Where Am I?
By: Sarah Lubin

Okay, I know SeaQuest DSV belongs to NBC and the Sci-Fi Channel and I
shouldn't really do this, but the hell with it!

Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER

This is a follow up to what Michelle Vincenti's friend, Kathy, stated about
Ortiz waking up in his room at his mother's home in Cuba (..... wet and
exhausted and la-di-da-di-da). Thanks for the idea! Besides the fact, this
story is in first person and third person. So, don't get too confused and
nit pick your brains out over it. By the way, that ruby is the one that
black dude gave Wendy in Lostland.

Also, this Fan Fiction story has no chapters....just the little
stars....I'm kidding!

This What Kathy Said: "Contrary to popular belief, Wendy and Miguel never
died. Miguel woke up wet and exhausted in his mother's house in Cuba. Wendy
ended up on a tropical island where nobody thought to look before, in a
previous incident, Tony located her through a series of dreams and
premonitions using his long-forgotten psychic ability."

END OF DISCLAIMER

CHAPTER ONE

I awake to the world with aches and pains in my body, wet, and exhausted.
Water runs under my uniform and makes me shiver. I turn my head, slowly,
only to see a blurry setting. I move my hand and I know I am clutching
sand.

I feel dried blood in my hair and on my face, one of my arms, on my right
ankle, and in my mouth....how did this happen to me?

I'm alive? I moan softly and notice the sky was darker.

"Estas bien joven?" asks a voice, a deep and comforting voice from above
me. It sounds like pebbles falling into water. I can't seem to understand
him,

I take in some air. "Help me!" My voice comes out in a whisper. That is
surprising to me. I close my eyes and notice I'm being lifted off the
ground. I try to move, but I stumble, momentarily, back into my dark,
lonely, and silent world. "Please don't hurt me." I beg as I fight to stay
alert as my captor takes me away from my waking place.

I'm scared. My heart is pounding in my chest and head. I moan more in pain.

"Callte." This time I can't still understand the man. "Estas ofiendio`."
Something in his mind says I'm injuried.

Injuried? But how? when? where? I can't be injuried. I have to work
on....have to work on.....I can't remember my work place's name. I fumble
through my mind. I can't remember my own name. It starts with a 'M'. I
can't remember anything about myself.

I feel so tried....so wet....so exhausted....so....

*************

This time I can see clearer and think better as I wake up to the world
[once again]. I feel bare chested. I notice my clothing is gone and I'm
only in a clean pair of boxer shorts. Something cold, wet, and soothing is
on my damaged forehead. A light blanket covers everything from my belly to
the end of a....bed!?! I can't sit up (still) because my joints are
throbbing with pain.

"Help me, someone!" I whisper loudly. That made my head throb. I screamed
out in pain and closed my eyes.

"Miguel...." says a voice. A soft voice of a female.

Miguel? Who's that? Her son? Her brother? Her husband?

"Miguel, dear, you are awake." She says to me. A hand brushes against my
cheek.

I dart back and hurting my body even more. Don't hurt me, please. Tears
stream down my face like a river.

The woman looks into my eyes and frowns. She is concerned about me.
"Miguel, you poor little boy. What on Earth happened to you?"

So my name is Miguel? Ha! Now I know. Miguel what?

A warm breeze fills the room. The woman smiles at me and bends down. She
kisses my forehead. "You poor little boy...."

I take in the breeze and I begin to calm down. The woman takes the thing
off my forehead and mumbles something. I can't understand it for some
reason. She places a new whatever that was on my forehead and kisses my
cheek.

The woman looks into my eyes with a smile. She turns her head and talks to
someone out of my sight. "This is the doctor, my boy."

A man with a weathered face and white hair looks at me. "He's a very
handsome boy, Mrs. Ortiz."

The woman nods. "Miguel, don't be scared. He is only a doctor." She holds
my hand.

I turn my head and see the ocean from the place I'm laying. "Sea...."

"Yes, Miguel, that is the sea." says the doctor.

I shake my head. I can't remember anything from my past. "Sea...."

"Miguel, honey, that is the sea. Please, be silent." The woman says. She
squeezes my hand.

"Darwin...." I mumbled under my breath.

"Who's Darwin, Miguel?" asks the doctor.

"Darwin....sea...." I whisper. I can't remember anything.

The doctor pulls something out of his bag. "Hold his arm." He pokes a
needle into my arm. "This will help you rest."

*************

I sit up in bed. I look around to see that the sun is gone and it is
raining. I slowly get out of bed, but I fail. I lay on my bed and close my
eyes. Everything is spinning around.... It's like dancing. I rub my temples
with one hand with a groan. I close my eyes and begin to sleep.

"Try to remember. Try to remember." I repeat over and over again in my
sleep. "Try to remember..."

"Ortiz, we have two engines down!" yelled Dr. Wendy Smith. She flipped on
the map of the probe and wiped the sweat from her brow.

Miguel came into the cockpit and looked at the controls. "I'll send a
message to the seaQuest. Just keep the thing steady."

Wendy nodded. She heard a loud bang from the back. "What was that?"

"Keep the probe straight!" yelled Miguel. He looked at the radio and began
to call for help. A piece of dark black curly hair fell into his eyes.
"Probe 13 to seaQuest."

Nothing happened. Wendy looked at him. "We should get out of here before it
explodes."

Miguel nodded and grabbed Wendy's arm. He pulled her through the fire and
smoke until they came to the escape modules. Wendy got into the first one
and Miguel got into the second.

"See you on the shore." said Wendy. She was gone.

Miguel took a deep breath and...

"No!!" I scream at the top of my lungs. I fall off the bed with the sheets
twisting around my legs. My eyes are still closed and I scream like a nut
case.

A pair of hands grab me and shake me. "Wake up, Miguel." It is that woman.
"Wake up."

I open my eyes slowly and look up at her. I blush with embarrassment. I
slowly get back in bed and rest my head on my pillow.

"Goodnight, my sweet little boy." The woman kisses my forehead and covers
me with the blankets.

CHAPTER TWO: Two Years Later

Miguel didn't know how long it has been since he had been in the woman's
house. She was very caring and kind. She gave him funny looks when he sat
by the window [with his head resting on his palm] and looked at the blue
ocean.

As for his memory, bits and pieces were coming back to him in his
nightmares or dreams (whatever you prefer to call them). Miguel sometimes
had dreams while he walked down the beach and would blackout until the sun
was peeking above the horizon. He never told the woman about them. Still
(and God forbid), he couldn't [actually] understand what the people in
place saying....so Miguel keep to himself and remained silent.

The people there gave him looks as he passed them. They mumble about his
looks, his clothes, the cuts on his face, and the "weirdness" of him.....
he wasn't sure.

Something strange happened one day. A Doctor Wendy Smith came by to visit
the woman. She had another person with her. A black guy named Jonathan
Ford....he wasn't sure. They seemed nice. When the woman saw Miguel, she
gave him a smile and nudged the other guy, then whispered to him. These
people were particularly strange to him.

*************

Miguel jolted out of his sleep because someone placed a hand on his
shoulder. He remembered he was in a chair that is on the porch.

