Chapter 12:

Dr. Kristin Westphalen sat in her office looking over the charts of the Seaquest crew. They all showed signs of a form of cryogenic state that slowed the aging process. They had all in fact aged but only about a year's time in translation. She had run several tests trying to pin point the exact method but had not found the answer as of yet. She was just about to order another set of test when a knock came at her door.

"Come in," Kristin looked up to see Nathan Bridger enter her office, " Hello, Nathan."

"Not going to bite my head off yet are you?" Nathan quipped cautiously.

"Well, if you continue with that attitude, I may. I am sorry for striking you though; I let my emotions get the better of me."

Nathan looked surprised, "That was your emotions towards me? I suppose I was wrong for thinking we would have a happy reunion. You know the first thing I asked about when I got back was you and Lucas. Now you all act like you need to protect Lucas from me of all people." Nathan realized he had over stepped some unknown boundary as he watched Kristin's expression turn from one of apology to one of anger.

"So, you really don't remember anything at all?" Kristin leaned against her desk eyeing Nathan.

"Not a thing," Nathan retored,"Especially nothing to earn the reactions and looks I got from you and Ben today."

"Just because you don't remember it doesn't mean you didn't earn it," Kristin admonished," Nathan, it's been 10 years. When you first disappeared, I used to dream of you coming back like.. well just like you did and, well over time and with everything that happened to Lucas. We all adjusted to the changes and the loss and we moved on."

"Moved on? Malcom, I take it," Nathan folded his arms trying to hid the hurt in his voice as he received a stern glare from Kristin.

"There was a time when Malcom and I found comfort in one another but, he wanted things of the relationship that I wasn't ready to give him and well, Lucas had quite a problem with the whole thing. I had a choice to make and I chose—"

"Me?" Bridger said hopefully.

"No, I chose Lucas. He needed me and I needed him. We've stayed together all this time."

"Everyone is mad at me for leaving. Don't you realize it wasn't my fault? This whole mess wasn't my doing! I'm not to blame for your heart break. I do regret that you went through this without me but, I didn't do anything wrong."

"Nathan, to you it may seem easy to forgive. For you this has been a matter of hours. You haven't aged you're not physically any older. For you it's like someone hit the God damn pause button, you didn't lose any time, we have. 10 years ago I would have married you in a heartbeat. Now the idea seems absurd. 10 years ago things were different," Kristin yelled finally letting go of her tears.

"Fine," Nathan growled trying to keep his emotions in check," Then at least tell me why the hell everyone is so damn determined to keep Lucas from me?"

Kristin turned to face Nathan, matching his glare. "Because Nathan, wither you meant to or not, wither you remember it or not, you damned near killed him 10 years ago! The fact that you don't remember now makes very little difference. What's done is done!"

"Damn it Kristin, you of all people should know, I would never intentionally hurt Lucas. They boy is like a son to me," Nathan barked back at her, "Go ahead then, tell me what the hell did I do?"

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Kristin took a deep breath walking over to her desk drawer. She pulled out a large file that contained several disks and photographs. She sat for a moment staring at Nathan, the man she once loved, trying to decide where to begin.

….

Ben Krieg sat in the conference room the UEO had designated a make shift lounge for the Seaquest crew. He smiled to himself as he watched Tim O'neill and Miguel Ortiz arguing with each other occasionally gesturing his way.

"Got something to say boys?" Ben mocked trying to sound as official as he could.

Tim O'neill swallowed hard as they replied in unison, "No, sir."

"Knock it off with the sirs would ya? I'm not your CO."

"Speakin' of our CO," Tony butted in making Tim cringe, "What's everybody's problem with the cap. Youse guys act like he killed Luke or somethin'."

Ben cocked his head to the side and nodded, "Almost."

"Whaddaya mean almost? Cap'in Bridger would never do anythin' like that. To me yea maybe but, not to Luke! No way!"

"I hate to agree with Tony, Ben but, he's right. Captain Bridger would never hurt Lucas." Tim said looking up from his plate.

"Well, that says a lot. Tim never agrees with Tony." Ortiz added taking a bite from his apple.

"Do any of you remember when you evacuated the Seaquest?" Ben asked taking a deep breath.

