Author's note: I'm not sure who is reading my story if anyone :) It's taking me awhile to upload my chapters because of editing time. I have lots written but haven't had time to edit too well yet. Anyways. I'm hoping to get a few more chapters up soon. Lots to come yet.

Saturday Morning

Bridger's Island

Lucas squinted as he removed his sunglasses. He closed his eyes lifting his chin up at the sky feeling the sun on his face. It felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun. Six months on a submarine with only periodic times on dry land made a person appreciate the sunshine. As much as he loved SeaQuest, he also loved staying on Captain Bridger's Island. He moved his feet in the water as he sat on the end of the dock. He'd spent the better part of the morning swimming with Darwin who had been thrilled to see Lucas outside. The dolphin had spent 10 minutes breaching and chirping his excitement when he saw Lucas for the first time. Who needed a dog, laughed Lucas to himself. Darwin was 10 times better than the dog he always wanted but never had. His father said they didn't have time to own an animal. He often wondered why his parents had a kid because they certainly didn't have time for that either. Lucas shook his head trying to shake off the bitterness that sat in his gut. He still felt upset by the conversation that he'd had with his father before he'd left for the Node. His father had been so flippant with him. Just once in his life, Lucas had hoped his father would take time to care. Lucas sighed forlornly. He was still pretty shaken by his dreams as well. They made him feel bitter resentment towards both his father and Captain Bridger.

The Captain had been sound asleep when Lucas woke up that morning. Lucas felt himself blush when he saw his book in the captain's lap. That ridiculous Hardy Boys mystery book. His father used to read them to him when he was in middle school. Somehow, Lucas felt closer to his father when he was reading one of the mysteries. Lucas had quietly left the room after carefully placing a blanket on the older man and tucking his book away in his satchel. He was surprised he had gotten got any sleep at all considering how loudly the man was snoring. He couldn't remember why the captain was even in his room, but he had a suspicion his dream must have awoken the man. Lucas hoped to avoid him for as long as possible. He figured the captain would want him to talk not that he didn't enjoy talking with Captain Bridger. Normally, he was the first one Lucas went to for advice. It was just he felt like he was in trouble with the man after breaking the lamp the night before, and he also couldn't shake how genuinely angry he felt towards the man as well. A vibration in his sweater beside him caught his attention. He reached inside his pocket to grab his cell phone. Looking at the number, he answered with a grin.

"Hey, Wolfman!" he answered eagerly. "I'm so glad you called!"

"Frankie! I heard you're on shore leave? Where are you? We need to talk, man," came the friendly yet urgent reply. Lucas frowned worriedly. He hadn't seen Nick since he left the Node and hadn't spoken with him a week.

" Is Julianna ok?"

"Dude, she's fine. She's with her parents," reassured Nick quickly, hoping to alleviate some of Lucas' concerns about the girl. Lucas let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Ok, good."

"Uh, Lucas, are you ok?" Lucas inhaled sharply at the question. Nick could hear the pause and sigh on the other end. "Yah, I know, man. I've slept like crap since you left too. Look, uh, I don't want to add to it but, uh someone called me," replied Nick softly.

"Who?" prodded Lucas carefully, guarding his emotions.

"Oh hell, Lucas, Mycroft called me. I don't know how he found me, but dude, he's pissed at you because the UEO is breathing down his neck and asking questions. He wants to talk to you ASAP. I didn't give him your number, man, but he's smart, he'll find you." Lucas' eyes widened as he listened to Nick speak. Was it possible that Clemens could find him in the middle of the Caribbean?

"Where are you, Nick?" replied Lucas swallowing hard, trying to remain calm.

"Maimi. Where are you?"

"Nevermind that. Look, if I could find a way for us to meet tonight, could you make it?" asked Lucas, making plans in his head.

"Uh, yah, sure."

"Great. Um, just gimme a few. I just need to work out a few details, and I'll call you back."

