Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2002 10:37:05 -0600
From: pnskid61@hotmail.com
Subject: Sojourn 2 and 3

The story below is a work of fiction and contains erotic and/or sexually
explicit behavior between consenting males. If you find this type of writing
offensive, or if you are underage and it is illegal to view it, please do
not read further, but exit now.

The author reserves all copyright privileges. This work may not be
reproduced, except for personal use, without permission of the author, and
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Chapter Two

Jason decided to go out on deck to go for a stroll before going to bed.
Jason's favorite place on a ship is at the stern.  You can see the wake made
by the powerful Azipod propulsion units which move Sojourn along at almost
20 knots.  There was a private crew area which was down a few decks close to
the wake.  It was a great spot and there wouldn't be anybody there at this
time of night.

So Jason stood at the rail, lost in his thoughts.  He could stay like this
for hours.  But, not tonight.  He decided to go back to his cabin and read a
few chapters before going to sleep.  When he turned he saw someone sitting
in the corner.  Feet on the rail, not moving.  He went over to make sure a
crew member had not fallen asleep when he realized it was Rick.  His heart
leapt.  He could finally say thanks and with any luck get a smile.

Rick jumped.  He really jumped.  Jason scared him senseless.  He almost
couldn't breath.  Rick was very embarrassed about his reaction and blushed.
Jason's felt so bad.  He introduced himself to Rick and told him thanks for
the way he handled things earlier.  Still blushing, maybe even blushing a
bit more, Rick did smile.  Only a little.  But it was a smile.

Jason asked if he could join him and told Rick that this was one of his
favorite spots.  Rick said it was his too and that he would like some
company.  What started out as strained small talk turned into 4 hours of
constant chatter.  Rick was from Destin in Northwest Florida.  He has 24
years old and had always loved the sea.  His Dad and Mom had recently passed
away in a tragic car accident.  He didn't have any siblings and so he
decided to go to see and "see the world".  He had worked in a hotel bar in
Destin so he had experience that the cruise line liked.  He had a cabin down
on A deck which he shared with a guy named Felipe.  Rick didn't like him
much.  Felipe wasn't very friendly too him, he snored, left clothes and wet
towels around, and would leave the TV and lights on all night if he could.
Felipe also had a thing for pictures of nude women which he posted on the
mirrors and walls.  Rick really hated being in that cabin with Felipe.
Since Rick wasn't an officer, he didn't have full run of the ship like Jason
did so this part of the ship had become a refuge for Rick.

Jason's heart went out to Rick.  He was a gorgeous and smart guy who had
experienced a tragic loss.  He was stuck in a cabin with a guy he didn't
like.  And damned that Southern accent was so sweet.

Jason mentioned to Rick that he liked to run and swim and spend time on the
beach.  Rick said he liked those things as well but didn't know where to go.
  The next day Sojourn would be in St Thomas so Jason suggested they meet by
the gangway at 9am.  Jason would take him to some of his favorite places if
Rick wanted to go.  Jason got the one thing he had wanted.  A smile.  A big
smile.  Jason was happy.


Chapter Three

The next morning, at 9am, Rick was there.  Jason hadn't ever seen Rick in
full light and his knees went weak.  Rick was more than gorgeous.  Whatever
is more than gorgeous - Rick was that.  He was 5'9", blonde hair, hazel
eyes, and cute dimples. He was dressed in a white t-shirt and khaki cargo
shorts.  The t-shirt was clinging to Rick's stomach and you could clearly
see a 6 pack underneath.  But those legs.  Wow.  Muscular with a covering of
hair.  Jason almost couldn't breath.  When Rick saw Jason and smiled, Jason
really thought he was going to faint.

They found a taxi and went to Magen's Bay for a swim.  The beach was fairly
crowded so after a swim they decided to go into Charlotte Amalie for a light
lunch.  They then explored the many shops of St Thomas.  Rick loved watches
and had always wanted a nice watch.  He told Jason that he was going to save
up and by himself a watch.  He found one that he liked and figured that in 2
months he would come back.  They left the shopping area and decided to jog
back to Sojourn which was docked about 2 miles from town.  Jason was a good
runner with good stamina but looking at Rick's legs he worried he would lag
behind.  The 13 years difference in their ages would also be a factor.  Rick
saw Jason looking at him and said, "Hey old man, don't worry.  I won't leave
you behind".  That was all it took and Jason sprinted away.

Rick couldn't believe what a nice day he was having.  The night before he
was wondering how he was going to make it to the end of his 6 month
contract.  He was 2 weeks into the 6 months and he thought he was going to
die.  He was miserable in his cabin.  Felipe was a nightmare.  Then Jason
came along and suddenly things seemed bearable.  And Jason was so handsome.
Or was he cute?  Or was he beautiful? Rick couldn't decide.  He was grateful
to Jason for showing him St Thomas and being kind to him. He worried what
Jason would think if he knew that he was attracted to him.  Being gay on a
cruise ship is not very easy.  Rick figured that Jason was taking pity on
him and was being nice.  He didn't want to ruin the great day or the budding
friendship by telling Jason he was gay.  Besides, Jason had just sprinted
away from him and Rick was going to catch him!!!

