THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT
By 8.00pm that night, there was good news and bad news for the resort.
The search party had returned about twenty minutes earlier, happy to announce that the three of the missing snow-boarders that had been lost and trapped in the avalanche had been found.
One of them had a broken ankle and the other two had minor injuries had suffered from exposure due to their prolonged stay underneath the snow.
All three of them were currently being attended to by Kristen until the weather cleared up a little and they were able to be transported into Aspen by vehicle to the hospital for further and more complete treatment.
The SeaQuest crew's hopes had soared to new heights when they learned that the search party had found survivors. That hope was quickly dashed though when they were told that the one they waited in earnest for was still unaccounted for.
One of the searchers had been encouraging with the finding of Lucas's brightly coloured backpack and beanie. At least they had been searching in the right area. It was a bit unusual that he hadn't been found with the other boarders.
The searcher handed Bridger the backpack and Beanie. For a moment, Nathan's hands were shaking, barely able to grab a hold of them. Why hadn't he been found near the others? There were so many questions running through his head at the moment and none of them seemed to be getting answers.
Bridger had once again pleaded with the Manager of the resort to let some of the crew help the searchers for Lucas. He once again heard all the arguments about why Andrew couldn't let them go out there under any circumstances.
The weather looked as though it may be lifting slightly. But the darkness was almost impenetrable and it made searching in the deep snow almost impossible.
The SeaQuest crew now found themselves back in Bridger's cabin, sipping hot drinks to try and pass the unending hours of waiting for news about Lucas.
Bridger got up with his almost empty mug and walked towards the window near the front door. He peered out through the frosted glass into the night sky. He had never felt so utterly useless as he did right now. He was supposed to be there for Lucas when he needed him. And now when Lucas needed him the most he wasn't able to get to him.
Ben Krieg had tried to lighten the mood in the room and take everyone's mind off the search by trying his normal trait of bad humour. Not one of his jokes seemed even slightly funny to anybody and by about the third or fourth attempt he was getting threatening looks from the rest of the crew about what would happen to him if he continued.
"How about we all open a present each?" Katie Hitchcock now said, trying an alternative to her ex-husband's poor attempt at satire. Everyone looked towards the forlorn figure of the Captain peering out window, waiting for his response to the idea.
Bridger looked briefly back at the rest of the crew at the suggestion before his shoulder's slumped again in defeat and he went back to his vigil through the pane of glass. It was right about now that Kristen Westphalen could see that it was her turn to try and pull everyone out of their sense of hopelessness.
"What would Lucas say if he seen you like this?" Kristen asked as she put a comforting hand on his shoulder when she spoke.
"He probably wouldn't say anything," Bridger said in a voice devoid of any life or emotion.
"Yes he would," Kristen said firmly, now making him turn and face her to hear what she had to say. "He would say stop feeling sorry for yourself to start with and then he probably would have a few choice words to say after that," she added.
Bridger now turned to face Kristen and could see by the look in her eyes that what she was saying was true. Lucas would do exactly that and he would probably find the right look that would make everything seem okay again.
Nathan now looked back at Katie and the rest of the crew who too had heard Kristen's words and now waited to see if he would take up the offer of present opening. It was a yearly tradition to open at least one present on Christmas Eve. They only had a few more hours before it would be Christmas Day.
The crew now sat in a rough semi circle shape in the small living room area of the cabin and tried to focus their attention on what was happening in front of them rather than the thought of Lucas laying out in the cold snow.
"You open the first one Kate, since it was your idea," Ben now suggested. Everyone nodded their heads. She was a girl after all and girls were supposed to go first anyway.
Kate now reached under the tree that they had decorated the day before. Even looking at it now she couldn't help but be reminded of how Lucas had been there when they cut down the tree and then all of them sitting down making the decorations that now hung from the spindly branches.
She chose a smallish package with her name on the tag. It was very beautifully wrapped in blue/silvery paper with a large blue and silver bow on top to match.
"Oh Ben," Katie exclaimed as she looked on the tag to see who it was from. She tried to compose herself as best she could. The present just happened to be from Lucas.
"Open it up babe and then you can have Lucas rouse on you when he gets back
about opening it before Christmas day," Ben joked, trying to make Katie feel a little better about opening the gift from Lucas.
Katie took quite a few minutes to carefully unwrap the gift. She wanted to be able to try and rewrap it again afterwards and put it back under the tree to open again the next day when Lucas would be there.
It was the thought that Lucas would be back with them all by morning that she held onto the most. They just had to believe he was going to be alright, for his sake as well as their own peace of mind.
"Oh it's just exquisite," Kate said out loud with a gasp as she now gazed upon the dainty little hand painted vase that Lucas had chosen for her. How had he found something so beautiful. The delicate pattern of flowers took her breath away. It must have been expensive too.
"It really is lovely Kate," Kristen commented as Katie passed the vase to her for a closer look. All the men in the room didn't really know anything about vases, but they all noted that Lucas had chosen particularly well on this occasion.
The next person to open would be Miguel.
************************************
Back in the snow cave, the stranger was becoming more worried about how to get his young companion home.
Like Bridger, he too had been watching the weather outside over the last half an hour or so and noted the slowing in the winds. If he was going to make any attempt at all about getting the young man back home to his family, he had better start making a move right now.
The stranger in the red trousers walked over to Lucas and gently tried to wake him. Keeping him awake had become more of a chore due to his pain and the bitterly cold weather. Lucas had lost the battle to stay awake about half an hour ago and had fallen into a fitful doze, laying on the cold floor of the cave.
Lucas began to mumble incoherently at being gently jostled by his rescuer. At first he swatted the hands away that were trying to help him. All he wanted to do was to roll over and get more comfortable.
It was only on his attempt to roll over that the pain in his shoulder re- ignited with force and he now groaned audibly at the sharp pain that couldn't be ignored. His good hand was immediately wrapped around his right arm, trying to reduce any movement that may cause more pain. He gritted his teeth and tried to pull himself in to a sitting position.
About twenty minutes later, Lucas wasn't sure how the man managed to get him on the seat of the skiddoo. He knew he was dragged from the little warmth offered by the snow cave and into the snow encrusted wind. He groaned as he felt himself being lifted and pushed onto the long leather seat.
Lucas leaned forward, clutching the front of the unfamiliar vehicle with his uninjured left hand. His right arm hung uselessly from his body. He wasn't sure he had the strength to hold onto the vehicle once it was in motion. He was still battling to stay awake and felt his head bowing forward and his eyelashes becoming frozen from the snow that was falling. The teenager now felt someone climbing on the skiddoo behind him. He could feel strong arms around his body as the man reached for the throttle and handle-bars. Lucas leaned back against the man. The body heat of the man behind him and the motor underneath his legs warmed the young man a bit. Joe felt the man's hand on his forehead for any signs of a fever. Finally Lucas's chin fell toward his chest as he drifted into darkness. His strength gave out completely due to the pain and the cold. The skiddoo made it's way across the snow fields towards the resort. The sound of it's engine humming into the blackness.
***********************************************
Back at the cabin, Miguel had already chosen his present from underneath the tree. Like Katie, he had chosen the gift Lucas had bought for him but it was the object's shape that initially caught his attention, not his name on the name tag or the face that the reverse side of the tag said from Lucas.
This gift was elongated in shape. He had now unwrapped the paper and stared for a couple of minutes without saying anything as his eyes drank in the site before him.
