Laughter filled Randy Heim's head. He sat up from the ground and looked around. A smile crept over his face.
  Melissa Clark laughed as she spun around the grassy field. She stopped spinning and smiled at Randy. Her black hair encircled her like a cloak.
  "How..." Randy started.
  Melissa ran to him and hugged him. " I don't know, but I'm glad I'm here."
  Randy gave into the hug. "So am I."
  He pulled away from her. Daniel Carter smiled back at him.
  "Don't you remember Cassandra's warming?" Daniel taunted. "You two will never see each other again." He raised a knife. "I'll to that."
  "Heim!"

  Randy jumped out of his sleep. Professor Darnell Brown sat next to him on the bed. Randy stared around him. He was not in a field. He was in his bed in the Dominion Hotel.
  "Mr. Heim, we are about to slide in two minutes," Professor Brown said. "Get up."
  Randy jumped out of the bed. As he pulled on his clothes, he looked over at Professor Brown. He did not seem to care that Randy was screaming.
  "So...are the others ready?" Randy asked, attempting small talk.
  "Mr. Hall and Miss Rye are ready," Brown replied. "We just wait for you."
  "That's good to know," Randy said, sitting down to put on his shoes.
  "What did you expect?"
  Randy's ears shot up. His dreams started with that very question weeks ago. Now they hinted at something darker. His death maybe?
  "Friends,' Randy replied to Brown's question. He sat up. "Let's go."

  Randy fell out of the vortex. He landed in the sink. It closed behind him.
  He stared about to see the others were already adjusting. They did not seem to care in the least. Randy tried to follow.
  "Uh...guys," Randy said. "I'm stuck."
  The other sliders turned back to stare at him. Kat's eyes narrowed on him and she stormed out of the restroom. Brown's eyes filled with contempt and he followed her. Richard watched both of them and rolled his eyes. He headed over to Randy and helped him out.
  "Thanks," Randy managed.
  "Anytime, Egghead," Richard said. "Think we're home?"
  "If that makes the Professor happy," Randy said, heading for the door.
  "Proper has been on edge," Richard admitted.
  Randy only nodded as he walked out of the restroom door. He knew why Professor Brown was edgy. However, he had to keep it a secret.
  Randy looked around. They were in the Student Union on campus. Students ran about. Some ate food. Others were in little study groups. All of them were busy.
  One thing caught Randy's eyes. It was Melissa. She sat at a table a little bit away kissing Richard.
  "What in the world!" Randy exclaimed.
  "Yes, it is quite a shock," Professor Brown muttered beside him.
  A figure stormed over. Randy recognized his roommate Ben Loveland. He picked Richard up and threw him onto the table.
  "Hey!" Richard's double shrieked.
  "What are you doing with my girl?" Ben shot back.
  Melissa shot up. "What? What do you mean your girl?"
  "This isn't happening!" Richard exclaimed. "No way!"
  "What is it, Mr. Hall?" Brown demanded.
  "Oh my God!" Randy exclaimed as memory dawned on him.
  "Out with it already," Brown hissed.
  "We did it again," Randy said. "We slid to a world with a a slower axis. We slid to a world before we first started sliding."


I FOUND THE GATEWAY! I FOUND A WAY TO TRAVEL BETWEEN WORLDS. WHERE IT'S THE SAME TIME, SAME PLACE, DIFFERENT DIMENSION. FOR TWO YEARS, MY FRIENDS AND I SEARCHED FOR HOME. OUR ENEMIES ARE CLOSING IN...NOW THE QUESTION IS...DO WE GO HOME?

SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 3
EPISODE 5: WHAT IF REPRISE

  "I dinna understand," Kat said as the four sliders walked through the campus. "Ye did this before?"
  "Yes, Miss Rye," Brown replied. "Once we slid to a world where the Earth's rotation was slower than our normal world. As a result, while to everyone else it was the current date...to us the world was ten years younger."
  "Like memories to us," Richard said.
  Brown paused. "And now it comes to this. We are back to a time before we slid. What are our options?"
  "I'm going to see Nicole," Richard replied.
  "What?" Randy said.
  "Oh...as if you're not going to see Melissa," Richard shot back.
  "I agree," Brown said. "We should do anything within our power to make sure tomorrow never happens."
  "Why?" Randy challenged. "Why stop it?"
  Brown's eyes narrowed at Randy. "Are you mad? Have you forgotten what has been lost? Miss Clark? Miss Harris? Our lives? Have you forgotten our enemies?"
  "No, I haven't," Randy said. "In fact, I'm heading to the dorm to work on that very thing."
  "By warning your double?" Brown asked, his hands on his hips. "Does that accomplish anything?"
  "Yes," Randy said. "You always say that I'm reckless. now...he'll know what he's getting into."
  "Uh...gentlemen..." Kat spoke up.
  "It is excellent that you listen to me," Brown said, ignoring Kat. "How about you understand that your double will be in lesser danger if he does not slide?"
  "Sliding is not evil, Professor!"
  Brown corked an eyebrow. "Really, Mr. Heim? Does that excuse the blood on your hands? Does that make you feel less guilty?"
  Randy felt his eyes narrowed. "You're wrong."
  "But you have blood on your hands," Brown continued. "Miss Harris. Miss Clark. Mine."
  "Whatever do ye mean, Professor Brown?" Kat asked.
  Brown shook his head. "Nothing."
  "Good," Kat replied, "because Richard is vanished."
  Randy looked around the campus courtyard. Kat was right. Richard was nowhere to be seen.

