Darnell Brown flew out of the vortex. He landed on bags. He stared around him to see he was in a trash can.
"Great," Brown muttered.
He heard a whir. He pecked over the top. Randall Heim stood next to the vortex. He brushed off his trenchcoat as another whir sounded.
Paige Kendall emerged from the vortex. The vortex closed behind her. Randall grabbed her and hugged her.
Brown frowned. He was not Mr. Heim. However, he did not think Miss Clark should have to be subject to that. Assuming they found her...
Brown emerged out of the trash can. "How much time?"
Randall released Paige. He pulled out the timer. Meanwhile, Paige glared at Brown.
"Think you could have waited?" Paige demanded.
"Looking for friends so...no," Brown said, heading out of the alley.
"Three days," Randall said behind Brown.
"How are we even suppose to find them?" Paige demanded.
"'Next on E! The profile of Melissa Clark!'"
Darnell Brown turned to look at the televisions in the window of the store. All across them were pictures of Melissa Clark in evening wear. The screen changed to her falling out of a vortex.
"Well...I believe that was simple enough," Brown commented.
Three years ago, my friends and I found a way to travel between worlds-
To slide to...
Worlds where you're the same person-
It's the same year...
But everything else is different-
Our Earth...
Has been overrun by the Kromaggs?-
Can we get home?...
Do we want to?
And now-
The worlds await...
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 4
EPISODE 2: HOLLYWOOD CHIC
"You can't see them."
"What do you mean we can't see them?" Randall asked Kathy at the front desk of the Dominion Hotel.
Darnell watched Kathy toss her curly blonde hair. He could not recall Kathy being so...bimboish.
"What I mean," Kathy said, "is that Miss Rye and Miss Clark are unavailable."
"Because they're not here or because we're not stars?" Paige asked.
Kathy narrowed her eyes and grinned. "Both."
Paige put her hands on her hips. Her eyes narrowed on Kathy. Kathy only grinned.
Brown sighed. Then he walked over to the front desk. Kathy regarded him with indifference. Brown ignored that and leaned on the counter. His eyes narrowed.
"Listen, you twit," Brown said. "That attitude may work for lesser people, but I am not one of them."
"But-"
"I'm speaking," Brown cut her off. "Now...how about you act like the rich person you think you are and let us see MY dear friend?"
"I...I..." Kathy stuttered.
"Look! There she is!"
Brown looked away from the counter. A dark-haired woman entered the Dominion lobby dressed in a black fur coat. She wore dark shades and her hair was in a ponytail. She was flanked on each side by men dressed in black. They were followed by cameramen, photographers, and reporters.
"So what are you in town for, Miss Clark?" one reporter asked.
"Is there a new movie coming?" another asked.
"How about a picture, Miss Clark?"
Melissa ignored the media crowd. She headed for the elevator. Brown headed for it as well. He had to get her attention.
"Miss Clark!"
"Miss Clark!"
The elevator doors opened. Melissa got into it quickly. The two men in black stood to face the crowd. A few reporters tried to get into the elevator. The men in black pushed them back. The doors started to close.
"Einstein Rosen Bridge!" Brown barked.
The elevator doors continued to close. Brown ran toward it. He balled his hands into fists. The better to knock guards out.
The elevator doors paused. They pushed back open. Melissa's head poked out. Her eyes fell on Brown. Her face was blank.
"Professor?" Melissa muttered.
Brown walked into the bedroom. He turned around to see Melissa shut the door. He saw Randall and Paige sitting on the couch. He knew the men in black stood outside of the hotel room.
Brown managed a smile. "It is...a relief to see you, Miss Clark. It took Heim quite a while to find you and Miss Rye. He-"
Melissa turned to face Brown. His words caught in his mouth. Tears were falling from Melissa's eyes.
"So long," Melissa said. She wiped the tears away. "We both hoped...that's not true." Her eyes narrowed on Brown. "Kat hoped. Me...I hoped you were dead."
"What-" Brown started.
Before Brown could react, Melissa pulled out a knife with a black handle. She lunged at him. Brown moved to the left. Melissa glared at swung the knife at his head. Brown leaned back, allowing the dagger to barely miss him. He grabbed Melissa's knife arm and squeezed tight. Melissa shrieked, releasing the knife.
"What has gotten into you?" Brown demanded. "Are you the real Melissa?"
Melissa tilted her head. "As if you could tell the difference. I was gone for almost a year. No one noticed."
Brown pushed Melissa away. She fell on the bed. She turned to face Brown, her eyes enraged.
"Mr. Heim noticed," Brown said simply.
"And now he's dead!" Melissa said. "And it's all your fault!"
Paige crossed her legs. She turned her glance to the door. There was noise coming from the room. She wondered what was going on.
"Doesn't sound like a happy reunion."
Paige looked over at Randall. He sat next to her and smiled.
"You're getting a kick out of this," Paige said.
"And you're not?" Randall shot back.
Paige smiled. "This has all been wild."
"Yet you're used to it."
"Yeah," Paige said. She leaned into Randall. "It must be your kind assistance."
Randall leaned into Paige. "Yeah...Must be."
Paige leaned in to kiss Randall. Suddenly, the bedroom door opened. Paige turned away to look at the dark-haired woman. She looked at the two of them. Her eyes were full of surprise and anger.
"See something you like?" Paige said sarcastically.
