I'm going to give two versions of this chapter. Let me know which one is
better, please. Thanks. I'll put the first one I wrote first and you
decide. Tomorrow, I'll probably put up the other. If I finish it; there's
a little more left. I wasn't quite satisfied with this one and I had extra
time on my hands. Also, I realize that if Jesse, Jessica, and Jerry were
still in the Academy, they'd be in their 8th/7th years; therefore, let's
say that they graduated Alex's first year, but they are rooming in the
Academy's dormitory, but they are working full time for Time Force. Since
it is the future, people could graduate younger, right? One only learns
what he'll use in his life in school assuming he is going to be an officer,
and other subjects, such as history, he can study in his free time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jen, Lucas, or Ransik. They are property of Saban/Disney. I do own Christy and Chris Collins, Dr. Stein, Commander Steinback, Jesse, Jerry, and Jessica.
One Hour Later
* * *
Doctor Stein walked out of the hospital room towards the young lady wearing a worried expression and holding a young man's hand. He seemed to be deeply concerned. "Miss?" Jen looked up, noticing the doctor's worried expression, which made her feel sick to the stomach.
"Yes?"
"Alex - oh, how do I put this? He's not doing well at all. We've done all we can to revive him, but unfortunately he's unresponsive."
Jen clasped her free hand to her mouth; Lucas tightened his grip on her other and rubbed it with his thumb. "So, you're trying to say he's going to remain in a vegetative state?!" Suddenly, she stood. "You've given up on him, haven't you, doctor? Haven't you?!"
"Miss, calm down. There's one thing left, but -"
"Then, do it! He would want you to."
"But, we can't unless a relative gives the ok."
"Alright. I-I'll get his grandparents." Jen nervously walked to the phone, biting her lip. Quickly, she dialed the number to her dorm. "Jezz? It's me."
"What is it, Jennifer? You looked worried."
"Could you grab my phone book, please, and look up Alex's grandparents?"
"Sure. Which one?"
"Both." Jezzi rolled her eyes. "Look, Jezzi, Alex won't wake up if his grandparents say ok to this treatment, you understand?"
"OK, ok. The Collins' number is 223-1904, and the other's is 223- 2015."
"Thanks, Jezzi. Now, one more favor? Get the guys - Jerry and Jesse - down here, please."
"Okay. Bye." Jezzi hung up the phone. Jen dialed both numbers, but had to leave a message at each. She retreated to her seat. Lucas could see she was upset, so he hugged her, but she pulled away.
"Jen? What is it?"
"You heard the doctor."
"Yeah, and you called his grandparents, right?"
"Yes, but they weren't home. I had to leave a message at both places."
"Jen, don't worry. He'll make it through. I know he will."
"Lucas, be quiet, all right? Just leave me alone."
"Sure, Jen. If you want me to." Jen looked at him apologetically.
Five Hours Later
* * *
"Jen, stop, you're going to wear a hole in the carpet. Sit down." Lucas pleaded. Jen looked at Lucas wearily. She was tired. Tired of waiting; tired of pacing; and tired of worrying. She willingly sat down like Lucas told her to.
"Oh, Lucas, I'm so worried. What if he doesn't make it? If only I'd gotten in there before he fell asleep! What if he never wakes up? I couldn't live with that!"
"Jen, quiet. Oh my goodness, you still like him, don't you?"
"Maybe just a little, but Lucas -"
"Look, I don't need an explanation, okay? You've got enough to handle for now, Jen."
Finally, Jen spotted three elderly people and one middle-aged man walking in as Jerry left to do his shift. She leaped up and got the doctor.
"Alex's grandparents and uh.uncle? Here's the doctor."
"Hello, let's go into my office and I'll tell you what's going on. I'm Doctor Stein, by the way." He shook everyone's hands.
All six headed for the office. All sat and the doctor began. "Well, Alex has a very bad concussion, and he fell asleep before he should have. We've tried to wake him, but he's unresponsive. Now, there is one way we can get him up, but we will need one of you to sign permission."
Mrs. Collins asked with concern, "What would it involve?"
