Author(s):     Arla and Becky

email:      arla@connect.ab.ca   and   becky@beckyannea.20m.com

Rating:     PG-13/ M

Classification:      Nathan/Kristin Romance

Archive:           My site and Becky's only. All others please ask first

Summary:      Another surprise visitor returns to Kristin's life.

Disclaimer:     seaQuest and all its characters belong to Amblin Entertainment. I am only  borrowing these characters for awhile and will return them undamaged when I am done. This is a work of amateur fan fiction and no infringement on the owner's copyright is meant.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Sydney Ferris's blue eyes narrowed and her jaw set itself belligerently. "I hate you," she hissed.

Shannon Ferris, her step-mother, glowered back.  "You are a royally spoiled brat," she snarled.  "Your father can't tell you no, can he?  He never has."

"You bitch," Sydney ground out between her clenched teeth.  "You can't stand  the supposition that, maybe, just maybe, I'm better than you, or that my father loves me more than you."  She smiled tauntingly, baiting Shannon  again.  Shannon had already belted her across the jaw, leaving it red and swollen.

The front door slammed open and shut, and Daniel Ferris's call of, "I'm home", echoed throughout the house.

Sydney tucked a loose strand of her russet hair behind her ear and whined, "Daddy, Shannon hit me!"

Daniel walked into the living room and threw his briefcase to the floor.  "Why in heaven's name can't you two get along?" he fumed.

"I try," Shannon snapped, stalking out.

Daniel slapped his forehead and growled, "For Christ's sake, Syd!"

"It's her fault," Sydney protested angrily.  "She is not my mother -- but she thinks she can act like she is.  My *mother* would *never* be so awful to  me."  That was something she was absolutely sure of.

The frown on Daniel's face deepened.
 
 
 
 

Lucas Wolenczak signed onto the Internex Relay Chat and went into his favorite chatroom, 125, which was frequented by other kid geniuses like himself.  The only person in the room was a girl named Sydney that had been in his class in college.  She was his age, and went by the slightly silly handle of *AussByName*.  Lucas had had an extreme crush on her during college, and still held a lot of affection towards her.

*Hey, Syd* he typed.  *What's up?*

*I'm in trouble again* she replied.  *My step-mother hates my guts, and dad's ready to kill me.  What I don't understand is why I can't go live with my mother.*

*I know that feeling.  Where does your mother live?*

*Would you laugh at me if I told you that I didn't know?* came the hesitant reply.

*Of course not!*

*I've never met my mother, except for when I was a baby.  Dad says she hated me so much that she left, but I can't believe that.*

*I know your mother loves you, wherever she is.*

*Why did she leave then?*

*Do I look like I can answer that?*

*No, but thanks anyway, Lucas.  Look, I'm sorry about this, but the Wicked Bitch is calling me for dinner.  Can we talk again later?*

*Sure, Syd.  Consider yourself hugged.*

*You, too, Lucas.*

Next thing he knew, the words, *Sydney has left the building -- thank you and goodnight* appeared on the screen, and Lucas shut down his Internex port.

He wished that he knew how to help Sydney.  Getting the beginnings of an idea, he grabbed his PAL and dialed up Captain Bridger.  "What is it, Lucas?" Bridger asked.  Lucas heard a muffled giggle and he felt himself blush.  He was still getting used to Bridger and Westphalen being married.

"Captain, I need to go visit a friend.  She's not doing too hot right now, and needs a friend to lean on," Lucas explained lamely.

There was a long silence from Bridger, but Westphalen said, "Nathan, how often does Lucas get noble on us?"

Bridger finally sighed and said, "Fine -- Lucas, you can go, but you have to be back by Sunday night.  Give your friend my best."  He cut the link.

A while later, after he and his wife had finished doing what it was they had been doing before Lucas's call, Kristin rolled over and snuggled up against Nathan's back.  "You did the right thing, Nathan -- don't worry about Lucas; he's a good kid."

Bridger didn't have time to reply -- he had just opened his mouth when O'Neil said over the PAL, "Dr. Westphalen, you have a vid-call from upworld."

"Put it through to our quarters," Nathan ordered, "In thirty seconds."  He smiled impishly as he helped Kristin into her bathrobe and planted a swift kiss on the side of her neck before high-tailing it to the head.

Kristin smoothed back her hair and hoped to hell that she looked presentable, then waited until O'Neil put up the transmission.  When Daniel Ferris's face came onscreen, it took all of her will-power not to show her contempt for the man.  "Hello," she greeted icily.  "What do you want?"

"I'm calling about Sydney," Daniel said.  "She is causing my wife a lot of problems, and seems to think that she would be better off living with you."

"She probably would," Kristin snapped.  "But you legally tied my hands behind my back with that divorce settlement.  I can't even let her visit."

"I'm talking to the judge in the morning.  Hopefully, we can work something out."

"Don't you dare tell her and get her hopes up, then dash them again.  Let me know if it happens."  She cut the link, unwilling to talk to her ex-husband anymore.
 
 
 

Lucas caught a cab from LAX to Brentwood, and sat back, listening to the cabbie's annoying ethnic polka music that flooded the car.  he was worried about Sydney, and the faster he got there, the better.

When he arrived at the Ferris's *huge* house, he paid the cabbie and gave him a more than generous tip, considering his musical preference, then went to the front door and rang the bell, toting along his one stuffed duffel bag.  Sydney opened the door and smiled warmly at him.

Lucas was dumbfounded how beautiful Sydney had become in the last year, since they had seen each other last.  Her blue eyes twinkled happily at the sight of him, and her lips curved upwards in a welcoming smile.  There was something familiar about her, though he couldn't quite put a finger on what it was.

"Hi, Lucas," Sydney said.  "C'mon in -- Shannon's out shopping and Dad's in the study, talking to some Judge or another.  You hungry?"

"Kind of," Lucas admitted, following her inside.

"Chinese okay?" Sydney asked as she led him into the kitchen.

"Fine by me."

 She pulled out a take-out menu and handed it to him.  "I'll go talk to Dad and see what he wants, then I'll be right back."
 
 

 Lucas nodded and watched Sydney as she disappeared from the room before turning back to the menu.

 Sydney moved down the hall to her father's study and stopped outside the door.  His voice carried through the partially closed door and Sydney couldn't help but over hear his conversation.
 "I don't care how you do it Martin!" Daniel Ferris stressed.

 Curious, Sydney pushed open the door until she could see her father, back to the door, speaking to his lawyer on the vid-screen.
 "Just do it.  I don't care about the particulars.  I just want her out of my hair and into her mother's.  She's a troublemaker just like her mother.  I never wanted the damn child anyway but Kristin deliberately got pregnant and I only sued for total custody because I knew how much it would hurt her if I cut her off totally from Sydney.  Damned Bitch!.  Just draw up the papers to turn custody over to her. They deserve each other.   Fax the papers to her solicitor today Martin.  I want everything taken care of by the end of the day."

 Sydney backed out of the door and leaned against the wall.  Tears swam in her eyes as her father's hateful words rang through her mind.

 "I never wanted the damned child...."

 ~Well I never wanted you either!!!~ Sydney mentally shot back.

