A Different Time

by Donna Steele

Owing to Ben’s profession, he’d correctly picked up on their intimacy immediately. The way he and Dee were together, so comfortable and close, could never happen in less than two weeks.

  Sighing, Dusty looked down at his plate. Surely Ben would listen to his own daughter. He caught Dee’s hand and squeezed. “I’ll follow your lead.”

  As he reassured her, Dusty felt Ben’s steady gaze lock on him. Talking to a psychologist was a gamble regardless of him being Dee’s father.

  They’d make it work. There was no choice.

  He watched Dee’s shoulders relax slightly and rose to hold her chair. “Why don’t we move to the living room? I’ll get the dishes later.”

  Ben took his wine with him. Dusty refrained. It was going to be hard enough to do this sober.

  He sat beside Dee on the couch, while Ben settled in the chair as though preparing for some kind of session. Hell, picking up his first date to go to the movies in junior high hadn’t been this nerve-wracking. Or this important.

  “Are you living here?” Ben fired the first volley.

  “Yes, sir.” Dusty met his eyes straight on. They were adults and Dusty would not apologize for any part of his relationship with Dee. He loved her and this man needed to understand that.

  “When did you meet?”

  “Dad, we’re telling the truth. We did meet on September first, but it got a little weird then—”

  “Sir,” Dusty interrupted, “if we tell you this story, you need to let us tell it all. Questions can come later, and we’ll answer all we can. I need to ask you to treat this as a patient consultation. It must remain strictly confidential. You’re not going to believe us, possibly ever, but it’s the truth as we know it and we’re not crazy.”

  “Sounds intriguing,” Ben finally replied after a long pause. “Are you a danger to yourself or others?”

  “We aren’t and it’s not that kind of story.”

  Chapter 3

  Guardian Enclave

  “The Essence?” The Elder repeated bluntly. “Are you saying you believe the potential offspring of the human couple you study has the ability to manipulate time and the capacity to contact you directly?”

  The Guardian had never seen an Elder flustered. The relationship between Guardian and Elder, after so many centuries, was always formal and controlled. Now her mentor clutched her blue robe in her fists and the spark in her eyes was disconcerting. Did she know something about this?

  “Yes, Elder. I know that does not seem possible, however, I can find no other explanation. The Essence is learning rapidly and has contacted me on two occasions, appearing curious and eager.”

  “Eager?”

  “To learn, to experience. I have not been successful in asking very many direct questions.”

  “We must call a circle. The Elders need to know of this development immediately. Attend me, Cael.”

  The Guardian bowed her head in acceptance. The Elder had addressed her by her name. It had been millennia since she had been addressed thusly by anyone other than a peer. The informality of it struck her as she followed the Elder from her chambers. She must now remember to respond to her given name of Cael.

  Increasing her pace to stay with the Elder, having never seen one move with such speed, Cael noted how Acolytes in green robes moved smoothly out of their way, then turned to watch them hurry down the corridor.

  Though she never thought of them as old, the Elders were not immortal.

  I need to rethink my perceptions.

  Cael and her Mentor entered the gathering chamber and a wave from the Elder’s hand caused the area to come alive. The holograms of other Elders began to appear around the room. When all seven were in attendance and focused, Cael’s Elder spoke.

  “There has been a development during the study of the planet known as Earth.”

  Though unsure of the depth of unspoken sharing occurring between the Elders, Cael saw eyes widen and eyebrows rise. Not privy to this part of the communication, she stood quietly, waiting to be called upon to explain the Essence.

  With what little she could actually state, Cael would do her best not to embarrass her mentor.

  Chapter 4

  Washington, D.C.

  Silence, not quite fully uncomfortable, settled over the room as Dusty and Dee finished their story.

  Dee’s father swallowed the last of his wine and set the glass down, then sat back in his chair. To Ben’s credit he’d heard them out, not interrupting, though Dusty spotted the urge come over his face a few times, once while eyeing the empty wine bottle.

  Ben took a deep breath and turned to Dusty. “Stevens Battery International is you?”

  “Not exactly. My student, Silas Jordan founded the company, but I did start him on the path to the technology. We believe he reverse engineered Dee’s car. She was driving a Prius when we wrecked and landed in the past. Does the name ring any bells?”

  “It was one of the first, if not the first hybrid car. Came out in the Thirties or Forties. And it was associated with Stevens Battery if I recall correctly.”

  “1930?” Dusty shook his head. “Damn.”

  “You remember it differently?”

  “Yes, sir. The first hybrids came out in the 1990s in my history and didn’t get popular until oil prices hit the four-dollar-a-gallon range.”

  “Oil prices?”

  “We could be here for hours answering everything.”

  “I guess we could.”

  “Dad, do you believe us?” Dee interjected.

  “I believe you believe it. I have no other explanation for the relationship you’ve formed in such a short time. You look and act like a couple who’ve spent considerable time together.”

  “There is one more thing,” she said, as Dusty took her hand. “I’m pregnant.”

  For the first time Dusty saw the man jerk. His eyes scanned his daughter’s slight frame.