"Well, ma'am, it's a new technology that came out a few days ago. It's not quite consistent in its results. There is no guarantee he'll wake up. And, if he does wake up, it is possible he will be unable to remember certain people, things, memories he may share with you, or even simple things like names or how to brush his teeth. Now, the things he's most likely not to remember are things that have happened in the recent past if he forgets events. If this happens, he'll be very easily frustrated. We suggest that you have this done; however, because there is a chance that he'll still remember everything, and you won't lose him. So, what do you say?" He looked at the solemn faces.
Mrs. Collins was the first to speak. "I say we do it. Now, where's the papers?" There were no objections, so, she signed the papers. Soon, the doctors were in working on Alex while Jen and his relatives sat there quietly waiting. Lucas had already left because he felt he did not belong there once Jen had broken up with him. Jerry and Jesse had arrived shortly after. Both of their usually tough exteriors were melted with sadness for their friend. Even Jezzi had come along. All waited anxiously for the doctor to emerge from the room. After five hours, the doctor came out and woke them up. Alex had successfully been revived. Jen was the first to bolt into the room.
"Alex, hey. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." came the puzzled response. "Just tired is all." Jen realized he did not remember her.
"Do you remember me, Alex?"
"I recognize you, remember you, but your name?" Alex looked frustrated with himself.
"It's Jen, and don't be so frustrated."
"Oh, that's right, Jen."
"Do you still remember our talk?"
"Yah. I remember telling you I loved you, if that's what you mean. Why wouldn't I remember? And why am I in the hospital? Last thing I remember is fighting with Ransik." Alex's face fell. "He-he beat me, didn't he? And he's still free?"
"Alex calm down. Ransik's been captured. I'll explain what happened after you're your grandparents, uncle, Lucas, and Jesse visit you, okay? I'm kind of hungry now; I've got to eat. I've been here ten, no, eleven hours. I'll be back later, okay? Bye, Alex."
"Wait, Jen, I -" the door closed before he could get Jen to stay. Jesse was the next to visit.
"Hey, man. What's up? I had to cancel my shift to see you. It wasn't easy."
"Thank you, uh?"
"Jesse."
"Look, before you ask, I remember faces and events, but names are a little bit hard to remember. Would you tell that to everyone, please?"
"Sure, Alex. How you feeling?"
"Pretty bad. Got a headache, arm's pounding, but I'll be fine."
"Just don't fall asleep on us again. We were all scared." Jesse sat down beside Alex's bed. "What was going on before I came in? I mean, with Ransik."
"We were, uh.fighting." Alex stated, struggling slightly at the words. "He was trying to kill me, and I had to defend myself. I managed to knock him down, too. I would have had him had I not tried to catch my breath. Then, everything blanked out. What happened?"
"Well, he must have hit you up against the door. That's where you were when I came in. He cut your arm before I engaged him in a fight with me."
"Oh. Well, thanks, Jess."
"You're welcome, man. Hey, I'm going to go get some rest before getting to work, okay? Talk to you later."
"Bye." Alex lay there for a few minutes before Lucas came in.
"Hey, Lucas here."
"Hi. The question asker, right?"
"Yup, that's me according to you. Not trying to annoy you, but how are you doing?" That got a laugh from Alex.
"Headache's all that's bothering me."
"I see. Well, um.I'm sorry about Jen not liking you, I guess."
"You guess?"
"I'm not sure if it's true. She broke up with me not too long ago; well, actually, I broke up with her because of something she said." His voice drifted off and he looked distant.
"Oh. I see." Alex could not suppress the joy he felt at that statement. He knew he probably should feel sorry for the guy, but he could not help it.
"Yah, well, um.I'm going to go."
"Okay. Bye." Lucas left, shoulders slumped and head down.
Next in line, Uncle Peter came in. "Hey, nephew."
"Hi.um.Uncle.Pe-Peter, right?"
"Yah. How you doing?"
"Headache. Seriously." Peter spotted something labeled "headache medicine." He read the directions and gave them to Alex, after checking with the doctor.
