The ARC - London

[itsananomaly]

It had been a very long few days and now their latest mission was over and that meant there was a lot of paperwork to fill in and reports to write so Cutter was settling in for a long night ahead since his report to Lester was due in the morning. He’d made a large cup of coffee for him and Connor and looked over on the couch where Connor was looking through the data reports and writing his own report. “I’ll never get used to the amount of paperwork we always have to do after these missions,” he sighed. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. The final part, adapted from Series 3 episode 2 'Haunted House'. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor set the pile of papers he had been looking through down and picked up the coffee and took a long slow drink before nodding. "And this is nothing compared to what Lester and Jenny have to do with the press cover-ups and PR stunts! Sure glad it's them and not me, I can say that for sure!" Connor glanced at the clock on the wall. "Becker should be on site now. Lester said he was leaving a this normal time but wanted to make sure Becker was here before he did."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I definitely don't envy their jobs," Cutter said with a smile as he took a sip of his coffee, "I saw Jenny earlier with the real estate agent, it looked like she had her hands full trying to get him to sign the house over," He nodded, "did Lester say if there had been any changes with the anomaly?" he asked as he went back to his desk, placing the coffee cup down as he sat down.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Anomaly seems unchanged. None of the devices we left there with Becker and his men have given any indication of something changing," Connor said as he finished filling out one of the papers and set it aside. "Still just waiting for it to close, and then we can just monitor it like normal with the HUD and any other anomaly opening we detect."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"At least that's something," Cutter sighed as he tried to get comfortable in his chair, stretching his arms out as he tried to focus enough to write his reports. "I really don't like the idea of that anomaly being open still, even though the site's secure and Becker's made sure it's constantly guarded," he said softly, "even though I suppose that's going to be our risk moving forward when we can predict when an anomaly will happen,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah, just all the more reason we need that anomaly-locking device done..." Connor shook his head, trying not to think about that too much and stood. After a small stretch of his own and a glance over at Cutter, he walked over and stood behind Cutter for a moment. With a slight hesitation, Connor lifted his hands and started to gently rub Cutter’s shoulders, much like he used to back home, back in his version of everything, during long nights after a mission. "This... this ok Nick?" he asked wanting to make sure it wasn't making him feel uncomfortable or anything.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Mmmm..." Cutter was distracted a moment as he'd forgotten just how nice Connor's shoulder rubs were and he blinked a bit, "this is wonderful Connor thank you," He smiled warmly as he took a moment to just be able to enjoy this moment, glad that things had gotten comfortable enough between them that they could have moments like this as friends, "I definitely needed this,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled, letting out the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding just then.It had taken a while and a lot of effort on both their parts, but he was glad things were better now, that they could be friends and enjoy being just that- friend- without all the awkwardness that there had been before. "Yes, yes you definitely do need this" he said with a laugh. "Your shoulders are hard as rocks Nick" he said as he tried to work out some of the most obvious knots and tight spots.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I guess I've been a bit more tense than I realised," Cutter admitted, "between everything with Christine, the press and now Quinn ..." he sighed as he relaxed a bit more as Connor worked on his shoulders, "I just let everything build up ...I guess I forgot how to relax in between all of that,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Understandable" Connor said as he worked on a particularly stubborn spot. "It's been a lot for all of us. I know things got so hectic with the press and all that I didn't even have time to go to my normal sessions with Dr. Jones. We had to do video visits for a time. Which actually was probably for the best, considering how bad the press was stalking us every time we left the ARC."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"It was like that for me and Dr. Taylor," Cutter nodded, as he let out a soft moan as Connor worked on that one stubborn spot in his shoulder. he shivered at the memories of how bad the media had been,"I suppose now that things have settled down, I should see about going to another face to face appointment with him," he paused, "and we never did finish packing up my office at the university, I should really look into getting the last of my stuff from there," especially since that had been in the very early days of the media attention and they'd been lucky to get out without causing a riot.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Maybe we can get a day or two off from Lester, and we can get over there and get the rest of it all packed up and shipped to Fandom for you" Connor said as the rubbing slowed and then eventually stopped. Doing it one-handed unfortunately meant he couldn't do it for as long as he used to. "Did that help some?" he asked.