my neck while the other found its way into my long dark hair. He pulled away for a few seconds, trying to catch his breath. I chose that moment to make my escape. When I moved to get up his grip became tighter.

"Nice try."

"I thought so." I shrugged. The futile attempt somehow made me feel antsy. I looked up spotting a small picture of his family. Seemed every time I turned around I would see one. The feeling of pleasure was now transformed into guilt. 'he's not with her anymore' my head repeated over and over again. His lips unexpectedly met mine again, overriding any feeling of guilt I had felt. I couldn't explain the feeling I got when we kissed but it was nothing less of pure magic. In movies they talk about how when you'll meet the right one you'll know, and your "true" soul mate is out there. I never believed any of those lines until this moment. I could feel his hands slowly moving southward from my neck. When he got to just above my chest I grabbed his hand, pulling away from him reluctantly I looked at him. "We can't.." I whispered, my forehead leaning against his.

"I know." he whispered back. "I just…."

"I know." I nodded. I knew what he wanted and I'd be a complete liar if I didn't say I wanted that too. If we were alone on the boat it would be all systems go but, with other souls aboard there was no way to accomplish our goal with no doors on the wheelhouse to keep them out.

"I tell you what, when Norman comes to relieve you why don't you come find me and we will continue our …..?" I trailed off trying to find the right word. "fling." I spoke biting my lower lip.

He thought about it for a long minute before finally speaking up. "Fine." he huffed, reaching for the cigarette pack on the counsel before him.

"You won't forget will you?" I asked sheepishly

"No way." he said, shaking his head.

"I should go, let you concentrate on driving the boat."

"Stay for awhile. Besides I don't really need to concentrate until we get near the harbor, anyway."

"You sure? I'm not poking you am I?" looking around suddenly.

"Only in the right places." He smirked causing me to blush a heavy hue of red.