"I just don't get it," said Lucas pulling his shirt over his head. "It's like the Ben I knew doesn't even exist anymore."
"People change, Luke."
"Don't call me that." By now the response was automatic and Lucas didn't even pause at tying his shoes.
"He probably wonders where the Lucas he knew went, too." 'I know I do,' continued Tony silently.
"I guess."
"When does your shift start?"
"Huh?" Lucas blinked then glanced at his watch. "Now."
"See you later then."
"Oh. Yeah, later."
Tony shook his head as the hatch shut behind Lucas. Sometimes it seemed more like they were strangers instead of two friends that had lived together for more than a year. There wasn't anything he could do about it though. It was like he'd just told Lucas: people change.
He glanced at the clock. He had an hour of free time before his shift.
"I might as well go eat," he told the empty room. Five minutes later, he was sitting in the nearly vacant mess hall staring at the mystery meat-substitute residing on his plate. Suddenly, he didn't much feel like eating anymore. He was about to throw the thing away and find something else to do when a gruff looking stranger entered the mess hall. The stranger nodded a greeting to a couple of technicians then took a seat in the corner.
That must be Krieg. Tony studied the face of the man he had heard so much about the past two years. He didn't look much like a joker. He looked tired, like a man that had seen and done too much. But then, hadn't he just finished a conversation about how Krieg the prankster didn't exist anymore? How did he expect to find something recognizable in Krieg when the guy's own friends didn't know him anymore? He looked lonely though. Must be rough. Tony found himself propelled across the room.
"Do you care if I sit?" Krieg stared at him for a moment then shrugged.
"Go ahead," he said with a sigh.
"Must be rough on you, huh?" Krieg shifted his gaze to a spot above Tony's shoulder then sighed again and looked down at the table.
"Yeah, you could say that." There was a pause as neither knew what to say. "Look, I don't mean to be rude or anything but I don't remember you. I'm sorry. Who are you?"
"Oh," laughed Tony. "No. You don't know me. I'm Tony Piccolo. I was Lucas's roommate for a while. Couldn't pass up a chance to meet the infamous Krieg that I always heard so much about."
"Wait. You're Tony?" For the first time, Krieg's face became animated and he smiled. "Man, have I heard some stories about you."
"About me?" Tony stared at him in disbelief.
"Oh, yes. Lucas and I kept in touch after I left SeaQuest. Every e-mail contained something outrageous you'd gotten him in trouble for."
"I didn't get him in trouble! Luke got himself in trouble!"
"And you didn't help him at all?" Krieg smiled. "I've heard too many stories about you from too many people to believe that."
"Well, it's not like you have much room to talk. You got Lucas in trouble all the time."
"You're right. I did." Krieg grinned evilly. "Those were the good old days."
Both men fell silent again. Tony sighed and poked at the thing on his plate.
"I miss the good old days."
"You do?" asked Krieg, surprised.
"These ain't exactly happy go lucky times for us."
"War never is."
"Neither is losing ten years of your life and having your home turned upside down," muttered Tony.
"It must be rough on you," said Krieg sympathetically.
"That was my line," accused Tony.
"Sorry." Krieg laughed.
"S'alright." They smiled. Tony glanced down at his watch. "Crap! I've gotta go. I'm supposed to be on duty."
"No problem." Krieg reached out and shook Tony's hand. "It's good to have a face to go with the name."
"Same here. You're an all right guy."
"Thanks."
Tony threw away his plate and hurried out the door. He was going to get chewed out if he was late for his shift. It would be worth it though.