Still an Abandoned Warehouse - London

[itsananomaly]

With everything happening, Lester had realised just how short staffed the ARC really was and he wanted more of a military presence, that he could send in the military rather than civilians. He had been on his way to the warehouse with Captain Becker and his men when Lester had received the call from Leek and tried to negotiate for Cutter’s and Connor’s release but the British government official line was that they didn’t negotiate with terrorists and now in addition to trying to find Cutter and Connor and Stephen, they had to deal with the aftermath of Jenny, Connor and Abby being captured and rescued as well. The scenes outside the warehouse were pure chaos as Lester tried to coordinate the rescue effort but he was trying desperately to still hold on hope that Cutter and Connor were alive, after this past week … He wasn’t one for foolish hope and sentiment but they were members of his team, he was responsible for them and despite appearances to the contrary, he did actually care about them. [part eleven. CW for medical trauma and injuries and now for the fallout and emotional/physical recovery. Preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB but OOC welcome!]

Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had his men poised and ready, simply waiting for the signal from Lester to go in. He hadn't thought they would be seeing action this quickly to be honest, even though he had gotten the impression when Lester hired him that this job was going to be 'standard procedure.' He still thought he would have more than a day or two before he was heading out into the field on a rescue mission. Lester had briefed him when he had been hired less than 48 hours ago so he had a general idea of what was going on but had no clue really who this Professor Cutter and Connor Temple was. But he and his men had a mission. Find them and rescue them if they were alive. And if not... well Becker tried not to think about that end of the rescue and recovery scope of the mission just then. After checking one last time with his men, he walked over to Lester. "My men and I are ready, Lester."
Lester(thearcfamily)	“Good, see that you retrieve Professor Cutter and Mr. Temple, they’re valuable assets to this team and their retrieval is your number one priority, alive if you can manage it,”Lester paused, trying to maintain his indifferent facade but Leek had rattled him more than he cared to admit and he was worried about Nick and Connor …what state they would be found in. “And if you can bring back Mr. Hart as well, you may find him with the others …I’m afraid, his case is out of my hands, he’ll have to answer to treason and terrorism charges but Cutter and Connor are your absolute priority,” he informed Becker.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Aye Sir," Becker said with a nod."Cutter and Temple are number one priority," he reiterated. "And no civilians, purely a military operation?" he asked, already getting the idea the rest of the team was five seconds away from running into the building on their own.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Before Lester had a chance to respond, Jenny came storming over, “I’m coming too,” she told Becker and Lester, “you’ll have to shoot me to stop me coming,” Lester sighed, “to answer your question Becker, it’s a military operation, Ms. Lewis can accompany you but …” and here he turned to Jenny, “you do as Captain Becker says, do I make myself clear?” “Yes sir,” Jenny nodded, looking at Becker for his instructions.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker gave a somewhat questioning look but didn't press it. So much for 'strictly military.' Becker nodded as Lester gave the order for them to head in and he signaled for his men to follow. "Stay close and stay out of the way," he told Jenny as they started towards the door, soon making their way down the hallway. "So, anything you can offer to help us find Cutter and Temple?' he asked over his shoulder as he led the way into the darkness, shining his light around as they made their way slowly.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly, “if I was to guess, the most logical place would be the Menagerie,” she told them, “that’s where Helen and Oliver were keeping all the creatures, the power went out as we got out and all the creatures got loose, if Stephen’s trying to right his wrongs - they would be there trying to return the creatures to stop them getting out,” Since none of them had gotten out yet, she wondered if that meant they’d be successful… she tried not to think if the alternative.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Right.... the man facing criminal terrorist charges... righting his wrongs... makes perfect sense," Becker said somewhat sarcastically as he kept walking, following Jenny's directions as they tried to pick their way back to the menagerie. "These creatures would be easy enough to see right?" he asked, swinging his light up at the ceiling every now and then as they went. "I mean, the fact that we haven't seen any yet, that's a good thing... right?"