.

"What's going on?" Ben asked the group, as he entered. He was the last to arrive, except for Bridger.

"We don't know," Katie replied. "All we know is that we have changed course; we're headed to Hawaii now."

"Maybe there's been news," Miguel offered hopefully. "Maybe Tim and Lucas are coming back."

"I hope so," Ben remarked, taking a seat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McKinnon tapped Rodriguez on the shoulder. "Let's take a walk," she suggested, indicating that she wanted to talk to him.

Rodriguez nodded slowly; he knew what she had in mind, but he was not sure he was ready to have this discussion. However, he stood and followed her away from the rest of the group.

"Did Sullivan go ahead and sanction the mission? Or did he authorize the rescue attempt?" he questioned, stepping inside the first empty room they found. He knew he was only delaying the inevitable, but he needed more time. Rodriguez was trying to gather his thoughts, trying to figure out how to tell McKinnon what had happened.

"Ramsey ordered him to issue a sanction," McKinnon began, deciding not to reveal the information about Ramsey just yet. "Fortunately, we lost our connection before he could."

"And Outrigger White and Gold?"

"Were in town for their annual refresher training."

"McKinnon-"

"I called in some favors before we left. If nothing had happened, they would have gone through the course."

"Ramsey's going to have a fit."

"Most likely," McKinnon agreed, although she was not real concerned about Ramsey at the moment. "You know that I have to ask you this-.."

"No! We didn't break Article One!" Rodriguez yelled, feeling all the emotion that had been building inside of him come spilling out. "I stood there and watched them dislocate his shoulder and kick him and hit him and I stood loyal to the Code!" he shouted, pacing angrily up and down the room. "And when they were done, all I could do was carry him, so they wouldn't touch him any more!"

McKinnon did not speak; she knew this was something Rodriguez needed to get out. It was the reason she had brought him down here; he would not let go, not in front of the team, and especially not in front of O'Neil.

"Then-then-" Rodriguez heard his voice break a little, "then I held him when he woke up from his nightmare. He was afraid they would reverse our positions! He was afraid that he wouldn't have the strength to keep quiet if they started beating on me!"

McKinnon reached out to touch his shoulder, but he moved away. "He's just a kid! But he insisted that I couldn't act any different because it was him! I couldn't do anything to stop them! Right before you came in, Inouye pulled a gun; I don't know what I was going to do," Rodriguez gasped out, finally sinking into a chair, burying his head in his hands.

McKinnon sat down next to him and put her arms around him, forgetting about everything but the fact that one of her team, one of her friends, was in pain. It had hurt just hear to him talk about it; McKinnon could not begin to imagine having been a witness to it. McKinnon also recognized this was not the time to tell Rodriguez about Ramsey.

"It's the first time I've ever seriously considered breaking Article One," Rodriguez told her quietly.

"I'm sorry," McKinnon said, knowing it was not enough, but it was all she could say. They were all upset about what had happened to Lucas, but she knew their anger did not compare to Rodriguez's. Past experience had taught her that nothing felt worse than being powerless to stop someone from hurting someone you cared about.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bridger studied the group seated around the table. He had just finished telling them about Lucas and Tim getting shot. As expected, they had not taken the news well. Ford's face was impassive, as usual, although there was a flicker of anger in his eyes as he thought about the two being harmed. Katie had gone pale, one hand covering her mouth as she tried not to imagine the worst. Ben looked like someone had kicked him in the stomach. Crocker felt his own anger rising: neither one should have been hurt. Miguel stared in disbelief. In his opinion, Lucas and Tim were two of the gentlest people he had ever met; getting shot was not something that happened to people like them.

"How serious?" Ford finally asked, while everyone stared at Bridger anxiously.

"Tim was wounded in the leg; Sullivan says it was just a graze."

"What about Lucas?" Katie prompted, softly.

"His injuries were more serious. He was shot in the shoulder; he was in surgery when Sullivan called," Bridger replied, realizing, for the first time, that it meant that, whatever the Outriggers had been engaged in, had only recently ended. "However, the doctor treating him did not think there was any internal damage. He also sustained an injury to his knee."

There was silence in the room as everyone let the information sink in. "How did it happen?" Katie finally questioned. "What were they doing?"

"At this time, the Outriggers are not saying. Sullivan said the information is classified."

"Why?" Miguel inquired angrily.

"We should be able to know what happened," Ben added.

"Sullivan wouldn't give me any information as to what they were doing when it happened."

"Where are they? Can we see them?" Katie interjected.

"They were transported to Hawaii," Bridger explained.

"What about the science team on the Philippines?" Ford queried, more out of training than genuine interest.

"The UEO will send someone else to retrieve them."

"When will they let us know about Lucas?" Miguel asked.

"Sullivan promised someone would contact us when they finished surgery."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karneering left Lucas, after almost three hours of surgery, feeling a sense of relief. They had been lucky; there had been no internal injuries. The surgery had gone well; all they could do now was wait for his body to do the rest. However, he felt he could make a fairly positive report. He was not surprised to find the rest of the team still in the waiting room, even though all were exhausted by now. Karneering suspected that, if Dr. Clark had thought he had a battle over the treatment of Lucas, the doctor was in for a big surprise now. Karneering knew the way the unit reacted to these situations; he had learned quickly that no one left until everyone was healthy.

Rodriguez stood up as soon as he walked over to them; Karneering could tell from the restraining hand Ryan had on Tim's shoulder that he would have done the same if they had allowed it.

"How is he?" Tim asked, his voice cracking slightly.

"He was pretty lucky," Karneering announced. "The bullet went through clean; there were no internal injuries. It'll take some time for everything to heal, but there shouldn't be any permanent damage. He had three broken ribs, but again, there were no complications. The ligaments and cartilage in his knee were torn. Fortunately, Dr. Foster of Outrigger Gold did a second specialization in orthopedics; there should be no permanent damage to his knee. He will require some therapy when he's up and about. There were no other broken bones or major injuries."

"So, he'll be all right?" Rodriguez questioned, wanting to make sure he understood.

"He's going to be fine. His body is exhausted, so I wouldn't expect him to be awake a lot over the next day or two, but I don't anticipate any complications." There was a general sigh of relief at the news.

"When can we see him?" Ryan asked. She had her own guilt to assuage and she wasn't going to do it until she saw Lucas.

"We're trying to find a room to put him in," Karneering answered. "Some of you might want to go get some sleep," he recommended.

"Are you going to follow your own advice?" Chandler retorted. When Karneering wisely opted not to answer, Chandler nodded his head. "You know the drill," he added.

"Fine, but you," he gave a nod to McKinnon, "get to tell Clark."

"I have no problem with that," she said.

Karneering stifled a weary smile; he hoped he got a chance to see that confrontation. McKinnon got very fierce when it came to the team. Dr. Clark was in for a fight if he protested too much. "Make sure they put a bed in it for O'Neil," he instructed.

"Why?" Tim demanded. "I'm fine."

"You were shot," Karneering corrected. "It may have been a graze, but you are going to stay off of it until I say otherwise. And you will get plenty of rest."

"Don't argue; you won't win," Adamsen advised. "He'll slip sedatives in your food."

"I have never slipped any of you any drugs without your knowledge," Karneering protested.

"Excuse me?" Rodriguez interrupted.

"With the exception of the commander," Karneering amended. "Oh, here comes Dr. Clark now."

"This should be interesting," Dawson murmured.

"Dr. Karneering, I do not understand why Dr. Foster insists the room prepared for your patient is unacceptable," Dr. Clark informed him, still bristling from the earlier encounter.

"You would need to take that up with Commander McKinnon," Karneering told him.

"Commander, I really must insist that your crew leave the waiting area; you can visit your injured man during visiting hours," Clark started.

"That was a real bad move on his part," Hallowell mumbled, getting nods from Adamsen and Chandler, who sat on either side of him.

"We will visit him as soon as he gets settled in a room," McKinnon advised.

"Hospital policy states that-"

"Dr. Clark, I'm not really interested in hospital policy. I am concerned about the best interests of my team. Right now, they are understandably preoccupied about Wolenczak's condition."

"This is a hospital. We do have rules to follow."

"I'm an Outrigger, Doctor; I also have rules to follow."

"Here we go," Ryan muttered under her breath.

"Section forty-three, paragraph one, subsection B of the Outrigger Code of Conduct establishes that, during the course of the mission, the team is not to separated until completion of the assignment, unless the separation is deemed necessary for the integrity of the mission. Right now, my team is currently still considered an activated unit, as debriefing has not taken place. Debriefing cannot take place while I have members of the crew in the hospital. So I suggest you worry about finding a room big enough to hold the ten of us and less about your hospital regulations, because we are not leaving. Feel free to contact Captain Sullivan if you have a problem with any of this," McKinnon spoke in very clipped tones, which told those who knew her well enough that Clark was in for trouble if he persisted.

"That is outrageous!" he told her.

"Uh oh," Chandler sighed.

"Doctor, I have had a very trying day; you do not want to tick me off!" McKinnon yelled, getting right in his face. "Now, you can either assign us an appropriate room or I can have my team find one!"

Ryan moved closer to McKinnon, hoping Clark decided to cooperate before he really irritated McKinnon. However, she also wanted to be in position in case McKinnon got any angrier.

"I fail to understand why this is necessary," Clark protested.

"I'm not asking you to understand, Doctor. I'm just telling you the way it's going to be."

"Doctor, before you say anything else to annoy her, I think you should know that she has jacked better men than you up against the wall when she thinks they're messing with her unit," Rodriguez interrupted. "And one of them was an admiral."

"I intend to complain to your captain about this!" Clark blustered.

"Be my guest," McKinnon invited him. McKinnon knew that Sullivan would back her up, even if he chastised her later. She watched him walk off. "I need to let Sullivan know about Wolenczak," she said, instantly calm now that Clark had left. "I imagine he'll want to notify seaQuest."

"Has he already told them about us?" Tim inquired, trying hard not to envision the reaction it must have caused.

"Most likely. They were en route to the Philippines, so they have probably altered course. I'll let you know."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That is good news, Commander," Sullivan informed McKinnon moments later, as she gave him an update. "Hopefully, it will appease Captain Bridger. He did not react well to the news both had been shot."

"I don't blame him, Sir."

"Yes, well, I imagine you'll have plenty of opportunity to chat with him about this when they arrive."

"I'm sure I will," McKinnon agreed. "I fear I may have irritated Dr. Clark again."

"I think that is an understatement," he told her. "Dr. Clark has already called me." "Sorry about that, Captain."

"No, you aren't, Commander. However, since it does me no good to lecture you about these things, I won't waste my breath."

"Thank you, Sir."

"As for your other concern, I haven't had much time to pursue it."

"Neither have I, but I will. I did verify with Rodriguez that Article One was not violated."

"Very good. When Wolenczak is up to it, we will conduct the debriefing and you can sign off on the mission."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bridger found himself in Lucas' room again. He was trying not to imagine what might have happened with the Outriggers. Unfortunately, his mind kept filling with horrible scenarios for how the two had been shot. Sullivan had notified him that Lucas had come through surgery all right, but he still refused to relinquish any information. Bridger was willing to let the issue slide momentarily; his main concern was getting to Hawaii where he could see for himself that Lucas and Tim were all right. He sat on Lucas' bunk and tried to figure out if there had been a way for him to have prevented any of this from happening.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, we ended up in quarantine after all," Rodriguez remarked quietly to Tim. They were the only two awake, except for McKinnon, who was sitting in the corner, looking at something on her computer. Rodriguez assumed she was preparing the initial mission report. Tim and Rodriguez were seated by Lucas' bedside, watching the teenager sleep. Both had insisted on being there and, after establishing the fact that Tim was not to walk on his leg, Karneering had reluctantly agreed. The doctor figured that if Tim was still awake after everything, nothing was going to get him to sleep until he was positive his friend was all right.

Once Dr. Clark had realized that Outrigger Blue fully intended to remain with Lucas and Tim, he had given them one of the quarantine rooms, as it was the only one big enough for the ten-member team. Now that Karneering had assured the unit that Lucas would be okay, they had allowed themselves to relax a little and recent events had caught up to most of the team members. Since he was not using it, Ryan was sound asleep on Tim's hospital bed. Adamsen sat, sleeping in a chair, with her legs propped up on the foot of the bed. Karneering had only unwillingly agreed to stretch out on a cot when McKinnon pulled rank. Rodriguez figured that, after he woke up, the doctor would pull rank on her: something McKinnon knew too, which was why she was furiously at work now. Dawson, Hallowell, and Chandler were draped over chairs, also asleep.

"I'm sorry," Rodriguez told Tim for about the twentieth time. Earlier, when everyone else went to sleep, he had told Tim about what had happened. He kept hoping that if he apologized enough it would make him feel better about all that had happened.

"You didn't do this to him," Tim told him. "You would have done anything you could to prevent it."

"I just wish I could have done more," Rodriguez said regretfully, eyeing the teenager, who seemed unnaturally still. He was used to Lucas moving around, giving him a hard time.

Tim nodded. "So do I. And I am not looking forward to facing Bridger when they arrive, either."

"He can't blame you. And you can't blame yourself."

"He's going to be upset. He won't hold me responsible or anything like that. He probably went through the roof when he found out. And Dr. Westphalen. You think Karneering's bad; you haven't seen anything yet," Tim observed. He looked down at Lucas and shook his head. McKinnon had announced that Sullivan had classified the details of the assignment; Tim wondered exactly how they were going to hide the other injuries. Although Lucas' jaw wasn't broken, it was badly bruised and so was the rest of his face;

Karneering figured it would be sore for several days. Tim knew it was going to be obvious to Bridger and Westphalen that more had happened to Lucas than just getting shot. However, the set of McKinnon's jaw, when she made the announcement, had told Tim that she disagreed with the decision. He had learned enough about her in the time with Outrigger Blue to know she would find a way around it.

"You should get some rest," Rodriguez commented.

"So should you," Tim countered.

"You both should be asleep," McKinnon interjected, earning glares from both.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mind if I join you?" Katie asked Ben, who was sitting at a table by himself, playing with his food.

"Oh, hi," Ben said, looking up from his tray.

"You okay?" Katie questioned. Katie knew that Ben looked upon Lucas as a little brother; as much as he tried to deny it at times, he was a soft-hearted guy. Even as she had registered her own horror at the news, Katie had seen Ben's devastated look. "At least he's okay," she offered.

"Neither one should have been there, Katie. Wherever there is," he commented, shaking his head. "They are not supposed to be doing things that will get them both shot. I mean, it would be bad enough if it was just one, but both? What the hell were they doing?" he inquired angrily.

"I don't know. I wish I did."

"I'd certainly like to talk the Outriggers about how this happened."

"We all would," Katie assured him. "And I have no doubt that the captain will get some answers; classified or not."

"I just want to see them both for myself, especially Lucas," Ben sighed, unhappily. "He's just a kid."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucas opened his eyes slowly and tried to figure out where he was; his last memory was being on the helicopter and Karneering going to splint his leg.

"Tim?" he whispered weakly, having trouble forming the name. He spotted Tim, with his leg propped up on one chair, reclining in a wheelchair.

"Hey," Tim greeted him softly, sitting up, more alert. He glanced over at McKinnon, who was still awake and signaled her to get Karneering. The doctor had made it clear that, if he walked on his leg for any reason, Tim would suffer dire consequences. Rodriguez had fallen asleep about twenty minutes ago. "Don't talk," he instructed. "We're at the hospital in Hawaii," he added, figuring Lucas might be a little confused.

"Welcome back," Karneering said, moving around Rodriguez's sleeping form to get a look at him.

"Thanks," Lucas told him, coughing a little, which made his ribs hurt, among other places.

"We'll get you a little water in just a second," Karneering informed him, finishing his quick examination. "And I think we'll wait until next time to fill you in on the details," he added, noting that Lucas looked half asleep already.

"Okay," Lucas agreed, sleepily. He stayed awake just long enough for Karneering to sit him up a bit and drink a little water.

"That's pretty normal," Karneering assured Tim and McKinnon, when Lucas had fallen asleep again. "His body was already exhausted before getting shot; sleep is the best thing for him right now. In fact, it's the best thing for you two as well."

"I'm fine," Tim insisted.

"Bedtime, O'Neil," Karneering said firmly. "It may have been relatively minor, but you were shot."

Tim sighed, giving in. He really had no choice, since Ryan chose that moment to wake up anyway. "All right, all right. You're really pushy," he complained.

"I'm an Outrigger; it comes with the job," Karneering commented, wheeling him over to the bed. "Sorry, I'm going to evict you, Ryan," he instructed Ryan, who was sitting up.

"No problem. How's Wolenczak?" Ryan questioned, sliding off the bed and rubbing her eyes.

"He woke up for a bit; he's fine."

"Good."

"Your leg bothering you any?" Karneering asked, Tim had refused pain medication the last three times he had offered. Karneering suspected it was because the lieutenant did not want to fall asleep before Lucas woke up.

"A little," Tim confessed.

"I'll give you something for it," Karneering offered.

"Don't go anywhere, Ryan. I may need you."

