A/N: I need an opinion from you, the reader. Originally, when I started this story, I thought it would be around thirty chapters. I think that's changed, since I know the story won't be finished in two more chapters. Now, I'm guessing there might be several more chapters now, maybe up to a dozen. However, I'm already planning a sequel. Now, the story has been canon so far, but it's going to shift to AU because there will be no Hyperion Incident; I just want to mention that now. Now, obviously, the seaQuest still needs to save Cynthia and Malique and capture Mangos. Then, I have a special surprise for the end. But, I was thinking I could drop the sequel and make it all one story. However, that would make the story probably around 60 chapters...or possibly more. Now, my question for you is, would you like a story that long? Or would you prefer I break it into two stories? To let you know what the storyline will be, it will be Nathan finding Robert and Michael. I do realize it's been done before, but it's never been done by me. I've thought of several scenarios of what could have happened, and I think I have something no one's done before. The reason why I think it would be better as one story is because it fits with my title, and I think the saying could go for several scenarios. So, I suppose the way you can answer me is through review. However, I do realize some people prefer not to review no matter what. If that's the case, feel free to send me a private message. If no one cares, well, then I will probably just make it all one story. However, that means it won't be finished by next week. Honestly, I can't say it will be finished by next week as it is, but I'm trying. Anyway, please think about what you would like as the readers. I'd greatly appreciate feedback on this, so speak now, or forever hold your piece. Thank you.
Inspiration for the chapter, 'Never Gonna Be Alone' by Nickelback: http (colon) (backslash, backslash) www. youtube. com (backslash) watch?v (equals) Nt2kM0TsubU&ob (equals) av2n
Chapter 28
A short time later, Nathan awoke in a similar fashion to Kristin. Leia was checking his vitals as well.
"Oh, glad to see you're awake, Mr. Bridger. How are you feeling?"
Nathan shifted slightly, and he could tell his back had been burned. He felt like he'd an awful sunburn, and his lungs hurt. "I've been better," he admitted.
Leia smiled. "Don't worry; you'll live. Your friend is fine by the way, thanks to you. She told the doctor you shielded her from the blast. She's sleeping in the next room."
Nathan breathed a sigh of relief to that. "I don't suppose I'll get to see her anytime soon, will I?" he asked hopefully.
"Not at the moment. But, if things go well, you two will be released by the evening. The doctor will be in shortly to talk to you."
Shortly thereafter, the doctor did arrive, as promised. He told Nathan the same thing he told Kristin. He wanted him on oxygen until they could be sure he'd breathe on his own. But, in Nathan's case, another concern were his burns. They weren't terribly serious, but they still had to be watched.
"But, if you seem well enough," Dr. Burke promised, "we've already agreed to release you and Kristin to the care of Dr. Smith. I expect you'll be released later today."
"Kristin will be under Dr. Smith's care too?" Nathan asked.
Dr. Burke nodded. "Perhaps I should have some of your visitors explain it to you. But, then you need to rest."
Nathan agreed, and Lucas and Commander Ford visited Nathan and explained the whole thing.
"By the way," Ford added afer they were finished, "Admiral Noyce managed to keep the publicity on the down low. That way, nothing will be leaked to Mangos. The UEO wants him to continue to think that we all died in the blast."
"That's good thinking," Nathan agreed. "And, we should have a couple of weeks to think of a plan while I'm recovering."
"Is that how long you need to take it easy?" Lucas asked.
Nathan nodded. "For my burns," he explained.
Leia then entered the room, shooing Lucas and Jonathan away.
"See you later, Cap," Lucas said as he and Jonathan left the room.
Nathan and Kristin both rested for a while, and then, their oxygen was removed. Both of them did well and were able to breathe on their own.
So, by early evening, launches were prepared, and Nathan and Kristin were transferred from the hospital. Kristin was grateful that Wendy had made it a point to ensure that she and Nathan were on the same launch. It was the first time either of them were seeing each other since this morning.
As Nathan's bed was wheeled in next to her, she turned her head and said, "Hi, Sailor."
Nathan turned to her and replied, "Hey there, yourself." The beds were close enough so they could touch each other. He reached out to her, took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it. Then he continued to hold it tightly. "I'm so glad to have you with me."
Kristin smiled. "Me too. And I need to thank you."
"For what?"
"For saving my life."
"I'd do anything for you," Nathan replied.
Dr. Smith appeared a moment later to make sure their cots were secure before the launch left. "Hey, you two, there'll be enough time for that," she quipped. Then she added, "I'll arrange for you two to be in the same room so you can catch up."
