A New SeaQuest

Three

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A/N: all right, I'll plug along with this. I want to thank the reviewers, and the people that encourage me. I can't guarantee how fast the updates will come but as long as this is up, then I will still work on it. Thanks again.

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"Lucas was taken because of the threat he posed to Nelson." Crysta replied.

"Who are you?" Nathan asked.

"Who I am is really not important Nathan." Crysta said seeing that Bridger's eyes went back to Lucas, and Lucas was looking at her. "What I have and what I know are."

"All right, what do you know?" Ford asked.

"I know that something is coming." Crysta stood and started to pace. "Admiral Nelson is planning on taking over the UEO."

"And you know this because?" Kristen asked her eyes also on Lucas.

"Lucas's 'case' came to me about three and a half years ago," Crysta replied stopping to lean against the back of the chair. "I was ordered to retrieve information that he had and then terminate him. But I decided to look into what Lucas had been doing over the past month, and found out that he held the key to what I had been looking for since I was twelve."

"And what is that?" Bridger asked

"Its evidence against Nelson and his plans for the UEO. But when Lucas disappeared so did that information." Crysta replied.

"What do you mean the information disappeared?" Noyce asked as all eyes turned to Lucas.

"It means the only reason they didn't kill him on sight was because they have no idea where the information is." Crysta said. "Or if someone he knows had it, that's why they took SeaQuest, that is why you were all questioned in his death."

"But Luke does right?" Tony asked Lucas's eyes shot up at the nickname; Lucas smiled slightly at hearing it.

"No, I don't remember." Lucas said quietly his eyes going back to Crysta.

"They used several drugs on him that have impaired his memory," Crysta told the group; she knew this was a touchy subject with Lucas, but they had to understand the circumstances.

"Drugs? Why?" Kristen asked her face worried as she looked at him.

"They were in hopes that he would tell where the information was. I think in time his memory of what happened will come back, but we don't have the time to wait." Crysta said starting to pace again.

"All right what do you purpose?" Bridger asked.

"I wasn't lying when I told Nelson that I have SeaQuest, I do have her." Crysta said as she continued to pace.

"It would take months to put her back together," Noyce replied. "I saw them take her apart."

"Lucas?" Crysta said figuring he was the best to give the status.

"She's back together with a few upgrades; she will be sea worthy in another four days." He said seeing the disbelieving looks on the faces of his friends.

"Why don't you show them," Crysta said walking to stand behind Lucas. Lucas reached over and pushing a few buttons he opened the link that looked out over where they were working on the SeaQuest. "I need a crew, so I figured I would come to her crew."

"And if we say no?" Ford asked.

"Then I guess I keep her here at Castlestone, I really don't have any uses for a thousand foot boat, but I won't let them take her apart again." Crysta said returning to her seat.

"So what do you want from us?" Ford asked.

"I want you to take SeaQuest and use her as a research and peacekeeping vessel again. I also want help in finding the information Lucas had." Crysta said.

"You're saying the information is on SeaQuest?" Tim asked.

"Buried somewhere deep within her computer, yes." Crysta said, "I think between Tim and Lucas they should be able to find it."

"You're asking a lot from us, the SeaQuest was decommissioned." Ford replied.

"I know that's why Admiral Noyce is here. I want you to re-commission her." Crysta said turning to Noyce.

"I can think about it and see what I can do," Noyce replied.

"All right, are there any other questions?" Crysta asked looking around the table. Seeing none she stood. "All right, please except my invention to say here for the next four days. If you have any questions please let me know."

Lucas stood and moved to her side; he was slightly nervous with them around. He wasn't sure why but he felt jumpy. He saw Kristen come towards him and smiled as she hugged him. He hugged her back, his eyes going to Nathan.

"Lucas how are you?" Bridger asked.

"I'm good." Lucas said replied, as Kristen drew back to look up at him.

Crysta smiled at the picture they made. This was his family, he may not realize it but it was. She looked to see Miguel speaking with Tim, and Tony looked a bit lost. Moving away she went over to where Tony was standing.

"Are you alright Tony?" Crysta asked.

