AN: As I said, this takes place in the third season – the very end of it, actually. This is what takes the place of the original finale episode. Of course the third season in my story does have minor alterations to fit with it, but some of the plots that occurred remain the same. Any differences you'll notice hopefully in this chapter. And yes, I am aware that they are putting out three new eps called 'Conclusions'. I hear it's going to be put into movie format, and if Conclusions is that good, they may even put out a fourth season, so keep your eyes and ears open. Majorly excited about it, lol. Anyhoo, onward with the story.

CHAPTER ONE

It's hard to really say when, exactly, things became dangerous at Blake Holsey Preparatory Academy. One could easily say it had been the day the reporter for Electron Magazine had decided to come visit. Some could even pinpoint it to the day the group learned of the visit. But perhaps things truly became dangerous at Blake Holsey the very same day Professor Middleton vanished from the science lab three years earlier, which set off a strange chain of events that could quite possibly have led up to the day the reporter came to the school.

Whenever it all started could be a matter of debate, but to make things simple, we will say Blake Holsey became a dangerous school the day Molly Sletzki came into town to give what was supposed to be a simple interview on a simple small-town boarding school.

Of course, it was anything but …

"Josie!"

The red-head hadn't exactly expected to see the look of anger on her best friend (and roommate)'s face as she stalked towards her from what appeared to be the science office. Josie winced, just waiting to hear what it was she had done this time.

"What's wrong?" She called. Corrine, however, waited until she was right next to Josie to explain.

"Aside from the disaster you left our room in?" Corrine demanded.

"I didn't leave any -."

"Josie, I just came from there!" Corrine snapped, looking greatly annoyed. She took in a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, before meeting Josie's gaze. Behind her Lucas and Vaughn came closer to get a better hold of what was wrong. "Look, I know you have this system thing of yours, but when that system crosses over to my side of the room … well it doesn't sound fair, does it?"

"I haven't been any more chaotic than usual," Josie said in her defense.

"Then why did I find this," Corrine paused to pull the shirt up from her side where she'd been clenching it, "on my bed when I came back to the room this morning? Not to mention all of your other stuff, which is thrown all over my side of the room."

"Corrine, I haven't even been in our room since breakfast," Josie snapped. She looked back at Lucas and Vaughn. "Tell her."

"She's right," Lucas said, clearing his throat. "After breakfast we all came out here to throw some ball some ball around."

"And you and I both left for breakfast at the same time," Josie finished.

It was Corrine's turn to be shocked. "So … someone else was in our room …?" She asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Josie suddenly frowned at that, as well. "Going through my things," She finished. Her fists clenched and she made a face. "Alright, when I find out whoever it is I'm gonna hit them so far -."

"Hey guys!" Marshall called, quickly running to their side. "What's going on?"

"Apparently someone snuck into Josie and Corrine's room," Lucas filled in.

"How do you know?" Marshall asked with confusion.

"Josie's stuff is all over my side of the room," Corrine replied.

"Okay … and this is different from when?" Marshall inquired. Corrine gave him a little nudge. "You know Josie keeps her mess on her side of the room," She replied.

"No offense, but why would anyone want to go through a bunch of Josie's things?" Marshall countered. "Is the destructive convention in town?"

"Not funny," Josie grumbled. She looked at Corrine. "Did it seem as if anything was missing?"

"I didn't notice," Corrine admitted, looking a little embarrassed. "I was too focused on how mad I was at you. Sorry."

"Well I'll just check it out," Josie said with a shrug.

"I'll come with you," Lucas spoke up.

Josie nodded and the two quickly walked off as Vaughn approached Corrine and Marshall.

"You don't think someone thought she might have something Black Hole related, do you?" He asked, looking concerned.

"No," Corrine said, looking at him. "Who else would know?"

"You're Dad isn't up to something, is he?" Marshall asked, looking at Vaughn. "Josie doesn't have anything important to him?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Vaughn replied. "He keeps me out of the loop now that he knows." Vaughn was referring to a fight he and his Father had gotten in three weeks prior in which Vaughn had told him he wasn't going to be stuck choosing between his Father and his friends. To which Victor told him he had to. Seeing as how his friends hadn't exactly given him such an ultimatum, Vaughn said he chose them, and had moved back into his old room at Blake Holsey. Now he and Victor were hardly on speaking terms.

