A/N Hey seaQuest readers,

I posted this story a while back calling it Kristin's story. I wasn't pleased with it so I pulled it down. I have since done some revisions. I was inspired to write it after reading another fanfic called Nathan's Dilemma. (written by Sawyer's Peace) He hinted at something about Kristin in his story and I took the hint and ran with it. I contacted Sawyer and asked his permission to use his idea. My story is a continuation of his story. My direction will be entirely different and original to me. It is not necessary to read his story to read mine but by all means, feel free to read Sawyer's story and review it for him. His story is intriguing and heartfelt.

I will give you a brief synopsis here:

Lucas left Seaquest without permission, took the Stinger and Nathan's motorcycle and essentially spent a day partying with friends. He was caught by authorities for underage drinking. Nathan disciplines him in a more old-fashioned way which seems to immensely upset Kristin, essentially confusing Nathan who feels guilty enough already about his decision. Lucas is depicted as being much younger in this story...14 years old.

Nathan grounds Lucas for a week as well...Lucas must shadow Nathan every day for seven days. Tempers are running high.

This is where my story begins.

I can't promise to update often but I will post when I can.

Kristin pulled away from her microscope and rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her vision. Her eyes burned with the strain of hours of work. She'd been fighting her loss of focus all day and hadn't accomplished much. The truth was she missed Lucas. The teenager was generally good company and a hard worker. Kristin missed his jovial chatter and nonsensical sense of humour. The fact of the matter was her lab was just too quiet without him. Looking around, Kristin almost snickered to herself for her thoughts being so silly. The lab was alive with the movement of other scientists as they scurried around the place, yet without Lucas, it just felt empty to her. Kristin dropped her hands to her sides and decided to go say hello to Darwin. She knew the poor mammal was feeling just as dejected and lonesome as she felt. Lucas hadn't had time to be with the dolphin since Nathan had grounded him. They were on day four of seven of Lucas shadowing Nathan and the whole ship felt tense. Lucas wasn't in a pleasant mood at all, and Nathan's patience was wearing thin. Perhaps, Nathan's idea hadn't been so brilliant after all.

Kristin wandered out towards the moon pool and smiled when she saw Darwin hovering at the surface. She reached out and patted him on his smooth melon head. Darwin chirped and waved his head up and down in excitement. Kristin sat on the edge and enjoyed a moment of solitude as she listened to Darwin's happy chirps. In many ways, Darwin reminded her of a friendly dog, rather than a dolphin. She considered switching on the vocoder to hear what Darwin was saying to her but in the end decided against it. It was just nice to be alone with her thoughts.

"I'm sick of it, alright? Just go away and leave me alone!"

Kristin spun around on her heel when she heard Lucas' angry voice burst into her thoughts. She was surprised to see the teenager storming across c-deck towards the moon pool. He gruffly pushed past her and dove into the pool, sending a wave of water splashing over the side and all over her.

"Lucas Wolenczak, get your butt back here!" demanded Nathan as he strode onto the deck looking completely exasperated.

Lucas breached the surface and kept swimming away from them with Darwin at his side, clicking happily to see his long lost friend.

"Lucas, if you don't come back this instant, your punishment will be extended by one week!"

Nathan stood on the edge of the moon pool gaping in frustration as he watched the teenager disappear into the distance only to hear him shout that he didn't care.

"Damn that kid!" he muttered.

Kristin attempted to brush off some of the water as she placed a wet hand on Nathan's tense shoulders; she looked at him with her soft green eyes full of compassion.

"Rough day?"

Nathan shrugged his shoulders slightly and sat on the edge heaving a weary sigh.

"I had no idea how obstinate he could be. He can't take a simple order without some kind of comment or argument."

"That doesn't sound like Lucas."

"Sometimes, I don't want his input," continued Nathan, not seeming to hear Kirsten's comment. "Sometimes, I just want him to follow an order without a commentary."

"Did you tell him that?"

Nathan looked at her incredulously. "I shouldn't have to. He's old enough to know when matters require his opinion or his immediate obedience."

"Are you sure about that, Nathan?"

Nathan glared at her. "Yes, damn it."

Kristin blinked at his sharp response to her. He was really angry. It wasn't like Nathan to get this angry with Lucas.

"What happened, Nathan?"

Nathan began to pace, placing his hands behind his back. Her brow was furrowed as he strode back and forth, almost stomping his feet.

"The Admiral is here, and Jonathan and I have been discussing some classified information with him. Lucas burst into the room in a huff about something ridiculous to do with him and Ben. I asked him to work it out, but he flew off the handle saying I never listen and always brush him aside. His temper was so uncharacteristic, Kristin. I'm actually surprised."

"Nathan, you've been working him really hard this week, and it's only been four days. Your work days are long, much longer than he's used to, and you have him occupied with lots of different projects. Don't you think he deserves a break?"

Nathan stopped pacing and looked at her in disbelief.

