Nick's wary blue eyes took in a woman who conjured more emotions in him than anyone. She had intruded to his apartment silently like a ghost, an irony that was not lost on him. Helen Cutter, part of him hated that she still bore his name after so long, stood in the shadows of the living room surveying it with a hint of disdain.

"You changed the table," she commented coolly. With a glint of mischief in her gaze, she offered him a teasing smile. "I liked that table."

Nick wasn't entirely immune to the suggestion of tease in her brown stare, the woman had been his wife after all, he had loved and mourned her and finding the off switch for those feelings wasn't easy, although these days Helen was helping him get there.

"What do you want Helen?" Nick demanded bluntly.

Helen folded her arms and tilted her head slightly. "No chitchat then?" she quipped mockingly.

The woman shrugged her shoulders before continuing on. "Alright then. Your little intruder from the past, she's dangerous."

Nick openly scoffed at the woman. "Melina? Don't be ridiculous."

Anger darted through Helen's eyes briefly. "Not her personally Nick," she scorned, "her presence. She's not from this time and the longer she stays in it the worse the consequences will be."

Nick frowned as he studied Helen, trying to determine if she was toying with him. "How can you possibly know that?" he demanded.

"There's a lot I know," Helen bragged. Her stare grew bright then as she slackened her stance and stood upright, suddenly invigorated with energy. "Oh Nick you really should give it a chance. Just come with me through the anomalies, the things I could show you- the wonders of the past and the mysteries of the future."

"You've been to the future?" Nick quipped suddenly.

The redhead stared at the woman with as much calm as he could muster but he was feeling alarmed. What did Helen know about their existence, their future? Had she changed things there? Was it even possible to change something that hadn't happened? It pushed him back to the enigma of Melina, was her presence changing their present? Had she altered the timelines to create some change in the future that shouldn't be?

Helen nodded as a frown tugged at her fair face and her expression became bleak.

"I've seen terrible things there," she confessed. "Something went in wrong in our time and it created a future where we aren't top of the food chain anymore."

"The future predators?" Nick ventured a guess.

"Amongst others," Helen murmured. "I've been trying to find the cause, the blip that changed things so I can stop it. The anomalies play their part in it of course, they create opportunities to alter time, to change things."

"Well Melina is trapped in our time," Nick advised, "she can't return to the past to change things in the now."

Helen raised her eyebrows slightly at this. "Nick don't you see, she needs to return to the past to correct the timeline. She's the blip, I'm sure of it."

"No," Nick shook his head as his gaze wavered between outrage and disbelief, "how can she cause the future predators? That doesn't make sense."

"Well it could be as vague as the butterfly effect or it could be because she is directly involved in anomaly business," Helen stated.

"Right, just like there were meant to be sabre-toothed tigers through one anomaly," Nick growled back. He pointed to his wife accusingly. "You know those dodos cost us the life of someone right? They had parasites, which we barely contained from causing a pandemic."

Helen attempted a sombre expression as she nodded. "I'm sorry about that, I knew the dodos were there but not that they carried deadly parasites, I swear it Nick. I'm trying to help humanity not harm it."

Nick continued to frown. "I don't believe you and I think it's just speculation anyway."

Helen gave a bitter smile. "Alright, I deserve the scepticism I suppose. I'll prove it, I know when the next anomaly is coming and where. Lester will be keen to prevent this one. Tomorrow, sometime in the afternoon at the Silver Lake Country Manor Estate." Helen held up a palm before Nick could argue. "I'm already free, I have no reason to use it as a distraction. Believe me or don't," she shrugged again, "what's the harm in having people there as a precaution?"

"And what's coming through it?" Nick demanded.

Helen's smile turned taunting as she fixed her stare upon Nick. "Oh Nick, let's keep some surprises, shall we?"

Nick felt frustration budding with him as he wondered how he had ever loved this woman, thinking her charming instead of manipulative. "And if you're right, what then? If there is a way to get Melina home to her time I wouldn't oppose it."

