In the past few weeks there had been plenty of early mornings for Jess. But not one had seemed as important as this one. She typed furiously on the keyboard, working diligently. Her eyes stared at the computer screen as she worked, oblivious to her surroundings. Anyone walking past would assume Jess was working on the system, as she often did to ensure nothing went wrong during a mission. Jess typed in the last calculations and leaned back in her chair. She stared at the screen, contemplating her actions.

"You've been busy." Said a deep voice.

Jess jumped, slightly gasping. She turned in her chair quickly, causing her hair to swing around her face. Becker stood just inches from her, catching a face full of Jess' hair as she turned. Jess exhaled slowly, leaning back into her chair. Her left hand came up to her chest, just over her heart.

"God you scarred me, Becker." Jess gasped.

"I noticed." Becker said. He looked up to the screen. "Something important?"

Jess nodded. "You could say that."

"What is it?" Becker asked.

Jess looked over her shoulder. "While I was searching for the missing EMD's by their numbers, I had a thought. What if used the same system with the anomalies."

Becker frowned. "I'm not sure I understand."

Jess turned her chair form the computer toward Becker. "We have the computers set to scan the world for the anomaly frequencies, just like for the EMD's and black boxes."

Becker nodded. "Right."

"What if tuned to frequencies to the EMD's and the black boxes to the point of reading them even after they've gone through the anomalies?" Jess suggested.

"Traveling through the anomalies is-"

"A violation, I know the rules. But frankly, we've broken them numerous times, Becker." Jess replied. "If this works, we can maintain communication and tracking through the anomalies. If this works, we can prevent another seclusion incident through the anomalies. We could track down Ethan's EMD the second he comes close to an anomaly."

"Jess, I know where you're going with this." Becker said. He placed his arm on the top of her chair. "It's a brilliant idea. Truly brilliant, but it won't help us find Matt."

Jess nodded. "I know that. I do. I just wanted to make sure that-"

"It doesn't happen to anyone else." Becker finished.

Jess nodded again.

Becker reached with his free hand beneath Jess' chin. He lightly lifted her head up. "Hey, it's a brilliant idea." He placed a quick kiss on her lips. "Make sure you have Connor help you."

Emily walked through the vast halls of the ARC toward the hub. She carried her inventory file against her chest. She'd spend her morning continuing with her checklist Lester had assigned the day before. She wore a comfortable pair of jean trouser and loose light pink floral pattern. She walked past the ADD, mentally noting that Jess was not sitting in front of it. Emily frowned slightly, but made a mental note to ask her later. She walked up the ramp to Lester's office. She walked in without knocking. Lester was seated behind his desk looking down at the papers.

Emily walked to the desk and set down the file. "Half of the inventory list."

Lest glanced at the list. "Half?"

"Armory, medical and technical took the most focus, but they are all finished." Emily explained.

Lester looked at Emily and then picked up the file. "You've inventoried the armory, medical, and technical support in one day?"

"Day and a half." Emily corrected.

Lester nodded slowly. "Very good. And when can I expect the remainder of the inventory completed?"

"By the end of the day or tomorrow morning at the latest." Emily answered.

Suddenly the lights turned red. The alarm rang throughout the entire facility. Lester and Emily both lifted their heads to the lights.

"Tomorrow morning it is." Lester said.

Emily nodded and quickly left the office. She jogged down the ramp back to the ADD. Jess had reclaimed her seat and was furiously typing on the keys. Emily moved to her side. "What is it?"

"Anomaly outside the city limits. The others are en route now." Jess explained.

Emily nodded slowly. "Creatures?"

"Not sure just yet. There's not CCTV's out there so the others are going in blind." Jess said bitterly.

"They'll be alright, Jess." Emily said. She placed a comforting hand on Jess' shoulder.

Jess gave Emily a quick smile. "I know."

"Anything I can do to help?" Emily asked.

Jess shook her head. "No, but thank you for offering."

Emily nodded. "Alright. Let me know if you need me."

Jess nodded.

Emily turned from the ADD and walked back through the halls.

Jess turned back to the ADD. She watched the trucks arrive at the location. The three black boxes marked with the team names moved from the truck toward the anomaly. The anomaly was still activated but the others had moved around it. Then a fourth dot appeared on the screen. Jess frowned and started typing on the keys.

"That can't be." Jess muttered to herself. "Becker, I'm picking up a fourth beacon."

"What?" Becker asked.

"There's fourth EMD signal." Jess answered. She kept typing. "It's…it's coming from the anomaly."

"Jess how could that be?" Abby asked.

"I thought the program wasn't tested?" Becker asked.

"It's not, but Connor and I uploaded it into this system. Looks like it's working now." Jess explained. "Becker, it's Ethan's EMD!"

"How far is he?" Becker asked.

"Five meters." Jess said. Her eyes watched the enclosing dot. "Three meters…one meter…he's going through."

Jess watched the locator slip through one end of the anomaly and appear in front of the three locators on the screen. She listened intently over the comms, but she didn't hear any EMD firing on the other end.

"JESS GET THE MEDICS!" Becker ordered.