"Sorry, Vaughn," Corrine said, giving him a quick pat on the back in sympathy. "I know all this is really hard for you."

"Yeah, but at least I have you guys," Vaughn replied.

"If it's not Victor, then what do you think it is?" Marshall asked.

"I'm sure it's nothing … right?" Corrine asked, looking between the two boys. "I mean, we don't even know if something's missing. We're probably just jumping to conclusions here."

"Yeah," Marshall agreed. "It's probably nothing."

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It was, of course, nothing when Josie and Lucas finally went through everything. As far as they could tell everything was there. Still, there was no reason for someone to ransack her room, unless she had something someone wanted. Something she'd forgotten to give back, which Lucas suggested as they were walking back outside.

"Think, did you borrow anything?" Lucas asked.

"I don't remember," Josie snapped, looking darkly at Lucas. "Even if I did, it didn't give anyone a reason to just destroy my room. It's not fair to Corrine, either."

"I know," Lucas said quietly. "Hey, why don't we try skateboarding again? It might get your mind off things."

Josie grinned. "Yeah. I just know Vaughn's going to lose that bet."

"This is my safety we're talking about here, remember?" Lucas asked, faking hurt.

"I know, I know," Josie said, taking his hand. "I also know you, and you tend to be a little clumsy on wheels."

"I guess," Lucas said. The two walked down the front side of the school just as someone in an old brown car pulled up. Both Lucas and Josie exchanged confused looks, but ignored it and continued onward.

The woman stepped out of the car, looking around quickly. She was dressed in a long skirt that went to her ankles and a purple sweater with a scarf hanging from her throat, despite how warm it was outside. Her long brown hair was left down, and there were golden earrings glinting in her ears. She caught sight of Josie and Lucas, and quickly grabbed her bag out of the car and swung it over her shoulder.

"Excuse me?" She called, starting for them. They both turned around with surprise. "Ah, thanks."

They walked back to her, exchanging confused looks. "Eh, who are you?" Lucas asked.

"Oh," The woman said, looking slightly embarrassed. "I'm Molly Sletzki," She said, holding out her hand. "I'm here to do an interview for Electron Magazine on your science laboratories."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Josie said.

"Me too," Lucas replied.

"I didn't think many students were going to know," Ms. Sletzki said, looking confused.

"Well, I don't think they do," Josie said after a minute. "It's just that Lucas here and I are a part of the science club, so -."

"Ah!" Ms. Sletzki exclaimed, looking relieved. "So you could probably show me to the science room with no problem."

"No problem," Lucas said. Just follow us."

The group started back inside, Ms. Sletzki shifting through her bag without half a mind as to what was going on. Twice Josie had to quickly pull her out of the way of running into something. Finally she pulled out a camcorder, and pointed it at Josie.

"So how many of there are you? Science club members, I mean? There must be a lot."

"Not exactly," Josie said, glancing at Lucas out of the corner of her eyes. "It's just us and three others. Corrine Baxter, Marshall Wheeler, and Vaughn Pearson."

"Pearson?" Ms. Sletzki asked, looking up from the viewing glass of the camcorder.

"Yeah," Josie said. "Don't get me wrong, but aren't you here to write an article? What's with the camcorder?"

"Huh?" Ms. Sletzki asked. Josie quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the way of an opening door for the second time. "Oh, thanks. What did you ask? Oh yes. Well you see, it's easier to record things on here," She said, gesturing to the little thing. "Easier to remember exactly what it is you say without having to take too many notes. So you said Vaughn Pearson? Is he … is he related to Victor Pearson?"

"Yes," Josie said through clenched teeth.

"Amazing!" Ms. Sletzki exclaimed. "Victor Pearson is so well-known in his field. Of course no one can be exactly sure of what it is he works on, he's so secretive. But the advances he's made alone – you know, he had a part in making the first laptop."

"Imagine that," Josie grumbled. "But you know, he could very well be working on the next atomic bomb."

