Note from Jenny:

Well, we've reached the end of Stalling for Time. Hope you've enjoyed the story.

I appreciated all the reviews and encouragement I received along the way. Thanks for reading along.

Stay tuned for the next installment in this universe.

God bless :)

Nathan ended the link, puffing out his cheeks and rubbing his eyes. He glanced at the clock and looked around his quarters with a smile realising he'd worked his first eight-hour day in over six weeks. He felt tired, but it was a good, useful kind of tired rather than an emotionally, drained fatigue. It felt refreshing to him and he embraced it. He'd just finished discussing more about the toxin situation near Devil's Hole with Admiral Noyce. Two more people had fallen ill and the ailment had been directly associated with cyanobacteria. The situation had become quite precarious; so much so that the Secretary General had ordered SeaQuest to the area immediately. The submarine had been slowly meandering its way there over the past week or so, but not with any urgency. After today, they would need to step up the pace and make haste to the area. Nathan had openly voiced his concern with rushing his crew back into something so serious so quickly after the hostage crisis, but his concerns had been brushed aside. Kristin, along with Joshua Levin had also strongly disagreed, suggesting that each member have more time to digest and deal with their individual trauma. The UEO was sympathetic to their plights but in reality, their hands were tied. Toxins in the ocean traveled fast with the currents and tides; the consequences of neglecting the situation could essentially prove to be devastating. And considering that the world was beginning to heal and repair itself after the horrific world wars and environmental devastation, the UEO couldn't afford to risk any cataclysmic events.

Nathan left his desk and walked across the room to look in the mirror. His dark eyes had some of that familiar fiery spark back in them and physically, he felt like he was back to his old self. Technically, he wasn't supposed to be back on active duty quite yet, but the circumstances dictated that he resume command anyways. He scrubbed a hand across his face thoughtfully as a soft smile played on his lips. In all honesty, he was glad to be back at work. He always felt alive when he was busy and had things to occupy his mind. He grimaced at his scruffy appearance.

"You need a shave, Nate," he mumbled to himself. His gaze lingered on his reflection. "Or maybe you should grow a beard." He tipped his head up further, imagining himself with a full beard like he'd often grown on his island. Then he chuckled and shook his head. Who was he fooling? The military liked clean shaven faces.

He walked across the room and grabbed his notebook from his desk. The one respectable thing the UEO had made good on, in light of the current and upcoming commission, was insisting that all the crew get counseling. Each of his senior crew including Kristin and him had been given personal counselors to help manage the events of hostage ordeal. Nathan had made sure that Eric Petersen continued working with Lucas as well. If the crew was going to be able to function well, they needed time to heal and work through the shock and tumultuous, deep-seated emotions. He'd made everyone aware that his door would always be open to discuss anything should the need arise. He was slowly beginning to let go of his own distress and guilt, mostly due to the fact that he had Kristin and Lucas. The three of them had been spending a great deal of time together becoming more and more their own little family entity. While the crew was an extended family of sorts, the trio had become a cohesive and intimate family. He pinched his nose briefly as he allowed himself to reflect on a time past before his wife had died—before Robert died. He was feeling some of that same fulfillment and it felt scary and wonderful at the same time.

A gentle knock was heard at his door and he turned towards the sound.

"Enter," he said, walking towards the hatch to greet whoever was there.

A blond head peeked around the door and offered him a cursory lop-sided grin.

"Hi. Captain, you busy?"

"Nope. Just finished up for the day. What are you up to?"

"Oh, about 5'6 today, sir." Lucas' eyes twinkled with mischief.

Nathan reached forward and pulled the cheeky teenager into the room with a laugh.

"Wise-guy." Nathan's heart thumped a little lighter in his chest as he enjoyed the levity the boy brought with him. Lucas seemed to be doing so much better since he'd allowed himself to really open up. His counselor, Eric, had been giving Nathan glowing reports about his progress and overall, Nathan was very relieved. "I thought you had an appointment with Eric at 18:30 today."

Lucas shrugged as he shut the hatch door and tossed himself on the sofa with a groan. He kicked off his shoes and put his feet up, making himself at home.

"I canceled it," he said matter-of-factly.

"Why, Lucas?"

"Because."

Nathan sighed, suddenly feeling concerned. "Okay, you've got my attention, kiddo. Why did you cancel your appointment?" Nathan sat down across from him wrinkling his nose when he caught wind of Lucas' smelly socks. "Whew, those socks have seen better days."

Lucas blushed and removed his feet from the sofa. "Uh, sorry Captain."

"Why did you cancel your appointment, Lucas?" reiterated Nathan, looking at him sternly.

"Don't go postal on me, sir. I, uh, just wanted to spend some time with you instead." Lucas chewed on his lip as he looked at Nathan sheepishly. Nathan softened and patted the boy on the knee.

