SUMMARY: While a group of UEO representatives are touring seaQuest, Kristin runs into someone from her past.
CODES: SQ, B/W
RATING: PG13
DISCLAIMER: I bow down to you, Amblin, the characters are yours.
NOTES: 1) Late second season, K & N are a pair; 2) Part 2 of 3.
"The Ex"
by Liz VanZandt
The next day Bridger was the first one to the seaQuest. Soon after, the others began arriving. When the senior staff had arrived Bridger assembled them in the ward room to prepare for the coming visit.
"All right, people, we have a lot to do and only two days in which to do it. Noyce finally gave me a list of who are guests will be," he said motioning to the folders in front of each of them. "I suggest you start by familiarizing yourselves with the all the names and faces."
Westphalen opened the folder while Bridger continued and casually glanced through the list of resumes and pictures there. She flipped the page and gasped when she saw the picture staring back at her.
"Are you all right, Doctor?" Bridger asked hearing the gasp.
Westphalen looked up to see everyone in the room staring at her. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Bridger said with an annoyed look.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"OK. Chief, I want extra security at all times while the reps are here. Launch bay should have a detail at all times, and you might consider having someone discretely keep tabs on all of our visitors."
"Aye, sir. This place will be tighter than Fort Knox."
"Good. Lieutenant," Bridger turned to Krieg.
"Yes, sir."
"I want these people to see that seaQuest has all the amenities her crew wants. Make sure everybody's looking happy and well-adjusted, and see if you can't find out what some of the reps like."
"Aye, sir."
"OK, Commander Hitchcock, everything should be working order after this weekend, but I want you to double check everything. We can't have something breaking on us while they're here."
"Yes, sir. I'll start with the essentials and work my way down."
"Fine. Commander, make sure the crew knows why we've got visitors and that they may have to demonstrate some rescue techniques or other drills."
"Yes, sir. Do you want any certain drills ready or are we just going to go by what they want to see?"
"Set up the basic ones but make sure they're all ready to go on a moment's notice."
"Aye."
"Doctor, I want all your people prepped as well. We should be able to show them our most prominent projects as well as the current ones."
"I'll get some samples ready."
"Oh, and make sure Lucas knows when the arrival time is; we don't want him swimming with Darwin when we're trying to show him off like last time." Westphalen grinned and stifled a giggle. "OK, let's get to work. I'll let you all know the arrival time when Noyce notifies me." They all got up to leave. "Doctor, could you please stay here for a moment, I'd like to talk to you." She sat back down as everyone else left. After the last one had exited, Bridger closed the door and turned back to Westphalen.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"No, I can tell something's worrying you. What is it?"
She looked at him for a long minute and then looked down at the folder on the table. "I know one of the UEO reps," she said finally.
"Oh?" Bridger's eyebrows went up.
"Yes." She open the folder to a picture and bio. "Michael Gallagher, my ex-husband." Bridger's mouth dropped. "That was my reaction as well. I knew he had ties to the UEO but I had no idea they were this high."
Bridger looked at the picture. It was of a smiling man in his early fifties. He had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes set in a well tanned face. "Is this going to cause a problem?"
"As long as I only have to see him while in a group I should be fine. If we happen to be alone in a room, ... well ... let's just say it'll be a different story altogether."
"All right, until we're back out at sea with these guys gone, I want you to stay either in your room or among a group of people. Get Lucas or myself to eat meals with you, limit your hours working to those in which someone else is around --"
"Nathan."
"No, I don't want something happening. If you blow up at him, it wouldn't take much more for him to get you drummed off seaQuest, and I don't want that happening."
"I can handle him, Nathan."
"Do I have to make that an order, Doctor?"
"Not as long as you promise to make yourself free at least part of the time."
"How could I resist," he replied with a smile. "Now get to work. I want to impress this guy with your fantastic experiments."
* * *
For the next two days seaQuest hummed with life as everyone worked constantly to make sure everything was ready for the visitors. Orders were given out and followed without question or hesitation and by the next night everything was ready for the arrival the following morning. Nathan was in his cabin trying to finish bringing the log up to date, but his thoughts kept drifting to Kristin. She was standing by the viewport looking out into the sea, lost in thought, her mind running a mile a minute. He got up and went over to where she stood, wrapping his arms around her. She looked up at him to acknowledge his presence before returning to her own world.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Nathan asked quietly.
She smiled. "This and that."
"Michael?"
She nodded almost sheepishly. "I guess now it's my turn to be the one haunted by memories."