Lucas flipped his phone closed and tapped it against his lip thoughtfully. Captain Bridger had taken the Stinger from SeaQuest while Lucas had been dropped off on a Launch. The Stinger could easily reach 200mph or more at top speed. Not that he would ever let Captain Bridger know he had driven at that velocity. The last time he took it into his own hands to hot-dog like that, he'd ended up grounded for a couple of days. Being grounded under normal circumstances sucked, being grounded on a submarine was brutal. Lucas calculated that it was roughly 350 miles from the island to SeaQuest which was docked at Port Everglades. If Nick could find his way to Port Everglades, Lucas could sneak him aboard SeaQuest and the two of them could have a peaceful, uninterrupted conversation. Lucas figured it would only take Nick about an hour by bus to get to the Glades. Captain Bridger had hung the keys to the Stinger and his security clearance badge to SeaQuest just inside the door of the house so it would be easy to borrow them. Lucas continued forming plans in his head and then dialed his cell again to explain his ideas to Nick.

Somewhere Else near Miami

Martin tossed his phone on the table in annoyance. He had just spent the better half of an hour evading the questions of someone from UEO in Pearl Harbour. When he'd left SeaQuest, he'd purposely traveled as far away as he could to avoid the UEO. He hoped to never deal with them again. Damn, stupid kid. He wished he hadn't heard of the name Lucas Wolenczak. He should have done more research and realized how connected the kid was to the UEO. He had heard about the kid's brilliance and had jumped at the chance to get his hands on him. Now, Nick refused to give him any details about the kid's whereabouts. He knew SeaQuest was docked at Port Everglades for four days for maintenance and the crew was on shore leave. What if there was a way to lure the kid back to SeaQuest so he could talk with him and figure out what the hell was happening. It would be the perfect opportunity with no crew on board. The kid seemed pretty freaked out after he'd attacked him. Maybe, he could use that fear to his advantage. Martin felt prangs of remorse remembering Lucas' face when he saw him before leaving the Node. He hadn't meant to hurt the kid. He wasn't sure anyone would believe that. If he could just talk to Lucas and find out some information, he possibly could make amends somehow maybe. Martin rubbed his temples attempting to devise a plan. After a few moments, he picked up his phone and dialed it with a satisfied smirk. It was just crazy enough to work.

Bridger's Island

Somewhere in the Caribbean

Nathan cleaned off his paintbrush and set it down. He wiped his hands on his shorts absent-mindedly. He had been painting the fence around his house most of the afternoon. Right now he needed a break and a cold drink. He also thought he'd drag the kid out of his room, and maybe they'd take a swim together with Darwin. When he woke up earlier, he was startled to find himself covered by a blanket and still in Lucas' room. He had glanced out the window to see the kid swimming with Darwin. Nathan felt warmth in his heart to see Lucas having some light- hearted fun. He didn't bother to push the teen into talking with him. He was fine to give him some space and time to enjoy the sunshine. He hadn't even thought it would be wise to mention Eric Petersen until the next morning because he knew it was going to be a fight to get him to go see the guy. There was no way that Lucas was going to go talk with a stranger about anything. The kid was a brick wall when it came to anything to do with his private thoughts. But Nathan thought he would indulge Kristin and give it a try. She insisted the therapist would be able to help. Who was Nathan to argue with Kristin? Besides, he'd never won an argument with her in his life.

He stretched out his legs and back. Whew, he was feeling his age this afternoon after stooping to paint. Captaining SeaQuest was making him soft, he chuckled to himself. He sauntered into the house and grabbed a bottle of Pepsi from the fridge. The house was quiet now. Most of the afternoon, he had heard music blaring from the teen's room. He figured the kid was blowing off some steam listening to his music. The sudden quiet felt a little eerie to Nathan. He'd still meant to talk with him about the lamp the night before and try to discern what was going on in his young head.

"Lucas!" he called up the stairs loudly. No answer greeted him so he climbed the stairs inquisitively. Nathan walked down the hall and knocked on the teen's door firmly. Still no answer came so he entered the room and was surprised to find it empty. He scanned the room and noticed a note on the desk scribbled in obvious haste. Nathan sat on the bed pulling his reading glasses out of his pocket curiously and reading the brief note.

Captain,

I borrowed the Stinger to meet with Nick.

Don't be mad.

Call later.

Lucas.

Nathan felt his temper flare as he crumpled up the note in irritation. What the hell was the kid thinking? Stealing the Stinger and taking off like that. Nathan left the room angrily and returned downstairs looking at the place where he had hung the keys to the Stinger. Sure enough, the keys were gone. Damn it, why hadn't he noticed them missing before? He had been tricked into believing Lucas was listening to music all afternoon. He had no idea how long the kid had been gone. Nathan cursed to himself as he reached for his cell phone. He didn't even know where Nick was to find Lucas. What was the kid thinking? Nathan dialed Lucas' cell and listened to it ring.

