========================================================================== FUSION Rachel Brody & Melissa Beattie ========================================================================== Timeline: SeaQuest 2032 Author's E-Mail: bi185@freenet.buffalo.edu ========================================================================== AUTHOR'S NOTES: DISCLAIMER: The contents of this script, other than the "seaQuest 2032" canon material, are the property of Rachel Brody and Melissa Beattie. Duplication without their EXPRESS PERMISSION is strictly prohibited. Send Questions, comments, and suggestions to: bi185@freenet.buffalo.edu This story takes place before "Weapons of War", and directly preceeding "Kaos Theory", also by Rachel Brody and Melissa Beattie. Copyright 1996 ========================================================================== ========================= PART 0 - TEASER =============================== seaQuest 2032 "Fusion" By Rachel Brody and Melissa Beattie Monday, April 22, 1996 Third Draft TEASER FADE IN TO MESS HALL Henderson and O'Neill are sitting together in a corner, trying not to attract attention. Their voices are low and they are sitting close to each other, every few seconds taking a glance around the room as though afraid someone will overhear their conversation or see them together. HENDERSON You're sure Jonathan won't come down here? O'NEILL (nodding) I checked the duty roster. He's on the bridge for another four hours. HENDERSON Perfect. (beat, smiling) If he finds out about this, he'll kill us. O'NEILL (nodding) I know. HENDERSON Although I don't know why it'd upset him so much. O'NEILL Me neither. HENDERSON Lucas said he'd find a place to set up, and I'll take care of distracting Jonathan long enough for you guys to pull everything together. You're telling Fredricks, and I convinced Tony to break it to Captain Hudson. O'Neill stifles a laugh. HENDERSON What? O'NEILL Captain Hudson? A party? Lonnie, does the phrase "oil and water" mean anything to you? Henderson rolls her eyes. HENDERSON I know he's the Captain and everything, but it only seems polite. O'NEILL He'll shut us down. HENDERSON (skeptically) Tim, it's not like we're running a smuggling ring. It's a _birthday_, for crying out loud. O'NEILL If you say so. Have you found out what he wants yet? HENDERSON (shakes head) No. (beat, O'Neill reacts) Tim, I swear, you couldn't drag that sort of thing out of him if his life depended on it! O'Neill looks unimpressed. O'NEILL (mildly amused) All you need to do is ask him is what he wants! HENDERSON Without him knowing why? (beat) Have you ever tried being subtle with Jonathan? O'Neill is silent. HENDERSON (triumphantly) See! O'Neill gives in. O'NEILL You've got a point. CUT TO KRAYTAX SHUTTLE There is bad lighting, so that neither Smith nor Ortiz an be seen enough to identify them. Ortiz runs a quick scan. ORTIZ (unsurely) Are you sure this will work? Smith turns to him. SMITH Mm-hm. He is uncomfortable. ORTIZ I'm not used to this. (beat) Talking, I mean. SMITH (understanding) I know. But it's something that you-- _we_ have to get used to again. She tweaks a few keys and slams a fist against the console in frustration. Ortiz reacts. ORTIZ (rebuking) Wendy! SMITH (regretfully) I'm sorry, Miguel. (regarding console) I don't need it anyway. Ortiz nods. ORTIZ Be careful. CUT TO LUCAS' QUARTERS It is dark. Lucas is lying in bed, asleep. Suddenly, he sits up. LUCAS Omigod. CUT TO BRIDGE Hudson is in the command chair. Ford is standing behind him. Piccolo is at tactical, Fredricks is at her station. Lucas rushed onto the bridge still wearing his pajamas. He dashes to his station, pulls on a headset, and starts typing frantically. Hudson stares, as does everyone else. HUDSON (confused) Ensign-- LUCAS (hurriedly) Shh! There's a KrayTax shuttle out there! This shocks Ford and Piccolo even more so. Hudson and Fredricks have no idea of what Lucas is talking about. HUDSON KrayTax? Ford jogs to Lucas' side. FORD (concerned) KrayTax? He leans over the console. LUCAS (gestures to readout) Out there. FORD How do you know? LUCAS (insisting) There's a KrayTax shuttle out there, somewhere! A high beep starts going off. Ford looks at the console over Lucas' shoulder and immediately jerks his head up. FORD Helm! Set course, maximum speed! Communications, send out a signal to UEO H.Q.-- I want a continuous feed of our sensor data, direct to-- HUDSON Commander, what's going on? Ford gives him a courtesy nod as he looks at Piccolo. FORD Piccolo, arm all weapons! Piccolo does so as Ford turns back to Lucas and grabs him by the arm. Lucas appears to be falling apart at the seams. FORD Lucas, how did you know it was out there? LUCAS She needs help! FORD (shaking him) How did you _know_? HUDSON (insisting) Commander, _what is going on_? Lucas blinks once, as though waking up. He looks around. Everyone is staring at him, He looks at Ford. LUCAS (confused) Commander? FORD Lucas, what are you talking about? Lucas looks at himself, then around the bridge again, ending on Piccolo. LUCAS (to Piccolo, confused) Tony, have I been sleepwalking again? Piccolo opens his mouth, gets a warning glare from Hudson, then closes it and shrugs. Hudson joins Lucas and Ford at the sensors. HUDSON (to Lucas) Ensign, would you care to explain yourself? Lucas looks at him as if he's grown a second head. LUCAS I wish I could. (beat, he sees his console and reacts with shock) Captain, there's a KrayTax shuttle! Within sensor range! Ford and Hudson exchange exasperated glances. HUDSON Ensign Wolenczak, you just ran onto the bridge in your pajamas, in the middle of a shift, raving about the shuttle that the WSKRS are just now picking up. Are you saying you have _no idea_ of how you knew it was out there? Lucas looks blank. Hudson rolls his eyes and looks at Ford. FORD Captain, I think there're a few things I'd better explain. Hudson nods. HUDSON That sounds like a good idea to me. They begin to leave the bridge, HUDSON Lieutenant Fredricks, you have the bridge. (to Lucas, right before they leave) And, Mr. Wolenczak, maybe you'd better get dressed. Lucas nods, embarrassed. HUDSON (continuing) But first, (beat) Do a follow-up on that shuttle. Lucas flushes as Hudson and Ford leave. Fredricks walks to the command chair and sits down. