Message-Id: <m0tUoy7-000UyJC@mailhub.cts.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 95 22:04 PST
From: jekel@cts.com (Julie Jekel)
Subject: "Ships in the Night" part 14

                          SHIPS IN THE NIGHT    
                                   a sequel to "Donna's Song"
                                   by Julie L. Jekel    

                      Chapter 14: Progress Report

        "Well, with any luck, we'll be getting you two out of here by
tomorrow night," the Admiral announced, striding into the Waiting Romm with
Beth close behind him.
        Jack glanced up from the anatomy book Al had loaned him from Sam's
office.  "What do you mean?"
        "You've figured out who tried to kill me?" Ferne guessed.
        "Basically, yes.  Now all our people have to do is keep him from
trying again."
        "Can't they go to the police?" Jack asked.
        Beth shook her head.  "I'm afraid we've already tried that.  Without
being able to explain where they got their information, the police don't
believe them."
        Ferne stared at the couple in shock.  "Why not?"
        "Well," Beth responded.  "I'm afraid we've got a rather unlikely
suspect, at least in their view."
        "Why?  Who is it?"
        "Allan Gardener."
        "Allan?" Ferne gasped.
        Jack frowned.  "Isn't he your fiancee?"
        She nodded, her face dark.  "That money-grubbing son of a--No wonder
he was so eager for me to write him into my will!"
        "Then you're not surprised."                                        
        Ferne sighed.  "Not really.  As you probably already know, the only
reason he wanted to marry me was my money.  But, he promised to get me out
of the spotlight..."  She glanced at Jack and shrugged.  "I told you I was
desperate."
        "Well, apparently he was going to get you out of it in a way that
would insure you stayed out."
        The actress shuddered.  "And to think if I hadn't come here I
probably would have let him, even if I had known."
        Jack took her hand and squeezed it.
        Admiral Calavicci, who certainly didn't look like an Admiral in his
gold and purple ensemble, grinned knowingly at the two.  "Well, it looks
like you're going to end up saving her life again, Jack."
        The young paramedic looked startled.  "I am?"
        "You'll figure it out."  He turned to leave.
        "Al..." Beth stopped him with an unspoken reminder.
        "Oh, yeah.  I guess I should tell you--you guys probably won't
remember any of this when you get back."
        Ferne frowned.  "Why not?"
        "Well...remember when you first got here, how you didn't recognize
each other until you touched?"
        Both of the visitors nodded.
        "It has something to do with that, but I can't tell you what."
        Jack pondered.  
        "You know...when I was really little, I used to watch Captain Galaxy
on TV.  It ended when I was seven, but I remember the last episode.  Captain
Galaxy was reading the last of his fan letters...from some kid in the
Midwest somewhere.  I remembered it for two reasons, because I thought the
question sounded way to smart for a kid--I didn't even undertand the
answer--and because that's when I found out Captain Galaxy really believed
time travel was possible."  He shook his head.  "Now why I should be
thinking of that now, I have no idea."
        Al grinned.  "Little Sam Beckett from Elk Ridge, Indiana..." he
chuckled.
        Jack glanced up, startled.  "Sir, forgive me for saying this,
but..wouldn't you have been a little old to be interested in Captain Galaxy?"
        "Let's just say, if you ever hear of a Sam Beckett, remember that.
Oh...and thank him too."
                                       JJ

                  
                     My 'Schedule':
from the last week in Aug to the middle of December--jj1152@mcis.messiah.edu 
        middle of Dec to the second week in Jan--jekel@cts.com
        second week in Jan to the first week in May--jj1152@mcis.messiah.edu
        first week in May to the last week in Aug--jekel@cts.com