Date: 9/8/2000
From: SouthernSlider

My turn. Brit and I could do this forever if you guys don't get busy and break the string. What is this? You have a bet to see how long we can keep it up?

On with the story. And yes, DMD, I'm still teasing you. Probably won't get to the crux of the matter until Monday. Have to go cheer on the Dawgs tomorrow, and will spend Sunday recovering from the victory celebration. Hope you get to see your guys in person this week.

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo Dawgs! Sic 'em! Woof, woof, woof, woof.

------------------------------------

United We Stand, Divided . . . We Disappear

Chapter Three

Remmy exited the bedroom to see Quinn sitting on the sofa, beer in hand, reading the newspaper. He shook his head, sighed, and decided to make a move.

“Don’t you think it’s a little early for one of those?” he asked Quinn as he sat down next to him.

“For you, maybe. Not for me,” said Quinn. Remmy could hear the hatefullness in his voice. Quinn flipped the page over and ignored his friend.

“Q-ball, the solution is not going to be found in the bottom of that bottle.”

Quinn turned the bottle up and drained it, in direct defiance, Remmy knew. He then threw it across the room, shattering it and sending shards of glass everywhere. He resumed reading the paper. Maggie stuck her head out
of the bedroom door.

Remmy stood, disgusted. “You can act like a spoiled brat all you want, man. I’m going to look for Colin.” He stormed out of the room, not waiting for any kind of reply from Quinn. There would be none, anyway. Quinn
ignored his friend.

“You’re a jack-ass, Quinn Mallory.” Maggie walked up to him, anger flashing in her eyes. She received the same response as Remmy. Absolute silence; not even an acknowledgement that she was standing there. She had
had all she was going to take.

Maggie grabbed for the newspaper and jerked it out of his hands. Quinn glared at her, his face turning beet red as he stood. For one split second, she thought he was going to hit her. His eyes were glassy, and his jaw
twitched. Finally he spoke.

“I don’t need any shit from you, Maggie. “I’ve got it up to here,” he raised his hand above his head to indicate a level, “with everybody’s shit. Stay out of my face!” He turned and stormed out of the suite.

Maggie growled and stomped her foot. She plopped herself down on the sofa, fighting the tears that wanted to form, unsuccessfully trying to think of something to do.

***

It was about five in the afternoon as Colin stood at the window looking out. He had showered, eaten a bit more, and really did feel better. He had been very doubtful of Kelly’s prediction earlier, but she proved to be right. Of
course, all was not back to normal, but there was a big improvement from this morning.

“I wish you would reconsider, Colin, but I guess I understand,” Kelly said when she exited the bedroom. “But I am glad you decided to stay here another night. Having tomorrow night off will give us a chance to get out of
this apartment, and I can show you around.”

Colin had declined her offer to return to the Sassy Brass for evening. She and the band had one more night there, and then they would be taking a few days off before their next gig. He did agree to stick around her place for a
few days. Besides, he had nowhere else to go. The Dominion was out of the question. And here, he could lay low and not risk running into his brother.

"I'll see you late tonight. Probably about 2:30 am - if you're still awake, that is." She patted his hand then proceeded to the door.

"I should be. It seems the only time I sleep lately is when I'm drunk, and I do not plan to do that again," Colin said with conviction. He watched her smile broaden knowing she had been amused by his little mishap, but at the
same time there was sympathy and understanding in her eyes. He was gratefulto have met up with her.

***

Remmy entered the suite to find Maggie pacing back and forth across the room. If the situation hadn't been so dire, she would have laughed at her sudden thought. It appeared as though they were in a room with a revolving
door. Someone was always going in or out, unfortunately, usually because they were mad and upset.

"Any luck?" she asked as she brought her fingers away from her mouth. She stared at the nail she had been assaulting with her teeth, and frowned.

"None whatsoever, sweetheart. What are we going to do? Colin's still missing and from the looks of it, I'd say Quinn is gone too."

"Yeah, he stormed out just after you left - thanks to me." she said.

"What happened?"

"I lost my temper, and called him a jack-ass. He left the room in a worse mood than ever." Maggie started to bring her nail to her mouth again but caught herself.

"I'm not so sure that's possible. But, anyway, I checked everywhere I know to look. Even went into some of the local bars."

