A/N: Thanks for the reviews, it was wonderful to know people are still reading.
Dutch Harbor was clear and cold when the crew of the Northwestern stepped off the plane. The guys grabbed their bags and headed towards the warmth of the small terminal. They had ten days to get the boat ready for Sig's arrival. Edgar turned on his cell phone and noticed he'd received three new messages from Sig. Slipping the phone back into his pocket he clapped Matt Bradley on the shoulder and pointed to the coffee cart.
"I need coffee" said Edgar.
"Aren't you going to call Sig and tell him we got here?" asked Matt.
"No" said Edgar.
"Roger" replied Matt.
Sig had been impossible since Natalie had left for her Coastie class. He'd bitched about everything, the weather, Edgar quitting, Norman being too indecisive, Jake not working hard enough, the list was endless. Finally Antha had had enough, she'd pulled Sig aside and said something to him that he refused to reveal but the complaining had stopped, at least in Antha's presence.
"Where's Jake?" asked Edgar as he sipped at his coffee.
"He went to get the car" replied Nick.
"Kiss ass" mumbled Matt.
"Whatever dude, he's going to be your deck boss for this trip" said Edgar with a smirk.
Matt flipped him the bird and walked out of the airport. Edgar followed him and they were both surprised to see Jake getting out of the truck.
"Hey, get back in there. We have to go" barked Edgar.
"I just got a text from Natalie, she says she should be here in about 20 minutes" explained Jake.
"Impossible, we were on the last flight" said Matt.
Jake frowned and then pulled out his phone.
"It says 'I should be in by 5:30 if the winds are ok, let me know if I need to find a ride to the boat'" said Jake.
"Did she specify that it would be today?" asked Matt, slowing his voice.
"She just sent me the note, of course it's for today" said Jake hotly.
"Don't get your panties in a twist" said Edgar. "I'll go in and ask."
Edgar walked up to the information kiosk and asked the same airport porter, who'd he'd seen at least once each season if he had any information about an extra flight. The man confirmed there were no additional commercial flights, but that there was a special Coastie helicopter on it's way from Kodiak landing at the helo pad.
"Thanks man" said Edgar.
He walked back outside and told the guys the information.
"Well, do you think she could be coming in to Dutch on a Coastie helicopter?" asked Norman.
"Probably not" said Nick.
"Lets get our shit loaded and Junior can text her back asking for clarification" said Matt grumpily. "I want to get out of the cold and into a bar."
The guys agreed and quickly got their gear in the car. Edgar heaved a large bag into the back startling Jake.
"I thought you were just staying for a few days" said Jake.
"I am" said Edgar.
"Then what's with the giant bag?" asked Jake.
"It's stuff for Natalie" said Edgar. "Antha sent it, it's rain gear and some new sweatshirts, some sort of special hair conditioner, baby wipes, something for the kitchen...I don't know exactly, I'm just following orders."
"That's nice" said Jake.
"Whatever" replied Edgar. "Did you send her the text?"
Jake sheepishly pulled out his phone and sent the note. There was almost an immediate reply and Jake's mouth dropped open while reading it.
"What'd she send you a naked picture or something?" asked Matt, pulling the phone out of Jake's hand.
"Holy Fuck, she's in a helicopter" said Matt. "And she's wearing a fucking orange suit and helmet with her fucking name on it."
"No shit, let me see that" said Edgar.
The phone was passed around and once everyone had seen the picture Jake took it back.
"I guess we should wait for her then" said Jake with a smirk.
The guys stood just off the tarmac watching the helicopter descend onto the landing pad. The rotors kicked up swirls of old snow and the wind whipped at the landing crew waiting on the ground. The door slid open and a couple of guys jumped out of the helicopter. Mark pulled Natalie down and gently set her on the ground. She pulled off her helmet and handed it to him. Mark shook his head and pressed it back into her hands. Natalie pealed her name off of the helmet and handed it back. He set it down inside and then pulled a huge bag out and motioned for Natalie to walk towards the building. They got clear of the rotors and Mark set down the bag prompting Natalie to stop and turn. He pulled her into an embrace and planted a kiss on her lips. Natalie immediately pushed him back.
"What was that for?" Natalie asked, her voice almost lost over the din of the engine.
"Just in case it was my only chance" said Mark with a smirk.
