1996 Round Robin - The Picnic - Rules and Regs PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THING 1. This is a fun round robin. No criticism of submissions is allowed. 2. This is a SECOND SEASON story. Please ground your stories in the second season. Otherwise it gets confusing. 3. Premise of the story: SECOND SEASON crew is having a picnic in Capequest to celebrate UEO day. 4. Characters from the other seasons are more then welcome, but there presence must be plausible. (ie. JJ is a teenager who is at the park and thinks that Ford and Brody are babes, hense she hangs out). 5. People from the mailing list may appear, but they can only be background characters - as was done in the summer round robin. Writers are responsible for getting the fans' permission FIRST. 6. Please keep your contribution to five e-mail pages or less. If you need to go over, please split your section into multiple posts (using numbering x/y where x is the current post and y is the total number of posts). Format: The subject line should read "Picnic" the section # (and any subsections ie. a, b, c) ie: The Picnic - Part 7b (2/3) This is for part seven of the picnic, which is being posted in three parts, of which this is the second post. Is this making any sense? 7. Please keep profanity and sexual situations within the bounds of good taste; remember, we have quite a few young readers on this list. (Not to mention prudes like me! ;> ) 8. You have TWO (2) WEEKS from the moment you are tagged to submit your part. If you do not put it up with in that time, you will be pulled, and the next person on the list is tagged. 9. If for some reason, you can't add your section, please notify me, Deanna Toxopeus. I am more then willing to move you down the list. 10. When you complete your part, you can post it straight to the list (sequest-ff@stgenesis.org). You do not have to send it to me first. :) I had a few questions about how to write this. What I recommend is waiting until the section just prior to yours is posted. Then ask, "What happens next?". You can plan to have an activity/event included in your section (ie. Henderson slaps Tony, Bridger breaks his ankle in the sack race, they play one of those stupid picnic games like the egg carry - nice one Sarah!) but just make sure it segues nicely from the section before. It's also a good idea to leave a nice open ending for the next person. Have fun! Despite my lecture, this is not an assignment--it is meant to be fun; no one is going to judge you harshly for your efforts. Those who have choosen to participate already deserve mega kudos! Thank you Sue!!!! Angie, tag you it!!! The writer's list is as follows . . . . 1) Deanna* 2) Valerie* 3) Sarah E.* 4) Leigh* 5) Donna* 6) Rufio* 7) Ortease* 8) Karel* 9) Diane K.* 10) Sarah A.* 11) Jess* 12) Kassi* 13) Shelia* 14) Roberto* 15) UEOKrieg* 16) Sue* 17) Angela 18) Jessi *finished and posted to the list and archived. (see note below on how to get them) Still time to sign up. (Don't worry about being last - I can always finish this up) Writers will go in numerical order. If you need to change where you are because of life, let me know I can accomodate. How to get the archived stories: send mail to seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org with the subject archive help the files are picnic.# meaning picnic.01 through picnic.16 grab the ones you want :) and type ls to get a full listing (beware it's LARGE!) :P From leigh@phoenix.netSat Mar 16 12:48:52 1996 Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 11:16:10 +0000 From: Lucas Wolenczak To: leigh@phoenix.net Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic - Part 1 >To: leigh@phoenix.net >From: Lucas Wolenczak >Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic - Part 1 > >>Return-Path: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Date: Fri, 1 Mar 1996 20:13:56 GMT >>From: dtoxopeu@ccs.carleton.ca (Deanna Toxopeus) >>To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org (seaQuest Fanfic List) >>Date: Sat, 2 Mar 96 11:58:54 EST >>Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic - Part 1 >>Resent-Message-ID: <"nx2h5C.A.AQF.Dq1Nx"@stgenesis.org> >>Resent-From: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Reply-To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/27 >>X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Sender: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >>X-Status: >> >> >>The Picnic - Part 1. >> >> How do I let myself get talked into these things? Commander Jonathan >>Ford thought as he made a left turn onto the park access road. The picnic >>wasn't a bad idea in his mind. He liked picnics. They could be fun. >>When Henderson and Brody had come up with the idea, he had given it his >>full blessing. Then Captain Bridger had informed him that as XO, he >>should be on the organizing committee. >> >> So last night, he had stayed up late making his mom's secret >>pumpkin pie recipie, enough for fifty people. Those pies were carefully >>balanced on the back seat of the car. Perched on the seat beside him >>were enough rolls to sink the seaQuest. Those had been picked up from >>the backery this morning. And, he thought as he pulled into a parking >>space beside the site, it was only 9 am. The picnic wasn't due to start >>until noon. >> >> "Hey, Jon!" Brody called as Ford opened the door. seaQuest's >>tactical officer was in a good mood. He was helping Henderson hang a >>banner between two trees. >> >> "Morning, Jim. Henderson," he nodded to the young woman perched >>at the top of the ladder. >> >> "Good morning, Commander." Henderson gave a cheery wave, and went >>back to tying the banner. >> >> "Banner looks good, Jim." >> >> Brody looked up the ladder at Henderson. "Not the only thing that >>looks good this morning, Jon," he whispered. "How did she get into those >>shorts?" >> >> "Behave, Brody." >> >> "Hey, Commander we're off duty. You think she is wearing anything >>underneath?" >> >> Jon fixed him with a stern look. "Behave." Brody's response was >>a mischevious smile as Henderson came down the ladder. >> >> "What do you think about the banner, sir?" Henderson smiled >>enthusiastically. >> >> Her smile was infectious. "It looks great Henderson. When's >>everyone else due?" >> >> "Well Tim's bringing the sound equipment, and Miguel's coming with >>him," she counted each person off on her fingers. "Tony's promised to >>bring the ice and drinks. Oh, and Lucas. I think that Dagwood's coming >>with them, but don't quote me on that. Reilly should be here any minute >>to set up the barbeque." >> >> She seemed to have it all under control. "Well, do you need me to >>make any last minute supply runs," he asked. >> >> Henderson smiled, but her answer was forstalled by the arrival of >>. . . . >> >>Okay people there we go! >> >>Gills you're next! >> >>(Remember any character can be in this even though it takes place in the >>second season, there entry has to be plausible though. Anyone want to >>write Noyce, McGath or Thomas into this? And list members can appear in >>the story, but only if the are background characters. Still time to sign up!) >> >>****************************************************************************** >>Deanna Toxopeus * A proud member of * Syndicate seaQuest!!! >>Carleton University * Bridger's Fleet * email: DSV4600@gate.net >>dtoxopeu@ccs.carleton.ca * (Paramedic) * For details >>****************************************************************************** >> !!!!!!FREE NIBOR!!!!!! >>****************************************************************************** >> >> > From leigh@phoenix.netSat Mar 16 12:49:10 1996 Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 11:16:17 +0000 From: Lucas Wolenczak To: leigh@phoenix.net Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic - Part 2 >To: leigh@phoenix.net >From: Lucas Wolenczak >Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic - Part 2 > >>Return-Path: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Date: Sun, 3 Mar 1996 22:20:54 GMT >>X-Sender: vgilson@pop.hbs.edu >>Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 14:09:32 -0400 >>To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>From: vgilson@hbs.edu (Valerie Gilson) >>Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic - Part 2 >>Resent-Message-ID: <"rklh7.A.TFF.FthOx"@stgenesis.org> >>Resent-From: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Reply-To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/39 >>X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Sender: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >> >> She seemed to have it all under control. "Well, do you need me to >>make any last minute supply runs," he asked. >> >> Henderson smiled, but her answer was forstalled by the arrival of >>. . . . >> >>Okay people there we go! >> >>Gills you're next! >>[*ok folks, here's my contribution to our picnic... enjoy and have fun!] >> >> >> >>... "YO! Commanda! We could use ya help here with the drinks!" Tony's >>bellow for help was seconded by a yelp from Lucas. "Lucas, I told ya to be >>careful with that cooler. It's heavy!" >> >>"Knowing Piccolo, that cooler is probably stocked with alcohol." Brody >>grinned, and clapped Ford on the back. "All we need now is music....Let the >>fun begin!" Brody sprinted over to the HumVee to help unload the drinks. >> >>Dagwood emerged from the back of the HumVee with a large garbage can. "Mmm, >>Where can I put this?" Lucas pointed him in the direction of the cluster >>of picnic tables under the banner that read "UEO DAY PICNIC". Ford began >>to unload the pumpkin pies from the back seat of the car, and headed to the >>picnic tables. Henderson grabbed the rolls and followed. >> >>Tony opened the cooler and began to set out the drinks. "Hey Brody, I >>managed to find some a' that ...uh... stuff you was looking for." Hearing >>Tony's hesitation, everyone looked at Brody. >> >>"Brody..." Ford's voice took on a warning tone. "I hope it isn't anything >>illegal.." >> >>"No way Commander, not me..." Brody's smile was pure mischief. >> >>Ford shook his head. Brody was incorrigable, but at least he didn't get on >>his nerves like Krieg did. "Yo! Commanda, catch!" Ford looked up in time >>to catch the can of soda sailing towards his head. Tony and Lucas were >>tossing drinks to the crew members that had reached the park. Henderson >>and Dagwood were putting a large cloth on the ground under one of the >>trees. >> >>"Commander, you did remember to find someone to bring the potato salad, >>right?" Lucas inquired. "The sign-up list didn't have a slot for potato >>salad. I hope you didn't forget?" >> >>"No, Lucas." Henderson answered. "Bridger said he'd bring the potato >>salad, and also the double-layer chocolate fudge cake." She nudged Ford as >>she said this. Ford's smile reached from ear to ear; he had never forgiven >>Bridger for stealing his piece of double-layer chocolate fudge cake from >>under his nose. >> >>Lucas's grin was also broad. "I hope he brings two...Dagwood could eat one >>all by himself!" >> >>"But Dagwood hungry!! Like chocolate too." Dagwood's defense gave >>everyone a chuckle. >> >> Henderson put an arm around Dagwood. "That's ok, Dag. Ford has >>volunteered to make any supply runs we might need..." >> >>"Mmmm ok." >> >>The sound of a motor made everyone turn around. Coming up the path to the >>park was.... >> >>Your turn Sarah E.! >>I wonder who is coming up the path, could it be..... >> >> >>-gills >> >>"I'm Catholic, Captain. I believe in anything that makes me nervous" - Tim >>O'Neill >>"Darwin swim" - Darwin >><>< >>carpe diem! >> >> >> > From leigh@phoenix.netSat Mar 16 12:49:19 1996 Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 11:16:19 +0000 From: Lucas Wolenczak To: leigh@phoenix.net Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic part 3 >To: leigh@phoenix.net >From: Lucas Wolenczak >Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic part 3 > >>Return-Path: dtoxopeu@ccs.carleton.ca >>Resent-Date: Tue, 5 Mar 1996 02:55:50 GMT >>From: Sarah.E.Heim@lawrence.edu >>Date: Tue, 05 Mar 1996 17:36:39 -0600 (CST) >>To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic part 3 >>Resent-Message-Id: <"KwlL7D.A.pQD.006Ox"@stgenesis.org> >>Resent-From: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Reply-To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/46 >>X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Sender: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >>Sender: dtoxopeu@ccs.carleton.ca >> >> Henderson put an arm around Dagwood. "That's ok, Dag. Ford has >>volunteered to make any supply runs we might need..." >> >>"Mmmm ok." >> >>The sound of a motor made everyone turn around. Coming up the path to the >>park was.... >> >>Your turn Sarah E.! >>I wonder who is coming up the path, could it be..... >>------------- >>[Here goes. Hope this doesn't break the plausibility rule.] >> >> "KATIE!" Ford exclaimed, as the car stopped and a dark-haired woman got out. >>He hurried to hug her. "How'd you get here?" >> >> Katherine Hitchcock grinned. "I had to go to HQ this morning for a briefing >>on unexplained undersea phenomena, and I ran into Captain Bridger. He still had to >>talk to Noyce and McGath, but he told me to come on down." >> >> Ford shook his head. "See, Katie, that's why I stay a commander. I don't >>get hauled in to HQ on holidays." >> >> Hitchcock shrugged. "Goes with the job." From the sparkle in her blue >>eyes, Ford could tell that the job agreed with her. She tipped her head towards >>the trunk. "I stopped and got chips and guacamole -- It's hard to have too many >>chips at a picnic." >> >> "That's for sure. Someone's bringing chips, but no guacamole." >> >> "AHEM!" Brody came up behind Ford. "Jon, you're not planning to monopolize >>this lovely lady, are you?" He turned to Hitchcock. "Before he starts telling you >>about fractal theory, let me get you a drink. We've got.. well, actually, you >>better come choose..." >> >> "Watch it, Lootenan'" Piccolo warned. "You know what happened the LAST time >>you tried to pick someone up." >> >> Hitchcock looked inquiringly at Ford, who half opened his mouth, then shut >>it, opting not to explain that one. >> >> "Katie," he said, "This is Lt. James Brody, security chief on seaQuest. >>Jim, this is Captain Katherine Hitchcock of the *H.R.Clinton.*" >> >> Brody's eyes widened just a bit. Ford could almost hear him thinking >>*Ooops.* Hitchcock smiled at his discomfiture and shook his hand. >> >> "Nice to meet you." >> >> "Ma'am," Brody managed. Ford continued with the introductions. >> >> "Seaman Tony Piccolo... Ensign Lonnie Henderson... Dagwood... Lucas you >>know." >> >> "Good to see you, co- Captain," Lucas corrected himself. >> >> "Taking good care of the Gazelle?" Hitchcock asked. >> >> "It is NOT a GAZELLE!" Lucas took up the old arguement. >> >> "Wha'?" Piccolo looked back and forth in confusion. >> >> "Just making sure you haven't changed too much." She gave Lucas a hug. >>"I'm supposed to tell all of you not to worry, Bridger has made the world's largest >>batch of potato salad." >> >> "There, Lucas," Henderson teased. "You'll have all you can eat." >> >> "It's not a picnic without potato salad," Lucas protested. >> >> "Luke," Piccolo tugged on his roommate's arm. "I don' wanna intrude, but >>does this gazelle have anything to do with the funny smell in the closet?" >> >> "The only thing in our room that smells funny is your laundry bag," Lucas >>retorted. "And the so-called Gazelle is not an animal, it's the Stinger." >> >> "Well, at least you didn't name it 'Buzz.'" Hitchcock took several bags of >>chips and a tub of guacamole from the trunk of her car. "Where shall I put these?" >> >> "Over here," Brody led the way to the picnic tables. "Can I carry >>something?" >> >> "No, thank you." >> >> "He just doesn't learn, does he." Ford shook his head and went back to >>shifting pies from his car to the table. "Hey, Lucas! Did you remember the >>supplies for the games?" >> >> "That's *my* job, Co-man-der," Dagwood reminded him. >> >> "Oh, right, sorry Dag." >> >> "That's o-kay. I got twine for the three-legged race, bags for the sack >>race, words for charades, and eggs for the egg-and-spoon race." >> >> Brody grinned. "A real old-fashioned Sunday School picnic." >> >> "Jim, I don't think anyone would let you on a Sunday School picnic," Ford >>said. >> >> "Can't you see me in my little suit and tie?" >> >> "Yeah, chasing all the girls in their little frilly dresses." >> >> "Jonathan, I am hurt that you think I was badly behaved little boy." >> >> "I don't think you were." Ford put the last pie down. "I *know* you were." >> >> The sound of yet another approaching vehicle cut through their playful >>sparring. >> >> "At this rate, everyone will be here long before noon," Henderson remarked. >>"Who is it now?" >> >> Lucas stood up on the bench of a picnic table to see. "It looks like..." >>----------- >>Over to you, Leigh! >> >>I wonder if Bridger's met anyone ELSE at UEOHQ... >> >>Sarah E. >> >> > From leigh@phoenix.netSat Mar 16 12:49:26 1996 Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 11:16:21 +0000 From: Lucas Wolenczak To: leigh@phoenix.net Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic part 4 >To: leigh@phoenix.net >From: Lucas Wolenczak >Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic part 4 > >>Return-Path: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 01:36:03 GMT >>X-Sender: leigh@phoenix.phoenix.net >>Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 16:20:49 +0000 >>To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>From: Lucas Wolenczak >>Subject: (seaQuest-ff) The Picnic part 4 >>Resent-Message-ID: <"yz3EVB.A.DpG.AaiRx"@stgenesis.org> >>Resent-From: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Reply-To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/67 >>X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org >>Resent-Sender: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org >> >> >>>> The sound of yet another approaching vehicle cut through their playful >>>>sparring. >>>> >>>> "At this rate, everyone will be here long before noon," Henderson >>>>remarked. >>>>"Who is it now?" >>>> >>>> Lucas stood up on the bench of a picnic table to see. "It looks >>>>like..." >> >>--------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Tony's smirk switched sides as his eyes strained to focus. "I hear >>it but I ain't seein` a thing, Luke. What the he-," >> >> Lucas leaped off the picnic table barely missing Tony's head along >>the way. Hitting the ground he took off in a sprint towards the oncoming >>vehicle. >> >> Tony dodged the barrage of legs which swung over his head. Standing >>up he brushed the grass which stuck to his shirt and pant legs. "Someone >>mind telling me what's gotten into bird boy?" >> >> Ford placed a hand above his eyes to filter the bright sun from >>above. "I don't believe it." >> >> Henderson gingerly placed her arms around Ford, letting her chin >>rest against his shoulder, "What?" >> >> Ford lowered the hand from his face and rubbed his eyes, "I do *not* >>believe this." >> >> Everyone around was about as confused as the producers with a good >>plot. Exasperated at the suspense which Ford kept them in they all turned >>around and in unison chanted, "What!" >> >> Tony gave up with his patience and twirled around joining Lucas in >>his sprint. >> >> The rest slowly followed as Ford stood spellbound. >> >>------------------------------------ >> >> As the car came to a halt, Lucas skidded slightly to a stop as well. >>His mouth dropped half open he waited to see if indeed this was who he >>thought it was - if this was the same car this person drove - if this person >>was still around in the UEO. >> >> As Westphalen stepped from the car she smiled at the boy's grin. >>"Lucas! What a sight for sore eyes, goodness my have you grown!" >> >> Tony was the next to catch up with Lucas. His eyes traced >>Westphalen's clothing and had heard her motherly voice towards the boy. >>With a small smile he chuckled, "Luke, who is this? You're mother?" >> >> Lucas cringed. He knew how Westphalen felt about her age, she >>didn't look as old as she was, but she liked keeping it that way. >>Westphalan turned towards Tony, her eyes flickering with a hint of fire. >>"And you....I supposed you're that washed up fish boy!" >> >> Tony blinked, "Fish boy? Look lady..." >> >> Westphalan gave Lucas a wink. Turning towards Tony she fired up her >>reserves for him, and knew she was going to enjoy this. Grabbing Tony's ear >>her voice raised an octave, "Lady! I'll have you know that in the UEO we're >>not just ladies anymore you two bit disrespectful..." >> >> By now Ford and the rest had caught up with Tony and Lucas. Ford >>poked at Lucas, "What'd he do?" >> >> Luas shrugged, "Oh the usual." >> >> Ford laughed, "That bad huh." >> >> Lucas nodded, "Yeah, dunno how he's gonna get out of this one. Not >>with her." >> >> Hitchcock stepped forward with the two already and tacked on her >>peice of the pie, "No one gets away with anything with her." >> >> Lucas laughed and rubbed his ear which on occasion Westphalan had >>used to straighten him up a couple times, "Yeah, I oughta know." >> >> Brody couldn't keep himself from hysterics as he watched Tony being >>treated like the child he was. >> >> Poor Dagwood who had no idea or understand of what was going on >>stepped towards Westphalan and Tony. "Mmmm, lady hurt Tony." >> >> With that he lifted Westphalan off the ground in his arms. >>Simultaneously she let go of her grip on Tony, he eyes wide. She stared >>down at the giant before her as she brushed back a lock of hair. "Oh my, you >>are a big boy aren't you." >> >> "Dagwood!" Lucas bellowed. >> >> Dagwood turned towards Lucas, his brows knit in confusion. "But mmm >>she tried..." >> >> "I know Dagwood, put her down. She's cool," Lucas assured Dagwood. >> >> "But lethal," Tony added. >> >> Dagwood shrugged, "Mmmm okay." >> >> Much to Westphalan's surprise she found herself dropped two feet to >>the ground. >> >> Ford, Hitchcock and Lucas all rushed to help Westphalan off the >>ground. She smiled giving each a hello hug, trying her best to resist from >>pinching Lucas' cheeks. She just couldn't get over how much that boy had >>grown since she last saw him. Bridger wasn't kidding when he told her that >>Lucas would outgrow him before the year was up. If the boy kept on at this >>rate - he'd outgrow the boat within a year! >> >> Hitchcock smiled as she helped Westphalan unpack her car, "How'd you >>know to find us?" >> >> Westphalan shrugged, "Oh you'd be amazed who was at UEO-HQ today." >> >> Hitchcock laughed, "You too?" >> >> Westphalan, "I wasn't going to come, since I have a slew of projects >>at the lab to finish up. But he promised to run the three-legged race with >>me, and well. Who can resist an offer like that?" >> >> The two women giggled as Lucas glanced around for Dagwood. >> >> "Dagwood!" the boy bellowed. >> >> Dagwood turned around and tilted his head at Lucas. Pointing to >>himself he gestured, 'Me?' >> >> Westphalan saw the huge cooler in the back and motioned to Dagwood, >>"Yes you, c`mere you oversized gorilla!" >> >> Dagwood looked behind him then headed towards Lucas. "Mmmm, Lucas?" >> >> "Yeah Dagwood?" >> >> "Mmmm why am I an oversized gorilla?" >> >> Lucas laughed nearly snorting the drink of coke out his nose (which >>he had stolen prematurely from Westphalans cooler). "Don't worry, it means >>she likes you." >> >> Dagwood hefted the cooler up to his chest and smiled, "Mmgood - I >>like her too." >> >> Tony smirked, "Yeah just be careful not to get on her bad side >>you'll get an earful - or an ear ache - whichever comes first." >> >> Westphalan and Hitchcock gaggled throughout their moving of picnic >>supplies from the car to the tables. As they closed up the car they glanced >>upwards towards the parks' entrance at the next car to arrive. >> >> Westphalan lifted a brow, "Oh my...look who's decided to *drop* by." >> >> Hitchcock smirked, "Doubt that's all they're gonna "drop"" >> >> Westphalan nodded, "You don't know the half of it." >> >> >>------------------------------------------------------- >> >>OKay! *grin* that was fun hehehe - gee wonder who's gonna drop it? (actually >>I have no idea but I figger if anyone gets drunk at this thing they'll all >>be dropping it!) >> >>you're ball Donna! >> >>-Leigh >> >> >> > Okay folks! Here we go. . . (End part 4) Westphalan lifted a brow, "Oh my...look who's decided to *drop* by." Hitchcock smirked, "Doubt that's all they're gonna "drop"" Westphalan nodded, "You don't know the half