Paradise 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

Struggling with her lone suitcase Brooke Logan made her way onto the small single engine plane.  She was hot, tired and disgusted.  The entire trip had been a waste of time.  Nothing had panned out as she had hoped and now all she wanted was to get home.  Unfortunately she had two more islands to visit, two more ways to waste her time she had already decided.  She had been so hopeful two days ago when she had landed on the Caribbean island but that had changed when she was informed that not only had her hotel reservation been lost but that there wasn’t a room to be had.  She had tried three other hotels, each one a step down in class.  None anything at all what she was used to but Brooke wasn’t a snob.  She could manage without luxury.  To her dismay the only place available could be described as “flea bag” and that description was a complement.  All attempts of sleep on the lumpy and suspicious mattress ended when she saw the first of a large family of cockroaches. The sleepless night was the high point of her trip.  She had planned on touring some of the exclusive island boutiques, hoping to feature the new line of vacation wear that Eric had created.  The shops were either unwilling to deal with such a high end product or totally incapable of it. Brooke had decided then and there it was time to revamp not only the travel department but her researchers.  She knew she should never have even made this trip.  Then, to add insult to injury her plane to the main island had been delayed for four hours.  Dismayed at the thought of camping out at the antiquated airport all day Brooke’s ears had perked up when she heard a young couple making a deal with a pilot to get them off the island in his private plane.  Escape was her first priority.  She had walked over to them and introduced herself, promising to finance the flight personally if they made room for her too.  The two thousand dollars in cash had easily opened the pilot’s eyes and his pockets.  He had promised that if they gave him fifteen minutes he’d be fueled up and ready to go.  Brooke had searched for a phone to inform her contact that she would be changing her flight but there was none to be found.  Finally she had given up, deciding that she could manage a taxi to her next destination forgoing her usual limousine.   Now as she made her way on board she saw that not only was she traveling with the unkempt couple but an annoyed looking man.  She wondered about the safety as she took her seat but she decided beggars couldn’t be choosers.  She buckled herself in and smiled at the man sitting next to her.  He ignored her attempt at friendliness so she picked up her magazine and tried to read.  It was so hot that she decided that the best use of Vogue on this day was as a fan.  Opening the top two buttons of her blouse she watched as beads of sweat fell from her head onto her chest.  ‘Soon Brooke soon.’ She told herself.  She envisioned her hotel room complete with a cool, refreshing shower and an ice cold Pina Colada.  Reaching into her bag she pulled out one of her three bottles of water and opened it.  First she took a large gulp and then splashed some of the precious nectar on her hot and tired head and neck.  She saw the man looking on in envy but declined making an offer that normal would have come naturally to her.

“Hey are we going to get moving or what?” The young woman shouted out.

“Shut the f*ck up Naomi.” Her companion told her.

“Somebody’s got a hangover.” She said in a sing song voice, further aggravating him.  Brooke was appalled when he reached over and slapped her.

“Evabody hang on.” The pilot shouted as he started his engine. 

“Hang on?” Naomi said to the man with her.  “What the f*ck?”

Brooke rolled her eyes and then looked out of the dirty window.  The takeoff was noisy, bumpy and frightening. She felt her stomach jump to her throat but she held strong.  Taking her eyes off the window she looked once more at the man next to her.  He seemed totally unaffected.  He was reading a newspaper and softly humming to himself.  Brooke couldn’t help but notice that he was an extremely handsome man.  His brown hair was tousled and a little bit too long but still attractive.  She wondered what color eyes were hidden by his Ray Bans. She saw that he was very fit with a slim and tight stomach and muscular arms.  ‘He must work out.’ She thought to herself.  When her eyes went lower to examine the bulge in his pants she immediately stopped herself.  ‘Damn you haven’t had a man in a long time if you’re going to act like a teenager.’ She told herself.  But she let her eyes steal one more look. ‘Nice package.’ She thought as a giggle escaped her mouth. He turned to her and frowned, lowering his glasses.  “Hazel.” She said aloud.

“Excuse me?” He said.

“Your eyes, I was wondering what color they are.” She said.

“Actually they’re brown.” He said pulling the glasses back down.

“Look hazel to me.” She smiled.

“Whatever you say.” He said, turning back to his newspaper.

‘Okay, he’s not friendly, those two look like druggies and you’re all alone.’ Brooke thought to herself.  “Do you think he’ll make good time?” Brooke asked the man.

“Huh?” He asked, obviously annoyed by the interruption.

“The flight.  I’m not used to these little planes.  Do you think he’ll make good time?”  She asked.

“I haven’t a clue.” He said, dismissing her again.

“So how did you end up on this flight?” She asked. 

“I heard Cheech and Chong over there,” He said motioning to the couple.  “And I decided it was my quickest way off.”

“Oh.” She said.  “Are you here on business or pleasure?”

“What possible pleasure could you find in that hell hole?” he asked.

“Oh I don’t know.  The water was pretty and in the right circumstances it could be romantic.” Brooke sighed. She didn’t know why she was trying to sell the island that she had found so much misery on but the man annoyed her and she took a contradictory view just on principle.

“We all have our on ideas of romance then.” He said.

“Well, I think there’s a lot to be said about the Caribbean.” She smiled.  “The flowers, the ocean, the music, so many things so unique and beautiful.”

“Uh huh.” He said noncommittally. 

Brooke sighed and looked out the window.  The sky was clear and blue. Maybe her outlook was improving. But then she smelled the familiar odor.  She sniffed harder and wrinkled her nose.  “Do you smell that?” She asked the man.

“Smell what?” He asked.

“Marijuana.” She said.

He turned to look at the couple but they were sound asleep, most likely passed out.

“Yes I do.” He said.

“Oh my God, the pilot?” Brooke gasped.

“Welcome to the Caribbean, your romantic escape.” He said sarcastically.

“We should say something.” Brooke insisted.

“Yeah, hey Bob Marley, stop with the ganja.” He said in a mock command.

“I’m serious, this is dangerous.”

“I’m sure he flies stoned all the time.”

“Well I don’t and I don’t like this.” She said. “Please let me by I want to talk to him.” She said as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Look lady, you’re only going to aggravate him.  Let’s just let him be and relax.  The sooner he lands the sooner we’re off Air Jamaica.”

“Are you always so sarcastic?” She asked.

“Only when it suits the situation.” He said picking up his paper again.

“I can’t believe this isn’t bothering you.” She clucked.

“I have a high tolerance for pain, unfortunately it isn’t helping where your voice is concerned.”

“Excuse me for trying to be friendly.” She said angrily.  She re-buckled her belt and turned to look out the window.  The man smiled when he saw she was fuming.  Brooke knew he was watching her but she refused to give him the satisfaction.  She stayed silent for almost fifteen minutes when she suddenly sat up straight and gasped.  “We’re going in the wrong direction!” She told the man, hitting him on the arm.

“Now you’re a navigator?”

“Look at the sun.”  She told him.  “We’re going in the total opposite direction.  This guy is so high he’s going to get us lost.  Now will you please talk to him or let me out so I can?” She demanded.

“I’ll go.  Just sit tight, you know sometimes planes have to circle.  I’m sure nothing is wrong.” He told her.  She frowned and squinted as he got up.  She wanted to give it to this sorry excuse for a pilot but knew that the man’s calmness was probably more appropriate right now.  She tried to hear the two men’s voice’s but the loud engine was drowning them out.  After ten minutes that seemed like hours the man returned to his seat and buckled his belt.

“Well?” She asked.

“He has to make a stop.” He told her.

“A stop? I paid him two thousand dollars to get me to the island.  How dare he use my money to his own advantage!”

“What the hell do you want me to do? I can’t fly a plane! Can you?” He asked her.

“No.” She pouted.  “Did you talk to him about the marijuana?” She asked.

“Yeah, he gave me a hit.” He told her.

She flushed and turned away from him.

“I’m kidding.” He said.  “I gave up on that shit in college.  He wasn’t smoking when I went up there.”

“But he’s high.” She said.

“Yeah he is.  But it really does seem like his natural state.  He seems totally in control.” He assured her.

“Lovely.” She sighed.  “So where is he detouring us?”

“Probably gunrunning.” He laughed.

“If it wasn’t such a real possibility I’d laugh.” She said. “I should have waited.  If I would only learn some patience.” She reprimanded herself.

“Don’t be hard on yourself.  I wanted off pretty badly too.  Were you on the American Airlines flight too?” He asked.  It was his first attempt at a polite conversation and Brooke was pleased.

“Yes.” She said.  “I have to go to two more islands and then home.”

“Where’s that?” he asked her.

“Home?” She questioned.  “LA.” She answered without waiting for his answer.

“And is there a Mr. Snob waiting at home for you?” He asked her.

“I’m not a snob.” She said.

“Sure you aren’t.” He laughed.  “You reek of designer everything.”

“Is that a crime?” She asked indignantly.

“Nope, but it makes you a snob.”

“For liking nice things? Right.” She said with a snort.  “And I suppose that your Nikon and Ray Bans and all your so called designer equipment is just fine and dandy?”

“My camera and sunglasses couldn’t pay for your blouse alone lady, so don’t talk to me about being a snob. I call ‘em as I see ‘em.”

“And in my eyes that makes YOU the snob.” She said.

“So is there?” He asked.

“Is there what?” Now Brooke was getting tired of his game.

“A Mr. Snob.”

“That is none of your business.”

“Sexually frustrated, just like I thought.” He laughed.

“You wish.” She laughed.

“I wasn’t the one checking you out. I saw you drooling over my crotch.” He laughed. Brooke turned scarlet and turned away once more as he continued laughing.  “Hey when we land stop by my hotel, we’ll buy some condoms and I’ll give you a quickie.”

“In your dreams.” She muttered.

“More like nightmares.” He laughed.

Nick Parker was a man who didn’t put up with bullshit.  He was a simple man, with simple tastes.  Business was something you took seriously.  You did a good job and you moved to the next thing.  Nick never combined business with pleasure.  If he did he would have brought Carla with him, she loved the islands and she was forever begging for him to take her away somewhere romantic. He hadn’t found the tiny island in the least bit romantic and having Carla with him wouldn’t have changed it.  He and Carla had a lot in common, they were both no nonsense people and he found her occasional romanticism more than a little annoying.  Since their engagement they had spent most nights together, mostly at his place.  It was more practical, it was closer to his office and near a bus stop that would take her to her own.  They spent most nights at home working, listening to music and less often lately making love.  It wasn’t that they had lost their attraction for each other, it was just that they were both so busy with their own careers that a nice meal and some down time was much more appealing.  He was however starting to miss his daily workouts.  Carla resented his time at the gym and he had given into her wishes and cancelled his membership.  Exercise was now a few minutes a day with his weights and an occasional run.  But he had no regrets, Carla was the perfect woman who would make him the perfect wife, everyone agreed.  He looked over at the beautiful blonde sitting next to him and wondered what it would be like to have her in his bed, her legs wrapped tightly around him.  He found himself blushing at his own thoughts.  He forced himself to think about Carla again, Carla, his fiancée, the woman he loved and was going to marry.  She was an attractive woman, she always was clean and fresh, she dressed conservatively but fashionably.  She wasn’t someone who would stop traffic, not like this woman.  ‘Damn.’ He thought as he looked over at Brooke again.  ‘You’re getting under my skin in a bad way lady.’  He took a gulp of air and wished he had something to occupy himself with.  He had already read his newspaper cover to cover and it was almost impossible to feign interest. ‘Damn if she isn’t sexy.’ He thought again.  He looked down at her shapely crossed legs. Her turquoise skirt rode high on her thighs, thighs he knew he’s love to dive into. “Stop it!” He said aloud.

“I didn’t do anything.” Brooke protested with another one of those squints that he was finding so adorable.

“I didn’t say you did.  Sorry, I was thinking about something and I just wanted it out of my head.” He explained feebly.

“And you usually talk to yourself?” She said with a lilting laugh.

“Best conversation on this plane.” He told her rudely.  She gave him a combination frown and squint and turned back to the window.

She was mad, very mad but she didn’t like him knowing that he had caused it so she turned back to face him.  “So, what kind of business do you do and what brought you to the island?”

“I work, I work hard and when I am on a business trip, on a plane I like to be quiet and mind my own business.” He told her.

“What is your problem? I’m just trying to be nice, make pleasant conversation.”

“Talk to Cheech and Chong.” He told her.

“Fine, I’ll leave you alone.” She said with a pout.

“Banker.” He said after five minutes of silence.

“Oh.” She said.  “Interesting.”

“Not really.  We’re starting some new branches in the islands and I was unlucky enough to be picked to set them up and do some training.  Some of these idiots don’t even know how to use a computer.” He sighed.

“Different lifestyles.” She said.  “But they’ll learn, people can adapt to just about anything.”

“I suppose, but this is not my idea of a plum assignment.” He told her.

“Why?  Do you have something against the heat or something?” Brooke asked, genuinely curious.

“No.  Not at all.  I just like to work in a professional manner with professional people.  I can’t seem to appreciate the pace down here.”

“Where are you from?” She asked him.

“New York.” He answered.

“Oh, then that explains it.  This has to drive you crazy.  I know from the times that I’ve been there that you people have no tolerance, not even for Californians.” She laughed.

“It’s a fast paced life, the laid back thing doesn’t work in the Big Apple.”

“I’m not laid back, but I do know how to stop and smell the roses.  You should try it sometime.”

“Not for me thanks.” He said.  Brooke took a gulp from her bottle and he looked at it with obvious envy.

“Want some?” She asked handing it to him.

“Thanks.” He said.  He took the bottle and wiped it on his sleeve, then took a gulp.

“Ohhhh, do I have cooties?” She giggled.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“That’s okay, you don’t know me.  For all you know I have active sores in my mouth.”  He looked at her in shock and almost dropped the bottle.  “I don’t, I don’t.” She laughed.

“You’re a bit of a devil aren’t you?” He asked with a smile, the first genuine one she had seen from him.

“I’ve been accused before.” She said. 

“Thank you.” He said handing her back the bottle.  “I really did appreciate it.”

“God I wish he’d get to where he has to go so we can get to where we need to go.” She sighed. 

“We probably would have done better on the original flight.” He agreed.

“Isn’t that always the way.” She smiled.  “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your newspaper.”

“Um, yeah.” He said.  Not so sure that was what he wanted anymore. 

