"He can't do it." Eric had just arrived at Tommy's home, while Tommy was getting ready to leave to head over to the school.
"What do you mean he can't do it?" asked Tommy as he put his tie on while looking into the mirror.
"I mean he can't. It's too hard for him, it will be even harder for him to face her." Tommy could see Eric's reflection in the mirror and could see that Eric looked disturbed more then ever.
Tommy sighed heavily; in some ways he understood Wes's situation, but unfortunately they didn't have the luxury of waiting for Wes to come to grips with his feelings towards Jen. Everyday that passed, the stronger Janixsaur was becoming, along with Mesagog. "Then I suggest you find a way," said Tommy as he turned around to face Eric. He didn't mean it to sound harsh, but he needed to be realistic. They couldn't wait around for Wes.
"Haven't you heard a word I've said?" asked Eric, slightly upset by how cold Tommy sounded. Did he not understand how hard this was on Wes?
"Yes I've heard you. He's broken up about it. But I can't wait around for Wes when the world is in danger."
Eric just shook his head, not believing this, and although he knew Tommy was right, Wes was his friend. "Have you ever been in his place? Do you have any idea how it feels to live without the one you love, who you care more than anything for?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do!" Tommy.
Eric crossed his arms against his chest. "What it that Kimberly girl that Jason told us all about? Your high school sweetheart crush can't compare with Jen and Wes's relationship."
Tommy just glared Eric in the eyes. He wanted to say something, but he knew it would only start another argument between the two of them. "I have to go to class," said Tommy as he walked past Eric just barely brushing his shoulder.
Perhaps Eric was right his relationship with Kim couldn't compare with the relationship Wes had with Jen. For one Tommy and Kim were in high school, just a couple of teenagers, as for Wes and Jen they were both adults.
Eric slumped into the Cyber Café that Hayley owned and ran. It was beyond him, someone as smart as her running such a place; it was below her abilities. She could be working with the government or the FBI with her knowledge and skills, but no, she ran a simple teens and early adult's getaway.
"That friend of yours sure has some nerve," muttered Eric as he sank down on one of the chairs up by the bar.
"What'd you do this time?" asked Hayley, as she cleaned off the counter and then handed Eric a coffee.
"Me? What makes you think I had anything to do with it?" asked Eric, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Only because you seem to be the one to start things."
Eric had to grin at that. He did tend to be the one to start problems with just about everyone. But his face saddened slightly, knowing either he would have to force Wes to contact Jen or he would have to go behind Wes's back and contact her himself.
Hayley could sense something different about Eric, something she hadn't seen before or something she had been refusing to see, based on her past history with him. Just maybe people can change after all. She walked around the bar and took a seat next to him.
"Want to tell me what the fight was about?"
Had he heard things right? "It's nothing I can't handle."
There was the Eric she knew, always acting all brave and tough. But she knew better. "You're not that tough, you know," she said looking him in the eyes.
Eric wasn't sure what was happening. She was being nice to him, really nice to him. And he didn't know how to react to something like this. It wasn't like he had much experience with this, being friends with others, yet alone girls. In his past the relationships he had had with girls didn't last long.
The only experience he truly had where he cared for anyone was with Wes and Mr. Collins, and even with them at times he felt unsure of what to do or how to react. For as long as he could remember he had always pushed others away or kept them at a distance.
"Well, I better go. I'll see yah later," said Eric getting up from his seat and heading towards the exit.
"He's lucky to have a friend like you."
Eric stopped and turned around, gave a brief smile and nodded his head. "Yeah. I just wish Tommy…" Eric wasn't even sure how to word it. But the look in Hayley's eyes showed she saw where he was going with this.
"He does, believe me. Tommy's been through a lot over the years, in a way he's a lot like you."
"A jerk?"
Hayley just shook her head and grinned. "No. I'm mean by his... distance. He's more than he seems. He's not the Tommy you think he is."
"So is that why you two never hooked up?" asked Eric. He wasn't even sure why he asked the question. It wasn't really any of his business.
"No. We did try to go out once, but it never worked out. So we just decided to stay friends, besides I think he's still holding out for someone else."
