The Challenge: Write a story about what might have happened or could have happened if Nathan and Kristin had met at some point while he was still married to Carol.

Trying to work out the nuances of the engines for a brand new submarine was proving to be more trouble than it was worth and now, the self-sealing skin was giving him a problem as well. Nathan Bridger sighed in frustration, he was already late in going home and Carol would be on his case again.

He couldn't really blame her – he knew she didn't understand his obsession with the project. He'd tried to explain but as far as she was concerned it was just one more thing to keep him away from his family. And, it was military, something she didn't care for at all.

He closed his eyes for a moment to try to ward off the beginnings of a headache. Unconsciously he leant backwards and had to put a hand out to stop himself from falling. He felt a sharp pain and then something warm, wet and sticky running down his fingers. "Damn it!" He'd accidentally put his palm down onto the razor edge of the guillotine he'd been using.

Bridger walked quickly to the sink and turned on the tap, running cold water over the wound. It looked pretty bad and he knew that he wasn't going to be able to deal with it himself. Moving to the internal comm-system he contacted the switchboard and asked them to send over a member of the medical staff.

Five minutes later there was a tap at the door, without turning, he called for the visitor to enter. A richly melodic voice with a British accent asked, "Nathan Bridger?"

"That's me."

"What seems to be the problem?"

"This." He held out his damaged hand.

"Ouch, how on Earth did you do that?"

"Carelessness Ma'am... plain and simple."

"Fair enough... and it's Doctor."

"Sorry... Doctor."

"Would you like to sit down so that I can take a look?"

While she was laying out what she would need Nathan took the opportunity to study her. He guessed that she was about ten years younger than him and definitely English. Her red hair was tied back but looked to be quite long, thick and wavy. She had elegant hands and, from what he could see under her white coat, a very good figure. He flushed with embarrassment when he noticed that she was watching him watching her, but she just smiled and went on with her preparations.

~ God, that is one, beautiful woman. ~ Bridger thought to himself. She took his hand in hers and he jumped at her touch.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

"Er... ah... that's okay." ~ Well, what the hell was he supposed to say? No, when our fingers touched I felt a jolt of electricity that took my breath away. ~

"This is going to hurt I'm afraid."

Coherent sentences seemed to have flown out of the window.  "Uh-huh."  ~ Good, maybe that will take my mind off the fact that I'm acting like a pubescent teen. ~

She gently swabbed the wound with antiseptic and heard his hiss of in-drawn breath. "Would you like a local anaesthetic? I can give you one."

His thoughts immediately sank to gutter level and he smiled involuntarily. The doctor burst out in a fit of laughter. "You know what I mean."

Their gazes locked for a moment and all sorts of unspoken thoughts were betrayed in their eyes. Bridger broke the silence.

"No, I'll be fine."

"I'm going to have to stitch it."

"Okay."

Twenty minutes and a lot of flinching later, his hand was neatly bandaged. "Thank you, Doctor."

"You're welcome." For some reason she was reluctant to leave. "What are you working on?"

"Designs for a new submarine."

"You're military?" She sounded surprised.

"Yes, is that a problem?"

"No... no, of course not. It's just that when you weren't wearing a uniform I thought..."

"That I was a civilian?"

"Yes. So, what's the problem?"

"Problems."

"Oh."

"Technical specifications on the engines."

"Can't help there, I'm afraid."

"And the outer skin..."

"Nor there, so I think I'd better be going. You really shouldn't use that hand for the rest of the day."

"Not an issue, I'm not getting anywhere anyway. What I need is someone who knows something about both viruses and biological oceanography. Know anyone?"

"As a matter of fact I do."

"Who?"

"Me."

"You?" He looked at his injured hand.

"Don't sound so surprised, I was just slumming it. I'm a scientist as well as a medical doctor."

"In that case, do you have a minute?"

"Certainly."

"Well then, Doctor..."

"Kristin."

"Sorry?"

"My name is Kristin."

"Very well Kristin, take a look at this."

