Disclaimer: SeaQuest and its characters are not mine.
Well I am half way through exams and so far they have been a nightmare. Yesterdays paper was the worst by far and has managed to get me in a black mood cos the exams have been one disaster after the other. Anyways decided I need a break form studying to lift my spirits and …. Another chapter!
wolenczak2004: I have to admit that the idea of Bridger and Commander Ford stuck together during a conference that neither of them wanted to be in was funny. But would I do that to poor Bridger? Guess there is only one way to find out. ;-) Read on!
KatKnits00 : You're back! Yay! I wanted Lucas as tired as possible to set the scene for this chapter. I realise I am taking a few liberties with this chapter but I really wanted to end it the way I have. Incase you're wondering what on earth I'm talking about.. read on!
Nerene : Thanks for reading this fic and thankyou even more for taking the time to review it. :-) I hope I manage to keep everyone in character throughout the fic. I tend to get carried away so please don't hesitate to put everything back in perspective. ;-)
Aewnaur: Lol the evil plot bunnies? Don't try to ward them away. Who knows when they would come back again? Its funny cos usually whenever I write a fic I get a title and I build the story around the title. It was awful when I was supposed to put a summery, since I had no idea how it was going to turn out I had to go along with 'a Lucas centric fic' cos that was the only bit I was certain about! We evil beings think alike I see, cos throughout the last chapter I wanted to make sure Lucas was exhausted just so that he would be on the verge of falling asleep when he's talking to Bridger. Lol. ;-)
Dolphinology : I was wondering how best to put it, and then decided to stick with 'be.. Lucas' that was the only description that fit. ;-) I'm glad you liked the chapter. I know the last chapter was a bit short so to make up for it this one is a wee bit longer.
TeacherTam: Hmm.. I see what you mean cos if he thinks that the captain did it out of pity or something like that he might never give Bridger another shot…hmmm.. I too hate the idea of them keeping secrets… I'm glad I asked you cos I guess I didn't consider the full consequences of Bridger telling Lucas. ;-)
Kiddo: Explains why I enjoy your stories so much too. Wish I knew German, that way I could follow your other stories too ;-( I've always wanted to learn the language. Well come holidays I will buy some tapes and actually get down to it!
Teresa1: I agree with you completely. When I read it, it is obvious that I'm waffling and you're right when you assumed that it was cos my thoughts are all over the place. I have a tendency to ramble. Hopefully I can cut down on the rambling ;-) But thank you for brining it to my notice. I tried to be less incoherent in this chapter, let me know if it worked. Thank you for taking the time to review! ;-)
Lynn : Thank you for taking the trouble to review! I am glad you like it so far. As selfish as it is I hope you use the work comp this time around too ;-)
Lucas had mumbled something about being there in a couple of minutes and Bridger reckoned that he had disturbed the boy en route to some place judging from his voice. It sounded oddly muffled, like he was far away. Bridger found himself checking his watch every half a minute wondering what was keeping Lucas. He was just about to call Lucas again when someone knocked on his door.
Finally.
Bridger had to make a conscious effort not to laugh. The teen in front of his looked a right awful mess. His hair was all mussed up and his clothes… his clothes were crushed beyond recognition. As if sensing his thoughts Lucas ran a hand through his hair as to tame it but the action had the opposite intended effect as a few more strands of hair stuck out at odd angles. Bridger lost the battle raging inside him as his face cracked in to a smile as he ushered the boy inside. Obviously his slip didn't go unnoticed as Lucas tried in vain to smooth down his clothes.
"I was just about to go to bed." He mumbled in explanation.
'More like; was already in bed.' Bridger mused silently as he nodded along. Perhaps he should have waited till the next day to broach the subject. What was done was done though. He just had to make the best of it.
"Sorry I disturbed you but I have a favour to ask." Perhaps not the most eloquent way to start but at least it was a start. Lucas nodded warily.
"The SeaQuest has been asked to attend a conference on cybernetics…" Bridger watched the teen closely for his reactions as he uttered the first lie out of many that were to come. So far, Lucas seemed intrigued. At least he thought he was, until the boy stifled a yawn.
"..Knowing your interest in the subject I was hoping that you would like to attend the conference with me." Well that much was the truth.
"But it's during the second week of shore leave." Lucas broke in. Bridger could barely contain his smile. Good, obviously Lucas was interested or he wouldn't know when it was. If only the teen would remember the lunch hours so accurately. Or at least remember that there was such a thing as a lunch hour and not skip meals.
"I know it's a lot to ask and that you probably have plans already.." Lie number two. ".. But if you wouldn't mind cancelling your vacation plans just this once? I have to go and I would rather someone who would remotely enjoy cybernetics to come along. One person suffering through the conference is enough. Don't want to make too much of a bad impression."
Lucas seemed to run the idea through his head.
