Chapter 17:

Lucas Wolenzcak rolled over and sighed as the vidlink in his hotel room continued bleeping.

"Great, who do you think that is?" He rolled his eyes as he climbed out of bed pulling his shirt on as he stood.

Abbey giggled to herself as she watched her husband make his way across the room, " Probably Kris. Maybe she just got home?"

"Kinda late for that don't you think but, I wouldn't be surprised. You know for somebody so concerned with getting grandchildren she picked a great time to call." Lucas quipped as he answered the call.

"Luka!," Abbey threw a pillow at her husband, "Don't say that, my god, she might hear you!"

Lucas shook his head as the UEO logo appeared on the screen, "If it's Ben, I'll kill him."

Suddenly on the screen a young rather nervous looking ensign appears.

"S-sorry to disturb you sir but, I have orders from General Magath."

"Orders? Doesn't he know I'm on a medical leave until next week?"

"Not anymore sir, it was revoked this evening."

"You can't re-" Lucas stopped mid-sentence realizing there was no point in arguing, "Fine, what are the orders?"

"General Magath has a new assignment for the crew of the Seafreedom. You're to be here in his office at 0900 understood?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Anything eles?"

"Yes sir, he said to be prepared to ship out in 48 hours."

"Of course, thank you ensign," Lucas sighed as he cut the link and turned back to his wife, "You know that desk job is looking better and better everyday. I guess we better start packing. It's a 3 hour drive back to Miami."

Abbey smiled slyly as she help up her phone, "True but it's only a 30 minuet flight and ours leaves at 7 am. That'll give you plenty of time to get there. So, come back to bed."

Lucas smiled shaking his head, "I knew there was a reason I married you."

…..

Captain Benjamin Krieg sighed as he looked at his watch as he arrived at the door of General Magath.

"Great, two minutes late. Well, here goes nothing." He took a deep breath and pushed open the door. To his surprise he noticed at the far end of the room on a small sofa sat, Captain Nathan Bridger and Cmdr. Jonathon Ford. The annoyed look on the face of his XO as he paced across the room said it all, whatever was going on here, he wasn't going to like it.

"Well captain, so nice of you to join us. I'm afraid Mr. Wolenzcak's flight was delayed so, lucky for you, we're getting a bit of a late start. Feel free to sit and get reacquainted with you old friends while we wait." General Magath said mockingly from behind his desk.

"I'm acquainted enough with them both, thank you sir," Krieg mocked a laugh as he continued, "Forgive me sir, but did I hear you correctly, when you said Lucas was on his way?

"I did. Is that a problem captain?"

"Well, yes sir it is. The Lieutenant Commander doesn't even know they're alive. Don't you think given the history there, this wouldn't exactly be the best idea. You know him just walking in with them sitting there."

Magath leaned back in his chair and smiled before speaking in a tone of mocked innocence.

"Well, what do you suggest I do Captain? Have them pop up from behind my desk and yell surprise?"

"You son of a –"

"Ben!" Bobby interrupted his CO before the man could get himself in any more trouble. He walked over to his CO and placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Whatever this is you're no good to Lucas or anybody else if you get your ass thrown in the Brig."

"Thanks," Ben said calming himself, "I owe you one."

Magath grinned, "I'd suggest you listen to you commander Krieg. At least Mr. Bridger knows when to run away.. oh sorry.. I mean shut up."

Momentarily forgetting himself Robert Bridger was quick to respond to the quip, "Kiss my –"

"Bobby!" Ben interrupted returning the favaor.

"I suggest you both have a seat gentlemen," Magath looked amused as he gestured to the sofa as Captain Benjamin Krieg sat still glaring at him, next to commander Ford.

"He doesn't seem to be a fan of yours Ben." Jonathon whispered.

"Nah, it's not me, the old blow hard can't stand Lucas. He knows exactly what he's doing."

"Maybe we should text him or something," Bobby suggested, "It'll still be shocking but, at least it'll be coming from one of us and that not ass hole."

"Good point, but he's probably driving. If he looks at it at all he could very well wreck."

Nathan sighed butting in to the conversation. "Text Kristin, she's already here for work this morning, I saw her in the mess hall. Maybe she can find him in the lobby before he gets up here and tell him. Magath already expects him to be late what a few more minutes?"

Ben glared at Nathan a moment. He wanted to be mad at the man but, in that moment they both had the same goal so he really saw no point, "He's right. Text Kris. Tell her to catch him in the lobby. If she can tell him in person he might not freak out so much. If anything at least it will stop Magath from getting the pleasure of telling Luke himself."

Commander Ford looked at the group in slight disbelief." I know this is going to be shocking for him but do you guys really think Lucas will take the new that badly? I mean come on the kids talked to aliens before. It's not like he hasn't already seen some people impossible things."

Nathan Bridger shook his head, "Jonathon you have no idea."

…..

Lt. Cmdr. Lucas Wolenzcak hurriedly ran in to the UEO headquarters still adjusting his uniform. He was already annoyed having his honeymoon cut short but idea of having General Magath want to see him made his skin crawl. He was already over an hour late and knew enough of the General to know the man probably had made Ben and Bobby pay for it. As he rushed in to the elevators he thought he heard someone call his name. He looked back but didn't notice anyone so he quickly pressed the door close button for the elevator and selected the floor he needed. As he approached the door to General Magath's office Lucas was startled as someone grabbed him from behind. Instinctively the young Lt. Cmdr. reached around and spun the would-be assailant to the floor. Lucas froze shocked as he looked at the face of the man now sprawled on his back.

"Shan, what the hell are you doing man? I could of killed you!" Lucas said helping the Asian man to his feet.

"Sorry, Luke but, Dr. Westphalen called she said no matter what, not to let you in there until she talked to you?"

"Why?" Lucas looked at his friend confused.

"I'm not positive but, I've got a pretty good idea. Come on let's get out of her before he notices you're here already."

As the pair reached the elevator Lucas was surprised to see Kristin step out of the doors, "Oh thank God you found him first. Lucas honey come with me, there's something I have to show you."

After a quick ride in the elevator and a short walk down the call the group reached a door marked supply. Lucas could hear voices coming from inside the room. Familiar voices, but where had he heard them before?

"Sweet heart, you know I'd never do anything to hurt you right?"

"Of course doc, but I gotta be honest, you're making me a little nervous."

"Well, I don't know how to tell you this so, I figured the best way to do this is to just show you." Kristin sighed as she gestured to the door, "But I don't want this to be too over whelming so, we're going to take this slow okay?"

"Uh, yea sure doc." Kristin could tell by Lucas' tone of voice she was making him nervous so she decided there was no point in delaying it any longer she opened the door and called out to one of the people inside.

Lucas stood there in shock and Lt. J.G. Tim O'neill stood before him nervously.

"Um, Hi Lucas."

"Tim? Is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's me." Tim laughed and gave one of his crooked smiles.

"Holy shit."

"Hey Lucas watch it," Tim scolded lightly.

"Come on Lucas,"Kristin said putting her arm around the young man guiding him in to the room, "We have a lot to talk about before you go upstairs."