Author's Note: takes place directly after series (season) 3, episode 10
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Conner shifted his leg while he slept causing a sudden jolt of pain to run up his leg; thus waking him up. "Owwww" was all he got out before he remembered where he was. He muffled the rest of his agony so he wouldn't wake up Abby.
As the pain eased up a little he looked over to make sure he had not woken her. He could tell she was still asleep. While he stared at her he couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked as the rising sun reflected off her face. He thought he could just sit and watch her forever, but he knew their situation made that impossible. They needed to find Danny and somehow get back to their own time.
Now that Connor was more awake, he moved his leg again to see if he could work out some of the kinks that had settled over night. He had to bite his bottom lip a few times as the pain flared up, but the more he moved his leg the better it was feeling. This gave him a little hope that he would be able to climb back down this tree and help Abby find Danny.
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At some point Abby had opened her eyes but she didn't feel like moving. She wanted to just lay there for awhile and let the sun warm her body. While she laid there she saw that Connor was awake, but appreciated the solitude he was obviously allowing her.
After she had warmed up she sat up and looked at Connor "Good morning, how long have you been awake?"
"Not too long. Did you sleep well?"
Abby cautiously stretched her arms before responding "I guess I slept as well as anyone could in a tree. How did you sleep, is your ankle still hurting you?"
"It stings a little bit, but luckily it didn't keep me up all night". It actually hurt worse that he was letting on, but he didn't want her to worry about him.
Abby grabbed her backpack that she had been using as a pillow and starting looking inside. After a few moments she pulled out a bottle of water and what appeared to be sunflower seeds. "Well there is one thing I am sure of, if we don't get out of here soon we are going to starve to death. All I have are some seeds and a few bottles of water on me. What do you have in your pack?" She was really hoping he had brought more food that she had. They hadn't expected to be out here long so they had packed light; allowing room for more weapons.
Connor had already looked in his bag and was happy to report that he did indeed have a few more items. "Well I can offer you some beef jerky, fruit leather and crisps topped off with a few bars of chocolate". He had laid out each of the items on his lap as he said them and he was now covered in food. "So, what do you fancy for breakfast then?"
Abby looked at the food for a second before deciding "I'll take some jerky for now, do you want some water?"
"Sounds wonderful, don't mind if I do". He took one of the bottles and in return handed Abby some jerky.
Connor put the rest of his food away before opening the water. Truthfully he really wasn't all that hungry, but he was thirsty. He took a few large sips and then thought he better not drink too much, it was better to conserve what little they had; besides he didn't relish the thought of having to quickly climb down the tree to relieve himself.
Abby finished off the last of her jerky and looked at Connor for a moment. She knew they had to find a way out of here, but thought if there was anyone she would rather be stuck here with it would be Connor. He could be very annoying at times and usually made a mess of things, but there was one thing she knew for certain, she could always count on him to be there for her. If they never found their way home she could see herself making the best of this place alongside him. She just hoped it didn't come to that.
"So what's our plan then?" Connor waited for a response. When he didn't get one he tried again "Earth to Abby, what's our plan?"
Abby's thoughts were broken as she heard Connor, "What was that Connor?"
Connor tilted his head and gave her a goofy look; eyes wide open "what's the plan for getting out of here?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Connor, I was just thinking". Abby paused before continuing "yes we need a plan don't we. Well I thought the first thing we should do was eat something. We've already done that so I think the next thing would be to get out of this tree and find out where Danny went. Since he didn't come back he must still be chasing Helen; the only question is, did he have to go through another anomaly to get to her".
Connor could sense that she was distracted by something and had to wonder what she had been thinking about earlier "Do you really think he could have gone through another anomaly already? If he did we could be as good as stuck here. Our devise for opening anomalies is out of juice, remember?"
"I know Connor; you don't have to remind me. We don't really know what's happened to him, but if we don't get out of this tree and look we'll never know". She was trying to stay calm, but she never did like Connor's pessimistic thoughts in times of despair.
"All right Abby, you don't have to get snippy with me. So we need to climb out of this tree and find out which direction Danny went".
"I'm sorry Connor; I'm just worried is all". Abby wanted to change the subject "so, do you think you'll be able to climb down the tree by yourself".
"I think I can manage, but I'm not sure how useful I'll be once were down on the ground. I want you to promise me that if we get attacked during our search, that you will run and save yourself and not wait for me. You have to promise me that, OK Abby?"
Abby would be lying if she said this thought had not crossed her mind. She really didn't know how she was going to manage with Connor's disability in this hostile world "I promise Connor, but I'm sure it will not come to this". She didn't tell him the truth however. She had already made her mind up that if they were attacked she would stay with him to the end.
