Nathan sat down on the seat outside med bay, waiting to see when he could
go in and see his son.
Dr. Perry came out and walked towards him, "You can see him now, Mr Bridger." Nathan stood somewhat stiffly and followed Dr. Perry out.
Robert was laying peacefully as his father entered. The two watched each other carefully as Nathan made his way towards his son's bedside.
"How are you?" Nathan asked him as he touched his shoulder.
"I'm okay, Dad. The Doctor said with a bit of rest I should be okay to go home soon."
Nathan smiled at his son's keenness to get out of bed, "There's no rush. This was my home for a while, you know. It'd be good to show you around."
Robert became serious, "That'd be great, Dad," there was a lingering in his voice which replaced prepared Nathan for the 'but', "But I really want to get back into it as soon as I can."
Nathan sat back, with a surprised and concerned look on his face, "Back into what, Robert?"
Robert paused for a few moments, carefully trying to formulate his next sentence, "I still believe in Party Operation, Dad," Nathan stiffened, "Look, you don't know the half of it; you only met the bad eggs.."
Nathan cut him off, "What do you mean 'only the bad eggs'? Robert, your telling me the entire organisation had no idea you were being held against your will? If that's true why didn't you go to them?"
"I wasn't being held entirely against my will," Robert explained calmly, "What they did was for the greater good."
Nathan stood and shook his head, "I can see that I'm not going to be able to reason with you. Although, I wish I could," Nathan paused for a few moments and looked at his son looking seriously at him. He could see Robert's mind had been made up a while ago, "You realise I will be informing the UEO of your intentions."
Robert looked away, mildly exasperated, "Of course, Dad."
"I just hope you realise this organisation is not what its cut out to be."
Robert kept his face turned away. "And I hope you realise the UEO isn't the greatest of them all," Robert said with a hint of resentment in his voice.
"I do, son," Nathan said quietly. When he realised Robert wasn't going to respond he walked away, pulling the curtain across behind him.
"Mr Bridger," Dr Perry called out to him, as he was about to leave med bay, "Ensign Wolenczak is out of surgery."
Nathan took a deep sigh, "Is he okay?"
"He's doing very well. No major organs were hit but he was already run down when it happened so we're putting him on a drip and we'll need to keep him topped up with vitamins and protein. We're going to have to keep him for a while."
"Is he awake?"
"Not at the moment, but he's just sleeping. He might wake up but try not to wake him if you want to see him."
Nathan hesitated. After his discussion with Robert he felt saddened and drained, he knew Lucas would realise something was wrong if he woke but he didn't want to bring Lucas into it, it didn't have anything to do with him. On the other hand he hadn't seen Lucas in a long time. Both times he had seen Lucas the boy had been hurt. He really wanted to hear that defiant voice and see those blue eyes.
Nathan nodded, "Which way?"
Dr Perry answered by turning and walking in the opposite direction. Nathan followed.
When they reached Lucas bedside, Dr Perry moved forward to check the equipment next to him. She then gave Nathan a small smile and left them. Lucas was asleep, his head turned to the side. He had tubes coming out of his nose and sitting around his face. His hair looked softer and blonder than usual and was swept back behind his head. Lucas didn't look too badly hurt, but Nathan felt a sharp stab in his chest. He took a deep breath and leaned forward to smell Lucas hair, bringing his hand around to touch his head. The faint smell of Lucas sweet shampoo and his natural scent washed away the pain in Nathan's chest. He stayed bent over for a few more moments before he kissed the forehead and sat down next to him. His skin was cooler and softer to touch this time.
Nathan thought he would sit for a few more moments and leave. But he couldn't bring himself to leave Lucas's side. Every time he reminded himself to leave he decided to stay a few moments longer. Eventually he noticed that his joints were getting stiff and med bay seemed to be getting quieter. He looked at his watch and decided it was about time to leave. Just as he stood, he looked down at the sleeping teenager. Lucas chose this moment to open his eyes. At first Nathan wasn't sure if Lucas was actually awake, the boy's eyes were only slits. But then Lucas shifted in his bed and Nathan leaned toward him.
"Hey kiddo," he smiled.
"Hey," Lucas croaked quietly. Nathan thought he should go but Lucas didn't seem to be drifting back off. Nathan stroked Lucas's hair to try to ease him back to sleep. Instead Lucas started to wake up. He shifted once more and grimaced in pain.
"Hey hey, careful there," Nathan put his hand on his shoulder, "You've just come out of surgery a few hours ago."
