A/N: Thank you to all who have read and reviewed this story. I am still working on it and hope to update more frequently. I appreciate your patience.
Natalie sighed and shifted in her seat, her butt was asleep again. The lecturer in the front of the room was droning on about the history of the United States Coast Guard. While the history was certainly full of interesting anecdotes the lecturers voice made even the most daring rescues sound boring. She tried very hard to focus, after all this lecture was just for her benefit. The rest of the class were second year recruits who looked like they'd heard this speech before. The class had started four days ago and had been a complete hands on experience. She'd learned to place an IV, in a helicopter simulator and a list of the most grievous injuries sustained on boats and ways to help a patient to survive in the most challenging circumstances. However Natalie had made the mistake of asking the difference between the Navy and the Coast Guard, the instructor was flabbergasted at her question and promptly scheduled the history class. While the class, delivered by someone with a bit more pizazz, could have been interesting it wasn't really going to help her save a man's life on the open ocean. Her thoughts drifted to the crew of the Northwestern. Sig had informed her that he would be up in Dutch in a couple of weeks but that the crew would be up on Friday to begin prepping the boat. Edgar was coming up with the guys but would leave once the boat was underway. He stressed again that he thought the class was a waste of time which she thanked him for his opinion and told him to bugger off.
"Are their any questions?" asked the instructor.
The question was met by silence.
"Then you are dismissed" said the instructor sullenly.
The class gathered up their notebooks and shuffled out the door.
"Natalie, it's chow time" said Mark, another instructor, who was waiting in the hall.
"Roger" replied Natalie.
The mess hall was crowded when Natalie and Mark walked in. They entered the food line and slowly moved through the different food stations. Natalie was surprised at how well the guys ate, she was sure she'd gain a stone by the end of the week. Tonight's fare was no exception. Natalie placed some shrimp on her plate along with a large helping of rice and veggies. Mark moved her towards an empty table and they sat down. After a few moments of chewing Mark set down his fork and cleared his throat.
"Tomorrow is a training exercise" he said. "I got your permission to tag along."
"Thanks" said Natalie, smiling ear to ear.
"I knew you'd be happy" said Mark. "How was class today?"
"United States history is a fascinating subject, being subjected to it for hours on end was a bit much" said Natalie.
"You're going to need plenty of sleep tonight" said Mark. "We leave at 0500 tomorrow morning."
"What is the training exercise?" asked Natalie.
"It's a search and rescue" said Mark.
"In a simulator?" asked Natalie.
"Nope, you will actually get to leave the base" said Mark.
"Finally" said Natalie. "My week is over in two days."
"Too bad, you could definitely be an asset to us here" said Mark seriously.
Natalie sighed, they'd had this conversation before.
"Well there are a wealth of problems associated with that suggestion" said Natalie evenly.
"You have a real talent for lifesaving" said Mark. "A calm head and a great ability to assess situations."
"Thank you for the compliments but I have no interest in joining the US Coast Guard" said Natalie.
"Well, I just thought I'd ask" said Mark.
"Again" added Natalie.
"Let me walk you to your room" said Mark.
"No need, I can find it myself" said Natalie. "Good night Mark, I'll see you in the morning."
The Jayhawk helicopter sped over the ocean, it's powerful engines eating up the miles between Kodiak and the drop zone. Natalie sat buckled into one of the jump seats listening to the crackling voices of the other crew members as they talked to each other. The helmet was heavy on her head and she was having a hard time keeping her head up. She had asked for permission to take it off and was quickly denied. Mark sat across from her slowly going through the procedures with the other recruit.
"Ok, we are about 10 miles from the drop zone" said the pilot. "We're going to show you how fast we can go. Hold on."
The acceleration made Natalie's stomach drop and she closed her eyes for a moment. "Aright, we are topped out at 180 knots" said the pilot proudly. "And we're here."
The helicopter hovered in midair, rocking only slightly as winds gusted against it.
"Preparing to open the door" said Mark.
"Roger, door opening" said the co-pilot.
The door opened and a blast of frigid air blew into the cabin. Natalie shivered slightly at the change in temperature but leaned forward despite the chill to see where they were. Below them she could see a huge Coast Guard cutter in the water. Just off it's port side was a huge area filled with colored smoke.
"Ok, rescue swimmer are you ready?" asked Mark.
"Roger, I am ready" said Jon, the recruit sitting next to Natalie.
"Good luck Jon" said Natalie squeezing his hand.
"I'll see you later" said Jon.
"Ok Jon, lets go" said Mark.
Jon walked to the door and after assessing the situation jumped into the frigid water below.
"Swimmer in the water" said Mark.
"Roger" replied the co-pilot.
"Basket at the door" said Mark.
"Roger, basket at the door" said the co-pilot.
Mark signaled Natalie to come closer. She scooted over to where he was a sat next to him. He showed her how he'd attached the basket to the winch and where he was going to try to get it to land. It was pointless to try to talk over the roar of the rotors and wind noise so all the instruction was done with hand signals. Jon called for the basket and Mark answered by pushing it out of the door and steadying the unfurling cable trying to get it as close to the swimmer as possible.
"Patient in the basket" crackled Jon's voice.
"Hoisting" said Mark. "Natalie, as soon as the basket is in the cabin you're on."
"Roger" said Natalie.
