Homeward Bound

By M and Bridgid

It was evening by the time she'd arrived at the harbor. It took her a few minutes to find someone to let her used their ship to shore but success answered her prayers. She climbed aboard a small fishing trawler with the permission of her Captain, Mick Sweeney.

"I've seen you around, love. You're the one opening the sail shop, right?"

"The one and only. I'll pay you back for this, Skipper."

She followed the man to the wheelhouse and he pointed to the radio. "It's all yours, love. I'll give you some privacy."

"Thank you sir," Bridgid responded. She sat herself down and drew a deep breath. Picking up the mic, she started. "Coff's base calling The Siren, come in, Jack."

There was no reply. She repeated herself. "Coffs base calling The Siren, Jack, come in. I know you can hear me and I know you can use the radio."

She heard static.

Aubrey was standing on deck. When he first heard her voice he thought he must be dreaming, again. Since he'd been gone every time he closed his eyes he heard her voice, smelt her perfume. 

When sleep came and it didn't come easily she filled his dreams but not as she once did. Now he dreamt of her spitting out her rejection of him. Laughing at his oafish proposal. What did she want, another chance to humiliate him?

Jack was not a man who ran from trouble and trouble was what he was in.......... Composing himself he picked up the radio. "Coff's, this is Siren, state your business."   

Her jaw dropped at the sound of his voice. He sounded so terse and cold. She figured getting right to the point would be the best thing right now.

"Jack, its Bridgid. I'm sorry. Please come home."

He cleared his throat before answering. "Bridgid, what are you sorry for?" He had been over and over the advertisement he had placed in the newspaper and for neither love nor money could he fathom what he had done wrong. Didn't women like to be surprised in this new age? Didn't they like big gestures and the world to know how a man felt about them? Patently not. 

"I'm sorry for not understanding you. I'm sorry for being angry about it too. What more can I do?" Her voice crackled from the stress she felt. "Jack, please come home or I'll come out there to find you."

"Madam what was there to understand? I asked you to marry me, you refused. I understand that. I am sorry you were angry and I'm sorry I disappointed you. We need to talk but I am not ready to come back yet, if you want to come and find me then do."

Aubrey thought it would take her at least four hours to find the vessel. That would give him  enough time to write down what he intended to say to her.   

So he wanted to play hardball. So be it. "I'll see you soon sir. This is Coffs base signing out."

Placing the mic on the radio she stood. She found the Skipper in the galley, thanked him properly and accepted his wish of good luck before heading up on the docks to rent a boat, any kind of boar right now as long as it had GPS. Twenty minutes later she was getting a weather report and preparing to set off in a forty three foot sail boat....... The rental had her max out a credit card and leave another behind in case she didn't return.  Within an hour she'd put out into the harbor and started tracking The Siren. It took several calls to some other Skippers but she got reports and one sighting from a yacht off the Gold Coast.

Aubrey allowed himself to smile, there had to be part of him she still wanted if she was planning to find him. He checked the shipping forecast and was happy she wouldn't be sailing into stormy weather. The only storm would be when they met.

He wondered if he should have a glass of port to fortify himself but decided against it, time enough for drinking later when they would either raise a glass together or he would be drinking a bottle alone.  

She charted, tracked and talked to other mariners. Jack must have heard their conversation as they were on a public channel. All she could hope for was that he didn't run from her.

As luck would have it she spotted him off her starboard bow just as the sun was setting. Good thing or she'd have had to tie up for the night.

Calling on the radio once again she informed Jack that she was piloting the vessel off his stern.

"Heave to and prepare to be boarded," she said, sort of tongue in cheek.

Jack stood legs apart hands clasped firmly behind his back. "Are you asking for permission to come aboard Madam?" Damn it all she looked good. 

It was that stance that always rendered her speechless. Her mouth opened twice to speak but nothing came out. Finally she got her brain and her mouth wired together and she managed.

"That's the law of the sea. Yes I am asking permission to come aboard. Are you granting?"

"Permission granted." He said remaining stock still. The breeze caught his hair and a blonde lock was released from it's binding of thin black leather. He wanted to push it back but pride would not let him. She was coming to him; perhaps all was not lost with them.

Bringing her craft alongside she tossed a line to him, hoping he'd at least move to help her tie up. Before the boat was secure she took a leap of faith to jump onto the deck of  The Siren. Not a moment to lose and all that stuff.

Losing her balance slightly, she latched on to him. Any excuse to give him a hug right now.

"Shall will talk here, or go below?" she asked as she eased back.

He wanted to hold her, take her below and make love to her, forget what had happened, pretend it didn't exist but, he couldn't, wouldn't.

"We can talk where we are Bridgid. Why are you here?"   

"Because I love you."

Her words threw him completely off balance. "Madam, I do not understand you, you say you love me but you will not be my wife. Why do you think I asked for your hand? Were, are, you testing me? What would you have me do Bridgid? If you love me but are in love with another you should tell me now, I have already made enough of a fool of myself for love."   

His words set her back on her heels. "Is that what you think? Is that really what you think? My God, Jack, you know there is no other for me than you. I was just upset ...I mean I want to be you wife Jack , I was just .....Damn, man. I was looking for something a bit more romantic than an ad in the paper. Something like this."

Dropping down on one knee, she reached for his hand and took it. "Jack Aubrey, I'd be honored if you would consent to be my husband." 

Jack's whole world spun on it's axis. "I..I..get up madam, this is not romantic." He hauled her to her feet and in one quick movement hoisted her over his shoulder. Moving quickly he took them to the bow and let her go, jumping in after her.

The water was cold but exhilarating. When they both rose for air he grabbed at her waist and pulled her to him. "Marry me you infuriating woman, say yes now or I swear I will pull us both under."    

It took her a minute to get her breath but she gave him an answer. Wiping the water from her face she said...

TBC