Jax stood against the wind and rain, hands on the wheel, and eyes trying to look through the deluge of water that whipped around. Times he could not tell the sea from the sky. It was clear as much as he could ease the ship he loved she would have to follow the ways of the storm. They should lower the sails and snug the booms. Jax squinted down to the deck to yell those orders only to see the bodies of men and sirens as they washed from the deck in slow rolls one way and then the other. He saw no one.

 He leaned toward the spinning center of the wheel and he kissed the wood quickly. “Stay true Queen Dusk. Follow the storm and I will return in calmer wind.” He let his hands slide over the curve of the wooden wheel until he finally removed each finger. She was on her own. He stood back and watched the spin. 

Jax jumped down from his perch and ran to the main sail. Quick as he could he lowered the cloth. Fighting it against the wind that wished to take hold he managed to get it down and somewhat tied to the boom. 

He looked again for anyone. What he saw made his heart stop. It was a coat that he knew. A coat that had held the arms that covered his ears. A coat that had once kissed him. Saved him. Nicki!? It flew along the deck right in front of him in a dramatic ghost like way. It’s arms flung around empty. Her coat. Where was she? He reached for it as if he was grabbing at her but the wind whipped her away with a fierce tug, threw the coat all about and then spread it wide open as it flew out to the raging sea. 

Jax stood still against the water again. He spun around and ran to her cabin. The door was open and water filled the room surging in and then receding out again. But she wasn’t there. He closed the door. He was heavier, all the sudden, the soaked feeling chilling him through his bones. With great effort trudged to the Captains quarters. He stumbled against the beating rain. 

At last he made it to the door. He took hold of the latch but hesitated in opening it. What if no one was there? He took a wet full breath letting the rain drip down into him. He opened the door.

In a flood of relief he fell to his exhausted knees when he saw Nicki’s head dipping down and bouncing back up and Antonia and Luc by the bedside. “Thank the moon,” He coughed water spilling down his drenched hair splashing in pools at his knees. He looked to Nikci and even wet and thinner, clothes pressed against her ,hair matted and blown she was beautiful. He was about to say more but the Captain moved quicker and Jax could see his face clearly. He couldn't quite understand anything but he saw Nicki on top of the Captain with a satisfied grin and the word erotic ran clear.