A message from Author Logan the Awesome regarding the first name of Captain Becker: "The truth is in the review!" lol, don't listen to her, she's still in denial! (jk Logan, you know it's all in fun! :D)

Chapter XXXV: A Happy Ending, Finally!

One Week Later:

Claudia was released from the hospital and Helen was officially declared dead.

Nick's fears were gone, now that the only one in the whole world plotting Claudia's demise was finally dead.

No time-shattering tremors were ever felt again. Nick Cutter and Claudia Brown had saved the world.

He helped Claudia walk slowly into the ARC, being careful to not touch her injured shoulder. Their steps were sluggish but careful.

"I'll never get used to this place compared to the Home Office." She muttered, gazing around in wonder at the slick shininess of the ARC as though it were the first time she laid eyes on it, even though she had seen it for months already. Nick nodded.

"I'm still not, though it comes in handy sometimes." He helped her to her office where he had put a large, colorful banner that said 'Welcome Back'. All her friends were there, including Sandy, who bounded up to her with pure joy on the puppy's face.

"I hope we can get that mutt out of here now and return to business as usual?" said Lester.

Claudia smiled and hugged all of her friends, being careful to shield her still-sore shoulder. She looked at her friends, all smiling back at her:

Connor with his arm around Abby's shoulder, both their engagement rings glittering in the sunlight,

Sarah leaning up against Becker's chest,

Danny with his arm around Jenny's waist,

Lester and Ryan looking uncharacteristically relaxed.

Stephen stood alone with a small smile on his face, but she could sense he was finally free from his guilt now that Helen was dead.

She was happy to be back.

Yes, life had been crazy since the anomalies started, but for now, in this moment, life was good.

She and Nick, after so many years, were finally together again, in true love untouched by the boundaries of space and time, and nothing could separate them ever again.

~The End~

Watch for the Epilogue, hopefully tomorrow, or at least very soon! :)