Ty checked the clock behind the customer service desk and sighed when she found it had only been a minute since the last time she had checked it. Hudson was late. She had told him to meet her at the customer service desk on the main floor at nine-forty-five and it was now two minutes to ten.

She knew there was no way he could get to level three on his own, but she was thinking of leaving without him. She hated being late for the games. It only gave Anders and Nico more time to scoop out the area and devise plans.

She was about to check the clock again when she saw Hudson walking towards her. She rushed towards him, eager to get going, but stopped when she noticed he was dressed in all black. "What are you wearing?" she asked.

"Camouflage. I might not have played Sardines since middle school but I came to win. What are you wearing?"

She looked down at her t-shirt and shorts then back at him. "The back hallways we play in are all white."

"Oh," was all he said, grimacing as he looked down at his outfit.

"Whatever. It's fine," she said. "We're late." She grabbed his hand and pulled him across the lobby. "Why did you bring this outfit on a cruise anyways? Were you planning on doing a little burgling?"

"It's important to be prepared for anything," he said.

"Do you often get called in for last-minute heists?" she laughed.

"Burglars are not the only people who wear all black," he argued.

"And these other people would be...?"

"Art thieves."

Ty laughed as she pushed through the 'Employee Only' door.

By the time they made it to Level Three Anders was already standing on a table calling for everyone's attention. Ty and Hudson slipped unnoticed into the back of the group while Anders laid out the rules.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," Anders shouted. He gave everyone a moment to quiet down and once all the attention was on him, he continued. "I'm glad you all could make it. Tonight, we are playing Sardines. Who wants to hide first?"

Everyone began to talk at once. Some people volunteered, others nominated someone else until Nico's voice rose above everyone's. "Well, look at this ladies and gents. We have a new player with us tonight," he said, hopping up on the table next to Anders. "Ty would you like to introduce your friend."

Ty knew inviting Hudson to the game would cause a stir and she wasn't surprised Nico was the first one to call out his presence. "This is Hudson," was all she said. Hudson waved and they both looked back at Nico expectantly to make it clear they weren't sure why he had made such a big fuss. Almost everyone had already met him when he hung out with the crew on The Deck.

"Welcome Hudson," Nico said, spreading his arms out like he was a king greeting his people. "Since Hudson is new, why don't we let him be the first to hide?"

Everyone's attention shifted back to Hudson, including Ty's. She had seen how competitive he was with his brother and the Hamilton group, but she wasn't sure how he was with strangers.

"Sure," Hudson said.

"It's decided," Anders said hopping down from the table and making his way towards Ty and Hudson. "Come on. I'll show you the boundaries," Anders said to Hudson.

"That would be great. Thanks," Hudson said.

But before they moved a few steps Johnny appeared at Hudson's side. "I'll show him," Johnny offered.

Anders and Ty eyed Johnny suspiciously. Ty knew Anders wanted to show Hudson the boundaries to make sure the game was played right. But Johnny didn't really care about the game unless he was able to find some way to work a bet into it.

"What?" Johnny said when he noticed Anders and Ty's looks. "Hudson is new. I'm just being helpful."

"Sure," was all Ty said. She wasn't surprised when she heard Johnny say something about Bianca as he led Hudson out of the room.

Hudson was barely out of the room when Nico and Jules descended on Ty, both with their own set of questions.

"How did Hudson end up joining us?" Nico asked, his tone implying he already knew the answer.

"Ty!" Jules squealed. "Hudson is here! Playing with us! Are you guys together?"

"Jules, it's a game of Sardines. Not a marriage proposal," Ty said flatly, knowing Jules's questions would be easier to dodge than Nico's.

"You're the only one talking about marriage," Nico pointed out smugly. Ty gave him a deathly glare and he grinned back at her. "But Julie-Bee does have a point," Nico continued. "This Hudson guy seems to be with you all the time."

"Louis did assign me as events coordinator for his group," Ty argued.

Nico looked around the room. "I don't see anyone else from his group here. Interesting he is the only one you brought along."

Jules squealed in delight! "You like him!" She began to bounce up and down and Ty's head began to hurt.

"You're reading too much into it," Ty said, trying her best to keep her tone neutral.

"So you don't like him?" Jules questioned, looking disappointed.

Nico laughed and patted Jules's shoulder reassuringly. "Oh, my Julie-Bee, our dear Ty Ty definitely likes him. The only question we must ask now is how much does she like him?" Nico studied Ty closely and she began to tense under his gaze.

