Hello everyone. I want to thanks the reviews I receive for the last chapter. A great thank you to my beta EskimoSatan. She do a very wonderful job.

- CHAPTER NINE -

- RESCUING LUCAS -

For several hours Oliver and his team ran over all the possible scenarios, calculating success in each course of action until they finally had come up with a workable plan. With the plan finalized, they began to get the gear together than they would need. As soon as everyone had dispersed, Sandy, Dalton and Mike pulled Tom aside.

" So, Tom, got any clue as to what's going on? "

Tom look at Sandy curiously, " What do you mean? "

" Don't play numb, Tom. " Dalton lowered his voice conspiratorially, " What Bourne is doing to that kid is sick, but the way Oliver's acting about this, it's like he's got some kind of personal attachment to his Ensign. "

Tom quickly glanced around, making sure that they were still alone, " Look, I don't have any more of a clue than you do. I've tried asking him, but he flat out refuses to tell me anything. "

" Who'd have thought Captain Hudson would fall in love with a man, and one so young. "

Tom glared at Mike reproachfully, " You don't know if that's true and you can't go around accusing a man of that kind of thing without proof. What if you wrong? That kind of rumor could ruin his reputation. "

Sandy raised a skeptical eyebrow, " Are you kidding? Oliver must be head over heals if he's willing to risk this much. Not that I blame him, if those pictures are anything to go by, he's a cute kid. Hell, I wouldn't mind taking a turn if he wasn't already spoken for. " Dalton glared and Sandy raised her hands defensively. " What! You heard him, the kid's seventeen, he's legal! "

Hudson closed his eyes and held in a deep sign. He'd hidden himself behind a wall and heard the entire conversation. Damnit. Turning around, he walked outside, stopped in front of the patio furniture and clenching his fist around the top of a chair. That was exactly what he'd been afraid of, but he couldn't set them straight, not yet. Lucas had a right to hear it first and if everything went as planned, he'd have the chance that he'd let slip past him so many times before and this time, he intended to take it.

He had to find a way to put an end to this. During his last torture session, Lucas had thought that Bourne had finally gone too far, that he would die from it. It had hurt so much and there had been so much blood. He hadn't thought it was possible for him to bleed that much anymore. However, death had slipped past him and left him in this nightmare, with Bourne and his punishments and Lucas could feel another part of him breaking. He had to end this, but how?

Jonathon Ford looked around the bridge of the Seaquest at his crew, remembering the day Secretary General McGath had given them the horrible news.

Tim, Jim, Loni, J.J., Hudson, Dagwood, Tony, Dr. Perry and himself had all been huddled around the vid-link, pressing into each other in their eagerness to hear what McGath had to say. McGath's words that day were emblazened into his mind.

" As you all are aware we have been investigating the capture of Ensign Lucas Wolenczak. After three months, Section Seven has finished their investigation. It appears that Ensign Wolenczak was captured by Alexander Bourne for the purpose of creating military weaponry. When he refused, Bourne ordered his execution. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Ensign Wolenczak is dead. Seaquest it to return to Pearl Harbor for a Memorial in four days, at 10 hundred hours. Captain Hudson, I leave it to you to notify Nathan Bridger. I'll be awaited your arrival at the docking port. McGath out. "

It had been so impersonal, so detached. Lucas had done great things for the UEO and yet his death was no more important to them than any other soldier and to leave it to Captain Hudson to tell Nathan...

" Jon, are you okay? "

He was pulled out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Loni standing next to him. He took a deep breath, " I'm fine. I was just thinking. "

She nodded knowingly, " About Lucas. "

He smiled ruefully. After so long, it shouldn't shock him that she knew him so well. " Yes. I was just remembering McGath. There was something about the way he told us, something... "

She interjected, " Like Lucas wasn't important, like he was washing his hands clean of the affair by passing the duty of informing Nathan onto Captain Hudson. The bastard. "

There was an extended silence and finally Jon shifted in his seat. " You should know that when Captain Hudson returns, I intend to request a short leave of absence. I need some time with my family. "

" Do you want me to join you? "

" I... think that sounds like a good idea. Now, however, I think it's about time you return to your post, before the other's start talking. We'll continue this discussion later? "

Loni squeezed his shoulder and stepped away, giving him one more concerned glance before going about her duties.

It had taken two agonizing days to complete the preparations for the rescue mission Oliver stood with his arms crossed, facing the group of men before him. " Are we ready? "

The others glanced at each other. Oliver had been asking that same question two and three times a day since they'd finalized the plan. Of course, now that they were finally ready, he seemed to be even more edgy. The only difference today, was that Tom appeared just as jumpy, looking around and going over every list three times before even calling the meeting.