"It was" said Natalie. "Bye Mark, I can take it from here."
Natalie picked up her bags and walked towards the edge of the tarmac where the group of guys were waiting. Jake was the first to meet her and he immediately took her bags.
"Dude, what's in these bags?" asked Jake.
"One is my new medical kit" said Natalie proudly. "I think it has everything I could possibly need in it."
"It feels like it's full of rocks" said Jake.
Matt pushed past jake and pulled Natalie into a tight hug and then turned her over to Nick. Norman and Edgar stood farther back waiting their turns.
"Lets get to the car" said Edgar as he hugged Natalie.
He held Natalie back a little, slowing her progress. Once the guys were out of earshot he spoke again.
"Who was that guy?" asked Edgar, his voice quiet but hard.
"He was my instructor" answered Natalie lightly.
"He kissed you" said Edgar.
"I know, it was unexpected" said Natalie.
"I don't know all the ins and outs of your relationship with Sig but he's my brother and I don't want him getting hurt" said Edgar.
"It meant nothing" said Natalie. "Besides you aren't the only one who doesn't know the ins and outs of my relationship with Sig."
Edgar stopped Natalie and spun her around so he could look at her face. In the harsh lights of the tarmac she looked incredibly young and his rebuke died on his lips. Natalie looked back into Edgar's eyes her face a mask of confusion. The silence grew and Natalie raised her eyebrows in encouragement.
"It's good to see you" said Edgar, finally.
"Nice to see you too" said Natalie, her voice unsure.
Natalie stood over Edgar's shoulder in the engine room, he was talking to her and Jake but she couldn't hear a thing. Between the blaring engine noise and the ear protection she was essentially deaf. He was pointing to a huge breaker switch and when he pulled it down the lights went out. He pushed it back up and the lights flickered on again. Jake nodded as if he'd gotten an amazing lesson and when Edgar looked expectantly at Natalie, she gave him a thumbs up. Edgar mouthed something and then started up the stairs. Natalie followed Jake up the stairs and out into the fresh air. It was the last day before the boat was scheduled to leave for Opies. Sig's plane had been delayed twice due to foul weather. He would basically arrive and then the boat would leave. The pots were stacked and the bait was loaded.
"Ok, I'm going to show Jake some stuff about fixing the hydros" said Edgar.
"Am I dismissed then?" asked Natalie.
"Yes" said Edgar.
Natalie turned, walked through the ready room and into the galley. Matt, Nick and Norman were playing cards on the table. Natalie glanced at Norman's cards and then made a face at Matt as she walked by.
"I'm all in" replied Matt.
"Fuck, I fold" said Norman. "Thanks a lot Bug."
"You're welcome" said Natalie with a smile.
"Don't make dinner, we are going out tonight" said Matt.
"Oh, ok" said Natalie.
She pulled down a kettle and filled it with water. She hummed tunelessly to herself as she waited for the water to boil.
"I think it's crazy that your sister is an opera singer and you can't carry a tune" said Matt.
"Yes, well we aren't clones or anything" said Natalie.
She poured the hot water into teapot and carried it to the table.
"That thing isn't going to last a day on this boat" said Nick.
"It's already lasted 8" replied Natalie.
"Yes, but we've been tied up the whole time" said Norman.
"If it gets broken, then it gets broken" said Natalie. "It's not irreplaceable or anything."
"The queen didn't give it to you?" teased Matt.
"No, surprisingly enough she didn't" said Natalie. "I bought this one at Crate Barrel."
She poured herself a mug of tea in a cup painted with different types of bugs. The cup was a gift from the crew and she loved it.
"I'm more worried about my new mug getting broken" confessed Natalie.
"We bought a couple, just in case that happened" said Matt.
"How thoughtful" said Natalie.
Norman's phone rang and the three people at the table leaned forward to see the name on the caller ID.
"It's Sig" said Norman before picking up the phone.
"Thank you, we can all read" quipped Matt.
Norman gave Matt the finger and then walked outside.
"Do you think he's here?" asked Natalie.
"I don't know" said Matt. "Why are you scared?"
"Nervous" said Natalie.
"You'll be fine" said Nick. "Drink your tea."
Natalie obeyed and put her lips to the cup.
