Most of the Characters contained in this story are not mine but are borrowed from the 1970s series The Tomorrow People. They are the property of the creators and copyright holders.

Any other characters, planets and cultures are the sole creation and property of Jacqueline Newman. No one may post this story to any web page without my permission.

Possible Spoiler:

This story should be read after my novel 'The Joining' as it follows the lives of characters created in that story.

Personal comment:

I would like to thank Shawn Lazerus for betareading this fan fict. The title is not particularly original but seemed most appropriate :)

Comments are very welcome. If you enjoy the story please let me know.

Jackie Newman
jack@effdee.demon.co.uk 

"Ssssh Charlie. You'll wake them." Said Edward as he and Charlotte crept down the stairs, through the study and into the lab below.

Edward, who preferred to be called Eddy, was John and Elizabeth's first child. He was just nine years old, although he acted more mature than most human children his age. Despite this he always seemed to be bossing his sister about, and getting her into all sorts of trouble. This evening was no exception.

"I am being quiet." Protested the little girl. "It's you who made the door creek."

At last they stepped into the dimly lit room to be greeted by the soft voice of TIM.

"I have Tyso waiting on a secure channel from Saiyonara." The view screen lit up and the familiar form of Tyso appeared.

"This is quite a surprise. Does John know that you got TIM to set up a long distance communication like this?"

"No, of course not. That's why we need your help." Said Charlotte enthusiastically. "It's mum and dad's tenth anniversary soon and we want you to get them a present from us."

"Oh I see." Tyso nodded. "It's a surprise then."

"Yes. Stephen and Angie said that you may be able to get hold of some Grallarian pond crystals. I know they are rare..."

"Rare! They're almost illegal. I'm surprised at Stephen agreeing to anything so underhanded. No, I take that back, It's exactly what I would have expected from him."

The little boy looked worried. "Tyso. We know that you have met many people on your travells. Do you think you can get hold of some for us? Please."

"Oh I might be able to sort something out. There's nothing I like better than smuggling rare artefacts half way across the galaxy to a closed world right under the noses of the beaurocrats at the federation. Consider it done."

TIM's authoritative voice broke into their conversation. "Tyso. We do not want you to do anything illegal or to get into any trouble. The children's request is not compulsory. I'm sure that they can think of something else to get for John and Elizabeth."

"Don't worry TIM, I can take care of myself. I have my own contacts around here you know. I'll send a message when I have acquired the goods and jaunt over with them. I'd love to see the look on John's face when you give them to him. Bye for now."

The view screen dimmed and the lab returned to near darkness.

"If I had known that it was Grallarian pond crystals that you were going to ask for I would not have agreed to set up that transmission." Chided the biotronic computer. "They are rare and restricted artefacts from a dying culture. Tyso will be taking great risks on your behalf. I think that this surprise present idea should have been thought through more carefully. I will have a talk with Stephen about it tomorrow."

"Please don't be angry with us." Charlotte put on her most pathetic voice. This always worked with TIM. "We didn't mean any harm we just want to give mum and dad the most wonderful gift they've ever had."

"Well. I suppose I can over look it on this occasion, but next time please inform me of your intentions before I establish the link. Now it's well past your bed time off you go."

The little girl smiled at her brother mischievously and brushed her long brown locks from her eyes. "Thanks ever so. Good night." She bent forward and kissed one of the glowing domes which made up part of TIM.

"Good night children." Replied the computer. "Pleasant dreams."

The children jaunted to their respective bedrooms and snuggled down once more. This is going to be the best surprise yet. Thought Eddy as he drifted off to sleep.

25th July 1999 3.15p.m.

"How much did they cost you?" Asked Stephen as he peered at the elaborately carved box.

"More credits than you have in your Federation account." Teased Tyso. "No seriously. The Paldrinian freighter captain, that I got them from, was happy to receive a blessing from the Manyarnern Premier for the future prosperity of his family."

"You promised him that! Angie won't be very pleased when she finds out. You know she doesn't hold much with all this religious rubbish about her being some sort of saintly icon out of temporal synch with the rest of the universe."

"She won't mind cause you won't tell her. Will you." Tyso said emphatically.

"You don't really understand the meaning of the joining do you Tyso? I'll have to remind you one day."

The conversation was cut short as Mike came into the lab. "Well, what've we got here. Our two conspirators in the great anniversary present swindle."

"How do you know about that!" Demanded a shocked Stephen.

"Those two kids have been so excited ever since you agreed to get these things for them." He motioned at the case. "They've hardly been able to control themselves."

