AN: I hope all of you, who celebrate, had a Happy Easter and all, who not celebrate, had a lovely time. Here is the next chapter in which our friends are on very different roads. For all the Tony Newman fans I wrote a bit more about him. So read and enjoy and I would be very happy if I get reviews ;-)!

Dr. Raymond Swain wiped the sweat from his forehead and went to the jeep, which stood under a pavilion.

"Time, that we'll find the entrance! The heat is murderous." he said to Kirk, who sat in the vehicle and studied some maps.

"Jiggs called us a few minutes ago, he thinks, they have found the automatic door to the ramp. Of course it's not functioning, but they try to excavate it. We can go back to the base, if you want. Maybe there is another radio message from Marshall. They should be not far away anymore. I'm excited to see Doug and Jerry again."

"Me too, General. But I can't fathom, that Tony isn't with them. And Ann, God knows where she is. Too bad, that Bill and Jiggs couldn't persuade her to stay on the ship."

More than half a year has gone by, since Kirk and Swain came to the old Military Base. They had found the station empty, but all the equipment was in good shape. Soon more scientists and soldiers had joined them and together they tried to go back to Project Tic Toc. Senator Clark kept in touch and informed the group about the latest development. It was not much, but life returned to normal apparently or what you at least could call normal.

There was still no government, only different groups, who tried to restore some order, but the hunt for scientist had subsided. The people had more important things on their minds.

After Kirk and Swain had parked the jeep, they went into the building, where the usual hustle and bustle prevailed. Kirk smiled to himself. When they reached the desert and this building, it were only the two of them. and now? More than 3000 people lived in the former Army Base. Some of them from Tic Toc and the rest were soldiers and physicians, physicists, chemists, mathematicians, astrophysicists, biologists and computer experts. They were a sworn in fellowship with one goal in mind: To find the tunnel-cave and bring the time tunnel to life again. And still more came to them.

They have had contact to Ted Marshall, who told Kirk and Ray, that he had found Phillips, Newman and Briggs. And what had happened. Then he said, that they would stay for some weeks at his home in Glenwood Springs before they would be on their way to Arizona to join them. Only a few days ago Sergeant Jiggs arrived at the Army Base with a troop of soldiers. He brought news from Bill Banders, who still was at sea, and from Dr. MacGregor, who had decided to stay with Betty Dermott and her daughter. Even Kirk knew nothing of the marriage between Phillips and MacGregor, so, when Marshall sent another radio message and he was able to talk to Phillips, he didn't tell him the news about Ann.

With time they had worked hard, to modify the equipment, especially all devices for radio contact and the computer processors. Still telephone and data transmissions were only rudimentary possible, if at all. Kirk was all the more grateful for the old army radio set that provided at least the contact to Dr. Marshall and Leroy Clark. And as if he had known it, the young Sergeant at the radio station held him and Ray back, because he had contact to Doug Phillips.

"General, good to hear your voice. We are on the way, but we will make a detour. Dr. Armitage has found a trace of some friends of his. They are in the vicinity of Phoenix. It is not much left of the town, but there is a small community of maybe 250 people, some of them worked earlier for Tic Toc. We will go there and see if anyone want to come with us. What's about you? Do you make progress?"

Kirk smiled.

"Okay, Doug. Maybe we can reopen the tunnel complex before you join us. Wait a moment!"

Ray had another micro in hand.

"Doug, can you hear me?"

"Ray, what's the matter?"

"I have Jiggs on the line. They've made it. We have access to the gateway into the complex. As far as he can see, we have lots of work to do, because it seems that the passage is completely blocked. But at least we have found the entrance!"

"Good news, Ray. I'm very excited to see it for myself, but we will reach you in approximately 8 days at the earliest."

Ray turned the conversation to Kirk again.

"Doug, don't take too much risks. Maybe it would be better, if you cancel the trip to Phoenix and come to us straight away."

"Patience, General, as long as the gateway isn't accessible, we can't do nothing. But we can use all the knowledge which we can get a hold on. And we will need any man or woman, who want to help us."

"Okay, we will see you in a week or so. Take care of yourself, Doug."

"I will, give Ray and Jiggs my regards, until then!"