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END TEASER =========================== PART 1 ===================================== ACT ONE FADE IN TO WARDROOM Ford and Hudson enter. Hudson look a bit more than annoyed. HUDSON Commander, start explaining. Ford tries to decide how to put it. Hudson sees he's having problems finding where to start. HUDSON Who on Earth are the KrayTax, for starters? FORD They're the aliens who captured _seaQuest_ ten years ago. Hudson realizes the significance of this. HUDSON (concerned) Are you saying that the same creatures who were responsible for this ship vanishing into thin air ten years ago have suddenly decided that it's time for an encore? Ford nods uneasily. FORD It's possible. CUT TO BRIDGE All is as before. Lucas is still in his pajamas. Hudson and Ford enter. Hudson looks oddly at Lucas, not having expected him to actually follow the "order" he'd given earlier. HUDSON Ensign, what the hell are you doing here? Lucas looks up, surprised, clearly having been so involved in his work that he'd forgotten his state of dress. LUCAS You ordered me to-- HUDSON You're dismissed. Get off my bridge. Lucas looks embarrassed as he moves to shut off his terminal. Suddenly, he is enveloped by a blue glow. When it fades, he is gone. Everyone is staring in shock. HUDSON What the hell was that?!? FORD (shocked) It was a KrayTax...I don't know...transport beam. HUDSON A what? SHANAHAN (to Hudson) Sir, we've detected the shuttle moving to leave the area. HUDSON Can we get visual? SHANAHAN Yes sir. Shanahan pushes a few buttons, and an image of a KrayTax shuttle is shown. HUDSON (to Ford) Does this have something to do with what Wolenczak was saying? FORD (shrugging) I don't know. The KrayTax could physically take people over, sort of, and, they were telekinetic...at least, their Stormers were... Hudson looks confused. FORD (continuing) But I don't know about-- O'NEILL (interrupting from door of bridge) I know... All look at O'Neill, who stumbles onto the bridge. He looks haggard and exhausted. He walks over to Ford and Hudson. O'NEILL (continuing) ...She's been in my thoughts...I can _feel_ her...She's stronger...And-- All look confused. FORD Who? O'NEILL But...It's not just her. (looking straight at Ford) There's someone else there. And they're _human_. (beat) I think. HUDSON (exasperated) Who?!? O'NEILL I don't know! I can see _her_ clearly. The other... (shakes his head) I don't know. (shudders) She's different, Commander. She's changed. HUDSON (angrily) Mr. O'Neill. O'Neill turns to him. HUDSON (continuing, dangerously) One of my officers has just been-- O'NEILL (angrily cutting him off) I _know_ that Lucas has just been kidnapped! (blinks, looks confused) How did I know that? HUDSON (throws up arms in frustration) _You_ tell _me_, Lieutenant. Hudson moves slightly away, camera stays with Ford and O'Neill. O'NEILL ("getting it", to self) _Her_. I must've learned it from her. But how? I'm not psychic. She couldn't...well, then again, maybe she _could_, she's so strong now... (shakes head, to Hudson) Sir, I know who took him. She did. (beat, O'Neill tries several times to speak, eventually is able to) Dr. Smith. FORD (confused) But Dr. Smith is dead! She died on Hyperion! O'NEILL (firmly) It's her. I can sense her...Or she's broadcasting to me...I don't know... Hudson steps closer to them. HUDSON You're telling me that a woman ten years dead-- O'NEILL (interrupting) She's _not dead_. HUDSON (irritated) Fine. But can you _find_ them? O'Neill looks down and shakes his head. O'NEILL No. She's finding me. I can't stop her. FORD It's intentional? O'NEILL I don't know. HUDSON Why you? Why isn't she broadcasting to anyone else? O'NEILL I--I'm not sure, but, I think it's because I'm... (tries to find word, fails, shrugs) ...Familiar to her. HUDSON (dryly) She's not giving us much to go on, is she? O'NEILL (helplessly) All I get from her is her image. (beat) And a few scattered things. HUDSON Such as? O'NEILL She's alive. There's someone else with her. She's a _lot_ stronger now. And-- O'Neill gasps, eyes widening in shock. He is suddenly very shaky. FORD Tim? Are you okay? O'NEILL (whispering) She's gone... HUDSON (confused) She _is_ dead? O'NEILL (shaking his head) No. I don't think so. (swallows hard) I think-- I think she's inside someone else now. CUT TO KRAYTAX SHUTTLE Lucas is seen lying on a bed. His just beginning to stir. The room is dim and somewhat cramped. Smith and Ortiz are there. SMITH (softly) Lucas? Lucas opens his eyes, then blinks rapidly. As he recognizes who he is with, his expression turns to one of shock. LUCAS (stuttering) Wendy? Ortiz? But, I-- You died-- Am I--? SMITH (smiling) No, Lucas, don't worry. You're alive. LUCAS Why am I here? ORTIZ We need your help. Lucas looks confused, remains silent. SMITH The rebels sent us. Smith moves closer to Lucas. SMITH (continuing) Lucas, we need to know everything you can tell us about the KrayTax technology. Lucas opens his mouth to protest, but Ortiz speaks before he can. ORTIZ We know that you didn't get much of a chance to see it, but Tobias thought that you'd be able to think of a way to fight it. LUCAS (slowly) You're...part of Professor LeConte's rebels? SMITH (nodding) Sort of. ORTIZ It's a long story. But, we've been on the losing end lately, and we need all the help that we can get. LUCAS (shakes his head) I don't remember much...Captain Bridger said that most of our memories had been blocked to protect the Professor. Smith and Ortiz exchange glances. SMITH I can get past the blocks, Lucas. (beat) But it's a risky procedure. Lucas thinks this over. LUCAS (almost fearfully) Will I...remember? I-- I got the impression that it might be better if I-- if _everybody_-- forgot. SMITH I don't know. But... (glances in Ortiz's direction) I've dealt with KrayTax psycho-technology before. LUCAS (with finality) Okay. Smith looks directly into Lucas' eyes. SMITH (confirming) You'll let me probe you? LUCAS I trust you. Smith nods, looking somewhat uncomfortable. SMITH Good. (grabs a hypo) I'm giving you a sedative. This will work better if you're unconscious. Lucas nods, and Smith injects him. Lucas loses consciousness almost at once. SMITH I hated that. ORTIZ What? Having to lie to him? SMITH (defensively) I didn't lie. We do need his information. It's just-- ORTIZ The rest of it. I know. I don't like it either. But to keep our cover... SMITH (nods, sighs) I'd better get started. She closes her eyes, and begins to work. CUT TO SEAQUEST BRIDGE All are at their stations, including Piccolo, Henderson, and O'Neill. HUDSON (to Piccolo) Are we in range? PICCOLO Yes, sir. HUDSON (to O'Neill) Are they responding to our hail? O'NEILL No, sir. HUDSON (sighs, to Piccolo) Prepare to fire grappling torpedo. PICCOLO (pushing buttons) Aye, sir. HUDSON Fire! CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST. A torpedo is seen cutting through the water to ensnare the KrayTax shuttle. CUT TO INTERIOR KRAYTAX SHUTTLE Smith is working on Lucas, while Ortiz pilots. As the torpedo strikes, the shuttle jerks violently. Smith's eyes fly open. She is obviously disoriented. Ortiz feels it and moves over to her. ORTIZ Wendy?!? SMITH (shakily) Miguel? What-- (looks at Lucas) Oh God! Smith rushes to Lucas' side. SMITH Lucas! Answer me! Lucas remains motionless. ORTIZ Wendy, what is it? SMITH (horrified) He's in a coma. ORTIZ (shocked) What? How? SMITH When we were interrupted, I was just opening the blocks in his memory. So that he wouldn't remember, I blocked off his conscious mind. But now the blocks I put in place are