Ben Loveland landed on his butt. He looked up to see the wormhole close above him. He glared at it as if it was a person who had hit him. It just closed.
"Keep looking at it that way and your face's going to stay that way," Rembrandt Brown commented from Ben's left.
"Was that suppose to be funny?" Ben asked as he turned to look at Rembrandt. He saw Bufford near him as well looking over the gizmo. They both looked okay.
"You tell me. Are you smiling?" Rembrandt asked.
"How do you feel?"
Ben turned to his right to see Nicole helping...Nicole up. It was weird seeing a double of her with them, but it had to be done. They just couldn't leave her on that ruined world.
"I feel like you're playing God!" Nicole's double spit out. "Do you realize how wrong this is?"
"We're just trying to find our friends," Nicole replied.
"Talk about ungrateful," Ben said.
"Would you be grateful to people who have technology to destroy a world?" Nicole's double countered.
"Hey!" Rembrandt cut in. "Calm down. Let's at least check in to the Dominion before we fight."
"One thing I can say for sure," Bufford said as he stood up, "There is a trace of our...friends here. I could probably figure out where as well."
"Trace? Does that mean they already slid out?" Ben asked.
"Yes," Bufford said.
Ben felt his heart sink. For all they know, they may have just missed Randy and Melissa.
Hope they're find, Ben thought.
"How much longer?" Randy Heim asked Darnell Brown.
"Too long," Darnell Brown replied.
"Brown, duck!" Richard Hall yelled out.
Randy turned around just in time to see Richard push Brown to the ground. A bullet hit the wall near where Brown fell. If he had the time, Randy was sure he would look surprised at Richard's actions. Obviously, Richard and Brown had bonded.
"In here!" Melissa Clark yelled. She ran into a store in front of Randy. He followed her.
"Brown--" Randy started.
"--is right behind y you," Brown finished as he entered the store. "Time to go!"
Brown aimed the timer at a wall and turned it on. The vortex opened in front of Melissa. She jumped in quickly.
Brown followed her. Richard was behind him. Randy looked around the store for a second and followed.
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 2: ISSUES
Randy fell on his butt. He looked around and realized that he was in one of San Francisco's many alleys. He also realized he was in a puddle.
"Oh, great!" Randy mumbled.
"Nice to see you all wet," Richard commented.
Randy glared at Richard. He was standing near Brown by a trashcan. Melissa got to her feet nearby.
"Are you okay?" Melissa asked.
"I just need a new set of pants," Randy answered. "No biggie."
"Maybe you should get over your pants and figure out a way to get us home," Richard said.
"Well, we would be home if someone hadn't jumpstarted the timer!" Randy shot back.
Brown stopped looking over the timer at that. His stare was set on Randy like some kind of death ray.
"Someone meaning me, right?" Brown asked. "Here's an idea: Stop acting like a little baby and fix the problem. You can do that...I hope."
Randy looked at Brown. He couldn't believe that this teacher who meant a lot to him was being this cold to him.
"What happened to you, Professor?" Randy asked.
"YOU happened, Egghead," Brown replied. "Come on, Richard. Let's check out the locale."
"Right, Boss," Richard replied happily.
Randy gave no answer or comment to their exchange. He could not find the words.
"I think I liked him better when he didn't use contractions," Melissa said. "Come on."
Randy headed out of the alley. He felt fingers encircling his own. They squeezed his fingers. He looked at Melissa and smiled.
The street was full of people going about their business. Randy saw that the cars looked just right. All of the stores looked like they should be in the right place.
"Well...any ideas?" Melissa asked.
"It looks ordinary enough," Randy said.
"That's when it usually isn't," Brown answered. "You two can check us into the Dominion. Richard and I will look around."
"Better idea," Melissa said. "Richard and I will go. You and Randy can be the research team."
"I don't think so," Brown said.
Melissa's eyes narrowed. "Well, I DO!"
Richard patted Brown on the shoulder. "It's okay, Boss. I'll be fine."
Brown glared a second longer at Melissa. Randy watched Brown's face give way to contentment.
"Very well," Brown finally said.
"Well, you two sure have gotten close," Melissa commented.
"Getting killed by a mob can do that," Richard replied. "Besides, I can say the same about you and Egghead."
"You know 'Egghead' has a name. How about you call him that?"
