The Hand of Wrath, chapter 1 [PG-13, seaQuest, Bridger/Westphalen, WIP]
And here is chapter one of "The Hand of Wrath". If you're new to this story, here is the index post containing chapter list.
As always, let me know whatcha think! Comments are love.
Chapter 1 ~ Lovers' Game
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Later that same evening
"I hate heels."
"Now, Katie. Just pretend you're in your uniform boots."
"Easy for you to say." Katherine Hitchcock glared down at her feet, then turned a look of exasperation towards her companion. "You walk in them like you were born to. I look like I did when I was four and playing dress-up in my mom's closet."
"Nonsense. You look lovely." Kristin Westphalen offered the younger woman an encouraging smile. "Lieutenant Krieg is going to have quite the time keeping the other young men from stealing you away."
"Knowing Ben, he'll be too busy ogling all the other women there," Katie snorted, taking one final glance at the mirror in the guest quarters that she and Kristin had been given for the weekend. She wasn't used to getting this dressed up, but had to admit to herself that she looked good in her borrowed dress. It was Kelly green and one-shouldered, with a skirt that fell to the floor in soft pleats. Turning back to Kristin, she added, "Including you if he can get away with it."
"Now why would he be looking at an old woman like me for?" Kristin retorted cheerfully. "Besides, I already have a date."
"Uh-huh." The chief engineer had to bite back a knowing smirk. It was no secret to most of the seaQuest's crew that captain and chief medical officer were practically an item. In Katie's private opinion, it was past time that they admitted it openly.
Looking at Kristin, she wondered if tonight might be the night. She had changed from the simple black dress she'd worn to the award ceremony into her borrowed gown--a shimmering, strapless creation in midnight blue. It had a beaded bodice and the tiny crystals sparkled under the overhead lights. Her shoulder-length hair was caught up in a claw comb studded with the same little crystals. Silver heels, barely visible when she moved, completed the look.
"Uh-huh what?"
"Nothing," Katie said innocently. "We'd better get going. I'm sure the others were all ready an hour ago and are pacing the lobby waiting for us."
**
Down in the barracks' lobby, Nathan Bridger sighed and tapped his fingers impatiently against his thigh. He had opted not to change out of his dress blues for the summit banquet, unlike the others. He knew he had to be patient and wait for everyone else to be ready so they could all leave as a group, but the waiting was getting to him. And so were the many stares and hurried salutes from starry-eyed cadets and young officers that kept passing through in the last forty-five minutes. "How much longer are they going to be?" he wondered aloud in mild exasperation.
A snicker from his right stilled his tapping fingers. "Something you find amusing, Lucas?"
Lucas Wolenczak grinned and raked his fingers through his already messy golden hair. "Captain, they're girls. Girls always take forever. It's, like, an unwritten law of the universe."
"Katie's not the type to spend hours primping," Ben Krieg remarked from his seat to Lucas' right. "So, given the other factors, I'm betting it's the doc holding us up."
"What makes you assume that?" Nathan asked a little sharply.
"Oh, no insult meant to the doc, sir. But you have to figure with the press ready to descend the moment they set eyes on her, she'll want to--impress." Wilting under his superior officer's staredown, Ben shifted his gaze away and suddenly brightened. "And I think she'll succeed," he added under his breath.
Nathan's intended retort was forgotten as his gaze followed Ben's. Even the passersby stopped and stared. He rose to his feet, unable to take his eyes off Kristin as she and Katie crossed the lobby to meet them.
Lucas and Ben had also risen, but Lucas was the first of the trio to find his voice. "Wow...you guys look great. Are those the Sakuya Firenze dresses?"
"Thank you, Lucas. And they are." Kristin gave the boy a quick hug and attempted to smooth down his hair. But he ducked just out of reach, giving her a mock scowl. Shaking her head, she turned her smile on Nathan. "Nathan."
