Apologies for the long wait, inspiration was there and then it was gone. I do not own SeaQuest, SeaQuest 2013, or any characters associated with the show.

CHAPTER 2

Two months aboard the SeaQuest found Kaia in a comfortable routine, or as David called it, a rut. She spent as much time in her Lab as she could get away with, absorbing her work into her system so that nothing else would be able to fit. Her peace was interrupted only by Captain Bridger's insistence that she attend the weekly Officer Briefings and be involved as much as possible in the ship's goings on. True to his word Jim, Lieutenant Brody her mind corrected, kept a professional distance.

"Excuse me, Dr. Williams" Kaia's attention was interrupted by a soft voice behind her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to steel her emotions, before turning from the test panels in front of her.

"Yes Doctor." She answered evenly, hoping to show no hint of her irritation. Dr. Wendy Smith was nice, Kaia had to admit, but from their first meeting there had been something about the dark-haired Doctor that raised her guard. Perhaps it was her piercing gaze, the constant sweetness of her voice, or possibly and most likely of all the Psychology degree she had hanging on the wall of her office that made Kaia fear every interaction with her feeling that she was being analyzed with every word.

"Dr. Smith had a smile on her face as she answered, "I was headed to the Galley for lunch and wanted to see if you would like to join me? We haven't really had a chance to get to know one another."

Kaia's mind groaned inwardly as her stomach growled it's consent, there was no way she could claim to not be hungry now and having just been commended by Captain Bridger at the Officer Briefing the morning before for being so up-to-date with her logs and reports she couldn't claim to be swamped with work. There was no savior, "Sure Dr. Smith."

"Please, call me Wendy"

"Kaia," she returned as they slowly made their way to the hatch. Science and Medical worked close and had many shared work spaces so she knew that this lunch was needed and with that in mind, did her best to be optimistic.

Kaia had not actually eaten a meal in the Galley, normally she would just pick up her meal and head back to the Lab, shoving in bites between tests, research, and reports. She had never noticed before how bright the room was or the amount of activity. Most of the tables had Crew Members crammed together, talking and laughing taking place as much as eating. The room was full with only an empty chair here and there, she was about to offer to go back to her lab so Wendy could sit where she liked and they could pick up another day, but was brought short when she noticed Wendy stopped at a table with two empty chairs.

"Here Kaia, we can join these guys." Wendy waived her over as she sat down leaving one empty seat next to none other than Jim Brody. Kaia knew there was no way she could avoid the encounter without curiosity, so she set her tray down and barely caught her water as it tipped towards Jim's tray. "Sorry Lieutenant" she muttered as she used her napkin to wipe up the few drops that had spilled. She glanced to see Jim watching her intently, the same way he had outside the Launch Bay when she arrived, looking for the person she used to be. He broke his stare and shifted his tray to give her more room. "No problem Doc."

With Wendy to her left and Jim to her right she looked around to see who was also at their table. Across from her she found Commander Ford and on each side of him Lieutenants O'Neil and Ortiz. They paused their conversation for a moment as she sat, gave her their acknowledgements and went on with their conversation. Kaia's attention remained on Wendy most of the meal, oblivious to the rest of the table, and kept a purposely closed ear to Jim. It was for that reason that she was very surprised to feel her hand taken in a firm grip, she knew instantly who the hand belonged to. Wendy had just turned to a Crew Member who stopped to ask a question, so she had the opportunity to whirl on him, her hand still firmly held by his, her words though were stopped by the icy rage in his eyes. She had seen the look in their lives together, but it was never in her direction and did not think it was now. Kaia knew she had missed something and turned her attention to the rest of the table. Wendy spoke to the Crewman and the other three occupants were still engrossed in their conversation, "Jim," she spoke softly so as not to be overheard or draw attention. "What's …" It was then that Commander Ford's voice opened her ears and she felt her blood turn to ice, numbness spreading, her hand gripping Jim's just as hard./p

Jonathan Ford was unaware of the nightmares his words brought to mind in the two across from him. He had explained to the Lieutenants at the table, Tim O'Neill, Miguel Ortiz, and James Brody that before taking his lunch he had been informed of an SOS from a Warden at a cryogenic prison and per Captain's orders had made course to respond, they would arrive within a few hours./p

"Cryogenic prison, must be serious, who is it?" O'Neill asked, biting into the last of his sandwich./p

"Rubin Zellar" Jonathan's answer gained everyone's attention.

"The war criminal?" Ortiz asked the question, his eyes showing his surprise.

Raging with Jim across the table, Kaia silently answered the question, the man I am going to kill.