Richard Hall shot out of the wormhole. He hit the wall with a thump. Then he spiraled out onto the sidewalk. He threw his hands out to protect himself. His hands shot pain up his arms.
"Christ!" Richard yelled.
He looked at the sidewalk. It was made completely of wood. This was not home.
He looked up. Several people stared at him in confusion. Yeah...this was definitely not home.
A whir behind him reminded him of his situation. He pushed himself to the left. The thump behind him told him whoever slid after him hit the wall. He turned around. Eve shot right at him.
"God!" Richard yelled.
Eve landed on Richard. Her hands pushed him down as he tried to get up.
"Get off me!" Richard barked.
"I thought you wanted this," Eve said playfully.
A whir sounded off. It was quickly followed by another. Seconds later, Eve fell closer to Richard. Her face was like an annoyed tiger.
"Get off me!" Eve barked.
"Not so nice, is it?" Richard asked slyly.
Richard felt his weight lighten. Eve stood above him now. Richard could recognize Randy Heim and Melissa Clark. Egghead was busy looking over his timer.
"A little under a week," Randy announced.
"Charmed," Eve replied.
A whir shot out again. Darnell Brown flew right at Richard. He held himself up by his arms. His eyes narrowed on Richard for a second. Then he stood up.
"What?" Richard asked as he sat up himself. "What did I do now?"
"The same thing you always do," Brown said. "Nothing."
"Hey!" Melissa yelled. "If we're going to argue, let's do it at the Dominion."
"I don't know, Melissa," Eve said. "We have become quite good at doing both."
Melissa gave no reply. She headed down the street. Randy was right behind her. Richard stared after them.
"Looks like Melissa has forgiven you," Eve said.
"Pity," Brown added. "It was fun having everyone against the thief. Still...what do you expect from a weak girl?"
"If there's anyone who's weak, it's you," Richard said. "You've ben acting like a wild man for months. No rhyme or reason. All over someone you're not even marry to anymore."
Brown's eyes went dark. "Do not go there."
"Or what?" Richard challenged. "You'll kill me?"
"He might," Eve said flatly.
"Guys!"
Melissa's words left no room for argument.
"I have to see how you react when a part of your past finally crops up," Richard said. "Maybe you'll get off your high horse."
Richard marched after the others. A few seconds after the others. A few seconds later, he heard footsteps behind him. He grinned at the small triumph.
A gasp behind Richard surprised him. He turned around. Someone had come out of the grocery store. He stared square at Brown. Brown meanwhile looked white as milk.
"Uh...Darnell," Eve asked. "Who is this?"
"I..." Brown managed.
"I can't believe it!" the black man exclaimed. He ran at Brown and hugged him tight. "Son...how are you?"
Richard finally got a good view of the man. He remembered a club on a world where California had its own rules for gun control. The club was ran by...
"Hey," the black man continued, shaking Eve's hand. "I'm Rembrandt Brown...Darnell's father."
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 16: HAUNTING PASTS
"Yes, that's right!! Acme Hula-hoop!! Coming to a store near you!!"
Melissa shut off the radio. "It's official! This world is stuck in the '50s! No television! No mall! Where's the justice?"
Melissa looked over at Randy. He was staring down at the timer. He had finished deconstructing it an hour ago.
"Randy...are you listening to me?" Melissa asked.
Randy picked up a piece of machinery. He gave no sign of hearing Melissa. He put it down again and moved on to another piece.
"Randy!"
Randy shook his head. He looked up at Melissa. His smile was sheepish.
"Sorry," Randy said. "Sometimes...Logan's timer...it has a lot more to it than my old timer. I zone out on it."
"Why are you even taking the timer apart?" Melissa asked.
"I'm trying to find Logan's tracker," Randy answered. "If I can remember every part of the way my timer was set up...maybe I'll find it."
"Sounds far-fetched."
"At the moment, it's the best bet we have. If we find Quinn, we don't want her knowing about it."
Melissa corked an eyebrow. "If?" She sat down with Randy. She grabbed one of his hands and smiled. "Don't you mean when?"
Randy smiled. "Always the optimist."
"Someone has to be."
Melissa leaned in and kissed him. His lips responded to her. It was like bells in her head. She felt Randy pull away. She stared at him in confusion.
"So what were you complaining about?" Randy asked.
"This world," Melissa said. "It's like the '50s."
"I thought you lived for fun worlds."
"Must be old age."
Randy grinned again. Before Melissa could take advantage of his silence, a door opened. Melissa turned away. Richard had come out of the room that was next door.
"I'm out!" Richard announced.
"Where are you going?" Randy asked.
"To find Proper," Richard answered.
"Is that a good idea?" Melissa asked. "You two aren't exactly best buds anymore."
Richard's face looked like he was confused.
"He has Eve with him," Richard said finally. "Reason enough for finding him."
Richard headed for the door. He stopped for a second. He turned and managed a smile.
"Besides," Richard said, "he doesn't know the Dominion was never built here." Then he left.
"You know he's going to get in a lot of trouble," Randy commented.
"I just hope he doesn't get killed," Melissa replied.
Brown stared at him. He stared at him and glared. This was not possible. Well, it was possible. It was just ironic.
An elbow poked him in the side. He turned to face Eve. She sat next to him on the couch.
"So are you going to talk to your father or not?" Eve asked.
"That man is not my father," Brown said coldly as he stared at Rembrandt in the kitchen. "He doesn't have what it takes."
"Fine," Eve said. "Then let us go. Maybe we can find something on this world that will help us with our problem."
"Our problem?" Brown muttered. "Richard, you mean?"
"What else would I mean?"
"Maybe the fact you are not home?"
Eve grinned. "I will get home. When I do, Sarah will pay for what she did."
"Here you go!"
The cups bang on the table. Rembrandt said as he sat down in a chair. "I asked you to come, but I wasn't sure you would."
