Shipwrecked!!

[PearlNecklace]

Liz still felt cold, it felt as if the seawater had taken over the blood in her veins and was continuing to chill her. The change of clothes helped a little, her teeth weren't chattering together quite as badly as they were before.

She watched Alan change his clothes, a shiver of pleasure running down her spine as she took in his nakedness. She shook her head, now was'nt the time for that. She stood there staunchly but felt that melt away as Alan wrapped his arms around her body. It was comforting to have him so near and the closeness of their bodies made the cold seem more distant. She turned his face back from the shore to look at her, she knew he was worried about survivors, was worried about what would happen now and she could'nt blame him.

Liz framed Alan's face with her hands and softly kissed his lips. "Thank you for helping me out there. I .. I do love you, you know?" She whispered against his lips. Perhaps now was not the right time to express these sentiments but they'd almost lost their lives so maybe there was actually no better time?

Not waiting for a reply she wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe and holding him tightly. He gaze was naturally drawn out to sea and as she surveyed it she gasped softly. "Look Alan, theres others!" Releasing him she ran across the beach back towards the edge, waving furiously at a raft with people on it.

 

[slowandeasy]

Jacques LaForge and Kit Duval

Jacques LaForge had been looking forward to this trip in more ways than one. The assignment he was on as illustrator for a travel Agency would bring him a healthy sum of money and he had the opportunity to visit some of the places he had, only up until now, read or heard about, as the agency sent him to the latest “in” vacation spots, and adventures. The latest involved a four day cruise aboard a chartered pleasure ship, the Vida Encantada, headed for Honolulu Hawaii. He had chosen this assignment for another reason too and that was find the “Muse” that would inspire him, stir the creative juices that had remained dormant for too long and bring life to his canvases. for quite some time he hadn't painted a picture worth adding to the rather sparse collection he was preparing for his next gallery opening. He shrugged his shoulders.

“Maybe he’d find inspiration on this chartered pleasure ship, or in Hawaii.” He said to himself, as he looked into his image in the mirror before leaving his cabin the first day at sea. At 54 he still looked good. His bright blue eyes were surrounded by a tan clean shaven face. His blond hair curled around his ears and brushed the collar of his chambray shirt. The top button, unfastened revealed an abundance of fine curly chest hair and more tan skin. His long legs supported a lean body kept fit by regular exercise.

He threaded his long supple fingers through his hair and smiled at the image. His hands were magic. With them and his keen observing mind he was able to recreate any scene he came upon. His photographic memory instantly captured and retained every aspect of a windswept sky, a vast mountain range or the intricate details of a woman’s naked body. His father wanted him to be a surgeon, his mother dreamed of him being a famous concert pianist, but he chose to be an artist. Not wanting to die penniless like many artists before him he became an illustrator and had made quite a name for himself as he had the ability to bring a simple scene to life, even better than a photograph. Four days of sketching and he could create a panoramic view of life aboard a chartered pleasure ship. And maybe find a suitable subject to attempt a portrait.

Jacques’ gaze turned in her direction when she paused in the half open hatch and stretched. She had one of those faces that seemed timeless, not in a breathtakingly beautiful way, but of the “never seems to change” variety. Her blonde hair was cut short and the soft-fringed ends framed her face, drawing attention to her blue eyes and generous mouth. She appeared to be about 40, her body athletic, and from what Jacques could observe, as she was wearing well-worn jeans, a tight white t-shirt and denim jacket, open at her throat, her skin was deeply tanned from outdoor activity. She smiled briefly at him as she passed within arms length and He caught a glimpse of her eyes. the color of a summer thunderstorm; a warm pale blue, but on the verge of changing at any moment.

He had come on deck just as the sun was coming over the horizon, a bit disappointed to see the sea so calm and uninspiring. He would have preferred to see a few whitecaps and windswept clouds. He was almost ready to put his paints away and fold up his easel when she swept past him heading along the starboard rail towards the ships bow. As she disappeared He smiled, noticing her scuffed hiking boots. She was obviously out for a morning walk. “She’ll be back around soon.”

He had finished his wash, blue and white, when she appeared behind him coming from the fantail. She stopped and stuck out her hand. “You must be our resident artist." she said brightly, "I’m Kit Duval.”

“Jacques LaForge” he said politely as he felt the warm firm handshake. “My pleasure”.

“Nice morning.” she said looking behind them where the rising sun was in the ships wake.


“Too nice.” Jacques replied without thinking …"I mean it’s hard to paint such a calm sea.”

Kit grinned, her smile lighting up her face.

“ May I paint you…” He said hesitantly.

“Why not?” She shrugged her shoulders. “But first, let me do two more times around the ship.”

