Disclaimer: I own nothing except Ink and Alice, my own creations. If I owned Daniel Southworth I'd be a happy woman.

Author Notes: this chapter contains scenes from the Time Force episode 'Fight against Fate' and the chapter title is taken from a song of the same name from the movie 'School of Rock'.

IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP………

There was nothing Eric hated more than feeling helpless. That was exactly the way he felt as he waited in the cold hospital corridor for news on Mr Collins's condition. He felt as though everything was out of his control. When in Ranger form, he could control what happened and nothing beat seeing the enormous robotic form of the Q-Rex obeying his every command. Now though in a place that reeked of death and despair to him (despite its overpowering cleanliness that gleamed off the walls), he felt nothing but helplessness. It didn't help that the strong waves of feeling he was getting from Ink were of the same sort, combining with his own and threatened to overwhelm him completely. He decided to use the waiting time he had to communicate with her.

Ink, what's going on?

Things have shifted on this timeline, she replied despondently. Alex has returned.

Eric frowned. The name didn't sound too important or familiar to him but the way Ink said it was heavy with meaning. Sensing his confusion, she went onto explain.

He was the original Time Force Red Ranger and Jen's fiancé. They all thought he had died in the future, killed by Ransik. He is the reason they traveled back to capture Ransik and is in fact Wes's descendant, an almost complete physical replica of him. Now he has traveled back to set the future back on course and wishes to reclaim his Red Chrono-Morpher from Wes.

Set the future back on track? I thought that was your job.

Only when it affects you my Quantum Ranger and all the other Rangers in equal catastrophic terms which mean the end of the world and the Rangers. The rest of the time it is up to mortals to choose their paths. Destiny is all about making your own choices. There are millions of paths to choose from with millions of outcomes available, all interconnected with the actions you take. We are created merely to assist if you stray upon the darkest paths.

So Alex coming here is connected to Mr Collins being here in hospital?

Possibly.

Wait, does Wes know about his father?

Not until you tell him.

Eric grimaced and glanced at his Morpher. The date streaming through his Ranger visor had told him of his Morpher's functions and he knew that one such function was to be able to reach the other Rangers. He didn't particularly want to be the bearer of bad news, especially when it affected him so strongly too. But Wes had to be told and right at that moment, Eric was the only one who could tell him. Sighing heavily, he pressed a button.

"Wes, its Eric, do you read?"

There was a faint pause and then Wes's uncertain voice came through quietly.

"Go ahead Eric."

"Your father's been injured. I think you should come to the hospital right away. It looks... real bad."

He pressed the button effectively ending the transmission and leant back against the plain white wall behind him. Things were out of his hands. He didn't want to see Mr Collins die. The man, though a hard perfectionist task master and often ruthless business man, was still his boss and something, Eric realised grudgingly, of a surrogate father figure. God knows his own father had disappeared quickly enough from his life to avoid that responsibility. But Mr Collins had shown trust in Eric and had been there as a strong authority figure for the past year or so, the closest Eric had to a suitable male role model. He had evidently liked what he'd seen in Eric as the Silver Guardian's Commander. Eric remembered with a soft smile only earlier that day when he and some Bio-Lab accountants had met with Mr Collins to discuss the profits from the mass production of the serum. Mr Collins' words had sent his pride soaring.

"Eric can handle any decisions regarding the Guardians. I trust him completely."

Eric had no problem admitting that hearing that had meant a lot to him. Hearing such high praise from his boss made him realise that he was closer to the top than ever before. Maybe being a Ranger had helped or maybe the whole team-work thing that Ink advocated so much had actually come in useful. No matter what the reason, knowing he was so tantalisingly close to finally achieving the success he had craved for so long in his life was extremely gratifying. He remembered the cold eyed accountant with more than a small hint of jealousy in his voice as he spoke after Mr Collins left the room.

"Looks like you're his right hand man."

He started a little as Mr Collins was wheeled past him and into a nearby room. A warning look from one of the orderlies told him that he wouldn't be allowed in yet. It had happened so quickly. As he'd searched the wrecked Bio-Lab property, he'd caught sight of Mr Collins being carefully wheeled towards the ambulance and in a split second decision, dashed over to help and accompany him to the hospital. Now he was kind of regretting it. His right-hand man status did nothing for him here. Not even his Silver Guardian uniform or his position as the Commander granted him access to private information. Once again, he was shut out. Every time he thought he was getting past the old frustrating roadblocks, something else popped up to remind him he couldn't.

Struck by inspiration, he contacted Ink again.

What do you know Ink?

Not enough to share with you Eric.

Her tone was guarded and tense, almost as though he was stepping on dangerous ground. It puzzled Eric. Surely she'd be able to tell him something; Mr Collins's chances of survival, who would replace him if he didn't. Eric squashed that thought though he knew that Ink had seen it. She'd been uneasy for the past few days, distracted even when he'd spent time with her or got in contact through the mind-link. He tried again to get through her shaky defences.

You must know something. Mr Collins has been badly hurt by someone, Ransik probably. He's here in hospital. That Alex guy is back. It's all pretty specific stuff Ink. You must know what path events'll go down now.

Not for sure Eric. There is so much to happen in the next few days, hours even.

