YES IT IS

Authors: pennylane_fic, jenny_wren28 & lovelyrita_mm

Starring: The Beatles and Maggie Sue

Rating: M for language, implied sex (though none of it is explicit) & implied drug use. Characters used in this story are either our creation, or are historically-based (ie, The Beatles).

Disclaimer: We don't own any of the Beatles, this obviously never happened, and is a complete work of fiction.

And in the end...

Chapter Nineteen

"Where to next?" Maggie asked John as they stood on the famous Mall that made up the tourist section of Washington D.C. Other than one trip to the Air & Space Museum, Maggie hadn't had a lot of time to show John around, since she'd been busy with work, but she wanted to show John all of her favorite museums while the two of them were still in 2006. Maggie didn't know when they would be here again. Besides, John hadn't had the chance to really explore the Museums on the Mall since 1964 – and things had changed a great deal since then. They visited all of Maggie's favorite places: the Museum of Natural Science to admire the Hope Diamond and gaze at the dinosaurs; the American History Museum to peer at Kermit the Frog, Dorothy's Ruby Slippers and Jerry Seinfeld's "puffy shirt". (Maggie had made sure John had watched the Seinfeld episode to prepare him. John had very much enjoyed the program and they'd had a marathon of that on DVD.)

John looked closely at Maggie, whose eyes were twinkling like she had a secret she just couldn't keep any longer. "What are you hiding, luv?" John asked bending his head down to her eye level and examining her in mock suspicion. "You know something you're not telling me."

"I have no idea what you mean," she said archly. "Let's go to the National Portrait Gallery – don't you think it will be fun to hear me tell you about all 43 of our American presidents?" John groaned, but let her drag him along, as she marched forward with purpose.

There were several special exhibits at the museum, but she made sure to take him through the gallery of US Presidents first, which was as much fun as she thought it would be with John. She mock lectured and he mock misbehaved, and they finished just before they got in trouble. They were making their way up to the 2nd floor of the gallery, chatting about the giant Woolly Mammoth they'd seen in the Natural History Museum, when he suddenly froze. Maggie knew he'd seen the sign for the special exhibit. The one she'd really brought him here for.

The sign showed four young men in bathrobes having a pillow fight, big grins plastered across their faces. John walked up to the photo and reached up as if to touch it. Then he turned and looked at her. "This is why you brought me here?"

"Surprise!" she said nervously. "I hope it's okay. I saw an ad for the exhibit. I… didn't know if it would be hard for you to look at the photos, or if it would make you happy to see them. Or if…" she couldn't finish the sentence.

John kissed her on the forehead. "Don't be daft. Of course it's okay," he said lightly. "You may know the US Presidents, but I know a thing or two about the Beatles. Very talented they were. Don't know about the haircuts though."

Maggie nodded wordlessly, but couldn't help smiling up at him. They walked into the exhibit room together, gathering strength by twining their fingers together tightly.

Harry Benson was a photojournalist who had captured much of the 1960s – and he'd also had unprecedented access to the Beatles during many of their most private moments. The photos of the Beatles shone brightly, telling the viewers of the lives of the four lads from Liverpool. There was a photo of John and Paul composing She Loves You, another view of the four of them pillow fighting in France after they found out that that I Want to Hold Your Hand was number one in the US, one of them pretending to be punched by Muhammad Ali. This one made John and Maggie both giggle, because of a funny but dirty icon they'd seen online that had used this photo.

John remembered each and every one of these moments that were captured on film and nostalgic smiles colored his lips at certain ones as he recalled the stories behind them. His grip on Maggie's hand only tightened as he shared with her what was happening right before a certain picture was snapped, what they were doing that day, that month. What they were feeling. Maggie smiled, finding this to be better than the best Beatle biography. John's voice and words gave away more than any book ever could.

The last wall of the exhibit held only one lone photo. It was one neither had seen before.

Paul stood before them, captured in black and white, nearly larger than life. He stared at the camera sadly, the mischief that always seemed to light his eyes dying before the lens.

John swallowed thickly, taking a step back, but not being able to pull himself away from the picture. A strange emotion was beginning to build in both of them, coursing through their veins like poison. John felt his hand clenching and unclenching over Maggie's, felt his stomach knot, and felt his heart begin to race. The feeling was mutual, but Maggie was the first to recognize it.

Guilt.

"I have to find a way to get you back." Maggie whispered. "I told Paul that I wouldn't ever take you from him, and that's just what I've done. You and Paul need to be together as much as you and I need to be together…" Suddenly realization hit her. She knew why they hadn't been able to get back before. John hadn't wanted to go back before and she couldn't get them back because she had nothing to go back for. The person she loved and longed for was right here, standing next to her. But John needed Paul…and John loved Paul too…

"You have to do it," she said.

"What?" John asked, clearly confused.