of it." ------------------------------------------------------- (Start part 5) "Finally!" Brody's screech alarmed everyone present. " The music has arrived! Now we can really get this thing started!" * * * * Ortiz turned to O'neill and raised his eyebrows briefly in recognition. "Well we're here." "Great," O'neill said hopping out of the passenger seat. "I'll go get Dagwood so he can carry the speakers." "That's okay Tim," he said sliding out of his side of the vehicle. "We can get them." O'neill side glanced at the towed trailer which was hauling all of the electronics. Then he turned back to Miguel with an arguable look on his face. "You're kidding right?" Miguel shrugged. "Why would I be? It's no big deal." "Miguel, those speakers weigh at least a hundred pounds . . . each!" "Yeah, so we carry them together, one at a time." Seeing that O'neill just wanted to keep asking "why?" made him chuckle. "We can't always run to Dagwood ya know. The guy deserves a relaxing day as much as any of us." "Hi Tim! Hi Miguel!" Dagwoods cheerful but eager tone instantly caused Tim to sigh in relief. "Can Dagwood help?" Tim smiled. "As a matter of fact Dagwood..." "No." Miguel interrupted. "It's okay Dagwood. We'll take care of the speakers. Why don't you go and help unpack the food or something" "Dagwood does not think there is any more food to unpack yet." "Well why don't you play a game, or take a walk?" "A walk?" Dagwood became even more animated. "Dagwood likes to walk." With that he turned and headed off into the nearby trees. "Great." Tim said. "Dagwood likes to walk, and I hate lifting." ************************** As they began unloading the first speaker, Brody's call was audible in every direction. "Here guys! Over here!" Picolo, Henderson and Ford stood nearby, somewhat entertained. "Wow" Picolo remarked as Ford gingerly watched his two crew members walking with the equipment. "I don't think I've ever seen O'neill lift something that big before. I betcha he drops it." "No way." Ford said, unsure whether or not he said no because he didn't feel like gambling or because he thought Tony would win. ************************** "Tim, I'm the one walking backwards," Oritz called from his end, "so you gotta watch where you're going and where I'm going for me." "Yeah . . .right." O'neill looked around to make sure all was clear when he noticed the two women standing there giggling at them. "Oh my god. Is that Dr. Westphalen? And Hitchcock?" "Huh?" Ortiz asked still moving. O'neill however had paused in his surprise, loosening his grip, and his end of the speaker fell to the grass. "TIM!!!" Ortiz screamed. "Oops. Sorry." Tim stood dumbfounded, staring towards his old crewmates. "Hello boys!" Westphalen called out. "How are you doing?" ************************** I told ya! I told ya he'd drop it! God why couldn't someone have bet me!" Picolo was scolding himself. Ford jogged over to where they stood and picked up the end that Tim dropped. "I'll get it Tim." Tim started towards Dr. Westphalen and Katie Hitchcock. "Miguel, I'm sorry, but Dagwood can get the other speaker!" Tim said. "Hey Lt." Picolo shouted, "that wasn't much of a work out if ya ask me!" Suddenly Dagwood came briskly walking out of the trees. He hurried toward the scattered crowd, pointing back form the direction which he had just come form. "Hey, wha's up Dag?" Tony asked. "Water. Dagwood has found water!" "Water?" Henderson mimicked. "Yes. Lots of water. Come and see!" * * * * Donna We left off in Part 5 with... "Hey, what's up Dag?" Tony asked. "Water. Dagwood has found water!" "Water?" Henderson mimicked. "Yes. Lots of water. Come and see!" And we continue with..... "What's all the excitement about?" asked Westphalen, who had wandered to over to the small crowd of seaQuest crew members had gathered. "Where's all the water?" "Dagwood found water in the trees." Hitchcock, who had come over with Westphalen repeated the statement with an amused look on her face, "Water in the trees?" "Yes. Come see." Dagwood started off towards the trees. Piccolo shrugged and jogged off following Dagwood, and was soon joined by Westphalen, Hitchcock, Henderson, Lucas, and Ford. As the group came out of the wooded area, they saw a very large tank of water. "See! Water!" Dagwood was proclaiming excitedly. "Where the hell did that come from?" Ford wondered aloud. Then the group saw a pickup truck drive towards them and parked on the grass. A woman proceeded to get out, pull out a clipboard, and asked, "Excuse me, but are any of you Capt. Nathan Bridger or Commander Jonathan Ford?" Ford stepped forward, "I'm Commander Ford, but I didn't order a water tank." The woman responded, "No you didn't, but Capt. Bridger did. He said if he wasn't around, that you would sign for the tank." "I guess since the Captain ordered it, I can sign for it. Could you tell me what's in it?" "No. I was sworn to secrecy, but you'll find out soon enough," the woman said. She then retrieved the clipboard from Ford, and went back to her truck. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I almost forgot." She went back over to the tank, flicked a switch and said, "Have a great picnic." Then she drove off, followed by 3 other pickup trucks and 2 large water trucks. Before any of the crew members got to comment, a familiar voice sounded. "Darwin play." The group turned to eachother, and ran to the deck of the water tank. When they got to the deck, they found a dolphin swimming in circles. The dolphin popped its head out again and asked, "Darwin play with friends?" "Darwin!" the entire group exclaimed. Then total chaos erupted. Lucas was trying to make sure the frequency on Darwin's vocorder was correct, Dagwood was going on about finding the water, Piccolo was trying to play with Darwin, and the others looked on with amused looks on their faces. "This is some reunion," Hitchcock managed to say over all the noise. "You're telling me," Westphalen agreed. Ford interrupted the chaos with a squealing whistle. "Okay. Now, we've got Darwin and his water tank here. So who's going to tell Brody, Ortiz, and O'Neill we have to move the entire picnic here?" Silence followed, so Ford added, "Unless we want to bring this water tank to them." Henderson laughed. "I'll go, but they'll probably want some help moving everything." "All go. Makes work faster," Dagwood pronounced. Ford was stunned. "Who told you that Dagwood?" "Tony did. He said more people means less work for one person." Then Dagwood smiled. Ford gave a warning look at Piccolo who said, "Last one back to picnic site one has to help Ortiz with the speakers!" The group ran back through the wooded area, only to be greeted by a very familiar voice saying, "So that's where the rest of you went!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That's it for me. Again, sorry for the length of time it took to get it out, but for once it wasn't my fault!! Next up, Ortease...unless the order got switched and I didn't know it. (which could be a possibility) -Rufio I am posting this for Ellen. Picnic - Part 7. When we last left our intrepid seaQuest personnel: Ford interrupted the chaos with a squealing whistle. "Okay. Now, we've got Darwin and his water tank here. So who's going to tell Brody, Ortiz and O'Neill we have to move the entire picnic here?" Silence followed, so Ford added, "Unless we want to bring this water tank to them." Henderson laughed. "I'll go, but they'll probably want some help moving everything." "All go. Makes work faster", Dagwood pronounced. Ford was stunned. "Who told you that Dagwood?" "Tony did. He said more people means less work for one person." Then Dagwood smiled. Ford gave a warning look at Piccolo who said, "Last one back to the picnic site has to help Ortiz with the speakers!" The group ran back through the wooded area, only to be greeted by a ver familiar voice saying, "So that's where the rest of you went!" ------------- As the first of the group reached the clearing where the voice spoke from, they came to a "screeching" halt. For there in all his bearded glory, was Captain Bridger -- Captain Nathan Hale Bridger to be exact. On his well-tanned face, was a semi-serious look of thoughtful indignation - as though he was the one slighted by the rest of the crew. The crew behind those in front, just about took a nose-dive either into or over the line of first ones, as they tried to stop on the slippery sand. The sand seemed alive, squirming and moving beneath their feet. Suddenly, there was a motion from behind, sending the first two rows of spectators down into the sand. "Sorry!", was all that was heard. Captain Bridger couldn't hold it in any longer, the semi-stern look disappeared to be replaced with a jovial face full of laughter. "Ho, hoo, hoo! You guys --- always finding me a way to enliven up my life -- never a dull momment. Here O'Neill, let me help you up." O'Neill, who had come up behind the group to see what was going on, got himself caught in the mess and jumble of the first two rows of crew to see the Captain. When Bridger extended his hand, Tim was mighty glad to get a way to get out from the mess in one piece. Bridger noticed that after scrambling out from under the various bodies that were piled up on and around O'Neill, that Tim's deep brown eyes were covered with damp sand. "Yes sir, thank you sir. Captain." Tim relayed to Capt. Bridger as the other helped Tim up on his feet. "Careful sir ... I seem to have lost my glasses in the collision." "Here they are Tim. No worse for wear, or collision." "Thank you sir. It's good to see you back again and joining us for our little shindig." "What...me miss this... shirley you jest Lt.?" Then, laughing, Bridger pauses to take a breath before he retorts "No need, but thank you for your welcome back, Lt. Now then," as Nathan turns to the rest of the pile, "as for the rest of you --- Up you lazy louts! That's an order," the captain barked, with a sly grin on his face. A mad dash, some crazy scrambling and the pile of human "corpses" quickly turned into a rag-tag line encircling Bridger, all wishing him well. As all Bridger's old crew gather around the former CO of the seaQuest, they all fired off questions like E-plasma torpedoes. Overwhelmed, Bridger exclaimed "Whoa there - one at a time. So many questions could overload a person. Jonathan, you first, then O'Neill, Ortiz, Dr. Westphalen and Lucas. Yes, yes ... you too, Dagwood. Everyone will get their chance. By the way, I never told you, Mr. Ortiz, I like your locks this way -- you must break a lot of hearts looking like that." Miguel Ortiz blushed at the complement. It wasn't very often that Capt. Bridger gave "personal comments" about one's "heart-breaking abilities." The red of Miguel's face contrasted nicely with the black sport shirt the young man wore. Just then the reunion was interrupted by the sound of a large vehicle coming to a stop within sight of the group around Bridger and the tank. Taking a closer look, they could see it was a UEO HumV. This particular vehicle had smoke-tinted glass so that persons looking inside could not see what was in the interior of the said vehicle. Curious, the little group slowly approached the car, and well that they did, for suddenly a door opened and a figue emerged from the vehicle. The tall, long-limbed, denim clad, redhead form manoeuvered its way out of the door to be replaced by another form; an averaged size person with blond hair. While the redhead was busy opening up the hatch of the HumV, the blond went around to the driver's side. After a few minutes, she went to assist the redhead. Not much could be seen of the driver, except as he/she got out, all that could be identified was a brunette. Then he/she joined the others by the back hatch. "Hey Gills, Deanna, let's get this stuff out and to the picnic. I think we're starting to draw a crowd.", Ortease kidded the others. "Boy, are THEY going to be surprised! Good thing I have this invite from Miguel." _______-------- Just then a very curious Cdr. Ford thought he recognized the blond bombshell. "Deanna!", he shouted as he started to run to the HumV. Deanna looked up at the sound of her name being called out and turned towards the sound. A slow, but extremely happy smil caressed her face. "Looks like we've been found out -- time to face the music.", she teased. Others of the crew