Dawg's Island

[BigDawg69]

As the boat slid by the buoys marking the reef, I looked to the horizon. Noticing a familiar ripple across the tips of the waves, I edged the boat just to the port a bit before bringing her back to starboard. The timing was perfect as the starboard pontoon dipped over the crest of a swell and the boat heaved over toward starboard, just enough to throw Ripley off her balance and into my waiting arms. She felt better up next to me than I had expected.

“Hang on there darlin.” I said and gripped her tight to me. I looked down to her eyes and was lost for a moment in the crystal blue that matched waters surrounding the boat.

“Damn it Teach!” Tana swore from the cabin below. I noticed Jo wink at Mark as the two scurried about the decks and rigging.

My attention switched once again to the sea. The marina slid away to the stern, the breeze picked up and filled our sails. The two pontoons slipped across the tips of the gentle rolling waves, causing the perfect amount of spray to wisp across the deck. I watched the wind ripple the waves and made slight adjustments to keep the mainsail full and maintain our speed. Getting deeper the water shaded deeper blue, but we were not yet in deep enough water for this dark a color. I took in a deep breath smelling the salt sea air. Big puffy clouds loomed at the horizon, the wind pressing the boat forward. We may get wet, I thought, the seas will kick up a bit, but that’s the spice of life and the island destination will be well worth it.

“The usual for me, Tana.” I called down to the cabin. My attention turned to the crew. Jo had just sat down near the bow. “Jo, Caswell, get those moorings lashed down, and pull in the jib a bit. Watch the trim on the mainsail, we’ll have to stay sharp to make paradise today!” Jo shot me a look, to which I responded with a playful wink, and jumped up to crank in the jib.

 

[_precious_1__]

Jo

“Jo, Caswell, get those moorings lashed down, and pull in the jib a bit. Watch the trim on the mainsail, we’ll have to stay sharp to make paradise today!”

I was just finishing with the last of the mornings when the jib began flapping furiously.

“Mark!” I called out, as he as much closer to the jib than I, but he was already taking hold of the jib and pulling it tight. I hurried over to lend a hand. The two of us heaved the jib tight.

“Looks as though we may actually be doing a bit of sailing today,” I grinned at Mark, “are you up for it?”

I glanced up at the clouds overhead, and Mark’s eyes followed my gaze. He looked back over at me with a wink.

“I hope you packed your rain gear.” he said with a chuckle.

“If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I’m always prepared.”

 

[BigDawg69]

The boat glided on to the south, it's dual bows crashing gently through the crests of the waves. I watched as the sexy Tana toyed with the willing Julian. Jo and Mark exchanged more than a few "glances" as I kept them hopping about the deck and rigging. I did this partly becuase I knew we had to make good time, and partly becuase I like watching Jo work. She was poetry in motion.

As much as I tried to keep and eye to the horizon, glancing to the sky with it's clouds gathering, I could not keep my eyes from the sexy form of Ripley's beautiful body. The tacking trick had worked and felt her body next to mine. It sent waves of pleasure throughout my body. I am no stranger to the comforts of a woman, anyone will tell you, but this woman, this trip something was different.

The winds had kicked up and the swells grown. The boat began to dive into and climb back out of the large waves. The sun peaked from behind large storm clouds less and less often. I could see a slight mention of concern grace across Julian's face. Even Tana had given me a couple looks as the boats action increased.

I looked up to the horizon. There in the distance a gray mountain dotted the line betwen the darkening sky and the trembling sea. My island, it was there, we were within reach now. Between us and it however was rain. Not just the cute Island rain that barely wets the world, no it was a torrential downpour that almost obscured the island completely.

Raingear! I shot out. There is raingear in the main cabin. If you choose to remain topside, I suggest you get some on. Unless of course you like to play in the rain. I smiled but my stare did not move from the approaching weather. Jo, Mark, ready the jib, to pull it in. I don't want us top heavy in the wind.

As lighting bolt streaked from the sky followed quickly by a loud clap of thunder. The sea spray kicked up and began to drive across the deck with force. The boat picthed hard to straboard, I cranked the wheel to turn into the wave. We drove up over the crest and flopped back down the other side. The storm was gaining strength and kicking waves at us from the west. To keep the boat from flipping I would have to tack away from our destination, making the trip that much longer.

