It's good to see your face again, it's been awhile
How am I doing? Well I get by somehow
You sure look good since your new love came in your life
You know I didn't see that fire in you he's found
Oh, but I can see it now
 

The party was in full swing by the time he arrived. Benjamin Jamison paused in the doorway and silently debated whether or not this was actually a good idea. Maybe he should just turn around and leave.

He wasn’t altogether sure *why* he had come, or why he had felt the need to see  her after so long. Despite how things had ended between them, he still cared and had felt  a need to see that she was truly well and happy.

He had found out through his contacts that she was working for the UEO and would be attending this party.

The grand ballroom at UEO Headquarters was filled almost to capacity, with UEO brass and dignitaries from several of the world’s confederations. The party was to celebrate the recent completion of a new submarine. A sister-ship to the UEO’s pride and joy, seaQuest.

Benjamin moved through the sea of people searching everywhere for her. Then,  suddenly, the crowd shifted and he saw her. She was standing across the room amid a small group of people. His breath caught in his throat. How could he have forgotten how incredibly beautiful she was? And yet, as he watched her, she seemed more beautiful  now than when he had last seen her all those years ago.

Kristin’s hair was longer than he remembered and piled attractively on top of her head. She was wearing a strapless, emerald green evening gown that showed off her  slender figure: the beadwork captured the light with every movement she made and the overall effect was stunning.

Benjamin took a moment to study the man who stood very close to her side, his arm draped around her, hand resting intimately against her rib cage. He appeared to be older than her by several years and his dark hair was peppered with grey. His skin bore the rich hue of a tan and it was a stark contrast to the pure white of his naval dress  uniform. The ribbons and medals that adorned his chest told Benjamin that this was a  man who was a brave and courageous one.

He studied the two of them together, watching very closely each gesture, their body language and he was pleased with what he saw.

Just then a young dark-haired woman elegantly clothed in a sapphire blue  evening gown broke away from the group and headed for the podium at the front of the room.

"Your attention please."

The room quieted instantly and everyone turned to face her.

"For those who may not know me, I am Captain Katherine Hitchcock, Captain  Bridger’s 2IC and I have been elected to speak on behalf of the seaQuest crew. This  is a very special night for us, the christening of our sister ship and the honoring of her Captain.... Jonathan Ford....."

Everyone began clapping. After a moment Katie raised her hands for silence and  when they complied she stated. "Tonight is also special for another reason. It’s Captain and Doctor Bridger’s anniversary. I’d like you all to join me in congratulating  them."

Once again the room was a riot of cheers and clapping. Katie continued over  the din. "We all took a vote and it was unanimous that the first dance of the evening  should be theirs."

Kristin turned to face Katie with her hands on her hips and shot her that infamous ‘Westphalen glare’

Bridger also faced his second-in-command and shook his finger.

"I’ll get you for this Katie."

"No sir. I think I got you first." she chuckled.

Bridger tossed the young woman a grin then turned to Kristin and held out his hand.

"Kris." he said softly. She smiled at him and slipped her hand into his. He led  her out onto the center of the dance floor and as the soft strains of an old love song began, he pulled her into his arms and they began to dance.

Benjamin stood quietly and watched them together. Kristin smiled up into  Bridger’s eyes. He softly whispered something and she laughed then her hand lifted and  tenderly stroked his cheek before she settled against him, resting her head on his shoulder.
 

Oh, I never saw that look in your eyes
And I never had you hold me that tight
And I never saw you dance with your feet off the ground
Oh, but I see it now.

Holding him you've never looked more beautiful
Letting go has been so hard on me
And sitting here, it's clear to see what he means to you
The way you look at him it ain't no mystery
He's all I couldn't be
 

The dance finished and amid the clapping of the guests the couple moved off the floor.

Nathan looked down into his wife’s sable eyes. "Would you like some wine?"

"Yes, please."

"All right.. Stay put and I’ll be right back." he stated softly and moved away.

Kristin watched him go then turned and surveyed the crowd. As she did she  caught sight of a familiar face. The shock she felt quickly changed to joy.

"Benjamin?" she said as she moved toward him.

"Hello Kristin." he gave her a tender hug. "It’s good to see you."

"And you. It's been years." she smiled and as she unconsciously brushed a hand to her hair, Benjamin caught a glimpse of her filigree gold wedding band and  diamond engagement ring.

"Is your wife with you?"

"No she stayed home. Marie’s expecting our first child and is having a rather  bad time with morning sickness."