"Kristin. You...you look phenomenal." He had to smile at the blush that rose in her cheeks and did his level best to ignore the fact that everyone in the lobby was no doubt watching the two of them.
She took his offered hand and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you. You already know I think the same of you. Now, shall we get going?"
"Close your mouth, Ben. You'll catch flies." Katie was giving her fellow officer a look of annoyance at the way he was staring at her.
"Well, it isn't every day I get to see you dressed like this." Ben's eyes slid admiringly up and down the sight before him. "You always did look hot in green."
"Don't be a pig or I'll ask Shan to be my escort for the evening," she warned him as the group headed for the door.
"Oh, so complimenting you is being a pig?"
The two continued to argue all the way out to the front of the building, where they were met by Chief Shan and a security escort, and into the car that would take them to the banquet hall. Kristin leaned over to Nathan, keeping her voice low. "It's a wonder they ever were married."
"You know that old saying, Kristin. Opposites attract," he pointed out quietly, but his amused smile matched hers.
"There's opposites and then there's oil and water." Kristin shook her head.
"Really, Katie...can't you just accept a compliment for what it is? You do look good in green. Especially that particular shade of green. Come to think of it, it's the same shade as that corset top you wore on our honeymoon."
"Don't you dare bring that up again." Katie glared at her ex-husband.
"Shoreleave in Copenhagen, where we went to that nightclub...and you were dancing on the..."
"Benjamin Arthur Krieg."
"Arthur? That's your middle name?" Lucas snorted a laugh.
"It happens to be my great-grandfather's name. What of it?"
The new argument lasted all the way up until they arrived at the banquet hall. Nathan was almost grateful for the distraction of the reporters that were waiting for them, nearly all of them wanting a quote from Kristin. Security held them back and reminded them they would get their chance to request interviews and ask questions later. That reminder didn't stop the photographers, whose cameras were going off every second.
Ben put up a hand to shield his eyes and guided Katie into the hall behind Nathan and Kristin. "If these guys stay after sunset, they won't even need outdoor lights."
"This is gonna be one long night," Lucas added.
**
A few reporters were waiting just inside the door, but most were willing, if impatiently, to wait the extra hour and a half for the post-dinner press conference. Lucas was not amused by their behavior and covered his ears with a scowl every time they shouted over top of each other, trying to be the one chosen to have their question answered first. When it was Kristin's turn at the podium, the decibel level seemed to double. At that point, Lucas kept his hands over his ears.
Katie poked him gently in the arm. "Keep scowling and your face will freeze like that," she teased in an attempt to lighten his mood.
"I'm inclined to agree with Lucas on this one." Ben winced as the reporters made their protests heard when told that Kristin would only answer two more questions. "I know the doc is the star of the hour, but this borders on the ridiculous."
"They should be gone after this. They'll have gotten all they want. How many times can she repeat herself, after all?"
"Ah, I wouldn't bet on that, Katie. The press are vultures; they don't stop even after there's nothing left to dissect."
With dinner and the press conference over, the floor was cleared for dancing. Lucas' dark mood brightened considerably when the Noyces joined them, for their niece had accompanied them. Shannon Noyce was sixteen, with hair redder than Kristin's and a ready smile. They were soon nearly inseparable, both on and off the dance floor, though she was asked to dance by many of the young male officers and even a few of the women.
But as Ben had put it earlier, Kristin was definitely the star of the hour. Nathan bore all the interruptions in stride, but they eventually began to wear on his nerves. As the night continued on, the crowd thinned out a little and the interruptions became fewer. Nathan danced mostly with Kristin, but also a few times with Katie, Janet Noyce and even once with young Shannon. Kristin ended up dancing with almost everyone who asked her and wasn't able to escape the dance floor for a full hour. When she finally did, she looked downright relieved.
"My feet need a break." Kristin sank into a chair against the wall next to Nathan. "Don't tell Lieutenant Krieg I said this, but he has got to learn where to put his feet."
"I won't say a word."