They both thanked her gratefully. Then, Kristin turned to Nathan, "Good, because we have a lot to talk about."
Nathan agreed as the launch began to move.
Back on seaQuest
As Wendy promised, Nathan and Kristin were placed into the same room. She at least wanted them both in medbay overnight, possibly longer if necessary. Even once they were released, they would both be under strict orders to rest and take it easy.
Once in medbay, she gave each patient a thorough examination. Then she said, "Well, you two are doing well. I expect I can release you in the morning from medbay."
"Oh, wonderful," Nathan replied, not particularly enjoying the stay in medbay, even if he was with Kristin. He just wasn't fond of hospitals and being poked and prodded.
"But," Wendy continued, "you both will still need rest. That means no working-for two weeks at least. And, if either of you defy those orders, you'll be back in here."
Kristin looked at Nathan, trying to wage if Wendy was being serious in her promise.
"Don't think she won't do it," Nathan said. "She's as tough as you were."
Kristin gave her a satisfied smile. "Then I approve."
"Thank you, Kristin," Wendy said with a smile. Then she walked a bit closer to her. "But, your charm won't sway me to give you any slack either." Her voice was sweet, but her words were sincere. Wendy knew that most times, doctors made the worst patients. She wanted to be firm before Kristin tried anything she shouldn't. Although Wendy didn't know Kristin that well, she'd heard she was stubborn.
Kristin nodded. "I'll be good."
"Good," Wendy replied. "Well, now that we have an understanding, I'll let you two rest. You know how to call me if you need anything. Oh, and the nurse will bring you some dinner shortly." With that, Wendy left the room, shutting the door behind her.
"So, did you ever think the day would end like this?" Nathan asked.
"Not at all," Kristin replied.
"So, what do you think of the new boat, well, what you've seen of it anyway?"
"It's nice," Kristin said. She gave a small smile. "I think I rather prefer the first, but this one's a close second."
"You really like the first boat better?" Nathan asked.
She nodded. "Yes. It's because the first one holds a lot of special memories for me, like the first time we met."
Nathan chuckled softly. "You know, that's when I first fell in love with you."
"You fell in love with me when I was telling off Commander Ford?" she asked in surprise. "What's so endearing about that?"
"Well, I knew then that you were a force to be reckoned with, and I wanted to try to tame you."
Kristin had to admit Nathan did have a way of stifling her anger. "You know when I fell in love with you?"
Nathan shook his head.
"When we were arguing about Darwin," Kristin admitted. "I knew then that you might not always take the favored opinion, but you would do what you thought was right, even if I didn't agree with you at the time."
"It all worked out OK, though."
Kristin nodded.
Nathan reached over and grabbed her hand. "Yeah, I think we always did work well together, didn't we? And we made an even better couple."
"What are you saying?" Kristin asked, blushing slightly.
"I'm saying that now that we're together, I don't want to lose you again."
"I don't want to lose you either," Kristin replied. "But we'll have to deal with the UEO. I mean, I can't just expect them to give me CMO. And, I have to admit, I don't think I could handle not being in charge in medbay. If I wasn't, I'm afraid I'd step on Wendy's toes."
Nathan squeezed her hand. "We'll figure out something. Right now, I want to have a long talk. I want to know what you went through while we were apart."
"You're not angry about everything?" Kristin asked worriedly.
Nathan shook his head. "I have to admit, I was angry at first, since I though you and Alex...well, you know. But, now that I know it was all undercover, I can't believe the huge sacrifice you made."
"Nathan, I want you to know I never slept with Alex. I couldn't; oh, he wanted me to, but I enver even thought of it. I wasn't in love with him."
"You didn't have to tell me that," Nathan said. "Even if you had, we were broken up, and I really couldn't be upset about it. But, I'm glad you didn't. I have a confession to make though. Wendy and I shared a kiss...and a dance. But, I never slept with anyone else."
Kristin nodded. "I know; Wendy told me."
"She did? So, you're realizing she's not as bad as you thought?"
Kristin nodded. "I know; I shouldn't have been jealous of her. She does have many likeable qualities."
"But she's not you," Nathan reminded her.
"But, I approve of the replacement," Kristin said with a smile.
"So, tell me what happened after we spoke last," Nathan said.
As Kristin began her story, Nathan learned more about the woman he loved so dearly. Although he knew she was strong, he learned she was stronger than he ever could have imagined. He learned about Cynthia and Malique, Maggie and Crystal, and the two little orphans Kristin fell in love with. He made a mental note to find out about that when he got the chance. But there was thing Nathan knew for sure; he knew he loved Kristin more than anything at that moment and that he'd never let her go again.