"How about he gets us home first?"
"We had that done before you grandstanding screwed that up."
Richard's eyes widened. "Grandstanding?"
"Did I stutter?"
Melissa walked through the front door of the Dominion. She stopped. The lobby was packed and full of hookers.
"Oh," Melissa said.
"Sweet," Richard said.
"Hi, honey," one of the hookers said as she walked up to Melissa and Richard. "Can I help you?"
"No," Melissa said.
"I got to disagree with that," Richard replied. "She's got great...assets to me."
"You would say that," Melissa shot back.
"What's wrong? Jealous?"
Melissa glared at Richard. Leave it up to Richard to think she was interested in him.
"Well why else would you two be here at Hannah Fliss's Escort Service and Whorehouse?"
Melissa looked at the hooker in shock.
"Did you just say whorehouse?"
"Well, Egghead?"
"We're not home," Randy replied. He looked up from the library computer at Brown. "I still think you shouldn't have stolen that suit."
"Just focus on getting us home," Brown said.
Randy frowned. "What happened to you? When I saw you last, we were escaping from that world where it was a crime to believe in God."
Brown smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know? Now what did you find?"
Randy just shook his head sadly. he looked back at the computer screen. "According to the documents I found there was some kind of revolution back in 1976. Police were very strict over the issue of prostitution. If they found a prostitution house, they would shut it down."
"Oh, great. Puritans," Brown replied. " So what happened during this revolution. What triggered it?"
"What triggered it? The police tried to shut down a house owned by Hannah Fliss. She seems to be a powerful woman and has most of this state under her heel. The next day, all the policemen were fired and all of the prostitutes arrested....were released. Over the next few years, it seems like a lot of politicians fell from grace because they had...connections to Hannah Fliss."
"And chances are the new politicians have connections as well," Brown said. "Interesting how men can be so fallible." He headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Randy asked.
"I'm going to find the others," Brown replied. "You can do what you want."
"So is this how it's going to be, sir?" Randy asked. "We're just going to be at each other's throats."
Brown laughed. "That sounds melodramatic of you." He stopped laughing. "So be it then. We'll be at each other's throats."
Brown headed for the door. Randy just followed without anything to say. The words would not come out of his head.
Dr. Donald Smith walked into the room slowly. As he thought, Logan St. Clair was still at the computer screen looking for coordinates. He did not know what they were going to be used for if she found them. He did not even know why she was looking.
"Well, you're working late hours," Smith said to Logan.
Logan turned from the computer screen and smiled. "I don't like to leave my pet projects unfinished."
"So what are you working on?" Smith asked.
Logan turned back to her computer screen. "I'm trying to trace an old quantum signature and seeing if it's out there."
"Anyone I know?"
"I doubt it."
"So what was he to you?"
Logan turned away from the computer screen. She stared at Smith as if she was trying to figure out something. "Why are you so interested, Doctor? Why all the questions?"
"Maybe the reason I'm asking so many questions," Smith said as he pulled out a gun, "is because I KNOW you're not who you say you are. Who are you?"
Logan stood up.
"Don't move!" Smith commanded.
"Or what?" Logan challenged. "You're going to shoot me. I'll take my chances."
Logan slowly moved toward Smith. He aimed at her.
"I mean it!" Smith said. "I will shoot."
"You know what I think?" Logan asked. "I think you won't get the chance."
Smith felt more than saw a movement to his right. Pain shot into his head and he feel to the ground. The gun slid across the floor.
"What an idiot," a voice said behind him.
"He can't be much of one if he figured us out," Logan said.
Smith looked up to see a shadow move pass him. As it became clearer, Smith realized that it was Melissa Clark...well, her double. Logan smiled at Melissa. Then she looked at Smith.
"You didn't think I was working alone, did you?" Logan asked.
Smith saw spots come across his vision. He tried to fight it, but it would not let go. He was falling unconscious.
"So what do we do with him?" Melissa asked.
"He knows too much," Logan said. "We're just going to have to get rid of him."
Smith felt the dark closing in. The last image he saw was Logan reaching for the gun. His last thought was that he was not able to make amends with Daniel Owens by curing him.
"See anything you like?"
"I see a LOT that I like," Richard answered with a grin.
Melissa hit Richard upside his head. He frowned at her.
