AN – Last chapter in the main story arc however I have a few more chapters with the gang on the way, one finished and one half done. Please read and review and support the official release.
"What are you doing?" came a voice that caused Jake to jump. Turning he smiled at Jennifer and moved back to let her see. "Is that the easy bake oven we just bagged? Are you trying to get out of a chore Artie has given you again?" Jake laughed and she smiled.
"No, I combined Rosa Park's light bulb to balance the effects out and now it just makes delicious cookies."
"No," Artie said coming in as well, "No matter what good things might happen you cannot use artifacts like that. After so long of knowing the older man Jake could tell his interest was piqued.
"Artie just try one, if you get enslaved we'll bag it and release you then I will make you a dozen cookies at Leena's when we get back." Pulling out a cookie Jake held it out to him and Artie, after rolling his eyes, took it. He was about to take a bite when the computer started to beep. Sitting down Jennifer began to type away.
"We got a big one guys, the Mayan Calendar"
"When we get back I'll try it," Artie said as they gathered their coats.
Here it was ten years later, Artie looked like it but Jake hadn't changed at all. It was his first day back as a temporary agent until the regents came to a decision about Jake's future, which would be decided when they got Jennifer back. Opening the door to the office he actually smiled seeing the easy bake oven on the desk with his compass. Walking over he pulled the mini spatula out and looked inside.
"Yes it's still in there; Leena once said they balanced themselves out. I guess you were right, some artifacts can be used for good once we figure everything out," Artie said.
"Thank you Artie but I should do this mission on my own, just in case something happens," Jake started as the door opened and the four agents came in as well.
"No way Jake, you saved Myka and my's life already, we own you that much," Pete spoke up as Myka nodded agreeing with him.
Resolved to being a thief Jake never thought he'd be welcomed back so easily, even after rescuing Jennifer he figured they'd be homeless but at least together. They already had five agents now, two more would be seven. Not even in the days of Warehouse Six which had three teams of two did it ever top out over six agents at once.
"What happens after we get her back?" Steve asked but before Jake could say anything Artie cut him off.
"The Warehouse that collected and cataloged the most artifacts was Warehouse Six, three pairs of field agents. Claudia you email the regents and see if it's possible or what our options are."
"On it," she said jumping and spinning into the chair until it stopped at the computer where she started to type.
"Jake, what do we need?"
"The most important thing is a painting, Henri Le Sidoner's 'The Door of Spirits' which would be able to bring us into the world of the Mayan Calendar. You'll also need an artifact that is bonded with you."
"Which is why you wanted Artie to keep the faerie while you looked for anything else," Steve said.
"Exactly, the world in the calendar is identical to this world without the artifact in it, somehow I was able to get ahold of my compass. Using that I was able to free myself so I want to do the same for Jennifer, so if you are coming with you'll need an artifact you're bonded to as well. "
"Okay so you two," Artie said towards Myka and Pete, "Go find an artifact that you feel bonded to while Jake and I will go locate the painting."
"What about your artifact?" Myka as ked as Artie held up his bag to show that he had one in there, nodding she and Pete took off.
As they arrived at the painting isle Jake searched the computer to bring up the right one as Artie looked through his bag and Jennifer's faerie arrived from the depths. Locating the right one the large machine withdrew and set the painting on the ground in front of them. It wasn't huge however when they touch it would allow them to enter the world. This was it, after his long journey and the ups and downs he was finally going to see Jennifer again. Turning he saw Pete and Myka run up as Artie withdrew a glass jar with a top in it.
"P.T. Barum's Top," Artie said, "I used this just to see Vanessa more and more even though it hurt me, helped me realize how important she was to me." Jake nodded and looked at Myka and Pete. Smiling sheepishly she held out and familiar pouch.
"Betty MacDonald's Pouch, since it saved my life." Myka said as Pete help up Bronzed Baby boots.
"This helped me understand my mom a lot more and brought us closer." Pete explained.
"Are you guys ready then?" Jake asked and seeing that everyone nodded they all reached for the handle of the door then the world went white.
