Hey, I'm back. Sorry for the delay.

This is it. The end...


"Myka," the red head breathed before rushing the older woman and pulling her into a bone crushing hug. Myka smiled in shock and shyly returned the hug. "It's so good to see you," Claudia mumbled into Myka's shoulder.

A full thirty seconds later, Claudia finally let go but she still couldn't get rid of that smile.

Myka glanced with wide eyes between Claudia and a sick but happy looking Bailey still leaning on the shelves. "What's going on? Is someone hurt?"

Claudia's smile darkened a little bit. "Don't worry. Pete and Artie and Leena are all fine." Myka visibly relaxed. "As for what's going on… well, the short version? A lot."

Myka looked at the girl leaning on the shelves, "Are you alright?"

Bailey grinned despite herself, "I'll be fine."

Claudia walked over to Bailey and then looked back at Myka. "Meet Bailey. Bailey, meet Myka."

Myka glanced between the two but settled once again on the redhead. "Claudia, what's going on?" She asked more firmly.

Claudia's smile faded now as she moved closer to Myka. "Is it okay to talk here? Or is there somewhere more private? Geeze, that sounds clichéd."

Myka glanced out the huge windows at the front of the store and then pointed her thumb over her shoulder, "I'll take you to the back."

Claudia nodded and the three walked toward the back of the store. A few small windows let the morning sun shine into the small room. Myka flipped a switch and the old lights flickered on after a few seconds. The back room was nothing more than an extension of the front but with more boxes and layers of dust. Bailey found a sturdy box to sit on and perched there while Myka went farther in and then turned around, crossed her arms and stared at Claudia. "Now are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Claudia clasped her hands together, suddenly very uncomfortable, "Uh, right. Long version time. Um, basically, it all started with the freak weather storm we had. Four feet in four hours, crazy. Not to mention the fact that all of us were stuck in the same house for days. I don't know how Artie lasted without the ability to run off the warehouse. And Pete! Can't believe he was able to stay in one place -"

"Claudia." Myka held out a hand to stop the girl's rambling. She refused to admit her stomach instantly tightened the moment Claudia mentioned Pete. He was a sore subject for Myka, ever since he gave up trying to convince her to go back to the warehouse. And the way Claudia so casually mentioned him made her internally cringe. Her interruption was more to stop her last words to him from imploding her mind rather than to startle Claudia.

After a few soundless seconds, in which Claudia waited rather impatiently for an elaboration that would never come, the older woman finally raised an expectant eyebrow. Claudia cleared her throat and continued.

"Right. Anyway, that's where Bailey comes in. She… well, she…" Claudia trailed off.

"I'm from the future," Bailey announced from the back. Claudia inwardly cringed; she had hoped to be a lot more subtle about that particular revelation.

Myka stared at Bailey for a long moment. "What do you mean 'from the future'?"

Bailey smiled, "Exactly what you're thinking."

Myka changed her glare to Claudia who shrugged, "It's true."

Myka uncrossed her arms and put them on her hips, still somewhat in shock. "Okay. So she's from the future," she reiterated, not quite sure if she believed it but she knew what could happen in the warehouse. And I've already dealt with someone from the past so why not the future, Myka thought fairly bitterly. "What does that have to do with me?"

Claudia held up a hand, "Getting to that… So ever heard of genetic suffusion?"

Myka paused in thought, searching through her mental warehouse manual. Coming up with nothing, she shook her head. "No. Why?"

"Because that's what happened to Bailey," Claudia pointed behind her. Myka glanced at Bailey as she held up her right arm. Myka could just make out a faint scar on her wrist. "She used an artifact. It was a bracelet. And something that has only happened four times before her happened. You know how artifacts become artifacts because of people?" Myka nodded faintly. "Well, sometimes, and I mean very, very rarely, like super rarely, a person can be imbued with the power of the artifact."

Myka stared at Bailey for a few moments, trying to judge if what Claudia said was true. But then chided herself for even thinking Claudia would lie to her. She slowly made her way to where Bailey was sitting heavily. Without asking, Bailey held out her hand. Myka took it gently and grazed her fingers lightly over the scar. Suddenly, the scar began to glow and get hot. Myka quickly dropped Bailey's wrist and the light died down.

"Okay, what the hell was that?" Myka asked Claudia who had come up behind her and saw the whole thing.

Claudia exchanged a glance with Bailey, "I don't know. That's never happened before."

Bailey smiled faintly, "I think it found what needs to be fixed."

"What are you talking about?" Myka demanded as she backed away from the two slightly, "what do you mean 'fixed'?"

