Alex/Wes, Jen, Trip, Lucas, Katie and all other characters from Power Rangers belong to Disney/Saban. Methos and Duncan belong to Davis/Panzer Productions. I am using them without permission, however I have not and don't expect to make money from this.
Reviews are always appreciated.
Alex Drake's Journal, May 7, 3001
When you've lived as long as Patrick has - or as long as I have - there are so many things you wish you could change in your own past. Certainly I've thought about it, and been tempted every time I remember how Eric died. Maybe I should have suspected what was about to happen, but I was too wrapped up in my own problems. So now it's the five of us, together again. A team again. Talk about the past coming back to haunt you... But it's not going to be anything like it was before.
Jen walked into the Time Force lunchroom, her eyes scanning for a familiar face, and quickly finding it. Katie was almost at the other side of the large room, smiling brightly despite the early hour, an arm raised to wave until she saw Jen nod in recognition. It took only a few moments to thread her way through the pack of tables.
"Hey! You made it!" Katie greeted her.
"Am I late?"
"No, right on time as usual." Her former teammate waited for her to sit down before asking, "When's your meeting?"
"At eight-thirty. At least it'll be over early and I'll have a chance to get some real work done before lunch." She scanned the options on the automated order console built into the tabletop, fingers moving to select eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee, the kind of breakfast she'd gotten used to in 2001. "I seem to spend so much time in meetings these days. Waste of time, most of them."
"Yeah, I can see why Wes hated..." Katie trailed off into uncomfortable silence.
"You can say his name, it's okay," Jen said with a wry smile.
"That's a relief." Katie fixed her with a penetrating glance for a moment before breaking into another smile. "Guess what, I bumped into Lucas the other day. He said to say hello."
"How's he doing?"
"Great. Says he loves his new job."
"He should. It's perfect for him."
Life had changed since all of them had returned from their successful mission to capture Ransik in 2001. The first few weeks had been a dizzy, bittersweet mixture of debriefing, readjustment, getting reacquainted with family and friends, with the added complication of realizing they were famous now. But the excitement had died down, and they had settled into normality again, all of them picking up their lives where they had left off. Except Jen, of course. There was no repairing the break between her and Alex.
Reassignments had followed. Lucas was now working on the development and testing of transport vehicles, Katie had gone back to her position as a patrol officer, now at a higher rank, Trip had increasingly concentrated on temporal research. Jen, with the new title of Lieutenant Commander, had found herself spending more time in the office and less in the field, sometimes to her dismay.
"You miss it, don't you?"
As Katie's voice interrupted her thoughts, Jen realized she had been absently running her fingers over the morpher on her wrist. She smiled, a little sadly, wondering exactly which 'it' Katie was asking about. "You mean morphing on a regular basis? We should be grateful Command let us keep the morphers at all."
"Well..." Katie looked down, toying with her napkin. "Actually I meant us. The team. That's what I miss."
They had been so close, during their year in 2001. Not only teammates but friends, living and working together, sharing everything. Despite the danger they had been in, despite homesickness and the struggle to survive, it had been in some ways a very happy time. Of course, Wes had been part of that.
"Seems like we hardly see each other anymore," Katie was saying. "We still have the morphers, but we don't work together anymore. It's really a shame. We were like family."
"Even family drifts apart. Doesn't mean anything's changed between us."
"I guess."
"I saw Alex the other day." Jen saw Katie's eyes flicker up to hers.
"You did? How is he?"
"Seemed fine. Said he was fine. Then he took off. You know Alex."
"I'm not so sure. He's changed."
"You don't need to tell me that." Jen smiled, trying to make the remark sound lighthearted.
"Jen..." Katie seemed to consider her words. "Have you talked to him? Tried to find out what's going on?"
"A couple of times... I don't know, he won't admit anything's wrong, but I can tell there's something he's not telling me." Jen shrugged, again trying to sound casual. "He doesn't seem to be interested in talking. Or in getting back together."
With a look of surprise Katie asked, "Do you want to get back with him?"
Jen sighed. "I don't know. Sometimes... I do still care for him. If he hadn't acted the way he did..." She frowned. "If only he had told me he was still alive. If he'd talked to me when he was in 2001, instead of just taking over and ordering all of us around. If he hadn't been so... different and cold."