"You think he's going to bolt?" Ryan teased.

"No. We still have one more recalcitrant crew member to put to bed," he sighed.

Ryan looked over to where McKinnon had returned to her computer. "Oh."

Tim fell asleep about five minutes after Karneering gave him the pain medication.

"Figured it would knock him right out," Karneering observed. "If only everyone was so easy," he added, with a glance at McKinnon.

"She won't go without a fight," Ryan pointed out. "So, what's the plan?"

"I'm just going to wing it. For once, I'm sorry Rodriguez is out like a light. He handles this so well."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What?" McKinnon inquired, looking up and finding both Ryan and Karneering staring at her.

"When did you last sleep?" Karneering asked. "If it takes you that long to answer, it's been too long," he informed her, when she did not answer right away.

"I need to finish this," McKinnon said, nodding at her computer.

"It can wait, McKinnon," Ryan commented. "That's what you always tell us."

"I'm almost done," McKinnon told her.

"Don't make me pull medical rank on you," Karneering warned.

"I'll be done pretty quick," McKinnon insisted.

"Okay," Karneering said, sitting down across from her.

"Are you going to sit there watching me?" McKinnon inquired.

"Just until you decided to go to bed," Karneering informed her. "This isn't necessary," McKinnon grumbled. "And both can't just sit there and stare at me; it's distracting."

"That's the idea," Ryan informed her, with a trace of a smile.

"McKinnon, you know that tomorrow the seaQuest is going to descend upon us and they probably aren't going to come bearing presents. If you don't get some sleep, you're likely to say something you'll regret," Karneering argued.

"I never regret anything I say," McKinnon disputed, still looking at her computer.

"Commander, please don't be difficult," Karneering pleaded. "I really don't want to get official about this."

"I'm not being difficult."

"You are too," a new voice chimed in. All three turned as Rodriguez stood up from his vigil at Lucas' bedside. "Let's take a walk," he repeated her suggestion of earlier, giving her a sardonic smile as he did it.

"I don't want-"

"Yeah, well, I do," he told her, purposely hesitating as he spoke and glancing back at Lucas anxiously. Rodriguez had worked with McKinnon long enough to know she could not ignore him: not if she thought he needed to talk.

Karneering was not fully sure what Rodriguez was up to, but he could see McKinnon relent, which was all he wanted.

"Fine. We'll go get some coffee," she sighed, standing up.

"Make sure she gets decaf," Karneering instructed Rodriguez softly.

"I'll try," he acknowledged.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You want to tell me about it?" Rodriguez asked McKinnon, once they had walked a bit.

"Tell you about what?"

"What ever it is that has you so ticked off," he replied.

"Who said I was ticked?" McKinnon inquired, not refuting his comment.

"I know you, McKinnon. You are functioning on an adrenaline rush of anger. I recognize the signs. Plus, you've been too quiet. I've heard every other member of the team cursing the Tarsinians in general for what happened to Wolenczak. You've kept yourself focused on something we can't see, which tells me you've got something making you mad, and we know there's only one thing that makes you more furious than one of your team getting hurt. So, who do you think screwed us this time?"

"I never said-"

"Don't deny it, McKinnon," Rodriguez told her. "If you don't want to tell, that's your right, but don't try to convince me I'm wrong."

"Why do I put up with you?"

"Because I'm good at my job and I keep you honest," Rodriguez answered.

"And I would like to remind you that you are the one who always tells us that problems are much easier when you talk them out."

"You know that program Wolenczak set up? Before we left?"

"The one in the UEO files?"

"Yes."

"What about it?"

"Ramsey sent our mission brief outside the organization."

"He did what?!" Rodriguez yelled, ignoring the stares of people walking by.

"You heard me."

"Who, when and why?" he demanded.

"Don't know the why," she replied. "I'm trying to figure that out."

"And then he had the nerve to tell Sullivan to sanction us?!" Rodriguez hissed loudly.

"Yes. Sullivan knows, but I don't know that he'll be able to find to out anything."

"We have to do something."

"We will. I'm not letting him get away with this one," McKinnon promised.

Rodriguez looked at her. "What do you mean by that?" he queried.

"No one messes with my team, Rodriguez."

"You said 'with this one', which implies he's gotten away with another one," Rodriguez observed.

"Not your concern, Rodriguez. It has nothing to do with the Blues," McKinnon stated firmly. Her tone told Rodriguez the subject had just closed, although he filed it away for later discussion.

"What are we going to do?" he finally questioned.

"I'm not sure yet. I'm still working on how I'm going to let Captain Bridger know what happened to Wolenczak without breaking classification."

"We'll figure out a way," Rodriguez assured her.

"Their captain is not stupid; he's going to realize more went on than him getting shot."

"I think that's safe to say."

"But, for now, be nice to Karneering; he's had a rough day too. We'll go back to the room; you'll take a nap."

"Fine."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How do you do it?" Karneering asked Rodriguez, once they had returned and McKinnon had agreed to get some sleep. Ryan had gone back to sleep: this time, in a chair.

"I appeal to her reasonable nature."

"I didn't know she had one. Now, what is it going to take to get you to get some sleep?"

"I just want to wait and see if he wakes up again," Rodriguez said with a nod at Lucas. "Besides, you need some sleep and one of us should be awake. I don't want him to get scared. This is a strange place and it's been a stressful few days."

"Don't get too sensitive on us; we won't know what to do," Karneering advised. "Wake me up if he does."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rodriguez was still awake the next time Lucas opened his eyes. "Hey there," Rodriguez said, leaning over to get a closer look. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by seaQuest about ten times," Lucas grumbled. "Why is everyone in the room?" he asked, being slightly more alert this time around.

"We don't do well when one of our team is down, so we're hanging around until you're better," Rodriguez replied, as Karneering walked over.

"It's not your fault," Lucas told him. He realized the statement was incongruous, but he needed to say it.

"You want some more water?" Karneering asked, glad to see that Lucas looked a little more aware of his surroundings this time.

"Yeah. How's Tim? Was I dreaming or did he get hurt?"

"He got shot in the leg. Just a graze though: he's fine. Nothing nearly as impressive as yours," Karneering informed him, helping the teenager sit up for the water.

"And if you ever do it again, I'm going to kill you," Rodriguez interjected, realizing the comment was not logical, but saying it anyway. "You scared the hell out of us."

"Sorry," Lucas mumbled, already going back to sleep.

"If only the rest of you were as cooperative," Karneering sighed. "Gee, there's a cot open; I suggest you go occupy it," he ordered. To his surprise, Rodriguez consented, a definite sign the events of the last few days had started catching up with him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"All right, gang, I think maybe we should see about getting some clean clothes and showers," McKinnon announced, several hours later, when they were all awake, "because the seaQuest is going to be arriving soon and we've already done enough to scare them without looking completely disreputable." Their efforts at cleaning up while Lucas was in surgery had already worn off.

"What about me?" Tim asked, having already been informed by Karneering that he was going nowhere, not that he would have anyway. He did not want to leave Lucas alone.

"We'll bring you some clothes," Dawson promised him. "We need you to look as respectable as possible."

"No kidding," Hallowell mumbled.

"It won't take us long," Ryan told Tim. "We'll be back before seaQuest arrives."

"Can I move over by Lucas before you leave?" Tim requested. "In case he wakes up?" Lucas had woken up a couple of times, but never for very long.

"That can be arranged," Karneering agreed. "Just make sure you stay there."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where is everyone?" Lucas asked Tim.

"They left to change clothes and shower. The captain and the others are supposed to be here soon," Tim answered, leaning forward to brush a stray piece of hair off the teenager's face. There was something about Lucas being in the hospital that made Tim, and he suspected the others as well, want to take care of him. "Karneering said you could have some water."

"Tim?" Lucas spoke after drinking some water and settling back on the bed.

"What is it?"

"Don't let them give the Outriggers a hard time," Lucas requested. "They did the best they could. McKinnon gave us the chance to back out and we chose not to, and Rodriguez, well, he couldn't stop them. I know he would have and-"

"Take it easy," Tim whispered softly, since Lucas getting extremely agitated. "I will make sure that they understand."

"I just don't want them to take the blame."

"It's okay," Tim told him. "I imagine Karneering is going to be explaining to Westphalen everything that he did," he remarked with a smile.

"Did they tell them what happened?"

Tim shook his head. "No. Captain Sullivan classified the mission. But I think McKinnon's working on a way around that."

"Oh," Lucas murmured drowsily.

"Go back to sleep," Tim ordered quietly, adjusting the covers over him a little better. Tim watched him sleeping, wondering how Lucas could be this calm. Rodriguez had told him about the nightmare the teenager had while they were being held hostage. Karneering had explained earlier that it might take a day or two for reality to sink in.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'll be back in about twenty minutes," McKinnon instructed Rodriguez quietly, as they headed back inside the hospital. "I need to talk to Sullivan."

"Okay, I'll herd everyone back to the quarantine room. And I promise to behave myself if seaQuest arrives before you return. I will be very professional."

"Who are you and what have you done with Rodriguez?" McKinnon inquired.

"Very funny, Commander."

"Any time."

"Good luck."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, what are we going to do about it?" McKinnon questioned Sullivan, having just finished discussing Ramsey's actions.

"Commander, there is nothing I can do about it. There is no indication, that in sending that transmission, he caused your mission breach."

"With all due respect, Captain-"

"However, just because I can't do something about it, does not mean that you can't do anything about it," he remarked, giving her a significant look.

"Yes, Sir."

"Also, I'm to inform you that Admiral Ramsey has put all of you in for commendations for your meritorious service on this assignment."

"He's trying to buy us off."

"I would never presume to question the motives of an admiral, Commander," Sullivan told her, his face devoid of emotion. "But you would be wise to consider accepting it. I think it would be an effective platform."

"He better have included O'Neil and Wolenczak."

"He did. And that is one more thing we have to discuss, Commander," Sullivan commented.

"Sir?"

"First, you are authorized to tell Captain Bridger, and only Captain Bridger, of the events that led to their hospitalization. However, if you neglect to mention to him that the information is classified, well, that would only be an oversight on your part. Also, you will have to review Section ninety-nine with O'Neil and Wolenczak."

"Are you serious?" McKinnon queried incredulously.

"HQ is going to hold to that?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Getting shot is not considered a significant deterrent to adhering to the rules, Commander."

"Fine. You are telling Captain Bridger."

"I will," Sullivan agreed, not mentioning that he fully planned to wait for a while before informing the other man, most likely until they had to enforce the rule.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where's McKinnon?" Tim asked, when the others returned.

"Talking to Sullivan," Karneering replied. "We brought you some clean clothes."

"Good. Can I walk now?"

"No."

"Come on; you don't want them to think I'm a complete invalid," Tim cajoled.

"He has a point," Chandler interjected. "I mean, we're not exactly scoring any points with them."

"Crutches," Karneering consented. "But only for short distances and I get to define short."

"Where am I going to go?" Tim inquired. "You have them all trained."

"I know," he said, smiling. "Chandler will help you change."

"I can dress myself," Tim protested. "Why shorts?"

"If your doctor is half the person you've indicated, she's going to want to look at your wound. I didn't think you wanted to strip for all of us."

"Oh."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What did Sullivan have to say?" Rodriguez questioned McKinnon, upon her return.

"We'll discuss it later. I did get authorization to talk to Bridger about what happened."

"Amazing."

"I think Sullivan realized it's going to be hard to keep it quiet. I need to talk to O'Neil for a minute."

"All right."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What's up?" Tim asked, recognizing that McKinnon had a serious look on her face.

"When your captain and company arrive, would you like us to leave?" McKinnon queried.

"Do you want to leave?"

"Not really, no. But you are in an awkward position: sort of with us, but they are your crew."

Tim thought for a moment, remembering Lucas' earlier request. "Then don't leave."

"Are you sure? It might create tension. Somehow I don't think we're on their list of favorite people."

"Lucas asked me to make sure you don't get blamed. I agree with him. He would want you to stay," Tim stated with certainty, even though he had not discussed it with the teenager.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Why are they in a quarantine room?" Bridger asked the nurse, who was leading them to where Lucas and Tim were staying. Ford and Crocker had reluctantly stayed back on board seaQuest after extracting promises of a full report, as soon as the others saw Lucas and Tim. Bridger had been slightly surprised to find that no one objected to all of them accompanying him to the room. "No one mentioned quarantine."

"They're not under quarantine; it was just the only room big enough hold them all," the nurse replied. "All?" Kristin questioned.

"The Outriggers are a peculiar group," the nurse explained. "And, apparently, they don't take kindly to separation when one of the team is injured. Anyway, they all spent the night."

"Really?" Bridger queried.

"Yes, Sir. In fact, they got rather adamant," the nurse responded. "There you are." She pointed to the room, which the Outriggers had taken over.

The sight of the Outriggers spread out through the room shocked the seaQuest crew. What startled them even more was that they were all instantly on their feet when they saw the seaQuest group, including Tim, standing at rigid attention.

"Captain Bridger," McKinnon greeted him formally. "Sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances."

"So am I, Commander," Bridger acknowledged. "This is some of my crew, whom you haven't met before," he added, launching into introductions, while his group grew restless. They wanted to see Lucas and talk to Tim.

McKinnon ran through her team, who had, the seaQuest group was amazed to realize, managed to line themselves up by rank. "Wolenczak has been awake several times," McKinnon concluded. "Dr. Karneering will be more than happy to discuss specifics with you, Dr. Westphalen," she added.

Kristin looked at Karneering in surprise; during the initial introductions, McKinnon had mentioned only his rank. "I would appreciate that. Perhaps while the others are visiting."

"Of course," Karneering replied, wondering precisely how he was going to explain the knee injury, along with the other ones not related to the gunshot wound. "O'Neil, sit down and put your leg back up, or I will take the crutches away from you," he ordered.

Tim muttered something under his breath, but he did sit in the chair that Dawson produced for him.

"Are you happy now?" Tim questioned the doctor.

Miguel and Ben looked at each other, unwilling to believe that this was Tim, who usually followed orders without question.

"Not really, but I'll take what I can get," Karneering sighed. "Watch him; he's sneaky," he instructed the other Outriggers. "If you'll follow me, Dr. Westphalen."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It's good to see you," Tim finally told the group, hoping to ease the silence that reigned after Karneering took Kristin into the hall. Plus, he had noted the way the members of seaQuest stood glaring at the Outriggers, who refused to relax. "Lucas has been awake and seems to be more alert each time," he added hopefully.

"How are you?" Bridger asked him.

"I'm fine. It was just a minor thing," Tim replied with a shrug. "Karneering is just a tad bit overprotective about these things," he added, earning snickers from the Outriggers.

While Miguel and Katie moved to talk to Tim, Bridger and Ben walked over to where Lucas was sleeping. McKinnon and Rodriguez followed closely behind them, knowing that the peace was likely to end quickly. McKinnon had not found a way to broach the subject of his other injuries. Usually not one to avoid being direct, she had decided to let them see Lucas first and then bring up the details.

Tim only partially paid attention to the what the other two had to say, as he watched the procession to Lucas' bedside. Part of him recognized that he was being a coward about this; the other part of him did not care.

Bridger stared down at Lucas and found himself speechless; the teenager's bruised face was hard to ignore. However, Ben had plenty to say.

"What the hell happened to him?!" he yelled, getting the attention of everyone in the room.

"Ben!" Katie hissed from the other side of the room. She did not know what had him upset, but she figured it was not a good idea to be shouting.

"I thought you said he got shot?!" Ben continued, ignoring both Katie and the restraining hand Bridger had on his shoulder.

"Ben!" Tim called out, figuring this was a good time to intervene. "Calm down; he's okay."

Ben turned to Tim. "He looks like someone beat the hell out of him, Tim!" The shouting had resulted in Karneering and Kristin rushing back into the room. Rodriguez looked at McKinnon, who gave a slight nod.

"That's because someone did," Rodriguez acknowledged, his voice more calm than he really felt. Since this was not according to Sullivan's orders, he wanted to be the one to violate them. He heard the gasps of shock from the seaQuest crew and watched as they all looked at Tim, who gave a nod of confirmation.

"What do you mean?" Bridger demanded, finally finding his voice.

"Commander, you need to take this discussion elsewhere," Karneering instructed McKinnon. He understood Bridger's anger, but he was not going to let them start a shouting match over his patient. "I really don't want him waking up to this. He's had enough excitement," he added in a vast understatement.

"He's right," McKinnon said. "Let me take you to the conference room," she told Bridger. "Stay here," she ordered Rodriguez, who moved to follow.

"No way, Commander," Rodriguez informed her. "Someone has to make sure that you don't completely blow your career," he whispered.

"I'm coming, too," Tim added. He knew he definitely needed to be present for this explanation. Karneering glared at him, so he reluctantly waited for Chandler to produce a wheelchair, which Rodriguez took control of before he could.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Now, perhaps you'll explain exactly what happened," Bridger said, as they all took seats in a vacant conference room.

"Perhaps you should let me do the talking, Commander," Rodriguez suggested.

"I don't think so," McKinnon told him.

