Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own words the rest belongs to SyFy. The helicopter I borrowed from the book Eureka: Substitution Method by Cris Ramsey.
Fargo and Jack walked down the hallway of section 4 in a bad mood and trying to pretend they didn't smell like a combination of perfume, sewer and spoiled milk. Both thinking the brother and sister team they'd just left needed some serious family counseling to deal with their out of control sibling rivalry before being allowed to share a lab again.
This was the seventh incident they'd had to deal with in three days and as far as they were concerned by far the worst. The two Drs. Claypool had begun arguing over which direction to take their study of the effect of scent on the human mind, the argument had quickly escalated into a full blown fight. When Fargo and Carter had arrived the two had been hurling vials filled with different scents at each other like they were having a snowball fight. The fumes had gotten into the air vents and spread, scientists all up and down the corridor had been streaming out of their own labs trying to escape the horrendous smell.
"This is the last time Jo goes on vacation." Fargo told Carter clearly frustrated. "If it wasn't already Friday I'd call her and tell her to get back here." Fargo was pretty sure he'd shove a side his own personal feelings about the whole Jo/Zane thing and play matchmaker himself if it meant she wouldn't take off again. Temporarily forgetting he'd encouraged her when she'd told him she was leaving so she could make a few changes in her life, namely moving on from Zane.
Jack snorted thinking "I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation." To Fargo he sarcastically said "she only took three days off. I'm sure she thought you'd be able to hold the place together for three days." Privately Jack knew Jo had really needed the time away from Eureka and a certain bad boy scientist, he just wished she would have picked a different week to skip town. This had been the first warm week of the year and Eureka's residents had wanted to celebrate this by wreaking as much havoc as they could. It was all he and Andy could do to keep up with what was going on in town, having to repeatedly come up here to GD to handle one crisis after another for Fargo was getting on his nerves.
"What's that supposed to mean? You're the Sheriff it's your job to keep people from killing one another." Fargo replied managing to sound both offended and condescending at the same time. He was getting tired of Jack and the rest of them acting like he was incapable of doing his job without them being there to clean up the mess. "Seriously the only one that gives me any credit for anything is Jo" he thought bitterly.
Jack just rolled his eyes and let out an impatient "Hmpff." He'd never get Fargo to understand that part of being in charge meant you had to handle the occasional dispute between employee's. Granted it was part of Jo's job but with her gone Fargo should be handling it himself. Jack was feeling too grumpy to admit that some of those incident's, like the one they'd just left, had gotten out of control quickly.
Fargo heard the sound Jack had made and it only increased his bad mood. Since his favorite whipping post Larry wasn't around to take it out on he decided to get a dig in on the Sheriff. "Don't blame me if your let's all be reasonable and talk about it tactics aren't nearly as effective as Jo's try it and die stare."
Jack decided he'd had enough of Fargo for the day "I'm going home to change. How about we try something new and see if you can manage to maintain peace and harmony around here for more than an hour by yourself."
Jack turned down a side hallway before Fargo had a chance to reply. Neither of them had thought to call Jo's second in command Clayton all week. The same man who was sitting in the security room watching the video feeds laughing at the two and thinking "Lupo is gonna love this."
The NLW Lab
Fargo's mood had not improved since he and Jack had parted ways but he had one more thing to do before he could leave for the day. Earlier Global had developed some stealth helicopters for moving troops around but this newer combat version was supposed to be smaller, faster and more maneuverable. The steering mechanism Zane had designed for the sky cruiser was now supposed to have been modified to work in the aircraft. Parrish was supposed to be coordinating with the DOD to outfit it with various lethal and nonlethal interchangeable weapons. Fargo needed to make sure everything was ready before Jo brought the test pilot back with her this weekend.
Apparently Jo knew the man General Mansfield was sending to test the new helicopter. She'd seemed pretty happy when she'd learned who the test pilot was, well happy and a little nervous. She'd volunteered to pick Asher Maddox up in Portland and bring him here to Eureka telling Fargo he was an old friend of hers. After everything that had happened during Jo's time off he didn't want anything to go wrong on her return. Jo was going to be angry enough as it was.
Letting out an unhappy sigh Fargo entered the one lab he hated visiting without Jo at his side. The greeting he received from his two least favorite scientists only increased his dislike of the two.
Parrish's head snapped up and his face pinched "What in the hell is that smell?" Both Parrish and Zane turned giving Fargo identical looks of shock and disgust.
"Perfect, just the way to cap off the week." Fargo thought angrily "Nothing like giving Zane ammo to take his sarcastic pot shots at me with."
"Fargo must have a hot date tonight he seems to be trying out a new cologne. Although you have to wonder what exactly would be dating him smelling like that." Zane piped up.
"Yep right on cue" Fargo thought his mood going from bad to worse.
"Hopefully it's with a large bottle of tomato juice and a shower" Parrish quipped "I've been sprayed by a skunk and smelled better." Both men were now trying hard to not breathe in or laugh around their boss.
