Note: As promised, here is the story's epilogue. I apologize for the length, but as it was really only to provide some brief closure between the characters and all that the story had wished to say had already been said, I didn't think it should be drawn out any longer.

I want to thank everyone who's followed this story from the beginning and anyone who jumped on board somewhere in the middle. Your support meant a whole lot to me.

I do hope to eventually continue writing for the SeaQuest fandom.

Bridger watched as Lucas quietly absorbed the information. He sat on the edge of the Moon Pool, hands nervously twisting in his lap.

"So," he finally said, not an octave over a whisper, "he's gone."

"Gone," Bridger agreed, with a strong quell of satisfaction. "He won't ever hurt you again." A surge of protectiveness over the boy rose within him. He had failed in his role as guardian when Clemens had been able to lay his hands on Lucas. He wouldn't fail him in such a way again.

Lucas, however, winced.

Bridger rounded on him, concerned. If there was something else…

"Is there something you haven't told me, Lucas?"

Lucas' mouth opened, before he quickly shut it. He looked stricken.

Bridger sat next to him, one hand resting firmly on his shoulder in a quiet offer of support.

"He said he had gotten away with murder before," Lucas confessed quietly, "and that he could do it again. That he had connections."

Bridger was not a violent man by nature, but in that moment he realized that he would have relished several moments alone with Martin Clemens.

He pushed those thoughts aside. He didn't enjoy realizing his own fantasy of violence and, furthermore, such a thing wasn't what Lucas needed.

Lucas, not Clemens, needed to be where his thoughts were centered.

"Clemens isn't the only one who has connections, Lucas," Bridger said.

The boy looked at him in surprise.

"I promise you, Lucas," Bridger said, meeting Lucas' eyes firmly. "That man won't ever be getting out again."

"Let me see." Kristen rearranged the collar of his shirt to get a better look at the ring of bruising on his throat.

Lucas squirmed uncomfortably, but kept his hands folded in his lap. After their talk, Bridger had made him promise to come to Kristin- even though the teen was certain that there was no serious danger from the damage Clemens had done and he was sure the Captain knew that as well.

Kristin hissed as the full extent of the damage became known to her.

"That animal…" she muttered, eyes darkening. "If I ever catch him on this boat again…" Her eyes flashed up to Lucas and softened.

"Bridger promised he wouldn't be getting out again."

"Good!" Kristin snapped, vehemence returning for a brief instance. Then, she reached out and gave his arm a brief, reassuring squeeze.

"I'm fine," Lucas said, feeling that there was some need to reassure her.

Kristin offered him a sad smile in return and he wondered if he had said something wrong.

At his questioning look, she shook her head.

"Don't convince yourself that you're fine for me, Lucas." She surprised him then, pulling him into a hug.

Almost immediately, he hugged her back.

He shut his eyes, ignoring the warmth that gathered behind them.