Forgot to put a disclaimer in my last story! I don't own seaQuest, or any of it's characters, but I would have taken better care of them if I had!

I loved Season One, thought Season Two was ridiculous and Season Three, depressing. But I'm writing Season Three, because that's where they left it. However, I have taken some liberties with the timeline, since the episode Second Chance took place in October, and I wanted this to be set over Christmas.

I was planning for this to be a completely different story, but it ended up going in another direction, and didn't progress as clearly as the first one. Hope you enjoy it anyway!

Lucas Wolenczak stretched in his bed. He regretted it as soon as a bolt of pain shot down his back. He waited for a moment until it calmed, and surveyed the room. Despite everything, he smiled.

It felt good to be back with his friends. Lucas could hear Tony singing in the shower, off key, but with great enthusiasm. Dagwood sat on his bunk, polishing his boots. He looked up and smiled an answering smile.

"Good morning, Lucas!"

"Morning, Dagwood."

He saw a shape start to twirl in the aquatube. "And good morning Darwin!" He simultaneously signed with his hand as he spoke.

He began to push himself up to a sitting position, and Dagwood started to move over to him.

"No, it's okay Dagwood, I'm okay."

Dagwood stood uncertainly, watching him.

Tony came out of the shower. "Hey, Luke, you're awake!"

Lucas smiled, "Don't call me Luke."

Tony grinned back. "Hey, that was some party last night, you can fit a lot of people in this room!"

"I'm not sure that's why Hudson gave us this room, but, yes, you can! Might be an idea not to push it too much with the parties, though. We don't want to get kicked out!"

Even though he was joking when he said it, there was still a small part of him that was waiting for everything to go wrong again.

Tony knew his roommate well enough to guess his thoughts.

"Hey, it was just a small 'welcome back' party. Not planning on doing it every week!"

He looked at Dagwood, standing in the middle of the room. "What's up, big guy?"

"I just want to help Lucas if he needs anything."

Tony looked over at Lucas. "Do ya?"

Lucas smiled, he knew they were just trying to help. "No thanks. I've got to learn to do things by myself sooner or later."

"I think we'd all be happier if it was a little later. It's only your first day out of the med-bay."

"I know. Have you finished with the bathroom?"

He'd planned on waiting until they both left. He needed to do this by himself, but he still had a few problems moving around and everything was a struggle. Doctor Perry said that it would improve once he had more practice and greater upper body strength, but for the moment, he was embarrassed by his clumsiness, and didn't want them to be witnesses to his mistakes. However, his bladder had other ideas, and since everything took him so much longer, he needed to start now.

He tried not to notice that the other two were watching him intently. He pulled his chair into position and, gripping it firmly, moved himself into it. As seemed to be his habit now whenever he moved, he gave a small gasp of pain. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dagwood start to move toward him as Tony gently shook his head.

"Guys, I'm sorry, but I really get nervous when you're watching me like that."

"We're not watching you, you're becoming paranoid."

"Tony, you got out of the shower five minutes ago and you haven't even combed your hair or started to get dressed."

"Just giving you guys a moment to enjoy what women across the world would pay to see. Me in a towel!"

Lucas couldn't help but laugh. "Pay to see you, huh? Hope you can make change...!"

He wheeled himself to the bathroom and took care of his immediate needs. The next part was going to be harder. He had not yet tried to shower by himself, and he was very nervous. He was terrified that he would slip and have to be rescued, buck naked, by his roommates.

He checked that everything was where it should be - towel, soap, shampoo, robe - and then moved into position. He knew from the silence in the other room that they were both listening to hear if he was okay.

He plucked up his courage and moved into position. He smiled as an analogy came into his mind - lining up the shot. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, took a calming breath, and moved over to the shower seat.

It was easy! He didn't fall, he had done it. He let out the breath he was holding. He almost wanted to shout to the guys outside, 'it's okay, I did it!' Actually, he thought, they'd love that; they'd probably rush into the bathroom and throw him another party! He smiled at the thought.

The shower felt wonderful. He hadn't been able to shower in weeks. First the accident, then the hospital (he pushed that thought away, he tried not to think of it), then all the problems he'd had because of... that place. He'd had sponge baths, and even a real bath, with a med tech who had washed him and dried him as though he were a child. He had been very weak, but being washed like that... He flushed as he remembered. He could never look that tech in the face again.

He washed himself and shampooed his hair until he felt that the past few weeks had been washed away. Because their new accommodations used to be V.I.P. guest quarters, they had a real shower, and he luxuriated in the hot water for as long as he could. So long, in fact, that soon Tony knocked on the door.

"Hey, kid, you alright in there?"

"Yes! I'm fine." He reached over and turned off the tap. "Just finishing up."

When he came out, Tony was still there, waiting for him.

"Sorry. It's been a while. Feels good to be clean again."

"No, I'm sorry. We was just worried about you, that's all."

