Disclaimer: Please see chapter 1 for the legal details.
Author's Note: For those few still reading, let me extend my most sincere thanks! This and the next chapter require some attentiveness on the part of the reader. Because the story lines are being pulled together, I found it necessary to shift back and forth between time variants. For the most part, I do make note and separate the parts but for the fullness and continuity of the story,that's not always possible.
Time to Consider
Chapter 38
By Callisto
Kowaris Cannery—Present
Anchorage, AK
Daniel watched solemnly as his father gave Jarod his final hug goodbye. The freshly groomed pretender had his boyish features uncovered by a close shave and haircut. It was unlikely that they would ever see him again in this timeframe but not impossible. With the brilliance exhibited in some of Jarod's equations, nothing was farfetched or completely out of the question. Next up was Emily who said a few words and hugged her brother with a fierce tenderness. Daniel brought up the rear and gave his 'brother' his word that he would look after them. Jarod nodded and hugged the boy who now looked like his twin. The previous day, the pretender made a point of spending quality time with each of them. It took away only a portion of the sting of saying goodbye.
While Jarod was saying goodbye to his family, Parker walked over to Norwood to bid him farewell. She was on her best behavior—polite and using his real name. Before leaving she grabbed the scrawnyscientist by the shoulders and pulled him awkwardly towards her. Whispering into his ear advice similar to what she had given Broots years earlier, she said, "If you wait too long, Emily will lose all interest. No woman likes a man who sits on the fence. Either make a move or move on." Taking his hand she pressed a key into his palm, smiled and nodded suggestively at him.
"Thank you. It has been a painful pleasure knowing you. I have learned much. Take care of yourself and your man."
Laughingly she replied, "I will."
Norwood watched as they both stepped onto the dais where the event horizon formed. Checking the calculations one more time, Norwood signaled for Emily and her father to move away from the machine.
Each person, except the travelers, put on protective eye goggles. So far twice through the event horizon had done nothing to their eyes. Norwood started the sequence. For the first time, Jarod saw the source of all the noise. The machine slowly came to life as the mechanism started to form an event horizon. The light began to build to a blinding intensity and within seconds, the two unlikely youths disappeared into time.
Once the machine began to power down and the light slowly dissipated, the major removed his protective eyewear and stared at the spot where Jarod and Parker had been. The only thing his son took with him was a design for a racecar, and the clothes on his back. Parker on the other hand took three items with her—presents for her deeply missed family.
"She didn't even wait for Ethan to return. I wonder what was so important that he had to miss this?" the major asked musingly.
"I think she said her goodbyes the day he left," Daniel offered slowly.
Norwood returned to his machine and began maintenance on the servers that held the complex computations it used to transport through time. Jarod was indeed a genius. Looking at the formula the pretender had handed him, all the scientist could do was shake his head in wonder. Jarod had written out some of the algorithms that took Norwood, using his computer, years to figure out. Jarod confessed that it took a little over 2 hours for him to come up with the viable equation. That was humbling.
Abernathy/Ferrer apartment—Past
Lisbon, Portugal
Brilliant light flooded the apartment, deposited its cargo, and then winked out, folding in on itself. Nothing moved but an old-fashioned wall clock ticking out it's approximation of the passage of time—that and a tiny green, red and blue tree frog who was hanging out on a branch in his habitat. Several hours later though still very early in the morning a loud, frantic knocking rocked the front door and a few seconds later, the scraping of a key resounded in the lock and the door was flung open.
"Maritza? Jarod? Are you here? Baby?" Catherine's voice called from the entrance. Tentatively she stepped further into the dark apartment and began to look around curiously. Walking slowly through the living room, no fear or apprehension touched her heart. Continuing through the small apartment, Catherine shook her head in mild disapproval. She could understand their need to do things on their own but this apartment was far too tiny. Perhaps she would try again to talk Maritza into something more suitable—this place was more suggestive ofamarried couple rather than two horny kids who should soon tire of each other.