 She pushed away from the wall and headed back to the kitchen.   Lucas looked up as Sydney stepped back into the kitchen and immediately knew that something was wrong.
 "Syd.  What's the matter?"
 "Nothin'" she said as she moved to the table and sat down beside him.  "So, did you decide what you want to eat?" she asked changing the subject.
 "Don't change the subject, Syd.  I know something is wrong.  What is it?"
 "Seems my Dad doesn't want me either." she started, tears swimming in her eyes.  "I overheard him talking to his lawyer.  He said that he only took me to hurt my mom and now he wants to give me back to her as soon as possible.  I bet that bitch Shannon put him up to this!" she snarled.
 "Hey." Lucas said and reached out to take her hand. "You wanted to go live with your mom, didn't you?  So this is good news."
 "I guess so." Sydney hedged.  "But..."
 "But, what?" Lucas urged quietly.
 "What if Dad was right and my mom doesn't want me either?" she said meekly.
 "I can't imagine anyone not wanting you Syd." Lucas said softly.
 "Really?"
 "Yah." Lucas replied then cleared his throat and to hide his blush turned his eyes back to the menu.  "So how about we order something and then I'll help you pack."
 "Okay." Sydney smiled.
 
 
 
 

 The chime of the intercom rang through the small cabin and Nathan groaned as he lifted his head from the silky curve of his wife's neck.  Fumbling for the control panel he touched a switch to activate the line.  "Yes." he barked.
 "Sorry sir, but Dr. Westphalen has another call. It's from her solicitor."
 "Very well, put it through." Nathan grumbled and rolled away from Kristin.  She gave him a quick apologetic kiss before adjusting her t-shirt and getting up from the bunk.
 The screen came to life as she approached it and she smiled at the man there.
 "Hello David. What can I do for you?"
 "Kristin." the man smiled and then looked down at the papers he held in his hand.  "I've just received a fax from Daniel's solicitor and I don't quite believe it, but  he has turned full custody of Sydney over to you." the man finished and met her gaze.
 "Really?" Kristin questioned with a smile.
 "Yes. According to the papers, Daniel has waived all parental rights to Sydney.  I guess that means she's all yours."
 Kristin smiled and tried to hold back her tears.  "Thanks David." she gave him a smile.  "Now there's no way that Daniel can rescind this order at a later date?" she questioned
 "Not that I can see.  I've been over this line by line and once she's in your custody he cannot take her back."
 "Good." Kristin gave him a smile.  "When can I expect her?"
 "Well according to what Daniel's solicitor sent me.  She should be arriving within a day or two."
 "Thank you David."
 "You're welcome Kristin. I'm just glad I could deliver good news for a change." David smiled and the channel closed.

 Kristin turned from the screen and faced Nathan.  He was smiling and held his arms open to her.
 Kristin moved quickly into his embrace. She slid onto his thighs and wrapped her arms around his neck..
 "Can you believe it?" she said with almost a girlish giggle.  "After thirteen years, I finally have my baby back."
 "I'm so happy for you sweetheart." he murmured softly and brushed his lips over her forehead.
 "You don't mind? I mean that she's coming here to live with us?"
 "Kristin, she's your daughter, a part of you. How could I not want her."
 "You are so good to me." Kristin smiled   "And I'm sorry all this is causing so much interruption."
 "Well then we just have to make the best of those moments we have." Nathan replied with a feral grin.
 Kristin returned his smile and pushed against him until he fell back onto the bunk..
 "Ooh I intend too." she purred and captured his lips with hers kissing him passionately as her tongue slipped between his lips and they were once more lost in sweet arousal.
 

 Daniel Ferris answered the vidphone on it's first ring.   "Yes." he replied.  "Oh Martin.  What's happened?  Did you get it done?"
 "I have, the papers are all drawn up and have been faxed to your ex-wife's solicitor.  As of the moment they arrived you have given up all parental rights to Sydney."
 "Good.  Well that should be all then.  I have to go and speak to Sydney. Goodbye Martin." Ferris finished and abruptly cut the transmission.
 He paused a moment and instead of immediately going to talk to Sydney he activated the vidphone and made another call.
 

 "This is the seaQuest. How may I direct your call?" Tim O'Neil said politely.
 "Doctor Westphalen. Tell her it's Daniel Ferris."
 "One moment please." Tim said and then "God, they're gonna kill me." he muttered to himself before putting the call through.
 The line beeped for several minutes before an extremely irritated Nathan answered.  "Yes O'Neil who is it this time?"
 "Um it's another call for Dr. Westphalen, a Daniel Ferris." he replied meekly.
 "Put it through." Nathan grumbled.
 "Yes sir."
 

 Nathan watched as Kristin climbed over him and swiftly pulled on her robe before crossing to face the vidscreen.
 "Daniel." she stated cooly as she tied the sash of her robe.
 "Did I catch you at a bad time?" Ferris sneered.
 "Like that ever mattered to you." Kristin snapped then sighed.  "What do you want Daniel?"
 "I'm sure you've already heard but I've had the papers drawn up and sent to your solicitor. Sydney's your problem now."
 "Is that all she was to you. A problem?" Kristin said in a low growl.
 "You're the one who went and got pregnant. I told you I never wanted children."
 "Then why the hell did you take her away from me!"
 "I think you know the answer to that. To hurt you, of course, and because I could."he smiled smarmily.
 "God, Daniel you really are a bastard!"
 "And you always were a poor excuse for a wife, don't know why I ever married you. Oh yes I remember, because you wouldn't put out until you had a ring on your finger and then you weren't that good in bed.  You know I don't even think you'd know what to do if you had a real man between your thighs.  Does that boring submarine jockey of a husband of yours know what a lousy lay you are?." he sneered.
  Kristin laughed, used to his insults and jibes.  " Nathan's more of a man than you'll ever hope to be and I know he'll never screw around on me.  And better still, with him I never have to fake it." she retorted.
 "You really are a cold hearted bitch!"
 "I'm the woman you made me, Darling." Kristin snapped back. "And don't you take this out on Sydney!" she stressed tightly.  "I'm not the woman I was when I was married to you, thank God, but if I hear you've hurt Sydney because you're pissed at me so help me God you'll rue the day you even set eyes on me!"
 "I already do that!" Daniel snapped. "And don't worry I want that brat of yours out of my house as much as you want her back."
 "God, I hate you." Kristin hissed.
 "The feeling is mutual." Daniel quipped and abruptly cut the channel.

 Kristin released a low enraged growl before turning away from the vidscreen and facing Nathan.  He sat with his back against the wall, blankets pulled up around his waist and he was frowning.
 "Why did you ever marry that asshole?"
 "I don't know." Kristin sighed and moved to sit on the bunk.  Nathan pulled her back until she was sitting between the spread of his thighs, her back against his chest.  "I don't know." she added softly.  "At the time I met him I had just divorced from Henry, Cyndi's father.  I wasn't looking to get into another relationship but he was charming, or so I thought at the time, and I was flattered that he found me, a single mother attractive.   I thought I was in love with him but I know now that it wasn't love. I mean how could it be when I didn't know what love was until I met you." she said softly and smiled when his lips brushed the top of her head in response. "I was still leery and so I did refuse to sleep with him until I was sure of where we were going. He proposed and I should have seen that it was only done to get me into bed, but I was naive enough to think that he really loved me.   He only wanted a trophy wife, someone that looked good on his arm and made him feel important.  You see I was a conquest and quite a catch, being that I am a Countess.  For awhile things were all right and then I got pregnant.  He accepted it at first and then when I started to show..."   At the catch in her voice Nathan's arms came around her and held her tightly
 "Go on." he said softly.
 "Well that's when he showed his true face to me.  He never touched me from that time on, he even moved into another bedroom.  He said horrible things to me about how fat and ugly I was and how no man would ever desire me looking as I did.  Henry and I had our problems when we were married but he never said things like that when I was carrying Cyndi.  God, it hurt so much." she sobbed quietly.  "After Sydney was born I tried to keep the marriage together for the sake of the children.  When Sydney was two I knew that wasn't possible anymore.  I found out that Daniel had been having affairs all the time we were together.  I knew then that it was time to leave him.  I asked him for a divorce and he told me that if I left he would take Sydney.  I didn't think he was serious. From the moment she was born he wanted nothing to do with her and it didn't cross my mind for a moment that he would be so cruel as to take her away from me just out of spite.  I was wrong.  He got one his judge friends to declare me an unfit mother and took Sydney in the divorce, preventing me from ever seeing her again.  I was to have no contact with her, none at all..  It's a miracle that they didn't take Cyndi from me as well.  God only knows what he told Sydney about me.  I haven't seen her in over thirteen years and she's probably grown up thinking that her mother didn't want her." Kristin finished with a tearful sob.
 
