*See part one for disclaimer.

Rediscovering Lucas
(Formerly Little Boy Lost)
Part Two
By: Victoria May

"Lucas." Nathan approached the teen who was slumped over a tray of regulation breakfast food, idly playing with the mounds of colorful sustenance. Lucas looked up at the sound of his name, his face brightening as his eyes lit on the captain.

"Captain! I'm glad you're here. I finished the new diagnostics last night as instructed, and I wanted to talk to you about some other problems that I found . . ." Lucas continued talking as he moved his tray over on the crowded table to make room for Nathan.

Patting Lucas on the shoulder gently to gain his attention, Nathan was relieved to see Lucas so full of energy and enthusiasm today. Despite the lively music, dancing and tables full of food at the reception for the SeaQuest the night before, Nathan had found his mind drifting back to the SeaQuest and to Lucas. Still bothered by the way they had left things last night, Nathan turned to Lucas.

"Lucas. About yesterday . . ."

"Don't worry about it Sir," Lucas interrupted. "I didn't really have a right to be mad. I'm sorry about that. For acting like a kid and all. I know what I did was serious and I deserved to be yelled at."

Nathan sighed. "Lucas, first of all, you may be 15 years old, but you are still a kid. And secondly, I wasn't yelling."

"Well, the commander was yelling. And, I'm not a kid," Lucas said through a mouthful of what looked like scrambled eggs. "I'm almost an adult. By all rights, I should be considered an adult. I have a better education than most adults do, live on a UEO submarine, and take care of myself. Isn't that what being an adult is all about?"

"You are not an adult. And you don't take care of yourself. You're here because your father knew you'd be taken care of and learn what responsibility is all about at the same time. Give me that song and dance in a few years kiddo and I'll agree. But for now, you're just a fifteen year old kid living on a submarine. Got it?"

Lucas rolled his eyes at the use of Nathan's affectionate nickname for him. "Yes sir."

Nathan poked his fork into a sausage and held it up for inspection. Grimacing slightly, he brought it to his lips. Before taking a bite, he turned his head to look at Lucas and asked,

"Now what were you trying to tell me about the diagnostics you ran?"

"I reran the diagnostics like you wanted, and found the corrupted codes that locked out the controls for the torpedoes. I fixed that, but I think I found another problem."

Nathan's eyebrows went up with this news. "Oh?"

"I tried to download some of the data onto my PAL so I could go over it in my quarters, just to be sure I fixed everything. But the computer kept giving me an error message and aborted the transfer. I don't think it's too serious though. I mean, I could access the data from the weapons terminal, I just couldn't download it. And from what I could tell, it was localized to weapons only. All of the other systems allowed data transfers. I was thinking that after breakfast I would go over the system again and see if I can fix it."

"How long do you think that will take?" Nathan asked.

Lucas shrugged. "I don't know. A few hours maybe. I should be finished by dinner, or bedtime at the latest."

Frowning at the thought that this project would consume all of Lucas' time, Nathan suggested another idea. "We're only in port for another day Lucas. Why don't you take the day off and go and see some friends. I think we'll manage to survive without you for one day. I'll have one of the engineers take a look at the weapons system. If the problem isn't resolved by the time you're back, you can jump in and help. How does that sound to you?"

Nimbly pushing his food around his plate, Lucas remained silent.

"Lucas?"

"It sounds fine sir. I'll go and get ready." Lucas grabbed his half eaten breakfast and dumped the leftovers into the waste receptacle. Throwing his empty tray onto a waiting stack, he stalked out of the mess.

Nathan watched the teen's abrupt exit and turned back to face the others at the table.

Sitting across from Nathan, Ben shook his fork at the empty chair as he commented, "Gee, for some odd reason, I don't think he wants to get off the SeaQuest. I think it's just a little bit odd when a fifteen year old is told to go and have fun, and he doesn't want to leave."

"I agree. Is there a problem I should be aware of? Has he said something to any of you, that might explain why he's so reluctant to leave? Did he have a fight with his friends?" Nathan looked at the others seated around the table. Tim and Miguel shrugged, while Ben mumbled something incoherent about teen hormones.

