Chapter 1 – The Glass Cage

Dr. Jenner watched them through the window. Jacqui Stone stood beside him. He looked over at her, reached forward to the control panel, and pushed the green button. The room began to shake as a bright light consumed the chamber. The two observers shielded their eyes as a swirling orange and yellow liquid like substance broke through the light into the room. The walls vibrated, followed by a strident tremor. After thirty seconds the light was gone—the six people left behind were lying on the floor.

The two observers looked down at the screen and watched as the blips bounced around for a few moments. The blips -souls, spirits or whatever it is that makes us human- were gone after a number of seconds. The doctor and his confidant-turned-assistant stood in silence before glancing back into the windowed compartment.

8 minutes passed as the room remained practically noiseless. The only sound in the silently still room was the uneven breathing of the two observers, and the nearly imperceptible hum from the monitor.

Looking at the dark screen, Jacqui uttered wishfully, "I hope they made it back," it was a true lie. They were going back to a hell that she would never wish on anyone. The best that she could honestly wish was that they found whatever it was that they were looking for.

"I do too…" his eyes never moving from the glass chamber, "If all my calculations are correct, they should've," he said, offering small comfort and even less assurance. His words hung in the air. They weren't purposefully untruthful; simply hopeful, without proof to back them up. Faith was all they had.

The room was again filled with muted fluorescent light. All signs that a swirling light had been in there mere minutes ago were gone. She took a deep breath, shook her head, and focused her attention on the colorful crew lying on the cold white tile just beyond the thick glass wall…

"We need to check on them…wake 'em up," she said, not taking her eyes off of them.

Only minutes earlier the group of six were standing in a circle with their fingers interlaced; driven by love to hold hands and take their chances with the unknown. They were now stretched out on the sterile floor. Much like the people themselves, their hands were no longer connected as they laid clustered, yet separated.

The travelers from a post-apocalyptic world, who had resided inside of these temporarily unconscious bodies for nearly a week, were now gone. They took their deep love and respect for each other with them.

These individuals in front of them were complete strangers.

Dr. Jenner responded unenthusiastically, "Yeah," unable to peel his eyes away from the scene before him.

"How much do you think they'll remember?" Jacqui asked.

"Honestly, I have no idea," his stare at the odd group of six before him not abating.

"I, uh, think we need to figure out what we'll tell them…if they don't remember. And, especially if they do."

"Yeah," Dr. Jenner repeated flatly. His eyes remained transfixed.

Nearly one minute passed before Jacqui looked away from the window and watched the doctor. She put her hand on his shoulder and lightly squeezed.

"Edwin," she said, gently shaking him out of his trance-like state, "Are you listening to me?"

Dr. Edwin Jenner was a tall man with blonde hair that, in the past few years, had become more grey than blonde. He was a good-looking man. Not your typical Brad Pitt type of good looking. More like a Robert DeNiro type of good looking, or so Jacqui had always thought.

"Edwin…" this time her voice was louder with a sense of urgency. He slowly turned to face his friend and fellow survivor.

"I'm sorry Jacqui, I didn't mean to ignore you. I'm just…" he looked back at the six people lying on the cold white floor, "they're just so…amazing. I mean, what they've survived. It's just…"

Jacqui followed his line of sight and again stared at the group. The people he was referring to weren't actually these people, but I know what you mean.

"We have to make a decision. We don't have that much time. Looks like they're starting to wake up."

"You're right," Dr. Jenner said as they both watched the slight movements of Rosita Espinosa and Daryl Dixon. There was no scientific precedence to lean on; no frame of reference to clue them in on how this would play out.

"You and I are both observers of people. We're both good at reading body language. I…I think we base what we tell them on what they already know."

"What do you mean?" Jacqui asked. She watched as Carol Peletier began to stir.

"Well, we let them lead the conversation. We only fill in what we have to."

They were now facing each other. His eyes asked a question. Her eyes held dissention.

"Edwin," she shook her head, "I'm not gonna lie to them. They have a right to know. Plus, they probably…"

"Jacqui," he interrupted, "you know what's at stake here. Not only were our actions illegal, but some might even consider them immoral. Even though you and I know that we were doing something good. Won't change the fact that our lives…"

"I'm not stupid, Edwin. I know what's at stake," she snapped. The mild discord in her facial expression had morphed into slight anger as she cut off his justification for dishonesty, "you don't have to tell me that. But we have a much better chance of coming out of this only a little bruised if we're honest with them. And we both know that you weren't completely honest with their counterparts."

