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Chapter 21: The Hardest Part

"I'm coming home

I'm coming home

Tell the world that I'm coming home"

-"Coming Home" by Diddy feat. Dirty Money & Skylar Grey

Matt reached into Abby's jacket pocket and pulled out her house key. He unlocked the door and stepped inside still carrying a half-conscious Abby.

"Where am I?" Abby muttered sleepily.

"I took you back to your flat. You need some sleep." Matt replied softly.

He shut the door behind him and made his way to Abby's bedroom. He gently set her down in the bed, taking her shoes and jacket before pulling the covers over her.

As he turned to walk away, he heard Abby's voice.

"Stay with me." She whispered; her eyes closed.

"I should really be getting back to helping Becker." Matt lied, wanting to do exactly what Abby was requesting.

"Please."

"Abby, I—"

"Matt, I'm asking you to stay with me."

He gave a small, inward laugh. Earlier, she was cursing that they shared the same bed and now she was insisting they share a bed.

"Abby, you're tired; you don't know what you're saying." He replied calmly.

"It's only until I fall asleep completely."

Matt took off his jacket and kicked off his shoes, setting Abby's down next to his. He strode across to the other side of the bed and climbed in next to Abby, wrapping an arm around her.

Abby put a hand on his and leaned back into him.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you." She murmured.

"You had every right to." Matt responded. "I forced my feelings on you and you only acted on instinct."

She reached her hand up and rested it on the side of Matt's head, pulling him closer so that they were cheek to cheek. Abby turned her head and kissed him.

"Thank you for staying." She smiled before yawning.

Matt kissed her back. "Get some sleep, okay?"

Abby's hand slipped from his head and down to her side as she fell asleep.

Connor lay in the small bed cradling Jess to him as they waited for Gallant to fall completely asleep.

"If it doesn't go home," Jess whispered against Connor's chest. "We can come back and pretend nothing ever happened."

Connor stroked Jess's hair.

"Not sure I want to go back." Connor admitted in a whisper.

Jess didn't look up.

"I'm scared of having to readjust to everything." Connor continued. "Scared that we're going back to some sort of—"

"Harsh reality." Jess interjected.

"We'll still have each other, eh?" Connor spoke softly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Things will just get in the way." Jess replied dryly.

Connor lifted Jess's face to meet his, staring her in the eyes. A silent teardrop slid from one eye down her cheek.

Connor crushed his lips against hers. Jess pulled herself as close to him as she could, deepening the kiss. Connor hugged Jess tightly as he let their emotions overtake them.

Jess slid her hands up under Connor's shirt, tracing his abs, while she felt his hand weave through her long hair.

They were interrupted by a loud snore. Connor and Jess laughed quietly, their lips pressed against each other.

"Guess we can't put this off any longer." Jess stated as she climbed out of bed and fished the rucksack out from under the bed.

"Suppose not." Connor spoke, climbing out of bed as well.

They pulled their boots on and Connor slung the rucksack over his shoulder. Taking Jess's hand, he led the way as quietly as possible down the stairwell and out of the house toward the hillside where the anomaly awaited them.

As they reached the anomaly, they both turned to look back down at the town and the place they had called home for the last six months.

"Think he'll miss us?" Jess asked.

"Oh yeah, massively." Connor smirked.

"I think he'll mostly miss not having to clean or cook for himself." Jess smiled.

They turned back to the anomaly.

"Connor." Jess asked turning to him.

"Hm?" He asked turning to face her.

She grabbed his loose-fitting shirt and pulled him down to her, kissing him passionately.

After standing there for what seemed like forever, they broke apart.

"Ready?" Connor asked, holding out his hand.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Jess replied, taking his hand and grasping it tightly.

The anomaly started to pulsate.

Something was coming through it.

Becker and his men raised their EMDs, prepared to fire.

"Do not shoot unless I give the order." Becker spoke to his men, eyes focused on the anomaly.

"We come in peace!" Connor shouted with his eyes closed, holding his hand in the air.

"Connor!" Becker spoke, surprised.

"Jess!" He added, noticing the more mature field coordinator, who now had longer red hair that nearly reached the backs of her knees, next to his friend.

Connor poked open an eye. "Jess, I think we made it home."

Jess opened her eyes and jabbed him, causing him to open both eyes. "We did!"

Becker handed his EMD to one of his men before rushing forward to his teammates.

"Where the hell have you two been?" Becker asked as he pulled his friends into a hug.

"You know, hanging out in the past." Connor laughed.

"Creatures?"

"Pirates, actually." Jess replied.

"Really?" Becker asked in disbelief.

Connor and Jess nodded in agreement.

"Come on," Becker gestured toward the exit. "I'm sure you guys want to get cleaned up and get a decent meal."

Becker nodded for his men to seal the anomaly as he led the way out.

Connor and Jess followed Becker down some stairs and out of a café toward the trucks.

It was nighttime. What exact time it was, eluded the pair. Not that they were particularly concerned with the time at present anyway.

"You've been gone for quite some time." Becker commented as they climbed into the truck and he drove toward the ARC.

"It's been around six months where we were." Connor pointed out.

"It's been around the same time frame here." Becker confirmed as he drove.

"Good to know it's not been years or decades here; can't imagine what my reaction would've been to see you losing your hair." Connor joked.

"Only back for five minutes and you're already at it." Becker gave him a pointed look.

"Where's Abby and Matt?" Connor inquired.

He noticed Jess stiffen slightly in the back seat and gave her a reassuring smile before turning back to Becker.

"The anomaly you came through has been open for well over twenty-four hours. Abby and practically everyone else were asleep on their feet. Matt took her home to rest."

Connor simply nodded before yawning and reclining in the passenger seat.

Matt awoke to his mobile buzzing in his pocket. He rubbed his eyes and took his hand from around Abby's waist to pull out his phone and check it.

It was a text from Becker.

Connor and Jess had come through the anomaly. Becker was escorting them back to the ARC.

Matt glanced over at Abby's sleeping figure.

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before climbing out of the bed and pulling his jacket and shoes on.

He slipped out of the flat silently and walked to his truck. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed in the direction of the ARC, texting Becker that he was on his way.

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