Later that day...

          Lotus Lab 1 was bustling with activity when Lucas entered. Nathan Bridger and Kristin Westphalen were already there as they said they would be, and conversing with Dr. Smith. Jarod gave him a knowing grin and a thumbs up, which Lucas returned, but had barely an idea why. The logical explanation pinned it to last night�s club escapade, but it was all speculation from there. He blamed it on the cushion of alcohol that effectively smothered his memory.

          He paused at the doorway, blue eyes resting on the chair--the instrument of public humiliation and pain, the highest seat of the human guinea pig--and swallowed nervously. Even though it was an inanimate object, Lucas could have sworn it took on the anthropomorphic characteristic of malicious intent.

          The urge to turn and run was stronger now that he knew what would happen once he sat in that chair. It may not be exactly the same, but it was like getting bit by a dog. You don't go back to the same dog the next day and try to feed it again. That would just be stupid. He took a step back.

          *What are you doing?*

          ~Getting out of here. I've had it, ~ he thought as he started walking back up the carpeted steps of the auditorium.

          *But what about us?*

          ~We'll find a way out of this on our own, ~ he insisted.

          "Lucas."

          Lucas abruptly stopped at the sound of the captain's voice. He swallowed, not turning. "No, captain, I'm not doing this again."

          Light footfalls padded across the stage and the carpet. "Kristin told me about your conversation last night. For that, all I can say is I'm sorry."

          "Yea, well sorry doesn't erase what I went through," he snapped.

          "No, it doesn't," Nathan resigned. He placed a hand on Lucas' shoulder and saw the boy visibly flinch. He could only wonder what it had been like for the young man to watch himself move, to hear his own voice speak words unborn from his thoughts, and watch the world through eyes he couldn't control.

          "This isn't the only way," Lucas turned and faced the captain. ~Don�t make me go back there. ~

          "No, but it's the best way."

          �Oh, and you found all the options? You said if it didn't work, we could try something else.�

          "And if it doesn�t, we will. I gave you my word on that, but give this one more shot, that�s it." He saw Lucas look away. "Come on, kiddo."

          Kiddo. The captain only used that word when he wanted to show the youth more personal feelings in his own comfortable way. It had made Lucas feel less like an outsider when he did, and more like family.

          ~Why am I considering this? Why am I even sticking around? Get real, Lucas, he called you Kiddo. My dad didn�t even call me Kiddo. So I�m staying because of a word. Nice.. ~ He noticed oddly that through all his mental ramblings, Samantha kept to herself. It was good to know he wasn�t just talking to himself like a nutter.

          Lucas's ice blue eyes drifted from the smooth glass wall of the aquarium side of the auditorium to the captain's face. If only he could believe this second chance would work, but that would require precognition--which he was more than lacking.

          ~I�m going to regret this... ~ He bit his lip and scratched an itch from his nose. "Alright."

          "That's the Lucas I know," Bridger wrapped a reassuring arm around the teen's shoulders with a grin.

          "What, the one who can't run when he wants to?" the youth quipped as they descended the steps.

          Nathan quirked a grin. "Only if he's the same that refuses to quit."

          That small compliment reassured him that the captain wouldn't leave him to the wolves.

          The first wolf--Professor Maybrid-- motioned to Lucas to take a seat. Lucas paused slight before finally settling in the same chair as before, only now the restrains had been removed. It was a small relief.

          �Well, Lucas are you ready?� Dr. Maybrid asked. The captain�s discussion group split and he and Westphalen joined them.

          Lucas watched the captain with remembrance of the night before when Samantha had felt saddened at disappointing them. He stood. �No, not yet. I have a few suggestions first.�

          Maybrid seemed intrigued. �Please share.�

          He looked to Bridger and Westphalen, fully serious. �First, I wanna apologize for last night. I know it wasn�t me, but Samantha feels awful and because of that, so do I. We let you down and I�m sorry.�

          It wasn�t Lucas� fault, Bridger knew but he accepted the apology anyway. �It�s alright. Apology accepted.�

          Samantha�s relief flowed through to Lucas, making him exhale and run his hand through his hair. At least she had been forgiven, and to her that meant a great deal.