Sitting up in his bed in the Bed and Breakfast Pete was utterly confused as a page of the calendar on the wall fell revealing the same page that just fell off. Turning he realized he wasn't alone and cried out falling out of bed. Sitting up as well Jake ignored Pete for now, his eyes at the desk where one of those daily Far Side comic sat, once that Jennifer got him as a gag gift for his birthday. The date on the calendar was June third, nineteen ninety eight.
"Pete, this is the day we were sucked into the calendar." Looking at the clock he helped Pete up and they hurried into the hall running into Myka.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"The Calendar traps you inside it, making you relive a single day over and over again."
"Groundhog Day!" Pete exclaimed earning a smile from Myka.
"Yeah except we didn't know that at the time, according to the time Jennifer should be waiting for me in town." Opening the compass he saw it was spinning for a moment before pointing east.
"Artie what's wrong? You're scaring me." Came a familiar voice downstairs. Hurrying up the trio rushed downstairs to the sound of glass shattering.
"Quick make him squeeze the top and help him think of Vanessa or someone back in the real world," he called out and Myka rushed over to him and did that. "It's going to make him return out of the calendar but Myka you need to do the same as well, it looks like his appendix has grown back again." Locking eyes with Pete Myka mouthed for him to be safe before holding onto Artie and thinking hard before they vanished.
"Jake what the heck is going on? Who are these people? What happened to Artie?"
"Leena you don't recognize me or my aura?" Pete asked.
"Pete, this Leena hasn't met you yet, this Leena is ten years away from meeting you."
"Yeah she does look really young."
"Leena I'll explain later," Jake said leading Pete outside.
"So where to next?"
"Well after we got the file at breakfast we went into town to the diner to brainstorm. The ping was in Alliance, Nebraska where people were vanishing but no one seemed to notice. We thought it might be something like R.B.'s drinking glass which causes people to forget whoever drinks from it. Possibly Sergei Korsakoff's Ruble Coin that when flipped heads makes people forget you, tails makes them remember. When we arrived there we interviewed two people, the second was more promising because his son had a coin collection, sadly he also had the calendar on his wall. By the time we got to the kid's room he was gone and it was a hobby room. We didn't think anything of it until we went for a second interview and found that the only person living there was the ex-wife who said her husband ran away with their son or something she couldn't remember. Jennifer, Artie and I went to the room and that's when Jennifer noticed something, Artie was closest to the door so we shoved him out then vanished."
As he finished explaining they were already outside Pete froze looking for his car.
"Wait where's my car?"
"Probably wherever you are ten years ago," Jake said as he went around the side of the Warehouse pulling a tarp off his car, an original model T. Pete was stunned as he got in.
"This is beautiful," he said as the faerie settled in between them.
"Yeah she is an unlike everything Artie has owned she's special, and an artifact."
"What?"
"Yeah, well sort of, this baby runs on water. Henry Ford offered it as an alternate to oil however the center of the engine is an artifact that turns water to gasoline so of course it can't be mass produced. Since we know where to go next we'll travel straight there." Even though they rushed their Jennifer was still traveling by plane and they pulled up to the crib as a woman in a navy, blue business suit and shoulder length brown hair was walking up to the front door. Pete could understand the feeling that Jake was experiencing as he couldn't move, if he hadn't seen Myka for what felt like years he didn't know what he'd do. Pushing Jake out of his daze Pete motioned for him to go. "Jennifer!" he called out getting out of the car as the faerie flew over to Jennifer. When she turned to his voice the faerie hugged her arm.
"Jake, there you are I was wondering where you went to," she said a twinkle in her deep brown eyes.
"Jenn, do you have a feeling that today is tomorrow? " She looked into his eyes confusion filled her face,
"What are you talking about?"
