It was late that night before they were able to roll the wheelchair bearing Captain Bridger out of the hospital. The crisp night air was in sharp contrast to the sterile warm hospital.
Nathan's nerves were on edge and, to his unhappiness, he found himself flinching at all the small subtle night noises. So many things sounded abnormally loud to him: a door slamming, a dog barking, a horn on a car, though his friends didn't seem to notice. They kept giving him happy smiles and pats, reassuring themselves that he was really there and going home with them. Icy tendrils curled around his spine and he tried to control his breathing. Straining his neck to look at the bushes, he was sure that someone was there, watching them. Great, Bridger thought, now I'm turning into a paranoid maniac. Maybe a hospital was where he belonged.
Krieg opened the back door and Lucas was at his elbow, helping him up. "I'm not a invalid." Bridger brushed the teen away, as he willed his legs to stop acting like rubber bands and arched himself into the car. Lucas got in with him while Ben took the driver's seat. Kristin was opening the front door to get in beside Ben when a nurse came running out of the hospital.
"Captain !" she yelled, and leaned into the open door. "This was sitting on the front desk for you." She thrust a yellow rose, with a note attached by a ribbon. Taking it, Lucas read out loud. "My love, we'll be together again soon...."
"Yellow roses were always Carol's favorite." Bridger sniffed the flower and then paled at the significance of the note.
"She's here, she was watching us," he whispered, alarmed.
"Ben, we need to get back to seaQuest." Kristin did not like the tone of Nathan's voice or the panicked look in his eyes. She needed him calm and quiet, with stress kept to a minimum. It gave her chills that whoever had kidnaped him was still running around loose and, by the looks of the note, she would not give up on her prey.
As Ben maneuvered the car through traffic, Kristin used the phone to call Noyce to let him know of the latest development. Nathan leaned back against the seat, trying to suppress the anxiety bubbling in his veins, as he felt Lucas' cool hand lightly pat his hand.
************
He was back in the chair, his mind awashed in pain and torment as the blonde laughed hysterically as he struggled.
"I love you, Nathan, you'll be mine and we'll live happily ever after" The woman was dressed in a white wedding dress, chanting over and over again as she threw hypodermic needles at him. Arms swinging, he blindly struck out in front of him, wondering who was screaming. The scene changed as Carol's face appeared, distorted, floating around in front of him in the blackness. "Help me, Nathan, help me.... tell her what she wants to know...she won't let me go...."
He watched in horror as Carol's features transformed and twisted into that of Marilyn Stark. Ruby red lips blew kisses at him. "I've waited a long time for you, Nathan, and I won't give you up now," the lips declared passionately as the face grew smaller and smaller until there was nothing but darkness.
Rolling from side to side until a heavy object pressed down on top of him, he kicked his legs helplessly. "Carol! No, let me go! Help, Carol! No, not again....", he whimpered. The needle... no, no, more drugs...he started to hyperventilate.
"Nathan, wake up.... stop fighting us...it's a dream...now wake up!" The firm tone of Kristin Westphalen finally broke through the fog.
'Kristin?" Groaning, he relaxed as the dream faded and he looked into the worried face of the Doctor.
"Captain, we have to stop meeting like this," the Doctor said humorlessly. This ritual had been occuring for three nights and was getting to be too much for all of them. She backed up a few steps but kept the syringe filled with a sedative ready in her hand.
"It was Stark ! This is her idea of revenge." Easing himself out of the bed, he started pacing the cabin. "That's why she didn't kill me. She was drugging me for information to sell but then she planned to brainwash me into thinking we were married. She had some convoluted plan about going to the island and living alone, isolated, as Carol and I did after Robert was killed. I have to call Bill, let him know about my dream."
Kristin put out a hand to stop his nervous pacing. "Nathan. I'll tell Noyce about Stark and we can investigate her whereabouts. You have to calm down and get some sleep or I'll have to strap you down in Med Bay with a strong sedative. You're wearing yourself out and your body can't recover."