Now he turned the finely crafted sword over and over, looking at it from all directions to judge it's accuracy, straightness and overall weight. The hilt was very cleverly crafted and was made of the very best material. He didn't know how he was going to repay Lucas for such a thoughtful gift. He seemed to know just what would arouse his senses, both on a physical level by it's appearance and on an intellectual level with it's history and background.
"I don't know what to say Captain, it's absolutely fantastic," Miguel now said after removing the sabre and looking at the steel blade. "I didn't even know he knew about my passion for swords," he added with curiosity. He couldn't remember having any in depth conversations with Lucas or around the teenager that would have given away his secret passion.
"Lucas pays attention to a lot more things than we give him credit for Miguel," Bridger said. "He seems to know exactly what to buy you people anyway."
Tim O'Neill was the next to open a present. With the gifts that Katie and Miguel had received from Lucas, the Lieutenant only thought it fitting that he too open his gift from Lucas. Especially when the hours seemed to be getting longer and longer as they waited news of his rescue or fate.
Tim was delighted when he finally opened the lid of the box and saw the books on languages and bonsai. He never tired of increasing his vocabulary of the languages he was already fluent in or adding words to the ones he was only mediocre at speaking.
The book on Bonsai would help him improve his plant specimens back on the boat and tell him which species he could grow and which would do poorly under the pressurized conditions of the sub-marine.
Next, Kristen decided to open her gift from Lucas, and gasped in shock as Katie had done at the beauty of the two necklaces that Lucas had chosen for her. She knew that one necklace was for him and one for her. She wiped an indiscriminate tear out of the corner of her eye when she though the rest of the crew weren't looking.
Tim O'Neill grinned a little as he watched the expression on Commander Jonathan Ford's face changed when he opened his present and spotted the fine bottle of alcohol. He had at least known what one of the presents Lucas had bought was. He had only done the monetary arrangements though, Lucas had taken care to pick out just the right vintage for the occasion.
"I think I will have the first toast with Lucas and then the rest of you," Jonathan said honestly as he read the history on the label. "You should only drink a fine vintage like this one with fine friends," he said.
Apart from Bridger, who everyone knew would go last, Ben was the only one left yet to open a present from Lucas. For quite a few minutes, Ben held the neatly wrapped package in his hand, and looked as though he might not open it at all.
Krieg didn't feel quite right opening Lucas's present without his friend there to see his reaction to it. He didn't have a clue as to what the teenager had purchased for him, but judging by the looks and gasps from everyone else in the crew tonight, it would be something worth opening.
Finally after looking back at the others and getting a slight nod of their head in encouragement and telling him that Lucas would be okay about them opening his presents before Christmas, Ben did open it. And like he assumed, he couldn't find the words at first to describe his amazement as Lucas's aptitude in knowing what they all would like.
Inside of course was the silver watch Lucas had bought. It shone brightly as the light caught the edge of the face. It had the date, digital precision, a stop watch, and a few other little features that were signs of true quality workmanship.
"Now I guess he will be asking me for the time every chance he gets when we get back to the boat," Krieg joked, almost unable to find words to describe how much he cared for the missing teenager.
Bridger's present open was delayed slightly by a knock at the front door of the cabin. Nathan quickly got to his feet to answer it and found Andrew Smith standing in the cold doorway, obviously with something on his mind to tell the crew.
"Hello Captain," Andrew said, trying to hide the cheerfulness in his voice as he was invited inside. He knew that he was not winning any popularity contests at the moment with Lucas still missing and what he was about to tell them would probably see him as the enemy even more so.
"Looks like you have all decided to find a way to occupy yourselves tonight anyway," he commented as he saw opened Christmas presents on the table.
"Have you got any news for us Mr Smith? Bridger asked, not wanting to waste precious time on greetings or small talk. He knew the rest of the crew felt the same way at the moment.
"I won't hold you up any longer than I have to Captain," Andrew now said, knowing there was just no way to soften what he was about to say. "I am afraid that we have had to call off the search for a couple of hours, at least until dawn," he said, almost leaving the statement unfinished.
"Call it off!!," Ben Krieg cried out in utter horror upon hearing the man. "Are you crazy or something, Lucas is still out there missing you jerk. We have to keep looking until we find him." Ben was now on his feet, shouting his demands at the resort manager.
"I am sorry," Andrew said as he looked towards Ben, but the answer was meant for all in the room. "It's just too dark out there to see at the moment. The rescue team even took heavy lightening equipment up to the spot where Lucas was last seen, but even that isn't enough for the teams to mount any sort of rescue mission tonight. I promise, the team will get something hot to drink and eat and a short rest before heading out again at first light," he added, hoping his optimistic overtones would work.
"Simmer down a little Ben," Bridger said as he tried to put a restraining arm on Krieg's jacket sleeve. "I am sure the rescue team are doing there best. It's not what we are hoping for at the moment, but they are still trying for Lucas."
Bridger had never heard words that sounded so false before. Here he was trying to reassure Ben that everything would be alright by morning and he didn't even believe it himself.
"This is not helping find Lucas," Ben shouted again and then went into the other cabin through the adjoining doorway, slamming it on the way in frustration.
"I am sorry about that Mr Smith, Ben and Lucas are very close friends and we all feel pretty darn useless at the moment," Bridger apologized on everyone's behalf.
"Don't worry about it Nathan, I wish there was more I could do, I truly do. I hope in hell that your young friend has found some shelter tonight and we find him safe and well very soon. I will let you know when the rescue team is ready to head out again. Good night all," Smith replied. The resort manager now left the SeaQuest to themselves again, leaving through the front door as he had come in.
*******************************************************
Outside, Lucas felt a hand gently shaking him. "Wake up, boy," a voice said. "You're almost home," the stranger said in his ear.
Lucas attempted to rouse himself and opened his eyes to barely slits. He was surprised to see the resort buildings and his cabin looming ahead of them.
Some of the buildings were bathed in darkness due to the time of night and were only dark outlines in the snow, but his own cabin and the one beside it was ablaze with lights.
Lucas shook his head. He didn't remember giving the stranger directions to the cabin. or which resort for that matter . But then, the teenager didn't remember much of the ride from snow cave at all. He suppose that he must have forgotten that he told the man a general direction on how to find the resort.
The stranger slowly guided the skiddoo past a few of the other cabin's. He stopped just short of Lucas's cabin and dismounted from the skiddoo.
The stranger now helped Lucas off the snow vehicle. The teenager's knees buckled a bit but the man held him firm.
"You think you can walk to the house?" the man asked.
Lucas nodded. He was cold, and sore, and tired, but he felt he could walk the few feet to the front door of the cabin. Clenching his teeth, Lucas straightened and took a step.
The youth staggered rather than walked but he made it to the door. He leaned his left shoulder against the door jamb and stood for a few minutes, breathing hard. Then he lifted the latch and pushed the door open.
The SeaQuest crew inside the cabin had only just sat down to another cup of coffee, and hadn't been heard the skidoo's engine due to the wind outside. They almost dropped their mugs in shock as the front door suddenly opened without warning and a figure stumbled a few centimetres inside.
"Lucas!" Bridger cried as the door opened.
Lucas stood in the doorway, covered with snow. His right arm hung uselessly, and had a grimace of pain showing on his face. His skin had a bluish look and his teeth were chattering.
