"This hurts!" Richard Hall said as he walked out of the hospital.
"It's for your own good," Randy Heim said as he looked at it. "Next time, don't get shot."
"How was I to know Mr.. Stone would show up?" Richard asked. He looked at his cast.
"I agree with Richard," Brown said. "That was a surprise."
"Not really," Randy said as he passed a store. "Mr.. Stone is a slider. He followed us."
"I killed Mr. Stone on the last world," Brown said matter-of-factly.
Randy's eyes felt like they were going to fall out of his head. "You what?"
"Where is Melissa?" Brown asked. "I don't see her anywhere."
"Don't change the subject," Randy said as he faced Brown. "You just said you killed a person like it was something you do every day."
Brown stared at Randy. "Wouldn't be the first time since I stared this trip."
"Just the first time that one of the dead came back," Richard added. "Now...how did he...and am I in danger?"
"You always think about yourself," Randy said. "Speaking of which, what was Mr. Stone talking about you and Laura and our--"
"Oh, no! Not him!"
Randy stopped talking to Richard. He saw where Brown was looking. They were standing in front of a television store. There on the television was Daniel Peckin.
"This is Daniel Peckin for BNC News," Peckin came from the television set. "After months of searching, the heir of Clark Industries has been found. Thirty minutes ago, she finally married the heir fo the Price Cooperation after two years of speculation. Joel, go to the live footage!"
The screen changed to Melissa and some person that Randy recognized as Eric Price signing papers. Then it changed to them kissing to wedding music.
"And there you have it!" Peckin's face reappeared. "This is..."
"Oh..." Brown managed.
"Uh oh," Randy managed.
"I can't believe she landed someone in thirty minutes," Richard said. "You go, girl!" Randy glared at him. "What?"
WHAT IF YOU DISCOVERED NEW WORLDS WITHOUT LEAVING EARTH? YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT? MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND A WAY! NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE WAY HOME!
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 2
EPISODE 4: JUST CAUSE
"We're here," Richard announced as the taxi stopped in front of the mansion.
"You can put the newspaper down, Brown," Randy said beside Brown in the back. "We're here."
Brown put down the newspaper. "Fine. I just hope this is going to be simple."
"This? Simple?" Richard said from the front. "You're kidding, right?"
"No, I'm not," Brown said. "I don't want to waste too much time on this. I have some theories that I want to try out--"
"Leave it to you to be uncaring," Randy said.
"What I am is focused," Brown said. "That's something you should have been from the start."
"Hey!" Richard cut in. "Can we go save Melissa now?"
"You expect me to believe that?" the doorman asked. "You are obviously from the press and the couple will not--"
"They are not a couple!" Randy cut in. "Melissa is--"
"-married. Yes, we understand," Richard cut Randy off. "As a former married guy, I--"
"A what?" the doorman asked.
"I used to be married," Richard said. "I'm not now."
"Oh, really?" the doorman's eyes narrowed on Richard. "Okay. I tell you what. I'll go and get the couple."
With that, the doorman closed the door on the trio. Randy looked over at Richard.
"Why do I get the feeling that you just got us in trouble?" Randy asked Richard.
"You're paranoid," Richard replied.
"Someone's coming," Brown said.
The door opened again. This time, the doorman was not alone. He had two guards with him.
"Hold that one!" the doorman gestured to Richard. "He has admitted to committing a felony."
The guards were on Richard like super glue on a stick. Before he knew it, his face was against the grass on the ground.
"Hey!" Richard yelled. "I have a cast! Hello!"
"This is really not necessary," Brown said.
"I believe it is," the doorman said. "No one likes a felon...or his accomplices."
"You got it wrong!" Randy protested.
"I think not," the doorman said.
Brown stepped up to the doorman. "I think so. Does the name Maximillion Auturo mean anything to you? My family is very good friends with him. The Browns."
The doorman went pale. "The...Browns. As in the singer..."
"Yes, yes, him," Brown said with a roll of his eyes. "Trust me. You don't want a lawsuit for harassment, do you? You will let us see Miss Clark or I swear when Auturo's done with you you'll be a blistering idiot."
The doorman now looked like he was sick. "Oh...well...all right."
A white van headed down the lawn toward the group. As it got closer, Randy recognized it as the van for Gatehaven. He glared at the doorman.
"You called Gatehaven?" Randy accused.
"Well...uh...your friend committed a felony," the doorman answered, looking at Brown cautiously. "It's required by law."
"Tell them to go away," Randy instructed.
"I...I can't," the doorman said. "I could get arrested."
The van opened from the back. Two guys dressed in white came out with a straitjacket. They headed for the two guards and Richard.
"You mean...he has to go?" Brown asked.
