Leslie!" Nathan ran closer to the screen, desperately wanting to pluck Lucas out of the water via the WSKR view. Not breathing, he waited until Miguel brought back the other video feed. "How well do Vern's gills work?"

Leslie looked down at him smugly. "Now you are interested in my work?"

"Tell me!"

He balked in surprise. "One hundred percent effective now that I..."

"Please," Nathan pleaded urgently, "send him out after Lucas." Miguel quickly sent him the image of the teen floating in the water, earning a shocked gasp from the man.

Leslie spoke into the mouth piece. "Vern, go outside, bring the boy back."

After the orangutan jumped into the water, Nathan strode to Ben. "You and Ford get in a sea crab, in case Vern can't carry him or... or he isn't in time."

They nodded and took off at a brisk jog. The adrenalin of the situation was the only thing that kept them currently upright.

"Ortiz, keep that WSKR on them." Miguel worked the controls, zooming in on the scene and splitting the screen so Leslie and Lucas could both be seen.

All they could do was wait with baited breath. Curiously, Shan noticed Hans looking almost as anxious as the rest of the bridge crew. As he watched him, the German became aware of his scrutiny, and scowled. "I only regret I was not close enough to see his face as he died. Icarus has caused me many problems I was unable to foresee."

Shan shook his head, quietly responding. "I may only be a soldier, but I'm not an idiot. You're worried, why?"

"It is none of your concern." Hans looked away uncomfortably.

A triumphant shout from Nathan brought an end to the discussion. Vern had gotten to Lucas and started dragging him back. "Send him to the moon pool!" Nathan ordered over his shoulder as he bolted from the bridge.

Leslie relayed the command, leaning back and breathing a sigh. "I'll be docking now."

"Might as well." Miguel muttered with an exasperated eye roll. "Try not to steal anything."

He leaned over until he could see the laptop. The screen still showed Crocker tending to Kristin, although she was trying to check his breathing as he did so. "You guys better get to the moon pool too."

"What happened?" Kristin looked up suddenly.

"Lucas…" was the only word Miguel was able to utter before the four disappeared from the room.

Nathan burst onto the sea deck just as Vern was bringing Lucas up. Without another thought, he pulled the lifeless boy from the water. Beginning compressions, Nathan's mind briefly shot back to the last time he was forced to do the same act. It seemed like it had been weeks since they found Ben floating here. He blew air into Lucas' mouth with all his strength. "Come on Kiddo, don't do this to me."

Now that they were face to face, Nathan could see the damage the WSKR didn't show. The shock wave had left Lucas' face battered and bruised with a trickle of blood seeping from his noise. Nathan could only wonder what the internal damage was.

The door slammed opened behind him, but he didn't bother turning. It didn't matter who was coming, as long as they didn't try to stop him. Then, they would simply be dead and he could continue saving the young man. Kristin landed on her knees beside him, taking over the breaths. He nodded his thanks, counting to fifteen as he pressed on the thin chest.

"I have a pulse." Kristin announced, her fingers pressed to the side of his neck. "And he's breathing."

Indeed, raged sounding breaths were finally easing out on their own. Nathan sat back on his heels, for the first time since he saw her on the laptop, he looked at Kristin closely. The stress of the day nearly overwhelmed him, and all he could do was nod. She reached out and squeezed his hand in complete understanding.

Ben and Jonathan returned to the bridge in slightly better spirits. "They have him." Ben informed the nervous looking Miguel.

"And?"

"They had to give him CPR, but he's breathing now." Ben glared at Hans, who was sitting silently beside Shan. "It'll take a little time until he's awake to know about... brain damage." He grimaced at the idea of the young genius being less than he always was.

"I suggest you get him out of here before Captain Bridger comes back. We don't want to deal with an investigation from the UEO if he can't control himself seeing this... filth here." Jonathan ordered, settling into a chair. "Don't give him an inch. Chain him to a wall of you have to."

Shan nodded, and pulled Hans to his feet. "You heard him, move... For your own safety." Hans tried to sneer, but fear was evident in his eyes.

"Our back up will be docking in a few hours." Miguel informed them, "then we won't have to look at him anymore."

"I wish to speak to Icarus." Hans demanded as Shan pushed him down the corridor.

"If he survives your little toy completely intact, I might even tell him that." Shan scoffed, "we'll have a good laugh over it."

Hans stopped walking, glaring at him angrily. "You will not. You will bring him to me as soon he is able."

"Keep dreaming." Shan retorted, folding his arms over his chest. It pulled on his minor injury and his grimaced. "You have a lot to answer for."

"I am aware." Hans answered slowly. "If I am allowed to speak with him, I will cooperate. I tell you where the explosives are hidden, and tell your authorities everything."

Shan stared at him for several long moments. "I'll see what I can do."

Kristin stripped off the bloody surgical gloves at Nathan entered the medbay. "Report?" He asked softly.

She flashed a weary smile. "After a minor surgery, Chief Crocker's ribs have been set, and the punctured lung will heal fully in time. I would like to have a talk with him about running around while being so injured, though."

Nathan snorted, "that won't do much good." His eyes traveled to the blonde sleeping a few feet away. "And Lucas?"

"He's covered in bruises, but he'll be fine. Perhaps some hearing damage from being so close to the explosion's shockwave, but it won't last. I've also given him some strong antibiotics since the seawater was in his lungs for so long. Who knows what he ingested."

He took her hands in his own, slowly rubbing his thumb over her palm. His eyes creased painfully when he scrutinized the silk scarf she had put on to cover her abraded neck. "And you?"

"Annoyed, mostly." Kristin admitted. "I believed that damn boy was innocent..."

"We all did." Nathan answered drily.

She nodded, still looking frustrated. "What will they do with him?"

Nathan sighed, "well, EUO security is on their way, but first we need to find out where the other two IED's are."

"He hasn't told you?" Kristin asked in surprise. "Surely he can't believe there is still a chance for him to use them."

"No," Nathan shook his head, looking at Lucas again. "He says he wants to talk to… his friend."

A furious light came to Kristin's eyes. "You can't be serious. I refuse to allow Lucas to put through that."

"We need to find them, without help, it could take weeks." Nathan explained gently. "If any of the components become unstable… There is just too much that we don't know about what he used."

Seeing the argument was already lost, Kristin set her jaw. "I'll tell him after he is awake. But if anything happens to him, Nathan Bridger…"

He held up his hands to calm her. "He's all locked up, Shan already said he isn't letting Hans out of his sight until he's picked up. Lucas will be completely safe."

"Physically, maybe." Kristin muttered, closing her eyes and leaning her forehead against him. "But not completely."