By the end of the third day The picture was almost complete. They were planning to celebrate with a bottle of champagne on the bow when the storm hit. Jacques packed his sketches, paints and the portrait in a waterproof bag and made his way towards Kit’s cabin.

 

[Steiner]

Alan accepted Liz's soft kiss and was about to respond with a more heated one of his own - circumstances be damned - when she twisted out of his arms and ran for the beach. He laughed, realising that a week ago he'd have been glad of any interruption if she'd said "I love you" so that he didn't have to mouth the words in empty, ritual, response. He wondered whether he'd have found it quite so empty a response today, and then dismissed it to the back of his mind.

Sprinting down the beach to join his wife, Alan waved frantically at the bobbing raft he could see out beyond the surf - and well beyond his current swimming range.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Karen

Gripping the arm of the Captain, and shaking it somewhat forcefully, Karen waved at the group of people, on the beach, that were trying to get their attention. She shifted back and forth as she began to feel the excitement of knowing they were not alone, start to overwhelm her senses. Smiling over at the man who was trying desperately to keep the boat from tipping, "Look! Oh my god! We're not alone."

She saw the look in his eyes as he turned and saw the group of survivors on the beach. His shoulders sagged in relief, and yet at the same time, they both turned back to the ocean and the wreckage.

"We still have to wait," he replied. "We have to make sure noone else is out there."

Karen's heart ached at the idea that someone could still be trapped in the wreckage or the water, waiting for them to be rescued. "Yes, we need to wait. We have to be sure noone else needs us."

Turning her head towards the breeze and the ocean she put away the thoughts of reaching shore, and searched the water.

 

[stalwartone]

Jake

Other survivors! The thought gave him hope. He'd been so afraid that he was the only one, then he had found another living human, obviously from the ship. But no others had seemed to have survived. Despite his blowing of the whistle, despite his assuming what was more or less a stable position with the raft, despite his sweeping of the light, he'd seen nothing else that seemed to be living.

Of course, his initial thought was to turn the raft toward the ground, and head that way to get together with them. But he killed that idea quickly. Open water, at night, of this temperature, would kill people in minutes if they weren't prepared for it. Surprise undertows, the added physical exertion of trying to stay buoyant, the loss of directional sense, and the ability to suck the body heat out so fast were all aspects of the water that would kill before a human realized their danger. Despite what logic might dictate to a person, the vast majority of people lost at sea were found within a few minutes (one way or the other) of death.

The time spent pushing the raft towards the ground could spell death for someone else. He had to allow some more time out here before he gave in and gave up.

Flashing his light in a brief vertical series of slashes, he then returned to the task of sweeping the beam across the water, blowing the whistle as shrilly as possible, straining his ears between blasts to listen for answering calls of any sort.

 

[PearlNecklace]

Liz wrapped her left arm around her husbands waist and carried on waving with her right hand. She realised they had seen her when she heard a faint shout and saw the beam of their torch move towards them. But the movement of her hand was warming her up again. Perhaps the adrenaline that began to flow as she realised they weren't alone helped warm her also.

She looked at the debris as it came to rest on the shore in front of them and the rest of the wreckage on the water. Looking up at Alan, Liz thought how lucky they were to have survived this and clung tighter to him. "What's going to happen now?" She asked quietly, simply because she was worried if she spoke any louder she might give away her true feelings of panic.

She hoped one of the survivors was the captain, at least he might have some idea of where they were. She hadn't taken note of where they were sailing to, she hadn't really cared. Nor did she know how many people were actually on board with them. Liz wished she hadn't taken her pouting so seriously and had taken the time to notice such details. It might have been helpful now.

 

[dcraz]

Ben Silver

As he snatched his backpack and raced for the door, Ben could see the water rushing in. The door was understandably difficult to open with the pressure of the rushing water pouring into the room and over his bare feet. Bending his knees slightly for leverage, Ben ducked his shoulder and gave the door a mighty shove, forcing it open into the hallway before barreling through with the backpack in tow.

Stepping into the hallway, Ben looked forward to see a couple dragging a suitcase and struggling through the doorway to the stairs toward the bow. Feeling the need to help others, Ben looked back down the hallway to the rear of the boat. The storm was still raging outside and the clouds made the lighting difficult to see clearly. As Ben strained to see down the hall looking for others, he could just make out some splashing behind the open door. Moving forward, Ben reached down to grasp the thrashing form as he pulled a woman to her unsteady feet. She was bleeding badly from a nasty cut on her forehead and her eyes were closed.

“Are you ok?” Ben shouted above the storm outside and the sound of water rushing down the stairwell.

“Are you ok?” He shouted again. “Can you stand?”

The woman reached up and draped her arms over Ben’s shoulders as she tried to steady herself. Slowly rolling her head side to side, she began to shake the cobwebs as her eyes opened slightly looking for a familiar sight.