The men all shook their heads as the voice of Lonnie Henderson came from a cot drawing all eyes her way. "Lucas was still on the bridge after the evacuation. I remember because I was scared and he held my hand. I don't remember what I was afraid of but, I know Lucas was there."

A spark of recognition lit in Cmdr. Ford's eyes. "I remember Lucas did stay. He wanted to help. Bridger resisted at first but, then he allowed it. I can't remember what the problem was but, Lucas thought he could help. Later when it was obvious there was no hope, the captain forced Lucas to evacuate," Jonathon turned to Ben," The captain didn't do anything to Lucas Ben. Why does every one think he did?"

"He dropped a 17 year old kid in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean 100's of miles away from where everyone else was evacuated. It took two weeks to find him because nobody was looking and two years for the kid to even remotely act like himself again. You opinion aside commander, it was his responsibility to take care of Lucas." Ben scoffed putting a harsh inflection on the Commander when he spoke.

"Ben you don't need to protect him from the captain, Lucas was old enough—"

"Shove it Ford, he's old enough to make his own decisions now. He wasn't then and if that's your argument explain why somebody felt the need to knock the kid out and cuffed his hands before putting him in the escape pod or why nobody was sent up with him? You've got no idea what he went through. You're damn right we're going to protect him somebody should have been."

The room was silent. The crew of the Seaquest looked around at each other in shock each trying to remember the last time they had seen Lucas.

"Exactly the response I expected, silence." Ben shook his head and he left the room slamming the door behind him.

Kristin leaned back in her chair as she tried to compose herself. She knew Nathan really did care for Lucas but what had happened was inexcusable. What explanation could he possibly have? He can't even remember what happened. Suddenly she was pulled from her thoughts as her vid screen began to buzz and the face of her assistant appeared on the screen.

"What is it Tracey? I asked to not be disturbed." Kristin snapped at the young woman on the screen.

"I'm sorry doctor but, well, Lucas is on the line for you. I just thought—"

Kristin looked up at Nathan quietly before turning back to the screen," Give me 2 minutes and then put him through okay?"

"Yes doctor."

"Nathan you have to promise me you'll be quiet. I can't even begin to explain how much you just popping up could damage him. I promise you we will sit down calmly and explain what we know happened to him and why we are so upset but right now I just need you to cooperate."

Nathan nodded, "Kris, um do you think.. I mean well, is there any where that I could see him, without him seeing me of course."

Kristen noticed the glisten of tears in the man's eyes. Maybe he would have some kind of explanation for it all? "Of course, look stand over here against the wall. He shouldn't be able to see you there and if he sees anything it would just be your waist."

Nathan slide in to place just in time to see Lucas appear on the screen with the young woman he recognized from the new clip. They appeared to be in a hotel room somewhere on vacation perhaps he thought. Nathan couldn't help but notice how different Lucas appeared. He had aged well. His hair was darker and there was a dark scar on his for head that made Nathan think back to a time that Lucas desperately wanted a scar.

"Hi, sweet heart, how are you both enjoying the trip?" Nathan noticed the difference in Kristin's demeanor as she spoke to the young man.

"We sure are Kris," The young woman spoke.

"Well, that's wonderful. Abbey is Lucas eating properly?" Nathan smiled as Lucas rolled his eyes at Kristin's question.

"Well.. He's eating. Let's leave it at that." The girl quipped.

"Hey I am standing right here." Lucas interrupted, "So, doc how come you're still at work?"

Kristin smiled at Lucas, "Nothing for you to worry about. It's just paper work. By the way, have you made your decision yet? Ben is just itching to find out you know that right?"

"No, I haven't yet. Abbey wants me to stay home so, it's really tempting but I like working with Ben and Bobby. I'm happy with my position on the Seafreedom. I'm not sure I can just walk away."

"Well take your time choosing then, you know I'll support you either way but, it would be nice to have you home more and well you know I'm not getting any younger and I would like to see grandchildren sometime in this life time."

Nathan felt tears prick his eyes as the thought of Lucas as a father pricked his eyes. He watched the rest of the conversation in awe of the relationship Kristin had nurtured with the boy. She was far closer to him that he had ever been and if he'd let himself admit it, he was a little jealous. He decided in that moment that no matter how long it took he would prove that he hadn't hurt Lucas and gain his rightful place back in the now young man's life.