"Hey!" Richard said.
"We're here for dinner," Melissa said flatly. "We're not here for your hormones."
"Is it my fault that the best restaurant in walking distance happens to be part of an escort service?" Richard asked. "Maybe you should take in some of the guys. No sex is making you grumpy."
Melissa stopped searching the restaurant for Randy and Brown. She turned on him. Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
Richard just shrugged his shoulders. "All I'm saying is...we didn't argue this much when we were together...or when we..."
"Just shut up!" Melissa shot out.
"Have you and Egghead-"
"That's none of your business."
"I didn't think so. When did you go nun?"
Melissa folded her arms over her chest. "You're an idiot."
"You know what I miss?" Richard asked. "The Melissa who loved sex as much as I did. Egghead's turning you into some...boring chick."
"There you are!"
Melissa looked away to see Brown grab Richard into a big bear hug. He smiled as he pulled away.
"I want you to meet Jade and Azure," Brown said to Richard as he gestured to two prostitutes behind him. "They're going to be our escort tonight."
Richard looked at Melissa with a smirk. Then he smiled at Brown. "Sounds good to me."
"Girls, this is my friend Richard," Brown said. "Treat him like you treat me."
"Of course, Mr. Brown," Jade, an Oriental woman, replied.
"And how are you paying for this, Brown?" Melissa asked.
"Richard, could you take the girls to a table?" Brown asked all smiles. "I have to talk to Mrs. Robot here."
"That's a good one, Brown!" Richard laughed as he walked away with the girls.
"Listen, you little girl," Brown said with his game face. "Just because you all of a sudden want to go to a convent doesn't mean everyone has to."
"What is wrong with you?" Melissa asked.
"I'm just having a little fun," Brown said. "I suggest you do the same. maybe you should try to find another psycho like on Flashfire World. Take Egghead's virginity. I don't care."
Brown walked away without another word.
"Did I miss anything?" Randy asked as he walked up.
Melissa looked at Randy. "We got to find out what happened when we got separated from Brown and Richard."
Randy felt nothing as he watched Brown and Richard eat. When they weren't eating, they were flirting with Jade and Azure. It was like Melissa and he weren't even there.
Randy looked over at Melissa. She wasn't looking at anyone. She seem to be distracted.
"Is everything okay?" Randy finally asked.
Melissa made a smile as she looked at Randy. "Uh...yeah. I just got something on my mind."
"Is it about..." Randy started.
"No need to keep anything from the group!" Brown yelled out. "What are you two whispering about?"
Randy looked over at Brown. "Nothing."
"It was probably about us, right?" Richard piped in.
"You're paranoid," Randy said.
"And you're stupid," Richard shot back.
"At least, I have a relationship! What's your excuse?"
"Relationship?" Brown laughed. "Sounds more like you're trying to make up time by finding a foster mother. How is your mother by the way?"
Randy's hands fell on the table. He felt Melissa's hand on his shoulder which was shaking. He remembered a long time ago when he told Brown about being an orphan. An orphan with no idea who his birth parents were.
"Randy-" Melissa started.
"Hey, Brown!" Richard said. "I think he's going to cry."
Randy saw the grin cross Brown's face. He watched as he and Richard laughed in his face. The prostitutes just joined in.
He finally knew what he had to do. He stood up and pulled out the timer. He threw it on the table.
"You know what?" Randy said. "Since you're so smart, you can try to get everyone home. Tell your wife I said hi when you get there. Oh, yeah...she's your ex-wife now, right?"
"You son of-" Brown snapped.
"Yell all you want!" Randy cut him off. "I don't care. I'm done."
Randy headed away from the table. He could hear Melissa's protests. He walked away without looking at her.
"Hey! Going my way?"
Randy just ignored the prostitute.
"Are you okay, sir? You look like someone died?"
Randy turned around at the prostitute. "Will you leave me alone? I'm not interested! I don't even have money on me!"
The blonde girl frowned. "Excuse me? You just looked like someone who could use a friend right now."
Randy headed out of the restaurant.
"No, I don't," Randy said. "All I want is to be home working on one of my projects. That would be nice! Or-"
"Sir, watch out!" the blonde yelled.
Randy felt the warm from the headlights. He was too late to react though. The taxi bared down on him and didn't look like it would stop.