"We don't really care who tells us; we just want to know what's going on," Kristin informed them darkly. Tim saw Rodriguez getting ready to say something and intervened before he could speak.

"Commander McKinnon has been ordered not to tell anyone outside of Captain Bridger. What they're arguing about is who's going to put their career on the line by having all of you present," he explained quickly. Then he looked at McKinnon and Rodriguez and the seaQuest crew for a moment, remembering again his conversation with Lucas.

"You were authorized full disclosure?" he asked McKinnon.

"Yes."

"Good. Now, why don't the two of you go take a walk," Tim recommended.

"O'Neil-" Rodriguez started.

"I don't know all the rules," Tim told them. "Besides, I'm just so addled by all of this I have to tell someone. Who better than my friends?" he queried.

"I see your point," McKinnon assented. She was somewhat reluctant, since she felt, as the officer in charge, that she should be telling the story.

"You've already stuck your neck out far enough, Commander," Tim observed.

"If you'll excuse us, I suddenly remember some details I need to review with Rodriguez," McKinnon said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The seaQuest crew was staring at each other in amazement; this was a side of Tim they had never seen before. "I'm not sure I understood half of that exchange, but I assume this means you are going to tell us what you've been up to?" Bridger questioned him. He found himself remarkably calm, probably because he was still reeling from the shock of seeing Lucas' face. "Yes, Sir," Tim replied, taking several deep breaths before beginning. "When we arrived, Lucas and I were informed that we were considered deployable members of Outrigger Blue."

"We know all that," Kristin commented impatiently.

"Doctor, let the lieutenant tell the story in his own way," Bridger admonished, seeing that Tim was struggling with the task.

"Sorry," she apologized to Tim.

"The first day, one of the other units was sent out and we learned that the Blues were second in rotation. However, McKinnon strongly believed that Lucas and I would be finished before they received an assignment. Unfortunately, that didn't happen."

"No kidding," Ben mumbled, earning a glare from the captain. Ben wanted to get to the part that resulted in Lucas getting beaten up.

"Outrigger Blue was sent to engage in the rescue of the medical team being held on Tarsinia," Tim confessed quickly. "We went to Hawaii and gathered information, before formatting a plan designed to rescue the hostages," he continued, deciding not to bring up the part about jumping out of the helicopter. There were some images that did not need to be planted in their minds.

"That rescue took place almost two days ago; we were notified about you both being shot yesterday," Bridger pointed out.

"I know, Sir. During the rescue effort, the Tarsinians discovered us," Tim admitted. "We got the hostages out, but Lucas and Rodriguez were captured," Tim said the words in a rush.

The silence in the room was deafening. "Captured?" Bridger choked out.

"I'm afraid so. Our orders were to get the hostages out, so we that's what we did," Tim explained, not even noticing that he automatically included himself in with the Outriggers.

"You just left?" Ben questioned him angrily, disbelieving what he was hearing. He could not imagine Tim just walking away from Lucas.

"Yes," Tim answered, looking down at his hands. "There were only eight of us and five hostages. Commander McKinnon had no choice."

"But-" Katie said. Like the rest, she found it hard to hear Tim saying these things so calmly, like it had never occurred to him to do anything else. She had not gotten a good look at Lucas, but Ben's reaction told her all she needed to know.

"Let him finish," Bridger ordered, watching Tim closely, realizing that the lieutenant had been through a lot and that, while he sounded unruffled, it was not that simple.

Tim looked around the table before he spoke again. "Before we started the mission, Commander McKinnon reviewed the risks with us, including the possibility of something going wrong. She gave us the option not to participate; both of us chose to stay," he stated firmly. "We both knew that if anything went wrong with the plan the hostages came first." He waited for them to digest that information. "The Outriggers try to prepare for any situation, so, prior to our departure from Hawaii, McKinnon explained that if, for any reason, we had to leave anyone behind, that we would follow protocol."

"Protocol?" Bridger questioned.

"Standard Outrigger Protocol stipulates that a rescue will be attempted thirty-six hours after capture. That's assuming that a mission isn't sanctioned," Tim explicated.

"Sanctioned?"

"In some instances, HQ will disavow any relationship to the action and not attempt any type of rescue or negotiation to retrieve the members. If a sanction is issued, the rest of the team is supposed to return to HQ."

"They abandon them?" Miguel inquired.

"No," Tim replied, shaking his head at the same time. "An Outrigger unit would never leave someone behind without trying to get them back. The team reverts to a special protocol, set by the team at each mission, for a rescue to be attempted on a different schedule."

"Was this mission sanctioned?" Bridger asked.

"Not that I'm aware of," Tim hedged; he did not want to reveal that detail either. "But, because of the nature of the situation, and because Lucas was one of the hostages, McKinnon adhered to it. Therefore, we went back sixteen hours later."

"The eight of you?" Kristin quizzed.

"As well as two other units. Hawaii is the Outrigger training site; there were two units in for a refresher course that volunteered their services," Tim answered, once again deciding there was no point to revealing the whole truth. "This time, we weren't quiet when we went in and we were able to get Lucas and Rodriguez ."

"Is this when you both managed to get shot?" Katie asked.

"Yes. Lucas was shot right before we reached the room where he and Rodriguez were being held in. I was shot while on the ladder, " Tim responded, hoping no one asked too many specifics. However, he figured he would not be so lucky.

"Ladder?" Bridger queried.

"Yes, Sir. Once Rodriguez and Karneering had Lucas on board the helicopter, McKinnon ordered it in the air and had them drop the ladder. The rest of us climbed up into the helicopter from the ground." Tim tried to make the whole procedure sound normal.

"Next you'll tell us they had you jumping out of the thing," Kristin commented.

Tim wisely opted to let the remark pass. He supposed that, eventually, the information would come out, but thought it was best to wait. "While they were being held hostage, their captors were trying to get Rodriguez and Lucas to tell them who they were, who they worked for, and where the hostages were, which they refused to do," Tim continued relating his story.

"That's standard information. At least the first part," Miguel remarked. "We've all had the briefing on rank and serial number."

"The Outriggers are bound by Article One. It states that an Outrigger is to reveal no information that might in any way compromise the integrity of the mission," Tim defined. "Before we left, we had to remove all identifying tags that might reveal our identities or our affiliation with the UEO. In keeping with that, anyone captured is not to even give their name during interrogation."

"Rodriguez looks like he fared all right," Ben stated. "That's because their captor felt that Rodriguez would be more responsive to his questions if they beat Lucas while he watched," Tim admitted.

Bridger closed his eyes and hoped that, when he opened them, he would discover it was just a dream. "Weakest link?" he guessed.

"That's what Rodriguez said," Tim agreed. "Lucas told Rodriguez that he could not violate Article One just because it was him and that Rodriguez had to treat him like he would any other Outrigger. If there had been anything else that he could have done, Rodriguez would have done it. They all would have," Tim stressed.

"How did they get captured in the first place?"

Bridger asked, not wanting to fully address the idea of Lucas being tortured.

"They were separated from the rest of us," Tim explained. "The security system needed to be overridden manually. Lucas was the only that could do it; McKinnon left Rodriguez with him. The rest of us got the hostages out. Lucas and Rodriguez were waiting for everyone to clear the building when the Tarsinians arrived. Rodriguez ordered Ryan and Chandler to get out of the area."

"This whole thing is unbelievable," Kristin commented. "Lucas made me promise to make sure you didn't blame the Outriggers," Tim concluded. "He strongly believes they did the best they could."

"The two of you got shot," Ben pointed out. "And I guarantee that every one of them would have taken our place if they could have."

"Is this all?" Bridger asked Tim, after taking a few minutes to digest everything.

"I believe so. We haven't debriefed yet, so I'm not positive."

"Why not?" Katie questioned. "I would have thought they would do that right away."

"They won't do it until the entire team is ready: that means Lucas too."

"So, technically, you're still assigned to them?" Miguel queried.

"That's why I'm not wearing my seaQuest uniform," Tim informed him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, do you think they'll be ready to lynch us when O'Neil's done talking to them?" Ryan asked Rodriguez.

"I'm not sure," he sighed. "But I'm sure we'll find out once they return."

"That's pretty cool of him: doing it that way."

"I think his crewmates were pretty shocked by it. I get the impression they're used to a different O'Neil."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're going to have company pretty quick," McKinnon told Lucas, who was awake again. "Your captain and company arrived. They're talking to O'Neil right now."

"Oh, good," he said, yawning. "Why am I so tired?" he complained.

"It's your body taking care of itself. And all the good drugs I have you on," Karneering explained, giving him a quick exam. "Sleep is the best thing for you," he added with a smile. "As you start to heal, you'll be more alert."

"I certainly hope so," he grumbled.

"For now, I think we'll keep you drugged. Something tells me you're much more cooperative this way." Lucas gave him as much of a glare as he could muster and sighed.

"So, what's going on? There been any fireworks yet?" he inquired; he wanted to stay awake long enough to see everyone.

"Only when they saw your face," McKinnon admitted. "Lieutenant Krieg got rather excited about it. Actually, I think they all did; he just spoke up first."

"What are you guys doing?"

"Well, we've still got a few items to clear up, but we'll discuss them a bit later. Nothing that you need to worry about just yet."

"Stop trying to fight it and go to sleep," Karneering ordered. "We'll let your friends stay as long as they want," he added, understanding why Lucas wanted to stay awake.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, apparently they've reserved judgment," Rodriguez murmured to McKinnon as Tim returned with the seaQuest crew. "Although I am getting the death glare from Lieutenant Krieg."

"Yeah, well, the doctor is not sending friendly glances my way either," McKinnon observed.

"Commander," Bridger said, walking over to McKinnon, "I do appreciate the fact you allowed Tim to tell us the truth. I still don't understand why you needed either one of them in the first place."

"Captain, there are reasons for our regulations. Sometimes they don't make sense to outsiders; occasionally, they don't make sense to us, but my unit always comes first; in this case it meant telling you the truth. If I had felt we would have been compromised in any way, I would have made sure O'Neil stayed quiet. As for why we needed them, your understanding is not required." McKinnon intended to stand her ground, regardless of whom she was talking to.

Bridger nodded his head; he had to admire her honesty. "He made a strong case for you and your team," he remarked, pointing to indicate Tim.

"Until debriefing, they're both still part of my unit," McKinnon reminded him.

"So I've been told."

"As I said, we have our rules for a reason, Captain. Now, Wolenczak was awake while you were gone. He tried to stay up long enough to see you guys, but he didn't make it. You all are welcome to stay here as long as you like," McKinnon informed him. "We do understand how you feel."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Commander McKinnon!" Clark stormed into the room, before anyone else could speak. "Now I'm informed that your doctor is allowing other personnel to treat these patients, yet you will not permit my staff to even examine them! This is outrageous; you can't allow anyone who walks in off the street to practice medicine here."

Kristin glared at Bridger, who put a restraining hand on her arm. "Let the commander handle it," he ordered, curious to see how she would react. He could tell, from her body language, that McKinnon had plenty to say to the man.

"This is not good," Hallowell mumbled to Dawson, who nodded.

"Commander, I cannot allow this!" Clark continued.

"Uh oh," Tim muttered to Miguel and Ben. "That was not a wise thing to say."

"First, Doctor, if you come in here again, I will have you removed," McKinnon notified him, keeping her voice even.

"This is my hospital; you cannot prevent me from going where I want!" he shouted.

"Section six, paragraph four, subsection B, of the Outrigger Code of Conduct states that a commanding officer may deny access to any individual that is physically or mentally endangering any member of an Outrigger Unit," McKinnon quoted calmly. "As head of Outrigger Blue, I am invoking that particular regulation right now. You are irritating my unit during an already stressful situation and I will not tolerate it. I'm sure that Dr. Karneering will confirm that having you in here shouting is not conducive to the welfare of either one of his patients."

"Certainly," Karneering interjected.

"Second, Dr. Westphalen is not anyone who just walked in off the street," McKinnon continued. "Under Section seventeen, paragraph three, subsection C, the doctor in charge of medical care may deem outside assistance necessary to insure the proper care of Outrigger personnel. Dr. Karneering has the right to invite any professional to participate in the care of the O'Neil and Wolenczak if he believes it is in the best interests of their well being. Since Dr. Westphalen is CMO on seaQuest, it is only natural that he would require her to be involved in their medical treatment at this time," she concluded. "If you have a problem with that, feel free to contact Captain Sullivan."

"I would have thought he would have learned after the last time," Adamsen mumbled.

"I am not finished with you, Commander!" Clark protested.

"Commander Ryan, perhaps you could assist Dr. Clark in finding his way out," McKinnon suggested.

"Certainly, Commander," Ryan agreed. "Lieutenant Dawson, would you please join me?"

"Of course," Dawson assented, walking over so that they could flank Dr. Clark and escort him out of the room.

"Wow," Miguel remarked quietly to Tim. The other members of seaQuest stared at McKinnon in stunned amazement.

"She was much more impressive in the ER waiting room, but she hadn't had any sleep then," Tim told him.

McKinnon turned to Karneering. "I trust that your records already reflect-"

"Naturally, Commander," Karneering acknowledged. "I anticipated Dr. Clark might be a little peeved by the inclusion of Dr. Westphalen."

"Next time, advance warning would be nice, Doctor. I am going to have to talk to Sullivan again."

"Yes, Commander. Would it help if I apologized?" Karneering inquired, forgetting they had an audience.

"I'll take it under advisement. Just don't let it happen again. You've irritated Dr. Clark twice now; let someone else take a turn."

"I'll do it," Chandler volunteered.

"Chandler, I don't think you're helping the situation," Tim observed. "And weren't you the one that told me it isn't wise to make the commander cranky?"

"Finally, a voice of sanity emerges," Ryan remarked. "We are going to miss you," she added.

"He's not gone yet; there's still time for all that to change," Dawson remarked.

"I think you've provided enough education for both of them," Kristin interjected, not sure she liked the amount of levity among the group.

"I think that's our cue to be silent," Adamsen told the group.

"Commander, she has a glare that rivals yours," Rodriguez commented.

Tim snickered, mainly because of the way his friends from seaQuest were just staring at the Outriggers.

"You find that amusing, Mr. O'Neil?" Kristin questioned him.

"Uh, certainly not," Tim mumbled, sensing he might have made a tactical error.

"You'll have to excuse us," McKinnon instructed the seaQuest crew. "We've been under a certain amount of stress."

"So have we, but you don't see us abandoning all sense of propriety," Kristin retorted.

"Doctor," Bridger warned, not wanting to get into an argument with the Outriggers, especially since he had a feeling that they had not seen the full force of McKinnon's temper.

"I'm afraid we never had a sense of propriety to begin with, Doctor," McKinnon remarked.

"That's a surprise," Kristin mumbled, as Bridger glared at her.

"I'm afraid we're all a little on edge, Commander," Bridger offered, getting his own glare from Kristin.

"I've spent a great deal of my career there, so I understand," McKinnon told him. "Now, I think I had better go call Captain Sullivan, so that he can explain to me why we need to be more courteous to our host. I should make you call," she pointed out to Karneering.

"I promised Dr. Westphalen to carefully review all of the medical reports on O'Neil and Wolenczak. And, now that we've convinced them that we're nuts, I think I should follow through. I imagine they'd all like some kind of proof that I attended an accredited medical school," Karneering noted.

"Don't look at me," Rodriguez interjected. "You know I get hives when I have to talk to HQ."

"Hey, I'm third in line precisely so I can avoid these issues," Ryan reminded her. "Have fun, Commander."

"Thank you," McKinnon sighed. "Try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone," she requested. "If you need anything, either Rodriguez or Ryan will be glad to help you," she informed Bridger. "Hopefully, I'll be back soon."

"Don't hold your breath," Rodriguez muttered under his breath.

"Care to share that with the rest of the class, Commander?" McKinnon inquired.

"I said ' we'll hold down the fort in your absence', Commander," Rodriguez offered, realizing that McKinnon was reaching her bounds of toleration.

"Rodriguez, it is not too late to have you sedated. Please keep that in mind."

"Yes, Commander."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dr. Karneering already looked at it today," Tim complained as Kristin advanced on him, having completed a thorough review of the medical records with Karneering. "It was just a minor thing. Don't you want to look at Lucas?" Tim had a feeling that he was going to get a very thorough examination, especially since she was waiting to look at Lucas.

"He's asleep. He's not going anywhere. I'll check him later," Kristin replied.

"Where are you going?" Tim questioned Hallowell and Chandler, who had been approaching and now backed away.

"We don't want to interfere with the course of your medical care," Chandler told him hastily.

"You're just as much help as they are," Tim moaned, pointing at Miguel, Katie and Ben, who had also left when Kristin came over.

"Yeah, well, we know better than to come between a doctor and his or her patient," Hallowell informed him. "All she would have to do is say the word to Karneering and we'd find ourselves in a world of trouble. It's like this pact or something. You irritate a doctor, they get yours to pay you back."

"Take it like a man, O'Neil," Ryan advised, walking by.

"For once they're offering sensible advice," Kristin told him. Tim noticed the look in her eye and had a feeling he was going to regret having laughed earlier. "I thought you had better sense than to get yourself shot," she lectured, as she checked his wound.