"The artifact that we were chasing, it is the Mayan Calendar and it trapped us in this world. I somehow got ahold of my compass and using it I was able to free myself. That's why I brought the pantomime; you were so close to it that it would flitter around you when you walked the warehouse. Hold her close and think of me." Without thinking she was doing it, listening to him even though she looked really confused still. As she held it a door opened in the yard glowing while, Pete walked over to it.
"I think it's time to go guys," Pete called out but Jake ignored him.
"I won't leave without you Jennifer; I'd rather be stuck here with you then out there without you. I never got a chance to say it before but, I love you"
That snapped Jennifer back and from the grip of the calendar nodding she took his hand as they went with Pete towards the glowing door but it wouldn't be that easy as Pete was struggling with it.
"It's closing!" he shouted trying to keep it open as Jennifer and Jake ran over and pushed against it trying to help as the entire world started to glow white again.
Having returned with Artie a while ago the first thing Myka did was get him back to the office where Vanessa was waiting with Steve and Claudia. Once they left Claudia emailed her asking her to come if Jennifer needed medical care after being exposed to an artifact for so long. Once it looked like that he would be fine she returned to the painting alone. They had been in dangerous situations before but usually they were always there for each other. Remembering how distraught Artie had been when thinking of the missing agents and how Jake had acted, breaking the rules to save his partner she knew she would do the same in his place. There was no way she would use an artifact in a selfish way and save herself but if it came to saving Pete or anyone else she loved she knew she would do whatever it took. The realization dawned on her as she felt her tears on her crossed arms; she loved Pete and would do anything to see him again. Use any artifact to see his handsome, goofy smile or hear his voice. Suddenly the painting started to glow as she wiped her eyes just in time for a flash of light as three people fell on top of her. Groaning they all sat up and seeing Myka they started to laugh, they escaped, it worked.
A little while later Myka was catching Jennifer up as Claudia showed her how advanced computing had come Jake stood near Pete.
"I've seen you watch her," Jake noted to him, "I almost lost Jennifer to an artifact but I'm not leaving this place or the endless wonders but at least now she knows how I feel." Smiling and nodding Pete knew it would be worthless to try lying to Jake, at least about this.
"What a great reunion," came the voice of Mrs. Fredrick who was suddenly at the door.
"How do you do that?" Steve asked and Jake started to answer but a glare from Mrs. F shut him up quickly. Jumping up Jennifer hugged Mrs. Fredrick who returned the hug.
"The regents have decided that when you are ready Jennifer you can return as the new owner of the Bed and Breakfast and tend to the artifacts as Leena once did. Finding their one special place and such." Everyone cheered at that and hugged her but Mrs. Fredrick cleared her throat.
"Agent Torres, they were less pleased with your disregard for the rules, stealing artifacts for personal use. However, they also saw the drive and passion you have for the Warehouse and your partner and seeing that they can be used for good once completely studied you are being offered the job of Warehouse Thirteen's chief Regent. You will remain here to study the artifacts and see which ones could benefit the world." Now it was Jake's turn for cheers as Jennifer hugged and kissed him causing him to blush.
"Guess that makes me Artie's boss?" he said earning a laugh all around but a frown from Artie. Heading out to the Bed and Breakfast for some lunch everyone left except for Pete who asked Myka to hang back.
"You know everything that's happened with Jake and Jennifer got me thinking Mykes and you know I'm not that good with words so I'm just going to say it, I love you." He should have stopped there but the stunned silence from Myka got him stammering some more. "What I mean is that I can't stand the thought of losing my best friend before she knew how I really felt about her and," but Myka cut him off with her lips and all at once the world of endless wonder became a little more wonderful.
AN – Artifacts
Rosa Park's Light Bulb – Causes a sense of peace when basked in the light
Ronald Howe's Easy Bake Oven – Makes perfect cookies with a side of mind control
Mayan Calendar – Traps someone with forcing them to relive the same day over and over
Henri Le Sidoner's 'The Door of Spirits' – Transports to another plane of existence
Henry Ford's Model T – Runs on "water"
And because I missed listing it last time:
Jozef Stefan's Light Bulbs – Increases the weight of a person under the light's body