Chapter 51
seaQuest
The next morning, Hudson woke early. He wanted to speak with Lucas about doing a background check on this Paul Ferguson person. Of course, he hoped Lucas would find nothing, but he had to be sure. If something did seem suspicious, he had to warn Kristin right away.
He found Lucas in the mess. "Morning, Cap," Lucas greeted.
Hudson took a seat next to him. "Morning, Ensign. I was wondering if you'd do a little work for me."
"Sure," Lucas replied. "What do you need?"
Hudson lowered his voice. "It's a little personal, but I think you'll understand when you find out who's involved."
Lucas gave him a confused look.
"Has Doctor Bridger ever mentioned her friend, Paul, to you?"
"Once or twice," Lucas answered. "Why?"
"I want you to check him out," Hudson stated. "It's just that the doctor is getting closer with him, and-"
"What do you mean closer?" Lucas interrupted. "You mean, they're dating?" Lucas said in disbelief.
"I don't think it's anything serious," Hudson defended.
"I just can't believe…" Lucas' voice trailed off.
"I know," Hudson said in understanding. "I can't either."
"So, that's why you want this check done?"
"It just seems a little fishy to me. This guy has glommed onto the doctor even before Nathan went missing, and he knew she was married. Just see if you can find anything. And let me know as soon as you do, OK?"
Lucas took a huge bite of his breakfast sandwich. "I'll get on it as soon as I'm finished," he promised through mouthfuls of food.
Hudson stood and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Thank you." Then, he headed back to his quarters. Although he didn't know if there was anything to be suspicious about at all, he felt the need to talk to Kristin, just to warn her not to do anything rash, just in case.
Yucatan Peninsula
Kristin had just gotten Michael off to school. She was just heading out the door herself, Charlie in her arms, when the vid-phone rang. She waited for the machine to pick up, but listened in case it was important. And, as soon as she heard Oliver's voice, she set Charlie back down and closed the door, deciding it would be alright if she was a little late for work.
"Oliver, I'm here," Kristin said, stopping the machine. "Sorry."
"Did I catch you at a bad time? I suppose you were just leaving for work," Hudson deduced.
She waved a hand. "I can spare a few moments. Is something wrong?"
"Well, not exactly," he admitted. "But I was thinking about our conversation last night."
"Yes?"
Hudson sighed. He was trying to think of a good reason to explain why she should stay away from Paul, and he hadn't exactly thought of any valid arguments. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't make any rash decisions, that's all."
She gave him a confused look. "What?"
"Concerning Paul," he stressed.
"Oh, I see," she answered quietly. She thought for a moment, then continued, "Oliver, I appreciate your concern, but I am a grown woman. I think I know what I'm doing."
"And, I'm not denying that, Kristin," Hudson answered. "It's just that I you to be sure he's not….that he won't hurt you or the children."
"We've already agreed to take things slowly."
Hudson breathed a sigh of relief. "Good; that's good. Just make sure you know what kind of guy he is."
Kristin laughed softly. "I think you're worrying way too much, but I appreciate it. Paul isn't a bad guy," she confirmed.
Hudson nodded. "Of course he's not. Well, I've probably kept you too long. I'll let you be on your way."
She nodded. "Thank you for calling, Oliver. I do appreciate your concern."
"Take care of yourself, Kristin. I'll call you soon; goodbye."
"Goodbye," she replied. Then, she cut the link, picked Charlie up once again, and headed out the door.
seaQuest
Hudson sighed heavily, reflecting on his conversation with Kristin. Unfortunately, he couldn't do much else at the moment. He headed to the bridge to deal with the day's patrol.
Meanwhile, Lucas headed to his quarters to research Paul Ferguson on the Internex. But, much to his dismay, there wasn't much to be found. The only thing he did find was that he had lived in Thailand for a time, that is before it became part of the Chaodai territory. But, even then, he couldn't find anything amiss, nothing that suggested that Paul Ferguson wasn't to be trusted. And, Lucas had searched everywhere, three times over, just in case he missed anything.