It seemed to take hours to get Sig from the airport. Natalie sat in a booth inside the Thirsty Isle with Jake, Nick and Matt. The Hansen brothers were discussing their strategy for the upcoming season. Natalie had felt odd leaving the boat when she'd only said a cursory hello to Sig. She wanted to give him a proper welcome and tell him how much she'd missed him and how much she'd learned at her class, but that wasn't in the cards. Sig was disgruntled by the weathers lack of cooperation and by Edgar's insistence that he was in fact not going on this trip. Natalie had been spared most of the argument, but as she'd walked down the dock she could still hear Sig's shouting.
"Drink up" said Matt.
"I'm drinking" said Natalie, taking another sip.
"Here comes trouble" said Nick under his breath.
Natalie looked up and saw Sig walking towards the bar, he was scowling angrily. He picked up his drink and headed off to one of the other tables.
"Why isn't he sitting with us?" asked Natalie, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice.
"It's the captains' table, they are probably making the captain's wager and shooting the shit before we leave tomorrow" explained Nick.
"A bunch of bullshitting and then we go to the boat and leave" said Matt. "So drink your drink, we will be leaving soon."
"What does a captain's wager usually entail?" asked Natalie.
"Basically who can pull the most pots with the most crab in them wins the money" said Matt.
"Interesting" said Natalie. "I have to go to the bathroom."
"Don't get lost" said Matt.
"I won't" said Natalie.
Natalie walked towards the bathroom, taking the long way around so she could pass the captains table. She saw Sig holding court with the other captains. Fans and friends came up to pay homage and offer to buy them drinks or gave them kisses. She sighed and then continued on to the bathroom. After she'd gone she returned to the bar to order another round of drinks. The bartender asked how her time off had been, he'd remembered her from last season. Natalie exchanged pleasantries and then returned to the table with the drinks.
"Thanks Bug" said Nick, picking up his beer.
"No problem" said Natalie. "Just paying you back."
"I saw you took the long way to the bathroom" said Nick.
Natalie looked down, pretending to study the table.
"Is Sig going to finish any time soon?" asked Matt.
"Probably not, he was kind of mobbed" said Natalie.
"Then lets go, we can get better drinks from Kale at the Grand" said Jake.
"Sounds great" said Natalie happily. "I haven't even told her I'm back yet."
The Aleutian Grand was packed with crabbers, some were eating a late dinner but most were drinking at the bar. Natalie had barely taken two steps into the bar before Kale was engulfing her in a hug. Tears pricked Natalie's eyes as she felt her friends arms squeeze the life out of her.
"It is so good to see you" said Kale. "I can't believe you are up here."
"I know, it's crazy" said Natalie.
A voice from the bar calling Kale back to her job. She gave Natalie a quick kiss on the cheek before going back to work. Natalie and the guys found a table and sat down. Kale brought them over some drinks and promised to talk more once the patrons thinned out. Natalie had just finished her drink when a voice made her turn her head.
"Natalie? Is that you?"
Natalie turned her head and broke out in a grin from ear to ear. Walking towards her were Chris and Jason. Natalie slid from her seat and rushed the guys.
"Chris, how is the arm?" she asked.
"Fine, I had a surgery and everything was repaired" said Chris. "You saved my life and my arm."
Before Natalie had a chance to respond Jason walked up to her and pulled her into a fierce embrace.
"I don't know what you are doing up here" he muttered. "But it is so good to see you alive and healthy."
"I guess it was a little touch and go last time you saw me" said Natalie. "But I'm all better now."
"So what are you doing up here?" asked Chris.
"I'm going to be on the Northwestern again this season" said Natalie. "But just as a deck hand. Edgar retired and I am just filling in until Sig can find someone else."
"Who's filming on the boat this year?" asked Matt.
Natalie bristled at the realization that there was a chance that she would have to share a space with Bishop again.
"Us" said Chris. "It was the only way Sig would agree to let Discovery back on the boat."
"You're kidding" said Matt. "That is awesome, you guys are the best."
"We just started rigging the boat, it will go on all night probably" said Jason. "But we'll get it done before Sig takes off."
"Yeah, we should get back" said Chris. "We were just grabbing the last of our gear from our hotel rooms."
"We're pretty much done here, we can go back with you" said Natalie. "I just have to say goodbye to Kale."
Natalie said her goodbyes and the group traveled back to the boat. The rigging was in full effect when the group returned to the boat and Natalie did her best to stay out of everyones way.