Wade took a final moment to look around at her surroundings, around at the pure white hospital room that had been her home for the past four months. Her gaze slowly lingered on the soft bed that lay against the side of the wall, the beautiful flowers standing tall in their vase on top of the desk, and the window that allowed the sun to shine through. It was a strange feeling, but even though she had almost died on this world, she was going to miss this place, miss the familiarity of it all, miss having something solid, something unchanging in her life.
And now she had to prepare herself to leave all of this behind, to once again slide into the unknown. The thought scared her a little. Yes, they had seen some amazing things, and had touched other's lives in many different way, but she remembered how sliding once was: remembered the danger, and the constant staying alive until the next window.
But in the midst of it all she had her friends to rely on, friends that would always help each other through the good times, and the bad. But this time was different, this time an important part of that veil of safety had been taken from her grasp. Quinn � Wade couldn't even bring herself to say it � but Quinn was gone. Or maybe still there, locked somewhere deep inside the body of Mallory, and she just did not know how she was going to cope on seeing him, day in day out, knowing this, knowing that he shared some of Quinn�s memories, but was a completely different person.
She had a lot to adjust to, but Rembrandt would always be there for her, their bond of friendship, practically unbreakable. For the past few months since she had regained consciousness, she had been catching up with him, their sense of ease gradually returning, the longer they continued to spend time together.
She had asked many questions about Mallory, Diana, and Maggie, in an attempt to make things easier for when the time came ... and that time was drawing near. Having seen her condition a week ago, (being on the last course of her therapy and walking unaided), the others had said that they would be back in another week or so, to pick both Wade and Rembrandt up.
Wade looked up as she saw Remmy finalising the last of her release papers, and thanking the doctors for all of their hard and continuous work. He soon came over to her side, a huge smile on his face. �That�s everything taken care of. The docs have released you, and you can now leave whenever you're ready. I think it might be best if we head off over to the hotel, and wait there for the others.�
Wade tried to smile. �Guess I�m as ready as I�ll ever be.�
Remmy placed his hands around her shoulders reassuringly, and together they left the hospital, and out into the bright sunlight outside. He knew that the next few days were going to be hard on her, and meeting with Mallory, together with sliding again, was going to be tough. He just had to try and be there for her, and be a shoulder for her to cry on if she needed him...
What if you could slide into a thousand different worlds?
Where it�s the same year
And you�re the same person
But everything else is different
And what if you can�t find your way home�
Starring: Cleavent Derricks as Rembrandt Brown
Kari Wuhrer as Maggie Beckett
Sabrina Lloyd as Wade Welles
Robert Floyd as Mallory
And Tembi Locke as Diana Davis
� Sliders!
�Who would have thought that these people would shun technology so much!� Said Diana, breathing hard.
�And we had just the luck to slide right into their anti-tech movement!� Mallory shook his head in defeat. �Are we unlucky or what?!�
�How much time?� Maggie called back.
Diana shifted her gaze to check the timer. �... Just under ten minutes!�
Maggie paused to listen hard, as she could faintly hear a stream from not far off. Her military training soon took over, and she quickly led the team out from the path, and into the nearby trees. The going was slow and hard, but they managed to emerge out into a clearing, following the sound of water that trickled over small pebbles. �If we go through the river the hounds will lose our scent!�
They quickly followed Maggie�s example, as she waded into the river, and followed the pull of the current as it flowed downstream. They then exited the river onto the other side of the bank, and hid behind some large bushes. It was not long after. before they could see the outline of the hounds struggling to regain their scent. The townspeople then arrived, trying to spread out over the surrounding area, but discovering that they could not find any sign of them. Reluctantly, they finally gave up on the chase.
�Now that was close.� Whispered Mallory.
The three of them finally began to relax and take a moment rest. Maggie sighed as she slowly shook her head off of the thoughts and feelings that she was experiencing. She was a feeling increasingly apprehensive about seeing Wade, especially after all that had happened since she had been lost. And about Remmy. With Wade back, it would not be long before their bond was put aside, before she was left alone once more.
Diana held up the silver Kromagg timer. �Here goes! 3 ... 2 � 1� opening!�
A stream of intense energy shot out from the timer, and a large wind picked up as the gateway slowly formed, before each of them jumped in with a flash of bright light. As always, Maggie was the last to enter, taking one last look around before jumping inside, trying to prepare herself for what was to come.
