Finally an update,right? Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to The New Adventures of Sinbad - all this recognition goes to the Creator, Ed Naha.

"You look confused", Anders observed. He was sitting next to Riley in the galley and spoke quiet enough for only him to hear. He and a few of the crew were gathered within the room, just finishing up their midday meal. Throughout the meal, he couldn't help but notice Riley's gaze go from Bryn, to his plate and then to Sinbad.

"I don't get those two." Riley whispered with a point pf his knife in Bryn's direction. He glanced at Anders and he could tell his current roommate wasn't sure what he was referring to. "Everyone here on this ship knows they are…together, yet most of the time they are so apart. From a stranger's eyes, you couldn't tell they were interested in one another. They are not even sitting beside each other", he whispered.

Ander did not miss the hint of annoyance dripping from Riley's last words. He wondered what his issue was. "I don't think they need to be beside each other all the time to tell one another that they are interested."

Riley shook his head, "They don't even share a room". He thought that was ridiculous. If I had a woman that I claimed to love living on my ship, she damn well will be sharing my bed, he thought to himself. "Something is not right there."

Anders shrugged, "I think you a reading into nothing." He continued to eat his meal. "Plus, what do you know? You've only been on this ship for about a week?"

Riley looked at Anders, not at all happy with his tone. "You forget I know Sinbad longer than that and I am guessing longer then you."

Anders pushed the last bit of his meal into his mouth and stood up. Before walking away, he bent his head low towards Riley ear, "How long have you known Bryn?" He pointed out quietly. He already knew the answer to that and straightened his back, stepping away from the table and Riley to wash his plate.

xxxx

Bryn was half listening to Firouz when she saw the interaction at the other end of the table. It was between Anders and Riley; they were talking amongst themselves and Anders did not look at all pleased. She saw annoyance on his features as he walked towards the galley's sink. She stole a quick glance at Riley and saw him looking at him with the same look of irritation. Anders moved to leave. Bryn excused herself from the table and followed Anders out.

"Hey!" She caught his attention. "Are you okay?"

Anders continued to walk towards his cabin and spoke as Bryn walked alongside him, "I'm fine". He saw her look at him, unsure of his answer and waiting for more. It didn't take long for them to reach his cabin. He opened up the door for her, "Come on in."

She entered and left the door open, watching Anders take a seat on the edge of his bed. He let out a heavy breath. She took a seat across from him, where Riley slept in the shared room. "It's Riley isn't it? He is getting to you," she quietly stated more then asked.

"He just won't stop talking." Anders explained. "Don't get me wrong, I love a good conversation. There is just something about him that irritates me so. He asks too many questions, most of which are none of his business and his is quick to judge."

"I think he is really bored on the ship." Bryn shared her thought. The only order Sinbad has given him was to stay out of the way. "Don't worry, we will be in Port James in a few days and you will get your own cabin back to yourself."

Anders looked at her from across the room, shaking his head. "Not if Sinbad finds himself another passenger in the next port."

"You know that is not how he usually does business."

"Any business is good business, right? I've heard Doubar mumble that a couple times." Anders expressed.

Bryn smiled, "Just a few more days," she repeated. She stood up and ruffled his hair teasingly, "Hang in there."

"I wouldn't mind if the passenger was a beautiful lady for once." Anders joked. "In that case, I wouldn't mind sharing this cabin at all."

Bryn laughed, "She could be just as talkative, just as opinionated."

"I think I would know of a good way to get her to stop talking." Anders smiled with a wink.

Amused, Bryn kept her mouth shut and shook her head as she aimed for the door. Anders will be just fine, she mused to herself.

"Bryn, wait." He stopped her, gently grabbing her hand. He let go as soon as she turned to him. "He's been asking about you mainly. About your powers, where you came from, and he questions…"

"Questions what?" Bryn urged him on.

"Your relationship with Sinbad," He finished. He stood up to meet her eyes. "I didn't say much to answer. I just thought you should know".

"Oh." Bryn didn't know what to say.

"It's odd isn't it?"