"Uh...yes," the doorman said.
The men grabbed Richard up form the ground. He struggled with them to no avail.
"I'm not crazy!" Richard said. "Hey, Brown! Do something!"
Brown glared at the doorman. Then he looked at Randy. "I'm going with them. You, find Melissa and get out."
Brown gave the doorman one last glare. Then he ran after Richard.
"Lead the way," Randy said to the doorman.
Randy was in awe. The mansion was full of all kinds of expansive things. Price was wealthy. That was for sure. The doorman stopped in front of a set of double doors.
"They're in there," the doorman said. "Good day."
Randy didn't wait for the doorman to leave. He opened the door and walked in. He saw Melissa laughing Eric. Randy frowned at the scene. Eric was a part of a group of rich people who loved to slide. One of them, Sarah Weisschester-Carroll, wanted him dead along with every double he had.
"Am I interrupting?" Randy asked.
Melissa looked away from the blond man. Her face betrayed her relief at seeing Randy. She ran over to him and gave him a hug.
"Randy, you made it! I was worried!" Melissa exclaimed.
"Were you?" Randy challenged. "You and him seem to be just fine."
"Eric and I were just talking," Melissa said.
"Who is this, my love?" Eric Price asked as he stood up to join them.
"He's...part of my entourage," Melissa said as she let go of Randy. "He's one of my new ones."
"I really wish you wouldn't be so...huggy," Eric said. "It may have been right before, but we're married now."
"Come on," Melissa said. "We had a deal. I marry you so our companies could merge. I sign it over and we break up. It's in name only."
Eric grinned. "Of course."
"Can I talk to Randy alone?" Melissa asked.
"Of course," Eric said. He looked Randy over for a second. Then he left the room.
Randy looked over at Melissa. She was still looking at the door.
"Okay, what's going on?" Randy asked. "That was one of Sarah's sliders! Do you know how dangerous this situation is?"
"Eric's guards picked me up off the street while I was waiting for you guys," Melissa said. "My double had vanished before any of this. She was suppose to do this."
"Obviously for a good reason," Randy commented.
Melissa frowned. "I had no choice, Randy." She smiled. "Besides, look at this place! It's marvelous! We can stay here until the slide."
"I don't like this," Randy said. "If your double left, she must have h ad a reason. Maybe Eric has an agenda."
"Just because he has an evil double out there doesn't mean he's evil," Melissa said. "As a matter of fact, I have one out there. Do you think I'm evil?"
Randy frowned. "You should are quick to defend him?"
Melissa's eyes narrowed. "As I would anyone. What is with you? First, you're being all Mr. Macho on that one world because I wanted to hang with Richard. Now, you're doing it here. Did someone steal your brain?"
"I'm wondering the same thing about you," Randy replied.
Melissa looked away from Randy. He felt a little bit of his heart fall away. He started toward her to hug her, but Melissa backed away from him.
"It's just a simple business deal," Melissa said. "He'll let me out of the marriage after I sign the papers for the merger."
"There's just one problem with that," Randy said as he looked at her. "There's no such thing as a divorce here. Once you get married...it's forever. Eric can't divorce you."
Melissa's eyes lit up. "What?"
"Yeah," Randy continued. "If you even suggest it, they take you to Gatehaven. That's where Richard is at right now."
"What?" Melissa said again. She looked around the room. "We got to get out of here then."
Randy looked around the room with Melissa. "I'm open to suggestion."
At that moment, the double doors flew open. A dozen of reporters headed into the room. Daniel Peckin was leading the pack. Eric was right beside him with a sheet of paper.
"This is Daniel Peckin with an exclusive! After years of feuding, the corporations of Price and Clark are finally to merge." Peckin said into the camera. H e looked over at Randy and Melissa. He turned to Eric. "I thought you said she would look sexy."
Melissa's eyes narrowed. "I have to deal with HIM?"
"Get ready for your close-up, Mrs. Price," Joel the cameraman said happily.
Randy was pushed aside by Eric. He was about to deal with it, but the reporters beat him to it. They crowded around a table that Eric and Melissa stood at.
She looked at Randy. He saw the helplessness in her eyes. He could do nothing to calm her down.
"And that's all of the footage," Daniel Peckin said from the television. "Be sure to see Melissa Clark-Price's concert tonight for more of the union. Dancers in tight skirts! Special effects! Melissa in tights! See you there!"
"Oh, he never changes," Richard said in the lobby. "I wonder how long it'll take before Melissa decks him."
"Not very long I'm sure."
Richard looked away form the television. Brown walked over to him. Judging by the expression on his face, the news wasn't good.
"That bad, huh?" Richard asked.