Brooke rested her head on the back of the seat and closed her eyes, soon her breathing slowed as he watched her chest rise and fall.  She was asleep.  “I should be so lucky.” He said to himself.  He reached under his seat and pulled out his briefcase, being careful not to disturb Brooke he opened it and started to sort through some papers.  It was going to be a long flight he suspected.

He had been intently reading documents for his next assignment when he smelled something.  Smoke billowed through the compartment. He frowned and put down his papers.  “Hey Marley, can you lay off the ganja?” He called out.  But the smell was different, it was thicker and it didn’t have the sweet, pungent odor, this was jet fuel. He leaned over Brooke and looked out the window.  There was smoke outside, lots of smoke.  “Shit.” He muttered.  When he saw that there was nothing below them but sea he was even more frightened.  “Hey, hey lady.” He said shaking Brooke.

“Hmmmm?” She murmured as her sleepy eyes opened.  “Are we there yet?”

“I think we have a problem.” He said softly, not wanting to terrify her but wanting her attention.

“He’s smoking again.” She frowned.

“That’s not weed, that’s a fire.” He said.

“Oh my God.” She gasped.  He stood up and she grabbed his arm.  “Where are you going?”

“I want to see what’s going on.  Stay in your seat.”

“Don’t leave me.” She begged, suddenly more scared than she had ever been in her life. When he looked at her the self assured, proud woman was gone, replaced by a frightened little girl.

“I have to see if I can help.  I’ll be back.” He promised. 

Brooke clutched onto her bag and stared out the window. The smoke was getting thicker by the moment.  Then a large flash of flames shot from the front of the plane.  “Oh God!” She screamed.  Brooke screamed a prayer and held onto her bag as the plane buckled and jumped.  They were going down, she was going to die.  Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about her children at home, how she never would get to tell them how much she loved them.  “Oh God, help us.” She prayed as the plane began it’s decent into the deep waters of the Caribbean.

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

Brooke’s head was pounding and she was cold, deadly cold.  She made no attempt to open her eyes.  She just wanted to sleep, to sleep again and never wake up.  It hurt too badly, everything hurt, every inch of her.  She sighed softly and was about to let go when in her mind’s eye she saw Rick and Bridget, not as they were now but as they had been as children and they needed her.  “No, no go away.” She called out.  But the visions instead got clearer and brighter.  She could swear that she heard them calling to her, begging her to come back to them and it was then they she finally opened her eyes. She was clinging to her suitcase which was acting as a floatation device.  Brooke grabbed it tighter and looked ahead of her.  She saw nothing but the deep blue water and her eyes filled with tears.  She was going to die, all alone, cold, wet, tired, thirsty, hungry and in immense pain.  “Fight Brooke, fight.” She told herself.  Taking a deep breath she tried to pull herself up, onto the case but she found her efforts thwarted by the wave.  “Damn it!” She shouted.  A seagull squawked back at her and she gasped.  “A gull! There has to be land around somewhere.” Doing her best to kick she turned around to face the opposite direction.  Finally her efforts were rewarded, an island, a green island with a large sandy beach sat less than fifty yards away.  Gathering all her strength she started to kick furiously towards the land. Although it seemed so close it took her over two hours to finally reach the beach.  Brooke’s hands grabbed the sand, she had made it, she had survived.  Her strength was almost gone but with one last push of adrenaline she pushed herself and the bag to the warm dry sand.  With her feet still in the warm Caribbean water she fell into a much deserved sleep.

 

 

The sun was setting when Brooke opened her eyes again.  She moaned from the pain.  “You’re alive Brooke, that’s the first step.  Now you have to figure out where you are and find some help.” She told herself. It took almost all of her strength to pull herself up onto her feet. When she did she was shocked to look down at her abused body.  She had cuts and scratches everywhere.  Her skirt was torn to shreds and most  surprising was that her blouse was completely gone. Her bra fit it’s name perfectly as it was a miracle that it was still hanging together.  Brooke dragged her suitcase about ten feet to the base of a tall palm tree and fell to the ground.  “I can’t, I just can’t.” She sobbed. The pain was so bad.  She wondered if she had broken any bones or ribs or had any internal injuries.  Resting her back against the tree trunk she surveyed her surroundings.  There was nothing to signify that another human being was anywhere within miles.  She was frightened because she knew she was truly alone, she was the soul survivor of the crash, but maybe she wasn’t.  She pulled herself to her feet again.  “I have to look, I have to see if anyone else made it.” She said.  Making sure her bag was safe she started to slowly walk down the beach.  Something bright red caught her eye in the surf.  She waded out a few feet and reached for it.  It was another suitcase. It wasn’t hers but maybe there was something inside it that she could use for her own survival.  Carefully she pulled it to the shore.  She dragged it back to her own suitcase under the tree.  She was tired, out of breath and so thirsty she though she would die.  “I have to find water.” She said.  Tears of frustration ran down her cheeks.  She had no idea where to start, what to even look for.  Then she realized that the island had been so green. There were flowers and all sorts of vegetation around.  “There has to be water, or else a lot of rain.” She decided.  “But that won’t help you now Brooke.  Think, think think!” She told herself.  Then she looked up at the palm tree.  It had coconuts, coconuts were filled with coconut milk.  Brooke remembered watching Tom Hanks in that movie where he worked for Federal Express and he had been stranded.  He had drunk coconut milk, but he had such a difficult time opening it.  If only she had her purse, she had a nail file and clippers in it.  She could have cut a hole into one and found a way to get to the milk. What had Tom used? She thought hard.  A rock. He had found a sharp rock and he had made a hole in it.  “I can do that.” She said with a smile. “But first I have to rest, just for a few minutes.” She said. 

 

Brooke awoke with a start.  It was dark and she was cold.  She tried to adjust her eyes but there was nothing but the moon to throw light on her.  “If I wasn’t so thirsty and alone it could be romantic.” She said.  “I wonder if anything is dry.” She pulled her own suitcase over and unzipped it. To her pleasure it had remained almost as watertight as advertised.  Brooke rummaged through it, pulling out a long sleeved tank. She slipped it over her head and felt immediate relief.  Then she remembered the other two bottles of water.  “Oh my God!” She said.  “Yes!” She pulled one out and turned the screw top off. Bringing it to her mouth she took a large gulp but then stopped. “No, this has to last me.” She reminded herself.  Still thirsty but no longer parched she resealed it tightly and put it back in the bag, under her other clothes. 

 

Nick crawled up the rocky beach.  His jeans were torn and his legs were bleeding. Somehow his sneakers had stayed on his feet but he had lost his jacket and one of his shirt sleeves.  The last thing he remembered before waking up in the water was the explosion.  He had watched the pilot go flying out of what had been the window and then he had tried to get back to the blonde woman but he had been sucked out himself.  How he had ended up alive he hadn’t a clue.  If he hadn’t somehow clung to a piece of the plane’s wing he knew he would have died, and after the struggle to get to this God forsaken piece of dirt he wondered if that wouldn’t have been better. Paradise Island this was not. There was nothing but rocks and a tall cliff.  He doubted he would survive long but his instincts kept him going.  After he maneuvered over the sharp and slippery rocks he found a small spot of sand.  He sat down to rest and try and initiate a plan of action.  Somehow he knew he had to climb that cliff, he had to find if there was anything at all inhabitable about this island, somehow he doubted it but Nick Parker was not a quitter. He also knew that without something to sustain him he wouldn’t make it.  There was no vegetation but there was seaweed and he could eat that. He could also dig for clams.  Once he found a better place to camp he could try and fashion something to fish with or spear with.  Nick was resourceful and smart, he wouldn’t starve.  He might get tired, surely he would lose weight but he would survive.  But right now he needed to rest and get his strength back.  He had eaten two full meals the day before, his body could live off that for at least two more days without much distress, but he wasn’t planning on that either.  He watched a gull take a dive at a fish.  ‘Maybe I can find a way to catch one.’ He thought. Gulls wouldn’t exactly be chicken but it would be a source of protein, something his body would need.  He also knew he had to find some wood.  His experience as a scout had taught him how to make a fire without matches.  It had been years but he had no doubt that he still had the skill. But fire was for the future, now was time to rest, regain his strength and find out if this island had anything that could keep him alive.

 

 

Brooke had lost sense of time. She tried to remember how many nights had gone by but it was so confusing.  She remembered waking up on the beach, sleeping most of that first day away and awakening to the moonlight. “Two more nights.” She told herself.  It had been two more nights after that.  And in that time she had made some progress.  She had walked the beach, found one more bag and a bottle of wine floating in the water, as well as pieces of the destroyed plane but no other survivors.  Brooke was alone.  She also had decided that the island was uninhabited.  She had ventured into the woods slightly but saw no signs of any other human life.  She had however found a small stream. The water was fresh and clean.  And she had found two bushes with some kind of fruit.  But so far she was afraid to try it.  She didn’t know if it was poisonous or not.  She had fashioned a rock into a sort of hatchet and had, after many failed attempts managed to open a coconut.  Her initial taste had repulsed her but her hunger had won out in the end. She did know however, that she had to find another source of nutrition.  Brooke had resisted opening the two bags she had found, somehow it seemed an invasion of privacy, like it was a desecration of the dead but hunger and curiosity again won out.  To her surprise and pleasure she had found a bag of miniature Hershey bars.  Brooke intended to ration them out as slowly as possible, but she did treat herself to two small bars immediately. The sugar rush gave her an instant boost of energy and she thought about exploring the island even further.

On the fourth day she decided that she felt dirty.  But she didn’t want to pollute her drinking water so she stripped herself naked, grabbed her bar of soap from her suitcase and went into the blue waters of the Caribbean to bathe.  The water invigorated her and for a few short minutes she forgot her situation and allowed herself to indulge in the pleasure.  Afterwards she lay out on the warm sand and let the sun soak into her skin. She amazed herself with her ability to adapt.  She knew that in the past she would have been unable to.  She had always relied on one man or another but the past couple of years had tough her the hard way that the men in her life were not to be depended upon.  With a sigh she let her thoughts return to home and to the man she had loved almost all her adult life………..Ridge.

 

 

Brooke had thought that she and Thorne Forrester had finally had the perfect marriage.  Although the passion wasn’t as intense as it had been with his brother Thorne loved her in ways that Ridge had never been able to.  Brooke was safe and secure and happy.  And then all hell had broken loose.  In an effort to save her daughter from what she truly considered a loveless marriage she had confessed her heart and soul to her son-in-law.  She had told him that life was short and that you should never settle for less than your soul mate.  Brooke had been unaware that Thorne had been standing, beaming outside the door.  He had been filled with such pride that he had finally been the one to provide Brooke with everything she had been searching for all her life.  But when she had added that not a day went by that she didn’t ache for him and think of him and that no one would ever replace his brother in her heart Thorne had turned and run.  Brooke had done her best to repair the marriage but in her heart she knew her words were true.  She had never gotten over Ridge.  Then she had set her sites on him.  For months she had relentlessly pursued him, stripping her body and her soul. Offering him everything she had to return to her.  And it had almost worked.  But Ridge had a family that he wouldn’t betray and a wife that though he didn’t share the same passion for, he loved and wouldn’t betray.  Brooke had been left shattered once more.  She had sworn off men.  She had sworn off Ridge and Thorne and anything but work.  And she had decided at that time to rebuild her own self-esteem.  This trip had been the culmination of her efforts, she had created this idea of the resort ware line.  Eric had loved it and it was his baby too, but she had never imagined that the trip would end up this way.  And all because of the love for a man who would never again be hers.
 

Nick was frustrated.  His attempts in climbing the rocky cliff had been thwarted every time.  He had to find a way to get to another part of this island.  He had cringed at the thought of fighting his way back into the rocky water and swimming around but it appeared that it would be his only option.  After a meal of raw clams and seaweed he had tightly tied the laces on his sneakers and waded into the water.  He went slowly, always looking for the safest and easiest way.  He had no idea if he would end up someplace better but he doubted anything could be worse.  Finally he reached a point where he could swim.  That was where he began to panic.  Nick, although an athlete, was not a swimmer.  Growing up in Manhattan he had spent summers at the Jersey shore and many a day trip to Jones Beach but the ocean had never had much appeal to him. He could swim a bit in shallow waters but when it came to high surf and riptides he was lost.  But this time he knew that his life depended on it.  It was a slow and steady swim.  He spent time floating to catch his breath as well as doggiepaddling.   When he looked back and ahead he was disgusted to see he had made little headway.  It had to have been at least two hours and he was no closer to making a turn than he had been at the start.  He considered turning back but Nick was not a quitter.  “Swim Nick.” He commanded himself.  “Think about those poor souls that didn’t make it.  You did! You need to survive! You need to win.” With a newfound confidence he took a large stroke and headed towards what he hoped would be his salvation.

 

 

“Time to put you out of my mind.” Brooke told herself.  And what good would it do to even think about him now?  It would only make her more lonely, if that was even possible.  “I wonder if you know I’m missing Ridge.” Brooke said softly.  “I wonder if you even care.” 

 

Ridge Forrester was worried.  He wouldn’t want his wife to know it or even his brother but he was scared.  It wasn’t like Brooke to take off on a trip like this and not keep in touch.  She had called his father after the first two stops but since then not a single word.  He was becoming a pest to Megan and his father.  He must have asked them each ten times if they had heard from Brooke but something in his gut told his something had gone wrong.  He walked into her office and sat down at her desk.  Somehow being there gave him a sense of peace, a feeling of wellbeing.  “Where are you Logan?” He said aloud.  “Why haven’t you called?” 
“Ridge?” Bridget Forrester Sharpe called out as she walked into the office.  “I thought I saw you.  What are you doing in here?”

“Oh, I was looking for the contract on the lace from Belgium.” He lied.  He didn’t want to worry Brooke’s daughter.  He looked at her and smiled.  She had grown up into a beautiful young woman.  He loved her, loved her more than anyone would ever know.  It had been hell on him to turn his back on her but he knew it was best to make a clean break.  She had Eric and he had to provide the role of a father to her.  As much as Ridge had wanted to be that to her it wasn’t his job.  But still he shared a bond with her that nothing could ever change.

“You said that Mom didn’t call.  Are you worried?” Bridget asked.

“No, not really.  I just wish she would call. It would be a lot easier if she could just tell me where to look instead of me having to go through all the files.”

