Disclaimer: Scenes are taken from "Fight Against Fate". I do not claim
ownership to the episode.
A/N: More from Alex's private POV in the next chapter, don't worry. I couldn't really find many places to add much, although there is some. Just so you all know, this is just the beginning!
Special Thanks to . . . Shirley Chong. Much help with this chapter and I appreciate it a lot!!!
***
He waited as they stared at him with obvious surprise from the expressions on their faces, Jen and Wes, most of all; his fiancee approached him slowly, taking one shaky step. She seemed smaller than he remembered her to be, perhaps it was the different clothes . . . a mini-skirt, tight shirt and leather jacket. He had seen her on the screen for months, but somehow everything was different in person; the dark circles under her eyes, her pale complexion.
'Months of battling will wear you out,' he reminded himself. 'But it'll all be over soon . . . once we get back to the future, I'll erase all that.'
"A-Alex?" Jen said, bringing him out of his thoughts by her uncertain voice.
Before Alex could reply, Wes walked up to him: "Unbelievable! You look just like me!" He stared his ancestor in the eye, looking him over with distaste; Wes was younger than he seemed when Alex reviewed the databanks; a easy look, his red shirt unbuttoned, his dirty blonde hair casually combed as if he didn't care about his appearance.
Without a word, he brushed by the current Red Ranger and found himself in Jen's arms; she held him tightly, her voice still shaking.
"You're alive! I thought you were gone forever . . . I---"
He pulled back, holding Jen at arm's length as he explained, slightly confused: "I barely survived Ransik's attack."
Alex watched her expression change to one of concern, and suddenly the horror began to sink in as he realized what she had thought for all those months . . . to her, he had died in her arms. The memories suddenly came back, and it made sense; Time Force would've informed her had she been family, but they hadn't known about the engagement so didn't see any need.
"Are you okay?" Jen asked, running her fingers through his air, touching him as if afraid he would suddenly disappear. "Ohh, I want to know everything!"
Her eyes were wide with worry and Alex smiled inwardly, wishing he could stand and let her caress him for the first time in so many months . . . he found himself staring into those eyes, he had always loved looking at them. They had shared long moments---just his icy blue to her doe brown---and those were the times he remembered the most fondly; he wanted to hold her tightly, kiss her passionately in front of everyone and---
'Stop it,' he told himself. 'There's no time for this . . . you have to stay focused.'
Alex shook his head, gripping her arms firmly to get her attention so he could change the subject. "Jen," he said, "there isn't much time." He let go and turned to the others: "I need you all to follow me."
"Let's go," Katie said, eagerly.
Without looking at Jen again, Alex marched in the direction he had come, followed closely by Katie and Lucas; he sensed that Jen was lurking behind, and a quick glance confirmed his suspicion. She stood quietly, looking confused and hurt as Wes stared at her; then they both finally began to follow.
He was secretly grateful that the walk to the beach was a good five miles, it gave him time to think and calm himself after seeing Jen again after so long---and Wes, as well. He took deep breaths, putting on his sunglasses once again as the bright sun glared into his eyes; he heard murmurs from behind, and could pick out a few words.
"I can't believe it . . . " that was Trip.
"I know, why didn't he tell us?" he heard Lucas.
"Maybe he'll explain later . . . " and Katie.
He wondered if Jen and Wes were still walking together, perhaps talking under their breaths, but he shook the thought off as they walked onto the beach. The waves crashed against the rocks, he adjusted the blaster against his right hip, feeling it grinding against him; finally, he heard a voice.
Wes: "Hey, what's that?"
"It's a timeship," Jen answered, sounding awestruck.
Alex picked up his pace and hurried into the timeship, walking up to the console and removing his glasses as he turned to them. "Fall in line," he said, calmly.
To his displeasure, the four Rangers slowly walked in---while looking around self-indulgently---before finally getting into an uneven line; Wes stood to Trip's right, slightly behind him. The muscles in his jaw twitched with anger at their lack of order, the civilian clothes they wore; when did Time Force give them permission to change? A matter to be taken up later . . .
