Kristin was sitting on the sofa arguing with herself... She knew that she had to tell him but was afraid of his reaction. They’d been together, on and off, for the past four months - in fact, since the destruction of seaQuest. She was busy setting up a research facility in NCQ and he was ‘up-to-his-ears’ in building a new boat.

They shared their down-time together whenever possible, not that there was much of it to share, sometimes going out to dinner and concerts but mostly quiet nights in at either her place or his - sharing meals, listening to music and just using the time to unwind. But lately things had become strained… There were too many long silences - not the peaceful, being together kind, but the uncomfortable kind. They spent more and more time apart, each finding reasons not to be alone with the other. She knew that it was as much her fault as his, that she was hiding rather than facing up to what had to be…

It was beginning to affect her work. She found it difficult to concentrate, making silly mistakes and, in her profession, that could prove fatal.

She didn’t laugh as much as she used to, hardly even smiled. She was letting the whole mess rule her life. It was no good she’d have to tell him even if it meant doing irreparable damage to their friendship.

He was coming over that evening after work and she’d tell him then… No prevaricating, no small talk, she’d just come right out and say it…

Nathan was working on the plans for the engines of the new seaQuest but he found that he couldn’t concentrate. The situation between himself and Kristin was getting to him. He knew that it was as much his fault as hers… He had to tell her no matter what the consequences. The tension between them was beginning to interfere with his work and he couldn’t let that happen. Far too many people were depending on him and too many lives would be put in jeopardy should he make a mistake.

No, he had to tell her, but he was afraid… Afraid that when he did, their lives would change forever. What if he destroyed everything that they already had? Not that they’d had much of anything lately… No, there was no point in going on as they were. He had to tell her… It would be the first thing that he said when he saw her this evening and what happened, happened…

Bridger went back to work, showing far more enthusiasm than he actually felt.

As luck would have it, he had managed to get off work at a reasonable hour - Funny how it had to happen on the one day that he would have preferred to work late.

Nathan gave a heavy sigh and collecting up his gear, headed for Kristin’s place and the moment of truth.

Kristin had managed to finish early for once - Why today of all days?

She’d come home, had a shower and changed and now she was pacing the room - trying to calm her thudding heart.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Maybe it could wait a few more days? No! It had to be said, and the sooner the better.

She heard Nathan come into the house and almost dropped the coffee she was holding. A nervous shiver shot through her and her hands started to shake. Putting her mug onto the table she took a deep breath and went out into the hallway to meet him…

Well, he’d made it through the front door - not bad considering he’d been standing outside for almost ten minutes.

Kristin came into the hall and he knew that it was time. Taking a deep breath to calm himself he opened his mouth to speak…

Okay, Kristin thought, it’s now or never…

Both eager now to get it over and done with, they spoke at exactly the same time…

“Kristin… I love you.” “Nathan… I love you…”

“But I thought that…”  “I thought you…”

For a moment they just stared at each other in total disbelief…

Lucas stood outside and debated whether or not he should ring the bell. He’d noticed the strained atmosphere between the Doc and the Captain and had come to try to help. Part of him knew that he shouldn’t interfere, but he couldn’t just stand by and watch what was happening to the two people that he cared about most in the world. They both seemed so sad.

He approached the front door for the fourth time and was about to ring the bell when he heard the unmistakable sound of two people laughing hysterically and then - silence. He knew that he should leave but his curiosity had gotten the better of him.

Quietly he let himself in, hoping that they’d be happy to see him. He was greeted by the sight of two adults lying on the hall floor in the midst of a very, very passionate kiss.

Lucas slipped out of the house as silently as he entered. Well, I guess they didn’t need me after all, he thought.