The basket was pulled into the cabin and Natalie went to work. With Mark's help she pulled the patient from the basket and onto the gurney. She did a quick check of vitals and then started to cut away the gumby suit. Water spilled all over the floor making it slippery. Natalie skidded across the floor on her knees moving around the gurney checking the patient for injuries. She'd had a list of what was suppose to be wrong with him and she began to work to stabilize him. The pretend patient had a hard time keeping the smile off his face as Natalie told him what she was doing before each procedure. Once she was finished with his "life threatening injuries" she covered him with warm blankets and helped him sit up.
"How'd I do?" asked Natalie.
"Great, but you don't have to tell the patient what you are doing" said Mark. "They can't hear you anyway."
"Force of habit" said Natalie.
"It was damn sexy to see her mouth move and I could just imagine what dirty things she was saying to me" said the patient.
Natalie rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat.
"You guys are all alike" she grumbled.
The tailwind that had been so helpful on the way to the site was completely unsuitable as a headwind. The pilots lurched the plane to the right and left before climbing in an effort to find a place where the wind wasn't so powerful. Their maneuvers proved futile as the helicopter trudged heavily through the darkening sky. The laughing and joking crew had gone strangely silent. Natalie kept quiet but she couldn't help but listen to the growing strain in the co-pilot's voice as he listed their fuel poundage and their distance to the base.
"We are building ice on the window" said the co-pilot.
"Roger. How far until we reach Kodiak?" asked the pilot.
Before the co-pilot could respond Mark's voice cut in.
"Natalie, take off your headphones" said Mark.
Both the pilot and co-pilot were silent until Natalie removed them. Mark passed her a pair of earplugs and told her to sit tight, there was nothing to worry about. Natalie felt that was a complete lie but didn't bother to argue. The "patient" next to her reached over and grabbed her hand.
"Don't worry" he said.
"Are you worried?" asked Natalie.
"Not really, these guys are pros. By the way my name is Patrick, thanks for saving my life" he said with a smile.
"I'm Natalie and your injuries seem to have miraculously healed."
"How long have you been in the program?" asked Patrick.
"I'm not in the program, just here for a week" said Natalie sheepishly. "I'm here to learn a little bit about lifesaving at sea before I go to back to the Bearing Sea."
"What?" exclaimed Patrick. "That's crazy, how in the hell did you get permission to come into our program. You are risking your life on this training exercise for nothing."
Natalie tried to pull her hand away but Patrick held tight.
"Let go" said Natalie angrily.
"Why would you come here? You can't learn anything in a week" said Patrick.
"I already knew basic lifesaving, I've spent the last month in the ER and in ambulances" said Natalie. "I knew what I was getting into and that is why I came."
Patrick studied her face as if he was trying to decide if she was legit. Natalie scowled at his assessment but remained silent.
"If we get out of here alive, I'd like to buy you a beer" said Patrick.
"I'm going to need something stronger than a beer" retorted Natalie.
The exchange took Natalie's mind off the trouble. She wondered what Sig would say if he knew what she was doing. She smiled despite the situation thinking of Sig raging at her for taking unnecessary risks. Mark noticed her smile and tapped her on the leg, silently asking her to let him in on the joke. Natalie shook her head and said a little prayer that they'd get back safely.
Hours later Natalie, Patrick and the rest of the crew sat at a small bar located on the Coast Guard base in Kodiak. She was nursing a vodka tonic while Patrick slammed back another shot. He'd bought her a couple which she'd pretended to drink, before pouring them into the various drinks littering the table. The Jayhawk had made it back to the landing pad with barely enough fuel and the trip had taken twice as long. The crew was partying like they'd just risked their lives, which in a way they had. She'd been so sure after such a huge amount of alcohol they would be slurring or tired or pass out or something but they seemed to be going strong. On the other hand Natalie was exhausted and her head was spinning from the drinks she'd consumed.
"You ready to go?" asked Patrick.
Natalie snapped herself back into reality and nodded. He paid the bill quickly and pulled her off the barstool before helping her into her coat. Natalie said a quick goodbye to the other guys before turning to Patrick. He placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the bar. He turned her to the right and they started the long trek back to the barracks. A light snow had started to fall and Natalie shivered as the snow slipped beneath her collar.
"You need a warmer coat" said Patrick as he put his arm around her.
Despite her misgivings about the situation she snuggled into his warmth, in response Patrick drew her in closer.
"You are a really cool chick" he said into her hair.
"Thanks" replied Natalie.
"When do you leave?" asked Patrick.
"The day after tomorrow" said Natalie. "I go straight to Dutch Harbor."
"Too bad" said Patrick. "We could have a lot more fun if you stayed."
"Did Mark put you up to this?" asked Natalie warily.
"No, why does he want you to stay?" asked Patrick.
"Yes" said Natalie. "But I can't and I'm not, so lets drop it."
Patrick pulled her flush with his body, bent down and placed a kiss gently on her lips. Natalie's eyes flashed wide in surprise. Patrick pulled back once he realized she wasn't participating and he took a step back.
"Sorry" said Patrick.
"It was nice" said Natalie.
Patrick took a step forward and Natalie put a hand on his chest to stop his progress.
"Sorry, but it's not going to happen" said Natalie firmly.
"Roger" said Patrick with a lopsided grin.
The pair walked the rest of the way to the barracks and Patrick kissed Natalie chastely on the cheek when they reached her door. Natalie returned the kiss and then walked into her room.