"Your actions here have caused history to be altered!" he snapped, watching as they instantly showed signs of worry. "And now these shifts are beginning to effect the future."
Trip looked horrified. "How has the future been changed?" he asked, anxiously.
"I can't tell you," Alex answered.
He shot a glare at Wes and saw the look of confusion on the younger man's face, then he once again spoke to his team, walking along the line: "Now listen up! Frax has broken away from Ransik, and even as we speak he's building a super robot powerful enough to crush the city! It must be destroyed . . . which is why I'm here."
He whirled around and faced Wes, looking at the morpher on his wrist. "I'm going to take over as Red Ranger," he stated.
"What!?" Wes cried.
"But Wes is our Red Ranger!" Trip pointed out, "he's great!"
Alex took a breath, controlling his temper with effort; he walked up to Wes. "Perhaps," he said, "but Wes' destiny is to take over his father's company---Bio-Lab."
Wes rolled his eyes. "Well, maybe it was," he said, "but the future isn't written in stone! We each make our own destiny."
"Wrong," Alex said, "everything you've done up till now---I've allowed to happen." He looked at the Rangers. "I've tried to keep history from being altered, but Frax's robot is too powerful, I had to come in person." He stared at Wes, almost ordering him: "You'll fulfill your destiny and take over Bio-Lab."
As Wes once again rolled his eyes in amusement and some disbelief, Alex finished with the words he had dreaded saying: "Because your father will die tomorrow."
For a moment, no one said a word as the terrible revelation sunk into all of them; Alex's pain from discovering his own father dead came back as he watched Wes' eyes widen, he seemed to struggle to catch his breath. Then, as if remembering something, he smiled unsteadily and countered:
"What? I just saw my dad this morning . . . he's fine." His voice had a bit of laughter in it, but he didn't sound confident.
Alex looked down, waiting for the call he knew would be coming, the call that would end the conversation and force Wes into a life he had tried to avoid. Sure enough, the Chrono Morpher beeped and Wes nervously held it up.
"Wes, it's Eric---" came the voice "---do you read?"
Wes swallowed hard, and with difficulty. "Go ahead, Eric," he said.
"Your father's been injured," Eric said, "I think you should come to the hospital right away. It looks . . . real bad."
Wes closed his eyes, dropping his arm in defeat as Eric fell silent, the message having been completed; Alex watched the tears form as Wes opened his eyes again, and for a moment he felt deep sympathy.
"I'm sorry about your father," he said, honestly, "but you can't change your destiny."
With nothing left to say, he silently held out his hand and waited for Wes to relent; he unstrapped the morpher, holding it out but hesitating slightly, Alex grabbed it and placed it on his own wrist. There were a few moments of awkward silence as Wes looked at his former teammates, then bolted for the door; to no surprise of Alex's, Jen followed him.
He grimaced as he heard her voice call out to him, and his own voice came out sharper than he intended: "Keep focused, people! I'm the leader of this team now, you'll take orders from me!"
Noticing Jen still standing at the doorway with Wes, he called to her in a calm voice: "Jen! We've got a lot of work to do."
As Wes hurried away, Jen turned back to him, looking slightly defiant as she rejoined the group and awaited instructions silently.
"I need you to take me to your base," Alex said, "where is it?"
"In the city," Jen said, "it's a good walk from here." She folded her arms, rubbing them slowly and shivering slightly.
"Then we'd better get started," Alex said, heading for the door.
Jen hurried to catch up with him as they began to trek across the sand once again, she finally reached his side and walked with him in silence; he walked rigidly, wanting to hold her but forcing himself to look straight ahead. They had issues to work out, and---most importantly---a mission to complete, before any of that could happen.
"Alex---" she began.
"We'll talk later, Jennifer," he cut her off.
Her eyes fell and she stared at her boots to hide the tears, but he saw them anyway; reaching up with a shaking hand, he put it on her back and held it there for a moment before letting it drop . . .