"Oh no, not Victor Pearson," Ms. Sletzki said. "He's working for the betterment of the world."

"Sounds like you know him pretty well," Lucas said.

"Me? No," Ms. Sletzki said, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. "I've just read so much about him. He's one of my heroes."

To this Josie scoffed. "I don't see why," She said.

"I've read his articles on particle acceleration, time travel … all of them. He sounds so intelligent and open-minded. Not like most scientists that you read about." She stopped to clear her throat. "But I'm sure that's of no interest to you."

"No," Josie said, giving a fake grin. "It's not."

"I'm sure it's hard to believe, but Victor Pearson's not exactly perfect," Lucas finished.

Ms. Sletzki frowned. "You've met him?"

"We-ell," Josie said, alarm quickly forming on her face. Both she and Lucas began to move quickly down the hall, not wanting to give much away. "Here's the science lab. I'm sure Professor Zachary's in there – oh, right there, in the back. See you."

She quickly turned to leave.

"Oh, but wait," Ms. Sletzki called. "I was hoping to interview you and your friends. For the article."

"Thanks, but no thanks. We've got stuff to do. Too bad, huh? Well I'm sure you could get Marshall and Corrine to talk to you."

She quickly moved away. Lucas murmured a goodbye to Ms. Sletzki, before following his girlfriend.

"Josie," He said, quickly catching up. "I really don't think that was such a good idea."

"And why not?" Josie demanded.

"I just think maybe it's a good idea to leave Victor Pearson out of this one. If we do the smiles, give a few statements, we'll have this reporter gone much sooner. I know you're worried she'll find something out -."

"It's a secret," Josie replied. "We can't risk anyone finding out."

"I know," Lucas said quietly. "But we don't want to catch her interest much, do we?"

"No," Josie agreed. "We'll just wait this thing out. Come on, we should probably tell the others."

"That Ms. Sletzki seems kind of like …" Lucas stopped.

"A space case?" Josie suggested.

Lucas laughed with a nod of his head. "Exactly."

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"Professor Zachary?" Ms. Sletzki asked, peering into the room.

Professor Z turned around, seeming startled. "Oh. Ms. Sletzki," He said, giving a smile. "I wasn't expecting you to show up until one at least."

"I headed out earlier than I should have," She said with a quick nervous smile. "I was excited, I guess. Most of the time I'm left writing articles and interviewing these boring scientists – not implying that you're going to be boring, or anything. I was thrilled to finally get something a little more interesting."

"I wouldn't figure a boarding school to be that interesting," Z said, adjusting his glasses as he walked forward.

"I've always sort of liked boarding schools," Ms. Sletzki said. Then she blushed. "I grew up in public school," She said, as if it explained her earlier statement.

"I suppose this school is more interesting than others," Z allowed. "Would you like to take a seat?"

"Oh, sure," Ms. Sletzki said, quickly sitting down. She pulled out her camcorder and turned it on, looking at Z. "I hope you don't mind. It's easier this way."

"No problem," Z said, quickly sitting across from her. "So what exactly would you like to know?"

"Just give me a few things. An outline of the curriculum, why you think Blake Holsey have some of the highest test scores in science in the whole country … anything that comes to mind, really."

"Alright. Well right now we're studying evolution."

"Really?"

"Yes. We're going over Darwin's history so the students can get some understanding of where this theory came from," Z told her.

"Could you tell me more about this? I want a record of your teaching style."

"Sure."

And so the two began their interview.

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"…And she thinks Victor Pearson is this great guy," Josie finished.

"Josie," Vaughn said; a little annoyance evident on his face. The science club members were standing around outside while Josie tried to teach Lucas to skateboard. He shocked all of them when he seemed to be doing rather well. He'd only fallen down twice, and they'd been out there for fifteen minutes already.

Although the reporter had shown some interest in speaking with them, Josie was still a bit peeved with the woman, and had decided to let her get the part with Z over before they spoke to her. Corrine had agreed with her, though not because she was wary of the woman as Josie was. She just wanted a little more time to prepare herself.