She straightened up and stretched her back, wondering just how long she'd been hunched over the small microscope. Her stomach growled loudly.

Nathan smiled. "Sounds like someone's hungry."

"Well, I haven't eaten since breakfast and now it's..." She looked at her watch. "...Oh my God!"

"What?"

"Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Not a clue." He glanced up at the clock on the wall. "Bloody hell! It can't be..."

"I'm afraid it is. How about we leave this and I buy you some supper?"

Nathan was stunned. ~ How the hell was he going to explain to Carol what he was doing coming home at 1:00am? ~

"Nathan... Supper?"

"What? On no, I'm sorry I can't. I have..."

"Someone waiting for you at home?"

"Yes." ~ Was that regret in his voice? ~

"Me too... But since we're this late already, will a half-hour make any difference?"

He knew he should go straight home but at the same time, he was loath to say goodbye... He'd never known anyone he could talk to about his work this easily. Kristin was intelligent, funny, warm and friendly and it really made a change to have someone who was genuinely interested in what he had to say, no matter how boring. He'd long ago given up trying to talk to Carol - she just wasn't technically minded... He looked up to see her watching him intently, catching her unawares, and was struck by the sadness in her eyes, he hadn't noticed it before and it was in such stark contrast to the rest of her. He wondered just what, could make such a vivacious woman so unhappy.

"Nathan?"

"Okay, why not. Do you know somewhere we can go?"

"I certainly do."

They were settled at a corner table in an all-night café. Nathan stirred his coffee thoughtfully. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For all your help, it really is appreciated."

"I'm only sorry that we couldn't solve the problem completely."

"Well, we gave it our best shot."

"We did that. Now all we have to do is face the music."

Nathan laughed. "Yeah, that'll be fun and you can't even claim overtime pay."

"Sorry?"

"For working so late... After all it wasn't exactly part of your job description was it?"

"Oh I see. But I don't work on the base."

"What?"

"I'm not on staff at the base, I was just visiting a friend."

Nathan closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. "Do you have any idea what they could do to me?"

"I don't understand."

"You're not on staff, you have no clearance and I've told you more secrets in one meeting than... Christ, why didn't you tell me?"

Kristin reached over and stroked his arm. "It's okay Nathan, I'm not going to tell anyone. I would never do that."

He could hear the distress in her voice. "Kristin, I..."

"Look, if it's any consolation I signed your country's equivalent of the Official Secrets Act a long time ago. I had to for my own research. I've also signed the British one and there's always Doctor/patient confidentiality." She smiled slightly.

When he didn't reply she continued, "I swear on my daughter's life that I will never tell another soul what we've discussed today."

Looking into her eyes Bridger knew instinctively that he could trust her. "Okay." He smiled warmly. "And now I think I should go."

"Me too. Do you have transport?"

"I'll be fine."

"Well Nathan Bridger, I'm glad to have met you and good luck with your project."

Nathan took her outstretched hand. "It was nice meeting you too and thank you, for everything."

When he arrived home Carol was asleep and to his relief, he managed to slip into bed without waking her. He lay awake thinking about the woman he had met earlier... He'd laughed and felt more at ease with her than he had with anyone in a long while.

Carol stirred beside him and he snuggled up behind her, kissing her back and wondering if Kristin had someone to hold her... to love her... And then he remembered the look in her eyes when she thought no one was watching and somehow he doubted it.

He wasn't able to work late again for another three days as he'd promised his wife that he'd spend some time with her. Not that he minded... he loved her dearly and Robert had been home on leave from the Academy, just to make the family complete.

Now that he was alone in his office/workshop/lab his thoughts turned to Kristin once more. He had no idea what it was about her that had touched his soul but something definitely had. He wondered what she was doing, if she was happy... Whether the haunted look in her beautiful eyes was a permanent feature or just a one off... His comm-unit buzzed for attention... Probably Carol wondering when he was going to be home... "Bridger."

"Hello Nathan."

A sensual shiver ran down his spine at the sound of her voice. "Kristin, this is a surprise."

