Hello, I want to thanks my beta EskimoSatan. She have done a very wonderful work. I want to thanks everyone for they're reviews, it's give me the force to continue. Now I let you read the final chapter.

- CHAPTER TEN -

- SAFE AT HOME -

The Seaquest Senior staff waited anxiously for the captain to come out of the shuttle. Dr. Perry stood at the head of the group, her stretcher ready and waiting to take her mystery patient to medbay for whatever treatment they may need. The doors to the shuttle opened and the captain's back appeared. He stood there for a moment while someone placed a limp body into his outstretched arms, then he turned to face them, his eyes focused only on the stretcher as he laid the body of what appeared to be a young man on it.

The crew watching froze as the man's head lolled to the side and they finally saw who it was. It was Lucas! For a moment, they thought maybe they were hallucinating, but it was obvious by the looks on everyone's faces that they were all seeing the same thing.

Doctor Perry was the first to come back to herself. " Oh, my god, Lucas! " She rushed forward, checking Lucas pulse and brushing his blonde hair from his forehead to better see his face. " It's just not possible. "

The captain put a hand on her shoulder and she looked at him, expecting answers. " It's him, Doctor, and he needs your help. I'll explain more in detail when I know he's going to be okay, but for now, this is Sandy, she'll tell you what you need to know. " He faced the crew, " Commander, set course for Pearl Harbor and assemble the senior staff in the war room. I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Lieutenant O'Niel, contact the Secretary-General and have the call patched through to the war room. Prepare rooms for my friends, they need their rest. It's good to be home. Dismissed. "

As they rushed towards the medical bay, Doctor Perry listened carefully to what Sandy was telling her. It was horrible to have to hear the things that Bourne had done to the young Ensign, especially knowing that this was only the basics and the whole story had yet to be heard, but she focused through the tears running down her cheeks. She couldn't help him if she didn't know what was wrong.

Switching to Doctor mod, she analyzed the information. The first thing she needed to do was check for internal damage. With one last look at Lucas's unconscious form, she began the Cat Scan.

Captain Hudson and his crew waited anxiously in the war room for the Secretary-General to answer the call. Finally, McGath appeared on the vid-link. " Captain Hudson, this is a surprise, I thought you weren't scheduled to be back on Seaquest for another few days. Has something happened? "

" As a matter of fact, yes. A few hours ago, I took some men and went on a rescue mission in Macronasian territory. "

" What? " McGath's face went red with anger. " Explain yourself, Captain. "

Captain Hudson didn't so much as blink at the irrate Secretary-General. " I discovered that Section Seven sold Ensign Lucas Wolenczak to President Alexander Bourne. The deal was made twelve years ago, but the Seaquest disappeared before the plan could be put into action. When the ship and Lucas reappeared, he contacted Section Seven and they were more than happy to comply with his request. "

" Are you telling me that Wolenczak is alive? "

" I am. "

" Captain, you will turn him over the UEO immediately. It's imperative that we find out what Bourne wanted from him. "

The Captain slammed his hands down on the top of the table, though his voice remained steady and firm. " Now you listen to me and you listen carefully. The UEO is to come nowhere near that boy and you're dreaming if you think I'm going to permit anyone to interrogate him. Lucas hasn't spoken in months, so anything you need to know, you ask me. Bourne wanted Lucas for sex. He's been using him as a bedmate for the past six months and you can not even begin to imagine the hell he's been through. You and Section Seven abandoned the boy to that hell, you left him to be beaten and broken by Bourne. You have let Section Seven get away with this crap for too long and I will not turn my back on it anymore. "

McGath opened his mouth to say something, but Captain Hudson cut him off.

