Part five

SeaQuest

Ward Room

"Damn it, Bill! I can't do that," fumed Nathan pounding his fist on the desk. "Lucas is traumatized, for Pete's sake. Forcing him will only make it worse!" Nathan looked at his good friend on the screen and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"My hands are tied, Nathan. Secretary General Dre is unimpressed that encrypted UEO codes were hacked by teenagers. Juliana Corbin and Nick Andrews refuse to cooperate, and their parents are fiercely protecting them. On top of that, we can't detain Clemens without Lucas' statement. Hacking into the World Bank is illegal, Nathan. C'mon, help me out here!" stated Noyce irritation in his voice. Nathan swallowed hard taking in the enormity of the situation. He realized things were complicated at best, but Lucas' well-being still had to come first. He planned to make sure of it. Someone had to have his best interests at heart.

"Lucas stopped Clemens, Bill. He shut down the Node,"

"Yes, but first he hacked into it. Why would he do that?"

"Because he's a 15 year old kid, and he was terrified!" insisted Nathan in irritation. "The nutcase threatened him and when Lucas shut down the Node, the bastard tried to strangle him to death! The kid is in shock, Bill! I can't force him to talk. I won't force him!" finished Nathan ending the transmission in exasperation. Nathan knew he would regret ending the call abruptly, but he was losing his cool and it was better to walk away before he said something he would really regret later. Of course, Juliana and Nicks parents were protecting them. Parents do that for their kids. Lucas' parents should be on SeaQuest protecting him and helping him recover from the terrifying event. Instead, the poor kid was alone. After six months on board seaQuest together, Lucas had grown on him. Sure, the kid was annoying as hell sometimes, but he also was hardworking, incredibly intelligent and a fantastic person to know. Nathan had grown to love the teenager like a son. He wasn't anything like his biological son, Robert. They were as different as night and day. Robert was tenacious and rebellious as an adolescent. Lucas wasn't anything like that at all. He was a loving, polite kid. He sought to please people, and he had a compassionate heart. Nathan ran a hand over his face rubbing his temples. Why did things have to be so damned complicated? Nathan left the Ward room on his way to the bridge with his mind still on Lucas.

Lucas' Room—several hours later

Dream Sequence

Lucas looked up to see Clemens enter the bridge. Lucas' heart skipped a beat. Why would Clements come back to SeaQuest? Captain Bridger greeted him warmly and offered to show him around. Clemens happily accepted eying Lucas with a menacing smirk. Lucas took a few steps back in confusion until he bumped into someone behind him. He whirled around to see his father looking intensely at him.

"Watch where you're stepping, Lucas!" replied the man cantankerously. Lucas' mouth dropped open in surprise. He blinked hard a several times as he watched his father cross the bridge and trade conversation with several of the crew.

"D-dad, why are you here?" stammered Lucas in bewilderment. Mr. Wolenczak stared at him with annoyance and shook his head.

"For an intelligent kid, you sure are dim-witted! You know I've been helping Westphalen with some experiments for the UEO," retorted the man crossly. Lucas remained staring at his father in complete amazement. His father reached out to hand some folders to Lucas. "Here, make yourself useful and take these to c-deck." Lucas stood frozen in his spot wide eyed.

"Don't just stand there, Lucas, take that data to Kristen," commanded Captain Bridger. "On second thought, never mind, Martin and I can do it in a few minutes. I was planning to show him the vocorder on c-deck anyways." Lucas mouth gaped in disbelief.

"But Captain, that project is top secret," protested Lucas.

Mycroft strode across the bridge and slapped Lucas across the face harshly. Lucas stumbled backwards and struggled to keep his footing.

"Shut up, kid! No one asked you for your opinion," snapped Mycroft haughtily. He laughed and looked at the other members on the bridge. They all seemed to be taunting him. "Everyone on this vessel wants you gone. You're a nuisance and a liability!"