"If you don't mind my asking, what happened between you and him?"
She turned around to face him. "I was in my final year of med school when I met him. He was young, handsome, dashing, and filthy rich. We dated, married, and were generally happy for the first few years. Cynthia came along after a year and that was about the same time Michael's career began to take off. He began spending more and more time at work and I yearned to return to my work. But Michael insisted I stay at home with Cynthia. It was then that I started realizing what he really wanted from his wife -- a pretty ornament hanging on his shoulder to help further his political career. Just after Cynthia turned eight I discovered he was having an affair with his secretary. That was the final straw and I left him that night.
"I guess, in a way, I still have feelings for Michael pent up inside of me. Don't get me wrong, I never have, and never will, regret what I did, but that doesn't stop my feelings for him." She paused to collect her thoughts. "My relationship with Michael was ... very different than ours is. It was as though we loved each other, but it didn't go any farther than that, whereas with you, I feel like you're not only a lover but a friend. You're one of only a few people I've ever felt like that about."
"I'm flattered. You're worried about seeing him again, aren't you?"
"Yes, the last time I saw him in person was when we signed the divorce papers. What do you say to someone after so many years?"
"I'd say tell him what you just told me, but ..." They both laughed. "Well, just stick to what you know best -- science. If he insists on getting personal, I'll come rescue you."
"My knight in shining armor."
"Well, maybe not armor."
"A shining uniform than?"
"That's better." He pulled her close and put his face next to hers. "Now, what do you say we forget about Michael until tomorrow? Hmm?"
"Are you trying to get me in bed, Captain?"
"Darn, you saw right through me."
"It's not hard when you're that obvious." She pressed her lips to his. "And in any case, I accept."
* * *
The UEO representatives arrived late the next morning. Besides Noyce there were seven from six different countries, and the group was headed by US Senator Michael Gallagher from Massachusetts. In his early fifties, Gallagher was tall and athletic, with rough features due to many hours spent hiking and yachting. Blue eyes looked out from under sandy blonde hair topping a well tanned face set off nicely by pearly white teeth. Handsome, Gallagher looked every bit the politician he was, and Bridger took an instant disliking to him. Though he couldn't pin down the exact reason, it was more than just his past with Westphalen and Bridger's natural distrust of all politicians.
"Nathan," Secretary General Noyce said coming over to where Bridger stood at attention and shook his hand.
"Mr. Secretary," Bridger said, "it's nice to have you aboard."
"Nathan, this is the head of the UEO delegates, US Senator Michael Gallagher. Senator, this is Captain Nathan Bridger."
"Captain," Gallagher said, "I've heard a lot of good things about you and the work you've done here on seaQuest."
Bridger shook the hand Gallagher extended to him. "I hope we can live up to the press."
"I'm sure you'll try, Captain," was his response. "Now, where can I put my things?"
"Your things, Senator?" Bridger said with a glance toward Noyce who shrugged and gave him an I-don't-know-what-he's-talking-about look.
"Noyce didn't tell you? I plan to spend a week down here observing. I don't want the tour, I want to see how the seaQuest functions on a daily basis."
"Will the rest of your party be staying as well?"
"No, just me. Everyone else is only interested in the ten-cent tour."
"All right than. Chief Crocker, please show Senator Gallagher to one of the empty cabins."
"Aye, Captain. If you'll follow me, sir, I'll show you to your cabin," Crocker said turning to leave.
"Well, gentlemen, why don't we get underway. If you'll step this way, please. ..."
* * *
"... And our current project is focusing on studying the effects of the recent El Niño," Westphalen explained to the group in front of her. "As you may know, El Niño raises the water temperatures in the Pacific off the coast of Mexico. This tends to noticeably influence weather all round the world." She paused and a look of shock mixed with dread crossed her face.
"But that's not very interesting for those of us living on a submarine," Bridger said catching the pause, allowing her to regain her composure. "What we really care about is the substance surrounding us, namely water."
"If El Niño has the power to affect weather worldwide, does it affect water temperatures and currents as well? Surfers, fishermen, and swimmers will obviously benefit from this study, but our findings will have an impact on other fields, such as tourism as well," Kristin continued. "And over here," she pointed to the moonpool, "we have one of seaQuest's ongoing projects." The group followed her to the other side of the room. "This, is Darwin."
"Lots of people, Lucas leave, play with Darwin," came a metallic sounding voice. Surprised, the UEO representatives looked around to find the source.