"I know, Kristin, don't you think I want to sleep ?" Bridger snapped at her angrily, as he collasped on the bed. "Do you think I like feeling like the whole world is spinning out of control?"
"I'm sorry, Nathan. I wish I could do more for you, but it's going to take time." She pushed him into the bed with one hand, pulling the covers up over him. "Concentrate on the fact that we have a name now, that it's not some face less enemy. You're on seaQuest and she can't get to you here." Talking soothingly, she was satisfied to see that Bridger had slipped back into sleep quickly. As she crept out the door, she prayed he stayed that way for at least five hours.
*********
The Captain stalked into his cabin, threw the papers onto his desk, and dropped, exhausted, on his bed. His head felt three sizes too large for his body and he was tired of being happy and cheerful, the proud Captain showing off for his crew. As much as he tried to convince everyone, things were not all right and he was fighting a losing battle. The bile rose in his throat and he hurried for the toilet, his stomach doing flip flops. After flushing his lunch down the drain, he washed his face and stared at his likeness in the mirror : Blood shot eyes, two day old stubble, gray complexion. Of course, days of nausea and nights full of nightmares would be detrimental to anyone, especially some one recovering from withdrawal from three separate drugs. The sleeping pills that Kristin had finally agreed to let him have brought him relief only a few hours at a time. Commander Ford was technically still in command while he was listed on the Med Bay inactive list. It was a sticky situation, because Ford felt it necessary to clear every decision with him and wanted him to read every report before it was filed. He was grateful for Jonathan's loyalty but knew the boat could not run with two Captain's and tried to stay off the bridge and in the background as much as possible. The rest of the crew either overindulged him, being inordinately polite and attentive or ran in the opposite direction whenever he was around. No one quite knew what to say or how to act, which was more annoying than if they told him to buzz off. At least Kristin had no qualms about doing that. She was always bringing him food to eat or telling him to take a nap.
He sat at the desk, looking through the police reports from now what was called 'the case'. It was such a simple name for such a complex sets of events, it was almost laughable. The body from the explosion, the body that was supposed to be HIS corpse, had finally been identified as a homeless man whose friends had said he had been flashing around a wallet full of money, talking about an easy job he had picked up. An employee from the dock had been found stuffed in an ice cooler at the bottom of the river, and a large deposit of money had been recently made to his bank account. The police were assuming he had been the one to sabotage the shuttle. No witnesses had come forward from the night he was taken prisoner and while they had done extensive interviews with the police officers who had found him in the alley, there had been no leads. Then there were the presents and the notes. The flower was just the beginning. UEO had sent security to check out the island house and they had found the table set for a romantic dinner, with flowers, wine and candles.
An envelope had arrived in the mail containing half a picture. It from his wedding day and he looked dignified in his dress whites. The other half, of Carol in her wedding dress, had been shredded into small pieces. The note with it read "She's gone but I'm waiting to give you a lifetime of happiness". That, alone, had produced a night of disturbing dreams which set his mind spinning.
Looking up at the knock on his cabin door, he frowned when Lucas came bouncing in, long hair flying.
"Captain ! You've got to talk to Hitchcock for me. How am I ever going to improve the Stinger if she won't help me with the materials and the design ?"
The teen was in full blown sulk and Bridger could feel his own stress building as his headache grew to epic proportions. Listening to the teen with one ear, he started to read the hospital report.
"Captain, you're not listening to me !" The boy was whining, staring at him expectantly. "I really need your help with this ..." Hitching his hip on the desk, the teen accidently knocked over a glass water, and a stream poured out over the desk.
Bridger lunged for the papers, flinging water drops across the room. "Dammit, Lucas ! Look what you did !" He shouted angrily, temper rising, as Lucas ran to the bathroom and brought back a towel. Taking the towel, Bridger blotted the water up from the desk, shifting papers to the floor. "How can you be so careless ?"
