Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: This is a take on A Christmas Carol. It is centered on Eric and involves characters from both Time Force and Wild Force. I hope you enjoy it.

Ghost of Christmas Future

Eric sat on the edge of his bed. At this point he wasn't sure if he would ever be able to go back to sleep. Nadira had mentioned Lucas. His brother who he had not spoken to for years because death had forever separated them had left him a message? He wasn't quite sure what to make of that. Had Nadira been truthful? But why would she lie?

First he had to think about the spirits that had visited him. They had known things about him that not many people did. And…this just couldn't be an actual dream, besides why he would image such characters as Nadira or Shayla? No, this all had to be real. And if this was all real that meant that…that there was something wrong with him and he needed to fix it. If he didn't he would end up like Mr. Collins and he might not be able to see his brother again.

And he would be alone.

Though wasn't he always alone?

Alice's words floated in his head, 'And thank you for Daddy's boss and bless him that he can feel what I feel.' Then Wes's words came back to him, 'he's still my friend and I'll stand by him.'

People were there, he just wasn't being there. He had been turning his back on everyone and what did that give him?

A cold house.

A cold heart.

"Now is no time for any pity."

Eric looked up and standing in front of him was a man with slicked back dark hair, he somewhat resembled Wes. "Let me guess the Ghost of Christmas Future?"

The man nodded, "Let's go."

"Wait," Eric began but stopped when the man held up his hand.

"I don't care what the other spirits might have let you get. You are coming with me and that's that."

Eric stood up, "I wasn't going to say that I wasn't coming."

"Good."

Eric rolled his eyes but went over to the other man, "What's your name?"

"Not that it matters but its Alex. Now let's go."

They were then transported to an alley way. Eric looked around and noticed there was a group of people at the end. Silently he went over there wondering why he was there and who those people were.

As he got closer he could hear the voices.

The first one, a man, spoke up, "I wouldn't pay even half price for the bed. Considering who it came from I think it is a miracle anyone would want to touch any of his things. I think it should be free…or paying us to take it."

A woman then started speaking, "I just took the curtains. They're fancy and expensive, so I just went in there and took them."

Eric looked back at Alex. He was puzzled, who were they talking about and what did that have to do with him? "What's the point of this?"

Alex rolled his eyes, "Keep watching, I wouldn't have brought you here if it wasn't for a reason."

Sighing Eric turned back to the women who had taken the curtains. As she stepped into the light he realized that he recognized her. It was one of the ladies who cleaned his house. The lady continued talking, "After all I still had a key and it's not like anybody cared about him to begin with."

"Let's go." Alex stated and before Eric could say another word the scene in front of him disappeared and they were in a house that he had only seen a little while ago, the Regis' house.

Eric didn't even want to voice his thoughts or questions towards Alex instead he watched and waited. It didn't take long before the front door opened and Trip walked in with his head down. Following him was three of the kids, Alice wasn't there but he wasn't sure because maybe she couldn't go where they had gone. However the next person who came in the door showed that Alice couldn't have just been in the house, Katie came in and closed the door.

Rachel walked over and sat down at the table. Katie put her hand on the young girls shoulder, "Why don't we open your gifts?"

"I don't want a present." Rachel said.

Peter shrugged, "Maybe later."

"You know Alice wouldn't want you guys to be doing this, she'd want you to be having a good time." Trip said.

"If she was still here," Tom whispered.

Eric's heart clenched. That meant that the sweet, caring little girl had died. What if he had been able to give some money to help, or given Trip a raise or… "Are we done here?"

Alex nodded, "We're ready to go to the next area."

The scene disappeared and this time they appeared in a graveyard. Eric looked around; the last time he had been in a graveyard had been to bury his brother. After that he never wanted to see one again. Thinking about his brother it made him remember what Nadira had said. Besides he didn't really want to be alone…not anymore. He just wasn't sure how to do that.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Look."

Eric saw that Alex was pointing to a tombstone. Slowly he made his way over to it and knelt down. On it was his name. "I'll die in the future? Everyone dies in the future, that's how people's lives end."

"It's not just that you die. You die alone. Completely and utterly alone and uncared for. The day they buried you. No one came. No one cared. People were happy to be rid of you. Is that the kind of person you want to be in death? Look at the other graves they all have flowers and visitors, yours doesn't, nor will it ever. This is your future if you continue on the path that you're on."

Eric swallowed. He really did have no one, no one would care…wait, "Wes, he said he would always stand by me."

Alex shrugged, "How long can he put up with you pushing him away?"

Eric's eyes narrowed, "He won't have to because I'm not going to push him away."

"It's hard for a leper to change spots. I don't think you'd be able to do it."

Eric stood up just a bit taller, "I can and I will. I've decided I don't want this life I'm living. I want to have what I had when my brother was alive. I want to be able to wake up knowing I am not alone." Before he could say anything more the scene around him changed and he sat up in his bed completely confused. Was all that real or just a dream he had?