"Pardon me Miss McKay and Master Foust." Nicole and Tim both looked up in surprise, several hours later when Jenkins appeared in the living room again. "It is time, if your ankle will allow you Miss McKay, to make for the shops on board."

"Its fine," Nicole protested, swinging her legs off the couch and standing up. Pain shot through her ankle and she sucked in a hissing breath at the pain, gritting her teeth. Without a thought, she shifted all her weight to her other foot.

"Bullcrap!" Tim growled, pushing her back down on the couch. Nicole started to protest but stuttered off when Tim's warm hands closed gently around her ankle. "Swelling isn't too bad. I think if we wrap it and take it easy, she'll be okay."

"I was able to find an ankle brace," Jenkins interjected helpfully, holding out the brace.

"Perfect!" Tim took the black, lace-up brace from Jenkins and gently begin to put it on Nicole's ankle. She tried to protest that she could put it on herself but Tim just waved off her protests. Once the brace was on and laced up, Tim stood and held out his hand. Nicole took it and let him help pull her to her feet. The ankle still throbbed something fierce, but it was a more manageable pain level.

"Might I suggest easy to slip on shoes, perhaps flip flops," Jenkins suggested kindly. "I fear that your foot won't fit back into your boot with the brace on."

"I..uh.." Nicole stammered, suddenly realizing that she hadn't packed anything much along that lines.

"Or we can pick up something when we reach the shops," Jenkins added as if everyone forgot to pack flip flops for a cruise. "Might I suggest you use these until then." Jenkins held out a pair of cheap, flimsy ones like you could get at the dollar store. Nicole carefully and gingerly slipped her feet into them, still trying to keep most of her weight off her hurt ankle.

Tim moved to around to that side and offered his arm. "It will look more casual than the arm around the shoulder, should you not want to start any rumors," Tim said with a wry smile.

"Thank you," Nicole said feeling shy as she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. Close to him again, she was reminded of how tall he was, looming over her almost 5'7" frame.

"Shall we embark then?" Jenkins asked, checking to see if they were all set.

They nodded and followed Jenkins out of the suite. Nicole tried her hardest to not limp and at the same time not lean to heavily on Tim. "Lean on me," Tim sung under his breath so that only she could hear and Nicole couldn't help but smile.

Jenkins lead them through the ship until they came out into what looked almost like a mall. There was a shoe store with everything from flip flops to high heels. There was another shop filled with every style of swimsuit imaginable, even surf wear. Another was filled with dresses from short little party dresses to gorgeous, floor length ball gowns. There was a nail and hair salon and even a jewelry store. Plus shops with souvenirs and even a movie theater.

Jenkins lead them into the shoe shop where they were greeted by a sales girl who looked to be in her early 20's. She smiled at them but didn't seem at all fazed by Tim and Nicole realized that she was probably used to seeing celebrities. The girl asked what she could help them with and Jenkins kindly informed her matter-of-factly of the situation. Nicole could see the girl glance at the ankle brace where it was poking out from underneath the hem of her jean's leg.

"I think I have just the thing," the girl said after a quick appraising look at Nicole and the situation. "Why don't you have a sit right there on that bench and rest your ankle a moment while I go and get them."

She hurried off while Tim lead Nicole over to the bench and helped her sit. Seated Nicole was even more aware of how Tim towered over her, almost like some gentle body guard. The sales girl returned a few moments later with several shoe boxes. She pulled a pair of black flip flops out of one. They were pretty with a white flower motif across the bands. She slipped them on Nicole's feet and, with Tim's support, Nicole limped around a little to test them out.

"I like them," Nicole said as she sank down on the bench again.

"They are one of my favorites," the sales girl said with a smile. "Since I know that you winners are dining at the Captain's Table tonight, I also brought you some dressy shoes to look at. I thought that these will go well under a long dress and still give you height and yet support for the ankle."

She pulled a pair of black wedge sandals out of a another shoe box. They had black ribbons that laced a little way up your leg and straps around the foot and ankle. She slipped them onto Nicole's feet with an efficiency that comes from working in a shoe store around shoes. Once the shoes were on, Tim again helped Nicole gently to her feet and walked around the room a bit with her.

"They feel good," Nicole said sinking down on the bench one last time and trading the wedge sandals for the flip flops.