trapping him, deep inside his mind. (beat) He could stay like this for years...maybe forever. Ortiz comes closer, and Smith instinctively clutches his hand. SMITH (continuing in a whisper) What have I done? CUT TO SEAQUEST BRIDGE All is as before. PICCOLO (to Hudson) Got 'em, sir. Hudson nods. HUDSON (to O'Neill) O'Neill, hail them. Camera shifts to O'Neill who has frozen in his seat, eyes wide. HUDSON (half-concerned) O'Neill? O'NEILL (slowly, as if entranced) Something's wrong... Hudson turns to Henderson, visibly annoyed at O'Neill. HUDSON (gesturing towards the screen, speaking to Henderson) Lieutenant... Henderson nods, and presses a few buttons. HENDERSON Channel open, sir. HUDSON This is Captain Oliver Hudson of the _seaQuest_. You have taken one of my officers hostage. If you do not return him immediately, I-- He is cut off as the screen, previously shoeing the KrayTax shuttle, shifts to an image of Ortiz. Piccolo, Ford, and Henderson are all visibly shocked. O'Neill doesn't react. FORD (disbelieving) Ortiz? ORTIZ (to Ford) Yes, Commander. It's me. (to Hudson) Captain, we've got a problem... O'NEILL (whispering) She was inside of him... ORTIZ (continuing) Wendy was probing Lucas' mind when you grabbed us. The ship was shaken up, and the link was severed. O'NEILL (still whispering) He's trapped... ORTIZ (continuing) Lucas entered some kind of coma. He's conscious, sort of, but, he's...well... stuck. Inside himself. O'Neill suddenly breaks out of his trance. O'NEILL (yelling) You knew! (to Hudson) They knew, sir! They knew that Lucas would die! ORTIZ (caught off-guard) Tim, what the hell are you talking about? We didn't-- O'NEILL (accusatory) You-- or at least Dr. Smith-- know what a forced probe can do! Especially since-- ORTIZ (defensively) Lucas let her probe him. Voluntarily! He knew that Tobias needs everything that he knows about KrayTax technology, so he allowed it! FORD (interrupting) You're part of Professor LeConte's group? ORTIZ (hesitantly) Yes, sir. HUDSON (interrupting) All of you, calm down. (to Ortiz) You'll be brought aboard. The medbay should be able to care for him while your Dr. Smith attempts to revive him. ORTIZ Thank you, Captain. It'll be good to see the _seaQuest_ again. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT ONE =========================== PART 2 ===================================== ACT TWO FADE IN TO WARDROOM Hudson and Ford are sitting at the table, O'Neill is standing at attention in front of them. HUDSON (to O'Neill) Would you care to explain your actions, Mr. O'Neill? O'NEILL I can't, sir. HUDSON You can't. (beat, angrily) So, you're telling me that, on the bridge, in the midst of what could've been delicate hostage negotiations, you exploded in a burst of anger, made several completely baseless accusations, and have no idea why?!? O'NEILL (defensively) They weren't baseless, sir. They'd meant for Lucas to die. FORD Wait. Before, you said that they'd known Lucas would die. Now you're saying they _planned_ it. Which is it? O'Neill considers this for a few moments. O'NEILL I don't know. HUDSON Why were you so angry all of a sudden? O'NEILL I don't know. FORD Can you tell us anything at all?!? O'NEILL (frustration) I don't know! For awhile, they left me alone. Then...she was there. It was like an electric jolt, then, I felt what she felt. About Lucas. Then, there was...something, and when Miguel came on-screen, I was just...angry. FORD So, she's...sending something to you? O'NEILL (shrugs) I guess that's the best word for it. FORD Can you block it? Or even just control it, somehow? O'NEILL We'll see. The door opens, and Smith and Ortiz enter. They sit. O'Neill sits also. Smith and Ortiz are next to each other. Hudson is at the head of the table. Ford is opposite Smith, and O'Neill is on his other side. Hudson is uncomfortable. HUDSON Well, Ms. Smith-- SMITH (antagonistically) _Doctor_, if you don't mind. Hudson shifts uneasily, catches a glance from Ford. HUDSON I apologize. _Dr._ Smith, then. Perhaps you would care to explain why yourself and Mr. Ortiz felt it necessary to kidnap Ensign Wolenczak. Smith shoots Ford a questioning expression on "ensign". He nods. She looks back at Hudson. O'NEILL What happened to you? You weren't in stasis, were you? SMITH No. Miguel and I were captured by the KrayTax. We were both unconscious, and when we woke up, we were in a cell. Ariel-- You remember her? Ford and O'Neill nod. SMITH (continuing) She was there. She handled our... interrogations. Smith closes her eyes and unconsciously moves slightly toward Ortiz. SMITH (continuing) We were probed. HUDSON `Probed'? SMITH Our minds were violated, by their machines. I had my shields to protect me. But Miguel-- She hesitates, then looks to Ortiz as though afraid she's going to reopen an old wound. SMITH (softly) If this is too painful... Ortiz shakes his head. SMITH (continuing) His mind was almost shattered. I managed to help. O'NEILL Help? How? ORTIZ She linked her mind to mine. It fixed the damage. FORD (slightly confused) But I thought that you-- SMITH (cutting him off) Somehow, the extended contact heightened my abilities. HUDSON How long were you held by these...KrayTax? SMITH (forcibly detached) Seven years. All react. SMITH (continuing) Then, Tobias managed to rescue us. Afterwards, we joined his group as intelligence operatives. That's why we're here. Lucas would've been able to help us defeat a new type of sonic weaponry. I'm sure of it. But contact was broken before I could get the information. HUDSON (sighs) I think we've been missing the point here. (beat) The important thing is: can you help Ensign Wolenczak? SMITH (looks at Ortiz, then down) I don't know. (beat) But I'd like to try. Hudson nods. CUT TO HENDERSON'S QUARTERS The door opens. Henderson pulls Ford into the room and to the bed. He sits. Henderson sits next to him. HENDERSON (exasperated) Jonathan, _loosen up_! FORD I can't. (looks at her) I can't believe _Wendy_, of all people-- HENDERSON She told us why she did it, and that Lucas will be fine. FORD I suppose I should go back up to the bridge. He stands. Henderson pulls him back down. HENDERSON You're overworking yourself, Jonathan! There's nothing either of us can do until she lowers the blocks. (beat, amused) I'm just as worried as you are, but I'm not going to run myself ragged trying to do something about it. FORD Oh, really? Henderson pulls him closer. HENDERSON And, Jonathan Devin Ford, neither are you. FORD (grinning expectantly) Oh, really? And exactly how were you planning on stopping me? Henderson kisses him briefly, then pulls back and smiles. FORD (grinning) You're gonna hafta try harder than that. They kiss. CUT TO CORRIDOR Ortiz is walked down the corridor, looking almost nervous. He stops outside Henderson's quarters and knocks. After a few seconds, he knocks again. He lifts his hand to knock again, but the door opens about a quarter of the way. Henderson is standing