AN: First things first, I don't own any parts of Eureka. This is probably the most random story I have ever written but it was a request from my beta so I went with it. Any strangeness I will certainly blame on her (and possibly the wine too). I wrote this as a long one shot but upon a suggestion, I split it up into 4 parts for ease of reading. I'm self-conscious about it so I hope it doesn't seem too choppy.

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it or at least enjoy the oddity of it.

Chapter 1

A hectic flurry of activity greeted Jo when she stepped into Cafe Diem. Most people had the day off so it seemed that everyone had the bright idea that the most common hangout in town was the place to spend it. Global Dynamic was on a skeleton crew stemming from an earlier event in Dr. Ericsson's lab involving a nasty airborne bacteria that got loose in the building's air circulation system. It turned out to be harmless but it had left a particularly foul odor in its wake, a stench that had found its way all over GD.

In a moment of reason, Fargo approved the shutting down of the facility while the air was being purified. However, Jo suspected it was mostly because the accident had revealed that the perpetrating noxious bacteria could be nicely integrated into the latest non-lethal weapons project. It was one of Eureka's familiar scientific non-sequitors. Fargo had taken particular pleasure in praising Dr. Ericsson's one-upping Parrish but after spending the last 6 hours inhaling the microbiologist's disgusting experiment, not to mention dodging his pathetic attempts to hit on her, she was as through hearing about him as Parrish.

She was feeling normal again after having gone home to change and wash the putrid out of her hair. She had set up the necessary security protocols for the purification process but one major benefit of being the boss is that she didn't have to be there herself. And since it was actually her usual lunch time she hadn't thought twice about having a leisurely meal in town. But looking around, she hadn't seen Cafe Diem so packed - or Vincent and his staff so scurried - in a long time and from her quick scan of the place, there didn't even look like there was a place to sit.

"Hey Jo," Vincent called out from behind the counter after having delivered a few meals to the Robotics Integration Department sitting in the corner. "It's a little crazy but if you don't mind waiting for a few minutes, I think I can squeeze you in the back over there."

Jo glanced over to the back of the restaurant that Vincent had indicated and saw the two people sitting there looking in no hurry to leave their perch. She glanced back outside and decided that a change of plans was in order. "That's okay, Vincent. It looks crazy in here. Could I just get my usual and I'll take it to go?"

"Of course, but are you sure? It's your regular lunch time. Surely a spot will open up soon." They both looked around at the full but happily comfortable patrons and Jo smiled over at Vincent's optimism and willingness to squeeze her in.

"It's fine actually. I've got the afternoon off and it's not too bad out. I think I'll just eat outside." It was a nice day, a little brisk but sunny. There were still a few tables out in front of Cafe Diem, all occupied, but there were some benches a little farther off that were currently empty. She had brought her tablet to finish up some reports and she could do that just as easily outside. In fact, it might even go smoother without all the distractions in the restaurant.

Vincent looked skeptical but his next order was up and two more people had walked in after Jo. "Well, alright, one Jo lunch special coming up. But I'm throwing in some hot tea to keep your hands warm."

"Make it a hot apple cider with cinnamon and you're on." Jo grinned softly at Vincent and his constant need to mother not only her but the entire town. He was definitely one of the best things about living in Eureka.

"Done!" he exclaimed happily. "Coming right up. Give me 10 minutes." He scurried past her to greet the two people behind her while simultaneously refilling the drinks of the tables closest to the door.

Jo walked back outside and pulled her blazer tighter around her, taking a deep breath of the clean and definitely not stinky, fresh air. She was glad she had chosen to put on a warm sweater along with her jeans and boots and since her hair was down for a change, her neck was mostly protected from the chilled breeze. She walked down the block a ways and crossed over to the other side of the street, waving at a couple of GD scientists with whom she was friendly. She settled on one of the benches in the small, open park and noted the time so she could pick up her food as soon as it was ready.

Looking around at everyone going about their business made her think once again about how special it was to live in Eureka. Sure things with this timeline shift hadn't turned out to her liking and the constant accidents, eccentric scientists and general high-tech buffoonery that seemed to occur here made things particularly stressful at times. But at the end of the day, if she couldn't be out there in active service, there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

Leaning back on her bench and taking out her tablet, she clicked on the viewscreen and brought up the list of reports for her review.

TBC