Haven't written in a while but I had this (what I think is cool) idea for a story. So here goes nothing! :) This story is from Natara's point of view unless otherwise stated.

The Illusion of Time

"Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!" I groaned groggily as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I never sleep until the alarm goes off, and I'm definitely not this tired in the morning. I open my eyes to the bright sunlight pouring in from the window and shield my eyes until they adjust. "Mal, time to get up. We don't want to be late to work." I roll over to nudge him awake when I'm met with emptiness beside me. His side of the bed is neatly made, as if no one had slept there at all. "Mal?" I call out. Silence. "Mal?" I get out of bed and walk into the bathroom half-awake. No one. I walk into the living room. No one. "Mal!" The panic is obvious in my voice. Where could he be? I glance around the room, looking for a note or an empty beer bottle, anything to signify his presence. Suddenly, I snap to full attention when I realize that I'm not in his apartment. I'm not even in mine. I spin around studying the furniture. The fire engine red couch is geometrically perfect in it's design, each corner forming a perfect 90 degree angle. The tables and chairs are simple and metallic looking and the walls are painted a bright snow white. It was definitely a strange style of décor. I leaned back against the wall in disbelief and accidentally hit a button. The wall opposite of the couch suddenly opens up and the fanciest TV I have ever laid eyes on slides out from the opening into the room. Where am I? How did I get here? I close my eyes and swallow my concern, focusing on remembering my most recent memory. I was with Mal at work. We were investigating a killing, possibly dealing with a new serial killer. . .

Natara steps out of Mal's car and is met with the light drizzle of rain. She opens up an umbrella. and offers to share with Mal but he politely declines. "It's only big enough for you. No sense in us both getting wet." She smiles and decides not to argue the point. They walk up to the fresh crime scene where a white canopy is set up to keep the area dry. Kai bounces up to them excitedly. "Oh my god this is the BEST THING EVER!" "That a person died?" Mal replied dryly. Kai's energy doesn't waver and he laughs at Mal's reply. Natara turns to Kai. "Settle down and just tell us what we're dealing with." Kai sighs. "Well first for the boring stuff. Victim's name is Shane Brown based on his I.D. Garbage truck driver found his body this morning in that dumpster next to the amateur hour graffiti." Officer Bartaugh walks up. "Based off of his information, he was a ghost. No job, no girlfriend or friends, no family. His parents died a while back and he has no siblings. Could it be random?" Mal thinks thoughtfully. "Could be, but we can't conclude that until after we know more. What's his cause of death?" Kai fidgets where he stands. "That's the exciting part! Come over here!" Mal and Natara share an uncertain glance and follow Kai. When they get to where the body is, they look at it in confusion. Across Shane's torso is a huge gash, but the flesh where the gash is is melded together. An infinity symbol is burned into his forearm. Natara says "It looks like a slash from a large blade. . ." Mal finishes her thought, "But it looks like it melted? What could do something like this?" Kai's excitement spills over. "Oh I don't know, a laser, a really hot sword, a LIGHTSABER!" Mal and Natara both roll their eyes and that's when Natara's phone rings.

My thoughts are cut off by the ringing of a phone. Weird coincidence. I rush over to the kitchen counter, which is jet black with chrome accents, and find what I believe is the source of the ringing. It looks like a sleek rectangular piece of glass, and when I pick it up off the counter, the front lights up with the message: Incoming Call. I tap where it says "Answer" and a holographic screen pops in the air above the phone. I jump back in surprise and almost throw it across the room. An older gentleman appears on screen. "Special Agent Rose." A million questions race through my head but I don't bother mentioning them. I go out on a limb and guess he's a district chief. "District Chief, to what may I owe to have you call so early?" "I've got a case for you to help the SFPD out with. I can see it looks like you just got out of bed, so get to Fisherman's Wharf as soon as you can. I'll be there to introduce you to your new partner. I think you'll like him." I smile politely. "Thank you, sir. I'll get down there as soon as I can." He nods and ends the call. My first reaction is to freak out but instead I search frantically for my FBI badge. I find it on the nightstand and flip it open. Special Agent Elizabeth Rose. I glance at the picture and sure enough, it's me. What is going on? I walk back out into the living room and run my hands through my hair. I have no idea where I am, where Mal is, why my name is supposedly Elizabeth. I pick my weird, piece of glass phone up and touch the front. The screen lights up again and displays a lock screen. I look at the date on my phone and nearly choke. March 22, 2043?! That. . . that can't be right. I rush over to the window and throw the curtains back. I'm greeted by the San Francisco skyline, but one I've never seen before. Futuristic buildings and skyscrapers scatter throughout my view. I look down and see stylish cars hovering silently across the road. The only familiar sights being the buildings that I know have always been there, and the Golden Gate Bridge. 2043. 2043? I slump down onto the couch. This is just a dream right? This can't be real. It feels real though. . . What am I supposed to do now? After a few minutes of thoughtful thinking I find my answer. Time to head down to Fisherman's Wharf.

So I'm sorry if this chapter is kind of slow but it'll pick up I promise. It's going to be really exciting and I want you to stick around for the end :) Please review :)