Chapter 21: The Old Man and The Sea
 

Kristin smiled as Chief Akima came up to open her car door when she arrived back at the safe house. As she walked up the porch stairs she could see Nathan and Lucas sitting in the living room. Nathan had changed from his uniform to a pair of jeans and a white button up shirt and he was leaning forward in one of the chairs as Lucas sat on an ottoman in front of him. She smiled as she saw the tell-tale signs that Nathan was telling a story. He and Lucas had started this up when they came back from Washington earlier in the year. Nathan was telling Lucas stories his grandfather had told him and Lucas was just fascinated by them.

As she listened through the door she realized that this was a World War 2 story. It probably seemed like ancient history to Lucas but was still rather contemporary to her and Nathan. She slipped through the door and quietly sat on the couch so as to not interrupt the story teller.

"So there they sat, Lucas, a hunter-killer force headed up by Captain, later Admiral, Dan Gallery. At the lead was the escort carrier, the USS Guadalcanal, along with four escort destroyers. This wasn't a big carrier, only 11,000 tons."

"Whoa, that's small isn't it?" the young man said surprised.

"When you consider that your standard Nimitz class carrier displaces 96,700 tons... you bet that's small... anyway Gallery and his task force were trolling around east of the Cape Verde Islands looking for U-boats. The passage between the island and the African coast was the normal route that the U-boats took to go north to the Bay of Biscay for repair and fueling. This wasn't the first time that Gallery's task force had scoured the Atlantic and also not the first time they had been successful... but before they had followed the normal pattern of dropping depth charges on the sub until they surfaced and then suppressing any resistance they might want to offer from the gun on their deck with torpedoes, bullets and explosive rounds while the sub sank."

"They actually had guns on the deck of a submarine?" Lucas said incredulously.

"Yep, you've got to remember that these submarines were diesel. They spent most of their time on the surface and could only go down on battery power for short periods of time so it was critical that they had some sort of deck gun either to protect them from airplanes or to finish off a kill."

"Gallery came up with a new idea for this cruise. Instead of firing on the sub when it surfaced they would cease fire and only shoot enough to convince the sub's crew to abandon and to stay away from the sub."

"Why?"

"Because they had boarding parties from each of the ships ready to board the sub and try to keep it from sinking."

Lucas was leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands totally enthralled. "That sounds dangerous," he said emphatically.

"It was. To help the sub sink, the crews opened sea cocks inside the sub to allow water in and there were explosive charges throughout the boat. For that matter, it was known that there were 14 five pound TNT charges placed against the hull in each U-boat to prevent anyone from taking them."

"Now we come to June 4th, 1944, one hundred and fifty miles west of Cape Blanco, French West Africa. The Guadalcanal was running short of fuel and needed to head into Casablanca, but two evenings before they were sure that they'd forced a submarine to submerge before it could have charged it's batteries and that one more day's operations would force the sub to the surface. Sure enough at 1110 hours the USS Chatelain reported a sound contact. The USS Jenks and the USS Pillsbury, two more of the escort destroyers, raced to assist her. The Chatelain was so close that she actually sailed over the top of the submarine before she decided what it was. The Guadalcanal put a couple of her planes in the air to chase the sub's crew overboard should it surface. The Chatelain fired a salvo of depth charges but didn't hit anything when suddenly, the planes started firing their 50 caliber guns at the water and radioed down that they could see the submarine. The destroyers raced to where they could see the bullet splashes and the Chatelain fired a spread of twelve six-hundred-pound depth charges set to explode shallow..." Bridger sat back in the chair a little with a satisfied look on his face. "And then at 1121 hours U-505 broke surface 700 yards away from the Chatelain with white water pouring off of its rusty black sides."

Bridger leaned back forward again. "Now those submarines were almost as dangerous on the surface as they were submerged. On the surface they could still fire their torpedoes so the planes and destroyers kept up a hail of bullets at the surfaced vessel. The sub had been set to run in a tight right hand circle and soon the conning tower popped open and figures were seen jumping off the boat. After about 50 people left the sinking sub the ships and planes ceased fire and the ancient cry of ‘away all boarding parties' was heard throughout the task force."

"The motor whale boat from the Pillsbury was the first to reach the U-505 and Lt. Albert David led the crew that boarded the sub and plunged down the hatch not knowing if there was someone below with a gun or if the sub itself would sink or blow up at any second. When they hit the deck plates they found that the crew of the U-505 had truly abandoned their boat but that water was rushing into the sub and bringing her dangerously down by the stern. One of the crew found an open sea cock and fortunately found the cover of the sea cock lying on the floor plates near it. He slapped the cover on and secured the butterfly nuts just in enough time to prevent boat from up-ending and taking the entire boarding party to the bottom."

By now, Nathan's crowd had grown from Kristin and Lucas to include most of the security people in the house. Lucas still sat entranced at the story.

"One portion of the boarding party ran forward to the radio room and smashed open the lockers to remove the code books and get them off the boat immediately."

"Why didn't they just jettison the code books?" asked Brakker.

"They were thinking that this submarine would end up where all the other subs had gone which were scuttled by their crew," Nathan explained. "That in a couple of minutes the boat would stick its nose out of the water and slide down to the bottom. The only thing that had come off that boat was the crew."

"The boat was so low in the water that the boarding party was afraid that it would be swamped and water would come down the conning tower so they closed the hatch. At that time the engineering crew from the Guadalcanal was coming over in a whale boat which literally arrived with a bang when a wave picked it up and dumped the boat on top of the sub breaking the whale boat up. When the engineering guys tried to open the conning tower hatch they couldn't due to the inside of the boat having less air pressure. So the crew grabbed one of the German crew from a passing life raft and hauled him aboard to show them how to open it. The German showed them a little pressurizing valve that would equalize the pressure and let them open the hatch. Whereupon the German was promptly shoved overboard again as the engineers worked their way down the tower."

"The gunner went through the boat looking for the explosive charges and ended up finding 13 of them. The 14th wasn't found until the boat was in Bermuda three weeks later. The Germans had been so sure that the boat was sinking that they never set the firing devices."

"Wow," that was from Lucas.

"During an attempt to pass salvage pumps over from the Pillsbury the front planes of the sub cut into the side of the destroyer flooding two main compartments, including one engine room, and causing her to back off of the operation. The crew of the U-505 was taken into custody with only one death which occurred during the depth charging. With a lot of good work on the part of the men of Gallery's task force the sub was placed under tow and they soon developed a new problem. Do you remember when I said that Gallery had put off heading into Casablanca to get fuel? Now he was running on empty with a half sunk sub in tow."

"Whoops," grinned Lucas.

"Gallery had to call for help with the tow and he not only ended up with a fleet tug to take over the towing but also an oiler to refuel the task group."

"Didn't they head to Casablanca?"

"Nope. They had originally intended to head for Dakar which was the nearest friendly port but since Dakar was full of spies the powers that be decided that the task force and their prize would head to the Bermudas... and on June 19th the task force entered Bermuda with the traditional broom hoisted at the main truck of the Guadalcanal."

Lucas grinned, "Cool."

"The task force had not only captured the only German submarine to be taken by force during the war but had also obtained all the code books, cipher machine, charts and hundreds of dispatches... and the most amazing thing is that if this information had made it back to Germany it would have caused the Germans to change all the codes so it was very important that the capture of the submarine remain a secret..." Bridger paused for emphasis. "Now there were about 3000 men in that task force but in fact, they all managed to keep the capture of the boat to themselves and the Germans never knew until after the war was over."

"Majorly cool story, Cap."

Nathan leaned forward and patted Lucas on the knee. "Hungry?"

"Starved," said Lucas with a tone of urgency.

Bridger looked over at Lt. Brakker. "I'm not cooking, Lieutenant, which means we're not eating here. Alright if we go for pizza?"

The lieutenant nodded. "As long as we stay on base, sir."

Bridger stood and walked over to Kristin, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Hi, gonna come with us?"

"Absolutely."

Lucas went out the door ahead of them and headed for one of the UEO cars with Ensign James following right behind. The Chief held the door for Bridger and Westphalen and Lt. Brakker followed them out. Just as they reached the edge of the porch Brakker noticed a quick flash from the roof of the one-story grade school just down the road. Instinct told him what it was and he shouted, "Gun!" and shoved Nathan and Kristin off the side of the porch just as a bullet went whizzing over their heads to bury itself in the wall of the house.

