Eyes of Tomorrow
Part One
Note: I do not own Power Rangers Time Force nor do I make a profit from writing this story.
Timeline: One year after Reinforcement from the Future Part Two
Rating: T-M (Language, Violence, Adult Themes)
Genre: Angst, Drama, Mystery, Horror
Alexander Drake sighed from the controls; he'd been up all night monitoring the timeline as Agents went in and out of time and what ripples their actions had caused. He rubbed his eyes hard and stood, stretching his body. A dull ache reminded him of why he was stuck behind this damn desk. His thoughts crossed to Jennifer Scott, who he assumed was still sleeping since he never saw her leave. He headed to his small hidden office and opened the door. Jen was awake and couched in the corner. Her eyes were wild and dazed.
"Jennifer!" his voice rose and she blinked and he watched within an instant that her features changed from pure fear to pure elation, like it was the first time she had seen him in years.
"Alex," was all she said before scrambling up and throwing herself across the bed and into his arms. He was stunned but immediately wrapped his arms around her and immediately took note of a few things. She was covered in a cold sweat and she was trembling.
"Jen, are you alright?" He asked as he pulled her away and held her at arms length. His eyes scanned her face and saw that she was composing herself again.
"Yeah, I-I just…"
"Had a bad dream?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, all too quickly and for her sake. He was willing to buy into her answer to protect her. If Captain Logan were to hear of this, not even Alex could save her. She would immediately be sent to memory adaptation and since she was against it, he didn't want to have her forced into it.
"Alright," He said, hoping his acceptance would comfort her and it seemed to. "Why don't you go take a shower and report to duty? I'm going to try to rest for a while. If you need to speak to me, I'm always here," he meant that and she nodded.
"I know you are Alex, thank you. You're always there for me," she said and he smiled a small sad smile as she began to walk away.
"Forever…"
-EYES OF TOMORROW-
After she was freshly showered and thankful she always had her over night kit in her locker for days like this. As she left the locker room she headed down the hall, pulling her hair into the regulation ponytail. She passed Lucas on his way in; he strutted in as usual with a smirk on his lips. Just like the cat that ate the canary. He flashed her a smile and kept on walking, heading to get breakfast from the looks of it since his beeline to the cafeteria didn't waver.
Suddenly someone crashed into her and she jumped, her hand immediately going for her weapon. Familiar green hair caught her eye and she eased herself. Trip was looking at her with concern and a bit of fear. She had never once pulled her weapon on him or near him. She knew he didn't care for them. His hand reached for her face and as she took a calming breath she allowed him to touch her face. She suddenly realized by his widening eyes he was reaching into her mind, living her nightmares and she immediately closed off her mind. A trick he'd taught them all when they first met.
"Trip…" she began and it's as far as she got. He wrapped his arms around her and then walked away without a word. Fear crept through her; she didn't know what he saw or what he would say to anyone. All she could do was trust her Xybrian friend would keep her nightmares to himself.
As she headed down the corridor she reported for duty.
-EYES OF TOMORROW-
Trip had to get away from Jen as fast as he could; it was all he could do to hug her. His mind was becoming overwhelmed by the sounds of cruel laughter and visions of blood. The only time he saw things like this within his own mind, were times like this. His mind, especially in sleep, was open to those around him. If Katie had a nightmare as he slept in her arms, he too would wake in the same terrified state. Tears were staring to burn in his eyes, hot trails down his cheeks were like acid.
As two hands grabbed him, the sudden rush of strength and control rushed over him. Alex. Never had he been so thankful to the point that he found himself hugging the man. Alex seemed just as surprised but strangely enough wrapped his arms around him. Trip focused on breathing, in through the nose, out through the mouth until he felt sercue enough to let go of the senior officer.
"Trip, what is it?" the compassion and concern was thick in Alex's voice, Trip studied his face. His emotions and worry were pure; it was not out of habit or politeness. Though the others never saw it, as much as he looked up to Lucas, he looked up to Alex too. Alex knew, of course, and proceeded to take him under his wing, as he had with Jen.
