After getting cleaned up they hurried back to Commander Ortiz's station where they were steadily collecting data on the beast.

" Commander?" Lucas asked as they walked up.

Miguel swiveled his seat. " Hey guys! Great job Lucas! You have done good! We're collecting data as we speak. You really pissed that thing off though!"

" Believe me! I know! Scared the Hell out of me on my way back!"

" That thing is huge! It's gone deep for now. I think it's thinking we are a predator. You wouldn't believe how deep it's gone so far. There's a bunch of deep crevices about as deep as Mariana's Trench. At least that seems to be what our sonar is recording so far." Miguel said.

" Commander, is there a way to send this feed to my lab?" Rose asked.

" Sure! It will take a few minutes, but I can definitely rig it to go there for you. "

" Excellent! I'm going to get to work. " Roses eyes lit up. " Olivia, let's go! "

" Yep. I'm coming! "

" I'm gunna stay up here. Dinner later? " Lucas asked catching her eye.

She grinned. " You know it! " she was thinking of the making up to her he needed to continue. His smile flashed back at her. Then he turned to the monitor with Miguel.

" Man, I thought you were done for! That thing could have easily swallowed you whole! " Miguel said.

Lucas nodded. " That was no joke! I was pretty nervous. I'm glad to be back inside the SeaQuest! That's no lie! "

Miguel chuckled. " I bet! So yeah, check this info. You did great building this tracker man. I've got water temps and everything."

" The only thing I couldn't figure out was how to get a blood sample for Rose to analyse."

Miguel sat back a second. Scratching his chin in thought. " I have a thought."

Lucas leaned back, hand slid into his khaki pockets. " Whatcha got?"
His eyes watched Miguel's as he saw the wheels turning.

" Well, you don't need like gallons or anything tight? Maybe a syringe?"

"Or two."

" Okay so. As much as it scares me to send out our very expensive equipment, I'd rather send that out than send you again. We need to get up close and personal to get your sample. So what if we hauled one of the probes down to your lab. What I'm thinking are some modifications. It needs to be faster, for one so we can get it back in fast. But we need to rig up a way to get your sample. Later. Let's do that. We'll take a probe down to your lab. Go digging around Rose's lab. Between the bunch of us we should be able to figure something out. "

Lucas nodded. He loved how clever Miguel was. They often just clicked at times. As if their brains were on the same wavelengths.

" That could work. I like it! Tomorrow though. I have a date tonight... "

" See? I told you Harker digs you man! "

" I really didn't mean to scare her as bad as I did. I feel awful. I just knew the Stinger would bring me back safe. Ya know? But now I gotta make it up to her..."

" That was pretty risky though. She was a nervous wreck the whole time you were out there. "

" I know. I mean honestly? I was sweating the whole damn time. That THING is amazing. But scary as Hell! "

" No doubt. "

***************************************************************

Down in the science lab, Rose's lab, she and Olivia were now able to see the data being collected.

" That trench is nearly as deep as Mariana's. " Olivia stood next to Rose as they watched the multiple view screens. " God that thing is wild. "

" I can't believe it even after seeing it! " Rose's personal com device beeped. She pushed it and spoke. " Harker ! "

" Hey it's Lucas. Is your feed coming in down there? "

" Yep! We've got everything coming in good and clear. "

" Great. Just wanted to be sure. See you at dinner! "

" Sounds good! thanks for checking in on us! "

" Always! Wolenczak signing off. "

Olivia couldn't help noticing the flush on Rose's face creeping up her neck and cheeks. " It's nice that you've found each other. He seems really great. "

" He's pretty awesome. Way better than my ex. "

Olivia grinned. " I know how that goes. I'm swearing off dating for awhile after my last ex. He did a number on me. "

" Did he cheat on you with his 25 year old slutty secretary? "

Olivia flinched. "Ouch... No. But he was cop with power control issues. Gunna take awhile to come back from that one. "

" Wow. I'm sorry. "

" Well, that's why I wanted the job here. He can't get to me here. Now He can stay the Hell away because I'm here. I hope I never have to see him ever again. I'll do everything in my power to stay here on SeaQuest as long as possible. "

" I don't blame you. Sounds like quite a doozy! Mine was just a cheating sleaze. I'm glad I got away too. I actually found Lucas on the exact night I cancelled my engagement. "

" Seriously? "

" Yep. He saw the whole thing go down. Then came and bought me a drink. I suspect that Derrick and Mitch put him up to it. " She grinned. " But yeah. We drank and danced and talked and I went back to their hotel with them. I know. Sounds skeevy... But, I didn't feel like going back to my mom's for the night. So he let me use the spare bed in his room. We talked some more. Just clicked. I had no friggin idea he worked here! If that's not fate I'm not sure what is. There's just something about him. He's so sweet. Hey. I have a date with him tonight. But maybe another time would you want to come to my quarters and have a drink? "

Olivia nodded. " Sure! I'd like that. "

" I'll invite Mitch and Derrick's girlfriends too. We can have a nice girl's night. They're cool chicks. Good to have camaraderie. But also something to be said for girl time. "

" That would be great! "

The women continued chatting as they worked. Hours passed as they continued to be fascinated by the giant shark hiding deep in the trench. At the end of shift they packed up and headed for the Mess Hall. Once Rose found Lucas a huge smile flashed on her lips. She excused herself from Liv' s presence. Liv fully understood. Lucas stood straighter when she came up to him. He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her close.