" If you want a public relation's nightmare, sir, go ahead and try to approach Lucas. I have a seventeen-year-old boy to protect and I will protect him at all costs, even my own career. You'll be receiving my official report shortly and then the UEO will sign custody of Lucas Wolenczak over to me. Thank you for your time, Hudson out. "

The crew watched the captain in awe. They had never seen him defy the Secretary-General so bluntly and the fact that he was willing to go so far to protect their young friend made them proud to serve under him. They were willing to do whatever it took to protect Lucas, as well, and they would follow Hudson's orders on the matter without question. Still, they were curious about what had happened. He'd said that Bourne wanted Lucas for sex, but surely that didn't mean what they thought it meant.

Oliver turned to face them and sighed deeply, stealing himself before launching into his story. The looks on their faces showed how horrified and disgusted they were, but there was a chance that the Seaquest would have to face down McGath and UEO and they had a right to know what they were fighting for.

As Doctor Perry finished her treatment, she felt a huge weight press down on her. She'd done everything she could, but even modern science wasn't going to be enough to repair him completely. He was going to need time and even then... She sighed and took off her gloves, putting them in the receptacle before pulling the covers over Lucas and taking another moment to study his peaceful sleep.

Stepping out of the medbay, she saw the senior staff sitting in the small waiting room, anxiously awaiting her report. " He's resting now. I've treated his injuries, but it'll be a while before he has full mobility. His body has become chemically addicted to the drugs that Bourne was giving him, with everything else that's going on, I don't think it would be wise to cut him off completely, but I'll start weaning him tomorrow and with any luck he'll be clear of them within a few months. Of course, that's only his physical condition, mentally... well, we'll have to wait until the specialist has seen him to know more. Although, considering what Sandy told me, it doesn't look good and I can say with certainty that he will never be the same Lucas we knew before. We're all going to have to work hard to try and help him recover, if we're lucky, we'll get some small part of him back. "

The Captain closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn't as good as he'd hoped for, but not as bad as he'd feared. " Can I see him? "

" Go ahead, it'll probably do him good to have a familiar face there when he comes around. " She stepped aside to let him pass.

Tony stepped forward, " Sir, I think you should contact Nathan Bridger. He needs to know about Lucas. "

Captain Hudson nodded from the doorway, " Commander Ford, if you would? I'd like to stay with Lucas for the time being. "

Ford couldn't fight back the grim smile. No matter how bad the situation was, he could only imagine how relieved Nathan was going to be. " Yes, sir, it'll be my pleasure. "

" Thank you. Everyone return to your duties and... thank you. "

With a quick salute, they dispersed, each deep in his or her own thoughts about what this was going to mean for the Seaquest and for them. Captain Hudson went into the medical bay and sat down, looking at Lucas with growing ease. He was safe now and Hudson would do everything in his power to protect him and help him heal. Taking the boy's hand, he pet his hair affectionately, not caring that Doctor Perry or anyone else could come in at any moment. Lucas was safe.

Commander Ford immediately headed to his quarters and patched a secure line to Bridger's home, waiting anxiously while the phone rang. The screen blinked to life and he found himself staring at the top of a small boy's head. " Hello? "

" Hi, Michael. "

He watched the little boy push himself up onto his tip toes so that his eyes peered over the top of the desk. " Hello, Jontin. "

" Is your grandfather in? "

Without a word, the boy dropped down and Commander Ford heard the sound of bare feet padding across the floor under the loud yells of, " Gran'pa, it's for you! "

A moment later Nathan sat in front of the screen, a strained smile on his face. " Jonathan, how are you? "

" I'm very happy, sir. Nathan, Lucas is alive. "

There was a long pause, in which Nathan seemed to be processing those three words over and over in his mind. " That isn't funny. "

" I'm not joking. "

" Jonathan, I was at his funeral. Now, I don't know what's gotten into you, but I have important... "

" Sir, I know what it sounds like, but hear me out. " Another few moments of silent thought and Nathan sat back in his seat, nodding.

Commander Ford quickly went through the events that had occurred in the last few hours; the call from Captain Hudson requesting rescue, the Macronasian ships, Lucas coming out of the shuttle and Dr. Perry's diagnosis.

