Wyatt had only been asleep for about two hours before he was jolted awake by the screams of the alarm system. Flashes of yellow light danced and bounced off of the walls of the bunker as Wyatt scrambled off the couch and ran to prepare for battle, strapping on the heavy tactical gear and arming himself with the best artillery they had in that hell hole. Flynn was soon by his side, doing the same. The other residents of the bunker came pouring into the corridor, panic evident on all of their faces. Agent Christopher was already on her coms to the security team outside. "Thompson! Thompson! What's going on up there? I need an assessment stat!"

What felt like an eternity later, a crackle of static and the echoes of shouts and screams over the radio in her hand mingled with the blaring sirens of the bunker. A voice called out above the din, "Ma'am Thompson is dead – this is Jensen."

Her face fell as the reality of their situation became clear. "What's happening up there, Jensen?" She ran off to a far corner of the bunker to drown out the noise of sirens. The team watched with bated breath as she paced and shouted unintelligible words before finally making her way back to the huddled group. "Dammit. Massive perimeter breach, half the team is dead up there. They've got frag grenades and C-4 – blasted through the perimeter fence like it was nothing. Jensen tells me they can't hold them off much longer, they're breaking through."

As the realization that they were, indeed, under attack sunk in, Rufus and Jiya quickly ran to the computer systems and began to frantically unhook them and load them into the LifeBoat. Monitors wouldn't be necessary but the hard drives were of vital importance, they could not be left behind. Lucy hastily stuffed as many books as she could into a duffel bag and handed it off to Mason who was now running through the Silo towards the LifeBoat. Agent Christopher, Flynn and Wyatt were preparing themselves for battle – discussing strategy for the various scenarios they could be facing in just a few moments.

Mason was back from loading the LifeBoat, an arm extended, waving for Lucy to make her way towards the time machine. She took one small step towards Mason and then hesitated. Rittenhouse was after her and here she was leaving others to pay the price for their wrath. She couldn't let them die for her. She wouldn't let them die for her. She stood rooted to her spot staring helplessly as Wyatt, Flynn and Agent Christopher loaded their weapons and strapped on the rest of their gear. She was suddenly back in that car, drowning…helpless, as the water rushed in surrounding her…she couldn't control this, she couldn't make it go away and it was threatening to consume her and everyone she loved. Panic welled up inside of her chest, her knees were shaking so that she had to steady herself with a chair, as she tried, but failed to control her breathing.

Wyatt looked up and saw Lucy's pale and trembling figure grasping onto a dining chair for dear life, Mason gently tugging at her arm trying to get her to head to safety. He jogged over to her, the alarms still blaring as he tried to allay her fears. "Lucy," he shouted so that she could hear him, "you can't stay here. Rittenhouse will be busting through that door any minute now. You've got to get out now while you still can."

Tears brimmed her eyes, her voice frantic and desperate, "What about you? I can't let you do this – I can't lose any more, Wyatt. I can't." She wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder, shaking uncontrollably.

Wyatt's heart ached for her, but he had to protect her. He begrudgingly pulled her away from him, placed his hands on her cheeks and set his blue eyes on her brown ones. His voice was one of forced calm and determination. "Lucy, we've gone over this. I'm the soldier. I protect you. I protect them" he nodded his head towards Rufus, and Jiya who were now making their way over to Conner and Lucy. "I swear, I'll be right behind you. We've got what? Six jumps on that thing?" he asked Rufus who nodded in agreement. "Then we'll get out of here as soon as Rufus comes back for us. I'm not planning on these Rittenhouse dicks getting the best of me tonight, okay?"

She gave him a small nod as an explosion sounded right outside the main bunker door. Everyone in the bunker jumped at the noise and noticed with much apprehension, that the blast had caused the main door to buckle ever so slightly. They were coming.

Wyatt turned and exchanged looks with Flynn and Agent Christopher. Wyatt gave Lucy one last hug with another promise that he would be on the next LifeBoat out of the bunker. He backed away from her, drew his weapon and began running up the corridor to the Main Door with Agent Christopher and Garcia Flynn. As another explosion sounded outside the door, Wyatt turned his head and yelled behind him. "Rufus! "Get Lucy out of here!"