 Nathan turned Kristin around and pulled her tight against his chest.  "I'm so sorry Baby," he whispered, lips pressed to the fragrant silk of her hair.  "It'll be all right." he crooned softly as his lips traveled to her temple.
 Soft words of comfort soon gave way to passion as Nathan's lips caressed Kristin's, lightly at first then more deeply as desire grew.  His free hand parted the silk of her robe , sliding along the lean expanse of her ribs to rest finally against the heavy weight of her breast.
 
 

 "seaQuest." Tim O'Neil said cheerfully and smiled upon seeing the woman on his small screen.  "Oh hello, Lady Westphalen."
 "Lieutenant O'Neil." Samantha Westphalen returned his smile.  "I'd like to speak with my daughter please."
 "Uhm." Tim hedged.
 "Is there a problem?" Sam questioned with a slight frown.
 "Well Doctor Westphalen and Captain Bridger are otherwise occupied at the moment and asked not to be disturbed." Tim replied and hoped that Sam would pick up on the hint.
 
 ~No such luck!~ Tim thought when Sam replied.
 "Lieutenant.  I don't care how busy they are or what they are doing.  I insist on speaking to my daughter." Sam stressed.  "Now!"
 "Okay." O'Neil sighed.  "But my blood is on your hands." he quipped.
 "Fair enough. " Sam grinned.

 "You're a dead man Tim, you know that." Ortiz's voice came to him through his headset.
 "Thanks Miquel, some friend you are."
 

 When the comm channel chirped once again, Nathan groaned. "God, do you pay somebody?!" he muttered as he looked down into his wife's equally unamused sable eyes.
 
 This time Kristin reached out and tapped the comm line.  "O'Neil you'd better be dying!" she growled.
 "I'm really sorry Doctor but it's your mother and she *insisted* on being put through."
  "Oh very well, put her through." Kristin sighed and then, "Nathan, what in the name of hell are you doing?" she questioned when he rolled off her and slipped from the bed.  He moved, completely nude over to the vidscreen.
 "Showing your mother what happens when she interrupts." he muttered.
 "That's not all you'll be showing her." Kristin quipped dryly as she sat up and reached for her robe.  She couldn't stop the smile from touching her lips when the screen came to life and her mother's eyebrows shot up into her hairline.

 "Sam." Nathan stated, hands on his hips. "I'm sure my crew told you we were busy."

 Sam cleared her throat.  "I can see that and Nathan, dear. I appreciate the sentiment but I am only a Countess after all, so there's really no need to salute me."

 Kristin gasped.  "MOTHER!" and could almost hear the blush that crept over Nathan.
 "Excuse me." he muttered and hastily slipped away.

 "Mother." Kristin said again as she tied her robe and approached the screen.  "Your timing could have been better, you know and when the crew tells you that I'm unavailable there is usually a good reason."
 "I don't see playing slap and tickle with your husband a good enough reason to ignore a call from your mother." Sam put in.
 Kristin frowned and pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation.  "It is when we've both been working overtime and this is the first time we've had alone together in days." she supplied in a low voice.
 Sam looked honestly chagrined.  "I'm sorry dear. I didn't realize you'd been that busy."
 "It's all right Mum.  Was there a reason you called?"
 "I just wanted to know if you and Nathan were planning on coming for the holidays.  It's only a few weeks away, after all."
 "I'm not sure yet.  The UEO usually gives the seaQuest leave for the holidays so it's a good chance that we will." Kristin told her mother quietly.
 "Dear, is everything all right. You seem out of sorts."
 "I'm all right Mum.  This has just been one hell of a day." Kristin started and when she felt Nathan beside her added. "Hold on a moment." she told her mother and looked up at her husband.
 "I'm going up to the bridge." he told her and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "Since I can't get any..." he began and at her playful glare finished with. "...thing else done right now."
 "Nice save Bridger." she quipped flashing him a smile.
 "Yah think so." he grinned and when she nodded he gave her another kiss. "See ya later Kris." he added and stepped away.

 Kristin watched him leave with a grin on her face before he mother's voice turned her back to the vidscreen.
 "You were saying?"
 "Uhm, yes.  This hasn't been the best of days. So much has happened and I got into argument with Daniel and ....."
 "Daniel..., as in Daniel Ferris your ex-husband? Why in the name of hell would you be talking to him?" Sam frowned.
 "With everything that's happened I forgot to call you. Daniel has agreed to turn custody of Sydney over to me." Kristin smiled.
 "You're not serious. What's the catch?" Sam asked incredulously.
 "I am and there isn't one, at least not one that my solicitor could see. Apparently Sydney is causing problems for Daniel and his new bimbo....oh excuse me, wife and wants Sydney gone.  My lawyer said that once she's in my custody, he can't take her back."
 "Well, dear, I'd be the first to say "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" but make damned sure you cover your ass."
 "Oh," Kristin smiled.
 "Yes, just be absolutely sure he can't take her back."
 "Oh, believe me I will."
 "Well, dear I really should go and let you get back to whatever it was you were doing."
 "Can't now, husband's gone." Kristin quipped.
 "Krissy." Sam scolded playfully.  "Goodbye luv."
 "Bye Mum." Kristin smiled as the channel closed.  She sighed and got up from her chair moving to the head to shower and change before heading down to Medbay.
 
 
 

 Daniel Ferris stepped out of his study and moved down the hall to his daughter's room. He frowned at the sound of voices and knocked once before pushing open the door.
 "Sydney, who's this?" he asked looking at Lucas as though he were something he had just scraped off he bottom of his shoe.
 

 Sydney didn't even so much as hedge.  "Oh, Daddy, you remember Lucas Wolenczak, don't you?  We went to college together.  His dad's on the World Power project, and his mom's with Greenpeace."

 Daniel continued to stare at Lucas and didn't make so much as a grunt in reply to his daughter.
 Lucas stammered, "Ah, look, Mr. Ferris, I just came to see Sydney for old time's sake.  I mean, I'll be going back to the seaQuest on Sunday morning."
 Daniel smiled a little smile.  "Oh really?  Sydney can catch a ride with you, then."
 "What?" Sydney yelped.
 "What do you mean?" Lucas almost shouted.
 "Well, Sydney's mother is on the seaQuest.  Shannon and I decided it would be best if you went to live with your mother, Sydney," Daniel explained, trying to soften the blow, though he really didn't care how it hurt his daughter.
 "Maybe you know her, Mr. Wolenczak-- Dr. Kristin Westphalen?"  Lucas's jaw  dropped in shock, and Daniel's smile widened.  "Better pack up, Sydney -- you'll go with Lucas."  He backed out of the door and closed it firmly behind him.

 "Your mother is Dr. Westphalen?" Lucas croaked.
 "I guess so," Sydney said with a graceful shrug.  "Like I told you, I don't know anything about my mother."