identified the members of the threesome, "Gills!, Ortease!" and soon the two groups were totally entangled and inter-mixing at will. After all the mutual hugging and handshaking and introductions were done, the now very happy but surprised Cdr. Ford, with an arm aound Deanna; Brody and Gills and Ortiz & Ortease, headed off to meet Cpt. Bridger and help haul all the sound system, game equipment, and firewood for the bonfire, to the new picnic site. ______________ Next! Enjoy, Ortease :) Resent-Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 19:49:09 -0500 Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 20:46:42 -0700 From: Richard Black To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org Subject: (seaQuest-ff) Picnic - Part 8 Resent-Message-ID: <"V32nTC.A.6RE.CwPqx"@stgenesis.org> Resent-From: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org Reply-To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/225 X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org Resent-Sender: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org Ok, here it is, my part of the story. I'm extremely nervous. End of Part 7: ....headed off to meet Cpt. Bridger and help haul all the sound system, game equipment, and firewood for the bonfire to the new picnic site. PART 8 By the mid afternoon, the crew had moved the picnic to Darwin's tank and had gotten down to the serious business of having a good time. Bridger sat up on the tank stroking Darwin while he surveyed the small groups that had formed. People were eating, talking and dancing. A baseball game had been gotten together and it looked like some people were going to throw horseshoes. Kristin was walking toward him with an overflowing plate. "You should come down and check out the smorgasbord." She took a large bite out of her hot dog. " Your crew may work hard but they know how to party hard too." She sat in a chair carefully as not to spill. Bridger jumped down from the tank and stole a potato chip off her plate. He sat in the chair next to her. "Tell me what you've been up to. It's been fourmonths since I spoke to you last." As they sat talking, Kristin gave a quick head motion to the direction of the cooler with the beer. Lucas was opening it and glancing around warily to see if anyone was watching him. The teen couldn't see them behind the bushes from his angle as he picked up a can of beer. Bridger smiled as he leaned back in his chair. "Just one, ok Lucas." Lucas swung his head in the direction of the voice and grin sheepishly at getting caught. "Yes sir" he said as he back away quickly before the captain could change his mind. As Nathan turned to Kristin again, a baseball whizzed by his cheek. "Hit the deck - incoming" he exclaimed as he reached to the ground to pick up the ball. Brody ran up and caught the ball as Bridger tossed it to him. "Sorry, sir. We're trying to teach Dag how to play baseball. He's going to be the next home run king." Brody ran off. Nathan stood up and offered a hand to Kristin. "C'mon, let's go mingle." As they walked over to the food table, Katie was standing there talking to Jonathan and Deanna. Loni, wearing a "Kiss the Cook" apron was tending the grill. They looked up as the Captain and the Doctor joined them. "Ben says hello, Captain. He's very busy at his new position at UEO headquarters." "Are you two..." Bridger stopped as Hitchcock put up her hand. "No, we tried to start something new but it looks like we'll just be friends. Tell me about the new people on the crew. That Piccolo seems like he could be more trouble than Ben." Nathan launched into a series of anecdotes about the various situations that the SQ had been in the past months. Everyone laughed at Dagwood's way of eating a pineapple. A shout from the baseball field turned everyone's attention to Ortiz who had ran up and stood about ten feet away. "Doctor, come quick. Lucas is hurt." Bridger and the Doctor walked quickly over to the small crowd of people who had gathered around second base. Suddenly, there was a loud clap of thunder and dark clouds were rolling in fast... OK, there it is, short and sweet. I was going to add a silly bit about a certain bear and his short sidekick who was excited to see "pick a nick " baskets, but I resisted the impulse. Can't wait to see what happens next! Karel ** to unsubscribe: seaquest-ff-request@stgenesis.org Subject: unsubscribe ** The Picnic Part 9 by Diane Kachmar End of Part 8: A shout from the baseball field turned everyone's attention to Ortiz who had run up and stood about ten feet away. "Doctor, come quick. Lucas is hurt." Bridger and the Doctor walked quickly over to the small crowd of people who had gathered around second base. Suddenly, there was a loud clap of thunder and dark clouds were rolling in fast... Bridger pushed his way through the crowd. "Here. Let Doctor Westphalen through, please." Some of the people stepped back and parted to let them get next to Lucas. "Jonathan..." Bridger caught Ford's eye. "Better start getting folks under cover." Ford glanced skyward as thunder rumbled. "I think you're right, sir." "But I'm the tying run," Lucas protested, then winced as he moved his ankle inadvertantly. "You are out of the game," Kristin observed. "We are going to have to get that ankle up and iced if you ever expect the swelling to go down." Nathan knelt down next to Kristin. "You tag the base, Lucas, not the opposing player." Wolenczak ducked his head. "I was trying not to slide into him. Tony got in the way." "He tried to slide in under me," Tony explained. "I don't like that, see, so I blocked him. We, uh, kind of tripped over each other." "No, you landed on my ankle." Nathan glanced skyward as thunder rumbled again. "Never mind. We're all going to get soaked if we stay here arguing." "Are you going to call the game?" Lucas looked up pleadingly at Ford. "No, we'll find someone to take over for you. After the rain." Kristin was wrapping Lucas ankle deftly, assisted by a blonde paramedic. "How about me?" Nathan replied. "I thought you didn't want to play," Lucas looked up him. "No, what I said when you asked me earlier was: I was busy." Nathan smiled. "But seeing as you now have Dr. Westphalen's attention, I think I can help you out. I've played second base before. I was rather good at it, too." "I don't think he should walk on the ankle, Nathan." "Dagwood can carry Lucas." The Gelf pressed forward eagerly. "Where do you want him, Doc?" Ford turned to Kristin. "The pavilion." "I get the ice and someone to sit with him." Deanna, the blonde paramedic, got to her feet. "My friend, Sandy, is good at that. She'll make sure he stays down." "Okay, everybody, we're moving to the pavilion. Let's shake it." Ford announced. "This is humiliating." Lucas muttered, as Dagwood lifted him from the ground. Bridger rose from his knees and dusted off his jeans, before offering a hand up to Kristin. "It's not serious," Kristin assured him as she took his hand. "Good. Buy you a drink?" "All right." They walked over to the pavilion hand in hand. They had no sooner gotten under the broad sloping roof when the rain began. "Well, there goes the picnic," Lucas stated gloomily. "Nonsense," Bridger answered. "We have plenty of food, music and a dance floor." He offered his hand to Westphalen. "May I have this dance, Doctor?" "Certainly." Westpahlen came into his arms and Nathan began to sway in time with the music. Soon other couples joined them in between the tables. "But I can't dance," Lucas replied. "That's okay, I'd rather talk." Sandy sat down next to Lucas, and placed an ice bag on his ankle. "Tell me about your computer work on Seaquest." Ford extended his hand to the blonde paramedic. "Dance, Deanna?" "Love to." Finally, the rain stopped. Ford stepped out cautiously from under the pavilion roof and gazed skyward.... Here's part 10. Ford examined the clouds--still storm-like but starting to clear. "Well, it looks as if the rain is going away." "The game's back on then", said Piccolo. "We can't let you win. It's gotta be finished." Ford looked at the sea of crewmembers trotting off to the field, and sighed. He turned to Deanna. "We'll just have to have our dance later. Tonight, if not today." "That would be wonderful. I think I'm free tonight." Bridger's voice interrupted "Commander, it appears we have a game to finish. Kristin, what position are you playing?" Dr. Westphalen stared at him. "Nathan, I don't know how to play baseball. I sit and I watch. I cannot play." "Everybody, anythig, and even a three-legged camel with a sinus condition, can play baseball. You will do fine." Bridger turned the near-dancing position into a gentle tug, and began pulling her toward the field where the others waited. "Is baseball fun?" Lucas and Sandy were having fun of their own. Lucas was estastic--a girl who understood what he was talking about and even argued with him over it. "I still don't see why you used that model. Surely the X237SU5 is superior in capacity and multi-function tasking." "Sandy, right now the vo-corder doesn't need all those special modifications. When I can get the software out of beta-test, I'll probably copy the program into that model or one upgraded from that, and start fine-tuning the multi-task functions. Um, can I ask you a personal question?" Sandy plopped another ice pack on Lucas' ankle, ignoring his yelp, and teetered her chair on its back legs against the table. "Sure. Shoot." Taking a deep breath, Lucas asked "Do you have an older brother?" Her answer was overwhelmed by a crashing sound from the playing field. "What happened," called out Sandy. Tim laughed. "Piccolo slipped and fell into a mud puddle about the size of the Pacific Ocean. Revenge for Lucas anyway." Tromping squishy noises heralded Piccolo's arrival in the pavilion. Lucas laughed, and then announced "Hail, the mud creature cometh." Piccolo's response was a glare. Then he said "You arranged this somehow didn't you." At Lucas' continued hysterics, Piccolo slimed off in search of clean towels. Lots of towels. Sandy wiped the tears from her eyes, and kneeled down to closely examine Lucas' ankle. "This doesn't look very good at all. The ice is helping, but it's still really swollen." She brushed it gently. "Owch!" Lucas sighed. "It still hurts. And it's starting to turn a very interesting shade of purple. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen that color in nature before now." He peered down at her. "So what do you think we should do?" --next?-- Sorry this section is so late but I've been off list for the last month and had no idea I'd been tagged already. So, cutting to the chase, here it is -- End of Part 10 (just to make sure we're all on the same page!): "Owch!" Lucas sighed. "It still hurts. And it's starting to turn a very interesting shade of purple. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen that color in nature before now." He peered down at her. "So what do you think we should do?" Part 11: HONK! Honk-Honk-Honk!!! Several ideas had occured to Sandy at Lucas's query, but her response died unspoken on her lips as she turned to see the source of the disturbance. A lime-green, convertible Mustang was entering the clearing driven by a wild-maned brunette. She and her two dark-haried companions were calling and waving to the people on the baseball field. Brody and Gills broke away from the group and headed toward the car obviously having recognized the newcomers. "Looks like dessert has finally arrived!" Brody called. A pony-tailed brunette swung out of the front seat grinning hugely at him. "Is that anyway to talk Jimmy?" she asked in mock indignation. "Hey," he countered, "You're the one who owns the bakery Jess!" She winked and replied, "True," as she placed a large, pink box in his arms. "It's about time you guys showed up," Gills added, hugging Kris and Donna as they joined them. "What've you got for us?" Donna, the driver of the lime-green vehicle, lifted another large box from the back seat. "Double chocolate fudge cake, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, two apple pies, and two peach pies." Proving that chivalry was not yet dead even in the twenty-first century, Ford, Ortiz and O'Neill joined the group to relieve the women of their sweet burdens. Brody promptly led them back to the picnic tables, shouting to the others, "Come and get it!" A crowd quickly formed as the boxes were opened to reveal the delectable treasures which lay inside. They made a bee-line for the double chocolate fudge cake and Jess found she couldn't cut pieces fast enough. Despite his swollen ankle, the promise of the rich, fudgy cake brought Lucas to his feet to fight his way to the front of the mob. "Two, please," he said to Kris. Katie looked up from the slice Donna had just handed her. "Two, Lucas?" she remarked. "Sandy wants one," he explained. Katie nodded, then glanced down at his ice-encased ankle, asking, "Should you even be up on that?" Kris placed two plates in his hands. Lucas shrugged in response to Katie's question, lifting the pieces of cake eloquently. "Consider it divine inspiration," he replied, then disappeared into the throng. As he hopped along trying to find Sandy again he passed both Dr. Westphalen, savoring her first biteful of the decadent concoction, and Jonathan as he worked his way from one end of the crowd to the other. "This is divine!" cried the doctor. "Have you tried this Jonathan?" "They make the best chocolate cake in Florida," he answered as he moved past her deeper into the crowd. Miguel had just stepped away from the table with an extravagant slice as John presented himself with an expectant smile. Gills smiled back. "What can I get you, Commander?" "A piece of double chocolate fudge cake, please." Gills and Kris exchanged a glance, then Kris tucked a loose curl behind her ear as she replied apologectically, "We're all out. Donna just gave the last piece to Brody." The *last* piece! Horrified, John locked his most threatening glare on seaQuest's tactical officer. Jim stood only a few yards away chatting with Jess and Donna, a forkful of cake poised inches from his lips. He raised languid hazel eyes to find himself the object of the commander's stern regard. "You don't want to eat that cake," John said in a low growl. Jim's brow furrowed. "Uh . . . yes, actually, I do." John came around the table to stand in front of him, determined to talk Brody out of that cake. "But it's the last slice. "So?" "So, you know I love chocolate cake, particularly, *this* chocolate cake." "The carrot cake is good," Jim offered, "Why don't you have that instead? You know, variation is good for you -- builds character." "But I don't want carrot cake," John insisted, "You eat the carrot cake." Jim shook his head sorrowfully. "Can't. I'm allergic to the cream cheese." Piccolo had been watching the officers' exchange with the attentiveness of a tennis match's audience, looking for an opportunity to claim the last piece of cake for his own. "How 'bout a duel to the death?" he suggested with his usual irreverance. Both shot diconcerted looks at Piccolo as Lucas explained, "He's been watching too much Prisoner of Zenda." But John now appeared to be considering Tony's whacked out suggestion. After a moment, he nodded thoughtfully and said, "Okay Jim, I challenge you to a . . . to a . . .". He faltered, and let his words trail off as he looked to Piccolo for suggestions. Tony looked around for a pair of stray fencing foils or light sabers, but found his gaze drawn to the enormous mud puddle which had been the sight of his earlier humiliation. Inspiration struck and grinning he turned to Ford and said, "Tug of war." John looked to Jim, awaiting his reply, but Jim had already made his decision. He handed the slice of cake to Tony and said, "You're on." Bridger shook his head in amused disbelief. "You can't have a proper tug of war with only two people," he informed them. "Are you volunteering Captain?" asked John with a mischevious smile. "Oh no," he answered, laughing, "I don't want to give any of you any more incentive than you've already got!" "I'll play," announced Katie, "Captain Bridger can be the referee. Who else volunteers?" A slow, wide grin curved across Tony's face as he watched the crowd break into teams. Grateful for the distraction, he slunk back toward the tables and began to look for a suitable hiding place for the cake. An empty bag of chips soon presented itself and Tony deftly scooted plate and cake inside, before hiding the entire thing behind some soda bottles. "Hey Tony! What're you doing?" Startled by the shout, Tony looked up to find Brody watching him. "Nothin', just gettin' a drink!" he replied, hoping that no one noticed that he wasn't holding a cup. "Well, hurry it up," Jim called back, "We need an extra body and your it!" Tony trotted over to join the others as they headed for the large mud puddle in a remote corner of the field. They divided into teams of seven, Brody's team consisting of the trio from the bakery, Gills, Miguel and Tony, while Tim, Lonnie, Katie, the two doctors, and Deanna formed John's side. Dagwood watched from the sidelines with Lucas since the captain had ruled that his enormous strength would give one side too much of an advantage. Nathan waited patiently for John and Jim to position their teams, take up their own places at anchor, and then shouted, "On your marks, get set -- PULL!" The rope was immediately taut as both groups dug their heels in and pulled. Initially, the teams appeared evenly matched. Every time someone's foot slipped or a team slid an inch or two closer to the mud, the crowd of on-lookers went wild. After one such outburst, as Hitchcock had given up some ground at the front of Ford's line, Tony, her counterpart, lifted his head to shout some encouragement to his teammates. He opened his mouth to shout, but instead found himself gawking at a tall, dark-haired man standing at the back of the crowd. The stranger was laughing as he watched the game, but Tony's eyes were drawn to what he held in his hand -- a paper plate with a half-eaten slice of chocolate cake! Tony's surprise was so great he momentarily forgot what he was doing and let go of the rope. As he stood and hollered, "What the hell?", he also heard Ford's bellowed command, "PULL!" and quickly found himself face down in the mud once again. This time, of course, he was surrounded by six disgruntled teammates. "Why the hell'd you let go of the rope, Piccolo?" Brody demanded, none to pleased to find himself out a piece of cake and covered in muck. "I got distracted Lieutenant. Why don't you ask *that* guy why the hell he helped himself to your piece of cake?!" Tony shouted indignantly, pointing at the cake-eating culprit. All eyes turned to see who Tony was pointing at as a familiar voice asked innocently, "Who me?" John's jaw dropped as his eyes met blue-grey ones. Filled with a sense of all too-familiar frustration, he growled, "Krieg!" . . . Tag to whomever's next on the hit parade! When we left our heroes... "I got distracted, Lieutenant. Why don't you ask that guy why the hell he helped himself to your piece of cake?!" Tony shouted indignantly, pointing at the cake-eating culprit. All eyes turned to see who Tony was pointing at as a familiar voice asked innocently, "Who me?" Jon's jaw dropped as his eyes met blue-grey ones. Filled with a sense of all too-familiar frustration, he growled, "Krieg!" And now, part 12: "Hey, Commander. Did you know one of your crew members was trying to throw away a perfectly good piece of chocolate cake? He stuffed it in an empty potato-chip bag," said Lt. Ben Krieg, nodding to Tony. Slowly, Kris, Donna, Jess, Gills, Brody, and Miguel turned to Tony. Tony scrambled out of the mud and Brody sprinted after him into the woods. Tony had to admire Brody's years of UEO training as Brody caught up and knocked him to the ground. Sandy sat down beside Lucas, who witnessed the spectacle with more than a little amusement. "Looks like one of those old 'B' movies Tony watches late at night. Attack of the Mud Things," said Lucas. He looked up at Sandy. "Help me up? I'd like to see an old friend." Sandy smiled and reached down to pull him up. He leaned on her, limping on his twisted ankle as she led him to the knot of people clustered around Krieg. "Isn't there a more efficient way of getting around, like crutches?" said Lucas. "Nope," said Sandy. Krieg looked up and smiled, eyes twinkling. "Hey, Lucas!" He stepped through the people to greet his friend. He hugged Lucas, then nodded to Sandy. "Who's this? Another one? I can't leave you alone for ten months, can I?" Lucas gave Krieg a pained look. Sandy smiled wryly at Lucas, then turned to Krieg. "I'm Sandy. I'm his doctor," she said. "I don't doubt it, Miss Sandy." Krieg took her hand and kissed it. Lucas was positive it was just to annoy him. Sandy retrieved her hand to support Lucas. "Good to see you, Ben," said Lucas. Brody walked past them and dropped a pile of muddy clothes at their feet. Sandy, Lucas, and Krieg turned to look back at the woods. Lucas caught a glimpse of Tony huddled behind a bush, covered in mud. Lucas shook his head. "I'd better go help him." He turned to Sandy. "You should stay." "Did I say anything?" She let go of him and he limped off to the bushes. Krieg followed her back to the tent where Bridger was sitting with Dr. Westphalen. "Tell me, Miss Sandy, who are all these lovely ladies who've joined our picnic?" "Take a tip, Krieg, and don't try the scatter technique with them. They've seen it all before," said Sandy. Krieg looked hurt. "Has Lucas been telling stories about me?" Sandy gave him a smug grin and started whistling 'Cheeseburger in Paradise.' Krieg veered off toward the cooler, frowning at her. "Tony?" said Lucas, glancing around. "Hey, Luke. If Hulk Hogan hasn't taken all the towels, I need some. And could you get me a bandage? My head is bleeding," said Tony, still hidden in the bushes. Lucas paused, a slow smile spreading over his face. "You're certainly in a spot, aren't you? If, for some reason, I didn't help you, you'd have to make a mad dash for the towels and pray no one sees you." "Aw, come on, Luke..." pleaded Tony. "But if I were nice, as I'm sure you will be as you take down all the posters you've tacked up on *my* walls and clean our room for the next month, then I would certainly get you towels and a bandage," said Lucas. Tony was silent for a long moment. "Still there, Tony?" said Lucas. "I'll get you for this, I swear to god I will," hissed Tony. "Sure you will." Lucas limped back to the tent and retrieved a pair of towels near the showers. Brody was singing 'Yellow Submarine' off-key. Lucas limped as quickly as possible to the medkits Dr. Westphalen had brought. A pair of crutches lay in the grass behind the medkits. Lucas glanced over at Sandra, who was talking with Dr. Westphalen and Deanna, sipping a soda. He smiled, took a bandage from the medkit, and walked back to the bushes where Tony waited, fuming. Katie and Jon stood by the stereo, watching Krieg following Jess, talking to her. Neither spoke. Katie glanced back at the tent and nodded in that direction. "Jonathan." Jon glanced at her. "Hmm?" "Ask her to dance." He turned to see Deanna sitting at a picnic table talking to Sandy. Bridger leaned over to talk quietly with Dr. Westphalen. Jon glanced back at Katie, frowning, and she raised her eyebrow. "Go," said Katie, giving him a little push. He nearly stumbled but refrained from glaring at his superior. He walked to the tent and Deanna looked up, stopping in midsentence. Sandy discreetly disappeared. "May I have that dance now?" said Jon. Deanna smiled and started to speak when Bridger spoke loudly to the entire crew. "May I have you attention please," said Bridger. The field fell silent and Jon noticed Tony used the distraction as a cover to sneak towel-clad to the showers. "We're having the races now. Everyone who wishes to participate please gather at the tent and we'll organize teams." *** You're it! Kassi FNPF XFSGDMC "May I have your attention please," said Bridger. the field fell silent and Jon noticed Tony used the distraction as a cover to sneak towel-clad to the showers. "We're having the races now. Everyone who wishes to participate please gather at the tent and we'll organize teams." _________________________ "The tent?" asked O'Neill. "I think he means the pavil-yawn." said Dagwood helpfully. "Umm.. thanks." O'Neill responded, trying to wipethe mud off his glasses. As he passes the showers, Piccolo threw him a fresh towel, rying to be helpful. "Did I hear right? Krieg's here?" "Yeah. Said he was up doing a ton of paperwork and heard about the