A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter, the next one is already in the works.
The ride back to Antha's house was even quieter than the trip to Natalie's. Sig was trying to decide what he was going to do. He thought he knew the right thing to do and probably the wrong thing to do but he was currently trying to figure out what the Norwegian thing to do was. Antha politely gave Sig the silence he needed to figure out what he was going to do. She cast sly glances as his furrowed brow and wondered if she should just take pity on him and just tell him what to do. Deciding it wasn't her place and that he could succeed or fail on his own she kept silent. Her thoughts turned towards Natalie's note, it had just given a brief description of the events on the boat. The most surprising piece of information was that she'd stabbed Bishop in the leg. Antha didn't know Natalie had that sort of brutality in her, it made her like Natalie even more. It also brought up a huge curiosity in Antha, she needed to ask Edgar what had happened. She was sure his version of events would be the most interesting yet.
"I'm sorry" mumbled Sig.
"What for?" asked Antha.
Sig looked shocked for a moment and Antha realized he was practicing what to say to Natalie.
"Sorry for dragging you away from your family to go to Bug's house" said Sig after a moment.
"You call her bug?" said Antha.
"Yah, because I guess someone called her Nat like a knat, which is a type of bug" explained Sig.
"You guys are so weird" said Antha.
"You married one of us, so clearly you aren't all that normal either" said Sig.
"Well love conquers all" said Antha.
Sig nodded and moved his focus back to the window. He watched the streetlights fly by Antha drove the slippery roads back to her house. A ray of sunshine broke through the clouds making a beautiful rainbow. Antha noticed it first and smiled quietly to herself before speaking quietly to Sig.
"I think you have a sign off the starboard side."
Sig looked out the window and saw the rainbow. For the first time in over a month Sig smiled.
"I hope that's a good sign" said Sig.
"Maybe a pot of gold has been dropped off on my porch" said Antha.
"Who bought Natalie her house?" asked Sig suddenly.
"No one, she bought it herself" said Antha.
"It's a really nice house, how could she afford it?" asked Sig.
"She probably makes a fair amount of money doing physical therapy" said Antha. "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering" said Sig.
"Can I offer you a bit of advice" said Antha.
"Sure, I'll take whatever advice I can get" said Sig.
"She can't be bought with money. She has plenty of it and it doesn't mean anything to her" began Antha. "If you want to gain her forgiveness for what you did, you need to show her how much you care for her."
"Like a piece of jewelry?" suggested Sig.
"No, by giving her something money can't buy" said Antha.
"Oh" said Sig his voice confused.
Antha sighed and concentrated on snaking the car through traffic. When they finally got to her house she slipped out of the car slamming the door behind her. She'd made it half way up the drive when she realized that Sig was still in the car. Walking around to the passenger side she tapped on the window making Sig jump.
"You can ponder inside, perhaps with a large vodka or something" said Antha with a smile.
Sig just nodded numbly and slowly unfolded himself from the front seat. Antha slung her arm in his and all but dragged him towards the house.
As they approached the house the roar from inside became deafening. Antha stopped a few feet from the font door. Sig had continued moving slowly forward and was surprised Antha had paused. He looked back at her and noticed a grimace straining her face.
"Well it's not going to get any better" said Sig.
"I know, but I wonder if I could just turn around and re-water the plants" said Antha with a sigh.
"It must be exhausting" said Sig.
"It's just" began Antha before shaking her head.
"Tell me" said Sig.
"When Edgar's gone the kids are on an amazing schedule, they are easily managed and well behaved. But now he's home and it's like adding another kid to the mix" said Antha.
"Well he is the youngest" said Sig.
"I want them to spend as much time as possible with Edgar, they love him so much" said Antha in a rush. "But all the noise and mess, it gets a little overwhelming.
Sig pulled Antha into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
"It will be fine, we go fishing in another month or so" said Sig.
"But the sad thing is that I don't want him to go" said Antha. "It's all so confusing."
The door opened and Edgar emerged with Erik clutched to his leg.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked.
"Just debating whether I was going to come in or take another drive around the block" said Antha.
"Your little lady is dying to show you something" said Edgar.
Antha smiled happily and gave Sig's hand a gentle squeeze before walking inside to find Diana.
"What's wrong with Antha?" asked Edgar.
