The sun was just starting to set, and Kris couldn't help but sigh as she watched. She loved the way the sun just slowly descended into the heavens. Disappearing into the unknown and releasing the stars into the night's sky. Being a perfectly cloudless day, the sunlight danced across the water's surface. Making the water sparkle like a sea of diamonds. Leaning against the side of the ship, she couldn't figure how she had gone so long without this. How could she have lived so long on dry land without realizing the beauty and majesty of the ocean? The way the current rocked her to sleep at night, curled up in Nathan's arms. The feeling of the cool ocean breeze against her face. The blissful soothing effect that it seemed to have on her senses. The cool evening breeze instantly calmed her, and she went over to watch the sunset. She loved everything about it.

The rest of the Sirius crew were attending to some of their regular chores as they normally did, and since Kris finished hers earlier than usual, she decided to watch the sunset. Though it had only been a few days since the Sirius had set sail, she could already say a few things of the Rika crew. They were loud, they were rough, and she found all of them to be annoying. Just as Russell had said. Seriously, did they act like that on their own ship? They were constantly laughing and shoving one another, not paying the least bit attention to some of the things that needed to be done on the ship they were currently residing on. She hadn't conversed with many of them, only that Fuzzy character who seemed to follow her around during the day. She really did want to give them the benefit of the doubt, since they were technically there to help, but she was still wary of them.

Someone came up and leaned against the deck next to her as Kris was staring off into the distance. She did a quick sideways glance over to Fuzzy, leaning forward onto the railing next to her. An awkward silence sizzled in the air around them, neither woman uttering a word. Kris studied her for a moment in her peripheral vision. She still was trying to figure this other woman out. Her reaction when they first had met had thrown her off, and she was confused as to what to do or say to her now. That and she seemed to follow Kris around like some lost puppy, and Kris had no idea what to do with her.

Finally, Fuzzy looked over at her, smiling. "Nice sunset huh?"

"Yeah, nice."

"Tough day of training today huh?"

"It was alright." Kris shrugged. Earlier that day Morgan had ordered everyone to get in some extra practice. Wanted to make sure everyone was in tip top shape in case anything were to happen. In addition to the group's regular fighting practice that they had almost daily, he also had them do a workout routine that he himself had come up with. Kris was used to such a rigorous routine, but it appeared that the Rika crew were not used to such exercise. Most of them had collapsed on the deck halfway through the routine, panting as if they'd run flat across the ocean itself. A few had even passed out during the course of it.

"So… Are you really good with two swords?"

Kris glanced over at her. "You calling me a liar?"

"No, not at all. Just curious. The only one I've ever seen swinging two swords around is Russell, and I haven't really had a chance to watch you practicing yet."

"He's just a kid."

"A kid huh? You must be pretty good if you're calling him that."

The corner of Kris's mouth kicked up into a half smile. "He's too cocky. He's still got a ways to go."

"Russell? Cocky? I've never heard of such a thing." Fuzzy replied with a grin, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"What is it you're good at then? Nothing to break a nail I hope."

Fuzzy winced and laughed. "I guess I deserved that one! But come on, look at ya! You look more arm candy than fierce pirate."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

"It was supposed to be one, but it probably didn't sound like one. Sorry."

Kris shrugged. "Yeah sure. You and your Captain both seem to have a particular knack for saying strange things."

Fuzzy laughed. "Oh yeah. Captain Alan is a wee bit of a pervert, so you might want to watch out for him."

"So I've heard."

Fuzzy nudged her slightly, causing Kris to raise an eyebrow at the smaller woman. "But I bet you could rip him a new one if ya had to."

Kris just stared at her for a moment, unsure of what precisely to say. She wasn't exactly used to dealing with other women, and this one just stumped the crap out of her. After all, she had been the first to throw the metaphorical punches, and now it seemed like she was trying to be nice to her. What the hell was that all about? It appeared though, that she was trying to be friendly with her, but Kris just couldn't be sure.

"I'm still keeping my eye on you ya know." Kris said finally, turning back out to look at the horizon.

Fuzzy chuckled. "I figured you'd say that. Well, I'll see ya at dinner later then."

Her shadow disappeared into the distance, and Kris sighed deeply. On the one hand, she did find it an intriguing notion to have a friend who wasn't a guy. She'd never really had any friends, until she'd gotten on the Sirius that is, and she'd certainly never had a female friend. But on the other hand, she wasn't sure whether she could trust this other woman. Why was she suddenly being so nice to her? Was she trying to throw her off? Things that had always appeared to come so naturally to other woman had always been hindered on her. It had even taken her a while to warm up to even the Sirius crew. Maybe Fuzzy was just trying to be nice to her? After all, she too had been the only woman on her ship. Maybe she craved a companion who didn't constantly scratch his nether regions?

