Authors note: This is my way of rationalizing
the 3rd season. I'm also putting Tim on the SeaQuest when
Stark was captain.
Spoilers:Spindrift.
The crew sat in the empty mess hall. They
were all in shock over what just happened. Jim Brody was officially dead.
He was just another causality of the newest war some one thought was important
to be part of. The thoughts of most of the new crew were that Jim's death
was a tragedy, but not of any real significance. The thoughts were different
for the crew that had come back from Hyperion. Jim had been lucky to make
it back from that horrid planet's war and now he was dead due to the war
on Earth. It was the notion that you had to laugh, or you would end up
crying until they took you away to the psychiatric ward.
The people at the table were all lost in
thought. Jonathan was staring at his tray, while tracing the cold metal
with his index finger. Tim was watching Lucas stir the mashed potatoes
on his tray. Lucas was almost hypnotized by the fork moving slowly through
the food. Lonnie was playing with her hair, while staring blankly at the
wall. Tony was tracing invisible patterns on the table. Dagwood was eating,
not really paying attention to what he even ate. His eyes were strangely
unfocused.
Jonathan was the first to come out of his
thoughts. He looked at the people sitting around him. He knew they were
as stressed as he was. He didn't know how much of this new world and time
he could stand. He did see the reasoning behind the war, but not the loss
of life.
He shook his head slowly as he watched tears
start to gently run down Tim's face. Lucas looked over, then gently wiped
them away as best he could. Tim laid his head on Lucas' shoulder. Lucas
wrapped his arms around Tim, holding him as close as the chairs would allow.
Jonathan smiled at the way they took care
of each other. It was no secret that Tim and Lucas were together. At first
it had been somewhat of a shock, but then it was clear that they were right
for each other. They helped each other cope with life and reality. Lucas
had been there for Tim when Miguel hadn't returned from Hyperion. It had
started out as a friend listening to a friend, then turning into a very
strong relationship. They even bunked together now.
Finally Tim and Lucas pulled apart. Tim looked
up at the group, clearing his throat.
"I don't know if I can take this anymore."
The others at the table nodded. Dagwood looked
confused.
"Take what, Tim?"
"This war, staying aboard a ship that feels
the same as it did when Stark was in command."
"Was she a bad Captain?"
"No, just not one that liked peace."
Dagwood knew what Tim meant. He liked Captain
Hudson, just not being at war. He had been made to fight, but he had learned
that peace and love were better than who had the largest weapon. He missed
Captain Bridger and the people that had disappeared on Hyperion.
Lonnie looked at Tony, watching him try to
stop his hand from shaking. She put her hand over his, trying to comfort
him.
"I know what you mean, Tim, I am thinking
of transferring. There is a special forces unit that has nothing to do
with the war. They handle any situation except anything that involves this
war."
Tony looked up from his hands.
"Are you serious? What would you be doing?"
Lonnie's expression was very soft.
"I don't exactly know yet, but I'm tired
of this war, this whole way of life. I want to be able to turn on the news
and not see the latest death tolls, to be able to know that if I ever have
children, that there will even be a world for them."
Tony nodded.
"I've been thinking the same thing as you.
I don't want to leave the SeaQuest, but this has turned into a nightmare.
I wake up for duty hoping to find out that it's all over. The sides have
seen the stupidity of war and want peace."
Lucas smiled cynically. The smile didn't
reach his eyes. Jonathan tried to smile, but his mouth refused to move.
"You guys aren't the only ones that have
ben thinking of leaving. I have been talking to Katie. She said her XO
was leaving. She offered me the position.. I've been seriously thinking
of taking her up on the offer."
Lucas spoke up next.
"They need a system administrator at head
quarters. It would be a boring job, but still it would be away from the
fighting. They also need a mediator/linguist. Tim and I have been talking
it over."
Dagwood looked confused and sad.
"You guys want to leave SeaQuest? What will
happen after that?"
Jonathan looked at him.
"We want a different path in life. You are
welcome to come with me. Katie would love to have you."
"Captain Krieg?"
"That's her."
"Why would she want Dagwood. I'm not a good
soldier."
Jonathan shook his head.
"You wouldn't be a soldier, just part of
her crew. Her ship is a research vessel. They are doing what SeaQuest used
to do."
Dagwood thought it over. He didn't want to
leave, but he wanted to be in a place that his friends weren't always dying.
"What about Darwin?"
Lucas looked over at him.
"He said if we leave, he would go back to
Bridger's island. Dolphins really don't like conflict. They use
violence only when it is absolutely necessary."