"I'm flattered that you want to spend some time with me, but Lucas, these appointments are important-"

"I know," interrupted Lucas, looking uncomfortable. "It's just, well, I've been thinking a lot about stuff, and Eric and I have been talking about some things and well, I kinda wanted to talk about some stuff with you instead today." Lucas dropped his gaze to the floor and heaved a sigh that sounded discouraged.

Nathan tapped the boy on the leg gently. "What's on your mind, kiddo?"

Lucas rose to his feet and began to pace back and forth, rubbing his hands on his jeans awkwardly. "Well, it's just that I, um, really think you should let me, uh, well, you see, I've been thinking I'm ready to…" Lucas hesitated and sighed loudly all the while keeping his eyes from making contact with Nathan's.

Nathan stood to his feet and walked towards Lucas, grasping his arm gently and turning him to face him. "Look at me, Lucas."

Lucas lifted his chin and looked at him.

"You are radiating enough discomfort and distress to give me a coronary. Just spit it out, kid."

Lucas dropped his shoulders. "Can I go back to my duties, Captain? I'm going out of my mind sitting around and playing video games. I need to have something to challenge my neuro pathways before I go crazy!"

Nathan smirked. He knew exactly what Lucas was feeling. It had felt great to be back at work and feel useful again, to somehow gain back some kind of normalcy which Nathan was sure they all craved. He knew that Lucas would be itching to get back on the bridge and lend his hand in the science department. It was just he worried about the boy's mental well-being. He didn't want to push things too quickly and even Eric suggested giving Lucas time to just be a kid without added pressures.

"Sit down, Lucas and let's discuss this a little."

Lucas' face reddened as he stared at Nathan. It was pretty obvious he was trying to read him and guess what Nathan was going to say. Lucas took a few steps back and plunged his hands in his pockets. Nathan inwardly sighed knowing the telltale signs of Lucas putting his back up and expecting the worst.

Nathan put a gentle hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Don't jump to conclusions, ok? Please have a seat."

Lucas sighed and obeyed, sitting down but certainly not looking relaxed.

"I admit getting back to work today has been pure bliss. First time in a long time that I felt like I accomplished something useful."

"Exactly why I want to get back at it—"

"I understand that, Lucas, but it's different with you. You are 15 years old and I'm worried jumping back into things will be too much for you. Eric wants you to take time to relax and just—"

"Be a kid?" Lucas groaned in disgust. "Look, Captain, you and I both know that I'm not like any normal kid. I need to get back to work."

Nathan nodded. He recognized and respected that Lucas wasn't like other kids his age. He thrived on being busy and active on the ship.

"Ok, tell ya what, you can start working four-hour shifts beginning tomorrow if you promise not to blow off any more appointments with Eric."

Lucas' face brightened and he nodded cheerfully, starting to babble a mile a minute about all he wanted to accomplish and start immediately.

Nathan held up his hand with a chuckle at the kid's excited enthusiasm. "Alright, alright, just promise me you will take it easy and still make time for Darwin and me."

Lucas smiled. "Of course, captain, although, maybe I ought to say the same thing."

Nathan frowned. "What do you mean by that? I always make time for you."

Mischief played in Lucas' eyes. "Except when you're kissing Kristin."

Nathan felt his cheeks grow warm. The kid was on to him. Maybe it was time to have a chat with the boy and see what he thought about the whole idea of Kristin and him being, well, involved, so to speak. Nathan frowned as it dawned on him that Lucas had called her Kristin. Usually, Lucas didn't refer to Kristin by her given name. It sounded odd in his ears to hear Lucas speak of her by her name.

"Does it bother you, Lucas?"

Lucas' face became serious as he made bold eye contact with Nathan. Nathan could see the wheels turning in the boys head. Nathan wasn't his father, but he was his guardian. Nathan knew Lucas counted on him and looked at him as a father.

"No, sir. I like Kristin."

"It doesn't bother you that we spend a lot of time together?"

Lucas fidgeted on the sofa. "Not really, I guess."

"You guess?"

Lucas sucked his lip in and then rubbed his hand across his mouth. "It's just going to take some getting used to is all." He offered Nathan a sheepish grin. "She makes you happy, doesn't she, Captain?"

Nathan reached out and messed up his hair. "Yes, she does, and so do you."

Lucas smiled.

"Let's go get something to eat and you can tell me why, all of sudden, you've decided to call Dr. Westphalen by her given name."

Nathan didn't miss the hue of colour that brushed across Lucas' cheeks as he rose to his feet. Putting a gentle hand on the boys back, he ushered Lucas to the door, opening the hatch.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders with a smirk. Nathan could see the hint of mischief twinkling in his eyes. Things were getting back to a new kind of normal, and he realised he was okay with that reality. It felt good to feel any kind of normal. It felt good to feel like they all had hope and a future again. Despite all the hard times and all the feelings of guilt, despair, and blame, they were all going to get through it and they were going to be okay. Life was going to continue on. Nathan smiled as he walked out his door, listening to Lucas chatter away. He felt at peace and looked forward to what the future would bring.