Here's the second version. Both are about the same length. Had a ton of homework Wednesday. Surprising since they usually don't give that much on a Wednesday so we can go to church. Had to do stuff around the house Thursday and Friday. Now, today's Saturday and I can work on it finally. Also, I might need some help when Jen gets to be around twelve, thirteen or so with developing her and Alex's relationship. I go to a school where dating, girlfriend/boyfriend relationships, and, pretty much, a girl talking with a guy or vice versa is prohibited; of course, that doesn't stop us from talking when off campus. There's certain limits I'd put on things they (Alex & Jen) can do though. Any help or suggestions are welcome. Thanks to my two reviewers for encouraging me.

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, both of Alex's grandmothers, Alex's grandpa, Jesse, Jerry, and Jessica.

Five Hours Later

* * *

The doctor walked out of Alex's room slowly. Jen was pacing the red carpet, and Lucas, Jesse, Jessica, and Jerry were trying to make her sit down. Jen was extremely worried but was determined not to cry. When Jen noticed the doctor, she stopped at attention in front of him. "How is he?" she asked quickly, her voice slightly trembling.

The doctor smiled, "At ease, recruit. Have a seat."

"Yes, sir." She said and sat down in the fluffy, pink waiting room style chair between Lucas and Jesse. Both grabbed her hands.

"Alright," he began while sitting in the chair a few feet away from the teens. Alex's grandparents had not been called yet. "Alex is stable and awake, thanks to new technology. However, –" Jen was so happy to hear the news that she unexpectedly jumped up and hugged the doctor around the neck, surprising everyone, including herself. She quickly sat down, her face a bright red. She set her eyes on the pink and white carnations on the table. "Anyway, as I was saying, Alex might not be able to recognize you, right away, so, give him a few moments before speaking. Let him start the conversation. Alright?"

Jen shook her head, "May I go see him?"

"Yes you may." The doctor smiled as Jen scurried off. Soon, he was being showered with questions about the new technology that had saved their friend's life.

Meanwhile, Jen sat down next to Alex's hospital bed. "Hey..." she said quietly.

Alex studied her face for a few moments before speaking. "Hi, Jennifer."

"How are you?" she asked happily.

"Tired. You?"

"Happy that you're alive. Tired, too, I have to admit." Jen sat there smiling dazzlingly at him for a while, a sparkle in her eyes.

"Do you know when I can get out of here and back to the Academy?"

Remembering that Alex's grandparents had not been called and that she needed to get a package for Alex, she replied eagerly, "Nope. You want me to go find out for you?"

"Yes, please."

"Be back in a flash." she stated while leaving the room. "Doctor?" she began, interrupting Jesse's question. As soon as he looked up at her, she continued, "Alex wants to, and I want to, know when he can leave and go back to the Academy."

"That's a good sign." The doctor paused a few seconds, as if thinking. "I'd say he could leave in about three hours from now, five a.m., but he has to stay in bed for two days." The doctor smiled as Jen scurried off to Alex's room, shouting, "Thank you," on her way.

"Back so soon?" Alex asked.

"Yup. Doctor said you can go home at about five, but you have to stay in bed for two days." Jen answered.

"Okay. Why do I have to stay in bed for so long?"

Jen stifled a laugh. "So they don't have to worry about you coming back here soon and making them have to work more." Alex chuckled softly. He glanced down at the floor, but stopped short when he noticed a red package with a white bow on it in Jen's lap. He eyed the package.

"That for me?" he asked.

"Oh. This?" Jen smiled thoughtfully and continued sarcastically, "No, it's for Lucas." She started to laugh, but when she noticed Alex flinching at Lucas' name, she added, "Of course it's for you, Alex. And the flowers, too, just to brighten up the room. And, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned Lucas. Here you go." she handed him the package.

"Thanks, and don't worry about the you and Lucas thing – I'll get over it eventually." He opened the package neatly. "Whoa! Thanks, Jennifer!" he exclaimed with a huge smile on his face, looking at the big history book on the 21st century. "How'd you know this was the only era of history I haven't found a good account on yet? And, how did you afford this? It's the best and most expensive book on it." he looked at her, clearly puzzled. He flipped through the pages until he came to a certain picture that nearly made him faint.

