Uh.I don't know how realistic the teasing is later in this chapter, but I
kind of based it on what I see the seven highschool boys at my school tease
each other like a little bit. Boys do not make sense, so this doesn't
either, does it? lol. And the confrontation with his father - got to give
him some reason to seem so icy during the Time Force thing.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jen, or Ransik. They are property of Saban/Disney. I do own Christy and Chris Collins and Dr. Stein.
Six Years Later
* * *
Alex finally was starting school at the Time Force Academy to train to become a Time Force officer. Previously, he had gone to the Junior Academy and learned academics. He had not even seen Jen there like he had hoped he would. He guessed she went to a public school. 'O well, maybe I'll see her in a couple of years.' he thought hopefully. No one else had ever made any effort to talk to him other than her.
Alex walked into the building while his dad passed by without saying good-bye. He missed what he had never had - a loving father. Seeing happy families walking through the park during his morning jog made him feel a bit of jealousy. He never even heard any stories about his mother, and he could not get to photo albums with pictures of her or any of her old diaries or things because his dad kept them locked up in the spare bedroom to which Alex did not have the key. His father rarely came home anymore. Alex had to walk home quite often and had to take care of himself. It had been like that ever since two summers ago when he had enough courage to ask about his mother. His dad was angry; he practically disowned him. All he saw of his dad anymore was when he would come home once a month with money for him and spend the night, like he had the night before. He remembered the conversation they had had the night before. .
"Hi, dad." he had said, hoping for a hug or at least a smile.
All he got in return was a "Hi, Alex." It hurt him that he did not even call him son anymore, but he kept trying to keep up a conversation.
"So, dad, how's work going?"
"Good. Now, would you leave me alone?"
Alex turned so his father would not see the tear stream down his face. "Dad, why are you treating me like this? All I did was ask about mom two summers ago. Why can't you just tell me about her? It could help. Plus, I would like to know about mom. Remember, I never met her. Please, dad."
"Alex, never talk to me about that again!" He slapped his son across the face. "And never call me 'dad'! I'm not your father! You're lucky I even let you stay in my house. You horrible child, don't even appreciate that. You should be grateful you get a house and food and money! Get out of my sight, Alex!"
"Yes, sir. I love you, dad." Alex had said before rushing to his room, crying. He hated himself for crying, letting his dad get to him like that, but who could blame him for feeling this way. His father absolutely hated him, denied him being his son. He could not wait until the next day. This was the reason he had signed up for a dorm at the school. .
To keep himself from feeling overwhelmed with sadness, Alex had a heart of stone. He kept to himself. He had no friends, except Jen, whom he had not seen for six years. Everybody at his old school had teased him because of his quietness. O, how he hoped that it would not happen here. It had made him feel disliked, unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and strong (nearly overwhelming) sadness.
The secretary finally got his attention. "Boy, boy? What's your name?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I was caught up in my thoughts. My name is Collins, Alexander K."
"Let's see. Collins." she said while searching the files for his name.
"Yes, I'm new here. This is my first day. My father is Lieutenant Christopher Collins."
"Oh, that's nice." she replied. "Here you are, room number five." 'Is this kid crazy? Collins doesn't have any kids!' She rolled her eyes as he walked away.
"Thank you. Good day, ma'am."
Alex walked down to his room, where he was greeted by two older boys.
"Hey. My name's Jesse," the older boy greeted. "I'm fourteen. What's your name?"
"Alex Collins. I'm ten." he replied.
"And I'm Jerry. I'm thirteen."
Alex shook both boys hands. "Nice to meet you." The other boys nodded in acknowledgement.
Jerry suddenly said, "Alex, come with me. I know someone who would like to meet you. She's about your age."
"Why would she want to meet me?" Alex asked bewilderedly.
"She likes to meet all the new people here."
"Oh. Ok."
Jesse smiled knowingly as the two walked off.
* * *
Jerry knocked on the door to room 101. They heard a girl say, "I'm coming!" right before the door was opened. "Hey, Jerry." the girl said with a smile. "Who's your friend?"
"Jessica, this is Alex. Alex, this is Jessica."
"Nice to meet you." Jessica said with a mysterious smile.