  Has it been that long? Richard thought. Two years ago, his voyage had begun. it was so different then. He was such a con. He fooled Melissa some. He even fooled Egghead and Proper. Most of all, he fooled himself into thinking sliding was a blessing. He saw sliding as an escape from his problems. He could have things his way. In the end, everyone paid for his stupidity. Especially Nicole, his first love. Now all he wanted to do was make up for a death that was really his fault.
  He knocked on the door in front of him now. He heard movement. His stomach flip-flopped. The old Richard would be able to pull this off. Now he was nervous.
  The door flew open. Nicole Harris stood with the door open and a shocked look on her face. Her black hair fell across her tank top like a mossy tree. Her eyes looked really conflicted.
  "Richard?" Nicole managed.
  "Hi," Richard said, sheepishly.
  "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since..."
  "...last year," Richard finished, looking down at his feet. "When I asked you to..."
  "Yeah," Nicole said shortly.
  Richard looked into Nicole's brown eyes. The confusion in them had subsided and became an anger. Richard wished he could take the past back.
  "I...really need to talk to you," Richard said. "Can I stay the night?"
  Nicole narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"
  "I have nowhere else to go."
  "So that's what this is about?" Nicole shot out. "Same old Richard! Use a girl for fun and leave her when things get serious! Forget you!"
  Nicole swung the door. Richard quickly placed his foot in the opening. The door stayed open, but Richard had to fight back the urge to scream.
  "It's not like that!" Richard yelled. "It never was with you!"
  "Easy to say now," Nicole replied. "What about our unborn baby?"
  "I wish we had had Brandon," Richard said.
  The door flew back open. Nicole's face was a face of surprise.
  "What did you say?" Nicole asked.
  "If it was a boy...I wanted to name it Brandon," Richard said. He put his whole tall body in the doorway. Nicole backed away a little. "I think about it...him every day. Please...can I come in? I really need to talk to you."
  Nicole moved away from the doorway, opening the door up wider as she did. She waved her arm out toward the house.
  "Come in," Nicole said.

  Randy sat at the computer and typed away. It had been a while since he had seen his equipment. It was quite the rush.
  Ben would be out mooning over his failed date for a little while. His double would be gone for another two hours exploring the potential in the portable timer. That gave him enough time to work on upgrading Logan's timer.
  Randy smiled. If this worked, they would not have any more problems with Daniel or Mr. Stone.
  There was a knock on the door. Randy mentally kicked himself. He had forgotten about that. He walked over to the door and opened it.
  Melissa frowned. She reached out and messed with his hair.
  "God, there you are!" Melissa exclaimed. "You won't believe what happened!"
  "Uh...Melissa...I"m kinda busy..." Randy started.
  Melissa put her hands on her hips. "Too busy for your best friend? Come on!"
  Randy didn't know what to say. He knew that there was a time he would bow down to her and listen. Too much had happened between him and the real Melissa. Could he stand being in a room and not touch her?
  Melissa pushed past Randy taking the choice from him. Randy sighed sadly and shut the door. He turned around to see that Melissa had sat on his clean bed. She frowned at him.
  "Does Ben ever clean up his side of the room?" Melissa asked.
  Randy sat down on Ben's unmade bed. He stared across at Melissa. She looked so beautiful with her black hair over one of her shoulders. He wanted to reach out and touch her...
  "Are you listening to me?" Melissa barked.
  Randy shook his head. "Uh...sorry...I was thinking of an idea for a project."
  Melissa rolled her eyes. "It figures. Men!"
  Randy reached out and touched her hair. "Okay. I'm listening. Talk."
  Melissa looked down at Randy's hand on her own hand. She stared at him surprised.
  "Uh..okay," Melissa said.

