"Law controls the lesser man.
Right conduct controls the greater one."
- Mark Twain -
The second day of the trial, Nathan got a phone call from Lucas during the recess. He'd hidden himself in the bathroom with Kristin's PAL. His voice wavered slightly as he tried to talk to Nathan quietly yet still loud enough to be heard above the din of a public restroom. He wasn't at all happy and was hurt at the allegations the defense was putting out – that Lucas was angry about being put on the seaQuest; that Lucas was a child with known behavioral problems.
Nathan wished he could be there and his heart broke when Lucas began to retch, his stomach upset from stress and his body exhausted. Lucas shouldn't have to be alone; Nathan hated it. He was helpless to protect the boy, despite his assurances that he would do so. That left an acrid taste in his mouth.
"I know it's hard, pal, but it's what we've got to do." Nathan made sure to not mention that he still hadn't let go of the idea of taking Lucas and going into hiding if they lost the case, but he didn't think it would come to that. That morning, when Nathan had talked to the lawyers, they'd mentioned the Wolenczaks had already tried to make a bargain.
Lucas didn't speak for a moment, then said, "There's an ulcer on the roof of my mouth and it hurts."
"Tell Kristin. She's been walking around for a while with medication that's supposed to help that," Nathan responded automatically after his tongue had reflexively licked the roof of his own mouth. He heard someone knock on the door and then a gentleman call Lucas' name. "Lucas, answer Peter."
Reluctantly Lucas did so, though he did not turn off the PAL and Nathan could hear as he and Peter Donovan conversed. Someone else joined them, a woman whom Nathan assumed was Ashlinn, the man's partner, and there was mention of stands and testifying.
"Lucas! Let me talk to Peter," he half-shouted to be heard and he knew Lucas had been startled. The plastic sound of the PAL being dropped was a dead giveaway, but it was quickly retrieved and once Peter had taken it, Nathan spoke. "I thought he wasn't going to have to testify until the end."
"He isn't, but the defense just offered up a new witness list to Judge Cale with your name on it. They're going to try to discredit Lucas through you and we're trying to determine the best way around that. If they bring you in and it comes out that you and Cale have background, they're going to move to have the case acquitted or for his removal. I'd really prefer to go around that if possible," Peter responded. He was clearly not happy and he hadn't been with Nathan for several days.
"I haven't spoken to the man in more than 20 years!" Nathan told him.
"That's not going to matter in court! They care that the judge could have favoritism for either the defense or the prosecution." Peter was not going to be swayed. Bridger may be one of his favored clients as the man was normally levelheaded and logical, but for the first time in the years he'd known Nathan, he was royally ticked at the man. "I should have known from the start that you had a prior relationship with him. The witness list will be rejected because that was supposed to be turned in days ago, but just because they're sloppy doesn't mean they wouldn't win an appeal over this."
Nathan paused and once he had calmed down, he asked, "So what do we do then? Admiral Noyce had to fight to get the trial here."
"We are doing nothing. I am going to talk to Cale after this and then we're going to call the Judge Advocate General and discuss what would be the best course of action since Lucas and his parents are government employees. It's entirely likely that she will send out one of her people to take over."
"But..."
Peter stopped him. "No buts. Don't push it, Nathan." He didn't have a chance to continue. The recess ended and the PAL was turned off without so much as a goodbye from anyone.
Bridger spent the next few hours at seaQuest, letting himself get absorbed into his work and ignored the nagging feeling in his gut. He didn't like that he may have fucked things up and certainly not that he could have made it easy for the Wolenczaks to win an appeal. He truly hadn't seen Barrett in years and though they had kept in touch via their children, there was never any direct communication.
He grew frustrated with the section of pipe that refused to come down from the ceiling and he whacked it angrily. The wrench whipped back, hitting him squarely in the head, but he managed to restrain himself from screaming out obscenities. It would not do for the Captain to get angry at his own boat.
"Sir? Are you alright?" A small woman dressed in blue asked. He recognized her as a recent recruit, someone Kristin had brought on a little before Lucas got sick.
Nathan glanced at her name badge and touched his hairline, feeling blood. "I'm fine, Dr. Blair. Just got a little fed up with seaQuest's refusal to let me get into the wiring."