Brown wanted to say go to the other place. Instead he said, "Well...surprise."
"So how are things?" Rembrandt asked. "I'm surprised you brought...a friend. I thought you were patching things up with Debra."
It was like a dam burst inside Brown. He stood up and headed for the door.
"Son, wait!" Rembrandt exclaimed.
Brown faced Rembrandt. "I'm not your son!"
Rembrandt's face wrinkled. "Now you're not too old for me to put you on my knee."
"You touch me," Brown said coldly, "and I will break your neck."
"What?" Rembrandt muttered. "What's gotten into you?"
"What's gotten into me?" Brown mocked. "You cannot make up for the years you wanted...should have been a father. More interested in your career than your own flesh and blood!"
"I said I was sorry for that."
"Sorry isn't good enough."
Brown headed for the door. "Come on, Eve. I should not have come here."
"Nice meeting you, Mr. Brown," Eve said. "It was...a pleasure."
"Darnell...wait," Rembrandt said. "Maybe we can go out and talk."
Brown opened the door. The words were like old tape. It did not stick. He remembered a time when he wanted a father around. Those times were gone.
"You could have been nicer," Eve said as she shut the door behind her.
"Are you going to preach to me now?" Brown asked without looking behind her.
Hands wrapped around his stomach. Lips touched his ear.
"No," Eve whispered. "I would rather take that raw energy and...put it to use."
Brown turned to look at Eve. He grabbed her in his arms. He jerked her toward him. She gasped for a second. Then she grinned.
"I forgot," Brown said. "You like it rough."
Richard headed down the wooden sidewalk. He did not know what he would say, but something had to be done. Egghead and Melissa were too much in la-la land to notice.
Eve was a spider. Her web encircled Brown now. When she was done, he would be a sorry sight.
"Don't yell."
Richard stopped walking. A few feet away stood Nicole Harris. Her long jet-black hair was tied in a bun. Her tank top and shorts would look plain on anyone else. On her, the clothes looked heavenly. Richard looked into her arms. She held a baby. He did not know whether it was a boy or girl.
"Don't tell me what to do!"
Another figure came out of the store. His looks were very ragged. His beard looked like something out of a trash can. If Richard did not know better, he would say it could have been anyone. He knew it was his double though.
"You're going to wake Brandon," Nicole said calmly.
"As if I wanted him anyway!" Richard's double yelled.
Richard's eyes narrowed. This guy was a jerk.
"Maybe you should have used a condom," Nicole said.
"Maybe you should have dealt with it the way I told you to!" Richard shot back.
Nicole's eyes narrowed at Richard's double. Richard could make out the fire from where he stood.
"Maybe life isn't precious to you, but it is to me," Nicole said evenly. "You insensitive-"
"Insensitive?" Richard's double said as the top of his lungs. "Did you ever bother to see how having a baby would affect me? I can't even go to college because of you!"
Nicole stared Richard's double down. "Look in the mirror. You'll find the person to blame."
Richard's double stared down at Nicole. He was an inch taller than Nicole, but the look on his face made him taller.
"I oughta-" Richard started.
Brandon cried out. Nicole cooed to him as she bounced up and down. Richard's double looked about at the various walkerbys staring them. Richard hid behind a crowd.
"Take him back to the house," his double instructed. "I'm heading to my interview."
Nicole looked away from Brandon. Her look was of someone who found out her mom had died. "Interview?"
"I told you about it."
"And I told you not to go there. My aunt wants us to live with her in Arkansas. You can find a job-"
"I'm not moving to some redneck town!" his double yelled.
"Will you stop yelling?"
"I'll do what I want!"
"Could you two like go home?" a passerby asked.
"She is," Richard's double said.
"Not without you," Nicole said.
"Guess it's without."
Richard's double crossed the street without another word. Nicole stared after him with an angry glare. After a few moments, she went back to nursing Brandon.
Brandon. That was the name Nicole had named their son on Magic World long ago. He smiled at the similarity.
Nicole headed down the street now. Richard knew he should find Brown. He knew it.
He headed after Nicole anyway.
"Need a job? Security? A future? PriceCorp will give you this and more!!! Go to your nearest plant for information!!!"
Melissa glared at the radio. Every time she heard Price, she thought about the dark sliders. She had almost lost Randy because of their actions.
"God! Will you turn that off? I am so sick of hearing about PriceCorp!"
Melissa noticed a few customers hold their heads up. A few others looked down at their feet. Melissa saw it. The ones looking down at their feet were various ages, but they were all kids. The ones with their heads listening were adults.
Melissa headed to the front of the aisle. A kid...maybe fifteen...with spiky blonde hair glared at another man. The man was big with broad shoulders. His hair thinned out. He glared back at the boy.
"Bobby, shut up!" the man barked.
"Why?" Bobby challenged. "They're going to take the town and run it into the ground!"
"No, they're not."
"Dad-"
"They will bring more opportunities to the town," Bobby's dad said. "Opportunities that will be good for the town! Maybe when you're older..."
"I'm old enough!" Bobby shot back.
"Sounds like you have a very outspoken son, Mr. Neely."
Melissa turned to the sound of the voice. Eric Price grinned at Bobby and Mr. Neely. He smoothed out his gray business suit. Judging by Bobby's face, he was unimpressed.
"Hello, Mr. Price," Neely said. "How are you?"
"Offended," Eric replied. His eyes focused on Bobby. "When I was growing up, my mother believed in a quaint quote...kids should be seen, not heard."
Bobby's face wrinkled up like a plum. "Here's a quote for you...bite me!"
"Bobby!" Neely barked.
"You may want to kiss his butt, Dad," Bobby said as he grabbed his skateboard, "but I don't."
"Bobby!"
"I'm out of here!"
Bobby stormed to the door. Eric stared at him as he left. He stared at his watch. Melissa's eyes narrowed. Did he push a button on it?