  Brown headed out of the Dominion as soon as he thought Kat was sleep. He made it back over to the campus. The Physics building was open as he knew it was. His double was there as well. It was the same as before. He was focused on his work.
  Brown knocked on the door lightly. His double looked up and gasped. He dropped the cup of coffee in his hand. It shattered into pieces.
  "What is the name of all that is holy!" Brown's double remarked.
  "I know you are a very intelligent man, Mr. Brown," Brown said. "Several theories must have immediately sprung to mind. Even ridiculous soap opera ones."
  His double stood up. "I must confess to that last one. So what madness is this?"
  "Einstein-Rosen-Polodsky Bridge," Brown said.
  "Ha! Good," his double replied.
  "I met someone who has crossed it," Brown explained. "In fact, you will meet him tomorrow."
  "How-"
  "Trust me. You will get a message from Mr. Randy Heim. Do not go."
  "What?" the double exclaimed. "Why?"
  "Because if you go tomorrow," Brown said, "you will die."

  The smell of bacon aroused Richard's sleepy head. He sat up on the couch. It took his mind a few seconds to remember the previous night.
  "I knew bacon would wake you up."
  Richard turned around. Nicole stood in the doorway. In her hands was two sandwiches. He realized them well. Nicole managed a smile as she sat beside him.
  "I see you remember our BLTs," Nicole said.
  "How could I forget?" Richard said. "You working at that deli...best thing to happen to us."
  Richard picked up one of the sandwiches and bit into it.
  "And we both know the worst thing," Nicole muttered.
  Richard stopped biting. He put the sandwich down. He looked over at Nicole. She looked down at her feet. She looked so sad. Richard raised a hand to touch her cheek. Nicole shot up from the couch quickly.
  "Why are you even here?" Nicole snapped. "You haven't wanted to see me since-"
  "I know," Richard cut Nicole off. "I'm so sorry about that. I've changed."
  "I bet."
  "Really."
  "Does your frat know?"
  Richard stood up. "Let's not talk about that."
  Richard tried to hold Nicole in his arms, but Nicole moved away from him. Her eyes narrowed on Richard. There was annoyance in those eyes.
  "What would you like to talk about, Richard?" Nicole asked.
  Richard felt his hands fall in his pockets. He stared helplessly at her. She put her hands on her hips.
  "Well?" Nicole demanded.
  "Do you trust me?" Richard asked.
  Nicole glared at Richard.
  "Have I ever lied to you?" Richard challenged. "Ever?"
  "No," Nicole answered. "Not that I know of."
  "Good. We need to talk."
  "About?"
  Richard nodded his head toward the door.
  "I'll explain when we get there," Richard said.
  "Where are we going?" Nicole asked.
  "Campus."
  "Why?"
  Richard glared at Nicole. "I love you okay. I never stopped. I never lied to you...EVER. Give me some trust here."
  Nicole crossed her arms over her chest. For a few moments, the two of them were silent. Their eyes stared into each other. Richard saw her eyes full of conflict. She finally sighed.
  "I'll get my coat," Nicole said as she headed for the door.
  Richard followed her. A smile crept up on his face. It felt good to be with her. Hopefully he could change fate.

  Randy knew it was a gamble. At best, he could at least come back to this world. At worst, he could fry the timer if the larger energy source he installed failed.
  However if it worked, it would be a step in the right direction.
  A knock on the door brought Randy out of his thoughts.
  "Randy!" Ben yelled from the other side of the door.
  Randy rolled his eyes. Of course, Ben would forget his keys. Everything would play out like it did before. That meant his double was about to slide in.
  Randy ignored the banging on the door as he typed on the computer. His machine snapped on and quickly formed a vortex. He jumped into it.

