AN.: This is a Time Tunnel story of my imagination and has nothing to do with some of my other TT Stories, even if in my own little Time Tunnel World I always ship Ann and Doug. ;-).

This story will have two or three chapters. So enjoy the first installment and if you would take the time to leave me a review, I will be very happy.

Dr. Ann MacGregor stood at the entrance of the tunnel and observed the bustling activity in the main base. What seemed like an utter chaos was in reality a well planned mission. From the corner of her eye she saw General Kirk and Dr. Swain, who had a wiring diagram in hand. Ann had a look at her watch, they were still on schedule. But of course she knew the longer the time tunnel was offline, the greater was the risk for Doug Phillips and Tony Newman. She lowered her head. Four years! Since four years both men were in the whirl of time. Since four years all she and her colleagues in the main base could do, was to keep an eye on them and try to transfer them back. But now, after four years full of disappointments, frustrations and fear, she had for the first time a feeling of progress. Maybe it was just that the long-planned renovations and innovations were finally tackled. And it maybe were only her innermost wishes, which raised her hope.

"Dr. MacGregor?"

The voice of Jerry Briggs brought her back from her thoughts. She smiled at the young scientist.

"What is it, Jerry?"

"The new computer processors are installed. Now the electricians want to rearrange the wires."

Raymond Swain and General Kirk had overheard the conversation.

"This will take a few hours."

Ann nodded thoughtfully.

"If everything goes according to plan, the main supply lines should be connected in at least three hours. Everything else could the electricians connect, when the tunnel is online again."

"How about a break, Ann? You're at work since the early morning hours."

Swain sounded worried.

And Kirk added:

"I'll stay here and notify you immediately if anything unusual happens."

Without much resistance, Dr. MacGregor gave in.

"Alright, I'm in the staff canteen. Ray, would you accompany me? Then we can discuss the different sections of the relaunch."

Ray and Ann ate in companionable silence. The staff canteen was emptier than usual, due to the frantic work which everyone had to do. Bill, the manager of the recreation area and the canteen, brought them a coffee pot and two cups and left them alone.

The cup in hands Ann threw a glance to her paternal friend.

"You look tired, Ray. Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine."

Ann doubted it but she was silent. Since Ray had have a heart attack a year ago, Ann was constantly worried about him, even though the astrophysicist was well recovered.

Ray grabbed for the papers in front of the woman and studied them.

"Seems, we have no need to discuss the procedure. We will make it as we have written here."

"I know, but I wanted you to have a rest for a little while."

Ray laughed.

"And what about you? I bet, you haven't slept for a few nights."

When Ann was about to speak, he waved his hand.

"I know you are used to get along well with little sleep. In the period before the senator came, Doug has you often kept awake."

Ann blushed and asked curious:

"What do you mean, Ray?"

Her voice sounded alarmed and Ray raised his head and looked at his young colleague with astonishment.

"What should I've meant? Is it not true, that sometimes you and Doug and Tony were working at the Tunnel until late in the night?"

Ann nodded and sighed with relief. That was not lost on Ray's attention.

Ann lowered her head and smiled.

"Don't worry about me, Ray. I'm fine. The few days I was on vacation, have done me a lot of good."

She filled her coffee cup anew.

"Ray, we have still more than an hour until we can launch the tunnel. Just rest a bit. I'll call you when we're ready."

"Okay, Ann."

Ray stood and went to the exit, but before he left the canteen, he turned around to the woman.

"Some day maybe you will tell me, what else I could have meant, when I said, that Doug had kept you awake."

Swain grinned and walked away.

Ann sipped her coffee. If Ray would only knew how much she wanted to talk sometimes of Doug, from what was between her and Phillips. On the other hand she was glad, that seemingly nobody knew about it. It was useless to think about what was. She had better things to do. The changes should make it possible to bring back Tony and Doug. Only then could she allow herself to think about personal feelings. Perhaps she would believe it, if she convinced herself long enough, she thought sarcastically. It passed not a day on which she did not think of Doug, hardly a night in which she had not dreamed of him. When she was kidnapped to the planet Canopus to act as a decoy for Doug and Tony, she had been so happy, in spite of her fear, to see her friends. She had thrown herself into the embrace of Doug and he seemed happy about it. They had no time to talk about personal things, no time for a private moment. But she had Doug kissed goodbye, short but intense, in the hope that Tony and he could use the time machine of the Canopians. But it was not to be. There were days and weeks when she wanted to give up. When she just wanted to get away and forget everything. But she could not. Not when she thought of the months before Tony and then Doug went into the vortex of time. She remembered the days filled with hard work, the nights in Doug's arms and the feeling of togetherness. But then he went to help his friend. She knew that he had to do it. Nevertheless, she was sometimes so angry at him. Maybe Tony would be back long ago, when Doug had sat at the controls. Sometimes she felt so inadequate, so helpless. Doug always knew what to do. And she? She doubted too often her abilities even though she was the one who had designed a new control pult. She had fought for the new computer system. And she was amazed that the government had approved it. Ann MacGregor looked again at her watch. It was time to go back to the main control room.

