A Private Hospital - London

[itsananomaly]

After Cutter and Connor had been taken to hospital and immediately gone into surgery, Jenny started to fill in the paperwork and make arrangements for their stay. Lester had been on the phone the entire car ride over and had arranged for an entire private floor for Cutter and Connor and making sure that they would be in the same room. It was several hours later and Cutter and Connor had finally been brought back to the room, still heavily sedated and would be for the next few days. [part twelve. CW for medical trauma and injury. Preplayed as always with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(thearcfamily)	Connor had spent hours waiting for an update in the waiting area, pacing like a caged animal. And now that they were back in the room, the nervousness about them coming through surgery ok was lessened, but he still felt restless and couldn't sit still. He walked to the window for the tenth time in as many minutes and turned around, looking back at the team... his team... his friends... and that helpless feeling came flooding back again.
Abby(thearcfamily)	Abby had tried to focus on anything, flipping through several magazines but the images of Cutter and Connor kept flooding back to her, how terrified they were …the extent of their injuries and she looked over at their sleeping forms, knowing they were being well looked after by the best team of doctors and surgeons that Lester had managed to get for them. She trembled as she stared at them and then walked over to Connor, noticing how much he seemed to be pacing and reached over to give him a hug. She didn’t say anything, there was nothing that could really be said.
Connor(thearcfamily)	Connor accepted the hug gladly and wrapped his arms around Abby, hugging her maybe a little harder than he meant to just then. "They're going to be fine... they're going to get better..." he said, as much for himself as for anyone else. He looked back over to the beds and gave a small shiver. It was going to take some getting used to that, looking over and seeing himself laying in a hospital bed in that bad of shape.
Abby(thearcfamily)	Abby closed her eyes as she hugged him, “they will…they’re both strong, we’ll help them get through this,” Abby wished she sounded a lot a more confident. “It’s …” she didn’t know what else to say, “they …I’m sorry,” she said quietly, trying to blink back tears that had started to fall. She had apologised multiple times for that argument the day Cutter and Connor had been captured but she still felt so guilty and it had been such a petty argument as well. If she hadn’t distracted Connor, they could have stopped Connor and Cutter going off on their own.
Connor(thearcfamily)	"Hey... hey now," Connor said gently as he leaned back and tried to catch Abby's gaze. He gently lifted her chin so he could look at her. "We agreed. No blaming anyone, including ourselves. Right? Not gonna help them doing that." Connor gently wiped away a stray tear with his thumb and then pulled her close, his gaze drifting back to the bed before shifting over to Lester and Jenny.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Abby nodded, letting out a sob before she managed to compose herself and wrap her arms around him again. Lester met Connor’s gaze, “Mr. Temple is right, Ms. Maitland, assigning blame is not going to help anyone, our number one priority is Professor Cutter’s and Mr. Temple’s well being,” he turned his focus to the two beds, at their sleeping forms, fighting a lump that had formed in his throat, “they’re in for a long physical and emotional recovery, they will need all of us to ensure they have the support they need,”
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded in quiet agreement as she looked over the still forms in the beds on either side of where she was sitting. Connor was a mess, the large knife wound stitched and bandaged, his hand completely hidden under a mess of wrappings and a brace, and a neck support brace also securely in place. Jenny was still trying to wrap her mind around the extent of the injuries, even the ones that were easily visible. The news that they were worried there could be some degree of spinal and nerve damage made her realize just how bad a shape they were really in. Slowly her eyes drifted over to Cutter and she felt her heart twist again. Both his hands were bandaged like Connor's, the stab wound in his leg dealt with best that it could just then, and both his feet were also bandaged as those were some of the worst burn injuries he had received. There was concern whether he'd ever be able to really use his hands again after all this. And all the other injuries... so many... Jenny really didn't know how they had survived really, and the thought of how close they had come... how close they had been to losing both Cutter and Connor... that thought terrified her.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester watched Jenny take in Connor and Cutter’s injuries, “they’re stronger than they look,” he murmured to her, “and I have the best team of specialists looking after them, if anyone can make it through this, they can,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	Just then, Becker walked in and stopped in the doorway, meeting Lester's gaze. "Everything is secure, Sir. As you requested. My men are station patrolling every floor, and I have my three best men assigned to this floor. No one other than authorized medical staff are allowed on the floor, and all visitors will have to be checked in, including members of the team."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester nodded, trying to compose himself that he had some degree of professionalism, “excellent and your men have all been briefed on what Helen Cutter looks like if she tries to make her way in? That woman won’t let a secured floor stop her from trying to finish what she started,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"They have," Becker said with a nod. "And Helen's photo has been posted at the main lobby desk and the nurses' stations as well. We're taking the threat very seriously and I await your next set of orders."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester nodded, at least that was something, that if he had a chance to stop Helen before Cutter and Connor woke up that he would take it, “and I want you posted here, to personally guard Professor Cutter and Mr. Temple, to let me know if there are any changes - I expect a detailed report and check in every few hours,” he instructed.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh. Great... babysitting duty. Just what he wanted in this new job. But he gave a nod of acknowledgment to Lester. "I'll set up a check-in schedule and keep you up to date on everything here," he said simply. "That way, if a check-in is missed, we'll know something is off."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester nodded, folding his arms as he did, “Good,” he said simply, “their physical and emotional well being is paramount, any changes … even if you think it’s minor … I want to know about it,” he paused as his gaze fell to Cutter’s bed, “Professor Cutter will make it difficult for you, you saw what he was like in the distressed state he was in … well he prefers to do things his his own way, if you looked up maverick in the dictionary, you would find an image of Professor Cutter there, don’t take it personally if he seems to go out of his way to make it difficult for you,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Aye, understood Sir," Becker said. "If it's alright with you, I am going to go on another patrol of the floor. I still want to do a more thorough walk-through... I need to know any places Helen might try to target as weaknesses. Better safe than sorry." Becker gave a quick nod to Lester and then headed for the door and stepped out into the hallway. Connor waited till he was gone before he leaned over to Abby. "Think G.I. Joe is going to be alright here with all this?" he asked in a whisper that was not at as quiet as he thought it was.
Abby(thearcfamily)	“I mean he seems alright so far, maybe a little uptight?” Abby tilted her head, as she lowered her voice, which again wasn’t as quiet as she thought, “I mean Lester hired him right? He’s got to be really good,”
Connor(thearcfamily)	Connor nodded and gave a half-hearted we'll see kinda shrug. "At least we got backup this time in case..." he paused not able to say Helen's name. "In case we have any problems while they are recovering."
