I'm sorry I haven't posted for awhile.

**I've been doing a bit of research to write this part but if you're a native Alaskan – forgive me. While trying to be fairly accurate, I have manipulated and invented information so they fit the story. If you see any major mistakes, let me know. Just remember that this is set in the future, so who knows what Alaska will be like in 2018?

The phone rang, causing Lucas to literally jump out of the bed. Dragging a hand across his sleep heavy eyes, he let out a loud yawn. He really hated to get up in the morning. And then he remembered; today was the day they went to Mendenhall Glacier. Leaping out of bed, he hurried into the bathroom and went through his morning routine. By the time he finished and opened the door, the Captain was sitting on the edge of his bed.

Warily, Lucas gave a nod hello and starting pulling clothes out of the dresser. He hoped that the Captain wouldn't start in on him about the night before. Bridger just raised his eyebrow at the teen, and rose to take his turn in the bathroom. After Lucas was dressed, he peeked out the curtains. It was a cloudy, gray day and he hoped that their hiking trip wouldn't be canceled. Flicking on the TV, he ran the channels several times until stopping on an ancient episode of Enterprise. He didn't look up when the bathroom door opened.

Nathan rummaged the dresser, pulling out blue jeans, a turtleneck and a fleece pullover. Giving the teen a quick once over, he was surprised at the emotional coldness he felt radiating from the boy. Something was definitely going on, though might just be embarrassment from the loss of control he demonstrated last night. His only comment was "pull our heavy jackets out" before he disappeared back into the bedroom.

After a room service breakfast ate in awkward silence, they put on their boots and went to the lobby where their excursion party was to meet. The lobby was empty and Bridger checked his watch. "Hmmm. We're not late," he murmured.

They stood around for several minutes, fidgeting restlessly when a large man exited the elevator. The red headed man looked around and then sauntered over to them, extending a meaty hand to them. "Howdy. Are you on the Glacier tour? I'm Cowboy and I'll be your pilot. Seems everyone else pulled out so you are the only two. So let's get a move on it." At that he whirled and headed for the door.

Lucas and Nathan exchanged looks and quickly ran to keep up with the man's long strides.

Cowboy was a man of few words, especially for a tour guide, so the helicopter ride was a quiet one. Not that either Lucas or Nathan really cared. Even though he had ridden in many helicopters, Bridger had never felt as exhilarated by the view as he felt now. Lucas was bouncing up and down, practically oozing anticipation. As the glacier came into sight, Nathan put a gentle hand on the boy's knees to restrain him. He had to admit that the large sheet of snow and ice that filled the valley was awe-inspiring.

Minutes later, the helicopter was landing. Lucas grabbed the backpack and jumped out, with Bridger following at a more sedate rate.

"Wow!" Lucas carefully ran a few feet from the helicopter. "Wow," he repeated again. "Why is it blue?"

Cowboy came around to join them. "Somethin' to do with the light passing through the ice. The ice soaks up the red and yellow colors, leaving the blue behind." He turned back to grab a backpack and started off across the glacier. "Just looks dirty to me. C'mon, I'll show you the trail. You only have two hours."

An hour later, Nathan and Lucas were picking their way carefully through the rocks and crevasses that made up the glacier. Conversation was light and teasing, as they enjoyed the climb up the gentle slope of a small mountain. Doing his imitation of a young mountain goat, Lucas would run ahead, scout the area and come circling back as Nathan took his time, examining the layers of ice and snow under his feet.

"Come on, Captain. You have to see the goats that are up head." The boy stood in front of him, a wide grin across his face.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Some of us aren't young anymore, you know," Nathan grumbled. As the cold air started to slip its way around the edges of his clothing, he wondered how Kristin was making out on the boat. "Let's have a break," he suggested, locating a log to sit on. Opening the backpack, he pulled out the water and took a large gulp.

Lucas came dancing back to him and held his hand out for the water. "This is fabulous, Captain."

Looking up at the overcast sky, Nathan wished for a bit of sun to appear. "It is pretty neat," he agreed. Reaching back into the backpack, he dug around and pulled out two chocolate bars and handed one to the teen.

Slowly eating the candy, Lucas was lost in thought as he contemplated the peaceful surroundings. A small sigh escaped his lips. "Sir. About last night…" he stopped, mentally preparing himself.

Patiently, Bridger waited, chanting silently to himself, "Don't push, don't push."

Dropping his head to examine his hands, Lucas continued, "My parents…well, it never really bothered me before but when I saw all those kids running around…" Damn. This wasn't going well. Bridger would never understand.

Before he could continue, the ground began to tremble as rocks started falling around them. Nathan pushed him to the ground, covering the teen with his body. Hot breath tickled his ear as the Captain whispered to him,"Lie still. It's an earthquake."

At the whirring sound that echoed in the distance, Nathan looked up to see the helicopter taking off. It rose 50 feet into the air and then exploded into a ball of flame, debris flying everywhere.

*****

After the earth stopped shuddering, Lucas struggled to get up as Nathan rolled off into a sitting position. The teen quickly scanned the horizon. "The helicopter," he asked in a horrified whisper.