Claudia just stared at Bailey. "You were right," she whispered excitedly.

Bailey returned the gin but Myka cut any response off. "Claudia, if you don't tell me what's going on-"

Claudia spun around. "Myka. It's all good. Look, Bailey will explain everything way better than I can. I promise." She smiled to comfort Myka but it only made her more confused.

"Claudia, what-"

Claudia held up her hands, "No. No more Claudia. Ask Bailey," she pointed to the girl. Then Claudia turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Myka asked, beyond confused and getting frustrated with all the secrecy.

Claudia glanced at Bailey before looking at Myka. "To browse your selection of books. Didn't really get a chance to last time. Besides, the following is for your ears only." Another smile and a wink, then she was gone.

The door clicking shut echoed in the small, silent room. Bailey calmly stayed where she was, watching and waiting for Myka to make the first move.

Myka folded her arms again and moved her weight from one foot to the other as if deciding whether to follow Claudia outside or to trust her. Finally she put her hand to her head and then gestured at Bailey. "Alright. What's going on?"

Bailey grinned slightly and shrugged easily. "Like Claudia said, a lot."

Myka sighed exasperatedly and found another box to sit on but then stood up once more, unable to calm down. Bailey watched with slight interest and winced when a stabbing pain racked her head, but if Myka saw it, she didn't let on. Bailey took a deep breath and began.

"Basically, the first thing you have to understand and believe is I'm from the future." Myka nodded reluctantly. "The second is that I don't know you."

Myka looked slightly alarmed but then rationalized it, "So we haven't met yet, you probably aren't from around here."

Bailey shook her head, "Myka, that's just it. I was born in Rapid City. My mom lives there. My dad travels a lot. But I knew or know Claudia in my time, her future. I know Pete. By all accounts I should know you. But I don't."

"So what then? I'm dead?" She laughed mirthlessly, "great thanks."

"No. I don't think so." Bailey stared at Myka, trying to find the right words. Needing her understand. "There's another thing. About that artifact, it was a bracelet. A white bracelet that could heal and create defensive walls and the like… It also has a twin. A black one. One that hurts and attacks people."

"Like yin and yang?" Myka asked, frowning.

"Yes, exactly," Bailey said happy that Myka was at least participating. "Since they're twins, when one person wears one, they know if someone else is wearing the other. I think together they can give someone great and horrible powers but I'm only speculating based on what happens when they're separate."

Myka narrowed her eyes in thought. Bailey glanced away from her intense gaze for a few moments but then met Myka's eyes. "I was attacked. By a guy who had the black one. He wanted both, surprise, surprise," Bailey's lips turned upwards for a second before becoming serious once again. "The only way you can take off a bracelet is if you die or are in serious pain..." Myka's eyes widened, realizing what that meant for Bailey. "He was attacking me. Okay, fine. But then he went after my family. The people I love… I think the white bracelet sensed how badly I wanted to protect them and infused itself into me. With the power I went off, and came here." Bailey waved her arms in front of herself to represent the here and now.

Myka nodded, still taking in the girl's story. "Okay. But why come back here? What's so special about now?"

Bailey rubbed her eye, "Myka. When I went critical, the bracelet showed me the past of everyone in the room. All their worst moments. Everything that could possibly be fixed or redone or healed."

Myka shook her head and laughed at the absurdity, "What has to be fixed on Thanksgiving Day of 2010? Come to redo my turkey?"

Bailey smiled sadly. "It's not exact. If it were, I probably would have come back about two months ago. Almost three now."

Myka's silly smile faded as she understood what Bailey was saying. "What do you mean?" she asked in disbelief.

"The day you left them Myka," Bailey said softly. "It was the worst day for most of them."

Myka's wide eyes turned furious, "So, what? It's my fault that you got attacked in the future? Are you trying to blackmail me with guilt? 'Go back and I won't have been hurt. I won't die!'"

Bailey stared in shock at Myka's outburst, not realizing she would figure out Bailey's condition so quickly. She shook her head but stopped when stars erupted in her vision. "No. I'm saying when you left, you broke the hearts of the team. All of them; Artie, Claudia, Leena… Pete. Broken hearts are nearly impossible to mend completely. Something easy for an artifact to exploit."

"So it was my fault," her anger all but gone. She sunk down onto a box across from Bailey in defeat.

"No. I'm not saying that," Bailey forced herself to stand and make her way toward the broken agent. "I'm saying this stupid artifact thinks you're supposed to be with everyone else in the future. Maybe not now, maybe not ever, but that's why I was sent here. Because of this," she held out her marked wrist and Myka stared at it.

