A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews.
Sig sighed as he walked into Aleutian Hotel, he'd make a terrible misjudgment of character. He'd picked Bishop over Natalie with disastrous results. Now instead of being able to grovel while Natalie was safely sedated in a hospital bed he was stuck here while she was gone. Matt, Nick and Jake walked behind him as they passed through the lobby towards the bar. Everyone needed a stiff drink.
"First rounds on me" said Sig.
"What can I get for you?" asked the bar manager.
Everyone ordered their drinks and pulled up a bar stool. Sig planned to stay until someone had to lead him back to the boat. Edgar and Norman appeared a few minutes later. They'd had a huge bouquet of flowers for Natalie and hadn't wanted it to go to waste, so on the way back to the hotel they dropped it off with one of their favorite ladies. She decorated the russian orthodox church in Dutch. She'd been delighted by the amazing flowers. Pulling up to the bar behind Sig, Edgar ordered a coke and some fries. Norman quietly ordered a beer and then sat next to Nick.
"How many has he had?" asked Norman pointing at Sig.
Sig's head rested on the bar his eyes closed.
"That's his first" said Nick pointing to the half full vodka and coke.
"Oh" replied Norman.
Sig's phone buzzed on the bar and he lifted his head to read the caller ID. It was Jonathan, which he thought was odd. He let the call go to voice mail and was surprised when the phone rang again immediately. Realizing whatever Jonathan wanted was clearly important he picked up the phone.
"What" Sig barked into the cell.
"Hey Sig. It's John."
"What's up?" asked Sig.
"Who's on your boat?" asked Jonathan.
"No one. Everyone is here with me" said Sig, his concern growing.
"Not true, someone is on your boat right now. I'm standing on the dock and looking into your wheelhouse" said Jonathan. "Someone is clearly in there."
"I'll be right there" said Sig.
He slammed the phone closed and grabbed his coat.
"We've got a break in" he announced.
The guys were up and out of the bar in seconds.
They sped down the dock and arrived at the Northwestern in record time. Sig and the guys leapt onto the deck rushing towards the wheelhouse. They split up a few going up the outside steps and the others reaching the wheelhouse from the inside. Sig took the stairs two at a time with Edgar right behind him. When he got upstairs the wheelhouse was a mess, everything had been pulled out of the drawers. Age old maps were torn into shreds and every single sheet of paperwork from the season was flung on the floor. Hunched over the computer monitor was Bishop.
"What the fuck are you doing?" asked Sig.
Bishop's head snapped up, shock evident on her face. Her eyes darted behind Sig where she saw Edgar and Matt. She took a step back before running to the door leading outside. Her fingers were almost to the handle when it opened and she was confronted by Nick, Jake and Norman. Realizing she was surrounded she sighed and walked back into the wheelhouse.
"I asked you a question" said Sig.
Bishop said nothing.
"Call the cops" said Sig to Edgar.
Edgar pulled out his phone and walked down the stairs to make the call. The police were already sending a cruiser to their location based on reports of someone suspicious being on board.
"What else did you do?" asked Sig.
Bishop again remained tight lipped.
"Those maps were my father's and you ruined them" said Sig, his voice hard.
Bishop turned her head to the pile of torn paper on the floor. But again she said nothing.
"Jake, go look at the rest of the boat, staterooms, galley, engine room" ordered Sig. "I'm sure this isn't the only thing she's destroyed."
He was right, Bishop had slashed all the mattresses, torn the curtains and broken the coffee maker. Sig's room was completely destroyed, she'd even managed to break the wooden cabinets. Jake came back with his report and once the police arrived they took photos of all the damage. Bishop was arrested and handcuffed. While she was being dragged out she spat at Sig, missing him by a mile but her message was clear.
Sig was forced to stay a few extra days in Dutch filling out police reports and discussing the incident with the Discovery people. The repairs would be completed when they returned for Opies. The crew was desperate to go home and Sig reluctantly let them. He felt someone should stay with the boat, but the reality was everyone had something to get home to. His last stop before going to the airport was the Aleutian Hotel, he needed to pay off the bar tab. Walking into the bar he spotted Kale working.
"Hey" said Sig. "Just here to settle up."
Kale calculated the bill and then laid it in front of Sig. He slapped his credit card down without even looking at it.
"How's the boat?" asked Kale as she ran the card.
"Destroyed" said Sig. "But fixable."
"No worse wrath than a woman scorned" said Kale.
"God, no kidding" said Sig with a sigh.
Kale set the credit card and receipt in front of Sig and waited until she had his attention.
"You owe someone a huge debt of gratitude" she said seriously.
Sig raised his head, pausing mid signature.
"I'm serious" continued Kale. "Natalie completely saved your ass by getting rid of those tapes and you repaid her by starving her to death."
"I" began Sig.
