Through Time She Came

Ch.35 Intercepted

Olivier walked out of the nightclub. He wasn't trying to keep young Jacob in the dark, but this he needed to take care of himself.

He thought to hail a cab. Changed his mind. His destination wouldn't be more than a ten minute's walk. Enough time to plan how to get inside.

Ten minutes later and the building was in sight. "Alrighty. Let's hope I picked up enough all these years being around young officers." It seemed the only sure way to get inside an apartment building you didn't live in these days.

Cars passed between; one sleek sedan stopped in front of the building. A young man stepped out. Circled. Opened the side door. A young woman emerged.

"Peters?"

The couple headed in. He followed.

No one was at the front desk.

Good.

The couple took the wrought-iron cage elevator. He caught a glimpse of the woman's face before she disappeared above the ceiling.

It is Anet Peters.

He hurried up the steps, following out of sight.

This is where Anet would live 80 years from now. Did she live here now? Or was it the young man's home?

He glimpsed them walking into what would one day be her apartment. He waited— and hoped they weren't roommates.

Moments ticked by.

10:33pm...

The door opened.

"Goodnight, Vic."

Olivier jumped in front of an apartment door. Pretended to search for his keys. The young man kissed Detective Peters goodnight. Boarded the elevator. As soon as it was below, Olivier went to Anet's door.

Knock, knock

10:34...

The door opened.

"Tom—!?" Shock widened her eyes. "Professor Olivier!?"  The young detective burst into tears. "I can't believe you're actually here!"

"I'm sorry it took so long." she brought him inside the apartment. "How long have you been here?"

"Since—," he could see his presence overwhelming her. " Since December 8, 1927. Exactly 6 months."

"I'm sorry I couldn't get to you sooner. I hope it hasn't been too terrible for you."

She looked to be holding back more tears. Smiled. "You made it. That's all that matters."

"Are you ready to go home?"

He caught her hesitation. Slowly she nodded. "Yes."

"Okay. But first," he held up a briefcase. "We need a safe place for this."

Anet knew the perfect spot. She had a few notes on the Maggio gang tucked away for future reference —though she hadn't expected to get back.

This was surreal. She hoped against hope it wasn't a dream.

Professor Olivier handed her a new wristwatch. Again, she hesitated. Taking this meant leaving behind Tommy. She wouldn't get to say goodbye... maybe this was for the best. How would she explain any of this? She couldn't.

She slipped into a less glamorous dress as Olivier secured their artifacts for the future.

10:47...
The iron elevator creaked its way up. Thomas had to be on it. She knew he'd been waiting somewhere for Vic to leave.

Her heart ached.

"We have to go now."

She nodded. Removed the sapphire ring. Slipped on the watch. Activated it. The face lit up.

That was the signal Dan would be looking for.

Beep. Beep. Beeeeeep—

10:49pm.

They were gone.

~•~

May 12, 2010

Anet tumbles forward. Professor Olivier steadies her. She looks around. She'd almost forgotten what the future looks like.

"Welcome back, Anet." Dan steps out from behind the computer. "Thank God we found you this time."

At a loss for words, Anet finds grasping she'd made it back much harder than expected. Her heart fills with a mixture of emotions.

"We should bring Detective Maychild back now, Olivier."

Surprised again, Anet responds, "J-Jay went with you?"

"Yes. I didn't expect to be the one to find you, I left him at L'Angela to wait for you." He looks to Dan, "We should bring him back now."

"Of course." Dan hurries back to the monitors

"That's odd."

"What?" Olivier and Anet circle around.

"His signal went out for a moment there."

Anet gasps.

"Don't worry, it's on again." Dan points to the monitor. "See?"

She sighs relief.

"Let's pull him back before it happens again."

Anet draws near the portal as it lights up, in a moment Jay comes tumbling forward. She braces herself as she catches him in her arms.

"Anet?"

"It's me."

He pulls her into his arms. Heaves a huge sigh of relief. "You're here."

She holds onto him. "...I am." That ache in her heart never subsiding.

"I searched there for you for over a week. No one knew where you'd gone."

"You were there a week?"

"That could be the signal blip. What happened?"

"Well, you left me there without any usable cash. So, I turned off the Anchor and hocked it. I had it back for a few hours before it started beeping and I was pulled back.

"That was a big risk."

"I know. But it worked out." He wraps her in his arms again. "God! I missed you so much!"

Anet smiles past the heartache. "I just can't believe I'm actually back."

He smiles. Kisses her forehead. "We should get you home."

"I assume this means I'm safe now."

Professor Olivier nods, "Yes, Anet. Jacob will fill you in. Get home, get some rest and I'll come see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Professor. And thank you too, Dan. I'm sorry I broke my watch; I hope it wasn't too much of a hassle for you guys."

"Not to worry, there was much learned in the process of it all." smile.

"I'll, um ...tell you all about it later then."

"Yes." Olivier replies, "Once you're ready to. Take your time."

"Okay."

She glances back at the time machine.

Jay's arm wraps around her shoulders. "Ready?"

"...Yeah..."