The teen backed away from the desk, his blue eyes wide, watching the Captain as he raged at him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry !" Bridger continued on, oblivious to the bewilderment on Lucas' face. "I can't help you, I can't solve all your problems for you." A thought struck him and he slumped in the chair, head buried in his hands. "How can I help you, when I can't even help myself," he said, sounded frustrated and worn out.
Lucas, ready to run, wasn't quite sure what to do. The Captain never acted like that, never yelled at anyone, well, maybe Ben sometimes but he never acted so... unreasonable. He felt like he was home with his parents, who berated his every move, seeing every accident as a major problem. Approaching the desk, he leaned against the desk, next to Bridger, asking in a hesitant voice, "Captain ? It'll be fine, see, the papers are all right and I'm really sorry I knocked the glass over. I'll be more careful." Bridger hadn't moved, sitting there, head in hands, eyes closed. "Should I call Doctor Westphalen for you?" A hand reached out, and locked onto his arm, fingers squeezing him, gradually tightening. "Sir ?" Lucas was starting to feel more than anxious about the Captain's strange behavior. "Sir, you're hurting me." He had been unsure about how to act around Bridger and Kristin had told him to act normal, but this was far from normal.
The Captain raised his head, and looked at the teen, but his eyes held a far away look, head cocked, almost like he was listening to something. They stayed that way for a few minutes, Bridger's hand wrapped around the teen's arm, like it was his only link to reality. And then it was over, and Bridger seemed to shake his head, snapping out of his reverie.
"Lucas ? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled." He gave the boy a small smile, unwrapping his hand and using it to give him a quick hug to apologize. "This whole ordeal has me so twisted and disturbed, I can't function anymore." He stood up, pushing his chair back. "And you know what? I've had enough. Marilyn wants to play games with my head but two can play that game." He started for the door as Lucas was trying to deal with the sudden change of attitude. "Do me a favor ? Find Kristin and bring her to the wardroom. She'll want to put her two cents into this."
****
"No, this is not going to work and it's too dangerous for you." Ford's look was stern and he didn't want to hear anymore of this foolish plan. "It's a good thing that it's not your decision, then, is it, Commander ?" Bridger's tone was mild, with a hint of humor, but he could be as stubborn as Jonathan. He had reached his breaking point and if he didn't try this, well, they might as well book him a room in the psychiatric ward. Surprisingly, Kristin seemed to actually be considering the idea but probably only because she had a major role in the plan. Crocker had said a few negative things, and Katie had an ominous look in her eye but most of the others had not raised much of a fuss and seemed supportive. Turning to Lucas, he asked, "Are you OK with this, think you can handle it ?"
Lucas did not like it one bit but he knew his protests would fall on deaf ears. In the back of his mind, he saw the Captain, head bowed at his desk, defeated and he knew that Bridger needed to do this. "Yeah, it'll be weird though. I never had a normal family life so I'm not sure how to act."
Bridger patted him on the shoulder. "You'll be fine, just be yourself. Now, we'll give Section Seven a day to get there and set things up. Crocker, put together a crew and leave in an hour since I know you won't be happy unless you check things out for yourself. Noyce'll make a public announcement on Thursday and we'll be dropped off Thursday afternoon. Jonathan, take the boat far enough away so you won't be detected but close enough so you can make it back in an hour if we need you."
Ford looked down at the table, collecting his thoughts, knowing that the decision had been made and he had nothing left to say in the matter. "Sir, was there more between you and Stark than a teacher and student relationship?" he asked delicately.
Sighing, Nathan looked at the other faces around the table, curiosity shining in their eyes. Leave it to Jonathan to be the one to ask but they did have a right to know. "We... dated for awhile and Marilyn was pressuring me for more of a commitment. Right after she graduated, I met Carol and fell in love. Marilyn never did understand, so this is her way of getting revenge, I guess."
"A woman scorned..." Kristin observed quietly.
