By
Maggie M.
The sound of the explosions was getting louder and Kristin sighed inwardly. They’d gone away before, maybe they would this time? She hoped so, anyway. The door of the Research Facility flew open and one of the local workers came rushing inside.
“They’re getting closer, Doc. I don’t think we’re going to get away with it this time.”
She sighed again. “Neither do I, I think we should…” There was another round of bangs. “You’re right. Okay people, I think we’re going to have to pack everything up but please be careful, we don’t want to throw away months of work.”
An hour later, apart from the odd glass beaker smashed in their haste, everything was locked down and secured. The battle was within a couple of miles of them now and they could quite clearly make out the sound of gunfire. Kristin banged something on the workbench to get everyone’s attention.
“Looks like we’ve had it here… I’m going to send out the emergency signal but first I want to say a big thank you to all of the people who have helped us and kept us fed. It’s time for you to return to your families. The rest of us will collect our things, make our way along the beach and wait in the caves until we’re picked up.”
An air of panic was beginning to spread through the research staff and some of the women were sniffling back tears, but Kristin stood tall and calm, making no sudden moves that would alarm anyone. They took their lead from her and an uneasy peace settled in the room. They’d stayed too long, she knew that, sacrificing their safety for the work they were doing.
Another explosion rang out, this one much closer, and she retreated to her office, activating the signal before collecting her own belongings and stuffing them all into a UEO issue duffel bag. Clearing her desk, she gathered up her papers, research notes, computer discs and other paraphernalia and headed for the door returning almost immediately to pick up the lone photograph which still stood on the desk top; the photograph of a man who none of the other workers had ever seen, or even spoken to, in all the time they’d been there. There had been lots of speculation but not one of them had been able to fathom who he was.
She studied the handsome but rugged face for a few seconds before it joined the rest of her stuff and she walked back into the main complex. “Everyone done…?”
A chorus of ‘yeses’ and ‘yeahs’ assured her that they were.
Reaching out she punched a few keys on the main computer and the files began to automatically delete, going through a scramble and bleaching process to render them useless to anyone who might try to access them. When it was done she shut down the computer for what would probably be the last time.
“Right, let’s get out of here.”
With a final look around to make sure that everything was secure, Kristin stepped through the front door and keyed in the code that would seal it behind them. A loud bang had them dropping to the ground, that one had been too close for comfort.
Quickly she urged the group to their feet, but several didn’t get up; some wounded, others dead. Helping each other as best they could, they made their way cautiously to the shelters, keeping wherever possible in the shadow of the rocks. Kristin tried to encourage them gently as she tended their injuries on the move, all the while praying that someone had picked up their distress call.
The beleaguered group huddled together, more for comfort than anything else as the conflict raged on behind them. The aggressors’ progress had slowed but not ceased. Obviously the local people were putting up a strong defence but Kristin knew that it couldn’t last - the odds against them were far too great. The momentary silence was shattered by another explosion…
Nathan Hale Bridger stood dead centre of the bridge, hands clasped behind his back, his body rigid like a tightly wound spring, and surveyed his crew. He’d been captain of the seaQuest for a little over five years and watched as it had gradually transformed from a research and science vessel into a fully-fledged ship of war. He’d seen crewmembers come and go... some moving to other vessels and others casualties of that war. Friends like Manilow Crocker, Benjamin Krieg and Chief Ortiz.
A few of the original crew remained… Jonathan Ford, ever at his side, Tim O’Neill, Communications Officer; Chief Shan – Head of Security and even Lucas… now in uniform along with the rest. He had been given a choice – either join up and become a proper member of the crew, or leave the boat permanently. He’d chosen to stay, against Bridger’s wishes, because it was the only real home he’d ever known, but their relationship had changed; now they were Captain and Ensign.
Other things had changed too, especially him. It had happened gradually, almost imperceptibly. He’d closed himself off from the rest of them, become aloof and a stickler for discipline. With every death he’d hardened and turned into everything he despised, but once he’d started the journey there seemed to be no turning back. Nathan the human being was buried somewhere deep inside of him, protected by Captain Bridger, the battled-hardened veteran of now, two wars.
The bridge crew were on edge, he could feel it. And he knew that although it was partly down to the situation they found themselves in… it was mainly his presence on the bridge. Still, it served to keep them on their toes.
The young man at the station next to Lucas Wolenczak leaned towards his friend. “Do you think he’s gonna stand there all day?”
Lucas shrugged.
“Geez, I hope not. He scares the hell out of me.”
As much as he hated to admit it, just lately he’d felt the same way. “He wasn’t always like that. He used to be okay.”
“What happened?”
Bridger’s voice boomed at them. “Mr. Wolenczak, do you have something to say?”
~ Why the hell did he always have to pick on him? ~ “No, Sir.”
“Really? I could have sworn I heard your voice.”
“Captain, I… I…”
“It was my fault, Sir.” The younger Ensign stammered. “I asked him a question.”
“Well next time either address it to myself or Commander Ford. Understood?”
“Aye Sir. Sorry, Sir.” Bridger turned away for a moment and he used the opportunity to make one last comment. “Yeah Lucas, I’m sure he used to be a real pussycat.”
Angry tears pricked at the back of Lucas’ eyes. “He did.” He whispered vehemently. The sound of the clam-doors opening had them jumping to attention as General Thomas strode onto the bridge.
“Everything in order, Captain?”
“Yes, General. Mr O’Neill, what’s our e.t.a.?”
“Approximately thirty minutes, Captain.”
“Very well… Chief Shan, get your men to their stations.”
“Aye, Sir.”
General Thomas took him to one side. “Let’s get this over and done with shall we, Captain. We should be out there killing the bad guys, not playing nursemaid to a bunch of stupid scientists who managed to get themselves trapped behind enemy lines. Should have left them there, might have taught them a valuable lesson.”
“They’d probably have been killed.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.”
Nathan merely nodded and moved back to his earlier position.
“What the hell is that?” A male voice from the front of the cave shouted and Kristin moved forward to join him. From out of the depths of the sea a large black shape had suddenly appeared.
“It’s a launch.” She responded and then closed her eyes and sighed as she recognised the markings on the side. When she opened them again two more had joined it.
“A launch… Where from? I can’t see any ships out there.”
“You won’t. They’re from a submarine.”
That stirred a mixed response from the others. “A submarine…?” “I’m not going on any…” “Is it safe?” “I’ve never been on a submarine.”
Kristin tried to allay their fears, even if she couldn’t quash her own. “It’ll be alright, don’t worry. If we had to be rescued by sea then we couldn’t have wished for a better saviour… it’s the seaQuest.”
There was another chorus. “seaQuest…?” “You mean the…” “Oh wow.”
“Wow, indeed.” Kristin whispered inaudibly.
The doors of the craft opened and a dozen or more well-armed men spewed out from each of them.
“Come on,” She ordered. “Help the wounded.”
“What about the dead?”
“Leave them.” Her voice cracked as she gave the command.
“But…”
“We can’t take them with us… move!”
As they made their way across the open beach to join their black-clad saviours, the buzz of a helicopter gun-ship could be heard overhead. People started screaming as the beach was raked with gunfire and the seaQuest crew yelled at them to hit the ground. As Kristin lay there she could hear the sounds of the wounded calling for help, but there was nothing she could do. She bit her lip, her hands clutching at the sand in an effort to force herself to stay where she was.The remaining crew onboard the launches fired back and the helicopter eventually gave up the fight. A vaguely familiar voice was shouting to them.
“Who’s in charge here?”
Kristin got to her feet. “I am, Chief.”
“Dr. Westphalen?”
“Yes Will.”
"We have to get out of here, now.”
Kristin rallied her people and they all started to run towards the launches, more shots rang out and a sailor a few feet from her went down. Hastily she crossed to him and helped him up, almost dragging him through the open hatchway.