“Are you ok?” Ben shouted for the third time. “Can you hear me?” He pleaded.

“I think I’m ok. Just a little unsteady at the moment” the woman replied. “I was down here trying to help everyone get out when something hit me in the head and knocked me backwards.”

“Hold on to me and we will check to see if anyone is still down here. I saw a couple headed up the stairs as I left my room and most people were already topside when the storm blew in.”

Ben and the woman stumbled from door to door checking to see if anyone was inside. The water was still rising in the lower cabins and it appeared that everyone was now out from below decks. Heading down the hallway toward the forward stairs, the waves rocked the grounded boat to and fro as the two reached out for the walls on either side of the hallway to steady their slow progress to the surface.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Ben guided the woman forward as she struggled step by step. Before following her, Ben took one look back to make sure they were the last ones out. The higher they rose in the stairwell, the more violent the rocking of the boat. It was obvious they had run aground with the crashing waves of the storm tossing the boat around. The fear of course was that the waves might actually dislodge the boat off it’s current grounded perch. With the hull breached in numerous places, the boat would surely sink quickly if it rocked loose. Ben knew they need to hurry to get back topside and gather with the others.

As she reached the top step, the woman paused and turned to make sure Ben was behind her. Ben was closing the gap, his sense of urgency taking over. As they opened the final door to the deck of the ship, they could see breaks in the clouds, the storm diminished to a light rain. Quickly surveying the deck, it was obvious there was no one else around. Ben rushed over to one side of the boat peering out into the lingering darkness, finding nothing.

“Over here!” the woman shouted from the far side of the boat.

Ben rushed to the woman’s side, his eyes following the direction of her out stretched arm. There, faintly in the distant, they could see a flashing, bobbing light. Just over the bobbing light and on the edge of their vision, they could see the obvious outline of land.

“We need to abandon ship before the boat sinks and takes us with it.” Ben told the woman in a surprisingly clear and calm tone. Nodding in agreement, they turned together surveying the top deck looking for a life raft or any obvious helpful way off the boat.

Ben knew the backpack he still held carried some very useful items. Useful that is, if they made it safely to shore. But he could feel the growing weight of the pack as it became water logged and knew the weight, as well as the burden would only increase once they were in the water. If they could not find something to support themselves, they would at least need to find a way to help support the weight of the backpack, lest it become ‘dead weight’.

The two began a methodical search for a life raft, or some substantial floatation aide when the boat shuddered suddenly and heaved to port, knocking both of then to their feet. As if reading each others mind, they both leapt to their feet, rushing to the stern of the boat. Reaching the rear of the boat, Ben looked around one last time for something to help them stay afloat, finally grabbing a cushion from one of the lounge chairs. Reaching the edge, they both looked into the brooding wash of the sea. Ben handed the seat cushion to the woman, switched the backpack to his opposite shoulder and reached out with his free hand. She reached out and took his hand, comforted by the warm, firm grip knowing he would not let go.

Ben nodded to the woman in the direction of the bobbing light and the coastline to their left as if telling her to get her bearings and said flatly… “It’s time.” as they leapt together into the black sea.

 

[Steiner]

Alan squeezed his wife's waist as she clung to him recognising the edge of hysteria to her voice and wanting to fight it as best he knew how.

"Well Liz, first we need to all get together on this island. Then we make some shelter - we might have to stay here a couple of weeks, you know, until the coastguard comes and picks us up. Maybe the captain got a radio message off before we sank - I can't see how he wouldn't. If not we just make a sign that can be seen from the air. They'll be looking for us pretty soon when we don't show up where we're supposed to be!"

He infused his little speech with all the warmth and certainty he could manage in his current state but, really, he was an American taxpayer and his government had the wherewithal to find him from space if they really had to. He was pretty certain that this would turn into a cool story to tell around the coffee machine.

Turning his head somewhat he bent to kiss Liz just at the point where her neck joined the smooth curve of her shoulder, wanting to reassure her in ways that words couldn't.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Kit Duvall

Kit couldn’t remember the last time she’d pursued a man. Spent any amount of time planning a way to meet him. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, but she would have chased Jacques. Fortunately fate lent a helping hand and brought them together in the most natural way; the artist viewing the sunrise, the ex-soldier doing morning calisthenics, or at least moving her bones enough to start the day.

Things had just happened from that first morning. Casual meetings, small touches, and a portrait that until tonight Kit was not allowed to see.

“ May I paint you…” He’d asked with some hesitation, as if he thought his question might be misconstrued.

“Why not?” She replied, flattered at the idea of being an artists’ model.

