Merry Christmas, everyone!

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.

Alex Meets His Grandparents

* * *

"Hey, buddy. Why are you looking so shocked?" Jesse asked sitting next to Alex.

Alex sat up. "Nothing really. Did you sneak into Jezzi's room again last night?" Jesse nodded. "Man, you don't make sense. You're going to get caught one of these days."

"Hey, quit it, alright!? I don't need to be preached to every time. And stop switching the subject; something's obviously bothering you."

"Fine. I'll tell you." Alex said shaking his head. "Jen just told me that she likes me…"

"And you rejected her?! Man, you're crazy. For a ten-year-old, she's pretty cute. I would have said I liked her too. Forget Jezzi, man. She's taken. If you were honest with yourself, you'd realize you like Jen and not Jezzi. Jezzi's just a crush. She's too old for you anyway."

"I don't like Jen that way. She's just a friend."

"Yah, right. Whatever. Later, man." Jesse went and changed into his uniform and went

to the cafeteria for breakfast. Alex decided to head over to his father's mother's house, but he decided to call first. He dialed the number slowly, his hands shaking. An elderly woman appeared on the screen.

"Hello, young man. Who are you?"

"You won't believe this, but I'm your grandson, Alexander Collins, Chris' son."

"Huh? Peter, come here." A man who looked to be in his early thirties appeared on the screen next to his mom.

"What is it mother?"

"Look at the young lad on the screen. He says he's Chris' son, Alexander."

"Hello, I'm Chris' brother." he said to Alex. "You do look an awful lot like Chris. You'd better come over so we could see if you are."

"Okay. I'll be there soon." Alex closed the link, his face lit up with joy, which he had not felt for a while. He threw on his jacked and reached to his grandmother's doorstep. He nervously knocked on the door. Peter opened it.

"The 'prodigal son' returns, eh?" Peter greeted.

"Huh?" Alex looked at him with a blank face.

"The Bible…one of Christ's parables?"

"Um…ok?"

"Just come in." Peter laughed. "Have a seat." he said, motioning toward a chair. "Ma! Alexander's here." Grandma came in. Her face lit up at the sight of Alex. She ran and embraced him.

"Just call me Alex." he said to Peter as he sat back down.

"Sure, Alex." Peter replied with a smile, and he too sat.

"How's your dad?" Grandma asked.

"H-he died…about a year ago." Alex replied sadly.

The woman gasped, putting her hands to her wrinkled face. Peter and Alex went to comfort her.

"He just couldn't go on without mom. He and I never had much of a relationship; spent most of his time at work. Ransik killed him just like he killed mom." Alex continued. "I thought for sure Time Force would have notified you." The old woman was sitting on the couch now, crying and rocking herself.

"My baby, my baby." she said through tears.

"Alex, why don't you go get some water for ma. The kitchen's down the hall to the left."

Alex nodded and walked to the kitchen. He got some ice water and hurried back. "Here, grandma."

"Thank you, sonny."

"Will you be alright?"

"I don't know." she said wearily. She stood up and headed somewhere in the house. When she reappeared in the living room, she was holding some clothes. "These were your father's when he was around twelve."

"Thank you." Alex said bewilderedly.

"Would you like something to eat? Cookies? Milk?"

"No, thank you. I'm fine. You need to sit down. I dropped a bombshell on you, and you need to rest."

"Sure, Alex." Peter helped his saddened mother onto the couch. She rested her head on her hand. "So, where do you go to school? What are you going to be when you're older?"

"Um…I go to the Academy, and I'm planning on being a Time Force officer when I'm older to bring Ransik in."

"Oh…Is there any little girl you have a crush on or who has a crush on you?"

Alex smiled, blushing furiously. "Yah, Jezzi. And a ten-year-old named Jen likes me."

"Oh, how troublesome young life is." Peter said.

"Okay?" Alex questioned.

"Ah…nevermind."

Alex stared with a puzzled expression. "So, Uncle Peter, do I have any aunts or other uncles?"

"Well, you have my sister, Jill and her husband Bill."

Alex laughed. "There seems to be a need for husband and wife's names to sound alike in this family… My mom and dad – Christy and Chris. Then, my aunt and uncle. It seems kind of funny."

Peter smiled. Grandma decided to say, "Well, perhaps you'll break that pattern." with a smile.