"Yeah, it's just." Tony stopped to look down at her. "I thought he was dead, and yet here he stands. I was mad because he didn't show up."

"I know." Crysta said nodding her head as she watched them.

"You do?" Tony asked.

"Sure, I was there." Crysta replied. "But I couldn't move fast enough to get to him."

"Oh," Tony replied moving away towards Lucas. She watched for a second then turned to Miguel and Tim.

"Mr. O'Neil it's nice to finally meet you." Crysta replied turning to him.

"Thanks." Tim said shaking her hand.

"I'm hoping you will consider working with us." Crysta replied pleasantly.

"Yeah I think I will." Tim said wanting to know what had happened. Crysta nodded and then moved away from them.

"You work for her?" Tim asked.

"Yeah, she tracked me down four years ago in Cuba. Convinced me I had a lot to offer." Miguel replied. "I thought of going back to SeaQuest but really couldn't bring myself to take the step."

"Oh," Tim said watching as Crysta stopped to talk with Noyce. "So how has Lucas been?"

"Good I think. Crysta and he have seemed to connect, I think he's helping her as much as she's helping him." Miguel said also watching the way Crysta seemed to keep one eye on Lucas and seemed to stay with in his line of vision.

"Yeah I noticed that when he first came in." Tim said as they moved closer to the group. They could see that Kristen was fussing over him like a mother.

Crysta watched she saw that Lucas looked like he wanted to fade into the background but knew he needed this. He needed to be fussed over at least a little. She noticed that Ford was slightly standing to the left of the group with Henderson.

"Captain," Crysta said stopping next to him.

"You got quite an operation here, Ms. Anderson." Ford replied.

"I do," Crysta said with a smile. "A lot of hard work went into this."

"Yes and look at what you have accomplished." Ford replied seeing her look up at him.

"Jonathan you're her guest, be nice." Lonnie Henderson said.

"It's okay, Lieutenant." Crysta said her smile in place. "I have accomplished quite a bit here, we have a wonderful medical research that save Lucas's life, and our hydroponics is one of the biggest in the world. Our research has helped million of people and marine life."

"Yes but there must be a reason that no one knows where this Castlestone is?" Ford said.

"Of course there is Captain. It's owned by a UEO assassin, and for my safety and my crew's safety, not only their research this is the way it has to be."

"So you admit you're an assassin?" Ford asked.

"Was Captain, I was. But as I told Nathan who I am really doesn't matter. Now if you'll excuse me." Crysta said walking away.

"So you're sure your ok?" Nathan asked Lucas again as he placed a hand on the young man's cheek.

"I'm fine." Lucas said watching as Crysta left the room. He felt a sudden panic at her leaving the room. He smiled as he turned back to Nathan, but could tell he noticed.

"Hey maybe we should move this down to Recreation floor?" Ben said stopping by Lucas. He smiled at Bridger and Kristen.

"Well Ben, how long have you been here?" Kristen asked with a slight raise of her eyebrow.

"Six years." Ben replied.

"So what do you do here?" Nathan asked.

"Mostly supplies and piloting." Ben said. "But we all do different things."

"Oh." Nathan said as the group moved out of the room. They rode the elevator down to the Recreation rooms, which gave it more of a causal environment. Ben stepped out and in a few seconds they had drinks and snacks.

"Have you seen the boss?" Ben asked Miguel a short time later.

"Not in a while, why?" Miguel asked looking around at the people in the room.

"No reason, just wanted to make sure she was doing okay." Ben said moving away, he saw that Lucas standing by himself. "You okay kid?"

"Yeah," Lucas said. "I just wish everyone would quit ask me that."

"They will in time." Ben said with a smile.

"Have you seen Crysta?" Lucas asked looking at him, before he could ask Lucas the same thing.

"Nope," Ben said shaking his head. "Dinner will be served soon and she should be here."

"I'll go find her," Lucas volunteered leaving the room. He rode the elevator up to her office but found it empty. He then rode down to the communications room. "Hey Marcie."

"Hey Lucas." Marcie said turning her attention to him.

"Can you find Crysta for me?" Lucas asked her.

"Hydroponics," Marcie said without even looking. Lucas raised an eyebrow at her wanting to know how she knew that. "It's where she goes, when she needs time to think."