Abby(thearcfamily)	Abby nodded, “I mean …surely …with all of us here and Captain Becker and his men…it will be enough right?” she started trembling and tears formed her eyes, “they’ve been through enough …maybe Stephen…” her voice broke then, realising she’d said his name. She was trying to cling to the very faint hope that Stephen was alive …that he had managed to escape, that he was trying to avoid being arrested but she heard the hushed whispers around her. She knew it was very likely he was dead.
Connor(thearcfamily)	"Aye.. it'll be enough. It has to be enough," Connor said simply. He looked from Abby over to Jenny and Lester for a moment then back to Abby. "We're gonna get them through this. I... I know we can do this!" He really, really wished he felt as confident as he was trying to sound just then, but he honestly was terrified still that they were going to lose them. Connor knew he couldn't say it, couldn't speak those words, couldn't voice that fear... at least not right now. Everything was still too fresh... they had to cling every ounce of hope that they had.
Abby(thearcfamily)	Abby could only nod as the tears she had been trying to keep at bay started falling, she covered her mouth as she tried to hide those quiet sobs but her trembling body betrayed her. She was scared and hated feeling so helpless like this.
Becker(thearcfamily)	It was just then that Becker came back in. "Everything is officially secure," he said looking over at Jenny and Lester. "And we are going to keep it that way. I promise," he added as he looked and saw the concerned faces of Connor and Abby. "Nothing bad is going to happen to them on my watch."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	How much time had passed, Connor didn't know and he didn't care. All he really cared about was he hurt. It was the pain, that had blissfully been absent for a time, that was drawing him out of the darkness... He tried to go back, to sink back into that darkness, and he did for a time. But every time consciousness tried to pull at him it pulled him a little farther and farther out of that blissful sleep. Everything felt odd in that space between sleep and waking. Connor tried to call out, but his throat hurt and any words died on his lips. He hurt. God did he hurt.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny was alone in the room with Connor and Nick. Lester had to return to the office, Abby and Connor were getting lunch and coming back. Becker was posted outside the room. She was reading over a magazine she had already read cover to cover but she hadn’t absorbed any of the articles. Then she looked up and saw that Connor’s eyes were fluttering open. “Connor?” she gently as she cared approached him, “it’s me Jenny, can you hear me? You’re in the hospital,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor blinked a few times, trying to make sense of thigs. He hears Jenny's voice but none of the words made any sense. "Wh-wheres... Nick?" he asked his voice pained as he found it hard to say anything at all. "Where's Nick?" he asked again, the urgent desperation apparent on his face as he tried to move.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“Shhh…try to stay as calm as you can,” Jenny said gently, “Nick’s here in this room, he’s in the other bed, he hasn’t woken up yet,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to move his head, tried to look and see where Cutter was, to make sure he was ok. He winced in pain at that attempt, finding he couldn't move his head at all. Why couldn't he move? Why did everything hurt so much? Why wasn't Jenny helping him get up?
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny had been afraid of this, “Connor, I know how terrifying this must be for you but you can’t move too much, you need to have a neck brace on til the doctors know the extent of your injuries,” she said gently.
Connor(thearcfamily)	Connor swallowed hard. Between the suffocating feeling of having something around his neck and the thought that he was bad enough they had him braced.... he was trying to swallow down the panic he felt rising inside him. He closed his eyes tight and took a few ragged breaths. "Nick... Nick's ok... right? He... he..." Connor couldn't bring himself to ask if Cutter had made it. The idea that the answer would be no was too terrifying to even consider it just then.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“He’s… “ Jenny bit her lip, she didn’t want to worry Connor unnecessarily but Nick hadn’t woken up yet, “we don’t know, he’s pretty heavily bandaged, we won’t know until the specialists tell us more,” she said gently.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor let out a long shuddering breath and closed his eyes, fighting back the tears burning his eyes. This wasn't right. They had gotten away from Helen. Things were supposed to be better, Nick was supposed to be alright now. This was wrong... so wrong. Connor tried once more to get up to move to find Cutter and make sure he was ok. But he couldn't and he fell back against the bed with a pained cry and bit his lip fighting back another sob. What good was he if he couldn't even get to Cutter when he needed him? "J-just... take care of Nick... please..." he said softly, another sob catching in his throat.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“Hey, hey, hey shhhh,” Jenny said gently, “we’re taking care of you too, you’re in a lot of pain right now, I won’t lie to you about that, you and Nick are in for a rough period of adjustment but you’ve got the whole team behind, we’re not going to abandon you, we’ll help you get through this,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor bit his lip and gave the smallest of nods, which was really all he could do with the damned neck brace on. "Thank you...Jenny" he said softly after a few minutes, "for... being here." After everything, the last thing he wanted, was to be alone.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny reached up to brush a strand of hair that had fallen in Connor's eyes, "you're welcome, I'll be right here if you need me for anything, I'm staying here with you and Nick for a while, okay? You won't have to be alone and Captain Becker's also guarding your room and his men are patrolling this floor and hospital, you'll both be safe,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor gave the slight nod that he could and gave Jenny a small smile. Slowly he tried to relax, eyes eventually closing again as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep, waiting for Cutter to wake up. And as he slept fitfully, an occasional 'Nick' could be heard coming from him as he waited for the man he loved, the man who meant the world to him, to finally wake up.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny stayed with Connor, making sure that he was comfortable and her heart broke as he called out 'Nick' in his sleep. Not for the first time since everything had happened the guilt that she had been too busy to notice Connor and Nick had wandered off returned and threatened to consume her. She took a deep breath, wiping a stray tear as she tried to compose herself. She had to be strong now, Connor and Nick needed her at her best and she had to be there to look after them. To look after the team.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	At first Cutter was aware of nothing, he was just existing in a dreamless state. He wasn’t in pain and then slowly but surely it hit him all at once and as he was forced back into his painful reality, he cried out. He sobbed as he went from feeling nothing to everything. He closed his eyes trying to go back to that blissful, painless slumber but he couldn’t. He trembled, opening his eyes as he realised he was heavily bandaged and in a hospital bed.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny had been waiting by Cutter's bed, Connor had fallen asleep again and now she was waiting for Cutter to wake up. She knew it might take him longer to wake up, he'd been given a rather heavy dose of sedatives but then she heard him cry out and she was by his side. "Nick...Nick, you're safe, you're in a hospital, it's me Jenny,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter blinked at the voice, that familiar voice and for a second he dared to hope that it was Claudia but then he heard the name Jenny, "Jenny?" he repeated, "wha ... wha happened ... where's Connor?"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	"He's here in this room," Jenny assured him gently, "he's sleeping in the next bed, he woke up earlier but he fell asleep," she told him, "and ...how much do you remember Nick? Before you woke up?