Kristin leaned forward and patted Nathan's hand. "Don't worry Nathan. I think he just wanted to stick around and do something to make up for yesterday. Once he's out and with his friends he'll be fine." Kristin paused to think and then continued, "Why don't you have the engineers leave something for Lucas to finish when he gets back. That way, you both get what you want."

"That's a great idea Kristin." Glancing at his watch, Nathan stood to leave. See you on the bridge in five minutes," he said, nodding to the others. Chuckling as he heard the sound of chairs scraping across the floor, he deposited his tray and headed for the bridge.

*****

"Hey Lucas, glad you could make it! I've only been waiting for like, an hour. Where've you been?"

Lucas jogged to catch up to his friend, who was now walking toward him. "Sorry Biff, the doc caught me at the last minute and asked for my help on something. What's going on?" he asked warily as he noticed a group of teens standing near, listening to the conversation.

"Nothing. Just wanted you to meet some people." Turning away from Lucas, Biff gestured for the group to come closer. "Guys, this is Lucas. Lucas, this is Teri, Rae, Sara, Kyle, Ty, and Rob," Biff said, pointing to one after another of the small group.

Feeling his face flush with embarrassment and anger at his friend for not warning him of the meeting, he stammered a quick "hello" and fell silent. Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet was looking pretty interesting.

"So Lucas, Biff says you live on a submarine. That true?"

Lucas looked up quickly and then swerved his head in Biff's direction. Glaring at his friend for a second, he turned back and studied the group. Unsure who asked, but knowing it was one of the girls, he turned to face them.

"Ah, yeah. It's true."

"Cool," Ty said, looking impressed.

Lucas smiled weakly at the compliment from the other teen. "Yeah, it is pretty cool."

"What do you do on the sub?" Rae asked. Lucas looked at the tall girl with dark hair falling down her back. She looked interested, so Lucas took a deep breath and began.

"Um, I'm the head of mammal engineering," Lucas said.

"What's that?" came another question, this time from Kyle.

Rather than admit that it was a made up position to make him feel wanted and useful on the ship, he told them about Darwin. Skimming over the classified parts, like his vocorder project and other non-essential, need to know information like the fact that he was a college graduate, Lucas told them about playing with the dolphin and helping Kristin with her science experiments.

"So, where're your folks?" Sara, a small, pale girl with short blond hair asked quietly.

Lucas' face lost some of its animation and he wrapped his long arms around his chest.

"Never mind, I didn't mean to get in your business," Sara said quickly.

"No, it's okay. My dad, he's developing the new World Power Plant. He's really busy right now so he arranged with the UEO to let me stay on the SeaQuest." Lucas replied, leaving out the part where his dad bought his way onto the ship by making a large donation to the UEO.

"What about your mom?" Kyle asked.

"Enough with the third degree, what are we going to do? I don't want to sit around in this park all day," Rob exclaimed, standing and stretching his legs.

Relieved at the change of subject, Lucas waited to hear what the others would suggest. While surprised at Biff's choice of new friends, most of them younger than Biff, Lucas found himself liking the group.

"See a movie?"

"Nah, too boring."

"Swimming?"

"Too cold."

"Mall?"

"Yeah, right!"

"It was just a suggestion," Sara shot back.

"Why, you got money?" Rob asked, suddenly very interested in what Sara had to say.

"No," Sara said, frowning. "I just thought we could go and look around."

"Hey, Lucas, you got a suggestion?" Rob called out towards Lucas.

"Um, no. Whatever you all want to do is fine with me," Lucas answered, looking at Biff out of the corner of his eye. Biff hung back and didn't offer anything to the debate. He looked about as uncomfortable as Lucas felt. So why had he brought Lucas here to meet these kids? How did he know them? His curiosity getting the better of him, Lucas wandered over to Biff.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" he hissed quietly at his friend.

"I don't have anything to say, Wolenczeck," came his curt reply. Was that jealousy tingeing his voice? Jeez! It was Biff's idea for him to come here. Hell, if he was going to be mad, let him. Whatever.

"Hey!"

Lucas looked up and saw the others looking at them. "We're going to hang out at Kyle's house. That okay with you guys?" Rob asked.

"Sure," Lucas mumbled. He stumbled as Biff pushed past him. Watching his friend's back in disbelief, he didn't hear Sara approach.

"What's his problem?"