"I can't get us back, I have the person I want right here with me. But you, you can do it. You could go back. You care about Paul. You love him. You could go back."

"I do not love him! I'm not a poof, I don't care what they say on the internet!"

Maggie smiled at that. "I never said you were…though the internet does make some pretty good arguments for it… fueled in part by you, I might add."

John stared at Paul's portrait, rarely having ever seen that haunted look in his eyes. The few times he had, John had been able to make it disappear with a joke or a smile. This time though, he hadn't been there to chase the demons away.

"Well, I'd hate to let down the good people on those Beatle forums," he said with a small smile. "If we go back, do I have to shag Paul, or is writing ambiguous lyrics with him enough, do you think?"

Maggie laughed, knowing how much John had actually enjoyed reading all the threads dissecting Beatles song lyrics and quotes and photos of the two of them touching. John had even signed up for his own account, and had had a great time making up his own theories about Paul and himself. He had even tried to convince them of reasons why he had disappeared, alien abduction being the one he favored the most. Shaking her head, Maggie moved closer to him, knowing that he was still feeling a sense of guilt rushing through him. They would both feel it until they could make it right with Paul.

"I think ambiguous lyrics would be great – maybe you could steal Paul's original idea and your first solo album could have a photo of two beetles screwing hidden in the artwork somewhere…"

"I will miss Photoshop." John said wistfully, having to turn away from the photo before him. "And I won't ever get to see the comments that my latest crackpot theory generated…"

"I know," Maggie said. "But I think your vacation from Beatlemania is about done. Besides, it will all be here in forty years, waiting for us. Technically we could actually create that forum and you could be a moderator and ban anyone who doesn't think Yesterday was the best song you ever wrote. And you heard Paul's most recent single on the radio, he needs your help, and badly…" Yet even as she teased him, she recalled the horrible fates that awaited the other three Beatles and knew that there was no way she would let him stay another day in 2006.

"Paul did write some really mediocre music without me…"

Maggie shook her head, knowing just how much he was down playing his feelings at the moment.

"This is it; I think this is our chance to get you back home. I was able to change the future when I went back with you – now it's time for you to change the past, to go back where you belong. To put things right." Looking him in the eye, she smiled brightly. "You owe the world more Beatle albums, and I don't want to be the one who cheated them out of a few more years of Beatle music." Or maybe more if I can get you guys to communicate with each other. The future isn't written in stone, right? Maggie thought to herself.

Looking back at the picture of Paul for a minute, John felt the excitement grow inside him. "I can teach them everything I learned in the future about 'team building' and 'group hugs' and 'sensitivity training'!" he mocked.

"Group hugs, eh? Let's make sure someone takes pics for the internet to dissect in the future!"

John wanted to smile at that, but felt his face grow serious instead. "You are coming back with me, right?" She nodded solemnly in response, not breaking eye contact. "Are you sure about this?" John asked quietly. "Giving everything up? Dealing with everything being a Beatle's girl entails?"

"I'll go back with you, and stay for good," she said, without hesitation. "Besides, you said it yourself. If you can't stay here, and we can't live without each other, there is only one solution; I've got to go back with you. My apartment, and everything in it will still be waiting for me the next time we're in 2006. I can take care of everything then." She thought for a minute about time travel paradoxes. "We'll have to make sure we don't run into ourselves today though." She looked around hastily, as if to see if 60-year-old versions of themselves were lurking behind the potted plants, watching them.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want…" Pulling him into a kiss, Maggie silenced him. She knew she didn't have to do this. But she wanted to. She was more certain about this then she'd ever been about anything in her life. She was a 21st century woman and she would find a way to carve out a place for herself in the 60s. This would be a chance for her to be a pioneer. She was up for the challenge, she knew she was.

"I want to go back with you," she said, her lips brushing against his once more. "Before, when I left, well, I just had to be sure is all."

Pulling her to him, John swallowed. As he rested his head against her shoulder, the scent of her hair swirling around him, he tried to keep his voice steady. "Sure of what?"

"Sure of you. Of us."

"And you are now?" He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear the answer to that. He knew she would be leaving her career for him. While that might have been standard in his time, he knew it wasn't for her and she would never be happy being a traditional wife.

Maggie could feel his insecurity and knew that it was a demon she would have to wrestle with for the rest of their lives together. But she was willing to do it if he was.

Smiling in answer, she pulled his head down for another kiss, feeling him give into her, threading his fingers through her hair. When they finally broke apart, John gave her a blinding smile, one that went straight to her heart.

"I'll take that as a yes, then."

Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, Maggie turned them towards the picture. Clasping their hands tightly, Maggie stared at John, and John stared at Paul's sad face, concentrating on his eyes and the pain held within. They thought of Paul, wanting to be where Paul was more than anything. Maggie just hoped that it would be enough.