  Professor Darnell Brown finished listening to the message from Mr. Heim. He leaned back in his chair. His forehead wrinkled up. So what his...duplicate said was true. Mr. Heim had called...no doubt ready to reveal his ability to cross between dimensions. If he followed the message, his fate would be to die on some world that wold not be his own. Did he really want that?
  Brown stood up out of his chair. He grabbed his coat on the way out. He needed to go and think for a bit.
  "Professor Brown, why I say!"
  Professor Brown resisted the urge to groan. He turned to face the Englishman that headed toward him. He hated Professor William Franks.
  "Professor Franks," Professor Brown acknowledged his rival.
  "You look like some apparition was behind you," Franks said. "What is it with your being in a hurry?"
  "If you must know, I have a meeting with a student," Professor Brown said. "Now, if you will excuse me-"
  "It must be a very special student to have you in a hurry," Franks said, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes narrowed on the Professor, probing. "Do tell. What is so special?"
  "I would not know what you are talking about," Professor Brown said as he attempted to move past Franks. "Now-"
  Franks blocked his way. Brown felt his temper start to rise.
  "Come now, Brown," Franks said. "What is so special about him? He is only just a lowly American student."
  "Americans have invented quite a few things that your home country uses, Professor Franks," Professor Brown replied.
  "That might be because the inventors were of a superior breed and of a privilege you will never understand. Your kind never can."
  "MY kind?" Professor Brown snapped, his temper boiling over.
  "Why...you know what I mean," Franks said callously.
  "No, Professor Franks, I do not," Professor Brown said.
  Franks laughed. "All I mean, old hen is that your students have many accomplishments that will always put your own students of obvious like mind to horrid shame."
  "You idiot!" Professor Brown exploded. "You know nothing of achievement! I have a student right now w ho has figured out a way to cross the Einstein-Rosen-Polodsky Bridge! Do you have a student who can compare?"
  As soon as Professor Brown said it, he wished he could take it back. Professor Franks stared back at him with a smirk on his face.
  "Do tell, Professor Brown," Franks said. "I am all ears."

  Kat wandered around the campus. It was a new experience to her. Her father had sent her to a girls academy on her own world. This idea of...college was new to her. There were people chatting about classes and tests. There were guys tossing a football in the clearing to her left. She saw a few couples sitting around.
  She paused. Richard was sitting near a tree with a dark-haired woman. They looked quite comfy. Kat wondered if she was the Nicole Harris she had heard so much about.
  She started to walk away when it hit her. Richard looked really happy which probably meant he thought he would get some sex. That made her angry. How could he use someone like that?
  She had an idea.

  Richard stared over at her. Nicole sat next to him under the tree. Their h ands were intertwined. She looked down at their h ands with a questioning glance in them.
  "I don't know how to do this," Richard said. "I did a bad thing."
  "Oh, that's never a good sentence coming from your mouth," Nicole said.
  "It's not," Richard said. "It's really bad. So bad...that I'm going to have to leave."
  Nicole stared up at Richard. Her eyes searched Richard's eyes for what he was trying to say.
  "I love you," Richard said. "I'm sorry for putting you through hell last year. I think about the past a lot now...especially since I'm leaving. My biggest regret-"
  "Richard Hall, there ye are!"
  Richard looked up to see Kat approach. She put her hands on her hips and glared at Nicole.
  "And who is this hussy?" Kat demanded.
  "Who are you?" Nicole asked.
  "Why...I am Richard's girlfriend...hussy," Kat said. "Back off of my man!"
  Richard looked at Nicole. "That's not true! This is a-"
  Nicole snatched her hand away from Richard's hand. She shot up before he could stop her.
  "I should have known!" Nicole snapped. "Another joke! I should have trusted my judgment! You haven't changed at all!"
  "Och, I begged to differ, lass," Kat continued. "He's a wee animal between the sheets."
  Nicole glared at Richard. She stormed away without another word.
  Richard stared at Kat in disbelief. Kat crossed her arms over her chest. A smirk crossed her face.
  "What did you do that for?" Richard demanded.
  Kat said nothing.
  "Okay, the mute act may work on Egghead, but I'm different," Richard said.
  Kat suppressed a giggle.
  "Do you not realize who that was? That was Nicole. I love her. When I vanish, she will come searching for me. She will die because of it. Do you know how it feels to watch your lover die and you're not able to save them? They're in front of you and you can't do a thing."
  "Aye...my double," Kat finally spoke.
  "A double! Ha!" Richard laughed bitterly. "She got off with a flesh wound."
  Kat swung a hand out and slapped Richard. He glared back at her.
  "Isn't that what got her killed in the first place?" Richard said.
  "You-" Kat started.
  "I'm talking!" Richard cut her off. "Nicole was dropped in acid! Acid! As in skin completely burned off in seconds! Bone tore to bits...in front of me! I couldn't do a thing! I'm trying to save this one. Do you understand or were you pampered so much you don't have a heart?"
  Kat said nothing. She looked at her feet.
  "Nothing to say?" Richard asked. "No? Good. Now if you'd excuse me...I already have two girls' blood on my hands. I won't have another."
  Richard stormed away without another word. he headed for Nicole's house. He only hoped she was there.