"I can't reach him," Brown said. "I'll keep trying, but you'll have to stay here."
"What?" Richard said. "This is ridiculous!"
Brown nodded. "Yes, it is. However, that is how this world works. Now, you are going to have to be careful. I think that you could be attacked for being divorced."
"He's not."
Brown turned around. Richard looked behind him as well. He smiled at the woman who walked toward him. It was Nicole.
"Orderly!" Nicole yelled. "This is just a misunderstanding. my husband has been missing for a while, but we are still together and happy."
The orderly who had walked over to the trio looked at Richard. "Is this true?"
Richard grinned. "Yes, it is, sir." He put his arm around Nicole. "I had to clear my head a little, but I'm glad now."
"But--" the orderly said.
"I think that is enough," Brown cut him off. "You should let him go. Unless you want a lawsuit..."
"That was great!" Richard exclaimed. "'Unless you want a lawsuit...' Brown, you're brilliant."
"Well...I am, aren't I?" Brown said.
"So how about we go home, honey?" Nicole asked beside Richard. "We have so much to catch up on."
Richard grinned. "Oh, yeah! Brown, I'll meet you at the Dominion."
"Uh...really?" Brown frowned. "Maybe we should go and check on Melissa first."
"Melissa?" Nicole frowned. "Who's Melissa?"
" No one, babe," Richard coaxed. He glared at Brown. "I'll talk to you later. I'm sure 'the supercouple' is just fine."
"Sing?" Melissa shrieked. "They want me to sing? I can't sing!"
"There's got to be a way to get around this," Randy said as he sat on the couch.
"How about the front door?" Melissa said as she stopped the pacing she was doing. "I signed the paper. Eric doesn't really need me."
Randy shook his head. "Have you been blind? There are guards everywhere. I don't think you could make it out the front door."
Melissa frowned. "So I'm stupid now?"
"For someone who rags on Richard whenever he disses a world's culture, you sure do recreate his mistakes," Randy said.
"What about you?" Melissa asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Ever since we found Richard and Brown, you've changed."
"Changed?"
"In fact, we both have changed. Remember how we were? You used to be so into your inventions that no one could get your attention. I used to think this was fun." Melissa sat down next to Randy. "Not that I don't love you, but you lost your purpose."
Randy looked at Melissa. "And you?"
Melissa grinned. "I'm getting my groove back. Of course, Richard picked up on it before I did."
"Yeah...HIM."
Melissa grabbed Randy on both sides of his face. "Listen...I'm only going to say this once...I love you."
The door opened. Melissa turned away to see who it was. It was Eric.
"There's a Darnell Brown to see your friend," Eric said.
"We're on our way," Melissa said.
"Actually, we need to talk," Eric said. "I'm sure your friend will be fine without you."
Melissa looked over at Randy. His eyes told her he would be back. She grinned.
"I'll be back in a while," Randy said. He closed to the door behind him.
"He really loves you," Eric commented.
Melissa heard what he said. She just laughed.
"You're silly," Melissa said. "He's just part of my entourage."
"You don't have to lie to me," Eric said. "I know you love him, too." He sat down next to her. "That's why I won't let you near him again."
"What?" Melissa said in shock. "We had a deal."
"What deal?" Eric asked. "Oh, yeah. The merger. Well...I no longer need you."
Melissa could feel her eyes widening as the truth dawned on her. She started to jump off the couch. Eric grabbed her and pushed her back on it.
"You have two choices now," Eric said. "You can either be a good wife...or let me put you in Gatehaven for the rest of your life."
"You son of a--"
"I guess you should have thought of that before marrying me. You have no choice now. You can't unmarry me."
Eric released Melissa and headed for the door. He stopped at the last minute and turned around.
"If I was you, I'll be getting ready for that concert," Eric said. "It'll be your last."
Brown was totally surprised. No sooner had Egghead made it outside and they were heading down the lawn.
"Where exactly are we going?" Brown asked.
"We're going to find the real Melissa Clark," Randy said.
"What do you mean?" Brown asked. "Have things gone downhill since I left?"
"No," Randy answered. "I think Eric has an agenda. The sooner we find the real one, the sooner we can leave."
"Sounds like you're jealous," Brown commented.
"No, I"m not."
"Look around you, Heim. He can give Melissa the world. What can you give her?"
"Are you going to help me or not?" Randy glared at Brown.
"It'll give me something to do. So where do we start?"
"The library. We need more information. We need to figure out exactly when and how she disappeared."
"Rise and shine, honey."
Richard's eyes slowly opened. A smile started to cross his face. It was a nice homecoming. Nicole had been very, VERY happy to have him back. He was glad to be back with her even though it was a double.