 Lucas stared at her, mentally comparing her with Kristin.  "Oh man, it's unmistakable!  You really do look like Doc!"
 "Is that good?" Sydney quipped, wadding up a handful of underwear and bras and stuffing them into a travel bag.  She sounded distinctly bitter, and her lips were pursed up like a prune -- another link to her mother.  Kristin looked exactly like that when she was ticked off.

 "Yeah!  It means you look pretty," Lucas said, unable this time to cover for his blush.
 "Yeah right -- whatever," Sydney retorted, emptying her dresser into the bag.  "Can't we leave before Sunday?" she asked as she folded up her clothes and stuffed them into tiny spaces in the bag.
 "My launch shoves off on Sunday morning -- I can't change that," Lucas said ruefully.  "But I know someone you can stay with tonight," he offered.  "My Grandma lives in Malibu.  We can stay with her tonight and fly to Honolulu in the morning, and catch the launch out of Pearl Harbor on Sunday morning."
 "Sounds good to me," Sydney said with a half-smile.  "It's not like dad'll care."  She reached under the bed and retrieved a couple of boxes.  "Can you take the stuff off of the walls and put it in these?  I'm gonna pack my computer stuff."

 Lucas began taking down posters and framed photographs, wondering at the sudden mood swing Sydney had undergone.  She was bitter and angry even though she was getting what she wanted in moving in with her mother.  Any charming aspects of her personality were almost totally eliminated in her anger.  He sighed.  It was going to be an interesting weekend.
 
 
 

 "Where on earth are we going to put Sydney?" Kristin asked Nathan over breakfast.  "We're short on room as is!"
 Nathan frowned.  She had hit the nail on the head there -- every single room on seaQuest was full, even down to the last storage closet.  Even Kristin's former quarters has been allocated for storage space.  "We can always empty the room down from Lucas's and put the junk in your old room," he suggested.
 "That's an idea," Kristin mused, shoveling a bite of pancake into her mouth.  "You're a decent sort, Nathan."
 "And you're a sweetie," he replied, kissing her gently.  "So we'll work on it when we're done eating?"

 "Sounds good to me," she answered sweetly.  "I wonder how Lucas is doing."
 "He said he'd be staying with his grandmother in Malibu, and left the vidphone number, if you're so curious," Nathan grinned knowingly.
 "Hand it over, Bridger," Kristin growled, extending her hand towards him, palm up.  "You might be worried about checking up on him, his privacy and all of that rot, but I'm not!"  A wicked smile twisted her lips as she wriggled her fingers.
 "He'll kill me!" Nathan protested.
 "Nah," Kristin replied, her grin growing.  "He loves you too much."

 Nathan knew when to back down, so he fished in his pocket and pulled out the slip of paper with the number on it.  He handed it to her and headed for the door.  He also knew when to run for it!

 Kristin shot a dirty look at the retreating form of her husband, and turned to the vidphone.  She activated the matrix and punched in the number, waiting for it to connect.

 A woman with piercing blue eyes and a shock of snow white hair answered.  "Dorienne Wolenczak."
 Kristin said, "Yes -- I'd like to speak to Lucas, if you please."
 "Oh, he just got here!  Who can I tell him is calling?"
 "Kristin Bridger."

 Lucas came onto the screen.  "hey, Doc!  What's up?"
 "Nothing really, kiddo.  I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you're doing okay," Kristin replied.
 "Just peachy," Lucas mumbled distractedly.  He really didn't want to tell her about Sydney, for it might cause a breech in his relationship with both of them.
 "How is your friend?" Kristin pressed gently.
 "She's okay," Lucas hedged.  "Look, Doc, do you mind if I not talk to you about it right now?  Maybe when I get back . . . ??" he suggested.

 Kristin was smart enough to take the hint.  "All right, Lucas -- we'll talk when you get back."
 He smiled.  "Thanks, Doc!  I'll see you on Sunday, okay?"
 "I'll be here," she said, waving as he cut the transmission.
 "Man," Lucas breathed in relief.  However, at the same time, he felt horribly guilty for some reason.

 Sydney was curled up in a chair in front of the television, selfishly ignoring everything around her.  Lucas understood her disillusionment with the world in general, but he really resented her taking it out on him and his grandmother simply because they were the only human beings close enough to lash out at.

 Dorienne came up behind Lucas and rested a gnarly hand on his shoulder.  "Where will you two stay tomorrow night?" she asked softly.
 "Secretary General Noyce and his wife are letting us stay with them in their condo off of Waikiki Beach," Lucas replied.  "Noyce seems to think he owes me for saving those Confederation leaders' asses."
 "Maybe he does owe you, dear," Dorienne replied sweetly.  "Lucas, your friend Sydney is a very troubled young woman.  She's like you in a lot of ways -- neither of you have had anyone who has given you the love that you need.  Lucas, sweetie, take good care of her.  Be patient with her, and take her out tomorrow evening.  Let her know that you're there for her -- and buy her
something nice just to see how she reacts."  She winked and walked away, leaving her grandson to ponder.
 
 
 

 Waikiki Beach after sunset is a landscape of blues, ranging from the midnight blue of the ocean and the evening sky to the soft blue-grey of the sand.  Lucas and Sydney strolled past the jellyfish pond, steering well away, in fact, and headed down to the beach itself.
 Sydney pulled off her strappy, well-heeled sandals and walked out into the surf, her skirts drawn up around her knees, and looking every bit the goddess to Lucas.  "I love the ocean," she finally said.  "It's so soothing."

 Lucas pulled the little velvet bag out of his baggy short's pocket and handed it to her.  "Syd, I want you to know you're not the only one with problems like this," he said shyly.  "I'm your friend, and I want to be here for you.  Here."

 Inside the bag was a pearl and pink coral bracelet that Lucas had asked Janet Noyce to buy for him.  Sydney dropped her skirts, and hugged him.  "Friends forever," she said.
 "Friends forever," Lucas repeated.

 Sydney put the bracelet on and took Lucas's hand.  They walked down the beach until they reached the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where they wandered around until they came upon a band and a girl doing hula to the music.  Sydney watched the fluid movements of the dance and dancer, entranced.  When the song ended, they moved on, until they had to cross Ala Moana Boulevard and walk back the six blocks to the Noyce's condo building, directly across the
road from the Ilikai Hotel.

 In Hawaii, a condo is an apartment that is usually built into a huge skyscraper.  The Noyces lived in one such building, composed of two towers of condos.  Bill Noyce waited for them in the lobby of the building, surrounded by his bodyguards.  "It took you kids long enough!" Bill blustered.  "Janet got worried and made me sit down here and wait for you!"

 "Jeez, take a chill pill, why don't you?" Sydney muttered, heading for the elevator.

 "She is definitely Dr. Westphalen's child," Noyce muttered in disillusioned irritation.
 
 
 

 Lucas was the first one out of the launch.  He was bearing not only his bag, but two of Sydney's as well,  "Hey, Cap!" he greeted, hugging Bridger.

 "Hey!  Watch it!  The computers in those boxes cost more than you'll make in a year!" Sydney yelped.  "That's much better," she acknowledged a moment later before making a tremendous amount of noise as she climbed the ladder.  She popped out of the hatch with all of the force of a champagne cork popping out of the bottle.

 Nathan looked his step-daughter up and down, noting her resemblance to Kristin, as well as her lack of height, which she remedied by wearing Army boots and long, baggy khakis.  She had a short-sleeved aloha shirt on over a white tank top, and her long auburn hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a neon  blue scrunchie.  "You must be Sydney," Nathan said, stepping forward.
  "I'm Nathan Bridger, Captain of the seaQuest."