"Good because there is, if I'm right you'll help me get her there."

Helen hastened past Nick for the ajar doorway before he could ask anymore questions. He hurried after her but it was in vain, she was quicker, slipping out the front door to the darkness of the night, moving with a practised silence that came from journeying through a predatory world that depended on stealth for survival.


"I don't believe it," James immediately dismissed the edited news Nick had brought him of last night's encounter with Helen.

They were grouped in a wide office room of the Home Office- Stephen, Abby, Connor and Melina seated at a shared bench observing the angry discussion with wide eyes and awkward silence.

Nick had told them about his encounter with Helen and her news of an anomaly coming but he had left out everything Helen had suggested about Melina.

Claudia placed her hands on her hips and looked up to Nick with anger. "What I don't believe is that Helen Cutter shows up at your house and you don't call anyone," she scolded him.

Nick gazed back at her, surprised by the pain in her blue gaze. "Claudia," he addressed her softly.

"She's a wanted woman!" Claudia snapped.

"Really?" Melina marvelled before she could help it.

"Not really," Connor retorted in a loud whisper, "she's actually legally dead, you go missing for a few years and that's what happens."

Abby gave Connor a sharp dig with her elbow prompting a yelp from him.

Connor rubbed his ribcage instinctively as he looked to Abby accusingly. "What was that for?"

"I think Melina knows about that sort of thing," Abby chided him as she cocked her head to him slightly so he could see the scorn in her stare.

"Oh right." Connor glanced past Stephen to Melina. "Sorry," he apologised with a smile.

Melina smiled back. "It's fine, I'm getting used to the whole M.I.A thing. So was Helen a felon before she vanished?"

"No," Nick snapped. He rubbed at his golden-copper locks and looked about the room in frustration. He gestured outwards to everyone with his hands. "Look," he said, letting his Scottish lilt take over, "everyone, I encountered Helen in my living room, if I went to raise the alarm she would've been gone before anyone arrived. So I heard her out. She said there would be an anomaly this afternoon at Silver Lake Country Manor Estate. Now I know she doesn't have the best track record but there's no harm in being prepared is there? If there is no anomaly, good, if there is, at least we're prepared."

"She's just trying to spoil the party I know it," James complained as he rolled his stare up to the ceiling. "Pesky woman, how is it she keeps encountering everyone in this team but still remains free to roam through time doing God knows what?"

James cast a scathing glance upon Captain Ryan who was poised against the wall looking like the guard on door duty. He noted that Ryan had an uncomfortable expression instead of his usual face of cool indifference. James' mouth thinned to a line before he realised something. He dismissed the idea and realised that everyone was staring at him.

"You think Helen Cutter is in the business of ruining your parties?" Stephen quipped sardonically as he stared up at James in disbelief.

"What an odd job that would be," Connor marvelled, "do you think instead of blowing up balloons they'd just go around with a pin popping them?"

Melina snickered even as Abby groaned. "Or putting glue on their roller skates or cutting down the disco balls," she jested.

The young woman bobbed her head about when she realised everyone was staring at her.

"Well now I feel old," James commented sardonically in his usual dry manner.

Melina slumped slightly in the bench and folded her arms prompting Stephen to shuffle into Connor to give her more room.

Nick chortled at this. "You really liked your disco didn't you?"

"Still do," Melina grumbled. She flashed a smile at Claudia. "Claudia has some disco records, we did some groovy dancing to it after that lunch. We've both got some funky moves you know," she added as her smile widened.

Claudia gave a faint blush and her lip rose slightly as her mouth turned into a physically representation of an err.

"Didn't take you for a flower power dancer," Stephen mocked the embarrassed woman.

Nick grinned over at the bronze haired woman and arched an eyebrow. "Disco records?"

" ," Claudia corrected, "and they weren't all disco, just a few hits."

