Author's Notes: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
Here it is the final episode.
Enjoy
Tim stared at himself in the mirror wondering how this had become his life. Less than a week ago he thought he was going to meet a girl who he could possibly build something with. After jumping forward ten years where his whole family was gone, losing Miguel then finding out Kate had lied about who she was, then leaving, Tim had thought this was something good happening to him for once.
What a complete and total fool he was.
All he wanted was to go on a date, a normal date with a girl who liked him and was who she said she was.
Tim clenched his fists at the memory of the humiliation when he'd found out he had been played. What was even worse was she was now part of the crew and his superior officer.
Life officially sucked.
x
"Mr O'Neill," Hudson stated when Tim walked onto the bridge for his shift, "Once you've finished your shift on the bridge report to the engineering sub-control room."
Tim nodded knowing exactly what duty he was being given as part of his punishment for disobeying orders. He was going to spend several hours hitting a button every two minutes for the full weapons system diagnostic. It was a job no one liked as it was extremely tedious and was usually spread across all the command crew but at least he wasn't scrubbing the deck with a toothbrush, at least not yet.
Taking his seat Tim logged onto the system and started his usual checks. The time passed quite quickly and then Kimura came onto the bridge. Tim felt his whole body clench as humiliation burned through him once more. Thankfully he was distracted by a signal coming in.
"Sir," he spoke up, "Secretary General McGath is on line."
Hudson nodded, "On screen."
Tim did as ordered and listened to the conversation, which included how the new Lieutenant Commander was fitting in with the crew. Tim gritted his teeth until his jaw hurt.
"I have one other thing," McGath said, "Nathan Bridger will be rendezvousing with the Seaquest in about six hours in order to work on an engine upgrade. You are to extend him every courtesy."
"Of course," Hudson said, "The crew will be happy to have him onboard."
"Excellent," McGath nodded quickly adding, "Miss Foster will be with him," before cutting communication.
Tim closed the relay before glancing back at where Hudson and Ford were standing.
"Well at least it won't be a boring week," Ford noted.
Hudson nodded glancing at Tim for a moment then turned to Lucas, "Mr Wolenczak, you will be Miss Foster's point of contact while she's on board."
Tim knew Lucas was staring at him but didn't move or protest because this was just another part of his punishment.
Kate bounced as she waited for the sub to dock with the Seaquest.
This was it.
They were about to put their plan into action and she hadn't been able to sit still all day. Tobias stood at her side calmly, once again looking like Nathan. For once it didn't bother her because Kate knew that, if all went well, then she would see the real Nathan before the day was out.
"Do you want to go over the plan once more?" Tobias asked.
Kate shook her head, "No. It's clear. I just hope the information you gave me is accurate."
He chuckled and rested his hand on her shoulder, "It will work."
"It better," she told him, the nervous energy she was feeling clear in her voice.
Tobias held out his hand, "It's been interesting working with you, Kate."
"You too, Tobias," she smiled taking his hand in hers, "And, if this works, drinks are on me."
The clang sounded alerting them that the airlock was sealed.
"Let's do this," Kate told him.
x
"Nathan," Hudson greeted him with a grin and a handshake, "Welcome back. It's good to see you."
"You too, Oliver," Tobias answered.
Hudson glanced her way and nodded grimly, "Miss Foster."
"Always a pleasure to see you too, Captain," Kate beamed at him, the frown she received back made her smile just that little bit more, "Jonathan," she greeted him before turning to the other person standing there, "And new girl."
"This is Lieutenant Commander Kimura," Hudson introduced, "She has recently joined us."
"No Brody?" Kate asked as she sized up the new woman quickly.
"Mr Brody is taking some personal time," Hudson replied.
Kate smirked asking innocently, "Brody has a personal life?"
Hudson ignored her as he started them walking, "We have set up a section of engineering for you to work. You each have a room and Mr Wolenczak will be on hand to help with anything you need."
