End of Season 1

by Jack10

What happens after the ship is destroyed in season 1.

Disclaimer: recognize=not mine.

Authors note: This takes place at the end of season 1. A.U. I can't remember when or if Jon's mother is dead, so I'm saying she died when he was 10.

The senior crew of the SeaQuest were sitting around the beach after sacrifice of the ship. The U. E.O. had promised that a new ship would be built. It would take at least 2 yrs to get it ready. Some of the crew were swimming or playing on the beach. Tim had fallen asleep. The guys had wasted no time in burying him to the neck in sand. They had even sculpted the sand so that he had the body of a woman.

Lucas was sitting next to Kristen. He had not wanted to leave the ship. The ship held most of the good memories he had. The only other place that had a good conatation was school. He had friends in both places. He had never had friends or happy memories around his parents. He was had been so glad when he'd been assigned to the SeaQuest. It was the farthest point from his parents. He hadn't really cared where he went, as long as it was away from his parents.

He looked over at Kristen. She was currently watching him. She looked somewhat sad, but also concerned. Lucas mustered up a smile. She was the mother he'd never had at home. She had been the one who had been most demanding that he eat and sleep at regular hours. He wondered what she would do after this. She and Nathan were now an item. She had been offered many positions. Lucas hoped she would stay with Nathan.

Kristen looked at Lucas, seeing the different emotions cross his face. She knew this had hit him the hardest. She did know that no matter what happened after this, Lucas would not be staying with the Wolenczeks. She would make sure that neither of those people ever saw him again. She had developed a dislike for them. They hadn't cared when he was sick, or even when he'd had a serious brain surgery. She had seen all of the injuries he'd gotten as a child. There may be nothing she could do about the past, but she would not see any of it happen again.

Nathan felt the same way she did. He had made sure that Lucas never got near them. It was a good thing they had never called or asked to see Lucas. It would have been a very bad thing.

It was kind of funny, the way the crew had taken to protecting Lucas. The Wolenczeks had made just as positive impression on the senior crew as they had with Nathan and Kristen.

The main time Kristen worried about Lucas was when leave would come up. She didn't want Lucas wandering about by himself. She didn't have to worry, since most of the time Lucas went out with the guys. Kristen wasn't thrilled with him going with Ben, but at least he wasn't alone. Ben had a different personality. He could be very playful, or he could be very protective. Kristen just couldn't figure him out.

The crew normally went together when they went on leave. It was funny to watch. Here were people that were ready to kill one another on the ship, but let them out on land, and they wanted to be around the same people.

There had only been one shoreleave that Kristen could recall that Lucas had gone out by himself. He had wanted some time to himself. He had called to check in, letting her know he was ok.

Kristen squeezed Lucas's hand, bringing him back to reality.

Lucas smiled at her, knowing she really did want to know about his thoughts.

"Nothing much. I'm trying to figure out what to do during the break."

"Are you staying with Nathan?"

"I might, but he hasn't asked me to yet."

"He just got back from a meeting with the U.E.O.. They are needing the designs in the next 6 weeks. He is going to ask the crew for their input."

Lucas was curious about Nathan was planning. Kristen could see the questions in Lucas's eyes.

"I can't say much more. Nathan is going to tell everyone the whole plan tonight."

The crew assembled at the restraunt at 1630 hrs. They were seated at a large table. They ordered their dinners, and enjoyed the balcony view. Nathan tapped his glass, quieting everyone down.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why I called you here. I am here to present you with a proposition. The U. E.O. needs the designs for the new SeaQuest in 6 weeks time. I am asking for your ideas."

Jon looked at Nathan.

"What exactly are you wanting?"

"Design ideas, your ideas about what worked, what didn't. I need both hardware and software ideas."

Lucas smiled at the thought of designing the sofware for the ship. Nathan spoke up again.

"I know some of you have been offered other commands or assignment. I was told that they were all refused. The U.E.O. is offered to pay you to design the ship. You can refuse, but I'd be very appreciative of your help."

The crew smiled at Nathan. They scooted together, talking among themselves. Nathan didn't know what to make of it. He trusted his crew, but not when they whispered together.

Finally, the group scooted back to their spots. Katie stood up.

"Sir, I speak for everyone when I say that we want to stay."

Nathan smiled,

"Thank you. I don't know what I did to deserve such a great crew."

"You believed in us. You drew on our strengths and helped us overcome our weaknesses."

Nathan actually blushed at Katie's comment.

"Well, thank you for your vote of confidence. I am also extending an invitation to all of you. Anyone who wants to can stay on my island during the rebuilding. The U.E.O. has offered to build housing for anyone who wants to stay."

