Chapter 21

Later that night, Kristin awoke after a restless nap in order for her shift to start. She hadn't slept well, having a constant uneasy feeling that her safety and that of the other scientists at the Manifest was threatened. Realizing their safety would be threatened at the slightest hint of success, she hoped they would not find it. Although she wanted nothing more than to be finished with the cold fusion experiments, she would rather keep failing at it if it meant that they would be safe. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door.

"Hey, Sleepyhead," Carly said with a smile, "let's get to work."

"I'm awake, thank you," Kristin said, managing a small smile for her friend.

But as Kristin started to head to the lab, Carly grabbed her arm and pulled her back into her room. In a whisper, she said, "Tread lightly around Hannah; she's pretty upset."

"About what?" Kristin asked in hushed voice that matched Carly's.

"Her brother works at the Gateway research facility; she just got word that it was attacked this morning," Carly explained.

"Oh my God!" Kristin exclaimed in her hushed voice. "She must be devastated!"

Carly nodded. "There hasn't been word on whether he's dead or alive."

"Well, maybe we can just work with just you and I; I certainly don't want to force her to work."

"Let's just see how she is first," Carly said.

Kristin nodded. The news was disturbing, not only for the fact that the recent attacks led to certain death but also for the fact that the Gateway was the closest research facility to the Manifest, just a short one hundred and fifty miles away. Kristin hoped it wasn't a bad omen. Carly noticed the frightened look on Kristin's face.

"Is everything alright, Doctor?"

"Um, yes, everything's fine," she said managing another small smile to assure her friend that she was fine. "Um, let's get some work done, shall we?"

Carly nodded, and the two walked into the lab. A short time later, Hannah met them. It was obvious she'd been crying.

Carly placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "How are you holding up?" she asked.

Hannah sighed. "I'm alright."

"Um, Hannah," Kristin began, "if you'd rather not work tonight, we understand. Carly and I can go it alone if you'd rather-"

"No, it's alright," Hannah gently interrupted. "The work will do me good, help me get my mind off of things, you know."

Kristin nodded sympathetically. "Alright, but the offer still stands."

"Thank you," Hannah said.

So, the three began working quietly, only speaking about the project at hand.

Much to Kristin's dismay, after several months of working what she thought and hoped was a lost cause, they actually had success.

"Oh, my God!" Carly exclaimed. "It's actually working!"

Hannah gave a little cheer, despite her sadness.

Kristin just stared in disbelief and horror as the other scientists heard the commotion and began coming into the lab. They all began cheering; everyone except Kristin.

After several minutes, the commotion died down. Carly approached Kristin. "What's the matter? Aren't you happy?"

Kristin debated telling her friend the truth, but decided not to do so. "Y-yes. I guess I'm still in shock."

"Do you need me to pinch you?" Carly quipped.

Kristin managed a small smile at the joke.

"Don't worry; this isn't a dream. We've actually done it," Carly said. Then she added, "I suppose we ought to let Dr. LaPierre know."

"Um, let's not jump the gun yet," Kristin stalled. "We need to run a few more tests and make sure we can get the same result again. I mean, if we can't recreate it again, there's no sense in calling him. If we can recreate it, then I'll call it a success...and I'll call LaPierre myself."

"Of course," Carly said. However, she noticed Kristin was acting different though she couldn't place her finger on it. However, they all knew it was a possibility their facility could be attacked, so she figured it was just that.

After several more runs of the same experiment with all scientists working together, they did get the same result.

Dr. Joshua Levin approached Kristin, "Well, Doctor, I'd say we've created cold fusion. Congratulations."

Kristin nodded. "Oh, I wouldn't be congratulating me. It was an accident really, but thank you." She tried to be gracious although she was quite worried.

"Some of the greatest things have happened by accident; that's how we learn," Levin said. "Hopefully we will be back to working on our own projects soon enough."

"You can say that again," Kristin said. "Um, will you excuse me?"

"Of course."

With that, Kristin went into her office and closed the door. She needed to be alone to collect her thoughts.

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Kristin debated what to do first. She really did not want to call Dr. LaPierre. She hadn't spoken to him since he claimed he would find more security for the facilities, but after speaking with Nathan, she found out his real intentions. She definitely didn't trust him, but she didn't feel up to confronting him either because she feared it wouldn't do any good. Then, at the thought of Nathan, she decided what to do first. She walked to the vid-link and dialed the seaQuest.

"Captain," Lieutenant Tim O'Neill said, "You have an important phone call from the Manifest Research Facility."

"I'll take it in my quarters," Nathan said. "Ford, you have the bridge."

"Aye, Sir."

A few moments later, Nathan was in his room. He clicked the view button and saw a very distraught-looking Kristin waiting patiently for him. "Kristin? Is there something wrong?"

Kristin had told herself she was going to remain calm, that she wasn't going to fall to pieces. But, seeing Nathan and wishing she was anywhere but there, wishing that she was in his arms-she broke the promise to herself and began sobbing.

"We've had success," she said through her tears. Then, she began sobbing harder.

Nathan couldn't do much but try to console her by words. "P-please don't cry, Sweetheart. I can't stand to see you cry."

These words sparked some unpurged anger in Kristin because she lashed out. "Oh really?" she said through her tears. "Then why the hell did you leave me? This is all you fault, Nathan! If you'd have never left me, I'd be there on seaQuest with you! I'd have never taken this job then...and now I may never get out of here alive!"

It hurt to hear her say those words, but Kristin was right. And, Nathan knew it. He knew what a huge mistake he'd made. "L-look, what I did was horrible. I know that now. I know the worst thing in my life that I've done is walking out on you. I did what I feared most-I lost you. I know that my apology cannot account for much now, but I am so sorry, Kristin. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me...and maybe you will even be able to love me again."

Kristin's sobs began to quiet as she listened. Nathan continued.

"But, I will tell you this. I will do everything in my power to make sure you get out of there alive. I walked away from you once; I won't do it again. I love you, and I always will."

Kristin had longed to hear Nathan say these words. And, she wanted to tell him she still was very much in love with him, but she didn't. Instead she said, "What do you propose to do? I haven't even informed Dr. LaPierre of the news."

"That's good. That will give the seaQuest just enough time to set a course for the North Atlantic. We will be conveniently nearby if your facility is attacked."

"Are you sure you can do that...I mean, will the UEO allow it?"

"I'll just tell them we're patrolling," Nathan said. He was pleased when he saw Kristin relax and wipe the unshed tears from her eyes. "Feel better now?" he asked her.

"A little," she said. "Um, thank you."

"Anytime. Listen, it's going to be OK."

"I hope so," Kristin said.

"I'll be right here," Nathan said. "I'll see you soon. I promise."

Kristin was actually able to smile a real, legitimate smile, something she hadn't been able to do in several days. As Nathan cut the link, she whispered a silent, "I love you, Nathan Hale Bridger." Then, she dialed the number for Dr. LaPierre.