It had been a pretty hectic day aboard seaQuest II and Nathan was looking forward to a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Stepping out of the shower he yawned and stretched, letting out a groan as his already overworked muscles protested. ~ God, he really was getting too old for this. ~

He walked back into the main cabin and picked up the photograph of Kristin, which sat on his desk, smiling as he lovingly traced the outline of her face and across her lips with his fingertips. "Goodnight Baby, I miss you." He set it back down carefully and shook his head… This had become a daily ritual since he'd left her behind on the dock almost three weeks ago. Sighing despondently, he slid into his bunk and reached across to turn out the light, almost asleep before his head hit the pillow.

The persistent beep of his PAL woke him from a wonderful dream. "Bridger."

"I'm sorry to disturb you Sir…" O'Neill's voice sounded from the bridge.

"What is it Lieutenant?"

"There's an incoming call from Secretary-General Noyce."

"What does he want?" Nathan grumbled.

"I don't know Sir, but the call is very garbled and it's coming in on E-band."

"I'm on my way."

"Na… thank… calling… two…"

"O'Neill, see if you can clean that up!"

"Aye Sir." The picture faded in and out along with the audio and then cleared. "Got it Captain."

"Nathan? seaQuest can you hear me?"

"We've got you, but I don't know how long for. What's wrong?"

"NCQ is being battered by storms, the like of which we've never seen before. Almost hurricane force winds, thunder, lightning… and it hasn't stopped raining for two days. We have power cuts, structural damage… I know there are injuries, some fatalities… The hospital is bursting at the seams."

"What can we do, Bill?"

"We need seaQuest back here to evacuate some of the offshore facilities and islands. It's bad Nathan, we've taken shelter in one of the bunkers and advised the populace to find somewhere secure to wait it out."

"We can be back in…" He looked at his X-O for confirmation.

"Twelve hours." Ford replied.

"Twelve hours." Nathan reiterated. "Maybe less."

"Make it less." Noyce replied tersely.

"Bill… Kristin… Have you spoken to her?"

"I'm sorry Nathan, Janet called the house but couldn't get a reply."

"Thank you for trying."

Noyce's face disappeared from the screen and Bridger turned to Ford again. "You have your orders Commander."

"Aye Sir."

As he tried to leave the bridge Lucas stopped him. "The Doc can take care of herself, Sir."

"I know Lucas but that doesn't stop me from worrying about her."

"Me either."

Nathan smiled half-heartedly and patted the boy on the shoulder.

The force of the wind and rain had made their job unbelievably difficult and it had taken much longer to complete than they'd expected. Med-bay had been run off its feet, the ship was packed with evacuees and the crew was getting antsy. A lot of them had family and friends in NCQ, and were desperate for news... In the end it was decided that the civilians would be put ashore in launches as soon as it was safe and the seaQuest would remain where it was until the conditions were more favourable.

Nathan made his way through the overcrowded docking bay towards the exit, but found his way barred by two crewmen. "What is it Sailors?"

"Sir, request permission to take a launch and go to the mainland."

"Permission denied."

"But Sir…"

"Look, it's far too dangerous for anyone to leave the ship at the moment. They have enough trouble there already without us adding to it." As he tried to move past, one of them grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Damn it Captain, it's not fair! We both have loved ones in NCQ. They could be trapped or hurt… They could be dead Sir and we need to know."

Nathan's first instinct was to have them thrown in the brig but he could see that they were both very distressed.

"Take your hand off me, Sailor." He stared the culprit in the eye and he backed down.

"Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir."

"Crewmen, I understand your reasons for wanting to go ashore. A lot of us have people in NCQ that we're worried about. You'll be allowed to leave as soon as it's safe and in the meantime, we wait."

"But you don't know what it's like Sir. Some of the stories we've been hearing from the civilians on board…" he noticed the steely glint in Bridger's eyes. "It's the not-knowing – it's driving us crazy."

"I know Son, believe me I know." Bridger dismissed the young men and changing direction, headed for his quarters. When he was alone he leaned back against the door and closed his eyes. "I know." He whispered.