Lucas nodded slightly then cleared his throat, "Did you get your son back yet?"
Nathan smiled and nodded, "Yeah, we got him back."
"Is he okay?"
"Well he had a few injuries but he's doing fine. He's actually not far away from you. I'd really like you two to meet."
Lucas smiled, "Yeah, I'd like that too." Lucas paused, "Why aren't you with him now?" Lucas asked innocently.
Nathan frowned slightly, "Lucas, I'm with you."
"But he's your son."
"So?" Nathan wanted to know where this was going.
"Wouldn't you prefer to be with him than me? I'm not your son." Nathan looked at him; shocked that Lucas felt the way he did.
"No, your not. But I sometimes wish you were. I don't think I treat you any different than if you were."
Lucas frowned slightly, still hazy from pain and sleep, "I don't.. have a family," he began.
"I know," Nathan said gently, taking Lucas' hand.
"I know I have friends. But friends come and go, that's been really obvious lately." Lucas paused. Nathan listened quietly, "There is not one single person in my life, who I can trust will be there for me in five years."
Nathan knew Lucas was not completely coherent at the moment, and was probably over emotional. But he knew what was being said wasn't far from the truth and he didn't want Lucas believing what he was saying.
"Lucas, I can't speak from everyone who calls themselves your friend. But a lot of people care about you."
"There's a difference between caring about what happens to someone and actually loving someone, Captain."
"You know I love you, Lucas. Now, in five years, ten years, twenty years."
Lucas shook his head, "Your son is back now. You don't need a replacement," Lucas' voice was quiet and sad but somewhat resentful.
Nathan wasn't upset at all, "You never replaced him. He won't replace you. You're my second son, not a replacement."
Lucas swallowed, "I guess I just need to feel secure that someone loves me at the moment."
Nathan touched Lucas' face, "Lucas, your just going to have to believe me. Come to me when you need someone."
Lucas smiled slightly, "I'm think I'm getting better at handling things on my own."
"You don't need to," Nathan told him gently.
"I know," Lucas said, more awake now, " I didn't feel so weak when I was captured the second time." Lucas told him, "When Biggs hurt me, I knew it was because I had power over him. He told me otherwise, but I knew that if I didn't have control, I couldn't have made him angry. I don't need a keyboard."
Nathan smiled gently, "You're a beautiful, strong kid, Lucas. You just need to realise that there are people who care about you - who love you. People who want you to be happy."
Lucas looked more content. He rolled his head back and shut his eyes, "Would you stay with me longer?"
Nathan squeezed his hand, "Of course, my boy."
************************************
Tony and Tim came into see Lucas before he went back to sleep. The three were really enjoying seeing each other again so Nathan decided it was time to go and get something to eat. Lucas barely noticed his departure.
After he had satisfied his hunger he made his way towards the guest quarters to get some sleep. He had just entered the room and started making himself comfortable when the vid link came to life. Nathan pressed a few buttons, indicating that he was consenting to the communication.
He was greeted with the friendly face of Commander Ford, "Nathan, hi," the Commander greeted pleasantly.
"Oh, hello, Jonathan. What can I do for you?"
"Sir, Robert is requesting a shuttle. He's about to leave. He asked me to inform you."
Nathan looked shocked, "I didn't even know he had been released from med bay!"
Jonathan nodded, "Yes, he was a few hours ago,"
Nathan looked exasperated. Jonathan just shrugged, not too concerned.
"Okay, thankyou Commander."
"My pleasure, sir. Oh, sir?"
"Yes?"
"How is Lucas?"
"He's fine," Nathan nodded with relief, relaxing a bit.
Jonathan smiled, "Good. I haven't had a chance to see him yet."
"Well I'm sure he'd love to see you."
*************************************
"Robert," Nathan called out to his son who was standing at the shuttle bay, ready to go.
"Hey, Dad," Robert greeted neutrally.
Nathan sighed, "So you're actually going,"
Robert nodded, determined, "Yes, I am."
"Do you have to go now?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, I really want to get going."
"But you haven't met Lucas," Nathan said.
Robert looked at him for a few moments, "I will," he said. With that, he stepped off the Seaquest and onto a shuttle. Nathan let him go.
'If you love them, let them go. If they're yours, they'll come back.'
BEFORE YOU ASK, YES THERE IS GOING TO BE A SEQUAL. ANYONE INTERESTED? WELL IT'S COMING OUT ANYWAY! THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE SEQUAL, 'CAIN AND ABEL' WILL HOPEFULLY BE OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE MAY.
