Aldrin Klordane had grown up in normal enough surroundings. His father Pierre had been an airline executive for over a decade when Aldrin was born. While Pierre knew good business, it was his mother that had been the largest influence on him. Unfortunately, that influence was not good. Cordelia Klordane was the quintessential socialite. She spent her days at the various clubs in town. In the evenings, she hobnobbed with the "in" crowd.
        Young Aldrin was left to the care of a stern nurse and an indifferent butler. It was true that he hadn’t had a piggy bank or a train set as a child. His nurse had direct control of his allowance and rarely allowed him to have anything frivolous. Discipline was the thing for his old German lady, who called him "mien kinder" when she was in a good mood and "dummkopf" more often.
        Thus it was that when Master Aldrin finished high school, he took all the inheritance he could squeeze out of his parents and left. He tried to set himself up in business to show his father he was capable, but only made a meager living. Then he remembered something his father had told him. "If you can’t make an honest buck, make a buck anyhow."
        His father had been referring to corporate politics, but Aldrin saw bigger possibilities than that. It started with a local gang and petty crimes, but it only took five years to make Aldrin Klordane one of the most respected names in the underworld. His admittedly ingenious mind had allowed him to plan, to move slowly and then take over rival "organizations" when he had the advantage.
        Then had come the most daring caper of his life—his Master Plan. He’d found old surveyor’s records that had indicated a vulnerability in the site chosen for the Global Gold Reserve. Of course, the architects had discovered the error originally but it was quickly buried in paperwork to save money. Klordane had calculated the amount of tectonic stress needed to crack the vault. He found another genius in Norton Nimnul, who devised the means to create the needed quake. All had gone well—then those rodents had come along.
       
        It had seemed impossible, yet these five small creatures had thwarted two years of planning! Yet the words were there to be seen, plain as day. Klordane read them with satisfaction now, like a favorite piece of historical fiction. Then he checked the small blinking device on top of it.
        "Is the temporal displacement stabilizer working all right on that?" Nimnul asked, striding in.
        "Yes, indeed. We were fortunate to find these in the future. Otherwise, we’d have had to enter the alternate timeline permanently," Klordane said. "How are our guests doing?"
        Nimnul caught himself studying the wondrous device. "Oh, the vermin? I’ve got them locked up in stasis fields. All except the one with the hat. She wanted to handle him personally."
        Nimnul laughed gleefully. "Killed by the object of his affections! I love it! Haah hahahahaha!"
        "I don’t see anything to laugh about," Gadget said. She hadn’t listened to the conversation, mainly because she was in a foul mood. "The chipmunk’s still unconscious. I’ve tied him up and taken him to my quarters. He’s not going anywhere."
        "I can’t wait to hear the special fate you’ve reserved for him, my dear," Klordane said. "I know you’ve been waiting to get your hands on him for a long time."
        Gadget looked at the book on Klordane’s desk. "Is that stabilizer still working?"
        Klordane held up the book. "Nimnul just asked, but yes. Now, just what will you do with the chipmunk who killed your father? I’m curious."
        "What does it matter? He’ll be dead soon. That’s what you care about, isn’t it?" Gadget asked.
        Klordane peered over the desk with mock concern. "My dear Gadget, aren’t you happy? I give you everything your little heart could ask for!"
        "Don’t give me that! You and I both know I’d be in the sewer if you didn’t have some use for me," Gadget replied sourly.
        "As always, a pleasure to talk to you. Come, professor. I have peasants to dominate and I want you at my side. Return to your soon-to-be victim, Gadget," Klordane said.
       
        Gadget left with them, turning left as they went right. However, she didn’t leave. Not when there was a chance to gain an advantage. The mouse pressed a device that looked like a watch on her arm. "Security bypass. Passcode Geegaw 1127."
        The mouse re-entered Klordane’s office. Something had puzzled her ever since Klordane had recruited her. The devices that he and Nimnul wore were of a technology far beyond the normal. Now, she had a chance to study one of them. Gadget climbed the desk, using her modified gloves. There was the book. She was about to rip the device off of it, when another idea stuck her. **This book must have some value for old great dane to have protected it so much. Maybe there are secrets inside.**
        Conveniently, the Gigantico gun was also on the table. One zap later, the book was down to Ranger size. "Rescue Rangers…hmm. Sounds like a better evening than usual," Gadget muttered, starting to turn the pages as she headed back.
       