"A pleasant one, I hope."

"Of course. What can I do for you?"

"Actually, I think I might be able to do something for you."

"Really?" Images appeared in his mind unbidden of all the things she could do for him.

"Not that." She half laughed.

~ How the hell did she always seem to know what he was thinking? He'd been married to Carol for twenty years, give or take, and she still hadn't figured him out. ~

"Nathan?"

"I'm sorry, you were saying?" He felt his cheeks flush slightly.  ~ And that... No one had made him do that in years. ~

"I think I may have come up with a solution to that problem we were working on."

Nathan looked excited. "What, how?"

"I don't think that you want to discuss it over an open link, do you?"

"No, I guess not." He sounded disappointed.

"Can I come over?"

"Now?"

"Why not?"

His brain went into idiot mode temporarily and then he managed an "'okay, now'. I'll tell gate security to expect you."

"Westphalen."

"Sorry?"

"My name... It's Kristin Westphalen." He looked confused and so she explained slowly, "I don't think they would agree to letting in someone called 'Kristin Something or other.'"

"Right... errr... erm... I'll see you soon."

"Later." She broke the link and laughed aloud. It was nice to know that she could still turn a man's head or in this case his brain.

Nathan took a couple of deep breaths and walked into the small bathroom to splash cold water on his face before studying himself in the mirror. "For God's sake Bridger look at you. You've spoken to her twice and she's turned you into a nervous wreck." He decided to go and talk to the guards personally and get some fresh air at the same time, reciting to himself. "You're a married man, you're a married man..."

He was deeply engrossed in a schematic when he heard someone clearing their throat. Nathan looked up to see a vision of loveliness framed in doorway. She was wearing a white trouser suit with gold embroidery on the collar and her hair was loose – his breath caught. "May I come in?"

"Please." He continued to study her. There weren't many women who could get away with wearing all white but she looked stunning. Kristin suddenly did an impromptu twirl, laughing at the expression on his face.

"I was staring wasn't I? God, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, I'll take it as a compliment."

"Please do, although, if you'll forgive me, that doesn't look like the kind of outfit you'd wear to work."

"It's not. I had to stop off at a boring cocktail luncheon, I couldn't get out of it."

He noticed that the underlying sadness had resurfaced. "Well, I'm not complaining. Now, what is it you've found?"

They worked in harmony for a couple of hours, both knowing instinctively what the other needed to complete each task, handing various tools and notes to each other and happily explaining what wasn't understood.

"Damn it! I really thought I had it this time." Kristin sighed in exasperation.

"Don't beat yourself up over it, it'll come… We just need to work on it a little more."

"We?"

"If that's okay? I'm sorry, I didn't even think that you might have something else to do."

"No, no… that's not a problem. I just wasn't sure you were comfortable with this arrangement. You said yourself that I'm not a part of it."

He interrupted her. "That was unforgivable of me. I should have known that you wouldn't betray my confidence."

"You didn't know me. Still don't for that matter."

"I know enough." At her questioning gaze he added. "I don't usually open up to people the way I have to you. There's just something I can't put my finger on. Call it gut feeling if you will but I know I can trust you … And I wouldn't have got this far without your help."

Kristin was lost for words so she simply said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome… Kristin, you can tell me to mind my own business if you want but is there something wrong?"

"Wrong?"

"You just seem so sad sometimes and it hurts to see it. Do you want to talk?"

"No!" Her answer was emphatic.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried."

"No, I'm sorry, I just… no." She turned away from him and he could see her shoulders hunch as she put her arms around herself protectively.

"Kristin…"

She lifted a hand to brush away a tear. "I'm alright."

Nathan decided to give her a few minutes, so he tidied up some of the things on his desk before moving to stand beside her as she gazed out of the window.

"Nathan, would it be possible for you to get me a pass so that I can come and go as I please, without having to wait for you all the time?"

He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Of course, but I will need to be here while you are."

"I know. I just hate having to hang around outside when you're late, that's all."