"Oh, Thanks." Lucas said going down to the hydroponics room. He was quite as he entered the room. Walking towards the voices he stopped when he saw Crysta sitting at table with an older man.

"Tell me what's bothering you Child?" The man asked Crysta as she quietly picked dead leaves off one of his herb plants.

"Nothing Cookie, it's just too many people in one room." Crysta said looking up at her cook. He was a grizzle old man, but his cooking was the best around.

"Hand me some Mint." Cookie said as he started to gather his herbs up. Reaching over Crysta pinched off a few mint leaves. She handed them to him as she looked up at him. "You know sometime your going to have to come out of your castle."

"I wish I knew how Cookie, I really do." Crysta replied sadly.

"Maybe he can help." Cookie said nodding to Lucas. Crysta turned in her chair smiled at him.

"Hey," Crysta said as Lucas walked up to the table. Cookie nodded to them and left the room.

"Hey," Lucas said looking over the plants. "Dinner will be served soon."

"I know, just not really hungry." Crysta said seeing Lucas stop and turn to her.

"Yeah I can relate." Lucas said sitting down on a stool next to hers. He could see why she came here when she needed time to think.

"Can I show you something?" Crysta asked watching him.

"Yeah," Lucas said smiling; he caught her look as she stood. As she walked away he got up and followed after her. As they walked he realized that the hydroponics floor must be huge. They stopped by a huge pond with a waterfall. "Wow."

"Beautiful huh?" Crysta said sitting down on the ledge of the pond.

"Yeah." Lucas said also sitting down. He looked at the water plants, and then realized that there was fish in the pond. "Fish?"

"Yeah koi." Crysta said running a hand through the water. Lucas moved closer, he placed a hand on her shoulder gently pulling her back him. She sighed as she relaxed against him.

Crysta closed her eyes as she as she leaned back against him. She linked her fingers with his hand that was around her shoulders. Leaning her head back against his chest she smiled when she felt him rest his chin against her shoulder.

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Lucas and Crysta entered the mess hall just after the meal started. They were quiet as Lucas went to sit with Nathan and Kristen and Crysta went to sit with Ben and Miguel. The meal went pretty quiet for a while until Crysta noticed Miguel's looks.

"Don't even ask." Crysta said.

"I wasn't going to." Miguel said seeing Tim look up surprised, he wasn't sure what was going on.

"I will," Ben replied looking over at Crysta. "You okay?"

"I'm sitting here aren't I?" Crysta said sternly, she stared at Ben for a few minutes before a smile graced her face. "It's been a long day, I'm fine."

"Good." Ben replied going back to his meal. The meal proceeded in quite again for only a short time.

"Out with it chief, so I can eat in peace." Crysta said setting her fork down and looking up at him. Miguel looked at her wondering how to choose his words.

"I'm concerned," He started seeing her raise an eyebrow. "What happens if we don't find the information?"

"Lucas will be fine, chief. Noyce knows what happened and will make sure that he is protected if I can't." Crysta said.

"That's not what I meant Boss, I was talking about you." Miguel said looking over at Ben for some help who shook his head. He was staying out of this one.

"I'll survive Miguel, just like I have been." Crysta said reaching over to pat his hand.

"But," Miguel started.

"Castlestone will always be here whether I am or not." Crysta said as Ann came up to her table.

"I need to speak with you." Ann said sounding like it was urgent.

"Something wrong?" Crysta asked hating to be pulled away from her meal.

"Were having a problem in section two of med bay." Ann said her eyes briefly skimming the people at the table.

"Shit!" Crysta said bolting from the chair and out of the mess hall. The other stared after her then returned to their meal.

"What was that about?" Tim asked watching as Crysta retreated from the hall.

"No clue." Miguel answered with a shrug as he went back to his meal.

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Crysta entered section two of med bay stopping as the woman turned to her. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide. She walked towards Crysta as she wrung her hands together.

"I can here them, voices. Voices I haven't heard in so long, ghost." The woman said her eyes darting around.

"It's all right," Crysta said reaching out to wrap her arm around the woman's shoulders.

