A Safehouse - London

[itsananomaly]

A few days after the party, Cutter was starting to get rather restless from being cooped up in the safe house for so long, so he was rather relieved when Becker and Danny assigned him and Connor to go and collect more firewood for the fire. "I'm actually rather glad we got this assignment," he admitted to Connor as they walked towards the shed, "I think I needed to get outside for a bit," he said. [adapted in parts from Series 3 Episode 6 'For the Birds'. Preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah, perfect timing. I was starting to wear a hole in the floor I was getting so restless" Connor said with a grin. "Think Becker was tired of trying to keep me occupied, so this is definitely much better."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter returned the grin, "I think I was about the same, especially since we've gone over every experiment we can think of with the artefact at least twice, I was starting to run out of things that we could actually do in the house,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It will be good to get out, stretch our legs, get some fresh air, and get some time to ourselves." Connor looked over his shoulder at Cutter and grinned as he opened the door to the shed and stepped in. They didn't need much, he grabbed something they could load the firewood onto to make it a little easier to carry and he grabbed a small hatchet that was hanging on the wall. "Just in case we need to chop any branches or what not" he said. "I should be fine with that" eh said softly, knowing Cutter's hands were still giving him some trouble, though they were a lot better than they had been... he just didn't want to call attention to it and make Cutter feel any worse than his might already.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter's smile widened at the idea of being able to spend some time alone with Connor, "I do like the sound of that," a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. And then he nodded as Connor grabbed a small hatchet, he was grateful for Connor for not calling out his hands but he felt bad that Connor was going to be left with most of the heavy lifting, "if you're sure," he said quietly, "I can take over for a little bit if it gets too much for you?" he offered, he thought he might be okay for a little while chopping wood but not for too long.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Sure thing, will do" Connor said with a nod. "So i was thinking we could say pretty close to the house... don't wanna wander too far away just yet." He pulled out a tarp he had found and started to lay it out on the ground outside the shed. " We can check the area around here and just put whatever we fund here on the tarp. Then we can figure out how to get it back to the house or tell Danny where it is and he can help us get it back?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I think that might be best," Cutter nodded, “I know when Danny and I collected some wood the other day for the party it was a lot of work, I think staying close to the house is a good idea," he tilted his head thoughtfully as he considered their options, "I think telling Danny might be our best option, especially if we end up getting quite a bit of wood, I know we don't need much but it's definitely helpful to have some extra just in case," he considered.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Alright, let's get to it" Connor said with a nod as he stood up from getting the tarp laid out and ready. "Let's start over here.... looks like there some good branches that have fallen that we could probably chop up to start with."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "okay, I'll start picking up some of the branches, we can work our way up to some of the bigger logs if it turns out we need to use those as well?" he suggested.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Sounds like a plan, no need to exhaust ourselves with the bigger stuff if we don't need it" Connor said as he started picking up some of the branches. "I'm pretty sure there's still a good bit of other logs left, so the smaller pieces are more what we ned right now anyways.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter started working on picking up some of the other branches, "that's what I was thinking," he agreed, "if we can pace ourselves with the smaller branches, we may be able to get everything back ourselves and not need to take as many trips to the house,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Right, and it's more semi-practical busy work than anything at this point. Not like we are gonna freeze tonight if we don't get a huge load back." Connor gathered up an arm load of branches and took them to the tarp. Once he had dropped them off he picked up the canteen that was sitting on a stump nearby and took a drink then handed it to Cutter with a smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that as he dropped the pile of branches that he had picked up and added them to Connor's pile, "and it gets us our of the house as well, so the fact it's nothing to strenuous is a good thing as well," He gratefully took the canteen from Connor and took a long sip of it before he handed it back to Connor, "thank you," he smiled warmly at Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor grinned and grabbed up another arm load and dropped it off. then with a small sigh he sat down on a log nearby. "I need a quick breather," he said with a somewhat apologetic look.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was immediately concerned, "are you okay?" he said as he went to sit down beside him, "I can finish picking up the rest of the branches for you if you'd like?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I'm fine Nick" Connor said shaking his head. "Just... I think it's too much time we been sitting and not doing a lot. Out of shape" he said with a dry laugh. "I mean since the day we were cleaning out the office at uni with Becker we've been doing a lot of sitting around. I think it's just affected me more than I realized" Connor said sheepishly.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was still worried but he nodded, "it's also been a while since the physio therapy at the hospital as well," he admitted, "I know ... I know I didn't keep up with any of those exercises," he said sheepishly, "I should have done better at that,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I did for a bit but yeah... I definitely didn't do as much as I should and haven't done any in a while." He gave Cutter a soft smile. "I'll be fine Nick. Sit and rest a minute with me and we will start back in a bit?