She smiled, "Yes, sir." She reached into a pocket, drawing out a note. "Commander Ford asked me to bring this to you and Lt. Commander Hitchcock said you should go home." Blair wore an amused smile, obviously someone who'd already grasped the relationship between himself and his senior staff.
"Thank you," he grinned back, unfolding the note as she walked away. Peter had called, but without Lucas' guardian present, the lawyer could not tell Jonathan anything. Nathan passed on his job to a seaman before walking away. He stopped in the ward room on his way out, dialing the estate and was unsurprised when Lucas answered.
"Hello," he greeted, wishing they'd not removed all the chairs. His feet were killing him and his back was sore from trying to work with pipe that was literally over his head.
"Ben drives a car like he drives a launch!" Lucas immediately complained, smirking. Nathan could hear Krieg screaming from somewhere beyond the reach of the screen which made him laugh.
"Well, I'll make sure I'm there to pick you up from now on," he nodded. "Where's Kristin?"
"She's cooking," Lucas shrugged with a distinct lack of enthusiasm, and Nathan figured he knew what conversation had taken place before Kristin decided to try her hand at making their evening meal. Lucas grimaced when Nathan asked if he'd tried anything yet. "She keeps demanding I come taste everything," Lucas told him and on cue Kristin yelled for Lucas.
Nathan gestured, "Go on, kiddo. I'll be there soon and then you can escape to the safety of your room while she tests her recipes on me."
Lucas looked grateful for that and his eyes lit in a way they only did when he was being mischievous. It was a glint of trouble, but with Lucas it meant life, so he waved the boy away and ended the connection.
"One may go a long way
after one is tired."
- French Proverb -
By the end of their second week in court, Cale had been replaced by JAG's Admiral Martavianne and Lucas had been sentenced to bed rest. The breaks in treatment had given him a reprieve on the affects, but once back on a regular schedule, Lucas was hit hard. He was back to his former state, throwing up regularly unless medicated and exhausted.
Food was once again a battle. Kristin had offered him so many different kinds of junk food, trying to entice him to eat anything but he refused. Nathan had admitted later to Kristin that he'd thought several times about force-feeding Lucas, but in the end the feeding tube had been much more effective.
The war over eating was welcomed by both Nathan and Kristin however. The Wolenczaks lawyers had entered a motion almost immediately after hearing about Lucas' downturn in health and subsequent inability to attend the trial for the trial to be dismissed.
Martavianne had thrown it out. She'd ensured that a copy of their motion and her reply was sent to Bridger, including a small note stating she'd like him to appear at the trial from then on when it was possible as he was Lucas' guardian. Despite how happy it would have made him before, the idea of staying away from Lucas for hours on end at the trial and then helping with repairs and refits on his boat was not a pleasant one.
Still, Nathan knew it had to be done and every morning for the next week, he left Kristin and the others to tend to Lucas. He would head to seaQuest to do some work, stop back at the house though Jones and Strong were usually there checking over Lucas, and then it was off to the court house to be present in Lucas' absence.
"So you're saying that Lucas never said anything about what had happened at my clients' house, only that he came back," Cynthia's ill-groomed lawyer, James Orlin, shuffled through some papers and began to read directly off Miguel's statement, "disheveled and ravenous."
"Yes, sir." Nathan could see Miguel narrow his eyes at the man, well-aware of which direction the current line of questioning was running.
"Then you couldn't say with conviction that my client is guilty. Could Lucas have hurt himself in some manner or missed a few meals out of his own decisions?"
"No," Miguel said with a shake of his head.
Orlin was taken aback. He'd clearly been expecting Miguel to say yes again, as had Nathan.
Bridger glanced over to his officer. He gestured with his eyes, wanting to know what Ortiz hadn't told him but Miguel shrugged and elaborated. "When we'd dropped Lucas off there, we left him with half a bag of candy bars we'd given him as a gift for always helping out. They were all his favorites and he knew Dr. Westphalen would have a fit if she knew, so Lucas had hidden them in his duffel bag on the ride over."
Nathan couldn't stop himself from thinking of the night he'd fished through Lucas' bag and found music and other things stashed away inside pant legs and wrapped in shirts. It hadn't struck him then as something Lucas had done out of habit or from conditioning.
