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                              HOPE REGAINED
                           Michelle Vincenti
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   Timeline: SeaQuest DSV
   Author's E-Mail: MVINCENT@DREW.EDU
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AUTHOR'S NOTES:
With both "Innocence Lost" and "Hope Regained", I intended to emphasize the
seriousness of the disease of anorexia. It is a dangerous and
life-threatening disease. Contrary to popular belief, not every anorexic
suffers from the belief that they are fat and must lose weight to be liked.
Some do it because they are lonely and others simply to gain a sense of
control over their lives. An anorexic will not always have all of the
symptoms, such as a loss of energy. In fact, one day their energy may be
through the roof, so to speak, and another, they may be slow and even
appear to be lazy. Anorexia, as is true with other eating disorders, is a
disease much like alcoholism. It is never cured. There is always a chance
for relapse. Lucas "recovered" from this disease much quicker than most
people, mostly to keep the story not only within a decent time framing, but
also to keep it short.

The sad fact is, the number of people suffering from this traumatic disease
is increasing by the day. If you suspect, or even know for a fact, that
someone you care about is suffering from any eating disorder, please try to
get them help. The one thing that a person suffering from a disease like
this needs is a friend. Please, for the sake of not only our generation,
but for the generations to follow, help eliminate the spread of a disease
that exists not only in body, but in the mind as well.


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"Hope Regained"
by Michelle Vincenti
April 10, 1997

Med Bay

Lucas is still in a coma, hooked up to several machines. Bridger's looking
at Westphalen, shocked. They're at a "safe" distance away from Lucas.

BRIDGER
(disbelieving)
How...how could this have happened?

WESTPHALEN
I thought I'd gotten through to him when he first collapsed.

BRIDGER
(angrily)
Well, obviously you didn't.

WESTPHALEN
(glaring at him)
You're supposed to be a father-figure to him and what do you do? You run
and hide, denying that there even is a problem in the first place!
(beat, accusatory)
If anything, it's your fault that Lucas is in a coma!

BRIDGER
My fault?! What the hell are you talking about?

WESTPHALEN
You're like a father to that poor boy. You have been since his real father
dumped him on the _seaQuest_.
(beat)
_You_ should have been the one to look after him. _You_ should've been the
one to talk to him. Tim shouldn't have been the person to go and comfort
him. Tim may be a friend to Lucas, but you're his "father"!

BRIDGER
(tightly)
Are you saying that I don't care? Are you saying that I neglect Lucas? I
have never neglected that boy! I have done nothing but treat him as my own
son!
(beat)
Ever since I lost Robert, Lucas has been like a son to me. He's filled a
hole in my heart that's been there since Robert was KIA.
(beat)
I love Lucas as if he were my own flesh and blood. How could you think that
I'd _ever_ willingly hurt him?

WESTPHALEN
I never said that you hurt him willingly. Just that by your negligence, you
_have_ hurt him.

BRIDGER
I never meant to neglect him. You know how busy things get on this boat.

He takes a deep breath. He glances back at Lucas and then turns back to
Westphalen.

BRIDGER
(sadly)
What can I do to help him now?

WESTPHALEN
There's nothing we can do now -- except wait.

Lucas' dream

Lucas is walking down a hallway of the _seaQuest_. It is silent -- there is
no one around. Lucas starts searching through the boat, opening doors,
looking for someone, anyone, to talk to.

LUCAS
Hello? Anyone here?
(beat)
Is anyone around?

There's not another soul in sight. Lucas makes his way to the bridge,
hoping to find someone there. He arrives on the bridge and looks around.
Lights are flashing on the panels and everything is working. Lucas walks
over to a console and sees the keyboard moving as if someone were typing.
Lucas looks around, confused, but there's no one in the room.

BRIDGER
(V.O.)
Report, Mister Ortiz.

ORTIZ
(V.O.)
All systems check out, Sir. Everything's good here.

Lucas hears various voices all over the bridge, but he looks around and
sees no one there. The voices are disembodied. Suddenly, Lucas finds
himself back on the beach where he had been with Michaela. He starts
looking around, finding the place to be very quiet. He stares out into the
ocean until he hears a voice behind him.

MICHAELA
Hey, gorgeous.

Lucas turns around and sees the figure of Michaela standing behind him. Her
auburn hair is loose, gently framing her face as the soft breeze blows
through it. The breeze ruffles the folds of her white dress as she stands
before him, smiling. Lucas is almost afraid to touch her -- he's not sure
if he's seeing things. Michaela reaches out and gently touches his arm.
Lucas puts his hand over hers and that's when he realizes that she's really
there.

LUCAS
(whispering)
Hey there.

He embraces her, holding her close. Her warm breath tickles his ear.

MICHAELA
(softly)
Don't leave me, Lucas. I couldn't stand the pain. I couldn't bear the
heartache. I love you.

Lucas caresses her hair gently.

LUCAS
I won't leave you, I promise.
(beat)
I love you, too.

Lucas closes his eyes for a brief moment, still holding Michaela in his
arms. He feels a sudden, quick movement and he opens his eyes. Michaela is
nowhere in sight. There's no trace of her having even been there.

