Thirty minutes after departing the airport in one of the taxi services that the airport provided for the passengers Catherine and Grissom had reached the marina. Gil gave the driver 20 dollars for the taxi ride even though the cost of the ride was only fifteen. The driver, who was a young man in his early to late twenties, had gotten the couple to the marina in record time. For his fast service and charming personality Gil decided to give him a five dollar tip. Something the young man had never received or even thought was conceivable from an American.
Catherine and Grissom headed down the docks that lead towards the marina. There was a large arch above the entrance that was made of weathered wood. The letting was worn down from tropical storms over the years and it read MRNA, missing the A and I. The dock it self did not feel to be so steady for the boards creaked under Gil and Catherine�s weight. Gil was terrified that they would fall into the ocean.
Back at the airport Catherine had changed from her airplane clothes that had begun to stink from sweat and were crumpled to pieces. She freshened up in the woman�s bathroom, changing into a flowing sun dress that was as orange as the sun. It had tropical floral print of large white flowers scattered along it and was cut low to show her cleavage. The bottom of the dress flowed in the tropical wind as her sandal clicked across the boards. Her blonde hair that was done in waves was tied back away from her face with a clip and her dark sunglasses rested on the top of her head.
Gil was still dressed in his plane clothes, enjoying the comfort they supplied for him. He was still a bit tired and his right arm felt like it was going to fall off while lugging his duffle bag down the dock that stretched at least a mile. His wife looked like a goddess in the sun, her smile radiated the sun and her skin looked bronze in the light. She was already suntanned before coming on this trip.
The couple turned down onto an adjoining dock that veered to the right. Along this dock were numerous boats of all sizes waiting to be taken out to sea. Catherine noticed fishermen�s boats and could see some of the native Bermuda people going through their catches of the day. For some on this island fishing was a way of income. The men all stared as Catherine walked by, as if they had not been fortunate to be in the presence of a woman before in their lives. However, when the men noticed Gil, there gazes adverted back to the fish, knowing that the woman was taken.
Down at the far end there was the only Yacht that was docked momentarily at the Marina. The boat, which was so white and shinny that you could see your reflection in was at least ten feet long. The masts were up, blowing in the wind, ready to set sail. It looked like a gleaming jet in the ocean compared to the other rundown boats surrounding it.
Catherine and Gil had finally made it to the boat, seeing that it was named Aphrodite, after the Greek goddess of love and beauty who was born from sea foam. It was the most appropriate name for such a beautiful boat, Aphrodite�s sole crew member emerged from the bridge at the sight of her new passengers.
The man who looked to be no older than thirty gave Catherine and Gil a smile as he jumped down from the boat deck and on to the dock. Gil watched as the young, clean shaven man embraced his wife and gave her a kiss on either cheek. He began to feel jealous as Catherine returned her greeting with a kiss of her own.
�You must be the lucky man,� the younger gentleman replied helping Catherine onto the Yacht.
�Alfonzo, this is my husband Gil, Gil this is Alfonzo.� Catherine said introducing the two men as she put her sunglasses on to shield the blistering sun.
Alfonzo took the two duffle bags Gil had carried all the way down the two mile dock and disappeared into the cabin to put the bags away in their quarters. He emerged a few seconds later with a smile on his face. His skin looked golden from being out in the sun for such an extended period of time, yet he did not look like the other Bermudian people who inhabited the island. When he spoke he had more of a Spanish accent then a Bermudian one.
Gil helped himself up onto the massive boat, coiling his arm around Catherine�s waist bringing her in close to him. He was marking his territory silently with Alfonzo. However, it did not seem to matter because Alfonzo did not have any interest in Catherine what so ever. When Gil took a closer look at the man he could see a wedding band on his left hand. He had his own wife back at home.
Alfonzo stuck out his hand, showing of an expensive diving watch, waiting for Gil to do the same to shake hands.
�You can just call me Al like my cousin and everyone else on this island does.�
Gil shot a glance at Catherine, but he couldn�t decipher her expression beyond the tint of her sunglasses, but a smile still illuminated her lips. Gil knew there had to be a catch for Catherine planning this trip and getting this boat for the cost of nothing for an entire week. Knowing people in high and beautiful places makes trips happen more often.