He turned off his computer and headed to the bridge to inform Hudson.
He lowered his voice, since it was a private matter, Lucas knew. "I, uh, finished that assignment you asked me to do," he said.
Hudson nodded. "Ford, you have the bridge," he announced. He and Lucas headed to his quarters. Once there, he asked, "So?"
"The guy's clean, from what I could tell," Lucas said.
Hudson sighed in frustration. "You're absolutely sure?"
"No criminal record, not even a speeding ticket," Lucas declared. "The only thing I did find was that he lived in Thailand for a time, about ten years ago, but that was only for one year. It had something to do with medical research, according to what I read. And, after that, he came back to the states. Either he's squeaky clean, or he's very good about keeping his affairs separate," Lucas explained.
"Not even an assumed name?" Hudson questioned.
Lucas shook his head.
"Very well," Hudson stated. He patted Lucas on the back. "Good work; thank you."
"Now what?" Lucas asked.
"Now, we get back to work, and leave the doctor to her life," Hudson stated.
Lucas gave him a look.
Hudson shook his head. "Unless you have a better idea."
Lucas thought for a moment. "I guess not."
"Don't worry; I've been checking up on her. You can do the same, you know."
"Yeah, I think I'll do that. I haven't spoken with her since…well, since Macronesia officially declared war."
Hudson nodded. "That's why we can't worry about her anymore at the moment. Come on."
Yucatan Peninsula
The day started out like any other. As usual, by late morning, she'd gotten a break from seeing patients. The receptionist had dropped a pile of mail on her desk, as usual. She began going through them when she noticed a plain, white envelope without a return address. She opened it and read it.
NATHAN BRIDGER IS STILL ALIVE-(STOP)-HE SENDS YOU ALL HIS LOVE-(STOP)-PLEASE KNOW HE MAY BE IN DANGER-(STOP)-HE WILL GET HOME TO YOU AS SOON AS HE CAN-(STOP)-
Kristin just stared at it for a long time. There was no letterhead on the paper, nor was it signed. She didn't know what to think.
She finally looked up from it when she heard a familiar voice in the doorway. "Morning, Honey," Paul greeted her. But, when he saw the tears in her eyes, he grew concerned. "What's wrong?"
"I don't…I'm not...here," she stammered, showing him the telegram.
Paul read it, then set it back down on her desk. "I think it's someone's idea of a sick joke," he noted in disgust, "especially since it isn't even signed. Is there a postmark on the envelope?"
She looked. Indeed, there was, but it was sent nearly a month prior.
"That proves it then," Paul concluded. "It must be a joke."
Kristin nodded, but she wasn't so sure. Paul put his arms around her.
"It's OK," Paul assured her. "The world is full of bad people." After a moment, he broke the hug to look at her. "You're OK?"
She nodded. "I'm fine," she replied. "It was just a shock."
"Well, I had just stopped by to see if you wanted to have lunch together; I guess it's lucky I came in when I did then."
"Lunch will be fine," she confirmed.
"Great; see you then," Paul said with a smile as he left her office.
She picked up the telegram and looked at it once more. Maybe Paul was right; it was just someone's idea of a joke. She stuffed it back in its envelope and put it in one of her desk drawers. Then, she went to see her next patient.
Somewhere in Macronesia
Katie and Robert had walked most of the night. When they stopped to rest, Robert urged her to take a short nap. She was reluctant to do so, but her exhaustion had won her over. But, she could feel the mid-day sun now shining on her face. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Bobby?" she said when she didn't see him at first.
"Right here," he called, walking toward her. "I come bearing gifts." He was holding a bunch of fish. "I thought you'd be hungry."
Katie chuckled softly. "Yes, but I thought you were going to rest too?"
Robert shrugged. "I'm fine." He took a knife and cut pieces of fish and stuck them on the ends of two tree branches and cooked them over the fire they'd made. "I thought we'd leave once again as soon as we ate."
