Chapter Two

"Wow, I really wasn't expecting it to be you," smiled Lucas, pushing his hair back from his face, the shock evident in his eyes. Scarlett smiled; she hated the fact that despite their separation he still managed to make her heart skip a beat with a smile. She hated the fact that despite all their best intentions, she never really wanted them to split up but more than anything; she hated the fact that he still looked good and she felt frumpy and unattractive.

"I bet you weren't," she grinned. "It's been a while, how are you?"

"Pretty good. I'm actually starting to get used to life underwater, I don't even miss the land anymore. What about you?"

"I'm good, I got my own research sub from the Foundation,"

"That's amazing. Congratulations,"

"Thanks. Look, Lucas, I really need your help," she sighed, Lucas looked concerned and moved closer to the vid-screen as if being near it would bring him closer to her. "Our engines are shot, we're dead in the water and it looks like sabotage. Is SeaQuest anywhere near our co-ordinates?"

"Let me check," he said, pressing a few buttons on his comm-pad and tracing the link. "Yeah, not too far. Maybe a few hours or so, I don't know. What's really going on, Scarlett?"

"The Wilde was built to record data from a new geyser at Rachin Plateau, we were supposed to test its energy output for supply but it looks like someone really didn't want us out here," said Scarlett. "Do you think the Captain would mind a little recovery mission?"

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him and get back to you as soon as I can," he smiled, Scarlett sighed with relief and nodded. Lucas terminated the link and she was left alone in her quarters again. She was happy that the conversation had gone so well, she was worried she would revert to that spoilt, whiny, selfish teenager that Lucas had hated but they were adults now, of course they could hold an adult conversation. She leaned back and stretched her arms out above her, all she had to do now was wait for Lucas to talk to Captain Bridger and The Wilde would be safe again.

Lucas stared at the vid-screen displaying the UEO insignia that just a second before had been the face of his ex-girlfriend. She looked different, her hair had grown longer and she had looked ashen and pale, her dark eyes had advertised her lack of sleep. She looked worried and not just about the threat to her mission. He reached out across his disorganized workstation and grabbed his comm-link.

"Captain, can I see you for a minute?" he asked into it. There was a buzz of static before the reply.

"On my way, Lucas,"

Lucas had no doubt in his mind that Bridger would help him; he knew the importance of the research and the new submarine. The captain had a predilection towards the scientific and Lucas knew he would be horrified at the thought of a sabotage operation on a science vessel. The metallic knock announced Bridger's arrival and Lucas pulled open the door.

"What can I do for you, Mr Wolenczak?"

"Captain, I got a call from Scarlett. She's heading a research mission at Rachin Plateau but her sub's been sabotaged. Her and the crew need help," reported Lucas.

"I presume we're talking about Scarlett, your ex-girlfriend?"

"Well… yeah, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need help. I checked the co-ordinates and we're only a few hours away, the crew need to be recovered. You can talk to her yourself, I've got her comm-frequency," he said, Bridger nodded and Lucas quickly tapped in the number. Scarlett's face appeared almost immediately, she had been waiting on the call and wanted this sorted out as soon as possible.

"Captain Bridger," she smiled. "It's good to see you again, Sir,"

"I understand you're a captain yourself now?"

"Not in any military sense but I guess so. Has Lucas informed you of our situation?" she asked, easily slipping into the formal language of the military, she had been taught how to conduct herself with high-ranking military personnel by her father.

"Briefly, Miss Rice. Why don't you tell me everything?"

"I'm aboard a research sub, The Wilde and we were heading for Rachin Plateau to analyse a new geyser and test its energy supply liability but our navigation and propulsion systems shut down before we reached our destination. We are at a total standstill and have no way of moving from our present location. We have a month's supplies available but the engineering crew have informed me that there is no way to rectify the problem with our on-board tools. The Ecological Foundation is ignoring our calls and my crew believe that we were sabotaged before we even left the docks,"

"Okay, Miss Rice. We'll be there as soon as we can and I'll contact the Foundation in the meantime, I'd like to have a word with them. It was good to see you, Scarlett," he said stiffly and left the room, giving Lucas a meaningful look on his way out. Lucas understood that he was to report to the bridge as soon as he had said 'goodbye' to Scarlett.

"Thank you, Lucas,"

"No problem, I guess I'll be seeing you in a couple of hours," he smiled. "You look really different by the way,"

"I guess a lot changes in a month, you still look the same. Your hair's grown a bit though… I like it," she smiled; Lucas instinctively moved to push his hair back. "I've got something to tell you but I want to wait until I see you, okay?" Lucas frowned with frustration had having to wait.

"You always were a tease,"

"And you were always a flirt. I'll see you soon, Lucas," she smiled. Lucas smiled and pushed the cancellation button, watching Scarlett's smile fade to black.

Scarlett left her quarters and headed for the bridge where she had left Kyle to stare blankly at the screens, unable to do anything and feeling completely useless. He looked up as he heard her approach and knew from the considerable grin on her face that the call had been a success.

"Well?" he asked, thirsty for the details.

"Well, I spoke to Nathan Bridger," she beamed, Kyle's eyes widened at the name, Bridger's name was renowned throughout the military and scientific community. "He's coming for us, he should be here in a few hours,"

"Excellent, no more worries then," smiled Kyle. "How did it go with the ex?"

"Really good actually, I thought he'd still be mad at me or something but he was really cool," she smirked. "We actually managed to talk without screaming and throwing things,"

"That would've been difficult over the comm. What happened between you two anyway? I always thought you were happy,"

"I was," sighed Scarlett, sitting down at the helm and turning to face Kyle. "I was just a bit of a wild child, never wanted to settle down or anything. It's a common affliction among geniuses; they constantly rebel. Anyway, I was a total bitch to Lucas and eventually he got sick of chasing me down,"

"Well, you'll have to curb your wild antics now you're gonna be a mother,"

"Thanks for that newsflash, I do know!" said Scarlett sarcastically. Kyle stuck his tongue out at her and ruffled her hair as he walked past her.

"I'm gonna tell the gang downstairs. I think the idea of not working for the next few hours will be most appealing,"

"Kyle," said Scarlett, Kyle turned to face her. "Do you think Bridger will let us use the SeaQuest to analyse the geyser?"

"Maybe, he's a bit of an explorer. I'm sure he'd be up for it," he shrugged before disappearing through the door and down the ladder.

Scarlett turned back to the panel and flicked a switch at the helm, the noise coming from the front of the bridge was loud and metallic but Scarlett smiled as the metallic plates moved back to reveal a vast screen showing what was right outside the submarine. She sat back and sighed, feeling the calm of the ocean as she watched the fish dance about.