"Have you totally lost your mind?" Melissa asked Brown.
"Oh, here she goes!" Brown said as he kissed Azure.
Melissa stood up and put her hands on her hips. "We're all that we got. If we're going to be at each other's throats, then we might as well not be together."
"Then by all means go," Brown waved her off as Azure started to whisper in his ear.
"Since you're so brilliant, you should be able to create another timer so give it up," Melissa demanded, holing out her hand.
Richard stopped messing with Jade's hair. He corked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Brown's face was also in a state of shock. "What was that?"
Melissa looked straight at Brown. "You heard me. Give me the timer."
Brown didn't flinched. "No."
"Yes," Melissa said. "Unlike the two of you, I'm not going to slide out of here without EVERYONE."
"That's harsh," Richard commented.
Melissa turned to Richard. "Is it?" Richard gave no reply. "I didn't think so." She turned to Brown. "Give me the timer."
Richard and the prostitutes turned to Brown. He said nothing, but stared at Melissa. She held out her hand.
"Well?" Melissa said.
Brown pushed the timer toward Melissa. She grabbed it and put it in her pocket. She smiled at him.
"That's a start," Melissa said. "You still trust me. Now if you and Randy could-"
"Get along?" Brown asked. "You and Richard don't."
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest again. "That's because he's an idiot."
"Hey!" Richard yelled.
"I'll see you tomorrow night then," Melissa said. "Think about what I said."
"The same to you, too," Brown said.
"Yeah, you're looking rough around the edges," Richard said.
Melissa looked at Brown one moment longer. She saw a flicker of the old Professor for a second. She was sure of it.
She made it to the door of the restaurant. She looked around, but there was no signs of Randy. She walked down the street and hoped he went back to the motel.
Melissa Clark was pissed off. Logan had ordered her to get rid of Smith's body. She had hated being ordered around. She was no one's lackey. Logan would learn that soon enough.
She headed back into the building when hands grabbed her. She was about to scream, but a hand covered her mouth.
"Are you sure?" one voice said.
"Of course I am sure," another voice replied. "The fluctuations are never wrong. She's not from this Earth."
"All right," the first voice said. "Listen. We're looking for some friends fo mine. I'm sure you've seen them so this is what's going to happen..."
Logan was getting frustrated. The numbers on the screen continued to go off screen. Somewhere within those numbers were the location of Quinn Mallory. Long ago, she had memorized his quantum signature. Cross referencing it with different coordinates seem like a good idea. Who knew the different worlds could be so...endless?
She heard the door open. If it was Melissa...
"So...this is it."
Logan frowned. That wasn't Melissa's voice. She turned to find quite a sight.
A young man was holding Melissa. Next to them was another young man with glasses who looked around the room in awe. Beside the geek was two women who looked alike, probably doubles. Finally, there was a black man with them. The look on his face widened as he looked at her.
"Logan St. Clair?" he said.
Melissa looked at him. "You know crazy lady?" She looked at Logan. "You do get around."
Logan glared at her. "Shut up." She turned to the group of sliders. "Let me guess...you all are looking for your friends, right?"
The young man holding Melissa nodded. "Yeah. Randy Heim and Melissa Clark."
"As well as Richard Hall and-" started one of the women.
"Hush, girl," the black man cut her off. "Don't tell her anymore. Logan St. Clair can't be trusted. She tried to do my friend Q-ball in a long time ago."
"Speaking of Mr. Mallory," Logan said, pulling out a gun, "where is he?"
"I don't know," the black man said.
"Liar!"
"Listen," the young man said. "I don't know what feud you old timers got going on, but I'm here to find my friends. This...Melissa double told me that computer can help. We need it."
"Oh, really?" Logan smirked. "I still need your friends so-"
Logan turned, aimed, and fired at the computer. As the fire started, she grew angry. It had to be done so no one could stop her other way of tracking.
"No!" the young man yelled.
"Good luck using it!" Logan laughed. "Now I must be going!"
She aimed her timer and activated it. The circle formed against the wall. She ran for it and jumped into it.
"No!" Ben yelled.
Ben was so in shock that he stopped holding Melissa. Logan formed an orange wormhole with her timer. She jumped into it. Melissa ran for the wormhole as well.
"Stop her!"
Ben heard it, but his mind wasn't into it.
The computer was gone.
