A/N - Life is about to get busy (2 jobs), but I'll try to keep up with updates as much as possible. Hope y'all enjoy this one! And please, let me know you're thoughts. ;)

Chapter 7

After the sharp winds in the exterior cockpit, the warmth of the cabin office felt like a warm hug. Yumi's closeness helped with that too. She had escorted Sachiko below, only releasing her hand while they were descending the ladder. Whether or not it was a precaution in case Sachiko took another tumble, Sachiko didn't rightly care and she dared not ask or else risk Yumi's withdrawal. Sadly though Yumi let her hand drop once they were in the safety of the cabin.

"Follow me up here." Leading the way, Yumi ascended a few shallow steps to the right of the staircase that led below. Sachiko followed as she walked to one of the light tables and smoothly switched it on. From a shelf below the table, Yumi pulled out a stack of clear plastic maps, each marked with symbols, diagrams, and equations that Sachiko couldn't begin to decipher.

Seeing the content of the maps, Sachiko turned a quizzical eye on Yumi. "You can read and understand all this?" Pointing to one of the maps Yumi had set aside, specifically to the long equation written to the left of the map.

"Hmm?" Yumi hummed distractedly, glancing from the stack she was sifting through to the one in Sachiko's hands. With a grin, Yumi nodded. "Of course. I wrote that, after all."

"What is it?" Too curious not to ask, Sachiko pressed in close so Yumi could see it clearly as well.

"Oh, it's just a bit of trigonometry to estimate how many Thunnus Albacares are potentially in this span of ocean near Fiji from early March to late April. Taking into consideration migration patterns, estimated spawning rates, fishing capacity limits in the surrounding areas, and varying weather patterns." Taking the map smoothly from Sachiko's hands, Yumi studied it with a gleam of amusement in her eyes.

"Oh, is that all?" Sachiko rolled her eyes with a laugh. "And here I thought it was complicated. What's so funny?"

In answer, Yumi shrugged and placed the map to the side. "Oh, just remembering something funny Courtney said while we were conducting that survey."

Hearing another woman's name come from Yumi's lips had Sachiko taking a mental step backward. "Oh- uh- Really? What was it?"

Shaking her head, Yumi laughed, not a bit in tune with Sachiko's sudden trepidation. "Something about wondering if the fish were yellow bellied as well as finned."

While Yumi giggled at the memory, Sachiko merely looked on, completely oblivious to the humor. Noticing her misstep, Yumi backtracked. "Oh, sorry. Thunnus Albacares is also known as Yellowfin Tuna. We were struggling to locate one of their schools and so Courtney made the observation that they were yellow-bellied as well."

Fish humor- Sachiko had to laugh, not because she thought the joke was all that funny, but merely because Yumi seemed to get such joy from a fish joke. Her interests really had changed in the time they had been apart.

Again, Yumi shook her head and waved it off, obviously embarrassed by how much she enjoyed the maritime humor. "You kind of get used to Courtney's humor. She's from Alabama - or 'Bama, as she likes to say - and some of what she says just goes straight over my head."

With a non-committal laugh, Sachiko tried to act nonchalant as she asked, "Oh really? Is Courtney a coworker then?"

With a smirk, Yumi flopped her hand back and forth. "Eh, I guess you could kind of say that. I've known her for about three years now, in both professional and personal environments."

"Ah, okay." While Yumi's response didn't depress Sachiko, it also didn't give her cause to celebrate either. Of course, I didn't expect that she lived under a rock these seven years, but I never imagined I had reason to be jealous.

Yumi, completely oblivious to Sachiko's train of thought, finally seemed to find the map she was looking for, flourishing it with a triumphant flick of her wrist. "Aha! Here it is." Spreading it out atop the light table, Yumi grabbed four small weights and placed them on each corner of the map. Stepping back, she grinned down at the map and gestured for Sachiko to take a closer look.

Still distracted by thoughts of unknown women in Yumi's life, Sachiko stepped closer to see a meticulously drawn island. While Sachiko didn't know enough to be able to tell the exact size, she guessed that it was relatively small. At the top of the map was scrawled one word, Saorsa. Pointing to it she asked, "What's this?"

"Ah, that's the name of the island. Saorsa, meaning freed or freedom." The look of pride on Yumi's face was unmistakable.

"Saorsa," Sachiko tried the word out, testing and retesting the sounds until she had successfully uttered the name. Shaking her head, she looked at Yumi, obviously confused. "I've never heard of such an island."

Yumi nodded her agreement. "No, you wouldn't have." A slight flush tinted her cheeks and she rubbed the back of her neck anxiously. "It's - uh - Private property."

"Really?" Looking between the map and Yumi, she raised an eyebrow in a silent question. When Yumi either tried to ignore it or didn't notice, she voiced it. "Privately owned by whom?"

"Oh, the scientific co-op that I belong to." Moving to the opposite side of the table, Yumi grabbed a dry erase marker and uncapped it with her teeth. Leaning over the edge of the table she circled an area near an outcropping that appeared to be docks. Letting the cap drop into her free hand, Yumi explained, "We live here, near the main docks where ninety-five percent of our commerce takes place. Actually, many of us do." She then circled a larger area that encompassed roughly one-fifth of the island. "Most of the co-op lives and operates out of this area."

