"8 on Black!"
  "Ahhh!" Isabel Winters shrieked.
  Jared Heim watched Isabel laugh. As the dealer pushed the chips in Isabel's direction, Jared smiled. It had been a while since he had had fun. It was needed after the last few weeks.
  "I can't believe you did it, man."
  Jared turned around. Richard Hall stood behind him, his long brown hair in a ponytail. He frowned at Jared. Jared frowned right back. He knew where this conversation was going.
  "Isabel," Richard said. "Isabel. Isabel."
  "What? What? What?!" Jared said.
  "She left you to die," Richard said. "So shag up with her."
  Jared shrugged his shoulder. "What can I say? Great in the sack. And it was either that...or Melissa? Not many girls on this slide. And I love you, man, but I'm not gay."
  "Neither am I," Richard said. "And Melissa's taken."
  "Didn't stop her from kissing Randy, did it?"
  Jared turned around. Isabel stood behind him, her arms full of chips. It didn't stop her from giving Richard the evil eye. Jared looked at Richard. He smirked.
  "At least she didn't kill me...or try to," Richard replied.
  "No, that would be Randy...am I right?" Isabel shot back.
  "I think I liked her when she was a barmaid," Richard said to Jared.
  "Where is your better half?" Isabel asked.
  "Getting the others," Richard said. "Cash out your chips. It's about time to slide."

  "Okay...done."
  Randy Heim opened his eyes. Ethan sat across from him. He no longer had scruffy jet-black hair. He had gotten it cropped off. All he would need was a goatee and he would be like all his other doubles. Well, that and...
  Randy shook his head, letting the idea die down. He was enjoying having someone who he didn't have issues with. A friend. He didn't want to wreck it.
  "How do I look?" Randy asked.
  Ethan smiled. "Cool. We could be brothers."
  Randy stood up and looked in the wide mirror behind the mirror. He had had dark brown braids for months. Now his head was cropped off as well.
  An arm wrapped around his shoulder. He flinched a bit. He turned. It was Ethan, grinning at the barber.
  "So...how much do I owe you?" Ethan asked.
  Randy relaxed. He knew this Ethan wasn't like his doubles. He wasn't--
  "There you are! It's time--"
  There was a pause. Randy turned to look at the barbershop entrance. Melissa Clark stood in the door. She looked at the scene with a look of surprise etched on her face. Randy moved away from Ethan and approached her.
  "What's up?" Randy asked.
  "Uh," Melissa managed, "Quinn says it's time." She turned, curly black hair tossing behind her. "Best get a move on."
  Melissa exited quickly. Randy looked after her. He was sure of what she was thinking.
  Ethan shot up beside him. He patted Randy on the shoulder.
  "Let's go," Ethan said.
  "Yeah," Randy said, frowning.

  Richard Hall landed sharply. So sharply was it that he managed to get a sharp yell from the person he landed on. The wormhole closed behind him. He looked down and met the hostile eyes of Jared Heim.
  "Get...off...me," Jared said.
  Richard smirked. "Sorry." He stood up, grabbing Jared at the same time. "Where are..."
  Richard paused. They were in a courtyard. Several skyscrapers surrounded the sliders. What was weird about it was people walked back and forth...and no one batted an eye at the seven travelers who just popped in out of thin air.
  "Well," Richard said. "Definitely not home."

WHAT IF YOU COULD LEAVE YOUR WORLD? WHAT IF YOU COULD SLIDE TO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION? PLACES WHERE YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT?

A WORLD WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IS IN FULL SWING?

OR

A WORLD WHERE EVOLUTION TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN AND EVERYONE HAS POWERS?

OR

A WORLD WHERE YOU ARE A SECRET AGENT?

FIVE YEARS AGO, MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND THE GATEWAY. NOW...ALL WE WANT IS TO GO HOME.

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 6
EPISODE 11: DIE ALREADY

  Jared looked around with the others. The various people continued to walk around or past them. He looked over at the man with the timer: Quinn Mallory.
  "Any ideas what's going on?" Jared asked.
  "Yeah, Q-ball," Rembrandt Brown said, standing next to Quinn, "what's up? This is starting to get creepy."
  Quinn turned to look Rembrandt. "The timer is working fine...this time. We're not--"
  "Are you sure?"
  Jared looked over at Randy Heim. He stood next to his friend Ethan. Jared turned to Quinn. Quinn glared at Randy.
  "Yes, Randy," Quinn said, "I'M sure."
  "And what is that suppose--" Randy started.
  "Hey!" Rembrandt yelled, stepping in-between the two scientists. "We can do this at the Dominion."
  "Jared?"
  Jared frowned. He knew that voice. It turned around...and met green eyes. They belonged to Miashuyhi Kims. She smiled as she saw him, running forward and grabbing him in a giant hug.
  "Oh my God!" Kims exclaimed. "When Dru told me about the news report...you...your brother...your family...vanished into a wormhole...," She paused. She looked at him again. "I'm just..." She hugged him tighter.
  Jared frowned. On the good side, his double on this world knew Mia. Good.
  Jared saw everyone's eyes were on him. they looked surprised. He saw something else in Randy's eyes. Quinn's as well.
  "'Vanished into a wormhole...,'" Quinn uttered.