Dr. Perry came out and walked towards him, "You can see him now, Mr Bridger." Nathan stood somewhat stiffly and followed Dr. Perry out.
Robert was laying peacefully as his father entered. The two watched each other carefully as Nathan made his way towards his son's bedside.
"How are you?" Nathan asked him as he touched his shoulder.
"I'm okay, Dad. The Doctor said with a bit of rest I should be okay to go home soon."
Nathan smiled at his son's keenness to get out of bed, "There's no rush. This was my home for a while, you know. It'd be good to show you around."
Robert became serious, "That'd be great, Dad," there was a lingering in his voice which replaced prepared Nathan for the 'but', "But I really want to get back into it as soon as I can."
Nathan sat back, with a surprised and concerned look on his face, "Back into what, Robert?"
Robert paused for a few moments, carefully trying to formulate his next sentence, "I still believe in Party Operation, Dad," Nathan stiffened, "Look, you don't know the half of it; you only met the bad eggs.."
Nathan cut him off, "What do you mean 'only the bad eggs'? Robert, your telling me the entire organisation had no idea you were being held against your will? If that's true why didn't you go to them?"
"I wasn't being held entirely against my will," Robert explained calmly, "What they did was for the greater good."
Nathan stood and shook his head, "I can see that I'm not going to be able to reason with you. Although, I wish I could," Nathan paused for a few moments and looked at his son looking seriously at him. He could see Robert's mind had been made up a while ago, "You realise I will be informing the UEO of your intentions."
Robert looked away, mildly exasperated, "Of course, Dad."
"I just hope you realise this organisation is not what its cut out to be."
Robert kept his face turned away. "And I hope you realise the UEO isn't the greatest of them all," Robert said with a hint of resentment in his voice.
"I do, son," Nathan said quietly. When he realised Robert wasn't going to respond he walked away, pulling the curtain across behind him.
"Mr Bridger," Dr Perry called out to him, as he was about to leave med bay, "Ensign Wolenczak is out of surgery."
Nathan took a deep sigh, "Is he okay?"
"He's doing very well. No major organs were hit but he was already run down when it happened so we're putting him on a drip and we'll need to keep him topped up with vitamins and protein. We're going to have to keep him for a while."
"Is he awake?"
"Not at the moment, but he's just sleeping. He might wake up but try not to wake him if you want to see him."
Nathan hesitated. After his discussion with Robert he felt saddened and drained, he knew Lucas would realise something was wrong if he woke but he didn't want to bring Lucas into it, it didn't have anything to do with him. On the other hand he hadn't seen Lucas in a long time. Both times he had seen Lucas the boy had been hurt. He really wanted to hear that defiant voice and see those blue eyes.
Nathan nodded, "Which way?"
Dr Perry answered by turning and walking in the opposite direction. Nathan followed.
When they reached Lucas bedside, Dr Perry moved forward to check the equipment next to him. She then gave Nathan a small smile and left them. Lucas was asleep, his head turned to the side. He had tubes coming out of his nose and sitting around his face. His hair looked softer and blonder than usual and was swept back behind his head. Lucas didn't look too badly hurt, but Nathan felt a sharp stab in his chest. He took a deep breath and leaned forward to smell Lucas hair, bringing his hand around to touch his head. The faint smell of Lucas sweet shampoo and his natural scent washed away the pain in Nathan's chest. He stayed bent over for a few more moments before he kissed the forehead and sat down next to him. His skin was cooler and softer to touch this time.
Nathan thought he would sit for a few more moments and leave. But he couldn't bring himself to leave Lucas's side. Every time he reminded himself to leave he decided to stay a few moments longer. Eventually he noticed that his joints were getting stiff and med bay seemed to be getting quieter. He looked at his watch and decided it was about time to leave. Just as he stood, he looked down at the sleeping teenager. Lucas chose this moment to open his eyes. At first Nathan wasn't sure if Lucas was actually awake, the boy's eyes were only slits. But then Lucas shifted in his bed and Nathan leaned toward him.
"Hey kiddo," he smiled.
"Hey," Lucas croaked quietly. Nathan thought he should go but Lucas didn't seem to be drifting back off. Nathan stroked Lucas's hair to try to ease him back to sleep. Instead Lucas started to wake up. He shifted once more and grimaced in pain.
"Hey hey, careful there," Nathan put his hand on his shoulder, "You've just come out of surgery a few hours ago."
Lucas nodded slightly then cleared his throat, "Did you get your son back yet?"