"Nice to meet you, too." Alex said without a smile, as usual. The only time he smiled was when he thought of that day six years ago.
Alex was lost in thought. He wondered if he would ever see that pretty brunette again. He looked up as he heard Jessica and Jerry say good- bye to each other and Jerry calling him to leave.
"So, what do you think of her?"
"What? Who?" Alex looked at Jerry. "Oh, Jessica?" Jerry nodded his head. "She's okay."
"What do you mean 'okay'? She's great! Don't you think she's cute?"
"Do we have to talk about this? It is unrelated to the objective of the school, and the purpose I've come here for." Alex said almost mechanically.
"Whatever, man." Jerry replied while shaking his head.
When they got back to the room, it was nearly time for their first class. They would be late if they did not hurry. Alex immediately grabbed his uniform jacket and was about to head off when he noticed Jesse and Jerry sitting down, messing around.
"What are you doing?" Alex asked in a serious tone.
"Oh, nothing. Just ditching class." Jesse replied.
"Why? Can't they expel you for that?"
"Yah, they could, but they won't find out unless you tell on us."
"How could they not find out?"
"There's a lot of students in this class. Plus, it's just a workout class." Jerry answered in a nonchalant tone.
"You two need to stop being lazy and get to class. I'm going now or I'll be late."
"Aw, come on, Alex. You are too uptight and serious. You need to relax; that's why we showed you Jessica. She can -" Alex was out of the room. "Man, seriously, Jess, he needs help."
"Yah, what's up with him? Should have known he wouldn't be into girls. That ten year old is just - We need to help him." Jesse said.
* * *
Alex was on time to class, thankfully, and was sitting down, listening intently. Next, he was on the ground doing push-ups, then sit- ups, after that leg-lifts, and then stretches, and finally laps around the track. It was a good workout to him, and he did the most work out of everyone. He did one hundred push-ups in five minutes, fifty sit-ups in three minutes, sixty leg-lifts in four minutes, and three laps in eighty seconds."
The man in charge, Commander Jeremiah L. Steinback, approached Alex after the class, "Hey, kid!"
"Yes, sir?" Alex said questioningly. 'Why would this guy want to talk to me?'
"I was just wanting to tell you that I'm pleased with what I've seen you do today, especially with it being your first day."
"Thank you, sir." Alex said while saluting. "No pain, no gain' as the old saying goes."
"Where did you learn to do this?"
"My father made me do it every morning, and it became such a habit that I continued even after he moved out two summers ago."
"Who is your father?"
"Lieutenant Christopher Collins, sir."
"Oh. I didn't even know Chris had a son. He told everyone that his kid was killed by Ransik at the same time as his wife."
This comment hit Alex as if someone had stabbed a dull knife through his heart. "Oh." He said sadly.
"I'm sorry, son. So, where are Jesse and Jerry? They're in the same room as you, right? If they're ditching again, they're going to be suspended for three days."
"Yes, sir, they are ditching."
"Run along, recruit." Alex saluted and left. He had an hour until the next class; so, he headed back to the room.
'I wonder what those two boys are going to try next.' he thought as he walked into the room.
"Hey there, buddy." Jesse said as Alex stepped inside.
"Hi Jesse, and it's Alex, not buddy."
"Ooh, touché."
"Look, just to warn you, the commander has been noticing your absence, and says you will be suspended if you ditch one more time."
Jerry nervously glanced at Jesse. "We can't go to our homes."
"And why not?" Alex asked with a confused look.
"Because we can't. My parents hate my guts." Jesse replied.
"And my parents would ground me and lock me in the holodeck to train ALL day." Jerry stated. "What would yours do?"
"Well, nothing. My dad rarely comes home. He only comes home once a month to give me money for food. And - my mom - I have no clue about. Ransik killed her" he pounded his fist on the table. "when I was a baby."
"So, the tough boy does have feelings. And problems, too." Jesse teased.
"Hey, don't we all? I'm not a robot or anything." Alex said defensively. He crossed his arms and sat down on his bed. This just increased the teasing.
Jerry stood up and made a crazy face, "He also has an attitude under that tough, emotionless exterior."
Alex shot up and pushed Jerry into Jesse, causing both boys to land on the ground. "Look! Just stop messing with me!"