It was Parrish that recovered first, they had problems and it was about time Fargo had decided to make an appearance. "So happy you decided to finally get around to us. It's only been an hour since I called Larry to report the theft."
"I am not in the mood for comments from the peanut gallery today. I came down here…" Fargo started before the last part of Parrish's statement registered. "What theft? I haven't been told about any theft, good lord it didn't have anything to do with the Falcon helicopter did it." He asked starting to panic a little.
"No someone stole the blueprints for the RSS device. You're precious helicopter is just fine." Parrish supplied.
"Is that all, the thing never worked right any way" Fargo said dismissively. He didn't care about anything other than keeping General Mansfield off his back for a while. "You probably just misplaced them, have you looked around."
"Someone save me from this hell. How exactly did this incompetent idiot get to be Director?" Parrish thought bitterly. To Fargo he asked "When's Lupo getting back? This place is going to hell in a hand basket without her." He wasn't exactly fond of Jo Lupo but he did respect her, Fargo he felt neither sentiment for. "Of course I looked around, they're not here. You need to call Lupo and get her back here."
Zane did not share Parrish's opinion about bringing Jo back to town. He needed a break, every time he saw her he thought about when he'd kissed her and what it would feel like to do it again. He did not want to go there, everything about Jo since that day in Carter's office screamed danger. He still planned on finding out what had happened to the five of them, but Jo had had his grandmother's engagement ring. The ring meant commitment and Zane's idea of commitment didn't last past two weeks. Zane's ideas for Jo, well they might take longer than two weeks but certainly not a life time. He doubted he'd ever actually share those plans with her anyways, safer to stick to fantasizing.
Zane decided to join the conversation, mostly because it would annoy Fargo. "Really we thought the last time the device was used it went so well we'd offer the design specs up to anyone wanting to make their own home version. Nothing like a little zombie uprising to get the adrenaline pumping don't ya think?"
"No there will no calling Jo!" Despite what Fargo had told Jack earlier he was not stupid enough to actually do it. "I'll call Carter." Looking at the other two he added "Quantum flux generators can be taken away so quickly it would be like it was never here. Try to remember that before anyone starts dialing any numbers."
"Relax Fargo I wasn't planning on calling her" Zane ground out. He needed that damn generator and who knew when he'd get another opportunity to blackmail one out of Fargo again.
Fargo let out a relieved sigh Jo would kill him if she got a call from Zane. The whole point of her going away was to be Zane free for a few days. He didn't even know where she was other than her comment "I'll be close enough to get back if somebody actually dies." Fargo decided it was time to get to the real reason he was there. "About the Helicopter, Mansfield's test pilot will be here on Monday is everything ready."
"The Steering mechanism is almost installed and we're getting the first round of weapons ready to be tested." Zane told him, hoping Fargo would go away soon the smell was making him nauseous.
"Almost? Getting ready? Asher Maddox will be here Monday it needs to be ready for him to get started right away. General Mansfield is not going to put up with any more delays." Fargo really hated having to rely on Zane for anything, you never knew if he was going to actually do what he'd been asked.
"Relax, Mon dictator. We have all weekend to finish it up, we'll be ready." Anything if it would keep Fargo out of the lab. That and Zane had looked up (ok hacked into) Asher Maddox's file and he was kind of interested in meeting the man.
From what Zane had learned it seemed they had something's in common like not really caring about the rules. At first it had read like the guy was a male version of Jo focused, driven, a brilliant military career full of heroics. Well he guessed it had read like Jo's but her file was something even Zane couldn't get into and he'd tried more than once. Then he'd gotten to the good part reprimand after reprimand. Nothing serious but it seemed the former army major had pulled almost as many stunts as he had. Zane's personal favorite was the guy had borrowed a Blackhawk helicopter to fly half way across some country to pick up his date. The weird part was the name of the country and his date had been deleted out of the report. Zane figured it must have been some foreign dignitary's daughter, he really wanted ask the guy about it.
"See that it is. Maddox is a friend of Jo's anything goes wrong and I'll let her deal with you two." Fargo said then left the lab. "God I hope Donovan actually does what he says he will. Mansfield is already on the war path about something I need this to go right."
Fargo decided having to deal with the Clayton twins and Zane all in one day was enough, he was going home to shower. He pulled out his PDA and called Carter on his way. "Great now he's not answering, Sunday cannot come quick enough." Fargo went back to thinking he'd never let Jo take another vacation again and called Clayton.
Henry's Lab
Temporarily forgetting how bad he smelled Jack walked into Henry's lab hoping a chat with his friend would improve his mood. In greeting he called out "I'm staging a coup we're putting Allison back in charge."
Henry immediately started backing up waving a hand in front of his face, his eyes starting to water. "Umm Jack not to be rude but when was the last time you took a shower."
