Disclaimer: I don't own Lucas, seaQuest or anything else. No money was made from this.
Rated: PG.
Notes: A good-bye to a friend.
For AT: I miss you
The sky shone a brilliant blue, white clouds spotted it here and there, adding to the brilliance of the day instead of detracting from it. The sea swelled gently against the almost blindingly white sand, lapping against the young man's feet as he slowly made his way up the beach.
No one was there to see the tears slowly wind their way down his cheeks, or to see him hurriedly brush them away. They continued to course down his cheeks as the boy turned onto a dilapidated dock stretching out into the sea. It creaked as he sauntered down its length until he reached the end and stood, staring blankly out towards the horizon. The lonely cry of a seagull sounded from high above, somehow managing to match Lucas' mood.
Suddenly, he collapsed to the dock, his legs dangling over the edge as he leaned over and hugged himself against the barrage of emotions threatening to tear him apart. He began to rock back and forth as the tears started to fall with a fervor, stealing his breath before he even had a chance to get it.
"Why," he cried into the still air. "Why did she have to die? It's not fair!" Sobs gripped his small frame as the teenager stared out the water, the tears in his eyes shimmering the water more than the waves ever could. He thought back to his first meeting with her, how kind she'd been to the new kid and how her wicked sense of humor had brought him through some very dark times.
Sure, they had a relationship through e-mail mostly, and they'd never met face to face, but their friendship had transcended the need to "see" each other. She'd been his best friend, the person he could call at any time just to talk, or to gripe with when something didn't work out the way it was supposed to. She'd let him cry on her shoulder when his family had almost become too much to deal with, and when he thought the world was ending she'd managed to pick him up with a few words.
Hell, most of the time what they'd needed to say had to each other was simply understood. They were so similar in mind and ideas that at times it was almost scary. They'd loved it. Like finding the person who would help out no matter what was wrong, who'd lay down anything just to make sure the other one was okay.
He'd gotten sick once and hadn't been able to contact her for a month except to say he was still living. She'd sent him cards and stories to keep him busy and her constant observations about mutual acquaintances had had him in hysterics at one point.
Through the time they'd known each other, it hadn't been quite so bleak in his world, and Lucas knew a very important light in his life had just been extinguished. He felt as if a hole had been torn from his heart and he wasn't ever going to get it back. Why did it have to be her? Why did the good ones have to be the ones to die?
Lucas sighed as the tears finally started to slow and his breath came in hitching gasps. He brought his knees up and wound his arms around his legs, resting his head on them. He squinted up into the sky, staring straight at the sun, as if willing it to burn him away before he had to feel anymore.
He didn't get his wish. The sun continued to sail across the sky until its long rays began to turn the sky different colors, and Lucas knew it was time to get going. He'd promised himself the day to say good bye to her. She'd want him to get on with things, but to never forget her...and he never would. She was one of the bright lights that can never be fully put out, and he knew she'd forever be in his heart. They see each other again.
Standing and taking one last look at the fading sun, Lucas spoke from his heart: "Good-bye AT, I'm glad you were my friend. I love you." The sun continued to sink down behind the horizon as the boy slowly made his way back up the beach.
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