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

He did not know in how many ruins they had stayed previously. In how many, barely existing, cities they had remained for a few days. How many times they had fought against other groups who claimed the area for themselves or who just wanted to cause trouble. Wachinski had told him in the afternoon, that they would reach Springfield in the early evening hours and that, if no troubles would arise, they could stay there for some days. He knew Springfield from former visits there, but, as in the most other towns, Springfield wasn't anymore like it had been before. As the group left the others in Dodge City, Tony was full of anticipation. With Melissa Davis at his side and no responsibilities to fulfill, he felt free for the first time since his early childhood. But the sense of freedom had vanished soon. The trail wasn't an easy one. Most of the group members were on foot. Tony got a horse by Ted Marshall, while Melissa had organized a motorcycle for herself. Some others found cars, Jeeps or trucks in abandoned cities and from time to time they could fuel them in another town. They took turns in the use of vehicles and horses, so that no one was disadvantaged. If already at the beginning a certain sympathy had arisen between Tony and Melissa, they grew very close while they were traveling. Melissa had a very outgoing personality and was not in the least restrained.

Tony, never adverse to a flirt, had avoided a closer relationship so far. But Melissa with her weird sense of humor and her disposition for adventures was the first woman, after his hopeless infatuation with Sarit, which had captivated him so much. Maybe because Melissa was a very free spirited Girl they never talked about love or commitment. But both made it clear for anyone to see, that they were some kind of a couple.

It took no long to set the camp. Melissa had found a sheltered place, where she and Tony could spend the night in relatively privacy. They met at the fire after Tony had taken care of the horse.

With a plate and two cups in hand, Melissa took a place at the left side of Tony.

"Here, are you hungry?"

Newman took one of the cups.

"No not really, what is this?"

"Dried meat and vegetables. The men will hunt tomorrow."

Tony shrugged.

"Yes of course. Wild dogs and cats, I presume!"

Melissa Davis looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you moody today?"

"And what if I am?"

The small woman stood up.

"Very easy. I'm searching for someone, who isn't!"

Newman grabbed for Melissa's wrist.

"Sorry, I thought the whole day about if it was the right decision to go with Wachinski. Stay here, please."

She sat down again and turned her head to Tony.

"You miss Phillips, don't you?"

Tony looked at his hands.

"Maybe. Did you know that Doug and I were not such good friends before I went into the time stream?"

Melissa laughed.

"You forgot, that I was sometimes in the main control room. I know, that you were often cross with each other. But I also saw, that you and he had the same goal in mind, even if each one of you had a different way to reach it. And when you both were gone, I saw how your friendship with every adventure that you have survived, developed. I can understand, how difficult it is for you, to go on without him."

Tony took Melissa's Hand in his.

"It was my decision. And I don't regret it. Maybe it was time for me, to find my own way. We have to rebuild an entire world, what a chance! We can make it a better place than it was before. Melissa, do you realize, when Doug and the others who want to restore the tunnel, are successful, everything will be back to the way it was in 1968 for us. Or even five years later. All the people we have come to know will be born later or we will never meet them."

Melissa shook her head.

"I see your point, Tony. But what of the war? This all," she pointed at the ruins around them, "should not have happened. So many people died. Not only because of the war and the battles, but due to illness, hunger, and also by the hand of the bounty hunters who thought that everyone who has anything to do with science should die."

Newman stood up and went to the sleeping place, which they had chosen and Melissa followed him.

Tony lay down in silence and waited that Melissa came to him. But the woman sat on her blanket and looked thoughtful at Newman.

"Do you think that I came to you because I want to build this world anew? I did not even have the slightest idea what this Dr. Wachinski plans and it doesn't interest me in the least."

Tony sat up, leaning on the elbows.

"Then tell me, why you went with me?"

"Because I like you. You are intelligent, compassionate and, don't take offense, you are easy to manipulate."

"That's new!" his voice dripped with sarcasm

"Maybe this is new for you, but even if you can be stubborn and hot-headed, in the hands of a pretty woman you're like wax. I have so often observed, when you have quarreled with Phillips, Swain or the General, when you are not deviated one iota from your point of view, then just Ann MacGregor had come to talk with you and you listened to the opinion of others. Don't get me wrong, I like that about you. And where should I go then? I couldn't really go with the group of Dr. Phillips, because Ted Marshall is with him. In the other troops I hardly know people. In addition, "Melissa hesitated a moment and then continued:

"In addition I feel at ease with you. I noticed it even at the seldom occasions earlier when I've worked with you a few times."