"No no, its not. There ghost here because of something terrible. I can feel it Crysta, feel the pain and the screams." She said.

"I know." Crysta said softly as she led the way back to the bed.

"Make the screams stop, and then nothing, silence, death." She whispered as she sat on the bed. "They just ended, the voices just stopped. But I can here them again. Do you hear them?"

"Yes Wendy I do. I can hear the voices too." Crysta said getting her back into her bed, picking up a syringe she gave Wendy a shot that would hopefully help her sleep. As soon as Wendy was sleeping Crysta sat down beside the bed and rested her head in her hands.

"How is she?" Ann asked from the doorway of the room, Crysta was the only one who could calm Wendy down when she got like that.

"Why can't I help her Ann?" Crysta asked not looking up.

"You have, more then you know." Ann replied seeing Crysta look up at her. She then looked back at Wendy. In her head were so many answers; so much they could learn of what happened to the SeaQuest and her crew. Answers that the others couldn't remember or maybe they weren't suppose to remember.

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Lucas and Tony followed the group to where they said action was going down. Most of Castlestone people seemed to find it exciting. But for Lucas he was bored since Crysta had left to take care of something, and he was suppose to take it easy. They entered what looked to be a training area.

Lucas stopped beside Ben and looked to where the attention of the staff was. He saw three men slowly circling Crysta. She watched each of them gauging which would attack first.

"What's going on?" Lucas asked suddenly afraid for her.

"She's blowing of some stress." Ben said looking over to see Lucas's worried look. "It's okay they spar until they get tired."

"Okay." Lucas replied seeing one come at Crysta. She took a hold of him using him to stable herself as she kicked back at the second one coming towards her. Her foot caught him in the chin. He fell back as she dropped the first to the mat. She swung around blocking the third.

By the time forty-five minutes had passed Lucas no longer believed this was just to blow of stress. Several of the men limped to safety, a couple were bleeding, although not seriously. Crysta was sweating her hair plastered to her face and neck, and she still had yet to stop.

"Crysta," Jake started only to have her go after him. He managed to dodge most of her blows, but she connected a few time. He ducked and coming up he caught her in the chin knocking her down. "Stay down Crysta."

"I'm not done." Crysta hissed trying to get back to her feet.

"Stay down." Jake said again.

"I'm not done." Crysta repeated.

"You are," Jake said, as Crysta managed to get to her knees. "You've all ready kicked everyone's ass."

"I can't help her Jake." Crysta said sounding defeated.

"You do." Jake said relaxing. She was done, or at least finished with her body torture.

"I can't, I couldn't. Why can't I help her Jake? Why does she have to continue to suffer?" Crysta asked smacking the mat several times with her fist. "It's not fair, Damn it. It's no way to live."

"I know." Jake said seeing most of his people had cleared out. It left only him and Lucas and Piccolo. Crysta leaned forward to rest her head against the mat.

"I failed her." Crysta said her voice muffled from the mat.

"No you didn't." Jake said seeing Crysta turn her head to look at him.

"Then why does it hurt so much?" She asked watching him.

"It's life boss." Jake said, as Crysta sat up as Lucas came to kneel down in front of her.

"You're bleeding." Lucas said holding a rag to her bleeding lip.

"Yeah it's fine." Crysta said taking the rag from him. "Want to have a go at it Lucas?"

"Excuse me?" Lucas asked not sure what she was talking about.

"A little sparing, couple of round. I promise to be nice." Crysta said smiling up at him.

"You'd have a chance Luke." Tony replied with a smile.

"Shut up Tony." Lucas said his eyes staying on Crysta. He could see she was exhausted. He wondered how long she would have continued if Jake hadn't stopped her.

"You need to go to med bay." Lucas said as she started to stand.

"No I don't." Crysta said seeing that her legs weren't going to support her at the moment. She was glad when Lucas grabbed a hold of her and swung her up into his arms. She sighed closing her eyes. Lucas walked towards the elevator with the intent on taking her to med bay. "I want to go to my quarters."

"You need to see Ann." Lucas said entering the elevator.

"No I don't." Crysta said opening her eyes to look at him. She could see he looked very concern. "I'm fine honest."