LUCAS
(calling)
Michaela! Michaela! Where are you?

Med Bay

A week later. Lucas is just slowly waking from the coma. He's not fully
conscious yet, but he's mumbling one word, repeating it over and over.

LUCAS
(very weakly)
Michaela. Michaela.

A young girl rushes into the room -- it's Michaela. She graps Lucas' hand.

MICHAELA
I'm right here, sweetheart. I'm not going anywhere.

Lucas still hasn't opened his eyes, but he's stopped mumbling and is now
smiling slightly.

MICHAELA
(trying not to yell too loudly)
Doctor Westphalen!

Westphalen walks over to Michaela and Lucas.

WESTPHALEN
(exhausted)
Yes, Michaela?

MICHAELA
I think that Lucas is coming around! He just kept repeating my name over
and over and once I answered him, he stopped and smiled.

WESTPHALEN
(smiling)
Well, that's certainly a good sign.
(checking his vital signs)
His vitals are still pretty weak, but I think I can venture to say that
he's not comatose anymore, just unconscious.

Michaela smiles and looks at Lucas. She brushes a stray hair from his
forehead, leans over, and gently kisses him on the forehead.

MICHAELA
(whispering)
You're going to be just fine, Lucas darling. You'll be fine.

Westphalen smiles at the young couple. Bridger enters the Med Bay, looking
like he hasn't slept for days. Westphalen sees Bridger enter and rushes
over to him.

WESTPHALEN
(excited)
I have wonderful news, Nathan! Lucas is going to be all right!

BRIDGER
(yawning)
Don't tease me, Kristin. You know how much I care about that boy.

WESTPHALEN
I'm not teasing, Nathan.
(retelling the story)
Michaela told me that she was just returning from the bathroom when she
heard Lucas calling her name. Weakly, but loud enough so she could hear
him. She rushed to his side and when she answered him, he smiled
(beat, smiling)
And I checked all of his signs. He should come out of this just fine.

BRIDGER
(worried)
What about...
(trailing off)
I mean, Lucas --

WESTPHALEN
Don't worry about that at the moment. We'll think of something once he's
regained consciousness.

Five days later, Lucas still hasn't regained consciousness, but he has
called out to Michaela several times, and occasionally, for Darwin,
O'Neill, Ortiz and Bridger. Ortiz walks into Med Bay, quietly. Michaela is
sleeping at Lucas' bedside.

ORTIZ
(gently putting a hand on Michaela's shoulder)
Michaela?

MICHAELA
Lucas?
(relaxing)
Oh, hi Miguel.

ORTIZ
Hi. I didn't mean to startle you.

MICHAELA
That's okay.

ORTIZ
How's he doing? Any change?

MICHAELA
No, not yet.

Ortiz pulls up a chair and sits down as O'Neill walks in. O'Neill looks at
Ortiz, silently asking if there has been any change. Ortiz slowly shakes
his head. O'Neill puts his hand on Michaela's shoulder supportingly. She
looks up at him, smiling slightly, and places her free hand on his,
meanwhile holding Lucas' hand with the other. Darwin swims by as Bridger
and Westphalen enter quietly.

MICHAELA
(softly)
Lucas, we're all here. Every one of us that you've called out to over the
past few days. Please, sweetheart. We all love you. We...

She breaks off, starting to cry. O'Neill squeezes her shoulder.

O'NEILL
(comforting)
Ssh. He'll be all right. Just calm down.

Michaela slowly stops crying. She places her other hand on top of Lucas's.
Lucas gently squeezes her hand and slowly opens his eyes, looking towards
the swim tubes.

LUCAS
(whispering)
Darwin?

Darwin squeals and the vo-corder translation answers.

DARWIN
Lucas awake!

WESTPHALEN
(sighing with relief)
Oh, thank God!!

LUCAS
(looking at Michaela)
Michaela?

MICHAELA
Yes, sweetie. It's me.

LUCAS
What's going on?

WESTPHALEN
(walking over to Lucas)
Just rest. You can talk later.

Sea Deck

Three weeks later. Lucas is gently petting Darwin. Ortiz and Michaela walk
in together.

ORTIZ
Lucas! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!

Lucas looks up at them and smiles. He stops petting Darwin and walks over
to them. Lucas puts an arm around Michaela's shoulder and kisses her on the
cheek.

LUCAS
I've been here talking to Darwin.
(beat, with a glance at his friend)
God, I've missed being able to see him.

ORTIZ
Well, you _were_ still pretty weak and Darwin would have only gotten you
overexcited.

MICHAELA
You ready for some dinner?

LUCAS
(making excuses)
I'm not really very hungry.

ORTIZ
(slowly growing angrier)
Damn it, Lucas! The reason you're so weak now is because you didn't eat in
the first place!
(beat, calming down, almost begging)
Please, Lucas. You _have_ to eat.

Michaela gives Lucas the "sad puppy-dog eyes" look.

MICHAELA
(begging)
Please? Please, honey? For me?

She gives him the puppy-doy eyes again.

LUCAS
(breaking down)
Oh, okay! Fine!
(beat, pulling Michaela closer)
You know I can't resist the puppy-dog eyes.