  Richard fell onto the bed. He released a sigh of relief. Let the Eggheads debate. The last world had been fun to max. A world full of casinos, showgirls, and decadence. He turned over on the bed. He frowned.
  "Shouldn't you be following behind Jared?" Richard asked.
  Isabel stood in the door, her arms over her chest.
  "He can handle his own," Isabel replied.
  "Not for long it looks like," Richard shot back.
  Isabel glared. Richard smirked. He sat up on the bed.
  "Why are you even still here, Izzie?" Richard asked. "Don't you know no one wants you here?"
  "Jared does," Isabel said. "And I bet that just bothers everyone. Oh, well. Get over it. I'm not going anywhere until I'm good and ready."
  "And that would be when?"
  Richard looked past Isabel. Isabel turned as well. Melissa stood next to her, frowning.
  "I see you two want some alone time," Isabel said. "I'll leave you to it."
  Isabel left the hotel room. Melissa glared after her. After a moment, she shut the door.
  "She has an agenda," Richard said.
  "No doubt," Melissa said. "Wonder if she has a tracker on her."
  Richard stood up. He grabbed Melissa in his arms and kissed her.
  "Probably," Richard said. "So...what's the verdict?"
  "You couldn't keep them from Randy's double's house if you tried," Melissa said. "Randy and Quinn are on their way now. Rembrandt went to referee. Ethan went because Randy went..."
  "And Jared's with Kims," Richard said, holding Melissa tighter. "Ignoring Isabel, we're all alone. Let's--"
  "Randy sure is hanging around with Ethan a lot," Melissa said, moving away from Richard.
  Richard frowned. The last thing he wanted to talk about was the Egghead. He walked up behind Melissa. He held onto her shoulders.
  "And this is a bad thing?" Richard asked. "Just shows he doesn't need you to take care of him."
  "It's just--"
  "Sssssh!" Richard said. "I'm trying to be seductive here. You're wrecking it."
  Melissa giggled. "Bringing out the big words."
  Richard gave her a lopsided grin. "Is it working?"
  Melissa leaned in and kissed him. "What do you think?"
  Richard grinned. Then he grabbed Melissa up in his arms. He kissed her as he carried her over to the bed, his mind on nothing but her.

  Randy looked out of the window as the taxi drove down the street. His mind was on the destination. Kims had mentioned that his double had slid his whole family out. That meant his double knew about sliding. His machine might be able to be constructed to get them home...
  He looked over at Quinn. Quinn sat over by the other window. He looked like he was also lost in thought. No surprise since he had taken over as de facto leader of the sliders due to his distrust of Randy.
  Randy narrowed his eyes on Quinn. He would show him. He would show all of...
  "Now, now..."
  Randy looked at Rembrandt. He sat between both of them. Rembrandt frowned at him like a teacher who had discovered her favorite student passing a note in class.
  "What?" Randy asked.
  "Glaring isn't going to help anyone," Rembrandt said. "We're in this together."
  "We are at least," Quinn muttered.
  Randy glared at him. "If I was truly out for myself, you wouldn't have the timer."
  "You think you can take it from me?" Quinn challenged, looking at Randy.
  Randy leaned past Rembrandt. "I know I can."
  "You son--"
  "Hey!"
  Randy looked at the passenger seat. Ethan looked at the scene.
  "I don't know Russian," Ethan said, "but I think the driver said this is our stop...what's left of it."
  "What's left...," Randy uttered.
  Then he looked out of his window. The words died in his throat.
  Where a house should be...where on his Earth he lived with his roommate Ben...was a giant hole.

  Jared just looked at her. Granted his Kims preferred short hair, he loved her long black hair. Even though Kims and he had never made it official, he knew that Ethan and Dru knew they were together.
  Kims looked at him from across the table where they sat.
  "What?" Kims asked, frowning.
  Jared shook his head. "Nothing."
  "That wasn't nothing," Kims said.
  "Just...it's been a while."
  Kims nodded. "Yeah. It has." She looked down at her hands. "I didn't think you would forgive me at all."
  Jared frowned. "Forgive you?"
  Kims looked up. "Yeah. For being with another..." She looked around. She leaned in. Jared followed suit. "...guy. Or the fact he had...it."
  "It?" Jared muttered.
  Kims frowned. "Yeah. It. What's wrong with you?"
  "Uh...nothing," Jared said. He managed a smile. He reached for her hand. "Listen. It's all--"
  Kims's eyes widened as his hand laid on her hand.
  "What are you doing?" Kims asked.
  "What?" Jared asked.
  "Look around you."
  Jared looked around the cafe. He saw their hand touching had picked up quite an audience. He wondered why.
  Then he saw why. They were surrounded by groups or couples. And each group was full of the same gender. So were the couples. He and Kims stood out.
  "Great," Jared muttered.
  Kims stood up. "Come on."
  "What?" Jared managed.
  Kims headed for the cafe entrance. Jared followed suit. He definitely saw glares shooting their way.
  "What was that about?" Jared demanded as they walked down the street.
  "They're big hetrophobes," Kims said. "Think everyone has it."
  "It?" Jared muttered.
  Kims stopped, rolling her eyes. "AIDS, Jared."