"So who else knows?"

They all looked up as they sensed two figures materialising on the jaunting pad.

Hsui Tai and Andrew came over and looked at the ornate box. "Can we see the crystals? Please?" Asked Hsui Tai.

"Oh no, not you as well!" Stephen sighed as he sat down and opened up the box. Peering inside they could all see two small rounded stones surrounded by layers of a velvety type material.

Tyso picked up one of the unassuming little rocks. "I don't know what all the fuss is about!" Was the last thing any of them heard before they fell unconscious on the floor.

Meanwhile...

"Thank you Mrs. Phillips." Said Elizabeth as she took the tea cup from John's mother.

"Why don't you call me Margery. You two have been married for so long now that I think it's time we were a little less formal with each other." She looked up at her husband who was busy telling John a story about his work for the Metropolitan Police. "Don't you agree dear?"

"Then the custody sergeant...What? Do you have to disturb my train of thought like that." He gave his wife a stern look. "Now where was I..."

(John!)

(Yes TIM.)

(Can you and Elizabeth come to the lab immediately please.)

John felt the tension in TIM's usually unruffled voice. (What's the matter?)

(You will see when you get here. Please hurry.)

Elizabeth looked across at the children who were playing a game, on a lap top computer, at the dining table in the far corner of the room.

(Telephone?) She pathed as she sent out the telekinetic signal for it to ring.

John took the mobile phone from his pocket. "Yes, of course." He said to the empty line. "I'll be right over." He put the phone back into his pocket and rose from his seat. "Sorry Mother, Father, we have to go. There is an emergency at work and I have to return immediately."

"On a Sunday! I am proud of you becoming managing director of Jameson Industries my boy." Said John's father. "But being expected to drop everything and come running every time there is a little trouble at the plant. Haven't you got employees to do that sort of thing?"

"I'm sorry dad, but they really do need me there to sort things out." He beckoned the children across towards him. "Come on kids we have to leave now. Say good bye to your grandparents."

"Oh dear! And we have not had tea yet." Said Margery as she rose to collect their coats." One day, you will have to stay for longer than ten minutes."

"Yes." Replied Elizabeth. "We promise to come back with the kids very soon."

They hurriedly put on their coats and headed out into the street. Walking just out of sight around the corner they jaunted to the lab.

25th July 1999 5.25 p.m.

Two hours later the younger Tomorrow People were all recovered.

"I would have expected more from you, your not a kid any more." John was barely containing his anger as he rebuked Stephen. "Did you think about why these things are restricted items? Or what could have happened if we had not been around to revive you all. The head wound that Hsui suffered as she fell against the console was quite serious you know. I despair of the lot of you!"

"Okay! Okay! John. We're sorry. We didn't think about what the crystals could do to telepaths. There is no need to lecture us so much. I've got a splitting headache I'm going upstairs for a nap." He stood up and jaunted.

"Don't be so hard on them John." Said Liz, as she helped Hsui Tai to her feet. "I think they have learned their lesson. After all, they were trying to do something for us you know."

John sat down at the table opposite Andrew, Mike and Tyso who were also nursing bad headaches. "Yes, and when I find out who was the ring leader of this little enterprise I'll have words with the Federation authorities." He said gruffly as he looked at each of the young men in turn.

"It was all my idea." They said in unison.

Tyso stood quickly and walked across to the jaunting pad. "I'm going to visit me mum while I'm here want to come with me Mike?"

"You bet."

They jaunted before John could say anything else.

John looked sternly at the glowing globes which hovered in the centre of the room. "And, I am very disappointed with you TIM. Letting them bring dangerous items into the lab. Just wait until I get to the bottom of this."

"Well, there is no harm done." Interrupted Elizabeth trying to pacify her husband. "Why don't we leave things for now and discuss it when we have all calmed down. Andrew, please help Hsui to her room."

Relieved to escape John's bad mood, the two young people climbed the stairs into the house above, then quickly crossed the study and went to their own rooms.

Elizabeth sat at the table beside John in the now empty lab. The ornately carved box was still in the centre of the table where it had fallen when the Tomorrow People were knocked out. It's contents appeared to be harmless pebbles once more.

Reaching out she lifted up the box to study it's contents more closely. "Who would have thought that such innocuous stones could black out five healthy people. I wonder what they actually do?"

John took the box from her and replaced the lid. "Well I'm going to find out before any more of us are harmed." He said placing it down in the centre of the table once more. "TIM please contact the Federation central archives and find out as much as you can about Grallarian pond crystals.

"I have already established the link and am downloading the information now." Replied the computer.