As he finished, Nathan closed his eyes and ran his hand over his face. " You're not joking. " Commander Ford shook his head and Nathan dropped his hand and opened his eyes. They were full of questions and Ford couldn't blame him. " Why did the UEO proclaim him dead? "

This was what Ford was dreading having to tell Nathan. The man had spent years nurturing and protecting the boy. He'd done everything in power to keep Lucas out of harm's way and after all that... " The execution was a way to cover their tracks. According to Captain Hudson, Section Seven sold Lucas to Bourne. "

" Why? What did Bourne want with Lucas? " The growing dread on Nathan's face was apparent and Commander Ford could see that he already half suspected the answer.

" Bourne has a... weakness for young men. "

" What are you saying, Jonathan? "

" Bourne wanted Lucas for sex, sir. Apparently he had a run in with Lucas twelve years ago, just before the Seaquest vanished. He's been obsessed with him ever since, kidnaping boys that looked like Lucas and holding them captive until they didn't fit into his fantasy anymore. When Seaquest reappeared and Lucas was on her, he took what he really wanted. Lucas. "

Nathan was staring blankly at the screen, his mouth open as if he wanted to speak, but couldn't.

" From what Hudson's sources have said, Lucas hasn't spoken in months. He's badly traumatized. He's been drugged almost constantly over the last six months, beaten, raped. Nathan, Lucas needs you. "

The words snapped the man out of his shock and he sat up. " Of course, I'm on my way. Where are you now? "

" We'll be docking in Pearl Harbor in a few days. "

He nodded, " I'll meet you there. " Nathan reached forward to turn off the screen and paused, " Thank you, Jonathan. I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier. "

Commander Ford nodded. He wasn't sure he would have reacted any differently. In fact, if Captain Hudson had told him that he had Lucas aboard the shuttle when he asked for help, Ford would have thought the man had gone insane.

" It's not a problem, sir. It'll be good to see you again. Ford out. "

Lucas regained consciousness slowly, dragging himself out of the blissfully nothingness into painful awareness. Only... it wasn't so painful this time. He'd had the most wonderful dream, the first one in months that didn't end up as a nightmare. He'd dreamed that Captain Hudson had come to save him. Of course, it had only been a dream, but it had been such a nice one.

He felt someone holding his hand and hesitantly, he opened his eyes. What he saw made it impossible for him to even breath. It was the most wonderful sight in the entire world. Captain Hudson was sitting next to him, holding his hand and looking at him, not with disgust, but with concern and this wasn't his room at Bourne's manor, this was the medbay on Seaquest. He felt tears prick at his eyes and couldn't stop them from pouring over.

Captain Hudson wrapped him in his strong arms and Lucas tried his best not to flinch. " It's okay, Lucas. Sh, your safe now. You're on Seaquest and I'm going to take care of you. Don't worry, I'll protect you. Nobody's going to hurt you again, I promise. Trust me. "

Lucas forced himself to sink into Hudson's hold. He didn't think he knew how to trust anyone anymore, but he wanted to. He wanted to so badly and this was the Captain, this was Hudson, this was the man who came to rescue him, who didn't give him up for dead. If he was going to be able to trust anyone, it should be him.

Oliver rocked Lucas slowly, careful not to jar his injuries. He could see the uncertainty in the boy's eyes and his heart ached. He'd thought that maybe it would be better to wait and give Lucas the news when he was a little better, but maybe... maybe it would make it easier for the boy.

" Lucas, I need to tell you something. " The body against him tensed, but he trudged forward, aware that if he didn't get it out now, he might never. " Do you remember when you returned from... well, wherever it was you disappeared to? Remember all the tests they ran? A few weeks after I joined Seaquest as it's Captain, I got a call from a friend of mine who had access to those test results. "

He took a deep, calming breath. " Lucas, I'm really not sure how to tell you this, but... I care for every member of my crew. I'd do anything to protect them, but with you, Lucas, it's different, because... you're my son. "

- THE END -