Eric leaned against the door. He knew he should leave, but for some reason he wasn't ready to go just yet. "Kimberly? Wasn't that just a high school thing?" asked Eric. He couldn't quite get what the big deal was with this Kimberly. Just about everyone breaks up with their high school sweetheart.
"To some extent, yes, but I guess there's a lot more to it. He doesn't talk much about her; all I got were bits and pieces."
Maybe it was because he never really had been in love with anyone, that he didn't understand these situations. He understood Wes's, but only to a limit. Perhaps he never would understand. Who would want to love him anyway?
It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon and Tommy was still in his room grading papers. Or at least that's what he was supposed to be doing; for the last half hour he hadn't even done two papers. He had just been sitting there staring off into space.
"Hey Dr. O, you in there?" asked Ethan as he waved his hand in front of Tommy trying to get his attention.
"Ethan, stop it!" scolded Kira, grabbing Ethan's arm. Kira then leaned both of her hands on Tommy's desk. "Doctor Oliver, you okay?" asked Kira, looking him right in the eyes and trying to break whatever trance he was in.
Tommy blinked his eyes a couple of times before realizing that Ethan and Kira were looking right at him. "Ethan, Kira, what are you guys still doing here?"
"We could ask you the same thing," commented Ethan.
"I was grading the test papers," replied Tommy.
"Really. Are you finished? You think you could tell us how we did?" asked Kira.
"Um sure, let me see if I can find yours." Tommy began going through the stack of papers, and then realized he hadn't gotten very far. The only paper graded was Allen Banks. "Sorry guys, I guess I haven't gotten too far yet."
"You okay, Dr. Oliver? You seemed kind of off today in class," asked Kira, slightly concerned for his mentor.
"Yeah Dr. O, you're starting to be like Conner," added Ethan. Kira just gave Ethan a look, knowing that wasn't helping matters.
"I'm fine. Eric and I just got into a little argument is all, don't worry about it," said Tommy, getting up from his desk. He grabbed the papers and placed them into his briefcase.
"If you say so," shrugged Kira.
"Hey, was it about Conner?" asked Ethan, knowing very well that both Conner and Eric always were out to get each other.
"Ethan!" yelled Kira.
Ethan turned to her, giving her a blank look. "What? I had to ask."
Kira just groaned and sighed. Why she put up with him she'd never know.
Tommy had pretty much ignored their little argument as he got his things together. "Come on, I'll give you guys a ride home."
Once Tommy had taken both Ethan and Kira to their homes, he decided he would drop by the place Wes and Eric were staying and pay them a visit. Maybe try to talk to Wes and see if there was anything he could do, although he didn't know what it felt like to be separated by a thousand years from the one you love. He did know what it felt like to be so far apart. And even now as he thought about it, it seemed so long ago.
Tommy parked his black jeep in the driveway. He got out and made his way to the front door. He knocked on the door and waited. A couple moments later the door opened and Tommy found himself face to face with Wes.
"Hey."
"Hey," said Wes softly. By the sound of his voice Tommy knew Wes was down in the dumps. He still hadn't been able to come to terms with contacting the future.
"Mind if I come in?" asked Tommy.
"Sure, come on in," said Wes softly as he stepped aside.
Conner and Trent walked into the Cyberspace Café, both of them in deep conversation about Conner's soccer practice. That was until both of them saw something they never thought they would see. Both of them were a loss for words.
Eric and Hayley were sitting across from each other talking and looking to be enjoying each others company.
"No way!"
"Oh man. Hayley, come on," complained Conner.
Hayley and Eric turned around to face the two teens, just noticing they had walked in.
"Oh hey, Conner and Trent," waved Hayley.
"Ah hey," said Trent, giving her a blank look. He didn't get it. One day they were at each others throats and now they couldn't keep their eyes off of each other.
"Hayley, mind telling us what's going on?" asked Conner who didn't seem too excited about the match up.
Eric got up from his seat and walked over to Conner. "We were just talking, rookie, you have nothing to worry about," smirked Eric patting Conner on the shoulder. Eric looked over his shoulder to Hayley. "See yah later Hayley."
"Bye Eric, tell Wes I said hi."
The three watched as Eric left the Café. Both Conner and Trent just looked at Hayley.
"What?"