Yet another reporter came over to speak to Kristin, so Nathan sat back, keeping an eye both on her as well as watching Lucas and Shannon dance. A fast song was now playing and all of those on the floor were keeping up with the beat, but the two teenagers were moving so fast they were nearly a blur. He was surprised that the girl didn't fall when Lucas swung her out to arm's length and back again several times in succession.
"Here we come, here we go! We gotta rock-rock-rock-rock..."
"Did we ever have that much energy?!" He belatedly realized that the reporter was gone and Kristin was leaning in close, raising her voice to make herself be heard.
"Maybe thirty years ago, I might have--but certainly not now!"
The song soon wound to an end and the dancers began to disperse. Barely heard over the cheering as they left the floor, the DJ announced a ten-minute intermission.
"That. Was awesome." Lucas flopped back in his chair and Shannon sank into hers next to him. Both were flushed but smiling widely. "You guys should've come with us."
Nathan chuckled. "That's just too much excitement in one song for me."
"I have to agree," Kristin added. "I can dance fairly well, but what you two were doing? I couldn't have possibly kept up."
"There's another one." Shannon nodded in the direction of a reporter being trailed by a cameraman headed their way. "With the DJ taking a break, they'll figure this is a prime time to get last footage."
"We've got to get rid of these guys somehow," Lucas grumbled under his breath. "They aren't even here to talk to me and I'm getting sick of their hovering. I can't imagine how the doc must feel."
"Can't Captain Bridger tell them nicely that the press conference is over?"
"Oh, I'm sure he'd love to. But, he has to be 'diplomatic' and play nice for 'public relations'." Lucas made air quotes with his fingers and glared at the reporter, then suddenly grinned. "But, I also know it's really frustrating him, because he wants Doc Westphalen all to himself."
"Really? Are they dating?"
"Officially...no. Unofficially...well, that's a matter of opinion. Let's just say I know some things, and seaQuest is a pretty small boat." He raised his eyebrows and Shannon giggled under her breath. His gaze returned to the adults and he nodded towards them. "See, he's tapping his fingers. I knew it."
The reporter and her cameraman departed. Shannon raised her own eyebrows as she and Lucas watched Nathan and Kristin talk quietly for several minutes. "I can see what you mean," she finally whispered. "And if I'm not mistaken, the feeling's mutual on her end. How long have they been 'unofficially' together?"
"Pretty much since they met..." Noticing that the DJ had returned, he hopped up and extended his hand to Shannon. "I'll tell you more once we're out there."
Nathan offered Kristin his arm and they, too, headed back out onto the dance floor. "I know this is partly all for you, but if we get interrupted one more time..."
Kristin laughed softly at the frustration written on his face. "You know, Nathan, we could always slip away."
"And go where? They'd follow us...follow you, rather."
"Then we'll have to escape without them noticing, hm?" She disengaged herself from his arms. "Wait a few minutes, then follow me."
Nathan counted two minutes, watching her make her way off the dance floor without making it obvious that she was headed for the door. After she had slipped out, he glanced around and then followed her. Once outside, the change in lighting briefly startled him and he blinked for several minutes, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the moonlit path that led to the beach. It grew easier as he progressed down the path, the native vegetation blocking the light from the banquet hall. The music could still be heard, though the muted roar of the ocean was getting louder.
"Over here, Nathan."
He moved toward the shadowy figure that was Kristin, noticing that she seemed to be hunched over. "What are you doing?"
"Taking off these shoes." Kristin balanced awkwardly on one foot and he stepped forward to offer her a supportive arm to lean on while she removed them. "Thank you. They'll just get stuck in the sand, so I might as well go barefoot."
"Makes sense." He inhaled a deep breath of ocean-scented air. "Peace and quiet, at last."
She laughed, lacing her arm through his, the shoes dangling from her free hand. "And now that you have me all to yourself, what do you have in mind?" she teased.
"I was going to ask you the same thing. It is your night, after all."