A nod of her head told Anders that she agreed with him. She couldn't help but have her own questions about Riley. Something didn't make sense the second he boarded the ship. She decided any questions she had she would ask him herself. "Thank you for telling me, Anders." She excused herself.

xxxx

Sinbad exhaled deeply with his hands folded behind his head. It was already late into the night on The Nomad and he was laying in his bed, unable to sleep. He studied the wooden panels above his head; thinking about the person who he knew was up on deck at this late hour. He wished she wasn't up there, following orders, fulfilling her shift. In truth, he wished she was with him right now, laying down next to him.

He thought about the last night they fell asleep together in Carthage. She had a nightmare and when she woke up with scream, it startled him awake. He thought someone was threatening her life. That night, he was calming his heart down just as he was soothing her own from her dream. He wondered if she's had anymore since then. He realized since they got back on the ship she hasn't crawled into his bed in the middle of the night just as he hasn't sought her out in her own cabin. He let out a frustrated sigh, thinking about what he was afraid of. He knew exactly what it was. He loves her and he knew every part of him wants to physically show her, but before doing so, he needed to tell her. He needed to tell her soon and Port James is where he decided to do it; away from interruptions, away from distractions and away from the crew.

"Oh hell!" Frustrated, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. He gave up on falling asleep, he's mind would not be quiet.

xxxx

Up on deck, the hatch was left open and movement caught her attention. She was surprised to see him. He walked towards her and stopped right in front of the tiller. There was a brief moment of silence as they stood there and looked at each other. She wondered what he was thinking. "Hi."

"Hi," Sinbad greeted her. He thought she looked good steering his ship but at the same time felt that it didn't seem right. He took steps to stand right next to her, "Let go." He instructed gently.

Bryn stared at him in disbelief, gripping on to the tiller a little tighter, "Don't tell me I am doing this wrong. I don't need another lesson." She defended herself, thinking how the crew must think she is incompetent to steer the damn ship. "I can do this!"

Sinbad smiled at her strong will, "I have no doubt of it, sweetheart. I just insist that I hold onto it while I am up here with you." Some part of him didn't feel it was right that she would be holding the tiller as he stood by to just watch. She is a member of his crew, but she was different. "Think of it is a break."

The endearment surprised her, but she wasn't going to let go that easy. He would not be giving other crew members this arrangement unless they needed it. "I don't need a break."

"Bryn," he warned her, "Listen to your Captain." He joke gently with a smile, he inched closer to her, waiting for her to move.

She complied and let the topic go as well as the tiller. She watched him take his stance on the tiller as she seen him do hundreds of times. This was more natural to her as well. "Can't sleep?"

"You can say that. My mind seems to be restless tonight." He relaxed his shoulders and stole a glance at her. "I hope you don't mind the company?"

"Of course I don't mind." Bryn replied. He smiled at her response. "So, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Help?"

"Your mind is restless." Bryn repeated his words. "Perhaps I can help?"

Sinbad stared at her thinking that she had no idea what she was offering. She would be the only person to be able help him considering his mind had only thoughts of her earlier in the evening. For a moment he didn't know what to say. He had to clear his throat, "I am actually looking forward to going back to Port James. It's been a long time since we've been there; long before you joined the crew."

"Did you have many friends there?" She asked curiously; immediately thinking of women that he may have been friendly with, like in the many other ports they've come across.

"Some." Sinbad nodded his head. "The people there were always very kind to any visitors".

"I am sure they are." Bryn looked towards the moonlit sea. She felt his gaze on her. When she finally glanced back at him, she caught a hint of a smile on his face. "What?"

He was admiring her standing there in the moonlight and he got caught. "You're beautiful," he simply stated. He wanted to reach out and pull her towards him, but he was preoccupied with the tiller.

Bryn smiled at the compliment, caught off guard by his words. She mumbled a thank you just as they both heard another pair of boots walking towards them.

"Is she still not getting it, Sinbad? I tried giving her a lesson last night." Riley gestured towards the tiller and looked at Bryn, teasingly. "Third time's a charm?"