"I know. Thanks."

"So, I've got to start my shift, can I get you anything before I go?"

"No thanks, I'm fine." He suddenly noticed that the Gelf wasn't there. "Is Dagwood on duty too?"

"No, he went to get some breakfast for the two of you. Take it easy today, okay? Just cause you're finally out of the med-bay, doesn't mean you're all better. No spending the next eight hours on the computer, capisce?"

"Capisce?"

"I've been watching The Godfather. Now there's a good movie, you seen it?"

"No, I haven't."

"Great, we'll have to watch it some night. You get to explain it to Dagwood! Anyway, I gotta go... You sure you'll be okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sure, now GO! You'll be late!"

Tony left, and Lucas sat for a moment, reveling in the luxury of once again being alone in his own room.

He grabbed his clothes and moved over to the bed to dress. Once dressed, he lay back on the bed. It was ridiculous, but he was exhausted. All he'd done was wash and dress, and he felt as though he'd run a marathon. He closed his eyes.

He awoke with a start, which he regretted instantly. Sudden movement did not feel good. He turned to see Dagwood sitting watching him.

"Lucas?"

"Hey Dagwood... I guess I fell asleep. How long did I sleep for?"

"Just a few hours."

"A few HOURS?" He couldn't believe he'd fallen asleep for so long.

"That's okay. I didn't know what to do, so I cleaned all the boots, like Tony said."

Lucas looked around the room. It looked like every item of footwear had been polished until it shone.

"Umm... thanks Dagwood, that's great!"

"I got you some breakfast, but I ate some of it." He looked down at the table. "I guess I ate most of it. There's a couple of things left, though. Are you hungry?"

As if in response, Lucas' stomach rumbled loudly.

"I guess you are. Here."

Dagwood handed him a spoon, a pot of yogurt and an apple, as Lucas pulled himself up to eat.

"Thanks."

He was so hungry, he finished the yogurt in seconds and quickly started devouring the apple.

"Wow, you are hungry. You wanna go get some lunch?"

"Is it that time already?"

Dagwood nodded.

"Yeah... let's go!"

Dagwood positioned his chair for him, but stood by patiently while Lucas moved into it.

Lucas didn't know what would be better, getting some food - suddenly he was ravenous - or being able to move around the ship again.

When they reached the mess hall, the buzz of noise in the room stopped for a moment, and then to Lucas' embarrassed horror, they all started to cheer. It seemed as though every crewmember in the room came up to him to hug him or shake his hand.

He blushed beet red.

He noticed Lonnie at a table waving him over. She, too, gave him a huge hug. Tim waved from the far side of the table, and Commander Ford gave him an awkward shoulder pat.

Lucas couldn't help it, he had to say something.

"Er, what was that, Commander?"

Now Ford looked embarrassed.

"It was a welcoming pat on the shoulder."

"Huh! Seemed a little awkward to me, that's all."

Jonathon smiled, it was good to see Lucas teasing him.

"Shoulder pats aren't my thing as a general rule. I thought I'd make an exception in this instance."

"Hmmm. Maybe next time go with a welcoming stoicism?"

"That does sound better suited to my skill set."

"Look how well Tim pulled it off."

"Hey, I worked hard on that wave. Welcoming and friendly, without being overly sentimental. It was masterly."

They all laughed. It felt good to be amongst them all again.

"You haven't got any food yet, let me grab you something."

He looked around. "I imagine that's where Dagwood's gone."

Sure enough, five minutes later Dagwood appeared with a huge quantity of food. He put the larger of the two plates in front of him, but the plate he put in front of Lucas was extremely full.

"Dagwood, this is too much food, I can't eat all this."

"Doctor Perry says you need to eat more."

"But not in one sitting!"

He realized that it sounded like he was complaining. "Sorry, Dagwood, and thanks, but this is a lot of food. Maybe next time you could get about a quarter of this?"

"Okay Lucas. But I can always help finish anything you can't eat!"

Lucas laughed. "Okay, that sounds like a plan."

He started to eat. He still hadn't regained much of his appetite, and though he had been hungry, he was full after only a few bites, and already sleepy again.

Around the table, his friends noticed as he slowed down and started to yawn. He'd started to drift from the conversation when he suddenly heard his name.

"Huh?" Well that was a brilliant contribution, he thought.

Lonnie walked over to his chair. "I said, I'll walk with you back to your room."

There was no point pretending that he wasn't tired, he could barely keep his eyes open.

Dagwood took the handles of his chair and started to take him out of the room. Lucas made no objection. All at once, he was fighting to stay awake.

When they reached their room, Dagwood helped to lift him back onto the bed, and he fell asleep almost instantly.

He slept for a couple of hours, and woke to see Dagwood watching him again.

"Hi Dagwood."

"Hey Lucas!"

"Um, why are you watching me sleep?"

