**I own nothing, this is strictly a work of fiction and I make no money from it.

*Also any specific technical knowledge regarding the engine and the boats in general is all just from my imagination so don't go sending me comments about how I described something wrong. (Not that I think you would.)

Phil sat disgruntled in a very uncomfortable chair in the main office of Magone's Salvage. Walt was sitting across the desk from him listening to his sob story about loosing his chief engineer in the middle of Opies.

"Well, do you know anyone that's available? Are you interested?" asked Phil his voice taking on an air of desperation.

"Phil, I think I do have someone you could use" said Walt.

"That's great" said Phil relief flooding his voice.

"Well, don't get too excited. You may change your mind once you meet her" said Walt.

"Her?" asked Phil.

"Yes, my niece. She's been working with me, just got out of the Navy. She's a great mechanic but she doesn't have any real crabbing experience" explained Walt.

"How long has she been working for you?" asked Phil.

"Since before King" said Walt. "She's a real find, she'd be invaluable if something breaks while you are out at sea. She can fabricate if you need it and she's an excellent machinist."

"But she's a girl and girls and boats rarely mix well in my experience" said Phil.

"She's the only one I can spare" said Walt.

"Jesus Walt, can't I have one of the other guys?" pleaded Phil.

"Phil, you know we're busy this time of year" said Walt. "I think Jillian will be a perfect fit, the only downside is that you'll have to train her to work on deck. She's strong and smart, she'll get the job done."

"I'm not really worried about her, I'm more worried about the guys reaction to her" said Phil. "But I guess I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place."

"Let me know your decision and I'll ask her if she wants to do it" said Walt.

"Can I at least meet her? Is she here?" asked Phil. He hoped she was ugly and that the guys on the boat would be completely uninterested in her.

"Sure" said Walt.

He picked up the office hailer and called Jillian up to the office. A few minutes later a tiny slip of a girl walked in, her hair was tucked up under a hat but a few blond wisps were escaping around her face and she was wiping grease off of her hands using a well worn rag. Although the coveralls she was wearing were completely shapeless Phil could see that she was pretty and she probably had a nice little body on her. His hopes that she would be uninteresting to the crew were completely crushed.

"Yes sir" she said her tone respectful.

"Jillian I'd like you to meet Phil Harris, he's the captain of the Cornelia Marie" said Walt.

"It's nice to meet you captain" said Jillian shaking Phil's hand with a firm grip.

"Please call me Phil" said Phil.

Jillian just nodded.

"So Jilly, how's the repair on the propellor shaft going?" asked Walt casually.

"It's almost done. Frank said he'd never seen if done faster. But that's because I didn't have to take very much of it apart" said Jillian proudly. "In fact I'd like to get back to it, I think I can get it done before quitting time."

"Go, if you can do that it will definitely be the fastest shaft repair ever" said Walt.

"Nice to meet you Phil" said Jillian before walking out the door.

"What was that all about?" asked Phil.

"What is the most annoying part of doing a repair out at sea?" asked Walt.

"Going deaf in the engine room" replied Phil. "Is she already deaf?"

"No, she's not. Focus Phil. She's replacing some parts in a propellor shaft" said Walt. "She just started on it this morning."

"How come she's so fast?" asked Phil.

"She has small hands" answered Walt with a smug smile.

"Ok. Maybe I'm missing something but how is that helpful?" asked Phil.

"She can reach into tiny spaces. She made all these specially designed tools, specific for her hand size and she can use them to loosen and tighten almost anywhere her hands fit. She's really remarkable" said Walt proudly.

"Can I see her work?" asked Phil.

"Sure, lets go down to the floor" said Walt.

He and Phil walked down to the factory floor, it wasn't easy to watch Jillian work because she was basically sitting in the propellor shaft reaching underneath the rotor to replace the broken parts. Phil watched in silence as she removed a damaged bearing and replaced it without taking the parts above it off. He watched her economic movements and precise handling of all the tools. After 20 minutes Walt tapped him on the shoulder and they returned to the office.

