A/N: OK, first, I do not want any readers to think that I am abandoning my current story-quite the opposite actually. However, I had this brainstorm for a new story, and I do not want to lose any of my ideas if I wait. Therefore, I am breaking my own cardinal rule by only doing one story at a time. I hope you can bear with me. Plus, I realize that not everyone is reading my current story, being that it has an M rating. Therefore, this is something that everyone can read. It is set after A Higher Power. As you may know, I like to fill in the holes of what we don't know, so this explains why Kristin had to leave. I hope you enjoy it. Please review if you are reading this. I greatly appreciate it.

Disclaimer: SeaQuest DSV and its characters are not my creation. They are the creation of Rockne S. O'Bannon as a 1990's television series. This work of fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only and is not for financial gain. I am just borrowing the characters for a bit and promise to return them unharmed and in their original condition, maybe just a bit happier.

Chapter 1

Nathan Bridger had just lost his dream, and it was killing him. The first tour was over, although not in a way anyone expected. It wasn't just going to be a few months off now; as far as anyone knew, the seaQuest was over. The UEO had put all the crew members up in a hotel until they returned to their homes, and the crew remaining crew members, mostly senior staff, had rented out a local restaurant for a going away party, one last time together before everyone went their separate ways. Nathan tried to pretend like he was having a good time, but it was evident on his face that he wasn't. How could he have a good time when the realization finally hit him that his dream was over?

On the other side of the room sat Kristin Westphalen nursing a glass of wine, watching Nathan silently. She tried to pretend as though she was having a good time as well, but the reality was that the party was actually depressing. And, worst of all, she didn't know how to get close to the man she loved. Finally, after so many months of carrying on a secret love affair with each other, the cat was out of the bag. But, now, she didn't know what to say to comfort him.

She tried to catch his eye all night, hoping that he would notice her and flash that famous Nathan Bridger smile at her, the one that made everything seem alright. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort happened. She watched as other crew members walked up to Nathan, speaking with him, patting him comfortingly on the back, and shaking his hand, as if to thank him and say goodbye.

As the evening dragged on, the numbers in the restaurant started to dwindle. Nathan still would not look in her direction. Kristin found herself feeling hurt; was he intentionally ignoring her? Then, Kristin instantly chastised herself for feeling that way. "Of course not, don't be stupid, he loves you," she thought. As more crew members said their goodbyes to the captain and left, Kristin finally mustered up the courage to go up to him. Maybe he was waiting for her to say goodbye, too?

But, as she walked up to his table, he got up to leave. He noticed her out of the corner of his eye and said, "Uh, I'm sorry, I'm just really tired. I'm going back to the hotel to turn in." With that, he left without saying anything else, leaving Kristin feeling dejected. She returned her glass to the bar and left, following Nathan.

"Nathan," she called as she ran after him, but he kept walking, not turning to even look at her. "Nathan, please talk to me."

"Kristin, there's nothing to talk about. The seaQuest is gone; that's it, end of story," Nathan said miserably.

"I know that, and I'm sorry, but it isn't my fault; it isn't anyone's fault," Kristin said.

"Look, Kristin, I'm really not in the mood to argue."

"I'm not trying to argue; I'm trying to understand why you've been ignoring me all night. Nathan, please talk to me," she pleaded again.

Nathan finally stopped in his tracks. "Look, I've been trying to get over the fact that my boat is gone. Excuse me if I'm dealing with a little bit of baggage right now."

"And you think it's not affecting me in any way, that it's not affecting the rest of the crew? Don't you think I know how you feel? I think that after yesterday, we need to realize life is way too short to worry about the past. There's only us, right here, right now," Kristin said, almost on the verge of tears, "Don't throw that away; don't push me away."

Nathan sighed. He wasn't trying to push her away, but he didn't know what the future held for them, as far as a couple. And, he didn't want to think about it or deal with it at the moment. He didn't want to meet her eyes, those beautiful brown eyes with all the questions in them, the questions he couldn't answer right now. Those eyes had tears in them right now, and he couldn't stop those tears from flowing right now. For once, Nathan Bridger could not be the savior.

"Look, I'm sorry; we'll talk about it tomorrow. Good night." With that, he continued walking back to the hotel, leaving Kristin crying on the sidewalk.

