A/N: Quick turn around, hope you enjoy the chapter. Please review.
Sig glowered out the window the entire way back to the grounds. No one took a wheel watch because no one wanted to ask Sig if he needed a break. Anger and menace hung around Sig like a cloud, he was completely unapproachable. Bishop spent the time getting use to shooting on a rolling deck and leaning how day to day scheduling was done. Natalie did her best to distance herself from Bishop but it was all but impossible on the small boat. They saw each other in the galley and in the tiny stateroom. So far they hadn't slept in the same bed at the same time, but Natalie knew it wouldn't be that way forever. The feeling on the boat was one of unease, everyone was walking around on tenterhooks waiting for Sig to explode.
Natalie stood in the kitchen stirring a béchamel sauce for lasagna. Edgar and Norman were playing x-box while Jake and Nick played cards. Matt was sitting on the counter watching Natalie cook. Jason and Bishop were arguing in the hallway. While everyone looked nonchalant, their ears were straining to hear every word.
"I don't care that you've been with them longer" said Bishop. "I want to do the captain interviews."
"Bishop, I don't think it's a good idea" began Jason.
"It's a great idea" said Bishop cutting off Jason.
"Sig hates you, all you are going to get on film is him yelling about you being on the boat" said Jason simply.
"I can win him over" said Bishop confidently.
"Oh yeah? How?" countered Jason.
"I have my ways" said Bishop with a giggle.
Matt shook his head at her statement, knowing Sig hated Bishop and no amount of giggling was going to change his mind.
"I've worked on deck for two years with these guys, I know their likes and dislikes. I know how to stay out of the way and be careful out on deck" said Jason. "I think you'll be physically safer in the wheelhouse but Sig is going to fuck with you every second you're up there. Lets both do the deck shots and let the Captain cam film him."
"What about interviews?" said Bishop. "It's those question and answer segments that make the show."
"Fine, if you want to do that then fine" said Jason resignedly. "It's your funeral."
Jason walked into the galley and everyone turned back to what they were doing. He sat down heavily on the bench seat and sighed.
"You did all you could to warn her" said Nick.
"He's going to filet her alive" said Jason.
"Maybe she's into pain" suggested Edgar.
"Who knows, maybe she'll win him over" said Jason.
"Yeah right" muttered Matt.
"What do you think Natalie?" asked Jason.
"I have no opinion" said Natalie diplomatically.
"I need more coffee up here" bellowed Sig's from the wheelhouse.
Natalie looked around for a volunteer but when everyone averted their eyes she knew it was going to fall to her to enter the beast's lair.
She started to boil the water for the french press when she realized it was upstairs.
"Crap" she muttered and gingerly walked out of the kitchen.
There was a stench of BO and anger in the wheelhouse when Natalie entered. A pungent cloud of cigarette smoke enclosed the captain's chair. Sig didn't take his eyes off the front window until Natalie had returned with the french press full of fresh coffee. After she set it down and began her retreat he stopped her.
"Don't go yet" he snapped.
Natalie sighed but obediently moved to sit on the bench behind him.
"I can't stay long, I'm making lasagna for dinner" said Natalie.
"A nice last meal before the grind begins" said Sig.
"Yeah" replied Natalie.
"You want a cigarette?" asked Sig offering her the pack.
"No thanks" said Natalie.
"That's right, you don't smoke" said Sig. "I bet you'll start by the end of the season."
"I doubt it" said Natalie.
"You want to bet?" asked Sig.
"No thanks" said Natalie. "I can't imagine what the stakes would be."
"Where has she been sleeping?" asked Sig casually.
"You mean Bishop?" asked Natalie.
"Yes" muttered Sig.
"She's been sleeping in my bunk" said Natalie.
"Having pillow fights and braiding each other's hair?" spat Sig.
"Not yet, but the trip's still young" quipped Natalie.
Sig shook his head and began to mutter to himself about the complete insanity of having not one but two girls on the boat. He cursed the Discovery channel and then Edgar's bad back. Natalie walked out before her name was mentioned.
Back in the kitchen everyone was awaiting her report on how Sig was feeling. Before she got a word out Bishop grabbed her arm and started to pull her towards the staterooms. Natalie held her ground and stopped.
"I need to get the lasagna in the oven" she said firmly.
"Matt will do it for you" said Bishop.
"No, it's my job" said Natalie trying to extract her hand.
