Her story didn't change, no matter how many times she was questioned or by whom. She could recall everything they knew to be true up until the final rescue attempt in the future, the one in which she had lost her life.

Only she hadn't, apparently. Not according to Sarah. Instead of dying as a result of the predator's attack, Danny had appeared as if from nowhere and had saved her. She'd lost a lot of blood, enough to convince them that there was no way she could have survived, but Danny had refused to give up and had taken her through another anomaly – one that had let to a future point in time before the world had been destroyed, where the medical technology they possessed had been enough to save her life.

For them, three years had passed since she'd supposedly died. For Sarah, she'd only been gone for three months.

"Jess is already working on a cover story," Lester informed the team after they gathered in his office for a briefing, offering a reason for why the Field Co-ordinator wasn't with them. "She said something about a witness protection programme. Sounds a bit MI-6 to me but she said she'd take care of it."

"She'll find a way to make it work." Matt had every confidence in Jess's ability to weave a convincing story and restore Sarah's identity; she'd worked magic as far as he was concerned in creating a history for Emily and filling in the gaps of his own cover story when she'd been told the truth. "Have her family been informed?"

"Not yet. Doctor Page has requested some time to get used to the idea that she's been gone for so long." Lester sympathised with her but didn't let it show. "For now, she will remain at the ARC with limited visitors. At her request," he added when he saw Abby frown and open her mouth to protest. "We don't want to overwhelm her any more than she already is."

"Has she explained where Danny went? Or why?" Emily addressed her question to Matt and Becker, both of whom had taken part in Sarah's initial questioning. "It hasn't got anything to do with Ethan, has it?"

Matt's smile was reassuring even if the look in his eyes was grim. "Ethan – Patrick – died before Danny went back for Sarah. She said he wouldn't go into details but told her that his brother was dead."

"As for where Danny went, she's not entirely sure." Becker's frown had been an almost constant feature since they'd arrived back at the ARC and Sarah had been taken into custody by a security team. "He just told her he had to take care of something but that he'd find his way back when it was done. Whatever it is."

"At least we know he's planning to come back, yeah?" Connor's grin was hopeful. "We'll have the team back together again. Just like old times."

"Just like old times," Abby repeated with a smile. Neither she nor her fiancé noticed that Jess had walked into the office for the tail-end of their conversation so both missed the downcast expression on the Field Co-ordinators face before she could school her features into a neutral expression. Emily and Matt noticed, though, as did Lester.

Becker, to Jess's relief, seemed oblivious.

Clearing her throat to announce her presence, Jess fidgeted with her watch strap. "I've updated the necessary files, and created the records for the home office database. Everything should be in place within the next twenty four hours."

"Good work, Jess." Lester's nod was short but his eyes showed his approval. "Have her quarters been prepared?"

"They're ready for her, and I've already had her moved from the holding cell." Jess focused on her boss, deciding it would be easier than looking at anyone else. "I thought the sooner she was in more comfortable surroundings, the better. I've put a request in for Doctor Alderson to arrange to see her first thing in the morning for the full medical you requested."

"Good. Let's get the formalities over with and we can deal with everything else afterwards." Lester didn't have time to ask her if there was anything else; Jess gave him a quick nod to show she'd take care of it and turned on her heel, hurriedly leaving the room. Lester stared after her for a moment, before clearing his throat and continuing. "In the meantime, it's business as usual, people. When Quinn deems it fit to return, we'll have a discussion about their possible roles at the ARC in the future."

"Possible roles?" Abby sat forward in her chair, her expression confused. "Of course they're going to have jobs here. It's Sarah – and Danny."

Lester looked at her for a moment, his expression neutral. "It still remains to be seen whether they'll want to stay, Abby. We're not going to force them."

"Well, no." At his words, Abby relaxed a little. "But she'll want to stay," she added confidently, a smile on her lips. "They both will."

Matt and Emily exchanged a look, no doubt sharing the same thought Lester himself had. Were two more people on the team really necessary and, if not, what would happen to those already there?

It was unkind of her to be jealous. That was what Jess kept telling herself. Sarah had been through a traumatic experience – was still going through one, in fact, since everyone she loved believed she'd been dead for two years – and needed support and sympathy.

Squaring her shoulders, Jess repeated the thought to herself as she met her gaze in the mirror of the ladies bathroom.

She'd already taken care of the cover story that would allow the doctor to be reintegrated into society – it was something she was beginning to have a lot of experience with, creating identities and manipulating official data, though it wasn't a skill she would ever be able to advertise on her CV. She'd arranged for the guest quarters to be spruced up and made as comfortable as possible, just as she'd done when it looked like Emily would be staying there for a while.

In her lunch break, she'd left the ARC and gone shopping to get Sarah some fresh clothes and essential toiletries, all of which were still neatly packed in a bag by Jess's desk as when she'd arrived, Sarah and Abby had been engrossed in animated conversation with Becker and Connor as an amused audience and she hadn't wanted to intrude.

The four looked right together, Jess thought to herself as she made her way from the ladies room back to the hub. They looked comfortable, like old friends should.

Just as she should be pleased for them; ecstatic in fact. And she was, for the most part. For their sake, she was thrilled that their lost friend had suddenly been returned to them. For Becker's sake in particular, she was glad it was one of his many demons he could finally lay to rest –how could he blame himself for Sarah's death when she hadn't died at all?

But there was still a small part of her, a teeny tiny part she hated, that was upset by it all. Jealous, even. She remembered Abby's words, one alcohol-fuelled girl's night many, many months ago, and they made her heart ache: "Just give him time, Jess," Abby had said, her words a little slurred, "Becker likes you. Really likes you. But I think the closest he came to liking someone before was Sarah, even though I think she liked Danny. But whatever happened between them after we were gone... You've gotta give him time to get over that."

The conversation had gone off on a little tangent from then, with Abby explaining to Emily and Jess how lovely Sarah had been, how pretty and smart and brave. Both Jess and Emily had comforted the blond when she'd gotten upset, saying how they wished they could've met her, too.

And now they could.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself before she walked into the hub, Jess reminded herself that that was true. She might be losing Becker – or, really, any chance of something happening with Becker, since he wasn't actually hers to lose – but she would be hopefully gaining a good friend, too.

And that was a good thing.

A positive thing.

She just wished it didn't hurt so much.

Just to reiterate: Jess is still and always will be my favourite. Remember that no matter what I put her through, okay? :)