Next day

Luckily or unluckily for Heinrich Bismarck got dressed again after they woke up at the morning. Luckily, because the risk of fainting wasn't threatening him anymore, but also unluckily because, you know… He had to admit that the sight of Bismarck only in a bra and panties wasn't bad at all.

No need to say that the awakening, the morning and the rest of Christmas Day was a bit awkward for him. Still they had a good day. Bismarck improved her heating system for it got really cold out there. Ice covered many of her parts, the deck, the masts, the radar antennas the chains of the anchors etc. Whenever Heinrich went outside he always wore his long coat, scarf and leather gloves.

But the environment was just as beautiful as cold it was. The place was quiet, there were only a few clouds in the sky, a thin layer of snow covered the mountainsides and the cold water of the fjord was soothingly gurgling on the rocky shore.

However his mind wasn't quiet at all, it was ticking all the time. And it was ticking around Bismarck. In short whenever he thought of her he felt his stomach cramping. He has never experienced something like that before and he couldn't explain it to himself.

"Must be getting sick. Guess I've got cold." he tried to convince himself. But was that a correct diagnosis? He didn't have any other symptoms. "Sure, it's just lurking inside me by now." He was repeating it to himself while he was walking up and down in his cabin or up on the deck.

He didn't want to get sick, especially because he didn't want to miss the night in Bergen. It surely would be fun. And he'll go with Bismarck. He'll go with her to a more elegant occasion than last time. He was excited but also a bit…confused.

"Why is my heart speeding up?" he asked himself as the hours melted away. Sometimes only the clock helped him to know which part of the day it was for there in the north there is not too many sunlight in a day in winter.

"Maybe we should start to prepare, so we can easily arrive in time." stated Heinrich around 17:00 p.m.

"You have a point." said Bismarck. "Go ahead and change first, it's okay with me."

"As you think." replied Heinrich and went inside his cabin. Bismarck was waiting outside in the saloon, mainly just watching the flames of the fireplace, until he returned. She looked at him and it was obvious that she liked what she saw. He definitely knew how to dress. He wore his black suit what he bought for himself in Bergen with a white shirt and a steel colored tie.

"It fits you well boy, do you know about that?" she thought. "You look… really good." she said to him.

"Thank you Bismarck. Go ahead, it's your turn." gestured Heinrich to the entrance of the cabin.

"Oh, you're right." Bismarck shook her head and went inside with spry steps and closed the door behind her. She took her new dress from the wardrobe and looked at it. It looked nice but how will it look on her? And what will Heinrich say? He never saw her in anything but her shirt and skirt. "Is that really important for me? His opinion? Why do I care about it so much?" she was thinking like this. "Oh screw it!"

Saloon

Heinrich was standing outside with her hands behind his back, watching the moving pendulum of the brass wall clock.

"Why are the seconds so tantalizing?"

Then the door cabin opened. Heinrich turned there and he forgot to breathe for a second at the moment he saw Bismarck.

The deep red strapless dress went down just over her knees, accentuating every curve and swell. Its décolletage let a view on her chest and shoulders. Her blond hair was thrown behind her ears, highlighting the blue of her eyes. And there were her original black heels and her slim legs without the stockings.

Heinrich had to fight to prevent his jaw from dropping as he stared at her, but still this fight was visible on him and it enlightened Bismarck a bit.

"He likes it?" thought Bismarck and as she walked she gave a slight twirl that showed the V-cut which was showcasing about half of her back.

It was nearly too much for a fallible male like Heinrich. He wasn't ashamed to say that the battleship looked dead beautiful.

For a half minute they both let their eyes to roam the other's form.

"W-What do you think?" questioned Bismarck.

"Whaa…? It's very handsome." said Heinrich after he regained his consciousness. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

"Thanks." she replied. For some unknown reason she felt that her cheeks became warmer than they were a second ago. "You look nice as well if I may say."

"Thank you too. So? Can we leave?"

"S-Sure thing."

Again, they went to Brekke by foot and there they took the bus to Bergen. Early at the evening they've got to the restaurant we've got to know earlier.

It was still full of Christmas decorations. However the table wares were much more elegant this time.

All the peoples inside wore dresses and suits so our friends weren't oddballs in their clothes.

On the stage a string quartet played the music.

This time the waiters were having fun too. They weren't working that night as there was a smorgasbord and everyone could eat as much they could.

Heinrich and Bismarck settled down at a table out of the way after they've got food for themselves.

Heinrich liked this secluded place not just because it was less crowded but because it was more private too.

He noticed when they arrived that some of the younger men forgot their eyes on Bismarck as they passed near them. Of course a stunning lady like her was bound to turn a few heads, but it was still annoying. But there they could find relative calm.

"How are you feeling?" Heinrich asked Bismarck while he took a bite from the potato salad.

"It's a bit more… elevated than last time."

"And is it good or bad for you?"

"Interesting mostly. You humans sure know how to entertain yourselves."

"Well, we try our best."

"By the way, I'm grateful for bringing me again."

