Disclaimer:  Don't own them, never will.  Just borrowing them for my own entertainment, and making absolutely no profit doing it.  Faithful reader, I hope that you enjoy it also.

Too Young

Chapter 4

In Med Bay

"Stay for a minute, Commander.  You too, doctor."

Everyone else filed out of the wardroom, but Miguel stopped in the doorway, and Tim and Ben peered over his shoulder. "Can we visit Lucas?  I mean, will he be in Med Bay overnight?"

"Yes, I'd like to keep a close eye on him for 24 hours, and make sure his fever has come down a bit.  He will be on medical leave with a limited duty schedule for a few more days after that.  I want to give his arm a chance to heal undisturbed.  Let's wait until tomorrow for you to visit.  I'm hoping that he will sleep for the rest of the night.  And, from what Nathan has said, I expect that he will be with Lucas for part of this evening.  One visitor is enough for now."

Nathan nodded in agreement.  "When we finish up here, Kristen and I will check on him.  If he wakes up this evening, I have some things I'd like to discuss with him about our mission…and other issues.  Maybe we can get some answers from him as to what is really bothering him."

The three nodded, and soon the wardroom was empty, except for Nathan, Jonathan and Kristen.  Nathan sat back down and motioned for them to join him.  "Thank you both for staying.  I wanted to speak to you about coordinating Lucas' bridge and lab schedules.  From now on, Lucas will only work on projects assigned by you, me, or Kristen.  Apparently, he does not feel like he can refuse any request for his help, and, in the last 24 hours…"

Kristen interrupted. "..In the last 24 hours he hasn't slept!  Except for the brief nap he took in here, and we all witnessed how restful that was.  Too many crewmembers are expecting him to drop everything and assist them.  They don't realize how busy he is.  He's just adding their assignments on to an ever-growing list of what he sees now as his 'responsibilities'. He's worn out."

Nathan continued.  "Jonathan, I want you inform the three bridge shifts that all Lucas' bridge time will now have to be scheduled by you or me.  He is not to be on the bridge unless you or I have requested it.  We are in close daily contact and can keep track of how much he's working.  Kristen will be in charge of his lab time.  It would benefit us to iron out the hours we each would need him and take care of any conflicts now."

He glanced at Kristen, and she began, "Well, he has the vocorder, of course, and he should spend an hour or two most days working with Darwin to improve the vocabulary database.  I think that this is an excellent opportunity for him to relax as well.  Darwin seems to calm him, and that's where he laughs the most, playing games with the dolphin.  I know that he also confides in Darwin.  I've inadvertently overheard them at this; Lucas seems to treat Darwin as a contemporary.  Actually, Darwin is about the same age as Lucas, isn't he?"

Bridger nodded and said, "So, we can count on two hours a day at the moon pool or in a lab?"

"Yes, he does have other interests in the lab.  Dr. Robinson depends on his input to compile the computer data for the study of the effectiveness of hydroponics and undersea farming.  That is a long-term study and will not be complete for quite some time."

"Thank you, doctor."  He turned to Jonathan. "So, unless it is an emergency, and we cannot function without our 'chief computer analyst's' skills, no more bridge shifts of more than six hours."

Commander Ford agreed.  "I will let all three bridge shifts know."

As they stood to go, Nathan added, "The hard part of this will be to convince Lucas that it's OK to leave whatever project he's working on for another time.  He's incredibly focused."

Kristen smiled.  "Yes, but we will have to be firm.  It is hard to remember that he is only fifteen, yet we must carefully consider his age.  Even with these hours, he is exceeding the maximum working time for someone his age—employment law is very strict about overworking young people."

Commander Ford chuckled.  "Somehow, I can't picture Lucas suing us for making him work over six hours.  He'd be more likely to sue us for making him stop…and eat…stop…and sleep."  Nathan and Kristen laughed in agreement.  They all had become familiar with the young teen's determination to see whatever he was working on to completion, no matter how many hours that took.

As they walked out of the wardroom, Nathan turned to his second, "Thank you for your help, Jonathan.  If you need me, I will be in Med Bay."