"What am I supposed to do?" Myka asked with tears in her eyes.

"Do what you want. Think about what you're missing at the warehouse. Think about your life protecting the President… Ask yourself if it's worth it. Even if you don't trust yourself, you need to trust them. Trust your teammates to have good judgment. They've never steered you wrong have they?"

Myka began to smile but Bailey cut her off, "No, don't answer that." Bailey smiled, "I've heard stories… But still, you've all come out okay. Nothing lasts forever but it's not fair to yourself or the others if you cut it short on purpose. Because you're scared."

Myka looked away in shame. Bailey sighed and then sunk down onto the floor with her back next to Myka's legs. Neither talked for a few minutes.

Finally, Myka spoke, "But you don't even know if talking to me now has or will change anything. If I go back, who's to say you still won't be attacked and sent back here? You haven't left yet, don't you think you would have disappeared by now if everything was how it should be according to your artifact?"

Bailey breathed in the dusty yet homey smell of the room and smiled. "There is no way to tell what will happen. I might still get attacked. Probably will… But if you went back, if you stay with your friends… Eventually you'd be there to stop Pete from putting on the black bracelet."

Myka froze. To say she was stunned would be an understatement. She was gob smacked. She shook her head slightly and finally regained her speech, "wait, are you saying… Bailey, you're saying Pete did whatever it was that brought you here?"

Bailey inhaled deeply in response. Myka slid herself off the box and kneeled in front of the young woman. Myka placed her hand on Bailey's arm in an attempt to grab her attention. "Bailey…" she trailed off softly, wanting desperately for the girl to answer.

Myka couldn't – wouldn't – believe it. Pete wasn't like that. Sure sometimes he fooled around with random objects and sometimes they turned out to be artifacts. But he wouldn't intentionally use an artifact. Not unless he needed to save someone's life. And even then, he would be weary. But if Bailey was right about this bracelet only hurting people and Pete knew what it did… Then he would never use it.

"You're lying," Myka said quietly, challenging the girl in front of her. "Pete would never intentionally hurt someone else. He even hates his gun, he always wants the Tesla."

Bailey finally gazed into Myka's wide and angry eyes. "Maybe not now but things change. You don't know him the way I do."

"You're wrong. People don't change that much, especially not Pete."

Bailey stared into Myka's fierce gaze. It was filled to the brim with unwavering loyalty and trust and nearly spilling over with love. Myka was right and that's the way things should be. Pete was tough and goofy on the outside but a tender romantic inside; the type who always put someone else first.

But unfortunately, Bailey knew better. Since she was a kid, she was spoiled with fantastical stories of ordinary objects having extraordinary powers. It wasn't until she was in possession of the white bracelet that she realized they were probably true. A few weeks before the attack, she convinced her father to tell her all the dangerous parts they used keep out when she was younger. He also told her about the heartbreaking parts… Bailey always knew Pete to be happy and fun. It wasn't until he showed up at her dorm and 'gave' her the white bracelet that she realized he had a darker side.

And it wasn't until Bailey found herself in 2010 that she realized why Pete changed the way he did. He lost his anchor.

Bailey knew everything the moment he put the bracelet on. She knew he wouldn't be able to resist the unimaginable powers of the two bracelets together.

She knew who attacked her. She didn't know why Claudia couldn't see his face when she peeked in on the memory but Bailey would never forget his ferocious expression.

"All it takes is one thing. One small moment or misjudgment that gets blown out of proportion and everything, everyone is affected. For better or worse," Bailey said slowly and clearly, hoping Myka saw in between the lines.

Myka's eyes watered when she saw the truth in Bailey's eyes. The memories. But there was something else. Bailey wasn't just talking about Pete. One misjudgment blown out of proportion - like trusting H.G., Myka realized shamefully. She turned away as a tear streamed down her face.

"Pete wouldn't – I couldn't –" Myka cut off shaking her head. Too many views were running around in her head. More tears fell from her eyes as she attempted to organize her thoughts. But only one sentence formed itself in her crowed head. "I can't go back," she whispered to the ground.

Bailey swallowed back her tears. She'd never seen Myka before today but in her imagination and from the stories, she was strong and independent, someone you didn't want to mess with. But right now, she was the epitome of weak and desperate, on the ground with tears following from her eyes, and it nearly broke Bailey's resolve. Bailey's breath hitched involuntarily as a pain cut through her chest. Once her breathing evened out, Bailey asked softly, "Why not?"