“Why don’t you just call her?” Bridget asked.

“I wish I could honey but I don’t know where she is right now.  Her schedule was all put together haphazard and even Megan can’t seem to track her down.  I’m sure she’ll be checking in today.” He said.

“I spoke to her about five days ago.  She seemed pretty down.  The stores on the island she was on were terrible but she had high hopes for her next stop.” Bridget grinned.  “If anyone can sell them Mom can.”

“You got that right kiddo.” He said.  “So what brings you down here?”

“I was meeting Rick for lunch.” She said.  “And I wanted to say hi to you and Dad and Thorne.  Hey Ridge, did you know Thorne’s dating again?”

“No I didn’t.” He laughed. Then he turned pensive. “You know Bridget, I’m really sorry it didn’t work out for him and your mother.”

“I doubt that Ridge.  Mom always said that you did your best to sabotage their relationship, though in the end she did it herself.  I sometimes have to wonder why Ridge?  Why did you never cut her totally loose?”

That was something Ridge had to wonder about too.  He had no answer for Bridget and none for himself either.

 

 

Brooke waded into the warm water.  She found it almost healing. It soothed her skin, her aches and her mind.  But she had always found solace in nature.  All her life she had loved to swim, walk, ride and exercise.  That had never changed.  After a long, tiring swim she walked back to her makeshift home.  She had found several beach towels in the larger of the suitcases and had fashioned a tent.  She considered pulling one down to dry herself but she decided instead to let the sun do the job.  Though Brooke Logan could never be called shy she was even a bit shocked by her easy retreat to nudity.  But it seemed so wasteful to dress for no one only to sweat, feel dirty and eventually take her clothes off.  When she felt a bit of  modesty she would don a scarf around her waist, still allowing her firm breasts to remain free.  She grinned when she looked at the allover tan which would have been the envy of so many at home.  But here there was no one to impress, no one but herself.  “I’m going to try again.” Brooke said out loud.  She reached down and grabbed the spear that she had made.  Inside the red suitcase she had found a pen knife and some twine.  Using old Girl Scout skills she had tied some perfect knots and secured the knife to a long stick.  Her first three attempts had been fruitless but Brooke was determined to catch a fish.  “This time I will do it.” She swore. 

 

 

Brooke had tied a bandana around her head to keep her hair back and she was standing still as possible.  She was rewarded for her patience when three medium sized fish started to swim around her legs.  Holding her breath she lifted her arm and pushed the spear down hard.  “Please, please, please.” She begged as she pulled it up.  “Yes!” She screamed triumphantly.  Impaled on the spear was one of the yellow and black fishes.  “I did it, I really did it.” She said as her eyes filled with tears.  Her mouth immediately started to water in apprehension of her meal.  Brooke trekked back to her campsite and put the fish down on the top of the red suitcase.  Now she had another challenge to deal with.  So far she had been unsuccessful in building a fire, but now she had motivation. Her dinner awaited her.  Again Brooke turned to her Girl Scout skills.  She gathered twigs and rocks and sticks and spent the next two hours rubbing her hands raw but she failed to get even the smallest spark.  Her eyes teared out of frustration.  She would not let this fish have been caught and die in vain.  But the blisters and blood on her hands prevented her from working any harder at it.  Brooke walked to the water and soaked her hands in the salty water.  The pain was immense but she knew it had to be done.  Afterwards she wrapped them in two clean tee shirts and stared down at the dead fish.  “You’ve eaten sushi Brooke, just pretend you’re at a Japanese restaurant.” She used the knife on the spear to cut up the fish. Carefully she gutted it and cleaned it. Then for almost an hour she stared at it. “You need strength. Just do it Brooke, do it.” She ordered herself.  Holding her nose and closing her eyes she forced a piece into her mouth. With as few bites as possible she swallowed it.  Bile rose to her throat and she fought to keep it down, but soon she ran to the water and kneeled over, throwing up more than just the fish.  Sobbing she returned to the campsite. “You will not beat me!” She screamed at the sky.  Then she grabbed another piece and forced it down.  When the bile came again she fought it and this time the fish stayed down.  It was then that she knew she had won the battle.  She finished the fish and washed it down with half a bottle of her precious Evian.  She rewarded her efforts with a tiny Mr. Goodbar.  Tired from the bout of nausea but with a full stomach Brooke curled up and took a well-deserved nap.

 

 

Nick’s arms were getting so tired.  He was almost ready to just give up.  It seemed so fruitless, so useless.  He didn’t even know why he still cared.  He thought about Carla.  She would miss him but she’d move on.  She’d find another suitable man, marry him, raise his children and have a good life.  No one would mourn Nick Parker for long.  His parents were both dead, he was an only child with a spinster aunt and a distant cousin his only living relatives.  His friends at the bank might miss him for a while but they two would hire someone new and move on.  Then he remembered the blonde woman.  She would have family, she would have people who loved her and missed her.  He owed it to her to live, to be able to tell her family how she had met her end, so he kept swimming.  A large wave almost took him under and he ended up swallowing what felt like half the ocean.  When he finally coughed it up he opened his eyes and realized he had reached the bend.  His fate awaited him around the corner.  With a quick prayer to the gods he made the turn.  His eyes widened by the sight in front of him. It was a beach, a long, wide, sandy beach.  It was framed by tall green palm trees and there were flowers and birds and things that he thought came out of his imagination.  It looked almost like paradise.  He knew he had a long swim ahead of him but this time it would be followed by a reward.  He could almost taste the coconut milk, the sea grapes.  He was going to be eating good tonight, he was going to rest on warm, soft sand and revel in luxury like he hadn’t in so many long days.  He was going to make it.

 

 

Several hours later Nick finally made shore.  The sun was setting as he pulled himself out of the water.  He had no energy to go any further.  He made his way to a sandy spot beneath a tree and took one look down the long beach.  Rubbing his eyes he was sure that they were playing tricks on him. He could have sworn that he saw a bright colorful tent but before he could focus again his tired eyes gave up on him and he fell into a deep sleep. 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

Brooke woke up as the sun burned brightly in the sky.  She had slept long this morning, judging from the position of the sun it was already nearly noon.  She was hungry again but the idea of another raw fish made her stomach churn.  She reached for the bottle that she had filled with fresh water and took a gulp.  “Hmmm, Special Dark or Mr. Goodbar?” She asked herself as she looked at the dwindling bag of chocolates.  She decided on the dark chocolate.  She opened the wrapper and breathed in the rich aroma.  Taking small bites she relished her treat.  It made her almost empty stomach feel better immediately.  She knew the sugar gave her energy but also knew she needed more protein.  “I have to get a fire started.” She told herself.  But first she would take her daily walk down the beach.  It had become her routine.  She would bathe in the salty water and then walk the length of the palm-laden beach looking for anything that might have washed up to the shore.  She knew that by now it was unlikely she would find anything useful but it was a habit that made her feel like she had purpose and she wasn’t ready to give it up yet. 

Brooke grabbed her homemade sarong and walked to the water’s edge.  She put it down in a safe place where it would remain dry and then walked out into the water.  She took her time swimming, floating and enjoying her ritual.  After awhile she decided to go about her task.  She walked out of the water, shook her hair and tied the sarong around her waist.  The warm sun felt so good on her back as she started her walk.  Her eyes were trained to look out towards the sea and up to the sky.  She had not given up hope of seeing a boat or a plane but so far she had not seen either.  She knew that the island must be out of the normal flight paths.  Silently she cursed herself for trusting that pilot and not following her instincts that would have kept her off of the plane.

She waded in to her knees and started to walk.  As she suspected she wasn’t finding much of anything. There were still a few pieces of fuselage washing up here and there. It was disheartening.  But at this point Brooke had given up on anyone else being alive. Her greatest fear now was that a body might wash up.  As she walked something shiny caught her eye.  She stopped and stood still, waiting for the water to calm.  That way it would be much easier for her to see what it was.  As the waters cleared she was slowly able to get a better view.  Something was there, something silver.  She wasn’t sure if it was just a piece of the plane or possibly something useful she waited a few more seconds and then reached down.  Her hand connected with something smooth.  When she brought it up she was surprised to see what it was. It was her own bracelet.  One that Bridget had given her on her last birthday.  With a smile she put it on her wrist.  Maybe it was a good sign.  She then continued on.  Her eyes were concentrating on looking down and out.  She walked and looked and walked and looked for about ten minutes when she finally looked up.  She turned back to see how far she was from her campsite.  She considered returning but instead turned back and peered ahead.  What she saw stunned and terrified her.  Her worst fear had come true. It was a body, a body washed on the shore.  She considered running back, grabbing her things and finding another place to stay but Brooke Logan wasn’t a quitter and she also didn’t want to show so much disrespect for the dead.  She wondered who it was and how mutilated the body and face would be.  Preparing herself for the worst she continued on towards that fate had in store for her.

 

 

Nick’s head was pounding.  He felt nauseous and weak.  He didn’t know if he was going to make it after all.  He needed water, he needed food and most of all he needed help.  He tried to raise his head from the sand but it was proving to be impossible.  “Help me God, please help me.” He silently prayed.  But he didn’t have much faith left.  His swim had taken all of his strength and his willpower.  He couldn’t believe it but Nick Parker was ready to give up.  He hoped that death would come quickly and painlessly.  He closed his eyes and prepared himself for his final moments.

Brooke slowly approached the body.  She imagined the stench would be unbearable but when she got closer she smelled nothing more than the salt of the sea.  Tears formed in her eyes as she tried to figure out who it was.  She could tell it was a man, his clothes were unrecognizable, and he could be the young man that had found the plane, the pilot or the banker.  “Please give me strength Lord.” Brooke prayed.  “Please let me bury him and give him a final resting place.”  With a lump in her throat she got onto her knees and turned his face towards her.  “No, oh God no.” She said as soon as she saw who it was.  He hadn’t been pleasant but he was the only one that she had any kind of connection at all with, and in the end he had tried to protect her.  She knew he had.  “I’m so sorry mister, I don’t even know your name.” She said as she gently touched his face.  “What?” She gasped.  She had been expecting him to be icy cold, but he was warm to the touch.  “You’re alive!” She was thrilled and scared all at once.  He was alive, but barely.  She didn’t have any medical skills, she didn’t know what was wrong or what she could do for him.  She knew he was heavy and probably a dead weight but she had to get him back to the campsite.  “Please, mister please wake up, open your eyes.” She begged him.  She touched his forehead and he was burning up.  “You have a fever, I have to get you cooled off.”  She pulled the bandana from around her head and ran to the water and wet it.  Careful she wiped his brow with the cool water.  “Please wake up.” She begged him again.  She looked at his lips, he was parched.  “I’ll be right back, I’m going to get you some water.  Please don’t worry, I’m going to take care of you.” She promised him.  “I won’t be long, please don’t die on me.”  She once more touched his brow.  His eyes started to open but they weren’t focusing on anything and she saw more white than his beautiful hazel that she remembered from the plane but at least it was a start.  “You’re going to be fine, I promise.” She said.  She didn’t know why but she leaned over and kissed him on the forehead.  She smiled and stood up.  “I’ll be right back.” She said again before she ran back towards her campsite.

 

 

‘An angel, an angel.’ Nick thought.  He had felt like he was almost gone when the soft hand had touched his head.  Her voice, it was so beautiful, so gentle and loving.  He had wanted to open his eyes and see her but it was too hard, way too much work. He had tried to move, tried to say something to her but he couldn’t. Never in his life had he felt so weak or helpless. He had felt her put something cool on his head, it felt so good.  Then he finally had wrenched his crusty eyes open. She was as beautiful as her voice. Her long golden hair had hung past her shoulders, her breasts were full and luscious.  She had to be an angel or a vision, no human could be so lovely.  But when he finally had gotten his eyes to focus she was gone.  It had been a dream, a mirage like in the desert.  He was dying and he had had once last beautiful vision. He wondered why she hadn’t looked like Carla.  He tried to picture his fiancée but her face wouldn’t form in his mind.  He was so tired, so very tired.  The sun was burning down and it hurt.  He needed to sleep a deep final sleep.  Once more Nick closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.

 

 

Brooke scrambled to gather things together.  She had to get him water, she had two bottles filled, that would do for now.  She could always go back to the stream and refill them, but the banker needed them now.  He also needed nourishment.  She pulled two candies from the bag and then grabbed some of the dried coconut meat.  She wished she had saved some of the fish.  He could have used that too.  But she was determined to catch another one.  Now she had to figure out a way to get him back to the campsite.  “Think Brooke, think.” She instructed herself.  “You need something to put him on and pull him like a sled or something.”  Again she resorted to the library of movies she had seen.  She remembered one where the hero had used a blanket and fashioned some kind of a stretcher.  “I can do that.” She said. She pulled down the towels that she had formed her tent with and tied them together. If she could get him onto it she would be able to pull him down the beach. It would be slow but she knew could do it. She wrapped the water, candy and coconut in another bandana and with the towels in her other hand ran back towards the man. It only took her a few minutes to get there.  She immediately got to her knees and checked his pulse and temperature. He was still alive but still feverish.  “Okay honey, I have water for you.” She told him.  She lifted his head and put it into her lap.  She then pulled out a bottle and opened it.  “Take small, tiny sips.” She instructed him. “We have all you need but you can’t drink it too fast, it’ll make you sick.” 

She put the bottle to his parched lips and lifted his head. She was very happy when he was able to take a small sip. His eyes were still shut tightly. 

“I have a piece of chocolate. I want to put it into your mouth. Let it melt, let it go down, it will give you some energy.” She told him. She unwrapped the plain Hershey bar and broke it in half. Then she opened his mouth and placed half of it underneath his tongue.  She knew he wouldn’t choke that way and that with the warmth of the sun that it would melt and make it’s way into his system.  Now she had the hard job of getting him onto the stretcher.  She walked around him and thought about how she could accomplish her task, suddenly, like a light bulb going off in her head she had an idea.  She lay the towels down next to him and got on his side. Slowly and carefully she rolled him until he was on the towels. She stopped and rested, preparing herself for long, hard the job of pulling him.  “Let’s hope this adrenaline crap is true.” She said to him.  “Cause I am going to have to be a combination of Wonderwoman and Supergirl to get you down there.”

Brooke said another silent prayer.  She prayed for strength, she prayed that the towels would stay together and she prayed that he would stay alive and that she would do the right things to revive him.

