A New SeaQuest
Chapter Six
XXXXXX
Lucas had felt bad after he realized what he had done, so he had gone up to her quarters to apologies when he found it empty. Now he was headed to hydroponics hoping she was there. Entering the room he found her sitting on the table with the herb plants.
He walked over stopping in front of her as she looked at him. Reaching out he touched her face gently rubbing his thumb over her cheek. He stepped forward bring his body close to hers. His other hand found her hip as his lips found hers. He was afraid she wouldn't respond again, but felt her hands on his shoulders.
She relaxed tilting her head to the side and closed her eyes. Cupping her jaw Lucas's lips grazed hers. His mouth settled over hers again he felt her lips part in an invention he couldn't resist. His tongue slid into her mouth and she tasted like hot fudge.
Crysta's hands found his hair as she shifted trying to get closer to the warmth he offered. His hand went to the small of her back to support her as he pulled her closer still. His kiss deepened and his hand moved to the back of her head.
Crysta pulled back her breathing heavy as she tired to catch her breath. Her eyes looked up to meet Lucas's look and she saw the smile on his face. Reaching out she slowly slid one finger over his lower lip. She had never felt what he had made her feel, of course no one had ever kissed her like that either.
"Crysta," Lucas whispered wondering at her look. She looked surprised as she touched her own lips her eyes coming to his again. He had to kiss her again, with that look he just had to.
Crysta sighed as his lips covered hers again. She did as Carter said and just took the time to feel. Not to analyze just to feel. She cupped his face between her hands as his tongue pushed past her lips again to run over hers. A low moan escaped her.
"Lucas," Crysta said as he pulled back. He caught her bottom lip between his and gently sucked. He heard another moan escape her. He moved down kissing her neck to her ear. He nipped at her earlobe as she tilted her head sideways. His lips moved down her neck towards one shoulder.
Lucas pulled back his hand going to the robe at her shoulder; he slowly drew it away exposing her bare shoulder. His lips touched her shoulder and he felt her pull back slightly. He looked up at her his blue eyes intense as they met her lighter blue eyes. He reached out running his fingers down the side of her neck to her shoulder.
"Lucas," Crysta said trying to pull her emotions back under control.
"I came to apologize. For what I said earlier." Lucas replied his finger brushing across her collarbone. Crysta noted that he wanted to apologize for what he said and not what he did. Leaning down his lips traveled the same path as his fingers had just moments before.
Crysta felt as if everything exploded at once, closing her eyes she felt the tears slip free. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she felt his warm lips on her flesh. A small sob escaped her and she felt him pull back once again.
"Please don't cry," He said kissing the trail of tears before going back to her lips. His kiss was salty as his tongue traced her lips. He pulled back again to look down at her, his heart hurt at seeing the tears in her eyes.
Crysta reached out to pull open his robe exposing his bare chest. She slowly ran her fingers across his chest down towards his belly. Her eyes watching her hand as it moved. Leaning forward she laid her ear over his heart being soothed by the sound of the beating.
Lucas closed his eyes as he pulled her closer closing his arms protectively around her. He found it slightly strange that he felt the need to protect her when he knew she could take care of herself. Yet he found the need to comfort her, like she had done for him.
He felt slightly surprised when he felt her teeth graze his chest. He sucked in a breath as he felt her tongue touch his over heated skin. Reaching up he tangled his hands into her loose blond hair. Her tongue slid across his exposed nipple and he again sucked in a breath.
Crysta pulled back to look up at him. Her eyes intensely watching him as he looked back at her. He wanted her; she knew it as much as he did. He could see that knowledge reflected in her eyes. But he could see fear to, fear of what it would mean.
"Lucas," Crysta started not sure how to explain what she was feeling.
"Its OK," Lucas replied cupping her chin again and smiling. Crysta just nodded and jumped down from the table. Taking his hand she led him from the hydroponics room to the elevator. They stopped on the personnel quarters and Lucas turned to her. "I want you."
"Lucas," Crysta said as he leaned down to kiss her again.
"But I understand not being ready," He said turning and walking off the elevator. Crysta watched as the door shut behind him, she wanted to run after him, but he was right she wasn't ready. Not to make that big of a step. She rode the rest of the way to her quarters and went back to bed.
