In the morning they woke to Lucas's alarm. Yawning and stretching, they both groaned.

" Can't we just stay here?" Rose asked.

" I wish! Haha, but we have important work to do."

" Yeah, we do. I've been mulling over this giant shark thing. I know we'll not know until we get some data. But wouldn't it be amazing if miraculously it were a Meg? "

Lucas ran his fingers through his messy hair and let out a breath. " It sure would!"

" I have connections at my old job that might be able to get me info on Meg DNA to compare what we find. I mean some how we need to get a blood sample of this thing. But until we know how large it really is. It's hard to figure out how to handle getting close enough without danger to our lives." She sat up. Pulling the sheet around herself. He followed suit.

" We need to track it's size and speed. I might have an idea how to get a sample, it's kind of risky though."

" How?"

" The Stinger. I can rig up something to use, pierce it and collect a sample then high-tail it out of there and get back here. I was thinking that's also how we can put the tracker on it."

" The Stinger?"

" Yeah it's a single person submersible I built, I based it off of Darwin. But also think like a jet ski. Underwater. It's very fast. But we need to know if it's fast enough to get past that shark safely. I can take you down to see it later. Then you'll understand my thoughts a little better. "

" All right. I look forward to that. Now, I need to go grab a shower, don't think it's very professional for me to smell like sex at work..." She teased. Then she reached over and kissed his cheek. " I really like you. And I thoroughly enjoyed last night." Her eyelids dropped in a sultry way. " I look forward to more of that..."

Lucas gave her that smoldering look again. He rested his hand at the back of her neck. " You're beautiful. And I really enjoyed last night too." He kissed her swiftly knowing they had to part for now.

They separated and Rose hurried back into her clothes. Lucas's eyes grew huge when he saw just how bad the hickey really was on her neck!

" Oh my God!" He laughed. " I'm really sorry about that! I didn't think it would be that big! Here, you can't go out there in just your tank top. You look like a vampire bit you! " he continued laughing. Rose went to look in his mirror.

" Well! Geez! Don't worry, I'm great at make-up. Maybe I'll wear a light scarf today too... Wow Lucas." She laughed.

" Here, take this." He handed her a soft flannel shirt. " The collar should cover you up until you get to your quarters without anyone noticing." He couldn't help but smile at his handy work.

" It is pretty impressive you know." She giggled.

" Yeah...I'm really sorry for getting carried away."

" Umm I'm not. I enjoyed that a lot!"  She came close to him. " I better go. But know this...I'll be thinn5ing about you all day." She kissed his cheek. " See you later."

" Bye Sweetness." He grinned. " Let's meet up for lunch!"

It became a regular thing. They'd meet for lunch and dinner. Discuss their days and work. Lucas worked in his electronics lab on the sensor for the shark in the evenings as Rose watched him fully fascinated by how his mind worked. His hands were quick and nimble as he built it. Rose was beyond impressed. Lucas had it finished a day before they were to set off. He brought it with him to the next officers meeting.

" All right folks. I hope you're all ready! We set out at 0600. I did a walk through every department yesterday, we're looking good. Only a few things left to button down, but it's all stuff that can happen out at see. Lieutenant Harker, how are you and Lucas coming on the shark tracker?"

Rose looked to Captain Ford and was pleased to answer." Sir, we have a fully functional tracker. Lucas had Darwin give it a test run last night. We collected plenty of Data. Water temp, distance traveled, even the path around Darwin's tubes. And it's even fitted with a camera so we could see Darwin's view. It is fully operational and I'm thankful to Lucas's help with it. I am confident that if we can get it on that shark, we will get a lot of information."

" Excellent! My question now is, how do you plan on getting it on the shark?"

" Well traditionally you would use a shark cage. What I'm concerned about is the potential size of this thing. Nobody head been able to confirm it's size. It could be strong enough to damage an average aluminum cage..." Rose said.

Lucas spoke up. " Captain, I have an idea that could work, but it too could be risky."

" What is your idea?"

" I was thinking of retrofitting a lance type of structure onto the Stinger, hurry up, get in there, there and get out. But our concern there is, it depends on how feast this thing is. The Stinger is fast as you know, but I'm not positive it'll outrun this creature. So we're not 100 percent sure yet how to get this on it."

Captain Ford nodded. " I see your dilemma on both accounts. Let me see if I can get any more information from UEO that I can forward to you. I'll get in touch with you both ASAP on that. We'll meet as soon as I have info. Otherwise, I'm very proud of your work. Thank you for expediting it and I know you've been working on your own time. But you're doing the work, I want you on the clock , you've both earned it. Now. Any questions before we get back to work?"

No one had any further questions. The full crew of the SeaQuest had finally boarded. Everyone settled in and there was so much energy buzzing around the Sub. Captain Ford was excited to get back out to sea. Exploration was one of his favorite parts of the job. There was always something new that they encountered. He decided that he needed to get in touch with Admiral Sparks. It was crucial that he get his crew as much information as possible. After everyone left he hailed UEO the reach the Admiral. It took a few moments, but he came on screen.