"But what if she doesn't take the bait." Katie had been listening quietly to everyone but now spoke up. "Maybe she's decided that she's finished with you and has moved on to something else."
"I wish that was true, but I know Marilyn. She's like a pit bull after a bone. After all the work she's done to set up the kidnaping, and the presents.... she's not done with me yet. She's out there waiting, weaving the web for her next surprise. That's why I want do this, force her hand and try to draw her out. She won't be able to resist, particularly after Bill makes his announcement." He smiled widely, happy to be able to put up an offense after playing defense for so long. "And if she has decided to leave well enough alone, at least we get a nice vacation of sand and sun for a few days. Let's get moving. Kristin and Lucas, packed enough clothes for a week, it might take her awhile. Cocker, I'll meet you in launch bay in an hour." As the others moved to the door, he held Hitchcock back. "I need to talk to you for a minute." *****
The sun beat down, and he wiped the sweat from his forehead, as he dragged the small boat down the beach. Lucas saw the Captain and Kristin come out from the house, scan the beach for him, wave, and walk towards him.
After three quiet days on Bridger's island, Lucas was getting bored. There had been no sight of Marilyn Stark, and, as time passed, the small group had become less suspicious and more comfortable. At first, they stuck together, mostly reading, working on the computer or swimming on the beach, not straying far from the house. But., as time passed, Lucas became more trusting of the various security measures that Section Seven had installed and feeling trapped with two adults breathing down his neck.
"Yeah, what's up ? Can I take the kayak out for a bit ?" Lucas secretly hoped that neither of them would give him a hard time. He liked his companions but he was getting a bit tired of the family life thing.
"Nathan wants to go for a walk." Kristin gave a sideways glance at the Captain and then gave the teen her special 'don't ask' look.
"Can't I stay here ? I promise to be careful and I'll even go into the house and lock all the doors. She wants you, Captain, not me and there's enough security around that all I have to do is grab the nearest tree and scream and Crocker'll swoop down from the sky, like a big bird." The teen put on his best wide eyed, pleading look.
"You stay in the house, and carry a PAL at all times and if you hear anything strange, you call, understand." Bridger gave him a stern look until Lucas nodded vigorously in agreement, then patted him on the back and marched off down the beach. "Coming, Doctor ?"
"We're going to visit his wife's grave. Do you know where it is?" After the teen's yes, she added, "Stay in the house, out of trouble. Play with your computer for awhile." She turned to pick a few flowers from the garden and hurried after the Captain.
After they faded from view, Lucas jogged to the house, anxious for some time alone. Sitting down at the computer, he got ready for a romp through the internex. A few minuted passed, and he started to notice how ... empty... the house was, how alone he felt. Alone and vulnerable, ripe pickings for a deranged woman.
Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. What if something happened to Bridger and Kristin, if something was out there waiting, he thought to himself. They'd need back up, wouldn't they? Some one to run for help. Looking cautiously both ways, he moved rapidly to the door, down the steps and in the same direction that the Captain and Kristin went. They couldn't have gotten too far.
*****
Carol's gravesite was besides a small stream, on a hilltop over looking the ocean. Nathan sat Indian style next to his wife's grave, speaking quietly. Kristin stood a few steps away, looking out of the water, to give him privacy.
"So you've found yourself a new family, Nathan? I'm still not good enough for you?"
Nathan looked up at the bitter voice and saw Marilyn Stark standing in front of him, gun pointed at him.
Forcing himself to stay calm, he rose slowly, a fake smile on his face. This would be the hard part, the part he dreaded. Putting Kristin and Lucas in danger was the last thing he wanted to do, but it seemed like the only way to drag Stark out from where ever she was hiding. Going on vacation with his 'adopted family' was a guaranteed way to catch her attention. Now he had to keep things under control until security got to them, which should only be a few minutes. As much as he hated Section Seven, he knew they were professionals and experts in security. If he could keep Stark talking, it would all be over quickly. At least Lucas was safely tucked away in the house. Throwing a reassuring smile in Kristin's direction, he stood up to face Stark, be careful to keep his body between her and the Doctor. He noticed that Stark was by herself. Over estimating her enemy again or did she have another plan up her sleeve, he wondered. Casually stretching and rolling his shoulders, Bridger secretly activated the listening device on his belt. He knew that O'Neill was out there, listening to and recording every word that was said.