        The first stop for Klordane was the modified prison that was serving to hold the remainder of the time-trippers. They were all in separate containment fields, lying on small metal tables atop a larger metal table. From above, an energy field shone down on them, keeping them unconscious.
        "Ah, yes. The paralysis field. Our little inventor certainly is worth her keep," Klordane exclaimed. "It’s made many a caper easier."
        "When do I get to have some fun?" Nimnul asked expectantly.
        "What? Eliminate these defenders of the right? I wouldn’t hear of it!" Klordane said. "However, their time is almost up. How much longer before their limited protection runs out?"
        Nimnul checked an electronic clock on the wall. "Ooh, just four hours and seventeen minutes now!"
        "How fitting," Klordane said, "to have time not only as my ally but as my executioner too! But I want Chip to suffer more. He’s the leader, and the leader must pay a higher price. So it will be that beauty will kill the munk!"
        "Do you think she bought that story about his being her father’s killer?" Nimnul asked.
        Klordane waved for him to follow. "Does it matter? She hates chipmunks! After all, one killed her father. Why not that one?"
        Nimnul and Klordane’s laughter filled the hall. "Now I wonder where she heard that from?" Nimnul asked.
       
        Unknown to them, Gadget had heard every word of that conversation. She’d read enough of Chip’s book on the way back to her quarters to start forming some questions in her mind. She’d learned several lessons from Klordane, and the first was to trust no one. **At least that lesson paid off, ** she thought. Once she reactivated the security measures, the intrepid mouse tapped into Klordane and Nimnul’s activities. She noticed the animals in the stasis field as well. Suddenly, Gadget felt the need to sit down.
        She took off the ninja uniform, under which was the coveralls she’d made when she started working on her father’s plane as a young girl. It was pure sentimentality, but her father was all she’d had. Now, to learn that Klordane had lied about his death! Conflicting thoughts ran through her head and she picked up the book and began to read again. This was a whole different reality, a different world. She found herself wondering, and went over to the still-unconscious form of Chip.
        The chipmunk certainly fit the description and the picture in the book, but how could he be here? Then she noticed the bracelet. She selected a device from a shelf full of them and pointed it at the ringlet. "Temporal stabilizer! But I thought Klordane was the only one who had them. Wait!"
        Gadget ran back to her surveillance system and rechecked the images of the animals on the tables. "They’ve got them too—and they’re also in the book! That one…Basil." She opened the book again. "My great-grandfather…?"
        The thoughts were now pouring through the young mouse’s mind. She went back to Chip, almost wishing he was awake so she could ask him some questions. Her mind was awash with conflict; she’d been ready to torture and kill this chipmunk. Now, she didn’t know what do to! As Gadget pulled Chip into a chair, a small book that had been dislodged by the ropes fell out of his jacket pocket. She picked it up—it was obviously some kind of journal.
        Gadget sat down in a chair opposite Chip and flipped the book open, hoping it would confirm the other book and what her eyes and ears had told her. It did far more than that, for the book was an homage to her. Poetry in beautiful verse flowed from the pages. It was all about her—this chipmunk loved her! Gadget found her eyes starting to mist as she read one poem in particular…

Your smile is my sunshine

It radiates like the brightest star

It melts my heart

And warms me

Every time I see it rise

~~

Your voice is music

It sings in my soul

You speak

And I am at peace

Just when you say "hello"

~~

Your touch is the summer breeze

Light and warm on my face

I blush just thinking

And remembering

Your embrace..

~~

Your spirit

And your goodness

Issues a balm of peace

Love and laughter rules my days

Your voice, your touch, your smile...

~~

Speak, and I am yours…

~~

       The mind of Chip Maplewood was still searching for a lost world called reality. Time, events, faces all seemed to meld into a hodgepodge of thought and sound. For a moment, a thought would seem familiar to him, then it would flit away like a butterfly before he could take hold. The images were sharp, but confusing. Giant Klordanes marching over the face of the earth, a Victorian detective at his side. Dale and Foxglove in strange costumes. Then, there was that other image.
        It was the one his mind was fighting not to see, but the image was there and it stayed. A figure draped in black, then locks of golden hair falling as the hood was removed. It was all happening in slow motion—the face turning. Those eyes! It can’t be!
        Gadget, no!
        Then, somewhere far away, Chip heard something. He couldn’t make it out but he was certain it was coming from another being. Slowly, agonizingly, he crawled up the sheer walls of his own mind and made a bid for consciousness. The noise was getting louder all the time. What was it?
        It was the curiosity more than anything that drove him on, for something told him that this noise was good, something he should head for. The blackness finally gave way to a dark gray and then, just a bit, light began to pour in. Everything was a blur at first, but now he was sure the sound was coming from a person.
        His eyes come open, and his mind told him he must be dreaming still. For there, in front of him, was the girl of his dreams. It was Gadget.
       