The wormhole closed behind the two women.
"We got to get out of here!" Bufford said. "I'm sure alarms will be going off any minute."
"Come on, Goof!" Rembrandt said.
"But-" Ben started.
"We'll deal with it," Rembrandt said. "We'll find Randy and the others."
"But will we find them before SHE does?" Ben asked.
Before Rembrandt could reply, the alarms started.
"He's coming to."
Those were the first words that he heard. Randy looked around to see he was in a hospital
Sitting next to him was a man who was a few years older than him. He could have been a double of him.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I don't know," Randy said. "I..."
"You're just in here for the night," the man explained. "You should see your friend. If she hadn't tried to push you out of-"
"What?" Randy asked. "Who?"
"She had a wallet," the man replied. "I didn't think hookers even did that. Her name was Sarah Clark."
"Sarah...Clark?" Randy managed. "No!"
It couldn't be. Melissa's sister.
"Oh, no you don't," the man said, restraining Randy. "Mom and Dad would be upset if you pass out and die."
"I don't even know you," Randy said, struggling.
"Very funny, little brother," the man said. "Last I checked, I was your big brother Jared."
Randy stopped struggling. "Brother?"
Melissa put down the phone. The clerk said there had been no notes from Randy. She was starting to worry.
"You're up early," Richard said as he came out of the bathroom.
"So are you," Melissa replied.
"I had to use the bathroom," Richard shot back. "You have a problem with that."
"Yes, I do."
"It figures."
"One of our own is missing."
"Egghead will be back when he's ready," Richard said. Then he smiled. "Or maybe he won't come back at all."
"You would like that, wouldn't you?"
"Yeah. Maybe you'll start having fun again."
Melissa rolled her eyes again. "There you go again."
"I'm serious," Richard continued. "You weren't this uptight when we were together." He moved in closer. "As a matter of face, we used to go at it like rabbits."
Melissa grabbed her coat. "Fine! You don't care. I get it."
Richard blocked her way. "I'm sorry."
"Tell it to that hooker in your room," Melissa replied. Then she headed out the door.
Brown woke up feeling very refreshed. The girl...Azure...had been well worth the time. He looked over at her and smiled. She made him feel young.
He frowned at that idea as he got out of the bed. He wasn't that old really. He had motivated himself a long time in order to get his studies done early and get a successful job at the university. He had married young as well. Perhaps that was why he felt like he was fifty when he wasn't at all.
He opened the bedroom door. Debra stood in the door. She frowned at him.
"Darnell...what have you become?"
Brown jumped up in his bed. His body was covered with sweat. His chest felt like a building had fallen on it.
"Darnell, calm down," Brown said to himself. "It was only a dream."
His breathing slowed down again. As it did, Brown ran his hands through his dreadlocks. It felt weird. Dreadlocks belong to savages, not to college professors.
Brown completely calmed down at that thought. He wasn't a college professor anymore though. Thanks to Randy Heim, he was sliding to different dimensions and losing a part of himself with each slide. Like on that world with Richard...
Brown pushed his memories of that world away. The past should stay there. This was the present.
He nicked Azure on her neck. Then he started to kiss her.
He wasn't a professor anymore. He was a savage.
Randy looked her over. Sarah was in really bad shape. In fact, she did not look like she would last the night.
"It's what she gets," Jared said out of the blue.
"What?" Randy said as he looked at Jared.
"I'm sorry," Jared said. "I know these are your people, but no matter what our kind still frowns on such...unholy doings."
"Our kind?" Randy said with a frown.
"Now I'm starting to worry," Jared said. "How bad did you hit your head?"
"I'm fine," Randy replied.
"Maybe Dad and Mom will finally talk some sense into you and you'll leave this...place."
Randy looked at Jared. "How can you be heartless? Sarah could die because of me."
"No offense, little brother, but if she lived like that she deserves to die."
"And what about me?" Randy challenged.
Before Jared could reply, someone else did.
"Randy!"
Randy turned to see Melissa running toward him. She made it ot him and hugged him.
"Thank God!" Melissa said. "I was worried after last night. Then one of the nurses said-"
"I'm fine," Randy said. "I'm just bruised."
"But-"
Randy silenced Melissa with a kiss. He pulled away to find her blushing. He smiled.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said to her.