As they began to submerge, she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, desperately trying to control the shaking that had taken possession of her body. The sounds of crying and moaning penetrated her despair and wearily she stood and made her way to the supply cupboard to collect the med-kit she knew she’d find there. At least this way she wouldn’t have time to think about everyone she’d lost, or what was to come.
seaQuest’s X-O fidgeted nervously as he waited for the hatch to open, signalling the arrival of the rescued science team. He really wasn’t sure how to play it. Of course, he was pleased to see her again but…
“Commander Ford.”
His stomach turned over. “Doctor Westphalen.”
She held out her hand to him, an uncertain look on her face. “It’s good to see you again.”
He relaxed visibly. “You too, Doctor.”
“I think you’re gonna need to work on that a little, Jonathan. Make it sound more as though you actually mean it.” She teased.
Once upon a time he would have taken that comment the wrong way but, in the months they’d worked together and even known each other socially, he’d realised that it was just her way. “I do mean it Kristin, it’s just awkward… I mean…”
“It’s okay. Trust me, this wasn’t exactly where I’d planned to spend the next few days either. But, we’re all grown-ups and I think we should be able to handle this like adults, don’t you? Where’s Nathan?”
“He’s tied up at the moment, so he sent me to welcome you all.”
“Okay, well maybe some of us can’t.” Kristin muttered.
Ford jumped to his commanding officer’s defence. “He really is busy, Doctor. He’s in the wardroom with General Thomas.”
“Thomas is on board?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Oh boy, this just keeps getting better and better. Perhaps I should have taken my chances and stayed put.”
Ford just grinned and turned to his Chief of Security. “Take these good people to the med-bay.”
“There are a few who need urgent attention, Commander.” Kristin put in.
“They’ll sort it out Doctor. Meanwhile I’ll show you to your quarters.”
She hoisted her bag onto her shoulder. “Lead the way.”
As they turned a corner they ran into one of the many repair teams working on some loose piping and conduit. “Looks like you’ve seen a lot of action.”
“Too much, Kristin… Too damned much...”
“Is Lucas okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. I guess he’s young enough to take this in his stride. The younger ensigns are looking on it as an adventure.”
“Some adventure! Although, it was exciting to you too once…”
“I know, but that seems so long ago. The whole idea of going to war and fighting for your country or confederation, or whatever… But when the casualties start mounting and you see your colleagues and friends hurt, or worse…” He shuddered.
Kristin squeezed his arm in sympathy and support. “I know Jonathan, I know.”
“I can almost see now why you were so anti-military. It can’t be fun, picking up the pieces.”
“It isn’t.” She hesitated for a moment. “Nathan?”
“He’s fine… but he’s changed Kristin. He’s not the same man anymore – distant… cold…”
“War will do that, especially when you’re the one giving the orders and taking the responsibility for the consequences.”
“No Doctor… Okay, that’s added to it, but he’d changed even before this all started. A little over two years ago in fact…” He finished as tactfully as possible, although his voice had an accusatory edge.
“Jonathan, I…” The boat shook as the alert klaxons sounded once more.
“These are your quarters for the duration, Doctor. I have to get to the bridge.”
Kristin stared after him as he disappeared back the way they’d just come. Apparently, everyone blamed her for what had happened.
The last thing she’d intended to do was fall asleep, but the gentle thrum of seaQuest’s engines, and the feeling of the security of a familiar place that engulfed her, had lulled her there, nevertheless. A persistent tapping sound brought her back to reality and she bolted upright, rubbing her eyes just as one of her junior staff entered her cabin.
“Carrie?”
“I’m sorry to wake you Doctor but I didn’t know who else to ask…”
“It’s alright, I shouldn’t have been sleeping. What is it?”
“It’s our casualties, ma’am.”
Kristin’s brain was still fuzzy with sleep. “They’re being taken care of, right?”
The younger woman shuffled nervously. “That’s just it ma’am, they’re not.”
She was on her feet in an instant. “What do you mean, they’re not? Where’s Sarah?”
“She’s dead ma’am. She was one of the people we left on the beach.”
Kristin sat down again abruptly. How could she not have known? She’d just assumed that her friend and colleague had been on one of the other launches. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a sob.
“I’m sorry Doctor, I thought you knew.”
“No, no I didn’t.” With a superhuman effort she pulled herself together. “Now, what about our people…?”
“They’ve been waiting in med-bay for almost two hours but none of them have been treated, the seaQuest crew seem to take first priority no matter how trivial their problem is.”
“Even over the more seriously wounded?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Kristin’s grief turned to anger. “You go back to med-bay. I’m going to find Captain Bridger even if I have to search this damn boat from stem to stern!”
“Is that the man whose photograph stood on your desk?” Carrie inquired tentatively.
“Yes.” She was a little surprised that she knew who he was.
“He’s down in med-bay now, checking on his men. He showed up just as I was leaving.”
“Is he now? Right, come with me.”
The doctor steamed down the corridor so quickly that Carrie had to run to keep up with her. She’d never seen her boss in full flow before and she thanked God for it. Kristin Westphalen might be small but right at that moment, she was positively terrifying.
Lucas and his sidekick, Ensign Perry, had decided to use part of their downtime to check up on Ensign Takamura, a very pretty young woman who they both fancied their chances with and who had been injured during their last skirmish. They entered med-bay together and as they approached the bedside they saw Doctor Wendy Smith was already there, checking on her patient.
“Hello Lucas, Jack.”
“Hi Doc, how’s the patient?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She smiled up at them. “That’s far more interesting.”
“What?”
They all turned in the direction she indicated. Captain Bridger seemed to be in a heated argument with what looked like a civilian.
“What on Earth?”
“We don’t know. The redhead just stormed in here and started yelling at him.” At that moment Bridger moved slightly, giving the new arrivals a perfect view of the woman as she continued to tear into their captain.
“Oh God, the bitch is back.” Lucas muttered.
“You know her?” Smith asked curiously.
“Yeah, I know her. That’s Doctor Kristin Westphalen.”
“The ex CMO?”
“The very same.”
“I’ve heard a lot about her.” Wendy commented, her gaze riveted on the angry couple.
“Yeah, and it’s probably all true.”
“She’s got a lot of guts.” Perry offered. “I’d never dare talk to the old man like that.”
From her position on the bed, Takamura studied them curiously, gasping as the captain’s arm shot round the woman’s waist to steady her as the ship lurched suddenly. She extricated herself from his grasp almost immediately but didn’t back off. “Did you see that? My God, the way they’re acting you’d think they were married or something.” She observed.
“They are.” Lucas stated matter-of-factly.
“What?” Three voices chorused simultaneously.
“They’ve been married for three years, although they’ve spent the last two apart. She walked out on him.”
“Well, if he treated her the way he does us, I don’t blame her.” Perry commented.
Lucas turned on him angrily. “He didn’t! It was her… it’s always been her. Would you believe he’s her fourth husband?”
“Whoa… bitter much?” The young Ensign grinned.
“Yeah, well so would you be, if you’d had to live with it.”
Wendy made a mental note to question Lucas Wolenczak later. Meanwhile the argument raged on…
“Damn it Doctor, this is still my boat! You and your people are not members of my crew, you’re our guests. And these men risked their lives to save you from a situation of your own making.”
“Don’t you think I know that? I realise we’re not members of *your* crew but some of *my* people are seriously injured and they need to be taken care of!”
Nathan’s voice was low, but held a dangerous edge. “Then why don’t you stop complaining and do something about it? I take it you can still find your way around a med-bay without my help.”
His eyes glittered with anger and frustration, and Kristin could no longer hold his gaze. She looked away and it was then that she noticed they had an audience. “Very well Captain, with your permission, I’ll do just that.”
He was left momentarily speechless by her sudden capitulation but following her gaze, he too saw the crowd they’d drawn. “You have it Doctor. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the bridge.”
Nathan walked swiftly away but changed direction mid-journey and headed for his quarters.