XXXXX
Crysta stood outside the SeaQuest a smile on her face. The SeaQuest crew stood slightly behind her looking in amazement at the boat.
"How do you plan on getting her in the water?" Ford asked looking around at the room.
"Erik show the good Captain how we plan on getting her back in the water." Crysta said smiling as sirens started, and men cleared the room. Crysta stood with hands on her hips watching as SeaQuest was raised slightly.
"Crysta?" Lucas started but stopped when the floor beneath the thousand-foot boot started to open. "That's cool."
"Lower her into the water Erik." Crysta replied watching as the boat was lowered just slightly into the water. "Well come on people."
They entered the boat and slowly made their way to the Bridge. Entering Crysta walked over to stand behind the Captains chair her eyes on the screen in front of her. She watched as Miguel went to what was his station and Lucas walked up to his. Lucas looked a little weary.
"All right, let's get this little exercise done," Crysta said pulling her PAL. "Erik lower us all the way in."
They felt as the boat was lowered the rest of the way into the water. Crysta smiled as the systems started to come online. She sighed as she felt the boat around her vibrate with life.
"She's fully submerged," Miguel replied.
"Bring us out slowly," Crysta replied as the thousand-foot boat moved gracefully though the water.
"We've cleared Castlestone," Miguel replied.
"Full stop," Crysta said as the boat stopped. "Communications?"
"Communications," Marcie replied.
"Run Ben's sensors though ours, I want a clear shot of SeaQuest." Crysta replied. "Miguel forward WRSK view."
The SeaQuest appeared on the screen and Crysta turned to Nathan who was standing beside her. She smiled at him as he smiled back. She could see it in his eyes, the love for the boat and the sea. A love she shared.
"Lucas," Crysta said bringing his attention to her. "Go ahead and engage stealth."
"Aye sir," Lucas replied falling in with the rest of her crew. "Stealth engaged."
They watched as the SeaQuest seemingly disappeared in front of them. She could hear the murmurs around the bridge. She smiled again.
"Give me the report Marcie," Crysta replied.
"I'm getting a residual affect," Marcie replied.
"Bring her forwards a bit," Crysta replied to the helmsman who nodded.
"Yep it's there Crysta, enough to track you," Marcie said. Crysta frowned as she walked over to where Lucas was sitting. Reaching over she pushed a few buttons adjusting the program.
"Try it now," Crysta asked.
"You're gone, not even the WSRK are visible." Marcie replied.
"All right, Helm bring her in." Crysta replied walking back over to where Nathan was standing. "I'll have them run a full diagnostics on her once we've docked."
"Good," Nathan said smiling at her.
"It's nice isn't it," Crysta asked seeing him look at her.
"What is?" Nathan asked.
"Being back, here on the bridge of the SeaQuest." Crysta replied.
"Yeah it is," Nathan replied reluctantly. He shrugged his shoulders as his eyes surveyed the people around the bridge. Ford was standing behind them his eyes scanning the bridge; he could see the look in his eyes. Ford had wanted to captain the SeaQuest. And with Crysta, he might get the chance.
"Hey Crysta?" Dave called as soon as they disembarked from the SeaQuest.
"What?" Crysta called still hyped about the trial run.
"I've made improvements to your Knight's sub." Dave called as Crysta stopped to glare at him.
"You've been messing with my baby again?" Crysta asked her tone stopping the people that were passing including the SeaQuest Crew.
"I've made improvements," Dave replied. "Want to take her out?"
"Sure," Crysta said walking over to where her sub was waiting for her. Getting in he strapped herself in and opened the channel. She saw Dave face pop up on her screen. "So what improvements have you made? You better not have touched my radio station."
"No never, her speed and maneuverability, mostly. I did Fritz out her stealth though." Dave said avoiding her eyes.
"Great," Crysta said. "Preparing to Launch. Communications sweep surrounding area."
"Area swept you're clear for launch." Marcie replied.
"Launching," Crysta replied as the sub launched from Castlestone. "Engaging,"
It was then that the entire room filled with rock music, and they could hear Crysta singing along. Lucas had to smile. He saw Devin walked up to stand beside him.
"Hey bring up one of those expensive cameras you got," Devin said.
"On screen," Dave said as they saw Crysta's sub shoot past. They watched as she skimmed over the surface of the seafloor.