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter tried to focus, to think back on those memories that seemed so long ago now, "I ... it's ... most of it's a blur ... I ... I remember being with Connor and Stephen ... and then you were there with ... um ... " he tried to think of the soldier who had saved them, "I ... I can't remember his name,"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	"His name is Captain Becker," Jenny told him softly, "he and his men got you out, James hired them to help look for you and Connor,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Oh ... I ... I don't remember much after we got out," Cutter admitted softly, "it's ...I ... I remember they separated me and Connor, I ... I think I owe Captan Becker an apology, I may have kicked him," he said a bit sheepishly, groaning a bit at the sudden spasm of pain that shot through his body.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny noticed that groan and carefully rested a hand on his shoulder where she knew she wouldn't be touching the burn, "I think he'll understand, you and Connor were both distressed, we had to have sedated for your own protection but you're safe now, you're both in the same hospital room, Lester has secured the entire floor for you and Connor so that you can recover and be protected,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, wincing a little as he was rocked by another spasm of pain, "is ... did you ... do you know ..." he wasn't sure how he could even word what he wanted to ask, if they knew where Helen was ... if Connor was going to be safe from her, that was all that mattered, keeping Connor safe from Helen. He was the reason that he had even been put in this position to begin with. "Do ... have you found Helen?" he finally whispered.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny winced, shaking her head, "no I'm afraid we haven't, we're doing everything we can to find her ... and if she tires to sneak in to the hospital, Captain Becker has his men posted all throughout the hospital, they know what she looks like and we're going to stop her if she tries to come back, you and Connor are safe here, I promise," she said softly.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Oh," Cutter sighed, it wasn't quite what he wanted to hear since he had a feeling that Helen was going to try and regroup before she tried to come after him and Connor again. "I'm ... I'm sorry," he said quietly after a few moments of silence passed between them, "for everything, that I snuck off with Connor and that I didn't tell you before I left," he felt tears start to build in his eyes and het let out a sob.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	"Oh Nick," Jenny said softly, as she brushed the hair out of his eyes, "I'm sorry, if I hadn't been so busy that day, I could have stopped you and Connor from leaving ...or ... at least tried to," she amended, realising just how stubborn that Nick could be when he set his mind to do something, "it's ... I'll never be able to forgive myself, that I wasn't there, that I couldn't try and stop you from leaving,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled, letting out another sob, "I guess we'll never know if you would have been able to stop me and Connor," he said softly, trying to smile at that but he found himself blinking back tears instead, "thank you, for not giving up on me and Connor, for coming to rescue us,"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny smiled softly at that, "we were never going to give up on you," she told him gently, "we would have kept searching until we found you, Stephen really came through with that text, it helped us find you, I'm sorry it took us just that bit longer to get to you,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave a small smile at that as he felt himself start to get tired again and he tried to keep his eyes open but the pain was proving to be much, "that's ... that's okay ..." he managed to get out, "thank ... thank you," he said softly, closing his eyes again as he started to drift off, "thank you Jenny," Then he was asleep.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	After a while of being awake, bored and not wanting to stay in bed any longer than he had to. Cutter decided that he was going to check himself out. Jenny had left to get coffee, so it was a perfect chance to escape. He began to untangle himself from all the different wires he was hooked up to and struggling to sit up right, he managed to free himself and out of the bed. He bit back a howl of pain as his feet hit the floor but he pushed through, the door was so close, he could make a break for it …
Becker(thearcfamily)	With the word already off to Lester that they were awake, Becker was waiting outside for Lester to arrive. He stood just outside the door, a few feet away, guarding it. His back was to Cutter and he seemed distracted but his keen ears heard exactly when the door behind him creaked open, and Cutter was doing not quite as good a job at being stealthy as he might have thought. "Where do you think you're going mate?" he said giving Cutter a look of 'and how the heck are you even standing right now?'
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stared blankly at Becker, trying to come up with a logical reason but his mind was so confused with all the pain meds that he was on, he said the first thing came to mind. “Uh…Helen …I’m going to find Helen,” he said confidently despite how much agony he was in, standing right then, it was fine…he was completely fine, he didn’t need the hospital bed, look how well he was doing standing up. Just ignore how he seemed to be swaying just a bit right then Becker. He was fine really.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Right Helen. In your state," Becker said with a small laugh. Though he had to admit the guy had guts and nerves if he was actually trying to walk out of the hospital in his state. Lester wasn't kidding about Cutter wanting to do things his way. "Sorry to break it you, but checkouts have to go through me," Becker said with a small smile, not wanting to totally manhandle Cutter, but he still gave him a nod back towards the door.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“I’m fine,” Cutter insisted, he was totally definitely not struggling to stand upright, “I would like to leave please,” see look how polite he was being, he was being reasonable Becker please let him through.
Lester(thearcfamily)	That was the moment Lester turned up after being briefed by Captain Becker that both Professor Cutter and Mr. Temple were awake. “Oh I see you two have met officially,” Lester sighed as he took in Cutter’s bandaged, form “Captain Becker this is is Professor Cutter, who clearly should be in bed …” he gave Cutter a look, “aren’t we a bit too old for childish escape attempts Professor?”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"We were just talking about that Sir. Mr. Cutter here was just about to go back to bed, and NOT entertain any crazy ideas of tracking down Helen or anything similar..." Becker said, giving Cutter a look and the chance to turn around of his own volition.
Lester(thearcfamily)	“Oh is that what’s he’s doing?” Lester folded his arms and stared at Cutter, unimpressed, “really and enlighten me how you were going to do that when we have the best trained soldiers out looking for her right now? How were you planning on finding your ex wife from a hospital bed when she’s the reason you’re in here to begin with?” It was taking all of Lester’s strength to not face palm right then. You were making his head hurt Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was just staring, blinking between the two men as he tried to come up with an answer and fast, he really didn’t want to go back to bed but he was so tired. “I’m fine,” he tried, “I … I …” Then he stopped, stared a few more minutes and then started to slump to the ground.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had pretty much seen Cutter start to go down before he even started to slump forward. The glazed-over look told Becker the man was pretty much out on his feet at that point. Soon as Cutter started going limp, Becker stepped up and caught him, with the speed and ease of someone who had done similar more than a handful of times before. He pulled one of Cutter's arms around his shoulders as gently as he could and held him up. "You weren't exaggerating, were you?" he asked Lester as he started maneuvering them back towards the door.