Chapter 22: Heading for High Ground
 

Lucas' eyes followed Bridger's movements as he paced the sixth floor conference room in the UEO Headquarters building. Right now Bridger had his back to him and Lucas could see the streaks of dirt that covered his shirt after being pushed to the ground by Lt. Brakker. Lucas could also see a couple of places where either the fall or the Doc landing on top of him had opened up a couple of the cuts on Bridger's back and they'd bled through their bandages. Now Bridger had turned and was pacing the other direction and now Lucas could see his face. He wondered how many people had been on the receiving end of the look that Bridger had on his face right now... and if any of them had survived. He had his hands shoved down deep in his pockets and the scowl on his face was downright scary. He kept his eyes focused on the floor in front of him as he paced, which made him look even more terrifying.

The Doc sat in a chair pulled up to the table and she was watching Bridger too. Lucas could see the worried look on her face and the drumming of her fingers was only one indication of the tension that she felt. Lucas saw that she'd ripped one of the sleeves on that nice ivory blouse that she was wearing. He imagined it was either during the initial dive to get behind the side of the porch or during the run around the house to put it in between them and the shooter. Her hair was a little disheveled and she had a scrape on the back of one hand but other than that she didn't look like she'd been hurt.

Then Lucas looked over at Lt. Brakker, who was conferring with another security officer in the corner of the room. That frown was probably a permanent part of his face now. Brakker had been angry that the shooter had managed to get inside the base, angrier still that he'd been able to set up a perch on top of the school and absolutely livid that he'd gotten away.

The atmosphere in this room is really unpleasant, Lucas thought. After a question or two the Captain hadn't said anything at all but had just started up that endless pacing. The Doc hadn't said a word since they'd been bundled into cars and brought here other than to ask Bridger if he was okay... and Bridger's less than tactful, hell, less than civil answer hadn't even seemed to phase her. Now they were just waiting. Lucas didn't know what they were waiting for but they were just waiting.

Westphalen finally took her eyes off of Bridger's pacing and instead looked over at Chief Akima. "Chief, could you do me a favor?"

"I can try," hedged the Chief.

"Could you find me a first aid kit?"

"That I can do, ma'am." The Chief left the room with a bit of a relieved look on his face and appeared back a short time later with a sizeable first aid kit that he set on the table in front of Kristin.

Kristin opened the kit and inspected its contents before looking back up at Bridger. "Nathan," she said in a calm, steady voice. Bridger glanced at her but gave no other indication that he'd heard her. Kristin continued to watch him and pulled the chair next to her at the table out. "Nathan," she repeated in a much more stern voice. Bridger glowered at her... and Westphalen glowered back.

Bridger finally came to a halt. "What?" he said in a rather unpleasant tone.

Kristin indicated the chair. "Sit."

"No."

They glared at each other for a while, neither one willing to back down until Bridger took a deep breath, walked over and sat in the chair she had indicated.

"Your back is bleeding."

"For a change," Bridger mumbled.

Kristin leaned forward until her lips were only inches from his ear. "Do you want to take the damned shirt off, Bridger, or do you want me to take it off for you?" she asked with a smile that wasn't matched by the tone of her voice, which was decidedly unpleasant.

Even Bridger couldn't keep at straight face at that kind of comment. A small smile crossed his face and he shook his head as he reached up to start unbuttoning the shirt. He winced as he slid the shirt from his shoulders and Kristin gave him a hand in loosening it from the places where it was stuck to his back. Kristin rubbed the shoulder closest to her.

"Lean over," she said and Nathan leaned his arms onto the table and rested his head on his arms as he resumed the position he had been in while Kristin stitched up his back... the first time.

Nathan put his forehead on his arms and tried to keep his breathing even as Kristin removed each of the bandages from his back and checked the matching cut for any more damage. He heard the door open again but didn't bother to raise his head. Kristin tried to gingerly remove one of the bandages that he had bled through but even her gentle touch didn't keep a definite wince and a groan from crossing Nathan's lips. He heard the chair across from him get pulled out and someone sit in it.

"Is he okay?" asked Bill Noyce in a quiet voice. A lot quieter voice than Nathan was used to hearing.

Nathan raised his head and looked over at Bill. "He's just ducky," and he lowered his head again.

"Ah, I see it hasn't done anything to improve his personality," Noyce commented to Kristin.

"You must be kidding, Bill. His personality has improved considerably in the last few minutes... you should have been around him before."

"No thanks."

"Funny... very funny," mumbled Nathan without raising his head.

Nathan heard Bill lean back in his chair and apparently start directing his comments to Brakker. "Do we know how he got on the base, Lieutenant?"

Brakker took a big breath and expelled it. "No, sir... and before you ask we don't know how he got up on top of the school and we also know how he got away."

"This guy walks through walls."

"Or just slinks under doors," mumbled Kristin. She patted Nathan on the shoulder again. "All done." He sat up and looked at her as he started putting his shirt back on. "By some miracle you didn't manage to tear out any of the stitches but you did reopen some of the smaller cuts... you'll live."

Nathan made a face at her and then looked over at Bill Noyce. "What now?"

"Well, I've got a suggestion about where you go from here." Bridger and Brakker looked at him curiously. "Janet says I should bring you home . . . and that's probably not a half-bad idea."

Brakker was nodding. "The security needed is already in place at your house, Mr. Secretary."

Nathan leaned his elbow on the table and then rested his chin on his hand. He looked over at Kristin and then at Lucas. "Yeah, I think that's probably a good idea... but with one change." Bill frowned at him. "Lucas and Kristin go with you and I stay on the seaQuest."

Lucas piped in right away, "If you're staying on the seaQuest then so am I."

Nathan fixed the young man with an impassive glance. "You're going to the Noyce's with Kristin."

Lucas returned the glance. "I'm going to the seaQuest with you."

"Lucas..."

"Captain..."

Bridger stared at Lucas a while. The young man refused to back down and if anything became more resolute looking. Then the beginning of a small smile curled the edge of Bridger's mouth. "Has anyone ever told you that you're very stubborn?"

A small smile started on Lucas' face also. "I should be... I learned from a master in stubbornness."

"Alright," Bridger relented. "You come with me." He looked over to where Kristin was just watching the two of them. "That okay?"

Now the impassive mask was on Kristin's face. "Oh, you're asking me?" she said facetiously. "I didn't know I was part of this decision."

Bridger closed his eyes in defeat. Then he pushed back his chair and stood up, taking one of Westphalen's hands in his and drawing her up also. "Come here, if you would." Kristin thought that was an interesting mix of a command and a request. Bridger walked across to the far side of the conference room and stopped in the corner. He turned so that his back was facing the wall and then put his arms around Kristin's waist. Her arms naturally found their familiar place at the small of his back. They spoke quietly for several minutes while the others watched them.

"Why do you want to separate us?" Kristin asked softly.

"Because he's shooting at me and the more you hang around me the bigger the chance that he'll hit you and not me."

"So that makes it all better?" she asked more vehemently. "The fact that only you'll get shot?"

"I think that being inside seaQuest is going to decrease the chances of that. He won't be able to get to me," he said reasonably.

"And just where do you plan on sleeping? Last I heard the crew quarters and certainly your cabin hadn't been even near to completed yet."

"They're not but we can always use cots." Nathan tried a little grin at her. "Heck, we could stretch out on the reactor... should be nice and warm and cozy." Kristin gave him a disapproving look. "Please, Kris... I can't do what I need to do if I'm worrying about you all the time."

"Are you going to come to visit?" she pouted.

"I have to. The rehearsal dinner is night after tomorrow and I think we're both expected to be there."

Kristin gave in. "Alright."

"Thanks." Nathan sighed and lowered his forehead to her shoulder.

Kristin leaned her head against his. "You alright?" she asked quietly.

"I'm so tired, Kris," he mumbled into her shoulder. "Tired of putting up with this bastard, tired of him screwing up our lives and just all out tired."

"Probably has something to do with not getting any sleep last night." She felt Nathan's smile against her face. "Will you let give you something to help you sleep?"

He nodded a little. "Not too strong though."

Kristin turned her head to place a kiss on his cheek. "No, not too strong."

Nathan lifted his head off her shoulder and looked into her eyes and just for a little while their lips met and they forgot about the rest of the people in the room. They shared a gentle but passionate kiss and Nathan's hands pulled Kristin closer as they roamed her back. His hand slipped down to cup the round globe of her butt and Lucas loudly cleared his throat, reminding him that there were other people there. He slid his hand back up and they slowly pulled their heads back, breaking the kiss.

"You have got to watch those hands, Bridger," Kristin smiled at him.

"Yeah..." he grimaced. Then he brought one hand up to cup her face. "I love you," he said softly.

"And I love you, Nathan," she breathed as they once again shared a quick kiss before pulling away and resting their foreheads against each other for just a moment. With the one hand still resting in the small of her back Nathan turned Kristin back to the table and they walked down to talk to the rest of them.