"Perhaps." Alex agreed. There was a moment of silence, and Alex got up, looking at the various photos that were hung on the wall. He saw one that he liked right away. There was his dad, mom with her belly just starting to show, grandma, Uncle Peter, and an older man he assumed was his grandpa. Everyone looked so happy. It was the happiest Alex had ever seen his father, and his mother looked radiant. Then, he noticed a photo of his dad and uncle as little boys; he looked so much like his dad did when he was his age, but he still could spot some of his mother's features in himself – a smoother face, blue eyes, a lighter complexion. He felt his grandma's hand touch his shoulder.

"What are you thinking, Alex?" she asked quietly, not wanting to interrupt him, yet longing to know what was going on in his young mind.

"Nothing." he said, shutting her out like he did to so many people…except Jen. His grandmother turned away rejected. A few minutes later, Alex asked suddenly, "Grandma, could you tell me what dad was like before mom died?" He returned to the couch and sat down softly. His grandma realized what seemed so different about this boy, her grandson, she reminded herself. He was so well mannered, but very withdrawn. He was very calm, and did not require much to be content around her, just so long as she would talk. She was proud to have such a well-mannered grandson.

"Well…" she began. "He was always a very nice boy, but perhaps I'm just biased, I am his mother after all. He was always smiling, always hopeful, and always respectful. He was the top student in most of his classes. He enjoyed music. In fact, that's how he met your mother. Your mom was a clarinetist in an orchestra. He took me with him for my birthday, he knew how much I loved music, so he got first seat. O, I know he must have spent a fortune… He saw her go to her chair, and kept his eye on her the best he could the whole concert. He soon forgot me. He always had a weakness for pretty girls. After the concert, he went backstage to meet her. It was love at first sight for both, I believe. He got a few of her concert dates, and returned to each of them. He told me he just liked the composer whose music the orchestra was playing, but I knew he was there to see your mom." she paused with a smile, as if remembering something she had not remembered in a while, wanting to savor every moment. "A few months later, he took her home with him and told me they were engaged. I had been expecting it since the third month, and was so very happy. Your mother seemed like such a nice, pleasant girl, and she was. She had a way about her that made those around her feel happy even if they were having a bad day."

Alex was sitting there, head in his hands, listening intently with a smile on his face. He was feeling so happy that day unlike the rest of his life. His grandmother sadly told him that she had to go to the store and had to leave shortly after, and he said goodbye before heading back to the Academy.

***

Alex sat on his bed happily, his troubles with Jen forgotten for the moment. Happiness – a feeling he had not truly had for years. He wanted that moment to last forever – no Jesse, Jerry, Lucas, or–or Jen to interrupt. Unfortunately, everyone else could not read his thoughts at the moment because all four came in right then. Jen determined to speak to Alex about their conversation a few hours prior, Jesse wanting to help her, and Jerry and Lucas wanting to play the latest video game system that had just been released that day. Alex sighed, rolling his eyes to show that he was annoyed. Jen took a seat across from Alex on his bed and Jesse pulled a chair near the bed.

"What is it, Jen?" Alex asked quietly wishing he could just get up and walk out, but Jesse was blocking his way to the door. He crossed his arms and pouted as well as avoided eye contact to let her know he was not interested in talking to her, but it did not work.

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

"Don't play dumb!" she said, starting to lose her temper. "You know we need to talk about you and me. What do you feel about me? Is there for sure someone else?"

"You are a demanding ten-year-old, you know? And if you must know, I care about you as a friend and nothing more, and I told you before I like Jezzi. Why do you have to make this so hard for me?"

"I saw how much your face lit up whenever I'd give you a phone call, and I figured you liked me. Why is it so hard unless you like me?"

Jesse smiled. The two looked funny arguing like two teenagers. 'One almost is,' he reminded himself, 'the other will be in about two years since her birthday's tomorrow.' "She has a point Alex." he said when Alex looked at him with a frustrated expression, obviously wanting help.

All Jesse got was a frown, rolled eyes, and a muttered, "Thanks a lot."

"Well?" Jen asked, wanting an answer to her question.

"Fine, did I not tell you I kind of like you? Can't that be sufficient for right now? Why can't anyone just let me be happy. Everytime I feel happy, someone comes in wanting to talk to me about something and ruins my day."

