Word comes two days later that London has arranged an emergency drop of supplies. Apparently Colonel Hogan had stressed to his superiors that the unit would be unable to do any more sabotage missions without replacement timers and detonator wire. Nothing gets London moving like the thought of having Papa Bear sitting on his -, er, twiddling his thumbs for two weeks.

Newkirk and Carter go out to fetch the load that night but it's the next afternoon when it finally gets unpacked, thanks to roll calls and an unplanned road work detail courtesy of Colonel Klink. Eagerly, the men go through the gifted supplies. It's like watching children on Christmas morning.

Carter confiscates the box of timers, quickly testing them and whooping his pleasure as these ones work correctly. He is also pleased to see London had restocked his supply of dynamite, since he had used extra on the bridge. Snagging the detonator cord as well, he went to store everything in his lab, ready for the next mission.

Newkirk meanwhile was sorting out the other goodies London had included to get the team back on their good side. Spices for LeBeau, vacuum tubes for Kinch, nylons for Hilda, and other small lightweight items soon find their way onto the central table. The last item out catches my attention.

Newkirk hands the velvet pouch over to Colonel Hogan, but I know instantly what it is. London included the time travel device with this supply drop. I get to go home!

I'm very relieved I won't have to wait another two weeks and yet at the same time I feel a pang of remorse that I would have to leave here. After the bridge episode, I was feeling part of the team on a small scale and wanted more. But on the other hand, I was homesick for my family and knew it was time to return.

"So this is it, eh?" I say. The other Heroes stop their rummaging and look up at my words, eyes flicking between Hogan and myself and the little bag he's holding. Hogan nods. Carter comes back and notices immediately the change in atmosphere of the tiny room.

"What's going on? What happened?" he asks, eyes wide as he looks around at everyone.

"I'm going home," I reply with a smile. "London sent the time device early." Carter's face falls and his shoulders slump.

"Aw shucks, I was kinda getting use to having you around here," he replies, digging at the dirt floor with a toe of his boot.

"Well, I was getting used to being here," I respond. I walk over and put my hand on his shoulder. "But I miss my family and my time period. And while it has been an experience living in the tunnels, I also miss flush toilets, showers, sunshine, fresh air, and wide open spaces!" I add with a laugh. The others add a chuckle and Carter perks up a little.

"Well, just because it's here doesn't mean you have to use it right away," he says.

"I suppose not," I agree. "How about I stay until after dinner?"

Everyone agrees and LeBeau immediately starts planning a grand farewell feast. Kinch and Newkirk work on putting away the rest of the supplies as the Colonel returns upstairs with Carter.

I manage to catch LeBeau on his way out. "Nothing too fancy now LeBeau," I say as I interrupt his menu planning. "You've only got a couple of hours!"

LeBeau's head snaps up and a look of horror crosses his face as he realizes there's no time to cook a huge intricate meal. He runs out in a panic and I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

An hour and a half later, I've gathered what meagre belongings I brought which I'm taking back with me. Newkirk appears and unfolds a red and white checked tablecloth with a magician's flourish and spreads it over the table in the radio room. Kinch is close behind with dishes and Carter with silverware as they set the table for dinner. Newkirk produces a couple of candlesticks and a bouquet picked fresh from Klink's garden.

That is one regret I have, I think to myself. I never got to meet Klink or Schultz. Or Hochstetter for that matter but I don't think I regret not meeting him – the Gestapo would have a field day with a time traveller.

This is the first time I've had everyone join me for dinner. LeBeau did himself proud with a very tasty stroganoff which I will remember every time I watch one of my favorite episodes, "The Gestapo Take Over" (from Season 6). Conversation was never lacking and I don't remember the last time I laughed so much. It was a great meal but all too soon it was over. Time for me to go.

"Thank you for everything," I begin as I gather my satchel and sling it over my head and shoulder.

"It's us who should be thanking you," says Kinch.

"Yeah! Without you, who would have saved the Colonel?" pipes in Carter.

"You would have thought of something, I'm sure," I reply. "It's what you do!"

Carter shrugs and the others smile. Hogan hands me the time device.

"You know, the series never did tell us what happens to you at the end of the war," I say as I pry the back off to get to the travel controls. "I'd like to think you all made it through so do your best to stay safe, will ya?"

"We will," replies Kinch, who comes over and puts one hand on my upper arm. I recognize it for what it is and clasp his other arm in a loose hug. I move on to shake hands with Newkirk and hug LeBeau who graces me with two kisses on each cheek as well. The hug from Carter lasts just a second longer than the rest and then I'm in front of Colonel Hogan.

I snap off a crisp salute which he returns with a smile. I laugh and then step back to fiddle with the device's controls. Tears spring to my eyes as I look at them all one final time.

"Goodbye! And good luck!" I call as I set the device and they disappear with the blurry shift of time travel.

My kitchen materializes before me and I quickly check the clock. It shows about five minutes since I originally left. Then I rush over to the phone display to check the date. Yes, I've lived an entire week in 1944 in the space of five minutes.

I crash on the sofa, not caring about the 66 year old tunnel dirt being tracked across my carpet. I'm relieved everything is back the way it's supposed to be. It's going to take a while to readjust to this time but a shower sounds like the best way to begin.

I take my satchel off and the flap flips open as I toss it on the cushion beside me. I stare at the item lying on top and curse in disbelief…

Darn it! In all the excitement, I forgot to take a picture!

The End

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed my little adventure into the past. Thank you to everyone who left a review as well!

So I suppose you are wondering what became of the time travel device? I sent it to another author on this site so they could have their own adventure with Hogan and the rest of the Heroes. Hopefully, they will post their story sometime in the not so distant future…