AN: Alright, got things fixed the best it's gonna be, so I can actually update!

CHAPTER THREE

DAY 1

Vaughn walked slowly into the underground layer of Pearadyne 2, looking around and observing all the progress that had been made since he'd been out of town. He stopped a few feet from behind the red-headed woman working at the table on the far right.

"Mrs. Randall," He said slowly.

Josie turned around, giving Vaughn an annoyed look, before quickly pulling off her gloves, washing her hands, and stomping over to her boss, her lips pursed. "Vaughn."

"What's wrong now?" He asked, following her out of the lab.

"Maybe you don't remember that oh-so friendly conversation we had two weeks ago about your wife actually having some sort of clearance before coming down here?" She demanded.

"Josie, she's not trying to cause any trouble," Vaughn said, rubbing at the bags under his eyes. "She's just curious."

"And for all you know, she could be the one handing over files to Microne," Josie snapped.

"Dee wouldn't do that," Vaughn growled.

"Wouldn't she? I know you'll agree with me that she isn't exactly someone interested in science," Josie said.

"Well, no, it's not really something that keeps her attention, but she likes to know what I'm up to down here," Vaughn explained.

"She still needs clearance. She can't just waltz in here, make a point of being your wife, and then be able to look at everything we're working on. There are limits, Vaughn, and she's surpassed them," Josie snapped. "She came in here yesterday and was checking out the top-secret, off-limits section of our oh-so-lovely work place."

"Cut the sarcasm."

"Cut the trust," Josie retorted, turning sharply to look back at him.

"What do you want me to do? Tell my own wife she can't come down here?" Vaughn demanded.

"Yes, Vaughn, I would like for you to do that. With your irresponsibility it's no wonder we're losing all our projects to Microne. You'd better start stepping down on security around here."

"How do I even know you're not the one helping Microne?" Vaughn asked her.

Josie looked at him, surprise registering on her face before she hid it away to glare angrily at her old friend. "Good question. How do you know it's not me?"

"Don't take it like that," Vaughn said. "I know its not you."

"How reassuring."

"Stop acting like a child."

"I'm the one acting like a child? Do you care at all about establishment? Just fix the security, Vaughn. And talk to your wife. I'm going home," Josie said, putting her lab coat up on a rack and moving towards the door.

"You can't go home, Josie," He called after her.

Josie spun on her heels, looking darkly at him. "I have a sick child to take care of right now, Vaughn. I've worked everyday for the past three years without taking a day off – I'm taking it now. From this moment on? I'm going on a week-long vacation." She lowered her voice and her eyes. "Call me next Wednesday." With that she stomped out of the room.

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Not too far away, Josie's younger version sat up quickly in bed. She looked around, confusion pinching her features until she remembered the night before. "Right, the future," She mumbled to herself, slowly pulling the covers up over her head.

"Tired much?" A voice asked from behind. Josie sat up, meeting Jovee's eye.

"Why are you dressed?"

Jovee snorted. "Because it's twelve 'o' clock in the afternoon and I, amazingly, have school."

"So why aren't you at your lessons?" Josie asked.

"Because it's lunch, and I was the one elected to come and get you," Jovee replied, her hands on her hips. Josie climbed out of bed, stretching quickly.

"We all eat lunch in Z's room," Jovee filled in, tossing Josie some clothes to change into. "Eiley's on lunch duty in the cafeteria today, so we snagged you something to eat. Don't forget your name's Trent, if anyone asks."

"I know the drill," Josie said, changing swiftly into the clothes. "Finished."

"Good," Jovee said, turning back around and nodding with approval. "That'll do."

"I feel like a Barbie doll," Josie replied.

"You look normal. Besides, skater-chick will be too suspicious. You're supposed to be a girl of modern times. Dressing like you did back then might make a few people who knew you think something's up," Jovee explained. "And you obviously can't wear uniform, because you're visiting."

Josie rolled her eyes. "So am I going to get a tour of the school today?" Josie asked, following Jovee out the door and into the hallway.

"No way. You are keeping an extremely low to non-existent profile, got it?"

"You can't keep me hiding out in Katrina's dorm for a week," Josie said.

"Why not?"

"You can't be serious."

"I am completely serious. This is different than a trip to the past, Josie. You could find things out that should not be found out. The structure of the world we know would then fall apart."

"Don't be so dramatic," Josie said.

"I'm being realistic. You already know about me. Fortunately that can't be altered too much. But there are some things that could be, and I don't want to see it happen," Jovee explained.

Josie nodded her head. "So what exactly does your Mom do?"

"She coaches cheerleading here," Jovee explained. Josie tried to choke back a laugh, but was unsuccessful.

Jovee gave her a dark look in return. "Is there something you wanted to say, Trent?"

"Nothing, I'm not surprised … Vaughn marries a cheerleader." At this she started cracking up laughing again.

"Will you lay off? At least I see my Mom," Jovee snapped. Josie frowned. "And I know my Dad. Looks like I've got more points in the parent's department than you."