"Well, what did you think?" asked Walt.

"She's amazing, she's got the job" said Phil.

"Now all we have to do is tell her" said Walt. "I think this kind of news should be delivered over dinner."

"Fine, as long as your buying" said Phil.

Walt once again called Jillian up to the office, he informed her that she was going to dinner at the Grand Aleutian with him and Phil.

"Sounds great, do I have time to go home to shower and change?" asked Jillian.

"Of course, why don't we meet you at the hotel in about an hour" said Walt.

"That's fine. The propellor is done, so I'm going to take off now" said Jillian.

"See you later" said Phil.

Jillian smiled and nodded her head.

"She seems a little quiet" remarked Phil.

"She's just feeling you out, she's a very guarded person" explained Walt.

"I don't know how well that will work on the boat" mused Phil.

Walt, Phil and Jillian sat in the dining room of the Grand Aleutian enjoying a few cocktails before ordering dinner. Jillian was suspicious of the dinner, she knew her uncle was plotting something and the fact that Captain Phil was with them made her slightly nervous.

"Well Jillian, how do you feel about getting out of the shop for a while?" asked Walt.

"Are you sending me to work on cruise ships in the Caribbean?" asked Jillian.

"I'm definitely sending you to work on a boat" said Walt. "Specifically the Cornelia Marie as their engineer."

"What? I'm not interested in going out on the Bearing Sea in the middle of winter. It's freezing in the shop right now I can only imagine what it's like on the deck of a boat" said Jillian.

"Jillian, it will be a personal favor to me" said Walt.

Jillian stared at her uncle for few moments then dropped her head and murmured her assent.

"Excellent, can you pack and be ready first thing in the morning?" asked Phil.

"Yes" said Jillian glumly.

"Do you have gear?" asked Phil.

"I think I have everything I could need" said Jillian.

"She has her rain gear and boots" said Walt. "I don't send her out on the boats to do repairs without gear."

Dinner arrived and Jillian ate quickly then excused herself to go pack. When she had left Phil looked searchingly at Walt.

"Do you think she's going to work out?" asked Phil.

"I know that she'll be able to do the job. I don't know how well she's going to adjust living on a boat with you and crew." said Walt.

"I hope she adjusts quick, if not it's going to be a horrible season" said Phil.

Jillian sat at her house packing her duffle bag with all the warm clothes she owned. Her rain gear was packed on top of the bag before she set it by the door. She walked back to the kitchen and pulled open the fridge. She figured half the food would go bad before she got back. Putting all the perishable food into a box she walked next door and gave it to her neighbor. When she got back to her apartment she poured herself a very stiff drink and attempted to read as much as she could about the specs of the Cornelia Marie's engine. It was after midnight when she finally turned off the computer and went to bed. She snuggled into her bed deciding that she was going to take her pillow and blanket with her on the boat. Her alarm sounded at 6 am and she dragged herself into the shower enjoying the last hot shower she'd probably get until she got back. Doing a final check of her apartment she carefully closed and locked the door before getting into her truck and driving towards the docks.

Phil had told the guys that the new engineer would be arriving in the morning and that once she had given the engine a quick once over they'd be leaving. The eruption of comments and concerns about having a female on the boat that Phil had expected didn't happen. He assumed it was because he'd hurried over the word she and the guys had just gotten back from the bar and weren't quite as sharp. He knew the eruption would happen this morning at some point and he'd steeled his nerves by smoking half a pack of cigarettes and numerous cups of coffee. He saw a truck pull up next to the boat and watched as Jillian slipped out of the driver side door. He saw her pull a duffle bag out of the bed along with what looked like a pillow and blanket, the last thing she pulled out was a tool bag. Phil walked out of the wheelhouse and down onto the deck. Freddie was out having a cigarette and smiled when Phil suddenly appeared outside.

"Morning Phil" said Freddie.

"Hey Freddie, you can be the first person to meet the new engineer" said Phil.

"Awesome" said Freddie.