"It goes without saying Bismarck." replied Heinrich. "You are the only one I have now and you gave me a life more free than the life on the land nowadays. I'm grateful to you too. Even if it wasn't your original goal."

"Yeah…" she mumbled.

"We are shipmates now and it requires us to care about each other. And not just that, you… recently you became very sympathic for me. Somehow you became one of my… "best friends" ever. Or what do you think personally? Is this a friendship?"

"I can't really tell." said Bismarck. "But it's true that your company is probably the best thing ever happened to me during my existence."

"I don't really know what the best definition could be."

"Neither I."

"By the way, I didn't even thank you that you saved me yesterday so far." mentioned Heinrich. "I think we both know what would have happened if you hadn't reacted quickly."

"Like you said: it goes without saying Heinrich. If I lost you I… I… I don't know what I would do then." she said looking directly in his eyes.

"But it didn't happen thank to you. And I will be eternally beholden for that."

"Oh, don't tell me things like that." she giggled. "You know exactly that I still don't have good answers under my belt."

"Why would I stop saying things like this?" he asked and smiled back. "Then I wouldn't see your face being so cute like now."

"What the… What did you just say? Don't say stupid things boy?"

"Learn to accept the praises, they don't tell them to you without reason."

"If you say so."

"However there's a little bad feeling inside me too. We sank Wales on the day of Christmas Eve. That'… just not okay for me."

"She wasn't aware of these things."

"You're right but still. It shouldn't have happened yesterday or today or between Christmas and New Year's Eve at all."

"Okay, I see you point, but…"

"I wonder if there is life after death for mental models?"

"Life after death? How could it be possible?" asked Bismarck in curiosity.

"You know, the body, the flesh and bones are not everything."

"I don't understand."

"You will Bismarck."

Slowly they finished their dinners like others in the restaurant. At first peoples were listening to the live music and then some of them moved toward the dance floor. Bismarck and Heinrich watched them as they followed the rhythms of the slower and faster pieces. The awkward situation happened between them when they both knew what the other was thinking about but they felt too embarrassed to speak up. When he couldn't bare it anymore Heinrich finally broke the silence.

"Do you want to…?" he asked and pointed with his head at the floor.

"Why not?" answered Bismarck as soon as he finished the sentence.

He stood up and offered his hand, she took it and he led her through the rows of tables. There was a break between two tracks when they arrived at the floor. The quartet continued with a pretty balanced one, it wasn't too fast and it wasn't too slow. Bismarck placed her left hand on Heinrich's shoulder and her right hand in his left hand, while Heinrich laid his right hand on her waist. As a part of her back was uncovered, now he touched her bare skin which made his heart beating even harder than before.

They moved up and down for minutes and they truly enjoyed it. Bismarck liked dancing; she felt that there isn't outside world, just the joy, her and… him.

A slower piece was the next.

"Ah, something sentimental." said Heinrich. "Listen, place your hands on my shoulders."

"Uhm… Alright." she replied and did what he said. Then he grabbed her over her hip. Feeling both of his hand on both sides of her waist somehow made her mind to speed up. Not to mention that now they stood even closer to the other and sometimes their bellies touched each other. As for Heinrich it caused lewd thoughts for him to feel the slim moving waist under the dress with his hands.

After about half an hour they returned to their table. Meanwhile his shoelace got unleashed and he had to stop.

"Go ahead I'll be there in a second." he told to Bismarck and kneeled down to fix the string.

"Who do I see?" he heard a familiar old voice. He looked up. It was the elderly man with his wife who they met at the Advent party. They were on their way to the floor when the old man noticed Heinrich and smiled at him.

"Oh! Good evening Sir!" Heinrich greeted him. "Do you remember me?"

"Of course I do son, you have a very characteristic face. Are you having fun tonight?"

"Yes Sir. How about you?"

"The same here. We've decided to dance a little bit in memory of the old days."

"Then enjoy yourselves." Heinrich wished for him and his wife.

"Thank you son." the man replied and they went on. "And give my regards to your girlfriend!" he turned back with a pone smile.

"I… wh… she's not…" he stuttered but the two elderly people have already disappeared in the crowd.

"Are you alright?" asked Bismarck when she noticed his expression. She was sitting again with a glass of white Rhenish Riesling in her hand.

"Yeah, everything is fine." said Heinrich and sat down. "I was just thinking."

"I see." Bismarck said with doubt in her voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" a voice sounded in the loudspeaker. It was the owner of the place standing on the stage. "First, let me wish you a Merry Christmas and I hope you're all having fun tonight. Secondly the time has come to the night's most waited event, the singing competition! If any of you want to give it a try pleas raise your hand."

"I'll go!" said a female voice from somewhere.

"Applause to her please!" the owner said and the crowd cheered.

The woman performed some Norwegian song Heinrich didn't know or understand. Actually, he didn't pay much attention to the performers after a while. He was staring at the nothing and his mind was somewhere else. The voice of the old man echoed in his head.

"Give my regards to your girlfriend!" To your girlfriend, to your girlfriend…

Let's think about the last weeks and months.