"It's my job as events coordinator to make sure everyone in my group is having a good time," Ty said, trying to keep her manner casual to show she didn't really care about Hudson. "The rest of the Hamilton Party was going bar-hopping. Hudson said he didn't want to join them and, knowing he likes competitive games, I invited him. It's that simple."

"Sure. You're just doing your job," Nico said, giving her a knowing wink.

This wasn't working. Ty looked around suddenly. "Hmmm...what Anders?" she said, walking away from a conversation she knew she couldn't win.

Thankfully, Johnny returned with Hudson a moment later and Nico's focus turned to the game. Even so, Ty made sure she was on the opposite side of the room from him while the group waited three minutes so Hudson could hide. The second the timer went off, Anders and Nico were out of the room and Ty was close behind them.

The key to winning Sardines was searching alone. The whole point of the game was to find the person who was hiding and join them in their hiding spot without anyone seeing you do so.

Ty, Nico, and Anders were usually the first ones to find the person hiding and everyone knew it. Some people used this to their advantage and had taken on the strategy of sticking close to Ty, Nico, and Anders and simply waiting until one of the three of them found the person hiding.

Tonight, Jules was the person on Ty's heels but it quickly became apparent that Jules wasn't there to play the game but to get more information about what was going on between Ty and Hudson.

"Thank goodness Nico is gone," Jules sighed in relief. "Now you can tell me everything."

Ty grinned. It wasn't just Nico's presence that had kept her lips sealed. "About?" she asked innocently.

"Hudson!" Jules practically shouted. "I need to know everything. I haven't seen you this invested in a guy..." A crinkle formed between Jules's brows as she thought about it. "Ever. You are never serious about anyone."

"That is because we work on a cruise ship. The only people I interact with are my co-workers and I'm definitely not dating anyone I work with," Ty argued, as she led them into a room and began to search behind the counters and inside the cabinets. "Could you imagine dating someone you work with, breaking up then having to see that person every single day? We work on a boat. There would be no way to avoid them."

"Oh, it's impossible," Jules answered happily, taking a seat and not even pretending to be playing the game. "I was able to avoid Thomas for three weeks."

"You also wouldn't have eaten for three weeks if I hadn't brought you food from the cafeteria," Ty argued.

Jules shrugged like it hadn't been the worst thing even though Ty could remember Jules crying that it was 'the very worst thing that could happen'. Jules seemed prepared to continue the argument when she shook her head and gave Ty a suspicious look. "You're doing that thing again," she grumbled.

"Playing a game?" She led them back into the hall and onto the next room.

"Getting off topic. We were talking about Hudson, not you dating a co-worker."

"Were we?" Ty asked. She really needed to find a way to ditch Jules. She entered the next room and began to open cabinet doors.

"Yes, we were. Now tell me what is going on," Jules said. She stubbornly stopped at the doorway of the room and didn't enter, as if to protest.

"There is nothing going on," Ty said as she opened the doors to the linen closet in the back.

There were shelves filled with tableclothes and napkins. She was about to shut the doors when she noticed there was a space to the side of the shelves big enough to fit a person. She leaned to her right and caught sight of Hudson.

"Is that what Hudson would say?" Jules asked.

Ty quickly moved away from the linen closet and shut the doors. She needed to get rid of Jules now. She didn't want Jules around when she joined Hudson in the hiding spot and she also didn't want Hudson overhearing this conversation.

"You are horrible at this game," Ty joked as she joined Jules back at the door and led the way out. "You are so loud everyone must know where we are."

"Who cares. It's a stupid game."

Ty's eyes went big. "Don't let Anders hear you say that or he won't invite you back."

"Hudson," was all Jules said.

"Yes, that is who we are looking for," Ty said, as she tried to think of a way to get rid of Jules without being suspicious.

"Ty!" Jules whined, grabbing Ty's hand.

Jules was being loud and would be drawing people's attention. They were still close to where Hudson was hidden and if Ty wanted any chance to win this game she had to get rid of Jules. Now. Ditching all thoughts of subtly Ty pulled her hand free and said, "Jules look!"

The moment Jules turned her head Ty darted in the opposite direction. She made it around the corner before she heard Jules call her name.

