It was a hard conversation when Lucas told Captain Bridger about his decision.

Captain Bridger had not been happy to hear that Lucas was signing up to join the UEO, but could recognize that he had to accept a certain amount of responsibility. It was because of him (albeit indirectly, via Bill Noyce) that Lucas was on board in the first place. Lucas had been the bait to lure Bridger out of retirement. And it was because of him that Lucas had become used to working for the UEO. He may not have worn a uniform, but he had still worked his shifts and taken his leave like everybody else. And it was because of Bridger (and for this he felt the most guilt) that Lucas had been so happy there that he couldn't see a life for himself anywhere else.

The captain was aware that he had let the boy down, and that something had shifted in their relationship. Lucas couldn't trust him anymore, he couldn't feel safe with him. But ironically, he still felt safe with the seaQuest, so he would do anything to stay.

But he also recognized that it wasn't just a selfish thing. Lucas had told him about all the people imprisoned in the camp, and how they had desperately hoped for rescue. They had been rescued and so had Lucas, and now Lucas wanted to pay it forward.

He knew he wouldn't have to worry for some time. It would still be another two to three weeks before he was even allowed out of quarantine, and then it would be months before Lucas' health would be improved enough for him to be on any kind of active duty. He would be using crutches to get around for the next few months until his leg healed, and would have to continue taking his TB medications during that time. He would also have to attend some mandatory counseling sessions to help him cope with everything that had happened.

Bridger was delighted when Lucas asked if he could stay with him until he was fit for duty, and hopefully the healing between the two of them could begin.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind for Lucas, as everyone who hadn't had time to visit him yet now took the opportunity. A number of them also brought computer problems that he was very happy to deal with. He was delighted when he found that Ford and Piccolo had saved his laptop, so he was able to work while in quarantine. It didn't make Doctor Perry very happy, but it actually earned him a smile from Captain Hudson.

After a week, Captain Bridger returned to his home. He couldn't leave Michael with the nanny any longer, and he had to make some preparations for Lucas' visit. He'd have to move a bed downstairs for a start, and he wanted to get in all of Lucas' favorite foods that he'd so far been unable to enjoy. The new, military seaQuest didn't have a huge selection of junk food and candy on board, and though the captain would make sure that Lucas would have his nutritional needs met, he was also going to indulge him as much as possible while he was there.

When he was finally released from quarantine, Bridger returned to collect him and they traveled back together.

The weeks of sunshine and solitude did wonders for him, as did the counseling that he went through twice a week.

He realized when he talked first to Bridger and then to Tony that demons were easier to face when brought out into the open, and his nightmares started to lessen. He still had bad moments - he would for a long time to come - but he was learning how to deal with them.

He complained that the captain was feeding him up like a veal calf, although Bridger maintained that he'd still be considered to scrawny to eat. He was putting on weight, but his eating habits had never been good and he naturally had a slim figure.

His hearing began to improve until he could finally stop using the hearing aids. It would still take a little time to return completely to normal, but at least he could hear most sounds now.

He and Bridger spent a lot of time talking, and they managed to repair their relationship to the extent that Lucas promised to think of the captain's home as his own, and return there whenever he wanted.

The day came when Lucas had recovered sufficiently, and was finally cleared for light duties and told he could return to the seaQuest.

Tony and the others were delighted to hear that Lucas would be coming back.

A few days before his return, Captain Hudson was surprised to find Tony and Dagwood at his door.

"Gentlemen, how can I help you?"

"We was wonderin' if we could return to our old sleeping arrangements when Luke gets back? Dagwood said he'd be happy to go back to his old bed, and that way Luke could come back to his old room. He'll need someone to keep an eye on him and show him the ropes."

"Dagwood, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes Captain. I liked where I was before, and Lucas would like to be back in his old room again."

Hudson sighed. "Very well. Anything else?"

"No Sir! Permission to go and start getting it sorted?"

"Permission granted. Dismissed."

Two weeks later, Captain Hudson met Lucas at the docking bay with Tony and Dagwood.

He walked with a slight limp, and to Tony's eyes he looked a lifetime away from the kid he'd known on the last tour - he was still horribly thin and extremely pale, despite the months of food and sunshine - but Tony thought he was the best thing he'd seen in a long time.

Captain Hudson stepped forward. "Mr. Wolenczak, welcome aboard!"

They shook hands, and then Tony and Dagwood moved forward to hug him.

"Hey stranger, welcome back! Ready to see your quarters?"

Lucas looked at Hudson, who nodded. His friends led him away.

No-one had told him about his room, and he assumed that Tony and Dagwood would continue to share. He didn't even know where they were going to take him, and followed them as they filled him in on everything he'd missed while he'd been recovering.

He soon realized they were heading in a familiar direction.

"Hey, mind if we swing by our room first?"

Lucas desperately wanted to see his old room again, even if it wasn't his room anymore.

"Sure, no problem."

Even though he'd been declared fit, he still had a few problems getting up and down steps. It took him a minute or so to get into the room, and he stood holding the stair rail for a few seconds while he caught his breath.

"Hey Luke, ain't ya gonna tell us what you think of our decor?"

Lucas brushed his hair from his face. "Yeah, sure. Sorry." He looked around and froze.

It was just the same.

Nothing had changed.

His computers were still pushed against the wall, his pictures pinned on the wall by his bunk. As his eyes opened wider, Tony leaned forward and opened the locker. All his clothes were inside, he recognized his oversized shirts and - was that his Marlins shirt?

He walked around the room and touched everything as he moved. He stopped beside his computer and pulled off a photo that was stuck to the side. It showed him laughing with the captain. His captain, Captain Bridger. He was struck by a sudden tide of memories, and for a moment his emotions threatened to overwhelm him.

Tony walked over and took the photo from his hands. It felt like a million years since they had all been so carefree. He saw the look on Lucas' face.

"You okay, buddy?"

Lucas swallowed and nodded. At Tony's concerned look, he added, "Yeah. It's just..." he swallowed again, "why is all this here?"

Tony put his arm around his shoulders and steered him to sit on the bed.

"Your mom didn't want it. Jon said we should store it until we knew what to do with it. Didn't seem right to throw it away."

"Why is it in here?"

"Because it's back where it belongs. Just like you." He hugged his friend. "Dagwood's moved back to his old bed."

Tony and Dagwood sat either side of their friend and smiled at him.

"Welcome home, Luke."

The End.