Part 21

Three hours later, after a quick check to make sure his patients were still resting comfortably, Karneering was more than willing to relinquish his duties to McKinnon. The commander looked remarkably refreshed for three hours of sleep. Karneering knew that she would stay up the rest of the day too. Given the unusual circumstances of the previous day, and the fact that Lucas and Rodriguez were under medical care, she would alter the work schedule. He knew that Kincaid had people working on the information McKinnon had gotten from Lucas and Rodriguez, but McKinnon would not leave it idle on their end for long. He expected that the rest of the team would be the same way. He fully anticipated that Ryan would be up and working in a few hours. The doctor refused to admit that he would be no different.

*****

The yelling woke Rodriguez up, although it took him longer than normal. Gathering the energy to roll over on to his side, he could see that Lucas was thrashing around on the other bed. Tim, McKinnon and Dawson were trying to hold him down, mainly out of fear he was going to hurt himself. It was obvious they were not having much luck. "Indy, get behind him and grab him that way," Rodriguez directed, already calculating how much trouble he would be in if he got out of bed. Since getting out bed meant disconnecting his IV, he decided to wait for a few minutes. He really did not want to face Karneering's wrath if he did such a thing without good reason.

Tim managed to pin Lucas' arms, following Rodriguez's instructions. He had never realized the teenager was so strong. Unfortunately, the action only seemed to galvanize the young man's response.

Lucas struggled against the weight that held him down, still kicking wildly and trying to escape. He tried to catch his breath, but found it difficult. He heard someone swear as his teeth sunk into something solid. This was one battle he intended to win. They were hurting him and he planned to stop it.

"Casanova, go get Einstein!" McKinnon ordered, sharply. "Lucas!" she shouted at the boy, hoping to penetrate whatever dream he was having. However, it did not work and he only fought harder, barely missing her with his feet.

Rodriguez desperately wanted to help, but knew that he was still too out of it to be much use. However, it was difficult to lie there and watch the teenager flailing about the bed, very close to hysterics and nothing Tim or McKinnon said seemed to be helping things. Every once in awhile, Lucas yelled at them to stop, but mainly he just screamed and tried to get out of their grasp. Periodically he said someone's name, which Rodriguez filed away to ask him about later.

Unable to distinguish reality from his nightmare, Lucas was in a full scale panic. All he knew was that they were preventing his escape. Rational thought had fled with the dream and he did not recognize that they were trying to help. He could hear them calling his name, but he knew it was just a trick to get him to calm down. If he relaxed his guard, that's when they would get him. He had to keep fighting for as long as he could.

Karneering surveyed the situation and shook his head. The first thing the doctor noticed was that the teenager had pulled his IV out, rather violently from the looks of it. Nothing seemed to be penetrating enough to wake him up. He figured he had two options and he was not keen on the idea of giving Lucas a sedative on top of whatever else that might be in his body.

"Give me a minute," he told Tim and McKinnon. He returned seconds later. "Ice, move out of the way. Indy, I'm sorry," he apologized. Once McKinnon was clear, Karneering threw cold water on Lucas, figuring the shock would bring the boy out of the nightmare. He wasn't sure who yelled louder, Lucas or Tim. "Sorry," he repeated, lifting Lucas out of the bed.

"Indy, go dry off. Ice, you and Casanova can change the bed, while I help Slick with dry clothes," he barked out the orders, not giving anyone a chance to respond. Lucas was already shaking. Karneering was not sure how much was the dream and how much was the drenching in cold water. The doctor just knew he needed to get Lucas dry and warm. They could deal with the cause in a moment.

*****

"What happened?" Ford asked Tim, waking up as Tim entered.

"Lucas freaked out. He was having a bad dream or something. He ripped his IV out and started trying to leave. He wasn't hearing anything we said, so Einstein threw cold water on him. Unfortunately, he got me too," Tim replied, grabbing dry clothes.

"Lucas all right?"

"I'm going to go back once I change. He was pretty hysterical," Tim admitted. "He bit me when I was trying to keep him from hitting Ice."

"He bit you?"

"I don't think he realized it was me. He just wanted to get away."

*****

"Let him sit over here," Rodriguez requested, sitting up carefully. Karneering had been looking for a place to have Lucas wait while McKinnon and Dawson were still changing the bed. Since Karneering had soaked the mattress, they had to find a new one. Rodriguez figured he could handle trying to talk to the teenager, even though he still felt the effects of the drugs. He was particularly concerned because Lucas had not spoken since Karneering had pulled him out of the nightmare. Instead, he had quietly let Karneering help him into dry clothes. "You'd better check Indy," he advised Karneering.

"Oh?"

"Slick bit him," Rodriguez informed the doctor. Lucas blushed when he heard that, but still didn't speak.

"Okay. Just let me look at your arm," Karneering told Lucas, setting him on the bed, so that he was sitting next to Rodriguez, who slipped his arm around the young man's shoulders. The doctor did not like the fact that the teenager still hadn't caught his breath, his pulse was racing and drying him off had not done anything to decrease the shivering. Karneering hoped Rodriguez might be able to calm him down. "We won't be able to restart on this one," he commented, looking at Lucas' wrist where the IV had been. It was already bruising from the abrupt removal of the IV. It had been done with such force that it had been bleeding, although that appeared to have stopped. However, Karneering gently bandaged it to be on the safe side. "Okay, I'm going to check on Indy. You take it easy," he admonished Rodriguez.

"We're just going to sit here," Rodriguez assured him. "When you come back, they should be done with the bed and you can set him settled."

"Maybe you could have a little talk while you sit," Karneering whispered in Rodriguez 's ear.

"I'm going to try," Rodriguez commented. He knew it was likely that likely Lucas would not tell him anything. "You want to tell me what that was all about?" he questioned Lucas, after Karneering had walked away.

"I was having a dream," Lucas mumbled.

"I figured that part out," Rodriguez told him. "What were you dreaming about?"

"I wanted to leave and they wouldn't let me."

"Who wouldn't let you?" Rodriguez prompted.

"I'm not sure," Lucas hesitated, thinking. He did not know what to tell Rodriguez. Telling him the whole story was not an option he even considered.

"Who's Christian?" Rodriguez asked, remembering the name Lucas had yelled several times.

"What?" Lucas queried, trying to keep his voice even and failing. He had not remembered calling Christian's name. He wondered what else he had said, but he did not want to ask. If he could convince the other man he could not recall all the details, maybe Rodriguez would stop asking questions.

"You yelled the name when you were dreaming," Rodriguez explained, feeling how rigid the teenager had gone. He sensed the young man was stalling for time, but had no basis for feeling that way. "Okay, take it easy, Slick," he murmured, hearing Lucas' breathing become agitated again. "It's okay now. Where were you trying to leave from?" he inquired, trying another tack.

"My room," Lucas answered, trying to figure out a way out of this. There was no way he was going to admit what the dream was about. Rodriguez would never understand: none of them would.

"All right, Slick. You gave us a pretty good scare," Rodriguez told him, recognizing that the conversation was just making the teenager more upset. Since he wanted to get him calmed down, Rodriguez gave up on trying to get answers. The more he heard, the more he suspected he knew the problem.

"I didn't mean to."

"I know; no one blames you, Slick. You were just having a bad dream." Rodriguez was slowly coming to the realization that Lucas was afraid to tell him about the dream. He wished he could convince the teenager that he wanted to know the truth; however, Rodriguez understood this was not the best time to push. Lucas was still under the effects of the drugs; they both were. Pushing him now, when he was vulnerable, would be unfair. Rodriguez shook his head and tried to figure out what to do next.

*****

"What happened?" Karneering asked Tim and McKinnon, getting them both in the hall, so he could talk to them.

"One minute he was sleeping, the next, he wanted to leave," McKinnon responded.

"And he was determined not to let us get in the way. He had the IV out before we realized what was happening," Tim added.

"Indy, I normally wouldn't ask this," Karneering started, "but is there anything that you know that might explain this reaction?"

"No. I wish I could help you, Einstein, but I can't imagine what might have provoked it." Tim sighed. "Lucas doesn't like to talk about himself much. Most of what I know comes from casual remarks he's made. If you press for details, he backs off. He can change the subject before you realize he's done it."

"Could it be the drugs?" McKinnon questioned. "Creating some kind of reaction?"

"It could be. I'll know more when I get the results back on the samples that Casanova and Brook took to the lab for me."

McKinnon could tell from the tone of the doctor's voice that Karneering believed there was something more to the nightmare than a drug reaction. "What now?"

"Now we get him back in bed and hope this doesn't happen again. How's the arm, Indy?"

"It's all right," Tim replied, showing it to him. "He didn't break the skin. Not for lack of trying."

"Ghost said he knew how to fight dirty," McKinnon remarked, without thinking.

"What?" Karneering quizzed.

"The other night he had a nightmare. It wasn't as bad as this one, but he was fighting with Ghost. I startled him by yelling his name and got him to wake up."

"You know what he was dreaming about?"

"No. I don't think Ghost got it out of him either."

"Well, I left him sitting with Ghost. Hopefully, he's calmed down some."

"Why did you throw water on him?" Tim asked.

"Because I had to get him out of the dream. Under normal circumstances, I would have given him a sedative. However, with all the drugs in his system, adding to the combination wouldn't have been wise. I wouldn't have given him the anti-nausea medication earlier if I hadn't felt that the continued vomiting was doing more harm than additional medicine. If I had let you get out of the way, it's likely he would have hurt himself."

"That's all right. I don't mind getting a little wet for a good cause."

*****

"You don't have to be scared, Slick," Rodriguez told the teenager. He didn't know how else to help him, so he thought he might try to reassure him. "We're here together and we're safe. You know I'm not going to let anything happen to you. If you relax and go back to sleep, nothing's going to happen. The whole team is in the building protecting us. I promise. And I kept my last promise, didn't I?" Lucas nodded his head. "Then just trust me on this."

"All right, guys, I want to get Slick back in bed and get the IV restarted," Karneering said, joining them.

Lucas stiffened up again. He didn't want the IV started again: that meant he had to stay in bed. He did not like being confined.

Rodriguez figured it was something in Karneering's statement that produced the tension. He looked at the doctor. "Give me a few more minutes," he mouthed to him. Karneering nodded and walked over to Lucas' bed, to make sure everything was setup properly. "Slick? He needs the IV because he's concerned about you being dehydrated. He's not putting anything in you that's going to hurt you. Einstein wouldn't drug you. He just wants to help get all the drugs out of your system," Rodriguez explained softly. "Einstein's only trying to help. Why don't you let him?"

"Can't move," Lucas confessed, assuming Rodriguez would know what he meant.

"Right now, you don't need to move. You just need to sleep."

"Don't want to sleep," Lucas mumbled, shuddering. He knew if he went to sleep, he would dream again. The last thing he wanted to do was dream again.

"You're afraid you'll have another dream," Rodriguez stated. "Slick, it's okay. Indy will sit with you until you fall asleep. I would, but Einstein thinks I need to stay in bed. But I'm here in the room with you. Nothing's going to hurt you anymore: not right now," Rodriguez assured him, hoping he was telling the truth. "There will always be one of us sitting by your bed, so nothing can happen. Trust me? Good. You ready to let Einstein get you settled again?"

"I guess," Lucas said, uncertainly. "Thank you."

"Any time, Slick. You know that." Rodriguez motioned Karneering to come back over. "Okay, he's all yours."

"You better lie back down and get some sleep, Ghost," Karneering instructed, as he picked up Lucas. He knew the teenager was capable of walking, but the doctor didn't figure it hurt the boy any to be carried. Plus, it made him feel better.

Karneering wanted nothing more than to understand what had happened. He felt a sense of guilt that he had been gone when the teenager had panicked. The doctor knew he wasn't thinking logically, but he often got emotionally involved with his patients. In this case, Karneering knew that Lucas held the key to comprehending what had happened and something had made him too scared to tell them..

"That was on my agenda," Rodriguez informed him, waving Tim over. He wanted a few words with the lieutenant. Like Karneering, he felt guilty at not being able to do more. Even though he understood now was not the right time to coerce Lucas into talking, he still felt like he had let the teenager down.

*****

"Ice, do you want to help me?" Karneering questioned; he was getting ready to restart Lucas' IV.

" Are you sure you really want me to answer that honestly?" McKinnon retorted, walking over.

"No. It was more of a rhetorical question than anything else," Karneering informed her. "Don't worry; I won't let her stick you. She's not very good," he whispered to Lucas conspiratorially.

*****

"I told Slick you'd sit with him until he went to sleep," Rodriguez told Tim. "He's afraid he'll dream again. He didn't come out and say it, of course."

"I was planning on it anyway," Tim assured him.

"I thought so. I didn't think Einstein would be too keen on the idea of me doing it."

"I think you're right about that. You are not exactly in top form. In fact, you should get some sleep yourself, Ghost. You look ready to drop off any second," Tim pointed out.

"Just make sure someone stays with him."

"Don't worry, Ghost. We'll take care of him."

"I know you will. I can't help it; he brings it out in me," Rodriguez said with a yawn. While his mind no longer felt as cloudy as it had earlier, he was still tired.

"Go to sleep, Ghost," Tim ordered.

*****

"Sorry," Karneering apologized to Lucas, after failing to hit the vein a second time.

"Maybe you shouldn't have been so quick to disparage my efforts," McKinnon teased.

"It's okay," Lucas reassured the doctor. "I'm used to it."

"Really?" Karneering prompted, curious to see if the teenager would reveal any information.

"Yeah. I once had a doctor miss seven times, before he hit one."

"I would have stopped him after three," Karneering commented. "If I don't hit it this time, I'm going to get Irish and have him try. He's usually pretty good."

"I didn't have a choice," Lucas mumbled. He was getting sleepy again. He gripped McKinnon's hand tightly as Karneering poked the needle into his skin for a third attempt.

"All right, I got it. Try to keep this one in," Karneering instructed.

Tim walked over and took McKinnon's place, holding Lucas' hand and giving the teenager a smile. "Just go to sleep. I'll be right here," he promised softly.

Lucas nodded his head tiredly and closed his eyes. "Thanks," he murmured. However, the teenager did not go to sleep right away. He had learned a long time ago how to feign sleep with a high degree of success. No one bothered him if they thought he was sleeping.

Instead, he lay there thinking. As much as Lucas wanted to believe there would be no more questions, he knew they would ask. If Rodriguez did not ask, then McKinnon surely would. The very fact he had known Keller was going to mean more queries. The teenager also knew he was reaching the point where he would have to tell them the truth or lie. He was not sure he could come up with a convincing story without making it a complete fabrication.

The idea of telling them the truth terrorized him. He had spent the last couple of years trying to forget; now someone was forcing him to remember every detail. Lucas did not know how much more he could take. If he lost control, they might… He forced himself to forget that thought and move on to something else. The boy was so tired that he could not concentrate.

Finally, he gave up on finding a plausible story and let himself go to sleep, where no one could bother him, as long as the dreams stayed away. As if he could hear his thoughts, Tim chose that moment to give his hand a reassuring squeeze, and Lucas let himself succumb to the sleep his body desperately wanted.

*****

"Go ahead and do whatever you need to do, Ice," Karneering offered McKinnon. "I think I'll stay for awhile: make sure he's going to stay down for now. I'm really impressed Ghost didn't try to get involved."

"I think he decided you had enough to handle without him pulling out his IV too. If you're going to stay, I'm going to pull Irish to help us out. If Indy stays, send Brook along. I want to see what we can find out. Kincaid sent a preliminary team to check out the building where they were held and it was clean. However, Sunshine, Casanova, and Columbus are going to go check it out when they're up. I'm hoping they can find out what the connection to everything else is," McKinnon told him.

"If Scout wants to help, do you want him too?" Karneering inquired.

"Sure."

"I don't see him being real comfortable in this type of situation. He's not a real emotional guy. It's a different brand than Slick's. I think Scout's uncomfortable being around emotions as opposed to suppressing them. I can see him being more interested in working on the investigation," Karneering explained. "I can always call you if we need help."

"Okay. I still have to call Bridger. However, I think I'll wait a bit longer. A call at oh-five-hundred is not often good news," McKinnon sighed.

"What are you going to tell him?"

"I'm working on that."

"Good luck. You going to tell Indy and Scout before or after?"

"After. It'll be much easier to lie to the man if they don't know."

"Lie?"

"That's what it amounts to. I can't exactly call him and say 'I managed to get one of your crew held hostage again. Can you come help him through his emotional trauma? Please don't tell anyone else.' I just don't see it working well."

"I see your point."

"If I tell him that, we'll have half the ship here. And quite frankly, I don't think I want to face that doctor again. Not unless I can give her Slick in top condition."

"I would have to agree with you on that one."

"As his current physician, I thought you might."

*****

Ford entered the room and approached Tim, who was still sitting by Lucas' bedside, not doing much of anything, but staring into space. "How is he?" Ford inquired quietly.

"He seems to be sleeping pretty well now," Tim replied, looking down at the teenager. "Einstein said if you wanted to go help the others with the investigation, you can."

"What about Lucas?" Ford asked. He preferred the idea of doing something to sitting around, but, if the teenager needed someone there, Ford was not going to desert him.

"I'll stay with him," Tim answered. He had discovered about thirty minutes ago that the minute he let go of Lucas' hand, the boy grew restless. The lieutenant knew that Ford cared about Lucas, but he could not envision the commander sitting there holding Lucas' hand while he slept. This was something Tim could do for his friend and Ford could help the others just as well, if not better than he could. "Besides, you don't want to be here when both of them," he added, with a nod towards Rodriguez 's bed, "wake up. It's probably not going to be pretty."

Ford thought for a moment. "You're probably right," he agreed. "I'll come back later, so you can take a break."

"That's fine."

*****

Ford found Ryan, Chandler and Dawson in the main room. "What can I do to help?" he asked.

"Ice said she had to make a call and will be in when she's done," Ryan answered. "For now, we're going to see what we can find out about Keller. Casanova, Columbus and I are going to go out to the building where Ghost and Slick were held. We don't really expect to find anything, but we can't afford to overlook it. You, Brook and Irish can concentrate on the computer searches. We want to see if Ramsey has any ties to Keller, directly or indirectly, or any kind of connection with the people we've already encountered. When Ghost and Slick are a little more alert, Ice will question them again. But, for now, we're going with what we already know and what they gave us when we picked them up."

"All right. Sounds like the way to go," Ford agreed.

*****

McKinnon waited for Bridger to appear, hoping that inspiration struck soon. This was one of those times when she did not like her job. However, she felt that she had no choice but to deceive the Captain until his arrival. She could not afford to have all of the seaQuest crew present. It would make it difficult to maintain security. It would also cause trouble with their current investigation. The kidnapping of Lucas and Rodriguez just made her more determined to find the person responsible for setting up Lucas and Tim, and to figure out the motivation behind it.

"Commander McKinnon," Bridger greeted her, forcing himself to remain calm. He kept telling himself that, if it were bad news, Kincaid would have called.

"I find that I'm in need of your assistance, Captain," McKinnon began, a story forming as she spoke.

"What can I do for you?" Bridger asked, surprised.

"I need you to come meet with us."

"What?!" Bridger exclaimed.

"We are getting ready to discuss the investigation of Wolenczak and O'Neil with the police inspectors," McKinnon explained quickly, not wanting to give Bridger a chance to interrupt. "It has suddenly occurred to me that Wolenczak is a minor, which means that he should be represented by a responsible adult during his interrogation. Since OID is performing its own investigation, I think the police might feel that I have an ulterior motive in attending the questioning."

"OID? And what about Commander Ford?"

"Outrigger Investigative Division. It's a specialized branch of our organization that looks into alleged criminal misconduct by unit members. In this case, they're trying to prove that the fingerprints are a coincidence. As for Commander Ford, I'm sure he would be willing to stand in for Wolenczak."

"But…" Bridger prompted.

"Wolenczak is being interrogated for being linked to a robbery which resulted in a murder. Commander Ford is a very capable officer; however, I do not think Wolenczak would find him the most comforting person to be with during an interrogation."

"Does Lucas know you've called me?" Bridger queried.

"No," McKinnon replied honestly. "If I had asked him, he would have told me not to bother you; that Commander Ford would be suitable."

Bridger nodded his head. It sounded like something Lucas would say if consulted. "When do you need me?"

"We'd like to get the matter cleared up as soon as possible."

"Let me make some arrangements and I'll let you know when I'll be arriving. You'll have to tell me where you are."

"I'll pick you up when you dock, Captain," McKinnon informed him. The trip back would give her a chance to explain her duplicity. "For security reasons, I'm afraid you'll have to stay with us. We are still engaged in a mission."

"That's acceptable," Bridger responded. He had a feeling he had missed something during their conversation. However, he welcomed the chance to get to the bottom of this investigation. Plus, there was no way he was going to let Lucas go through questioning alone: not if he could be there. Although he had not said anything, he had to agree with McKinnon's assessment of Ford. Comforting a teenager through an interrogation was not the commander's forte. "How can I contact you?" he inquired. "I've only communicated with Kincaid so far. I don't have a number for you."

"Just ask Admiral Kincaid to page me and I'll get back to you."

"Very well."

*****

Finishing her call with Bridger, McKinnon went to find Tim and Ford, since she figured she should tell them before the captain arrived. "Hey, Ice, we're going to be leaving soon," Ryan told her, when McKinnon entered the work room.

"All right. First, I need to borrow you and Scout," McKinnon spoke.

"You're the boss."

"What's going on?" Ford asked, following her out of the room.

"I'll explain. Sunshine, can you take Indy's place?" McKinnon requested. "I need to talk to him and Scout."

"No problem," Ryan assured her. She had already heard about Lucas' nightmare and understood McKinnon's caution. Ryan knew Lucas almost as well as Rodriguez, so she was a better choice than one of the others.

*****

Tim looked up as Ryan entered and spoke first with Karneering. "What's going on?"

"Ice wants to talk to you and Scout, so I'm going to sit with Slick while you chat," Ryan explained. "Anything special?"

"He's likes to hold your hand. He gets agitated if you don't," Tim advised her. As if on cue, when he let go of the teenager's hand, Lucas shifted restlessly and let out a little whimper.

"I can handle that," Ryan reassured him, taking the boy's hand. "Go ahead. We're not going any where."

"Thanks."

*****

"Is something wrong?" Tim asked McKinnon, joining her and Ford.

"No. I just thought I should let you both know that Captain Bridger is going to be joining us in the near future," McKinnon replied calmly. The expression of shock on Ford's face was worth not telling him sooner.

"Why?" Tim inquired, finding his voice first.

"Ghost wanted me to."

"Could give us some more details?" Ford questioned.

"Ghost is concerned about Slick's mental state. He believes that the entire setup of their kidnapping was designed to scare Slick and that it worked fairly well. You all heard him when we picked them up. He was completely distancing himself from the situation."

"He wasn't normal," Tim agreed. "And I don't think he told Ghost what had him so freaked out when he was dreaming."

"Eventually, Slick's going to have to give us a full explanation as to how he knows Keller and why she and Smith setup the situation like they did. We need the answers. Someone's going to have to push to get them and I don't think any of us here are the best people to accomplish it. I don't want to hurt Slick, so I need someone here that he trusts. I know the two of you care about him, but I think this goes beyond the friendship that you have with him."

"Bridger can usually get him to talk," Tim admitted.

"It's fairly obvious that Slick has some things in his past that he would rather forget about," McKinnon commented, remembering what he had told her before. "Unfortunately, someone's decided to make it their business as well. We can't afford to wait for him to be ready to talk."

"You'd be waiting a long time," Ford remarked.

"Probably. So I want to make it the best possible situation for him that I can."

"Isn't any of this in his file?" Ford queried. "Like his allergy to CDT. That should be available to anyone treating him. And the circumstances surrounding that should be documented."

"Most files are incomplete," McKinnon evaded. She had a feeling she was going to have to tell Bridger about the altered file; however, there was no need for her to tell Tim or Ford. "There's one other thing," she added.

"What?"

"I had to lie to him to get him here."

"Why?" Tim questioned, already contemplating Bridger's reaction to that.

"I was afraid that, if I told him the truth, I'd end up with half your boat on my doorstep. We still have a mission to complete and I need to keep focused on that, which is why I called him before telling the two of you. I'll make sure that he knows you were unaware of my plan. I don't want either one of you getting in trouble for it."

"I think, once you explain, Captain Bridger will understand," Tim commented. "Lucas is important to him."

"I know."

"What are you going to tell Lucas?" Ford queried, curious. "You can't exactly tell him that Bridger is coming because Ghost thinks he's heading for emotional problems," he pointed out.

McKinnon did not acknowledge that Ford had used the nickname without thinking, which was a step in the right direction in her opinion. "I think I'll let Ghost handle that one."

*****

"So, they're allowing you to go and help?" Kristin asked Bridger, who had just explained he would be leaving seaQuest for a little while.

"Yes. Apparently Commander McKinnon thinks Lucas needs a more comforting presence than Commander Ford," Bridger responded. Making arrangements had gone more smoothly than he had expected. Although, once he realized that McKinnon must have contacted Kincaid, Bridger had understood why no one raised any objections. Kincaid was well respected and few people wanted to go against him. Plus, seaQuest was not involved in anything that Lieutenant Commander Hitchcock could not handle.

"I can't imagine why," Kristin remarked dryly. She and Ford maintained an uneasy truce; he was far too military for her tastes. The doctor definitely could not envision the commander giving Lucas the kind of emotional support he needed, particularly since, with Lucas, one had to read the signs and figure out what the teenager wanted or needed. Kristin had grown accustomed to reading between the lines, although she still found it difficult at times.

"I'll be interested to see how the commander likes working with the Outriggers," Bridger commented.

"I'm sure it's been an interesting experience for him. I just hope they're all right," Kristin told him.

She worried about both Lucas and Tim, especially after their previous time with the Outriggers. What troubled her the most was what worried all their friends. The two had enjoyed working with the unit; they genuinely liked the team members. The duo had been injured in the process of assisting the team, but it hadn't dimmed their enthusiasm for the unit. The thought of either one coming to further harm scared her. "I certainly think your presence will be beneficial."

"I hope so," Bridger agreed.

*****

Rodriguez woke up slowly, glad to realize that, this time, his head was clear. He no longer felt like he was under the influence of the drugs. He glanced over and saw Ryan sitting with Lucas, who appeared to still be sleeping. Rodriguez was not surprised. He suspected they had been given the same dosage of medications and the teenager was much smaller than he was, so it would take more time for the drugs to leave his system. "Where's Indy?" he asked, startling Ryan, who thought he was still asleep.

"Ice wanted to talk to him and Scout, so I'm filling in," Ryan answered. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. What do you think the odds are that Einstein will let me get up?" he inquired.

"Slim to none," Karneering replied, entering as Rodriguez asked his question.

"Figures," Rodriguez grumbled.

"Slick was correct. I got the lab results. The two of you were given six different drugs: seven for Slick, when you add the CDT in," Karneering reported. "I'm keeping you here until tomorrow morning. Don't argue with me, Ghost. I'm not in the mood."

Rodriguez looked at him. "Don't I get points for staying put when Slick was freaking out?" he negotiated.

"At the end of your stay, I'll take it under advisement," Karneering replied, coming over to do a quick examination.

"Be nice to Einstein, Ghost," Ryan instructed. "Besides, you should set a good example for Slick."

"I'm not the one that tried to check myself out," Rodriguez protested.

"I can give you a sedative if that will help," Karneering offered.

"That's not funny, Einstein."

"That's good. I wasn't joking."

"Uh, do you guys think you could move on to another topic?" Ryan questioned. "Like the weather?" she suggested.

"Why?" Karneering inquired, turning to face Ryan.

"Because Slick doesn't seem to like your current one," Ryan responded absently, concentrating on Lucas. The young man had tensed up, though he remained asleep, as soon as Karneering had started talking about the lab report. She was glad to see Tim come back into the room. "Indy's back now," she whispered to Lucas. "He'll make sure those two behave," she added softly, glaring at Rodriguez and Karneering.

"Everything all right?" Tim asked, anxiously.

"Yeah. He's been pretty quiet. They started a conversation that he didn't care for though," Ryan said, giving a nod at Rodriguez and Karneering. "I'll see you guys later," she called out as she left.

"Where are you going?" Rodriguez queried.

"Out," she answered, sending a look in Lucas' direction.

"Come see me when you get back," Rodriguez requested. Karneering might not let him out of bed, but he could have visitors.

"It's going to be a long day," Karneering sighed.

"Can I least get rid of this?" Rodriguez questioned, pointing to his IV.

"Maybe later. For now, I think we'll leave it there," Karneering replied. "I'm going to go check on Slick. Looks like Ice is here to visit."

"Good. I'm bored."

"You've only been awake fifteen minutes."

"So, I'm fast."

"Why me?" Karneering asked no one in particular. "What did I do to deserve this?"

*****

"I don't think you should answer that," McKinnon told Rodriguez, who had opened his mouth. "Besides, I have a project that should occupy your mind."

"What?" Rodriguez asked, feeling a certain amount of trepidation at the bemused expression on McKinnon's face.

"Well, I spoke with Bridger and told him he needed to come here. Now you have to think of something to tell Slick."

"Why?"

"What do you think is going to happen if we tell him that you thought Bridger should be here because you think that he's headed for some kind of emotional meltdown?"

"I see your point. He'll have his walls up so fast we won't have time to see them coming."

"Right. Actually, it was Scout who brought this question to my attention."

"Then why isn't he figuring out the answer?"

"I'm not sure that stretching the truth is really his area of expertise."

"Are you saying that it's mine?" Rodriguez challenged.

"Do you want me recite the list chronologically or alphabetically?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Let's see. There was: 'it's just a sprain, Ice. I can walk, no problem'," McKinnon mimicked. "And that was…what was it again? A compound fracture?"

"Ice…" Rodriguez warned.

"I can go on," McKinnon reminded him.

"Yes, like you're the poster child for veracity," Rodriguez retorted. "You're the one that completed the mission profile after getting shot."

"That was different."

"Sure it was, Ice."

*****

"He'll probably sleep a couple more hours before he wakes up," Karneering informed Tim, ignoring the ongoing conversation between McKinnon and Rodriguez. "He was exhausted before being taken hostage. His body's taking the opportunity to catch up on its rest," Karneering continued, addressing Tim's worries without the lieutenant having to ask. "It's the best thing for him right now."

"Thanks," Tim answered.

"He'll wake up when he's ready. Just make sure you don't exhaust yourself sitting here all day," Karneering admonished.

"I won't," Tim promised.

"I'll be keeping my eye on you," Karneering warned. "I remember you in Hawaii."

"What? I was very good."

Karneering glared at him. "Yeah, right."

*****

"You do realize that we're going to have to tell him the truth," Rodriguez finally said, after he and McKinnon had ended their recent bout of bantering.

McKinnon nodded her head; she had been coming to that conclusion herself. "He's not going to be happy."

"No, but he'll be even more upset if we're not honest. There's no way he'd trust us again."

"I know. But what do we tell him? Or more importantly, how do we tell him without making him feel threatened?"

"I wish I knew the answer to that one, Ice, but we're going to have to come up with something. And I get to be there when you tell him, so you'd better clear it with Einstein."

"I will."

"Ice, you did the right thing," Rodriguez told her quietly. "This is not something we can deal with on our own."

"Remind me again after we tell him and he looks at us like we've sold him out," McKinnon sighed. She glanced down as her pager beeped. "Well, looks like we'll know soon how much time we have. I have to go contact Captain Bridger."

"What did you tell him?"

"I needed him here to represent Slick during questioning."

"Well, that's true. It would be a good idea to have him here if you were going to allow the inspectors to have another go at interrogating them."

"True."

"You do see the irony in this? You lied to a superior officer, but you won't lie to a sixteen-year-old."

"Which one do you think will be more understanding?"

"Bridger. But Slick won't hate you forever."

"Thanks, Ghost."

*****

After a brief conversation with Bridger, who confirmed he would arrive the next morning, McKinnon went back to the work room to see if any progress had been made. "Anything on Keller?" she asked, sitting down between Ford and Chandler.

"Not much. We haven't been able to connect her to any of the others as of yet. But we're still hoping," Chandler reported.

"Keep digging. Also, find out what doctors she used to work for," McKinnon ordered.

"Ice, have there been any more threats delivered?" Adamsen inquired.

"Good question," McKinnon told her. "With everything else, Slick and Indy haven't been checking their mail."

"You want me to go get Indy?" Chandler queried. "I can stay there for a bit: give Einstein a break."

"Since Ghost is awake, I'm sure he'd like that."

"Most likely."

"Go ahead. We should see if there are any other messages," McKinnon commented absently; her mind was already working on a new idea.

"Ice needs you to check your mail," Chandler informed Tim. "I'm going to take your place."

"All right. She wants to know if there's been other threats?" Tim guessed.

"Something like that. We forgot about it with everything else that has happened."

"I hadn't given it much thought myself," Tim admitted.

"Take your time; if you need a little break, I can stay."

"Thanks, Irish. I just keep hoping he'll wake up. I'd like to know he was feeling better."

"Don't worry, Indy. Einstein would wake him up if it was something to worry about," Chandler assured him.

"I'll be back."

"We're not going any where."

"Unfortunately," Rodriguez chimed in. "I can't believe he's making me stay here the whole day," he grumbled as Tim left.

"He'll make you stay longer if hears you say that. Where is Einstein?"

"I think he went to talk to Ice about what kind of food he wants to give us," Rodriguez replied.

"You don't sound very enthused."

"Well, as long as he takes this thing out," Rodriguez said, pointing at his IV, "I'll live with it."

"Poor, Ghost," Chandler sympathized. "You just hate being out of the action."

"You would too."

*****

"Nothing," Tim reported to McKinnon. "Maybe he's given up."

"More like he's taking a break," Ford observed. "If he was behind the kidnapping and drugging, he would know that it would be a little while before Lucas was up to checking e-mail."

"Scout's right," McKinnon agreed, "particularly since Slick is his primary target, although it is possible that he's returned to sending the threats only to Slick. We'll have to wait for Slick to feel a little better and have him check his to make sure there's nothing new."

"Thanks, guys," Tim muttered under his breath. He would have preferred to think that they were not going to get any more threats. He knew it was not logical, but he wanted to believe in it for a few minutes.

"Sorry," McKinnon apologized with a quick shrug. She understood his thoughts. "All right, let's see what we've got going, gang. The question we need to answer is why suddenly make a move to kidnap Ghost and Slick? Up until now, there's been no direct contact. Something made him move. Why?"

"You don't think it was planned?" Adamsen asked.

"I'm not sure," McKinnon admitted. "But it seems like a dramatic move to make."

*****

"All right, I know that you're dying to check on Slick," Karneering told Ghost, who had been bothering him for several minutes.

"Irish has better things to do than sit with him," Rodriguez pointed out.

"If I remove the IV, it is not the all clear for you to leave and go back to work," Karneering admonished.