Nathan bowed his head. "Gone," he confirmed.

Taking a minute to digest that information, Lucas tried to calm his emotions." He looked at the area where the helicopter had been. "Should we check the area in case…." He didn't really want to finish the thought.

Nathan thought about it for a minute, but decided that no one could have survived the explosion. But perhaps he should take a look in case the pilot was lying injured.

"Stay here," he ordered in a firm voice but Lucas still looked as he was going to argue. "No, I mean it, stay."

Hiking back to the spot where the helicopter had sat, he searched for a few minutes. There was a large pile of smoking metal, but no body. Shuddering slightly, Nathan decided it was best to leave it for now. The wind was picking up and it looked like it was going to rain any minute. His duty was to keep Lucas safe. Later there would be time for the dead. Making his way back, he shook his head at teen's questioning gaze.

"What are we going to do now?" A slight tone of panic laced the edges of Lucas' voice.

Neither felt that it was necessary to point out the obvious – that they were stranded, on a glacier no less.

Grabbing the backpack, Nathan started rummaging through it. "We head to the Visitor Center. It should be that way," he pointed off towards the right, trying to sound more confident then he felt.

"Mmm, can I ask how you know that?" Lucas asked with a trace of humor.

Patting his pockets as if looking for something, Nathan replied, "I looked at the map…which is on the…"

"Helicopter…" Lucas finished.

Slinging the backpack over his shoulder, Nathan started walking. "We'll be all right, I was a Boy Scout."

Lucas trailed behind slowly. "I wonder what Kristin is doing…

***

Kristin had been headed to the top deck for fun in the sun when she suddenly found herself clutching to the rail in the elevator, trying to stay upright. It wasn't the momentary rolling she had felt the other night. Rather, she was suddenly thrown across the small space, slamming hard into the wall. Blood gushed from her nose as she fell, dazed, to the floor.

The next thing she knew, the elevator door was open and a crew member was shaking her, telling her to wake up. Gratefully, she accepted the wet towel that was offered to her and carefully wiped her face and hands clean.

Shakily, she stood up. "What happened?"

"A earthquake has hit the area. We were knocked around by a tsunami," explained the crewman in a heavy accent.

"What about the people on shore," she inquired, a cold chill running down her spine.

"No word yet. Luckily, with the bad weather, most people stayed on the boat." He helped her out of the elevator. "Are you all right? Can you make it back to your cabin? I need to see where I can help out."

Waving him off, she said, "I'm in pretty good shape, considering. I'm a Doctor, so I'm going to go down to your Med Bay to see if they need an extra pair of hands."

"If you're sure, ma'am?" The crew man looked hesitant.

"I'm fine, now go!" She turned to head one way, and hearing the running footsteps behind her, knew that the man headed the other.

****

Steadily, over the last hour, the ice field gave way to the bare rocky earth until Nathan and Lucas found themselves in front of the tree line of the forest. The weather had worsened. A fine rain had begun and the bitter wind chilled their face and hands.

"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto," joked Lucas.

Frustrated, Nathan turned around in a circle surveying the surroundings. "Wish I had that map."

"Next you're going to tell me you're better at navigating under the water than above it." Lucas tried to make light of their situation, knowing that the Captain would blame himself for everything. "Maybe we should just stay here. Kristin will let someone know that we're missing and they'll send out a search party."

Taking a few steps away, Nathan took a good hard look at their situation. Great, Bridger, go on vacation and your brain goes to mush; no matches, limited food, no dry clothes. Maybe they should have stayed back with the helicopter. But no, he was sure that the Visitor's Center was here somewhere. Turning, Nathan examined the boy's tired eyes, the pale cheeks, and the lips with a bluish tint. "No. We have to keep going; at least we'll be warmer when we're moving. Let's follow the tree line around the glacier. There has to be someone else around here." Pulling his coat up higher on his neck and then pulling his hat as far down as he could, he set off.

Lucas waited for a minute. He was tired, and cold, and would have rather sat for awhile. The glacier had seemed like an adventure when they had arrived but now he couldn't wait to leave. He wondered what other food was in that backpack as he rose wearily and trudged after the Captain.

He didn't see the large furry beast until the growl caught his attention. By then, it was too late and the bear was suddenly in front of him. The beast's sharp claws caught his arm and the sleeve of his jacket ripped open, as did the skin underneath. Screaming in fright and pain, he fell to the ground, trying desperately to crawl away.

He was only partly aware of the Captain throwing rocks at the bear, attempting to draw it's attention away.

The bear's claws raked down Lucas' back as he rolled into a ball, trying to remember everything he had ever heard about bear attacks. Unfortunately, his mind was a complete blank as he waited for the bear's teeth to make mincemeat out of him.

Grabbing a large stick, Bridger started to beat the large animal across the back and was finally rewarded when the bear whirled towards him. Backpedaling quickly, he kept throwing rocks hoping to lead the bear away from Lucas.

The sharp crack of gun shots filled the air and the brown bear staggered, growled, and then fell to the ground.

*******