A/N: This story is in response to a review that I received on another story of mine. Hecticlife, I hope you're reading because this story is for you. You wanted to see the pitter patter of little feet in the Bridger household, but it's not going to be exactly how you think. And you know I just can't make it easy for them. That would be a fairy tale, and I don't write fairy tales. This story will be completely canon. I know, that's something odd for me. When it comes to Kristin and Nathan, I normally go AU. However, in order for the story to work, I think canon is the way to go. But, it will be canon with a twist. This story will start between the first two seasons and will go beyond the third season. I'll be dealing with characters that weren't in the other seasons as well. Therefore, the only canon life will be that of Nathan's (and maybe Lucas. I'm not sure how much he'll be in this story though. Sorry, ELF fans.) The rest, I'll be making up, but I still hope you'll read and enjoy. As usual, this will probably cover several genres; there should be a little something for everyone. This will more than likely be one of my longer stories, so sit back and relax and read along. And, hecticlife, I hope you stumble upon this because it's because of you that I came up with the idea. I hope you like it. Thank you.

I'll be posting song links for every chapter. I ask that you take the time to listen to them. Inspiration for this chapter, 'Borderline' by Alison Krauss and Union Station: http (colon) (backslash, backslash) www. youtube. com (backslash) watch?v (equals) JbhbjR-FhaI&feature (equals) results_video&playnext (equals) 1&list (equals) PL91EC6D3265193777

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

"You'll only be gone a week, right?" Nathan asked as he parked the car in the parking lot of the airport.

Kristin chuckled softly. "I've told you that a hundred times. Why are you so worried?"

Nathan pulled her into a tight embrace. "Because we've only just declared our feelings for one another, and it's hard for me to let you go, even for a second."

She placed a kiss to his lips. "Well, you know I'd love for you to go with me-"

"But I have to be here to oversee the building of the new seaQuest," he finished. "Plus, Lucas would be crushed if I left him."

She nodded, placing a hand to his cheek and caressing his face gently. "I know, and I understand. It's just that I haven't seen my family in such a long time. I want to see them before the next tour. Mother's getting older, and I'm her only living child."

Nathan reluctantly released her. "I know, I know." He sighed. "I guess I'd better get you inside before you miss your flight." He opened the trunk and carried Kristin's suitcases for her. "I think you have enough packed for a month though," he commented.

"It's just that the weather's so unpredictable in Barnet this time of year," she explained. "And I'm so used to this lovely weather in Florida. I don't want to freeze, so I packed extra."

Nathan nodded as they walked into the airport. After checking Kristin's bags, they walked to the terminal gate together.

Kristin turned to him, tears welling up in her eyes. "Well, I guess this is it," she said, her voice shaking a bit.

"Oh, don't cry, Sweetheart," Nathan said, putting his arms around her. "Lucas and I are going to be fine. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

She shook her head, still pressed up against his shoulder. "You didn't," she said, her voice muffled. "I just didn't realize how much I was going to miss you until now."

He kissed her on the head. "It's only a week, like you said. Come on, dry those tears. I don't like to see you cry."

She pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I know. "

"And we'll talk as soon as you get settled. We'll talk every night," Nathan assured her.

She nodded. At that moment, the call for Kristin's flight came through the PA system.

"You'd better go," Nathan said gently.

Kristin wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly, not wanting to let go. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too. I love you," Nathan said. Neither one of them had said those words yet. Nathan hadn't intended to make that step yet, but the words slipped out. And, it was true. He did love her.

Kristin was slightly taken aback, but she certainly wasn't displeased. "I love you too," she confirmed, a smile forming through her tears. She picked up her carry-on. "See you in a week." She blew him a kiss and disappeared through the gate.

Nathan stood there for a while and watched until he couldn't see her anymore. Then, he turned and walked out of the airport and headed home. He had been renting a townhouse in New Cape Quest to oversee the construction of the new seaQuest for Lucas and himself. Kristin had an apartment across town. They'd agreed to take things fairly slowly for many reasons, but Lucas was one of them. They'd made a point to include him as much as they could, so he never felt left out.

He walked in the door. "Lucas, I'm back," he called. But, he received no answer. He walked through the back door over-looking the beach. He saw the boy's form sitting on the dock. He walked towards him.

"I'm back. What are you doing?" Nathan asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing much."

"Is something wrong?" Nathan asked.

"It's just that I'm going to miss the doc," Lucas said. "I didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to having her around."

Nathan sat next to him. "Is that all? You know, you could have come to the airport."

Lucas nodded. "But I thought you two deserved a little time alone together. I know you're always including me, and I appreciate it. But, I know you don't always want me tagging along either."

Nathan sighed. "We love having you around."

Lucas smiled. "Whatever you say."

"You did say goodbye to her before we left, right?"

"Yeah, we had a nice little chat," Lucas explained. "She told me to keep you out of trouble."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"I think she meant both of us," Lucas said. "And she told me to take care of you for her."

Nathan smiled. "Now that sounds more like her. She says she'll call us later when she gets settled."

"Every night," Lucas confirmed.

Nathan put his arm around him. "How about we go down to the base and see if we can't get some work done while we wait?"

Lucas nodded. "Sounds good."

"Great; race you to the car?" Nathan said.

"You're on," Lucas replied, running on ahead of him.

Some hours later, Kristin's plane landed in Barnet. She scanned the crowded airport for a familiar face.

"Miss Westphalen?"

Kristin turned around to see the family butler. "Claude? Is that you?" She threw her arms around him. Claude had been with her family since she was a girl; he was really more like a beloved uncle than someone who worked for them.

