A/N: I apologize in advance if anything in this seems a bit too gushy. Updates will now be on Tuesday and Saturday :)

Riley and Maya walked into Riley's room with several bags in hand, indicating that their shopping trip with Uncle Shawn was successful. It was always fun when the three of them went shopping together. Once everyone had made their purchases, Shawn would take all of them to a nice restaurant, his treat of course. If there still was enough time left in the day after the group had finished eating, they would all head to the movie theater for a final round of fun.

For Riley, the trip was a nice distraction from how she was actually feeling. Today was just one of those days where she really missed Lucas, and she felt pathetic about it. There was no use in brooding over what she couldn't have at the moment, yet that's what she was doing for most of the morning until Shawn came and picked her and Maya up. A few hours of happiness, and now she found herself back in that void.

A pair of fingers snapped in front of her eyes, causing Riley to blink. She looked up to see Maya looking down at her with her hands on her hips. Heck, Riley didn't even remember sitting down on her bed!

"I take it you didn't hear a word I just said?" she asked.

Riley shook her head. "Sorry…" she trailed as her guilt filled her voice.

Maya sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her best friend's shoulder. "Don't worry. You really miss him, huh?"

"Yeah… I mean, I miss him every day, but there are just some days where it's harder to get through. Today just happens to be one of those days, and I'm not sure why."

"There doesn't have to be a reason," Maya explained. "The two of you have been doing this for a while now, it's only natural."

Riley sighed. "Well, it doesn't seem that way."

"You're not the only one that's going through this, Riles. How hard did your parents take it when your mom moved during high school?"

"Rather hard," Riley answered after pausing for a moment. "But I would like to think that I'm handling it better than my dad did."

"I'm sure you are. And think about it; you and Lucas are farther apart than your parents were, and you're still working through it."

"True…"

Maya sighed as she turned on Riley's computer. "Go," she gestured towards the desk as the computer booted up. "Talk to him."

"But what about us hanging out tonight?"

A mischievous grin came over Maya's lips. "Who said I was leaving?"

Lucas lightly sighed as he sat down on his bunk and opened his book. It had been a while since he had some free time that he was able to do what he wanted. Usually Farkle or one of his other shipboard buddies would get him involved with something else. But not today. All he had on his mind was doing nothing specific. Just anything he felt like doing, and enjoying the silence.

However, that luxury didn't last long. The hatch to his quarters opened and Farkle stepped through the door.

"Hey! Up for watching the movie tonight?"

Lucas looked over the pages of his book at his roommate. "What are they showing tonight?"

"Top Gun."

The pilot rolled his eyes. "No thanks… I live it; I don't want to watch it."

Farkle shrugged his shoulders. "Suit yourself."

"Enjoy it for me," Lucas returned.

"Okay," Farkle smiled. "See you later."

Once the hatch closed behind his best friend, Lucas returned to his book. Again, the luxury of enjoying his free time to his advantage didn't last long, when his email notification went off on his computer. Lucas sighed as he got up to check it, but once he saw who it was from, he didn't mind that his reading was interrupted.

It was from Riley.

Hey. Got some time to talk?

Lucas smiled as he typed his response. Of course, anything for you. What's up?

It took a little while for Riley to respond. Oh, not much… just really missing you at the moment. Wishing you were here; you know, the usual.

Lucas frowned a bit as he typed up his reply to her. Now, now… you can't possibly miss me yet! It's only been a month and a half since you last saw me. Okay, probably not the best of jokes at the moment…

Do you still have my jacket?

Once Lucas hit send, he sat back and waited. He didn't like being away when Riley felt like this, but there wasn't much he could do about that. Lucas couldn't pick his assignments, or choose to come and go as he pleased. Hopefully once this tour was done and he was given a shore assignment, everything would get a bit better.

A small beep coming from his computer indicated that Riley had responded.

As bad as it was, it actually did get me to smile.

And of course I do. I'd never get rid of it.

He looked out of the porthole and saw the moon just starting to rise over the sea. With any luck, Riley would be able to see it from her apartment.

Put it on, and step out onto your balcony. I can see the moon right now; look at it, and you'll see me.

After he hit send, Lucas stood up from his chair and looked out the small window at the steadily rising moon. When they agreed to try the long distance relationship, Lucas had the idea that when one missed the other, or they both missed each other, they'd pick a point in the sky, either a star or the moon, and when one of them looked at it, it would be like they were looking at the other. He had heard about that same thing through many different people, and so far it seemed to help with them.

A few minutes later, his computer beeped at him again. After taking in a relaxing breath, he went over to look at the message he had received.

I see you!

Lucas's lips curled up into a smile as he typed. I see you, too :)

As he headed back to the porthole and gazed at the moon, the echo of a song came to the front of Lucas' mind, which made him think of Riley all the more.

I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you

I will find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you*

Lucas smirked as the song came to a close mentally. How true those words are… how true they are.

*Song lyrics: I'll Be Seeing You by Frank Sinatra (version that inspired me: performed by James Darren. You should check it out!)

A/N #2: So… enough Rucas goodness for you? Let me know what you thought!