The next morning, Nathan knocked on Kristin's room door. He knew he'd acted like a jerk the night before; he was just really upset. That sounded like a poor excuse, he knew. He just hoped and prayed that Kristin would forgive him. He didn't want to lose her.

He waited patiently for her to open the door. When he did not receive an immediate response, he began to worry. Had Kristin checked out and left? Was he too late? He knocked once more, a little louder. He waited a few minutes more, but still nothing. He turned to head back to his room, figuring he had blown it. As he started walking, he heard the door open behind him.

"Nathan?" came Kristin's melodic voice.

Nathan turned back to her. She was dressed in a robe, her hair wet. "I'm sorry; I was in the shower," she said.

Nathan nodded, but said nothing. "Would you like to come in?" she asked as she stepped back from the door to allow him access.

Nathan obliged as she shut the door behind him. She looked at him expectantly.

"Uh, so...," Nathan began, unsure of how to begin. He waited for Kristin to break in, but she just waited, so he continued, "Look, K-Kristin, I'm really sorry about how I treated you last night. I acted like a jerk."

"Is that it?" Kristin asked.

"Well, I hope you'll forgive me. I was just having a hard time dealing with it, and I guess I took it out on you. Can you give me another chance?" Nathan gave Kristin a look that showed his sincerity.

Kristin sighed. Nathan had hurt her, quite deeply actually, but she decided to forgive him. Neither of them would benefit from a break-up at the moment. "Nathan, you really hurt me," she said, "In fact, I didn't know what this meant for us." She paused to see if he was going to say anything, but he just waited patiently with a very worried look on his face. After a few moments, she decided that she'd made him suffer enough, "But, if you can prove to me what this will mean for us, I'll give you another chance."

Nathan wrapped her in a hug. "Thank you, oh, thank you, Baby. I'm going to prove to you that you're everything to me. Just because there's no seaQuest doesn't mean that we have to end."

Kristin squeezed him back, fresh tears stinging her eyes. Nathan heard her small whimpers and pulled her back to look at her.

"Kristin?" he asked with his voice laced with concern, "What's the matter?"

Kristin wiped her eyes, "Happy tears," she assured him.

"Did you really think I was going to break up with you?"

"I admit I wasn't sure. You seemed so upset last night," Kristin explained.

Nathan felt so guilty that he'd made Kristin feel that way. He drew her to him and kissed her passionately, trying to show her how very much in love with her he truly was. Kristin returned the kiss, melting into Nathan's arms. After several minutes, they were both gasping for breath, as Nathan broke the kiss.

"Now are you sure?" he asked, breathing hard.

Kristin was breathing just as hard. "Getting there," she answered coyly.

"Getting there?" Nathan said with mock anger, "I'll show you," he said.

"Do your worst," Kristin said huskily.

Nathan obliged by picking her up and carrying her to the bed; he made sure she didn't doubt his affections.

After spending the morning in bed with her, he asked, "Now are you sure?"

She kissed him passionately and answered, "Yes."

"I thought you'd see it my way."

Kristin nodded and cuddled up next to him. She decided to finally ask the question weighing on her mind. "So what happens now?"

"Well, now we get something to eat; I'm starving."

"No, I mean, what are you going to do now? What are your plans?"

"Oh," Nathan said, "Well, I'm going build a new seaQuest, with the UEO's approval of course. I've already promised Lucas he could stay with me for the summer and help with the plans. I think we are going to need a good woman to keep us in line," Nathan hinted.

Kristin wanted nothing more than to take him up on his offer, but she had wanted to spend the summer with her daughter in England. "Nathan, I can't. I have a sixteen-year old daughter, you know."

"Well, she's invited, too. I haven't seen her for a long time, and Lucas would love to spend more time with her. You know they hit it off the last time they saw each other. I think they have a thing for each other."

"Do you really want to be chaperoning two love sick teenagers all summer?" Kristin asked.

"If they'll chaperone two love sick adults," Nathan answered.

Kristin laughed. "Alright, we'll join you. I'm sure Jasmine would be thrilled to spend the summer in the states."

"So this means you're going to be CMO on the next seaQuest?"

"If you'll have me."

"Always," came Nathan's answered as he kissed her passionately once again.