Melissa narrowed her eyes. "Be careful who you trust. It might be the death of you."
Melissa stored over to the door. She walked out of it. Paige looked over at the bedroom door. Brown stood in the door, his arms over his chest.
"What did you do now?" Paige asked.
"It...was not me," Brown said.
Paige shot up. "Oh! I guess it was your evil alter ego...courtesy of the Kromaggs."
Brown narrowed his eyes. "As if your past is public knowledge. Why are you even here?"
Paige felt a hand on her shoulder.
"She's with me, Brown," Randall said. "That is what's important."
"Would Eve think that?"
Paige felt the hand tighten. She turned to stare at Randall. His eyes were lit up. Paige found her own eyes narrowing.
"Who's Eve?" Paige demanded.
Laughter caught Paige's ear. She turned back to Brown. He laughed at her.
"Shut up," Paige demanded.
"I guess none of us know each other," Brown said.
Brown walked out of the hotel door.
Paige looked back at Randall. Then she noticed. He was no longer close to her. It made her wonder. The Randall with no memory was what drew her to him. He was still the Randall she knew. Now he had an edge. For the first time Paige wondered if he was hiding something.
Paige frowned. Brown's words came into her mind. A thought came to her.
Brown had his memory back. So did Randall. She did not.
What was in her past?
"The boss will not be pleased," one of the bodyguards said as he stood next to Melissa on the sidewalk."
"I don't care, Vince," Melissa said, her arms over her chest. "This is none of his business."
Vince stared at Melissa. She looked at him. He reached for her cheek. Melissa backed away. Vince frowned. Melissa thought it made him look older.
"I remember how you were when you got here," Vince said. "Kat was withdrawn. You? you were mad. You made a deal with the boss. He took you two in. He trained you. You both came out of the box that hellhole put you in...not that any of us know where you two came from."
Melissa glared. "I know."
Vince reached for Melissa's cheek again. She grabbed it.
"Don't," Melissa said coldly.
Vince snatched his hand away. "Sorry."
Melissa looked up and down the street.
"Where is Alan?" Melissa asked aloud.
"Forget Alan," Vince said. "This is about you. I don't want you to sink back into your shell...or reveal our identities."
Melissa watched the limo pull up to the curve. Melissa opened the door.
"Your secret's safe," Melissa said.
"Good," Vince said.
Melissa got into the limo with him. She looked out of the window. Part of her was glad that someone was alive after the Kromagg attack. Part of her wished it was Randy.
Randy. Melissa fought the tears threatening to come out of her eyes. She needed to focus. She had no time to fall apart. As the limo drove off, Melissa saw something in one of the side mirror. She turned around to see Brown running after them.
Melissa turned back around in her seat. She glanced at Vince for a second, giving him a weak smile. then she stared forward. Her mind was focused on her boss.
"I...will take another, Hal," Brown said to the bartender.
In a flash, Hal put another shot glass in front of him. The clear liquid poured down as easy as a waterfall. Brown grabbed it up in his hand.
"Are you sure you want that? You're not looking so great."
Brown stared over at Hal. He was sure his head was bobbing, but he did not care.
"I am...fine," Brown said. "As fine as...a man with no..." He frowned. "...a man with no family can be. Ever felt like the world is changing too quick for...you?"
"All the time," Hal said as he started to wipe some glasses down.
"Good," Brown said. He took the shot. It burned in his throat.
"If only everything could go back to how it was," Brown continued. "Me...Heim...Hall and Clark. All we wanted to do was get home. Now...I wonder if it will even be worth it."
Hal put the clean glass. He put both of his hands on the counter. His eyes narrowed on Brown.
"Is it important to you?" Hal asked.
Brown frowned. His mind thought about all he had experienced since he began sliding. His goal had always been to get home. He had unfinished business...with his ex-wife. Just thinking of Debra made Brown realized the realness of his current situation.
"Yes," Brown said.
"Good," Hal said as he began cleaning another shot glass. "Then you know what to do."
Brown put his hand on the counter. Then he stood up. He felt like he was floating.
"Yes," Brown replied. "Retire to my quarters."
"Sounds like a plan," Hal said.
Brown headed for the elevator. He was almost there when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Laurence Fishbourne! Oh my God! I-"
Brown reacted quickly. He spun around. He threw his arm out as if he threw out an invisible ball. The dark-haired man fell across the lobby, landing on two bellboys.
"What in the world!" one of the bellboys exclaimed.
Brown felt his jaw drop. He had thrown...that fan...across the room. He had not used his hands. He had used his mind.
Brown ran to the elevator. He pushed the button. The doors opened in front of him quick as a speeding car. Brown jumped in quick. He turned to look out. People were staring at him with questioning glances. Brown saw the glances and felt a voice in his head. He recognized it as Randall's.
'Can we trust you?'
As the elevator doors closed, Brown did not know how to answer that question.
Melissa stared at the elderly black man in front of her on the roof. She headed toward him. Her eyes focused on him and ignored the guns she was sure was being aimed at her.
"I see that you have old friends in town," the black man said.
"You're the same way when Arturo gets in, Brown, Melissa said emotionlessly. "What's my assignment?"
Rembrandt Brown frowned. Never a good thing. For a moment, Melissa thought he would give the order to shoot. She stared at him, her face an ice mask. If she showed fear, he would surely do it. Instead, Brown pulled out a picture and handed it to her.
