Kirstin Westphalen arrived like a whirlwind early the next morning, greeting Hudson frostily and demanding to see Doctor Perry immediately.
Captain Hudson was very happy to deposit her in the med-bay and make his escape. Within minutes, the two doctors were surrounded by a mound of papers, charts and x-rays.
Kristin put down the x-ray she was examining, and tried to joke. "Well, let's hope he doesn't have to go through a metal detector any time soon!" Her voice cracked on the last word. "Tim told me what had happened, but I didn't imagine this. I suppose you don't, when it's someone you care about."
Doctor Perry bustled about her office, and then handed the other woman a cup of tea.
"Lovely, thank you." She took a sip, and then held on to it's comforting warmth. "How bad is it?"
Perry took a sip of her own tea. "You can see how bad the original injury was, that on it's own would have been enough. But the hospital stay nearly killed him. They pretty much wiped out his immune system, and he could have done without the nightmares and the drug addiction. Not to mention the weight loss. He lost a huge amount, and because of the nausea, he just can't seem to regain it. Tony took him home for Christmas, and he did put on a few pounds, but then he caught the flu. He just can't seem to catch a break."
"He never had the best luck. How is he handling it?"
"Better. He's had some rough times, but he seems to be letting his friends help a little more. As you can see, we have him on an anti-depressant, but if he continues to improve I'd like to wean him off it."
"Has he had any more panic attacks?"
"Not since Christmas. Just the episode the other day, and frankly, I've been expecting something like that for a while. I'm surprised it didn't come sooner."
"He always did like to internalize everything. It looks like you've done everything you can for him."
"Everybody has. I know you don't want to hear it, but Captain Hudson has really done a huge amount to help him. He modified one of the VIP rooms especially for him, he's tried to get him to talk about things, he's pretty much taken Tony and Dagwood off any kind of regular schedule so that they can help him, and now he's moving heaven and earth to get him this medication."
"I know. When something like this happens, you want to blame someone. Captain Hudson seemed like an easy choice. What about Nathan Bridger?"
"That seems to be the $64,000 question. No-one knows, he hasn't been in touch. As far as we all know, he hasn't even heard."
"I don't understand it, they used to be so close." She trailed off. "When do I get to see him?"
"I've asked Tony to tell him to come down here as soon as he's awake."
"I don't understand why I have to go to the med-bay again."
"Probably just a quick check up, you know how she likes to be thorough."
"Yeah, I guess."
"I don't start my shift for another hour, hows about I walk with you? I wanted to talk to you about something anyway."
They made their way down to the med-bay.
"That sounds ominous."
"Nah, nothing like that. Captain Hudson said that you had no next of kin listed."
Lucas looked puzzled. "No. What about it?"
"I was talking to Aunt Angie, and she and I...well, we was wondering if you'd like to put us down."
Lucas froze, and then looked up, shocked. "You'd want me to do that?"
"Yeah. Like I said before, you're family."
He was moved by the expression on Lucas' face. "Shall I tell Doc Perry when we go in?"
Lucas nodded. "Yes. I'd like that. Thanks, Tony."
"Don't mention it, Kid."
They were still busy talking when they entered, and Lucas didn't notice Doctor Westphalen at first.
She looked up as the doors to the med-bay opened and saw him come in. She was glad to have a minute to compose herself before she spoke to him. She had, of course, seen his files, but it still hadn't prepared her for the reality.
Lucas...her Lucas...in a wheelchair. He looked so thin, and horribly pale, but he was talking animatedly to the young man beside him. As silly as it was, she didn't like how comfortable he seemed, how normal he was acting. She felt this whole situation should be as unreal to him as it was to her. She stood up and walked over to him.
"Lucas."
He turned in surprise, and his eyes widened. "Doctor Westphalen? What are you doing here?"
"Tim called me."
"Why?"
"Why? The question, young man, is not why he called me, but why didn't you call me? Didn't you think I'd want to see you?"
He still looked surprised, but now he also looked defensive.
"I thought you'd be angry that I'd joined up, I know your feelings about the military."
She saw his friend place a hand on his shoulder for support.
"I'm not happy that you joined up, of course not. But I understand why you felt you had to. And I still care about you, I still want you in my life."
He looked at her disbelievingly, and she knelt down and hugged him.
"Oh my poor, dear boy, of course I do! I love you very much, you foolish boy!"
They hugged each other fiercely, and wiped their eyes. Tony turned to leave, but found his wrist grabbed by Lucas.
"Doctor Westphalen, I'd like you to meet Tony. He and Dagwood have been helping me."
She smiled at him, her eyes shining with approval.
"Hi!" He looked uncertain as to whether he should shake hands or salute. She pulled him into a hug.
"Of course, Doctor Perry has told me all about you, she says very good things. I'm glad Lucas has such a responsible friend!"
Lucas grinned, and Tony choked on a laugh.
The doctor fixed Lucas with a hard stare. "I believe he has been extremely capable. Doctor Perry tells me that the only time you've put on any weight was when you were in his care!"
Lucas smiled at Tony. "She's right, he's really looked after me. And Dagwood. They both have," his smile slipped a little, "I couldn't have coped without them."
Tony blushed under the attention. "Yeah, well, I gotta go, see you later."
