4.11 Difficult Decisions

Adam brought Everett into the dimension room. Pointing to a flashing point on the map "do you know anything about that dimension?"

Stepping closer as if proximity would bring knowledge. Slowly he shook his head "it's the silent one." Turning a worried frown on Adam he asked "why?"

"It was silent up until a few months ago. Someone from that dimension reached out to us. Before we were able to respond it fell silent again," he explained.

Everett reached out and grabbed Adams arm "what did they want?"

Several guards bristled baring their canine teeth. Adam sensing the tension in the air carefully gripped the boys hand. "We haven't heard from them since that initial contact." He kept his eyes fixed on the young man ignoring the snarling of his loyal guard. "We've been monitoring them. I was hoping you could shed some light on them."

Sighing Everett released Adam's arm letting his hands fall to his sides. "My father had tried contacting them after he received a visitor from that dimension." His eyes took on a far away look. The pain in the dark gray orbs was palatable. He shuddered rubbing a hand up his arm "it was shortly after that my parents were set up, killed by Alessandro. I always..."

Adam followed his gaze to the brightly blinking light. "Do you think someone in that silent dimension was responsible?"

***

Don threw an arm across his eyes as the bright sunlight crept through the windows. He had fallen asleep fully dressed on the couch the night before. Moaning he tried to blot out the memory of the hysterical sobbing of the desolate inconsolable boy he left upstairs alone. 

He came downstairs to escape. He couldn't take the blank green eyed stare anymore. Riddled with guilt he curled up on the couch. Why couldn't he find a way out? Why hadn't anyone come for them? Will he be forced to watch the boy disappear and vanish before his eyes?

A noise alerted him that he wasn't alone. Sitting up he found Malachi had wandered downstairs. He was silently munching on an apple. Eyes red and swollen from crying. Ignoring Don's presence he sat on the floor in front of the ancient TV. The channel set permanently on a mind numbing cartoon full of inane chatter and laughter. Laughter that Don found grating on his raw nerves and throbbing head. 

Seeking escape he left the boy to his mindless cartoons. He found himself staring at the contents of the refrigerator instead. Stomach growling  reminding him that he had missed supper the night before. He grabbed an apple to stave off starvation. All the weeks he had been here not once had they lacked for the necessities of life. They had food, water, clothing. Someone was making sure they stayed alive long enough to disappear.

How much time did they have left before fate took over? Glancing into the living room where Malachi sat eyes glued to the TV. He looked to be about seven years old now. Had it really been that long since he arrived? Don went outside. Leaning against the railing he looked out towards the force field. Would their keepers imprison them here until the bitter end? Was that Silver's intention?

***

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Peter asked the pink haired male.

"I wish you'd stop asking me that," he grumbled "I'm coming. What difference does it make whether I want to or not?"

Shrugging Peter stepping towards the young man "you do have a choice. I won't force you to do this."

Nodding Lincoln brought his dark brown eyes up to meet the older man's clear blue ones. "If I don't go Everett will. He's sacrificed enough."

"I could go by myself," Peter told him.

Lincoln grabbed hold of his arm as he approached the time machine. "No you can't," he protested "I've seen the worry in Adam's eyes every time you discuss this trip to Oasis Landing."

"My son will get over it," Peter said refusing to entertain the idea that Adam may be right to worry.

"Why doesn't he trust this Emit person?" Lincoln called after him as he started the warm up process to energize the machine.

Sighing Peter stopped the sequence in favor of turning to the boy "have you even met Emit?"

Lincoln screwed up his face in thought. "My dad had mentioned that there used to be a time keeper but he disappeared before my dad was born. Dad thought that might be part of the reason why things were so messed up."

"He may be right," Peter nodded "the time keepers job is a difficult one. Essentially time can't be controlled. There's too many variables. Once someone travels through time things change. Small things at first that build up becoming larger as time goes by."

"Are you saying that the time keeper is the reason why things are so off balance now?" the boy asked.

***

"Sweetie is something wrong?" Heath asked upon finding his daughter sitting alone underneath the shade of a large tree. 

"Anything and everything is wrong" she said bringing her knees up to rest her chin on.