"I'll settle for the peace and quiet, actually. I never realized how quiet it can be on seaQuest sometimes, until I'm around so many more people."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Quiet? Are you sure you're thinking of the right ship?"
"Sometimes on the night shift, it's almost peaceful. Usually, the only one making noise is Darwin--if he's even awake."
"When Darwin wants attention, he could wake the dead. I should know."
"Oh, all right. A little quieter, then."
"That's better." He used his best serious-captain voice, but had to start laughing when she smacked his arm in return.
Conversation faded as they walked along the beach. There was more than enough moonlight to see where they were going. The far end was marked by a tall cliff and Kristin was the first to notice the emerging sea turtle hatchlings in its shadow. Some moved slowly, but most scurried quickly into the waiting tides. It was an extraordinary sight and they continued to watch until the last hatchling had gone into the water and the sand was once again still. They looked for signs of any other nests on the return walk, but none were apparent.
"This is it...last song, y'all." As the banquet hall came back into view, the DJ's announcement could be heard floating on the breeze. "And it's one for you 80's children and romantics--and any Tom Cruise fans, if any still exists." An echo of cheering and laughter followed that comment before the first strains of the music began.
"I suppose that's our cue to return," Nathan said reluctantly. He wasn't looking forward to any remaining reporters awaiting them, which he knew there would be-and they would try to follow them all the way back to the harbor. "Sorry that we missed one last chance to dance, though."
"Oh, I wouldn't say we've missed it. We can still hear the music from here."
Nathan smiled wryly. "Then, may I have this dance, Doctor?"
"Certainly, Captain," she replied, imitating his mock-formal tone. Taking his offered hand, she tossed her shoes a few feet away and moved into his arms. The quiet rumble of the waves rolling onto the shore mingled with the distant music that drifted down to the beach on the night breeze.
"...on this endless ocean, finally lovers know no shame..."
They moved together in a slow circle, easily falling into the rhythm. It felt to Kristin like they were the only two people on the entire island. She reveled in all the sensations--the distant music mixing with the swish and crash of the waves a few feet away, the breeze teasing the back of her neck, the warm strength of Nathan's hands on her waist. It had been a long time since she'd felt this peaceful.
Nathan, for his part, was hyper-aware of Kristin in his arms. He barely heard the music or cared about who might see them, slow dancing on the sand with the tide rushing up to wash around his shoes and Kristin's bare feet. The moonlight seemed to enhance her beauty, even more so than usual. When the breeze picked up, tugging a lock of her hair out of the clip, he reached up to tuck it behind her ear.
A shiver went down her back when his fingertips brushed her ear. The sudden touch of his hand on her cheek startled her and her eyes met his when he tilted her head up. Impulsively, she leaned up to press her lips to his. She felt him briefly freeze before his embrace tightened and the kiss deepened.
"...if only for today, I am unafraid..."
The kiss seemed to last an eternity and a moment before they broke apart, both needing to catch their breath. Suddenly feeling light-headed, Kristin leaned her head against Nathan's chest, ignoring the faint prickle of one of the ribbons on her cheek. Their steps slowed and then suddenly stopped, and they stood motionless, wrapped in each other's arms.
He leaned his chin on top of her head, staring out at the starlit waves. He had long contemplated a closer relationship with Kristin, but something always seemed to get in the way of taking that step. Plus, in the back of his mind was the nagging little voice of guilt that kept trying to ask if it would be betraying Carol's memory. But he knew that Carol wouldn't have wanted him to be alone for the rest of his life. And he couldn't deny that he loved Kristin, even though he hadn't dared to admit it out loud.
The faint but clear sound of the DJ bidding a good night to the crowd and the accompanying cheers broke through his train of thought. He belatedly realized that the dance was over. No doubt others would be coming down to the beach--and even if no one did, Shan would send someone to look for them. "We'd better get back."
