The ARC - Saturday, London

[itsananomaly]

It was the first time that Connor and Cutter had been back home since their house arrest had started and it was a special trip home since they were going to be finally ending their house arrest and getting their ankle monitors removed and celebrating their first night of freedom. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Ya know, I am looking forward to our trip but damn, getting this monitor off is the best graduation present I think I could get!" Connor said with a small laugh as he and Cutter headed for Lester's office.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Its a pretty hard gift to top," Cutter agreed with a smile as they made their way to the office, "even though I do hope you like my graduation present and not just the dig we're going on," he added.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know I will Nick" Connor grinned as he leaned over and placed a quick kiss on Cutter's cheek. "I cant wait to go on the dig! It is going to be amazing having two weeks with you doing something so incredible. And..." he smirked a little. "I am sure your gift will be amazing.I can hardly wait!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"It will be the perfect way to celebrate your graduation and the end of our house arrest," Cutter declared with a smile, "I think after everything we deserve this,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We definitely deserve this! Though I am still finding it hard to believe I actually did it... I’m nearly about to graduate! I’ll have my degree and I can start teaching if I want now!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"You've done it all," Cutter smiled, "I'm so proud of you Connor, you worked so hard to get this degree, we will go out to a nice restaurant to celebrate more officially, once our monitors are off of course," he added.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Sounds perfect" Connor grinned and then stopped as they came to Lester's office. "Are we ready to do this then?" he asked as he knocked and opened the door when he heard Lester call to them.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Ready," Cutter agreed, "I'll be so glad to see the last of these ankle monitors that's for sure," he added as they entered the office, "it will be nice to be able to go where we want to without worrying about breaching curfew,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know, reminded me a bit too much of being a high schooler again and dealing with mum's insane curfew and rules" Connor said with a small chuckle as they walked in. "Hey Lester, good to see you Sir" he said with a broad grin as they walked in and closed the door behind them.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Professor Cutter and Mr. Temple," Lester smiled as they walked into his office, "its good to see you in person and not in a video chat," he said as he motioned for them to take a seat, "Please sit down," Cutter smiled as he sat down at the chair, "its good to see you as well Sir," he said, "its really good to be back,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had to resist the urge to hug Lester when finally saw him but instead, he sat down beside Cutter. "Nothing quite the same as real Facetime," he said with a broad smile. "Hows the rest of the team doing?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Everyone has been going well, they're all pleased that this is almost behind us and we're all looking forward to celebrating your graduation Mr. Temple," Lester smiled, "as am I of course," Cutter smiled, "I'm glad to," he said, "it will be good for things to start going back to normal," he paused, "at least as normal as things ever get around here," he added.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded. "So when these things come off can I bash mine in with a hammer? Or do they have to get sent back to Christine in once piece?" What, he thought it would be a fitting message to send to her to send back smashed ankle monitors now that they were done with this whole mess...
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester smiled at that, "you know Ms. Johnson never specified what state they had to be returned in," he said, eyes twinkling, "I think we could send a nice pointed message to Ms. Johnson," Cutter grinned at that, "then I'd like to smash mine as well," he added, smiling over at Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Well then I say we get them nice and smashed up for her" Connor grinned at Cutter and Lester. "So, how does this work getting these things turned off and all?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I have a technician coming to remove the monitors," Lester told them, "they will be here any moment and then they'll be disconnected and you'll be free from house arrest, we'll sign the documents that say you satisfied the terms of house arrest, Mr. Temple yours will be sealed so no one will know that you had to serve house arrest, unfortunately Mr. Cutter, yours will be public," Cutter grimaced, "at least I no longer have to wear the ankle monitor, right?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded but the smile fell from his face as he heard about Cutter's files still being made public. He reached out and took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "I'm sure Jenny can find a way to downplay it. She’s the best PR person I've ever seen. She will figure out how to help us deal with it Nick, I am sure of it."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter returned that hand squeeze, feeling comforted by that hand squeeze, "I'm sure we can come up with something," he said softly, "we'll be fine," he said, trying to reassure himself just as much as Connor, "as long as we're together,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye, we will and nothing is gonna keep us apart" Connor added with a nod.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave a small smile at that, "that's very true," he said, "and we can even move around now together," he paused, "well once the ankle monitors come off," he added sheepishly. Lester looked at his watch, "the technician should be here any minute even though knowing Ms. Johnson she's deliberately held him up,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Wouldn't put it past her honestly" Connor agreed. "Gotta get one last jab in at us right here at the end of everything! I'm just glad it's almost over, we don't have to do this anymore and poor Becker won't have to deal with her and Wilder any more either!