The arrival of the storm nixed the celebratory unveiling of the portrait. Unopened champagne stood chilling, while two glasses waited nearby. The pretty camisole with her usual blue jeans, was now covered with a t-shirt and faded denim jacket. The weather looked bad. Kit and Jacques had agreed that they’d better prepare to abandon ship.

Jacques had gone to his cabin to gather the items he felt could not be left behind. Kit was doing the same. She grabbed her hiking pack, its contents would cover the basic needs. They must be close to their destination by now, Kit was only marginally concerned that rescue would be long delayed.

The door banged open, Jacques stood outside in several inches of water. Kit was dismayed to see that it seemed to be rising rapidly.

“The captain has give the order to abandon ship, Kit. We need to get out of here. Now!”

She gave him a terse nod, slung her pack over one shoulder and joined him hall. Together that moved to the deck and the rolling sea that surrounded the ship. It took all Kits willpower to jump into the violent water and when the cold liquid wrapped around her it took all her strength to swim back to the surface. A life raft bobbed in the surf, too far away to reach, it appeared they’d have to swim for it. Seeing Jacques rise to the surface nearby, Kit grabbed his arm and pulled him close so she could be heard above the roar of the storm.

“There! See the light from that raft? I think it’s the captain. We’ll never get to shore on our own, swim for the raft.”

She waved her arm, yelling as best she could while the saltwater tried to fill her mouth each time she opened it. Incredibly the light from the occupants of the raft picked them out in the dark and soon hands reached into the water to haul them onboard. They'd survived. So far.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Karen

Looking to the boat, Karen sees that soon it will be gone, complety broken apart and lost to them. Fearing that there are still people on board, she struggles to keep herself calm and not tell the Captain to head towards shore. Just as her eyes begin to shift towards the shoreline a movement from the boat snags her attention.

Grapping the Captain's arm she squeezes it hard, her broken manicured nails digging into his flesh, "Over there!" Pointing towards the side of the wreckage she directs the Captain's eyes to the two figures now bobbing in the water. "Do you see them?" The adrenaline from seeing more survivors flows through Karen and she almost jumps up and down. A stern look from the man in the raft, quickly settles her movements. Mumbling to herself, "I know... I don't want to tip this boat over." Turning her head, rolling her eyes, and blowing the damp hair from her brow, she thinks once again to herself that the Captain is supposed to go down with the ship, no matter how handsome he is.

She watches as the couple begin to swim towards them, then suddenly she sees two more figures appear out of no where, almost standing up she shouts and waves to the newest set of survivors. This time in her excitement she leaps over to the Captain and throws her arms around him, kisses his cheek and points out the next couple swimming towards them. Using debrie from the ship the Captain and her paddle the raft closer to the swimmers.

Still wondering if there is anyone else aboard the vessel, she prays silently to the heavens that if there is, they will soon free themselves, before it is to late. Seconds after that thought crosses her mind, the boat splits and more creaks and groans are heard as it slips further and deeper into the rocks and water.

Finally one set of swimmers reach the raft and together the Captain and Karen haul in the man and woman. Looking into their eyes she sees the fear and the relief of each of them. Together they huddle cold and wet. Pushing the make-shift paddles deeper, Karen struggles to move the raft closer to the remaining couple.

 

[PearlNecklace]

Liz tried to share her husband's confidence that they would be found in a matter of weeks. She was usually an optimistic person but something about this situation, about them being found, felt bad to her and she wasn't going to hold her breath. She didn't want to burst his bubble and she was enjoying this new found closeness they were sharing.

She waited impatiently for the captain and his raft of passengers to get to the beach. He had the answers she needed and she didn't want to wait any longer for them than she had to. She needed answers because her logical and practical mind was already wondering what they could build a sign out of. Was there going to be food for them to hunt/gather and eat? Would they find a cave suitable or would they be forced to make huts? What could they salvage from the wreckage?

Feeling Alan kiss her neck, a shiver went through Liz's body. She was stirred from her musings and her attention was now solely on her husband, instead of their predicament. Smiling up at him she laughed softly and said "We could run off into the jungle now, you could be Tarzan, I'll be Jane and we'll build ourselves a treehut!" She couldn't help but let her gaze travel his body as she imagined him in leopard skin clothing. She grinned as she looked to him, seemingly forgetting all they had just been through.

 

[Steiner]

Alan smiled at Liz. "Tempting thought, isn't it?"

Then he sighed a little. "The others will be coming back soon, I imagine. Let me make you a counter proprosal - why don't we head back under that tree and relax. Just sit and watch the sun come up? By the time the rest of them get here there'll be plenty of work to do. We can't help that from here, so let's get some rest and just be together in peace for awhile. Who knows the next time we'll have that luxury?"

Taking a few steps up the beach, he turned and offered his hand to Liz, with an open invitation in his eyes.