"Fine, but hurry up" said Bishop. "I want to talk to you."
She flitted down the hallway and Natalie turned back to the kitchen.
"Careful she's pushy" said Jason.
"Yeah, I see that" said Natalie.
"How's Sig?" asked Edgar.
"Grumpy" replied Natalie.
"Did you cheer him up?" asked Edgar.
"Nope, if anything I probably made it worse" said Natalie. "When I left he was cursing your bad back."
"Nice" said Edgar with a smile. "He's going to be a bear to work with this trip."
"Yeah, we're going to turn and burn until we get the boat stuffed so we can get back to town and drop off Bishop" said Matt.
"No joke" said Jason. "I hope the guys in town are scrambling to get someone new."
"If they aren't you'll probably be shooting solo on the next trip" said Jake.
"Nah, I'll give Bug a camera and she can shoot with me" said Jason.
"No thanks" said Natalie.
"Why not?" asked Edgar. "You got the gear."
"Yeah are you going to model your new rain gear for us?" asked Matt.
"Maybe later" said Natalie.
"She can't right now because she has a date with Bishop" said Jake.
"That's right. We are going to braid each other's hair and have a pillow fight" said Natalie.
"Naked pillow fight?" asked Jake.
"Possibly" said Natalie with a wink.
"Hurry up with your lasagna then" said Jake.
"Yeah, need some help?" offered Matt.
"No" said Natalie. "Don't you guys have some video games to play or something?"
"Nothing more pressing than a naked girl pillow fight" said Matt.
"You guys are impossible" said Natalie.
She finished assembling her lasagna and placed it in the oven. Setting a timer she shoved it into her pocket and headed for the stateroom and Bishop.
The first thing Natalie saw when she walked into the stateroom was Bishop sprawled out on Edgar's bunk in a tiny pair of pajama shorts and a tank top. Granted the staterooms were always kept warm but not warm enough to warrant that type of outfit. Spread out on the bed were a collection of notebooks all full of messy scribbles. Natalie closed the door and Bishop looked up from her notes.
"You're finally here" she said with a smile.
"Yep" replied Natalie. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Sig" said Bishop.
"What about him?" asked Natalie warily.
"What does he like? What makes him happy?" asked Bishop.
"He likes chocolate, coffee and full pots of crab" said Natalie.
"Ok. Good to know" said Bishop scribbling in her notebook.
"Anything else?" asked Natalie.
"Yeah, do you think you're going to be out on deck at all?" asked Bishop.
"Hopefully not" said Natalie. "But they bought me that gear so I could be."
"I want to be out there when you are" said Bishop.
"Where are you going to be the rest of the time?" asked Natalie.
"Interviewing with Sig" said Bishop.
"Linz, I definitely think you should be careful up there. He can be mean" said Natalie seriously.
"I'm going to win him over, just wait and see" said Bishop confidently.
"How do you know?" asked Natalie.
"Because men are all the same" said Bishop confidently.
Natalie raised her eyebrow in a silent question.
"Men are all the same, they like to feel like they are in control" said Bishop. "They like to be complimented, told they are full of virility and power."
Natalie couldn't dispute her logic but she couldn't imagine Sig falling for compliments on his virility. But who knows.
"I wish you lots of luck" said Natalie encouragingly.
"Thanks" said Bishop.
The door opened and a very curious Norman walked into the room. He took in the girls position on the bed and what Bishop was wearing.
"Hi ladies" he said happily.
"Hi Norman" said Bishop. "I thought rumors that you actually spoke were highly exaggerated."
"I speak, when there is someone worth talking to" said Norman.
Natalie rolled her eyes at what was passing for flirting on this boat. She got up to leave the two flirters alone but Bishop caught her by the waistband of her pants pulling them down slightly.
"Ah the naked pillow fight is starting" said Norman.
"Naked pillow fight?" asked Bishop.
"Yep, Natalie said that's what she was coming back here to do" said Norman.
"Well if that's what she promised" said Bishop pulling Natalie's pants down farther.
"Linz, you are impossible" said Natalie. "I'm sure Norman is more than willing to get naked with you."
"Don't bring me into this" said Norman.
"Oh why not?" asked Bishop. "We need someone strong to act as referee."
Norman smiled broadly at the compliment. Natalie took a step back and pried Bishop's fingers from her pants. Then quickly picked up a pillow and smacked her as hard as she could across the side of the face.
"Oh you bitch, you're dead" said Bishop.
