Chapter Thirteen

Bridger looked up from his book when he heard a knock at his door. "Come in," he called, removing his reading glasses as he put the book on the table.

The door opened and Lucas entered, closing the door behind him.

"Sit down," Bridger pointed to a chair across from his. Lucas sat, frowning.

"What's up?" he asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about Lex."

"You don't approve of her," Lucas scowled, tensing.

"I don't know her! At least, not as well as you seem to."

"I'm not a child, Captain."

"I know, Lucas, I know. That's not what I wanted to talk about." Bridger pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tomorrow morning we'll be docking in Vancouver. The reason we're going there is to reunite Lex with her father."

"That's great!" Lucas replied enthusiastically, his eyes alight as he leaned forward.

"Maybe, maybe not." Bridger cautioned. "Keep in mind that Lex ran away from home when she was ten, and nobody is quite sure why. This is going to be difficult for both of them."

"How can I help?"

"Well, you seem to have gotten close to Lex these last couple of days. She trusts you and is more open and relaxed with you around. I'd like for you to be there when they meet. Hopefully she won't panic and feel threatened."

"Of course I'll be there! But what about the UEO? What are they going to do about the supply station?"

"I honestly don't know, Lucas. That'll be up to Admiral Noyce to decide, and I don't know how much leeway he'll be allowed. Those kids grabbed some pretty expensive stuff."

Lucas nodded, shifting in his chair. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that."
"Did she give you the names of the others?"

"No," Lucas shook his head, "but we've been talking and she wants to go straight and get a real job. Basically, start over."

"That's a good idea," Bridger nodded slowly, then squinted his eyes knowingly. "What's the catch?"

Lucas nervously licked his lips. "Well, I was wondering if there was any way you could get her on SeaQuest."

Now Bridger frowned. "Doing what?"

"Well, she helped Doctor Westphalen and I this morning. She could help out in the lab."

"Lucas-"

"Captain, please! SeaQuest is the first place Lex has ever felt safe. She has friends here."

"You're here, you mean?" Bridger said softly.

Lucas looked at his hands. "That's not the only reason."

The captain leaned forward, looking at his young charge with kindness. "Lucas, I know you care for her and want her close, but I don't know that SeaQuest is the best place for her."

"How can it not be?" Lucas asked passionately. "Since she's been here, she's changed. She's getting better around water, she's helping in the lab, she's made friends, she wants to go straight. This is like rehab for her! Even if she did have the uncontrollable urge to steal, what is there for her to take and where would she go with it?!"

"And what about her reunion with her father?"

"If it goes well, he could spend some time here with her, and they can keep in touch through the internet and phones. And if it goes badly, at least she'd have us."

Bridger was silent for a long time, admitting, to himself at least, that all fo Lucas' points were valid. Looking across at Lucas, seeing the hope shining in his eyes, Bridger's heart clenched. So many people had abandoned Lucas over the years, for one reason or another. It was the least he could do to approach his old friend with the proposition. "I'll see what I can do," he said, sighing as he stood.

Lucas jumped out of his own chair. "Thank you," he said with excitement, thrusting out his hand. Before Bridger could clasp it though, Lucas' enthusiasm got the better of him and he crushed Bridger in a grateful hug.

Bridger laughed softly as he hugged him back. "Don't thank me yet. If I manage to pull this one off, you'll owe me big time."

Lex frowned as Lucas shifted yet again. The bed was narrow which meant that every time one moved, the other got jabbed. "What's with you?" she asked sleepily.

"I'm sorry. I just can't seem to fall asleep."

Lex rolled over to lay on her side, facing him. "Why not?"

"I guess I'm just too excited ." Lucas grinned at her.

"I'm about to be arrested and probably spend the next thirty years of my life in jail, and you're excited?"

Lucas laughed. "It may not be that bad."

"Right, I might only get twenty-five years."

"You might not get any years," he said, kissing her forehead.

Lex frowned in amusement. "Come again?"

Lucas' smile widened. "I talked with Captain Bridger and he's going to try and see if you can stay on SeaQuest."

"You mean I have to join the UEO?"

"Only if you want to. You could always stay as a civilian. Like me."

"But unlike you, I'm not a genius. The only skills I have aren't very useful here," Lex cautioned him.

Lucas refused to have his mood dampened. "Maybe not, but we'll have time to find you new ones."

Lex looked at him, shaking her head with a smile, before she rolled her eyes and turned her back to him, snuggling her bottom against his stomach. "So that's what's got your panties in a twist, huh?"

"Not only that," he replied happily, hugging her tightly to him. "You're going to meet someone special tomorrow."

"Who?" Lex asked lazily, relaxing into the warm heat of Lucas' body.

"We're meeting your Dad in Vancouver. He can't wait to see you."

Lucas was so caught up in his excitement, that he never felt Lex tense, or heard her breathing catch.