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...

8

The clone looked into the mirror. "I can't believe this!" She was furious. The janitor dipped his head. "Yes." Hurt filled her eyes. "We could have prevented all of this. The Traitor. The losses. All the deaths. You were being a fool." "An you are too attatched, too much like your countepart." She laughed, and it boomed all across. "Me? Too attatched? Speak for yourself! When Avenir arrived, you wished so badly that you were her father. How you wanted to stay by her side." He didn't answer. But the clone continued. "And yet, you caused her all this pain. Her friends left... Vaughn... You know, being he clone, I feel her emotions sometimes. You have no idea what pain was caused..." Her eyes became hollow, and her voice small. "It was awful, that place. I was alone. And the people I did find... I even did what Josie Trent did not. And I wish that I hadn't..."

Josie2 looked around. It was so dark. Maybe she could find someone outside of the school... And so she wandered. She suddenly saw a woman. The woman was wandering aimlessly around, gazing as if she was blind. She wore tattered jeans and a violet sweater that only had one sleeve. And was barefoot. Her hair was a messy mop of curls, and her face spoke of stolen beauty. That's when Josie2 realized who she was. Corrine Baxter. Corrine, who looked to be in her late thirties, now, turned her head toward Josie2. "Josie?" Her voice was feeble. "No," The clone said gently, walking up. "I am her clone. Do you remember when I was created?" Corrine blinked. "Not much. But yes, a little." Josie2 held back tears. 'This isn't what is really happening'. But it was an alternate reality. She couldn't deny that. "Why are you at the school? Where is your home?" She asked Corrine. The woman gave a harsh laugh. "I have no home. And... I don't know why I came to the school. This planet has few survivors. Avenir even destroyed himself a few years ago. Marshall, the Traitor, was killed in his destruction. Lucas was captured and executed soon after the destruction began. Josie disappeared a few years before. We never found her. Vaughn was never the same. He still lives, I think. I just don't know where." "I am here, old friend." It was Vaughn. He staggered out of the woods, and he made a single tear trickle down Josie2's face. Her counterpart's pain as well as her own. He too, was a shadow of his old self. You could see that he had been very handsome before, but now... All that was gone. But the reason he was worse was because of that pain in his eyes. The way he missed Josie so much, even after over 20 years. When he saw Joise2, his eyes lifted for a moment, then fell. "You are her clone. I know the real Josie." The three walked to the front of the school, where Corrine finally collapsed. Her breathing was labored. Her eyes were only half opened. "What's wrong?" Josie2 asked. "I have-been-ill for a-long, long,-time," Corrine panted. "I-never-breathed right." She stared at Josie2. "Thank you for being here," Her breathing was no longer ragged. "That was the kindest thing you could do for me now, bringing back memories." She now turned to Vaughn. "Good bye, Vaughn." She gave a grim smile. "I now know why I am supposed to be here." She said faintly. "Why?" Josie2 whispered. "I am supposed to die here." Corrine's head dropped to the ground. A look of peace washed over her face. Josie2 knew she was going quickly. Corrine Baxter died that day with a smile on her face. "No," Vaughn whispered, "My only friend left." He then calmly picked up a shard of glass. Josie2 didn't know what was going on. He then reached over, and touched her cheek. "You look so much like her." And slowly, he raised the shard to his throat. "NO!" Josie2 cried, realizing what he was going to do and jumping forward. But it was too late. Vaughn slumped to the ground. And Josie2, for the first time in her short life, wept.

Josie studied Vaughn. They were once again searching the school. All that they had been through together. But he had been so emotionless when she got back (AN: They could have done so much more with that. CoughVJcough!). Lucas was in the other room, so she decided to ask about it. "Vaughn?" He turned. "Yeah, Joze?" "Um," She twisted her fingers together. "I was wondering. Remember when I first came back all those years ago?" He looked down. "Yes, I do." "Well... why didn't you listen to me?" "I'm not sure," He said after a moment. "I think it was partly the shock, but... Partly because I thought it was someone else." Josie nodded. "The clone. Josie2." Vaughn searched her eyes. "I never knew how you got out of that alternate dimension," he said, "What happened?" Josie smirked. "Josie2 helped me. She took my place in the alternate dimension. Gave up her freedom." Now Vaughn looked troubled. "That can't be, Josie," he muttered. She arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "I mean," Vaughn replied, "That Lucas saw her the other day. In the caf. He told me." "Maybe-" Josie began disbelievingly, but Vaughn cut her off. "Josie, Lucas wouldn't lie about anything that concerns Josie2. I think he likes her. No just 'cause she looks exactly like you. But she is... Like him, a bit. You and Lucas are complete opposites. So are you and your clone. Maybe..." "It... Seems impossible," Josie sighed, shaking er head. "But we learned that nothing is truly impossible." Vaughn looked at her, taking in her beauty. "Nothing." He whispered. Then he smiled. "You are so open minded. That's one of the things I love about you, Josie." It came out so fast, he couldn't stop it. Josie's dark eyes widened. "V-Vaughn?" But it was too late. Vaughn couldn't help himself. He leaned over and covered Josie's mouth with his. She was surprised at first, but then kissed hime back, eyes closed. She remembered when Vaughn had kissed her for the first time. When he had accidently caused her energy to be sapped. The beginning of all that distrust. But Vaugh had defied his father, and had broken the reactor. But then, Josie still hadn't woken up. And he had kissed her. That had worked. And now, he was kissing her again. But wait, she told herself. I' engaged! I'm gonna be married soon! She tore herself away. "Vaughn! We can't..." He looked truly ashamed. "I'm sorry, Josie. I couldn't stop myself." Josie took a few steps away from him. "No," she whispered, "I can't dwell on my past!" With that, she ran away.

Time had passed. It was a week till Josie's wedding. The Science Club was still looking for Marshall, and had been able to keep his 'disappearence' a secret. Corrine was still mopey, of course. Josie and Vaughn had been avoiding eachother ever since the day of the kiss, but had told no one, not even Corrine. Things like that... They had to. Josie felt like she had been cheating. Vaughn felt that he had been too forward, and it felt awful to make Josie feel bad. But he had realized something. That he still loved her.

Corrine was in the Science office. She looked at the floor. Lucas's gravity sensor was on the table. It began to grow irregular. She took in a deep breath. "This is for you, Marshall." The floor swirled, and Corrine was sucked in...

Hi! Guess what? The next chapter may be the LAST! So get to the reviewing:) Tell ur friends! I sound like a washed out commercial, so I'm a-goin'! Remember! R and R!