He exhaled his frustration, "I don't know what you're talkin' about…"

"Stop acting so damn innocent…like we're the victims in this scenario. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

She lifted her chin, narrowed her eyes at her good friend, and waited for his rebuttal. He sighed deeply and glanced back over to the six people on the other side of the window.

Dr. Edwin Jenner was extremely good at convincing most people to do what he wanted. He generally threw around enough scientific jargon that left the head of whomever he was speaking with in such a tailspin that there was nothing to do but acquiesce. When that didn't work with the woman standing in front of him, he played her emotions like an old school banjo. And, to his credit, if one didn't work, then the other usually did. — No. You do not get off that easy –

"Neither of us even began to consider what our actions could mean to Rick Grimes' life, much less anyone who happened to be in the vicinity when we brought him here. You were only interested in seeing if you could do it, and I…" she stopped.

"We can't change any of that now. And, I'm not saying that we lie…just be mindful of what we say," his tone was quiet and measured.

"Fine. We can do that," she glanced back at the non-consenting experiment participants on the other side of the glass before looking back at her friend and co-conspirator, "and just in case they have no memory of anything, we need to come up with a truthful explanation of why they're here."

"If they don't remember why they're here, then the explanation doesn't have to be completely truthful," he attempted a smile while also offering a slight shrug.

"Edwin…" Jacqui responded, more playful and much less dire.

"Don't look at me like that," his face much more relaxed, "I'm only saying that we do what I said initially and follow their lead."

The original bodies of Jacqui Stone and Edwin Jenner were blown up in a world where the dead returned as monsters whose only desire was to feast on the living. They woke up in this alternate universe three years ago with full knowledge of their original world. Dr. Jenner continued his research work with the government, though he made sure to steer all of their findings away from the virus that had killed his world. Jacqui was working for a non-profit educational center when the wary doctor showed up at her door.

They bonded over memories that no one else had. Given the desire to feel less lost and more connected to this new world, the odd doctor and the no-nonsense community activist, became allies. They lamented over shared memories and unforgiving nightmares that only they could understand. Nightmares that no one in 'this' world could even begin to comprehend; including his wife, and her boyfriend at the time.

He posed the idea of working to re-create the molecular displacement accelerator, never truly considering the possible ramifications. His scientific mind drove him. Her guilt over surviving when all her friends and family had died drove her. Initially, she was not much more than a willing assistant; the only assistant that knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that multi-dimensional travel does exist.

Every free moment they had was spent in the lab. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into three years. During that time, mostly spent alone-together in the lab, they became friends. It was a friendship that would've seemed odd to most. It was, however, a real friendship born out of a past that only they shared.

They discussed everything from family, friends and their love lives, to movies, politics, and society's ills. They didn't socialize at backyard bar-b-que's or birthday parties, but they were friends none-the-less. He was who she turned to when she decided to open a domestic violence shelter. "I couldn't save anyone in that world, but maybe I can save Carol, and other women, in this one…" is what she'd told him.

And now, they were two individuals with widely different backgrounds, who'd become intimate confidants. They cared for and trusted each other. They had a shared secret. It was a secret that she saw when she looked at the six people waking in the adjacent room. The connection she had with Edwin is the same one she saw with them. Or at least it was the connection they had when they arrived into 'this' world. They found their way to each other; the same way she and Edwin found their way to each other when they arrived.

I wonder if they'll have that connection. Or any connection at all for that matter. She stared at Edwin for moments while her thoughts ran rampant…

"I don't know if we'll make it back in time to fight, or if we'll make it back at all. We probably won't all survive even if we do make it back. But—I just want you guys to know that you mean the world to me…You're the loves of my life." Was what Carol said before they left. What an amazing admission. They really loved each other.

An unexpected swell came over her at the thought of them. She breathed deep as her friend watched her, "…I understand what you're sayin', and what you're not sayin'…"

"Fine…then we're on the same page, right?" It was more of a statement than a question.

She took her time before answering. He was incredibly adept at trying to rush her into decisions he was sure she'd make…eventually.

"O-okay," she said cautiously, "but don't try'ta B.S. me with your goofy charm. We pay attention to them," she took another moment to breathe deep, "And then we give them whatever information they'll need to be okay. We don't treat them like lab rats. They don't deserve that."

"Fine…but…"

"But what, Edwin?" She sighed through pursed lips.

He plunged his hands deeper into the large pockets of his lab coat and leaned forward, "But…they may never be fine again. I…I just want you to be ready for that."

Silence overtook the room again as the two redirected their focus on the colorful crew on the white tile. Rick Grimes had also begun to stir. Maggie Greene moved her hand to her face and was lightly coughing. Daryl Dixon was beginning to blink and move his legs.

