This chapter was hard for me to write and a little bit different, I guess. Hope you like it and please leave reviews, good or bad, because I'll know you're reading!

Julia shuddered as tendrils of fear began to creep up her spine. One word and the grim expression on Barbie's face told her that they were not safe yet. The vehicles halted a little distance away. For the space of a few seconds, maybe a minute or two, nothing happened but then one of the doors began to open. Barbie almost groaned out loud. It was none other but the guard from Zenith – the very one he escaped from. That he was handcuffed at the time and still managed to overpower his captor could not have endeared him to the man.

Instinctively he edged closer to Julia, his arm moving around her protectively. He pulled no punches with his comment to Norrie & Joe. "This guy is trouble. You two – don't do anything stupid. I mean it." His eyes narrowed at them until he saw both nod. Joe moved to stand behind Julia while Norrie edged up to her side. If the situation had not been so tense, Julia would have smiled at how they all wanted to safeguard her. It was endearing that the teens had attached themselves to her and Barbie. She hoped their faith in them would be justified.

The guard stopped a few feet away from them. Barbie was surprised that he was unarmed, came alone and did not appear threatening in any way. Still luck alone had not kept him alive the last few weeks so he remained vigilant, waiting to see what transpired.

The guard held up his hands as if to put them at ease. He cleared his throat a few times, looked nervous and embarrassed. "Look I'm not here to jump you guys. I asked the military personnel back there if I could talk to you first. They have some questions...as you can well imagine. My name is Wilson and I worked for your dad, Barbie. He's the one who gave the orders and I followed them. I'm not proud of what I've done but there it is. Your dad is in a lot of trouble with the government and will most likely go to prison. He asked me to come see you to ask a favor."

A little bit of tension flowed out of Barbie but he was far from convinced to take those words at face value. He was well aware of Don Barbara's duplicity. "A favor? Now what might that be and what makes him think I'd be agreeable? I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I think of my father "

"He wants to see you. I don't blame you if you refuse...if he was my father...well, I don't know what I'd do. What I can tell you is that he got greedy...greedy and power hungry. He started to change when he found out Melanie was alive. You can believe me or not on this, but I think he regrets what he did to you and Julia." He nodded to her and went on..."I need to apologize to you too. That's something Don wants to do as well. He tried to use you and preyed on your feelings in the worst possible way."

Anger, hurt and bitterness – Barbie didn't know which feeling was the worst right now. How could a father – someone who, by definition, is supposed to be a protector – how could he betray his family. The concept was deplorable to him, as it should be to everyone.

"Why should I believe that? Every utterance he made was a lie. He lied to me at every turn. I should tell you to deliver this message... that he should go to hell...that "never" is too soon for me to see him again." Overcome by emotion he stopped, his eyes reflecting his pain as he tried to keep his anger at bay. He felt Julia's hand pressing against his arm gently...willing her touch to soothe him.

"You should see him" She turned slightly to face him, her words soft and caring. "You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't do this. He didn't treat you like a son but as a hindrance to be overpowered. If nothing else you need to tell him how you feel but please see him."

For the space of a few seconds there was nothing but silence...then Barbie's hand traced a path along her jaw and came to rest against her cheek. "Come with me?"

Julia smiled into his eyes and whispered..."Of course."

"Well, well, well...now isn't that just sweet."

Stumbling into the clearing, Big Jim Rennie was limping, bleeding from his shoulder and utterly mad. Pointing a .45 at them, his hand shook but determination and hatred kept him focused.

An evil grin curled his lip as he advanced slowly, warily. "Who knew I'd get so lucky? The dome must want me to take my revenge on you...all of you. Because this"... he gestured..."this is all your fault. My only dilemma is figuring out who to kill first. Barbie? Nah – I want him to suffer a lot more before I take him out. Maybe you two delinquents will be first. Then I can move on to the bitch who stabbed me in the foot. I'll take my time with you … make you hurt … a lot. Then, Barbie, then it will be your turn. I'm only sorry my murderous son isn't here too because I would take great pleasure in ending his life."

The sound of a familiar voice caused Big Jim to clench, a wariness overtaking his entire being. Still...he couldn't believe his luck.

"Hi Dad! This day keeps getting better and better for you, doesn't it." Slowly edging from behind his insane father, James Rennie, Jr., was determined that no one else would die by his hand.

When he came into his line of sight, Big Jim saw that his son also had a revolver and it was pointed at him. Yet he sneered with contempt..."You gonna shoot me again Junior? You gonna kill me? Hah! You had your chance to kill me before and you didn't. You're nothing but a coward!"

"Don't call me Junior!" He spat the word out with a vengeance, as if he wanted to forever rid himself of the unwelcome label. "My name is James! I'm not you – I'm not anything like you and no, I won't kill you but I'll stop you. I'm done watching you hurt people who have done nothing to you!" Taking careful aim, James discharged his weapon, his aim accurate and true. The force of the shot to his other shoulder caused Big Jim to spin around before falling to the ground, his own weapon skittering away, out of reach.