Emily was standing in one of the labs, continuing her inventory checklist. Her file was still in her hand while she counted the equipment.

"EMILY!" Jess yelled.

Emily turned quickly. "Jess?"

The door burst open as Jess came it. She exhaled deeply finding her.

"Jess what's-"

"Danny just came through the anomaly with Matt." Jess explained.

For a moment, Emily stood motionless. The file slipped from her hand but she made no motion to retrieve it from the floor. She swallowed slowly, trying to fir the worlds to say. She opened her mouth slightly. "What?"

Jess walked into the room. "Danny just dragged Matt through the anomaly. He's injured, but he's alive. They're on their way to the hospital now. We have to go."

Emily nodded shortly. Jess grabbed her hand and dragged her through the hall toward the parking garage. Emily followed in a daze, still in a state of shock. Her mind was running a mile a minute. Mat was back. He was really back!

Jess led the way through the hospital. She held Emily by the hand, guiding her through the halls toward the others. Emily moved as fast as her body enabled her to. She found herself skipping slightly to keep up with Jess' pace, but she wouldn't tell Jess to slow down. Jess rounded another corner and came to a short stop. Ahead of them stood the others, including a very scruffy Danny.

Since his last appearance, his hair had been cut, but still require something to hold it back. His red plaid shirt was permanently faded and covered in dirt. His jeans were torn and stained in various colors. His face was filthy, but there didn't appear to be any injuries to him at all.

Danny was the first to notice their arrival. His eyes fell upon Jess first but them quickly shifted to Emily, and then to her stomach. His brow rose, "You look good Emily."

Emily could resist a small smile. "Thank you, Danny. How are you?"

"As much of a pain in the arse as ever." Becker answered.

"Any news on Matt?" Jess asked.

"Doctors are looking him over now." Abby answered.

"Is he hurt?" Emily asked nervously.

Danny nodded. "When I found him most of his injuries had healed on their own."

"What injuries?" Emily urged.

Danny didn't answer. He folded his arms and looked around the group for support.

"Danny!" Emily snapped.

Seeing that he would receive no support, Danny continued. "Several lacerations, luckily they weren't infected. But his leg was another story. He'd broken it somehow and left it to heal on its own…incorrectly I might add. Other than that he's a perfect ray of sunshine who likes to shoot people."

"And that's coming from the person who shot Matt before dragging him through the anomaly?" Becker asked.

Jess' jaw dropped. "You shot Matt?"

"Truthfully I was aiming for the predator. Got it on the second shot though." Danny explained.

Emily shook her head in disbelief.

"Weren't you a cop Danny?" Connor asked.

Danny turned to Connor. "I just spent two years traveling through anomalies without a gun. I'd say Matt was damn lucky I didn't shoot him twice."

"Hey." Abby called. She motioned down the hall.

Everyone turned to see the doctor walked toward them. He was an older man, older than Lester, and looking his years as well. He carried a clipboard in his hands as he walked to the group. "Am I to assume you're all here for Mr. Anderson?"

Becker nodded. "We are."

"Is his wife present?" the doctor asked.

Jess carefully nudged Emily's arm.

Emily looked to the doctor. "Yes, I am."

"I would like to discuss your husband's condition in private before I allow you in to visit him." He doctor explained.

Emily nodded.

The doctor led her from the others, back down the hall. Emily glanced over her shoulder as she followed him. Jess gave her a reassuring nod. The doctor stopped out of hearing range of the others. He crossed his arms in front of him.

"Mrs. Anderson," Emily felt her cheeks warm at the sound. "I understand your husband's been missing for a few months now."

Emily nodded. She hadn't been told the backstory to Matt's disappearance yet, but she'd hope he wouldn't ask much about that. "How is he?"

"Resting at the moment. He is severely malnourished and dehydrated, but he's alive." He explained.

"What of his injuries?" Emily asked.

"He had a few lacerations on entry They've already healed and are showing no signs of infection. His leg is another matter." The doctor continued. "Looking over the x-rays we took, the break happened soon after his disappearance."

"How do you know?" Emily asked.

The doctor pulled out a place sheet and held it up to the light. It was a strange picture of a leg. "This is your husband's x-ray of his leg. The two bones of his leg; the fibula and the tibia, were fractured. By appearances, your husband tried to set it himself. He did a decent enough job, however it wasn't quite enough. There was a significant gap between the bones when they healed." He pointed to a large white patch on the sheet. "I can't for certainty say how this will affect his walking ability. But, chances are he'll have a permanent limp."

Emily nodded slowly. "May I see him?"

"Of course." The doctor said. He turned and led her down the hall toward Matt's room.

As the doctor led Emily through the halls, she suddenly recognized the hospital. It was the very same hospital she'd woken in after Matt had kidnap-rescued-her from the tree creepers. The doctor stopped in front of a heave door and pushed it open. He motioned for Emily to enter.