Closing the door and locking it, he moved quickly to his bunk and sat down heavily, putting his head in his hands. ~ Why the hell did it have to be her? Why? And why had she made him so goddamned angry? So angry that he’d caused a scene in front of his junior officers. ~ He’d noticed that Lucas was amongst them, and that meant that everyone on board would know about himself and Kristin and they’d all talk whether it was their business or not. He rubbed his face with his hands. ~ What a bloody mess. ~
Shaking his head, he laughed out loud. After all this time she could still do it… She still knew which buttons to push to make him crazy, she always had whether it was a disagreement, or in bed. One thing was certain even now, she was still the most beautiful, vibrant and infuriating woman he’d ever known.
In the dark, they were always in perfect harmony, but in the cold light of day… They very rarely saw eye-to-eye on anything and neither had ever been willing to compromise. It had led to the most spectacular arguments and the most explosive make-up sex afterwards, until that one day when there was no making-up and she’d left.
Standing, he walked into the head and splashed his face with cold water before staring at his reflection in the mirror. He was flushed with a combination of anger and memories of encounters past, but for the first time in a very long while, he felt alive.
Kristin had worked her way steadily through her injured colleagues with only Carrie to help her, since Wendy had made it quite clear that none of her nurses could be spared. She’d even endured the disapproving gaze of said CMO, as well as endless questions from her own staff about her relationship with seaQuest’s Captain.
On reflection, she admitted to herself that she was wrong to have faced him down in front of his crew like that. She should have taken it somewhere more private. She knew she owed him some sort of apology but she’d be damned if she was actually going to give him one considering the way he’d treated her. A commotion drew her back to the present as a whole slew of medical alarms screamed for attention. Without thinking she crossed the room to offer her help but was met with a frosty refusal. Choosing not to point out that two pairs of hands were better than one she retreated to her allotted space, earning a sympathetic smile from Dr. Latimer as he rushed by her.
After completing her reports and tidying up she pondered what to do next. She was tired… dead tired, and a hot shower and then bed wouldn’t go amiss, but then her stomach grumbled and hunger won out. Throwing the last of the cloths into the waste disposal, she walked out into the corridor, wondering where she was supposed to eat.
A voice behind her made her jump. “You look a little lost.”
“I was just wondering where I could get some food in this place.”
“Of course, you must be hungry,” Jonathan Ford smiled down at her. “You can use the Officers’ Mess.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s that way.” He indicated the general direction with a nod of his head.
“I remember.”
Standing in line, she began to doubt she was really that hungry after all. From what she could see on other plates, it didn’t seem particularly appealing. She moved forward and found herself drawing close to a table where Captain Bridger and General Thomas were discussing something over coffee. A few more steps and she could hear their conversation...
“Nathan… There’s something I’ve always wanted to know.”
“What’s that, Frank?”
“Why the hell did you marry the Westphalen woman in the first place?”
Nathan paused for a moment, somewhat irritated by the question. “A moment of insanity.” He offered facetiously.
Thomas laughed aloud. “You’re not kidding… Jesus!”
A movement over the general’s shoulder caught Bridger’s attention and he looked up, surprised and somewhat chagrined to find Kristin standing behind him at the counter but what surprised him more, was the look on her face. Their eyes locked for an instant and then she dropped her tray back onto the pile, turned on her heel and exited the room.
Much later that night, Nathan strode into med-bay to check on the latest casualties and found himself at the bedside of a young Ensign. Kristin was the attending physician since she and Wendy had finally decided to share duties. The atmosphere between them was tense.
“How is he, Doctor?”
“He’ll be fine, up on his feet in no time.”
The patient smiled up at her. “Thanks to you Doc… You saved my life.”
“Just doing my job, Sailor…”
“No, it was more than that. You know Captain, if the Doc here was in the military she’d probably get a medal.”
Bridger looked astonished. He knew he should move on; tell the Ensign to show more respect, but his curiosity was peaked. “Why?”
The young man quickly related how he’d been hit and Kristin had come back for him, helping him to the launch even though they were still under fire.
Despite himself Bridger was impressed. “It was a very brave thing to do.”
“That’s what I said… she deserves a medal, courage under fire or something.”
Kristin was beginning to feel a little embarrassed. “You just get better, that’ll do for me.” She smiled softly and started to walk away but stopped after a couple of paces. “Nathan, was it really that bad?”
“Was what really that bad?” He asked momentarily at a loss.
“Being married to me... Was it really that bad?”
“Kristin, I…”
“It’s okay you can tell me, it’s not as though I haven’t heard it before.” She smiled humourlessly.
“Kris, I really…” More casualties were brought in, interrupting him.
“Never mind. Maybe it’s better not to know.” She walked across the room to the new arrivals.
Nathan stood and watched her for a moment but she didn’t look in his direction again.
A couple of days later after her shift, Kristin stood and waited impatiently for the arrival of the mag-lev and when it finally appeared she climbed in and sat down on one of the seats pleased to find that she was the only one inside. Her happiness was short-lived however, when Nathan squeezed through the doors as they were about to close. They eyed each other warily but neither spoke, Bridger opting to sit on the opposite side at the end farthest from her.
This piece of equipment had always been renowned for its speed but at that moment it might have been crawling. A series of explosions erupted outside and they came to an abrupt halt, throwing them both from their seats and plunging them into darkness, the only sound one of twisting metal. Another series of bangs followed almost immediately. ~ Depth charges ~ He thought ruefully. ~ Commander, you need to take us to the bottom. ~
Struggling to his feet, he checked himself out as best he could. His back ached and there was a throbbing pain somewhere down his left shin but all things considered, he’d got off pretty lightly. A moan reminded him that he hadn’t been alone.
“Kristin, are you alright?”
There was no reply.
“Dammit Doctor, answer me! Are you alright?”
There was another groan in the dark. “I don’t… I don’t know… What happened?”
“Depth charges.”
“Terrific. Who put out the lights?”
“Power’s down.”
“Oxygen?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Terrific,” she repeated and drew in a sharp breath. “Owww…”
“Are you hurt?”
“I think I must be.”
“How bad?”
“Don’t know.”
“You must know, you’re a doctor for chrissake.” His worry for his ship and crew was making him increasingly tetchy.
“And you designed this damn thing but you don’t even know if life support is still functioning." She countered equally irritably.
“Touchez. Keep talking, I’ll try and find you.”
“About what?”
“Don’t be difficult.” Nathan snapped. “Just talk, or lecture… You were always good at that.”
Kristin chose to ignore the last remark, arguing now wouldn’t do either of them any good, besides, she felt sick. “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with… ouch!”
“Sorry. What’d I get?”
“My foot.”
He apologised again and knelt on a clear piece of floor putting his hand out to try and find her. He groped around and suddenly felt the unmistakable shape of her inner thigh. “Sorry again.”
“Why? It’s nothing you haven’t done a hundred times before.”
“Yes, but it’s different, now.” His hand continued on its journey until it came into contact with a piece of jagged metal, Bridger could feel something warm and sticky trickling down his fingers. “Hell, I think I’ve cut myself, I can feel blood.”
“I think you’ll find that’s mine.”
“What!?” He reached out again and, as gently as he could, traced the piece of metal back until he touched something soft and warm. “Oh Christ.”
“It’s gone all the way through my side, I think.”
He moved his palm up slightly and touched her left breast. “Hell! Sorry.”
“Would you please stop apologising.” She snapped.
“Sorry. I mean… Sorry.” He finished lamely.
Another round of detonations and the sub finally began to dive. ~ About damn time. ~ Nathan thought, but the sound of Kristin crying out brought him back to the situation at hand. “Kris, what the hell do I do?”
Her voice was laced with pain. “Do you have any emergency lighting in here?”
“Of course, dammit! What’s the matter with me? There’s an emergency toolkit in here somewhere, there should be a flashlight in it.” He stood and stepped forward without thinking, tripping over something in his haste and crashing to his knees, swearing loudly.
“For God’s sake be careful or we’ll both be in trouble.”