Kristin nodded, shivering as the breeze changed direction, blowing off the sea and directly at them. Pausing long enough for her to collect her discarded shoes, they walked back up to the banquet hall arm in arm.
As always, let me know whatcha think! Comments are love.
Chapter 1 ~ Lovers' Game
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Later that same evening
"I hate heels."
"Now, Katie. Just pretend you're in your uniform boots."
"Easy for you to say." Katherine Hitchcock glared down at her feet, then turned a look of exasperation towards her companion. "You walk in them like you were born to. I look like I did when I was four and playing dress-up in my mom's closet."
"Nonsense. You look lovely." Kristin Westphalen offered the younger woman an encouraging smile. "Lieutenant Krieg is going to have quite the time keeping the other young men from stealing you away."
"Knowing Ben, he'll be too busy ogling all the other women there," Katie snorted, taking one final glance at the mirror in the guest quarters that she and Kristin had been given for the weekend. She wasn't used to getting this dressed up, but had to admit to herself that she looked good in her borrowed dress. It was Kelly green and one-shouldered, with a skirt that fell to the floor in soft pleats. Turning back to Kristin, she added, "Including you if he can get away with it."
"Now why would he be looking at an old woman like me for?" Kristin retorted cheerfully. "Besides, I already have a date."
"Uh-huh." The chief engineer had to bite back a knowing smirk. It was no secret to most of the seaQuest's crew that captain and chief medical officer were practically an item. In Katie's private opinion, it was past time that they admitted it openly.
Looking at Kristin, she wondered if tonight might be the night. She had changed from the simple black dress she'd worn to the award ceremony into her borrowed gown--a shimmering, strapless creation in midnight blue. It had a beaded bodice and the tiny crystals sparkled under the overhead lights. Her shoulder-length hair was caught up in a claw comb studded with the same little crystals. Silver heels, barely visible when she moved, completed the look.
"Uh-huh what?"
"Nothing," Katie said innocently. "We'd better get going. I'm sure the others were all ready an hour ago and are pacing the lobby waiting for us."
**
Down in the barracks' lobby, Nathan Bridger sighed and tapped his fingers impatiently against his thigh. He had opted not to change out of his dress blues for the summit banquet, unlike the others. He knew he had to be patient and wait for everyone else to be ready so they could all leave as a group, but the waiting was getting to him. And so were the many stares and hurried salutes from starry-eyed cadets and young officers that kept passing through in the last forty-five minutes. "How much longer are they going to be?" he wondered aloud in mild exasperation.
A snicker from his right stilled his tapping fingers. "Something you find amusing, Lucas?"
Lucas Wolenczak grinned and raked his fingers through his already messy golden hair. "Captain, they're girls. Girls always take forever. It's, like, an unwritten law of the universe."
"Katie's not the type to spend hours primping," Ben Krieg remarked from his seat to Lucas' right. "So, given the other factors, I'm betting it's the doc holding us up."
"What makes you assume that?" Nathan asked a little sharply.
"Oh, no insult meant to the doc, sir. But you have to figure with the press ready to descend the moment they set eyes on her, she'll want to--impress." Wilting under his superior officer's staredown, Ben shifted his gaze away and suddenly brightened. "And I think she'll succeed," he added under his breath.
Nathan's intended retort was forgotten as his gaze followed Ben's. Even the passersby stopped and stared. He rose to his feet, unable to take his eyes off Kristin as she and Katie crossed the lobby to meet them.
Lucas and Ben had also risen, but Lucas was the first of the trio to find his voice. "Wow...you guys look great. Are those the Sakuya Firenze dresses?"
"Thank you, Lucas. And they are." Kristin gave the boy a quick hug and attempted to smooth down his hair. But he ducked just out of reach, giving her a mock scowl. Shaking her head, she turned her smile on Nathan. "Nathan."
"Kristin. You...you look phenomenal." He had to smile at the blush that rose in her cheeks and did his level best to ignore the fact that everyone in the lobby was no doubt watching the two of them.
