By Molly
Disclaimer: They're not mine they're theirs.
Authors Note: I have rated this story PG13 because of what I have planned for the future of this story. At the moment there is no need to worry. Also some of the spelling and grammar may be off, I do not have a beta...sorry...and I'm also an Aussie so I spell things backwards to the way America does...also sorry. Anyway enough rambling, onto the fiction...
Crocker looked down at his list of people who had returned from shore leave. All were present and accounted for except one...He checked his watch again. Twenty minutes and counting, Nathan was not going to be impressed. They all knew Lucas had a habit of being late and had therefore that him that SeaQuest was due to leave half a hour earlier then it was in fact due to leave and so that made Lucas a total of fifty minutes late. Crocker didn't want to be near the captain when he finally caught up with Lucas. He hoped that the boy had a good excuse because by the way that Nathan had fumed earlier in the week when Lucas was late for a Dinner meeting with the senior members of crew he didn't think that Nathan would be too understanding with this latest episode.
Out of breath and running as fast as he could Lucas ran from the Taxi and to the awaiting SeaQuest. He knew he had overpaid the driver by more than an acceptable amount when the driver's eyes nearly popped out of his head when Lucas told him to keep the change. Of course the driver didn't complain or offer any of it back. Lucas ran up to Crocker who looked like he was going to rip Lucas' head off. "You're late" was all he said, Lucas knew he was dead. If that was all Crocker was saying to him then the Captain was totally pissed off. Crocker was hardly every this lenient on him unless he knew that he was going to get into even more trouble with Nathan or Ford or someone.
At least Lucas had a good excuse this time. Now the only challenge was getting Nathan to hear him out. That was going to be more luck than management. He didn't really want to face Nathan but he knew that it was inevitable.
On the Bridge Crocker had just informed Nathan that everyone was finally present. He was fuming that it had been Lucas that had caused the initial hold up. He was planning on having a long and serious talk to that boy before that day was over. He couldn't help feel disappointed that Lucas had let him and the rest of the staff down by his continual lack of consideration for others. This he thought was going to be the main topic of conversation.
"Okay Jonathan you have the Bridge" Nathan felt his presence was no longer needed here but it was definitely needed elsewhere. Mainly in the company of one blond haired, blue eyed teen. He walked slowly from the Bridge planning what he was going to say; promising himself over and over again that he would not lose him temper this time. He would be calm and rational and listen to what the boy had to say. He prayed to God that he had something remarkably good as his excuse.
Lucas dumped his bag into his quarters and went looking for the Captain, he was sure that he was on the Bridge and so, slowly made his way there. He had thought that perhaps he should leave it a while and let Nathan calm down a bit before venturing into the unknown. But Lucas was never one to hold much patience and he knew Nathan wasn't either. And so he wasn't the slightest surprised when he ran into him in the corridor.
"Captain"
"Lucas..."
"...We need to talk..." the both replied in unison. Together they walked neither one realizing they were headed towards the moonpool. The uncomfortable silence drew on and on. Finally becoming too much and Lucas spoke. "Captain I'm really sorry. I really tried to get here on time. Honest I did. Something just popped up"
"Popped up did it? Interesting how that always seems to happen with you Lucas"
"I know it seems that way a lot of the time..."
"All of the time"
"All right then all of the time. But honestly this time it was different. My dad wanted to talk to me about something really important and I tried to explain to him about the time and everything but he just kept going. I think he didn't really want me to go or something."
"Lucas...enough...I've heard enough, I've heard this before."
"But Captain..."
"No buts Lucas. Not this time. You need to realize that you are a part of this crew, that you a one of many people and that you need to consider more than yourself"
"Captain...weren't you listening?"
"Lucas just leave my sight..."
Lucas couldn't believe that his rational loving Captain had just used the same phrase in that same unkind voice that his mother did. He could feel the tears coming forth and the last person he wanted to see him cry was standing right in front of him. They had almost reached the moonpool. Lucas so desperately wanted to go to Darwin but he couldn't instead he turned and ran. He didn't care where to he just wanted to be away from Bridger. The one person he thought loved him and was different from all other adults.
He ran until he could run no more he was completely exhausted, after the run to the ship and then his most recent physical excerption he felt the need to rest a while. He looked around at where he had ended up. He wasn't sure how long he had run. He had made a couple of stops. Once he had regained control of his emotions he continued running anyway. He looked around and noticed that he was outside Bridger's quarters. 'Great' he thought 'just where I want to be'. He couldn't help but feel hostile and somewhat disappointed in the Captain. He looked up and saw Nathan looking at him. His face was stern but his eyes told a different story. "Lucas...I'm sorry I shouldn't have spoken to you that way..."
"...Pardon..." Lucas panted out, he couldn't help but feel completely worn out, it was taking his every effort to concentrate on Nathan's words. Nathan continued his heart felt apology to Lucas noticing that every once in a while Lucas lost part of what he was saying. Eventually Nathan decided his apology could wait. "Lucas are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, just peachy"
Nathan heard Lucas' sarcastic reply and noticed Lucas pale slightly before passing out. Nathan barely caught him in time.