"I know it feels that way," the angry snap in her blue eyes had him biting off his words. 

"Don't tell me things aren't as bad as they appear," she snapped "I'm not a child..."

"I know you're not," Heath sat down beside him "I'm worried too," he admitted not bothering to pretend to put on a happy front "I miss him more and more with each passing day."

"So do I daddy" she cried falling into his arms "I feel so guilty..."

Pushing her hair back he looked deep into her pain filled eyes "why?" he asked her. He knew but she had to say it herself. It would do no good if he told her what he feared was developing between her and the good looking brooding dimension traveler.

"I miss Malachi" she sniffed "I want him to come home..."

"But..." he prompted.

"Everett is right here. Easy to talk to. When I'm with him I can forget about how much I miss Malachi." She lowered her eyes "that's terrible of me. I should be willing to wait forever for him to come back like you with dad."

"You're so young.."

"So are you," she mumbled against his shoulder.

He chuckled a little. It was true that he was biologically less then ten years her senior thanks to all the time he had spent inside bubble universes. He lacked life experience because of it for a man with a grown daughter and four more to raise on his own. "What would you tell me if I were to become attracted to someone else?"

"Eew gross daddy," she scrunched up her nose as if smelling something bad.

"Don't you think someone would find your old man attractive?" Heath asked pretending to take offense.

"It's not that," she looked up at him "it's just that you and dad belong together." 

"What if he never comes back..."

"Don't say that," she protested "it hasn't even been a year yet. He could still come back. You still love him. I know you do. Don't you?"

"I do," he smiled hugging her close "more then you'll ever know." He kissed the top of her head "what about you? Do you love Malachi?"

"I..." she hesitated "I thought I did. Now "she let out a pent up sigh "I don't know what I feel. I'm so confused."

***

An uneasy silence descended upon them following Adam's question. The werewolves watched the stranger with wary eyes ready to pounce if he made another threatening move. Everett didn't seem to notice as his eyes were glued to the blinking dot. "I think so" he replied to Adam's question.

"Without more information to the contrary I would have to agree with you," Adam had a strong urge to put a hand on the young man's shoulder. He refrained sensing it would only increase the distrust in his loyal guards. The werewolves were still tense from the boy grabbing his arm he couldn't risk it. 

"Let's go back to my office where we can talk," he suggested keeping his eyes fixed on the boy.

Everett looked around him and for the first time noticed how coiled for attack the guards were. He swallowed convulsively as he nodded in agreement. 

Without comment Adam turned leading the way back. He sensed his loyal guard following behind him and the boy. Everett cleared his throat "sir did I do something wrong?"

Despite the fear prickling the boys voice Adam kept on walking resisting the urge to comfort him. He didn't want to risk another misunderstanding by the boy touching him. His guards were much too tense to allow it a second time. He didn't want to give them any reason to attack. Ushering the boy inside Adam took a moment to assure his guards who clearly disliked the idea of him being alone with the dimension traveler. A stray thought blasted through his reserves. Adam glared at the young pup that bristled in response displaying his canines. He was quickly subdued by his superior who nodded towards Adam.

Deliberately Adam turned his back on the insubordinate guard. He stifled the urge to interfere and requesting a softer punishment for the pup. He held his tongue knowing he had no right to insert his opinion in what was clearly a werewolf matter. The pup was over stepping the established hierarchy with his display. He had to face the consequences.  Adam would do him no favors shielding him from his mistake.

Closing the door behind him he found Everett pacing the floor anxiety oozing from him. "Is everything alright" he asked running a hand through his long hair giving Adam an unobstructed view of his ravaged face.

"My guards don't take kindly to anyone grabbing me," Adam told him "You're an outsider. They don't trust you. I'm surprised they didn't attack you."

The young man gulped "I should have known better. It's just...I've become so comfortable..."

"It's ok" Adam waved his apology away "I want you to feel comfortable around me and my family. However I do entreat you to be cautious. Remember who I am when you're not in my office or in my home. My guards displayed unusual restraint today. I can't guarantee that will be the case next time."

Fingering his scar Everett nodded "is that why you wanted to talk to me in your office?"