"You let them ruin your happiness." Jen said shortly, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt. "But, if I'm not wanted here, I'll leave. Bye, Alex." She exited quickly with a nod at Jesse.

Jesse sat next to Alex. "She's right, man, one hundred percent right. You really need to listen to her. Everyone sees that you like her, except for those who haven't seen you around her. You like her a lot, admit it Alex."

"No, I don't." He said, getting extremely frustrated. He looked at the clock. Five 'o clock. He picked up his jacket and marched out of the room. Alex did not stop marching until he reached his grandparent's doorstep. The old man opened the door, and looked shocked that there was a child who looked no older than twelve marching into his house. He closed the door behind him and looked at the boy. There was something about the boy that seemed familiar. What was it? Was it his eyes? His face? His complexion? Something about him reminded him of his deceased daughter. "I'm sorry, sir." the boy said suddenly, looking up. "My name is Alexander Collins, a recruit at the Academy. I'm your grandson."

The man looked as though he was about to faint. "El-ellie?" he called nervously, while sitting down. His wife came in and sat next to him. "This boy says he's Collins' son, our grandson."

"That would make him Christy's kid, the one she had before she died, right?" the old man nodded, too overwhelmed to say anything. "The one Collins said died when she died?" the old man nodded again. The old woman studied Alex's face intently. She saw both Collins and Christy in the boy. Could it be? "You do look an awful lot like Christy and Collins."

"Really, ma'am, I'm Christy and Chris' son." Alex said hoping the lady would believe him. He really needed somewhere to stay where someone would not bug him about him and Jen. The old woman seemed to be taking his statement into deep consideration. She seemed to want to believe, but her husband's doubtfulness was keeping her from letting her hopes up. Alex was wishing he were not so old so he could put his lip out like a puppy dog and not seem very immature by doing so. Instead, he decided to wait as patiently as possible. He had to understand what they must be going through, even though his other grandma did not even think more than a few minutes, right? After what seemed like hours, his grandmother looked up from talking to her husband. She put on a little smile.

"Well, we decided that we'll believe you if you're willing to get a DNA test, uh…?"

"Alex. And yes, I will take a test if it will make you believe me."

"Thank you. Are you thirsty? Or hungry?"

"Really, Ellie, if he were hungry or thirsty, he'd have asked just like any normal twelve-year-old, right Alex?"

"No, ma'am I'm not hungry or thirsty, but thanks for the offer. And sir, I probably would have asked."

"If you're really Christy's son, you'd know how she died, and you'd know how your dad died." John, Alex's grandfather said suddenly after a moment of silence.

"Yes, I know how they did, sir. Both died at the hands of Ransik, which is the reason I want to be a Time Force Officer when I'm older, so I can bring him in. He tried to kill me at the beginning of the year, but fortunately my newest roommate got security before his daughter blew my cover. Sir, ma'am, I was wondering if you could answer a question?" Both grandparents nodded. "Why was – is – Ransik after my family?"

Ellie and John looked at each other as if they could read each others thoughts. Hesitantly, Ellie said, "Well, Christy dated him at one time before he really turned evil, but she met Chris, Ransik's best friend I might add, and fell for him. She dumped Ransik, but he didn't like that too much. In his twisted little mind, he thought she cheated on him, so, he's been after her descendants and family ever since. What I don't understand is why Chris would have lied and said that you were dead and were killed when she was. Unless, he was hoping Ransik would hear and leave you alone."

"True." Alex said after a few moments of thinking over what he just had heard. "That would explain a lot of how he treated me when I asked about mom since it would have blown his cover for me. Still, it doesn't make up for him disowning me. That was a little extreme."

John stood up. "We warned her that if she were to die and leave behind a child, he wouldn't be able to handle it. She never listened to us. We told her he was too work oriented to care for her or a child or family or anyone for that matter. She never listened."

"John! Not in front of Alex, and it's not her fault. She couldn't have known, and you were who said that, not me. She listened to everything you told her except this, but I know she even listened here and weighed it against what she knew about Chris. You're the stubborn one, you never were one to take the blame. Besides, my parents said the same about you, and you're not so bad. Give the guy some credit, he did raise a well-mannered boy."

"Whatever you say, Eleanor. I'm going to take a nap."

"But, it's dinnertime. Would you eat with us, please, Alex?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

"Fine, Ellie, I'll eat, but don't expect me to talk much."

