A/N – Thanks for all the reviews and in response to the most recent from Squinn and K.Presson – as mentioned in the author's note of Chapter One, this fic is completely out of the context of any SeaQuest series. I noted this as I wanted Lucas to be older yet still have Captain Bridger commanding SeaQuest. Hope that makes sense.

Chapter Eight

Kyle lay back in bed and sighed loudly, the doctors had finally given him the all-clear and deemed him fit enough to leave. He was glad they had stopped flitting around him and finally left him alone; he was still convinced there had been nothing wrong with him aside from a few bumps and bruises. He had regained consciousness shortly before the shockwave had hit the ship and had since been waiting for Scarlett to visit him. The rest of the crew of The Wilde had been and gone with tall tales of what had happened and how the mission was going but it was Scarlett that he wanted to see now.

"Are you harassing the doctors?" she asked as she entered the room, Kyle sat up immediately at the sound of her voice. "Or are you just moaning generally?"

"Very funny, Scarlett," he grinned back. "I almost die for your work and all I get is ridicule and jokes. I'm really hurt," Scarlett laughed and hugged him briefly before jumping up to sit beside him on the bed.

"Well, we're pretty much finished here. We're on our way back to UEO headquarters; Bridger arrested the crew of that other sub and they've all given up Huntleigh's name. He's got to pay this time," said Scarlett, Kyle nodded as he listened attentively. "Sorry you missed all the fun,"

"Yeah, me too. Still, I guess it means I missed out on the work too, never a bad thing," he grinned, Scarlett didn't share his smile. She looked nervous about something but Kyle knew she would spit it out eventually; he didn't need to push her.

"Look, Kyle, I promised Lucas that after all this over I would quit. After I've handed the data over to the Eco Foundation then I'm putting you forward to take over The Wilde, I think you've earned it," Kyle eyed her in wonder. "I want you there if I can't be, okay? You are the only one who can keep those bureaucrats in check as well as I can, I need you there,"

"Oh Scarlett…." he said, he was so stunned that he was almost speechless. "So what are you going to do now?"

"Well, I need to talk to Lucas about it all. Captain Bridger has arranged a party when we get back to base to celebrate the baby and everything; I thought that was quite sweet," she smiled. "But I can't stay underwater with a baby on the way, I'll go mad. But I don't want to drag Lucas away from this place; it's like a home to him,"

"I think Lucas will have something to say about that," said Kyle. "I think he'll have a different idea of home now that you're having his child, things change,"

"I guess so," she sighed, standing up and brushing down her trousers. "I suppose I should go and talk to him,"

Kyle smiled and pushed her gently, urging her to get out and find Lucas. He had never imagined that she would give up her work so easily but things were changing. Scarlett was no longer a focused scientist, she was going to be a mother and that was most important right now. She needed to focus her attention on her baby before going back to her work. He smiled as she walked out of the door, she had changed so much since he had first met her and for some odd reason, he felt quite proud.

Lucas was just opening the door to his quarters when Scarlett turned the corner to face him; he held his hand out as if ushering her in and she grinned, walking ahead of him and sitting down on his bed. He slammed the heavy door shut and sat beside her, placing his hand on top of hers.

"What's going on?" he asked, a bemused smiled playing on his lips.

"I need to talk to you," smiled Scarlett. "We need to decide what's best for the baby," Lucas nodded and shifted his body to face her as she spoke. "I've told Kyle that I want him to take over The Wilde so everyone knows I'm quitting now, but I can't stay here, Lucas. I don't want to be pregnant underwater, I want to move home and start setting it up for the baby. I just can't be wet right now; I need to be at home,"

"I understand that," he said. "So what does that mean for us?"

