This started as just a side story in between brainstorming sessions for another project that turned into something more the more I thought about it. Just a fun exercise with familiar character... anyway I hope you like it.
In this story I have taken the CR/CF characters and storyline and asked myself, 'What if Katy had never met Mel?' This version picks up the morning after Brandon and Katy first met, and all of it is from Brandon's perspective.
Edited by HJF
As Brandon headed for his usual workout his head was full of the sexy blonde from the previous night that had literally filled his dreams. The images of her bouncing up and down on him made it difficult to concentrate on what he was doing and keep count. Several times he had to stop and remember what rep he was on after reminiscing about Katy.
He could not deny that a large part of him, specifically his rather embarrassing erection that was the evidence of his extreme horniness, regretted not using the woman or at the very least jerking off to her naked body. However, each time these thoughts crossed his mind he quieted them. If he had used her body he was no better than Hutch was, and although he could not help the fantasies that kept popping into his head about her, he also felt whacking off in front of her was weird.
He remembered her note saying she would like to see him again, but he doubted that and even so, what kind of girl was she? Brandon had spent most of the night and morning feeling she was the victim, but what if she had chosen to be in that spot? Brandon was not sure he wanted to hang around with a girl like that not matter how hot or easy.
At that thought Brandon shook his head remembering his brother's words, and how long it had been. Sad as it was if she offered he might just take her up on it. He wasn't proud of that thought, but there it was.
Sometime later he finished his workout and after breakfast decided to go for a swim. He thought briefly about going looking for the mysterious Katy, but realized how absurd that was. It was a very large ship and it was not like she had an uncommon name; finding one Katy on a ship this size was near impossible. So he would need to rely on chance or more likely her finding him and somehow he didn't think that was too likely. He could ask Hutch where he found her, but the idea of doing that repulsed him. He'd rather never see the woman again than ask Hutch for something.
So the cruise passed uneventfully for the remainder of that day and the next. Brandon kept an eye out for Katy and even stayed in his room the next afternoon working on his laptop hoping she would come find him there eventually. Brandon had almost forgotten when his phone rang. Puzzled he rose and answered.
"Hello?"
"Brandon, it's Jack." Getting no response as Brandon's mind was so full of hope it had been Katy calling he said, "From the desk... we went to school together?"
Brandon remembered Jack had been a classmate of his and during the whole room mix-up situation they had had a chance to talk.
"Yeah, Jack, sorry I spaced there for a moment, what's up? Is there something wrong with the cabin?" Then after a hopeful pause he added, "You guys wouldn't happen to have found me another suite?"
"No, sorry, nothing like that; we're booked for the duration man, sorry. No I'm calling because we're having some issue with the central computer up here and I remember you were a whiz at programming. You mind coming up to take a look?"
"Don't you guys have someone on staff for that?" Brandon asked, a bit confused.
"We do, but this system is brand new, supposedly state of the art, and immensely complex. If nothing else our guy could use the extra eyes. Some big-wig passengers are getting mighty upset, and pressuring the corporate heads to get this fixed pronto. I figure if you help us fix it maybe someone can get you a job; you did say you were out of work, right? Plus you'd be doing the staff a favor if you could get some of these things to work right for a change... including more than a few very cute waitresses that would be very appreciative if you know what I mean."
Brandon mulled it over and figured why not. If they were willing to let him help he might just get a job out of it, or at the very least it was something to take his mind off the Katy obsession that was beginning to creep him out a bit.
"Sure, I'll meet you in the lobby in few minutes."
Brandon headed out and Jack took him into the room that housed the ship's mainframe. After he was briefly checked out by ship security he and Rick, the company's computer tech, got to talking.
"Jack says you're good. I hope so because whatever this bug is it's a doozy. It's very apparent the distributor sold us an incomplete product. Hell of a thing to put into a near fully automated multi-billion dollar cruise liner carrying over 5,000 people."
After that they went to work. It turned out that while Brandon did not have the slightest idea about the more advanced sections of the program he was rather familiar with the base program they had modified to build the programming. He also knew just how flawed that particular program could be. Once he had pointed this out he and Rick were able to make rapid progress.