"Looks like times up," Jacqui motioned to Daryl, "we'd better get in there."

Dr. Jenner nodded without speaking and turned to walk towards the glass service door. Jacqui followed close behind.

"Oh, Edwin, hold on a second," she said just as he was opening the door. He stopped and turned to face her.

x-x-x

"We need to be careful. Uh, there's no telling how angry they'll be," she pointed to his face where Maggie Greene had slapped him less than forty-eight hours earlier.

When Dr. Jenner explained everything that had led the group to this world, and more importantly, his part in it, he was met with various degrees of anger. Maggie was the only one to physically strike him, but there was no mistaking the murderous stares he got from Daryl, Rick, and Rosita Espinosa.

"These aren't those people, remember?" He said with a raised eye brow and a small smirk.

The women's advocate, who often doubled as an enthusiastic lab assistant, understood their anger. The band of fighters somehow managed to survive a hellish world. These were not the type of people who would trust a stranger. She understood their suspicion. Being zapped into a different world, without consent, and told that it was done on purpose would garner rage in the kindest of pacifists; but these were people who had probably killed the living, as well as the dead, in order to survive.

The fact that these travelers were unwilling to believe, or accept, that there was nothing nefarious involved in hers or her friend's actions made perfect sense. It still unnerved her though. Having so many disapproving and distrustful eyes staring at the two of them had been unsettling. The only people who usually look at me with hostility are City Council members who I'm fighting on a local government level for more domestic violence shelters.

Maybe Edwin's actions were not quite as altruistic as mines were, but it doesn't make him a bad man. There's nothing wrong with a scientist wanting to look for the answers that exists in the universe. He's not a bad guy and he doesn't deserve to be attacked – she kept her thoughts to herself.

"You're so god damned smug sometimes. I know they're not the same people, but it doesn't mean that they won't be just as angry. Maybe even angrier. I mean, they've had other people living in their bodies. They might be more than just a little pissed…" she shook her head, staring beyond her own words.

He removed his hand from the door, "You're right. What do you suggest?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he waited for her to suggest something.

"I don't know. I think it'll make things worse if we go in there with any kind of weapon. We just need to be on alert. Maybe…um, keep our distance as much as possible, especially as we answer their questions."

"That sounds like a good idea," he said.

"Daryl seemed to be very protective of all of them, especially Carol. I don't know about this Daryl, but it's probably a good idea to watch his reaction as we answer questions. If the women get really upset or emotional, it might set him off."

"This Daryl may not be anything like the other one. You said it yourself."

"I know," she looked over at the man in question as he struggled to sit up, "which might be even worse. The Daryl I knew was distant, and a loner. His brother Merle was a definite racist. But…I don't know about him…"

"We'll be careful with him. I'm actually more concerned with Rick Grimes. Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes," he countered with a deep sigh.

Jacqui nodded in agreement.

"I have no idea what his reaction will be," he continued, "they may not remember everything, but I think we can both agree that they'll remember some things…" he sighed, put his hands in his jacket pockets and stepped closer to Jacqui… "he's like the living embodiment of an adult boy scout. Married his high school sweetheart, does volunteer work in his community, never once had any of his arrests challenged, people love him," he dryly chuckled, "He's never even cheated on his taxes…"

They both looked over at the deputy, he was beginning to move as well.

"And it's doubtful that he ever cheated on his wife," Jacqui added, coming to the end of the road that Edwin was driving on.

"Exactly. I think we can both agree that the Rick Grimes from our original world was…is, deeply in love with Michelle Onette."

"Yeah," she agreed, "the way they were holding onto each other…the way they looked at each other…" she paused and stared off into a place where longing and unfulfilled dreams live in limbo.

He offered her a smile, "Right. There's no doubt that they…well…"

"Uh-huh…I'm sure they did," she agreed.

"How do you think the boy scout will react once he remembers that he cheated on his wife?"

"He didn't actu—"

"I know it wasn't actually him, Jacqui. I'm not talking semantics. I'm talking about what he'll think," his voice rose slightly, "and what about her. A straight-shooting attorney with a long-term boyfriend. She's never even gotten a speeding ticket."

When Jenner realized that the molecular displacement accelerator had worked, he and Jacqui set out to swiftly locate their target – Rick Grimes. They followed the movements of the deputy from the moment blips on the screen stopped bouncing. By the time the other world survivors were meeting in the diner they had done as much research as the internet and a few extra dollars would provide. Michelle Onette, referred to as Michonne by most of her friends and family, was the female version of Deputy Grimes. A thirty-two-year-old girl scout with a law degree.