"No. You don't get to speak" snapped Kale. "I suggest you think long and hard on what you should do for her. It needs to be huge."
Sig's head dropped to the bar with a thunk.
"Do you have any suggestions?" he asked his voice muted by the polished surface.
"Jewelry is always nice" said Kale.
"She doesn't even wear jewelry" said Sig.
"Yeah well who does on a crab boat" said Kale.
"Good point" said Sig.
Another customer stood at the end of the bar and Kale waved at him.
"Don't forget to give me a big tip" she said as a parting shot.
Sig slipped a hundred dollar bill onto the counter under the credit receipt and slowly walked out of the bar. His mind whirling about what he should do to get back into Natalie's good graces. He had no idea what the appropriate gift was for failing to protect someone or even thank them for risking their life for you after you repay their kindness by inadvertently trying to kill them.
Natalie had been flown to Anchorage where she was treated for dehydration. Her mother arrived on the day of her release anxious to take her home. The nurses were surprised as Natalie thanked them all profusely for all their care.
"Come on now dear, lets go" said her mom.
"Coming mother" said Natalie giving the last nurse a hug.
Natalie's mother walked quietly down the hall next to the nurse who was pushing Natalie in a wheelchair. It wasn't needed but it was hospital policy. A black town car waited in the small drive and once she was loaded into the car, it smoothly drove away from the curb.
"What happened Natalie?" she asked.
"I don't want to talk about it" replied Natalie tiredly.
"Fine, we won't talk about it" said her mom.
"Thank you" said Natalie.
"I would like you to come home with me" said her mom sternly.
"You know what, that sounds great" said Natalie. "I could use some warm weather and some pampering."
"Excellent" said her mother happily.
"But I have to stop at home first" said Natalie.
"Whatever for?" asked her mother. "We can buy new clothes for you or you can just borrow some of your sister's."
"I need to go home first, I haven't been there for almost two months, I want to check on my stuff, I want to pack my own clothes for the trip" said Natalie.
"Fine" said her mom.
The car pulled into the airport and headed for a small hanger in the back. The driver stopped the car next to a red carpet and immediately the door was opened by a solicitous crew member.
"Mrs. Moore, so good to see you" he said with a broad smile.
"Thank you, we're making an unscheduled stop in Seattle" said Natalie's mom.
"Of course, we'll get the flight plan together immediately" said the man.
"Thank you" she said. "Natalie, get out of the car and into the hanger, it's freezing out here."
"Yes mother" said Natalie.
They were airborne in less than an hour. Natalie sat peacefully in the Gulfstream relishing the comfort of the chair and the quietness of the cabin. It seemed like forever since she'd traveled in such luxury. The plane touched down a few hours later in Seattle. A rented car was waiting on the tarmac for them. Speeding through the streets of Seattle the rain pounded against the windshield. Natalie made a mental list of things to do and what to pack once she got to her house. Her mom was anxious to get back to warmer climates and had given her an hour to get what she needed. Mother Moore had complained almost nonstop about the cold since arriving in Natalie's Alaskan hospital room. Personally Natalie actually enjoyed the rainy weather, to her it seemed like a perfect excuse to cuddle up with a warm cup of tea and a good book. Unlocking her door she walked into the foyer and glanced at the huge pile of mail on the side table. She smiled happily as she saw her plants were still alive. She walked upstairs to her bedroom and tossed her seabag on the bed. Deciding it was pointless to unpack she reached into her closet and pulled out a rolling suitcase. Setting it on the bed she started to pull clothes out of her closet.
"Natalie darling, those are too warm. It's hot in Costa Rica this time of year" her mom said.
"Fine, you pick the clothes and I'll finish the rest of my to do list" said Natalie.
Her mother nodded and began plucking clothes out of the closet.
Slipping downstairs Natalie moved into the kitchen and opened her fridge. It was still empty. She walked through the rooms watering her plants. Deciding that she'd need her house sitter for a little while longer she picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Antha? It's Natalie."
"Hey Natalie, how are you?" asked Antha.
"Fine, just got home" said Natalie. "Listen, I'm going home with my mom for a few weeks. Can you keep watering my plants and bringing in my mail?"
"Sure" said Antha. "Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, I don't really want to go into it. My mom is anxious to leave" said Natalie.
"Sure, no problem" said Antha. "Are you sure everything is ok?"
"I have to go" said Natalie. "Give my love to the kids and Edgar."
"Natalie" said Antha seriously.
"I'll tell you all about when I get back" said Natalie.
"Ok" said Antha.
"Tell Edgar to keep doing his exercises" said Natalie.
"Sure" said Antha. "Take care of yourself."
Natalie hung up the phone and sighed heavily. She hadn't even asked if Edgar was even home yet. Grabbing a pad of paper she wrote out a quick note for Antha explaining in the most basic terms what happened. She'd just finished the last sentence when her mom appeared with her suitcase.