When they arrived in Med Bay, Kristen picked up Lucas' chart and glanced down the page to the most recent entry.  "It looks like Mary took his temperature a few minutes ago.  It seems to have dropped somewhat."

Together, they walked over to his bed and stood looking down at the sleeping teen. Lucas was on his side, body curled, with his knees drawn up slightly.   His sling cradled his injured arm to his chest.  Kristen whispered. "He doesn't look like he's moved since I left." 

"Do you expect him to sleep all night?"

"I hope so.  He certainly could use it."

They both noticed the dark circles under his eyes.  Kristen gently placed her wrist to Lucas' forehead.  He was still warm, but his fever had definitely dropped in the last hour.  She pulled a light blanket from the foot of the bed up over him, and he rolled over, onto his back, mumbling something unintelligible, then relaxed into a deep sleep.

Nathan looked to her for permission, his voice soft.  "I'd like to sit here for awhile, in case he does wake up.  I think we need some answers from him—I don't want to disturb him, but I'd like you to examine his back…those scars that Katie and Jonathan noticed.  I am putting their observation together with Gator's account of Lucas' arrival on seaQuest…well, it looks very bad."  His volume began rising as he considered what they knew.  "If his father has been hurting him.."  His anger deepened and strengthened his voice and Kristen quickly shushed him.

"Nathan!" She hissed.  Then she continued so quietly that he had to lean close to her to catch her words.  "I am as…horrified as you are at this possibility, but I will not allow you to upset him.  He needs sleep badly.  All this can wait.  It has already waited four months, it can wait a few hours longer.  If you promise to behave, you can sit with him for a short while, but even if he wakes—no confrontations tonight."

He looked chastened.  "You are right as always, doctor.  I need to take my own advice and let you examine him discreetly.  If explanations are in order, he will provide them then.  I just want to help him—and if he was placed on seaQuest unwillingly, I want to make sure he knows that we will help him.  Although, I do not want him to leave."

"Nor do I.  But, Nathan, I don't believe that he wants to go."

"Even if it may be the best thing for him?"

"What are you saying?"

"We cannot totally protect him from the resentment and petty jealousy of some of the crew.  And here, he has nowhere to escape it—and no family to help him deal with it.  We need to be able to let him go if this isn't the best place for him."

"Yes, but it is not our decision to make.  His father—"

"His father cares so much about Lucas that he hasn't bothered to reply to any of my messages—" As his voice rose in anger, Lucas frowned.  He began to mumble again.  His hands clutched the blanket, and he twisted his body away from the Captain.

"Nathan.  That's enough.  We need to take this discussion elsewhere now."  Kristen leaned over Lucas and patted his arm comfortingly.  But Lucas pulled away from her and moaned. His mumbling increased in volume.  "—no, no….NO!  Daddy, daddy, no, not the well.  I'll be good, please…please….s..s..so c..c..cold, no, hurts…no it HURTS!!  Oh God, my arm…the rats… get them off, daddy…. please, HELP ME!!"  His voice rose to a shout and he began tearing at the sling and the bandage underneath, his fingernails digging at the tape. 

He sat up abruptly, nearly knocking heads with Kristen, who was bent over him trying to keep him from injuring his arm further.  He scooted backward, away from them, eyes unfocused and not yet totally awake.  He blinked blearily at them, but turned his head quickly from side to side as if looking for something, or someone.

"Lucas—" Nathan reached toward the boy and grasped his shoulders to steady him.  "It's all right…you're safe.  It's O.K.  You're in Med Bay."

Lucas slapped at his hands.  "NO!! Don't touch me!  Get off me!"

Nathan stepped back quickly, shocked.

Lucas stared at them, finally focusing on the two in front of him.  His eyes were huge, terrorized, and his face bone white, except for the dark circles of sleeplessness under them.  His face crumpled, and he pulled his legs toward himself, rocking.  "I..I'm  sorry….s..s..sorry, Captain, I..I didn't mean it."  His voice was wavering. He looked between them, eyes full of fear.  "..am..am I in trouble?…I..I didn't mean it…"

"Why,…why would you be in trouble?"  Nathan noted the boy's trembling, his extreme fear.  "Why…are you so afraid?  We would never hurt you."