 

[sharingfantasies]

Bess

As the dark murky water closed over her head, Bess was grateful for Ben Silver's hand. She had been knocked around so much, she ached everywhere. Gripping onto the cushion with her arm, she kicked her way upward to the surface. His head broke through right next to hers and she let go of his hand so that he could work his arms through his backpack straps. Pushing the cushion between them, they both grabbed the far end and let the cushion support them as they began to kick toward the lifeboat.

Bess glanced back at the ship, praying everyone had gotten into the water. She could hear Jake blowing his whistle and sighed with relief. When he hadn't been on the deck, she knew something had gone wrong. Jake would never leave the boat while people were still on it unless he had no choice or was hurt. As long as he could breathe enough to blow the whistle, she knew he was all right.

She heard a loud cracking and turned around to glance at the VE. The whistle suddenly became more shrill. She yelled above the sounds of the water, SWIM Swim as fast as you can. We need to be farther from the boat when she goes under. She saw his understanding in his eyes and they began to kick as fast as they could. Bess knew that Jake would get as close as he could to them but he couldn't risk getting to close to the VE either. As the boat sank, she could feel the water tugging at them. Giving up on the cushion, they pushed it to the side and using their arms to pull them through the water began to move quicker. Bess wasn't sure how he could swim with his backpack on, but he obviously considered the contents worth saving as not once did he act as if he was going to let it go.

By the time the people in the lifeboat pulled them over the side, Bess was completely done in. As she lay against the side gasping and choking, she wiped the water from her face wincing when her fingers brushed the knot on her forehead. As soon as she could put words together she looked at Jake and asked, "Did everyone get out?"

 

[Vikingstone]

Reggie

Hearing shouts, Reg opened his eyes without moving a muscle. He assumed others had survived and the voices were theirs but he also knew that there were still such things as pirates roaming the high seas, though even modern buccaneers with up to date gear would be stowed and tied down during the kind of blow the Vida Encantada had just failed to weather. The english they spoke along with the content of their conversation convinced him that they were his cruise mates, having heartily braved the surf and made it to shore.

Sitting up slowly he briefly checked his companion for signs of life. She seemed to still have body soul together, so Reg stood and squinted into the lightening sky. Stars twinkled here and there and the first hint of approaching dawn could be discerned. Walking swiftly back onto the beach Reg immediately saw the bobbing of the raft and the couple standing arm and arm waving frantically. The torch in the lifeboat continued sweep the waves, most certainly attempting to locate any unfortunates who hadn't been able to pull themselves through the swells. Reg began to scan as well, looking intently for any incongruous lumps bobbing in the sea. He moved laterally along the edge of the breakers as he stared at the water, closing on the two who were now moving a few steps up the beach.

"I say young lovers, enjoying the cruise?" Reggie called out in a faux-jovial tone.

 

[PearlNecklace]

Liz smiled, she never could resist her husband when he gave her that boyish grin and so obviously wanted to spend time with her. She couldn't remember the last time they sat and actually enjoyed each other's company. That had been something that was only a distant memory to Liz. But now, well perhaps there was an upside to this disaster after all.

Putting her hand in Alans, Liz moved up the beach and back towards the tree that was guarding their suitcase. She smiled to him as she jogged up the beach, pulling him along behind her. Once they were at the tree she sat down and looked up at him "I don't want to say much more about this, but thank you for coming back for me tonight. It showed how you felt about me and perhaps, well perhaps I could consider forgiving and forgetting?" Liz didn't give away what she was referring to, but it should have been obvious to Alan. Things hadn't been the same between them since she'd found out he'd had an affair.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Karen

Pushing closer to the swimmers, Karen notices the sun rising above the horizon. A new day is dawning and a sense of dread enters her body. Something is different, gone is the fear of survival, and in its place is the terror of what could happen to them next. Looking over the two newest occupants of the raft, she sees that the man has managed to bring along a sack. She is curious as to what was so important that he had to have it. Hopefully, it is something that will help them survive until they are found. Seeing the woman shiver slightly, Karen is reminded of the cool air and she rubs her hands against her arms, hoping to bring more warmth to her body.

As the men paddle closer to the remaining swimmers, Karen watches them bob up and down in the water. Finally, they reach them and together the woman is pulled into the raft by Karen and the other female. As she watches the Captain and the other gentleman pull in the remaining survivor she hears a great crashing noise, and watches as the ship completely breaks apart and splits, knowing that if anyone was left on board, they had perished. Closing her eyes she sends a silent pray up to the heavens, thanking them for the lives that were spared and asking to look over the souls of the dead.

"There is nothing we can do now," the Captain says, his eyes looking over at the survivors. "Let's paddle to shore."