Lucas tried to take a step forward, but his knees started to buckle again. "Help me!" Bridger shouted unnecessarily. Three of them were already rushing to the door. "Kristen, could you get him something hot to drink?" Ben said as he put his supportive arms around his young friend. "He's almost frozen," he commented to the others. The room was suddenly a hive of activity as everyone tried to do something to help. Tim took it upon himself to go find the resort manager, Andrew Smith to tell him what had just happened. Ben and Bridger slowly guided Lucas to the soft couch in the living room. The teenager moaned slightly as Ben eased him onto the chair, unintentionally bumping the boy's right shoulder against the hard back of the sofa. Miguel rushed to the front door and slammed it shut from. The door hadn't quite closed probably after Tim's departure to find the manager. Katie went into the bedrooms and began pulling blankets off them and carried them back into the living room. Kristen came rushing out of the kitchenette. "Here Nathan, try and get some of this hot coffee into him, quick. "Lace it with some of the brandy he bought me for Christmas," Jonathan now said to the doctor. For a few moments, she looked at him questioningly, wanting to know if he really wanted her to use his gift prematurely. A quick smile from the Commander along with a nod from his head signalling his agreement. Bridger now turned his full attention to Lucas. He slowly began to unbutton Lucas's parka. He had noted the teenager's moan and didn't want to hurt Lucas any more than he had to. Once the coat was open, Bridger began to slide it gently off Lucas's shoulders. Katie now handed the Captain two blankets. Bridger gave a quick word of thanks and then began wrapping the warm woollen cloth gently around Lucas's body. He took a third blanket from Katie and wrapped it around the boy's legs. Lucas was still shivering, but the spasms seemed less violent. The teenager laid his head against the arm rest of the couch and closed his eyes. Bridger took the white porcelain mug from Kristen. Steam was rising from the dark liquid in the mug. Gently he held it to Lucas's lips. "Come on, Lucas," he urged gently. "Drink this. It's will warm you up." Lucas's eyes opened slightly, no more than a slit. He began sipping the hot liquid and could feel the warmth flowing through him. For the first time in hours, Lucas felt the cold fading away. He drank eagerly from the cup held to his mouth. Then fatigue, the warmth of the blankets and the brandy all seemed to catch up with the young man all at once. As the cup was pulled away from his lips, Lucas drifted off to sleep. ***************************************** Lucas could hear the murmur of voices talking as he woke. He figured he must have been asleep for hours but it actually was only a fraction of that.. As he opened his eyes to see anxious faces staring at him. He was still wrapped in blankets, but Lucas also could feel his arm resting in a sling. He no longer felt cold. In fact, he was beginning to feel uncomfortably warm. Lucas shifted slightly on the couch. "Lucas?" Ben asked as he peered anxiously into his friend's face. "Hi Ben," Lucas answered with a weak smile. "What happened to you, Lucas?" Bridger asked. He was standing beside Kristen and Ben, his face a mixture of anxiety and relief. "I don't know really. I remember sitting on that seat under the tree and next thing I could see and hear was the whole mountain coming towards me. I tried to out run it but I just wasn't fast enough. Before long the snow caught up with me and I could feel myself being taken down the slope with the force of the avalanche," Lucas explained. "Guess I banged myself up some," he added with half-smile and grimace. "Well, you have a dislocated shoulder, and some bruises, but nothing is broken, " Kristen now said as she sat on the edge of the sofa and returned the smile. " I have given you a pain killer to help cope with your shoulder for the remainder of the night." Mr Smith was here an hour ago, the search party have all been sent home now for some much needed rest. The man could scarcely believe you had made you own way back here without any assistance. He promised to provide anything we need until we leave here tomorrow," Bridger said as he recalled the events. "As soon as you have rested a little more, I want to take you by vehicle into Aspen to have your shoulder looked at a little more. I bandaged it up as best as I could to prevent any movement. But an x-ray will rule out any underlying damage that I may have missed," Kristen said as she gave the teenager a run down on what was exactly wrong with him. Lucas nodded. "That's what he said," he answered remembering a little of what the stranger had said about his shoulder only being dislocated. "He?" Ben asked, a little curious at the teenager's mention of another person. When Lucas had stumbled through the door the night before, the young man had been totally alone. Hadn't he? "The man who brought me back here," Lucas said in answer to Ben's query. "What man?" Ford asked. Lucas now opened his eyes and looked around the room. He realized that there was no one there but the SeaQuest crew. "Where is he?" Lucas asked in a puzzled tone. "You asked him to stay, didn't you?" "Lucas, there wasn't anyone with you," Bridger said now worried that the boy may have suffered a blow to the head in addition to his other injuries. "I went out to get Mr Smith Lucas, there wasn't anyone else around," Tim O'Neill confirmed. Lucas looked a little dazed and shook his head. "I don't get it," he said. "That fellow found me and took care of me. He got me back here. Why wouldn't he stay around? Where would he go in that bad weather?" "What did he look like?" asked Ben found himself asking. "He was a heavy set man with white hair and a long white beard," Lucas answered. "He wearing red trousers," Lucas said, "And black boots" he added as he continued with the man's description. "Had a big black belt around his waist, too." "Wonder who he was?" asked Katie. "Probably some traveller nearby," Tim replied, trying to rationalise. Of course, everybody had an answer in their heads about who such a description matched. Red trousers, black boots, long white beard? It all sounded too much like a fairytale. "I don't think so," said Lucas. "I don't know who he was, but he wasn't any ordinary man." Lucas suddenly yawned. Bridger turned back to the injured youth. "We'd better get you up to bed," he said to the others. "We are leaving fairly early in the morning to get to Aspen and then stay over a night or two before heading back to the boat. Lucas looked across the room at the clock. "Hey, Captain," he said. "Look at the clock. It's after midnight. It's Christmas." "Merry Christmas, Lucas," Bridger said with a smile and gave the teenager a quick hug, trying not to jostle his injured shoulder too much in the process. "Merry Christmas, Everyone," added Kristen and then the other crew members joined in with their own season's greetings. "Did you open any presents for Christmas Eve?" Lucas said as his voice began to sound a little thick from the onset of sleep. "Come on, tell the truth, you all cheated didn't you?" he added, hoping secretly that they actually had done just that. Each of the crew member's told Lucas about their presents and how much they appreciated his thought into them. Bridger was the only one left to tell him about the gift he had received. Bridger promised himself that he would open the material gift Lucas had bought after they had all gotten some sleep. He was sure that the gift would be every bit as spectacular at the others. But right now he had the "perfect Christmas present" laying right in front of him. It was more than he could have wished for tonight. Bridger looked at each of the crew in turn, his eyes shining with love and happiness. "Merry Christmas," he said. "And it is going to be a Merry Christmas." "Let's get this young man to bed," Kristen now said, falling back into doctor mode once again. "He'll be up early enough tomorrow, looking for presents," she said with a mischievous wink. "I only do it because you all put me up to it," Lucas grumbled good naturedly. Lucas was now helped from the couch and guided him slowly into the bedroom to his bed. He was asleep again as his head touched the pillow. It was a fair guess that he wouldn't stir again for quite a few hours as his body tried to recover from the pain and the cold. As Bridger watched Kristen fuss over him and tuck the blankets around him again, he couldn't begin to express the relief and gratitude he felt that his son had been brought home. Christmas wishes, he thought, are powerful things. The Captain knew his Christmas prayers had been answered. *****************************************************
Early the next morning, a very stiff and sore Lucas was loaded into one of the vehicles. He would travel with Bridger, Kristen and Ben to Aspen and a hospital just to recheck his shoulder and other injuries.