"She's my doctor and I'm still recovering from the effects of our last meeting. I need some one to wake me after the nightmares, " Bridger said with a touch of annoyance.
"And the boy ? I saw the three of you, sitting around in the sun, laughing. That could have been us, Nathan, you and me and our child," Marilyn said, longing in her voice.
Trying to keep Marilyn's attention on himself, he gestured behind his back for Kristin to get away. "It would never be us, Marilyn. There was nothing between us, it was all in your head."
"You're wrong, Nathan. If that witch, Carol, hadn't come along, I would have been your wife. We could have built the seaQuest together. Who knows, maybe we would have two - his and hers, like matching towels. I would command the military vessel and you could keep one for your precious science." Marilyn seemed amused by this thought, seemingly unconcerned at the Doctor's disappearance, as the gun droop downwards. "Are you happy, Nathan ? When I saw you again, I remember all the good times we spent together." She sat down on Carol's gravestone, ignoring the fact that Nathan's body suddenly stiffened. "We can keep the kid around, if that will make you happy, as long as he promises to behave. The Doctor - well, I'm afraid I'll have to dispose of her. Should I poison her, like I did for Carol, or end it more quickly with a gun shot?"
Trying to breath slowly and stay in control, Nathan took a step towards her. "Carol died of a tropical disease."
Winking at him, she said tauntingly, "That's what the hospital recorded. Actually, they had no idea what killed her and that's what they TOLD you to cover their tracks." If she couldn't have him in her life, at least she could have some fun before she killed him.
"No. I was there, I saw her fever, her delirium. It was a rare type of meningitis." He thought back to the days before Carol's death but the seed of doubt had been planted. What if she did it, he asked himself silently. He took another step towards Stark, glad that Kristin had left. Where was Crocker and the security. If they didn't hurry, things were going to start to get ugly.
"How do you know, Nathan? You never will know," she gloated, overjoyed with the anger she saw in his eyes. She wanted to hurt him, like he had hurt her. Casually, she added, "I came to the funeral. I stayed in the background, but I found it quite touching, the way you cried over the casket."
With a roar, Bridger threw himself at Stark, grabbing for the gun. Fury raged, totally blocking any sensible thought from entering his brain. He wanted blood. Blood for what he had endured, and for what Carol endured. Marilyn tried to push him away, struggling with him. The gun discharged, and there was a choked scream from the bushes. Stunned, Bridger stopped and turned to see Lucas stumble out, clutching his arm with one hand as blood dripped over his fingers. His rage quickly deflated, he temporarily ignored Stark and helped the boy sit on the ground. "What the hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be in the house."
The teen groaned softly as Bridger pulled at his shirt sleeve, ripping the cloth carefully, to look at the wound. "I changed my mind. I didn't realize you were entertaining, or trust me, I would have stayed put."
There was a rustle in the bushes and Kristin appeared on the other side of Lucas, frowning deeply. Pushing Bridger's hand away, she took a look at the bleeding injury. "You just can't stay out of trouble, can you....?" Taking off her denim shirt, she rolled it and then wrapped it around the teen's arm, tying it tight.
"Isn't this a touching scene?"
The three of them turned at the voice, amazed that they had forgotten the reason they were all there in the first place.
Stark stood there, smirking, still holding the gun.
Bridger stood, ready to advance but Kristin's word of warning reached his ears. "Don't...."
One look at Lucas was enough to stop him. Look what had happened when he hadn't kept his anger under control. He had to keep his cool, not let Marilyn upset him again. Where the hell was Section Seven? It looked like he was on his own. Again.