 

[Forrester]

Mark

OOC Sorry for being gone so long. Personal problems kept me offline. Thanks for keeping me in the story.


IC Trying to match Jo's graceful movements as well as her perfect knowledge of the craft we were sailing kept me on my toes just as much as the captain's orders. I fell into it with relish though and and found that I enjoyed the comraderie I was feeling with this very pretty lady. I was also admiring her seamanship just as much as her trim figure.

When she came over to me I was very conscious of that trim figure as she looked out at the rising storm. I gave her a wink as she asked me if I was prepared to sail that day. The sea was more of a home than any land based building and, though the weather was a bit on the rough side, I was enjoying the challenge the day presented to us. As well as the chance to show my skills of and not only to the captain.

"I hope you packed your raingear," I said with a laugh and she flashed me a smile that hit me as one of the nicest smiles I had ever seen. "If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I’m always prepared." She threw back at me and I found myself returning that irristable grin.

"Funny," I said, "You don't look like any of the boy scouts in my troop. Not that I am complaining mind you. It would have made troop meetings so much nicer though."

As we talked the weather got a bit worse and I looked out on the horizon where a bit of land could be seen through the haze of rain. I heard Teach call for raingear but elected to bypass it. Raingear would only get in the way and it seemed we didn't have too long before reaching land. As if on an internal cue both Jo and I fell to the job of helping the captain get the ship safely to shore. Reaching for the jib at the same time our hands brushed and I felt a pleasant rush from the contact. Shaking the distraction from my mind but not losing the grin from my face I felt the ship move a bit away from our destination and wondered if rain gear wouldn't have been a good idea afterall. It seemed that Teach was having to come around the long way to get in safely. I had no reason to worry that we would not though. I had every confidence in his performance not only from his reputation but from what I had seen. Not to mention the skills my pretty companion had already shown.

 

[_precious_1__]

ooc:
Good to have you both back!

ic:
We sailed into the rain as though we were sailing under a waterfall. We were all immediately drenched. One thing about these south pacific storms, they moved fast, I hadn’t gotten a chance to get my rain gear on, and my white shirt was immediately plastered to my body. I noticed that Mark didn’t have a chance to get his rain gear on either. The rain was not cold, but the wind chilled me a bit as we began to tack, slowly back and forth, back and forth, inching toward south.

I peered out into the rain, Teach said he’d spotted land. I caught just a glimpse through the sheet of rain. I shook my head slightly in disbelief. Surely that’s Johnston Island or Sand Island. I glanced down at my watch. Could we have gotten that far already? An uneasiness settled in as we crept steadily toward the shore.

A big wave crashed on to the deck and damn near swept me off my feet.

 

[ariosto]

They'd sent the drinks up topside seemingly hours ago.
He and Tania had exchanged small talk for awhile since it had been six months since he'd seen her. He was drinking her up like a man dying of thirst, or a man who'd been in the hot, green Honduran jungle for all that time.
He'd never made love to her but my god he'd tried!
After two drinks they were on the sofa and as close as he'd ever gotten to enjoying her favors.
His hands were molding to the warm curve of her breasts when the cat suddenly heeled to starboard, tipping their glasses and several bottles off the floor and on to the deck.

Julian had been noticing the increasing chop of the ocean and the darkening skies through the portholesfor a while. With a regretful look at Tania who was reholstering her assets he bounded up the companionway only to be hit in the face by a cold driving rain.

"Pass up all the rain gear you can find!" He called back down.
"We're having a hell of a blow."

On deck Julian grabbed the life lines and worked his way forward angling for the ladder that led to the cockpit and the helm.
He ran into Jo before he got there.

"Hey what's up, I felt the turn, are we..."
The wave hammered them both against the sagging life lines.
He grabbed her around the waist and they both hung onto a
stanchion whose base was buried in white foaming water.
"CHRIST!" He yelled!
"Where the hell did this come from!"

 

[MorgaineLaFay]

OOC: Sorry my posts have been so brief ... I am a bit pressed for time...


My hair hung in sopping wet ringlets around my face, gathering a fist full of hair, I twisted it up high and fastened it behind my head. Rain trickled down my neck, sliding between my breasts, caressing down my navel, balmy water droplets landing on my inner thigh.