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“Stephen was the one who the sent text, so we knew where to find Nick and Connor,” Jenny said softly, feeling the need to defend Stephen right then. “To answer your question, if some of the creatures were loose, it depends on what creatures, some could be hunting us right now and we wouldn’t know until it was too late,” she shivered a bit as her eyes darted around, trying to not think about how a few hours ago she’d been a prisoner here. “so …no, it’s not necessarily a good thing,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Right... noted" Becker said, giving the ceiling another glance as they turned the corner. "How much farther to this menagerie or whatever it is?" Becker asked after a few minutes. He thought he had heard something, a soft echo from farther down the hallway.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	It was taking all of Jenny’s effort to not roll her eyes, “well I didn’t exactly get to memorise the layout of this place, I did have a gun to the back of my head,” she pointed out, “it’s …I think it was pretty central, on the first floor…I think,” She paused, tilting her head at the noise, “did you hear that?” she whispered uncertainly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor and Cutter had barely moved since they both had collapsed. Connor's sobs had finally faded as he sat there, holding Cutter close, mind and body both too numb to do much. Connor's body still shook with exhaustion and pain as he tried to comfort Cutter the best he could. As another wave of pain washed over him he bit his lips against the painful sob that tried to break free. They had to go... they had to get out of here... Connor knew this. But his body refused to obey or respond as it started shutting down, trying to block out the pain... block out everything.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter just kept sobbing quietly as he leaned heavily against Connor …he wasn’t aware of anything but the sound of his sobs …the occasional feel of Connor’s trembling body. There was a part of him that was screaming at him to move, that Stephen had sacrificed himself so they could live …only he barely felt alive right then, he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to live in a world without Stephen.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny realised she could see two figures ahead and that there was the sound of sobbing and before she knew what was happening, she was running forward,ignoring Becker’s orders to stay behind him. “Nick! Connor!” she yelled as she ran towards them.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor lifted his head slightly. He must have finally been losing the last shred of a grip he had on reality. He... he almost swore he... he had heard Jenny. But that... that was impossible. They were alone... broken... he was just imagining it. But it was nice, to hear a familiar voice, even if it was just a hallucination.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker yelled after Jenny as she ran down the hallway, following after her, signaling for his men to follow. He didn't know what to expect when he got to where Jenny had finally stopped. But it wasn't anything that could prepare him for what he was actually seeing.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stirred slightly, the voice familiar but he couldn’t place it.. his mind was too broken, too confused to make sense of anything, “Claudia?” he whispered, “is …is that you Claudia Brown?” he tried to move, to turn his head.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny’s heart broke at how Connor and Cutter looked, the confusion at who she was …like she wasn’t there, and to hear Nick call her Claudia, “oh Nick…Connor,” she breathed as she bent down next to them, “it’s me, Jenny,” she said gently.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Ok that sounded like more than a dying hallucination. Connor managed to lift his head from Cutter's shoulder. With eyes glazed over with pain and dark with confusion, he looked at her, taking a moment to process that voice and name and face. He blinked as that one moment of clarity hit him. "J-Jen.. Jenny?" he whispered hoarsely, even talking taking more energy than he thought he had at that moment.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“It’s really me, it’s Jenny, I’m really here Connor, Nick, we’re going to get you out of here…this is Captain Becker, he and his team are going to get you out of here, can you hold on just a little bit longer for me?”
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter blinked trying to process the idea that he and Connor were going to get out of here, after so long and he clung tightly to Connor. He trembled and then started crying again and he wasn’t sure if he was going to stop this time.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker wasted no time in assessing the situation best as he could. As he gave out orders and coordinated his men, he worked with Jenny to determine the best way to get the two out. Thankfully it was a relatively short distance they had to go, because this situation was definitely testing his skills of thinking on his feet and coordinating his men. But soon enough they were on their way, leaving the dark hallways behind, making their way toward the light of the outside world. As they made their way he kept checking in on Cutter and Connor, the worry evident on is face whenever he glanced over to Jenny, despite all his best efforts to stay unattached in the current situation.