 Sydney raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.  "*You* are the ringmaster of this three-ring circus?" she said with a little snort of  disbelief and derision.

 "Syd!" Lucas choked.   Nathan merely laughed. Oh she was Kristin's daughter all right.
 "As a matter of fact I am." he replied with a smile.
 Sydney's eyes merely scanned him with a gaze that was very much like the one Kristin had given him the first time they had met.  "So, where's my mother?" she asked brusquely.
 "Getting your quarters ready." Nathan told her with a small tolerant grin.
 "Thought she would at least be here to meet me." Sydney muttered under her breath.
 
 No sooner had the words left her mouth when Kristin rushed around the corner, out of breath and flushed with the exertion of her run.  She stopped and her eyes met Sydney's.  Mother and daughter stared at each other for several moments then Kristin moved towards her.
 "Sydney," she gasped softly. "I can't believe you're really here." she stated trying to fight back her tears.  "It's been so long.  Let me look at you." she finished and rested her hands gently on Sydney's shoulders.  Kristin looked her over from top to toe, taking in every detail.
 Sydney accepted the scrutiny with a sigh and at the same time studied this woman who was her mother.
 "You're so pretty" Kristin stated and Syd rolled her eyes.
 Realizing that she had embarrassed Sydney, Kristin gave her smile and said.  "Why don't we go and get you settled in your quarters and then we'll go on a little tour. How does that sound?"
 "Sure, whatever." Syd replied, noisily clacking her gum.
 Kristin nodded, a slight frown on her face at Syd's rudeness.  "This way." she said and Syd fell into step beside her.

 Lucas was about to follow, but Nathan reached out a hand and gently grabbed his shoulder.  "Hey why don't we give them some time alone to get acquainted."
 "Sure." Lucas nodded his eyes following their departure before turning and following Nathan from the launch bay.
 
 Sydney accepted her mother's offer to help put away her things and a half hour later they were finished.
 "There." Kristin stated with a sigh as the last item of clothing was stored in its drawer. She turned to find Sydney putting the last piece of her computer equipment on her desk.
 "Hungry?" Kristin questioned and Sydney looked up at her.
 "Yeah, kinda." she replied.
 "Well how about we go and grab something to eat before I take you on that tour?"
 "Okay." Sydney shrugged and stepped back from the desk.
 "Come on then." Kristin said with a smile and motioned Sydney to the door.
 
 
 

 Kristin and Sydney were nearing the end of their tour and Kristin sighed.  Sydney had become increasingly recalcitrant as their tour continued and was being frustratingly stubborn..  Kristin knew that her daughter was undoubtedly having a hard time adjusting to this change but she just wished that Sydney would give her a chance.

 "And this is the bridge." Kristin said as they stepped inside.  Nathan turned and flashed her a smile which she returned.   "Commander Hitchcock, here, is seaQuest's Chief Engineer." Kristin said as they stopped by Katie's station.
 "Hi Katie."
 "Hello Kristin." Hitchcock returned with a smile.
 "This is my daughter Sydney."
 "Hello Sydney."
 "Hi." Sydney quipped, none too pleasantly.
 Katie frowned then started in on an explanation of what she was doing.  "Right now I'm using the HR., probe....that's a hyper reality probe it lets me...."
 "I know what a HR probe is." Sydney muttered.
 "Sydney!" Kristin admonished in a low tense whisper.  Before she could continue any further her PAL chirped.  Kristin sighed and pulled the device from the pocket of her sweater.

 "Doctor Westphalen." Kristin fairly barked into the unit.
 "Sorry to disturb you Doctor but Ensign Hughes' vitals have dropped Dr. Levine needs you in Medbay right away."
 "Very well,"Kristin sighed.  "Tell Joshua I'm on my way." she finished and slipped the device back into her pocket.
 "I'm sorry Darling." Kristin stated apologetically.  "But I really have to go."  Seeing Lucas standing in the doorway she said.  "Maybe Lucas can finish your tour."
 "Sure." Sydney replied half-heartedly.
 "Tell you what?" Kristin said "Tomorrow  I'll clear my schedule and we can have the whole morning together, all right."
 "Whatever you want." Sydney shrugged her shoulders and Kristin frowned.  She leaned forward to place a kiss on Sydney's cheek before turning and striding from the bridge.
 

 Lucas and Sydney sat at a table in the back of the Officer's mess.
 "Hey Syd, what's the matter?" he questioned when he saw that she had barely touched her soda.
 "Seems like my mom's too busy to have me around too." she muttered. "Just like my dad."
 "Syd, the Doc is seaQuest's Chief Science Officer and she's very busy. She has a lot of people who want her time." Lucas said standing up for the woman he looked upon as a mother.  "She always has a lot to do but if she said that she would clear her schedule for you, I can guarantee that she will.  The Doc always keeps her promises and if it's important she'll always make time for you.  The Captain too.."
 "Really?"
 "Really.  This is hard for her too Syd. Give her a little slack , okay. For me?"
 "Okay." Sydney smiled.
 "How about we go and take a swim with Darwin?"
 "Sounds like fun." Sydney smiled
 
 

 It was late and Kristin was tired.  They'd had to take Ensign Hughes back into surgery to repair a vein that had ruptured and it had taken several hours.  Looking at the time, she was sure that Sydney had gone to bed and made a mental note that she would take her daughter to breakfast in the morning.
 Kristin stepped  into the officer's mess and crossed the room to grab a glass of juice and a light snack before going to bed.  As she was leaving Kristin spotted Katie sitting at a table near the back.  She moved over to her friend's table "Katie? Mind if I join you?"
 "Hi Kristin." the younger woman smiled and motioned to the chair opposite her. "Go right ahead."

 A few minutes into their conversation Kristin realized that Katie was holding something back.
 "All right Katie, what is it?" Kristin asked
 "What's what?" Katie countered trying to feign innocence.
 "Whatever it is that is bothering you." Kristin said and then sighed.  "Is it Sydney?" she asked with a frown.
 "Yes." Katie replied in a quiet voice, unable to keep the sheepish look from her face. "The guys came to me and figured that since you and I were friends that this would be easier coming from me.  Idiots!"  Katie scoffed then she looked up to meet Kristin's gaze.  "I still feel like a heel being the messenger but it's just that she has been extremely rude to everyone since she got here. We've all been so nice because she's your daughter...."
 "Say no more." Kristin stated with a quiet sigh.  "I know she's been difficult and I'll have a talk with her in the morning.  But just look at it from her point of view.  From the time that she was old enough to understand she was told that her mother didn't love her and never wanted her. Now after all that hurt, festering for 14 years she finds out that her father doesn't want her either.  I imagine she's feeling pretty pushed around right now and very uncertain about where she belongs."
 "I know." Katie nodded.   Kristin smiled and gave Katie's hand a friendly pat.  "Thanks for letting me know.  I know it wasn't easy and you can tell those *idiots* who work for my husband that next time if they want to say something to me, well they're just going to have to beard the lioness in her den." Kristin stated with a grin.
 Katie laughed. "I'll tell them."
 "Good, well then I'm off to bed."  Kristin said as she got up from her chair.  "Good night Katie."
 "Night Kristin." the younger woman smiled and watched as her friend slipped from the Officer's Mess.
 
 

 Several minutes later Kristin pushed open the door to her quarters and stepped inside. She released a relieved sigh as she closed the door behind her.  The stateroom was empty and Kristin frowned slightly because she had expected to find Nathan waiting.  Moving further into the room she spied a note resting against the computer screen.