"It wasn't planned," Tim assured her, realizing, almost immediately, that it was the wrong thing to say.

"I expect those kind of comments from Lucas," she informed him. "Now, if you could explain again how this happened?" she instructed.

"Is that really necessary?" Tim inquired.

"Don't be difficult. I am not in the mood."

"I can see that," Tim muttered under his breath. "Ouch!" he yelled, as Kristin pressed on the wound. "You did that on purpose," he accused.

"I'm merely checking for infection," she explained. "I really do not care for the effect these people have had on your behavior."

Tim wisely decided not to comment, although he couldn't wait for the first time she heard Lucas and Rodriguez going at one another. Tim could not really explain the way he acted around the Outriggers. Being around them just made him act differently than he had on seaQuest.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rodriguez glanced at Ryan, who was working on a report and stood up. "I'm going to take a walk." He sighed. "You want anything?"

"No. I'm fine," she answered, not looking up from her computer. "Try not to anger any of the natives; I think McKinnon is reaching her limit."

"I'll do my best."

Rodriguez was not surprised when Ben followed him out of the room; the man had been staring at him ever since Tim had told the seaQuest crew about their assignment. "You have something to say?" Rodriguez inquired, turning around to face him.

"I'm just trying to figure all of this out. You have no problem taking them into a dangerous situation, but you all act like you care," Ben challenged.

"Danger comes with our jobs," Rodriguez told him. "We don't get the easy assignments. That doesn't mean we don't care. It just means that we accept risks every time we go into the field. We did what we had to do to fulfill our duty. It meant that everyone had to make some hard choices, starting with McKinnon and ending with your two crewmates."

"They shouldn't have been there."

"Maybe, maybe not: that was not our decision to make. HQ made that call. We do have to follow orders."

"Sounds like there's always a way out," Ben observed, thinking of McKinnon's earlier confrontation with Dr. Clark.

"McKinnon knows every rule that governs our behavior and she exploits them to the best of her ability, but, ultimately, it comes down to the safety of our mission. She could not come back for us while she still had five hostages to consider. It would have endangered thirteen lives. She made the right choice."

"And Lucas paid for it," Ben stated bitterly.

"No," Rodriguez corrected. "He paid for the choices I made. I upheld Article One because that's my job. We operate on trust in our organization. If I had revealed any information, it could have jeopardized what the team planned. For our safety, and theirs, it was an unacceptable risk."

"All you thought about was your duty?" Ben questioned. "Didn't it bother you?"

"Yes, it bothered me," Rodriguez admitted. "But you also have to face reality. What do you think would have happened if I had told them what they wanted?" Rodriguez questioned. Like McKinnon, he was unwilling to back down from the position he had been forced to take. He would have done anything to alter what happened on the assignment, but he refused to apologize for the choices he had made. "Whether you all accept it or not, O'Neil and Wolenczak had jobs to do and we counted on them to perform to the best of their ability."

"Lucas is sixteen; he is not combat trained," Ben pointed out. "And Tim is a communications officer; he shouldn't have been there either."

"HQ said they were qualified. They both rose to the occasion and they knew what they were doing when they put the uniform on. You have a problem with that, that's up to you."

"I have a huge problem with that," Ben told him. "Then you'll have to deal with it," Rodriguez remarked, "because it happened and your not liking the results doesn't change the facts."

"You really believe that?"

"If McKinnon had to do it all over again, she would. When we're in the field, you cannot let things get personal. That's why everything is personal when we're not on a mission. We did everything in our power to ensure their safety, but there are no guarantees in life."

"That's a cold philosophy," Ben observed.

"It's not cold; it's practical. There is a difference."

"Not much of one, if you ask me."

"Well, I didn't. There are only four people that have to understand the decisions I made. Me, McKinnon, O'Neil and Wolenczak. I didn't ask for your approval and I don't need it."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bridger sat by Lucas' bedside, watching the teenager, trying to remember if he had ever seen him this still or quiet. Kristin still had Tim pinned down for an examination; he did not envy him. While Lucas was still sleeping, Tim was going to bear the brunt of her desire to inspect the duo to make sure they really were all right. He had noted Ben following Rodriguez out into the hall and trusted the lieutenant not to create trouble.

"Captain?" Lucas spoke softly. He felt a sense of relief at seeing Bridger sitting by the bed. It was a sign that life was going to return to normal.

Bridger leaned forward and gave him a smile. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I really hate that question," Lucas mumbled. "I've been shot; all I want to do is sleep and I can't move. How do you think I feel?"

"Much better than you have been?" Bridger suggested dryly. If Lucas was up to complaining already, he must be feeling better.

"Oh good, you're awake," Kristin remarked, joining them. Tim had been more than willing to point out that Lucas had woken up. "Now I can examine you, too."

"You're just going to let her, aren't you?" Lucas questioned Karneering, who had also walked over.

"Of course," he agreed. He leaned over to whisper in his ear, "She threatened to report me to the medical board if I didn't. I like you, but I also like having my license."

"In other words, you sold me out," Lucas grumbled.

"I prefer to think of it as getting a second opinion," Karneering informed him. "I can see you're in excellent hands; I think I'll make sure my report is ready for McKinnon."

"Can I go back to sleep now?" Lucas asked Kristin, hopefully.

"In a minute, when I finish," she told him. "Lie still," she ordered, when he shifted a little.

Lucas looked over at Bridger, hoping for some kind of reprieve.

"I'm staying out of this one," Bridger told him; he knew better than to get in the way of Kristin checking to make sure the teenager was all right.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You liked working with them," Katie commented to Tim, as she and Miguel sat talking to him.

"It was different," Tim responded. "They're good at what they do. It's not something I would want to spend my life doing. And they're nice people."

"Nice is not a word normally associated with the Outriggers," Miguel pointed out.

"Did you leave him alive?" Tim questioned Ben, who had just returned from his talk with Rodriguez.

"Looks that way," Ben remarked. "This whole thing doesn't make sense and you're so calm about it."

"I've had plenty of time to adjust," Tim reminded him. Tim also knew that, having gone through it, he found it easier to accept. There were things about this assignment that Tim had a feeling no one was going to understand, except for him and Lucas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McKinnon entered the room and headed to where Rodriguez , Ryan and Hallowell were conversing. "We're going to have a little meeting," she instructed quietly. "I think Wolenczak's in good hands while they're here," she added with a nod at the seaQuest crew. "We have a couple of details to finalize."

"I'll get Adamsen and Dawson," Hallowell told her.

"I'll grab Chandler and Karneering," Ryan volunteered.

"I'll find a room," Rodriguez offered. "You can get O'Neil and let Wolenczak know what's up."

"Sounds like a plan," McKinnon agreed, already walking over to where Kristin was still giving Lucas a physical. "Excuse me," she interrupted.

"Please tell me you've come to save me," Lucas pleaded.

"Sorry, not this time," McKinnon told him. "We have a few points to review, regarding our assignment, so we're going to take care of that. I'll fill you in later. I don't think you're quite up to a meeting just yet."

"Certainly not," Kristin interjected. "He's going to stay right where he is."

"We will be taking O'Neil with us," McKinnon informed Bridger. "I need his input."

"All right," Bridger assented, understanding that she was not asking his permission.

"What's up?" Tim asked when McKinnon walked over; he recognized the expression on her face. She was in her professional mode again.

"We have a few issues to clear up regarding our assignment. I can't afford to delay any longer and I do need your feedback," McKinnon explained.

"Of course," Tim told her. "I'm not going to get nailed for going too far, am I?" he inquired, as he grabbed his crutches.

"I'll tell Karneering it was my fault," McKinnon assured him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"They are a most unusual assortment of people," Kristin commented, watching the Outriggers file out of the room.

Lucas thought they were behaving more normal than usual, but he decided not make that point. "It's because of the job they do," he told her.

"How can you say that?" Katie asked. Since Tim had left, she, Ben and Miguel had joined them. "They got you shot."

"They didn't pull the trigger," Lucas pointed out.

"Lucas-.." Ben started.

"You were in that position because of them," Kristin interjected.

"No, I was there because HQ made them abide by the rules," Lucas argued. "They did the best they could with the situation. McKinnon gave us plenty of chances to say no; Tim and I chose to stay. If I had asked him, Rodriguez would have forgotten about Article One, but I couldn't do that to him. And it turned out all right," Lucas defended heatedly.

"I think we'll table this discussion for later," Kristin said firmly. "You've had more than enough excitement over the past few days," she added, glaring at the others for provoking him. "I am curious about something. Dr. Karneering: is he an active participant in their missions?" she inquired, changing the subject to avoid agitating Lucas again.

"McKinnon only takes ten people into the field; everyone has a job to do," Lucas replied.

"But he's a doctor," Miguel remarked.

"He's also a good shot," Lucas responded, not thinking about the reaction that would provoke.

"I think it's time you went back to sleep," Kristin ordered.

"I've been sleeping," Lucas protested.

"Don't argue with me," she instructed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Okay, there are a few things about this mission we have to discuss," McKinnon told the group, which was assembled in the conference room Rodriguez had found. McKinnon knew they were not going to react well to the news.

"What is it?" Adamsen asked, sensing that McKinnon had something important to say.

"When we returned to our command center, prior to returning to Tarsinia for the second time, I uncovered evidence that Admiral Ramsey sent the mission profile outside the agency."

"That son of a -" Ryan yelled. "Sorry," she apologized, after earning a glare from McKinnon.

"Why?" Chandler demanded. "Is that why he wanted to sanction?"

"To cover himself?" Dawson finished.

"I don't know why, but there is no evidence that his actions caused our mission to be uncovered."

"And we're supposed to find that comforting?" Ryan inquired angrily.

"It gets better. Admiral Ramsey has put us up for a commendation."

"I hope you told him where he could put his commendation," Rodriguez retorted.

"No, because, unless there are any objections, we are going to accept the commendation," she announced. "And I'll tell you why," she continued, among their protests.

"Well, speaking for myself, it sounds like an excellent idea," Tim informed her, after McKinnon had explained herself. "And I think Lucas would agree."

"We'll let Wolenczak have his say before we make the final decision," McKinnon assured him. "The rest of you have any complaints?"

"I like the way you think, Commander," Rodriguez told her.

"Sounds like the way to go," Dawson agreed.

"So, how do we proceed from here?" Ryan questioned.

"I'll contact Sullivan and make the arrangements once we know that Wolenczak agrees as well. How soon can he travel?" McKinnon directed the question to Karneering.

"By the end of the week, assuming that we're flying and he's kept quiet."

"Good luck," Tim interjected, thinking that keeping Lucas from overdoing it was not going to be easy. "However, I'm going to leave it to you to explain it to Dr. Westphalen."

"Coward," Hallowell mumbled.

"I'm sorry; that's just one lady I do not want to tick off," Karneering observed. "And I don't think wanting to move him at the end of the week is going to make her dance a jig of happiness."

"I'll talk to Captain Bridger," McKinnon told him. "Let him tell her."

"So, you're a chicken, too?" Rodriguez queried.

"Rodriguez, careful, she was shooting the evil eye in your direction several times. I could let you tell her."

"No, I think I've annoyed enough of the crew."

"They'll get over it. It's just hard for them to accept," Tim explained.

"We understand," Ryan assured him. "We wouldn't be any different if positions were reversed."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What do you make of all this?" Kristin asked Bridger; after some more arguing, Lucas had succumbed to sleep again. "Tim is almost a different person," she added.

"I had noticed," Bridger acknowledged. "I think there are things that Tim omitted for one reason or another," he added. "And it's very obvious that they both feel a strong loyalty to the Outriggers. I also think that the Outriggers reciprocate the feeling."

"You like them, don't you?" Kristin accused him.

"I'm not sure 'like' is the right word," Bridger denied. "However, I do have a certain respect for the fact they found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place."

"They're much too cocky for my tastes. They do not have a great deal of respect for authority."

"I have a feeling that we are not seeing them at their best."

"I should hope not. If this is their best, I do not want to see their worst. I'm not at all impressed with the effect it's had on either one," Kristin continued, referring to Lucas and Tim.

"I'm sure everything will be fine."

"I still don't like anything about this whole situation. I will be much happier when I can take them back to seaQuest," Kristin informed him.

"We all will," Bridger agreed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several hours later, only Bridger remained at the hospital. The rest of the seaQuest crew, including Kristin, had returned to the ship. Bridger had been unwilling to leave Lucas or Tim just yet. The rest of the Outriggers had spent most of the afternoon working on their computers; Bridger sensed a feeling of urgency among them.

"I think they're relieved the doctor agreed to go," Tim remarked. He had joined Bridger at Lucas' bedside.

"She does feel rather strongly about all of this," Bridger agreed. "And she's having a hard time adjusting to the attitude you two seem to share about it."

"So are you," Tim stated, hearing what Bridger was not saying. "Captain, the moment they were ordered to adhere to the rule about temporary assignments everyone had a choice to make," he started, wanting to explain what he wasn't sure he fully understood himself. "For the Outriggers, the choice was whether or not to accept us as part of their team. Lucas and I had to decide if we were going to make the best of the situation or complain about it. We didn't talk about it; we both just elected to act professionally about it. When we made that decision, we had to follow through. We could not walk away from them. I'm not saying that Lucas and I have adopted a new approach to life or that we want to do this again. I'm just saying that, in this instance, we made an agreement when we put on their uniform and we could not ignore that promise."

"I guess all we can see is that both of you got hurt," Bridger commented.

"And I suppose I'd feel the same way if it was Miguel or Ben or any of the others that was sitting in my place. I am sorry that Lucas got hurt; I wasn't planning on getting shot myself. However, I can't blame the Outriggers for that. They did everything they could for us. It could have easily been one of them. They don't take unnecessary risks, Captain. Every decision McKinnon makes in the field takes into account what's best for the team."

"I don't think their personalities made a good impression on the doctor either," Bridger observed, changing the subject slightly. It was going to take him time to reach any level of acceptance of what had happened.

"You get used to it," Tim told him. "It's a defense mechanism: a way for them to release tension."

"I can see where that might be necessity," Bridger conceded.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucas whimpered in his sleep, caught in a dream. Bridger woke up abruptly and heard him moaning; he sat up, ready to offer comfort, but stopped as he realized someone else was already there.

"Wake up," Rodriguez ordered softly, placing one hand on the teenager's good shoulder and giving it a gentle shake. He had to smile as Lucas jumped. "You're just having a dream," he told him.

"Ghost?" Lucas inquired, automatically reverting to the nickname, even though he had noticed that the Outriggers had stopped using them.

"Yeah, it's me," Rodriguez answered, sitting down and pulling his chair closer, so he could see the teenager better. He glanced across the bed and saw that Bridger looked like he was still sleeping. "What were you dreaming about?" he asked.

"Nothing," Lucas mumbled, his voice wavering slightly. Even without looking at him, Bridger could tell he was lying; he waited to see how Rodriguez would react.

"Come on, Slick; we've done this dance before," Rodriguez pointed out, also slipping back into the nicknames. He had been an Outrigger too long to be comfortable with first names, but calling him Wolenczak seemed inappropriate at the moment. "So, let's skip the part where you try to tell me it's nothing and get to the part where you tell me the truth."

"Your bedside manner stinks," Lucas informed him.

"We've had this conversation before and I agreed with you then, too," Rodriguez reminded him. "So, what was the dream about?"

"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I told you I didn't remember?" Lucas suggested.

"Try again."

"You're tough."

"I'm an Outrigger; it's in the job description. Now, stop trying to get me sidetracked. It's not going to work."

"We were still there," Lucas muttered softly.

Rodriguez leaned forward, since he could barely hear his voice. "Well, not to be depressing, but I imagine you're going to have a lot of those, Slick."

"This time it was different. They were hurting you and I couldn't stand it," Lucas continued, his breathing becoming ragged as he remembered the dream.

"Take it easy," Rodriguez whispered. "Take some deep breaths; that's it. It was just a dream. It can't hurt you. We're in the hospital. I'm here; O'Neil's here; your captain is sitting beside you and the rest of the gang is here too. And none of us are going to let anything hurt you. You just relax and, when you're ready, you can tell me the rest." Bridger was not sure what surprised him the most: the fact that Rodriguez was so gentle with Lucas or that Lucas was responding to it. He knew, from experience, that getting Lucas to talk about anything could be extremely difficult.

"So I broke Article One," Lucas started again, a few moments later. "And everyone got hurt because of me," he concluded. "You and the rest of the team."

"You really do go for the worst case scenario, don't you?" Rodriguez teased lightly. "Listen, Slick, it didn't happen like that. You just had a bad dream. I wish I could tell you that in a few days this is all going to go away, but I can't. I can tell you it will get better."

"When?"

"I don't know the answer to that one, Slick," Rodriguez told him gently. "But you're going to get through this. You have some good friends that are going to help you. You and O'Neil had a pretty good friendship before this; I don't see him just walking out on you. And Bridger and the doctor: they may not think much of us, but they care about you a lot. I don't see your friend, Krieg, leaving you in a lurch either," Rodriguez remarked. "Or the rest of them, for that matter. And I'm here for you, you know that. So is the rest of the team. You need us; all you have to do is call. Like it or not, you and O'Neil are stuck with us."

