A/N: This is an A/U fic that takes place several months after Higher Power. First season crew.
Disclaimer: I did not create the SeaQuest DSV series nor do I own its characters. They are the product of Rockne S. O'Bannon and Amblin Entertainment. I write fanfiction purely for fun and not for profit.
HOSTAGE SITUATION
by: Jewelbox1322
Chapter 1
Nathan Bridger looked at his reflection in the large hotel bathroom mirror, straightening the bow tie that felt like it was choking him.
"Remind me again why I bother going to these things?" He spoke aloud to the person in the other room.
"Because the higher-ups requested your presence. Don't think so highly of yourself, Bridger. We were all asked to attend." Kristin Westphalen's voice was always welcomed, even if the message wasn't what he wanted to hear.
"Yes, but they know where to send the check to get the new boat finished. There is no need for these silly formalities. The last thing we need is to spend excessive amounts of money paying for everyone's hotel rooms and a big gala just to receive a pat on the back from the UEO saying what I already know. They didn't even want to make it public that they had started building a backup boat when SeaQuest was still being finished. It's almost done now, anyway. This is just to appease the investors." He walked into the room just as Kristin was zipping up her floor-length teal sequined dress.
"Wow." He breathed out a sigh and stared at the sights offered by the generous V-shaped cut of her sleeveless gown. She noticed his gaze and smiled. "Like what you see?"
"Very much so." He said in a bit of a daze. "Well, maybe it isn't so bad to get all dressed up. But I still don't know why you and I can't just sneak away and go have a nice quiet romantic dinner somewhere instead."
She walked over to him holding an elegant diamond necklace, which he took as she turned her back to him and shifted her pinned-back hair so that he could clasp it around her neck as she continued. "Oh, Captain. It's an important event. New ship. It gives people hope. The press will eat it up and the UEO needs their Golden Boy to pose for pictures. It will be nice to see everyone again. Besides, I'm sure we can find a way to have some fun tonight." Once it was on, he grabbed her bare shoulders and started kissing the back of her neck. "I'm sure...we can." He said in between kisses. Kristin giggled slightly before twisting out of his grasp and turning back to face him.
"Nathan, I was talking about a little dinner and dancing. There will be plenty of time for dessert later on. Right now, we are about to be late to the party." She said as she noticed the clock on the nightstand of their hotel room and gave him a peck on the cheek.
He let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. Let me just grab my speech and we'll go downstairs."
In the hotel ballroom:
The room was filled with silver balloons and flowers at each table, at least two open bars and a live band created a party atmosphere for the elegantly-dressed people crowded around various snack and bar tables. Lucas shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Though he enjoyed being at the same table as Ortiz, Ford, Katie, Krieg and O'Neill, he still hated these adult events. It seemed like just an excuse for the brass to spend a bunch of money so they could drink, though it's not like he could drink with them. Still, he had to admit it was nice seeing some of the women not in uniform.
"Hey! Earth to Lucas."
Lucas snapped out of his daze and looked back at Krieg.
"Yeah. What's up, Krieg?" He tried to play it off.
"We were just wondering if you had plans for next month. A few of us were going to try and squeeze in another trip to Maui while we still have time. The boat could be finished sooner than you think."
"No. no I don't have any set plans." He cleared his throat. "Although, the Captain and the Doc were asking me to join them on his island at some point."
Everyone at the table was amused by this as Ortiz spoke up. "Ah, yes. The Captain and the Doctor. I still can't believe they're an item. I mean...I can, cause God knows they aren't hiding it anymore... I just..did it catch anyone else by surprise the other day?"
Ford spoke up. "Nah. I saw it happening from the beginning. I even told the captain half the boat suspected it."
Katie continued. "Yeah, I could tell something was there, but it wasn't until I saw Kristin's reaction when we all thought the Captain had died with the ship that I really thought they might finally be doing something about it. It is awfully romantic. "
O'Neill replied. "Yeah, there was an obvious chemistry. They did a fairly good job of hiding it, though...that is, if anything was happening back then."
Lucas involuntarily shuddered and mumbled to himself. "Oh it was." He thought he was quiet enough, but given the stunned looks from everyone, he realized he said it louder than intended. He sighed and decided to spill the beans. "Well...if you must know, I found out about it before all of you and had to keep my mouth shut. It's not something I want to remember but...the day the boat sank...I kind of, caught them...making out." Their shock intensified and turned to disgust.