Half a year ago they met as bitter enemies, but they agreed on a "ceasefire". They were cold and distant to each other for weeks. Then slowly the music brought them a bit closer. Then they sat down at one table to eat lunch and dinner. They lived together by themselves on the ship in an abandoned part of the Sogne-fjord. Step by step they started to talk with each other in a more friendly way to the point when both of them enjoyed their conversations. He didn't notice for a while but Bismarck changed so much as if she was his fellow human. They've had a Christmas Eve together, she saved his life, just yesterday she slept by his side, she gave him company, consoled him when he needed it and understood him. And now they are sitting and dancing together in a restaurant and having fun for Christmas.

Heinrich smiled. He could see like him like this every night. He was satisfied, safe and had a beautiful girl with her.

"Wait! I thought she is… beautiful?"

Well, naturally she was beautiful. Especially now. He looked at her. At her crossed legs, her arms, body, neck and head. She was tall, had sparkling blue eyes, long, flowing blond hair and a face what still reminded him of what it had before: a Valkyrie.

His mind collected and registered all these thoughts.

Could it be…

He was interrupted by another big clapping. He looked up and saw a mid-aged man walking down from the stage.

"Thank you sir!" the restaurant owner said. "Anybody else?"

"Here I am!" Heinrich raised his hand. It would be better to do something before he goes crazy.

As he climbed up to the stage he shook hands with the owner.

"Good evening young man. May I ask your name?"

"Heinrich Wenzel." said Heinrich to the loudspeaker.

"Good. And what would you like to perform for us?"

"Do you have a guitar here?"

"Of course we have." the bandmaster said and gave him the instrument.

"Thank you." nodded Heinrich and sat down on a chair.

What should he play? He decided to choose the masterpiece of Bob Dylan, The times they are a changin'. As he finished it he got a so huge applause he never had before.

"Again! Again!" the people were chanting.

"Really Herr Wenzel. Could you play us one more song for the end of the evening? You sure have a nice voice." said the owner.

"Would you like me to do it?" Heinrich asked the audience.

"YES!" they shouted as one person.

"Okay." he was thinking again. He noticed Bismarck in the back row with a smile on her face. She was so…

"Alright. I think I have to let it out. That one would be perfect." he thought and twanged the strings. The song was a slower one.

"Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?" he sang the song of Elvis Presley.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you.

"For I can't help falling in love with you."

At this last sentence he looked at Bismarck. She was staring at him with a slightly open mouth and a look which was full of emotions. The another applaud didn't even reach his brain.

He stood up when the owner thanked him again, so did the other present people who were about to go home.

In the mess Bismarck showed Heinrich that she'll wait outside the entrance. Heinrich didn't want to jostle, so he waited until everyone left. After that he also went outside.

Bismarck was standing before him looking right at him with the same look as a few minutes earlier. They were silent even when she stepped to him and hugged him tightly. He returned the gesture.

"Let's go." Heinrich finally said. "It's cold out here and it's more problematic for me than you." he said with a little laugh. The battleship nodded and they left the scene.

They still didn't say a word but after a few steps Heinrich felt Bismarck taking his hand and threading her fingers with his. A smirk grew on his face. They walked to the bus station, travelled with the bus and walked back to the ship like this.

"Look!" Bismarck pointed at the sky in direction of the bow when they were on board again. They saw green and blue gleam up there.

"Aurora borealis." said Heinrich. "I've never seen it before."

"Then come on." said Bismarck and led him to the compass platform. From there they had a perfect view.

The rays were waving and dancing on the starry sky. It was one of the most beautiful things people could ever imagine. It was heavenly. Heinrich wasn't really a religious man but he had a little faith.

They couldn't tell how long they were watching the phenomenon standing at the railing on the superstructure.

"It looks nice isn't it?" asked Bismarck turning her head toward Heinrich.

"It looks nice." repeated Heinrich.

"And it's caused by the lethal radiation of the Sun." added Bismarck and turned fully to Heinrich.

"Controversial like humans, right?" asked Heinrich and he did the same. He felt his whole body heating up like he was melting from inside. His heart was beating so fast that he was afraid that it would jump out of his chest. "I'm curious what the UFOs feel when they fly through it."

"What are UFOs?" asked Bismarck.

"Ich weiß es nicht. (I don't know.)" said Heinrich and there was no need to think anymore. They closed the distance between them at once; he touched her face under her ear and kissed her.

Normally Bismarck would have seen this as gaining information about humans. But even if it was totally new for her she didn't care, she locked her lips on his without hesitation, touching his upper arm and lacing her fingers around his neck, while he placed his other hand on her waist again keeping her pressed against him.

They continued the kiss as long they could then broke apart breathless at a loss of words. Yet, Bismarck opened her mouth and tried to say something.

"I know. I love you too." said Heinrich looking directly into her sparkling eyes.

Still speechless Bismarck smoothed his face.

"I think I know where I would sleep tonight. Any objections?" whispered Bismarck.

"Absolutely not." replied Heinrich with a smile and they went inside the ship hand in hand.