Jillian tossed her bags down to the deck and then hopped down with practiced ease. She smiled at Phil and Freddie before walking forward.

"Hi Jillian, right on time" said Phil with a smile. "This is Freddie."

"Hi Freddie, I'm Jillian."

"Nice to meet you" said Freddie. "I think I've seen you around the docks."

"Yeah, I work at Magones doing repair work" said Jillian. "But I was voluntold to be the new engineer deckhand on the Cornelia Marie."

"Funny how that works" said Freddie with an easy smile.

Phil felt it could be possible that everyone would accept Jillian as well as Freddie had. His hopes were suddenly broken as Jake and Josh walked out onto the deck.

"Who's the skirt?" asked Jake.

"Jillian, this is ding and dong my sons" said Phil.

"Hi, nice to meet you" said Jillian shaking both their hands.

"Dad, did you hire yourself a nurse or a cook or what?" asked Jake.

"Jillian is our new engineer" said Phil.

"What? I thought you were going to get one of Walt's guys" said Josh.

"She is Walt's niece and a crack engineer" said Phil.

"Of course she is and the fact that she's a girl didn't seem to matter" quipped Jake.

"Speaking of engineering I was wondering if I could see the engine room" said Jillian.

Phil thankful for interruption in what was sure to be a rude tirade from Jake about Jillian's suitability, took her to the engine room.

Jillian took her time checking all the engine's components before asking Phil to fire up the main. She moved gracefully through the engine room never once hitting her head on any of the low pipes or tripping over anything on the ground. Freddie stayed with her in the engine room while Phil went back to the wheelhouse to start the engines. He was impressed at her knowledge of the engine and the way she thoroughly inspected every single part. When she finally stood up and nodded to Freddie that the inspection was complete they had both been in the engine room for almost an hour. Back on the deck Freddie grabbed one of her bags and led her into the house.

"You are going to stay in here with Jake and Josh" said Freddie stopping at one of the staterooms. "If they give you any trouble let me know and I'll straighten them out."

He dropped her bag on the floor of the room in front of her bunk. She looked around the tiny room noticing that Jake and Josh had bunks on top each other while she had a single bunk across the room. Quickly pulling out her pillow and blanket she made her bed and pulled out her rain gear. Walking out into the hallway she quickly found the ready room and hung up her gear on one of the pegs. Her next stop was the galley where she set her mug in the cupboard over the coffee maker.

"Cute cup" said Josh.

"Thanks, I figure if it was girly enough no one else would want to use it" explained Jillian.

"Well I for one can't wait to use the Minnie Mouse coffee cup" said Josh with a smile.

"Are there any rules I should be aware of?" asked Jillian.

"Lots, but we like to tell you what they are when you've already broken one of them" said Josh.

"Great" said Jillian.

"Although here's a helpful hint, there should always be coffee in the pot, if you take the last of it make a new pot" said Josh.

"Thanks for the information" said Jillian.

"So what other crab boats have you worked on?" asked Josh pouring himself a cup of coffee then filling Jillian's mug for her.

"I've worked on a lot of crab boat engines since I got here in September, but I've never worked on deck" said Jillian.

"So you are the engineer and a greenhorn" said Josh amazed.

"Wow, so not only are you a girl who probably weighs 100 pounds soaking wet but you have no experience on deck" said Jake walking down the stairs from the wheelhouse.

Jillian just looked at him her face carefully blank. She desperately wanted to get out of the room but didn't want it to be seen as running away.

"Jacob, what did we just talk about" came Phil's voice from the wheelhouse.

"You didn't tell me she had no experience" yelled Jake.

"Jake you are skating on thin ice" yelled Phil.

"At least I can bust ice, I bet she can't even lift a sledgehammer" yelled back Jake.

Jillian stood up and carried her coffee cup outside. Once she was out there she found a quiet place to sit and lit a cigarette. Josh joined her a moment later and took the seat next to her.

"Don't mind Jake" said Josh.

