SUMMARY: After the launch crashes, a small group is stuck on a deserted island.
CODES: SQ, B/W/Ex
RATING: PG13
DISCLAIMER: All hail Amblin, they are all great and good.
NOTES: 1) Set late first season, K & N are a couple when it starts; 2) Part 3 of 3, see The Ex for explanation of how things came to be at this point.
"Stuck With You"
by Liz VanZandt
Bridger looked down the beach and surveyed the scene. Lieutenant Krieg and Lucas were near the water, attempting to salvage what they could from the wreckage of the launch. Krieg's head had been hit rather hard during the shock waves from the earthquake and Lucas was supposed to be watching him for signs of a concussion. Lucas himself was physically fine, but Bridger could tell he had been shaken by the day's events.
Farther down the beach, Crocker was sitting by the radio, trying to get ahold of someone. He had hurt his ankle when climbing out of the launch into the life raft and had it elevated near him. Westphalen didn't think it was broken, but wanted to play it safe and had rigged up a makeshift splint.
Sitting by the trees that marked the edge of the beach, Westphalen was tending to her last patient, the most critical. "How's he doing?" Bridger asked coming over.
"Right leg is broken, at least three ribs broken as well, probably internal bleeding, and possibly a concussion as well. Nathan, if he doesn't wake up soon, there could be permanent damage."
Bridger knelt down next to her and gave her a comforting hug. "How are you doing?"
Kristin sighed. "I've been better. My head hurts and I could use a nap but I'll survive."
"Are you sure? That's quite a bruise you've got there."
She unconsciously brought a hand up to her temple and winced as a wave of pain surged through her body. "Nothing a couple of weeks can't heal. How's your arm? Any better?"
Nathan looked down at his arm which was done up in a sling. He had dislocated the shoulder and banged up his forearm pretty well during the aftershocks from the earthquake. "Better, it only hurts some of the time."
"Take it easy with that, it's likely broken."
"I'll try. If you need anything, let me know."
"I don't suppose you could find a cup of tea and a warm bed?"
"If I see any, you'll be the first person I notify," he smiled. "Don't worry, somebody will find us."
Kristin smiled and turned back to Gallagher. Bridger continued on down the beach to where Crocker was sitting. "Nothing yet, Cap. The power on this baby's pretty weak, I don't know how far this is actually reaching."
"I know, Gator, just keep trying."
"How's the Senator doing?"
"Still not awake. Doctor Westphalen thinks he's got multiple broken bones and maybe a concussion."
"Too bad there isn't a way we can increase the power of this guy."
"I know, maybe Lucas can take a look at it later."
"Yeah." Crocker picked up the handset, "Mayday, mayday, this is the crew of seaQuest launch MR-1, location one hundred twenty-three degrees fifteen minutes east, eight degrees forty-one minutes north. Mayday, mayday ..."
* * *
"Commander, I just got a very weak distress signal from about five hundred miles north northwest of here," Lieutenant (j.g.) Tim O'Neill said.
"Can you pinpoint the source, Mr. O'Neill?" Jonathan Ford asked coming over.
"It's really weak, it's may take some time."
"Keep at it, Lieutenant." Ford turned back and crossed over to the navigation table in the center of the bridge. Doing some quick calculations in his head he turned to the front of the ship, "Helm bring us around to bearing three three eight."
"Commander, another aftershock from the earthquake coming," Chief Miguel Ortiz said from his station.
"Prepare for collision," Ford said automatically, "brace for impact." A moment later the ship rocked back and forth as the aftershock collided with the seaQuest. "Damage report."
Lieutenant Commander Katie Hitchcock checked her display. "Nothing major."
"Good. Mr. O'Neill, any luck with the distress signal?"
"Not yet, sir." He paused, "It disappeared, Commander. What ever it was it must have gone to the bottom."
"Can you get me a rough idea where it went down, Lieutenant?"
"The best I can do is somewhere between five and ten degrees north latitude, and between one twenty and one thirty degrees east longitude."
"That's the best you can do?"
"I'm sorry, sir. Like I said, the signal was real weak to start with."
"All right, Commander Hitchcock, set up a search within Mr. O'Neill's coordinates and have it ready for when we arrive in the area."
"Aye, sir."
"Mr. O'Neill."
"Aye, sir."
"Start sending on all frequencies, let's hope somebody out there's listening."
"Aye."
* * *
"Where am I?" Michael Gallagher said groggily, looking around.
"Oh no you don't, you lay right back down," Kristin said with a slight push at his chest. "We're on a deserted island near the Philippines."
"What happened?"
"The launch ran into an earthquake and we had to abandon it."
"Ohh, my head hurts, I suppose I hit that on something."
"Mmmhmm, you also broke your leg and a couple of ribs."
"And you've been taking care of me."
"Yes."
"How long have I been out?"
"About six hours now. I was starting to worry whether you were in a coma or not."
"Did I hear you right, you were worried about me?"
"Don't get used to it, it's called the Hippocratic Oath."