"You're sure about that, little brother?" Jared said. "Who is this? Another of your hooker friends?"
Melissa backed away from Randy. She gave Jared a glare. "Who are you?"
"Melissa...this is my brother Jared," Randy explained. "Jared, this is Melissa...Sarah's sister."
Melissa looked through the window at her sister. She had never seen what her sister would look like if she was older. The face that she now knew didn't make the situation any better.
"Melissa!"
Melissa turned away from the window. Richard was heading toward her. Brown was right behind him.
"You came." It was a statement, not a question.
Richard shrugged his shoulders. "Of course. We're friends. I tend to do that."
"Yeah, right. It had nothing to do with the fact she has the timer," Brown said flatly.
"What's your reason then?" Richard countered.
"That was my reason," Brown shot back. "At least, I admit it."
"If you're just here for that, you should just leave now!" Melissa shouted. "My sister is in there and-"
"Actually...Miss Clark, she is a duplicate of your sister," Brown said calmly.
"Does that make her less of a sister?" Melissa asked. "How would you feel if your ex-wife was in there?"
Brown looked at Melissa. Then he moved quickly and penned her to the wall.
"Brown!" Richard barked.
"If you mention my ex-wife again, what I'm doing now will be a walk in the park compared to what I'll do if you do."
"Brown, back off!" Richard barked.
"What's going on?"
Melissa turned to see Randy walking toward the trio. His face betrayed his anger.
Brown let go of her body and backed away. Melissa walked over to Randy.
"Brown and I were having a fight," Melissa admitted.
"I see you got us in another fine mess," Brown said to Randy.
"Will you shut up?" Melissa asked.
"Why?" Brown countered. "I'm right. This is another innocent hurt by Egghead's sliding."
"It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't been badging me like you are now," Randy looked at Brown. "This is Melissa and my business, Leader Guy. All you have to do is get us home."
"Leader Guy?" Richard said in confusion.
Randy looked over at Melissa. "Give Brown the timer."
Melissa felt like a deer in headlights. "What? Are you serious?"
"No. Not anymore," Randy said. "That's Brown's job now. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to meet my parents."
Randy headed down the corridor. Melissa looked from his back to Brown. She wasn't sure she had heard right.
"Randy, wait!" she yelled.
"Melissa!" Brown yelled.
Melissa turned to Brown and threw the timer. "I hope you have fun with it."
She didn't wait for a reply. She headed after Randy. She made it to him and grabbed his shoulder.
"What's going on?" Melissa asked. "I thought you were sticking with us?"
"I am," Randy said. "Brown's being Leader won't change that." He looked at Melissa. "I'm just a science student anyway. What do I know?"
"Lots!" Melissa answered. "You know the timer. Y You know what's best for everyone. You know me."
Randy smiled for a second. "And you know me." The smile slowly faded away. "Did you know that I hired a private detective to find my birth parents? I was suppose to meet him the day after we first slide."
Melissa shook her head. Randy rarely mentioned his parents since she met him. It always seem like it was a touchy subject. He also seem more interested in inventing anyway.
"Now I meet this brother who I've never met before," Randy continued. "Yeah, he's a jerk, but he knows my parents...my real parents."
"How do you even know he would be your brother on our Earth?"
"I don't know. The only way to know for sure is to get home. I want to see my parents though. I want to see what they really look like."
Melissa felt Randy's hands tighten on her arm. She saw in his eyes that he was not joking.
"I have to know," Randy said.
"So are you going to stay?" Melissa asked.
Richard looked over at Brown. He was busy flirting with a nurse. A second before, Brown threatened Melissa.
He didn't have a problem with Brown lashing out at Egghead. He deserved it. And it also fit into his plans. However, his attack on Melissa was wrong. That twist messed with his plans. He knew that the last world had altered Brown a lot. What he saw had been too much. If it had happened to Nicole...
He pushed aside his own thoughts.
"Hey, Brown!" Richard yelled out. "How much time?"
"A couple of hours," Brown answered. "Why we still have to wait for whether Melissa's sister's double does well or not is beyond me."
"Is it really, Brown?" Richard asked. "I would think you more than anyone would know what Melissa's going through."
"I'm sorry, but I don't," Brown said.
Richard smiled lopsidedly. "Come on now, Boss! We survived for three months together. Me...spy, you...rebel. I was there for the execution with the mob. I know you."