"Hopefully, these will help. I've got to get some rest so I can go to work this afternoon. See you. I'll pray for you."
"Thanks. Bye." Alex downed the pills and waited for the next person to come in.
"Hi, Alex. It's me, Grandma."
"Hi."
"You recognize me?"
"How could I forget you? You're the grandma who is more open."
Alex's grandmother laughed. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, I guess. The medicine's finally kicking in."
"I have some good news for you. You can go home tomorrow morning, but you have to stay in bed for two days before you can return to school. So, would you like to stay at my house?"
"Yes, please. I think it would be nicer than having to share a room with Jesse, Jerry, and Lucas during that time."
"Alright. I've got to go now. See you in the morning." She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead before leaving the room. Alex moved his pillow up and reclined himself. His other grandparents came in together.
"Hi.Grandpa and Grandma Collins."
"Hi, Alex." his grandfather said roughly.
"You feeling alright?"
"Yup." The room went silent. "You don't have to stay if you don't have something to say."
His grandfather said, "Okay, let's go, Ellie."
"No, we almost lost the last thing that exists of our daughter's, and it's our grandson. The most precious thing she left behind."
"Let's go, Ellie." he said, his voice edgy.
"Well, I'm sorry I can't stay longer, but your grandpa wants to go." she kissed him on the cheek. "Good-bye."
"Bye." The couple left, and Jen entered.
"Hey, Alex. Me again."
"Hi. Lucas broke up with you."
"Yes."
"Why did he?"
"Because he realized something." she looked at him quietly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She was determined not to cry; she had to be strong. Her mother and father had raised her that way.
"Y-you like me? I'm just guessing.and hoping."
"Yes, Alex. I still do. I'm sorry I hurt you; I honestly thought that I liked Lucas."
"I understand."
"You do?" Jen fiddled with her thumbs.
"Yes. That's what I said. I understand what you felt like about two years ago when I did the same to you. I thought I liked Jessica, and it was too late when I realized I liked you, but it's not too late for you."
Jen looked at him in the eye. She knew it was hard for him to make himself, his feelings, this vulnerable to someone, especially someone he claimed to love. "Really?"
"Yes, Jennifer, really." Jen stood up and hugged him happily around the neck. "You trying to choke me, eh?"
"Um.sorry." She nervously placed her hands behind her back. "I-I guess you want to know what happened, right?" Alex nodded his head. "Well,." she began.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jen, Lucas, or Ransik. They are property of Saban/Disney. I do own Christy and Chris Collins, Dr. Stein, Commander Steinback, Jesse, Jerry, and Jessica.
One Hour Later
* * *
Doctor Stein walked out of the hospital room towards the young lady wearing a worried expression and holding a young man's hand. He seemed to be deeply concerned. "Miss?" Jen looked up, noticing the doctor's worried expression, which made her feel sick to the stomach.
"Yes?"
"Alex - oh, how do I put this? He's not doing well at all. We've done all we can to revive him, but unfortunately he's unresponsive."
Jen clasped her free hand to her mouth; Lucas tightened his grip on her other and rubbed it with his thumb. "So, you're trying to say he's going to remain in a vegetative state?!" Suddenly, she stood. "You've given up on him, haven't you, doctor? Haven't you?!"
"Miss, calm down. There's one thing left, but -"
"Then, do it! He would want you to."
"But, we can't unless a relative gives the ok."
"Alright. I-I'll get his grandparents." Jen nervously walked to the phone, biting her lip. Quickly, she dialed the number to her dorm. "Jezz? It's me."
"What is it, Jennifer? You looked worried."
"Could you grab my phone book, please, and look up Alex's grandparents?"
"Sure. Which one?"
"Both." Jezzi rolled her eyes. "Look, Jezzi, Alex won't wake up if his grandparents say ok to this treatment, you understand?"
"OK, ok. The Collins' number is 223-1904, and the other's is 223- 2015."
"Thanks, Jezzi. Now, one more favor? Get the guys - Jerry and Jesse - down here, please."