Kristin smiled at their reaction. "And this is Lucas Wolenczak, whose work with Darwin has led to his speech. I'll let him explain in more detail."
"Thank you, Doctor," Lucas said stepping forward.
"Lucas play," Darwin said.
"Not now, Darwin, I'll play with you later," Lucas said to the dolphin and turned back to the group. "Well, while Darwin's speech is amazing in itself, it is what we have learned from Darwin that is most fascinating ..."
"Are you OK?" Bridger whispered coming over to where Westphalen was standing.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just saw Michael join the group, that's all." She smiled, "I'm fine now."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
* * *
Bridger entered the Officer's Mess. Seeing Kristin at a table in the corner he walked over and slumped down in a chair next to her. "Well, they're finally gone."
She smiled seeing his relief. "And none too soon it looks like."
"Well, that's debatable --" Nathan paused in the middle of his thought seeing someone coming over.
"Mind if I join you, Captain, Doctor?" Michael Gallagher said sitting down.
"Does it matter?" Kristin mumbled, garnering a stern look from Nathan. "I'm sorry, of course, Senator," she said with a forced smile.
"I was very impressed by your presentation earlier, Doctor. I was wondering if maybe you could show me a little more in depth what the project entails," Gallagher said.
"Fine, I can arrange to have Doctor Levin explain it to you. Is there any particular time you would prefer?" Kristin said coldly, trying to avoid his eyes.
"Well, Doctor, I was hoping you could explain it."
Nathan saw the anger rising in Kristin's eyes and quickly cut her off. "Doctor Westphalen is not directly in charge of the El Niño project. Her other duties aboard seaQuest prevent her from becoming heavily involved in it at this time."
"Oh, well than Doctor Levin it is," Gallagher said coldly, feigning indifference.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, Doctor Westphalen and I have reviews to be doing for her half of the crew." He stood up. "Doctor." She quickly grabbed her tray and headed for the door. "Senator," Bridger said and turned to leave.
* * *
"Why didn't you tell me he didn't go upworld with the others?" Kristin demanded as Nathan closed the door to the ward room.
"I was about to when he came over."
"Why is he still here?"
"He wants to observe the seaQuest for a week under normal conditions."
"What?!"
"It surprised me too. He just announced his intentions when he came aboard."
"A week, Nathan?"
"Kristin, what was I supposed to say? 'I'm sorry, my Chief Science Officer doesn't like you so you'll have to leave with everyone else.' "
"Yes." She looked at him and he began to laugh.
"You know, you're cute when you're mad."
Kristin looked at him enjoying her bad mood and soon felt a smile forming on her face. "You're a hard person to stay mad at, though. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blown up at you like that. You had no choice, it's just ... I don't know ... I guess I can't yell at him so I yelled at you instead."
"Apology accepted. Now, let's get down to business."
"Business? I thought that was a ruse to get rid of Michael."
"Yes and no. It was a way to get you out of there before something happened, but at the same time, it was a legitimate reason."
"Those were scheduled to be completed next week."
"I decided to push up the date. Think it through, Kristin, it's the perfect reason for you to avoid Gallagher all week. Besides, think of all the time we get to spend together getting on each other's nerves."
"Touché."
"And, I got wind of a conference next week in Rio."
"What's the topic?" she said, her interest piqued.
"The future of the oceans with an emphasis on the environment and a few speakers on various other related topics such as artificial intelligence."
"Hmm ..." Kristin got a thoughtful look on her face, "a full week, away from the boat, in Rio," she moved to stand face to face with Nathan and put her arms around his neck, "with you. I see no obvious drawbacks, so how can I resist?"
Nathan felt his heart racing with her face so close to his. "Well, there is one drawback." Her eyebrows went up an inch. "Lucas is going. He was asked to give a presentation on his work with Darwin and the future of artificial intelligence with dolphins."
Kristin laughed and her lips brushed across his. "Is that all? Lucas will probably be busy chasing some girl or making friends with every computer he can find."
Nathan gave in to the feeling surging through him and pressed his lips into Kristin's. She immediately responded and kissed him back, both of them feeling the passion surging between them. When they finally separated, both were gasping for breath. Nathan's lips curled in a half smile. "You do realize that we have work to do between now and then."
A look of mock horror crossed her face, "Oh no, Captain, how am I ever going to be able to concentrate?"
"You'll find a way, I'm sure." He broke the embrace. "Now, shall we get down to business?"
"Fine, give me fifteen minutes to gather my files and notes and I'll meet you back here."
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