"Lucas couldn't have eaten fifty-four jumbo candy bars in three days and when I went through his things the night we picked him up, there were none in his bag," Miguel explained, before adding, "Lucas has a habit of hiding everything important or ... telling about himself."
Orlin took it from there, running on and on until Peter yelled an objection and Martavianne sustained it, "Mr. Orlin, please keep your questions to the matter at hand."
"Yes, your honor," he smiled sweetly at her and then wiped it off his face when she didn't respond in kind. Nathan clenched his hands; the idiot was trying to flirt with the judge. While Miguel answered several more questions, he thought to himself that it was appropriate the disgusting lawyers would work for disgusting people.
It took four hours before the trial was recessed until the next day and Nathan, hoping to escape the media frenzy that had developed outside the court house, grabbed his people and all but ran to the cars. Miguel and Tim were in one car, Katie and himself in another.
The flash of the cameras were nearly blinding. Miguel had to slam the brakes to avoid hitting one man; MPs had to move the group back before they could leave. Then Nathan was driving faster than he had in recent memory, both cars making it into the estate. The press had so far not dared come near, and Nathan was grateful for that small reprieve.
Kristin was at the door when they stumbled in, looking concerned, but she said nothing. He looked at her for a minute and asked, "How's Lucas?"
She waved the others in; Bridger noted with pride how they didn't try to stay but slipped past Westphalen and made for the kitchen. She sighed once they were gone and told him, "He made Ben go buy one of those buzz razor contraptions you men like so much."
"Okay," he nodded, not grasping what she was telling him.
"Nathan, he wants to shave his head," Kristin said, as though Lucas had asked for a dram of poison and was lying in his bed like a distressed woman. He couldn't stop the smile, which earned him a glare.
He managed to straighten his mouth out. "I'll go talk to him." As soon as he was on the stairs, he smirked again and went directly to Lucas' room.
With Lucas confined to bed, the room was clean – his clothes finally put into the dresser or closet, his shoes corralled near the door, and his technical gear set up on the desk – out of Lucas' reach. Nathan knew that was Kristin's doing, but Lucas wasn't someone who sat still no matter how ill, and he moved around some furniture. He was glad for the carpet which eased the noise.
Then he sat and waited for Lucas to wake from his nap. His hair had thinned even more than before and Binky, as Ben had called it once or twice, was nearly flat to Lucas' head. Nathan knew it was a big step for Lucas to say he wanted it gone, but one that Lucas wasn't going to like very much once it was done. He winced. Lucas loved his hair and it was going to take a long time to grow back when he was well again.
Lucas turned in the bed, starting to come around and, startled by the sight of Nathan, he dropped something on the floor. Though he tried to grab for it, Bridger grabbed the item faster.
A stuffed dog. It took a minute for Nathan to recall what it was, handing it back. "Carol gave me a pound puppy years ago. I didn't know they still made them." He watched Lucas sleepily catch up to what was being said, but the boy was distracted by the sight of the desk having been moved to the end of his bed. "If you have enough strength to sit up and get to the end of your bed, then I thought you should be able to use your computer."
"Thanks, cap'n," Lucas smiled, shifting gently and pursing his lips. He was far too dizzy to sit up, but he still tried. He struggled for several minutes, and then stopped, laying back and closing his eyes. He carefully avoided touching his own hair and curled his hand over the stuffed animal.
"So, Kristin says you want to shave your head." It was part question and part statement of fact. Lucas made a face and Nathan waited, knowing Lucas would eventually admit he had.
"Yeah," Lucas nodded gently. "Most of it's gone anyway."
Ben appeared then, walking in with the razor which was still in its packaging. He was having problems opening it and Nathan watched avidly as the man fought with the plastic, only to realize five minutes in that his Captain was sitting two feet away and could hear every curse he said.
"Sorry, sir," Ben apologized immediately. He tried to give Bridger the respect he felt should be shown to the man and that included not cursing a blue streak in Nathan's presence.
Nathan simply moved to the desk, pulled out a pair of scissors, and handed them to Ben. The look on Ben's face showed that he'd never even thought of such an item. He cut open the package in three seconds and started to go through the contents.
"So, kid, how short are we going? I've got attachments for..."
"All of it, Ben," Lucas interrupted, "all of it." He definitely didn't seem pleased by the idea, but both men knew not to go against Lucas' decision. He would only get angry, which would be counter-productive and likely made Kristin chase them from the room.