"Anyway," James interrupted loudly, "much as pains me to change the subject from Ms. Brown and Ms...what are we calling you again?" he queried as he glanced to Melina curiously.

"Pending," she retorted, "Melina Pending."

"Not quite the same ring as Bond but I like it," Connor enthused.

Melina leaned over Stephen to point at Connor and give him a grin. "That reference I get," she said happily. "Roger Moore, right?"

"Um..." Connor looked back to her apologetically. "Well he was."

"Oh, but you still have James Bond?"

Connor nodded happily. "Yep, Pierce Brosnan."

"Huh, don't know him."

"He was Remington Steele," Connor explained.

"Nope."

Melina shook her head and sat back against the bench.

"Anyway," James interrupted crossly. "I can't have soldiers just showing up at this party, it would be a disaster."

"More of a disaster than dinosaurs eating people?" Stephen quipped.

James frowned at him. "It's debatable. I need subtlety for this."

"You mean we need to be incognito?" Nick queried.

"You?" James retorted with a look of disgust.

"We're more subtle than soldiers," Nick pointed out.

"And more vulnerable," Ryan scorned.

The blonde soldier had been drifting in and out of the conversation, considering similar issues to James with regards to an anomaly showing up at a fancy and highly attended event.

"Oh we can go in disguise!" Connor exclaimed joyfully. "You know I've always wanted to be a pilot."

"Mate what do you know about flying?" Stephen quipped.

"Nothing but I like the jackets and goggles."

Abby let out a groan and reached a hand up to her wispy, ice blonde hair.

"Well now there's an idea," Claudia murmured.

James and Nick both gawked at her like she had gone mad.

"I mean, Nick's group don't scream soldier but at that kind of event they would create suspicion so some sort of guise might be efficient."

"It would have to be the help then," James snapped, "at least then they can avoid talking to anyone."

James surveyed the bench like a teacher ready to dish out detentions. "I assume you lot can carry trays without too much difficulty, yes?"

"Wait, what?" Stephen queried.

"What kind of party is this anyway?" Abby demanded moodily. "You haven't explained that."

James sighed. "Well I was hoping I wouldn't have to because I don't want you there but it would be in poor taste if an anomaly were to appear."

"Sir, they can't go alone," Ryan protested.

"No and they won't. We'll have some other personnel dress down or, up rather considering the venue, like yourself captain."

Ryan bristled and offered James a frown but he withheld a protest.

"Are we getting costumes?" Connor ventured.

"I am not wearing a slutty maid outfit, catch my drift?" Melina warned.

"Same goes for me," Abby said sternly.

"Oh girls don't ruin the fun," Connor protested. He laughed at the in sync glowers he received.

"Firstly, I don't know what kind of parties you go to but it's not that kind," James berated Melina. "The servants take care to wear impeccable uniforms, which will be difficult to obtain in oh," he glanced at his watch, "three hours."

James looked to Nick angrily. "You had better be right about this Cutter because I'm going to have to go out on a limb to get you lot into this gathering and I don't like to do that."

Abby raised her hand. "Once again, what is this party?"

"It's a benefit, raising money for the preservation of animals in Africa," James murmured with disinterest.

"That sounds good," Melina enthused.

"It sounds like an excuse for rich people to gather and exchange snobby remarks and eat endangered food," Abby grumbled.

"I'm attending you know," James scolded her as he glanced down to her.

"I'm shocked," she retorted sarcastically.

"Right, Ms. Brown, help me arrange a means of getting this lot in as the hired help. They hire externally for the day so you won't have to act like you know the venue," James explained, "a small mercy."

James headed for the door followed closely by an exasperated looking Claudia.

"Sir, is this wise?" Claudia queried.

"No," James retorted flatly, "but what else is new? Captain, you come too," he instructed.

Ryan followed after the pair with a reluctant obedience leaving Nick and the others to discuss tactics.

"Do you think we can eat the food at this thing?" Connor queried.