  Brown made it out of the Dominion Hotel without incident. He was deeply worried. His double had not been in his office. He hoped that he had not been reckless and went to Mr. Heim's dorm room.
  He opened the door of the hotel room and walked in. it was dark in the room. As Brown turned on the light, he wondered where the others were at.
  The light came on. Brown gasped at the sight before him. It was him. A double. As the double grinned at him, Brown felt a shiver go up his spine. He knew who it was. It was his Other.
  "Professor Darnell Brown, how nice it is to see you again," the Other said. His grin vanished. "Shut the door."
  Brown hesitated.
  The Other sighed in annoyance. "Fine! Mr. Hall...if you will."
  Brown dotted for the door. It was already shutting on him. Richard's Other stood behind the door. His hand shutting the door.
  "Much slower than you, Brown," OtherRichard said.
  "Don't test me," Brown said.
  "Why is that?" OtherBrown challenged. "You did not have the strength to finish us on our world. What makes this different?"
  "I am sure you know of the proverbial cat in a backed corner," Brown said, turning to face him. "They have a way of surprising their enemies."
  "Yes, I do," the Other said. "I am sure you know of the proverbial rock and a hard place. Mr. Hall!"
  Brown turned to look at OtherRichard. He held an electrical pole that he shot at Brown. Brown screamed as electricity filled every part of his body.
  "Stone," Brown managed before he passed out.

  Randy shot back out of the vortex. He landed on his feet. A smile spreaded over his face. The experiment had worked.
  A click brought Randy's mind to reality. He looked around.
  Randy realized three things. He was not in his dorm room. A lot of men had guns aimed at him. His double stood somewhere behind the men with Melissa and Richard.
  "By jeeves! It works!"
  Randy looked to the left. There stood Professor Brown along with Professor William Franks. They both look like kids on Christmas morning.
 "Of course, it worked," Professor Brown replied to Franks. "He is one of my students after all."
  "An oversight," Franks commented.
  "Why, you-" Professor Brown started.
  "Enough!" one of the men with a gun barked. "I allowed you two to be here, but this is now of Federal interest." He looked back at Melissa, Richard, and Randy's double. "You three are free to go."
 "Wait!" Randy's double said, pointing to Richard's double. "What about him? He tried to steal my machine! Can't you arrest him?"
  "Hey! It wasn't what it looked like!" Richard's double protested. "I was framed!"
  "Whatever!" Melissa's double replied.
  "Is that your way of saying yes to a date?" Richard's double asked.
  Melissa rolled her eyes and stormed out. Richard was right behind her. Randy could not contain his smile. it was hard to believe the real Richard and Melissa were no longer like that.
  "What about my machine?" Randy's double asked.
  "It is now government property," the man who had spoken earlier said.
  "Now, Mr. Stern-" Brown started.
  "I could not agree more, Agent Stern," Franks cut Brown off. "To have that wondrous device in the hands of a novice would be a dangerous consideration."
  "But it's mine!" Randy's double protested.
  "And if we need your help, we will contact you," Stern said. "You may go."
  Randy watched his double shiver in frustration. He wished he could do something.
  "It is his machine," Randy spoke up. "He should stay. Who would know it better?"
  "We would, of course," Franks said.
  Randy laughed. "You barely know which side of the street to drive on."
  Professor Brown laughed at that comment. Franks huffed in annoyance. Randy studied Stern's face. It was blank.
  "There is more going on than you know," Randy said, crossing his arms over his chest. "This world is in danger. You want my help...the double stays."
  "Why, you reckless-" Franks started.
  "Shut up!" Stern barked. He faced Randy now. "No tricks."

  Richard knocked on the door. There was no sound of movement. He knocked again, but he got the same response.
  He turned away from the door. He wondered where she was. He headed down the walk.
  Kat stood at the end of the walk. He paused for a second. Then he resumed walking.
  "Rich-"
  "Not talking to you," Richard said as he walked past her.
  "I am deeply sorry," Kat said from behind him.
  "Must be since you're talking," Richard commented down the stairs.
  "Will ye wait?"
  Richard turned to face her. Her eyes pleaded with him. His eyes narrowed anyway.
  "For what?" Richard demanded. "For you to act like you care? We both know that's bull!"
  "Maybe I do," Kat said.
  "Ha! That's rich!"
  "I dinna think ye could care aboot anyone but yuirself," Kat said, sitting on the stairs. "Ye really appear to care for this one."
  "Yeah," Richard said, "I do."
  "I want to help ye find her," Kat said.
  "No way!" Richard said. "A trick!"
  Kat shot up. "No! No trick! If ye care, then I do."
  Richard did not know what to say. Kat put a hand on his shoulder.
  "Please," Kat begged.
  "Want to help me around campus?" Richard asked.