"Well, you're finally up," Bridger said coming over. "How are you feeling, Senator?"
"My head hurts and it's a struggle to breath. Other than that I've never felt better. Is there any food in this place?"
"The others are out looking for some now," Bridger said.
* * *
Further down the beach, Krieg, Crocker, and Lucas were looking on from a distance. "I don't know, Lucas, they seem to be getting along fine," Crocker said.
"That's cause he's been out since we got here and she hasn't had to talk to him," Lucas said with a frown.
"Lucas is right," Krieg nodded, "all three of them have been acting strangely for the past week and I get the feeling it has to do with the past."
"Uh oh, red alert," Lucas said. "It looks like we might have a fireworks show tonight."
Crocker shook his head, "Doctor Westphalen might have a temper, but if she held her peace this long, I don't think she's going to lose it with him in the condition he's in."
"You'd lose the bet," Krieg commented, watching the scene with interest. "Tell you what, let's separate the three of them for a while and let them cool off. I'll offer to spell the Doc for a bit and talk with the Senator." He turned to Crocker, "You're good friends with the Captain so you talk to him, preferably alone, and you," he turned to Lucas, "can have a chat with the good Doctor."
"And what am I supposed to talk with her about?" Lucas asked suspiciously.
"I don't know, whatever you want, but just calm her down."
* * *
Ben Krieg walked over to the makeshift shelter where Kristin was watching over Gallagher. "Doctor, you look tired, why don't you take a break and get some rest?"
"I don't know, Lieutenant, he's still critical," she replied with a tired smile.
"I'll stay here and watch him. Come on, Doc, you've been taking care of one person after another since we got here. Take a little time off and take care of yourself."
Kristin looked at Gallagher, asleep on the ground, and then back to Krieg. "I suppose I could use a break. You'll let me know if his condition changes at all?"
"I promise. Now, go," Krieg said pointing down the beach.
"Yes, sir," she said with a laugh and left.
Krieg watched her leave and then turned to the body on the floor. "Now, Senator, it's time we find out a little about you."
* * *
Lucas followed Kristin at a safe distance. She slowly wandered through the jungle, stopping when she got to a small clearing with a pond in the middle. Kristin sat down by a tree at the edge of the clearing and began crying. Lucas decided it would be better to give her a few minutes alone before joining her. When the sobbing began to taper off, Lucas took a deep breath and entered the clearing. "Oh, Doctor," he said trying to sound surprised, "I didn't know you were here."
"Hello, Lucas. Out exploring?" Kristin said, trying to hide the fact she'd been crying.
"Thinking mostly. Mind if I join you?"
"No, go right ahead."
Lucas sat down by the next tree. Neither one said anything and after about a minute Lucas finally spoke. "Doctor, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Lucas."
"Um," he paused looking uncomfortable, "how do you know when you've found true love."
Kristin was taken aback. "That's a difficult question, Lucas. There is no easy answer."
"I know, but I figured that since you ... well ... have had some experience with love and relationships maybe you could help."
She paused for a minute, trying to frame her response. "Lucas, many people go through life and never know what love is, myself included."
"So you've never really loved someone?"
"No, I didn't say that. Love is something that cannot be described, even by people who have experienced it. It's a funny emotion because it can become confused with others very easily, but when it is real ... it feels like nothing you've ever felt before."
"Are you saying that you just know when you've found love?"
"No, most of the time it sneaks up on you when you least expect it and it takes something to open your eyes."
"Oh," Lucas said unsure.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, there's this girl. We're really good friends and she's a great girl, but ... I don't know if I should try to take our relationship a little farther."
"Sometimes you don't know until you try."
"Like you and the Captain?"
Kristin smiled ruefully. "Yeah. Lucas, sometimes you have to take a chance and hope for the best. But whatever you do, try to keep your friendship, because good friends are the best thing to have."
Lucas smiled, "Thanks, Doc."
"You're welcome, Lucas. I hope I helped."
* * *
"Hey there, Cap, any luck with that think yet?" Crocker said hobbling over to where Bridger was working on the radio.
"No response yet. This radio either has an extremely small range or it was shorted out by the water."
"Don't worry, Cap, the launch sent out a distress signal before it went under. It's got a much greater range and I'll bet someone heard that and is headed this way right now."
"You're probably right, but it's almost sundown. No one with a head on their shoulders would attempt a search and rescue at night."
"So we wait until morning. We've got enough supplies to last for a few days worst comes to worst."
Bridger winced, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
"Come on, Cap, you can't hold yourself responsible for what's happened. It was an unforeseeable turn of events."
"Yeah, but I feel like there's something else I should be doing to get us out of here."
"There's nothing else you can do right now, we all know that. Why don't you relax and let someone out there," Crocker waved his arm at the sea, "worry about saving us."
Bridger sighed. "I wish I could, Gator, I wish I could."
* * *
"Where's Kristin?" Michael Gallagher said looking around.
