Chapter One

The heat in the Permian was at its full with the sun at its highest point in the pale blue sky, heat waves shimmered across the arid landscape. Nick Cutter watched as the anomaly to the present glimmered slowly, it was but a few meters away to the relief of Nick the heat was slowly becoming unbearable. He turned around watching Helen reluctantly following him up the slope towards him, her attempts to rekindle their affections that had vanished with her when she left him for trips into the past. Helen finally stopped next to him, the pair exchanged looks before Nick broke the silence.

"Look Helen, after all of this. You fighting with us when you know so much about the anomalies is dangerous" Nick began voicing his fears, he knew Helen she really could be spiteful and with the knowledge of these portals in time that was a risk he was unwilling to take with her. "I will try and get Lester off your back if you just keep away from us" he finished hoping she would take him up on his proposal. After a few moments Helen stared at Nick for a moment before nodding.

"I'll keep my word if you keep yours Nick" Helen began whilst she slowly turned away from him. "See you around maybe, if we bump into each other don't forget to say hi" she finished, Nick smiled and turned towards the anomaly. He looked behind him once more to see where Helen would walk off to, but she was gone like she was never there. The anomaly began to flicker the sign that it was about to close, he wasted no time in stepping through back into the present day.

Everything was as he left it. Stephen stood by Abby and Conner, whilst Claudia near Lester watching him as he walked back through the anomaly safe and sound. Stephen rushed over to him in concern, Nick's face had sadness etched into his features the death of Ryan hit him harder than he thought it would have.

"Captain Ryan and his men are dead killed by the future predator" Nick spoke to Lester answering the question that was clearly written on his face. Lester's face didn't change as he heard the news, he nodded before signalling for his men and Claudia to follow, Claudia hesitated for a moment before following looking back at Nick once more, she couldn't catch his eye so followed Lester.

"Oh Cutter one more thing", Nick looked back up to Lester who was just outside his car door. "Where's that wife of your's?". Nick thought for a moment, trying to conjure up a lie to tell him, it didn't that him long to find one.

"She was dragged off by the future predator before it was killed, we I couldn't find a body only bits of blood" Nick replied. Lester nodded after a moment of pause before getting into the car and ordering the driver to take him back to the home office. Connor and Abby stood awkwardly as the silence remained unbroken, Stephen stood in front of Nick searching his eyes for any emotion or hints to why he was acting strangely.

"Me and Connor are going to go back to the home office as well before going home so we will see you tomorrow" Abby stated before her and Connor headed for her little mini. Nick shook his head quickly and focused on Stephen who was looking at him strangely. Nick patted Stephen on the shoulder before leading him to the only car left in the clearing, he looked at Stephen again who looked even more confused than before.

"So you and Claudia, is there something going on there or do you just randomly kiss each other when you feel like it" Stephen asked with a grin. Nick returned his smile, he and Stephen would always do the playful banter whether it be about women or anything else he still enjoyed it. His thoughts trailed to Claudia on that question, he was pretty sure he was interested in her and judging by the kiss they both shared he was pretty sure she liked him.

"What do you think Stephen, that's not the first time me and Claudia have kissed" Nick said and got the reaction he expected from his friend. Stephen's face said it all his features filled with burning curiosity. Nick smiled at his reaction and began to tell him about his and Claudia's first meeting and in the hotel when they were trapped.

"You old dog I knew you were a old fashion romantic at heart" Stephen laughed as he entered the car and turning the engine on. The drive back to the home office was filled with chuckles about Nick's pervious attempts with women since Helen, Stephen was slightly worried that if he kept laughing they would cause a major accident in the middle of London how they would explain that would be hard. They entered Lester's office and composed themselves after a good half an hour of laughter, Lester raised an eyebrow at them both before standing up from his desk calling the rest of the team to him. Claudia, Abby and Connor filed into the office before shutting the glass door behind them.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush, I am pleased to inform you that you have a new addition to the team may I introduce Jessica Smith" Lester said is his normal calm voice. The team turned around as a young women stepped into the room slowly with a somewhat shy smile. She had shoulder length blonde hair and azure blue eyes, she was pretty and stood about five foot ten, she was wearing black pin strip trousers with a sky blue jumper and a white collared shirt underneath. She went around the team shaking hands before coming to a stop at Nick, he smiled to her and extended his hand towards out towards her.

"I'm Nick Cutter its nice to meet you" he said calmly with a warm smile. She shook his hand a blushed slightly before saying.

"Jessica Smith, I don't mind if you call me Jess and thanks for being so welcoming" Jessica replied to Nick and the rest of the team. Nick looked up to see what Lester had been doing the whole time she introduced herself.

"Another anomaly, its at Wimbledon … anyone for tennis?" Lester said with a smirk, but when he turned round he saw the team already turning the corner before going out of his vision. "Oh charming" Lester finished before returning to his desk.

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Ok guys there's the first chapter tell me what you think. Also do not worry Jessica isn't going to be a trouble maker or Mary-sue so that's safe.

Everlasting Light received - 78 reviews and still counting so lets see if we can get this one just as popular

Review - what's views of Jessica and first chapter.