A/N-The basic end of the story. I'll have the crew reactions and celebration on a different story set. I've one part finished, just need to print and beta it.
Also this chapter has some really nice language, could make it pg 13 or R depending on your thoughts of the words.
Thanks for staying with this to the end. It wasn't hard to write, just hard to find the time.
Bud-Lt Roberts
Mazzy- Chief Crocker 1st season SQ.
The weeks went by, with plans for the SeaQuest coming along beautifully. They got regular updates from Bill and the JAG lawyers. There had been some calls for mediation, but the offers were absurd. The best of the lot was give us Lucas and we might not sue. Lucas had really wanted to tape the sounds of laughter and send them to the man. He thought he could sue a military crew. The man really needed a reality check.
The crew had wanted to come, show their support, but Lucas had nixed the idea. He had told them, he knew they loved him. The meeting was only a preliminary waste of time that would result in nothing. He even promised to bring back something from the mall for each person. They tried to tell him it wasn't nescessary, but he'd hear nothing of it.
Finally it came down to a pretrial meeting. It was to be held in a court office, with MP's standing down the hall. Nathan went along with Lucas, but Harm thought it best if Lucas face Lawrence by himself in the meeting. He explained that both he and Mac were fully trained in various defense measures. There were also cameras with excellent audio capabilities in all corners of the room. They had a person who monitored the room at all times. Nathan hadn't liked it, but he did understand that Lucas would have to face the man behind the nightmares. This would be the safest enviroment to do so.
They arrived at Falls Church Virginia three days before the meeting. Lucas had been having at least three nightmares a night. It was to the point that Nathan slept in the same bed with him. Kristen had sent some heavy sedatives just in case this happened. They did manage to go shopping, finding little things for the rest of the crew. Lucas even picked out some black hills gold earrings for Kristen. They looked beautiful, plus, she'd love anything he got her.
They met with Mac the day before the meeting, taking her to lunch at an outdoor bristo. They talked over the strategy, trying to figure out if it would really require a judge or jury. Mac didn't think so, especially since the only protest was coming from a non existent father. The person in question didn't want to be released from the contract. It was hard to argue influence when by all accounts, Lawrence had had little to no contact with the boy during his tour on the ship. He'd always been too busy, now Lucas was too busy to spare time to deal with him. Cat's in the Cradle all the way.
The day arrived, with Lucas looking tired, but determined. He let Nathan dress him, picking out ties and matching shirts. Nathan was nervous, but tried to be calm. This would probably be a wash anyway. They ate breakfast at Brenda's on the corner. It was a wonderful greasy spoon type place where the waitress called you honey no matter who you were.
Lucas looked at Nathan over his juice glass.
"It's going to be fine."
Nathan smiled.
"That's my line. I'm just worried. He's crazy to drag this into court."
"Crazy could be his middle name. He is so used to getting his way, that it's difficult for him to see any other solution."
"True. How can you eat all of that and not get indigestion?"
Lucas looked at his plate. It once contained fried eggs, hash brown, beacon, toast, plus a side of biscuits and gravy. He just shrugged.
"I happen to love the grease. We had a similar place near campus. It was great, you could get breakfast a 3 A.M. if you fancied. The waitresses were so used to half stone or drunk college kids, they didn't care what you ordered."
Nathan laughed.
"There were several places Bill and I went like that. They would never be mistaken for the Ritz, but they were great."
Lucas smiled, relaxing somewhat.
"We'd better get going. I want to get this done."
Nathan nodded.
"Ok, but if he tries anything, let the officers and MP's take care of him. You may know self defense, but he still outweighs you."
"Yeah, moves slower too."
With that, they paid the tab, and walked to the building. Nathan went stayed up in Mac's office, while Lucas went with the officers to the meeting.
Lucas sat in the office with the JAG officers and Lawrence with his high paid lawyer. Lucas could tell there was something wrong with the deal. Nathan had wanted to be present, but the JAG people had been reassuring about their abilities to defend Lucas if the occasion arose.
The conference went normal with proposals and counter proposals being tossed between the sides. Lucas' side was only accepting complete termination of parental allegiances and complete non contact. Lawrence's side wanted basic visitation rights. So far there was no compromise. Lucas had started out glaring at Lawrence, but was now bored with the whole proceedings. He was currently wondering if a spontaneous death of the vile man would halt the proceedings. Then he saw Lawrence move his hands under the table. He saw an arch of electricity, then watched as the JAG officers slumped in their chairs.
Lawrence jumped across the table, knocking the stunned JAG officers from their chairs. His own lawyer sat wide eyed, trying to figure out what was even going on. Lucas reacted, but not fast enough. Lawrence had a hold of him, smiling menacingly.
"So, where are your precious Captain and 'family" now?"
Lucas' eyes narrowed. If this man wanted a fight, he would have it.
Lawrence pulled back, punching Lucas as hard as he could. The blond head thumped against the floor. Behind them, the lawyer screamed for the man to stop. He ran to the door, trying to get someone's attention.
Lawrence's second punch landed, but Lucas was able to block it partially. He was able to roll the larger man off of him. He moved into a position that enabled him free range with his arms. He drove the butt of his hand into the other man's face, breaking his nose instantly.