Tim, Miguel, Katie and Jonathan Ford would remain behind with the other vehicle to secure everyone's belongings from both cabins and settle all outstanding matters with the resort manager before heading into Aspen themselves. A rendezvous point had been agreed on where they would all meet up once Lucas had been attended to.
On the trip to Aspen, the rules had changed slightly and although Ben sat in the back seat with Lucas, he let the teenager have as much room as he wanted to stretch out.
Even after being wrapped in blankets all night, Lucas couldn't hide the fact that he still felt a chill in his bones from his ordeal out in the snow. He fell asleep again as soon as the vehicle began moving, his minder Ben sitting beside him, determined to make sure he was okay while he slept.
About lunch time that day, the crew had finally met up once again. The hospital had praised Kristen's first aid skills with the other snow-boarders and relayed that although two of them would remain in hospital for a day or so, they all would make excellent recoveries and have no permanent injuries to speak of.
Lucas had undergone an x-ray on his shoulder, but was relieved to find out that lots of rest and continual immobility over a fortnight would see his arm heal nicely.
Bridger had rented a suite at one of the motels in Aspen, large enough for all of them. They had agreed only to stay one more night and then make arrangements to start heading back to SeaQuest the day after. Being Christmas day they had a sumptuous Christmas lunch ordered in by room service so Lucas didn't have to move too much.
By mid afternoon, everyone was very full from over-eating and ready to curl up like big carpet snakes and have an afternoon nap. The day seemed to be a blur due to going to the hospital and all of the other running around they had done earlier.
It was right about now that Bridger decided to open his Christmas gift from Lucas and the crew wanted to give the teenager his.
Bridger had his breath taken away by the telescope that Lucas had bought. Even looking at it, the crew knew that the Captain's gift had cost a lot more than all of their's put together. It was exquisite in every sense of the word and he promised to look after it and treasure it always. He hoped that he could spend some long nights showing Lucas just how it worked and what to look for up in the heavens.
Once the crew had suspected how much money in total Lucas had spent on them
all, they were very happy about the decision they had made about what to get Lucas together.
As Lucas opened the small rectangular package, inside he found a very fine leather wallet, carved with a very large looking caribou on the front cover. The smell of the leather was very aromatic and Lucas found himself saying thank you over and over again.
It wasn't until he was asked to look inside that he was even more surprised. Inside was cash, to the value of $1000.00. The crew knew that Lucas must have just about used all of his bank account to pay for their gifts, especially the Captain's. So they had all chipped in the money they originally intended to spend and Kristen and Bridger had added an extra bonus for the teenager.
******************************************************
About 6.00pm that night when everyone was relaxing in the suite's living room, the topic about how to return to SeaQuest had been raised once again.
Lucas was laying down on a couch, resting his head on a pillow. Bridger sat beside him, cramped up on one end, but he didn't mind in the least. The rest of the crew sat around the other chairs to discuss the possibilities.
"I hope we don't have to fly again," Lucas said in a slurred voice. He had been given another dose of pain killer and was well on his way to sleep again when the conversation began. He knew he didn't stand much of a chance of a say but voiced his fears about flying anyway.
"I am afraid there might not be much choice about that Lucas," Kristen replied. She fully understood the teenager's request and his fears about flying. They had all witnessed his appearance on the way to Aspen. But she had to think of his current injuries as well at the moment, especially his shoulder.
The trip would take the best part of three or four days if they decided to travel by road and the roughness of some of the bitumen roads would certainly jostle and jar Lucas's shoulder around much more than she would like. He would experience more discomfort by that mode of transport and apart from flying, their other methods of transport with the snow were quite limited at this time of year.
"And if you think I am going to spend another day with Ben and Lucas sitting in the back bickering like five year olds, you have got another thing coming," Kristen said in mock sternness.
"Me !!!!!," Ben exclaimed loudly. "What about him?" he said, pointing to Lucas who had his eyes closed on the couch.
"It was you that took up all the room anyway Ben," Lucas hurled back at his friends, his eyes still closed, but the signs of a grin on his face unmistakable.
"What about when we came here today, you had all the room again Lucas," Ben taunted the youth. The rest of the crew were laughing heartily at the antics between the two friends who were obviously out to stir Kristen all over again.
At the end of the day, they all knew, including Lucas that flying back would be the quickest and most comfortable of all choices. At least after a few hours, Lucas could be back in his own bed aboard SeaQuest and wouldn't have to worry about anymore travelling for quite some time except under the waves.
Ben on the other hand, had another idea about just where the crew could head to next. "Say Captain, where are you taking us all on the next vacation?" he jibed at his Commanding Officer.
"Next time Ben, you have to be kidding," Jonathan Ford and Katie Hitchcock voiced together. The crew now looked over at Bridger who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts for a few seconds.
Bridger knew that Ben was digging at him but decided to play along with his little game. After this disastrous vacation to the snow, he thought that maybe in twelve months or so the crew would deserve a holiday again. Somewhere where crew members wouldn't go missing or get hurt.
"Where did you have in mind Lieutenant?" Bridger asked both in fun and out of curiosity for a future destination idea for next time.
Ben's eyes and face lit up with a wide grin at the Captain's question. He had been thinking long and hard about where they should all go next.
"I was thinking Captain," he began, dragging it out for the rest of the crew as long as he possibly could. "I don't mean you will be footing the bill next time. We can all chip in and pay for the trip. But now that we have seen snow and ice, we should head somewhere a little warmer." "A little warmer?" Tim asked cautiously, knowing that wherever Ben had on his mind couldn't be considered a good holiday destination, could it?
"A whole lot warmer Tim my friend," Ben said as he slapped the young communications officer heartily on the back. "AFRICA" he then said.
"Africa," the crew said in unison. Actually Ben's choice didn't sound entirely too bad at all.
"Africa?" came the sleepy voice from Lucas. "But that means we have to fly again," he commented with a groan and rolled over onto his side, drifting of to sleep properly this time.
"No Lucasman, I promise you, we can go by boat or something," Ben said cheerfully to his slumbering audience.
"Africa," Kristen said as she thought of all the vaccinations and medications they would need before, during and after visiting such a country.
"Africa," Miguel pondered as he thought of all the wonderful wildlife safari's he could join and all the different sorts of wild animals he could see on the reserves.
"Africa," Katie whispered. Her thoughts were too of animals that she would see, but rather the ones that she would rather leave alone and not know about.
"Africa," Tim repeated and immediately started going through his head at the languages he would need to brush up on before they went.
"Africa," Jonathan Ford grimaced as he tried not to think of the amount of equipment and supplies that would be needed even just for a short trip. He must admit, it was one country he hadn't been to yet.
"Africa," Bridger thought to himself. It actually sounded like a really good idea to him as he adjusted the blanket around Lucas's shoulders.
THE END OF THE HOLIDAY ......
Authors Notes: Thanks for being so patient and understanding about how long I took to write this story. I know it's way past Christmas and even Easter. My daughter was hospitalised over Easter so it's been only now that I have had a chance to finish it.
For those who didn't quite pick up on the clues or even the ones who did - the stranger was supposed to be Santa Claus.
As for the Africa thing, well a few might have known that I have been planning this story for quite a few months. It won't be written just yet. Have a few others to finish first but I am really looking forward to writing that one.
Unfortunately for Lucas, the next holiday will be even worse than Aspen. AFRICA intends to be all Lucas angst and hurt Lucas and Lucas being chased by baddies with guns and rifles and wild animals.
Hope you keep reading the stories.