Slowly the two men got Lucas into his adjoining bathroom, setting him on the toilet lid and easing his head over the sink. The buzz of the clippers filled the room and Lucas' hair quickly disappeared.
If it were possible, Nathan thought the lack of what little hair he'd had left made Lucas look frailer. Sicker. He forced himself to not say anything, lifting Lucas up and preparing to take him back to bed when he heard the buzz again. Nathan and Lucas both turned to see what was going on.
Ben was standing over the sink, his hair falling into it as he shaved off long strips. Thick brown hair was removed to reveal the pale skin beneath and Ben didn't look up at all.
Nathan swallowed around the lump in his throat. He unconsciously clenched his hands, squeezing Lucas' arm until the boy complained. "Sorry, kiddo," he responded automatically, uncurling his fingers.
When Ben stood up finally, his head was bare and he gave a lopsided smile, "Think Katie will like it?"
"Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend."
- Albert Camus -
Miguel and Tim had been settled on the couch for some time, listening somewhat to Katie's complaints about the show they'd turned on when Ben came down. They'd instantly noticed his lack of hair.
Tim's jaw dropped and Kristin stared.
"Ben, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but your hair seems to have escaped," Miguel told him, the only one not fazed by the man's shaved head. He'd actually been expecting it for a long time.
Miguel's closest friend as a child, Paulo, had been diagnosed with the same cancer as Lucas many years before, and Miguel had shaved his head when Paulo had shaved his. Friends had barely understood, but watching Ben reminded him of how easily the words had floated from his mouth when he'd told others it was to make Paulo feel better, to share the burden.
"Naw. Just didn't want to let Junior be bald without a friend. It's actually kind of nice," Ben touched his head again. It was something unique and foreign, but he figured he'd get used to the feel.
Ford sat back and watched the colleagues pull Ben down, running their hands over his scalp. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about the side of Ben they so rarely saw. Hidden away under sarcasm and greed, there was a soul like no other, Jonathan was sure. It was instances like now that Jonathan could see it peek out from behind the man's carefully constructed emotional walls, displaying the good man he was. He wished Ben would allow it more often.
The Captain joined them fifteen minutes later, his head unshaven. All he had to do was glance at Kristin and figured he should explain, but no one asked. Likely all understood that while he would have shaved his head for Lucas, it could be misinterpreted by the media and the court as some sort of deranged attachment to the boy. No, he was keeping his hair.
He had a sneaking suspicion that several of his men wouldn't be, though. He could see the spark in Tim's eyes, in the Commander's, in Miguel's. Nathan figured by morning he would find all the men bald and he had no problem with it.
Lucas had just about hugged Ben before he went back to his bed, happy that he wasn't alone. Though Nathan had figured he'd see about a wig, he had doubted Lucas would ever wear one with his skin as sensitive as it was, so Ben's silent show of friendship warmed Nathan; he hadn't truly realized the depth of Krieg's friendship with Lucas before.
And it looked like the rest of his command staff – Tim had disappeared for a few minutes only to return with the hair clippers.
"Wait, I'll get a garbage bag. We wouldn't want to have to find your hair all over the carpet for the next week!" Kristin stopped Tim before he could take the first stroke off Miguel's head. She returned seconds later with an industrial black bag and handed it to Ortiz who diligently hung his head over it. He tried not to laugh as soft black tufts fell into the bag and he could feel the swirl of the ac-cooled air on his head.
He sat up when Tim told him to and he immediately scrubbed his head with one hand, much in the same manner Ben had. Then he grinned evilly at Tim, "Your turn."
O'Neill wearily eyed the man, but knew Miguel would never physically hurt him and the two switched places. Kristin giggled as scrawny Tim tensed under the feel of the razor; he relaxed only as the final bits were cut from his head and then Tim, too, was bald.
The crew looked expectantly at Jonathan.
He sighed and contemplated it. For all of two minutes. Then he was moving to the couch, settling down and leaning over the bag. Though he couldn't see who was shaving his head, he knew it was Bridger by the sure touch, the affection conveyed in the actions.
Jonathan had always, since joining the military, strived to please his superior officers, but he'd never known anyone like Nathan Bridger and though they'd butted heads before, he found his respect for the man infinite. Bridger actually cared equally for the science and military contingents on the boat; he never asked more of anyone then they could give, and expected nothing less than the best.
