Part 6

On his way to see his father Lucas was overwhelmed with emotion. Stunned that he'd allowed himself to withdraw from what was going on around him. Anger that his father never told him Alexia was on board. Fear that she might refuse any help he could offer. Rage that anyone would do such a thing to his or her own child.

So lost in trying to sort his feelings Lucas barely acknowledged the crew members who greeted him in the corridors. Most people just out of the way, as was habit when Lucas was brainstorming on a project. 'No wonder dad's always after me to watch where I'm going' he scoffed at himself as he just narrowly missed colliding with a crewman carrying an armful of equipment.

A quick inquiry located his father in the wardroom. Lucas quietly opened the door and slipped inside, out of view of the vid-link, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. Nathan glanced at his son, a small frown appeared as he noted the boy's obvious agitation.

Suddenly "Hi Lucas, how are you?" the voice of Secretary General Bill Noyce, rang out.

Moving to his father's side, "Uh hi Mr. Secretary. How'd you know it was me?" Lucas asked. Nathan raised an eyebrow at his long-time friend, obviously wanting to hear the answer as well.

A deep chuckle filled the room. "Lucas, I've told you before just call me Bill, like, Nathan, does. We're practically related anyway." A huge grin crossed Noyce's face. "As to how I knew it was you who came into the room? That was easy. There is only one person that I know of who gets your father's eyes to light up, even while frowning." Father and son looked at each other before joining in with their own mirth.

"Well Nathan, looks like you two need to talk, so I'll see what I can do about your request. Talk to you later," and before either Lucas or Nathan could say a word the connection was cut.

"Bye Bill," Nathan said to a blank screen before turning to his son. "What's up Lucas?" Not sure he really wanted to know the answer.

The teen's face darkened a bit before responding flatly, "Alexia Grantvin's on board the SeaQuest."

"Yes, I know. I was there when she arrived," Nathan responded matter-of-factly.

"You knew she was coming on board and didn't tell me?" anger permeated the youth's voice. "You knew I was worried about her."

"I didn't know she was part of the team until I saw her in the launch bay," Nathan's voice was calm and factual in an effort to soothe his son. "As to that I didn't know any of them were coming until two days before they showed up on our doorstep," he allowed some of his own frustration come through his words.

"Oh! Well how'd they end up here anyway?" Lucas' interest taking over.

Sighing, the captain explained, "Originally they were to be accommodated on board the research submarine Phoenix. However, the sub's port side engine malfunctioned and they were forced to be dry docked until it could be repaired. We were the only other submarine available that had room for them."

"Have you seen her?" The words whispered so quietly that Nathan had to strain to hear them.

"No, not since that first day. How'd you find out by the way?" The captain crossed his arms in a mock-huff.

"Some of the guys," was the non-committal answer. "How come you didn't tell me?"

"Well let's see first you barely communicated with anyone, then there were the nightmares," cutting Lucas off before he could interrupt. "Don't even try to deny them, I've heard you call out in your sleep. Then just as you start to come around she shows up. Though I guess the biggest reason is that I didn't know how. I couldn't stand to see you hurt again. Meeting Alexia seemed to bring back too much for you. A selfish part of me hoped you wouldn't even know she was here, but logically I knew that wasn't possible."

"Sorry you ended up with such a screwed up kid?" Lucas asked lightly, not sure how to put his feelings into words.

"Never, Kiddo, never," Nathan said seriously, holding eye contact with the teen. Then, "how else am I going to come up with an excuse for my hair turning gray?" He laughed ruffling Lucas' hair. Whose response was to blush and give his father a sheepish grin.

"What do we do now?" Lucas was suddenly unsure where to go from there.

"I'm not certain," Nathan admitted. "All I can say is just try and be her friend for now."

Lucas left the wardroom trying to figure out a way to meet up with, Alexia, as his friends had been right about her inaccessibility. Bridger's attempts to approach her had been foiled by colleagues of Alexia, who were constantly ready with excuses as to why she couldn't be disturbed. Of course being the captain, Nathan could have ordered Alexia to report to him, but given the evidence so far, that would prove to be unwise. Too confrontational, and given her history with a man in authority Lucas was proud that his father hadn't forced the issue.

Deciding on asking Darwin his opinion, Lucas headed for Sea Deck. He'd missed chatting with the dolphin during his 'sabbatical'; maybe they'd be able to play a game to two if the coast was clear. Lucas' smile broadened and his pace quickened as he set his plan to action.

To his surprise, Alexia was at the moonpool when he arrived, already in conversation with Darwin. Lucas stood in the hatchway as the dolphin narrated to Alexia some the their adventures. More than once he felt a blush rise as some of the stories being told proved to be rather embarrassing, but the smooth, melodic laughter from Alexia soothed his smarting ego.

He'd started towards the tank when, "Lucas play too?" echoed from the vocorder. Alexia spun as she jumped, practically bumping right into Lucas.

"You okay?" he asked quietly. Lucas had reached out to steady her, but when she flinched his arm dropped to his side.

"Fine," was Alexia's response, looking like a jack-rabbit ready to bolt.

"You know," Lucas started laughing. "We really do have to stop meeting like this." The tension slowly eased out of Alexia's posture as a smile started across her face.

Not one to be left out, "Lucas play with Lexi and Darwin?" The dolphin asked as he sent a spray of water towards the teenagers.

"Hey! Cut that out fish-face," Lucas admonished the porpoise lightly.

"Darwin play. Darwin play with Lucas and Lexi," came the crackled response from the vocorder.

Thinking there was something wrong with the vocorder's programming, Lucas, began punching keys as he corrected the dolphin. "Her name is Alexia," pronouncing the name very slowly, "not Lexi."

"Lexi," insisted Darwin. Temporarily diverted by the malfunction, Lucas, failed to notice as Alexia inched away.

"I don't understand what's wrong with this," Lucas muttered as he attempted to fix the glitch.

"Lexi is Lexi. Alexia not Lexi," the dolphin suddenly announced.

Lucas sighed. At least the database wasn't corrupted, though it took a few more seconds before Darwin's words sank in. "What do you mean Alexia not Lexi? Her name is Alexia."

"Alexia hard, like shell, so not get through. Lexi hide in Alexia." Darwin sent another blast of water at Lucas before he turned and swam off.

"Look, Alexia, I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into him," Lucas spoke softly as he turned to where she'd been, only to find her gone.

On to part 7