Disclaimer- Ok ok, I'll say it again. If I really must. Lucas is extraordinarily cute. Oh, whoops, sorry. Heehee!
Yeah, right, ummm, what goes here? Oh, I know it, it was on the tip of my tongue just a few seconds ago. Oh, what is it? What do I say?
Ok, hang on, I'm just going to find my script.
*muffled bangs and curses are heard until a shelf collapses revealing the writer clutching a large, musty coloured book.*
Right. Ok, I do not own the characters in this story. Someone else, although I'm naming no names, does.
Well that's boring. No wonder I forgot it. Can't I play around with it a bit?
A/N- Teresa- (my ONLY reviewer for chapter 8&9!!!)- yes I noticed the problems you outlined in chapter 8 but I couldn't think what to do to get rid of them short of bogging the chapter down in description and annoying everyone, mainly myself. Lucas didn't have a high opinion of his father in season 1 that I remember so I'm going by that because otherwise he would leave seaQuest to stay with Lawrence and the story wouldn't work. And I'm not going to tell you to go away because my ego needs all the reviews it can get, plus little problems being brought to light is good (but don't show me to many please!?!?!) because it hopefully stops me making the same mistake twice. In theory anyway.

Right...um...uh hu hu...ahem!
On with the story! ^___^


Hope 10

Why am I still here? I know what I'm going to do, why don't I just go and tell them what I've decided?'
Lucas rubbed his hands over his tired eyes.
Because I'm not sure it's the best idea that's why.'
Taking a deep breath, Lucas stood up and looked around his room.
Why am I doing this? Right. Lawrence isn't giving me any choice.'
Quickly, Lucas crossed his room and walked through the door, careful to shut it behind him. He knew what he was going to do and he knew it meant he wouldn't be using the room again. Wanting nothing more than to run to Bridger and have him fix everything, Lucas knew that the choice, the decision, was purely his, nobody else's.
He forced himself not to walk slowly. He could finds his way around seaQuest in the dark, there was no need to take time to remember anything. Despite this effort, he found himself slowing as he reached the bridge. He didn't want to have to say good-bye. But he had to.
No one noticed as he stepped through the clam doors until he was standing by the Captain's chair. Then, they all seemed to turn as one to look at him.
Tim, could you put a call through to Lawrence please? I think he'll like to know what I've decided.
Tim remained still for a moment, as though he wanted to speak but had forgotten how. Then, without looking to Bridger or Ford for authorisation, he turned to his console. A few seconds later, the view screen came to life with the image of Lawrence, smiling at his son. A small noise alerted everyone to the presence of the alien, just off from the clam doors, where he had been when they first saw him.
Lucas turned to face Lawrence.
Stop grinning Lawrence. I'm not leaving seaQuest to stay with you.
The effect was immediate, Lawrence's countenance darkened and he glared at his son, watching with narrowed eyes as he turned to face Bridger.
Captain I'm sorry. But I can't stay with you on seaQuest.
The alien stepped forward.
So you have made your decision?
Lucas only nodded and stepped back a few steps, until he was standing next to the alien.
As a glow began to surround them both, Lucas gazed around the bridge at the shocked and silent crew until his eyes found Bridger.
Hazel eyes locked with blue, and in the second before he disappeared, Lucas grinned, lighting up his eyes with the mischievous twinkle that Bridge knew so well.
Then, he was gone, leaving Bridger with that image of the boy he loved so much burned forever in to his memory.




Well? If anyone is still reading this, tell me what you think? Please? Even if it's only to say you hate me for the ending of this chapter, please review. Please?
;-)