Her first prayer seemed to work.  Maybe her self-defense classes and her workouts had been more helpful than she realized because he didn’t seem as heavy as she thought he would be.  Perhaps the sand was acting like snow and making it easier to glide him along but she was making slow and steady progress.  The towels seemed to be staying connected too.  Brooke looked up at the sun in the sky.  It was starting to go down.  She hoped she’d get him back to the site before it did.  She had a lot of work to do to help him.  He couldn’t die now, she wouldn’t let him. 

“I wish I knew your name.” She said as she pulled.  “I hate having to call you mister. Would you mind if I just called you John until you wake up?  At least that way it seems more friendly.”  She looked back at him.  He was still out.  She supposed it was for the best.  He would be uncomfortable and he might be fighting her progress.  “Okay John, it’s not too far.  Soon I’ll have you in she shade.  Then I’ll wash you in clean water, give you more to drink and if it’s still light I’ll catch you a fish.  I hope you like fish cause you’re not getting steak or chicken here.” She smiled.  “What I wouldn’t give for a hamburger.”  She giggled.  “You know John, I don’t even really like hamburgers, but since I can’t have them I really want one.  Yeah, a nice juicy burger and a vanilla milkshake.  But I bet you like chocolate better.  I like chocolate too, but vanilla is what I’m craving.”  She pulled a little harder.  Her arms were getting sore, as were her legs.  “By the way John, my name is Brooke.  I’m not sure if I told you that before.  We weren’t exactly friendly on the plane.  I’m sorry about that too.  I’m usually pretty nice but I was hot and tired and really in a bad mood.  I do appreciate how you tried to help.  I can’t wait to hear your story.  How did you manage to get out of the plane?  Oh, maybe you don’t know.  I don’t know how I did.  All I remember is waking up holding onto my suitcase.  When I get home I am going to write them a really nice letter.  I never thought it would float but it did.  Not only that John but it kept my things dry.  So you see, us spoiled rich brats sometimes make good investments.”  She smiled and turned away.  The campsite still seemed so far but she was making good progress.

 

 

It took her almost two hours but finally she fell to the sand, exhausted.  She opened the bottle of water and took a large gulp herself, then turned to Nick.  Again she lifted his head into her lap and gave him a drink.  He tried to open his eyes again.  “That’s it honey, drink.” She told him.  “You’re going to be just fine.”

“Am I dead?” He whispered in a hoarse voice.

“Oh my God no.” She said.  “You’re very much alive and I am so glad.” She pulled him up higher so the water would be easier to swallow.  His tiny gulps became larger ones.  “Slow down, it’ll all come up.  We have all the water we need.  As soon as you’re feeling a little better I’ll go get some more, plus I have coconut milk for you too.  Can you eat another piece of chocolate?” She asked him.

“Water, more water.” He said.

“Okay, I need to refill them.  You rest, I won’t be long at all.” She gently lowered his head back down.  He looked up at her and this time his eyes seemed to hold their focus better. 

“You’re beautiful.” He told her.

“You look pretty good to me too.” She smiled.  “I promise I won’t be long.” She touched his forehead again, then got up, grabbed the empty bottles and walked away towards the stream.

 

 

Nick knew he was delusional.  There had been no angel, that was impossible.  He was so sick, so thirsty, so hungry, so tired and hot, he was burning up.  “You’re dead Nick.” He told himself. “That’s the only explanation.”  But he had sipped water, or was that a dream too? Was he still swimming?  Had he drowned?  Was this heaven or hell?  He tried to open his eyes again but they wouldn’t obey him.  Giving up he settled into a deep sleep again.

 

 

Brooke filled the three bottles and then filled two coconuts shells with the cool water.  “I need to eat and so does John.” She said.  “If only it was summer, then the sun would stay up longer.”  She leaned down and scooped handfuls of the clean water on her face.  She had really worn herself out pulling him.  Most of the day was gone.  She hadn’t accomplished anything at all, she thought to herself.  “Bull!” She said aloud.  “I found the banker, I found him and I’m going to keep him alive.  I’m not going to be all alone anymore.” 

Tears formed in her eyes and she was embarrassed.  She had become strong, stronger than she had ever been in her life.  She had learned to depend on herself and herself alone.  As horrible as the situation was it was also a learning one.  She had learned more about herself in these days than in all the years she had lived.  She had found an inner strength that she never knew existed and she was proud of that.  She wondered if she would ever be the same person again.  The old Brooke seemed so shallow to her.  She liked the new Brooke so much better.  “Okay John, time to take care of you.” She said.  She took a gulp of the water and then got up.  With her supplies in hand she returned to the campsite.

 

 

Nick was sleeping again and at first Brooke wasn’t sure that he hadn’t succumbed to his injuries.  “John.” She said softly as she touched his brow.  “Thank God.” She said, realizing that he was indeed alive.  “I’m going to cool you off now.” She said.  She looked at the rags he was wearing but compared to herself he was dressed for the opera.  “No time for modesty.” She said with a laugh.  She gently removed his torn shirt.  His chest was full of cuts but none looked very deep.  “Now the pants.” She said.  This task was a bit harder.  She first took off his sneakers and then unbuttoned and unzipped his pants.  With a few hard tugs she pulled his torn, wet jeans off. She felt his underwear and they were cold and wet.  “Sorry John but these gotta go too.” She said.  She pulled them off leaving the man naked.  “Hmm, not bad.” She said as she inspected his body.  “I was right, the package is as nice as I thought.” She added with a giggle. She then brought over the clean fresh water, pair of her own silk panties and a dry towel. Using her panties as washcloth she soaked them with the clean water and tried to cool his body.  The water ran out quickly and she found herself making four more runs to replace it.  But finally he was clean and she thought she felt a slight drop in his temperature.  She made one more trip to get more drinking water and returned to him. “Wake up John, I want to give you something to eat and drink.” She told him.  He did nothing to acknowledge that he had heard her.  “I’m not going to let you die so you might as well do what I say.” She told him.  Once more she put his head onto her lap.  This time she fed him some coconut milk as well as some water.  She gave him another tiny square of milk chocolate and then she sat with his head on her lap, running her fingers through his hair.  “Shall I tell you about myself?” She asked the unconscious man.  “Okay, I will.” She continued.  “My name is Brooke, Brooke Logan and I’m from California.  I have two wonderful children, well they aren’t really children anymore. Rick is my oldest, he’s married to a girl named Amber.  I don’t like her very much but she seems to make him happy.  They have a little boy, but he’s not their biological son, I don’t think I’ll get into all the details.  We have to have something to talk about later.” She said.  “My daughter’s name is Bridget and she is beautiful.  I know you’d just love her, everyone does.  She’s married too.  Her husband, well he’s not what I want for her and I hope someday soon she’ll see I’m right.  I suppose I only have myself to blame, I haven’t set a very good example for them.  I’ve been married a gazillion times.” She said with a laugh.  “It all started when I fell in love for the first time.  His name was Ridge and he was the most handsome man I have ever seen.  It was love at first sight for me.  I think he fell for me too, but he was in love with another woman at the time.” She looked at him and sighed. “Pretty pathetic isn’t it? This is the love of my life that I’m talking about and I haven’t even gotten to the bad part.” Nick moaned in his sleep and started to thrash.  “Okay honey, okay.” She said. She poured more water on her panties and wiped his hot brow.  “I wish we had some aspirin.  I know that would help you.” She held him and rocked him until he stopped thrashing and fell back into a deeper sleep.  “So where was I?” She asked.  “Ridge.  Ridge and I were going to be married and I was pregnant.  I was so happy. I thought I was going to have it all, but I lost the baby and then, then I lost Ridge.  He married Caroline.  Now a normal person would have tried to get over him and moved on with her life but you are not talking to a normal person.  John you will never guess what I did.  Do you want to guess?” She asked.  “No, I didn’t think so.  Well I went and got pregnant again.  No, not by Ridge, by his father.  I told you I was a bad example.”  She laughed.  “But I loved Eric, I did.  Not like I loved Ridge but Eric was such a good man.  We got married and I had his son Eric Junior.  We call him Rick now.  Anyway Eric set up a lab for me at Forrester.  Did I tell you that I was a chemist?” She asked him.  “Well I was, and I was a really good one.  I was the one who saw the results on Caroline, Ridge’s wife.  She had cancer.  She died.  It was so sad.  I really did love her and so did Ridge.  But anyway Eric set me up with a lab and I discovered a wonderful formula.” She put more water on the panties and wiped his brow again. “The formula was a huge success. But when we found out it worked I did something really stupid. You see Ridge was helping me and we celebrated.  We made love, right there on the floor of the lab. Yeah, some people call me a slut but I’m really not.  I loved him.  I loved him from the moment I set eyes on him and this time I wasn’t going to stop and question anything.  I knew it would hurt Eric but I put myself first. And then I knew I needed to be with Ridge again.  We really tried but again the fates were against us not just that but Ridge couldn’t seem to live with the guilt of betraying his father.  He left me and got engaged to another woman.  Ready for the kicker?” She asked as she once more wiped his brow.  “On his wedding day I found out I was pregnant.  Yup, talk about bad timing.  Needless to say I didn’t make it on time. He married Taylor, I was pregnant and my heart was broken.  Then Eric insisted on a paternity test.  I knew she wasn’t his. In case you haven’t figured it out yet that baby was Bridget, my daughter.  Well, I knew there wasn’t a chance in hell she was Eric’s because there is one thing about the way I loved Ridge.  I was true to him, I know I wasn’t to Eric but with Ridge it was different.  After I made love to him there could be no other man.  I was going to divorce Eric no matter what Ridge did.  I couldn’t pretend anymore.  So once Bridget was born we did the test and she was Ridge’s.  He loved her, he loved me too, I know he did, but he wouldn’t break up his marriage.” She said as tears filled her eyes.  “No matter how much time goes by I still get sad when I remember that.  Like I said, he was the love of my life.  I even married him, twice.” She smiled.  “But neither one ended up legal.  The story of my life.  He’s married to Taylor again, they have three kids.  I think he’s happy, not fulfilled like he was with me, but happy.” She picked up the water bottle took a sip and then brought it to Nick’s lips. She let a little bit of the liquid drip into his mouth.  “Good, nice and easy, I’m going to make you better, just you wait and see.”  Brooke covered him up with two of the larger towels and went to refill the water bottles. When she returned he was thrashing again. She once more washed him down with the water, hoping desperately that the fever would break.  When he became more restful she continued her story.  “After Ridge left me the second time I was totally devastated.  I tried to change his mind, I begged and pleaded and tried seduction but no go, he was staying with Taylor.  When she got pregnant with the twins I gave up, well for awhile.” She giggled.  “Then one day I went to see Thorne, Ridge’s brother. He was going through his own heartbreak, Macy, his former wife and would be fiancée had turned him down. Thorne was drinking and I joined him. We ended up skinny-dipping and laughing our asses off.  We had been friends for years but when we shared a kiss something awoke inside me.  I decided I had to have him.  For two long years I fought for him and we finally married.  But then, I don’t know, something was missing, something wasn’t there. We both tried to make it a good marriage and it would have been but I made a mistake, I told someone the truth and Thorne heard me.  I told someone that not a day went by that I didn’t wake up and go to sleep thinking about the one man I loved more than life.  You guessed it John, Ridge.”

Brooke yawned and smiled at him.  “So that’s how I ended up on the plane.  Brooke Logan Forrester Forrester Forrester struck out again. But now we both need some sleep.  Maybe tomorrow you can tell me your story.”  She cuddled up next to him.  “Good night John, sleep well.”

 

 

Nick woke with a start.  He felt better, his fever had broken and he could focus again. He looked at the beautiful, semi-naked woman who was sleeping with her arm around his waist.  “The snob.” He said.  “You made it too princess, good for you.” He reached around her for the water bottle, opened it and drained it.  “Damn that’s good.” He sighed.  “So I’m not all alone.  Good.” He found his hand reaching for her face.  She was beautiful, no wonder he had thought she was an angel.  “You are my angel aren’t you?  You helped me fight that fever didn’t you?” He didn’t plan it, he didn’t even know why he did it, but Nick Parker leaned over and covered her lips with his own.  She tasted so sweet, so sweet and so wonderful.  To his shock her tongue made it’s way inside his mouth until she suddenly stopped with a gasp. 

“You’re okay!”

“Yeah princess, I think I’m gonna make it.” He told her.

“Oh thank God.” She said, wrapping her arms tightly around him. 

What happened next neither of them expected.  Nick’s body instantly reacted to the beautiful blonde’s body. He hardened and grew against her flat stomach. Her mouth searched his out again and her hand reached down to stroke him. Maybe it was the revelation that they were both alive, that they had cheated death, maybe there was an animal attraction, but when Nick pushed her to her back and climbed on top of her, Brooke spread her legs and opened her body to him.  The mating was almost primitive.  It was wild and hot and hard.  Brooke clung to him as he pounded in and out of her body. Her mouth and his sought each other out, imitating their lower bodies. Brooke’s legs went higher and tighter around his body, pulling him closer, closer and closer still.  The need for intimacy was so strong for both of them that nothing could have stopped it, nothing at all.  With a deep sigh from Brooke and a low groan from Nick they experienced  a simultaneous climax, a climax that rocked Brooke’s body like nothing in so very long.  When reality set in she pulled herself out of his arms and stood up, her arms crossed over her bare breasts in a much too late display of modesty.

Nick too was embarrassed.  He had never been an impulsive man.  Everything in his life had always been well thought out and planned.  He sat up and looked at the stranger looking down at him, the stranger who he had just shared life’s greatest intimacy with.  He looked her in the eyes.  She had beautiful eyes, everything about her was beautiful, but that wasn’t the point.

“I can’t marry you.” He told her.

Brooke looked down at him with a squint.  Her body seemed to heave in convulsions. Nick was sure that she was going to burst into tears, begging him to please not do this to her.  “I’m sorry, it shouldn’t have happened, but I have a fiancée.” He said, trying to let her down easy. “I can’t marry you.” He repeated.

He wasn’t prepared for the laughter that erupted from her.  Brooke was shaking with laughter, tears ran down her eyes but they were smiling eyes.  She looked at him again and the laughter increased.  “You, you can’t what?” She asked.

“I know it was wrong, but I can’t marry you.”