"I don't see why we shouldn't," Melina mused, "it's not like we're getting paid for the work, which is slavery by the way. Which reminds me, Claudia said something about a debit account for my wages? Don't people get cheques anymore?"

Connor snickered and shook his head. "Nope."

"We've really got to try and modernise you," Stephen commented.

Melina sighed and leaned back against the wall. "I wish people would stop saying that," she complained. "I'm happy liking disco and wearing khaki. Maybe if you lot had a roller disco you'd want to be like me instead of wanting to modernise me."

Nick glanced over to the woman sympathetically and considered what Helen had said. He feared Melina going back to her time and somehow wrecking their time but maybe it was the right thing after all, she wasn't settling into this time after all.


The sun shone down on the freshly cut emerald green grass of the expansive lawns of Silver Lake Country Manor Estate. The gold tinged beams of the afternoon sunlight caused the smooth surface of the namesake lake to gleam silver like the polished surface of a mirror, preventing anyone from looking at it for more than a few seconds. The air was perfumed with the intoxicating odour of perfectly pruned flowers that added a vibrant cluster of colours to the stretch of green.

Positioned carefully about the flowers and the statues that featured on the grounds were a selection of tall tables beneath wide canopies of cotton white offering a bounty of foods and drinks. They were staffed by an attentive selection of servants who offered them up to visitors who ventured over and carried them upon request to the tables and chairs of white painted iron that were decorated with linen tablecloths and soft cushions.

"I'm seriously thinking about giving this job up," Abby muttered through gritted teeth as she reached for a small dish of hors d'oeuvres.

She stood beside Connor trying and failing to avoid eye contact with strangers.

"Three old creeps have hit on me now," she lamented.

"Were they rich?" Connor mused. He had been scolded for his unruly hair by the head waiter but since he had managed to pilfer six delicious sausage based snacks he wasn't concerned.

"Connor," Abby chided him as she glanced to him in exasperation, "everyone here is rich except the servants."

Connor gave a dopey grin. "Not consider a sugar daddy?"

"Gross!"

The pair glanced over at the sound of running footsteps, wary of the real reason they were here. It was Melina, struggling to sprint in a pair of black heels as she clutched at the back of her black skirt ungracefully to stop it from flying up to expose her underwear.

She stopped at the table, slamming her palms down on its edge as she started to pant. "Does..." she rasped out the words between panting, "anyone...know...what...the...hell...a...carpaccio...is?"

Satisfied that there was no impending danger, Connor and Abby relaxed their stances.

"I think the tomato thing?" Connor suggested as he pointed to a silver tray of appetisers.

Melina shook her head and turned to prop her back against the table. "Oh God, I've tried some weird grey thing, something I don't think was quite dead, and something that was slimy and I still haven't figured it out."

She raised the back of her hand to her brow before glancing forward. "Oh shit," she cursed suddenly, "here comes the boss to scold."

She pushed away from the table and darted off again.

Abby and Connor glanced over expecting Lester but instead spied the head waiter.

"Right, I'm off too," Connor muttered hastily as he snatched up a crystal decanter of wine.

"Me too," Abby retorted.

Melina almost bumped into Stephen in her haste to avoid the waiter. She glanced up to him apologetically and he offered her a small smile.

"It's not as bad as I thought it'd be," he admitted.

Melina smiled and shook her head at him. "Well not for you, all the old grannies have been hogging you, so you haven't had to table serve as much as the rest as us."

Stephen chortled at this. "You've just got to work the uniform," he advised her as he gestured down to his plain white shirt and black trousers.

Melina gestured down to herself. "There's no working this," she complained. She glanced down and cursed as she saw her white apron curling up again. "Damn it," she cursed as she pushed it back down. "I hope the fricking dino comes soon to eat everyone," she complained.

"Er we're here to stop the dino eating, remember?" Stephen commented quietly.

"Right, right," Melina grumbled as she reached up to her hair, fidgeting with the plait Abby had put it in as Melina had firmly vetoed a bun. "Maybe just the old, fat todger who keeps groping my ass, and the head waiter."