        And she was crying….
       
        "Gadget.." Chip said, finding his throat strangely sore.
        It took two more efforts for Gadget to notice that someone was saying her name. Then she snapped back to reality. It was the chipmunk, and he was calling her. She unbound the ropes and started checking him for any major damage.
        Chip touched her, just to make sure she was real and not an illusion. "Water…please.." was all he could muster. Gadget went away and came back in a few moments with a glassful. He drank it gratefully.
        "You’re still groggy. Here, lean on me and I’ll take you to the couch," Gadget said.
        Chip was in no condition to resist. He allowed her to bear his weight and he ended up leaning back on a plush couch. Slowly, his wits were returning to him.
        "Gadget! You’re alive!" Chip shouted suddenly. He reached for her and hugged her to him. Gadget started to resist for fear he had been pretending all this time, but she could feel the tears running down his cheeks and touching her face. For the first time in her memory, she felt what love was like. She liked it.
        Chip was praying that he wouldn’t wake up, that this wasn’t a dream. He’d been overwhelmed when he had to let Gadget go. And now she’d come back to him! He didn’t want to let go, and felt some gratification in that she didn’t seem to want to let go either. Then it happened. Gadget pushed back from him a bit, looked into his eyes, and kissed him. And kissed him.
       
        Chip’s mind lurched into action. Something was wrong, dead wrong. He knew Gadget would be glad to see him, but not this glad! He’d been amazed that she was going to kiss him—now he was nearing shock. Finally, the message reached out to his frame. He squirmed and pulled back.
        "What’s wrong, Chip? Aren’t you glad to see me?" Gadget asked.
        Chip stared at her. Could it be? "Lawainie?"
        "Who?" Gadget asked. From his reaction, she could tell that wasn’t the right reply.
        Chip stood up. "Okay, who are you and what am I doing here?"
        "I’m Gadget Hackwrench and right now you’re talking to me. Are you all right?" Gadget asked.
        Chip nodded slightly. "This apartment...I’ve never been here before. It’s too plush to be anything you built. Where did it come from?"
        "One of the perks of being a super-intelligent mouse," Gadget said. "State of the art living quarters, wall-to-wall carpeting, crystal and silver to eat on. Klordane takes care of his own."
        "Klordane!" Chip said. Suddenly, everything fell back into place. "Then this is still the alternate timeline. Klordane’s taken over the world, and you’re…"
        "Not your Gadget," Gadget said. "Yes, I’ve just discovered who you are for myself."
        Chip stared at her again. "If you knew, then why did you let me hug you, and why did you kiss me?"
        Long pent-up emotions were playing across Gadget’s face. "I was curious. I wanted to know what love was like. You see, I haven’t been able to trust anyone for years. Not since I left the airfield."
        "Klordane came to the old B-52, and took you away, didn’t he?" Chip asked.
        Gadget went into her elegant kitchen and made herself a cappuccino. "He didn’t take me! I had nothing else to do. No one ever came and visited me—not that I encouraged it either. I had been there two years since dad died and then Klordane came and made me an offer. He said he’d known my father, and that he was willing to help me with my inventing. He set me up with the finest equipment money could buy, Chip. All I had to do in return was develop technology that was useful to him."
        "I can imagine. Weapons, surveillance equipment…" Chip started.
        "Neutralization bombs, paralysis machines, and so on," Gadget added. "I always tried to make my weapons non-lethal if possible, but knowing Klordane he probably had Nimnul modify them."
        Chip came over and faced her. "Then why stay here? Why did you work for a man you knew wasn’t good?"
        "No one else cared, Chip!" Gadget exclaimed. "No one remembered me. No one! Do you know what it’s like to be totally alone, Chip? I was grateful to even meet someone that said he remembered dad! I suppose that was probably a lie, too. He told me you killed him."
       
        Chip’s eyes widened, but Gadget turned her face away and held up her hand. "I don’t believe him anymore, Chip. I don’t know that I ever really did, but I didn’t have anyone else. All I’ve had is Klordane. He’s tried to give me what I want—I’ve got everything that I’ve ever asked for. He’s even tried to bring suitors in for me, but they just repulsed me."
        The chipmunk took Gadget’s hand. "So what did you want?"
        "Love," Gadget said. "The one thing my father gave me that no one has bothered to…until now." The mouse inventor started closing the gap between them, her eyes starting to mist. "When I discovered that Klordane had tricked me, I suspected that meant that you were my ally. When I read your poetry, I knew it went beyond friendship."
        Chip was getting very uneasy. "You…you read my poetry? Uh, well, I didn’t mean for you…I mean for Gadget to read that. Those are my inner thoughts."
        Chip tried to pull his hand away, but Gadget wouldn’t let him. "Don’t be ashamed, Chip! In all the time I’ve been here, no one has cared about me just for me! They wanted my brains, my skills, and my inventions. Oh, they’d notice me, but it was always for their own gains. But you…you love me! Don’t you?"
       