  “That’s why I didn’t serve her wine,” Dusty offered.

  “Pregnant. I’m going to be a grandfather.”

  Dee nodded.

  “How far along?”

  “Good question. It was November when I conceived, but it isn’t November here yet. We woke up here the morning of September second, as though we’d never left. When I took the scan, it confirmed a couple of days.”

  Ben’s eyes closed for a brief moment. “Are you all right?” he asked when he got his breath back.

  “I’m in perfect health and we’re both very happy about this baby, Dad.” Dee rushed to assure him. “We obviously don’t understand everything that’s happened. From our point of view, we started some good things.”

  “Why Stevens instead of Williams?”

  Dusty grinned. “To save her reputation. The people in that time were upset about the jeans and t-shirt. I don’t know what their reaction to us traveling alone and unmarried might have been.”

  Ben actually chuckled and Dusty relaxed a notch.

  “You need to call your mother.”

  “I will,” Dee promised. “I should have called her already, but I’ve been busy assimilating into the hospital. There have been so many advancements in technology while I was ‘gone.’ It’s like going back to medical school all alone. When I operated on Connie, she was on a table, just a piece of wood on legs. What our patients lie on now still blows my mind. The sensors embedded in the table do so much of the work, showing constant blood pressure, pulse, temperature, to mention a few.”

  At Ben’s encouraging nod, Dee added, “With the differences I see in technology every day, I have to keep ensuring my mouth hasn’t dropped open again.”

  Maybe, Dusty thought, a padded room isn’t in our immediate future.

  Then Dee’s father pinned her with a thoughtful look. “I don’t think I’d menti
on any of this to your mother.”

  “We have no plans to, but I should at least check on TJ and Aaron.”

  Ben frowned as if confused. “TJ and Aaron? Who are they?”

  Chapter 5

  Home World of the Malveks

  The Malvek commander, Braxal, strode upright into the large area, and stopped to survey his techs at their monitors. He saw the ripple of awareness as they noticed him, scales changing color in response to their fear. He was in full uniform, pleated leather covering his loincloth, gold sash over his bare chest. Multiple scars were visible on his own green-brown scales and his cold black eyes pinned several of the workers who dared to look up as he made his way to the front of the working expanse.

  He took a position behind one of the techs, watching as the underling scrolled through a series of star maps.

  Braxal had his eyes on his next prospective conquest. The planet he currently coveted was warming nicely through the efforts of the existing inhabitants, with water levels rising.

  Additional spawning grounds were always needed. It was nearly ready to be taken.

  His clawed digits came down hard on the tech’s shoulder when a new section of the display appeared. “They are at it again,” Braxal growled.

  Startled, the underling at the station dropped to all fours, exposing his throat in the ritual cringe. “Warrior?”

  “The so-called Guardians. They are interfering with worlds in our domain again.”

  “Th-The Guardians? We have had no evidence of them in many turns. I thought they had died out.”

  “That was only a hope.” The commander slanted his head to adjust his vision on the panel in front of him. “Here.”

  The underling tensed slightly but leaned forward to see what Braxal indicated. A blue-white planet, obviously inhabited from the satellites in orbit, displayed a clean atmosphere with shining poles showing large masses of ice.

  Braxal ignored the underling’s look of confusion. “This is a change. You can’t see it? The ice level is twice what it was. What level training have you completed?”

  “Sir, I have only completed level two.”

  Braxal’s rough claw brushed the underling aside, leaving a slice across his tunic. Life fluid welled up to stain the fabric. “Find me someone with more experience!”

  The underling lost no time escaping, summoning a higher-level technician, then scurried off, no doubt to find someone to bind his wound.

  “Warrior?” A sixth-level tech bowed low and nearly lost his balance. The underling must not spend much time only on his hind legs. Braxal noted many of the workstations were now deserted, following his outburst. Their disappearances would be dealt with shortly.

  “Have you been trained in time observance?”

  “I have completed the training. I have no experience.” Cringing, the tech looked where Braxal’s claw indicated.

  “Do you see the change?”

  Concentrating on the image, blinking to change the lids filtering his eyes, the younger Malvek technician leaned forward. “I am sure you are correct, Warrior, however I cannot clearly decipher the changes.”

  Braxal’s temper rose as the underling evaded his blow. “Find me our most competent tech. This must be challenged.”

  Chapter 6

  Washington, D.C.

  “What do you mean, who are TJ and Aaron? Are you kidding?”

  “No, I don’t—”

  “They’re my half-brothers, Mom and Tom’s kids.” Dee peered at her father as confusion set in.

  “Tom?” Dad’s voice sounded strangled and his face paled. “What do you know about Tom?”

  What the hell?

  “Dad.” She leaned forward, disturbed by his reaction. “I lived with Tom since I was eleven, after you and Mom divorced. You know that. I wanted to live with you but Mom refused. You were always civil with Tom, because of me. You sent presents when the boys were born.”

  Her father’s expression was blank. He wasn’t kidding. He honestly didn’t know TJ or Aaron.