"No, I don't. This was meant to be punishment, Kristin, not some joke."

Kristin felt her own temper rise. "I realise that, Nathan, but he's still only a 14-year-old boy, not a man. He can't be expected to keep up to you in the workplace. Besides, you said yourself that you wanted to use the time to bond with him and tie heartstrings. How can you do that when all you do is work? He's still a teenager, Nathan. He needs to have a little fun sometimes, and it wouldn't hurt you to have some fun once and awhile either."

"He's going to find himself across my knee again if he doesn't knock off the attitude. I've had it with his flippant behaviour."

Kristin wrung her hands nervously at the words and stood to stare at the irate man in front of her. She hated when he voiced such thoughts like spanking Lucas was some kind of magic cure to his behaviour. She hadn't seen this side of Nathan before, and she didn't like it. Before, when Lucas had first gotten in trouble, Nathan had seemed reserved and full of regret but now he seemed hell-bent on taking things further than she felt necessary.

"I think you need some time to calm down before you speak with the boy again, Nathan, or you're liable to say or do something you'll regret. I admit that his barging in the Wardroom was rude, but it's not worth the reaction your having to it. Don't you think you've just allowed your frustration level build to a crescendo?"

Nathan stood there dumbfounded, staring at her as his comlink rang out. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled it out and answered it gruffly.

"Captain Bridger."

"Captain, Lucas just came up out of the moon pool on the bridge and managed to splash water across the main console, blowing the capacitors. He stormed off the bridge in a huff," said Jonathan, sounding furious with the teenager.

Nathan sighed. "Can you fix it, Commander?"

"Yes, Tim is managing to remedy some of the damage as we speak, but Captain, it's going to delay things for the Admiral by several hours."

Nathan pinched his nose, a pained expression on his face.

"Do your best, Commander. It's all you can do. Any idea where Lucas went?"

"Sorry, Captain. I have no clue. If I did, I would throttle him!"

Kristin shuddered at the anger in the commander's voice as the call disconnected. Tempers were running at an all-time high, and it was making her feel very uncomfortable. Kristin crossed her arms in weary consternation as she watched Nathan's jaw muscles contract several times before he turned to look at her.

"I've reached the end of my rope with him, Kris."

"So, what are you going to do?"

Nathan scowled. "I don't think you want to know."

With those hard words, Nathan turned to leave. Kristin reached out and caught the crook of his arm in her hand.

"Nathan, wait, please."

"You can't know how frustrated I am with him, Kris. These past three days have been a nightmare. He hasn't shown any remorse whatsoever, and his attitude has been nothing short of appalling. I haven't ever seen him so rebellious and moody in all his days on SeaQuest."

Kristin placed her hands on her hips, feeling her own temper bubble.

"Nathan, I work with Lucas every day, and he's never acted that way towards me. He's usually very polite. Something must be troubling him. Please, I beg you not to be hasty. Find out what's bothering him before you do something you might regret later."

Nathan sighed, his features softening once more. Kristin dropped her hands in relief as she saw Nathan relent somewhat in his firm stance.

"Alright, Kristin; I will let it go for this evening."

Kristin felt her heart fluttering in her chest. "Thank-you."

Seeing Nathan's ire settle somewhat made the tensions building within her relax. Nathan looked at her suddenly with a strange look on his face.

"What?" she asked, returning his odd glance.

Nathan took a few steps towards her and pulled her into a warm hug. She felt more of the tension melt away as he embraced her tightly.

"Tell me what's bothering you, Kris."

Kristin pulled away. "Nothing, Nathan. Why do you keep asking me that?"

Nathan walked towards the moon pool again and perched himself on the edge. Kristin followed him reluctantly. Her melancholy mood was following her.

"Because you've been acting strangely ever since all this nonsense happened with Lucas. Something's eating at you, and I want to know what it is. Now, spill it." His voice sounded firm.

Kristin didn't like the tone of his voice. She felt her face growing warm.

"I'm just tired of you and Lucas being at odds with one another."

"Kristin Westphalen! Stop hedging!"

Kristin felt tears come to her eyes as Nathan scolded her for skirting around his questions.

"I don't want to talk about it, Nathan. Please stop pressuring me."

Nathan stood to his feet and pulled her into an embrace again.

"I'm sorry; I don't mean to press you into telling me, but I know something is bothering you, Kris. I don't know what it is, but I'm here if you want to talk."

She nodded and, suddenly, before she could stop them, the tears began to flow freely as she succumbed to sobs. Her whole body shook as she wept openly into his chest. She appreciated that he didn't badger her into talking while she cried. So much pent-up emotion was inside that she just needed the release. After several minutes, she pulled away, feeling the heat on her cheeks. She felt embarrassed that she had broken down like that. She wiped at her eyes with her sleeves and without another word fled from the deck leaving Nathan standing with his mouth gaping, wondering what the hell was going on.