ONE REFUGE
Chapter Five
by Teresa
The guest quarters were comfortable, but there wasn’t exactly much to do in there except sleep, and despite the fact that they hadn’t slept in almost a day, no one from the SeaQuest’s shore team was in the mood to rest.
So rather than splitting up, they passed the time by sitting together in a guest lounge, making idol conversation and reading whatever was available to them.
They all looked up as the door opened, keen to get out of there and get moving. It was another UEO officer, “We’ve got the okay to head back to the SeaQuest,”
“The seas have been cleared?” Henderson asked as she stood up and pushed the wrinkles out of her clothes.
“They’re clearing. You all need to get ready; we’ll be heading out asap.”
They all nodded as he left the room quickly.
“Alright,” Ford took charge again, “Let’s get moving.”
As they headed out the door, Tony caught up to Henderson and O’Neill, “Don’t you hate it how they say ‘asap’ as though it’s a word? What’s wrong with A.S.A.P?”
***
Nathan had settled himself into his new favorite chair. It was a fury brown recliner. He’d set his glasses on his nose and absorbed himself in the book he’d been reading before Lucas had arrived the night before.
“Captain.”
The soft croak from the lounge near him pulled him out of the story. He looked up quickly, surprised to see Lucas half sitting up.
“Lucas,” he responded quietly, as though there was still someone asleep. He put his book down and took his glasses off, clambering out of the chair.
Lucas watched him patiently as he made his way over.
“How are you feeling?” He knelt down beside him and pushed him back into the pillows gently.
Lucas barely resisted, rolling his eyes and groaning slightly with apathy. Nathan noted that he didn’t seem to be too confused about his surroundings, which suggested that he remembered what had happened to him.
Lucas closed his eyes before he answered the question, “A little.. disorientated..” he murmured.
Bridger looked at him matter of factly, “Well you certainly seem a lot better.”
Kristin came from around the other side of the couch, having been off in another room.
“Oh, sweetheart you’re awake,” she exclaimed gently.
Lucas looked at her, his blue eyes filled with almost-surprise, “Doctor Westphalan,” he stared at her.
She smiled at him gently as came over quickly, watching the way he looked at her.
She sat down beside him near where Nathan was kneeling, “You’re looking at me like I’m your long lost mother,” she chuckled, but not really meaning it as a joke.
Lucas’ eyebrows knotted together, his face cracking with vulnerability. He pushed himself up toward her, wrapping his arms around her.
She hugged him back, pleased to finally be able to see him properly. She rubbed his back for a little while, trying to comfort him just with her presence.
Eventually, the strain of sitting up was too much for his wound and he pulled back, trying to hide a grimace as he lay back into the pillows.
Bridger sighed, “I think it’s time to get you cleaned up.”
Lucas turned his head to look at him, lifting his eyebrows.
“Do you think you can bathe yourself?” Kristin asked him.
Lucas’ eyes widened slightly, immediately realizing his options, “Ahhh,” he chuckled, “I hope so.”
“Alright,” she moved back quickly as he tried to sit up immediately, “Not too fast,” she warned him crisply.
Lucas got himself seated, squeezing his eyes shut at the pain the movement had caused him and pushing his hands downward against the sofa.
He remained there for a few moments, waiting for the pain to subside. The two adults waited for him patiently.
Once Lucas made a move, Bridger was up beside him, helping him stand. Lucas wavered on his legs slightly, having not stood for quite a while. He took a few deep breaths before Nathan started to lead him into the bathroom.
Kristin went ahead of them and ran the water.
Lucas looked around him as he walked very slowly down the hallway, “Nice house,” he commented wryly, cracking a small grin.
Bridger laughed, “Thank you. Maybe I’ll show you around sometime.”
Kristin was waiting for them by the time they made it into the white room. There was a basin and a toilet in the same room. Lucas was glad to see that there was a limited amount of glass.
Just as Lucas made it into the room, he felt the muscles around his wound cramp slightly. He winced, grunting with the sudden pain. He felt a hand on his back as he bent forward slightly.
“Okay, I want you to take your shirt of while one of us is still here so we can take a look at your wound, and then we’ll leave you alone.”
Lucas glared at her, and then rolled his eyes before he complied. He heard Bridger leaving the room behind him just as he started to take off the blue over shirt.
He felt himself shivering as his bare skin hit the air. Kristin looked at his wound gently, “It’ll hurt a bit when you get into the water. But just soak for a bit and then get out and get dressed alright?”
Lucas nodded, starting to shake again.
She looked at him worriedly, “If anything goes wrong call out immediately,” she coached him.
