Abby woke up feeling happy. For the second morning in a row, she found herself in Connor's arms. She felt warm and safe. Pushing aside the fear and worry that threatened to overwhelm her, Abby decided to enjoy this one moment of peace.
She let her thoughts drift as she listened to Connor's steady heartbeat. He was steady, she thought. At times, he was shy and uncertain, at other times funny, but no matter what, he never let her down. He was there when she needed him; always putting her first.
Abby smiled, turning her face into Connor's shirt. She had told him she loved him yesterday, but they had been interrupted. It seemed in this moment, that she could finally, fully admit to herself that she was head over heels for Connor!
She decided to bring up the topic of love just as soon as Connor woke up. Mentally rehearsing what she wanted to say, Abby snuggled closer into Connor's embrace.
Suddenly the backpack under Connor's head began to emit a series of rhythmic tones.
"Five more minutes, please," mumbled Connor.
Abby sat up fast. "Connor, wake up! It's the anomaly detector in your bag. An anomaly must have opened nearby."
Connor jerked upright, "Abby, this could be our way home!" Connor fumbled with the bag before pulling the detector free.
The two grinned at each other, and quickly grabbed their gear. Abby pushed the branches out of the entry way and waited for Connor to follow her out before they both took off in the direction of the anomaly.
As they approached the area where Helen and Danny had disappeared, they heard a human voice call out, "Sir, over here. We've found them."
Abby stopped to search for the source of the voice as Connor limped up to join her. They both laughed when they saw Sarah and Becker running toward them.
Sarah managed to skid to a halt directly in front of Connor and Abby. Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, she wrapped one arm around Conner and the other around Abby to hug them tightly, "You're O.K.!"
Becker, slapped Connor on the back, "Good to see you, Temple" then with a nod to Abby, "Abigail"
"We're so glad to see you," laughed Connor, "but I'm confused. How did you find us?"
Sarah replied, "It's a long story… but look what I've got." Sarah was almost singing as she held out the anomaly opener to Connor. Then looking around, she said, "Where's Danny?"
"We think he went through another anomaly with Helen," said Abby sadly.
"Wait," said Connor excitedly, while he examined the anomaly opener Sarah had just handed him, "Did you download this from the console?"
"Yes," replied Sarah.
"I mean, everything?" asked Connor, his voice rising in pitch.
"Yes" said Sarah looking at Becker for support.
"We can get Danny back!" yelled Connor.
….
Danny Quinn had thrown a royal fit when the anomaly had closed before he could rejoin Connor and Abby. It had been a very trying day. He had cursed and cried and kicked rocks until he was worn out. Then he picked himself up, looked around and said, "Well, I guess my visit to the ape-man has been extended."
Being a practical sort, Danny had set about making himself as comfortable as possible while staying near the anomaly site.
Even though he thought his chances of getting home were very slim, he wasn't one to give up easily.
He found a clean water source well away from the dead hominids, scouted for food and even managed to move Helen's body and the dead raptor to a rocky area where he hoped their remains would disappear without leaving any trace.
No sense mucking up the fossil record any worse than it already was, he thought.
On the third day, Danny sat watching the clouds drift across the sky. He wondered if his younger brother, who had disappeared so many years ago, had ended up in a place like this. Had his brother lived his life on the wrong side of some anomaly?
His thoughts were interrupted by something in his peripheral vision. Danny turned his head and stared as an anomaly appeared. His jaw dropped when he saw Connor, Abby, Sarah and Becker walk through.
"Here! I'm over here!" yelled Danny waving his arms and jumping up and down.