"As far as the outside world knows," Rembrandt said, "you and Brad Pitt are working on a new feature with this man's director. Get close to him. Then...make him vanish."
"Of course," Melissa said. She turned to leave the roof.
"Clark."
Melissa paused. She did not turn around.
"Next time...don't let your mouth get you in trouble. Hate to lose one of my best."
Melissa turned around. She flashed Rembrandt a smile. "One of? Rem, I am your best."
"In your dreams, Girl. Get outta here."
Melissa turned around. Her smile left her face and was replaced with a glare. She hoped she was not speeding away, but she had to get back to the Dominion. She hoped Kat was back. They were in danger. Or...Kat was.
CLICK.
Paige shot up in the bed. Darkness greeted her. Randall slept next to her, completely oblivious to what was the sound. Paige listened. She heard nothing and her eyes were not adjusting enough. Paige reached for the lamp next to the bed.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw it. It was a figure. Before Paige could react, the figure was on her. Its left hand held Paige's right hand down. The figure's own right hand held a dagger at Paige's throat.
"Scream," said the feminine voice, "and you won't live long enough to be rescued."
Paige said nothing.
"Who are you?"
"Paige," Paige said. "This is Randall. We're with the Prof and-"
"Darnell?" the figure muttered. Her hand loosened on the dagger at Paige's throat.
It was all Paige needed. She grabbed at the dagger with her left. The figure reached for Paige's other hand, releasing Paige's held hand. Paige made a fist and swung at the figure's face. Her punch connected and the figure fell off the bed. Paige jumped up and switched on the lamp.
The figure was on the floor. She rubbed her lip. A bit of red was on it. She had long straight blonde hair. She had a black tank top and black shorts. Paige started to move past her. The woman was up quickly, dagger in hand. She swung at Paige.
Paige deflected the arm away. She felt her eyes widen in shock.
"What the-" Paige started.
The Blonde kicked a leg at her. Paige backed away. The Blonde attempted a roadhouse kick that Paige deflected. The Blonde then swung the dagger at Paige again. Paige grabbed the Blonde's hand. They struggled for a moment. Then the dagger flew through the air and landed on the drawer.
Without thinking, Paige did somersaults to the drawer. She made it to find the Blonde had did the same ting. Both of their eyes widened in shock.
"What the-"
"Saints per-"
"Screw this!" Paige said. Then she lunged at the Blonde.
Brown headed for the room and opened the bedroom door. Randall was sound asleep. Next to his side of the bed was two women fighting on the floor. He recognized Paige. The other woman was very different to him.
"Miss Rye?" Brown muttered.
At the moment, Katherine Rye was on top of Paige. She paused to look behind her. Her eyes widened.
"Darnell?" Kat muttered. "You're-"
A fist hit Kat in the face. She felt over on the floor. Paige shot up. Her face was full of rage.
"Witch!" Paige hissed.
"Miss Kendall, hold off," Brown said, entering the bedroom. "This is a friend."
"Could have fooled me, Prof!" Paige snapped. "She had a dagger to my throat."
"And ye be any different?" Kat shot back. "I see strangers in my bedroom...I react."
"You react badly," Paige said.
Brown leaned in to help Kat up. She glared down at Paige. Brown had never seen that kind of anger in Kat
.
"Give me time, luv," Kat said with a smirk.
"I could kill you," Paige shot back.
Brown saw a darkness cross Kat's face.
"You can try," Kat said coldly.
"Ladies," Brown cautioned.
"Not going to help me up, Prof?" Paige asked.
"No," Brown replied.
"Good answer, Darnell," Kat said. "She's a real fighter that one."
Brown stared at Paige as she stood up. She was an enigma to him. He knew nothing about her. Neither did Randall. He did not think that was a good thing.
"She is, is she?" Brown asked.
"I hold my own," Paige said.
"Right," Brown said. He turned to face Kat. He grabbed her in a hug. "Miss Rye! You are alive!"
Brown pulled away from Kat. She smiled at him. Brown found himself smiling. That was the Katherine he knew.
"Aye," Kat said. "Melissa and I were able tae get away after we were captured." Kat looked down. "Melissa was so hurt. She said...she said ye killed Randy. That ye were possessed."
"I...I am fine now," Brown said.
"Are you?"
Brown stared at the door. Melissa stood in it. Her face was in a frown.
"Good to see you, Rye," Melissa said. "We need to talk."
"Very well," Kat said.
"Wait!" Paige exclaimed. "That's it? She comes in here and attacks me and she gets off?"
Melissa looked at Paige. She turned her glance to Randall in bed. Then she looked at Paige again. Her face had a mock hurt look on it.
"Poor you," Melissa said sarcastically.
"Do you hate me that much?" Paige asked.
"She's not alone," Kat said, walking over to Melissa.
"Anytime, Accent Girl," Paige snapped.
"Bring it, ho," Kat shot back.
"Hey! Ladies, calm down!" Brown said. "I have hangover enough without name calling."
"Wow! Look at the women. Did I miss something?"
Brown looked at the bed. Randall stared at the scene with a confused look on his face.
"Nothing," Paige said, walking over to the bed. She leaned in and kissed him. "Just crazy crossing people."
"Sliding, Waif," Kat said.
"We need to talk," Melissa said to Kat, ignoring the scene.