"Nothing, I think she was just a little overwhelmed by all the noise" said Sig.
Erik disentangled himself from Edgar's leg and leapt into Sig's arms.
"How are you munchkin" said Sig to his nephew.
"Good" said Erik happily. "Will you play trains with me?"
"Sure buddy" said Sig. "Go set them up and I'll be right there."
Erik bounded happily into the house.
"Edgar, I think Antha would like more quiet time" said Sig seriously.
"Why?" asked Edgar.
"Because she didn't want to walk into your house because it was so loud" said Sig. "I imagine that's a sign that she needs more quiet."
"Sig, why don't you sort out your own life before you start trying to fix mine" said Edgar.
"Antha is an amazing woman and she deserves the best" said Sig. "She chose you when she could have had anybody. I would move heaven and earth if she was my wife."
Edgar looked slightly taken aback by the fervor of the statement. Sig walked inside to find Erik and his game of trains.
The whole Northwestern crew was at Edgar and Antha's house. Edgar was grilling out back and Antha was plying everyone with drinks. Jake was currently rocking Diana to sleep while Matt played trains on the floor with Erik. The house was blooming with activity and Sig sat quietly in a corner thinking of Natalie. He thought she would have loved to be here sharing this meal with all her friends.
"Sig, have another beer" said Antha handing him a cold bottle.
"Thanks" said Sig.
"Erik can't stop talking about the tunnel you made for him" she said sitting down next to him.
"Well it was fun" said Sig.
"What are you thinking about?" asked Antha.
"How much Natalie would have loved being here" said Sig.
"She'd be here if she wasn't on vacation with her mom" said Antha.
Sig just looked away. Antha patted him on the shoulder before walking over to check on the food. A moment later Matt sidled up and flopped heavily onto the couch next to Sig.
"What happened with Bug?" he asked.
"Nothing" said Sig morosely. "I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet."
"When you see her, if you see her" said Matt. "Tell her thanks for the exercises, they've really helped with my hands."
Sig looked down at Matt's hands. They looked normal, the knuckles didn't seem swollen and the usual cuts and bruises were absent.
"What did she do to your hands?" asked Sig.
"She put this wrap on them, it basically healed all the cuts and stuff as they happened" explained Matt. "Then we did some acupuncture and these flexibility exercises.
"I had no idea" said Sig.
"Well you were busy" said Matt dismissively.
"Shut up Matt" said Sig.
Matt just shrugged and got up to help Erik clean up.
Later that night everyone was sitting around the table picking at leftovers and shooting the shit. Antha reentered the room after putting Erik and Diana to bed. She went to the kitchen and pulled out a frozen bottle of vodka and a bottle of scotch. She set them on the table with an ominous thunk and returned with glasses for everyone.
"Pick your poison" she said.
"What's the occasion?" asked Nick.
"I want to hear what happened this season" said Antha.
"You didn't tell her?" said Jake to Edgar.
"He told me some stuff, but I want to know everything" said Antha.
As if on cue everyone at the table picked up a glass and poured themselves a large shot. Antha lifted her glass in a salute and shot back her vodka. Everyone else did the same. The group was silent for a few more minutes before Antha finally huffed in annoyance.
"Who's going to start?" she asked.
Everyone turned to Sig expectantly.
"I've already told her my story" said Sig defensively.
"The whole story?" said Norman in disbelief.
"That sounded like a volunteer" said Antha.
Norman shot her an annoyed glance and refilled his glass. He took a few small sips before pouring back the rest in one go.
"Well the first trip went great and then Chris got hurt" began Norman.
He continued detailing each event that led up to Bishop's arrival on the boat, after that the story became more vague.
"Stop" said Antha impatiently. "I want the truth, blow by blow. Not some pansy fairy tale."
"Fine" said Matt. "Here's the gist, she slept with all of us in order to get the tapes she wanted. Allegedly they showed us all in compromising positions spilling our secrets like a virgin on prom night."
"She slept with all of you?" asked Antha.
"One way or another she got all of us" said Matt.
"All of you" repeated Antha, this time slower.
"Yes" said Matt.
Antha's eyes got hard as they slid from man to man, going around the table until she landed on her husband. It took Matt a moment to realize what he'd suggested and by then he wasn't sure he'd be able to back pedal enough to save Edgar.
"I didn't sleep with her" said Edgar.