Lucas jumped and then laughed when he saw Sara giggling next to him.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

"It's alright. And I have no idea what his problem is. I think he's mad at me."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Sara shrugged and nodded her head at the group. "We'd better hurry up."

*****

"When's your mom coming home?" Teri asked Kyle, flopping down onto the couch next to him.

Kyle draped his leg over Teri's and leaned against her. "Never, I hope."

"Yeah, we know that, but that doesn't tell us when she's getting home," Rob said as he grabbed the vid remote.

Rolling his eyes, Kyle said, "She works until ten, then she's going out with the creep. Don't worry about it-no one will come walking in or anything."

"What about your sister?" Teri asked.

"She's got a game tonight. She won't be home."

"Hey, Kyle, is '67 a good year?" came Rae's voice from the kitchen.

"Put it back Rae! My mom would kill me if we got into her good stuff!" Kyle yelled back.

"Loser!" came the loud reply. Rae came walking out of the kitchen with an evil grin on her face.

"Doesn't matter. I've got something much better," she said, hiding her hand behind her back.

"No way," Teri squealed, literally bouncing on the couch next to Kyle.

"Yes way, and if you're nice, I'll share," Rae said, whipping her hand to the front.

Biff slid off the barstool he had claimed when he entered, and walked up to Rae. Slipping his arms around her waist, he buried his face into her neck.

"I'll be nice Rae; I'll be very nice," he said as he leaned in to kiss the tall brunette.

"You'd better Biff, or you won't be getting any, and I don't mean this," she added, dropping a bag down onto the coffee table. She wrapped her arms around Biff's neck and began to suck on his lower lip.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Lucas whispered to Sara who was sitting next to him on the floor. Leaning over, Lucas peered at the bag on the table. His eyes grew wide and he sat back, stunned.

"Is that what I think it is?" he asked quietly, so no one could hear.

"Yeah," Sara whispered back. "You gonna try some?" she asked.

"Um," Lucas shifted uncomfortably. "Are you?"

She didn't have time to answer before Rae dug into the bag and began to pass a blunt to each of them.

"Guess so," Sara whispered, giggling nervously. "Have you ever smoked before?" she asked Lucas.

Unsure how to answer, and not wanting to look stupid, Lucas lied, "Uh, sure, once. You?"

"No."

"Oh." Lucas looked down at the joint in his hand and wondered briefly what to do with it. Feeling a nudge at his side, he looked down to see a lighter being offered.

Sara leaned over and whispered, "Light it silly. Like a cigarette. Hurry up, Rae's staring at us."

Lucas looked up quickly and saw that Rae was indeed staring at them. Taking a deep breath, Lucas put the joint in his mouth and lit it, finally passing the lighter on to Sara.

*****

Lucas stood outside the docking bay to the SeaQuest, Sara, Teri and Ty by his side.

"So this is it, huh? Home sweet home?" Ty asked.

"Yeah, home sweet home. Like Charlie the tuna," Lucas said, giggling.

"Sorry Charlie, that was a dud," Teri said, collapsing against Ty in a fit of giggles of her own.

"Get off me!" Ty said, pushing her away.

"What'd you push me for?" Teri snapped, her giggles stilled and her eyes glaring angrily.

"Because I can," Ty snapped back.

"Jerk."

"Slut."

"Slut? Shut the hell up you moron!"

Lucas pulled Sara away from the other two and looked around, hoping that no one was close enough to witness the scene the other two were causing.

"So, it was nice to meet you Sara," Lucas said, giggling again.

"You too, Lucas. Um, you going back tonight for the party?" Sara asked, looking up at Lucas, her green eyes focusing on his blue.

"Um, if I can. I have to ask the captain. If I can, will I see you there?"

"Maybe," Sara said over her shoulder as she turned to rejoin her friends.

"Bye Lucas!" Teri called out as Sara dragged her away.

Lucas lifted his hand in a half wave and watched the trio disappear off the dock.

*****

"I think you forgot the kitchen sink," came an awed voice over Lucas' shoulder. Lucas looked down at his tray piled high with the night's special-meatloaf, mashed potatoes and some kind of green mush, maybe a vegetable of some kind?-and shrugged.

"I was hungry," he replied, as he picked up a one of three cookies he had stolen off the dessert tray.

"Keep eating like that Lucas and we'll have to put you on a diet," Ben joked as he sat next to the teen.