********
The four Rangers led Alex into the Clock Tower and up the stairs to their home, Jen being the first to speak; she threw up her arms and managed a smile. "Well, here we are!"
Alex placed his hands behind his back, raising both eyebrows. "This . . . is your base of operations???" he said, in disbelief. Looking around, he noted the cobwebs in the corner . . . the old, beat-up picnic table . . . the books, box, and half-eaten apple on top of it . . .
"Yeah," Trip said, "it's pretty cool, huh?"
Alex winced. 'It's pretty cool, what???' he said, silently. 'Didn't they maintain any sort of order here? No rank structure . . . '
"And," Jen spoke up, "we can monitor the entire city from up here."
Alex stared up at the back of the giant clock, never hearing or seeing the small creature that flew through the open window till it nearly ran into his head; he ducked and spun around, hearing Trip chuckle nervously.
"Sorry I'm late!" Circuit said, sounding as cheerful as always.
"Great!" Alex said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he gestured to the window in disgust. "Verrry secure area." Finally, he noticed their attire: "And what are you wearing? Where are your Time Force uniforms?" He walked up to Trip, staring at the bright orange jacket and hat he wore to cover his green hair; perhaps not a bad idea, but still against regulations.
"Wes thought it would be better if we . . . blended in . . . " Jen lost her voice as Alex went over to stand directly in front of her, glaring.
"Wes thought?" he snapped, "Wes is just a civilian! Now put on your uniforms---" he reached over, ripping off Trip's hat "---you all look ridiculous."
Jen opened her mouth as if to say something, but decided against it, giving in and leading the others away; Alex looked after them, watching Lucas glare at him sharply before leaving. Alex gripped the hat, squeezing it tightly as they disappeared; he looked around again, finally settling down at the table and beginning to search through the miscellaneous items there. A book, Katie's handwriting scribbled over the pages . . . he tossed it aside, noticing something of more interest: A small black box.
He reached across and opened it, blinking when he recognized the old- fashioned photographs inside; the Rangers playing around in the Clock Tower, laughing and obviously having a good time. And then he saw it:
One of the pictures, Wes cupping Jen's head between his hands and kissing her cheek as she smiled happily. Suddenly, he remembered the scenes he had witnessed . . . Wes sticking close to Jen after every battle, and their little moment, interrupted by the other Rangers.
"Look, Alex," Jen spoke, walking up and zipping her jacket. "It's not like we've been playing around here, we've been working really hard to capture Ransik."
"I can see that," he said, bitterly. He stood and slapped the pictures down on the table: "Looks like you've been working really hard."
Without another word, he quickly walked to the window and leaned on it, staring out at the ancient city as Jen slowly followed him.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked.
Alex didn't look at her, trying to calm himself down before replying. "What'd you mean?" he said, vaguely.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jen shake her head, looking completely confused as she said: "Well, for starters; you've been alive this whole time??? I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
Alex lowered his head, finally acknowledging her words; but Jen hadn't finished, her voice grew more and more emotional as she went on: "And now you show up and you just start ordering us around!? But . . . A-Alex, you can't---"
"Listen, Jen," Alex cut her off, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to meet his eyes. "This mission is more important than you and me, or anybody! Now unless we put our emotions aside we don't stand a chance of saving the future."
Jen folded her arms, blinking rapidly as she tried to look him in the eye without bursting into tears; Alex opened his mouth again, but the other Rangers walked up as he was about to speak. "That's more like it," he said, changing the subject. "It should be happening, right about . . . now."
The Tower began to shake violently as soon as Alex fell silent and the Rangers rushed to the window to look at the sky as an object soared through the air.
"What's going on???" Katie demanded.
"A comet!?" Trip guessed.
Alex shook his head. "No."
Jen rolled her eyes quickly, becoming exasperated at his behavior as she rushed to him and grabbed his own shoulders. "What was that?"