picnic." Lucas said, hobboling along, a crutch under one arm, Sandy helping with the other. "Said he didn't want to miss the fun." With a grin, O'Neill turned to Lucas. "He can be fun all by himself. I still remember all those times he tried to live up to the title 'Morale Officer.'" "At least he tried. So, You joining in?" Sandy asked. "Probably not. I'm not the best with sports." Just then a shout came from within the pavilion. "O'Neill! Where are you. You're on my team!" At the sound of Cmdr. Ford's voice, O'Neill groaned. Trudging up the hill, he looked back quickly to see the paramedic and Lucas grinning at each other. ____________________ "Okay, but if I get O'Neill, you get Piccolo, and NOT Dagwood." Ford said. "Fine, but I get Ortiz." "You also get Krieg. I get the Captain and Hitchkock." "No fair!" "Way fair. You've got Ortiz. He used to be semi-pro in soccer, and we both know it!" Frod replyed with a grin. "Then I get...Henderson." "Hey, who made the two of you team captains?!" said Henderson, marching in. "Umm, we were the first two here?" Brody responded sheepishly. "Fine. But your teammates get to be the final decider of just what is fair. Got it?" She said, grimacing at the two males. "This isn't the ship. Democracy rules the land, you know." Just then Deanna and Westphalen came up beside her and seeing who she was grimacing at, got into readying stance to support her if necessary. "Fine," Ford said, throwing his hands in the air, "why don't we just have it boys against girls." A look passed among the three women, then Henderson said "Why don't we?" ________________________________ Tag, you're it whomever! Just then Deanna and Westphalen came up beside her and seeing who she was grimacing at, got into readying stance to support her if necessary. "Fine," Ford said, throwing his hands in the air, "why don't we just have it boys against girls." A look passed among the three women, then Henderson said "Why don't we?" ________________________________ "But that would hardly be fair!" decried Ford. "Oh, wouldn't it?" asked Westphalen. Her eyebrow arched menacingly. Ford looked at her, exasperated. "Well, of course. We're guys. We'd cream you." Deanna poked him hard in the ribs. "Hey!" The women all crossed their arms and surrounded him. Westphalen's expressing turned angry and challenging. "Commander Ford. A sack race takes much more than strength and *manual* dexterity. It takes skill and grace. And we *will* play you *boys* against us girls just to prove it." Ford, knowing he had put his foot in his mouth, glanced at Bridger for help, but he simply shrugged back at him. "Okay. Okay. We'll do it." "Good." answered Westphalen. She and the other women turned and walked away to plan their attack. The men gathered around Ford. "Way to go, Commander." someone commented. "Yeah!" said Lucas from the distance where he stood with Sandy. "I'm glad I'm not going to be part of this!" He smiled wickedly. Ford looked miserable. As the men schemed, Bridger walked away from the crowd and toward Lucas and Sandy. "Aren't you going to be a part of this?" asked Lucas. "Yes, but I think someone is being left out of all this." Lucas glanced at Sandy and around the area. He wasn't sure what Bridger was talking about. "I don't get it." "Darwin." Sandy's eyes grew wide. "Oh! The poor dear! He's all left out." She couldn't remove her eyes from the big tank where Darwin was silently watching them. "That's right." said Bridger. "Why don't you go over there and explain what a sack race is." Lucas started laughing. "Captain... Do you think it's possible for him to understand?" Bridger put his hand on Lucas' shoulder. "Let's just try and make him part of this." Krieg had his legs encased in a large potato sack and was shuffling to walk. He wasn't getting very far when Wendy Smith approached him. "Ben. You do that like an old man." He looked up and smiled. "I'm not an old man, but trying to move like..." He suddenly noticed how strikingly beautiful the woman was. "This isn't exactly my forte." "Oh?" She smiled back at him and extended her hand in welcome. "I'm Doctor Wendy Smith. So what exactly is your forte?" Smiling deleriously, Krieg said, "Maybe after we finish up all this silliness, we can get out here and find out." Smith paused with a wry expression before responding. "I don't think so. I know about you Benjamin Krieg." Looking hurt, Krieg said, "What? Has someone been telling you lies about me? I'll bet it was Lucas. You can't believe him. He's just a kid." Smith knew she had him confused. "No. No one has told me anything." "What? Don't tell me you're a psychic and you've been reading my mind." He said it sarcastically, but she simply stared at him without saying anything. "Oh my God. You *are* psychic." He realized that his intentions were quite obvious to her. "You... you know what... oh my God." She grabbed his upper arm and pulled him close to her. Whispering in his ear, she said, "Not a chance." At that, she turned and walked away, leaving him dumbfounded. Bridger had rejoined the men as they planned their strategies. "Krieg! Get over here!" he shouted. "Okay," he said to the others. "Where are we?" "Hi Captain." said Dagwood. Brody looked up. "We were just--" A scream and loud, watery splash cut the air. Everyone looked up in alarm. "Sandy!" Lucas shouted. He was leaning over the edge of the tank looking inside. Sandy was obviously missing and had fallen into the tank. ------------------------ Whoever's next: Tag! You're it! Roberto (who's amazed that he got this done so fast) From UEOKrieg@aol.comSun Sep 1 09:19:27 1996 Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 01:23:26 -0400 From: UEOKrieg@aol.com Reply to: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org Subject: (SQFF) The Picnic (15) Resent-Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 00:27:19 -0500 Resent-From: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org 'Kay all, I've written FF, but this is the first sQFF--so bear with me. :) I believe we left off at: Bridger had rejoined the men as they planned their strategies. "Krieg! Get over here!" he shouted. "Okay," he said to the others. "Where are we?" "Hi Captain." said Dagwood. Brody looked up. "We were just--" A scream and loud, watery splash cut the air. Everyone looked up in alarm. "Sandy!" Lucas shouted. He was leaning over the edge of the tank looking inside. Sandy was obviously missing and had fallen into the tank. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The sack race was quickly forgotten as people rushed over to the tank to see what had happened. Sandy, by this point, had resurfaced, with Darwin swimming next to her. "Sandy, are you okay?" Lucas asked. "Yea, I'm fine. I'm just glad Darwin was here." "Are you sure?" Brody asked, concerned. "I'm sure. Now, go get back to the sack game." Sandy instructed. The assembled crowd broke apart and people went back to their various activities. All except Tony and Lucas. "Hey, need a hand?" Tony asked her. Sandy smiled. "That would be fantastic." Tony helped a very wet Sandy up out of the tank and Lucas handed her a towel Deanna had brought over, upon hearing the splash. Sandy gratefully took the towel and attempted to dry herself off. "Thanks guys. I'm starting to wish I had worn a bathing suit." Lucas and Tony laughed at the comment. Looking over to the sack race, Tony noticed the game was about to start. Lucas seemed to notice as well. "Tony, shouldn't you be over there?" "Na, it's more fun watching this game." Bridger watched with amusement as the contestants of the sack race lined up. The two teams had decided he would be the only fair referee and was now watching his crew, past and present, attempt to line up with the awkward sacks around their legs. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the group was somewhat lined up and prepared. Seeing everyone was ready, he smiled. "Ready?" The assembled nodded. "Get set, go!" And with that phrase, the contestants began hopping madly toward what had been decided as the finish line. One of the first to fall was Henderson, followed by Brody. Both quickly got back up and continued hopping. The surprise was that Hitchcock and Krieg were neck to neck in the lead. They were a good five feet from the finish line when disaster struck. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sue, you're up! Sorry this took so long to put up! -Krieg "While a killer goes free." "I haven't noticed you invading Macronesia." "Well, maybe I'm building up to it." -Elaine Morse and Oliver Hudson, "Resurrection" From leigh@phoenix.netMon Sep 16 06:09:53 1996 Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 05:56:07 -0500 (CDT) From: Lucas Wolenczak To: leigh@stgenesis.org Subject: (SQFF) Picnic 15 (fwd) Date: Sun, 15 Sep 1996 23:52:38 -0400 From: IggyPoo2@aol.com To: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org Subject: (SQFF) Picnic 15 Seeing everyone was ready, he smiled. "Ready?" The assembled nodded. "Get set, go!" And with that phrase, the contestants began hopping madly toward what had been decided as the finish line. One of the first to fall was Henderson, followed by Brody. Both quickly got back up and continued hopping. The surprise was that Hitchcock and Krieg were neck and neck in the lead. They were a good five feet from the finish line when disaster struck. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One minute the sack race was progressing normally and then it seemed all hell broke loose. Well, it was actually a dog that got loose. It was a beautiful snow white purebred of some sort that had been tied to the neighboring pavilion. He had been behaving quite well all day but the sight of all those people hopping around seemed like an invitation to play. His owner was trying to untie him for a walk but his escape was quick. Ducking and weaving he ran, his tie out trailing behind. The snowy blur ran gleefully toward the hopping contestants and took off after the leads. Running quickly in circles, the dog soon entangled them. With their feet suddenly cinched together Ben and Katie hit the ground. The race came suddenly to a halt with contestants bumping into one another trying to avoid a pileup. Katie had hit the ground first with Ben landing on top of her. This knocked the wind out of her and she lay gasping for breath. She was too stunned to even cry out for help as tears stung her eyes and ran silently down her face. Embarrassed, Ben rolled off of her but couldn't move very far for his feet were still attached to hers as the dog ran wildly back and forth at the other end. Lucas instinctively started to get up and move toward the collision but Sandy's hand on his arm kept him in check. "You just can't run out there. I'll help," Sandy said offering her shoulder. "Tony, get out there and help," Lucas said to the air for Tony had already left, heading straight for the dog. Tony found that the dog wasn't too hard to catch for he was pinned down by Ben and Katie's weight. Tony first had to grab the tie out for the dog was still romping back and forth gleefully, with a silly doggie grin on his white bearded face. Tony worked his way up the rope and grabbed the dog's collar and unclipped the tie out. The dog washed Tony's face with kisses as Tony winced and laughed turning his head. The embarrassed owner came to retrieve her boisterous pet, apologizing profusely. Bridger had knelt down untangling the rope from his fallen friend's feet. Katie was in pain finally regaining her breath. Been had pulled up his pants leg and peeled down his sock to examine the raw skin that was oozing blood lightly from the rope burn. "Doctor! I think we need a closer look here!" Bridger shouted behind him and was answered immediately. "Yes, sir!" two voices said in unison as two women instinctively zoomed in on the injured Katie and bumped heads. Kristin put her hand on her head where a lump was growing. The look on her face told everyone who was near she was truly annoyed. Wendy Smith also rubbed the lump on her own head and met Kristin's gaze. She said,"Well, are we on automatic or what?" "It looks like it's going to be 'Physician, heal thyself' if we have anymore encounters like this." Kristin took a deep breath and finally grinned at Wendy. She shook her head. "I'll take the top and you take the bottom." After a few minutes of