"Are you eating your dinner or just staring at it?" The Captain asked their last night on the island. Lucas just shrugged and turned his for through his mashed potatoes one more time. The boy had been alternately sullen, cranky and clingy all day, not that Bridger could blame him, really. He knew that tomorrow they would return to the Seaquest and return Lucas to his teenaged form.

"Well, if you're finished Lucas, you may be excused."

Lucas slid off the chair, deposited his plate on the cupboard and then stood by the doorway staring at the Captain.

"We gonna do somethin' special tonight?"

"We could, what would you like to do?"

"Can we go down to the beach an' have a bonfire and marshmallows?"

"That sounds like a great idea, kiddo. Why don't you go change into some warmer close while I finish off here?"

oooooooooo

Armed with a blanket and a bag full of drinks and marshmallows, Nathan locked up the house as Lucas launched himself down the porch stairs. They had barely left the yard when he felt Lucas tug at his sleeve. He looked down, one eyebrow raised.

"Um, Cap'in, could you maybe…I mean, could I…" Lucas stumbled over his words and blushed.

"What is it Lucas? Take your time."

He could see the boy ponder for a minute, biting his lower lip, and then he reach up with his arms.

"You wanna be carried?"

A silent nod; more blushing. Nathan took a deep breath. He knew Lucas was perfectly capable of walking down to the beach himself, but he also knew this was the last night Lucas would ask this of him.

"Alright, but you gotta hold the blanket, is that a deal?" He settled Lucas on his hip, and gave the boy one of the blankets to carry, and soon they had reached the beach.

ooooooooooo

A few hours later, the fire was dying and Lucas had eaten his fill of marshmallows and was sleeping in Bridger's lap. The older man probably should have brought the boy to the house an hour ago, but he was enjoying watching the stars and watching his boy. As he stroked the thin blond hair lightly, he remembered their conversation as Lucas was falling asleep.

"I don't want to be changed back." Came the quiet whisper from his legs where Lucas was resting his head.

"I know champ, I know. I'm very sorry for all this, it hasn't been very fair to you."

For a moment Lucas said nothing, and then Nathan felt the boy settle more firmly in his lap and a small hand grasp some his pants in a fist.

"Will you stay with me when they change me back?"

"Absolutely Lucas, absolutely."

ooooooooo

Nathan woke the next morning early, to find Lucas curled up in his bed beside him, and his comm. Unit ringing. I am way too old to be getting up this early in the morning. Lucas had been waking around 6 am every morning and the Captain hadn't had much rest.

Padding down to the comm. Unit he answered sleepily, "hello?"

"O'neil and Brody here Captain. Our estimated arrival time to your island is 45 minutes."

"Already?"

"Yessir…you requested we be there at…"

Nathan cut him off. "It's fine Lieutenant. We'll be ready."

Waking Lucas up was like handling a bowl full of jelly. They boy refused to open his eyes and remained a limp, dead weight in the Captain's arms. Finally he had resorted to threatening the boy with depositing him in a freezing shower and that managed to rouse him.

"Are you sure you have everything?"

"Yessir"

"Have you gone to the bathroom."

"Yessir"

"It's going to be okay, Lucas. I promise."

Silence.

"Well, let's go then, the shuttle's waiting for us." With that he took Lucas's hand in his and left the house.

oooooooooo

It hadn't been nearly as long as he had imagined it would be before they docked with the abandoned ship. He had ordered the shuttle straight there, as he didn't see much point in delaying this event any longer. Lucas was suffering enough as it was, and the sooner it was over with, the better.

As they approached the room that held the FOY Nathan could feel Lucas begin to tremble. He took him to stand in front of the machine and knelt in front of him, taking the small boy by the shoulders.

"Remember what I said, Lucas. I promised it would be okay, and I don't make promises lightly. And I don't break them once they're made."

"I know."