Jillian just nodded and took another drag of her cigarette. They sat in silence for a few minutes, Jillian staring out at the water and Josh studying Jillian. The silence was broken by Phil calling Jillian up to the wheelhouse.

Phil sat in the captains chair his foot jiggling nervously. He half expected Jillian to come up and quit because of what Jake had said. He was so aggravated by his youngest son's attitude that he considered throwing Jake over the side just to get him to shut up. Jillian appeared in the wheelhouse with a small smile.

"You called for me Captain" she said.

"Please call me Phil."

"You called for me Phil" repeated Jillian.

"Yeah, how did the engine inspection go?" asked Phil.

"Everything looks fine. Whoever you engineer was before did a good job of keeping everything in good shape" said Jillian.

"Great, so do you think we're ready to head out" asked Phil.

"Your engine is ready as for everything else I have no idea" answered Jillian.

"Ok, thanks. About earlier with Jake" began Phil.

"Listen, it's fine. I'm sure he has valid concerns about having me on board. Hell I have concerns about being on this boat. But there is nothing for it, I'm going and either he gets over it or he doesn't either way it's not going to change the way I do my job" said Jillian.

"Ok Jillian" said Phil.

Jillian nodded her head then walked out of the wheelhouse. Phil watched her go with a slight feeling of admiration, she certainly knew how to handle herself. He hoped her composure would hold for the rest of the season. Josh appeared in the wheelhouse and sat down on the bench behind Phil's chair.

"Well, what do you think?" asked Phil.

"She seems fine, Freddie said she was awesome in the engine room and that's what she's here to do" said Josh.

"Make sure that your brother doesn't ride her too much, the last thing I need is her asking to get off the boat in the middle of a trip" said Phil.

"She doesn't really strike me as someone who would do that" said Josh.

"Has she met everyone yet?" asked Phil both to Josh and the camera guy.

"She hasn't met Corey because he's still in town and I don't think she's met any of the camera guys yet" answered Josh.

"No, we need to get her fitted for a mic" said Todd.

"Well lets make sure she meets everyone and that she gets as comfortable as she can get on this boat. Then you can teach her how to bait" said Phil.

Once the orders had been given Josh disappeared downstairs.

"So Phil, what do you think of the newest crew member?" asked Todd as he repositioned the camera on the mount.

"I think she's going to work out fine, the question is will the rest of the crew work with her" said Phil ominously.

"Alright, well that's definitely going in the show it will probably be a teaser" said Todd with a smile. "I'm going to go fit her with a mic and introduce myself. Possibly not in that order."

Jillian was in her stateroom reading on her bed when Todd walked in with the other camera man. They spent a few minutes explaining how they usually shoot and what areas are considered off limits on the boat, specifically the bathroom. Then Todd showed her the mic and asked if she would be willing to wear it.

"Does everyone wear one?" asked Jillian suspiciously.

"For the most part they do out on deck, inside we can basically pick up most things with the camera's mic" explained Sean, the other camera man.

"So I don't have to wear it now then?" asked Jillian.

"No, but we want to rig you up right now so we know where to position it and make sure it works" said Todd.

"Ok" said Jillian.

The next few minutes were spent with Todd's hands up Jillian's shirt trying to attach a mic to her. Jake and Josh walked into the already crowded room to watch the show.

"Wow Todd, we haven't even left port and you've already got your hands up her shirt" quipped Jake.

"Yep, I'm one lucky dude" said Todd.

Jillian for her part just stood still and let Todd do what he needed to. Soon Todd pulled the mic off of Jillian and pronounced the mic test finished. Jillian pulled her sweatshirt back on, sat back down on her bunk and picked up her book.

"So what are you reading?" asked Todd.

"Great Expectations" answered Jillian.

"I remember having to read that for school" said Sean.

"Yeah, I think it was 7th grade or something" said Josh.

"Do you have a book report due or something?" asked Jake teasingly.

"No, I just like the story. I've read it quite a few times" said Jillian.

"Why would you ready such a boring book so many times?" asked Josh.