"I just want to keep my eye on Slick. I can sit there quietly just as easily as I can lie in this bed," Rodriguez argued, sensing he was winning his case and not wanting to push too far. "I'll be good."

"I find that hard to believe," Karneering mumbled. "However, I'm going to do this because you'll just bug me until I do. But you are not to encourage your friend in any acts of rebellion."

"Who me?"

"Yes, you, Ghost," Karneering sighed. "You still need to take it easy," he reminded Rodriguez, as he carefully removed the IV.

"I just want to sit with him."

"Here, I even brought you some clothes," Karneering said, handing him some sweats and another T-shirt.

"You just wanted me to beg," Rodriguez grumbled.

"I have to get my fun somewhere, Ghost."

*****

Tim turned as Chandler entered the room. He stood up, wondering why Chandler had left Lucas alone.

"Don't worry," Chandler assured him. "Einstein got tired of Ghost's whining, so he unhooked the IV and let him go sit by Slick's bed."

"That should keep him feeling useful long enough for Einstein to pronounce him ready for action," McKinnon commented. "Indy, if you want to go check on him, that's fine."

"No. Ghost can manage it," Tim replied.

"Okay. Let's talk about what we know and see if we can't figure out what's going on."

Part 22

Lucas opened his eyes and found Rodriguez sitting by his bed, studying him. He wondered what the other man was thinking, but could not tell from the expression on Rodriguez's face. "Einstein let you up?" he asked.

"Yeah. He decided it was safe enough to do so," Rodriguez responded. "How are you feeling?"

"Still kind of fuzzy," Lucas confessed, reluctantly.

"That's because the concentration in your system was higher than what was found in Ghost's," Karneering reported, coming over to check on the teenager. "It'll take a bit longer for it to completely leave your system. I'd venture to say that you were actually given nearly twice as much as Ghost," he continued, ignoring the look Rodriguez was giving him.

Rodriguez wished the doctor had mentioned this detail sooner, which was why he glared at him now. "Why would they do that?" he queried. "That makes no sense."

"It does if they wanted him really sedated," Karneering observed, noting that Lucas' pulse had increased during the conversation.

"What did they give us?" Lucas questioned, curious.

Karneering ran through the list of drugs, noticing that Lucas seemed to recognize the names, and did not require an explanation of how the medications reacted.

"I'm surprised they didn't give us Prozac," Rodriguez grumbled, not pleased at hearing what some of the drugs were. Unlike Lucas, he was not familiar with them and had asked Karneering for explanations on a couple. "Isn't that supposed to keep people calm and happy?"

"That's what the Elavil was for," Lucas answered automatically. "It's from the same family. Although, generally, it's only good for extended use, and it can have some killer side effects."

"Such as?" Rodriguez prompted, deciding he wanted to see just how much Lucas knew.

"It can dramatically alter your mood or make you feel things more intensely, plus nausea, vomiting, violent nightmares and, in some cases, it can result in psychotic episodes."

Rodriguez felt relatively certain he did not want to continue this conversation. He glanced at Karneering, trying to figure out what the doctor thought about all of this.

"What reaction do you have?" Karneering inquired, hoping Lucas would answer it without thinking.

"Nightmares," Lucas replied, distantly. He shuddered briefly as he recalled a particularly frightening set of them.

"What about that other one? The one you said was a type of steroid?" Rodriguez queried. He really wanted to know what had been in his body. He also figured if Karneering asked another question, Lucas might realize what the doctor was doing. They had to proceed cautiously or the teenager would put his walls back up.

"I'm not sure about that one," Karneering admitted. "It's generally used as an anti-inflammatory. It seems like an odd choice, but they must have had a reason."

"It's highly addictive," Lucas reminded him. "You can get someone hooked on it quickly." Karneering nodded his head. "I'd forgotten about that," he remarked. "You really should try to get some more rest," he advised Lucas. "Later this afternoon, I want to take you off the anti-nausea medication and see if that problem is gone. However, I want to wait until you're more alert."

"How long do I have to have the IV?"

"You're just as bad as he is. You're keeping yours until tomorrow," Karneering informed him sternly. "Right now, I'm going to take some more blood from both of you. I want to see where we're at."

"Should have nicknamed you Dracula," Rodriguez groused.

"Ghost, I can always…" Karneering glanced at Lucas and decided to revise his original comment, "take an extra vial if you're not good."

Rodriguez noticed the hesitation and wondered at the cause. However, he chose not to pursue it for the time being. He waited while Karneering drew the blood sample from Lucas. It was when Lucas squeezed his hand that Rodriguez realized that he was still holding the teenager's hand. It was another instance uncharacteristic behavior to file away for later study. In the hospital in Hawaii, Lucas had always dropped Rodriguez's hand like it was contaminated when he woke up. The only person who had not evoked that response was Bridger.

*****

"So, what were you going to threaten me with?" Rodriguez questioned Karneering, ten minutes later, when Lucas had gone back to sleep.

"Restarting the IV, but I didn't think Slick was up to hearing me joke about drugging you."

"Probably not. I liked the way you were testing Slick's knowledge about drugs."

"Well, it goes against my grain to interrogate someone when they're not at one hundred percent, but, with Slick, I'm starting to think it's the only way to get a straight answer," Karneering observed.

"One more thing, Einstein," Rodriguez interjected, wanting to ask before the doctor walked away and he looked like he was ready to leave.

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you mention any of the stuff in the report before? All you told me was there was six drugs present. You didn't say anything about Slick having a higher concentration."

"Same reason I slipped the question in about the side effects, Ghost. I know you well enough to know you'd get around to asking questions. I wanted to see what Slick knew."

"You're very devious."

"I'm an Outrigger; it's part of the training," Karneering commented with a wry smile. "His information goes beyond casual information, Ghost."

"I'd already figured that out. I suppose he could have researched it. Slick's not the type of guy to settle for reading one book about something when he can read a hundred. Anything that captures his attention probably gets a lot of time and effort."

Karneering glanced at Rodriguez and raised an eyebrow, but did not say anything in response. He knew that Rodriguez did not really believe what he was saying. If Lucas had been doing any research on medicine, then there was a purpose behind it. Neither one of them wanted to fully consider the implications of what that reason might have been. "Don't sit there too long," he instructed quietly, understanding that neither one of them really wanted to prolong this discussion for fear of where it might take them.

*****

"The building was clear. We found the room where they must have been kept. It was the only room with the screen missing," Ryan reported to McKinnon and the others. "You can tell it was occupied recently, but that's about it. We checked for fingerprints, but the section where Ghost and Slick must have been held was wiped clean. There are fingerprints throughout the rest of the building. It used to be a hospital, so that's not surprising. Kincaid's team is already going to try to run those, in case someone missed something in clean up, but I didn't bother picking any up. It's probably a waste of time we don't have. I'm going to have to contact the police inspectors or they're going to get suspicious."

'That's fine," McKinnon replied. "I want you to notify them that Ghost and Slick are missing," she ordered.

"Why?" Hallowell questioned.

"Because we've been discussing the kidnapping," McKinnon explained, pointing at Tim, Ford, Chandler and Adamsen. "We find it interesting that shortly after finding a witness that could not identify either Slick or Indy at the Nicholson burglary, our threat sender increased pressure by taking hostages. I need to question Ghost a little more about that, since he's more alert now. However, I think it might be enlightening to see how the police react to the news."

"You think there's a leak in the department?" Dawson inquired.

"There might be. It could just be coincidence. Either way, it doesn't matter. It buys us some more time and, if there is a leak, then they'll think Ghost and Slick are on their own. It could work in our favor."

"I'll do it. Think they'll buy into it? They could see it as a stall tactic," Ryan pointed out.

"It's easy enough to prove that we were at the fire and that we were asking a lot of questions afterwards. We may not have told anyone at the site what was going on, but I'm sure they all figured out something had happened," McKinnon told her. "And, for the most part, we've been straight with them."

"True. You want me to call or notify them in person?"

"In person. You need to see how they react. I think it's time to give the inspectors a closer examination. It's also time to get organized," McKinnon commented. "We're missing connections somewhere along the way. Indy, I want you and Scout to produce hard copies of all the threats you and Slick have received, marking the ones that have some kind of personal connotation. Maybe there's something there we've missed. Check with Einstein later today and, if Slick is up to it, talk to him about it. But let Einstein make the call."

"Don't worry, Ice; we're familiar with Lucas' ability to ignore medical advice," Tim reassured her.

"Good. Brook and Columbus, I want you to put together a list of all the people we've encountered. Make a chart and let's see how everyone relates to everyone else. We need to really see how each person fits into this scenario," McKinnon ordered. "Irish, you and I will work on investigating the inspectors and seeing if we can find out more about this Dr. Keller. I'm going to talk to Ghost and see what Slick may have told him about her."

"Ice?" Ford spoke up.

"Yes?" McKinnon responded.

"Is it possible any of this is coming from within the Outriggers?" he inquired. "Like the threats or the knowledge of how you'll react?"

"I don't think so, but I couldn't vouch for it one hundred percent," McKinnon replied, honestly. She understood Ford's concerns and had considered them before herself. "It's one of the reasons that only Admiral Kincaid only knows for sure what we're doing. The assistance he's given us has been channeled through another investigation."

"How do you know we can trust him?" Ford persisted.

"Because it resembles the O'Rourke case too much. Jordan O'Rourke was Kincaid's goddaughter. He's always had unanswered questions and a sense that he failed her," McKinnon announced, ignoring the stunned expressions it produced. "If there's a chance this case will answer those questions or, at the very least, prevent someone else from experiencing what she did, he'll take it. Besides, Kincaid is unorthodox, but he is loyal and very scrupulous. He's about as likely to give away our plans as anyone on this team."

"Thank you."

"You were entitled to ask the question, Scout. Any other questions?" McKinnon paused for a moment.

"All right. Then let's get to work and see if we can't get this thing figured out. Oh, Sunshine, check with Karneering. I think he might have wanted some more samples taken to the lab," she instructed Ryan.

*****

"He wake up at all?" McKinnon asked Rodriguez, who was still sitting by Lucas' bedside, watching him sleep..

"A little while ago. Einstein said that they gave him more drugs than they gave me, or did he already tell you that?"

"No. I haven't had much time to talk to him about it."

"What have you been up to?"

"Trying to put the pieces in the puzzle," McKinnon answered. "I need to talk to you," she added.

Rodriguez looked down at Lucas, who seemed to be fairly peaceful for the moment. "We can go back to my bed," he said, releasing Lucas' hand and standing up. "I can always come back if he gets spooked again."

"We're going to have to talk to him tonight, Ghost. Bridger will be here in the morning."

"I think you'd better get Einstein to remove his IV then. We don't want him ripping another one out," Rodriguez commented. "Problem with telling him in advance is it gives him time to build up his defenses."

"I think they're automatic. Besides, I think Bridger knows him well enough to recognize when he's not being wholly truthful."

"I know. What do you want to know?"

"More about what happened while you were being held. Let's start at the beginning. I want every detail."

"You always do," Rodriguez groaned. "We were working on the final computer when I heard a noise, which I reported."

"You did everything you could, Ghost," McKinnon told him, hearing what he was not saying.

"I don't think they expected to take me along with them. They were just after Slick," Rodriguez continued, not acknowledging McKinnon's statement. "But, since I was there, they took me too. They drugged us there."

"I know. Sunshine found the vials."

"They kept us in a room for a bit: not sure how long we were there before we regained consciousness. Then we met Smith and Keller."

"Tell me about that."

"I was concerned because Smith kept himself disguised, but not Keller. That's usually not a good sign. Slick was pretty panicked by everything. I think he recognized Keller right off. Smith had our names. And he knew about Tarsinia."

"How do you know that?"

"When we wouldn't answer his questions, he made some comment about us being resistant to physical interrogation," Rodriguez explained. "I don't remember the exact phrasing, but it seemed pretty clear that he knew what had happened. Then we moved on to the CDT. That was when Slick seemed to get himself under control."

"What do you mean?"

"Up to that point, he'd been pretty scared, which was what Smith and Keller wanted. When they said they were going to use CDT, he got very calm and focused: told me to trust him right before they injected him."

"Well, if he knew he was allergic to CDT, it was probably the only way he had to let you know."

"I was afraid he'd be forced to give up the team's location," Rodriguez admitted. "I knew he would never forgive himself if he did that. About ten minutes after they administered it, he threw up. His answers were bizarre. I'm not sure how much was the drugs or if he was consciously making it up as he went along. By then, he was focused on some agenda of his own."

"What do you mean?"

"He was concentrating on something within himself, Ice. It's hard to explain. It was like he knew exactly what he had to do and nothing was going to stop him."

"Then what happened?"

"He threw up a second time; this time he really nailed Smith. I think he did that one on purpose. Smith slapped him pretty hard and they drugged us again. I woke up and we were both handcuffed to chairs. I was having a hard time thinking clearly, so I went back to sleep. Apparently, at some point, Keller came in and gave us more drugs. When I woke up again, Slick had just freed himself, which was kind of interesting. He acted like it was no big deal," Rodriguez continued his narration. "Then he let me out. This is when things started getting kind of strange, Ice."

"I thought we'd progressed past strange by now."

"He called Keller 'Franklin' and when I called him on it, he didn't seem to comprehend the error: told me that's what he had said, but not in an argumentative way, just very matter-of-factly. It was like he honestly thought he was talking about the same person."

"You ask him about Franklin?"

Didn't get a chance. So, then he tells me we're going to go out the window. He made some comment about Franklin again, then proceeded to search the room until he found a piece of metal with which to pry off the screen."

"What were you doing?"

"Staring in stunned amazement. I mean, he was completely functional. I was having a hard time staying upright and he was moving about like it was no big deal. When I asked him if he was all right, he made a statement along the lines that it was going to take more than what they'd given us to keep him from escaping. I believed him."

"What about the cut on his hand?"

"He slipped with the metal when he was breaking it off. It was pretty flimsy construction, so it's not like he suddenly had superhuman strength. He looked at his hand, shrugged his shoulders and kept working. I don't think he really felt it. He got the screen off and asked me if I wanted to go out the window first."

"And?" McKinnon prompted.

"And we left the area as fast as we could. We found a place we thought would be safe to wait and I paged you."

"Anything happen in the park?"

"He admitted he knew Keller. I don't think he planned on it, but he did. Said she was a receptionist for his doctor. He also mentioned he had only seen her three times."

"Interesting."

"The only other thing was that he made a comment to the effect that Keller had underestimated him. I wish I could remember the exact remark. I asked him about it, but, even drugged, he knows how to change the subject, which is what he did."

"I think this is something we're going to have to let Bridger pursue for us," McKinnon said. "At the very least, we're going to have to wait for him to be here. I don't want to push Slick on this one without him available."

"You're right. I got him through your last little chat. I'm not sure about doing it again. I'm afraid he's more likely to withdraw and, reaching him in that state is harder than when he's angry."

"Well, I intentionally ticked him off last time. I'm not sure I know how to do it with this one. And I think that this is one area we need to approach with caution."

"You're going to have to ask him some questions later today. Slick's not stupid. He knows that what we gave you earlier isn't enough. He knows you're going to want more information. If you wait to even start asking, he's going to get nervous," Rodriguez pointed out.

"True. Should we do it before or after we let him know about Bridger?"

"Before."

"There are times when I really hate my job."

"I know. But, as much as he probably won't admit it, I think Slick understands that you aren't asking questions to be cruel."

"I hope so. I sent Sunshine to notify the inspectors that we lost you guys," McKinnon informed him, changing the subject.

"Really?"

"Thought it would be interesting to see what comes of allowing that information to get out."

"So that means you didn't tell them we were found?"

"Naturally. That would defeat the purpose."

"Care to explain why?"

"I'm curious as to the timing of the action."

"What do you mean?"

"Shortly after Crewes and Stanton have a witness that can't identify Slick or Indy at the scene of the crime, we get called out into a setup and the two of you are abducted."

"You've been an Outrigger too long; you're suspicious of everything."

"It's worth testing out. Besides, it buys us some time with the inspectors."

"True," Rodriguez agreed. "Oh, you might want to consult with Einstein on Slick's knowledge about prescription medication. He was a fountain of information earlier."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Listen, you'd better get some more rest. Einstein's going to regret removing that IV if you don't take it easy."

"I have been taking it easy," Rodriguez protested.

"Humor me."

"You're worse than my mother," Rodriguez complained, earning a dark look from McKinnon.

"On that note, I'll be leaving. Have Einstein come and get me when you think Slick's ready to talk."

"All right."

*****

Lucas did not want to wake up. Whenever he woke up, there were questions: questions that he could not answer. It was safer to stay asleep. In his sleep, he did not have to think; he could remain in the comfort of darkness. Unfortunately, his body did not want to cooperate with him; it insisted that he get up. If only he could stay here, where it was safe: where they left him alone and didn't insist he answer their endless questions or solve their puzzles. If he was asleep, there were no worries about being locked up again. That terrified him more than the rest.

Lucas sat up abruptly, gasping for air, disoriented for the brief moment it took for him to gather his bearings and remember where he was. As he became aware of his location, the teenager realized that Tim, Rodriguez and Karneering were all staring at him. "Hi," he greeted them weakly, hoping he had not been saying anything out loud.

"Are you okay?" Tim inquired. He had returned almost an hour ago, because McKinnon thought Rodriguez needed a nap. Since the other man had been asleep when he first arrived, she must have been right.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lucas mumbled, lying down on the bed again. He groaned as Karneering approached. "Behave. I haven't done anything yet," Karneering admonished him. "And, if you're good, I'll let you have real food," he offered, checking the boy's pulse.

"Don't lie to him, Einstein," Rodriguez called out. "He told me the same thing and I got some kind of broth."

"It's better than the IV," Karneering responded, unperturbed.

"Not a whole lot. It had no taste."

"You chose the broth."

"Well, it's not like you gave me a wide variety of choices. In fact, if I remember correctly, you asked if I wanted it 'colored' or 'clear'," Rodriguez whined.

"The man is so picky," Karneering told Lucas and Tim, shaking his head. "I'll let you have something a little more solid for dinner," he added.

"That's generous."

"Are you feeling more alert?" Karneering asked Lucas.

"Yeah. I don't feel quite as fuzzy as I was before."

"Good. Were you dreaming before you woke up?" he questioned, checking the teenager's pulse a second time. It had been racing before and he wanted to make sure it had slowed to normal.

"I think so," Lucas replied uncertainly. He really was not sure if he had been dreaming or not.

"All right," Karneering said, deciding not to push. A quick conversation with McKinnon earlier had convinced him that the commander was going to be creating enough stress for the teenager without him adding to it. "You're still keeping the IV until morning," he informed him.

Lucas made a face, but did not offer a verbal protest.

"But I'm going to take you off the anti-nausea medication. I just wanted you to be more awake before I did."

"Okay." Lucas sighed. "How long do I have to stay in bed?"

"As long as I say," Karneering answered tiredly. "Don't start with me, either. I've had to listen to Ghost all day. My patience is wearing thin."

"Gee thanks," Rodriguez groused.

"Any time."

*****

"Sounds like you could use some help," Ryan commented, entering the room. "Ice said to tell you to take a break. She and Irish are available if they need medical care."

"I'm fine," Karneering insisted, reluctant to leave his patients.

"Einstein, it wasn't exactly a request," Ryan remarked. "She had her 'he'll either go quietly or I'll make him go, but he going to do it' look on. I'm going to entertain them for a little while and maybe, by that time, she'll be ready to let you return." "In other words, she'll have Columbus and Casanova forcibly remove me if I don't make an appearance very soon?" Karneering guessed.

"Something like that."

"I'll be back, so you two behave. And don't try to pull anything over on Ice or Irish," Karneering ordered Lucas and Rodriguez .

"How stupid do I look?" Rodriguez inquired. "I am not going to try to pull anything over on Ice. She would never forgive me and neither would you."

"Keep your eye on them, Sunshine. They're starting to feel better."

"What? You don't think I'm capable?" Tim interjected.

"I was not slighting your abilities, Indy," Karneering assured him. "I figure you already know to watch out for Slick. I just want to make sure someone keeps a close eye on Ghost."

"Thanks, Einstein," Rodriguez grumbled.

"You better go before Ice sends a search party," Ryan recommended.

"I'm going, I'm going."

*****

"So, what did you learn today?" Rodriguez asked Ryan, who had taken a seat next to his bed, since Tim was still with Lucas.

"You're supposed to be taking it easy," Ryan observed.

"Yes, but if you fill me in today, you won't have to do it tomorrow and then I won't have to work as hard tomorrow trying to catch up," Rodriguez reasoned.

"And you wonder why Einstein and Ice get so riled up with you when you're injured?" Ryan queried, shaking her head at him. "I should have known you would want to pump me for information."

"I'm just curious."

"Great. Is this going to get me in trouble?"

"No more than usual. And only if you get me upset, which is what will happen if you don't tell me what's going on," Rodriguez threatened.

"All right, all right; don't get upset."

"I'm not upset. Just bored."

"I kind of figured that one out, Ghost," Ryan commented. "Well, we didn't find much at the building. That place was kind of creepy, Ghost."

"Tell me about it."

"Anyway, there wasn't really evidence of your presence or your captors."

"That figures. They were pretty well organized. They cleared out the second they found us gone, which was probably before McKinnon was able to get a team out there."

"You guys were pretty lucky."

"I know," Rodriguez remarked, glancing over at Lucas' bed to make sure the teenager was still occupied by Tim. He did not want his discussion with Ryan upsetting the young man.

"Well, Ice had me tell Crewes and Stanton that the two of you were missing."

"She mentioned that. How did they react?"

"About what you would expect. They were shocked, concerned and a little suspicious."

"That figures."

"Just have to wait and see what happens. I agree with Ice that the timing seems a little odd, but nothing about this makes much sense." Ryan sighed. "Scout asked how Ice could be sure it wasn't someone in the Outriggers sending the threats."

"Sounds like something Scout would ask. And it's a good question. What did Ice say?"

"Told him Kincaid was the only one who knew what we were doing."

"That comfort him?"

"I think he felt better after she explained that O'Rourke was Kincaid's goddaughter, so he's personally motivated by the case…." Ryan's voice trailed off as she realized Rodriguez was not listening to her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Rodriguez replied. "Just got caught on a tangent. Sorry."

"That's all right. Maybe you should get some rest."

"I'm allowed to wander off mentally without needing a nap, Sunshine. And I already had one."

"You're sounding a little irritable, Ghost," Ryan informed him. "Anyway, Ice has us going back to the basics: looking at everything we know and seeing if we've missed any connections."

"Sounds like a good plan."

*****

"How's the commander doing with the team?" Lucas asked Tim, deciding it was a safe area of conversation. He did not want the lieutenant questioning him about recent events.

"He seems to be settling in a little better. I think he's afraid of what's going to happen when the doctor finds out you were taken hostage again," Tim responded, "since she made it pretty clear she was holding him responsible for us."

"Like it was his fault."

"I think he fears that's a distinction the doctor won't be making," Tim commented.

"He's probably right."

Ford appeared then, wanting to see how Lucas was doing. "How are you feeling?" he asked, studying the teenager closely.

"Better," Lucas answered. "Not as groggy as I was when I woke up the first time."

"That's good. You giving the doctor a hard time?"

"That depends on who you ask," Tim replied before Lucas could. "I'm sure he thinks he's being good; I have a feeling Einstein would tell you differently."

"Kind of what I figured," Ford commented. "I'm just glad you're feeling better. But listen to Einstein; he has the medical degree."

"Can we keep you?" Karneering inquired, entering. "No one else seems to think that having a degree in medicine makes me qualified to dispense medical advice."

"I thought Ice wanted you take a break," Lucas commented.

"I took a page from Ghost's book and bugged her until she let me go in order to shut me up," Karneering explained.

"I heard that," Rodriguez called out.

"You want more broth for dinner?" Karneering asked him.

"Now he's blackmailing me with food. That's not fair."

"Life is hard, Ghost."

"You're very cold, Einstein."

"It's a gift."

Part 23

McKinnon waited until after dinner to talk to Lucas, mainly at the request of Karneering, who wanted the teenager to have a chance to eat in peace. Lucas sensed something was up when everyone cleared the room shortly after she entered. He had known that, eventually, she would get around to asking questions.

"Hey, Slick," she greeted him, sitting down. "I have some questions I need to ask you. I'm going to have Ghost join us, if you don't mind."

"Okay." Lucas wished they weren't doing this now. He felt vulnerable and exposed, since he was stuck in bed. Lucas understood why McKinnon did not want to wait, but the situation left him feeling uncomfortable and awkward.

Rodriguez took a seat on the opposite side from McKinnon. The young man's unease was visible and Rodriguez knew there was no way to avoid what was coming next. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine," Lucas replied shortly. He did not want anyone feeling sorry for him. He could answer McKinnon's questions and everything would work out fine; all he had to do was stay in control and not slip up and give them more information than absolutely necessary. He could handle this.

"I need to know what happened," McKinnon told him. "What do you remember about being taken hostage?"

"Ghost heard a noise and then the door knob turned. We knew it was too quick to be one of you, so I shoved the disk in the drawer and put a blank one on top, in case that's what they were after. They made us come forward and injected us with something to knock us out. We woke up in a room, but we weren't restrained in any way. Two guards came and got us and we met Smith and Keller," Lucas recited.

McKinnon watched his face as he spoke, noting the lack of expression on it. It matched his voice, which showed no emotion. It went against her nature not to push, but she agreed with Rodriguez, this was not the time to force the issue. "You said you recognized Keller? Who is she?" McKinnon questioned.

"She worked for my doctor for a little bit. They fired her when it became apparent she was selling drugs from the doctor's supply."

"What was your doctor's name?"

"Uh, Doctor Evers? No; that's not it. Doctor Evans?" Lucas ran through several names trying to remember it.

"Doctor Franklin?" Rodriguez suggested, curious if that was why Lucas had experienced the confusion earlier.

Lucas froze when he heard the name. How did Rodriguez know about Franklin? What had he said? Had he given anything away?

While Lucas ran through his litany of mental questions, Rodriguez studied the teenager. The name had certainly provoked a reaction, breaking the façade of calm detachment for a brief moment. "Slick?" he prompted.

Rodriguez's voice brought Lucas out of his reverie and he answered the original question. "No. It was Doctor Ellis."

"First name?" McKinnon prodded.

"Norman."

"Did Keller recognize you?" McKinnon asked, since they had never officially established this.

"I think so."

"Why?"

"The way she looked at me. She wanted me to recognize her. And Smith had my last name. It isn't that common."

"What happened next?"

"Smith wanted to know where to find the team, so he asked. When we wouldn't answer, he decided he could force it out of us. He made some comment that indicated he was not going to try anything physical, because he didn't think it would work. It seemed like he knew about Tarsinia."

"Were you scared?"

"Yes. Until he brought out the CDT. I knew I was allergic. I knew he couldn't use it to force me to tell him anything."

"What happened?"

"Smith didn't like it the second time I threw up, so he hit me and they drugged us again. When I woke up, I was chained to the chair and so was Ghost. Keller and another guy came in, not Smith; it wasn't his voice. She gave us some more drugs, so that we would stay unconscious."

"I'm surprised she wasn't worried about an overdose," McKinnon remarked.

"It's one of the benefits of that kind of combination; it takes less of each to really knock someone out, so there's less likelihood of overdose," Lucas reported.

"Why didn't it put you back to sleep?" McKinnon continued.

"I knew it was going to be our best chance at escape. I let the adrenaline work for me."

"How did you know how to get your hands free?"

"I've studied and tested most of the Aegis products on the market."

McKinnon nodded her head; somehow his relationship with Aegis tied into all of this. She wondered how and suspected that asking him would serve no purpose. He was very calm. It was like he was giving her an official report. He remained very focused on the information he was relaying. McKinnon continued asking questions, but Lucas' narration of events closely resembled Rodriguez 's. Although McKinnon tried to vary her approach, to see if she could shake him out of his controlled response, Lucas remained detached throughout. He would get briefly disconcerted when she asked questions out of sequence, but never enough to crack his emotionless description of the events.

Rodriguez listened as McKinnon asked her questions, wondering if she was interested in the answers or just delaying the inevitable. Both recognized that Lucas was likely to get upset over them calling Bridger. Rodriguez had not made the suggestion lightly and still thought it was the right choice; however, it did not make him feel any better.

"There's one more thing we have to discuss, Slick," McKinnon told Lucas.

"What?" Lucas inquired, not sure he liked her tone or the look on Rodriguez 's face.

"Captain Bridger is going to be here in the morning," McKinnon informed him, deciding it was best to just say it and offer explanations after.

"Why?" Lucas asked, trying to keep his voice even.

"Because I called him and asked him to come," McKinnon replied, watching his face. However, he remained outwardly calm.

"How come?" Lucas could hear his voice wavering and hoped no one noticed.

"It was my idea," Rodriguez explained. "I asked her to call."

Lucas stared at him in disbelief. "Why?"

"Because I'm worried about you, Slick," Rodriguez answered truthfully. "That kidnapping was orchestrated to freak you out."

"I'm fine," Lucas protested.

"That's the problem; you're too calm," McKinnon commented. "You've been keeping details from us since this thing started."

"I've told you all you need to know," Lucas insisted. He did not want McKinnon thinking he had withheld important information.

"I'm sure you have. But whoever's sending the threats has done their best to learn what buttons to push. I don't think he's done yet. I think it's going to get worse before it gets better. I can understand why you may not want to talk about it with Rodriguez or myself, but I think you need to trust someone, Slick," McKinnon responded. "And I can't promise that I'll continue to let you maintain your silence. At some point, I may need the answers you've avoided up to this point. If it happens, I want Bridger here to help you through the rough spots."

"I don't need a babysitter," Lucas interjected, afraid it meant she was going to take him off the investigation.

"He's not coming as a babysitter. As far as I'm concerned, once Einstein clears you, you're still part of this team. He's coming to give you moral support, which I happen to think you need."

"So do I, Slick," Rodriguez interrupted. "You may not want to talk about it, but it would help you if you did. You can't get through everything by yourself."

"I'm fine," Lucas assured him.

Rodriguez looked at McKinnon and raised a questioning eyebrow. Both had expected this piece of news to get a rise out of him, yet he maintained his composure.

Lucas took the moment of silence to close his eyes and hope they would take the hint. He did not want to answer any more questions or face them any more. All he wanted to do was go to sleep and escape.

McKinnon knew Lucas was not asleep yet, but decided they would not benefit from prolonging the discussion, so she indicated to Rodriguez she was going to leave. Rodriguez stayed seated by Lucas' bedside, watching him.

*****

Lucas found himself unable to fall asleep; instead, his mind was occupied by a variety of thoughts. There had been relief when McKinnon said Bridger was coming. He wanted the captain with him. He always felt safe and secure when Bridger was around; he trusted the captain. However, Lucas was also scared.

He feared that if Bridger learned the truth, he would want to send him away and he did not want to leave his friends. They had become his family. When he felt alone, he liked to pretend that they really were his family. He did not want to lose that feeling, but, if they were allowed to find out the truth about him, Lucas knew everything would change. They would not want him around anymore. Lucas believed he could stay in control enough to avoid Bridger ever discovering his secret. All he had to do was keep his feelings in check and he would still be safe. With that thought firmly in his head, Lucas let himself drift off to sleep.

*****

"Everything in one piece?" Karneering asked McKinnon, encountering her in the hall.

"Of course," McKinnon replied, sighing.

"What happened?"

"He offered an emotionless protest and then closed his eyes, so we would leave him alone. He's so calm it's eerie."

"I had noticed."

"Do you have any ideas?" McKinnon inquired, "about the cause?"

"Only the same one you and Ghost both have about it," Karneering answered quietly, not wanting to voice his suspicions any more than McKinnon did. "Somewhere along the line, Slick learned to hide his feelings: most likely from his parents, but not necessarily. It may not have even been intentional on their part," Karneering continued, ignoring the derisive noise McKinnon made. "But, obviously, it's worked in the past. When we're scared, we revert to the behaviors that have enabled us to survive before. In Slick's case, he buries his emotions and tries to pretend that it didn't happen. And, if it did happen, he was only an observer, not a participant. My guess is that no one ever bothered to look past the surface, for one reason or another. If he said he was fine, they accepted it and moved on. Therefore, it reinforced his actions."

"Of course. It told him people weren't really interested in him, so, if he pretended everything was okay, no one pushed him," McKinnon summed up.

"It'll work out, Ice. Ghost really believes that Bridger can reach him on a level that we can't. Trust his instincts."

"I do trust his instincts. I lied to a captain, didn't I?"

"That's not really so unusual for you, Ice," Karneering teased, trying to lighten her mood a little bit. McKinnon cared for each member on the unit and wanted to solve everyone's problems. Even when she recognized there were no easy solutions, McKinnon wanted to help find the answers.

"Usually I do it in a more subtle manner," McKinnon pointed out.

"Yes, but it's for a good cause. You would have created a great deal of worry for his friends otherwise. There's nothing they can do for him now. And you'll tell Bridger when you pick him up tomorrow. I think he'll understand."

"I hope so."

"Now, I think I better go make sure that Ghost is behaving himself."

"That goes against his nature, Einstein."

"I know, but I'm allowed to have my delusions."

*****

Tim entered the room, not surprised to find Lucas sleeping; as much as the teenager acted like he was all right, Tim knew better. "You guys tell him about Bridger?" he asked Rodriguez, who had finally left Lucas' bedside to return to his own bed.

"Yeah. He was calm about it, at least on the outside. Is he always like this?" Rodriguez questioned.

"Lucas is the guy that listens to everyone else's problems even when he's got his own," Tim responded. "You can go to him and tell him anything you want and you know that he won't tell a soul, no matter what."

"You speak from experience?"

"Yes," Tim replied, but did not elaborate. "However, he never expects you do to the same in return. If you miss dinner, Lucas notices and will bring a tray to you. When he misses a meal and you return the favor, he acts shocked that he was missed."

"I get the sense that Lucas is very used to be overlooked," Rodriguez commented.

"I don't understand it myself. You know, he's been on seaQuest for months and he hasn't heard from his parents? Forget the fact that they let him come on board, but they don't even call to check on him?"

"It does seem odd," Rodriguez agreed, sensing that this was an old refrain, voiced often among Lucas' friends.

"It has to bother him, but he never lets on. I'm glad he's on seaQuest, because it's been great to get to know him. We all feel like that," Tim said, frustrated. "We'd all miss him if he ever left, but sometimes I think it's a lot harder on him than we realize."

"All you can do is be there for him and be his friend," Rodriguez observed. "At some point, he's going to start believing in it."

"I hope so. I just wish I could help him now. It's obvious that what happened to you two upset him, but he acts like it's normal."

"I know. It's a defense mechanism. With any luck, your captain can break it down."

"Bridger connects with him in a way no one else seems to, so maybe he will. How are you doing?" Tim asked Rodriguez suddenly. "You were taken hostage too."

