After much pleading and some extra, unexpected free-time, I decided to update!! : ) Enjoy!!

Jack was startled at the tone Edgar had used when he addressed Griffin. She had not heard him quite so angry before, at least not in a long time.

She watched him stomp off and head up the stairs toward the wheelhouse. She frowned in concern, wondering if alerting Sig was really necessary. Perhaps just talking to the boy would be enough?

"Oh man," moaned Griffin as he put his head in his hands, "I'm so screwed."

A wave of pity washed over Jack. She was partially irritated at the kid for thinking that just because he was the captain's son meant he got to jump up a few spots on the ladder and did not have to do bait duty.

"Maybe if you stop acting like you're better than the rest of us things won't be so bad," said Jack with as much firmness as kindness in her voice.

Griffin glanced away guiltily. Part of him knew she was right but the other part of him wanted desperately to move up the ranks and to move up as quickly as possible.

Jack saw the hungry look in his eyes. She sighed in exasperation and shook her head.

"You better get that under control right away," she snapped.

Griffin looked up sharply, alarmed at her change in tone. He had half expected Edgar's wife to be kind and more laid back than the other deckhands, but the edge in her voice suggested otherwise.

"Wha…what do you mean?" he asked, shocked and confused at the same time.

"That drive. I can see right through you, Griffin. You're an open book, you wear your emotions on your sleeve," Jack sat on the edge of the bed beside of Griffin and sighed, "Look, I understand that you have that natural drive to be great. It's not too hard to see where it came from either. But you have to understand that everyone starts at the same place. I did, your uncles did, and your father did too. Your father was bait boy at one point in time too, you know. You can't just jump on a boat and expect to be captain. It takes time and experience…and respect for your senior deckhands."

She glared intently at him as she made her last point.

Griffin caught the look and nodded. This was no easy-going, laid back woman…she was a fighter.

"Anyways," said Jack, lightening up, "It is good to finally meet my nephew."

Griffin started slightly. He had not thought about it till now, but she was right. Jack was his aunt. He glanced up at her and smiled.

"Yeah, it's good to meet you too, Aunt Jack."

Jack smirked at the sound of that and ruffled his hair.

"Stop sucking up," she muttered, still smiling.

Griffin smiled back, but his face fell instantly when he heard his father's voice over the loud hailer.

"Griffin! Ger your butt up here NOW!"

Griffin glanced back up at Jack. Her eyes were wide with fear as she looked back over at him.



"Nephew I'd say good luck, but I'm afraid you're going to need a little more than that to get you through this one!"

Griffin muttered under his breath as he stood and slowly walked out the door.

Jack watched Griffin, feeling sorry for the arrogant kid. She would not wish the punishment of getting yelled at by Sig on anyone.

Griffin stood at the bottom of the stairs and looked up, swallowing nervously. He hesitated, wondering briefly if jumping into the Bering Sea would be a better idea.

"Griffin!" screamed Sig again.

Griffin winced and slowly began to ascend the stairs. As he opened the door, he saw Edgar standing up from the co-captain's chair to leave. Edgar glanced at Griffin, disappointment and annoyance on his face.

After Edgar closed the door behind him, Griffin turned slowly to face his father. He did not make eye-contact with him, just walked over to the co-captain's chair and sat down.

Sig had one hand over his mouth, the other tapping quickly on the arm chair. His eyes were blazing with anger as he stared coldly into the Bering Sea. Griffin half expected the sea to turn to ice with that glare. He fidgeted when he saw Sig turn the icy stare onto him. He felt a slight chill course down his spine and he squirmed in the seat.

"What…the…hell…was…that?" asked Sig with barely suppressed anger.

Griffin swallowed dryly and tried to form a response.

"You think you're better than all of them?" asked Sig before Griffin could reply, "You think that because you're my son that you can just come up here and do whatever the hell it is you want?"

"Dad, I'm…"

"No! You know what? Don't apologize," yelled Sig, holding up a hand to keep Griffin from speaking, "I'm sick of you apologizing for your screw ups! You say sorry and go out and do something else! I'm through with it, Griffin! If you're sorry prove it to me…and prove it to your crew! You realize now that you've got a lot of ground to cover with them? They've lost all respect for you, trust me. They respect hard work and cooperation, not selfish, spoiled captain's son crap! Got it?"

Griffin was looking down at his hands, feeling utterly horrible. He had let his dad down again, and he knew he was right. Every time he made a mistake and apologized, before long he was out doing the same kind of stuff all over again. He never had to work for anything in his life before. His dad's income had always been more than enough to supply him with what he wanted. But suddenly he felt a sense of determination take over him. He was tired of living his spoiled and lazy lifestyle. It was time for him to step up.

Griffin raised his head and met his father's eyes evenly.

"I am sorry," he said with confidence, "And you're right. I'll do my job…and I'll do it right. I'll make you proud, Dad."

Sig blinked in surprise. He was shocked by his son's reaction. He expected the usual argument and yelling that usually ensued. He looked away, smiling slightly to himself. Maybe Griffin coming out here was a good idea…

"Fine, but I want to see it, not just hear it."



Griffin nodded.

"I'll do my best…I promise."

Sig nodded as Griffin turned to walk down the stairs and back out into the galley. After a few minutes Sig turned around and went outside to lean over the rail and look down at the baiting area. He shook his head in bewilderment.

Griffin was chopping up the bait…

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