"If it's alright, Bill, Kristin will stay with you while me and Junior here," he indicated Lucas with his head, "will bunk it out on seaQuest."

Chapter 23: The Protected Cove
 

They should have known that the ultimate decision on where they would sleep on the partially finished seaQuest would key around one facility. It had to be the only place that had working heads. Hell, they sure couldn't go out to use the portable heads if they had to go to the bathroom. That would give Brakker a heart attack.

"You want to share a room or you want a room of your own?" Nathan asked. He looked down the passageway of Officer's Country where each hatch denoted a compartment they could use.

"Ummm, you wouldn't think I'm too sissy if I wanted to share a room, would you?" Lucas was looking decidedly embarrassed.

"Nope," Nathan said as he headed for the hatch closest to the head. "For that matter, I actually wouldn't mind the company." He looked back at Lucas. "It's a little strange sleeping aboard a boat that they're doing construction on 24 hours a day."

They both walked into the compartment and Nathan found the light switch which thankfully actually turned the light on. Nothing had been done in this compartment at all. The walls were bare metal and the deck was covered in dust. But, the hatch worked and it could certainly fit a couple of bunks... and it was right down the passageway from the heads and the shower. ‘What more could you ask for?' thought Bridger as he surveyed their new home.

Hearing a commotion in the passageway, Bridger went back to the hatch and spotted a couple of workers carrying two collapsible cots towards them followed by Kelly Richtler, the night construction director who had a couple of blankets in her hands.

"Good evening, Captain. Looks like you're going to be up-close-and-personal on the worksite for a couple of days," Kelly said, smiling as the workers brought the cots through the compartment hatch.

"'Fraid so, Kelly. At least it's only that long. We'll be out of your hair by Saturday morning," he grinned at her and relieved her of the blankets. "And meanwhile looks like you're playing housemaid."

"No problem, Captain. We'll see what we can do about moving any construction out of this passageway for a couple of days." She looked up and down the corridor. "And I don't think the guy who's been trying to get to you is gonna figure out how to get to you here... he'd first have to figure out where the heck he is in this place."

Bridger grinned over at Kelly. "Hell, I still get a little lost sometimes and I designed the boat... especially now when there aren't any bulkhead markers up to guide you."

"Well, sleep tight, Captain." She nodded over at Lucas. "Goodnight, Lucas."

"Night, Kelly." Lucas smiled wanly as she left the compartment, shutting the hatch behind her with a slightly hollow clank. Lucas dropped his gym bag onto the cot on his side of the room as he looked around. "Homey."

Nathan tossed him one of the blankets. "Well, it beats Hotel No-Tell."

Lucas flashed him one of ‘those' looks. "I'll take your word for it."

"At least it's only for a couple of days..." Bridger threw the boy a side glance. "And at any time you can go and partake of the luxury of the Noyce house, you know."

"I'm staying with you," Lucas said firmly.

"Okay."

Lucas watched Bridger as he turned to set up his cot. "What are you going to do if we don't find him?" he asked softly.

Nathan straightened up slowly before turning around to face him. When he did there was a little glint in his eye. Lucas couldn't tell if he was up to something or if it was all bravado. "We'll find him, Lucas."

Lucas wasn't deterred. His voice was still low and serious. "How do you know?"

Nathan moved forward and put a hand on Lucas' shoulder. "Trust me, we'll find him." Uncertainty and a little fear were still evident in the young man's face. This was his family that Bridger was playing around with... between the two of them they'd been more like parents than his own parents had ever considered being and Lucas just wasn't sure how smart all this was. Bridger brought his hand up to rest along the side of Lucas' neck in a now familiar, reassuring touch. "Trust me," he repeated earnestly. Lucas found it in himself to flash a small smile back at him. Bridger smiled and patted him on the side of the neck before turning back to his cot.

"By the way, the Doc gave me a whole set of directions as they pertain to you."

That elicited another grin from Bridger. "Yeah, like what?"

"I'm supposed to change the bandages on the two top cuts on your back before you go to bed... and then I'm supposed to be sure you take all your meds." Bridger was really grinning now. "Then you get one sleeping pill before you hit the sack and if you try to go to bed any later than 11 p.m. I'm supposed to have you forcibly put to bed." Even Lucas grinned at that last directive.

"That's alright, Lucas... I'll make life easy on you. I don't plan on arguing with any of the good doctor's directives."

Chapter 24: Gentle Swells
 

Nathan Bridger walked down the science wing of UEO headquarters with Chief Akima at his side. After a few quick inquiries he found the scientist of his dreams with her head bent over a microscope in one of the plankton labs. Nathan grinned as he saw how fiercely she was concentrating on the sample she was inspecting, shutting out all the other distractions in the room. He walked up quietly behind her and deliberately waited until she raised her head to record her observations in the notebook next to her before he slipped one hand on either side of her waist.

As expected she jumped in surprise at his touch. "I hate it when you do that, Nathan," she glared at him but seeing the boyish twinkle in his eyes was too much. She hadn't seen that look since this entire mess had begun. Kristin leaned over and gave him a soft kiss. "Hi."

"Hi," he grinned.

Kristin brought one hand up to caress the side of his face. She was relieved to see that he looked considerably more rested than he had yesterday. "Did you sleep alright?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it was just right. Just enough to let me sleep..." He hesitated a bit. "And not enough to make me dopey."

"Well, any dopier than you are," Kristin countered saucily.

Nathan grinned again. "And no nightmares."

"That's good."

"Oh, and Lucas said to tell you that changing bandages is yucky."

She chuckled as she slipped from the lab stool and taking his hand in hers they headed for her office. "So what are you doing over here in the big building? I thought you were staying on seaQuest."

"I have meeting in ten minutes... that and I need to be sure that my desk is clean for the next week."

"You know... I've been thinking about that," Kristin said kind of dreamily.

"What about it?" Nathan asked suspiciously.

Kristin pulled his arm a little closer as they walked through the hallway followed by the massive Security Chief. "Well... if we go to the island like we're planning then we have to do all the work, don't we?"

"Hmmm???"

"Like cooking, cleaning... all that stuff."

"Yeah... that's the idea. If we're at the island, we're alone so we do all the work."

"Are you totally set on going to the island?"

"Kristin, I don't care where we go... I'll go anywhere as long as you're there and I'm there and we can have time together."

"Well, I've got another idea."

A knowing smile lit up Nathan's face and he glanced over at her. "Two days before the wedding." He shook his head. "And you want to change where we're having our honeymoon." At least he was still smiling. "Alright sweetheart, where do you want to go?"

Kristin stopped him in the hallway and pulled his head down until she could whisper in his ear. She said a word and he turned to look at her in disbelief.

"Really?"

"Yes... would that be alright?"

She saw that boyish smile again. "Yeah... it's okay with me. Let me see what I can do."

Kristin took his hand again as they approached her office. She looked back at the security man behind them. "So, has he been behaving himself, Chief?"

"Oh, he doesn't have much choice to tell ya the truth, Doc," the Chief drawled.

"That's probably a good thing," she said as she stopped outside her office.

"Chief, any chance that we can catch a couple of minutes alone?"

"Just stay away from the windows, Captain."

"Away from the windows, aye," Nathan responded as he turned the knob opening Kristin's office.

"And don't do anything I wouldn't do," quipped the Chief. That earned him a grin from Nathan and a roll of the eyes from Kristin.

They walked through the door and in one smooth movement Nathan shut the door and drew Kristin to him. If it had been possible for them to occupy the same space at the same time it would have been now. The kiss they shared was passionate and desperate and it was a long time before they pulled back, both gasping for air.

"You keep that up and I'm going to be making love to you on top of your desk," Nathan said breathlessly.

Kristin leaned her head against his chin. "You do that and you'll miss your meeting." She felt the soft rumble of Nathan's chuckle. "By the way, if I saw you today, I was supposed to ask you to come to Bill and Janet's for dinner tonight. Last minute plans and Cynthia will be in this evening."

"Do I bring the junior partner?"

"Oh, yes... it wouldn't be complete without him."

Nathan inhaled and expelled a long breath. "I gotta go."

"I know," Kristin said sorrowfully. "I love you," she whispered.

Nathan leaned down and anointed her lips with a soft kiss. "I love you," and then straightened and headed for the door followed by her eyes.

Lucas glanced out the back seat of the UEO car being driven by Chief Akima as they pulled into the drive of the Secretary General's house. Bridger looked back at the boy and shook his head. "When we were in the Academy if you'd told me that Billy Noyce would be living in a house like this as Secretary General of the largest confederation of countries in the world I would have had you sent over to talk to the shrinks... or at least had a serious check on what you were drinking."

"It's a hell of a house, isn't it?" Lucas said in wonder.