" Hey Beautiful! " he kissed her cheeks looking at her through lowered eyelids.

" Hi Reckless! " she teased.

" Let's grab our food and lock ourselves in one of our quarters the rest of this night. " Lucas whispered in her ear. The feeling of his breath on her ear drove her mad in a pleasant way. Her smile lit up her face.

" Let's go! " she took his hand and led the way to the food bar.

Mitch and Derrick had walked in and saw their friends making the bee  line for the food. Mitch nudged Derrick's arm.

" Look at that! Our little buddy is smitten! Big time! He's hot on her tail! " Mitch chuckled.

" They are pretty cute together. " Derrick nodded. They sauntered up to the food bar.

" What's up guys? " Mitch asked.

Lucas and Rose turned around to acknowledge their friends.

" Hey guys! " Rose smiled broadly.

" Getting some grub huh? " Derrick asked.

" Yep! Where are the girls? " Rose asked.

" Still on shift. They got late ones tonight. Not off til midnight! " Mitch answered.

" Oh. That sucks. So you two are stuck with each other until then huh? " Rose asked.

" Unless you guys want to do a movie night? " Derrick suggested.

Lucas and Rose looked at each other knowing full well how they wanted to spend their evening. Rose answered.

" Rain check guys? " she asked.

" Oh.... You two have plans? " Mitch asked with a sly smile.

" Yep... I'm a bit upset with HIM for putting himself in danger...so he's confined to his quarters until morning... " She yanked Lucas close. " He has some making up to do... "

" Oh ho ho! Gotcha! Taking dinner to go then? " Derrick laughed.

" Yup! Sorry fellas. Another time! " Rose kissed Lucas's cheek.

" Ahhh that's ok! We get it! You two go make up now! " Derrick shooed them away.

" See ya tomorrow guys! " Rose said.

" Hey, why don't we have a poker night tomorrow if the girls don't work too late? " Lucas suggested.

The guys liked that. " Yeah! Perfect! Eight o'clock at my place. " Mitch said.

" Um... I don't know how to play. " Rose said.

" No problem! We'll teach you! " Derrick said.

" If you're sure you don't mind? "

" Hell yes! It'll be a blast! " Mitch said.

" All right. See you tomorrow night! " Lucas said. " I'm hungry...let's go! " his eyes flashed to her. He was done chatting. It was time to be with his woman. The guys saw the exchage.

" Night guys! " Rose slid her tray down the line with Lucas right behind her.

The guys chuckled and joked around. They knew exactly what was on the couple's mind.

" Bout time he found a nice girl! " Derrick said fondly.

" Yep. He made out real good with that one! " Mitch agreed.

Lucas and Rose hurried through the line grabbing things that would satisfy them after their making up.

" My place or yours? " Rose asked.

" Yours. Let's go! " Lucas answered.

They hurried to Rose's quarters, trays of food in their hands.

" Lock that hatch! " Rose said.

" On it! "

They spent the evening lounging together. Talking and loving each other. When it was time to sleep they snuggled close. Lucas was the big spoon. He liked that position, being able to wrap his arm and leg around her. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo and the scent made him sigh.

" You good? " Rose asked.

" Absolutely! I just really like this. I like us. " he nuzzled her neck.

" I do too. It's crazy that I found you the night I ended my engagement. I'm so glad that you came up to me though. I truly enjoyed myself that night. You and the guys really helped me. I'm so glad you're not a creep! "

" No, shy maybe, but not a creep. I just really like being close to you. You're like a magnet. I can't  keep myself from finding some way to be near you. "

" You give me butterflies in my stomach. "She said softly.

" I do huh? "

" You sure do. Just a simple touch from you makes my skin tingle. It's amazing! "

" Wow. You do the same for me. " he let his hand trail up her rib cage, feeling her suck in a breath as he felt her smooth skin. He stroked her skin lightly.  " You're so soft. Your skin, your hair... " his voice trailed off. He dipped his head down so his chin rested against her shoulder. His hand found its way slowly roaming to her soft breast.

" Lucas? "

" Yeah? "

" Take me again. " She said, her voice husky and wanting.