Generation 2, Chapter 33 - Jumping to Conclusions

Sitting on a park bench listening to the sounds of children at play, Adam closed his eyes letting his mind drift while he soaked up the warm sunshine.  "So how did your meeting go with the solicitor?" a male voice asked from beside him.

Opening his eyes Adam smiled as he recognized the voice belonged to Shon.  Internally he debated whether to trust him with what he found out about his grandfather's research.  Shifting a little he watched Heath playing with Don a little ways off.  Shrugging he decided he needed to put forth an effort to make friends as much as Heath did.  "I'm a little concerned with what I learned to be honest."

Frowning Shon was a little worried with Adam's response.  What was Henry working on?  Was his wife in danger because of her close relationship with him?  Adam watched the conflicting emotions flit across Shon's face asking himself if he had misjudged the situation.  Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut.  After a few moments of silence Shon asked "do I need to be concerned for the safety of wife and children?"

Puzzled Adam didn't understand how his grandfather's research could effect the safety of Shon's family.  His mouth dropped when it dawned on him.  Of course he should have realized.  Evelyn was Grandfather's assistant, she would know intimate details of the research his grandfather was doing.  "I don't know," Adam told him honestly.  "I doubt she would be in any danger.  Her last name isn't Van Winkle."

Shon blinked, deep in thought "maybe I'm missing something but what does your last name have do with her safety?"

"Maybe nothing or everything,"  Adam sighed "I don't mean to talk in riddles but I simply don't know enough.  The man who broke into Grandfather's lab goes by the name of Chase Mars.  He hates anyone with the name of Van Winkle."  

"That doesn't make sense," Shon said interrupting him.

"It's a long complicated story full of lies and deceit and most of it happened so far in the future that we're just a page in history.  To make a long story short Chase's mother was murdered when he was a young child without ever telling him who is real father was.  After his mother was murdered a man came along telling him he knew who had killed his mother, a man by the name of Zedekiah Van Winkle.  Ever since then Chase has hated the Van Winkle lineage and is on a crusade to change the future by making changes to the timeline that produced Zedekiah."

"It takes a twisted individual to do something like that to a child," Shon muttered.

"It does," Adam agreed.  "The problem is that Chase believes these lies and he doesn't realize is if he's successful he'll be wiping himself out of existence."

"Don't tell me you're going to try to help him," Shon looked aghast at him.

"I'm going to try.  Chase doesn't know Zedekiah is his father so that makes him family." Adam watched a flock of birds fly past overhead enjoying their bird calls.

"But what does this have to do with the break in?  What was he looking for?  Did he find it?" Shon asked breaking into Adam's thoughts.

Pulling his attention back from the birds "grandfather was working on duplicating the alien procedure for male pregnancy.  It's a procedure that's done all the time in the future allowing gay couples the ability to have their own biological children."

"Too bad that doesn't exist now.  I work with someone whose gay and he would love to have children."  Shon fell silent for a moment "did Chase find Henry's research?"

Nodding Adam sighed "he did and it's wrecking havoc in the future.  Whole generations and countless innocent lives are being wiped out of existence."  Turning to Shon he continued "the solicitor gave my dad all of grandfather's backed up research files that he had.  He hopes dad will be able to duplicate the procedure before the timeline resets itself.  Once the timeline resets we won't be able to change it back.  Do you know if Evelyn knows if grandfather had any of his research hidden any place else?"

Rubbing his chin Shon thought for a moment "I don't know.  It's possible."  With that Shon called Evelyn and found out that Henry had several caches where he hid important documents and research. She agreed to go and look, agreeing to send anything she found to Peter in Dragon Valley.  

Hanging up Shon turned to Adam stating "the kids will be getting hungry soon.  We better get lunch started."  Walking over to the grills that were set up by the picnic table they began to grill hot dogs and hamburgers.  Shon glanced over at Adam and asked trying to sound casual about it "So what are your intentions towards Beverly?"

"My what?" Adam asked in astonishment dropping the hamburger he was flipping on the ground.  

Laughing Shon explained "Evelyn had me promise to ask and I couldn't resist.  After all it is my brotherly duty to protect my little sister's honor.  Seriously though do you like her?"  Shon watched as Adam's complexion deepened "so you do like her."  Keeping his eyes fixed on the hamburgers Adam refused to rise to the bait. "You do like  her.  I know you do.  I've sen you looking at her when you think no one else sees.  So what's the problem?"

Shrugging "you're right I do like her but it'll never work.  It can't.  I won't put her in danger."  Under his breath he added "not again."

"What do you mean again?" Shon asked looking at him in concern.

"Chase almost kidnapped Heath and Beverly while I was in the hospital a few months back.  That's when I realized that I couldn't risk her life by getting close to her.  Chase only took her because she was with Heath.  Could you imagine what he'd do if she was my girlfriend or wife?"  Shaking his head "no I don't have the right to put her in that kind of danger.  She needs to be with her family."  Looking at Shon "I'm hoping you'll help me convince her to stay here when I go back to Oasis Landing."