"Because I like it and personally I don't think it's boring" said Jillian.

"Alright everyone lets get this show on the road, we are heading out" bellowed Phil's voice over the hailer.

Jillian set her book aside relieved that she didn't have to listen to any more condescending comments for the time being.

Out on deck Jillian and Corey pulled the buoy bags onto the boat carefully securing them on the bow. Jake and Josh were pulling in the ropes when suddenly Jake had a stroke of genius.

"Hey Jillian, come over here and see if you can pull this line in" he barked.

Jillian didn't even bother to call out her answer she merely walked to where he was and grabbed the rope. Using her body weight to give her leverage she pulled the rope onto the bow. Jake stood back watching her with his mouth hanging open. After the rope was secured Jillian walked back over to Corey.

"Wow, I guess she showed you" said Josh.

"Yeah, we'll see how she does on deck once we start fishing" said Jake.

"Dad, wants me to train her on bait on the way out" said Josh.

"Better you than me" said Jake dismissively.

Jake and Josh climbed off the bow and found Corey giving Jillian an overview of what will happen once they arrive on the grounds. Jake smirked as Jillian asked what she'd be responsible for.

"Well you will start on bait and once you become a masterbaiter, then you will learn the next job" said Jake.

"Who's the masterbaiter now?" asked Jillian struggling to keep her face blank.

"That would be me, but I'm more than willing to teach you how it's done" said Josh with a smile.

"I can't wait to learn" said Jillian with a sarcastic smile.

"You'll know it backwards and forwards by the time we reach the grounds" said Josh. "But right now we might as well enjoy the sight of land before it disappears for the next few weeks."

Jillian nodded and walked across the deck to the railing. She watched Dutch get smaller and smaller as the boat headed out to sea. She wondered if she'd ever see it again but then quickly pushed the morbid thoughts out of her mind. She stayed on deck until the boat passed Priest Rock then she headed inside and up to the wheelhouse.

Phil looked mildly surprised to see Jillian in his wheelhouse but she didn't seem to be about to lodge a complaint so he took it as a friendly visit. He smiled and pointed to the bench behind his chair and Jillian climbed onto the bench with a small smile.

"I was just wondering how long before we get to the crab grounds" asked Jillian.

"About 24 hours if the weather holds. But right now the forecast is variable to terrible, so who knows" said Phil.

"Ok, I was just wondering" said Jillian.

"You can ask as many questions as you'd like. It's nice to have a crew that's interested in what's going on" said Phil.

"I'll keep that in mind" said Jillian sliding off the bench.

"You don't have to go, I get bored up here with just the camera guy who never talks back to keep me company" said Phil.

"I'll stay if you want me to, but I'm really not much of a conversationalist" said Jillian.

"Don't worry, Phil will do all the talking" quipped Todd.

"I thought you said he didn't talk" said Jillian with a smirk.

"He only talks to pretty ladies apparently" said Phil.

Jillian took her place on the bench carefully tucking her legs underneath her before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

"Those things will kill you" said Phil lighting his own.

"Yes, that's what the box says" replied Jillian.

"So how did a nice girl like you end up on a boat like this?" asked Phil.

"It's a long story" said Jillian.

"Well we've got 24 hours" retorted Phil.

"Fine, I'll give you the abridged version" said Jillian. "When I was 17 my mom got remarried, she wanted to seem like this was her first marriage so having a 17 year old daughter kind of cramped her style. So basically she told me I needed to move out. Because I didn't have any money I chose to go into the military, where I spent 5 years serving my country and learning how to work on boats. Then when my time was up I got out and my uncle Walt offered me a job. Now I'm here."

"That took about 30 seconds" said Phil.

"Well I said it was the abridged version" said Jillian.

"Why did you choose mechanics when you went into the Navy?" asked Phil.

"I didn't choose it, it's what I tested into" said Jillian. "If I had my choice I would have wanted to be a corpsman or something in the medical field."

"Oh really. Why?" asked Phil.