"Take it back," Josie snapped.

"Sorry, can't take back the truth," Jovee said.

Josie grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall. "Take it back."

Jovee narrowed her eyes. "We obviously don't get along. Therefore I propose we make any comments to each other, cross any line, and not have to take it back."

Josie let her go, continuing angrily down the hall; fingers clenched. She was happy just to find Z's room before Jovee could talk again. Inside the gang was discussing their days so far. Josie slowly sat down between Katrina and Douglas while Finley casually slid her a sandwich and milk carton. Jovee sat across the table with Finley and Nathaniel. The latter squirmed in his seat, before looking at Finley.

"So I was looking through some of our notes," He said slowly.

Everyone froze, and looked at him. Z curious, Jovee annoyed, Katrina cautious, and Douglas aggravated. Josie just seemed confused.

"What notes?" She asked.

Before anyone could reply, Douglas let out a loud sneeze, quickly covering his mouth. "Sorry, guys," He murmured, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket.

Jovee rolled her eyes. "I told you not to go home yesterday. Now you're sick."

"I had to go home," Douglas said; his voice sounding a little muffled from the cold. "I'd left all my books there."

"You live near the school?" Josie asked, sounding surprised.

"My Mom's got a place over on the main street. Sometimes I head over there to get things, drop things off," Douglas explained.

"Must be nice," Josie said. Jovee winced a little while Douglas shrugged.

"Why? Most of the time I'm the only one there," Douglas said. "It's cool, though. Nathaniel and Finley usually come over and hang with me. Besides, my Mom is really good at her job. They need her there."

"What happened to your Dad?" Josie asked before she could think.

"He left them," Finley said, meeting Douglas' eyes. The boy took in a sharp, angry breath, but just nodded.

"He left. Simple as that," He said through clenched teeth.

"If it's any consolation, my Dad left us, too. When I was really little," Josie said.

"Hmm," Douglas said, not looking up.

Z cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should discuss our plans of what we'll do while Josie is here."

"She'll be staying in my room," Katrina pointed out.

"She can't go to classes with us," Nathaniel said thoughtfully. "Too risky."

"I was sort of hoping I could look around, try and see how the school's changed in the past twenty-five years," Josie said.

"How about while we're in classes she stays in Katrina's room, except for lunch where she meets us down here. Then once classes are over, each of us could take a day to hang around with her, show her around?" Nathaniel suggested.

"You don't really expect me to be stuck up in that room all day, do you?" Josie asked.

"It's possibly the safest idea," Douglas slowly agreed.

"I can show her around today," Katrina volunteered. "I'll take you to the football game."

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," Jovee said.

"Why not?"

"She's thinking of Dee and Vinny. Dee's the cheerleading coach, and Vinny, Jovee's brother, is on the football team. It's sort of a family thing," Douglas explained.

"Yeah, but Vina would rather be caught dead than involved in anything like that," Katrina said with a laugh.

"The black sheep of the family," Finley said with a laugh.

Josie smiled at the way they spoke of the Pearson family. They seemed close, even if they weren't all involved in the same thing. "I'd like to see the Football game."

"We'll hide back in the bleachers. That way no one will see us," Katrina suggested. "It will be okay."

"I don't think this is a good idea," Douglas said.

"You went around and took in sights when you guys went to the past," Professor Z pointed out.

"Besides, we can't keep her locked away for a whole week," Nathaniel said.

"Why not? It would be better for everyone," Jovee said.

"Come on, Jovee, you're being ridiculous," Katrina said, her face disapproving.

"So are we going to the Football game, or what?" Josie asked.

"Sure we are," Katrina said with a grin.

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"I really don't like this," Douglas said, shaking his head.

"I hate to admit it, but Katrina's right. We really can't keep her locked away from society forever," Jovee replied, walking closely to her friend. There was a slight chill in the air, so both had their jackets held close around them. The two were stalking across the grounds of Blake Holsey, heading out to the main road where they would find the Randall house hold.

"I know," Douglas reluctantly admitted. "I'm just worried. What if she sees something that freaks her out?"

"Maybe in some strange way it's a good thing," Jovee tried to point out.

"What if she finds out about my Dad?" Douglas countered.

"She won't. It isn't as if she's going to hear about it from any of us, right?"

"You know how my Mom was when she was younger. She's curious, and she'll want to know as much as she can," Douglas said.

"She went back in time with my Dad to the seventies, remember? She was the one who had to remind him to keep quiet. I'm sure she understands the importance of with holding information," Jovee said.

"I hope your right," Douglas said.

"So are you going to start talking to Finley again soon? It's still a little weird filling in as best friend," Jovee replied.

"I just don't think I can really … trust him. You heard him yesterday – you even agreed with me."

"I did agree with you," Jovee said slowly. "I just think it's weird to act as go between with you two. And you have trouble holding a grudge."