"Congratulations. I’m so happy for you."

"Kris?"

Kristin turned and Benjamin watched her face light up as Bridger approached.

"Here’s your wine." he said and held out the glass. She took it with a quiet thank you then slipped her arm around his waist and drew him forward.

"Nathan, I want you to meet someone. This is Benjamin Jamison, Benjamin, my husband, Nathan Bridger."

Nathan smiled and held out his hand. "It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"And you." Benjamin replied and shook his hand.

"Well, I’m going to let you two get reacquainted." Nathan turned to look at Kristin. "I’m going to go call Cyndi and see how the children are."

"All right." Kristin smiled as he leaned down to brush a kiss to her cheek.

She watched him disappear through the crowd before turning back to Benjamin.

"So," he smiled. "Besides Cyndi, how many children do you have?"

"Two." Kristin smiled proudly. " Identical twin girls, Piper and Mikayla. They’re three years old."

"It sounds like you have your hands full." Benjamin chuckled.

"Oh yes." Kristin laughed lightly. "Being Head of Sciences and Medical on the UEO flagship is a breeze compared to chasing after those two hellions."

Benjamin smiled then said softly.

"Are you happy Kristin?"

"Yes I am.. Very happy."

"I’m glad. You deserve to be happy."

"And you, Benjamin, are you happy?"

"Yes, I think that finally I am. I know that when we were together, I ...well."

"I know."

"But I look at you now and I see how happy you are... how obviously in love you are. I see the way you look at Nathan, and he at you. It finally made me realize that he is everything that I wasn’t and couldn’t be for you."

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t be sorry Kristin." he said quietly. "Don’t ever be sorry for falling in love again and don’t ever be sorry for what happened between us. What we had was good before I spoiled it..." his voice trailed off. "I think that we can both say that what we have now and who we have it with, is more than anything we ever had together."

"Yes." Kristin nodded "Nathan is the other half of my soul. He completes me." she admitted softly.

"As Marie does me." he responded. "Well, I really should be going. I just wanted to see you. To know that you were happy."

"Thank you."

"Take care, Kristin." he whispered and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "Stay happy and if you ever need anything please call me."

"I will. Thank you, Benjamin. You be happy too."

Kristin watched as he nodded, flashing her a smile then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

She sighed then turned her back to the door and silently sipped her wine, watching as friends and colleagues danced and laughed and mingled. Moments later she turned around when she heard her husband’s voice in her ear.

"How did your reunion go?"

"Fine." she smiled up at him. "It was good to see him again and I’m glad he’s finally found some peace and happiness."

"And you, Kris, have you found peace and happiness? Do you have any regrets?"

She pressed herself close to him and raised her hand to tenderly stroke his cheek.

"No." she said softly. "I never have and I never will regret the choices that I've made since you walked into my life. You have given me more than I ever believed possible. Because of you I have two more beautiful daughters, a job I love and most importantly I have you. I have your love and your strength. You make me laugh, you keep me safe, you love me and take care of me. You are my soulmate Nathan. All that I have right now is all that I will ever need"

She saw the tears in his eyes as he leaned forward to brush his lips to her cheek. "I feel the same way." he breathed softly in her ear.

"Are the girls all right." she asked after a moment.

"They’re fine. They went swimming with Dar just after we left and when I called, Piper and ‘kayla were ‘helping’ Cyndi make brownies. Apparently the twins started a flour fight."

"They what?!" Kristin smiled.

"Had a flour fight. Cyndi said there was flour everywhere.." Nathan chuckled. " She was just putting them into the tub when I called."

"My girls..." Kristin shook her head. "Brats, the lot of them." she muttered softly.

"They come by it honestly."

"And just what are you saying, Mr. Bridger?" she countered in mock anger.

"That you, Mrs. Bridger, fill my life with passion, wonder and with laughter and I love you more than my own life." he finished as he brushed a tender kiss to her lips.

"Now, Cyndi told me not to worry about the twins and made me promise not to bring you home until tomorrow. So what do you say we leave this party, find ourselves a hotel room and celebrate our anniversary properly?"

"That’s the best idea you’ve had all day, Bridger." she said softly and trailed a delicately manicured fingernail across his lips.

Nathan tenderly kissed her finger then slipped his arm around her waist and led her from the ballroom.
 

Oh I never saw that look in your eyes
And I never had you hold me that tight
And I never saw you dance with your feet off the ground
Oh, but I see it now
And I never saw you dance with your feet off the ground
Oh, but I see it now.