Jesse got up, and continued to tease, "What's the matter? Have a bad day? Or maybe it's too hard for the baby?"
"For your information, I did have a bad day. My dad's told everyone I'm dead. Has been for years. He practically disowned me two summers ago, so I should have figured! You guys - just go! I need to be alone."
The two older boys were shocked at this outburst; they scurried out of the room.
"I'm sorry." Alex said quietly. He looked at the clock. He still had half an hour. He lay down on his bed and cried for at least fifteen minutes. He quickly got up, made himself presentable, and headed to class when it was ten 'till the hour. It certainly did not help him that his dad was the instructor. He glared at his father as he showed the class how to shoot a target.
After everyone left the room, Alex approached his father. "Why dad?" he asked quietly. "Why have you been telling everyone I was killed when mom was?" His voice was growing louder in anger since his dad was pretending to ignore him. "Answer me! Did you even consider how much it would hurt if I were to find out? Huh? Answer!"
Chris slammed his book on the table. "Get out! You hear me! Get OUT!"
"No, dad. Not until you answer me. All my life, I've respected you and treated you like I should no matter how unfair you were, but this - it goes way beyond unfair, way beyond mean, too! ANSWER ME NOW, DAD!"
"Alexander Kenneth Collins! Don't you dare talk to me like that again! In fact, don't ever talk to me again. Get out!"
Alex was crying now out of frustration, but he did not care. "Mom died ten years ago, dad. Get over it. Move past it. You can't bring her back! Just stop mourning. You act like a pathetic three-year-old, tip- toeing around me as if you are afraid of me. It's not like justice hasn't been served; Ransik is in the cryogenic freezer; he's not up and around! Now, answer me!"
Moments passed before Chris could speak. Through his teeth, he said, "Get out. I never want to see or speak to you again!"
Alex could see this was going nowhere. "Yes, sir!" He saluted and stormed out angrily. He was even angrier when he found Jesse and Jerry outside the door listening. He marched past them without so much as a "hello." He ran to his mother's grave. He threw himself down in front of it. "Mom," he said quietly, "I need help. Dad's disowned me. I have no one to talk to." Then, a girl came up to him. He had been crying, and he had not noticed it. She looked vaguely familiar.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jen, or Ransik. They are property of Saban/Disney. I do own Christy and Chris Collins and Dr. Stein.
Six Years Later
* * *
Alex finally was starting school at the Time Force Academy to train to become a Time Force officer. Previously, he had gone to the Junior Academy and learned academics. He had not even seen Jen there like he had hoped he would. He guessed she went to a public school. 'O well, maybe I'll see her in a couple of years.' he thought hopefully. No one else had ever made any effort to talk to him other than her.
Alex walked into the building while his dad passed by without saying good-bye. He missed what he had never had - a loving father. Seeing happy families walking through the park during his morning jog made him feel a bit of jealousy. He never even heard any stories about his mother, and he could not get to photo albums with pictures of her or any of her old diaries or things because his dad kept them locked up in the spare bedroom to which Alex did not have the key. His father rarely came home anymore. Alex had to walk home quite often and had to take care of himself. It had been like that ever since two summers ago when he had enough courage to ask about his mother. His dad was angry; he practically disowned him. All he saw of his dad anymore was when he would come home once a month with money for him and spend the night, like he had the night before. He remembered the conversation they had had the night before. .
"Hi, dad." he had said, hoping for a hug or at least a smile.
All he got in return was a "Hi, Alex." It hurt him that he did not even call him son anymore, but he kept trying to keep up a conversation.
"So, dad, how's work going?"
"Good. Now, would you leave me alone?"
Alex turned so his father would not see the tear stream down his face. "Dad, why are you treating me like this? All I did was ask about mom two summers ago. Why can't you just tell me about her? It could help. Plus, I would like to know about mom. Remember, I never met her. Please, dad."
"Alex, never talk to me about that again!" He slapped his son across the face. "And never call me 'dad'! I'm not your father! You're lucky I even let you stay in my house. You horrible child, don't even appreciate that. You should be grateful you get a house and food and money! Get out of my sight, Alex!"
