Rose and Lucas tried to sleep.. Rose was thinking long and hard about the evening's events and found it difficult to get to sleep. Lucas heard her toss and turn avid finally spoke up.
" Rose? You all right?" He asked softly.
" No, not really. I'm sobering up and thinking about everything."
" Wanna talk about it?"
" Maybe a little."
" I'm here, let it out." He suggested.
In the dark they both starred at the ceiling.
She took a breath," You know? I think I saw this coming weeks ago when I brought up my job opportunity to Eric, I mean I was so excited and all he could do was knock me down and then fight about the whole wanting kids thing. I think I knew we were doomed then. "
" Maybe so, that doesn't give him the right to go out and cheat on you."
" I know. That's messed up on a few different levels. Maybe I should've just ended it sooner, it's just, we've been together a long time, I thought he'd be supportive of me going after what I want but he just wasn't."
" That sucks. Any man that knocks down his girl for having a dream is crazy. If my girl came and said she had something exciting She wanted to go for I'd support her , we'd figure out the details and at least try to make it work."
" OHHH NO! You have a girl?! I kissed you!!!"
" No! No calm down! I'm just saying if I did have one that's how it'd be handled."
" Oh. I see, sorry, that just freaked me out a little."
" It's ok. Point is, you deserve better than him it sounds like."
" Thanks, I'm definitely beginning to realize that."
" You really do, and believe me, I really wish we had met under different circumstances. Not when we're both leaving town. I'd have liked to get to know you, it's comfortable talking with you."
Rose smiled in the dark," You're a sweetheart, I wish that too." She got quiet.
" Thanks for being nice to me." He said.
" Of course! How could I not?"
" Most women think I'm too nerdy. Like I said I don't have much luck."
" Well, women are dumb, clearly they are shallow. I think you're super cute! Those giant blue eyes! You kind of stunned me for a second when you asked to buy me a drink."
" Wow, thanks. The guys didn't think I had it in me to approach a pretty woman, but you helped me prove them wrong!"
" That was easy." She grinned." You charmed me right off the bat. "
" Thanks." He grinned in the dark.
" Thanks for this talk, I think I did need to talk about it a little."
" No problem I hope it helps."
" It did now that I'm ready to face it. This is going to be a terrible day, but tomorrow is a new start for me. I'm looking forward to the new job."
" That's something positive to look forward to."
" It is. I'm really excited."
" Good!"
Rose yawned loudly,"Sorry! I think I'm going to try to sleep now."
" Good luck with that. Good night."
"Good night Lucas."
They both turned quiet and fell asleep. All too soon though Lucas's alarm went off waking them up.
" Oh no. All ready?" He asked sleepily. Sitting up and turning it off.
Rose woke up too." Wow that was only a nap. Geez."
" Well, you just hang out. I'm going to get in the shower. "
" All right." She said. She found she couldn't go to sleep so she turned the TV on low and found a movie to watch. She had the blanket still on and was comfortable. Lucas showered quickly and came back out to repack the few things into his bag.
Rose watched him.
A loud knock came from the adjoining room. Lucas answered.
Mitch stuck his head in. " You almost ready?"
" Yeah just finished packing." Lucas stepped back and held the door.
" Hey Little Red! How'd ya sleep?"
" Pretty good once I got to sleep." She answered, her eyes were still filled with sleep.
A voice came from behind Mitch," Hey! He ready or what? We've gotta get rolling." Derrick said.
" I'm ready. We can go." Lucas looked over at Rose though, he had enjoyed her company.
" Hey, we should say goodbye to Rose." Mitch said to Derrick.
" Oh for sure! Let me in!" The guys all filled into the room, all dressed in some form of khakis and button up shirts. They all had a clean cut liesurely look about them.
" Wow, you know guys, this was a fun night. I appreciate that you spent your time with me. I was almost a disaster, but you guys saved me from being too destructive."
" We had fun. Hope you did too." Derrick said.
Rose nodded and stood up. " Truly I did, even if I'm going to have a hell of a hangover in awhile, it's even starting a little all ready." She giggled.
" You definitely drank plenty." Derrick teased.
" Yes, I sure did. Hey can I give you all hugs good bye?"
They all agreed. She hugged the two beefy guys but saved Lucas for last. She stood before him, he looked down at her.
" I wish we met at a different time, I think we could've gotten along pretty well." Rose said.
" I feel the same." They were lost in each other's eyes.
" Well, you take care of yourself." She reached up to straighten his shirt collar.
" Are you going to be all right?" Lucas asked softly.
" Yeah, I'll be fine. I've got a new job to take over my life tomorrow. New things to learn. I'm really excited." She smiled.
" That is exciting. All right, I'll try not to worry. Hey, I know we won't see each other, but why don't we exchange numbers? Then, you know if you need a friend, you can call me."
" All right." They did the exchange.
" Call any time. Ok?"
" All right. You too." She looked in his bright blue eyes again, and bit her bottom lip.
" Lucas, we really gotta get back man. I'm really sorry guys." Derrick said.
" I know. I just..." Lucas's voice trailed off.
" It's ok. I'll be fine. I'm going to get just a little more sleep and head out.You sure you don't want your shirt back?"
" No. Keep it." He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
His light touch sent chills through her. She grinned and grabbed him and kissed him hard. The guys chuckled behind them. Lucas wrapped his arms and her as tight as he could. He was very reluctant to let her go.
" All right folks we gotta roll." Derrick said." Take care Rose, it was a pleasure. " he smiled.
" Take care all of you. And don't worry about me I'll be fine! I promise."