Doctor Westphalen persuaded Lucas to allow her to examine him herself. It wasn't, she said, that she didn't trust Doctor Perry, with whom she had developed one of those instant friendships. It was just that she felt she needed to check him over for her own peace of mind. Lucas had, somewhat grudgingly, agreed.
She tried to maintain no expression when she saw the full nature of his injury, and tried not to let her eyes linger on the deep scars. She tutted at his weight, and was horribly aware that she could almost see each and every rib. Then she tested his sensitivity and range of movement. Everything was consistent with the reports she had received from Perry, but she had hoped that the doctor's assessment had been overly gloomy.
"I heard that you were concerned that Captain Hudson would ask you to leave the SeaQuest if you couldn't receive the treatments, because you didn't think he'd want you if you couldn't walk?" It was a question.
"I can't continue the treatments. It hurts too much. And I don't know why he'd want me if there's no hope that I can be like I was."
"Lucas," she looked into his eyes, hating herself for what she was going to say. "Lucas, they told you there was little likelihood of that. The treatments will help, but you're never going to be walking unaided again, and if you do gain some mobility, it will take months...you do understand that?"
Lucas looked away, looking at that moment every inch the stubborn child she had known all those years ago.
"Lucas, Captain Hudson knew that too. He's going to try to keep you on the SeaQuest whatever happens. He doesn't expect you to start walking again. When he made the arrangements for you to stay, he understood what he was doing. And you need to understand that too."
"You don't think I'll have to leave?"
"No, I don't. But I don't think you should stop the treatments, either."
He started to interrupt.
"No, let me finish. You are unlikely to ever regain full mobility, and I'm afraid that you have to accept that. But the treatments may help you to recover some sensation and movement, and enable you to sit for longer without pain, and hopefully to be able to walk short distances with help. You may even, in the fullness of time, be able to walk with crutches or a cane." She felt a sudden wave of hopeless anger at the bleak future that she had to explain to an eighteen year old boy.
"I can't take the treatments. I've tried. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't do anything. I can't go through that again."
"Yes, I know. It was because she couldn't give you the traditional painkillers. It's a painful process anyway, but without them - well, it's like jumping out of an aeroplane without a parachute." She took a deep breath and continued. "Lucas, I know that you may not like this, but Admiral Noyce, Secretary General McGath, Captain Hudson and I have all contributed a little money, and I used my connections to get a better price...and we got the new painkiller for you."
As she expected, Lucas looked horrified.
"No!"
"Indeed, yes. You need this painkiller, Lucas. Even without the new treatments it would be advisable. You're still in too much pain, and the nausea is preventing you from gaining weight. But anyway, you can't discontinue the treatments, you need to see what they can do for you."
"I won't take their money!"
"Why not? You gave Tony money to help his family, how is this different?"
"It is different! He helps me, all the time! He and Dagwood, they help me get out of bed, they make me eat, they sit up all night when I'm sick! I even found out that I keep them awake all night, I owe Tony!"
"Is that how he sees it?"
"No, of course not."
"Of course it isn't. He's doing it because you're friends. Which is the same reason that Dagwood is doing this, I'm sure. It's certainly why I want to help."
"And Admiral Noyce, Secretary General McGath and Captain Hudson? Are they my friends too?"
"I don't know about McGath. Bill Noyce is certainly your friend, and if Captain Hudson hates you, he has a funny way of showing it. If you really hate it, you can pay them back later on."
"With what?"
"Well, I"ve heard all about the new PAL system. That looks like something the UEO would like to own the rights to."
"Well, I'll buy the painkillers then!"
"Lucas, you've already started the treatments. You can't stop and start, they have to be taken consecutively. This has to be done now. Besides, as I said, I used my contacts and got a good discount. They didn't cost as much as you think."
Despite himself, he looked interested. "How much were they?"
"$20,000." She looked inordinately pleased with herself. "Not bad, even if I do say so myself!"
She leaned forward and tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear. "Let us do this for you. Everybody wants to help."
"Secretary General McGath?"
"I imagine that he feels a certain degree of guilt over your recent treatment and would feel better if he could make some kind of reparation."
Lucas colored as he understood her inference. "I got compensation," he said quietly.
"From the UEO. Not from him."
"And Admiral Noyce? Captain Hudson?"
"If it hadn't been for William Noyce, you would never have been on this boat in the first place. You were the bait to lure in Nathan Bridger."
They were both quiet for a moment. It was the first time his name had come up between them.
As if to change the subject, Lucas said, "Well, Captain Hudson has nothing to feel guilty for. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here now. I don't understand why, but he's done everything he can for me."
Hudson had been standing in the doorway listening to them. At the last sentance, he stepped forward.
"I will do everything I can for the good of this submarine, Ensign. And if that means expending a little effort and money to keep a top of the line computer expert on board, then I will do it. Currently, I am eagerly awaiting my new communications system, which you promised to have finished for me in three days time."
Westphalen looked appalled at his plain speaking.
"Yes Sir. I'm sorry..."
"I don't want 'sorry", I want it completed a.s.a.p., do you understand?"
He swallowed. "Yes Sir, but..."
"No 'but's' either. Doctor, give him the painkiller, it's time for him to return to work, isn't it Ensign?"
Lucas nodded, overruled.
Kristin Westphalen's jaw dropped open a little. She could see this was a dynamic that was new to her, but it obviously worked between the two of them. If there was one thing Nathan Bridger had taught this boy, it was to obey his captain.