Krieg let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Wow. Well I, for one, am surprised it took them this long to say anything. Who knows how long they were really...together...on the boat. All those private meetings in the Ward room? Eh?" He insinuated with a grin.
Everyone at the table frowned uncomfortably. Lucas looked disgusted. "Ugh. Come on, Krieg. It's like talking about your parents. It was bad enough seeing it first-hand. Let's just...be happy for them...I mean...can we change the subject?" He glanced over at Nathan and Kristin who were standing close to each other near one of the bar tables sipping champagne and chatting very intimately.
O'Neill spoke up. "The new ship is looking good. The Captain gave a nice overview. I'm really looking forward to serving on another tour soon. It gets boring being on the mainland. The sun does not agree with my skin."
Ortiz responded. "I just hope most people are able to change their plans so quickly to make it back on."
Lucas smiled. "Starting with Cindy from the science lab. That dress!" He sighed appreciatively as he had been staring at one of the younger science lab assistants at the other table who was showing a bit more cleavage than would be considered appropriate. She turned to look at him and caught his obvious stare, causing Lucas to quickly look away and try to coolly play it off. The rest of the gang giggled knowingly. Lucas realized how obvious he was being and cleared his throat.
"I mean. Um...is it hot in here to anyone else?" He tried loosening his bowtie with his finger.
Krieg smiled knowingly. "You know, I'm also feeling a little cramped in here. Why don't you and I go freshen up...you look like you could use some help fixing that bowtie."
Lucas looked at him gratefully. "Yeah. Yeah, okay."
Krieg and Lucas got up from their chairs and walked out the main doors of the ballroom towards the men's restroom across the hall. Krieg put his arm around Lucas' shoulders and leaned in so only he could hear. "You and I need to have a little chat about subtlety." Lucas looked at him and nodded as they walked into the restroom.
Meanwhile, back in the ballroom:
Nathan and Kristin were chatting with Admiral Noyce and his wife around one of the bar tables.
"Bill, in all honesty, I appreciate the UEO's sense of urgency in finishing the new boat, but did we really need all this fancy hoopla to go with it? I mean, we're probably still a couple of months away from boarding."
"Nathan, I know you're not a fan of all of this, but it does boost crew morale. And it's been a while since we all officially got together. Besides, our private investors want to be updated on the ship's progress and this is the way they prefer to communicate. That speech you made really makes a difference in they way all of these filthy rich, spoiled, boring types, as you call them, see us. They want to know the SeaQuest will be back up and running soon to protect the seas. And don't tell me you're having an awful time. This is nice. Just try to enjoy yourself every once in a while."
"Oh believe me, thanks to Dr. Westphalen, I do." He smiled as Kristin swatted his shoulder playfully.
Noyce rolled his eyes. "Okay you two. I know the brass said it was okay for you to be together since she is a civilian scientist, but for God's sake, try to be subtle. Remember your oath to keep it professional as much as possible. I don't want the crew to send in formal complaints about excessive PDA."
"Subtlety is my middle name, Bill. Give us some credit. But until we are on that boat, we are technically a civilian couple. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I promised my date a proper dance and this is probably the only time we'll be able to do so while I wear a penguin suit. Would you and Janet care to join us?" He reached for Kristin's hand as they both put their drinks down.
Janet let out an amused chuckle and responded. "Ha! I've given up on dancing. Last time I got him to dance was about 5 years ago at our niece's wedding. Besides, he's got two left feet until he's had enough to drink."
Noyce faked an insulted look at his wife as Nathan and Kristin giggled as they walked to the dance floor.
As they danced, Kristin leaned her head on his shoulder and snuggled closer as they moved to the soft beat of the music.
At that very moment a group of about twelve men dressed in black from head to toe stormed in through the main doors with large guns drawn. One of the men fired shots in the air as if to command attention. The band stopped playing and the crowd gasped in shock and horror at what was going on. One of the men walked in front of the rest and addressed the crowd, which was now trapped inside the large ballroom.
"Alright everyone! I know you're all scared but rest assured you will all be fine if you and the rest of the UEO cooperate." He gave them all a quick glance and an evil grin formed on his face as he knew what lay in store for some of them.