Lawrence grunted, feeling the blood pouring down his face.
"They taught me how to deal with shit like you."
Lawrence was on his feet more quickly than Lucas thought possible. The man intended on kicking the ingrate he'd created hard enough to make his head spin, but the young man grabbed the extended calf, sinking his thumb into the place below the knee where the two muscle heads met. Lawrence screamed in pain as he fell clutching his calf.
Lucas looked down at the man who'd offered only his sarcasm and hatred over the years. He really did look pitiful. Lucas distanced himself from the prone man. He was known to get a second wind when he was enraged.
He made sure Lawrence couldn't reach him, then said.
"Don't fucking touch me again. You are nothing to me. I lived with all your shit when I had to. I will not tolerate it any longer."
With tears running down a bruised face, he looked at the other man.
"You have haunted my nightmares and life long enough. I was always your fall person. I was never good enough. Work went wrong? Somebody cut you off in traffic? Beat the hell out of Lucas. He deserved it. He's what holds me back. Then it was always someone else's fault. Something else always made you hurt me. It made you not responsible for your actions. I should have known to get out of your way.
Guess what? It's not my fault. You fucked up. You are responsible for it all. Your bad day was exactly that. YOURS."
Lucas walked over to where the JAG lawyers lay dazed. He checked their pulses, making sure they were breathing. The lawyer came back in with medical officers and MP's, babbling to anyone who could hear that he'd known nothing about it. He was really trying to cover his ass.
The medical officers tried to check Lucas, but he demanded the JAG people get the help first. He probably had a broken zygomatic bone and process, maybe a slight concussion. That would heal and be fine. He had taken much harder knocks in his life.
Lucas laughed, causing the people around him to look up. He smiled, but then grimaced as the bruised skin and muscle moved. He heard a slight sigh, knowing that yes, the bones were broken.
He knelt by fallen officers, trying to help as best he could. He helped move Mac's body into a more comfortable position. She looked at him, slowly becoming oriented.
"Lucas? God, what happened?"
"Nothing, it's over. Don't be sorry. Are you ok?"
She nodded slowly. She looked at his battered face and bruised arms. Tears formed in her eyes.
He gently wiped them away. His gesture of kindness only made more form.
"Don't cry for me. I'll be fine."
He offered her a small smile.
The MP's had the older Wolenczak in hand cuffs, trying to make him stand. He was screaming about military abuse and retribution, but it fell on deaf ears. They removed the man from the room, followed by a medical officer. He'd check Lawrence out in a locked cell with the armed guard.
The news of the attack reached Nathan, who was none too happy about it. He looked at Lucas' face, then pulled the teen into his arms. He was careful with him, but let him know he was safe. Lucas slumped against the older man, finally crying. The tears marred the beautiful blue eyes, but the expression was one of relief. Nathan looked at the JAG officers who were currently on stretchers. They were still stunned, but coherent. He knew they had protected Lucas as best they could.
Nathan was about to take Lucas back to the hotel, when another JAG lawyer stopped them. He had several papers in his hand.
"Captain Bridger, Lucas Wolenczak?"
"Yes, that's us."
"I'm Lt. Roberts. I have some papers for you to sign. The older Wolenczak signed the paperwork we needed to stop the court case. He has also signed some other paperwork you two will need to look over."
Nathan and Lucas looked at each other, then followed the man back into the JAG headquarters. They sat down at an empty desk. The first set of papers was just a standard sign and this is over type. It ended the ordeal. The second set astonished both Nathan and Lucas. They were signed gaurdianship papers. They cleared Lawrence of any parental responsibility. Lawrence was completely giving Lucas up.
Lucas smiled, even though it made his face throb. He could finally get away, never claim to even be related to the person.
"Do you know what this means? I could legally be yours. I wouldn't have to worry about this ever again!"
Nathan smiled, pulling the youth close. He really didn't mind claiming Lucas as his own, Kristen would be in heaven. They did have Cynthia to consider, but Lucas knew what her answer would be. She would have them signed and sent back, before the ink was dry.
"I'd like that. You could be part of a real family."
Lucas sighed contently.
"I already am. This would just make it legal on paper."
The documents were signed, with Bud drawing up the paperwork for legal adoption. It took very little effort to get Cynthia to sign.
The night was celebrated with cheer and hope. They even took the JAG team out with them, letting Mac pick the restaurant. She chose an excellent tie and jacket place, but it was nice. Lucas even danced with Mac on the beautifully polished floor. She led, but he did know some dance steps. Tim had taught him to dance somewhat.
Lucas sat back in bed, reading his Mad magazine, while Nathan snored. The older man was exhausted. They both were. He knew his life would be better, it may take some ups and downs, but the downs would never be as low as before.
It pleased him immensely that while he had a wonderful dinner and a soft bed, Lawrence was currently in a cold cell with dinner on a tray. The thought alone soothed frazzled nerves. Lawrence would be brought up on charges of assault and battery, attempted murder, bribery, and several other charges. Lucas could care less if the man served a day of prison in his life. He could no longer touch Lucas or his family, that was the important thing to Lucas. He probably deserved the worst fate, but in a way, he already was facing it. He'd lost. He would feel the sting of defeat for years, making him even more bitter than before. Lucas shrugged mentally, let him suffer.