Tom nodded to Oliver, " Yes, the shuttle's equipped with all the medical and tactical equipment we'll be needing. I'd like to run through the drills a few more times, but it doesn't look like we've got the time. We're going in tonight. "

Sandy looked concerned, " Tonight? That's a little short notice, isn't it? "

" I spoke with my intelligence again and it appears the Bourne has stepped up the abuse to new levels. I fear that Lucas might not survive another night in that place. If we don't move, there's a good chance that we'll lose him. "

The Captain clenched his jaw and stood straighter, dropping his hands to his sides, " We move now. "

It had taken six hours to maneuver through the heavily secured waters and into the away pool at Bourne's private villa. Tom switched the engines to silent and turned to the other men. "Okay, we're entering the final stages. Oliver, like we discussed, you're staying here and manning the shuttle, keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Go. " The other's filed out and Tom put a hand on Oliver's shoulder, " I know you want to come, but trust me, okay? "

Oliver nodded, fighting to keep his anxiety from showing. " Just bring him back to me and don't get yourselves killed. "

Tom smiled and patted Oliver's shoulder once. " You know us, Oli, we'll get you're Ensign back. " Deboarding, he motion for the other's follow him and set off through the maze of hedges to the backdoor. The night was eerily silent and they all looked at each other, wondering what was in store for them. Finally, Tom's contact opened the door to let them in.

" Bourne and his guards are in a meeting, so I'd say we've got about ten minutes to get this done. Did you bring the clothes? "

Tom nodded towards Sandy, who patted her pack once. " We're good, just show us the way. "

They followed the man, creeping silently through the shadows of the house until they came to a heavily secured door. Quickly, the contact entered the security code into the side panel and stepped aside, allowing Tom and his men entrance. With a steadying breath, they filed into the room and stopped cold.

The room itself was opulent enough, with lavish furnishings and expensive wall hangings, but it wasn't the room that made their throats close and their hearts ache. In the corner of the very large room, was the very small, naked figure of Lucas Wolenczak, curled in on himself and pressed into the wall protectively.

Sandy was the first to regain her composure. Stepping forward, she put a hand out, gently shaking Lucas. " Lucas? Lucas, come on, look at me. My name is Sandy, I'm a friend of Captain Oliver Hudson. " She had hoped that would bring him out of whatever shock he was in, but he didn't respond. It was like he was catatonic.

Taking her pack off, she unzipped it and pulled out the clothing they had brought with them. " Lucas, we're taking you out of here, but I need you to get dressed. " Slowly, he reached out a hand, taking the clothes. However, his body wouldn't cooperate and the clothes slipped to the floor.

Sandy shook her head and picked up the pants. " I'm sorry, Lucas, but if we don't get out of here fast, we may not make it. Please, let me help you. " To her relief, he didn't fight her as she pulled them on him.

As she finished lacing them, so they wouldn't fall off, Tom moved forward. " Are we almost ready? "

The shirt fell into place around him, swamping his thin body. Sandy looked at him regretfully, he was far too thin, a good breeze would blow him over. " I don't think he can walk. "

Tom handed his weapon off to Sandy and leaned down, picking Lucas up in his arms. Lucas was confused. His body wanted to fight this man that was holding him, to flinch away from the gentle grip, but these were friends of the Captain's, he could trust them, they wouldn't hurt him. Adjusting his hold, Tom nodded to the others to follow him. Sandy took the lead, intending to protect Tom and Lucas if there was any interference.

Getting in had been easy, but now that they had the boy, the intensity of the mission seemed to heighten. Every shadow could be a threat, every sound could be the alarm going off. It felt like eternity before they finally came to the back door and stepped out into the cool night air. Tom nodded his thanks to his contact and they raced back to the ship, aware that at any moment Bourne could notice Lucas missing.

Oliver stood by in shock as they piled in and Tom moved to the back of the ship, laying Lucas on the bunk they had prepared for him. Sandy immediately took out her medical kit and began examining Lucas for any major injuries that couldn't wait until they were in safe waters. Oliver stared down at his Ensign, gripping the wall tightly. Dalton moved to the cockpit to take the pilot seat, trying to ignore the tears he'd seen in Oliver's eyes. Somehow, the sight of the captain crying was nearly enough to make his own eyes water. There would be time for that later, though, right now they had to get out of Macronasian waters before...

The blare of alarms told Dalton they were too late - Bourne had noticed Lucas missing. Not waiting for further instructions, he hit the switch to take them off stealth mode and steered them towards open sea as quickly as he could. If the alarms going off were any indication, they knew Lucas was gone and it would only be a matter of minutes before subs were sent after them.