Pushing himself upright he crossed the room and picked up the photograph once more. "Be safe Kristin. Please don't do anything stupid, I love you too much to lose you now."

It was another eight hours before they received the order to come in. The winds had abated somewhat and the seas were a little calmer but Nathan Bridger knew that it would take all the helmsmen's skill to dock without damaging the outer skin.

"Nathan, you made it! Thank God." Bill's voice boomed over the comm.

"Barely." Bridger hissed at his friend through gritted teeth. "We're gonna need to carry out a few repairs."

"I'm sure she'll survive. I need your people to report to the Rescue Services Co-ordinator and lend a hand. Just leave the essential personnel behind for repairs."

"Aye." He looked over at Ford who acknowledged with a nod. "Bill…?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry old friend."

"That's okay."

Nathan had finally managed to escape, after three-hours of trying, and he made his way along the debris-strewn beach towards the house. The wind seemingly determined to knock him off his feet and almost succeeding once or twice.

When he arrived, the place was deserted. The storm shutters were closed to protect the windows and all the doors locked. Kristin's car was nowhere in sight. Noticing that one of the shutters had come loose he attempted to close it, pulling away abruptly as he felt something cut into the palm of his hand. "Damn it!" It wasn't until he stepped back slightly that he realised the glass was broken.

He inspected the cut, which almost stretched the length of his palm and resigned himself to the fact that it would have to be stitched. He cursed again, ~ Hell, he hated hospitals and needles. ~ Using his handkerchief to bind it, he dejectedly began the long walk back into town.

Halfway across the hospital car park he stopped and turned as someone called him. "What is it Lucas?"

"I just wondered if you had any news of the Doc?" He noticed the bloody rag on Bridger's hand. "You okay, Cap?"

"What? Oh yeah… I just cut it on some broken glass."

"Is it gonna need stitches?"

Nathan pulled a face. "Yep."

"Tough luck. The Doc?"

"No sign of her." The strain was evident in his voice.

"Do you want me to come inside with you?"

"No. You find Ford and tell him he's in charge until further notice."

"Okay Cap.'"

Nathan looked across at the hospital entrance and took a deep breath before walking towards it.

The place was the epitome of organised chaos. He sat on the floor leaning against one of the pillars and patiently waited his turn - not that he was in any hurry. And all the while, searching the sea of faces for the one he desperately needed to see. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a familiar figure – it was a colleague of Kristin's that he'd met at a party sometime ago. Getting to his feet he manoeuvred his way through the crowd until he was a few feet from his quarry. The man was in a heated discussion with one of the rescue chiefs and what he heard made his blood run cold…

"You're telling me that you sent one of the U.E.O's top scientists out on a dangerous rescue?"

"All I know is they needed a doctor and she was free."

"Damn it! If anything happens to her…"

"Are you threatening me, Doc?"

"I don't need to. When the U.E.O finds…" He paused for a moment, noticing Nathan for the first time. "Speak of the devil… Captain Bridger isn't it?"

"That's right." He reached out to take the other man's outstretched hand and then thought better of it. "Sorry."

"You need to get that seen to."

"Uh-huh. I couldn't help overhearing your conversation, was it Kristin you were talking about?"

"Yes, Captain. I'm sorry, this idiot sent her out with a rescue team to a building in danger of collapse."

Nathan paled considerably.

The younger man jumped in to defend himself. "I was just doing my job, like she's doing hers – she's a doctor, right?"

"She's a volunteer. There's a big difference."

"Not in my book Doc. And if the U.E.O doesn't like it then they know what they can do." He said angrily.

Nathan turned to him, his voice deadly calm. "If anything happens to her because of you, there won't be enough of you left for the U.E.O to do anything with. And that isn't a threat, it's a promise."

Luckily the man's radio barked for attention and defused the situation, temporarily. "Yes?"

"Chief, that building just came down."

He blanched at the look on Bridger's face. "Did everyone get out?"

"We're not sure, Sir."