examination with protestations from Katie, the two doctors nodded to each other. The crowd of friends waited patiently in their semi-circle around Katie Hitchcock. Ben Krieg was sitting on the ground next to her, one hand on his sore ankle and one hand holding hers. Kristin began first, "What we have here is a bump on the head," she pointed to a mark that was turning purple, "pupils are fine, no injury but we do have a sprained wrist from the fall." "This injury is more serious, Captain," Wendy Smith said turning her head to look at Bridger. "Her ankle is broken." "We should get it elevated and iced," Kristin added. "You have been reading my mind, Doctor," Wendy said to Kristin with a grin. "I try to do everything well." She winked evilly at Nathan Bridger. Dagwood came forward and leaned down to scoop Katie in his arms. He did it quickly but gently. A grin of surprise temporarily replaced the wince of pain on Katie's face. Dagwood turned and headed towards the picnic tables. Ben hastily stood up and shouted, "Hey! Just where do you think you're going? Hey, Big Guy. I'm talking to you. Put her down!" Ben was upset. A complete stranger, a Dagger was carrying off his ex-wife. Dagwood turned with Katie in his arms to face him. He tilted his head and frowned. A small blur rushed between the two men, held out his hand and spoke, "Hey! Knock it off. He's just being nice. He's only trying to help." Tony was trying to run interference. Ben was letting his concern for Katie cloud his mind. The Dagger was after all a member of Bridger's crew. He should be safe. "Listen, Pickles, or whoever you are. I just don't think he should be carrying her off." "Are you going to do it Hop-a-long?" Tony pointed out the fact that Ben had been limping the few steps he had taken toward Dagwood. "Ben!" Bridger caught his attention. "Dagwood could carry a nursery school as far as I'm concerned. He's a good man." Bridger turned to the rest of the crowd and said, "Let's take a break for now guys." Dagwood grinned and continued on with his burden, Tony and the rest following. Katie was reclining with several blankets propped behind her back. Her broken ankle was propped up and Ford and Ortiz were gently placing bags of ice around her swollen ankle. She lay there a regal sight, with friends fussing over her like attendants in the Royal court. "Oh, I've ruined the picnic," she moaned. She looked at Bridger and said,"I'm so sorry." Wendy Smith appeared with a cup of water and a large Ibuprophin tab. "Here, take this for the pain." Katie did as she was asked. "Listen lady," Tony grabbed her had and patted it. "You didn't ruin anything. The pup just wanted to play and you looked pretty friendly. As a matter of fact..." Tony never finished his statement. Ben Krieg shouldered him out of the way and picked up the hand Tony was forced to drop. "Take a hike, Pickles. I can handle this." Ben turned his attentions to the injured Katie. When Ben shoved Tony out of the way a gasp was heard from the surrounding group. Everyone expected Tony to shove back or do something and they waited breathlessly. Tony didn't usually put up with getting shoved around but he just stood beside the oblivious Ben. He blinked a little, tilting his head to one side and then the other. A smile spread over his face and Tony gave Ben a playful slap on the shoulder and he said, "Oh, I get it. Youse guys used to be married. No wonder you're being a jerk. You probably got a thing for her that won't go away." Tony walked away from the table. Ben stood up straight and dropped Katie's hand and said, "Jerk? Me, a jerk? How did that guy know that we had been married?" With that said, Ben turned and limped off in Tony's direction, a confused look on his face. The mixed group of Bridger's former and present crews watched as the two men talked animatedly. Both Ben Krieg and Tony Piccolo had found something funny to laugh about. Bridger turned back to the table to find Lucas sitting next to Katie. His sprained ankle was up on the table top and his good leg was over the side, foot resting on the bench. Sandy was leaning on Lucas' knee listening to the conversation. "Well, it looks like we should get you to a hospital," Bridger said with concern in his voice. "Oh, Nathan. I don't want to leave. They will only take X-rays and send me home. They can't set a broken bone until the swelling goes down. Lucas and I were talking. He's injured and can stay, why can't I?" "But, Katie, aren't you uncomfortable?" "Nathan, it's such a fun time, I don't want to go," she said giving him her best puppy dog eyes. "I think we better consult the two Doctors..." Ben and Tony were walking by the table and they overheard Ben say, "Haven't you ever thought of going to the track and trying it out? You know, figure out who the winners would be before you placed a bet? You could be rich, man!" Tony pointed to his head and said, "Now, who am I supposed to ask? The horses? Hey, wait a minute. I think if...." The two men walked by the table continuing their discussion. A loud commotion was coming from the adjacent picnic table where the rest of the guests were gathered. A loud "pop" was heard and a cheer went up from the group. Nathan Bridger turned to look and said, "Now what?" _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ NEXT!!!! Sue ***************************************************************************** No sooner had the cork popped off the bottle of champagne than Wendy let out a shriek as it hit her in the eye. She clutched at her face with both hands, as the others rapidly gathered around. "I'm not usually that good a shot." Jonothan mused, champagne foaming over his hand and puddling at his feet while Wendy fired several unrepeatable epitaphs in his direction. Jim patted her shoulder, but *this* doctor was not a good patient, and she swiped his hand away. "Yet another injury." Kristin pointed out, hurrying over. "We should have chosen a park closer to the hospital." Wendy winced. Despondently putting the champagne bottle down, Jonothan moved to apologise to the doctor he'd injured. Deanna waved at him from a far picnic table, and he smiled at her before turning back to Wendy. "It'll be fine." He soothed, "you just got a shock." Wendy uncovered her eye and studied him sourly. "Who's the doctor around her anyway?" She snapped. Jonothan grinned. "You're a more melodramatic patient that Katie is! And she has more reason. Than ankle must be really painful." He observed. "Oh the Princesse Royale looks just fine, holding court over there. Not to mention the fact that's she's on enough painkillers to drop a Clydesdale!" Wendy glanced in Katie's direction with a smile, and Jonothan followed her gaze. Ben and Tony were too far away to be heard, but the conversation between the men looked lively and varied. Katie sat between them, her ankle resting on a pile of abandoned jerseys. She mediated between the two with a regal wave of her hand, and even Jonothan had to laugh at that. Grinning, he turned back to Wendy. "Champagne?" Nathan had made his way over to investigate the commotion, and attempted now to diffuse the situation by calling loudly above the noise. "There's still time for games! Anyone for wheelbarrow racing?" "Will anyone uninjured please make their way to the starting line?" Lucas commented sarcastically, seated in the grass nearby and nursing his ankle. Nathan made a face at him. "Any louder kiddo, and they'll *all* be stampeding." "...home." Lucas added quickly. Nathan chuckled, and gave up that line of conversation. "Is Wendy ok?" Lucas queried. "Much ado about nothing. You want to start the race off?" Nathan asked him. Lucas nodded, and Nathan pulled him to his feet. "Lets all line up between those oak trees there." The boy ordered. The group began to move over, and Nathan trailed after them. "All right! the rules are simple. The wheelbarrows move forward using only their hand, anyway whose head or shoulders touches the ground is disqualified. No exceptions. The person who's pushing can't hold the other off the ground in any way..got it?" Lucas leaned forward and studied the line of couples before him. Those watching noted that he wasn't adverse to even minor power. "You'll make a good captain one day kid." Said Katie lightly, leaning on Ben's shoulder. Ben smiled, but didn't add to her comment. "Come on Lonnie! you can be my partner!" Tony cheerfully grabbed her by the wrist. "But I was going with.." Tony hardly heard her. "Nah! come with me! We oughta do this sort of stuff more often ya know!" He said merrily. Lonnie huffed a reply. "Lonnie! Tony - you're too far forward. Move back." Lucas commanded. Lonnie tried to move backwards as Tony held her ankles and pulled in the appropriate direction. However, her hand slipped on a rough patch of grass and Tony was forced to haul her up as she fell on her nose with a miserable yelp. The group waited patiently for her to right herself, and only Tony heard her mutter: "I knew I should have brought Addison." Lucas was about to start the race when he felt a tap on the shoulder. "Well, i knew the UEO was cruisy, but i didn't think the whole sub would take the day off! You've even brought the dolphin!" Julianna smiled at Lucas as he stared at her in astonishment. "Jules! what are *you* doing here!" "Oh come on! You honestly think that Node Three would work over UEO day?" Julianna laughed. "Ah. Work, toil, exertion. When i'm older, maybe." Nic remarked, coming up behind them. He passed Julianna a can of soft drink with one hand, and gave Lucas a high-five with the other. "It's been almost a year man! when are you coming back to Node Three again?" Nic asked. "Uh, Lucas..?" Lonnie's voice echoed in the background. "Oh, Christmas for sure. Well, almost sure." Lucas amended. Further conversation was halted at that point. "LUCAS!" Katie yelled. "Thank you." Lonnie told her. "Oh you *are* welcome." Said Katie sweetly. The three teenagers spun around - or limped in Lucas' case - to see that the assembled wheelbarrow racers were looking increasingly unhappy at the prospect of remaining in their present positions for much longer, regardless of the reunion going on. Miguel had already lowered Sandy to the ground, and Bridger looked close to abandoning Kristin. "Why don't you join in guys?" Lucas suggested, gesturing to his ankle when Julianna went to take his arm. She grimaced, and started to shake her head, but Nic beat her to it. "Hey, why not?" he said easily, taking the soft drink from Julianna and handing it to Lucas. He towed the redhead - protesting all the way - to the starting line. "Are you ready..get set..GO!" Lucas yelled. And pandemonium ensued. Nic and Julianna had the advantage from the start, and Jim was heard to comment that *they* hadn't been standing around waiting for ten minutes. Jonothan and Deanna were next, racing down the course, followed by Miguel and Sandy and Lonnie and Tony in quick succession. Dagwood hefted his partner down the course, and Lucas reminded himself to go over the rules for the next game with the gelf beforehand. Ben and Katie laughed from the sidelines, cheering everyone on in no particular order. Katie winced as her foot brushed the ground, and Ben solicitously propped it up a little higher, returning the smile she gave him. "I had a thought." Ben began. "Call Ripley's." Katie flipped back at him. "What?" "Sorry, i couldn't help myself. You know, i sometimes fall back into old habits when I'm around you." Katie grinned. "Since when is silliness an *old* habit?" Ben played along. "So what was your thought? She pandered. "Well, we should have done stuff like this more often. Picnics I mean. You know, just this sort of together-stuff. While we were married." Grey eyes met blue, and Katie was silent for a moment. "Yes, we probably should have. It might have helped." She said sombrely. For a few seconds, they were both lost in thought, then a cheer from the far end of the park broke their reverie. Katie and Ben turned in time to see Jonothan and Deanna edge their way past the Node Three kids to win the race. "I knew it." Katie teased. "Sure you did, Captain, Ma'am." Ben remarked mildly. "You always know everything darling." Katie aimed a mock blow at his head, and laughed, but Ben wasn't sure if it was her - or the painkillers. "To our games champions!" Nathan announced, holding