The crew of SeaQuest took great care of the crew of the Aries. The Galley fed the crew while Lucas and Rose, Mitch and Derrick helped set up enough cots for the visiting crew.  By the end of the night Rose and Lucas were exhausted,  walking sluggishly to Lucas's quarters.

"What a fucking day!" Rose sighed.

"Seriously!" He said. "Let's  go to bed." He opened his hatch for her.

"Yes sir, Lieutenant." She stepped inside and started to unbutton her uniform. Lucas started to do the same. Once they were down to just their plain white tees and underwear they both sank down onto his bed.

Rose sighed and flopped onto her back. Her arm over her face. Lucas did the same.

Rose spoke up."This was a hard day. An emotional day."

"Yeah it was.  I can't believe any of it. Is like something out of a horror movie."

In a small voice she said, "I can't believe we had to blow it up..." she laid there,  a shuddering breath escaped her lungs. She felt the tears trying to force their way up,  she tried like Hell to hold it in.  Turning away from Lucas so that she laid on her side,  she curled up into a ball,  hugging herself tight. "Fuck!" She hissed.

Lucas sat up and turned toward her,  resting his hand on her shoulder. "Rose, there was nothing that we could do.  You know that." He said softly.

She sniffed and felt the tears start rolling. There was no stopping it. "It just hurts! It was still a living being!"

"I know. " he wrapped himself around her,  spooning with her. Lucas held Rose so close,  his chin resting on her shoulder, he could feel every shaky breath."Try and breathe slow Baby. Sh-h-h. I'm here. I've got you."

"Thank you!" She whispered. "I'm so thankful to be with you. " She said.

"I love you so much." He paused.  A revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. "Rose,"

"Mhmmm?" She sniffed.

"I want to ask you something."

She squirmed around in his arms and turned to face him,  tears still rolling down her face. "What?"

"This is probably the worst timing I could ever have,  but Rose,  I don't want to ever lose you. Marry me?"

Her breath stopped, her eyes got huge. She sat up fast as lightning. "Lucas?" She swiped at her eyes. He sat up with her .

"I'm serious! I have never had chemistry as amazing as I have with you. And I want to be here with you always. I have felt this way since the moment we met. I've never been so certain of anything in my life. I  know it's soon. But I really can't imagine you not being with me. I need you. I want to always be your person. I want to grow with you. I want to experience the rest of my life with you.  You're so smart. You're so beautiful, like I thought out of my league beautiful... you're funny,  and you just make me feel important. Rose,  please,  marry me? Some day?"

She watched the sincerity on his face. Every word he spoke was true. "Lucas! Oh my God! This is, shocking! Weird timing,  but,  I've felt a connection when you since the very first moment we met too. You are so good to me.  I would be the luckiest girl to get to marry you!" Now her tears were tears of joy. She reached up and cupped his cheek, her eyes stayed on his, "I'll marry you." She kissed him.

Lucas kissed her hard. She crawled up into his lap. He brushed her hair out of her eyes."You really will?"

"Yes!" She smiled and kissed him again.

Lucas held his woman close.  They clung to each other for hours,  eventually falling asleep. In the morning their 1st alarm went off. They always set an early  alarm so that they could stay the day with each other.

"Lucas, what kind of wedding do you want?"

"What do you think about doing it here? Captain Ford can marry us. We can either do it quietly with just a couple of our friends, or we could see about a full ceremony on the Bridge. What would you like? Usually it's the woman's day."

"I think I would like to do it actually down at the Moon Pool. But we do have 1 problem. I do still have to get divorced from Erik. I hadn't filed yet."

Lucas's eyes got huge, "You mean I've been sleeping went a married woman???"

"Minor technicality! I'll go for the speediest divorce I can get. Can we do an engagement for awhile? Make certain this is what is best for us?"

"Of course! And I'm going to have to get you a ring."

"How the Hell am I going to get a dress?"

"Commander Krieg can get anything you want! He's brilliant at that stuff!"

"How did we go from me mourning the shark to becoming your fiancée? I'm confused. "

Lucas shrugged. "I just had this overwhelming desire to want to take care of you while you were hurting. But I realized I want to take care of you always."

"I fucking love you,  you sweet, sweet man!" She kissed him hard. Pulling back,  she looked him in the eyes,I am so lucky to have found you!"

"I feel the same way!"

"Lucas, I want you forever."

"Rosebud, I'm yours."

They consummated their engagement before getting ready for their day. A special glow shone on both their faces as they went about their day. Their friends could tell that something was up and were finally able to get to the bottom of it at dinner. Lucas and Rose finally shared their news and their friends cheered for them,  gaining all attention from every person in the Mess Hall. Mitch stood up and raised a glass. All eyes on him.

"Guess what guys?! We have a newly engaged couple on board! Can we get a round of applause for the happy couple? Lieutenants Wolenczak and Harker???"

The Mess Hall erupted in noise as the two officers were smiling from ear to ear. They stood up and waved to the crew. Their friends hugged them both in turn.

"Guys, we gotta have an engagement party!" Derrick said.

"Uh, guys,  I have one minor problem,  I actually still need to get my divorce... then,  we can celibrate." Rose said.

Commander Krieg happened to be a table over. He got their attention. "I happen to know a guy that can get you a super quick divorce.  Want me to get in touch?"

Rose answered,"That would be amazingly helpful. Then Lucas won't have to feel like a homewrecker, even though,  it was my husband stepping out on me initially..."

"I'll get ahold of the guy and get back to you ASAP!"

"Thank you Commander!"

"Glad to help! And if you need help procuring wedding supplies, I am very skilled at all things involving entertainment !"

Lucas grinned,  "We'll keep that in mind!"

The group of friends went back to Derrick's quarters for a night cap. He had a bottle of champagne that he had been saving for a special time,  this seemed like the best time to use it. So the friends all drank a toast to the couple and unwound for the evening. Lucas and Rose went back to her quarters that night and settled into bed after a long luxurious shower. They slept wrapped up in each other's arms and legs,  all twisted around each other. A much needed deep sleep.