"Then find out!" Without waiting for a reaction from the other two men, he hurried away and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

"Nathan, there's nothing we can do but wait. Why don't you sit down and I'll send someone over to sort out that cut."

"Dave, has Kristin been here long?"

"Since this whole thing started… she was one of the first to volunteer. I don't think she's taken more than a half-hour break the entire time."

"That sounds like Kris."

"Sure does. I'm sorry but I have to go, been idle too long."

Whether it was down to the whole hospital thing, the pain in his hand, fatigue and lack of food or just the worry over Kristin, he didn't know… but suddenly he felt nauseous and very light-headed. He must have swayed or groaned or both because he found himself being pushed down onto a seat and a feminine voice close by him said, "Put your head between your knees and take slow, deep breaths – that should help."

"Thanks."

Then she was gone.

A commotion over by the emergency entrance had him looking up again. There were a couple of rescue workers pushing a gurney, a nurse… and then a vision that had him closing his eyes and whispering a silent prayer of thanks. She was dusty, her white coat torn and streaks of dirt on her face, but she was okay.

As the relief flooded through him, he felt the tension in his gut and the dizziness ease – now he knew what it was that had caused the sick feeling. He stood with the intention of going over to her, holding her in his arms and never letting go, but she was immediately surrounded by staff and reporters wanting to know all the details of what had happened, and so he stepped back and waited.

Kristin was halfway through a sentence when she looked up and saw him. Leaving a group of surprised people behind her she walked across the room, searched his eyes and then slipped her arms around him. "Hold me… please."

He pulled her to his body and used his good hand to cradle her head against his chest, before tilting her chin and kissing her passionately. "Are you alright?"

"I am now." After a few moments she pulled away. "Take me home?"

"I will, but I have to get this seen to first." He showed her his hand complete with bloody handkerchief.

"God Nathan, what happened?"

"I went to the house to see if you were okay. One of the shutters was loose and when I tried to fix it I cut my hand open on the glass."

"How long have you been waiting?"

He glanced at his watch. "About four hours."

"Wait here."

Kristin returned about five minutes later and led him down a corridor or two and into an empty office. "It's quiet here and less like a hospital."

He smiled at her gratefully. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Does it hurt?"

"Like the devil."

"Okay." She moved over to the window and raised the steel shutter. "Come and look outside."

Nathan gave her a quizzical look.

"I need to give you a local so that I can check for glass, so find yourself something interesting to look at." She pulled a chair over to where he was standing. "And have a seat."

He winced as she injected him with the anaesthetic and then swabbed it.

 "All done. Just let me know when you're ready." She rubbed her eyes tiredly and then fetched another chair.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." He continued to stare out of the window as she took off the makeshift bandage and examined the cut.

"There are a couple of slivers in here that I'll have to remove."

"Uh-huh."

"Deep breath."

When it was stitched Kristin bandaged it again and gave him another shot to prevent infection. "There must have been something absolutely riveting out there." She joked.

In truth he hadn't really been looking at anything, he'd been thinking about the woman beside him, administering to his trivial wound with as much care as she would a life and death situation. He knew how exhausted she was… Could see it in the pallor of her face and the way her shoulders slumped… But she had still been considerate enough to take him out of an environment she knew he hated and make him feel at ease.

"Not really. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"How lucky I am to have you in my life."

"Nathan Bridger, you're just grateful you fell in love with a doctor so you didn't have to brave a cubical in casualty."

Nathan smiled. "No…" He reached out and stroked her cheek with his uninjured hand. "No, it's so much more than that. Kris, I… I…" As he watched her eyes closed momentarily. "…I think I should get you home." He finished lamely.

A knock on the door saved him from further embarrassment. "I'm sorry to disturb you but Dr. Gilmore has a patient he'd like you to take a look at."

Kristin shrugged at Nathan apologetically. "I'll be right there."

When they were alone again she got up and walked across the room to one of the cabinets, returning with a glass of something and handing it to him. "Drink this."

"What is it?"

"Whiskey, you look like you need it."

"Thanks." He mumbled taking a large gulp.