"My office is one of the few places I'm free to be myself." Adam walked up alongside the young man. "Within this room you can tell me anything" he put a hand on the boys shoulder "you are not alone."

The boy blinked several times turning his face away to hide the tears that would destroy the tough exterior he tried to maintain.

***

The whir and whine of the time machine faded and died as Peter took the pink haired male by the arm escorting him to a nearby bench. "Time in it's very nature can't be controlled. The act of travelling through time creates ripples like tossing a rock in a pond. Each ripple causes minute changes."

Nodding Lincoln continued "each ripple creates more and more changes. So what's the solution?"

Leaning back Peter stared off into the distance "one would think simply stopping all time travel would be enough but it's not that simple. The knowledge is already out there." He waved  his hands around indicating the world "too many people know how to travel through time. Which may be why there was a need for a Keeper of Time. His job is to prevent catastrophic changes to the time line and to correct those changes before they impact the future."

"He's not doing a very good job," Lincoln grumbled.

"No I suppose not," Peter agreed "but the Time Keeper is just a man. He makes mistakes despite having the best of intentions."

"Do you trust this Emit person?" the boy asked turning to face the older man.

"At one time I would have said yes without reservations," Peter replied "now I'm not so sure. He has an agenda that takes precedence in everything he does." Peter sighed "I wonder if I should have agreed to become his assistant. Maybe by now I would know what that agenda is."

"What made you decline his offer?" Lincoln asked.

"It's complicated" Peter sighed running his hands through his hair before standing up. "I was homesick. I wanted to see my family. My wife. My kids. Everything I loved was here. I didn't want to live forever at the cost of watching everything and everyone I loved die."

"Then what happened?" Lincoln asked getting to his feet to stand beside Peter "You're supposed to be an old man. Kimberly refers to you as great grandpa but you don't look old enough to be a great anything."

"I was tricked" the anger in his voice betrayed the hurt he tried to cover up "it was the first time I realized the depths that Emit would go to accomplish his agenda regardless of the feelings of those he used."

"Sweetie give yourself time," Heath advised "don't give up hope of seeing Malachi again. We may find them."

"Do you really think so?" she asked looking deep into his eyes.

"I have to" he said without blinking "Don never gave up on me. I won't give up on him. I have to believe that I'll see him again. We'll be together again."

Kimberly gently touched his cheek wiping away a stray tear "I hope you're right," she whispered nestling her face onto his shoulder.

Heath stroked her soft long tresses. Several minutes later their combined breathing became rough and labored. Heath lifted a trembling hand to rub his temples. Kimberly mirrored his actions "he's here," she murmured in pain.

"What do you want?" Heath demanded of the hateful man.

"I would think that would be obvious" cruel laughter filled their minds.

Gritting his teeth Heath grunted as shooting pain pierced his temples "where's my husband?"

Silver's laughter increased "what about the boy? Don't you want him back as well? Should I just let him vanish from existence?"

"No please I..." Kimberly cried "he's done nothing to you other than to love me."

"That's enough my dear girl" Silver chuckled at their torment "he's what you would call collateral damage. Without him. No Emit. The Watchers take over Oasis Landing."

"Why do you care?" Heath demanded "I thought the Watchers were your enemy?"

"I suppose they are. No doubt they expect me to double cross them eventually," Silver sighed as he had been in deep thought "I could be persuaded to release them...." he let his words hang for a moment.

"What do you want from us?" Kimberly cried taking the bait.

"I want nothing from you silly girl," Silver dismissed her "I do however want your father."

"No" Kimberly shouted at him.

Ignoring her protests Silver continued listing his demands "meet me at this place. Come alone. You have four weeks to decide otherwise your troublesome husband and that boy will vanish from existence."

His evil laughter filled their minds before Silver vanished from their thoughts. Pulling on her dads hand Kimberly asserted "you can't do this."

"What choice do I have?" Heath demanded "I can't live knowing I could have saved them. I have to do this."

"Dad wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself for him," she tried to reason with him desperate to make him listen to her. 

"I can't live my life riddled with guilt. I have to do this," Heath shouted at her.