"No problem. Look I promised my wife that I'd be home at a reasonable hour tonight." He saw a smile cross her lips. "So I have to go. Will you be okay?"

"Yes. I'll head home too I guess."

"I'm sorry if I was out of line earlier… I just hate to see you so unhappy."

Kristin merely nodded. "Call me the next time you're going to be working late and in the meantime I'll work on this. Take care." She walked almost lethargically to the door.

"You too." He watched her leave with a heavy heart.

A few evenings later he was surprised to find her waiting in his office. She had her back to the door and was staring out of the window.

"Well hello there, you're early."

He saw her jump and then lift her hand to her face as she sniffled quietly.

"Kristin, what's wrong?"

She didn't reply, or even turn to look at him. Without thinking he crossed over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. What he saw almost broke his heart.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come today. I'm sorry."

His arms went round her of their own volition and she sagged against him crying softly. Knowing that she still wouldn't talk to him he just held her, stroking her back to give her comfort. "It's okay Baby… Everything's okay." His distress was almost as great as hers and he hadn't even realised that he'd used a term of endearment instead of her name.

Neither of them knew how long they'd stood that way but finally Kristin pulled away and turned towards the bathroom. "Please excuse me for a moment."

"Of course."

He suddenly felt bereft, as though he'd lost something precious. As he tried to make sense of the emotions he was experiencing, Kristin stood in front of the mirror doing the same thing.

When she finally emerged she had stopped crying and had an apologetic smile on her face.

"Feeling better?"

"Mmm a little. Thank you for the hug."

"You looked as though you needed it."

"You'll never know how much. Look, if you don't mind I'm very tired… Can we do this some other time?"

"That's fine."

"Thank you." She moved closer and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Good night."

"Good night."

Nathan stood in the same place for some time, not trusting his legs to support him if he moved, stunned that a quick peck on the cheek could affect him as much as it had. He couldn't believe how difficult it had been to let go of her… How he'd wanted to hold on to her and kiss away her pain…

She hadn't been back to the office for over a week and he was starting to believe that she was gone for good. He was desperately worried about her… He'd tried to contact her several times but never received a reply. Nathan hadn't realised just how much it was affecting him until Carol had asked if something was wrong. She'd said he seemed agitated and upset and he knew she was right. Kristin was permanently on his mind although he knew it was wrong. He just needed to know that she was all right. Hearing a noise he turned quickly and knocked a beaker off the end of his desk, cutting his finger as he picked up the shards of glass. "Damn. Damn… damn, damn!"

"You know one day I'm not going to be here to put you back together." She knelt down beside him and looked at his fingers. "I think a plaster should do it this time."

"Kristin…"

"Hello Sailor, long time no see."

"I was worried about you."

"No need. As you can see I'm fine."

Somehow he doubted it but didn't press the issue. "Then how about we get on with some work?"

"Sounds good to me."

Since she'd reappeared Kristin had shown up religiously every night he was there for the past two weeks. He couldn't believe how much he looked forward to seeing her… How much he cared about her…

One night they'd been working on their separate problems when she suddenly yelled out excitedly, "I've got it!"

Nathan practically dropped his coffee in fright. "Got what?"

"The answer."

"You're serious."

"Yes. Look!"

"Oh my God, it works… It really works!"

"Yes." She replied happily.

"But how? Why?"

"We've been looking at it from the wrong angle. Instead of trying to cure the viruses as they occur I just adopted the same technique we use with people and vaccinated it before it could be infected. Now it just reseals like human skin but a thousand times faster."

"Kristin, you're incredible. Thank you! Thank you…" He pulled her into a tight hug, lifted her off her feet and twirled her around. As he placed her back onto the ground their gazes locked and his face grew serious. Lifting his hand he stroked her cheek and drew his thumb across her lips…

The comm-unit on the desk buzzed for attention and Kristin hastily excused herself and headed for the washroom. When she returned Nathan seemed on edge… She moved to his side and touched his arm but he jumped away. "What's wrong? Who was the call from?"