"I wish he wasn't my son. He's such a disappointment," commented Mr. Wolenczak forlornly looking at Lucas in disgust. Captain Bridger walked across the floor and patted the man on the back in sympathy. Mycroft took another few steps towards Lucas threateningly. Lucas took a few more steps backwards and found his back against the wall. The large black man wrapped his hands around Lucas' neck and tightened his grip. Lucas' gasped in horror. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw all the friends he cared about watching. No one made a move to stop Mycroft's assault.

"Captain, help me please," pleaded Lucas choking and clawing at his throat in defense. Captain Bridger glanced at him briefly but turned away in disinterest.

"Lt. Ortiz, show Martin to c-deck when he's finished. Lawrence, would you care to accompany me?" commented the captain. Mr Wolenczak nodded and took one last look at Lucas while shaking his head in repugnance. He followed the captain and walked towards the door indifferently. Lucas' heart dropped in despair when the captain and his father turned to leave the bridge. He looked into Mycroft's eyes and cringed in dread. Mycroft was going to kill him, and neither his father nor Captain Bridger was going to stop him.

"CAPTAIN!" shouted Lucas falling into darkness.

Lucas woke in a cold sweat. He sat up trying to figure out where he was. He glanced around the room to see his computers, various baseball paraphernalia and clothing strewn all over the floor. It slowly dawned on him that Dr. Westphalen had let him return to his room to get some much needed rest. She had finished all her tests and thought it wise to let him rest in the privacy of his own quarters. She had promised to check in on him later, but he was to remain in bed until then. Lucas peeled off his damp t-shirt and tossed it onto the floor. He stood and reached for a clean shirt and ran a hand through his damp hair. Damn, that dream was twisted. His father on SeaQuest helping the doctor? Captain Bridger allowing a civilian to see the vocorder project intentionally? That dream was seriously warped. Still, Lucas felt immense anger welt up inside him again. Each time he had a dream it became more and more bizarre. Each time the captain showed no concern that Lucas was being strangled. It made no sense. The dreams kept making him feel angrier to the point of rage. Lucas had never felt this much anger before, and it was directed right at the captain. Lucas shook his head to clear it. None of the anger made any sense. None of this was Captain Bridger's fault. It's all my fault, thought Lucas gloomily. Just then a soft knock on the door caught his attention. Lucas stood up and unlocked the door.

Kristen smiled warmly when she saw Lucas open the door. The young man looked disheveled. His clear blue eyes looked at her inquisitively, but he stood aside so she could enter the room.

"Oh, Lucas, sweetheart, your hair is soaked, and your face is as white as a sheet. Did you have another nightmare?" she asked with concern in her eyes. Lucas turned and walked towards his bed sitting down weakly. He shrugged his shoulders diffidently.

"It's nothing I can't handle," he whispered mournfully. Kristen sat on his bed beside him and brushed his damp hair out of his eyes. He pulled away ruefully. He didn't wish to hurt the doctor's feelings if he could help it. He just didn't feel like he could cope with her hovering at the moment. She dropped her hand and stared at him intently.

"Want to tell me about your dream, sweetie?" she asked. Lucas shook his head firmly. He couldn't even figure out his dream. How on earth would he discuss it?

"What did you find out with all those tests you did, Doc? Am I gonna live? You took enough blood to feed a vampire army."

"Yes, my friend, you will live. All the tests came back normal, thank God. You're going to be sore for awhile, but there are no serious injuries to speak of," smiled the doctor patting his knee kindly. "You are one lucky young man." Lucas nodded. It did ease his mind to know that there were no serious injuries. Maybe now things could get back to normal, and Captain Bridger and Kristen would stop smothering him. "I am concerned about you, Lucas. SeaQuest docks tomorrow for shore leave. I'm going to recommend that you speak with a psychologist friend of mine. He deals with kids who have experienced trauma."

"WHAT? No way!" shouted Lucas standing up. "I'm not crazy, Doctor."