"Miguel, it's me Wendy." said a voice of that woman.

Miguel looked up at Wendy and smiled, faintly. "Hi."

Wendy pulled a chair up next to his and sat down. "How are you feeling
today?"

Miguel shrugged and yawned. "Fine....I guess." I'd like to know why you are
here.

Wendy smiled and looked into his eyes. I'm here because Captain Nathan Hale
Bridger sent me.

Miguel looked at her with a pale face. Mind reader?

Yes, Miguel, I'm a telepath.

He stumped. Telepath?

I can read people's minds, Miguel. Wendy smiled and touched his hand. She
looked at it for a moment.

Can I?

Only a few people have the gift...or the curse, Miguel. I wouldn't be too
sure about you. Wendy brushed a piece of hair out of her face and smiled
again.

What is that suppose to mean? Miguel shook her hand off his hand and
frowned at her. I'm tele...amathic

Telepathic.

Whatever! I'm not telepathic, I'm just a normal average...

Cuban?

That too!

Wendy crossed her arms and looked into his eyes. "I didn't mean to make you
upset, Miguel."

Whatever...Wendy. Everyone has said that since I was found on the beach. "I
didn't mean to upset you, kid." "What's wrong, Miguel?" Why does everyone
treat me like a chubby Cuban baby?

Wendy stood up. "There is something about you, Miguel."

"What is that?" Miguel said in a harsh whisper.

"You have something inside of your mind that you can't remember and it
makes you angry because you can't remember your past...or what happened to
you two years ago."

Miguel crossed his arms and pouted. "Does anyone know about me?" A single
tear rolled down his face.

Wendy hugged Miguel. I know someone who might.

Who?

A friend of mine...and yours.

Miguel nodded and wiped his face with the back of his hand. Where is this
friend of yours?

On the seaQuest, Miguel. Your home.

CHAPTER THREE

Everyone walked down the hallway and looked at Miguel strangely. He
clutched his knapsack and looked at Wendy.

It's okay, they won't hurt you.

Miguel nodded and continued his way down the hallway. A group of friends
walked down the hallway towards Wendy and Miguel. They stopped and looked
at Miguel.

"Hey Miguel!" said a man who had brown eyes with glasses and brown hair. He
smiled at Miguel.

Who is that? Miguel looked at Wendy with a frightened look on his face.

Tim O' Neill, Miguel. You'll be sharing a room with him until we move all
of your stuff into yours. He was your best friend. She placed a hand on his
shoulder and squeezed it.

Best friend? When?

Two years ago...

...when I remembered. Miguel sighed.

"Earth to Miguel Ortiz. Are you okay?" asked a female with brown hair.

Jon shifted his weight to his other leg, uncomfortably. "Dr. Smith, I'll
take Miguel to his bunk."

Wendy nodded. "Good idea, Jon." She smiled at Miguel. "Go with Jon."

Miguel looked at Jon, then back at Wendy with a uncertain look on his face.
You're kidding, right?

Wendy shook her head. He won't hurt you.

Jon smiled at Miguel. "We better you settled in before dinner." He placed a
hand on Miguel's shoulder and lead him down the hallway.

Tim looked at Miguel as he turned the corner. "What's wrong with him?
Doesn't he remember us?"

Wendy had a strange look on her face. "Not really."

Loni looked at Wendy. "What do you mean by that?" She crossed her arms.

"Excuse me." said a passing crew member.

The group out of the way for the crew member and then moved back into the
middle of the hallway.

"Miguel has some temporary brain damage from the explosion. He doesn't
remember a thing about his past, his friends, or the accident." said Wendy.

Tim's face turned pale. Lucas cleared his throat and shoved his hands into
his pockets. Jim and Loni looked at each other.

"We brought him back on the seaQuest because it might joggle his memory
about his life and Nathan hopes that Miguel will be able to return to duty
soon."

Lucas scratched his chin. "So, Nathan is aware of the situation?"

"Obviously." said Loni. "I mean, did you see the look on his face when Tim
said his name? I thought he was going to drop dead!"

Jim looked at Loni with a frowned. "He only went pale, Henderson."

Loni glared at Jim. "How would you know, honey?" She got into his face.

"Because I do, girlfriend!"

"You wouldn't know the difference you half fraction of...."

"Will you two knock it off?" yelled Lucas. Jim and Loni began to blush.
"Thank you." mumbled Lucas.

*************

Jon opened the door to Tim's room and walked in. Miguel followed him
inside. Jon turned the lights on and smiled at Miguel again.

"Here's your temporary room." Jon said. He took Miguel's knapsack and
placed it by the second bed. "I need to check you in with Bridger." He took
out his PAL and began to speak into it.

Miguel was puzzled. "Who's Bridger?"

Jon looked at Miguel with a straight face and tried not to laugh. "He's the
captain."

Miguel nodded and walked around the room while Jon asked for the captain.
He sat on one of the beds and closed his eyes. A horrifying face appeared
in front of him.

"Whoa, Miguel are you all right?" Jon helped Miguel to his feet.

Miguel rubbed his head. "I'm fine....I think." He shook all over with fear.

Jon had a concern expression on his face. "Bridger is waiting for us. Are
you sure you are okay?"

"I'm fine!" yelled Miguel. He ran out into the hallway and disappeared.

*************

Darwin popped his head up from the water. He saw a man walk into the
Science Lab. The translator was on.

"Miguel!" said Darwin. He swam around the tank as Miguel walked up to him.

Miguel sat on the side of the pool. Darwin went to the end of the tank.
Miguel held out his hand and put it in the water.

I'm coming to get you, Darwin. roared a voice in Darwin's head. It was
coming from Miguel. He swam up to Miguel's hand and bit him, then dragged
him into the water.

Miguel screamed and hit the surface for air. Darwin grabbed his leg and
dragged him back up the water. Darwin slammed Miguel against the wall of
the tank and bit his arm. Blood filled the water. Miguel swam up to the
surface again and screamed for help. Darwin hit him with his head and
Miguel fell back into the water. Darwin rammed into him again and Miguel
floated up to the top of the pool.

Lucas jumped into the water and grabbed Darwin just before he rammed Miguel
again. Dagwood and Tony helped Miguel out of the pool and laid him on the
floor. Tony checked for a pulse.

"Is he all right?" asked Lucas as he got out of the water.

Tony shook his head. "Get the doctor in here with a Med Unit!"

Dagwood and Lucas rushed out of the Science Lab leaving Tony with an
unconscious Miguel.

Tony took off his jacket and rolled it up. He placed it under Miguel's head
and looked at Darwin. "What is wrong with you, you stupid animal?"

Darwin looked at Tony. "Miguel mean to Darwin. Darwin mean to Miguel."

Tony rolled his eyes. "You can say that again."

*************

Miguel opened his eyes slowly. He felt a hand on his forehead. He thought
it was that dolphin. "Get away from me!" Miguel pulled away and screamed.

"It's me, Wendy!" Wendy shook his shoulders. "It's me! Darwin is in his
tank! Calm down, Miguel."