“Why the hell do you think I’d want to marry you?” She said. 

“Well we, I mean we just.” He couldn’t understand this woman. He had been with many women in his life and sex usually meant they wanted something from him. But this woman was laughing at him, looking at him like he was insane.

“Oh you are right.” Brooke told him.  “It never should have happened. I guess it was all the tension and worry and loneliness but believe me, the last thing in the world I’d ever want to do is marry the likes of you.  Hell, I don’t even know your name.” She said as she started to laugh again, even harder this time.

“Nick, Nick Parker.” He told her.

“Hi Nick, I’m Brooke, but I think we’ve more than been introduced huh?” She giggled.  “I’m sorry to laugh, I’m not really laughing at you, more at the whole damn situation.  I’m really glad you’re okay.  I wasn’t sure you’d ever open your eyes again.”

“You washed me and fed me didn’t you?” He asked.

“Actually all I managed to feed you was a tiny square of chocolate.  I did get you to drink water and coconut milk.” She told him.  “Do you think you could eat a little coconut?  We really don’t have too much choices here but it does fill you.”

“Sea grapes.” He told her, pointing to the trees above them.

“Are the edible?” She asked.  “I wasn’t sure if they were poison so I didn’t try them.”

“They’re sour but they are edible.” He informed her.

“Good, something more for our menu.” She smiled.  “The sun is starting to come up.  I think I’ll go catch us another fish.”

“You?” He laughed.

“And what is so funny about that?” She asked him.  The man had only been conscious less than an hour and already she was remembering why she didn’t like him.

“Why don’t you leave the men’s jobs to the man.” He said.

“You certainly are full of yourself.” She told him.  “For your information I’ve already caught, cleaned and gutted a fish. You’re not with some helpless ninny here.  Brooke Logan can take care of herself.  And by the way, how would you think you could catch a fish?” She asked.

“I guess, I guess I’d stand as still as possible and try to grab one.” He said with a frown.  This answer caused her body to wrack with laughter again. 

“Oh you’re my hero.” She laughed.  “Maybe if we’re really lucky it will rain filet mignon too.”

“There’s no reason to get nasty, and why don’t you put on some clothes.  It isn’t right for you to flaunt yourself that way in front of a strange man.”

“Strange is right, and I’ll dress or not dress any damn way I please.  You don’t like it, screw you.” She untied the sarong and dropped that to the ground.  “Deal with that!” She said.

“Where are my clothes? Why did you take them?” He growled.

“For your information, you were shivering, burning with fever and soaking wet.  I took your clothes off, cleaned you and kept you dry.  I washed your stupid underwear with MY soap, which believe me, I will NEVER do again.  They’re hanging from that branch, if you want them so badly go get them.  I am going fishing.  Why not do something useful and get the fire going.” She told him.  She grabbed her spear and stormed away.  There was no way in hell she would tell him that she couldn’t get a fire started. She giggled as she walked away.  “You can get the blisters this time Nicky boy.” 

He watched her walk away.  He couldn’t decide if he hated her or wanted her again, maybe a little of both.  She was one hell of a confident woman, so different from Carla.  He got up on shaky legs and grabbed his shorts.  He put them on and then surveyed the campsite.  She had done a good job but he was sure that there was more they could do. Then he looked at her campfire.  It was obvious to him that it had never been lit.  He laughed at how she had tried to trick him.  It would serve her right if he forced her to try and start it herself but he realized that he indeed owed her his life.  She had nursed him back and he would forever be grateful for that.  As he kneeled down and worked on starting a fire he looked out at her.  She was one hell of a beautiful woman.  She stood like an Amazon in the water with her spear.  He didn’t believe that she had caught a fish.  She was doing it all wrong, no way she’d catch one that way, he thought with a laugh. Once he started the fire he’d take over and take care of her.  But then his thoughts were cut short by her triumphant shout.  She raised the spear over her head and indeed she had caught a fish.  He watched her take it off, put it into a bandana and then return to her prior stance.  His body betrayed him by hardening again.  God how he wanted her.  He wanted to bury himself inside her again, but this time he wanted it to be slow and sensuous.  He wanted to taste her and suckle her, he wanted her full mouth all over him he wanted. “Stop it Nick!” He shouted to himself.  “Think about Carla.  You and this woman may be stranded together for the moment but it won’t be forever.  You owe it to Carla to be true to her, just like she owes it to Ridge.  Ridge? Who the f*ck is Ridge?” He wondered.

 

Chapter 4

 

 

Nick watched with fascination as Brooke caught two more fish.  The woman was good, she set her mind to something and she delivered.  But he had too.  The fire was blazing and there were four split coconuts as well as a bunch of ripe sea grapes awaiting Brooke’s return. “She better be dressed.” He said with a chuckle.  But he turned again to watch the tan, toned nude woman at her game.

“Enough.” He called out.  “Don’t overdo it, we can only eat so much.”

Brooke turned to face him with a frown.  She walked back to her sarong and retied it around her waist, then walked to the campsite.  “Maybe I’m hungry.” She told him.

“I’m sure you are.  I know I am, but let’s not go crazy.  You did good.” He admitted reluctantly.  “Would you like me to clean them?”

“I can do it.” She told him.  “You lit the fire.”

“Yes I did.  Amazing that all the charred branches from the last one must have just disappeared.”

“Fine, you got me.  I didn’t get one started yet, but I would have.” She said proudly.

“Of that I have no doubt.” He conceded.  “Anyway I split some coconuts and picked some of the sea grapes.  They’re not too bad, try one.” He said as he handed her one of the green grapes.  Brooke put it into her mouth and bit down.  Nick stifled a laugh as her face contorted into a grimace.

“They’re really sour.” She said.

“But they do give us something more to add to the menu.  You’ll get used to them.”

“Yes, it’s amazing what a person can get used to isn’t it?” She said.  She started to untie her spear. 

“What are you doing?” He said in an attempt to stop her.

“It’s the only knife we have and I find it a lot easier to gut the fish when it’s not tied to a long stick.” 

“I used this to break the coconuts.” He said showing her a sharp rock.

“Good for you.” She answered sarcastically.

“It might help if we tried to get along.” He told her.

“You’re not the easiest person to get along with Nick.  You criticize my every move, you doubt my capabilities, you make fun of what I choose to wear but yet you can’t seem to stop staring at me.”

“You have some really nice looking tits Brooke, but it would be easier on both of us if you covered them up. I’m just a man and I can’t promise to be able to control my urges.”

“Well don’t you worry about that.  I can do all the controlling needed.” She told him.

Then she sat down and started to cut the fish.  Nick watched her with interest.  She didn’t know what she was doing, that was obvious, but she wasn’t doing a bad job of it either.

“If you cut it more on an angle we’ll be able to salvage more fish.” He said.

Brooke looked up at him with anger but then her face softened.  Nick was right, she was wasting a lot of food.  “Can you show me?” She asked him.

“I’d be happy to.” He came up behind her and took the knife from her hands.  “Watch me, I used to do a lot of fishing so I am pretty good at this.” He showed her just where it was best to make the cuts while Brooke paid close attention.

“Okay, let me try it.” She said holding out her hand for the knife.

“Do you always insist on doing everything for yourself?” He wondered aloud.

“Yes.” She admitted. “I don’t want to ever have to rely on anyone again.”

“I think maybe we can rely on each other Brooke.  After all I relied on you to get me back to the living.  Now it’s payback time.”

“Okay.” She agreed, handing him back the knife.  “What can I do?”

“Find some long sticks that we can cook the fish over the fire with and maybe get some of those sea grape leaves, we can wrap it in them so it doesn’t get too burnt.” He suggested. “And Brooke, please, I’m really begging, put on a shirt okay?”

“Fine.” She said with an exaggerated sigh. She walked down to the water and washed her hands free of the fish scales.  Then she returned and opened her suitcase.  After rummaging thought it she took out her damaged bra and put it on.  It covered her breasts, just barely and somehow Nick found it even more seductive.  “Better?” She asked.

“Uh thanks.” He said.  He wouldn’t argue with her choice, at least she had made the compromise. 

“I’ll be back soon.” She said.

Nick watched her start to walk away.

“Brooke wait!” He called to her.  She turned and put her hands on her hips.

“What now?” She moaned.  She was getting tired of all his orders.

“Don’t you have shoes?”

“No Nick, somehow when the plane crashed keeping on a pair of Manolo Blahniks wasn’t high on my list of priorities.” She said with more of her sarcasm. 

“And you didn’t have any other’s packed?” He asked.

“I sent my other bags ahead.  I only had the one and no, I didn’t have any other shoes in it.  I’m sorry if my bare feet offend you.  Do you have a toe fetish? Are you drooling over the thought of sucking my little pinky toe?”

“No Brooke, I was just being concerned.  I don’t want you cutting yourself.” He reached to his own feet and started to untie his sneakers. She watched him as he took off one and then the other. “Here, wear mine.  You can stuff some of you clothes or something in them or around your feet so they don’t fall off.  At least this way your feet are protected.”

“I’m fine.” She insisted.

“Please, just do this for me. We don’t have the means to take care of any deep wounds and I can’t promise to get you off here any time soon.”

“I really can take care of myself.” She said, but she reached to take them from him. Her hand touched his as she took one of the sneakers but as she tried to take it he let it fall to the sand and he turned her hand in his. 

“What the hell did you do to yourself?” He shouted as he saw the red blisters on her palms.

“Work Nick, hard work called survival.” She said.

“Shit.” He mumbled.  “Sit down a minute.” He said as he roughly pushed her down.

“Hey!” She said, but he had already walked away down he beach.  “Male chauvinist pig slime!” She shouted out at him. She was even angrier when she heard him laughing as he kept walking, refusing to turn around again to face her.

 

 

Ridge Forrester walked into his father’s office with nothing on his mind except the problem he was having with the cutters but all thoughts of work vanished when he saw the scene in front of him.  Eric was ghostly pale and Bridget was softly sobbing as she clung to Stephanie.

“What? What’s going on?” He demanded.

“She never made the plane Ridge.  She shipped her things ahead but she never showed up for her flight.” Eric told him.

“Then she must have changed it to another one, or maybe she stayed on to make a deal.” He said, but in his heart he knew that wasn’t what happened.  He suddenly felt sick, very sick and very scared.

“We called her hotel and the shops she had met with Ridge.” Bridget said as she looked up at him.  “She checked out and no one has seen her for days.  It’s like she just disappeared off the face of the earth.”

“Well let’s not jump to conclusions.  Let’s call all the airlines, she must have just changed her plans.” He said.

“We’ve already done that son.  We have the police looking into it as well as the detective that Jonathan just hired for us.” Eric explained.

“The police? You don’t mean the police from those God forsaken islands do you? You’ve seen the news, you know how little they care about Americans.” Ridge protested.

“We’re doing everything that we can son.”

“No, not everything.” He said.  He walked past Bridget, his mother and his father to his father’s desk and picked up the phone.  “Megan get the jet ready, I’m going to find Brooke.”

 

 

Brooke was about to just get up and do what she had to do but she decided if she wanted any kind of peace she would wait for Nick and see what it was that he had run off to do.  She couldn’t see him, he had gone into the jungle and she was starting to get worried.  As annoying as the man was, he was company and Brooke desperately did not want to be alone.  She had been strong for so long that she didn’t even notice the tears that were falling down her cheeks. 
“Jerk!” She screamed out. “It would serve you right to run off and get killed! And you didn’t even take your damn sneakers!”

She looked down at the fish that was rapidly drying out.  “Screw you Mr. Hero.” She said. She stood up and started to look around for the leaves Nick had told her about.  She reached up to the lowest branch and pulled down several of the largest ones she could find.  Then with precision she cut the fish into smaller pieces and wrapped it in the leaves.  She was so hard at work that she didn’t even hear him return.  When he called out her name she screamed and dropped the package she had been wrapping.

“You scared me!” She shouted.

“Who did you think it was?” He laughed. He sat down next to her and grabbed her hand. 

“Leave me alone!” She said gruffly.

“Not this time Princess, not after what I had to walk through to get this.”

“You should have taken your stupid sneakers.” She said stubbornly.  “Oooh, that feels good.” She admitted as he rubbed a gooey substance on her aching hands.

“Aloe.” He told her.  “I’d have thought a California girl like you would have thought of it.  I knew that there had to be some growing around here.” He said as he took her other hand and rubbed that one.

“You’re right.” She sheepishly admitted.  “I should have thought of it.  Aloe will really come in handy. We can use it on your chest too.”

“I guess those rocks did cut me up a bit.” He smiled.  “There.” He said letting her hands go.  “Now just let them dry a bit before you do anything else.  I got some sticks so you don’t have to do that.  I see you wrapped the fish, good girl.”  He then started to put the fish onto the long sticks.  Brooke watched him and felt her hunger return full force.  She blushed when her stomach growled. “Don’t be embarrassed, mine has been doing that for days.” He then held the sticks over the fire to let it cook.

“We should set up something with stones so we don’t have to hold it.” Brooke suggested.  “Sort of like a stove.”

“Good idea.  Next time we will.  But for now I don’t want to put out the fire.  I’m too hungry to wait.” He told her.

“Me too.” She agreed. She watched him and then stood up. “I’m going to go get more water.”

“Wear the sneakers Brooke.” He told her.

“I’ve gone back and forth to that stream a million times, it’s all sand and grass, I’m fine.” She said as she grabbed the empty bottles and defiantly walked away.

“You’re getting on my nerves and under my skin Brooke Logan, and I don’t like it one bit.” He said with a chuckle.  “Not one little bit.”

 

 

It had rained the next two days and nights.  Brooke and Nick had scrambled to find a dryer spot.  They found a place where the trees were so thick that they were more protected but the towels had proven to be a useless roof. Fishing was impossible so that when they had awakened on the third day they were both wet, tired and cranky.  Brooke had stripped down to her sarong again and with a hard stare, challenged Nick to say anything.  He had held his tongue and in fact been a bit jealous.  But his own modesty had won out so he remained in his wet jeans.  All the wood had gotten wet and while Brooke went fishing Nick had tried over and over again to get a fire started. The frustration level was growing by the second.  It wouldn’t light and he didn’t think it would for at least a day.  When Brooke returned with two small fish he threw up his hands in disgust.  “You might as well set them free, we’re not going to have a fire today.”