Emily walked it slowly. There were several light blue curtains in the rather large room. Luckily, there was only once occupant in the many bed. Matt was situated in the far bed. Emily slowly walked to Matt's bed; all the while her heart beat faster in her chest. He was still unconscious, but he looked rather peaceful. His appearance was nothing what Emily had expected. His hair had grown several inches, nearly reaching his eyes. Sections of his face had been cleaned and covered with a sterile dressing. His right hand was wrapped in a bandage, covering an unseen wound. The hospital sheets were drawn up to the middle of his chest. Emily seated herself in a nearby chair with her back to the window. She placed her hand over her slightly protruding belly. Even her child was excited to see him again. The movements were numerous.

Emily inhaled deeply, nervously. Suddenly she wasn't sure if she should be here when Matt woke. Were the rules between them different with Phillip gone? Or would he still distance himself from her? Emily sighed and turned her head from Matt. She stared at the wall to her right.

"We need to stop meeting like this." Said a hoarse voice.

Emily turned her head quickly. Her hair spun around her face. Her eyes fell upon Matt's face, no longer slumbering. His deep bright eyes looked exhausted. Emily felt her heart quicken. A deep sigh of relief escaped her lips without thinking. She smiled warmly at him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

Matt took a deep breath. "Depends, who shot me? Becker or Danny?"

"Danny." Emily answered.

"I'll be out tomorrow." Matt answered.

Emily smirked.

Matt drew his arm up and began trying to sit up. Emily rose quickly. She placed her hands on his should, preventing him from rising any further. Her actions gave Matt a better view of her growing figure. The second she'd risen, Matt had stopped moving. His eyes were focused on the small bump of her belly. Emily looked down at her belly. She smiled light and looked back to Matt.

"How long was I gone?" Matt asked looking up at Emily.

Emily drew her hands from Matt's shoulders. She settled herself back into the chair but moved closer to his bed. "A few months."

"New Dawn?"

"Finished."

"Phillip?"

"Um…the last I heard he was sentenced to twenty years. However that was eight weeks ago. Becker was saying something about a longer sentence a few weeks ago." Emily answered.

"How are they?" Matt asked.

"The others are good. Relieved your back." Emily explained.

Matt chuckled lightly. "Yeah I can imagine Becker's itchin' to detain me."

"That or shoot you." Becker said, entering the room.

"Never goin' to let it go are you?" Matt asked.

"Of course not, this is Becker we're talking about." Jess walked into the room behind Becker. "He won't let it go until you two are even."

Becker glared down at Jess. But Jess either didn't see it or care about it.

"How's the after affects treating ya mate?" Danny asked, entering behind Becker and Jess.

"Bout what I thought it'd be." Matt answered.

"Truthfully I wasn't aiming for you." Danny said.

"Yeah well, between the EMD and the predator, I'll take a shot any day." Matt explained.

Connor and Abby came in. "Hey, doctor's coming, we gotta go."

Emily laughed as several left quickly.

Jess turned before she left. "It's good to have you back, Matt."

"Thanks Jess." Matt said.

Jess looked to Emily. "I'll be in waiting room when you're ready. If you don't want to stay here, that is."

Emily smiled. "Thank you, Jess."

Jess slipped out of the room, narrowly missing the doctor. He entered several seconds later, oblivious to the group of people who had just slipped past him. He looked up from his chart to Matt and Emily.

"Well Mr. Anderson, how're you feeling?" he asked.

"I've had worse, but I've felt better." Matt answered.

The doctor nodded. "I have no doubt on the second. However, there is a good chance of your release tomorrow."

"That's good." Matt said.

"I suggest you take more caution in your recreation. I'm not sure your wife can manage further stress in her present condition." The doctor said.

Emily felt her cheek warm at his words. She avoided eye contact with Matt, but she felt his gaze fall on her.

"I'll definitely fix that." Matt said.

"Good." He turned to Emily. "Mrs. Anderson. Let me know if there's anything I can do."

Emily smiled. "We will. Thank you."

The doctor turned and left the room.

"You should head back the others." Matt said.

Emily looked up. "What?"

"You look tired." Matt replied.

Emily slightly leaned forward. "Are you sure you should talk?"

"There's a difference between you condition and mine." Matt explained.

"A small one." Emily replied.

Matt arched one of his brows. "Not for much longer."

Emily smiled and looked down at her stomach.

"You should head back with Jess. Doctor said I'm not leavin' till tomorrow." Matt explained.

"I've spent plenty of time at the ARC." Emily said. "I'd much rather stay here."

London, England

September eighteenth two thousand and eleven

Tonight I write with great excitement from the rather uncomfortable location of the London Hospital. After two months of fear and anxiety, Matthew has returned to this time. Not only has he returned, but had also managed to bring Daniel Quinn with him. Though, I suppose the actual process of bringing one through would be reverse. He is well and on the mend. Unfortunately his most extensive injury was a fractured leg which then proceeded to heal incorrectly. However, is all terms, Matthew is in good health and anxiously awaits hi release t morrow.

As I write I find myself filled with so much joy. I've tried so hard to believe Matthew would return and now that he has, I feel such a heavy weight lifted form my chest. I am unsure what will ensue now that he has returned. Many things have changes since his departure, myself and the ARC. Still, I count myself blessed that he was returned to this time relatively unharmed.

you didn't expect me to leave him did you?