Nathan smiled and nodded, "Yeah, we got him back."
"Is he okay?"
"Well he had a few injuries but he's doing fine. He's actually not far away from you. I'd really like you two to meet."
Lucas smiled, "Yeah, I'd like that too." Lucas paused, "Why aren't you with him now?" Lucas asked innocently.
Nathan frowned slightly, "Lucas, I'm with you."
"But he's your son."
"So?" Nathan wanted to know where this was going.
"Wouldn't you prefer to be with him than me? I'm not your son." Nathan looked at him; shocked that Lucas felt the way he did.
"No, your not. But I sometimes wish you were. I don't think I treat you any different than if you were."
Lucas frowned slightly, still hazy from pain and sleep, "I don't.. have a family," he began.
"I know," Nathan said gently, taking Lucas' hand.
"I know I have friends. But friends come and go, that's been really obvious lately." Lucas paused. Nathan listened quietly, "There is not one single person in my life, who I can trust will be there for me in five years."
Nathan knew Lucas was not completely coherent at the moment, and was probably over emotional. But he knew what was being said wasn't far from the truth and he didn't want Lucas believing what he was saying.
"Lucas, I can't speak from everyone who calls themselves your friend. But a lot of people care about you."
"There's a difference between caring about what happens to someone and actually loving someone, Captain."
"You know I love you, Lucas. Now, in five years, ten years, twenty years."
Lucas shook his head, "Your son is back now. You don't need a replacement," Lucas' voice was quiet and sad but somewhat resentful.
Nathan wasn't upset at all, "You never replaced him. He won't replace you. You're my second son, not a replacement."
Lucas swallowed, "I guess I just need to feel secure that someone loves me at the moment."
Nathan touched Lucas' face, "Lucas, your just going to have to believe me. Come to me when you need someone."
Lucas smiled slightly, "I'm think I'm getting better at handling things on my own."
"You don't need to," Nathan told him gently.
"I know," Lucas said, more awake now, " I didn't feel so weak when I was captured the second time." Lucas told him, "When Biggs hurt me, I knew it was because I had power over him. He told me otherwise, but I knew that if I didn't have control, I couldn't have made him angry. I don't need a keyboard."
Nathan smiled gently, "You're a beautiful, strong kid, Lucas. You just need to realise that there are people who care about you - who love you. People who want you to be happy."
Lucas looked more content. He rolled his head back and shut his eyes, "Would you stay with me longer?"
Nathan squeezed his hand, "Of course, my boy."
************************************
Tony and Tim came into see Lucas before he went back to sleep. The three were really enjoying seeing each other again so Nathan decided it was time to go and get something to eat. Lucas barely noticed his departure.
After he had satisfied his hunger he made his way towards the guest quarters to get some sleep. He had just entered the room and started making himself comfortable when the vid link came to life. Nathan pressed a few buttons, indicating that he was consenting to the communication.
He was greeted with the friendly face of Commander Ford, "Nathan, hi," the Commander greeted pleasantly.
"Oh, hello, Jonathan. What can I do for you?"
"Sir, Robert is requesting a shuttle. He's about to leave. He asked me to inform you."
Nathan looked shocked, "I didn't even know he had been released from med bay!"
Jonathan nodded, "Yes, he was a few hours ago,"
Nathan looked exasperated. Jonathan just shrugged, not too concerned.
"Okay, thankyou Commander."
"My pleasure, sir. Oh, sir?"
"Yes?"
"How is Lucas?"
"He's fine," Nathan nodded with relief, relaxing a bit.
Jonathan smiled, "Good. I haven't had a chance to see him yet."
"Well I'm sure he'd love to see you."
*************************************
"Robert," Nathan called out to his son who was standing at the shuttle bay, ready to go.
"Hey, Dad," Robert greeted neutrally.
Nathan sighed, "So you're actually going,"
Robert nodded, determined, "Yes, I am."
"Do you have to go now?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, I really want to get going."
"But you haven't met Lucas," Nathan said.
Robert looked at him for a few moments, "I will," he said. With that, he stepped off the Seaquest and onto a shuttle. Nathan let him go.
'If you love them, let them go. If they're yours, they'll come back.'
BEFORE YOU ASK, YES THERE IS GOING TO BE A SEQUAL. ANYONE INTERESTED? WELL IT'S COMING OUT ANYWAY! THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE SEQUAL, 'CAIN AND ABEL' WILL HOPEFULLY BE OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE MAY.