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Connor and Abby slung the packs over their backs before making the slow decent down the tree. Luckily the predators in the area were not aware of their presence in the tree, or it may have a little difficult once they reached the ground. As it stood, there was not a creature in site.
It had been a long and difficult decent for Connor, but he was finally at the bottom with both feet on the ground. "I know we have to keep moving Abby, but I need to rest a minute. My leg is really throbbing from the work out we just did".
Abby thought this was a good idea. She had been so worried that Connor would lose his footing while moving down the tree that a little rest would be a blessing. "Yeah, I think we can rest a minute, but then we need to pick up Danny and Helen's tracks and find out where they went. If we do find where the anomaly was, we may just have to wait until Danny comes through from the other side before making our way home".
While Connor continued to rest Abby was able to find Danny's trail "Connor I've found it".
"What have you found Abby?"
Abby ran back to where Connor was sitting. "I know which way Danny went, I found his foot trail. We better get going; a fresh trail is so much easier to track than an old one".
Connor was hoping to rest a bit longer, but thought his leg would stiffen up if he didn't start moving, "Hey Abby, do you think you can help me up again, the ankle is still a little sore". As Abby came over he put his arm around her shoulders and allowed her to help him up.
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Following the trail was quite an effort for Connor, but he did his best to keep up to Abby. They had been walking for about 30 minutes when Abby stopped. "Why've you stopped Abby, did you find something?"
"This is where the trail seems to end". She was disappointed when they didn't see any anomalies in sight. She didn't really think they would find one, but she had hoped.
"Are you sure Abby?" Connor thought she looked so defeated.
Abby looked up at Connor "I'm sure Connor. Maybe you should rest your leg while I think of our next move".
As Connor used his walking stick to make his way over to a fallen tree stump, he suddenly felt the stick slip under his grasp causing him to go tumbling to the ground. Abby looked up at the sound and saw Connor fall on his back. She immediately rushed over to his side "Are you alright Connor? What happened?"
Connor was trying to sit up but allowed Abby to help him "I don't know, my walking stick hit something and slipped out of my hand. I guess I lost my balance". Connor started looking around to see what he might have slipped on. As he moved his body he saw what it had been "Abby, you're not going to believe this, but I slipped on an anomaly detector. Do you suppose it belonged to Helen? But why would she have left it here". Connor was unaware of his rambling but stopped as he looked around the area. Something bad must have happened if Helen had left it behind.
Abby reached out and grabbed the detector from Connor "It must be the one Helen used, but your right, why would she leave it behind unless something awful happened?" Her thoughts immediately went to Danny "Oh my god, I hope Danny is alright, we've got to find him. He could be stuck in another world with Helen and no way to get back".
Connor reached his arm out to Abby in order to get the devise back "Here Abby, let's have a look at it. I wonder if it is still working. This may be our ticket home if it still works".
Abby handed it back to Connor and waited while he looked it over. It was only a few minutes but it felt like a lifetime "Well, does it work Connor?"
"Um, what was the Abby", Connor was only half listening but Abby's words finally dawned on him, "Yes, the detector, it seems like my stick smashed the view screen, but it still has power. Unfortunately we won't be able to use the anomaly map, but I think it will open up anomalies".
Abby didn't know how to interpret Connors response "Well is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Actually it's both. We can open up anomalies, but we will be doing it blindly. The map would really have been nice to have because we may have been able to confirm Danny's location". Connor continued his work on the detector.
"How long do you think it will take you to look at it? I hope you can make repairs". Abby knew that it was these kinds of situations where Connor really shined; she just hoped he wouldn't prove her wrong.
"I'll do my best Abbs, but we're not back at the ARC so this could take some time".
Abby silently chuckled at the irony of his remark, "Well time is what we have in abundance right now, but this won't help get us home". Abby sunk to the ground where only seconds ago she was standing.
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For the next hour Connor kept working on the detector, but each time he thought he had fixed it, he found something else that was wrong. Connor looked over at Abby and saw that she was staring at him. He wasn't quite sure how to read the expression on her face so he took a stab at it, "I'm sorry if this is taking too long. This stuff from the future is a little out of my league, but I am sure I can figure it out. Do you know where the other detector is, I think I may have an idea on how to make one of them work".
Abby pulled it out of her pack and gave it to Connor. She had found it before they left the area where the raptors were and was now grateful that she brought it along.
"Thanks Abby, I think I may be able to route the power from Helen's detector to the one we brought. Keep your fingers crossed that it works".
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