The men paddle strong, and Karen watches as each man's arms flex and move, letting the debris push them swiftly to shore. She notices that the survivors that had been on the beach have now moved to different areas. Looking across the landscape she sees a couple under a tree and another figure walking the beach.

As the raft was pushed into the murky, wet sand, the Captain and the other two men, leapt from it and helped the women out. Karen walked over to the beach and collapsed, looking out at the water, she saw the sun rising higher. Just off to her left she watched the two women drop to the sand beside her. The three men dragged the raft up to the shore and each one took time to rest.

Karen, bit her lip and ran her tongue across the inside of her mouth, and stared at the Captain. "Well Captain," her voice dripping with sarcasm, "any bright ideas on how to wreck our island?" Karen immediately regretted what had come out of her mouth, but before she could apologize the Captain's eyes locked with hers.

"As of right now, lady. I only have one regret and its staring at me." His eyes bore into hers, as he continued, "I'm Jake, not Captain. Remember that."

Gritting her teeth for being chastised in front of everyone, she responded in the only way she knew how. "I'll be sure to work hard at helping you remember your regret!" Staring over the horizon, Karen felt her body shaking from the anger, humiliation and the bitterness she had unjustly served up to the man. Wishing she could take back all she had said, she pressed her head against her folded knees, refusing to let her pride go, mumbling to herself, very softly, "Damn, man."

 

[Steiner]

Waving with a studied air of nonchalance to the approaching castaways, Alan felt himself pulled up the shore by Liz, heading back for the safety of their tree. He was surprised she didn't want to immediately talk to fellow survivors, but also gratified. Liz had, he remembered, very much enjoyed their "alone time" as she called it, back when they'd habitually moved heaven and earth to make some in their schedules.

Flopping down next to her, luxuriating in the comfort of the sand, Alan felt himself relaxing finally. The last bunches of muscles in his back and shoulders unknotting - it seemed that "not in imminent danger of death" was good enough for him in this new world order.

Liz turned to him and Alan somewhat smugly awaited the thanks he knew he'd earned, what she said, however, was like a bucket of icewater over his head. Making allusions to the affair he'd had, the one he'd neither covered up, not admitted to. He'd been amazed that she hadn't tracked him down and divorced him into oblivion when it had happened and, like most people, he'd used time and distance from the event to rationalise his behaviour, casting him as the unfortunate victim instead of the villain of the piece.

Part of him knew that if he'd ever wanted a time to confess and make good - this was it. Unfortunately all his experience and instincts as a lawyer reminded him that she couldn't know for CERTAIN. Admitting wrongdoing was something a lawyer did only in extremis. She looked at him, her eyes glorious at this range, something of the feeling he'd had the first time they'd been intimate filling his chest.

He gave her an answer that she could interpret as her heart wished, leaning over and softly kissing her lips, the fingers of his left hand climbing the arch of the back of her neck, probing gently. He took her lower lip between his own and ran his tongue along the bowed curve of her, releasing the lower lip as his tongue slipped in to trace her teeth, the curve of her top lip and then to search out the tip of her own tongue.

Liz was frozen against him, her body slightly trembling against him, as it sometimes did at the start of a truly passionate kiss. His free hand found hers, in the sand beside them and he linked fingers with her, their palms pressing together as his grip tightened. Alan himself felt his control of this kiss quickly slipping, his desire for the woman he'd married taking him over.

 

[PearlNecklace]

Liz felt her husband kissing her and it felt like a homecoming. It had been so long since they'd shared anything more intimate than a cup of coffee in the morning. Sleeping in seperate beds for a few weeks now on the pretence that Alan's snoring kept her awake. They both knew it didn't.

As he held her head and kissed her she felt warmth flood through her body. she shivered as she lay against him, no longer from the cold but from the way it felt to kiss him. One hand lay enwtined with Alan's, the other rested on his chest. She stroked her fingers down it as she responded to his lips.

Her own tongue found his, the tips dancing around each other. She purred deep in her throat as her came to rest in his lap. She was aware people were probably coming onto the beach and would probably want to talk to them but in tha moment they didn't exist. She gently rubbed her open palm against his crotch in the way she had done so many times before. Aware that the stimulation of his mouth and his groin would excite him.

Liz continued to kiss Alan, her lips moving over his in their familiar dance. Her tongue caressed his, lips brushing back and forth as she helped Alan tease them both. Kissing, for her was as stimulating as any kind of foreplay they could engage in. She had to resist the urge to ravish him then and there.