She took his offered hand and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you. You already know I think the same of you. Now, shall we get going?"
"Close your mouth, Ben. You'll catch flies." Katie was giving her fellow officer a look of annoyance at the way he was staring at her.
"Well, it isn't every day I get to see you dressed like this." Ben's eyes slid admiringly up and down the sight before him. "You always did look hot in green."
"Don't be a pig or I'll ask Shan to be my escort for the evening," she warned him as the group headed for the door.
"Oh, so complimenting you is being a pig?"
The two continued to argue all the way out to the front of the building, where they were met by Chief Shan and a security escort, and into the car that would take them to the banquet hall. Kristin leaned over to Nathan, keeping her voice low. "It's a wonder they ever were married."
"You know that old saying, Kristin. Opposites attract," he pointed out quietly, but his amused smile matched hers.
"There's opposites and then there's oil and water." Kristin shook her head.
"Really, Katie...can't you just accept a compliment for what it is? You do look good in green. Especially that particular shade of green. Come to think of it, it's the same shade as that corset top you wore on our honeymoon."
"Don't you dare bring that up again." Katie glared at her ex-husband.
"Shoreleave in Copenhagen, where we went to that nightclub...and you were dancing on the..."
"Benjamin Arthur Krieg."
"Arthur? That's your middle name?" Lucas snorted a laugh.
"It happens to be my great-grandfather's name. What of it?"
The new argument lasted all the way up until they arrived at the banquet hall. Nathan was almost grateful for the distraction of the reporters that were waiting for them, nearly all of them wanting a quote from Kristin. Security held them back and reminded them they would get their chance to request interviews and ask questions later. That reminder didn't stop the photographers, whose cameras were going off every second.
Ben put up a hand to shield his eyes and guided Katie into the hall behind Nathan and Kristin. "If these guys stay after sunset, they won't even need outdoor lights."
"This is gonna be one long night," Lucas added.
**
A few reporters were waiting just inside the door, but most were willing, if impatiently, to wait the extra hour and a half for the post-dinner press conference. Lucas was not amused by their behavior and covered his ears with a scowl every time they shouted over top of each other, trying to be the one chosen to have their question answered first. When it was Kristin's turn at the podium, the decibel level seemed to double. At that point, Lucas kept his hands over his ears.
Katie poked him gently in the arm. "Keep scowling and your face will freeze like that," she teased in an attempt to lighten his mood.
"I'm inclined to agree with Lucas on this one." Ben winced as the reporters made their protests heard when told that Kristin would only answer two more questions. "I know the doc is the star of the hour, but this borders on the ridiculous."
"They should be gone after this. They'll have gotten all they want. How many times can she repeat herself, after all?"
"Ah, I wouldn't bet on that, Katie. The press are vultures; they don't stop even after there's nothing left to dissect."
With dinner and the press conference over, the floor was cleared for dancing. Lucas' dark mood brightened considerably when the Noyces joined them, for their niece had accompanied them. Shannon Noyce was sixteen, with hair redder than Kristin's and a ready smile. They were soon nearly inseparable, both on and off the dance floor, though she was asked to dance by many of the young male officers and even a few of the women.
But as Ben had put it earlier, Kristin was definitely the star of the hour. Nathan bore all the interruptions in stride, but they eventually began to wear on his nerves. As the night continued on, the crowd thinned out a little and the interruptions became fewer. Nathan danced mostly with Kristin, but also a few times with Katie, Janet Noyce and even once with young Shannon. Kristin ended up dancing with almost everyone who asked her and wasn't able to escape the dance floor for a full hour. When she finally did, she looked downright relieved.
"My feet need a break." Kristin sank into a chair against the wall next to Nathan. "Don't tell Lieutenant Krieg I said this, but he has got to learn where to put his feet."
"I won't say a word."
