With one last look at the anomaly behind her she pushed the accelerator down. The car shot forward. Straight into the centre of the anomaly. Her last thought in the world she was leaving was that at least she was dealing with the problem she had created. Better me than them, she thought as her mind ebbed away.

The first thing that she was aware was sound. Muted. Quiet.

The second was the cold. She could feel the cold concrete beneath her. She tried to think of this as a good thing; she was just glad she was still able to feel anything.

Cautiously, she braced her arms against the ground and slowly pushed herself up. Nothing appeared to be broken although she felt stiff down to her very bones.

She looked around her hoping for any clues as to her situation. She was exactly where she had driven through the anomaly. The buildings rose up around her but when she squinted she couldn't see the damage that had been done by the convergence.

She looked around her. She could definitely remember seeing whole strips of pavement being ripped up and flung through the anomaly but when she looked there was no sign that anything had happened.

She shivered as another cold breeze worked through her thin clothes. The sun had already gone down and the sky rolled over head with half illuminated clouds dominintaing the sight.

She frowned again; she knew that it had been still in the fairly early hours of the morning when she went through the anomaly but it looked more like evening now.

Hesitantly, and looking for any sign of something familiar she began to walk slowly down the street. It didn't take her very long to realise she had no idea of what to do or where to go. She knew there was a possibility she would survive, just as Matt had done the first time, but beyond that she had no idea. Her feet further slowed when she was hit by the throught that she didn't even know what time she in.

Theoretically, she supposed she could have travelled back to her own time by resetting the convergence. The mixed swell of emotions that arose at such a thought wasn't even worth deciphering. But if she had got back to her own time would it be like she never left or would it show the changes she had made? What did that mean she should do now? She didn't even know where the ARC was; was it where they had rebuilt the original or where she knew it would stand in the future? She forced herself to think straight. Both sites of the ARC were too far to walk by foot, so in that sense it didn't matter where it was; or at least not for the moment.

The hospital was her best bet. If she had travelled back to her time she would be able to find out and if not then the others would probably be there; what's more it wasn't too far away.

She began walking slowly but with her mind racing ahead. She didn't really know what she was hoping to find but either way she was desperate to know; the uncertainty weighed on her shoulders like a dead weight.

For twenty minutes she continued walking, hardly paying the slightest attention to her surroundings. It was only when she walked through the car park and saw the lights from the constantly bustling hospital that she faltered.

No one questioned her as she walked in through the front doors though she did garner one or two strange looks from passersby who must have seen the slightly out of sync expression on her face. She thought she would have gathered more attention anywhere else than a hospital; such a look had to have been quite common around here.

Mechanically and without allowing herself to think of things she might or might not find she began to climb the stairs to where she knew Cutter's room had been last.

She supposed she could have taken the lift, but if she was honest with herself she would admit the prospect of delaying whatever she might find was a unhelpful if comforting action. Soon, she had left the stairs behind her and instead walked down the final corridor to the place that would give her the answers she would need. She stood outside of the door for only a second longer than she would have done normal.

Steeling herself, she pushed the door open. Behind it was the one thing she hadn't considered.

Cutter was in his hospital bed, sitting up and staring back at her.

She felt her eyes go wide and she leant against the door frame. A hand wrapped around her arm, keeping her steady. She looked to see who it was and saw Jenny standing next to her looking for all the world like she had seen a ghost. A quick look around the room showed that not only was Jenny there but Abby was also in one of the hospital chairs gaping as though she simply couldn't process what she was seeing.

Jess tried to muster up a smile, "Hi." She said weakly feeling self conscious under all their scrutiny.

"Jess?" Asked Abby incredulously, looking back between Jess and Jenny as though Jenny would be able to confirm it was really her.

"Yep." Replied Jess with a feeble laugh, "Guess you can't get rid of me."

"Where've you been?" Asked Jenny in shock.

Jess frowned, "I went to stop the convergence." Said Jess slowly, trying to work out why this was turning out to be such a surprise, "You were there when Matt explained-"

"That was three weeks ago!" Abby bursted out, "We thought you were dead!"

Jess's blood ran cold, "Three weeks? But-...oh." She tailed off. She looked at Cutter who had yet to say anything but was looking between them all, "How are you?" She asked wincing internally at how inadequate the words sounded.

Cutter smiled, "Much better." He said and though his voice was raspier than usual Jess couldn't help but smile properly at it, "And I have you to thank for that."

Her smile soon faded though when her mind caught up with her, "You really thought I was dead?" She asked faintly.

Abby walked over to her and laid a gentle hand on her arm, "What were we supposed to think? Matt said he came back straight away. Eventually, we just...well, it doesn't matter now."

Unsurprisingly, the loudest thought in her head was Becker. She knew he didn't handle guilt well and this would be a prime opportunity for him to try and drown himself in it. She squeezed her eyes shut tight for a second as she thought about what he must have gone through. "I need to get back to the ARC." Said Jess looking around before pausing uncertainly, "Just whereabouts is it now?"