Barbie released the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. His mind was spinning in disbelief that once again, they had come close to death, to losing each other. "Julia" he murmured, drawing her into the circle of his arms. "Are you OK?' When he felt her nod against his shoulder he felt himself calming, as if her nearness was his tranquility. "I can't lose you." He felt Julia's small sobs as her tears began to soak his shirt. "I can't lose you either." She drew back to look into his eyes whispering with quiet desperation..."I just can't" Julia felt his lips touch hers like a whisper, like a promise to be kept. "With any luck, I'm going to be around you so much, you'll be looking for ways to hide away." ... With a relief she was beginning to feel, only one word was uttered – full of love, intensity & enduring strength..."Never!"

It was then that they noticed the flurry of activity going on around them. Big Jim had been bundled onto a stretcher, his hands in cuffs. James was standing next to an MP who had relieved him of his weapon and was now speaking quietly to him. It was plain to see that whatever the words, he was not comprehending. He looked lost, alone and completely grief stricken.

Julia made her way over to him, touching his shoulder gently. When he looked up she kissed his cheek and pulled him into a fierce hug. "James...thank you. I know what it cost you to do that. We'd all be dead if it wasn't for you...you're a brave man."

James let out a shaky breath, his eyes still haunted and tortured. "I'm all alone now." Julia felt her heart break just a little and looked around to see where Barbie had gone, since he wasn't with them. She saw that he had taken the MP aside and was having an intense conversation with him. It looked like he was trying to be convincing about something and when the soldier nodded and executed a smart salute, it appeared that he was successful. She saw the lines of stress in his face ease slightly as he joined them.

"I heard what you said, James. Don't ever think that you're alone. You have us...Joe, Norrie and Melanie...Carolyn too. For what it's worth, we're your family. I owe you, man!" He grasped James by the shoulders in a powerful embrace. "Thank you for saving us. In the midst of all this fire-power, you were the only one I knew I could depend on to do the right thing. You were right not to shoot to kill. Now Jim will have to pay for his sins for the rest of his life."

James nodded, his eyes gaining a little more light. "Thanks" was his sincere reply while his mouth quirked in a half grin. "Should I call you mom and dad?"

At the same time, with the same words he almost laughed at their response..."Don't you dare!"

Two officers approached right then...a medic and an officer who by his stance and demeanor looked to be in charge. The medic approached Julia voicing some concern..."You look injured, Ma'am. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Julia was leaning against Barbie, clearly exhausted and in some pain as well. Nevertheless, she smiled at the officer. "Thank you for your concern, Captain but I'll be fine. What we need is to get somewhere safe, together, where we can rest and just be able to breathe again."

"I can help with that" The colonel whose name tag read Rogers was clearly ready to take charge. "I'm well aware of the events up to this point including Mr. Barbara's request to see you. We're prepared to take you, all of you, to the detention center where he's being held. After that, it will be up to you where to go but we are at your disposal, Lieutenant Colonel Barbara."

Barbie scoffed a little..."What are you talking about? I'm not in the army anymore and when I was, I never attained that rank."

"You should know that the army and most of the world has been well aware of the events that transpired when you were trapped under the dome. We are cognizant of your sacrifice and bravery in keeping the people of the town safe. The rank is there if you should ever decide to return to the service. We would be proud to welcome you back."

"I'm honored, Colonel Rogers and I'll definitely give this some serious thought but right now I'd really like to get us someplace safe."

Events moved quickly from that point. In a matter of minutes they arrived at the first stop, the building where Don Barbara was imprisoned. Barbie slowly exited the vehicle, his mind a swirl of thoughts and emotions. If Julia had not been by his side, he knew he'd be tempted to just say "screw it" and be on his way. She was his compass, his way to true and honorable decisions. He almost liked himself now where before, there were times he could hardly look at himself in the mirror.

"It'll be OK" Julia reassured him..."we'll be OK...as long as we're together."

Expelling a deep breath, he took her hand bringing it to his lips. Turning to the group behind him he gave them his usual instructions but this time with a smile. "We won't be long so stay here...stay out of trouble and look out for each other. Do I have to say the words?"

Norrie rolled her eyes at him in exasperation. "Yeah, yeah, I know...don't do anything stupid. I'd like to know what possible trouble we can get into with half the army here watching us." In the end, though, she smiled. It was kind of nice to have him looking out for them.

True to his word, they were back in a matter of minutes. Barbie looked stunned, as if he'd been the recipient of some awful news. He stopped a few feet from the vehicles, his arm around Julia, slowly shaking his head. "I can't believe he did that. I can't believe he signed over everything to me...his home, his business...everything. I don't want any of it."

Julia moved to stand in front of him, her eyes intent, compelling him to look at her. "It's your home too. You grew up there and it will be perfect for now...for all of us. We can all be together for as long as it takes to figure out what the next step should be. Your dad made a lot of mistakes but so did we... from the time we met. Sometimes it takes almost losing someone to realize how much you love them."

Barbie gently pulled her into his arms. "I love you. We'll do just that and you know what...Melanie was right...we're going home."

I know this won't be canon but I just can't buy into them being transported to another planet by aliens or anything along those lines. So just look at this as another version from an obsessed Under the Dome fan and Jarbie shipper.