Blinking up at him for the first time she could remember there was no doubt or fear in his voice. She nodded accepting his decision. She felt his arms wrap around her pulling her close. "No matter what I'll always love you daddy."

4.10 Losing Hope

Don fought the desire to give up. It seemed like they had been trying to attract attention of the passersby for weeks with no visible results. There were a few times when their efforts resulted in a few sparks but not much else. He was positive a few people noticed those few sparks. He had watched while they stopped and stared then turn and cross the street as if something scared them away.

That alone gave him motivation to continue even though he doubted it was working. He had to do something even if it only kept Malachi from slipping deeper into depression. As long as they were doing something there was hope.

"We need something else," Malachi disturbed his thoughts.

"Like what?" Don asked looking thoughtfully at the boy. He tried not to think about how little time the boy had left. Malachi had been an eighteen year old freshman in college. Now he resembled an eleven year old boy.

"I don't know," he shrugged "something bigger or electrical like the TV."

Rubbing his chin Don had to admit the kid's idea had merit. Slowly he shook his head "no it won't work. If we could keep it plugged in then maybe."

"Extension cords?" Malachi queried.

"I haven't seen anything like that anywhere in the house," Don hated the look of abject disappointment that clouded Malachi's face. He hated to squash the kids hope. "Let's inventory what we have available in the house that we might be able to use."

Sighing Malachi gave him a halfhearted nod sensing this was more to keep him busy then of any real use to their situation. "Yeah whatever," his shoulders slumped as he followed the older man into the house.

***

Kimberly followed Everett outside. His shoulders slumped as he stared into the distance. It was a different picture from the self contained young man she had listened to for the past several hours. He looked so vulnerable like he had the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

She knew that stance well. It was the one she had seen many times in the past. All the Van Winkle men had at some point in their lives had felt they were carrying the world on their shoulders. She put a gentle hand on his shoulder "we'll help you if you'll let us."

A wordless grunt was the only response he gave. He turned eyes glistening with moisture in the light towards her "I hate this place" he muttered.

Gazing around her it was hard to imagine that not long ago people had fought and died here. Grandpa never spoke about it. At times he would get the same far away look that her companion had. She knew without asking that bad things had happened that her Grandpa didn't want to remember. "I'm sorry," she murmured touching his hand softly.

Looking down an unreadable expression in his eyes "why?" he demanded a belligerent tone his voice. "You still have your parents, your family..."

Her eyes widened taking a step back "my life isn't perfect. Far from it," she crossed her arms rubbing her hands up and down as if she were chilled "my dad" she nodded towards the house "was trapped in a bubble universe. What felt like months to him was eight years to us. He was lost, pregnant, fighting off a mad man who wanted to make him his. The only reason he's hear now is because Silver wanted to get rid of the baby. He knew he couldn't make his conquest final if he hurt the baby so he contacted me to come and get my baby brother." Her throat started to close over her revulsion over what her father must have endured alone. She blinked turning her face away to hide the tears from the young man.

"I'm sorry," he muttered watching her closely.

"I hate that abominable creature. He took me from my parents the first few years of my life. Now my other dad is missing. A clone was sent in his place. I can only hope he's in the same place as my boyfriend. In some bubble universe waiting for us to rescue them."

She hadn't realized she was crying until strong arms enveloped her. "I'm sorry," Everett repeated smoothing her long hair "you're right your life hasn't been as easy as I assumed."

***

Lincoln glared out the window a sad smile played across his lips. Someone cleared their throat behind him. Startled he dropped the curtains. As the drapes fell into place he turned to find the concerned blue eyes of Heath Van Winkle upon him. "Your brother is an angry young man," Heath observed motioning towards the window.

Lincoln was sure he had seen his brother holding the girl. Lincoln could remember a time when Everett hadn't been angry. "He has his reasons," he muttered half turning from the older man.

"I'm sure he does," Heath agreed keeping his voice free from accusation. "We want to help you" he added putting a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "My Dad and Grandpa are the smartest men I know. If there's a way they'll find it."

"I don't need a bunch of empty words," he could feel the rage he kept bottled up inside him coming to the boiling point. He could feel the pressure on his shoulder increase. He looked up and over at Heath. A feeling of calm started to envelop him as the man's confidence reassured him. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so calm, safe and protected.