Taking couple of deep breaths he got to his feet again, inching his way forward until he found a familiar section of wall, from there it was easy to locate what he was looking for. His hand closed around the flashlight and he switched it on, swinging the full beam onto her and temporarily blinding her.
“Christ, will you watch where you’re pointing that thing!”
“Sorry.”
“And stop apologising for God’s sake.”
“Well, at least we know your mouth is in full working order.”
Kristin’s eyes closed and Nathan was beside her in an instant. “It hurts.”
He used the beam of light to check for other injuries. Her left foot seemed to be caught under the seat, which had ripped out of its housing. Moving further up he gasped when he saw the jagged piece of metal. As she suspected it had pierced her side from back to front. Her white T-shirt was soaked in red, the stain gradually spreading wider and wider.
“Is it bad?” She asked tentatively.
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
The boat lurched suddenly and Kristin grabbed his arm, clutching it so hard she cut off the circulation. When the pain subsided a little she gasped. “You have to take it out.”
“If I take it out you could bleed to death.”
“And if you don’t, every time the ship moves it’ll do more damage.”
Nathan experienced a moment of doubt, “Kris…”
“I’m the doctor, remember. I know what I’m doing.”
“Then tell me what to do.”
“You need to see what angle it’s gone in at and try to match it when you pull it out.”
“I can’t pull it out… it’s still attached to the seat.”
“Then you’ll have to pull me off it.”
He shuddered. “I don’t think I can.”
“Why? Is there something you haven’t told me?”
“No. I just don’t think that *I* can do it.”
“Nathan, do you see anyone else in here?”
“Of course not.” He snapped.
“Then I guess you’re the lucky winner.” Before he could reply, she asked. “Can you see the first-aid kit?”
“Yeah.” He reached out to grab it.
“What’s in there?”
Quickly he reeled off the contents and Kristin laughed derisively. “I’m guessing they weren’t anticipating this sort of accident when they packed it.”
“I guess not. I’ll speak to Wendy about it as soon as we get out of here.”
“Mmm hmm… Are you ready?”
“Are you?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
He took hold of her shoulders and arms and she could feel his hands shaking. “My, my… the hard as nails captain has feelings after all,” she teased. He made a sort of anguished noise deep in his throat and she relented, taking his hand in hers and holding on to it for a moment.
Nathan steadied himself and took a firmer hold. “Ready?”
“Do it.”
Kristin couldn’t stifle the scream that escaped her as he pulled her forward and up and held her tightly against his chest, feeling physically sick at the thought of the pain he’d inflicted on her. He was stunned to find that she was still conscious.
“You need to put pressure on it or I’ll bleed to death.”
“Dammit Kris, I knew it!”
“There really wasn’t a choice.”
Because the metal was almost pointed the wound at the front wasn’t too bad and he quickly put a gauze pad over it and fastened it down with tape. Her back was an altogether different story. “Christ Kristin, there’s blood everywhere!”
“Then do something about it, I haven’t got that much to spare.”
Leaning his back on the wall, he pulled her against him so that her right side rested on his chest, her head on his shoulder. With one hand he snatched the largest cotton pads from the first-aid kit and held them tightly, pressing them firmly against the gaping hole in her back. She cried out again at the pain and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“You’re going to have to keep that sort of pressure up until they come. Do you think you can?” She asked through gritted teeth.
“For you, anything…” He managed a half-smile even though he was close to tears.
He adjusted his position as carefully as he could, so that she rested between his legs and switched off the flashlight.
“Why did you…?”
“We have to conserve the battery. I don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck in here.”
She sobbed into his shoulder and he raised his spare hand to stroke her forehead. “It’s going to be okay. Kris, but you have to stay with me. Talk to me.”
They spoke on and off about everything and nothing, trying to keep the subjects neutral to prevent any arguments, one tiny part of Nathan’s mind wondering what had happened to his boat. The sound of Kristin’s laughter brought him back to the task at hand.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You don’t laugh at nothing. C’mon, share…”
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“That, of all the ways I’d imagined us meeting again, this wasn’t one of them.”
“You thought about us meeting again?” He asked surprised.
“Yes.”
“I’ve thought about it too.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“That’s nice.” She started to go limp in his arms.
“Damn it Kris, stay with me here. You have to stay awake.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“You have to.”
“Why? If I die here, then at least we won’t have to go through a messy divorce.”
“You want a divorce?” His voice cracked and he coughed hurriedly to disguise it.
“I thought you would.”
“Why?”
“So that you’d be free to marry Wendy.”
“How do you…?”
“It’s a small boat Nathan, people talk.”
“Well they damn well have no right to!” Bridger stormed angrily.
“I knew almost from the first, anyway.”
“How?”
“I still have friends here, or I did.” She moved slightly and gasped in agony. Nathan could feel the trickle of blood through his fingers and applied more pressure, causing her to cry out again. He returned to stroking her forehead, feeling the perspiration beaded there.
“I know it hurts but you have to try to stay still.”
“Mmm…” Her breathing was noticeably more laboured and shallow.
“God, I wish there was something I could do for you.”
“Just keep talking to me.”
He took a deep breath and picked up the conversation. “Who told you, Lucas?”
“No, he never forgave me for leaving. He hasn’t spoken to me since.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I guess he blamed me for everything that went wrong.”
“That’s my fault, I should have spoken to him. I always assumed that you were still in touch.” He finished guiltily.
“No.”
“Have you ever…? I mean, is there anyone…?”
“No one.”
“Never?”
“No.”
“Me either. Oh the opportunity arose with Wendy; it’s still there if I want to take it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to… It felt too much like being unfaithful, even though…” She slumped a little. “Kristin! Dammit, you have to stay awake.” He clutched her tighter to him. “Don’t give up Kris, I can’t do this again, I can’t lose both the women I care about. Please Kristin.”
“Don’t you mean, cared?”
“No.” He closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall. “I mean, care.”
That seemed to rally her somehow. “But I thought… The way you’ve treated me since I came aboard… The things you said to Thomas…”
“I resented his prying… it was none of his damn business. I had no idea that you were there. Kris, I’ve spent the last two years convincing myself that I was right… that it was all, your fault and I’d damn near succeeded. It’s easy when the person you’re blaming isn’t around… but the first moment I saw you again, I knew I’d been kidding myself. I…” Sounds of drilling and scratching could be heard from outside interrupting his confession, and then voices…
“Captain… Captain, are you in there?”
“Yes, Lucas.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, but Kristin’s hurt, badly. We need to get her out of here, now.”
“It’s not going to be that easy Captain," another voice contributed. “The power’s out down here and we’ll have to do everything by hand. It’s gonna take at least an hour.”
“She doesn’t have an hour.” There was a pain in his voice that only Lucas could identify.
“Then we’ll try to make it sooner, Sir.”
“Do that!” Bridger bellowed in his most authoritative command voice.
Kristin had been unresponsive for the last ten minutes, and Nathan felt for the flashlight and shone it on her face. She moaned in protest but her eyes remained closed.
“I’m sorry… I just need to check on you.”
Her face was ashen, almost grey and her lips were very pale. Her breathing almost indiscernible… “Hold on Kristin, please. It won’t be much longer. It won’t…” Careful not to move his left hand, he pulled her even tighter against him, as if just his grasp would keep her in this world.
Barely above a whisper, he heard her say his name. “Nathan…”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for everything.” She went limp in his arms.
“No Kris, no… Don’t do this. Don’t leave me…” His eyes filled with tears as he frantically searched for a pulse. When he didn’t find one, he hugged her to him, rocking her gently to and fro. “Don’t go Baby. Please don’t go.” He was completely oblivious to the crashing sound as the maintenance crew removed the panel in front of them and it wasn’t until Lucas physically touched him, that he realised anyone else was there.
Making his way through med-bay Lucas dodged patients and nurses alike, until he reached the side room where Kristin was housed, he stood in the doorway watching the scene before him. Kristin was either asleep or unconscious, he couldn’t tell which, with various tubes in her arm and up her nose. It was an awful sight and although he’d almost hated her for the past couple of years, as Bridger had, it hurt to see her that way.
