Leslie made his way quickly through the colony. He'd gotten SeaQuest's docking port number and was on his way to try and get back what belonged to him. As he approached the ship he heard a familiar voice calling to him.
"Well if it isn't the regulator," the voice taunted.
Leslie turned around to face Ben. "Lieutenant Krieg, what a pleasant surprise."
"I wish I could say the same. What are you doing here Ferina?"
"Heard you guys were in town, and I thought it would be a good chance to make some sales."
"We're not buying," said Ben sternly.
"Maybe you're not, but some of them may be," replied Leslie, gesturing to the crewmen loitering around the airlock.
"No. They're not." Ben turned to the men behind him. "Atkins, Murphy, Cole." Three security personnel came over to Ben.
"Make sure this guy doesn't get onto the boat, and let all the personnel know that he's a criminal. Anyone caught making a transaction; however legitimate it seems will be at risk of criminal persecution and will be reported to the Captain for investigation."
Leslie scowled at Ben. "Trying to ruin business won't make me go away Ben."
Ben pushed right up into Leslie's face. "Try me," he growled. With that Ben turned and went back to the boat.
Leslie took one look at the security guards glaring at him before he too left.
"I got it, I'm going." Leslie left quickly, trying to rethink his plan.
Ben was almost to his quarters when Tim and Miguel caught up with him.
"Hey Ben, we've been looking all over for you."
"What do you want O'Neil?" snapped Ben.
"Whoa calm down," replied Miguel. "We just wanted to talk to you."
"Well I don't feel like talking," scowled Ben as he turned to walk away.
"It's about Katie," explained Tim.
Ben stopped and turned. "What about her?" he barked.
"There was a problem with their shuttle," began O'Neil.
Ben completely shut down. Oh no. Not her. Not my baby girl, please G-d no, not her no no no.
"Ben…BEN!" Ben looked up to find Miguel and Tim shaking him.
"Ben she'd fine," said Miguel. "They made it back safe; we just thought you should be warned that she'd had a rough trip."
Ben jumped up. "Where is she?"
"Last we saw her, her and Lucas were headed to their quarters," Tim told him.
Ben sprinted down the corridor leaving the two men to stare at him strangely.
"Remind me never to have kids," said Miguel.
"Remind me to never let mine enlist," countered Tim. Miguel laughed and slapped him on the back and they turned to return to duty.
Bang Bang Bang Ben hammered on Katie's door. He was worried about her and had to make sure she was ok. What the hell, she's my daughter, she won't report me, he thought as he opened the door and entered the cabin without permission. He found it empty.
"where is she," he muttered. Just then he saw Darwin swim by. He quickly turned around and headed to the moon pool.
When he got there Darwin swam up and butted his hand.
"Ben, play?"
"Not now, do you know where Katie is?"
"Katie play with Lucas."
"Great. She's with Lucas. Do you know where they are?"
"Lucas room. Katie mate with Lucas."
Ben had turned when he heard Darwin say Lucas' room but stopped when he heard the rest of his statement.
"What did you say?"
"Katie play with Lucas."
Ben laughed. He was hearing things now. He turned and left the moon pool ignoring the rest of Darwin's speech in his hurry to find his daughter.
"Lucas room. Katie mate with Lucas."
Lucas wanted to kill Ferina. He wanted to kill anyone who ever hurt his woman. But instead he looked her straight in the eyes and kissed her.
"You shouldn't have to hide who you are to be safe," he told her.
"I'm used to it. It's ok."
"No it isn't," he said angrily. "You're beautiful and talented and smart and you shouldn't have to live your life afraid."
"It's ok Lucas," Katie tried to calm him. She kissed him gently. "I'm not afraid. Not when I'm with you." Katie smiled at him, and all of Lucas' anger melted.
"I feel happy when I'm with you," she said as she kissed him again. "I feel happy *kiss* safe *kiss* alive *kiss* and that's because of you. I think its time I showed you just how happy you make me." Katie began to unbutton her shirt.
Lucas swallowed hard. They'd built a strong friendship since they had called a truce, and their time at the science colony had pushed them into a semblance of a relationship. They talked and cuddled every night, and had built an emotional intimacy, but with the exception of a few well-placed kisses they had avoided physical intimacy.
Lucas pulled her close and rolled them over so he was lying on top of her. He grabbed her hands and stopped her from unbuttoning the rest of her shirt. She looked at him confused.
"I think that I'm the one who should show you how happy you make me," said Lucas. He finished her shirt and continued onto the rest of their clothes.
Lucas was determined to make up for his cruelty the first month she had been on the boat. He wanted to erase every bad feeling she'd ever felt. Kissing her with all the passion he could muster, Lucas began to make love to the woman who'd captured his soul.
Afterwards they lay quietly together, holding each other like it was the last time.
"I should go," said Katie moving to get up.
"No," Lucas pulled her quickly back. "Stay."
"Tony will be back soon."
"He can't see, we're on the top bunk. Besides he leaves the lights off when I'm supposed to be sleeping. Stay. Please?" Lucas' voice took on a pleading tone. He felt ashamed at begging, but at the same time he didn't want to let her go. He just wanted one night with her next to him. He'd never felt so loved, so intimate with anyone in his life. It was like the hole inside him was finally full and he was desperate to hold onto that.
"Ok. I'll stay." Katie snuggled up to Lucas as he pulled her close. Lucas realized exactly what it was that he felt inside. He didn't know how he'd ever confused the feeling before.
"Katie. I… I"
Katie lifted her head and looked at him. "You what?" she grinned mockingly.
Lucas took her face in his hands. "I lo-"
Suddenly the door opened and the room was flooded with light.
"Hey Lucas, do you know where my-"
Author's note: This doesn't have an M rating so I didn't do a fabulous sex scene, but if you review that you want one then I'll make it a oneshot on my page!
