A/N: So, I pulled a Zellar; I lied. I said I was going to take a break, but my muse crept up and bit me again. So, I've decided to post this little teaser. It's a teaser because it might be a week or more before I can update again. But please don't let that discourage you from reading or commenting. I will return.

But since this is a Halloween-themed story, I wanted to get it started. It will be more of a suspense story rather than a horror story, but the only thing that you really need to know before you read is that it is set directly off the first season episode, Hide and Seek, following the Nathan and Kristin scene at the end. It starts out fairly tame. I realize Nathan might be a little out of character at first. However, I always thought of this episode as the time where he started to realize his feelings for Kristin. Therefore, I think he would find himself a little flustered. Although there will be a few flirting scenes and perhaps some romantic undertones, this story is not a romance. Please don't let the opening scene fool you. And honestly, this will be a canon story. No matter how much Nathan and Kristin flirt, I won't allow them to take their romance to the next level yet. Just like all my stories, there will be probably be a little of everything for everyone. Thank you.

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 headed to his quarters, still unable to sleep. He hadn't slept well that week, and it wasn't Milos Teslov that was the problem. It was Kristin.

He paced back and forth as he thought. Why was he so angry about her seeing Malcolm? Certainly, it was her time to do with what she pleased. But with Malcolm of all people?

Nathan sighed. No, Downey wasn't a bad guy. He was Nathan's friend, someone he'd trust with his life. Sure, the guy was a little crazy, maybe even a bit of a coward. But he was a brilliant scientist, and he had saved Darwin's life when they were dealing with Dr. Raleigh Young's black smokers. But there was one thing he couldn't handle, and that was watching him put his hands all over Kristin.

It was only a few simple touches. But, when Kristin was explaining how the electroencephalographic monitoring system would display Caesar Teslov's brain activity while swimming with Darwin, Nathan found it rather difficult to focus on what Kristin was saying. Friend or not, he did not enjoy watching that slime ball rub her shoulders.

"Kristin was right; I am jealous," he muttered to himself.

But he found himself more confused than ever. She had been so mysterious just a moment ago. She'd said there had to be something more to her life, but she wasn't sure if she was finished with Malcolm. And she was checking to see if there was something else she needed on the boat. What was that supposed to mean?

After mulling things about in his head several times over, he decided he couldn't wait to find out. He walked out of his quarters and headed to Kristin's room. He knocked on the door.

She answered, now dressed in a robe herself. "Nathan? Is something wrong?"

"Yes….no…I mean, can we talk?"

She stepped aside to allow him to step into her quarters.

Nathan could hear soft music playing. He saw a book lying on the bed, open, but turned upside down to save the page she'd been on. "I…hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

She shook her head. "Not at all. Let me just turn this off." She turned the radio off and turned back to Nathan. She noticed how uncomfortable he looked. She smiled softly. "Why don't you have a seat?" She motioned to the small table and chairs. "Can I get you anything? A cup of tea maybe?" Then she added, "Some more chocolate pudding?"

He smiled stiffly as he sat. "No, I'm fine, thank you."

"Well, I'm going to have a cup of tea," she told him. "Are you sure you don't want one? It will help you relax." She took out two cups from the small cabinet and a box of tea bags.

"Who says I'm not relaxed?"

Kristin laughed softly as she carried the two cups of tea to the table. She set one in front of him. "Just drink," she urged him.

He took a sip. She had already sweetened it and added a touch of milk. "It's good; thank you."

She nodded. "So, what's bothering you?"

"I was…uh…well, I was just wondering…" he stammered.

"Yes?"

He sighed and stood, pacing slightly once again. "Are you going to stop seeing Malcolm?" he asked quietly. His back was turned to her.

A moment later, he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He jumped slightly.

"I didn't mean to startle you," she said apologetically. "Please, look at me."

He did so. He swallowed hard when he saw the look on her face, one full of love and understanding.

"Do you want me to stop seeing him?" Her tone was gentle, but she wanted Nathan to tell her. She wanted him to open up. If he wanted to take their relationship to the next level, she was certainly willing. But she wanted him to say it.

"I didn't like how friendly he got with you," he finally admitted after a long pause. "You were right; I was jealous."

She smiled. "I'm not going to see Malcolm anymore, unless it's of the professional nature," she confirmed. Then, she added, "Nothing happened between us, you know. I think he wanted more of a commitment from me, and I couldn't do that."

"Why is that?"

"I need more than charm to keep me happy," she said quietly.

The two stared into one another's eyes for a long while. Kristin felt her face grow warm as she noticed Nathan looking her up and down. She turned away. "Uh, the tea's getting cold," she said. She sat back at the table and picked up her cup.