"My wife."

"Has something happened?"

"No, I just…"

"Feel guilty." She supplied.

"Yes." He still hadn't looked at her.

"You have nothing to feel guilty about."

Turning slowly he said, "I know, but…"

"But nothing, Nathan. We're just colleagues and I hope friends, not lovers. Much as I wish it were otherwise."

Kristin gasped at the stunned expression on his face and her hand flew to her face. "Oh God, I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to say that out loud. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry." She turned quickly and ran for the door.

"Kristin, wait please." He was across the room in three strides and holding her arm to prevent her from leaving.

She struggled in his grip. "Let me go… Oh please let me go. I didn't mean…"

Nathan used his foot to close the door. "It's alright Kristin, it's alright."

"No it isn't. I should never have said it…" She lifted her gaze and searched his eyes, an almost desperate look on her face. "Forgive me, please."

All the feelings he'd fought to suppress since he'd first met her bubbled to the surface and completely overwhelmed him. He cupped her face with his hand and lowered his lips to hers, kissing her passionately. "There's nothing to forgive… I want it too Kristin. I want you so badly it hurts."

Her hands snaked around his neck and she pulled his mouth back to hers, tongues tangling as their desire mounted. When they pulled apart to breathe Kristin said, "We can't do this Nathan. As much as we may want to, we can't."

He rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. "I know, but I want to… God, I want to."

She reached up and gently traced the contours of his face with her fingertips, running them over his lips as he had hers. "I have to go."

"Kris…"

"Please Nathan, before you do something you'll regret."

"I could never regret being with you."

"But you'll torture yourself with guilt afterwards. Go home to Carol and celebrate with her."

"And you? What about you?"

"I'll survive. I always survive." She added sadly.

For a moment he looked as though he was going to stop her, but then he let go and stepped away from the door, knowing in his heart that he would never see her again. "Goodbye, my friend."

"Be happy Nathan."

Almost a month later Kristin was handed a note. It was brief and to the point.

   Hello My Friend,
        I thought you should know that it looks as though our mutual project is going to be scrapped. We had the necessary support in Congress but then one of our backers pulled out so our funding has been frozen. Take care of yourself, I miss you. I will always remember our time together.
                      Nathan Bridger
 

Kristin cried as she had never cried before but not for herself, her dreams had long ago been discarded… She cried for Nathan and the loss of his.

Bridger fiddled around with his bow tie and tried to loosen the stranglehold his collar seemed to have on his throat.

"Nathan, for God's sake stop fidgeting."

"Damn it Bill, I hate these monkey suits."

"I know that, but for some reason the Congressman has got it into his head to support us and attending his party is a small price to pay. Besides, the ladies are enjoying themselves."

"True. They do seem to be lapping up the atmosphere and they look gorgeous."

"They should with the amount of money those dresses cost."

"Ah, but it was a small price to pay." Nathan mimicked. "I'm still wondering why on Earth the Congressman even showed an interest in us… After all it's not exactly his style is it?"

"What are you two so deep in conversation about?" Janet Noyce asked as she slipped her arm through her husband's.

"We were just wondering what interest the Congressman could have in our project."

"From what I've heard, the only thing he's interested in is skirt chasing." Janet replied disgustedly.

"Mmm… according to the latest gossip, he's up to mistress number fifteen." Carol supplied.

"God, his poor wife."

"I've never seen her."

"No. She tends to stay out of the public eye as much as possible but I've heard she's very beautiful." The women moved off to look around.

"Bill, I…"

"Shh… he's coming this way."

"Terrific."

"I'm glad everything's going so well."

"We still have a problem with the…"

"Please Nathan, spare me the technical details, they bore me to tears. Just ask my wife."

"Your wife, Sir?" Nathan inquired.

"She's the intelligent one around here when it comes to this sort of thing… Probably why we don't get on."

Nathan laughed half-heartedly and Bill just looked uncomfortable.

"Oh, I should warn you about my wife since you'll no doubt be meeting her later. She can turn milk sour and you could freeze ice on her ass but she does have attributes which a man in my position can exploit, so I have to put up with her."