"What the hell is going on in here?" yelled Captain Nathan Hale Bridger as
he ran into the room. He looked at Wendy and realized she needed help. He
grabbed Miguel's arms and pinned him down on the bed.

"Get away from me you stupid animal!" screamed Miguel. He struggled to get
away from Wendy and Nathan.

"Miguel, calm down. It's me, Wendy, your friend." Wendy smoothed back
Miguel's black hair and kissed his forehead.

Miguel stopped struggling and began to calm down. Nathan let go of his arms
and looked at Wendy, who was giving Miguel a sedative. Miguel fell asleep
and Wendy led Nathan into the hallway.

"How is he?" asked Nathan. He peeked into the room.

"Miguel mostly has cuts. They are mostly on his upper body, a few on his
legs." Wendy sighed. "He must have been so scared."

Nathan shook his head. "Darwin said Miguel was mean to him."

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "Would you believe a mammal or a human being?"

"I guess I'll ask Miguel later." Nathan smiled. "Or can you scan his mind
while he's sleeping?"

Wendy nodded. "He's too sedated right now. I'll have to wait until it wears
off a little."

Nathan crossed his arms. "Do you suppose Miguel just did something that
scared Darwin and that made him attack."

Wendy shrugged. "I don't know. There's something different about Miguel."

"Sure there's something different about him. Miguel has been gone for two
years, he can't remember anything, and he scared my dolphin!"

"He's my dolphin, too." said Lucas. He walked up to Wendy and Nathan.
"How's Miguel?"

Nathan gave him a look.

"I won't even ask." Lucas peeked into the room and sighed. "I'm going to
Tony's for a poker game."

Nathan nodded. "Okay, see you tomorrow."

*************

Lucas walked down the stair case and stopped to tie his shoe. He heard a
noise behind him and he turned his head. He went hurling down the stairs
and hit his head against a doorway.

"Tell Miguel I'm coming to get him." said a deep voice.

Lucas got on his elbows and looked at the ground. Blood dripped to the
ground and Lucas dropped into an unconscious state.

CHAPTER FOUR

A Med Unit rushed into the infirmary with a boy on the stretcher. Loni held
the boy's hand and whispered to him. Wendy rushed over to the group and
gasp.

"What happened to him?" asked Wendy as the Med Unit placed Lucas on a bed.

"He fell down the stairs. I found him in a puddle of blood." Loni cried.
She wiped her face with her sleeve.

Wendy grabbed Loni's shoulders. "Get Nathan in here and call the
Wolenczaks."

Loni nodded and ran out of the room. Wendy wrapped bandages around Lucas'
head and stuck an IV into his arm.

"Mom...." whispered Lucas.

"No, it's me, Wendy." Wendy held his hand and squeezed it.

"Someone pushed me down the stairs." Lucas moaned out in pain.

Wendy looked at Lucas. "Who? Who pushed you down the stairs, Lucas?"

Lucas shook his head. "Someone is out to get Miguel. The person who pushed
me told me that."

"Lucas!" yelled Nathan. He ran to Lucas' side and looked at Wendy. "What
happened to him?"

"He was pushed down the stairs. Lucas has a concussion and he is dazed."
Wendy gave Nathan a chair. "I need to check on Miguel. Make sure Lucas
doesn't fall asleep. He might slip into a coma."

*************

Miguel slept on his side with the blankets falling off the bed. Wendy came
into the room and looked at him. He seemed peaceful. Wendy walk over to him
and touched his shoulder. Miguel opened his eyes.

"Do you think you can sleep in your own bed tonight, Miguel?" asked Wendy.

Miguel nodded. He sat up and yawned.

"I need to get another doctor to watch Lucas." said Wendy. She held out her
hand and guided Miguel into Lucas' room.

"Nathan...." said Wendy.

Nathan turned his head and saw Miguel. "Yes Wendy?"

"I'm going to take Miguel back to his bunk. Stay put with Lucas." Wendy
ordered.

Nathan nodded and watched Wendy leave.

"Who was that?" asked Lucas. He winced with pain.

"Miguel and Dr. Smith."

*************

Tim opened the door into the room and saw Miguel sleeping on one of the
beds with Wendy stroking his hair.

"Hey." said Tim. He sat on the other bed and began to take off his shoes.

"Hello Tim." Wendy replied under her breath. "How was the poker game?"

Tim went into the bathroom and began to change. "It was fun. I won the
first three games and left afterwards." He came back out of the room with
his dirty clothes in his arm and a clean T-shirt and a pair of plaid
shorts. Tim looked at Miguel and noticed the cuts on his face and hands.
"What happened to Miguel?"

Wendy stood up and kissed Miguel's forehead. "Darwin attacked him."

Tim looked shocked. "Darwin? You mean our Darwin?"

Wendy nodded and kissed Miguel's forehead. "Let me rephrase that answer,
our Darwin attacked our Miguel." Wendy stood up.

Tim shrugged. "Is he okay? No more brain damage..."

Wendy frowned at Tim. "You and your friends may think this is funny, but it
isn't, Tim. Miguel is very ill and we can't give him a shot of penicillin
to cure him. I suggest you shape up before I see you on the bridge
tomorrow." She left the room.

Tim looked at Miguel, the cheery person he used to be until the accident
that made him the quiet, pale faced man Tim stared at.

*************

Jon walked into the room and saw Lucas laying on his back. "New fashion
statement, Lucas?"

Lucas turned his head and smiled. "Yeah. You like it?" He sat up and rested
against the head board of the hospital bed.

Jon sat on the bed and laughed. "Very attractive. Maybe I should try
falling down the stairs and scaring the living day lights out of my girl."

Lucas bit his lip. "I really scared her that much?"

Jon nodded. He touched Lucas' hand. "She's fine now....I took care of
everything."

Lucas raised his brow. "That's sick." He smiled and slammed Jon with a
pillow.

Jon shook his head. "How's that big brain inside of that small head of
yours?"

Lucas crossed his arms. "Here's no brain damage unlike someone people's
brains on board this ship."

Jon frowned. "Lucas..." Jon skipped a beat. "...you have to give Miguel a
break. You saw what happened to him when Tim said his name. He was ready to
drop to the ground."

Lucas looked at Jon. "He scared my dolphin!"

"You can't hold that against him, Lucas." Jon paused for a moment. "Miguel
is very sick..."

"Mentally or physically?" asked Lucas.

"Lucas!" yelled Wendy. She looked angry. "You know, I thought you two would
be a little nicer to Miguel." She walked into the room and looked at Jon,
then Lucas. "Miguel can't help that he can't remember anything. He might be
mentally or physically ill, Mr. Wolenczak, but it is no laughing matter!"

Jon and Lucas looked at each in embarrassment.

"You both should be embarrassed." Wendy yelled.

Jon looked at the shadow behind her. "Umm....Wendy."

"Shut up, Jon! You know, Miguel and I were never friends, but I am trying
to be nice to him because he needs a friend."

"Wendy...." Lucas said in a troubled tone.

"What?" yelled Wendy. "Is Miguel standing right behind me or something?"