She grabbed the pillow off of Edgar's bed and swung. Natalie deftly ducked and scurried behind Norman. The room was tiny and before she knew it Natalie was pinned in the corner behind a stack of sea bags. Bishop stood over here breathing heavily and wailing the pillow as hard as she could. Norman stood behind Bishop watching the carnage. He decided he'd intervene when blood was drawn. All the physical activity was causing Bishop's tiny tank top to shift and before long a nipple had appeared. Natalie looked up in an attempt to see a way out of the corner. She noticed Bishop's little nipple slip and decided that was her escape ticket.
"Linz, your boob is showing" said Natalie.
Bishop stopped for a moment and looked down, that was all the time Natalie needed to bolt out of the corner and out of the room.
"That tricky bitch" said Bishop turning towards the door.
Her movement gave Norman a full view of her breast and when she saw him looking she smiled devilishly. In her mind winning over the crew was going to be easier than she thought.
Natalie ran breathlessly into the galley. Everyone at the table looked up, her hair was a complete mess and her clothes were slightly askew. She walked through to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, downing it in one gulp. After catching her breath she went to the oven and glanced at her lasagna. Edgar looked at her back as she bent down and noticed a huge red welt.
"What the hell happened to you?" he asked.
"Pillow fight" replied Natalie.
"No seriously" said Edgar. "You have a huge red mark on your back."
"I am serious, it was a pillow fight" said Natalie. "She got me pinned in a corner, I probably hit my back on something. Ask Norman, he was there."
She closed the oven door and looked at the clock. Deciding that she probably needed to start making the garlic bread and salad for dinner she began to pull stuff out of the fridge.
"Where is Norman?" asked Matt.
"He's in the room with Lindsay" said Natalie.
"Who?" asked Matt.
"Sorry, Bishop. He's in the room with Bishop" said Natalie.
"Her name is Lindsay?" asked Edgar. "When did you find that out?"
"When I showed her the stateroom" replied Natalie.
"Interesting, why does she go by Bishop?" asked Jake.
"She's from Bishop, California. She got the nickname in college and it just stuck" said Natalie.
"Are you telling my story?" asked Bishop as she appeared in the galley.
Norman trailed behind her with a broad smile on his face. Natalie wondered what the smile was from and then dismissed her train of thought. It wasn't her business. Bishop had put on some pants but the little tank top still made quite an impression on the crew. Natalie finished making dinner and when everyone was seated she went upstairs to get Sig.
A few hours later the Northwestern arrived at their first set of pots. The town soak usually yielded a good catch, however the pots weren't full enough for Sig and he decided they should be stacked on deck. Each pot pulled was stacked on deck until all 50 pots were on board. Sig ordered the stack tied down tight, they were heading into some weather. Despite the lack of good numbers the crew was in a jovial mood watching Natalie skid around the sorting table. Natalie had been out on deck to help sort a few pots of crab before going back inside to make a meal. The weather was starting to come up and the liquid in the pots on the stove was already starting to slosh. When the pot roast was in the oven she slipped up to the wheelhouse to check on Sig and Bishop.
Walking into the room the first thing she noticed was the silence. Bishop was scribbling in her notebook while her camera sat on a tripod pointed out the front windows. Sig caught Natalie's eyes and signaled he wanted more coffee.
"Are we not allowed to talk up here?" she asked.
"No, he hasn't said a word since I got up here" said Bishop casually.
"Sounds like a fun couple of hours" said Natalie.
She reached over to grab the french press and turned to leave. Sig caught her arm and pulled her down until her ear was next to his mouth.
"Get her out of here" he whispered.
Natalie nodded and stood up.
"Bishop, you want to go to the kitchen and make out?" asked Natalie.
Sig's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and Bishop's head snapped up to study Natalie's face. Natalie winked.
"Sure" replied Bishop with a saucy smile.
Sig watched the girls walk out of his wheelhouse hand and hand.
"God I hate my life" he muttered.
All he could think of was that he needed to stuff this boat and get back to town. Natalie reappeared with a french press full of coffee and a clean mug. As a peace offering there was a bar of chocolate.
"What's this for" asked Sig.
"Just something to make you feel better" said Natalie.
"Can you rub my shoulders?" asked Sig.
"Sure" said Natalie.
She squeezed his tight muscles shocked at how tense they were. Even on his worst day she'd never felt such hard muscles.