Melissa headed for the door. Eric was busy talking to Mr. Neely. She caught one sentence as she passed.
"Better be careful," Eric said. "Kids like that run off when they don't like change."
Melissa made it out the door. She realized that she did not buy Randy any food. She would have to explain later.
"Hey!"
Melissa ran down the street. She turned into an alley. Bobby swung his skateboard at a figure dressed head-to-toe in black. Another figure stood behind Bobby. He lunged at him.
"Look out!" Melissa warned.
"Well, this is a surprise."
Melissa turned away from the scene. She stared at the raven-haired woman behind her. Her eyes narrowed.
"Rebecca Pryce," Melissa said coldly.
Rebecca Pryce's eyes opened up wide. "You remember me? I'm so surprised."
"God, you doubles are all alike."
Rebecca laughed. "You don't get it?"
A hand shot out at Melissa. It penned her to the wall. Rebecca's eyes narrowed on her.
"We've met, you idiot," Rebecca said. "Your group of...sliders helped me get the controlling shares of the Arturo Foundation...remember?"
Melissa's eyes widened in shock. Con World. She remembered what they had did for her there. She thought they were rid of her then.
"We have the target," one of the black-clad figures told Rebecca.
"Then we are gone," Rebecca said. She looked back at Melissa. "I have someone who would love to see you."
Eve stared at Brown. He looked back at her. Her eyes betrayed none of her thoughts. He wondered what she thought.
"All right," Brown said as he sat up in the bed. "What is it?"
Eve pulled the covers closer to her chest as she sat up. "Oh, I was thinking...how manly you are!"
"And?"
Eve grinned. "Are you serious about returning Richard to your homeworld?"
Brown gave no reply. Richard had been quite nice over the last few weeks. He had yet to make a break for it. He thought Richard was actually telling the truth about making amends.
"I guess I have my answer," Eve said coldly. "You're having second thoughts."
"He...seems like a changed man," Brown said.
"People like him do not change!" Eve said with venom.
"And you?" Brown challenged. "As I recall, you used to be part of a group that revel in chaos across worlds."
"Chaos?" Eve laughed. "We simply did what we wanted for amusement as well as made us more powerful on our own world."
"I see."
"I do not think you do," Eve said as she stood up with the sheet. "This game is boring me. I think it's about time Richard paid for his crimes."
Brown said nothing as Eve grabbed her clothes. He knew what she was asking. They had grown quite close because of their common goal: Richard's death. Now it was time.
Eve zipped up her black tank top. She headed for the door. At the last second, she turned to stare at Brown. He could not read her face.
"I am going to find Randall," Eve announced. "While I'm gone, maybe you can find the answer to this question...are you man enough to kill the man who put in this situation? Follow that question with this: can you allow a killer to just walk free with so much blood on his hands? It is not just Laura. There's Debra and...how many other people on your crosses?"
Eve closed the door behind her. Brown stared at the door as if he could see out of it. He wondered about the questions. He did not like the answers coming back.
Richard felt like a stalker. Here he was looking through a window. He stared at Nicole and felt happy.
Nicole lived in a run down house on the edge of town. Forest surrounded in on three sides so it was simple for Richard to watch her. He looked at the inside of the house and wished she was better off.
Nicole gave Brandon a bottle. She sat on a couch that looked like it was about to fall apart any second. Brandon looked oblivious to it and the rundown wallpaper as he sucked on his bottle. Nicole looked close to tears.
Richard wished he could take her in his arms. She deserved better.
Eventually, Nicole got Brandon to bed. His bed was a beanbag in the corner. It was surrounded by pillows and baby toys. He deserved better.
How could the Richard of this world let her live this way? Richard couldn't do this. Then again, Richard had made Nicole on his world get an abortion. He wished now he had not been such a jerk.
People can change though, Richard thought.
A door hitting a wall broke Richard out of his thoughts. His double was home. He stared at Nicole wit a big smile on his face.
"I got the job!" Richard exclaimed.
"Great," Nicole said sarcastically.
Richard's smile gave way to an angry glance. "What is that suppose to mean?"
Nicole looked at him with an angry glance that matched his. "You know exactly what I mean."
"How about you explain it to me?"
"How about you use your brain?"
"Dammit, Nicole! I'm not moving! I got the job at PriceCorp and-"
"PriceCorp?" Nicole said. She headed over to a refrigeratoror in the corner. "It figures. Do you ever think?"
Richard's double grabbed the door and slammed it. Richard jumped away from the window. He looked again to find Nicole sitting down with crackers. Richard stood behind her. He looked like a caged panther.
"It doesn't matter," Nicole said. "Brandon and I are leaving at the end of the week."
"You're not taking my son!" Richard's double barked.
"Oh...so now he's your son? That's rich!"
"I warned you."
Nicole stared behind her. "What are you going to do? Kill me?"
"Why I oughta-"
"Oughta what? You nogood-"
The hand shot out quickly. It hit Nicole across the face. Richard kicked the side of the walk. His double turned toward the window. Richard backed into the shadows. His double stared for a few more seconds. Then he headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Nicole asked as she rubbed her cheek.
"Out!" Richard's double shot back. He pointed at her. "You better be here."
Richard headed over to the side of the house. He heard the door slam. His double stormed down the walk without looking around. Richard headed after him.
Randy held up a rectangular microchip. His face was like the Cheshire Cat.
"It's this!" Randy exclaimed. "This is Logan's tracker."
Eve grinned. "I knew you could do it, Randall." She hugged him. "You were always brilliant."
Randy felt Eve's hands tighten around his back. He stared at her.
"We talked about this, Eve," Randy said.
"Old habits die hard," Eve replied.
"Let go."
"Why?" Eve challenged. "Afraid I'll turn you on."
Randy grabbed Eve's hands. She stared at him like an innocent baby. "I love Melissa. You...just make me uncomfortable."