“There is raingear in the main cabin. If you choose to remain topside, I suggest you get some on. Unless of course you like to play in the rain.”

I slid into a light parka, my eyes shifting from Teach to the horizon. A smiled flirted on my lips and that all too familiar excitement started to build inside me as the storm rushed at us.

 

[_precious_1__]

Jo

I had just gotten my feet beck under me when the only male passanger on the ship emerged from below deck.

"Hey what's up, I felt the turn, are we..." was all he got out before a tremendous wave crashed into us. He grabbed on to me and for the second time I was nearly pulled off my feet.

"CHRIST!" He yelled, "where the hell did this come from?"

I tried to hide my irritation from the passenger, and answered as politely as possible.

"It's just a small squall Sir, we have things under hand up here. You would be best off if you stayed below deck until we get through this or get to shore."

I threw a look over to Mark that I knew he would read loud and clear. Landlovers!


OOC: Here's my version on the Rachelle II!

 

[Forrester]

Mark

I tried to hide my smile from the man holding Jo but with that look it wasn't easy. Reaching out I grasped her arm by the wrist letting her grab onto my own and pulling her to her feet knowing she would be steadier standing on her own two feet even in this storm than she would being held.

"She's right, below decks would be the best place to ride out the storm, Sir," I said as I began to tighten lines and check the sails. The sails could be our saviors or our downfall depending on the wind, wind direction, wind force and what shape the sails were in. As long as we didn't recieve major damage to the mast and sails we would be fine.

Steadying myself as the captain made adjustments in the direction once again I felt the thrill of pitting myself against nature. The spray that washed us and the deck was invigorating and our goal kept peeking in and out of the haze around the island. It was a beautiful sight for someone at home on the sea.

Glancing over at Jo I noticed that the water had done nothing to take away from her beauty. In fact she looked even more beautiful if possible especially since she had the same look of excitement on her face as I must have on my own. Looking away I decided I should keep my mind on what I was doing instead of my companion destractions right now were not what we needed.

 

[chanaud]

Tana

I couldn't help but laugh at the situation we were in. Figures! The first time I go out on one of Teach's many excursions, we run into a storm.

I heard Julian yell down, "Get all the raingear you can find."

Trying hard to remain my balance, I opened all the compartments I can find.

"Dammit" I cursed loudly. "No raingear!"

I made my way back to his private quarters. Looking around, my curiosity took over and my weary mates battling in the storm were soon forgotten.

There was a double size bed and it reeked of Teach. Smiling fondly, I imagined Teach spread out, sawing logs.

I wondered why Teach never tried anything with me. He has hinted on many occasions, but he's always remained at arm's length.

When, I opened a compartment behind his bed, my thoughts were soon forgotten by my discovery.

"AHA! So, this is where he keeps his stash."

I plopped myself down on his bed and turned the pages of his Penthouse magazines.

 

[ariosto]

"I don't think I'm wanted topside."
Julian stood in the door with his hair plastered down and dripping water on Teache's carpet.
"Say what have you got there?"
Before she knew it Julian was stretched out beside her looking at the candidate for Miss June.
"Honey, that gal has nothing on you!"
He was reaching for Tania's tempting breast when the cat pitched to starboard and they both went rolling with the bed clothes against the cabin's bulkhead.
"Why Miss Tania, please don't take advantage of me when I can't defend myself!"
She was lying on top of the bedspread wrapped and very damp archaeologist, her claevage a tempting valley within licking distance and a suspiciously hard lump under her tummy.
"That's my flashlight." he grinned. "It's getting dark up there!"

 

[chanaud]

Tana

Giggling, I pressed myself against him. I love fun men and Julian is fun with a capital 'F'.

"Flashlight, eh? Looks like your batteries need to be energized."

He leaned in with a smirk on his face and eyes glowing with mischief.

"Well Ms. Tana. Wanna energize my batteries?"

I murmured softly against his lips, "Do you wanna know something, Julian?"

"Hmmmmm....what?"

"You're making me wet!" I pushed him back and watched him tumble off the bed.