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Of course," Cutter said as he joined Connor on the log, "take as long as you need, I'll stay with you," he assured him, reaching out a hand and giving Connor's leg a gentle rub of reassurance.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Thanks Nick" Connor said with a small sigh. He hated when he felt like this and when he started to doubt whether he belonged out in the field at all still. "I... I'll be alright. Just still figuring what I can and cannot do. Ya know?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "I know ... it's ... I took my physical fitness for granted, I loved being able to wind surf and run and do all kinds of physical activities and now ... sometimes it's a struggle to go down a flight of stairs," he said softly, "especially with my hands being what they are," he stared down at his gloved hands, "I guess everyone told us it would take time to be able to recover, I just never thought it would take this long," he admitted.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah I know... it used to be second nature. Running, swimming, all that kind of stuff... used to be so easy and now.. walking around and bending for a half hour is still a challenge at times." Connor sighed and looked down at his hand which was still pretty much useless as far as fine motor skills went. "I mean, better than a few months ago of course, but still..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Sometimes I feel like things are never going to improve, especially with everything happening with Christine ...and the university," Cutter sighed, "I just ... I just hate feeling this helpless, being a burden on everyone..." he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You're not a burden to me Nick, never can be" Connor said as he slipped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him close. "But I understand that feeling... we'll get there. We have to keep going and working on this... together."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded as he leaned in close to Connor and rested his head on his shoulder, "together," he agreed softly, "I'm ... I'm glad that we've got each other and the team that we don't have to be alone," he said quietly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded as he held Cutter close. "I know I would not even be here right now if I had to go through all of this alone. Im glad we have the team. And I am glad I have you, Nick."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned against Connor, feeling comforted as Connor held him in his arms, "I'm glad I have you too Connor," he said softly, "and I'm so sorry that I pushed you away to begin with, that I tried to turn myself into Christine ... I know how much better we are together and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to realise that," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Hey we both have been idiots several times over with everything. We both were wrong and messed up" Connor said as he rubbed Cutter's back gently. "What matters is we are her now, together, in a better place. And I for one have no intention of going back..." Connor laid a hand over Cutter's. "I'm not going to let Helen or Christine win and drive a wedge between us again."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I don't want to go back either," Cutter said softly, "I'm always going to be with you Connor, I don't want us to be apart again, no matter what Helen and Christine try to do ... I'm not going to mess up like last time, I love you Connor," he said, leaning in closer as he said that.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"And I love you Nick," Connor replied as he tightened his hold slightly. "I will always be here. I will always choose you... us. I will always love you." Connor leaned in slightly and kissed the top of Cutter's head as he held him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter closed his eyes at that as he leaned in Connor's embrace, "I will always choose us too," he said softly, "and I will always love you Connor, I'm never leaving you either I promise," he vowed.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled at that and pulled back just enough to look at Cutter, the smile on his face growing as he leaned in and kissed him. There had been a lot to work through, a lot to figure out... a lot of hurt that had to heal. But they had come through it and Connor knew with more certainty than he ever had before, that he didn't want to be with anyone else. Everything he wanted, all he wanted, was to be with Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled up at Connor as Connor pulled back and then he leaned in to meet Connor's kiss, happily leaning in to kiss him. After everything they had been through, he had never thought that they would ever be able to do this and now, after being apart from Connor, he knew he never wanted to be without Connor again. He leaned in passionately to the kiss, not wanting this to end.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	It was nice, being with Nick... even something as simple as this. The little moments were just as special and important nad meaningful to Connor as anything else. And as he sat there kissing Cutter, all he could think about was how perfect it all seemed and how much he was enjoying this... he definitely did not want it to end.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	And Cutter leaned into that kiss hungrily, forgetting about everything around them ... all that mattered was being there with Connor and being able to have this moment with him. He let out a moan as he kept kissing Connor, he definitely didn't want this moment to end.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	The firewood could wait... it was more busy work than anything right? They were out of the house and out of Jenny's hair. They were fine to use the time for other things.... At least that was what Connor was telling himself. He kept the kiss going for as long as he could until he finally had to stop to catch his breath. Leaning his head against Cutter's he chuckled softly, a smile on his face. "As nice as my last camping trip was at the cabin.... I much prefer this" he said as he kissed Cutter's forehead.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Yes the firewood could wait, it wasn’t going to be a cause for immediate concern if they were a little delayed in bringing back the firewood. Hopefully no one would organise a search party for them. Cutter smiled shyly at that, “I prefer this as well,” he agreed happily, as he leaned against Connor as he kissed his forward, “I love you so much Connor,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Love you Nick..." Connor leaned in close and held Cutter close. "All I want, all I need, is right here" Conner said as he took one of Cutter's hands in his, gave it a gentle squeeze and then kissed it. "All i want or need is you."