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                                NOW AND FOREVER
                         Matt a.k.a. Michelle Vincenti
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   Timeline: SeaQuest DSV (Season 2)
   Author's E-Mail: schiller@mgl.ca or MVINCENT@DREW.EDU
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Now and Forever
by Michelle Vincenti
March 9, 1997

LUCAS' QUARTERS

Lucas is sitting in his quarters, thinking about what he should do next. He
just lost the love of his life and felt like his heart had just been torn
from his chest and thrown to the wolves. Megan meant so much to him that he
didn't know how he was going to live without her. The pain was just too
much. He looks at his delicate wrists, examining them, when someone knocks
at his door.

LUCAS
(dully)
Come in.

Chief Miguel Ortiz sticks his head in the door. Ortiz knows what Lucas'
answer to his question is going to be, but still asks anyway.

ORTIZ
Lucas, you okay?

LUCAS
(sounding annoyed, but not really)
Yeah, I'm fine.

Ortiz walks in without asking and shuts the door. Lucas looks at him,
clearly upset. Ortiz sits down on the bed.

ORTIZ
Lucas, you're not fine. You've holed yourself up in here for almost three
days. Not to mention that you haven't eaten, either. This isn't good for you.
(beat)
You're not helping your eating problem by not eating. You're only making it
worse.
(beat, sighing)
Look, you've gotta get out of your room and stop brooding over her. It's
not worth it.

LUCAS
(mixed emotions, almost yelling)
Not worth it! How can you say that? Megan meant everything to me. She was
my life. She was everything that I'd been searching for. I thought we had
such a great relationship.
(beat, sadly)
Obviously, I was wrong.

ORTIZ
You can't beat yourself up over this. Relationships fall apart all the time
and there's nothing you can do about it.

LUCAS
How can you explain her saying she felt trapped? How can you explain that
when all I ever did was try to love her?
(beat)
I trusted her with my heart and she just turned around and broke it.

ORTIZ
I know. But sitting in here brooding isn't going to help.
(beat)
C'mon. Brody, O'Neill and I have shore leave today. We'll go out and do
something.

LUCAS
No thanks, Miguel.

Lucas looks into Darwin's swim tube and just stares. Ortiz searches for
something else to say, but realizes that nothing's going to get through to
him at the moment. He slowly leaves, quietly shutting the door behind him.
Lucas still stares blankly into the swim tube, a single tear sliding down
his cheek.

HALLWAY

Lieutenant James Brody is standing outside Lucas' door, waiting for Ortiz.

BRODY
Well?

Ortiz shakes his head, frowning.

BRODY
(running his hands through his hair)
Oh, man. We've gotta do something. He's going to destroy himself sitting in
there alone.

ORTIZ
I know. I tried to convince him to come with us, but he just refused. He
just wants to be alone, I think.

BRODY
If he does that, he's going to end up killing himself.
(beat)
Miguel, we can't let this happen.

Brody glances towards Lucas' door.

BRODY
(firmly)
That's it. I'm going to have a talk with him.

ORTIZ
Are you sure that's a good idea? He kinda snapped at me when I asked him if
he was okay.

BRODY
I have to try.
(beat)
For Lucas' sake.

As Brody walks to the door, Lieutenant (jg) Tim O'Neill approaches Ortiz.

O'NEILL
Well, is Lucas coming?

ORTIZ
No, but Brody's going to try to convince him.

O'NEILL
I hope he can.

LUCAS' QUARTERS

BRODY
Listen to me, Lucas. You're not going to just sit here and rot while she's
probably out there living her life, not thinking twice about you.

LUCAS
(stubornly)
For now, I am.

BRODY
(insistent)
You can't do this. You'll drive yourself crazy.

Lucas gets up off the bed and flips on some music. The song that comes on
has obviously been played many times over the past few days because Brody
remembers hearing it blaring from Lucas' room every time he passed by.