"Yup. I don't know what he's going to do when he moves out in another month."

Lucas glanced back at the Captain. "I'd heard rumor control that they were going to let him come back as an Admiral in the UEO."

Bridger shrugged. "Yeah, I heard that one too. I imagine either that or he might become an ambassador or something. I don't think he's quite ready to retire..." He grinned. "And I don't think Janet is ready for him to retire either."

As they pulled to a stop the door opened and a smiling Cynthia McKenzie swept down the stairs to greet them. God, she's got her mother's smile, Nathan thought. He pulled the young woman close and kissed her on the cheek. "Hi there, cutie."

Cynthia pulled back to give Nathan her traditional pat on the cheek. "Hi, Nathan. It's so good to see you." She quickly pulled her hands from where they held onto his back. "Oh, I didn't touch a sore spot did I?"

"Nah, most of my back is actually in pretty good shape now... not too much damage left."

Cynthia shook her head at him before turning her attention to Lucas. Nathan smiled at the evidence of the easy relationship that had developed between the two young people. They'd taken to each other amazingly well and now were almost like a couple of agreeable siblings.

"Hey, kid... did you grow some?" Cynthia teased Lucas.

"No, you shrunk," Lucas countered. Alright... maybe not always agreeable... they did enjoy digging at each other a touch... all in a light-hearted vein though.

Cynthia turned back towards the house with her arm around each of the men's and Janet Noyce met them at the top of the stairs. "Perfect timing, gentlemen, dinner is just about ready to hit the table."

"Great... I'm starving," Lucas said fervently.

"You're always starving, Lucas," Cynthia teased.

"Well, Bill is on the phone handling some international incident and Kristin is on another line having a serious disagreement with the florist."

"I think I feel sorry for the florist," Nathan grinned.

Janet nodded. "He's gonna lose. I don't know if you've noticed but Kristin is getting a little unforgiving when it comes to problems with the arrangements here."

"I certainly wouldn't try to argue with her now..." Nathan grinned. "Although, it wouldn't make much of a difference. I don't seem to win too many arguments with her these days anyway."

"When did you ever," Janet interjected to Nathan's chuckle.

They entered the dining room and decided not to wait for Bill and Kristin. Which turned out to be a good thing since Bill finally showed up ten minutes later, but it was at least twenty minutes before Kristin came in with a frustrated look on her face. Nathan stood and pulled a chair out for her.

"You wouldn't think that something as simple as freesia would be such a problem, would you?" she glared at Nathan.

Nathan slowly shook his head with a dumb smile on his face. "I have no idea, sweetheart."

She reached up and patted him on the cheek in an unconscious repeat of the action taken by Cynthia earlier. "It's a damned good thing I'm here to keep things straight then," she said with a tender smile.

Chapter 25: An Oasis of Calm
 

After dinner Bill, Janet and Kristin had continued their discussion of wedding arrangements out on the patio while Nathan made a quick head call. Lt. Brakker patiently leaned against the stone balustrade just outside the elegant French doors leading to the large patio at the back of the Secretary General's residence. From his perch on the patio the young lieutenant glanced over the vast expanse of the grass lawn which already held evidence of the wedding preparations. White lattice trellis frames dotted the rolling green lawn awaiting the delicate, colorful flowers that they would be graced with and contrasting orange stakes denoted where the chairs would be placed. Idly he watched the Janet Noyce and Kristin huddled over some plans with the Secretary General standing behind them with a slightly bemused look on his face.

Bridger casually walked through the doors and followed the young man's gaze.

"You married, Lieutenant?" he asked softly.

"Not yet, sir." He smiled over at Nathan. "Will be though... two more months."

"Congratulations." Nathan contentedly watched his future wife as she pointed at her plans and then raised her head to look out over the lawn. "I highly recommend it as an institution, Lieutenant." His voice took on a wistful quality as he continued. "There's absolutely nothing better in the world than being married to a woman who loves you."

Brakker glanced over at Bridger with a soft smile. "I don't know, Captain. Helen and I, well, we're kind of like you two. We've been living together for almost a year now." He sighed and looked across the lawn. "Does it really make that big a difference?"

Nathan smiled as he continued to watch Kristin and then he shrugged. "I don't know. It does to me. Maybe it's that last step... that last commitment where she says that she wants to spend the rest of her life with you and you alone." He paused. "There's just something magical about that."

"You been married before, sir?"

Nathan nodded. "Yep, twice. Divorced once and widowed once."

"It's not a perfect world, is it?" the young man said thoughtfully.

"Well," said Bridger turning to the man. "The first time I got it backwards... kid first and then wife. Not that you can't get by that one," Nathan said hastily as he realized that he really didn't know what the lieutenant's family situation was. "But we got married because she got pregnant."

"Not for love, huh?"

"Not on her side... but then again the second time I was married for 27 years... and that one was for love."

"Just like this one."

Nathan smiled over at Kristin as she spotted him talking to the young officer. "Lieutenant, if anyone would have told me either during or after my last marriage that I'd find a love as incredible as this I would have called them crazy and a hopeless romantic." He shrugged again. "Maybe it's my age... or maturity... or experience... or whatever... or maybe it's just that I've truly found the one person on this Earth who's just right for me." He looked at Brakker. "Personally, I have to keep pinching myself that this isn't some dream. Kinda makes me sound like a high school kid rather than a UEO Captain, doesn't it?"

"It makes you sound like a person confident in his love, sir, and confident in the one who loves you." He stopped a moment in reflection. "And that's pretty darned neat, sir."

They both pushed up off the balustrade and wandered towards where Kristin was. Nathan grinned knowingly at the lieutenant. "I better go see what kind of changes she's come up with now... Two months, huh?"

"Yeah."

Nathan grinned. "This morning she decided to change where we're going for the honeymoon."

Brakker grinned back. "You're kidding? You are getting married in two days, right?"

"Yup."

The lieutenant chuckled. "So what do you do when your fiancé decides to change something like that?"

Nathan patted the young man on the shoulder. "Lieutenant, unless there's a damned good reason against it... you go with the flow and keep the lady happy."

Brakker was smiling outright now. "Thanks for the warning... I'll keep it in mind."

Kristin heard this last comment as Nathan approached and gave him a suspicious look. He smoothly slipped his hand around her waist and innocently placed a soft kiss to her temple.

From a distance not very far away the man scowled as he watched the tender scene on the patio through his powerful monocular. They had to know that the hardest person to stop was a determined lone assassin. Tonight he'd just checked to see if his suspicions were right. They were. He had easily slipped onto the Secretary General's complex without being noticed. He wasn't particularly close but then again, he didn't have to be. His eyes narrowed as he considered his options.

Bridger was a brave man. God knows that if he was planning on marrying her he was a very brave man. If it was possible, he'd spare Bridger a public death. The man deserved at least that. He'd keep on trying to get to him over the next couple of days... and if he got him, well, Bridger would die. Not a horrible death but he'd die all the same. Then maybe he'd send Bridger's head to her... and maybe another part of his anatomy. Just to prove to her that she couldn't toy with him.

And if he didn't get to Bridger before Saturday afternoon... well, that would be unfortunate but the result would be the same. He knew what he'd do then too. As he leaned back in the tree he was in... the tree with a perfect view of the wedding scene... he thought about what he'd do. He could just blow the top off Bridger's head but how much better it would be to make her suffer, if he could? To hit Bridger in the right place, and he knew the right place, so he'd be sure that Bridger bled to death in her arms. The great doctor, the great lover, he grinned sadistically, not able to save him. His pretty white dress uniform splattered and soaked in his life's blood as he died... and then he'd kill her.

Chapter 26: Evening Colors
 

Cynthia soaked up the peace of the evening air as she and Lucas wandered across the grassy expanse of the lawn. She glanced back to the patio where the ‘adults' were apparently discussing plans for the big event. Now it was time for her and Lucas to discuss the ‘adults'.

"So," she said and paused. "How's it been?"

Lucas uttered a short laugh. "With those two?" He shook his head. "Never boring... I gotta give it that. They're never boring."

Cynthia smiled over at him and slipped her arm through his as they wandered. "Well, this guy trying to kill Nathan must have really put the icing on the cake... so to speak."

"Oh, even before that." He grinned and looked over at her. "I have to admit the last couple of months have been interesting."

"Interesting exciting or interesting emotionally?"

"Yes," Lucas answered blandly.

That caused a chuckle. "Did Nathan really get an ulcer?"

"Do you believe that," Lucas said earnestly. "He's so old fashioned that he not only got an ulcer... he even had a bleeding ulcer... the guy's unbelievable." Lucas was on a roll now. "Do you know that they've broken up twice just in the last two months?"

