This story is a companion to my previous story "A Friend in Need".
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to sadly I do not own seaQuest and make nothing off writing this story except the joy of entertaining all my readers.
"Dad, why can't I get my license? Then you and Robert won't have to drive me everywhere," Lucas whined. Juliana was coming for a visit next week while they were on shore leave, and Lucas did not want either of them chaperoning.
"You need time to practice driving when the tour is over in two months. Then you can get your license. Relax; you have only been sixteen a month. You have plenty of time to drive... later," Nathan explained.
"What am I going to do about shore leave next week? I have places I want to go to," Lucas asked, starting to get frustrated.
"Robert, or I can take you anywhere you want to go," Nathan said, not understanding Lucas's agitation. "Why are you so adamant on this, Lucas? Now or in two months; why does it matter?"
"Never mind," Lucas said, storming out of their quarters and heading to see Darwin.
Lucas loved his new father, but there were times Nathan made him feel like a little kid. With Lawrence Wolenczak, he always felt like he had to be an adult, but Nathan had the opposite effect. Lucas was halfway to the moonpool, lost in thought, when he bumped into Robert.
"Hey bro, what you been up to?" Robert asked, seeing the distressed look on Lucas's face.
"Nothing," Lucas said, but soon changed his mind. "Robert, why is it, at times, Dad treats my like I am six and not sixteen?"
"He loves you. Look at it from a different angle. Dad did not have you as a kid, so he is pushing you to stay a kid as long as possible. True, you are a teenager, so you are one part kid, the other adult. Look at me, I'm twenty-eight, and Dad can still make me feel like I'm a child. You were fighting with Dad about your license again, weren't you?"
"So, it's not like I'm not old enough; I mean, I already know how to drive both the stinger and a launch. Why is he so reluctant for me to drive a car?" Lucas said, his frustration and anger now being directed at his older brother.
The week rolled by quickly, and shore leave began. Lucas and Robert headed to the main land with Miguel, Tim, and Ben.
"So, what are you planning with Juliana tonight?" Ben asked Lucas. Lucas sent him a glare. "What?"
"Who's Juliana?" Robert asked.
"That would be your little brother's girlfriend," Miguel said. "They met on node 3."
"Ohh. You been with her that long?" Robert asked.
"Yes, now can we stop discussing my life and move to something else?" Lucas snapped.
"Be nice or you lose your ride tonight, little brother," Robert said.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"Now, I know you don't want me and my date, Laura, to double with you guys, but it will be fun; I promise," Robert encouraged the upset teen.
"I still don't see why in the world you would ever go out on a date that Ben set you up on," Lucas laughed.
"Ben here may not be the smartest person," Robert said wrapping his arm around Ben's next, "but he knows his women; he had Katie for awhile, didn't he? At the very least it should be an interesting night."
The guys all hung out for a couple hours before Lucas and Robert left for their dates. They first set out to pick up Juliana from her hotel. Much to Lucas's concern, Juliana's brother stood behind. He watching Lucas intently as they went downstairs. As they made it to the car, Robert got out.
"Juliana, this is my older brother Robert; Robert, this is Juliana," Lucas said.
"Nice to meet you. Lucas talks about his family all the time," Juliana said, shaking Robert's hand. "I thought you had a date as well?"
"She is meeting us at the restaurant; Ben set him up on a blind date," Lucas said.
Lucas and Juliana sat in the back seat while Robert drove. The restaurant was across town, so it took them a good twenty minutes to reach it. The Maison De L'amour
was one of the best restaurants in town, which Lucas easily talked his father into getting them reservations to on such short notice. They walked in, all dressed in their best.
"Reservation for Bridger," Robert said.
"Yes sir, table five; right this way please," the waiter said.
As they approached the table Laura was already waiting for them. She was a tall brunette with green eyes. She wore a short red dress that complimented her eyes.
"You must by Laura," Robert said, extending his hand. "I'm Robert, and this is my brother, Lucas and his date, Juliana."
"Ben didn't say anything about this being a double date," she said, looking a little disappointed.
"My brother needed a ride for him and his date, so we decided to double. Ben knew he should have told you; sorry," Robert answered sincerely.
"That's sweet; not everyone would be that nice to their siblings. Do you have any other family?" she inquired as her displeasure faded.
"No just me, Lucas, and our dad," Robert said, getting a little uncomfortable by the personal questions. "So how do you know Ben?"
"I was Katie's maid of honor at their wedding four years ago. I've known Katie since high school; she helped talk me into to going out with you," Laura explained and then turned to Lucas and Juliana. "I don't mean to pry, but how come you and Robert aren't that close in age?"
Lucas looked at Robert with nervous eyes and tried to ignore the question.
"What?" she asked, noticing Lucas's nervousness.
Robert took a deep breath, putting his arm around Lucas. "The reason is Lucas is adopted, but we don't advertise it. He is still be little brother, and I care about him."
"Sorry, I tend to pry too much," Laura apologized.
"Oh, Lucas," Juliana said, trying to change the subject. She reached in her purse and pulled out a computer chip. "Wolfman wanted me to give you this computer program to look over for him."
"He told me about that; thanks," Lucas said, happy for the change of subject. Lucas hated to talk about the adoption and Lawrence; it brought back too many bad memories.
The date was progressing well. Afterwards, they talked about random topics. Juliana talked about science and computers while Robert and Laura talked about government and more current events. Soon, the date ended; Robert drove Juliana back to her hotel. Lucas did not dare kiss her goodnight with his brother watching.
"Talk to you on the Internex later. And, tell Wolfman I will look at his program as soon as I can. Night," Lucas said, then headed back down to the car. As Lucas entered the elevator, there was only one other man inside. Lucas felt a sharp pain in his neck before he collapsed onto the ground. Unknown to the danger, his brother was in Robert sat silently waiting in the car.
Thank you everyone one for reading my story. I hope to have another new chapter really soon. Please Read and Review, I love hearing from you guys your amazing.