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester sighed, "unfortunately there's not much else we can do but wait until the technician decides to arrive but I know the sooner we don't have to deal with Ms. Johnson and Captain Wilder on a regular basis the better off it will be, I know Captain Becker is looking forward to not having to deal with all the reports," he added. Cutter shifted awkwardly as he stared down at the ankle monitor and then back at the door. He really wished it was over now, "I'm just glad that we didn't have to deal with Christine and Wilder ourselves, that would have made everything worse,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Oh I am not sure I would have survived having to see them, even on a video feed, several times a week after everything" Connor said with a small shiver. "I don't even think our friends on the island reaching out and supporting us like they did could have made that bearable!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "it definitely would have been worse," he said softly, trying not to imagine what that would have been like, "at least we were able to get through with the support of our friends both here and on the island and that we didn't have to deal with Christine and Wilder and hopefully after this we won't have to face them again," He knew the odds of that weren't great especially since he knew Christine was likely planning her revenge for them only have to serve house arrest and far away from her.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor reached over and put a hand on Cutter's shoulder then pulled him into a small hug. He knew how hard this all had been and he wanted Nick to know he was still there and that they would face whatever came together.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gratefully returned that hug, he knew that everything would be alright. He and Connor had gotten through the worst together and they had gotten through house arrest and now they were going to be free from Christine for a time. "I love you Connor," he said softly, knowing that Lester was watching them.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Love you too Nick, always" he whispered back before letting go slowly. He gave a smile and a small no to Cutter before glancing at Lester somewhat sheepishly, his face starting to go a little red.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter looked a little sheepishly at Lester as well once he had pulled back from Connor. Lester had tried to not pay attention but as luck would have it the buzzer on his desk rang and he went to answer it. He looked up at Cutter and Connor with a smile, "the technician's on his way up," he told them.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Good I cant wait to get this thing off" Connor said holding his leg out and giving his foot an annoying shake.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was definitely feeling relieved that the ankle monitor as almost off as well and it wasn't long at all before the technician arrived, rather breathlessly and a little annoyed that he had been held up with something so trivial. "Sorry for being late Mr. Lester," he said apologetically, "Ms. Johnson assured me that it couldn't wait, even though I don't know why she couldn't get somebody else to do it," Lester was just relieved to see the technician, "that's alright, Mr. Jones, I think we can get started right away and remove these ankle monitors finally,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor gave a sigh of relief when the technician finally arrived. He looked at Cutter and nodded. "You first Nick" he said with a small smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was not going to argue with that as the technician got set up and then began to work on the ankle monitor, it didn't take long at all and after a few minutes his ankle was free and it didn't have that heavy feeling anymore. "That feels a lot better," Cutter smiled as he looked at his free ankle.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor grinned broadly as he reached over and gave Cutter's hand a squeeze. The technician then moved over to him and in no time his monitor was disabled and removed as well. "Look at that ankle!" he said holding his leg out with a grin. "That is a nice looking ankle!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"It's the best looking ankle," Cutter agreed with a fond smile, "and we never have to worry about wearing them again," he added. Lester smiled as he saw the discarded ankle monitors, "all we have to do now is sign the official paperwork that house arrest has been completed satisfactorily and you will both be free,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Give me a pen and let me sign!" Connor exclaimed. "Hell, I'll sign it in blood at this point if I have to" he said. Was it obvious he was glad this was over?
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"That won't be necessary Mr. Temple," Lester smiled as he got out the forms, "a simple pen signature will be more than enough," he said and he got out the pen for them to sign. "You can go first Connor," Cutter smiled, knowing just how eager he was for all of this to be done.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor took the pen and signed his name, never feeling so thrilled to put his name to something in his entire life. "There we go! Your turn Nick"he said as he handed the pen over to Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled as he took the pen from Connor and gratefully signed the document that signalled their house arrest was over, "that feels really good, never thought I'd be so glad to sign a government document," he added.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye one of the best documents I’ve signed since the Official Secrets Act" Connor agreed. Just hopefully this one actually carried more weight than the OSA seemed to around there!