Richard's eyes focused on Nicole's face. She was sitting on the end of the bed with a smile on her face. Richard smiled as he felt her hands tickling his toes.
"I haven't been sleep that long, have I?" Richard asked.
"Just an hour...or two," Nicole replied.
"What can I say? You tired me out," Richard said.
Nicole continued to grin. "So did you. Feel up to another round?"
Richard started to sit up in bed. He paused. He looked at his arms and found handcuffs on them. He stared at Nicole to find her laughing at him.
"God, Richard!" Nicole exclaimed. "I can't believe you came back to me. When you walked out on me, I was soooo beside myself. When I almost killed myself, I thought...how would I go on?"
Richard tried to move his legs. All he found was that they were tied down, too. Nicole crawled up to him and sat on his legs. The smile on her face was the look of a cat eating a bird.
"I just knew that if I found you again, honey," Nicole said, "that I was going to make your life a living hell."
Nicole reached over to the drawer. Richard saw what it was and tense up. After the torture Mr. Stone put him through, the last thing he needed was a tazer.
"You remember I use to be a nurse, right?" Nicole asked. "Funny what you can get in town these days."
"Uh...maybe we can talk about this, Nicole," Richard said as he felt sweat falling off his forehead.
"No more words, honey," Nicole said. "Now...we're going to see how great you can be with someone electrifying you every few minutes."
Nicole crashed up the tazer. Richard tried to move, but all he did was hurt the hand that had the cast.
"Uh...you wouldn't hurt a man with a cast, would you?" Richard asked.
Nicole grinned at him.
"Uh oh," Richard got out before Nicole brought the tazer down on his chest.
"Hmmm."
"Find anything?" Randy asked as he scanned through articles on the library computer.
"Actually, I just figured out an equation I want to use to get us home," Brown said as he looked up from the newspaper. "It's been avoiding me for the last two worlds."
"I thought you was helping," Randy spit out.
"I am...in my own way," Brown replied. "I'm not losing sight of our real goal: to get home."
"We're suppose to be trying to find the Melissa Clark of this world."
"And we will," Brown said. "If not...I'll get Melissa out of there."
"How?"
"Nothing that you need be concerned about."
Randy turned around to look at Brown. All he saw was a cold stare looking back at him.
"I'm sick of you saying that," Randy said. "There used to be a time that at I looked up to you. I would do anything for you. All of us did. Me. Bufford. Kims. I don't even know you now."
"Don't get all self-righteous with me," Brown shot back. "You are no saint. For a year, we slid around, but you never got us close to getting home. I will."
"Is that what this is to you?" Randy asked. "A battle of the brains? A kinda ' teacher vs student' thing? We don't have time for this. Melissa was right. We should be working together."
"I do not need your help," Brown said. "When I get ALL OF US home, you will see that at your way was just stupid. Anyone who gets in the way of us getting there...is expendable."
Randy just sighed sadly. "Okay...fine. Be Ahab. I'll also try ways to get us home, too. We'll see who gets us there first."
Brown grinned. "Sounds like a contest."
"Only because you made it that way," Randy shot back. He turned back around to his computer screen. "I think I might have found something. As you know, Melissa's a businesswoman. That's what Eric was interested in. However, Melissa tends to go on mini-tours or just totally vanishes."
"To where?" Brown asked.
"A cabin in the woods...I think," Randy replied.
"You think?" Brown said.
"Hey! I'm working with the info I have and theorizing," Randy replied. "She has land out of town. If you needed to get away, where would you go?"
Brown's forehead filled with wrinkles as he pondered what Randy said. He smiled.
"Can you get the address?"
"It's locked," Randy said as he tried the handle.
"The lights are on so I assume that someone is here," Brown said as he headed for a window.
Randy also headed for the window. "See anything?"
"I see...a figure...on the floor!" Brown exclaimed. "Come on!"
Brown ran for the door and kicked it in. Randy heard the splinter sound as the door gave way. He followed Brown into the cabin.
Randy looked around as he ran into the cabin. It looked like an ordinary cabin. He looked over at the couch where Brown had run pass.
Melissa's double was on the floor. Her face was pale and spit was falling from the side of her mouth. Brown felt the pulse in one of the arms.
"Is she..." Randy started.
"Yeah," Brown said. "Making our problem all the harder. Come on."
Randy gasped. "Are we just going to leave her here?"
Brown glared at him. "What would you like me to do? Tell authorities that a star they saw get married today offed herself when they're going to see her sing tonight? I think not!"
"But...Melissa can't sing, remember? She never could. We got to get out of here."
"You think?" Brown said sarcastically. He frowned. "I'm surrounded by idiots."