After several hours of work the pair had fixed most of the major glitches they found and were about ready to rest before getting the remaining minor issues fixed, when their efforts were greeted by alarms. Fearing they had screwed up they ran a relatively quick check and found that the program was now working, and that the alarms were likely real. The captain sent maintenance to look into the alarms in the lower decks and the report back was sobering. The glitches had caused the ships computer to miss a gas leak in the lower deck. By the maintenance man's estimate if the leak had been allowed to go unnoticed overnight the gas would have spread far enough that the slightest of sparks could have blown the ship into several pieces killing virtually all on board.
"Congratulations boys," the captain said to them, "You just may have prevented the worst sea disaster in history." Then, turning to another man in a suit, he said, "I think these gentlemen have earned a seat at the head table, Mr. Drake, don't you agree?" The man in the suit, whom Brandon would later learn was a corporate officer for the cruise line, gathered himself and agreed.
"Yes, Jim I think that's a very good idea." He then turned to Rick and said, "Good work as usual Mr. Hayes." Rick was about to say something when Mr. Drake held up his hand and looked at Brandon, "And before you object Rick I would also like to thank you Mr. Metcalf for your assistance. You will be rewarded handsomely for services rendered to the cruise line." Brandon thanked him and the man continued, "No trouble, however I have a request. Would you mind, if it's alright with Rick, staying on to iron out the rest of our issues? While those may not be life threatening it would enhance the stay of our guests, and you will of course be paid for your time." Rick nodded his approval of the idea and so Brandon agreed. "Good, that's settled then. If there is anything else we can do for you Mr. Metcalf, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Actually sir, now that you mention it there was a slight mix-up with my room..." Brandon said.
"Say no more my boy. Considered it handled. I'll talk to the desk. I'm sure something can be worked out for the man who helped save the ship."
True to his word things were worked out within minutes. In the time it had taken for him and Rick to finish up a few things a new room had been arranged for him on the penthouse level. By the time he arrived a half hour later Brandon found the ship staff had not only moved all his clothes and belongings, but put most of them away for him.
Shortly after reaching his room and taking a brief moment to marvel at its spaciousness he crashed into the large bed and was out in an instant.
The next morning Brandon explored the room which had a living area with a bedroom and bath attached. It also had a balcony and its own hot tub. After showering and grabbing breakfast Brandon joined Rick in tackling the remaining minor glitches in the system, which took all morning and most of the afternoon. As dinner approached someone for the cruise staff reminded him he was a guest of honor that night at dinner.
That night he headed toward the regular dining room only to find that a more private dinner had been arranged to honor those that had helped avert the disaster, including him, Rick, and the maintenance staff that had been so quick in identifying and solving the gas leak issue. As the only non-cruise line employee Brandon found himself the center of a lot of the praise. It appeared that despite the Line's best efforts to keep the problem quiet word had leaked of a passenger saving the ship, which explained the muttering that had gone on around him all day amongst other passengers.
Brandon enjoyed the praise and was pleasantly surprised to find that several of the guests offered him work, especially after it was made known he was looking. Brandon suddenly had almost too many offers. He decided not to make any rash decisions on the spot and respectfully told those offering this, which most of them respected.
However, it was as he was speaking to Tim Hemmings that something happened that drove all thoughts of work searching from his mind. The woman that approached wore a form-fitting red dress that was incredibly sexy without being too slutty for the proceedings. She wore her platinum blonde hair in an elegant knot for the evening and the effect was absolutely breathtaking. She approached the pair and it was apparent she had come to greet the older man, but Brandon swore her eyes lit up when she saw him before she addressed Mr. Hemmings.
"Hi Daddy!" she said in an extremely cheerful voice.
"Katherine, I'm busy, what did I tell you about interrupting?" he said sternly, reprimanding the twenty something woman as though she were a small child.
"Sorry Daddy," she said, clearly not remorseful at all. before flashing Brandon a mischievous smile. Brandon could tell this girl was trouble, but for some reason it intrigued him more than repulsed him. Then as if to confirm his suspicions she looked at Brandon and said, "Nice to see you again Brandon."
