Date: 10/13/2000
From: SouthernSlider

IT'S FRIIIIIIIIDAY!!!!! YES, YES, YES! Going to a big banquet tonight to honor the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band for receiving the Sudler Trophy for Most Outstanding Collegiate Band in America. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO. Since my sons are and were in it and also my two future daughters-in-law and my hubby at one time eons ago, I must say, I am proud.

Sorry, just had to brag a little. Hey, thanks to those that posted so I wouldn't have 4 in a row. Great poetry dellyone. Now on with the story.
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United We Slide, Divided . . . We Disappear

Chapter Twenty-four

Colin helped Maggie and Kelly board the plane,
then climbed on himself. Remmy was right behind him,
closing and securing the door. As the plane’s engines
started up, Kelly peered out the window with a pensive
stare. She had lost most of her band here. She had
learned about her sister’s disappearance here, and she
had almost lost her own life here. Yet, she was almost
sad to leave. She had discovered the true Colin here.

Colin was a small link to her sister and home.
He was understanding -- the only one in the world, in
any world, that knew what she was going through about
so many things. And then there was the very personal
thing between them now. His love-making had gone
beyond anything she ever thought she would find. Here
had been their beginning. If they left, where would it
end? As the plane lifted off, a tear trailed its way down
her cheek.

“Kelly? Are you all right?” Colin asked as he
put his arm around her.

“Yes, Colin. I’m fine.” She took his hand in
hers and squeezed gently. “I’m just fine here with you.”

She stared into his eyes and remembered the
agony he was going through now. He and his brother
were estranged, but there was still a chance for
reconciliation -- if they could find him. Here she was
mooning over her own plight and hoping for a
relationship when Colin needed her to be strong for him
and help him through this, just as he had been there for
her.

“We’ll find Quinn, Colin. We’ll make things
right again.” she said quietly. Maggie and Remmy
watched the exchange in silence, but both hoping in their
own hearts that she was right.

When the plane landed, they made a bee-line to
the hospital. Conie was sitting up when they entered his
room. He and Kelly rejoiced over each other and then
silently mourned their lost comrades. Maggie, Remmy,
and Colin stood in the background and let them have
their moment.

“I guess you know about Wade,” Kelly said a
few minutes later.

“Yeah, little girl. They told me the whole story.
It’s like a bad dream. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you to her
sooner,” Conrad answered.

“No, Conie. Don’t blame yourself. You did
everything you knew how to do. I’m just grateful for the
effort you made.” She put her arms around him and
buried her face in his shoulder to hide the tears she was
fighting. The nurse then entered and demanded that they
leave and let the patient rest.

“Hey, dudes,” Conie called out as they exited.
“When you find ‘the man’, send him over my way.
We’ve got some serious catching up to do.”

“We’ll do that, Conrad,” Remmy said. “I’m
sure he’ll be anxious to talk to you.”

Remmy let his smile fade as the door closed.
“What now, boys and girls? Where do we go from
here?”

“I say we head back to the hotel. Maybe he’s in
his room. If not, we start scouring the city. Maybe go to
the police,” Maggie said. “But we’ve got to watch our
time, Remmy. We’ll have to head back to the mainland
in time to slide again.”

“You guys do what you need to do. I am not
leaving here until I find my brother,” Colin said.

Remmy and Maggie just looked at each other.
“Now where have I heard *that* line before,” said
Remmy. “Are you sure you two aren’t Siamese twins
joined at the brain?”

They headed first to the hotel. The clerk still had
not heard from Quinn. They then paired off and started
checking out the bars. Nothing. When they finally met
up again at the appointed time, Maggie suggested going
to the police. When that turned up nothing either, Colin
began to worry. He knew his brother’s state of mind
would be fragile.

“Look. Why don’t you fly back with us, Colin,”
Maggie suggested. “Maybe Quinn went back to the
mainland too. If he thought you were . . . gone, he
wouldn’t need to stick around here.”