Lucas nodded at her seriously, “Thank you,” he whispered.
She smiled at him softly for a short while before breaking the moment, “I’ll let you get on with it then.”
She left him alone.
***
“How do we know these UEO ships escorting us aren’t suddenly going to go crazy?” Seaman Piccolo asked as sat in the back of the ride nervously.
Ford didn’t turn around as he answered him, “Because we assume that whatever it was that turned rogue ships, it was something manifest, rather than something sudden.”
“So you mean, you think it was more likely the crew were corrupt in the first place or there were moles on board or something rather than say.. the sensors were missed with,” Tony clarified.
“Whatever is going on,” Lonnie told him, “It would have been something well-planned and infiltrated. Otherwise SeaQuest would have been likely to pick up something suspicious.”
Tony looked out suspiciously, “So there’s no way our escortees could be the badguys.” He didn't sound to sure of it even as he said it.
Tim patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, Tony. The only thing we’ve really got to worry about is Lucas.”
Tony turned his head slowly to look at him, “And yeah.. that’s like, nothing,” he said sarcastically.
Everyone else ignored him as they sat back and waited until they reached the SeaQuest.
“Commander Ford,” a young Lieutenant called back, “We can’t seem to find her.”
Ford unclipped his belt and walked up to the front, “She’s hidden. Captain Hudson wanted to be sure she was safe,” he reached the front and surveyed the screens, “We’re in the right area, drop low and flash a Morse code, Hudson might give us a glimpse of her.”
The small ship swung slightly lower, flashing a strong beam of light in front of it, as its escorts hovered above.
“Simmons?” Hudson strode over to the command chair, relieved that something was happening, “It’s a craft on our starboard, sir, it’s flashing a Morse code.”
“What does it say, Lieutenant?”
“They’re requesting permission to board. Commander Ford’s ID, sir it checks out.”
Hudson nodded, “Open up sensors let them know where we are.” He turned around, “Dallas, accompany me to the launch bay.”
Ford stepped out of the hatch and nodded a greeting to the two officers in the bay.
“I wasn’t expecting you to bring a fleet back, Commander,” Hudson said.
“I know sir,” Commander reached him as the rest of his shore party as well as several other officers entered the launch bay, “But we’re told it’s necessary.”
“What’s going on?”
Ford turned around to check the faces of the men behind him, “Well sir, when we reached UEO headquarters 8 hours ago we were told that almost a third of UEO marked ships and vessels within our own territory had been firing on our their own.”
Ford paused, waiting for Hudson’s reaction, “What action did they take?”
“They sent out the stealthers to guard the borders and handle any hostile ships while we clear the seas,” Ford told him.
It was obvious that Hudson was resisting the urge not to roll his eyes, “Is that all they could think of?” he muttered. Ford shrugged his shoulders and Hudson continued, “Not much else that can be done, I suppose.”
He gestured for everyone to follow him, “Gentlemen,” he turned back and then looked at the crew, noticing something, “Where’s Wolenzcak?”
Ford answered again, “Uh, Lucas was injured on our way to UEO headquarters, we.. were concerned so we dropped him off at Nathan Bridger’s residence.”
Hudson raised an eyebrow, “Interesting decision, Mr Ford, how badly was he injured?”
Henderson spoke up behind Ford, “He was wounded and infected with a kind of poison,” she looked at Ford, “We were fearing for his life.”
Hudson was silent for a moment, possibly almost worried. He looked at his Commander, “Is he still safe?”
“We haven’t had time to find that out, sir.”
Hudson nodded and turned back around again, “Something else we have to take note of then. I’ll leave that to you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Um, sir,” the Lieutenant who’d escorted them back stepped forward to address Captain Hudson, “We need to be moving out as soon as possible. The stealthers are waiting.”
“So noted,” Hudson nodded, “We’ll set a course right away,” he addressed his six officers, “You did an excellent job; to your stations.”
***
Lucas shook slightly as he lay on the newly made bed. The smell of fresh sheets nearby his nostrils calmed him. He tried to focus on it and the soft breeze that caressed him gently and flicked at the lace curtain.
Lying on his back, he turned his head to the side and opened his eyes a crack.
Kristin smiled at him gently as she stroked his hair affectionately and watched his pallor. She noticed with relief that the blue tint that had occupied his lips the day before had almost faded.
"I..I'm so glad you weren't a dream," Lucas croaked, his voice hoarse from under use.
Kristin pushed back on his hair again, watching him close his eyes to gain his voice and then open them again, smiling weakly.