" Yes Captain Ford? What can I do for you?"

" Admiral, I need information on that shark attack. Has anyone documented anything we can use to help develop our research further before we get to the Pacific? Size is our main concern, but we'll gladly take any information you can give us."

" I will send you what little information we have immediately. I'm afraid it's mostly just hearsay. Some locals that have found regular great white carcasses washed up on shore with huge bites out of them,  far larger bite diameter than average. There is no footage that I know of.  I'll get it too you momentarily. I hope it helps."

" Thank you Sir. We are working on our game plan on this."

" Glad to hear it. Is there anything else Jonathan?"

" No Sir, that'll be all."

" All right then, Sparks signing off."

The screen went back to the UEO emblem. Within a minute the file from Sparks came in. Ford sent it to Lucas and Rose right away. The day was terribly busy for everyone. But come nightfall the SeaQuest's machinery was humming smoothly and ready to go.

Rose and Olivia worked at brainstorming and honing their plans for the Captain and were pleased to receive the files from Admiral Sparks. Olivia had a question pop into her head at one moment.

" So what happens if we don't find this shark? I mean it's well known that they can travel great distances before coming back to an old haunt."

" Hmmm. Good question. Well, I guess we'll be S.O.L. in that case. Here's hoping there's a good food source keeping it in a general area long enough for us to find it. Admiral Sparks' files say that average Great White carcasses have washed up with much larger than normal bites out of them. So it seems plausible that it's circulating the same area. At least I'm going to keep thinking that until we find out for sure."

" Has it attacked humans?"

" It seems mostly focused on just the Great Whites. No human casualties so far. Only a few have spotted it and can only guess it's size. Great Whites at the largest known recorded measured at average of 21 to 23 feet.  These few claims say they think it to be 30 to 40 feet give or take. Megalodon at it smallest was estimated to start out at around 40 feet. I don't truly think it's a Meg. But if this thing really is that big? We're in for a show if we do find it."

" That's for sure!"

They continued working on into early evening. They finished before Lucas this time. Olivia went to meet up with a few friends that she had made. Rose went off to find Lucas putting finishing touches on the tracker at his lab.
Knocking on his hatch she stepped into the room.

" Hey there handsome. Can a girl take you out for dinner?"

Lucas smiled and looked up from his work. " Well, I guess I could be persuaded to eat. I'm nearly done. Can I have about ten more minutes? I'm just tweaking this a little."

" Sure! I'll just hang out and relax a few minutes! I like watching you work."

" Hmmm. Likewise." He winked at her.

" You're too much!" She giggled. " Hey back to work mister!I'm hungry!" She plopped down on a stool across from him.

" Yes ma'am!" He focused back on their tracker.

Ten minutes flew by and finally he was ready to shut down his lab for the night. They strolled to the Mess hall, his hand resting at the small of her back as they walked and talked. That was always one of Rose's favorite moves that men made. It was just sexy as Hell. They were a bit like magnets, always wanting a light form of contact. Unable to keep themselves completely apart. Dinner was special this evening. Their last night at dry dock, the Captain got the crew Steak and Lobster with real redskin mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. It was the best meal they would get for a long time, but it was also a celebration. They met up with Mitch and Derrick and their ladies. Everyone raved about the food. Even Captain Ford came by to partake in the meal.

After enjoying their last meal at dry dock and after much talking and laughing the couples went their separate ways. This evening Lucas went to Rose's quarters. They had vowed they'd get to bed early since launch was at 6 AM. So they didn't stay up late.

" Do you want to stay?" Rose asked.

" Sure if you don't mind."

" Oh, I don't mind. I like being close to you. And you're a much better snuggler than..." She caught herself.

" Erik?"

She face palmed herself. " I'm sorry, I don't know why I always have to bring him up. Truly! I am not trying to compare you to him! I don't mean to anyway... Gosh, I'm sorry." She searched his eyes.

He took her by the shoulders. " Look, I know you had a past before me. And I'm thrilled that we're hitting it off. But believe me, I know you were with him a long time. It's going to take time to get him fully out of your system. I'm ok with that. You're fine, got it?"

His reassurance meant a lot to her.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled in to his chest.
His arms around her , he was feeling her vulnerability again. At moments she was so strong. He loved that, but he loved more when she let her guard down. Baring her heart to him.

Not missing a beat he then asked, " So, about this snuggling you mentioned..." He kissed her forehead, " We should get to bed. Very early start in the morning. And I want to make sure I tire you out properly..."

" Oh...my. Well then! Let's get to it!" She looked up at the devilish grin he had for her.

This evening they didn't take their time, their love making was urgent. It was finished quickly, but both parties were quite satisfied. The chemistry between them was ridiculous, as if they could read each other's minds. They just were in sync with each other. Lucas was a quick study of what buttons to push on her. Rose was great at setting the start up rhythm. They ended, both panting and catching their breath. Sleep fell upon them once more. And they didn't wake until Rose's alarm went off at 5AM.