"Because they have access to all the drugs and back then I was quite the druggie" said Jillian.

"But not now?" asked Phil.

"No, I guess I outgrew it" said Jillian.

"So what does your mom think about you being up here?" asked Phil.

"I have no idea, I haven't talked to her since I left home. She has a new family now and I have no desire to be a part of it" said Jillian simply.

"Hm, that's kind of how Jake and Josh feel about their mom" said Phil.

"I'll try to keep that in mind next time Jake opens his mouth" said Jillian.

"You have my permission to pop him if he starts being an ass" said Phil.

"That would make great TV" said Todd from behind the camera.

"I'll let you know before I'm going to do it" said Jillian to Todd flashing a smile. "Well Phil and Todd if you both feel like you know enough about my life, I'm going downstairs to learn the fine art of baiting." Jillian got up and stretched causing a brief glimpse of her bare stomach.

After Jillian left the room Todd turned to Phil with a huge smile on his face.

"Well Phil, you sure know how to pick them" said Todd. "She's ridiculously hot, smart, and I bet she has a wicked right cross."

"I hope she doesn't knock any of Jake's teeth out" said Phil thoughtfully.

"Nah, worst she'll do is break his nose" said Todd.

Jillian walked into the galley and made herself a cup of noodles. She sat down at the table and had just started to eat when Jake walked into the galley.

"I was just going to cook something and now you've ruined your appetite" he said.

"You sound like a mom" said Jillian.

Jake's smile dropped from his face and he turned to rummage through the fridge.

"Do you cook?" he asked suddenly.

"I know how to, I've never actually cooked for another person so I can't really say if I'm good at it or not" replied Jillian.

"Hmph" was the only response she got from Jake.

She sat in silence eating her noodles and watching Jake chop ingredients for dinner. She was impressed at his ability to sense the pitch and roll on the boat and adjust his movements.

"How long have you worked as a fisherman?" asked Jillian suddenly.

"A while, why do you ask?" asked Jake.

"Because it's really cool how you can anticipate which way the boat is going to move and adjust what your doing to keep steady" said Jillian.

"Yeah, I guess it just comes with practice. You'll get use to all the movement" said Jake.

Both Jillian and Jake paused for a moment realizing they'd just had a perfectly civil conversation.

"Do you need any help?" asked Jillian.

"Sure, you want to help me make the meatballs" said Jake.

Jillian got up and helped to roll out the meatballs, then she browned them in a huge pot that she could barely see into.

"How tall are you?" asked Jake.

"I'm 5'3, so really not that short" said Jillian.

"You look tiny right now trying to stir those meatballs" said Jake with a teasing smile.

"Yeah, maybe I need some sort of a step stool" said Jillian.

"No, can you imagine if we hit a wave or something you'd go flying" said Jake concern lacing his voice. "It's always better to keep your feet on the floor."

The meatballs were simmering in the sauce a few minutes later and Jillian moved back to the table leaving Jake alone in the galley. Josh wandered in a moment later and asked Jillian if she was ready to learn to masterbait. Jillian just rolled her eyes and went to put on some warmer clothes before following Josh out on deck.

It was freezing on deck and Jillian immediately felt like her eyeballs were turning into ice cubes in their sockets. She scuttled after Josh to the bait table and watched as he pulled boxes of frozen herring out of the freezer and threw them in the bait chopper. Jillian watched as he carefully strung cod on the lines and then scooped the chopped herring into bait bags. The whole process looked fairly easy but the smell of the fish was overwhelming and the rocking of the deck made Jillian a little nauseated. Josh made a few set ups then turned over the table to Jillian. She stuffed all the herring into bait bags first, then started working on stringing the cod and finally she put them all together hanging them in a bait set up waterfall on a piece of netting. Next she went into the freezer and grabbed a few more boxes of herring and started the whole process over again. She and Josh worked side by side making as many bait set ups as the net could hold plus a few extra in the table. Josh signaled that they were done so they both walked inside to warm up and grab some dinner.

"You did really well" said Josh washing his hands in the bathroom.

