Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, especially the ones who kept reviewing even though it was clear BTS wasn't going to be updated any time soon. I'd also like to thank Dusk for editing these parts and more importantly understanding why some things just had to happen. Again, expect the next section within the next two weeks.
Tim sat at the edge of the moonpool staring morosely in the water. He wondered how everything had gone wrong so quickly. He could blame the children for the changes in Miguel but they had nothing to do with that woman. He had known the minute Miguel slept with her. At least, he had had the decency to find somewhere else to do it. Tim didn't know if he could have taken it if he had entered their room and found it smelling of sex and her.
Tim pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to keep his emotions under check. Somehow the fact that she was a woman made the betrayal that much deeper. How could Miguel do this to him? He'd given up everything for Miguel. He threw away his career. He abandoned his religion. He created an irreparable rift between him and his family.
They had been worth it. He loved Miguel. Miguel was his soul mate, his other half. Miguel was worth damnation. Only now Miguel was an aching question mark. They were going to reach the Canadian shores tomorrow.
What was Miguel going to do when he was forced to let those children go? Was there going to be anything left of Tim and Miguel once that woman was gone? Was Tim's Miguel even still there?
He didn't know if he could handle the answers.
[Scene Change]
Lonnie stood panting. Sweat dripped off her flushed red skin staining her shirt. Her arms were pleasantly numb. Finally she was beginning to relax. She had come in here as soon as she got offline with her attorney. Her parents had not only cut her off from her trust fund but now they were trying to take the money for themselves. They didn't care that she'd left the Navy. They just wanted her money. The familiar flame of anger began to burn in her chest. They'd been trying to find a way to rob her of her inheritance for years and now because of SeaQuest they might finally succeed.
She gritted her teeth and attacked the punching bag with a vengeance. The contact of each hit jolted up her arms fueling her anger. Again and again she punched the bag. Thump! Thump! How dare they try to do this to her! Her own parents!
She paused again, her chest heaving. Her arms burned with fatigue. She was preparing herself for another round when she felt something touch her shoulder. Instinctively, she whirled around to attack the intruder. Instead of making contact, she found herself airborne. She landed heavily on her back on the matted floor.
"Whoa, there," said Jim crouching over her. "I didn't mean to startle you."
She stared at him wheezing.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked concerned. She shook her head. He held a hand down to her. "Here let me help you up."
"No, I think I'll just lay here for a while," she croaked. He laughed and settled on the mat beside her.
"You look like you were going at it pretty hard." She shrugged. "You want to talk about it?"
"Not right now." Lonnie glanced around the gym. "Not here."
"Maybe after dinner?" Lonnie thought for a minute then nodded. "How about you spot me?"
"Sure," she answered. Jim held out his hand again. This time she let him help her up.
[Scene Change]
Ben changed out of his uniform and prepared to start what he sometimes called his second shift. The others that knew his procedure called it his State of the Nation inspection. He'd discovered long ago that it was impossible to keep up morale if you didn't know how high or low morale was. So he'd started scheduling regular strolls through the boat taking the time to get to know people and see what was going on outside of officer's territory.
"Afternoon, Ben," called one of the security guards. Ben smiled and waved as he entered the brig. He was pleased to see that the only occupant was the civilian he'd arrested for pushing that man into the water during the cruise ship rescue. When crew members started getting sent to the brig, it usually meant that even bigger problems were brewing.
From the brig he wandered through the galley. The chefs were happily a chatter as they prepared the evening's meals. While the head chef pretended to look the other way, Ben snagged a flakey biscuit fresh from the oven. Munching on the biscuit, he bypassed the oily and gritty repair bay but the sound of horribly off-key singing assured him that everything was fine there. Loud music and the clank of weights assaulted him as he walked by the gym. The smell reminded him of the boy's locker rooms back when he'd been a jock in high school. He smiled fondly. That was how he'd met Katie. She'd been a cheerleader and the President of the Martial Arts Club.
Ahead, Ben heard children's laughter. It was the storage bay that spent more time being a giant playroom than it did storing anything. Ben spent the majority of his free time there. As he passed it, he noticed Miguel standing along the wall with that woman watching the children. Ben frowned to himself. He could not remember the last time he'd seen Tim and Miguel together. He smelled troubled brewing. Nothing wrecked havoc on a team worse than relationship problems even if most people weren't aware they two were involved. There was nothing he could do about it now so he shrugged and continued on his way.
His trip took him through the rest of the boat. He stopped at medbay to talk to the doctors. Dr. Westphalen looked him over suspiciously then reluctantly let him know that there had only been one accident that week and no illnesses. Both were music to his ears. Accidents tended to go up when people were frustrated and unhappy. Sick people frequently made frustrated and unhappy people.
His last stop was the crew's lounge. It had an entirely different atmosphere from the officer's lounge. It was crowded at all hours of the day and usually rowdy. Any one was allowed in here unlike the officer's lounge that required special invitation for non-officers. Ben frequently came here two or three nights a week. It was more his style and allowed him to network more.
"Hey! Benny, over here!" called Sil waving him to a chair. Ben grabbed a beer then joined them. Large television screens around the room replayed old sporting events.