  Randy's eyes widened from his desk.
  "Kromaggs?" he exclaimed.
  Randy nodded from his own desk. "Yeah. While most of that army is gone, they are regrouping and someday they will strike. I slide and try to warn worlds."
  "Cool," his double answered. He went back to his work at his desk.
  Randy looked around the large white room Stern had put them in. He had given them separate desks. he also had placed a lot of machinery in the room. Randy looked over at the wall to his right. They were also watched constantly by either Professor Brown and/or Franks.
  Randy looked back over at his double He had already told him a lot of half-truths. Should he really tell them the truth? That he had friends? That danger was on its way in the form of Mr. Stone? That he might die before he made it home?
  "So...you really want to do this?" Randy asked his double.
  "Why wouldn't I?" his double asked back. "There are so many different worlds out there. So close, but at the same time so far away. And I solved the puzzle of how to get to them."
  "And what about the dangers?" Randy asked.
  "Dangers?"
  Randy turned around in his seat again. His double did it at the same time so they stared eye-to-eye. Randy saw the awe and wonder in them. He wondered where his own was.
  "Yes," Randy replied. "What if you can't get home? What if you interfere too much in a worlds' affairs? What if you had lost a friend?"
  Randy's double shrugged his shoulders. "I hope n one of that happens, but my machine is foolproof. I will always be able to get home."
  Randy turned back to his desk and continued to work on the device in his hand. "What if I told you this had happened before?"
  "How so?" his double asked.
  "Eventually...if things had gone the way it should have, you would have slid to a world where the world's axis spun slower. Because of that, from a slider's perspective-"
  "Slider?"
  Randy turned to glared at his double. His double looked down at his feet.
  "Sorry," his double said.
  "Anyway, from your perspective the world would be events that happened to you years ago while the time is today...this date."
  "Sounds intriguing."
  Randy stared into his double's eyes. "Depends on how you see your past. I did what you did. I invited Melissa and Professor Brown to see the machine. What I didn't count on was Richard."
  His double frowned. "You mean that jerk that was in my room before the Feds showed up?"
  "Yeah," Randy answered. "He's a jerk at first, but he gets better. Turns out Bufford blackmailed him with jail time into getting him to steal your machine."
  "Sounds soap operaish. Why would Bufford do that?"
  Randy gave his double a 'are-you-stupid?' look. His double smiled.
  "Competition," they both said.
  Randy laughed. "Yeah. Bufford was determined to be better than us. He fails."
  "That's good to know," Randy's double said with a laugh.
  Randy stopped laughing. "However, you lose the coordinates to get home. Others follow you and as a result, an innocent girl dies."
  Randy's double lost the smile on his face. Randy leaned in closer.
  "You and Melissa get together, but after you become exclusive she gets kidnapped and you never find her. Also the Professor comes down with a disease. He's dying. Then...you find out you're going to die, too."
  Randy's double's face went pale. He looked down at his feet again. Randy turned back around to his desk again and turned back to face his double again. He held up the timer in his hand.
  "Here," Randy said. "While you were exploring the multiverse, I created a way to keep people from tracking you...that is...if you decide to slide again."
  Randy's double reluctantly took the timer. For a second, their hands touched. Their eyes met, Randy saw that the double understood the risk now. His double leaned back in his chair. His hands were in his laps. He looked down at his feet.
  "So," his double started, "Melissa falls in love with you...us...not Ben or Thief Boy?"
  Randy leaned back in his chair. He managed a small smile. "Yeah. And you love her."
  "And you?"
  "I love her with all my heart. I won't go home without her. I will find her."
  Randy's double looked up at Randy, studying him. And in order to find her, you have to get out of here so..."
  Randy's double turned around to his desk. He snatched up what appeared to be a remote and aimed it at a wall. Lightning shot from it. The wall turned into a round green ball of light.
  "You don't have much time!" the double yelled. "Go!"
  Randy stared at his double for a second. Then he jumped into the green vortex.

  Kat sat down at the table in the Student Union. She sighed in frustration. For hours, she had searched campus for Nicole Harris. Now she wanted to rest.
  She put her hands out over the table. As she stretched, Kat closed her eyes. Her mind thought about Richard. He really seem to care about this girl. Maybe he was a nice human being after-
  Hands closed over Kat's hands. She opened her eyes. The gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it. Daniel Carter sat in front of her with a smile on his face.
  "Hello, my love," Daniel said. "I have you back at last."