a toast skyward. Jonothan and Deanna accepted the glasses of champagne Kristin offered them with smiles. "What time is it?" Tim asked Miguel. "Only 3.30." The Cuban replied. "There's hours to go." "So now what are you going to do." "I have a great idea." Said Jim, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Let's bail this joint, and find a nice pub." "A *nice* pub?" Tim commented wryly. Miguel chuckled, pulling a jersey over his dark curls to combat the day's fading warmth. He didn't even notice the group of teenage girls observing him covertly from the swings. "Wouldn't it be great to join the military if you got to work with *him*?" Lucie giggled. "Mmmm." JJ agreed. "The military." She kicked the swing a little higher, a thoughtful expression on her face. "This is great. Babes, food, drink." Nic told Lucas lazily. "In that order?" Julianna interjected. "Nic, sip the champagne, don't gulp it." Nic picked up the nearest object and threw it at her, but Julianna knew him well, and automatically ducked. The thermos flask thudded against Lucas' head. "Nic! he needs all the brain cells he's got!" Julianna teased. Lucas, however, had barely noticed. "Oh my god, will you look at that!" he breathed. Simultaneously, the others followed his line of sight, and their mouths dropped open. ****************************************************************************** Tag Jessi! (how many more people can we injure?? *grin*) ******** The Picnic Part 18 by JCSA ******** A crowd had gathered around Darwin's tank watching the dolphin perform tricks at the "command" of O'Neill, who had put together a makeshift stage and who was using Darwin's vocorder as a microphone. Obviously he and Darwin had worked out some sort of routine, made even easier by the vocorder. Darwin went through a series of jumps and dives, and finally, he "allowed" Piccolo to ride him, doing handstands on his back. "I hope he realizes how sensitive Darwin is," said Lucas grimly. "Darwin could get sick." "Loosen up, Lucas," Julianna said. "Darwin seems to be having fun." "Okay," said Lucas, "but I still don't like it. Anything happens to Darwin and I brain those two." "Please, " said Julianna, dramatically putting the back of her hand to her forehead. "No more bloodshed." Lucas grinned. Next O'Neill had Darwin act out a series of "Question and Answer" tricks. "Are you having a good day?" Tim asked. Darwin "stood" on his tail and nodded vigorously. "Would you like a bath?" Darwin jumped up, up and came down with a big splash, wetting the people standing around his tank. "Okay, how about some fish?" Tim asked. Another eager nod. "You know," mused Ford, "I never realized that Tim had a ham hidden inside that staid exterior." "A ham?" asked Dagwood, "Tim had a ham and he didn't share? Ummmm." "No, no, Dag," Ford hurriedly soothed the Gelf. "It's just a figure of speech. Tim didn't eat a ham. He's a vegetarian, remember?" "Then how could he have a ham inside him?" wondered Dagwood. Ford started to answer but thought better of it. "Forget it, Dagwood," he said. "Just forget it." Tim and Darwin were playing catch now, to the amusement of the crowd. Tim would throw a baseball to Darwin who would do flips and jumps to catch it and then throw it back to Tim. One particularly enthusiastic throw sailed over Tim's head and past the crowd. A sudden streak of white separated from the crowd and bounded after the ball. "Sam, no!" cried a young woman, running after the dog. It was the same dog that had earlier knocked Ben and Katie down on their respective rumps. The dog eagerly bounded back to the girl, ball clamped firmly in its jaws. "Good boy," whispered Rachel, as he dropped the ball at her feet. Blushing to the roots of her hair, Rachel made her way to Tim, aware that every pair of eyes on the crowd was on her. "Sorry," she said to Tim. "Sam gets carried away." "I know," said Tim dryly and Rachel blushed even more. Aware that he had embarrassed the girl, Tim sought to make reparations. "Nice dog," he offered, "but you're not the one he was with this earlier." "Nah," said Rachel. "Sam belongs to a friend of mine." She gestured vaguely behind her and Tim saw the dog trot up to a black-haired girl who was trying to hide in the crowd. "Anyway," continued Rachel, "I'd wash that if I were you. Maybe run it through disinfection a couple of times. Sam's had all his shots but you never know. I hear dolphins are _very_ sensitive." "No problem, thanks." said Tim, handing the ball to Jim, who winked at Rachel. Rachel blushed again and made her way back to her friend. "Gosh," she told her friend. "They were cute, weren't they?" "Humph," said Jessi, shrugging nonchalantly. "The dolphin was cuter." One more trick and Tim ended the exhibition. Darwin swam around the tank, faster and faster, and then jumped straight up, making a quadruple somersault before landing with a loud splash. The crowd erupted into applause. The crowd dispersed, talking and laughing. "It was just like SeaWorld," said an old man to his granddaughter. "Only with more clowns." "Well," said Jim, tossing the ball idly, "at least we don't have any casualties." Then grinning, he tossed the ball straight at Tim. "Hey Tim, think fast!" Tim saw the ball coming and ducked just in time to hear it zinging over his head. "Ooof!" said a voice behind Tim followed by a dull thud as something heavy hit the ground. Tim looked up to see Jim with an aghast expression on his face. "I'm afraid to look " he said, grimly. "Please tell me we didn't just knock out Piccolo?" "No," Jim answered. "He ducked, too. It's worse. We knocked out Commander Ford!" "I'm fine, I'm fine!" growled Ford, shooing away both Wendy and Kristin, who were arguing over who got to treat him, as well the other concerned people around him. "That's an order, okay? Get away from me. Shoo!" "Okay, people," said Kristin. "Better let the Commander rest." The group reluctantly filed out of the tent. "Not you, Deanna," said Ford, catching her hand as she started to move away. "You stay here. Keep me company?" he asked, smiling. "They make a nice couple," said Kristin to Lonnie, who threw an annoyed glare back at the pair. "Hey Brody! OšNeill! " Piccolo shouted. "Come out! Ford says he's not mad and it's okay to come out!" "Oly-oly-oxen-free!" shouted Miguel Ortiz. "Tim! Jim! Come out come out wherever you are!" "Where are those two anyway?" complained Piccolo. "This is really juvenile, Jim," hissed Tim from his perch. "Hiding up a tree. _Real_ mature." "Look, O'Neill," said Jim impatiently. "You wanna go down and face Ford, be my guest. _You_ didn't hit him, you'll get off easy. Probably just KP for the rest of your career." "KP is the army," corrected Tim. "We joined the Navy." "Don't remind me," groaned Brody. A furious barking at the foot of the tree stopped their bickering. "Oh, Lord," said Tim, "it's that dog again!" A moment later both Ortiz and Piccolo were standing under the tree wherein O'Neill and Brody were hiding. "Hey, Tim! Are you up there?" shouted Miguel over Sam's barking, trying to see through the branches of the tree. "Maybe the dog just treed a raccoon," said Tony, "or a bear." "Only black bears climb trees, Tony," Miguel explained impatiently. "And they don't have them around these parts." "Don't answer them!" hissed Brody. "They can't see us, they don't know we're here!" "Of course I'm not answering them," Tim hissed back. "You think I want to be known as half of the pair that knocked out Ford and then hid up a tree?" "It was an accident! " Jim protested. "Yeah," Tim griped. He was very agitated. " But couldn't you have hit someone else? Why the commander?" "Well," shot back Brody. "Why'd you have to duck? Was it too much to ask that you actually catch a ball for once?" "Well, who was fooling around playing 'think fast'?" charged Tim. At the foot of the tree, Tony and Miguel looked at each other quizzically, both having taken note of the strange quivering of the tree. "I know, " said Piccolo, smirking. He squatted down and started picking up small rocks and twigs. "Tony," said Ortiz warningly, "I don't think that's a good idea.... I wouldn't do that if I were you, Tony... Tony... Tony, no!" Still smirking, Tony threw up the handful of pebbles and twigs. Only the dog was agile enough to avoid the sudden explosion of action and consequent fallout. "Now what?" said Bridger as he saw the four young men limping into the glade, a white dog running excitedly around them, barking his head off. "Oh, oh," called Dr. Westphalen. "More bandages!" "This is worse than a war!" said Bridger. "This is ridiculous!" He grabbed a megaphone and spoke into it. "Listen up, guys, this is your Captain speaking -- as far as this picnic goes, anyway," he amended, forestalling Katie's objections. "And this is an official Captain Bridger pronouncement! No more accidents! That's an order! Now let's have fun, dammit!" "Don't worry, sir," said Tim sheepishly. "I just sent a message to the Big Guy Upstairs asking for a battalion of guardian angels. If they can see us through an undersea nuclear explosion they sure as - uh, - heck, can see us through a picnic. " "Good," said Bridger. "We could use the help of a higher power." The rest of the day passed pleasantly , although the fact that by time most of the people were ensconced in the pavilion, in plain view of Bridger's watchful paternal eye may have something to do with the rapid decrease of casualties. (Though Tim stoutly maintained that it was his "connections" that made the difference.) Smith and OšNeilll were good-naturedly thrown out of the charades game and were named judge and referee. For good measure, Piccolo was thrown out, too. "This is unconstitutional!" protested Tony., only to be answered by a chorus of "The Navy is not a democracy!" and a wave of laughter. To everyone's surprise and delight, Lucas's team won, the winning point earned by Dagwood for being able to clearly act out the clue "Jaws." He was congratulated heartily, and Lucas magnanimously awarded the team trophy to him. Dagwood's grin was just as shy, but measured a mile wide. "Good going, Dagwood," praised Bridger, and his smile got even wider. "Hey, aren't we going to play post office?" asked Jim, leering exagerratedly at Katie. "In your dreams, boyo," said Katie. A thought echoed heartily by Krieg. "You're no fun," grinned Brody. "Hey, you know what this picnic needs?" asked Piccolo. Everybody groaned. "A karaoke bar!" "A what?" "A sing-along," explained Tim. "Hmmm," mused Bridger. "Sounds tame enough." Brody, Ortiz and O'Neill (sore muscles protesting loudly) set up the sound system and put up a makeshift stage as Smith and Piccolo organized the program. Tony and Tim worked out a routine wherein Tony would sing a song in Italian and Tim would translate the words into English. Ortiz declined his help translating his song. łShešll understand,˛ he said, winking at Ortease. Through persistent pleading and teasing, Katie and Ben were semi-coerced into a duet, both looking pleased though a little put-out. Gills, Deanna and Ortease were also pressed into entertaining. Each person contributed a number, even Lucas, though he was beet-red through-out his whole song. It didnšt help that Tony kept heckling and Julianna and Sandy kept throwing him kisses, pretending to be star-struck fans. The finale was a song by Bridger himself, a song titled "Upon The Journey's End," which nobody else knew but touched them anyway. He ended to rapturous applause and whistles. By then the sun had set and the end of the program seemed like an unspoken signal to start clearing up and heading for home. "Say your good-byes, people," Bridger said, giving everybody a broad wink, "and see you back at the base in an hour. SeaQuest personnel, we ship out at O-nine hundred tomorrow. Dismissed." Miraculously, everybody was feeling better by then, and were reluctant to have the day end. They trudged off to their respective vehicles (the "gentlemen" escorting the ladies,) stretching the moments they had left together, intent on enjoying every remaining one. "It's been a good day, hasn't it, Nathan?" asked Kristin, as they made their way back to his car. "Yes," Bridger nodded, smiling. "A very good day." "We ought to do it again, then," grinned Kristin. "Yes, we should," he agreed. Then he laughed out loud. "In about ten years!" THE END