Mess hall

O'Neill and Hitchcock are sitting at a table, eating. O'Neill spots Lucas,
Michaela and Ortiz walking in and smiles. Hitchcock sees them as well and
eagerly waves them over. They walk over to the table. Lucas pulls out
Michaela's chair for her and pushes it in once she's sat down. Michaela
smiles up at him and he grins at her. Lucas sits down next to Michaela,
picks up his fork and starts eating. Everyone is watching him to make sure
he's okay. He looks at them with a reassuring smile and a general sigh of
relief falls over them.

Lucas' quarters

Three hours later. Lucas and Michaela are alone. Lucas is holding Michaela
in his arms.

MICHAELA
(sighing happily)
I thought I'd never get to feel your arms around me again.
(beat)
I thought I'd never get the chance to be with you, alone.

LUCAS
(grinning)
Well, here we are, alone, just you and me.
(he bends over her)
You're so beautiful, you know that?

Michaela puts her head into his lap and he gently strokes her auburn hair.

MICHAELA
(gently touching his cheek)
Mmm. You're not so bad yourself, gorgeous.

Lucas smiles at her and she returns the smile. He gently lays her on the
bed on her back, and lies on his side next to her, still holding her in his
arms.

LUCAS
It feels _so_ good to be able to hold you.

MICHAELA
There's no place I'd rather be
(smiling slightly)
Than here with you.

Lucas gently caresses her cheek and smiles at her. He gently kisses her
cheek and looks into her eyes. She pulls him toward her and tenderly kisses
him on the lips. Lucas sighs happily and holds her close. They lie there,
entwined in each other's arms until they both fall asleep.

Med Bay

Bridger and Westphalen are discussing Lucas' condition.

WESTPHALEN
He's getting stronger, but it'll take a while before he's completely back
to the vibrant teenager he used to be.

BRIDGER
(worried)
How long will that be?

WESTPHALEN
It depends. Every person's recovery is different.

BRIDGER
Are you sure we should allow him to be with Darwin...
(beat, unsteadily)
And with Michaela? They both get him rather...excited.

WESTPHALEN
I think that the both of them are doing a world of good for Lucas and are
only helping his recovery rather than hidnering it.

BRIDGER
True, he does seem to be getting better...

WESTPHALEN
He _is_ getting better. Slowly, but he's getting better.

Bridger looks relieved.

Lucas' quarters

An hour later. Ortiz quietly knocks on Lucas' door. He peeks his head in
and sees Michaela and Lucas sleeping in each other's arms. He smiles and
closes the door, trying not to make any noise. O'Neill approaches, smiling.

O'NEILL
(calling)
Hey, Miguel!

ORTIZ
Ssh. Lucas is asleep and it's the most adorable sight in the world.

O'NEILL
(confused, has Miguel gone "loco"?)
Lucas sleeping is adorable?

ORTIZ
Just look in the door.

O'Neill looks in and sees exactly what Ortiz saw.

O'NEILL
(smiling)
Awww. That _is_ cute.
(beat)
I'm just glad that he found someone like Michaela.

ORTIZ
Yeah, she's perfect for Lucas.

The two of them smile in the general direction of the door and quietly walk
down the hall. An hour later, Lucas wakes up and looks at Michaela, who's
still asleep. He tenderly brushes her hair away from her face and looks at
her.

LUCAS
(thinking)
She looks so peaceful. Almost like...an angel.

Lucas gently kisses Michaela on the cheek. He pulls back and looks at her.
He can't help himself and kisses her on the lips, gently. She wakes up and
looks directly into his eyes with a look that can only be described as
loving. SHe caresses his face with a touch so gentle, that he could barely
feel it. Their eyes lock and the light is reflected in Michaela's eyes.
Lucas' breath catches in his throat and he feels more in love with her at
that moment than he ever had before. He draws her towards him and kisses
her gently, but passionately. Lucas' hand goes from her cheek to her waist.
Michaela runs her hands through his hair and slides her hands down to
caress his back. They hold each other close, still kissing.

Launch Bay

Three days later. Lucas looks as happy and energetic as he was before he
got sick. He is hugging Michaela who has tears in her eyes.

LUCAS
C'mon, honey. Please don't cry.
(beat, whispering so no one else hears)
Or else I might start crying myself.

She smiles at him, but she still has tears in her eyes.

MICHAELA
I can't help it. I'm going to miss you so much.

LUCAS
I'm going to miss you too, sweetheart. But it's like I said, I promise I'll
come to visit on my next leave. I swear.

MICHAELA
Okay, as long as you promise...

She trails off, looking deeply into his eyes. She sees his sincerity and
hugs him tightly.

MICHAELA
I'd better go before I can't find the strength to leave.

She starts to head into the launch when Lucas grabs her arm. SHe looks at
him questioningly and he quickly pulls her towards him for one last kiss.
When they finally separate, she grins at him and quickly leaves. Lucas
looks after her longingly, smiling, but a single tear rolls down his cheek
as he watches the love of his life depart.

Fade to Black.

THE END
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copyright 1997 by Michelle Vincenti