Kate turned to him bemused, "Lucas? Usually you stick Tim with that job."
"Mr O'Neill currently has other duties," Hudson stated.
A little bemused Kate glanced over at Ford who shook his head for her not to push it any further just now. Kate frowned slightly Lucas might be a little harder to distract until they were ready.
"Fine, I'll annoy him later," Kate shrugged as she followed on wondering what was going on.
x
Kate checked the energy readings from the generator and smiled, so far everything was going as planned. They'd managed to fob Lucas off with promises they'd explain the upgrade once it was complete. It had taken them less than three hours to set up the generator and connect to the engine. Tobias had entered the programme and now they needed one thing but that was going to be the trickiest part of the plan.
"All we need now is the command chip," Tobias told her, "Do you think you can still get it?"
Kate nodded, "I ran into Tony when I grabbed a drink earlier and was told why Hudson didn't make Tim our liaison. He also mentioned Tim is in the sub-control room doing the most boring diagnostic there is. I can get his control chip but once I do we'll need to work fast."
Tobias looked at her thoughtfully, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Completely. Just be ready to activate this the moment we have the chip," Kate told him, "Because we won't have much time. Tim may protect me from a lot of things but if I steal this from him then he'll have no choice and report it to Hudson."
Tobias nodded, "Do you have a plan?"
"Yeah," she winced slightly, "And trust me it's a good thing we're heading back in time so he'll never remember what I do."
"How long will it take?" Tobias asked, "Because it will take me about twenty minutes to get set up."
"No problem," Kate told him, "I can talk until you're ready."
Tim hit the button before leaning back in his chair and waiting. He stifled a yawn wondering when Hudson would let him out of the doghouse. The fact he'd tasked Lucas with being Kate's point of contact while on board was a very clear message that Tim was still in there.
"So this is where you're hiding," the familiar voice from behind him made him jump slightly.
Turning he saw Kate standing in the doorway, "I have work to do."
"This is usually split," Kate reminded him, "You must have really pissed Hudson off to be stuck with the full check."
Tim sighed, "You know, don't you?"
"Tony may have spilled the beans," she shrugged, leaning against the wall across from him.
Tim grimaced, "Typical."
"Do you want to talk about it?"Kate asked softly.
Annoyance filled him despite knowing it was completely irrational, "Why would I talk about it with you?"
"Because Miguel isn't here," Kate reminded him, "And you always talked to one of us when you're sad or hurt or angry. You're all three right now and I want to help."
"You can't," he snapped before hitting the button.
"Tim..."
"Just leave me alone," Tim sighed turning back to the console.
He stared at the screen feeling Kate's eyes still on his back.
"Kate..."
"Look, I know you're still mad at me," she said softly concern in her voice, "And I'm betting the whole situation with this Kimura just brought it back."
Tim glanced back round at her, "Maybe."
"You have no idea how much I wanted to tell you the truth," Kate told him, "I wanted to tell you so many times, Tim. I hated having to hide this part of me from you because you were," she paused for a second before continuing, "You are my best friend. But you are the most honourable person I know and I didn't know how you would react. I thought I would lose you and that wasn't an option. I can't lose you from my life."
Tim caught her hand, "You will never lose me."
A fond smile touched her lips before she let go of his hand and stepped back, "Unfortunately this is probably the last time we'll see each other."
"Why?" Tim demanded.
"Mac's ill," she told him, "So I'm going to stay on Darrow with him from now on."
He stared at her not sure what to say.
"When Nathan asked me to come and help install the upgrade I agreed because I wanted to tell you face to face," Kate said softly, "And there is something I want..." she paused, "Something I need..."
"What?" he asked confused at how the nervous she was acting, grimacing annoyed when he had to hit the button once more. Turning back Tim found Kate standing directly in front of him.
"You told me you love me," Kate said softly resting one hand on his cheek, "I just...I..." she trailed off and touched her lips to his.