"Well I did want to go for that conference…"
Bridger couldn't contain his smile this time as Lucas tried in vain to stifle yet another yawn.
"Are you sure no one else wants to go for it?" Lucas asked uncertainly. Trust the teen to put others before him even on a simple matter like this.
"You can rest assured that no one would contest you going for the conference." Bridger smirked. " If you refuse they would probably draw lots to pick the poor unfortunate soul who would have to accompany me."
Lucas smiled at that.
"Oh I'm sure that the Commander would go with out a fight if you made it an order."
Obviously the teen wasn't sleepy enough to pass out on an opportunity to make a jibe at someone. It was good to see him up to his usual antics.
"Well yes.. Unfortunately that's not all of it."
Lucas cocked his head, silently waiting for Bridger to finish.
"They are going to be sending us a shuttle and well.. they would be sending it to my island and it would undoubtedly be easier for everyone if you stayed with me until then." Bridger idly wondered which lie he was currently on.
Lucas seemed to digest the information. He had to give it to the kid. He wasn't giving anything away. His poker face was so good that Bridger was uncertain if things were going smoothly. Bridger sighed. This was the part he hated but he had to go through it because the teenager would be instantly suspicious.
"Well if you still don't mind coming along, I can call your father and explain the slight change in plans." Bridger saw the imperceptible cringe that would have gone unnoticed had he not been watching the teen so carefully. He hated causing him any pain but he knew that Lucas would know something was afoot had he not offered.
"Nah, It's all right Captain. I'll let my dad know of the change in plans." Bridger nodded along. He thought as much.
Lucas wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not. This was just too good to be true. Not only did he have actual vacation plans that didn't involve him been cooped up in a house, he gets to see Bridger's island too? He had to be dreaming.
"Well if you still don't mind coming along, I can call your father and explain the slight change in plans."
And the illusion shattered.
He just about stopped himself from cringing. But this was an oddly familiar routine for him. Lucas mentally counted 'one, two, three and';
"Nah, It's all right Captain. I'll let my dad know of the change in plans." He replied as nonchalantly as possible. It was a little trick he had learnt down the years. It was exactly the right amount of time a response required to come forth as genuine. Had he answered any sooner it was sure to come out as too quick, any later and it would be taking too long, but this was the perfect 'I-have-actually-mulled-over-your-offer' response time.
They were interrupted by a constant beep. Lucas was really beginning to really hate the PAL's. Luckily it was for the Captain. After speaking to whom he assumed was the Commander, the Captain looked at him apologetically.
"Sorry kiddo, but I'm needed on the bridge for a moment. Would you mind waiting here for me? I'll just run through the details when I get back."
Lucas nodded his assent while stifling yet another yawn. The Captain shot him a grateful look before he hurried off.
Lucas could barely believe it. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad day after all.
Bridger was cursing his luck. His moment on the bridge had lasted for half an hour. Lucas would have probably gone back to his quarters. So much for sorting everything out. He was afraid that once Lucas was more awake he might see through his ruse. But would it be so terrible if he knew? How could it hurt Lucas to know that someone actually cared for him? Regardless of what Lucas' feelings on the matter were he was going to let that boy know that he cared.
'It just wasn't going to happen today.' He thought sadly as he entered his quarters.
A small scuffling noise alerted him to the fact that he was no longer alone. The sight before him made his heart stop. Lucas had fallen asleep on the chair, his head resting precariously on the edge of the table, one hand on the table while the other hung limply on the side. The scuffling noise he had heard before was Lucas' foot sliding along the floor as he slipped a lit further down the chair. A little bit more and Lucas would be on the floor. Bridger felt that much more guilty for over tiring the boy. As reluctant as he was to wake Lucas he couldn't allow him to sleep in that position anymore.
Bridger carefully picked Lucas up from the chair and was surprised by exactly how light he was. Bridger paused mid-step as Lucas stirred lightly. Lucas made a soft noise as he turned. Bridger laughed to himself softly as Lucas seemed to make himself more comfortable in his arms.
"Oh no you don't. I'm not your pillow." He chuckled softly making way to his bed. Lucas mumbled what could have passed off as a protest as Bridger laid him on the bed. Within seconds he had burrowed his head in the pillows and was fast disappearing into the covers. Bridger smiled softly. It was when Lucas was asleep, when his defences were down that Bridger could see exactly how vulnerable Lucas was.
Bridger moved a stray blonde lock away from Lucas' face. He looked so frail that Bridger felt his heart clench. He wondered if Lawrence Wolenczak had any idea what he was doing to his own son. His anger towards Lawrence was only matched by his pity.
'Do you know what you're missing?'
He knew what he was missing; his bed. It was currently occupied. Bridger gave a low chuckle. He was in a funny predicament.
There he was, the captain of a ship of over two hundred crewmen, with no place to sleep.