"Thanks, although I'm sure it gets harder the longer you do it" said Jillian.

"Yeah, like hour 20 when the box of herring feels like it weighs two tons" said Josh.

"Something to look forward to" said Jillian.

She finished washing up and went into the stateroom to change clothes. She slipped on a pair of yoga pants, a long sleeve shirt, another t-shirt over it and a hoodie. She also put on a pair of wool socks and her slippers.

Jillian walked into the galley and took a seat at the table next to Freddie. All the dishes were set out along with silverware, cups and napkins. Jake carried the huge pot of spaghetti and meatballs to the table setting it down gently on a folded dishtowel. Everyone served themselves then Phil said a quick prayer of thanks and they dug in. Jillian dug into the pasta with gusto, the meatballs were tender and the sauce was absolutely delicious.

"Who's got the dishes tonight?" asked Phil.

"I'll do them" volunteered Jillian.

"No, she doesn't have to, she helped make dinner" said Jake.

"She helped you make dinner and there was no bloodshed?" asked Phil in mock surprise.

"You'll never know if blood was shed because the sauce is red" said Jillian.

"I'll do it" said Josh. "I'm sure Jillian will help me dry."

"Sure" said Jillian.

"Alright kids, get plenty of rest tonight because we start this show tomorrow" said Phil.

Josh and Jillian quickly cleared the table of the dirty dishes and leftovers. Jillian quickly put the leftovers in plastic bags and set them in the fridge. Josh filled the sink with soapy water and soon the washing up began in earnest. Just as they finished the weather started to pick up and the boat began to pitch and roll noticeably.

"Well I think the weather is telling us it's time for bed" said Josh with a smile.

Jillian followed him down the hall doing her best to walk as straight as possible but failing miserably.

Jake was already in the room watching a movie on the TV at the end of his bunk. Jillian was shocked at the size of the TV, it looked completely ludicrous in such a tiny room.

"You guys forgot the popcorn" said Jake. "The feature is just starting."

"Jillian go make us some popcorn" said Josh.

"Where would I find it?" asked Jillian.

"Never mind, I'll make it" said Josh getting up and walking out the door.

"Do you like watching movies?" asked Jake.

"Yeah, although I haven't seen one since moving up here" confessed Jillian.

"Well I'm sure you'll catch up on this trip" said Josh.

"What are we watching?" asked Jillian.

"Fight Club" replied Jake.

"Cool topless men" said Jillian with a smile.

"Whatever" said Jake.

Josh reappeared in the room with a huge bowl of popcorn and some sodas. He handed out the sodas then set the popcorn bowl on the dresser where everyone could reach it. Jake started the movie and the trio snacked and watched until the credits started to run. Jillian settled down into her bunk hoping she'd be able to fall asleep. She laid there for a while listening to Jake and Josh snore quietly before finally getting up.

Padding quietly to the kitchen Jillian opened the fridge and pulled out a couple eggs and some bacon. Next she went into the pantry and got a potato and a tiny onion. Walking back into the kitchens she put the skillet on the stove and made herself a little snack. She'd just put her food on a plate when Phil came down the stairs.

"Jake, for god's sake it's too early for break...oh hi Jillian" he said clearly surprised by her presence.

"Sorry, I couldn't sleep. Would you like some?" asked Jillian.

"Sure, it smells delicious. Bring it up to the wheelhouse" said Phil darting up the stairs.

Jillian poured herself the last cup of coffee and diligently made another pot before heading up to the wheelhouse.

Jillian carefully made her way up the stairs to the wheelhouse, trying not to spill the eggs or the coffee. Once she made it up she was shocked when she looked out the windows to see the snow blowing sideways.

"So what did you make yourself at 3:30 in the morning?" asked Phil.

"Lets see, hashbrowned potatoes with onions and a scrambled egg with bacon" said Jillian.

She passed Phil a fork and they both sat together on the bench eating off the same plate. The food was eaten quickly and Jillian moved to take the plate downstairs but was stopped by Phil's hand on her arm.