Randy pushed Eve away from him on the couch. Eve lunged at him. Randy threw up his hands to stop her hands. One of her hands changed direction. It landed on his crotch. Eve grinned.
"So I do turn you on?" Eve said.
The door opened. Randy looked over at it. Brown stood there. His face was a blank canvas. His eyes however were full of emotions.
"Darnell...hi," Eve said happily.
"Brown, good news," Randy said as he sat up from the small couch. "I found Logan's tracker...finally."
Brown managed a smile. "That's...good." He shut the door behind him. He ignored Randy and focused on Eve. "We need to talk."
Eve smiled innocently. "About what?"
"You know exactly what about," Brown said icily.
Randy watched Eve. She leaned back on the couch. Her arms were on the corners. "No, I don't. Maybe you should be more specific."
The look on Brown's face was one of an angry mama bear about to attack a threat to her children. Before Brown could say more, the little primitive phone rang. Randy stared at Brown and Eve. Neither of them moved as the phone rang again.
"Fine! I'll get it!" Randy declared. He picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Incoming message for Mrs. Albright," the chirper voice on the other end announced.
"Eve...it's for you," Randy said as he held the phone.
Brown arched an eyebrow. Eve grinned as she stood up. She took the phone from Randy. "Hello?"
Randy looked at Brown. "What is going on with you two?"
"What's going on with you two?" Brown shot back. "Does Miss Clark know?"
"Hey!" Randy said. "I'm on your side."
"Really?" Brown challenged.
"You know I am," Randy said. "I want us all to get home."
Brown said nothing. He looked past Randy. Randy turned to see Eve hang up the phone. She looked at the two of them.
"I have to go," Eve announced.
"Where are you going?" Brown asked.
"Oh...let's just say I have to check on a surprise," Eve said as she headed to the door. She was gone before either one of them could stop her.
"So," Randy said, changing the topic, "how did things go with your father?"
"That man was not my father," Brown spit out.
Randy shrugged his shoulders. "Of course. My mistake. He's a double." He grinned. "I knew there was something up with you and Rembrandt Brown. I knew! You always tensed up when that name came up! I cannot believe you have a connection to the first sliders form our world. Why didn't you say anything?"
Brown sighed in frustration. He sat down on the sofa. "I just found out on Outpost World. It does...explain his disappearance a long time ago." His eyes darkened. "It does not excuse him his behavior before he vanished. God, we don't even...did not even know if he is alive!"
"I'm sure he is," Randy said. "Just as I'm sure Quinn is still alive. We'll find them and bring them home."
Brown looked up at Randy. "You are assuming I want to find Rembrandt. I don't."
"Why? He's your father-"
"He is not my father!" Brown snapped.
Randy sat down next to Brown. "Okay. He made you mad in the past. Still you shouldn't disown him over disappearing-"
"You do not get it," Brown said. "Rembrandt Brown is not my father. Rembrandt Brown...is my uncle."
Randy's jaw dropped. "What? I thought-"
"You thought wrong," Brown said simply.
"Oh."
"My father Leroy had problems with my mother," Brown explained. "Rembrandt stepped in as big brother..he always had a thing for Mom long ago. He said he would be a good father. He said..."
Brown looked down at his feet. His face was wrinkled up. Randy looked at him and put his hand on Brown's shoulder. Surprisingly, Brown did not push it away.
"Then...he vanished," Brown continued, "without a trace. Leaving me with two good-for-nothing fathers." He stared at Randy. "I hate Rembrandt Brown."
Eve had followed the directions well. She saw the building. It looked like a mansion from a distance. She headed for it.
When she was almost there, she stopped near an alley. She moved through it quickly. No one was there yet. She stood in the shadows and waited.
Thirty minutes later, two figures entered the alley. She grinned when she recognized them.
"There is no sign of her," one said.
"She was always late," said the other.
"Maybe for you," the first speaker replied.
Eve smiled. She walked out of the shadows.
"Nice to see you still think highly of me, Randall," Eve said.
Randall Heim smiled. "I always have."
Eve ran to him. He grabbed her into his strong arms. Their lips connected and the last few months fell away.
"Isn't that nice?"
Eve pulled away from Randall. She managed a smile for the second speaker.
"Hello to you, too, Peter," Eve said sarcastically.
"Now...now," Randall said. "Peter is the one who found you."
"Oh, really?" Eve asked. "Was it because he missed me...or because he has a grudge against Richard Hall?"
Peter Carmichael smiled. "Nice to see you haven't changed a bit. Rebecca tells us that you have been sleeping with the enemy."
"Who's Rebecca?" Eve asked.
"A new member of our group," Randall explained. "We can across her world a few weeks ago. A world where the con is the thing...and profit is important. Of course, Eric had to strike a deal."
"Of course."
"Eric wanted money. So did Rebecca. They make quite a pair. Sarah hates them."
Eve felt her fists ball up. "Where is 'dear' Sarah?"
"Back home," Peter replied. "Why?"
"Gentlemen, I think we need to talk," Eve said. "You need to know the truth of why I was left behind...and why Sarah has to pay."
Richard sipped his beer. He stared at the end of the bar. His double was at the end. He chatted up some girl in the black Armani suit he got form PriceCorp. She seem into him. Richard stewed.
He should not be there. He should be with Nicole and Brandon. He should take care of them. He should not be flirting with someone else.
The girl giggled. Richard's double whispered something in her ear. She laughed in response to that. Richard glared at her. She was a pale imitation of Nicole. Nicole was the sun. She was just a flea.
Richard watched the two flirters head to the door. The group's motel was across the street. Richard hoped that his double was not about to make a big mistake. He waited a few seconds. Then he stood up, left money for the drink, and headed for the door.
Richard opened the door. He saw his double across the street. He kissed the girl as he started to unbutton her blouse. She giggled between kisses. They entered the motel together.
