A/N: Inspiration for this chapter, 'Remember When' by Avril Lavigne: http (colon(backslash, backslash) www. youtube. com (backslash) watch?v (equals) 5GkhEbmRodE

Chapter 13

Kristin took a launch from Nassau back to Andros to retrieve her bags from Cynthia's condo. General Rogers had booked Kristin a hotel room in Nassau for the time being until further action could be taken. Kristin took her time repacking because she was trying to avoid what she had to do next. Nathan was in the dark about everything. She hadn't even spoken with him yesterday since she was too exhausted. Now was the time for her to come clean.

She finished packing and headed to the vid-phone. As she dialed the number, the tried to mentally prepare some of what she was going to say. She knew she wouldn't be able to devulge the details of the undercover mission she was about to undertake. However, she did have a lot to tell him.

She was both relieved and hurt to see Nathan's face appear on the screen. She just about lost it right there and began sobbing, but she did her best to regain her composure.

"Hi, Sweetheart," Nathan said. Then, he noticed that Kristin basically looked like she'd been through hell. She was still wearing the clothes she'd been wearing that afternoon, and they were dirty and slightly blood-stained. "What the hell happened?" he asked in surprise. "Is that blood on your shirt?"

Kristin nodded sadly. "We had some problems with the mission," she said quietly.

"My God! Are you alright? Was anyone hurt?"

"There were some fatalities, two of them UEO officers that worked under General Thomas. General Thomas is in the hospital, along with the rest of the team. And, there are several children who were wounded as well. They're in the hospital in Nassau at the moment. And the rest of the children are safe now."

"What happened?"

"Somehow, Mangos and his buddies found out what we were doing, and they were waiting for us. They opened fire on us, and we were outnumbered," Kristin's voice began shaking as her eyes filled with tears.

"You must have been so scared," Nathan said. "I'm so sorry you went through that, but it sounds like everything's fine now."

Kristin shook her head as her tears began to fall. "Th-that's not the worst part. Mangos fled, and he took hostages-Cynthia and Malique."

Nathan was silent for a moment. "Look, the seaQuest can launch in three days. You get back here, and our first can be a rescue mission. Everything will be fine."

Kristin brushed away her tears. It did sound like an ideal solution, but it wasn't going to be that easy, not that cut and dry. "That's not going to work."

"What?" Nathan asked.

"Nathan, the UEO has no idea where Mangos is now. And, I've made a decision that I need you to understand."

"OK, and that is?"

"I-I'm resigning from seaQuest," she began, her tears threatening to fall, causing her voice to be thick and shaky once again. "Nathan, you have to understand I'm dying inside right now. I can't possibly work in this state. And, I can't possibly be a good doctor at the moment. I can't possibly be any use to you at the moment." Kristin couldn't hold back any longer as she began sobbing freely.

After several moments, she was able to calm down enough to listen to Nathan. "How can you think that?" he asked.

"W-what do you mean?" Kristin asked through her tears.

"How can you think you'd never be any use to me? That could never be true. I love you, and you know that. But, I really don't think leaving seaQuest is the answer."

Kristin started to become frustrated. She didn't want to hurt Nathan, but she didn't want anymore pain at the moment. "Nathan, you have no idea what I'm going through." She immediately regretted it for she realized Nathan did know. She quickly added, "I'm sorry. I-I forgot."

Nathan nodded, trying to remain calm with her, considering her fragile state. "Well, I can understand you feeling you need to get away. I'm sure the UEO would grant you a leave-"

"No," Kristin said, nearly shouting. "You're not listening to me, Nathan. I'm sorry, but I'm not changing my mind."

Nathan didn't know what to say as Kristin's words finally sunk in. He finally said, "Kristin, Honey, please don't do this. The seaQuest needs you. I need you."

"Nathan, don't make this harder than it has to be. I am so sorry. I don't want to leave, but I have to find my daughter," Kristin said.

"Where are you going to go?"

"I-I'm not sure," Kristin said. "But I will find her."

Nathan nodded in understanding. Then he asked, "So, what does this mean for us?"

Kristin sighed a painful sigh. "Nathan, I love you so much, but I think it's best if-"

"That's not what I want," Nathan said quickly, anticipating Kristin's thought.

Kristin shook her head. "Nathan, you deserve more. You deserve to be happy. I can't do that right for you right now. I love you so much; the last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt you. But, this is something we just couldn't forsee."

Nathan was now nearly in tears himself. "I'll never love anyone else."

"Don't say that. Don't live in misery because we're not together."

Nathan shook his head. "It's the truth."

"I wish things could be different. I wish this had never happened," Kristin said. "Maybe some day, we'll meet again."

"What about Lucas?" Nathan asked, trying desperately to get her to change her mind still.

"Just tell him I love him, Nathan. And tell him I'm sorry. Tell Admiral Noyce I'll fax my resignation over shortly. Nathan, I'll always love you, but I need you to understand."

Nathan tried; he really did. He found himself nodding in agreement, but he was trying to capture the moment, trying to save it because he didn't want to say goodbye. But, they both knew the moment was near. "I'll always love you too."

"I hope to see you again someday," Kristin said. "I love you so much, and I'll never forget you. Goodbye." With that, Kristin cut the link, shedding a few more tears over her lost love. She quickly wiped them away, however, because she had so much to do now.

Nathan sat in front of the vid-screen for a long time, even after it had gone blank. He was trying to remember every feature on her face, every word she'd said, every breath she'd taken. He didn't want to forget, didn't want to lose the love. But, he had, and there was little he could do. He finally stood up and sighed sadly. He had to deliver the sad news to the crew.