"You would have stayed engaged to him?"
"Well... Maybe I wouldn't have - had the feelings I did for Wes. It wasn't just him that broke us apart, it was Alex himself too."
"He was badly injured, Jen. He almost died. And then he must have been under a lot of pressure. And..." Katie hesitated. "Maybe he suspected something was happening between you and Wes."
"Nothing was really going on, not until later. But maybe you're right." Jen stared down at her plate unseeingly. "You want to know something really strange? I think I loved both of them. Never used to think you could be in love with two people at the same time, but somehow, it happened. But - I can't be with Wes, and Alex doesn't seem like the same person anymore, so I end up with no one."
Katie's fingers touched her wrist. "There'll be someone else. Girl like you, you'll have them lining up around the block."
"Yeah, I can't wait to see that." Jen smiled wryly.
"That guy, for example." Katie nodded towards the far side of the lunchroom. "He's been staring at you since you walked in."
Jen turned her head, trying not to be obvious, and caught a glimpse of a man perhaps a few years older than herself, sitting alone, just as he averted his eyes. "Him? Not bad... But he's probably looking at you," she said, turning back to Katie with a grin.
He had meant it when he said Alex was a fool. There she was, sitting across the room from him, talking to one of her former teammates. Jennifer Scotts. She was here, she was alive, and Alex did nothing about it. Time was so short for mortals, and he was wasting it.
Alex. Patrick smiled to himself. The name had been one of the reasons he had sought out the red Ranger after his 'death' at Ransik's hands. Alex. Alexa. Coincidence, of course; he wasn't such a fool as to believe there was anything mystical about it. And yet, the thought, the connection, had been at the back of his mind, only waiting for an opportunity to emerge and make him see that time had brought him the kind of second chance that Alex himself was passing by.
That's what it all came down to. Time. Maybe it could be his friend, instead of his enemy, if he could make this work.
"Hey, Trip, could you look at this for me?"
"Sure." Trip got up from his seat in the timestream pattern analysis lab and crossed the room to bend over the shoulder of an older man in a white lab coat. He peered at the complex web of intersecting, multicolored lines spread across the chronospectral analysis screen like an impossibly intricate section of lace, and frowned. "What is it?"
"I was hoping you could tell me."
"Probably nothing." Trip took a closer look. This visual representation of the billions of interlacing events that made up the timestream never failed to awe and fascinate him, especially as he had become more skilled at interpreting it. Now, despite his youth, more experienced scientists had begun to defer to his opinion. "Kind of looks the way it does before a time flight..." he said thoughtfully.
"Where do you see that?"
"The range of colors has increased to show more divergent possibilities, and the - the texture is looser. But it's very subtle. Like I said, probably nothing." Trip shrugged. It was more a feeling than anything solid he could point to. Reading the currents of the timestream was still more an art than a science. He was probably good at it because of his Xybrian semi-psychic abilities.
"I always thought that was weird," the other man said. "The way we see effects before the cause actually happens."
"Yeah, well - when you think about it, as soon as someone makes the decision to travel back in time something's happened. The timestream reacts to the possibility that history may change, even before anyone actually does anything to change it."
"I haven't heard of any time flights coming up."
"Me either." Trip stared at the screen for another thoughtful moment. "It's probably just a random effect, but - maybe I'll take a walk to the shipyards. There's someone I can ask."
Head down, lost in thoughts of the beautiful and puzzling tapestry of time he had just been trying to understand, Trip stepped out of the room, saw a shadow, and barely managed to avoid running into its owner. "Excuse me!" he exclaimed, backing off a step. The man, a Time Force security guard, only nodded and passed him, also headed for the exit leading out to the shipyards. Trip noticed a small box in his hand, then forgot about it almost instantly as he started on his way again.
As he left the building, Patrick tried to hold the box so it was hidden from the view of the people on the walkways and lawn. Probably not even necessary; the guard's uniform he wore was an effective camouflage. No one noticed guards unless they were in trouble, or intended to cause it. He was as invisible as a waiter or cleaning person, as long as he looked like he belonged here.