 

[BigDawg69]

The winds kicked up the sea and the once nice rolling swells quickly grew into rather menacing waves that began to pound the boat. Jo and Mark scurried about, soaked through, tending the sails and lashing down whatever lay loose. The rain drove down soaking my linen shirt to my chest. The bill of my cap dripped water in front of my face. As I jibed over a wave the craft pitched over hard to port. Jo left her feet falling in the direction of the raging sea. Mark's strong arm shot out and caught her just above the swell. As the boat drove up from the trough of the wave and pitched back over to starboard, the mainsail broke loss and the main mast boom swung wildly across the deck. Almost instantly, even instinctively, Ripley jumped from my side and grabbed one of the lines. Her hands moving in a flash she lashed to rope through a cleat and began to pull in the boom.

Tie yourselves with the lifelines! This is going to be a bit rough!I yelled at the crew.

Ripley's head swung to me, her wet hair slinging around to slap around her pretty face. Her crystal blue eyes cut through the storm filled with excitement and adrenaline.

The boat crossed the crest of another wave and pitched straight down the other side. The jolt sent me forward into the helm, crashing the wheel into my chest. I felt my breath leave through my open mouth. Everything stopped; even the raindrops were suspended in mid-air. My eyes locked on Ripley, her face slowly transformed from an adrenaline-powered excitement to fear. Darkness began to close in around me as I felt all my limbs go numb. Slowly I became aware of the cold driving rain, pelting me, driving me down. My face smacked the hard deck, but there was a surprising lack of pain, only wetness. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but darkness closed in around me too quickly. . .

 

[MorgaineLaFay]

Ripley

A smiled flirted on my lips and that all too familiar excitement started to build inside me as the storm rushed at us.

I watched in amazement as the cat pitched on the jibe. Everything was happening at once. Mark was hauling Jo back on deck. The eye of the storm followed our every move until we rocked in the heart of it.

The main sail broke free from its cleat and whipped through the air. I couldn’t hold back any longer, my hand shot out and I grabbed the sheet. Reefed the main sail in and set it back in the cleat.

I turned back to look at Teach just in time to see him crash into the wheel with such a force. Panic spread through me as I watched him go down hard on the deck. I watched as his eyes fluttered under the pelting rain, he held my gaze and then his lids fell shut.

Adrenaline ran through my blood, with a free hand I dropped the head sail and yelled for Mark & Joe to pull it in.

I stepped around to the helm, calling for someone to take the wheel.

Crouching down next to Teach, placing numb finger tips against his wrist. His pulse was steady and strong. Most likely just got the wind knocked out of him.

I shielded his face from the severe rain with my body, I bent my head close to his. Hands gently cupping his head, I leaned in, warm breath on his ear as I called his name.

 

[ariosto]

You're making me wet!" I pushed him back and watched him tumble off the bed.

...and then Jules tumbled back on...almost.
The wildly careening boat hurled him against the mahogany edge of the bedpost and knocked him senseless at the same moment Teach collided with the wheel above them.
Tana tried to assess the damage to his head but the pitching deck was making that damned hard to do.

"Hey! She yelled into the sleeting rain that was knifing down the companionway.
"Hey The Professor's hurt!"

There was a sudden horrendous crash and she was pitched backward off her feet and landed against the bulkhead beside the unconcious Julian.
Her head swam crazily from the impact but in her mind she registered the fact that the Rachelle was no longer pitching violently, her movements had become leaden and with a shock she saw seawater beginning to fill the cabin.

 

[Forrester]

Mark

Grabbing a life preserver I threw it over Jo. Right then I didn't care if she was upset at me or insulted by my lack of faith in her abilities. At that moment I knew we were in trouble. Banging on the cabin door I called for the two passengers to find life jackets and put them on and I grabbed two more and headed to where Ripley and the Captain were. Tossing her the jackets I said,"Put one on and get him into the other. If we can't make the island in time he won't stand a chance being out like that."

Grabbing the wheel I fought with it as we careened out of control. From the list of the boat I could tell we were taking on water and the land in the distance seemed like it was even further than it had been before. Fighting to stay in control of the catamaran I followed the direction of the waves as much as I could and still head in the direction of the Captain's island instead of fighting against them. We had to get out of the water and try and repair the damage to the boat and fighting against the direction of the waves was just going to waste time we didn't have. That is we had to get out and repair the boat if the boat made it to the island before sinking.

Yelling down to Jo I said,"Look out for rocks and sandbars! Give me some navigation here! I'm going into this almost blind!"