Brown saw the icy stare she gave to Paige and Randall. Then Melissa and Kat were gone. Brown looked at Paige making out with Randall and frowned.
Was having Paige with them a good thing or bad?
"Well...that was quite a work-"
"Listen," Melissa said, ignoring Kat's ranting. "The boss gave me a new assignment."
Kat crossed her arms over her chest. Her blonde hair fell to the side of her face. Melissa thought it gave her the appearance of an elf.
"What does it have to do wi' me?" Kat asked. "We never have-"
"Ben Loveland," Melissa replied.
"I dinna-"
Melissa's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me."
Kat's eyes narrowed. "I am not."
"Really?" Melissa said with an edge. Then she calmly pulled the picture out of her pocket. She pushed it into Kat's face. "Then explain this...lass."
Kat's blue eyes widened on the picture. It matched how Melissa felt when she saw the picture of one of Ben's promotion parties. It was Ben with his entourage. Kat was among them. She was disguised by shades, green dreadlocks, and a beret, but it was her.
"Where did you get that?" Kat demanded.
"Doesn't matter," Melissa said. "He's vapor."
Melissa started for her bedroom. A hand grabbed her arm and tightened. Melissa turned around to find Kat staring at her with fury in her eyes.
"No," Kat said. "That...is my boss. It's my part-time job ye talking about."
"I guess you quit," Melissa said.
Kat glared. "Ye know better. I canna just quit."
"Then we have a problem."
"Everything okay?"
Melissa looked back at the door to Kat's bedroom. Professor Brown stood in the door. He looked like the stern professor at the moment, staring at the scene with interest.
Kat released Melissa's arm. "Aye. 'Tis great...except I now need a place to sleep."
Brown nodded. "Of course." He put his hands in his pocket. "We also need to talk."
"About?" Melissa asked annoyed.
"The slide," Brown said. "You two do intend to accompany us?"
"Of-" Kat started.
"To where?" Melissa demanded. Her eyes widened. "You can get us...home."
Brown looked at his feet. "No. Miss St. Clair's timer lost the vortex by the time I awoke."
"Awoke?" Kat muttered.
"Yes," Brown answered. "After...whatever happened after the Kromagg programming kicked in, I was in a coma. I do not remember how we escaped from Earth Prime." He looked up again. "I do, however, intend to go back...and destroy the Kromaggs."
"I am all for that," Kat said.
Melissa looked at her. "You would be."
Kat frowned at her.
"Have you forgotten?" Melissa asked. "He's a spy!"
"I was," Brown said. "The programming is gone."
Melissa looked back at Brown. She arched an eyebrow. "Is it?"
Melissa saw Brown would not look her in the eye. She stared over at Kat. Kat stared back at her, a questioning look on her face.
"I guess that answers my question," Melissa said. "I...we won't be going with you."
Melissa did not wait to hear Kat's protest. She headed for her bedroom door.
"Not wanting to go home, Miss Clark?"
Melissa paused at the door. She turned around to face Brown. He focused on her. She glared at him.
"I'm not one of your student," Melissa said.
"But we're from the same Earth," Brown said evenly. "Can you sleep at night with your home enslaved?"
"Home?" Melissa muttered, feeling bitterness in her tone. "My home...was with Randy...and he's..."
Melissa felt her eyes fall to the floor. Her long black hair fell into her face. That was good. She felt the tears behind her eyes as a memory came to the surface.
She had finally be united with Randy. They were finally home in Golden Gate Park. Then...it all went to hell.
Melissa looked back up at Brown.
"My home was with you...Randy...and Richard," Melissa said, hoping Kat wasn't too hurt by her saying that. "Two of them are dead. The other one...I don't know him anymore...and I don't want to. So...I have no home."
Melissa hurried into her bedroom. She closed the door behind her. As soon as it was closed, she sank to the floor. The tears had made it out of the eyes and wetted her cheeks. Melissa tried to fight the tears, but she could not. She let the tears fall.
Brown sat in the hospital room. He felt a chill so he pulled the brown trenchcoat around him. Earlier that afternoon, he had been mistaken again for that Fishbourne actor again. He did not want to take any more chances.
The door opened. The young black woman walked in with a pad. The eyes behind the glasses scanned the notes on the pad for a moment. Brown tried not to smile as he thought about how similar this Diana Davis was to several doubles he met. He did however frowned.
"Where is the other doctor?" Brown asked.
"Oh, he's unavailable," Diana Davis said as she sat down next to Brown. "Besides, I thought your bosses would be upset if anyone found out the truth."
"The truth?"
Diana was now the one who frowned. Mr. Fishbourne, I have tended to-"
"I'm not...I am not Mr. Fishbourne, Miss Davis," Brown protested.
Diana laughed. "Oh...yes. I forgot...never know if anyone is listening."
"I am serious, Miss Davis."
"So am I, Mr....Brown."
Brown sighed in frustration. It was becoming clear that he was not going to win this fight.
"Is there something in my head, Doctor?" Brown asked.
Diana stared at him. "Yes."
Brown felt a memory jumped out at him. He remembered going through a VR therapy session on Randall's world. He had versions of his enemies hinting at a cure to the deadly nanotechs killing him. He was cured, but it was a trick by the Kromaggs. He turned into a sleeper agent. Now...Randall and Melissa's worries made fear come to me.
"Is it a small black circular object shaped like a pebble?" Brown asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes," Diana replied. "Like I said, I am used to tending special operatives, but this is new. Is the Mexicans at it again?"