Yet another reporter came over to speak to Kristin, so Nathan sat back, keeping an eye both on her as well as watching Lucas and Shannon dance. A fast song was now playing and all of those on the floor were keeping up with the beat, but the two teenagers were moving so fast they were nearly a blur. He was surprised that the girl didn't fall when Lucas swung her out to arm's length and back again several times in succession.
"Here we come, here we go! We gotta rock-rock-rock-rock..."
"Did we ever have that much energy?!" He belatedly realized that the reporter was gone and Kristin was leaning in close, raising her voice to make herself be heard.
"Maybe thirty years ago, I might have--but certainly not now!"
The song soon wound to an end and the dancers began to disperse. Barely heard over the cheering as they left the floor, the DJ announced a ten-minute intermission.
"That. Was awesome." Lucas flopped back in his chair and Shannon sank into hers next to him. Both were flushed but smiling widely. "You guys should've come with us."
Nathan chuckled. "That's just too much excitement in one song for me."
"I have to agree," Kristin added. "I can dance fairly well, but what you two were doing? I couldn't have possibly kept up."
"There's another one." Shannon nodded in the direction of a reporter being trailed by a cameraman headed their way. "With the DJ taking a break, they'll figure this is a prime time to get last footage."
"We've got to get rid of these guys somehow," Lucas grumbled under his breath. "They aren't even here to talk to me and I'm getting sick of their hovering. I can't imagine how the doc must feel."
"Can't Captain Bridger tell them nicely that the press conference is over?"
"Oh, I'm sure he'd love to. But, he has to be 'diplomatic' and play nice for 'public relations'." Lucas made air quotes with his fingers and glared at the reporter, then suddenly grinned. "But, I also know it's really frustrating him, because he wants Doc Westphalen all to himself."
"Really? Are they dating?"
"Officially...no. Unofficially...well, that's a matter of opinion. Let's just say I know some things, and seaQuest is a pretty small boat." He raised his eyebrows and Shannon giggled under her breath. His gaze returned to the adults and he nodded towards them. "See, he's tapping his fingers. I knew it."
The reporter and her cameraman departed. Shannon raised her own eyebrows as she and Lucas watched Nathan and Kristin talk quietly for several minutes. "I can see what you mean," she finally whispered. "And if I'm not mistaken, the feeling's mutual on her end. How long have they been 'unofficially' together?"
"Pretty much since they met..." Noticing that the DJ had returned, he hopped up and extended his hand to Shannon. "I'll tell you more once we're out there."
Nathan offered Kristin his arm and they, too, headed back out onto the dance floor. "I know this is partly all for you, but if we get interrupted one more time..."
Kristin laughed softly at the frustration written on his face. "You know, Nathan, we could always slip away."
"And go where? They'd follow us...follow you, rather."
"Then we'll have to escape without them noticing, hm?" She disengaged herself from his arms. "Wait a few minutes, then follow me."
Nathan counted two minutes, watching her make her way off the dance floor without making it obvious that she was headed for the door. After she had slipped out, he glanced around and then followed her. Once outside, the change in lighting briefly startled him and he blinked for several minutes, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the moonlit path that led to the beach. It grew easier as he progressed down the path, the native vegetation blocking the light from the banquet hall. The music could still be heard, though the muted roar of the ocean was getting louder.
"Over here, Nathan."
He moved toward the shadowy figure that was Kristin, noticing that she seemed to be hunched over. "What are you doing?"
"Taking off these shoes." Kristin balanced awkwardly on one foot and he stepped forward to offer her a supportive arm to lean on while she removed them. "Thank you. They'll just get stuck in the sand, so I might as well go barefoot."
"Makes sense." He inhaled a deep breath of ocean-scented air. "Peace and quiet, at last."
She laughed, lacing her arm through his, the shoes dangling from her free hand. "And now that you have me all to yourself, what do you have in mind?" she teased.
"I was going to ask you the same thing. It is your night, after all."
"I'll settle for the peace and quiet, actually. I never realized how quiet it can be on seaQuest sometimes, until I'm around so many more people."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Quiet? Are you sure you're thinking of the right ship?"
