The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

Judgement Day

By: Sapphire

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Chapter One: Matthew's Surprise

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March 2001

Location: Quest Compound, Rockport, Maine

Incoming Message

Maggie ceased work on the handwritten notes she was typing for her uncle and let out a sigh. She could use a break. It was Friday night, she'd been working all day, and it was getting late. Dr. Quest had been working like a madman since Claudia had stolen the Wraith III prototype in November, trying to create detection equipment to counter the Wraith technology. There were also government contracts to fulfill, and he was developing a new cloaking device that worked on an entirely different principle than the Wraith, this one called the Specter to differentiate the two technologies. According to the notes, he was on his third detection system and his fourth Specter. It was a struggle for Maggie to keep up. She could use a break.

That wasn't Maggie's only cause of stress. Price's recent rejection of her had hurt more than expected, and in a way, she was still reeling from it. And then there was Matthew. In November, he'd said he'd be on the first plane home. Now it was March and he was still in Peru. Matt was tight-lipped about the matter, citing paperwork as the reason. Maggie knew something else was going on, but she didn't know what. No one did.

Maggie switched screens and accessed her e-mail with another sigh. She was surprised to see the message was from her twin. Curious, she opened the message.

Maggie, Something's happened. No time to explain. Have to get home. Standby for more. Matt

That was all. Four cryptic lines. Did he mean he was coming home, or he was desperate to come home and couldn't? What on Earth was going on? Frustrated, she knew she needed to get out of the house and get some fresh air. She headed to her room to change clothes and get her skates. Her refuge at the top of the lighthouse had been spoiled by that confrontation with Price. The pond out back had served as a substitute ever since, but it wouldn't be long before spring came. She didn't know where she'd go then.

As she neared her room, she noticed Price's door was open. She didn't remember him coming in from the lighthouse lab. She paused in the hallway. As awkward as things were between them, she really should speak to Price about the message from Matt. Tentatively, she crossed the hall and tapped gently on the open door.

Price was sitting at his desk and turned at her knock. He looked surprised to see her, and she couldn't fault him. She'd been avoiding him since that day up in the lighthouse. He'd actually been as accommodating as possible about it.

"I-" she started, nervously meeting his gaze, nearly forgetting what she'd wanted to say. "I heard from Matt. I wondered-"

"Yeah," Price replied, coming to lean against the doorframe. "I heard from him, too. Was your e-mail as cryptic as mine?" Maggie nodded. "Honestly, I don't have any idea what's going on. It's weird. He usually keeps me in the loop. He isn't."

"I'm worried," Maggie said. "Something's wrong. I can feel it."

"I wish I could say everything is fine, but… I think you're right," Price said, hesitantly reaching for her hand. Startled, she drew back, ever so slightly. An awkward tension settled over them as Price dropped his hand, then shifted uncomfortably where he stood, his gaze moving from her to some ambiguous place behind her. "Sorry."

"Sure," Maggie said, quickly stepping back, feeling hurt all over again.

"I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything from him," Price said.

"I'll let you know, too," she returned. She quickly crossed the hall to her own room and slipped inside, closing the door. She collapsed on the bed, mind spinning, her skates and the pond out back forgotten.

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Sleep eluded Maggie. Muddled thoughts of Matt and Price plagued her much of the night, running circles in her mind, chasing answers she didn't have. She felt exhausted when her alarm clock told her it was time to get up, but she still went through the motions of her morning routine. In the kitchen, she found she wasn't hungry and just put her head down on the table, letting her forehead bump against the surface with an audible thud.

"Ouch. You're going to have a headache from that, I bet." Maggie groaned, but didn't look up at Jonny as he came into the kitchen. Bandit, Jonny's faithful pet, gave a yip of greeting, then whined, trotting across the tile floor to Maggie. Bandit licked her hand, and Maggie gave him a pat on the head under the table without even looking.

"Maybe I like headaches," Maggie retorted.

"No one likes headaches," Jonny said. "Know what I think?" He didn't pause for an answer, and Maggie hadn't expected him to. "I think this is about one of two things. First, it's about whatever's been bugging you the last couple weeks. Or second, something happened since dinner last night and it's got you in knots. So, which is it?" Maggie's head shot up and she stared in surprise at her younger cousin. Jonny just shrugged. "You know the bleach Jessie says I use on my hair? Guess what? It's a joke. This hair is all natural. No damage to my brain cells."