Sinbad looked at him confused. "A lesson?"

"I don't need another lesson!" Bryn blurted out, sending a glare at Riley.

"What are you talking about, Riley." Sinbad asked patiently.

Riley smiled, "Last night when I was up here with Bryn, her stance was awful. I had to give her some hands on training." He winked at Bryn. "She was very attentive. I am surprised that you needed to show her again."

Sinbad lifted a brow at that explanation and looked interestingly at Bryn, who he saw was squinting her brown eyes at Riley in irritation. He looked between the two of them, Riley was actually smiling at her and he definitely did not miss that hint of interest in his eyes. He recognized that look while they were in Carthage. A quick glance at Bryn again told him that she was amused. She was smiling right back at him. It was amazing how one shared look could get under his skin. "Riley, what are you doing up here?"

"Sleep manages to escape me tonight. Rather than laying on my back listening to Anders rhythmic breathing as he slips into god knows what dream, I decided to come up on deck and keep whoever was on duty company."

Whoever? He knew exactly who would be on duty tonight. Sinbad thought to himself. Bryn stood close enough for him to reach. Letting go of the tiller with his left hand, he gently circle it around Bryn's waist as he spoke to Riley. "Why don't you keep me company for a bit? I too can't fall asleep tonight." He pulled Bryn towards the tiller. "Bryn, it looks like you've got this handled." He gave her back a gentle pat in means to apologize for abandoning her so soon. He looked back at Riley, "Let's go below and have a drink, shall we?"

"That is an excellent idea." Riley nodded his head. He grinned at the Captain and shot a wink at Bryn again before stepping away.

Bryn stared at the two men now walking away from her. She felt that it all happened so fast that she couldn't get a word in edge wise. Twice this week she was ordered to step away from the tiller and was literally pulled right back to hold it again. A small wave of irritation hit her. I will just be here. She thought to herself. She adjusted her stance at the tiller to be more comfortable. "I am not thirsty or anything, nor in need of company," she said to the wind.

xxxx

Sinbad and Riley both walked to the galley in silence. When they entered, Sinbad pointed towards the table and instructed him to have a seat. Riley watched him with a keen eye as the Captain lit up a lantern, found mugs and entered the hold; where he knew the ale was stored. He wondered what sort of mood Sinbad was now in. This was the first time since he set foot on this ship that he was offered a drink, let alone from Sinbad, himself. This should be interesting, he mused as he patiently waited.

"Here we are," Sinbad returned and placed the mugs of ale on the table. He took a seat across from Riley.

Meeting Sinbad's eyes, Riley raised his mug up in a toast, "The Nomad!"

"The Nomad," Sinbad repeated with a nod. They both took a long drink in unison.

"Why are you here?" Sinbad finally spoke. "Why now?"

"It was time for me to move on." Riley stated with a shrug. "I think if I stayed in that city any longer I would have driven myself mad." He took another sip of his ale. As he placed his mug back down, he could see that Sinbad had more to say, he was watching him intently. "What?"

"Knowledge of Bryn's powers has nothing to do with it?" Sinbad tilted his head in question. He found it odd that Riley would suddenly request to be a passenger on his ship the same morning he witnesses Bryn's abilities. There was no hint of him ever wanting to leave that city. He understood that Riley was settled there; happy with his position as the Captain of the Guards.

Riley shook his head, "You are paranoid. That is Jarvis, not me." He spoke sternly.

Sinbad took another swig of his ale and looked at his old friend skeptically. "Then why are you questioning my crew about her abilities?"

Riley laughed. "Have you ordered your crew to spy on me and report back their findings now?"

"They talk to me on their own accord." Sinbad stated. He got back to point, "So, why the questions?"

Riley exhaled, "I was curious! Like any normal man would be. She's a mysterious, beautiful woman!" He leaned forward, "Plus, I think it is my second nature to ask questions." He paused in thought, "How did you even find her?"

"Long story."

"Can you trust her?" Riley dared to ask.

Sinbad didn't let his irritation show at the question. Now he was asking him questions about her. "Of course I do."