"Nathan, we really must go now. I'm sure that you had some back- up plan, some security measures. My men are waiting down at our boat and they're going to get impatient if we don't hurry. Shall I shoot these two? Oh, that's right, you all ready took care of the boy."She let out a short chuckle. "Don't worry about that, Nathan. I've stocked up on my drug supply and in a week or two, you'll forget these two ever existed." Stark motioned with her gun towards the path leading to the beach. "Let's go or I will shoot them."
Nathan bowed his head, defeated. "Kristin, take care of Lucas," he ordered as he trudged slowly towards the path.
Kristin got up to take a step forward, eyeing the gun warily. "Nathan....no...." She debated whether the two of them could subdue Stark without alerting her men or anyone else getting hurt.
Nathan gave her a small wink, and said mournfully,"I'm sorry but... I have to end this. I can't watch her hurt either of you." He stopped suddenly, gaping at something floating in the air. "Carol?"
Kristin and Lucas looked in amazement as the ghostly form of Carol Bridger floated in the air over the grave. The figure, dressed in a white wedding dress, drifted about five feet off the ground, fluttering in the breeze.
Marilyn Stark's mouth dropped half way to the ground as the blood drained from her face as she stared at the apparition. "Whaaaat is that?"
Taking advantage of the distraction, Bridger once again launched himself at Stark. This time, with her attention focused elsewhere, the gun dislodged from her hand and went flying, landing on the ground. Nathan pushed Stark hard, and she landed sprawled on the ground as he scooped up the gun. She looked around anxiously but the ghost had disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared. She looked up to see Bridger holding the gun, aimed at her.
Bridger announced, "It's over, Marilyn".
Scrambling to her feet, Stark gave Bridger a cold smile, ignoring the others. "It'll never be over, Nathan. We were meant to be together. You'll have to shoot me and I know that you could never do that, could you, Nathan?" She walked slowly towards the Captain.
The gun shook in Bridger's hand as his mind twisted with memories. He saw the needle sticking in his arm, felt the drugs pouring through his veins, remembered the nights he woke up screaming from the nightmares, visions of Carol dying. Holding the gun steady, he sighted Stark carefully, right at her head as she walked into the pistol, stopping an inch away. "Wrong, Marilyn, I could." He quickly dropped the gun downward as his closed fist made contact with the side of her head. She crumpled to the ground, semi conscious, groaning . "But I'm not going to let you destroy my life any more than you have." As the security chief came running over the hill, he glanced at Crocker, motioning to Stark. "Get her out of my sight." Crocker beckoned to two of his men to take Stark. "Sorry we're late. Section Seven had, um, a small problem and once they decided to inform us, we came as fast as we could."
Relieved, Bridger surrendered the gun and joined Kristin and Lucas on the ground. "How is he?"
Kristin's hand rubbed Lucas' shoulder in soothing circles. "It looks like it's just a flesh wound. I'll have to take a few x-rays but I think he'll be fine. You'd better have a stretcher to carry him."
Lucas protested, "I'm fine!" He sat up abruptly, but swayed slightly as the ground seemed to rock under him. "Um, I think I'll lay back down," he said miserably, feeling light headed.. In a droll voice, Kristin said., "It seems that Mr. Wolenczak will accept a lift gratefully, Chief.
Crocker cast a look of disgust in Stark's direction. "Did SHE do that ?"
Watching the guilt flash across Bridger's face, Lucas quickly explained, "It was an accident. My mistake, I guess, for hanging out in bushes, but it was nobody's fault." Anxious to change the subject, he added, "What happened to Section Seven?"
"The line delivering power to the island was cut. Stark must have done it. None of the cameras or listening devices were working and Section Seven was running around trying to figure out what was happening. I'll take Stark down to the beach and a couple of men back with the stretcher." Crocker moved towards the path, his men following him, half dragging the still groggy Stark.