As Bridger shaved over the last section of hair, Jonathan remembered a conversation from the first days they were on the boat together. Lucas had caused concerns among some of the crew and Jonathan was inclined to agree that a teenager didn't belong there. He found it ironic that it had only taken a few months for him to go from opposing Lucas' place on seaQuest to shaving his head for the boy.
"Alright, Commander," Bridger patted his shoulder and took the bag of hair from him.
Tim and Miguel plopped down on the couch with Ben straddling the chair arm. Katie giggled at the sight of the four men with clean shaven heads. Kristin made off for a camera and Nathan called Crocker, unsurprised when the man answered immediately.
Chief Crocker had stayed a few days with them the first week then disappeared, going off on his own with a promise to return. Looking at his eyes, Nathan knew something had happened but didn't ask yet. Instead he moved out of the camera's way and let the man see the others. His laughter was heady and strong. "Well, that's a sight, Cap," he said and noticed Kristin holding the camera in one hand.
"One second, Chief," Nathan told him when he saw Crocker reaching for the disconnect as he waved and placed the call in waiting. "Everyone around the couch," he instructed and moved to stand behind them all while Kristin set the timer.
"What about Lucas, sir?"
Nathan looked at Ben, "This is for Lucas." He tapped Krieg's shoulder and smiled, nearly blinded by the flash but he didn't say anything about it. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he told them and walked out of the room, switching the call to the small side office he'd taken over within minutes of their arrival.
He hit the key to bring up the call. "Chief?"
"Cap?" Crocker asked back.
"How's Helen?" The distinct lack of the man's wife had tipped Bridger off. Whenever he was upworld, Crocker was within eyeshot of Helen who was always willing to drop a smile here and there.
Crocker shrugged, "Off with her new boyfriend, I guess." He didn't look all too upset, but Nathan could tell Crocker was crushed. He'd always loved his wife, across all distances and time, but apparently Helen hadn't.
He thought over what would be the best thing to tell Crocker, but he came up with nothing. His wife had died, bitter at a navy that had taken their son. Helen had left after living the life of a lonely navy wife.
"I got the papers today. Gotta sign them and send them off to her lawyer and then... I don't know, Cap."
Nathan shook his head, "You know." He didn't have to finish because he was sure that Crocker would show up in a few hours or days, wearing a smile on his face but vodka on his breath and Kristin would yell and then things would go back to normal.
Crocker nodded, "Yes, sir." He looked around and nodded again, to himself, "Yes, sir." He ended the transmission.
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple."
- Oscar Wilde -
"So you admit you told Lucas before that you didn't like his father?"
Nathan glared at Orlin, "Yes, I do, but it was on occasions when his father had chosen to not come through on plans with Lucas."
It was day twenty-one of the trial and after Nathan the only person who would be left to testify was Lucas. Both Cynthia and Lawrence had gone the day before and once Lucas was questioned, the trial would slip into the final phase And Nathan was looking forward to it. He was not, however, relishing the idea of leaving Lucas to the mercy of the Wolenczak's sleazy lawyer.
More questions, more answers and Nathan grew progressively more annoyed with Orlin. He only relaxed when Peter stood, asking a question just as he got to his feet. "Captain Bridger, could you please explain these statements for the court?" Donovan held up a piece of paper and read from it, the corner of his mouth crooked up, "'I have had an avid dislike for Dr. Wolenczak since the Christmas holiday when he abandoned Lucas on the seaQuest without alerting anyone that Lucas had nowhere else to go.' and 'Lucas overheard several conversations I had with Admiral Noyce over my opinion of the Wolenczaks' neglect of Lucas.'"
Peter nodded at him, "Could you explain for us how Mr. Orlin's assertion that Lucas was coached by those actions into bringing these charges is not possible?"
Nathan nodded, "Lucas was never present at any of the times that I spoke extremely harshly about Dr. Wolenczak – only when I told him that I thought Dr. Wolenczak didn't have his priorities straight." He waited until Peter had gestured for him to continue and finished, "Lucas only overheard two of my conversations with Admiral Noyce where I said that I believed Dr. Wolenczak's treatment of Lucas was neglectful. I never directly told Lucas that he should bring up charges against them."