26th July 1999 7.00 p.m.

Angie came into the dining room with a flurry. Compared to the other Tomorrow People she, and her children, looked very alien. Their eyes were shining with a bright scarlet light and their skin shimmered with mauves and lilacs as they moved. The long flowing gown which Angie wore changed appearance as she walked until it took on the shape of jeans and tea shirt. These changes were duplicated by Gabkhan, his identical twin Kohlarn and their younger sister Sussialificalasa. Soon they all appeared human again.

Bending down she kissed Stephen. "Sorry we're late, we stopped off at Dralon Four to do some shopping."

They sat down around the table and helped themselves to some food. Sensing the atmosphere in the room Angie looked up at John. "So tell me, what has been happening around here while we were away?"

"I think that your joining partner should be the one to tell you the details." John barked gruffly and returned to his meal.

26th July 1999 8.00 p.m.

After finishing their dinner in stony silence, Stephen and Angie went into the lounge. Eddy and Charlotte were already there playing at the piano.

"So I take it that things did not go according to plan?"

"No, not quite." Replied an embarrassed Stephen. "Did you know how dangerous those crystals could be? John and Liz had to revive us all from a coma."

"How on Earth could that have happened?" She paused deep in thought. "Unless one of you touched them of course."

Tyso, who had heared their exchange as he approached, entered the room and sat on the couch. "It was me. I only took it out of the box."

Angie burst out laughing and could barely contain herself for the next half an hour.

"What a bunch of idiots. Can't I leave you alone for five minutes?" She said through her giggling.

14th August 1999 7.15 p.m.

It had been a beautiful summers day. The temperature was just subsiding, to a more comfortable level, as John lit the barbecue. Heating the coals with pyrokinesis they quickly reached cooking temperature. Mike, who stood nearby, fiddled with the cassette player and loud rock music suddenly broke the peace.

"Must we have that on?" Said John a he arranged the sausages on the griddle. "It is such a lovely evening I was rather enjoying the bird song."

(Oh dad, don't be such an old stick in the mud.) Pathed Edward as he dribbled a football past Andrew and Kohlarn and kicked it into the make shift goal at the edge of the lawn.

"You can't blame the children for their taste in music." Added Elizabeth as she came out of the conservatory. Floating behind her was a tray of mixed utensils and a large pitcher of Tralmark." Although it could be a little quieter."

Mike, who had joined the others in their game, used telekinesis to turn down the volume on the cassette player. (Is that better?) He pathed as he took the ball from Eddy and began spinning it on his head.

"Much." Replied John smiling at the happy scene.

Stephen and Angie floated over, hand in hand, towards the others. Their skin still glistened with water from the loch.

"The water's lovely." Said Stephen as he quickly dried himself off on a nearby towel. "After we've eaten we should all go for a dip together."

Angie turned to Elizabeth who had now settled herself down on a sun bed. "How are things coming?" She enquired. "Do you need any help with dinner?"

"No. John has everything under control." The jug of Tralmark poured some of it's contents into a nearby glass which floated into her hand. "Here's to good food and good friends." She lifted the glass in a toast and sipped at the thick liquid.

"Watch out! You're not used to it's properties." Warned Stephen.

As the Tralmark took effect Elizabeth's psychic senses were enhanced. With little effort she could feel the happy feelings emanating from the other Tomorrow People around her.

"Your people are very lucky." She said to Angie after a long silence. "The group consciousness felt by millions of telepaths living in close proximity must be wonderful."

"Yes it does have it's moments." Replied Angie, who was by now, also feeling the psi-enhancing qualities of the Manyarnern beverage.

The evening wore on and the anniversary party got into full swing. Mike supplied the dance music and even John joined in as they all swirled around together on the patio.

Eventually it became too dark to remain outside so they went into the lounge for coffee and cake.

"Happy anniversary." Said Charlotte handing John the small package.

John tore at the wrapping paper to reveal the carved box containing the Grallarian pond crystals. He suddenly looked very disappointed and tried not to show it. "Thank you children, I'm not sure what these things are meant to do but thanks for getting them for us."

"I take it then, that TIM did not find anything out from the Federation archives?" Asked Andrew his face cracking into a wide grin.

"No. All they would tell me is that there is a legend on Grallaria about their magical qualities." He looked around the group. "Do you know something that I don't?" He looked at Angie who sat beside Stephen on the floor.

"I cannot explain it but I can show you." She took the box from him and removed the lid. "The mistake made last time, by Tyso, was touching the crystals. You and Liz need to reach inside and lift the stones with telekinesis. I promise they are quite harmless when handled in this way."