Lucy continued to stay rooted to the spot, staring up the corridor at the three soldiers crouched and ready to shoot anything that penetrated their bunker. She had lost so much in the past two years, and she had thought, naively, after Wyatt's confession that there was nowhere to go but up. Standing there, seeing him poised for battle left her feeling numb and empty. She couldn't will her feet to move. She couldn't just leave him, not when it was her they were after.

Rufus grasped onto her hand bringing her back to her senses, "C'mon Lucy, we've gotta go." Lucy hesitated, looking helplessly into Rufus' face. "I'll come right back. I promise." She nodded her head in resignation, took one last look in Wyatt's direction and allowed Rufus to lead her to the LifeBoat. Jiya was already climbing the metal staircase and disappearing into the hatch.

Conner Mason followed the two of them to the time machine, armed with an emergency kit they had assembled two weeks ago, after the first perimeter breach. It was decided then and there that they needed a plan if the worst should happen. They had decided that since they couldn't very well hide out in the present with Lucy's face plastered on every news station, they would have to hide sometime in the past. Because the Mothership would be alerted to their location moments after their jump, they needed to go someplace where they could blend in, lay low and be lost in a sea of people. Lucy, was of course, looked to for the best possible solution. Maybe it was the romantic in her, maybe it was because it was her favorite era, maybe it was because she looked forward to a day when she could celebrate the end of her own personal war with Rittenhouse, but whatever the reason, Lucy chose August 14, 1945.

The satchel assembled included the clothes the team had stolen in 1941, an emergency first aid kit, a few more guns and ammunition, and finally, Agent Christopher was able to procure era appropriate money so that they could eat and find a safe place to sleep and lay low until they were able to jump back to a secure location. They had hoped that this plan of action wouldn't be necessary, but now as they scrambled into the LifeBoat amid sirens and explosions, they were more than thankful that they had had the foresight to plan ahead.

Jiya was firing up the LifeBoat as Rufus, Lucy and Conner quickly buckled themselves in. Lucy was fighting back the tears, trying to block out the awful sounds that echoed throughout the bunker. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Another explosion was heard in the bunker this time accompanied by shouts and gunfire. Her heart sank and panic overwhelmed her as she fought off the urge to rip off her safety harness and run right back out to Wyatt's side. Mason seemed to read her thoughts and gave her knee a reassuring squeeze. She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her with an apologetic frown, shaking his head as if to tell her that there was nothing better she could do than to escape so that the rest of them could be rescued as quickly as possible.

Jiya started entering in the coordinates as the LifeBoat hatch closed, quieting the sounds of the scene beyond. Rufus looked over to Lucy, who was now allowing the tears to fall freely. "Lucy," he tried to speak with a bit of levity and nonchalance, "what's August 14, 1945?"

Lucy took a shuddering breath and wiped her eyes, "VJ Day – the end of World War II" she explained further at the questioning look on Rufus' face. "Times Square was full of people celebrating."

Jiya called over her shoulder, "You know Rufus, it's only when the most famous kiss of all time was captured on camera for all the world to see."

Rufus looked over to Conner who was smiling at him with his eyebrows raised. "Yeah, okay...sure. Don't know why I didn't know the date when two people I have no connection to made out in public."

Jiya rolled her eyes as she punched in the last of the coordinates. The LifeBoat shuddered and then disappeared with a whoosh. The jolt of the launch felt more pronounced somehow. Leaving half of the team behind to battle it out felt wrong and the turbulence of the Lifeboat did little to help calm those fears. Instead, Lucy felt her panic rising until they landed with another heavy bump 73 years in the past.

Mason and Lucy quickly exited through the hatch into the midnight stillness of 1945 New York City. Jiya turned to glance at Rufus who but on a brave smile. "Don't go anywhere until I get back, okay?"

Jiya threw her arms around Rufus' neck "You make sure you all come back in one piece". She picked up the satchel, slid down the Lifeboat and waved as Rufus shut the hatch to rescue the remaining members of their little family.

Putrid smoke filled the bunker as Rittenhouse agents poured into the now open door. The C-4 they used had blasted a good chunk of the door away and now they were creeping into the underground facility. Lights shining from their tactical helmets as they stepped over the bodies of the first few agents they had sent in.

