Josh spent another few days in the hospital before he was released. Jake offered to stay with his brother while he got back on his feet. He also offered to help him find a new car, something that the two of them took great pleasure in.

Kris had been to visit him a few times at the hospital, neither of them speaking about anything, but instead making light conversation about anything else. They were both too afraid to break the peace by saying anything, so their affair became the proverbial white elephant in the room.

Kris also got herself settled back into the house. She and Phil were slowly reconnecting and she felt good about their relationship. She noticed that Phil was taking things very slow, with only a few kisses here and there, and while she wanted to show him how much she loved him, she understood and didn't push it. She did, however, wonder when they would make love again.

Phil had spent the past two days on the phone with the Discovery people and the other captains. It was well into spring and the summer was creeping up slowly, which meant lots of travel for the bad boys of the Bering Sea! The executives were trying to hammer down dates for everyone for the latest round of appearances, ones that took them out of the home area.

Kris didn't ask about any of it, since it was Phil's business and not hers, but she couldn't help overhear a few of the details. Something about a convention and lots of fans. She knew she was silly for thinking it, but she couldn't help but get a little jealous when she thought of all those women clamoring for a picture or a hug. But then she would remind herself that Phil had every right to do anything he wanted with those women, since she had cheated on him. She shook her head - that was the past. She had to look forward to the future!

Kris folded the laundry down in the basement as Phil talked on the phone upstairs. She could hear him, but couldn't quite make out what he was saying. She wondered when he would be leaving and if she'd get to see him at all during their vacation time. It was strange really - the few months of the year that they weren't at work, they couldn't be together!

She finished up and headed upstairs with the basket. She heard a few words as she passed the den, and then headed up to the bedroom. Judging by the laughter and salty language, Kris guessed that Phil was talking to Sig. She smiled as she listened to him laugh, trying to picture what they were talking about. Sounds funny, whatever it was.

After a while, Phil was quiet and he joined her upstairs. He walked into the bedroom and sat on the bed, all the while just watching her put away the clothes. Finally, Kris turned to him.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing" he replied. Then after a short silence, he spoke again.

"I was thinking......" he started.

"What?" Kris answered.

"Discovery is planning this big convention thing. All of the captains have to be there, and the crews. Then I'm heading out for a bunch of PR stuff and the coffee stuff" he said.

"I know" Kris said, somewhat sadly. She wanted to say more, but she didn't know what.

"So I'm not sure when I'm going to get a long stretch of free time...." Phil began, ".....so, I was wondering.....if you would....marry me now....."

Kris simply stared at him. Was this another set up like that scene at the dock? He seemed sincere, though....

Phil saw her expression and quickly explained himself. "It's just that......I don't know when we'll have a better time, and I......I want you to be my wife......" his voice trailed off as he looked at her, her face still full of shock."I love you Kris. You know that".

"Yeah...." was all she could muster.

"Yeah what?"Phil asked. "Yeah, you know that? Or yeah, you'll marry me?"

Kris nodded her head, yes. She smiled at him. "Both".

Phil stood and moved closer to her, throwing his arms around her. "Good answer" he said, smiling. He kissed her deeply, making Kris melt in his arms, and then pulled back again.

"Good answer"