          Lucas walked over to Maybrid�s computer and typed in a simple sequence that called up the experiment�s previous data. He pointed to the screen. �Professor, In your attempt to separate us by amplifying the brain wave of the person currently in control of...me, � he began awkwardly, �you hyper-elevated the frequency. Sure, Sam was completely in the foreground, but I was repressed to an extremely high extent, that--even though I was awake--her frequency was so �loud� that not even she knew I was there. For me it was like a waking dream.�

          �So what are you suggesting?� Bridger stood behind him.

          Lucas stuffed his hands in his pockets. �We alter the emission harmonics and lower the amplification level. It won�t be as drastic, but it should get the same results.�

          �He has a point,� Dr. Smith piped up. �In the moment the N.P.I. was activated, his pattern spiked severely before dropping into Delta. At least this way the possibility of neural damaged is reduced.�

          �But won�t he still have some control?� Bridger asked.

          �If it�s me in the first place,� Lucas pushed hair out of his eyes, �No. The level should be high enough to inhibit any control, but still allow awareness.�

          Maybrid nodded. Normally he wasn�t the kind of man to just take advice first without questioning it, but this wasn�t any normal situation. Plus the kid had proven to be exceptionally bright. So, as the good scientist and eager to see this thing through, he was open to anything. He slapped his palms together with an enthusiastic grin. �Let�s get started shall we?�

          �We�ll give you a hand. Besides, there�s something I want to try.� Lucas removed the transmitter from his temple and laid it on the countertop.

          Moments later, the transmitter modified and a brief fight with Maybrid about Lucas� logic (�Don�t argue with me, it�s my brain you�re messing with.�), Lucas sat down and watched the others at their tasks tapping his fingers against the arm rests. �Dibbs.�

          �What?� Nathan cocked one eyebrow.

          �I call Dibbs. It�s my turn to drive.�

          The captain grinned slightly.

          Moments later, Professor Maybrid announced that he was ready. �All present and accounted for?�

          �Har har,� Lucas quipped, and gripped the arm rests. �Let�s do it.�

          Maybrid replaced the transmitter.

          Lucas felt the sting to his temples and inhaled as the tingle again swept over his body. This time, he made sure he was the one in control. The tingle ceased just as suddenly as it had come, but this time it was different. Nothing pounded him against a wall, but he could sense Samantha being forced further back out of the way. It seemed to take a millennium when only thirty seconds had passed. Lucas lifted his head and blinked, then took a deep breath. He heard the captain ask how he was.

          �Much better.� He flexed his fingers in a test to make sure it had worked. �I can still feel her, she's awake, but beyond control.� He looked to Kristin, concern in his voice. "You sure she'll be ok? This won't damage her at all being in that state?�

          �It shouldn't, no. You weren't.�

          Samantha didn't bother fighting the shield that had arisen between her and Lucas� motor functions. Though she wasn't happy about it, she felt he deserved as smooth a ride as possible since last night. He still wasn't feeling one hundred percent better.

          Lucas glanced to Wendy as she placed the transmitter on his temple again.

          �Once more for luck,� she said. Her eyes flicked to a readout screen. �Vitals are normal, EM field holding, brain waves stable,� softly, she placed a hand to the side of Lucas� head, �and no sign of any complications I can detect. Can you still hear her?�

          *Can you hear me, Lucas? I like her hair. How does she get her bangs to do that?*

          �Yes, I can,� Lucas stood. �She likes your hair.�

          Wendy smiled. �hm. Thank you.�

          Maybrid rubbed his hands together. �Success! Absolute success! We can now move onto step 3.�

          �Step 3?� Bridger and Lucas asked simultaneously.

          Instantly, Lucas spun with a pointed finger at the captain. �Jinx! You owe me a soda,� he grinned almost sheepishly.

          Nathan harrumphed. That must be part of Samantha�s personality that leaked into Lucas�.

          Maybrid, on the other hand, seemed clueless, but just as gregarious. �The most important step yet.�

          �Making sure Samantha's body is healed enough to accept her.� Westphalen turned to Bridger. �Professor Maybrid and Dr. Smith will need a day at least to set up.�

          �Do what you can.� Nathan turned to the youth, who was combing his fingers absently through his hair. �Come on, Goldilocks.�

          Lucas brought his hand back, wondering where that little motion came from. �There was a knot,� he defended, but all he could do was lace his fingers together and follow the captain out of the lab.