"Really?" It seemed that Yumi was rather passionate about her co-op so Sachiko wanted to know more. "How many are part of the co-op?"

Leaning her head to the side in thought, Yumi scrunched her face in such an adorable way that Sachiko had to giggle. With a laugh of her own, Yumi asked, "What?"

"Nothing," Sachiko tried to wave it off. "You still sometimes make the most adorable faces."

With a groan, Yumi lowered her head to the table and covered herself with her arms. "No! Nothing adorable here!"

Leaning over the table toward Yumi, Sachiko gingerly lifted one of her deceptively muscular arms until she could see one of Yumi's warm chocolate eyes blinking up at her. "You can hide all you want, but the adorableness will still linger." The tips of Yumi's ears burned red and in her continued silence Sachiko remembered a question she wanted to ask. "You said we."

"Hmm?"

"You said we. We live here. That's what you said when you circled your house. Are- Are you living with-"

Just then a loud crackling static sounded from behind Yumi followed by a shrill alert.

Cringing away from the noise, Sachiko covered one ear. "What is that unholy sound?"

"Reality," Yumi answered with an apologetic smile. "I have to take this. It's probably work-related. If you want to go on down, I'll be down in a while to make dinner."

Having the sneaky suspicion that Yumi was trying to get rid of her, either because of the question she had been attempting to ask or the call coming in she didn't know. Reluctant though she was to leave, she couldn't very well demand to be privy to Yumi's calls, so she gracefully backed toward the stairs. "If it means that awful noise will stop, I will go."

As she began descending the stairs to the cabin below she heard muffled voices but refused to allow herself to eavesdrop. There was still much she didn't know about Yumi, but that would be no way to try to regain her trust.

Throwing herself onto the loveseat, Sachiko groaned loudly at the ceiling. "Well, it's fairly obvious that she's living with someone, but does that mean living with someone or living with someone?" Taking a throw pillow in hand, she muffled a scream as she vented her frustration to the multi-colored thread and the stuffing within. Pulling the pillow down to her chest and closing her eyes, she tried to pull herself together. Honestly, given everything she had done to Yumi, things had gone far better than she should have expected. Yumi was actually going to give her a chance. Sachiko just hadn't thought that she would be in competition for Yumi's affection.

Trying to calm her breathing she thought back to earlier above when the wind had sent her on a collision course with the deck below. Her cheeks instantly flushed at the memory of how it had felt to be caught and then pressed so close to Yumi. The strength, yet gentleness of Yumi's hands as they had held and protected her sent a pleasant shiver to long-dormant regions. Even the rocking of the boat and the violent winds couldn't keep Sachiko from seeing the beauty of that moment and from feeling the excitement of having Yumi between her legs. Although, it wasn't in the way her body craved.

Groaning at the aching of her core, Sachiko silently berated herself. Yoko had once teased her that she could employ the assistance of a toy to play out a fantasy with Yumi in her mind. Only twice had she attempted it. The first time she had been so drunk that she had no memory of it and the second she had been so sober that the embarrassment of thinking of Yumi in that way dried up the well before Sachiko had been sated.

No, Sachiko shook her head at herself. It wasn't embarrassment. It was simply the fact that there could be no substitute for Yumi in Sachiko's mind, not even the fanciest dildo on the market. Now, if it were Yumi wielding the di- Sachiko didn't allow herself to finish the thought. It was no use anyway. She knew there would be no relief on her own and after years she was fine with that.

Up until the previous year she had very little inclination to even ponder the more physical side of relationships. Sachiko could honestly say that no person, man or woman, really did much of anything for her. Except for Yumi. There was something about her that took those urges that had long ago gone into hiding and just kicked in the door like a gunslinger at high noon, more than ready for some action. Only, just as there had been no action back then, there could be no action now either. If this trip were simply about sex she would have done far more to entice Yumi into bed by now. "No, this isn't about sex." She said to herself. "Okay, this isn't all about sex," she admitted to herself with a chuckle. Of course, she wanted to pin that woman down and let the years of loneliness and want drive the moment. "Who wouldn't? She's strong, smart, sexy - I mean, those arms! And don't get me started on her legs and ass! And honestly, I would never complain about waking up ever again if I could wake up to those abs every morning. God, help me…" Sachiko knew in her heart she needed to slow her roll. There was so much ground and time to make up with Yumi that rushing into anything too physical could potentially spell out disaster. No, she wanted this, whatever they managed to build, to last for the remainder of their lives. So, she would wait, and hopefully one day she would gain the privilege of tasting Yumi for the first time.


Yumi waited until she saw Sachiko's head disappear into the stairwell before pressing the button to acknowledge the call. "Go for the Artemis."

"Girl, I was fixin' to come out ther' and hunt ya down like I would a wild turkey if ya didn't pick up again. Where in the blazin' heck are ya?" Yumi had to smile at the lazy country draw her friend created with her Alabama twang. When she had first met the boisterous country darling Yumi hadn't a clue how to decipher the words coming out of her mouth. Now, she didn't even have to think.

