Title: "The Bachelors of seaQuest" – in response to "The Men of seaQuest" challenge, posted by Ms. Deidre
Author: AngelBabs81 (Barbara)
Rating: PG
Copyright: February 2006
Disclaimer: I own none of it. Amblin owns the show and characters and Deidre owns the challenge.
Part 1:
Doctor Kristin Westphalen felt miserable. She stood on the beach looking out into the sea that was now bubbling from seaQuest's destruction. She wouldn't let the tears fall in front of the crew. Her heart felt empty, knowing that Nathan was not coming out of the water.
She wasn't paying attention until Lucas ran across her sight and she turned to see where the boy was heading. Out of the water comes The Stinger, or The Gazelle. No, it was still a Contraption to her. She almost couldn't believe her eyes. She ran as fast as she could and arrived as the top opened. In the single seat submersible, Nathan looked slightly disoriented.
She made him look at her and practically cried, "Nathan, oh, Nathan."
Nathan's eyes remained closed but a smiled appeared on his lips. "And now, for my next trick."
That got a chuckle out of her and she held him closer, kissing his forehead. At that moment, she knew everything was going to be okay.
~*~*~*~*~*
That evening, they sat on the beach, watching the sun dip below the horizon. After he was given a clean bill of health, the debriefing took the rest of the day with Admiral Noyce and the UEO. He held her close to his chest and kissed the top of her head gently.
"I've been offered a job," Kristin began slowly. She felt him tense slightly, pulling her closer. "I haven't told them if I would take it." She loosened from his embrace to look at him.
"What is the job?" Nathan asked, looking at her.
"Head researcher and physician for a new underwater colony near the Great Barrier Reef," Kristin informed. "There's still a lot we have to learn."
"What was your first reaction when you received the offer?" he asked softly, running his finger along her cheek and placing her hair behind her ear.
"It was shock, and then excitement." She smiled. "It's a great opportunity to use what I've learned while aboard the seaQuest."
"I agree it's a great opportunity. You should take it." He smiled sincerely and cupped her cheeks.
"But…" she was about to object until his lips met hers in a gentle kiss.
"No buts about it. I'm sure you'd be allowed visitors and vacations. For the most part, you'll most likely be working rotational, 45 days on, 45 days off."
"True. What about seaQuest?"
"For now, there is no seaQuest." Nathan pulled her back to his chest and held her.
"What are you going to do?" Kristin asked Nathan and heard him sigh.
"I don't know yet," he told her.
Silence filled the air around them as they looked out at the night time and the waves crashing on the beach, enjoying being with one another.
~*~*~*~*~*
One week later
Lucas Wolenczak and Nathan Bridger stood next to each other as they waited for Kristin's arrival. This would be their last lunch together in awhile. Kristin smiled as she approached.
"Sorry, I'm late," she spoke as they found a table at the small beach side café. "The movers arrived a little late to load my things."
"It's okay," Lucas told the doctor, wrapping his arms around her as she pulled him to her in a hug.
They sat down and ordered their drinks and food before starting a conversation. "Nathan, you have the storage number where my furniture will be stored," Kristin began and Nathan nodded. "I haven't been able to get a hold of Cynthia and I'm worried. I'm going to try once more before I leave. If I can't, will you please keep trying?"
"Of course," Nathan assured, smiling. "She's probably busy with Malique, trying to save kids."
Kristin smiled thinking of her daughter. "It doesn't stop me from worrying."
"I know," Nathan agreed.
"Hey, doc, are we taking you to the airport?" Lucas asked, a hopeful look in his eyes and on his face.
"I would like that," she responded. "Thank you."
They carried on the conversation by remincing about times on the seaQuest as they finished eating. Nathan got the bill and offered his hand to Kristin as they left the café.
"I'm going to miss it here," Kristin spoke as she got in the passenger side of Nathan's car and Lucas got into the backseat.
Nathan closed the door for her and went around and got in the driver's seat. "We'll keep in touch," he assured as he started the car and pulled away and drove towards the airport.
"I know." She placed her hand on his where is rested on his thigh. She gave it a small squeeze and held it as he drove.
Once at the airport, Nathan assisted Kristin out of the car. At the curb, Lucas gave Kristin a tight hug. "Maybe I can get some time, and money, to come visit while you are there."
"Of course," Kristin told the teen, hugging him closely, kissing his temple. "Take care of Nathan, will you?" she said lightly.
"Of course I will," Lucas promised as he pulled away and got into the passenger side front seat, pulling out the telephone book from Nathan's car and read through it, giving the two adults time.
"I'm sorry we can't stay to see you off," Nathan spoke, closing the distance between them. "I have to take Lucas to a class at the University and then a meeting with Admiral Noyce."
"It's okay," Kristin assured, taking hold of his hand and pulling him closer. "I'm going to miss you," she spoke in a soft voice mere centimeters away from their lips making contact.
"I'm going to miss you, too," Nathan whispered back, closing the centimeters and kissing her lightly on her lips. Before he could pull away, Kristin nearly threw herself against him, deepening the kiss.
They pulled apart breathless. "I'll call you as soon as I can," Kristin promised, picking up her single bag with everything she needed for the flight.
"I'll be waiting, even if it is dead of the night my time," Nathan told her.
Kristin turned to enter the airport before she lost her nerve to leave. As she entered the lobby, she looked back through the windows to see Nathan getting into the driver seat and pulling away. A slow stream of tears fell down her cheeks before she wiped them away and checked in.
End of Part 1