"Alright." Lucas said riding the elevator all the way up. Entering her office he walked to the door of her quarters. She reached out and hit the code and the door slid open. Walking in he surprised at what he saw. Her room was gray on gray, from the walls to the bedspread to the floor. It was all gray, maybe different shades of gray but gray all the same.

"You didn't expect Roses and teddy bears did you?" Crysta asked as he set her down on the bed.

"I don't know what I was expecting," Lucas said sitting down next to her. "This is kind of unemotional."

"Hum." Crysta said standing. Her legs where wobbly but she managed to stay on her feet. She headed towards a door but stopped to look over her shoulder at him. "I'm going to go take a shower."

"If you don't mind I'll stay and make sure you get into bed alright." Lucas replied smiling. Crysta only nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. He heard the water start and looked around the room again. He saw no pictures, no sorts of personal stuff anywhere around.

A few minutes later she came out dressed in a pair of gray shorts and a gray tank top. Lucas had to smile he wasn't really surprised. She climbed into the bed beside him. They sat quietly for a bit.

"Are you going to stay all night?" Crysta asked stretching out on the bed.

"Would you let me?" Lucas asked stretching out on his side and leaning over her. He looked down into her blue eyes. Reaching out he gently ran a finger beside the bruise that was forming by the corner of her mouth.

"No Lieutenant, Good night." Crysta replied when he had leaned down to kiss her. Lucas stopped to look at her a smile on his face. He nodded to her then got off the bed and left the bedroom. Crysta let out the breath she was holding as soon as she heard the elevator door open then close. Reaching over she turned off the lights and closed her eyes. By morning every part of her would hurt.

Crysta heard the call her mind and body going on instant alert. A moan escaped her as her muscles protested any movement. Sitting up she headed out to her office. Hearing the sirens she headed down to the communications room. A few seconds later Ann entered the communication room.

"What is going on?" Crysta asked.

"She's gone; she's not in her bed any longer." Ann said noting the slight bruising on Crysta's face. "What happened?"

"Stress workout, and what do you mean she's gone, she can't go anywhere?" Crysta replied.

"I've looked all over the med floor she's not on that floor anymore." Ann said seeing the panicked look that came to Crysta's face. At that time Nathan and Lucas decided to show up.

"I want a complete lock down of all floors." Crysta said turning to Nathan and Lucas.

"What's going on?" Nathan asked.

"I thought you said she couldn't be breached?" Lucas asked yelling above the sirens.

"She can't." Crysta said.

"Then what is going on?" Nathan asked again.

"It's nothing really," Crysta replied, turning to Marcie. "Cut the alarms."

"It's something, you don't lock down a building for nothing." Nathan replied.

"I can handle it, please just go back to bed." Crysta said picking up a PAL from the desk and heading towards the elevator. "Come on I'll escort you back."

"Alright." Nathan replied, as he and Lucas followed. They rode down to the personnel quarters in silence. Getting off the elevator Crysta turned a corner and stopped. Her heart was pounding; of course she would have come here. This is where all of her ghosts where.

"Ghost Crysta." Wendy said when she turned to them. "But they seem so real. When I stand here I can feel them."

"Wendy?" Nathan said sounding amazed at seeing her standing in front of him. Lucas was surprised, but not as much considering what he had learned when he had first arrived.

"Captain," Wendy said smiling as she walked towards them. "Do you see them Crysta, Do you see them?"

"Yes Wendy I can see them." Crysta said a sad smile.

"There not ghost, the voices I hear are real?" Wendy said reaching out to gently touch Nathan's Cheek. A smile coming to her face as she turned to Lucas and touched his face. "Yes, they're real."

"How long have you been here Wendy?" Nathan asked her. Wendy backed up slightly still looking at them. She looked over at Crysta with a questioning look.

"She's been here since you came back from where ever it is you went." Crysta said.

"I think we need to talk." Nathan said looking over at Crysta. Crysta nodded as she wrapped her arm around Wendy's shoulders and led her towards the elevator to head back to med floor. She really didn't want to discuss it tonight, but knew that he wouldn't rest until he figured it out.