Agent Christopher, Flynn and Wyatt had backed their position closer to the launch area, so that when the LifeBoat reappeared they could waste no time in getting the hell out of Dodge. From their different positions, they could see at least five would be assassins making their way deeper into the bunker. Flynn shot up from his position and took out the one nearest him. Wyatt rolled behind a desk and shot another. The other three Rittenhouse started firing on them, pinning them to their positions. "Where are you Rufus?" Wyatt gritted out.

During a break in the shooting Wyatt made a quick glance back towards the main corridor. He could see movement, which meant the three they were dealing with now were getting reinforcements. There was a sudden movement and Wyatt saw the grenade being tossed over towards them, He immediately launched himself after it and in one quick deft move, knocked the damn thing back to the asshole who launched it. The explosion took out two of the three that had been stalking them and by the sounds of it, injured the third. Agent Christopher crawled over to him "Nice move, Wyatt. It looks like we've still got more coming in - we need to keep them away from the launch bay, we'll never get into the LifeBoat if they get too close."

Wyatt nodded to her and scanned the room for some sort of distraction. He had just spied one when the LifeBoat sprang back into view. Wyatt looked to Agent Christopher – get to the LifeBoat, I'll cover you."

The reappeareance of the LifeBoat had momentarily shocked the Rittenhouse thugs that had just appeared right outside the kitchen area. This momentary lapse in their concentration, gave Wyatt the chance he needed. He yelled at Flynn "Aim for the fire extinguishers!" as the two of them opened fire on the red canisters against the wall. When their bullets penetrated the canisters, white smoke filled the room, blinding their would-be killers to their movement. Wyatt and Flynn continued shooting as they made their way into the time machine. Another grenade was launched and was this time dispatched by Flynn who had just reached the stairs. The white fog that had now filled most of the room made it difficult to ascertain where their enemies were, but the screams that followed the blast told them that they had at least been somewhat successful at taking out a few more of their attackers. Flynn had just made it to the top of the stairs when he was shot in the side. The tactical gear had protected him for the most part, but the force of the hit caused him to stagger and almost fall sideways off of the metal staircase. Wyatt grabbed Flynn, steadied him and dragged him into the hatch. "Rufus, close it, now- before those dickheads get another shot at us!"

"You don't have to ask me twice." Rufus muttered as he sealed them into the LifeBoat. Flynn was hunched over his seat grasping his side, breathing heavily.

Wyatt helped buckle Flynn into his seat, securing his own quickly afterwards. "Rufus, get us the hell out of here."

The LifeBoat sprang to life. The sound of bullets ricocheting off the exterior of the time machine made them wince and tense at every reverberation. Wyatt prayed they would make it out of the bunker before the Rittenhouse jackasses launched another grenade. His adrenaline was up, his heart pounding in his chest – he closed his eyes and drew a steadying breath. The LifeBoat shook violently and with a sickening jolt they made their final jump from the bunker they once called home.

The LifeBoat materialized in the same place the others were dropped off. It was in a heavily wooded area across the river from New York City. Mason, Lucy and Jiya had been camped out under a nearby tree, Lucy already changed into her 1940s attire. As soon as the LifeBoat appeared, the trio leapt to their feet, and ran to meet the rest of their team.

The hatch opened with Wyatt immediately sliding down onto the ground below. Lucy heaved a heavy sigh of relief and ran towards him. His face was flushed from exertion and stress, grimy with sweat and the heat of battle, but he was mercifully unharmed. She jumped into his arms, her own wrapped tightly around his neck. He patted her on the back and closed his eyes, grateful to be needed by her. If she was relieved to see him, it was nothing compared to his own relief at being back at her side, embracing her and feeling her heart beat against his own.

Lucy pulled away from him slowly, keeping her face inches from his, her eyes filled with an intensity that took Wyatt's breath away. She brought her hands to his face, as a tear slid down her cheek, swaying slightly towards him when a groan and a cough interrupted them.

Agent Christopher was leaning out of the hatch, breathing heavily and obviously trying to contain the contents of her stomach. "Sonofabitch" she muttered. "you all weren't kidding."

Lucy stepped backwards, head down, embarrassed at being caught up in the moment while Wyatt turned to their fearless leader. She was sweaty, pale and slightly green, he gave her a wry smirk and leaned against the time machine, "You should try it after a few drinks."