"I know this is going to fall on deaf ears but try to relax" said Natalie.
"I can't relax, she's driving me crazy. I don't need more girls on this boat. I need her off" said Sig.
"Do you want me to throw her overboard?" asked Natalie.
Sig chuckled and Natalie felt his body relax. Deciding this was probably the best way to help Sig release his tension she continued chatting.
"See I told you I'm loyal" said Natalie.
"Yes, you talk the talk but can you walk the walk?" asked Sig.
"I guess we could grind her up in the bait chopper" said Natalie.
"I wonder if the crabs like ground up girls" said Sig.
"It could be new bait for the boat" said Natalie.
"Right, we could put you in charge of getting the girls" said Sig.
"We should see if it works first" said Natalie.
"Seriously though, I can't stand having her up here" said Sig.
"She's just another person. The only difference is that she has a vagina instead of a penis" said Natalie.
"Did you just say vagina in my wheelhouse?" said Sig in shock.
"What? Is that another word we're not allowed to say on the boat?" said Natalie in annoyance.
"No, it's just the first time I've ever heard that word in here. But seriously don't say it again" said Sig.
"Vagina" said Natalie.
"Seriously, Natalie" said Sig.
"Vagina, Vagina, Vagina" said Natalie in a sing song voice.
She repeated the word all the way down the stairs.
Bishop was out on deck switching places with Jason for the next string. The uncomfortable hours in the wheelhouse had convinced her that a different tactic needed to be tried to win over the reluctant skipper. She'd asked Natalie to come out with her and Natalie reluctantly agreed. Natalie slipped back into her rain gear and took her standard place at the sorting table. Edgar approached her to check her gear and then handed her a knife belt and a knife.
"It's the most important thing you can wear on the deck" said Edgar seriously.
"What am I suppose to do with it?" asked Natalie.
"If you or anyone else is stuck in the bite" began Edgar but stopped when he saw the confused look on Natalie's face. "The rope, if anyone is caught in the rope cut it with the knife."
"Ok" said Natalie. "Can I stab you with it if you get mouthy?"
"You could, but trust me when I say I'd get you back two fold" said Edgar.
"Would you put me in the bait chipper?" asked Natalie.
"No" said Edgar in surprise.
"Just wondering" said Natalie with a smile.
"Alright, lets get to work" said Edgar.
"Roger" said Natalie.
The pots were filled and Sig decided to set back before moving on to his eastern most string. Natalie got a new job, hanging bait in each of the pots. She was soaked to the bone before she got through 5 pots. Everyone on deck was surprised by the way she worked, her commitment to the cause was admirable. In the crews eyes her worth just went up. While Natalie's worth was on the rise, Bishop's continued to go down. She was constantly in the way and by hour 8 on deck it had become clear that the crew preferred her up with Sig.
"Bishop, you can't stand there" repeated Edgar.
Bishop blew the hair out of her face and moved back to the bait station.
"I swear there is no where on this deck I can stand without getting yelled at" she muttered.
"Just stay with me" said Natalie. "We're almost done with this string and then it's dinner time."
"Thanks" said Bishop, giving Natalie a hug.
"Bug, stop making out with your girlfriend and bait this pot" yelled Edgar.
"Roger" yelled Natalie as she hurried to comply.
Once the final pot splashed into the water, everyone hurried to clean up and get inside. Natalie had gone in a few pots early and had just finished setting the food on the table when the weary crew walked in. Dinner was eaten in a strange silence and Edgar volunteered to take the first wheel watch.
The crew disappeared into their bunks and Natalie began to make her rounds. Matt had a shoulder issue that she suspected was a rotator cuff problem that could be fixed with physical therapy and a couple months away from the fishing grind. But since neither of those options were available she gave him a long massage with some liniment. Jake got a nice foot massage after Natalie extracted an ingrown toenail with a pair of pliers. The guys never failed to surprise her with their toughness. She bandaged up his foot and told him he would need to soak in epsom salts before gearing up for the next shift on deck. Nick had a pain in his thumb. Natalie rubbed it for a bit and then splinted it for the night to help with the pain. She walked down the hall to her stateroom to look for Norman. She found him passed out face down in his bunk. Deciding a back massage wouldn't be remiss she slid her hands over his back and began rubbing his muscles. Norman groaned into his pillow for a few minutes before asking her to concentrate of his lower back. After a while he drifted off into deep sleep and Natalie covered him with a blanket before she left the room. There were only two more people she needed to see before she could tuck herself into bed.