"No, I'm not a dream," she told him reassuringly.
Lucas almost wanted to laugh at her tone. He felt a wave of adrenalin speed through him and gasped.
She grasped his hand firmly, placing a hand on his chest, "It's alright.." she soothed.
Lucas gasped again, louder. Then closed his eyes, sucking in a deep breath.
"What's that?" he swallowed painfully.
"The poison in your system," she told him, "You'll feel like that every now and then as you're recovering, “It'll feel like you're desperately frightened. Try to remember it's not real."
She looked at him nodding, coaxing him to agree, which he did.
She squeezed his shoulder, "How's the pain?"
Lucas looked at her, knowing the answer but trying to work out how to respond, "Ahh, it's.. well, it's kinda bad."
"It's stopping you from sleeping?"
Lucas closed his eyes and nodded, shivering slightly. He heard her fumbling with something on the bedside table near him, "Well, you need your sleep."
She filled up the syringe in the moonlight and checked it, before bringing it down and taking his wrist gently. Lucas felt the gentlest prick as the needle entered and lay back to wait for the drug to work.
"It shouldn't take more than a few minutes," she assured him in her British accent.
She cupped his face gently, "I'll wait 'til you're asleep before I leave, and I'll be back to check on you through the night."
Lucas watched her gratefully, "Thank you," he whispered coarsely.
She clucked her tongue, fobbing it off and patted his cheek where she'd held it.
“I.. I don’t remember getting dressed,” he furrowed his eyebrows, trying to think through the fuzzy haze.
She leaned back, “You did. You did very well. You lost consciousness on the way to the bedroom though.”
The moon light reflected in Lucas’ eyes briefly as he moved his head, “Oh,” he said simply, "Where's Captain Bridger?"
"He's sleeping," she told him, "He'll probably come in to wake you in the morning," she told him, half checking if that was alright, "To check your wound."
Lucas swallowed and nodded, feeling the breeze on him again and closing his eyes.
He felt her brush the top of his hair again.
He opened his eyes, wanting to talk to her, wanting her approval, "Kristin," he whispered.
He felt the drug seep in just as he spoke her name.
"Shhh, sweetheart, you rest," she soothed.
His tongue started to relax, "Wheh..Where you mad..?"
She leaned nearer him to hear him, "Was I mad? Why would I be mad?"
Lucas parted his lips ever so slightly, "Th.." he faltered off and tried again. The painkiller was working, "The uniform," he whispered, his eyes closed.
Her eyes looked up at the wall above him as she realised. She paused for a moment, pursing her lips together to keep in any emotion.
She reached under the covers and squeezed his hand firmly, "We love you, sweetheart. Alright?"
She watched Lucas' head loll to the side gently and the soft sound as he breathed through his nose, asleep.
***
Several dark objects floated in the blue water like shadows. They formed a diagonal line across the border, foreboding even to the people they were there to protect.
“The stealthers are holding the line, sir,” Tim had reclaimed his place at communications.
“Very good, Mr O’Neill,” Hudson said, his voice low and commanding, but starting to show signs of weariness, “Mr Piccolo, take us into dock.”
The large, spear shaped ship lifted itself towards its destination, bringing an end to her and her crews’ unexpected adventure.
“Commander Ford, you have the bridge,” Hudson rose from his command chair and headed towards the wardroom to contact McGath.
“SeaQuest is on its way to UEO headquarters in New Cape Quest,” Hudson reported.
“Thank you, Captain. I just received that intel,” McGath played with something on his desk as he spoke with the Captain.
Hudson puffed out his chest, “Is there any more information on our unusual little escapade?”
McGath nodded, “In actual fact, there is,” he sighed, “We had to bring in all our ships and hand sift through the crew.”
Hudson didn’t seem very sympathetic, “Doesn’t seem to have taken you too long.”
McGath scoffed, “Oh, believe me, we’re far from done,” he leaned back in his chair, “So far though, we’ve located almost twenty undercover agents.”
“Macronesians?” Hudson asked.
“In actual fact, yes. Although President Bourne denies everything.” McGath answered.
“And that surprises you?” Hudson puffed angrily, “How the hell could this happen?”
“It seems our intelligence dropped the ball on this one.”
“That’s a hell of an understatement if I ever heard one. What are our losses?”
“Limited,” McGath linked his fingers together, “Only three ships,” he trailed of and sighed, “But God knows how much intelligence.”
Hudson shook his head and ran his hand across his face.
“Its times like these you find whom you can and can’t trust, Captain,” McGath sighed.
Hudson rolled his eyes, “No one?”