JULES
By 8.00pm that night, there was good news and bad news for the resort.
The search party had returned about twenty minutes earlier, happy to announce that the three of the missing snow-boarders that had been lost and trapped in the avalanche had been found.
One of them had a broken ankle and the other two had minor injuries had suffered from exposure due to their prolonged stay underneath the snow.
All three of them were currently being attended to by Kristen until the weather cleared up a little and they were able to be transported into Aspen by vehicle to the hospital for further and more complete treatment.
The SeaQuest crew's hopes had soared to new heights when they learned that the search party had found survivors. That hope was quickly dashed though when they were told that the one they waited in earnest for was still unaccounted for.
One of the searchers had been encouraging with the finding of Lucas's brightly coloured backpack and beanie. At least they had been searching in the right area. It was a bit unusual that he hadn't been found with the other boarders.
The searcher handed Bridger the backpack and Beanie. For a moment, Nathan's hands were shaking, barely able to grab a hold of them. Why hadn't he been found near the others? There were so many questions running through his head at the moment and none of them seemed to be getting answers.
Bridger had once again pleaded with the Manager of the resort to let some of the crew help the searchers for Lucas. He once again heard all the arguments about why Andrew couldn't let them go out there under any circumstances.
The weather looked as though it may be lifting slightly. But the darkness was almost impenetrable and it made searching in the deep snow almost impossible.
The SeaQuest crew now found themselves back in Bridger's cabin, sipping hot drinks to try and pass the unending hours of waiting for news about Lucas.
Bridger got up with his almost empty mug and walked towards the window near the front door. He peered out through the frosted glass into the night sky. He had never felt so utterly useless as he did right now. He was supposed to be there for Lucas when he needed him. And now when Lucas needed him the most he wasn't able to get to him.
Ben Krieg had tried to lighten the mood in the room and take everyone's mind off the search by trying his normal trait of bad humour. Not one of his jokes seemed even slightly funny to anybody and by about the third or fourth attempt he was getting threatening looks from the rest of the crew about what would happen to him if he continued.
"How about we all open a present each?" Katie Hitchcock now said, trying an alternative to her ex-husband's poor attempt at satire. Everyone looked towards the forlorn figure of the Captain peering out window, waiting for his response to the idea.
Bridger looked briefly back at the rest of the crew at the suggestion before his shoulder's slumped again in defeat and he went back to his vigil through the pane of glass. It was right about now that Kristen Westphalen could see that it was her turn to try and pull everyone out of their sense of hopelessness.
"What would Lucas say if he seen you like this?" Kristen asked as she put a comforting hand on his shoulder when she spoke.
"He probably wouldn't say anything," Bridger said in a voice devoid of any life or emotion.
"Yes he would," Kristen said firmly, now making him turn and face her to hear what she had to say. "He would say stop feeling sorry for yourself to start with and then he probably would have a few choice words to say after that," she added.
Bridger now turned to face Kristen and could see by the look in her eyes that what she was saying was true. Lucas would do exactly that and he would probably find the right look that would make everything seem okay again.
Nathan now looked back at Katie and the rest of the crew who too had heard Kristen's words and now waited to see if he would take up the offer of present opening. It was a yearly tradition to open at least one present on Christmas Eve. They only had a few more hours before it would be Christmas Day.
The crew now sat in a rough semi circle shape in the small living room area of the cabin and tried to focus their attention on what was happening in front of them rather than the thought of Lucas laying out in the cold snow.
"You open the first one Kate, since it was your idea," Ben now suggested. Everyone nodded their heads. She was a girl after all and girls were supposed to go first anyway.
Kate now reached under the tree that they had decorated the day before. Even looking at it now she couldn't help but be reminded of how Lucas had been there when they cut down the tree and then all of them sitting down making the decorations that now hung from the spindly branches.
She chose a smallish package with her name on the tag. It was very beautifully wrapped in blue/silvery paper with a large blue and silver bow on top to match.
"Oh Ben," Katie exclaimed as she looked on the tag to see who it was from. She tried to compose herself as best she could. The present just happened to be from Lucas.
"Open it up babe and then you can have Lucas rouse on you when he gets back
about opening it before Christmas day," Ben joked, trying to make Katie feel a little better about opening the gift from Lucas.
Katie took quite a few minutes to carefully unwrap the gift. She wanted to be able to try and rewrap it again afterwards and put it back under the tree to open again the next day when Lucas would be there.
It was the thought that Lucas would be back with them all by morning that she held onto the most. They just had to believe he was going to be alright, for his sake as well as their own peace of mind.
"Oh it's just exquisite," Kate said out loud with a gasp as she now gazed upon the dainty little hand painted vase that Lucas had chosen for her. How had he found something so beautiful. The delicate pattern of flowers took her breath away. It must have been expensive too.
"It really is lovely Kate," Kristen commented as Katie passed the vase to her for a closer look. All the men in the room didn't really know anything about vases, but they all noted that Lucas had chosen particularly well on this occasion.
The next person to open would be Miguel.
************************************
Back in the snow cave, the stranger was becoming more worried about how to get his young companion home.
Like Bridger, he too had been watching the weather outside over the last half an hour or so and noted the slowing in the winds. If he was going to make any attempt at all about getting the young man back home to his family, he had better start making a move right now.
The stranger in the red trousers walked over to Lucas and gently tried to wake him. Keeping him awake had become more of a chore due to his pain and the bitterly cold weather. Lucas had lost the battle to stay awake about half an hour ago and had fallen into a fitful doze, laying on the cold floor of the cave.
Lucas began to mumble incoherently at being gently jostled by his rescuer. At first he swatted the hands away that were trying to help him. All he wanted to do was to roll over and get more comfortable.
It was only on his attempt to roll over that the pain in his shoulder re- ignited with force and he now groaned audibly at the sharp pain that couldn't be ignored. His good hand was immediately wrapped around his right arm, trying to reduce any movement that may cause more pain. He gritted his teeth and tried to pull himself in to a sitting position.
About twenty minutes later, Lucas wasn't sure how the man managed to get him on the seat of the skiddoo. He knew he was dragged from the little warmth offered by the snow cave and into the snow encrusted wind. He groaned as he felt himself being lifted and pushed onto the long leather seat.
Lucas leaned forward, clutching the front of the unfamiliar vehicle with his uninjured left hand. His right arm hung uselessly from his body. He wasn't sure he had the strength to hold onto the vehicle once it was in motion. He was still battling to stay awake and felt his head bowing forward and his eyelashes becoming frozen from the snow that was falling. The teenager now felt someone climbing on the skiddoo behind him. He could feel strong arms around his body as the man reached for the throttle and handle-bars. Lucas leaned back against the man. The body heat of the man behind him and the motor underneath his legs warmed the young man a bit. Joe felt the man's hand on his forehead for any signs of a fever. Finally Lucas's chin fell toward his chest as he drifted into darkness. His strength gave out completely due to the pain and the cold. The skiddoo made it's way across the snow fields towards the resort. The sound of it's engine humming into the blackness.
***********************************************
Back at the cabin, Miguel had already chosen his present from underneath the tree. Like Katie, he had chosen the gift Lucas had bought for him but it was the object's shape that initially caught his attention, not his name on the name tag or the face that the reverse side of the tag said from Lucas.
This gift was elongated in shape. He had now unwrapped the paper and stared for a couple of minutes without saying anything as his eyes drank in the site before him.