"But not for long?" Cynthia asked hopefully.

"No," Lucas reassured her. "And they haven't broken up since they decided to get married... that's probably a good sign."

Lucas had hit on a subject that she wanted to talk about now. "Lucas, how in God's name did Nathan convince Mom to marry him? I never thought that would happen again."

Lucas shrugged. "I have a feeling it was an ultimatum... you know... either we get married or we break it off completely."

Cynthia soaked that in for a bit. "Do you think he would have really broken it off if Mom had said no marriage?"

"No... I don't think so. He would have caved in... maybe not right away but eventually." Lucas looked over at the pair on the patio. "He doesn't function very well without her anymore... I can't say that I'm looking forward to that aspect of going to sea."

Cynthia flashed him a doubtful look. "What do you mean he doesn't function well?"

"Well, left on his own he's a little hyper, you know?" Cynthia grinned at him. "Cinny, the guy makes me look calm when he's fixed on doing something. Focused doesn't even come close to describing him. Then your Mom... well she can be bit focused too ."

"To say nothing of hard-headed and stubborn."

"Cin, if you look up the word ‘stubborn' in Webster's Dictionary there's a picture of the two of them next to it," Lucas commented dryly. "It's kind of strange," Lucas continued thoughtfully. "You get them together and they're stubborn as rocks... but there's just something there... something that lets you know that even though they may disagree with each other... they may fight... they may have a totally goofy argument... I don't know... I guess there's just something about their relationship. They've got complete trust in each other." He shook his head. "It's really cool."

"Yeah," Cynthia said wistfully. "Kind of makes you hope that you find a love like that some day."

"Actually, I think I'll settle for something a bit calmer," Lucas said practically. Cynthia grinned at him again and he shook his head. "When they're together... working on something or just being able to spend time together... well, there's a certain calmness that affects both of them." Lucas made a face. "But when they're in one of their ‘moods' you don't want to be around."

They walked a bit more and Cynthia noticed that Lucas was becoming more thoughtful as they walked until finally he actually stopped and sighed. "But you know something, Cinny. When they're not arguing or getting on each others nerves... they're so much fun to be around." He leaned against a tree and looked again over at the patio. "They are absolutely crazy about each other." Lucas looked down at the ground. "I never saw that from my parents when I was growing up. They couldn't stand each other." He hazarded a quick glance at Cynthia and then looked down again. "They've taught me what it's like for two people to be really in love... and it's really neat to see."

He put his head back against the tree and watched the dance of the late evening colors across the sky. "There's all the little things like the glances they exchange across a room, or watching them snuggle when she sits in his lap, or how she can be sitting, concentrating and frowning over something and all he has to do is put a hand on her shoulder or stroke her hair and you can visibly see her relax." Cynthia let him talk... this was what she needed to hear about Nathan and her Mom... to be sure that they were happy with each other. "And then there are those looks." Lucas smiled at Cynthia's confused look. "Have you ever seen how they look at each other? Especially when the other doesn't realize they're being looked at? That look isn't infatuation... it isn't a crush. You can almost feel the look and the charge that goes through the air. It's even past adoration. When they look at each other you can see unquestioning love between them." Lucas shook his head again. "I only hope that I'm that lucky someday to find someone who loves me as much as they love each other."

They both pushed up and started walking again. "I hope you're right, Lucas. Mom hasn't had much luck that way."

"Oh, I'm right. Bridger would never do anything to hurt your Mom... not in a million years."

"Yeah, well on her prior attempts... I guess my Dad was okay... at least I never ever heard anything bad about him." She paused and sighed. "Then there was Jack... and he was okay too... he just couldn't keep his zipper closed."

Lucas shook his head again. From what he'd seen of the Doc, her last couple of husbands had let a real treasure get away.

"And, of course, there was Dan. He was real piece of work," Cynthia said sarcastically. Lucas didn't know much about Dan so he just stayed quiet. He noticed that there was a firm set to Cynthia's face now. "It's hard to imagine my Mom as a spousal abuse case isn't it?"

Lucas turned a surprised face to her. He hadn't heard about this twist. Cynthia nodded. "Yeah, he used to beat on her." She looked out ahead as they walked slowly. "The worst part was the bruises on her arms... I don't think I'll ever forget those." She put her own hand up on Lucas' upper arm. "You could see the imprint of his fingers in the bruises where he held her down. It was awful." She walked a while longer lost in the memory. When she continued her voice was soft and sad. "You know, I think that he forced himself on her a lot... sometimes I'd hear them and I'd hold my head under my pillow trying to drown out what he was saying to her... he was such a bastard," she said in a heartfelt voice and then she looked up at Lucas again. "I think I was probably the reason she finally left him. He tried to grab me one day. Nothing real direct... just kind of putting his hands in places they shouldn't have been... but I got away. We left that night and never went back."

"At least she doesn't have to worry about that with the Captain. He'd never touch her." Lucas grinned a bit at another recollection. "She'd touch him though," he said in a playful voice.

Cynthia looked at him in disbelief. "No... she never did."

"Oh, yeah," Lucas smiled. "Oh about seven months ago, I guess. They had one of their patented arguments where Bridger ended up saying something that he shouldn't have... sometimes his mouth runs off with him," Lucas said in a confiding voice. "He never told me what it was but he did say that he was totally out of line and deserved to get smacked."

"She actually hit him?" Cynthia asked surprised.

"Oh, yeah... I didn't see it but I certainly heard it. Probably half the state heard that slap."

"Wow."

"He ended up with a bloody lip too." Lucas chuckled a little at the memory. "And then for the next week they were like a bad Abbot and Costello routine with him apologizing to her and her apologizing to him and both of them apologizing to me... it was hilarious."

"You have a weird sense of humor, Lucas."

"Maybe you just had to be there... trust me... it was funny."

Lucas and Cynthia continued their walk for a while arm in arm until Cynthia sighed a little and leaned more into Lucas. "You know what I think is also really neat about this wedding... besides that they're marrying each other?"

"Hum?"

She hesitated a little. "Well, I almost feel like I'm getting a little brother out of the deal too."

Lucas stopped and she looked up at him at first afraid that she might have offended him but she relaxed as a truly happy smile covered Lucas' face. "You're kidding?" he asked amazed. "I thought it was only me... 'cause I feel like I'm getting a big sister out of this too."

Cynthia put her hand up on Lucas' cheek. "Can I be your big sister?"

Lucas nodded with the smile still lighting up his face. "Yeah, if I can be your little brother."

Cynthia nodded and Lucas gathered her up into a hug.

Nathan sat on the edge of the stone railing and watched as Lucas and Cynthia walked across the lawn. He smiled softly as familiar hands came around his shoulders accompanied by a gentle kiss on the side of his face. He brought his hand up to stroke her arm.

"It looks like our kids are getting along pretty well," Kristin said softly in his ear.

"They certainly have taken to each other... it's like we were meant to be together and so were they."

"Yeah," she patted him on the shoulder as she noticed his tired sigh. "Why don't you come on in and let me change those yucky bandages and then you need to wander off back to seaQuest to get some sleep."

"Alright," Nathan said, standing and slipping his arm around her waist as they turned back to the house.

"Are you working tomorrow?"

"Only half a day. Then I'll be over here."

"Okay, because we've got rehearsal at four and then the out of town people are coming for dinner at five."

"That's no problem... and we're going to bring everything here tomorrow anyway."

"Everything what?"

"Uniforms, clothes, all that other good stuff. Bill suggested that just to be sure that we had everything in place to stage it all here tomorrow."

"What a good idea... now Malcolm said he'd be here by about two."

"Oh, that's a good incentive to show up."

"How about your brother?"

"George can't get away until tomorrow night so he'll be here on Saturday morning."

Bill and Janet were standing in the hallway and Kristin continued their conversation as they approached them. "That's too bad. I know Crocker will be here sometime tomorrow afternoon."

Bill grinned at Kristin, "Oh, and I know this is going to break your heart, Kristin, but Shelly called this afternoon. Seems like he had a little accident and won't make it to the wedding."

"He alright?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah, broke his leg slipping on a bar towel."

Nathan chuckled, "That'll teach him to retire."

Chapter 27: A Freshening Breeze
 

Nathan was sitting in the wardroom of the new seaQuest the next morning sipping his coffee and reading through a production report when Chief Akima stuck his head through the door.

"Oh, this is where you are."

Nathan smiled at the big security Chief. "Good morning, Chief. And how are you doing on this fine Navy day?"

"I'm doing great, Captain. It's a beautiful day out there and the weather guys are calling for another nice one tomorrow so it sounds like God listened to you."