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled softly as Connor finished, "that was amazing and it definitely helped thank you Connor," he said warmly as he considered his options, "actually that doesn't sound too bad, we did get most of it packed up before we got ambushed by the media, so it shouldn't take too long to finish packing it up and shipped to Fandom, I'll ask Lester tomorrow when I hand my report in to him,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Let me know what he says and I'm sure I can find the time to come lend a hand. One hand, literally" he said with a small somewhat forced laugh as he held up his good hand. He was still working on the whole processing things a bit and trying to not default to his standard response of making a joke about things that were awkward or painful. And the fact that he'd likely, despite the doctor's best efforts, never have full use of his hand again.. it was still something he was dealing with. Among other things. It was a process. He was working on it- slowly. "But I'm sure with Becker's help, cuz I am pretty sure he's not going to let us go alone just yet, we shouldn't have any trouble with getting it all finished up" he added with a smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave a tiny smile at that, understanding what Connor was trying to do, he glanced down at his own gloved hands before looking back up at Connor, "I know I wouldn't have gotten as far without all the help you guys have given me with packing up my office already," he said softly, "and after everything that's happened with Quinn, I'm pretty sure Becker's never going to let us out of his sight until we're back in Fandom," he added.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Connor smiled at that as he grabbed the empty coffee mugs and headed for the coffee pot to fill them up again. There was still a LOT of paperwork to work through. He was just about to make a comment about Becker when there was a small knock on the door and then it opened. Becker walked in, a tray of drinks in one hand and several to-go boxes balanced in the other. "Figured you guys could use some late-night fuel" he said with a grin as he headed toward the table.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Right on cue Cutter's stomach started rumbling loudly, "oh this looks amazing Becker, thank you," he said, "we definitely need something to keep us going, we're going to be here awhile, I don't think I'm even half way through all the reports," he nodded at the stack of papers he still had to go through on his desk.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker gave a sympathetic and understanding nod. He had been there more times than he wanted to remember. "Well, I decided to change it up a bit and got some good ole pub and bar food from my fave place across town. Nothing like pub food for a late work night eh? Got a little of everything so hopefully there's plenty here to your liking. And if not, I am sure I will manage to find someone who will eat it" Becker said with a grin knowing good and well it was gladly him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he got up and went over to the table before selecting a hamburger with the lot and a beer, “I think between the three of us we should be right to finish this, thank you Becker it’s definitely needed,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You are a lifesaver Becker" Connor said as he picked up a burger and some of the chips and wings. "Definitely good fuel for a late night of annoying paperwork!" "And the drinks are definitely a nice touch too" he added with a life of the beer bottle he had chosen.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he decided to have a break from his desk chair and sit on the floor, he took a bite of his burger, “oh this is incredible,” he looked a little sheepish, “I forgot to eat again today,” At this point Cutter was going to have to put a reminder in his phone so that he would remember to eat.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor followed suit and sat down next to Cutter on the floor, balancing his plate on his leg as he started to eat. "I nearly forgot myself" Connor admitted sheepishly as he started in on the wings. "Guess brain is too full and fried anymore to remember a lot of things."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as Connor joined him on the floor, he took another bite of his burger and a swig of his beer, “honestly if Becker didn’t bring us food, I think we would be lucky to eat at all,” he admitted as he looked up at Becker with a sheepish grin.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I should probably start trying to get better at it. I'm sure Becker doesn't want to keep spending money on feeding us." Connor looked over at Becker and raised the beer bottle with a grin, "Not that it is not appreciated and all!" Becker smiled as he settled down on the floor across from them, his own plate full of terribly fitting fried food. "Any time. Someone has to make sure you two keep going."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Maybe we can start a food fund or something and that way Becker won't have to keep spending his money on us," Cutter said with a grin, "but thanks again Becker, we would definitely be lost with out you," he took another mouthful of his burger.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Don't tempt me" Becker said with a teasing grin. "And not to be one to mix work and fun, hows the research going? Any progress on understanding these anomalies, and especially that one opened to a future time?