Chapter 2: The Saving Phone Call

"Alyssa, slow down. You're telling me your cousin is one of the 4400 and you forgot about this?" Adam looked at her in disbelief.

"Look, it's not top on my list of things to think about lately. Haven't we had more important things to deal with?" The group looked around sheepishly, remembering the previous week's escapades.

"Now guess what his ability is?" Alyssa grinned at herself. "He heals people! He used to do it all the time! He woke our cousin Kyle up from a 3 year long coma when he first returned."

"Do you think he'd do this? I don't want to risk this if we're not positive." Asked Tommy, always the leader, looking out for his team.

"Well, we used to be really close, when we were growing up. I'm sure if I explain…" she looked around at the looks that were being shared amongst the Rangers, "not EVERYTHING but the general idea, he'd do it. I've already gotten his phone number from my mom. I'm going to call him later tonight and ask if he can come down. I don't want to risk moving Billy up there." Alyssa looked around. She saw hope, fear even doubt in her friends' faces. "Please. This may be our only shot. I don't want to lose him and neither do you."

"Okay. Call him and see if he'll come down. We'll move him somewhere safe if your cousin can come." Tommy looked at her, his face ridden with worry.

Alyssa grinned. "I'm going to go see Billy and then I'll call Shawn. I'm sure he'll do it, he loves helping people."

Alyssa entered the infirmary and sat in the chair next to Billy's bed. She took his hand and kissed the back. "Billy, we may have a shot!" she whispered earnestly. "I'm going to call my cousin Shawn. Remember? He's the 4400 that can heal people. I'm going to see if he'll come down here, to Angel Grove and heal you." She laid her head on the bed, the top brushing against his waist. Alyssa felt a hand come up and rest gently on her head.

"I…don't want…to…" Billy trailed off. Alyssa sat up and looked into her love's eyes. "Can't…tell why…like this…"

"Oh Billy. I promise I'm going to fix this." She stood up and bent down to kiss his cheek. "I'll be back later. I'm going to go call Shawn. I love you."

"I…love you…more" he whispered then fell silent.

"He's getting worse." Tommy said when she exited the room. "This plan of yours, I just hope it works. We don't have any more options."

Alyssa glared at him. "Do you think that I don't know this may be our only shot? Damnit Tommy, I love him. I'm going to do everything I can to make him better." With a fierce glare in his direction, Alyssa stormed out of the infirmary and out of the Command Center.

When she had left the building, she pulled out her cell phone. Before dialing, she sat down and looking up at the stars, she prayed.

"Lord, please let this work." She felt the tears begin to fall and she let them. "Please let this work. I can't lose him! I just can't!" She cried for a few minutes then shook herself out of it. You can't break down now, not when you're this close!

She quickly dialed the number and before she could change her mind, hit the send button.

"Heh…hello?" came a sleepy voice on the other end.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry for calling this late!" she frantically apologized.

"Who is this?" Shawn asked with his voice still deep with sleep.

"Oh! I'm sorry. This is Alyssa. Alyssa Mason, your cousin? I'm your Aunt Melanie's daughter."

"Oh wow! Hi 'Lyssa! How are you?" Alyssa grinned, He remembers me!

"Well, actually I've been better. I hate to do this, especially since we haven't seen each other in years, but I have a favor to ask you."

"You're my favorite cousin, what can I do for you?"Shawn sat up in bed thinking, 'Lyssa never asked for anything in her life, this must be important.

Oh I hope he still feels that way after I've asked! She thought wearily.

"How do you feel about taking a trip to Angel Grove, CA?"

"What for?"

"My boyfriend is really sick. He's…" Alyssa felt a lump rise in her throat. She struggled to say the next word. "He's…dying."

"What's wrong with him?" Shawn sounded concerned.

"He…he's aging. No one knows what's wrong with him. He's only supposed to be 18, but he looks and feels 60. I…I don't know what to do Shawn. I can't sit here and watch him die, I just can't!"

"'Lyssa, calm down. How long does he have?" "We're estimating two days at most."

"I'll be there tomorrow. Can you pick me up at the airport? I'll call you back and let you know what flight I'm on."

"Shawn, I love you. I will do anything for you! Thank you so much!"

"No problem. I'm going to go make the arrangements and I'll call you early tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Yes. That's fine. Thank you Shawn."

"You're Welcome. Bye 'Lyssa." "Bye Shawn."

Alyssa grinned. She jumped up to run to the Command Center but stopped. Glancing at the stars she whispered, "Thank you!"

AN: Again, I don't own anything that looks familiar. Only Alyssa and her mom, Melanie.