Title: Future Possibilities
Author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one

The border of Jiaya's computer screen flashed crimson. Her ode to Star Trek signaling an alert. This alert was telling her the lifeboat was returning. She had been surprised as anyone else that Connor Mason had a backup crew. She'd been close to flabbergasted when Rufus and his team had been sidelined and that Mason was trusting something like this to a rookie team. Still Jiaya had kept her opinion to herself; she was only a tech after all. Now she followed protocol and let Mason and Christopher know the time machine was returning. Both arrived within ten minutes of each other. It was another ten before the lifeboat winked back into existence with a rush of air. For a long moment nothing happened then the lifeboat door opened and two men slowly stepped out. One was Mark Sutton the pilot, the other was Lucas Young the historian.

"Where is Lt. Cooper?"Christopher demanded as she walked around the rows of computers to reach the team.

It was then that Jiaya noticed how disheveled the men were. Both were in their late thirties one with black hair the other with blond. Both their clothes were dirty and torn and their was a dark stain across Sutton's shirt that could only be one thing; blood.

"He died protecting us."Young reported hoarsely.

"Everything went to hell; we barely made it back to the lifeboat."Sutton explained grimly. "Cooper got shot keeping the British off us. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

"Where is Lt. Cooper's body?"Mason asked solemnly.

Sutton nodded back to the lifeboat.

"The mission?"Christopher asked quietly.

Jiaya held her breath, waiting.

"No, we couldn't stop Flynn."Young reported. "He had too many irons in the fire."

"Get cleaned up."Mason ordered crisply. "Report for debrief in half an hour."

Jiaya sat back down at her work station and pulled out her phone to text Rufus. She knew he'd be very interested in what had happened. Jiaya glanced up once more to make sure Mason and Christopher had left before she typed out the text message and hit send.

It was almost one o'clock when Rufus stopped by to check on Lucy. He also had lunch for Wyatt and himself. Reaching the small room Rufus knocked lightly on the door and when Wyatt said 'come in' he opened it and walked in.

"How's she doing?"Rufus asked with concern as he looked at Lucy's pale and still form.

"Dr. Campbell came by about a half hour ago."Wyatt began as he stood and stretched. "He said the most recent round of tests the numbers were good. Plus there was a slight drop in her temperature; nothing to celebrate yet but..."

"No,that's great news. Best I've had all day; actually."Rufus said as he sat down in the other visitor's chair.

Wyatt walked over and closed the door before returning to his own chair and sitting down. Rufus handed him one of the medium sized brown bags he'd been carrying.

"Lunch."Rufus explained.

"Thanks."Wyatt said as he gratefully took the bag and opened it. "Starved."

"Figured there's even dessert."Rufus replied with a grin.

Wyatt raised an eyebrow and then rummaged through the bag until he found the dessert item. He held up a plastic wrapped chocolate covered twinkie.

"Thought it was time you tried one."Rufus replied as he took a bite of a sub sandwich.

"Thanks."Wyatt replied with an amused shake of his head as he put the twinkie back in the bag and got out the sandwich and chips.

Rufus paused in eating and pulled out a bottled water from the pocket of his jacket and handed it to Wyatt before retrieving his own from the bag.

"Only had so many hands."Carlin explained as he took a sip of water. "Oh and got a text from Jiaya; the other team's back."

Wyatt froze his sandwich half way to his mouth.

"They get Flynn?"Wyatt asked.

"No and one of the team was killed."Rufus said sadly.

"Damn."Wyatt cursed as he looked over at Lucy.

A knock at the door drew both mens's attention. Rufus stood and opened it revealing an excited Jiaya.

"What is it?"Rufus asked with concern.

"After they removed Cooper's body from the lifeboat I was doing some tests checking out the system."Jiaya explained her eyes wide and bright as she looked from one man to the other. "There's something you need to see. Especially you, Wyatt."

"Why?"Wyatt asked as he stood setting his lunch on the floor.

"Elizabeth."Jiaya responded as she stepped into the hall. "She left you a message on a flash drive which was probably antique to her but anyways it must've been knocked around during the trip why nobody else saw it."

"Let's go."Rufus suggested as the three left.