Brown stormed out the door without another word. Randy started after him. As he did, he couldn't help glancing at the body again. Nearby was a coffeetable. On the table was two half-empty glasses.
"Are you coming, Heim?" Brown asked annoyed.
"This wasn't a suicide," Randy mumbled.
"What was that?"
Randy looked at Brown. "We got to get to Melissa. Someone's going to try to kill her."
Melissa looked at the red evening gown she had on in the mirror. It was gorgeous. Eric may be a jerk, but he could buy anything.
A stray hair had fallen out of the bun her hair was in. melissa pushed it back. She needed to stop admiring herself in the mirror. She should be trying to get out of here.
"You like the dress then?"
Melissa turned around to see Eric entering the room.
"Yes," Melissa said, "I do."
"It does fit you well," Eric commented.
"Am I going to have to hit you?" Melissa challenged.
"You wouldn't make it to the front door," Eric said flatly.
Melissa felt her hands become fists. Eric just smiled.
"You really are the feisty one. I'll give you that much," Eric commented. "I really wish you would give me a chance. We could make beautiful music together."
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "You said it yourself. I'm in love with someone else."
"Yes," Eric nodded. "Someone who left you here when he should have been moving heaven and earth for you. Not much of a guy."
"He's more of a guy than you."
"Does...he give you everything you want?"
"Yes."
"You answered quickly there."
"Don't read into my words," Melissa threatened.
"Give me a chance."
"Give me room to breathe in."
"The...impression I get from your other man is that he doesn't allow you that."
Melissa glared at Eric. "That's so far from the truth that--"
"Really?" Eric cut Melissa off as he walked toward her. "Then why doesn't he allow you to have fun. Why doesn't he allow you to have fun. Why doesn't he allow you to indulge in a little...dress up?" He grabbed Melissa's hand and led her back to the mirror. "I know you love the dress. I...could allow you the freedom to do as you please...if you'll let me."
"Don't you mean if I let you treat me like your wife?" Melissa asked as she looked away from the mirror and stared at Eric.
"What I mean," Eric said as he put his hands on Melissa's cheeks, "is that I will give you your room to breathe in. All you have to do...is let me."
Eric kissed Melissa before she could push him away.
The door opened. Melissa pulled away to see who it was. It was the doorman leading in a shocked looking Randy and Brown.
"I apologize, sir," the doorman said, "but the young man insisted and-"
"It's alright, Tim," Eric said. "I changed my mind." He turned to look at Melissa. "Sarah and Eve will be here in a while. I know you dislike them, but you have to play nice for appearance's sake." He turned for the door. As he left with Tim, Melissa saw the glare on Randy's face.
"It is good to see that you are still among the living, Melissa," Brown said as he ran to hug her.
"Of course," Melissa said. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"We found your double on this world," Brown explained. "The victim of a suicide, I believe. Heim believes there's more to it."
"Murder you mean?" Melissa said. "Who do you think did it?"
"The only suspect I can think of is Price," Brown said. "Of course, I still think it's a suicide."
"You're probably right," Melissa agreed. "I don't see Eric doing that."
"Was that before or after his kiss?" Randy asked. "You two seem so cozy."
"I didn't kiss him," Melissa said. "He kissed me."
"He looks safe to me," Randy said to Brown. "Do you want to check on Richard? I'm sure he'll get a kick out of this."
Melissa felt her hands tightened into fists. "Hey! I'm a prisoner here."
Randy looked Melissa up and down. "It doesn't look like it to me."
" Why don't you believe me?" Melissa asked. "You know-"
"Know what? That you love me?" Randy asked. The words sounded bitter to Melissa. "Right now, I don't believe a thing you say."
Melissa stared at Randy in shock. She finally released her fists. "You know what? We been doing this trust thing for several worlds now. You don't seem to have enough in us at all. I can't be with a guy who is as insecure as you are. You want us to be over. It's done, Randy. Happy now?"
"Don't do me any favors," Randy said.
"Asshole," Melissa muttered as she headed for the door. She slammed it behind her.
"Uh...you still want to find Richard?" Brown asked Randy.
Richard's eyes opened slowly. He remembered where he was and snapped awake. He looked around to see that Nicole had untied his legs.
"Oh! You're up!"
Nicole walked out of the kitchen with a smile on her face. Richard shrank away from her presence.
"Don't worry, honey," Nicole said as she sat on the bed beside Richard. "I'm not going to do anything...for now."
"Thank God," Richard said.
"No. Thank me," Nicole said. "I got a few errands to run. After that...I'm going to have a surprise for you."
Richard felt his stomach turn at the idea. A surprise from a sicko?
"Why are you doing this?" Richard asked.
