Lucas poked his head in the hatch and saw Rose with a tablet in hand accompanied by a slender red head.

He cleared his throat. " Uh. Hi!"

Rose recognized his voice and instantly blushed. She looked up from her tablet.

" Hey Lucas!  Come in!" Rose grinned.

" You still working?"

" Yeah. The Captain came by and gave us a task. Oh, Lucas Wolenczak this is Ensign Olivia Lynch, my assistant. Lucas is head of the Tech department."

Lucas shook Olivia's hand. " Hi! You're new too huh?"

Olivia smiled. " Yep!"

" Awesome! Welcome to the SeaQuest!"

" Thanks! This place is pretty amazing!"

" So what did the Captain give you to work on?"

Rose answered. " He wants us to come up with a research plan. And figure out how to handle this creature. He said we have to first get a tracker on it, but then we have to study it. Find out if it really is a Megalodon or just a freakish Great White. If it's really just a mutation they want to try and figure out what caused it. But yeah so we need to figure out how to even get a tracker on it. I might need your help actually. I'm not sure where to find equipment for a tracker."

" Well, you're taking to the right guy. I can build one. Easy. That's a piece of cake!"

" Sure for you!" Rose teased.

" Hey, I can absolutely help you  out with that. Do we want just a beacon or do we want to have it take other data?"

" I'm thinking we need more data. It's habits. Like where does it go? Does it have a pattern? How deep does it go? Can you do a camera? Maybe see what it sees?" Rose fired all these questions all at once.
Lucas smiled thoughtfully. He was enjoying seeing Rose the Marine Biologist at work. " I can make it do all. Of that, even record water temps."

" Oh that's good!"

" Okay I'll get started on it as soon as possible. Now , I was wondering if you might be able to take a dinner break?" He asked kind of bashfully. 

Olivia watched the exchange, seeing both faces turn red. It was a cute exchange. She smirked.

" Actually, yes. Olivia, what do you say we call it a night? We've got a good start and we can fine tune it tomorrow. Plus I'm sure the Captain will be pleased with Lucas making our tracker. What do ya say?"

" Hey you're the boss! I could eat."

" Okay. Lucas. We gotta shut things down. How about we meet you in the Mess? You get us a good table?"

He nodded. " I can do that. See you in a few." Lucas strolled to the Mess hall with a little spring in his step.

Olivia didn't make eye contact with Rose, but asked as she was shutting down her tablet," So, I'm being completely nosey and if I'm overstepping you can say so... But do you and Wolenczak have kind of a thing???"

Rose smiled. " Yeah, kinda. It's really new. I'm a little nervous. He kind of witnessed the demise of my engagement and I may have drunkenly made out with him at a club...right before I came here. Not having any idea that he worked here. We're trying to go slow. Sorry if that was too much info....I tend to not have a filter to my mouth at times."

" No problem. You guys were totally both blushing. It was kind of cute."

" Oh geez. Yeah, I mean we are trying to be professional about it. But I guess when you feel a connection you just can't help it. "

" Yeah, that can happen."

" Okay. We all shut down?" Rose looked around the room.

" Yep. We're all good."

" Okay. Let's see if I can remember how to get there! This place is a damn maze!"

" You aren't kidding! "

The women chatted along the way getting to know each other better. After a couple wrong turns they finally made it to the Mess hall. Lucas was lounging at a table. He looked up when they walked in.

" Ladies. Let's get some food!" He said.

" Yes! I'm hungry now that you mentioned food." Rose said.

They got in line and filled up trays.
After they were done eating Olivia left them so she could grab a shower before retiring to her quarters. Lucas had an idea.

" Hey Rose. I wanna take you somewhere. I have something to show you."

Giggling, " Is that code for something?" She arched an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

" Oh! Very funny! But no. Come with me." He took her hand and led her around several corridors and suddenly they were going up and up and up.

" Lucas? Where are we going?"

" We're almost there! You'll see!" He made it to a large hatch. Unsealing it and popping it up he climbed up and out. " Come up here!" He reached a hand down to help guide her. As she emerged through the hatch she was hit with the ocean air.

" Check out this view!" Lucas smiled.

Looking around Rose could see the ocean. Not only that, but it was sunset. The sky was clear and brilliant shades of purples and pinks and oranges. The moon was rising and a few stars had started to come out.  Rose let out a breath.

" Ohhh this is awesome!" She said.

Lucas came up behind her an wrapped his arms around her. His cheek rested next to hers.

" I thought it would be nice to catch one last sunset before we set out for the Pacific."

Rose leaned into him. She sighed." Great idea."

They stayed there for awhile. Watching as the sun went down.

" So. Are you done with work for tonight?" Lucas asked.

" Yeah. I think we've got a good plan started."

" Hmmm great. You want to go watch a movie or something? Unwind?"

" Sure. But first, this..." She turned to face him and placing her hands on his shoulders and leaned up to kiss him. His hands clasped her waist. He kissed her right back, he couldn't help himself. It was the perfect romantic moment. A few minutes later they went down to Lucas's quarters.

" What should we watch?" Lucas asked.

" Hmmm I'm game for anything."

" Ok, don't pick on me. But it's an older movie, from the 80's, but I think it will fit our mood tonight."

" What is it?"

" Dirty Dancing." He grinned.

" I think that was one my mom really liked!!!"