"This is great," Crysta said her voice rushed like she had been running. "How fast?"
"We have you at four hundred knots and rising." Dave said.
"Four hundred?" Lucas asked. "Fighter subs don't go that fast,"
"This was built for maximum speed Lucas, She's already up to five hundred knots." Dave said. "Crysta turn 1/8th and come baring 227 right."
"Turning," Crysta said over the music.
"How can she hear?" Bridger asked.
"She doesn't need to hear," Dave said as the song came to the end. They could hear her yell in joy as the sub continued to speed across the ground.
"Crysta patch us through to what you're seeing?" Jake asked.
"Sure you can stomach it?" Crysta said with a laugh.
"Come one," Jake replied as the screen view changed to what Crysta could see. The fast roll and dives were enough to have most of the viewer's turn away from the screen.
"Crysta there is a red handle next to your seat." Dave replied, "Do you see it?"
"Yeah?" Crysta replied as she came upon a ridge. She went towards it until the last second when she turned skimming against the rocky ridge.
"OK I'm going to shoot a torpedo at you, and I want you to wait until it's on you before you pull that handle." Dave said.
"Got it," Crysta replied as the high-speed sub turned and headed another direction.
"Load torpedo tube one," Dave said.
"Tube one loaded," Andy replied.
"Targeting the sub," Dave said smiling as he watched the craft. "Fire."
"Firing," Andy replied as they watched the torpedo slice through the water towards the craft.
"Now Crysta pull that handle." Dave said. Crysta pulled the handle giving the sub an extra burst of speed; she pulled away from the torpedo and aimed for the ridge. Turning at the last minute the torpedo headed into the ridge.
"That was so cool," Crysta yelled as the torpedo hit the ridge and exploded rocking the small sub. They heard her curse. "You fired a live round at me, Dave."
"I didn't," Dave said glaring at Andy.
"Next time you shoot at me with a live round, you better hit me." Crysta replied. The screen they had been watching went dead.
"What the hell?" Devin asked.
"I don't know what happened," Dave said. "Crysta?"
"Why is she not answering?" Nathan asked concerned for the young woman.
"Because she's pissed," Jake said, "Find her on the computer."
"I can't," Dave said. "Marcie scan the area and locate Crysta's sub."
"It's gone," Marcie said a few minutes later.
"You know what that means," Devin said.
"What?" Lucas asked.
"It means we have a very upset woman, with enough fire power to take out have this complex who just went into stealth." Devin said with a slight smile. The group watched quietly each screen that Dave brought up trying to pinpoint Crysta.
"Come on Crysta this isn't funny, I didn't know he loaded a live round." Dave said trying to reason with her.
"How much did these monitors cost Dave?" Crysta finally asked.
"Oh no, no Crysta." Dave replied as Crysta materialized in front of the monitor that they were watching.
"Say goodbye," Crysta replied as they watched her shoot her forward weapons at the monitor blowing it up. Before they could get another view she was gone.
"Fine if that's the way you want to play," Dave said sounding slightly upset. "I was saving this for you birthday."
Dave pushed a few buttons and another sub appeared on the screen. They watched as it hovered waiting for instructions. Dave grabbed a joystick and the sub responded.
"You know you're just going to get your toy destroyed." Jake said, "You really don't want to put that up against her."
"You don't know what this little thing can do," Dave said pulling the targeting system down. Moving the joystick he started to search for Crysta's sub.
"What are you people doing?" Ford asked coming forward.
"We're playing Captain," Crysta's voice said coming through the link.
"This is ridiculous," Ford replied. But he didn't get any response.
"Dave what are you doing?" Jake asked.
"Sending out a signal that should find our missing boss." Dave said as his signal found something and bounced back. He then took off after said object. "She can't fire unless she comes out of stealth, and then I'll have her."
"Don't count your chickens yet Dave," Crysta replied as her sub once again appeared. She led him on a chase around the complex and towards the ridge. "I'm impressed Dave, that little thing is doing well."
"Thanks," Dave replied closing the gape between his sub and Crysta's. But he was having trouble locking onto her. They could watch from the camera on the front of Dave's sub as Crysta led him towards the surface.