"Why?" Nicole asked. She laughed bitterly. "You even have to ask?" She glared at Richard for a second. Then she sighed. "Fine. I'll play."
"Do you remember our wedding day?" Nicole asked. "It was a lovely service, and I had this lovely lace gown, and...anyway...we made vows to each other. For better or worse. We talked days before that. you were so sure you wanted this. We couldn't unmarry if we realized we weren't right for each other. I even stuck with you when you...
"What I'm trying to say is...if you had a doubt...why did you marry me?"
A tear fell down Nicole's cheek. Richard saw it and wished he could rub it away. Crazy double or not, he couldn't stand to see Nicole hurting.
"You broke my heart," Nicole cried.
"I'm sorry," Richard managed.
Nicole wiped her tears away. She smiled again. "A little too late, honey. I got to go, but we're have fun later."
Nicole headed for the door. She glanced at Richard for a second. He saw another tear was starting to form. He looked away from her as she shut the door.
Richard looked at the cuffs on his hands. He had to get out of there, but how? As he realized that the head of the bed was made of wood, he got an idea.
"Melissa, darling! It is sooo nice to see you can take time off from touring to get married! Give a hug to your old friend Sarah!"
Melissa walked over slowly. She knew this was only a double of Sarah Weisschester-Carroll, but she felt no better. The last time they had met, she was aiming a gun at Randy. She hugged her anyway.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked. "You seem to be in a horrible mood. Are you and Eric already having problems?"
"No," Melissa replied. "Eric has been...good."
"I bet he has."
Sarah's smile turned into a glare as she heard that sentence. Melissa turned around to see the speaker. She also glared.
"Hello, Eve," Melissa said flatly.
"Eve," Sarah said simply.
"Wow! I can feel the love in this crowd!" Eve Albright said.
"If you get the feeling that you're not wanted here," Sarah said, "maybe you should go with it and leave."
"And miss hitting on Robert?" Eve asked. "Perish the thought."
"If you go near Robert-" Sarah started.
" Is everything okay here?" Eric asked as he walked over to the women.
"Yes," Eve replied. "Just girl talk. Nothing more." She looked at Melissa. "Looks like you won him after all. Congrats."
Eve walked off without a word. Melissa looked after her as she left. Sarah's double may be nice, but Eve's was like the original.
"Good luck on your performance," Sarah said. Then she was gone.
"Eve isn't giving you a hard time, is she?" Eric asked.
"Nothing I can't handle," Melissa said.
"She always was a sore loser," Eric said. "I thought she would stop this rivalry by now. I chose you after all."
"She loves you?" Melissa asked.
Eric laughed. "Eve doesn't know the meaning of the word."
"And you do?"
"Yes."
"Excuse me...wasn't this marriage built on..."
"Shh!" Eric whispered. "The media probably has this room buged six ways to Sunday."
"Mr. Brown! Mr. Brown! How do you feel about the death of Rembrandt-"
"Get out of my way!" Brown hissed at Daniel Peckin.
Melissa saw Brown heading toward her. He had managed to find a tux since she had saw him last. She also saw that Randy wasn't with him.
"Brown! You made it!" Melissa cried. She hugged him. "And you smell nice."
"Thank you," Brown said. He looked around the ball room. "You seem to have attracted quite a crowd."
"You have no idea," Melissa replied. "Eric, could you give me something to drink?"
Eric walked off to get a glass. Melissa sighed in relief. Brown frowned.
"I can't believe you are going through with this," Brown said. "How are you singing if you can't sing?"
"Well...me and Tim made a deal," Melissa said with a smile. "I'll be lip-synching."
"I'm sure that's going to cause a scandal," Brown muttered.
"As if dealing with Eve and Peckin aren't bad enough."
Brown's eyes widened. "Eve?"
Melissa nodded. "And Sarah's too. If we had Peter and Randy here it would be a dark slider reunion."
"Do you want Heim's here?" Brown asked.
Melissa felt like kicking herself. She should have never brought up his name.
"You know what?" Melissa said. "Let's just try to enjoy tonight. Then we can get out of here."
"Good idea," Brown said. "Since Randy's theory seems unfounded anyway, we should have more fun."
Randy knocked on the door. He had had to look through a lot of names in the phone book. Eventually he got this address.
He had to hurry. Granted, he and Melissa weren't together now. He still wanted to watch over her in case someone was going to try to murder her.
Randy knocked again. He could hear a thumping sound from inside. It sounded like something hitting a wall.
"Hello?" Randy called out.
The thumping increased inside the house. Suddenly, a loud crash ran through the house. Randy stepped away from the door. His foot shot up and he kicked the door in.
Randy stepped through the door and into silence. He walked into the living room. There was no one there.
