Disclaimer: Don't Own, Don't Sue! ;D
Chapter 10: Cause and Effect
"Half the time I never saw it coming, until it was over
Oh, and half of my mistakes I've made with love on the line"
-"Half of My Mistakes" by Gary Allan
Connor and Emily managed to escape the hospital without notice and made their way back to the theatre.
"Ethan." Emily called in a hushed voice. "Charlotte."
"We should hurry before they trace us back here." Connor explained, glancing around.
"We are responsible for them, we cannot just leave them here."
Connor heard the doors open and close.
"They're here." He whispered. "Head back to the group, I'll look for Ethan and Charlotte."
"I am not leaving the three of you here." Emily whispered sternly.
"But you'll leave the fifteen others on their own?"
"That is not fair."
"Come on," Connor spoke, leading Emily toward the anomaly.
When they reached the anomaly, it was locked.
"What is wrong with it? It did not look like that earlier." Emily asked.
"It's locked." Connor commented as he crouched down to the anomaly locking mechanism he'd created so long ago.
"Do you know how to work this?" Emily asked, keeping watch while glancing between Connor and the anomaly.
"I did, let's see if I still remember." Connor cracked his fingers and started typing with foreign fondness of keys he hadn't touched in years.
After two tries, Connor got the anomaly to unlock.
"Hurry, get through it." Connor spoke frantically, ushering Emily toward the rip in time.
"What about Ethan and Charlotte?"
"I'll find them. Get back to the group." Connor said, starting to push Emily through the anomaly when he heard the only voice that could stop him in his tracks.
"Connor?" Abby spoke. "What are you doing here?"
Connor froze, as did Emily.
"I know it's you. What's going on?" She asked.
Connor reluctantly turned to face Abby; removing his goggles and scarf, so they hung around his neck.
"It's too long a story, Abs." He replied solemnly.
"Tell me." She pleaded.
"Don't move!" Becker shouted as he and Matt came rushing backstage, to stand next to Abby.
"I should be the one asking what the hell's going on." Connor stated.
"I will shoot you, again." Becker threatened, not lowering his weapon.
Emily moved to stand next to Connor.
"It's fine." He muttered to her.
"Why did you shoot me, Becker? I thought we were mates?"
"We didn't know it was you at the time, Connor." The other man explained.
"And I definitely do not know you." Connor commented.
"That's Matt Anderson; he's been working with us for months." Abby explained.
"I've never seen him in my life!"
"Let's just go back to the ARC; we can chat about this there."
"We can't." Emily spoke up.
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Because of something that happened eight years ago." Connor commented. "Something Helen Cutter's done. I've got to fix it."
"Helen? As in Professor Cutter's wife?" Becker asked confusedly.
"Is there any other?" Connor asked dryly.
There came a growling from the anomaly behind Emily and Connor.
"Tree creepers." Emily muttered, as she and Connor turned to face the anomaly.
The anomaly started to pulsate.
"It's going to close." Connor shouted, the group waiting for them on the other side coming back to mind.
"We've got to get back through." Emily said making to enter the anomaly.
As they went to enter, an arboreal raptor jumped through, only to be shot back through by Becker, the anomaly closing promptly.
"Dammit!" Connor shouted.
"You've trapped us here." Emily looked to Matt, Becker, and Abby.
"This is your time period though." Matt commented.
"No, it's not. Thanks much, you've just condemned fifteen people to their deaths!" Connor shouted.
"There were others on the other side?" Abby asked.
"Why else would we be trying to get back through?"
"Why did you come through in the first place?" Becker asked harshly.
"One of our own was in need of medical assistance." Emily responded.
"Four of us came through." Connor confirmed.
"So there's still two running about London somewhere? Brilliant." Becker muttered.
"What now?" Abby asked, looking to Matt.
"Let us go find our friends." Connor demanded, keeping an eye on Matt, sneaking glances at Abby when he could.
"I'll have my men check all local hospitals." Becker confirmed.
"You don't know who they are or what they look like. If they see military, they will run." Connor pointed out.
Becker ignored Connor before turning to Matt. "They go back to the ARC for questioning. I'll find the other two."
"I'm team leader. I'll call the shots." Matt affirmed.
Becker merely nodded and left.
"Team leader?" Connor asked incredulously.
"Yeah, but we can discuss this later, come on." Matt answered.
"Where's Danny? And Sarah and Jenny?"
Abby and Matt shared a look before turning back to Connor and Emily.
"I think we need to compare notes." Matt stated, calmly.
"We're not going to the ARC." Connor stated firmly, once more.
"Coffee, then?" Abby offered.
"Where?"
"At our flat." Abby responded.
Connor's expression seemed to soften at Abby's words. At least they still lived together, despite his paradox.
But he and Emily were now stuck here until something was worked out or another anomaly opened. They had no other choice but to trust their "hosts" until then.
Sorry it's so short. Work's been crazy and I really wanted to post at least something until I get proper time to sit and write a longer chapter.
Please Review! ;D