Her head rolled restlessly on the pillow and it was then that he noted how flushed she was, and the perspiration on her forehead which had made her hair damp and lank. He was about to go in when he saw Bridger rise from his seat, grab a damp cloth and mop her brow, whispering to her in gentle tones as he used his hand to brush the hair lovingly back from her face. Somehow, he hadn’t expected that… it was completely contrary to everything that had happened since she came on board. Feeling like an intruder he made a move to leave but the captain’s voice stopped him.
“Is there something I can do for you, Ensign?”
“No Sir, I just thought you’d like to know that the rest of Dr. Westphalen’s group are safely ashore.”
“Thank you.” He turned his attention back to the woman lying in the bed.
“Why didn’t she go with the others?”
“Dr. Smith felt that she was too ill to move.” He responded in a small voice, not at all like his own.
A pang of worry and guilt needled the young man. “Will she be okay?”
“Providing the fever breaks soon.”
Kristin stirred again and Nathan immediately bent over her, stroking her cheek. “Shh… It’s okay Kristin, everything’s gonna be okay.”
Just for a moment Captain Bridger seemed to be gone and the man Lucas knew and loved had taken his place. “You still love her, don’t you Sir?” He asked, pushing his luck.
“I don’t … Yes.” He sighed sadly. “Until she was hurt, I hadn’t realised how much.”
“Have you told her?”
“No.” He sat down again and Lucas moved cautiously into the room taking a seat on the other side of the bed.
“She doesn’t deserve it, Sir… Not after walking out on us like that.”
It was at that moment that Nathan realised Kristin had been right, the boy did blame her for everything going wrong. “Lucas, I think we should talk… There are a few things you should know, things I should have told you a long time ago…”
Lucas stood outside the guest quarters trying to decide whether he should knock or not. He really did need someone to talk to… He couldn’t say anything to his friends, he’d be embarrassed, he couldn’t talk to Ford because the man might think him a coward, and Bridger… well he had enough problems. He’d thought of going to Wendy but that hadn’t seemed right either - and anyway, she’d probably try to get into his head and he didn’t need that - but how could he bother Kristin?
He’d treated her so badly in the past and hadn’t spoken to her at all since she arrived on seaQuest. At first it had been because he was still angry with her but since the talk he’d had with Bridger nearly two weeks ago, he’d felt guilty. The captain had explained to him how wrong he’d been in just blaming Kristin for what had happened… that it took two to make an argument. Something he should have realised for himself if he’d stopped to think. No, he’d just have to deal with this himself, it wouldn’t be fair to expect… The door opened and she stood in front of him, a surprised look on her face.
“Lucas?”
“Erm… er… Hello Doc.”
“Is there something you wanted?” She asked cautiously.
He could feel his cheeks burning. “I came… I just…”
Kristin couldn’t help but notice his discomfort. “It’s been a long time… How are you?”
“I’m fine… I just wondered… I mean…” He stammered on.
They were garnering a lot of curious looks from passing crew members so she asked him inside. “Why don’t you come in? We could do some catching up.” She asked hopefully, not wanting to scare him off. “If you have the time, that is?”
He deliberated for a moment. “I’d like that.”
“So would I.” Stepping aside she let him pass and he sat himself down on the edge of her bunk.
“Doc, I…” “Lucas, I…” They both spoke together and then looked at each other and laughed.
“Well, this is going well,” Kristin grinned. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
“You don’t happen to have any…”
She rummaged around in her bag, producing a chocolate bar and handing it to him before he finished his sentence.
“Yesssss… You’re a lifesaver, Doc. I haven’t had one of these in months!”
Kristin waited patiently whilst he demolished half of the treat.
“Doc…”
“Mmm…?”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay.” She sat down beside him and ruffled his hair just as she always used to.
“No it isn’t! I was wrong to behave the way I did.”
“You had good reason. It must have been hard for you being caught in the middle like that.”
“It was like being with my parents again.”
“I know and *I’m* sorry for that.”
They were silent again as he finished the candy bar and crumpled the wrapper, throwing it regretfully into the bin. “Mmm, I needed that.” He paused for a moment. “Doc, would it be okay if I talked to you? I mean, I’d understand if you didn’t want…”
“What’s wrong Lucas?”
“I’m scared…” He blurted out before he could stop himself. “…Please don’t tell anyone else. I don’t want them to think that I’m… I’m…”
“A coward…?”
He nodded miserably and Kristin reached out to stroke his back in a gesture of comfort. “Are you too old for a hug?”
“Never…” His eyes began to tear up and he threw himself into her open arms.
“It’s okay Lucas, just let it out. Let it all out.”
Eventually his crying abated somewhat and he sat up straight again but still kept hold of her hand. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now, tell me…”
“At first I thought it would be an adventure, you know… like one of my computer games, but…”
“It isn’t.”
“No. It was alright at the start, I didn’t even mind that we were having depth charges dropped on us, until…” He tailed off.
“Until…?” Kristin prompted.
“Until people started to die. People I worked with… My friends…” He sobbed again.
“That’s what war is Lucas… killing someone’s friends or family… killing your enemies.”
“Yeah, but we’re the good guys, right? We’re not the ones who are supposed to get hurt.”
“Don’t you think that’s how the other side feels too?”
“Yeah, I guess…”
“But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
“No, and now I’m scared all the time, scared that it’s gonna be me next.”
“We’re all scared Lucas… We just survive as best we can.”
“Even the Cap’…?”
“Him most of all I should think. Oh, maybe not for himself, but for his crew…”
“It must be hard.”
“Yes.” She whispered.
“But General Thomas, he isn’t…”
“Of course he is, he’s just too pigheaded to admit it, or too stupid to recognise it! He hides behind his ‘death or glory’ mentality.”
“No!” Lucas shouted, startling her. “He’s cold… He doesn’t care about anyone, he proved that this morning.”
“What happened this morning?” Kristin asked worriedly.
“You don’t know?”
“No, I worked the nightshift. I was asleep.”
“Chief Shan and Loni are dead.” Lucas blurted out.
A look of horror appeared on Kristin’s face. “What? How…?”
“We… we picked up a distress call and the Captain sent them out to investigate… It turned out to be nothing but on their way back they were attacked. It must have been a trick to lure us in. We could hear them on the radio… Will calling for help and then Loni screamed. There was an explosion, and… and… nothing.”
“There’s no hope?” Distress made her voice crack.
“The Captain wanted to go back, see if there were any survivors… but that bastard Thomas wouldn’t let him. He said that there was no point. …That we couldn’t risk the seaQuest for two people who were probably dead already. ”
“He was right, Lucas.”
“What?” The young man looked appalled. “I thought you of all people…”
“It would have been too dangerous.”
“You mean the UEO could have lost an expensive piece of equipment!” He spat out angrily.
“No, I mean they could have lost a lot of good people if it had been a trap.” She paused for a second. “But I think you know that already, there’s something else isn’t there?”
He smiled a sad smile. “You always could see right through me, couldn’t you? Doc… it should have been me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I was the one who was supposed to be in the launch with the Chief but something came up… a computer glitch that had to be fixed.”
“So Loni went instead…” Kristin commented softly.
“Yes Doc, it’s my fault she died.”
Kristin grabbed him by the shoulders and spun him to face her. “No, no it isn’t! Don’t even think that! You didn’t kill her, they did. You remember that and just be glad you’re alive. You did nothing wrong… nothing!” There was a tap at the hatch interrupting them. “Come in.” She couldn’t hide her annoyance.
Tim O’Neill stuck his head round the door. “I’m sorry to disturb you… I was looking for the Captain.”
“Isn’t he on the bridge?” Lucas asked needlessly.
“No… if he was then I wouldn’t be looking for him here, would I?”
