SUMMARY: Bridger learns that even after spending years on a deserted island, the IRS can still find you.

CODES: SQ

RATING: PG13

DISCLAIMER: Amblin's characters, but they neglected to look into this little plot line.

NOTES: none

"A Little Tax Trouble"
by Liz VanZandt

"Captain, I have an incoming message for you."

Nathan Bridger looked up at his communications officer, Tim O'Neill. "Admiral Noyce?"

"No sir," O'Neill shook his head, a frown slowly forming as he finished receiving the message. "The US government."

Bridger sighed, handing control of the bridge to his XO, Jonathan Ford, with a glance. "Transfer it to the ward room, Lieutenant."

* * *

Kristin Westphalen knocked gently on the door to the ward room. According to Ford, Nathan had disappeared in there mid morning, and hadn't been seen since. She was worried about him -- they were supposed to meet for dinner, and Nathan never broke an engagement with her without at least letting her know why.

Not getting a response, Kristin opened the door just enough to stick her head in. "Nathan?"

Startled, the dark head at the table looked up with blue eyes. "Kristin?"

"Nice to know you remember my name," she teased. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," he said, reaching up to take his reading glasses off, letting them fall around on the chain around his neck. All of a sudden he grimaced. "Don't tell me, I forgot all about dinner?"

Kristin nodded.

"What time is it?"

"Oh, about nine o'clock," Kristin replied, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the wall next to the door. "That's 2100 for you military types."

Nathan's eyes closed in a grimace and his head sagged to one side. "I'm sorry. I got distracted with all this," he motioned to the papers spread out all over the table, "and forgot all about our plans."

"Don't worry about it," Kristin's face softened into a smile. "Jonathan said you'd gotten an important call this morning and I figured you were busy with that." She stepped over, picking up a paper from the top of one of the piles. "So what are you working on?"

He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "The call I got was from the IRS. Seems now that I've decided to rejoin civilization, they're insisting I pay back taxes from the ten years I spent on my island."

Kristin fought valiantly to keep a neutral expression on her face, but she couldn't help the small laugh that managed to escape. "Better you than me."

"Very funny, Kristin."

She set the paper back down and crossed back over to the door. "You know, perhaps you could enlist Lucas to help you. He's good with numbers, and if that doesn't work, he can always hack in and fix your records for you."

"Scamp." Nathan crumpled up the paper in his hand, throwing it at her. But Kristin was too quick, and the paper just bounced harmlessly off the door.

He looked over the mess on the table, sighing in frustration. Finally he reached over for the communications device sitting on the table.

A few moments later, Lucas' voice came over the open channel. "Yeah?"

"Are you busy, Lucas?"

The End

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