MUSIC
Oceans apart, day after day
And I slowly go insane.
I hear your voice on the line,
But it doesn't stop the pain.
If I see you next to never
How can we say forever?
Wherever you go,
Whatever you do,
I will be right here waiting for you.
Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks,
I will be right here waiting for you.
I took for granted all the times
That I thought would last somehow.
I hear the laughter,
I taste the tears,
But I can't get near you now.
Oh, can't you see it baby,
You've got me going crazy.
Wherever you go,
Whatever you do,
I will be right here waiting for you.
Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks,
I will be right here waiting for you.
I wonder how we can survive this romance
But in the end if I'm with you, I'll take the chance.

During the entire song, Lucas sits curled up on his bed, his arms wrapped
around his knees, crying. Brody searches for something to say, but he can't
find the words. Megan obviously meant more to him than anyone had realized.
The song comes to an end, but a moment later, the opening lyrics come on
again. Brody realizes that Lucas had pushed the repeat button so the song
would play continuously. Brody looks over at Lucas, who's still crying.
Brody takes a deep breath and gets up off the bed. He walks over to the
radio and lowers the volume. He walks back to Lucas and puts his hand on
Lucas' forearm.

BRODY
We're only trying to help you.

LUCAS
("pushing him away")
I don't need help. There's only one thing I need right now and it's been
taken from me.
(beat, softly)
Why is it every time I care about someone, they leave me?

He drops his head on his knees and starts crying again.

BRODY
(soothingly)
Not everyone has left you. Miguel, Tim and I are here and we want to help.
(beat, trying to help)
You have to forget about Megan. Constantly thinking about her isn't going
to help you.

LUCAS
(muffled)
Forget her? How can I forget her when she meant so much to me?

BRODY
Look, everyone goes through this at least once in their lives. That doesn't
mean that you should hole yourself up in your room and cry all day.
(beat)
While crying may help get rid of the pain, being alone won't help you at
all. You've gotta get out of here and live your life.

Lucas looks up at him, his eyes even more red from crying.

LUCAS
I can't do it, Jim. I can't go on without her.

BRODY
(firmly)
Yes you can, and you're going to start by coming with me, Tim and Miguel.

LUCAS
Where?

BRODY
(smiling a little)
We're going upworld to get some girls.

LUCAS
(warily)
I don't know.

BRODY
Yes, you do.
(beat, teasing a little)
Now put on something nice and let's go.

Lucas smiles a little.

BRODY
Good, at least you're smiling. That's a start.
(beat)
Miguel, Tim and I will be right outside your door waiting for you.

Brody leaves and Lucas is alone again. He sighs, looking at his wrists
again. He slowly gets up and picks up his swiss army knife. He opens it up
and examines the blade. He looks from his wrists to the blade several
times.

HALLWAY

Ortiz, O'Neill and Brody are just starting to get impatient when they hear
a loud crash coming from Lucas' quarters. O'Neill reacts first, charging
for the door, with Ortiz and Brody right behind him.

LUCAS' QUARTERS

O'Neill throws open the door and is horrified at what he sees. Lucas is
lying on the floor, unconscious, his left wrist slit open. O'Neill rushes
to Lucas' side, trying to revive him. Ortiz tries to help while Brody calls
for a med team. About thirty seconds later, a med team arrives with a
stretcher.

O'NEILL
(holding Lucas' hand)
You're going to be all right, Lucas. Just hang in there.
(beat, softly)
Oh, God, why?

They gently put Lucas on the stretcher and rush him down to the med bay.

MED BAY

Doctor Kristin Westphalen is visiting the _seaQuest_. She's sitting in the
med bay, reminiscing, when she hears the med team rush in. She can't get a
good view of who's on the stretcher because it's surrounded by the med
team, as well as O'Neill and Ortiz. Westphalen pulls Brody aside.

WESTPHALEN
What is going on here?

Before Brody can say anything, the med team scatters a little, trying to
get whatever instruments they need and Westphalen gets a good look at who
is on the stretcher.

WESTPHALEN
Oh, my God! Lucas!

