~~/~@

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Back at the Lodging House, Jack's goal was to get to bed before anyone could ask about what Kelli had said about earlier that day. Just as he climbed onto his bed, David approached him.

"What was that about at Medda's? Yeah, you lied about just being tired. So, what's really going on?" He asked. Jack knew he couldn't just lie about it again.

"Ok... everybody wants to know what's going on so here goes. I- I guess I gotta tell ya." Jack said loud enough for everyone to hear. Kid Blink, Mush, and Racetrack all smiled encouragingly at him.

"Alright, well... when the doctor came he told me that there's cancer or something in my head... and there is no cure. I'm dying. I didn't want you all to worry, so I mad Kloppman lie and I kept it secret. I'm sorry."

"But you can't die..." David said softly.

"And who are you to tell me what I can and can't do, huh?" Jack smiled at him.

"What will we do without you?" Boots asked.

"You'll figure something out, I'm sure." And with taht, Jack lied down on his bunk and went to sleep.

~~/~@

A month later, things settled down and although nobody was happy with the fact that Jack would die, they all accepted it.

Jack was already looking much paler and was having hosebleeds at least twice a day. There was always at least one person selling with Jack and watching him. Today it was Mush.

"Extra! Extra! Murder of Dog Involves- wha... Jack?" Mush stopped his yelling when he felt Jack grab onto his sleeve. He reached over and grabbed Jack under his arms to hold him up.

"Hey, stay with me here... what's wrong, Jack?"

Jack didn't answer. He was several shades paler than usual and he fell unconscious in Mush's arms.

"Jack! Mush!" Mush turned to see Kelli and Laura run towards him and Jack. He layed Jack on the ground.

"I don't know what happened... He just fell unconscious. Oh no... his nose is bleeding again." Mush muttered. Laura handed him a rag to help with Jack's bleeding nose.

"What's wrong with him? He looks so much sicker than before." Kelli said.

"Cancer.... he's dying."

"Dying? But he can't die. If he dies then everything will be different." Kelli said. Larua grabbed her shoulder

"Kelli, we can't interfere." Laura said sternly.

"But... He doesn't die in the original history. We have to save him." Kelli insisted. Laura crossed her arms.

"I won't stop you, but I'm not having any part in it. We were sent just to observe." She argued.

"Well, your objection will be noted."

Mush looked blankly at them.

"I'll explain later." Laura said to him. She took his hand and pulled him away from Jack as Kelli took out what looked like a pocket watch. Kelli touched Jack's shoulder and pushed a button, and they both disappeared.

"What just happened? They disappeared!!" Mush was frantic.

"Calm down... I'll explain everything."

~~/~@

Later that night, Laura had explained everything to Mush and walked to the Lodging House.

"So you two are from the future and you are just staying here to observe this time?" Mush asked.

"Yeah... then we record almost everything we see, and the information goes into the system and is used somehow. I don't know exactly what is done with it... that's for other people to worry about. But, we're not allowed to interfere with the past or future." Laura explained even further.

"Hey, Kloppman... isn't it awfully quiet in here?" Mush asked as they entered the lodging house.

"The others all went to a poker game in Brooklyn." Kloppman answered.

Öh.. ok." Mush shrugged. He and Laura went upstairs to the bunk room.

"Kelli!" Laura said in surprise. When the walked into the room, Kelli was sitting over Jack, who was asleep in a bed.

"Shh... he's sleeping." Kelli said.

"Is he gonna be ok?" Mush asked quietly, looking at Jack.

"Yes, he'll be fine. He's just had two weeks of treatment. I brought him far enough into the future so that it could be done fast." Kelli answered. She pulled a blanket up to Jack's chest and walked up to Mush and Laura.

"Two weeks? But it's not even been a day." said Mush.

"Well, I came back to this time because I knew the others would be gone, and I dind't want anyoe to know he was gone." Kelli told him.

"So what do we tell the others?" Mush asked.

"Tell them all that is was a miracle." Kelli suggested.

"Right... like they would believe that."

"And you think they'll believe the truth?" Laura asked him.

"Well, no..." Mush answered.

"OK, well... he'll be awake soon. He won't remember anything, and if he does, it will be like a dream. Don't tell him the truth." Kelli told Mush.

"Ok, thank you."

"You're welcome. Gotta go. We'll see you around." Kelli said. Her and Laura walked out of the bunking room and left. There was a groan and Mush turned quickly.

"Jack, you ok?"

"Yeah... what happened?" Jack asked.

"Well, you passed out." Mush answered.

"I had the craziest dream..."

"Really..." Mush smiled and sat down to listen.

~~~/~@

THE END.... you like?

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**Author's Note and explanation for the CheeZy time travellers** When I wrote this story last spring, I originally was gonna kill Jack. I was determined to write a story with a character death because it would be a real challenge for me. I wimped out as you can tell. I was sitting in class writing, and yelled out "i just can't do it! I can't kill him!" I really scared some of the people that aren't close friends with me. So, that's why I made the girls into time travellers... *L* Sorry... I know it's cheeZy.

Oh... there was a sequal that I was working on that would mostly center around Mush. I never finished it, but if you want me to try to finish it, I will. Just tell me!

Now... reviewers to thank:

SpottedOne- yes... cliffhangers are very handy to make the reader's come back for more... took me a couple stories to figure that out. :-)

Kaylee

Spartacus

SparksdaNewsie

I'm a little teapot- *L* A spork?!

~~/~@ That's all folks! If your name isn't in here, then you reviewed after I posted this chapter, and I'm really really sorry. I really am!