"But Matt said everyone" said Antha.
"I meant she did something to everyone" inserted Matt.
"Come on Matt, just quit while you're ahead" said Nick.
"So what did she do to you?" asked Antha.
"Who are you talking to?" asked Nick.
"Everyone" said Antha.
She settled back into her chair with a full glass of vodka.
"Well" she prompted.
"I had sex with her" said Sig tiredly.
"Me too" said Norman.
"Me three" said Matt.
"I got a blow job" said Jake.
"Hand job" said Nick.
There was only one person left and when Antha looked at Edgar he looked unconcerned.
"She stripped for me, down to her underwear. I saw her boobs" he said matter of factly.
"You didn't touch her?" asked Antha.
"Nope" replied Edgar.
"And she didn't touch you?" asked Antha.
"Nope" replied Edgar.
"What did she want to know?" asked Antha.
"She wanted to know how to get close to Sig" replied Edgar.
"What did she care?" said Antha.
"Thanks a lot" said Sig.
"Not what I meant" explained Antha. "Why was she so interested in getting close to Sig or would anyone of you have done the trick?"
"She wanted to sell the tapes for a different kind of show" said Sig.
"Like what?" asked Antha clearly confused. "Like a playboy after dark show?"
"Probably" said Sig.
"But you guys are so gross during the season, I mean you shower like once a week if you're lucky" said Antha. "Why would she want to put her mouth anywhere near any of you."
"Clearly she did" said Sig defensively.
"What did she do to Natalie?" asked Antha.
"She kissed her once" said Edgar.
"And fondled her while she slept" added Norman.
"What a weird chick" said Antha. "What happened to make Natalie feel the need to destroy the tapes?"
"She thought they were going to ruin the boats reputation" said Sig.
"She risked her life to get rid of those tapes" said Matt. "I think Bishop would have pushed her over the side without a second thought. And then she strangled her."
"Strangled her" said Sig.
"Yeah, when they were struggling on deck. Bishop had her hands around Bug's neck, that was why she stabbed her" said Matt.
"Tell me exactly what happened" said Antha.
The guy took turns telling the story from the first moment Natalie had bolted out of the stateroom until she was found unresponsive by Edgar in her bunk. Antha listened in silence nodding occasionally. When the story was over she stood slowly and walked into the back bedroom. The guys waited a moment to see if she'd return but when it became clear she wasn't coming out they went home. Edgar slowly cleaned up the kitchen taking his time throwing out the trash and picking up the kid's toys. Finally he took a deep breath and went into his bedroom.
Antha had the phone cradled between her cheek and shoulder. She was scribbling furiously on a pad of paper. Edgar couldn't tell what was being written, it just looked like a bunch of numbers to him. He'd slept next to Antha last night but felt like he was on a different continent. The next morning he hesitated before entering the kitchen. Both the kids were sitting at the table eating their breakfasts. Taking a breath he entered the kitchen, Antha's eyes looked up and she smiled the same warm smile he'd received every morning since he'd gotten home. Relieved he walked to the fridge and started pulling out stuff to make breakfast.
"Great, just send the rough cuts" said Antha. "I'll show him. Thanks again. Bye."
Antha hung up the phone and made a few more notes before setting the notebook aside.
"Who was that?" asked Edgar.
"Jason" said Antha. "He's sending me the tapes."
"We told you the truth" said Edgar.
"I know you did, but I want to see the tapes" said Antha.
"I never even touched her" said Edgar.
"I know" said Antha.
"I'd never risk this" said Edgar waving his hand around the kitchen. "For anything or anyone."
"I know, me neither" said Antha.
Edgar pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her sealing his mouth to hers. Antha wrapped her legs around Edgar's waist and he was about to take her against the kitchen wall when a little gasp caught their attention. Edgar looked over Antha's shoulder and saw his son with a bagel frozen half way to his mouth.
"Whoops" said Edgar setting Antha down gently.
"Don't worry, they nap after breakfast" she whispered into his ear.