Myka didn't answer right away. She stared at Bailey's face, as if waiting for the answer to show up in black ink across the girl's forehead. But instead Bailey closed her eyes and stuck her arm out to the ground to stop herself from swaying when she suddenly became dizzy.

Myka snapped out of her reverie to grab Bailey's shoulder more securely, sensing her discomfort. "You need to rest. You're not well."

Bailey smirked and leaned her head back against the box. Once she felt stable enough to open her eyes, she exhaled a tired breath. "They love you," she said, refusing to let Myka change the subject.

Myka rapidly found the side of the box very interesting. Bailey pushed onward anyway, "They miss you. Things aren't right without you around. And you know that. You know that because you feel the same way. You need them as much as they need you. You're a team." She paused to let her words sink in and to take a few stabilizing breaths. Myka finally glanced back to Bailey. She swallowed at Myka's saddened expression but was determined not to show any second thoughts.

"Now start acting like it," Bailey finally said with a little more anger and force than she felt.

The two stared at each other for a few moments. Myka finally let a tiny smile cross her face before she slumped down next to Bailey. They sat in similar positions, experienced agent and novice time traveler, backs against the box full of aged books. Neither knew too much about the other but the silence that fell between them was comfortable. Suddenly, through the quiet tears spilling down Myka's cheeks, she began laughing softly. Bailey frowned at the older woman in surprise but eventually smiled along with her, glad to see her happy, even if she had no idea what brought on the agent's glee.

With a smile still curling her lips, Myka explained, "Sorry, it's just…" she waved her hand in a circle weakly, "I think Claudia said it to me once. Something about 'once you go warehouse, you can never go back.'"

Bailey stared at Myka for a few seconds before chuckling. "Sounds like her."

Another minute passed before Myka spoke softly, "Who are you?"

Myka doubted she would get an answer and Bailey proved her right by keeping her focus in front of her and her mouth shut. Myka watched as Bailey slowly stood, taking note that it took a lot more time and energy than it should have for a twenty-something year old to get up.

Once Bailey was on her feet, she turned back around toward Myka. "We have to go," she nodded in the direction of the door, "Are you coming?"

Myka turned her head away but otherwise didn't move. She still didn't know what to do. Well, she knew what she wanted to do; curl up in bed and never come out – never have to make a decision. But that wasn't possible and she was Myka Bering, she didn't do that. Not anymore.

To go back to the life she had two years ago would be the easy choice. Go back to protecting the President on the weekdays and having a small social life on the weekends. But even then, Myka thought as she rubbed her forehead, she couldn't trust herself. She didn't trust herself to take charge of her agents and keep the President safe.

But at the warehouse with Claudia and Artie, Leena and Pete… at least there she could trust them to make the right choices. To do the right thing.

Myka grimaced, even if doing the right thing was sending her back to work in Washington, D.C.

"I can't just go back, it's not that easy," Myka said with regret.

"Like hell it isn't," a voice from the doorway echoed into the old room. Myka and Bailey snapped their heads around to look at Claudia. She had her arms crossed defiantly and was leaning casually against the open door.

"Claudia, what…" Bailey asked, startled. Myka took note of it, apparently Claudia really wasn't expected.

"You guys were taking too long," the redhead said nonchalantly, "you should know me by now, staying in one place – almost completely in the dark about what's going on by the way – isn't going to last long." She pushed off of the door as she uncrossed her arms and took a few steps closer, "don't worry, I didn't hear anything really. Just heard that last little bit. Which brings me to the beginning," she stopped near Bailey and stared down at Myka, "why can't you just go back? What's keeping you away?"

Myka sighed tiredly and moved to stand. Finally eye to eye with the other two girls, Myka spoke, "I just started my job in D.C. again."

"Mrs. F will take care of it," Claudia countered without hesitation. "Next?"

Myka hesitated and knew Claudia was absolutely right. She shifted her weight to her other foot uncomfortably, "Claudia…"

"No Myka," Claudia cut her off and crossed her arms again, portraying her young attitude quite well, "tell me what's really keeping you here. I want to know so when I go back to the warehouse I can explain to Artie and Pete why you wanted to come back but never did."

Myka stared at the redhead. She would have smiled in pride at how grown up she had become since they first met, if it weren't for the overwhelming feeling of dread creeping into her heart. She inhaled and drew herself up to her fullest height, wholly intent on telling Claudia it isn't something she can fix. But a quick glance at Bailey – who looked unnaturally pale – brought their earlier chat to the forefront of her mind. She exhaled and her shoulders slumped before she spoke in a worn voice, "I don't trust myself. I can't trust myself, not after… I can't keep you guys safe when we go out on an artifact hunt. I can't trust my judgment. I'll just keep second guessing myself. I'm no use to the warehouse anymore."