  Jared opened the door to the Dominion Hotel. He had dropped Kims at the studio she stayed at., Still his head was spinning from what she said.
  "Look at you."
  Jared saw Isabel on the couch. She stood up. He rolled his eyes and headed for the elevator.
  "Nothing to say?" Isabel asked, following behind him.
  "Leave me alone," Jared said icily.
  "Funny. That's not what you were saying--"
  "Sssh!" Jared hissed, turning around to face her.
  He looked about the lobby. Gomez Calhoun sat at the counter, reading a magazine. There were a few couples in the lobby. They appeared oblivious, but that didn't mean they were.
  Isabel tilted her head. "What? Is it a crime to mention sex on this world?"
  Jared pushed the elevator button. It immediately opened. He dotted in, turning to face her.
  "It is if you're straight," Jared replied. "Coming?"
  Isabel jumped into the elevator. "You know me. I love an element of danger. So did you...once."
  The elevator door started to close. At the last moment, a hand shot into the doors. They reopened. Jared stared at the ladies in front of them. His eyes widened.
  "You!" Jared exclaimed.

  Randy stepped out of the taxi. He felt bitterness threatening to blast out. He resisted it.
  "Randy, wait."
  Randy turned around. Etan got out of the taxi. He walked over to him.
  "It's a setback," Ethan said. "Chill, man."
  "I don't know," Randy said. He looked over at the taxi where Quinn was getting out as Rembrandt paid the taxi driver. "The idea of being away from a few people was looking like a real possibility."
  Quinn looked at Randy. His forehead wrinkled up. Randy glared right back at him.
  "Now you want to kill people--" Quinn started.
  "I didn't say that," Randy said. "However, there's a little Egghead who's about to get his ass k--"
  "Hold it!" Rembrandt cut in, as the taxi drove off. "To your corners, geniuses. All of our hopes were up. I guess that means you two can--"
  "I don't think so, Remmy," Quinn said.
  "And why is that, 'Q-ball?'" Randy challenged.
  Quinn glared at him. He looked like he was about to explode.
  "Call me crazy," Quinn said, "but I seem to recall a few worlds ago, I was captured. Tortured. Forced to watch...your sister choose between someone I know and a double. A sister who was mad at something your double did."
  "And Randy feels sad about that," Ethan said, stepping up. "Give him a break."
  Quinn looked at Ethan. "Uh...no." He looked at Randy. "There are too many people after us. Too many people counting on us to stay alive. Too many."
  Randy turned around. He stormed away.
  "Randy!" Ethan yelled.
  Randy's feet started running. His eyes watered. He did not look back.

  Richard opened his eyes. He moaned in pleasure as he stretched. He turned to see that Melissa wasn't next to him. He looked over at the bathroom. A light was on under the door, proof that she was still int he room and not...
  He shook his head. No. No. No. He was not about to lead Egghead invade his bedroom. he could stay out of it. He liked Melissa there better.
  A noise...like a footstep...came from the window. Richard frowned. He quickly put on his pants and headed for the window.
  "Hello?" Richard asked.
  There was no answer from the window However, there was more noise. Richard ran for the window and threw it open.
  Someone WAS sliding down the fire escape ladder. Richard could tell it was a guy. He ran out of the alley.
  "You sicko!" Richard yelled.
  "Who are you yelling at?"
  Richard turned around. Melissa came out of the bathroom. Her eyes were full of concern.
  "A perv," Richard said He walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. "How about another go?"
  Melissa grinned. "I guess I've created a monster."
  Richard grinned. He leaned in closer. "One that goes on and on and on and..."
  Richard started to kiss Melissa. A door slamming caused him to pause. She frowned.
  "Sounds like trouble," Melissa said.
  "Quinn!" Rembrandt's voice said from behind the door.
  "Yep," Richard said. He kissed her quickly. "Let me go look."
  Richard walked out into the living room. Quinn looked at Rembrandt. He glared at Rembrandt.
  "I knew it was a bad idea to go after him," Quinn said. "I knew it!"
  "I could understand," Rembrandt said, "if he was still acting the way he was when we found him. But...he's different. Nicer."
  Quinn stared at Rembrandt like he just had a second head appear on his head.
  "Different?" Quinn said. "Nicer? Have you lost it?"
  "No," Rembrandt said, "but I'm starting to think you have. When did you start not giving second chances?"
  Richard crossed his arms over his chest.
  "Maybe Egghead doesn't deserve a second chance," Richard said.
  Rembrandt glared at Richard. "Says who? You?"
  "Uh...don't you have a nephew who Egghead wants dead?" Richard asked. "Or was there an April's Fools memo?"
  "Let he who is without sin..." Rembrandt started.
  Richard frowned. He knew he was definitely one to talk. He ran over a girl. He tried to steal Randy's machine. He had tried to get rid of Randy several times. He was no saint. And Randy had eventually gotten over it. Still...he had kissed Melissa...twice. There was just so many times he was willing to turn the other cheek.
  "Remmy--" Quinn started.
  "Q-ball," Rembrandt said, shutting Quinn up. "If I can get over him wanting to kill Darnell, you can easily work with him. So get over your personal crap. We want to go home."
  Rembrandt walked past Quinn and entered the bedroom. Richard looked at Quinn. Quinn looked after him.
  "So," Richard said, "where is the Egghead?"