"I will put them on your account," the sales girl said with a smile, as Jenkins took the other shoe box from her. "Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with while you are aboard."

They left the shoe store and followed Jenkins down to the dress store where they were met by another young sales lady, a pretty brunette who's name tag read Amber. When she asked what kind of dress Nicole was looking for, Nicole had no clue what to say. It had been so long since she had worn much besides jeans and she knew nothing about what was appropriate for a fancy dinner on a cruise ship.

"Why don't you gentleman explore a bit while I help Nicole find a dress for tonight," Amber said with a sweet smile as she shooed Jenkins and Tim out of the shop. She turned back to Nicole, eying her up and down. "With your fair skin and beautiful copper hair I think we should try a nice green," Amber mused aloud. "Something with some fit to it to show off those nice curves. Let me see what we've got."

Amber led Nicole to a dress room and left her sitting on the chair inside. Several minutes later she returned with a couple gowns. One caught Nicole's eye instantly. It was forest green, with matching lace over white material.

"That was my first choice too," Amber said when she say which dress Nicole was staring at. "Let's try it on and see what how you look." As Nicole started to undress Amber caught sight of the wrapping on Nicole's ankle. "What happened girl?" She asked kindly, concern showing in her brown eyes.

Nicole shook her head. "A klutzy moment resulting in re-aggravating an old injury," she explained, her cheeks heating with embarrassment.

"Did you know ahead of time that you were going to have a celebrity companion for the cruise?" Amber asked and Nicole shook her head. "It must have been overwhelming to be suprised with that information and the arrival of such a good looking man."

"Plus the mass of screaming fans and the media," Nicole added with a wry smile.

"Oh of course," Amber agreed as she took the gorgeous green gown off the hanger. "I mean we all still get moments where we get star struck too and I have seen several celebrities, models and rich, handsome bachelors on here."

Amber slipped the gown over Nicole's head and helped her pull it down into place. Once the gown was on she zipped it up before turning Nicole to face the full length mirrors. The dress fit Nicole like it was made for her, hugging her curves in the right spots and flaring out beautifully.

"Wow!" Nicole breathed turning this way and that to look at her reflection.

"Honey you are going to knock his socks off in that dress," Amber said with a grin as she helped Nicole out of the gown. "Where are you off to next?" She asked as she hung the gown back up and slipped it into a garment bag.

"The ship's salon," Nicole answered. "I think Jenkins made an appointment for me."

"Perfect," Amber said with a grin as she grabbed a cordless phone off the check out desk and punched in some numbers. "Hey Melody, I got a girl here who is headed over for an appointment, can you nab the appointment? Nicole...McKay? Awesome!" Amber hit the disconnect button and put the phone down. "Melody will make you look and feel like a Queen," Amber said with a smile just as Jenkins and Tim walked in.

Jenkins took the garment bag from Amber, ignoring Nicole's protests that she could carry it and led them out of the shop. He led them through the "mall" area, winding his way through the crowds with an ease of familiarity. He stepped into the salon and Tim and Nicole followed him. Inside a pretty blond who looked a lot like Amanda Seyfried spotted them and came to greet them.

"Nicole? I am Melody, Amber told me you were on your way," she said with a smile. She turned her attention to the two men and informed them, "you are welcome to have a seat and wait if you would like or you can wander and we can let you know when she is done."

"Might I suggest that you get ready for dinner Master Foust," Jenkins interjected looking at the clock on the wall. "I have a feeling that it will be time to make your way to the dinning room by the time they are finished."

Tim glanced over at Nicole, seeming to be checking if she was okay with being left alone. When she didn't protest or seem concerned he nodded and followed Jenkins out of the store, but not before the butler handed of the garment bag and shoe box to Melody.

"Any ideas what you want done?" Melody asked once the guys were gone and the dress and shoes had been stowed and hung out of the way. "Or would you like me to just turn you into a queen?" Melody asked when she saw Nicole's baffled, over-whelmed expression.

At Nicole's nod the blond sprang into action, escorting Nicole to a chair and seating her. Melody chatted easily and cheerily, instantly putting Nicole at ease. And before she knew it, Nicole was telling her about the ranch and the trip to the pier and getting out of her limo to be surprised with the arrival of Tim Foust.

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