"Yes, sir. I love you, dad." Alex had said before rushing to his room, crying. He hated himself for crying, letting his dad get to him like that, but who could blame him for feeling this way. His father absolutely hated him, denied him being his son. He could not wait until the next day. This was the reason he had signed up for a dorm at the school. .
To keep himself from feeling overwhelmed with sadness, Alex had a heart of stone. He kept to himself. He had no friends, except Jen, whom he had not seen for six years. Everybody at his old school had teased him because of his quietness. O, how he hoped that it would not happen here. It had made him feel disliked, unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and strong (nearly overwhelming) sadness.
The secretary finally got his attention. "Boy, boy? What's your name?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I was caught up in my thoughts. My name is Collins, Alexander K."
"Let's see. Collins." she said while searching the files for his name.
"Yes, I'm new here. This is my first day. My father is Lieutenant Christopher Collins."
"Oh, that's nice." she replied. "Here you are, room number five." 'Is this kid crazy? Collins doesn't have any kids!' She rolled her eyes as he walked away.
"Thank you. Good day, ma'am."
Alex walked down to his room, where he was greeted by two older boys.
"Hey. My name's Jesse," the older boy greeted. "I'm fourteen. What's your name?"
"Alex Collins. I'm ten." he replied.
"And I'm Jerry. I'm thirteen."
Alex shook both boys hands. "Nice to meet you." The other boys nodded in acknowledgement.
Jerry suddenly said, "Alex, come with me. I know someone who would like to meet you. She's about your age."
"Why would she want to meet me?" Alex asked bewilderedly.
"She likes to meet all the new people here."
"Oh. Ok."
Jesse smiled knowingly as the two walked off.
* * *
Jerry knocked on the door to room 101. They heard a girl say, "I'm coming!" right before the door was opened. "Hey, Jerry." the girl said with a smile. "Who's your friend?"
"Jessica, this is Alex. Alex, this is Jessica."
"Nice to meet you." Jessica said with a mysterious smile.
"Nice to meet you, too." Alex said without a smile, as usual. The only time he smiled was when he thought of that day six years ago.
Alex was lost in thought. He wondered if he would ever see that pretty brunette again. He looked up as he heard Jessica and Jerry say good- bye to each other and Jerry calling him to leave.
"So, what do you think of her?"
"What? Who?" Alex looked at Jerry. "Oh, Jessica?" Jerry nodded his head. "She's okay."
"What do you mean 'okay'? She's great! Don't you think she's cute?"
"Do we have to talk about this? It is unrelated to the objective of the school, and the purpose I've come here for." Alex said almost mechanically.
"Whatever, man." Jerry replied while shaking his head.
When they got back to the room, it was nearly time for their first class. They would be late if they did not hurry. Alex immediately grabbed his uniform jacket and was about to head off when he noticed Jesse and Jerry sitting down, messing around.
"What are you doing?" Alex asked in a serious tone.
"Oh, nothing. Just ditching class." Jesse replied.
"Why? Can't they expel you for that?"
"Yah, they could, but they won't find out unless you tell on us."
"How could they not find out?"
"There's a lot of students in this class. Plus, it's just a workout class." Jerry answered in a nonchalant tone.
"You two need to stop being lazy and get to class. I'm going now or I'll be late."
"Aw, come on, Alex. You are too uptight and serious. You need to relax; that's why we showed you Jessica. She can -" Alex was out of the room. "Man, seriously, Jess, he needs help."
"Yah, what's up with him? Should have known he wouldn't be into girls. That ten year old is just - We need to help him." Jesse said.
* * *
Alex was on time to class, thankfully, and was sitting down, listening intently. Next, he was on the ground doing push-ups, then sit- ups, after that leg-lifts, and then stretches, and finally laps around the track. It was a good workout to him, and he did the most work out of everyone. He did one hundred push-ups in five minutes, fifty sit-ups in three minutes, sixty leg-lifts in four minutes, and three laps in eighty seconds."
The man in charge, Commander Jeremiah L. Steinback, approached Alex after the class, "Hey, kid!"
"Yes, sir?" Alex said questioningly. 'Why would this guy want to talk to me?'
"I was just wanting to tell you that I'm pleased with what I've seen you do today, especially with it being your first day."