"It's being rebuilt where it was, some parts are even functional." Said Jenny, "Matt tried to convince us to use another complex on the other side of town but we decided to just rebuild what we had, seeing as some of it was still structurally sound."

Jess guessed from that the Matt had tried to convince them to rebuild where the ARC had stood in their time but to no avail. She would have smiled if her mind hadn't become so focused on one task. Find Becker.

"I was about to head back anyway," Said Abby, " I could give you a lift, if you want?" Jess knew from her friend's face she wasn't telling the whole truth but she was too grateful for the offer to pass it up.

"Thanks." She breathed, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of her lips, "That would be great."

Jess stood at the door as Abby grabbed her coat and bag. They were just about to leave when Jess remembered something.

Quickly, she darted back into the room. She leant over and gave Cutter a kiss on the cheek, "I never did thank you." She said quietly, not seeing Jenny's curious look, "So thanks, and I'm glad you're okay." With a last smile she ran back to Abby and together they parted for the ARC.

~o~o~o~

The ride to the ARC was silent though Jess didn't miss the looks Abby still sent Jess occasionally, as though not being able to believe that she was really there. The moment they pulled up Jess was out the car. "Is the armoury intact?" She called to Abby from the other side of the car.

Abby smirked as Jess didn't even try to hide who she was going to see first, "Yep, and if you're wondering it's where he spends all his time so you won't have a problem finding him," she replied, "but I think we should go see Lester first and tell him you're still alive-"

Jess was already backing away with a smile on her face, "You do that! I've got somewhere to be!" With that she took off running down the familiar corridors.

It seemed like it took her no time at all to reach the closed door of the armoury. She hadn't been stopped as she had sprinted towards her destination though she had seen many workmen and one very confused Connor.

He had shouted after her but she had run straight past him. He was smart, she thought, he'd figure it out. And there she was; she felt like she should collect her thoughts but she knew that the longer she waited the more she'd try to convince herself to leave. It was because of that, with no preamble, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

He was the first thing she saw. He sat on a bench with his back to her. He cleaning and reassembling one of the more serious assault rifles they took with them when they knew it was going to be a particularly tricky anomaly to deal with. From that and the bedraggled state he was in, it was easy to see he'd only just got back from the site.

Tentatively, she looked it around the room. It was blessedly empty.

"Are you going to come in, or just stand in the door way?" He said without turning around. His voice sounded awfully flat, almost like he didnt care what she would answer anyway. She shouldn't be suprised he had heard the door open and knew she was there, but he obviously didn't know that it was her. She bit her lip as her mind raced to think of what should say. How on earth was she meant to tell him and not give him a heart attack?

"Becker?" She said quietly. She wanted her voice to be strong when she spoke to him the first time but it cracked and came out uncertain. It didn't seem to matter to him. His head whipped around at her voice and he stood immediately.

"Jess? How- wh- Is it really you?" His voice had gone from harsh to soft in less than a second, and Jess couldn't help the bubble of relieved laughter that escaped her. She smiled and nodded quickly, not trusting her voice to speak.

In three strides he had crossed the room and stood directly in front of her. He hesitated for a second but Jess had already acted.

She stood on her toes and flung her arms around him, hugging him fiercely. She didn't have to wait long before his arms tightened around her in response, almost lifting her off the ground.

"I thought you were dead." His said, voice muffled as he held her close.

"Suprise!" Said Jess, pulling back with a grin. The second she diminished her hold on him he rocked back on his feet, arms returning to his side as he cleared his throat awkwardly. Jess's grin faded.

"You shouldn't have done it." He said, still refusing to meet her eyes.

"What else was I going to do? The convergence had to be stopped." Said Jess, confused at the sudden change in atmosphere.

This time Becker did look at her in the eyes, and sharply too, "You should have let me go; it's my job, it's what I'm here for."

"But it was my fault in the first place." Countered Jess, her eyes narrowed as she began to see where this train of thought was heading.

"That doesn't matter!" Said Becker, his voice getting louder and louder, "I had the keys in my hand! I should have been the one to go-"

"Exactly. You had the keys. Until I took them off you."

Becker gave a wry smile that was painful to look at and began pacing the small space they were in, "Oh, yeah. That was a nice move by the way, I wasn't expecting it."

Jess gaped, "That was not- you thought that was a move?" Becker raised a cool eyebrow,

"Wasn't it?" For a second Jess's natural reaction nearly took over, to let the anger and fear of rejection wash over her and use the get out free that Becker was so obviously offing her. She even opened her mouth to tell him that yes, yes it was a move to get the keys away from him, that she had no other choice and though she did not want to do it, it was the only option she had seen at the time. She opened her mouth but she could not say the words.

"No." She said, her voice coming out deflated though she couldn't bring herself to care, "It wasn't a move."

Becker looked at her but this time it wasn't with the same guarded look. This time she could almost see the thoughts running through his head. She didn't have time to look at him for long. One second she was looking at his face and the next he had stepped forward, leaned down and kissed her.