Kristin tried to lighten the mood, bending over and checking under her bunk. “No, not here...”
The Communications’ Officer gave her a half-smile. “Damn, I was hoping…”
“You really can’t find him, can you?” Her mood had changed to one of concern.
“No Doctor, no one’s seen him since… I’m sorry to have interrupted.” He apologised again and quickly withdrew.
Lucas hastily pulled out his PAL and called Bridger but there was no reply. “I’m worried Doc, after Thomas refused permission for us to go back the captain just walked off the bridge but I thought he’d have cooled down by now.”
“Lucas I…”
“It’s okay Doc…” He stood up to leave. “I’ll be all right now, thank you. You go and find him. If anyone can make him feel better you can.”
“I thought Wendy would…”
“No Doc, you… It’s always been you.”
Kristin smiled and gave him another quick hug before he walked to the door, turning on his heel he smiled at her. “Thank you Kristin, you’re one in a million and I really am sorry about before.”
“It’s all forgotten.”
“Thanks.” He shuffled his feet nervously. “Would it be okay if I came back again? To talk… you know.”
“Any time…”
After he’d left she quickly disappeared into the bathroom to make herself presentable, before going in search of Nathan.
Slowly and carefully Kristin picked her way to the boat’s hydroponics section through the mass of debris in the corridor. She’d already checked his cabin and office but found them both empty. She’d even gone to the bridge but as she drew close to the doors she’d overheard some of the crew complaining about General Thomas and how he’d taken over. This was her last hope.
She entered quietly and looked around. In the dim glow of the emergency lighting, she could see the remains of planting containers shattered on the floor, along with their beleaguered contents. Bending down she picked up the head of a once-beautiful red rose, the waste tearing at her heart. Soon it would be dead, just as the young man and woman in the sea launch were dead.
“What are we doing here, Kris?”
She jumped at the sound of his voice and the hopelessness in it, startled her. Laying the flower gently on the nearest work station, she made her way towards the sound, slipping through an almost hidden doorway, briefly wondering how he knew it was her. She could just make him out sitting in a swivel chair by a now-sealed observation port.
“What are we doing here, Kris?” He asked again.
“You’re a sub Captain, I’m a doctor and we both work for the UEO. Where else would we be?”
Bridger sniggered derisively. “And Nathan and Kristin…?”
“What about them?”
“Why are they here… Or, are they here? Do they even exist anymore?”
She wasn’t really sure how to answer that one. It had been so long since anyone had called her anything but ‘Doctor’ or ‘Ma’am’ or ‘Sir’. She shuddered at the thought of that last one.
Nathan held out his hand and she took it without hesitation, moving forward and lowering herself onto his lap. “What happened to us, Kris?” His voice was barely above a whisper, as though grief had exhausted all his strength.
Kristin rested her head on his shoulder and it seemed the most natural thing in the world when his arm came up to encircle her waist. “We’re still here.”
“Are we? Captain Bridger and Doctor Westphalen are here… but Nathan and Kristin… You and I…?” He tailed off almost as though he wasn’t really talking to her; it was as if the jumble of his thoughts were making themselves heard.
“Nathan, we talked all this out two years ago and we decided that…”
“Talked, yes… but did we listen?”
“I don’t understand.”
“We talked. We yelled. You said what you wanted. I said what I wanted. And we both did it… alone. But what about *us*, Kristin…? Is this really what *we* wanted?” He waited for her to reply but she didn’t. “Can you honestly say that you’re happy at the way things turned out?”
“I…”
“Not you, the scientist and doctor…” He clarified, “You… the woman.”
She took a breath to try to stop the tears that were starting to form but again he didn’t give her the chance to reply.
“I’m not…” He confessed; his voice even quieter. “I thought I would be… I thought this was everything I wanted… or needed…” He glanced around him at the devastation and let out a mocking laugh at the irony of it all. “Are *you* happy? Honestly happy? If you are then at least something good has come out of the past two years. Are you Baby?”
She thought about lying to him, if only to ease his hurt, but she couldn’t. There was no room for lies. Not here… not now… “No.” She admitted softly.
His grip on her tightened, “I’m sorry Baby. I’m so sorry…”
“It wasn’t all, your fault Nathan, we both played our parts… I’ve thought about it a lot lately. Maybe we got it wrong from the start… The whirlwind romance… The idyllic wedding… We got caught up in the enthusiasm of well-meaning friends and forgot about us. We should have taken the time to get to know each other, learned how to be together…”
Nathan sighed, “It’s a pity we didn’t have this discussion two years ago.”
“Would either of us have actually stopped talking long enough to hear what the other had to say?”
He gave her the first genuine smile she’d seen from him since she’d come on board. “Probably not…”
Kristin returned the smile and settled herself more comfortably against his shoulder as Nathan leaned back and closed his eyes.
“God, I’m tired.”
He woke sometime later, opening his eyes to a sight he’d never thought to see again… Kristin’s sleeping face. His breath caught at the beauty of the woman in his arms and his own tears, long-suppressed, resurfaced when he thought about what they could have had together.
Gently, he ran the backs of his fingers over the soft skin of her cheek and across her lips, his body quivering with pleasure as she opened her eyes and kissed the tips softly. She smiled up at him… “Hi.”
“Hi.” He smiled back and his love for her, long-hidden, was now evident in his eyes. Eyes, which held her mesmerised...
~ How could they have been so stupid? How could they not have seen? ~
As if reading her thoughts, he whispered, “You were right, you know. Pride is a curse.”
“Mmm… hmm…”
He bent forward as if he were going to kiss her and her eyes closed in anticipation. She could feel his warm breath caressing her face as his hand slid behind her head and tangled in her hair… The sound of klaxons signalling a ship-wide alert had them springing apart, Kristin scrambled from his lap to allow him to stand.
“I should be on the bridge.”
Smoothing down her jumpsuit in an attempt to calm herself, she said, “And I should go and volunteer my services in med-bay… With your permission, that is…” She added respectfully.
“Of course, I’m sure Doctor Smith would welcome the help.”
Kristin snorted and started to leave but Nathan’s hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Kristin…”
Without turning she laid her hand on his. “I’ll see you later… If and when…”
He squeezed her shoulder. “Later.”
<<Captain Bridger to the bridge>> O’Neill’s voice echoed around the room.
Stroking the back of his hand, Kristin said a final ‘Yes’ before quickly going through the doorway. The ship shook again.
“Assuming there is a later…” Nathan whispered to himself and followed her out.
On the bridge chaos reigned. Cables hung loose from the ceiling and swung wildly as the submarine rocked under the onslaught of yet another attack, sparks flying from damaged consoles and the lights dipping then plunging the crew into darkness, before springing to life again. The greener, more nervous, Ensigns being supported by the equally nervous bridge veterans.
As the battle raged outside another, a war of words, raged inside. Bridger bellowed orders to his officers only to hear them constantly countermanded by the General, creating an air of complete confusion. Unable to stand it any longer Nathan pulled Thomas aside and made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that he was in command of the seaQuest and its crew and that if the general persisted he’d have him removed from the bridge. Thomas subsided angrily to the sidelines, his rage barely contained as he planned in his mind the little talk he was going to have with the captain when this was over.
The internal communications system crackled to life and Wendy’s panic-filled voice echoed round the room. “Bridge, this is med-bay. Captain Bridger, can you hear me?”
“This is Bridger, what is it Doctor?”
“We’re taking casualties faster than we can deal with them. We need help down here.”
“I’m sorry Doctor; I can’t spare anyone at the moment.”
“Then what am I supposed to do? We…” More explosions rocked the submarine and another voice joined the conversation…
“Doctor Smith, we’ve got a leak. Water’s pouring in, what do we do?”
“How the hell should I know? Dammit Captain, we need help now!”