"I don't think you better let Dr. Westphalen hear you say that," Lucas observed.

"I'd have to agree with you on that one. Between her and Krieg, I'm not going to any dark alleys alone."

"Thanks, Ghost."

"Any time, Slick, any time. Now, you need to get back to sleep. Karneering will get cranky if he finds you awake at this hour. He might not give you the green lollipop when this over."

"No, not that."

"Yeah, well, he's already threatened to give O'Neil a purple one. While not as bad as getting orange, it is a sign that you're slipping in his list of agreeable patients," Rodriguez explained, adjusting the covers on Lucas a little better.

"Tim has gotten a little feisty since working with you," Lucas commented.

"Unfortunately, we have that effect on people. Stop talking and go to sleep," he ordered softly.

"What if I-" Lucas let his voice trail off, unwilling to admit that he was afraid to fall asleep again.

"Don't worry; I'm not going anywhere and your captain is right next to you, so there's no reason for any more bad dreams, okay?"

"Okay," Lucas agreed.

Bridger listened as Lucas' breathing grew steady and regular, indicating that the teenager had fallen back to sleep, but, before he could say anything to Rodriguez, another voice spoke up.

"How are you doing, Rodriguez?" McKinnon asked.

"Remind me again why I'm an Outrigger," he sighed tiredly. "And promise me that I will never find myself trying to comfort a sixteen-year-old, who spends more time worrying about what might have gone wrong if Inouye had decided to beat me instead of him, than he does about what really happened."

"You know, in general, I don't care for using force to take care of problems," McKinnon remarked, sitting down beside him. "For the first time in my career, I am glad that I fired the shot."

"HQ know anything about that? I mean, what happened to Inouye; is he still alive?"

"I don't know. The Tarsinians are playing the whole thing close to the vest. They are disavowing both the Nationalists, for taking the hostages, and the UEO, for undertaking covert operations, especially since they indicated their desire to negotiate. Nothing is being said about either one of you."

"I'm not surprised. Tarsinia isn't going to want it spread around; neither is the UEO."

"Anyway, we're almost done with this one."

"I hope we get a longer break this time," Rodriguez remarked.

"We should; we have to pick replacements."

"You know, all the other commanders don't make it a team decision," Rodriguez pointed out.

"Well, as has often been said, I'm not other commanders. I have to go get some sleep. Karneering has been muttering 'medically unfit for duty' under his breath all day. Don't stay up too late," McKinnon advised. "We do have reports and other details to take care of over the next few days."

"I hate paperwork."

"Rodriguez, you'd like the world to think you hate everything."

"True," he agreed.

Bridger remained silent, deciding to think about the two conversations he had overheard. Obviously there was more to the Outriggers than they let on, and he felt fairly confident there were details about their recent assignment that he would never know.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Okay, you feel up to being serious for about five minutes?" McKinnon asked Lucas, two days later. This was the first time the room had been devoid of seaQuest personnel since they had arrived. A grudging peace had ensued between the two groups, although McKinnon felt fairly certain it was only their mutual concern for Lucas and Tim that made it possible.

"Sure. Does it involve getting up?" Lucas asked her hopefully. He had started feeling well enough to be frustrated with being in bed.

"I'm a brave woman, Wolenczak, but even I know better than to question the medical advice of either one of your doctors," McKinnon informed him.

"I guess that's a no?"

"No wonder they say you're a genius," Ryan teased, passing by.

"What's going on?" Lucas questioned, realizing that McKinnon wanted to be serious.

"Your little program turned up some information while you were imprisoned on Tarsinia," McKinnon responded.

"Really?"

"Yes. Turns out the mission brief went outside the organization prior to implementation. There is no evidence that it resulted in your capture, but we are disturbed by the breach in protocol," McKinnon explained, watching his face carefully. Of everyone in the room, he and Rodriguez had the most right to be angry about this.

"You know who did it?"

"Admiral Ramsey."

"Why?"

"We don't know."

"Does he know that you know?"

"No, Sullivan made an inquiry, but kept it discreet."

"And that's it?" Lucas inquired angrily.

"Sullivan can't do anything; he's not directly involved in the problem and there is no evidence that it compromised our integrity. That's all HQ is interested in."

"What if he does it again? Does someone have to get killed before someone calls him on it?" Lucas hissed.

"Admiral Ramsey wants to present the team with a commendation for our service," McKinnon remarked, suspecting it would rile him even more.

"Trying to buy us off?" Lucas demanded. "I hope you told him what he could with it," he added.

McKinnon chuckled. "Sorry, Rodriguez said about the same thing; now I know you two have spent too much time together. Our intention is to accept the award, with your approval."

"Why? Why would you want anything from him?"

"Because it could prove beneficial to us. We have an idea about how to prevent this from happening again," McKinnon explained. Then she quickly outlined her plan.

"How did everyone else vote?" Lucas queried. McKinnon had told him it had to be a unit decision. He thought he knew how everyone had voted, but he was curious.

"I'm not telling until you vote," McKinnon replied. "This is your choice."

"I think it's a good idea," he told her, his eyes still burning with anger. "But who's going to tell Dr. Westphalen?"

"I'm going to tell your captain. I think we'll let him tell your doctor," McKinnon confessed.

"McKinnon's getting cautious," Rodriguez interjected, joining them.

"Why is everyone coming over this way?" McKinnon asked, noting that most of the Outriggers were heading towards Lucas' bed.

"O'Neil and Karneering are battling about the crutches again," Hallowell informed her. Tim had been trying for the last day and a half to convince Karneering that he no longer needed the crutches. Thus far, Karneering was winning the battle, mainly because Kristin had thrown her support behind the doctor.

"Oh. I thought it was your turn to referee," Lucas told Dawson.

"No way. When you guys leave, I'm still here with Karneering. I know where my loyalty must lie on this one," Dawson informed him, raising his hands in surrender.

"I see your point."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McKinnon sat, waiting for Sullivan to appear, knowing that she was taking the easy way out, but she felt justified. It had been several long days; she did not want any battles over details.

"Captain Sullivan," she addressed him.

"Commander McKinnon. I must commend you; I have not had any more calls from Dr. Clark," Sullivan informed her.

"We do our best, Sir," McKinnon told him.

"So, why are you calling?"

"After careful consideration, the team has decided to accept Ramsey's commendation," McKinnon explained carefully.

Sullivan studied her and resisted making any comments. The decision did not surprise him; he was just impressed she could stand there telling him this with a straight face. Although Sullivan held all of his commanders in high regard, he had to admire McKinnon's dedication to her unit.

"I'm sure Ramsey will be pleased with your agreement."

McKinnon ignored her urge to smile and continued speaking. "However, our concern is the attendance of Wolenczak and O'Neil. I feel that their presence is vital. They certainly played an equal part in our success."

"And why do you think attendance is going to be a problem?"

"Because I'm afraid that Captain Bridger and his crew are not overly impressed with the time Wolenczak and O'Neil have spent with us."

"Getting shot tends to have that effect on people, Commander," Sullivan pointed out.

"I understand that, Sir."

"You do know that there is a regulation which covers your dilemma."

"I'm not sure I am the best person to point out the regulations to the captain, Sir."

"Commander McKinnon, are you asking me to take care of your dirty work for you?" Sullivan inquired, amused. He had never seen McKinnon reluctant to tackle anything in the past.

"If you prefer to look at it that way, yes," McKinnon admitted. "I choose to think of it as deferring to the chain of command. I am, after all, only a commander."

"Let me write this down, Commander," Sullivan requested.

"Sir?"

"I just figure I will never get another chance at hearing you admit that there is some purpose to chain of command."

"I'm glad this amuses you, Sir."

"When do you want to leave?" Sullivan questioned, willing to stop giving her a hard time.

"We hope to be ready to go in another three days. Karneering believes that Wolenczak will be up to the flight by then. He is definitely feeling better," McKinnon remarked. "But we will set up both the debriefing and the presentation around him to make sure that he does not overdo it."

"All right. I will inform Captain Bridger that Outrigger Blue will be returning to HQ for debriefing in three days and that there will be an awards ceremony to be held two days after that and that we expect to see them there; maybe that will appease them. I will tell the Admiral that, in the interests of Wolenczak's health, there will be group presentation of the commendation rather than an individual. And I assume, that as unit CO, you will accept the award for the team?"

"That will be satisfactory."

" Very good, Commander. I will let you know if there is any trouble with any of this."

"Thank you, Captain."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How did it go with Sullivan?" Rodriguez inquired, when McKinnon returned to the room. He and Lucas were playing cards with Tim, Hallowell, Dawson and Adamsen.

"He agreed to make the call."

"Does he know what you're planning?" Lucas asked.

"Why did you do that?" he questioned Rodriguez, who had just discarded.

"Next hand, you get to be his partner," Rodriguez grumbled to Tim, who had started the card game.

"Sullivan?" McKinnon queried, answering Lucas' question. "He suspects. He can't ask outright; it would put him in a bind."

"That makes sense," Tim commented. "And I was his partner this morning; it's Hallowell's turn," he informed Rodriguez.

"Gee, I feel loved," Lucas groused. "See?" he pointed out to Rodriguez, as Dawson picked up the discarded seven of hearts and went out.

"How many points?" Adamsen asked. "Well, O'Neil's winning and you two," she told Lucas and Rodriguez, "are in last place."

"That's sad. Two of you playing and you keep going backwards," McKinnon observed, taking a look at the score sheet. "I think the object of Rummy is to be on the positive side of the points."

"Thank you for the advice," Rodriguez told her.

"That's a big help."

"Any time. Next time Rodriguez offers to be your partner, go the other way," McKinnon advised Lucas. "Cards are not his specialty. He could not win if you let him stack the deck."

"I wish someone had told me that earlier," Lucas remarked.

"Watch it or I'll get Karneering to up your pain medication," Rodriguez warned him. "Then you'll be back to sleeping."

"I already do enough of that."

"When is Sullivan going to call Bridger?" Tim questioned McKinnon, trying to prevent Lucas and Rodriguez from getting started again.

"I don't know," she admitted. "Soon, I think."

"I think we'll hear the yelling from here, Tim," Lucas pointed out.

"You're probably right about that."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bridger stared at Sullivan in disbelief. He could not believe that Sullivan had calmly explained that Outrigger Blue would be returning to their headquarters in three days and that Lucas and Tim would be traveling with them.

"I suppose that if I object, you will produce some archaic regulation that makes it necessary," he finally sighed.

"Not archaic, Captain. The Outrigger Code of Conduct was updated last year. We went from one hundred and eighty-six rules to ninety-nine," Sullivan replied impassively. "Debriefing always takes place at HQ."

"Always?" Bridger challenged.

"In ninety-nine percent of field operation," Sullivan verified. "Plus, Outrigger Blue is receiving a commendation from Admiral Ramsey for their handling of the situation in Tarsinia. That ceremony will take place at HQ, as well. Having served with Outrigger Blue for the duration of the assignment, the attendance of O'Neil and Wolenczak is mandatory."

"When will I get my people back?"

"Commander McKinnon will conduct the majority of the debriefing prior to the presentation of the commendation. Then she will require a short period for a final review. Then O'Neil and Wolenczak will be free to return to seaQuest. Your presence is expected at the ceremony."

"Oh, we'll be there," Bridger assured him, already trying to figure out how he was going to explain this> latest news to his crew.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a brief conversation with Noyce, who confirmed the orders, as he had already verified them with Ramsey, Bridger was forced to accept the idea. The captain sighed as he headed to tell the one person he knew would be extremely upset by this piece of news and she did not disappoint him.

"They want to do what?" Kristin demanded. "You're not allowing it, are you?"

"I can't prevent it," Bridger explained with more patience than he felt. "It has the support of Ramsey and the Secretary-General. They want them there for the presentation."

"They get shot and the Admiral thinks it's a cause for celebration?" Kristin inquired, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "They need to be back on seaQuest where they belong," she stated.

"Apparently Ramsey was quick to point out that either one of them could be injured on seaQuest at any time," Bridger told her.

"Lucas will not be up to traveling that soon," Kristin proclaimed. "As his doctor, I have serious reservations about-"

"I've been asked to remind you that, as a temporary member of Outrigger Blue, Lucas is still under the primary care of Dr. Karneering. If he says Lucas is able to go, there's nothing you can do about it," Bridger interrupted.

"And what do Lucas and Tim have to say about it?" Kristin inquired, still hoping for a way out.

"Neither one has lodged any objections to the plan. Noyce was given the impression that they agreed to it," Bridger admitted.

"Obviously this time with those people has not done them any favors," she observed. "Why would they consent to this?"

"I don't know," Bridger replied, getting the strong impression that Lucas and Tim would be explaining themselves for a long time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, that went well," Lucas remarked to Tim, several hours later, after they had been visited by Bridger and Kristin.

"We knew it wasn't going to make them happy," Tim reminded him, noticing that the rest of the Outrigger were studiously keeping out of hearing range. Tim wondered what Dr. Westphalen would make of that. The doctor had made it very clear she did not think very highly of the team in general and, specifically, did not like the influence they had on Lucas and Tim.

"I didn't think it was going to make her quite that upset," Lucas told him. "We're going to be paying for this for a long time," he added.

"The captain seemed pretty resigned to it," Tim offered hopefully. "He didn't like it, but he wasn't as vocal."

"Dr. Westphalen did not give him a chance," Lucas pointed out. "But he was pretty calm about it," he admitted. Once Bridger had verified that the two had no objections to returning to headquarters with the Outriggers, he had not offered any protest. "Did you tell them everything?" he asked, changing the subject a little. It was something he had been wondering since he had woken up. He and Tim had not had much time to talk by themselves.

"I edited some parts," Tim confessed. "I did not tell them how we landed on the island. I did not think they really needed the vision of us jumping out of a helicopter."

"I never want to do that again."

"I also didn't mention the part about the sanction. I had to tell them what it was to explain the protocol, but I didn't mention that Ramsey had ordered it."

"That was good, except they're probably going to find that part out."

"We can hope they won't be paying attention," Tim suggested, hopefully.

"I doubt we'll be that lucky, Tim."

"I skipped the part about your locator not working and I made no reference at all to the nicknames," Tim concluded. "And I also did not mention that McKinnon gave me a chance to notify them before we made the rescue attempt."

" They don't understand, do they?" Lucas questioned, referring to other members of seaQuest.

"There are times when I'm not sure I understand, Lucas, and I was there," Tim sighed. "I think this is one of those experiences you can't fully explain to someone who didn't participate."

"Another reason for the team being close-knit. I can't imagine not being able to share this with someone."

"I know what you mean," Tim agreed softly. "You know, when we're back on seaQuest, if you need to talk, I'm available." Tim was worried that the teenager might try it keep everything inside when they returned to seaQuest. The last few days, it had become obvious that the rest of the crew was uncomfortable with everything that had gone on. Tim understood how they felt and he thought that, with a little more time, they would reach an acceptance, but he wanted to make sure Lucas knew he was there in the meantime. Tim did not mention the long conversation he had with McKinnon on the topic. McKinnon had wanted to remind him that this was not something either one should handle alone. She had also repeated Rodriguez's earlier comments to Lucas about the Outriggers being available to talk as well.

"Thanks, Tim: the same for you. I know this wasn't an easy on you," Lucas told him, his voice hesitating a little. These were the conversations Lucas found most difficult; he wanted to be there for his friend, but talking about feelings always made him nervous. "Most of the time it's okay," he said, looking away a little, "but sometimes I get scared. I've had some dreams," he acknowledged.

"So have I," Tim informed him, swallowing nervously. "I find myself seeing it happen again, only this time different decisions are made," he continued; this time he was the one who looked away.

"It's not your fault," Lucas assured him, moving so he could look at Tim. "You did the best you could. Nothing you did would have made a difference. You were not sent on this assignment to protect me. And don't let anyone tell you any different," he instructed softly. Lucas suspected that, now the other seaQuest crew could see Tim was all right, they held him somewhat responsible for Lucas getting hurt. "You didn't make me go along, any more than you could have stopped me."

"As Ryan is often fond of pointing out: what my brain knows and what my heart believes are often different," Tim observed.

"She still blames herself for leaving us," Lucas commented. Both Lucas and Rodriguez had made their best arguments to her for why she had done the right thing, and it was slowly sinking in. "She had no choice. You know, I always wondered how I would act in that kind of situation," Lucas said thoughtfully. "Reality is a lot different."

"It usually is," Tim agreed.

"Rodriguez told me it will get better. I just wish he could tell me when," Lucas sighed. "All in all, jumping out of the helicopter was one of the easiest parts of all of this. I never thought I'd say that."

"I learned things about myself I never imagined," Tim admitted. "When we went in the second time, to get you and Rodriguez, it seemed like the right thing to do. I was not leading the charge, but I also wasn't scared."

"From what McKinnon said, you didn't have time to be scared."