"Mexicans? Woman, are you mad?"
"Now, Mr. Fishbourne-"
"I am not Mr.-"
"Sorry. I forgot."
"Can't I have it removed?"
"No."
Brown shot up. "What?"
Diana moved her chair away quickly. "Don't kill me."
Brown looked down at his feet. "My apologies. Why can you not?"
"Whatever spy put that in your brain made it really sophisticated," Diana explained. "It would appear to be metallic organic but the fact is that it has tentacles in all the important parts of your brain. If it was to be removed, you would become paralyzed...permanently."
Brown felt his legs moving back to his seat. He looked down at his feet. He felt warmth on his shoulder. He looked up to see Diana managed a smile.
"Don't worry," Diana said. "If you leave it in, you can live a long healthy life and continue your work."
Brown frowned. "My work? Why do you think you know what my occupation is?"
"Most actors who come in here with...unexplained marks, bruises, little pebbles...usually work either for the government or the underworld," Diana said. "Why do you think Courtney Love is in and out of clinics?"
Brown stared at Diana as if she had lost her mind. As he pondered her words, Brown had a thought.
"Melissa!" Brown exclaimed.
He stormed out the door without another word.
"This is Linda Perry for E! We are here at a surprise banquet with Brad Pitt and Melissa Clark. So what is this about? Is this about your next project...which is shroud in secrecy?"
Melissa smiled and looked at her date...Brad Pitt. He was sporting a light buzzcut. He also smiled at Linda.
"Just...a gathering of friends," Brad replied.
"Anything to add, Ms. Clark?" Linda asked Melissa.
"Uh..." Melissa started.
Linda's eyes looked behind Melissa. She quickly moved past Melissa. She turned to see what the draw was. Her face narrowed into a glare.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's America's Nice Guy Christian Campbell! And how are you?"
Randall Heim stood in front of Linda dressed in a black tux. Paige was on his arm in a red short skirt with glitter. He smiled.
"Real...nice actually, Linda," Randall replied.
"Nice to have a party," Paige added.
Melissa threw her glare at Randall. She did not know why they were there. It was also the last thing she needed.
Paige moved through the crowded party. A smile was on her face. She stared across the room. Thanks to that paranoia world she knew who most of these people were. It made her think of the fact she did not remember her past.
The food table was a few feet away from Paige. Various actors and producers mingled around the extra long rectangular table. There was one guy who seem to be surrounded by a whole entourage. Paige could make out Brad Pitt with the man, but no one else.
Paige frowned. Actually, she could make out one more. There was a girl in the background. She wore a black beret that did not cover her green dreadlocks. She wore a loud yellow tanktop with a black skirt. She could look different all she wanted, but Paige knew it was Kat.
It made her think of their fight last night. Paige had held her own. She was an excellent fighter. She wondered where she got the moves from. The thought brought a sense of dread to her and she moved away from the table.
Paige decided it was time to find Randall. It had been fun to crash. Now it was time to try something new.
Her eyes tore through the crowd again. Near one of the walls, Paige could make out Randall's face. She moved through the people only staring at that face.
Paige paused. He was not alone.
Her eyes narrowed on the person with him: Melissa.
"What are you doing here?"
Randall turned to stare at Melissa. He stopped leaning against the wall. A smile crept onto his goateed face.
"Hey!" Randall exclaimed. "Fancy meeting you here!"
Melissa glared. "Don't be coy. You could have gone anywhere with your tramp."
"Tramp? Paige is a friend."
"Yeah...you two are real close."
Randall laughed. "And that bothers you. No Randall Heim for you so no one else gets to have me."
"Shut up," Melissa snapped.
"Besides," Randall continued, "what can beat a Hollywoodish party? And who knew I looked like Neve Campbell's brother?"
Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. "This party is not what you think it is."
Randall glanced away from her. "Yes...I am sure it is not."
"Do you realize what danger you put yourself and Paige in?" Melissa asked.
"It would not be the first time I've been in danger. We dark sliders thrive on it."
"So I remember." Melissa focused with intensity on Randall. "Trust me...this is much more different."
Randall looked more at Melissa. His eyes narrowed on her.
"All the more fun then," Randall said. "I look forward to mingling."
Randall started to move away from the wall. Melissa grabbed his arm. Randall turned back to Melissa and glared.
"Have a care, Melissa," Randall said. "I am not your absent-minded boyfriend. You stand in my way...you vanish."
Melissa stepped closer to Randall. Her body was pressed against Randall's body. To the on-lookers, it would appear they were a couple...giving more gossip to the rag magazines later.
"And you listen to me, Randall," Melissa whispered. "I am not the nice sweet Melissa you knew. You want to cross me? You'll live long enough to regret it." She glared. "Now...leave."
Randall leaned in closer. "Trying to scare me? Not working."
"Don't push me."
Randall smirked and leaned close enough to kiss Melissa. "Then how much fun would I have?"
"Am I interrupting?"
Melissa pulled away from Randall. She turned around. Paige glared at her.
"Yes," Melissa said. "You both are. You really should go."
Paige walked over to Randall. She put her arm around his waist.
"And miss all the fun?" Paige asked sarcastically.
Melissa rolled her eyes. She turned away from them. There was no way she was going to reason with them. Besides she was busy on assignment. She stared over at the food table. Vince was near it. He nodded his head to Melissa's right.