  "Hey, Sal!" Randy yelled. "Can I get another?"
  In a moment, there was another pitcher of beer in front of Randy. He grinned and started on it.
  "God, you really can't hold it."
  Randy paused. He turned a little. Ethan stood behind him. He sat down next to Randy, his eyes on the bartender.
  "A shot of whiskey!" Ethan yelled.
  "What are you doing?" Randy asked.
  Ethan grinned. "Helping you unwind. Stressful day."
  Randy took a swipe from his beer mug.
  "You have no idea," Randy commented.
  "All the drama between Boss and Dru?" Ethan said. "Of course, I do."
  The bartender dropped off the whiskey shot. Ethan grabbed it up. He quickly drank it, dropping the shot glass back down with a clang.
  "Another!" Ethan yelled.
  A moment later, a new whiskey shot was in front of him. Ethan drank it in one gulp. Randy gasped.
  "God, you're aiming for drunk, aren't you?" Randy asked.
  "Another!" Ethan yelled. He looked at Randy, flashing him a grin. "Better than you. I mean...Beer? Beer's a wuss drink."
  "Hey!" Randy yelled.
  "Well...grow some balls," Ethan said.
  Randy frowned at Ethan. His mind tried to form a thought. He shook it away, looking at the bartender.
  "A shot of whiskey please!" Randy yelled. He looked at Ethan. "I'll show you balls."

  Jared blinked. There was slob on the side of his face. He wiped it away quickly.
  "I don't know why you did that."
  Jared looked up. It was then that he took in his surroundings. He was in a filthy cell. There was trash littering the floor. He turned and saw he was not alone. There were a few other people in the cell, looking very sick.
  Jared looked back at the cell door. A plump older man with a mustache looked back at him. He wore a blue police uniform. He also had a smug look.
  "Did what?" Jared asked.
  "Wiped the slob off your mouth," the officer said. "We know your kind has it."
  Jared frowned. "My kind?" He shot up. "Come on! I haven't committed a crime."
  "See?" the officer said. "That's where I think God would disagree with you." He frowned. "In any case, cameras and witnesses claim you caused quite the ruckus. We put you i here. You and your girlfriend in here. But you know...maybe I should keep you in."
  "Isabel isn't my girlfriend."
  "Who's Isabel?"
  Jared frowned. "What do you mean who's Isabel? The girl I was with."
  The officer shook his head. "Uh...no. Not the girl I saw you with. We have Miashuyhi Kims in the woman's cell block." He kept staring at Jared. "You didn't know."

  Isabel sighed as she leaned back. The bubbles in the tube felt nice against her skin. She smiled.
  "Definitely better than a jail cell, don't you think?"
  Isabel looked up at the bathroom door. Peter Carmichael looked back at her, his eyes aroused.
  "I think," Isabel said, "that eventually people will look at me."
  "Then, my dear," Peter said, walking to the tube and kneeling beside it, "we best get you back there. But first...how goes our plan? How is Richard?"

  Richard shot up at the loud knock on the door. It came again, more rapidly. He looked over at Melissa. She was sound asleep. He got up, letting her sleep.
  He opened his door a crack. Rembrandt had already headed to the hotel door, Quinn right behind him. He opened the door.
  "Can I--" Rembrandt started.
  He never got to finished. The door opened all the way. Policemen started to swarm the living area. The last police man entered. Richard's eyes narrowed on him as he recognized Bufford.
  "Search the premises," Bufford said. "Every room."
  "Hold on one moment," Rembrandt said. "What seems to be the problem?"
  "The problem, Sir," Bufford said, "Is that we got an anonymous tip. Maybe they allow it in the South, but we don't like heterosex parties...which are illegal by the way."
  "Heterowhat?" Quinn uttered.
  "Huh?" Rembrandt said.
  Richard quietly shut the door. He headed for the fire escape. He could only had been the person who had been watching him and Melissa.
  He paused in the window. Melissa was still sound asleep. He exited out of the window.

  Randy looked over at Ethan. He laughed, causing Ethan to look at him. He frowned.
  "What?" Ethan frowned.
  "Two hundred dollars?" Randy uttered.
  Ethan laughed. "Yea. If they can't keep up with me, is it my fault? They shouldn't gamble then. Maybe I'll show you how to play pool for bucks...if you ever need it."
  Randy held out a hand. "Deal."
  Ethan grabbed Randy's hand and shook it. He grinned, causing Randy to grin. It had been great drinking with him. Maybe they could...
  A jerk brought Randy forward. Randy bumped into Ethan. Before he could back away, Ethan kissed Randy.

  Light in her face brought Melissa awake. She instantly noticed Richard wasn't beside her. She looked at her door to see several policemen swarming the room. Bufford looked at her, Quinn and Rembrandt behind him.
  "What's going on--" Melissa started.
  "A tip, Miss," Bufford said. "So...where's your boyfriend?"
  "My--"
  "She," Rembrandt said, stepping forward, "doesn't have a boyfriend."
  Bufford looked at Rembrandt, his face full on skepticism. Melissa understood. This was obviously one of those worlds. She sat up, cover over her breast.
  "Happily single, Mister," Melissa said.
  Bufford looked at her. She glared at him. She never really like any of his doubles.
  "Really?" Bufford said.
  "Well," Melissa said, "I didn't stutter so how about you get out of my--"
  "Officer Bufford."
  Melissa looked over at her bathroom. One of the policemen stood at the door, gesturing for Bufford. Bufford headed over. Rembrandt frowned at Melissa. She shrugged, not knowing what was going on.
  Bufford looked at Melissa. He smirked.
  "Book them all," Bufford said.
  "What?" Melissa said.
  "Why, Officer?" Rembrandt asked.
  Bufford looked over at Rembrandt.
  "Because," Bufford said, "to my knowledge, women don't need the toilet seat up to pee."