  Richard gave up on the campus a long time ago. He knew he would not find Nicole there. He knew where she might be.
  He saw her in the diner window. She sipped from a cup in front of her. her eyes appeared tired. Her black hair hanged from one shoulder. Richard smiled at the thought.
  He walked into the diner and made it to her table.
 "Good to see you remember the old place," Richard commented.
  Nicole looked up at that statement. A small smile spreaded across her face.
  "It's the old hangout," Nicole said. "Of course, I would remember it."
  Richard sat down in front of Nicole. She glared at him.
  "Did I say you could sit?" Nicole demanded.
  Richard shrugged his shoulders. "When have I ever listened to others?"
  "True," Nicole said. "Then...I'll leave."
  "Nicole, wait!"
  "For what? Another one of your lies to pop out?"
  "It's not like that."
  "Then what is it like?"
  "I've changed...really."
  Nicole laughed bitterly. "Explain your little girlfriend."
  "She's not my girlfriend!" Richard protested. "She's a girl who was upset by a joke I played on her."
  Nicole stared at Richard. She looked like she was fighting tears from falling out. Richard wished he could make that pain go away.
 "How do I know you're not doing the same to me?" Nicole whispered.
  Richard leaned in and stared at her. "Because I love you. I always have."
  "You say that too easily."
  "That's because it's true. I always could open up to you that easily. You know that."
  Nicole looked down at the cup in front of her. Richard reached out and touched her hand.
  "I have to vanish," Richard said. "I...I'm not coming back...ever. I got in too much trouble and I have to do the right thing. I want you to know...not to follow me. You'll get in trouble."
  "What kind of trouble are you in?" Nicole asked.
  "The kind...that's secret," Richard replied.
  "Oh."
  Richard stood up. "If you never hear from me around the time Brandon...I'm probably in...making amends. Don't come looking for me."
  Richard headed for the door of the diner. A hand touched his shoulder. He turned around to see Nicole. She leaned in and kissed him. He kissed her back passionately. He knew it would be the last time.
  Nicole pulled away. "You...take care. Thanks...for being honest."
  "Always," Richard said.
  He turned back around to the door. A smile crept over his face. For the first time in a while, he felt happy. No, he felt redeemed.

  Randy opened the door to his room at the Dominion.
  "Guys, I-" he started.
  He paused. The room was in shambles. Furniture was scattered all over. The table had been smashed. Dark marks were in the carpet.
  Randy stepped into the room. He saw a figure near the turned-over couch. He ran to it.
  "Professor!" Randy cried.
  Professor Brown laid on the floor. Bruises were on his arms. His shirt and pants looked ragged. His blood covered the run, darkening it.
  Randy kneeled down beside Professor Brown. He held up one of the Professor's hand. He searched for a pulse, but couldn't find one.
  "So did I do well?"
  Randy turned back toward the door. It closed on him, revealing the speaker. It was Brown's Other. He smirked at Randy.
  "You!" Randy said.
  "Oh, he's not alone."
  Randy looked toward his bedroom. Richard's Other stood in the open door. he smirked at Randy as he patted an electrical pole in his hand.
  "What are you doing here?" Randy demanded.
  "Cleansing this world of sliders, of course!" Brown's Other said. "As much as I would enjoy killing you like I did my duplicate...we have our orders."
  "Oh, really?" Randy asked. "Then I guess I can do...THIS!"
  Randy reached for the chair. He tossed it at Richard's Other. As the Other was distracted, Randy dotted for Richard's bedroom. The fire escape was outside his window. He could escape and find the others.
  Randy opened the door. He dotted through it. His chest hit an electrical pole. As electricity shot through him, Randy recognized his attacker as Melissa's Other.
  "Surprise!"

  Agent Stern glared at Randy. He crossed his arms over his chest. He stared back at the agent.
  "I have no idea," Randy said.
  "Oh...so you construct a little teleporting device, but you don't know where it goes?" Stern said. "Bull!"
  "That's my story and I'm sticking with it," Randy replied.
  Stern's face became red. He lunged at Randy's chair. His arms grabbed the armrest. His eyes burned holes into Randy's eyes.
  "We have been through this for hours now, boy," Stern said. "Do you ever want to get out of here? If not, I can find a nice cell in Washington."
  "Bite me," Randy replied.
  "Be reasonable, Mr. Heim," Professor Brown said from behind Stern. "Surely, you want to get back to your endeavors."
  "Yes," Mr. Franks said. "Who knows what danger you leave us open to by being silent."
  Suddenly, a green vortex opened behind the Professors. Randy's eyes widened as three figures emerged from it. The one figure in the middle focused on him. His eyes narrowed under the blond hair.
  "Randy Heim, I am Daniel Carter," the figure said. "You...have made a fatal mistake."

