Chapter 9
Nathan couldn't believe what he was told. His quiet dinner with Kristin was interrupted by Agents Duncan and Watson; they had solved the murder it seemed. Nathan just did not expect that it would be Ensign Alvarez. He just didn't seem like a murderer, but then, did anyone ever seem like a murderer? Mateo was confined to the brig until Watson and Duncan could escort him upworld to bring him to justice.
Although the murder was solved, Nathan was not taking any chances with Kristin. He insisted on her staying in his room, at least for the night. She was still shaken up, even after a session with Dr. Mitchell, although she said she felt fine. Nathan knew better, however. And, Kristin was thankful for it, although she didn't want to admit it.
After an extremely exhausting day for both of them, they retired as soon they returned to Nathan's room.
"Everything's going to be alright now," Nathan soothed Kristin as they both laid down on his bunk; she was cuddled close to him, her head lying on his chest as he held her.
Kristin nodded, but didn't speak. She was just eager for the day to be over. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep, and Nathan followed shortly after.
Nathan's rest was interrupted, hours later, by a shrill scream. Nathan shot up, knowing who the scream was from-Kristin. She was having one hell of a nightmare, it seemed. She was tossing and turning, and she was screaming, "no". Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. Although Nathan was relieved it was only that, he didn't like seeing her that way. He tried waking her up.
"Kristin," he said as he shook her gently, "Kristin, wake up, Honey."
After a few moments of this, Kristin immediately shot up in bed. Nathan instinctively wrapped his arms around her as Kristin cried into his shoulder. She was trembling, so Nathan rocked her gently, rubbed her back and whispered gentle, soothing words to her. It was at this moment that Nathan finally realized how much Kristin had truly been affected by all of this. After a while, he finally got her calmed down.
"Do you want to talk about it?," Nathan asked her.
Kristin shook her head. "I just want to go back to sleep, as long as you hold me."
"I'll never let go," Nathan promised. Although he wanted to know what she had dreamed about, he didn't press the issue either. And soon, they were both back to sleep without encountering any other interruptions.
Duncan woke up early; part of him expected, even hoped, that there would be some kind of strange occurrence during the course of the evening. Not that he wanted a murder to occur, quite the opposite. However, he believed Mateo Alvarez was innocent, even though the evidence did not reveal that, and he wanted something, anything to happen to prove it otherwise. If something happened while Mateo was in the brig, that might prove his innocence. But, nothing happened. It had been a calm, quiet night, Duncan thought a little bitterly. Sadly, he had to come to terms with the fact that Mateo did do this unspeakable act.
Once it was a reasonable hour, Duncan knocked on Watson's door.
"It looks like we can be getting ready to leave soon," Duncan said.
"Listen, did Dr. Lawton get those results on the paternity test," Watson asked.
Duncan shook his head. "Hopefully, by we'll know by the time we leave, not that I think it will change the outcome of anything, though."
"You still don't think he did it, do you?" Watson asked.
"No, I just can't shake the feeling that this kid is getting a raw deal. I guess it's just the human in me wanting to believe in the greater good of humanity, but the cop in me knows that is never the case."
With that, they went to alert the rest of the forensics team that they would be leaving sometime that day.
Nathan awoke with relief that no other tragedies had occurred overnight. Kristin was still asleep; he carefully got out of bed, making sure not to disturb her and got ready for the day. Perhaps things could get back to normal now. He was actually looking forward going to the bridge. Although the seaQuest would most likely encounter some distress call or a tragedy, it would be somewhere other than there, and that felt refreshing. Of course, Nathan was not wishing tragedy on anyone, but he was looking forward to righting the injustice of the world, as he always did.
As he was getting dressed, he heard Kristin stir. "Good morning, Sweetheart," he said to her.
"Hi," she mumbled sleepily. Nathan walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How do you feel this morning?" he asked with concern.
"Better," she answered. Nathan looked her over trying to determine if she was telling him the truth. Nathan knew she would never intentionally deceive him, but she had a habit of trying to appear stronger than she really was, especially under the circumstances. "What?" she asked when she saw how he was looking at her.
"Nothing; I was just trying to make sure you really are feeling better."
"Would I lie to you?" she quipped, remembering his words from the previous night.
"Touché." Nathan answered. Then, he added, "Not on purpose."
"Well, I'm not lying. I feel better knowing that the murderer has been caught. Maybe things can get back to normal around here now."
Nathan nodded. He said, "Yes, well I am glad that the murder has been solved, but I am not glad about who the murderer turned out to be. It's just that Mateo is so young, and he just doesn't seem like the type of person to do that."
"Well, it happens. I know it's sad, but we just need to move forward now."
Nathan was relieved in the positive change in her. Although he knew she may need another session or two with Dr. Mitchell, he knew she'd be alright now.
"I can't wait to get back to work," Kristin said. Then she added, "And wear my own clothes." She motioned at the shirt of Nathan's she wore to sleep in being that she was unable to bring any of her own things to Nathan's room.
"Hey, I think you look good in my clothes," Nathan said.
Kristin chuckled, "Well, thank you, but I think the rest of the crew might question it. If you don't mind, I'm going to head back to my room now. I think it's safe now."
Nathan agreed it was for the best. "I can't say I didn't enjoy having you here, though."
Kristin gave him a passionate kiss. "Thank you."
And, with that, Kristin borrowed Nathan's robe and put it on over the shirt. "I'll bring these back to you later."
"No problem."
And with that, she was gone.
Throughout the course of the day, both normalcy and relief returned to the crew of the seaQuest. Agents Duncan and Watson and the rest of the forensics team prepared to leave. As Sam Duncan was packing, Dr. Lawton knocked on his door.
"Sam, I have the results of that DNA test," he said.
"What are they?" Sam asked.
"Mateo Alvarez was not the father."
"That's what I thought," Duncan answered. "Thank you."
"No problem."
"Tell the rest of the team we are leaving within the hour," Duncan told him.
"Will do." And with that he left.
Duncan went next door to Watson's room to make sure he was packed. Then, they headed to the bridge to bid their goodbyes to Nathan and collect their perpetrators.
But, all were oblivious to the real murderer, watching, waiting and just biding time until the right moment to strike again.
