SUMMARY: Well, a summary would ruin the story for you.

CODES: SQ, B/W

RATING: PG

DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to Amblin and the song is Disney's

NOTES: 1) This story is set shortly after the seaQuest is destroyed; 2) It is a light-hearted piece and is to taken that way, pretty much just for a good laugh (from which I'm still trying to recover).

"Kiss the Girl"
by Liz VanZandt

Nathan Bridger read the note in his hand for the hundredth time in the last three days.

He carefully refolded the paper and put it back in his pocket. If I'm willing, he smiled to himself getting out of the car. As he approached the restaurant, Nathan noticed a figure in the distance headed for the same building. She had on an emerald green dress with a scoop neckline and flowing skirt that came just above the knee. Her auburn hair was down, framing her pretty face.

"Nathan," Kristin Westphalen said noticing him.

"Kristin," Nathan said with a kiss on the cheek, "you look lovely."

"Thank you," she said, entering as he politely opened the door for her.

Inside, the maitre d' led them to a table where they ordered dinner. After the waiter left, they struck up light conversation over the salad.

"So what are your plans for the future?" Nathan asked.

"Noyce has approached me to head the UEO oceanography department, and Florida State has offered me tenure. What about you?"

"Well, as soon as the UEO clears the plans, I intend to build another seaQuest."

"Well, good luck. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised when I found your note in my office."

"My note?" Nathan looked confused. "You sent me a note."

"No I didn't. I found a note from you in my office saying that if I want to finish our dinner, meet you here."

"It wouldn't read something like this, would it?" he said taking out the note from his pocket.

She scanned the note. "Suspiciously similar. You don't think we've been set up, do you?"

"I'm beginning to think so."

"Excuse me, sir," the maitre d' said coming over, "but this was left for you." He handed Nathan an envelope and left.

Nathan opened it and seeing the contents, began laughing. "Now I know this is a set up."

"What is it?" Kristin said impatiently.

"A gift certificate for dinner and tickets to a play."

"I don't suppose there's a return address."

He shook his head. "No, but I have a guess as to who it is."

"Well, since we're already here, we might as well enjoy the evening at his expense."

"I'm game if you are," he said with a smile.

* * *

Dinner passed quickly and they made their way to the theater. While waiting for the play to begin, the usher came over to Nathan.

"Excuse me, sir, but a gentleman just asked me to give this to you," he handed another envelope to Nathan.

Nathan spun around to see if he could see the deliverer. Unfortunately a crowd had just come in and the doorway was blocked. "What did he look like?" Nathan asked, taking the envelope.

"It was a young man with dark hair," the usher said and turned to leave.

"Thank you," Nathan said.

"Dark hair?" Kristin asked.

"Probably Ben Krieg."

"Oh no, you don't think he got all the officers in on this?"

"I hope not."

"What's in the envelope?"

He opened it. "Directions."

* * *

As the play continued, a head looked in from behind the audience and smiled.

"What do you see?" Miguel Ortiz prompted from the lobby.

"I can't tell for sure," Katie Hitchcock said turning back to the group assembled there, "but it looks like she's got her head on his shoulder."

"Lucas," Jonathan Ford asked, "are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Yeah," Manilow Crocker agreed, "it seems to me like they're doing fine on their own."

"It's not a case of wanting to," Lucas said, "but rather a case of I have to do it."

"OK," Ford said skeptically, "then let's get this over with."

* * *

After the play was over, Kristin and Nathan decided to see what Lucas had planned for them and followed the directions to a deserted amusement park. There they found signs directing them to the famed Tunnel of Love.

"You don't think Lucas could get any more obvious?" Kristin mused.

"Ah, but you're wrong, Doctor," Lucas said as the area was suddenly bathed in bright light, "I can and I will."

"Lucas, what is the point to all this?" Nathan asked, his voice taking his command tone.

"Allow me to give a quick explanation, Captain. I consider both of you good friends, and so I feel really bad about ruining your dinner aboard the seaQuest. This little evening is my apology to you."

"Lucas --" Nathan started, but was silenced by an elbow in his stomach.

"If you'll kindly step into the boat, I will be your gondolier for the evening."

Nathan looked at Kristin, who just shrugged and stepped into the boat by Lucas. Nathan followed and Lucas stepped behind him.

"I recruited a few friends to supply some mood music," Lucas said and Ford, Hitchcock, Krieg, and Ortiz stepped forward. "OK, Chief, dim the lights."

The lights dimmed and the boat pushed off as the music began.

There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl

Kristin doubled over in laughter at the choice of music.

"You don't approve, Doctor?" Lucas asked.

Between bouts of laughter, Kristin managed to answer him. "I see what you mean about being more obvious."

Yes, you want her
Look at her you know you do
Possible she want you too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl

"You do realize what this is from," Kristin whispered to Nathan.

"No," he whispered back, "should I?"

"The Little Mermaid," she said with a wink. "How did you ever talk them into doing this?" Kristin asked Lucas.

"It wasn't easy," he admitted. "I had to call in more than one favor in the process."

Sing with me now
Sha la la la la la my oh my
Look like the boy too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Sha la la la la la ain't that sad
Ain't it a shame, too bad
He gonna miss the girl

Suddenly the boat stopped by the edge of the tunnel and Lucas got out.

"Where are you going?" Nathan asked.

"All of this is because I ignored your privacy, Captain. This time I'm not going to make the same mistake. Enjoy the rest of the ride."

Now here's your moment (yi yi yi yi)
Floating in a blue lagoon (yi yi yi yi)
Boy you better do it soon
No time will be better (yi yi yi yi)
She don't say a word
And she won't say a word
Until you kiss the girl

"His intentions really are good deep down," Kristin said breaking the silence between them.

"Yeah, but this is the strangest way to say sorry I've ever come across."

"I think it's kind of sweet."

Sha la la la la la don't be scared
You got the mood prepared
Go on and kiss the girl (woah woah)
Sha la la la la la don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You wanna kiss the girl (woah woah)

Outside, Lucas entered the command booth and glanced at the screens on the wall. "Anything yet?"

"Nothing so far," Manilow Crocker replied.

"Wait, this may be it," Tim O'Neill said.

Three pairs of eyes watched as Nathan gently put his arm around Kristin. They seemed to be discussing something. His head dipped ...

Sha la la la la la float along
And listen to the song
The song say kiss the girl (woah woah)
Sha la la la la la the music play
Do what the music say
You gotta kiss the girl
(You've got to) Kiss the girl
(Boy don't you) Wanna kiss the girl
(Go on) You've gotta kiss the girl
Go on and kiss the girl

"You think they caught that?" Nathan said.

"I don't know, but if they didn't they'll definitely catch this one." Kristin leaned up and brought her lips to his.

Meanwhile, the singers had entered the command booth just in time to catch the last exchange.

"All right!" Krieg said loudly.

"It certainly took them long enough," Ford said.

The others just smiled.

The End

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