“Then I guess it’s sushi.” She told him.

“No way.” He said with a frown. 

“Fine, you can starve, I’m not going to.” She said.

“You can’t possibly eat that raw.” He said in a dare.

“Watch me!” She said. With a proud toss of her hair she cut the fish and took a small piece and put it into her mouth. Taking as few bites as possible she managed to get it down.  Then she opened her mouth to prove it to him.

“You’re crazier than I imagined.” He said.

“I’m not going to starve, you are.  Who’s the crazy one? You do the math.” She said, taking another bite. But this time she pretended to relish it.  Nick looked on jealously but he wasn’t going to give in. 

“I’ll eat grapes.” He said.

“Oh and get more diarrhea?” She said.  “Nick you can’t live on just grapes, we’ve both been sick the last day and a half.  It’s pretty gross but it is filling.”

“I’ll wait.” He said.

“Suit yourself.” She found his attitude only made her stronger.  She ate her entire fish and then turned to Nick.  “Last chance.  You want it or do I get it?”

“Eat it Princess, I’m not a sushi man, never have been, never will be.”

Brooke then cut the second fish up and ate most of it.  What she couldn’t finish she gathered up and went back to the water and threw it in.  She knew it wouldn’t go to waste and maybe she would be feeding her future meal. She washed her hands in the water and looked at her palms. The aloe had healed her blisters and she was grateful to Nick for that.  But he was a stubborn and annoying man.  She wondered if she would have been happier without him but then quickly decided that the expression ‘Any Port in a Storm’ fit him and their situation.  She walked back to him and laughed as he sat eating coconut and grapes.  “I’m taking my walk.” She informed him.

“I doubt anything more will wash up now.” He said.

“You never know, besides, with the storm it might have moved things from the floor of the ocean.”

“Be careful of what you wish for.” He told her.  She frowned and started in the direction where she had found Nick. He got up and ran to catch up to her.  “What did you find in the other direction?” He asked her.

“Just beach like this, why?” She asked.

“No, I mean around the bend.  You did you climb up or swim around didn’t you?” He asked.

“No.” She said softly.

“You mean in all this time you haven’t ventured further than up and down this one stretch of beach?” He was not just flabbergasted but he was angry and Brooke’s eyes darkened in her own anger at him.

“I haven’t seen you doing any exploring Magellan.” She said sharply.

“I came from around that bend, I naturally assumed you had gone up the hill to see that there was nothing there.  So now I find out you’ve just been sitting on your butt waiting for someone to rescue you! For all we know there could be a f*cking Holiday Inn around the corner! What the hell is wrong with you anyway?” He screamed at her.

“Don’t you dare take an attitude with me.  I stayed here because it was safe, it was where I landed and I found water.  You want me to go traipsing off somewhere and maybe get lost and not have food or water or supplies or anything?  I know what I have here and it works, if you want to leave go! No one’s holding you hostage!” She screamed back.

“God damn stupid woman.” He muttered.  “You could have at least looked!”

“I did look! I found you didn’t I?” She screamed at him.

“If you want something done you have to do it yourself Nick.” He said loudly.  Then he turned and headed back to the campsite.  Brooke stood at the water’s edge fuming and watching him, but when he started to take her spear and her towels and her water she ran towards him screaming like a banshee. 

“You leave my things alone!”

“I do understand that he’s worried about her.” Taylor insisted.  “But it isn’t his place to go traveling all over the Caribbean looking for her. He has a family here that depends on him.  I am so angry I could spit.”

“Honey I agree with you, but when he saw Bridget sobbing like that he became her protector again, and I think he is better in this task than Eric would have been.” Stephanie told her daughter in law.  “You know it has nothing to do with Brooke, it’s all about Bridget.”

“No Stephanie, and I don’t care that it is about Brooke, I’m worried about her too.  But we have money, we hired detectives.  What does Ridge think that he can do that these professionals can’t?  He’s spent half of our marriage playing rescuer to her damsel in distress and I am so sick of it.” She looked at the clock on the wall.  “He said he’d be checking in at noon.  It’s two o’clock Stephanie, can’t I count on him for anything?”

“He’ll call.  Maybe he found her, maybe they’re on their way home.”

“The plane has a phone and he has his cell.  Not that he answers it.” She said angrily.

“He bought a new one Taylor, he didn’t feel that the reception on his was strong enough.  Didn’t he give you his new number?” Stephanie asked her.

“No!” Taylor said, stomping her foot.  “It’s always Brooke, it always will be Brooke.  One day he’s going to come home and find me gone, let’s see how he likes that.”

“What’s going on here?” Thorne asked as he walked in on the two women.

“Oh nothing Thorne, just the same old same old.” Taylor clucked.  “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this wasn’t another one of Brooke’s little games to try and get Ridge back.  Well you know what?  If she wants him she can have him!”

“Taylor!” Stephanie gasped.

“This shouldn’t be coming as a surprise to you Stephanie.  You know that after Morgan and the last nonsense with Brooke we haven’t been the same.  Our marriage is being held together by a thread and that thread is about to break.”

“Taylor, darling you love him and he loves you.  Please don’t talk this way.” Stephanie begged as an embarrassed Thorne looked on.

“I never should have let him come home.  Maybe then he would have learned.” Taylor continued.  “We haven’t shared a bed in six months. Six months Stephanie!” She said loudly.

“You can’t blame that on Brooke.” Thorne told her.

“Why the hell not?  She came on to him.  She wriggled her little finger at him and he came running.”

“But he came home to you Taylor.  He told Brooke that he would never leave you or your family.” Thorne reminded her.

“He already had left us Thorne, maybe not physically but mentally.  No, maybe it’s not really Brooke.  Maybe what we had really did die with Morgan Dewitt.  I don’t know if I ever looked at him the same way since she came into our lives.”

“Morgan is gone Taylor.” Stephanie insisted.

“But there will be another one.  Ridge always has to have another adoring woman in the wings, if he doesn’t he isn’t happy.  Why do you think it’s so important to him that he finds Brooke?  So she will forever be indebted to him.  He misses that.  She stopped flaunting her body at him, she stopped everything with him and he didn’t like it.  Well sometimes it takes something like this to make us all aware of what’s going on and what I know is that I don’t have a marriage anymore and instead of him staying home to try and make it one he’s off playing Brooke’s Mr. Wonderful.  I don’t know if I even care.  I really don’t.” She admitted. And from the look on her face Stephanie was desperately afraid that she really didn’t care.

 

 

Disgustedly Nick threw down his supplies and then picked up the water again. “You can’t deny me this now can you?”

“Why do you have to do this? We have what we need here.  We’re safe, we’re fed.  Why do you insist on leaving?” She said.

“Brooke, I’m not leaving.  I’m sorry, really. I didn’t mean to upset you.  I just wanted to see if there is anything on this island.  Maybe there are people, maybe there is more food, more water, a better beach anything.  Why are you so scared to try and find out?” He asked her.  He then took her hand and looked into her eyes.  She saw that he was truly sincere.

“Because this is where we washed up and this is where they’ll look and if we leave we’ll miss them.  Nick what if we miss our one chance to be rescued?”

“Okay, I have a plan.” He told her.  “We’ll hang the red towel from the tree.  We’ll start a really big fire.”
“We can’t get a fire started.” She said.

“Good point.” He said.  “But Brooke, if we don’t take a chance we will never know.  Maybe salvation is just around the bend.  Come on, come with me.  We’ll take a walk and explore.  I promise I’ll get us back here.”

“We could get lost.” She said.

“No we won’t, I have a really good sense of direction.  Anyway, we’re only going to go around the bend this time.  Then if we find nothing tomorrow we will go further into the brush.  We need more food Brooke, you know we do.  There may be more for us here, aren’t we pretty silly if we’re too scared to look for it?”

She looked at him and sighed.  “Yes.” She finally agreed.  “We do need to see what else we can find.  I’m sorry if I’m acting like a skittish colt.  I don’t mean to.”

“I’m scared too.  Damn Brooke, if it wasn’t for you I’d be dead, and you have to know it took a lot for Nick Parker to admit that.  So with your bravery and my bravery maybe we can put it all together and have the amount of bravery for one person.”

“I think I like you better when you’re being unreasonable.” She said.

“Why?” He laughed.

“Oh, it’s easier when I don’t like you.” She said with a grin.

“Oh come on, we can be friends can’t we?” He asked.  “We’ve been through a lot together already.”

“Don’t remind me.” She blushed as she thought about their spontaneous coupling. It had been hot, it had been good but she knew how wrong it had been too.  “Let’s please try and forget that.  It was a huge mistake, on both our parts.”

“Agreed, we will never talk about it again, on one condition.” He said in a serious voice.

“What?”

“That we try and be friends.” He said with a smile.

“Bosom buddies.” Brooke teased, but realized her pun when his eyes immediately went to her full breasts. “Oops, sorry.”

“Hey, I’m getting used to them.” He said.  “Nothing I can’t see everyday in Playboy, or maybe National Geographic.” He added with a wink. “So are you ready to explore?”

“You grab some grapes and coconut.” Brooke told him.  “I’ll get the spear and some other stuff.”

 

Ridge lowered his sunglasses again and looked out at the long white beach.  He didn’t know where to try next.  His first instinct was that she had had another breakdown.  He had visions of Barbados all over again.  He had searched all the abandoned homes and shacks on the island.  But he had come up blank.  Then he had retraced the police departments footsteps, checking the shops, the hotels, the airlines, the boat charters and no one at all had any recollection of Brooke. The shop keepers that she had met with remembered her but she had never returned and the hotel had even let him examine not only her room but the trash.  He had been hoping against hope to come up with something, a clue, a hint but the only proof of her existence had been two credit card receipts, one for the hotel and one for a watercolor that she had purchased from a local artist.  That had been shipped directly home to her in LA.  Ridge was reluctant to call home, not with such bad news, but he knew that Bridget and Rick, as well as his family would be waiting with baited breath of any word from him.  Retrieving his cell phone from his back pocket he prepared himself for a call that he didn’t want to make.

At the opposite end of the beach from where Brooke found Nick there was a tall cliff.  It was strewn with rocks but climbable. Climbable if you had shoes on at least. Brooke looked up with a sigh.  “I guess my part of the journey ends here.”

“No way, we’re a team aren’t we Princess?” Nick said with a smile.  “I knew I should have tried to make you something for your feet.”

“I should have let you.” She agreed.  “I’m sorry Nick, I know I tend to take the opposition to everything you suggest.  I promise to hear you out from now on.”

“I should have insisted.” He said.

“Anyway, don’t let me hold you back, you go on ahead and I’ll wait here.”

“We could go inland, I don’t know how far back we’d have to go though.” Nick suggested.

“No, that will take too much time, besides, all we want to do is get to the top and see if there’s even a reason to go down, if we go inland we could waste the whole day.” She said.

“Yeah, and I so wanted to catch Judge Judy.” He teased.

“You’re right, what else do we have to do. But Nick, it will get dark and we could get lost and where would we sleep and what would we eat?” She protested.

“Again you make good points. In that case I see only one alternative.”

“Good.” She said. “Maybe I can get a fire started while you’re gone.”

“Nope.” He said as he lifted her into his arms and started to walk towards the cliff.

“No! Nick come on and put me down, you can’t do this, I’m way too heavy.” She twisted and turned in his arms trying to get him to set her down.

“You are when you do this.” He complained.  “Brooke we’re doing this together, stop fighting me.”

“You’ll never be able to do it like this. Let me at least try and walk.”

“Okay, new idea.” He said putting her down.  “We’ll go piggyback.  Can you try that?”

“Nick really, this is insane.”

He kneeled down and tapped his back.  “Climb on Princess and wrap your legs around me, we can do this.”

“Nick!”

“Brooke please do it.” He told her.

Reluctantly she got behind him and climbed onto his back he pulled her legs around him and she put her arms around his chest.  “Are you sure?” She asked.

“Oh yeah.” He said.  But already it was killing him.  Her bare breasts were pressed tightly against his bare back.  He was glad that she couldn’t see him from the front because as much as he insisted he didn’t like her, his body had already betrayed him.  He was rock hard beneath his jeans and he was straining so hard he thought he might explode. 

As for Brooke the effect wasn’t dissimilar.  She felt a heat growing between her legs.  She had always been a sexual being, but she was not someone who gave herself without a thought.  The mating that she had shared with Nick had been fast, rough and crude but it was totally ruled by the emotions that had effected them both. Now she was feeling desires rising up again and she didn’t want it or like it.  She tried to concentrate on anything but Nick. 
The continued up the sharp embankment when they finally hit a smooth patch.  “Put me down Nick, I can walk from here.” Brooke insisted.

Nick gently lowered her down and held onto her as she got her footing back.  They both looked up. The summit wasn’t far at all.  “We should be there in a few minutes.” He told her.

“Then we’ll see if there’s anything worth going down there for.” Brooke finished.  “And what if it’s just more rocks?” She asked.

“Then we try another direction.  We have to find more resources Brooke, the grapes and coconuts are fine but we both learned they aren’t enough when there’s no fish to supplement them.”

“And the chocolate is almost gone.” She lamented.  “But what do you think you’ll find Nick?”

“These islands were populated years ago Brooke.  Maybe someone was on this one and maybe they planted some fruit trees.  I don’t know, maybe we can find a wild boar or something.”

“You’re gonna kill a pig?” Brooke laughed.

“You laugh now, but if I’m eating bacon while you munch on twigs I think you’ll be begging to join me.”

“We have a pen knife Nick, how do you expect to kill a pig, that is if you even find one, but how can you kill a pig with a pen knife?” She laughed even harder.

“I’ll chisel a larger spear with the rocks.  Come on Brooke, you used your head to keep us both alive.  Did you give up? No! Well I’m not going to either.  We have to at least try.  There may be something really useful ahead and I intend to find it.” He told her.

“Lead on Magellan.” She giggled. 

Nick frowned on her but started to walk.  Brooke took slow and cautious steps as she followed him but she soon fell far behind.  Nick noticed and turned and stopped.

“It’s okay Nick, you go on ahead, I’ll catch up.  I just don’t want to hurt my feet.” She called up to him.

“I can wait.” He said.

“No, please Nick, go on.” She insisted. 

He frowned but kept walking.  He slowed his pace a bit, kept looking back to make sure she was following but trudged on ahead.  Finally he reached the summit.  “Brooke! Brooke it’s a huge beach!” He called down to her.