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"The research is proving quite interesting," Cutter nodded, as he took another bite of his burger and glanced over at Connor, "we haven't been able to correlate the data just yet about why this particular future anomaly keeps opening but at least I think it should be enough so that Connor ... uh my Connor," he corrected sheepishly, "can work on his anomaly locking device," he said thoughtfully.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Ah so that's what he's been working on lately huh?" Becker asked around a crisp as he thought about that a minute. "So... this might seem a little odd but, how... how exactly does this whole two Connor's thing work? I mean Im not sci-fi genius but isn't the whole meeting yourself supposed to be a no-no for the time continuum and all that?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "apparently he's quite close to getting a prototype working, I've been meaning to stop by the lab and see how it's going but well with everything ... just haven't quite made it there yet," he admitted. He tilted his head thoughtfully as he considered Becker's question, he glanced at Connor, "I'm not quite sure I'm actually the best person to explain it ... quantum mechanics isn't really my field of expertise," he admitted, "but I think because the two Connor's are from different universes and not the same timeline ... I think that's why they're able to interact with each other and not have any dire consequences?" he had at least seen meta for Back to the Future and knew that much.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded slowly. "That... makes sense... I mean it seems logical" Becker said, not at all really understanding it. "Things are not like on the TV shows and movies are they?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled, “they’re usually very different, I mean half the time I still can’t quite believe my life involves chasing after dinosaurs and creatures and anomalies, it’s something you’d expect out of a TV show or movie,”
Becker(thearcfamily)	"I second that feeling" Becker said with a knowing smirk as he lifted his beer bottle to Cutter and Connor. "This job definitely is one of a kind and keeps you on your toes doesn't it?" Because all of this- dinos, creatures, anomalies, time hopping... it was so not what he had been expecting when Lester first approached him about a security position.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he raised his own beer, “I definitely never thought my life would turn out like this two years ago, it’s definitely a unique job I can’t imagine ever doing anything else now,” he admitted, his feelings about being back in the field aside he did love his job at the ARC.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Agree there 100 precent" Connor said, toasting with his own beer. "Never thought things would go the way they did but really, I can't see myself doing anything else. Even with Uni classes and Fandom and all- the ARC and all this will always be a part of what I do. All of this, and all fo you" Connor added with a smile at Becker and at Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that, taking a moment to enjoy just how nice this was sitting in the floor and talking and eating, “same here,” he replied and meant it, even if and Connor never got back together now he couldn’t imagine his life without Connor or Becker, “knowing both of you has made me a better person, the team …everyone, even though I may live in Fandom more than I do in London, I will always want to be a part of the ARC in some way,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It's amazing isn't it how much has happened?" Connor asked, hand reaching up to fiddle with the dog tag around his neck. "Can't imagine doing anything other than what we are now in some shape or form". Becker smiled at them both knowingly. "You both will always be a part of the team, regardless of where you are or what you end up doing." Becker gave a small nod toward the dog tag Connor wore. "As long as you want it you have it "
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled, feeling the dog chains he wore around his neck, “thank you Becker, that means a lot I know I was feeling like I’d come back to the field too soon …part of me still does but knowing I still have a place here with you guys, it definitely helps,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye, good to know that after all this time, Lester hasn't fired us yet and the team hasn't gotten tired of us! Don't think you will ever be able to get rid of us now!" Connor said with a laugh. "And I don't think we will ever want to" Becker said with a reassuring smile of his own.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that, "well I think it's safe to say we're in here for the long haul, I know I've definitely given James plenty of cause to fire me ..." he paused, "actually he did for a brief time," he said sheepishly as thought back to that disastrous day that had nearly gotten Abby killed, "but I know I can still give the team so much help,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Pretty sure the thought has crossed Lester's mind several times with me" Connor said sheepishly. "I think we all have tempted fate in that regard more than once" Becker said, knowing good and well his times were more self-inflicted but still... "To Lester" he said, lifting his nearly empty beer bottle in a toast. "The man who willingly chooses to be stuck with us!" "To good ole Lester!" Connor agreed with a lift of his own bottle.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"To Lester," Cutter echoed the toast as he raised his bottle and took a swig of his beer, he smiled as he settled in to enjoy the rest of his food and spend more time with Connor and Becker before they had to go back to finishing their reports, it was going to be a long night but moments like this made it all the more worthwhile.