Chapter Three

SeaQuest, Lucas Wolenczak's quarters, same day…

Lucas just sat there, afterwards.

He just sat on his floor, staring at the aqua tube where Darwin floated.

Bridger frowned. "Lucas?" he asked, gently. "I'm so sorry."

He reached out to give the boy's shoulder a squeeze.

Lucas blinked, glancing at him for the first time since he'd entered and told him the sad news.

"What for, Captain?" he asked, snorting. "It's not like they ever cared about me or anything—why should I care what happened to them?"

He then casually turned back to the three computer screens he had been looking at when he'd come in.

"Lucas," Bridger said, gently yet firmly. "You just can't ignore this…"

"I'm not, Captain," Lucas said, calmly. "I know I'm going to have to go to their funerals and everything…"

"There's a lot more to it than that," the captain stated, worriedly.

Lucas sighed. "No offense, Captain," he told him, quietly. "I'd really just like to be alone right now…"

Bridger felt torn inside.

On one hand, he wanted to respect the boy's right to privacy.

But on the other hand…

He knew leaving him alone wasn't the best idea right now.

"Are you sure, Lucas?" he asked, gently. "If you want to talk…?"

"I don't," Lucas replied, quickly. "I just want to be alone. Please?"

Bridger sighed. "All right," he said, quietly, "I'll go, but if you need anything…?"

"I'll let you know," the boy said, nodding. "And thanks—for, you know, telling me and all."

"We're here for you," the captain told him. "You know that, right?"

The boy nodded. "I know," he said, quietly.

Bridger patted him on the shoulder. "Good," he said, standing up.

He turned to head for the door.

"Captain," Lucas called after him, quickly. He turned back around.

"Yes, Lucas?" he asked him, gently.

"Will you come with me?" the boy asked, his eyes wide. "To their funeral(s), I mean…"

Bridger smiled in relief.

"Of course I will," he told him, smiling. "Did you really think I'd let you go alone?"

For the first time, in what seemed forever, Lucas actually smiled at him. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Bridger said. "I'll go see about making the arrangements."

Lucas nodded, and he opened the door to exit it.

Once on the other side, he heaved a huge sigh of relief…but he was still worried about the boy's reaction.

He then turned and headed for bridge.

He had decided he wasn't going to be the only one accompanying Lucas to his parents' funeral.

The boy needed his family right now, and they were going to be there for him.

Every last one of them…

…TBC…