Sudden movement from the left grabbed Randy's attention. He looked and saw nothing. He went over to the opened door where he had seen movement. He walked into the room and frowned.
"What happened to you?" Randy asked.
Richard glared at Randy as he sat on the floor. His hands were handcuffed to a bed frame.
"Could you just help me for once?" Richard asked.
Brown headed back to the back. Melissa was nervous and needed a slice of cake from the buffet. Of course, she could not get it. He volunteered to get her one.
"I think I found the perfect..." Brown started. He stopped.
Tim was knocked out on Melissa's dressing room floor. Blood was coming ouf of the cut in his forehead.
"Oh," Brown managed.
He turned around to head back out the door to warn someone.
He met the butt of a gun instead.
Melissa headed back to her dressing room. She had stepped outside to get a breath of air. Now she was ready to deal with the lip synching.
She opened the door and walked right in. She saw Tim's body and stopped.
"Oh my God!" Melissa gasped.
A body fell down beside her. She looked to find it was Brown.
"Now, bitch, you're going to pay for taking what was mine."
Melissa knew that voice. She turned around to find a gun aimed at her.
Randy looked through the room of people milling about. Melissa was nowhere to be seen. There was no sign of Brown either. However there were cameras everywhere.
"See them?" Randy asked Richard.
"No sign of them whatsoever," Richard said. "Maybe Melissa's getting ready. You really think someone's trying to kill her?"
"Maybe," Randy said. "Brown thinks differently."
"Maybe he's right."
"You would say that," Randy shot out. "I thought you cared about Melissa."
"I do!" Richard replied. "I trust Brown's judgement."
"Even when he kills people?"
"It was necessary. You wouldn't understand. You were too busy sitting on your-"
"Randall? Randall Heim?"
Randy turned away from Richard. He jumped away from Sarah Weisschester-Carroll. She frowned at Randy.
"Is something wrong?" Sarah asked. "I know I haven't returned your calls, but...you know how Robert can be."
"Uh...hi," Randy said as he calmed down. It was just her double. "How...are things?"
"Fine," Sarah said. "Have you seen the host of this party by chance?"
"This is Daniel Peckin here and we have Sarah Weisschesster-Carroll here with another exclusive! She has one of her rumored boy toys with her!"
Sarah's smile became a frown. "What?"
"Not again!" Richard yelled at the sight of Daniel Peckin. "Is there nothing you won't do for a story?"
"Hey! Are you the guy with the nymho sisters?" Pecking asked. "Oh my God! Are they here?"
"Have you seen Eric Price at all?" Sarah asked Randy as Peckin focused on Richard.
Randy shook his head. "I'm also looking for him."
Sarah just shook her head. "He's probably off with Eve. I hope he isn't cheating on Melissa with her."
Randy frowned. "So do I. She deserves better."
"You would think Eve would just accept that she lost, but no!" Sarah said. "I wouldn't put anything pass her."
Randy looked at Sarah. "How about...murder?"
"I'm about to punch you if you don't get that camera out of my face!" Richard yelled.
"Joel, ignore him," Peckin said to his cameraman. Then he turned back to Richard. "But you look very familiar."
"I doubt it," Richard said. "I don't hang with-"
"Nicole Harris's trial back in '98!" Peckin yelled in trimuph. "That was one of my best picks! It made Jerry Springer seem tame with all the backstabbing you did to that girl! I thought you left the country?"
Richard moved away from Peckin. "No comment."
"Of course, you couldn't unmarry poor Nicole though. You would be jailed in a New York minute," Peckin continued. "Then you attempted to use the 'Just Cause' clause in court. What the hell were you thinking? Then your history came otu. All the lovers...Stacey Kearns...Jenny Matthers...Madonna....Melissa Clark....maybe you're here to spark a fire?"
Richard faced Peckin. "Why don't you..." He stopped. "Did you say...I slept with Melissa Clark?"
"Are you high or something?" Peckin asked. "Given her and Eve Albright's rivalry over Price, that nugget of info rivals your fling with Madonna in court."
Richard opened his mouth to talk. No words came out of it though. Instead, he ran through the crowd.
He had to find Melissa...quick. Randy had been right all along. Someone was trying to kill Melissa.
"Can't we just talk about this?"
"Get on the ledge."
Melissa stepped onto the ledge. Her gown was being pulled by the wind. She fought against it.
Melissa turned to face her assassin. She was used to someone like Rebecca Pryce holding her at gunpoint. It was a totally different story when the person holding the gun was Nicole Harris.
"I'll give you this, honey," Nicole said. "You sure are a hard person to kill. I thought that poison would do you in. I guess I was wrong." She pulled back the trigger. "Time to correct my mistake."