"I was an afterthought. It wasn't setup to frighten me. I'm not saying that I want to repeat the experience, but it wasn't quite as intense for me. Don't worry about me, Indy. Ice will keep me honest if she thinks I'm hiding from it," Rodriguez reassured the lieutenant.

"Good. I'd better let you get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be busy. I think I want to be alert for the captain's arrival."

"That's probably a good idea," Rodriguez agreed. "I'm, personally that hoping Karneering will set me free in the morning."

"Only if you're good," Karneering informed him, entering in time to hear his comment.

"I'm always good," Rodriguez complained. "You just don't appreciate it."

"I think I'll go now; I don't want to get caught in this one," Tim interjected quickly.

"Coward," Rodriguez told him.

"I know better than to disagree with Einstein about medical care. I wouldn't want him to think that I, in any way, supported your rebellion."

"Thanks, Indy. It's always nice to know I can count on you."

"You can: just not when it comes to medical treatment," Tim responded, leaving the room.

"Smart man," Karneering remarked. "Has Slick been sleeping?"

"Yes. I think he was awake for a little while after McKinnon left, but he's been asleep for most of the evening."

"It's good for him."

"I sense some hesitation in your voice, Einstein."

"Well, sleep is another good way to escape problems."

"True, but I wouldn't worry too much just yet. I've done my share of napping today and you said I had a lower concentration of drugs in my system."

"It's just something to watch," Karneering commented.

"Besides, I don't see him sitting on the sidelines forever. He's more likely to try to bury himself in work."

"I know. However, Ice keeps a tight rein on that."

"It's because she has the same habit."

"And you don't?" Karneering quizzed. "You're the worst one on the team when it comes to long hours."

"You've been known to pull your share of double shifts and all nighters," Rodriguez countered.

"Only because people like you won't slow down when they should."

"As long as I'm upright, I don't see the problem with continuing on with my job."

"I know. It's not a particularly good philosophy to live by, Ghost."

"It works for me."

"Why do I bother? You always say the same thing," Karneering groused. "Listen, get some sleep and maybe I'll let you get back to work tomorrow. On a restricted schedule, of course."

"Of course."

*****

The next morning came much faster than McKinnon wanted. It seemed like very little time passed from talking to Lucas the night before, to it being time to meet Bridger. Before leaving that morning, it had finally occurred to her to have Chandler and Hallowell set up a room for the captain to use during his stay. Fortunately, there was one available on the other side of Lucas and Rodriguez, which she thought was the best place for him

Bridger glanced at the commander, who appeared to be focused on her driving, and wondered why she had decided to come alone. He had expected to see Lucas, Tim and Ford. He was starting to sense that this did not bode well. McKinnon spoke before he could voice his concerns.

"Captain, I'm afraid I lied to you about why I wanted you to come," McKinnon informed him, deciding that she had better just come out and say it.

"Pardon me?" Bridger responded, trying to figure out what was going on.

"I needed you to come and I gave the most convenient excuse I could come up with."

"I'm going to need more than that Commander."

"I know. It's kind of complicated."

"Just start at the beginning and I'll ask questions if I get confused," Bridger advised, hoping she got to the point quickly.

"When we reactivated Wolenczak and O'Neil and got Ford assigned to us, it was to investigate the charges against Wolenczak and O'Neil. Once I heard their story, I was convinced they were framed for the Nicholson robbery. When I learned about the threats, I was positive."

"Threats?" Bridger interrupted.

"Yes. Wolenczak and O'Neil have been receiving threats via e-mail for a couple of weeks," McKinnon elaborated, wishing she had made Lucas and Tim explain this detail.

"And it didn't occur to them to let me know?"

"They only told me because I guessed. I believe Commander Ford has spoken with them about the omission."

"I know I certainly plan on it. Is that all?" Bridger queried, even though he feared the answer.

"No. We've been making inquiries, trying to get to the bottom of the threats. Some of the threats have gotten personal; the sender has taken the time to get to know both, but especially Wolenczak"

"Do you have any ideas who might be behind them?"

"We believe so, but we're still trying to put all the pieces together."

"I'm sorry. Please continue," Bridger requested, sensing her reluctance to name the person for the moment.

"In the midst of this, we were given an emergency mission to retrieve some sensitive data at the site of the federal building, which was on fire," McKinnon told him. "In the process of that operation, Wolenczak and Rodriguez were taken hostage."

"Again?!" Bridger exclaimed. "Are they all right?" He sincerely hoped that McKinnon would have said something sooner if they weren't.

"Yes, Sir," McKinnon answered, understanding his outraged tone. "They managed to escape after about eight hours. Their captors drugged them rather heavily, but other than that they were unharmed."

"That doesn't explain why you've called me," Bridger pointed out, failing to see what he was missing in the conversation.

"It was Rodriguez's idea to call you, but I agreed with his reasoning. Wolenczak needs you here."

"What do you mean? You said he wasn't hurt…" Bridger tried to keep the panic out of his voice, but her comment made him nervous.

"Not physically. However, their kidnapping was orchestrated to terrorize him and Rodriguez said it was extremely effective, up until they gave him the CDT. Then Wolenczak became focused and distant. He's been extremely detached since we picked them up. There's more to the setup than he's been willing to tell us."

"How do you know?" Bridger decided to ignore the issue of the CDT for the moment, wanting to understand the larger picture first.

"Lucas knew one of his abductors: a Doctor Keller. She did not bother to disguise herself; she wanted Lucas to recognize her. At least that's the sense that Rodriguez got."

"I'm still not sure why you called me. Not that I regret coming."

"Wolenczak won't talk to any of us about what happened in anything less than a detached manner. If you question him, he's very matter-of-fact. It's like he's telling you about the weather, yet he has an uncommon knowledge of the drugs he was given and other aspects relating to their captivity. He's the one that engineered their escape. There are a lot of questions and no answers. Rodriguez believes, and I agree with him, that someone needs to get those answers out of him, because all he's doing is burying his problems. We can't reach him; I think you might be the one person who can. There have been a few other revelations since all this started." McKinnon realized that Bridger might find her narration hard to follow, since she found she was rambling a little bit. Whenever she got nervous, she tended to speak with a certain lack of organization. In her mind, she had held a perfectly calm conversation with Bridger on this matter and everything had made sense. She just wished it was working as well now.

"Such as?"

"One of the notes got personal and I had to force him to share the meaning with me. It's safe to say that he did not want to tell me anything. The end result was I got my information and a rather ticked off teenager. Rodriguez got him calmed down, but he never told either one of us the full story. We know it made him have nightmares. Any time something personal enters the picture, he'll give us what we need for the investigation, but it's obviously not the full story. I think there's stuff in his past that he hasn't dealt with. The fact that he's been showing little emotion scares me."

"You told him I was coming?" Bridger inquired, noting that McKinnon was doing her best to maintain Lucas' privacy by not giving specific information about their discussion.

"Yes. And I told him why I called you. I apologize for not being honest when I called, but I needed you to come alone and, from what I've seen of your crew, I would have ended up with several extra visitors. I knew you would want to be here for him and I think he needs you, probably more than he would like to admit."

"That's usually the case with Lucas."

"I would also like to add that O'Neil and Ford did not know what I was planning until after I spoke with you."

"While I don't entirely approve of your methods, I do understand them. I also appreciate the fact you are so concerned for Lucas' mental well being."

"He needs more than any of us can give him. I did consider pulling him off the investigation, but I didn't figure it would do much good. I thought it was better to keep him supervised in his inquiries."

"As much as I hate to agree with you, you are probably right about that. Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"At this point in time, no," McKinnon answered. She would tell him about Lucas' edited file if the teenager did not tell him first, but she wanted to give the teenager the chance to do so on his own. A sudden thought occurred to her that would enable her to speed things along and she filed it away for later.

"In other words, there is, but you're not telling me?"

"There are some things which I'm hoping Wolenczak will tell you himself and I don't feel comfortable doing so without first letting him know I'm going to do it," McKinnon replied, hoping he would understand. "I'm not saying I won't tell you. If we reach a point where the information is necessary for you to know, I have no problem telling Wolenczak that if he doesn't tell you, I will. I just don't feel right about not giving him the chance."

"But you called me without telling him," Bridger observed, curious to see hear her reasons.

"Yes. I knew he would object. In that case, I felt it was in his best interests not to be consulted. The other information I was told in confidence and he expects me to keep it that way. As I said, I just want to give him a chance to tell you himself."

"You're probably right. He's already going to wonder what exactly you've told me," Bridger commented. "I don't think it would help matters any if he thought you were telling me his secrets."

"After you talk to him, you may want to talk to Rodriguez. It was his idea to call you and he can give you a better impression of what happened while they were being held."

"I'm sure I will. I've discovered that Lucas rarely wants to say much the first time you try talking to him, particularly since I'm not going in with very much information. I do expect to hear more details about this investigation and these threats they've been receiving, although I think I want to talk to them about it first."

"Yes. I think both Wolenczak and O'Neil are aware that would be on the list of topics," McKinnon remarked.

"Where exactly are we going?" Bridger questioned, deciding he could learn nothing more for the moment.

"A building that Kincaid authorized us to use. We did not want Wolenczak and O'Neil anywhere the inspectors could easily find them," McKinnon responded. "Plus, it enabled him to supply us with the resources we needed to conduct our inquiry."

"Is there any reason you didn't inform me of any of this sooner? The impression I had was that the Outriggers were not very concerned about the situation."

"I needed you to respond to the inspectors as naturally as possible under the circumstances," McKinnon explained. "The best way to insure that was to keep quiet."

Bridger opted not to pursue the topic for the moment. "When were you going to let me know that one of my crew was taken hostage?" he asked, with more calm than he felt. He found the idea of Lucas being abducted horrifying.

"Standard procedure would have meant waiting until the completion of our assignment."

"I suppose I should just be grateful no one's been shot this time."

McKinnon wisely chose not to comment and was grateful to see that they had arrived at the building. She wanted more time to prepare for the questions she knew would be coming as Bridger had time to digest the information. Their arrival would delay those, since Bridger would want to see Lucas, Tim and Ford first.

*****

"I'd like to see Lucas," Bridger said, as they entered the building.

"Of course. We didn't take them to the hospital because they were held in an abandoned one and Rodriguez promised Wolenczak no hospitals," McKinnon told him. "Kincaid arranged for the supplies that Karneering needed and he took care of them here. I'll show you your room first. We put you next to the room that Rodriguez and Wolenczak were using prior to this. I believe Rodriguez will be moving back today; I'm not sure if Karneering is ready to release Wolenczak from his watchful eye just yet," McKinnon continued, opening a door and letting Bridger set his stuff inside. "Right now, they're on the other side of our work room. It was larger and a better setup for their medical care."

"I'm sure Lucas is anxious to get out of bed," Bridger commented.

"Most likely."

*****

"Why can't I leave?" Lucas questioned Karneering, who had just informed Rodriguez that he was free to go.

"I'm taking it under advisement," Karneering answered him. "I'm going to remove your IV now; will that make you feel better?"

"I'd feel better if you'd let me go," Lucas grumbled. "I'm bored and, without Ghost here, I'm going to have nothing to do."

"Erase that thought from your mind, Einstein; I'm not staying just to entertain him," Rodriguez called out from his side of the room, where he was eagerly preparing to leave. "Sorry, Slick. I want out of here."

"Traitor."

"Like you'd hang around for me," Rodriguez countered.

"We'll see how it goes this morning. I might, and I stress the word might, release you in the afternoon," Karneering told Lucas. "Besides, Ice went to pick up your captain. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to entertain you."

"I'm sure he's going to be ready for a nice long chat with you and Indy," Rodriguez interjected.

"Thanks a lot," Lucas mumbled.

"That's right," Karneering agreed. "I'll make sure we have enough chairs available," he teased.

"You're a lot of help."

"Maybe I will stay. I want to hear the explanation they offer," Rodriguez mused.

"Great. It's nice to know I can count on you, Ghost."

"You can. I'm just not going to protect you from your captain," Rodriguez replied. "I know better than to get involved in that situation."

"I think you're enjoying this too much."

"Probably. Listen, Slick, be good and Einstein might let you out on good behavior," Rodriguez advised.

"Now, I'm going to go see about some coffee, since I haven't had any in far too long. I'll come back later and visit," he promised. "Captain Bridger," Rodriguez saluted Bridger, as the captain and McKinnon entered. "Come on," he invited Karneering. "You can supervise my breakfast selection."

"Someone needs to restrict your caffeine intake," Karneering sighed, following behind him.

"I'll go let O'Neil and Ford know you're here," McKinnon told Bridger, wanting to give him and Lucas time alone.

"Thank you, Commander," Bridger said, walking over to Lucas. He studied the teenager carefully. Lucas looked tired, although Bridger knew if he said anything, the boy would deny it. He also seemed rather tense, which made the captain curious.

"Hi, Captain," Lucas greeted Bridger, not sure of what else to say.

"Hey there." Bridger sat down in the chair next to the bed. "I hear you've been busy. How are you feeling?"

"Better than I was before," Lucas replied. "I was really hazy yesterday."

"The commander mentioned that you had been drugged."

"Yes, Sir."

"We'll talk about it later. I just wanted to see for myself that you're all right."

"I'm fine. The doctor is just being cautious."

"There's nothing wrong with being careful. If I thought it would do me any good to try it, I'd take you back to seaQuest right now."

"I want to stay," Lucas protested.

"I know you do," Bridger commented, deciding it was not time to discuss any of this. If he tried to talk to Lucas too soon, the teenager would his defenses up before Bridger could fully assess his mood. "Just be grateful it wasn't any more serious, otherwise, I'd have let you explain it to Doctor Westphalen when we returned."

"That would not be nice," Lucas pointed out, glad the captain seemed content to let matters drop for the moment.

"She's not going to be very pleased about this happening when you were with the Outriggers," Bridger observed.

"I know. She already thinks they're a bad influence."

"I'm starting to think she might be right."

*****

"You think we should go in?" Tim asked Ford, as they approached the room. McKinnon had let them know about Bridger's arrival.

"I don't think he's doing anything more than just checking to make sure Lucas is all right. He's not going to start grilling him right away," Ford responded, giving the matter some thought. "Or are you just afraid to face him?"

"The thought had crossed my mind," Tim confessed. "He's going to have questions, isn't he?"

"I imagine so."

Tim sighed and then opened the door. "Commander McKinnon said you were here, Sir," he told Bridger.

"Commander. Lieutenant," Bridger acknowledged. "How are you?"

"Just fine, Sir," Ford replied. "I see you lost your roommate," he commented to Lucas.

"I'm hoping it's just temporary. The doctor indicated that he might let me out of his supervision in the afternoon," Lucas answered.

"Did he mean it or was he just trying to keep you quiet?" Tim teased.

"I don't know. He's supposed to take my IV out."

"I'm sure you'll be glad to see it go."

"Yes, but I'd rather get out of here," Lucas grumbled.

"You'll listen to the doctor," Bridger instructed him.

"That's pretty much what he says," Lucas sighed. "I'm just bored with having nothing to do," he added, as Karneering returned.

"Well, unless your doctor thinks you need the rest, perhaps you and Mr. O'Neil would like to explain a few things to me," Bridger suggested, giving both Lucas and Tim a stern look.

"I think that's my cue to get back to work," Ford interjected hastily. "I'll see you later."

"Thanks a lot, Commander," Tim remarked.

"I have no problem with you talking to them, Captain," Karneering assured Bridger. "Just let me remove the IV first."

"What happened to your other wrist?" Bridger questioned, noticing that Lucas had a bandage on it. "I understood you weren't harmed outside of the drugs."

"I, uh, had, uh, a nightmare and, uh, kind of, well, I, uh, removed the IV in the middle of it," Lucas mumbled, not meeting Bridger's eyes.

Bridger suspected this was one of the incidents McKinnon had alluded to earlier and filed it away to pursue later.

"Among other things," Tim muttered under his breath. The look from the captain told him he would be explaining the comment at a later time.

"Okay, Captain. They're all yours," Karneering informed Bridger cheerfully. "I'll be in with the others if I'm needed."

*****

"How's it going with Bridger?" Rodriguez asked Ford, when he returned.

"He's getting ready to make them explain why they didn't mention Section Ninety-nine or the threats," Ford replied, taking a seat.

"I was hoping to get to hear that conversation."

"I imagine it will be interesting," Ford agreed. "Aren't we missing some people?"

"Sunshine and Casanova got paged by the inspectors. They went to see them in person."

"What are we supposed to be doing?"

"For now, Einstein and Brook are looking to see what they can learn about Keller, and her known associates, to see if anyone might match Smith's description. Irish and Columbus are trying to see if there's any connection between Keller and Ramsey, and Ice and I are going to see if we can find out anything about Inouye, since Tarsinia keeps popping up in this investigation."

"What can I do?"

"Work with Einstein and Brook for now," McKinnon directed him. "If Indy returns unscathed, then the two of you can pick up on the investigation of the inspectors."

"All right," Ford said, standing and preparing to join Karneering and Adamsen.

"And ask Einstein to come over here for a minute," McKinnon requested.

*****

"Both of you should have had better sense than to leave those notes unreported for two weeks," Bridger lectured.

Lucas noticed Tim's glare and sighed. "Actually, I was receiving them for two weeks prior to Tim getting his first one," Lucas confessed, staring down at his hands.

"So, for a month, you received threats and did not bother to let anyone know?" Bridger queried, trying to remain calm.

"Yes, Sir," Lucas admitted, still unable to look at the captain.

"You both realize that some of this might have been avoided if you had spoken up sooner?" Bridger questioned, unwilling to let either one off without making both face the implications of their actions. While part of him understood their reasoning, Bridger felt obligated to make sure that it did not happen again. The realization that it had been happening disturbed him greatly, especially the fact that both had been afraid to tell anyone.

"Yes, Sir," Tim responded, also refusing to make eye contact with Bridger. That thought had been particularly prevalent since Lucas and Rodriguez had been kidnapped.

"I'm not saying you wanted this to happen," Bridger continued, softening his tone. He could tell from Tim's expression that the lieutenant felt guilty enough and he was starting to see what McKinnon meant by Lucas' lack of emotion. The teenager had been remarkably calm throughout the discussion. Usually, Lucas displayed a certain amount of nervousness when they had these type of conversations: particularly if he thought he was in trouble. "I'm just suggesting that, next time, you come to me or someone else when it starts."

Both nodded and Bridger wondered how much longer the duo planned on looking at everything but him. "It's my fault," Lucas finally said. "Tim would have said something sooner, but I didn't…"

"I made my own decisions, Lucas," Tim reminded him. He would not let Lucas take the blame for his behavior and he knew the captain would not accept the argument. "You didn't force me into it."

"Am I interrupting?" Karneering asked, entering the room.

"No. We're done for now," Bridger replied.

"Good. Your last lab results came back drug free, so I'm going to let you go," the doctor informed Lucas. "However, you will follow my instructions or the commander's. If we tell you to take a break, you will do it without arguing about it. Are you clear on this point?"

"Yes," Lucas grumbled, although he was glad Karneering was letting him get up.

"Actually, let me amend that. If anyone advises you to take a break, you will do so, or I will restrict you to bed. And you know the commander will back me up."

"So will I," Bridger added.

"I get the picture."

"Good. Rodriguez said he'd get you some clothes," Karneering told him.

Bridger wondered why everyone kept hesitating over their names. He found it rather odd, but did not question it.

"Does that mean I can go back to work?" Lucas verified.

"Yes. As long as you follow the rules. If you want the truth, we need your computer skills. McKinnon's pretty good, but you seem to have better luck in certain areas."

"Do I want to know?" Bridger inquired.

"Probably not, Sir," Tim replied. "I'm going to go see what's going on with the rest."

"All right."

"Here you go." Rodriguez handed Lucas some clean clothes. "Captain, the commander says you are welcome to join us in the work room and assist us if you're interested."

"I would like that. I have a feeling I'll find it most enlightening," Bridger commented.

"That's what most people say when they work with us," Rodriguez remarked. "Come see us when you're ready," he instructed Lucas.

"I won't be long."

"Take your time," Rodriguez encouraged. "You're not supposed to be in a hurry."

"Like you're the prime example of proceeding cautiously," Lucas retorted.

"Keep it up and I'll make the doctor explain why we're both being released on the same day, even though you had more drugs than I did," Rodriguez shot back at him.

"Because I have his captain here to enforce the rules if he gives me trouble," Karneering replied blandly. "It's a well known fact that you don't listen when it comes to your health."

"I can tell I'm not going to win here," Rodriguez complained. "Captain, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to the work room."

*****

"Commander McKinnon mentioned that it was your idea to call me," Bridger told Rodriguez.

"Yes, Sir. Wolenczak's been having some difficulty dealing with recent events. He'd like to pretend they never happened. I figured he needed someone around who wouldn't let him get away with it."

"You think I'm that person?"

"Yes, I do. He trusts you. And it's fairly obvious you care a lot about him."

"I'll do my best."

"I have a feeling it will be enough," Rodriguez assured him, opening the door to the main meeting room and stepping aside so Bridger could enter.

Part 24

Bridger watched the reaction of the others when Lucas appeared twenty minutes later. Almost everyone in the room took a moment to walk over and greet him as the teenager made his way over to McKinnon to see what he could work on. Bridger found himself in a very interesting position as an observer among this unit, which seemed to work without being aware of his presence. Everyone seemed intently focused on their own jobs, but acutely aware of what the rest were working on as well.

"So, where do you want me?" Lucas asked McKinnon, who was explaining the details of the investigation to Bridger.

"I want you to help G...Rodriguez run a check on Doctor Keller. We're looking for people that might fit the description of Smith. After that, we'll see," McKinnon answered.

Bridger noted the way Lucas tensed up at the mention of Keller and Smith, but trusted the commander knew what she was doing.

"All right," Lucas agreed.

*****

"You doing okay?" Rodriguez questioned Lucas.

The teenager looked at him. "That's the fifth time in twenty minutes. I'm fine. I'll let you know if my status changes."

"I just don't want you to get tired."

"I'm okay. By the way, I'm sure the commander appreciates the fact everyone's trying really hard not to use the nicknames," Lucas commented, neatly changing the subject.

"We're making an effort not to embarrass anyone," Rodriguez acknowledged. Privately, he knew that they were bound to slip up; they almost had several times already. He had no doubts that, in the near future, someone was going to make the mistake and call one of the three seaQuest members by their nicknames. It had become second nature to all of them.

"That's a first," Lucas mumbled.

"I heard that. Be nice or I'll tell Karneering you need a nap."

"I'll tell him you need one too," Lucas countered.

"I'll tell him you both need one," Tim interjected, walking over to join them. "We're supposed to check our mail again."

"Okay," Lucas said, changing programs. "Nothing," he reported, moments later.

"I'll let her know."

*****

"We have a bit of a problem," Ryan announced, entering the room followed by Dawson.

"What is it?" McKinnon asked.

"There was another break in at the hotel. They got into Slick and Indy's room and were in the process of opening Scout's door when the housekeeping staff came along," Ryan answered automatically. The moment of silence that followed made her realize what she had said. "Sorry," she apologized.

Bridger looked at her for a moment, trying to figure out who she was talking about. "Slick? Indy? Scout?" he repeated blankly.

"It's a long story, Sir," Ford finally responded, his voice sounding rather strained. "But that would be Lucas, Tim and myself," he concluded quickly, hoping someone else jumped in before he was forced to explain the origins of the names.

"Really?" Bridger inquired, enjoying the commander's discomfort.

"Nice going, Sunshine," Rodriguez commented; he had not expected the mistake to come this soon.

"Anyway, the inspectors are trying to claim that it was Ghost and Slick," Ryan continued, seeing no reason to correct her error now. "Casanova and I figure we should take Scout and Einstein over to check everyone out of the hotel and see what we can find out."

"That's a good idea," McKinnon agreed. "The rooms have outlived their intended purpose."

"I hope we're not paying for them," Tim remarked.

"No. Kincaid is making sure that payment is taken care of," McKinnon assured him. "The four of you can go after lunch," she informed Ryan.

"Beyond that, they have nothing new to report in the investigation. Crewes and Stanton are both reluctant to accept our contention that the initial break in was to get their fingerprints to plant at Nicholson. They still believe that Slick and Indy are tied in with the burglary," Ryan reported.

"Which means we can probably expect your fingerprints to turn up at another crime scene very shortly," McKinnon proposed thoughtfully.

"How nice," Lucas commented.

"We'll just have to wait and see what they do next and try to counter it," McKinnon responded. "On second thought, Sunshine, I don't want you to clear the hotel rooms. I'll have Kincaid send someone."

"Why?"

"It could be a ploy to draw us out in the open again. If you go to the hotel, it would not be that hard to follow you. While we take precautions against it, it's a risk I don't want to take at the moment."

"You're right," Rodriguez agreed. "Particularly if they think Slick and I are still at large. We don't want to give anything else away."

"Okay. We're going to break for lunch," McKinnon directed the group. "Then we'll start again after lunch."

*****

"Care to explain the names, Commander?" Bridger queried, once he taken a seat next to Ford and across from Lucas and Tim.

"It's a team tradition, Sir," Ford replied. "They feel a compelling need to extend to it anyone serving with them."

"That's not quite what I meant, Commander," Bridger observed. "I'm more interested in the specific origins of yours," he added, including Lucas and Tim in his statement.

"It's part of the tradition not to reveal the meanings outside the group," Rodriguez said, sitting next to Lucas. "You going to eat that?" he asked Lucas, pointing at the teenager's sandwich, "or just dissect it slowly?"

"What is your obsession with my eating habits?" Lucas inquired.

"I've never met anyone who likes to play with their food as much as you do," Rodriguez remarked. "I find it fascinating."

"I'm so happy I can entertain you, Ghost."

"Einstein, you just had to let both of them out on the same day, didn't you?" Chandler questioned.

"Don't complain, Irish. I've had to put with it all by myself. Why do you think I let them go?" Karneering retorted.

"They're always like this, Sir. You get used to it after awhile," Ford informed Bridger.

Bridger shook his head and realized he was going to have an interesting experience observing the Outriggers. While it was obvious they would not accept him as part of the team, in the way the other three were, the unit showed no signs of adjusting their behavior for his presence.

*****

McKinnon waited, until everyone was returning to their assigned tasks, to approach Lucas, who still sitting at the table with Rodriguez and Bridger. "Oh, by the way, Slick," she said, her tone casual.

"Yes, Ice?" Lucas responded, sensing from the curious expression on Rodriguez's face that he should be nervous.

"The week I gave you? It starts today," she informed him.

Lucas swallowed nervously, shot an uneasy glance at Bridger and stood up quickly. "I'll keep that in mind," he mumbled. "You coming or are you going to sit there all day?" he asked Rodriguez.

"Thanks, Ice. He's going to be fun this afternoon," Rodriguez grumbled, following after him.

"Care to explain that, Commander?" Bridger questioned.

"I think I'll let Slick tell you about it," McKinnon replied, flashing a quick smile.

"Would this have anything to do with the other information you wouldn't share with me this morning?" Bridger inquired, recognizing that she had timed her remarks carefully.

"There is a strong possibility of that," she acknowledged.

*****

"I can't believe she did that," Lucas groused.

"Ice can be unpredictable," Rodriguez agreed, understanding now was not the time to let Lucas know that McKinnon had done it on purpose.

"That's very helpful, Ghost," Lucas muttered. "What do you want now?" he asked McKinnon, who had walked over.

"Something wrong, Slick?" McKinnon inquired with an amused expression.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Lucas quizzed, suddenly catching on.

"Now, why would I do anything like that? Anyway, I need you to find out what Inouye has been up to. The last threat you received, plus the remarks made by Smith, indicate that there's a connection to Tarsinia. We can't find anything from official sources."

"That's probably the wrong thing to be telling him, Ice," Rodriguez pointed out.

"Just make sure he doesn't over do it, Ghost," McKinnon commanded. "As for the search, I don't want any details."

"You have no sense of adventure Ice," Rodriguez complained.

"I'm a commanding officer; it's against the rules."

"I didn't know you followed any," Lucas retorted.

"Somehow, I don't see you as the best one to be making that argument," McKinnon pointed out.

"Do you two need to be separated?" Rodriguez interrupted with a smile.

"No. I'm going to leave you two alone now," McKinnon replied.

"Are you sure you should trust them?" Ryan inquired, walking by.

"Probably not, but no one wants to work with them."

"All right, you two can go now," Rodriguez directed the two. "We've heard enough."

"Maybe Einstein should have kept him in bed longer," Ryan suggested to McKinnon. "He seems a bit annoyed."

"You may be right," McKinnon agreed. "I think if we leave quietly, they won't make a scene."

"We've already lost Slick anyway," Ryan observed, nodding her head at Lucas, who had turned his back on them and was already working on the computer.

"Watch him," McKinnon instructed Rodriguez one more time.

Rodriguez nodded his head and then began concentrating on what Lucas was doing.

*****

Ryan walked over to where Bridger was sitting, reading through some of the information the Outriggers had gathered over the course of the investigation.

"Captain," she greeted him politely.

"Commander Ryan," he returned.

"Just call me Ryan or Sunshine," Ryan told him with a quick smile. "I only get called by my rank when I'm in trouble. I thought you might like to know all the nicknames, so you would know who we're talking about," she added. McKinnon had pointed out that, since Ryan was the one that had introduced him to the nicknames, she should clarify them with the captain. Ryan figured McKinnon wanted to avoid explanations and had used the first excuse that came to mind.

"That would be helpful. I've figured out a few," Bridger responded. "And it certainly explains the earlier hesitation everyone seemed to having with the names." Bridger figured this conversation was a way of keeping him occupied while the rest of the team conducted its business. He did not mind the diversion.

"When we're in the field, the nicknames are second nature to us," Ryan explained, before giving him a quick summary of all the nicknames.

*****

"Okay, both you of you need to take a break," Karneering informed Lucas and Rodriguez two hours later. "A nice, long break," he stressed.

Both made faces, but neither argued with the doctor, recognizing that Karneering would just get McKinnon to back him up if they did. Having been instructed not to let Lucas over do it, Rodriguez did not want to annoy McKinnon on the issue. Protective of her entire team, the commander was feeling particularly protective of the teenager at the moment and Rodriguez knew better than to push her. "Can I check in with Ice?" Rodriguez requested. "Just to talk to her for a few minutes," he added, when Karneering seemed to be giving the matter considerable thought.

"Just talking. No computer work. You, go sit with your captain," Karneering directed Lucas.

"Gee, I don't even get to pick how I take my break?" Lucas inquired.

"No."

"Okay, I get the picture," Lucas grumbled.

"And make sure you drink something," Karneering instructed.

"I will," Lucas promised. Karneering was obviously still in full doctor mode and Lucas figured he had better follow orders.

*****

"Taking a break?" Bridger asked, when Lucas sat down next to him.

"Yes. Einstein ordered me to. It didn't seem wise to object," Lucas responded.

"You going to explain your nickname?" Bridger questioned, curious.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "Ghost gave it to me. It's because of something I did with the computers on the Tarsinian mission."

"I have a feeling that I probably don't want to know any more," Bridger remarked.

"That's usually what Ice says," Lucas told him.

"How are you feeling?" Bridger queried, looking at him closely.

"I'm all right. Just doing computer searches right now. It's nothing very strenuous. Besides, between Einstein, Ice and Ghost, I'm not going to get to work very much," Lucas groused.

"What did Commander McKinnon mean when she told you that your week started today?" Bridger asked. The guilty expression that crossed Lucas' face told him more than the young man's answer.

"It's kind of complicated, Sir," Lucas mumbled, not wanting to discuss this now.

"I've got plenty of time."

"I really don't want to talk about it."

Bridger nodded; he was willing to let it go for the moment. He could already see that he and Lucas were headed for a lengthy discussion in the near future. However, the captain wanted to gather as much information as possible first. With Lucas, it was always better to enter a conversation armed, particularly when it involved the boy's emotional state.

"Slick, when you're released from break, can you give us a quick hand?" Adamsen inquired, as she approached.

"Sure. What do you need?" Lucas was glad for the distraction and change of subject.

"I'll tell you when you're done resting. I have my orders," Adamsen explained, with a backwards glance at Karneering. "I don't want to find myself suddenly going through a second annual physical."

"Oh good: he's threatening the rest of the team now," Lucas muttered. "Okay, Brook. I'll come as soon as I get clearance."

*****

"How's Slick doing?" McKinnon asked Rodriguez.

"Fine."

"That his interpretation or yours?"

"He's the same as he has been. On the surface, he acts normal, but there's just this sense that it's a strain to do so. What did you tell Bridger?"

"Nothing too specific. I won't break Slick's confidence without warning him first."

"I figured as much."

"Bridger's been watching him all day," McKinnon observed. "He studies the files I gave him, but he's got his eye on Slick, as well."

"Well, that's not surprising. The man obviously cares a lot about Slick."

"I wouldn't have agreed to invite him if I thought otherwise."

"By the way, speaking of people with secrets, who is Jordan O'Rourke to you?" Rodriguez inquired suddenly.

"Why do you ask?" McKinnon queried.

"Ryan mentioned that O'Rourke was Kincaid's goddaughter. If I remember correctly, so are you."

McKinnon raised an eyebrow. "I should have expected you to remember that," she commented.

"Well?" Rodriguez prompted.

"She's my half-sister," McKinnon answered.

Rodriguez stared at her, momentarily stunned. "No wonder you wanted in on this case."

"I found out midway through the investigation of her. There was nothing I could do to help her."

"How?"

"We have the same father, different mothers," McKinnon responded. "Since he was married to her mother, he couldn't exactly acknowledge me."

"Ramsey know this?"

"I don't know."

"You really know how to keep a secret, Ice."

"It didn't seem relevant. And, since he kept quiet, Slick must agree."

"He knows?"

"He figured it out when he went looking at the file."

"Then I can see why you want to give him fair warning with his secrets," Rodriguez commented. "He could have really nailed you, especially after you ticked him off."

"It goes against his nature to do something like that," McKinnon pointed out. "I think he would if he honestly thought it was for the good of the investigation, but not just because he was mad at me, although he wasn't above using it during our conversation."

"He was trying to protect his own territory."

"I know."

*****

"It's much easier to keep him on break with you here," Karneering told Bridger. "Usually, we have to threaten to forcibly remove him from the computer."

"After the first time you do it, he doesn't give you much trouble," Bridger noted.

"Really? I think I would have liked to have seen that."

"I think Lucas believes far too many saw it as it was."

"I'm sure he did."

"You feel comfortable telling me exactly what was in his system?" Bridger asked.

Karneering gave him an inquiring look, surprised at the way he had worded the question.

"Commander McKinnon felt there were some details that Lucas needed to tell me himself," Bridger clarified. "I don't want to make anyone nervous, but I need some information."

Karneering nodded his understanding. "I have no problems. Lucas' medical history is available to you as the adult in charge of his well being."