"You're about to find out," Alex told her, "let's move!"
TBC
A/N: More from Alex's private POV in the next chapter, don't worry. I couldn't really find many places to add much, although there is some. Just so you all know, this is just the beginning!
Special Thanks to . . . Shirley Chong. Much help with this chapter and I appreciate it a lot!!!
***
He waited as they stared at him with obvious surprise from the expressions on their faces, Jen and Wes, most of all; his fiancee approached him slowly, taking one shaky step. She seemed smaller than he remembered her to be, perhaps it was the different clothes . . . a mini-skirt, tight shirt and leather jacket. He had seen her on the screen for months, but somehow everything was different in person; the dark circles under her eyes, her pale complexion.
'Months of battling will wear you out,' he reminded himself. 'But it'll all be over soon . . . once we get back to the future, I'll erase all that.'
"A-Alex?" Jen said, bringing him out of his thoughts by her uncertain voice.
Before Alex could reply, Wes walked up to him: "Unbelievable! You look just like me!" He stared his ancestor in the eye, looking him over with distaste; Wes was younger than he seemed when Alex reviewed the databanks; a easy look, his red shirt unbuttoned, his dirty blonde hair casually combed as if he didn't care about his appearance.
Without a word, he brushed by the current Red Ranger and found himself in Jen's arms; she held him tightly, her voice still shaking.
"You're alive! I thought you were gone forever . . . I---"
He pulled back, holding Jen at arm's length as he explained, slightly confused: "I barely survived Ransik's attack."
Alex watched her expression change to one of concern, and suddenly the horror began to sink in as he realized what she had thought for all those months . . . to her, he had died in her arms. The memories suddenly came back, and it made sense; Time Force would've informed her had she been family, but they hadn't known about the engagement so didn't see any need.
"Are you okay?" Jen asked, running her fingers through his air, touching him as if afraid he would suddenly disappear. "Ohh, I want to know everything!"
Her eyes were wide with worry and Alex smiled inwardly, wishing he could stand and let her caress him for the first time in so many months . . . he found himself staring into those eyes, he had always loved looking at them. They had shared long moments---just his icy blue to her doe brown---and those were the times he remembered the most fondly; he wanted to hold her tightly, kiss her passionately in front of everyone and---
'Stop it,' he told himself. 'There's no time for this . . . you have to stay focused.'
Alex shook his head, gripping her arms firmly to get her attention so he could change the subject. "Jen," he said, "there isn't much time." He let go and turned to the others: "I need you all to follow me."
"Let's go," Katie said, eagerly.
Without looking at Jen again, Alex marched in the direction he had come, followed closely by Katie and Lucas; he sensed that Jen was lurking behind, and a quick glance confirmed his suspicion. She stood quietly, looking confused and hurt as Wes stared at her; then they both finally began to follow.
He was secretly grateful that the walk to the beach was a good five miles, it gave him time to think and calm himself after seeing Jen again after so long---and Wes, as well. He took deep breaths, putting on his sunglasses once again as the bright sun glared into his eyes; he heard murmurs from behind, and could pick out a few words.
"I can't believe it . . . " that was Trip.
"I know, why didn't he tell us?" he heard Lucas.
"Maybe he'll explain later . . . " and Katie.
He wondered if Jen and Wes were still walking together, perhaps talking under their breaths, but he shook the thought off as they walked onto the beach. The waves crashed against the rocks, he adjusted the blaster against his right hip, feeling it grinding against him; finally, he heard a voice.
Wes: "Hey, what's that?"
"It's a timeship," Jen answered, sounding awestruck.
Alex picked up his pace and hurried into the timeship, walking up to the console and removing his glasses as he turned to them. "Fall in line," he said, calmly.
To his displeasure, the four Rangers slowly walked in---while looking around self-indulgently---before finally getting into an uneven line; Wes stood to Trip's right, slightly behind him. The muscles in his jaw twitched with anger at their lack of order, the civilian clothes they wore; when did Time Force give them permission to change? A matter to be taken up later . . .