You ok? You sound bad.

There was the barest hint of a smile.

Thank you for your concern Quantum Ranger. I am shaken up from the events that have unfolded. Things were not meant to go this way at all. Alex has come back to reassess them. He believes that by becoming the Red Ranger again he will manage to maintain the future.

But you'd know if the future needed changing, so why is he back…..

I do not know. Now that he has taken such strong control, there is nothing I can do. He has the history banks which show clearly what will happen and so I have to bow to his superior knowledge. This technological team will need a technological leader rather than a spirit guide. This path is riddled with mortal decisions. Every move the Rangers make will affect how the future turns out. It is a delicate balance. It is a most unexpected event.

You'd have to know this would be happening. You could have stopped it.

No. her thought was sharp and hard. There are times in history when everything will depend upon humans and the heavens cannot interfere. This is one of those times. I am forced to watch and guide as best I can.

What about Mr Collins? Does he survive?

There was a pause filled with awkwardness and displeasure.

I do not know for sure.

What the hell? Ink, if you're hiding what you know I swear I'll kill you no matter what Alice does. If you know what happens then you have to tell me.

Eric ignored the desperation in his thoughts and concentrated on Ink's faltering reply.

Eric, please do not be angry with me. There is much in the future I cannot tell you about and it tears me apart inside to have to conceal so much from you about your own destiny and the choices you will face. What has happened with Alex has ripped me apart. I have been forced to move away from the Time Force Rangers since Jen is so…..…displeased with me after concealing her fiancé's survival and rise in the ranks. You and Alice will be my only supports during this time. Please do not go.

Tell me what you know and we'll talk Ink. Mr Collins survival will affect a lot of people. My future hangs in the balance here and you were put here to help me so start helping. I'm so close to finally getting what I want. The other Rangers'll be fine, they always are. Why should now be any different? I'm the one who needs your help.

He heard a gasp and a small stab of pain. The events that were happening to the Rangers and now to him were causing her pain. Frustrated and angry, he stopped listening. There was just silence now. Ink had withdrawn too and he could feel her tangible hurt and rejection. It was almost humorous, someone who had lived so long susceptible to such human emotions. He pushed aside the nagging guilt in his mind and honed in to what the two accountants who had set up shop on the hospital ward desk were saying.

"We can't just shut down Bio-Lab! The company will collapse without someone in charge," the first one said worriedly.

"And I agree. But the question is, who are we going to get to make the big decisions until he recovers?" the other asked.

Eric inched closer. He could smell the opportunity. Now was the time to play his 'right-hand man' card and take the top position while it was so clearly available. After all it was one of the accountants standing before him who had made the original observation. Maybe Mr Collins would be so impressed with the way he ran the company he'd consider making him a partner or give him a higher more integral role within the company. These thoughts pounded excitedly around Eric's head. He played it cool and calm when he addressed the accountants though.

"Excuse me gentlemen, but maybe what we could do here is…."

"Thank you. But this is a corporate matter. It doesn't concern you," the first accountant cut in.

Eric paused, completely derailed. He directed a sarcastic smile at the pair.

"I see."

A corporate matter which didn't concern him. So he was just a soldier, hired muscle and nothing else. It angered him to his very core that he was tossed aside so easily without even being able to state his case. It seemed he wouldn't be allowed to stake his claim on the position of power he had desired for so long. Resentment burned in his stomach. He was so close to snatching that prize.

An odd thought came to him as he remembered some of Ink's words. Wes had lost his Morpher. He may lose his father too Eric realised. A strange sympathy crept over him for his team-mate for losing so much in such a short amount of time. Maybe now Wes would realise a little of what Eric had to deal with his whole life. Eric smiled a little smugly. At least he still had his Morpher. He suddenly had a flashing image of Ink curled up in pain as his old superior attitude resurfaced briefly and found himself trying to retract his feelings as quickly as possible. She had enough to deal with it seemed. He shook his head at himself. He was getting soft. Besides Wes always seemed to come out on top. He'd been at the top for years so some time lower down could be good for him. Wes would be fine, Eric convinced himself, he always found a way to make things work for him no matter what the situation.

Realising how hot and stuffy the ward was becoming, he began walking out. As he heard the accountants continue talking together about possible replacements, he felt his angry feelings re-emerge. He was so wrapped up in his frustrated thoughts; he completely missed Wes dashing down a connecting corridor in pure undiluted panic to see his injured father.

Author Shout-Outs

White Time Ranger: I wanted that last chapter to be hot and explosive and I'm glad it came off that way. I feel like Jen has a very hot temper and something like Alex returning would have really set it off. Thanks for always reading!! Ur a star!!

Cmar: Thanks for the compliments, I felt like Jen would go and deal with Ink first since she assumes Alex will want to see their base and she won't know how to explain Ink. I'm glad I write Eric sympathetically, he is a basically good guy as u say with problems. I also feel his attitude could do with an overhaul; he has a classic survivor's complex! I hope u continue to enjoy this.

TF Princess: I'm glad the last chapter fitted so well with the episode, it's important to me that my chapters slot into the episodes well. I have the tape of 'Dawn of Destiny' which includes the episodes of Alex's return and eventual departure. Thanks for continuing to read, I hope u like this chapter.