"Yeah, but my personality changed since working with the rest of the unit. It just seems natural to trade quips with them. I say things to them I would never say on seaQuest."

"I think it's called survival," Lucas pointed out. "They'd eat you alive otherwise. For them, it's a respect thing. If you're not willing to defend yourself, they're not interested."

"It seems to come naturally to you," Tim observed.

"I've had lots of practice, Tim," Lucas told him, thinking of all the times he had hidden his true emotions behind sarcasm. "However, I don't recommend you display this new personality on the bridge. I'm not sure Commander Ford is up to it."

"I'm not sure which shocked him more," Tim agreed, willing to let the conversation shift, "McKinnon asking if you and Rodriguez needed a 'time out' or Karneering threatening to shoot me in the other leg if I didn't stay off my feet," he continued, recalling Ford's recent visit.

"I think the Outriggers are a little less formal than the Commander likes to see," Lucas remarked. "And he was more startled by your behavior; you don't get into trouble, Tim. The fact that you were arguing with the doctor shocked him the most."

"Probably. Hey, you should get some sleep," Tim instructed, noticing that Lucas was yawning.

"That's all I do," Lucas grumbled.

"It's good for you," Rodriguez interrupted, joining them. "Your body needs the rest and the rest of us value our lives," he added.

"What do you mean?"

"If your Dr. Westphalen comes back and you look tired out, she's going to come looking for the first Outrigger she can string up."

"Besides, Karneering's giving me the evil eye," Tim observed, looking over at where the doctor was sitting. "You would think they almost had to amputate from his behavior."

"Well, he gets that way," Rodriguez commented. "So, why don't you both be good?" he suggested.

"You're one to talk," Lucas groused.

"I know, but I'm not the one that got shot."

"And that's my fault?"

"Just lay back and go to sleep. If you get riled up, I'll be blamed. I'm not sure which would be worse, facing the rest of the team or someone off seaQuest," Rodriguez mused.

Tim smiled as Lucas complained a bit more, but fell asleep. Then he headed for his own bed, while Rodriguez took his place at Lucas' bedside. Tim had noticed that Rodriguez always made sure he was around when Lucas was sleeping and no one from seaQuest was in attendance.

Since Lucas had admitted to having dreams, Tim suspected that was the reason. Both Ryan and Karneering had woken him up from his, so he was not surprised to find that Rodriguez had done the same for Lucas. As much as they liked to argue, Lucas and Rodriguez had formed a friendship that must seem odd to some, mainly the seaQuest crew, who had a hard time viewing the situation in the same light. Tim knew it was based on more than just their experience of being held hostage together.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is really embarrassing, you know that?" Lucas grumbled, three days later, as Rodriguez lifted him into the helicopter.

"Hey, I'm just following orders," Rodriguez pointed out, carefully settling him in the back. Since the teenager's knee was still immobilized, Karneering had instructed Rodriguez to make sure he put Lucas where his leg could remain straight. Lucas had vetoed the idea of traveling on a stretcher; he had said he would rather sit up than be lying down. "You don't like it, talk to Karneering," he added.

"Save your breath," Tim advised, having only recently won the battle over the crutches. "He doesn't listen."

"Forgive me for not trusting your medical opinion," Karneering apologized sarcastically, motioning Rodriguez out of the way so he could make sure Lucas was properly situated. "Especially since your Dr. Westphalen started making pointed comments about what would happen if either one of you suffered a setback."

"It was a simple graze; how could I suffer a setback?" Tim protested, taking a seat across from Lucas.

"Well, no one's ever been shot on the ladder before. It's made us think that there's something special about you," Ryan observed.

"I don't think that was a compliment," Tim remarked.

McKinnon shook her head as she listened to the conversation. "You going to be okay?" she asked Lucas, concerned that the journey might be uncomfortable for him.

"Yeah, I think so," Lucas replied.

"You'd better let us know if you aren't," Rodriguez warned him.

"I will," Lucas promised.

"Hey, McKinnon, was Dr. Clark glad when you told him we were leaving?" Dawson inquired.

"Oh, most definitely," McKinnon confirmed. "He's referring to us as a bunch of terrorists."

"Can we sue for libel?" Hallowell queried.

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid he'd have no problem getting witnesses on his behalf," McKinnon told him. "Karneering?" She motioned him to join her at the front. "Is he really up to this?" she asked quietly, referring to Lucas.

"I gave him some extra medication this morning; once we get in the air, he'll probably go to sleep," Karneering assured her. "O'Neil and Rodriguez will let me know if he gets too uncomfortable," he added.

"Good."

"Don't worry, Commander, he's doing pretty well overall," Karneering told her, heading back to check on Lucas one more time.

"All right, gang, we're going to get moving, so please take your seats and strap in," McKinnon announced.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucas had his eyes closed, but he was not asleep. As much as he hated to admit it, he was not very comfortable. They had hit some turbulence, which he found rather jarring, mainly on his shoulder. Plus, there was the prevailing memory of the events of his last helicopter ride.

"You okay?" Tim asked him softly, noting he looked rather pale.

"I've been better," Lucas told him. "This is not first class."

"Are you going to argue with me if I give you another injection?" Karneering questioned him, having gotten out of his seat to check on him; Lucas had been objecting to the pain medication almost from the day he became fully aware of his surroundings. He did not like the fact the drugs made him sleepy and less alert; he liked having his mind clear.

"Probably," Lucas said with a faint smile.

"You're almost as bad as your friend," Karneering told him, injecting the medicine before Lucas could complain. He had only asked as a courtesy and had fully intended to give him the shot.

"I've been better than him," Lucas protested. "I just don't like being hazy."

"Sometimes it's the best thing for you," Rodriguez interjected.

"Karneering, Hamilton says we're going to hit some more turbulence," McKinnon told him. "I think you might want to check on Ryan. I'm not sure she's going to handle another bout."

"I'll be right there," Karneering promised. "Why don't you two see if you can get him into a more comfortable position," he instructed Tim and Rodriguez.

"I'm fine," Lucas protested.

Tim, Rodriguez, and Karneering all gave him disbelieving looks. "You need to stop grimacing if you expect us to buy that one," Rodriguez informed him. "O'Neil, you think you could fit behind his shoulders: give him something better to lean on than the wall?" he questioned.

"Yeah, I think so," Tim replied, trying to envision what Rodriguez meant.

"Sounds like you have things under control," Karneering said. "Just get him into a position so he'll go to sleep," he ordered Rodriguez in a low voice, knowing better than to let Lucas hear him.

"Please go take care of Ryan," Rodriguez urged. "I remember what happened the last time she got airsick."

"Don't tell us!" Lucas begged.

"You're no fun," Rodriguez told him.

"What about your leg?" Lucas asked Tim, as Rodriguez helped him move to allow the lieutenant to sit down.

"I'll let you know if it's a problem," Tim told him, adjusting his position slightly. Sitting with his back in the corner, he could allow Lucas to rest his head and shoulders in his lap. Lucas fell asleep shortly thereafter and spent the rest of the flight in that state. Tim found the position somewhat uncomfortable, but he knew Lucas was better off sleeping. While he knew Rodriguez would take his place if he asked, Tim wanted to do this for his friend.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, it's not much, but it will do," Rodriguez remarked, surveying the room. McKinnon had made arrangements for a room for Lucas, Tim, Rodriguez and Karneering to stay together. Karneering did not want to leave his patient unattended and McKinnon knew that neither Tim nor Rodriguez were going to accept being in separate rooms.

"Okay, let's get him settled," Karneering instructed, looking at Lucas, who was starting to show the signs of the strain of the trip.

"Where do you want him?" Rodriguez inquired.

"He is still in the room and conscious," Lucas grumbled.

"And getting cranky, too," Tim remarked.

"I thought you were going to work on controlling your new personality," Lucas commented.

"Back on seaQuest: until then, I'm free to explore the new me," Tim informed him.

"Great. Why me?"

"Come on; we'll get you tucked in and you can take a nap," Rodriguez told Lucas, lifting him out of the wheelchair. Lucas had not been happy with the wheelchair, but, with his bad shoulder, Karneering had vetoed crutches: not that Lucas had been surprised.

"Maybe you'll be in a better mood when you wake up."

"I am not five years old," Lucas hissed at him.

"I know, but I like to rile you," Rodriguez said.

"He's all yours, Doctor."

"Lucky me," Karneering mumbled. "Okay, let me take a look. We have about three hours before we meet for dinner; get some sleep. We'll wake you up in time to go," he ordered Lucas, who was already fading fast.

"Is he all right?" Tim asked.

"He'll be fine, O'Neil. The hardest part is going to be keeping him from overdoing it. Right now, he's slowed down because both his shoulder and knee are still healing. I do not envy your doctor for having to direct his recovery; he's going to push. The fact that he knows what to expect from the knee injury isn't going to help much, particularly if his recovery is slower this time."

"What do you mean?" Rodriguez queried.

"He's injured the knee before," Karneering answered. "Really?" Tim questioned.

"Yes. He's lucky he did the same one again; he could have ended up with two bad knees," Karneering remarked. When he had asked Lucas about the previous injury, Lucas had vague about the cause, but precise about the medical details. This part Karneering kept to himself. "Now, I suggest that we all get some sleep."

"As much as I hate to agree with you," Rodriguez sighed, "I'm ready for a nap."

"That's because you've been working too hard," Karneering informed him. "All that's going to change now that we're back where I can keep a better eye on you. And you," he pointed at Tim, "don't laugh or I'll tell your doctor that further examination of your wound demonstrated muscle damage. I can guarantee that would get you PT for at least three weeks," he threatened.

"That would be lying and she would know better," Tim protested.

"Yes, but would she care?"

"Probably not: she's not real happy with either one of us for agreeing to come back with you all," Tim admitted.

"Enough chatter," Rodriguez told them both. "Let's get some sleep."

"Fine, but I get charge of the alarm," Karneering instructed. "Last thing we need is to frighten Wolenczak with the Rodriguez ritual throwing of the alarm clock."

"Thank you," Tim interjected. "That's one thing I won't miss."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Why are people staring at us?" Lucas asked later, when the team was sitting in the mess, eating. He eyed his food, selected by Karneering, with distaste. The bruising on his face was healing, but, between that and the medication, the doctor still had him on a restricted diet.

"No kidding. I feel like I'm on display at the museum," Tim added, having noticed several looks in their direction.

"Because they have nothing better to do," Ryan told them.

"Besides, we told them that you gave Rodriguez a hard time and he went over the edge," Dawson explained.

"Please tell me you're joking, or I will go over the edge," Rodriguez growled at him. "One of the reasons they're staring is your face; it's kind of hard not to notice," he pointed out to Lucas.

"Actually, we were going to take pictures: show them to the new guys when we pick them," Adamsen interjected.

"It should end dissention in the ranks," Chandler agreed.

"And you wonder why you didn't make a good impression on our friends?" Tim asked them.

"O'Neil, we don't make a good impression on anyone," Hallowell observed.

"Just ignore them," McKinnon advised Lucas and Tim.

"They get like this when we're ending an assignment."

"You mean this is different from their normal behavior?" Tim questioned. "I hadn't noticed."

"As for why people are staring, you guys have developed something of a reputation," McKinnon explained.

"What do you mean?"

"Because you both acquitted yourself well in the field," Ryan told them. "Don't look at me like that," she instructed Rodriguez, who was laughing at her. "That was a direct quote from Prescott."

"Outrigger Yellow," Adamsen supplied. "It's not often that outsiders, which you were, prior to deployment, function so well in our operations."

"People are impressed that neither one of you cracked under the pressure," Dawson interjected.

"That and the fact they both managed to get hurt, instead of injuring one of us, which is what usually happens," Hallowell elaborated.

"If that's the case, why do you take people on temporary assignment on missions?" Tim inquired.

"No choice. Sometimes you need the skills or the bodies," McKinnon told him. "And, a lot of times, the outsiders are serving as support staff. You two were taking the place of ADs, so that's where we used you."

"Active Duty," Ryan clarified, seeing their blank looks.

"I don't think we'll tell Westphalen the part about needing 'bodies'," Tim remarked to Lucas. "I think that might be more than she could take."

"Anyway, get used to the stares; Outriggers everywhere know who you are," Rodriguez told them.

"So, this would be one of the benefits of getting shot?" Lucas inquired.

"Something like that," Chandler agreed.

"I think I could have done without it."

"You always have to be picky, don't you?" Rodriguez observed. "By the way, you're supposed to eat your dinner, not make an artistic statement with it."

"Everyone's a critic," Lucas grumbled. "It looks better as art than it tastes as food."

"Maybe you should have just gone ahead and wired his jaw shut," Rodriguez commented to Karneering.

"I don't need your medical advice," Lucas told him

"I'm just trying to be helpful."

"Maybe you shouldn't try so hard," Tim suggested.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"If you want to leave, let me know," Rodriguez whispered to Lucas as they settled into the Outrigger Blue lab. They were starting to compile the information from their recent assignment in preparation for the upcoming debriefing and the awards ceremony.

"Okay," Lucas agreed.

The first task was for everyone to write up what they had done as their part of the mission. Lucas was not looking forward to this; he had avoided really thinking about the details of what had happened until this point. Writing it down seemed like a rather daunting task, mainly because putting it into words made it real.

McKinnon had recommended he use one of the transcription booths, but he had declined, preferring to type with one hand instead. He wanted to proceed slowly and he did not want to be isolated from the rest of the group. Over the last few days, he had discovered he did not like being alone for too long. Rodriguez had placed Lucas and Tim in cubicles next to each other, with himself on the other side of Lucas. Rodriguez knew that Karneering had stationed himself so that he could watch Lucas without the teenager realizing. Rodriguez knew that he did not relish writing his own report and knew it was going to be difficult for Lucas. McKinnon had already told the group they would be stopping at twenty-one hundred, figuring that Lucas would try to keep up with the team and that it was the easiest way to forestall him from overdoing it, without being too obvious.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How's it going?" Tim asked him softly. He had been listening to Lucas type long enough to realize there was a pattern. The teenager would type furiously and then it would be followed by long periods of silence.

"All right, I guess," Lucas told him.

"Take a break," Rodriguez recommended gently, looking around the partition at him.

"I'm fine," Lucas insisted.

"Fifteen minutes," Tim suggested. "It'll be good for you," he added.

"Come on; you know we're going to bug you until you agree," Rodriguez pointed out.

"You will, too," Lucas grumbled; Tim and Rodriguez had teamed up on him several other times already. McKinnon walked over and joined them, taking a close look at Lucas as she approached.

"Rodriguez, Karneering needs to talk to you and Ryan has a question about your meeting with Henry Lee," she told Tim.

"Okay," Tim said slowly, giving her a puzzled look.

"She wants to talk with Wolenczak," Rodriguez explained quietly, as they moved away from the cubicles.

McKinnon pulled the chair over so she could sit down next to Lucas. "Tomorrow, according to regulations, I have to conduct an official interview with you," she informed him.

"Why?"

"It's standard procedure when you've been held hostage," she explained. "Basically, it means that we're going to go over your report and review what happened."

"Oh."

"It's just a formality, but it is one we have to observe. Normally, Captain Sullivan would be present, but we're going to forego that part." "Several reasons, but mainly because you don't know him. I feel you'll be more comfortable if it's just me," she admitted. McKinnon knew that Lucas did not like special treatment, but she was not going to lie about it.

"You have to do this with Rodriguez?"

"Yes. I already did an informal discussion, but I have to do the formal one."

"When?" he finally asked.

"We'll do it in the morning, while the others are finishing reports. The afternoon will be the debriefing and then we'll have the night off. Karneering wants everyone well rested for the presentation the following day." "I don't suppose I'll get to you to agree to stop early and go rest?" McKinnon remarked.

"I want to finish this," he told her.

McKinnon studied him a moment. "You have thirty minutes. After that, done or not, you're leaving."

"Everyone else is going to work longer," he protested.

"Everyone else did not get shot," McKinnon observed.

"Besides, I'm going to make O'Neil and Rodriguez go with you. They could also use some extra rest," she commented, figuring that would get him to cooperate. It was fairly obvious that Lucas spent more time worrying about the well being of his friends than he did about his own health.

"That's low," Lucas informed her, recognizing what she was doing.

"That's why I'm in charge," she said. "Because I'm not afraid to use whatever I have to in order to get the job done. So, you'll go quietly?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Sure. You can go quietly or you can go with a fuss, but you will stop working in thirty minutes."

"I get the picture."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So much for not being tired," Tim remarked to Rodriguez, looking over at Lucas, who had fallen asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

"He hates to admit he needs taking care of," Rodriguez agreed.

"I don't think he's used to someone being around to do it," Tim observed.

"Well, then I guess he's lucky to have you and the rest of your crew."

"You've been pretty good to him, too," Tim pointed out.

"Well, he's been through a lot. And some of that we shared."

"It's more than that."

"You're right," Rodriguez admitted. "I liked his attitude from the start. He's cocky just like the rest of us and, even though parts of this assignment had him scared, he kept going. In his place, I don't know if I would have ever made that first jump."

"You would have; I don't see you letting anything stand in your way."