Jack stopped short and looking sheepish replied "Sorry about that there was another fight in one of the labs." Seeing the raised eyebrows on Henry he continued "Don't ask."
Henry let out a small laugh "Well judging by the odor I'd say you lost." Trying to ignore the way his friend smelled he continued thoughtfully "I take it you're having a bad day."
"More like bad week. I know Jo's covered for me a few times when I've left town but this is the last time I return the favor. One more day of Fargo and I'll probably strangle him." Jack said running a hand over his face. He desperately needed a shower and a beer. "Honestly I don't know how Jo's managed to keep from killing him."
"Well things definitely run smoother when Jo's here" Henry said looking at the Dirac Transmitter he'd spent the last several hours trying to repair. It had been damaged yesterday when two scientists had actually gotten into a brawl over which was better Halo 2 or Halo 3. "But I don't think you can blame Fargo entirely. Things seem to be more unruly than usual around here."
Jack wasn't willing to give an inch were Fargo was concerned "And that would be Fargo's fault. He doesn't have the first idea how to manage people, give him a button he shouldn't push and we're golden. Maybe you or Allison should mentor him or something."
"We're always here for Fargo if he needs us but I think Jo keeps him grounded well enough. Granted things have been a little worse than normal the last couple of days, but really he's doing better than I thought he would." Seeing the look on Jack's face Henry offered "If it will make you feel better I'll keep an eye on him, see if things are as bad as you think."
Henry knew he was going to have to do that carefully. He and Allison both had tried to advise Fargo when they'd found out he was the Director. At first Fargo had been happy to get the advice but he'd soon come to resent what he saw as them interfering. Fargo just seemed to take things better if it came from Jo. He was also pretty sure Jo would have no end of things to say when she found out what had gone on in her absence, Fargo wouldn't need anybody else piling on after that.
Jack nodded "Enough about Fargo, I really came to see if you and Grace wanted to Join Allison and me for brunch Sunday at Café Diem. Kevin is trying to butter Allison up for something he wants and has offered to babysit Jenna. Plus after the week I've had I could use a little time with someone other than Fargo or Andy to talk to."
"That sounds nice, we'll be there." Henry replied smiling and turning his head away from Jack. Any time Jack moved Henry would get another nose full of Jack's less then pleasant aroma. "Grace always enjoys it when I take her out after church. One request though, could you a maybe find a shower between now and then. I promise not to ask Fargo to join us if you do." Henry added unable to resist making a little fun of Jack.
Taking Henry's ribbing good naturedly Jack replied "Good we'll see you there. I guess I'd better go find that shower about now." Then he headed out of the lab to do just that. "God, I really do smell pretty bad."
Jack felt his PDA start to vibrate, glancing at the display and seeing Fargo's name he decide to ignore it. "Jeez he didn't even make it a whole hour. He'll never learn if I keep running to his rescue and if it's important he'll call back. Twelve or fifteen times" Jack headed home not looking forward to the comments he was sure SARAH his house would make when she got a whiff of him.
The Outskirts of Portland
Jo felt great she hadn't allowed herself to have a long weekend like this in years. She'd pampered herself, shopped and hit a few nightclubs in Seattle with a friend. The night clubs weren't really her scene but when you've decided to turn over a new leaf why not. Grace had told her to put herself out there and she had. She'd been hit on, danced with a few and left feeling pretty good about herself. "A little harmless flirtation is good for the soul" Jo decided "and certainly good to help a woman start to get over a broken heart."
It wasn't that Jo hadn't thought about Zane once the entire time she'd been gone but it had been a little easier with some distance between them. She couldn't spend the rest of her life wishing for something that didn't even exist anymore. So Jo had left Eureka determined to get a grip, no more moping around or grieving for what she'd lost. It was past time for her to get on with her new life "everyone else has." Once she'd hit Seattle Jo had decided a new life meant a new Jo, well not too new she liked who she was. "I just want to have a little fun, I miss fun."
The man she was currently driving to Portland to pick up could help her with that. Ash certainly had turned the ability to balance getting the job done when needed and blowing off steam when it's over into an art form. "He'd also turned being a bad influence on you into and art form too at one time" she thought with a small smile, Jo still couldn't believe some of the things she'd let him talk her into doing. She hadn't seen him since she'd come to Eureka and was a little nervous about doing so now. With all the changes that had occurred in her life recently she really needed Asher not to be one of them.
Jo was pleasantly surprised when she'd discovered the other version of her had hired Clayton and brought him to Eureka. She'd been thrilled when she'd figured out nothing about their friendship had been changed by the time travel and she was hoping the same was true between her and Asher. "I've already lost Zane I don't think I can handle it if Asher and I have never meant anything to each other either."
Jo needn't have worried. Asher Maddox was currently sitting in a diner in Portland waiting for the only woman he had ever really been in love with to show up, one Josephina Lupo.
AN: This story has nothing to do with my first two but I have brought characters from both stories into this one and will be touching on some of the same backgrounds.