***************************TT**********************************

It wasn't so easy as she had thought. The new supply lines had been carefully laid, as it was listed on the wiring diagrams. Nevertheless, the electric current didn't come to where it was needed. Two hours later the error was found and Ann sat at her panel, Ray had a place at the console to the right of her along with Jerry Briggs. General Kirk stood behind Ann and turned his signet ring nervously. The tension in the big hall was almost physically palpable. Since the day when Tony and Doug were gone through the tunnel into the vortex of time, the energy was never completely off. The scientists had long debated back and forth whether it was advisable to paralyze the whole unit. But when they asked Doug and Tony this question at a given opportunity, were both of the opinion that there would be no problems to launch the tunnel again. The computer would analyze the current process so that Ann, Ray and Jerry could understand later, what amounts of energy were needed where. The newly by Ann designed control panels were easier to use and contained a better screen than before, not only one but up to three charts were shown on it. Nevertheless, the woman felt her heart beating in her throat with excitement. The most important thing was to bring the tunnel back to life. After that it was important to locate Doug and Tony as soon as possible. Ann gave the order to turn on the power supply. For a moment it seemed as would happen nothing, but then the indicator lights began to shine, the big screen with the newly modified retaining clips was automatically pushed to its position and the blue lights in the tunnel spirals were proof that the complicated mechanism had taken no harm. Ann allowed herself a brief sigh of relief. A look at Ray and Jerry showed her that the two men were about to start the search mode, while she examined the first data. Everything had gone according to plan, now they just had to find their friends.

At the same Moment, when Ann received the signature of the radiation bath, the big screen showed a picture.

"We have found them! Without any difficulties!"

Ann beamed at the sight of Doug and Tony, which were obviously in good health.

Kirk laid his hand at Ann's shoulder.

"Do we have an accurate reading?"

Ray shook his head.

"Not yet. Could be the beginning of the century, maybe a little later. Ann, what do you mean?"

"You're right, Ray, I have a time display., 1853, no, 1854. The geographic bearing indicates that the two of them are in Europe. I can tell you exactly now. Yes, they are in Austria. April 24, 1854."

Dr. MacGregor had a look at the view screen. Doug and Tony stood in the midst of a cheering crowd in the vicinity of an imposing church. The two tried to get away from the hustle and bustle and made it to a wall. From there, they had a good view to the church door. A wedding carriage was waiting there.

An exclamation of surprise escaped Ann.

" Oh, they're in Vienna. This is the wedding between Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria and the Emperor of Austria. How exciting. "

Kirk, Ray and Jerry threw themselves to the amused looks.

Kirk smiled.

" You are quite sure, Ann? "

Slightly embarrassed, replied the scientist:

" Although I have only studied a few semesters of history, I know it well. It is a dream that has become a fairy tale. A young princess, full of vitality and an almost as young emperor, who knows only the sense of duty and military drill, fell in love. They married to the dismay of their relatives and to the delight of the people. Would it be a fairy tale, it would be so " Ann pointed to the screen, " to the end. 'And they lived happily ever after.' But this is real life and the young princess was not happy in her castle. She was called * Sisi * and people liked her, but her mother in law was a dragon. Nevertheless, the love between the Emperor and his wife remained alive until she was murdered!"

"Nice Story, Ann. But what will we do with Tony and Doug? Should we transfer them now?"

Kirk looked at the screen.

Ann shook her head.

"No, not from the current position. There are too much people around them. Maybe they can get away from the crowd."

The view screen showed as the newly wed couple descended from the stairs of the church. They waved to the cheering crowd, then climbed into the carriage and drove away.

Ray saw the dreamy expression of his young colleague and smiled.

"That is the dream of every woman, is it not, Ann?"

"I don't know Ray. I would definitely give up such a spectacular wedding ceremony, if I am instead really happy. Empress Sisi hadn't an easy life. What is the value of the whole grandeur when you are living locked up in a golden cage? That isn't the way I want to live my life."

And with a wink she added:

" I rather live locked up under the desert. "

Ann turned back to her control panel.

"Let's wait until the two are in a quieter place. Do we have enough power?"

*****************************TT***********************************

Dr. Tony Newman looked around.

"Let's get out of here, Doug. The crowd will be soon dissipated and certainly we will drew attention with our clothes."

With another look he asked.

"Where are we? Have you any clue?"

Phillips shrugged.

"Maybe we're in Vienna. I'm not sure, but it could be. If I'm not totally wrong, we were witness of an important wedding. I don't know the exact date, but I think it must be 1850, or somewhat. The Austrian Emperor married an insignificant princess from Bavaria. Ann told me at some point this story, seems to be a favorite object of hers."