"Oh, I only asked him, Chief," he grinned. "However, Kristin was having a serious exchange with God last time I checked about the inadvisability of him providing anything less than a beautiful day... and at this point I don't think that even God wants to piss off Kristin."

A knowing smile lit up the Chief's face as he came all the way into the room. "Somehow I can believe that, sir." Nathan noted that the Chief had brought several bags with him which were emitting a tempting odor. The Chief held up the bags. "I figured that it would be easier to bring breakfast to you than to try and go out so I brought something to be sure that you were eating." The Chief emptied out the bags onto the wardroom table.

Nathan stood and helped set up the feast. The bag offered up containers of fruit, scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and cartons of milk and orange juice. "Wow, if I wasn't hungry before, I'm hungry now," Nathan said fervently.

Lucas came into the room with an excited smile on his face. "Something smells really good in this place..."

"The Chief brought us breakfast... and quite a breakfast it is," Nathan smiled as he sat down with a plate of food and started to eat.

Lucas grabbed up a plate and started filling it from the containers. "Chief, I'm liking you better and better each day. I was really getting tired of eating cereal for breakfast. Thanks much."

"My pleasure, Lucas. How did you two sleep last night?"

Nathan looked up at him with a fork full of eggs poised. "Actually, I slept pretty well. While we were out working yesterday the construction crew decided to fit out the compartment we were using so we actually had bunks and mattresses and sheets last night."

"Yeah," Lucas said around a mouthful of toast. "Kind of like a model compartment. It's really pretty comfortable. They even put in the tile flooring and everything."

"I'll have to grab a look at it before we leave today," smiled the Chief. "Speaking of which, what are the plans?"

Bridger sat back in his chair. "Well, I'm hoping to get a couple of hours of work done here and then sometime before noon we're going to need to go to the beach house to pick up my uniform and give me a chance to pack for the honeymoon."

"You going to tell me where you're going now?" Lucas asked.

"Not yet," Nathan frowned at him. "It's not that I don't trust you..."

Lucas grinned at him. "It's only that you don't trust me."

"Nope, neither you nor Cynthia."

"Very wise of you."

The Chief grinned at the easy counter-play between the two of them. "And then we go over to Noyce's?"

"Almost. Lucas needs to stop and pick up his outfit for the wedding."

"Oh, yeah," Lucas said with another grin. "She's gonna love it."

Nathan just shook his head. "And then we go to the Noyce's."

"Got it," said Akima.

Lucas got a serious look on his face and glanced over at Akima. "What kind of security do your people have set up at Noyce's?"

The Chief sat back in his chair and munched on a piece of bacon... well, a piece of what passed for bacon these days. "Well, they're stationing armed people up on the roof of the house and a couple of adjoining properties have agreed to let us put some people up on top of their buildings too. We're increasing the guards around the complex and the frequency of patrols." He leaned forward again and picked up his carton of milk. "We've got double lines of armed security at the gates and the ability to shut the gates off almost immediately in case of any trouble... and everything went into effect as of last night so they should be able to work out any kinks before the wedding tomorrow."

"All sounds very cozy, Chief," Nathan said in a sarcastic but not unkind voice.

"As long as we manage to keep the groom alive, I'll be happy," the Chief said to him sternly.

A little before noon Nathan and Lucas, accompanied by Chief Akima and Ensign James, headed out for the beach house. Nathan spent a while in his and Kristin's room setting up his uniform with large medals and ribbons while Lucas sat on the bed watching him and occasionally asking questions.

"So... just how do you manage to get three Navy Crosses?"

Bridger kept his eyes fixed on the row of ribbons he was attempting to put straight on his uniform. "You're stupider than everyone else," he commented in a flat voice.

"Stupider?" Lucas asked amazed.

"Yeah," Bridger glanced back at him quickly. "Everyone else had the sense to get out of danger... I was the only one dumb enough to hang around."

"But you must have done something brave."

"I was actually a little too busy trying to stay alive," he said absently. Bridger straightened up and stood back from the full dress white uniform. "How's that look?"

"Very impressive," Lucas said a little awed.

Bridger moved back to the uniform again and put it in a hanging bag. He added his shoes, socks, a white t-shirt, belt, and gloves to the bag. Then he took a hatbox from the top shelf of the closet and put it on the bed.

"That's not the hat you usually wear, is it?" Lucas asked.

"Nope, that is what you would call an inspection-ready hat." Then Bridger took a long leather case from the side of the closet and put that on the bed.

"Is that your sword?"

"Yup," Nathan said taking the sword from the case and sliding the gold hilted blade from its black scabbard. The silver blade was heavily etched with intricate designs and nautical scenes. "This was my grandfather's." He passed it over to Lucas.

"Wow," Lucas said as he turned the sword over in his hands. "It's beautiful." He gently handed the sword back.

"Yeah, it is," Bridger said thoughtfully. He smiled a bit. "I will admit that it's been a while since I've worn it." He gently replaced the sword in the scabbard and slipped both into the case. "All I need to do now is to get some stuff together for the honeymoon and I'll be done."

"So..." said Lucas pensively, "do you need warm weather clothes or cold weather clothes?"

Nathan smiled over at him. "I'm not telling you where we're going Lucas... maybe tomorrow but not before then. Besides," he said with a grin, "I'll be on my honeymoon. I probably don't need clothes at all."

Lucas got a slightly disgusted look on his face and stood up. "That's more than I wanted to know, Cap. I'm gonna go bother Ensign James for a while."

"Behave yourself," warned Bridger. Lucas threw him a saucy grin as he left the room.

After gathering the clothes and accessories he needed, Nathan moved all of his stuff out onto the couch ready to go. As he passed by the den he saw that Lucas had both security officers busy looking at the messages that Kristin had received at the house. Glancing out the double French doors, Nathan looked across the water and wandered onto the porch itself. ‘He's watching me', he thought. Bridger just felt it deep within him that his adversary was watching... watching from somewhere out there. Surprisingly, Nathan didn't feel any fear. Instead he felt a calm assurance that this episode would be coming to an end shortly and a supreme confidence that he would come out ahead. He slowly nodded his head as his eyes swept the water... it would end soon.

"Captain, I hate to bother you," said Ensign James behind him. "But do you think you might come back in the house and stop being such a good target?"

Nathan turned his head and smiled understandingly at the young ensign and then turned and walked back in the house. "Sure, sorry about that, I just needed some air."

From across the water the steely grey eyes watched Bridger on the porch and then watched the exchange between him and the young lady security officer. He hadn't quite expected to have Bridger show up here now so he hadn't been prepared. That was alright, there was still plenty of time. A soft smile crossed the man's face as he thought almost the same thoughts that Nathan had been thinking on the porch. This would be over soon. Bridger and he would settle this once and for all. He nodded his head in an unconscious duplication of the movement that Bridger had made. They'd settle it alright... and settle it in his way.

Chapter 28: Overcast Skys... Again
 

The clock had barely struck one when Lucas and Nathan pulled up in front of the Noyce house and started unloading their garment bags. Janet Noyce met them just outside the bedroom where they had stored their clothes and gave Nathan a kiss on cheek.

"Well, people have started showing up."

"Who's here?" Nathan asked.

"Malcolm."

"Oh, goody," he said with a resigned grin. "What kind of trouble is he up to?"

Janet smiled and squeezed Nathan's arm. "He's out on the patio trying to convince Kristin that she shouldn't marry you."

Nathan rolled his eyes. "I believe it."

Sure enough, as Nathan walked out onto the patio he saw Malcolm sitting with his back to the door talking to Kristin.

"You know," he said to her earnestly, "he's always getting in trouble."

Kristin grinned softly. "Yes, I know."

Nathan walked up quietly and put his hands on Malcolm's shoulders. "He's not the only one."

"Oh, hell," said Malcolm.

Malcolm winced when Nathan firmly squeezed his shoulders before moving over to Kristin. "Hi," he said planting a soft kiss on her cheek. He looked back at Malcolm. "You can't have her, Malcolm. She's decided she wants me."

With a discouraged look on his face Malcolm groused, "Well, you can't blame me for trying."

"Yes, I can," Nathan insisted, standing with one hand draped across Kristin's shoulder. "And if you don't behave yourself we'll send you back to play with the dolphins."

Malcolm looked properly chastised. "I'll behave."

"That'll be a first," said Scott Keller as he came onto the patio.

Nathan straightened up and moved towards Keller, a smile lighting his face. "Scottman. How are you?" he asked as he shook Keller's hand.

"I'm doing great," he moved over to Kristin to give her a kiss on the cheek. "You're not really going to marry this guy are you?"

"What is this? Pick on me day today?" Nathan protested.

Keller and Malcolm looked at each other and then as one said, "Yeah."

