Chapter 14.

"Lucas, I'm going now. Remember the story and stick to it, or else I might be in danger if you don't. Lucas… Lucas…" Baz's calls remained unanswered. "I've left a number you can contact me on, but you have to memorise it then burn it afterwards." Baz sighed. He had hoped to reach the kid before he left.

    Turning away from the door, Baz started to head for the stairs. He was surprised to hear Lucas's bedroom door open and even more surprised when Lucas stepped out of his bedroom door. Baz turned and saw his young charge was crying. Rushing forward, he pulled Lucas into an embrace and held him until he stopped crying.

    "Why are you crying?" Baz asked Lucas.

    "I couldn't let you walk out, like I did with Matt… It wasn't fair then and it isn't fair now. I don't understand your reason and I probably never will, I don't agree with them but I won't make the same mistake as I did with Matt!" After this speech was delivered, Lucas looked slightly embarrassed with the way he had acted.

    "I know this is hard for you, but you have to remember something. I will always love you, no matter what. I mean, even if you joined the Italian army and got a tattoo and was arrested for tattooing people with a four legged donkey for your side kick," Baz said the first things he could think of, earning a chuckle from of Lucas. "I'd still care for you, no matter what happened OK?"

    Lucas nodded, hugging his uncle again. "I…I love you," Lucas whispered.

    "I love you, too." The pair stayed like that for a couple of minutes, before the taxi beeped his horn impatiently and Baz said,

    "Now don't forget to go to New Cape Quest at, what time?" Baz tested.

    "Noon," Lucas rolled his eyes; Baz had shouted the instructions through the door only a few seconds ago.

     "Very good!" Baz said, patting Lucas on the head. "See ya' later, kiddo."

    "Bye!" Lucas called out and watched as Baz walked down the stairs, collected his luggage and left, shutting the door behind him.

***

    Lucas made it on time to New Cape Quest, barely. He ignored the puzzled looks he got from the other members of the crew and knew he would have to get used to them if he was going to stay there. Wandering around the boat, Lucas eventually found his quarters from a map he was given beforehand.

'Well here it is… Home sweet home for the next year.' Sighing, Lucas looked around his new, but cramped quarters. 'One thing to look forward to at least,' Lucas thought with a devilish look on his face. 'Is the expression on their faces when they hear the vocorder!'

***

    And Lucas wasn't disappointed. He watched as their jaws dropped in astonishment as they could actually hear the dolphin speak.

   "That's incredible!" Dr Westphalen commented, the shock registering on her face.

   "I designed it myself," Lucas commented proudly.

   "Really? And your how old?" She was truly amazed.

   "15." Lucas grew tired of the question quickly, as so many people in his life had commented on it.

    "That's incredible!" The doctor repeated herself.

***

    As the weeks passed, Lucas grew to like the crew a lot and had settled down quite quickly. Most of the crew were friendly, even though he had gotten off on the wrong foot when he had met some of them for the first time. Lucas finally felt relaxed about escaping his past life and all the memories – both good and bad- that they held.