A/N: Thanks for the reviews, I love them. Another quick update.
The plexiglass quick fix was installed in the wheelhouse and a few hours later the boat was back moving through the gear. Natalie went out on deck with the guys to help them sort through the stuffed pots of crab. The waves were still big but the wind had died down enough that Sig thought it was safe for her to be out there. Jake and Natalie shared bait duty. They rock, paper scissored before each pot to decide who was going to bait it.
"It's a study of statistics" said Natalie.
"Seriously, you have the worst luck" said Jake.
"Technically I should win at least fifty percent of the time" said Natalie.
"Yeah, you've won twice in thirteen pots" said Jake.
"I guess I'll just have to wait and see if my luck evens out the more we play" said Natalie.
"Sure, what ever you say" said Jake with a smirk.
"Pot's ready to bait" called Edgar.
"Coming" said Natalie grabbing the bait from the table.
Natalie dove into the pot and hung the bait in record time.
"Wow, you're really getting the hang of it" said Nick.
"Thanks, it must be all the practice I'm getting" said Natalie as she shimmied out of the pot.
"We have 15 pots until we jog to our next string" said Sig over the hailer.
"Natalie, head in, dry off and start cooking" said Edgar.
"Roger" replied Natalie with a smile as she disappeared off deck.
"I wonder what she's making for dinner?" said Matt.
"Whatever it is, I hope she makes a lot. I'm starving" said Jake.
A few minutes later the smell of cooking onions began seeping out of the galley window. The guys were hungry and each new smell that permeated the deck made their mouths water. Edgar stuck his head through the galley window and tried to grab a taste of what Natalie was cooking.
"Hey, if you want a taste just ask" scolded Natalie.
"Fine" said Edgar grudgingly. "Can I have a taste?"
"No" said Natalie.
"You are such a tease" said Edgar.
"I'm not" said Natalie.
"Prove it" challenged Edgar.
"I don't feel the need to prove anything to you" said Natalie. "It's not my style."
"At least tell me what's for dinner" said Edgar.
"Pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy" said Natalie.
"Make double because we're all starving" said Edgar.
"I'm way ahead of you" said Natalie.
To illustrate she pulled two full baking pans out of the oven. Edgar gave her a thumbs up to show his approval and slid the window closed.
The next few days passed in the same way. Natalie helped out on deck and cooked the meals. Then she gave as many treatments as she could before she collapsed from exhaustion. Bishop was Sig's constant companion in the wheelhouse, she'd even taken to making his coffee. She also wasn't sleeping in Natalie's bed or at least Natalie didn't think she was. Once Natalie's head hit the pillow she was out until Norman or Edgar shook her awake. Tonight was going to be her first wheel watch so after cleaning up the dinner dishes she made the quick trip up to the wheelhouse. She was armed with a couple of magazines and a huge cup of coffee. Bishop and Sig were chatting casually and Natalie was happy that they were finally getting along.
"Bug, you ready for your shift?" asked Sig.
"Yep, all set" said Natalie.
She slipped into the chair and Sig went over everything again. He watched Natalie for a few minutes and when he was sure she knew what she was doing he left. Bishop filmed the wheelhouse for a few minutes before putting the camera on the tripod and approaching the captain's chair.
"What's up?" said Natalie.
"Nothing, just thought we could do something funny" said Bishop.
"Oh yeah, what's that?" asked Natalie warily.
"We should braid each other's hair" said Bishop.
"Excellent idea" said Natalie, her face breaking into a huge grin.
"Take off your sweatshirt so you don't mess up your hair" suggested Bishop.
"Ok" said Natalie.
Once she was just in her tank top and sweats she stood up so Bishop could slip into the chair behind her. Up on her knees Bishop sectioned off the hair and started to braid. Natalie opened up her magazine and started to ask Bishop some of the quiz questions. Their giggles turned to laughter which turned to hysterics so loud that Sig woke up.
"What the fuck is going on up here?" he bellowed.
"Hi Sig" said Bishop.
"What the fuck are you two doing?" he asked.
"Braiding each other's hair" said Natalie with a snicker.
"Not on my boat" said Sig.
"Too late, we're all done" said Natalie.
"Get out of my chair" said Sig.
Natalie slipped out of the chair and passed Sig. When she walked by Sig noticed the intricate design in her hair. Bishop's hair looked equally complicated. Clearly they'd been doing this for a while.
"Good night Natalie" said Sig sternly.
"Night" said Natalie flitting out of the wheelhouse.
"You staying to keep me company?" asked Sig.
"Of course" said Bishop.
Sig motioned to the camera and Bishop went over and turned it off. Then she walked over and slipped into his lap.
The crew was on, what they all hoped, was the last string of the trip. The pots had produced solid numbers thus far and the tanks had filled quickly. Topping off the tank was the order of the day. The crew hit the deck and was greeted by snow flurries. Natalie walked around trying to catch the small flakes in her mouth. She stopped after she ran smack into Edgar and got a tongue full of dirty jacket. The hours wore on and constant grind of the long hours were making everyone a little sloppy. After Natalie fell for the tenth time Edgar sent her inside to make everyone a snack. She came out twenty minutes later with some piping hot ham and cheese sandwiches. Everyone ate theirs on a quick run between pots. Natalie grabbed a water to wash down her sandwich.