"I..I know.  I'm sorry…oh Captain, I h..h..hit you!  I d..d..didn't mean it…"  Lucas was weeping now, forehead resting on his knees.  He shook so that Kristen was afraid that he would fall out of the bed.

"Lucas.  Lucas."  She waited until he met her eyes.  "I want to sedate you so you can rest undisturbed.  You shouldn't dream while sedated, but Nathan or I will sit with you anyway."

Lucas didn't trust his voice, so he nodded his agreement.  He was so tired.  He wanted to sleep forever and escape these dreams that had plagued his sleep for the past two weeks.  The well..somehow his sleeping mind was stuck there.  Every time he closed his eyes in the last fourteen days, he had dreamed of the well.  He just wanted it all to go away.  And now, because of his weakness, they knew…something.  Had he said something?  Yelled something?  He had.  He could see it in their eyes.

He turned a shaky smile toward the Captain, trying to ask for his forgiveness without words.  Nathan picked up on his unspoken apology.

"It's really O.K., kiddo.  I feel like this is my fault anyway.  If I hadn't been yelling…"  Nathan took his hand and gently squeezed it.  "Listen, don't worry about anything except getting some rest.  We will need to talk, but it can wait until the morning.  Get some sleep." 

Kristen came back with the hypo spray, and Lucas barely felt the injection in his wrist.  After a few seconds, he began to relax.

Nathan helped him get comfortable, adjusting the blanket.  He noticed Lucas' eyes were sliding closed almost as soon as his head was on the pillow.

Kristen gestured for him to follow her to her office.

On the way, she said softly, "Now he will sleep until morning."

When her office door closed behind them, Nathan turned to her, nearly speechless.  "..Kristen…did you hear him?  The pain and terror in his voice?  Calling, 'daddy, no, stop?'  And what was that about rats?"

Kristen hugged herself.  Nathan saw the tears in her eyes.  "I..I..don't…didn't want to believe that his father could be, how did Ben put it?  'Such a Monster'  Oh, Nathan, I don't want this to be true.  That dear, dear boy."

He stepped forward and hugged her.  She lost control of her emotions then, clutching him tightly and sobbing.  He wondered when it was that Lucas had come to mean so much to them.  They both loved him like he was their own son.  When, precisely, had that happened?

"It will be all right.  If this is true, we will help him do…whatever he needs, wants…to get away from his father's control, to be safe."

As Nathan spoke, Kristen let his murmured words wash over her.  It was comforting, knowing that he was as dedicated as she to help Lucas.  She knew one thing that she should do immediately.  It was a gross violation of Lucas' privacy, but, with Nathan's help and permission, she would look the boy over now, while he was heavily sedated, and that would probably confirm the suspected abuse.  Decided, she stepped back from Nathan's encircling arms.

"Nathan, I want to examine him now.  He is deeply asleep and should not be disturbed by a careful check."

He looked at her steadily for a long moment.  "Is—is this ethical?  Shouldn't you have his permission?"

"Technically, his father signed a waiver for necessary medical treatment when Lucas came aboard.  I have broad latitude as to what I consider 'necessary'"

He nodded and opened her office door.  "How can I help?"

"I'll need you to help me move him and sign as a witness for what we find.  I want to keep this between us until we have a chance to talk to Lucas directly.  I won't do a full physical.  I would probably wake him if I attempted it, but what I have in mind is not as invasive.."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Naturally, I want to check his torso for the scars Jonathan and Katie noticed.  I'll probably need to measure and photograph them.  Depending on what they look like, I'll want to x-ray him."

"Why?"

"If he was…is…abused, he'll likely have multiple calcified healed breaks.  They'll show up on the x-rays."

"God…."

"I know.  I hate this.  Can you go along with this?  I firmly believe that this exam can't wait any longer.  Now, after seeing that last dream and its effect on him, I believe that this will be the quickest confirmation of what we..have….suspected to be true."

Nathan's eyes met hers.  "Let's get to it."

To be continued