Richard stood in the door and said nothing. Nicole was at home taking care of Brandon. His double...her husband...was committing adultery. It made him sick.
There had to be something he could do. He had to make his double see what a mistake he was making. What could he do?
A light went on in his head. Richard saw the smile in his mind. It was cheesy, but it just might work.
Brown paid the cashier. Randy was busy reconstructing the timer and needed food. Melissa was suppose to do it, but never came back. Randy had worried at first, but Brown talked to him. He convinced him that Melissa was exploring their new world.
"Have a nice day," the cashier said.
Brown nodded. The cashier seem quite sad. He wondered what happened.
"Still no sign of Bobby?"
Brown heard the customer ask the cashier. She looked like an old hippie. The cashier shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Andrew," the hippie said. "I know we have had our differences in the past, but...I would not wish the loss of a child on anyone."
"I know," Andrew said. "Thank you, Helena."
"Son, hello."
Brown knew his face wrinkled up when he heard the familiar voice. He looked down the aisle nearest him. Rembrandt headed for him with a cart.
"Listen, son-" Rembrandt started.
"I'm not your son," Brown said coldly. "A son has a father who is there for him...no matter what transpires to stop that."
"I said I was sorry, boy."
"I said sorry wasn't good enough."
"You're going to make this hard, aren't you?"
Brown crossed his arms over his chest. "Should it be easy?"
Rembrandt shook his head. "No."
"Good. I have to leave," Brown said.
"You wait right there."
"Sorry," Brown said. "No can do."
Brown headed for the door. A shadow moved to his right. Rembrandt stood in front of him.
"Oh, yes you can," Rembrandt said. "You will listen to every word I say. You hear?"
Brown said nothing. Rembrandt stormed over to him. He put his hands on the sides of Brown's face.
"I said you hear?" Rembrandt demanded.
"I hear," Brown said icily. "Now...move the hands."
Rembrandt pulled back. "Good. I know I wasn't the best dad in the world. I made a lot of promises and never kept them. I was headstrong, boy. I was determined to get a singing career out of this town." He made a small smile. "I know that is no excuse...especially since I'm still here. I shouldn't have neglected you though. That is the worst thing you can do to ANY child. If you want to beat me up...feel like a better man...do it. I've been beating myself up for years."
Rembrandt turned and headed for the door.
"Rembrandt," Brown said. Rembrandt stopped. "I'm sorry."
Rembrandt turned a little. "Sorry isn't good enough."
"It's the best I got," Brown said. "I grew up with...myself and my mother. I shouldn't have. I should have had a mother AND a father. All I got was a lot of empty promises. How can I trust you when you have never been there for me?"
"You have to try, son," Rembrandt said. "When all else fails, blood is thicker than water."
"New jobs are coming! Yes! Go to your nearest PriceCorp for all the job opportunities!"
A hiss came from behind Brown. Brown looked back at Helena. She glared at Andrew.
"It's a conspiracy," Helena said.
"It's new opportunities, Helena," Andrew said.
"New opportunities my right toe!" Helena exclaimed. "They're not interested in the community. It's all about profits. I will not let them come here."
Andrew looked skeptic. "And what are you going to do?"
"You don't know?" Rembrandt joined in. "There is a meeting tonight at city hall. Maybe you should go, Mr. Neely. I think there is more to PriceCorp than we know."
"I second that," Helena said. "I wouldn't be surprise if they're behind the disappearances."
"Out!" Mr. Neely barked. "I will not have you put my son's name to such bull...crap!"
Helena shook her head as she left. Brown looked at Rembrandt.
"How about after the meeting...we get a bite to eat?" Rembrandt asked. "We can start over."
"Don't expect too much," Brown warned.
"I won't."
"Then all right."
Richard's double did not leave the motel until the next night. It worked for Richard though. He had enough time to get what he needed. As his double left the motel, he smiled.
He went to the store to get a few things. His double continued down the stairs after that. Richard was right behind him. He tipped his black hat a little to hide his face. He pulled his black cloak a little closer. His double looked oblivious to everyone and everything around him.
A few minutes later, Richard saw a building in the distance. It lured like some dark beast. His double looked like he was heading right for it. The crowd had thinned out a little on the sidewalks. Richard assumed they were at the meeting at city hall.
His double was almost at an alleyway. Richard walked faster. By the time his double made it to the alley's entrance, he was also there. He shoved him in.
"What the-" Richard's double started.
Richard swung his arm out, his hand forming a fist. It connected with his double's jaw. He flew into a wall.
"Silence!" Richard bared in a deep voice. "I will do the talking here! You...Richard Hall...are about to make a terrible mistake."
"Who are you?" his double managed through his messed up jaw.
"I...am from the future," Richard said.
"Oh, great!" his double started to stand. "A loon."
"Down!" Richard barked. He swung at his double again. His double fell down to the ground again. "I am talking!"
His double nodded. "Fine. You're talking."
"You have a wife," Richard began, "and a son. They wish to leave this town. You wish to stay. You must stay together to avoid a terrible future."
"We are together!" his double yelled.
"No!" Richard barked. "She will leave very soon."
His double shot up. "Not if I can help-"
"Down!" Richard barked as he swung at his double. His double fell to the ground again. He kept his head down. "Very good. To avoid this terrible future...you must stay together. Where she goes, you go. Your life will be well."
"And if we're not..." his double managed.
"Your future is dark," Richard answered. "You are alone. It...is a hell you cannot bear. This results in your life spiraling out of control until you cause an innocent to die. I wish to avoid that. So go back to your wife. Do not take this job."
"No way!" Richard's double barked. "It will give me opportunity!"
"It will give you pain and loneliness."
"And how am I to believe you? I don't know who you are."
"Oh...you know. Deep down."