  The policeman jerked the chain. The shackles around Jared's wrists pulled him forward. He frowned.
  "Do you think you could be gentle?"
  The policeman stared back at him.
  "For you?" the policeman said. "No."
  The policeman exited the jail section, jerking Jared behind him. Jared walked through the door into the police station. He could make out Mia. She was in shackles as well next to a desk. She looked up, revealing she had been crying. Jared could felt his anger building.
  "So this is him?"
  Jared turned to his left. The older woman in a dark suit studied Jared like a mouse in a maze. He did not like it at all.
  "And you are?" Jared demanded.
  "You little--" started the policeman.
  The older woman held up a hand. the policeman fell silent. She turned her glance back on Jared.
  "Who am I?" the older woman asked. "I am Officer Maggie Beckett. We are looking for your brother Randy Heim in connection to a string of heinous crimes he is pulling on the community at large." She looked over at Mia. "According to your friend, he seems to have returned from his...trip."
  Jared looked at Mia, his jar slacked. The Mia he knew would not give up info on a friend...no matter what. Since he had begun to slide, Jared leaned that while doubles could be different than the person you know, doubles could also have a constant. And one thing Mia always was...was loyal. His eyes watered a bit.
  "So...where is he?" Maggie asked.
  Jared looked at her. "Huh?"
  "Where is your brother?"
  Jared's eyes stopped watering. His jaw was set. His back straightened. The last thing on his mind was his copy.
  Maggie frowned for a moment. Finally she sighed sadly.
  "Fine," she said. "We'll do it your way." She looked at Mia. "Put her in the Pit."
  "What?" Mia uttered, her eyes watering more. "Jared, you can't let--"
  "He doesn't have a choice, Miss Kims," Maggie said. "If he's not talking that's fine."
  Jared glared at Maggie. His choices laid out before him. His brother or his...one of his closest friends.
  "What did he do to you anyways?" Jared demanded.
  "Me?" Maggie said. "Nothing. but he has it. He knows it. And he spreaded it...into the homosexual community."
  Jared's eyes widened. He knew what 'it' was. Maggie grinned.
  "See?" Maggie said. "You know how horrific that is...for everyone. Now that it has spreaded to the whole populace. He has to be stopped. So...what do you say?"
  Jared continued to stare at her for a moment. Then he narrowed his eyes.
  "Put her in the Pit," Jared said coldly.

  Randy walked into the Dominion Hotel, his mind a jumble of thoughts. He could not believe what had happened. He took a long walk afterward. Where Ethan was...
  Randy paused. Ethan sat on the couch. He looked up to see Randy. He shot up instantly.
  "Randy, hey!" Ethan exclaimed.
  "It's okay," Randy said, heading toward the elevator. "Don't even wor--"
  A hand touched Randy's shoulder. He immediately swung around, knocking the hand away. Ethan stared at him, the hurt obvious in his eyes.
  "Don't worry?" Ethan asked. "Looks like I should."
  "Be who you want to be," Randy said. "I'm not like that."
  Ethan frowned. "Could have fooled me."
  "What is that suppose to mean?" Randy demanded. "We're friends. That's something I don't have much of lately."
  Ethan crossed his arms over his chest.
  "Yep," Ethan said. "I've noticed. Ever since...the Melissa drama, you don't connect to anyone. And something tells me you're always like that. Dislocated. Doesn't that get lonely?"
  Randy frowned. He remembered how he was before he first started sliding. He was a total introvert, more comfortable with creating gizmos than interacting with people. Except for Melissa and his roommate Ben, he didn't talk to most people. Over the last few years, he had shut down more and more. The more to prepare for the idea that one of them could die. The isolation of leadership. With Melissa with Richard, Quinn, and Rembrandt weary of him, and Jared and Isabel doing their own thing, Randy had never felt so alone...except for before he and Rebecca Pryce hooked up.
  A hand touched Randy's cheek. Randy flinched. Ethan was in front of him, staring at him. It reminded him of the first Ethan double he had met, an artist with calm conviction.
  "It's okay," Ethan said. He touched foreheads with Randy. "If you need someone to talk to, you got me now. Anytime. Anyplace."
  "I--"
  "Well, that's nice."
  Randy looked away from Ethan's smile. It was Gomez Calhoun. He looked at them really happy.
  "I thought everyone in your room was a bunch of straights!" Calhoun exclaimed.
  "What?" Randy asked.
  Ethan wrapped an arm around Randy's waist. Randy let him, sensing the reason behind it. He leaned his head against Ethan's shoulder, the picture of a couple.
  "Together a year yesterday," Ethan said, with a smile.
  "Congrats!" Calhoun asked.
  "We just had a lot of our friends with us," Ethan said. "Speaking of which, have you seen them?"
  Calhoun's face darkened. Randy frowned.
  "What?" Randy demanded, his head leaving Ethan's shoulder.
  "It's just I...I thought you all were straights," Calhoun said. "Especially when that girl told me what she saw in the hallway..."
  "Girl?" Ethan uttered.
  "What girl?" Randy asked.
  "Blonde. Dark streaks. Goth," Calhoun said. "Her and her friends looked like some sex gang or something."
  Blonde with dark streaks. Goth. Randy knew who it was immediately. His back grew tense.
  It was Cassandra.
  "So where are our friends?" Randy demanded.