"I think I'll pass on that Sergeant." After gathering herself, she looked down at the others and took a deep breath. "I have to go back and report to Homeland. They are going to want to perform some counter measures and find out how the hell they were able to breach our perimeter with so much fire power without sending up red flags in our intelligence circles. That wasn't a raid, that was a damn rout, who knows how many of my guys are dead or injured."

Flynn slid down past her onto the grass below, still grimacing and clutching his side. "Well" he grunted, "we took a few of theirs out and if they're as divided as you've said they are, they are going to be feeling those losses pretty heavily."

"Let's hope you're right." Agent Christopher called from the LifeBoat hatch.

Rufus was now staggering out of the time machine, doubled over and shaking from nausea. Jiya ran to his side rubbing her hand over his back. "I do not recommend back to back jumps in that thing…it sucks. Big time."

Jiya looked up at Agent Christopher, "I can take you back, Rufus can stay here to rest." Rufus made a move to protest, but Jiya silenced him with a look. "I'm ready to go whenever you are."

Denise Christopher looked around at the group of individuals huddled at the base of the LifeBoat – this ragtag group of individuals she had come to love as dearly as her own children. She heaved a heavy sigh. "As much as I hate to leave you all, it's more important now than ever that we secure the new premises for you as soon as possible. This attack on our bunker is going to have my office working overtime for weeks, but as your security is our priority, this will also help streamline the remaining red tape for our new quarters and with me there spearheading the effort, you will have a safe place to return to by next Saturday. I will provide Jiya with the proper coordinates for the new location so that you can jump directly there from here. For the time being, you're all refugees."

Respect was too insufficient a word for what they all felt for her in that moment. She was more than just the Homeland Security agent assigned to their mission and protection, she was their friend, their leader, part of their family. Flynn was probably the only one out of the entire group that didn't feel love and admiration for this woman who had risked her life more than once to save their asses, but even Garcia Flynn had to admit that Denise Christopher was growing on him.

Agent Christopher shook both Flynn and Wyatt's hands, "It was my honor to serve with you both this evening. You both are responsible for the safety of the others. The Mothership will alert Emma of your presence here in 1945. If she's as desperate as we believe she is, you can bet that she will be here, looking for you." Normally so stoic and no-nonsense in her communications to them, Agent Christopher's voice wavered as she looked down at the six faces staring back at her in the dark night. Six individuals who were now more family to each other than they could have ever dreamed possible two years ago. "Stay safe. I want all of you to come back home."

She nodded at Jiya, who clambered into the pilot's seat. With one last wave of her hand and a reminder that they had a little more than a week to lay low, the LifeBoat hatch closed and the time machine was gone once more.

Jiya and the LifeBoat materialized a few moments later and this little band of time traveling refugees found themselves suddenly anxious over the prospect of staying hidden. In all the times that they had traveled to the past, they had been the pursuers, chasing Rittenhouse through decades and centuries. Garcia Flynn had been the exception here, but even he was feeling a bit unnerved at the idea that they were stuck here for a time.

Rufus and Wyatt changed into their era appropriate attire and it was decided that once they found a place to stay, they could go shopping to outfit the rest of them in suitable apparel. They were here to blend in, after all, and Jiya's Star Trek pajamas were definitely not the ideal garments for those wishing to lay low.

The group walked slowly and silently through the woods until they found themselves on a main road. Once they were able to flag down a bus, the strange little group clambered on board and made their way in to New York City amid the gapes and stares of their fellow travelers.

New York City shone like a beacon in front of them. Lucy's face was line with worry as they drove ever closer to the lights that seemed to defy the darkness. Even here, in the past, she felt exposed. Her face had been plastered over every news station in the present, but even though she was in a place where no one besides her fellow time travelers knew her, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was no where she could go where she could truly hide. No place felt safe. She tried to shake those disconcerting thoughts from her head.

There are millions of people in that city.

They can't find us here – there's too many people – they won't know where to look.

We'll be safe. We'll be okay.

Lucy was repeating those words over and over again to herself, her brow furrowed in concentration and determination. Wyatt was watching her, their shoulders bumping against each other as the bus bounced and rattled down the highway. He tentatively reached out and placed his hand over hers. "Lucy," he whispered softly, rubbing the back of her palm with his thumb, "it's going to be okay. This was a good plan."

She gave his hand an appreciative squeeze and turned her face to his with a watery grin. Her voice shook with emotion as she answered him. "I hope so."