Katie sighed. She knew they had to get going, but where were they going to go? They'd already established that another Section Seven outpost had been destroyed in the same manner as their own had. And, there were no other survivors. They had no way of communicating with anyone at UEO Headquarters or any other Section Seven areas, since all their equipment had been destroyed. And, if they went to any Macronesian bases posing as soldiers, they would very likely be killed. "Bobby, what's your plan?" she finally asked.
He looked at her. "I guess I don't really have one. But, I do know one thing. My father is somewhere in the clutches of Bourne. I need to rescue him."
"Your father? Captain Bridger is here?" Katie asked.
"No one was supposed to know," Robert explained. "It was what I had to do as a 'Macronesian' soldier. We thought for sure Bourne would reveal his capture, but he hasn't. That means he's using him for something," Robert said.
"So, you think we should just walk up on the presidential palace? The two of us? Two rogue Section Seven agents? Yeah, that's going to go over like a lead balloon," she replied.
"You have a better idea?"
She thought for a moment. She really didn't, but what could they do, just the two of them? "N-no…"
"Look, I know we're outnumbered, but you and I both know there are refugee camps, ones the soldiers don't know about."
Katie nodded. "I'd heard rumors, but…"
"I'm sure they'd help us," Robert confirmed. He handed her a branch with some cooked fish on it. Then, he took one for himself and began eating.
Katie knew he was right. That was their only option. "But, how do we even know where to look?"
Robert shrugged. "I don't," he admitted. "But, we have to try."
Katie nodded and began eating her fish.
Yucatan Peninsula
"So, I was thinking we could take a trip up to the states," Paul explained. "A weekend in Disney World. What do you say?"
Kristin smiled softly. "The children would love that," she confirmed.
"And, I'll be a perfect gentleman," he replied, an innocent smile on his face. He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle kiss. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?" He could see the hesitation on her face. If she did say no, he wasn't sure what he was going to tell Bourne and Chankul, nor did he know how he would convince her otherwise.
"No," she replied. "I'm sure."
"Good; so I'll confirm all the reservations then. And, don't you worry about a thing; I'll take care of everything."
"You're sure?" she asked.
"Positive. I promise we'll have a great time," he said.
That evening, when she got home, Kristin told the Michael about the trip. Naturally, he was excited. Charlie cheered too, even though she wasn't sure why she was cheering. But, the more excited they got, Kristin decided she had indeed made the right decision, that the telegram was just a fluke.
She had just gotten the children in bed when the vid-phone rang.
"Hello," she said with a smile, seeing Lucas' face. "How are you doing?"
"Better," he answered. The last time they'd spoken, he'd been scared about the war. "Still scared, but better."
"Good."
"Actually, I was calling to ask you something," Lucas said.
"OK."
"What's with this Paul guy?" Lucas asked, not beating around the bush.
"Lucas," Kristin replied with a nervous laugh. "Spoken with Captain Hudson, have you?"
"Doc, we just want to make sure this guy won't hurt you," Lucas confirmed. "It just seems…strange."
"How so?" Kristin questioned.
"Well, the captain said Paul made advances on you even before Captain Bridger…well, before he left. And, now you're letting him…you're actually dating this guy?"
Kristin frowned, now upset. "Well, apparently you and Captain Hudson have spent quite a bit of time questioning my decisions."
Lucas shook his head. "Doc, no, that's not exactly what we're doing. We're just worried about you."
"Well, you can stop worrying. I can take care of myself," she countered. "I don't need to justify my life to you."
"Doc, I'm sorry…it's just that-"
But Kristin shook her head. "Lucas, please…I know you meant well, but I know what I'm doing." And, with that, she cut the link before Lucas could say anything more.
A/N: I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but I've also started a new story that is a Burlesque/seaQuest crossover. I've found a lot of people don't know the Burlesque fandom, but it's pretty straight forward. If you read it and have any questions, just ask. Thank you.