They looked at one another then followed her instructions. The stones rose from their box and floated, at eye level, about a metre in front of them. Everyone present stared as the stones began to glow. Gradually their brightness increased and the room was bathed in a multitude of colours. The crystals started to spin, faster and faster. A vortex formed in the air between them then exploded to engulf John and Elizabeth. The seats where they had been sitting were now empty....

19th July 3009

A young, oriental, man crossed the room to stand beside John.

"Welcome to the Museum of Tomorrow."

Elizabeth looked around her. "This is the lounge of our house, where has the furniture gone?"

"I beg your pardon Madame. This cannot be your home. It has been designated as an historical monument for the past three hundred years, you must be mistaken."

(John, I'm scared. Where on Earth are we?)

(I'm not too sure, but I have an idea.)

(I apologise.) Pathed the curator. (I was not aware that you were telepaths. >From your dress I assume that you have come here on one of those mystery nostalgia tours? You seem a little confused let me explain.) He lifted his hand to motion at their surroundings. (The teleporter has brought you to the Tomorrow People museum. This house is situated in Scotland on the planet Earth. It was the home of the first telepaths to evolve on this planet. I am proud to say that I am the ancestor of Michael Bell and Hsui Tai. I can see that you two are also descended from the Originals the resemblance is uncanny.)

He led them into what was once the dining room and pointed to large three dimensional holographic statues. (Yes... Quite uncanny.)

John's mouth opened as he came face to face with a perfect likeness of himself. Thinking quickly he led Elizabeth out into the hall.

"Thank you very much. We would like to take a look around on our own if we may?"

(Of course, just call if you need my assistance.) The young man dematerialised.

"Where are we?" Asked Liz.

"Not where, when!" John led her into the conservatory and they looked out towards the loch. "This is definitely our house. I suspect that we have travelled into the distant future."

"That man said he was Mike's ancestor. I wonder what year this is?"

Together they searched the house looking for a clue to the date. Eventually they went down the hidden staircase, in the study, to the lab below. Looking around at the empty room it was obvious that TIM had been removed many years previously.

"I suppose it was too much to expect him to still be here." Said a disappointed John.

Liz crossed to look at a small computer terminal set in the wall. She touched the screen and it lit up. John joined her and read aloud.

"Welcome to the Museum of Tomorrow. You are standing in the Lab which once housed the Biotronic Unit known as TIM. This computer was provided for the early Tomorrow People by a race of philosophers from the planet Sophia in the galactic arm of Perseus."

They stood reading for many minutes fascinated to see the story of their own lives. Eventually they came to the last entry.

"When their numbers rose above two million they could no longer keep their presence hidden and with full entry into the Galactic Federation they seized power of the world government in the year 2220. The last member of the species Homo Sapian died in the year 2526."

Elizabeth stepped away from the screen tears running uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"So now we know that the Tomorrow People will survive to make this a better world. It's such a shame that the saps have to die out."

John put his arm around her shoulders reassuringly. "We always knew that one day we would win through. They have had their chance and made a mess of things, it looks as if we do eventually get the chance to bring peace to this planet."

They walked in silence back up to the study.

The curator greeted them as they emerged into the bright sunshine. (There is a shuttle leaving for London in three minutes. If you really want to get the most out of your tour I can thoroughly recommend a visit to their places of birth. It is very interesting to see how they lived back then.)

John shook his head. (No thank you. We have seen enough for one day.)

(As you wish.) The man's shape slowly dissolved until he took on a more familiar form.

"Angie!" Exclaimed Elizabeth. "How did you get here?"

"Actually I am not here at all. I'm just borrowing this body for a while. Have you seen enough? Do you want to return to your own time?"

They both nodded. "Yes we've seen all we need to." Said John.

14th August 1999 11.00 p.m.

"That was interesting." John opened his eyes. "How long were we away?"

Charlotte sat on her fathers lap and cuddled him gently. "Oh daddy, I thought you were never going to come back."

"Actually you were gone for about a minute." Explained Stephen sensing that John was rather confused at his daughters reaction. "The kids got a bit worried that their present had harmed you, that's all."

Elizabeth lifted the little girl onto her own lap. "We are just fine. It was a lovely gift thank you."

"Did you really like it?" Asked Eddy. "What did you see?"

John looked across at Angie. "Can I tell them?"

She nodded. "Yes, but just a rough outline. It will upset the time line if we know too much about our own destiny. After all, the gift was meant for the two of you. Happy anniversary."