When Tony said nothing, she sighed:

"We never talked of love, Tony. But If you are serious with it, to make this world worth living again, you have to be aware that you need to take advantage of every opportunity. Not only in terms of survival possibilities, even when it comes to find a person with whom you share your life. We don't have many choices."

Tony dropped his head against the saddle, which served him as a pillow.

"Does that mean you chose me because you didn't found anything better?"

"Nonsense, I like you, I'm happy with you and I can even imagine that we will stay together for a very long time. But that only works if we are open to all possibilities. Who can say today what will happen tomorrow."

"Did you also say this to Ted Marshall?"

Melissa looked down, then she raised her head again and looked into Tony's eyes:

"You want to hear the whole story? Okay, could take some time."

As Newman only nodded, the woman sat down next to him and grabbed for a bottle in her back pack.

"Take a sip," she offered, " could be you'll need it."

After some minutes of silence, the woman took a deep breath.

"When I came to Project Tic Toc at the same day as you, I was thrilled. Finally I was free. No Mother who needled me every day, that I should marry. If possible a rich and successful man. Not, that I don't wanted to be married, but not at all costs. First I wanted to enjoy my life. Looking for the right man meant to me, that I have to had some experiences first. When I met you and later Dr. Phillips I was sure that I had to take a chance with him. But your friend don't give me the time of the day. He never noticed me. While it was easy to work with you, Phillips had eyes only for his research and... for Ann MacGregor. So I tried to make friends with Dr. MacGregor. She was nice and friendly but distant. However, she took care, that I was able to work more often in the main control room. But whatever I did, Phillips didn't notice me. Then Jerry Briggs came to the team. He was my age, good looking and was unbound. And what happened? He, too, fell under the charm of Ann MacGregor. I envied her, even if I liked her very much. She was all, what I never would be: A Lady! And a scientist, who was appreciated by her colleagues. Not a small, insignificant computer technician like me. I loved my job, really. But I wanted more, I wanted to be in the "inner circle". I wanted the appreciation from Phillips and you and MacGregor. I was ambitious, more than my mother had hoped. But I failed. After the adventure with the other dimension, I was often together with Dr. Ted Marshall. He was good looking, nice, generous, intelligent and even if he liked Ann MacGregor, he was fond of me and only me. And so I became engaged to him. Then came the war, Ann MacGregor was sent to the future and we followed her nearly two years later. Ted stayed longer, with Kirk and Swain and Jerry. I was beyond myself. How could he let me go? When I came into this time I hadn't much opportunities to think of Ted, I had to survive somehow, and I managed it well. And I found the group of Nigel and they took me with joy because I could do something. Hunt, steal, set traps, make bandages, produce medicine from herbs for example. For the first time in my life I was someone! My opinion was important to Nigel, my knowledge was appreciated by the group! When we found you and Phillips, I was so happy, but still your friend had no eye for me. But you, you did see me, you recognized me and you sought my companionship. I didn't want to give up my freedom, my new found self-esteem. So I went out of the way to avoid Marshall. I know that I must talk with him sometime, but not now. This engagement was a mistake. "

Tony was silent for a long time, then he rolled to his side and took Melissa's hand in his.

"What if Doug had noticed you in Nigel's camp? Would you have gone with him then?"

" I didn't know about his marriage, but I always knew that there was much more between him and Ann than we had seen. He wasn't meant for me, I know that now."

"And me, maybe I'm meant for you?"

She kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Time will tell, Tony!"

Newman couldn't sleep. He lay under some blankets, Melissa in his arms, but even if he was tired, he found no rest.

Melissa's sleepy voice brought him out of the brooding.

"What are you thinking?"

"Something you mentioned earlier. You said that Doug had eyes only for his research and for Ann. But that's not true. When I joined the team, Ann was no more than a colleague for him, maybe a friend. And later I noticed nothing close to a romance. That's why I was so incredibly surprised when he said he and Ann had married."

Melissa snuggled into Tony's embrace.

"Maybe I've seen it, because I am a woman. Or because I wanted Phillips so badly for myself."

"What have you noticed?"

"Why do you want to know, Tony?"