 

[_precious_1__]

Jo

I was beginning to lose faith in my sea legs. I had already had two close calls on the deck, and I was damned lucky Mark was there when the cat pitched and I nearly fell into the violent sea. By now the wind was screaming. One sail was flapping, but Ripley was hard at work tightening down the lashings. Fat heavy raindrops drove hard against the deck of the ship. We crested over a swell and the drop down the backside. It felt like it was a hundred feet! The ship crashed into the sea at the bottom it was like running into a freight train.

I clung to the lifeline desperately. I looked over just to see Teach fall hard to the deck. Ripley was at his side, but had let go of the sail. Mark threw a life preserver over my head, it hung to my hips, then grabbed the wheel. I ran across the deck and lashed down the sail. That’s when I heard it. It was a sickening sound, a screeching rather like that of fingernails on a chalkboard. We had hit. Most likely a reef that surrounded that little island.

Mark called for me to be his eyes. I scanned the waters before us, trying to read the waves. I rushed back to Mark.

“We have rocks, big ones, at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock." I paused, "We’re taking on water, aren’t we?”

His grim nod confirmed my fears.

“If we’ve only breeched one hull we’ve a little more time. I think we should turn full sail to the wind, we won’t hit the island dead on, but we don’t have time to tack back and forth to get there.”

Then we heard the cries for help from below deck.

“Mark, you have to go down and help, I’ll take the wheel, I can’t lift the professor, he’s too big for me.”

With some reluctance Mark went below deck. I looked down at Ripley bent over Teach’s limp body, then set my resolve and turned the wheel to fill the sails with the storm’s wind. We shot forward as the sails took the full force of the wind, but quickly grew sluggish and began to sag on the port side. We were closing in on the tiny island quickly when the storm jib blew. The noise was like a gunshot, and the fabric flapped helplessly.

The jib blown, we were caught by a wave and the cat was deposited on some big rocks. For the moment we were at least safe from sinking, but another wave could change that in a hurry. I peered out and my heart leapt when I realized we were less than a quarter mile from shore.

 

[Forrester]

Mark

I did not like leaving at that moment but I was needed below deck and I knew that Jo could handle things up here. Handing over the wheel to her I rushed below deck after grabbing two more life jackets. Making my way through the water I came upon Tana and the Proffessor. He was unconscious and she was desperatly trying to hold his head up from the water. I threw her one life jacket and began to put the other one on the professor. The water actually making it easier because he floated above the floor.

Once done I began to back pedal using the water that was filling the cabin and the life jacket to get us as far as I could. "Miss Tana," I called to her,"Follow me. Grab onto my arm if you have to but we have to get out of here now." I could feel the boat shooting forward and then slowing as Jo tried to get us to the island and then I heard a gut wrenching crack followed by a screach of something hard underneath us and knew we had to move it. If what I thought had happened had happened we were sitting ducks.

Getting the professor as far as I could I then hoisted him on my shoulders and pushed Tana in front of me and onto the deck. I followed as soon as I could moving to place the professor by the captain. My face was set but I knew Jo could read the worry in my eyes just as I could read it in hers. Slipping on my own life jacket I said,"Next wave we break up or sink. We have to get these people on shore. What do you think? Do we wait for the next wave or do we take the initiative and try to get to shore?"

 

[_precious_1__]

Jo

I looked at Mark grimly.

“Waiting for that next wave is not an option.”

I unlashed the life raft and pulled the inflation cord. Within seconds an octagonal raft about ten feet in diameter sprang open. Ripley helped me heave it over the side of the ship, and I quickly followed, jumping into the raft and holding on to the side of the ship. This left Mark with the difficult task of hoisting two dead weights into the raft. Ripley and Tana jumped in, and the two of them caught the professor and Teach as Mark hauled them over the side of the boat.

I expected Mark to follow directly afterward, but he didn’t. I began to worry, and it must have showed to the other two women.

“Where did he go?!?” Tana shouted above the storm.

I didn’t know. Maybe he’s been swept from the deck. A deep fear knotted in the pit of my stomach and was just about ready to climb up into the ship when Mark’s face appeared over the side of the ship. Relief washed over me. He began to hand down ores, and two bags, then he jumped into the raft.

“Do you know how risky it was going back for these things?!?” I demanded.