It was different than she remembed it; where their first kiss had been hard and desperate this one was soft and gentle. She couldn't hold back her smile as she leaned into him even more, basking in the fact that he was real and solid and holding her in his arms.

When they both leaned back, their breathing heavier than before, she could see he too was smiling. He leant forward and gently rested his head against hers, "Definitly not a move then?" He asked, smiling.

Jess felt her eyes narrow before she realised what was happening; he was teasing her. "Oh, shut up." She mumbled before kissing him again. This time neither of them could help smiling.

~o~o~o~

Three days later and it was only then that everyone on the team would be in be place. They had all gathered in the newly remade conference room all waiting for the last person to arrive. The ARC was definitly on its way to recovery, thought Jess, as she looked around, the building was nearly complete and from them on everything would be done. She knew it would be finished soon; after all, she had read the files.

She felt a squeeze on her hand and looked around to see Becker drop into the seat next to hers. "Is he on his way?" Asked Becker quietly. Everyone else ignored them, either staring off into space or in their own private conversations.

"Jenny said they should be here any minute now." She said back equally quietly.

They could have spoken as loudly as they wanted but there was something in the atmosphere of the room that made them lower their voices. There was a tension that hung in the air, one that no one wanted to be the person to break. The door to the conference room opened slowly as a hush fell about its occupants. Cutter walked in, supported by a hovering Jenny and a wooden cane.

The applause was, in Jess's opinion, well meaning and happy, but from the hidden pained expression on the professors face, not entirely necessary. It faded away as he smiled, albeit wearily. He still looked pale, Jess noted, but the fact he was up after the event that should have been his death was far better than she had ever dared hope for. "Alright, alright." He said, waving his free hand as he tried to hush the applause, "I'm back and it's all very wonderful, but anyway moving on..."

The people in the room did seem to take the hint after that. Cutter's stay in hospital wasn't discussed and to their credit he was only asked if he was okay a dozen times before his irritation became practically palpable. The meeting turned out to be extremely routine until they reached the last item on the agenda.

It was Lester who cleared his throat and began, "All we have left to discuss is the matter of...well, our future staff." All eyes turned to Jess, Matt and Emily. Matt remained unreadable, Emily straightened and looked around the room as if daring anyone to challenge her and Jess tried to make herself look as benign as possible. Becker's knee nudged hers under the table as she shifted uncomfortable with so many eyes on her.

She found his hand and gave it a quick squeeze before she started talking. "We're stuck here." She began bluntly. "We haven't got the prototype to create an anomaly and the chance of anything opening up to where we want to go are practically non-existent."

"Couldn't you just build another one?" Piped up Connor before realising what he'd said, "Not that I want you I go, I didn't mean it like that! I just...I'm just gonna shut up now." He finished in a mumble but didn't miss Abby's affectionate eye roll.

Matt took over the explaining, "We've changed the timelines too irrevocably." Jess tried and failed to not look to guilty at the mention of the changes that she'd wrought. "Even of we did manage to get back nothing would have changed, we'd just be slightly in the future. You would all remember everything and nothing would be any different than it is now."

"Which means you are stuck with us." Said Emily brightly, "So we will continue to work here."

Lester narrowed his eyes at the Victorian woman,"Oh you will, will you?" Jess smiled as she figured out what had rankled him so much. He knew as well as she did that there was little other option than to have them work at the ARC once more but the fact that Emily was so sure of it bothered him. After all, they all knew how much Lester cared about his illusion of a controlled work atmosphere. "Yes," replied Emily happily, "we will."

Jess could tell from her tone that she knew what was bothering Lester but had simply chosen to ignore it. The man in charge of them all blinked owlishly, before sighing, "Yes, very well, I suppose you will." He sat back down and there was silence in the room for a moment, "Well? What are you waiting for?" He burst out, "Go! Work!"

There was a flurry of chairs scraping backward as everyone stood up and moved to get back to their stations. There was a friendly chatter in the air as the people moved around and it was only to easy to get lost in it and slip away unnoticed, apart from the hand that tugged her in one direction. When they finally stopped it was in an empty corridor only a minute away form the armoury. She smiled and looked up.

Becker stood with her, an ever present smirk on his lips. "So, you're staying then?" He began lightly.

Jess grinned and brought a hand up to card through his hair. Such lovely hair. "I guess you're just stuck with me." She said as she quoted Emily's earlier words.

Becker adopted a thoughtful expression, "Well, it's a good thing I don't have any intention of letting you go."

Jess's smile was beginning to hurt and yet she couldn't bring herself to do anything about it, "That is a good thing." She murmured before he leant down and kissed her. This time the kiss wasn't soft or desperate. It wasn't anything apart from a promise.

After all, they had all the time in the world.

...

A/N- Right first off, thanks for reading! I know it's been a long time since the last chapter...sorry! But I thought this might make up for it. I think I've finally done it, the end is in sight! Only the epilogue to goand this story will officially be done! Thanks to all of you and particularly the ones of you who message and remind me that people might actually want to see this finished during their lifetimes. Thanks for reading and all reviews are welcome! VE