She immediately rushes to Lucas' side, attempting to help the med team
stabilize him. Fifteen minutes later, Lucas is stable, but in a coma.

WESTPHALEN
(turning to Brody)
Now maybe you can tell me what's going on. What happened to Lucas?

BRODY
Lucas is extremely depressed. He's been going out with this girl, Megan,
for nearly eleven months and out of nowhere she dumped him. He also hasn't
eaten in over three days.

WESTPHALEN
(slightly annoyed)
Then why didn't you try to do something to help him?

O'NEILL
(jumping in)
We did. Both Ortiz and Brody tried talking to him.

BRODY
I thought I'd convinced him to come ashore with us for a while and get his
mind off of everything, but obviously I didn't.
(beat)
He must've slit his wrists once I left the room to let him change.

Westphalen turns towards Lucas, sadly. She takes one of his almost lifeless
hands in hers.

WESTPHALEN
(whispering)
Lucas, how could you do this?

Two days later, Lucas is still in a coma. A young girl, about Lucas' age,
is sitting at his bedside. She gently takes his right hand into her left
and strokes his hair with her right hand. Tony Piccolo walks in the room to
check on Lucas.

PICCOLO
(relieved)
Oh, Megan. I see you made it.

MEGAN
Tony, what happened? Why didn't you just tell me he was this bad? You just
told me that he wasn't doing well and if I were here he might feel better.

She jumps out of her chair, almost ready to attack Piccolo.

MEGAN
(exploding)
Why the hell didn't you tell me he was in a coma?!

PICCOLO
(on the offensive)
Whoa, calm down girl! He can probably hear you.

Megan realizes that he's right and after a few deep breaths, she calms
down.

MEGAN
(quieter)
You're right.
(beat, soothingly to Lucas)
Lucas, I apologize. If my yelling at Tony just now upset you, I'm sorry.

She sits back down next to Lucas and takes his hand in hers again. She
starts crying softly. Piccolo quickly surveys the situation and realizes
that he really should leave them alone. He turns away and starts to leave.

MEGAN
(without taking her eyes off of Lucas)
Tony, I need to know. What happened?

PICCOLO
(turning around, reluctantly)
Um, I don't know if it's my place to tell you.

MEGAN
(desperately)
Please, I'm begging you. I need to know.

Piccolo walks over to Lucas' bed and looks at him, genuinely concerned.

PICCOLO
(putting a hand on Lucas' forearm)
I'm sorry, buddy. She's gotta know.
(beat, to Megan)
He was kinda depressed when you broke up with him. Brody was trying to
convince him to come out of his room and stop crying and stuff. Well, Brody
thought he'd convinced him, but as soon as Brody leaves the room, Lucas
grabs a knife and slits his wrist open.

Megan gasps and gently strokes Lucas' hand. She's still crying.

PICCOLO
(gently)
He loved you, Megan. He still does. You really upset him when you left.

MEGAN
(crying)
I had no idea.
(softly, to Lucas)
Why didn't you just talk to me?

She gently caresses his hair, looking at his pale face. She continues to
look at him for at least a few minutes. Piccolo glances back and forth
between Megan and Lucas several times. He decides that this would be the
time for him to make his exit. Megan begins sobbing. Piccolo quietly slips
away, this time, unnoticed.

MEGAN
(sobbing)
Lucas, why did you do this? Please don't leave me.

Three days later, Lucas is still in a coma and Megan is still at his
bedside. Captain Nathan Bridger walks into the room. He notices Megan's
worn face as she sleeps, her head on the bed, still holding Lucas' hand.
Bridger gently shakes her. She slowly wakes up, looking at Lucas,
concerned.

BRIDGER
(gently)
Megan? Maybe you should get some sleep in an actual bed instead of a chair.

MEGAN
No. I can't leave him. He needs me.

BRIDGER
Lucas loves you. You know that. The best thing that you can do would be to
get some rest. That's what he'd want you to do.

MEGAN
I can't leave him until I know he's all right.