  Richard pushed through the Dominion door. He took one look at the destroyed furniture and stared about. His eyes focused on Professor Brown.
  "Proper!" Richard managed.
  Brown gave no response. Richard ran to the different bedroom. He paused at his bedroom door. Randy was out cold on the floor. Kat was laid on the bed.
  "Egghead!" Richard yelled. He turned him over. Randy did not move a bit.
  "Egghead!" Richard said again. He still got no response. He knew there was only one thing to do.
  He slapped Randy.
  He did it again. He got a grunt. He smiled at that. It meant he was alive at least.
  Richard aimed his hand again. He started to swing. A hand caught it. Randy opened his eyes.
  "You...having too much fun with that," Randy managed.
  "This surprises you," Richard replied.
  "Nae. "Tis not."
  Richard looked over at the bed. Kat sat up in it now.
  "Are you okay?" Randy asked.
  "Just...surprised," Kat said. "Daniel..."
  "Nutso's here?" Richard asked.
  "He's not alone," Randy said. "The Others are here, too."
  "Sounds like a party," Richard said. "Looks like Proper paid the price."
  "Professor!"
  Randy shot up and ran out of the room. Richard was right behind him. Randy was picking Brown up.
  "We have to get him to a hospital," Randy said.
  "Egghead-" Richard started.
  "I'm not losing anyone else, Richard!" Randy barked.
  A green vortex shot open near Randy's bedroom. A figure shot out. Richard recognized it as a double of Randy. A metal chip was on his forehead. Richard had only sat it once. It was used to erase specific parts of the brain that could unlock the secret of sliding.
  Two figures emerged from the green wormhole. It was OtherBrown and OTherRichard. They laughed.
  "I always did hate Franks," OtherBrown said. "It was fun to gut him and-"
  OtherBrown stopped talking as his eyes fell on the sliders. His eyes narrowed, OtherRichard smirked.
  "Well, well," he said.
  Two more figures emerged from the wormhole. Ir was Daniel Carter and OtherMelissa. The wormhole closed behind them.
  "Look who woke up?" OtherMelissa said.

  Daniel's eyes narrowed on randy's eyes. Randy could see the hatred in them. He looked down at his double. His look matched the look Bufford had back on Stone's world. He might as well be dead.
  "How do you like it?" Daniel asked, gesturing to Randy's double's fate.
  "Why?" Randy demanded.
  "That is Mr. Stone's goal after all," Daniel said. "Mine? To kill you...and your family. How am I doing?"
  "Daniel, how could ye?" Kat asked. "This is naething like the man I knew."
  "Oh, Katherine," Daniel said, slowly approaching.
  Kat backed away. Daniel paused.
  "You can't be afraid of me?" Daniel said. "I would never hurt you."
  "No. You settle for her family, right?" Richard joined in.
  "You defending these losers now?" OtherRichard asked. "Wow...you changed."
  "Death can do that."
  OtherBrown nodded. "I agree with that. How about we test it on you?"
  "How about we don't and say we did?" randy asked. "We really have to be going."
  Randy aimed the remote at the nearest wall. The wall dissolved into a green vortex. Richard did not hesitate. He jumped into the vortex.
  Kat was right behind him. She paused to stare at Daniel. His eyes gave way to begging.
  "Ye killed my da," Kat said. "I will never forgive ye for that."
  Kat vanished into the vortex. Randy held Professor brown in his arms. He glared at Daniel.
  "First strike to you!" Randy yelled. "Now it's my turn!"
  Randy jumped with Brown into the vortex. It closed after him.

  "Well?" Richard asked as he came into the hospital room.
  "No change," Randy said without looking away from the Professor.
  Randy heard a noise. A few moments later, a chair appeared next to his. Richard sat down next to him.
  "You sure they don't know we're still on this world?" Richard asked.
  "Yeah," Randy answered. "I tested the cloaking device before. It was pretty simple to install one in my double's device. I bet they're searching all over some other world." Randy put a hand in Brown's hand and squeezed it for support.
  "Hey!" Richard said. "Proper's tough. He'll pull through. He always does."
  Randy said nothing. He wondered if he should tell Richard about the nanotechs in the Professor's blood. they continued to break down his system until he would die. Only he knew.
  "He was right, you know," Randy muttered.
  Richard's eyes were on him. "What do you mean?"
  "He thought it was stupid to let my double in on what's coming," Randy continued. "now...my double is as good as dead...because I let him in on a little information." He stared at Richard. "From here on out...it's only us. US versus them. They may have the technology, but we have the smarts."
  "Where do we start then?" Richard asked.
  "We get Melissa back," Randy answered. "Then...we bring Mr. Stone down. Him and his associates. After that...I don't know about you, but I feel like going home."
  Richard smiled at that comment. Randy turned back to face Professor Brown. He smiled.
  "Yeah...we're going home at last," Randy said. "All of us."

THE-END


 

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