"Well I better be off so you two can enjoy a week on the ocean. There is diving equipment in the closet downstairs incase you two want to investigate some ship wrecks and such. You should have enough food and gas in this baby for the whole week; however the winds are usually strong at this time of year so you won�t be using as much fuel.� Al explained running his hands through his hair.
It was obvious this boat was the mans baby, and that he wanted them to take care of it for the week. Although he wouldn�t have rented it to them if he did not trust them to bring it back in one piece. Al gave Catherine one final hug, and then Gil a pat on back before jumping off the boat again.
�Thank-you Al, I appreciate this!� Catherine called down as Gil went to start the engine and Al was untying the ropes keeping her docked.
�No problem Cath, anything for family! Just don�t do anything I wouldn�t do.� Al called back and Catherine just let out a giggle, waving as the boat pulled away from the dock.
Gil stood at the bridge his hands maneuvering the big captain�s wheel as he headed out into the open ocean. He still remembered how to sail and drive a boat from when he took a boating course when he was in boy scouts. He still didn�t know why he did it for he lived in a desert and there was no water for miles, but he did. Now, he was glad he had, because this is exactly what he and Catherine needed. An exotic getaway on a boat for a week. No kids, no distractions, no work, no phones, and no death. It was just him and his wife, basking in the sun, diving with the fish, and drinking margaritas.
Gil sped up, pushing the lever on his right as he could hear the engine that was an inboard outboard revving underneath him. He glanced out behind him and could see the foam and waves they were creating that looked like a break in the calm ocean. He turned his attention back to the front seeing Catherine near the railing at the bow of the boat. Her hair and dress were blowing in the wind as she was looking out at the open ocean ahead of them.
Land mass faded around them, leaving them out in the middle of the deep blue. Gil made a right, avoiding a sandbar he could see from the top of the water, making sure not to ground the boat twenty minuets into their vacation. White clouds hovered above them, giving them shade from the sun�s rays for moments at a time. Birds soared overhead in flocks and some even dove down into the water catching fish in between there bills.
Gil slowed the boat down, putting it on auto pilot as he checked the depth meters and fish finder. There were no dangers around for miles so it was safe to leave the boat unmanned for a bit. Nothing was around them, not even other boats; commercial or sport were spotted on the ocean.
Catherine turned to look at her husband, feeling the boat slow down as she loosened her grip on the side railings. The metal felt like lava on her hands, but she didn�t want to fall overboard. The wind was blowing right in her face as she turned to look towards the stern of the ship and she could hear the flapping of the sails. It almost sounded like fire crackers going off. This was exactly how she had pictured this romantic getaway. Just she and Gil, isolated on a boat in the middle of know where. No cell phones telling them they have another crime scene to attend to, no case reports to fill out, no screaming two year old and no sulking teenager. It was perfect, nothing could happen to make this trip a disaster.
Gil emerged onto the boat deck coming up behind his wife who had turned back around to look out at the beautiful ocean hoping to see a dolphin or some other sea creature. He wrapped his arms around her waist as the hem of her dress blew towards him. He rested his hand on her shoulder, giving her a kiss on her heated neck, hearing Catherine moan with passion. This trip could not get anymore romantic.
Catherine smiled at Gil�s gentle and graceful touch. She loved the way he kissed her, the way he touched her, the way he caressed her. Gil treated her like a queen, and she treated him like a king. The love they shared for one another could not be broken by anything or anyone. They had waited so long to finally express their true feelings to one another. They had been friends and co-workers at the Crime lab for nearly a decade when they finally decided it was time. Neither of them regrets doing it either.
�So this is how we got the trip, family ties.� Gil whispered in Catherine�s ear and pecked her neck for a second time.
�Not my family,� Catherine replied and turned around. Her face was millimeters from his. Catherine was so close that Gil could make out the blue in her eyes beneath the tint of her sun glasses.
�Who�s family then?�
�Sara�s�
Catherine gave Gil a peck on the cheek before walking off towards the galley. She was famished. Gil stood there a little surprised and could hear the click of Catherine�s sandals on the wood, slowly dissipating as she moved further and further away.
After a few seconds Gil turned and ran after her, joining her for a bite to eat in the galley.
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