BRIDGER
I'll sit with him until you get back.

Megan looks a little uneasy.

BRIDGER
I'll call you if anything happens.

MEGAN
(unsteadily)
Promise?

BRIDGER
I promise.

MEGAN
I don't think that I'd be able sleep, but I'm going to at least get
something to eat, maybe take a shower. I'll be back in about twenty
minutes.

BRIDGER
Take your time. I'll be here with him. I won't leave him alone.

Megan gently kisses Lucas' forehead. She looks at him concerned, and then
quickly turns away and leaves, before she can change her mind. Bridger sits
in the chair that Megan had been sitting in and takes Lucas' hand in his.

BRIDGER
Lucas, I don't understand why you did what you did, but I'm trying to.
(beat)
Megan really does care about you. As soon as Tony told her you were in
trouble, she rushed to the _seaQuest_. She literally ran to your bedside.
That's the first thing she did when she got on obard. She asked where you
were and demanded that someone show her where to find you. She nearly
collapsed when she saw you lying here. We almost needed to get a med team
for her.

Bridger sits there, by Lucas' bedside, looking at the young man who lay
lifeless before him. As hard as he tries to stop himself from crying, a
tear slides down his cheek and before he realizes it, he's crying.

BRIDGER
Lucas, why did you do this? How could you just decide it was time for you
to leave everyone that cares so much about you.
(beat)
I've already lost Robert. I can't bear to lose you, too.

Bridger drops his head onto the bed and continues crying. Westphalen enters
the room with Megan. Westphalen puts her hand on Bridger's shoulder, trying
to comfort him. Megan caresses Lucas' forehead. Suddenly, Bridger jumps up
and turns to Westphalen.

BRIDGER
I think he just squeezed my hand.

WESTPHALEN
(sensibly)
It could have been an involuntary muscle spasm.

BRIDGER
I doubt it.

Megan looks at Bridger, silently asking if she could resume her spot at
Lucas' bedside. Bridger gets up and Megan eases her way into the chair. She
takes Lucas' hand into hers and gently kisses it.

MEGAN
(trying to be cheerful)
You're going to be fine, Lucas. I know it.

Bridger and Westphalen look at each other, sadly. They quietly back away,
letting Megan have time with Lucas, but staying in the room to keep an eye
on him.

MEGAN
Lucas, you've got to pull through. Please. If not for me then for yourself.
You have so many people here that care about you and want nothing more than
for you to be happy. Everyone here loves you, Lucas.
(beat, with difficulty)
_I_ love you. Unfortunately, it took you coming this close to death for me
to realize it. I made a mistake when I left you. I didn't think that I was
ready for our relationship to be as intense as it was. I didn't think that
my feelings for you were as strong as they are.

She rests her head on her hands, which are still holding his one hand.
Suddenly, she feels Lucas squeeze her hand. She looks up, hopeful.

MEGAN
Lucas?

She eagerly turns to Bridger and Westphalen.

MEGAN
(excited)
I think you were right, Captain Bridger. I think Lucas just squeezed my
hand, too.

Westphalen starts checking Lucas' vital signs. Megan is still holding his
hand.

WESTPHALEN
He appears to be coming around.

There's a loud clatter in the hall, followed by the sound of people
running. O'Neill runs into the room, Ortiz following close behind.

O'NEILL
(breathless)
How is he?

ORTIZ
Tim is really nuts. We were in the mess, eating. All of a sudden he
exclaims, "Lucas!", jumps up and runs out. I followed him to make sure that
he didn't hurt himself on the way in here.

O'NEILL
(insistent)
So how is he?

WESTPHALEN
Both Captain Bridger and Megan felt Lucas squeezing their hands. At first I
thought it might have been an involuntary muscle spasm, but now, looking at
his vital signs, I doubt it.

Lucas' eyes slowly open

LUCAS
(wearily)
Megan, is that really you?

MEGAN
Yes, Lucas. It is.

LUCAS
I'm not dreaming? You're really here?

MEGAN
Yes, honey. I'm really here.

