Chapter 4: "FALL"ing for Mother Nature

Hope you enjoy!

As the Captain ordered the crew to steer the Ms. Zuiderdam closer to the inside passage, a soft autumn breeze with a subtle scent of pine washed down the boat deck. Majestic snow-capped Mountains lined with pine trees periodically interrupted by a free flowing stream indeed make Alaska The Last Frontier. Passengers anxious to capture this picturesque scenery for their eventual photo albums found it difficult finding an empty space at the ship's railing.

Rachel took another sip of her Latte in the nautically styled Windstar Café. She was past due on her job duties. Documents were scattered about on the table. The previous hour she read through every needed document separating them down into categories. The main category being, Sales, Profit and Profitability of the product range. That was further filtered into another category, Garment. Rachel's main focus this trip was profitability of a specific product range, fall trends. Since Alaskan Cruises provided the fashion industry a jump on seasonal trends, it was her job to absorb what trend she felt would be profitable. That report would help influence what specific product range the buyer's would focus on. Rachel looked at the scenery through the window. Along with the scenery being very picturesque, several walkers periodically continued passing by the window. Rachel placed all the documents in her leather case and left the café. The opportunity to spy combined with awesome scenery made it a good day to camp out on the deck.

"You've been awfully quiet this morning…is something bothering you?" Chandler inquired of Ross while placing a specialized omelet order at the breakfast bar in the Lido Restaurant.

Ross shrugged his shoulders…fully aware sooner or later he would need to reveal his newly discovered feelings towards Rachel to someone else besides Monica. Ross and Chandler good friends throughout college had shared many experiences together. Perhaps he could offer some friendly advice. "Well is all began in Seattle when I ran into Rachel………

"Wow, I wasn't aware all of that was going on." By the way, was it not Rachel that you had the huge thing for several years back?"

"Yeah", Ross embarrassingly replied scanning the restaurant for an available table.

"Ross, you are just barely divorced. Are you sure you' re just not transferring your feelings of love from Carol onto Rachel? And for God's sake don't tell her those feelings, it will scare her off." Chandler fully aware that Ross wore his heart on his sleeve did not want to see him get hurt again this soon. Ross meanwhile thought to himself, why do we ask our friends for advice when it is something we are fully aware of ourselves?

Chandler becoming uncomfortable quickly changed the subject. Spotting a few empty tennis tables he inquired, "How about a table tennis game after breakfast? We haven't played since college. It might be exciting to test out our old skills" Chandler replied boastfully remembering he had been the better one of the two. Ross reluctantly agreed.

To prepare for her power walk, Monica grabbed onto the deck rail, stretching out her muscles. Looking out over the ocean's smooth surface a shot of water began spouting upwards. Shortly, Passengers fled over to the deck rail yelling, "LOOK, WHALE! OVER THERE'S A WHALE!" Monica following their lead spotted the sighting. An Orca whale was gracefully frolicking about on the water's surface. A few minutes later the huge mammal gracefully flipped over and dove back underneath. Monica excited by the awesome sighting soon spotted Rachel setting solo on a deck chair, "Rachel, did you see that whale, it was huge?"

"Yes", Rachel replied somewhat unenthused.

Monica aware of her disinterest inquired, "Oh…what are you working on?"

Monica's interruption had foiled her concentration, "Work…trying to catch up." Rachel feeling a bit guilty in putting Monica off; made up for it by asking her to join her in an hour for breakfast on the Lido Deck.

Monica agreed and continued down the deck to finish her power walk.

Oh Ross, I seemed to have missed that shot", Janie giggled, while placing her hand in a somewhat flirtily manner, on his shoulder. Janie a petite attractive Australian, along with her friend Danielle had met Chandler and Ross as they left the Lido restaurant. After a short acquaintance, the girls had bet the boys they could beat them at table tennis. The losers would be required to buy a round of drinks.

Rachel and Monica hearing the giggling quickly exchanged looks smiling…at one time they had once acted exactly in the same manner. As they drew closer and passed by the tennis tables they noted it was Chandler and Ross. They exchanged looks again…this time it was shock and jealousy not only for Rachel; Monica was also surprised to find herself being jealous over Chandler's actions.

A Polynesian waiter searched through the crowded restaurant soon finding Rachel and Monica an available one out on the deck, "What were those guys doing with those two nitwits?" Rachel somewhat angrily commented to Monica while placing her breakfast tray on the empty table.

"Beats me", Monica was somewhat confused herself by the situation. "I don't think it means anything, they probably ran into them on deck and struck up a conversation." Monica was aware of Ross' feelings towards Rachel. But Chandler…what was he doing with those two?

"I suppose so", Rachel replied feeling somewhat relieved by Monica's reply. They finished their breakfast together before separating…Rachel took the elevator to the boat deck to complete her job duties while Monica went back to her cabin. After showering, she dressed in a warm multi-colored windsuit. Before going back out on the deck, she searched through the drawers for the novel she had packed…now would be an excellent time to catch up on her reading.

"What are you reading", an oh-so familiar voice inquired.

Monica surprised and pleased by the familiar face smiled, "Face to Face by Jeff O'Connell and Grace Warnock."