Sig was laying in bed listening to his ipod when Natalie knocked on his door. When he didn't answer she admitted herself into the room and padded quietly over to the bed. She was surprised to see him awake since he was almost falling asleep at the table turing dinner.
"Hi" said Natalie quietly. "Need a head rub?"
"Sure" said Sig. "But don't expect it to help, this headache won't go away until she's off the boat."
"Then I guess you should load the boat faster" said Natalie.
"Shut up" said Sig. "I thought you were going to put her in the bait chipper for me."
"She's bigger than me. Although Edgar did give me a knife today on deck, so maybe I could hack her into pieces first" said Natalie.
"You are a complete psychopath" said Sig.
"Sit up so I can get behind you" said Natalie.
"I don't know if I should after all you have a knife" said Sig.
"It's still with my rain gear so you're safe" said Natalie.
Sig shifted on the bed and Natalie scooted behind him. She leaned against the wall and pulled Sig back so she could reach his temples. He nestled into her chest and closed his eyes.
"What are you listening to?" asked Natalie.
"The Stooges" replied Sig.
Natalie smiled to herself and continued her massage. Her fingers slipped through the soft hair at his temples soothing him into a state of total relaxation. Sig leaned harder into her the more he relaxed. Natalie shifted slightly so Sig wasn't compressing her chest.
"Sig, you're squishing me" said Natalie.
"Sorry honey" he said in a sleepy voice.
Natalie ignored the moniker and continued what she was doing. Sig mumbled a little as he drifted into sleep. When he was finally fast asleep Natalie extricated herself from underneath his dead weight and tucked him in. She stroked her hand over his furrowed brow and wished him a night without worry.
Last stop was just a few feet away from Sig's stateroom, the wheelhouse. Natalie padded in and was surprised to see Bishop manning the camera in just her bra and panties. Natalie stepped back into the doorway and waited to find out what was going on.
"Ok Edgar, here's another one" said Natalie. "Sig's favorite vacation spot."
"That's worth at least your bra" said Edgar.
"Why's that?" asked Bishop.
"Because if you really want to make him hate you less you could tell him you're going to take him there" said Edgar.
"Could I afford to take him there?" asked Bishop.
"Possibly, I don't know how much you people make" said Edgar.
"We people make far less than you people" replied Bishop.
Bishop pulled down one side of the bra waiting for Edgar to tell her the answer she wanted.
"His favorite vacation spot is Norway, when we visit family. But if not there then somewhere warm and relaxing" said Edgar.
Bishop nodded and pulled the bra off tossing it on the pile with her other clothes. Natalie didn't know what to do, the little strip tease seemed completely inappropriate. Her first thought was what Sig would do if he saw this, the next thought was of Antha and what her husband was doing. Deciding to interrupt before it got any farther she walked into the room.
"Hey" she said.
Edgar looked mildly shocked but did nothing to cover Bishop up. They were separated by the monitors and other than the fact that there was a half naked woman in the same room he didn't seem to have done anything wrong. Bishop immediately gave Natalie a hug, crushing her naked breasts into Natalie's chest.
"Hey Linz" said Natalie. "Whatcha doing?"
"Getting Edgar to help me win Sig over" said Bishop.
"I think you could probably just take your top off for Sig and be done with it" said Natalie.
"This way was more fun" said Bishop.
Edgar stayed completely silent through the whole exchange.
"How's Sig?" asked Bishop.
"He's asleep" said Natalie.
A wave crashed against the bow and splattered the windows with water. The reminder that the weather was coming up was enough to get Bishop to put her clothes back on.
"Alright, I have some editing to do, I'll be back a little later" said Bishop and she flitted out of the wheelhouse.
The moment she was out of earshot Natalie rounded on Edgar.
"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded.
"Nothing, it was her idea" said Edgar. "I didn't think she was going to actually take all her clothes off. I was calling her bluff."
"Right" said Natalie snidely.
"Nothing was going to happen. I love Antha and my family way to much to do anything to jeopardize that" said Edgar seriously.
"You don't think she'd mind that you were in a room with a topless girl?" asked Natalie.
"Like a strip club? Probably not" said Edgar.
Natalie considered his logic and had to admit that it probably wasn't a deal breaker. But if this was how Bishop was going to be on the boat then Natalie had to admit that Sig was right to want her off the boat.