"Then I would appreciate hearing what you have to say."

"He was given a mixture of six drugs, plus the CDT, which he was allergic to." Karneering launched into technical part of his medical treatment before going into the more subjective areas.

*****

"Einstein clear you for work?" Rodriguez asked Lucas.

"Yes, Mother," Lucas replied.

"Maybe you should have taken a nap. It might have improved your attitude," Rodriguez commented.

"My attitude is fine. I just wish you wouldn't hover over me like I was an invalid. You were pumped full of drugs too."

"I don't think I found the experience as emotionally stimulating as you did."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. I'm just making conversation."

Lucas glared at him, but didn't pursue the topic. He had the impression that Rodriguez was intentionally baiting him.

"Ice?" Rodriguez called McKinnon over to where he and Lucas were working.

"What did you find?" McKinnon inquired.

"Three weeks ago, Inouye left Tarsinia. He went to Hawaii and then supposedly to France, but no one collected his bag. It's like he disappeared," Rodriguez answered.

"The plane stopped for refueling in New York. Supposedly, no one got on or off," Lucas reported.

"Great. So we know he's alive, but not where he is."

"Basically."

"Let's see if we can match any of our other suspects to New York or Hawaii in the same time period," McKinnon instructed. "Maybe we'll get lucky."

"Don't hold your breath," Rodriguez advised.

"Always the voice of good cheer, Ghost," Hallowell said, walking up to the trio. "We're still trying to trace Ramsey's recent movements, but without much luck," he added. "You want us to keep on it?"

"Check and see if he or any of his associates have made any trips to Hawaii or New York," she instructed. "If you don't turn up anything, we'll try something else."

"Ice, whatever happened to the data we picked up at the federal building?" Lucas queried suddenly. "Smith had them take the blank disk when he grabbed us."

"Really? Neither one of you said anything before."

"I assumed you knew they took it," Lucas told her. "I mentioned it last night."

"I didn't make the connection," McKinnon answered, not mentioning that her mind had been otherwise occupied the previous evening.

Rodriguez offered no response, just shrugged his shoulders. "You ever make delivery of them to HQ?" he asked.

"No. We were too caught up in your abduction to arrange to transfer them to HQ. Maybe we should take a look at them," McKinnon mused. "I'll go get them and let you two have a look at them. Just don't get too engrossed."

"Like anyone will let us," Lucas complained.

*****

"Slick?"

"Yes, Ghost?" Lucas responded, not bothering to keep the irritation out of his voice. Rodriguez had been interrupting him every twenty minutes on one pretext or another. Lucas had yet to figure out why, but he suspected it was intentional.

"You find anything yet?"

"Not yet," Lucas sighed.

"You tell your captain what Ice meant earlier?" Rodriguez inquired.

"No."

"Why not?"

"It didn't seem like the right time," Lucas mumbled.

"Well, waiting for the right time didn't do much good in regards to Section Ninety-nine," Rodriguez observed.

"Ghost?"

"Yes?"

"Is there a reason we're having this conversation?"

"I'm bored."

"Then why don't you go visit Sunshine?"

"Because she'll give me ten reasons why I should be utterly fascinated by all of this. I don't want to fascinated."

"Let me guess; you just want to be annoying."

"That's not very nice," Rodriguez protested.

Before Lucas could say anything else, Tim and Ford walked over. "Ice said for us to check our mail and then we're supposed to take a break," Tim reported.

"We just took one," Lucas muttered.

"That was two hours ago," Ford pointed out. "She said to tell you not to argue about it either."

"All right, all right," Lucas grumbled, noticing that Bridger and McKinnon were both headed in their direction. He changed screens and quickly logged into his mail. "I guess he decided to start writing again," Lucas remarked, opening the message. "I'm still watching you," he read. "A whole one. Let me see if Tim got one," he added, quickly changing screens again to check mail. "Nothing. Looks like I'm the only one."

"Could mean that he buys you're out on the run with Ghost," McKinnon commented. "It would be a natural assumption that the two of you would find a way to access a computer," she added.

"Probably," Rodriguez agreed.

"The message hold any significance for you?" McKinnon questioned Lucas.

"No," Lucas replied. "I mean I've heard it before, but nothing stands out."

Bridger noticed the way Rodriguez was watching the teenager and wondered what had the other man's attention. Studying Lucas for a moment, Bridger realized that the young man seemed somewhat shaken.

"After dinner, let Indy, Scout and Columbus take over looking at the disks. You and Ghost try to trace the sender of this one. Eventually he's got to make a mistake that we can capitalize on," McKinnon instructed.

"Of course," Lucas replied, distantly.

*****

"So, I suppose, the next time the UEO has another personnel training seminar, you're not going to want to go?" Bridger said to Ford. He noticed that Lucas had taken a seat as far away as possible.

"It depends on who else you're sending," Ford replied. "I'm starting to think trouble finds those two," he continued, looking at where Lucas and Tim sat with Rodriguez, Ryan and Karneering.

"It would seem that way," Bridger agreed. "By the way, Commander, you shouldn't blame yourself."

"Sir?"

"It's not your fault Lucas was taken hostage," Bridger elaborated.

"I understand that, Sir," Ford answered.

"I'm sure you do. Do you believe it?" Bridger countered. "Someone has set this up very carefully. It sounds like there was nothing anyone could have done to have prevented it."

"I know."

"However, I can't promise that Doctor Westphalen won't have a different view," Bridger teased lightly. "I think I'll let you tell her, Sir."

"Maybe we won't mention it."

*****

"Are you getting tired?" Karneering asked Lucas.

"No. I'm fine," Lucas insisted.

"I don't want you working too late tonight," Karneering admonished him. "You still should be taking it easy. Both of you should be taking it easy," he amended.

"It's not like we're doing anything strenuous," Lucas told him. "All we're doing is digging through files."

"It still takes energy," Karneering informed him.

"Give up now," Tim advised Lucas. "You're not going to win against Einstein. He's very crafty."

"You know, Indy, I could do another physical," Karneering remarked.

Ryan felt Lucas stiffen up next to her and kicked Karneering under the table. Obviously subjects relating to the medical field still disturbed him.

"So, was your captain too upset about finding out about your reserve status after the fact?" she inquired, changing the subject and ignoring Karneering's dark look.p> "He took it all right," Tim replied. "Although he did have a few words to say on the subject of that and the threats."

"Good," Rodriguez remarked. "I still can't believe the two of you kept quiet for so long."

"We've already had the lecture, Ghost," Lucas interrupted.

"Yeah, well, you should have it again to make sure that you don't repeat the same mistake."

"We don't really plan on getting any more threatening e-mails. There has to be some kind of limit on this kind of behavior," Tim commented. "I mean, there's all sorts of people in this world; let one of them take a turn next time."

"No offense, Indy, but if it was going to happen to somebody twice, I'd put my money on the two of you. You seem to be magnets for trouble," Rodriguez observed.

"Only when we hang out with you," Lucas retorted.

"Hey, we were peacefully doing our jobs with very little trouble until the two of you showed up on our doorstep," Rodriguez informed him.

"You invited us," Lucas reminded him. "You didn't even think I was capable of fixing your problem."

"I think he's still a little sensitive about that," Rodriguez whispered to Karneering.

"Children," McKinnon interjected, "do you need a time out?"

"Not really."

"That's what I like to hear."

"We know," Ryan mumbled.

"You two are to stop working at twenty-one hundred," McKinnon directed Lucas and Rodriguez. "Don't even start with me, Ghost," she ordered, when Rodriguez opened his mouth.

"Yes, Commander," Rodriguez sighed.

"As I said earlier, let Indy, Scout and Columbus take over the data tapes; the two of you can attempt to trace the note Slick received earlier."

"I don't really need any help on that," Lucas advised her. Lucas already knew it would not do any good to trace the name on the note. He had told McKinnon the truth when he said the message had no significance; she had not asked about the sender.

McKinnon studied him closely. "Then you can help me," she instructed Rodriguez. "I want to start looking at the whole picture and seeing what it is we're missing."

"Maybe Captain Bridger can help," Rodriguez suggested. "He'd be a fresh outlook. We've gone over and over this information; maybe he'll see something we missed."

"Good idea," McKinnon agreed. She noted that Lucas did not look overly pleased at the idea. She understood his unease, but did nothing allay it. If worrying about what she and Rodriguez might tell Bridger encouraged the teenager to talk to the captain, she was willing to let him wonder.

*****

Lucas stared at the computer screen, lost in thought. He had only bothered doing a cursory trace. He already knew that Christian Delacroix had died eighteen months ago; Lucas had attended the funeral. He was, at the moment, thinking about Christian. Christian had been one of the bright spots in an otherwise dark period in his life. His friend's death had hit him hard. He had lost more than a friend; he had lost one of the few people who had truly understood him.

*****

"Ghost? Are you still with us?" McKinnon asked. Bridger recognized the tone of her voice; he had used it often with distracted crewmembers.

"Sorry, Ice," Rodriguez apologized. "I was thinking."

"About?"

"The fact that Slick hasn't typed anything on his computer in about twenty minutes," Rodriguez responded.

"You're timing him?" Bridger inquired.

"Not really. I just noticed that he seems to be working at less than his normal speed."

"Probably because he's afraid you're telling me all his secrets," Bridger guessed.

"I don't think anyone knows all his secrets, Captain," Rodriguez pointed out.

Bridger glanced at Rodriguez and had the sudden feeling that the man understood Lucas better than most people. Most people were put off by the teenager's barriers or fooled by his outwardly positive front. It looked like Rodriguez saw more than most. It was fairly obvious the man cared about Lucas. "He's very good at keeping them," he agreed.

"Too good is more like it."

"Go ahead, Ghost," McKinnon said.

"Thanks," Rodriguez responded. "I'll be back."

"We're not as hard as we seem," McKinnon commented with a wry a smile, as she and Bridger watched Rodriguez approach Lucas.

"I figured that out in the hospital in Hawaii," Bridger assured her. "I just hadn't realized how well he had gotten to know Lucas."

"Being held hostage together will do that. It's a bond that can't be broken. They were in a bad situation together."

"Someone else might have ignored it."

"It's not in Ghost's nature to do that. He has a lot of admiration for Slick and wants to help him as much as possible."

"Lucas isn't too good at accepting help," Bridger remarked. "Is that how he got his nickname?" he inquired, pointing at Rodriguez, who had startled Lucas.

"Pretty much," McKinnon confirmed.

*****

"Ghost!" Lucas hissed when Rodriguez made him jump.

"Sorry."

"No, you're not."

"Why must you doubt me?" Rodriguez queried.

"It's habit."

"I'm sure it is," Rodriguez told him "What are you doing?"

"What Ice asked me to do. What did you think I was doing?"

"Staring off into space."

Lucas looked at him. "Are you working with Ice and the captain or watching me?"

"I'm an Outrigger; I can do more than one thing at a time," Rodriguez noted calmly. He found the teenager's response interesting and wondered if it was worth pursuing or if he should let it go for the moment. "What's got your attention?"

"Nothing," Lucas muttered, shrugging his shoulders. He hoped Rodriguez got tired of questioning him soon. He did not want to talk right now. He really wanted to be alone, but knew it arouse too many questions if he just left.

"Sure, Slick," Rodriguez responded, not believing him for a second. "What did you find out?"

"Not much."

"Are you going to tell me what you did find or are we going to play twenty questions?" Rodriguez persisted.

"The guy's dead, just like most of the others," Lucas finally conceded.

Rodriguez stared at him, wondering why he seemed to want to avoid the topic. "How did he die?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Maybe there's some kind of connection there," Rodriguez proposed, catching the brief flash of anxiety that crossed the young man's face. "I mean, does he pick the names at random or is there a reason he chooses one over the other?" Rodriguez could tell he was hitting a nerve, but had no idea why.

"I'm not inside the guy's head, so how would I know?"

"It's just a thought. I think I'll see what Ice thinks. Everything else has been carefully planned up to this point. It seems worthwhile to check this out more closely."

"Getting desperate?" Lucas questioned.

"You know, a more suspicious person might think you don't want to work on this," Rodriguez observed.

"I didn't say that," Lucas told him.

"True," Rodriguez agreed. "I think I'll go talk to Ice."

"Ghost…"

"What?" Rodriguez inquired. He could tell there was something about the topic that made Lucas very nervous.

"Never mind," Lucas sighed, realizing that, if he continued objecting, it would only fuel Rodriguez's interests.

*****

"Learn anything?" McKinnon queried.

"Not yet," Rodriguez remarked. "But I just had an idea."

"It's been a while since your last one," Ryan interjected, walking over. "I just got a page from the inspectors. I'm going to check and see what they want. But I may need to take Casanova and go pay them a visit."

"All right," McKinnon acknowledged. "What's your idea?" she asked, returning her attention to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez explained his suggestion. "I figure we can afford to overlook anything in the process. Every other detail has been carefully planned to evoke the greatest emotional response possible; it seems worth checking."

"Didn't he do that when he was tracing the others?" McKinnon quizzed.

"I think he just found out that they were dead without fully checking into cause of death. It may not have seemed important. It shouldn't take that long. We'll do the last couple; if there's no pattern, we let it go."

"We?"

"I'd like to help him."

"Does he want your help?" McKinnon questioned, hearing what he wasn't saying.

"No. In fact, I think he wishes I'd go away and not pursue this idea."

"Well, then that alone should make it worthwhile."

"Ice?" Ford interrupted.

"Yes, Scout?"

"We think we've found something in the files."

"I'll be right there."

*****

"I could do this much faster alone," Lucas informed Rodriguez, fifteen minutes later.

"I don't have anything else to do."

"I thought you were working with Ice and the captain."

"Ice is talking to Indy, Scout and Columbus right now. She doesn't like me to be around superior officers unsupervised. She thinks I make a bad impression."

"I can't imagine why."

"Sounds like you two are back to normal," Chandler observed.

"Thanks, Irish," Rodriguez growled.

"Well, it's true," Chandler defended. "Brook and I are trying to check on Crewes and Stanton; we need a little help," he requested of Lucas. "There's a database we can't get into. If you could download the records, we'll search for them."

"Go ahead; I'll stick with this," Rodriguez encouraged.

"All right," Lucas consented, preparing to follow Chandler over to where he and Adamsen were working. Before he could, Ryan walked over, her face very serious.

"Well, you two have been busy," Ryan informed Lucas and Rodriguez.

"What?" Rodriguez asked, sensing he was not going to like the answer.

"Your fingerprints showed up at Nicholson Technology."

"That's not good, is it?"

"No. Especially when they also have two figures dressed in black about your height recorded on tape to go with it."

"Great," Rodriguez groaned. "What else can go wrong?"

"Look on the bright side, Ghost," Ryan advised.

"What bright side, Sunshine?" he inquired.

"No one got killed this time."

"Thank you. Make sure you share that ray of hope with Ice."

"I plan on it."

"You going to go talk to them?"

"Of course. I want to find out what I can and it always works much better to do it in person. I just need to get Casanova and let Ice know what we're doing."

"Good idea: she gets upset when we wander off," Rodriguez commented.

"See, your humor's already returning," Ryan pointed out.

"I wasn't joking."

"I'll see you guys later."

"Go ahead and help Irish and Brook," Rodriguez encouraged Lucas. He wanted a chance to see if he could figure out what had Lucas acting so strangely this time and knew he had a better chance if Lucas was elsewhere.

"In a hurry to get rid of me?" Lucas quizzed.

"A minute ago he was whining because I was bothering him. Now, he wants to stick around," Rodriguez informed Chandler, who just shook his head. "He really needs to make up his mind."

"Let's go, Irish," Lucas said, deciding he was not going to gain anything by continuing the conversation. Plus, he did not think there was really anything for Rodriguez to find on his own. None of the information would reveal anything for him to worry about.

*****

"So far, they check out clean," Adamsen told Lucas, while he worked on their computer. "But there are two cases, one for each, that have been sealed; we thought it might be worth looking into."

"We're getting desperate for some kind of connection," Chandler added.

"Then I'll get them downloaded and you can start digging," Lucas assured them.

"We appreciate it," Adamsen commented. "I really wish you and Indy would join us full time; Ghost is much more agreeable when you're around."

"You mean it gets worse?" Lucas inquired.

"Definitely," Chandler confirmed. "Ice and Sunshine are the only ones who can get the best of him in an argument and even Sunshine has trouble."

"Maybe you'll end up with a couple of new people that can help keep him in line," Lucas observed.

Adamsen and Chandler looked at each other and snickered. "Not likely," Chandler finally responded. "Right now, he seems to be scaring them off."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Ghost can be intimidating in the recruitment process," Adamsen explained. "Particularly if he thinks they lack the proper attitude."

"Really?"

"Ice wasn't any better," Chandler pointed out.

"What was the problem?"

"Lack of a teamwork oriented spirit," Adamsen replied.

"That wouldn't necessarily happen overnight. They could have just been really nervous. I mean, you guys are one of the best, if not the best, Outrigger units. I would find it a little daunting to face all of you," Lucas offered, missing the look that passed between the other two.

"Well, you hid your fear well," Chandler noted. "The ones we tried out prior to this assignment had a few personality conflicts with the team as a whole. It just was not going to work out. We'll see who's available when we get back. Ice won't take on anyone until we're all happy with the choice."

"Sounds very complicated. You all seem easy enough to get along with; I don't see why it should be so difficult."

"Some things are just insurmountable," Adamsen mumbled.

"Okay, I've almost got it."

"At twenty-one hundred we're going to have a meeting and see if we can't pool our information and find some new leads," McKinnon informed Rodriguez. "Sunshine and Casanova will still probably be gone, but we'll go over what we have. I'll let you and Slick stay for that, but then you're done for the evening," she continued, realizing that Rodriguez was not fully paying attention to her. "After that, I thought maybe the two of you could go down and turn yourselves in and take your chances with the wheels of justice."

"I don't think Slick wants to be incarcerated at this point in time. It would look bad on his record, even if he is a juvenile and he isn't guilty," Rodriguez retorted.

"So you were paying attention."

"I hang on your every word, Ice," Rodriguez informed her.

"Ghost, I thought you knew better than to lie to me."

"Usually I do."

"What is it that has your attention so completely?" McKinnon queried.

"Nothing, really," Rodriguez responded, seeing Lucas walking up behind her. "I'm just doing my job."

McKinnon gave him a look, but had no chance to comment any further since Lucas had arrived.

"Did you do anything while I was helping Irish and Brook?" Lucas inquired.

"No. I was just sitting here anxiously awaiting your return. I mean, without you I can't seem to function."

"What did you say that made him so cheerful?" Lucas asked McKinnon.

"Don't look at me," McKinnon protested. "This is normal for him."

"That's not very nice," Rodriguez objected.

"They don't pay me to be nice, Ghost. You should know that by now."

"I know, but hope springs eternal."

"Have you two found anything that indicates a pattern among the names of the senders?" McKinnon questioned.

"We haven't checked out that many yet," Lucas answered. "I can finish on my own, if you need Ghost."

McKinnon glanced at Lucas and back at Rodriguez, who gave her one of his blank stares, which usually meant he was up to something. "That's okay. We're going to have a meeting shortly. There's no point in moving him to another project." Her response was received by a look of gratitude from Rodriguez and one of resignation from Lucas, which told her she had made the right decision.

*****

"They keep you busy," Bridger remarked, when McKinnon returned to the table.

"They seem to think it's part of their job," McKinnon agreed. "However, I only have seven of them to worry about. I'm sure you do the same on a much larger scale."

"What made you join the Outriggers?"

"A number of things: mainly because I liked being in the military, but I was proving unsuitable for the more traditional career routes. I never would have made commander in a standard unit. I most likely would have earned myself a court martial and an early discharge," McKinnon replied. "I'm considered unorthodox even by Outrigger standards."

"You have standards?" Bridger queried, smiling a little.

"Yes, we do, although we try to keep that part a secret, since it might ruin our reputation."

"How is it that such a close group manages to take on temporary members without any difficulty?" Bridger questioned, changing the subject.

"It usually doesn't happen. Slick, Indy and even Scout are the exception, not the rule. We've had some disasters, which is why we try to borrow from other units first. In the case of Slick and Indy, at the time, we had no choice in the matter. We needed their skills. It was their ability to adapt to our rules and operations that made it work."

"One doesn't usually associate adapting to rules with Lucas," Bridger remarked.

"They're the ones that made it work. If they had behaved differently, the team would not have accepted either one."

"Would they have been deployed with you if that had been the case?"

"Yes," McKinnon answered without hesitation. "Captain Sullivan is a pragmatist. We needed people and the other teams were already stretched thin. Their being able to fit in just increased our chances of having a successful mission."

"Will Commander Ford be subject to your recall regulation?"

"I don't know. That decision will be made by Sullivan and Kincaid," McKinnon responded. "If they feel he would a viable option for service in the future, most likely."

"So, it's not always applied?"

"That's correct," McKinnon replied. She decided not to mention that Lucas and Tim had been the first to be subjected to the rule in quite some time. She doubted he would see it as a positive development.

*****

"Let's see; we have three shootings, a hit-and-run, five of undetermined causes, and two, no, make that three, suicides," Rodriguez recounted, as he and Lucas continued checking names. "Basically, so far, no one died of natural causes," he observed. "That seems interesting."

"How do you figure three suicides?" Lucas inquired.

"I'm counting the man who stepped in front of the train as a suicide," Rodriguez commented. "The police say he wasn't pushed."

"Oh," Lucas replied.

"But that wasn't the one you were talking about, was it?" Rodriguez guessed.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Slick, just because I haven't mentioned it, does not mean I have not noticed the coincidence of one of the senders being named Christian: the name you were shouting in your sleep the other night."

"It's not like there's only one person in the world with that name," Lucas pointed out.

"I am aware of that little fact," Rodriguez remarked, deciding not to argue. "And he was listed as a drug overdose," he continued.

"Accidental," Lucas corrected quickly.

Rodriguez nodded his head. " It was still ruled a suicide. Only his counselor insisted he was not suicidal."

"First time one of them gets something right and it gets ignored," Lucas muttered under his breath.

"I didn't catch that," Rodriguez told him.

"I was talking to myself, Ghost," Lucas responded.

Rodriguez sighed and wished he had been able to hear the comment. He should have known Lucas would not repeat it. "You want to tell me about this Christian?"

Unable to think of an appropriate response, Lucas ignored the question. "Come on; I want to get this finished tonight. We've wasted enough time as it is," he grumbled.

"E. Burrows," Rodriguez read the name to the teenager.

"First name?"

"If there had been one, I would have given it to you," Rodriguez explained.

"If you need a break, feel free to take one," Lucas advised.

"I'm fine, Slick."

"You sounded a little testy."

"It happens," Rodriguez commented.

Part 25

"All right, gang: let's gather around and see what we have now," McKinnon called out to the team.

Lucas stifled a groan as he realized that Rodriguez had situated him so that the teenager sat next to him and across from the captain. He felt like he was under surveillance.

Bridger caught Lucas' disgruntled expression and Rodriguez's satisfied smile and understood that the man had arranged the seating intentionally. He was becoming increasingly aware that, while the Outriggers would not reveal anything they felt Lucas considered private, they had no trouble creating scenarios for him to observe the boy.

"All right, Ghost: what have you and Slick found out about the names on the notes?" McKinnon requested.

"No one's died of natural causes. Many of the deaths are undetermined. There are a number of people who died of gunshot wounds," Rodriguez started, noting the look that crossed McKinnon's face. "We haven't run all the names yet," he concluded.

"Keep on it," she ordered.

"Okay," he agreed, sensing Lucas' discomfort with the idea. This was definitely something to examine more closely.

"Scout?" McKinnon prompted, moving on to the next person.

"In the files downloaded at the site, we discovered that Nicholson Technology is engaged in three suits over patent violations. They were all filed by Inter-Allied Technology, claiming that Nicholson is copying their product," Ford reported. "There was considerable evidence already filed on the part of Inter-Allied with the court. We are focusing on those cases and seeing what we can turn up on the people involved in the them."

"Good. It looks like Nicholson was not as clean as we originally thought. Brook?"

"We're still looking into Crewes and Stanton. We found two cases which were sealed and are examining them now. However, both appear to be very dedicated to their jobs and there has been no hint of scandal touching either one, although Stanton's previous partner, Angelo Gianni, resigned after a questionable shooting," Brook replied.

"Check him out. They may still be in touch with one another. It's possible he's involved in something shady and Stanton doesn't realize it."

"All right."

"Einstein?"

"I've contacted a few friends in the medical profession and found out that Dr. Keller has a reputation for being fond of medication," Karneering answered.

"Big surprise there," Lucas mumbled.

"She also tends to prefer the older, more addictive drugs," Karneering continued. "This would certainly explain some of the choices she made when drugging Ghost and Slick."

"Why?" Hallowell inquired.

"Control factor," Lucas responded automatically. "If you're hooked, you tend to keep your appointments."

"Why would a doctor do that? Aren't they supposed to help their patients?" Chandler persisted, trying to understand. "And wouldn't their families figure it out?"

"She treats most of her patients for depression," Karneering explained.

"So?"

Once again Lucas provided the answer. "Most of the drugs she would use would alter their mood, probably making them more docile and pleasing, once the right combination was found. Few people would object to the appearance of the problems going away. If someone is depressed and suddenly they're feeling better, no one's going to really care how it's achieved, as long as the problem has gone away."

Bridger did not like the way the teenager answered the question. It was like it made perfect sense to him. He took as another sign of what McKinnon, Rodriguez and Karneering had been telling him about the young man's detachment.

"And Benny?" McKinnon prompted.

"What about Benny?" Tim queried. He thought they had concluded the investigation of Benny.

"Columbus handled that part for me," Karneering informed her.

"Do I want to know?" McKinnon asked.

"Um, probably not, Ice," Hallowell confirmed. "His doctor verified the diagnosis and that Benny refused treatment. I also got him to admit that Benny asked him about ending his life. He suggested that Benny take a few days and think about his life before making any hasty choices. He recommended he seek counseling. Benny called him back three days later and thanked him for the referral and that everything was going to be taken care of."

"Anything else?"

"Yes. The doctor referred him to Doctor Keller."

"Why?" Tim questioned. "I mean, according to Einstein, she's fond of medication. That doesn't seem like the best solution to his problems."

"It is if the doctor wants to help Benny die and do it without liability," Lucas responded.

"Perhaps you could explain that," McKinnon suggested, even though she understood what he meant. She wanted to hear what he had to say and, judging from the looks Lucas was receiving from everyone else, she wasn't the only one.

"It just makes sense. If you have someone facing a protracted illness that wants to die, you send to someone likely to prescribe a multitude of pills. If that person then chooses to take them all at once, it's not your fault," Lucas elaborated. He remained matter-of-fact and could not understand why the others had such a time grasping the concept.

"If that's the case, then why get shot?" Adamsen inquired.

"The insurance policy. It pays more if he dies on the job. Most policies pay very little, if any, for suicide," Lucas responded. "They don't want to encourage the practice."

"I'm sorry, I just can't understand how someone could orchestrate their death so coolly," Chandler finally said. "I mean, if I was going to take my life, I don't think I would do it so calmly and carefully I would want to do it and get it over with."

"That's true of a lot of people. But if Benny really wanted to kill himself, he would want to make sure he had it all planned out. Too many attempts end up not succeeding, often leaving the person seriously injured."

Rodriguez watched Lucas' face as he spoke and wished he knew more about the teenager's own attempt. He also wished he felt comfortable telling Bridger about it. However, at the moment he could not justify breaking that trust.

"So, if we're operating under the theory that Benny actually committed suicide, you think he would want to make sure he could guarantee his success," McKinnon summed up.

"Yes. Benny would want to make sure he did not end up on life support, so he would pay attention the details. He's already decided he doesn't want to suffer a lingering illness; he's going to proceed with caution."

Bridger realized with a great deal of clarity why McKinnon had called him. The young man's attitude was so calm as to be unnatural. Everyone else at the table seemed somewhat uneasy with the whole subject, except Lucas. The captain also recognized that Lucas had many of his walls already up and that taking them down would probably be a long, and possibly painful, process. However, he also knew that it could not wait much longer.

"But why would he be willing to set you and Indy up in the process?" Rodriguez questioned, wanting to change the subject.

"I don't imagine whoever hired him told him the entire plan. They probably let him think they were just engaged in some industrial espionage," McKinnon interjected. "Benny may have decided to change the scenario on his own and left them no choice. I can't see the mastermind of this taking the chance of a murder charge; the penalties are a lot stiffer for murder than for robbery."

"The whole thing is just weird," Adamsen remarked.

"I think we passed weird a long time ago," Rodriguez muttered under his breath.

"We're missing some of the connections somewhere along the way," McKinnon said, ignoring Rodriguez's comment. "However, we're not going to find it tonight," she added. "I think it's time to shut down and start fresh in the morning," she announced.

"What about Sunshine and Casanova?" Hallowell inquired.

"They can report when they get back," McKinnon replied. "But, for now, I think we need the break."

******

"Here," Rodriguez told Lucas, handing him a bottle of water.

"Thanks," Lucas responded. He was starting to feel tired, as much as he did not want to admit that fact.

Bridger was going to say something about it, when Karneering walked over. The doctor wore a similar expression to Kristin's when she planned to exert her medical authority.

"You two have thirty minutes, then you're to call it a night," he commanded Lucas and Rodriguez.

"I want to hear what Sunshine…" Rodriguez began.

"I don't care if Sunshine is in the middle of her report," Karneering cut Rodriguez off. "I don't even care if she's in the middle of telling us she has conclusive proof of who's behind this; in thirty minutes you two are going to bed."

Bridger smiled at the expression on both faces as they judged the seriousness of the doctor's order. "I, for one, will be more than happy to help the doctor enforce his instructions," he interjected, giving Lucas a significant look.

"I think this is one of those times where we can do it gracefully or do it by force, Ghost," Lucas remarked.

"I'm getting that same feeling," Rodriguez agreed.

"Thank you, Captain," Karneering told Bridger.

"My pleasure."

"I think I'll go see Ice before we're banished," Rodriguez remarked. "I assume that's okay?" he addressed Karneering.

"I'll allow it."

"That's mighty generous of you," Rodriguez groused.

"One more thing: I want to take a quick look at both of you when you leave," Karneering informed them. "Don't try to duck me either, Ghost."

Rodriguez rolled his eyes, but offered no other protest, as he moved to where McKinnon was sitting, obviously lost in thought.

"I love my job," Karneering said, sitting down.

"I can tell," Lucas mumbled.

"It's for your own good," Karneering pointed out.

"What's for his own good?" Tim inquired, taking the chair Rodriguez had just vacated.

"Einstein has established a curfew for us," Lucas responded.

"Well, under the circumstances, I wouldn't argue with him," Tim advised, "since most of the team would help him with making sure you followed it."

"Yes. That's already been established," Lucas observed, glancing at Bridger, who gave him an innocent smile.

"You look tired anyway," Tim commented.

******

"What's on your mind?" Rodriguez questioned McKinnon.

"Nothing much," McKinnon responded, absently.

"Sure. I recognize the look on your face. You're thinking about something and you don't like the direction of your thoughts," Rodriguez told her.

"Reading my mind again, Ghost?"

"I've worked with you too long not to recognize the expression. It's usually the one you have when you have to talk to superior officers."

"I'll have to work on it then," McKinnon sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to do something I was hoping to avoid, Ghost."

"That was certainly enlightening."

"That's all you're going to get for the moment," McKinnon said.

"Okay," Rodriguez accepted her answer. "I suppose Einstein shared his ultimatum with you."

"I think it's more for Slick than you, Ghost. But he's operating under the theory that if he includes you, Slick will offer less resistance."

******

Ryan and Dawson had not returned by the time Lucas and Rodriguez had to head for bed. Karneering did not really care if they went to sleep right away; he just wanted them away from work. Neither one was happy about having to stop before Ryan and Dawson came back, but they knew better than to argue the issue.

"I'm fine," Lucas insisted, as Karneering performed a quick exam on both.

"Forgive me for not taking your word on this one, but I suspect you would tell me you were fine if you were on your deathbed," Karneering responded, finishing with the teenager. He was satisfied with the young man's condition. All Lucas needed now was rest. "Your turn," he told Rodriguez.

"Lucky me," Rodriguez grumbled. He had less patience for the exam than Lucas.

******

"Something bothering you?" Bridger asked Tim, noticing the lieutenant seemed unusually quiet.

"I'm just thinking, Sir," Tim answered, as Ford sat down next to him. He did not want to broach the topic on his mind.

"That's usually a good thing," Bridger told him. "It's been an interesting day."

"I think most days with the Outriggers are interesting, Sir," Ford commented.

"No, only when we're on a mission," Adamsen interrupted, overhearing Ford's remark. "The rest of the time, our lives are pretty quiet."

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to witness it."

"I've never seen it either," Tim added.

"That's because if things were calm, we wouldn't need your help," Hallowell pointed out.

"That's a very good point, Columbus."

******

"All right, don't stay up too late," Karneering admonished the duo as he left their room.

"Yes, Father," Rodriguez replied.

"Ghost, I will ask Ice to ground you if you don't stop being annoying."

"That's against his nature, Einstein," Lucas observed.

"True. However, he could at least make an effort. I'll see you two in the morning and not before."

"What if I need a glass of water in the night?" Rodriguez mused.

"You are determined to try my patience, aren't you?"

"I was just asking a question. Some times I get thirsty in the middle of the night and I don't want to get in trouble…"

"Ghost, you know very well what I meant."

"I just wanted some specific guidance on the topic."

"Ghost, I could just tie you to the bed and take care of the problem," Karneering threatened.

Lucas felt himself freeze inside and he tensed up instinctively.

"That won't be necessary," Rodriguez responded, his tone changing as he noted Lucas' expression.

Karneering followed his gaze and nodded, deciding not to address his mistake; he had a feeling it would only make things worse. "Good night," he said quietly.

"Good night," Rodriguez echoed. "He was just teasing."

"I know," Lucas answered, trying to regain control of his emotions. He could not let Rodriguez see how much the doctor's casual joke had frightened him. Rodriguez already knew too much.

******

"Commander," Bridger greeted McKinnon, sitting next to her.

"Yes?" McKinnon acknowledged, giving the captain her full attention.

"I think in the morning, there are a few things I would like to discuss with Lucas. I'm going to need a room where we can do that privately," Bridger told her.

"Your room won't work?"

"Under normal circumstances, I would say yes However, I think this time I need neutral territory or as close to that as possible," Bridger explained.

"There are a couple of empty rooms upstairs; you're welcome to use one of those. If you want, I can show what there is and make sure there are some chairs in there for you," McKinnon invited.

"That would be good," Bridger accepted her offer. "I think it would be best not to use the room you did when you had your talk with him. I'd like to make this as unthreatening as possible."

"All right."

"Having spent the day here, I do understand why you called me," Bridger told her, following her up the stairs. "He is rather detached about certain things. It's fairly obvious this disturbs him more than he would like to admit. Is there anything else you can add without betraying any of his confidences?"