As she neared the surface she suddenly headed strait towards the ocean floor, Dave's sub wasn't quite as agile and had to make a bigger arch giving Crysta enough time to come around and lock onto Dave's sub. Dave had barely anytime to react as Crysta launched a torpedo at him.
"Bang your dead," Crysta replied as the torpedo hit and bounced off the unmanned sub.
"That wasn't funny Crysta," Dave said his voice angry.
"Oh lighten up Dave, your sub is still there." Crysta said. "Permission to dock."
"Permission granted," Marcie replied trying hard to keep the laughter out of her voice. Seconds later they saw Crysta enter the area again.
"That was entertaining," Jake said.
"I try," Crysta replied smiling. "Dave, Andy I'd like to see you two in my office now." Crysta replied nodding to the people and following after Dave and Andy.
"Boy are they in for it," Devin replied looking at Jake then back at the elevator doors that was just closing.
Crysta walked over to sit behind her desk; she motioned for the two men to sit down. Leaning back she looked between each man waiting to see if they would say anything first.
"OK boys tell me what happened." Crysta asked.
"I told Andy to lead a torpedo into tube one," Dave said.
"And I did, he never specified that he was shooting it at you." Andy said.
"But you know, I told you to target the craft." Dave said.
"OK, so neither of you fired a live round with the intent of harming anyone?" Crysta asked looking between the two.
"No ma'am." They both said in unison.
"All right then, you both can go." Crysta said seeing the men stand. "But remember that you will be watched for a while."
"Yes sir," They said and left her office. Crysta watched them go, she then turned back to the task at hand. Reaching over she grabbed the research paper that Ann had left with her.
Getting up she headed down to the med bay floor. Ann had said they had found what looks to be an antidote for the beson poison. And she was very eager to find out more.
XXXXX
Crysta sat in her office talking with Lucas and Nathan. As of now they couldn't do much more, SeaQuest wasn't allowed in the sea. And most of the guests that were at Castlestone were packing to leave. Crysta looked up as the elevator dinged.
"Sir," Devin started as he crossed the floor. "Everyone has request to leave, except for O'Neil, Piccolo, Bridger, and Westphalen."
"All right," Crysta replied.
"And Communication intercepted this and thought you might be interested." Devin said handing the file to Crysta. Taking the file Crysta read it over and a smile came to her face.
"Thank you Lieutenant, make a launch ready for anyone who would like to leave, and make sure that Derrick makes it up to the police." Crysta said.
"Aye sir," Devin said nodding to the three in his room and left.
"So Nathan you decided to stay," Crysta said bring her attention back to the two men across from her.
"I'd like a chance to spend some time with Lucas," Nathan replied.
"Captain, what about your grandson." Lucas asked.
"My son is taking care of my grandson," Nathan said turning to Lucas. "And Lucas I'm not your captain anymore."
"I know that," Lucas replied. "I didn't know you found your son."
"I didn't, he found me." Nathan said.
"Oh," Lucas said.
"Lucas," Nathan said when the young man looked away.
"Yes captain?" Lucas answered looking back at his mentor.
"You don't have to call me captain." Nathan said with a gentle smile.
"Then what do I call you?" Lucas asked looking lost.
"How about Nathan?" Nathan asked seeing the look on Lucas's face. Lucas looked from him to Crysta then back.
"OK," Lucas finally replied smiling.
"I was thinking that maybe we could sit down, you me and Kristen and talk." Nathan replied.
"I'd like that," Lucas said smiling as he and Nathan stood.
"Lucas can I talk to you a minute?" Crysta asked
"Sure," Lucas replied, "I'll be down in a minute."
"OK, bye Crysta." Nathan said leaving the room.
"Bye Nathan," Crysta said as Lucas sat back down.
"I was wondering if you would like to help me on a mission?" Crysta asked. "It would give you a chance to get out."
"Sure," Lucas replied.
"Its nothing to dramatic, I just need an escort." Crysta replied.
"OK," Lucas replied standing as she stood. Coming around the desk she stopped beside him.
"I'll let Devin know, he'll set you up with everything you need." Crysta said seeing him nod. She watched him leave, then went back to her desk. Picking up her PAL. "Devin?"
"Yeah?" Devin replied.
"I'm having Lucas accompany me on the mission tomorrow, can you make sure he had a run down and is ready by 1pm?" Crysta asked.