Lucas lay on the bunk, not daring to move. He'd prayed for rescue for so long and it was here, they'd taken him out of that hell. Slowly, he rolled his eyes and looked at Captain Hudson, who was standing to his right, gripping the bulkhead for support as the little sub moved through the water towards safety. Without thinking, Lucas turned, dropping out of the bunk and wrapping his arms around the Captain's legs. They smelled like the captain and Lucas felt himself starting to cry. This wasn't some dream or a wish, this was real.

The intensity of Lucas's sobs scared Oliver, he understood the kid's distress, but he had to calm him down. Oliver dropped to his knees and held Lucas to him, petting the boy's head and found himself muttering words of comfort. Lucas didn't care that he was crying in front of the captain, a man that he respected above all others. Hudson had come, he had saved him and that was the only thing that mattered.

Bourne stared at the empty room, furious. " Where is my Pretty One? "

One the guards nervously stepped forward, " Sir, while we were with you, it appears that someone came in and took him. They're probably already in the water by... "

" Then go after them! Send two of my best ships and I want them captured, not destroyed. Do not fail to bring my Pretty One back to me. "

" Yes, sir. "

They rushed to security post to give the ships their orders. They knew very well what Bourne was capable of when he was angry and even if that were the only thing riding on this, they still wouldn't have dared to fail. Of course, there was also their own fun to consider. With the boy in Bourne's possession, they occasionally got to play with him and they liked that. They'd catch him again if it was the last thing they did.

Dalton pushed the ship, making her go as fast as she could. They'd managed to evade detection for the last two hours, but they were running on luck and luck would only take them so far. They had to find another way out of this. Mike turned to Oliver, " Oli, we need help. "

Oliver looked up from where he sat. Lucas had stopped crying, but he was still shaking badly and the sooner they got him to a doctor the better. " What are you thinking? "

" Seaquest is just on the other side of the border. "

" The Seaquest? I'd hoped to keep them out of this. "

Jason took his eyes off the radar to look back at Hudson, " Oli, not saying I don't understand, but we can't dodge radar forever. They're going to find us eventually unless we get help and the Seaquest is the only ship close enough and big enough to protect us. Now either we call Sequest or we're as good as handing that kid back over to Bourne. "

Oliver felt Lucas shudder under him and hushed him, stroking his head one more time before helping him sit back onto the bed. " Open a channel to Seaquest. " Jason flipped a switch and Oliver leaned over him. " Seaquest, this is Captain Hudson, respond. "

There were several tense moments of silence before O'Niel's voice came through the speaker. " Captain, this is Seaquest, responding. "

Oliver sighed in relief. " Patch me through to the war room. I need to speak with Commander Ford in private. "

" Yes, sir. " He heard the sounds of Commander Ford being ordered to the war room and then silence. Oliver took a moment to look back at Lucas, sitting on the bunk as still as a statue. He had to get him to safety. There wasn't any room to hesitate anymore, if Seaquest was their only hope, then he'd take it gladly.

" Commander Ford. "

" Commander, this is Captain Hudson, I need your help. "

" Sir, aren't you on vacation? " The confusion showed clear in Commander Ford's voice.

" That's a negative. I am currently in a shuttle in Macronasian waters being pursued by two Macro ships and I am in need of assistance. "

" How the hell did you end up in enemy waters? "

" That's a long story, Commander, and I don't have time for it. We need to get out of here now and have Dr. Perry prepare to receive a patient. "

" Are you hurt, Sir! "

" No, Commander, but the person we've just rescued is. Have the senior staff waiting for us in the launch bay. I'm transferring the coordinates now. Can I count on your help, Commander? "

" Of course, Captain, we'll move to intercept, we should be there in about fifteen minutes. It'll be good to have you back, Captain. Ford out. "

Commander Ford wasted no time getting to the bridge. Whatever Captain Hudson was up to, he wasn't going to let him down. " Helm, set course for the coordinates we just received. O'Niel, sound battle stations, we're going into Macronasian waters to pick up Captain Hudson. Let Dr. Perry know he has a patient incoming. Lieutenant Brody, Lieutenant Frederick have your sub fighters ready for battle - the Captain's being tracked by two enemy ships, we may have to engage. "

Dalton and Mike did their best to escape the ships pursuing them, but in the end the Seaquest arrived just in time to rescue them. Brody and Frederick intercepted the four sub fighters attacking the shuttle and fought them off while Seaquest advised the two Macronasian ships not to interfere with the rescue of the UEO shuttle. After several tense minute, the ships turned around.

As O'Niel ordered them to dock at launch bay four, Hudson felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It was over, the mission was accomplished, Lucas was safe and he could trust Dr. Perry to see that the kid made a full recovery.

- ONE LAST CHAPTER -