 "Kris, I'm sorry but I was called to the Bridge.  I expect to be late so don't wait up.  I know we had plans for to night but I promise to make this up to you.  Love you , N."
 
 "You'd better." Kristin stated with a smile and returned the note to the desktop before crossing to the head.
 She emerged a half hour later wrapped in a bath towel, hair still damp from her shower and moved to the dresser.  After toweling dry Kristin opened her lingerie drawer and pulled out one of her favorite nighties.   It was short and silky.
 "Your loss Bridger." she muttered as she pulled on the gown.

 Kristin left on the small desk lamp, so that Nathan would have some light to see when he returned and moved over to the bunk.  She pulled back the covers and slid quickly between the cool sheets.  Using the control panel on the bed table she turned off the overhead lights leaving only the dim glow of the desk lamp.  With a tired sigh, Kristin settled down and was quickly asleep.

 It was late and the cabin was lit only by a small lamp next to his chair.  Nathan had returned late from the bridge and despite his tiredness he found that he couldn't sleep. So in order not to wake Kristin with his restless tossing, he got up and moved to sit in a beanbag chair in the corner of the room.  He listened as his wife stirred and watched as she got up and padded through the dark to the head.  He smiled softly and picked up another candy from the package.

 Several minutes later Kristin stepped out of the head.  The light from the behind her added it's glow to that of the small desk lamp and it was then that she noticed her husband sitting in the chair near the desk wearing only his boxer shorts.
 "Nathan?" she questioned softly and moved towards him. "What's wrong?"
 
 Bridger watched his wife as she glided towards him and smiled appreciatively at her attire.  She was wearing the nightie that he had given her as a wedding present.  It was made of a pale apricot silk and was very short, the hem coming to rest just a fraction of an inch below her hips.  The light from the head highlighted the sheer material , telling him that she was wearing nothing underneath.

 "Nathan?" her concerned voice asked again.
 "Nothing's wrong sweetheart." he replied softly "I just couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wake you."
 
 Kristin smiled as she drew closer to his chair.  "What are you eating?" she asked upon seeing the package on the table beside him.
 "Gummy worms." Bridger grinned and held one up for her to see.
 "I haven't had those in years. Where did you get them?"
 "I raided Lucas' stash." Bridger grinned and Kristin chuckled.  "Wanna share with me?"
 
 Kristin nodded and closed the distance between them.  Since there was nowhere else nearby to sit, she straddled his hips and settled down on his thighs.  Kristin smiled wickedly when she saw the spark of desire flare in his eyes.  She took the worm from his unresisting grasp and put one end in her mouth.
 "This would be more enjoyable if you would help me." she muttered, the gummy worm dangling from her lips.  Bridger grinned and then picked up the other end placing it between his lips.
 Slowly they began eating, lips drawing closer as the gummy worm disappeared.  Both paused, lips a hairsbreadth from each other, breaths mingling and then finally the worm was gone.  Lips met, caressing lightly and then more forcefully as desire grew, tongues twining about each other as the kiss deepened.

 After a long moment they parted breathlessly.
 "Mmmm, I'll never look at a gummy worm in the same context ever again." Nathan muttered.
 Kristin laughed and dropped her arms from where they were wrapped around his neck.  Her hands caressed the broad expanse of his chest, fingers combing through the light dusting of hair.
 "Care to try another one?" Kristin asked with a wicked grin and rocked her hips suggestively.
 Desire ran like quick-silver through her veins as Nathan picked up another gummy worm placing it between their lips and they began again.
 
 Nathan's large, gentle hands dropped to her thighs, caressing the warm silky flesh, the hem of her gown inched upwards until his hands spanned her slender waist.  Kristin's hands skimmed down her husband's chest, fingernails lightly scraping, teasing.  They stopped at his waist and undid the single button on his shorts, before creeping inside.
 
 
 

 Sydney couldn't sleep and restlessly paced her room.  She's always had trouble sleeping her first night in a new place and this time was no exception.  She knew that it was late but she knew from overheard conversations that her mother was a night-owl and so maybe now was a good time to go and speak with her.
 Throwing on a robe over the t-shirt and shorts that were her sleep wear, Sydney left her quarters and trudged down the hallways to where she knew her mother's cabin was.
 
 Upon reaching the door, and not really noticing the *Captain* on the nameplate, Sydney did not knock but opened the door and barged into the cabin.  As she entered she instantly caught sight of the tableau in the corner.  Her mother sat astride Captain Bridger's lap and their position and movements told Sydney exactly what they had been doing.  But it was their mouths that held her attention the most.  They had what looked like a gummy worm between their lips and were slowly eating it, their lips inching forward until their mouths met and the obvious passion in the kiss caused Sydney to grimace.

 "UGH!  I'll never eat another gummy worm again...no way!  Excuse me while I go and hurl!" she said disgustedly and disappeared into the head.
 

 Sydney exited the head a few minutes later and saw that the couple were still sitting in the beanbag chair but her mother was now sitting across his lap with her back resting against his shoulder.  Kristin gave her child a frown and then a tolerant smile.
 "Sydney darling," she drawled.  "You really must learn to knock before entering someone else's quarters.  What you did was extremely rude."

 Sydney did not answer her mother, but instead strode up to them and placed her hands defiantly on her hips.  She looked Nathan squarely in the eyes.
 "So..." she drawled petulantly  "Just how long have you been screwing my mother!?"
 
 Kristin gasped in stunned shock but Nathan choked back an amused laugh.
 "SYDNEY!" Kristin called in a very irritated tone.
 
 Nathan merely flashed the young girl a grin. He admired her brashness, reminding him of someone else he knew...rather intimately.
 "Oh," Nathan replied slowly, his grin growing.  "Since before we were married."
 "You're a lot of help!" Kristin groused and slapped his shoulder.

 Sydney turned furious eyes on her mother.
 "Married!" she snarled.  "You got married again and you didn't tell me!!!"

 Kristin got up from her husband's lap and stood before her child.  Nathan move to get up and leave them alone, but Kristin whirled around him and jammed a finger in his direction.  "Don't you move your butt from that chair Bridger! I'm not finished with you yet!" she stated firmly.
 "Yes ma'am." he responded and gave her a small salute.
 
 Kristin turned from her husband and back to her daughter.
 "Now listen to me!" Kristin told her child angrily.  "One....I am your mother and I am also an adult and do not have to answer to you for anything that I do.  Neither do I have to consult you   I make the decisions, not you!"
 "Yah, some mother you are!" Sydney snapped.
 
 Nathan winced when he saw the hurt flash in his wife's sable eyes. The hurt was quickly gone to be replaced by fury.  Kristin was really pissed off now, and Nathan knew when it was time to bid a hasty retreat.
 "Ah, I'm gonna be in my office." he said quietly and rose from his chair.  As he moved to the door leading to his small office next door, Nathan picked up his robe and slipped it on, not bothering to tie the sash.
 "Ya know," he muttered in a quiet voice that was, however, loud enough for Kristin and Sydney to hear.  "I'm gonna start putting a sign on the door...We're having sex, do not disturb."
 "Good idea." Kristin replied.
 "Ewww....yuck!" Sydney cringed.
 
 Kristin turned back to her recalcitrant offspring.  "As for you young lady, I am sick and tired of your attitude!  Since you've gotten here you've been rude to everyone and have embarrassed me.  Now let's get one thing straight, as long as you are living with me you will treat others with the respect that they deserve.  Is that clear!"
 "Yah, clear as glass!" Sydney responded snidely.