At the bedroom she paused, then taking a deep breath she opened the door to find the couple fully clothed and sleeping soundly. 'The major isn't going to like this one bit,' she thought quietly to herself. Slipping further into the room, Catherine went over to her daughter's side of the bed and caressed the girl's shoulder. Usually that did the trick but this time there was no response. Frowning slightly, Catherine glanced at Mari's chest to be reassured that the girl was breathing normally just deeply asleep. She was about to tell the major what was going on when Ethan burst into the room.
"Mari, can I feed Horatio? He looks hungry," the boy asked in a loud voice.
"Ethan, she's sleeping, lower your voice," Catherine advised gently, hoping secretly that the boy woke his sister but to no avail. Immediately following the little boy, the major walked up to the bedroom doorway and looked at the two on the bed.
"Jarod! Wake up, son. What time did you two get in last night?" Jarod was obliviousto his father's question as he continued to sleep peacefully. The major said to Catherine, "They must've really enjoyed themselves, they're still fully dressed. Where's the other bedroom?"
"Trevor, stop being a prude! They sleep together here."
"And you're okay with this? You're daughter can't be more than 17!"
"She's 18 and of age. Besides, she just won a prestigious competition that will have her traveling the world, showcasing her talent," Catherine replied full of pride, while securely tucking a lock of Mari's hair away from her face. "She's very mature for her age. Anyway, it's the '70's, kids grow up faster nowadays."
"Momma, it's the 80's now," Ethan chimed in helpfully as he sat nonchalantly at the foot of the bed.
"Thank you, dear. Call your father and let him know that we've found them, he'll be worried. I knew they were close by, they must've gotten caught up in traffic somewhere." Spying the packages in Maritza's hands, Catherine eased one free and smiled indulgently at her daughter. "My kid goes shopping at the drop of a hat."
"Must be genetic," the major shot back quickly, charmed by the sudden irritation that sprang up on Catherine's face. "You know, since Ethan's gone and they're dead to the world," he said nodding to the two unconscious lovers. "I think we should have a quick chat about our attitudes towards each other. I take it from the clueless look on Ben's face that you were about as forthcoming with him as I've been with Margaret."
Catherine closed her eyes to mask her growing irritation and fear—irritation that he brought this up and fear that he even mentioned it. "No. Of course, I haven't."
"Then let's agree to be mutually civil. I'm not looking to make your life miserable and I don't want that for myself. And from the looks of these two, we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other than we ever intended. But if we keep up this aversion for each other, both our spouses will start asking questions."
Catherine looked away from him and back at her sleeping daughter. For once he was saying something she could agree on. The soft soothing voice of Catherine's mother seconded the motion, adding that the lovers were far more mature and in love than Catherine would allow herself to imagine.
"Alright, I'll make an effort if you will. Why you think it's so amusing to purposely find ways to irritate me is a mystery."
The urge to go to her came up suddenly and fast. Fortunately, he half expected it and neatly shut it off from his mind. Maybe in another life, he would have a chance to explore a relationship with her but definitely not in this one. Margaret and the kids meant too much to him.
"I'll restrain myself from sticking pins in you for my amusement," he replied sarcastically. At Catherine's sharp look, he gave her a smirk that rivaled Jarod's and said, "Has anyone ever told you that you're even more beautiful when you're angry?" Shaking his head in bemusement, he held his hands up and said, "That one was my swan song." He then walked out of the room as Ethan re-entered.
"Momma, Daddy wants to know if Mari and Jarod are going to have dinner with his father or with us?"
"Tell him with Jarod's father," Catherine answered quietly. She sat down on a nearby chair and stared at Mari. Quietly giving herself some time to think things thorough, she considered the major's words. Actually, Ben had told her the same thing. Recently, he had been trying to irritate her just to elicit a particular expression she was unaware came on her face. In fact, she noticed that Jarod would often use his father's tactics to get a similar result from Mari. Afterwards he would laugh delightedly then smoother her in affection. The correlation between children and parents was uncomfortably close. Like the major, Catherine silently decided that she would never again place herself in a position that would jeopardize her marriage. She and Ben just managed to get together and live like normal people despite Leith's threats. Ben meant more to her than anything in the world save her children and the last thing she wanted was for him to start to question her loyalty.
