Disclaimer : I own nothing except my own fictional characters and recieve no payments of any sort. This story is for simple entertainment and fun only.

Hope you've enjoyed the story so far. Reviews are always welcome :)

It was the first day of the King Crab season and everyone took their positions as the got ready to set the first string of the season. Gia was set at the bait station, which is typically where most greenhorns would be.

"Okay before we set this string, did someone bite the head off the herring?" Sig asked over the loud hailer. Edgar got an evil grin on his face and Matt snickered at the sight. Everyone knew what was about to happen.

"Alright greenhorn.." Edgar started, as he grabbed up a herring and stood in the middle of the crew, motioning for Gia to come over. "As is tradition on this lovely boat of ours, every season someone must bite off the head of the herring. And as our new greenhorn it is your turn to do such."

"Think you can handle it sweetheart?" Matt asked, laughing slightly.

Without a word Gia took the herring from Edgar's grip, bit off the head and chewed it for about 6 seconds with a straight face. The crew all watched in shocked silence. She then spit out the head and threw the decapitated body over the side of the boat. Nick smiled at her and winked as he gave her a bottle of water to wash out the taste. She gave a quick 'thank you' before taking a big swig and rinsing the water back and forth in her mouth. Sig could be heard chuckling over the loud hailer.

"Very Good. Now lets get to work."

Everyone resumed their positions, Edgar glaring at Gia and grumbling something unintelligable under his breath.

"That was pretty impressive." someone said from behind Gia but as she turned around all she saw was Norman Hansen's passing form. Gia wasn't sure if he'd really even said anything to her. She'd only heard him speak once and that was to say his name the day they met. She wasnt even really sure what his voice sounded like. She shook it off and baited the first pot of the season. That was the beginning to a very long 36 hour grind. Gia managed to do her job with proficiency, making minor mistakes along the way. Everyone was impressed although no one would openly admit as much. Every now and then Jake, Nick, or even one of the cameramen would give her an encouraging smile or a thumbs up, but they made sure to do it so Edgar wouldnt see. Edgar had been giving Gia a lot of crap from the moment they started fishing. It didn't help things for Gia that she also shared a room with him and Jake. She never talked back and took everything in stride. Even Edgar was very impressed with that, though he would never admit as much.

During the 35th hour of the 36 hour grind Gia was sent to cook dinner, but still continue her duties at the bait station. Edgar used that as an oppurtunity to rag on her relentlessly, saying she was taking too long in the kitchen or that she was spending too much time outside that she would set the kitchen on fire. By hour 36 everyone was exhausted and ready to eat. Sig called them in and everyone gladly complied. They stripped off their wet gear and made their way into the galley. Everyone was greeted by the delicious smell of baked macoroni pie, spinach with butter, and seasoned steaks.

"Smells good Gia." Jake said as he helped her set the food on the table.

"It'll taste even better." Gia replied, as she nudged him with her hip and laughed.

When everything was set everyone sat down, except for Gia, who fixed Sig a plate with a fresh cup of coffee and made her way up to the wheelhouse. Sig turned his attention to Gia as he heard her enter into the wheelhouse. She smiled at him as she made her way over and handed him his dinner.

"Wow. Everything looks and smells great. Thank you."

"No problem."

"How are you holding up?"

"Good, thanks."

"Well even though it's against the rules to tell you this now, your doing a pretty damn good job." He smiled and gave her a wink. She laughed.

"Thanks Cap't." Gia made her way down the stairs and into the galley, ready to join in on the feast. She took a seat next to Norman and was just about to fix herself a plate.

"What do you think your doing?" Edgar asked

"Im about to eat."

"No, your not. Your about to grind more bait and make 50 baitsacks to have ready for the next string."

"Oh come on Ed, let her eat first." Matt said, not being able to help feeling bad for her. Everyone was feeling bad for her at this point. She'd taken Edgar's shit relentlessly, cooked this wonderful dinner, and now she wasn't even allowed to eat it. She stared at him for a long moment and he stared back, daring her to challenge him. She quietly rose from the table and left the galley.

"You should have let her eat." Norman said and everyone agreed. Edgar shrugged and began eating.

"If she can't handle it. She can leave."

Everyone shook their heads but continued to eat in silence. After everyone was done, Jake and Matt cleared the table and began to wash the dishes. Edgar and Matt both went to their staterooms and Norman silently set a plate of food for Gia and went to go bring it to her. He found her in the wet room, sitting in her gear, and he slid down next to her. She didnt notice him come in, so when she turned to him she had a look of surprise on her face. Norman said nothing, he just stuck the plate out towards. She looked down at it and looked back at him cautiously.

"You didn't spit in it or anything?"

That earned a seldom seen smile from Norman and Gia found herself realizing for the first time how attractive he was.

"No spit."

"I'll take your word for it."

With that Gia began to scarf down her plate of food in a matter of minutes. Norman had never seen a woman eat so much or so fast. He figured she was just really hungry. The Bering Sea had a way of developing an appetite in even the pickiest of eaters. When she finished she leaned back against the wall, setting her plate on her lap, a content look plastering her face. Norman leaned back against the wall as well and together they sat in a companiable silence.