"Slick has only confided in me reluctantly. I wish I could tell you more, but…"

"I understand your position, Commander. You did not get where you are by breaking people's trust. I know that if you felt it was in his best interests, you would tell me everything you know."

"Ghost might know something more that can help you."

"I may be calling on him for help," Bridger remarked, looking inside at the room McKinnon had opened for him. "I take it from the reactions that this was not the first time the idea that Benny used the robbery to kill himself was discussed?"

"No, it wasn't. Slick first proposed the idea when we were looking into the break in."

"Was he as calm about it as he was tonight?" Bridger queried, walking around the room. It had two chairs and a table in it and not much else: precisely what he wanted. The fewer distractions available the better. "This will do," he added.

"Yes. He does not find the subject as uncomfortable as most people," McKinnon commented.

"I had noticed."

"I figured you might."

Bridger looked at her. "Then that discussion was…"

"Just part of a larger conversation about the case," McKinnon cut in before he finished.

"Does the entire team know why I'm here?"

"I didn't make a general announcement. However, I'm sure they've figured it out. They are perceptive and everyone's been voicing the same concerns about Slick's behavior. When someone is having a tough time, we tend to pull together. And, if that's not enough, we do what we have to do to find the solution."

"Ice!" Hallowell called out, appearing on the stairs. "Sunshine's back."

"Okay, we'll be right there."

******

Ryan looked around the room, while they were waiting for McKinnon and Bridger to return. "Where are Ghost and Slick?" she asked.

"Einstein put them to bed," Hallowell replied.

"Oh, that must have been interesting."

"Actually, neither one put up much of a fight," Adamsen remarked.

"I think the captain indicated his willingness to assist if necessary," Tim explained.

"We all would have," Chandler interjected.

"I'm still sorry I missed it," Ryan sighed.

"Missed what?" McKinnon inquired, entering.

"Nothing, Ice."

"What did you find out?"

"The only things the police have are the fingerprints and the video. The video is not clear enough to make any kind of identification, but the inspectors aren't overly concerned. Their current theory is that Ghost, Slick and Indy are all involved in this together: that Ghost and Slick were not abducted, but took off on their own."

"What's my role in all of this?" Tim queried.

"You're feeding them information," Dawson informed him. "You stayed behind in order to betray us."

"And you were able to listen to this with a straight face?" Adamsen questioned.

"It was not one of the easier tasks in my career, but I managed," Ryan admitted.

"Which one of them is the mastermind?" Karneering quizzed.

"They're not sure," Ryan responded. "Although, because of his training, they are leaning toward Ghost."

"Why would Lucas be involved in this?" Ford probed.

"Because of his computer skills and his ability with locks," Dawson explained.

"Locks?" Bridger repeated.

"Yes. Apparently, the inspectors contacted Aegis Security regarding his previous employment with their company. Several of the designers and security specialists expressed their opinion that, while Slick's area of expertise was with their brand, they doubted any system would keep him out for long," Ryan elaborated. "They were rather disappointed when he tendered his resignation."

"The fact that Slick field tested some of their systems makes them even more inclined to think he's capable of breaking into Nicholson," Dawson added.

Ford voiced the question on Bridger's mind. "Field tested?"

"Aegis would install a security system at a location and then have a team attempt a break in to make sure everything worked properly. They also offered a similar opportunity to customers with other systems. They would show them where their security was lacking and then demonstrate how Aegis offered a better product," Ryan explicated. "Slick did not do too many of these jobs, but he did enough to convince Crewes and Stanton that he's more than capable in the area."

"Do they have a theory as to why they would return to Nicholson?" McKinnon inquired.

"They're assuming that they did not get what they wanted in the first place. They believe that Benny disrupted the first attempt, resulting in the one last night. They're getting really uptight about wanting to question Indy."

McKinnon looked at Tim. "I'm going to try to avoid that, but we may have to go in for questioning in order to buy ourselves some time," she told him.

Tim nodded his understanding. He had no desire to be interrogated, but, if it was necessary, he would do it.

"And, uh, you might get a call from Kincaid," Ryan informed her.

"Why?"

"He was already in bed when I called and not real appreciative of that fact."

"Why did you call him?"

"Crewes was preparing a press release on the burglary complete with pictures and a request for assistance in locating Ghost and Slick. I had to get someone who could impress upon them the problem with doing that."

"Kincaid succeeded?"

"After a fashion."

McKinnon looked at Ryan and decided she did not want to know any more details. "Anything else?"

"No. I promised to keep in touch and that you would likely contact them about these latest developments, but that you were entrenched in trying to resolve their kidnapping," Ryan concluded.

"Tomorrow we need to take a closer look at the police department," McKinnon said, thinking out loud. "Shortly after you tell them about Ghost and Slick being taken hostage, they're implicated in another break in. It strikes me as odd."

"It could just be a coincidence," Ford pointed out.

"We're not going to put all of our resources on it. We just can't afford to overlook the possibility of a leak there."

******

"Can't sleep?" Rodriguez asked Lucas, hearing the teenager tossing and turning on the other bed. They had turned the light out shortly after Karneering's departure, both hoping to fall asleep.

"No."

"Want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Are we back to one word answers?"

"Maybe."

Rodriguez sighed, unable to decide if Lucas' last response was an attempt at humor or intended to be taken seriously. "You mind if I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"Slick, are you intentionally being perverse or is this just your natural personality shining through?"

"Yes," Lucas answered, rolling over. He kept hoping Rodriguez would get tired of questioning him and be quiet. He was fairly certain he did not want to hear what Rodriguez wanted to ask him.

"That certainly cleared things up."

"You can ask whatever you want, I just won't guarantee I'll answer," Lucas finally told him, after being silent for so long that Rodriguez suspected the teenager was trying to ignore him.

"When you, uh, made your suicide attempt, uh, did you plan it carefully or was it spur of the moment?"

Lucas thought about how he should answer the question. He did not want to talk about this right now: not with Rodriguez, not with anyone. If he told him what, then Rodriguez would want to know why, how and, very possibly, what made him change his mind. Lucas had no desire to face Rodriguez's disgust when he heard the truth. "Why do you want to know?"

"I want to understand," Rodriguez replied, realizing Lucas was not going to give him an answer. "And, I guess, I'd like some kind of reassurance that you don't feel like trying it again," Rodriguez admitted. The idea that Lucas had wanted to kill himself at some point in his life terrified Rodriguez. He had lost a number of friends in his lifetime already; he wanted to know Lucas was not going to join them.

"I told you before; I'm not going to kill myself. That stopped being a viable option a long time ago."

Rodriguez really wished the boy would stop referring to it as a 'viable option'; it made it sound so simple. He wanted to believe that such a decision was not one easily reached, especially for Lucas.

"It's in the past. It's not important now," Lucas continued.

Rodriguez wondered who Lucas was trying to convince with his statement. He sighed softly and let the subject drop reluctantly. "I really wish Einstein let us wait for Sunshine's return," he said.

"You just hate being out of the action," Lucas teased, glad Rodriguez had changed topics.

"I'm an Outrigger; I thrive on action," Rodriguez retorted, willing to pretend that the previous conversation had not happened. He hoped that one day Lucas would trust him enough to answer his questions; he really wanted to know what had happened in the teenager's past.

******

After Ryan's report, everyone headed to their rooms. Bridger had tried reading, but found that he couldn't. His thoughts were occupied by Lucas' behavior throughout the day. On the surface, the young man had acted normal, yet part of him had been distant. It was as if he responded automatically, because it was expected of him. Then there had been all the bits and pieces of information he had picked up in the discussions he had participated in and heard during the day. Bridger sighed softly. He knew that whatever it was Lucas was protecting was important to the boy. The captain had no desire to cause the teenager pain, but he had a feeling that Lucas was not going to appreciate efforts to get him to talk. Bridger recognized that this was not one of the times when he could patiently wait for Lucas to be ready to face whatever had him disturbed. Someone had to push and he had been elected. Bridger just hoped Lucas would allow him to help. Finally, he forced his turbulent thoughts out of his head, knowing that he was going to need to be well rested for the next day, and let himself fall asleep.

******

"Don't! Stop it!" Lucas screamed, thrashing around on his bed.

"Should have predicted this," Rodriguez mumbled to himself, leaping out of his own bed. He caught Lucas' arm before the teenager could hit him. "Take it easy, Slick," he whispered, as Lucas continued to fight him. Getting behind the young man, Rodriguez used his body to stop Lucas' flailing limbs. He kept up a steady stream of soothing sentences the entire time, even when Lucas bit his arm.

"Don't leave me," Lucas pleaded, giving up. They were going to win; they always did. They were going to leave him alone in the room again and not come back for days, just like they had last time. He didn't want to be alone.

"I'm not leaving," Rodriguez reassured him, shifting Lucas slightly, once he was sure the boy was not going to fight anymore. Lucas did not resist, his body was surprisingly limp considering that, only moments ago, he had been violently struggling to escape from Rodriguez's grasp. "I'm going to stay right here," he promised.

******

McKinnon touched Bridger's shoulder and pulled him back and closed the door. "Let Ghost take this one," she advised quietly.

"Have the other nightmares been like that?" Bridger inquired; he and McKinnon had arrived in time to see Lucas bite Rodriguez.

"Pretty much," McKinnon confirmed. "The last one, Einstein ended up throwing water on him to get him to wake up," she added. "Ghost seems to know how to bring him out of it," she added.

"That was the one where he removed his IV?"

"And bit Indy."

"So that wasn't the first time?" Bridger inquired, with a nod at the closed door.

"No. Actually tried to bite Ghost once before. It's another defense."

******

"You want to tell me about this one?" Rodriguez questioned Lucas, still holding the teenager. Lucas was shaking with fear and trying to control his emotions, which were threatening to overwhelm him. He was on the verge of tears and the last thing he wanted to do was cry in front of Rodriguez . "Come on, Slick; you know you can trust me."

"I can't." Lucas wanted to trust Rodriguez, but he was afraid. Once he told the truth, it would all be different. His safety and security would be gone; everyone would know he was just a fraud. He shuddered at the thought.

Rodriguez was not sure what Lucas was responding to, but he did not press. Instead, he focused on calming him down. "Well, I haven't told you about Francesca," he remarked, with a small sigh. "She's second in line. I think it always bothered her that Olivia was the oldest. Like anyone had a choice in the matter. Anyway, she's always pulled these outrageous stunts for attention. My parents often wondered if she was going to survive her teenage years. Actually, they wondered that about all of us, but Francesca caused them greater concern. And kept the rest of us out of trouble in the end, since anything we pulled seemed positively tame."

"I always wanted a sister," Lucas mumbled.

"I'll give you one of mine," Rodriguez offered. "With five, I can spare one."

"Thank you."

"So, you want me to let you go to sleep now?"

"No, please…" Lucas did not know how to finish the sentence. He did not want to talk about the dream, but he did not want to return to it either.

"All right. I guess I'll have to tell you about Francesca's senior prom," Rodriguez informed him. "You're going to love this tale. However, should you ever meet Francesca, it's probably best not to admit you know the story."

******

Rodriguez was not too surprised to find McKinnon's door open with her and Bridger in her room when he emerged thirty minutes later. "He's asleep," he reported.

"Will he even tell you about it?" Bridger questioned.

"No. All I can tell is that he's scared. Once he wakes up, he gets control of his emotions as quickly as possible and shuts down."

"Let me see your arm," McKinnon ordered.

"He didn't break the skin."

"Why does he bite?" Bridger asked.

"He was terrified and I had his arms pinned. There's a brief moment when he's caught in the dream and trying to get away before he realizes that it is a dream and he's safe."

"I'm going to try to talk to him in the morning," Bridger told him. "I may need your help," he added.

"I'll do anything I can," Rodriguez responded.

"Well, I have a feeling he's going to put up a fight," Bridger prophesized.

"Most likely," Rodriguez agreed. "I know we've both been tempted to push, but I'm afraid he wouldn't let us help him deal with the fallout. That's why I wanted you here. You know him better than either one of us."

"Hopefully it will work in my favor."

******

"Not hungry?" Tim questioned Lucas the next morning.

"Not really," Lucas admitted. He did not remember much about the previous night. He just had the vague feeling that he had done something embarrassing. Rodriguez had not been forthcoming with any information when they woke up and Lucas had not wanted to ask him directly.

"You have to eat something," Tim told him.

"I know. What's on today's agenda?" Lucas asked McKinnon.

"Pretty much the same as yesterday. I'm going to shift some of the assignments around. Maybe a new eye will catch something," McKinnon answered with deliberate vagueness. She knew that Bridger had decided to let the teenager eat in peace before he let him know they were going to talk. She had no idea how he planned to broach the idea, but trusted that he knew what he was doing.

"Just don't make me work with the two of them together," Tim begged McKinnon, referring to Lucas and Rodriguez .

"Ice wouldn't do that to her worst enemy," Karneering assured him.

"Thanks a lot, Einstein," Rodriguez grumbled.

"Hey, they make a good team," Ryan interjected.

"Do you ever say anything bad about anything, Sunshine?" Adamsen asked.

"Not in years. Well, at least not since I started working with Ghost. It's the only defense I have against his pessimism."

******

Bridger waited until the rest were getting ready to start on the day's research to drop his bombshell. "Not so fast," Bridger said, catching Lucas's arm before the teenager could move away.

"Sir?"

"I want to talk to you. Privately."

Lucas did not like the sound of this, but knew he could not exactly argue with Bridger about it: not without attracting all sorts of attention and he didn't want that. Therefore, he followed the captain out of the room and upstairs, dreading it with each step. Taking the chair facing the door, Lucas folded his arms across his chest and waited.

Bridger took in the boy's defensive stance and sensed they were in for a long session. "Commander McKinnon may have given you a week," he started. "I'm not willing to wait that long."

******

"Aren't we missing someone?" Dawson questioned McKinnon before she started discussing assignments.

"Captain Bridger needed to review a few things with Slick. He'll join us when they're finished," McKinnon replied, her tone indicated there would no other answers forthcoming.

"Oh dear," Tim muttered. He could only imagine what they were reviewing and he knew Lucas was not going to like it.

******

"If you check the time one more time, Ghost, I'm going to choke you," Karneering threatened. McKinnon had paired Rodriguez and Karneering together, figuring the doctor would keep Rodriguez occupied. "I would be very surprised to see either one return before lunch, particularly if they're chatting about what I think they are," he continued.

"I can't help it," Rodriguez mumbled.

"There's nothing you can do for him in there. So try to focus on this research and maybe we'll have some good news when he comes out."

"I'm trying."

Part 26

"What?" Bridger questioned. It had taken twenty minutes to get Lucas to confess to editing his personnel file, which was all the teenager had told him.

"Sir?" Lucas knew what the captain wanted; he just hoped to evade the question.

"What did you remove from your file?" Bridger elaborated.

"I put everything back," Lucas responded. He had made sure to do that when McKinnon had set the time limit. "You can go read it for yourself."

"I'm sure I will," Bridger promised. "But I want you to tell me what you took out and why you did it."

"It's nothing major."

"Apparently, it was important enough for you to erase in the first place," Bridger observed, trying hard to maintain his patience. He knew that Lucas' behavior was calculated to get a rise out of him and he was doing his best to avoid falling into that trap.

"If I put it back, what does it matter?" Lucas knew that if he explained what he had removed, then he would have tell Bridger the whole story. The captain was never satisfied until he had the entire story. Lucas felt his only hope was to stall until Bridger gave up. He figured that eventually Bridger would get tired.

"I want to hear you explain what it was and why you took it out. I don't condone the idea of you editing your file. We've discussed the appropriate applications of your talents in the past," Bridger reminded him. "Removing pertinent information from your file is not one of them."

"You never would have known about if Ice hadn't gotten involved," Lucas grumbled.

"We'll get to that when we're done with this particular topic," Bridger assured him, not wanting to get sidetracked. "Whether I would have known or not, you cannot remove data and expect to get away without offering some kind of explanation."

"It's stuff I didn't really think anyone needed to know."

"If it was in your file, someone thought it should be accessible," Bridger stated. "And I don't think you're necessarily the best judge of what should be in it."

Lucas stared at the wall and did not say anything.

Bridger sighed and studied the teenager's posture for several moments. He could tell that Lucas planned to battle him every step of the way over this. He wondered if Lucas realized that the harder he fought, the more determined it made Bridger to get at the truth. It seemed fairly obvious that the boy needed to talk to someone. "This is not going to go away, Lucas."

"It's in the file. Why do we have to discuss it?"

"Because the fact that you're so intent on avoiding a conversation on the subject tells me that we need to talk about it."

"Why?"

"Because you only avoid talking about topics that upset you."

"I'm not upset."

"Lucas, running away from your problems is not going to make them go away," Bridger commented softly. "I know this from experience. If you talk to someone you might find it must easier to handle."

"I'm not running away. I just don't see the reason for discussing something that's old news and you can read for yourself."

"It's not going to work that way. I want you to tell me what you took out and why."

"I removed my psychological profile," Lucas conceded suddenly.

"The entire thing or just parts?"

"Just parts."

"What specifically?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does to me," Bridger corrected.

"Why? Why should you care what it says?"

"Because you obviously cared enough to edit it. This is not something you did on a whim, Lucas. And I want to know why."

"I felt like it."

"That's not good enough. Lucas I want to help you with this, but I can't if you won't talk to me."

"Maybe I don't want your help," Lucas mumbled, staring down at his hands. He wanted out of here. Bridger, apparently, was not going to stop pushing any time soon. Lucas could not tell him what was in the file. What it said was bad enough; if he read it, there would be other questions: ones not easily deflected. He wanted to forget about it.

"Lucas, something is tearing you up inside and ignoring it is not the solution."

"I'm fine."

"Is that why you're having nightmares?" Bridger countered. "Nightmares that are so real you bite the people who are trying to help you."

"I was on drugs," Lucas pointed out.

"You bit Rodriguez last night; I saw you," Bridger informed him, watching as the teenager flushed at the news. "People have nightmares for a reason, usually because they have something they need to deal with. I think you certainly qualify."

"I didn't want you to push counseling after Tarsinia," Lucas muttered, hoping, if he gave Bridger something, the man would let the rest go.

"Why not?" Bridger encouraged. He recognized the ploy. Lucas had pulled it on him a couple of times before he realized what the boy was doing.

"Because I didn't want to go."

"You made that abundantly clear when Doctor Westphalen made the suggestion," Bridger reminded him. "That still doesn't tell me what you removed."

Lucas glared at him. "Why won't you just drop it?"

"Because I care about you and I'm concerned about why you did this."

"I told you."

"Telling me that you didn't want to go to counseling is not enough, Lucas," Bridger told him. "Nor does it tell me what you erased."

"What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that you're trying to hide from whatever is bothering you and that is not a solution."

"Not wanting to talk to you does not mean I'm hiding."

"Lucas, if you want to talk to someone else, I'm more than happy to let you."

"I don't want to talk to anyone."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Bridger said. "Let me make one thing clear: you and I are not leaving this room until you tell me what is going on."

"I don't have to tell you anything," Lucas told him defiantly and then stopped talking.

*****

"I would say things are not going particularly well in their discussion," Tim commented to Ford.

"You're probably right," Ford agreed. "However, I think the captain is more stubborn than Lucas."

"We can only hope," Tim sighed. "He needs to talk to someone."

Ford nodded. He was glad Bridger had come. It was fairly evident that Lucas was bothered by recent events and no one else seemed capable of reaching him. Bridger seemed to have a way of getting past Lucas' barriers and getting the boy to stop hiding.

*****

Bridger studied Lucas, trying to figure out what the teenager was thinking. Since he had issued his ultimatum, almost an hour ago, Lucas had not said a word. He just sat in his chair with his arms crossed, staring at the wall. Bridger wondered how many times this attitude had worked in the past. He knew that a great number of people would have given up; he even suspected that's what Lucas counted on him doing.

However, Bridger was determined not to let Lucas down. As much as Lucas protested there was nothing wrong, Bridger knew that something was hurting the young man. He cared too much about Lucas not to push on this issue.

There had been other times when Bridger had known not to push. In this instance, Bridger felt that if he let Lucas continue hiding that, somehow, their relationship would be altered forever. While he recognized that pressuring the boy could end up damaging their relationship, he believed it was a necessary risk. As he contemplated the man seated across from him, Lucas began to realize that the captain was entirely serious. He planned on sitting there until Lucas told him something. It gave the teenager some pause. Usually all he had to do was act difficult and clam up and people left him alone. Lucas needed to think of something to tell Bridger that would satisfy the man enough to let him leave. If he set his mind to it, he should be able to manage that; after all, he had been fooling people for a long time.

*****

McKinnon surveyed her team and wondered exactly how much work was getting done. Rodriguez was not the only one watching the clock. Everyone was surreptitiously checking the time and trying hard not to speculate. When Lucas and Bridger had not returned right away, everyone understood that this was not a simple chat. "What's up?" she asked Ryan, who had just joined her.

"Not much. Just thought I'd see how you were doing," Ryan told her.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. It must be hard for you to be on the sidelines for this one," Ryan observed.

"Mind reading again, Sunshine?"

"You'd like to fix all of our problems," Ryan pointed out. "For you, it's part of being a unit leader. I know you well enough to know you'd like to be up there, helping Slick with whatever's got him so upset."

"You're right," McKinnon agreed.

"You made the right choice, Ice."

"I certainly hope so. Where are you going?" McKinnon inquired, as Ryan stood up.

"To visit Ghost."

*****

"Lucas, running from your problems doesn't work. It doesn't make the pain go away. I know. I tried that when I lost Robert and when Carol died," Bridger started, trying to find some way to reach the young man. "I didn't start feeling better until I started living again. Pretending your feelings don't exist, -burying them-, is not a solution. You have to face them and accept them. You have plenty of friends who are willing to help you. They care about you and they're very worried."

Lucas stared at him blankly, listening to the words. He realized that Bridger thought he knew what he was talking about, but he didn't. He could not know what it felt like. Bridger was not him; he had never done the things Lucas had. "I tried to kill myself when I was eleven." Lucas made the statement calmly, refusing to let his emotions show through. He had to remain in control. If he maintained his composure, he could tell Bridger enough to satisfy the man; he would never have to tell him the rest.

"Why?" Bridger prompted softly, willing himself not to display any shock. He had suspected something of this nature from the teenager's demeanor during the discussion of the previous day.

"Does it matter?"

Bridger resisted the urge to let out a long sigh of frustration. Lucas had given him something, but not everything. "Yes, it does. You must have had a reason for doing it at the time and for removing it from your file."

"I was suffering from a severe depression."

"I'm not asking what your file said; I want to know what you say," Bridger informed him.

"I was unhappy," Lucas said, his voice expressionless.

"Why?"

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "My parents were divorced, neither parent wanted me and I had no friends because I was a freak," he recited.

"You're not a freak," Bridger corrected. "How did you feel?"

"I wanted to die; how do you think I felt?"

"I don't know; that's why I'm asking you."

"What do you want me to tell you?"

"I want to understand what you were feeling," Bridger explained, watching his face. "I find it hard to believe that this was as simple a decision as you want me to think."

"It wasn't simple; it's just in the past. I can't see any reason to talk about it."

"I see plenty of reason to talk about it."

"Then why don't you find someone who's interested in talking about it? Because I'm not."

"Right now, you're the only one I'm interested in."

"At least Ghost knew when to stop," Lucas mumbled.

"So you told Ghost," Bridger paused over the nickname briefly, "about this?"

"He asked; I answered. Like I told him, I'm not going to try it again. I got over the desire to die. End of story," Lucas told him, his voice flat. This was not going as planned. Why wouldn't Bridger stick to his end of the bargain? He had told him everything he could; he could not tell him the rest. Bridger would never understand.

Bridger could tell there was more to the story; he just did not know what questions to ask. He strongly believed that Lucas needed to talk about this more than ever. He just wasn't sure he knew how to get the boy started. Bridger had the feeling if he could break down the wall that surrounded the teenager's emotions, it would come flooding out. Bridger had hoped to handle this alone. It wasn't that he felt like he, alone, should be enough to help the teenager; he was just afraid bringing someone else in would threaten Lucas. However, he lacked enough information to get anything started.

*****

"I'm fairly certain the captain is not torturing him, Ghost," Karneering remarked. Ryan's efforts to ease Rodriguez's mind had not done any good, so the doctor thought he would try.

"I never said he was," Rodriguez responded. "I just didn't know it was going to take so long."

"Sure, you did. You just can't stand being stuck down here when you feel responsible," Karneering told him, looking at his friend.

Rodriguez raised an eyebrow, but did not comment one way or the other. He knew from experience that Karneering would continue on his own.

"You know that it's not going to be an easy conversation and you feel guilty because Bridger would not be here if you had not made the suggestion," Karneering said. "Plus, you're human," he added.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rodriguez inquired.

"That you want to know Lucas has to say," Karneering answered. "You would like to hear what has him so withdrawn."

"I just want him to be okay," Rodriguez corrected.

"That doesn't mean you're not curious," Karneering noted. "It just means you won't force him to give answers he doesn't want to, as long as he's all right."

"Besides, I think you may get your chance," McKinnon observed, joining the two.

"What?" Rodriguez queried.

"I'm not sure Bridger has enough ammunition to get Slick talking. I have a feeling if things are going slowly, he may ask for your help. At least in getting things started," McKinnon informed him.

"Slick will think we're ganging up on him," Rodriguez protested.

"I'm sure that's why Bridger's trying to go it alone. It just might not be enough. We'll find out at lunch. If they don't come down, you'll have to take them some food."

"Lucky me. Why don't you send Indy?" Rodriguez proposed.

"That might be a better idea," McKinnon agreed.

*****

"I'm going to go see about lunch," Bridger informed Lucas, who had lapsed into silence again. "I told you we're not leaving until we discuss this to my satisfaction," he continued when Lucas looked ready to argue about it.

Lucas did not respond, just glared at him briefly and then returned his attention to the tabletop, which he had been staring at for a long time. He just wanted Bridger to leave; once he was gone, Lucas had no intention of staying around. While he understood that he could not leave the building, -that would jeopardize the team and he would not do that-, he needed to feel like he was in control. Being forced to stay in the room was too much like before; he had to prove that he could escape Lucas already knew where he would go; he just needed a chance to get there.

*****

"How's it going?" Ford asked Bridger.

"He's currently giving me the silent treatment," Bridger replied.

"That good?"

"Yes. Either one of you have any suggestions?" Bridger inquired, including Tim in the question as well.

"I wish I did. But he only talks to me when he wants to," Tim answered. "The rest of the time, I couldn't pry it out of him."

"That's what I figured," Bridger said, frustrated.

*****

Lucas shut the door behind him and sat on the floor. He knew that they would find him. It was not like he had gone very far, but he liked this room. It was smaller than the one upstairs and it didn't have any windows. He liked being in the dark. They couldn't watch him there; he had privacy. Lucas needed the time to gather his thoughts; nothing was working out like it should. Bridger was supposed to have been satisfied by his admission to attempting suicide: people usually left him alone after that. Instead, the captain had persisted, not wanting to accept what Lucas told him. Lucas knew if he told the rest, Bridger would not understand. The captain would know Lucas did not belong on seaQuest and make him leave and Lucas desperately did not want to leave.

*****

"Well, if nothing else, maybe seeing someone else besides me will help," Bridger said hopefully, as he and Rodriguez walked up the stairs. He had asked Rodriguez to come up and try to talk to Lucas.

"I'll do my best," Rodriguez promised. "However, he may not be too fond of me, since calling you was my idea."

"I'd like to know how Commander McKinnon got him to talk," Bridger commented. "She seems to have managed better than I have."

"Well, Ice basically pushed as many buttons as she could until he got so mad at her, he blurted it out."

"You were there?"

"No, but that's her usual formula when patience fails," Rodriguez explained. "While I'm not as reticent to discuss my problems as Slick, I have been known to internalize a few of them in my career. The whole team is like that, if you want the truth. We've all had our share of difficulties and a reluctance to discuss them. Ice feels that one of her jobs is to make sure we're emotionally healthy as well as physically. As frustrating as it can be when you're on the receiving end of one of her 'chats', it is one of the reasons we like her."

Bridger opened the door, more than a little surprised to find the room empty. "Where would he go?"

"He didn't leave the building," Rodriguez stated with certainty. "Besides the fact he knows Ice would kill him, he would not endanger the team that way. That being the case, why would he leave?"

"I think we should concentrate on where before we worry about why," Bridger told him.

Rodriguez thought for a few minutes. "I think I know where to find him," he said. "Follow me."

Bridger trailed behind Rodriguez, trying to understand why the teenager had left the room. It seemed more than an act of defiance, but it made no sense, since it would not be hard to find him if he was still in the building.

*****

Rodriguez led Bridger to the room he had found Lucas in before. "You want me to go?" he inquired.

"No. I think you need to stay," Bridger responded. "He's not telling me anything. He admitted to a suicide attempt but won't go beyond that. Maybe you can help get him started."

"Okay," Rodriguez agreed, opening the door. Lucas was sitting against the wall, arms wrapped around his legs, which were drawn up to his chest. The light was turned off and Rodriguez stopped Bridger from turning it on. If Lucas felt safe in the dark, they could let him keep it. "Hey, Slick. We have got to stop meeting like this," he remarked, as he sat down on one side of the teenager.

Bridger moved to the other side, but decided to let Rodriguez take the lead and see what happened. "Then don't stay," Lucas told him.

"No. I'm trying to figure out the attraction of this 'sitting-on-the-floor-in-the-dark' thing you have going," Rodriguez informed him. "You know, Slick, people worry when you just disappear."

"You found me."

"That's not the point. You want to tell me why you left?"

"No."

"It wasn't really a request, Slick," Rodriguez commented.

"There's nothing to say. I didn't want to stay, just because *he* said I had to."

"In other words, he was getting too close to whatever it is you don't want to talk about," Rodriguez interpreted.

"Not everything needs to be discussed."

"That's true in some instances; this would not be one of them."

"He asked what I removed from my file; I told him. That's all he needs to know."

"Did you explain why?" Rodriguez inquired. He had seen enough of Bridger to know that the mere facts would not be enough.

"What's the big deal?" Lucas questioned. "I tried to kill myself. Why must you two analyze it? It's a thing in the past; I don't want to talk about it."

Rodriguez studied the young man, trying to decide how to proceed. Pressing forward seemed like the best option. "If that's true, why do feel the need to honor the pact you made?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You told me that you had made an agreement with some friends to call if you ever felt like trying it again. Why maintain it, if it's in the past?"

"You wouldn't understand," Lucas responded, not wanting to explain. He wondered when they would know enough to leave him alone.

"Try me," Rodriguez countered softly.

"Why?"

"Because I care."

"They might need me."

"They?" Rodriguez prompted.

"My friends. Thea, Keri, Vic, Charlie and Ray."

"And Christian? Is he part of the group?" Rodriguez probed, earning a sharp intake of breath for his efforts.

"He was a friend."

Bridger noted the use of the past tense and wondered if it was significant. However, since Rodriguez seemed to be getting a response, he kept quiet.

"Then he was the name on yesterday's note?" Rodriguez persisted, wanting answers.

"Yes."

Rodriguez decided not the address the fact that Lucas should have told McKinnon that; they would have to deal with it later. "Who was he?"

"I told you."

"Why did you want him to run?" Rodriguez queried, remembering that from Lucas' shouting when he was dreaming.

Lucas froze and tried to figure out what Rodriguez might know. He could not remember what he had said about Christian.

"And where does Franklin fit into all of this?" Rodriguez threw in for good measure. He knew they were all related; he just needed Lucas to explain it to him.

Both Bridger and Rodriguez felt Lucas stiffen up and shrink against the wall. Rodriguez had hit a nerve.

"He doesn't," Lucas replied, his voice flat.

"He must fit in there somehow. You kept calling Keller Franklin," Rodriguez pointed out. Having jarred the teenager, he wanted to take advantage. "So who is he?"

"It's none of your business."

"It became my business a couple of days ago, Slick," Rodriguez corrected. "Remember, I was there too. I saw you. I witnessed the absolute panic you were in when you realized what was happening. That scenario was not set up on accident. Someone planned it very carefully."

"Being kidnapped would make anyone panic," Lucas retorted.

"You were terrified. It was worse than Tarsinia."

"Why do you care?"

Rodriguez considered the question, not wanting to give a rash answer. "You're my friend, Slick. I can see you're hurting and I want to help you."

"I don't want your help," Lucas hissed.

"That might be true. But you need it and you're not going to chase me away just because you're being stubborn about it. Eventually you have to face to your past; it's not going to stay buried forever."

"He's right," Bridger encouraged gently, deciding now might be a good time to get involved. "Tough times can be made easier if you rely on your family and friends."

"Yeah, right," Lucas muttered, thinking about his parents.

"Lucas, there's nothing you can't tell us," Bridger told him, realizing that mentioning family might not have been the best choice.

Lucas' mind was racing. They were going to make him tell and then they'd send him away; that was what happened every time he confessed his feelings. He was labeled troublesome and made to leave. Unfortunately, he couldn't shut either one of them out. A small voice inside kept insisting he should tell them the truth: that these two would understand. The other voice, the one that he listened to most of the time, reminded him what had happened when he had trusted people before. If he told, there would be no taking it back. They would be able to use it against him, just like everyone else. The softer voice told him it was time to make a choice and time to trust; the louder voice told Lucas to be quiet and it would all go away. For the first time, Lucas was not sure which voice to listen to.

Then, without even knowing, Rodriguez said the final thing needed to make the choice for him. "We only want what's best for you."

The words exploded from his mouth before he could stop them, because he was trapped in the memory of his father saying those very words to him: right before his parents walked out. It had been one of the few times his parents had been in the same room since the divorce. "The last person who said that had me committed to a psychiatric hospital!" Lucas shouted. "They just wanted the problem to go away! They didn't care about me!"

Rodriguez had known a long hospitalization had been involved: that was the only explanation for Lucas' reaction to being held by Smith and Keller. However, he had not been prepared to hear it.

"Who?" Bridger asked, trying to keep his voice even. "Why?"

"I was eleven! Who do you think?" Lucas shot back, unwilling to put into words. If he admitted that his parents thought he was crazy, then everyone would know that he was.

"Your parents," Bridger guessed. His estimation of Lucas' parents plummeted lower than it had been since he had met the teenager. He had always disapproved of them allowing Lucas to be on seaQuest, particularly since he knew that they did not keep regular tabs. He was glad to have Lucas on board, but the teenager deserved better.

"They said they couldn't deal with me. St. John's was supposed to help fix me."

"St. John's?" Rodriguez repeated, his body going cold. He sincerely hoped it was not the St. John's he knew about.

"St. John's Family Health Facility," Lucas replied, his voice shaking. He was on the verge of tears. He did not want to cry, not now. They would really think he was a baby. However, he could not escape the images that name evoked.

