Author's Note:

I know it is very overdue, but for what it's worth, all the confusing stuff is finally explained in this chapter! My muse went from "a fluffy Stabby story" to "a confusing, kinda fluffy Stabby story with a weird plot and way too many OCs." Sorry for that! Speaking of Ocs, I have pictures of kind of what they're supposed to look like on my profile if you get bored.

Thanks for reading and reviewing :D

"So, Eric, are you this much of an ass to everyone or do I just get the special treatment?" I asked.

We were sitting on opposite ends of the black leather couch, and he laughed at my question. Leaning back, he ran his fingers through his short brown hair. I immediately decided that I liked Kara better. She might be a little crazy, but at least she was friendly.

"Don't flatter yourself, I'm like this to everyone," he smiled, propping his feet on the table in front of us.

"So tell me, did the doctors attach an apology letter to your birth certificate?"

He simply continued smiling. "I think you'll fit in just fine with that attitude."

"I don't want to fit in. I want to get bloody answers!" I yelled.

At some point I had gotten to my feet, and I almost spat out the sentence in fury. I was sick and tired to death of avoiding the only reason I'd come to this hole in the wall place to begin with, and taking it out and the arrogant leader seemed like a great idea at the time. Charlie and Chandler glanced over at me from where they'd been talking to Kara. I supposed they weren't used to outbursts here. Still, I stood my ground, refusing to let Eric veer off track again. I was getting my answers, and then I was going to home to Abby. Plain and simple.

"We study the anomalies. But unlike the ARC, we don't take orders from the sorry pen pushers more commonly known as the government," he said. As much as I couldn't stand him, I still had to agree with his distaste of the government. I didn't like taking orders, let alone from grouchy people in suits.

"Our goal isn't to learn about them, or how to control them. We want to stop them," Eric continued.

"Stop them?" I repeated confusedly before I could stop myself.

"Charlie, Chandler and me are all from the future." Okay, so I wasn't expecting that one. "We've seen what they do. Now we're here, and we're trying to stop this before it destroys the world. No melodrama intended."

"How could you possibly stop it? The ARC did good to find a way to seal them, let alone stop them altogether," I asked, sitting back down on the couch. Curiosity was currently winning over animosity.

"That's what we're working on. You and Abby are living proof that we can do things with the anomalies that the ARC couldn't," he pointed out. I definitely couldn't disagree with that. "We don't really have a name, or any special title. We're just people trying to keep those we love safe."

I nodded. "That's understandable. So why am I here?"

"We could use your help. You were part of the ARC, you may know some things we don't," he said much to my surprise. I studied him, but his gaze was steady and unwavering. Wow. He was actually serious.

"What about Abby? I'm not getting her involved in this again, not after what happened last time."

"You could do one of three things. Lie to her about what you do and help us, let her come help Kara meaning she would get nowhere near the field work, or you can just say no to us and live world's most boring life," he listed off.

"If she came here to work with Kara," I began, and he smirked like he knew that was exactly what I was going to choose, "What would she be doing?"

"Helping with the science part. We've done some research on Abby and we know she's smart enough to handle it."

I nodded slowly. "I'd have to talk to her about this first."

He rolled his eyes, grinning with amusement. "You are such a soccer mom."

I opened my mouth to bite off a retort, but he held up one hand to stop me. I watched him as he got to his feet and walked over to his desk and picked up a bottle of whiskey. He poured two glasses of it and walked back over, holding one out to me. I briefly wondered if he'd had time to poison it in the short time he'd spent pouring it. I hesitantly took it and felt my puzzlement further as he sunk back down on his end of the couch. He took a sip of his, stretching like a cat.

"Welcome to the team, soccer mom." Apparently he had a strong feeling Abby would agree to this, and honestly, do did I.

He said that as arrogantly and sarcastically as ever, but I could sense an underlying acceptance in his words. He'd meant what he said. I was a part of all this now. I seriously doubted the ARC even existed in this messed up timeline I'd been thrown into, so I would take what I could get. I took a sip of the whiskey, feeling it burn down my throat. I'd always enjoyed the slightly fiery taste of it. Even thought everyone here except for the twins were strangers to me, I already felt slightly at home here. It was nice not being controlled by the government for a change. I made a mental note to figure out what had happened to the rest of the old ARC team, though.

Kara came over and perched on the arm of the couch next to Eric, and he smiled up at her almost…lovingly. It was strange seeing his features soften up, but they definitely did. I looked between him and the pretty, quirky redhead. They were the most mismatched couple I'd ever seen in my life. Their hands intertwined in a way that almost seemed instinctive, her hand looking tiny and fragile encased in his large, slightly calloused one. Their easy comfortableness made me want to return to Abby.

"So now that all this is established, can I go talk to Abby now or shall I sit around as couch decor?" I asked snarkily.

He made a shooing motion with his free hand. "See you later, soccer mom."

"Would you stop calling me that?" I hissed irritably, my accent flaring a little with agitation.

"Uh oh, the Brit has his panties in a wad," he mocked.

I rolled my eyes and got to my feet. Charlie and Chandler nodded to me as I left, and I nodded back. The typical male system of communication. A nod here, a nod there, it was all so much easier than lengthy conversations. I left the warehouse and started back down the street, easily remembering the route we'd taken. It hadn't been very complicated. Thankfully, I was only about twenty minutes from the house, and when I got back, Abby was already on the couch reading a book.

"Hey love," I greeted, walking over and giving her a quick kiss.

"Have fun with the boys?" she asked, sliding over to make room.

I sat down next to her and smiled. "You could say that. Actually, I was hoping we could talk."

"About what?"

Taking a deep breath, I said, "Well, it's kind of a long story…."