"Why don't you go home, Nathan? I'll be there as soon as I can."

"No. I'll wait."

"I could be a while."

"I'll wait." He affirmed.

He was pulled from his musings almost two hours later, by another tap on the door. "Captain Bridger?"

"Yes."

"Drs. Westphalen and Gilmore are out of surgery – they're waiting for you in the resident's cafeteria."

"Thank you." He stood and stretched before walking outside and looking around.

"Straight down this corridor and it's the room right at the end."
 

When he walked through the door he spotted them at a table by the window. If Kristin had seemed tired before, now she looked completely drained, even her hair seemed to have lost some of its sheen as exhaustion took its toll on her. He slipped into the empty seat beside her. "Okay?"

"The operation was a success but the surgeon died." She joked.

They sat and chatted for a while over coffee and then Nathan felt her sag against him. "Time to get you home, Doctor."

She glanced at her colleague and he nodded. "Get out of here Kris, before you finish up in one of our remaining beds."

"I'll just get my bag from the office."

As she attempted to stand Nathan held her arm. "I brought it with me."

"Mmm… thanks. What would I do without you?"

"Fall asleep in your coffee, I would imagine."

She punched him playfully and pushed herself up out of her seat.

"Hey no fair! Walking wounded, remember."

Dave Gilmore looked chagrined. "Oh God Nathan, I'm so sorry. I meant to get someone to take a look at that. Have you…?"

"Yep. I have my own personal physician."

"You couldn't afford me." Kristin muttered and the men laughed. Suddenly her legs seemed to give out and they reached out together to support her.

"Home. Now."

"Yes Sir, Captain Sir."

By the time the cab pulled up outside, Kristin was soundly asleep against Nathan's shoulder, his arms holding her protectively. He stroked her face gently. "Kris Baby, wake up we're home." She just snuggled closer to him. He hated the thought of waking her but there was no way he could carry her with his hand as it was. He shook her shoulder firmly.

"Hmmm…"

"We're home Sweetheart."

"Oh, okay."

Nathan quickly paid the driver and moved around to the other side of the car to help her out. "Come on, let's get you to bed." He slid his arm around her waist and found himself supporting her weight with his body. She seemed almost to be asleep on her feet.

 
Unlocking the door he was pleased to see that, apart from the broken window, the house seemed pretty much intact. He guided her into the bedroom and lowered her down onto the bed before kneeling, removing her shoes and massaging the soles of her feet gently.

"God, that feels good."

Nathan smiled as he quickly took off her jeans.  "I need you to stand up for a moment, so that I can turn down the covers."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, unless you want to sleep on the top, on your own."

"Spoilsport." She climbed unsteadily to her feet. "Okay?"

"That's better."

"Good. Now what?" She appeared to be confused, as though she had no idea what she was supposed to be doing.

"Sit down again."

"I just got up."

"I know that, but now I need you to sit down again."

"Okay. I'm sorry." She sounded close to tears, having mistaken his concern for annoyance.

"It's alright Baby. Now, lay down so that I can cover you over."

As he pulled up the covers he realised that she was already asleep. He leaned down to kiss her forehead tenderly before showering and snuggling up behind her.

Kristin stirred slowly and stretched, reaching out to find the other side of the bed empty. She turned her head and opened her eyes to look at the clock – it was a little after 3pm. ~ Lord, she knew that she had been tired, but good grief. ~ "Nathan?"

There was no response. It wasn't until she sat up that she noticed the red rose and the envelope on the pillow beside her. Smiling, she lifted the flower and inhaled its wonderful fragrance before opening the letter.

 My Dearest Love,
      I'd give anything to be lying beside you now, watching as you wake up… But Bill called yesterday afternoon and we had to leave at dawn…
 

~ Yesterday? Yesterday! ~ Kristin pressed a button on the clock to display the date, gasping in disbelief when she realised that she'd slept the clock round, and then some.
 