there, looking startled. She is clearly glad to see Ortiz, yet it is a bad time. HENDERSON (uneasily) Miguel. Hi. ORTIZ Lonnie. It's..._really_ great to see you again. HENDERSON (unenthusiastically) Yeah. Same here. ORTIZ I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to get together later. You could show me around the ship...and afterwards, I can show you my shuttle. Henderson realizes that he's making advances, and that he doesn't know about Ford. She becomes visibly unnerved. HENDERSON Sorry, I've got plans. ORTIZ (searchingly) Well, do you mind if I come in for a minute? I just want to talk. HENDERSON (edgily) Miguel, now is a _really_ bad time. ORTIZ (dumbfounded) Why? HENDERSON (more so) I have...company. ORTIZ Who? HENDERSON (embarrassed) A friend. Ortiz looks down. ORTIZ Oh. I see. A friend. HENDERSON Maybe some other time. ORTIZ Yeah. Maybe. (beat) In that case, have you seen Commander Ford? Henderson looks mildly startled and embarrassed. HENDERSON Yeah. ORTIZ (mildly flirting) Lonnie, are you going to make me drag this out of you an inch at a time? HENDERSON He's...kinda...busy...too. ORTIZ Do you know when he'll be free? I'd kind of like to catch up on what I've missed. HENDERSON I couldn't tell you off-hand. ORTIZ Well, is there any way you could check? Henderson gulps and takes a deep breath. HENDERSON (regretfully) Look, Miguel, I didn't exactly want to tell you this way. (beat, quickly) But Jonathan and I are-- He picks up on the "Jonathan" and finally gets it. ORTIZ (understanding) Oh. HENDERSON I'm sorry-- ORTIZ (reining in anger) No. Really, that's okay. It's my fault. See you around. He turns and leaves, Henderson shuts the door. CUT TO ORTIZ'S QUARTERS Ortiz is sitting indian-style on the floor, meditating. The room is dark, except for a candle, that he staring into. The camera closes in for a close-up shot of his eyes, which are filled with rage. The camera stays as is as Ortiz closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, holds it, then exhales slowly. His eyes open again. They are now placid. CUT TO O'NEILL'S QUARTERS O'Neill is sitting in his quarters, reading. Suddenly, his head jerks up. The camera moves in for a close-up of his eyes, which are now filled with rage. O'NEILL (whispered vehemently) Damn him! O'Neill slams the book closed, grabs an unseen object from the table, and conceals it. He then storms out of the room. CUT TO SEAQUEST BRIDGE Ford is in command, but not seated. Piccolo is at helm. Other positions manned by extras. O'Neill enters, and stalks over to Ford, who doesn't notice him. O'NEILL (dangerously) I want to talk to you. Ford turns to look at him. He is visibly uncomfortable. FORD (warily) Why? Without responding, O'Neill swings a punch at Ford, who instinctively knocks it aside. O'Neill then pulls the object he'd concealed, a small knife, and slashes Ford in the arm. The cut is long, but shallow, and he isn't seriously wounded. During the fighting, Piccolo managed to come up behind O'Neill, but, before he can do anything, O'Neill forces Ford to the deck. They are still fighting, but Ford breaks O'Neil's hold on the knife. Piccolo is able to pull O'Neill off of Ford. As ford stands, O'Neill is still struggling in Piccolo's grasp. FORD (slightly winded) What the hell was that for?!? O'NEILL (enraged) Damn you! You took her! FORD What are you talking about? Abruptly O'Neill's expression changes to confusion. His struggles cease. O'NEILL (confused) What happened? (seeing Ford's wound) Commander! What did you do to your arm? (beat, remembers, horrified) _What did I do to your arm?_ PICCOLO Tim? You okay, now? FORD (to O'Neill) What happened to you? What do you remember? O'NEILL (slowly) I was in my quarters. Then, I-- I-- felt furious about something. Then I saw an image of you. So I... FORD It's okay. (to Piccolo) Tony, you can let go now. O'NEILL Sir, permission to report to the Medbay. FORD (nods, indicates arm) Tell them I'll be there shortly. CUT TO MEDBAY Smith is watching over Lucas, but not psychically. O'Neill enters warily, looking angry. Ortiz is out of sight, in the shadows. SMITH Tim, what's wrong? O'NEILL (sarcastically) That was really funny, Doctor. SMITH (confused) What? O'NEILL (ignoring her, with gathering intensity) I'm sure it gives your ego a huge boost to take over us "less advanced" people, but if it's all the same to you... (tightly, with barely restrained fury) ...Stay the hell out of my head! O'Neill turns and stalks out. Once he's gone, Ortiz moves out of the shadows. ORTIZ What was that about? SMITH (sadly, shaken) I don't know. His anger was too strong for me to sense anything. (shrugs) I guess he felt something and thought it was me. (sighs) After what I had to do to Lucas...I can't blame him. CUT TO O'NEILL'S QUARTERS O'Neill is sitting at his computer terminal, typing. There is a knock at the door. O'NEILL (not looking up) It's open. The door opens, and Ortiz enters. ORTIZ Tim? O'Neill turns and looks Ortiz over. O'NEILL (half-disappointed) Oh. Miguel. It's you. Come on in. Ortiz walks in a bit further. O'Neill turns back to his work. Ortiz watches in silence for several seconds, then clears his throat. O'NEILL Something you wanted to talk about? ORTIZ I think you could say that. Yeah. O'NEILL What? ORTIZ What you said to Wendy. O'Neill looks up. O'NEILL You heard that? ORTIZ It wasn't fair to her. O'NEILL (mildly angry) Not fair? I think I've got a right to tell her to stop poking around in my mind! I mean, I can understand once, by accident, before she got ahold of herself, Ortiz reacts with shock. O'NEILL (continuing) But I don't want her influencing me any more! (beat) Not after what she did to Lucas. Ortiz looks furious. ORTIZ "What she did to Lucas"?!? She's in the Medbay trying to _save_ him! Doesn't that count for anything? O'NEILL It would if she hadn't been the one to put him in jeopardy in the first place. ORTIZ She told _the Captain_ why we did that-- O'NEILL (antagonistically) You mean Captain Hudson. ORTIZ (dismissively) I don't see any other captains around here. (beat) Did Bridger desert _you_ just like he deserted us? O'Neill is silently furious. ORTIZ Not that it surprises me. O'NEILL What is _that_ supposed to mean? Beat. ORTIZ (regretful, menacing) Tim, we used to be friends. I don't want to hurt you. He moves forwards slightly. ORTIZ (continuing) But I swear to God, if I _ever_ hear you raise your voice to her again, (beat, furious) I'll kill you. O'Neill looks shocked. Before he has the chance to reply, Ortiz turns and leaves. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT TWO =========================== PART 3 ===================================== ACT THREE FADE IN TO ENGINEERING Henderson is working with a few crewmen. HENDERSON Go adjust the starboard flow-regulators. CREWMAN #1 Yes sir. The crewmen leave. Henderson turns back to her work as O'Neill enters. He walks up behind her. O'NEILL Lonnie? HENDERSON Yeah? O'NEILL Have you noticed something...wrong with Ortiz? Henderson eyes him for a moment, thinking he's referring to the "incident" at her quarters earlier. HENDERSON Why do you ask? O'Neill looks a bit sheepish as he replies. O'NEILL (hesitantly) Well, he just came to my quarters and threatened to kill me. Henderson clearly thinks he's not serious. HENDERSON Miguel? Right. O'NEILL Seriously. (beat) See, I went to Dr. Smith and told her I was sick of her messing around with my head, and I guess he overheard, because he-- HENDERSON (cutting him off) Tim, he and Wendy have both been through a lot in the past ten years. I'm surprised you can't see that. (beat) Cut 'em some slack. O'Neill looks skeptical, but nods reluctantly. O'NEILL Maybe I just need some more sleep. CUT TO MEDBAY Smith is sitting next to Lucas. She looks exhausted. Ortiz enters. She "feels" him before he arrives. SMITH He's not getting any better. She turns to him, her expression vaguely troubled. SMITH And you're not helping. Ortiz barely gives Lucas a glimpse as he sits next to her. ORTIZ I'm sorry. I didn't mean to project it at you. It's just-- SMITH (deflecting) You don't have to apologize, Miguel. I know how you felt about her. Ortiz nods. SMITH But if you don't stop interfering with what I'm trying to do, I won't be able to help him. ORTIZ As long as he's trapped like this, and he can't communicate-- so long as we get the information for Tobias, we can leave. If you bring him out of it, we'll just have to kill him. (beat, almost resentfully) I know how much you don't want to have to do that. SMITH (not noticing his tone) It's not that easy. He means almost as much to me as you do. A trace of jealousy shows on Ortiz's face at this remark. Smith picks it up. SMITH Don't be ridiculous. You're a part of me. ORTIZ (angrily) And if you keep this up, (gestures to Lucas) He will be too. Smith is hurt. Ortiz's expression turns to one of remorse. ORTIZ Wendy, I didn't mean it that way. SMITH Don't lie to me, Miguel. You're a part of me, too. She stands and leaves. CUT TO PICCOLO'S QUARTERS Piccolo is lying on his bed, reading. There is a knock at the door. PICCOLO C'mon in. Henderson enters the room. Piccolo sits up. HENDERSON Tony, can I talk to you for a minute? PICCOLO (shrugging) Sure. Henderson starts to pace. HENDERSON Tim came to Engineering to see me a little while ago, and he told me... Henderson looks around the room, as though searching for hidden listeners. HENDERSON (continuing) ...That Miguel threatened to kill him. Piccolo reacts with surprise, disbelief, etc. HENDERSON (continuing) At first, I thought that he was kidding-- I mean, you know that Tim's sense of humor is kind of unusual-- but... (shakes head) ...Now that I think about it... She trails off, as though becoming lost in thought. PICCOLO (quietly, but disbelievingly) Lonnie, you don't think Ortiz meant it, do you? If it even was what Tim thought it was? HENDERSON Normally, I'd say no. But, well, Miguel was angry about then. (beat) He came by my quarters. (beat) Jonathan was there. PICCOLO (comprehending) Oh. HENDERSON Even so, I still wouldn't have believed it, especially since the two of them were so close. (beat, more quietly) But, I could tell that Tim believed him. And I figure that he'd know best. Piccolo remains silent for a few moments. PICCOLO What should we do about it? HENDERSON I don't know. (beat, almost hesitant) Have you noticed a change in Tim lately? Piccolo considers the question for a few moments before replying. PICCOLO (slowly) Well, he's been kinda...touchy. (beat, a thought dawning) Actually, ever since Lucas got kidnapped. HENDERSON (nodding) Exactly. PICCOLO Do you think somebody's doin' somethin' to Tim, too? HENDERSON Maybe. But I don't see how. Dr. Smith's too focused on Lucas. (beat) And that's what's worrying me. CUT TO HUDSON'S OFFICE The door is shut. Hudson is sitting inside, looking at a photo album. The pictures are those of himself, Elaine Morse, and two others. His expression is one of nostalgia. There is a knock at the door. He puts it on his desk, still open, and looks up, all business. HUDSON Come in. The door opens and Piccolo walks in. Hudson's expression softens a bit, but not by much. Piccolo stands at "attention". HUDSON Mr. Piccolo. At ease. Piccolo relaxes to some degree, but is still tense. Hudson notices this, but doesn't respond to it-- yet. PICCOLO (uneasily) Sir, I was just passin' by, an', well, I... He trails off, unsure of how to continue. Hudson sees that he's having trouble expressing himself. HUDSON (easily) Was there something you wanted to talk about? Piccolo swallows hard, looking extremely uncomfortable. PICCOLO Yeah, sir. Well, not exactly. It's gotta do with-- HUDSON (finishing for him) Doctor Smith and Mr. Ortiz. Piccolo looks surprised, as though he hadn't expected Hudson to understand. PICCOLO Yeah. Hudson nods. Piccolo takes a deep breath, gathering himself for what he's about to say. It costs him a lot to open like this, especially to Hudson, but he obviously needs to talk to someone about what he's feeling. PICCOLO It's, well, _weird_ to see them again. Actin' like this. An' knowin' what they went through. An' that we left `em on Hyperion, an' they got picked up by Ariel an' the other KrayTax... HUDSON You were used to the idea of their being dead, so having them suddenly turn up under these circumstances is a bit unnerving. PICCOLO It's more than unnervin', sir. HUDSON I see. PICCOLO I mean, not that I ever didn't get along with either of `em, but now...well... (smiles uneasily) ...I'd hate to see `em in a _bad_ mood. Hudson sees that he's trying not to get himself emotionally invested, and that it's tough for Piccolo to express himself in this manner. He nods, encouraging Piccolo to continue. However, Piccolo has decided not to go any further, and he sits in silence. His eyes fall on the photo album and the pictures. PICCOLO Constable Morse? HUDSON Mm-hm. PICCOLO (indicates other) And who're they? Hudson looks at the picture he's pointing at. HUDSON Susan Westfall and Adam DePrato. PICCOLO Friends of yours? HUDSON They were. The tone of his voice implies that there's a deeper story here. PICCOLO But? As Hudson speaks, there is the distinct impression that he has said all of this before. HUDSON Sue went into the UEO Peace Corps after the 2026 International Conference Bombing in Sudan. She was very passionate about it, too-- until she started thinking that maybe the local drug lords would be able to keep the peace better than the UEO. She left the Corps when one of them got her addicted to methamphetamine. It played havoc with her neural systems, enhancing, then overwhelming her psi abilities. She met Adam in rehab. He was someone she could relate to. (beat) They got along. PICCOLO What happened? HUDSON He faked his death a year or so later to cover up his illegal genetic engineering experiments. Sue was devastated. He turned up a few years later-- in