It was just a few minutes before 3:00p.m. when Lance and Lauren arrived at the hospital. Victors instructions had been very detailed as to where to park and what to expect. Their only concern had been when they had to stop at the security gate and show their badge, but they were waved through without hesitation and they both breathed a sigh of relief.
As they parked the car, Lance could sense how nervous Lauren was. He had to admit he was nervous as well, neither one them knowing just what to expect.
"So, ready to go inside?" Lance asked giving Lauren's hand a gentle squeeze.
She nodded. "Yes, I think so."
Lance smiled and kissed her cheek. "Let's go then. I'm ready to meet this Commander Koenig you've been talking about all the way up here."
They exited the car and headed for the main entrance of the hosiptal. Once inside, Lauren spotted the the phones and made the call to Victor as he had instructed.
He was excited to hear from Lauren, hoping that at the last minute she wouldn't back out of going through with this meeting. A few minutes later, he met the two of them downstairs and led them to the elevators at the end of the hall.
"These will take us up to the hospital floors," he told Lauren. "John still has no idea I've arranged this, so I'm sure he is going to be very surpsised to see you both."
"Is he doing alright?" Lauren asked as the car started it's ascent.
"I talked with Dr. Russell earlier and she told me is doing well, just anxious as I'm sure we all are at this point."
When the car stopped at the floor John's room was on and the doors opened, Lauren was hesitant about stepping out. Lance squeezed her hand. "Remember babe, were in this together." he told her through a smile.
Lauren took in a deep breath and followed Lance out into the hall. They followed Victor around the corner and stood a step back as he knocked on the door of John's room. He peered inside to find the two of them talking, Helena setting on the edge of John's bed.
"Hope I'm not interrupting." he asked with a warm smile.
John was pleased to see his friend, anxious to talk with him. "No, not at all Victor, please come in."
Helena got to her feet, about to excuse herself when Victor spoke up. "No need to leave Helena, I brought some visitors for John."
John looked at Helena, searching her face to see if she knew what he was talking about, then back at Victor.
"What?' he stated as he got to his feet.
Victor could only smile and step aside to let both Lauren and Lance into the room.
"Commander Koenig…" Lauren cried and walked over to him. She could tell he had injuries and gave him a small hug. "I've been so worried about you."
He simply nodded and set back on the edge of his bed. "Yeah, I've been worried about you as well. I tried to get to you, but Helena stopped me."
Lauren realized Lance was close by and grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry, this is Lance, my husband. We got married a few days ago."
"A pleasure to meet you sir." Lance told him and extended his hand.
John shook his hand. "Please, call me John." he told Lance, then looked at Victor.
"I went to them John. I explained your situation and knew the only way you would all be together was if I brought them to you. I really didn't know any other way."
Lauren sensed Helena was looking at her. "You don't know me do you Dr. Russell" she asked.
Helena shrugged. "No. not personally, but part of me feels I should."
"I don't know how you could forget me, I'm sort of accident prone up on alpha."
John laughed along with Victor, and Lance couldn't help but smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well Dr. Russell," Lance told her and they shook hands.
Contemplating his next move, John spoke up. "I really didn't expect we would get back together. I've always felt that we had to before we return to alpha."
Lance and Lauren took a seat on the couch. Helena moved to John's side with Victor just a few feet away. "Do you think we will return Commander?"
He shrugged. "I honestly don't know Lauren. Something is going to happen, I just don't know what."
Victor spoke up. "Well, when it comes to parallel existence, no one knows what to expect. I find it fascinating that the same people can exist in two different times and experience different lives. Will either of you, well any of us for that matter, remember any of this? Will our lives go on as if nothing happened. Is alpha experiencing the same thing? Too many questions without answers. The best thing you can all do, is just accept what is and what will be. I don't know that we will ever find out the exact reason you were both brought here, and maybe we shouldn't question it. Just enjoy the happiness it brings."
"Leave it to Victor to put things in perspective." John stated and got to his feet.
"Just trying to wrap things up John." Victor smiled.
John walked over to the window, opened the blind and looked into the sky. It was late afternoon, the moons would be visible before long and he knew he did not want to be in this hospital when they finally merged as one.
"Have you always seen two moons, Commander?" Lauren questioned.