Ty kept moving quickly. Part of her exploration of the ship had included all the employee levels and she knew if she could make a couple of turns she would get back to the closet Hudson was hidden in without crossing paths with Jules.

She moved smartly, pausing whenever she thought she heard someone else nearby, and made it back to the linen closet without picking up another tail. She looked both ways before she slipped into the room and moved to the linen closet. She gave one more cautious look around before she opened the doors.

"Move over," she whispered as she quickly slipped into the corner where she had seen Hudson hiding.

The space was small and she ran into him as she tried to find a spot to fit.

"Here," he said as he took her shoulders and moved her into the corner so they stood facing each other only a foot apart. He pulled the doors shut behind her and they were sent into darkness. "I didn't think you saw me," Hudson whispered.

"I didn't want Jules to know I found you. I had to ditch her before I came back." Ty said, her breathing rapid after her getaway from Jules.

"That was Jules?"

"Hmmm," she hummed in the affirmative.

"Did I hear her say my name?"

It was so dark in the closet Ty couldn't see Hudson, but she could hear the pleased tone of his voice.

"It was a work thing," she said a beat too late.

"A work thing?" he questioned playfully. "About me?"

"You have been the most difficult Hamilton member thus far," she said.

"Hank wanted you to film him galloping along the water today while he tore his shirt open," he argued.

She chuckled quietly. Hank had been so disappointed to find out the riding instructors didn't allow the horses to gallop. "She wanted to know if there is something going on between you..." she paused.

"And?" he prompted.

"Bianca," she finished. She grinned at his horrified scoff.

"She thinks something is going on between Bianca and me?"

"You two were pretty chummy the first night. I think Johnny has some bet going about the two of you. She wanted insider knowledge.

"And she thought you would be the one to ask?"

"I am the events coordinator for your group."

"Hmmm," he murmured thoughtfully. "And there wouldn't be any other reason she would think you had that information?"

"My co-workers are also convinced I like you," she admitted.

"You like me?" he asked smugly.

"Shhh." she hissed when she thought she hear something. They both went quiet and she could hear someone walking down the hallway outside the room.

"You like me?" he whispered again. His hand brushed hers and her heart began to race. She couldn't see him but she was aware of him moving closer.

"And if I did?" she whispered back, her heart beating even harder. What was she doing? He was a passenger. Was she about to cross this line?

"Well, I would say the feeling is mutual," he said, his fingers slipping between hers.

Hudson's hand was warm and fit in hers like it was always supposed to be there but had been lost. He leaned a little closer and Ty knew she was standing on the line, about to cross it. "You like yourself too," she joked, trying to buy herself time to think this through.

He laughed quietly. "I do like myself, but more importantly, I like you."

He let go of her hand as both of his hands gently found the back of her neck. Suddenly, Ty didn't need time to think. In fact, the line she had been worried about had disappeared.

She could feel him moving closer but he paused, silently asking. In answer, she tilted her head back. She could feel his breath and knew he was only an inch away when there was a loud banging noise.

They both jumped apart and a moment later their space was filled with light as the doors to the closet were opened. Ty held her breath and didn't move, her gaze straight ahead on Hudson. He was staring right back, a playful look in his eyes.

"Not in here," Nico called to someone. "Hudson is doing a good job hiding."

"I don't want to brag," Johnny said, "but I was the one who showed him the boundaries."

"You can not take credit for his hiding spot," Nico argued. He shut the doors and once again Ty and Hudson were in the dark.

"That was close," Hudson whispered after they heard footsteps leaving the room but Ty knew better.

"Wait," she said. Just like she thought a moment later she could hear light footsteps coming back towards them. A moment later, the closet doors opened.

"Hey," Nico whispered as he shut the doors behind him and pushed his way into their corner, and stood by Hudson. "Hudson. Ty." His tone told Ty he wasn't the least bit surprised to find her with Hudson.

"I didn't think you saw us," Hudson said.

"He only pretended because Johnny was with him," Ty said.

"How did you...?" Hudson started.

"Nico's the best at the game," she said, hoping Nico's ego would help steer the conversation away from Hudson and Ty being together in the closet.

"Aww, it's a good thing it's dark because I am definitely blushing," Nico said. "And I would say you are second best."

"The blush is fake," Ty told Hudson. "Nico is constantly reminding me that he is the best."

"Shhh," Nico said. Ty was about to tell Nico he could shush himself when she heard footsteps outside the closet and a moment later the doors opened again.

