AN: Sorry I've taken so long to post this last part. A friend requested that I put in a big goodbye scene with Hudson and crew and I've procrastinated, waiting to see if I would write it. I haven't. I'm not sure it needs it. Let me know what you think. Anyhow - this is the end. Hope you enjoyed it.

*****

The daylight was starting to fade when Nathan noticed out the window that a taxi had pulled up outside the house. Stepping out on the porch, he was surprised as Lucas climbed out of the back seat with his bags, paid the driver and strode up the walk. The young man stopped, tilting head up to look at Bridger waiting on the porch. "You gave up your life so I could keep mine." Lucas said it as if he had the final piece of the puzzle.

"Yes," stated Nathan.

Taking a few steps closer, Lucas tilted his head. "I'm going to need a new job. And a new place to live."

Nathan came down from the porch as Lucas walked to meet him at the bottom of the steps. "Are you doing this because you want to or because you feel it's your duty?"

"This is what I want," Lucas informed him sincerely. He smiled as Bridger gave him a cynical look. "Really. I remember what it felt like to have absent parents. I know he has you and Kristin but he needs a father. I can do better than my own father,"he said firmly, with conviction. "Besides, I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of help."

Giving him a hard look for a few more seconds, Bridger spun around and hurried up the steps. Through the open screen, he called excitedly, "Michael! Your father's here!"

The boy, dressed in pajamas, ran out the door, and lunged into his father's waiting arms, giving him a hard hug. "I knew you would come back, Lucas!"

****

The lamp's light bathed the room in a soft glow, and Lucas felt relaxed and at home. Kristin and Nathan sat side by side on the couch, glasses perched on their noses as they read their books. Lucas glanced down at the warm body curled against his chest. They had been reading picture books together and Michael had fallen asleep, his beloved stuffed dog, Puppy, under his arm.

"New beginnings," he commented quietly. "It's funny." he went on, not talking to anyone in particular but knowing the others would listen, "My parents spent so much time handing me off to other people, not really caring what would happen but all the best things in my life came about because of it. Now my father has left me the best legacy of all."

Kristin gave him an affectionate smile and Bridger let his book drop to his lap, content to watch father and son. Things had worked out better than he could have ever imagined.

"I've had a lot of new beginnings," repeated Lucas, thinking of the first time he had come aboard the seaQuest, a scared 16 year old among a few hundred adults.

"People are constantly re-inventing their lives," Bridger observed. "You just seem to do it more often then most."

Absently, Lucas stroked Michael's velvety hair, breathing in his little boy smell. "Hopefully, this new beginning will never end," he murmured quietly, resting his head on the back of the chair and closing his eyes as Kristin and Nathan exchanged satisfied smiles and went back to their books.

**** THE END!!!