Peter nodded, "Thank you. Could you also please explain to the court how you know the Wolenczaks have not acted in Lucas' best interests?"
With a glance at Martavianne, Nathan replied, "Lucas' age was listed on all legal and medical documents to be sixteen which is the current age listed by the UEO for a person to sign-up for duty with parental permission. When the seaQuest's command staff is required to attend any conferences, the UEO is required to submit documentation supporting our identities and to run background checks. When they ran Lucas', they immediately reported a discrepancy."
"What was that discrepancy?"
"Lucas' birth date," he said. Nathan blinked and sighed. "I'd had a suspicion from early on that Lucas was younger than we were told after Lucas accidentally slipped and told us that 2003 was P.L. or Pre-Lucas. If he'd been sixteen, his birthday logically would have been 23 December 2002, which is what is listed in his medical records. The date attached to his social security number, however, is 23 December 2004."
There was suddenly a loud muttering amongst the defense table, something which distracted everyone but Martavianne. She shouted for silence and order and it took two threats of people being held in contempt of court before they could resume.
Ben, who'd finally been allowed to attend the proceedings, had glared at the group through it all, but Nathan noted how despite the man's clear anger at them, Ben didn't move a muscle. He stayed in his seat, hands clenched in his lap and lips pursed.
"So Mr. Orlin's other assertion earlier that Lucas was no longer a minor in the eyes of the UEO was wrong?" Peter asked, switching the papers in his hands then picking up a pen and waiting for his response.
"Yes, sir. Lucas was nearing his fifteenth birthday, not his seventeenth when he came aboard the seaQuest." He'd wanted to add that the Wolenczaks couldn't even say Lucas was a few months away from his sixteenth birthday but Peter cut him off with another question.
"You called Stanford about this, correct?"
"Yes. And they gave me the same 23 December 2002 birth date that is in the seaQuest's files."
Martavianne's neutral look slipped for a moment and Nathan smiled to himself. She'd cast a small, contemptuous glare at the Wolenczaks though neither one noticed it. Bridger relaxed a little more and answered the rest of Peter's questions without a worry in his mind.
He'd told Kristin the same when he and Ben had arrived back at the estate at the close of the day, but she's simply shrugged and told him, "Don't get too cocky, Nathan. She could say they abused him and neglected him, but that doesn't mean she'll approve the adoption."
"Well, all the same, I still think Lucas is getting the better end of things," Nathan said and disappeared up the stairs.
Lucas had been moved to UEO headquarters that afternoon. Abbott had agreed with Kristin that Lucas' temperature was higher than she was comfortable with and the jaundice had seemed to be returning – if the hepatotoxicity had returned, it was safer for him to be hospitalized than sitting in the house.
Nathan still went into the boy's room, checking on the computer and other supplies, picking up clothes that had been thrown haphazardly on the floor by Lucas. Kristin thought it was a rebellious act, his throwing clothes on the floor, and she was right, though Nathan would never tell her.
He took one last look around before slipping into the hallway, turning off the light and closing the door as he went.
Moving down the corridor, he heard noises from Tim and Miguel's room and he whistled to cover it. There were fewer things he wanted to know about than what the two could be doing. He passed Ben's room and the sound of videogames floated through the door to him. Nathan continued to walk and when he reached Ford's room, he knocked gently on the frame.
"Captain," Jonathan acknowledged him, putting down his report log and giving Bridger his full attention. "What can I do for you?"
"The refit. I think I'm going to submit a few redesigns to the board based on the outcome of the trial and I need to know if you'll challenge them," Nathan said. He knew that Jonathan had accepted Lucas and did care for him, but the fact remained that Ford was a military man. He was a good balance for Nathan, though he did readily yield when he knew Nathan was right about something.
Jonathan didn't need an explanation and only said, "Moving Lucas closer to your quarters? I wouldn't challenge it, sir."
"Thank you, Commander." He turned to go, but Jonathan stopped him with a question – where would they put Lucas? "Aside from the wardroom and the formal conference, we don't use any of the other official offices," Nathan told him, explaining further that one of the unused rooms was next to the ward room.
"What would we do with Lucas' current quarters?"