Melissa saw him. Ben Loveland was with his entourage now. They laughed loudly as they nibbled at food on the table.
Ben yawned. His lips moved, showing he was talking. Then he was moving away from his entourage.
Melissa moved through the crowd. Her eyes were on the target. And Ben...was as good as dead.
Professor Brown finally made it into the party. There were people as far as the eye could see. They were dressed glamorous or weird or both. Laughter came up to Brown's ears. He could smell liquor in the air. He finally headed down the rugged stairs and into the main floor.
Someone bumped into Brown. He focused on the man. He barely knew the person that was Randy Heim's roommate on Earth Prime, but he recognized Ben Loveland's double. This double was dressed like a pimp in brown silk with weird shapes and brown leather jacket and pants. His brown hair was longer and slicked back. His eyes narrowed on him.
"Hey!" Ben yelled. "Watch where you're going!"
"Me?" Brown said. "You watch where you’re' going!"
"What?!" Ben shrieked. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
"A twit," Brown shot back.
"You son of-" Ben started.
"Do you not know who you are talking to?" Brown cut him off. His eyes narrowed on Ben. "I'm Laurence Fishbourne."
Ben went white in an instant. He looked quite sickly.
"Oh," Ben muttered.
Ben moved quickly past Brown. Brown watched him scatter away like a dog with its tail between its legs. For the first time on this world, Brown loved being mistaken for someone else.
Someone else bumped into Brown. He turned around to insult them. He came face to face with Melissa. Her eyes widened in shock. It was quickly replaced with anger.
"You, too?" Melissa snapped. "Are you all trying to get killed?"
"Well, I am not," Brown said. "And you? Trying to kill someone for your boss?"
Melissa looked taken aback. "Huh?"
"I had an interesting talk with a doctor today," Brown said. "So my question is this...are you working for the government...or the bad guys? Or better yet...WHY?"
"Why?" Melissa spit out, her eyes delivering a scaring glare. "You ask me? You watch your boyfriend get shot in front of you. You lost hope on a world full of Kromaggs. You watch someone give you hope, but get killed. Kat and I barely escaped. You got off freely."
"Freely?" Brown snapped. "Do you have deadly pebbles in your head that give you telekinetic powers? Anyone accuse you of being a spy?"
"No," Melissa said. "At least, you have hope. I lost it. So did Kat. Now we have a new purpose."
"Is that the one you want?" Brown asked. "To leave your homeworld enslaved?"
"You've seen the Kromaggs' handiwork," Melissa said. "There is no way to defeat them."
"Randy would not think that way."
"Randy is dead."
"And he would not like to see his world enslaved," Brown said.
Melissa moved past Brown. "I have work to do."
Brown grabbed Melissa's arm. She turned around. She smiled for a moment. Then she reach around Brown's neck. He felt a tap. Then his muscles tensed.
"I have work to do," Melissa whispered. "And I do not have time for interference. This is in your best interest."
Brown watched Melissa walk away from him. His muscles continued to tense, keeping him from moving. In a moment, he knew he would pass out.
Then he had an idea.
"So...what was that about?" Paige asked.
Randall shrugged his shoulders. "She thinks it is dangerous for us to be here."
"Danger here. Danger there," Paige said. "It's a wonder you ever have fun with these slides."
Randall frowned. "Slides?"
"What?" Paige asked.
"It's the first time you called crosses that," Randall commented.
Paige wrapped her arms around Randall's waist.
"It must be their bad influence," Paige said.
Randall smiled. "Yeah. Must."
Paige started to lean in to kiss Randall. All the doubts about the closeness between Randall and Melissa fell away.
"Oh my God!"
"Is it a seizure?"
Paige ignored the yell. However, Randall did not . He turned to see what the commotion was about. Paige's lips connected with his cheek.
Paige pulled away to see what everyone was talking about. There was a person on the stairs leading into the banquet hall shaking. He looked just like Brown.
"Hm," Paige muttered.
"Looks like trouble," Randall commented.
"You have no idea or you would not be here, Melissa's Friend."
Paige turned around at the same time as Randall did. An Asian woman stood before him in a glittering black dress. She had chopsticks in her long black hair and a slit in her dress.
She reached out for them. Paige could make out round black circles in her hands. One of the Asian's hands touched Paige's neck. Electricity shot through Paige's body. She gasped and fell to the ground. Her eyes stared up at the ceiling as the Asian looked down at her, a smirk on her lips.
"And now Melissa's little game has gotten a LOT deadlier," the Asian said.
Melissa smiled as the restroom door closed. He was at the sink washing his hands. He paid no mind to her.
"Oh my God!" Melissa exclaimed.
Ben stared at her. His eyes widened.
"How in the-" Ben started.
"You're that big, sexy producer guy!" Melissa shrieked. "Oh, wait until Lucy hears about this!"
That seem to relax Ben. He turned to face her. A smile crept onto his face.
"Sexy? Really?" Ben said, a hint of interest in his voice.
Melissa walked over to Ben. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Oh...very," Melissa said, leaning in closer. "Just let me show you."
Ben grinned wider. "Oh...show me."
Melissa started to kiss Ben. Suddenly, Melissa felt a hand on her arm. It pulled her away. She did not have time to react as Kat came into her vision and pushed her into a wall.
"I told you to quit," Melissa said.
