The previous chapter was meant to be the end of the story, but then, in keeping with the canon of the second season, I felt the story needed this epilogue. It's not an upbeat of an ending as the last chapter, but I felt it was necessary.

Amidst the tragedy and loss, there is a remembrance of the past and a hope for the future.

- Epilogue -

She stood on the balcony of the beach house watching as the setting sun cast its blood-red hue across the low-hanging clouds. She didn't know how long she'd been standing there, her hair and sundress billowing out behind her in the humid breeze. She'd lost track of the time as she tried to let the sound of the waves soothe away all the pain and heartache that crackled like electricity in the air around her.

The tears had long ago dried but the paths they'd tracked down her cheeks were still visible to anyone who simply looked at her. But there was no one here anymore. She'd sent them all away. She wanted to be alone in the home that they'd shared for too brief a time. She wanted to remember everything they'd experienced together within these walls.

"You have to leave soon, remember?" Kristin closed her eyes as his mouth trailed down her neck. Her fingers kneaded the gently flexing muscles of his arms as he held himself above her.

They were lying together in the beach house's large bed, covered only by a thin sheet. The sun sat high overhead, indicating the time was fast approaching midday.

"I'm the captain, the boat can't leave without me," came the muffled reply.

Kristin chuckled and threaded her hands into his hair. She tugged the soft strands gently, not really trying to remove his mouth.

"Nathan," she drawled and he shifted his head so that he could meet her eyes and still have access to her skin.

"What? I'm busy."

She nuzzled his smooth cheek with her own. "Why'd you shave it?"

He lifted his heard further, trailed a lone finger down the smooth skin of her neck. "It was too rough."

Kristin rolled her eyes and tugged his head down to hers. She gave him a searing kiss and then pulled away, a skeptical look on her face. "It had its good qualities, too, you know."

"Maybe when the tour's over I'll grow it back." He dipped his head and captured her lips in a kiss which lasted long enough to leave them both panting when they parted.

The light in her eyes dimmed just a bit and by the look on his face, she knew he'd seen it.

He bent down and kissed her again, this time more gently. "A few months will be over before you know it."

Kristin tightened her arms around him and her eyes fluttered shut when he slid a hand under her leg and draped it over his thigh. A soft moan escaped her lips and the melancholy feeling fled swiftly as they spent the rest of the morning exploring what their life would be like once his second tour with seaQuest had ended.

That last week they'd spent together had been filled with such happiness that it hurt deeply for her to remember it now.

She didn't want him to go, even though there were only a few months left until he would be home for more than a few days at a time. They'd made plans to celebrate and she had something she needed to tell him – something she hoped he'd have been ecstatic to hear.

But now she wouldn't have the chance. SeaQuest had vanished two months ago and all hands aboard were presumed lost.

She'd barely made it through the memorial service and she'd taken a leave of absence at work to take care of estate matters. He'd left everything to her, had made her executor of his will and now she was permanently surrounded by everything she loved and hated about the military and Nathan Bridger.

Kristin turned away from the ocean, away from the memories of their time on the beach, swimming with Darwin and Lucas, and rubbed her hands over the slight swell of her stomach.

"You're all I have left of him now, little one," Kristin whispered soothingly. "But I will never forget, and neither will you."

She gazed one last time at the setting sun before padding inside and closing the large wooden doors behind her.

-END –

Notes: Thanks, everyone, for reading along with this tale. Your comments are very appreciated and I don't mind any constructive criticism you feel you need to send my way. Of course, I love any praise also! :)