"Yah, hello," came a voice.

"Mr. Wolenczak, get your skinny little butt back here right now!" demanded Nathan, trying hard to keep his voice even. There was a pause and a deep breath.

"I can't, Captain," replied Lucas softly, with his voice wavering.

"Damn it, Lucas. What the hell are you doing taking the Stinger," demanded Nathan, raising his voice. He could hear the boy gasp on the other side. Nathan willed himself to calm down. Losing his temper wasn't going to make things any better. There was time to yell at the kid later when he got his hands on him. For now, he needed to keep his head and find out what was going on. "C'mon kiddo, talk to me. Let me help," finished Nathan, his voice softer and calmer. He heard the kid clear his throat. "Lucas?"

"I need to do this, Captain,"

"You don't have to do it alone," pleaded Nathan, willing the boy to listen.

"I'll be back tomorrow, and then you can yell at me all you want. I'm sorry, Captain," came the soft reply and then the phone disconnected.

"Damn it," shouted Nathan as he dialed the number again. This time the phone went directly to voice mail. Nathan cursed again and pounded on the table in frustration. It was then that Nathan noticed his security badge was missing as well. "What the hell are you up to, Lucas?" he muttered crossly.

Nathan groaned and rubbed his hand over his face with irritation. Concern was welling up inside him. He was wracking his brain trying to figure out why Lucas would need to get back to SeaQuest and meet with Nick. Was it just a boyish prank; a rebellious time to drink and laugh about a silly practical joke on the dumb adults? Or was it more? Nathan couldn't be sure of anything with Lucas lately. His behaviour was so aberrant. In the meantime, Nathan felt helpless and stranded on his Island. The Stinger had been the only transportation method he had used. He silently berated himself for not bringing a launch as well as the Stinger. He had thought about it briefly but had dismissed the idea thinking that he didn't want Lucas taking the Stinger anywhere by himself anyway. Nathan stood up and grabbed his cell phone again, dialing Kristin. He needed someone to get to SeaQuest and talk with Lucas. He'd feel better if he knew exactly what was going on.

Lucas was lost in his thoughts as he drove the Stinger towards Port Everglades. His mind kept wondering to his brief conversation with the captain. Captain Bridger was livid. He had every right to be. Lucas had stolen the Stinger and the Captain's security clearance. Lucas shuddered at the cross tone in the man's voice. He felt sure the captain was going to throttle him when he returned the island. Lucas shook his head miserably. When was life going to get back to normal? He felt so tired, yet his mind would not allow him to rest. Clemens kept haunting his dreams. Lucas also knew that once shore leave was over, he was going to have to give a statement to the UEO about what occurred at the Node. He would need to be cryptic and take most of the blame himself. There was no way he was mentioning the strangulation, and he wouldn't allow anyone else to either. As far as he was concerned, the matter was over. Lucas had hoped that Clemens was half way around the world by now and out of his hair. He didn't want to see or deal with the maniac again. Why was the guy calling Nick? Had Captain Bridger already made a report about what happened without telling him? None of it made any sense.

Lucas leaned his head back wearily after he docked the Stinger. He glanced at his watch briefly as he waited. He had about a half hour to kill before Nick arrived, so he allowed himself some time to rest. He felt so dead beat. Bone tired. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this exhausted. His thoughts wondered to his dad. He hadn't allowed himself to dwell much on their most recent conversation. Each time he thought about it, he burned with resentment. His father had called him on a secure UEO channel to inform Lucas of his current plans. During the discussion, Lucas had become very terse and brusque in his responses. It had been nearly four months since Lucas had heard from his parents. Only one other brief, angry argument had occurred previously since coming on board SeaQuest. Captain Bridger had informed his father of some trouble Lucas had been in, and Lawrence had reprimanded him harshly. His father had called him an ungrateful, spoiled brat, threatening to come and discipline him himself. This most recent chat had ended similarly. Lucas felt tears brim his eyes. Why did his father always need to be so harsh and angry? Lucas wiped at his eyes in frustration. He forced the thoughts out of his mind and closed his eyes. Minutes later, his hand dropped to his side as he drifted into a fretful sleep.