“I am not sure,” Colin said hesitantly.

“Colin. Why don’t we go back and check.
Conie has to stay here for a few days and recuperate. If
we don’t find anything at home, you can return with me
to get Conie and we’ll look here some more,” Kelly
said.

“I guess that would work. And maybe he did
return.”

***

“Well, big boy. You think you’ve calmed down
enough to get out of here now?” asked the jailer at the
door. Quinn lay on the cot, arm over his eyes, never
moving a muscle at the man’s words. He heard the
click as the door unlocked.

“Look, buddy. You’re free to go,” he said,
walking over to the cot. “Get your ass out of here. The
taxpayers don’t want to put you up anymore.

Quinn slowly uncovered his eyes and sat up.
When he stood, he towered over the offensive jailer. He
stared down at the little man with vacant eyes. “I’ll
probably be back.” With that he turned and walked out.

“Yeah, you’re probably right, fellow,” said the
jailer, shaking his head as he watched the
slump-shoulder man shuffle down the narrow corridor.

Quinn squinted against the light of day as he hit
the streets. Except for his pounding head, he felt numb,
lost, non-exisistent. What now? He peered at the ocean
in the distance. A long walk off a short pier? That
might do the trick. He started walking.

Hours passed. Quinn wondered over the city,
never stopping in one place for too many minutes. Most
of the time he wasn’t even aware of his actions; he just
moved.

When the sun started to sink and the
artificial lights of the city began to take over, Quinn
started to enter a pub. He put his hand on the door and
visions of his last visit surfaced. As void as he was of
feeling and caring about anything, he really didn’t want
to go back to jail. He turned and walked away.

After finding a liquor store and purchasing the
necessary items, he headed to the Dominion. There he
could drink himself into oblivion in peace. Peace.
There would never be peace again. Not until he left this
world -- all worlds -- for good. And then there would
just be hell, fire, and damnation -- a fitting end to the
hell he had put everyone else through.

He climbed the stairs toward the second floor,
each step harder than the last one to climb. He stopped
in front of the door to his room. For a split second he
wondered if Remmy and Maggie had returned; he had
forgotten to stop at the desk and inquire about messages.
It didn’t matter. He wasn’t going with them, and they
probably wouldn’t want him to. He’d lost another one
of their group. They would gladly strand him here and
go on with their lives. He absent-mindedly placed a
hand on the doorknob as he clutched the neck of the
bottle with the other. The door swung open and he
stepped inside, ready to drink himself to death.
------------------------

We're on the downhill swing with this thing folks and nearing the end. There's just a few more items to take care of and this will all be over. BUUUUTTTTT....there won't be a chapter tomorrow. Gotta go cheer on the DAWGS again, and watch the Sudler Trophy be presented at halftime. Big day in Athens Town.

I'll get back to you on Sunday. Have a great weekend.

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SS

Loved The Story So Far !!

Date: 10/15/2000
From: sliderlynn

I want to thank you for the reply on the Sliders bboard.
This story is really a wonderful story !!Unlike, another
that Iread,where Colin was killed off.Iwas very upset
about that.I really loved the part where Colin and Kelly
made love on the beach !! Please keep more stories like
this coming!! I can't wait to read the next chapter!!!
Thanks alot from this Charlie O' Connell fan. I can't
leave Jerry out either!Take care.

Just one complaint...

Date: 10/16/2000
From: sweetone

I didn't have time to read it all in one day. Can't wait for the next one. I just love it.

SweetOne

"Like ice cream, our friendship
Has so many flavors! And
someday I hope to return
All your favors!" unknown

<claps hands>

Date: 10/17/2000
From: dellyone

Another awesome chapter. Almost together now. Can't wait for next one.

Thanks SS. BTW, that poem is about my cherished friend - sleep. ;-)

dellyone

Original URL http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/1095/2896
Nominated by DieselMickeyDolenz