CONTINUING EDUCATION

Door 2

By Kiddo

In Loving Memory of Jonathan Brandis

Disclaimer:

I don't have any rights to the TV show "seaQuest DSV," and I am not making any money by writing this.

A special "Thank You" goes to my wonderful beta-reader Jackie and Forgottengargoyle, KatKnits00 and dolphinology for their Reviews.

One hour later, Bridger finished speaking with the admiral, and he knocked at the cabin door of his youngest crew member.

A slightly irritated "Come in" was heard.

Nathan stepped into the cabin and had to smile when he saw the teenager standing in front of his bed, desperately trying to shut his traveller bag.

Lucas looked up and spotted Bridger. "Oh, sorry Captain, but I thought you were Ben. He's visited me 7 times in the last 30 minutes because he wants answers to the most random questions. And to top it all off, I just can't close my stupid bag."

"I can see that! Maybe you should leave a few things behind," suggested the older man. After all, that sounded like the easiest solution.

The computer genius shook his head with determination. "No way!" He started to unpack the things on top and tried to arrange them a little bit differently. "Most of these things are Christmas presents, and I don't think that it would be a good idea to leave them here." Finally he was able to close the zipper. He sat down on his bed with a satisfied sigh and beamed. "Ha, there you are!"

The captain looked first at the suitcase and then at his youngest crew member, an apologetic expression on his face. "I'm really sorry, Kiddo, but I'm afraid that you're going to have to re-pack your bag."

"Why?" asked Lucas suspiciously.

Bridger sat down on the only chair in the cabin. "Because, I believe that you don't have any summer clothes in there.

The teen couldn't really understand this argument. "Of course not. What would I do with summer clothes in Boston? It isn't that warm there at Christmas. And besides, I have enough clothes in my wardrobe at my mother's house."

Nathan hoped that the boy would take his news well. "I'm sorry Lucas, but you won't be flying to Boston tomorrow. You will come to the continuing education course in Florida with us."

Lucas was a silent for a moment, then turned his astonished gaze on Bridger. "But why? I'm not a member of the senior crew; I'm a civillian."

Nathan nodded in understanding. "I know." He paused briefly. "You will come to the continuing education course with us because I want you to."

The blond haired teen looked confused. "I don't really understand."

"You see, I heard that you will be alone most of the time before Christmas. It isn't a nice feeling to be alone around Christmas, I learned that clearly during the last few years. I don't want you to go through the same thing." His last words sounded really sad.

Lucas decided that now wasn't the best time to mention that he was used to being alone at Christmas. He didn't want to make the captain sadder than he already was. "Thanks!" The teen was silent for a moment. Then he said, "How did you know that I was going to be alone?"

"Your mother's secretary told me. She is …." Nathan searched fore some fitting words, "a very unique woman."

The computer genius nodded; he knew exactly what the captain meant. "Yeah, Miss Nice is on a planet all her own."

Bridger wrinkled his brow. "Nice? I thought her name was Price."

"It is," said Lucas, grinning. "That's just my personal nickname for her; I gave it to her the first time we met. You know, before I could even open my mouth, the good woman wanted to throw me out of my mother's office. Luckily for me, my mother heard that and was able to stop Miss Price at the last minute." He brushed some of the hair out of his face. "Mom thinks her secretary is invaluable. Nobody could get by her unnoticed, and therefore, couldn't bother my mother. As long as she has Miss Price, she'll never be in need of a bouncer or anything like that. And as long as my mother goes along with her, I don't care," said the teenager and shrugged.

Bridger nodded. "I see. Do you have any questions about the continuing education?"

The boy shook his head. "No, not really. Ben has already complained enough about it."

The captain stood up. "Okay, I will go and let you re-pack your stuff in peace."

Lucas could only wrinkle his face at the last comment.

When Bridger was gone, he just studied his luggage for a few more moments and thought about everything that had to fit in there now. He really needed a larger bag!

Written November 2004 – Translated November 2005