Rembrandt turned the television set on, and flicked through the programs that were currently playing. Wade and himself had just come back from doing a bit of shopping, and now were only waiting for the others to arrive. He knew that taking Wade shopping had been a good idea, as not only did it pass the time, but it had also made Wade feel better, as she livened up when buying new clothing, regaining her once vibrant self. After she picked out the clothes that she was going to wear, she had stepped into the shower to freshen up.
A sharp knock soon came to the door, and Rembrant made his way up off the couch to answer it. He suddenly smiled as he saw the three people that were waiting outside. �Maggie! Mallory! Diana!� He beamed, opening up the door wider so that they could move inside. �How have you all been?�
�Been a little hectic.� Answered Mallory, but he quickly brightened up when he spotted the food that was laying on the table. �But things are looking better!� He grinned as he rushed over to it, and started stuffing his face.
�Diana.� Rembrandt hugged her. �Hope you didn�t slide anywhere too bad.�
�Just the usual.� She smiled, laughing as Mallory scoffed down the food. �Though we have not eaten in a while.� She moved to join him by the table.
�Hi Remmy.� Said Maggie as she entered. The two friends hugged. �Wade?�
�She�s in the shower. Been really apprehensive about meeting you guys.�
�Well, she�s not the only one.�
Mallory listened in on them whilst he was eating. He was just as apprehensive as both Maggie and Wade were, maybe a little more. Memories still floated around in his head from when Quinn and her were sliding together, and he knew of the strong unspoken feelings that they possessed for one another. Feelings that were interrupted with the arrival of Maggie. Though the tension had lightened once she and Wade had bonded, it was still going to be weird between them now, as he also knew of the stronger bond that had developed between Quinn and Maggie after Wade was taken away.
�So, when do we slide?� Rembrandt asked.
�Almost twenty four hours.� Replied Diana.
�Guess that gives us some time to let things settle.�
Maggie nodded silently as she turned and looked towards the bathroom. She could only guess what was going through her mind.
Wade stood underneath the shower, unmoving and still, as she slowly began to shake, the tears beginning to fall from her eyes. They quickly escaped the confines of her eyes, running down the sides of her cheek, and merging with the streaming water. Gradually lifting up her arms, Wade felt the sides of her neck, and the markings that would always be a constant reminder of what the Kromaggs had done to her. Her gaze then shifted to her arms, and the relatively fresh stitches, more reminders of the tube connections from that dreaded machine.
Her thoughts turned once more to her home, which thanks to Remmy, was only now escaping Kromagg control. She could only hope that her parents were safe, and alive. As for Quinn � she could not even begin to think about it � she just had to see Mallory for herself. Taking her time, she slowly stepped out and dried herself off, removing all traces of her tears, before getting herself dressed, taking a long deep cleansing breath, and leaving the bathroom.
She instantly saw the four sets of eyes that watched her as she entered the room, her form hesitating slightly in the doorway, as she stood around nervously. She only began to relax slightly as Rembrandt ushered her in, placing a protective hand onto her shoulders, and leading her over to the woman who was sitting next to a computer.
�Wade, I'd like you to meet Dr Diana Davis, our relative scientist and expert physicist.�
�Hi.� Wade said, smiling a little.
�It's Nice to meet you Wade.� Diana smiled back. �We�ve heard a lot about you.�
�And a lot of you too.�
The familiar face of Maggie then came into view. �Hi Wade.�
�Maggie.� She answered, nodding her head.
�It�s been a long time, hasn't it. But I'm glad that you�re ok. You gave us a fright the last time that we met.�
Wade slowly lowered her gaze, trying to block out the memories. �... It�s ok. And it�s good to see you too.� Both women fell silent for a while, but then finally stepped forward, and they both engaged into a hug. They held onto each other for what seemed like a long time, before finally pulling apart.
Her heart was pumping faster as she knew who the next person was whom she was going to meet. She turned slowly around, seeing him standing to one side. as Wade caught glimpse of Mallory, she stared deeply into his gaze, seeing that he did look so different, and yet, yet there was obviously something about him that reminded her of him. Slowly walking towards him, Wade did not break her gaze with his eyes. Yes, she had been right, those eyes � there was definately something there, that reminded her of Quinn.
�Quinn?� She finally gained the courage to ask.