"Nice try," Johnny said.

"Dang it," Nico cursed under his breath as Johnny pushed his way into the crowded space and shut the doors.

"Nice move," Ty congratulated Johnny. "Johnny here isn't good at searching so he just sticks close to the good players until they find the hiding spot for him," she explained to Hudson.

"Does that really make me the best player then?" Johnny said. "Move over." He tried to shove Ty to the side and pushed her right into Hudson.

"I can't move that way. Hudson is there," Ty said.

"Then move next to Nico," Johnny said, pushing her into Nico. Nico groaned when her elbow collided with his stomach.

"Great spot Hudson," Nico said as he helped Ty fit in next to him.

"Yeah, we really could use more space," Johnny said.

"It wasn't crowded until you showed up," Hudson argued.

"What does that mean?" Johnny asked loudly. Ty and Nico both shushed him.

"Do you want the whole ship to know where we are?" Ty whispered.

For a minute, everyone in the closet was quiet until Johnny said, "Ty, when did you find Hudson?"

"Shhh," Ty hissed. There were multiple reasons she didn't want to be talking.

"He does have a point," Nico added.

"Do you not understand that we are supposed to be quiet?" she whispered.

"Sure. That's the reason you don't want to talk," Nico said.

"She found me right before you did," Hudson offered. Ty knew he was trying to help but she knew Nico would use any answer as fuel for his theory that there was something going on between her and Hudson.

"So, you guys were alone?" Nico said smugly as if this turned his theory into fact.

"We were. But that's just because I was better at ditching Jules than you were at ditching Johnny," she boasted

"You think you were better than me?" Nico scoffed.

"I don't have to think. The proof is there," Ty sang proudly. "I am better than you."

Without warning Nico threw out his arm to smack Ty but ended up hitting Johnny instead. "Watch it!" Johnny said. He tried to return the smack but hit Ty's stomach instead.

"Oww," Ty said, trying to slap Johnny's arm away the same moment Nico reached out to slap her and he pushed her into Hudson. Hudson managed to catch her around the waist before she could fall over.

"Ty Bennett," Nico growled. He threw his arms out reaching for her and smacked Johnny again.

"Nico!" Johnny shouted. The next moment Johnny was tackling Nico but the space was so small everyone ended up tangled in the fight. Ty couldn't see a thing but she was trying her best to shove arms away from her when she elbowed someone in the stomach.

"Ooof," Hudson groaned.

"Sorry," she said.

"Seriously guys," Hudson said through gritted teeth. Somehow he managed to pull Ty behind him as he tried to separate Johnny and Nico. The scuffling noises stopped when the closet doors flew open.

"You guys are making so much noise I thought there was a herd of elephants in here," Jules said.

"That was just Johnny," Ty said.

"Hey!" Johnny said. "Nico was the one who slapped me."

"I was trying to hit Ty," Nico argued.

"Move over," Jules said.

"This isn't going to work," Johnny grumbled as Jules tried to push her way into the already tight corner.

"You'll be fine," Jules sang pushing him back. He bumped into Ty and she started to fall, her elbow making contact with someone's stomach.

"Owww," Nico groaned.

"Sorry," Ty said.

"That's my foot," Hudson cried out.

"Sorry," Johnny said.

"Stop!" Nico shouted. "Johnny switch with Ty, Jules stand by me, Hudson go in that corner, Johnny move to your right." Nico directed everyone and a minute later the closet was dark and everyone was silent.

"So..." Johnny started.

"Shhh," Ty and Nico hissed as the doors to the closet were flung open.

"Found you," Anders said.

"How long do these games usually last?" Hudson asked as Anders started to push his way in.

"Too long," Ty said flatly.

Anders tried his best to fit but there wasn't any room for him. He managed to get a shoulder in the corner but the rest of his body was outside of the closet. Nico called the game over when the next person found them and everyone poured out of the closet. The troop returned to the main room and the game began again.

As they continued to play, Hudson fit in seamlessly with the group, just like he had on The Deck. Most of the time Ty wasn't even aware of where he was. On the last game, he was the second to find the hidden person, after Nico of course. When Anders called it a night, Nico was the one by Hudson's side explaining, in-depth, his Sardines strategy. Ty smiled smugly, wondering if she wasn't the only one who was developing a crush on Hudson.