"Don't you think Beverly should have a say in this?  She's a big girl and whether you want to believe it or not, she's fully capable of taking care of herself.  I know that's not what you want to hear but honestly Adam you can't put your life on hold because of fear."  Pausing for a moment to formulate his thoughts "I worry all the time about putting Evelyn and the kids in danger. Despite the threats it hasn't stopped me from going after what I want, of course I do things differently then I would if were single.  You're trying to save the future but you can't forget to live in the present."  Shon removed the hot dogs from the grill "I think we're ready to feed the hungry mouths."

Following Shon to the table with the hamburgers, his mind deep in thought.  His thoughts were shattered by the shrill screams of a little girl.  Shon and him looked up and spotted Dana running towards them holding her arm, screaming hysterically.  Dropping the hot dogs on the picnic table Shon took off running.  Kneeling in front of his daughter "honey what happened?" he asked as he inspected the cuts and abrasions on her arm.  

"He pushed me ..." she gulped.

"Who?  Who pushed you?" Shon asked his voice holding back fear and anger as he gripped her arms needing to know who had hurt his child.  Dana pointed towards a figure emerging from another path.

"He did.  He pushed me." Dana said with a convincing quiver in her voice as she accused her brother of hurting her.

"Why?" Shon asked stunned at first then anger took hold "Why did you hurt your sister?

Don looked from Shon to his sister, eyes wide and hurt.  He noticed the flicker of triumph flash across Dana's face before she resumed her charade of being hurt.  "I .... I .... didn't.  Honest I didn't" Don stammered knowing it wouldn't do any good to deny it.  It never did in the past, why would now be any different?

"Don't lie to me," Shon all but yelled at the boy "look at her and tell me why you did this to your sister."

Tears streamed down his face "I didn't.  I didn't.  She's lying.  I wouldn't hurt her."  He turned pleading eyes to his sister hoping she would relent and confess.

"Daddy he wouldn't let me play with him and Heath.  He was being mean to me."  She turned her big innocent eyes towards Shon "I only wanted to play."

Adam was disturbed at what he was seeing.  There was something deeply disturbing about that child. A tug on his sleeve had him looking down "what is it son?"

"Dad, Don didn't do it,"  Heath whispered.

"How do you know?" Adam asked keeping an eye on the situation a few feet away.

"Don and I have been together all day.  He couldn't have done it."

"You're positive?" Heath nodded "why do you think she's lieing?"

"She's mad because Don wouldn't let me push her on the swings.  I would have but I promised Don I'd play pirates with him first."  Heath looked up "I'm sorry maybe if I had been nicer to her she wouldn't be doing this now."

Hugging him close Adam said "It's not your fault.  You need to speak up before your friend gets in trouble."

Heath hated conflict of any kind but the worst were when voices were raised and angry.  he wanted to cringe and cover his ears but he had to help his friend.  However before he could intervene Don bolted, running "I didn't do it.  Why won't you believe me?"

"Don come back here and apologize," Shon shouted at him.

"No never," Don cried running faster.

Torn between comforting his distraught daughter and running after his delinquent son Shon stood frozen.  Heath to the opportunity to tug on his arm.  In a firm but quiet voice Heath announced "he didn't do it."  He looked up at Shon and watched the anger drain from his face.

"You're sure?" Shon asked not sure how he should feel.  Relieved that his son didn't hurt his sister.  Angry that his daughter could so easily lie to him.  Regret that he didn't believe Don when he said he didn't do it.  He just assumed based upon what Dana told him.  Turning to towards his daughter "Dana why did you lie and say Don did this to you?"

Her tears dried up immediately as she sneered "because Heath wouldn't push me on the swings.  He likes Don more than me."  She made it sound like an accusation or a crime that anyone would like her brother more than her.

Looking in the direction Don had fled in Shon regretted his anger.  But why would Dana lie?  He had no reason to think she would.  However in future situations he would always doubt what she told him.  But that really didn't matter now.  He had to find his son.  A hand squeezed his shoulder.

Turning he found Adam by his side "go find your son.  I'll gather the rest and bring them home."

Nodding Shon turned to follow Don when Dana called out "what about me daddy?" She blinked her pretty blue eyes up at him.  "Don't you care about me?  I need you."  

"Your brother needs me more.  I have to find him."  Shon hastened after Don hoping to catch him before he disappeared in the wooded area of the park.  He knew this park, children went missing from it all the time.  

Stopping in her tracks watching Shon leave her behind she called after him "You like Don more than me."

"You know that's not true," Heath said behind her "Shon just has other more important concerns than you right now."

She moved close to Heath grabbing his arm "You like me, right?"

Feeling uncomfortable with Dana so close holding his hand he didn't know what to say or do.  She was beginning to scare him the way she was staring at him.

"Heath can you come here and help me clean this mess up?" Adam called from the picnic area.

"Coming dad," Heath called in relief breaking free from Dana's grasp.

"Dad when can we go home?" Heath asked as he helped clean up their uneaten lunch.

"Soon son," Adam told him "there's something I have to discuss with Beverly first, then we'll go home."

"Good," Heath said with relief.  Adam smiled knowing how his son felt.  Dana was a little unnerving standing motionless starting at them. There was something not quite right about her.  The sooner he got Heath away from her the better.