His double looked at him. His look was skeptic. "Oh, really? Let's see!"
His double lunged at Richard. Richard backed away a step. His double was quicker. He grabbed Richard by his collar. Richard grabbed at his double's hands. His double pushed him into a wall. His hat fell off.
"What the-" his double muttered as he saw Richard's face. "You're...you're me!"
"Of course," Richard said. "I said I was from the future." He dusted his clothes off. "Did you think I lied?"
"Well...yeah."
"Then you are an idiot."
"Hey! Watch your mouth."
"Watch your actions," Richard said as he picked up his hat. "The next few days are important. Find your wife. Fix things. Stay together."
Richard headed for the alley's entrance. He paused.
"She might be at city hall," he said.
"Thanks," his double mumbled. "I'll give what you said some thought."
Richard glared at his double. "You better. Your...OUR future depends on it."
Randy looked at Brown as they walked down the sidewalk. He looked like someone with pie on his face.
"You two actually talked?" Randy asked finally.
Brown nodded. "He wants me to see him after this meeting. We are getting a bite to eat."
"That's good," Randy commented.
"Don't expect too much," Brown warned.
"It's a start. I never knew who my parents were for some time. I resented them for giving me up when I was younger. Now that I have met them...so to speak...I see how much I am like them...and how much they loved me. It makes me want to hurry up and get home. Meet the real thing."
"Now that you have found Logan's tracker, think it will take us longer?" Brown asked.
"I think I might attempt a kind of ricochet effect," Randy explained. "Since Quinn's group has been to some of the worlds we've been, maybe I could..."
Brown looked at the city hall and smiled. Science. It had been a while since the two of them had discussed quantum theory. He was so busy letting his anger get the better of him. He forget that the professor was still in him. The curiosity.
Rembrandt stood outside the city hall. He waved at Brown. Brown waved back at him. He thought that maybe he would enjoy playing catch-up with him.
A loud sound like thunder cut through the sky. City Hall became a large cloud of smoke and red light. Rembrandt disappeared in the cloud.
"Rembrandt!" Brown yelled.
He headed for the cloud. He heard Randy's cries, but ignored him. He was slowly, but surly accepting Rembrandt's olive branch. Things were finally coming together. Now? It was like Debra all over again.
A large rock fell to his left. It was followed by several small ones. Brown did not care.
"Rembrandt!" Brown yelled. "Rembrandt!"
The smoke cleared a little. He could make out Rembrandt. He was under a lot of rubble. Brown looked at him and knew.
"No!" Brown yelled.
Richard saw his double head for city hall. Maybe he had a heart after all.
If Richard was not sure of his double's feelings, he got a good idea when the air was shattered by a loud sound. It sounded like something had fallen. Something BIG.
Richard's double paused at the sound. Then he broke out in a run. Richard was right behind him.
His double made it around the corner. Richard was right behind him. City Hall looked like a giant meteor had hit it. Columns stood in jaded poses. Rocks were all over the sidewalk. The smoke rised into the air like from a stove.
"Richard!"
Richard looked away from the ruin. Egghead headed for him. Richard's double was already past him now.
"What are you doing here?" Randy asked.
"Playing 'Back to the Future,'" Richard answered. "You?"
"Being Support Guy for Brown."
Richard looked at the wreckage that was City Hall. "Doesn't look like it's working."
"Rembrandt was in it," Randy said. "Brown went to get him. Come on."
Richard followed Randy toward the city hall. He saw his double was looking through the wreckage.
"Nicole!" his double yelled. He got no reply. "Nicole!"
"Richard?"
Richard turned to the sound of that voice. Nicole stood across the street. Brandon looked at the wreckage with awe.
Richard's double ran across the street. He grabbed her in his arms.
"Uh...Richard," Nicole managed.
"I...I thought...I thought you..." Richard's double muttered.
"If I hadn't been late...probably," Nicole said.
"Oh, thank God!" Richard's double exclaimed. He kissed her. "I was worried you were...I'm sorry for being an idiot. Let's leave. We can do whatever you want. Go to your redneck relatives. As long as we're together. I don't care."
He hugged her again. "Don't ever scare me like that again."
"What has gotten into you?" Nicole asked.
"My better half kicked in. Let's go."
Richard smiled as he watched the two of them leave. He turned around. Brown stood before him.
"God!" Richard exclaimed. "Scare a guy why don't you?"
"We need an ambulance...NOW," Brown said.
"And so far no survivors from the explosion. According to the police, it was a few bad wires..."
"Mr. Heim, turn off the radio," Brown said.
Randy turned off the radio. They had been like this since last night. They listened to the radio, hoping new information would pop up. New information did pop up. Mostly bad.
"You tried the best you could," Randy said to Brown as he sat on the couch. "You didn't know-"
"Mr. Heim, I think maybe you should be silent," Brown said coldly. "You have caused enough damage."
"Hey!" Randy yelled. "You don't think this was my fault, do you?"
Brown balled his hands together. He leaned into his legs. After a few moments, Brown looked at him.
"No," Brown said, "I do not really think it is your fault."
Randy did not really know what to say. That was the first time in a very long time that Brown had not sue contractions.
"In fact," Brown said, "If I would use my ignored-for-too-long brain, I have a theory on who did do it." He stood up and grabbed his coat. "I think we better find Miss Clark and Mrs. Albright. They might be in danger."
"There you are again!" Randy exclaimed. "What is it with the formal language."
"One of a father's greatest joy is to see his child live up to his full potential," Brown said. "I have betrayed a lot of my principles because of my bitterness over our sliding. It is not your fault. I might go as far and suggest it is not Mr. Hall's fault. What has happened to me over the last few months are of my own creation. I think it is about time I made amends."
Randy smiled. "Sounds like a plan to me, Brown."
"That's PROFESSOR Brown, Mr. Heim," Brown corrected. "Now let us go avenge my...'father's' death. I owe him that much."