“What I do know, Jo, is that the radio isn’t working at all, and we could be stuck on this island for a while.” That is if we make it to the island, his eyes said, but he didn’t speak aloud.

Mark and I began to row toward shore, while Ripley and Tana held Teach and the professor’s head out of the six inches of water that had already accumulated in the bottom of the small raft. I silently prayed that the tide would be working on our favor.

 

[BigDawg69]

OOC: Wow guys this is great! Very exciting stuff! Thank you for your continuing contributions!

 

[geri]

sorry. clicked on the wrong thread. please act like i did not even come in here.

 

[Forrester]

Mark

"Waiting for that next wave is not an option." Jo said and I nodded. "Agreed," I said as she unlashed the life raft and inflated it. What followed were some very tense moments as the movement of the water and the rain tried to hinder them getting the two men into the life boat. My muscles were aching by the time both of them were settled but I knew that this was not over. There were a few more things that had to be done before we headed for the island.

I checked the radio before heading below decks. I grabbed the mic and turned on the knobs. Nothing. It was dead and we were cut off from all help. Giving it a quick check and seeing that it had been damaged in one of the violent rolls that we had experienced in the storm, probably by something loose smashing into it, I did not waste anymore time on it. I headed below decks and I was now knee deep in water. One good wave and the women would be on their own until Teach and the professor woke up. Not that I didn't think that they could handle it in fact they had already shown their mettle but he was not thrilled with the thought of going down with the ship. But there were a few things that they could not do without if they were going to survive until rescued. Whenever that would be.

Opening a cabinet I grabbed two water proof bags and began to open drawers and cabinets throwing whatever I thought we could use into the bags. A first aide kit sealed in plastic, matches also sealed. rations that were stored for just in case. I passed up most of the perishables for the packaged and canned items. Several other things went into them including a can opener and I only stopped when they were full and I could feel the water trying to creep up to my waist. I had to get out now.

Coming back on deck I grabbed the oars that went to the lifeboat and tossed them and the bags over. My eyes met Jo's and I could see relief as well as worry in them. "Do you know how risky it was going back for these things?" She said her eyes flashing a bit and I smiled grimly. I knew only too well the chance I had taken.

"What I do know, Jo, is that the radio isn't working at all and we could be stuck on this island for a while." That is if we make it," I thought but did not say it out loud. Still I could see Jo echoing those grim thoughts as if she read my mind.

Grabbing an oar apeice Jo and I began to row toward the shore. It was hard going and there were several times that we almost capsized. My arms were beginning to become weary and the last few yards feeling more like miles when we were hit by that last wave we knew was coming. I heard a horrible screatching and then a crash behind us but I did not look. I knew what had happened. The Rachelle II would not sail anymore. The swell of the wave was strong and it traveled beyond the wrecked ship and caught our small raft. Jo and I fought to keep the boat from capsizing even as Tanya and Ripley clung to the professor and Teach trying to keep them within the life raft itself. If we could only hold out for a few more minutes we would reach shore. If only we could.

 

[MorgaineLaFay]

Ripley

The small raft bobbed in the water like a rubber duck in a massive whirlpool. Wild madness. I could almost taste the storm. It was tempting.

I could see the island in the near distance.

Tana sat next to me with the Professor slumped over in her lap. While Jo and Mark desperately worked in unison to get us to the island safely.

With my back to the brunt of the pelting rains I looked down at Jimmy Teach. His head cradled in my lap. The length of his body stretched out over mine and a good foot past.

A bit of color had returned to his face. Oddly, it was at that moment that I noticed how ruggedly handsome this man was. In a devilish way. I resisted the urge to rub my stomach, I ached just looking at him

I felt his muscles flex and tense over mine. His head turning from side to side. I bent down closer to him, I whispered his name, gently running one hand down the length of his right arm.

His eyes fluttered open and closed. Opening his mouth to speak I watched as he winced, capturing his bottom lip between his teeth.

With something short of a deep groan that was quite audible over the howling winds he looked up at me.

 

[BigDawg69]

Capt. Teach

The constant spray of waves hitting large rocks in the surf was only slightly annoying, and made me question what fool had chosen these particular palms between which to hang a hammock. Nevertheless, I was relaxed, the hammock swaying in the gentle sea breeze, and the constant ocean spray kept me cool, almost cold in fact. In the distance I could voices of people yelling, playing in the waves. A beautiful voice uttered my name in my ear so gentle as I slept there in paradise. I stirred there and struggled to open my eyes, not wanting to leave this peaceful slumber. Slowly my eyelids cracked open and I could see there above me was the vision of beauty. But her face was not one of calm or happiness; there was fear in her eyes.

