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 2:
"You want to do what?!" Captain Nathan Bridger asked in shock, looking at his long time friend Admiral William Noyce. It had been two weeks since Kristin left and the meeting with Bill. Bill had told him at that time that the UEO had decided to build another seaQuest. "Bill, can't the UEO just ask for grants and get sponsored like the first seaQuest did?"
"Yes, they can," Noyce responded calmly. "But the companies and the grants aren't going to pay as much as they did the first time around because they do not want to waste their money on a ship that is going to blow up."
"You know as well as I do, that was the only thing that could be done to save the entire planet," Nathan told him. "SeaQuest lasted four years when there was a majority of people saying it wouldn't last a year. After it did last a year, they began to say two and so forth."
"I know, Nathan," Noyce replied, annoyed. "Nathan, I did not run this by you first. So far, Commander Ford said he'll do it."
"He would," Nathan said under his breathe.
"What was that, Captain?" Noyce asked, looking at him sternly.
"Nothing," Nathan responded.
"Okay. Lt. j.g. O'Neill, Lt. Krieg, Sensor Officer Ortiz, Chief Shan, and are all more than willing. They want another seaQuest built. C'mon, Nathan. Think about it. I know we can't predict what happened to the first to happen again, but we can modify the new one in ways we couldn't the first one."
"Bill, I told you I will help design a new seaQuest, but I will not participate in some auction to do so." Nathan stood up and walked out of the office. When he arrived at his car, he shook his head. Having a bachelor auction had to be the most ridiculous idea the UEO came up with.
He drove to his home near headquarters in Pearl Harbor on a private section of beach he leased on a monthly basis. He planned to help with the building of a new seaQuest, but after that, he would retire. There were a few exceptions to that retirement he considered, but until that time was upon him, he would prepare for retirement.
When he entered the house, he heard the vid-link continuous beeping, notifying that he had a message. He pressed a couple of buttons and Kristin appeared on the screen.
"Nathan, I'm sorry that I missed you. I will try back later. I have been granted a couple days on the surface, but I can't leave the Australian coast. I'll let you know when, in case you aren't busy and can come down. I miss you." The vid-link blacked out and Nathan sighed. He hated missing her calls. He deleted the message and was about to head to his office to work from the old design of seaQuest to a newer one when the front door opened and he heard Lucas curse.
Turning to face the teen, he smiled, "what was that about?"
"Oh, hello, captain," Lucas greeted. "The instructor has me on the spotlight again. You know, I am only 17. I don't want to be the center of attention."
Nathan chuckled. "I'm sure the instructor means well. After all, he is envious to have a young adult in his class that has had more experience than he has."
"Thanks." Placing his bag on the table, he looked around. "Did you just get home?"
"Yeah. Did you want to call in pizza?" Nathan asked as he reached for the vid-phone to dial for pizza.
"Sure."
Nathan ordered as Lucas put his things away in his bedroom. He returned and said, "I haven't heard from the doc in awhile. Do you suppose she is having too much fun without us?"
"I'm sure she is having fun. She called today actually. I was out, but she left a message," Nathan informed. "Pizza should be here in 30 minutes or so." Nathan handed Lucas the money and then told him, "I'll be in my office."
"Okay. I'll call you when the pizza gets here." Lucas hopped on the couch and turned a movie on as Nathan headed to the back of the house to his office.
~*~*~*~*~*
Lucas cleaned up after dinner and then went to his room to get a paper started. There evenings usually consisted of silence, as Lucas did his school work and Nathan worked on new plans for the seaQuest.
Though Nathan got a few sketches done, he couldn't help but to look out the window and at the ocean and think of Kristin. He was more than willing to go meet her for a couple days in Australia. And he missed her a lot more than he'd actually admit.
~*~*~*~*~*
Sitting around a large table, Admiral Noyce faced the six other faces at the table. "I'm afraid Nathan has opted against helping at the auction," he informed. "And without him, the UEO does not want to go through with it."