"Do you think that's wise?" Devin asked.
"The kids a genius, he'll do fine." Crysta replied.
"OK, Devin out." Devin said. Crysta went back to her desk; she had a mountain of paperwork and very little time.
XXXXX
"Hey," Tony said as he came to sit next to Lucas in the recreation room.
"Hey Tony," Lucas replied setting the small hand held computer he was working on down.
"I had some time off, so you know." Tony replied looking slightly unsure of where to go from here. He saw Lucas smile.
"I'm glad you did," Lucas said.
"You know family's important Lucas, I got in touch with mine after I got back." Tony said smiling.
"That's great," Lucas replied. "I tried with my mother, but she wasn't interested."
"Yeah," Tony said knowing that Lucas had found his father dead. He wasn't sure what to say to the person sitting next to him.
"But its OK," Lucas said seeing Tony look over at him. "I got my family, you and the crew. Right Dagwood?"
"Right," Dagwood replied from behind them. "Tony, Lucas my brothers."
"Yeah we are Dagwood," Tony replied looking back at the GELF.
"Hey is this a private party or can anyone join?" Nathan asked from the doorway.
"I'd say anyone," Lucas replied seeing both Tony and Dagwood nod. Nathan entered followed behind by Tim.
"So what's the hot topic?" Nathan asked as the rest came to sit.
"Family," Lucas replied seeing Tony and Dagwood nod. "We've become family Captain."
"Nathan, and yes we have." Nathan replied.
"We've got some family," Tony said looking over at Dagwood who smiled back at them.
"How's Darwin," Lucas asked Nathan.
"He's good, he misses you." Nathan replied.
"I'd like to see him," Lucas replied seeing Nathan nod.
"I'd like to get all of you out there, I'd like you to meet Robert." Nathan said looking around the room at them. This was his crew, no matter what the UEO said; this would always be his crew first before it was anyone else's. His eyes fell to Lucas who was quietly talking with Tim about the SeaQuest AI computer.
Lucas had grown from the unsure youth into a quiet capable man. Of course considering that Lucas was in reality thirty-five years old. But he was really still a boy, no more then twenty five, but having spent from fifteen to eighteen on a sub, ten years in stasis and three years in prison.
"Nathan?" Lucas said bringing him back to the present.
"Hum?" Nathan asked smiling.
"You OK?" Lucas asked watching his mentor closely.
"Yeah just thinking about all that's have happened since we answered Scott's call for help." Nathan replied seeing the other three in the room nod. They all had spent time thinking about that. "I'm also relieved that you came back to us, Lucas."
"Me too," Tony said.
"Yeah you were all at my funeral," Lucas replied. "All though I still don't know why Crysta was at my funeral."
"Don't know," Nathan said, "She had some words with your mother and Admiral Nelson."
"I wonder," Lucas replied. "Why my mother was even there."
"Because we were burying her son," Nathan said cocking his head to the side.
"She had written me off well before my funeral, She told me when I found out that there might be a chance that my father was alive that she had come to terms with my disappearance." Lucas replied frowning as he recalled the last time he had spoken to his mother. Cynthia Holt has closed that chapter of her life.
"Lucas you OK?" Nathan asked seeing Lucas look up.
"Yeah, just thinking about my mom." Lucas replied he stood suddenly restless. He noticed that each person watched him as he paced. "You know I haven't seen or been in the sun or the ocean for three years?"
"You will again, Lucas." Tim said.
"Oh I'm sure I will, Tim. Its just we take for granted that what we do is the right thing, that when we try and change a wrong it will work out." Lucas said seeing the confused looks of his friends. "When I called Tony it was because I wanted someone I could trust. I never would have believed that what I found would put my life and my friends in danger."
"Lucas do you remember something?" Tim asked.
"Yeah I think I do," Lucas said closing his eyes. "I remember a bar, loud and crowded, smells like hay."
"Yeah that's the place," Tony replied leaning forward. He felt a small shiver of hope that Lucas would remember what happened that night.
"I was waiting, and I got up walked past a woman who smelled like," Lucas stopped trying again to figure out the smell. "Lavender, that's what it was. I was headed towards the bathroom. Tony hadn't arrived yet. Someone grabbed me from behind."