"I know it sounds like a bunch of words. Trust me my Dad and Grandpa have pulled off miracles in the past and will do so again in the future. I've been in more than one tight spot and they've never let me down." Heath could feel his own confidence rising. The fear and doubt that had set up residence in his stomach seemed to lift.

"Why would you want to help us?" the young man asked "what's in it for you?"

***

"What do you think?" Adam asked turning to his Dad.

Releasing a pent up sigh Peter shrugged "I think it's plausible. We already know other dimensions exist. Some dimensions should correspond with ours a little or a lot. Plus the Gray family is important to bringing harmony back to all the timelines in each dimension."

"What makes you think that?" Adam asked as he began to pace his office "why would one family be that important?"

"I don't know," Peter said watching his son pace the room "Emit had Caleb Gray brought into this dimension to balance our dimension with the others."

"Why? Doesn't our dimension have it's own Grays?" Adam asked his tone indicating he thought his Dad was joking.

"No we don't. At least not the right Gray family. Now we do."

Adam paused to stare at his father "when were you going to tell me this?" He could see from his Dad's expression that the answer was probably never. "I see" he muttered not liking the idea of  his dad with holding information from him.

"Adam" Peter implored "it's not like that. I promised Emit not to tell anyone."

"Yeah and Emit is oh so reliable," Adam muttered.

Rubbing his chin Peter remained silent. He understood his son's animosity. Emit did have his own agenda and had been making tons of mistakes. Then again time keeping wasn't an exact science. There were too many variables that were in constant flux. He gave Adam a piercing gaze "I've seen the future..."

"I take it from your tone that we weren't successful," Adam said trying to cover over his disappointment.

Shaking his head unable to say anything for a moment. Peter leaned against the wall crossing his arms before he said anything "if this timeline continues it'll lead to a future not fit for our children and grandchildren to live in." He pushed off the wall saying "I don't know about you but I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure that future doesn't come to be."

***

Don surveyed the pile of worthless objects they had found around the house. Dishes, blankets, towels not to mention the furniture. There wasn't one thing they could use to make an impression on the surrounding force field. He could feel his own frustration building inside him, crushing his lungs forcing him to breathe harder and faster to draw in enough oxygen.

The sound of sobs drew his attention towards a lump on the floor. "We're never going to escape."

Don moved around the pile of useless items towards the sobbing child. Sitting on the floor he patted the boys back. He didn't say anything. What could he say? The boy knew as well as he did that everything would not be alright. How could he say otherwise? The boy may look like a child but he was still the same person he was when he first arrived here.

Sniffling Malachi pushed himself into a sitting position "aren't you going to say something?"

"Like what?" he shrugged he let some of his repressed anger, resentment and frustration bleed into his voice. 

Malachi blinked up at him "this is it then. We're just going to give up."

"I don't know what else to do?" Don cried burying his face in his knees. How had Heath survived this long alone? How had he resisted Silver's advances? He was ready to claw the walls and he had Malachi for company.

The crushing reality that he'd never see his family again. Never see Heath again. Hear his voice. Feel his touch. Never see his children grow up and have families of their own. It was all too much to bear.

He felt a light touch on his arm. A small hand he followed the arm up to a pair of scared green eyes. He pulled the boy close as they both gave in to the crushing despair they had been fighting for weeks.

***

Everett ran his hands through her long dark hair. Her head nestled against his chest. No doubt she could hear his heart beating inside his chest. A spasm in his face caused the scar on his cheek to throb in dull pain.

He moved a hand up to soothe the throbbing pain. He could feel the raised rough skin that marred his otherwise handsome face. He still remembered the feeling of having his skin ripped through by razor sharp metal talons. He winced squeezing his eyes tight reliving the moment. The moment of his betrayal by the one person he thought he could trust.

When he opened his eyes he found Kimberly staring up at him. "Are you alright?" she asked her eyes full of questions.

"I should be asking you that," he deflected the question.