Tony grinned and Doug saw it.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing special. I..I always thought, that you are a favorite object for Ann. And by the way, she also for you."

Philips blushed slightly.

"This is nothing, which I will talk about. Come on, Tony, we should abscond to the side street."

"For now, yes. Nevertheless, we should leave the city. We are already relatively long here. "

"You mean, our team will want to transfer us soon? But you know that they make the conversions. If that's the case, then we have proof that we do not immerse on our own volition in the time stream, but only if the team tries to get us."

Tony shrugged.

"This is not really a proof. Maybe if we stay in one place longer, then you could prove the theory."

But it was not so easy to come out of Vienna. The whole town celebrated the wedding and even if Tony and Doug were classified as "foreigners" because of their clothes, they were nonetheless invited here and there to a glass of wine or a meal. Only in the early morning hours of the next day they arrived at the gates of the city and looked around for a hiding place where they could rest. Above all, Tony had a glass of wine too much and he had skipped no dance while Doug contented himself to see the hustle and bustle. Phillips did not know if the team could see him and Tony, but he suddenly wished that Ann would be with him.

They found a shady spot on a small lake and lay down under one of the trees. While Tony quickly fell to sleep, Doug was seized by an inexplicable restlessness. His thoughts were at the Tic Toc team. At the last voice call Ann, Ray and Jerry had explained what they had planned. He was thrilled when Tony responded rather skeptical. Did they really shut down the tunnel completely? Were the conversion work went quickly? Was the reboot successful? What if they had not done it?

"Ann? Ann, General, Ray her? Can you hear me?"

Not that he really expected an answer, so he was surprised by Ann's voice.

"Doug! Please stay where you are, we will immediately attempt the transfer."

"Does that mean you've done it?"

Phillips heard the smile in the voice of the woman.

"Yes, everything worked fine. I ... we very much hope that we can bring you finally back."

Tony had woken up in the meantime and had overheard the conversation.

"We hope so, too."

There was a rustling, and then Ray's voice was heard.

"We've already prepared everything, just stay where you are and let's do it. We will take advantage of the fact, that you're not in danger this time."

Doug and Tony looked at each other and nodded.

"Well, and ... until hopefully in a little while!" said Doug

******************************TT***********************************

After Ray interrupted the speech connection, Ann joined her console with that of Dr. Swain.

"Jerry, on my command you switch the power supply on. The safety systems can cope with three and a half times the amount of electricity that we had earlier. Ann, you have the control for the transfer."

General Kirk had hitherto kept himself in the background.

"Are all of you sure that we can dare to make the transition?"

Ann nodded.

"The values are within the normal range. We have sufficient energy available and both the computer systems as well as our direct ads are much more accurate than before. We can make it!"

The General nodded thoughtfully.

"Then go for it!"

When all the ads showed the same configuration, Ray gave the order to increase the energy intake slowly . Ann supervised the data displays and as Ray were diverting all the functions on her desk, she switched on the return mechanism. The electrical discharges in the tunnel were more intense and louder than ever before, the fog, formed by the discharges, was so thick that no one could tell if someone was in the tunnel spirals.

"I've got something, " said Ann .

But at that moment shattered the data screens of her console and Dr. MacGregor was hit by an electric discharge . She fell to the ground and Kirk was with a few quick steps with her.

" Jerry, call Dr. Marshall. Ray, what happened? Ray? "

"I do not know. We had them both. I'm sure. "

"Was the system after all overloaded? "

"No, it was not. I had for a moment totally incorrect data, then everything was back to normal and at that moment the explosion went off. "

Ann was conscious again and fought against Dr. Marshall, who wanted to bring her to the infirmary.

"I'm okay, my right hand is a bit numb, otherwise I'm fine. What happened? I had Doug and Tony in focus. I had them in the tunnel."

Dr. MacGregor looked at the big screen, which showed only a static fibrillation.

"Where are the two? Ray if they ... if we do not have them back, then they would have to be in the vortex of time. Then we would have the kaleidoscope on the screen. Did we finally lost them?"

Ray and Jerry had feverishly tried to find the radioactive signature of Newman and Phillips.

"We have something here. It is the signature of the radiation bath, but as weak as never before. ... And she seems to come from the complex."

Kirk gave orders to search the whole complex for a sign of Newman and Phillips.

Sergeant Jiggs called his men and the search was soon underway.

Kirk went over to Ann, who sat on her swivel chair.

"It wasn't your fault, Ann."

Ann shrugged and rubbed her hand. For a moment she blinked her eyes, it was as if she couldn't see clearly.

Kirk looked worried to her.

"Are you really okay?"

"Yes, I am fine, but.."

"But?"

"Don't laugh at me. The control room feels wrong!"