Nathan followed suit as well. "So, what do you need to keep you happy?" he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I told you I was checking."

"Yes, I remember," he said, somewhat annoyed. "I'm not exactly sure what that means."

"It means I'm reassessing things," she told him, "deciding what I need."

"How long will that take?"

She smiled. "It might take a little while."

"You mentioned. And it's still the same answer."

"As soon as I know, you'll be the first person I tell."

He nodded. "Fair enough. I just needed to understand what you meant."

"Of course. Would you like more tea?" she offered.

"No, thank you," he said, taking the last sip from his cup. "It's late, and I need to be to work in the morning."

"So do I," she said.

"I'm sorry if I kept you awake."

"You didn't. I couldn't sleep myself. Um, see you at breakfast?"

"It's a date. Um, I mean, I'll see you there."

"Goodnight, Captain."

"Sleep well, Doctor."

The next morning

Kristin awoke to a commotion in the corridor.

"I'm going to kill you, Ben!" she heard Lucas yell.

"Come on; it's almost Halloween. Can't you get in the spirit?" she heard Ben shout back.

Then, she heard running. She quickly threw on a robe so she could see what was going on.

Once in the hallway, she saw Lucas covered in some type of green goo, and he was chasing Ben through the halls.

"Lucas, I'm sorry," Ben called. "Can't we talk about this?"

"After I get revenge!" Lucas cried.

Kristin decided to intervene before Lucas really did kill Ben. She knew hr could be terribly annoying, but that certainly didn't warrant his death. She stood between them, her arms out. "Hold it!"

Both Ben and Lucas froze.

"Good," she said, satisfied. "Now, will one of you please explain to me why Lucas is covered in some type of green gelatin?"

"Well, Doc, I was just trying to get everyone into the Halloween spirit, starting with Lucas here," Ben said sweetly.

"He threw a water balloon at me while I was asleep, only it wasn't filled with water. For all I know, it could be toxic waste. My room is covered with it!" Lucas said dryly.

"It's lime-flavored," Ben said in his defense. "Completely edible and not toxic."

Kristin sighed. She regretted coming out to intervene after all because she suddenly had a splitting headache from trying to decide how to handle this. But as the two men started to argue, she heard Nathan coming down the other end of the corridor.

"Hey, you two, knock it off," Nathan shouted as he approached them. "Does someone want to explain what the hell is going on here?"

"Apparently, Mr. Krieg threw a lime gelatin-filled balloon at Lucas," Kristin explained. "I woke up to Lucas threatening bodily harm against him."

Nathan took another look at Lucas and started snickering, realizing the boy did look rather funny. Ben joined in. Lucas and Kristin, however, did not.

Lucas lunged for Ben. "It's not funny! I'm going to kill you! My room's a mess because of it."

Nathan stopped laughing and held Lucas back. "Hey, kiddo, calm down. " He turned to Ben. "You'll help clean up Lucas' room, and if you have any more of those balloons, you'd better get rid of them."

"But-" Ben began.

"No buts," Nathan interrupted. "Aren't we a little old for childish pranks like this?"

"You're never too old for Halloween," Ben countered.

"Well, save the pranks for when you're off-duty, and I don't want to hear of anyone running through the halls anymore either. I think you both need to apologize to the doctor for waking her up."

"Sorry," both muttered sheepishly.

Kristin shrugged her shoulders. "It's all right; my alarm was about to go off soon anyway."

Nathan turned to both men. "Now, you two, get cleaned up and get to work."

"Yes, sir," both said as they walked off, squabbling quietly.

Nathan turned to Kristin. "Something tells me this won't be the last prank we see this week."

She nodded. "I'd completely forgotten it was that time of year."

"Yes, well, I'll have to keep an extra eye on them. We still have work to do."

"Yes, but they do deserve to have a little fun. We've been working hard all year."

Nathan raised an eyebrow at her. "You're suggesting we allow it?"

She laughed softly. "I know I'm not usually one for fun and games, but I have my moments. Besides, did you see the smile on Lucas' face?"

Nathan gave her a confused look. "He wasn't smiling. He was angry. He said he was going to kill Ben."

"That's what he said, but that's not what the look on his face said. His eyes were smiling. He was having fun. However annoying Mr. Krieg's prank may have been, Lucas enjoyed it," she explained. "He deserves to have a little fun this time of year. Besides, I want to see him get revenge."

Nathan laughed. "I suppose that will be fun to watch."

She nodded. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to get changed."

"Likewise. See you in the mess?"

"See you there," she promised.