 Nathan winced and shook his head, and when he looked over his shoulder he saw that Sydney was across Kristin's lap. The girl was kicking and screaming as Kristin's hand began it's descent to her backside.

 
 "N..n..obody ever s...spanked m..m..me b...fore." Sydney sobbed while she was still across Kristin's knee.
 Kristin eased her daughter off of her lap and pulled her until Sydney was kneeling before her.  "My darling girl..." Kristin began softly, tears in her eyes.  She tenderly brushed a lock of russet hair from her child's forehead.  "I didn't enjoy spanking you, really I didn't but I do it because I love you."
 "R...really?"
 "Of course...you're my baby and if I had known what things had been like with your father I would have demanded that you live with me a long time ago."
 "I'm sorry Mom." Sydney said softly, her bottom lip trembling.  "I'll be better...I promise."
 Kristin pulled her child into a tight hug.  "I know you will. I love you angel girl."
 "I love you too Mom." Sydney replied softly, returning her mother's tight embrace.

 Nathan smiled and turned back to his work.

 Kristin and Sydney talked for a while longer and then seeing that her daughter was trying to stifle a yawn, Kristin smiled.
 "I think that it's time you went to bed. We can talk more tomorrow."
 "Okay." the girl replied and got up from her seat at her mother's feet.  "G'night Mom." she said and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
 "Night angel girl...sweet dreams."
 "Um," Sydney asked, biting her lip in uncertainty.  "Do ya think the Captain would mind if I went and said goodnight to him?"
 Kristin smiled.  "I think that he'd like that very much."

 Sydney nodded and tentatively crossed to Nathan's office. She stopped in the doorway.  "Ummm, Captain Bridger?" she called out quietly.
 Nathan turned to face her.  "Yes Sydney?" he inquired softly.
 "I just wanted to say goodnight and that I was sorry for what I said earlier."
 "It's all right." Nathan smiled.  "And why don't you call me Nathan...at least while we're off duty." he added with a grin.
 "Okay," Sydney replied and gave him a smile. "Good night Nathan."
 "Good night Sydney." he responded with a smile and was surprised when the girl crossed to his side and gave him a quick hug.  Then she was gone and he heard her speaking quietly with Kristin before hearing the telltale click of the door telling him that she had left.  Nathan got up from the small desk and moved to the door. Turning out the light he stepped from the office and crossed to Kristin's side.
 "I'm glad that you worked everything out." He said softly.
 "Me too." Kristin smiled and turned to face him.  "Now, as for you Bridger." she began as she crossed to the desk lamp  and turned it off, plunging the cabin into near darkness.

 Nathan heard the soft sibilant whisper of silk as she moved back to him and closed the distance between them.  Pressing herself close, Kristin rested gentle hands on his shoulders.  "I believe that I told you I wasn't finished with you yet!"
 "Indeed you did." his deep voice rumbled in the dark, his tone full of  tender amusement and anticipation.  "And just exactly what hadn't you finished?"
 
 Kristin grinned wickedly and then with a gentle push she steered him to the bunk.  Another gentle push sent him back onto the mattress and then seconds later she was stretched out next to him.  Kristin rolled, bracing her arms on either side of his body and loomed over him.  "I told you not to move from that chair and you didn't listen to me." she whispered huskily.
 "Really... and what do you intend to do about that?"
 "Show no mercy!" she growled huskily and her lips captured his in a passionate kiss.
 
 

 Much later they lay, their bodies entwined in the warm afterglow of love.  Nathan's low chuckle caressed Kristin's ears through the dark.
 She rolled, lifting her head from his shoulder as she tried to make out his features in the dark.  "What's so funny?" she inquired softly, the sole of her foot lightly caressing his calf.
 Nathan reached out to draw her close once again and brushed his lips across her forehead.  "Do you realize that this is the first time in days that we've made love and haven't been interrupted."
 Kristin smiled and pressed a kiss to his bare shoulder.  "Mmm you're right.  Nice isn't it?"
 "Very nice. Good night sweetheart." Nathan muttered sleepily.
 "Mmm, G'night" Kristin replied quietly, snuggling closer to the warmth of her husband's body, she closed her eyes and joined him in dreams.
 

 The irritating chime of the intercom intruded into the silken web of his dreams and Nathan tried to ignore it but the persistent buzzing refused to go away.
 "Nathan." his wife mumbled sleepily against his bare arm.
 "All right, all right." he muttered "Man can't even get a decent night's sleep on his own damn boat." he grumbled as he rolled to activate the comm panel.
 "Yes Mister O'Neill." he said sounding none too pleased.
 "I'm sorry, Sir but Commander Ford thought you should be informed. We have a launch claiming to be from the UEO requesting permission to dock. They're about twenty minutes out and we have no scheduled launches arriving today."
 Nathan sat up.  "All right Mister O'Neill, it may just be an unscheduled launch but just to be on the safe side have Crocker get a security team to the launch bay and tell Commander Ford I'll meet him there in 15 minutes."
 "Aye, Sir." O'Neill finished and closed the channel.
 "Nathan?" Kristin asked quietly as she raised up on one elbow, brushing her free hand down his bare back.  "Is everything all right?"
 
 He turned to look at her and flashed a smile.  "I'm sure everything's just fine. You know how Noyce is about his unannounced visits." he added trying to lighten the mood.  "Just in case you'd better get down to Med bay." he finished and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.

 Kristin nodded and couldn't keep the worried look from her face.  "Please be careful." she told him in a quiet whisper.
 "Always." Nathan replied and leaned down to press a tender kiss to her lips.

 Kristin watched him as got out of bed and strode nude into the head. Seconds later the sound of the shower drifted through the closed door.  She sighed worriedly and got out of bed, crossing to the dresser to pull out clean clothes.

 "All yours." he said several minutes later when he emerged and moved to pull a clean uniform from the closet.  Kristin nodded and brushed a tender caress over his damp shoulders as she crossed to the head and closed the door.  Just as she was stepping under the hot spray of water she heard the sound of the door closing.
 
 
 

 Something wasn't right Sydney thought as she stepped from her quarters and headed towards the Med bay.  Even though she'd only been onboard for just over a day she'd begun to recognize the *normal* sounds associated with the boat.  The sounds she was hearing now were anything but normal. She was certain she had heard the sound of gunfire and angry shouts.
 Her mother would probably kill her for leaving the relative safety of her quarters but she had to know what was going on.

 She rounded the last corner and froze, pressing herself tight against the wall as she watched the scene before her unfold.
 Several armed gunmen dragged her mother from the Medbay.
 "You don't understand!" Kristin stated firmly.  "I have patients on life support who will die if you don't let one of my people stay!"
 "I don't give a rat's ass Doctor!" the man sneered and took her arm in a bruising tight grip. "You can all die for all I care."
 "You bastard!" Kristin swore and tried to pull her arm from his grip.
 The man looked at her for a moment then said.  "I know you, you're Bridger's wife. Aren't you?"
 Kristin did not reply just meet his gaze defiantly.  "Aren't you? Tell me!" the man stressed again.
 "Go to hell!" Kristin swore and spat in his face.
 "Bitch!" the man yelled and Sydney bit back her scream when the butt of the man's rifle came down hard on her mother's head.  She watched her mother slide bonelessly to the desk and knew she had to find help.
 
 As Syd moved silently along the corridors, some long-hidden instinct began
rearing its ugly head. As hard as she had tried to forget being kidnaped and held for ransom, this situation was bringing it all to bear.