"You know this woman?" Ben asked.
"Sorry, sir," Kat said. "I was given a tip. You best be away."
"No one's going anywhere," Melissa said.
"Look at you," Kat said, shaking her head. "Perhaps Brown was right. You are not the Melissa I heard so much about from Richard. We should leave."
"What? Go up against the Kromaggs?" Melissa asked. "Do you remember our escape?"
Kat looked down. "Aye. Poor wee-"
Melissa lunged at Kat. Kat moved out of the way in time. Melissa hit thin air.
"I'm out of here," Ben said.
Ben started to run for the restroom door. Melissa swung a leg into his stomach. He leaned over. Melissa punched him in the face. He fell to the ground unconscious.
"You canna do this," Kat protested.
Melissa raised her right leg. "Watch me."
Kat sprung at Melissa. She tackled Melissa to the ground.
"'Tis madness," Kat said as she sat on Melissa. "I tell ye he is innocent."
"Sorry, Kat," Melissa said. Then she swung Kat off her. Kat fell into a wall. "My boss says otherwise."
Kat stood up. "I canna let ye kill an innocent man."
"Your accent's kicking in," Melissa said. "You must be worried."
Melissa lunged at Kat. Kat lunged at Melissa. They both flew into opposite walls.
Melissa fell to the floor. Her sides screamed with pain. She looked up to see Brown standing over the unconscious Ben.
"How?" Melissa asked in shock.
Brown grinned. "Little telekinetic trick. I could become an excellent masseur."
"I have to do this," Melissa said.
"No, Melissa, you do not," Brown said.
"This is how I live," Melissa said.
"Not anymore. You can slide with the rest of us."
"No!" Melissa snapped. "There is nothing there!"
"I disagree, Melissa," Kat said, standing up. "If not your homeworld, you can slide to a better world."
"No more sliding," Melissa snapped. "It only brings death."
"Then stay here," Brown said. "But do not kill an innocent man."
"I have to, Brown."
"Why?"
"Because my boss...your uncle...will kill you," Melissa said, looking down at the ground. "Distractions are forbidden...if there are some, they are eliminated. That is how this world works. I have seen people lose lovers, children...anything that interferes."
"Huh?" Kat said. "And this is the government? Are ye sure ye on the right side?"
Melissa looked over at Kat. She studied Melissa with so much sadness. Melissa looked away. It reminded her of another face...her own as she watched Daniel Carter shoot Randy Heim, the man she loved.
"I canna do this anymore, Melissa," Kat said. "I am leaving with Professor Brown. You have nothing here. Slide with us. Go home. Find the rest of her family. Ye said ye wanted tae."
"What about him?" Melissa asked, gesturing toward Ben.
"We can deal with it later...or better yet we can wash our hands clean of it," Kat suggested.
Melissa stared at Kat. She thought about Randy. For the first time in a while, she thought about him. She knew what he would do. She also knew he would not run away from his problems like she was.
"Fine," Melissa said. "I'm in."
"How pathetic."
Melissa saw a movement behind Brown. A hand grabbed his neck. Electricity shot through him. Brown gasped and fell to the ground He was out cold. Melissa glared at the Asian woman that focused on her.
"Miashuyhi Kims," Melissa muttered.
Kat looked at Melissa. "You know Kims?"
Melissa stared back at Kat. "Everyone knows Kims." She glared at Kims. "I hate freelancers."
"Only because you never know who you can trust," Kims said, pulling a katana out from the slit in her dress. "Doesn't matter now. You failed Brown's assignment. I'm here to finish it."
"You can try," Melissa said, her hands balling into fists.
Kims got into a warrior pose. Her katana shined in the florescent lighting. Then she lunged at Melissa. She swung the katana. Melissa dotted out of its way. Kims jabbed the katana at her. Melissa managed to hop out of reach. Her back hit the wall. Kims stabbed at Melissa. Melissa ducked. The katana stabbed the green wall.
Melissa looked behind Kims. Kat ran right at them. Kims was busy with the katana. As Kat made it to them, Kims pulled out the katana. She turned around and swung it, barely missing Kat.
Melissa punched Kims in the stomach. Kims fell back. Melissa shot up quickly. Kims straightened out and roundhouse kicked Melissa into the wall. She fell down to the floor. Her back felt like it was on fire. She could not see anything due to her hair being in the way. She moved her hair out of her face. She met a kick in her face and fell back.
Kims slapped Kat away. Melissa saw Kat fall to the floor. Melissa felt all hope leave her again as unconsciousness begged her mind to rest.
As Kims approached her with the katana, Melissa gave into it. She hoped it would take her to where Randy was. Everything went black.
Melissa remembered being blinded by tight.
Daniel Carter, Randy's archenemy who was thought dead, came flying out of a green wormhole. Moments before, Professor Brown had revealed himself as a Kromagg agent as manta ships slid onto Earth Prime. Brown had a cyberaid and Humaggs to help him capture Randy. Now Daniel cut through them like a knife through paper. He focused on his target: Randy. Randy was on the grass of Golden Gate Park. His eyes widened in shock.
"No," Randy whispered.
Daniel looked down at him. His hand aimed the laser at Randy's chest. A smirk graced his face.
"What did you expect?" Daniel asked. "Someone else to kill you?"
Randy's body shook. "You're dead. Mr. Stone killed you!"
"He never knew of my deal with Pryce."