  “Your mother married Roger Hinshaw after we divorced.” Her dad’s voice held no emotion, merely stating a fact.

  “Roger Hinshaw? Who—I never heard of him. What about Tom?” The chill up her spine couldn’t be ignored. She might not have liked the man in the beginning, but he’d been good to her growing up.

  “Your mother and I didn’t know you were aware of Tom. We tried to protect you from all of the turmoil.”

  “I don’t understand. What happened? They’d planned to marry all along.” Stricken, she took the hand Dusty automatically held out to her.

  Dad scrubbed his fingers over his face. “After our divorce, Tom decided to go back to his wife. I don’t have any details.”

  “Wait, what about TJ and Aaron? They weren’t born?” Shock held her in a frozen grip. She turned to Dusty, disbelief slowing her thoughts. “I never thought to check. It never occurred to me . . .” She was barely aware of Dusty’s arm coming around her. “How can you not know about them? They’re my half-brothers, Dad!” She couldn’t control the shaking of her voice, or the tears forming in her eyes.

  What had happened? Yes, they’d been pains in her butt when she was younger, but she’d fed them, changed them, babysat them too often. How many Saturdays had she watched TJ play t-ball or some other sport, or tried to keep Aaron out of her room?

  Now they didn’t exist? That wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be.

  “Dusty, what have we done?” Her voice broke.

  ~ ~ ~

  Curling his arm around her shoulders, Dusty thought furiously, alarmed to see how badly shaken Dee was by her father’s statement.

  We never checked on anything like this, never took the time.

  So pleased with what had blatantly improved, he’d neglected to investigate things that hadn’t been pressing in order to fit into their jobs.

  They’d briefly discussed people missing from a meeting or the ER. They’d carried it no further due to time constraints. That was a mistake desperately needing to be rectified.

  His own father. I haven’t even called him.

  “Dusty, your father,” Dee suddenly blurted, going paler.

  She knows my mind so well. “I’ll call. You need to relax.”

  He’d make that call soon, but she had to be his priority. He’d never seen her distraught before. Her father had taken her hand as well.

  She ignored his caution and turned to Ben. “Did Mom and this Roger have any children?”

  Ben shook his head.

  “What about Tom, did he and his wife have—”

  “I never followed up on Tom.” It was a flat statement and Dusty heard no emotion behind it.

  Seeing how she struggled to absorb this new information, Dusty faced Ben. “I don’t mean to be rude, but Dee is upset and I want her to go lie down. She didn’t get her regular before-dinner nap either. Normally I’d stay out here and visit with you. I know she’ll sleep better with me beside her. Why don’t we meet back here tomorrow, not too early?”

  Ben started to speak, paused, then nodded slightly. “That’s a good idea.” He rose and gently pulled Dee up beside him, taking her in his arms. “I’m so sorry I upset you, sweetheart. I never meant . . . Go on to bed and I’ll call before I come over tomorrow.”

  Dusty stood and handed Ben the transponder for Dee’s vehicle. “Use her car rather than a cab. It knows the way home and she won’t be using it tonight.”

  “You don’t work tomorrow?” Ben asked Dee.

  She shook her head. “I . . . I arranged to have the weekend off,” she murmured, her mind obviously elsewhere.

  She clung to her father as he murmured, “Dusty will look after you. I know it now. Try to rest.” He hugged her a final time before relinquishing her to
Dusty’s arms.

  Dusty didn’t try to analyze the warmth that gave him.

  Chapter 7

  Dusty had not left her side, calming her when she jerked awake from bad dreams, not allowing her to let her mind run wild with speculation. As when they had ended up in Braddock’s Crossing, he adapted to what was going on faster and better than she had.

  Dee woke, if not rested, at least calmer. She jerked when the bedroom door opened, peering expectantly at Dusty who walked in with a glass of orange juice. “How long have you been up?”

  “About an hour. You were finally resting so I did a little work.” He handed her the juice.

  “Dusty, how can you think about work—”

  “This was personal. I knew you were planning to start investigating some family history. Drink up,” he ordered. While she drained the glass he added, “You can relax. When Tom went back to his wife, they had two kids, Tommy and Erin.”

  “It was A-a-r-o-n.” Dee spelled it out, still reeling with the implications.

  “Not in this case. The second kid was a girl.”

  “A girl.” The information drew Dee up short. “It makes sense.” She met Dusty’s eyes as realization sank in. “That was a correction that needed to be made. Aaron so wanted to play with dolls and dress up. Tom didn’t want his son to be a sissy. Aaron learned to hide his preferences early on.”

  “Then we can count this change as a positive?”

  Dee sighed and sank back into the pillows as Dusty retrieved the juice glass. “Yes. I’ll never know them.”

  “Not necessarily. I don’t know how we can manage it, but if you want to meet them, we’ll make it happen. I know you’re going to want to research other things—”

  “Your parents,” she interrupted.

  “Mom still died when I was a kid. If you’re looking for another positive, it wasn’t a drunk driver. There was a pile up on black ice. Same result, but no alcohol involved.”