Careful to keep her steps even and soft on the metal deck-plating, she began to round a corner, but stopped. She ran for the officer's mess as voices of many people came down the corridor and entered the mess. She was safe behind the long rangetop bar.

"Siddown and don' gimme any trouble," one of the voices demanded brusquely. The door clicked shut and Sydney heard the hiss of a lock, so she began to feel the fringe of panic start to cover her.
"Where did you take Dr. Westphalen?" Joshua Levine asked coldly.

"'Sidering your Cap'n Bridger somehow made it to the bridge and bar'icaded  'imself inside, we needed a bargainin' chip," the menacing voice replied with  an audible sneer.

Syd silently grabbed a stainless steel cooking pot and adjusted it in such a way that she could see the rest of the room in the burnished bottom of the pot. Of all the faces she saw, only one was unidentifiable - but when she thought back on it, she was able to identify him as the man she had seen strike down her mother only minutes before. Minutes that had stretched into
an eternity. Her temper began to boil and she only kept it tempered for the simple reason that she could outwit the numbskull and set the others loose.

The man turned his back to the range and hopped up to sit directly on two of the burners, obviously unaware that Sydney was in a direct position to cause him great harm.

Syd looked around for a possible weapon, espying a wicked-looking serrated bread knife on the floor near her feet. Quietly, she grabbed it and took a couple of deep, calming breaths.

She reached up and slapped the ignition control, sending a gas signal to the burner, which, in turn, changed to flame, and scorched his backside. He sprang down from his fiery perch, slapping his butt wildly, howling in rage and pain. With no shred of pity, Syd vaulted the bar, knife in hand, and she waited calmly until he had put out the fire on his rear before laying the tip
of the knife on the flab of his stomach. "Who do you work for?" she demanded. When he did not answer, she growled, "I will kill you. Don't doubt that for a minute."

With a deep gulp as the tip poked into his gut, he yelped, "Cowan! But his orders come from somebody else. Now, what are you going to do to me?"

Levin conked him with another steel pot. "That's what, idiot," Sydney muttered.

"Cripes, Syd, where'd you come from?" Lucas bellowed, throwing his arms around her neck.

"I came in just before you all did," Sydney exhaled. "We've got to try to get these jerks off seaQuest. I know Cowan. He's no good, but he's easy to knock off."

"And you would know this how?" Levine shot back.

"I'll tell you all later," she assured, putting her hand comfortingly on Levine's shoulder. "Lucas - the Captain will open the bridge to mom, so we've got to lock down the computer. Can we do a 100-key encryption in 2 ½ minutes?"

"If I can make it to my quarters," Lucas replied. "What should the final encryption pattern be?"

"A house key, Lucas - the last thing you'd expect. And establish a voice-activated passcode. And for Christ's sake - DO IT NOW!" she instructed, breaking the lock-code with a minimum of fuss. "Some of you stay here. The rest of you, go through the MAG-LEV pathway and wait in the
hydroponics lab." Sydney took the machine gun off of the unconscious man and checked the ammunition clip. "I've got to help mom." Narrowing her eyes at the man on the floor, she growled, "If he moves, knock him out again." Turning to Levine, she gave him the gun. "It's set on single-shot, with half a clip left. Aim and pull the trigger." And with that, she was gone.
 
 
 
 

Kristin's aching head was what finally jerked her back to consciousness. She forced her eyelids to open despite the grit in her eyes and the sting of the bright bridge lights on her retinas. Upon attempting to rub her eyes, she found both of her wrists bound to the railing by the moon pool. Katie, directly behind Kristin, noticed the slight movements and called out,
"Captain, she's awake!"

Kristin scanned the unfamiliar sea of unfamiliar faces on the bridge, unable to find Nathan, but then, his reply of, "Good," came from directly to her right and she finally saw him - in the same boat as she. Their eyes held each others and silently communicated the seemingly hopeless
situation.

A giant hulk of a brutish man came over and traced the line of Kristin's jaw with the barrel of a shotgun. "We're glad you finally decided to join us, Dr. Westphalen," he said with a leer smeared across his face. "You know, we've been trying to explain to Captain Bridger that if he or any of his crew people try to detain us, you'll be the first to know it. But, I guess he just doesn't believe me." His smile turned menacing. "If I don't get access to the computer in the next five minutes, I will shoot to kill, Doctor."

Sydney and Crocker, who she had set free somewhere along the line, crawled along under the grating by the moon pool, beneath the incapacitated bridge crew. She stopped, a feeling of helplessness and fear washing over her as she heard Cowan's voice, defying time and space, saying, "If your father doesn't agree to the terms in five minutes, I will kill you."

With what seemed to Crocker a sudden stubborn wilfulness, she gritted her teeth in determination and hissed, "Give Hitchcock the key. You'll know when, Chief."

"Good luck, kiddo," Crocker replied with equal quietness and stealth, giving her five and spitting on the deck. Syd rolled her eyes and crawled on.

She reached the grate that opened beneath Hitchcock's station and crawled up and out with a minimum of noise. Syd poked her head out just enough that she could see Hitchcock and gave her a thumbs up. Katie returned it and went back to work unlocking her handcuffs. Kristin's eyes widened when she saw her daughter hunkered down beneath the station, but she said nothing as Katie began unlocking her handcuffs. "God, give me strength," Syd muttered almost
inaudibly, praying for the first time since her kidnaping 6 years before.

Katie moved back into her previous position as Cowan came back to the steps. He smirked at Kristin, saying, "Well, it looks as though I will have to kill you, my dear." Syd gritted her teeth as someone moved to block her view. Timing was everything, so she had to act NOW.

With grim determination borne of desperation, Syd grabbed the man's ankles and yanked with all of her strength. The guerilla hit the grating so hard that he bounced before coming to rest on the floor, unconscious.

Katie yelled, "GET DOWN!" and pulled her fellow crew people to the deck right before Crocker burst from his hiding place with a commandeered machine gun, which he used to carefully cover the bridge with gunfire, taking out all of the commandos, save Cowan.

Crocker stopped shooting and Syd came out of her hiding place. Seeing Cowan go for her mother again, she threw conscious thought to the wind and hurled herself at him, knocking them both to the ground. They wrestled for supremacy until Cowan hit her with his pistol and dragged her up from the deck, pistol at her temple, her back to his stomach, her left shoulder over his heart - effectively blocking a clear shot from Crocker.

Cowan sneered, "I should have recognized your style of fighting, Miss Ferris. Take the computers first, then the people. You did the same thing the last time we met."

"I should have killed you when I had the chance," Syd growled.

"A nine year old? I think not," Cowan scoffed with a snort.

"I almost did," Sydney said, her voice as cold as ice. "Remember?"

"What I want to know is why you're here, my dear. You're not on the manifest.""Oh, fuck you," Syd replied, going limp in his arms. Unable to grip her, Cowan had to allow her to slide to the floor. Syd then proceeded to kick his legs out from under him. They grappled again, until Sydney had another goose-egg on her forehead and was once again pulled tight up against him, the pistol shoved into her temple so hard that she saw stars.

"Let her go or I will kill you," Lucas growled from behind Cowan.

Cowan began to turn around, but Lucas pulled the trigger three times, catching him in the back of the heart all three times. Sydney knew the end of it all was near, so she again went limp, then beat the life out of the man who had tried twice to kill her. When Cowan finally lay still, she finally
felt the painful wound in her shoulder where one of the bullets had gone straight through him and had lodged in her shoulder.

Utter exhaustion and pain overwhelmed her, and Sydney collapsed to the deck, unconscious.

"YOU SHOT MY BABY!" Kristin shrieked, lunging at Lucas.