Lester(thearcfamily)	“When it comes to Professor Cutter there is no such thing as an exaggeration,” Lester sighed, “I’m honestly impressed that he made it as far as he did,” He glanced at Professor Cutter slumped against Becker, “I should have expected an escape attempt really, he’ll probably try again,” he warned Becker as they headed back to the room.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"He's got guts, I will say that much. I've seen men in the field stay down with injuries like this," Becker said with a slight wince as he started walking them back into the room. "I mean, the fact he's standing... " Becker shook his head as he looked over at Lester. "They said he's got second degree burns on the soles of his feet. How the hell is he even up right now?"
Lester(thearcfamily)	“I’ve known the man for two years and Professor Cutter is one of the most stubborn men I know and believe me when I say that when you work with the British government, you work with a lot of stubborn men and women,” Lester sighed, “Professor Cutter is a class on his own, I don’t know how he does half the things he does, I don’t think I want to know … “ He glanced at the man slumped against Becker, “the fact he’s even still alive…most people would have given up …not Nick and Connor, they’re not most people,” Had he realised he’d slipped and called them by their first name, possibly but Lester didn’t particularly care right then. He also wanted to throttle the man for pulling such an idiotic, dangerous stunt.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker just nodded silently as he nudged the door open and brought Cutter back in and headed toward the bed. He cleared his throat slightly and gave a nod towards the other bed when he had gotten Lester's attention. Connor had somehow managed to get mostly upright in the bed and was giving them a look at said everything he couldn't get out just then. He stared from Becker, to Cutter, to Lester, the 'what the hell' expression all too clear on his face.
Lester(thearcfamily)	“Oh Connor,” Lester realised he didn’t quite know what to say, which was a first for him, “I …Nick …he wasn’t thinking straight, he …he didn’t mean to leave you,” Yes he really didn’t know what to say and that he’d called Connor by his name but that ‘what the hell’ expression …he deserved some explanation why he and Becker were returning his boyfriend back to bed. Lester knew he was also the wrong person for this explanation but he felt he had to try for Connor’s sake.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor just stared for a moment, watching as Becker got Cutter back into the bed and then looked back at Lester, sighing as he closed his eyes. "I'm gonna strangle him..." he winced and gave a sharp hiss at the pain as he tried to move. "If... I could get out of the bloody bed..." he cursed as he tried to figure out the best way to get back down in a mostly horizontal position. He didn't know how he had managed to get as upright as he was and now he wasn't sure how to move without the blinding pain.
Lester(thearcfamily)	“You might have to get in line,” Lester sighed as Becker put Cutter back to bed, “for such a brilliant man, your boyfriend can be incredibly daft sometimes Connor,” Then he noticed that Connor seemed to be stuck, “oh …I …um do you need help?” He was so out of his element here.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"He can be impossible at times " Connor said with a sigh. Then he glanced at the precarious position he was in and gave a sheepish nod and small sigh. "Y-yeah... Sorry..."
Lester(thearcfamily)	“Okay …er …let’s see, if I put my arm under your back and help you slide down? I think that would work, you might feel a bit of pain though …how on earth did you even manage to get in such an upright position Connor?” Lester shook his head, between Cutter trying to pull a Houdini and now Connor …he was going to end up in the hospital as a patient shortly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah.. that's good...th-thanks," Connor managed as he started to lean back with Lester's help. He got most of the way back down before he had to bite back the pain. Once he was back in a more horizontal position he took a minute to catch his breath then gave a weak laugh. "Guess Nick's not...the only.. stubborn idiot. Sorry.." he added as he gave Lester an apologetic and slightly pained grin.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester found himself making sure Connor was well and truly comfortable in his bed or at least as well as he could be considering the circumstances. He fussed with the pillows and the blankets, smoothing them out. He shook his head, “honestly between Nick’s ridiculous escape attempt, I’ll take you trying to sit up right, at least you’re less likely to faint on us,” he cast a look at Cutter who was sleeping peacefully now, “I wish I knew what went on in that brain of his sometimes,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah.. you and me both." Connor laid back, trying to fight through the waves of pain that all that moving as set off. "So Boss..." he said, lifting his mostly good hand and pointing to the neck brace. "Think I can take this off?" Connor had a good idea what the answer was, but he still had to try. "It's bloody uncomfortable." And it also wasn't bringing back the best memories just then either, which was kind of ironic that the shock collar was what had caused the bulk of the damage they were worried about, and it was another collar of sorts now that they were using to try and address that.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester looked sympathetic and shook his head, “I’m afraid not Connor, the specialists need you in the brace to determine what damage has been done to your nerves and spine,” he tried to be as gentle as he could, he had seen the scarring on Connor’s neck and knew what Helen done, “she had you in a shock collar didn’t she,” It wasn’t a question and not for the first time Lester wished he had stopped Helen back when they’d had the chance after first bringing her in.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor took a slow deep breath and closed his eyes, a whispered 'yeah' falling from his lips. A moment later he opened his eyes and looked up at Lester. "They... they should probably know that... it wasn't a normal one," Connor figured it might have been obvious but in case it wasn't, it was probably best someone knew. "Helen..." he paused and fought back the shiver that went through him at saying her name. "She has so much future tech, Lester...and she's not afraid to use it," he said, which was a bit of an understatement, really.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester closed his eyes at that, “of course she does,” and then there was another pause, something that he had been considering the last few days … “do you know if Helen was able to open a stable portal to a future anomaly? I know Leek was bragging about it that she could …that they were able to access future tech that way, we could be in for a real fight on our hands and you know as well as anyone how unstable Helen Cutter is,” That was a massive understatement.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"She... she seemed to think she could, yes..." Connor said softly. "I.. I think that was what it was all about... She needed Nick. Needed him to do something to finish it." Connor closed his eyes, trying to remember what bits he could remember from things Helen and Stephen had said over the course of the week. "They wanted Nick to join them... help them get to the future more easily. H-Helen said... she was only using me... to get to Nick, to... convince him to join her..."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester looked from Connor to Cutter, as he observed all of their wounds, the extent of Helen’s damage that she had done, “do you … did Nick help her?” he asked with a sinking feeling, he wasn’t liking where this conversation was heading. If Helen had been successful in using Nick’s knowledge of the anomalies, being able to create a portal … they were all going to be in trouble and not just from Helen, if certain parties in the government found out that Nick had sided with Helen, worked against them ... that would be counted as treason, even if it had been under mental duress.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor bit his lip, afraid of what it would mean if he answered that question. He didn't want to get Nick in trouble.... but he also knew Lester would likely find out... "Nick... he was with Helen when... when Stephen and I found him. He... he had no choice Lester! Helen had convinced him... that I was dead... she broke him... he had no choice...She would have killed me... she nearly killed Nick... just to break him." Connor swallowed hard, the fear and panic rising as he spoke. "Nick didn't have a choice... he... he helped her, but... I don't think they finished. Helen attacked us and escaped and... Please, Lester... it wasn't Nick's fault!"