"Sorry," Josie said, quickly shooting Vaughn a shrug. Then she looked at Lucas who was now riding quickly for them. Each jumped out of the way, but he surprised them by flipping the skateboard over as he did a jump, and then landing on it just as the wheels hit the ground again. Josie narrowed her eyes suspiciously as he fishtailed around and came to a stop, flipping the board into his hands.

"Wait a minute," She said, walking quickly up to him. "You're not even wearing a helmet."

"Oops," Lucas said, quickly feeling at his head. Josie looked back at Corrine and Marshall, then Vaughn, who had a wide grin on his face.

"Ready to give up yet, Trent?" Vaughn asked.

"You two!" Josie exclaimed, suddenly spinning back to Lucas. She started jabbing her pointer finger in his chest. "You've been working together, haven't you?"

"Stop poking me!" Lucas exclaimed, quickly backing away and tripping over the curb, falling on his back.

"That's three times he's fallen, Josie. Looks like all of you lose," Vaughn said. Lucas quickly tossed him a dirty look.

Josie clenched her fists at her side. Marshall, trying to hide a chuckle, buried his face in Corrine's shoulder. She, however, also looked annoyed.

"I don't believe you two," She said.

"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked, sitting up, but trying to look innocent at the same time. He wasn't exactly pulling it off.

"Don't act like you don't know," Josie said sharply. "You do this every time, Lucas! You and Vaughn set up that stupid bet, because Vaughn was teaching you how to skateboard!"

"Come on, Josie," Vaughn said. "Why would you think something as ridiculous as that?"

"He's confident enough not to wear a helmet?" Josie demanded. "I can't believe I didn't notice it before! Of course he knew how to skateboard. I bet he faked those falls the whole time."

"No, they were legit," Lucas said, rubbing his elbow which had been scraped up the last time he fell. "They wouldn't hurt so much if I'd faked them."

"Wait a minute," Corrine said, shrugging away from Marshall. "You knew about this."

Vaughn quickly shot Marshall, who was now laughing hysterically, a look that clearly said, 'tell, and you're a dead man'. Marshall either didn't see it, or didn't care, because through his laughter he managed to admit, "I saw them out here yesterday skateboarding while you two were in your rooms. They told me if I kept my mouth shut I wouldn't have to do any room cleaning."

Josie and Corrine now stood next to each other, looking annoyed. Marshall and Vaughn helped Lucas to his feet.

"I can't believe you took advantage of us like that," Corrine said.

"When I'm through with you, you're going to be begging for mercy," Josie said, cracking her knuckles.

"It was just for some fun," Lucas countered, wiping off his knees.

"The bets off," Corrine said.

"No fair!" Vaughn exclaimed.

"No fair?" Josie asked. "You three rigged it!"

"Oh, I didn't have any part in it," Marshall said quickly, looking almost pleadingly at Corrine.

"You could have told us," She told him.

"Alright, alright," Vaughn said. "We're sorry, okay. It was all just a joke, though, so we can let it go. The whole thing was my idea, anyway."

"Well, mine too," Lucas admitted. "I told Vaughn about how Josie wanted me to skateboard. I just didn't want to embarrass myself in front of you."

"So I said I'd secretly teach him. Then it turned into a bet. It all started out innocent enough," Vaughn finished.

"Everything does," Josie replied, shaking her head.

"Fine," Corrine said. "But because you tricked us, you have to clean up our room for two weeks."

"No fair! Have you seen Josie's side of the room?" Marshall demanded. "I'll be there's mold in there somewhere!"

"You'll only have one week instead of two," Josie assured him.

He still looked as if he would protest, but the look Corrine gave him made him quickly drop it. He muttered 'fine' and then looked at Vaughn and Lucas. They mumbled an 'okay' as well … it did sound fair. Perhaps a little harsh, but they should have known better.

"And Corrine's not going to make it easy, either. No meticulous cleaning," Josie instructed. Corrine grinned.

"I'll try," She promised. "You guys can start with the mess in there from earlier."

"Can we take care of that thing with the reporter, first?" Marshall asked, sounding hopeful.

Josie and Corrine exchanged a thoughtful glance, but then they both nodded. "Might as well get it over with," Josie said.