"Sir…" A voice spoke from behind him.

"Excuse me gentlemen, duty calls."

"Good God!" Noyce exclaimed.

"Geez, he has to be the biggest asshole I've ever met."

"Well since he's on our side I guess we'll have to humour him. His wife sounds like a bundle of fun."

"Yeah well, with a husband like that I'm not surprised. Have you seen Carol?"

"Not lately."

"I think I'll go and find her; see if she can feign a headache or something, so we can get out of here."

"Oh no you don't." Bill admonished. "If I've got to stay, you've got to stay."

"Great. Just great… In that case I need another drink."

"Get me one while you're there."

As he made his way back he noticed that the women had joined Bill again and there was someone else with them. Someone he knew very well. Unsure of what was going on he approached cautiously.

"Ah Nathan, here you are. There's someone we'd like you to meet." Bill enthused. "Ma'am, this is Nathan Bridger, he's in charge of the project. Nathan this is the Congressman's wife – Kristin."

Suddenly everything clicked into place and he knew what it was that caused her sadness. "I'm very pleased to meet you."

"Likewise. I've heard a lot about you Captain."

"All good I hope."

"Of course."

The Congressman appeared out of nowhere. "Good, I see you've met my wife… I told you she had some useful attributes, didn't I?" He slipped an arm around her waist and less than discreetly, pinched her behind. Kristin flushed uncomfortably but held her smile as she removed his hand.

"Nathan, is it alright if I steal your wife for a dance?"

Kristin leaned closer to her husband and whispered something in his ear.

"Nag, nag, nag… Well, Nathan?"

"By all means, providing I can dance with yours."

"She's all yours, and good luck, you'll need it."

Nathan's hands clenched into fists at his sides in an effort to stop himself from punching the other man's lights out. "How do you put up with that?" He hissed out.

"He's had too much to drink, that's all."

"Does it happen often?"

"Yes."

They moved into each other's arms on the dance floor – the tension between them palpable.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For getting the funding for me."

"I'm just glad I could help."

Nathan pulled her closer. "What was the price?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes. To me…"

"I had to promise not to divorce him until after the next elections."

"Christ, that's almost another year."

"I know, but it was worth it."

"Why Kristin? Why did you do it?"

"You want the truth?"

"Always."

"Because I knew how much it would mean to you. Because I know what it's like to have all your hopes and dreams go up in smoke. And because…"

"Because?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Because I love you Nathan Bridger."

She felt his grip on her tighten as he fought to contain everything he was feeling. Over his shoulder Kristin saw Carol trying to attract his attention. "I think you're wanted."

He turned them slightly so that he could see his wife and friends who signalled that they wanted to leave. Nathan nodded to let them know that he understood, watching silently as they made their way to the door before returning his attention to the woman in his arms.

For a brief moment he pulled her tightly to his body, his mouth close to her ear. "I love you too Baby. I love you too." His lips brushed gently down the side of her neck and then he was gone, moving swiftly to join the others.

Kristin stood alone in the middle of the crowded dance floor completely oblivious of her surroundings, Nathan's confession echoing in her mind, basking in the warm glow she felt until a familiar voice sounded in her ear. "I've got to hand it to you Kris, the man earns umpteen medals for courage in the face of the enemy but even he can't stomach more than one dance with you."

She pulled herself up, standing tall and proud. "Maybe not, but he's still twice the man you'll ever be. If you'll excuse me."

As she walked away she could hear him muttering obscenities under his breath but she didn't care anymore. In those few words Nathan had given her back her dignity and she knew that nothing her soon-to-be ex-husband could say, would ever hurt her again.

Postscript: Onboard seaQuest approximately ten years later…

Nathan Bridger was annoyed, no more than that, he was angry. ~ How could Bill do this to him? He was supposed to be a friend. ~ Jonathan Ford was speaking again.

"Sir, does that mean the Captain is ready to leave the seaQuest?"