"Give me a sip" said Jake.
Natalie handed him her bottle and Jake took a few swigs. He handed back the bottle and Matt asked for a sip. Natalie frowned slightly but handed him the bottle and he finished it.
"Hey, where's my sip?" asked Nick.
"You all have working legs" replied Natalie. "Go get your own bottles."
"That's cold blooded" said Edgar.
Natalie rolled her eyes and walked over to the small alcove and grabbed an arm full of water. She walked to each guy opened the bottle licked the lip before handing it over.
"What the hell are you doing?" asked Edgar.
"I'm slobbering all over it, because clearly that's why you want to share my drink" said Natalie.
"Yum, it's minty" said Nick.
"I'm chewing gum" said Natalie.
"What did you spit in it?" asked Edgar.
"Don't be gross" said Natalie.
"Are you kidding, everyone on here is gross. When's the last time you showered?" asked Edgar.
Natalie took a moment to think about it and then a horrified look spread over her face as she realized it had been days.
"Oh I feel so gross" complained Natalie.
"You still look good, if that's any consolation" said Matt.
"Thanks. It means a lot coming from the guy who hasn't changed his undies since we left Dutch" chided Natalie.
"How do you know" said Matt.
"Bishop told me. How she knows is not my business" replied Natalie.
The guys on deck wouldn't meet each other's eyes which Natalie felt was odd. A huge wave washed over the side knocking all contemplation out of the crew's mind.
"Natalie, get to the bait station and stay there" called Sig over the hailer.
"Roger" replied Natalie.
The rest of the string was treacherous, Natalie stayed at the shelter of the bait station doing her best to stay vertical. After another 10 pots Edgar sent her inside for her protection.
The tanks were finally stuffed and the crew fell into their beds exhausted. There was a nine hour steam to Dutch and everyone was planning to sleep for the duration of the trip. Natalie put the prepackaged muffins on the table and made a pot of coffee before heading towards her stateroom. Before she got there she decided to grab the laundry out of the dryer. After folding the clothes she set off to drop off the clean garments and then go to bed. Her first stop was Sig's room. As she walked upstairs she could hear Nick chatting with Sig in the wheelhouse. She dropped his clothes off on his bed and headed back downstairs. Her next stop was to drop off Matt, Jake and Nick's clothes. She set the laundry basket down in the hall and opened the door. Picking up their clothes she took two steps into the room.
"Hey Jake" she called.
When her eyes adjusted to the darkness she saw Bishop on her knees in between Jake's legs. She was clearly giving him a blow job wearing nothing more than a pair of panties. While that was a strange sight it certainly wasn't what upset Natalie, the thing that made her mad was that Bishop was wearing her panties.
"What the fuck are you doing?" yelled Natalie.
Bishop's response was muffled by her full mouth and Jake's response was a grunt that clearly signaled his release. Bishop turned towards Natalie, her mouth dripping with cum.
"I don't care what you are doing with him or anyone else on the boat, but you get your skanky cunt out of my underwear" yelled Natalie.
"What's all the yelling?" asked Matt as he opened the door.
"You are more than welcome to be the boats doorknob but do not do it in any of my stuff" continued Natalie.
After delivering her last salvo Natalie turned on her heel and pushed past Matt into the hallway. Bishop and Jake were still in the same position and Matt seeing that he didn't want any part of it backed slowly out of the room.
Natalie stormed into her stateroom throwing the laundry basket containing Edgar and Norman's clothes into the corner. Norman and Edgar were sitting in their bunks, the walls on a crab boat are paper thin and they'd both heard what she'd said to Bishop. Natalie pulled off her sweatshirt and climbed into her bunk, pulling the blanket over her head. Edgar and Norman shared a look and Edgar sighed, stood up and poked her.
"Hey, are you ok?" he asked.
"I'm fine" grumbled Natalie.
"You sure?" asked Edgar. "Do I need to clean up any blood or dispose of a body?"
"No, everyone is still in one piece" said Natalie.
"Roger" said Edgar.
"You know what I want" said Natalie suddenly.
"What?" asked Edgar.
"Off this fucking boat" said Natalie.
"You've been amazing on this trip" said Norman suddenly.
"Thanks" said Natalie.
"Seriously, you've done more work than the average greenhorn" said Edgar.
"Well if I can't get off the boat, then I want some of Sig's chocolate" said Natalie.
"No problem" said Edgar.
He reached into his seabag and pulled out 2 large slabs of Sig's favorite chocolate. He handed one to Natalie and she looked at him quizzically.
"We always have some on hand in case a bribe is in order or we want to frame another crew member for theft" explained Edgar.
"Whatever" said Natalie grabbing the candy.
She snapped off a piece and laid it on her tongue letting it slowly melt into her taste buds. She repeated the process until the chocolate bar was finished. Then she closed her eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.