Connor(thearcfamily)	"Lester, come on mate!" Connor was pleading as they waited outside for some word or sign from Becker or Jenny. "They've been in there too long! We should have gone with them! We could have helped... extra eyes to search.... extra hands to help! We have to go in and help them!"
Lester(thearcfamily)	“For the last time Mr. Temple,” Lester sighed impatiently, “this is strictly a military operation, Professor Cutter and Mr. Temple,” he was really going to have to come with a professional name for Cutter’s boyfriend to differentiate the two Connor’s, “Ms. Lewis went in since next to me, she’s next in charge and we don’t know what state they’ll be in…they might respond more to her, so no you may not go in after them, have I made myself clear?”
Connor(thearcfamily)	Connor opened his mouth to protest but the stern look from Lester made him close it again and sighed. "Y-Yes Sir," he muttered and then turned to go talk to Abby some more while they waited. None of them had ever been any good at waiting, and after everything that had happened, that was an even more difficult task than it would have otherwise. What felt like hours later but was actually only a few minutes, a shout could be heard from the building and moments later the door flung open and Becker's men filed out. Connor and Abby looked up at the same time as they watched Jenny and Becker file out with Becker's men, Connor and Cutter there between them. "They found them!" Connor cried out as he and Abby started running towards them.
Lester(thearcfamily)	In that moment Lester didn’t care whether the concern and worry he felt for two members of his team was evident, he lost all composure as he walked over to Becker and his men, to see Connor and Nick again. He did notice with a sinking feeling that Stephen didn’t seem to be with them. He looked over at Jenny, trying to get some answers in the confusion.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	As if in answer to that silent question, Jenny shook her head in the negative as she made her way over to James, “it’s not good,” she warned in a low voice, “she really did a number on them,” Lester took in Cutter and Connor’s broken forms, he was not used to seeing them broken like this, and try as he might to be indifferent he would never forget these moments and he closed his eyes in response as he vowed a silent revenge that he would hunt Helen and make her pay for this.
Becker(itsananomaly)	Becker wasted no time at all once they were out of the warehouse. He called for the medics and got Cutter and Connor situated the best that he could, having his men set them down on the ground against one of the other buildings. Becker held out an arm to stop Abby and Connor from rushing over. "Let the medics work" he said simply. "They're in rough shape... let the medics take care of them," Becker said with a small sympathetic nod. Abby and Connor stood there watching, and Abby turned and burried her head against Connor's shoulder and cried softly at the state they were in. Becker walked over to Lester. "There was no sign of Hart anywhere" he said simply as he watched the medics start to work on the pair.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor barely registered what was happening. The pain was too much and his brain was having trouble processing what was going on. It seemed like one minute he was with Cutter in the darkness outside the cursed door and then the next he was blinking hard against the sun's brightness he hadn't seen in over a week. They were out. They had made it. That much Connor did know and he clung to Cutter even as he vaguely sensed people poking and prodding, voices talking and yelling to each other...Connor started trembling as he tried to hold on to Cutter, focusing on him, pushing back the pain and exhaustion, trying to make sure was ok.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It took Cutter a moment to realise that they were out in the sun and he let out a hiss as the brightness forced him to close his eyes for a moment. Something was different, he knew they were outside but Connor had been holding onto him this whole and he could feel him start to be taken from him. Cutter roared suddenly, at that panic that started to overwhelm him that Connor was being taken from him again. “NO!!!! CONNOR!!!” he screamed and he started thrashing and punching, trying to start getting free from the crowd of people who had swarmed him, “CONNOR!!!”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Something was wrong... Something was different... Something was wrong, Connor could feel it but it wasn't until he reached a hand out for Cutter only to hit empty air that his mind instantly cleared. He looked up suddenly, finding himself not beside Cutter any longer. At that moment a flood of memories, of Helen, of Leek, of Stpehen came flooding back over him. As the panic started to set in he looked around frantically trying to see Cutter, trying to find him in the sea of unfamiliar faces crowding around him. "NICK!!!! NICK NO!!!!" He heard his own panicked screams echoing in his ears as he started clawing at anything and everything he could to try and get back. "DON’T HURT HIM!!!!!!!!"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“James is this really necessary?” Jenny looked between Nick and Connor at their obvious distress and panic, wishing she could go over and comfort them, but there were too many people surrounding them, “surely we can let them be together …”
