I should mention that I don't have a beta for this story, though the early parts have been run through the ELF list several times. I'd appreciate it if you see any errors or if something doesn't make sense, let me know. Thanks.







**********

The next few hours were spent unpacking, exploring the ship and having lunch. Eventually, the trio ended up at the pool, relaxing on lounge chairs and drinking pina coladas.

"Those solar panels are so strong, I feel like we're in the Caribbean."

Kristin adjusted her sun glasses and reached for the sunscreen. "Yes, I never thought Alaska would be this warm. You better give me that sunscreen when you're done. Submariners are famous for their white legs." Bridger looked over to the teen who had been strangely quiet. Lucas was sitting, watching a father and his children splashing in the pool. "Lucas? Luuucccasss.... earth to Lucas, come in, Lucas."

"Mmm, yeah?" The teen asked absently, not really paying attention.

"What time do you want to help wash the dishes tonight? Early seating or do you mind staying up late?" This got the teen's attention and he swung around to give the Captain a funny look until he realized the older man was joking. "Very funny."

"Kristin and I are going to get massages in the spa tomorrow. We didn't think that you'd want to go so will you be all right for a couple of hours by yourself?"

"Yeah, there's a bridge tour that looks interesting and I want to check out the video arcade." The teen stood and stripped off his tee shirt. "And we're still technically in California waters, headed into Canada, so this isn't the Alaskan sun yet." With that he ran to the pool edge and jumped into the pool.

"Smart aleck kid, " Nathan muttered.



*******

Before long, it was time to go back to the cabins and get ready for dinner. Lucas came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel as Nathan was pulling a suit jacket and silk dress shirt from the closet.

Yanking open a drawer, Lucas studied the contents intently, and then slammed it shut. "Um, maybe I'll just order room service. I'm kind of tired."

Giving the kid a knowing smile, Nathan handed him the jacket and shirt. "These are yours. Kristin figured that you wouldn't have anything dressy packed so she went ahead and ordered some new clothes for you. Think of it as an early Christmas present. You'll need them eventually, anyway, if you're planning on presenting grant proposal and papers."

Gingerly accepting the black silk shirt and the gray suit jacket, Lucas examined them critically. "These will do," he said approvingly, wondering silently how a woman old enough to be his mother could actually pick out clothes he liked. Walking to the closet, he checked out the other shirts and trousers that were hanging there. "Yep, these will go over better in the dining room then my flannels."

They finished changing quickly and Nathan rapped on Kristin's door.

"Come in" came the voice, faintly, from the other side.

Nathan pushed the door open and went in, followed by Lucas. Both looked around the room curiously, not seeing the Doctor.

"Out here," Kristin's voice called.

They walked towards the bedroom to find Kristin sitting outside on the balcony, dressed in a black cocktail dress, wine glass in hand. It was cool outside with a slight sea breeze but it was still comfortable. The sun had begun to set with a hint of pink and purple.

"Now this is the life," she informed them happily.

"Is the Queen enjoying herself, " Nathan joked, giving Lucas a wink, but he bit back his laughter at the look that Kristin gave him. "Are you ready? Lucas is wasting away to nothing. It's been two hours since he ate last."

"Boy, you really are trying to annoy everyone tonight, aren't you. Never mind him, Lucas." Kristin held out her hand to the younger man. "I need an escort for dinner. Will you do me the honor?"

Laughing at Bridger's mock expression of horror, Lucas bowed to the Doctor and took her hand. "You dress me better than my own mother. It would be my privilege."

They walked off, leaving Nathan to catch up to them and walk behind to the dining room. After formal pictures outside the dining room, they were shown to their table. The three of them had a gourmet meal, stuffing themselves from soup to dessert. Conversation revolved around past vacations and Kristin reduced the two men tears of laughter at her description of a family camp out with her daughter and her last husband.

During dinner, Lucas noticed the family from the pool earlier sitting at the table next to them. The boy and the girl, who appeared to be twins, were excited because their ice cream had arrived at the table and their dad was finding ways to distract them so he could sneak a bite. This lead to squeals of laughter and good nature teasing on all sides. Pangs of regret struck the teen as he watched the happy children hug their parents and he turned away.

After dinner, the trio decided to go to the theater to watch the show of the evening, featuring various singers and dancers.

Walking along the hall, suddenly Nathan missed a step while Kristin grabbed his arm and Lucas clutched the wall as the ship rose quickly and then dropped.

"Whoa! What the heck was that?" Lucas, blue eyes wide, looked at the others in amazement. "How come I feel as if I'm on a roller coaster?"

"Must be really choppy out if the ship is rolling so much," Nathan mused. The ship rolled again as they tried to stay on their feet. "Maybe it's a storm." Pulling Kristin's hand into his own, he continued walking and the teen trailed them a few steps behind, preoccupied with the ship. "Is it me or does the kid have something on his mind?" He whispered discretely to the Doctor.

"He does seem somewhat distracted tonight," Kristin whispered back.

"I'll try to talk to him later," Bridger said under his breath as they arrived at the theater.

*****

Later, after the show and checking out the ships stores briefly, Kristin said she was tired from a long day and went to her cabin. Nathan and Lucas also went back to their cabins and got ready for bed. The sofa bed had already been turned into a bed for Lucas. Nathan sat in a chair while Lucas was in the bathroom. Pulling down the covers, the teen slipped between the sheets, plumped the pillows and glanced up to find the Captain watching him.

"What?" The teen asked in a puzzled tone.

"Lucas, is everything....all right? Do you want to talk about something?" Bridger asked gently. "Are you happy with this vacation?"

Lucas played with the edge of the blanket, looking out the sliding doors and then he smiled at the Captain. "Yeah, sure, everything's fine. What are we doing tomorrow?"

Nathan hesitate for a minute and then accepted the change of subject. "Sleep late, eat a lot and sit around on our butts. Sound good to you?"

Smiling and nodding his head, Lucas laughed and said, "Sounds decedent. Good night, Captain."

Bridger shut off the light on the way to his room. "Night, kiddo."

*****