"Okay. Bye." Jezzi hung up the phone. Jen dialed both numbers, but had to leave a message at each. She retreated to her seat. Lucas could see she was upset, so he hugged her, but she pulled away.
"Jen? What is it?"
"You heard the doctor."
"Yeah, and you called his grandparents, right?"
"Yes, but they weren't home. I had to leave a message at both places."
"Jen, don't worry. He'll make it through. I know he will."
"Lucas, be quiet, all right? Just leave me alone."
"Sure, Jen. If you want me to." Jen looked at him apologetically.
Five Hours Later
* * *
"Jen, stop, you're going to wear a hole in the carpet. Sit down." Lucas pleaded. Jen looked at Lucas wearily. She was tired. Tired of waiting; tired of pacing; and tired of worrying. She willingly sat down like Lucas told her to.
"Oh, Lucas, I'm so worried. What if he doesn't make it? If only I'd gotten in there before he fell asleep! What if he never wakes up? I couldn't live with that!"
"Jen, quiet. Oh my goodness, you still like him, don't you?"
"Maybe just a little, but Lucas -"
"Look, I don't need an explanation, okay? You've got enough to handle for now, Jen."
Finally, Jen spotted three elderly people and one middle-aged man walking in as Jerry left to do his shift. She leaped up and got the doctor.
"Alex's grandparents and uh.uncle? Here's the doctor."
"Hello, let's go into my office and I'll tell you what's going on. I'm Doctor Stein, by the way." He shook everyone's hands.
All six headed for the office. All sat and the doctor began. "Well, Alex has a very bad concussion, and he fell asleep before he should have. We've tried to wake him, but he's unresponsive. Now, there is one way we can get him up, but we will need one of you to sign permission."
Mrs. Collins asked with concern, "What would it involve?"
"Well, ma'am, it's a new technology that came out a few days ago. It's not quite consistent in its results. There is no guarantee he'll wake up. And, if he does wake up, it is possible he will be unable to remember certain people, things, memories he may share with you, or even simple things like names or how to brush his teeth. Now, the things he's most likely not to remember are things that have happened in the recent past if he forgets events. If this happens, he'll be very easily frustrated. We suggest that you have this done; however, because there is a chance that he'll still remember everything, and you won't lose him. So, what do you say?" He looked at the solemn faces.
Mrs. Collins was the first to speak. "I say we do it. Now, where's the papers?" There were no objections, so, she signed the papers. Soon, the doctors were in working on Alex while Jen and his relatives sat there quietly waiting. Lucas had already left because he felt he did not belong there once Jen had broken up with him. Jerry and Jesse had arrived shortly after. Both of their usually tough exteriors were melted with sadness for their friend. Even Jezzi had come along. All waited anxiously for the doctor to emerge from the room. After five hours, the doctor came out and woke them up. Alex had successfully been revived. Jen was the first to bolt into the room.
"Alex, hey. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." came the puzzled response. "Just tired is all." Jen realized he did not remember her.
"Do you remember me, Alex?"
"I recognize you, remember you, but your name?" Alex looked frustrated with himself.
"It's Jen, and don't be so frustrated."
"Oh, that's right, Jen."
"Do you still remember our talk?"
"Yah. I remember telling you I loved you, if that's what you mean. Why wouldn't I remember? And why am I in the hospital? Last thing I remember is fighting with Ransik." Alex's face fell. "He-he beat me, didn't he? And he's still free?"
"Alex calm down. Ransik's been captured. I'll explain what happened after you're your grandparents, uncle, Lucas, and Jesse visit you, okay? I'm kind of hungry now; I've got to eat. I've been here ten, no, eleven hours. I'll be back later, okay? Bye, Alex."
"Wait, Jen, I -" the door closed before he could get Jen to stay. Jesse was the next to visit.
"Hey, man. What's up? I had to cancel my shift to see you. It wasn't easy."
"Thank you, uh?"
"Jesse."
"Look, before you ask, I remember faces and events, but names are a little bit hard to remember. Would you tell that to everyone, please?"
"Sure, Alex. How you feeling?"
"Pretty bad. Got a headache, arm's pounding, but I'll be fine."
