A/N: While I was writing this chapter I remembered that on Star Trek: The Next Generation there was a storyline that made Picard, Roe and Guinan into 11 year olds. I'm not the only insane one! And that episode aired on television! HA!

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"Captain there's a call for you from a Dr. Gravel."

"Put it on screen O'Neil, I'm expecting him."

"Captain Bridger! Hello!" Bridger was greeted by the smiling face of an older man who looked like he was in the midst of some very messy work. Chaos seemed to control his workspace from what Bridger could see on the vidscreen.

"Doctor. Thank you for calling. I trust that you have spoken to Dr. Smith?"

"Yes, she briefed me on your situation this morning. I have to say, I was quite taken aback. This type of uncontrolled regression hasn't happened in quite some time."

"But can you reverse it?"

"I have high hopes, Captain, but I'd really need to be able to see the machine that was used. The technology of age reversal science is fast moving, and I can't be sure of what I'm working with at a distance."

"That's not a problem, Doctor, we'd be glad to have you aboard. With your permission, I will send a shuttle to retrieve you and bring you back to Seaquest."

"Thank you Captain, that would be ideal."

"Bridger out."

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Nathan lingered in the door of medbay for sometime, watching Lucas at work. He had come to let Wendy know the good news of Dr. Gravel's impending arrival, but suddenly felt less happy about it once he set his eyes on the boy. He could understand why ships were not a place for family. It was becoming ridiculously hard to be objective about the situation before them. With every passing minute Bridger grew more attached to Lucas' as his own son, a child that he could raise and give a second chance at a loving father who paid attention to him. But he also knew that this was selfish. Lucas had parents. Even if things stayed this way, Lucas wouldn't be his. It would be wrong to wish this on the boy just for his own selfish reasons.

Breaking out of his reverie, he walked into medbay, ruffling Lucas' hair on the way by his station, and noting the wide grin he received in return.

"Dr. Smith!"
"Captain! To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"Have you come to get me? Are you done on the bridge?", Lucas asked.
"Not yet, champ. I'll be done by dinner." He could see Lucas fighting the urge to pout. "Actually, I came by because I talked to Dr. Gravel. He's agreed to come aboard, he'll arrive tomorrow."
"Oh that's perfect, I was hoping we could get started soon." Dr. Smith replied in return.
"Well, it's thanks to your research that we located him" Nathan said, smiling.
Behind them, Lucas frowned.
"Captain, can I come back to the bridge with you?"
"I'm afraid not Lucas."
"Why not?"
"Because the bridge is not a place for little boys."
"But I'm not like other kids; maybe I can help with something. Please?"
"I know you're still nervous about being away from me Lucas, but you have to try, ok?"
"But I was up there before, why can't I go this time?" Bridger could see the colour rise in the little boys' cheeks, and his eyes go watery. This wasn't going to end well. He steeled himself.
"Because I said no, Lucas, and that's the end of it." His voice softening, he added, "When I'm done on the bridge, we'll go eat. They're having spaghetti tonight in the mess."

Seeing the anger rising in Lucas he muttered quietly to Wendy, "Here it comes."
Lucas climbed down from his stool and looked up at the captain. "I don't wanna go eat with you! I just wanted to spend time with you and I wasn't going to do anything wrong! You're mean!"
"And there he goes," Bridger muttered again as Lucas fled the room. "Come in Commander Ford."
"Ford here."
"Is Darwin in the moonpool?"
"He is, sir."
"Tell him to find Lucas, please and stay with him."
"Yes sir."

"What were those dramatics all about?" Wendy asked with a smile in her voice.
"He's testing me. Seeing how far he can push."
"Did you pass?"
"Ask me when he's 35, and we'll see." Nathan replied with a wry smile.

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Once he was done his shift it had taken him half an hour and two looks through sea deck before he found Lucas, huddled behind some cargo tubs in a corner.

"Hey kiddo."

"Go away."

"You're still mad at me, huh?"

"Yes! Why were you so mean?"

"I wasn't being mean Lucas, I was being a grown up who has a little boy to take care of." He sat down on the floor beside Lucas, knowing this might be a long conversation. "It's my job to keep you safe and make sure that you're not in situations that aren't good for you."

Lucas just looked down at the floor and said nothing. Nathan was willing to bet that his original run through childhood had been just as frustrating. Small children operate on need, want, a very self-centred universe. Lucas must have struggled then, as he did now, to fight between instinct and intellect. The average child part of him just wanted his demands met, but the genius part of him surely understood what Bridger was saying and why. He had to wonder if Lucas' father had mislabelled him a teenaged discipline problem solely because he expected Lucas to act his IQ and not his age.

"I know how to take care of myself, Captain." Lucas said suddenly. Quieter, he added, "Really, I'll be ok alone." Bridger could hear the 16 year old in that statement.

"But you're not alone, son. Let me be here for you."

Lucas sighed, reached out his hand and allowed himself to be lead towards the mess.