He looked back over his shoulder. "Since the day I first woke up in this damn hospital not knowing what the hell was going on."
"I woke up on the beach not for from Lance's house. I'v seen two moons since the first night as well. Lance has seen them too."
John looked around the room. If they all had one thing in common, it was they fact they had all admitted at one time or another, two moons did exist. He walked back to Helena.
"I know you are against me leaving this hospital and I understand why…"
"John, please…" she interrupted.
"Let me finish," he pleaded. "I've been in this one room for several days, on my back, dealing with the pain of broken ribs and a chest injury. I do not want to spend the rest of today doing the same thing. I want to go outside and see the sky while I still have the opportunity. I want to remember what earth is like before I'm back on the moon in the cold depths of space while alpha searches for a planet we can call home."
Helena sighed, struggling with her emotions. "John, as your doctor, I can't allow you to leave, I'm worried about your health."
John glared at her and walked to the closet. He opened the door and took out the clothes he wore several hours before when he attempted to leave the hospital. "I am leaving this room Helena and you will not stop me this time." he told her and walked into the bathroom closing the door behind him.
"Dr. Russell, we can go back to Lance's house and be on the beach. Lance can look after him, he is a doctor afterall." Lauren pleaded with her.
Helena turned to Victor. "Can't you talk some sense into him Victor. He just doesn't seem to understand he is putting his health at jeopardy."
"He realizes that Helena my dear. Can you really blame him for wanting to leave?"
"It's not a long drive," Lance interrupted. "I think it would do him good. He seems strong enough to me."
John walked back into the room, his clothes changed and he tossed the pajamas on the bed. "What have you decided Helena?" he asked.
She was fighting back tears. The real emotion for her was she didn't want him to leave. She loved him and wanted him to stay. "It's against my better judgement John, I'm sorry."
John sighed, but he understood. "I'm sorry too Helena." he kissed her cheek then turned to Lance and Lauren. "It's time to go."
They both got to their feet and followed John to the door. There were no security guards and John stepped out into the hall. He looked back at Helena. Her face crumpled, tears fell down her cheeks. She made no move to follow him and he closed the door.
Victor looked at his friend. He could tell her heart was breaking and he knew John's was as well. Despite the time scenario, they still loved each other, it was obvious. If she didn't follow John and go the end with him, she would never forgive herself.
"Go to him Helena. Quit being so stubborn and professional for once. Don't stand here in this room or you'll regret your actions."
Helena shook with emotion. The chills were back and she knew that meant something. "Go Helena, before it's too late for both of you."
Victor walked to the door and opened it. " John is waiting for you."
Helena nearly ran for the door. She gave Victor a quick hug and left the room. She ran the distance around the corner and towards the elevators. The door were just about to close when she called out his name.
"John…..wait.."
His head was down in anguish, feeling lost and alone without Helena. He looked up as she ran to him and into his arms. "I'm so sorry, I can't let you walk away. I love you."
Lance and Lauren stood in the corner, watching the action between the two. They had a relationship on alpha, everyone knew that, but Lauren was surprised by the interaction between them now. She glanced up at Lance and smiled.
John kissed Helena tenderly, holding her close. "I love you too." he told as the doors closed and car started it's descent.
The drive back to Lance's place was a peaceful one. John took in the scenery as though he'd never seen it before. The sun was still out and he enjoyed the warmth on his skin as he stood with Helena on the back deck of the house.
Lauren brought them out something to eat and drink and the four of them set at the patio table. "I never thought I'd experience this again, " John remarked. "Thank you Lance for letting us come out here."
"No problem John, Lauren would have insisted ayway."
"He's right Commander."
John smiled and studied Lauren. "So, you woke up here on the beach?" he questioned.
Lauren took a sip of her drink and set it aside. "Yes, I really didn't know what was going on. When I saw Lance, I thought I must be dreaming. I had a cut on my shoulder and my forehead. The last thing I remember before that was being in Eagle One with you in route back to alpha, then those weird lights came alive and…."
John nodded. "Yeah, the same for me. I was evidently involved in some crash I don't remember and ended up in the hospital with injuries."
"Do you think alpha is going through the same thing we are right now.?" Lauren questioned.
John shrugged. "I don't know, maybe. I think it would be nice if they were, if everyone on alpha had a chance to be back here. I just wish I could have prevented Breakaway, but for all I know, it was probably to late to try."