 

[sharingfantasies]

Bess

Bess was used to Jake's stoicism in front of passengers, but she was still surprised at the vitrolic tone of Ms. Walker's voice. When Bess had asked Jake about the survivor's, although he hadn't answered, she had seen the pain flash in his eyes. She knew someone hadn't made it. While he and the others rested, she stood up and brushed the sand off her shorts. Walking past Jake, she squeezed his shoulder lightly, knowing he would understand everything she was conveying in that one touch. He glanced up at her touch and the look they exchanged was all that was needed between them. It told of the relief that the other was all right and the pressure of knowing that somehow they had to keep them all going until they could be rescued.

While Bess knew Jake and had complete trust in him, the passengers only knew that he was the Captain of a boat that no longer existed. Bess was concerned but her earlier fear had been for the passengers and crew. Now she needed to find out who hadn't made it. From what Bess had seen of Karen Walker's behavior in the past three days, the other woman seemed to have some common sense. Actually, Bess realized, if she had been forced to choose a group of passengers to be shipwrecked with, this was not a bad group. During the three days they had been sailing, she had gotten to know each of the passengers a little bit. The only three Bess was concerned about was Mrs. Davis, who had spent almost the entire trip in her cabin but appeared to be young and fragile, her husband who was one of those demanding fussy people who never seemed to be satisfied, and Mr. Stowbridge who didn't appear as if he was going to be of much help at all.

Bess approached Karen Walker and knelt down in the sand next to the woman.
"Ms. Walker? If you are all right, I could use your help. I need to take a head count of everyone that...," pausing Bess took a deep breath to find the right words for what she had to say. "I need to find out who is on the beach so we know whether we need to look further up the shore for other people that swam to the island. Can you help me, please?"

At the woman's nod, Bess reached out to help her up. As she went down the cabin roster, the two of them searched the beach for each person.

"Cabin one, Mr. Trowbridge." Trowbridge could be seen coming across the sand.
"Cabin two, the Davis couple." They had been seen earlier up along the tree line.
"Cabin three, Mr. Silver and Mr. Laforge." Both men were on the lifeboat. There had been so many singles on the charter that Bess had been forced to double up some of the guests when she had been taking reservations.
"Cabin four, Miss Duval." Also on the lifeboat.
"Cabin five, was you, Ms. Walker and Miss Bishop." Messalina Bishop could be seen on the beach but futher away than Mr. Trowbridge.
"Cabin six, is Captain's quarters."
"Which leaves the crew, Sue and myself."

At the mention of Sue, Bess saw the shudder that went through Karen Walker's body. As Bess listened to the story, she hugged Karen Walker and said softly, "I know you did your best. I am sorry you had to go through that."

With a soft sigh, Bess swallowed hard, tears filling her eyes. She hadn't known Sue Harris well. This was the first trip they had taken together. Sue had hired on to do the cooking for the passengers after Jose had decided to stay with his pregnant wife. She had been friendly, a hard worker, and excited in the way that young people are. Bess couldn't imagine how hard it was going to be on Jake to have to tell Sue's parents that she hadn't made it.

Leaving Ms. Walker for a moment, Bess went back to Jake. Kneeling down at his side, facing her best friend, she said quietly,"All accounted for but one. I am so sorry, Jake." Her voice broke as she said the words, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

 

[Steiner]

The world dropped to a tiny dot centered around his lips as he truly focussed on the here and now - the endorphins and adrenaline from their encounter released in a blaze of surreal joy and arousal.

The light stroking of her palm across the bulge she was creating in his shorts was gentle, teasing, torture. His demands on her mouth grew - the kisses deepening, their tongue twining for longer between panted breaths. His fingers left the back of her neck to trace the curve of her jawline, pausing at her chin, before slipping down her throat. Gently exploring the curves of her neck, one finger tracing her collarbone until his own palm could find the swell of her breast.

Alan forced himself to sit back, breaking the kiss with twin explosions of released breath. Liz looked mussed, delightfully so, her cheeks flushed, lips bruised pink and her eyes pools of turmoil. He remember with an impact what a strikingly attractive woman his wife was - but realised he hadn't seen her with this vulnerable, open look in her eyes in months.

 

[PearlNecklace]

Liz wanted to look away from her husband but she realised it was important that she didn't. They had kept so much of their feelings and emotions hidden lately. If she closed her eyes or moved her gaze to anywhere but her husband's face it would be like severing the connection they'd made. It was tentative to say the least and she was not prepared to do anything to harm it.

She slowly licked her lips, tasting her husband and feeling their bruisedness. She didn't mind, that feeling had become a distant memory. Now it was living and breathing and sitting in front of her. She looked to Alan shyly, wondering if she could actually verbalise what she was feeling.

As he sat in front of her she moved slowly, until she was straddling his legs. She ran her fingers into his hair and held his head, gently massaging it. Licking her lips slowly she leant down and traced his lips with the tip of her tongue, relearning their shape and texture. The tip of her tongue left no part of his lips untouched. Softly, she whispered against them. "I don't think I've ever wanted you as much as I do now Alan. Is that wrong?" She had found the courage to forgive him, so verbalising her feelings should be easy.

