Kristin Westphalen was humming to herself. She had just passed Nathan in the hall and he’d made another little private joke, just for her! He knew she hadn’t been having the best day, so he was trying to cheer her up. Sometimes she loved him so much it hurt!

As she came into her lab, her staff looked up. Jade Chen muttered “The Dragon Lady knows music?!” and  Matt Kimzey said “Shh! She’ll hear you! So who do YOU think is responsible?” Kristin heard them and grinned, but went on.

On her monitor was Darwin’s dolphin mug as a background. She sat down and moved her mouse to open a file on her newest research. Her favorite song Dream On suddenly blasted out of the speakers. Bless Lucas, she thought. He was trying to help too. Dream On turned into the Battle of Evermore, which turned into Sweet Home Alabama, which was followed by Sultans of Swing…

She looked up. It was quiet. Really quiet. No staff noise, no music… She glanced at her watch. 2 o’clock! Wow she was on a roll. Boy am I hungry, she realized. Nathan crept up and turned her chair around so quickly she almost fell but he caught her in his arms. Which was the point, really.

“Hey, Red.”

“Hey yourself, Sailor.” He kissed her.

“Guess what? We’re having a party tonight! Let’s go get something to eat.
You aren’t allowed to work for the rest of the day.”

She glanced up through a fringe of lashes. “None at all? Is that an order?”

“None you could turn in on your résumé” he leered. She swatted him on the arm as they moved toward the galley, holding hands.
 

 

Later that day…
 

Kristin looked at her reflection. She’d had a good long soak in Chamomile and Lavender bath salts, with a Fantasy candle burning. Then she’d got out her fav formal: a black long dress, which clung to every curve, and had silver and jade jewelry on.

She strapped on her black heels, put on her foundation, a touch of light blue on her eyes and a spritz of her favorite perfume on her wrists and neck. Not bad, she thought.

She was ready. Nathan knocked and walked in. “Hello beautiful. Are you going to a dance?”

“If you will be there, oh gallant sir” she replied and they swept out, arm in arm.

They walked into the Wardroom and everybody looked up. They were shining with happiness tonight, thought Katie. She had on her red silk Chinese gown and knew Ben wanted to ask her to dance.

Lucas grinned and pressed play on the CD player. Walk This Way blasted. Kristin and Nathan kicked up their heels. Katie and Ben started, and then Lucas and his friend Jade started dancing their own special way. Jonathan asked the pretty Dr. Paradise for a dance.

Darwin watched from his tube and chattered happily. He spoke into the Vocorder Lucas had on his hip. “Lucas Jade Dance. Kristin Bridger dance. Darwin happy. Family be happy”

“Yeah Darwin!” Lucas couldn’t have put it better. Diverse as they were, they were a family. And the party rocked on…

Kristin said “You are the laziest twentysomethings I ever met. It’s only midnight and you want to quit?”

Nathan murmured “I can find something for you to do…”

They walked to the moonpool. She took off her heels and dangled her feet in the water.

“Thank you sweetheart, for such a wonderful day” she said.

Darwin agreed ”Bridger Kristin happy. Bridger need friend. Kristin need friend”

“Yes Darwin” replied Nathan.

“Yes indeed” echoed Kristin. He put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. Who knew what tomorrow held? New adventures, together or apart. It didn’t matter. They had each other. And it was enough.

“I heard Jade call you the Dancing Queen…” Nathan said. Kristin laughed.

How lucky I am. They both thought. To have someone to love… Someone who cared..