The two men nodded. Wendy turned around and stood face to face with Miguel.

"Hi Miguel, we were just talking about you." said Wendy, coolly. She
smiled.

Miguel looked at Wendy, Lucas, and Jon. "You all think I'm crazy?" His chin
trembled. "You think I'm mentally ill... well, guys, I am not stupid, I
might be a little weird." Tears rolled down Miguel's cheeks. "But I sure as
hell not mentally ill!" He ran out of the room.

*************

Darwin popped his head up from the water. He saw a shadow run across the
catwalk and into the storage room. Darwin wondered as the door of the
storage room slammed shut.

CHAPTER FIVE: Three Days Later

Katherine Hitchcock walked onto the bridge and noticed the silence.
Everyone looked worried as she walked by. She saw Ben Krieg at his post and
tapped his shoulder.

"What's going on?" Katherine whispered. She squatted down next to Ben.

"You did hear what happened?" asked Ben. He sounded and look surprised.

Katherine shook her head. "No...what?"

Ben leaned closer to Katherine. "Miguel caught Dr. Smith, Commander Ford,
and Lucas saying he was mentally ill and they were only being his friends
because he 'needed' them at his time of need."

Katherine's mouth dropped wide opened. "What? You are such a bad lair,
Ben..."

Ben silenced her. "Gets worse, Miguel ran off and no one can find him.
Bridger has everyone looking for him off and on land. He kept it classified
for a few days because didn't want mayhem on the ship. That's why Brody is
in charge of the bridge."

Katherine nodded. "God....poor Miguel. Are you sure no one knows where he
went?"

Ben shook his head. "They think he might of tried to swim back to New Cape
Quest, but he wouldn't have made it."

"Lt. Commander Hitchcock, please report to your post." said Brody. He
mentioned Katherine to scoot.

"Sorry sir." said Katherine. She stood up. "Tell me about it at dinner."

"Okay." answered Ben.

"Hitchcock..." said Brody, testily.

"Yes sir." Katherine walked to her post. She sat down and began to work.

"Hey Katie!" whispered Loni. She smiled at Katherine.

"What?" asked Katherine. She stopped her work and looked up at Loni.

"Are you worried about Miguel?" asked Loni.

Katherine nodded. "What about you, Loni?"

Loni nodded. "When Tim said his name the day he came on board, Miguel
looked like he was going to drop dead. I can't believe this is happening.
It's all of our fault. We never really cared about him until this
happened."

"Henderson, is there something you would like to share with the rest of the
bridge?" asked Brody.

The bridge was silent. Loni looked at Brody. "Yeah."

"Well, the people of the bridge what that is."

"Nice hair cut, Jim." Loni continued her work while the rest of the bridge
cracked up.

*************

Bridger paced the room and looked at the wall. The map of the seaQuest was
on. Bridger figured it might do some good if Miguel was still onboard. The
keyword still. No one was sure.

*************

Wendy sat in her room with Lucas' head on her lap. She stroked his hair and
sighed. Lucas didn't seem to move for he was fast asleep. A knock came from
the door.

"Come in." Wendy lifted Lucas' head off her lap and placed it on a pillow.
She looked up and saw Katherine, Ben, Tony, and Dagwood coming into the
room. "Hey, sit down, but be quiet."

The group sat down on the carpet and looked at Wendy with worry looks. They
knew something might happen to Miguel like more brain damage, mental break
down....

"What's up?" asked Wendy as she sat between Tony and Dagwood.

Dagwood looked at Wendy with his puppy dog eyes. "Where's....where's
Miguel?"

Katie rolled her eyes. "Dagwood, Miguel is gone....I told you that last
night."

Dagwood nodded slowly, then added, "When is he coming back?"

Everyone groaned. Dagwood shrugged his shoulders and sighed. Wendy touched
his hand and smiled.

"Can't you probe him, Dr. Smith?" asked Ben. He bit his lip and looked at
the ground.

Wendy shook her head. "Miguel....well, Miguel is...." her voice trailed
off.

"Miguel is what, Dr. Smith?" asked Ben. He smiled softly to comfort Wendy.

Wendy smiled back and looked at everyone. "Miguel's mind is to scattered. I
can't tell from a birthday party or a Christmas dinner. He...won't let me
probe him either."

"What do you mean, he won't let you probe him?" asked Ben.

Wendy was silent. She looked at Tony. You can tell them. You know.

Tony nodded. "Dr. Smith and I have come to the theory that Miguel might be
telepathic."

"You mean Miguel Ortiz?" asked Lucas. He yawned and looked, sternly, at
Tony. "The guy with no memory what so ever?"

Tony and Wendy nodded. "That's the one." said Wendy and Tony in a chorus.

Lucas gave everyone a bewildered teenager look. "Are you sure?"

Wendy nodded. "Miguel can put up blocks. He can talk to me without moving
his lips."

The room was silent. Katherine took a deep breath. "Can't you get him off
guard, like now?"

Wendy looked at Katherine. "I haven't tried."

Katherine stood up. "I suggest you do. I'll set up the projector."

*************

Wendy laid on the bed with stuff hooked up to her. "Are we ready, yet?" She
looked at Katherine and Lucas.

Katherine laughed. "Almost. Dr. Smith, this is a difficult procedure."

Wendy moved her hands. "What about now?"

Lucas nodded. "Go ahead."

Wendy closed her eyes and drifted away into black and white.

Water rushed over someone and kept pulling them under.

Wendy squeezed her eyes and moaned. She clutched the sheets of the bed.

A man was floating on the surface of the water. His backside was facing the
sun, but his face was still under the water.

"Please, God, not him. Don't made it him." Wendy whispered softly.
Katherine and Lucas looked up and stared at Wendy.

Someone grabbed the floating figure and turned him over.

"Don't die, Miguel. Don't die." said Wendy. She gulped.

The person began mouth to mouth and told him something in Spanish. It
wasn't a Cuban. Suddenly, the man coughed up blood and water and settled
down.

Wendy took a deep breath with relief. She calmed down and continued her
probe.

The boat began to shake. Two hands grabbed the owner of the boat and threw
him into the water. After a few minutes, the owner of the hands rose on to
the boat and lifted up the unconscious man. The black sunglasses fell off
of the dark man to relieve...

"Oh my God!" screamed Wendy. She sat up and felt a hand touch her shoulder.

"Wendy...what happened? He is...he isn't." said Lucas. He squeezed her
shoulder.

"Call the captain, Ford, Piccolo, O' Neill, Henderson, Brody, Krieg, and
Dagwood." Wendy stood up and ripped the patches off of her, then dashed out
of the room.

"Better do what she says, Lucas." said Katherine.

"I'm not doing it. You do it." replied Lucas, thus started an argument
between the two.

*************

Darwin swam around his tank and heard someone coming into the Science Lab.
It was Wendy. She had the translator on.

"Darwin, have you seen anyone come in here last night?" asked Wendy. She
petted Darwin's head.

"Darwin heard footsteps." Darwin replied.

Wendy smiled. "Where is the footsteps go, Darwin?"