  Please don't be upset with me for not waking you. You have no idea how hard it was for me to lie beside you; be so close without making love to you, after so long apart. But it wouldn't have been right…. You were so very tired. Dave Gilmore told me how hard you worked over those few days. I'm so overwhelmed by you.

  I love you Baby and I'll be counting the days 'til I'm with you again. Take care of yourself and please call me when you get a moment. I'll worry until I know that you're alright.

          I miss you so much, already
                         Nathan
 

"I miss you too Nathan. I miss you too."

The man in question was in his quarters lying on his bunk. He had told Ford that he'd be working on the bridge crew evaluations but he couldn't seem to concentrate. He'd expected Kristin to call that morning and although he knew in his heart that she was okay, his head and his stomach didn't seem to be inclined to believe it. The chirrup of his comm-unit invaded his thoughts and he got up and crossed the room to answer it. "Bridger."

"Captain I have an incoming call for you, from Dr. Westphalen."

His stomach flipped and he couldn't decide whether it was out of relief or anticipation. "Put it through, Lieutenant."

"Aye Sir."

A couple of seconds later the most welcome face in the world filled his screen. "Hello Sailor." Her warm smile seemed to light up his whole existence.

"Hello Sleepyhead." He teased.

Kristin gave him a sulky look. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. That's the first time I've ever seen anyone literally asleep on their feet."

"I know, but…"

He touched his fingertips to the screen. "No buts… Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure." She smiled. "What about you?"

"Me? Why wouldn't I be?" He asked innocently.

"I know you, Nathan Bridger. You probably haven't done a scrap of work since you got back."

"Well actually, I've been working on crew evaluations." He stated smugly.

"And how many have you finished?"

He smiled in defeat. "You got me. I was just using that as an excuse to stay off the bridge. I've been worrying about you."

"I know." She smiled sympathetically. "But now you have no excuse."

He made a face at her and she laughed. "You're wrong you know… I do have an excuse."

"What…? Oh God, your hand… I'd forgotten. It seems like a lifetime ago. How is it?"

"A little sore but I'll live."

"Did you get your CMO to take a look at it?"

"No! No, I didn't."

There was something in his voice that she couldn't quite define but she passed it off as part of his dislike of all things medical. "Promise me you'll let her check it Nathan." When he didn't reply she added, "Please?"

"Okay, Kris…" He hesitated. "Kris…?"

"Mmm…?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

He knew what he wanted to say, but how to explain it without sounding…? Thanks for her kindness and consideration at the hospital? Thank you for loving him? For sharing her life with him… For being there…

"Nathan?"

"Just… thank you." He could tell by the expression on her face that she understood. She always seemed to understand what he was trying to say, even when he didn't know himself.

"You're welcome…  For everything."

They sat for a moment just looking at each other, the rest of the world disappearing around them; their eyes saying so much more than words ever could. The silence was broken by the beep of his PAL. "I guess I'm wanted."

"I guess you are. Take care of yourself, Sailor. I love you."

"I love you too Baby. I'll call you."

"I should hope so." She replied in a mock-exasperated tone.

His PAL clamoured for attention again.

Kristin touched her fingers to the screen, as he had earlier. "Until later."

"Later."

He continued to hold her gaze until she reached out with a trembling hand and broke the connection, knowing that he wouldn't. He hadn't since the day he'd returned to seaQuest, after New Year.

When he'd first told her that he couldn't do it she'd thought he was joking, but she soon discovered that he was deadly serious. Once, when he had called her after a particularly gruelling day, she'd asked him why. He'd been very tired and down and the question had caught him off-guard. The expression on his face had changed to one of distress, and there was a vulnerability in his eyes that she'd never seen before, but he'd merely said "I could never do that to you."

She understood only too well… It wasn't the saying goodbye so much, as being the first person to say it. It was nothing that she could put into words, anymore than he could. And so she was the one who had to be strong enough to close their conversation… But never with 'goodbye' – it was too final. Always with 'later' – a word which held the promise of something more.

Later… With a sad shake of her head she reached over and activated the comm-unit again to put a call through to her office. Life had to go on…
 
 
 
 

                                         **** The End ****