Chapter 11

Nathan stared at Kristin in disbelief. "Kristin, you don't mean that."

"Yes, I do," she said. "Antonio loves me, Nathan. I can't just leave him like this."

"What about your work? What about Lucas? What about Darwin? What about-" He was about to say, 'me', but Kristin cut him off.

"Well, I'll have my things sent over," she said. "Antonio says that the doctor would like to offer me a position working here. And, I'll call Lucas on occasion; I doubt Darwin will miss me all that much. Levin can take over until the UEO can find a replacement."

"So, it's just like that?" Nathan asked.

Kristin nodded. "Yeah, I guess it is. Look, Nathan, I'm sorry."

"Do you love him?"

"What?"

"You said he loves you. Do you love him? Do you really think you can be happy here? The next time I see you, will you be one of...them?"

Kristin just looked at him. Nathan thought he detected a small look of regret in her eyes...maybe even fear, but it quickly disappeared as she said, "I think it's time for you to go. Call me sometime?" And with that, she turned and walked back across the room into Antonio's waiting arms.

And so, Nathan had little choice but to return to seaQuest alone; Kristin had made her choice, and there was no changing her mind. Once the launch reconnected with seaQuest, Nathan mentally prepared what he was going to tell the other crew members. As expected, he received many confused, questioning looks as to the whereabouts of their beloved doctor.

He'd already decided he would be making a boatwide announcement over the PA system. However, he felt the need to inform Dr. Levin of his new position first. After doing so, Nathan made his announcement. After doing so, Nathan went to check on Lucas.

Nathan knocked on his door. "It's open," Lucas said.

"Hey, Kiddo," Nathan said. "How you doing?"

"Is it true? Is she really gone?"

Nathan nodded. "I'm afraid so, Lucas."

"How could she do that? How could she just leave?"

"I just think she was looking for something more," Nathan said. No one else knew of Kristin's affair with Antonio, and Nathan was not about to badmouth her behind her back.

"You mean she was unhappy here?"

Nathan shook his head. "No, she wasn't unhappy here. I just think she wanted a change."

"You should have tried to stop her."

"I did."

"Not hard enough."

"Now wait just a minute, Lucas. Dr. Westphalen is a grown woman; I can't just order her around. She is free to make her own decisions. She told me to tell you she's sorry."

"Why couldn't she tell me that in person?" Lucas asked angrily.

Nathan sighed. He wished he knew what to say to help Lucas understand. Kristin would have known what to say; she always did.

"She says she's going to call you."

"When?" Lucas asked hopefully. "Later today?"

"Her exact words were, 'I'll call on occasion.' "

Lucas' face fell. "Oh."

"I'm sure she'll call when she gets settled in," Nathan tried to reassure him.

"Yeah. Whatever," Lucas said miserably. "Look, Cap. Do you mind leaving me alone? I need some time to think."

"Uh, sure," Nathan said. "I guess I'll see you later then? If you want to talk, you know where to find me."

"Yeah," Lucas said. "Thanks."

With that, Nathan left the room, closing the door behind him. Nathan walked to his own quarters, not knowing what else to do. Normally, when he needed someone to talk to or advice, he would go to Kristin. But, she wasn't there anymore. She was gone. The realization suddenly hit him, and he felt very much alone just then.

In Savage Garden

Kristin was in her new room with Antonio.

"Maybe I shouldn't have left yet," she said.

"What do you mean? You want us to be apart?" Antonio asked, giving her nipping kisses down her neck.

"N-no," Kristin said, "but, I think I'm going to be lonely here."

"What do you mean? You'll have me, My Darling."

"I-I know," Kristin said, pushing him away gently.

"What's wrong?'

"N-nothing, but maybe it would be nice if we just talked."

"I thought that's what you were doing,"

"Yes, but how can I be sure if you're listening if you're busy kissing my neck?"

"I thought you liked my affections."

"I-I do. M-maybe I just need some time. This is a lot to get used to."

"Fine," Antonio said, getting up to leave. "I'll just see you later then?"

"What?"

"At the show, remember? Dr. Blood told me I'd be featured in the show tonight." There were several shows every day at Savage Garden to ensure that all the vampires got to eat. "You said you'd come see it."

"Oh, right," Kristin said.

"You forgot. I can't believe you." He was obviously angry as he walked to the door.

"I'm sorry," Kristin said, but the only answer she received was the shutting of the door.

She didn't blame Antonio for being upset with her, and she knew Nathan was upset as well. She suddenly realized she never should have stayed; the seaQuest was her home, not this place. She put her head in her hands and cried miserably.

Kristin didn't know how long she'd been crying when she heard a knock at the door. "Just a minute," she said, quickly rushing to the bathroom to see how she looked. Indeed, she looked a fright, her eyes red and her face puffy from crying. She blew her nose, splashed some cool water on her face, and dried it with a towel. She looked in the mirror once again, deciding she at least looked presentable and rushed to answer the door.

"Dr. Curry," she said when she opened the door. "What a surprise. Come in."

"Thank you, but please call me Dr. Blood," he said as he entered the room.

"Alright, Dr. Blood. Tell me, what can I do for you?"

Dr. Blood laughed softly. "Well, it's more of a matter of what you can do for me."

"Oh?" Kristin said, expecting Dr. Blood to give her an assignment of some sort.

Dr. Blood snapped his fingers. Two very large men entered the room, each grabbing one of Kristin's arms.

Kristin immediately began to struggle and protest. "Excuse me? Get your hands off me. What is the meaning of this?"

"I'm sorry, Doctor, but it seems we have a slight problem here."

"What?" Kristin asked, not understanding.

"You've been nominated, My Dear," Dr. Blood said matter-of-factly. "Take her to the dungeon."

"No!" Kristin screamed. "This is not what I wanted."

"Oh, don't worry. You'll change your mind soon enough," Dr. Blood promised.