"Yeah, well, you're not as shy and retiring as you would like people to think," Rodriguez retorted.

"Never said I was. Besides, I act differently around you guys."

"We have that effect on a lot of people."

"Why did you join the Outriggers?" Tim asked.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Rodriguez answered, looking away.

"Why communications?" "Yes. Eventually. Right now, I'm content to stay as the second-in-command with McKinnon. I learn a lot from her. I'm not ready to take on all the paperwork. Or the responsibility."

"You seem to take on quite a bit now."

"In the Outriggers, we all do," Rodriguez commented. "In reality, we all have to be ready to assume command in the field. If something happens to McKinnon and I'm around, then it's me. However, it could be something happens to her and I'm not there and neither is Ryan, so someone better step in and fill the void. Generally, we follow the chain of command, but if Adamsen is the highest ranking in her group, she's expected to take over."

"You ever have to relieve someone of command?" Tim asked.

"Fortunately, I've never had to face that one. I've seen it happen. And Karneering had to do it, before he joined us. I think it's one of the reasons he wanted to come join. He was third-in-command with Silver; it was a little too close for his liking."

"Commander Ford had to do it before Bridger took over seaQuest."

"Well, he's a man that needs to lighten up," Rodriguez remarked, remembering the two times he had seen Ford at the hospital.

"He's not as bad as he seems," Tim defended. "He was just concerned and that's how he handles it."

"That's what Wolenczak said. Actually, I have to confess any other reaction from seaQuest probably would have upset us."

"Why?"

"Because if they had been calm, it would have meant that they didn't care."

"I understand, I think."

"It makes sense, trust me."

"Well, I think I'm ready for bed. I don't know why I'm so tired," Tim sighed.

"It's been a long day for all of us. We'll leave the light on for Karneering; he's used to coming in quiet."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucas was awake, staring up at the darkness, thinking. Ever since McKinnon had told him about having to do the interview, it had consumed his thoughts. Having to talk about it seemed like more than he wanted to do. He had not discussed the specifics with anyone yet, not even Rodriguez. They had danced around the topic, even after his dreams. There was part of him that knew he had to talk about it; the other part of him wanted to hide from it. Writing the report had been hard, but he could pretend, at least to himself, that no one would read it.

Rodriguez woke up slowly, listening to the noises of the room for a minute. He heard Tim roll over, followed by Karneering; finally, he heard Lucas shifting restlessly, a sign the teenager was also awake. When he was asleep, Lucas tended to remain still, unless he was dreaming. Despite the fact all three had told Lucas to wake them up, for any reason, Rodriguez knew the boy wasn't likely to do it. Getting up quietly, he walked over to Lucas' bed, making enough noise to avoid startling him.

"What are you doing awake?" he asked, sitting down.

"Nothing. Been sleeping too much," Lucas told him.

"That's what I like about you; you're predictable," Rodriguez remarked.

"Excuse me?"

"I swear, if I had asked you what was wrong just after you were shot, you would have said 'nothing'," Rodriguez observed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It was just an observation. You're worried about the interview with McKinnon tomorrow."

"Why do you say that?" Lucas inquired, unwilling to confirm or deny Rodriguez's statement.

"Because you haven't really talked about it yet."

"You haven't been around me twenty-four hours a day."

"I know that there are only a few people you're likely to talk to about it, at least right now. I figure I'm one of them, because I was there. We've skated around the issue when you have dreams; we talk about your dreams, not what happened. O'Neil's pretty high on the list of people you might talk to and I know you haven't told him," Rodriguez told him. "I also imagine that your captain would be the other person you're most likely to talk to about it. It's obvious he cares about you and you trust him, but you haven't told him either. You haven't really had any time alone with him and he hasn't pushed, although I bet he will when you go back to seaQuest. He doesn't seem like the kind of man who's going to let you avoid it forever. You might talk to your Lieutenant Krieg, but not yet, because you don't want to upset him any more than he already is."

"You've got this all figured out, haven't you?" Lucas queried, his tone sharp because Rodriguez was pretty close to the mark.

"I'm familiar with the traits," Rodriguez admitted. "I didn't want to talk about it the first time I was held hostage."

"What did you do?" Lucas asked, willing to shift the conversation off himself.

"I acted like nothing happened. You have to remember I also transferred into Outrigger Blue afterwards, so I was dealing with new people. I didn't want to trust them."

"And?" Lucas prompted.

"My CO kind of figured that I might feel better if I got it off my chest."

"How did he get to you to talk?"

"He didn't," Rodriguez informed him, a faint smile crossing his face. "Before he could do anything, his second in command took care of the problem for him."

"How?"

"Dragged me down to the gym for a no holds barred round of hand to hand combat."

"How did that help?"

"About the time I was tiring out, she started bugging me about what had happened. I was third in command at the time of my capture; I had some guilt about not doing more to stop the CO from dragging us into the situation. She played on that, until I started yelling at her, once I started I couldn't stop."

"McKinnon?" Lucas guessed softly.

"Yep. She reads people pretty well; if she honestly thought you weren't up to talking about this, she would leave you alone. She just recognizes that sometimes we need a push in the right direction."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Relax," Rodriguez told Tim the next morning.

"Sorry," Tim apologized, unable to help himself from worrying. It seemed like Lucas and McKinnon had been in the conference room for quite a while.

"Don't worry, she knows what she's doing."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McKinnon sat across from Lucas, finishing the interview. Things were much calmer than they had been at the beginning. After he had answered the first few questions, McKinnon had decided that Lucas was too distant from his responses; he spoke more like an observer than a participant. Past experience told McKinnon that no one was that calm about being held hostage, so she had pushed until he was honest. Lucas had not told her everything he was feeling; she would have been surprised if he had. Mainly she had pressured him to get him to think about it and start to face it. If she was any judge of people, she would say that, one day, in the near future, Bridger and Lucas were due for a long talk. McKinnon suspected the captain was one of the few people Lucas really trusted.

"Still mad at me?" she inquired.

"Do you care?" Lucas asked.

"Of course. But being nice isn't what you needed. You have O'Neil for that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You and O'Neil are a lot alike. He wouldn't want to upset you, so he wouldn't push. Rodriguez won't push because he's still wrestling with his own problems with this mission, so that left me."

"Are you always right?"

"No. Just most of the time."

"Modesty is obviously not a job qualification."

"If you meet a modest Outrigger, I'd like you to introduce him to me," McKinnon commented. "Are you going to answer my question?"

"I stopped being mad about thirty minutes ago. Could they hear us out there?" he questioned suddenly.

"No. The room is sound proof."

"Good." Lucas did not want everyone to know that he had been yelling at McKinnon.

"You're free to go. It's Rodriguez's turn."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You okay?" Tim asked Lucas, wheeling him out of the conference room while Rodriguez took his place.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lucas answered, not willing to go into the details at the moment. McKinnon had been right; he was angry about what had happened to him. However, he was not ready to tell Tim about it right now.

"Ryan says we're all done for the moment."

"Good," Lucas sighed tiredly.

"You want to go lay down?" Tim inquired; thinking Lucas looked rather tired.

"No, not really. I'm tired of being in bed and I have a feeling I had better enjoy my limited freedom while I can."

"Yes, I did hear the doctor making comments about tying you down," Tim teased.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, did you rile him up?" Rodriguez asked McKinnon, before they got started.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because I know you."

"All I did was conduct an interview," McKinnon protested.

"Sure, you did."

"Besides, you know that the interviews are confidential. Wolenczak wants to talk to you about it, he will."

"By the way, I have a question for you," Rodriguez changed the subject, knowing he would not get any more information out of McKinnon. He had no doubts that she had pushed some buttons to get Lucas to start looking at what had happened.

"What?"

"Why do want to hold the final review with Wolenczak and O'Neil after the ceremony. Why not do it before and get it out of the way?"

"Sullivan wants me to review Section ninety-nine with them," McKinnon sighed.

"Oh. Is it on Ramsey's authority?"

"No. He backed it with the Secretary-General."

"I'm glad you're the one that has to do it."

"Thanks, Rodriguez. I knew I could count on you."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"There's no way Wolenczak can stand on that leg for the entire presentation; I don't care how short it is," Karneering stated. The Outriggers had just finished the initial debriefing and were in the process of deciding how to manage the awards ceremony.

"Then we'll sit, until the end. We have to stand to accept," McKinnon told him.

"I'm not sitting down while you all are standing," Lucas objected.

"You'll do what I say you're going to do," Karneering informed him.

"I didn't say I wanted to stand for the whole thing," Lucas protested. "Just the end part."

"He can lean on me," Rodriguez offered. "We should only be standing about five minutes, especially if we wait until after McKinnon starts speaking for the rest of us to rise."

"All right. But you walk on that leg and I will extract a slow and painful revenge. I'll also give you an orange lollipop," Karneering told Lucas sternly.

"I'll be good."

"I'll carry him off the stage if necessary," Rodriguez assured Karneering.

"It will be necessary," McKinnon pointed out.

"What?" Lucas practically shouted. "I feel like I'm about five when he carries me."

"Sorry, the stage isn't accessible otherwise. The only way to get you on it is for someone to carry you."

"Besides, you look two look so cute when he carries you," Ryan teased.

"There is nothing cute about it," Lucas growled, while everyone else snickered.

"Actually, she's right," Tim observed, getting a glare from the teenager. "Just give in gracefully. You aren't going to win."

"Now, there is one slight change in plans," McKinnon announced, deciding it was time to intervene.

"What?" Rodriguez asked, surprised.

"We talked it over and we all agreed that you and Wolenczak should accept the award for the unit."

"I must have missed that conversation," Lucas remarked, nervously. "Why us?"

"You paid the highest price," Ryan replied. "You deserve the chance to get things started."

"Are you sure?" Rodriguez asked.

"We made the decision as a team," Chandler informed them. "You guys have to do it."

"I thought it was a good idea," Tim added.

"You'll do the first part; I'll handle the rest," McKinnon explained. "I just think you two have more right than any of us to want this."

"We want you to do it; you can't let us down," Adamsen interjected.

"Otherwise we might think you don't trust us," Hallowell added.

"Oh good, now they're stooping to emotional blackmail. I think we're stuck," Rodriguez whispered to Lucas, loud enough to be heard.

"We'll put microphones on both of you, so you don't have to move from line. That way Wolenczak doesn't have to walk," McKinnon told them. "So, is it settled?"

"Apparently," Lucas replied.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Glad it's almost over?" Rodriguez asked Lucas and Tim later that evening.

"I think we're ready to go back home," Tim told him, getting a nod of agreement from Lucas. "It has been interesting, but I'm ready for things to get back to normal."

"You'll miss us," Rodriguez teased.

"Don't count on it," Lucas retorted.

"You don't mean that," Karneering commented, entering the room. "You know you love us."

"I'm not sure that's the word I would use," Tim remarked.

"Guess what time it is?" Karneering quizzed Lucas.

"He has the evil look on his face: must mean he's going to poke around and see how much pain he can inflict," Lucas observed.

"I only have your best interests at heart," Karneering said.

"You probably say that to all of your victims."

"I'm not sure I care for your choice of words."

"I think that was the general idea, Karneering," Rodriguez informed him.

"I suppose you're going to give me more drugs," Lucas sighed.

"That was on my agenda," Karneering agreed. "You need your rest and you have a tendency to overdo it."

"It seems to be a trait the entire unit shares," Lucas pointed out.

"It's not a habit you should adopt," Karneering told him.

"I think it's too late," Tim mumbled to Rodriguez, who snickered.

"I can still tell McKinnon the two of you are in need of physicals if you don't behave," Karneering reminded the two men.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is one advantage of you getting shot," Rodriguez said to Lucas, the following day, as they got dressed for the awards ceremony.

"What?" Lucas grumbled.

"We got out of wearing our dress uniforms."

"I'm so happy I could help."

"You have a dress uniform?" Tim questioned. "I just can't imagine any of you in a dress uniform."

"We try to avoid it whenever possible," Karneering agreed.

"That's a big surprise," Lucas commented sarcastically.

"What are you trying to say?" Rodriguez queried.

"None of you seem like the formal type. If you could get away with it, you'd probably avoid wearing these," Tim answered for him, pointing to the jumpsuits that they were wearing.

"So, you think you know us that well?" Rodriguez questioned him.

"We've been around you long enough to figure it out," Lucas told him. "You lack a certain amount of respect for authority."

"And you are, of course, a paragon of virtue when it comes to following the rules," Rodriguez retorted.

"I'm just curious about something," Karneering interrupted. "Can the two of you hold a conversation without one of you getting sarcastic or somewhat insulting?"

Lucas and Rodriguez looked at each other. "Not a very long one," Rodriguez replied. "And why should we? We're not hurting anyone."

"That's what you think; what about those of us who have to listen to you?" Tim wanted to know.

"That's called eavesdropping and it's rude. Plug your ears if you don't like it," Rodriguez recommended. "By the way, how did you manage to get him in the uniform?" Rodriguez asked Karneering.

"I believe that's covered under doctor-patient confidentiality," Karneering informed him.

"Speaking of uniforms," Tim interjected, "what are we supposed to do with all the gear Ryan gave us before deployment? I mean, we gave back the computers when you all did, but we still have the uniforms and other stuff," Tim pointed out.

"Well, some of my stuff got left in Tarsinia," Lucas observed with a trace of humor. "I hope you don't expect me to pay for it."

"There's an idea; maybe I'll suggest it to McKinnon," Rodriguez remarked.

"You didn't come back with all of your equipment either," Karneering reminded him.

Lucas muttered something under his breath.

"Watch it," Rodriguez warned, having heard the comment. "And I came back with more than you did," he added in a low voice that only Lucas could hear.

"We don't want to know," Karneering told Tim, who was staring at the two with a puzzled expression. "Come on; you know McKinnon hates to be late."

"As for the equipment, McKinnon will take care of it in the final review," Rodriguez informed them, earning a strange look from Karneering.

"All right."

"What's going on?" Karneering questioned Rodriguez quietly, not wanting the other two to overhear.

"Ninety-nine," Rodriguez responded.

"Oh dear. I hope she doesn't make me watch while she explains that one."

"No kidding."

"What are you guys mumbling about?" Lucas asked.

"Just reviewing the plan for getting you on and off stage," Rodriguez replied innocently.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I still don't understand why we're here," Ben grumbled to Miguel, as the seaQuest crew filed into the auditorium for the award ceremony.

"For Lucas and Tim," Katie told him. "They are our friends. Since they have to attend, we should support them."

"If getting two members of the team shot earns them a commendation, I'd hate to see what happens on a mission that goes really wrong," Ben grumbled.

"That's enough," Ford ordered quietly. "After this is over, we get them back." Ford was trying to keep the peace. Since Kristin had already made her feelings abundantly clear, Ford didn't want anything to get her started again. Ford thought Bridger had enough stress right now.

"He's right," Miguel interjected. "I'll sit through three of these if that's what it takes to get them back."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bridger was not really listening to what Admiral Ramsey had to say. Instead, he was watching the group on the stage. He felt a sense of amazement at seeing both Tim and Lucas dressed in the Outrigger uniform, seated with the rest of the group. Both seemed so comfortable with the unit. Bridger also felt a sense of pride because the two had performed well under pressure. It wasn't that he thought he had anything to do with their accomplishments and, given a choice, he would prefer it had never happened, but he did have a great deal of respect for the two and the choices they had made during their temporary assignment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucas sat, listening to Ramsey drone on, and wondered how the man could say half of what he was saying with a straight face. It made him angry to listen to Ramsey, knowing that man could have endangered all of their lives. Lucas had the same problem the rest of the team had with the admiral's actions; Ramsey was not new to the organization. He knew the importance of maintaining secrecy.

"Just relax," Rodriguez mumbled under his breath. Normally, the Outriggers would have lined up by rank, but, because of Lucas' injuries, they had put him and Tim between Rodriguez and Ryan.

"I present to you Commander Hunter McKinnon of Outrigger Blue," Ramsey introduced, turning to gesture McKinnon forward.

Outrigger Blue stood in unison, Rodriguez unobtrusively assisting Lucas. Once they were on their feet, McKinnon stepped forward, not bothering to shake Ramsey's hand, a slight that no one really noticed, not even Ramsey.

"Those of us who are standing here tonight, feel that this moment belongs to two members in particular," McKinnon announced quietly, ignoring the slight cough from Ramsey, because she was deviating from the plan. "We have asked them to speak on our behalf. I'd like to introduce Lieutenant-Commander EJ Rodriguez and Lucas Wolenczak." McKinnon turned her attention to Lucas and Rodriguez.

"As members of an Outrigger unit, all of us jeopardize our lives on every mission," Rodriguez stated calmly. "It is a risk we accept because we believe that what we do serves a purpose and we trust that those within the organization will do everything they can to ensure our safety. When we put on our uniforms, we all become responsible for upholding Article One of the Outrigger Code of Conduct."

"Article One states, that under no circumstances, shall any member of an Outrigger unit reveal information that might jeopardize the other members of the organization or the integrity of their mission," Lucas continued, trying hard to keep his voice steady. "And that, to do so knowingly, is to break the Outrigger Code."