"Be careful, Chief. She must have a boat and maybe a crew stashed somewhere," Bridger shouted to their retreating backs. He turned to see two set of eyes staring at him. "What?"
"You mind explaining what that....thing.... was?" Kristin gestured at the grave.
"Carol's ghost coming to my aid?" Bridger gave them a satisfied grin. "Did you see Marilyn's face? I thought she was going to wet her pants."
"I almost wet myself and I didn't even know her," Lucas mumbled. "It's not even close to Halloween and we're no where near the King George."
Bridger yanked a little black box off his belt and showed it to them. "A little surprise Katie and Tim were working on to impress you, Lucas. Based on the Professor technology, it's hologram with artificial intelligence but on a much simpler plane. I needed a back up plan and thought the ghost of Carol would unnerve Stark, so I borrowed it from them."
Lucas worked the cover off the device one- handed and examined the computer chip. "Sort of like a portable Professor." Fascinated, he shifted carefully so not to jostle his throbbing arm, and turned the box around several times. "I guess they're planning on adding sound. It would make an interesting communication device...."
As the teen continued to fiddle with it, Bridger and Kristin exchanged an amused look. "Guess that'll distract him for awhile," Nathan whispered to the Doctor.
They sat back, watching the ocean, lost in their private musing.
"A penny for your thoughts?' Kristin asked after a few minutes.
Bridger exhaled deeply. "I was thinking of Carol and everything that has happened lately," Bridger said distantly.
"I thought you were going to kill her." The Doctor prompted, trying to get Bridger to open up.
"Me too," Nathan said bitterly, echoing words that Kristin had said to him about the man who had destroyed her brother. "I'm just happy to put this whole thing behind me." He shifted, looking at the teen who was still distracted with his new toy. "It's funny; while Stark had me, all I could remember was flashes of the seaQuest, and of Lucas, Jonathan. And you. I didn't even think of Carol or Robert, had no thoughts of them." Picking up a stick, he started pulling the bark off it.
"Does that disturb you," Kristin asked gently.
"I'm not sure," Nathan replied softly. "Look at Marilyn. After all this time, she's still stuck in the past, disturbed over what might've happened. It's taken me a long time, but I've finally put the past behind me. I want to live for the here and now, not with regrets for the past."
Kristin gave a small laugh, smiling when Nathan gave her a questioning look. "I think the rest of us need to send Stark a thank you card."
"I'm going to regret this but ....why?" Nathan wore a puzzled expression, wondering where the Doctor was headed.
"If she hadn't disobeyed orders at Livingston Trench, hadn't come back and attacked the farm colony, the UEO wouldn't have needed you. It's because of Marilyn that you are Captain of the seaQuest now."
Nathan gave a snort at this piece of convoluted logic. "You do have a way of finding the silver lining, Doctor." He stood up, brushed off his pants and then reached a hand to help the Doctor up as a few of the security men came into sight. "Let's bundle up your patient and go home."
Bridger watched as Kristin carefully helped Lucas settle on the stretcher and the men slowly raised him for the trip to beach. He patted the teen on the shoulder comfortingly as the boy grumbled about being treated like a child. "Go ahead, I'll be down in a minute."
Crouching down at Carol's headstone, he pulled a few weeds, then gently caressed the stone. "I'm pretty confident that Stark had nothing to do with your death and I'm sorry I had to use you like that to catch her. Please don't be disappointed in me. I know I made a promise to you but I need the seaQuest and I'm happy there." He gave the stone one final pat. "I'll see you next time."
With that, he headed to the beach, thinking about what he needed to do: get Lucas to Med Bay, come back for their belongings, close up the house, take Stark to UEO headquarters. Smiling at last thought, he looked up to see Kristin waiting for him at the shuttle and grabbed her in a bear hug.
When she finally wiggled free, she cocked her head and asked, "Feeling better, are you?"
"Feeling great," he exclaimed joyfully as he climbed into the shuttle. "Let's go home."
>END<