"This isn't what it looks like," Melissa said. "I'm not Melissa Clark. I'm not the one you know."
Nicole corked her head. "Oh, really? Who are you then?"
"I'm from a parallel Earth."
"That's new."
"It's the truth!"
"You want the truth?" Nicole spit out. "The truth is that you broke up my marriage. I had a great job...sexy husband...then you had to be at that benefit! You had to play games. You didn't....you both thought I wouldn't be at home until late. YOU!"
Melissa saw Nicole's face go dark as she bared her teeth in a yell. She caught herself though and smiled.
"No more tears," Nicole said. "Out of all his mistresses, you were his favorite. I know your suicide will break his heart. Then, honey, we'll be even."
"I'm sorry, about your husband, but it wasn't me," Melissa said.
"Whatever, dear," Nicole said. "Turn around."
Melissa turned around. She looked down. It was a high height to jump. If she jumped, she was dead.
"Jump," Nicole demanded.
"Please...don't do this," Melissa begged.
"No more words," Nicole said. "Time for your swan dive."
Melissa looked back at Nicole. She stood behind Melissa gesturing with her gun. As she picked up one fist, she thought about Randy and wished she had not argued with him.
"Jump," Nicole said.
"Nicole!"
Melissa turned around to see Nicole turn around. Richard emerged from the shadows. Behind him was Brown and Randy.
"Put the gun down," Richard said.
"Why?" Nicole challenged.
"You got the wrong person!" Randy yelled out.
"Egghead, shut up!" Richard hissed. He looked at Nicole again. "Listen to me, Nicole. She isn't to blame. She's not even from this world."
Nicole laughed. "She's tried that one, honey. Try again."
"It's the truth, woman," Brown said. "It's called a-"
"I'm not going to listen to your lies!" Nicole barked. "You're just trying to protect her."
"Don't shoot her," Randy said. "I love her."
"Love? She didn't love you when she slept with him," Nicole spit out.
"Wrong people, babe," Richard said. "I'm a different Richard and that's the wrong Melissa."
"You know what?" Nicole asked. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the problem wasn't Melissa." She aimed the gun at Richard. "Maybe it was you!"
"Excuse me?"
Nicole turned around. Melissa was right behind her with a right hook. The gun flew out of her hand and landed at Richard's feet. Melissa stared down at Nicole.
"Could someone explain what's going on?" Melissa asked.
"Are you sure you don't need a cast, too?" Richard asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Melissa said. "Do you want another one?" She turned to the officers. "That's everything, sire...uh...ma'am."
"So what happens to her?" Richard asked.
" I think there's a room at Gatehaven with her name on it," the officer replied. "You have a good night."
As the officer left, Eric ran over to hug Melissa. He started to kiss her, but she blocked his face.
"No," Melissa said. "I thank you for everything, but I'm not going to fall in love with you."
Eric corked an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
"Yes." Melissa left without another word.
"She's quite a woman," Eric commented.
"Oh, yeah," Richard agreed. "Melissa is no one's property. I don't see what she sees in Egghead."
"Nothing now," Eric replied. "They've broke up."
Richard looked at Eric with a smile. "Did you say broke up?"
"Randy?"
Randy turned around to see Melissa coming out the front door. She sat beside him on the front stairs. He stared at her.
"You do realize that we're going to have to sneak out of here, right?" Randy asked.
"Yeah," Melissa answered. "You do know that Eric asked me to love him?"
"Yeah."
There was a pause for a second.
"You know we can't get back together?" Melissa said finally.
"Why?" Randy asked. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Melissa said. "You're my rock. You have been since we started sliding. You need to grow though. This insecurity you have...you're letting it change you into someone I don't like."
Randy gave no reply. He just turned away from her. He felt her eyes on him.
"I have to be honest, too," Melissa continued. "Eric thought that you were soffcating me. I think he was right."
"What does he-"
"I need some space, Randy. I think....I need to explore for a while...enjoy this ride a little. If we're meant to be..."
Randy felt a hand on his shoulder. He felt tears start to well up in his eyes. He wanted to grab Melissa in his arms and never let go.
"Don't fall for Richard," Randy finally said.
The hand on his shoulder stiffened up. Then it left. There was no response for a few moment.
The wind picked up. At least, Randy thought it had. He turned around to see Melissa walking up the stairs.
"Melissa-" Randy started. She turned to look at him. The sadness in her eyes was apparent.
"I can't promise that," Melissa said.
She walked back into the house.
Randy looked after her for a while. He hoped that she would come back out. He hoped that they could still talk. He hoped that they could get back together.
Thirty minutes later, there was no reason to hope for that. Randy just gave up and let the tears start to flow.
THE-END
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