"That's alright, John. You don't have to talk just as long as you don't starve."

Alex eyed the two questioningly. They both seemed stubborn, not willing to bend to the other's will, but for some reason his grandfather seemed to give into his grandmother's speech more often than her giving into his in the few moments he had been there. He followed them to the table and stood, waiting for them to tell him where to sit. There were only two chairs. Finally, his grandmother noticed and grabbed a spare chair out of the closet, and motioned for him to sit down. Dinner was simple consisting of potatoes, steak and green beans and was ate in silence. After eating his share, Alex waited for the other two to finish before excusing himself. He left shortly after 7:30 since they had to be in by eight. As expected, Jesse was waiting for him.

"Hey, man, where'd you run off to? We were just talking about you and Jen and…"

"I went of to my grandparents and ate with them. Now, I'm going to head down and get a DNA test done for them." Alex turned and exited. To his dismay, Jesse sent Lucas after him.

"Hi, Alex. How are you doing? Where are you going? Jesse said you shouldn't be alone."

"I can see that." Alex said monotonously, rolling his eyes. "And I'm fine, and I'm going to get a DNA test for my grandparents. Now, as to being alone. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. More so that Jesse was at my age, perhaps. So, run along." Lucas looked up at Alex.

"Why are you always trying to get rid of me?" he accidentally asked aloud.

"Because you ask too many questions. Maybe if you didn't ask too many questions I'd let you hang around."

"Huh? I said that aloud?"

"Yup. And you're asking another question."

"You're using another fragment."

"Alright, smarty-pants, please leave." Alex said with a smirk.

Lucas walked away defeated, watching as Alex walked toward the lab. 'He hates me.' Lucas thought. Lucas looked up to Alex because he was older and taller, no, because he was always serious and a pretty good role model to follow if you wanted to be on Time Force's good side. He wanted to get a good rank right away when he graduated because his dad had when he was younger and expected his son to do the same. It was a lot of pressure for Lucas, and that was why he would ask a lot of questions from people. He had no clue it would make people not like him that much. Well, that would have to change. Lucas set off determined to change.

Alex arrived at the lab out of breath. It was a ways away and he had jogged the last part of it. "Hello, sir. Alexander K. Collins. I'm here for a DNA test to prove to my grandparents that I'm their grandson."

The officer kept a straight face. "Right this way, Collins." he said while summoning Alex's medical records and taking him to an office. "Have a seat, fill out the papers, and a doctor will be here shortly." He left Alex alone with ten pages of paperwork, a microphone, and a blank expression. Alex looked at the papers. 'Too bad they can't finish themselves.'

Name: Collins, Alex K.

Father: Collins, Chris

Mother: Collins, Christy Maiden: Clark

Reason for Test: To prove to my grandparents that I'm their grandson.

The questions went on and on, some of them seeming very unrelated. Finally, he finished the papers, but it was nine 'o clock. 'Hurry up, doctor, I've got to get to bed.' As if on cue, the doctor came into the room.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Myers, uh… Alex." The doctor washed his hands. "Have you completed the paperwork?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Hold out your arm. I'm going to have to draw blood." Alex extended his arm. He flinched when the needle penetrated his skin.

"Not much has changed after a thousand years, eh?" The doctor looked surprised. "What I mean is that I know a thousand years ago they were using needles for this kind of thing because some people I know have gone back in time on missions and seen. So, why haven't they made something that doesn't hurt at all?"

"Well," the doctor began, "We have changed. For one, these needles are transparent, and they penetrate the skin only where there is a blood vessel, and no where else. For another, they don't hurt as much. Those people that you know can probably testify for that."

"Oh." Alex said quietly. "Are you done because I really have to get back. Curfew at the Academy is nine."

"I see. Yes, you may go. I'll call you when you can come pick up the results. Oh, and you can use the teleportation device to get into your room."

"Thank you, sir." Alex said, suppressing his excitement. He had always wanted to try out the teleportation machine. He entered in his room's coordinates and stepped in. Seconds later, he was in his room on his bed.

He quietly slipped into some pajamas and covered himself. Drifting off to sleep, he wondered how long it would take the test results to come back. He chose not to worry about that. He was happier than he had been in a while because he knew he had relatives he could look forward to getting to know, maybe even spend