Bridger sat next to Kristin at the table and took her hand in his, gently running his thumb over her fingers as mild banter took up the better part of the next half hour and the friends filled each other in on their activities during the last year.

The people who would be involved in the rehearsal started gathering on the patio. Katie Hitchcock and Jonathan Ford wandered in together accompanied by Lieutenant Dan Hawkins, the Navy chaplain who would perform the ceremony. Janet Noyce joined the crowd and smiled delightedly at the compliments on the transformation of her lawn.

The white-cushioned chairs had been set up for the guests with colorful bows decorating the end of each row. At the rear of the tableau bright flowers decorated waist-high planters and at the front cascading planters of colorful flowers framed a slightly raised platform. Behind the platform and the planters white trellises provided the background and a white gauze material was draped across the top of the trellises to provide a soft top to the wedding scene. The addition of more flowers tomorrow before the ceremony would provide even more color to the landscape to balance off the white uniforms being worn my many of the guests and wedding party members.

Those in the wedding party started gathering at the back of the chairs for the rehearsal goaded on by good natured kidding from the watchers from the patio. Nathan came up behind Kristin and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. She looked back at him with a tender smile.

"How are you doing?"

"I want it to be tomorrow evening," he said sincerely.

She put her arms over his and hugged him. "I know," she sighed. "Is it too late to elope?"

Nathan grinned. "Somehow, I think so." He kissed her on the cheek. "One more day." He looked around the gathered people. "Where are the kids?" he asked.

He heard Lucas behind him clear his throat. "The kids are right here," he said in a disgusted voice.

"Kids?" Cynthia asked as she pinched Nathan on the side.

He released Kristin as he twitched away from Cynthia's assault. "Geez, they're pretty tender about their ages, aren't they?"

"That's because they're too young to know better," Kristin teased and Cynthia stuck her tongue out at her mother.

"Where's Bill?" Nathan asked Janet.

She frowned at him with a resigned look on her face. "Bill's late . . . for a change."

As if on cue, Noyce bustled through the door and sidled next to Janet, slipping his arm around her waist and placing a quick kiss on her cheek. "Sorry, I'm late."

Janet patted him on the cheek. "That's alright, dear... we expected it," she said with a smile.

Now, with all parties there, the chaplain took the wedding party through the steps that would be involved during the next day's ceremony. First walking the ushers, Noyce and Ford, through the procedures for the seating of the guests and then showing Nathan where he was to stand on the raised platform. Jonathan and Katie Hitchcock were paired up for their walk up the aisle followed by the Noyces and then Cynthia and Lucas, who took his place just to Bridger's right. Then, finally, Kristin walked up the aisle to join Nathan on the platform. As the chaplain went through the progression of the ceremony itself Nathan stood clasping both of Kristin's hands. While his eyes were fixed on Kristin's face her nervousness was obvious. Although she seemed to be paying attention to the chaplain she was glancing around the area throughout the rehearsal and only met Nathan's eyes a couple of times fleetingly. Finally, towards the end of the explanations, it was obvious that Kristin wasn't listening at all. She suddenly became aware of silence around her and looked at Nathan quizzically.

"What?"

Nathan squeezed her hands a little. "He asked if you had any questions," he said nodding towards the chaplain.

Kristin finally looked right at Nathan. "Oh... no," she said shortly.

Nathan nodded slightly and glanced at the chaplain. "I guess not. Thank you."

"Well, when we finish the ceremony itself," the Lieutenant said, "then you get to kiss the bride." He paused a moment. "Would you like to practice that part?"

Nathan grinned and looked back at Kristin who was finally smiling. He lowered his head and captured her lips in a short but satisfying kiss. He ended the kiss by putting his cheek against hers and whispering in her ear, "You know, the material over our heads here reminds me of the gauze over our bed on the island."

Kristin pulled back and gave him a mock disapproving look as she looked at his impish grin. At the chaplain's instructions they then practiced their walk back between the chairs to the back of the yard where the reception line would be.

They were followed to the back by the other couples in the wedding party who gathered around until Bill Noyce announced, "I can tell it must be time to eat." Janet looked at him quizzically and Bill shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head towards the patio. "It's got to be time to eat... Crocker's arrived," he grinned.

Nathan sat exchanging small talk with the various people eating their dinner on the Noyce's patio. He turned from laughing at an anecdote by Scott to see that Kristin was staring at her plate ignoring the conversation around her. One of the staff approached and noticing Kristin's empty glass asked if she wanted a refill.

"Would you like another white wine, ma'am?"

Kristin glanced up at him absently. "Yes, please."

Nathan leaned towards him and interjected softly, "She'll have an iced tea."

He felt Kristin staring silently at him and turned to meet her eyes. After holding her glance for only a second he leaned close to her and whispered softly, "You're not getting drunk on the night before our wedding." He pulled back a little and she looked at his expressionless face before nodding to the staff member who turned to get the iced tea. Kristin then looked back at Nathan who was still watching her and noting her nervousness. "Do we need to talk?" he asked quietly. Kristin blinked several times and then nodded wordlessly. Nathan stood up and pulled her chair out for her before turning to the others at the table. He smiled wanly. "Excuse us for a moment, please."

With one arm around her waist Nathan led Kristin to the lawn on the side of the patio. He didn't talk until they had moved a good distance away from the rest then he stopped and turned her to him. Kristin refused to meet his gaze but stood chewing on her bottom lip with her eyes fixed on a button on his shirt.

"Kris, what's wrong?" he asked gently bringing both of his hands up to rest on her hips.

She finally brought her eyes up to meet his and he saw the slight sheen of tears in them. "You must be kidding."

Nathan took in a deep breath and let it out. "Second thoughts?"

Kristin brought two fingers up to stroke his left cheek, eventually resting her hand on his shoulder. "No... no second thoughts," she reassured him. "I want to be your wife," she said earnestly and then more quietly, "I want to be your wife so much."

"Then what?"

Kristin didn't answer right away but instead started looking around again. Her gaze ran across the top of the buildings surrounding them. She moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest. "Do you think that we could manage to get the guys with the guns on the buildings in the wedding pictures?" she asked into his chest.

Nathan tightened his arms around her and brought her close to him. "They won't be there tomorrow, Kris," he said softly into her hair.

"Oh, yes?" Kristin gave a short, humorless laugh. "Why not?"

"They won't be needed. We've got a plan."

Kristin pulled her head back to look at him. "What kind of plan?" she asked doubtfully.

"A good one," Nathan said comfortingly. Kristin continued to stare at him silently. "You've got to trust me, Kris," Nathan said quietly.

She nodded slightly and leaned her head against his chest again. "I hate him... I hate him so much," she mumbled.

"I know... I know," Nathan said reassuringly.

Chapter 29: Clear Skys in the Magic Kingdom
 

Lucas and Cynthia had been moving between the tables talking to various people. They noticed Bridger and Kristin talking on the lawn and watched them with concern. Lucas glanced at Bill Noyce who shrugged.

"They needed to talk."

Lucas nodded and knitted his brow. "I hate it when they do that. It always makes me nervous."

Cynthia looked at him quizzically. "Why?"

Lucas sighed. "Sometimes they get into fights when they talk... you never quite know what's going to happen."

Cynthia watched as her mother rested her head against the Captain's chest. "They look alright."

"Yeah," said Lucas doubtfully. "Give ‘em a while." They both stood watching the couple until Bridger nudged Kristin's head with his chin. When she pulled her face back Lucas and Cynthia both let out relieved sighs as they saw Bridger lower his head to meet Kristin's lips in what started as a gentle kiss but escalated into a deep, lingering embrace.

When they broke the kiss Bridger softly kissed Kristin's forehead and then leaned his forehead on hers for a little while. Cynthia could see that they were talking a little more as they stood there and then her Mom stretched up to plant a quick kiss on Nathan's lips before they turned and, with their arms around each other, walked back to the patio.

Nathan looked up as they climbed the steps to the patio and saw everyone staring at them. The couple stopped and stared back. "What?" Nathan asked in a slightly offended voice.

Lucas raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Nothin'. Just checking to make sure that everything is alright."

They continued up the stairs with Kristin throwing Lucas a disapproving look. "Oh everything's just fine... we were just discussing the ambiance of the armed guards on the roofs."

Everyone's eyes went up to take in the guards dotting the roofs. "Well, it's different, you've got to give it that," Cynthia said dryly.

"Do you know," Kristin said with a sigh, "just for once I'd like to try out normal rather than different or exciting."

Lucas chuckled. "You do remember who you're marrying, right?" That earned him a glare from Bridger.

"And you're trying to help?" he asked disapprovingly.

"Ummm, I think I'm keeping my mouth shut," Lucas said a little nervously.