a Saudi Arabian prison. He was killed trying to escape. (beat) Sue rejoined the UEO, in the Navy. She was killed in action a month-and-a-half after she was transferred out from under my command. There is silence for a few moments, then Hudson looks up. His expression is pained, as though dredging up these memories is putting him through Hell. There is no longer any spark of his normal strength behind what he's saying. Piccolo knows this, and is paying close attention to what he's saying. HUDSON I always felt responsible. His expression suddenly shifts, and his demeanor changes back to his usual attitude. Piccolo straightens. PICCOLO It's just that, well, Tim told me what they said in the Wardroom. What they'd been through. (beat) An' I was sittin' in the Mess Hall when it kinda hit me. (beat) It coulda been any of us. (beat) Me, Lonnie, Tim, Lucas, Dagwood, the commander... _Any_ of us. Hudson looks like he understood. HUDSON I see. PICCOLO An' if any of us hadn't been where we were, it _woulda_ been somebody else. (beat) I feel, well, responsible, I guess. In a way. HUDSON Because you obeyed your orders. PICCOLO Sorta. (beat) I thought it was the best idea. To follow orders, I mean. (beat, grins) `Cause even if I never thought it'd come in handy, the chain of command kinda worked, a little. (beat) `Cept I don't know if Dr. Smith and Ortiz would agree. Hudson considers this for a moment. HUDSON Why not ask them? Piccolo is surprised by this suggestion. PICCOLO Ask `em? Hudson stands and walks around the desk. He picks up the photo album, shuts the cover, and places it on a shelf, then turns back to Piccolo. HUDSON Ask them. (beat) I believe the doctor is still in the medbay. Piccolo stands and nods hesitantly. PICCOLO I'll...give it some thought. Hudson nods approvingly. HUDSON Good idea, Mr. Piccolo. (beat) Dismissed. Piccolo stands and walks to the door, stopping just before he walks away. PICCOLO (grinning) And Captain... Hudson looks up. PICCOLO (continues) Thanks. Hudson smiles as Piccolo leaves. CUT TO MEDBAY Smith is sitting next to Lucas, gathering her strength for what she's about to do-- shut Lucas' mind off. She is troubled. Ortiz enters. She doesn't sense him, her energy being focused on Lucas. Ortiz looks upset by the fact that he can't sense her either. ORTIZ What's wrong? I can barely feel you. (beat, very worried) It's almost like you're _not there_. Smith looks up. Her expression is one of sincere apology. SMITH (apologetically) I'm sorry. I've been focused on Lucas. Ortiz' unease becomes tinged with anger. ORTIZ Why isn't he dead yet? Smith pushes away from Lucas as she stands and turns her back on him. She looks at Ortiz, on the brink of tears. SMITH (giving up) I can't do it. I can't make myself kill him. ORTIZ (horrified) What?! Smith shrugs, defeated. SMITH I tried. But he's so scared. ORTIZ (uncaring) So? SMITH (questioning) "So"? ORTIZ I'll do it. Smith turns away. He moves towards a tray of hypos and picks one up. He examines the label, then sets it down and picks up another. It seems to meet with his approval. He takes a step towards Lucas and extends his arm, getting ready to inject him. Seconds before the needle and skin would make contact, Smith shakes her head. SMITH No. Ortiz freezes momentarily before turning towards her. ORTIZ What do you mean, no? SMITH You're not doing it either. ORTIZ But the KrayTax said-- (beat, he gathers himself) Why do you care? You were more than willing to go along with this while we were on Hyperion-- that's what you told Ariel! Do you know what kind of Hell you put me through? Do you think I don't care about him too? He's practically my kid brother! But you convinced me that we had to do this. You can't pull the rug out from under me! Smith's expression hardens. SMITH We're not doing this. Neither of us. We're not going back. We're staying on Earth, and that's final. There is silence for a moment, then someone clears his throat from the door. It's O'Neill. O'NEILL Wendy? Miguel? I hadn't meant to interrupt anything. (beat, sees hypo) Is he okay? Smith gives Ortiz a "look". SMITH He's _fine_. Ortiz nods and tries to look innocent. At the same time, he lowers the hypo and presses the release. O'NEILL (somewhat alarmed) What was that? Suddenly, Lucas' lifesigns begin racing. O'Neill reacts. So does Smith. SMITH (hissing) Miguel, I told you not to do that! O'Neill's head jerks up. O'NEILL (alarmed) What did you do? He doesn't wait for an answer. He slaps the intercom by the door. O'NEILL (to intercom) Dr. Perry! Get in here! Ensign Wolenczak has been given an unauthorized injection! PERRY (over com) I'll be right there. O'Neill pulls out his gun, aiming it at Smith and Ortiz. It is on stun. Ortiz lunges for the tray of hypos, knocking it over and sending them to the deck. O'Neill instinctively shoots, missing Ortiz, who ducks it. Ortiz looks as though he's about to retaliate, but Smith steps forward and grabs his arm. SMITH (to Ortiz) Don't. Perry rushes in the door and starts working with Lucas, who begins to recover-- physically, at least. A security detail enters. The leader is CPO Ray Stilwell. STILWELL What's going on here? O'NEILL (difficultly) Ortiz tried to kill Lucas. (beat) Take him to the brig. Ortiz struggles briefly as Stilwell and his men "escort" him out. O'Neill looks at Smith and grabs her by the arm, covering her with the gun. O'NEILL I think you'd better come with me. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT THREE =========================== PART 4 ===================================== ACT FOUR FADE IN TO WARDROOM Smith is sitting. O'Neill is standing behind her, slightly to one side, gun drawn. The door opens, Hudson enters. He looks exhausted. HUDSON Mr. O'Neill, do you realize that it's 0200 hours? This had better be good. O'NEILL (unemotionally) They gave Lucas some stimulant. Dr. Perry's treating him for it now. Hudson looks furious. He looks at Smith. HUDSON Explain. Everything. Now. Smith looks from Hudson to O'Neill, then takes a deep breath. SMITH What I told you before was true. But I didn't tell you everything. HUDSON As I'd assumed. SMITH Miguel and I are double agents. CUT TO CORRIDOR Ortiz is being led down the corridor by Stilwell & co. They get to a door. Stilwell opens it, leaving Ortiz uncovered. Ortiz jerks away from the other guards, knocks them out, and punches Stilwell in the solar plexus. Stilwell doubles over. Ortiz takes off down the hall, not bothering to take Stilwell's gun. Stilwell recovers mildly and pulls out his PAL. CUT TO WARDROOM All is as before. SMITH We _are_ working for the rebels. But to keep our cover, we've been posing as KrayTax agents. They think Lucas is the next step in intelligent life. That makes him a threat. (beat) So we were sent to drain his mind and eliminate him. Hudson doesn't look convinced. HUDSON If you're trying to convince me not to let you both rot in the brig, you're not doing a very good