As Jarod and Norwood suspected, Time had healed the breach made when the temporal paradox of their return caused so much disruption. In this timeframe, almost everything that had occurred after the major and Catherine's first visit to the empty apartment was neatly erased and placed in the realm of possibilities. In his super-genius state, Jarod was able to figure out the correct sequence of algorithms that would send him and Parker back to the day following their abduction by Ethan. Therefore, Catherine's worry lasted only half the night when she was awakened abruptly by the voices with the announcement that Mari had returned and was at the apartment with Jarod. Eight-year old Ethan smiled tiredly and fell immediately into a deep sleep when he received the same message. The confrontation that the major had witnessed between Ben and his destructively corrupt brother, Leith Parker never occurred and Trevor was never pressured into admitting his momentary loss of good sense to his new friend. Ben's suspicions were quickly assuaged by the subtle change in Catherine and the major's behavior towards each other and by his wife's pleasantly distracting affections.
Kowaris Cannery—Present
Anchorage, AK
Several days had passed since Jarod and Parker were whisked back to the variant timeframe. As agreed, Jarod turned on the radio and reported that they had arrived safe, sound and on the day he had arranged. When the major asked how he had taken them shacking up, Jarod laughed appreciatively.
"We had a nice long talk. You think we're too young to be living together. Actually you sounded a lot like Emily on that point but with the upcoming trip, it was a moot point. You liked the thought of an 18 year old Parker traveling around the world alone even less. I think secretly you're becoming quite fond of her," Jarod said with half-smirk.
The whole story was that his father wanted them to return to America, for Jarod to get a real job there and to make an honest woman out of Mari. He still didn't like the sound of the trip they had planned but was modestly relieved when Jarod told him of his intentions of proposing to Mari. Most of the major's apprehensions were placed asidewhen he had a chance to witness a verbal brawl between mother and daughter when Mari announced her plans to forfeit her grand prize in favor of clerking for a judge friend of her mother's. Catherine would hear nothing of it and her argument was originally so mild that all the men watching from the sidelines thought she would lose. They thought wrong. While Mari had inherited a great deal from her mother, Catherine was extremely strong willed and when angry—formidable. Jarod watched with admiring fascination as the two beautiful women, made even more so by their emotions, verbally sparred. Mari's frustrated irritation added color to her complexion and her eyes flashed brightly with exasperation. Jarod was smitten all over again and from the gentle pat on his shoulder from the major, he too agreed that the daughter had the edge over the mother when it came to beauty. If Parker had ever caved into her father, in the face of Catherine's outright disapproval her resolve disintegrated into an irate puff. The two years of piano concertizing was back on without a hitch.
"Son, please keep in touch. I can't help but worry about you," the major said.
"We'll be alright but don't worry I'll keep in contact."
Once the connection was severed there was a sense and feeling of loss permeating the room. Emily put her arm around her father's shoulders and touched his forehead with her own. The room was quiet when slowly the sound of someone approaching greeted them. Father and daughter simultaneously turned towards the source of the sounds. Slowly Ethan approached looking tired but excited. When he spotted his father and Emily a brilliant smile instantly lit up his features.
"I have something to tell you. Actually it was my sister Parker's idea. She insisted on it," Ethan announced, barely able to contain himself. "She understands what it's like losing someone you love. So she sent me out to try and alleviate your pain." Glancing backwards, he beckoned with his hand for someone to come out. "That's all I wanted to say. It's about time you were home," Ethan said to the person just out of sight.
Slowly tentative footsteps came forward and then slowlya shape emerged from the shadows. Emily drew in her breath sharply while the major and Daniel continued to stare curiously. Before the person was fully revealed, Emily suddenly rushed forward with tears in her eyes.
"Mom! Oh my God, Mom, it's you! You're here. We've finally found you," Emily said in a rush of heartfelt tears, engulfing her mother in a lovingly smothering hug.