"Oh, Senator, you're awake," Ben Krieg said coming over. "Doctor Westphalen took a break for a little while."
"Oh."
"Are you comfortable, can I get you anything?"
"Something to drink would be nice."
"Coming right up." Krieg disappeared and then returned a minute later with a cup in his hand. "We don't have anything stronger than water right now, sorry."
Gallagher's laugh was followed by a wince of pain. "That's fine, Lieutenant ..."
"Krieg. Lieutenant Benjamin Krieg."
"So, Lieutenant, what do you do on the seaQuest?"
"I'm the supply and morale officer."
"Supply and morale?" Gallagher said, doubtful.
"On a submarine it is very easy for the crew to become depressed or downcast, and it's my job to keep the crew happy. And happy people tend to be productive people."
"Well, I suppose you're quite busy than."
"Usually, yes."
"Where are you from, Lieutenant?"
"Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio"
"So you were sponsored for the academy by Steven Farmer."
"No, sir, Senator Tyler Barrett before he retired."
"Ah, good man."
"Yes, sir, he was."
"Are you married, Lieutenant?"
"Divorced, sir."
"Can I ask you a personal question, Lieutenant?" Krieg nodded. "Do you still love your ex-wife?"
Krieg got a questioning look on his face. "I still care for her. Why?"
"Just wondering, that's all."
"Doctor Westphalen?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Katie and I acted the same way toward each other after our divorce was final as you and the doctor are acting."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only because I know the signs."
"And how did you handle it?"
"Well, it was probably different in my case since the divorce was by mutual consent, but I discovered that eventually both of us came to terms with what happened, but it took us some time."
Gallagher looked down the beach and saw Kristin approaching. "Oh, you're awake, did you have a good nap?" she said putting her hand on his forehead to check for a fever.
"I've slept better."
"I think I'll go help Lucas with the radio," Krieg said walking away.
"Lieutenant," Kristin smiled, "thank you."
"No problem, Doctor," Krieg returned her smile and then continued on his way.
"Kristin," Gallagher said and she turned back to him, "can I ask you a question?"
"You can ask, but I can't promise I'll give you an answer."
"Fair enough. Kristin, do you love me, even a little?"
Surprised, Kristin looked at him and for the first time all week their eyes met. "Once, a long time ago I loved you, Michael, but not anymore. I've come to terms with what happened and moved on with my life."
"Bridger."
"What does he have to do with this?"
"I've seen the way you look at each other, it's a look that never passed between us."
"Maybe if you'd have come home instead of working late with your secretary --"
"No, don't do that, Kristin."
"Do what?"
"Try to put all the blame on me. What happened between us was not only my fault."
* * *
Down the beach all eyes were on the scene unfolding before them. Bridger moved to intervene but Lucas stopped him. "Don't, Captain, this is something they have to do on their own."
"But --"
"No, Captain," Krieg said, "they need to have this out by themselves. If you intervene it will never be resolved."
Knowing the others to be right, Bridger took a step back, his heart screaming at him to help.
* * *
"What?" Kristin spun around incredulously.
"My affairs weren't the real reason behind our divorce, they were just the catalyst. Listen, Kristin, our personalities are just too similar for us to be compatible, and that's why our marriage failed." Kristin stared at him in disbelievement. "Kristin, I still love you, I always have, and that's why I went along with the divorce."
"Oh, and if you loved me than why did you sleep with every one of your secretaries?"
"I don't know, I guess it was to spite you."
"To spite me!"
"Yes. How many arguments did I win in the ten years we were married?"
"How should I know?"
"Almost none. Do you know how much a politician likes to win? I had to find some way to get back at you."
"Oh, I'd say you did that."
* * *
"I can't take it any longer," Bridger said and again moved toward the nearby shelter.
"Captain, don't. This will never be resolved if they can't talk through their feelings," Lucas said putting a hand on Bridger's chest to stop him.
"I know, but I just can't watch this."
"Why don't you take a walk than, Captain?" Krieg offered. "Clear your head and by the time you get back they'll have had it out."
Bridger nodded, "Good idea."
"Do you want company?" Lucas asked.
"No, I think I need some time alone, Lucas."
* * *
"And if you had met Bridger while we were still married, would you have stayed faithful?"
"Of course I would have. When I took those vows I intended to keep them forever. Unfortunately I did not foresee you breaking them."
"Kristin, I didn't mean to hurt you, but ..."
"But you wanted power, over me and everything else. Michael, you did what you did and you have to live with the consequences of that."
"I know that, and I'm not asking for forgiveness, just stop condemning me for the past. The deed was done and I paid for it, so can we now forget about it and call a truce, at least until we get out of here?"
"Fine, as long as you don't bring it up, I won't either."
Gallagher looked out at the beach. "You realize everyone saw us."
Kristin nodded, "Yeah, and they've probably all guessed what this was all about as well."
"What do you say we shock them?"
"What do you mean?"
Gallagher quickly outlined his plan and watched as a smile slowly formed on Kristin's face.
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