Deep Blue Blackmail
Chapter 17
By Kiddo
In Loving Memory of Jonathan Brandis
"Don't fix a broken heart. Who really wants to forget?" (Joseph Fiennes)
"I always will remember you by real good moments." ("Real Good Moments" by Christian Wunderlich)
Disclaimer: I don't have any rights to the TV show "seaQuest DSV," and I am not making any money with this fanfiction. Mike Erikson is my own creation.
A big "Thank You" goes to my beta reader Jackie and everybody who reviewed.
Reviews and feedback are always welcome.
This chapter is for Peppy to cheer her up. Get well soon!
Around 7 p.m. that evening, Lucas was looking around his cabin for tissues. Unfortunately, his search wasn't successful. The only thing he had found was one last tissue, which he immediately stuffed in his pocket.
The teenager realized that he had to ask Krieg for tissues. He looked at his watch and frowned. The morale officer had told him that afternoon that he had a date with one of the nurses from medbay this evening, and Lucas was sure that he wouldn't want to be disturbed. But on the other hand, he really needed some tissues…
The young man decided to go and get a box of tissues himself. After all, he knew where Ben kept them, and he could tell Krieg about taking one later so that the supply officer could mark it on his inventory sheet.
The teenager slipped into his blue sneakers and pulled on a sweatshirt. Then, he left the cabin and turned in the direction of the storeroom. He still wasn't allowed to leave his cabin, or even his bed really, but he decided that this little trip couldn't hurt. Besides, Dr. Westphalen and Bridger would probably never know. He just had to pay attention so that he wouldn't run into one of them.
When he reached the storeroom, it took Lucas a moment to find a box of 100 tissues. He immediately opened it and pulled one out so he could blow his nose. After he blew his nose, the computer genius got the feeling that his little trip hadn't been such a good idea after all. He felt dizzy and weak.
The teenager took a few deep breaths, then grabbed the tissue box in his left hand and headed back towards his cabin. About 200 meters later, he had to put his hand on the wall for support. The dizziness was getting worse, and everything was spinning around him. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, but unfortunately, that only led to a fresh coughing fit. Things got worse as he started seeing little stars.
When the boy felt a bit better, he went on, but about 10 steps later, it got so bad that he had to sit down on the floor. He almost felt like he was going to pass out.
"Lucas!" When Captain Bridger saw the teen he immediately rushed to his side. The young genius jumped a bit when he heard his name. Just the person he had tried to avoid. "What happened?" Bridger knelt down next to him and looked at him worriedly.
The computer genius had his eyes closed. "I think the blood rushed out of my head for a second. I got really dizzy all of a sudden. It felt weird."
The older man nodded. "That's exactly why you're supposed to stay in bed." He studied the boy. "What are you doing up?"
Lucas opened his eyes and held up the box of tissues. "I ran out of tissues."
Nathan shook his head but didn't say anything. There were more important things at the moment. "Can you stand up?" The floor had to be cold and uncomfortable.
The blond teen nodded. "I think so."
"Good, then let's get you back back to your cabin." Bridger helped the boy to stand up, as he was still quite shaky.
The whole way back to Lucas's cabin, the captain supported his youngest crew member. The boy was quite weak and looked extremely pale. Because they had to take it slow, it took some time for them to reach the cabin.
Finally they reached the cabin, and Lucas sat down on his bed and pulled his shoes and sweatshirt off. He intentionally didn't lie down right away because he guessed that such a sudden movement would only make him feel dizzier at the moment. He really felt awful.
Bridger looked closely at the computer genius. "Better?"
The teenager nodded gently. "Yeah, I think so. I think I just overdid it. I thought that because I felt better this afternoon when the others were here that it would be okay if I walked a short distance."
The captain nodded. "You shouldn't ignore your condition. There is a good reason why Dr. Westphalen told you to stay in bed and took you off duty. She is a good doctor; she knows what she's doing."
Lucas made a face. "I know," he said grudgingly, given his dislike of doctors.
Nathan smiled and sat down across from teenager on the chair. "Next time you need something, just call one of us. I don't want you going anywhere on your own."
The blond boy looked sideways, trying to avoid Bridger's eyes. "I didn't want to make any trouble."
The captain shook his head. "You aren't, you're just sick, and we want to take care of you to make sure that you are okay."
Lucas looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry because I cause so many problems."
Bridger felt a prick in his heart. Where was the teenager who at their first meeting had once made fun of the hand signals he used with Darwin? Maybe this was just the effect of the Wolenczaks' lack of parental love for their son. Maybe Lucas's confident and sometimes even arrogant behavior was a kind of cover that he hid behind so that he wouldn't get hurt. Who knew?
"Lucas, you aren't causing any problems."
The boy was still looking at the floor as if there was something really interesting there. He just wasn't used to this kind of treatment - people that he'd only known for a short time, caring for him this much. His parents had never done that. He had almost always been a problem for them, so how could he believe that that wasn't the case on the seaQuest?
"Please, look at me." Bridger waited until the teen lifted his head and looked at him. "You aren't causing any problems." Nathan had the feeling that what Lucas had said was prompted by more than just his momentary illness. "Okay. I have to admit that when I first heard a 16-year old was going to be on board I had my doubts, but they disappeared quickly. I am more than happy that you are here!" The older man smiled. "Actually, I really don't know what we would do without you. You are irreplaceable to the crew but also to me. I know that I can trust you blindly, and that whatever you do, you put your whole heart into it."
"Thanks." Lucas voice sounded husky, and this time it wasn't because of his sore throat.
Nathan smiled again and briefly ruffled the boy's hair. "No problem. I think we all need to hear things like that from time to time." The captain stood up. "So, I'll go now so you can get some rest. Pal me if you need anything, no matter what time it is." He turned to the door. "Sleep well, Kiddo."
The computer genius nodded thoughtfully. "Good night, Captain, and thanks again."
Bridger smiled before he closed the door behind him. "Anytime, anytime."
Now that the teenager was alone, he lay down in his bed and snuggled into his covers. Suddenly being sick and not being allowed to work didn't feel so bad anymore. Since his conversation with the captain, he felt warm inside. It was like he had finally arrived, like he had found his real home. With a happy smile playing on his lips, he fell asleep.
The End
Written 2005/ Translated Spring 2006
Sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I tried to post it a few times. But everytime I tried it wasn't working.