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester smiled at their reactions, "well everything is in order now, so I'll file these documents with the minister but you have both served your house arrest terms, you're free to go wherever you like now," Cutter smiled at Connor, "well I think a dinner at a fancy restaurant is a nice way to celebrate that new found freedom,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Oh you definitely read my mind there Nick!" Connor said as he stood, bouncing a little to convince himself this was real and the monitor was gone. He looked over at Lester and couldn't resist anymore. He walked over and gave Lester a hug. "Thank you Sir, for everything."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester was not expecting the hug as he returned the hug, "you're welcome Connor," he said dropping his usual formalities, "I'm glad this is over for both of you, I'm sorry that it happened in the first place," "Its not your fault James," Cutter said softly, "you did what you could and its because of you we ended up with the best deal we could under the circumstances,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled as he let go of Lester and nodded. "We'll be by to see the team soon" he promised. "I think Nick and I want to go have that nice dinner first though," he said with a grin over at Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Aye I think that nice dinner sounds really good," Cutter returned that grin at Connor. "Well since this is a special occasion, you two can use my card to pay for it," Lester said as he got out his credit card, "I trust we've learnt our lesson about what counts as a legitimate expense and to not max out the credit card because we can?" Cutter did manage to look sheepish at that, "thank you James," he said as he took the card.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor rubbed his head sheepishly at that, remembering their 'little' shopping adventure. He gave a lopsided grin to Lester and nodded. "Aye just dinner. Scouts honor!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Just dinner," Cutter agreed as he put away the credit card, "thanks again for everything James," he said, "we couldn't have gotten through this without your help,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Thanks" Connor said again as he helped Cutter stand and then started to lead him towards the door. It still felt so weird, not having that weight on his ankle anymore. But is was a good feeling all the same and Connor couldn't keep the grin off his face as they headed out.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled, "don't wait up for us James," he added with a grin as they headed for the door, it felt so weird walking without the ankle monitor, it was going to be good to be able to celebrate house arrest ending and Connor's upcoming graduation.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor couldn’t hold back the happy laugh at that and slipped an arm around Cutter and held him close as they made their way out of the ARC. "Love you Nick. Thank you for being here beside me through it all" he said as he leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned against Connor, smiling at that kiss, "love you too Connor and you're welcome, thank you for being here with me, thank you for not giving up on me,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I never will give up on us again" Connor said softly as he wrapped his arms tightly around Cutter and leaned into the kiss.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Neither will I, I am yours now and always," Cutter said as wrapped his arms around Connor and kissed him, not wanting to let go as he took a moment to just appreciate how nice it that they were finally free from house arrest and had Connor's graduation to look forward to and that things were finally getting back to normal.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	There was going to be no complaint from Connor about that as he leaned into the kiss. And even when he finally had to pull away for the annoying necessity of breathing he just leaned against Cutter's chest there in the hallway enjoying how perfect it all felt. "We made it.Together" he said with a smile.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned in close to Cutter, enjoying the feel of Connor leaning on his chest, "aye we did, we survived and now we have our whole future together, without having to worry about house arrest, we've got our lives back Connor," he murmured.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled as he broke the kiss and looked down at Cutter's hands and gently took them in his. "Aye, our whole life. And I am going to spend every moment of it with you."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"And I'm going to spend every moment with you," Cutter promised as he held Connor's hand and brought them up to kiss them, "I love you so much Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled as he blinked back tears. "We'll always be better together," he said with a nod.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that, blinking back tears as well, "we are always better together," he agreed, "and we're never going to be apart again,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled and kissed Cutter gently then gave his hand a tug as he started down the hallway again. "Come on, let's go celebrate with a nice dinner!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that kiss as they started to walk down the hallway, "aye, especially since James is so generously paying for us," he added as he looked forward to spending a nice relaxing evening with Connor, getting to celebrate their first night of official freedom after house arrest.