Jon looked up at Nathan.

"Where would we be drawing up the plans?"

"There are conference rooms at headquarters,or I have a large area in the front of the house for things like that."

Ben spoke up. "We would have to be in uniform at headquarters, right?"

"Yes."

"On your island?"

"I really don't care. Nothing offensive to anyone else."

Katie looked at Ben and Lucas.

"That might be hard for those two."

Lucas smiled. "Hey! I represent that remark!"

Miguel laughed. He had seen some of the shirts Lucas wore. He had one that said 'there are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquesitive idiots.' He also had one from Hooters that had been signed by all the girls working that night.

Nathan smiled at them. "I'll need to know how many of you are staying with me in two days, that is when the report is due. I'll also need to know how many cottages they will need to build."

"How many bedrooms are in each cottage?" asked Tim.

"They can have up to two bedrooms. They will have one bathroom, a kitchen/dining room, and a living room."

Crocker asked "Are you sure we won't be putting you out?"

"No, it would be nice to have you guys there. It beats talking to myself."

Lucas said something under his breath. Nathan looked his direction, raising an eyebrow.

"Comment Lucas?"

"Oh, nothing, just an old sig file."

"What would that be?"

"Alone-in bad company."

Nathan laughed.

"You don't know how true that is. I get myself in more trouble alone than I ever could with Bill."

They finished dinner, then broke into groups. Tim and Miguel walked along the beach. Tim turned to Miguel.

"Where are you going to stay?"

"I was considering staying on the island. What about you?"

"I'd like to stay there. I just don't want the Captain to think he has to put us up."

"I don't think he sees it that way. Do you want to share a cottage?"

"Sure, as long as I don't have to listen to you snore at night."

"I may snore, but at least I don't sleep talk in different languages."

"I'd never do that. I think your smoking the good stuff."

"It's better than the stuff Ben can get."

Tim just laughed.

Ben and Katie walked down to the beach. They sat down on the cool sand.

"Katie, what are you doing, with the rebuilding and all?"

"I think I'm going to stay on the island. I'll probably see if Kristen would like to room together."

"Oh, ok. I was going to ask you if you wanted to room with me."

"Why?"

"Well, I thought Kristen was staying with Bridger."

"She is. Oh, you mean sharing his room."

"Yeah."

"Well, if she is rooming with Captain Bridger, I guess I could share a cottage with you."

Ben's face lit up.

"Thanks! Don't get me wrong, I like Commander Ford, but sharing with him would be strange."

"You mean a neat freak and a clutter freak living together?"

"You don't realize. Lucas and I have similar sorting styles."

"I know, a pile here, a pile there."

"Yet somehow I can find what I need."

Katie just shook her head.

Lucas, Nathan, and Kristen walked down the boardwalk, looking in the brightly lit shops. Nathan and Kristen were holding hands. Nathan turned to Lucas.

"Do you want to stay with me during the rebuilding?"

Lucas looked up at Nathan, smiling broadly.

"Sure, are you sure it's not a problem?'

"Of course not! I meant to ask you sooner, but the U.E.O. had me tied up in meetings."

"Literally?"

Kristen laughed at Nathan's look. He was staring up at the sky with a 'heaven help me' expression.

"You don't know how close they came to that. I hate sitting through those things."

"Like visiting Sweeny Todd when his blades are dull?"

Nathan laughed.

"I've never seen it that way, but it does hold a certain trueism."

Lucas looked at Kristen.

"Are you staying too?"

"Yes, I've decided to stay with Nathan."

Lucas's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"So I'll have both of you, in the same house, to bounce off of when I have too much sugar?"

Nathan and Kristen both groaned. Lucas could be just like a two year old when he was hyper.

"Let me guess, the order is mom, dad, cat, then repeat until we throw you in with Darwin?"

Lucas smiled at Kristen's response. He'd never had parents to bounce off of. They had always expected him to act like an adult, even when he was two. The only people that had let him be a child had been the staff. The cooks and maids had been fun. The maids would let him run around with underwear on his head and a cape made out of a towel.

Lucas was glad that he had Nathan and Kristen. They had let him grow up, while still letting him play. He was starting to relax. He didn't have to go somewhere else, or go back to the Wolenczeks. They hadn't asked anything about him anyway. His own 'father' had just walked away with a phoney smile and scripted words. The man had only spoken to him on the ship because it looked good.

Lucas smiled at Nathan and Kristen.

"Just think, I'll have you guys in the house with me, plus, all the crew that stays!"

"So I guess we should run if we see you and Ben running towards us?"

"It would be a good thing to do. You never know what Ben and I could do."