Bridger could tell from Rodriguez's face that the name meant something to the other man and searched through his memory for a reference to name.

"It's a fancy name for a nuthouse. As long as your parents could pay, they could make you better," Lucas continued dully. Against his will, the tears had started falling and he couldn't stop shaking.

Bridger reached out and pulled Lucas into his lap, deciding it was time for a break. Lucas needed time to get himself under better control and they needed time to digest what had been said. "It's okay, pal," he whispered, as Lucas buried his face in the captain's shoulder. "Just let it out."

Rodriguez moved over and rested a hand on Lucas' leg, wanting the teenager to know that he was there. Closing his eyes, he tried to stop his imagination from running wild. His sister, Francesca, was a social worker. She had been one of the investigators when St. John's had been shut down following a spectacular escape by several of its patients. Francesca had called him in tears every night, angrily cursing everyone at the hospital. Rodriguez had been angry himself; now, the realization that someone he knew had been there filled him with rage.

Bridger gently rubbed Lucas' back, waiting for the sobs to subside. As much as he wanted to end this discussion now, he knew they had to get the rest of the story. Lucas needed to talk about this and past experience had taught him he needed to capitalize on the break through. Given too much time to think, Lucas would erect his barriers and act like the conversation had never taken place. At the moment, his main concern was comforting the boy.

Lucas wanted to stop crying. He was embarrassed, but he knew if he stopped, he would have to look them in the eyes and see their disgust in them. They would never trust him now that they knew the truth. He had been in a mental hospital; how could they? He did not want this moment to end, because everything was already ruined.

Even though he was unlikely to admit it to anyone other than himself, Lucas liked being held. He felt safe and loved in Bridger's arms; he didn't want the feeling to end. Lucas had never been held and comforted like this until after Tarsinia, when Bridger had done the same for him them. His mother had never had the time and his father refused to tolerate crying. He was going to miss this, even though he didn't need it very often. Lucas had no doubts that Bridger would send him away; the captain couldn't have him running around seaQuest.

"Lucas?" Bridger spoke softly. He put a hand under the teenager's chin and forced him to look in his eyes. The fear that was in them saddened Bridger, especially when it turned to genuine surprise as the boy registered Bridger's expression. The captain realized that Lucas expected him to react negatively to the news. While Bridger would like to let the young man's parents have a piece of his mind, he only wanted to make Lucas feel better.

Lucas could not believe it; instead of horror and revulsion, he saw sympathy and concern. The captain didn't look angry at him. "Yes?"

"We need to talk about this some more," Bridger told him quietly. "Someone went to a lot of trouble to find this out about you and I think you might hold some answers." He felt Lucas tense up. "Lucas, the choices your parents made: they're not your fault. You're not less of a person for having been hospitalized."

"You're not going to make me go back?" Lucas asked hesitantly, looking away, still fearing that Bridger might not want him around.

"Of course not," Bridger reassured him.

"They said if things didn't work out on seaQuest, I had to go back."

Rodriguez knew right then that he never wanted to meet Lucas' parents because he would not be responsible for his actions if he did. Judging from the look on his face, Bridger felt the same way.

"I promise you that you will never go back to a place like that again," Bridger stated, his tone making Lucas look at him and see the sincerity in his eyes.

"You have my word on that too," Rodriguez interjected.

Lucas turned and saw the same sympathy and concern that had been in the captain's eyes. He did not understand it; everyone else backed away when they learned the truth.

"Now, can you tell us a little bit more?" Bridger encouraged. "We need to know what happened while you were there."

Rodriguez thought it might be time for him to depart and prepared to do just that, slightly surprised when Bridger shook his head and indicated he wanted him to stay.

Bridger knew Rodriguez was startled and he did not have time to explain his reasoning. The captain had thought about asking Rodriguez to leave, until he realized how scared Lucas was of losing his friends over this information. He thought having Rodriguez there might reinforce the fact that no one was going to blame Lucas for any of this. Bridger also admitted to himself that, if he had to hear the story, he really wanted someone to share it with.

Part 27

"I don't know where to start," Lucas mumbled, trying to pull away from Bridger a little bit, only to discover that Bridger held him firmly in place. P> "Start with the beginning," Bridger suggested. "Why were you there?"

"I tried to commit suicide twice. The first time, I overdosed on pills. The second, I tried to slit my wrists. My father paid extra to insure there were no scars," Lucas began. "It was embarrassing for him in particular. Everyone was always asking him if I was all right. He thought it looked bad to have me around. My mother told him she couldn't deal with it. She had just remarried and having me try to kill myself was cramping her style."

Rodriguez felt his anger towards the teenager's parents grow. He could not imagine what could be more important than trying to figure out why your son wanted to die.

"Somebody told my father about St. John's," Lucas continued, hedging the truth a little. "They told him that it would help me. So they took me there and left."

"How long were you there?" Bridger inquired, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

"A little over a year."

Bridger closed his eyes and hugged Lucas a little tighter.

"Franklin worked there?" Rodriguez guessed. Now the name seemed vaguely familiar from talking to his sister.

"He was the director."

"What happened while you were there?" Bridger questioned.

"A lot of things," Lucas mumbled.

"They gave you a lot of drugs, didn't they? That's why you were so familiar with what Keller used," Rodriguez interrupted, trying to help Lucas out.

"That's the first thing they did. The first few days go by in a blur; you're so full of drugs you can't think straight. I don't remember what all I was on."

"Christian was a patient there?"

Bridger felt Lucas stiffen up a little. "He was my roommate for awhile. Until he left."

"Left?"

"He escaped," Lucas explained. "They couldn't figure out how he managed it. That's when they gave me the CDT. They wanted me to tell them."

"Why were they so interested?" Rodriguez prompted.

"They locked us in at night; there were bars on the outside of the windows, screens on the inside. Everything was intact when they found out he was missing."

"Screens?" Bridger repeated, puzzled.

"They put them on the inside to keep you from putting your fist through the glass. Several people tried to do it to get away and Vic did it when she was having psychotic episode as a result of medication." Lucas shuddered at the memory of that incident. "Then she tried to kill me. The orderly said I attempted suicide again, so that they would put me in solitary," he added, distracted from his original tale.

"Solitary?" Rodriguez prompted, positive that he was not going to like this.

"They'd put you in restraints, lock you in a room and leave. They always left the lights on, so they could watch you. They'd put you on an IV so that they didn't have to bring you food, just had to come in and change it."

"How long?" Bridger barely got the question out.

"Two or three days, sometimes a week. Never any longer than that."

"So, how did Christian get out?" Rodriguez questioned, returning to that topic.

"I picked the lock and then locked it again when he left," Lucas answered.

"Why didn't you leave?"

"My parents had made it abundantly clear that, if I left, I'd be returning. Life was not especially good if you escaped and then were brought back. Christian's grandmother wanted him; if he could get to her, she would protect him."

"That's why you know so much about locks?" Rodriguez inquired.

"That was the worst part. Being locked in that room, especially in solitary. First, I learned how to do the one for Christian. It wasn't so hard; it had a broken piece. Some of them were trickier, more complicated and it's hard to think straight when you're on drugs. When I got out, I wanted to make sure it didn't happen again. Aegis was the best, so I learned how to break their security, figuring, if I could break theirs, I could crack anyone's."

"Why did your parents finally take you out of there?" Bridger asked.

"They didn't. At least not willingly."

"I don't understand."

"When they shut the hospital down, they had no choice."

"Who shut the hospital down?"

"The state," Rodriguez replied, having already figured out that the time frame was right for Lucas to have been there for the closure. "It was closed down after a group staged a break out by setting starting a fire in their wing. When the firemen arrived, they found a lot of the patients locked in their rooms and restrained, and not enough staff around to help them. My sister was part of the investigation afterwards."

"Everyone could have been killed," Bridger said.

"Five patients had recently overdosed; three of them died, the other two suffered brain damage. They were overmedicated," Lucas explained. "There were rumors that they were starting to use some of the inmates for medical testing. They wanted to make sure it was something no one could ignore."

"Were you involved?"

"No. I was in the building; only the four that started the fires knew about it ahead of time. By then, I had sort of accepted that I was never going to get out. My parents never came to visit; they were happy to have me away."

"When you left, what happened?"

"I went to live with my father. My mother's husband said I was a mental case and he didn't want me around his children."

"That was it?"

"My father told me I should just be thankful I was out of there and deal with it."

"Were you involved in the investigation?" Rodriguez asked, wondering if his sister had ever met him.

"No. My father did not want anyone to know his son had been in a psychiatric hospital. That I needed to be in one was bad enough, but he didn't want it plastered all over the news." While a part of Lucas recognized that his parents had not protected him properly, the other part of him was afraid to admit that they were wrong. It was more than he wanted to handle at the moment. Plus, Lucas knew if he told the rest of the story, then Bridger and Rodriguez would understand that he deserved to be there.

Listening to him talk, Bridger realized that it was going to be a long time before Lucas fully healed. He knew if it was him, he would be incredibly angry at his parents for what they had done, yet Lucas seemed to be accepting of it. Plus, after his initial outburst and the bout of crying, the teenager had been remarkably calm in telling his story. Bridger knew that, at some point, they would have to deal with the emotions of his past. However, getting Lucas to talk about it was a step in the right direction. "You didn't need to be there. Your parents picked an expedient way to deal with the problem," he corrected gently.

"Everyone always leaves when they find out," Lucas whispered. Lucas was still scared that Bridger and Rodriguez might change their minds about him. If they ever got really angry at him, they could hurt him with the information. He desperately wanted to believe in what they told him, but relying on people frightened him.

"We're not going to leave you, Slick," Rodriguez told him firmly. "You didn't deserve what happened to you. You were just a kid who needed some help. There's nothing wrong with that. No one that knows you: no one that cares about you is going to think any less of you. You didn't do anything wrong," he insisted.

"He's right," Bridger echoed. "I can't change what happened to you, but it's not going to happen again."

"Slick?" Rodriguez spoke hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"I need your permission to tell Ice and the rest," Rodriguez requested. "Some of this could have bearing on the investigation. Someone knew enough about your hospital record to attempt to recreate it." Rodriguez did not like bringing it up, but he knew it could not be avoided.

Bridger studied the other man and realized that, if Lucas did not give him his approval, Rodriguez would find a way to work around it without breaking the young man's trust. "Lucas, they're your friends too. The only thing they're going to feel is sympathy for what you went through and admiration that you survived it as well as you did," he interjected. Bridger decided not to mention that they would all probably also feel an overwhelming anger directed at his parents and anyone else involved. He did not think the teenager was up to dealing with that right now. "They're not going to use the information to hurt you," he added, finally figuring out this was another one of the boy's fears.

"I don't want everyone staring at me like I'm a freak."

"They won't," Rodriguez assured them; he planned to make sure that everyone treated the teenager properly.

"Lucas, I also want your permission to tell Doctor Westphalen. I think this is something she needs to know. Other than that, who you tell is your business. But your friends would want to know, so they can help you at times like these."

"I don't want to tell them," Lucas mumbled. Lucas did not want to have everyone looking at him while they heard about his past. If they couldn't accept it, he did not want to see it on their faces.

"You don't have to be there if you don't want," Bridger told him. "We can take care of it, if you'll let us."

Lucas nodded his head slowly. He knew they were right, at least in regards to the investigation. It was entirely possible that there was some connection in the whole mess. He could not endanger the team in this way. He could feel the tears forming again, which just embarrassed him. They were going think he was a big baby.

Rodriguez watched as Lucas rubbed his eyes and decided it was time to let Bridger be alone with the young man. "Slick? I'm going to go now," he said softly. "I need to let Ice know we have not gone AWOL," he joked a little, earning a weak smile from Lucas. "But, you know, if you need to talk some more, I'm here for you." He gave the teenager's shoulder an encouraging squeeze. "Take your time," he mouthed to Bridger. Rodriguez knew he was not ready to explain this to the rest of the team yet and he wanted Bridger present when he did it.

"Thank you," Lucas muttered, his voice muffled because he had his face buried in Bridger's chest. He hoped Rodriguez understood what he meant.

"Any time, Slick. That's what friends are for," he reminded him, as he left the room.

Once Rodriguez left, Lucas stopped trying to hide his tears. "It's okay to cry, Lucas. Sometimes it's just what you need," Bridger murmured. He wished he could do more for the teenager, but he had to content himself with comforting him and hoping it was enough. Rocking him gently, Bridger wondered if anyone had ever tried to help the boy with this. He was now starting to fully realize that most of Lucas' barriers had been erected because he had been led to believe there was something wrong with showing emotion and the boy feared the consequences of showing his feelings.

*******

Rodriguez did not go to the work room; he knew he was in no mood to face the questions of the rest of the team. Instead, he went to the room he shared with Lucas and grabbed his extra alarm clocks, grateful he had brought a few extra this trip. He headed upstairs where he could get rid of some of his anger and frustration in peace He was not furious with the teenager; he only felt sympathy for Lucas.

Rodriguez was enraged that his parents had done that to him. Parents were supposed to protect their children and it did not seem like they had done a particularly good job with Lucas. Rodriguez was upset that Lucas seemed to think he had brought it on himself and that he deserved what had happened.

Rodriguez knew he needed to get his anger and aggression under control so that he could help Lucas. Being mad was not what the boy needed right now. He needed to know that his friends understood. Rodriguez did not want to send any mixed signals to the young man. He did not need anyone telling him that, if he seemed angry, Lucas would interpret the emotion as being directed at himself.

Ryan spotted Rodriguez in the hall and was going to say something, until she looked at his face. Rodriguez had a temper, but it was only on rare occasions fully aroused. When it was, the entire team knew to leave him alone. It was one of Rodriguez's better qualities; he always knew when he should stay away and get himself under control. Ryan did not know what had him so upset now, but she was willing to bet it had something to do with Lucas. It made her worry about what it might be, since she cared about the teenager too. Heading back downstairs, Ryan figured she had better let McKinnon know that something was going on. McKinnon was the only one brave enough to face Rodriguez when he was in this mood and even she was reluctant sometimes.

Returning to the room where the rest of the team was pretending to work, while anxiously waiting to see if Lucas was all right, Ryan headed for McKinnon. She knew her commanding officer would want to know about Rodriguez, even if she could not do anything about it.

"What's up?" McKinnon inquired, looking up from the computer and seeing Ryan's concerned expression.

"I just saw Ghost upstairs," Ryan started.

"Something wrong?" McKinnon interrupted.

"I'm not sure. But he's mad about something."

"Define mad," McKinnon requested, already standing up.

"Um, you remember the Benson mission?" Ryan asked. "When Einstein and Irish got shot because the officer from Outrigger Gold blew their cover?"

"Yes," McKinnon responded. "That bad?" she queried, remembering. It was the first time, in fact it was the only time, she had seen Rodriguez lose control of his temper in public. The team had never seen him that irate in the past and it was generally agreed that no one wanted to see it again. It was one of the reasons she had suggested he needed to find a way to channel his anger.

"The look on his face bore a strong resemblance to the one he had before he made the rather colorful suggestion to the CO of Gold."

"I'll be back," McKinnon said. "If I'm gone for a real long time, send someone to retrieve my body."

"Ghost wouldn't kill you. He might maim you a little, but he wouldn't kill you," Ryan pointed out. "But I promise, if he does slip, we won't let you rot in there for too long."

"Thanks, Sunshine."

*******

Rodriguez heard the door open and didn't turn around. "Don't interrupt me, Ice," he commanded, throwing another alarm clock and watching with satisfaction as it shattered against the wall. He was not ready to talk just yet.

McKinnon nodded, not surprised that he knew it was her without looking. She leaned against the back wall and watched him in silence. She had learned the hard way not to disturb him when he was like this. Since it appeared that he was running out of things to throw, McKinnon knew she would not have to wait very long for him to start talking. Studying his posture for a few minutes, McKinnon saw it might take a while for him to be ready to have a discussion.

"If you have anything you don't care for, I'm accepting donations," Rodriguez informed her fifteen minutes later. "And I hope someone has an extra alarm clock; I may need to borrow one."

"I'm sure we can find you one," McKinnon responded. "Should I see if Einstein has replaced his snow globes yet?"

"It's tempting."

"Maybe you could try telling me what has you so riled up instead," McKinnon suggested. Since he had started talking to her, she assumed it was safe to proceed.

"You ever realize that some people should not be permitted to have children?" Rodriguez asked.

"Frequently. However, I sense this was not a generic question."

"That's what I like about you, Ice: you're very astute."

"Just out of curiosity, does this have anything to do with the fact that you did not return after lunch?"

"No, Ice. I just decided to go for a little walk without telling you," Rodriguez said sarcastically, as he threw the last clock he had brought up with him. He really wished he had something more to throw. "What are you doing?" he asked, as McKinnon started picking up the broken pieces of clock.

"I thought it was fairly obvious," McKinnon told him.

"Why?"

"Because you still seem a bit irritated," McKinnon observed in a vast understatement of the situation. "And, like a good CO, I am prepared to deal with that."

"I'm not fighting with you on this floor," Rodriguez informed her. "One of us would get seriously injured."

"Trust me to have a little common sense," McKinnon advised him, finishing with her cleaning. Walking over to the door, she picked up something which he couldn't see.

"Here," she called, tossing him a baseball glove. "The rules are very simple: you hit me with the ball intentionally, and you will live to regret it."

"You came prepared for this?" Rodriguez queried, pulling on the glove.

"I'm an Outrigger; it's my job," McKinnon reminded him. McKinnon threw the ball so that it landed behind him and he had to run after it.

It only took about five throws for Rodriguez to realize that McKinnon was intentionally making him run, while it did not seem to matter where he threw it, as she always managed to catch the ball.

Finally after twenty minutes, Rodriguez sat against the wall. "Well this is déjà vu," he mumbled, trying to catch his breath.

"So, you want to tell me about it now?" McKinnon questioned, sitting next to him.

"Not really. In fact, I need to go check on Bridger," Rodriguez replied. "I just needed to get rid of some excess energy. What brought you up here?"

"You didn't see Sunshine?"

"No."

"Well, she saw you. You're sure you don't want to talk about this?"

"Not right now, Ice. Maybe later. Right now, I need to change my clothes and see if Bridger needs any help. If I talk about it now, I'm just going to get angry all over again," Rodriguez told her.

"All right."

"We'll fill you in when we're sure he's okay."

"Should I plan on a team game of catch when you've finished your explanations?"

"It might be a good idea. And just where did you learn this technique?"

"One of my former CO's always wanted to be a pitcher."

Part 28

Lucas had finally cried himself to sleep, which was when Bridger realized that he was sitting on the floor and not sure how he was going to stand up without disturbing the teenager. He wanted the boy to sleep for a while, especially since he had not been getting much rest over the past few days. He decided to wait a few more minutes and see if, maybe, his predicament occurred to Rodriguez. It also gave the captain time to assimilate everything Lucas had told him. Like Rodriguez, he felt incredibly angry at Lucas' parents for their actions and everyone else who had contributed to the situation. He wished he could erase the past and make it never have happened to the teenager, but he couldn't change the past.

Bridger glanced up as the door opened. "I was hoping you might come back," he commented.

"Well, I suddenly realized that he was likely to cry himself to sleep and that you were going to have trouble moving him," Rodriguez responded.

"Can you carry him?" Bridger inquired, noting that Rodriguez had changed clothes and his hair was damp, like he had showered. However, the man seemed less tense than when he had left the room.

"Sure. Slick and I have had lots of practice at this," Rodriguez assured him, taking the teenager from the captain's arms. "I always seem to end up carrying him," Rodriguez continued. "Fortunately, I have two younger sisters and I have a lot of practice at this."

"Thank you," Bridger said, following him out of the room.

"I'm just glad you were here," Rodriguez remarked. "I couldn't have handled it alone. How do you want to go about telling the others?" he asked.

"I don't know. I don't want to leave him alone, even if he is asleep. I know him well enough to know that, if he wakes up and he's alone, he'll take it to mean we're abandoning him," Bridger pointed out, opening the door for Rodriguez.

"You're right about that," Rodriguez agreed. He waited for Bridger to pull back the covers on the bed and then set Lucas down on it. Removing the teenager's shoes, he covered him up and stepped out in to the hall with Bridger to finish their conversation. "Why don't I tell Ice and Einstein and you can stay here with him. Then they can tell the rest and you can explain it to Indy and Scout," he proposed, thinking that Bridger probably wanted to tell Tim and Ford himself. "I'll stay with him while you're doing that. By the time we've brought everyone up to speed, we'll have to consider waking him up for dinner, since he didn't eat lunch."

"That sounds like a good idea, although he's not going to like the idea of having to see everyone," Bridger observed.

"I know. The longer he waits, the more he'll tie himself up in knots. I know the team, Captain. The only thing they'll want to do is let him know that they still care. And Ice will likely have to talk them out of causing bodily harm to his parents."

"I can relate to that feeling."

"So can I."

"Where did you go?" Bridger inquired suddenly. He was curious, since it was obvious the other man was angry when he left.

"I went to throw my alarm clocks."

"Alarm clocks?"

"It works," Rodriguez assured him. "Then Ice decided we needed to play catch."

"Why catch?"

"Well, usually we go to the gym and she lets me beat her up. However, we're not set up for that here. I probably would have hurt her."

"I would imagine she can handle herself."

"Yes, she can. However, she tends to exercise restraint when she's sparring with someone who's angry."

"Is this a team practice?"

"No. Only Sunshine and I need physical activity when we're mad. The others have their own quirks. I should mention that I did introduce Slick to the throwing method of anger management," Rodriguez confessed.

"Really?"

"Yes, only I gave him snow globes, since the clocks weren't working."

"Snow globes?" Bridger repeated.

"Yes. You know, they're scenes inside a glass ball with water with some kind of white confetti type stuff. You turn it upside down and then when you turn it over again, it looks like it's snowing."

"That sounds rather interesting."

"It worked at the time."

*****

"That would explain why he panicked at being held by Smith and Keller," Karneering said, when Rodriguez finished telling him and McKinnon about Lucas. Actually, it explained a great many things, but Karneering could not bring himself to list them all. As a doctor, the story appalled him; as someone who cared about Lucas, he was horrified at what the teenager had experienced. Plus, Karneering could tell they had not heard the whole story. Rodriguez had edited parts of the story, feeling that there was some information that Lucas should be allowed to tell the others himself if he wanted.

"How is he?" McKinnon asked. The tightness in her jaw revealed, to anyone who knew her, that the commander was furious. Like Karneering, she knew there was more to his ordeal. She also figured Lucas had retained some details in telling it to Bridger and Rodriguez.

Rodriguez could tell from the steely glint in his commander's eyes that no one had better try to put Lucas through anything like that in the future. McKinnon took things relating to her team personally. Rodriguez was not too worried; Bridger seemed more than capable of insuring Lucas never had to fear being hospitalized like that again. "He's sleeping right now. We don't want him alone when he wakes up. That's why I'm going to let you tell the team. Bridger wants to tell Indy and Scout. Slick was terrified that, when we found out, we were going to be angry with him and send him away."

"You think he's going to be okay to continue working or will it be too much stress?"

"It'll be worse if you pull him. This was the first step and he needs to see that things aren't going to change dramatically just because we found out his parents are idiots."

"Ghost is probably right," Karneering concurred. "If he was afraid that we're going to be angry, any alteration in the routine is going to seem like proof. We'll keep an eye on him and make sure that he's okay. Bridger isn't going to let him overwork either."

"It's fine with me. I just don't want to put too much pressure on him," McKinnon responded.

"We have to make sure that we aren't too gentle with him," Rodriguez pointed out. "Walking on eggshells around him will be just as bad. He'll think it means that he's too fragile to handle it."

"Come on, Ghost. You know us better than that," Karneering chided him.

"Einstein has a point. It's likely to happen for about ten minutes and then things will get back to normal," McKinnon agreed. Besides, she already planned to do her part in establishing normalcy by talking to him about the fact he had not mentioned he recognized the name on the note.

"Sorry. I forgot who I was talking to for a moment," Rodriguez apologized. He knew that they were right. The team always managed to conduct themselves with a surprising amount of normalcy, even under the most trying conditions. If Lucas needed them to still act the same around him, they'd manage it without too much difficulty.

"I sure would like to meet his parents," Karneering mumbled under his breath.

"I imagine we all would," McKinnon informed him. "Are you okay?" she questioned Rodriguez.

"I'll be fine. I was just angry for him earlier," Rodriguez replied. "See, I had already heard about St. John's, so I knew the story was not going to be good."

"What do you mean?"

"My older sister was an investigator when it was closed down. She used to call me every night because she couldn't handle keeping it to herself. She figured I was the only one that it wouldn't give nightmares to."

Karneering studied him for a minute. "Small world."

"Too small. It was bad enough when they were strangers."

"It'll be okay. I mean, at least he talked about it," McKinnon reassured him. Rodriguez always teased her about wanting to take care of everyone, but he was just as bad.

"It's a good place to start."

*****

"What were his parents thinking?!" Tim demanded. Not normally prone to loud outbursts, Tim could not believe what Bridger had just told them. Ford looked equally stunned.

"I don't know," Bridger answered. "They probably weren't."

Ford shook his head in disbelief. "I don't understand how places like that continue to exist." He didn't know what else to say. Ford was not particularly close to the teenager, not because he did not like him; he did. They just did not have a lot in common and, if he was honest, he felt uncomfortable around Lucas at times. The age difference, Lucas' lack of respect for military order, the fact that he could be emotional when it came to causes he believed in: all of that made Ford nervous. None of that meant the boy had deserved to be put in a mental hospital though.

"Because, unfortunately, people continue to look for a quick fix to difficult problems," Bridger responded.

"At least they didn't put him in another one," Tim muttered. "What?" he asked, seeing the look that crossed Bridger's face.

"His father told him if things didn't work out on seaQuest, they would find another hospital," Bridger admitted.

"No wonder he's always so eager to please everyone," Tim said, thinking of how terrible it would be to have that kind of threat hanging over his head. He felt guilty that he hadn't known, even though he understood that Lucas had not wanted anyone to know.

"Then, when he was abducted, it was designed to scare him," Ford commented.

"Yes. It's the main reason he agreed to let us tell you: because it might have bearing on the investigation."

"Why didn't he tell anyone before?" Tim questioned.

"He was afraid of how we would react. He thought if we knew, he'd be sent away."

"How could they make him feel that way?" Tim knew he was repeating himself, but he wanted to understand.

*****

Lucas opened his eyes and realized he was in the room he shared with Rodriguez. The memory of what had happened came flooding back to him in all of its embarrassing reality. He could not believe he had told Bridger and Rodriguez about being in the mental hospital or any of the rest of it, but at least, he had not admitted to everything. He groaned as he thought about the afternoon.

"And I thought I was going to get to wake you up," Rodriguez greeted him cheerfully.

Lucas rolled over and found himself looking at Rodriguez. "You babysitting me?" he inquired.

"That's about the size of it," Rodriguez agreed. "We kind of figured if we let you wake up alone, you'd start having all sorts of silly thoughts about how we didn't like you," he continued, deciding to be truthful. "Don't be embarrassed about anything that happened today either," he instructed the teenager with a smile. "You did nothing to be ashamed about."

"I cried all over the captain," Lucas mumbled. He was most mortified by that lapse in his emotional control.

"Yes, you did," Rodriguez confirmed, seeing no reason to pretend it hadn't happened. "I'm fairly certain you're not the first person to do so and you probably won't be the last. It was something you needed to do and I don't think he minded at all. Everyone cries, Slick. It's a way to release our feelings. There's nothing wrong with it."

"But…"

"But nothing, Slick. It made you feel better, didn't it?" Lucas gave a reluctant nod. "Then that's what's important."

"Still…"

"Slick, I guarantee you that everyone in this building has shed their fair share of tears over one thing or another," Rodriguez assured him quietly. "It does not mean you're weak or unstable; it means you're human."

"Even you?" Lucas questioned, curious.

"Even me. In fact, in spite of her incessant optimism, Sunshine is great when you need a shoulder to cry on."

"Oh."

"Hey, we're Outriggers, not robots. Contrary to popular belief, we do have feelings."

Lucas looked at Rodriguez and smiled as he realized that the other man wasn't treating him any differently than he would any other day.

"Now, let's go get some food. I'm hungry and if we wait, they won't leave us any."

"I think they know better than to deny you food, Ghost."

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Rodriguez inquired, as Lucas got up off his bed.

"Who me?"

"That's what I thought."

*****

Lucas felt a little awkward as he followed Rodriguez into the room. He wondered how everyone else would react. "We're still waiting on the food," McKinnon informed them. "I think it might have been a bad choice to let Sunshine, Scout and Columbus go," she added.

"Oh really?" Rodriguez prompted.

"Sunshine and Scout were discussing the relative merits of how to order."

"Columbus is not going to forgive you, Ice."

"He'll get over it."

Lucas walked over to where Tim was sitting with Bridger and sat down next to the lieutenant, who moved over for him. Tim did not know what to say to his friend. He wanted him to know that he cared, but he did not want to embarrass him either. Tim settled for giving him a warm smile, deciding to wait until later to say anything.

The smile made Lucas feel more comfortable with Tim. He had been afraid about how Tim might react to some of the information. He knew how Tim felt about suicide; they had talked about it once. He had been scared that Tim wouldn't like him any more when he found out the truth. Lucas still feared what Tim must be thinking about him. "Hi," he said, shyly.

"Hi. How are you?" Tim asked, unable to think of anything better to ask.

"Okay. Kind of tired, but don't tell Einstein or he'll have me in bed after dinner," Lucas told him.

"Your secret is safe with me," Tim assured him.

Bridger smiled at Lucas across the table, glad that the boy seemed to be handling himself fine. He moved over to let Rodriguez sit next to him.

"So, Indy, I hear you were talking about me behind my back this afternoon," Rodriguez remarked.

Tim thought for a moment. "Nothing I wouldn't say in your presence," he responded with a shrug. "Ice had me looking at financial data this afternoon with Brook. All I did was point out that she made a much nicer partner than you."

"Why is that?"

"Because she actually works."

"That's not very nice," Rodriguez informed him. "I work."

"Just not on your assigned task," Chandler interjected. "Particularly if it's boring. That's why he likes working with Slick. Slick gets to do the hacking and Rodriguez likes anything that allows him to break the law."

"Thanks, Irish," Lucas said. "And I don't break the law."

"At least not more than the rest of us," Dawson put in.

"That gives him a lot of leeway, Casanova," Tim interrupted.

"What are you trying to say, Indy?" Adamsen demanded.

"That you all have probably stretched the law in the past," Tim replied.

"We follow the rules."

"Yes, but the Outrigger Code of Conduct is not exactly the rule book followed by most people. I'm not really sure it would considered admissible in a court."

"Actually, it would," Rodriguez noted.

"How do you know?"

"It's a long story."

"It figures that if anyone would know, it would be you, Ghost," Lucas commented.

"Hey, for your information, I was a witness. I was not actually involved in the incident."

"What happened?" Tim asked.

"You really don't want to know, Indy," Rodriguez assured him. "It was not really a highlight in my career."

"I don't know; you've got my interest," Adamsen told him.

"That's nice. I'm still not going to tell you."

"Ice, do you know about this?" Chandler questioned.

"Contrary to what you might think, I did have a life before joining Outrigger Blue," Rodriguez remarked. "Ice does not know all there is to know about me."

Bridger had to hand it the Outriggers; they were managing to act like everything was normal. He could see Lucas gradually relaxing and appreciated their efforts.

*****

Five minutes later, Ford, Ryan and Hallowell returned with dinner.

"What did you guys do? Let Columbus be the navigator?" Chandler inquired.

Hallowell glared at him. "Don't start with me."

"Did you two irritate him?" Adamsen asked Ford and Ryan.

They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. "I'm not sure what his problem is, but he's been like this all the way home," Ryan responded.

"You have no idea what my problem is?" Hallowell repeated. "Should I list everything or just stop with the top ten?"

"Ice, you really need to make sure he's getting enough rest," Ryan told McKinnon. "Scout and I just had a very reasonable discussion in the restaurant over the best way to order."

"Do I really want to know the rest of this story?" McKinnon queried.

"I don't understand why he finds it so upsetting," Ford commented. "I did not find it disturbing."

"Neither did I," Ryan agreed.

"We were ordering pizza, not settling matters of diplomacy," Hallowell pointed out.

"Let's just eat," Karneering suggested. "I think that's all I really need to hear."

"Einstein's right," Rodriguez interjected.

"Thank you for your support," Hallowell grumbled.

"Any time," Dawson remarked.

*****

"Slick?" McKinnon approached Lucas after dinner had finished and everyone had returned to work.

"Yes?" Lucas responded, hesitantly.

"You feel up to answering some questions?" she inquired. McKinnon did not want to push him too hard, but she also needed information from him. She also thought it would reassure him if she treated him like she would anyone else.

Lucas nodded his head, although he felt a little shaky about it. However, he appreciated the fact McKinnon was not treating him like he was too fragile to handle it. He had been afraid that she might think he was incapable of doing his job.

"Do you want someone to join us?" McKinnon offered.

"I don't think so."

"Okay."

"Ghost?" Tim stopped Rodriguez as the man walked by.

"Yes?"

"Would you, uh, mind visiting Ice for a little while after we shut down?"

"Depends: why would I do that?"

"I want to talk to Lucas."

"Not a problem. Why not ask Ford to visit Bridger?"

"I figured you've had plenty of practice," Tim commented.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"That's what you did in Hawaii, isn't it? Visit Ice so we could have some privacy."

Rodriguez shook his head and sighed. "Well, it wasn't supposed to be that obvious."

"It wasn't. "

*****

"Ghost mentioned that you knew the name on the note yesterday," McKinnon began, giving Lucas a stern look.

Lucas looked at the table. "I should have told you, I know," he admitted.

"Yes, you should have. Don't let it happen again: not when you're on my team."

"I won't."

"Good. Was there any significance to using his name or was it just to jar you?"

"Nothing special that I can think of. It must have been just to get me upset."

"Did you recognize any of the other names?"

"No. That was the first one."

"What can you tell me about Franklin? Also, did Keller work at the hospital?"

"Yes. The doctors were all on site. They had their own offices and staff there. We never left the grounds."

"Franklin?" McKinnon prompted.

"What do you want to know?"

"What kind of person he was like. I can get his statistics from the computer. I want to hear about his personality," McKinnon clarified. She studied his face, wanting to make sure she did not push him too hard or go too fast.

"He liked his job," Lucas remembered. "He liked the control."

McKinnon continued asking him questions, until she thought the teenager had reached his limit. Besides not wanting to pressure him, Rodriguez had already established that he was going to take it personally if anyone upset Lucas unnecessarily. McKinnon had no desire to find out exactly what he meant. When Rodriguez was feeling protective, it was best not to get in his way. "All right, I'm done grilling you for the moment."

"What do you want me to do now?"