Stephen chuckled.

"Oh Stevie!"

Stephen winced as he heard a woman call from a nearby table. "Gotta go," he murmured before he fixed on a wide smile of charm.

"Try and get some tips at least," Melina called after him, "I could do with new clothes."

Spying the head waiter glowering her way again, she turned and veered off quickly to the right, almost colliding with someone again. She halted, glanced up apologetically and was instantly rendered speechless by the sight of the pair she had bumped into.

"Oh goodness," Selena Ryan marvelled as she looked back to Melina, "why Tommy isn't this your friend? I didn't realise she was the help."

Captain Ryan didn't know where to look, he stayed as silent as Melina, uneasy in his formal garb and cursing James Lester with every fibre of his being for this predicament. His blue gaze darted up and down before he could help it, the uniform had an odd sort of elegance to it, the black skirt stopping two inches above the knee, tight at the waist to hint at curves but with a high top to keep it modest, a white Peter Pan collar and cuffs at the shoulders to add a certain style to it and of course the white apron, which had a flair to its edges offering a suggestive hint to the French maid costume so many men thought of in their alone time.

"Are you a full-time maid, Melina wasn't it?" Selena queried with a warm smile.

"Er..." Melina was staring back at the blonde, as unsure over what to say as he was. "I didn't think you had clothes that weren't black," she blurted out, alluding to the grey suit he had donned for the event.

"Melina!"

Melina turned her head at the call, causing her dark ponytail to flick out behind her.

"Melina darling your mother wants some more of those crab puffs, do you know where they are?"

Melina stared over at the young girl who bore her name and the man who had approached her. The girl was petite and slim with a mane of golden-blonde hair, dressed in a beautiful, expensive looking baby-blue dress. The man was in a pale brown suit, he was also tall with a thick crop of greying hair.

Melina fixed her gaze on him, she could feel her heart hammering against her chest but she didn't know why. When the man turned his head slightly giving her a glimpse of his handsome face she realised why she suddenly felt so alarmed. A gasp escaped her followed hastily by another and then another.

Suddenly Melina was stumbling back, clutching at her chest with one hand, eyes wide as if she was having a heart attack.

"Melina are you alright?" Selena queried in concern.

She stepped forward to the woman, reaching out to grip her shoulder lightly.

Melina's head whirled about rapidly, she didn't know what she wanted to do except leave. Without warning, she broke free from Selena's grasp and bolted.

On the other side of the gathering, Nick and Claudia lingered in secret behind a secluded cluster of pine trees.

"I like this role playing," Nick commented humorously, "sneaking off to have a liaison with the wealthy woman."

Claudia smirked at this as she folded her tanned arms. "Now Cutter, don't you know I'd be with the head waiter not just some lackey."

"Oh, well good luck with him, he's off his rocker," Nick joked. He let out a chuckle. "Nice dress by the way."

"Well thank you," she said sincerely as she smoothed down her pink, silk frock. "I have to say the uniform doesn't suit you."

"No?" Nick grinned. "Glad to hear it, it's a bloody awful thing to wear. It's stiff although Connor's managed to wrinkle his. I think him and Melina are getting fired soon."

Claudia frowned at this. "Really? We do need to last until this anomaly appears, if it appears."

"Well hopefully it will be soon, Abby's about to hurl a teapot or two at some people and Connor is definitely going to get caught snacking."

Claudia tutted slightly as she placed her hands on her hips. "No wonder they say good help is hard to get these days."

"Well this help is free, remember?"

Claudia turned her head slightly as she heard the orchestra strike up a familiar tune. "Oh I love this song," she marvelled.

"You like classical music and disco music?"

Claudia frowned at the redhead. "The disco were a relic, Melina dug them out from under the dust." Her blue gaze softened. "She really does love disco, I think we need to find some sort of disco thing for her. I mean, we keep trying to pull her into the present but maybe we should embrace a little of her past too."