"Maybe I can convince him to go," Commander Ford said. "Just give me a few days to talk with him."
"I can give you as much time as you like. Until we raise all the money we need, the building of the second seaQuest can't be commenced." Noyce said.
"Why don't we join you?" Lt. j.g. Tim O'Neill suggested to the commander, looking at his peers.
Jonathan nodded. "Thanks, Admiral. I'll let you know how it goes."
"Good luck." Bill knew their efforts would be futile. He knew it was a long shot when he asked. "Dismissed."
The five UEO soldiers saluted the admiral before leaving the board room, Dr. Levin following.
Bill sat back down and watched them go away with confidence. They looked at the auction as fun. That was the way Nathan needed to perceive it.
~*~*~*~*~*
Sitting quietly, listening to the soft classical music in the background, Nathan wasn't expecting any visitors. Kristin called him an hour ago and told him when her days on shore would be and Nathan told her that he'll be there, barring no immediate disasters came up. He had a week to get there and planned to get as much sketching done as possible.
A knock came to the door and brought him out of his day dreaming about the trip and seeing Kristin again. He stood up and answered the door, surprised to see six members from the first seaQuest.
"Hey, captain," they greeted and Nathan had to hide his grumbling.
"C'mon in," Nathan motioned. He'd seen a few of them around headquarters, working with various UEO units until they got a more permanent assignment. Then there was Dr. Joshua Levin, who seemed to be following. "Did you want anything to drink?" He asked as he showed them to the living room to have a seat.
Orders were called out and Nathan slipped into the kitchen to get them. He returned with a tray of glasses and sat it on the coffee table. "So, what brings you here?" he asked, sitting back in his chair.
Jonathan took a sip of water before answering. "I'm not going to beat around the bush because then you know I was just buying time and I know that would aggravate you." Nathan gave him an annoyed look already. "But we've come here to convince you to join us for the UEO auction."
"Ha!" Nathan spoke and looked at the other faces, all of them smiling, before turning back to Ford. "Bill sent you."
"Actually, no," Levin spoke. "Admiral Noyce spoke to us this morning to tell us that seaQuest will not be able to be rebuilt, because the UEO wants you to participate or nothing."
"Then, it looks like they will just have to pray for more grants and contributions. It'll give me a vacation." Nathan smiled, as if he'd just won a battle.
"Ah, c'mon, captain." This coming from Tim. "Think of it as…" He looked at the others for a word to use.
"Charity," Ortiz chimed in and was disappointed when Nathan had not looked convinced.
"Guys, will you excuse us," Ford spoke again. "Captain, can we take a walk?"
Nathan took a minute to consider the request before standing up and leading Jonathan to the deck and down the stairs to the beach.
"Commander," Nathan began, placing his hands in his back pockets of his shorts. "Why are you doing this?"
"Politely, sir," Ford began, "seaQuest was my home. Though a new one will not be the same, I like living under the sea."
"Then sign on with a submarine. You're a military man," Nathan told him.
"And, if that were the case, I would." Ford admitted. "But between you and me, I liked the research part of the seaQuest as well. Yeah, we had our quarrels, but if we didn't, it would have been a dull boat."
"Thanks." Nathan said plainly.
"I meant it as a compliment. It was almost like we were looking for a fight, but not having to be in one. And during my last year, its crew became more like a family."
"Give me one good reason I should do this auction," Nathan stopped and looked out at the sea, giving Jonathan an answer.
"Because you miss the sea. You miss the adventure of exploration. Plus, it is for a good cause, building your dream again."
Nathan looked at Jonathan. "That's three." He was right, though. All he had to do was stand on stage, wait for the highest bid, have a conversation with the winner, perhaps even dinner, and that was all. One night. Walking away from the commander, he smiled.
Jonathan followed him back to the house in silence.
"You've convinced me," Nathan spoke as they entered the house. "But only because I'd like to see a seaQuest in the sea again."
End of Part 2