Lucas squeezes her hand, and with all the strength he has, brings it up to
his lips and kisses it.

WESTPHALEN
I think this young man needs some rest.

MEGAN
Can I at least stay here with him?

WESTPHALEN
Yes, but I need to examine him first.

Everyone sort of stands around with the expression "what are you waiting
for?" Westphalen looks at them, exasperated.

WESTPHALEN
(hinting)
But I can't do it with everyone standing around.

BRIDGER
("getting it")
Maybe we should all wait in the hallway.

Megan looks really reluctant to leave Lucas. Bridger puts his hand on her
arm and starts to lead her out of the room.

BRIDGER
(reassuring)
You can go right back to him once Doctor Westphalen examines him. He's out
of danger now. He'll be all right if you leave him for two minutes.

She concedes and walks out with everyone else, Bridger still holding her
arm.

WESTPHALEN
You gave us all quite a scare, Lucas.

LUCAS
I wasn't dreaming? That was really Megan?

WESTPHALEN
(checking him over)
Yes, that was Megan. She rushed here as soon as she heard.

LUCAS
(quietly, incredulous)
So she really _does_ care.

WESTPHALEN
Yes, she does. Very much.

Westphalen finishes examining him and goes to the doorway.

WESTPHALEN
(sticking her head out the door)
Okay, I'm finished. You can go in and see him if you like.

Megan rushes in the door, right o Lucas' bedside. She kisses him on the
forehead.

MEGAN
(relieved)
You scared me so much, you know that?

LUCAS
I scared you?

MEGAN
Yes, you did. Tony only told me that you were in trouble and that you
needed me.
(beat)
I wasn't expecting what I found.

LUCAS
You know, I had the strangest dream. I dreamt you were standing in front of
me, dressed in white, and you were telling me that you loved me. You looked
like an angel.
(beat)
That was a really strange dream.
(beat, disheartened)
Considering it'll probably never happen.

MEGAN
I _did_ tell you, Lucas. You were unconscious at the time. I was reminding
you about how much everyone else here loves you and cares about you when I
realized that I love you.
(beat)
I didn't realize it until I saw you lying here, lifeless.

LUCAS
(smiling a little)
Remind me to thank Tony for getting me an angel.

MEGAN
(blushing)
Oh, Lucas.

SEADECK

Two days later, Megan and Lucas are sitting by the pool, playing with
Darwin.

DARWIN
Darwin missed Lucas.

LUCAS
(petting Darwin)
Well, Lucas missed Darwin.
(beat, puts his arm around Megan)
And he missed Megan, too.

MEGAN
(smiling at him)
Lucas, can you ever forgive me for being so stupid? I really don't know
what came over me when I broke up with you.
(beat)
Can you find it in your heart to take me back?

LUCAS
(hesitant, teasing)
Well, I don't know...

MEGAN
(laughing, rolls her eyes)
Yeah, you're getting better. You're right back to teasing me again. I can
tell.

LUCAS
(smiling)
Of course.
(beat, seriously)
Megan, I love you and I would do anything for you.
(beat, not a question)
How about if we give it another try.

MEGAN
I'd love that.

Lucas stands and holds his arms out to her. She gets up and walks into
them, embracing him. They hold each other for a moment before Lucas pulls
away. He looks into her eyes, cradling one of her cheeks in his hand, his
other arm still around her waist. He moves toward her and gently kisses
her. She smiles back at him and puts her arms around his neck. She starts
kissing him back. Darwin splashes them both and squeals with delight.

DARWIN
Lucas in love!

Lucas and Megan break apart and start laughing. Lucas starts splashing
Darwin back and suddenly, glancing devilishly at Megan, gets her with the
water. She raises here eyebrows and a water fight starts between them as
we...

FADE TO BLACK

THE END
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"Now and Forever by Richard Marx is used without permission. No copyright
infringement intended. (Now why would I want to do that? Really...)

copyright 1997 by Michelle Vincenti (that would be me) :)