Melissa looked around. Brown was out behind Daniel. Randall sat near Randy. He was in shock as much as Randy was. Kat had run off when the Kromaggs attacked. It was only her to watch. Watch as Daniel approached Randy. Randy's eyes widened as Daniel grew closer.
"You can't be here!" Randy yelled. "You're dead!"
"No," Daniel said, aiming his laser, "YOU are."
Then it happened. Like two great beasts battling for dominance, Daniel and Randy moved as one. They found over the laser. Randy grabbed at the gun's handle. Daniel snatched the laser away. Randy grabbed Daniel's arm. The laser went off, cutting through Randy's chest.
"Randy!" Melissa found herself yelling.
Then Melissa was away from there. Her feet ran away as she heard laserfire around her. She turned a corner and ran right into the Humaggs' hands. She was not alone. Kat was there with tears in her eyes.
The Humaggs had lasers. They aimed at her. They snarled with their pointy white teeth. She fainted.
"Ah!"
Melissa shot up. She stared around her. She was not back on her Earth again. She was in a bed in a motel. Kat sat next to the bed. Her eyes brightened as she saw Melissa was up.
"She is awake," Kat said.
Melissa looked past Kat. Professor Brown., Paige, and Randall sat around the television. They stood up.
"It is about time," Brown said. "I was seriously worried."
"I don't see why," Randall said. "Your doctor friend said give her a day's rest. She now has it."
"Better safe than sorry, Heim," Brown replied.
"Are you all right?" Kat asked.
"Uh...yeah," Melissa asked. "Where's Kims?"
"Good question," Paige said as she approached the bed with the others. "The kitten here would not give us head or tails on the Asian bombshell."
Kat glared over her shoulder at Paige. "She escaped. Happy?"
"Not really," Paige shot back. "Means she might be back."
Kat turned back to face Melissa. She reached out and held Melissa's hand. She smiled weakly.
"Nae, she will nae," Kat said.
Paige frowned. "Meaning?"
"Later, Paige," Randall said. He stared at Melissa. "Are you good to leave?"
Melissa frowned. "Good to know you care." She sat up. "Yeah. I'm good for the slide."
"Now if you could find a way to your homeworld," Brown commented.
Randall glared. "Did you forget your Randy Heim created a cloaking shield for my world?"
"Find a way around it," Brown said. "Your group has the coordinates for Earth...my Earth. I do intend on going back."
Melissa looked down at the floor. Her Earth. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But her choice had finally be made. She was going home to face the past she had just dreamt of. She had to save her world.
A beep got Melissa's attention. Randall pulled out a calculator-shaped device. He aimed it at the bathroom door. Light shot from it. It hit the door, causing it to dissolve into a blue wormhole.
Paige ran for the wormhole. She jumped into it and vanished. A whir sounded off.
Kat followed her into the wormhole. She vanished. A whir sounded through the room again.
Randall ran for the wormhole as Melissa stood up off the bed. As he vanished into the wormhole, Melissa found her eyes falling on the television. There was a news report on it. She could not make out the words, but a picture of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was on it with Ben Loveland mentioning the new secret film.
Melissa smirked. She should have known another agent would be sent in.
Melissa looked at Professor Brown. He held out a hand.
"You coming, Miss Clark?" Brown yelled.
Melissa grabbed Brown's hand. Together they jumped into the wormhole and vanished.
The first thing Kat remembered was waking to find Kims over Melissa's unconscious body in the restroom at the party.
Kims held up the katana. Her angle was set up to cut off Melissa's head.
Kat shot up. She ran toward Kims. Kims turned around, the look of surprise on her face. It left, replaced with a look full of malice. She swung the katana at Kat, aiming for Kat's neck. Kat ducked the swing. Then she fell to the floor, swung a leg out, and smiled. The leg tripped Kims. Kims fell to the floor, the katana falling from her hand.
Kat jumped on Kims quickly. She grabbed the katana and held it to Kims's throat. Kims stared up and smiled.
"Well, look at the kitten," Kims said. "I guess you're going to kill me, but wait! You government types don't kill."
Kat felt a smirk on her lips. "You assume I work for the government."
"Still," Kims said, her face blank. "You wouldn't risk a body."
"People would assume it was for a movie," Kat shot back.
Sweat filled Kims's forehead. Kat stared at it. It was the first sign that Kims was nervous about how this would turn out.
"I know Clark," Kims muttered. "If you are a friend of hers, you can't kill."
Kat felt her jaw drop. Kims watched with concern.
"How about you let me go?" Kims asked. "No one has to know?"
Kat stared into Kims's eyes. They appeared sincere. Kat smirked.
"No," Kat said, "I dinna think so."
Then Kat brought the blade of the katana down on Kims's neck. The head fell away with a trail of blood following.
"Ah!"
Kat shot up, gasping for air. She stared around the motel room the sliders were in now. Paige and Randall were asleep in a bed next to her own. Melissa was also asleep on the couch. Next to Melissa was Professor Brown, his head tilted to the right in the chair he went to sleep in.
No one knew about Kat's dream. Therefore no one knew what she did to Miashuyhi Kims. In the end, no one knew what Kat had become in the last three months.
Her secret safe, Kat laid back down on the bed. A smile crept onto her face as she remembered killing Miashuyhi Kims. Now they were on a new world full of new targets. New kills. Her smile grew wider.
THE-END
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