Nathan felt his gut tighten. Smith was panicking, which meant all those around her would panic, but there was just no one to send. He resorted to military training. “Doctor we’re under attack and we need all hands at their stations, I’m sorry but you’ll have to manage on your own. The outer skin will reseal itself and in the meantime…”
“It’s okay Nathan, we’ll manage.” Bridger felt himself physically relax as he heard Kristin’s calm voice, knowing that no matter what, he could rely on her. “You and you… move those people over to the other side of the room and away from the water. Nurse… I’m sorry; I don’t know your name…” A pause... “Oh, okay… Nurse Williams… Start lining the walking wounded up along the corridor, we’ll go to them. Wendy, why don’t you do that? Take three nurses with you and I’ll concentrate on the more seriously injured with Doctor Latimer. Nathan, are you still there?”
“I’m here.”
“Sorry about that, it got a little scary down here for a while but everything’s under control now. You just concentrate on getting us out of this mess.”
“Will do… Thanks Kris.”
“And Sailor…”
“Yeah…?”
“Be careful.”
“You, too…”
The link was broken and Thomas was immediately on his feet again. “Just what is going on here?”
“I’d have thought that was obvious.” Bridger replied dryly.
“Why is she taking charge down there, she’s not a part of this crew! And what does she mean by telling you what to do!”
Nathan’s already overstretched patience finally snapped. “For God’s sake Frank, will you just shut the hell up! In case you haven’t noticed we need all the help that we can get.”
“But Doctor Smith is…”
“Doctor Smith is obviously under a lot of pressure and Kristin is…”
“And that’s another thing, that woman has no respect for authority. You should have corrected her when she called you by your first name. Military courtesy alone demands…”
“As you’ve just pointed out, Doctor Westphalen is NOT a part of this crew, she’s a civilian helping out in a time of crisis and she’s my wife. She can call me anything she damn well likes.”
“And usually did.” Lucas quipped a little too loudly, garnering a chorus of sniggers and giggles from the rest of the bridge crew and earning him a look from Bridger that would wither even the hardiest of foes.
Thomas had turned a very deep shade of scarlet. “We’ll discuss this later, Captain!” He shouted as he stormed off the bridge.
“Well, you certainly told him.” Ford whispered in his ear.
“Yeah and somehow I think I’m gonna regret it later.” He shook his head bemusedly.
“Captain, I think there’s another sub down here.” Brody reported.
“Don’t think dammit, be sure!”
He was silent for a moment, rechecking his gear. “Yes Sir, we definitely have company.”
“What class, Lieutenant?”
“It’s a Delta-4. Not capable of great depth but it is fast and highly manoeuvrable.”
“As we found out when we tangled with Marilyn Stark...” Ford added.
“Don’t remind me.” Lucas muttered.
“Increase speed. All ahead flank… Right full rudder…” Bridger ordered after checking his screen.
“Torpedo in the water… bearing 315.”
“Steer right… bearing 315.”
“But Sir, that’s heading into the torpedo!” Brody argued.
“Just do it!”
“5,000 yards...”
“More speed.” Bridger commanded.
“3,000 yards…” Brody’s voice was getting more strained.
“Captain…?” Ford asked but was ignored.
“900 yards…”
“Time to impact, 20 seconds…” The atmosphere was tense.
“Impact in 10 seconds…”
“9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3…” The crew braced themselves, some muttering a silent prayer.
“2, 1...” The seaQuest rocked as the torpedo hit them but didn’t go off, creating minimal damage.
“I’ll be damned.” “What happened?”
The Weapons' Officer answered the question for them. “By turning into the torpedo the Captain closed the distance before it could arm itself.”
“Well, it may not have blown us out of the water but it scared the crap out of me!” Perry exclaimed.
“Me too…” A voice concurred.
“Me three…”
“When you’ve quite finished gentlemen and lady, we have a sub to find.” Bridger stated loudly.
“Aye, Sir.” “Sorry Sir.”
The game of cat and mouse went on for several more hours and all the bridge crew were tired, both physically and mentally. Nerves frayed to the limit.
“Sir, we have a lock.”
Bridger stood up straight and stared directly ahead. “Fire…!”
Two torpedoes slammed into the enemy craft exploding it into a hundred pieces and a loud cheer resounded around the bridge.
“Shockwave…!”
“Brace for impact!” Bridger ordered.
They all grabbed for the nearest handhold, nevertheless some, including O’Neill and Lucas were thrown to the floor as were the captain and the X-O.
Nathan scraped himself off the deck. “Everyone, okay?” There was a chorus of grousing and a couple of moans. “Anything broken…?”
“My arm, I think Sir.” One young ensign replied.
“My wrist…” intoned another voice.
“Well maybe next time when I tell you to ‘brace for impact’, you’ll grab something more solid. Get yourselves down to med-bay. Wolenczak, Perry… help those who need it.”
“Aye, Sir.” “Yes Sir” “Maybe you should have done the same Cap’.” Everyone laughed.
Bridger’s PAL bleeped and he tipped it to see the display. “Not now…” He muttered under his breath, choosing to ignore it. “O’Neill, put me through to med-bay.”
“Med-bay…” Wendy responded.
“Is everything alright down there?”
“Yes Captain, thank you. What about on the bridge?”
“There are a few broken bones on their way to you.” He looked around him. “And there are some cuts and bruises here that need attention.”
“Including yours…” Ford put in.
Bridger reached up and touched his forehead, feeling the blood there. “You’d better send someone.”
“I’ll come myself.”
“No.” Bridger interjected a little too quickly then hastily added, “I’d rather you tended to the more seriously injured, send Dr. Westphalen.” He knew that he should have asked for Latimer but he needed to see for himself that Kristin was okay.
“Yes Sir.” The link was broken.
“She didn’t sound too happy.” Ford smiled.
“I know, I’ll sort it out later.” His PAL sounded again.
“And neither does he”
“I’ll sort that out later too.” Nathan sighed.
After a few minutes the clam-doors opened and a medical team entered. Bridger turned expectantly only to find two nurses and a harassed looking John Latimer. His heart plummeted to his toes, but he knew that he couldn’t react, not in front of his crew. When all the other injured had been seen to he called the medic over.
“Doctor, if you would please.”
Latimer looked apologetic. “Sorry Captain, I hadn’t realised you were hurt, otherwise…”
“That’s alright.” He leaned against the command console and allowed himself to be treated. “How are things in med-bay?”
“It was a little chaotic for a while.” He confirmed softly. “…But, Dr. Westphalen is an amazing woman… She managed to restore order almost immediately, although I’m afraid our Dr. Smith was rather put out by the whole thing. You should have seen the speed that she rearranged everything to her liking when Dr. Westphalen was hurt.”
Nathan grabbed the man’s arm and he flinched with pain. “My wife was hurt?” He asked deliberately.
“Your… oh Lord, I didn’t know…”
“Well, you must be the only one on this boat that didn’t. What happened to her? Is she alright?”
“She’s fine, Captain.” He reassured him as he wriggled free of the vice-like grip before his circulation was cut off altogether. “The doctor was helping a patient when the shockwave hit and she didn’t have time to hold on. She was knocked out for a few minutes, that’s all.”
“Thank God. Alright, you can go.” He brushed the man off as he tried to check for any further injury. Latimer had always annoyed him. He was coming up to retirement and tended not to do anymore work than he had to. Half the time he didn’t even seem to know what planet he was on.
“Very well, Sir.” Collecting up his gear he made his way off the bridge, muttering to himself. “I can’t believe I didn’t know she was the captain’s wife. Why the hell doesn’t she just call herself Bridger instead of Westphalen? Make life so much easier!”
Ford was grinning from ear to ear when he approached his commanding officer. “What on Earth did you do to him?”
Nathan looked up and smiled… A smile which turned into a scowl as his PAL went off for a third time.
“Uh-oh…” Jonathan sympathised.
“Yeah, I guess I’d better go face the music. O’Neill, contact the general and tell him I’ll be in the wardroom in twenty minutes.”
“Aye, Sir.”
“Commander, you have the bridge. Arrange the next watch as you wish.”
“Yes Captain… and good luck.”