job. SMITH I'm telling you the truth. All of it, this time. Hudson looks to O'Neill for confirmation. O'Neill nods. He turns back to Smith. HUDSON Then how do you explain his actions? SMITH Miguel doesn't know what he's doing. Hudson takes this the wrong way. HUDSON (suspiciously) You're controlling him? SMITH (upset) No! I'm trying to keep him in check! You don't know what he's been through! Sometimes it's been all I could do to keep him from falling to pieces! HUDSON (under his breath) Too late. O'NEILL (to Hudson) Maybe she's right. HUDSON What? O'NEILL Sir, I've known Miguel for a long time. He's not normally like this. (beat) I think that we can trust her. Hudson considers this. HUDSON (reluctantly) Fine. (to Smith) You can go back to the medbay. But Security will be keeping an eye on you. SMITH I understand completely. She leaves. Hudson turns to O'Neill. HUDSON You'd better be right about this. O'Neill nods. HUDSON Follow her. O'Neill leaves. Hudson's PAL chirps. He picks it up and turns it on. STILWELL (breathless) Captain Hudson, this is Stilwell. Ortiz has escaped. Hudson nods. His expression falls. He sighs deeply. HUDSON Thank you, Mr. Stilwell. Keep me informed. He leaves. CUT TO CORRIDOR O'Neill is on his way to the medbay. He turns a corner and Ortiz jumps out, tackles him, and eventually pins him against the wall, holding a knife against his throat. O'Neill is shocked. O'NEILL Miguel? ORTIZ Shut up. O'NEILL (mystified) What are you-- ORTIZ (furious) I said _shut up_. You've already caused her enough pain. I warned you. O'NEILL What did I do? Ortiz' response isn't immediate, as though he's having trouble thinking. When he does respond, his voice is choked with fury. ORTIZ (difficultly) Why hasn't it started yet? Where is she? What have you done to her? (beat, almost frantic, but furious) _I can't feel her anymore_! O'NEILL (almost angry) What the hell has happened to you? ORTIZ (searching) She's concentrating on _him_, that's all. She isn't-- He can't force himself to say it. He presses the knife hard against O'Neill's throat. ORTIZ (furious) _Dammit_, _where is she_?!? O'Neill is blank. Ortiz suddenly looks almost lost, but his fury hasn't abated. ORTIZ (far-off) The waiting... The last time this happened-- I know what you're going to do... I don't care how long you keep us apart, or what you do to me, just do it and get it over with! O'NEILL Do what? I don't know what you're talking about. Ortiz relaxes slightly, but O'Neill makes no move to escape. ORTIZ (almost conversational) So, what kinds of advances have been made in the area of interrogation? (beat, angry) No matter what you do, it can't be as horrible as what _they_ put us through. (beat, bitterly) I've been subjected to everything. O'Neill looks horrified. Ortiz looks angry. ORTIZ (resentful) Don't pretend like you care. About me...about her...about anything. You were always so cold. (beat, anticipatory) But not anymore. (beat, satisfied) You're gonna burn in Hell for whatever it is you're doing to her. As he "moves in for the kill", Hudson steps into the corridor, gun drawn. He shoots over Ortiz' shoulder. Ortiz immediately grabs O'Neill and turns, using him as a human shield. ORTIZ I don't care if you kill me, so long as I take one of _you_ with me. HUDSON Let him go, or I _will_ shoot you. O'NEILL Captain-- ORTIZ (cutting him off) Go ahead then. Shoot me in cold blood. I don't give a damn anymore. (beat) He dies, either way. HUDSON (resigned) Have it your way. He shoots. O'Neill tries to shove Ortiz out of the line of fire, but the shot hits Ortiz' torso. CUT TO MEDBAY Smith reacts, collapsing into a chair. Piccolo walks through the door, at first not noticing. PICCOLO Doctor, hey, just droppin' by to see ya. How've you been? When she doesn't respond, he goes over to her. She is very pale. An expression of concern crosses Piccolo's face. PICCOLO You okay? SMITH (whispers, weakly) Miguel... CUT TO CORRIDOR O'Neill is leaning over Ortiz, who is bleeding profusely. He is trying to stop the bleeding. He's not making much of a difference. Hudson is watching dispassionately. O'NEILL (as he works) Call a medteam. Hudson makes no move to do so. O'Neill doesn't notice. O'NEILL (to Ortiz) Miguel, come on. You're gonna be okay. Just hold on. Don't leave me. Don't leave her. (to Hudson) What the hell is taking them so long? HUDSON Lieutenant-- O'NEILL (to Hudson) Shut up! (to Ortiz) I promise, you'll be okay. I won't let anything happen to you. Ortiz reaches up and clasps O'Neill's wrist. By O'Neill's reaction, his grip is very strong. ORTIZ (weakly) Tim... O'Neill responds positively. O'NEILL (almost desperately) Yeah? ORTIZ (continuing) ...Thanks...for everything... (beat) Tell Wendy... He trails off, choking on the blood. O'Neill tries to raise his head and chest to clear the airway. O'NEILL Oh my God... Miguel... ORTIZ (whispering) ...tell Wendy I under-- He breaks off, his eyes roll back, and he goes limp, dead. O'NEILL (desperately) Miguel! He redoubles his efforts and begins performing chest compressions. After several seconds, Hudson clears his throat. HUDSON He's dead. O'NEILL (as he works) He can't be. HUDSON (forcefully) Lieutenant, there's nothing you can do. O'NEILL (as he works) You don't know that. Hudson bends down, grabs O'Neill by the arm, and pulls him up. O'Neill attempts to break free, and when he can't, swings his free arm around, catching Hudson in the jaw. Hudson releases him abruptly, caught off-guard and shocked. O'NEILL (accusatory, furious) Your pistol was set on _kill_. HUDSON And that saved your life. O'NEILL (barely reined fury, mixed with grief) Go to Hell. He turns and leaves Hudson standing in the corridor. CUT TO MEDBAY All is as before. Smith is gasping for air. PICCOLO What's wrong with you? SMITH (breathless) Damn him! Miguel-- he's gone! PICCOLO (bewildered) What? Who? Smith attempts to reply, but chokes off. She lurches to Lucas' bedside and brushes her fingers against his face. SMITH (weakly) You're going to have to do it yourself... Sorry... She breaks off and collapses on the floor, almost unconscious. Piccolo goes to her side, checks for a pulse, then hits the intercom. PICCOLO I need a doctor in here! He leaves the intercom and goes back to Smith. PICCOLO (unconvincingly) Hey, Doc, you're gonna be-- SMITH No, Tony, I won't be okay. As she finishes speaking, O'Neill rushes in. O'NEILL Oh my God-- Wendy-- He dashes to her side, shoving Piccolo out of the way. O'NEILL He said-- (breaks off) He's dead. Hudson shot him. (beat) Miguel understood. He wanted you to know. Perry enters, pushes O'Neill away. SMITH Tim-- She breaks off and goes limp while Perry is working on her. O'Neill looks grief-stricken. PERRY She's gone. O'NEILL (whispers) Wendy-- He breaks off and leaves the room. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT FOUR =========================== PART 5 ===================================== ACT FIVE FADE IN EXT. SEAQUEST Establishing shot: _seaQuest_ is moving through the water. Text states that two days have passed. CUT TO CORRIDOR Henderson is leading Ford down the hall. Her mood is light, but not incredibly so. Ford seems more annoyed than anything else. FORD (teasingly) You _know_ I'm supposed to go on-duty in an hour. HENDERSON Captain Hudson won't mind, Jonathan. I promise. FORD He'd better not. They continue walking, arriving at the moonpool door. HENDERSON Close your eyes. Ford raises an eyebrow. FORD Close my eyes? HENDERSON (mock seriously) Close them, or I'll have to _blindfold_ you! Ford complies. Henderson puts a hand over his eyes anyway. He tries to move it away, but stops when she resists. HENDERSON Come on! She pushes him through the door. CUT TO INTERIOR MOONPOOL ROOM Henderson and Ford enter. The lights go on. Nothing happens. Ford looks around. FORD (confused) And you wanted me to come here...why? Henderson looks around, just as confused as he is. HENDERSON I-- Behind her, the door opens. Piccolo, Dagwood, Hudson, and Fredricks walk in. Piccolo doesn't notice Henderson and Ford. PICCOLO (quietly) Now, you've gotta be really quiet, because Lonnie-- Ford turns and sees them. Henderson immediately covers his eyes again. PICCOLO Oops. She shoots him a dirty look. He leans closer. PICCOLO (whispering) I thought we said 0815! Henderson shakes her head and rolls her eyes. Ford pulls her hands away. DAGWOOD Happy Birthday! A look of sheer embarrassment crosses Ford's face. He pulls Henderson out of the room. FORD You threw me a surprise party? Lonnie, I told you I _hated_ surprise parties! Henderson shrugs weakly. HENDERSON (lying) It was Tony's idea! (beat) You know how he gets! He seemed like he was having so much fun, planning it all out and everything, and I really didn't have the heart to tell him that-- FORD (skeptically) _Piccolo_ threw me a surprise party?!? HENDERSON Sort of. Ford doesn't look happy. HENDERSON (teasingly) Jonathan, just do this. For me. (beat) For later. Ford crosses his arms across his chest. Henderson pouts. HENDERSON (pleading) Please? Think about poor Tony. FORD I am. In a full-body cast. HENDERSON That's not funny. FORD It's not supposed to be! (beat, almost whining) I don't _want_ a surprise party! The door opens, Piccolo sticks his head out. PICCOLO You two comin'? (beat, grins) Dagwood's gonna eat all the cake if you don't hurry up. He goes back in, Ford gives Henderson a "look", and they follow. CUT TO INTERIOR ROOM Hudson and Ford are talking. Henderson approaches Piccolo. HENDERSON (softly) Where's Tim? Piccolo looks down. PICCOLO He said he wasn't coming. HENDERSON (concerned) Did he say where he'd be? PICCOLO I dunno. He might be in his quarters. Cut to shot of Ford talking to Hudson. Henderson approaches him. HENDERSON Jonathan, I'm sorry. I've got to go. I'll be back, I promise. He nods, she leaves. CUT TO O'NEILL'S QUARTERS O'Neill is sitting at his desk. He has a notebook out on the desktop in front of him, and a pen in his hand. He is trying to write. There is a knock at the door. When he doesn't reply, the door opens slowly. HENDERSON (gently) You were supposed to be at the party almost twenty minutes ago. At the sound of her voice, O'Neill turns, covering his notebook. He looks mildly upset. O'NEILL I didn't say you could come in. HENDERSON Captain Hudson's not going to press charges. O'NEILL Is that supposed to make me feel any better? She doesn't respond as she sits on the bed. O'NEILL (continuing) Is the fact that he's going to let me off the hook supposed to change the fact that he killed Ortiz? She doesn't respond. O'NEILL He had no business putting that pistol on kill. Miguel wasn't about to do anything. HENDERSON He was about to kill you! O'Neill ignores this. O'NEILL (continuing) And it killed Wendy, too. (beat) That's what it was, wasn't it. And emotional... (searches for a word) ...backlash. If it wasn't for Captain Hudson's severing their bond, she would have lived. Henderson looks somewhat confused. HENDERSON (searching) Tim, are you upset because Miguel's dead...or because Wendy is? O'Neill looks away. O'NEILL (almost angrily) I can't believe you'd think that. I mean, it upsets me that she's gone too, but, well, I never even considered that she'd-- (beat) It's ridiculous. Henderson nods slowly. HENDERSON I'm sorry. He meant a lot to me too. (beat) But you said it yourself: they'd changed. Both of them. It's nobody's fault. These things happen. O'NEILL (dryly) These things happen? Lonnie, "these things" do _not_ happen. At least, they're not supposed to. People don't come back from the dead. Not outside really bad science fiction movies. Henderson looks mildly perturbed. HENDERSON Is that how you're going to live with this, Tim? By telling yourself it never happened? O'NEILL (simply) If that's what it takes. HENDERSON Tim, you can't do that. You've gotta talk it out with other people. O'NEILL Like who? Darwin? HENDERSON You know, you might have some fun if you came. O'NEILL Look, Lonnie, I appreciate the gesture, but I don't want to go to the party. And with the mood I'm in, you don't want me there. HENDERSON But-- O'NEILL (firmly) I'm not going. (beat) At least, not to the party. CUT TO CORRIDOR Henderson and O'Neill are walking to the medbay. HENDERSON (concerned) You won't let me change your mind? O'NEILL (decidedly) I'm not going. Not until I make sure Lucas is going to make it. HENDERSON (through him) Tim, you don't know-- O'NEILL (continuing, meaning Hudson) Not as long as _he's_ there. HENDERSON Tim-- They reach the medbay. O'Neill enters before Henderson can continue. CUT TO MEDBAY O'Neill walks through the doors. Perry is checking on Lucas. He is still in a coma. O'Neill approaches. O'NEILL Is he okay? PERRY His condition is stable, but I really can't say anything past that. O'NEILL Do you mind if I stay for a few minutes? PERRY (shrugs) Not at all. (beat) There's nothing you can do to hurt him. She leaves, O'Neill stands next to Lucas. The camera moves in for a close-up of Lucas' face. His eyes, still closed, begin to move. His breathing also increases. O'Neill sees this and reacts with concern. O'NEILL Lucas? Lucas' eyes fly open, and he shoots up into a sitting position. LUCAS (breathless) What happened? (looking around wildly) Where am I? Wendy? O'Neill is visibly affected by the mention of Smith's name. He grabs Lucas by the shoulders, and holds him still. O'NEILL Calm down, Lucas. (beat, Lucas stays silent) You're in the medbay. You've been in a coma. Lucas is visibly calmer, but not fully calm. LUCAS Where are Wendy and Miguel? O'Neill looks away. O'NEILL (quietly) They're dead, Lucas. Lucas is visibly stricken. LUCAS (stammering) But-- But-- I-- _feel_ her! (beat, mildly lost) At least, I did. O'NEILL So did I. (beat) Lucas, we've got a lot to talk about. FADE TO BLACK END ACT FIVE -The End- ==========================================================================