Sure enough, no one looked twice as he approached the small timeship, parked in a far corner, that he had already chosen for his purpose. He circled behind it. As he looked back in the direction of the main field a flash of green caught his eye. Another one of the team of Rangers, the same young man who had almost bumped into him minutes ago. Had he noticed something suspicious; was he following? But no, he was waving at a taller, dark-haired man.
No one was looking. Using his passkey, Patrick opened the ship's door and slipped inside. He stood for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the lighting, dim after bright sunshine.
Now or never... One more time, he wondered if he was doing the right thing - but there was no real question. Alexa's face beckoned him on as he sat at the controls and brought the engine to life.
"Time flights? None coming up that I know of. Why?"
Trip squinted in the sun, glancing past Lucas across the landing field to where the guard he had encountered in the hallway had disappeared, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that had been growing inside him. "The timestream pattern looks just like it does before a test flight," he said. "Are you sure?"
"I think I'd know. I'm usually the pilot." Lucas crossed his arms with a faint smirk. "Are you sure you're not imagining things?"
"If there's nothing going on, why's that ship taking off?"
Lucas turned to follow his pointing finger, the smile fading. "I didn't know anyone was going to be using that one - probably just testing the engines."
"I don't think so..." They both stared up as it lifted into the sky, gaining speed. "Look at that!" Trip exclaimed.
A bright, narrow stream of light had stabbed up into the sky from the small ship. It blossomed into a dark purple and black blotch and began to rotate, in only a second or two becoming a whirlpool draining into nothingness high above their heads. The ship caught the sunlight in a gleam of silver as it darted up and into the center of the funnel.
"Shit!" Lucas shouted as it vanished.
Trip might have cursed too, but he only watched in silence and with a sinking heart as the timehole shrank into itself and pinched out of existence, leaving only a blue, sunny, and empty sky.
"We know who it was. A security guard. Patrick Wilford."
Alex tried not to show the effect that name had on him as Captain Logan's eyes studied his face across the desk in Logan's office. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Trip says he saw a guard matching his description near the ship before it took off. And Wilford is missing. Along with one of the experimental regenerators from the medical lab."
"A regenerator. I see," Alex muttered.
"You know him, don't you?"
Repressing the urge to ask how Logan knew, Alex answered honestly. "Yes. We've been friends since he found me alive in the morgue after Ransik... injured me."
"Any idea why he did this? Why would he want to travel back in time?"
"I really don't know." Alex frowned, trying to remember exactly what Patrick had said that night several days ago. Something about getting a second chance. And something about a woman he had known long ago, who had died young. "I suppose - there's something he wants to change in the past. Someone he wants to save, maybe. But I have no idea when, or where. Can't the instruments pinpoint it?"
"Yes, they have. Early 1996. Ring any bells?"
'Someone I knew a long time ago, before you became immortal...' Patrick's words were suddenly clear in Alex's mind. He frowned, and came to the inevitable decision. "I'm going after him."
Another sharp look from Logan. "You're the best person to go, I agree. And you should take the other Rangers; you may need backup. Do you have any idea where to look?"
"No, I don't," Alex answered, realizing Patrick could have gone literally anywhere in the world. They might know the time, but without the place it could still be hopeless.
Logan hesitated, looking more uncomfortable than Alex could remember ever seeing him. "I could give you some suggestions, but..." His mouth firmed. "This is an emergency situation. After what Ransik did in 2001, we can't risk any more interference that might alter events in that time period. The timestream can't handle it. Whatever Wilford intends to do, no matter how small a change he might make, it could have a disastrous effect on history."
"I know; you don't have to tell me how important-"
"It's against all the rules, but I don't see any choice."
"What do you mean? What rules?"
Logan ignored the question. "There's someone who may be able to help. Someone who's known Wilford for a very long time. I'll contact him, and ask him to talk to you before you go."
"Who? How do you know so much about Patrick?"
"I don't know how much he told you..."
"Told me about what? Logan, what's going on?"
"Alex, there are things... It was inevitable you'd find out eventually, but it would take too long to explain now. I have to make some calls if I'm going to find this person, and you should contact the others and get ready."