Lester(thearcfamily)	“I know,” Lester said gently, “the man is many things but a traitor is not one of them,” he sighed, pinching his nose as he tried to work out what to do with this information…he would be obligated to report it but he stared over at Nick’s sleeping form, what Helen had done to him, “it may be out of my hands though …it’s …this is still treason, they …like what Stephen did,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Stephen... he knew." Connor said a small sob catching in his throat. "He knew what... he had waiting... he-he... he sacrificed himself, t-t-to save me and Nick. Nick... he isn't..." Connor closed his eyes, the lump in his throat making it impossible to finish.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester went very still at that …the confirmation that Stephen was dead, he’d hoped that Hart had managed to get away, had given himself a good head start to avoid being arrested. “Stephen was a good man,” Lester said quietly, “he just made very poor decisions,” he ran his hands through his hair, “I’ll have to tell the team about Stephen,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor just nodded. There were a lot of... complicated... feelings he had about Stephen. But despite what any of them were, he never would have wished Stephen dead. "I... I'm sorry, Lester" Connor said softly, the guilt over everything that had come from them sneaking off in the first place, rising up again.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester gently placed a hand on Connor’s shoulder, “you don’t have anything to apologise for okay Connor…neither you or Nick do, this is all on Helen, we’re just going to have to pick up the pieces unfortunately, it’s not going to be easy but I know if anyone can get through this it’s you and Nick,” he said gently.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor closed his eyes and tried to relax. Everything hurt so much. And all the talking, and moving, and crying... his chest was burning with every breath and felt his energy fading rapidly. "We can.. do it. Can't let Helen win..." Connor said as he started to drift back into an exhausted sleep. "Can't... let... Helen... win..."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester stayed with Connor until he drifted back to sleep, keeping that hand on his shoulder so Connor knew he was still there. Once Connor had fallen asleep, he made sure that he was tucked in and was covered with his blankets. He closed his eyes, for a few moments, trying to wrap his head around the task that they lay ahead - Connor and Nick's recovery, telling the team about Stephen ... he took a deep breath, opened his eyes and pulled up a chair between the beds so that he could be there when Connor and Nick woke up.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	After a few hours Cutter awoke again, finding himself back in bed and hooked up to all the wires and devices he had disentangled himself from, everything hurt only this time he was pretty sure he couldn't manage another escape attempt even if he wanted to. He let out a moan of pain and sank back against the pillows that were supporting him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had been coming in and out of sleep for a while now. And his eyes flew open when he heard that moan and noise from the other side of the room. He desperately tried to turn and look to see Cutter, but of course, he could barely move between the neck brace and the pain. "Nick?" He called out his voice rough and strained. "Nick, is... that you? Are... are you alright?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter whimpered, "it's me ... I'm ... I'm okay," he bit down a scream as a spasm of pain ricocheted through his body, "I'm ... I'm fine," he insisted, "really," his voice trembled at that, as he turned to look over at Connor ... seeing him in the neck brace, all those bandages .. "I'm so sorry," did he mean Helen, Stephen or trying to escape the hospital and leaving Connor or all of the above? Cutter was in that much pain that he didn't know what he was apologising for but he knew that he owed Connor all of the apologies and it was never going to be enough.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick... I..." Connor said as he once again tried to sit up and get himself upright. His voice trailed off as his attempt to get upright was going about as well as it had the first time he had tried.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter saw what Connor was trying to do, "wait - I have an idea," and then he began to disentangle himself from the wires again, ignoring the beeping sound that was going on, he couldn't bite back the scream of pain as his feet landed on the ground and he made his way over to Connor's bed, "I'm ... I'm here, I'm going to climb in with ... is ... is that okay?" he winced at the pain he was in from that very short trek but he really wanted to be with Connor right then and Connor was not in a position to move at all and he was. Somewhat.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick... wh-what are you doing?" Connor asked, the pain evident in his face as he managed to get himself upright as he watched his idiotic boyfriend try to kill himself for the second time in a single day. He just blinked and nodded, at a loss for words, just then as Cutter stood by his bed. He reached out the best that he could, to help Cutter sit. And the instant his fingers touched Cutter's skin he felt tears spring up into his eyes. "N-Nick..." he said in a hoarse whisper.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I ... I wanted to be with you," Cutter let out a moan of pain at the effort of moving from the bed for a second time fully hit him and he half collapsed on the bed, being careful to not move Connor to much. "I ..." Cutter closed his eyes at the feel of Connor's fingers on his skin and then he began to cry softly. "I'm sorry," he said again, hanging his head as he sobbed.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Just a few seconds later, the door to the room opened as Becker walked in, followed by Lester and Jenny. "You got the report I sent a little while ago, right?" Becker was saying, his focus directly over his shoulder at Lester as he walked into the room. "We should be getting a new report from the specialists by morning and...." Becker's voice trailed off as he turned back to look at where he was walking and just stopped and stared as he glanced nervously between the two figures on the bed and back to Lester and Jenny. Yeah.... this was not going to go well.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester was nodding as he was getting the update from Becker, "I did get the report, good ... then we can discuss new treatment ..." his own voice trailing off as he looked in Becker's general direction. "Lord give me strength," he sighed and face palmed right then.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny stared at the bed in disbelief, at Nick being up out of his bed for a second time ... well at least he hadn't gotten as far and she didn't really blame him for wanting to be near Connor but still ... "of all the stupid, idiotic stunts you've pulled Nick ... I think this one of the worst, what the hell were you thinking?