Lester(thearcfamily)	“It’s the chief medic’s instructions,” Lester replied even though the concern was still showing, “until they can determine the extent of their injuries, they’re to be separated, it’s for their own good,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker hadn't anticipated getting involved to this extent. It had been a rescue and recovery mission. His job was technically done until Lester gave him new orders. But.... you didn't spend years in special ops without seeing things and being in a wide range of situations. So Becker found himself automatically shifting gears, slipping in among the medical team and assisting them as he could. He had seen people panic when dealing with trauma, he had seen people really lose control when the got like this. They needed to get this under control before someone, mainly Cutter or Connor, got hurt... more than they already were. "Hey... Cutter..." he said trying to get the panicked man to look at him. "It's alright... we're trying to help you..." Becker reached out to try and grab hold of Cutter's arms as gently as he could to try and still his thrashing a bit.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter barely registered what Becker was doing or saying, he kept trying to push his way through the crowd, to stop Connor being taken, he let out a yelp as Becker took his arms and he kept thrashing, “NO!!! CONNOR!!! DON’T TAKE HIM AWAY!!!” he roared, his angry Scottish accent coming through loud and clear, “LET ME GO!!! CONNOR!!!” he began to really struggle, not even feeling the pain at this point, a numbness had set in and all he could focus on was getting back to Connor, he started crying again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor kept struggling, his own desperate pleading to get back to Cutter mixing with the painful cries that escaped his lips as he struggled to get back to Cutter's side. He had to make sure he was ok.... he had to make sure no one was hurting him... not again... He could hear Cutter but couldn't see him. The more he struggled the more the pain flooded over him. And the more pain he was in the more desperate he became to make sure Cutter wasn't feeling the same. "LET ME GO!!!! NICK!!!!!!" Connor screamed, his voice cracking to a sob as he desperately tried to get back, barely even registering the pain exploding through him.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker didn't like this.... Things were getting out of hand. "We're going to have to sedate them," he said to one of the medics nearby. "We got to stop this or they are going to hurt themselves even more at this rate." Honestly, Becker was surprised either of them was up and moving like they were given their state and that was just based on the surface observations he had been able to make so far. He had a feeling there was much worse he didn't even know about.
Abby(thearcfamily)	“Hey Cutter,” Abby said gently as she walked over to where Becker and Cutter were, she had been briefed on the situation and the chief medic had thought that a familiar face might help Cutter and Connor with the sedation. She stopped for a moment, getting a good look at the state that Cutter was in and trembled before composing herself, “I know you’re in a lot of pain,” she said gently as she came closer with the sedative, “ this will help with the pain,” she said gently and raised the sedative to show Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	The reaction was instant - Cutter’s eyes went wide, and he tried to back away from Abby and the tranq gun but Becker was holding onto him. He let out a scream of pure terror, “NO!!!” and the panic set in, his thrashing became more erratic and this time he tried to start kicking his way out, trying to get Becker to let go. “PLEASE NO!!!”, he kept throwing his head back against Becker’s chest …the desperation to escape only increasing.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Cutter was deceptively strong, given the state he was in, and Becker tried to adjust his hold enough to keep Cutter still for Abby. As he did something, foot, knee, elbow, he wasn't sure... but something hard and boney hit him in the stomach. Becker gave a groan of both surprise and pain as he looked up at Abby. "Give him the shot Abby" he said through gritted teeth.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor heard Cutter's cries and he kept struggling to get back to him. As the crowd around them thinned slightly, he finally caught sight of Cutter and saw Abby there beside him. "NICK!!!!" He cried out "ABBY DON’T HURT HIM!!!!!!!!" he yelled, pleading as he continued to struggle even more now that he had his eyes on Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept thrashing, trying to get away from Becker, he could hear Connor screaming for Abby and he kept trying to kick out at Becker. Why wasn’t anyone listening to him. He cried out in pain. “Abby…Abby please,” he begged, tears rolling down his cheeks, “don’t…..they …I can’t …I …” his body shuddered violently, “I don’t want to wake in a cell again,” When they hadn’t let him go, he started thrashing again. “DON’T TAKE ME BACK THERE!!! CONNOR!!! CONNOR HELP ME!!! PLEASE!!!”