"Because I thought I was a good observer, because I thought that Ann made no distinction between Doug and me. And because I thought the two were just friends, even though they were often together in the months before the senator came."

Melissa smiled:

"Okay. Phillips treated Ann in the main control room as a colleague, a mere acquaintance, but if you knew exactly where you should look, then you could see it. He sat closer to her than it was needed. Under the control panel he reached for her hand. She usually brought only him coffee from the canteen and they stood at the computer very close together to drink it. They went swimming together, drove into the desert, or Henderson City or Phoenix or Vegas. To my shame, I must confess that I have waylaid Phillips. He was quite often in Dr. MacGregor's quarters or she in his. At least in the last few months before the Titanic incident. I always thought that there was so much well concealed tenderness between them.

And I have watched Ann closely, when Phillips followed you into the tunnel. Although she seemed very controlled, the look in her eyes betrayed her. She was desperate. And nobody knew, nobody would have guessed why this was so. There was no one who could comfort her. Maybe I should have tried it, but for this I was not generous enough."

Tony pulled Melissa closer to him.

"She would have certainly wanted no comfort. If it come to emotions, Ann is very introverted, just like Doug. Otherwise we would have at least suspected something. I'm only curious why Doug concealed this from me, but it isn't important anymore, not at the moment anyway. I hope they will find each other, really I do."

He paused for a moment:

"I've been thinking about what you've said. You're right. We'll see how it goes with us. Only so that you know, I like you very much and I'll be happy, if you'll stay with me."

"That I will do, but now let's go back to sleep. Wachinski want to stay here in Springfield for a while, but maybe, we should go our own way."

The new morning dawned bright and clear and after a meager breakfast, the group split up and searched in the ruins for something to eat and other usable things.

Melissa had found a first aid kit and a Walkie Talkie, which she hid.

In the afternoon Tony discussed with Dr. Wachinski and his staff how to proceed. He learned that not only he and Melissa planned a change of direction.

Tony, who put his hope of surviving relatives in Portland, convinced the others that it was worth a try to stay in the southern part of Maine, instead of going almost to the Canadian border. The captured stocks were split and after a few days rest, Tony and Melissa went along with twenty-five other people on the road, while Wachinski decided to stay a few days more in Springfield.

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

Ann lay in the grass under a seemingly very old oak. She squinted her eyes because of the sunlight, that streamed through the leaves. After all the excitement this morning she tried to relax. The only sound was the voice of Kathleen. The little girl played not far away from her. Ann closed her eyes for a moment. The road up to this point had been very arduous. The friends, who Betty Dermott had hoped to find in New York, were no longer there. With Bill Banders help they had found someone, who knew the whereabouts of the small group. After a lengthy discussion Ann gave in and accompanied Betty and her daughter to North Carolina. In the vicinity of the outer Banks, also called Nags Head, they met three couples with their children, who occupied a small area not far from the shore. The formerly beach resort was destroyed like so many other places, but the small community was busy building houses. When Betty arrived, they were happy to see her and they also welcomed Ann, who relinquished her disguise, in their midst. A few other people, which were unknown to Betty, lived also there. Seemingly a new village was in the making.

The two woman became friends when they still were on the ship. Betty was inconsolable in her grief about her husband. Ann understood her very well. When they were left on their own, it was Ann, who was the strong one. She fought, she searched for shelter and food, she consoled Betty and cared for Kathleen. Sometimes they met other people, who were also uprooted and shared the road with them for a while. Morals were low and violence reigned over the mind. If needed Ann flirted with even the creepiest men, to get what they needed or to come away without harm. It wasn't easy for her, but with every day she became stronger or so she thought. Still on the ship, Betty Dermott had found out that she was pregnant again. She was ill and weak most of the time and only lately she felt better.

Betty had told Ann many things about the war and she also told her, that John was very interested in project Tic Toc and had read all he could find about it. Ann felt confused because the things, Betty talked about were different from her experiences and this fortified her beliefs that they had created a time paradox. Betty showed her a small booklet, in which she and Tony and Doug were seen. And another Photo that showed her and Doug standing closely together, but they were seemingly a bit older than now. She asked Betty, if she could read the booklet and was absolutely stunned, when she read that the first time travelers of mankind came back in the year 1975 and brought a new weapon. A weapon that should decide the war. But something went wrong. Apparently the device was responsible for ensuring that all nuclear weapons on earth no longer worked. And that is why all employees of the project Tic Toc were accused of treason and hunted. Later this witch hunt was extended to all other scientists.