"Just don't fall asleep on us again. We were all scared." Jesse sat down beside Alex's bed. "What was going on before I came in? I mean, with Ransik."
"We were, uh.fighting." Alex stated, struggling slightly at the words. "He was trying to kill me, and I had to defend myself. I managed to knock him down, too. I would have had him had I not tried to catch my breath. Then, everything blanked out. What happened?"
"Well, he must have hit you up against the door. That's where you were when I came in. He cut your arm before I engaged him in a fight with me."
"Oh. Well, thanks, Jess."
"You're welcome, man. Hey, I'm going to go get some rest before getting to work, okay? Talk to you later."
"Bye." Alex lay there for a few minutes before Lucas came in.
"Hey, Lucas here."
"Hi. The question asker, right?"
"Yup, that's me according to you. Not trying to annoy you, but how are you doing?" That got a laugh from Alex.
"Headache's all that's bothering me."
"I see. Well, um.I'm sorry about Jen not liking you, I guess."
"You guess?"
"I'm not sure if it's true. She broke up with me not too long ago; well, actually, I broke up with her because of something she said." His voice drifted off and he looked distant.
"Oh. I see." Alex could not suppress the joy he felt at that statement. He knew he probably should feel sorry for the guy, but he could not help it.
"Yah, well, um.I'm going to go."
"Okay. Bye." Lucas left, shoulders slumped and head down.
Next in line, Uncle Peter came in. "Hey, nephew."
"Hi.um.Uncle.Pe-Peter, right?"
"Yah. How you doing?"
"Headache. Seriously." Peter spotted something labeled "headache medicine." He read the directions and gave them to Alex, after checking with the doctor.
"Hopefully, these will help. I've got to get some rest so I can go to work this afternoon. See you. I'll pray for you."
"Thanks. Bye." Alex downed the pills and waited for the next person to come in.
"Hi, Alex. It's me, Grandma."
"Hi."
"You recognize me?"
"How could I forget you? You're the grandma who is more open."
Alex's grandmother laughed. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, I guess. The medicine's finally kicking in."
"I have some good news for you. You can go home tomorrow morning, but you have to stay in bed for two days before you can return to school. So, would you like to stay at my house?"
"Yes, please. I think it would be nicer than having to share a room with Jesse, Jerry, and Lucas during that time."
"Alright. I've got to go now. See you in the morning." She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead before leaving the room. Alex moved his pillow up and reclined himself. His other grandparents came in together.
"Hi.Grandpa and Grandma Collins."
"Hi, Alex." his grandfather said roughly.
"You feeling alright?"
"Yup." The room went silent. "You don't have to stay if you don't have something to say."
His grandfather said, "Okay, let's go, Ellie."
"No, we almost lost the last thing that exists of our daughter's, and it's our grandson. The most precious thing she left behind."
"Let's go, Ellie." he said, his voice edgy.
"Well, I'm sorry I can't stay longer, but your grandpa wants to go." she kissed him on the cheek. "Good-bye."
"Bye." The couple left, and Jen entered.
"Hey, Alex. Me again."
"Hi. Lucas broke up with you."
"Yes."
"Why did he?"
"Because he realized something." she looked at him quietly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She was determined not to cry; she had to be strong. Her mother and father had raised her that way.
"Y-you like me? I'm just guessing.and hoping."
"Yes, Alex. I still do. I'm sorry I hurt you; I honestly thought that I liked Lucas."
"I understand."
"You do?" Jen fiddled with her thumbs.
"Yes. That's what I said. I understand what you felt like about two years ago when I did the same to you. I thought I liked Jessica, and it was too late when I realized I liked you, but it's not too late for you."
Jen looked at him in the eye. She knew it was hard for him to make himself, his feelings, this vulnerable to someone, especially someone he claimed to love. "Really?"
"Yes, Jennifer, really." Jen stood up and hugged him happily around the neck. "You trying to choke me, eh?"
"Um.sorry." She nervously placed her hands behind her back. "I-I guess you want to know what happened, right?" Alex nodded his head. "Well,." she began.