Forty-five minutes! The damn man had managed to rant on for forty-five minutes! Wearily, he made his way along the corridor to the guest quarters, tapping on the hatch before letting himself in. This part of the sub had taken far less damage than the other side and was reasonably in tact. The only light in the room came from a few scattered candles and the sensual scent of jasmine haunted the air – her scent. He stood mesmerised as the light danced against the bulkhead, making the room seem almost ethereal. It was as though he’d stepped into another world, one free from conflict and worry.
Kristin appeared from the bathroom clothed in a silky robe, her hair still damp and somewhat curly from the shower. Time seemed to stand still as they studied each other warily from a distance, each trying to gauge what the other expected… wanted.
Nathan’s arms rose of their own volition, almost begging her to come to him… and she did, crossing the room swiftly and snuggling into his embrace. Her own arms slid around him, her hands flat against his back, pulling him even closer, if that were possible.
He hugged her tightly, resting his head on her shoulder as she laid her cheek against his chest and there they stood as first seconds, then minutes ticked by, each taking what they needed from the other. Nathan drawing strength and solace as Kristin took his warmth, making it her own. The coldness that she’d felt inside for so long, gradually thawing to be replaced by a tenuous flame. And he felt it too, as emotions long-suppressed began to surface and overwhelm him until he was forced to act on them or drown.
Raising his head, his lips sort hers out, capturing them in a passionate kiss; a kiss which deepened as she responded, leaving them both breathless. Scooping her up he carried her to the bed, laying her gently down on it before untying the belt of her robe and opening it to find her naked underneath. He paused for a moment, studying her body in the soft light, remembering every familiar curve and freckle and taking in the new… her side, still covered with a bandage and tape. A pang of fear shot through him as he realised how close he’d come to losing her before they could… Before he could…
His gaze shifted to look at her face, her eyes… scanning for any signs of rejection or doubt, but there were none. She raised her arm, her hand slipping behind his head and pulling him down, their lips meeting again and again. He could feel her fingers as they deftly undid the zipper of his tunic, her hand sliding inside to caress bare skin, burning wherever she touched, until he could stand it no longer. He tore himself away for a few seconds to remove his clothes, already missing her closeness. Then they were together again, nothing between them; hands and lips everywhere as they tried desperately to crawl into each others’ skins. When their bodies joined after so long apart it was almost too much and he had to pause, breathing heavily to calm himself lest it all be over in a few seconds. Again and again they came together, loving the night away until finally exhausted they fell into a sated sleep. A stolen night, in the safety and refuge of each others’ arms…
Despite the fact that they had been startled out of sleep by the alert klaxons, Nathan felt more at peace with himself than he had in a very long time. They dressed quickly and then went their separate ways with just a look, and a touch, which spoke volumes.
The loving scene was witnessed by someone else. Someone who was not so happy…
When the alert had sounded Thomas had gone directly to Bridger’s cabin but found it empty. Angrily, he’d made his way to the guest section, praying that he was wrong, but knowing inside that he wasn’t. What he’d just seen made him even more determined to find a way to remove Kristin Westphalen from the boat. The UEO didn’t need this… *He* didn’t need this. He needed the precise military mind that Nathan Bridger personified, not a Captain distracted by his feelings for a woman, especially that woman. No, she had to go… and soon.
The opportunity arose to get rid of her even quicker than he could have hoped…
Since the last skirmish things had been relatively quiet in their sector, giving them a little over two days of much needed rest… Time to make repairs and just to relax. With little else to occupy them, the rumour mill was back in full swing and most of the talk concerned the Captain and a certain Doctor… How much of their off-duty time they spent together; how they’d been spotted swimming and playing with Darwin in the moonpool, and just how many times they’d been seen sneaking out of each other’s cabins.
Most were happy for him, but there were a few that definitely were not. Lucas had had misgivings at first but once he had seen for himself, even heard the Captain laugh for the first time in… forever, he’d quickly come around. Wendy just seethed and scowled at Westphalen whenever their paths crossed and Thomas positively fumed.
Kristin and Lucas were together on seadeck when a distress call came in from an island almost one hundred miles away. It was very close to enemy territory but fighting valiantly against being overrun. They were desperate for supplies, both medical and military. seaQuest made its way there with all speed, supplying them with everything they could spare and a medical team. Bridger went to meet with the President and Thomas insisted on accompanying him.
Wendy and Kristin worked their way steadily through the casualties, sending the more serious back to the sub, while others were tended on the spot. In all, it had taken them over twelve hours to re-supply and care for the islanders.
Nathan made his way across the beach to Kristin as she packed up the last of the medical kits. “You look tired.”
“I am a little,” she agreed. “Nothing that dinner, a shower and a good massage wouldn’t cure though.”
Bridger smiled. “I think I can arrange that. What order would madam…?”
“Captain Bridger.” Thomas’ voice interrupted them.
“General.” He tried to hide his annoyance but failed miserably.
“I’ve been talking to the ruling council and we’ve agreed that it would be in these peoples’ best interest if we left a military presence on the island to help with their defences.”
“Seems reasonable.” Bridger agreed.
“I’ll be contacting the UEO when we return to seaQuest. It’s also been decided that we should leave a small medical contingent. It’s sorely needed.”
Bridger didn’t like the direction this was taking. “It’s far too dangerous General; this island could be overrun at any time.”
“All the more reason,” Thomas continued. “They’ll be much more able to defend themselves if their wounds are properly taken care of. Doctor Westphalen, you’ll head up the team, along with a half-dozen of seaQuest’s best nurses.”
“Dammit Frank, you can’t do that!” Bridger exploded.
“I can and I will. I’ve already given my word to the President.”
“Why Kristin…? Why not Smith or Latimer…?”
“Both would be good choices of course, but Smith is your CMO and needed on the boat. Latimer has absolutely no command experience. Doctor Westphalen is the obvious choice.”
“No… I won’t allow it. Doctor Westphalen stays…”
Help for Thomas came from an unexpected quarter. “He’s right Nathan,” Kristin whispered. “I’m not part of the crew and I have no current assignment, but I’m still a member of the UEO and a doctor.”
“Damn it Kristin, no… It’s too dangerous… It’s…”
“The decision is made Captain, now I think you and I should return to the seaQuest. Doctor, we’ll send you the extra supplies you’re going to need along with your belongings.” He turned and headed towards the remaining launch, the hint of a smirk on his lips.
Nathan turned to his wife. “I can’t leave you here, Kris. I can’t…”
Reaching out she gently stroked his arm. “You have no choice. Thomas will make your life hell if you don’t. He’ll probably have you court-martialled.
“I don’t care about that. I care about you.”
“And what about your crew…? Are you willing to leave them under his command? He’ll get them all killed, you know that. Death or glory… that’s all he understands.”
“Kristin…” His voice shook as he spoke. “I can’t just leave. If anything happens to you… I don’t know if I could survive it, not now.”
“You must.” The sight of her eyes bright with unshed tears brought the same response from his own and he pulled her to him.
“I’ll come back for you, Baby. No matter what, I’ll come back for you. I promise.”
She could feel dampness on her cheeks but didn’t know if they were her tears falling or his. When she pulled away slightly to look at him, she knew it was a combination of both. “I’ll be waiting.”
“I won’t let you down Baby, not this time. I love you Kristin, I love you very, very much. I’m just sorry that…”
She silenced him with a brush of her lips. “I love you. Look after yourself, Sailor.”
He pulled her closer again, his arms almost crushing her as he kissed her desperately. “You too...”
Knowing that if he looked into her eyes he wouldn’t be able to leave he turned away, squeezing her hand briefly and holding onto it until just their fingertips touched, before he almost ran up the beach to the launch. He turned once to look at her standing alone, her hands clasped protectively around herself.
“I’ll come back…” He called again and then stepped inside the waiting craft.
Kristin watched as it disappeared under the waves, her legs giving way under her as she sank to the sand.
**** The End ****
