A Question of Trust

Chapter 15

By Kiddo

In Loving Memory Of Jonathan Brandis

Disclaimer:

I don't have any rights to the TV show "seaQuest." I also don't own the different characters like Bridger, Lucas, or Darwin. I'm not making any money with this story; I'm just writing for my own pleasure.

A spezial „Thank You" goes to Jackie for beta-reading and to dolphinology, wolenczak2004, Swasti, KatKnits, TeacherTam and Lynnp for their reviews.

dolphinology: Thanks! I think the relationship between Lucas and his parents is really difficult and strange. So everything is psosible.

wolenczak2004: Tahnks! Here is more…

Swasti: Thanks, let's see what Lawrence really has to say…

KatKnits00:Thanks!

TeacherTam: Thanks! I totally agree with you about the Relationship between Krieg and Lucas. It's really sad that Krieg wasn't in the second season.

Lynnp: Thanks! You will here a little bit more about Oliver in this chapter.

Reviews and feedback is always welcome.

Exactly one hour later, Captain Bridger was back in his cabin, waiting for Lawrence Wolenczak's call. A few minutes later, he looked at his watch. Why wasn't the scientist calling? Nathan got more nervous with each passing second.

To distract himself, he tried to think of something else. The first thing that came to his mind was Oliver and his parents. First, he had planned to tell the Stevens what had happened with their son himself, but Admiral Noyce had said that that wasn't such a good idea. Bill thought that it would be better if an expert spoke with Oliver's parents face to face. There would be also a psychologist going with the expert.

After some thought, Bridger also agreed that that would be the best way to handle the situation. After all, he could only give them a call on the Vidphone; sometimes it was just better to talk in person.

His thoughts moved on to the terrorists and his nephew. Neither Ford nor Crocker had been able to get any information out of them. They still didn't know exactly what the terrorists had wanted with the seaQuest. There would be a big trial coming in the near future.

Finally, the Vidphone rang. Bridger immediately touched the answer button, and Dr. Wolenczak's face appeared on the screen.

"Hello, Captain. I have now spoken with my ex-wife," said Lawrence.

Nathan felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. "Were you able to come to a decision?"

The scientist smiled. He could clearly see how anxious the captain was. "Yes, for once were able to agree. Cynthia and I know that we're terrible parents, but we love our son, and we are proud of what he has become. With that being said, we never manage to give him what he deserves. We can't even tell him how much he means to us. We disappoint him at every turn; we always put our needs much higher than his. We know that, but we still do it all the time and probably will for the rest of our lives. The littlest things turn into huge arguments. Can you remember when you insisted on going to dinner with me and Lucas?"

Bridger nodded; he could remember it very clearly.

"It always turns out that way. Even if we put forth the best effort possible, it always ends in a big fight. Perhaps Cynthia and I have neglected Lucas so much that something between us has been broken. And our divorce has also been a burden to Lucas. We each had the opinion that the other one would have have more time to care for our son. We both wanted to shove him to the other. And Lucas has often heard how his mother and I have argued. There were no days before the divorce when we weren't arguing. And during the divorce, we still argued; who would get this, who whould get that, and mainly who would care for Lucas. But he's probably told you about everthing."

Nathan nodded. "He hasn't told me everything, but quite a few things. For example, he's never told me that you were arguing about him." Bridger thought about it. No wonder that the teenager really hated arguments.

Dr. Wolenczak continued. "Finally, we agreed that Lucas would stay with my ex-wife. The whole time Lucas was staying with her, I don't think I called him even once. I also forgot his birthday. He tried to call me a few times and left messages for me, but I never responded. After some time, Cynthia met another man. Maybe you can imagine how Lucas was really in her way then. Oh, by the way, his name is Gary. Gary and Lucas can't stand each other; they don't get along at all. So, my ex-wife called me and begged me to take Lucas. But, I didn't want to. I couldn't take him because of my World Power project. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to place him on the seaQuest. I'm sure you think terribly of us, and you have every right to. We have done too many bad things to our son. And, therfore, we have decided that for once, we will do what is best for Lucas and consider his wishes. I know that you love our son like he was yours and don't treat him as a stranger. You will treat him well. Cynthia and I have decided that you will have legal custody of Lucas. We will get the paperwork done as soon as possible. We owe him that. He'll finally have the life he's earned..."

Captain Bridger could only say two words. "Thank you."

Dr. Wolenczak shook his head. "You don't need to thank us, and Lucas shouldn't thank us either. Cynthia and I are finally doing the right thing. We have realized our mistakes and don't want to stand in the way of our son's future. Maybe, in a few years, we can sit down with Lucas and talk about everything. But now, it's not possible for us. We'll send you the paperwork. I do have one last favor to ask you."

"What is it?" asked Nathan.

"Could you still send us the reports about Lucas? We really want to know how he's doing. But please, don't tell him you're doing that."

Captain Bridger looked curiously at the scientist. "Of course I can still send you the reports. But why shouldn't he hear about it?"

Lawrence groaned. "Even if we have been bad parents, we know our son a little bit. If he knew about this, he would feel guilty. But we don't want that; he has no reason to have those feelings. We want him to enjoy his new life without worries."

The captain of the seaQuest nodded. "I think I know what you mean."

The scientist bowed his head. "There's something else I have to tell you. Lucas is brighter than you think. He isn't 16, he's only 14 years old."

To Dr. Wolenczak's amazement, the captain wasn't surprised. "We already know about that. Lucas kind of let it slip out while everything was happening. And, he's already explained why his birth certficate has the wrong date on it. I can tell you, we were all really surprised by that news and a little disappointed."

Dr. Wolenczak lowered his eyes again. "Please don't be mad at him! Cynthia and I made him do it. I was the one who ordered him to hack into those records. On his own, he would have never had the idea to change his records. He is too honest to do something like that."

"My crew and I aren't mad at Lucas because of that. It was quite clear to us that it was his parents' idea and not his. We were only disappointed in you," explained Bridger.

There were a few moments of silence. Then, Lawrence looked at his watch and sighed. "I'm sorry, but I have a very important meeting in 10 minutes. I really have to end this call. The whole thing has already taken too much time. Goodbye."

Before Nathan had a chance to reply, the screen went blank. Lucas' father had ended the conversation. The captain shook his head. Only a few minutes ago, the scientist had admitted that they were terrible parents and had even sounded remorseful. And then, he just ended the conversation because it had already taken too much of his time. Bridger could only shake is head. Maybe some people just couldn't change, even when they saw their mistakes and admitted to them. In any case, he now wanted to tell the teenager the good news.

To Be Continued …in one more chapter.

Written Spring 2003 / Translated Winter 2005