"Fair enough," Maggie said, putting her head back down on the table, this time gently. Bandit whined again, concerned in his canine way. She reached down and gave his head another pat, then scratched around the scruff of his neck. "I heard from Matt last night," Maggie said. "So did Price. Matt didn't tell either of us much, but what he did say was enough to make us worry."

"You actually had a conversation with Price?" Jonny asked. "Wow," he added, as he leaned close to hover over her. "I didn't know you had it in you."

"I'm rolling my eyes at you," Maggie told him, her head still face down. He laughed.

"Seriously, though," Jonny said. "The way you two avoid each other all the time, it's almost painful to watch. Don't you think it's time you figured all that stuff out?"

"For your information, I did have a conversation with him a few weeks back, and yes, he is aware of my feelings," Maggie decided to divulge. "It didn't change anything."

"What?" Jonny sounded perplexed.

"That's the 'whatever' that's been bugging me the last few weeks," Maggie said. "I'm still processing. It's draining."

"Wow. That's not how I thought it would go," Jonny said.

"I did," Maggie said. "For the most part."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jonny asked.

"Never mind," Maggie said. She sighed wearily, then slowly raised her head.

"Geez, don't you ever sleep?" Jonny asked, staring at her. She was grateful he'd decided to change the subject. "You've got circles under your eyes. Again."

"Sleep? What's that?" Maggie asked with a sigh, reaching down to lift Bandit up into her lap. Bandit lapped up the attention as she scratched him behind the ears.

"Yeah," Jonny said, opening a cupboard and digging for some breakfast cereal. "If Dad didn't make me go to bed because of school, I'd be in the same boat."

"Morning," Race Bannon said, walking into the kitchen, followed closely by Jessie who had arrived home for the weekend late the previous night. Hadji was home, too, but if he was up, he was in the lab with Dr. Quest. "Maggie, you look like hell," Race commented. Maggie sent him a glare.

"Thank-you for the compliment. And might I say, the circles under your eyes look about as lovely as Jonny says mine do." Race actually laughed.

"I know," he said. "Wraith Project's got me up all night, too." Jessie, still looking more asleep than awake, sat down heavily at the table and stole Jonny's bowl and spoon, pouring his cereal into it, and taking the milk right out of his hand.

"Hey!" Jonny complained indignantly, "Get your own!" Jessie just gave him a smug look as she poured the milk and took a bite. The phone rang then. Race, nearest the phone, reached for it and answered.

"Quest Compound, Race speaking." There was a moment of silence. "Good to hear from you! She's right here." He held the phone out to Maggie. "It's Matt." Maggie dumped Bandit unceremoniously out of her lap to get to the phone. Bandit ran to Jonny who squatted down to give him a quick, consoling pat on the head.

"Matt!" Maggie said, hope washing over her like a wave.

"Hey, sis," Matt's voice said from the other end. "Good news. I'm coming home."

"Your paperwork finally got straightened out?" She didn't pause for a reply. "That's great! When do you fly in?"

"Today."

"What!?" She stepped back in her surprise and nearly tripped over the chair behind her. Race grabbed her before catastrophe struck. "That's short notice."

"I booked a last-minute flight. I'd have called sooner, but I knew you were asleep. I'm actually in Bangor right now. I just got off the plane," Matt said. As excited as Maggie was, she sensed something was off. Matt didn't sound very happy at this turn of events.

"What's wrong?" Maggie asked, the happiness she felt rapidly fading. Matt was silent for a moment. Something was definitely wrong. "Matt?"

"Look, things didn't go like they were supposed to. I don't want to get into it now. Can you meet me at the station? I'm taking a train from Bangor in an hour."

"Yeah, of course. What time?" she asked.

"Eleven o'clock. And Maggie?" Matt paused, waiting for a reply.

"Yeah?" she said.

"I've got one hell of a surprise for you."

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"Mind if I come along to the station?" Price asked, coming around the corner.

"Not at all," Maggie said, getting her shoes from the closet. "Matt's your brother, too. He'd love it if you came along."

"Thanks," Price said, reaching into the closet to grab his coat. He grabbed Maggie's, too, and held it up to help her into it. When Maggie just stared at him warily, things became awkward between them. "Sorry," Price mumbled, just handing her the coat.