"Thank you, sir." Alex said while saluting. "No pain, no gain' as the old saying goes."
"Where did you learn to do this?"
"My father made me do it every morning, and it became such a habit that I continued even after he moved out two summers ago."
"Who is your father?"
"Lieutenant Christopher Collins, sir."
"Oh. I didn't even know Chris had a son. He told everyone that his kid was killed by Ransik at the same time as his wife."
This comment hit Alex as if someone had stabbed a dull knife through his heart. "Oh." He said sadly.
"I'm sorry, son. So, where are Jesse and Jerry? They're in the same room as you, right? If they're ditching again, they're going to be suspended for three days."
"Yes, sir, they are ditching."
"Run along, recruit." Alex saluted and left. He had an hour until the next class; so, he headed back to the room.
'I wonder what those two boys are going to try next.' he thought as he walked into the room.
"Hey there, buddy." Jesse said as Alex stepped inside.
"Hi Jesse, and it's Alex, not buddy."
"Ooh, touché."
"Look, just to warn you, the commander has been noticing your absence, and says you will be suspended if you ditch one more time."
Jerry nervously glanced at Jesse. "We can't go to our homes."
"And why not?" Alex asked with a confused look.
"Because we can't. My parents hate my guts." Jesse replied.
"And my parents would ground me and lock me in the holodeck to train ALL day." Jerry stated. "What would yours do?"
"Well, nothing. My dad rarely comes home. He only comes home once a month to give me money for food. And - my mom - I have no clue about. Ransik killed her" he pounded his fist on the table. "when I was a baby."
"So, the tough boy does have feelings. And problems, too." Jesse teased.
"Hey, don't we all? I'm not a robot or anything." Alex said defensively. He crossed his arms and sat down on his bed. This just increased the teasing.
Jerry stood up and made a crazy face, "He also has an attitude under that tough, emotionless exterior."
Alex shot up and pushed Jerry into Jesse, causing both boys to land on the ground. "Look! Just stop messing with me!"
Jesse got up, and continued to tease, "What's the matter? Have a bad day? Or maybe it's too hard for the baby?"
"For your information, I did have a bad day. My dad's told everyone I'm dead. Has been for years. He practically disowned me two summers ago, so I should have figured! You guys - just go! I need to be alone."
The two older boys were shocked at this outburst; they scurried out of the room.
"I'm sorry." Alex said quietly. He looked at the clock. He still had half an hour. He lay down on his bed and cried for at least fifteen minutes. He quickly got up, made himself presentable, and headed to class when it was ten 'till the hour. It certainly did not help him that his dad was the instructor. He glared at his father as he showed the class how to shoot a target.
After everyone left the room, Alex approached his father. "Why dad?" he asked quietly. "Why have you been telling everyone I was killed when mom was?" His voice was growing louder in anger since his dad was pretending to ignore him. "Answer me! Did you even consider how much it would hurt if I were to find out? Huh? Answer!"
Chris slammed his book on the table. "Get out! You hear me! Get OUT!"
"No, dad. Not until you answer me. All my life, I've respected you and treated you like I should no matter how unfair you were, but this - it goes way beyond unfair, way beyond mean, too! ANSWER ME NOW, DAD!"
"Alexander Kenneth Collins! Don't you dare talk to me like that again! In fact, don't ever talk to me again. Get out!"
Alex was crying now out of frustration, but he did not care. "Mom died ten years ago, dad. Get over it. Move past it. You can't bring her back! Just stop mourning. You act like a pathetic three-year-old, tip- toeing around me as if you are afraid of me. It's not like justice hasn't been served; Ransik is in the cryogenic freezer; he's not up and around! Now, answer me!"
Moments passed before Chris could speak. Through his teeth, he said, "Get out. I never want to see or speak to you again!"
Alex could see this was going nowhere. "Yes, sir!" He saluted and stormed out angrily. He was even angrier when he found Jesse and Jerry outside the door listening. He marched past them without so much as a "hello." He ran to his mother's grave. He threw himself down in front of it. "Mom," he said quietly, "I need help. Dad's disowned me. I have no one to talk to." Then, a girl came up to him. He had been crying, and he had not noticed it. She looked vaguely familiar.