          Jarrod used the monitor he was at to hide his frown as his brown eyes followed the blond youth and the captain to the door. He hadn't gathered as much information about the SeaQuest as he would have liked last night, but if he played his cards right, eventually the right hand would present itself. This Wolenczak boy had to have some kind of higher evolved mental capacity other than his exceedingly high I.Q, or perhaps that was part of his ability. Jarrod had his reservations about the secrecy of this project, and knew there were people at Chatton and elsewhere who would place a high priority on harnessing the 'dual retention' gift for purposes other than research. Most notably the one who funded his schooling with eager enthusiasm.

          Maybrid glanced his way and the young psychic grinned, handing a pen to Dr. Westphalen--who had just opened her mouth to ask for one.

* * * *

Later than day...

          �Jarod, I need to talk to you,� Lucas ran to catch up to the young brown haired psychic as he crossed the wide lawn to the three storied Aspen dorm building.

          Jarod turned, hiding a smirk as Lucas stopped for a breath. �Sure.�

          �Ok, see last night, I wasn�t myself--obviously you know that--but anything I did, or said, was way off in left field.�

          �Hold on,� Jarod stopped the other�s rambling with a raised hand. �So you�re not the world�s best hacker, and you didn�t break through the security measures of the World Bank with the famed Mycroft?� He pouted mockingly. �I�m hurt.�

          �What? No, I did, I am, but Samantha shouldn�t have said that...�

          �And you didn�t single handedly save the SeaQuest from certain doom from the crazy ex-captain who commanded her before captain Bridger?� Jarod cut him off.

          Lucas was desperate to defend himself. �Well, no. All I did was stop a virus, anyway...�

          �Or rescue some delegates from a hidden room at a UEO summit meeting using rock music?�

          �Yes, but...�

          Jarod stepped closer, cutting him off again with strong emphasized words. �And you don�t think I have a tight butt?�

          �I...what?� Lucas� train of thought screeched to a halt, spun off the track, and rolled away in pieces. He was going to kill her. Slowly.

          *oooooo.....uhm,* Samantha tried. *He does, but...but just say no.*

          �I know she can hear what I�m telling you,� Jarod folded his arms and waited, seeing, and feeling the tension in the young genius. This was rich.

          ~Oh great. ~ �Oh come on, you know that wasn�t me,� Lucas defended hotly. �I have a girlfriend.� ~Dig a deeper hole, Wolenczak. He�s probably enjoying this. ~

          �Yea, Julianna. I know. She sounds cute. It makes me wonder what she�d think if she knew about Samantha.� Jarod unfolded his arms and laughed. �Boy, you should have seen the look on your face!� he socked Lucas playfully in the arm. �Maybe Samantha will make you get in touch with your feminine side. Ha-ha! See ya,� he started to walk away, �Oh, Samantha, I had a good time. I�ll call ya,� he winked. And with that, the young psychic jogged across the lawn into the Aspen building.

          *He likes me,* she sighed happily. *He thinks I�m gorgeous. He thinks I�m sexy...*

          Lucas was poised with a remark, and looked as if his restraint would snap. ~I think I�m going to be sick again. ~

          Abruptly, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. It was easier to ignore her when she couldn�t use any part of him, but he wished the N.P.I had shut her up. He walked back to the cafeteria for food, finding his thoughts drifting to Jarod along with jealous feelings he wasn�t prepared for. He tried to shake them off and leave it alone, but the thought of Jarod the Psychic going after Samantha made him surprisingly...angry.

          *Oh, stop wanting to kill him. It�s not like he was taking you seriously.* She paused, suddenly catching a little of that anger. *Wait a minute...You�re jealous?*

          �Don�t sound so amused. I just don�t like the guy.�

          *Alright, whatever you say.*

          Lucas obviously intended the conversation to end there, so Samantha let it be. She learned long ago that pressing him achieved arguments instead of answers, but in this case, she didn�t need words. She could feel it pulse through his body like the blood in his veins. It made her feel wanted to know he thought that much of her.

          In kind, she let the day and lunch roll by in silence, broken only when he started humming �Walk On the Ocean� by Toad the Wet Sprocket.

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