"Emily! I've been searching so long—so very long!"
"Margaret?" the major asked, his mind went blank for several seconds. He was afraid this was just a dream. His depression over losing Jarod had taken over his senses and somehow conjured up this lovely apparition.
With her arm still encircling her daughter, Margaret stepped further into the light, which revealed her pale complexion, bright red hair and slight figure. Her eyes latched onto her husband like a magnet.
"Trevor? My God, please don't let this be a hallucination. I've dreamed this so many times. Please Trevor," she choked between her tears and swelling emotion.
The major wasted no more time staring at his long missing wife. He rushed forward and took her into his arms for the first time in three decades. His grip on her was insufficient to satisfy his need, so he gathered her closer and buried his head in her neck and hair. Emily backed off to let her father have her to himself for a few minutes. Looking around, she spotted Daniel and beckoned him over as well. Reluctantly, Jarod's clone came forward and watched as his 'parents' hugged, kissed and cried on each other.
"Trevor, where's Jarod?" she asked in a rush. Her eyes eagerly searching her husband's for any update. The pained sorrow in his face warned her of a bad news.
Not knowing where to start regarding the where and when their oldest son actually was, the major looked into his wife's worried eyes and asked, "Do you know about Kyle?"
Margaret's eyes closed slowly as she nodded in her sorrow. "Harriet Tashman got word to me about what happened. There wasn't anything Jarod could've done to save him. Not with the Centre hard on his heels."
Overwhelmed anew over finally having his wife in his arms, Major Charles refastened his grip around her body and squeezed gratefully. "My Love, let me first tell you that Jarod is alive and well. There's only one very large problem. Come over here and have a seat. This explanation is going to take some time." Never releasing his grip fully, he led his wife over to the room previously occupied by Jarod. As they were walking by, he paused when he spotted Daniel. Margaret saw the young man and frowned thoughtfully. He was the vision of Trevor at that age.
"This is Daniel. He's a part of our family. His story will take some telling as well."
Emily followed in her parents wake and paused by Daniel. "Aren't you coming in with us?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. Norwood has some coffee brewing. I'll bring that in a sec," he replied quietly. Yeah, his story took some telling alright. He hadn't believed Jarod when he first explained it.
When the door closed behind them, Daniel turned to find Ethan smiling sadly at the fractured family. The major hadn't mentioned him at all but he guessed that Margaret could only take so many strange twists in one day. Ethan hadn't said anything about his relationship to her family, except that he was a friend of Jarod's. Maritza's intuition was accurate to the finest detail. The doubling of her ability to understand and hear the voices provided her with actual map coordinates of where he could find Margaret and within minutes of arriving, he spotted her bright red hair. The voices in his head told him what to say to gain her trust—just as his sister told him they would.
Ethan looked over atDaniel who was staring at him with pained understanding and asked a touch plaintively, "Did they already leave? Is my sister gone?"
"Yes she is now in the past with Jarod. Are you alright?"
"No. I don't think I ever will be again. Thanks, Daniel." Ethan walked slowly away and upstairs to Maritza's old room.
"Norwood, are we still on? Did you get the footlocker?"
Transformed from his empathetic sorrow for Ethan, Norwood looked over at Daniel with a large conspiratorial grin. "Yes. I got it while your father and sister were preoccupied in talking to Jarod. It's over here." He led Daniel to an unused spot near the massive time machine.
Daniel looked at the locker and taking the key from Norwood, he opened it up to get a good look at its contents. Quickly rifling through the numerous items inside, he was soon as exited as Norwood.
"It looks like everything is there and then some. We should leave in a few days."
"Are you sure? Your mother just got here," Norwood replied quickly.
"It'll take her some time to warm up to me. After all, I'm just a replica of the real thing. I can't replace him. I can only be me," Daniel said evenly. He had sorted through his personal situation in his mind while running from the Centre with his father.
"Okay. But I'll still need your help with the other thing," Norwood replied firmly.
"Don't worry. I'll be there for you. When do you want to do it?"
"Just before we leave," came the quick reply.
"Perfect."