"This is different. I can expect that sort of thing from you. Finley's been my best friend since we were in diapers. It's harder to let it go when he thinks my Dad was involved in stuff I know he wasn't," Douglas replied. He stopped at the back door of his house, stomping his foot against the mat before pulling out a key and opening the door. Together the two walked into the kitchen, stopping to pull their coats off and place them on the backs of a chair.

"Don't you have to get ready for the Football game?"

"In a little bit. I wanted to come with you, though. I can hardly remember the last time I was even in here. It looks different."

"Mom re-did the place a little bit a couple of months ago. A lot of the place reminded her of Dad."

"It looks better," Jovee said softly.

"Yeah, I guess it does," Douglas replied.

"Hey, you're home!" A voice called from the hall. Douglas jumped out of his skin, spinning around to look at his Mom.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Nice to see I'm wanted," Josie said, stepping further into the room.

"Hi Mrs. Randall. It's good to see you," Jovee said.

"It's been a while," Josie agreed. "What are you two doing here?"

"Douglas needed to get some cough medicine," Jovee replied.

"How's the cold?" Josie asked, leaning over and trying to feel her son's forehead. He shrugged away, flushing a bit.

"Mom! I'm fine, just a bit of a cough," He said. "How come you're not at work?"

"I took the week off," Josie said, turning away and strolling to the fridge, quickly pulling out a bottle of soda.

"You what? You never take days off," Douglas said, shocked.

"I got in a little argument with Mr. Pearson today, and I thought maybe I should just take advantage of the whole situation with a little time off."

"That's great," Douglas said through clenched teeth, a false smile on his face.

"Yeah, so I was thinking maybe we could go to the Football game today."

"No!" Douglas exclaimed. Josie gave him a confused look. "I really don't feel like going today."

"But Jovee will be cheering, won't you?" Jovee nodded her head. "Don't you want to be there to support her?"

"It's really fine, Mrs. Randall. Today won't even be an interesting game," Jovee said quickly.

"Alright," Josie said, unconvinced. "Where are Nathaniel and Finley today?"

"School work," Douglas replied. Josie studied him.

"You guys didn't get in a fight, did you?"

"No, no. They just have a lot of work to get done. Professor Brown gave them a big assignment – due tomorrow," Douglas said.

"Well I hope to see them sometime this week," Josie said.

"Yeah, sure."

"And how's Katrina?" Josie inquired.

"She's good. Same old, same old. So what was your argument with Mr. Pearson about, anyways?"

"Same old, same old," Josie said with a shrug, giving Jovee a quick look. "You guys want a snack?"

"No thanks," The two chorused.

"We should probably be heading back," Jovee pointed out.

"Yeah, just let me get that cough stuff," Douglas said, walking backwards towards the hallway, tossing a nervous look back at Jovee and his Mother.

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"Come on, run it in, run it in!" Katrina called, Josie chanting along with her. The Owls managed to fumble the ball, losing the possible point they could have gained. Katrina shook her head.

"I hate it when they go to make a point, but then just manage to mess it up," Katrina said, shaking her head. "At least Vinny seems to be playing pretty good today."

The two sat back down. "Could I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Is there anything going on between you and Finley?" Josie asked.

For a minute, Katrina seemed surprised. Then it disappeared, and a shocking light blush rose to her cheeks. "I don't know. He's my friend."

"But do you like him?" Josie pressed on.

Katrina frowned, her gaze falling across the football field. "Maybe. Finley's a bit confusing. In some ways I can just see him as my close friend. He's cute, I'll give him that. I'm not one for the relationship thing, though."

Josie nodded her head slowly, her mind drifting back to Lucas. Katrina suddenly frowned, looking towards the corner of the field where the cheerleaders were. "I hate when Dee gets into her coaching mode. It's disgusting."

"That's Vaughn's wife?" Josie asked, gazing at the beautiful blond standing in front of the cheerleaders, preparing the next cheer. "She looks just how I'd pictured her to look."

Katrina tried to hide a smirk. "I think that was exactly your reaction when you found out about the engagement."

The two started laughing.

"Josie?" The red-head looked up with surprise to see an older man in his late thirties looking down at her. He looked familiar, but Josie couldn't exactly place him.

"Mr. Pearson, what are you doing here?" Katrina asked with surprise.

"I came to see the game. What's she doing here?" Vaughn asked.

"Wormhole," Josie said with a shrug.

"How much does she know?" Vaughn asked, looking at Katrina.

"Just little stuff, sir. Oh, she knows all about your family, but that's it," She said.

"I don't believe this," Vaughn said, slowly sinking into a seat.

"I don't believe this," Josie said. "I thought seeing Z was weird, but looking at you," She couldn't hide the laughter. There was a wrinkle or two in Vaughn's face, his hair was darker as well. In all actuality he still looked rather attractive, but he was older than Josie, and the idea was difficult to deal with. So she just started laughing. This trip to the future was going to be rather amusing.

AN: I know I should have put more with Vaughn, but I'm too tired right now, so I'll update tomorrow, okay?