"Hey, guys. How are you?"
"Good. Good. No complaints. How about you?"
"Doing pretty good myself."
"Say, Benny, are the rumors true?" asked Sil.
"What rumors would those be?"
"About Canada. Are we fixing to be Canadian?"
"No, we're not going to be Canadian! We're Americans! Canada just wants to talk about an alliance. That's all."
"An alliance, eh? Wonder what they want."
"I don't know but I'm sure Captain Bridger will let everyone know as soon as he finds out." They nodded and conversation carried on to other things.
[Scene Change]
"Well, you're looking a bit better," said Jim falling in step beside Lonnie as she left the mess hall.
"Thanks," said Lonnie smiling at him. "I feel a lot better."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about that. I meant the shower. It worked wonders." Lonnie laughed and punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"Where were you? I missed you at dinner."
"I got caught up with things," shrugged Jim. "I'll eat later."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Why don't we go down to the moonpool to talk?"
"You know, you don't need to do this. I'm fine. I was just letting off some steam."
"We've been so busy that we haven't gotten to spend any time together." Lonnie laughed.
"We spend all our time together!"
"That was work. It's not the same." Jim stopped in the corridor scuffing his feet uncomfortably. "Look, we don't have to do this. I'd just missed spending time with you is all."
"No! I want to," protested Lonnie immediately. She placed her hand on his arm. "I'm sorry."
Their eyes met for a brief heated moment then they both stepped away. They traveled the remaining distance in silence. Neither one was willing to look at the other. Reaching the moonpool, they took off their shoes and rolled up their pant legs. Sitting side by side, they dangled their feet in the water.
"So what did your parents do now?"
"What?" asked Lonnie astonished. "How did you know it was about my parents?"
"Easy," he laughed. "Whenever you're upset, it's always their fault."
"Yeah, I guess so." She sighed. "It's my trust fund again. They've cut me off and are trying to take the money."
"Well, it's frustrating not having money but it does belong to them."
"No, it doesn't. That money is mine. They just can't stand that my grandmother left everything to me."
"So how can they cut you off from it?" asked Jim confused.
"Because it's a trust fund. They can't spend it but they can stop me from spending it. I don't get full access until I'm twenty-five."
"I don't know. It just seems odd for a family to be fighting over money."
"It's not just about money. They think they've been cheated and they hate that I won't just give them the money. I was the daughter they never wanted. It burns them to see me with everything."
"How long has this been going on?"
"Ten years," she said blandly.
"But you would have been just a child!" She shrugged. "Wow, you really are the poor little rich girl. I guess the question is just what did you inherit?"
"My grandmother's estate," she began quietly. "About twenty-seven million dollars then a few properties."
"Wow," gasped Jim. "I can see why your parents were upset to lose that."
Lonnie tensed. She stared down at her feet where they were making waves in the water.
"Lenore," he said softly turning her head to look at him. "It's not going to change how I feel about you. A little money's nothing compared to you as a person."
Slowly, without even meaning to do it, Jim leaned over and gently kissed Lonnie. She returned the kiss ever so softly then pulled back with a sigh.
"We still can't do this, you know," she said.
"You're not my student anymore," argued Jim.
"Of course I am and you're still my superior."
"We could work around it," he insisted.
"Jim, I don't want to work around it. You're my best friend, maybe my only friend here. I don't want to jeopardize that."
"I see," said Jim stiffly. He felt distinctly embarrassed. "I guess I'll be going then."
"Don't," cried Lonnie terrified she'd just lost his friendship anyway. "Please don't do this!"
"I'm still you're friend, Lonnie. I just…I just need some time alone right now." Gathering his things, he left her alone in the moonpool.
[Scene Change]
"I'm leaving with Carla," said Miguel abruptly. The two had been sitting alone in their room for hours. Neither had been willing to break the oppressive silence.
"OK," answered Tim numbly. He congratulated himself on being able to keep his voice steady. Inside, a tiny voice was chanting "No no no…" He could feel his heart crumbling as he focused his attention on his hands. Across the room, Miguel began gathering his belongings for packing.
"It's for the children," explained Miguel. "They need a father figure."
"I understand," replied Tim while inside he was thinking that he would never understand.
"We're getting married." Tim choked on a whimper. "I've asked the Captain to perform the ceremony.
"I see." Tim wondered how much longer this torture could last. How could Miguel stand there telling him these things so nonchalantly? Why wasn't Miguel bothered when it was ripping him apart?
"You could come with us," said Miguel questioningly.
"I don't think your WIFE would like that very much," gritted Tim.
"She doesn't know about us. We wouldn't have to tell her. I'm sure Bridger would let you go if you asked."
"Do you realize what you're asking? You want me to be your mistress!"
"Tim," said Miguel, looking hurt. "I just don't want to lose you. I lo- "
"Don't! Don't you dare say it!" Tim squeezed his eyes shut battling rage and despair. "Get out. Just get out!"
"This is my room too!" protested Miguel.
"Fine." Tim stood and marched out of the room. When the hatch closed, there was only silence left.