"Can I have a hug, champ?" Lucas threw his arms around the Captain's neck, as the older man squeezed him tight. With a kiss to Lucas's forehead, Nathan backed off behind the FOY where Dr. Gavel was waiting. The Dr. waited for a curt nod from Nathan and then he started the machine. In mere seconds the whole experience was over, but he was still left with a rather forlorn looking Lucas standing in the middle of the room.

He approached the teen much like he would approach an injured animal when you're afraid it will flee or attack you. Lucas was blinking rapidly, and Nathan could see his bright blue eyes trying to focus.

"You ok Lucas?" Lucas nodded. "Out loud, please."

With a small roll of his eyes Lucas said quietly, "yeah, I'm fine Cap'n"

Bridger lifted the teen's chin to meet his eyes. "I'm really glad to have you back."

Lucas didn't say anything in return, but he didn't look away. He saw Bridger give him the once over and then frown.

"Is it just me or are you shorter than you were before?"

"Technically I'm taller than before, Cap'n."

"Still a smart aleck, I see. I mean before, before." He qualified, turning to Dr. Gravel.

"It wasn't a perfect result Captain, but it was the best we could do. I'd guess he's physically within a year or two of his chronological age."

"Thank you Doctor," the older man replied. "We're heading back to the boat, I trust you'll make sure this thing is rendered useless so that it doesn't happen to anyone else?"

"Of course Captain."

oooooooooooooooooooo

"You gonna come to the bridge and say Hi to everyone?"

"No, I – I just want to be alone." And without giving the Captain a chance to reply, Lucas jogged off down the corridor. Nathan sighed and began making his way to the bridge.

He gave everyone the run down, informing them of Lucas' status, and even managed to remain there for an hour and a half before he started to pace.

"Jonathan…"

"No problem Captain."

"Thanks"

ooooooooooooooo

I've gotta start tracking that kid with GPS, the Captain thought to himself after checking Lucas' room, Mammal engineering, the lab, and the cargo bay empty holds. Nothing. His frustration growing he stomped through to his quarters, the metal door making a solid thunk as it hit the wall. He was too surprised to notice it, however, because there was Lucas curled into himself on the spare cot. Of course he'd come here! Lucas didn't notice the Captain's entrance either, as his arms were wrapped around his knees and his head resting on top.

"Lucas?"

The teen looked up, and Bridger was somewhat relieved to see he was dry-eyed, though he still looked distraught.

"How are you holding up?" Lucas just shrugged. "Back to the silent treatment, huh? I'm guessing you're a little mad at me, although you don't really understand why." Lucas nodded vigorously. "I think I can tell you why."

Lucas looked at him expectantly.

"You had a second chance at childhood. It's nice to be taken care of, and be held and hugged and tucked in at night when you're small, and let's face it, it's pretty clear you didn't get much of that your original trip through childhood." That got a small smile out of the boy. "So of course you wanted to stay small, because no matter what, things change as you grow up. We understand why you tried to sabotage the work on the FOY."

Lucas' head snapped up, fear and embarrassment in his eyes, but still not saying anything. Nathan reached out to push his hair out of his eyes.

"I'm guessing it was a little easier before when you didn't know what you were missing, huh?"

Another miserable nod from Lucas. "You want to talk about it?"

When he yet again received no response, the Captain stood up and headed for the door. Turning back he once again said, "Whenever you feel like talking, you can come to me. Any time, champ."

The use of the nickname brought out a small whimper from Lucas, and Bridger paused.

"Do you still want me? To adopt me?"

"Of course Lucas! Why would you ask something like that?"

"I'm not small anymore – usually people don't wanna 'dopt older kids."

"I wasn't looking to adopt just any boy, Lucas, I was looking to adopt you. And that means I'll take you at any age. Even 30!" he joked getting a laugh out of Lucas. "I want you to feel safe, and cared for and happy. And selfishly, I want you with me for as long as you can stand it, and I want to know that no one can take you away from me. And last but not least, because you are my son, and I love you."

Lucas hugged him around his waist so fast and hard he almost fell over.

"I love you, too."

Oooooooooo

OMG it's over. I hope you all enjoyed reading it, and I thank you all immensely for your wonderful reviews!