McKinnon checked the time. "I'm not sure. Einstein has already informed me that you and Ghost are going to be having another early night."

"Has he told Ghost?" Lucas inquired.

"Probably not," McKinnon confessed. "I think he's waiting until the last minute."

"He's not going to go quietly."

"I know, but that's what makes it so entertaining."

Lucas shook his head. "I don't think he sees it that way."

"You're probably right. I've learned to ignore him on matters like this anyway, particularly when it's for his own good."

"I still don't see him being too keen on the idea."

"Of course not. Ghost only likes to give advice; he doesn't like to take it."

"Quit talking about me," Rodriguez instructed, joining them.

"The world doesn't revolve around you, Ghost," Lucas informed him. "We could be discussing something else."

"That's true. The part about advice could be applied to either one of you," Rodriguez pointed out, earning glares from both. "We're having trouble tracking Stanton's ex-partner. We thought maybe Slick could help us out," he suggested.

"Who's we?" Lucas inquired.

"What does it matter?"

"I just want to know. I want to make sure someone's actually been working."

"You and Indy have a bad attitude about my work ethic," Rodriguez complained. "Einstein has been working on it with me."

"Go ahead," McKinnon urged him.

*****

"You're all very good with him," Bridger observed to McKinnon, several minutes later.

"Well, when I wouldn't let them go for their first option, they settled for doing what they could to make sure that he knows nothing has changed."

"What was option one?"

"Something that would undoubtedly have gotten us arrested."

"Well, I have a feeling that it'll be a good thing we're out in the ocean when he gets around to telling some of my crew," Bridger remarked.

"You think he will?"

"Not necessarily right away, but there are one or two that I think he'll confide in. None of them will use it against him. And, should anyone else find out, they'll keep it from being spread all over the boat," he added.

"That's good. You know, I would love to hear what your doctor has to say about all of this," McKinnon commented.

"It might be enough to get you off the hook for him being taken hostage again," Bridger agreed. He had already decided he had better tell Kristin the information in person. Actually, he was hoping to convince Lucas to tell her; he just wasn't sure the boy was going to be up to it.

"Somehow, I don't think I'll hold my breath. My plan is to be on a top secret assignment and unavailable via standard communications when you all return to seaQuest," McKinnon informed him. "Maybe, by the time we finish, she'll have forgiven us."

Bridger smiled at that. Kristin in full temper was a sight to behold, as long as one was not on the receiving end.

*****

"How do you know this stuff?" Karneering asked, watching Lucas work. He had given up trying to understand what Lucas was doing.

"Lots of practice," Lucas replied. Computers had always fascinated him and, even in the hospital, he had been able to use them most of the time. However, that was not something he planned on explaining in the near future.

"It's got to be more than that," Karneering remarked.

"He's a genius, Einstein. What you expect?" Rodriguez interjected.

"Maybe we should have nicknamed him Einstein," Karneering commented.

"Then we would have had to change yours and it took forever for us to settle on it. I thought Sunshine was going to be traumatized by the wait," Rodriguez reminded him.

"I was the last person assigned to the team," Karneering explained to Lucas. "Their creativity was waning."

"Oh?" Lucas prompted him.

"Yes. For a little while, I thought they were going to call me Mr. Hyde."

"That must have been nice."

"I liked it better than the other choice for a long time."

"What was it?"

"Dr. Quack."

"Don't look at me," Rodriguez protested. "I was not the founder of that name. In fact, until you came along, I had not tagged anyone."

"So, I should feel special?"

"Of course."

"You know, Slick, I'm not sure chewing on the pencil is such a good idea," Karneering observed.

"Einstein, I've been recently heavily medicated, probably very close to getting an overdose. I'm fairly certain nothing on the pencil is going to hurt me."

"Have you considered chewing gum?" Rodriguez queried.

"Yes and, usually, that's what I do."

"Why not now?"

Lucas mumbled something.

"What was that?"

"The commander told me to leave the gum at home when we left for the conference."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Rodriguez muttered. "Well, I hope neither one of you was planning on being up too late tonight," Karneering commented.

"Einstein, I'm an adult. I think I'm capable of setting my own bedtime," Rodriguez informed him.

"Well, first, we've never determined that you are an adult and, second, I'm the team physician: I can give you whatever bedtime I feel like."

Rodriguez glared at him. "I'm fine, Einstein."

"Slick? Ice wants you and Indy to check your mail," Adamsen told Lucas.

"I'll be back," Lucas said, following after Adamsen.

"You have to cut me some slack here, Einstein," Rodriguez explained. "Indy wants to talk to Slick tonight. It's not going to work if you insist on tucking us in bed."

"This better not be some kind of trick."

"Einstein, would I lie to you?" Karneering gave him a look. "Okay, would I involve someone else in a lie to you?" Rodriguez corrected himself.

"You have a point."

"Thank you."

*****

"Nothing," Lucas reported.

Tim heard the relief in the teenager's voice and worried that maybe the situation was getting too stressful for him. The lieutenant knew he was finding the whole thing to be nerve-wracking and he had not been through nearly as much as Lucas had. He wished he could say something that would help, but he didn't know what it might be. He didn't want to say the wrong thing and end up making Lucas feel worse.

*****

Bridger, who was watching the two, could see from his posture that Lucas was exhausted. However, he knew that any suggestion that the boy call it a night would likely be rejected. Having felt vulnerable earlier, Lucas would feel the need to assert his independence.

"I suppose if I recommend he go to bed, he'll bite my head off," Bridger commented to McKinnon, who was also observing him.

"Most likely," McKinnon agreed. "However, he knows better than to argue with me," she added, standing up. "I'll be back."

Bridger looked on as the commander approached Lucas and had a short conversation with him. He wished he knew what she was saying, as it seemed to be working.

*****

Tim listened as McKinnon explained to Lucas that it was time to call it a night. When he protested and she countered with the argument that, if he went quietly, it might persuade Rodriguez to be more cooperative, the lieutenant had to hide a smile. At his resistance to that appeal, McKinnon offered her next reason, suggesting that Bridger was tired from his trip the previous day and was only staying up because of Lucas. Tim had to admire her ingenuity; appealing to Lucas' concern for others was usually a sure fire way to get the boy to agree.

"All right, all right," Lucas finally conceded. He had the distinct impression McKinnon planned on offering him reasons until he went to bed.

"Thank you," McKinnon told him. "Now to see if Ghost will be as cooperative."

"I'm sure he'll see the light after he talks with you," Lucas grumbled.

McKinnon smiled and walked over to where Rodriguez was working with Karneering. Tim followed behind Lucas, who went to say goodnight to Bridger.

"What's going on?" Bridger questioned.

"I'm going to bed," Lucas informed him with a small sigh. "If I don't, Ice is going to explain to me that it's my fault the entire team is still working," he complained.

"Getting some extra rest won't kill you," Bridger pointed out.

"I just wish everyone would get over this obsession with my bedtime," Lucas groused.

"Well, maybe if you weren't prone to staying up all night, we wouldn't worry so much," Bridger observed.

"Thanks," Lucas said with a trace of sarcasm, realizing that Bridger had probably prompted McKinnon's actions. Further thought on the matter convinced him that McKinnon probably had not needed much prodding.

Bridger wisely refrained from any more comments and settled for wishing him a good night. He hoped that, having talked, the young man would not be haunted by nightmares.

*****

Tim followed Lucas out of the room, not wanting to wait until later to talk to his friend. "You mind if we talk for a minute?" he asked Lucas when they arrived at his room.

"Come on in," Lucas invited, unsure of what Tim wanted, but feeling afraid.

Tim sat on Rodriguez's bed and studied Lucas for a few minutes. "When we talked, before," he started, knowing Lucas would understand which conversation he meant, "why didn't you say anything?"

"Everyone's entitled to their opinion," Lucas evaded carefully.

"You thought I wouldn't understand," Tim interpreted.

"I guess," Lucas admitted. "Do you?" he challenged defensively.

Tim thought for several moments, wanting to give Lucas an honest answer. "No," he finally replied. "Let me explain," he continued quickly. "I was raised not to believe in suicide, Lucas, and I don't. It's not something that I could personally choose. But that doesn't mean that I think you're a terrible person because you tried it. Maybe it's because I've never had anything really bad happen to me," he added. "I've never to face anything that made dying seem like the only option."

"I'm glad," Lucas responded simply. He was grateful that Tim had never experienced anything like that in his life. He wouldn't want his friend to have that kind of pain.

"Lucas, I don't condemn you for the choices you made. I know that you did not do it recklessly. I just hope, now, you see other options in your life," Tim told him. "Because I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to die anymore, Tim," Lucas promised him, pleasantly shocked that Tim still accepted him. He had worried that, when Tim had time to reflect on the information, the lieutenant would realize he could not be his friend.

"Good. And you know that, Ford and I, we won't say anything back on seaQuest. It's just your business," Tim assured him.

"I know." Lucas did know that neither one would share his personal life with the others.

"If you ever need to talk, I'll still listen. I may not fully understand everything, but I still care." Tim wanted to make sure that Lucas had no doubts about his friendship. He had been horrified by everything Bridger had told them that afternoon, but his concern for Lucas had never wavered.

"Thank you."

Tim saw the relief in Lucas' eyes and was glad he had not waited to talk to the teenager. He hoped that, some day, Lucas had enough faith in his friends to know that they would not walk out on him. Tim planned on sticking around long enough to prove it to him. "I'll let you get some sleep," he offered, catching Lucas' yawn.

"Just don't tell Ice or the captain; they'll hold it against me," Lucas mumbled, yawning again.

"I won't," Tim agreed. He gave Lucas a quick hug and said goodnight.

*****

Lucas was already in bed when Rodriguez arrived, fifteen minutes later. "That's the last time I get taken hostage with you, Slick," Rodriguez griped, getting ready for bed.

"What's your problem?"

"My problem is that my CO and the team doctor seem to feel that I'm going to collapse if one of them doesn't tell me when to go to bed. You'd think I was five-years-old from the way they act."

"That old?" Lucas teased.

"Cute, Slick. Real cute."

"Do you act any different when it's someone else on the team that's injured?"

"I wasn't injured," Rodriguez corrected, wanting to avoid the trap he knew Lucas was setting for him.

"I'm fine now."

"Sure you are. You look tired, Ghost," Lucas pointed out.

"The entire team looks tired," Rodriguez countered. "And why are you giving me a hard time? It's not like you were exactly turning cartwheels over going to bed yourself."

"We're not talking about me," Lucas interjected quickly.

"We are now," Rodriguez informed him, flashing him a quick smile, so Lucas would know he was still teasing. "I mean, you have not been going along quietly with their suggestions for your well-being."

"Maybe I'm following your example."

Rodriguez glared at him. "Make sure you tell them that one."

"Okay. Want me to do it now or in the morning?"

"Morning. Einstein will blame me if you get up now."

"I think it's a good thing you are going to bed early," Lucas remarked.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You seem a little cranky."

"Are you ready for lights out?" Rodriguez asked.

"I'm not the one whining about going to bed," Lucas noted.

"You're in fine form, aren't you, Slick?"

"You asked a question, I answered," Lucas defended.

"It was more of a rhetorical question," Rodriguez mumbled, turning off the light.

"Then don't ask next time," Lucas advised. "What time are we getting up?"

"Early," Rodriguez muttered. "If Ice would let us get up at a decent hour, then we wouldn't have to go to bed so early."

"Ghost, you like to complain, don't you?"

"Why do say that, Slick?"

"Just an observation."

"Thank you for sharing," Rodriguez said, rolling over.

"Any time, Ghost."

"I'll keep that in mind. You ready to go to sleep?"

"I think so," Lucas responded, hesitantly.

Rodriguez nodded his head, even though he knew Lucas could not see him. He was certainly improving his people reading skills working with the teenager. "You want to talk some more?" he asked.

"About?"

"I don't know, your choice," Rodriguez offered. He did not expect that Lucas wanted to have a serious conversation.

"What do your initials stand for?" Lucas queried, surprising Rodriguez.

"That's a closely guarded secret, Slick," Rodriguez answered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" "If I tell you, I'll have to kill you," Rodriguez teased.

"You said I could pick the subject."

"Why would you want to know my name?"

"Just curious. I don't know why you won't tell me; I can find it out," Lucas threatened.

"Go ahead."

"What?"

"You'll have more fun hacking to find it than you would if I just tell you," Rodriguez pointed out. "But if you tell anyone, I will not be a happy camper."

"Doesn't the team know?"

"No. I have plans to keep it that way too," Rodriguez notified him.

"Ice doesn't know?"

"Yes, she does. Don't bother asking her; she won't tell."

"Anyone else know?"

"Not outside the family."

"Doesn't Einstein know?"

"No. It's only on one or two official records and my medical file is not one of them. Why are you obsessed with my name?"

"Because you won't tell me what it is. It makes me curious. If you had just answered my question…"

"So this is my fault?"

"Of course."

"Why me?" Rodriguez muttered. "Let me know when you find it."

"I will."

Rodriguez had no doubt that that Lucas would find out his name; he figured the boy would, indeed, enjoy it more if he located it on his own.

"Are you named after anyone?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Does everyone call you by your initials?"

"If they value their lives, yes."

"Even your family?"

"Especially my family. Elena is also not too happy my name."

"Why not?"

"Because my parents decided that, since we're twins, we should have the same initials. She's not entranced by her middle name."

"Oh. Is your family nice?"

"Yes. They'd like you," Rodriguez responded, wishing he could see Lucas' face. "Why?"

"Because you're a nice person. And you give me a hard time, which my sisters insist is always a good quality They basically like anyone that is willing to pick on me, besides them."

"I think I'm ready to go to sleep now, Ghost."

"Good night, Slick."

part 29

Four hours later, Rodriguez sat up abruptly as there was a light knock, followed by the door opening and McKinnon entering the room. "Do you know what time it is?" he hissed at her, wondering why she was waking him up at this hour.

"I need Slick to check his e-mail," McKinnon explained.

"Why?" he inquired.

"Go back to sleep. I just need Slick. I only knocked because I knew you were likely to shoot me if I just walked in."

"Ice, you cannot come in at this hour in the morning, tell me you want Slick to check his mail and not offer a good reason."

McKinnon just gave him a look. "You want to wake him up?"

"Ice? Ghost? What's going on?" Lucas questioned sleepily, deciding the matter on his own.

"I need you to check your mail for me," McKinnon informed him

"Okay," Lucas replied automatically.

"Ice…" Rodriguez started.

"Go back to sleep," McKinnon instructed. "I'll wait for you in the hall," she told Lucas.

"Just give me a minute," Lucas mumbled.

"I cannot believe her. The woman actually thinks I'm just going to go back to sleep," Rodriguez grumbled, once McKinnon had stepped outside. "Sure, Ice, no problem. Wake me up in the middle of the night, offer no explanation and I'll just right back to sleep," he continued, as he got out of bed.

Lucas was waking up enough to realize that it was an odd request. "She must have a reason," he said.

"I'm sure she does. She's just in one of her cryptic moods."

"Maybe you should stay here," Lucas recommended.

"No way, Slick. I want to know why she felt the need to send me to bed early and then wake me."

******

"I told you to go back to sleep," McKinnon commented when Rodriguez emerged behind Lucas.

"Yeah, dream on, Ice," Rodriguez retorted. "You can't wake me up and expect me to roll back over and go to sleep just because you say so."

"You'll just be cranky about it later," McKinnon observed.

"There would be a difference from his usual personality?" Lucas inquired, earning a smile from McKinnon and a dark look from Rodriguez.

"Let's go to the work room. I don't want to wake up Bridger."

"Why is he so special?" Rodriguez queried.

"Ghost…"

Sensing that his commander was reaching the edge of her patience, Rodriguez fell silent. He just found it irritating when she got like this, mainly because he worried about what it meant. Every time McKinnon acted like this, something bad happened, usually to her. Out of the entire unit, McKinnon had received the most injuries, usually because she had the habit of putting herself in danger in order to protect the team. The fact that, as commanding officer, she was supposed to delegate certain tasks never entered her mind. They all tried to remind her of the need to stay safe; however, when she set her mind to it, McKinnon just ignored them.

McKinnon waited for Lucas to check his mail, wondering if, perhaps, she should have waited until morning. She knew Rodriguez was worried and Lucas did not look calm either.

"I have something," Lucas told; her, he hesitated when he saw the name on the note.

Rodriguez saw the tension and looked over his shoulder. "Who's Ian Hamilton?" he asked.

"Someone I once knew," Lucas replied stiffly, hoping no one questioned him any further.

Rodriguez was surprised when McKinnon shook her head at him. He wondered why she did not want to pursue the topic, but found his attention completely captured by the message that appeared on screen before he could ponder the issue any more. "What's going on, Ice?" he inquired.

"I received a similar one," McKinnon answered. "Check yours," she ordered Rodriguez . "I'm just curious to see if you have one as well."

"Nothing," Rodriguez reported. "What did yours say?"

"We're going to have to start putting this puzzle together. Time is running out," she added, changing screens so that they could read the note she had received.

"They certainly know how to get our attention," Rodriguez commented. "And what buttons to push."

"Yes."

"You want to explain why you were up checking your mail at this hour?"

"I couldn't sleep," McKinnon responded.

"What now?" Lucas questioned.

"We'll start digging in the…."

"Don't even suggest that we all go quietly back to bed," Rodriguez directed her. "I know you won't; I can't and I don't see Slick doing it either. Besides, we need to settle what we're going to do about this," Rodriguez continued, pointing at the screen, "before we tell the others."

"We have to follow the directions," Lucas stated. "You both know that."

"That's why we have to decide what we're going to do," McKinnon remarked, "because I can guarantee they're going to argue with us."

"Long and loud," Rodriguez agreed.

"And you're going to let that stop you?" Lucas queried.

"Probably not, but we're going to have to be prepared to show how we can pull it off," Rodriguez informed him.

"First, we have to make sure there's no other way," McKinnon said, thinking.

"I don't see how there could be; we're still not sure who's behind all of it," Lucas pointed out. "We think it's Ramsey, but we have no proof."

"I know. But I'm not real keen on either one of you…"

"Like it puts you in a better position," Rodriguez interjected.

"I think you two have had enough adventure for one mission."

Lucas listened as the two went back and forth for several minutes, sensing this was some kind of ritual they had to complete before they could get to work. "Okay, we've established that none of us are really crazy about the messages, but what else can we do?" he interrupted, getting tired of hearing the same arguments.

McKinnon shook her head at him. "I can't ask you…"

"Why not? You're not asking me; he is," Lucas shot back, nodding at the computer. "You didn't suck me into this, Ice. Whoever's sending the threats took care of that. I'm involved, whether you like it or not. You can't protect me; he's made sure of that."

"Nice work, Ice. Now you've riled him up," Rodriguez observed.

"Don't start with me, Ghost," Lucas responded heatedly.

"Okay, I think we've resolved that we're going to go through with it," McKinnon conceded. "I suggest we get to work and see what we can come up with before the others wake up."

"What do you want to do first?" Rodriguez asked.

"We need to get maps of the area first, see what we can make work to our advantage. We have to make sure that they can't trace the fact we're accessing the information."

"Not a problem," Lucas assured her.

"Once we have that, you and I," she said to Rodriguez, "will see what we can figure out. Slick, I want you to go through the information we have gathered, see if there are any loose ends you can track down. Maybe we can get closer to an answer. In a little while, we'll pool our information and muster our arguments."

"Ice, I do hope you're going to explain this to Einstein," Rodriguez remarked, referring to the fact that they were up and working.

"We'll worry about that later," McKinnon told him.

"It'll take a little bit to get your maps, since I have to cover my tracks."

"Good. I'll make some coffee," Rodriguez remarked. "Then Ice and I will start reviewing the information while we wait. It will save you some time when you take over."

"Just remember, not all of us like the coffee as strong as you do," McKinnon reminded him.

"You wake me up at this hour and you have to drink what I make," Rodriguez retorted.

"I told you to go back to sleep."

Rodriguez gave her a look and shook his head. "Yeah, right," he muttered. "Slick? Do you drink coffee?"

"Not really. Bridger seems to think caffeine has an adverse effect my behavior."

"I'm sure he has good reason."

******

"It's going to be hard to provide coverage," McKinnon remarked, as she and Rodriguez studied the maps.

"No kidding," Rodriguez agreed. "Put someone here," he murmured, pointing to a spot. "One over there. A couple on the ground."

"We need a back up. I don't like the fact that he's given us advance warning. Even assuming that you're not with us, he has to know that we'll be prepared on my end," McKinnon mumbled.

"What are you thinking?"

"That there could be a last minute change in plans," McKinnon responded.

"Something else is bothering you, isn't it?" Rodriguez questioned.

"It's fairly obvious someone else is involved," McKinnon commented.

"And?"

"I'm concerned about the identity of the unknown individual."

"You don't think it's Inouye."

"No. If it was Inouye, you should have a note too."

"What are you driving at?"

"That this setup is personally motivated."

"And?" Rodriguez prompted.

"I think you're just an innocent bystander. Someone wants me and someone wants Slick. Assuming that Ramsey is the one after me, we have no idea who's after Slick."

"That presents a problem."

"I know."

******

Lucas read through the file and tried to make sense of it. It was like they were just missing the complete picture by a few pieces. He jumped when Rodriguez touched him on the shoulder. "Ghost!"

"Sorry," Rodriguez apologized. "Ice is insisting that we take a break."

"Okay," Lucas agreed. "What?" he asked, when Rodriguez stood staring at him.

"That's the most agreeable I've ever heard you be about taking a break. I was just momentarily stunned."

"Very funny, Ghost."

"I was being serious."

"Einstein's going to kill me," McKinnon remarked, when they joined her at the table. The doctor was not going to be pleased that she had woken up his patients, no matter what the reason, particularly if he stopped to question exactly how long they had been awake.

"It's distinctly possible," Rodriguez agreed.

"Think we could convince we haven't been up all that long?" Lucas inquired.

"I don't see it working," McKinnon replied. "As much as I would like for it to."

"Well, on the bright side, it will take some of the heat off of us," Rodriguez observed, meaning himself and Lucas.

"You just like seeing me in the line of fire."

"Especially if it's Einstein," Rodriguez confirmed. "It beats having him bug me."

"You could have a bit more sympathy."

"I have a feeling Einstein is going to be the least of our worries, after we unveil this news."

"You've got that right. So, you guys want to review the information now or take showers first?" McKinnon questioned. "We still have a couple of hours before anyone is due awake."

"I'd like to shower," Rodriguez answered. He looked at McKinnon closely. "One question, Ice,"

"Yes?"

"Have you been to bed yet?"

"Of course."

"Have you been to sleep?" Lucas interjected, being familiar with that particular response. He had used it on Bridger several times in the past, until the captain had caught on.

"You're good," Rodriguez commented, as McKinnon gave the teenager a dark look. "I think you might have caught her."

"I'm going to go shower if the interrogation is over," McKinnon muttered, still not answering the question.

"Yep, I'd say you got her."

"I'll see you two back here in about fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Slick," Rodriguez said to Lucas, as they followed behind her.

"What for?"

"Because I've never seen anyone get her like that before. Usually none of us are thinking fast enough to listen to her words and realize that she's not really answering the question."

"I had an advantage. I've used that answer on the captain before," Lucas confessed.

"Really?"

"He didn't catch it the first couple of times."

"Then he nailed you?"

"Pretty much."

"Sounds very interesting."

"Not really. I'm going to go shower," Lucas added.

"You learned that lesson really fast," Rodriguez remarked.

"What lesson?"

"I was referring to your way of avoiding my question."

"You didn't ask a question, Ghost. You made a comment."

"Okay. What did your captain do when he realized you were not being entirely truthful?"

"Gave me a long lecture about lying by omission."

"I imagine he did more than that."

"Yeah, well, you can keep imagining," Lucas informed him, walking out the door.

******

"So, what have we got?" McKinnon asked, when the trio returned to the work room.

"Not much," Rodriguez sighed.

"Well, it's better than nothing."

"Doing your impersonation of Sunshine now, Ice?"

"You better schedule him for a nap later on," Lucas observed. "He already sounds cranky."

"Yeah, well, you'll be going with me," Rodriguez pointed out.

"We still don't know who is sending the notes, but we're guessing it was Ramsey," McKinnon interrupted, not wanting to give them a chance to get started. "It seems the most logical."

"I'll go with that hypothesis. He would have access to the way we conduct our investigations and, in particular, the Tarsinian file," Rodriguez agreed.

"How could he be sure that sending us the notes would get you guys involved?" Lucas queried.

"Anyone who spends any time at all with the Outriggers knows we're extremely loyal to the organization and to our individual units," McKinnon explained.

"Plus, Ice has a reputation for feeling very protective about her team," Rodriguez added. "Ramsey knew that you were considered one of us and that Ice would not let it slide."

"There was no guarantee you would ever find out about it."

"I'm sure there was some kind of back up plan to cover that contingency," McKinnon responded. "When you didn't react to the notes he sent you alone, he started sending them to Indy as well. My guess is that he counted on Indy to report the notes."

"Why?"

"Indy's record indicates he's a very sensible man."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that, following that train of thought, it was logical to assume Indy would inform Bridger of the notes," Rodriguez elaborated. "As that's what most people would do."

"Is this another one of you veiled comments about us keeping quiet?" Lucas inquired.

"No. It was one my obvious comments," Rodriguez corrected. "One of you could have gotten seriously injured before anyone knew what was going on."

"Ghost, we've had the lecture. And it's safe to say that we're going to hear it again when we return to seaQuest," Lucas told him.

"Good. You need to hear it more than one time, maybe it will sink in."

"While I agree with Ghost on this one, we do need to move on," McKinnon interrupted. "Before you edited your file, Slick, how accessible was the information on you?"

"Some of it was in the file," Lucas answered. "About the suicide attempts and some of the initial counseling. The stay in the hospital was sealed."

"Sealed?" McKinnon prompted.

"Yeah. My father didn't want everyone to know I was mentally unstable," Lucas admitted. "You could find it if you went looking," he added.

Rodriguez nodded, understanding why Lucas had altered his file. It was not so much the counseling or the suicide attempts, it was the hospitalization. Bridger cared too much about Lucas to accept the contents of the file; he would have gone looking. He felt his anger flare briefly at the idea of Lucas being labeled "mentally unstable" by his own father.

"Ramsey would have the clout to access the information," McKinnon muttered.

"You don't think he did?" Lucas questioned, hearing the doubt in her voice.

"I'm just not sure he had it in him to coordinate all of this on his own," McKinnon clarified. "It makes me think that someone else is connected to all of this. Someone with access to your medical history."

"Like who?"

"I wish I knew, Slick," McKinnon told him. She could tell that the topic bothered him and wished she could take away some of the fear for him. Unfortunately, Lucas had to work that out for himself, not that he had to do it alone, but no one could fix the problem for him.

"What about the Tarsinian connection?" Lucas queried. "Is that still considered a possibility?"

"It is. However, we already know that Ramsey had connections there; the rest could be a setup to focus our attention away from the investigation."

"Then again, maybe we're making all of this more complicated than it needs to be," Rodriguez pointed out.

"You could be right," McKinnon agreed. "For now, we need to focus on how we're going to convince everyone that this is a good idea, as well as how we're going to improvise a back up plan if necessary."

"What do you mean?" Lucas quizzed.

"Ice thinks we need to consider the possibility that the location will get changed at the last minute in order to catch us off guard. Standard procedure for any operation of this type would be to gather as much information as possible," Rodriguez explained.

"You agree with her?" It was more a statement than a question.

"Yes," Rodriguez verified. "The important thing now is that we're going to have nine people to persuade that this is the only way to do it."

"Technically only eight," McKinnon corrected.

"I'll let you explain to Bridger why you're not interested in his opinion," Rodriguez informed her, "because I can guarantee the man is not going to be concerned about the fact that he is here only by invitation."

"At least you didn't invite Doctor Westphalen," Lucas interrupted.

"That's not even mildly amusing, Slick," McKinnon noted.

******

Karneering showed up first, not really surprised to find Lucas, McKinnon and Rodriguez already inside the work room, sitting at the end of the table. As the highest in rank, McKinnon and Rodriguez tried to be prompt for everything, although Rodriguez looked unusually alert for someone who had not been up too long. Normally it took several cups of coffee for the man to start functioning, unless they were on an active field assignment. Then, like the rest of the team, Rodriguez was constantly aware of everything around him. "Morning," Karneering greeted them.

The trio mumbled something in return, hoping that it would take Karneering a while to figure out they had not just arrived.

"Who's on breakfast detail?" Karneering inquired.

"Brook, Casanova and Irish," McKinnon responded.

Ryan entered while McKinnon was answering. "They're waiting on Irish. They should be on their way shortly," she interjected. "Who made the coffee?" she asked, pouring some.

"Ghost."

Ryan swallowed it and set her cup down on the table. "How long ago was it made?" she inquired, her eyes narrowing.

"Why do you ask?" Rodriguez countered, not wanting to answer the query.

"It's strong."

"Ghost always makes strong coffee," Karneering observed.

"Yes, he does. But this is strong, old coffee," Ryan told him. "You know, like it's been sitting around for a long time."

"I think I'd like to hear the answer to Sunshine's question," Karneering said, looking at the other three.

"Well, you know, Einstein, we don't always get what we want," Rodriguez pointed out. "Life's just that way sometimes."

"Ice?" Karneering prompted.

"Yes, Einstein?"

"Perhaps you'd care to shed some light on how long the three of you have been up?" Ryan suggested, already knowing they were not going to like the answer.

"Not really," McKinnon responded.

"Ice…" Karneering began, only to be cut off by his commander.

McKinnon gave both a cool look. "Don't make me pull rank. We will discuss this after breakfast."

Ryan and Karneering looked at one another, but did not say any more. Usually, when McKinnon brought rank into the conversation, it was a good time to make a hasty retreat. "I'll make some fresh coffee," Ryan mumbled.

"Good idea," Karneering agreed.

"That went well," Rodriguez remarked.

"I don't want to explain it more than once," McKinnon commented. "If you two get tired later on, take a break," she instructed.

"Same goes for you, Ice," Rodriguez retorted. "I mean, we actually went to sleep last night."

"Let's try not to announce that fact to the rest of the team, please," McKinnon requested. The last thing she needed was Karneering lecturing her about her sleeping habits. She already knew they were going to get a lecture; she did not want to make it worse.

"Only if you're good."

"You're a lot of help, Ghost," McKinnon informed him.

"I try."

******

"How are you this morning?" Bridger asked Lucas, sitting down next to him. He noted that the teenager looked a little tired. "You sleep all right?"

"I'm fine and I slept all right," Lucas replied. He spared a brief thought as to whether or not the captain would file this one under a lie of omission and hoped he would be too concerned about other issues to notice.

Bridger had noticed that Ryan and Karneering kept shooting looks down to the end of the table and wondered at the cause. He was particularly curious since McKinnon and Rodriguez seemed to be making a concerted effort to ignore the glances. "What are you working on today?" he asked McKinnon.

"We're going to hold a meeting before we get started. You're welcome to sit in," McKinnon responded, kicking Rodriguez under the table when he snickered.

Bridger sensed that it was, indeed, just an invitation to sit in and not to participate. The way that Lucas and Rodriguez both developed a sudden interest in the tabletop intrigued him. "I'd like that."

Rodriguez wondered how McKinnon planned on keeping Bridger silent once she made her announcement.

******

"Are we ready?" McKinnon asked Lucas and Rodriguez, while the rest of the team headed over to work table. "Are we sure about this?"

"We're not sure, but our options are limited," Rodriguez replied. "It is the only way we're going to get to the bottom of this."

"Slick?"

"I'm with you. We're not sure of what's going on; at least this will enable us to find out who is doing it."

"Then let's do it."

McKinnon took her place at the head of the table, while Lucas and Rodriguez took seats at the end.

Tim glanced at his friend with some concern; Lucas seemed a bit tense at the moment. It was like he knew what McKinnon was going to say, which worried him even more.

"There's been some progress in our investigation," McKinnon told the assembled group.

"What kind of progress?" Ryan asked.

"I received a note from the threat sender earlier this morning," she elaborated, moving quickly so no one pressed for precise details on how much earlier, "or that is the working assumption. The e-mail itself had Jordan O'Rourke's name on it."

"Why O'Rourke's name?" Karneering questioned.

McKinnon shrugged her shoulders. "Probably because he wanted to get my attention. Jordan's my half-sister." The silence in the room was absolute as everyone stared at McKinnon in stunned amazement.

"You might have mentioned that detail a bit sooner, Ice," Ryan observed.

"It wasn't relevant to the current investigation," McKinnon pointed out.

"What did the message say?" Ford interrupted. He was just as interested in this new development as everyone else, but he sensed the content of the message was more important.

"It was an offer to hand over Ghost and Slick in exchange for me," McKinnon stated. "There were other remarks in the note, most notably one that confirmed Benny did kill himself. You can all read it later," she continued.

"But Ghost and Slick are with us," Dawson commented.

"Yes, they are," McKinnon agreed.

"What's the rest?" Karneering inquired, knowing there had to be more.

"Slick?" McKinnon prompted, wanting to let Lucas speak for himself.

"At Ice's request, I checked my mail and found a message as well. This one said that, if Ghost and I showed up at the appointed place and time, we could save the rest of the team from being harmed," Lucas said, keeping his voice steady.

"They're trying to draw us out," Hallowell remarked.

"They are drawing us out," McKinnon told him.

"You're not seriously considering…" Ryan started.

"Yes, we are," McKinnon answered. "Our options are running out and we are no closer to answers than we were when we started. This could be our only chance to see who is behind all of this Plus, both notes indicate that there will be consequences if we don't show."

"It's too dangerous," Ford interjected. "For all three of you," he elaborated, wanting to make it clear it was not only Lucas' safety that concerned him.

"We can minimize the risks," Rodriguez interrupted.

"You can't eliminate them," Adamsen countered.

"I don't like it," Bridger offered his opinion. The thought of Lucas being in this kind of danger terrified him.

"If we don't show, they'll try something else," Lucas argued. "We have to put a stop to it. This trade is the best lead we've had."

"There's no way we can provide enough protection," Chandler cut in.

"Not only that, Ghost and Slick would have to go in unarmed," Ryan pointed out. "If they've supposedly been on the run all this time, they'd have no supplies. That means you two would be stuck with the gear you had when you were first grabbed."

"We know," Rodriguez informed her. "It's an acceptable risk."

"You also know that these people aren't likely going to trade?" Karneering challenged. "They will likely try to kill all of you."

"That's what you're supposed to prevent," Rodriguez observed calmly.

"Eventually, the inspectors will win and we will be forced to turn the three of them over for police questioning," McKinnon noted. "And, once that happens, we lose all control over this investigation and it is unlikely that we will be able to get to the bottom of it. Right now, all we have are assumptions. The three of us see this as the only available option."