"Truthfully, Jonathan, I only just thought of it this morning. I have to sit down with the plans tonight and work through the details," he told the man, admitting, "I'd rather work out any problems now before I go ahead and Lucas thinks it's something he did that made you go against it."
Ford nodded and watched his Captain leave.
"Time discovers truth."
- Seneca -
Lucas was too sick to testify in court and so Suzanna Martavianne brought the court to him. With one person manning the camera to ensure his testimony couldn't be deemed fraudulent, she settled herself at the foot of Lucas' bed; Orlin on Lucas' left was hesitant to move any closer than four inches inside the door while Peter and Ashlinn stood on Lucas' right, close enough for Nathan to see Peter stroking Lucas' pale fingers.
Nathan stood to the side throughout the questioning, glad that his status as guardian ensured his presence. Lucas at times seemed agitated by the questions and the stress put more strain on the boy's heart. Nathan nearly ended it after half an hour when the heart monitor screeched, but Lucas had calmed himself within seconds and the questions continued.
That was, until Orlin raised his voice and outright accused Lucas of making up the accusations, of being spoiled. There was no reason for his vehement tone with Lucas, none that he could ascertain, and Martavianne kicked him out quickly, looking at Lucas and wanting to comfort. Her status meant she couldn't and as soon as she was out of the room, Nathan reached for Lucas. "How you doing, pal?"
"My head hurts," Lucas muttered then opened his eyes and looked at the worried man. "Don't worry, Captain. It's not the first time James has gone off like that." He could see Nathan's eyes widen in alarm and quickly added, "James is dad's old roommate from college. He's never really liked me. Says I ruined Dad's life."
Bridger sighed. "Well, today's the last day and then Admiral Martavianne decides the case. Think you can handle Peter asking some questions?"
Nodding, Lucas told him he'd be fine with Peter and Nathan went to retrieve the rest of the needed people. It gave Lucas a few minutes alone with Donovan and his partner and he asked, "Are we going to win?"
Peter smiled and nodded. He glanced at Ashlinn, who shrugged, and he told Lucas, "I think so." He didn't, by Bridger's request, say anything about what would come after the trial, though he still believed Lucas had the right to know that he could end up in foster care.
Twenty minutes passed before Nathan returned, no one else with him but Kristin, who did not seem pleased at all.
"Everyone out!" she declared and they went, like children scolded for stealing a cookie. It amused Lucas how Peter made a face the minute he was behind Kristin yet she still managed to know what he'd done and whacked him for it.
"Think that's funny, do you?" She poked his shoulder, "I wouldn't laugh at the one who has the needles."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "At this point you could stab me with one and I'd never notice I've had so many." He shifted and let her poke at his abdomen, managing to wait until she'd replaced the blanket to ask, "When can I leave?" Lucas promptly made a face, "The nurse keeps insisting on checking my, you know..."
He was tempted to explain how uneasy it made him when the nurse simply lifted his gown to look at his testicles, as if by profession the woman could do so without asking him first. Still, Lucas wouldn't do that since it would mean actually discussing that section of his body with the woman he considered his mother.
"Ah, well, I'll make sure to talk with the night staff, but you've got to stay one more day at least before I could even think of bringing up your release with Dr. Jones and Dr. Strong, and seeing as they're the ones who specialize in this, they have the last word," she responded without hesitation.
"But you're my doctor," Lucas pleaded. He attempted his best puppy dog expression in the hopes of convincing her otherwise, but the look she gave him –somewhere between amusement and annoyance – wiped the expression right off his face. "Can Ben at least visit? I'm bored."
She pursed her lips and sighed. "I would, but you have to rest. Maybe after your treatment tomorrow, if you aren't feeling too bad, Ben can come by with something for you to eat." She held up a hand at his happy look. "Only if we think you're up to it."
Lucas nodded, agreeing to her terms though he knew Ben would show up at some point no matter what.
Kristin knew it too. Rolling her eyes, she told him, "Don't be so smug," and handed him the vidscreen remote. "I'll have Nathan come sit with you for a few minutes then I want you to sleep."
"Can I..." he started to say, but snapped his mouth shut. Kristin was eyeing his IV port in a way that clearly meant she'd drug him if she had to and he knew of all things, being awake was better. He quieted, waiting until the Captain walked in to begin whining in earnest. Without a computer or music to keep him occupied, he felt like his brain cells were committing suicide.