Mallory struggled to find the words. �... It feels like I already know you.�
Wade raised her hand to gently pass over the side of his face. �He�s � he�s inside of you?�
�Somewhere � locked deep inside � though I can�t seem to feel him anymore.�
Wade slowly shook her head. It was so strange, so strange to see this alternate Quinn, having theirs trapped inside of him, but retaining all of his memories. �Remmy explained to me a little about what had happened. But..." She continued to stare at him, watching him avert his gaze. "What was it like?�
Mallory hesitated for a long moment. �Strange, and slightly painful. It was like both of our consciousness� were sharing the same space in my mind, at the exact same moment in time. Then eventually, my own mind became dominant, and his retreated into the back of my mind.�
Wade continued to watch Mallory for a long time, having to fight to force back the tears. She was glad when Rembrandt spoke to break the silence. �So how about we all go down to the bar for a drink?�
They all nodded. Rembrandt held onto Wade and led her down, and Maggie and Mallory just could not help but continue to feel a little awkward around her ... only time could change that. They descended down the hotel stairs and entered the bar, sitting down around a small comfortable table before ordering some drinks.
Wade felt that she needed to keep speaking, otherwise she would descend into her own thoughts too much.Her gaze caught sight of the Kromagg device in Diana's hand. �So is that the Kromagg timer?�
Diana nodded as she passed it over. �Yes, it's the one that we acquired from the Slidology World. At first, we used to be able to open up a vortex at will, but the Nuclear Earth caused it to malfunction.�
Wade nodded, remembering more of what Remmy had told her. �What about our earth�s co-ordinates?�
�We have your world stored from when we tracked Rembrandt to it." She continued. "Though we don�t have our own.�
As she took a small sip of her drink, Wade glanced over at Mallory, seeing him staring at her also though he was trying hard to hide it. The feeling of awkwardness grew.
�Wade...� Started Maggie, unsure if she should even ask. �I know it is hard to talk about it. But��
�It�s ok Maggie, go on.�
�When you were put into the experimental program by the Maggs, did you find out any information? Anything that can help us in some way, like on the Magg Home-World or something?�
Wade paused for a moment, thinking back. �The others and I only heard bits and pieces of information. They drugged us 80% of the time, and when we were conscious, they were carrying out their tests." She shook her head, before turning to look up. "Why?�
�It's just that if we ever hope to separate our two Quinn�s, and take out the Maggs once and for all, maybe the Mallory�s - Quinn's real parents - can find a way.�
Rembrandt slowly sighed. �The only problem with that is that we don�t have the co-ordinates.�
�And from what you have told me, only Quinn and Colin could unlock them anyway.� Added Diana. �So in other words, only someone with the same quantum signature of that earth could open up a gateway to slide into it.�
Wade was still in the midst of trying to process the fact that Quinn was not originally from their Earth. That ... and the fact that he had a brother also. Without warning, she pushed her seat back and stood up onto her feet, turning to the others. �You know, I�m still feeling a little tired. I think I'll have an early night.�
�But it�s only 6:30.� Said Rembrandt, checking his watch.
�I know, but I can hardly keep my eyes open.� Wade said her goodnights to them all, and then turned to walk back up the stairs to their suite.
�Will she be ok?� Asked Diana after a while.
�I�m sure she will be.� Answered Maggie. �Wade is strong, and she has survived a lot. But she just needs some time.�
�Maggie�s right.� Nodded Remmy. �Just give her some time...�
�No � no�� Wade tossed and turned hard in her bed, images of the Kromaggs experimenting on her, invading her dreams. �No � please! Please leave me alone! Quinn! � Remmy! � help me!� The nightmare continued, become more real as she could almost feel their cold alien hands touching her soft skin, injecting her body with strange unknown substances, and she tried to cry out but was completely ignored. �Quinn!� She cried, the tears running down her face. �Quinn!!!�
�Wade!� Maggie suddenly opened the door as she heard her scream, entering the room and heading over to the bedside. �Wade, wake up!�
As the voice pierced through her dreams, Wade quickly opened her eyes that were wet from tears, seeing that they had passed over from the dream, and into reality. "M-Maggie?"
�Wade, it was just a dream. It can't hurt you...�
She moved forward to place a comforting hand around Wade, who moved forward to sob into her shoulder. �He�s gone isn�t he!" Wade cried. "Quinn is gone! And we're never going to see him!"