Now he turned the finely crafted sword over and over, looking at it from all directions to judge it's accuracy, straightness and overall weight. The hilt was very cleverly crafted and was made of the very best material. He didn't know how he was going to repay Lucas for such a thoughtful gift. He seemed to know just what would arouse his senses, both on a physical level by it's appearance and on an intellectual level with it's history and background.
"I don't know what to say Captain, it's absolutely fantastic," Miguel now said after removing the sabre and looking at the steel blade. "I didn't even know he knew about my passion for swords," he added with curiosity. He couldn't remember having any in depth conversations with Lucas or around the teenager that would have given away his secret passion.
"Lucas pays attention to a lot more things than we give him credit for Miguel," Bridger said. "He seems to know exactly what to buy you people anyway."
Tim O'Neill was the next to open a present. With the gifts that Katie and Miguel had received from Lucas, the Lieutenant only thought it fitting that he too open his gift from Lucas. Especially when the hours seemed to be getting longer and longer as they waited news of his rescue or fate.
Tim was delighted when he finally opened the lid of the box and saw the books on languages and bonsai. He never tired of increasing his vocabulary of the languages he was already fluent in or adding words to the ones he was only mediocre at speaking.
The book on Bonsai would help him improve his plant specimens back on the boat and tell him which species he could grow and which would do poorly under the pressurized conditions of the sub-marine.
Next, Kristen decided to open her gift from Lucas, and gasped in shock as Katie had done at the beauty of the two necklaces that Lucas had chosen for her. She knew that one necklace was for him and one for her. She wiped an indiscriminate tear out of the corner of her eye when she though the rest of the crew weren't looking.
Tim O'Neill grinned a little as he watched the expression on Commander Jonathan Ford's face changed when he opened his present and spotted the fine bottle of alcohol. He had at least known what one of the presents Lucas had bought was. He had only done the monetary arrangements though, Lucas had taken care to pick out just the right vintage for the occasion.
"I think I will have the first toast with Lucas and then the rest of you," Jonathan said honestly as he read the history on the label. "You should only drink a fine vintage like this one with fine friends," he said.
Apart from Bridger, who everyone knew would go last, Ben was the only one left yet to open a present from Lucas. For quite a few minutes, Ben held the neatly wrapped package in his hand, and looked as though he might not open it at all.
Krieg didn't feel quite right opening Lucas's present without his friend there to see his reaction to it. He didn't have a clue as to what the teenager had purchased for him, but judging by the looks and gasps from everyone else in the crew tonight, it would be something worth opening.
Finally after looking back at the others and getting a slight nod of their head in encouragement and telling him that Lucas would be okay about them opening his presents before Christmas, Ben did open it. And like he assumed, he couldn't find the words at first to describe his amazement as Lucas's aptitude in knowing what they all would like.
Inside of course was the silver watch Lucas had bought. It shone brightly as the light caught the edge of the face. It had the date, digital precision, a stop watch, and a few other little features that were signs of true quality workmanship.
"Now I guess he will be asking me for the time every chance he gets when we get back to the boat," Krieg joked, almost unable to find words to describe how much he cared for the missing teenager.
Bridger's present open was delayed slightly by a knock at the front door of the cabin. Nathan quickly got to his feet to answer it and found Andrew Smith standing in the cold doorway, obviously with something on his mind to tell the crew.
"Hello Captain," Andrew said, trying to hide the cheerfulness in his voice as he was invited inside. He knew that he was not winning any popularity contests at the moment with Lucas still missing and what he was about to tell them would probably see him as the enemy even more so.
"Looks like you have all decided to find a way to occupy yourselves tonight anyway," he commented as he saw opened Christmas presents on the table.
"Have you got any news for us Mr Smith? Bridger asked, not wanting to waste precious time on greetings or small talk. He knew the rest of the crew felt the same way at the moment.
"I won't hold you up any longer than I have to Captain," Andrew now said, knowing there was just no way to soften what he was about to say. "I am afraid that we have had to call off the search for a couple of hours, at least until dawn," he said, almost leaving the statement unfinished.
"Call it off!!," Ben Krieg cried out in utter horror upon hearing the man. "Are you crazy or something, Lucas is still out there missing you jerk. We have to keep looking until we find him." Ben was now on his feet, shouting his demands at the resort manager.
"I am sorry," Andrew said as he looked towards Ben, but the answer was meant for all in the room. "It's just too dark out there to see at the moment. The rescue team even took heavy lightening equipment up to the spot where Lucas was last seen, but even that isn't enough for the teams to mount any sort of rescue mission tonight. I promise, the team will get something hot to drink and eat and a short rest before heading out again at first light," he added, hoping his optimistic overtones would work.
"Simmer down a little Ben," Bridger said as he tried to put a restraining arm on Krieg's jacket sleeve. "I am sure the rescue team are doing there best. It's not what we are hoping for at the moment, but they are still trying for Lucas."
Bridger had never heard words that sounded so false before. Here he was trying to reassure Ben that everything would be alright by morning and he didn't even believe it himself.
"This is not helping find Lucas," Ben shouted again and then went into the other cabin through the adjoining doorway, slamming it on the way in frustration.
"I am sorry about that Mr Smith, Ben and Lucas are very close friends and we all feel pretty darn useless at the moment," Bridger apologized on everyone's behalf.
"Don't worry about it Nathan, I wish there was more I could do, I truly do. I hope in hell that your young friend has found some shelter tonight and we find him safe and well very soon. I will let you know when the rescue team is ready to head out again. Good night all," Smith replied. The resort manager now left the SeaQuest to themselves again, leaving through the front door as he had come in.
*******************************************************
Outside, Lucas felt a hand gently shaking him. "Wake up, boy," a voice said. "You're almost home," the stranger said in his ear.
Lucas attempted to rouse himself and opened his eyes to barely slits. He was surprised to see the resort buildings and his cabin looming ahead of them.
Some of the buildings were bathed in darkness due to the time of night and were only dark outlines in the snow, but his own cabin and the one beside it was ablaze with lights.
Lucas shook his head. He didn't remember giving the stranger directions to the cabin. or which resort for that matter . But then, the teenager didn't remember much of the ride from snow cave at all. He suppose that he must have forgotten that he told the man a general direction on how to find the resort.
The stranger slowly guided the skiddoo past a few of the other cabin's. He stopped just short of Lucas's cabin and dismounted from the skiddoo.
The stranger now helped Lucas off the snow vehicle. The teenager's knees buckled a bit but the man held him firm.
"You think you can walk to the house?" the man asked.
Lucas nodded. He was cold, and sore, and tired, but he felt he could walk the few feet to the front door of the cabin. Clenching his teeth, Lucas straightened and took a step.
The youth staggered rather than walked but he made it to the door. He leaned his left shoulder against the door jamb and stood for a few minutes, breathing hard. Then he lifted the latch and pushed the door open.
The SeaQuest crew inside the cabin had only just sat down to another cup of coffee, and hadn't been heard the skidoo's engine due to the wind outside. They almost dropped their mugs in shock as the front door suddenly opened without warning and a figure stumbled a few centimetres inside.
"Lucas!" Bridger cried as the door opened.
Lucas stood in the doorway, covered with snow. His right arm hung uselessly, and had a grimace of pain showing on his face. His skin had a bluish look and his teeth were chattering.