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked from Lester and Jenny and over to Cutter. The way they were sitting, it was his bad hand that was closest to him so he gently laid it on Cutter's leg. He wanted to say something. To defend his boyfriend, as idiotic as he was. But he couldn't. The swelling emotions in him stole away his ability to speak just then. So he sat there, still, silent, in the worst pain he had ever known, trying to keep down the tightness he felt in his chest. Connor chanced a glance over and caught sight of Becker, standing by the door, looking on with a perplexed and somewhat impressed look on his face. "Am I going to have to double security in the room, Professor?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	To his credit Cutter did look very sheepish and he looked at Becker, Lester and Jenny with wide eyes as he took in their stern and disappointed expressions. Even though Becker did look rather impressed. "Uh ... I didn't try to leave the room?" he winced at how pathetic that sounded and how much pain he actually was in but he wanted to stay with Connor, it had been several days since he had seen him ... which to be fair he had also been unconscious during those last few days but he didn't want to leave him now. "I ... I want to stay with Connor," he whimpered, unable to meet anyone's gaze right then as he hung his head and stared down at the sheets that suddenly looked very fascinating.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester sighed, rubbing his head as he felt one of his headaches coming on, "you've both been seriously injured and we don't know the extent of your injuries, you need to stay as still as possible so we can determine just what treatment will be your best options," "This is getting beyond ridiculous Professor," he snapped, "I should have a cowbell around your neck so we know whenever you move,"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	"Nick please," Jenny sighed, deciding to be the calm and rational one in the room, "we know you're hurting and you want to be with Connor but this will take time, we need to monitor your vital signs, you're both in a lot of pain and we can only do that when you're connected to your different monitors,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I... I want to be with Nick too," Connor said softly. He looked from Lester to Jenny and then back to Lester. "Can... how about... c-can we just... move the beds closer? Nick and I can be... as close as we can without doing anything stupid..." here there was a glance over at his idiotic boyfriend. "But still staying put and following doctor's orders?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker cleared his throat and looked over at Lester as he spoke. "It wouldn't be hard to do, really" he said, giving Connor a small smile and nod. "And the entire floor is essentially under your control, Boss," he added before looking over at Jenny. "I think it's as good a compromise as we are going to get from certain individuals in the room." And yes there was a definite look thrown Cutter's way with that last bit.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester looked from Becker to Cutter and Connor and then at Jenny, who nodded, he sighed, "fine ... I'll let you move the beds closer together but the second Professor Cutter tries another idiotic stunt, I'll personally make sure your tied to the bed and won't be able to move for the rest of the time you're here, do I make myself clear?" he stared at Cutter. Cutter nodded, biting his lip as he kept his gaze firmly on the sheets, "I'll leave the bed moving to you Captain Becker? I trust you'll be able to make satisfactory arrangements that will satisfy all parties?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded and got to work, pulling Cutter's bed over closer to where the two sat and moved a few other things around. A few minutes later, he was done and was taking a minute to admire the work. The two beds were now basically in the middle of the room, with just enough space between them to fit one chair and to be able to move around between them as needed. The bedside tables were positioned on the other side of each bed. And the pull-out couch was moved to the other side of the room, close enough for anyone stopping by to sit and talk easily. "So, think this will work?" he asked, eyeing Cutter as he did. "Should be close enough you two can hold hands at the very least" he said with a soft, sympathetic smile. He could only imagine how hard this was for the two of them.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	"Well one way to find out," Jenny sighed as she began to reconnect all of Cutter's wires and hook him back up to the monitors and helping Cutter lie back down on the bed, so that he was more comfortable, "now promise me you'll stay in the bed this time please?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded as he laid back down in the bed, wincing slightly as he got in a more comfortable position, "I'll stay in the bed," he nodded quietly, looking up at her gratefully before glancing over at Connor, trying to stay as close to him as he could.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester sighed, folding his arms, "I'll believe it when I see it - I trust everything is now in order here?" he looked from Connor, to Cutter, to Jenny and Becker and then he looked at Becker, "next time Professor Cutter escapes, you have permission to shoot him,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Aye Sir" Becker said with a faint grin and nodded to Lester before turning back to Cutter and giving a quick wink. Yes, Cutter so deserved it, but Becker figured, considering the situation, probably best not to make Cutter think on how likely it was Lester wasn't joking with that. "I'll inform you immediately of any further foolishness," he said in all seriousness as he gave a nod to Lester and Jenny as they headed for the door. He was pretty sure he heard Lester mutter something about needing a stiff drink or something as the door closed behind them. Becker stayed in the room, positioned by the door, where he stood silently.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had been helped back into the bed as well, and he managed to shift as close to the edge of the best as he could so he could easily reach his arm out and rest his hand on the other bed. He tried to move so he could turn and look at Cutter more easily but that was proving difficult and painful to do, and he bit back a hiss of pain. Becker, observant and alert as ever, took note and without a word, he was over beside Connor. Carefully he helped get him somewhat side laying position, a couple of the extra pillows propped up behind him to help support his back and keep him as comfortable as possible. And with a soft thanks from Connor, he nodded and was back at his post by the door. For some time, Connor just lay there, staring over at Cutter. As he did he felt tears start to form in his eyes. He tried to push them back, but it was no use and a couple slid down his cheeks. "How... how could you do... something so stupid Nick?" he asked, his voice both angry and terrified, both hurt and disappointed.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stared down at his bandaged hands and feet, a lump forming in his throat as he tried to come up with an explanation, why he had done what he did, "I don't ... I can't ... I ..." His voice trailed off, "I ... I don't like being here, being reminded of what she did ... what she did to us ... I ... I want to go home," he blinked back tears of his own. It wasn't an excuse but he didn't now what else to say.