"Well," she started. "I don't want to make you choose between me and SeaQuest; it's unfair to both of us. So, I guess it's up to you. You can either stay aboard and be a navy Dad or you can leave and get a job at the UEO or something, I don't know. I just need you to know that I won't be mad if you want to stay aboard, I know this place is your home,"

"Scarlett," grinned Lucas, leaning over and pressing his lips against her cheek. "My home is wherever you and the baby are, that's all that matters right now,"

"But I don't want that, Lucas. I want you to choose whatever makes you happy; I know you'll always come home to us if you choose to stay,"

"Just stop talking," he smiled. "I'll go and see the Captain about it, see if I can do one more tour and then leave the SeaQuest. I don't want our baby to grow up like I did, never knowing when I was going to see my father, resenting him for never being there," Scarlett reached across and squeezed Lucas' hand. "I'm going wherever you are,"

Scarlett couldn't help but let a stray tear fall from her eyes, she was so happy. She had never wanted Lucas to give up on his friends, his substitute family, and his home for her but it had been his decision. She could last one more tour, she could find a new house and start 'nesting' or whatever it was pregnant women were supposed to do when setting up their family. She threw her arms around Lucas and held him tight; her family was finally coming together and she didn't think she could ever be happier.

A few days later, Captain Bridger had handed the crew of their rival submarine over to the UEO for prosecution and had also had strong words with the Ecological Foundation over their treatment of their staff. They had, of course, denied all knowledge of sabotage but there was a clear understanding that the UEO would not look favourably on them if a similar situation arose in the future. Lucas had spoken with the Captain about leaving the SeaQuest, Captain Bridger had reminded him that he was not an official crew member and was free to leave whenever he wanted but also told him that he would be sorely missed if he chose to go. Kyle was finally glad to be out of the makeshift hospital ward and back on dry land, although he wasn't very happy about wearing a suit to the party.

Scarlett couldn't believe how big the conference room was; she had expected a small gathering of people to announce her news to but there seemed to be many people there she had never even met before. Lucas was already mingling with the crowds, talking to everyone and acting as if he had been to a million parties but Scarlett hung back in the corner of the room; occasionally moving forward to speak with people she knew. The SeaQuest crew were all in uniform which made her smile; she didn't think she had ever seen Jonathon out of uniform. He was standing at the buffet table looking incredibly uncomfortable; she walked across the room to him and shook his hand warmly.

"You look as though you'd rather be anywhere else," she smiled, he laughed in agreement.

"We've only just finished our leave, I didn't think we'd be back on land again so soon," he said, popping a hors d'oeuvre into his mouth. "I just prefer being wet,"

"I always thought that about you, you always seem more comfortable in those cramped spaces," she laughed. "Have you seen Miguel or Tim anywhere?"

"No, I don't think they've arrived yet," he said. "Do you know what the big announcement is?"

"Well, yes but I think you should wait. It does you no good to ruin surprises,"

Jonathon smiled as Scarlett disappeared into the crowds looking for Lucas or at least someone else that she knew. The room was beginning to quieten down and Scarlett noticed that Captain Bridger had taken to the stage at the top of the room; he looked different somehow. His dress uniform didn't seem to suit him; he looked uncomfortable in it and was obviously wishing he could have worn his normal uniform along with the rest of the crew. She glanced around quickly and caught sight of Miguel talking to a blonde girl in a sequinned dress out of the corner of her eye; she smiled to herself and walked over, introducing herself and hugging Miguel.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Captain Bridger's voice rang out across the room and everybody turned to face him, their conversations dying mid-sentence as the Captain commanded their attention. "I know a lot of you are wondering why we are having a party so soon after shore leave but we are unfortunately losing one of our crew members next month and I wanted to give him a proper send-off. Where's Lucas Wolenczak?" Lucas blushed furiously as he headed up to join Captain Bridger on the stage amidst the gossiping mumblings of the crowd. He stood beside the Captain and smiled weakly out at the gathered people. "Mr Wolenczak is leaving SeaQuest next month for the best reason I can think of, he is starting a family with respected scientist, Miss Scarlett Rice," Miguel turned to look at her as Bridger's words hung in the air, she grinned sheepishly as his open-mouthed shock turned to a broad smile and he threw his arms around her again, whispering congratulations into her ear. "We don't yet know if it's going to be a boy or a girl but either way, we wish you both the very best in your new lives together," Captain Bridger raised his wine glass and was swiftly followed by everyone else in the room. "To Scarlett and Lucas,"

The room echoed his sentiments and people from every corner rushed to talk to both Lucas and Scarlett about their decisions and their future together. Scarlett smiled politely as she looked out through the crowds to find Lucas; he smiled back at her and she knew that no matter what happened, they were a family.

THE END