Jon and Crocker walked along the boardwalk behind Nathan, Kristen, and Lucas.

"I didn't think I'd ever see him in love again." Crocker said.

"True, he took Carol's death pretty hard."

"It's worse than any divorce. My ex-wife and I had our share of harsh words, but she's still alive. I can still call her, even if she hangs up on me, she's still there."

"I know, my mother died when I was 10. I still miss her."

"Are you going to stay on the island?"

"I think I will. I think it will help get things accoplished faster. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to stay. The island is large enough for everyone to spread out when they need to."

"Want to room together?"

"Why not, at least Ben will have Katie to room with."

Jon looked at Crocker.

"Ben and Katie?"

"Can't you see the way they are together?"

"True, but I can't see them back together."

"Why not?"

"Would you get back with your ex-wife?"

"Have you ever seen my ex-wife? She scares away burglers."

Jon laughed at Crocker's remark. He had heard the ex-Mrs. Crocker talking to Crocker. She had one of those voices that made Marine drill instuctors flinch.

The crew made their way back to the hotel. They gathered outside Nathan's door. Jon turned to the group.

"Is everybody staying?"

Most of them shook their heads yes, while some said yes.

"Ok, just for democracy's sake, is anybody not staying?"

No one said anything.

"Ok, then lets tell the Captain. How many cottages do we need?"

Tim spoke up.

"Migs and I are rooming together."

Katie spoke up next.

"Ben and I are sharing."

Jon nodded.

"Crocker and I are sharing. That means we need three cottages."

Jon knocked, Nathan opened the door.

"Jonathan. I take it everyone has made their decision?"

"Yes Sir, we want to stay. I believe we have decided who we are rooming with."

"Ok, come in."

"All of us?"

"Sure, Kristen and Lucas are both descent."

Miguel and Ben looked at each other. Nathan realized what he had implied. He decided to try to avoid the thought all together.

"Ok, how many cottages do we need?"

"Three."

"Ok, I'll send in the forms. It will take them 2 weeks to build everything, so we'll have to share the house until they're finished."

Katie looked up.

"Are you sure it's not a problem with all of us there?"

"Nonsense, it'll be tight, but fun."

Lucas smiled at Katie.

"You can share with me if you like."

Katie just rolled her eyes. Ben and Lucas were both at the maturity level of a 3 yr old.

"I don't care, as long as you don't mind my femine products in one of your drawers."

It was Lucas' turn to cringe. He knew at some time he'd have to buy stuff like that for a girlfriend, but he wasn't ready to deal with it yet.

"You win. I don't mess with stuff like that."

Tim raised an eyebrow.

"When have you dealt with tampons?"

Before Lucas could respond, Jon said "didn't Beavis and Butthead put them up their noses to stop nose bleeds?"

Kristen's laughter broke up the conversation.

"What?"

"I just can't see you watching Beavis and Butthead."

"It wasn't bad. Mom would let us watch that over South Park."

"How old were you?"

"I was 9. She said it was cleaner than most of the stuff on normal tv."

Nathan shook his head.

"It's a sad statement when Beavis and Butthead is a better show for children than normal programming."

Lucas smiled.

"It's actually true. Have you seen the soap opreas? They are almost worse than some of the soft porn stations."

Nathan was surprised when Tim agreed.

"I know, we always had a break from school during sweeps week, that was normally the time you saw the most 'romantic' scences."

Miguel just laughed.

"You guys think that is bad? Have you ever seen a Spanish soap oprea? They make American soaps look really tame."

Nathan smiled, then ended up laughing. Here was the U.E.O.'s top crew talking about the sex on tv. HE couldn't imagine this happening on the ship. He was enjoying the conversation.

The conversation continued. Jonathan looked at his watch. It was nearly 0100. He waited for a break in the conversation. He cleared his throat.

"It's almost 1. Let's let the Captain get some sleep."

Lucas smiled at Ben. Ben tried to hold a straight face. Nathan just laughed at the two.

"Can you two behave until tomorrow?"

Lucas smiled.

"Probably, but you never can tell."

Kristen just groaned.

"How long is it going to take them to build the ship?"

Ben laughed, then put his arm around Lucas.

"It won't be that bad. We'll have more to do than just bother you guys."

Katie rolled her eyes.

"They'd better build this ship really fast."

With that the group broke for the night. The mood was a little lighter due to the fact that the future was now decided.

End part one.

End note: Sorry, I just can't stand the way they killed off Westphalen, Kreig, Hitchcock, and Crocker. I could tolerate all the characters they added on during the 2^nd season, except for Smith(icky icky ta ping!) The 3^rd season never exists in my reality(me and reality...that's a strange concept. ;)