Their vision grew black as the world around them swirled out of place. Colors bled into each other, mixing together to become one giant mass. Maggie held onto John's hand tighter, concentrating on his face, wishing to go back to the very day they disappeared. As the world began to tilt, they were forced to close their eyes for a second, trying to regain their balance. And while John fully expected to be greeted with Paul's sorrowful eyes once more as he opened his eyes, he was instead greeted with Paul, standing in front of him, dog leash in his hand and Martha tugging him in the other direction.

Before either Maggie or John could think, both of them launched themselves at Paul, whoops of joy sounding through the air.

Paul's eyes grew wide as they hugged him tightly jumping up and down. "What's all this then? Have you missed me since last night?" he laughed, looking at the two of them and silently wondering what they were on. The stuff they smoked last night wasn't that strong. In fact, as he recalled, Maggie hadn't smoked any of it. Of course he'd been pretty far gone himself…

Looking at Paul, John began to leer, unable to stop himself. Paul frowned, cocking his head to the side and looked at John quietly. His eyes soon widened though as John jumped forward, planting both hands firmly on either of his cheeks and laying a kiss right on him.

Paul pushed John away quickly, stumbling backwards and wiping at his mouth. Martha's leash was forgotten as it dropped to the ground and the dog went romping off somewhere to get into trouble. Paul couldn't worry about it right now though as he wiped at his lips comically, spitting on the ground.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" he shouted. John only reached for him again.

Moving quickly, Paul ran to hide behind Maggie, his hands on her shoulders, using her as a barrier between him and his friend. Maggie didn't even seem to notice it though; she was more concerned with figuring out how long they had been gone.

"Last night?" she asked, craning her head to look at a frightened Paul. "We saw you last night?

Narrowing his eyes, Paul looked at Maggie, trying to figure out what was going on with the two of them. "At Donovan's, remember? What is wrong with you two?" He lurched to the side as John ran towards him once more with outstretched arms. "That must have been some strong stuff you two had…"

Watching as Paul backed away from the two of them, John stopped his advances and instead placed his arms fondly around Maggie. "Must have been," John said with a slight grin. "Because I've just come back from one strange trip!" Maggie rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help smiling. Reaching down, John kissed her firmly on the cheek before turning back to Paul, who was still cowering slightly as he stared at the two of them in confusion. "Which reminds me, I have this idea for a song about something I read in the news, though the news was rather sad…"

Straightening up, Paul looked at John, taking a few steps towards him. "Really?" John laughed. He loved how at the mention of a song, Paul would perk up immediately. "I've got loads of ideas for our next album too!" said Paul. "How do you feel about satin band uniforms?"

Looping his arm with Maggie's, John nodded at Paul, getting him to continue. Within minutes, Paul was spouting off idea after idea, his hands waving vigorously in the air to try and make his point. Maggie squeezed John's arm, and then let the two of them go off together, while she went and retrieved Martha.

She knew she had made the right decision.

Epilogue

Entwined in each other's arms the next morning, snuggling in bed as they half dozed, John and Maggie watched as the sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting rays of light on their bare skin. Maggie smiled lazily at this, curling closer to John as she thought about everything that was about to happen.

She knew she was going to be busy. She had to create a new, watertight identity, and get a job, not to mention deal with the upcoming events that she already knew were about to happen, thanks to the numerous biographies she'd read. There were so many dangers in the band's future – heroin, assassins, cancer, gold diggers, and Magic Alex, only to name a few. Either way, she knew she would have her hands full keeping all the Beatles from harm and protecting them from themselves. She was even considering taking an accounting class. She was good with numbers and the Beatles could use someone to keep track of their money, other then Alan Klein, who would ultimately just walk away with it all. She might even force the Beatles to sit in on a few private lessons on wise investment. Those boys could use a dose of common sense and applied mathematics.

Maggie sighed at that. She needed to remember to make a visit to Brian Epstein. Maybe she could save him, warn him of what would happen and convince him that he really was needed.

While she knew in her heart that she wouldn't be able to stop every bad thing from happening, especially since with every change she caused, she would change the future she knew, and new problems would crop up. It wouldn't stop her from trying though. It never would. She would protect these boys until the very end.

Most importantly though, she would get to be with John, the love of her life. She knew they had a rocky road ahead, but she also knew that no relationship was easy or perfect, and that John was worth it. He was beyond worth it.

Turning, she looked at him as he slumbered peacefully. Reaching out, she ran her fingers across his brow, feeling him stir a little under her gentle touch.

"Marry me," he murmured, hugging her close to him.

And so Maggie, having thought about everything that question entailed, responded without hesitation.

"Yes."

The End

* * *

A/N:

And so ends Maggie Sue's little time travel adventure... or is it really just the beginning?

Please read our "Yes It Is: Stories" to find out what happens next to Maggie Sue, John, and the rest! We'll be adding them one at a time just like we've been doing with the chapters. There are 8 of them. :-)

Please let us know how you liked this story! We love comments and reviews!