“Great, another beach, like we don’t already have a beach.” She muttered to herself. “But Nicky boy found this one so of course it’s a better beach, you have to know that Brooke, men are always right.”

“Did you hear me?” He called down to her.

“Yeah, a beach, wow, what a shocker.” She called up.

“Sanctimonious bitch.” He mumbled.  “Can’t appreciate a damn think unless she does it herself.”  Then he turned back to her.  “I’m going to head down, it looks like a pretty clear pathway.  Call for me if you need help.”

“The day I need help from you it’ll snow here.” She muttered.  “Okay Nick, thanks.” She answered him.  “Male chauvinist piglet, let’s see if we can eat you.  How I’d love to make a spear and get you with it.”

The summit looked far away to her but she’d never give him the satisfaction of quitting and she’d be damned if she ever let him carry her again. Something about that smug bastard really got to her.  “Maybe it’s your cute little butt.” She giggled to herself as she watched him. He had cut the torn legs off of his jeans and he now had short scraggly shorts, but oh did they ever show off his toned body.  “Stop it!” She shouted loudly.

“Do you want me to wait?” He called back.  “When is she ever going to make up her mind?” He mumbled to himself.

“No, I was talking to myself, go on ahead Nick, I’m doing just fine.” She wiped the sweat from her brow.  “I am never going to put on clothes again for him.  Let him suffer, that is if he isn’t gay.” She muttered.  “You know he isn’t.” She sighed, once more remembering the hard thrusts he had pounded into her body, her body which was once more betraying her. “You need a man like a fish needs a bicycle Brooke, remember that.” She scolded herself.  When she looked up again Nick was gone.

He had been right, the way down was much easier, no rocks, hardly a bush, mostly a sandy path.  He ran down towards the beach, something told him he would find something, what he didn’t know but he had high hopes.

He looked out at the water.  It appeared to be more shallow and even more turquoise than their beach. And the fish, they must be more abundant because all the sea birds were diving wildly, at least at one particular spot.  “Let’s see who can catch more fish now.” He said as he headed towards the scene.  He started to wade out and even his presence wasn’t deterring the birds. He thought that to be quite odd.  They couldn’t be used to humans, unless they weren’t alone.  He wanted to see if there were schools of fish pooled in the large coral reef.

 

 

Brooke finally made the summit and looked down to find Nick.  He was wading, hip deep in the water heading towards a large group of birds.

“Now we’re supposed to eat sea gulls?” She said with a laugh.  “Hell, everything is said to taste like chicken, maybe they aren’t so bad.” But he seemed to be shooing them away.  “What are you doing Nick?” She asked herself.

 

 

At first he was sure his eyes were playing tricks on him, but then he knew, he knew that sooner or later this would happen.  He was glad that he was alone, that Brooke wasn’t with him.  She’d see it but he would prepare her for the shock.  Her legs were almost white, she’d been dead since the crash, he knew that.  It wasn’t that he had expected more survivors, he had hoped but not expected. Maybe in his deepest recesses he had imagined the others to be alive and well over here, wondering about Nick and Brooke, but now he knew that it wasn’t so.  This had to be Naomi, the druggie girl. He hoped she had died quickly.  No matter what he thought of her he knew she deserved a proper burial.  He had to drag the body to shore and get to work on digging.  The stench was almost unbearable.  He’d never been in contact with a dead body before, well not one outside of a sterile funeral parlor.  Real life was a lot different.  He reached for her foot, it was still encased in a bright red sneaker.  “Well Brooke, looks like you have shoes now.” He sighed.  As he tugged more birds scattered but he wasn’t at all prepared for what he saw next.  All that was left was her two legs and her lower torso.  “Sharks?” He wondered.  Or maybe it was just the crash.  He didn’t know what to do now. 

“Nick? Oh God Nick!” Brooke screamed as she stood at the shoreline watching him.  “It’s that girl, oh God it’s that girl.”

“Get back Brooke, you don’t want to see this.” He warned her.  But she had already gotten into the water and was wading over to him.  She stopped just behind him and started to cry. 

“What do you think did that to her?” She asked softly.

“The accident, or maybe sharks.  Brooke we have to bury her, or what’s left of her.  It’s the last show of respect we can give her.”

“Yes.” She said.  “Do you need help?”

“I’ll drag her in, you gather some large rocks.  We’ll dig as far as we can and cover her with the rocks.”

“Well you wanted to find something Nick, I guess we did huh?” She sighed.

“If she landed here Brooke, something else may have too.” He told her. 

“Yeah.” She agreed sadly.  “I’ll go get the rocks.”

 

 

It had taken almost two hours but they had dug, buried her and covered her remains with the rocks.  Brooke had said a prayer for her and then Nick had taken Brooke into his arms and held her.  “Can we go back now?” Brooke asked.

“We can’t stop now Princess.” He answered softly.  Then he handed her the sneakers.  Brooke’s tears ran down her face as she took them from him.  “She doesn’t need them anymore Brooke and you do.”

“Survival of the fittest huh?” She said.

“Yeah, that’s the name of the game.” He looked around and then handed her the spear. “I think we should camp here for the night.  You catch us some fish and I’ll get a fire started.”

This evening they had no competition, just cooperation.  They ate the three fish Brooke had caught, drank the water and coconut milk and then Nick had pulled her into his arms and they laid together until they both fell asleep under the stars.

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

Brooke’s eyes opened to the bright sunlight but it was the man whose arms were tightly around her that commanded her attention.  He had been so kind to her, he had truly cared and Brooke was grateful.  She vowed to herself to try and return his kindness.  Her hand went to his face and touched him softly.  He was a very handsome man. She smiled as he too opened his eyes.  “Good morning.” She said.

“Hi.” He muttered.  He felt so comfortable, her soft body complimented his hard one so well, almost too well. When he felt his body begin to betray him he let go of her and sat up.  “Did you sleep okay?” He asked.

“I didn’t think I ever would but yes.” She told him.  “Thank you Nick, I really appreciate you’re being there for me.”

“Where else would I be?” He asked with a laugh.  “I’ll be back in a bit.” He said as he stood up.

“Where are you going?” Brooke asked him.

“Nature calls Princess, don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you.”

Yesterday this would have annoyed Brooke but today, today she was glad.  “I’ll try and get up some fish okay?” She said.

“Fish would be wonderful.” He agreed. 

Brooke watched him walk down the beach with a determined stride. She decided at that moment to do her best not to aggravate him. She gathered her fishing gear and went down to the water.  He might be right, she decided.  This beach seemed to be more abundant than the other one was.  Perhaps they should move their camp.  In less than ten minutes she had caught a large fish.  She brought it back to the campsite and using what Nick had taught her cleaned and filleted it.  She wrapped it in some large leaves and found a long stick.  Then she put it on the fire to cook.  She looked up towards the shoreline and saw Nick was peering out at the horizon.  He was scared and lonely too.  She wasn’t in this alone.  She had to start to consider his feelings too.  She wanted to know more about him, maybe they could be friends.  They might be here a long time. She looked at him again.  He had a strong, broad, masculine back.  Brooke once more felt desire well up in her. “Stop it Brooke, this is not a romantic getaway, you’re marooned! Grow up!” She scolded herself. She laughed aloud and turned her attention back to the cooking fish, when she looked up again Nick was returning.

“Wow you’re fast.” He said. 

“I think you were right about this beach.” She admitted.

“Maybe first time luck.” He sighed.  “I can’t believe no one has come looking for us yet.  Someone has to know that idiot was missing.”

“But even if they did they wouldn’t have any idea where he was headed.” Brooke said sadly.  “Do you think we can build a raft?”

“A raft?  And where do you plan on rafting to?  Do you know where we are cause I sure as hell don’t.” He said with a kick of his foot. 

“No. Just trying to think Nick.  I want to go home as badly as you do.” Brooke looked so sad that Nick just couldn’t be mad.  He walked up to her and pulled her into an embrace.

“We’ll get home Brooke, somehow we will. Don’t give up on me. I need that spitfire that was fighting me all day.  Please stay strong cause if you don’t I’m not so sure that I can.”

“We’re some pair huh?” Brooke said softly.  She looked up into his eyes with her own dewy ones and without knowing why she got up onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his mouth.  It started as a kiss of friendship, of caring but they both got caught up in it and against both of their judgements it intensified. Nick’s tongue made it’s way into her mouth and her arms snaked around his back as she pulled him closer to her. 

“Brooke.” Nick said, finally breaking the spell.  “Our fish is burning.”

“Oh, oh.” She said as she blushed.  She had enjoyed the kiss, more than she would even admit to herself. But she let go and moved the meal off of the fire.  Carefully she peeled the leaves away.  “I think it’s still okay.”
“I have no plans on wasting it.” Nick told her. He opened one of the water bottles and took a gulp, then handed it to Brooke. “Too bad it’s not coffee.” He laughed.

“God I know what you mean.” Brooke said with a huge grin.  “I would kill for a nice strong cup of coffee, hell I’d even kill for a weak one.”

“Funny how we never appreciate the things we have in our everyday lives.” Nick said. “I know that when I get home I am going to reassess everything.  I’m going to take it a lot slower, learn to savor things we take for granted.”

Brooke blew on the fish, broke off a piece and put it into her mouth. “Me too.” She said after swallowing.  “People too.  Like my kids.  I don’t think I told them enough how much I love them.” She said sadly.

“Then you will when you get home.” Nick assured her.  “Tell me about them.  How old are they?  Where is their Dad? Is he still in the picture? I remember from the plane you said you weren’t married.”
“No, not at the moment.” She confessed with a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Nick asked her.

“My whole life.” Brooke said. “I’ve been married way too many times to the wrong people.  You know that old cowboy song “Lookin’ for Love’? Well that could be the story of my life.”

“I can’t believe that. Not a pretty woman like you.  I bet you have to fight the men off.”

“That doesn’t spell happiness though Nick.  I’ve made some huge mistakes.  But I really would rather not think about them right now.  But I’d love to tell you about my kids.” She said with pride.  “My oldest is Rick, Eric Forrester Jr.  He is a wonderful young man.  He’s my right hand these days.  But he’s inherited his mother’s bad judgement about love.  He married a girl that frankly I don’t like or approve of.”

“Married?” Nick gasped.  “Surely your children can’t be old enough to be married.”

“They both are.” Brooke said.  “Both to people I’d rather they weren’t.  Oh who am I fooling, I wish neither one was married.  They’re way too young Nick. They missed their whole youth.”

“How sad.” He said shaking his head.  “I guess I’m lucky to never have had kids.”
“Oh no.” Brooke disagreed.  “They are the light of my life.  I can’t imagine not having them.  I just wish I could have given a better example, I wish I could have helped to guide them better.  But they seem somewhat happy even if I’m not.”

“I wish I had some advice.” Nick told her.

“Too late for that.” She giggled.  “But thanks anyway.”

“So is there any chance you’ll change your mind about their spouses?” Nick wondered.

“Hmmmm, no.” She giggled.  “Well maybe.  Amber is nothing but a gold digger but she is a good mother, I have to give her that much.”

“Mother? My God Brooke, you aren’t telling me that you’re a grandmother!”

“Technically no, but yes I am. Little Eric is not their child, he’s the son of Amber’s dead cousin Becky, but at one point we thought he was Rick’s.  It’s a long story but yeah, I suppose Amber losing Rick’s baby does make me a grandmother. Ouch.” She said with a laugh.

“And your other child?”

“Bridget.” Brooke smiled.  “She is so beautiful.  She’s smart too.  But she fell for an older man’s charms and she eloped.  Her father and I were horrified but so far she is happy.  I don’t trust her husband.  I know he married her for all the wrong reasons but he does seem to genuinely care about her.  I’m just afraid it won’t last and that Bridget will be devastated.  She’s a very sensitive girl.”

“Does she have children?” Nick asked her.

“No thank God.” Brooke smiled.  “She’s too young Nick and she’s going to medical school.”

“Ambitious.  Like her mother I assume.”

“More so, much more so.  My ambitions all seemed to be motivated by my heart and those all ended so badly.”

“But you’re a business woman right?”

“I’m CEO of Forrester, much to the chagrin of most of the family.”

“Forrester Creations? The fashion house?” He asked.

“Yes.  I didn’t know you’ve heard of us.”

“I didn’t crawl out from under a rock Brooke.  I love your men’s line.  I have two of your suits.”

“Well thank you.” She smiled.

“Of course they set me back about a years worth of salary.”

“You’re kidding aren’t you?” She asked.

“You know something Brooke.  I am and I’m not.  You make good, quality things but did you ever consider creating a ready to wear line? I mean most of the world can’t afford you.”

“I’ve though of it often but Ridge and Eric both are against the idea.  They don’t mind it with the Bedroom Line but not the haute couture or the men’s line.” She said with a sigh.  “I know that I should have final say and I do, but sometimes I have to defer to experience.”

“Eric and Ridge?” Nick asked.

“Eric Forrester, my first husband and the father of my children.  He and his first wife Stephanie created Forrester.”

“Ah, and you won it in the divorce?” He asked.

“No, that’s a long story too.”

“We’ve got nothing but time.” He told her.

“No, I don’t think so.  You’re just starting to like me.  I think I want to keep it that way for at least a little while.” She said with a sparkling smile.

“So then who is Ridge?” He asked.  He knew the name, she must have told him about him before but for some strange reason he just couldn’t remember when.

“Ridge is Eric’s oldest son and the love of my life.” Brooke said with a deep sigh.  “Ridge and I were married also but it wasn’t meant to be.  We’re still friends, at least I hope we are.  You see recently I blew it Nick.  I went through a bad time and decided that the only thing in the world that could make me happy was Ridge, so I went after him.”

“What’s so bad about that?” Nick asked.  He pulled off another piece of fish and put it in his mouth. 

“Ridge happens to be married, happily married with three children.  But none of that mattered to me.  The only thing I cared about was getting him back.”

“Did you? Get him back I mean?” He asked through chews.

“What an odd question.  Do you not think it was terrible of me?” She wondered.

“Eat.” He said, handing her a piece of fish.  “And no, I don’t think so.  You just told me he was the love of your life.  Sometimes people have to get hurt even if we don’t like it.  So did you get him?”