"Darwin show Wendy." He swam over to the other side of the pool and
stopped. "Darwin saw footsteps go here."

Wendy smiled. "Thank you Darwin." She threw a fish at Darwin, who ate it.
Wendy ran to the storage room and opened the door. She stepped into the
darkness.

Go away.

Wendy looked around the room. "Miguel, I know you are in here."

I said go away.

"I'm not leaving until you come with me." Wendy turned on the lights, which
weren't much help. The room was still dim.

Can't you just leave me alone?

Wendy groaned. "I'm not going to leave you alone, Miguel. I know what
happened to you. I know about the fisher man, your near death experience,
the thing you brought back with you."

I told you to leave me alone! You had no right to probe me!

Wendy walked passed a table and saw a shadow of a human being. She squatted
down and saw Miguel curled up underneath the table. "Found you." Wendy
smiled and noticed a change in Miguel's appearance. He was pale faced, his
black hair was tangled, and his cheeks were tear stained.

"I told you to go away, Wendy." Miguel's voice was shaking.

Wendy touched Miguel's face, but he pulled away. She bit her lip. "I didn't
mean what I said."

Miguel looked at her. "Bull." He hid his face in the shadows.

Wendy was silent. "You must be hungry, Miguel."

Miguel sighed. "I'm not hungry." He felt a tear roll down his cheek.

"You look hungry....exhausted....scared." said Wendy.

Miguel turned his head to look at Wendy. "What would you know about being
scared, Wendy?" Miguel stared at her for a moment. "There's my point."

"I was scared two years ago when I thought you were dead. I was scared for
three days thinking you were gone." Wendy touched Miguel's arm.

Miguel felt a lump in his throat. "You know about everything?"

Wendy nodded. "Let's go back to Tim's bunk and you can get changed and have
something to eat." She slipped her hand under Miguel's and helped him to
his feet.

CHAPTER SIX

Everyone sat in the meeting room. They waited for Wendy to show up. The
door opened and Wendy stepped into the room....with Miguel. He kept his
head down and followed Wendy to two vacant chairs. Everyone was silent as
Miguel sat down quickly. He glanced up quickly and looked at his feet.

I don't like this idea, Wendy. Miguel shivered a little and wished he had
dried his hair a little more.

"Miguel, do you want me to turn up the heater or get a jacket?" asked
Captain Bridger. He looked like he was worried Miguel might catch
pneumonia.

Miguel looked up and shook his head. "I'm fine." He looked at everyone at
the table and then looked at his feet, again.

"Okay..." Bridger was a little unsure. "Well, I asked you in here because
found something out about the accident which happened over two years ago.
Here is the UEO's report on the cause." He picked up a remote and turned on
the screen at the head of the room. The lights dimmed and everyone was
quiet.

Miguel looked up and saw a face of an old man. "Secretary General Sarandon.
UEO identification: 9516257-8970. Today, Captain Nathan Hale Bridger of the
seaQuest 4600 II has confirmed the deaths of Dr. Wendy Smith and Sensor
Chief Miguel Ortiz on 23 July, 2022. The probe's two crew members were
traveling in disappeared along New Cape Quest, Florida around 0600 hours.
The wreckage was discovered of the Gulf of Mexico three hours later with no
personal on board."

A shot of wreckage from a probe was shown on the screen. Ford moved in his
seat, uneasily. Lucas bit his lip and looked at Miguel. He was silent.
Lucas nudged Henderson.

"He has no idea was is going on, huh?" asked Lucas.

"Shut up! He might heard you, Bonehead." whispered Henderson.

"We are positive both personal are dead due to the knowledge of great white
sharks in the area. A UEO rescue worker did find Sensor Chief Ortiz's UEO
badge and gun, which was covered in blood. The blood has been sent to the
DNA lab for testing."

The man filed though his papers and pushed his glasses up his nose. "The
cause of this accident has not been determined. This is Secretary General
Sarandon signing out."

The screen went black and the lights went back on. Bridger looked at
everyone. "Of course, the UEO found out the cause of the accident a month
later. As you all know, it was energy override."

"Captain?" asked Miguel in a soft voice.

Bridger looked at him with a friendly smile. "Yes Miguel?"

Miguel was silent for a moment. "What does UEO stand for?"

The room was filled with chuckling. Bridger eyed everyone and motioned them
to be quiet or else.

"Miguel, UEO stands for United Earth Organizations." answered Bridger.

Miguel nodded. He looked at Wendy with a grin. I asked a pretty good
question, huh?

A very good question, Miguel. Wendy patted his arm.

Bridger motioned Dr. Smith to stand up. "Dr. Smith has something she would
like to share with us. Wendy..."

Dr. Smith stood up and walked to the front of the room. "For those who
weren't able to hear this a few nights before, Tony Piccolo and I have come
to the theory that Sensor Chief Miguel Ortiz might be telepathic." She
paused for a moment and brushed a piece of hair out of her face. "I gather
that this came to be after the accident. I'm going to show you a probe I
did on Miguel earlier today. Nathan, if you will."

The screen showed a black and white picture. The lights dimmed, again. The
picture began to move.

Wendy took out a pointer. "These two outlines are hands of Sensor Chief
Ortiz. From what I saw, he was struggling to get to the ocean surface, but
he, unfortunately, failed to do so on his own."

Miguel sunk in his chair. Please stop it! I can't watch this!

"Now, this man right here is a fisherman who pulled him out of the water
and began to do mouth to mouth. As you can see from Miguel's injuries, they
were quiet serious because of the blood, which is the dark liquid here."
Wendy looked at Miguel. "Now, these hands are the hands of the killer of
the fisherman. See how they are lifting Miguel." The lights went back on.

Miguel looked at Wendy with frown.

Henderson looked at Wendy. "Now, why did you show us this, again?"

"As you can see, men and women, Miguel Ortiz had a near death experience
and he brought back someone or something with him. I think that's what
pulled Lucas down the stairs." Dr. Smith put her point back into her
pocket.

Lucas looked at Miguel. "You pushed me down the stairs! You little
bastard!" He grabbed Miguel's shirt.

Miguel tried to push him away. "I didn't push you!"

Lucas shook Miguel. "You are mentally ill! Just look at you, you psycho!"

Miguel looked at Lucas. "Look at yourself! You are hermit!"

Lucas slammed Miguel against the wall. "You are the bastard who pushed me
down the stairs! You have one sick mind for a guy who forgot anything about
him!"

"Lucas!" yelled Jon. He pulled on Lucas. "Let go of Miguel! You're hurting
him!"

Lucas slammed Miguel harder against the wall. Miguel winced in pain. "You
should be in the brig!"

Dagwood grabbed Lucas and carried him to the other side of the room. Lucas
kicked and screamed at Miguel, who had slid to the ground from his head
injury. Wendy helped Miguel back up.

"You are bastard!" yelled Lucas.

Miguel began to charge after him, but Jon and Tim held him back. "I
wouldn't be to sure about that, Lucas!"

"Fuck you!" Lucas screamed.

