"Lucas, I think you ought to head back to your bunk now. To say that you've had a long day would be been an understatement. We'll contact Chatton and get this set up as soon as possible." Bridger said. Lucas nodded dumbly.

"Captain, if you don't mind, I'll go with him," Ellie said. "We have a lot of talking to do."

"Of course," Bridger replied.

Lucas stood and headed out of the room, Ellie following him. He stopped in the corridor and faced her. The two just stared at each other for a moment, before Lucas reached out and took her hand. "My mother," he whispered.

Ellie bit her lip, and nodded. "It's just as weird for me as it is for you. But you need some rest Lucas, you look terrible."

"Thanks," he replied with a smirk. Still holding her hand, he guided her down the passageways that led to Mammal Engineering and his quarters. Once inside, he looked around, a bit ashamed of the mess but almost too tired to care.

"Sorry for the mess," he said.

"Don't be, you're 17, I expect nothing less than complete anarchy in your own space," she replied with a smile. "I'd be disappointed if it was all crazy neat in here. Lawrence is like that, a neat freak."

"Boy is he ever," Lucas commiserated, sitting down on his bunk and motioning to the chair.

Ellie sat down, and looked at all of the things on his desk. Picking up a mini disk she stared at it. "What's this?"

"A mini disk; that one's data on the ship's systems. The green ones are my music collection."

"Oh? We still listen to CD's and they're a lot bigger than this! What kind of music do you like?"

"I like everything really," he replied.

"Me too," she said. "I sing in a band you know…well, at least I did before I married Lawrence."

Lucas just stared at her. This girl was his mother, and she liked all kinds of music and even sang in a band. Not like Cynthia, who was a music snob and couldn't sing a note if she tried.

"Hey, Lucas…got any crackers in here? I don't feel well."

"Ummm…yeah, here," he said, pulling some cheese crackers out of his secret space. "Motion sickness?"

"No, morning sickness," she replied. At that moment, both realized the implications of what she had just said.

"That's me…in there?" Lucas said, incredulously.

"I guess so," Ellie replied.

"Whoa, talk about weird." Lucas said.

Ellie nodded and ate another cracker. "Tell me what your life has been like," she said, after she'd finished chewing.

"Well, I was done with elementary school by 9, graduated high school by 13 and had my college degree by 16," he began.

"Wow, are you a genius?" Ellie asked him, shocked.

"Yeah that's what they say, 245 IQ."

"Jesus! Way to go Lucas," she said, smiling.

"Thanks," he said, grinning. "We moved a lot because of my Dad's, I mean, Lawrence's work and I got bored easily. So he sent me here."

Ellie nodded. "Sounds like Lawrence. Can't confront anything head on."

"You don't sound like you like him very much."

"No, I do, in my own way. Not anymore after some of the revelations here today. But no, I'm not in love with him."

"Then why did you marry him?"

"Hmm…because at the time it seemed like what I should do. It was a mistake."

Lucas was quiet for a minute. "He's not a nice person, and he doesn't care much about me."

"I'm sorry Lucas," she said. "I wish I could prevent all of this for you. We would have been okay, just you and I."

Lucas looked up at her, seeing how sincere she was. A life with her, no nannies, no fear, just happiness and love. He felt deeply what he was missing. He looked down, his expression darkening.

"Hey," she said, "It's okay; you've made it this far Lucas. You're free."

Lucas looked up again, realizing that she had clearly read what no one else would have seen. She was his mother, indeed.

"Yeah, you're right. In a way, I am."

"More than in a way. You are. You're away from him. In a year you'll be considered an adult and you won't have to have anything more to do with him if you don't want to. It seems like the Captain cares a lot about you."

"You noticed that?"

"Of course. He's a good father figure to have."

Lucas nodded. He looked at her again, looking for physical similarities but seeing none. As if she were reading his mind, Ellie said, "You look like your father. You have my personality," she laughed.

Lucas laughed with her and then rubbed his eyes. He was exhausted. Ellie picked up on this immediately and stood up.

"Lucas, lay down. You need to get some sleep."

"What about you?"

"I'll be okay," she said.

Lucas laid back and kicked off his shoes. He sighed as his back relaxed. To his surprise, Ellie squeezed next to him. He turned his head to look at her.

"Sorry, making you uncomfortable?"

"No, just a shock is all. I've never been a physical person, this never happened at home. I had a nanny."

Ellie frowned. "That sucks," she said flatly.

Lucas couldn't stifle the laugh and quickly had her laughing too. He turned on his side and backed up to the glass as far as he could, giving her some more space. She too, turned on her side so that they were facing each other. He still felt so drawn to her, but now he knew why. His connection to her was so strong, unlike anything he'd known.

"Close your eyes Lucas," Ellie said softly.

Lucas did as he was bid, closing his eyes. He felt Ellie's hand move to his head again, stroking his hair lightly. It made his whole body tingle and then flood with warm relaxation. He felt every muscle in his body relax for the first time in what felt like ages. He took a deep breath, and sighed, contentedly. And then he was asleep, the most restful sleep he'd had in a long time.