Lucas tried to take a step forward, but his knees started to buckle again. "Help me!" Bridger shouted unnecessarily. Three of them were already rushing to the door. "Kristen, could you get him something hot to drink?" Ben said as he put his supportive arms around his young friend. "He's almost frozen," he commented to the others. The room was suddenly a hive of activity as everyone tried to do something to help. Tim took it upon himself to go find the resort manager, Andrew Smith to tell him what had just happened. Ben and Bridger slowly guided Lucas to the soft couch in the living room. The teenager moaned slightly as Ben eased him onto the chair, unintentionally bumping the boy's right shoulder against the hard back of the sofa. Miguel rushed to the front door and slammed it shut from. The door hadn't quite closed probably after Tim's departure to find the manager. Katie went into the bedrooms and began pulling blankets off them and carried them back into the living room. Kristen came rushing out of the kitchenette. "Here Nathan, try and get some of this hot coffee into him, quick. "Lace it with some of the brandy he bought me for Christmas," Jonathan now said to the doctor. For a few moments, she looked at him questioningly, wanting to know if he really wanted her to use his gift prematurely. A quick smile from the Commander along with a nod from his head signalling his agreement. Bridger now turned his full attention to Lucas. He slowly began to unbutton Lucas's parka. He had noted the teenager's moan and didn't want to hurt Lucas any more than he had to. Once the coat was open, Bridger began to slide it gently off Lucas's shoulders. Katie now handed the Captain two blankets. Bridger gave a quick word of thanks and then began wrapping the warm woollen cloth gently around Lucas's body. He took a third blanket from Katie and wrapped it around the boy's legs. Lucas was still shivering, but the spasms seemed less violent. The teenager laid his head against the arm rest of the couch and closed his eyes. Bridger took the white porcelain mug from Kristen. Steam was rising from the dark liquid in the mug. Gently he held it to Lucas's lips. "Come on, Lucas," he urged gently. "Drink this. It's will warm you up." Lucas's eyes opened slightly, no more than a slit. He began sipping the hot liquid and could feel the warmth flowing through him. For the first time in hours, Lucas felt the cold fading away. He drank eagerly from the cup held to his mouth. Then fatigue, the warmth of the blankets and the brandy all seemed to catch up with the young man all at once. As the cup was pulled away from his lips, Lucas drifted off to sleep. ***************************************** Lucas could hear the murmur of voices talking as he woke. He figured he must have been asleep for hours but it actually was only a fraction of that.. As he opened his eyes to see anxious faces staring at him. He was still wrapped in blankets, but Lucas also could feel his arm resting in a sling. He no longer felt cold. In fact, he was beginning to feel uncomfortably warm. Lucas shifted slightly on the couch. "Lucas?" Ben asked as he peered anxiously into his friend's face. "Hi Ben," Lucas answered with a weak smile. "What happened to you, Lucas?" Bridger asked. He was standing beside Kristen and Ben, his face a mixture of anxiety and relief. "I don't know really. I remember sitting on that seat under the tree and next thing I could see and hear was the whole mountain coming towards me. I tried to out run it but I just wasn't fast enough. Before long the snow caught up with me and I could feel myself being taken down the slope with the force of the avalanche," Lucas explained. "Guess I banged myself up some," he added with half-smile and grimace. "Well, you have a dislocated shoulder, and some bruises, but nothing is broken, " Kristen now said as she sat on the edge of the sofa and returned the smile. " I have given you a pain killer to help cope with your shoulder for the remainder of the night." Mr Smith was here an hour ago, the search party have all been sent home now for some much needed rest. The man could scarcely believe you had made you own way back here without any assistance. He promised to provide anything we need until we leave here tomorrow," Bridger said as he recalled the events. "As soon as you have rested a little more, I want to take you by vehicle into Aspen to have your shoulder looked at a little more. I bandaged it up as best as I could to prevent any movement. But an x-ray will rule out any underlying damage that I may have missed," Kristen said as she gave the teenager a run down on what was exactly wrong with him. Lucas nodded. "That's what he said," he answered remembering a little of what the stranger had said about his shoulder only being dislocated. "He?" Ben asked, a little curious at the teenager's mention of another person. When Lucas had stumbled through the door the night before, the young man had been totally alone. Hadn't he? "The man who brought me back here," Lucas said in answer to Ben's query. "What man?" Ford asked. Lucas now opened his eyes and looked around the room. He realized that there was no one there but the SeaQuest crew. "Where is he?" Lucas asked in a puzzled tone. "You asked him to stay, didn't you?" "Lucas, there wasn't anyone with you," Bridger said now worried that the boy may have suffered a blow to the head in addition to his other injuries. "I went out to get Mr Smith Lucas, there wasn't anyone else around," Tim O'Neill confirmed. Lucas looked a little dazed and shook his head. "I don't get it," he said. "That fellow found me and took care of me. He got me back here. Why wouldn't he stay around? Where would he go in that bad weather?" "What did he look like?" asked Ben found himself asking. "He was a heavy set man with white hair and a long white beard," Lucas answered. "He wearing red trousers," Lucas said, "And black boots" he added as he continued with the man's description. "Had a big black belt around his waist, too." "Wonder who he was?" asked Katie. "Probably some traveller nearby," Tim replied, trying to rationalise. Of course, everybody had an answer in their heads about who such a description matched. Red trousers, black boots, long white beard? It all sounded too much like a fairytale. "I don't think so," said Lucas. "I don't know who he was, but he wasn't any ordinary man." Lucas suddenly yawned. Bridger turned back to the injured youth. "We'd better get you up to bed," he said to the others. "We are leaving fairly early in the morning to get to Aspen and then stay over a night or two before heading back to the boat. Lucas looked across the room at the clock. "Hey, Captain," he said. "Look at the clock. It's after midnight. It's Christmas." "Merry Christmas, Lucas," Bridger said with a smile and gave the teenager a quick hug, trying not to jostle his injured shoulder too much in the process. "Merry Christmas, Everyone," added Kristen and then the other crew members joined in with their own season's greetings. "Did you open any presents for Christmas Eve?" Lucas said as his voice began to sound a little thick from the onset of sleep. "Come on, tell the truth, you all cheated didn't you?" he added, hoping secretly that they actually had done just that. Each of the crew member's told Lucas about their presents and how much they appreciated his thought into them. Bridger was the only one left to tell him about the gift he had received. Bridger promised himself that he would open the material gift Lucas had bought after they had all gotten some sleep. He was sure that the gift would be every bit as spectacular at the others. But right now he had the "perfect Christmas present" laying right in front of him. It was more than he could have wished for tonight. Bridger looked at each of the crew in turn, his eyes shining with love and happiness. "Merry Christmas," he said. "And it is going to be a Merry Christmas." "Let's get this young man to bed," Kristen now said, falling back into doctor mode once again. "He'll be up early enough tomorrow, looking for presents," she said with a mischievous wink. "I only do it because you all put me up to it," Lucas grumbled good naturedly. Lucas was now helped from the couch and guided him slowly into the bedroom to his bed. He was asleep again as his head touched the pillow. It was a fair guess that he wouldn't stir again for quite a few hours as his body tried to recover from the pain and the cold. As Bridger watched Kristen fuss over him and tuck the blankets around him again, he couldn't begin to express the relief and gratitude he felt that his son had been brought home. Christmas wishes, he thought, are powerful things. The Captain knew his Christmas prayers had been answered. *****************************************************
Early the next morning, a very stiff and sore Lucas was loaded into one of the vehicles. He would travel with Bridger, Kristen and Ben to Aspen and a hospital just to recheck his shoulder and other injuries.