"Don't know what else I'm supposed to do. They told me that I should be with you so I can help you, but mostly you sleep, so there's nothing for me to do."

"Oh. I'm sorry Dagwood, I didn't know."

He felt stupid that he hadn't known. In his defense, he'd only left the med-bay yesterday evening, and even though Dagwood had been with him since then, he'd thought it was a coincidence. So much for being a genius, he couldn't even figure that much out.

He supposed it made sense that they would put someone with him at first, but he felt embarrassed. It was like having a nanny again.

He also felt guilty. He seemed to be sleeping ninety per cent of the time anyway, why did poor Dagwood have to sit there and suffer through it?

"I'm sorry, Dagwood. What would you be doing right now if you weren't here with me?"

"Probably cleaning. I like cleaning."

"But what do you like to do for fun, Dagwood? When you're not cleaning?"

Dagwood thought about this. It took a few moments until he had an answer.

"I like to talk to my friends, and I like to visit Darwin."

Lucas felt a pang. He hadn't spoken to Darwin for a very long time.

"Why don't we go and visit him?"

"Okay."

Lucas wondered why he hadn't thought of this earlier, he'd really missed Darwin. As they entered the moonpool, he realized that the last time he swam there may actually have been the last time he would ever swim there. The thought made him sad.

His sad mood didn't last very long.

Darwin was ridiculously excited to see him.

"Lucas play!" he demanded.

"Darwin, I can't swim with you, I'm sorry."

"Lucas play ball!"

"Darwin, I can't..."

"Dagwood and Darwin play ball! Lucas play!"

Puzzled, Lucas looked at Dagwood for an explanation.

He held out a small football.

"We play like this!"

He threw the football into the water, but before it landed Darwin threw it up in the air with his nose towards Dagwood, who swiftly caught it.

Lucas smiled.

"Okay, let's try it!"

Darwin was surprisingly adept at hitting the ball towards them, although frequently Dagwood had to go running after it, and sometimes Lucas and Dagwood would tease Darwin by throwing it between themselves. For a little while, Lucas forgot about everything in the enjoyment of the game. However, a moment came when the ball hit Darwin at such an angle that the answering shot went wide, and Lucas, unthinking, leaned out to catch it.

As he reached out with his arm, he inadvertently raised himself in his chair and nearly overbalanced. Dagwood saw in it in time, and quickly steadied him, but for a moment Lucas was lost in a world of pain.

When he recovered, Dagwood and Darwin were both watching him.

"It's okay, I'm alright. I just...moved the wrong way, it's fine."

"Lucas better?"

"Yes, I'm better."

"Darwin sorry, Darwin play better next time."

"It's not your fault, Darwin. It's just... how things are now. Dagwood, can you help me sit by Darwin?"

Dagwood lifted him down to the floor, and Darwin swam over to him. They sat there for a little while in silence, as Lucas and Dagwood stroked the dolphin's nose.

The silence was broken when Lonnie and Commander Ford walked into the room

"Lucas! What are you doing?"

He looked up, startled. "I was just spending some time with Darwin."

"And you don't think that Doctor Perry would have something to say if she found you sitting on the cold floor in wet clothes?"

Lucas looked down in surprise. He hadn't noticed how wet he had become while they were playing.

"And Dagwood, I'm surprised at you, you're meant to be looking after him!"

Lucas felt his temper rise.

"It's not Dagwood's fault. We were playing, I didn't notice. I was just having some fun for a change! And Dagwood shouldn't have to look after me anyway, why am I his responsibility? Who did he piss off to get this job?"

Lonnie sat down beside him.

"He volunteered, like the rest of us. Only he was allowed to because he's stronger, and he's your roommate. And we're glad you had some fun! But you have to admit, this might not be the best way to spend your day on the first day out of the med-bay."

His temper died down, and he nodded. Dagwood lifted him back into his chair.

Ford spoke to Dagwood, who was looking hangdog.

"Don't worry, Dagwood, he's right, it's not your fault. But you might want to take him back to your room and help him change out of those wet things."

They walked back to their room, and Lucas changed his clothes without making a fuss. Tony came in a few minutes later, having met Ford and Henderson and being told the whole story.

"What's up, roomies? Why so glum?"

Dagwood started to speak, and Lucas interrupted.

"Nothing's happened. We're fine, aren't we Dagwood?"

Tony pulled a face.

"Wow, here I consider you to be my friends and you can lie like that to my face... I met Ford and Lonnie on the way here. They told me what happened."

Lucas looked up, once again angry.

"Can't say I'm surprised though. I always knew I was the brains of this outfit."

He completely ignored Lucas' temper, and said sweetly, "I'd appreciate you not killing yourself though. If anything happens to you, I don't think the captain will let us keep this room, and I'm becoming very attached to that shower!"

Lucas couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll be more careful in future! Sorry, Dagwood, it was all my fault."

"You're both at fault, how's that? Now let's go and get some dinner, I'm starving!"