"I never said you were, my dear. However, you are not acting like yourself, and I think it would be good for you to have someone to talk with about what happened at the Node." Lucas glared at her groaning. So much for not hovering.

"Well, you can forget that idea! I'm not talking to anyone, and you can't make me. I can handle this on my own. You said I was fine so please leave my room, Doctor." Lucas walked to the door and opened it pointing the way out. Kristen walked over and closed the door again. She looked at the annoyed teenager standing before her. It wasn't the first time she had a show down with a hormonal teenager. She had enough experience to know how to tread lightly.

"Yes, I said you were fine physically, Lucas, but my concern is about how you are doing in here." She tapped his chest lightly where his heart raced as the moment escalated. Lucas dropped his eyes and turned his back on her. If she wasn't going to leave, then he would just ignore her. He walked over to his keyboard and pushed a button on his computer filling the room with loud rock music. Kristen clucked her tongue feeling her own temper rising. She had little patience for insolence from anyone let alone a teenager. She strode across the room sternly and unplugged the boy's computer. "Ignoring me, young man, is not going to make me go away." she stated placing her hands on her hips austerely. Lucas whirled around angrily and glared at her.

"Then get the hell out of my room!" he raged. Kristen's eyes widen, and she instinctively took a few steps backwards. She hadn't seen Lucas this angry before. Perhaps she had been mistaken in sharing her concerns so soon. He still needed time to work through things in his own head.

"Mr. Wolenczak!" reprimanded a firm voice from behind them. Lucas and Kristen turned to the door to see Captain Bridger standing in the doorway with a cross look on his face. "You will apologize immediately," he commanded. Lucas felt his heart sink in despair, and he apologized to the doctor sincerely. He felt his anger dissipate a little, but it still brewed within him hovering at the surface. Kristen nodded and patted the boy on the arm kindly.

"I will leave you two alone to talk." With that she walked out of the room glancing momentarily at the captain letting him know they would speak later. Her recommendation still stood. She wanted Lucas to be seen by a psychologist when they docked.

Once Kristen left the room, Nathan looked at the young man standing in front of him.

"Sit," he commanded pointing at the bed. Lucas obeyed. Nathan softened as he took in the bedraggled appearance of the teen. He sighed and sat down beside him patting his knee gently.

"I trust you won't speak to the doctor that way again," he admonished. Lucas nodded knowing he had crossed a line. He hadn't meant to blow-up at her, but he was grasping at straws to find his equilibrium.

"Yes, sir."

"You have another dream?" inquired Nathan leaning back against the wall. Lucas nodded. He felt so bewildered by his own actions. The dreams were relentless. They assaulted him each time he tried to rest. They made him feel irritable and confused sometimes not being able to tell the dream from reality.

"I get this can't be easy, Lucas. Believe me when I say, I'm not trying to make things worse. Admiral Noyce needs your statement. I can hold him off for a day or two. Perhaps a few days on shore with help. Would you like to spend a few days with Darwin and me on the island? Some sunshine and surfing?" offered Nathan trying to draw the boy in. "I contacted your parents, but they are out of the country for the next month. I guess that means you're stuck with this old man for shore leave."

"More like you're stuck with me," mumbled Lucas leaning back and drawing his knees up to his chin. Nathan smiled warmly. He really enjoyed the times Lucas stayed with him. They usually had a lot of fun hanging out. Lucas' company helped him feel less lonely for his family. The teenager was a joy to be around and a hard worker, offering to help him catch up on chores around the house and island.

"Hey now, don't we always have a great time? We might even be able to take in a baseball game. I bet Ben could get us some tickets," asserted Nathan. Lucas shrugged his shoulders. Even baseball didn't seem that interesting at the moment.

"Captain, would it be okay if I just stayed on SeaQuest?" queried Lucas. Nathan shook his head. Lucas was in a bad way. He was retreating into himself, and it wasn't good news.

