The next morning, after Claudia and Pete returned to their own rooms, Agent Myka Bering dressed for the day's mission. To match her black pants, Myka wore a black trenchcoat over a white button-down shirt. She needed the trenchcoat because of its interior pockets.

From her nightstand drawer, Myka retrieved the static bag containing the Pocketwatch Artifact. Carefully, she folded the static bag over several times, and stashed the bag into her interior pocket, next to a pair of purple gloves.

She moved to stand in front of the large mirror, straightening and smoothing the fabric of her trenchcoat. No one will be able to tell I'm carrying an artifact in a static bag. The dangerous artifact I stole from my boss is completely hidden. Act naturally. She put her Tesla into her right-hand pocket.

After knocking on the door, Claudia entered, carrying her small collection of photo frames. She sat on the couch. "I wish our stuff could time-travel with us, but I'm guessing it doesn't."

Myka studied Claudia for a moment. "Your photos will be in your room when we get back." She wasn't accustomed yet to Claudia's jet-black hair.

Claudia shrugged. "Yeah, I thought they'd be good luck. We could use some good luck for a change."

"The photo of your brother?" Myka asked.

"Photos of all my favorite scientists." Claudia held up each one in turn. "Josh. H.G. Wells. Saint Nick." The last frame held a black-and-white photograph of Nikola Tesla, the genius inventor and former Warehouse agent.

"Saint Nick?"

"I decided Agent Nikola Tesla is the patron saint of Warehouse 13. Especially now that we know he used the Pocketwatch to save the world. On this mission, we need all the help we can get."

"All our planning and preparation will definitely help us," Myka said. "We can get to work as soon as we arrive in the past. Most importantly, my two favorite scientists will be working together on this mission - Claudia Donovan and Helena Wells."

Claudia smiled in surprise. "When you say it that way, the future sounds awesome."

"You have a bright future ahead of you. We all do," Myka said. "But first, we have to make a quick trip into the recent past."

As Myka had planned, Claudia went out the front door to walk around outside and wait in the backyard. Leena agreed to keep Pete occupied with household activities. Myka wanted Pete out of the way, away from the Regents and away from her time-travel departure.

Downstairs, Myka stood in the doorway and scanned the Reading Room. Mr. Kosan, Jane Lattimer, and several other Regents had arrived.

In the nearest corner, Artie talked to Mr. Kosan, gesturing with both hands. On the floor beside them sat the large rectangular cooler, still wrapped shut with duct tape, containing the Scarab. Next to them stood Jane Lattimer, who noticed Myka's arrival.

Myka nodded in acknowledgement to Pete's mother. This time we're not going to sit around and wait for your Top Secret Plan to fail.

Myka walked across to the open doorway of the Meeting Room, where a few more Regents talked quietly. She looked around at these strangers who would decide her fate, and the fate of Warehouse 13.

Let us do our jobs. Let us save our own people. We can save them, and save the Warehouse. She took a deep breath and straightened her trenchcoat. All I have to do is kill Walter Sykes.

Myka glanced back toward the hallway and saw Pete, only to realize he was staring straight at her. Leena was supposed to keep Pete out of the way.

Pete walked directly toward her, staring intently. She stepped toward the nearest corner. He stood close to her, with his back to the room. "I'm getting a bad vibe," he said quietly.

Keeping secrets from my own partner. I am a terrible person, she thought. OK, be truthful. Stick to the truth, and try to sound normal.

"Yeah, sorry I'm sending out such negative vibes," Myka said. "I completely disagree with the Regents' decision, so I'm angry."

"My bad vibe isn't about you," Pete said. "I think it's about Claudia."

Her pulse sped up. Does he suspect Claudia's part in this? I can't lie to Pete. If he asks, I'll have to tell him what we've planned. He'll disagree with me, and the Regents will find out I stole the artifact. We'll never go back in time to save the Warehouse.

"I think Claudia ..." Pete stopped and shook his head.

She held her breath.

"I think Claudia's life might be in danger." Pete looked straight into her eyes. "I know she's angry about everything that happened. Do you think Claudia's planning to run away?"

Myka paused. Stick to the truth. "Claudia belongs here, with us. We are her family. She wouldn't leave us, not willingly. She would never leave Artie."

"Yeah, you're right." Pete sighed. "This vibe feels bad, but not in the usual way." He glanced into the other room. "Maybe it's because those people are standing in the Meeting Room, where Mrs. Frederic died. Maybe even in the afterlife, she's frowning at us in disapproval."

She nodded, remembering Mrs. Frederic's permanently stoic expression. "That I could believe."

Over Pete's shoulder, Myka noticed Leena was standing in the main hallway, watching them.

She resisted the impulse to hug Pete goodbye. Instead, she cleared her throat and pointed over his shoulder. "Leena's looking for you."

"Yeah, I've got stuff to do," Pete said. "See you later."

She smiled at him. "See you later." As she watched him walk away, Myka realized how glad she would be to see her partner when they got back to Warehouse 13.

Myka watched Kosan and Jane as they finished talking with Artie and went into the Meeting Room.

Artie walked over to Myka and glanced shyly at her.

I have to pretend he's leaving without us, she thought. I am a terrible person who keeps secrets from her closest friends.

"Where's Claudia?" Artie asked.

"She decided to avoid the big meeting and hang out in the backyard instead," Myka said. "I'm going to join her outside."

Artie adjusted his glasses and glanced around the room. "Myka, I'm sorry," he said. "Kosan has ordered me to use the Pocketwatch Artifact, alone. He thinks it's the safest way to travel, and I agree with him."

Myka nodded slowly. Artie looks so sad. Tears welled up in her own eyes. "I know how much you want to protect Claudia and me." She hugged him tightly. "Good luck, Artie."

When she let go, Artie looked surprised she didn't say anything else.

Myka hurried out of the room and went out the front door of the B&B.