"Nice to talk to you too, Courtney."

"Well, of course, it's good talkin' to ya. I'd think at this point in our lives that would go without sayin'. I swear, ya ain't got one lick of sense do ya?"

Laughing, Yumi shook her head. "Nope, not one. Now, how are my girls?"

"As ornery as a couple a' old curmudgeonly tabby cats in a china shop."

"... You're going to have to elaborate, C."

"No sense and no imagination, fine fine. Rory is good though you know she just eats up all the extra attention around her when you're away."

"Sounds like Rory." Yumi grinned. "Is she eating okay? You aren't rolling over for her doe eyes, are you?"

Sounds of indignation echoed along the line. "I ain't rollin' over for any kinda eye sent my way."

"Sure, sure. Okay, then how about Remy? Is she feeling any better?"

"Remy is actually why I was calling."

Yumi's stomach clenched. "What? Is she worse?"

"No, no. Don't ya worry none. Zahra was able to find the medications you described. Remy is doin' much better now. Mad as all get out and pitchin' a fit whenever Zahra tries to get near her though." Courtney chuckled and Yumi could imagine the short spitfire of a woman shaking her head. "Ya see, she didn't seem to like that shot Zahra gave her and now seems to think our Egyptian friend is out to stick her again."

Relieved to hear that Remy was doing better, Yumi let the urgency she had been feeling to get home quickly lessen a bit. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to care for Remy myself."

"We all understand and deep down the girls do, too. Don't ya worry your pretty lil head over them. They got good people on the lookout for their well-being while their mama bear is away."

Sighing in relief, Yumi found herself nodding again despite being alone. "Thank you, C."

"Yeah, sure, no worries. Oh, when's mama Fukuzawa returnin?"

"I spoke to her a few days back. She should beat me back to the island. Is construction on the pad complete yet?"

"Nearly, I reckon. As long as this weather holds true, I'd venture to guess that it'll be done on time."

"Good to hear. That'll make trips like this one easier."

Courtney scoffed. "Right, like ya have any intention of ever leavin' the Artemis behind while ya galavant about. That boat might as well be attached to your ass."

"Now that would just be uncomfortable."

Cackling filled the line as Yumi grinned. She had missed her friend in the three weeks she had been away. Yes, being on her boat was great, but she was starting to see more and more the appeal of being at home with those she loved near at hand. It might be that the change in her job was a blessing in disguise, but that would only prove itself with time.

"Alright, when will your smartass show up here in dock? Ya know the ladies will wanna welcome ya back in style."

"Uh, maybe hold off on the confetti and parties this time, huh? I'm not actually alone."

Silence and then, "Huh, uh, whu? I'm right confused, Yumi. Why ain't ya alone?"

"Um, you know that friend I told you about? The one who I hadn't spoken to since she got married?" She gripped the phone anxiously, not knowing how her friend would react to the news that she was bringing Sachiko to the island.

"Oh, yeah, the hussy with questionable taste and principles? What about- No! Fer real?! Hot diggity! Did ya storm the castle and carry off your lady love afta all?"

"Oh hush! And- Wait! I never told you anything negative about Sachiko - only that we lost touch. Why does it seem to me that you know more than that?" Yumi paused, waiting to hear her answer, yet knowing Courtney would simply bullshit her way through the explanation.

"Oh, Yumi, it's like I'm always tellin' ya - Ya gotta read between the lines for them hidden plots. What's on the page isn't always the whole story. Ya gotta use your imagination to figure the full story. Beef it up a bit, make it more interestin', ya know?"

Case and point. Rubbing her eyes, Yumi hung her head. "Remind me again how you managed to get a college degree?"

"Simple - I kept my professors entertained with my unique perspectives on the texts."

"Right, and I slept my way onto the Dean's List." Yumi huffed, rolling her eyes and trying to refocus on the topic at hand. "Now, we're still roughly eight days out but with good headwinds, we might make it there sooner."

"Alrighty, duly noted. I'll keep the girls occupied until you get back. Then I think it'll be my turn for some relaxation."

"C," Yumi couldn't keep the amused exasperation from her voice. "We live on a freakin' island. I don't think relaxation will be hard to achieve."

At that, Courtney blew a raspberry into the phone, nearly blowing out Yumi's eardrum. "Thank goodness fer that, right? Well, I best be gettin' gone here, but keep in touch. If ya blow somethin' up while you're out there, let me know so I can have a good ole laugh."

"Some days I think I should have left you in Tampa where I found you."

"Ah, lies just don't suit ya, Yumi." Courtney laughed. "C, signing off."

"Yeah, yeah. Bye." Yumi smiled as she disconnected. Hearing that the girls were safe definitely helped to relieve some of the tension that had been building in Yumi's gut, but a new tension was right there to replace it.

Leaning forward over the light table, Yumi glanced toward the stairs. "How the hell do I tell her?"

A/N - lol Thoughts on Courtney? :) I know a few might ask so, yes, she is an original character. Can't wait to hear y'all's thoughts on this one! Have a blessed weekend!