"Oh my!" Gaia exclaimed. "This is gorgeous."

Johnny winked. "Fit for a queen. Enjoy. Your private bath is in there." He pointed to the door in the wall to the right. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked a wide balcony with wicker lounge chairs and a small table placed in the enticing sun.

"Your trunk is here, ma'am, and your case, is over there, sir. If you need anything, towels, snacks, wine, I'll bring it for you. Use the telephone there to contact me. The number is written in the booklet beside it." Johnny turned to leave.

"Oh, is there anywhere on board where I can purchase a gown for tonight?" Gaia was sure her dresses were not adequate.

"Don't worry about that. This ship isn't a luxury ocean liner. Wear what you have, no one will think it odd. However, there are a few shops down three levels from here. It's an experiment. The biggest fleets don't think it will fly, but ours believes we must provide a way to replace forgotten or lost items." Johnny said and pulled the door closed behind him.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Harry said and pulled her into his arms.

Gaia dropped onto the bed, so she could kiss him. After a long, intense tangle of tongues, she drew back and asked, "Do we go look in these shops? Perhaps they have something for me to wear? You will be fine in your dapper suits. I'm glad we had a few made before we sailed."

"Hmmm, yes. But I'm still not shearing my hair off like a sheep. They will have to live with my braided queue Chinese style."

"Forget Father Adolf's attempts to push us into his mold. We are who we are. I refuse become your obedient lackey too."

"Aye, you'll never be my subservient wife who does not dare to think for herself. Thank the dear Goddess. How does anyone survive like that?" Harry shrugged his shoulders. "It's just not sane."

"Seeing the others aboard, I'll stick to skirts and blouses. I doubt my trousers will be acceptable. Even if some of the most popular actresses are wearing them every where they go, I can't hold a candle to them" Gaia said.

"I like them on you. They suit your long legs. You should start a new fashion trend." Harry ran his hand over her butt cheeks as he spoke.

"I think we need to start our own tradition here and now. Pre dinner loving," Gaia whispered in his ear.

"You read my mind, love."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"I'll take that one. A perfect shade of sapphire blue. Matches my eyes and the cut is daring enough to distract even the most dedicated of officers," Gaia said.

"Try it on dear. It will be exactly right for the gala evening and ball last night before we arrive in New York." The salesclerk pulled the sparkling gown from the rack and led her toward the fitting room.

"I'm glad I left room in my trunk for the new clothes," Gaia called out as she stripped down to her underwear. "No bra, right. This one is unique. I've never seen a gown with a bow tied at the neck like this one. And since the Jane Russel movie, women are wearing bras. I'll be setting a trend with this gown, like the trousers, Annie."

"You will. And you have the movie star looks and body to go with it. All the right curves, and the legs to go with them. Do you need me to tie the bow?"

"I was able to stretch it over my head. My goodness, the back isn't there either. Wow. I'm covered, but not much left to the imagination." Gaia stepped out of the dressing room to assess her reflection in the three-way mirror.

"We went with a brilliant new designer. We hear he might have a contract with Chanel for the next season. He's going to want you as a runway model when the pictures reach Vogue."

Annie made a circle with her finger and Gaia turned slowly. The silk knit jersey painted her curves, and the center slit in the skirt let her legs flash enticingly. Harry would have to cast protection over her to keep the other men away.

"I wish I had your hair. But then again I'll be you wish you had mine," Annie said. "It set's this gown off perfectly. Do you need shoes as well?"

"I'll keep it to a slipper. I'm tall enough without adding heels. Although Harry says they set everything off, and he doesn't mind the extra height. We make an odd couple already, why not play it up." Gaia took one last look at her bottom and stepped back into the change room.

"He's adorable. And there's nothing like his smile. Half the women on board are in love with him," Annie said.

"He fell in love with me at first sight. You know there is just enough of a hint of purple in this dress, I can wear my amethysts with it. I think I'm set." Gaia tucked her tailored shirt into her pants and tightened the narrow belt at her waist. The golden yellow of it went well with the deep chocolate brown of her pencil thin trousers.

"I'll have the dress taken to your stateroom. Johnny will make sure it's wrinkle free for the Captain's ball."

Gaia clutched her stomach. "Why am I seasick all of a sudden?"

"Bathroom through that door, dear. It happens, get one of the cooks to make you some dry toast and tea. If he has ginger get him to add it to the tea," Annie advised.

Gaia ducked into the small room and knelt in front of the toilet. Her caviar and mimosa brunch wretched itself up. Shaking her head, she cupped her hands under the cold water tap and rinsed her mouth. What was wrong with her? The squall they went through two days ago, didn't upset her, and now this?