McGath practically ignored him, “You among the list of the most honorable.”
Hudson smiled sarcastically, “Well in that case, I’m glad I was trusted with the UEO’s flagship.”
“Oliver, I’m serious,” McGath told him, “That list was very short.”
“Who was on it?” Hudson asked him curiously.
“Not many people apart from you and Nathan Bridger,” McGath said honestly.
“I’m sure Nathan Bridger had his hands full,” the Captain sighed.
“Yes,” McGath squinted, “I heard Ensign Wolenczak was injured.”
“Do you know how he is?” Hudson asked quickly.
“Ah, no I haven’t checked up.”
Hudson nodded, “I guess that’s something I’ll be doing now, then.”
“Alright, thankyou, Oliver,” McGath closed, “God’s speed.”
***
Bridger pushed the door open gently and tiptoed into the dark room. In the shadow of the moonlight he could see Lucas' cheeks glistened in sweat before his eyes adjusted.
He sat on the bed gently as the boy tossed again. He was quieter now than when Bridger had risen and put his robe on, but he still seemed quite distressed.
He placed his hand on the well defined chest and felt his heart beating extremely fast.
Lucas gasped again and he gripped his shoulders to pull him up. Lucas jerked up right, panting as his pulse jumped and he woke up.
Lucas fought against the thickness around him, pushing him down. He struggled on pure instinct and fear. Strong arms grabbed his own and he struggled fiercely, his heart thumping in his chest, ready to burst. He gasped in desperation when he couldn't break free and heard himself sobbing.
Slowly he felt his senses come to him, breaking through the unconsciousness and the fear. A flicker of something that he knew was there; safety. He grasped onto it. He felt wind brushing against his face, stroking his hair lightly. His feet were nestled between soft covers on a firm bed. And he was sitting upright. Strong arms held him while he shook, and a familiar voice was talking to him.
Captain Bridger. How long had he been talking? Lucas tried to ease the thumping in his chest as he realised where he was. He couldn’t get rid of the panic. He tried to calm himself, breathing in deeply and closing his eyes. He let out a short sob again in frustration but controlled it.
"It's alright. It's not you, it's the poison," Bridger soothed. Lucas hadn't felt that voice address him gently in what seemed like a long time. He hadn't expected Bridger to treat him like a son again.
The unfounded fear and desperation fled, and then seeped away slowly, leaving a dizzy fuzzy feeling in Lucas' entire body like the aftermath of adrenalin.
"It's alright, Lucas. It's okay."
Bridger pulled him toward him as he noticed Lucas relax slightly.
"I...I'm uh.. really sorry.." Lucas croaked.
"It's alright. It's not your fault. The nightmares are pretty normal."
Lucas panted slowly as Bridger released him and fumbled with the junk on the bedside table. His blue eyes glistened in the dim light and were an interesting contrast to his darker looking skin.
Bridger pushed his damp hair back off his forehead, "You still have a fever."
Lucas closed his eyes and nodded.
"Drink this," Lucas took the mug and put it to his lips carefully.
Bridger sighed and pushed Lucas' hair back off the side of his face as he drank.
***
“I really wish you could stick around longer,” Nathan told Kristin seriously.
She sighed, gazing almost longingly towards the direction of Lucas’ room, but mostly into thin air, “So do I,” she said thoughtfully, “In a way.”
She looked at him, more clear on what she wanted to say, “We all have a lot to catch up on, and there’s definitely something in our relationships we want to salvage,” she smiled at him, “But,” she added, “I think the best way of doing that is at a more appropriate time. When things have settled down with Lucas’ injury and..” she looked at Nathan pointedly, “When things have settled down… between you two.”
“What do you mean?” he feigned innocence.
She scolded him with her frown, “You know what I mean,” she told him seriously, “I *know* how you feel about Lucas’ signing up and so does he. But he doesn’t know how you feel about him, Nathan.”
Nathan scoffed, “I’m sure he does.”
“What if he doesn’t?” she asked him, “Do you want to take the chance?” she asked.
Nathan conceded to her point by nodded and dropping his head.
Kristin smiled at him gently and patted his shoulder, “You two sought out your issues,” she walked away, “And I’ll see you very soon.. for.. a visit, or something.”
He smiled at her, “That would be wonderful.”
She smiled back, more broadly, “Goodbye, Nathan. Good luck.”
“Thankyou,” he said, “Thankyou for everything.”
She opened the front door and picked up her the overnight bag she’d brought with her, “It was my pleasure.”
He watched from his place in the lounge room as she left, closing the door behind her.