"I'm sorry, kiddo, but I don't think that's a good idea." Lucas nodded knowing he wouldn't be allowed but felt the need to ask. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. All the anger he had felt earlier seemed to have dissipated leaving him feeling empty.

"Mycroft wanted to kill me," blurted Lucas suddenly.

"I'm sorry that happened, Lucas," replied Nathan holding his breath expectantly willing himself to stay composed.

"I thought I was going to die. Do you know what I thought about?"

"What?"

"That I wouldn't be able to apologize for blowing up at you on the bridge before. I'm sorry, Captain," lamented the boy softly. Nathan patted his knee affectionately. Lucas pulled away. "Don't be nice to me! I don't deserve that," he stated his temper flaring again. Nathan pulled his hand back carefully. The kid was like a yo-yo with his emotions.

"How would you like me to be?"

"MAD! Yell at me. Tell me what I did was stupid and illegal. Say you're disappointed in me. That I'm a gutless coward," whimpered Lucas wiping madly at his face annoyed that tears had escaped his eyes.

"Lucas, I can't do that. I don't think any of that is true."

"You should," he countered boldly. "What the hell kind of captain are you if you think it's okay for one of your crew to brazenly break the law?" Lucas felt his anger rise again unexpectedly. Nathan sat forward and put his feet on the floor.

"I'm a captain talking with a very frightened young man. A young man that I have grown to love and respect very much. You are not simply my crew member, kiddo. Haven't you figured that much out yet? What happened wasn't your fault, Lucas. No one blames you. In fact, I'm very proud of you for standing up to Clements in very scary circumstances," complimented Nathan sincerely. Lucas shook his head in frustration.

"IT WAS MY FAULT!" Lucas stood up and punched the wall fiercely. It was completely his fault. He knew it. Nathan rose to his feet and grabbed Lucas by the arm firmly. The torment was apparent in the kid's face.

"Then prove it to me! How was it your fault?" demanded Nathan firmly.

"Because we hacked into a foreign aid account first and moved funds. I knew something was wrong right then, and I did nothing. I was mad at you, so I did nothing. If I had contacted you it wouldn't have gone as far as it did."

"Mad at me?"

"Yes, and everyone one else on this stupid tub. No one appreciates me until something breaks then its Lucas fix this, Lucas fix that. I'm always in the way. Heck, even my parents don't want me. I'm nothing but a nuisance. Maybe you all would have been better off if Mycroft had finished strangling me." Nathan shook his head in exasperation. How did this kid get so down on himself? What was going on in his head to make him believe such lies?

"He kept tightening his grip on my throat and shaking me. I couldn't even see straight…" began Lucas staring into space with tears rolling down his cheeks. Then as if a switch was flicked on, Lucas started blurting out the whole story about what happened at the Node. Nathan listened intently without interruption for fear he would cause the boy to stop talking. The horror played out on Lucas' face as he described all that happened, but he hesitated near the end. Nathan knew there was more to be said but didn't push the teen. Lucas turned to face the captain. His face was red and blotched from crying. He couldn't get up enough nerve to explain how they encouraged Clemens to lie about what happened. Or about everything they did to cover their tracks. Or about the conversation he had with his father the day before he lost his temper on the bridge.

'It's going to be okay, Lucas. I promise you," affirmed Nathan pulling him into an embrace and clamping his hand on the back of the boys head. "Clemens can't hurt you anymore, and I'm here to help you work through this mess ok?" Lucas nodded not convinced. Maybe talking about would take away his nightmares. Maybe.

What conversation did Lucas have with his dad? Is Kristen going to really make him see a psychologist? Would a nice vacation on Nathan's island help Lucas?

I'm fighting a nasty cold. It's almost Christmas, and I can't keep my eyes open. I've been trying to finish another chapter but I can't stop coughing.

Still more to come. Think Mycroft knows where Nathan lives?