"Sorry, pal, but at least here you can't get the worst of her wrath," Nathan joked. "I'll make it up to you later."
One quirked eyebrow met Bridger's gaze. Lucas' curiosity was peaked, but Nathan wanted to keep his surprise to himself for the moment. He knew Lucas would like it and teasing the boy came naturally; it would make Lucas smile and only that mattered to him.
"You'll find out soon enough."
It didn't appease the boy and Lucas immediately started asking question after question. Nathan wasn't having it though, skillfully avoiding giving anything away without lying to Lucas – something he'd had to master in Robert's younger years.
Nathan shook off the thought. It disturbed him to think of Robert when looking at Lucas. He still felt a little guilty fighting for Lucas in ways he'd not fought for his son, but he knew that the reality was different. Lucas needed to be fought for, needed to have someone help him, while Robert had grown up loved and independent.
There had been no one to help the scraped knees, to explain punishments, or to help with homework -- all things Carol and Nathan had done for Robert, and he knew in his heart that he was worried Lucas would think he was a replacement for Robert. That was what bothered him most.
Inquisitive blue eyes watched him pull from his reverie. "Captain?" Lucas reached out, touching Nathan's hand.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired myself. It was a long morning for me and unlike you, I've got a while to go before I can get to bed," he said, hoping Lucas wouldn't prod for more because Nathan knew he'd spill the beans.
Luckily, Lucas didn't. He simply continued to hold onto the Captain's hand silently. Nathan stroked Lucas' scalp, gently touching any spot that seemed sensitive to ensure he wouldn't hurt the boy and eventually (gratefully) Lucas' eyes closed. He took a bit longer to fall asleep, but once he did Nathan moved away.
"You're doing a good job, you know," Kristin told him from the doorway.
He hadn't heard her approach, but there were days he thought she was a ninja judging from her ability to sneak up on someone in almost complete silence. Nathan turned and nodded. "I know."
"So stop questioning it."
"That's easier said than done, Kristin," he snorted. Nathan looked up at her and moved closer, not wanting to wake Lucas. "I'm playing so much of this by ear," he said once he was standing at her side.
Kristin leaned against the doorframe. "And you think the rest of us aren't?" She smiled affectionately. "He's lucky to have you though, Nathan. We can romanticize this all we want, but I know you – you're willing to do whatever you have to in order to protect Lucas. You'd give up seaQuest in an instant for him." She noted his face, well-aware that she was right, and she continued. "And who else would stand there, holding Lucas' hand, trying to help him sleep even while worrying about what Lucas thinks of him?"
Nathan's cynical look earned him a noise of irritation. "Oh, come now. Like you weren't just standing there, scared that Lucas thinks you're taking him in to make up for losing Robert." She paused and then kissed his cheek. "Stop worrying. You'll end up in an early grave."
With one last glance at Lucas, they both turned to leave. Martavianne stood there, her hands folded politely against her waist. Nathan acknowledged her first and delivered a proper salute, being told with a small laugh that it wasn't needed.
"And Dr. Westphalen," Martavianne nodded hello, "thank you for directing the paperwork to me on Lucas' medical care. It's certainly been... informative." Kristin smiled at that. The Admiral had asked for some explanations of Lucas' illness and his treatment, and instead she'd nearly gotten Lucas' entire file with some notes written in margins.
The medical file had held a goldmine of data as well. The prosecution team had, of course, brought up the wealth of injuries Lucas had as a child. Orlin and the other defense lawyers had tried to focus on the idea that children normally hurt themselves; a given for life. They never offered any explanations for the injuries noted in Lucas' file as having been days or weeks old.
"I just wanted to check and make sure Lucas was alright," she told them, peeking past the two to Lucas.
"He's not great, but he'll be alright. He's sleeping now if you'd like to look in on him," Kristin immediately offered, moving herself and Nathan out of the way in case Martavianne decided to go in.
The Admiral shook her head. "Not right now. Mr. Donovan and Mr. Orlin were at each other's throats earlier and I'd rather get them apart as quick as I can. I'll come by when it's taken care of and see him, but thank you." She said goodbye and then Martavianne was walking away, disappearing around a corner.
Nathan looked at Kristin and grinned. They had two more days to get through, however, and Kristin hoped they weren't putting the carriage before the horse.