Richard was in a great mood. He was sad for the dead for sure. He was happy some good came from the tragedy. His double had the crap scared out of him. He thought he had lost Nicole. That made him realize how much he cared about her. They left tomorrow for Arkansas.
"So now you have taken up stalking? Is their no limit to your evil?"
Richard turned around. Eve headed for him.
"Where have you been?" Richard asked.
"As if you care," Eve said.
"You're right. I don't. Have you seen Melissa?"
"Sorry. Can't help you."
Richard crossed his arms over his chest. "Can't or won't?"
"You decide," Eve said with a smile on her face.
"I think that would be too hard for him, Eve. Shall we decide for him?"
Richard felt his breath stall on him. The voice had come from behind him. It could not be.
Richard turned around. At the nearest alley stood Peter Carmichael. He leaned against the wall with a smirk on his face.
"Yes, I think we should decide for him," Eve said.
"This isn't possible," Richard muttered.
"Well, fate can be a bitch," Eve replied.
"So can payback," Peter added.
Richard glared at Peter. "You sicko! I was on my way home to pay for my crime."
"Jail is too good for you," Peter said. "Eve told me your plan." His eyes narrowed on Richard. "I want to see you when you die."
"So do I," Eve said as she walked past Richard.
"Sounds like a party to me," Rebecca Pryce said as she came out of the alley behind Peter.
"No way!" Richard said. "Another double?"
"No, Richard," Rebecca said. "The original from...how did Melissa put it...Con World."
It hit Richard then. He had not seen Melissa in days. He thought she might have been on an adventure of her own. They had her.
"If you hurt Melissa-" Richard started.
"Whether sweet Melissa is hurt depends on you," Rebecca said.
"Yes," Peter agreed. "Now we're going to find out what's more important to you: your love or your need to make amends."
"No," Richard said. "I'm not going to play your game."
Richard turned to run. For the second time, Richard felt like all the breath had left him. Eric Price stood in front of him. Nicole Harris stood next to him. Her eyes widened as she saw him.
"Richard?" Nicole managed. "We're been looking for you! Are you still with Randy, Melissa, and Darnell?"
Eric grinned. "Oh, yeah. I am definitely liking your game, Peter. So much better than Sarah's."
"That's because he's upfront about it," Eve replied.
"How can you do this?" Richard asked Eve. "You slide with us for weeks. You bonded with Egghead and Proper. Where the hell is your heart?"
"So I bonded," Eve said. "The goal never changed. I wanted you dead."
"And now we can get what we want," Peter said. He smiled at Richard. "We're just going to have a little fun first."
Brown opened the office door expecting to find one of Eric Price's doubles. There was no one in the room. The desk was empty. The chair was turned away from the door. Brown looked at the walls. They were covered with books.
"There's no one here," Randy said from behind Brown.
"Yes there is," Brown said as he studied the room more. "We would not have been allowed in otherwise."
The chair slowly turned away from the wall. Brown's eyes narrowed on it as it turned toward them. Randall Heim sat in a chair grinning.
"How perceptive, Mr. Brown," Randall said. "You were right."
"Why?" Randy asked.
"I wanted to see the other man Eve was screwing," Randall replied.
Brown heard Randy gasp. He would have to explain later. "So you sliders are behind the kidnappings and deaths?"
"Actually Eric and Rebecca are," Randall said. "I'm just here as the know-it-all science guy. Imagine our surprise when we realized you were here."
"Sarah..." Randy muttered.
"Back home," Randall replied. "Good thing given what Eve told me about her stunt. How did it feel to cease to exist?"
"Where are the children, Randall?" Brown demanded.
"Locked away," Randall said, "until the next plane shows up to cart them off to the black market."
"You sick son of a-" Randy started.
"You know Eric," Randall said. "Anything for profit."
"Yes, I do know Eric," Brown said. "I also know exactly what I am going to do to him when I see him."
"Oh. What is that?"
Brown turned around. Eric and Eve stood in the door.
"There you are!" Eve exclaimed.
"Did you know about the kidnappings?" Brown demanded.
"Does it matter?" Eve challenged.
"Enough," Randall said from behind them.
Brown heard a click. He screamed. His arm shot to his left shoulder. His hand barely pulled out the dart. He looked at it for a second. Then his face met the floor.
"Wakey, wakey, Darnell."
Brown's eyes slowly opened. He sat up to find Eve next to him.
"Are you ready?" Eve asked.
"Ready for what?" Brown asked.
"To come with us," Eve said. "To come with me. We're going to cross after Peter gets his way. I want you to come with me."
"Are you insane?" Brown demanded. "Eric killed my father."
Eve frowned. "So...he's your father now."
Brown said nothing. He was surprised he said that much. The death of the man he always wanted to call father had hanged him more than he realized.
Eve looked down at her feet. For a few moments, she said nothing.
"I'm...sorry about your father," Eve finally said. She stared at him. "We had some fun times though. I do not want them to end."
"I...I had fun as well, Eve," Brown said.
"Then come with me," Eve said. "I can visit your homeworld." She untied his hands. "What do you say?"
"Richard."
Richard's eyes opened. His head ached somewhat. He found that weird since Rebecca only shot him with a dart. Weirder things had happened.
"Richard."
Richard turned to his left. Randy was tied up next to him. He stared back at Richard.
"Where are we, Egghead?" Richard asked.
"Looks like some kind of factory," Randy said. "Owned by PriceCorp, of course."
"Of course."
Richard looked across the room. A door was opened. The dark sliders headed their way. Eric led the pack. They crossed between two round vials of water. Richard saw Eve and Brown bringing up the back of the group. It turned his stomach.
"So how are you sliders?" Eric asked.
"Peachy," Randy said sarcastically.
"I would feel better if my hands we
re untied," Richard said.