"I'll take it down. I need to hit the head" said Phil. "Take over will you."

Jillian sat down in Phil's chair and watched the boat cut through the water. Although the wind was strong enough to blow the snow flurries sideways it didn't seem to be pulling or pushing the boat too much. Jillian took a moment to look at all the gauges verifying that the engine was working properly. Next she looked at the plotter which showed the boats progress towards the fishing grounds. Looking back out the windows she noticed the ice that had built up on the deck. She sighed realizing that she was going to spend her first day of crab fishing busting ice off the deck.

"Enjoying the captain's chair?" asked Phil.

"Not really, it's uncomfortable" said Jillian.

"Well it's broken in for my fat ass" said Phil.

"You don't have a fat ass" said Jillian.

"Well regardless the chair is all broken in for me which is why it's uncomfortable for everyone else who sits in it" said Phil.

"Since it's all broken in for you I'll happily give it back to you" said Jillian with a mock bow.

"Stay up here with me if you aren't too tired" said Phil.

"I'll stay, I never sleep well without assistance" said Jillian.

"What kind of assistance?" asked Phil.

"Sleeping pills, but I would never take them out here. If something happens I want to be clear headed" said Jillian.

"That's probably a very good plan" remarked Phil.

"Are you cold?" asked Phil noticing Jillian shiver a little.

"I'm fine. I think seeing the snow makes me think I'm colder than I really am" explained Jillian.

"You can come over here and sit on my lap, the heater blows right here. It's nice and warm" said Phil.

"Don't you think that's a little inappropriate?" asked Jillian.

"No, as long as you don't try anything" said Phil.

"Funny" said Jillian.

"You can sit over there and shiver or you can come over here and I'll keep you warm" said Phil.

"Really I'm fine" said Jillian.

Just then a rather large wave hit the boat knocking it slightly on an angle. Jillian tipped slightly on the bench but quickly righted herself.

"Fuck, that's my favorite pencil" muttered Phil.

"Do you need some help?" asked Jillian.

"Yeah, you have small hands, come over here and get my pencil for me, it fell" said Phil.

Jillian stood up and maneuvered herself into the tiny space in front of Phil. Once in there she crawled around on the floor for a minute before she saw the pencil. It had fallen into a small crevice. She gingerly reached her hand into the space and pulled out the pencil. She moved to stand up only to be stopped by Phil's hand on the top of her head.

"What?" she asked.

"You are about to whack your head on the bottom of the console" replied Phil.

"Thanks" said Jillian backing out until she ran into the bottom of Phil's chair. When she stood up she was basically standing between his legs, practically sitting in his lap.

"Wow, you are tiny" said Phil placing his hands on Jillian's waist.

"Jake said the same thing when we were cooking in the kitchen" said Jillian with a laugh.

"I guess we just aren't use to having little girls on the boat" said Phil.

"I'm sure there have been a fair few girls on this boat, both little and not so little" said Jillian.

"A gentlemen never tells" said Phil.

"Right" said Jillian peering over her shoulder.

She tried to move but Phil held her fast.

"Are you questioning my honor?" he asked squeezing her waist tightly.

"Possibly" said Jillian.

Phil responded by squeezing her harder then when that didn't illicit the expected response he started to tickle her. Jillian squirmed slightly but other than that she stayed fairly still.

"Well, I think you need some other sort of other torture" said Phil pulling her into his lap. Jillian sat completely still, she was at a complete loss as to what Phil could possibly do to her in this position. She felt him let go of her waist with one hand then a moment later she felt a very wet finger in her ear.

"That is so disgusting" said Jillian as she struggled to get off of Phil's lap.

Phil couldn't respond because he was laughing so hard. Jillian was finally able to free herself and bolted down the stairs.

"Come on Jillian, it was just a joke" called Phil after her.

Jillian however wanted none of it, she walked back into her stateroom and laid in bed staring at the ceiling until she heard Jake and Josh wake up.

A/N: Please read and review.