Abby(thearcfamily)	Abby was truly terrified at the state Cutter was in …she had never seen him so distressed, so helpless before. She took a deep breath and moved forward with the tranq dart. “I’m sorry Cutter, this will make you feel better, you won’t end up back in a cell, they’re going to take you and Connor to hospital, to look after you,” She quickly injected him, hoping that it would help because Cutter was truly distressed. She stepped back apologetically and waited a few moments.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter’s eyes widened in horror as the tranq pierced his skin and he let out a horrified sob, trying frantically to still escape. He was running on pure adrenaline and fear now, he didn’t feel the sedative flowing through him and he only went slightly limp against Becker, he was still fighting it. “CONNOR!” he cried out, “please…I need to see him, Connor…” he was still thrashing but it didn’t have the same intensity and eventually he fell silent, with the occasional sobbing.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had been fighting the entire time, desperately trying to get free and get back to Cutter. Eventually his body gave out, the strain finally getting to be too much. "NICK!!!!" he screamed out again as he collapsed to the ground. His entire body felt like it was on fire but he still cried out for Cutter. Connor ket out a shuddering sob as he tried to pull himself along the ground, still desperately trying to get back, his broken hand dragging along limply as he did. "Nick! I'm.. coming Nick... I'm here... Nick!" Somewhere, Connor found the strength to get back to his feet, and with a desperate cry he tried to run towards Cutter.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker let out a muttered curse or two as Cutter continued to fight and struggle. From his vantage point he could see Connor. When he saw Connor struggle to his feet and make the desperate attempt to run, he shook his head in disbelief. He had seen his fair share of cases where people pushed past normal ability and function due to adrenaline or fear. But even he was shocked at what he was seeing. Becker glanced at Abby and gave a small nod as he felt Cutter ga little limp in his arms. "Take care of him, Abby" he said softly. Lowering Cutter to the ground, Becker handed him over to Abby as he turned to try and intercept Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	It was pure instinct and adrenaline that drove Connor at that point. He could see Cutter. He could hear his pained and panicked cries. He could see them doing something to him. At that point, it was like he was operating on autopilot. He barely registered what his own body was doing. All he knew was he needed to get to Cutter. He was barely aware of anything else. That included when Becker grabbed hold of him and wrapped his arms around him, stopping Connor in his tracks. Connor started clawing at Becker's hands and arms trying to get free. without even thinking Connor grabbed Becker's hand, leaned closer, and bit as hard as he could. Becker gave a yelp of pain but didn't let go as he kept his hold on Connor, slowly dropping to his knees, and guiding Connor down with him. "Connor... stop.. we're trying to help you... let us help you," he said as he tried to keep Connor from hurting himself.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“James please,” Jenny begged as she watched the scene unfold, “just let them be together, take them to the hospital in same ambulance,”
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester sighed and nodded over to Becker, “let Mr. Temple …er the one who just took a bite out of you, see Professor Cutter …my orders,” the Chief Medic started protesting but a glare from Lester and he fell silent. Meanwhile Jenny had walked over to Nick to help Abby, telling her to go and sedate Connor that she would stay with Nick.