"Your actions here have caused history to be altered!" he snapped, watching as they instantly showed signs of worry. "And now these shifts are beginning to effect the future."
Trip looked horrified. "How has the future been changed?" he asked, anxiously.
"I can't tell you," Alex answered.
He shot a glare at Wes and saw the look of confusion on the younger man's face, then he once again spoke to his team, walking along the line: "Now listen up! Frax has broken away from Ransik, and even as we speak he's building a super robot powerful enough to crush the city! It must be destroyed . . . which is why I'm here."
He whirled around and faced Wes, looking at the morpher on his wrist. "I'm going to take over as Red Ranger," he stated.
"What!?" Wes cried.
"But Wes is our Red Ranger!" Trip pointed out, "he's great!"
Alex took a breath, controlling his temper with effort; he walked up to Wes. "Perhaps," he said, "but Wes' destiny is to take over his father's company---Bio-Lab."
Wes rolled his eyes. "Well, maybe it was," he said, "but the future isn't written in stone! We each make our own destiny."
"Wrong," Alex said, "everything you've done up till now---I've allowed to happen." He looked at the Rangers. "I've tried to keep history from being altered, but Frax's robot is too powerful, I had to come in person." He stared at Wes, almost ordering him: "You'll fulfill your destiny and take over Bio-Lab."
As Wes once again rolled his eyes in amusement and some disbelief, Alex finished with the words he had dreaded saying: "Because your father will die tomorrow."
For a moment, no one said a word as the terrible revelation sunk into all of them; Alex's pain from discovering his own father dead came back as he watched Wes' eyes widen, he seemed to struggle to catch his breath. Then, as if remembering something, he smiled unsteadily and countered:
"What? I just saw my dad this morning . . . he's fine." His voice had a bit of laughter in it, but he didn't sound confident.
Alex looked down, waiting for the call he knew would be coming, the call that would end the conversation and force Wes into a life he had tried to avoid. Sure enough, the Chrono Morpher beeped and Wes nervously held it up.
"Wes, it's Eric---" came the voice "---do you read?"
Wes swallowed hard, and with difficulty. "Go ahead, Eric," he said.
"Your father's been injured," Eric said, "I think you should come to the hospital right away. It looks . . . real bad."
Wes closed his eyes, dropping his arm in defeat as Eric fell silent, the message having been completed; Alex watched the tears form as Wes opened his eyes again, and for a moment he felt deep sympathy.
"I'm sorry about your father," he said, honestly, "but you can't change your destiny."
With nothing left to say, he silently held out his hand and waited for Wes to relent; he unstrapped the morpher, holding it out but hesitating slightly, Alex grabbed it and placed it on his own wrist. There were a few moments of awkward silence as Wes looked at his former teammates, then bolted for the door; to no surprise of Alex's, Jen followed him.
He grimaced as he heard her voice call out to him, and his own voice came out sharper than he intended: "Keep focused, people! I'm the leader of this team now, you'll take orders from me!"
Noticing Jen still standing at the doorway with Wes, he called to her in a calm voice: "Jen! We've got a lot of work to do."
As Wes hurried away, Jen turned back to him, looking slightly defiant as she rejoined the group and awaited instructions silently.
"I need you to take me to your base," Alex said, "where is it?"
"In the city," Jen said, "it's a good walk from here." She folded her arms, rubbing them slowly and shivering slightly.
"Then we'd better get started," Alex said, heading for the door.
Jen hurried to catch up with him as they began to trek across the sand once again, she finally reached his side and walked with him in silence; he walked rigidly, wanting to hold her but forcing himself to look straight ahead. They had issues to work out, and---most importantly---a mission to complete, before any of that could happen.
"Alex---" she began.
"We'll talk later, Jennifer," he cut her off.
Her eyes fell and she stared at her boots to hide the tears, but he saw them anyway; reaching up with a shaking hand, he put it on her back and held it there for a moment before letting it drop . . .