Lucas opened his eyes and Nathan could see the fear in them. Fear that Lucas must have felt three years ago when the men had jumped him. Fear of dying and not seeing anyone he loved again.
"I remember feeling pain explode in my head, the bits and pieces of a conversation." Lucas said sitting back down.
"Do you remember what they said?" Nathan asked.
"Something about finding the information, one wanted to bring me back to his boss, and the other wanted to just kill me." Lucas replied feeling a shutter run up his spin. "I guess I'm grateful that they didn't just kill me."
The four just nodded. They were glad to, yet after being jumped Lucas had spent three years in the back part of a prison where no one knew him, and no one could find him until Crysta came along.
"Maybe we should head down and take a crack at that computer?" Tim asked seeing Lucas look up and nod. Getting up they headed down towards where the SeaQuest was docked.
Getting into the elevator Lucas looked around at the four men. Tony, Dagwood, Nathan and Tim.
"Hey might as well all of us go," Tony replied pushing the button. They elevator went down, but wouldn't open on the docking floor.
"What the hell?" Lucas muttered. He reached out to touch the open button, and the doors slid open. Lucas looked confused over at the others, who just shrugged. The group continued towards the SeaQuest.
"I just don't get it Lucas," Tim said as they sat back looking from the computer to the aqua tube above Lucas's bed. After Lucas's disappearance Tony had convince them that Lucas's bed and stuff stayed just like it was.
"It's here somewhere Tim," Lucas said.
"I say we call it a night," Tony replied from where he was reading on his bunk. Setting down the book he sat up. "I mean Bridger and Dagwood left almost two hours ago."
"Nobody is keeping you here Tony," Lucas replied his fingers posed over the keyboard.
"No I'm here because if left to you two it would be tomorrow before you got up to eat." Tony replied getting up and walking over to the desk.
"I could go for something," Tim replied seeing Lucas just look at him.
"See." Tony replied.
"All right I give," Lucas replied shutting down the computer. He got up and followed Tim and Tony out of the room. They made their way to the mess hall, surprised when they got there and the room was empty and all was cleaned up.
"You missed dinner." Crysta said stepping out of the Kitchen.
"Its Luke's fault." Tony replied pointing at Lucas.
"Is not," Lucas shot back.
"Not a word," Crysta said hands on her hips. "Come on."
The three followed behind, none of them daring to say anything. They entered the kitchen to see Cookie putting dishes away; he stopped and turned towards them. A smile coming to his face.
"I see we've found the three missing soldiers." He said going to the galley fridge. He started to pull out things. "Sit."
The three men sat down at a small table in the corner, they watched as the big man started to make something. Crysta smiled as she nodded and left the kitchen. They watched her go, then turned back to Cookie who was looking at them with a smile.
XXXXX
Crysta walked down the pathways of the hydroponics room trimming fading flowers and dead leaves. She was finding her center before she and Lucas would have to leave for the mission. The briefing that Jake had given Lucas had gone well. And Jake was now confident that Lucas could do it. She heard the door hiss opened and stifled a moan.
"I want to talk to you young lady," Nathan said as he walked over to her.
"Yes," Crysta said not stopping in what she was doing. She glanced back at Nathan and then Lucas.
"Lucas just told me that he's headed out with you today on some mission?" Nathan asked.
"Its simple, Nathan. Nothing will happen to him." Crysta replied moving to the next plant. "Its nothing more then preventing someone from getting hurt."
"I don't want him to go," Nathan said.
"It's not your decision, Nathan." Crysta replied. "If Lucas wants to back out then that's all right. But he was already cleared for it."
"That's not the point," Nathan argued. "We've just got him back, we don't want to lose him again."
"You're not going to Nathan." Crysta said stopping and turning to look at him. She could see that Lucas had already had this argument with him. "I'm going with him, he'll be safe."
"I have your word?" Nathan asked looking between her and Lucas. Crysta nodded. Nathan gave in with a nod; he knew that Crysta wouldn't let anything happen to Lucas. He turned and left the hydroponics floor.
"You should go get ready," Crysta said looking up at Lucas.
"What exactly are we doing?" Lucas asked.
"We are going to prevent an assassination," Crysta replied. "Now go get ready."
"OK," Lucas said turning to leave the hydroponics floor.