She nuzzled into him sighing contentedly in his arms. "I'm fine," she lied. She knew she was lying. She was taking comfort in having someone hold her. If she said she was fine enough maybe it would come true. Just maybe it would cover up the guilt she felt that the comforting arms didn't belong to her boyfriend. She missed Malachi more and more each day. The searing pain his absence caused was no longer claustrophobic. She was no longer crushed by it. Was this the moving on bit that everyone said she had to do? Did this mean she didn't love him anymore? Squeezing her eyes tight she tried to ignore the disquieting thoughts in her head. Sighing she stepped back murmuring "thank you."

Sensing something was wrong Everett asked "would you like to talk about it?" he offered.

It was on the tip of her tongue to say no. She should run as far away from this dimension traveler as she could. Even as she thought it she leaned into him feeling his arms draw her close. If she closed her eyes she could pretend just for the moment the arms around her were Malachi's.

***

Lincoln turned his back on the man and his good intentions. So far all they had offered were words. Words that sounded good. Where was the action? He parted the curtains to find his brother embracing the young woman who had brought them here. Scowling he turned from the view. When would his brother learn that a pretty face doesn't mean they didn't have an ugly soul? 

"Does it concern you that your brother seems to like my daughter?" Heath asked the pink haired boy. He had his own concerns about what was happening but at the moment it seemed to be more troublesome to the boy.

Shrugging Lincoln tried to pass if off as inconsequential "we'll be leaving soon. What difference does it make?"

"True," Heath searched for a way to get the young man to open up to him. He didn't have to wait long for an opening when the boy muttered "that idiot." Heath followed his gaze. He tried to hide his own dismay as he watched Everett lead Kimberly along the garden path holding hands. 

"You don't like it any better than I do," Lincoln accused having caught the frown upon Heath's face.

Smiling stiffly Heath debated with himself whether or not to voice his reasons. "You're right I don't. I'm afraid she's trading one heart break for another."

Giving him a quizzical look Lincoln asked "why don't you put a stop to it?"

"There are some things a parent can't shield their child from. Heart break is one of them" Heath explained sighing heavily.

Nodding Lincoln exhaled through his nose moving away from the window. "Everett had a fiance once. She broke his heart."

Taking the boy by the elbow Heath guided him to a chair where they could talk "tell me about her." He tried to keep his voice low, gentle knowing if he sounded too eager the boy would clam up.

"She's the reason why he has that livid scar on his face." Tears sprang up in his eyes as he recalled what happened "he almost lost his eye because of what she did."

"I'm sorry," Heath murmured "would you like to tell me about it?"

Lincoln nodded. He needed to tell someone. There was no one at home he could trust and Everett would just laugh off his concerns.

***

"If we can trust those boys," Adam said pacing the interior of his small office. The only room in the entire castle that he was free to indulge in this stress relieving habit or show how uncertain he felt at times. "What should we do?"

"I should take one of them with me to see Emit," Peter replied "I know you don't trust him. I don't blame you." It had been a mistake to confide in his son Peter realized. Adam bristled each time he mentioned the time keepers name now. "It's not like he needs me to stay and take his place. He has his son for that now."

"Are you going to tell Chase about what we suspect about his daughters?" Adam asked even though he could guess the answer.

"No" Peter said firmly "I don't want to give them any reason not to help us close the bubble 

universes."

"If you're right we won't have to worry," Adam acknowledged although being a father himself he would prefer knowing if his children were in danger. Something that his dad said had him asking "why do you need one of the dimension travelers to come with you?"

"If my suspicions are correct I think their dimension is lacking a time keeper. That might explain why it's so messed up." 

"That would mean the Van Winkles don't exist there," Adam said following his dad's line of thought. 

"Or something happened to one of the descendants that would have produced the time keeper," Peter agreed.

"It's possible that not all dimensions would need a Van Winkle to produce the time keeper. It's conceivable for it to be someone else," Adam pointed out.

"True but we lack the ability to contact the other time keepers" Peter said "our Emit can. He might need more information that only the dimension traveler's can provide. It would save time if one of them came with me."

"I give up," Adam threw his hands into the air "if you think you can trust Emit go but I'm coming after you if you don't come back in a reasonable amount of time."

"I wouldn't have it any other way" Peter said keeping his face as straight and devoid of emotions as humanly possible.