"What a good idea," Nathan said. Lucas noticed his small grin and relaxed.

On his way out the French doors to join the others on the patio, Nathan noticed Lt. Brakker standing off to the side watching the football game that had developed on the grass. He moved beside him. "Lieutenant, do you think we could have a little talk?"

Brakker glanced over at Nathan and nodded his head. The two men moved down off the patio to the grassy area beside it. The stone balustrade of the patio screened them from the others on the patio.

Bridger turned to the security man. "So, you having any luck finding this guy?"

"No, sir. Nothing so far."

"What do you plan on doing?"

Brakker narrowed his eyes a little as he watched the older man. "Just what we're doing now."

"So nothing."

"We have security all over the place, sir. You've got a constant guard. What else do you expect us to do?"

Nathan regarded the younger man with an impassive look. "Look, Lieutenant, I know that you've gone through about every investigative tool that you have in your arsenal... and Lucas has been spending every free minute he has trying to find some trace of him with no luck." He glanced out towards the portion of the yard set up for the wedding and let out an exasperated sigh. "I really don't want to have this guy running around free tomorrow afternoon. Somehow, I'm rather sure that he'll find a way to interrupt the ceremony." He paused and stared at the lieutenant. "Probably by blowing the groom's head off in the middle of it." Brakker fidgeted uncomfortably. "Don't you think that it's time we stuck some bait out there?"

Brakker looked at Bridger sharply. "You mean you?"

"Yeah," Nathan said calmly.

"No," Brakker responded firmly.

Bridger folded his arms and looked at the younger man. "It's the easiest way to catch him, Lieutenant."

"No, Captain," Brakker insisted. "I'm not about to be known as the guy who got Captain Nathan Bridger killed on the day before his wedding."

"That's just great, Lieutenant," Nathan said angrily. "Then what do you plan on doing for the honeymoon. Staying with us??"

"Sir, I don't figure that's a problem," Brakker responded calmly. "I think we can station equipment off your island and keep an eye on the two of you while still allowing you your privacy."

"Except you didn't listen to me yesterday... we're not going to the island," Nathan said quietly.

"I thought you were kidding," Brakker said in surprise.

Nathan shook his head slowly. "I wasn't kidding, Lieutenant. We're not going to the island."

"Then where are you going?" Brakker asked suspiciously.

Bridger got a satisfied smile on his face and patted the younger man on the shoulder. "Disneyworld, Lieutenant." Nathan turned back to the patio and as he started up the stairs he looked back to see the shocked look on Brakker's face. "We're going to Disneyworld."

Chapter 30: A Glimmer of Light
 

Nathan dutifully went back to the patio to sit beside Kristin while she talked to the Noyces. The game that somehow started when Lucas found a football laying around was noisily tearing across the free section of the grassy lawn. The participants included Lucas and Cynthia, Scott, Jonathan, Katie, several crew members who had shown up and even Malcolm.

"Oh, I think that both of us will be happy when this is over with," Kristin said to Janet Noyce and then turned to Nathan. "Right?"

Nathan quickly switched his gaze to Kristin from the football game where it had been. "Right. Sure," he said hastily.

Kristin frowned at him. It was obvious that Nathan had not been listening at all. "Why don't you go play football, Nathan," she said gently.

"No, no... that's alright," Nathan grinned wanly. "I'll stay with you."

Kristin folded her arms and tilted her head a little. "Nathan, for God's sake go play football," she said insistently.

"Really?"

"Get out of here."

Nathan grinned and leaned forward to plant a quick kiss on Kristin's cheek before standing and vaulting over the stone rail to go join the game. Janet glanced over at Bill who had a lost look on his face.

"Bill... go."

Bill looked back at her hopefully. "You sure?"

"Goodbye," Janet said and Noyce also placed a quick kiss on his wife's cheek before going down to join in the game. She sighed as she watched the two men meld right into the melee. "One of these days," she said to Kristin, "those two are going to grow up."

"Want to make a bet?" Kristin said with a grin.

"No." They watched the game which had started out as touch football but had degraded to a semi-full-contact adventure.

Kristin saw Lucas reach out and grab Nathan's foot as he ran by with the ball. Nathan tumbled head over heels ending up flat on his back.

"Hey!!," Kristin yelled out to the players. "Don't hurt him... I'm not done with him yet!"

Manilow Crocker stood with a beer in his hand watching the younger crowd play their games on the lawn. He winced slightly as Lucas took Bridger down hard with a shoestring tackle. Chief Lenny Akima walked up next to him.

"Hey, Aki, how are you doing?" Crocker smiled.

Akima moved his smiling gaze from the ball players to Crocker. "I'm doing great, Manny. So... how's retirement?"

Crocker frowned and stared at his beer a moment. "Retirement sucks, Aki."

"I told you so," Akima said shaking his head with a grin.

Manny smiled back at his old friend and then looked again at the football players. "Yeah, I know... So, is he behaving?"

"Bridger? Yeah, he is," Chief Akima said with a worried frown. He sighed as he watched Bridger reach his hands up and snatch in a pass only to be tackled by Cynthia. He looked back at Crocker and seemed to come to a decision. "Manny, can I ask your opinion on something?"

Crocker turned and leaned against the stone rail and nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

Akima continued to thoughtfully watch Bridger, occasionally glancing at Crocker. "Well, I don't know about you but the closer I got to my wedding date the more nervous I got." Crocker smiled and nodded. Akima's voice grew more serious and he nodded his head towards Bridger. "Not him... as we're getting closer and closer to the wedding he's calming down." Akima shook his head. "He's making me nervous, Manny."

"He's calming down, huh?" Akima nodded again and Crocker also turned to look out at Bridger.

"Yeah, should I trust him?"

Crocker smiled softly. "Let me tell you something, Aki. I'd trust that man with my life." He looked at Akima again. "And I have on several occasions." He paused and looked back out at the game. "But when it comes to his own life... I'd trust that little bastard as far as I could throw him."

"That's what I was afraid of," Akima said ruefully. "He's up to something."

"Uhh huh, I'd say so."

Akima sighed and shook his head slowly. "I saw him earlier this evening in a rather heated discussion with Lieutenant Brakker... I wonder what that was about."

"I can give you a guess," Crocker drawled.

"Hmm?"

"My bet would be that at this point the only way you're gonna get this clown is to throw some bait out there... and my guess is that Bridger offered himself."

Akima nodded. "That would make sense... Brakker is so worried about screwing up his career over this that he wouldn't risk that Bridger would get a splinter." He stared at the ground for a little while before continuing. "You don't suppose that Bridger will give up on it now that Brakker has put the kibosh on his plans to throw himself in the way of this guy, do you?"

Crocker ruefully shook his head. "Oh no," he said positively. "There's not much that Lieutenant Brakker can say that's gonna make much of a difference if that hard-headed Captain has his mind made up." He looked impassively up at Akima. "And I have this feeling that the last thing that Bridger wants is for the groom to get his head blown off in the middle of this ceremony."

Akima sighed. "So do I tell Bridger that I know what he's up to?"

"Nope," Crocker shook his head. "If Brakker has already forbidden any action by him Bridger won't let you put your career on the line by involving you."

"So I'm stuck." Akima shook his head, "You got any ideas on what I should do here?"

Crocker looked back out to where the football game had just winded down to an end. "Aki, if I were you, I'd probably be indirect with the guy . . . but I'd hedge my bets."

Akima glanced from Crocker to Bridger and back again. "I can do that," he said thoughtfully and then nodded again. "I think I know just how to do that."

Bill Noyce trudged back to the patio next to Bridger. He was breathing a bit heavily from the workout he'd had during the football game.

"Hey, you gonna make it, Bill?" Nathan teased.

"Yeah, I'm fine... just a little too much time behind a desk these days."

Nathan patted Noyce on the shoulder as they walked together. "Have I remembered to thank you yet, Bill?"

Noyce smiled. "Yes and so has Kristin... Look Nathan, we're happy to be able to do this."

"I don't mean about the wedding," Nathan said quietly and Noyce turned to him with a frown. "I mean I want to thank you for dragging me kicking and screaming off my island."

Bill waved his hand at Nathan. "Oh that... that was nothing... it was pretty damned self-serving of me actually."

Nathan glanced over to where Kristin and Janet were standing on the porch waiting for them. "Yeah, but whether or not you had ulterior motives you saved me from myself," he paused a moment taking in the way the sunset highlighted Kristin's hair. "And if it hadn't been for you I would have probably never met Kristin." He looked over at Noyce. "I owe you a lot for that."

Noyce slapped Nathan on the back as they turned and continued heading for the porch. "Honest to God, Nathan, I never expected it to turn out like it has... but I'm awful happy that it did."