"Sometimes on the night shift, it's almost peaceful. Usually, the only one making noise is Darwin--if he's even awake."
"When Darwin wants attention, he could wake the dead. I should know."
"Oh, all right. A little quieter, then."
"That's better." He used his best serious-captain voice, but had to start laughing when she smacked his arm in return.
Conversation faded as they walked along the beach. There was more than enough moonlight to see where they were going. The far end was marked by a tall cliff and Kristin was the first to notice the emerging sea turtle hatchlings in its shadow. Some moved slowly, but most scurried quickly into the waiting tides. It was an extraordinary sight and they continued to watch until the last hatchling had gone into the water and the sand was once again still. They looked for signs of any other nests on the return walk, but none were apparent.
"This is it...last song, y'all." As the banquet hall came back into view, the DJ's announcement could be heard floating on the breeze. "And it's one for you 80's children and romantics--and any Tom Cruise fans, if any still exists." An echo of cheering and laughter followed that comment before the first strains of the music began.
"I suppose that's our cue to return," Nathan said reluctantly. He wasn't looking forward to any remaining reporters awaiting them, which he knew there would be-and they would try to follow them all the way back to the harbor. "Sorry that we missed one last chance to dance, though."
"Oh, I wouldn't say we've missed it. We can still hear the music from here."
Nathan smiled wryly. "Then, may I have this dance, Doctor?"
"Certainly, Captain," she replied, imitating his mock-formal tone. Taking his offered hand, she tossed her shoes a few feet away and moved into his arms. The quiet rumble of the waves rolling onto the shore mingled with the distant music that drifted down to the beach on the night breeze.
"...on this endless ocean, finally lovers know no shame..."
They moved together in a slow circle, easily falling into the rhythm. It felt to Kristin like they were the only two people on the entire island. She reveled in all the sensations--the distant music mixing with the swish and crash of the waves a few feet away, the breeze teasing the back of her neck, the warm strength of Nathan's hands on her waist. It had been a long time since she'd felt this peaceful.
Nathan, for his part, was hyper-aware of Kristin in his arms. He barely heard the music or cared about who might see them, slow dancing on the sand with the tide rushing up to wash around his shoes and Kristin's bare feet. The moonlight seemed to enhance her beauty, even more so than usual. When the breeze picked up, tugging a lock of her hair out of the clip, he reached up to tuck it behind her ear.
A shiver went down her back when his fingertips brushed her ear. The sudden touch of his hand on her cheek startled her and her eyes met his when he tilted her head up. Impulsively, she leaned up to press her lips to his. She felt him briefly freeze before his embrace tightened and the kiss deepened.
"...if only for today, I am unafraid..."
The kiss seemed to last an eternity and a moment before they broke apart, both needing to catch their breath. Suddenly feeling light-headed, Kristin leaned her head against Nathan's chest, ignoring the faint prickle of one of the ribbons on her cheek. Their steps slowed and then suddenly stopped, and they stood motionless, wrapped in each other's arms.
He leaned his chin on top of her head, staring out at the starlit waves. He had long contemplated a closer relationship with Kristin, but something always seemed to get in the way of taking that step. Plus, in the back of his mind was the nagging little voice of guilt that kept trying to ask if it would be betraying Carol's memory. But he knew that Carol wouldn't have wanted him to be alone for the rest of his life. And he couldn't deny that he loved Kristin, even though he hadn't dared to admit it out loud.
The faint but clear sound of the DJ bidding a good night to the crowd and the accompanying cheers broke through his train of thought. He belatedly realized that the dance was over. No doubt others would be coming down to the beach--and even if no one did, Shan would send someone to look for them. "We'd better get back."
Kristin nodded, shivering as the breeze changed direction, blowing off the sea and directly at them. Pausing long enough for her to collect her discarded shoes, they walked back up to the banquet hall arm in arm.