        Chip was getting very confused. Here he was, faced with the girl he loved—or was it?—saying that she accepted him—or did she?—and wanting to know if he really loved her! "I…I think so. This doesn’t seem right. Gadget wouldn’t act like this!"
        "You mean, the Gadget you know doesn’t love you?" Gadget asked, her demeanor suddenly changing.
        **Come on Chip! You’ve got to grab hold of the moment! ** "Well…I’m not sure. I know she likes me, but she’s never kissed me. Certainly not like you…" Chip said.
        "How could she not!?" Gadget exclaimed. "You’re gorgeous! You love her! Doesn’t she know?"
        "I…I think she does," Chip said. "The last time I saw her she said, ‘I know.’"
        Gadget was somewhere between angry and morose. "But you never kissed her or had a relationship, did you? Why not? Were you afraid?"
        "No. No, I just think neither of us were ready for that sort of thing," Chip said, amazed at his own words. He couldn’t have said these things to anyone else other than the mouse standing in front of him.
        Gadget strode up to him. "Well, then. Your problems are solved! Just stay here, because I like you already." She pulled him to her before he could react and again she kissed him.
        Chip pulled away. "No! It isn’t right. Gadget wouldn’t do this!"
        "I’m Gadget! The only Gadget now! Like it or lump it," Gadget said.
        Chip grabbed his fedora off the floor. "I can’t betray the girl I love, even if she is only a memory! I’ve got friends to save."
       
        Chip had nearly made the door, when Gadget burst into tears. The chipmunk stopped, knowing he couldn’t leave until they talked some more. He came back and she fell into his arms.
        "She doesn’t deserve you! Why don’t you stay with me?" Gadget pleaded.
        Chip raised her head up and helped to wipe the tears away. "Love is a strange thing. I can’t explain it. I only know that I’ll love her until death and far beyond. Nothing can change it. Whether she accepts it is up to her."
        Gadget smiled a bit. "I wish I could go with you and tell her what a great prize she’d be getting."
        Chip shook his head. "I don’t want her to love me out of pity or obligation. Love is either there, or it’s not. I’m glad I can be her friend, if nothing else."
        Gadget looked into his eyes. "But if she says yes some day, will you…"
        "Without hesitation," Chip replied.
        Gadget nodded. "I’ll help you free your friends, then. Your world’s worth saving."
        "I’m glad you think so," Chip said, holding her close.
        "Chip, would you do one thing before we leave?" Gadget asked.
        "What’s that?" Chip asked.
        The mouse looked with pleading eyes. "Would you kiss me? Me, and not your Gadget?"
        It had been hard for Chip to resist as it was. He touched her soft hair as he kissed her gently. Now he could feel her tears as her arms enfolded him once again. **They say a kiss lasts forever. Maybe for her, it will,** Chip thought, lost in the moment. It was certainly a moment he’d never forget.
       
        The first thing Basil of Baker Street was aware of was a pair of dark eyes staring down at him. Then he saw that the eyes were attached to a face, and that to a hat.
        "Chip! Chip, my lad, it’s wonderful to see you again!" Basil said.
        "You too, Basil! I’ve got a friend here who wants to meet you," Chip said.
        With that, Gadget peered from behind Chip, where she’d been waiting.
        "Gadget, you’re here! Wait, that would mean you’re the Gadget of this universe. Then you’ve realized who your friends are and you’re releasing us," Basil deduced.
        Gadget had to smile a bit at that. "Wow, he is good! Are you really my great-grandfather?"
        Basil nodded and patted her hand. "Quite. Now, let’s get the others free."
        They did so, and soon the group was reunited, such as it was.
        "So you mean that this is Gadget, except she’s not the real Gadget, and she’s going to help us restore her timeline?" Dale asked.
        Chip shook his head in disbelief. "Still the same old Dale."
        Dale laughed. "No I’m not! I’m the Dale from another universe. Wow, someone should write a story about all of this!"
        "Well, assuming everyone gets straightened out, this book will likely chronicle everything," Gadget said.
        Chip took the book and everyone gathered around. He opened to the section on Gadget:

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