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“You’re all I want or need to,” Cutter said happily as he leaned in close to Connor, smiling warmly as Connor kissed his hand, “you make me so happy Connor,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor closed his eyes as he held Cutter close. He took a slow deep breath, trying to push back the waves of fear that were washing over him just then. The realization of how many times he had almost lost Nick... how close he had come to losing the man he loved... to being alone. And while he was thankful he and Nick were there now, together, and as safe as they could be... one fear was still weighing heavy on his mind. The image of Nick... his original Nick... from his own timeline... the image of him, dying in his arms, the memory of Nick's body laying on the ground... and the vision that still haunted his nightmares to this day as he relived Nick's funeral... it all came flooding back to him just then. And as he blinked back silent tears, Connor held Cutter close, scared to let him go at that moment.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	And Cutter kept hugging Connor for as long as he needed, he didn't know anything that Connor was feeling right then but he knew that Connor needed comfort and support and that was what he was going to give him. "I'm here for you Connor," he said softly as he hugged him tightly, "I'm always here for you,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was thankful for the hug and support then and he clung to Cutter until he trusted himself to not break down. He still didn't know if it was right keeping this from Cutter but he also didn't know if the risk of telling him and messing things up even more with the timelines was worse. All he knew was he was going to always keep fighting to save Cutter this time, no matter what it took. "Thank you Nick" he said softly when he finally loosened his hold and let go. "S-sorry.. guess I'm just still tired. Got me a little off I guess."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"You're welcome Connor," Cutter said softly as Connor let go, "it's been a long few days, actually it's been a long several months," he admitted, "I think it's okay if we're still feeling tired," he added with a small smile.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor took a slow breath and nodded. "Yeah. We'll get through this. We've made it through everything so far. We'll make it through this too."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"We have," Cutter nodded, "we're safe out here, the team are looking out for us and we have support, we just have to hide out from Christine a little longer til we figure out how we're going to get out of this," he said softly, "I just hope the others back at the ARC are okay, that Christine hasn't taken everything out on Abby and Connor and James, I know James can take care of himself but I'm worried about Abby and Connor," he admitted.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah... I'm worried about them too. If we could just hear something. Anything. It would help" Connor said with a sigh. "Hopefully soon we hear something."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Hopefully Jenny will have some luck reaching them on one of the channels and can find out how everyone is," Cutter said softly, "even if it isn't for very long, it would be better than not hearing anything,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded and leaned against Cutter, not knowing what to do but just wanting to be with Cutter, however he could for as long as he could.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	And Cutter sat there for as long as Connor wanted, wanting him to know that he was there and he wanted to do what he could, he leaned in close and wrapped his arm around Connor to give him that support.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Thank you Nick" Connor said when he finally pulled back, giving Cutter another small hug before he sniffed trying to get his emotions under control. "What do you say we finish up the firewood hunt?" he said with a small smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"You're welcome Connor," Cutter said softly as he returned the small hug, "I think that's probably a good idea, Jenny might start sending out a search party for us if we're gone too long," he said with a small smile of his own.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor let out a small laugh at that and nodded as he stood. "We got a decent start. So I don't think we'll be in too much trouble with Danny and Jenny" he said with a sly grin.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that as he stood up as well, "that's true, we've got quite a bit of wood already, we can gather up some more of the smaller pieces and then Jenny and Danny should be satisfied with the amount we managed to get,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded and started gathering up some more of the branches. "Thank you Nick" he said simply and he gave Cutter a smile and started looking around for some more wood for them to top off their load with... before Jenny or Danny DID send a search party out to find them.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"You're welcome Connor," Cutter smiled warmly as he began to pick up some more of the smaller branches that he could add to the pile they had had collected earlier.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We got a good team here that's for sure" Connor said with a nod as he finished loading up some of the branches. "We're going to be ok, aren't we?" Connor asked with a hopeful grin.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"We do have a good team, we'd be lost without Jenny handling everything," Cutter smiled as he added one more pile of branches that he had collected, "and we're going to be okay, I think after everything we've been through, we're going to be okay," he said confidently.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye we are going to be fine" Connor smiled and gathered up the ends of the tarp and stood, reaching out and taking Cutter's hand in his. "Shall we?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he took hold of Connor's hand, "let's go," he nodded and even though everything was so uncertain right then, he knew right then that as long as he was with Connor and with the team then everything was going to be fine.