“Almost.” She said taking a bite.  She carefully chewed it, swallowed, took a sip of water and looked into Nick’s eyes.  “I can’t believe you aren’t condemning me.”

“I believe in the power of love Brooke.”

“Well he was starting to come around. I was so positive we were going to be together and then I guess he thought about what he’d be losing.  He let me down again.  The story of my life I suppose.”

“So what, if I may ask, brought you to the point that you had to have him again?” Nick asked.

“You ask a lot of questions.” Brooke giggled.

“I have no one else to talk to.  I promise I am discreet Brooke.  Not a word to anyone.”

“I’ll make you a deal.”

“Shoot.” He said.

“I’ll tell you a bit more but then you have to tell me about your fiancée.”

“That’s fair.” He agreed.  “But how about this. You keep telling me your story, then we get started exploring and at dinner I’ll tell you mine.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Brooke said with a smile.  “My marriage was breaking up.  Well, not exactly.  I guess I just realized that it was missing something.  The passion that I had with Ridge, well that wasn’t there.”

“That must have hurt him.” Nick said.

“It did.”

“I mean to be compared to your own son.” Nick laughed.

“No, it wasn’t Eric.  I told you I’ve been married too many times.”

“Oh, I just assumed.”

“It was Thorne.” Brooke blushed.

“Am I supposed to know who Thorne is?”

“Ridge’s brother.” Brooke said much too softly and much too quickly.

“No way!” Nick howled.  “You married the father and two brothers?”

“Yes.” She said through gritted teeth.  “Is the judging going to start now?”

“No, no I promised.  How did you end up marrying another one?”

“I guess I was stupid.  Stephanie says I’m a slut.  I think I’m a hopeless romantic.  I wanted so much to find true happiness. Thorne is a good man, a really good man but we just weren’t suited.”

“You had too much fire.” Nick stated.

“Now why would you say that? You don’t know Thorne or Ridge and you barely know me.”

“I know you are a wild ball of fire Brooke and if this guy married a woman who had already married his father and brother, well he must have had some issues of his own.  Am I wrong?”

“We all have our issues Nick.  Don’t paint Thorne as a loser, he’s not, I am.  He was way too good for me.  I didn’t deserve him.”

“Don’t do that to yourself Brooke.” Nick told her. 

“Can we not talk?” Brooke asked.  “I’m starting to feel sort of foolish.”

“Not talk huh? What shall we do?” He asked suggestively.

“Sorry Nick, I may be labeled one but I’m not a slut.  Let’s just go exploring.”  She stood up and wiped her hands.  “Nick?”
“Yeah?”

“Can I borrow your shirt? Suddenly I’m feeling a little too vulnerable.”

“Sure Princess.” He said.  He took his shirt off and handed it to her.  “But I was just getting used to it.” He added with a smile.


The beach was a long one.  Nick and Brooke walked along the shoreline, looking for anything else that might have washed up.  They both hoped and prayed that they wouldn’t find another gruesome discovery like they had the day before and luck was on their side.  They found several pieces of the plane but no bodies or body parts.  When they reached the end of the beach Brooke stopped and put her hands on her waist.  “Now what?”

“Now we go inland, look for water, food shelter all the rest of the comforts of home.”

“Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Nick is going to catch me a wild boar.” Brooke laughed.

“I might.  I did hear noises last night, there’s something alive on this island.”

“You and me and the fishes.” Brooke said with a frown.

“Are you giving up on me Princess?” He asked.

“Lead on, I have shoes so I can go anywhere you can go.”

Nick turned to face the bushes leading inland.  “Let’s see.  I think that looks like a bit of a path.” He said as he pointed.

“Nick, tell me something.  If this island is uninhabited, how can there be a path?”

“Well it could be the wind, or animals or just something that nature created.  Or people might have lived here once.”

“Too bad they had to leave so soon.” Brooke pouted.  “I wouldn’t mind finding a McDonalds or something.”

“I would have assumed you’d want to find a Spago.” He teased.

“Oh yes Nick, I do like good food, but at this point I wouldn’t be choosy at all.  I’d settle for a Seven-Eleven. I could go for one of those Slurpee things.” She said.

“Heaven, pure heaven.” Nick agreed.  “I’d settle for a Slim-Jim.”

“Yuck no.” Brooke laughed.  Then she got serious again. “I really was hoping that we’d find civilization.”

“We may yet Brooke, this island seems to be large, we might still get lucky.”

“I’m not going to rely on dreams Nick.” She said.  “But I won’t give up all hope.  Maybe we’ll find something useful.”

“Good girl.” He said.  “That’s the attitude, follow me.”

“I’m on your back Magellan.” She answered.

The path started out pretty clear and easy to follow but as they got further inland it almost disappeared.  Brooke was very grateful to have the dead woman’s sneakers on her feet but she wished that she had some insect repellant.  She was getting bitten over and over and was falling behind Nick.  He didn’t seem to be annoyed by the bugs at all. Brooke was getting tired and thirsty.  She hoped they’d find water because their bottles were running low.  “Hey Nick!” She called out.  “Can you slow down a little bit?”

Nick groaned and stopped.  He turned to find her far down the path.  “Brooke if you can’t keep up maybe you should go wait on the beach.”

“Oh stop it.” She said in an annoyed voice.  “Don’t be a show off.  We agreed to try and work together.” She said too softly for him to hear.  She then sat down, took off her shoes and took a sip of water. 

“Oh for God’s sake.” Nick muttered.  He took hard strides and walked back to where Brooke was sitting.  “Do you really need a break already?”

“I had something in my shoe and I’m thirsty.  It’s not like we’re on a time schedule anyway.”

Nick sat down next to her and put his hand under her chin. He lifted her face until she was looking at him.  “Oh yes we are Princess.  It’s day now, we have light.  When nighttime comes we won’t.  We will not be able to see anything in front of us or behind us and in case you haven’t noticed some of the vines are so thick that they are blocking the sky.  That leaves out following the stars.  So basically we will be lost.  I have no intention of being lost in the jungle all night long.  So if you can’t keep up go back and I mean it Brooke.  I can’t afford to baby you.”

“I’m not asking to be babied you arrogant prick!” She shouted at him.  “All I wanted to do was take a damn pebble out of my shoe and drink some water but if you can’t wait then just go on ahead, I can manage just fine on my own!”

“Would you cut the attitude Brooke.  I thought you were going to try and get along with me!”

“I was? I was?  And what about you Nick? Weren’t you going to try to be nicer yourself or are you exempt from manners?”  She shook her shoe out and looked up at him.  “This was a big mistake, I should have known you’d be showing your true colors again.”

“Can we start over please?” Nick asked her.

“No, just go, I’m fine, I don’t need you and I certainly don’t need to be babied.”  She looked up into his eyes with fury.  Then she unbuttoned his shirt and took it off.  “Here! I don’t need this either.  Hell, I was just trying to make you feel more comfortable anyway!”

“Suit yourself.” He said angrily.  He flung the shirt over his shoulder and stormed off.

Brooke’s eyes widened in shock as he soon was out of her range of vision.  “I never thought you’d really do it.  I hate you Nick Parker!”

Nick walked as fast as his feet would take him, anything to be away from the woman that aggravated the hell out of him.  Brooke Logan might be beautiful and she might be the best kisser he had ever experience but she was one stubborn bitch and he was sick of putting up with her tantrums. Sooner or later she was going to have to admit that she needed him and then and only then would he think about forgiving her.  He trudged ahead, fully expecting to hear her call out, begging him to wait.  He even slowed his pace but she was again being stubborn.  He knew she had to be following close behind him.  She probably was ducking into the brush, trying to fool him.  He laughed aloud at her childishness and then stopped and turned around.  “Okay Brooke, you can come out now.”  But after two minutes which felt more like two hours she hadn’t shown herself and Nick was getting not only annoyed but worried.  “Don’t make me come after you again Princess, you are not going to like me much if I do.”

He waited again but still Brooke did not show herself to him. 

 

 

After Nick had disappeared Brooke had a decision to make.  She could try and follow him or go back.  Brooke wasn’t a quitter, no matter what he thought of her she would never be one.  She made the only choice that there was.  She would follow him and prove her own usefulness.  She tied the laces on the sneakers and then stood up.  Angrily she swung at a swarm of bugs that were assaulting her now bare breasts.  She was so angry that she had let Nick get to her.  She had lost the only protection that she had, now her chest was already starting to fill with tiny red welts.  Tears welled in her eyes but she growled and wiped them away.  “You’re just as strong as he is Brooke.” She told herself.  She looked ahead and determined that Nick had really gone off without her.  “Prick.” She muttered again.  She then started down the path, hoping to meet up with him again.  What she didn’t realize was that in her anger she had made a costly turn and she had veered off onto a totally different course. 

 

 

Nick decide that she was going to be stubborn and that the only way he was going to make any progress at all would be to go and get her.  He wasn’t happy about it but he didn’t want to waste anymore precious daylight.  He started back towards where he had left her.  “I hope you’re happy Princess.” He mumbled.  “You win again.”

 

 

Brooke had walked for almost ten minutes and she still hadn’t caught up to Nick.  She was really mad now.  It was one thing for him to storm off but to do it at such a pace was just plain thoughtless. 

“Okay Nicky boy! You win! I’m the helpless female and you big strong caveman! Come rescue me!” She shouted.  ‘If that doesn’t get you nothing will.’ She thought with a laugh.  But her laugh didn’t last long.  Nick didn’t respond.  He really had left her alone.

“I got along without you in the beginning and I’ll get along without you now.” She said.  Wiping her sweaty brow Brooke decided it was time to explore on her own.  Nick would come back eventually and it would surely serve him right if she was the one to discover something to help them.  “If he went this way then I will go a different way.” She said.  “But what way will I go?”  She stood silently and looked skyward.  She wanted to see if there were birds.  She wanted to see which direction they were going.  They’d be looking for food and maybe it would be a fruit tree.  She stayed as still as a statue and her efforts were rewarded.  A small flock of exotic birds took flight and headed to the right.  “Okay, right it is.” She said.  Pushing her way through the thick brush Brooke continued on.  It was hot and steamy and after about a half-hour Brooke wondered if she had made a mistake.  She was about to turn around and retrace her steps when she heard a noise.  It was a familiar sound but she couldn’t put her finger on it.  “Troop on Brooke.” She smiled to herself.  After she traveled another fifty or so feet she stopped again.  The sound was louder and finally she knew what it was. “Water!” Brooke exclaimed.  “It’s running water!”  Brooke was so excited.  The small stream that they had been using was good but this could be so much better.  She pushed more vines out of her way, each step the sounds getting stronger and stronger.  Finally she broke through the brush and she had to wonder if her eyes were deceiving her.  A laugh started low in her belly and exploded.  What stood before her was a large, glorious waterfall with a huge pool at the bottom. She had struck gold, she had surely struck gold.  “Yes!” She proclaimed. 

She was so hot and so tired that she stripped off her sarong, untied her sneakers and immediately waded into the water.  It was cool and refreshing and crystal clear.  Brooke scooped some into her hands and with a silent prayer brought them to her mouth.  ‘Please be fresh.’ She prayed.  And again her prayers were answered.  Not only was it fresh but it was the sweetest, purest water she had ever tasted.  Tears filled her eyes as she sipped more and more of the precious nectar.

 

 

Nick was getting really scared.  He had retraced the entire route and Brooke wasn’t there.  He went back to the beach, to their campsite but again there was no sign of her.  He wondered if she would have returned to the other beach, to their permanent campsite. Not ready to abandon her he took the long walk down the length of the beach and then up the cliff.  It had taken him almost an hour but when he got to the top he had a full vantage point of both beaches.  Brooke was on neither of them.  “Damn that woman, she’s lost in the freaking jungle.” He lamented.  Now he was low on water, lower on energy but high on adrenaline.  Worry did that to him and he was worried about Brooke.  He headed back to the trail that they had taken.  Again he retraced the now well-worn steps, calling her name.  “Brooke where are you, where are you Princess?” He asked softly.

 

 

Ridge sat down at the bar and ordered a Corona and a hamburger.  While he waited for it to be delivered he checked his messages.  The detectives had called.  The lead that they had on Brooke had turned out to be bogus.  He was discouraged but not at all ready to give up.  Someone knew where Brooke was and he would find that someone.  The next call was Eric.  He was asking about Ridge’s progress and reporting on Bridget’s delicate state of mind.  Ridge felt pain for the girl.  She loved her mother so much, he wished he had some good news for her.  Then came the call he had dreaded the most, Taylor.  She was short and direct.  She wanted him home and she wanted him home now.  The kids had functions that he was expected to attend, his own line was falling behind and she was plain sick and tired of coming second to Brooke in his head and heart.  “It’s not like that Doc.” He said to the recorded voice.  “But I’m sorry, I can’t abandon her.  I can’t leave until I find her.  One way or the other.” He added softly. 

 

 

Nick was about to continue on his path when he suddenly looked down.  Footprints, small feminine footprints that could only have been Brooke’s and they were leading down a different path.  “So you can do it without me huh Princess?” He laughed.  “You went and got yourself lost.  Well Nick is here to rescue you.  Let’s hope you’re scared and humbled this time cause I am sick of your holier than thou attitude.”  He started down the narrow path and had to laugh again.  Only Brooke would have thought this was the same one he was on.  He found nothing but vines and bugs and heat.  He imagined the sweat glistening on her bare breasts and felt himself harden.  “I have to stop thinking about you like that Princess.”

 

Brooke was enjoying herself so much but she knew she had to get out and find Nick.  She was worried about him but she also couldn’t wait to throw her discovery in his face.  “Arrogant prick.  He thinks he’s the only one who can do anything.  Well who found the waterfall Nick? Huh?” She said with a laugh.  She finally tore herself away from the cool, healing waters and retrieved her sarong.  She tied it around her waist and decided to walk around the waterfall.  Perhaps she’d find something more.  She put her sneakers back on her feet and started to walk.  “It’s my imagination, it’s just my imagination.” Brooke told herself.  But she smelled oranges.  She knew she did.  “Please God please.” She begged as she made the turn.  In her wildest dreams she had hoped to see an orange tree, or even any kind of a citrus tree but she wasn’t prepared for the sight in front of her.  She rubbed her eyes to make sure it wasn’t a mirage and then she fell to her knees sobbing.  “People.” She whispered, “There are people.”

 

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