She left Hudson to Nico's clutches until the crowd had thinned, but after Hudson yawned for the third time she stepped in. "...that is why I always scout a game location," Nico was saying.

"Is that Step Five in Nico's Guide To Always Winning?" Ty jokingly asked.

"Step Four," Nico corrected. "Step Five is Identifying Your Toughest Competitors."

Ty gave a small curtsy, knowing she had inspired that step. "And Step Ten is Claiming Your Victory which Anders is doing right now."

"His victory? Yeah right," Nico laughed sardonically as he searched the room. He spotted Anders's large frame on the opposite side. "Anders," he called, walking away from Hudson and Ty.

"Quick," Ty whispered as she pushed Hudson towards the door.

He didn't need telling twice and moved quickly. Ty shot a look over her shoulder as they left the room, making sure Nico didn't see their exit.

Hudson seemed to pick up that this was their one chance to break free of the crowd and kept moving, following Ty's directions until they were back in the main lobby.

"Okay, I think we're safe now," she said, slowing her pace.

"Nico doesn't' mess around when it comes to Sardines," he said, letting his steps slow and match hers.

"He doesn't mess around when it comes to any game," she corrected him. "You should be thankful we weren't playing Capture The Flag. He has even more Steps for Success for that one."

They reached the elevators and stopped. "Do you know how to get to your room? Or do I need to walk you back?" Ty teased.

"You better walk me back. Or you'll find me still roaming the halls tomorrow morning."

She laughed and pressed the elevator button. Silence settled over them and it reminded her of what had almost happened in the closet earlier that night. Everything had been so crazy since the moment Nico had found them she hadn't stopped to think about it. But standing in the quiet of the lobby with Hudson all she could now think about was that they had almost kissed.

She glanced sideways at him and found him looking at her with a playful look. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he grinned. "Tonight was fun."

"More fun than barhopping with Hank and Bianca?"

He nodded then grew serious. "Although, one part was kind of a bummer."

"Nico's Steps to Success speech?" she guessed.

"No, I found that rather enlightening. One can always improve their Sardine Game." The elevator opened and they stepped on together. "No, it was something else." He spoke slowly like he couldn't exactly remember what it was.

She waited for the elevator doors to close before she took a step closer to him. "You can't remember?" She smiled mischievously.

He shook his head and frowned. "It's so strange," he said taking another step closer to her and wrapping an arm around her waist. "But I know it was important."

"It was?"

"Very," he said. "That's it!" he suddenly cried and she saw his playful smile right before he kissed her.

The moment his lips found hers, her arms looped around his neck, and the space between them disappeared. Everything seemed to disappear for Ty except the feel of Hudson's arms around her until the elevator dinged, signaling they were almost at their stop.

They came back to their senses just in time to put some space between them before the doors opened. Ty felt like a teenager as she tried to wipe the stupid smile off her face and act like nothing had just happened.

"Well," she breathed out, feeling dizzy with happiness. "I guess this is goodnight."

"I believe it is," Hudson said. He took a step towards the door, looked down the hallways then turned back to grab her for another kiss. She didn't let him go until she heard the elevator doors beginning to close. She pulled back and gently pushed him out of the elevator.

"Goodnight," he said. He remained right outside the doors like he thinking about getting back on the elevators.

"Goodnight Hudson," she said.

They smiled at each other as the doors closed and Ty was still smiling when she got back to her room.

**********************************************************************

AHHHHH!!! *shakes you in excitement* AHHH!! THAT JUST HAPPENED!!

*Flails arms as I run around the room*

HOLY BUCKETS OF WATER OVERFLOWING A SHIP THAT ISN'T SINKING BUT SAILING BEAUTIFULLY!

*Flops to the floor and sighs happily*

Pour out the thoughts overflowing your heart! Tell me I'm not the only one dizzy with happiness!🗯💬💭🛟🛳️

If I am then you have my apologizes for misplacing your heart. I'm sure it's somewhere about here, real quick I'll help you find it.

Oh! I found it! It was lost in the last pages of the book I stabbed it in. It's still good. *wipes it* It's okay, that blood will dry up I'm sure. The wound wasn't fatal, they usually aren't, just traumatizing.

Ha! Dark humor! Classic! Seems contrary with this light fluffy book but I live for contradictions after all I'm an evil author named Joy! It's amusing!

Okay, I hope you got all the warm fuzzies after this chapter!

If you did definitely transform some of them into a vote, comment, follow!