A/N: Thanks again Kathy :).
Dr. Sanderson was right Lucas had slept through the night. The next morning, Nathan walked into Lucas' room, followed by a still slightly pale Kristen. Lucas had woken up briefly when Nathan and Kristen went to eat breakfast. They didn't worry about leaving him alone because Ben had refused to leave his side. Seeing Lucas in the hospital bed still unnerved Nathan. He didn't think that he would ever get used to seeing Lucas this way.
Nathan walked over to the opposite side of the bed to Kreig. Trying not to wake either him or Lucas. He sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs the hospital provided. He looked at Lucas' still frame, from top to toe. When he finally looked back to the teen's face a pair of pale blue eyes greeted him.
"Morning sunshine," Nathan tried to maintain some light heartedness, "How are you feeling?"
"Okay, tired, but okay."
Kristen stood at the end of the bed, slowly looking over his chart. She already knew what it said but she went over it one more time to be certain. "Lucas, we need to have a serious discussion when Dr. Sanderson comes around. Do you think you'll be up to it?" Kristen was sympathetic to how Lucas must be feeling but she knew that they needed to tell him what was going on.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
Two hours later, Doctor Sanderson came and gave Lucas the details of his condition. He was told about the medication that he had been started on the night before and it was stressed to everyone present Lucas, Nathan, Kristen and Ben that Lucas was to be careful when exhorting himself. He was to minimise swimming activities. They would monitor his condition over the next couple of months and determine whether or not any surgical procedures would be necessary. However, Sanderson thought that Lucas condition would probably respond well to the beta blocking medication that he had prescribed and doubted it would ever come to more drastic measures. After putting everyone at ease about the Long QT, Sanderson left the crew members to talk amongst themselves.
"So I can leave in a couple of days huh?" Lucas could barely suppress the smile.
"It would seem so kiddo." Nathan had taken hold of Lucas' hand while the doctor was explaining the ins and outs of his condition and was reluctant to let it go. Lucas didn't seem to mind at all.
"Sorry about the surprise party, I actually forgot it was my birthday, with everything that had been happening"
"Well I guess you won't be needing this any more," Krieg piped up, showing Lucas a fake ID with his picture on it, "man, I couldn't wait to get you into the clubs..."
"Krieg, what did I say about not wanting to know," Nathan tried to look stern at Ben but couldn't quite pull it off.
"See kiddo that was why everyone was acting different around you. The crew put in for this for you," Nathan handed over the gift-wrapped box to his young friend. Lucas took it and immediately tore the paper off, he couldn't contain his excitement, his blue eyes regained their sparkle as he saw latest computer gismo and his mouth started to ramble about all the features. Both Nathan and Kristen laughed at their friend.
"That's not the best bit."
"No?"
"Nope, this..." Nathan said, "is keys to a motorbike, I thought that you might like your own means of transportation the next time you come to stay at the island. However you have to promise that you will ALWAYS wear a helmet, never drink and drive, even though you're too young for that" Nathan glanced at Krieg, "and always be responsible riding it. It's registered in my name."
Lucas was speechless, his mouth moved, opening and closing like a fish. Eventually he gave up and just opted to hug the captain. "This is the best seventeenth ever."
"I'm glad you think so." Nathan let Lucas lie back onto the bed. "I guess we should make some arrangements with the crew until you come home."
Two days later Lucas was back on board the seaQuest, he made it a point to thank all the senior crew and a couple of the other members for his gift. Nathan still made it a point to look out for him, but overall everything was back to normal.