"What's the book about?" Chandler appeared interested in Monica, which impressed her.

"O'Connell's sense of human frailty in the face of mortality further heightened and deepened by the early deaths of both his parents", Monica's looked directly at him as she spoke. He had kind soft eyes and appeared to encompass kindness in his manner. Most men she had related to in the past were focused more on their ego than kindness.

"Mortality…my Dad could have taken a few lessons from him?" Monica smiled; she liked his light-hearted outlook on life."Mind if I join you?" Monica again smiled. She was pleased he had taken the initiative to ask. "So, besides reading novels' what else have you been up to today?" Chandler inquired while relaxing in a deck chair.

"I began the day by taking a power walk. While walking around the deck, I spotted Rachel. We ended up having breakfast together in the Lido Restaurant. By the way, we passed by you two while you were playing table tennis", Monica's voice changed from a kind tone into more inquisitive one. Realizing she sounded somewhat bossy she quickly changed the subject. "So what have you been doing today?"

"Well, Ross and I had breakfast this morning and by the way, has he expressed his feelings towards Rachel to you?" Chandler began to notice the ship was steering closer and closer to the shore. Trees became more pronounced while snow-capped mountains disappeared into the soft clouds.

"Yeah he did and I informed him to slow down a bit."

Chandler continuing to appreciate the natural beauty Mother Nature had charge of, commented, "I told him the same thing but if you're truly in love it's like Mother Nature, if it's going to happen there's not a whole lot you can do to stop it."

"You are so right", Monica looked over at Chandler in a manner he had not seen from a woman in a long time.

The Captain's Ball

A line of passengers dressed in there finest wear, anxiously waited their turn in meeting the most important officer on the ship, The Captain. Men wearing colored tuxedos complimented their wives beaded cocktail dresses. Some men even went so far as to complete their attire by wearing top hats. After each passenger took their turn meeting the Captain, they were next guided to the Vista Lounge for a free glass of Champagne and ordure's. The ship's band provided music as couples took their turns on stage displaying their dancing talents.

After meeting the Captain, Rachel and Monica entered the lounge and soon spotting an empty couch towards the back. As they passed, their youth and attractiveness demanded the attention from both men and women. Rachel, was wearing a gold-toned haltered dress which was 100 silk. The dress was highlighted with a V-neck brought together by a knotted front. The long flowing skirt had sequins scattered throughout. Monica had chosen a long black Charmeuse stretch mesh evening gown. The gown had a plunging neckline highlighted by pleats. Both girls had completed their attire with Swarovski chandelier earrings.

A waiter soon appeared carrying a tray of filled champagne glasses. Rachel and Monica each took a glass from the tray. Eager to taste the champange the each took a sip...along with tasting horrible, it was cheap.

Ross and Chandler setting closer to the stage while downing the free ordure's. Ross taking a break from the free ordure's, leaned over and spoke to Chandler, "I tried calling Rachel this afternoon. I thought maybe we could attend the…."Ross would you care to dance?" Ross looked up, Janie the giggly attractive Australian asked.

Since Ross believed one dance would not matter, he accepted her offer. As they entered the dance floor together Janie immediately snuggled up against him as if to claim him as her own.

Rachel watching the whole show from her seat began grabbed three champagne glasses from the waiter's tray, downing them one after another. She stood up. The room began spinning. As she stood Ross spotted her and excusing himself from Janie headed straight for Rachel. Before Ross could reach her, Monica had stepped in, guiding her out of the lounge.

"Rachel, what's wrong?" Ross frantically inquired, trying to help steady her balance.

"Ross, go back to your dancing?" Monica angrily replied."

Ross stood there helpless as they left the lounge.

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Rachel opened her eyes. Aware it was morning she automatically rose out of bed. Her inebriated state from the evening before had been replaced by a throbbing headache. Rachel quickly laid her head back down onto the pillow. Attempting to subside the pounding, Rachel kept rubbing her forehead. Events from the previous evening began filtering through her head…thinking back she felt a bit silly, downing all that champagne over Ross...and Monica...if she had been in her right state she would have informed her to back off! Feeling the need for a strong cup of coffee to bring her back to normality, Rachel reached over, grabbed the phone and placed an order for a hot pot of coffee from the kitchen. After the coffee arrived, Rachel poured herself a quick cup and stepped out onto the balcony. The morning appeared foggy with a heavy mist filling the air. After downing a few more cups, Rachel turned on the TV to CNN. Perhaps listening to some news might clear her head. "The stock market rose today"…….Rachel soon feeling bored, left, went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. After the warm shower, Rachel wrapped the complimentary terry cloth robe around her and stepped back out on the balcony. The sun had burned through the fog. As Rachel opened the balcony door and stepped back inside. She stopped. Someone was knocking at her door.

To be continued.

Note: On my second trip to Alaska, while placing my dinner order, others at the table spotted a whale! I looked out the window and was not disappointed. A huge Orca was gracefully frolicking around on the ocean's surface. I was never aware they were such huge mammals and was even more surprised by their gracefulness. While in Juneau this past month, I actually went "Whale Watching". While on that tour (these were Humpbacks) the guide informed us that animal rights had issued an order to all boats to stay within a distance of at least 150 feet.