Connor(anomaly_researh_nerd)	"Damnit Nick," Connor said, closing his eyes for a minute before looking back over at the man he loved and the man he wanted to strangle just then. "I don't want to be here either... Id rather be home... with you... laying on the couch rather than in hospital beds... But that's not possible." Connor bit his lip against the pain as he shifted a little and reached his good hand out across that small gap between the, and brushed his fingers along Cutter's face. "I... I can't loose you Nick...I won't lose you again... especially not because you aren't thinking straight."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I'm sorry," Cutter started crying as Connor brushed his fingers against his face, "I ... I'm sorry," He wished he could hold Connor's hand but his hands were broken, heavily wrapped, "I ..." He sat there crying for a few moments, trying to form his thoughts, "I ... I ... I ... I love you, I ... I didn't ... I didn't mean to leave you, I ...I'm sorry," he said again, his thoughts were too jumbled up to form coherent sentences.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked at Cutter and felt like his heart was going to break. He lay there for a moment, gently stroking his face before lowering his hand. Connor took a deep breath and then started to push himself up from the bed. The hardest part of moving with the damn brace was getting off his back. Being on his side he hoped it would be easier.... It was a little but he still had to bite back a cry of pain at the movement. He heard Becker move from the door as he got himself up into a sitting position. "Connor.. you're not..." Becker started as he walked over towards the beds. "Becker, either you can help me... or... you can stand there and watch..." Connor said as he tried to catch his breath. He didn't care the lectures or the yelling... He was getting over there to Nick. He'd be the one taking the fallout, and he was fine with that. Becker stared for a minute then sighed. Lester would have his head, but it was better to be an enabler than to have Connor go and hurt himself too right? With a sigh but a soft grin barely noticeable tugging at the corner of his mouth, Becker went over and helped Connor make the small shift from his bed to Cutter's. "I'm here Nick... I'm right... here" he said softly as he gently picked up one of Cutter's heavily bandaged hands with his good one and kissed it softly, then did the same with the other.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter blinked as Becker helped Connor move to his bed and Connor was soon beside him, his good hand on his bandaged one. He closed his eyes as Connor held his hands and kissed them, how much he had missed being near Connor, “I’m so sorry,” he sobbed repeatedly as he leaned as close to Connor as he could, not wanting to be apart from him again. "I'm so sorry," it was the only thing he could say.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	For a while, Connor just sat there, holding on the best as he could. Eventually, he took a slow deep breath an kissed the top of Cutter's head the best the could. "I forgive you Nick... I love you... so much" he whispered. A short time later, with a little more help from Becker, Connor and Cutter lay in the one bed finally together. Becker got Connor as comfortable as he could one his back again, Cutter curled up against him as close as he could between the multiple wires and leads attached to both of them. Becker was back at his position by the door, watching silently, guarding the room as he watch the two fall asleep.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Despite how much pain he was in, hearing Connor say those words ... that he forgave him and he loved him ... he relaxed, as he curled up beside Connor and began to slowly fall asleep. "I love you too Connor," Cutter whispered softly before sleep finally overcame him again.
Becker(thearcfamily)	It was several hours before Becker was expecting anyone to come through the door. The nurses had just made their rounds and Lester wasn't due back till that evening for the night shift routine. So that just left Jenny... and Becker couldn't deny there was a slight tremble of fear at the thought of how Jenny would react when she walked in and saw what had happened. But it was probably still gonna be better than trying to explain it to Lester...Maybe... probably... Becker looked at his watch and took a deep breath. Jenny was due back any time now.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	And right on cue Jenny came back with two very large cups of coffee, which she offered one of them to Becker, since she had a feeling he would need a strong cup of coffee. She then tilted her head over at the beds, intending to ask how Cutter and Connor were ...when she stopped, her eyebrow raised as she took a sip of coffee and then looked at Becker, "Connor got out of bed this time," she said simply, since she could tell that Cutter was in still in his original bed, that Connor had gotten in to be with Cutter. "you helped him," It wasn't a question - she honestly didn't blame him, she knew how much Cutter and Connor needed to be together right then, that it was the best thing for them.
Becker(thearcfamily)	He took the offered coffee gratefully and watched Jenny close, trying to gauge her reaction. He knew her the least well out of the team really. "Figured it was better to help him get there safely than risk him hurting himself in the process," Becker said with a small sigh because Lester really was not paying him enough to be dealing with these two. "And it does seem to be helping" he added as he lifted the coffee and pointed towards the various monitors and then took a sip of the coffee. "Some of the best readings I've seen since we got here...and I don't think they have hardly moved since they both drifted off about..." Becker checked his watch again, "nearly two hours ago."
Jenny(thearcfamily)	"That's ... that's good, that's something at least," Jenny sighed, "I don't know how James will take this but if it stops Nick from trying to get out of bed and making another escape attempt, I'll see if I can keep them in the same bed," She took another sip of coffee, "they need each other, just as much as they need all of us to get through this," said softly.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"It's an unusual situation so... unorthodox solutions are probably going to end up being the best honestly." And coming from Becker of all people, that was saying something. "Those two really are something aren't they?" he asked, his eyes going back to the two figures in the bed. "I mean I have had brave and stubborn men under my command many times, but I think those two have a level of stubborn bravery that borders on the insane. Odd enough to find one, but two, and to be as close as they are? I bet there's quite a story there."
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“I’ll try and see if I can convince James of that, he really is a stickler for rules … even as unorthodox as our operation is,” Jenny said softly as she held onto her cup of coffee. Then she paused as she considered his last statement, “you don’t know the half of it … when Nick told me there was another Connor at Fandom I didn’t believe it, even when the two Connor’s were at his class trip to the ARC, it still took a while to get used to the two Connor’s but I’m glad they found each other … Connor …. He’s been good for Nick, the changes I’ve seen in him since they’ve been together, I can’t even recognise it’s the same Nick I met a year ago,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	OK yeah, the who two Connor's thing was still a bit much. Becker was just gonna have to file that away for when he had the brain power to dedicate to that. "They're already survived more than most would that's for sure. Whatever it is they have, it's definitely unique. Don't think I have ever seen commitment quite like it before." Becker glanced over at Jenny and then back to the bed. "And I can tell how much they mean to the team."