Tim, Miguel, Katie and Jonathan Ford would remain behind with the other vehicle to secure everyone's belongings from both cabins and settle all outstanding matters with the resort manager before heading into Aspen themselves. A rendezvous point had been agreed on where they would all meet up once Lucas had been attended to.
On the trip to Aspen, the rules had changed slightly and although Ben sat in the back seat with Lucas, he let the teenager have as much room as he wanted to stretch out.
Even after being wrapped in blankets all night, Lucas couldn't hide the fact that he still felt a chill in his bones from his ordeal out in the snow. He fell asleep again as soon as the vehicle began moving, his minder Ben sitting beside him, determined to make sure he was okay while he slept.
About lunch time that day, the crew had finally met up once again. The hospital had praised Kristen's first aid skills with the other snow-boarders and relayed that although two of them would remain in hospital for a day or so, they all would make excellent recoveries and have no permanent injuries to speak of.
Lucas had undergone an x-ray on his shoulder, but was relieved to find out that lots of rest and continual immobility over a fortnight would see his arm heal nicely.
Bridger had rented a suite at one of the motels in Aspen, large enough for all of them. They had agreed only to stay one more night and then make arrangements to start heading back to SeaQuest the day after. Being Christmas day they had a sumptuous Christmas lunch ordered in by room service so Lucas didn't have to move too much.
By mid afternoon, everyone was very full from over-eating and ready to curl up like big carpet snakes and have an afternoon nap. The day seemed to be a blur due to going to the hospital and all of the other running around they had done earlier.
It was right about now that Bridger decided to open his Christmas gift from Lucas and the crew wanted to give the teenager his.
Bridger had his breath taken away by the telescope that Lucas had bought. Even looking at it, the crew knew that the Captain's gift had cost a lot more than all of their's put together. It was exquisite in every sense of the word and he promised to look after it and treasure it always. He hoped that he could spend some long nights showing Lucas just how it worked and what to look for up in the heavens.
Once the crew had suspected how much money in total Lucas had spent on them
all, they were very happy about the decision they had made about what to get Lucas together.
As Lucas opened the small rectangular package, inside he found a very fine leather wallet, carved with a very large looking caribou on the front cover. The smell of the leather was very aromatic and Lucas found himself saying thank you over and over again.
It wasn't until he was asked to look inside that he was even more surprised. Inside was cash, to the value of $1000.00. The crew knew that Lucas must have just about used all of his bank account to pay for their gifts, especially the Captain's. So they had all chipped in the money they originally intended to spend and Kristen and Bridger had added an extra bonus for the teenager.
******************************************************
About 6.00pm that night when everyone was relaxing in the suite's living room, the topic about how to return to SeaQuest had been raised once again.
Lucas was laying down on a couch, resting his head on a pillow. Bridger sat beside him, cramped up on one end, but he didn't mind in the least. The rest of the crew sat around the other chairs to discuss the possibilities.
"I hope we don't have to fly again," Lucas said in a slurred voice. He had been given another dose of pain killer and was well on his way to sleep again when the conversation began. He knew he didn't stand much of a chance of a say but voiced his fears about flying anyway.
"I am afraid there might not be much choice about that Lucas," Kristen replied. She fully understood the teenager's request and his fears about flying. They had all witnessed his appearance on the way to Aspen. But she had to think of his current injuries as well at the moment, especially his shoulder.
The trip would take the best part of three or four days if they decided to travel by road and the roughness of some of the bitumen roads would certainly jostle and jar Lucas's shoulder around much more than she would like. He would experience more discomfort by that mode of transport and apart from flying, their other methods of transport with the snow were quite limited at this time of year.
"And if you think I am going to spend another day with Ben and Lucas sitting in the back bickering like five year olds, you have got another thing coming," Kristen said in mock sternness.
"Me !!!!!," Ben exclaimed loudly. "What about him?" he said, pointing to Lucas who had his eyes closed on the couch.
"It was you that took up all the room anyway Ben," Lucas hurled back at his friends, his eyes still closed, but the signs of a grin on his face unmistakable.
"What about when we came here today, you had all the room again Lucas," Ben taunted the youth. The rest of the crew were laughing heartily at the antics between the two friends who were obviously out to stir Kristen all over again.
At the end of the day, they all knew, including Lucas that flying back would be the quickest and most comfortable of all choices. At least after a few hours, Lucas could be back in his own bed aboard SeaQuest and wouldn't have to worry about anymore travelling for quite some time except under the waves.
Ben on the other hand, had another idea about just where the crew could head to next. "Say Captain, where are you taking us all on the next vacation?" he jibed at his Commanding Officer.
"Next time Ben, you have to be kidding," Jonathan Ford and Katie Hitchcock voiced together. The crew now looked over at Bridger who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts for a few seconds.
Bridger knew that Ben was digging at him but decided to play along with his little game. After this disastrous vacation to the snow, he thought that maybe in twelve months or so the crew would deserve a holiday again. Somewhere where crew members wouldn't go missing or get hurt.
"Where did you have in mind Lieutenant?" Bridger asked both in fun and out of curiosity for a future destination idea for next time.
Ben's eyes and face lit up with a wide grin at the Captain's question. He had been thinking long and hard about where they should all go next.
"I was thinking Captain," he began, dragging it out for the rest of the crew as long as he possibly could. "I don't mean you will be footing the bill next time. We can all chip in and pay for the trip. But now that we have seen snow and ice, we should head somewhere a little warmer." "A little warmer?" Tim asked cautiously, knowing that wherever Ben had on his mind couldn't be considered a good holiday destination, could it?
"A whole lot warmer Tim my friend," Ben said as he slapped the young communications officer heartily on the back. "AFRICA" he then said.
"Africa," the crew said in unison. Actually Ben's choice didn't sound entirely too bad at all.
"Africa?" came the sleepy voice from Lucas. "But that means we have to fly again," he commented with a groan and rolled over onto his side, drifting of to sleep properly this time.
"No Lucasman, I promise you, we can go by boat or something," Ben said cheerfully to his slumbering audience.
"Africa," Kristen said as she thought of all the vaccinations and medications they would need before, during and after visiting such a country.
"Africa," Miguel pondered as he thought of all the wonderful wildlife safari's he could join and all the different sorts of wild animals he could see on the reserves.
"Africa," Katie whispered. Her thoughts were too of animals that she would see, but rather the ones that she would rather leave alone and not know about.
"Africa," Tim repeated and immediately started going through his head at the languages he would need to brush up on before they went.
"Africa," Jonathan Ford grimaced as he tried not to think of the amount of equipment and supplies that would be needed even just for a short trip. He must admit, it was one country he hadn't been to yet.
"Africa," Bridger thought to himself. It actually sounded like a really good idea to him as he adjusted the blanket around Lucas's shoulders.
THE END OF THE HOLIDAY ......
Authors Notes: Thanks for being so patient and understanding about how long I took to write this story. I know it's way past Christmas and even Easter. My daughter was hospitalised over Easter so it's been only now that I have had a chance to finish it.
For those who didn't quite pick up on the clues or even the ones who did - the stranger was supposed to be Santa Claus.
As for the Africa thing, well a few might have known that I have been planning this story for quite a few months. It won't be written just yet. Have a few others to finish first but I am really looking forward to writing that one.
Unfortunately for Lucas, the next holiday will be even worse than Aspen. AFRICA intends to be all Lucas angst and hurt Lucas and Lucas being chased by baddies with guns and rifles and wild animals.
Hope you keep reading the stories.
JULES