Stunned for a moment Tim froze as Kate's lips pressed firmly against him, when she moved back slightly Tim pulled her closer. Their kiss deepened, Kate sliding onto his lap as he wrapped his arms around her. The warmth of her body pressed against his while she slid her fingers through his hair removed all the anger, all the humiliation he'd felt because she was the only one that mattered.
They parted and Kate looked down at him amazement in her eyes, she pulled back her breathing erratic as she took a few steps back from him.
"Bye, Tim," she whispered before leaving.
x
Kate walked out the sub-control room and looked down to the chip in her hand she'd stolen while she kissed Tim, "Well if I wasn't going to hell before I am now."
Taking a quick breath she tapped her radio, "I have the chip," she started to run; "I'm on my way."
"I'll be ready," Tobias promised her, "Just make sure you put your shield up."
Kate reached the moon pool and quickly grabbed the vocoder heading into the corner so she could see anyone coming at her.
"Kate," Darwin's voice came over the speakers.
"Sorry, Darwin," Kate said as she opened the casing and started rewiring it, "But I need this."
The dolphin whistled at her bobbing his head as though in agreement with what she was doing.
"Miss Foster," Hudson's voice came suddenly, "Stop whatever you're doing."
Kate paused and turned to him, "Sorry, Captain but that isn't something I can do."
She was aware of the new officer, the bitch who had hurt Tim, pull her weapon taking position next to Hudson.
"I'm going to give you one chance to stop whatever you're doing and surrender yourself," Hudson told her.
"I'm ready," Tobias called in her ear.
"Yeah," Kate said softly, "I've got some problems."
Kate held the vocoder in one hand with the chip in the other, all she had to do was connect them and activate the time vortex sending her back but at the moment there was no way she could do it without getting shot first. The activator for the shield was in her pocket and she cursed herself for forgetting to turn it on the moment she got here especially after Tobias reminding her to.
"Okay, Captain," she told him, "I'm putting the things down."
Slowly she placed the chip into the same hand as the vocoder before lowering it to the ground as she slid her other hand into the pocket with the activator chip.
The next few moments happened so fast but would be forever etched in Kate's mind.
"Gun," Kimura snapped mistaking the movement and suddenly firing.
Hudson shouted pushing the weapon down, Kate dodged ready to dive away when Tim was suddenly in front of her. His body stiffened eyes wide when he was struck in the back before falling to the ground.
"No!" Kate screamed, grabbing the shield generator and activating it before she fell down beside him, "Tim."
"I couldn't..." he gasped.
Kate gripped his hand, "No, no, no, no," she slid her hand across his face, "Don't do this to me."
His breathing became laboured and she could hear the others shouting but ignored them.
"I...I..." Tim tried to force out.
Tears slid down Kate's cheeks as she held his hand against her cheek, "I love you," Kate whispered suddenly seeing the surprise in his eyes, "I do. I have always been so afraid of letting anyone in. Then you were there."
His breath was coming in short gasps.
She hushed him, "I'm going to fix this. I promise, Tim. Tim? Tim?" she let out a cry of anguish realising he was gone.
x
Silence filled the room as Kate rested her head on Tim's chest not caring that tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Miss Foster," Hudson said quietly, "Please stop this. Whatever you're doing could destroy the Seaquest. Don't let anyone else get hurt."
Kate raised her head and stared at him, her eyes blank and red-rimmed as she pulled herself to her feet slamming the command chip into the vocoder.
"She just killed the one person I might actually have listened to," Kate stated, her voice cold and flat. Automatically she fixed the cover back on the vocoder, "Tobias, are you ready?"
She saw Hudson frown confused but ignored him.
"Activating now," Tobias said in her ear.
Kate looked down on the body of her best friend.
"Miss Foster, you could kill everyone on this boat," Hudson called to her.
Kate shrugged, "Then I'll see you in hell."
She hit the button, hearing the generator activate before the world exploded in a bright white light.
Author's Final Note: Last episode of the show but not of the story. The Finale will be up soon.