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“They’re extremely important, they’re family,” Jenny said confidently, “we look out for each other,” she said softly, “and Nick’s been through so much with Helen and with Stephen …” her voice broke at the mention of his name, she had had a sinking feeling that Stephen was dead but when James had confirmed it, it had still been a shock, “and Connor …” She closed her eyes, fearful all of a sudden, she had tried so hard to look out for Nick, running interference so that she could protect him from meeting the fate that he was supposed to in Connor’s timeline, when her Connor had told her what was supposed to happen, “they’ve both been through so much,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"They're lucky to have a team like this behind them" Becker said, putting a hand on Jenny's shoulder briefly. "And I promise I will do everything in power to keep them safe." Becker gave Jenny a small reassuring smile as he looked back over at the bed, finding himself a bit surprised at how quickly he was breaking his normal protocol of Don't Get Attached! There was something about them... about this team... about what they had. And Becker found himself quietly marveling at it. "So long-term plans are still fuzzy... we have anything to focus on the short term for them, or still basically in a hurry up and wait holding pattern?"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded softly at that, trying to keep calm but she could feel her eyes brimming with tears and she blinked them back quickly, she had to stay focused here, “thank you … it’s … we’ve never had anything like this happen before …it’s … the last week ….” she closed her eyes to steady herself before she opened them again, “I read your file Captain Becker … it’s impressive, I know you’ll do your job well, you’ll be a good fit for the team,” she nodded. Then she considered his question, “I think it’s too up in the air at the moment,” she admitted, “I’ve been talking to the specialists, the only thing they’re certain about is that it’s going to be a lot of physiotherapy and a lot of therapy for both of them,” she sighed, “which …Nick Cutter talking about his feelings, good luck with that one,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"I'll protect them both with my life," he said which, yes, was standard response for any guard or protect order. But Becker realized that, already, he was starting to actually mean it, even beyond the basic job requirements. "And it will be a hard road for them. I've seen the fallout from trauma before..." Because you didn't spend years in special forces and not see the effect of it in every terrible detail more times than anyone should. "But support will be key. And I think it is safe to say they have the best support team in the country. Even without me and my men. "
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded, biting her lip as she stared down at her coffee, “I … I can’t imagine my life without either one, if I lost them …” she hesitated, “and … I … I don’t know if the future can be changed, if something’s always meant to happen,” she said softly, she wasn’t sure why she was telling Becker this, she barely knew the man … and yet, she knew he could be trusted, “or if we only delay the inevitable,” she looked over at Nick and Connor on the hospital bed, Nick curled up by Connor. She trembled. “When I took this job I had no idea what it would involve … I’m a PR Agent … I lie for a living, I’m used to putting out a good cover story and walking away, I don’t see the personal fallout, I can compartmentalise it and move on with my life but this … this is something I’m not prepared to deal with,” “I mean here I am and I can’t lie to Nick and Connor, I can’t say that everything’s going to be okay because I know it won’t be,” she let out a sob. “They’re going to be in for a long recovery, it could take years to undo the damage that Helen has done to them and I don’t know if I can be the person they need me to be," That ended up all coming out in a rush and she blinked a bit, “I’m - I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to burden you with all that, I know you have enough on your plate as it is Captain Becker,” she wiped the tears that she had realised had fallen down her cheeks.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker just gave a small nod and smile. He knew better than to make a big deal of it and harp on that side of things. Instead, he gave Jenny a reassuring smile. "It's been my experience at least, that those who are the most worried about if they will be 'good enough' for someone usually are the best people. The more you care the more self-doubt and pressure you put on yourself." Becker looked over to the sleeping figures in the bed. "And from what I have seen in the short time I have been here, is that those two have the fight to get through this, and this team," he added as he looked back to Jenny, "has what it takes to get them through this."
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded, taking comfort in that as she also looked over at Nick and Connor asleep on the bed, “if anyone can get through this they can,” she said quietly, “if they’re together, they’ll have a better chance of getting through this,” she took a sip of her coffee, “I … I’m going to see if they can start having their recovery sessions done together, they’re going to be starting up shortly … it’s … it’s going to be difficult for them as it is … they have enough separation anxiety to cope with, I think we need to let them be together … I’ll talk to James when he comes in,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"They definitely seem to do better when they can be together, that much is clear. And if anyone has any doubts all they have to do is look at that," he said with a nod towards the bed, "compared to what is was earlier. Lester might resist at first, but I don't think he is an ignorant man. It's hard to argue against the benefits." Becker considered the two in the bed and then looked over to Jenny and gave her a small smile. "Let's get off our feet for a bit?" he said with a nod towards the couch as he started walking over and sat down. "I know I am the new guy around here and it's not really my place as the glorified bouncer," he added with a small smirk, trying to get Jenny to at least smile a little. "But if you need... if you want... I can talk to Lester with you. Give you some backup," he added.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny did manage a tiny smile at that, “you’re more than a glorified bouncer Captain Becker, we can’t do all of this without you, I value your input,” she said gently as she took a seat on the couch, glad to have a little rest. “We’re a bit short staffed at the moment,” Jenny sighed, “and we have to keep the ARC running as well, the anomalies aren’t just going to stop …I don’t know if there’s back up to spare but I appreciate the offer,” she told him gently.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Well, Lester brought me in to help wherever during all this. And I'm sure if a former PR Agent can make the shift, then former special ops can too" Becker said before taking a drink the coffee he was definitely thankful for just then. "I have to admit... this wasn't at all what I was expecting. Even after meeting with Lester... I don't think anything could have prepared me for this." Did he mean the whole anomalies and time travel thing? Or the dinosaurs and future predators bit? Or the fact this rag-tag team was quickly growing on him? Becker wasn't even entirely sure himself if he was being perfectly honest. "Lester bring you in for strictly PR then? Everything else just followed?"
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“I was originally just PR, I guess they thought it would be more beneficial if I was more rounded in the field …I mean I did use to shoot clay pigeons for sport so I kind of had some weapons training already…it wasn’t that hard to learn how to shoot a tranq gun,” she paused, “it wasn’t quite what I thought I’d be doing when I was first hired either that was for sure and then my first time in the field I had to deal with giant worms,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Giant worms?" Becker said with a slight eyebrow raise as he looked at Jenny. "I think that might actually beat my run-in with a giant anaconda on one of my first missions with the spec ops. It was.... a less than pleasant experience... I will say that much." Becker gave a small dry laugh. "Kinda hard to resort to the whole 'shoot it till it stops moving' approach when what you are shooting is wrapped around you, trying to crush you like a soda can."
Jenny(thearcfamily)	“I can see how that would be difficult yes,” Jenny said with a small smile, “and no offence I think I’ll take the giant worms over a giant anaconda,” she shivered at the idea of encountering a giant anaconda. “No one told me about the worms so half the stuff I was making up as I went along - that was when I knew just how stubborn Nick Cutter could really be,” she sighed.
Becker(thearcfamily)	“A stubborn streak is a double edge sword in a case like this" Becker said, speaking as one stubborn individual himself. "It will keep them going longer than most, which will be critical to their recovery, but can also be a challenge when they decide they don't want to do something and dig their heels in." Becker looked over at the two still asleep as he continued. "They are going to be going through a lot. But I am confident they will make it in the end. If I managed to get through it, I know they can too."
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded, she had seen Captain Becker’s file and knew what he had been through and that he had a personal insight to what Nick and Connor were currently going through, “they will Captain, I know they will push through…they won’t let Helen win,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"None of us will let Helen win. You have my word on that from me" Becker said with a nod, still finding it a bit amazing how quickly he was starting to see Cutter and Connor as more than just his charges.
Jenny(thearcfamily)	Jenny nodded, "I believe you Captain," she said gently, "you're a good man and I know you're going to do right by this team, you've already done so much for us, I know that with you, we can stop Helen, make sure she's punished for what she's done to Nick and Connor,"