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"Professor Z?" Josie asked, walking into the room followed by the rest of the science club. She stopped to see Professor Z and Ms. Sletzki enjoying a cup of coffee. The two looked up.

"Oh, there you are," Z said, quickly standing up with a wide grin. "This is Ms. Sletzki from Electron Magazine. She was hoping to ask you guys a few questions."

"Z's having coffee with a girl?" Vaughn whispered with confusion to Marshall. The other boy grinned, rubbing his hands together before patting Vaughn on the back.

"That just leaves you, Vaughn," He said, before starting into the room, leaving Vaughn to close the door. Ms. Sletzki stood, holding her hand out to Corrine, who was the closest to her.

"Hello," She said.

"Hi. I'm Corrine. That's Josie, Lucas, Vaughn and Marshall."

"Nice to meet you all," Ms. Sletzki said with a little bow. She went to sit again, but hit the edge of the chair and fell to the floor. "Oh!" She exclaimed. Corrine and Z were quickly at her side, helping her up.

"Sure, help her when she falls," Lucas mumbled. Josie shot him a dirty look, and then moved forward.

"Would it be possible to get this over with? The boys here have some work to get to."

The guys quickly looked down at this. Z caught it, and though confused, didn't say anything. Instead he turned his attention back to Ms. Sletzki.

"Are you alright, Molly?" He asked.

"I'm fine, thank you. Noel here was just telling me all about you," She said, smiling politely at the students.

"First name basis," Marshall whispered in a sing song voice. Vaughn quickly punched him lightly in the arm. "Oww," He muttered.

Corrine quickly sat next to Ms. Sletzki, as did Josie, followed by Lucas, Marshall, and finally Vaughn. "What exactly did you want to know?" Corrine asked, seeming interested.

"Oh, hold on a minute," Ms. Sletzki replied, pulling out her camcorder. At Corrine's confused look, Josie, Professor Z, and Ms. Sletzki all chimed, "It's easier to remember things this/that way."

Ms. Sletzki blushed lightly. "I didn't think you'd been paying attention," She admitted. Then she cleared her throat with a nervous laugh. "Why don't we get started, then? I don't want to hold you kids up. What's the best part of the Science Club?"

"Hanging with our friends," Lucas spoke up.

"I hear you there," Marshall said, and the two quickly did a hand shake.

"Boys," Corrine said, rolling her eyes. Ms. Sletzki chuckled.

"Alright. But aside from that?"

"Learning about science," Vaughn spoke up. Then off of everyone's look, he continued, "I mean, I always thought it was this really boring thing. But since I've been in the science club, it just seems a lot more interesting."

"What's you favorite subject?"

"Magnets," Vaughn said, looking at Josie with a grin. She frowned back at him. "That was a very … interesting lesson."

"I thought the power of the human brain was pretty cool," Marshall said, taking Corrine's hand. She nodded her head in agreement.

"What about culturing?" Lucas said, looking pointedly at Josie.

"Yes, genetics seem to have such an interesting hold over us," Josie agreed, momentarily forgetting she was mad at him.

Professor Z cleared his throat, while Ms. Sletzki looked at him with interest. "They seem to really know what they're talking about," She said with an excited smile. "You must have taught it all so well."

"Well," Z said, trying not to look embarrassed.

A beeping sound began to go off, and the group jumped up.

"The gravity device!" Lucas exclaimed.

"Everyone back up," Josie said quickly, moving things out of the way.

"The gravity device?" Ms. Sletzki asked with confusion.

"Move!" Professor Z exclaimed, trying to pull her away just as the wormhole opened up, quickly pulling things in at random. Ms. Sletzki gasped, quickly covering her mouth, her hair flying all over the place from the rush of wind conducted by the wormhole.

Corrine gasped as she was suddenly pulled into the wormhole just as she had been the first day.

"Corrine!" Josie and Marshall exclaimed. Except Marshall reached her before Josie could and both were sucked in the wormhole. It closed, trapping them inside. The papers that had been flying around the room began to settle as everyone stared at the now solid spot on the floor.

And then Ms. Sletzki sucked in some air, and let out a horrified scream.