Steven kept his shades on as he leaned against his boat, closing his eyes as he felt the breeze against his face and arms. He wasn't supposed to be working today, getting ready for a friend's wedding and all, but when he saw the name on the roster he just had to take it. He could hear Kara and Ross before he saw them. Quickly, he ducked into the cabin of the small sailboat, smirking at his childish intention of surprising them.

Once he heard Ross complain about the captain being a slacker for not being there already, Steven stepped out, but he about lost his balance. A red head was standing off to the side, probably not wanting to be noticed but he noticed her alright. She squinted out into the sea, brushing soft looking hair out of her eyes. She was shorter than the others but probably made up for that with her personality. Suddenly he really wanted to get to know her.

Remembering his plan, he opened his arms wide as he walked up to stand on the small observation platform above the cabin.

"Come now, Ross. I know I can be a bit irresponsible with a six pack of Mountain Dew, but I have never been called a slacker before."

"Steven!!!" Ross and Kara called in unison.

The red head turned to look at him and he sucked in a breath. Blue eyes and red hair. How exotically attractive.

"That's me." He hopped down and took the things from Ross and another guy that Steven hadn't noticed earlier. A knot formed in his gut; hopefully he wasn't with the red head.

Ross clapped him on the back. "Good to see you again, buddy! I thought you were going to be on the main island for a little longer."

Steven shook his head as he put the stuff in the boat and held a hand out for Kara to take as he assisted her aboard, Ross close behind.

"Nope. Got back early. Just in time to help the lovebirds with their last trip before the big day." Steven gave Kara a wink and she laughed.

Ross nodded, holding Kara close. "That's great, man! Did you think any more about staying those three days after the wedding?"

Steven cringed internally. He had forgotten to think about it, but honestly, he wasn't sure he wanted to be around his friend after the big day. Not that he would get much time to be around him anyways, Kara was a bit stingy with her soon to be husband. Steven opened his mouth to kindly decline but a hand shot out in front of him and another voice sounded.

"The name's Taymon. But you can call me Tay."

Steven blinked as he took Tay's hand, intending to shake it but the guy used him to clumsily get into the boat instead, rocking it. Steven nodded his hello, turning to Ross for an explanation. Ross smiled in apology.

"Steven this is my best man, Tay. We went to high school and college together before my mission."

Steven nodded. "Glad you are doing the honors and not me. I only know how he couldn't learn the Fijian language to save his life. Literally."

"Well, let's hope I can remember the English language enough to really embarrass the guy in front of his folks."

Kara patted her fiancé's arm. "I have a feeling that won't be too hard a task."

All of them laughed as Ross shook his head. Steven sighed, Tay didn't seem too bad and he was the best man, so that meant Steven meant a bit more to Ross than he had assumed when he got the invitation. Ross was talking to a smiling Kara when Steven heard a small noise behind him.

The redhead.

Quickly he turned, ready to help her across but was met with Tay's back. The poor guy was doing a terrible job helping her on. She had one foot on the dock and one foot on the rail. Tay was trying to wrap his arms around her middle but she was too short and wasn't close enough. Steven was about to intervene when Tay just grabbed both her hands and tugged her to him. She let out a yelp and fell forward. Not wanting to get squished, Tay moved out of the way, effectively leaving Steven wide open.

Steven let out a whoosh of breath as he stumbled backward, hitting the cabin doors. Instantly, he was surrounded by red hair and the smell of vanilla. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he felt her arms wrap around him, making his chest warm. She fit perfectly against him and he didn't want to let her go. He could have sworn she was shaking a bit.

Suddenly she stepped back, wrapping her arms around her middle as she averted her eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Her voice was sweet and light.

Steven cleared his throat. "No harm done. Though I suggest you let me help you out next time." He gave a pointed look to Tay, who was suddenly crowding her, peppering her with questions.

The redhead smiled and Steven's heart lifted. She grew ten times more gorgeous when she smiled, the corners of her bright blue eyes crinkling. She wore comfortable looking clothes, the straps of her swimsuit peeking through the neck of her faded "Where's Waldo" shirt. Her hair was pulled back but the relentless wind of the Fiji summer tugged it easily out of its hold leaving tendrils of her fiery curly hair to frame her slightly blushing face. 

But before Steven could reach out to move some of her hair out of her face, he was brought back to the present as he saw Tay wrap an arm around her, leaning down to whisper something to her. She intently dropped her smile and almost seemed to shirk back. Steven didn't like the feeling bubbling up in his chest as Tay walked her to the back of the boat as Ross and Kara walked up to the front.

"So, *Elder Coconut, you think you can get me and my friends to this reef without tipping the boat?"

Steven smirked at his old nickname but didn't miss the red head's look of fear at the notion of the boat tipping. Was she scared of the water?

"If I remember correctly it was you who tipped the boat. You really wanted to grab that floating coconut husk."

Ross laughed. "Hey now, I thought it was a struggling bird. You can't fault a man for wanting to help one of God's creatures."

Steven shook his head. "If only you could help yourself, the poorest creature of all."

The three of them laughed as Steven turned to start the boat. Soon the five of them were zooming off to the coral reef him and Ross had found while serving their two-year mission here. It was on a remote little corner of one of the islands and Steven loved it. He couldn't help but look back a few times at the redhead, just to make sure she was alright. Tay was still sitting with his arms around her though he was talking with Kara and Ross. The redhead just looked out over the water, saying very little.

He really needed to learn her name.

*"Elder" refers to when LDS young adults between the ages of 18 and 27(?) where they serve in an area outside their hometown be it in the US or across the world for 2 years (18 months for girls). They serve in pairs as companions to share the gospel. Steven and Ross were companions for six months.