Betty told her, that she wasn't very interested in science until she met John. But for John the people of Tic Toc were heroes. Ann listened to Betty narrations, but her eyes only saw the pictures, especially that from Doug. As they found a sleeping place for the night, Ann lay down with a heavy heart. The longing and the grief for all that had been nearly overwhelmed her.

After a fitful night, they were on the road again. Kathleen was whiny, she wanted to be carried, but Betty refused her the wish. For a while Kathleen walked beside Betty, but begun soon to lag behind, because she had seen an animal or a flower or something else. Betty, who suffered from a bout of morning sickness, was short tempered and scolded her daughter, triggering a flood of tears by Kathleen. Ann, who had had one nightmare after the other in the night, had to pull herself together. The little girl could not help it that the adults were in a bad temper and so she took Kathleen on her shoulders and carried her for nearly one hour. But the six year old girl was getting heavy with time and Ann decided to make a break. As always, Betty did not mind, she looked for a shady spot and waited until Ann gave her a cup of water. Soon they went on, but they managed no great distance at this day.

In a hut that stood next to some destroyed houses they found shelter, it was small, but at least had a roof, because it looked as if it would rain soon.

Since morning Ann had a headache, that were worse with every hour. She wanted nothing more than to sleep. But first they had to find something edible, because their supplies were almost depleted. Betty claimed fatigue and lay down on the only bed in the hut, while Kathleen was curious what they would find in the houses.

It was not much to find in the abandoned village, but there was canned food, some bottles of mineral water and, to Kathleens delight, a bag of candies and a bar of chocolate. Later, Kathleen was sleeping peaceful in the bed and Betty lay beside her, Ann threw another look at the booklet before she gave it back to Betty.

The rain drummed on the roof and Ann sat in the big chair by the window, staring into the darkness. Betty had had a crying fit a few hours ago. She said that she had no idea how she should live without her husband. Ann had a sharp retort on her tongue, but she blamed the constant whining on Betty's pregnancy.

She herself couldn't sleep. The headache was much more worse and she felt depressed. Finally, she could no longer suppress the memories and she began to weep silently.

Betty Dermott was not asleep. Under half-closed eyelids she watched Ann. She felt miserable and guilty. Actually she was not as selfish as she appeared. She was just not used to stand on her own feet and to make her own decisions.

As a doctor, she was accustomed to work independently, but in her personal life, there was always someone who protected and spoiled her. For her parents she always was the "princess" and John immediately took over the role of the noble knight who saved the princess from all dangers. She missed him so much that she could not think clearly. But Ann, who was so strong and so confident, was there for her and Kathleen. And certainly also for the unborn child.

When she saw, how Ann MacGregor tried to suppress her tears, it was like a wake-up call for Betty. Also Ann had weaknesses, was sad and was able to show emotions. Only that normally she didn't do it because it was inappropriate at this time, if you wanted to survive.

After a short deliberation, Betty crept softly to Ann and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Ann? What's the matter? Are you in pain? Can I help you?"

"Let me. It's nothing, Betty, really, go back to sleep."

"I see that it's not nothing. Do you want to talk about it?"

"NO!"

"You always listen to me, you endure my constant complaints. I know, I'm selfish. But, I can also listen. Whatever it is, you can talk to me. We're friends? "

Ann nodded.

"Yes, Betty, we are friends, but when we talk, we will wake Kathleen. And to tell the truth, I don't want to talk right now. Maybe I'll tomorrow, maybe I'll never. I need rest, sleep and I need the man I love. You're not the only one, who lost her husband. You're not the only one, who thought she can't live without her man. Don't be angry Betty, I really don't wanna talk, I will only remember the time, when I wasn't so darned lonely."

Betty patted Ann's shoulder.

"It's okay. But if you change your mind, I'm here for you!"

Thus the pregnant doctor went back to bed, but she could not sleep.

In the dim light, she could just see the outline of Ann, but noticed anyway the quivering shoulders of her friend. They had talked about god and the world, since they were on the road together, but now Betty realized that Ann had never talked about herself. Her curiosity was woken. What story was behind the quiet and cool facade of Ann MacGregor?

TBC