"Shut the hell up!" yelled Nathan. He looked at Lucas and Miguel. "You both
are at fault on this one. Lucas, Miguel was in the infirmary at the time of
your accident. Miguel, you have no right to call Lucas a hermit."

"But it's true!" yelled Miguel.

"Miguel, shut up." said Nathan. "You both...."

The room went back and a blood curling scream echoed in the room. "I'm
coming to get you, Miguel!" The lights went back on. Miguel sat on the
ground with Jon lying across his knees, spilling blood all over his pants.

"Oh my God!" screamed Miguel, repeatedly. He kicked Jon off of him and
dashed out of the room. Katherine ran after him.

Wendy took Jon's pulse. "Call a Med Unit."

*************

Katherine had followed Miguel into the Mess Hall. She walked in slowly and
turned on the lights. "Miguel?" A sobbing sound filled the room, then
suddenly stopped. Katherine walked around the rows of tables. "Please come
out, Miguel. For me?"

"No." said a soft, quick voice. It's was Miguel's.

Katherine stood in the middle of the Mess Hall with crossed her arms. She
was thinking about Miguel's favorite food. Mint Chip ice cream? No. Chips
and salsa? Nah, couldn't be. Perhaps....chicken noodle soup? Duh, of
course! Miguel used to eat New England clam chowder when he was sick!
Katherine smiled. "Miguel, I can make you a bowl of New England clam
chowder....if you want."

The room was silent. Miguel stepped out into the light. Katherine smiled
softly. He was a little boy....a shy, lonely, little boy inside of a grown
man. She held out her hand and lead Miguel into the kitchen.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dr. Smith came out of the room Jon was staying with a clipboard. A whole
group of people sat in the hallway. Lucas and Nathan caught her eye. Nathan
had his arms wrapped around a crying Lucas, who's head rested on Nathan's
shoulder.

"Well, I have good news and bad news." said Dr. Smith. "Captain, which one
do you want to hear first?"

"Good news." Nathan answered. He looked at Dr. Smith a worried face.

"Well, the good news is Jon might live. The bad news is that he is in a
coma." Dr. Smith bit her lip.

"Oh God." Lucas buried his face into Nathan's shoulder and began to sob.
The room was silent.

"Speaking of the ill, where's Miguel?" asked Tony. He stood up and looked
at everyone.

"I thought you were looking for him?" replied Tim.

Tony looked at Tim with dismay. "Me! I'm not going to look for him. I
thought you were!"

Tim frowned. "I thought you were!"

"Why would I look for him, Timmy?" asked Tony. He got into Tim's face,

"Because you are the hound dog, Tony." answered Tim.

Tony and Tim began to argue....at least until Ben whistled for them to
stop.

"I saw Katherine run out after him. I'll call her on the PAL." Ben took out
the PAL and turned it on. "Katie, you find the runaway...yet?"

"Yup." Katherine answered. She watched Miguel eat a light dinner while she
finished hers.

"Well? He is alright?" asked Ben, impatiently.

"Yeah." answered Katherine.

"What is that suppose to mean?" yelled Ben.

"He's eating dinner, jerk." answered Katherine in a lone voice.

"Okay. Let me get this straight. YOU ARE LETTING HIM EAT DINNER WHEN FORD
IS IN A COMA!! HOW CAN YOU BE THINKING OF FOOD AT A TIME LIKE THIS! WHAT'S
WRONG WITH YOU? ARE YOU PREGANT OR SOMETHING!" yelled Ben into the PAL.

"You just scared Miguel!" screamed Katherine.

"Did not!" Ben replied.

"Did to!"

"Did not!"

"You wanna make a bet or something?" Katherine groaned.

"Put him on the PAL." Ben ordered.

"Hello?"

"Miguel, did I scare you?" asked Ben, nicely.

There was a short pause. "Sorta." answered Miguel.

"Lair! Katherine! Stop lying to him!" yelled Ben.

"Bye Ben."

"Wait one second!"

"Bye Ben."

"Katherine? Katherine?" Ben hit the side of the PAL. "Hey! Stupid piece of
scrap mental."

*************

Dr. Smith walked into Jon's room with Nathan. Jon laid on the bed,
motionless. He had a tube up his noise, an IV in his arm, and a splint on
his finger for the heart monitor. A wad of bandages were wrapped around his
head. Jon's skin was paler and clammier.

"God, poor Jon." said Nathan. He sighed.

"He's lucky. It could have been worst." Dr. Smith touched Jon's forehead.
"I had to give him 24 stitches for that cut."

Nathan crossed his arms. "Should we let Miguel see him or not a good idea?"
He looked at Dr. Smith.

"That wouldn't be wise in judgment, Nathan. Miguel is still a little shaky
from everything." Dr. Smith answered. "I'm not sure if bringing him on to
the seaQuest was a good idea."

Nathan looked at Dr. Smith with a skeptical look. "Why do you think that?"

Dr. Smith turned her head. "Come on, Nathan. You know why!"

Nathan shook his head. "I don't read people's minds, Wendy."

Dr. Smith sighed. "Miguel attacked by Darwin, Lucas pushed down the stairs
by an invisible human, Jon's coma. I should have known something like this
might happen!" Dr. Smith slammed her fist down on the nightstand.

Nathan winced at the noise. "It wasn't your fault."

Dr. Smith was silent. She spun around. "I really should have known this
would happen. I mean, Miguel could read minds, see faces, hear people
whispering about him without moving their lips. I should have known."

Nathan sat on a table. "Wendy, can we stop this thing?"

"What thing, Nathan? Miguel's little friend?" Dr. Smith stopped. She
blushed with embarrassment. "We can stop it, but we need Miguel's help."

Nathan was puzzled. "How?"

"You'll see. It might be a little difficult for Miguel."

"How will it be difficult?" asked Nathan.

"He needs to remember....." The lights went out and haunting laughed echoed
in the halls of the seaQuest. The emergency lights turned on. Nathan turned
on his PAL.

"Krieg was is going on up there?" asked Nathan.

"The power is out. We have only one generator working, sir." answered
Krieg.

Nathan scratched his chin. "Get the crew over into their quarters. Have
them be in groups of five or six."

"Yes sir." Ben turned on the main com. "All seaQuest personal, please get
back to your quarters, immediately with your fellow crew members in groups
of five or six. This is an emergency."

Nathan looked at Wendy. "I'm going to get some people in here with me. Go
to Tim's bunk." Nathan pressed on his PAL. "Loni, JJ, Dagwood, Ben, and
Manilow: please come to room 12 in Med Bay with fully loaded weapons."

"Yes sir." said all of the crew members.

"Get going to Tim's." said Nathan. He hugged Wendy and watched her leave.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Wendy knocked on the door of Tim's room. Tim answered the door with a sigh
of relief.

"Thank God you came. Miguel is running a high fever. He's having chills and
cold sweats." Tim dragged Wendy into the room.

Katherine and Jim stood up. They moved out of the way of Wendy. Katherine
bit her lip.

"I know you only gave him soup, Katherine. It's not your fault." said Wendy
in a reassuring voice.

Katherine nodded and sat on Tim's bed. Jim sat next to her and held her
hand. Tim sat on the desk and watched as Wendy examined Miguel.