Helana watched the two of them, and it was evident they were both concerned about one another as well as their friends on alpha. "You stated the two of you got married?" Helena questioned wanting to change the conversation to a more pleasant topic.
Lauren smiled and moved her chair closer to Lance. "Yes, just a few days ago. He proposed to me on the beach. Not really knowing what was going on or what would happen, we decided to have a simple ceremony."
Helena smiled at the two of them. "Well, you both look very happy. I'd like to offer my congratulations."
"Thanks Dr. Russell. We have a few pictures, would you like to see them?"
Lauren's question took Helena by surprise. "Oh, yes, I'd like that."
Lauren stood and Helena followed her into the house, leaving the two men alone for the moment. Ever the doctor, Lance asked, "Are you feeling okay John? You look tired."
"I'm okay, just anxious for all this to be over. It's been what, a week, since Lauren and I ended up here? It hasn't been easy and waking up knowing what today is, just makes things more complicated."
Lance sighed, nodding in agreement. "You know, if I hadn't seen the two moons a couple of nights ago, I might not fully believe in all this time travel stuff."
"Alpha has been through a lot of unusual situations, but this by far has to be the strangest." John replied.
"Yeah, like something you'd see in a movie or some sci-fi novel. Lauren has often wondered why all of this is happening."
John nodded. "I've thought the same thing. I can't come up with a rational explanation without sounding crazy. I honestly think Helena thought that about me, but she never came out and said so."
Lance sighed as he looked up into the evening sky. "Do you think once those moons merge together as one, things will go back to the way they were?"
John shrugged. He wished he could tell Lance what he wanted to hear, but even he didn't know. "I don't know, I may go to sleep and wake up here in the morning, I may be back on Eagle One or on alpha. Maybe Breakaway didn't happen after all, and we're living our life the way we were meant to."
Lance smiled a little. "Maybe so. Since Lauren's been back, all I've thought about is how do I cope with losing her. I never realized how much I missed her until she left for alpha."
"Maybe it won't come to that Lance." John stated. "Alpha has been through black holes and we've come out okay, so I'm trying to stay positive about our outcome here."
Lance was about to reply when Lauren and Helena rejoined him and John.
John reached for Helena's hand as she stood next to him. "You look like you could use some rest John." she told him.
Lance agreed. "She's right. I have an extra room here with a bed so you can lay down for awhile. Chest injuries don't heal as quickly as we'd like them to."
John lifted his hands. "Looks like I'm outnumbered."
Lauren laughed. "Come on commander, I'll show you were the room is."
John got to his feet and the four of them went inside. Helena followed John and closed the door behind them. He slipped out of his jacket, removed his shoes and stretched out on the bed. Helena unbuttoned his shirt and checked his chest wound. No signs of bleeding and she smiled.
"Helena, don't let me sleep to long." John asked of her as she closed his shirt.
She kissed his cheek. "I won't John, just close your eyes and rest. I'm not going anywhere."
He closed his eyes as Helena pulled a blanket up over both of them. These chills were happening more often now and that concerned her. She moved closer to John and closed her eyes. If only she knew what was going to happen before the night ended.
Lance and Lauren had retired to their room as well. They made love to one another and lay quietly in each others arms.
"What are you thinking?" Lance questioned.
Lauren looked up at him. "Just how happy I am to be here with you. If I could have things my way, I'd stay like this forever with you."
"I was thinking the same thing." Lance replied. He raised himself up on one arm and kissed her lips. A kiss that demanded more from her. She wanted the same thing from him. His tender touches made her forget about the chill that seemingly didn't want to go away.
Sometime later the four of them stood on the beach watching the sunset. An event John and Lauren hadn't experienced in a long time. John had his arm around Helena's shoulder, hugging her close. Lauren had her arms wrapped around Lance, not wanting to let him go. They were all quiet, not saying anything. No one knew the right words, there were only silent tears for Lauren. The sun continued to slip away from the horizon while at the same time the two moons ended their merge as one.
John looked into the sky watching the event, and when nothing seemed to happen right away, he wondered what turn of events were fixing to take place next. But as the last bit of light from the setting sun disappeared, the chill they experienced at one time or another, overtook them all. The night sky filled with colored lights and they simply vanished from sight.