"Ready to go sweetie?"
"Yeah mom" said Natalie.
"You're crying" said her mom.
"I'll be fine" said Natalie wiping her eyes.
"I know you will, you always are" said her mother knowingly.
"Lets go" said Natalie.
"Paradise awaits" said her mom with a smile.
Sig pulled into Edgar's driveway and after he killed the engine he just sat in the truck. He could see Antha moving around through the kitchen window. Taking a deep breath he got out of the car and walked towards the front door. He rang the doorbell and waited for a moment before opening the door and letting himself in.
"Antha, it's Sig" he called.
"Edgar's at Matt's house" she yelled from another room.
"I came to talk to you" said Sig.
"Oh yeah? What about?" asked Antha.
"Natalie" said Sig.
Antha appeared in the doorway holding a baby on her hip.
"Let me put her down for a nap and then we can talk" said Antha.
"Sure, take your time" said Sig.
"There's coffee in the kitchen, help yourself" said Antha.
Sig walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. He saw a plate of brownies on the counter and snagged one before sitting down at the small table. He heard Antha walking down the hallway and she appeared carrying a huge basket of laundry.
"Let me help you with that" said Sig.
"I got it" said Antha. "I'm going to throw in a load of laundry and then we can talk while I do the dishes."
Sig just nodded and watched Antha go about her chores. She finally poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Sig.
"Ok, what do you want to talk about?" asked Antha.
"I have something for Natalie" said Sig.
"She's not here" said Antha.
"Well I didn't really think she would be at your house, that would be too easy" said Sig. "But I hoped you had her address."
"I meant she's not in the country" said Antha. "She's on vacation with her mom."
"Oh" said Sig quietly.
"But I can take you to her house and you can leave whatever you have for her there" said Antha. "I'm watering her plants."
"How long will she be gone?" asked Sig.
"She didn't say" said Antha. "What happened anyway?"
"She didn't tell you?" asked Sig.
"No, we only spoke briefly" said Antha.
"I made a terrible mistake and I want to make it right" said Sig.
"What did you do?" asked Antha.
Sig sighed heavily and then slowly started to explain the entire ordeal. Antha listened quietly occasionally nodding.
"And then we went to the hospital and she was already gone." finished Sig.
"What do you need to give her?" asked Antha.
"Her cut from the season" said Sig. "The guys and I decided to give her a percentage from each of our shares, something to say thanks."
"When did you decide this?" asked Antha.
"During the last trip" said Sig.
"Before or after the whole Bishop fiasco?" asked Antha.
"Before" said Sig.
"I think you should give the check to her in person" said Antha.
"That's what I'm trying to do" said Sig exasperatedly.
Antha got up and grabbed the phone. She called Edgar asking him to come home as soon as possible.
A few hours later Sig and Antha were driving up the winding road to Natalie's house. Pulling into the arcing driveway Sig was surprised by the lavishness of the home. Antha opened the front door and walked into the foyer. Sig followed slowly unsure if Natalie would want him in her house.
"She's not here" said Antha.
"I know" said Sig.
Antha grabbed a watering can and started up the stairs.
"Where are you going?" asked Sig.
"I need to water her plants" said Antha.
"I'll just wait down here" said Sig uncomfortably.
"Fine with me" said Antha. "Look around, I'm sure she left contact information somewhere."
Sig walked into the kitchen and found Natalie's hastily written note. Reading her version of events made Sig sick to his stomach. Never in the note did she place blame on him or any of the other guys. Sig turned over the note and found an address and phone number. Antha appeared in the kitchen startling Sig.
"Did you find it?" she asked.
"Yes, she's in Costa Rica" said Sig.
"Then I suggest you book a flight" said Antha.
"She wrote something for you" said Sig passing Antha the note.
"Oh" said Antha setting down the watering can.
"You read, I'll finish watering her plants" said Sig.
"Sure" said Antha already skimming the note.
Sig walked slowly through the rooms watering Natalie's many plants. As he watered he glanced around the rooms looking at the tasteful decorations and comfortable furniture. Setting the water can on the floor he sat down heavily on the couch. Looking around the room he could imagine Natalie sitting here with the throw blanket on her feet drinking tea and watching TV.
"What are you smiling about?" asked Antha from the doorway.
"Just thinking about Natalie" said Sig.
"She loves that couch" said Antha. "Did you do all the plants?"
"I think so, there are a lot of them" said Sig.
"Natalie says they give off oxygen" said Antha. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah I'm ready" said Sig.
He pulled out an envelope and set it on the dinning room table.
"I thought you were going to give that to her in person" said Antha.
"Yeah, well, I changed my mind" said Sig.
Antha studied Sig's face for a moment before shrugging and walking towards the front door.