"What is a beautiful pearl like you watching the sun set all alone?" Kris heard someone ask from behind her. She didn't even have to turn around to know who the voice belonged to, and she rolled her eyes. Couldn't she catch a break?

"What can I do for you Captain Alan?" She asked, still keeping her eyes on the horizon, watching the last bit of the sun disappear in the distance.

He leaned against the deck next to her, watching the horizon with her. "Nothing at all. Just thought I would talk to you for a bit. Get to know some of my new crew mates."

"Is that so?"

"We're going to be together for a while now, just thought I'd find out more about you, lovely pearl."

"And what is it that you would like to know about me Captain?"

"Anything my dear. You seem like such a fascinating creature, I just must know more about ya." He practically purred at her. Kris couldn't help but roll her eyes. Now she knew what Fuzzy was warning her about. Not that she needed much of a warning. He prowled around the deck most days like a predator searching for its prey, a beckon of misplaced testosterone. Red flags and trumpet horns would've been a less subtle warning for his approach.

"And what is it that's just so fascinating about me Captain?"

"You just have this mysterious feeling about you that just has me drawn to you. The beautiful pirate princess of the Sirius."

Kris couldn't help but to burst out laughing at his statement. "Where the hell did you get that one from?"

"Made it up myself, do you like it dearest princess?"

"I've heard better."

Alan chuckled and turned, facing her. "So tell me, when is it that you and the cook plan on tying the knot?"

"Not sure yet. We haven't really had a chance to discuss it."

Alan reached forward and played with a few stray strands of hair by Kris's ear. "You should forget him then and marry me. What do you say my pearl?"

"God don't you have better things to do than to drool over this one?" Kris heard a voice say from behind her. She couldn't help but to let out a small laugh, feeling as Eduardo put his arm on top of her head and leaned into her facing Alan. With his usual annoyed expression plastered to his face, he let out a long exacerbated sigh.

Alan grinned widely at him. "Oh come on, just having a little fun here Eduardo."

Eduardo chuckled. "Can't keep it in your pants, huh?"

"Oh come on now Eduardo, you know how these things are."

"Yeah I do. But leave this one here out of it why don't ya? Go paw on someone else."

Kris turned to look at Eduardo. "Are you actually trying to be nice to me there Cyclops?"

"Don't flatter yourself, I just don't really feel like cleaning up the mess after Nathan slaughters him."

"Wow what a gentleman you are. You must be fighting off the ladies with a stick."

"Hey, I'm not the one with the dog here trying to hump my leg."

Looking offended, Alan held up his hands. "Hey, hey, hey! I'm not a dog!"

"Shut up Alan, even you know that you are." Eduardo barked, narrowing his eyes at him.

Kris moved from underneath Eduardo's arm and patted both men on the back. "Boys, boys, can't we all just get along?"

"I am not a dog! I just crave a little female companionship every now and again. Is that so bad? And this lovely little creature here was here so…"

"My statement about stewing you the other day was not an empty threat Alan." Another familiar voice growled close by, cutting Alan off and causing Kris to smile.

Alan spun around at the voice, and swallowed. "Ah, Nathan. I was just leaving."

"Good answer." Nathan smiled, but his eyes were certainly not doing the same. Glaring down at the now quivering Captain. Alan nodded his head in acknowledgement at Kris, then scurried away.

"I can't leave you alone for five minutes, can I?" Nathan asked, draping an arm possessively around her shoulders.

Kris smiled at him. "Oh you know me. Mrs. Popularity."

"That title would indicate that people actually like you." Eduardo mumbled with a now rather amused looking expression on his face.

"Don't you have a ship to steer?" Kris shot back. Eduardo chuckled and ruffled her hair, nodding at Nathan and heading in the other direction. She still couldn't figure him out either. Although she figured no one ever really would. Nor ever really wanted to. Eduardo was kind of like that older brother she never wanted, always picking at her whenever she could. But he did prove to be useful every now and then.

Nathan chuckled and pressed a kiss against the side of her head, the two of them facing back towards the horizon. "Sure is a beautiful sunset."

"Yeah, it is," She sighed, leaning into his embrace.

"I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on Alan than I thought."

Kris laughed and kissed his cheek. "I think I can handle Alan."

"Oh yeah, what'd you have in mind then?"

She shrugged. "If he tries anything I'll castrate him."

"That's my girl."