Brown laughed bitterly. "Know me? How can you when I no longer know? Am I truly a professor or something else?"
"I think you already know the answers," Richard said. "My advice: use them."
Brown smiled. He put his hand on Richard's shoulder. "You have really turned into a true companion, Richard."
"You're not getting my beer, Brown," Richard said.
They both laughed. Richard patted Brown on his shoulder.
"Go talk to Melissa," Richard said. "She could use it."
Melissa was sitting in Sarah's room. She had tried to get ahold of her mother, but she refused to show up for her daughter. Prostitution may have been legal, but it still had a ways to go before people accepted hookers.
She squeezed Sarah's hand. She was going to be there for her.
"Isn't easy, is it?"
Melissa turned toward the door. Brown looked in at her. He didn't looked angry or cold. He actually looked concerned.
"No," Melissa said.
"I had to deal with a similar situation on that last world," Brown continued as he walked into the room. "It was a world where science...well, evolution theories of any kind was forbidden. The scientists disagreed so most were hanged. The people caught me and Richard with the timer. We were about to be hanged...along with some others. One of the others was Debra."
"Oh," Melissa said. Brown sat down near her.
"She was so feisty...she always was," Brown said with a smile on his face. "She wouldn't let those idiots change her mind." Brown's smile left. "Of course, she died first. I had already lost her once...but there was a hope that when we got home...I could get back to her. Seeing her die...changed me. It changed how I saw a lot of things...including Egghead. I hate him."
Melissa gave no reply. She understood where he was coming from.
"Richard decided to use my...shock as an advantage," Brown said. "We acted like we were...'saved.' In truth, we had a plan. Well...I had one...to pay those butchers back for killing Debra. Richard was just my spy. Thankfully, his double had a good reputation."
"You didn't...hurt his double...did you?" Melissa asked.
"My point...Melissa...is that I know what you're...what you are going through. Double or not, Sarah is part of your family."
Melissa hugged Brown. "And so are you."
"Lis..."
Melissa turned around. Sarah's eyes were open. She looked weakly at Melissa.
"I thought...you..." Sarah started.
Melissa ran to Sarah's side. "It's okay. I'm here."
Randy pace in the lobby. He realized that he never pace this much when he was back in the dorm. the idea that he could finally see what his parents looked like...
"A couple of minutes, Egghead."
Randy turned to see Richard heading for him.
"I know," Randy said.
"Really think you're going to see those parents, huh?" Richard said.
"Yeah," Randy said.
"I'm here to tell you that you're dead wrong."
Randy frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Sarah's going to be okay!" Brown announced.
"I just wish that I could help her more," Melissa replied.
Richard smirked at Randy. "It's time." He aimed the timer. The wall dissolved into a blue circle.
"Go, Melissa!" Brown yelled.
Melissa jumped into the wormhole. Brown followed after her.
"Remember Anya's world?" Richard yelled. "My first chance at happiness? I'm happy to return the honor!"
Before Randy could react, Richard pushed him into the wormhole.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Nicole asked her double.
"Yea," her double replied sheepishly. "The police are looking for Logan St. Clair for Smith's murder. Not Nicole Harris." She smiled. "You take care of yourself. I think what you're doing wrong, but it's for Rich...I mean, Richard. I hope you find him."
"We will," Nicole said.
"Harris, we're about to head out," Bufford said. "Get the crying over with."
Nicole frowned at Bufford. Then she gave her double a hug. They were going to meet on the Dominion's roof. She had to get going.
"Just think," Nicole said. "It's a whole new playground."
Her double glared at her.
Ben looked at the night sky. It looked so endless. A person could get lost in it. Would they ever be found?
"We're still on their trace, Goof," Rembrandt said. "Don't give up."
"That computer...it could have helped us," Ben said. "We could have been with them now if Logan...God, this is crazy!"
"You got to take it one day at a time," Rembrandt said. "Otherwise, you will go crazy. Trust me, it's not a good experience."
Ben smiled. "Okay."
"Is everyone ready?" Bufford asked as he walked onto the roof with Nicole.
"Yeah," Rembrandt answered. "Let's get going. The sooner we get to them, the better off they're be."
Ben nodded. The question was would they get to Randy before Logan did?
THE-END
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