"Ha ha, very funny," Lucas replied sarcastically.

"Hey, I'm just kidding. What, didn't you have a good time today?" Ben asked, concerned at his young friend's sour mood.

"Actually, I had a great time."

"So what's the problem?" Ben asked.

"I had to come back here," Lucas retorted.

Ben choked on his mouthful of potatoes and sat back, staring at Lucas. Where had that come from?

"I thought you liked being on the SeaQuest Lucas."

Lucas poked at his meatloaf. He opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the arrival and Kristin and Nathan.

"Captain! I have a big favor to ask you," Lucas exclaimed excitedly as Nathan sat down across from him.

"Oh? And just what would that favor be?" Nathan asked, curious. He noted Ben's grim expression and compared it to Lucas' vibrant face.

"A friend of mine is having a get together tonight. I really want to go. You know, being the last day of shore leave, like you said. I won't be able to see my friends again for awhile. I could stay over at Biff's house and be back here in the morning, first thing. Please Captain?" Lucas begged.

Nathan sighed, knowing he would have to disappoint the teen. "Lucas, I need more warning than a couple of hours. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to stay on the SeaQuest."

"What? Why? You're the one who wanted me to go and have fun today. My friends invited me at the last minute. I didn't know about it soon enough to give you any more notice. Please Captain," Lucas whined.

"Lucas, first of all, I would have to talk to your friend's parents and make sure there is supervision. And secondly, the repairs aren't quite finished on the weapons systems. I need you here so you can go over them one last time in the morning before we ship out. There's just no time for you to be off the ship any more tonight."

"Fine," Lucas mumbled, looking down at his dinner, suddenly not very hungry at all.

"Hey, Lucas, I got a couple new vids if you want to come to my quarters and watch," Ben offered, hoping to cheer the teen up.

"No thanks Ben. I'm really tired; I think I'm going to turn in early," Lucas said as he stood.

"Are you feeling all right Lucas? You look a bit flushed. Are you coming down with something?," Kristin asked.

"No, I'm just tired. Good night."

"Good night Lucas," Kristin replied gently.

As soon as Lucas had left the mess, Nathan looked at Ben. "Tired? Didn't he just ask if he could go to a party?"

"Tired of the SeaQuest, Sir. Didn't want to come back this afternoon. I think he believed you would let him go to the party," Ben replied.

"Ah," Nathan said, his gaze flickering over to rest on Kristin. "I suppose it's better that he stay on board tonight, he really wasn't looking too hot."

"Hmm," was Ben's only reply, earning a curious glance from both the captain and the doctor. Vowing that he was going to have a serious talk with the teen and soon, Ben stood and excused himself.

*****

"Come on Lucas, you can't miss this party. Sara really missed you last month at Kyle's," Biff pleaded from the vid screen.

"I already told you, the captain said 'no'. I can't change his mind-believe me, I've tried everything, including begging. He's got some UEO bigwigs coming on board tomorrow and he wants me around to show off the vocorder. I can't get out of it."

"Lucas, Lucas. Have you learned nothing from your association with me? Where there's a will, there's a way."

"Oh yeah, what's the 'way'?"

"You're the genius, figure it out. Just meet me at my house in two hours."

"Fine. I'll figure something out," Lucas said as he flicked off the vid screen.

*****

"So, Lucas, I'm glad you agreed to take me up on the talk," Ben said as he strolled next to Lucas in the park.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad you agreed to have the talk out here. It was getting stuffy on the SeaQuest," Lucas answered.

"About that, Lucas . . .."

"Hey, Ben, can you hold on a minute? I really have to go; do you mind?" Lucas asked as he stopped outside a rest area.

Sighing, Ben nodded and sat down to wait while Lucas hurried inside. Leaning back, he watched the sun bathers on the beach, his eyes following a certain volleyball game with interest. Growing restless, he wondered what was taking Lucas so long. Starting to worry, he pushed open the door to the latrine.

"Lucas, you okay?" Ben listened for Lucas' voice among the other jumble of testosterone laden sounds, and panicked when it didn't come.

"Lucas?" Ben called out, running in and peering under the stall doors. "Damn, the captain's going to kill me!" he muttered when he failed to find the teen.

Pulling out his PAL, he called Nathan. "Captain, we have a little problem . . .."

-tba