"I just saw Jen, I touched her and I saw some of her nightmares. Her mind is so warped right now…she shouldn't be working right now," Alex nodded firmly.
"She's not resting well since her return. I think she's experiencing echoes," Trip nodded.
"Its not uncommon for humans, I mean with each case we change time in the smallest ways. Do you think it's because she travels so often?" Alex nodded again.
"I do. I will give her a few days to see and if she does appear to get better. If she doesn't, I will be force to medicate her. I want to try all options before they have to use memory adaptation to make her better," he sighed, Trip nodded numbly.
"I'll let you know if anything changes, but there will be only so much I can take. I am not strong enough to deal with the horrors that humans create," Alex gave him a small smile.
"Some days I do envy you Trip, to be such a peaceful race. I wonder what that would be like," Trip smiled at him and threw his arms around him.
"Its kinda like this hug. All warm and cuddly…"
"Trip…" Alex tone was a warning and with a grin Trip let him go, he knew there was only a certain amount of affection he could get from Alex.
"Its something I hope you can experience one day. Its bliss," Trip said honestly and Alex smiled sadly.
"I will never know bliss, my friend," he said softly and turned away, Trip wanted to tell him otherwise but he knew Alex wouldn't listen. Trip knew one thing and right now, it was that he needed Katie.
He knew where she was, he always did. Crossing into the main lobby where she was entering she lit up when she saw him. He rushed into her arms and she held him close. Granted she didn't have his powers but she always knew when something was wrong with him. He buried his face in her chest, and had it been anyone else, it would have appeared sexual and bordering on harassment but for them it was perfectly natural. As he closed his eyes, she stroked his hair and for that moment, everything was alright.
-EYES OF TOMORROW-
As Jen sat in the meeting, sleep pulled at her as the hologram of the higher ups droned on about the progression of their cases. Beside her Alex was awake and on the other side of her Lucas was nearly asleep. It was not uncommon for that to happen. Ransik was no longer a threat, he was no longer in prison and his court mandated inspections proved that he was a complete convert to human and was accepted in society. So all these meetings served for was a break from paper work and foot patrol.
Her head began to bob and she didn't even try to stop it anymore. She knew Alex was shooting her a dirty look but she didn't care, right now a nap sounded good. And Lucas was just as bad since he was already face first on his desk. She took the more reasonable approach and placed her head on her folded arms. She knew this was a bad place to sleep but as little as she was getting, her body craved it. As she heard the laughter begin again, she knew this was going to bad…
As Alex watched Jen fall asleep he could tell her dreams were bad. She was twitching and let out a soft cry. He immediately placed a hand on her arm and it seemed to comfort her. As the meeting ended ten minutes later, he shook her awake and the first thing she did was smile at him. The same thankful look lit her eyes as it had this morning. Without looking away from him her elbow shot out and nailed Lucas, waking him instantly.
"Come on guys, lets go," he told them and Jen got up like she had slept for three days. Lucas was grumbling the whole time and shuffled out the door behind them.
A blood curdling scream ripped through the halls. Jen jumped and looked around, Alex arched his brows and Lucas was too tired to notice. She continued on and just as she was about to head down the stairs she stopped as the stairs vanished and suddenly she was looking down from a tower. The world was burning below and he was smiling up at her. The bodies beneath him were igniting, the scent of charring skin hit her nose and she gagged.
Suddenly Lucas and Alex were turning her towards them and as she glanced back, the stairs were there. She backed into the wall and slid down, a cold sweat on her skin. Lucas was now completely awake and looked absolutely scared, a pale hue had settled on his skin. Alex was speaking but she couldn't hear his voice. The next thing she knew they were lifting her and taking her to the medical bay and she felt a needle pierce her skin. The pain ripped through her and she felt hot, her skin for being cold now burned and as she brought her eyes to her skin she saw smoke rise from it. With a whimper, she prayed it would stop then suddenly there was nothing.
-TO BE CONTINUED-