"Oh, it's so lovely to see you, Miss Westphalen," Claude gushed, returning the hug and placing a kiss to her head. "I've missed you."

"Me too," she confirmed. They walked over to the baggage claim, and Claude helped her with her bags. "Mother decided not to come?" she asked, somewhat disappointed.

Claude hesitated slightly. "Your mother didn't want me to tell you this, but her health isn't what it used to be."

Kristin's heart sank. "What's the matter? Why would she lie? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Claude sighed. "Your mother didn't want you putting your life on hold to take care of her. But, you'd better prepare yourself; you're in for a shock."

A short time later, they were on their way to the Westphalen home. They rode in silence, for the most part. Kristin was still trying to deal with the news she'd just heard, trying to prepare herself. But, no matter how hard she'd tried, nothing could have prepared her for what she saw when she'd walked into her childhood home.

The last time she'd been home, the house was just as she'd remembered it. Although her father had passed away two years earlier, shortly after her brother James had lost his life, her mother had still managed to manage the house. Kristin had suggested she sell it, but her mother had refused. The home had been in the family for generations, and she wasn't about to let it go. She expected to leave it to Kristin when she had passed away, she had said.

But, the house was in disarray now. If one didn't know it, one would think more than one person lived there. Shock was a mere understatement to what Kristin had felt.

"I've tried to clean up as much as I could," Claude explained, "but your mother insists on doing it herself. I've been reprimanded many times. She's a stubborn woman, you know, and she's gotten more so in the past year."

Kristin simply nodded, giving Claude a sympathetic look. "It's quite alright," she assured him. But as Kristin looked around, she knew the house was definitely too much for her mother. "Where is Mother?"

"Most likely in her bedroom, Dear. She spends much of her time there. Are you hungry, Miss Westphalen?" Claude asked.

Kristin shook her head. "Not at the moment, thank you."

Claude nodded his head. "Well, I've been working on a lovely vegetable soup for your mother for dinner. There will be plenty for you as well, whenever you are."

She gave him a small smile. "Thank you."

Claude turned and headed for the kitchen. He paused in the doorway. "I tried to warn you." With that, he disappeared.

Kristin sighed sadly as she made her way up the stairs, carrying one of her suitcases. She noticed some of the stairs were weak, the banister was shaky, and the windows needed a good cleaning. She set her suitcase down at the top of the stairs and headed to her mother's bedroom.

She knocked gently on the door. "Mother?"

"J-just a minute," she heard her mother call. Her voice sounded weak.

A few moments later, her mother opened the door. Kristin couldn't believe how frail and thin she'd become. "Oh, Krissy! How wonderful to see you." She wrapped her daughter in a hug.

"Oh, I've missed you so, Mummy!" Kristin said, returning the hug, but afraid to squeeze too tightly for fear she'd break. After a few minutes, she released her mother, and the two walked into her bedroom. To Kristin's relief, her mother's bedroom was still neat and tidy, but she noticed her mother was in her nightgown and robe. They both sat down on the bed. "Why didn't you tell me you needed help with the house?"

Her mother waved her hand. "I hope you don't intend to lecture me the whole time you're here. I'm a grown woman, and I've been managing this house for over nearly fifty years, thank you very much. I do not need help."

"But, the stairs, the banister, the cleaning, Mummy…it's really too much for one person. Why don't you let Claude help you?"

"Because Claude is here to cook and drive me around, that's all. I've never needed him to do any cleaning or much else." She stood to walk over to the window, but stumbled a bit.

Kristin reacted immediately, catching her mother before she fell. "Are you alright?"

"I guess it's no secret I'm not the woman I used to be," her mother said in response. "I…haven't been well."

"What's wrong?"

"Old age. My body's not what it used to be, dear."

Kristin sighed. It was that moment, she'd made a decision. She knew she'd be there longer than a week because she'd be a horrible daughter if she left her mother alone after seeing how she could barely take care of herself. She just wasn't sure how she was going to break it to Nathan.

Later that evening, she made the phone call she promised. She waited until Nathan answered.

"Hey, sweetheart," Nathan answered a moment later. "Did you get settled?"

She nodded, trying to give a smile, but it was difficult. "Yes, all settled," she muttered. "Is Lucas there?"

Nathan moved over a bit so Lucas could be seen on the screen too. "Hi, Doc." He placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "And don't worry; I'm keeping him out of trouble. And, I've been taking care of him too." He gave her a wink.

"I'm so happy to hear that." But she just couldn't fake her enthusiasm. "I might need you to keep your promise for just a little bit longer though."

"What?" Nathan said. "What's wrong?"

"Um, maybe you and I should talk privately for a bit?" She looked at Lucas. "I'll talk to you in a little while, okay?"

Lucas nodded, quickly retreating from the room. He didn't know what the problem was, but he knew it wasn't good.

As soon as Lucas was gone, Nathan turned back to the screen. "You want to tell me what the problem is?"

"I…I think I need to stay here a little longer than a week." Her voice was quiet; she wouldn't meet his gaze.

"Is that all?" Nathan said. "Don't worry; Lucas and I will be fine. You're thinking two weeks?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I hadn't really thought about how much time I'd need," she admitted, "but I don't think two weeks is enough either."

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Nathan, Mother's not well. She can't maintain the house. I really don't feel comfortable leaving her alone at all."

"So, you're not coming back?"

"I…Nathan, I…" Her voice was hoarse as the lump in her throat strained her voice. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I love you, but I don't think I can be with you right now. My mother needs me…I'm her only living child."

Nathan nodded sadly. "So, you won't be returning to seaQuest either?"

She shook her head. "I am sorry."