"When someone willingly violates Article One without justification, they break the commitment not only to their own team, but to the entire organization," Rodriguez said. "Trust is a vital part of our organization and without it a team cannot succeed, because it places doubts in the minds of the other members. There is no room for hesitation in the field."

By now they, had the attention of the crowd, as people began to realize that this was not part of the plan. Bridger could hear his crew murmuring amongst themselves. None of the other Outriggers in the audience, for they made up the bulk of the crowd, seemed to know what was going on either.

"Thus, we feel that we cannot accept this award," Lucas announced, creating a stunned silence in the room.

"Under Section ten, paragraph one, of the Outrigger Code of Conduct, Outrigger Blue is repudiating Admiral Walter Ramsey for his violation of Article One by transmitting our mission profile outside the organization, and for ordering Captain Sullivan to issue a sanction when we encountered difficulties in the field," McKinnon proclaimed calmly. "We believe that the only justification for this sanction was because he was attempting to cover up his< transgressions. As a unit, we believe that we can no longer trust Ramsey to protect and support us in the field. We feel that, as long as he remains part of the chain of command, he endangers each and every mission. Therefore, Outrigger Blue is standing down until he is replaced as the head of the Outrigger organization," McKinnon stated.

"You can't do this," Ramsey told her angrily.

"Watch me," McKinnon said so quietly that only he could hear her. Her gaze was icy and even. The seaQuest crew watched in amazement as, in unison, the Outrigger team tore the blue triangles off of their uniforms and dropped them on the floor. What startled them even more was the sound of applause that suddenly filled the room as the rest of the Outriggers jumped to their feet.

"Commander Aaron Tisdall, Outrigger Gold is also standing down."

"Commander Lily Madison, Outrigger White is standing down."

"Commander Daniel Harriman, Outrigger Silver is standing down."

One by one the rest of the Outriggers threw their support behind Outrigger Blue.

"It looks like we did it," Rodriguez whispered to Lucas.

"I guess so."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How does it feel to take down an admiral?" Ben teased Lucas and Tim.

"He did it to himself," Tim replied.

"I don't understand; why do it like that?" Katie asked them.

"Once we discovered what he done on our mission, it didn't take a lot of hunting to discover that he had done the same thing before," Lucas explained. "No one had ever caught him. We wanted to make sure that it didn't get buried. None of the Outrigger teams can go into the field and worry about what he might have told someone. They have to be suspicious of everything else; they need to trust their chain of command."

"Why did you have to be involved?" Kristin questioned.

"Because, while there was no proof that it led to anything that happened, McKinnon felt we both had a right to be there," Lucas replied.

Bridger listened to Lucas and noted that the teenager still spoke of what had happened in vague terms. It was something they would have to handle when they got back to seaQuest.

"Besides, we wanted to be part of it," Tim admitted. "Especially since she vetoed just shooting him." The rest of the group looked at him in horror.

"Yeah, well, McKinnon figured that might have gotten Rodriguez and Ryan arrested," Lucas pointed out. "She didn't want to lose them."

"You're not serious," Miguel said, looking at them, "are you?"

"The suggestion was made in the heat of the moment," Tim told him. "And Chandler pointed out it would be a waste of ammunition."

"I think it's high time you ended this assignment. I can't say it has done anything for your sense of humor," Kristin informed him.

"Who said he was joking?" Lucas inquired.

"You definitely have spent too much time with them," Kristin told Lucas.

"Once you get to know them, they're not that bad," Lucas protested.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Captain Bridger," McKinnon acknowledged him as he joined her.

"Commander," he greeted her.

"Something on your mind?"

"Has Lucas talked to anyone about what happened?" he inquired.

"Not really. I know he's had some dreams, but those are indirectly related. O'Neil has had some too," McKinnon answered. "However, he did have to write up a report for the debriefing and I had to conduct an official interview."

"How did that go?" he asked, curious.

"That depends on which one of us you ask."

"Really?"

"He wanted to distance himself; I wouldn't let him."

"What did you do?" he questioned; she had his full attention now. He knew what talking to Lucas could be like.

"I goaded him into a yelling match. Actually, he did most of the shouting. While he did not open up, and I can't say that I expected him too, I think it got him to thinking. I have a feeling that he's waiting to talk to you about it."

"Well, don't worry, Commander; I won't let him wait too long," Bridger assured her, hearing the underlying concern. "He's going to be my responsibility again very shortly."

"Well, as much as you don't want to hear this: once an Outrigger, always an Outrigger," she told him. "We'll still worry about him."

"Will this really get rid of Ramsey?" Bridger queried, changing the subject. The idea that a team had the power to remove an admiral was somewhat astounding to him.

"Yes. Once the trust is gone, you can't get it back. Not in our line of work. Plus, we have no way of knowing how many other missions he compromised. We've found some, but not all. He's not just going to stop. They'll retire him. That's why your crew members were the only outsiders in attendance. HQ had a pretty good idea what we had planned."

"Did the other units?"

"No. They followed suit because they know we wouldn't do this on a whim. No one decides to remove an admiral for the heck of it."

"This ever happened before?"

"With someone as high as Ramsey? Once, before my time. There have been other commanders and captains that have found themselves repudiated."

"What about the commendation?"

"We turned it down," McKinnon replied. "They may decide to give us another one, but it will be done quietly. If you'll excuse me, I need to finish up debriefing them," she said, pointing to Lucas and Tim. "Then they'll be ready to go back with you."

"I would appreciate it, Commander."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rodriguez caught McKinnon's look and walked over to where Lucas and Tim were still talking to the seaQuest crew.

"Excuse me," he interrupted. "Commander McKinnon needs to review a few final details with Wolenczak and O'Neil so that she can officially release them."

"Then don't let us stop you," Kristin told him.

"Thank you," Rodriguez responded, unable to think of a more appropriate response. "It shouldn't take too long."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What about our gear?" Tim asked McKinnon, once they had joined her in the conference room.

"Just a second. You have to stay, Rodriguez," she instructed him before he could leave.

"Why?" Rodriguez inquired.

"Verification."

"Verification of what?" Lucas demanded, not sure he liked the sound of this.

"There's a couple of items we have to go over," McKinnon told him. "I'm supposed to have Rodriguez witness that you were informed of the provisions I'm about to explain."

"Provisions?" Tim questioned. "I do not like the sound of this."

"It gets better," Rodriguez mumbled, sitting down next to Lucas' wheelchair.

"Under Section ninety-nine, paragraph two of the Outrigger Code of Conduct-." McKinnon started. "What are you doing?" she asked, as both Lucas and Tim covered their ears.

"Whenever you start quoting the manual, we know it's something we're not going to like."

"It counts whether you hear it or not," she informed him.

"Great," Lucas sighed, as they uncovered their ears and waited for her to continue.

"Section ninety-nine, paragraph two," McKinnon reiterated: a sure sign they weren't going to like what she had to say. McKinnon rarely repeated anything she said. "Once a non-organization member has been successfully deployed into the field with an Outrigger unit, the individual or individuals are considered reserve members of the organization and subject to recall. While the original unit of deployment has priority, reserve members are eligible for assignment with any Outrigger team."

"What?" Tim asked.

"You consider getting shot successful deployment?" Lucas queried.

"In other words, you two can be asked to serve the organization again, should we ever need your skills," Rodriguez elaborated. "Our unit has first dibs on you, but any of the other units can also use you."

"You're serious," Tim stated.

"Would I joke about something like this?" McKinnon queried. "So, you get to keep the uniforms and the rest of the equipment. Wolenczak, Ryan will issue you another gun."

"Have you told Captain Bridger?" Lucas asked slowly, skipping over the issue of the weapon.

"Do I look stupid?"

"You have a point."

"Captain Sullivan said he would take care of it, but I'm fairly confident that he will wait to do so until he absolutely has to. We've never actually used the rule before."

"Would this be like you've never deployed with outsiders before?" Tim inquired. "Or that you never fire your weapons?"

"Forgive us if we're not comforted. Every time you tell us something shouldn't happen, it does," Lucas hissed.

"I think you should have used another argument," Rodriguez suggested.

"Sullivan and the Secretary-General both insisted on this," McKinnon told them.

"Lucky us," Tim sighed. He looked at Lucas. "I don't think we should share this bit right away."

"No kidding," Lucas agreed.

"That's about all I have to tell you," McKinnon remarked.

"I think it was enough," Lucas assured her.

"I do want to add that it was an honor to have both of you on the team and that you did exceed our expectations. I am writing a letter of commendation, as is Captain Sullivan, to go in your records. It won't help you too much," she said, nodding at Lucas, "but it can't hurt."

"Thank you. It has been an interesting experience," Tim informed her, smiling.

"Yes, well, we're Outriggers; what did you expect?" Rodriguez questioned.

"We'll know better next time, won't we?" Lucas interjected.

"You guys ever find yourselves in a bind, call us," McKinnon ordered. "Now, I think we'll let you get your equipment and get out of here. Your Outrigger IDs will be deactivated as long as you are not active, but you do get to keep them."

"That's not the thing I'm worried about explaining," Lucas observed dryly.

"You worry too much," Rodriguez commented. "It must create a lot of stress in your life."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where are they?" Kristin asked, as the seaQuest crew waited for Lucas and Tim to join them. She was anxious to get them back on seaQuest.

"They'll be here soon," Bridger assured her. McKinnon had explained that the team wanted to say goodbye.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Okay, we wanted to make sure you remembered us, so we got you this," Ryan said handing Lucas a stuffed bear, wearing an Outrigger cap.

"Thanks," he accepted the bear, blushing a little.

"And, this is for you," Hallowell told Tim, handing him a small race car, painted blue. "It was the best we could do on short notice."

"I hope no one asks why," Tim grumbled a little, but he did smile.

"And I packed your bags, so that you don't have to explain anything just yet," Rodriguez informed them, producing the original bags they had brought with them. "Unless your security chief does a weapons scan."

"Why do we have to take it with us?" Tim asked.

"Because if you're called, you may meet the team on site," Ryan explained patiently.

"No offense, but I hope it doesn't happen. I think once is enough," Lucas told the team.

"Just one more thing to do," McKinnon advised them.

"What?" Tim asked suspiciously.

"O'Neil, you weren't the best patient I've had, but you certainly weren't the worst, so here you are," Karneering said, handing Tim a handful a purple suckers.

"If I'd given you that kind of trouble, you would have given me orange," Rodriguez protested.

"Wolenczak, in spite of your moments of irritability, which were understandable under the circumstances, you did pretty good. So, I'll let you have green." Karneering handed Lucas several of the candies.

"Thanks," Lucas commented.

"Now, I think we're ready to let you guys go," McKinnon announced. "Let's walk them out."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Call me if you need to talk," Rodriguez ordered Lucas softly, as he wheeled him down to where the seaQuest crew waited. "Don't worry about the time."

"I will," Lucas promised.

"Hey, you're part of the team now," Ryan informed them. "We'll make sure to keep you updated on the gossip."

"We'll look forward to it," Tim responded for both of them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Captain Bridger," McKinnon greeted the captain. "They're all yours again. It was a pleasure to work with them, despite everything that happened."

"I'm glad to have them back," Bridger informed her. "And I have a feeling they'll keep in touch."

"I'm sure of it, Sir," McKinnon told him, hiding a smile. McKinnon had decided not to tell Lucas and Tim that they would have to undergo the annual refresher training with the unit. It was a piece of information that would wait until a later time. "Mr. Wolenczak, Lieutenant O'Neil, you are officially dismissed from your assignment with the Outriggers."

"Thank you, Commander," Lucas acknowledged.

"You two ready?" Bridger asked.

"Yes, Sir," Tim replied.

"Nice bear," Miguel whispered to Lucas, as he took it out of his hands.

"It was a gift," he defended, letting Krieg take the bag that also rested in his lap. Lucas noticed that Tim had managed to stash his car out of sight.

McKinnon shook their hands, as did Rodriguez, then they stepped back, smiling as Bridger leaned over and lifted Lucas out of the wheelchair.

"I don't need to be carried," Lucas protested.

"You can't walk and we have to leave the wheelchair here," Bridger notified him. "Besides, I want to."

"That was predictable," Rodriguez mumbled to McKinnon. "Nothing he hates more than feeling helpless."

"Another thing he has in common with you," McKinnon remarked, as they turned to join the rest of the unit.

McKinnon waited until the seaQuest crew was almost out the door. "Wolenczak! O'Neil!" she yelled, causing everyone to turn. Outrigger Blue had lined themselves up and, together, they all saluted Lucas and Tim; it was, for the Outriggers, the ultimate sign of respect.

Without hesitating, Lucas and Tim returned the gesture. Both were glad to be returning to seaQuest, but they were sorry to say goodbye to the Outriggers. Overall, it had been a good experience.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Epilogue

A week later, Lucas sat outside the captain's quarters; he had asked Tim to bring him down here. He had spent most of the week under Kristin's watchful eye. Actually, he had spent it under everyone's close observation. He appreciated their concern, but sometimes he found it overwhelming. The doctor insisted that he stay in medbay, arguing that he would work on the computer instead of resting if allowed to stay in his own quarters. He had lost that argument when Bridger and half the crew backed her judgment.

"You want me to stay?" Tim asked, although he knew the answer. He knew why Lucas had wanted to come down here.

"Just make sure he's in," Lucas requested. Since Tim had already checked with Miguel as to the captain's whereabouts, they already knew he was in his quarters, but he knew Lucas was feeling a little nervous. "I don't want to get stranded." Lucas was still supposed to be taking it easy, although Tim knew the teenager was already pushing his recovery.

"Okay," Tim agreed, knocking on the door.

Bridger opened the door. "Hello," he greeted them both. "Can I help you?"

"Uh, Tim's just the driver," Lucas mumbled. "I wanted to come talk to you," he said in a rush. He still wasn't sure about this, but Rodriguez kept insisting it was a good idea. Rodriguez and Ryan had already called three times to talk to Lucas and Tim, wanting to make sure both were all right.

Bridger nodded, understanding what Lucas meant. He suspected Lucas had already talked to Tim; their friendship had grown stronger as a result of their assignment with the Outriggers. He knew that Tim made sure he was always with Lucas when the teenager went to sleep.

"Come on in," he invited.

"Call when you're ready," Tim told his friend, glad that Lucas was doing this. Bridger was right; Lucas had talked to him, but Tim thought the boy really needed to tell Bridger.

"I'll get him where he needs to go," Bridger assured the lieutenant.

"Yes, Sir."

"You sure about this?" Bridger asked Lucas, once he had him inside

"Not really, but I have to face it some time," Lucas replied honestly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hours later, Bridger held the teenager in his arms, while Lucas cried. As he stroked the blond hair, Bridger wished he could have done more to protect the boy, though he understood that there was nothing he could have done. However, having listened to him tell the story, Bridger wanted nothing more than to make it go away. Unfortunately, all he could do was try to comfort him and help him get through this. Bridger recognized that this was only the first step, but at least Lucas had made it.

He smiled as he realized that Lucas had fallen asleep. The captain also had a new respect for the Outriggers, as he realized that they had kept in touch with both Lucas and Tim to make sure that they were doing all right. It was obvious, from the way Lucas spoke, that Rodriguez had been instrumental in getting him to this point.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Six hours later, Lucas sat in front of the vid-screen waiting for Rodriguez to appear and hoping the man had been sincere about being able to call any time.

"Sorry it's late," he apologized, realizing that Rodriguez must have been asleep.

"That's okay," Rodriguez told him, running his fingers through his hair. He studied Lucas for a moment. "You talked to your captain, didn't you?"

"You adding psychic to your list of talents?"

"No. You just look less haunted," Rodriguez observed. "Feel better?"

"A little," Lucas admitted.

"Good. McKinnon wants to know if you told your captain about Section ninety-nine yet."

"We're still waiting for the right time. Why?" Lucas asked suspiciously.

"Just curious. Don't be so paranoid," Rodriguez told him. "And Ryan wants to know if you've named the bear yet."

"She's obsessed with that, isn't she?"

"Who do you think started the nicknames?" Rodriguez questioned.

"Tell her I named him Blue," Lucas instructed. "Will that make her happy?"

"Of course. Do you sleep with him?" Rodriguez inquired, a smile playing at his lips.

"Who wants to know that?"

"Me: I'm trying to imagine it. I bet you look cute," Rodriguez teased, knowing it would provoke a reaction.

"It's none of your business."

"I'll ask O'Neil; he'll tell."

"He will not. Besides, he wouldn't know," Lucas lied.

"He would too, I've talked to him," Rodriguez reminded him. "I know that he stays with you until you're asleep. How are the dreams?"

"I still have them. What about you?"

"Me, too. They'll go away."

"I'll let you go. I just wanted to, uh-."

"I know, Slick," Rodriguez said softly. "Any time you want to call, it's okay. Take care."

"Thanks, you too."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later, when Bridger checked on him, Lucas was sound asleep, the stuffed bear from the Outriggers held firmly in one arm, his other hand holding Tim's, who was also sleeping.

The End

return to index