Nick smiled back as he took in Claudia's gaze, it was framed beautifully by a sparkle of smokey silver eyeshadow that enhanced the blue of her irises. "That's a good idea," he agreed.

Nick offered out a hand to Claudia and she looked to it confusion. "Come on, part of the servant and lady fantasy, right? A secret dance away from the prying eyes of the nobility," he mocked.

"Oh really Cutter," Claudia chided him even as she accepted his hand. She glanced over her shoulder to the flowers beside him. "But we must stay alert."

"Of course," he said with a feigned nod of solemnity.

Melina halted her running when she spied James Lester engaged in conversation with a couple of people. Her nose wrinkled up slightly as her eyes blazed with rage as she strode towards him quickly.

"Did you know?" she snapped.

James and his companions turned in surprise to the angry maid. Realising who it was, James' gaze filled with bewilderment.

Melina looked up to him hotly and pointed up at him with an accusing finger. "Did you know there would be people here from my past?"

"What?" he babbled at her. "Are you insane?" he hissed at her, suddenly aware of their audience. "Who? Where? What did you say?"

"Say? As if I could speak with them! Damn it, should I be surprised?" She held her hands up helplessly. "You don't even remember my name, you just want me erased! Everyone does, forget the past," she said bitterly, "and change to someone present." She shook her head angrily as tears started to build in her eyes. "Because Melina's been replaced, someone else has my name!"

James seized her suddenly by the shoulders and gave her a sharp shake. "Come to your senses!" he snapped at her. "And think about where you are and what you're saying. I didn't know you would know anyone here or you wouldn't be here. Now, avoid this person, compose yourself and get on with the job," he instructed her in a quiet, stern voice.

"He's named his daughter after me, oh God, he's older, he's a father, it's not right, it's not proper."

"Stop talking now," James commanded.

He spied Captain Ryan following in her wake, walking quickly at first, he slowed when he saw Melina in James' grasp.

"Or you can leave," James muttered. "In fact, I think you should, you're too risky staying."

Melina pulled free from his grasp and turned, pausing to kick off her black shoes before she started to run again. "I'm going!" she yelled back. "But not because you dismissed me, prick!"

James' eyes widened as she flipped him off drawing a few surprised gasps and murmurs from his companions.

"How do you think he knows her then?" a woman queried quietly to her companion.

"Love affair maybe," her companion retorted.

James clenched his fists and scowled at this.

"Bit young isn't she?"

"Yes but maybe that's his type?"

"Oh my, imagine James Lester cavorting with young maids but then that did seem like a lover's quarrel, didn't it?"

James clapped a palm to his face and groaned as he felt Ryan's shadow fall upon him.

"Get after her," he ordered without looking at the blonde, "and get her out of here please, without any more scenes."

"Right sir."

Ryan struggled to follow after Melina discreetly, knowing that if he ran it would only draw more attention although at this point he didn't think it mattered, it was hard to miss the barefooted maid running across the grounds.

She veered down a slope towards the lake. Ryan squinted at the sheen of silver as he tried to keep his gaze on her. He couldn't imagine what she thought she was running towards and figured she just wanted away.

Melina skidded to a halt suddenly as she came to the end of the incline and found herself looking at the large body of water. She filled with unease and took a step back, having no desire to be so close to the water. She tensed up seeing the water ripple slightly before reminding herself of all the normal creatures that would be living in it- fish, fowl, otters- she knew it had to be something like that.

The young woman's hand darted up to her mouth to soften a gasp as without warning several ducks and swans burst up out of the water in a flurry of commotion. Their loud squawks and simultaneous, fast flapping of their wings drew the attention of some of the party goers. The birds escaped the lake in a wild panic, sending a thrill of fear through Melina.

She was frozen to the spot as for a moment the sun slipped behind a cloud letting the clear translucence of the water become visible. Two large, carnivorous eyes peered up from the water to Melina.