"Yeah, really. Like you were going to find Colin there."

"Well, I had to try. You never know. Old Farm-boy was pretty irate when he left here. That kind of anger can make a man do strange things. Found a beautiful lady singer I wished I could have stayed to listen to, but no
Farm-boy. In fact, she looked familiar, but I couldn't place her, but boy, could she sing."

Maggie placed her arm on Remmy's and smiled. "And I'll bet you wanted to get right up on that stage with her."

"Yes, ma'am. I sure wish I could have. But back to the matter at hand. What now? We slide in the morning before daylight. First no Farm-boy and
now no Q-ball."

"They'll be back. They both know when we slide. We just have to let them air out their anger and wait for them. They aren't going to miss the slide."

Maggie moved to the sofa and tried to look confident. Remmy didn’t buy her outward assurance, but he agreed that there was no more they could do
but wait . . . and hope.

Five hours later, Maggie and Remmy lay on the couch sound asleep. They were brought out of their slumber by the slamming of a door.

“Guys. Wake up, guys!” Quinn yelled as he knocked Remmy’s
propped foot off the coffee table. “Did Colin come back yet? Is he in the bedroom?”

Maggie and Remmy both blinked and shook themselves awake. “Not that I know of Q-ball. We haven’t heard a thing. Did you not find him?” said Remmy. Maggie jumped up to check the other room. Empty.

“He’s not in there.” She checked her watch. “Quinn. We slide in less than thirty minutes. What are we going to do?”

Quinn ran his shaking fingers through his hair and turned away from his companions. He tried to think, but nothing came to mind. Remmy and Maggie questioned him again, and he had to fight to control his anger and his emotions.
It would do no good to go balistic now. The timer counted down at a phenominal speed.

“What now, Q-ball? Less than two minutes. What if he doesn’t show?” Remmy asked.

Quinn stared at his friends. “You two have to go. I’m staying here.”

“No way, Q-ball. We don’t leave without you.” Remmy protested.

“You have to go, Remmy. You and Maggie slide out of here. All of this is my fault. I’ll stay and find him. The coordinates to this world are stored in the timer. You can come back here and pick us up. That’s the way it has to
be,” Quinn argued.

“He’s right, Remmy. We have to go or we’re stuck here,” Maggie said as she pointed the timer and opened the vortex. Remmy opened his mouth to continue the argument, but knew it was fruitless. As much as he hated to admit
it, they were right. He pointed his finger in Quinn’s face.

“You find that boy, you hear me? And you make things right between the two of you.” He grabbed his friend. “We’ll be back, Q-ball -- for both of you.”

Quinn tried to smile, then nodded his head. Remmy left his embrace and was quickly replaced by Maggie. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then motioned for Remmy to jump in.

“You two take care of each other. I’ll see you soon,” Quinn said as she started to jump.

“You can bet your sweet ass on that Quinn Mallory. You just find Colin. You do your job, we’ll do ours.” she yelled over the sound. She jumped, the vortex closed, and Quinn was left standing all alone in the room. Alone in a foreign world.

---------------------------------

If anyone's out there, have a great weekend. See you Monday.

Previous post #s: P)2277 1)2280 2)2283

Wow.

Date: 9/8/2000
From: DieselMickeyDolenz

So do we get to find out what happens on both Earths, or will it just be the Mallory brothers for the rest of the story? Nice writing.

Diesel
Mickey
Dolenz

P.S. I hope I'll get to see the game in person. Everyone keeps backing out on me. I can't imagine why anyone would want to miss Middle Tennesssee State :-P At the moment, I've got 6 tickets for the game, but I'd rather not go by myself.

I DO SO LOVE YOUR STORIES!

Date: 9/8/2000
From: weeeezr

he he quinn said shit! haha.........

eagerly awaiting the next chapter ms christina!

um... ya wanna fill me in on whatever is goin on between you and
britslider....... WHAT is everyone betting on?

i miss everything..... i suck.

luv ya

weez

Oh man!!

Date: 9/13/2000
From: Foxtrottin

This is good! Looking forward to seeing how the Brothers Mallory settle their differences ;o)

Fox

Original URL http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/1095/2823
Nominated by DieselMickeyDolenz