"Even if our names are cleared without conclusive proof that it was a setup, it's going to taint us for the rest of our careers," Rodriguez commented. "Personally, I want to know who is behind all of this mess."

"So do I," Lucas added.

Tim looked at Lucas and recalled some of the conversations they had held about their last assignment with the Outriggers. Lucas had been vehement in his assertions that he had no regrets about assisting the unit. The teenager had explained to Tim that, even knowing how it turned out, he still would have cooperated, because they had saved the medical team: the innocent bystanders. Tim could tell that Lucas wanted to do this for the same reasons. Plus, the lieutenant had to admit, placed in the same position, he would feel the same way. If the mastermind of all of this had wanted him, he would be willing to go to end it before someone else got hurt. Tim saw the same conviction in McKinnon and Rodriguez and knew that no amount of arguing would talk the three of them into changing their minds. "I don't think they're requesting our permission," Tim said softly, getting everyone's attention.

"Indy, you can't think this is a good idea," Chandler protested.

"Good idea, bad idea, it doesn't really matter. They're going to do it, whether we approve or not."

"Someone's finally catching on," Rodriguez remarked.

After a few more minutes, the arguing ceased. Once they had established that they were going to go ahead with the meeting, McKinnon called for a break. She knew that they had only thirty-six hours to come up with a firm plan of action, but she also understood that there were some other issues to be settled. Plus, everyone needed time to digest the recent news.

******

"Thank you," Lucas whispered to Tim.

"Just don't make me regret it," Tim told him. "I think the captain will probably want a word with you," he commented. Tim didn't know if speaking up had been the right decision, but he knew they had been headed for this conclusion whether he had spoken up or not.

"I'm sure he will," Lucas sighed, looking over where Bridger was talking to McKinnon. Since the captain kept looking over at him, he was positive he was next.

"When did you get these notes?" Tim inquired, curious.

"Early this morning."

"You've been up since then?"

"We weren't exactly sleepy after we read them."

"No wonder Einstein looks peeved."

"I'm glad he's Ice's problem."

"He's probably going to be our problem, after he's done with Ice," Rodriguez remarked.

"Well, Bridger is summoning me, so maybe I'll get a reprieve," Lucas said hopefully.

"Don't hold your breath Slick," Rodriguez instructed. "I do appreciate your vote of confidence, Indy," he added once Lucas had started walking over to the captain.

"Just keep him safe, Ghost."

"I will."

*****

"I'd like to talk to you about this," Bridger told Lucas quietly.

"Okay," Lucas agreed, knowing he could not argue about it.

Bridger waited until they were in his room to speak. He had already expressed his doubts to McKinnon. Her response had been to tell him that, if Lucas did not want to participate, she would pull him from the assignment, otherwise the teenager stayed. Since she had invited him to call any admiral of his choice, Bridger knew she had the power to force the issue.

"Lucas, I don't think this is such a good idea," Bridger started.

"Why not?"

"You're going to be in a dangerous position: all three of you. Whoever is behind this has set you and Tim and Rodriguez up for crimes you did not commit. They know what they're doing. This is just a ploy on their part to get all three of you." Bridger figured he should consider himself lucky that McKinnon had received the note instead of Tim, but it didn't make him feel any better.

Lucas looked at him and wondered how he could explain this. "I want to do this. If we don't show up, it's not just going to stop. The note sent to McKinnon basically acknowledged that Benny was somehow involved and threatened that there would be further casualties. The one I received practically admitted that the fire at the federal building was started to draw us out and that, the next time they struck, there would be people inside. I'm not going to sit and wait for someone to get hurt."

"Lucas, you can't save the world," Bridger told him.

"If it was Tim or Commander Ford would you have a problem, or is it just because I'm a kid?" Lucas challenged.

Bridger studied the teenager for a few minutes, wanting to answer the question honestly. "The answer to both of those is yes," Bridger answered. "It's a dangerous situation and I don't want to see any of you in it. However, they are trained officers and there are certain inherent risks in being in their positions. Those are not dangers you have to accept."

"Why not? I'm the one that's been getting the threats and the one that got kidnapped. Someone wants me involved and I can't let anyone else get hurt because I might get injured!" Lucas insisted. "I've been in danger on seaQuest," he pointed out.

"I know," Bridger agreed, unwilling to say the rest of his thoughts. Those times, he had been directly involved in protecting Lucas. Even if he had not been there for him physically, he had been a participant. The thought of Lucas endangering himself while he was an observer scared him. He knew it was irrational to think that he, alone, could keep the teenager safe, but he couldn't help himself. "This is different."

"Is it because I'm crazy?" Lucas asked softly, refusing to look at Bridger.

Bridger sighed. He should have anticipated this response. Lucas had spent the last several years fearing how people would react to his past. It was going to take more than telling him one time that it didn't matter for the teenager to really start believing him. Standing up, he crossed over and knelt in front of the boy, who still would not look at him.

"Lucas?" Taking the young man's chin in his hand, Bridger tilted Lucas' face so that they were looking each other in the eyes. "You are not crazy, mentally unstable, insane or emotionally disturbed," Bridger told him firmly, realizing suddenly that Lucas had never explained why he had tried to commit suicide. However, now was not the time to pursue that particular topic.

"I wish I understood how you ended up where you did, but you did not deserve to be there. My reservations to this plan are simply because you are very important to me and I don't want to see you get hurt." Bridger hoped that Lucas would see the sincerity in his eyes and suspected he would be repeating his words again as Lucas learned to accept that what had happened was not his fault.

"I want to do this, " Lucas responded, not acknowledging the captain's words. He found them comforting and he almost believed them.

Bridger nodded with great reluctance. Part of him understood why Lucas wanted to do this. The other part wanted to lock him in his room and keep him safe. Unfortunately, he could not protect him forever. "If anything happens to you, you're explaining it to Westphalen."

*****

"What?" Tim said to Ford, who had been staring at him for five minutes.

"I can't believe you defended them going through with this," Ford told him.

"They were going to do it, no matter what we said," Tim responded. "I was just trying to speed things up."

"They're setting themselves up as bait."

"I think they're aware of that. If there was another way, they would be going for it. But there isn't. We have a bunch of pieces with nothing holding them together. This is a chance to get to the bottom of everything," Tim explained. "Every time we find out one thing, something else comes along that changes the picture."

"Yes, but Lucas…" Ford began. He did not like the idea of the boy being in danger.

"Wants to do this," Tim finished for him. "I don't like it any better than you do, or anyone else in this room, for that matter. That's why we're better off accepting it and coming up with the best plan possible. You have to look past his age and accept that he is a member of this team."

"I know, but…"

"If it were you, would you do anything different?" Tim countered. "I wouldn't either," he continued when Ford shook his head. "Lucas' decision deserves to be respected just as much as if it were one of us who had made it."

*****

McKinnon stared at Karneering, who was glaring at her. "Go ahead. Get it off your chest, Einstein," she invited, knowing they were not going to get anywhere until he did.

Karneering did not know where to start: the fact she had obviously gotten little, if any, sleep, or the notion of carrying through with this plan. Finally, he began with something else. "You know that those two need to be getting plenty of rest."

McKinnon stifled a sigh; she should have realized he would start with that issue first. The commander did not bother to respond, knowing it would not matter what she said. Karneering wanted to vent and he was going to do so; she did not need to give him any more fuel.

"What were you thinking?!" McKinnon continued to stare at him, assuming it was a purely rhetorical question. "Don't you think they've been through enough?"

"Don't cross the line, Doctor," McKinnon ordered. She was not going to tolerate accusations that she had no concern for their welfare.

"And I bet you've barely had any sleep," Karneering continued. He knew he had gone a little too far, but he did not like this plan.

"I'm fine."

"Of course you are," Karneering remarked. "Are you going to at least try to sleep a little bit later?"

"I'll consider it."

"And what about this idea of carrying through…"

"We reviewed our options, Einstein. This one is it."

"How are we going to protect all three of you?" Ryan interrupted, deciding she wanted to participate in this conversation as well.

"We can pull this off. Besides, your primary focus will be Ghost and Slick."

"Like they're just going to agree to that."

"They will be going in unarmed. I'll be expected to be a bit more prepared, although I'm sure they'll take my weapon."

"Ice, this has to be one of the more dangerous…" Ryan began.

"If it was one of you, what would you do?" McKinnon asked. "That's what I thought," she stated, when the silence continued for several minutes. "Accept it and let's move on to formulating a plan."

"Ice…"

"This conversation is over."

Karneering let out a long sigh and went to corner Rodriguez.

"Don't start, Einstein," Rodriguez instructed, noting the look in his eyes. "I don't want to hear it."

"Tough. You're going to," Karneering informed him, sitting down. "You will get some more sleep today, even if I have to put you in bed myself. Your body is…."

"Just fine, Einstein. I'm a big boy; I'm allowed to work some extra hours," Rodriguez remarked.

"Ghost…"

"If I get tired, I'll go to sleep. I don't need you to tell me when to go to bed," Rodriguez hissed. "As far as Slick is concerned, I'll make sure he doesn't wear himself out. I'm sure his captain will be more than willing to help if necessary."

Karneering shook his head. "You are too stubborn for your own good, Ghost."

"Thank you. It's going to work out fine, Einstein."

"I hope you're right."

*****

"That went well," McKinnon commented to Rodriguez, five minutes later.

"Oh, most definitely. Better than I expected," Rodriguez agreed, giving her a wry smile.

"Keep your eye on Slick…"

"Don't worry. I'll make sure he gets a nap later," Rodriguez promised. "Just don't tell him I said that. I want it to be a surprise."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

"Probably not."

"We'd better get everyone back to work. We don't want to give them any more time to plot," McKinnon finally said.

"What did you tell Bridger?" Rodriguez asked, delaying her momentarily.

"I'd only pull Slick from active at his request."

"I bet he liked that."

"Not really. Kincaid will back me."

"I know. I think Slick will too."

"If I thought there was any way to convince him otherwise, I would try it. But it's against his nature to back down, especially when there are other people who could harmed."

"I agree. However, it doesn't make it any easier to accept. You would really hate this idea if it didn't involve you and you would prefer it if you could do it alone," Rodriguez pointed out.

"You think you know everything about me, don't you?" McKinnon retorted.

"Not everything, but I'm working on it."

*****

"Okay, Ghost, Sunshine, Casanova, Scout and I will examine the tactical arrangements of this meeting. Slick and Indy, I want you two to see if we can't locate, once and for all, how Keller got connected to this. Einstein and Brook, see if you can't trace wherever it is Inouye wound up: see if we can't get a fix on whether or not he was involved. Irish and Columbus, finish checking out Stanton's ex-partner and determine whether he's involved or not. Right now, we need to eliminate as many variables as we can," McKinnon ordered.

"What can I do?" Bridger inquired, as everyone began moving around the room.

"You're welcome to help with the tactical if you want or work with Slick and Indy. And, if you think Slick needs a break, feel free to inform him of that fact."

"I think I'd like to see what you're planning first."

"That's fine."

*****

"You okay with this?" Tim asked Lucas, as they started working. He wondered why McKinnon had opted to assign them this task. It seemed like it might be more difficult for Lucas to handle this one, rather than one of the other assignments.

"I'm fine," Lucas reassured him.

"Where do you want to start?"

"I guess we should start looking at her associates and see if anything turns up."

"Listen, if you get tired, will you promise to take a break?" Tim requested.

"Okay."

"Promise?" Tim persisted. He knew Lucas well enough to want a concrete guarantee. If Lucas promised to do something, the teenager carried through.

"Promise," Lucas agreed. "I'm really fine. I'm not going to keel over or anything."

"Friends worry about each other," Tim pointed out. "If it were anyone else, you would be the same way."

"Yeah, that's diff…"

"How is it different?" Tim countered.

"It just is," Lucas mumbled.

"No, it's not," Tim told him, refusing to give ground on the issue. "If you're allowed to be concerned for your friends, you have to learn to accept it in return. And you'd better not let anything happen to you, because I'm sure the commander will be all too willing to tell Westphalen I defended the idea. I don't want her yelling at me," he added, only partially joking.

"It'll be fine. I mean, Ghost and Ice are going to be with me."

*****

Bridger listened to the discussions going on among the group studying the map as McKinnon, Rodriguez, Ryan, Dawson and Ford conversed about possibilities. He was starting to understand where they got their reputation for being unorthodox. After discussing the conventional methods of handling the situation, they had progressed into alternatives.

"What about air surveillance?" Ryan proposed. "Is it clear enough to allow for aerial protection?"

"Hard to say," McKinnon replied. "It looks pretty congested from the information we have. I suppose it might be possible to put one or two of you in the air."

"We'll have to try to get some ground coverage. If we take positions in the building, we're going to be too far away," Dawson noted. "In disguise, we could probably manage to stay close enough."

"They'll be expecting that," Rodriguez pointed out. "The disguise would have to be pretty good," he commented.

"We've pulled it off before," Ryan observed, "although I'm not sure anyone wants the return of Nora and Sally," she remarked.

Dawson flushed a little. "I was thinking of something a little more conservative," he mumbled.

"I thought Nora was kind of prissy myself," Rodriguez said.

"What I don't understand is why they gave you all this time to make plans?" Ford interrupted. "It seems odd."

"First, this guy thinks Ghost and Slick are out in the great unknown without us," McKinnon answered. "He doesn't expect to get caught. Plus, there is the possibility that he will shift the location at the last possible moment to catch us by surprise. Still, there are only so many places where such a meeting can take place. We're going to have to be prepared to improvise," McKinnon responded.

"It is our team motto," Ryan reminded her. "You want us to check out this place in person or are we considering it too risky?"

"I may have you and Casanova go in the afternoon."

*****

"This is interesting," Lucas mumbled.

"What?" Tim queried.

"I need to check something," Lucas told him automatically.

Tim sighed; he recognized the look on the teenager's face. It meant that Lucas was no longer focused on anything but the computer. Everything else would be tuned out until he had found what he wanted. He turned as Bridger walked over. "How are they doing?"

"I haven't figured it out yet," Bridger remarked. "What's going on here?"

"He's in his computer trance," Tim responded. "I think it means he's found something, but I have no idea what it might be."

Bridger looked at Lucas and saw that the teenager did, indeed, have a look of intense concentration on his face. "I'm sure he will emerge soon," he commented.

"I hope so, because I feel kind of useless."

"You've been doing a lot from what I've seen."

"Right now, I'm just watching him."

"Sometimes that can be an extremely difficult task," Bridger remarked with a hint of a smile.

"True. What's up, Ghost?" Tim asked Rodriguez , who had just joined them.

"We're taking a short break from planning, so I thought I would see what you guys were doing. Did you notice that his eyes are glazed over?" he inquired. "Maybe he's sleeping with his eyes open."

"No, he just talked a few minutes ago," Tim assured him.

"And you take that as a sign he's awake?"

"Ghost, don't you have anything better to do?" Lucas questioned.

"No, not really."

"I sure wish you'd find something."

"I know, but this is so much more fun," Rodriguez informed him. "What are you doing?"

"Working."

"On what?"

"Are we playing twenty questions now?"

"No. I don't like to limit the number of questions I can ask."

"In other words, you're just going to bug me until I answer?" Lucas translated.

"I'd say that sums it up," Rodriguez agreed. "Tell me, Captain, is he like this on seaQuest or are we just special?" he inquired.

"It's pretty much universal behavior," Bridger replied.

"It must be extremely frustrating at times."

"It can be."

"Do you mind?" Lucas demanded. "I am still here."

"I've already answered that particular question for you before, Slick. And I'm just making conversation until you're ready to tell us what you've found," Rodriguez responded. "Don't listen if the topic offends you."

"Ghost…"

"Yes, Slick?" Rodriguez queried, an innocent expression on his face.

Lucas turned and glared at him and returned his attention to the computer. "You want to do something useful?"

"Probably not," Tim interjected.

"Thanks, Indy."

"What was the name of the person who wrote Benny's check? I can't remember it."

"Are you feeling all right?" Rodriguez asked. "I didn't think you forgot anything."

"I'll look it up," Tim interrupted.

"Thank you," Lucas responded, giving Rodriguez a dark look.

"I really think he might need a nap," Rodriguez remarked to Bridger. "He's getting kind of cranky."

Bridger smiled at the description, particularly since it was obvious the two had held this conversation before. Plus, he had thought it one or two times about the boy in the past.

"I am not cranky," Lucas hissed at him.

"Yep, I'd say that's a clear sign."

"Lionel Nyland," Tim told Lucas, finally finding the information.

"Nice to see someone being helpful," Lucas muttered under his breath.

Bridger had to admit he enjoyed seeing someone else give Lucas a hard time about his working habits and his tendency to get short-tempered. Mainly, he liked hearing the affection behind Rodriguez's comments.

"You going to share with the rest of the class?" Rodriguez questioned.

"Why don't you invite Ice to come join us," Lucas requested.

"You mean, you won't tell unless she's present?"

"You're very quick."

"He never lets me have any fun," Rodriguez grumbled. "I'll go get her," he continued, already headed in McKinnon's direction.

*****

Part 30

"You want something?" McKinnon inquired.

"Slick has something he wants you to see," Rodriguez told her. "Are we going to break for lunch soon?" he asked.

"Probably. Why?"

"Because I think it might be time to put Slick down for a nap."

"When you suggest it to him, make sure you phrase it just like that. I'm sure he'll come quietly then," McKinnon advised, envisioning the response it would evoke.

"Excellent idea, Ice. I knew I could count on you. You should try to get some sleep yourself," Rodriguez recommended.

"I probably will," McKinnon admitted.

*****

"You get lost?" Lucas queried Rodriguez with a quick grin.

"No. I didn't realize that we were in a hurry," Rodriguez retorted.

"Boys, am I going to have to separate you two?" McKinnon inquired. "What have you got?"

"I think I found Keller's connection in all of this," Lucas responded.

"What is it?"

"It's kind of complicated," Lucas explained. "It looks like, about two years ago, Keller managed to save the son-in-law of Lionel Nyland."

"Is he the one married to the daughter at Nicholson?"

"No. Lionel has three daughters. This particular son-in-law and daughter returned to Tarsinia shortly afterwards and Lionel Nyland must have been extremely grateful. He made a sizeable donation to Keller's bank account."

"Why would a man involved in a movement that expresses a desire to isolate his country from world affairs have so many contacts with the outside world?" Tim asked. "It makes no sense."

"It does, if you're using the movement for personal goals," Bridger commented. "He would not be the first man to join an organization for political expediency."

"He's right," McKinnon agreed. "If the Nationalists are strong, it might be a way to gain political power by pretending to assume their ideals. He could easily explain it all away by saying that it is his son-in-law who has the contacts to the outside world. We've seen it before."

Lucas had shut everyone out again, having noticed something that he wanted to investigate. He wanted to get as much done as possible, since he didn't need anyone to tell him that, eventually, someone was going to make him take a break. Lucas also knew that it would do no good to argue, so he had to make the most of the time he had.

"We've lost him again," Rodriguez remarked, finally noticing that Lucas was typing furiously on his keyboard. When he did not respond to Rodriguez's comment, everyone knew the teenager was preoccupied. "Maybe I should unplug him," Rodriguez suggested.

"I don't think I want to see how he would react to that," McKinnon informed him.

"It's not a pretty sight," Bridger confirmed.

"Now, that sounds interesting," Tim noted, sensing a story he had missed. In the past, Bridger had come up with some creative methods for dealing with Lucas' tendency to block things out when he was on the computer.

"It was."

"What did you find?" McKinnon inquired, looking over Lucas' shoulder and trying to read the screen. She shook her head as she realized what the screen said. "Nice work, Slick," she acknowledged. "This is starting to get interesting, although we should have caught it sooner."

"What?" Rodriguez demanded.

"Nyland's wife is a cousin of Inouye," McKinnon replied.

"This is starting to look like a family affair," Rodriguez commented.

"It is. It might be wise to look at Ramsey's family tree and see what turns up," McKinnon responded. "We'll do it after we eat though. I think it's time for a break."

Lucas stifled a groan, knowing, from the looks he was receiving from the quartet, he was going to be taking a longer one than planned.

"Who's getting lunch?" Rodriguez asked.

"Brook and Einstein. They seem to manage to do it in the least amount of time. Let me get them on their way and then I have to talk to Sunshine. Any preferences?" McKinnon questioned

"Whatever everyone else wants," Tim answered, which Lucas echoed.

"You know better than to ask them, Ice," Rodriguez teased. "Indy's only requirement is that they have something vegetarian and Slick would eat cardboard if you told him that's what the team decided."

"True. Are they this easy to please normally?" McKinnon asked Bridger.

"In matters of food," Bridger responded.

"All right, I'll see what the others want."

"What? My vote doesn't count?" Rodriguez complained.

"Ghost, you're not exactly picky when it comes to food."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Whatever you want it to. Go sit down and relax a bit," she advised.

*****

After getting Karneering and Adamsen off to buy lunch, McKinnon pulled Ryan aside. "After we eat, I want you to check in with the inspectors. Find out if there are any new developments. Put Scout and Indy back to looking at Nicholson. Have them see if there are any other connections between the company and Tarsinia or Ramsey that we may have missed," McKinnon ordered.

"What about tactical?" Ryan inquired.

"We'll get back to that. After lunch, I'm going to make Einstein happy and get some sleep. Ghost and Slick will also be taking a break."

"Do they know this yet?"

"I imagine they suspect."

"All right. I think we can manage without you guys for a little while."

"I imagine you can."

"Especially since I know you won't be gone more than ninety minutes," Ryan added dryly. "And that's if you take a long nap."

"Behave, Sunshine. You're starting to sound like Ghost."

"Gee, you don't have to be mean about it."

*****

Bridger was glad when McKinnon told Lucas and Rodriguez that, after they ate, they were to try to get some sleep. He had been wondering how to suggest it himself. He was surprised when neither one offered any protests.

Chandler caught his surprised look and smiled. "When Ice has that look on, you're better off just saying 'yes, Commander' and not arguing. Even Ghost knows that," he explained. "Ice tolerates most things, but there is a point at which it's best not to push your luck."

"I think we're familiar with that," Tim muttered under his breath. The same thing could be said about Bridger.

"Something you wanted to add, Lieutenant?" Bridger inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"No, Sir. I'm just enjoying my salad," Tim answered, suddenly finding his lunch very interesting. He wished he understood why his personality took this turn when he got around the Outriggers; he had a feeling it could get him in trouble.

"Careful, or you'll find yourself undergoing deprogramming from Doctor Westphalen when we return," Bridger pointed out. He found the changes in the lieutenant somewhat amusing and fascinating to watch. Kristin had made it abundantly clear she did not care for the behavior that the Outriggers seemed to provoke from Tim.

"I'm hoping to avoid that," Tim assured him.

"That's probably wise."

*****

"Einstein certainly looked pleased," Lucas commented, watching as Rodriguez turned out the light.

"Of course. He's been wanting the three of us in bed since he realized we had been up for several hours longer than the rest. He lives to worry about the team," Rodriguez grumbled. "This is a victory for him."

"Does he win often?"

"Not usually with Ice."

"I can see that. Does anyone ever win with Ice?"

"Only when it's to her advantage," Rodriguez responded dryly.

"Yes, but it's why you like her," Lucas pointed out, rolling over on his back.

"You could be right about that, Slick. Now, go to sleep," Rodriguez ordered.

*****

"Why would he send notes offering a trade?" Ford questioned Ryan, who had stopped by him and Tim to see how things were progressing. "I mean, the logical assumption would be that they would have at least contacted us, especially if they are checking their mail," he observed.

"True. However, look at the people involved. Ice's reputation for putting the team first is well known. Everyone who's ever worked with her knows that she would be willing to do it just to be on the safe side. Ghost is the same way. In fact, if you look at his record, he's done some crazier things than Ice has," Ryan explained. "As for Slick, he's not exactly the type of person that's going to let someone get hurt because of him. While his reputation is not as well established, you look at the way he handled himself in Tarsinia and it isn't hard to figure he's likely to go along with the idea."

"Plus, the person doing this is banking on our curiosity in finding out who's behind all of this," Tim interjected. "We're not likely to pass up an opportunity to find out who set us up."

"I'm not crazy about following through with this either, Scout," Ryan said. "However, they made the call and all we can do is keep them safe."

"I just worry that it's coming too easily."

"We all do. But we have to go with what we have. This is the best lead we've had. All we can do is try to make it work for us."

*****

Lucas woke up to find Rodriguez staring at him.

"What?"

"Nothing," Rodriguez responded.

"Why are you watching me?"

"Just trying to imagine you with your bear," Rodriguez teased him. He did not think he should admit that he had been trying to stay quiet so Lucas would sleep longer. Rodriguez figured Lucas would not appreciate the gesture.

"I really wish you'd find something else to fixate on," Lucas informed him.

"I know. Why do you think I keep bringing it up?"

"How long were we sleeping?"

"About two and a half hours. That should please Einstein."

"I certainly hope so."

"You look a little more awake now," Rodriguez commented.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucas challenged.

"Is this what sleeping in the day does to you? Make you prickly?"

"No. It's being around you that has that effect."

"If I thought you were serious, my feelings would be hurt," Rodriguez noted. "We better get going and see what they have planned for us. You do realize that, some time tomorrow, they're going to have to take us and dump us somewhere?"

"I had figured out that part. And what a way with words you have, Ghost."

"Thank you. I've been practicing."

"It shows."

*****

"I suppose you only slept about an hour," Rodriguez remarked to McKinnon, as he and Lucas approached her.

"Actually I made it almost two, which was very distressing for Einstein," McKinnon replied with a smile. "He had me down for an hour and a half."

"What?" Lucas asked.

"Oh, it's a little attempt at team humor," Rodriguez explained. "Whenever Ice sleeps in the middle of the day, the team likes to get a little betting pool going. Who won?"

"Indy."

"It figures. The rookie would win," Rodriguez remarked.

"That's okay. They ran one for the two of you as well," McKinnon notified him.

"Great."

"Both of us?" Lucas repeated.

"Yes. It was decided that, as roommates, you were likely to appear at the same time, so they just did one pool," McKinnon elaborated.

"How nice."

"Who won?"

"I'm not real sure," McKinnon answered. "I believe Scout is the official timekeeper for yours."

"You got the commander involved?" Lucas questioned, surprised.

"Apparently so," McKinnon told him. "I believe that even your captain participated."

"I didn't really need to know that," Lucas muttered, as Ford approached.

"You have the results?" McKinnon inquired.

"Yes. You won," Ford responded. "It was close. Tim almost won again."

"I guess it's the advantage of getting in at the end," McKinnon commented. "Okay, I want to the two of you to check out Ramsey and see what the connections are between him and Tarsinia, as we discussed earlier," McKinnon directed Lucas and Rodriguez, turning her attention back to business. "After dinner, we're going to take another look at tactical," she added.

"All right," Rodriguez agreed. "Let's get to work."

"Yeah, like you're going to do anything other than bug me," Lucas complained.

"You put them together on purpose, don't you?" Ford guessed.

"Yes," McKinnon confirmed. "They both need the stress release. Besides, they work well together. Ghost tends to relax more around Slick."

Ford raised an eyebrow, thinking Rodriguez seemed pretty relaxed most of the time.

"You'd be surprised. He can get very intense when we're in the field."

*****

"What are you doing?" Rodriguez asked Lucas.

"Working. What are you doing?"

"What I do best."

"Being a nuisance?"

"I'd say that about sums it up," Tim remarked, passing by.

"Thanks, Indy. Do you two have something to add?" Rodriguez asked Hallowell and Dawson, who had just walked up.

"No. In fact, we'd just like to take a moment to say that we've always admired your leadership skills, work ethic and sound judgement," Dawson informed him. "Please stop snickering, Slick. We're being serious."

"Uh huh. What do you want?" Rodriguez inquired.

"Sunshine keeps bringing up the idea of resurrecting Sally and Nora," Hallowell explained. "Ice seems to be entertaining the idea. We were hoping for some help in derailing it."

Rodriguez smiled. "I don't know,… it might be useful," he teased.

"Ghost."

"Who are Sally and Nora?" Lucas questioned, curious.

"Well, Slick, it's a long story," Rodriguez told him, smiling at Hallowell and Dawson. "But, about a year ago, we had an undercover assignment that required some special disguises," he explained.

"Sally and Nora?" Lucas guessed.

"That's right. That's Sally," Rodriguez responded, pointing at Hallowell, "and that's Nora," he finished with a nod at Dawson. "Two finer ladies you cannot meet."

"Laugh and you're a dead man, Slick," Dawson threatened.

"How did you two get elected?" Lucas inquired, trying to restrain his laughter, since neither one look amused.

"They looked the best in dresses," Rodriguez answered, "and make up and heels…"

"Ghost, are you going to help us?" Hallowell pleaded.

"I'll take care of it," Rodriguez assured them. "Besides, I have a feeling that Sunshine is just having fun pulling your leg."

"Why did you two have to go as women?" Lucas asked.

The three men looked at each other, wondering precisely how to answer his question. "We needed to make sure that no one got identified," Rodriguez replied, glaring at Hallowell and Dawson when they both laughed. "It seemed like the best way to insure it."

Lucas had the feeling that he had missed out on something, but decided it was something he did not really want to know about. "Oh."

"Thank you, Ghost," Dawson interjected quickly.

"No problem," Rodriguez reassured him. He understood why they did not want to reprise their roles.

"That must have been traumatic for Casanova," Lucas remarked.

"Well, he didn't have better dating success as a woman, that's for sure," Rodriguez agreed. "Don't ask," he ordered.

"All right. Maybe you should go talk to Ice about it now?" Lucas suggested.

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"It's not like you're doing anything," Lucas grumbled.

"If you're nice, I'll show you their pictures."

"You took pictures?"

"Of course. We had to have something to humiliate them with later," Rodriguez explained.

"I'm glad it wasn't me."

"I don't know; I think you'd look cute in a dress," Rodriguez joked.

Giving him a dark look, Lucas returned his attention to the computer.

Realizing that Lucas intended to ignore him, Rodriguez sat down at the terminal next to the teenager and started working, quickly becoming engrossed in his own search.

*****

"Slick, can you take a look at this?" Rodriguez requested, an hour later.

"How'd you find that?" Lucas inquired, reading over his shoulder.

"I am not without resources. The team does manage to function without your expertise," Rodriguez pointed out.

"I never said you couldn't…" Lucas protested.

"Just kidding, Slick," Rodriguez assured him, afraid from Lucas' tone that he might have offended the teenager. "What do you think?"

"I think we're caught in the middle of a very bad melodrama," Lucas replied, shaking his head.

"It's starting to look that way," Rodriguez agreed. "But it's the first thing we have that starts connecting Ramsey."

"It's not even a direct connection," Lucas pointed out.

"It's better than nothing."

"There's no evidence they ever met though."

"I agree. However, it is something."

"I just can't believe it's working out like this," Lucas admitted. "I mean, it just doesn't seem possible."

"I know," Rodriguez told him.

"You better let Ice know."

"I'm going to do that right now. Stay out of trouble," Rodriguez instructed.

"I only get in trouble when I'm with you." "What are you trying to say?" Lucas asked him.

"You're the genius; I'm sure you can figure it out."

*****

"That is interesting," McKinnon commented, after Rodriguez finished relaying the latest information to her. "If I've got it right, then Ramsey's dead wife's uncle used to do business with Nyland's wife's uncle?"

"Yes."

"Hard to imagine that's possible."

"I know, but it's true. It makes a certain kind of sense. Keep it in the family, even if it is distant relations," Rodriguez remarked. He looked at McKinnon and wondered what she was thinking. The commander did not seem to have her full attention on their current discussion.

"I think it's time to break for dinner," McKinnon told Rodriguez .

"All right."

*****

"How's it going?" Bridger questioned Lucas, sitting down next to him.

"All right. We've found a few more pieces to the puzzle. Just not the ones that will let us see the whole picture," Lucas responded, frustration in his voice.

"Everyone's working hard," Bridger reassured him. "They'll get to the bottom of it."

"When?"

"I don't know. It takes time and patience," Bridger pointed out. "You know more than you did before you left for the conference."

"I know."

"How was the conference?" Bridger asked, deciding it couldn't hurt to take the teenager's mind off of the investigation for a little while.

Tim shook his head as he took a seat, having heard the question. "I've gone through some absurd things for the UEO, but I think that one ranks at the top," he answered before Lucas could think of an appropriate response.

"Really?"

"Yes. It's amazing that no one got hurt."

"That was the idea. We were supposed to trust our group not to hurt us," Karneering interjected. "However, I have to agree. It has to be one of the biggest wastes of time. The frightening thing being that someone allocated a lot of money to pay for it."

"No," Rodriguez corrected, "what's frightening is that someone spent time creating the program. Just think what they could have been doing with that time."

"And we didn't even get to see the whole week," Lucas noted. "We missed the grand finale."

"It probably involved blindfolding the entire group for a trust walk."

"Trust walk?" Bridger repeated.

"Yes, Sir," Ford replied, shaking his head at the memory.

"I think the commander is still recovering from having to spend that first time with you two," Tim informed Lucas and Rodriguez .

"I was not aware of their unique relationship prior to the activity," Ford explained to Bridger.

"I don't see why everyone thinks working with us is so difficult," Rodriguez commented to Lucas.

"Probably because of the fact that you can't spend more than sixty seconds together without one of you uttering an insult," Adamsen interrupted. "By the way, Ghost, Sunshine said you nixed the idea of using Sally and Nora again."

"It didn't seem like a good idea," Rodriguez responded. "They might need to move fast."

"Yes, but if we brought back Sally and Nora, we could have also reincarnated Esmerelda," Chandler reminded him.

"Esmerelda is dead, Irish," Rodriguez stated shortly.

"I don't think we want to know any more," Tim interjected, before anything else could be said.

Lucas gave Rodriguez a curious look and decided this was definitely a subject to pursue later.

Rodriguez caught the expression on the teenager's face and almost groaned out loud. He knew he would be explaining this conversation later. Noticing the smug look on Chandler's face, Rodriguez realized the other man had done it on purpose.

*****

Dinner was a hurried affair; Ryan, Dawson and Hallowell were going to check out the meeting site afterwards and wanted to get going. "Slick, I'd like to talk to you," McKinnon told Lucas, as he stood up from the table.

"Okay," Lucas agreed, nervously.

"Ghost!" McKinnon called out, stopping Rodriguez before he had walked too far away.

"Yes, Ice?" he inquired, turning.

McKinnon waved him back over and waited to speak. "Go ahead and get started back on tactical with Scout. Pair Indy and Brook; tell them to keep on Nicholson. I think we're missing something there. Have Einstein and Irish start pulling together supplies," she directed.

Rodriguez shot her a questioning look. "And what will you be doing?"

"I need to talk to Slick."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Rodriguez looked at McKinnon and saw that she had no intention of explaining herself. He shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head. "You're the boss."

"Thank you for remembering that point. Have Bridger help you with tactical, if he wants."

"All right."

Part 31



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