They looked at each other, trying to figure
out what to do. Tim reached over and squeezed Lucas' hand.
"I want to leave. I don't want to lose anymore
of my friends."
He turned to Lucas.
"Are you sure leaving is ok with you?"
Lucas nodded.
"I want a break from this. I want a break
from reality."
Tony smiled. It held a spark of the old Tony.
"Luke, reality isn't a place you go
very often."
The comment made everyone smile, then laughter
slowly started. It felt good to laugh again. It was like the world had
become more tolerable. The group dispersed their separate ways. Lucas,
Tim, Jonathan and Dagwood walked together. Tony walked with Lonnie. He
touched her arm, turning her towards him.
"Are you seriously leaving?"
"Yeah, I am. Do you want to come with me? It would be nice to have a friend there."
Tony looked deep into her eyes, looking for
any signs that she was kidding. When he saw none, he slowly nodded.
"I wouldn't mind. I just want life to settle
down a little."
Lonnie smiled, then hugged him.
"Come on, lets see were we'll be stationed."
Tony smiled as he walked with her, knowing
for once he made the right decision.
The four men reached the point that the hall
bifurcated. Tim and Lucas went left as Jonathan and Dagwood went right.
They got to Jonathan's door. Dagwood fidgeted, looking questioningly at
Jonathan.
"Want to come in?"
"I should go. "
"What's the matter Dagwood?"
He wrestled with the thought, then finally
blurted out...
"Would Captain Krieg really want me on her
ship?"
Jonathan smiled. The smiled reached his eyes.
"Of course! She would love to have you aboard."
Dagwood looked up at him, his eyes bright
with hope.
"Why would she want me?"
Jonathan smiled, then patted the larger man's
shoulder.
"Why wouldn't she want you. You can practically
do any job, plus we've told her about you."
"You have?"
"Yes. We told her about all the times you
have helped us or even saved our lives."
"It was nothing. Dagwood was just helping
his friends."
Jonathan nodded.
"You've risked your life many times. You
are a very important part of the crew."
Jonathan thought he saw Dagwood blush. The
man was discovering all the emotions and feelings he could express. Dagwood
looked over at him.
"When are you going to call Captain Kreig?"
"Either tonight or tomorrow. I'll tell you
what she decides."
Dagwood smiled.
"Thank you. I like the SeaQuest, but I don't
like the fighting."
Jonathan nodded.
"I understand that. There are times that
I don't want to even get out of bed."
Dagwood nodded, then started walking to the
door.
"I should go. I hope she will let Dagwood
come with her."
Jonathan smiled as he opened the door.
"She will. You'll like her. She's really
laid back. She's like Captain Bridger in many ways."
The GELF smiled, then walked down to his
quarters.
******************
Tim and Lucas entered their quarters. Lucas
shut the door as Tim walked aimlessly around the room. Lucas watched him
for several minutes, then he spoke up.
"What's the matter, Tim?"
"Nothing. I'm still trying to absorb what
was said at dinner."
Lucas nodded. He knew the senior crew that
had come back from Hyperion had been getting restless. The new crew members
were used to the war and the major players. The old people were still trying
to adjust to Captain Hudson. Lucas walked over to Tim, then pulled him
into a tight embrace. Tim relaxed against his lover, wrapping his arms
around the strong back.
"Hudson isn't going to like this."
Lucas nuzzled Tim's neck.
"Let him be mad. He has no clue what it means
to lose 10 yrs of your life, then be expected to jump into life."
Tim nodded. He was starting to enjoy what
Lucas was doing. His hands slowly moved down Lucas' back, until they reached
the well muscled butt. He pulled Lucas hips closer to his. Lucas smiled,
then gently nipped the earlobe closest to him. Tim pulled away from Lucas,
to where he could reach the blondes lips. Their kiss deepened to the point
that clothing was becoming bothersome. Lucas reached up to Tim's zipper,
impatiently pulling it down. He had it almost all the way when the alarm
sounded. Lucas cursed as Tim growled.
"This always happens. Why can't hostile crafts
find some time to attack after we're done instead of in the middle?"
Tim nodded as he zipped his jumpsuit back
up.
"It's like everything, it find out when you're
about to do something you enjoy, then the shit hits the fan."
They left, running down the corridor to get
to the bridge. They met Jonathan, Tony, and Lonnie as they entered the
main passage to the bridge. They exchanged mutual looks of irritation before
heading to their separate stations.