The men left, Lucas looked back one last time and then they went to the elevator. Once inside the bigger guys teased Lucas.
" Man! That was a proper send off! Nice work Wolenczak! She was really something!" Derrick grinned.
" God, why did I have to meet her on the last night of shore leave? We've been here 2 weeks!" He rested his head on the wall looking up contemplating his life.
" That's how it goes sometimes man. Sorry you didn't get more time."
" It figures. I'll live. But man, she was gorgeous."
" Gotta agree with that." Mitch said.
The guys arrived back at SeaQuest bright and early, the sun had only just come up as their cab pulled in to the docks.
" Well boys, back to real life." Derrick said. The cab was paid and they hauled all their bags up the metal plank.
" That was a great two weeks though! " Mitch said.
" Yep sure was." Derrick said.
They climbed down the steps into the freight bay where shipments of supplies usually arrived when they dry docked or went into port around the world. At the moment all officers were returning from shore leave, Captain Ford was busy on the bridge directing operations, he had returned just the day before while leaving only repair crews ,operations crews, and security personell on board.
" Hey! Welcome back Lieutenants!" Commander Ortiz grinned as his friends walked down the hallway. " Have a good time?"
" You know it!"Derrick said.
" Great, see ya up on the bridge in a bit. Captain Ford just got back yesterday. He'll be glad you're back Lucas, there's been some issues with a couple systems. The WSKRS are also having a problem, I'm going to need a hand later, but nothing urgent, I just want to run some things by you."
" No problem Commander, holler when you need me. I'm going to unpack and go check on Darwin."
" Sounds like a plan." Commander Ortiz said.
Lucas went to his quarters and unpacked. Then making his way to the large indoor tank that held their resident dolphin Darwin whom had been brought aboard during Captain Bridger's command. Lucas had designed a computer system that made it possible to communicate with Darwin way back when he was a teenage prodigy. Technology had always been one of his fortes. Darwin was getting older now. They allowed him out into the ocean often to hunt and they knew where his pod was often located so they kept a tracker on him and had an alarm that let him know when to come bank home to SeaQuest where he. Tubes large enough for him to swim comfortably and to explore all over the sub. The moon pool was a large tank that allowed him room to rest and when he couldn't hunt they fed him there. People could also enter the pool to swim with him.
Lucas missed his buddy Darwin so he made it to the moon pool to see him. Pushing the button that called Darwin to the moon pool. It took a short while but eventually Darwin swam up. Lucas waited with one of his favorite treats.
" Hey Darwin!"
Darwin swam up and let his head break through the water. Clicking and squeaking was translated into audible words.
" Lucas home!"
" That's right buddy. How's it going?"
" Darwin hunt! Eat lots of fish!" The dolphin was excited.
" Great! You so have room for a snack? I brought you something."
" Present for Darwin?"
" Yeah buddy! Want it?"
" Yes!!!" The dolphin swan in a circle and came right up to Lucas.
Lucas held up the small squid.
" Darwin, go long!" Darwin started swimming to the other side of the tank and Lucas threw it, Darwin jumped and caught it in the air.
" Nice catch!" Lucas grinned.
" Yum! Thanks Lucas!"
" You're welcome! I missed you." Darwin came beak around and Lucas reached in to pat his buddy on the back.
" Darwin missed Lucas too."
" Thanks Darwin! Hey, I need to go do some work. I'll come for a swim later all right?"
" Yes! Swim!"
" All right. I'll see you later pal." Lucas loved interacting with Darwin.

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

Rose started her day with a shower a little while after the guys left. She had found it difficult to go back to sleep. Figuring she may as well take a shower even despite her clothes being dirty except Lucas's shirt. Then she made some coffee to really wake herself up. She waited until she knew Eric was at work before calling a cab to take her back to her car at the bar and driving home. Quickly searching for a storage unit she called and reserved one near by and immediately changed into some jeans and loaded up her car to the top. She didn't do a nice job, she just wanted her things out of the house where he couldn't do anything to them. It took three trips but she eventually got it accomplished. Once her task was accomplished she went to her mother's. After changing her clothes she kept busy doing light house work to help out her mom. Eventually her mother returned. They ladies spent the evening chatting and just spending quality time together. Her mother knew it could be a very long time before she would see her daughter in person for quite some time. Bed time came and Rose had a hard time getting to sleep. She was getting mildly anxious about the new job.
Eventually sleep did consume her. When her alarm sounded in the morning she sleepily opened her eyes. Then sprung into action. It was her first day at the SeaQuest, she needed to shower avid get dressed and then her mother was going to drive her down to the Docks. Everything fell into place, and she even had time for a quick breakfast. Her nerves completely amped up the closer they got to the Docks. But finally after driving through the security check Rose was ready to exit her mother's car.
They both got out and saw the SeaQuest in all her glory resting on the hydraulic lifts, there were multiple metal planks leading inside. Some for cargo, some for people.
" Wow...it's a bit bigger than I expected..." Rose's eyes scanned the giant vessel.
" God, it's huge! I mean, it's really huge!" Her mother was also in awe of the Submersible.
" I was researching it, and they say it can go deeper than any sub in the world."
" Wow."
" All right Mom. I've gotta get going. I love you!" Rose have her mom a warm hug and extended the arm of her suitcase.
" Good luck honey. Please keep in touch when you can, I know you'll be busy."
" I will, bye Mom!" Rose smiled and started walking to a metal plank, seeing other people doing the same. Must be crew coming back in from shore leave. Her mother felt line she time warped back to Rose's first day of kindergarten for a moment. But instead of a big yellow bus , her daughter was walking up the pack of the largest Submarine in the world.