It's so cold, Wendy. What's wrong with me?

Wendy took off the covers of the bed and began to unbutton Miguel's shirt.
You have a fever.

Miguel shuddered and shivered. Sweat ran down his face. I don't want to
die, Wendy.

Wendy looked at Miguel with a shocked expression. She brushed Miguel's wet
hair out of his eyes. You won't die. Just think happy thoughts.

The door flew open. Tony ran into the room. "What's wrong?" He gasped at
Miguel. "Jesus!"

Wendy looked at Tony. "Miguel has a fever. Jim and Katherine, go to Med Bay
and get some ice, rags, fever reducers, my bag, and washcloth."

Jim ran out of the room. Lucas walked in. He almost fell over when he saw
Miguel.

"What the hell is going on?" asked Lucas as he closed the door.

"Isn't that a little obvious?" said Tony. He crossed his arms.

Wendy looked at Tony then Lucas. "Miguel has a little fever."

"A little fever? Lucas, buddy, his head is so hot you can cook a whole
breakfast on it!" yelled Tony.

Miguel moaned. Tim felt uneasy. "Do you want me to get him a glass of ice
water, doctor?"

"I can supply the ice." Jim carried in a bucket of ice, rags, and
medication. Katherine followed him with a bag and a flashlight.

Tim locked the door and the seaQuest jerked. He slipped and fell on his
butt. Lucas helped him up.

"Okay, Tim get that glass of water and fill some of it with ice. Katherine
wet the rags with the coldest water you can get. Lucas and Tony, stay out
of trouble and tell the captain who is with Tim. Jim, help me out." ordered
Wendy.

"I'm coming to get you, Miguel!" echoed the hallway.

Wendy took the bag and opened it. Jim shined the flashlight into the bag.
Wendy found the stethoscope and put it on. She placed the end on Miguel's
chest.

"Here's the water and Katie is wetting the rags." Tim handed the water to
Jim. He noticed Tony and Lucas were shoving a metal pole into the door.
"What are you doing?"

Lucas looked at Tim. "I don't want whatever is out there in here." Tony
nodded with agreement.

Katherine ran out of the bathroom with a bunch of rags. She handed one to
Wendy, who placed it on Miguel's forehead.

"Give me the medication." Wendy took the glass of water and Tim gave her
the medication.

Jim lifted Miguel's head up and watched Wendy place two tablets into
Miguel's mouth. "Do you need anything else?"

Wendy shook her head. She feed Miguel the water. The seaQuest shook and
rocked. She looked at Miguel. Do you know where he is?

I think so. Miguel moaned.

Wendy smiled and kissed Miguel's forehead. Where is he?

With Darwin. The Science Lab. Miguel closed his eyes. A little bit of blood
came out of his nose. Wendy freaked out and Jim grabbed a wad of tissues.
He pinched Miguel's nose to stop the bleeding.

Wendy stood up and grabbed a gun. "I'm going to the Science Lab. Don't
follow." She buttoned Miguel's shirt back up and slipped his arm over her
shoulder.

"What are you doing? Miguel can barely talk and you are taking him with
you?" yelled Lucas.

"Trust her, Lucas." Miguel whispered. He and Dr. Smith headed out the door.

*************

Wendy and Miguel walked into the Science Lab. Miguel looked around and
stared at the catwalk.

"What's wrong?" asked Wendy. She cocked the gun.

Miguel gulped. "He's up on the catwalk."

"Hello Miguel." said low voice. "I see you brought a friend."

Wendy and Miguel looked at each other. Wendy lead him to the stairs and
walked up to the catwalk.

"You know, Miguel, you shouldn't listened to your friend. She is the one
who is killing you."

"Shut up!" screamed Miguel. He grabbed the rail and slipped his arm off of
Wendy's shoulder.

Wendy took the gun and pointed it at the dark. A hand grabbed it and fired
it once. Miguel almost fell to the ground from being startled.

"Scared you, huh?" asked the voice.

Miguel looked at Wendy with his back to the voice. "Hey Miguel!"

Another shot rang out and Miguel fell to the ground with a cut on his
temple. His arm dangled off the catwalk and he was motionless.

Wendy screamed out. Miguel! Miguel! Wake up! She noticed the lights were
dim and she saw the figure of the voice. She ran at him and jump on him.
They fell off the catwalk and landed on the ground. The gun shot echoed in
the Science Lab and the lights went back on.

Miguel opened his eyes a crack and saw Wendy and the figure in a pool of
crimson blood. "I know who you are...Captain Oliver Hudson." said Miguel
softy, then he went limp.

CHAPTER NINE: Two Months Later

Dr. Kristin Westphalen strolled down the corridor with Jonathan in his
wheelchair. He had a sweatshirt and sweatpants on with a blanket covering
his legs. Today it was his first day out of the hospital bed and back into
his bunk.

"Now, Jonathan, if you need anything....like water, a book, or perhaps a
pain killer, page me over the PAL." Kristin ordered. "Don't get up and get
it yourself."

"I'll just get someone else to do it." Jonathan said in a cheerful voice.
He leaned back in the wheelchair and smiled. "I'll like this."

Kristin laughed. "I'm sure you will, Jon. This is for your know good. You
had a head injury and I just don't want you to get sicker."

Jonathan shrugged. "I'll probably sleep all day like I did when I was kid
home with a cold."

Kristin patted Jonathan's shoulder and opened the door to his bunk. Loni,
Tim, and Lucas gathered around him. Kristin helped Jonathan into bed and
covered him with the blankets.

"I need to get down to Med Bay to check on Miguel. I'll come back in a few
hours." Kristin rushed out of the room.

*************

Katherine walked down the corridors with Tony, who held a bouquet of
flowers. They found room 19 and entered. Tony took a vase from the
nightstand and threw out the dead roses someone had given Miguel. He
refilled the vase with new water and placed the new flowers inside.

Katherine sat on the bed and held Miguel's lifeless hand. "He looks so
peaceful, Tony." She looked at Tony, then Miguel.

Miguel had a tube in his noise, one down his throat, a heart monitor splint
on his index finger, and an IV line. His black hair was matted and tangled
up, his dark skin had turned white, and his lips were chapping.

Tony wasn't paying attention. "What? You say something, Katie?" He turned
his head and looked at Katherine.

"I said...nevermind .... forget I even mentioned anything." said Katherine.
She turned back at Miguel.

"No. I won't let you get away with it so easily, Katie." Tony walked over
to her and sat on the nightstand. "Now, let's start this again. What did
you say?"

Katherine sighed with frustration. " I said...doesn't Miguel look
peaceful?"

Tony was quiet for at least two minutes. "Peaceful in meaning quiet
peaceful or comatose peaceful?"

"Now, Tony..." Katherine raised her eyebrow.

"Which one?" asked Tony. He crossed his arms.

"Both." Katherine looked at down at the floor.

Tony sighed. He wiped his eyes and looked at Miguel. Tony sighed once more.

"Sorry I mentioned it." Katherine mumbled.