This was just one more little thing that convinced Maggie Price hadn't been completely honest with her that day up in the lighthouse. No one ever helped her with her coat, except on the rare occasions she'd been all dressed up for something. Getting over him would be a lot easier if he stopped with these intimate little moments that were more appropriate between a couple than they were between a couple of friends.

"What do you think this surprise is?" Price asked, attempting to dispel the tension.

"I don't think it's a souvenir," Maggie replied, grateful for some neutral ground.

"Maybe an artifact or something?" Price suggested, though he sounded unconvinced.

"I don't know, but we'll find out in a little while," Maggie said with a shrug.

"I have to admit, I'm relieved he's finally coming home," Price said.

"Me, too, but… with what kind of trouble in tow?" Maggie added as she fished her car keys out of her purse, ready to go.

"I think he's in trouble, too," Price agreed. "Come on. Let's hurry. The sooner we get to the station, the sooner we find out what's going on."

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Location: Camden-Rockport Depot, Maine

"He's got to be here somewhere," Maggie said, scanning the crowd in the historic depot. Price, who was taller, had a better chance of spotting Matt. "See him yet?"

"No, not yet," Price said, taking her arm hesitantly and steering her through the crowd. Maggie didn't protest this time because she felt his intent in this instance was something along the lines of expediency. They weaved among the myriad of travelers for a few more minutes before a shout caught their attention.

"Price! Maggie!" The two turned in the direction of the shout.

"Matthew!" Maggie exclaimed, spotting him standing with his baggage next to a bench along the wall. Maggie and Price pushed their way through the hurrying people and Maggie threw her arms around her brother in welcome. It was strange. They had known each other such a short time, had spent even less time together, and yet seeing him was like a missing piece of a puzzle was suddenly clicked into place.

"I missed you," Matt said, hugging her back tightly.

"I'm so happy you're home!" Maggie said. She reluctantly let go and stepped back to let the brothers greet one another. Price and Matt exchanged a fierce hug, breaking apart so Price could take a playful swing at his younger brother who ducked, laughing. Maggie smiled at their antics, but as she stood back, she noticed something among Matthew's baggage that was completely out of place. A fuzzy pink blanket covering… something that moved. Maggie stepped closer. Matthew noticed her and turned.

"Maggie-" Matt started uncertainly. Maggie didn't spare him a glance.

"Who- who's baby is this?" Maggie asked, pulling the blanket back from the infant carrier to reveal a tiny little bundle all dressed in pink. Price's attention was immediately riveted, and he watched Maggie hesitantly reach toward the baby and gently caress a soft cheek with the back of her fingers before looking up at her brother.

"Surprise," Matt said. He glanced anxiously up at Price, then back at Maggie.

"Yours?" Maggie asked while Price stared at the baby in disbelief.

"Yeah," Matt said, not sure what else to say.

"Can I hold her?" Maggie asked, completely in awe that her brother had kept such a monumental secret from the family.

"Of course," Matt said, watching as Maggie reached into the infant carrier. Carefully, she picked up the baby girl and cuddled her in her arms. Price stepped closer to get a better look at the infant.

"She's beautiful," Price said. Maggie agreed, examining the baby's lightly golden skin, dark brown hair and perfect features. Her long eyelashes made two perfect crescents against her cheeks, and her hands made two fists tucked up next to her chin as she remained sleeping despite being lifted from her warm cocoon of blankets.

"Her name is Isabel," Matt said. "She was born in February. She's not quite two weeks old." Price reached out a finger to the tiny baby. The moment he touched one of her little fisted hands, she grasped his finger.

"I love her already," Maggie said with a sigh. Matt smiled at her, and she smiled back, but her smile quickly faded. "Matt, where's her mother?" Price looked up, but Matt looked away. Maggie and Price exchanged a worried glance.

"I wish I knew," Matt said, visibly holding back emotion. "Someone took her. I believe it was Connor." Maggie shivered, memories of her mother's disappearance flooding back. She looked up at Price and saw his face had gone pale. Carefully shifting the baby so she could securely hold her with one arm, she reached out and lightly touched Price's arm. He looked at her with surprise at the gesture.

"This is not your fault," Maggie said quietly.

"No, it's not," Matt agreed. "I'm not going to let what happened to Laura happen to her. No one knows Connor as well as you and I do. I need your help, big brother." Price looked at the baby in Maggie's arms for a long moment.

"I'll do anything you need," Price said. He looked between Matt and Maggie. "We shouldn't talk here. Let's go home." Matt and Maggie both nodded.

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To be continued…

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