"Well, I'm here, might as well look around.  What the hell" He stepped into a side turning.

"Commander Ford," A very familiar voice echoed along the main corridor. Bridger might not have been able to see her but he'd know that accent anywhere. He felt the almost forgotten but very familiar shiver down his spine.  "Let's get something clear, shall we.  My people will not be treated as so much cargo.  We are scientists, we are not mindless military drones."

Bridger settled himself against the bulkhead to watch the exchange, noticing that the Commander had his arms folded across his chest in an almost protective gesture, whilst Kristin stood hands on hips.

"Your point, Doctor?"

"Your people have occupied areas clearly marked as science research labs.  I want them removed immediately."

"May I remind you, that you are aboard a military vessel." His demeanour became more aggressive.

"This is a research and exploration vessel.  Besides, we outnumber you one hundred twenty-four to eighty-eight." Kristin had unconsciously mirrored Ford's stance.

"That sounds like a threat, Doctor."

"At least you have a grasp for the obvious." Nathan desperately tried to stifle a laugh but wasn't altogether successful.

"Now you understand this…"

"Don't you point your finger at me." This time he laughed out loud and braced himself as Kristin turned to face him, her expression one of shocked surprise before she continued. "You find this amusing?" She tried hard not to smile.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

"And what are you, some kind of stowaway?" He could tell by her body language that she was teasing him but Ford was definitely taking it all seriously.

"Something like that.  The name's Bridger."

"Nathan Bridger?" She managed to look surprised.

He flipped up his ID badge as if to confirm it. "Last time I looked."

She was having a really hard time keeping a straight face. "I know your work.  Topography, thermal range variances.  I tried to contact you once." She commented trying to let him know that she still remembered him.  "They said you were…" She groped for a suitable word. "… Unreachable."

Kristin had kept tabs on him as best she could and knew of everything that had happened. He smiled at the word, grateful that she hadn't expanded upon it in front of the Commander. Not knowing how much Nathan wanted the others to know or even if he really remembered her, she decided to introduce herself. "I'm sorry, Kristin Westphalen, medical doctor, biological oceanographer, and head of the science team aboard this ship." She offered him her hand and when he took it and held it, she felt the same thrill run through her that she had ten years ago. The feeling left her totally flustered.

"Doctor."

"Well, I'm late for a staff meeting, um, it was nice meeting you." Moving across to Commander Ford she continued, "I'm not finished with this, Commander, not by a long shot." She headed back the way she had come.

Nathan was taken by surprise at how much she'd changed since they'd last met. She was still, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen but she would never have fronted up to anyone then as she had seaQuest's X-O. Realising that he should say something he quipped, "She seems very committed."

"She ought to be committed." Ford stormed off down the corridor and Nathan stared wistfully along the now empty passageway, wondering what else had changed. He wanted to go after her but at the same time, the familiar feeling of guilt welled up inside him so, with a sigh, he continued on his original course.

Kristin finally managed to escape to the relative solitude of her small office, sitting down thoughtfully at her desk and spinning her chair until she was facing the bulkhead. It had been an uphill struggle to concentrate on anything that had been discussed at the meeting. She kept envisioning Nathan's face and feeling the profound sadness that emanated from him.

She wondered if he would stay… She hoped he would, he looked as though he needed it, but she wasn't sure if he would want to, knowing that she was there as well. It had to be difficult for him. ~ God, it was going to be difficult for her. ~ From the moment their eyes had met she knew she still loved him and when he had taken her hand, her knees had practically buckled. She could only hope and pray that the aggravating Commander Ford hadn't noticed.

A tap at the hatch behind her broke her train of thought. "Come in."

She took a moment to compose herself before turning to face her visitor. "Nathan."

"Hello, my friend… I think I need a hug." He held out his arms to her and she was across the room in an instant, holding him tightly.

When she could speak she whispered, "I was so sorry to hear about Carol and Robert."

Suddenly they were transported back to another place, another time… But now it was Nathan who cried and Kristin offering the comfort.