Father and son talked for many more hours. They discussed music, science and the latest developments, politics, books, computers, talked their way through the scrapbook, and Gavin even passed on a few dirty jokes to tell Ben when Lucas returned to the ship.

For Lucas, it was more than he could have hoped for. Talking to Gavin was like talking to that cool, older brother that he'd never had, while all the while being conscious of the fact that this was his father. It also took Lucas' need for revenge even deeper as he became aware that not only had he lost one wonderful parent, but two. He couldn't help but be saddened by the knowledge that his life would have been so much better had he been allowed to grow up with his true parents, those two people who loved him so much that even their deaths couldn't keep them away.

Finally, Ellie made her way upstairs. "Hey, I'm bored all by myself!"

"You're not by yourself, you have your parents," Gavin retorted.

"You're so funny Gav," Ellie replied sarcastically. "Seriously though, I'm feeling a bit left out," she said, pushing her bottom lip out in a mock pout.

"Well you're right on time, because we've pretty much caught up," Gavin said, giving Lucas a wink and a smile.

"Wonderful!" Ellie said, running from the doorway to jump onto the bed next to Gavin. "I'm glad you two had the opportunity to talk, finally."

"Me too," Lucas and Gavin said at the same time, then bursting into laughter.

"I told Lucas he should get a tattoo. What do you think Ells?"

"No he shouldn't!" Ellie cried.

"Why not? You liked mine well enough!"

"You aren't my kid either."

"He's not quite a kid anymore, is he?"

"I hate it when you're right, you know that?"

"I know you do, that's why it's so much fun."

Lucas watched the whole exchange with quiet amusement, interested in how normal married couples acted. He'd never really seen it, and it amazed him to see that the interaction was much like the ones between friends. He knew it ran deeper than that, but the basic premise was the same.

"So, Lucas, you going to get one then? If so, make sure you go to the right place. I bet Gavin could tell you one."

"No, not yet, if ever. I don't think the Captain would let me off ship alone again if I came back with a tattoo."

Ellie laughed. "True, he'd probably freak out on you. But if Ben talked you into it…"

Lucas could see the wheels turning. "Oh no…no, no, no. Don't get Ben involved!"

Ellie stuck her tongue out at him and lay down in front of Gavin, her back to him. He, almost automatically, put his right arm, the one he'd been propping himself up with, underneath her head and wrapped his left around her waist. She closed her eyes and smiled happily. He placed a small kiss on her temple.

"How much longer are you going to stay here Lucas?" Gavin asked.

"Oh, I think only tonight. I have to get back and start working on things. Really though, there is only one thing left to do, and that's to visit the good doctor."

"What is the plan and why does it involve him?" Gavin questioned.

"Well, here is my ultimate goal: to destroy Lawrence. I want to take everything from him the way he has taken it from me. To do that, I'm going to not only destroy his career but also the reputation he has worked so hard to build. Once he loses that, he loses everything. And Cynthia, she won't be immune from this either."

Gavin nodded silently. "I'd leave her out of it Lucas. She had nothing to do with what Lawrence did, and she'll suffer enough when he does. Other than that, I say it is a brilliant strategy."

"Very evil Lucas, all without any violence or physical harm to anyone, well done." Ellie said.

"Hey, at least I picked up something from him. Any trait worth anything I got from you two."

"Ouch," Gavin said.

"Kids! Dinner!" Katherine called up the stairs.

Lucas' eyes lit up at the mention of food. He hadn't eaten any lunch and he was starving. "Food!"

"You know that Katherine does the cooking right?" Gavin asked Lucas.

"No! I thought Margery did it!"

"Only breakfast and lunch. Katherine cooks dinner, always has."

"That makes it even better then. Not only food, but Grandma Katherine's food!"

Ellie laughed. "Come on let's go, before he eats his own hand."

"Ahhh give the kid some credit, he's growing and stuff." Gavin said.

Ellie giggled before jumping up and sprinting down the stairs. Lucas chased after her, running because he was so hungry and knowing that the sooner he got to the table the sooner he'd be able to eat. Gavin wasn't too far behind.

They took their places at the outdoor table, Gavin sitting next to Ellie. Prayers were said and the food passed around. Lucas noticed that neither Ellie nor Gavin took any food, before it struck him once again that they didn't need to eat. He couldn't remember if he'd seen Ellie eat anything when she'd been there as Sam. Katherine noticed too.

"Do you not need to eat?"

"No, we're okay, we don't need anything, thank you Katherine," Gavin replied.

Katherine nodded and dinner proceeded silently. Both Ellie and Gavin looked uncomfortable.

"If you don't mind, we'll leave you to your dinner," Ellie said. "We'll just be inside."

"Certainly, go ahead," Patrick replied.

Both stood and went inside. Lucas watched them go, wondering what they would talk about. He became lost in his own thoughts as he continued eating, Katherine and Patrick doing the same. Once dinner was finished, the same routine followed; everyone breaking apart from each other to do their own thing. Lucas, as usual, headed for the library. He wasn't sure where Ellie and Gavin were.

Settling down in one of the overstuffed chairs, he picked up the book he'd been reading from the small table next to the chair. He flipped to where the bookmark was and began reading again. It was a piece of fiction about vampires by an author named Anne Rice. He liked it so far and was hoping to take it with him back to the ship, along with the books that followed it.

The sounds of the piano suddenly reached his ears, and he looked up furrowing his brow. He marked his place and set the book back down, then stood and walked toward the door. Opening it, he listened as the sound of Moonlight Sonata being played drifted down the hallway to him. He knew that it must be Ellie playing because she'd already played this song when she was here as Sam. He walked out into the hallway, his love for the song drawing him to the music room.

As he came around the corner and looked in, about to say something, he saw Ellie and Gavin both sitting there. Ellie wasn't playing, Gavin was, and she was sitting in front of him on the bench. To play, he had to reach around her, and Lucas realized that this was the point. He felt like he was intruding on something so personal, but his feet wouldn't let him move. He was amazed by the outward display of affection and the generally romantic and sensuous nature of it. He had never seen anyone act this way, though he instinctually recognized the normalcy of it.

He backed slowly away, not wanting to break up the moment, and then turned and walked back down the hallway. Entering the library, he shut the door softly behind him again and then leaned against it. He closed his eyes and let out a breath he hadn't even been realized he'd been holding. He felt suddenly angry that the lives of two people who were so warm and loving had been snuffed out while the lives of two others who were cold and uncaring had been allowed to go on. It shouldn't be that way, he thought to himself. Two people who don't care about others shouldn't be allowed to stay while those who do have to die.

Opening his eyes he walked back to the chair and settled in again, picking up the book and once again beginning to read. At least the dark air of the book matched his mood. He felt suddenly very connected to the somber feelings of the book's main character, Louis. He sank into the words as he and Louis joined forces to ponder the meaning of it all.