  Melissa stumbled out of the police car. She managed to catch her footing just in time. She looked up and saw they were at the police station.
  Rembrandt popped up beside her. He looked at Melissa.
  "Any ideas?" Rembrandt asked.
  "None," Melissa said.
  "I have one."
  Melissa looked to her left. Bufford approached them, Quinn in tow. He threw up his free arm, revealing the timer in hand.
  "What is this?" Bufford asked. "Some timer to a bomb?"
  Melissa looked at Rembrandt. He looked back. She was sure they were on the same wavelength. It had become more and more important not to reveal the secret of sliding to other worlds ignorant of it. It kept the worlds safer and hopefully not much consequences after they left.
  "Perhaps someone will say something when I put your friend in the Pit," Bufford said, tightening his grip on Quinn's arm.
  Melissa looked at Quinn. He shook his head at her. No way was he going to let them tell Bufford they were not from this world. She looked at Bufford.
  "Our only crime," Melissa said, her stance defiant, "was that I loved...way too many men."
  Bufford frowned. So did Quinn.
  "Excuse me?" Bufford exclaimed.
  "You heard me," Melissa said. "Gotta pay the rent."
  Melissa saw it out of the corner of her eye. The other policemen backed away from her as if she had the plague. Perhaps on this world they thought hookers did.
  Bufford stormed over to Melissa. He uncuffed her. Melissa stared at him wide-eyed.
  "Just like that?" Melissa asked.
  "Just like that," Bufford said, uncuffing Rembrandt.
  "Why?" Quinn asked.
  "Why?" Bufford said. "Because you probably already have it and going to die anyway."
  "Hey!" Rembrandt exclaimed.
  "Remmy," Quinn warned. He held out a hand to the timer.
  "What?" Bufford said.
  "That's ours," Quinn said.
  "And what is it?"
  "An experiment I'm working on."
  "Hm."
  "It's the truth."
  "Riiight."
  "So are you going to give it back or not?"

  Richard walked up to the door. He was not a bit surprised. If any of them were here, they would be in a luxurious hotel. He knocked on the door.
  A moment passed. Then the door shot open.
  "I do not recall anyone ordering room ser--"
  The words died in Peter Carmichael's mouth. His eyes fell on Richard. Contempt flashed across his face. is eyes narrowed on Richard.
  "Yeah," Richard said. "Definitely a dark slider. And probably the one behind the police raid."
  "Actually...that would be me."
  Richard turned around. His eyes widened. He stood face to face...with a goth Ben Loveland. His dark hair was slicked back. Dark eyeliner was under his eyes. A snarl crossed his face.
  "Nice to drop a tip to Calhoun," Ben said. "He gives it to the police. The police come for you. It was fun."
  "Well, only en expert would know a frame up," Richard shot back.
  "And you would know that, wouldn't you?" Peter said.
  Richard turned to face him.
  "And you are no better," Richard said.
  "At least I didn't kill anyone," Peter said.
  "That we know of."
  "My sister's blood is on your hands!" Peter said. "Stone may want you, but I'll have my fun first." Peter's eyes dotted behind Richard. "Ben."
  Richard turned...in time for Ben's punch.

  Randy entered the luxurious hotel. If any of the dark sliders were here, they would be...
  "Well. It's you."
  Randy turned around. Cassandra stood behind him. She was not alone. A goth Melissa was with her.
  "I knew it," Randy said.
  "I'm sure you did," Cassandra said.
  Melissa's double looked him up and down. "Hm. Doesn't look like much."
  Randy stared her up and down. "I could say the same about you. How's your Randy? Oh, yeah. Shot in the head. Never mind."
  Melissa's double frowned. Then she lunged...only to be held back by Cassandra. Cassandra kept her eyes on Randy.
  "All in good time, Liz," Cassandra said.
  Randy frowned. "Isn't that giving her false hope? After all, we both know who kills me. It's not her."
  The double's eyes lit up in shock and rage. Cassandra's eyes narrowed on Randy.
  "You may know who," Cassandra said, "but you do not know when, do you?"
  Randy said nothing. She was right. He had no idea when he would run...when it would happen.
  "Speaking of which," Cassandra continued, looking past him. "Maybe fate isn't with you today. Isn't that the man in question?"
  Randy turned around, his pulse racing. He paused. There was no one behind him, just the chatter of the hotel lobby. He turned around...to find Melissa's double lunging at him. He fell over.
  "Oh my God!" Melissa's double shrieked. "He has AIDS!"
  "Someone, quick!" Cassandra yelled. "Call the police!"
  Randy looked around. The concierge snatched up a phone. Several hotel guests stared, their eyes full of shock, surprise, and fear. The hotel security headed for the scene.
  Randy shot up. He dashed for the nearest window. Then he jumped.