********
The four Rangers led Alex into the Clock Tower and up the stairs to their home, Jen being the first to speak; she threw up her arms and managed a smile. "Well, here we are!"
Alex placed his hands behind his back, raising both eyebrows. "This . . . is your base of operations???" he said, in disbelief. Looking around, he noted the cobwebs in the corner . . . the old, beat-up picnic table . . . the books, box, and half-eaten apple on top of it . . .
"Yeah," Trip said, "it's pretty cool, huh?"
Alex winced. 'It's pretty cool, what???' he said, silently. 'Didn't they maintain any sort of order here? No rank structure . . . '
"And," Jen spoke up, "we can monitor the entire city from up here."
Alex stared up at the back of the giant clock, never hearing or seeing the small creature that flew through the open window till it nearly ran into his head; he ducked and spun around, hearing Trip chuckle nervously.
"Sorry I'm late!" Circuit said, sounding as cheerful as always.
"Great!" Alex said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he gestured to the window in disgust. "Verrry secure area." Finally, he noticed their attire: "And what are you wearing? Where are your Time Force uniforms?" He walked up to Trip, staring at the bright orange jacket and hat he wore to cover his green hair; perhaps not a bad idea, but still against regulations.
"Wes thought it would be better if we . . . blended in . . . " Jen lost her voice as Alex went over to stand directly in front of her, glaring.
"Wes thought?" he snapped, "Wes is just a civilian! Now put on your uniforms---" he reached over, ripping off Trip's hat "---you all look ridiculous."
Jen opened her mouth as if to say something, but decided against it, giving in and leading the others away; Alex looked after them, watching Lucas glare at him sharply before leaving. Alex gripped the hat, squeezing it tightly as they disappeared; he looked around again, finally settling down at the table and beginning to search through the miscellaneous items there. A book, Katie's handwriting scribbled over the pages . . . he tossed it aside, noticing something of more interest: A small black box.
He reached across and opened it, blinking when he recognized the old- fashioned photographs inside; the Rangers playing around in the Clock Tower, laughing and obviously having a good time. And then he saw it:
One of the pictures, Wes cupping Jen's head between his hands and kissing her cheek as she smiled happily. Suddenly, he remembered the scenes he had witnessed . . . Wes sticking close to Jen after every battle, and their little moment, interrupted by the other Rangers.
"Look, Alex," Jen spoke, walking up and zipping her jacket. "It's not like we've been playing around here, we've been working really hard to capture Ransik."
"I can see that," he said, bitterly. He stood and slapped the pictures down on the table: "Looks like you've been working really hard."
Without another word, he quickly walked to the window and leaned on it, staring out at the ancient city as Jen slowly followed him.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked.
Alex didn't look at her, trying to calm himself down before replying. "What'd you mean?" he said, vaguely.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jen shake her head, looking completely confused as she said: "Well, for starters; you've been alive this whole time??? I can't believe you didn't tell me!"
Alex lowered his head, finally acknowledging her words; but Jen hadn't finished, her voice grew more and more emotional as she went on: "And now you show up and you just start ordering us around!? But . . . A-Alex, you can't---"
"Listen, Jen," Alex cut her off, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to meet his eyes. "This mission is more important than you and me, or anybody! Now unless we put our emotions aside we don't stand a chance of saving the future."
Jen folded her arms, blinking rapidly as she tried to look him in the eye without bursting into tears; Alex opened his mouth again, but the other Rangers walked up as he was about to speak. "That's more like it," he said, changing the subject. "It should be happening, right about . . . now."
The Tower began to shake violently as soon as Alex fell silent and the Rangers rushed to the window to look at the sky as an object soared through the air.
"What's going on???" Katie demanded.
"A comet!?" Trip guessed.
Alex shook his head. "No."
Jen rolled her eyes quickly, becoming exasperated at his behavior as she rushed to him and grabbed his own shoulders. "What was that?"
"You're about to find out," Alex told her, "let's move!"
TBC