Signals
Disclaimer: If I owned BHH, it would have ended with Victor being bad muhhahahaha, VJ, MC, and Lucas being alone, 'cause I don't like him, as you'll soon find out. no offense to Lucas fans But, I may change my mind... So, as it is, don't own 'em.
Summary: Five years after Conclusions, the Science Club bumps into each other again. They were wrong about Victor...
3
"This can't be," Corrine muttered. The gang had checked into a nearby hotel, and she and Josie were sharing a room. "It has to be true, it has to!" Josie cried. Tears were in her chocolate brown eyes. Corrine patted her on the back. "I want to believe that as much as you do, Josie, but... it doesn't seem possible." "Wormholes didn't seem possible, invisibility didn't seem possible, tons of things didn't seem possible," Josie said fiercely, "But we have to believe, Corrine." Corrine stared at her blankly. "Let's go down to dinner in the hotel restaurant. Lucas called, and he wants us there." Lately, Lucas had been serving as a go-between for the split couples, making all the phone calls, and many other things. Josie winced as she watched Corrine limp out of the room. Corrine's hurt, Z's possibly dead... "What did Z say, anyway?" Corrine asked as they took the elevator. "He just said, " 'I'm not dead. Be careful.' " Josie sighed. They walked out of the elevator and into the fancy restaurant, where the guys were waiting. Somehow, Josie found herself sitting next to Vaughn, and Corrine next to Marshall. "So," Lucas finally broke the awkward silence that followed after they had ordered. "What's been goin' on with you two, Josie and Corrine?" Josie wished he hadn't said that. Poor Corrine. "I'm a receptionist at a hospital," She said quickly, "And engaged." Vaughn struggled to keep from spitting out his drink, which everyone noticed but Josie. "Really?" He asked. "Mm-hmm. Aaron. He's a business man. Our wedding's in three weeks. Speaking of, Corrine, will you be my maid of honor?" Corrine's eyebrows shot up. "Surely you already have one." "Ashley won't mind." Josie lied. Of course the ditzy blonde would mind, but, even though they had not seen eachother for the last 5 years, Josie found that she was much closer to Corrine. "I'd love to," Corrine finally pronounced. "In fact, you're all invited to the wedding," Josie added. Vaughn was looking down at the table. He should be happy for her, but he just wanted to smash something. Meanwhile, Josie was taking his appearence in, something she had failed to do earlier. No, his looks hadn't changed much since graduation, and in the little they had, it had been for the better. Corrine was doing the same with Marshall. That nerdy look was gone. He had even managed a bit of a tan. Wait... where did he live? "Uh, just wondering, where does everybody live?" "I'm living in a place a few hours away from the school," Josie said. Everyone agreed to this but Marshall. "Malibu," He muttered, blushing. (A/N didn't see that coming, didcha?) "But I'm thinking of moving here for a different company." Good, Corrine thought mentally. "So... Has anyone been in tousch lately?" Lucas asked. They all shook their heads. "I can'y believe this," Vaughn muttered, "After my mom was found, I thought everything would be fine. But... It just got worse." "How?" Josie asked gently. "Well, she and Dad had a lot of catching up to do... He keeps on asking her why she left him, why she just couldn't quit being an Observer. And, of course, she couldn't answer. I think they might get a divorce. He... He never got all of his mind back, I think. But at least I've got Abby." "Who's Abby?" Josie prodded. Corrine held back a laugh. Her friend's tone was way to sugary sweet. "My girlfriend," Vaughn answered, watching Josie's reaction. But she kept her cool. "I'm happy for you."
The dinner was over. Everyone was heading back to their rooms, when a voice caught Vaughn. "Don't let her go," It was a voice so familiar, that he had to turn around. Finding himself face-to-face with the janitor. "Huh?" Was all he was able to say. The janitor's cold blue eyes narrowed. "You know what I mean." Vaughn turned his head to see if anyone else was there. Negative. But when he turned back, the janitor was gone.
Sarah Pearson Academy was big. Luckily, it was the summer, so there were no students. "What's been going on?" Josie asked Vaughn. "Weird stuff, similar to what happened to us." She shook her head. "Corrine," Marshall asked, "Do you think you'll be OK? Do you need help." "N-" Corrine began, but was cut off as Josie made a slashing sign on her neck. Finally, she understood, and got a sly smile on her face. "Well," She said in a small voice, "I might need some help." Marshall was more than happy to oblige. Josie smirked as she watched the two walk off, Marshall's hand firmly on Corrine's arm. They were heading to the dorm with the most activity, and Lucas had gone to the cafeteria. "So," Josie blushed, "Where's the place where all the acivity seems to be coming from?" Vaughn leveled his gaze with hers. "Where do you think?"
That's how they ended up in the old Science Professor's office. It was called the 'old' one because there had been damage to the floors that was still being fixed. "Watch your step," Vaughn warned. Josie nodded. Finally, she got it out. "Where did we go wrong?" After a pause, he said, "I don't know... Lucas?" "I'm still torn, but... I don't think that was it. Everybody was telling me not to trust you, and-" Suddenly, the floor became a swirling wormhole beneath her. "Aah!" "Josie!" Vaughn cried, and he reached out to help her. Luckily, he grabbed her arm before she went through. Carefully, he pulled Josie up, and the wormhole vanished. Panting, she rested her head against Vaughn's chest. "Josie?" A startled and suspicious voice came through. Josie lifted her head and gave a groan. "Aaron?"