"You remember how you explained all of this to them…" Jacqui said.

"…The you that existed here in this dimension…they're still here. They went into something like a deep sleep and only their memories stayed behind. Periodically there are flutters and they awaken. That's when you have the sense of being watched. Your thoughts, feelings, emotions and memories came with you." The remorseful doctor had explained.

"…maybe they," she pointed into the room at a slowly awakening Rick Grimes, and a completely unconscious Michelle Onette, "were in sleep mode when they…" she pointed up towards the stars, "were intimate," she offered a half-smile.

"Hopefully you're right. I am concerned about how she'll take it. But, honestly, I'm a little more concerned about the one who has a license to carry a firearm," he said with a light tension cutting chuckle.

They both laughed, interjecting a lightness into the room. She squeezed his shoulder.

"You know what's really funny about that?" She asked.

"No, what?"

"It's not really funny, but I was thinking about it, especially when I saw him with Ms. Onette," she stared into the past that existed far beyond the see-through room, "We both figure that he's probably never cheated on anything, especially his wife. I hadn't thought about in in so long…."

She lowered her voice as if she was telling a secret in a room full of nosey high schoolers, "I knew his wife, Lori, before I ever met him. We met him on a run into Atlanta. His wife, son, and best friend Shane thought he was dead…"

"I know, Jacqui. You've told me this before," he impatiently interrupted, glancing into the room. There was increased movement from those laid out on the bleached flooring.

"Hear me out," she placed her hand on his chest and continued, "what I never mentioned is that she began a relationship with Shane. No one said anything, but we all knew. Her husband hadn't been dead, or at least they hadn't thought he was dead, for even a month…from what I can remember…" she paused, gathering her thoughts.

"…And then they were reunited. Which was almost like a miracle…that he found them. But, after the initial joy of being reunited, they seemed to be distant. I guess, it makes sense…she was having sex with his best friend…"

"It was the end of the world. Rules are different…"

"Are they? They weren't for you," she refocused her attention on the exasperated doctor, "were you thinking of having sex with someone after Candace died?"

"You know the answer to that," he grumbled unenthusiastically.

"And that's the point I'm trying to make. I'm not judging her…per se," she sighed, "I don't know. My long-winded point is that maybe he won't be as angry as we think. The world had to end before he found the real love of his life," she shrugged…

"Hmm," was his only response as he processed this new information.

"It's almost inconceivable that the they all managed to find each other. He found someone and fell in love. Carol got strong. Daryl became a protector," she smiled, who would've thought that brooding-mumbling-redneck would turn out to be decent—and a protector, "As horrible as that world is…and they all found love and purpose. They found their best selves. It's crazy…"

"That is something," Edwin agreed quietly, as he appeared to reflect on a world he'd tried to forget.

"I wish that they'd trusted us enough to tell us about their lives. How they found each other. What they've been through. How he came to look at Michelle like she's a star from the heavens. And she came to look at him like he hung the moon in those heavens…"

She waited until Edwin looked her in the eyes before she continued.

"…I chose to die that day in the lab because I thought that the world was over. I thought that love could no longer exist. That the only thing that existed was death. Including the death of marriage." She exhaled, "He and Lori only confirmed that for me…"

"Jac…"

"…But…he did find love. They found love. I…I just never would've thought that anything good like love and new life could exist in all that. I gave up. Maybe if…" all the remorse that she'd tucked away, along with the regret, finally bubbled up.

"You have to stop kicking yourself for the choice you made that day," he rested his hand on her arm, "It's the question that haunts everyone at one time or another. The age-old question. What if I'd taken another door? Done one thing different. You can't live in the what ifs."

Edwin, her very unlikely friend, wrapped her in his awkward bear hug, "I only hope that their baby and Glenn's baby survives…and thrives," she whispered.

After a few seconds she backed up and touched his scruffy face, "C'mon, let's get in there. We'll play it by ear, okay," she said. He nodded his response.

They turned and entered the glass cage. The chamber was colder and much more sterile than the connecting lab. The two hesitant observers approached the group. Dr. Jenner guardedly walked towards Daryl; having finally made it to the sitting position. Jacqui approached Rosita. She bent down to assist the pretty Latina in her struggle to sit. Peripherally she saw Deputy Grimes fight his way to consciousness. With his eyes still closed, he reached over and, unconsciously, placed his hand on Michelle Onette's leg. The grown up girl scout finally began to move.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I appreciate any and all reviews. Blessings...