 

[Steiner]

His arms came up around her waist, just above her hips as she slowly explored him with her tongue tip. The expression on her face a mixture of sublime lust and nervousness. There was, he realised, a newness to this - a sense of rediscovery, renewal.

As she tasted and gently swept his lips with her tongue she leaned in to firm the kiss up and whispered - their breath one now;

"I don't think I've ever wanted you as much as I do now Alan. Is that wrong?"

Alans reaction was an immense tingling charge in his stomach - and his arms tightened around her, pulling her harder down into his lap, grinding her against the hardening length of him.

 

[PearlNecklace]

"Alan" She moaned softly as she began to grind back against him. Because of the way her legs were spread, had they been naked he'd have been inside her with that grind. She was dying for him. She had remained faithful to him, so it had been a while since she had had any sexual contact with him. She had months of pent up frustration simmering, threatening to boil over and out of control.

She looked into his eyes, feeling the nervousness leave hers, burnt away by an all consuming lust that threatened to overtake her body and then start on his. Liz smiled and locked her arms around his neck, bringing his face in closer to her chest. It fit perfectly between her breasts and she teased them both by moving her body up and down so her breasts rubbed against his face and her crotch ground against his.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Kit

Kit extended her hand to the quietly crying woman standing nearby.

"Come, sit down, Karen, before you fall over."

Karen turned to her, her face full of pain and regret.

"I'm fine, really."

"I'm sure you are," Kit replied, letting disbelief color her tone, "I'm fine too. Actully, I find that nothing sets me up for the day like a shipwreck, an early morning swim in rough seas and the fact that I have no idea where I am."

Giving out comfort was something Kit was no good at, probably because she found it difficult to receive. She'd listened to Karen tell the story of the woman in the water; clearly, Karen grieved for the life lost and her inability to change the circumstances. Kit let her hand drop, comfort offered, in her own way. Karen could accept it or not, as she chose.

Kit nodded a hello at Reggie, glad to see his face among the survivors. He intrigued her, had done from the first night when he'd played, to the hilt, the role of an affable drunk. There was no question he was a drunk, or at least committed to a consuming as much alcohol as possible in the balance of his life. And he was pleasant, but Kit thought that he was so much more to him than that. He pretended to be so self-absorbed, yet even now when they were all safe and ashore, he hovered protectively over Ms. Bishop.

The Captain looked as if he wished he'd gone down with his ship, better to be dead and unknowing than alive and burdened with the death of a crewmember. Not to mention the challenge of finding rescue for the survivors. She leaned against Jacques, glad for his warmth at her side; glad they were both safely on the beach. That was about as much in the way of good thoughts as she could come up with at the moment. And all the rest were too bleak to contemplate.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Karen watched Bess head over to Jake and hoped that they were discussing what was to be done and how soon to do it. She also knew that she would be explaining who the woman who drowned had been. Standing there facing the water the tears slowly continued to fall down her face. She was surprised by the touch of a stranger on her shoulder and turning she saw the woman named Kit that Bess had pointed out earlier. Karen had taken the time, to remember each name. Now an offer of compassion and possibly friendship had been given to her by Kit, as well as from Bess. She welcomed the idea of both women becoming her friends. It had been a long time since she had someone to call friend. She now looked around her and thought about the others, each one of them wondering what would happen next.

She watched Jake, sitting and looking out to sea, no longer speaking with Bess. She knew that she should apologize to him for the harsh words she had spoken and she would, when she felt he was ready to listen. Karen knew he had a lot on his mind, so choosing to wait till he has had time to ready himself she holds off on approaching him.

Turning around she scanned the area, a gnawing hunger was soon making itself known and she knew that with the rising sun, the breakfast hour would be approaching. Now a new worry had presented itself. They needed to find food and they needed to find fresh water. The heat of summer would only increase as the sun rose higher and water was the most important thing they needed. Looking around unsure, who to ask for help, but knowing she couldn't be the only one concerned with surviving, she decided to find the only crew member she had spoken with so far, Bess.

“Thank you Kit, for your concern. It was appreciated. I hope we all get out of this soon. I need to find Bess, since she is one of the employees of Jake's perhaps she will take over until he has figured out how to get us rescued.” Karen's eyes moved over the survivors and soon spotted Bess, “I look forward to talking with you again.” She moved off towards Bess, hoping that she was making the right decision and hoping that she would have an idea on where to go next or at least, who to ask for help in searching out the things they would need to survive. Water, shelter, food, they needed all these things and not knowing when another storm would hit, they needed to find them fast.