Abby(thearcfamily)	After making sure that Cutter was okay where he was on the ground and leaving Jenny to look after him, Cutter was still awake and fighting off the effects of the sedative. Abby then came round to Connor, “Connor I know you’re in a lot of pain right now but we’re here to help you and Cutter, this will help you sleep, you’ll wake up with Cutter at the hospital,” she said gently as she got the tranq gun and moved into Connor’s neck, “how does that sound? I promise you’ll be with Cutter soon,” She hoped so anywhere, surely Lester had enough pull to keep Cutter and Connor in the same room.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked at Abby, blinking back the pain and confusion. He tried to process what she was saying as he slowly stopped struggling. He swallowed hard as he looked from Abby to Cutter and then back to Abby. "I... I trust you... Abby" he whispered softly, as he felt the dart pierce the skin. The effects took hold much faster than they did with Cutter and he started to go a little limp within a few minutes. "Nick... where... where's Nick?”
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker shifted his hold on Connor as he felt him stop struggling. He looked up at Abby, a look of relief on his face as he gave his throbbing hand a shake and then got to his feet. "It's alright Connor... You're good," he said reassuringly as he gently pulled Connor to his feet and helped him over to where Cutter was. He carefully lowered Connor back down and then took a step back, not wanting to crowd them more than what was necessary. Becker watched as Connor dragged himself the couple of feet as he crawled over to where Cutter was laying, Jenny still beside him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter lay on the ground, his breathing getting calmer and shallower as he felt the effects of the sedative finally begin to take hold. “Connor…” he moaned softly, reaching out to try and grab at him, to be comforted that that he was there. “Connor…” He didn’t have the energy to say anything else and slowly began to close his eyes and drift off into an uneasy sleep.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor pulled himself over and grabbed hold of Cutter, pulling him as close as he could. "I'm here Nick... I'm here... I'm right here..." Connor said as he clung to Cutter, his eyes slowly closing despite his best effort to keep them open.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester watched Cutter and Connor, he had stopped trying to hide his concern for a while now but seeing them both in this panicked, near psychotic state, it had rattled him. He watched them being loaded into guernsey’s but he stopped before they could be loaded into the ambulances, “wait,” He noticed that one of Cutter’s hands had fallen to the side and was dangling off the edge and he carefully tucked it back in. Then Connor’s blanket wasn’t fully secured so he made sure Connor was tucked in safely. He nodded, “okay, they’re …you can take them,” He closed his eyes, his face in his hands …how was he going to help them through this? He was not used to being on the recovery side of torture and captivity, inflicting it yes but dealing with the actual emotional and physical toll … His cheeks felt wet and he realised he’d been crying.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny watched as Connor and Nick got taken away and she then looked at her boss, who had his face buried in his hands. She had never seen him so rattled, she knew better than to say everything was going to be okay…she didn’t know if it ever would be. “Sir, did you want me to head to the hospital, start the paperwork,” Lester looked up from his hands and she was startled to see tears there, he wiped them away and nodded, “yes Ms. Lewis, yes …do that …please,” Jenny blinked she wasn’t sure she’d even heard him say please before and she had no idea what possessed her to do so but she suddenly found herself hugging her boss before quickly excusing herself and starting to head to the hospital.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker stood and watched the scene unfold. It wasn't until the ambulance was driving off that he turned his attention to Lester. He didn't know his new boss well, in fact he barely knew any of the team. But what he had seen and what he did know of Lester was the exact opposite of what he saw when he looked at the man now. Knowing not to mention it and that a man like Lester would prefer to never acknowledge such a weakness as concern or even fear, Becker stood silent for a moment. When Lester looked more stoic and calm he walked over with a small nod. "Shall I give you a lift to the hospital sir?" he asked simply, keeping that professional emotionless tone as best as he could, for his sake as well as for Lester's.