"I bet you would," Peter said. "We don't need your hands. Just your mouth."
Rebecca pulled at a line of rope that was next to the vials of water. Light turned on from somewhere. Richard blinked for a few seconds. His eyes adjusted.
Two tall cages stood over the vials of water. Richard realized they were boiling. Richard's eyes narrowed on the cages. Nicole and Melissa were in separate cages bound and gagged like pigs at a roast.
"You want to make amends," Peter challenged. "Kinda hard to do if your associates cannot figure you if Melissa falls into a vial of acid."
Melissa mumbled something. Randy struggled with his bounds.
"You can't let Nicole die either," Peter said. "You love her very much." He smiled. "Only one makes it out alive. Choose. You have until the count of five."
"How do I even know that's the real Nicole?" Richard asked. "It could be a lousy double."
Rebecca headed for Richard. She held the sliders' statuscope in her hand.
"I think it's rare when you see it," Rebecca said, "but that's your quantum signature. You see hers." She smiled. "Perfect match."
"Yes," Eric said as he joined Rebecca. "It turned out a group of your friends were searching for you. They were hard to lose, but we did."
"Are you convinced?" Peter asked.
Rebecca headed for one side of the room. Eric went to the other side. Peter walked over to Richard. Randall, Eve, and Brown were close behind.
"One," Peter said.
"Melissa!" Randy yelled.
"Two."
Melissa mumbled back.
"Better pick one, Richard," Eve said. "What's more important...your love or your amends?"
"Three," Peter continued.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," Eric said cheerily.
"Who will it be?" Peter asked Richard.
Richard looked at Nicole. It was her. It was really her. Could he let her die?
"Four," Peter said.
Richard looked at Melissa. He loved her in a way. They had dated for six months. She helped him get over Nicole. He had to choose.
"Five," Peter said. He kneeled down. He was in Richard's face. "What's it going to be, Hall?"
Richard looked him straight in the eye. "Your head."
"What?"
Richard knocked Peter in the head. He fell back.
"Light the ropes!" Eve yelled.
A click got Richard's attention. He looked up. Brown grabbed Eve. He held a gun to her head.
"Untie them!" Brown barked at Randall.
"Darnell...what are you doing?" Eve asked.
"Making amends," Brown said.
"A little late for that," Rebecca said.
Richard looked over at her. She had lit Nicole's rope. She grinned.
"Oops!" Rebecca said sarcastically.
"No!" Richard yelled as his ropes came undone. He dotted for Rebecca.
A leg shot up at him. He tripped over it and hit the floor.
Richard tried to stand. Heavy weight hit his back. A gun flew across the room.
"It looks like this game is turning," Richard heard Eric say. "I suggest we cross now."
A shimmer shot through the room. Richard made out red across the wall. He also saw the rope burning.
"Nicole!" Richard yelled.
Brown lifted up. He lunged at Eve.
Richard got to his feet. He headed for the rope. Rebecca blocked his way. He swung at her. She fell to the floor to avoid his fist. Her foot shot up and got him in the crotch. He fell to the floor screaming.
"And here I thought you were tougher," Rebecca said.
Brown watched Eric jump into his vortex. He had not lit the rope up. He was too concerned with getting away. Thank goodness.
Brown kicked Randall in the face. He fell into Randy. Randy took advantage of the fight to wok on untying himself.
A movement to Brown's left got his attention. Eve reached for his gun. He lunged at her.
"No, you don't," Brown said.
Brown's head shot with pain. He fell off of Eve. He looked up to see Peter hold a hand out to Eve. She took it.
"Come on," Peter said as he helped her up. "The vortex is about to close."
Eve stared down at Brown. Her face was not blank for a change. She looked disappointed.
"It could have been fun," Eve said.
Peter pulled her away. Randall was right behind them. Brown stood up. He was not going to let them get away this time.
"Nicole!"
Brown saw Richard fall to the floor. A shimmer got his attention. He saw that Peter had vanished. Randall and Eve jumped in together. It shimmered again.
Brown ran for the rope. It was looking like a little string.
Rebecca came out of nowhere. She swung at him. Brown backhanded her. He grabbed her by the shoulders.
"You-" Brown started.
Then the rope snapped.
"No!" Richard shouted.
Brown looked at Richard. His eyes have never been wider. Brown did not look as he heard the splash. Richard was too in shock to move.
"No!" Rebecca yelled.
Brown looked behind him. The red vortex had closed.
A earth-shattering scream pierced the room as Nicole's gag melted off.
"No!" Richard yelled. "God, no!"
"Well, at least something good came out of this," Rebecca said.
Brown stared at Rebecca. He swung his fist at her face. She fell to the ground unconscious.
Brown headed for Richard. His glance was one of someone who was not there. Brown bended down in front of him.
"Mr. Hall?" Brown muttered.
Richard stared at him. His eyes narrowed.
Brown did not see the fist at all. He felt a pain in his jaw. Then there was darkness.
Rebecca Pryce laid in her cell. The kids had been returned days ago. The sliders had also left a few days ago. She had given up hope of Eric coming for her. So much for their alliance for profit.
Rebecca managed a smile. At least, this had been a fun cross. Now if she could just get out of the cell...
As if in response to her mental pleas, a whir hummed in her room. Rebecca sat up in bed. She recognized the hum and smiled. Maybe Eric had not forgotten about her.
The wall in front of her dissolved. A green vortex formed in its place. A figure emerged from it. It closed behind him. Rebecca took one look at the tall bald man and frowned.
"You're not Eric," Rebecca said.
"No," the man said. "I am...Mr. Stone. I believe we can help each other."
"Oh, really?" Rebecca said sarcastically. "Does helping you involve me escaping this cell and getting home?"
"That," Mr. Stone said, "and a lot more."
Rebecca smiled. "I like the sound of that." She stood up. "Okay. I'm in. What's your plan?"
THE-END
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