They settled in on Lucas's couch and he pulled up the movie. He sat in the corner and propped his feet up on the coffee table. Resting one arm on the back of the couch he let Rose settle in against him. They relaxed and watched the movie. It was comforting being near each other. Rose let go of the work day and started to fade into the moments with Lucas. She rested her hand on his knee lightly. Lucas in turn was rubbing small circles on her shoulder. His soft touch warming her skin. They had both changed into their street clothes and she had a black wide strapped tank top on and soft denim capris.
Lucas had changed into khaki cargo shorts and a fresh white tee.

" You know? I do remember my mom playing this movie when I was younger. It's quite good!"

" It's a great story. I was afraid you'd think I'm a dork for playing it." Lucas smirked.

" I love these kind of movies! I think I like that you have a sensitive side. I don't want to talk much about my Ex, Erik. I've all ready put him in the past mostly. But anyway, he didn't have much of a sensitive side at all, except for dogs...he really was a dog guy. Ha! Go figure! He IS a dog! I like how easy it is talking to you. This is cool."

" Very cool. I agree."

" Makes me wonder though..."

" Wonder what?" He asked. His eyes shifted to hers curiously.

" Well, you know what they say, it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for..." She winked.

" Oh...I think I see what you mean..." He smirked again. " I am kind of innocent , so you think..."

" Am I wrong?" She was in full flirt mode now, batting her eyelashes

" Hmmm. You'll see..." His eyes were sparkling. Electricity was building slowly between them. Lucas sat up straight and smoothly cupped her cheek eliciting a gasp from her when he then went further, reaching his hand into her hair grabbing a fistful of her thick locks.

" Lucas!" She whispered.

He pulled her to him and kissed her hard. His confidence was suddenly soaring off the charts. It definitely took her off guard. They made out for awhile before Lucas got the nerve to go a little farther. Fire was burning in both of them now. Rose was shocked when Lucas started to let his hands roam a little. He slowly circled his finger tips down her neck , then he kept going down to her collar bone, then further , timidly he stroked her breast outside of her shirt. When she arched into his touch he continued. Rose held his face in both her hands as she enjoyed his touch. She moaned a couple times as he explored her.

He pulled back, " How far do you want this to to?" His eyes full of lust and desire.

" I am not sure. But I'm really enjoying what you're doing. Can we go to your bunk? Is that too forward of me?"

" We can go. Let's take our time. Okay? Just go with the flow? If it gets too much, say the word all right?"

She nodded." Same for you."

" Got it. Come on." Lucas stood and pulled her to his bunk.

They curled up facing each other. He had her go against the wall while he stayed on the outside. He rested his hand on her waist. His fingers toying with the edge of her tank top. He slipped a finger in one at a time. Eventually his whole hand was touching her skin. They gazed into each other's eyes and both explored a little. The heat building more and more.

" I'm worried about this being too soon for you." Lucas said.

" My past is history. I'm done. Time to move on. I promise you, you are not a rebound fling. I truly
Like you." She then rolled and made him end up on his back, she was on top of him.

" All right then." Lucas grinned.

Things turned hotter. Eventually they were both ready to blow.

" Lucas?" She whispered in his ear. " I want you." Then she nibbled on his earlobe.

He looked into her eyes, a smoldering look that nearly undid her. " I want you too." He advanced and they removed clothing with a hasteful need.

" I'm yours!" She gasped as he flipped her back onto her back. His fingers laced with hers over her head.

They started slow, savoring every movement, every breath, every kiss. Before long they both were combusting at the seams. Lucas watched her as she let go and succumbed to their needs. He held her there afterward. Both basking in the afterglow, a sheet covering them.

Rose laid with her head on his shoulder, her hand rested on his chest. Lucas reached up and twined his fingers with hers again.

" Lucas, oh, my, God..." She looked at him with such happy eyes. " You have some moves!" She giggled.

He chuckled back. " Well, maybe it is the quiet ones... But also, we just seem to read each other pretty well. But I really enjoyed watching you let go. That was beautiful."

" Thank you. I enjoyed myself very much. Unless you couldn't tell..." She teased.

He laughed, " Well I wasn't exactly sure at first, but when you dug your nails into my back... I had a pretty good idea." He smoothed out her hair and rested his hand on her cheek, thumb rubbing lightly along the Apple of her cheek. " I enjoyed myself too. In case you couldn't tell..."

It was her turn to laugh. " I kinda knew when you buried your face in my neck. I'm going to have a Hell of a hickey now I bet!"

" Let me look." He leaned up and she tilted her head. " Yeah...oh yeah...that's a good one..."

"  Nice. Good work! I feel like a teenager again! Been awhile! "

" I kind of felt that way when we were on the couch earlier. Trying to plot my move... Been awhile for me too. I'm glad you're here. "

" I am glad to be here."

" You staying the night?"

" Would you like me to?"

" I would."

" Then, yes. I will. I haven't made the walk of shame in a very long time." She joked.

" We should probably actually try and get some sleep. You comfy?"

" Yep, sure am."

" All right. I'm turning out the lights." He got up and shut them down. Only the lights from Darwin's tubes glowed around them.

Lucas settled back in and snuggled into Rose. He set his alarm for a little earlier than normal so Rose would have time to get back to her quarters to shower and change. They talked until they both fell asleep.