Both guys jogged along settling into a good pace.  Jason knew that Rick
could leave him behind but Rick was right at his side.  They were a stunning
pair as the jogged along the harbor.  There were yachts in the harbor and a
water plane was taking off on a sightseeing trip.  The guys were whistled at
many times causing Rick to blush and Jason to smile.  They were getting
close to the ships when Jason stopped.  He just stood looking at Sojourn and
the other ships that were docked in a single file.  Rick thought he saw a
tear in Jason's eye and also a look of immense pride.  Rick asked Jason what
he was thinking.  Jason just said, "she is so beautiful".  Rick wondered how
a piece of steel could be beautiful and wondered if he would ever feel that
way about Sojourn.  So Rick took off and Jason started calling him a brat
and took off after him.  Soon they were back at Sojourn.  Jason had to be at
work at 2pm so he only had time for a quick goodbye, a shower, his day
whites, and he would be at his post.  Just in time.

Rick realized that Jason had to hurry but couldn't help feeling that the day
had ended too soon.  How could he already feel an emptiness?  He then
realized that they had not discussed meeting again.  Rick figured that today
had been a "one off" but a fantastic one that he would cherish.  So, he went
back to his cabin to find Felipe in the room, TV on, sitting in his
underwear, towel on the floor, rubbing his crotch while looking at a girlie
magazine.  The high of the good day was quickly fading.

Rick's assignments meant he worked the Champagne Bar from 4pm-8pm, dinner
break, then the Disco from 10pm until 2am.  On days at sea he also worked
the pool bar from 12noon until 2pm.

Jason's day went by slowly.  In the mail for the crew there were 3 letters
for Rick, all from the same address in Destin.  As Jason directed the mail
to Rick's cabin, he reflected about that day with Rick. He really enjoyed
his company.  Besides the incredible outer beauty, Rick was a great guy.
One of those charming Southern boys that have hearts as big as Texas.  He
wished he hadn't been so rushed at the end of their time together.  But he
would stop by the Disco after his shift ended and set up a time with Rick
for tomorrow.  Sojourn would be in St Maarten so they could have another day
like today.

When Jason arrived in the Disco, it was really hopping.  It seems like the
fun from the Kon Tiki shore excursion had come onboard.  Drinking all day
and drinking all night seemed to be what these people wanted.  Jason ordered
a Diet Coke and was starting to look for Rick when 3 women came up and
started flirting with him.   The uniform magnet again.  Jason tried to
discourage them in the nicest way possible but they weren't having any of
it.  They pulled Jason out on to the dance floor.  Rick came from the stock
room to see Jason dancing with 3 young beautiful women.  He seemed to be
enjoying it immensely and Rick felt his heart sink.  Well, there is the
answer to the gay question.  Oh well, Rick thought, at least I had a good
day.

Jason had to get away.  He looked for Rick and couldn't find him.  Jason was
so frustrated with the evening.  First the clingy women and now, no Rick.
He scribbled something on a napkin and asked one of the waiters to be sure
he gave it to Rick.  He hurried out and headed for the crew deck area at the
aft.  He was hoping to find Rick there. He wasn't.  So, he went back to his
cabin and held out little hope that the note would make it to Rick.

After a restless night, Jason awoke, showered, and went to the gangway.  It
was 8:55am.  He waited until 9:15 and gave up and went ashore.  He was
walking towards town when he was bumped by a jogger.  He started to say
something when he realized it was Rick!  Rick gave him the piece of paper
and said, "sorry I am late.  Felipe strikes again.  So, old man, care to
race?"  Jason beamed and set out with Rick.  You can't really jog that far
in Phillipsburg, St Maarten.  Jason asked Rick if he felt like a swim.  They
agreed, found a taxi, and headed for Orient Beach on the French side of the
island.  When they arrived, Jason thought it was a good idea to mention that
the nude beach was to the right and the regular beach was to the left.  Rick
blushed and veered left.  Oh well, so much for getting a peek.

They had a great swim and the sun was warm and felt great on their bodies.
Jason had a great look at Rick's body.  Was it a 6 pack or perhaps an 8
pack?  While his legs were hairy (the way Jason liked them) his chest was
less so.  He had a light dusting on his chest.  As you approached his navel
the hair started again.  An incredibly sexy treasure trail led down to below
the waistband of his swimming trunks.  As far as to what was inside there,
he couldn't tell.  Rick was wearing a baggy swimsuit.  Damn.  Jason
chastised himself for thinking lewd thoughts.  He didn't think Rick was gay
or that he would appreciate an older man looking at him that way.

Little did Jason know, but a similar review was happening right next to him.
  Rick looked over Jason's body.  He saw a smooth chest, the start of a 6
pack, a treasure trail leading to an impressive mound in Jason's trunks.  He
stared at it and felt himself stir and he started to get hard.  He thought
he might have been caught when he saw Jason looking at him.  Rick blushed,
jumped up and ran for the water.  Perhaps the
cool water would make his woody go down.

Just like the day before, things had to end too early.  Jason had to be at
work at 2pm and they made a mad dash back to Sojourn.  Jason was actually a
few minutes late and got a stern look from Peter.  He really needed to make
sure this didn't happen again.

Over the next few weeks, things had settled into a routine.  Jason and Rick
had become great friends.  On port days they went jogging and swimming and
they were always racing back to Sojourn so Jason could be back in time.  On
sea days they would grab a few minutes on the private crew deck in the
stern.  It was a comfortable routine but they both wanted more.  Neither did
anything to move it along.  Rick wasn't "allowed" up in Jason's area and
Felipe was always around making life hell down in Rick's cabin.  Plus, they
had not discussed anything about relationships or sex.  How could 2 guys
spend 4 weeks and not discuss sex?  Strange.  Very strange.