  Jared sat on the chair next to the desk. He looked down at the shackles he had on. Even though he hated himself for it, his mind fell onto Mia. Whatever she was experiencing...just because her involvement with him...and Randy.
  His eyes narrowed. he did not know much about his alternative brother. However he was sure starting to have a dislike for him.
  "So still not talking?"
  Jared looked up. Maggie looked down at him.
  "Some friend you are," Maggie commented.
  "And you are a bitch," Jared said.
  Maggie grinned. "Cute." She sat down at the desk. "However, I'm not the one running around sleeping with random girls, knowing full well that I have a disease with a 100% fatality."
  "How do you--"
  "--know this?" Maggie finished. "Do you not find it a bit weird that your family vanished in a circle of orange light? Or better yet...you can look online and find that he reported himself?"
  Jared frowned. "Well, what does it say when 'it' even crossed over into another group? It's universal. No need to cage people."
  "Infectees aren't people."
  "Sez you."
  "Maybe I should put you in the--"
  "Beckett!"
  Jared looked away from Maggie. Bufford ran toward them.
  "We found him!" Bufford exclaimed.

  Glass flew everywhere. Randy hit the ground hard. At the same time he did a tumble. Quickly, he shot up straight.
  His eyes narrowed on Cassandra. She smirked back at him. It was a moment of connection...that lasted a few seconds. Randy held a yell. He turned to see policemen running toward him.
  Randy broke out in a run.

  Richard opened his eyes. He found himself bound to a chair. Peter and Isabel stared at him.
  "Took him long enough," Isabel commented.
  "Gee, why am I not surprised," Richard commented.
  Isabel was on him in a flash. Her hand shot out. Richard's head jerked to the right. He turned it back, the taste of blood on his lip. He licked at it, narrowing his eyes.
  "You hit like a girl," Richard said.
  "You little--" Isabel started.
  "Ah!" Peter said, grabbing Isabel. "This one is mine."
  "I'm nobody's," Richard said.
  "The hell you aren't," Peter said. "My sister died because of you. When you died, I thought...at last she's avenged." He glared at Richard. "Then you turned up alive."
  "I had no choice over that," Richard snapped. "That would be your ex-slider Rebecca and Mr. Stone's doing. Before I died...I was hoping to get home so I turn myself in. Give Laura justice."
  "Now?" Peter asked.
  Richard looked down at his body. He was completely fastened to the chair. He looked back at Peter and shrugged.
  "I died," Richard said. "Isn't that enough?"
  Peter stared at Richard. His forehead wrinkled up as his face became a wash of shock, disbelief, anger, and rage. Finally, he walked to the drawer that was on the other side of the room. When he came back, he had a cat of nine tails in his hand.
  "No," Peter said, "it isn't."
  Richard looked over at Isabel. "And you are just going to let him do this?"
  Isabel shrugged her shoulder. "That's why I'm here. To have a bit of fun."
  "Oh!" Richard exclaimed. "You started sliding to backstab friends? That's rich."
  "People who just want to whine about going home," Isabel said. "Where's the fun in that?"
  "Some of us have been sliding for years. That's all we want."
  "Don't you mean when you're not dictating how a world works?" Peter pointed out.
  "Well...thoses were pretty bad worlds," Richard shot back.
  "According to whom morals? Yours? Randy? You should have left well enough alone. Their rules, not years."
  "Some day," Richard said, looking at Isabel," you will want to go home and won't be able to."
  "Good riddance," Isabel said. She looked over at Peter. "Do it already."
  Richard looked over at Peter. He approached Richard, pushing a button on the cat of nine tails. It flashed electric.
  "Oh, crap," Richard muttered.

  Jared continued to sit in the chair. It had not been too long since Beckett and Bufford had headed to the hotel. No one had bothered to put him back in a cell. He guessed infectees were the bottom of the food chain. He started to get up, hoping that meant he could just walk out of...
  "Where do you think you're going?"
  Jared paused. A policeman glared him down. Before Jared could say anything, he was jerked backward. He looked up to see who had put him back in the chair. It...was Ethan.
  "Sorry, Sir," Ethan said, dressed in a policeman suit. "I'm still new. Forgot to put him back down. It won't happen again."
  "Let's hope not," the policeman said. then he stormed away.
  Jared watched him go. Then he turned to look at Ethan. Was it him or a double?
  "Hello, Boss," Ethan said.
  Jared grinned.
  "Randy sent me over here to see if anyone else got snatched," Ethan explained. "Anyone else here?"
  "Just Mia," Jared said. "Double Mia."
  "Then let's--"
  "No," Jared said.
  "No?" Ethan uttered, frowning.
  Jared nodded. He learned his lesson. From here on out, he knew what he was going to do.
  "She's not one of us," Jared said. "Now...did you get the key?"