Claudia had slowly uncrossed her arms during Myka's confession. She had never seen Myka this heartbroken and it hurt her to even think about it. Cursing herself for not having better social skills or at least more experience, Claudia said the first thing that popped into her mind, "You aren't responsible for what happens to us."

Myka frowned but Claudia cut off any response, "We all know what we're getting in to every time we walk into the warehouse, or even wake up in Univille, South Dakota, for that matter. You aren't solely responsible for what happens and you're not expected to be either. You can't be. That would just be unfair."

The corners of Myka's lips turned upwards and Claudia grinned. "Yeah," Myka agreed halfheartedly.

"As for the trust thing," Claudia reached out to Myka's shoulder and turned serious, "if you can't trust yourself… Trust us. At least until you can trust yourself again."

Myka was transfixed by the seriousness and honestly in Claudia's eyes. Not for the first time since Claudia walked through her father's store a little over an hour ago, Myka thought what she had missed in the past three months that caused Claudia to grow up even more.

"When did you become the adult?" Myka asked half serious, half jokingly.

Claudia smiled but answered with a solemn glint in her eye, "Since the other one left."

Myka straightened her lips and swallowed. "I'm sorry."

Claudia nodded her acceptance. A comfortable moment passed before Claudia gave in on her urge and hugged Myka tightly. The older woman was surprised but quickly reciprocated the passion in the hug.

"For whatever it's worth, I missed you," Claudia muttered into her sister's shoulder.

Myka chuckled with a huge grin, "It's worth a lot."

The two finally ended the hug, both smiling equally as big and eyes watering. "I missed you too," Myka said.

Finally the moment passed and Claudia asked rather hesitantly, "So, um, what now?"

Myka tucked her hands in her back pockets and looked to the ground to give her another minute to think. Though she really didn't need it. She knew what she was going to do. It wasn't the easy choice. But the easy choice usually wasn't the right one.

She held her head up with a smile on her face and Claudia instantly beamed. "You better call Artie and let him know where you are so he doesn't freak."

Claudia's smile faded as her eyes widened, "Ah crap. You think you could vouch for me? Dunno if I could handle anymore inventory right now. Being stuck in the B&B for so long kinda-"

Claudia cut off and whirled around to look for Bailey, the B&B reminding her of her sick friend. Bailey was sitting heavily on the floor with her back against a box. Her head was angled backwards and her eyes were closed.

"Bailey?" Claudia called anxiously. Myka also looked over and saw the girl's labored breathing.

The two moved closer and kneeled down. Claudia reached out to Bailey's shoulder. "Bailey, how are you feeling?"

Bailey cracked her eyes open and smirked, "You guys all done, then?"

Claudia smiled and exchanged a relieved glance with Myka. Bailey looked sick but at least she was awake and lucid. Myka nodded to Bailey's question, "Yeah, I think so."

Claudia looked expectantly at Myka. Almost one hundred percent sure what she was going to say but doubt always remained constant.

"So?" Bailey said, prompting the answer to the huge question that still hung in the air. "I don't know about you guys but I'm craving turkey."

Claudia quirked her lips, "me too." She turned toward Myka, "where are we going to eat though?"

Myka thrived on the anticipation oozing from Claudia and finally spoke evenly, "I'll go ask mom and dad to get us some turkey."

Claudia's face fell and she tore her suddenly wet gaze away from the older woman. Bailey kept her face the same, watching the interactions between the two.

"Come on," Myka helped Bailey to shaky feet and then held her hand out to help Claudia up. Claudia just stared at it in confusion for a few seconds. "Are you coming or not?" Myka said in a surprisingly calm voice despite the grin pulling at her lips. "It's a long drive, I don't think any of us could go that long without food, do you?"

Claudia closed her eyes, embarrassed that she thought Myka was going to stay. Then she laughed and bounced up to her feet. "Let's go before Artie grounds me for the rest of my life."

Myka also laughed and wrapped her arm in Claudia's, "Don't worry. I've got your back."


...of what I have written. Hope you liked it. I was considering leaving it here but the urge to write Pete and Artie's reactions to Myka's homecoming was too strong. But since I haven't even started on that chapter, who knows when it'll be updated. Hopefully not too long though.

Until then, review please?