Riley nodded his head in understanding; a smile forming on his lips. "Of course you do," he repeated. "How can you love someone you don't trust?" He remembered it so clearly. That moment Sinbad forcefully told him how he felt about Bryn.

Sinbad remained silent; bringing his mug to his lips for another long drink.

Riley was quick to notice Sinbad features tense up. "Wait a minute. You haven't told her yet have you?" The Captains continued silence was all he needed. Riley shook his head in amazement. "Now I get it."

"Get what?" Sinbad asked with a hint of annoyance.

"Here I thought you were never afraid of anything." Riley mused out loud. He pointed his finger in front of him, "You are afraid of commitment."

"I am not afraid." Sinbad argued slowly. He shook his head at the assumption.

Riley smiled. "You, the infamous sailor of the seven seas, loves life at sea, loves going from port to port. You love meeting new people, new friends, and new women." He ended with a wink. "Am I right? You don't want to commit. You probably just have an overly strong attraction to this girl." He gestured towards Sinbad's wrist. "It's probably those odd bracelets you two share. What means have you done to take those off?"

Unbelievable! He is trying to convince me to…so he could… Sinbad stood up and chugged the rest of his ale. When he finished he brought the mug back down and braced one of his hands on the table as he leaned forward, just above Riley. He didn't care how irritated he sounded this time and pointed a finger at the man sitting in front of him. "I am not the man you peg me for. I am committed to her. There is nothing you can say that will convince me to turn away. Save your games for when you get off this ship and you, stay away from her."

Riley grinned and shook his head. "No, can do, Captain. This ship is just too small."

Sinbad straightened and took a step away from the table. He thought it would be best if he removed himself from the room. He met Riley's eyes one last time and roughly bade him 'goodnight'.

xxxx

By the end of her shift, the ship was quiet. All she could hear were the sound of her footsteps on the deck and yawning coming from her own mouth. She let out a sigh as she opened her door slowly and stepped in. Huh, she tilted her head, a little confused at the sight in front of her. A form was on her bed. She looked to Dermott, who was awake, perched on the wooden chair. "What's this?", she asked him. She let her eyes land back on her bed. There was just enough moonlight seeping into her cabin from the port hole above her bed to recognize the man that was laying there.

"He fell asleep about an hour ago." Dermott explained. "We chatted…well he chatted."

"Oh? About what?" Bryn kicked off her shoes and tip toed her away around her cabin, making an attempt at getting ready for bed quietly.

"Something about a fool, a fool on his ship, an unappreciative fool", Dermott relayed. He made an amused sound coming from the back of his throat.

Bryn had a feeling she knew exactly who that could be. She smiled to herself as she grabbed a change of clothes and quickly went into the wash room to clean up.

xxxx

The next morning, Sinbad woke up first. He was on his back and the first thing he noticed was the feel of a warm weight on his stomach. He opened up his eyes slowly and could see that Bryn's arm was laying across his stomach. He looked down towards her and could see a mess of a brown hair and her face relaxed in sleep as she rested her head on him. He knew she didn't have much of a choice, her bed was really only meant for one person, much smaller than his own.

He was surprise he didn't waken when she slipped into bed after her shift. I must have been more tired than I thought. He brought his hand on to her arm and he felt her shift against him. He looked back down towards her head and blue eyes met brown ones.

"Good morning," He whispered.

"Good morning." Bryn whispered back, still feeling half asleep.

Sinbad smiled, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

Bryn closed her eyes again, not ready to wake up fully, and let out a small groan, "You hogged the bed." She could feel his chest move as he laughed lightly at that statement.

"I am sorry about that too." He whispered as he caressed her arm. She was looking up at him again and he gave her the most apologetic expression he could form. "Forgive me?" He gently asked. To his amusement, she shook her head at him. Determined to get a nod from her, he lifted up her chin and with the side of his finger, brought his mouth down to hers. She responded easily and kissed him right back. He backed off, "Forgive me now?"

She smiled and shook her head. Sinbad kissed her again.