  Richard squeezed his eyes shut. He knew it was going to hurt...bad. And there was nothing he could...
  Then he heard a crash. Richard opened his eyes. All he saw was a confused Peter and Isabel.
  "What in the world--" Isabel started, running to the door.
  She swung it open. Her eyes widened for a moment. then a figure tumbled her. Richard grinned, seeing it was Melissa.
  "Sorry, we're late," Melissa said. "Took us a moment to realize where a dark slider would stay."
  "I know the feeling," Richard said. "Now could you--"
  A punch got Melissa in the face. She fell over. Isabel glared at her.
  "Oh, crap," Richard said.

  Rembrandt ducked, missing the kick by a great deal of space. GothBen was not giving him time to recover, swinging out a fist. Rembrandt backed back...right into a wall.
  "Some help!" Rembrandt yelled.
  He saw Quinn busy with GothMelissa. He saw no sign of Melissa and a satisfied Cassandra. He was toasted.
  Then he heard something like a sharp whistle. Then GothBen gasped, falling over...a small dagger in his back. He looked over at the door. Randy stood by the door, a knife ready.
  "Sorry," I'm late," Randy said. "I had to lose the police." He glared at Cassandra. "Now...where were we?"
  GothMelissa screamed, running at him.

  A scream distracted Peter and Isabel. Richard looked at Melissa. She looked out. He looked at the cat of nine tails. It only took him a moment. He lunged the chair at Peter with all of his might.
  The nine tails hit his ropes. They burned instantly. At the same time Peter and Richard fell to the floor. Richard looked up quickly. A foot got him in the face.
  "Oh, no you don't," Isabel said.
  Richard narrowed his eyes on her. "I'm not afraid of you. Traitor."
  "Hypocrite," Isabel said.
  "I've only sold out Egghead and he deserved it," Richard countered. "You can't say the same."
  "And if you escaped?" Isabel asked. "We're working with Mr. Stone. It's just a matter of time before he gets to you. Or maybe he'll get to Melissa first. Assuming she isn't with Randy by them."
  "She loves me, sweetcheeks," Richard snapped.
  Isabel smirked. "For how long?"
  Isabel swung her leg out again. Richard grabbed it.
  "I don't think so," Richard said.
  "Accept it," Isabel said. "You lo--"
  A whir got their attention. Richard looked up to see a red wormhole appearing in the wall. Peter ran for it.
  "Peter!" Isabel yelled.
  Richard grabbed at Isabel, causing her to attack him. He grabbed the cat of nine tails and jumped her, wrapping it around her neck. She screamed as electricity shot through her body.

  A whir sounded through the room. Randy paused. Melissa's double paused, her eyes widening.
  "No," she uttered.
  She started to run. Randy grabbed her. She swung around. He popped her in the jaw. She fell unconscious.
  Randy saw a figure move quickly. He dashed forward. Cassandra lunged through a door. Randy lunged behind her.
  He paused. Richard knelled on the floor. An unconscious Isabel was in front of him, tight fabric around her neck. A few feet away, Melissa was unconscious on the floor.
  "Melissa?" Randy uttered.
  A whir got Randy's attention. He looked up to see the red vortex close. Cassandra was gone.

  Randy looked up at the ceiling. His hands were behind his head. His mind was on the last day or so.
  "You okay?" the voice of Quinn Mallory asked.
  "You care?" Randy asked, without looking.
  "Well...Remmy was worried."
  Randy leaned up a little bit. Quinn was leaning in the motel door, his arms over his chest. His eyes actually showed a bit of concern.
  "And you?" Randy asked.
  Quinn looked down. A silence descended over the room. Finally, he looked back up.
  "I think," Quinn said, "You're worried about Melissa. She's going to be fine. Isabel..."
  Quinn stopped. Randy knew. She...was dead. Richard...he had no idea what Richard must be going through. As for Randy, he only knew that another slider...one who had joined for thrills...was gone. Maybe knowing him was a curse.
  "Think we can try to get along?" Randy asked.
  Quinn frowned. "Maybe."
  "Maybe means yes."
  Quinn grinned. "Then...yes."
  Randy grinned. "Good."
  "Everything okay here?"
  Quinn looked behind him. So did Randy. Ethan walked up beside Quinn.
  "Yeah," Quinn said. He looked over at Randy. "Nice to see someone got your back."
  "Yeah," Randy said, his eyes on Ethan.
  Ethan watched Quinn leave. After a moment, he looked at Randy. Randy said nothing.
  "Don't beat up on yourself," Ethan said.
  "She wouldn't have--" Randy started.
  "She made her choice," Ethan said. "Bad ones at that. Not your fault."
  "Choices she could have made on her own world," Randy said. "A place she would have been if she had not met anyone in our group."
  Ethan frowned. "Maybe. But there's a lot of people out there sliding. Can't control everybody."
  Randy narrowed his eyes on Ethan.
  "Can't I?" Randy challenged.
  "Don't do that," Ethan warned, smirking. "I might consider that a come-on."
  Randy frowned. It was not too long ago the two of them kiss. He touched his lips.
  "Listen, Ethan," Randy said. "I--"
  "There you are!"
  Jared entered the room. He grabbed Ethan in a bear hug. Randy watched them roughhouse. He wondered if Jared even knew...
  Jared looked at Randy. His eyes narrowed on him.
  "Hey, little brother," Jared said.
  "Hey," Randy said. "How--"
  "How am I?" Jared asked. "Tired. I'm fed up with this. I want to go home. Think you can make that happen?"

THE-END


 

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