�Ssshh.� She tried to calm her. �Quinn isn�t gone. He�s there, within Mallory. And I just know that we�ll find a way to get them apart. We�ll see him again someday. I know we will.�
Wade looked up at Maggie, unsure of what to say. There had been a lot of friction between them in the past, but she saw that Maggie was being sincere, and a lot had happened to them both since that time. But the burning curiousity inside her was determined not to fade. Wade just had to ask her: �Did you�" She paused, trying to find the words. �I mean, did you and Quinn ever...?�
Maggie fell silent for a while. �Quinn and I became really close after you were taken. For a long time we tried to find you, but found nothing. In a way it made things easier, because when you left it allowed the bond between us to grow even more." She slowly sighed. "And though it was never said, and we only kissed, what we felt for each other ... it was love.�
Wade slowly nodded in understanding, before suddenly bursting into a fit of laughter. �And knowing Quinn, he didn't say anything about how he felt before it was too late!�
Maggie echoed her smile. �For a sliding genius, Quinn can be a little so slow on the uptake sometimes. He doesn't even understand his own feelings.� The two girls laughed together and the tension between them was finally lifted. �Wade ... I know that we will see him again. You just have to look into Mallory�s eyes, beyond his arrogance and childlike behaviour, and you can see the essence of our Quinn, deep down inside.�
�And if given the choice?�
�Though I want Quinn back so much, I just couldn�t, and wouldn�t ever sacrifice Mallory for him. Mallory is a great person, and he's becomea great friend."
Wade nodded her head as she slowly smiled. Drying the tears from her eyes, the two continued to talk well into the night, and not noticing the door slowly close shut behind them. Rembrandt silently smiled to himself, as he walked back into his own room.
The next morning, the tension in the group had lightened considerably, and Wade and Maggie were speaking quietly to each other over breakfast. Rembrandt continued to watch them, a constant smile on his features, happy that the air had finally been cleared between the two of them. Diana continued to work on her 'Quinn separation and virus theories' whilst Mallory was no where in sight. He had left early in the morning to clear his head.
Walking over to where Maggie and Wade sat, he decided to join them at the table. �Mind if I sit down?�
�Sure.� Smiled Maggie.
Rembrandt grinned even further. �Now don�t go telling me that the two of you are best friends now?� He stirred.
Maggie turned to Wade. �With that whiny slut?�
Wade then turned to Maggie. �With that cold hearted bitch?�
Rembrandt�s smile quickly faded, before he slowly sighed in relief, as the pair suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. He soon joined in as he realised that he was being messed with, and the whole suite echoed with the lighthearted sound.
That afternoon the Sliders got together what meagre belongings they possessed, and got themselves ready for the slide. Wade and Diana were sitting down by the table, getting to know one another, while Maggie and Rembrandt stood in the centre of the room, silently watching the timer count down to the next window. Worry was beginning to set in, as Mallory had still not returned.
�Do you think he�s alright?� Asked Rembrandt..
�Knowing Mallory, he's probably gotten himself into some kind of trouble.� Sighed Maggie.
The two paused in their thoughts to look upwards as the door suddenly opened, sighing as they saw him enter.
�Where were you?�
�Sorry, guys. I was ust out to clear my head a little.� Came the response. As the others stood up to crowd around Remmy, Mallory walked over to Wade. �Erm � I...� She looked up at him. �I got you a little something.�
Handing to her a wrapped gift in his hands, he quickly stepped back before she could respond. In stunned silence, Wade unwrapped the gift, opening it to find that it was a beautiful hazel brown journal, with a golden lock located at its side. Wade was lost for words. �Mallory�� She walked towards him, placing a kiss lightly on his cheek. �Thank you.�
The others all smiled at the scene.
�Well Wade, you�d better brace yourself.� Said Rembrandt, as he turned and activated the timer.
Wade smiled as she saw the silver blue vortex form, a strong wind beginning to blow out towards them.
�Shall we?� Smiled Maggie, indicating the fully formed portal.
Wade continued to watch the swirling gateway for another moment longer, before nodding running forward, hand in hand with Maggie, disappearing into the vortex in a flash of bright light. Diana gathered her equipment, and then jumped in next.
�That was a good thing you did, Mallory.� Smiled Rembrandt.
Mallory nodded silently as he ran in after the others, with Remmy close behind...
Dear Journal,
It has been so long since I last wrote my feelings down on paper, but I think that it is finally time to do so once more. If nothing else, it will at least sort out all the thoughts and feelings inside my head. And there is so much to sort out. It�s all � it is sometimes almost too much to think about. I know that I will never fully recover or ever forget about what the Kromaggs did to me, bt I am not going to let that anger grow deep inside of me. I am going to change it, mold it, and use it as a means to keep going.
Maggie � she and I finally had a talk, the first that I think we've ever had, just the night before which totally cleared the air. I think that I might even understand her a lot better now, and a friendship that took so hard to build the last time around, seems to be growing a lot strong now.
And as for Mallory � this one gesture just means so much to me. I could feel the �essence� of both himself and Quinn behind it. And it makes me smile, makes me believe that we just might see him again. And maybe I can get to know this Mallory, for who he really is.
As Remmy keeps on saying: I guess only time will tell�
End.