"Mentioned what, Katherine?" asked Dr. Westphalen as she entered the room.
She noticed Tony. "Hello Tony."

"Hi doc." Tony mumbled under his breath.

Dr. Westphalen walked around the bed and took Miguel's pulse. She took a
clipboard and began to write down something. Dr. Westphalen took the
stethoscope and placed the end on Miguel's chest. She marked down a few
things and placed her hand on his forehead.

"If he doesn't start improving, we might have to pull the plug." Dr.
Westphalen said out loud.

"Pull the plug!" Tony jumped to his feet. "You won't pull the plug on him!"

Dr. Westphalen rested her hands on the bed. "Tony, he has been the same
since they brought him in. Either we pull the plug or send him to one of
those homes. He knows Dr. Smith is dead and that's why he's like this. Not
because of a wound to the head, because Dr. Smith is dead."

Tony calmed down. "I have something that Wendy gave me to give to Miguel.
It's a ruby mounted on a silver setting with a message to him on the back."

Dr. Westphalen nodded. "Bring it down here." She waited for Tony to get the
idea, but his brain wasn't actually functioning normally. "Go get it!"

Tony ran out of the room. Katherine sighed and squeezed Miguel's hand.
"Hang in there, Miguel."

Dr. Westphalen smiled softly. "I heard what happened."

Katherine looked up and frowned. "You did?" She didn't sound too happy.

Dr. Westphalen nodded and walked around the bed and leaned against the
nightstand. "Nathan told me the night Dr. Smith was found in the Science
Lab.....of course, you know the rest of the story."

Katherine nodded. She stroked Miguel's hair and noticed Tony in the
doorway. "You have it?"

Tony nodded. He handed the ruby to Katherine and stood next to Dr.
Westphalen. He looked nervous. Dr. Westphalen put a hand on his shoulder
and squeezed it.

Katherine opened Miguel's hand and placed the necklace in his palm.
"Miguel, honey, this was Wendy's ruby she got and she wanted to give it to
you the day you started working Sensor Chief, again." Katherine closed
Miguel's hand, slowly, and kissed it. She placed his arm over his stomach.
Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Um....she really loved you,
Miguel....with all her heart....and she never....she never wanted anything
to happen to you." Katherine began to sob and Tony hugged her.

"It's okay, Katie." whispered Tony. "Just let it all out."

CHAPTER TEN

Miguel laid in bed without any movement. Dr. Westphalen walked into the
room with a fever reducer shot. She sat on the bed and turned Miguel's arm
over. Dr. Westphalen stuck the needle into his skin and pushed the
medication in. She covered the hole with a bandage and kissed Miguel's
cheek.

"Miguel, it's me, Kristin Westphalen. I'm here just to watch you for a
while...okay?" Dr. Westphalen smiled softly and placed Miguel arms across
his stomach. "I remember when I first met you. I think it was 2018. You
were so shy and adorable, did you know that?"

Miguel moved his head a few times and then stopped. His faced the door.
Miguel had been doing that for the past month or so.

Kristin sighed softly and brushed a piece of black, curly hair out of
Miguel's eye. "I spoke with Dr. Smith after they brought you back on the
seaQuest. She said you looked a little different. I see what she means.
Your hair is longer." She looked at her watch. "Time to take out the tube."
Kristin stood up and opened Miguel's mouth. She took the longer tube that
attached to the tube down Miguel's throat and took it off the smaller tube.
She counted to three in her head and yanked the thing out.

"Now, that didn't hurt....too much." mumbled Kristin. She left the room and
closed the door.

The door opened again and no one was there. "Miguel....." said a soft voice
of a female.

Miguel didn't stir. He remained motionless. A soft breeze blew his hair
around

"Oh, Miguel, silly. It's me....Wendy." The door closed. "Listen, don't die
on everyone. You are a special person and they need you."

Dr. Westphalen walked into the room, again, with Katherine. "He is
breathing fine. I can't seem to get him to wake up. I'll be back in an
hour. " She was gone.

Katherine sat on the bed. "Wake up, Miguel. We need to you." She slipped
her hand under Miguel's.

Miguel's eyes opened up and he moaned. He let go of the necklace and looked
at Katherine. He smiled softly and touched her hand.

Katherine turned her head and jumped. "Omigod!" She reached for her PAL.
"Captain?"

"Yes Hitchcock."

"Put me on the horn." ordered Katherine. "It's important."

"You're on, Katie. This better be good or I'll have your neck for this."
said Nathan. He had been grouchy for the pass few months.

"Um....Sensor Chief Ortiz has regained consciousness. That's all." She
turned off her PAL and looked at Miguel. "You scared the living day lights
out of me, Miguel!"

Miguel just smiled. His throat was too sore to talk or mumble. Katherine
took his hand and squeezed. She smiled and kissed his forehead.

"Everyone will be fine. I know it." whispered Katherine. "I just know it."

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Three And A Half Weeks Later

Miguel laid in bed with the necklace dangling from his fingers. The door
opened and Tim walked in. Miguel sat up and smiled.

"Hey buddy, whatcha up you?" asked Tim as he pulled up a chair from
Miguel's desk.

"Listening to Dr. Westphalen's orders. Resting, eating, and more resting.
It sucks to the point my naval courses were better than this." Miguel
complained.

"That's bad!" Tim said. He looked at Miguel. "So what do you remember?"

Miguel had to think about something for a moment. "My naval courses?"

Tim frowned. "Okay....that's a started. What's your name?"

"Not this again!" Miguel covered his face with a pillow.

"Come on, Miguel. Bare with me, here."

"Fine. I'm Miguel Ortiz."

"Birthday?"

"November 13th, 1994." Miguel crossed his arms.

"What year is it?" asked Tim. He leaned back in his chair.

Miguel shrugged.

"2023, Miguel. It's 2023." Tim replied. "Who's buried in Grant's Tomb?"

Miguel frowned. "And in hell should I know that?"

Tim took out his PAL. "Dr. Westphalen, he knows his name, his birthday, and
the stuff they taught him in the New Cape Quest Naval Academy."

"That's good. Anything else, O' Neill?" asked Dr. Westphalen.

"He's is hella cocky!" said Tim. He turned off the PAL and stood up. "I
need to report to duty. What do you want for dinner?"

"Something that isn't Meat Surprise." Miguel answered.

"Okay. I'll tell Lucas." Tim said.

"Lucas? Why can't you bring the dinner?" asked Miguel.

"I have shore leave." Tim opened the door.

"What? How come I don't get shore leave?" yelled Miguel.

"Because you don't do nothing." Tim walked into the hallway and closed the
door.

Miguel laid back down and looked at the necklace. He turned it around and
saw an inscribed message on the back. Miguel turned on the bedside lamp and
held it to the light.

To Miguel,

This stone is special to me and you are a special person to me, also. I'm
giving this to you because I love you. Whatever you do, don't loose it.

Love yours truly,

Dr. Wendy Smith- 2023

Miguel sat on the bed in silence. He wiped his face with his sleeve and
moved over to the window. The sunlight broke through the dark ocean and
twinkled. I love you, Wendy.

THE END

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