The tapes arrived the following afternoon and Antha poured over them with a critical eye. She saw the beginning of the trip, when Natalie was still trying to figure out everyone's ailments. Then the accident with Chris and the way Natalie stood over him for hours as they rushed back towards Dutch. She watched Jason's tapes of Bishop's arrival and the crews reaction. She watched the captain's camera of Edgar's strip tease. She flipped through the different times that Jason had given her and watched hours and hours of footage. Edgar popped in and out of the room to bring in food or coffee. Antha thanked him each time and he watched over her shoulder until one of the kids needed him. She saw Natalie working on deck through the boat's fixed cameras and Jason's, she was impressed by her work ethic. She watched crew meals and interviews, she watched the treatments Natalie had given to the guys. Bishop was absent from most of the tapes. When Antha reached the tape of the incident she watched it in real speed first then rewound and watched it again in slow motion. The look on Bishop's face was pure hatred as she passed the captain's cam. She switched to Jason's tape of the deck struggle. It cut in when Natalie was already almost to the stern, Antha watched her struggle to get the bag over the side and saw Bishop push her. They both fell to the deck and for a moment the footage went blurry. When it came back into focus she saw Bishop on top of Natalie and Matt approaching the duo. She saw Matt get clocked in the jaw and Natalie pull the knife out and stab Bishop. She paused the tape and used her software to zoom in on Natalie's face. The picture showed Natalie's face twisted in a combination of fear and regret as she stabbed. Antha watched the rest of the tapes in a stunned silence. She saw the bruising on Natalie's neck and was surprised at how sick she looked when Jason interviewed her. She watched the last of the interviews on deck, each of the guys reacting to what had transpired. Then she saw Edgar carrying Natalie out to the ambulance, she looked like a rag doll in his arms. The final scene was the ambulance driving away with Natalie all alone in the back. The screen faded to black and Antha stretched her back and looked at the clock. She'd been viewing non stop for almost 2 days straight. She emailed Jason her editing notes as promised and then started to cut together a few bits of film to show the guys.
Edgar had called everyone and told them to come over as soon as possible. Antha attached her computer to the flat screen TV and waited. She hadn't spoken more than a few words to Edgar in the past few days, he'd looked at some of the tapes as she edited them but they hadn't talked. She was so completely focused on what she was doing it was like she wasn't even there. A knock at the door startled Antha from her perch on the arm chair. She rushed to the door and said a quick hello to Matt before slipping back to her spot. One by one the rest of the guys arrived. Once everyone was seated Antha cleared her throat.
"I cut together some of the footage that Discovery is going to use for the show" said Antha. "They may air something a little different, they may choose to use different story lines but I doubt it."
With no further introduction she started the dvd. The guys watched with slowly dawning looks of horror. The men of the Northwestern were shown exactly what Natalie had done for them. Antha had cut together all of Natalie's advice for keeping them healthy, all their treatments. The most humorous was her doing the acupuncture of Matt's hands while the boat pitched and rolled. The most compelling was when she was crouched next to Chris trying to save his life on the dirty floor of the boat's hallway. The next set of clips were of Natalie on deck baiting the pots and getting teased. Then suddenly the dvd cut to the fateful day. It showed the spliced together captain's cam footage and then Jason's deck footage. It showed in gruesome detail exactly what Bishop had attempted to do and Natalie's desperate act of survival.
"Oh my God" whispered Jake.
But it wasn't over, the next scene was the up close view of Natalie's injuries. It was clear that she was already severely dehydrated and when she tilted her neck up Bishop's fingers were clearly visible in a ring around Natalie's neck.
"That's enough" said Sig, his voice choked with tears.
"Almost" said Antha.
The final scene was Edgar carrying Natalie to the ambulance and it pulling away from the boat.
"Is that it?" asked Nick.
"Yes" said Edgar.
"Did you see this already?" asked Sig.
"Just bits and pieces of it" said Edgar.
"You look like dogs" said Antha. "You didn't even go with her to the hospital. You never once brought her food or water. She took care of you, all of you, multiple times and you never once returned the favor."
The guys said nothing, their eyes were glued to the carpet.
"Say something" said Antha. "Defend what you did, explain why you did it."
"You know how it is out there" began Norman.
"There is nothing to say" said Sig cutting off his brother. "You're right, everything you said is true, we have no excuses."
"I don't think this is forgivable" said Antha sadly. "I don't see how she could forgive any of you. I wouldn't."
"I have to go" said Sig.
Without waiting for a reply he left, quietly closing the door behind him. The rest of the guys expressed their complete regret of how they handled themselves and the situation.