Alex took a step closer to the desk. "If there's something you're not telling me that I need to know for this mission..."
Logan paused with his hand on the communicator, his expression apologetic but very determined. "Please, Alex, trust me. Getting that information for you is what I'm trying to do. Don't ask me to tell you everything now. I can't, for several reasons."
"All right. Okay, but I expect some explanations later." Alex turned and started out.
Behind him, he heard Logan mutter, very softly, as if to himself, "I just hope I'm doing the right thing."
"Trip. You already know what the situation is."
"Yeah, Alex, I know. Who's going after him?"
"Logan wants the whole team. The five of us."
"Oh. Okay. Uh... when?"
"As soon as we can all be ready. An hour or two, probably."
"Alex... Do I have time to call my parents and brothers?"
"Of course, Katie. Just try to make it fast."
"Funny. Just this morning, I was thinking about wanting to get back into action..."
"Looks like you'll get your wish."
"Another time mission?"
"Yes, Lucas. To 1996. We're the logical choice; we're not only Rangers but we've all been in that approximate time period."
"But you were only there for a couple of days."
"I'm - familiar enough with it."
"And you're leading the mission?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"No. No problem for me. I'll be there."
"Jen, are you okay with this?"
"Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You might have feelings about being in that time again - and about working with me."
"Alex, I'm a Time Force officer, just like you. Do you seriously think I'd be that unprofessional?"
"I didn't mean it like that."
"How did you mean it? No, never mind. I'll see you in an hour."
They hadn't even left, and he felt tired and disheartened. Alex walked through the hallway of his apartment building, his mind still on those calls to each of his teammates. Team. They had all worked so well together once, long ago, but somehow when he had gone back to 2001 as Alex everything had been completely different. He had been different. A thousand years of experience and bitter memories now separated him from mortal humanity. Or maybe not. From the moment he had seen Jen again, with Wes - with himself, although a self so distant and different he found it impossible not to think of him as a separate person - he had been consumed by jealousy, anger, confusion; the same emotions every mortal was prey to. He had behaved as badly as any lovesick, rejected teenager. And the others had reacted in kind, with angry words, accusations, rejection of his leadership.
They had resented him, been angry with him for taking back his own morpher and his rightful role as leader. How was this going to be any different? What was it he had lost over the centuries that had made the team work before, as it would not work now? Even more important, was there any way to recapture it, to get back that old trust and comradeship? They would need every bit of it on this mission.
And that led to another troubling thought. How could Patrick have done this? They were friends; in fact Patrick was the one who had pursued the friendship. Had it all been a buildup to this moment? No, there seemed to be no connection. Still, it felt like a betrayal, his friend going against everything Alex now stood for...
He didn't fully realize what he was feeling until he had already come to a stop, heart starting to race as a familiar tingling sensation buzzed through his head. An Immortal, here. Very close. Not Patrick. No time to deal with a challenge now. Feeling momentary gratitude that he was in uniform and armed, Alex pulled out his blaster as he saw movement ahead and a man stepped from around the corner leading to his door.
He was a little taller than Alex, strongly built, very handsome, with dark hair longer than was the current fashion. The long coat he was wearing was an unpleasant reminder of so many other Immortals who kept swords hidden under them, despite the fact that most now used energy or subspace-based weapons.
"Hey!" The man stopped abruptly as Alex aimed the blaster. "Take it easy, I'm not here to fight."
"Then who are you? Why are you waiting for me outside my apartment?"
"Didn't think you'd appreciate it if I broke in and waited inside..." The man smiled, then dropped the attempt at humor as Alex only glared. "Look, I was asked to come here."
"By who?"
"Guy named Logan. Your Watcher."
Alex lowered the weapon slightly. "My what?"
"Your - Captain Logan, of Time Force. He told me you have a problem with a stolen timeship. I know the person who took it and I think I can help."
"Yes. Yes, Logan said he was going to call one of Patrick's friends." Alex holstered his blaster and, after a moment of hesitation, held out a cautious hand. "I'm Alex Drake."
"I know." The man's grip was firm, and he smiled again. "I'm Duncan MacLeod."
TBC...