SPLASH

A wave crashed over us as the violent sea tossed the small raft that carried us. I blinked with the rain pelting my face, my body. The lovely Ripley sheltered me from the storm with her body. I slowly turned my head and could see Jo and Mark paddling like mad, Tana held the Professor in her lap, his unconscious body being jostled by the action of the raft.

The raft! Why were we in a raft? Where was my boat? I tried to sit up quickly to get a better view of our situation, but the rush lightened my head and I collapsed back down to Ripley’s lap. She gently brushed the rain from my forehead, and smiled at me. It was an amazing act of courage for this woman to muster a smile through the terror she felt, the fear written in her eyes. I took a deep breath, or tried to at least. My chest seized with pain. The helm, I had fallen into the helm. I must have bruised a rib or two, it was a familiar pain. I had bruised a rib while attempting some rather contortionistic sexual positions with a former partner of my youth.

Slowly, painfully I sat up in the raft. Over the edge I could see the island. It was close, very close. As I surveyed our goal, I realized we were approaching the wrong side. The storm must have blown us past the only opening in the reef. That would explain the raft. My heart sank at the thought of the Rachelle II. My head spun around just in time to catch a wave crash down on the last of her, knocking her from her perch atop the barrier reef. It was a risk coming here; I knew that, it still remained to see whether it would be too much of a risk.

I looked once again at Tana and Julienne, He was unconscious, but breathing, and Tana’s look of annoyance rather than fear, actually gave me relief. I looked back once again to the sea. A large wave was coming toward us.

Jo, Mark! Paddle like mad if we catch the next one, we might can ride it too shore! The yelling caused my chest to seize once again, and I sank back to Ripley’s lap in pain.

Suddenly I felt the raft pitch forward, then go up like an elevator, it leveled and almost seem to wobble. I sat up and looked, we were high atop the crest of the great wave careening toward the shore.

HANG ON! This is gonna be on Hell of a ride! I began yelling, but could only finish it to Ripley. I smiled.

The raft fell sharply as the wave broke around us. Water poured in from all sides, but seeing the great wall of foam behind us, I knew we had gotten out ahead of the wave and would be pushed to the . . .

SCCCRRRRRRREEECCCCHHH

The rubber bottom of the raft ground into the fine sand of the beach. Jo, Mark, and Ripley sprang out of the raft in knee-deep water and began to pull the raft ashore. I sat up and started to climb out when Jo’s strong hand grabbed my forehead and held me there. She bent in, her face inches from my own.

You’re more valuable to us a gimp and alive, than a hero and dead. Stay in the raft, we’ll pull it out.

 

[Forrester]

Mark

It was a relief to see Teach up and looking only a bit worse for wear. At his instructions we crested the next wave and rode it out until we hit land. My admiration for Jo went up dramatically as I watched how she expertly handled the oar and raft at the front while I matched her moves on the opposite side of the craft in the back.

My stomach rose and fell as we climbed up and then careened down. I had been on roller coasters that were tamer than this. There was a huge jolt as the bottom of our craft met solid land and Jo, Ripley and I jumped out and pulled it to shore. I could see Teach trying to climb from the raft and Jo leaning over and saying something to him that I could not hear over the storm. Whatever it was seemed to work as he settled back down long enough to let the three of them get the raft completely out of the water.

Helping Tana out, I saw Jo and Ripley slip their arms around Teach and help him from the raft. Leaning in I picked up the professor. It concerned me that he was still out. Placing the professor on the sand I dragged the raft up further onto shore and called for Jo's help to get it propped up as a makeshift lean to. Once that was done I went back and picked up the professor and got him under the shelter and out of the rain.

Wiping the water from my face I came close enough to Jo to talk to her without shouting. "We have to find a more permenant shelter and it looks like you and I are the ones best able to do it. Tana and Ripley can stay here and look after the others while we search for a cave or materials to make a better lean to. The captain isn't going to like it but he can't overextend himself right now. We don't need him with more serious injuries."