"I have my ways." Jen said slyly. "Alex, you alright?" She stood up quickly to see what Alex was looking at. She stood there frozen in place, nearly falling on Alex's face.

"H-e looks like m-me." he stuttered.

"Yeah, except for the hair and he' older." Jen replied, trying to steady herself. Giving up, she told Alex to move over, and she sat next to him. She was wearing a hot pink, v-neck shirt and a black, a-line skirt that went to her knees, and her hair was styled with a French bun, but she had a few loose strands on both sides of her face curled in ringlets; Alex was finding it hard not to stare at her despite this man that looked like him in the history book.

"Yup." Alex closed the book and placed it on the table beside his bed after reading the long article on the man. "That outfit new?"

"Yes." she said slowly. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason. Just curious. Did Lucas visit my room while I was unconscious?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Then, it's true."

"What's true?"

"Nothing."

"Oh brother." Jen said, crossing her arms and blowing air upward, turning her face away from him, as well.

"What? What?!" Alex strained to see her face. She turned, and she was smiling. She started laughing when he saw his face. Alex made a confused expression and stated, "I'll never understand girls," causing Jen to laugh even harder. Her smile, her laughter is…overwhelming. he thought. Alex could not help but laugh with her. Whenever she was happy, he was happy; when she was sad, he was sad. "Jen, did I hear Lucas say what I think he said when he was in my room?"

"And that was?"

"That you two broke up?"

"Yeah. No big deal though. I was actually relieved when he broke up with me, Alex."

"Really? Why?" Once again, Alex looked confused.

"Because I was wrong in thinking that I liked him. He was too…weird."

"Do you like anyone right now?"

"Yes…"

"Who?"

"Who do you think?"

"Me?" Alex guessed hopefully.

"Yup."

"Really?"

"Really." Alex's face lit up with joy; Jen was practically beaming. Jen stood up. "So, I guess we're boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Well, goodbye."

"Bye." Jen walked out slowly. She exchanged a few words with Jesse, and he and Jessica went into Alex's room. "Hi…Jesse and…Jessica."

"Hey." Jesse and Jessica said in unison. "Way to go, man." Jesse said.

"Thanks, I guess?"

"Yah. How are you feeling?" Jessica asked.

"As happy as I was when I met my grandma and uncle."

"I mean physically."

"Of course. I feel fine."

"Good. Just one more hour, and you're free to go." Jesse said with a smile.

"Yup. And lay in bed some more…boring." Alex's expression went from happy to sad to annoyed.

Jesse laughed. "Well, we've got to go. And Alex, don't lose her this time."

"I don't plan to." Alex replied. "Bye." Jesse and Jessica exited hand in hand.

Jerry came in and said, "Hi."

"Hi…um…Jerry."

"How you feeling?"

"Fine."

"I'm going to go. Bye."

"Bye." Jerry left and shut the door behind him. Jerry and Alex had never become close friends. Jerry did not consider Alex "cool," and Alex never tried to be his friend, so nothing ever happened.

The next two days are going to be so boring. Not able to participate in anything, having to stay in bed, possibly no visitors…just fun. Alex thought. At least I have something to look forward to when I'm better…getting to know Jen better. I'm in pure bliss. She looked so pretty with her hair like that, and that outfit… Alex let his thoughts trail off. For the second time in his life, he was feeling happiness and hope.

At five, Jen came in with the doctor, and they helped Alex get ready to leave. Jesse drove them back to the Academy dorms and left them to talk.

"How does it feel to finally be out of that small and poorly decorated hospital room?" Jen asked Alex.

"Very nice. And, you're right, pink and red all over the place…they need to choose new colors."

"That's for sure." she looked up at Alex with sparkling eyes. "What do you want to do?"

"Go for a walk, be with you, get to know you better, and that's about it."

Jen smiled. "That sounds good to me." She leaned into his side and placed her arm around his waist, and he placed his arm around her shoulders. They walked like that enjoying each other's company well into the night. When Alex went to bed that night, he fell asleep smiling.