Fic - Home Truths (part 3 of 3)
Title: Home Truths
Author: Prehistoric Cat
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Danny, Abby, Patrick Quinn, Lucas Temple (OC)
Disclaimer: Not mine, no copyright intended
Warnings: Mild spoilers for series 4
Will Danny choose to save the life of a friend, or save the anomaly mission and the happiness of his brother?
Alone in the place that his brother and Abby called home, Danny tried to make sense of everything he'd learnt over the last few hours. After all his years of searching for answers as to what had happened to Patrick, he finally had them - but his brother was a stranger to him in many senses; coupled with the fact that in their current situation he was now the younger of the two. For that reason alone, he knew he should go back to his own time and hope that his presence wouldn't alter events too much. Then; what did he do with the knowledge he had about Connor's fate, and the others? He had to interfere as little as possible; let things run their natural course... but he couldn't just stand by and watch Connor lead the others to their deaths either, even if it did mean Connor and Abby stayed together and Patrick was alone.
Danny found some photo albums propped up on a shelf in the lounge. The first was obviously Abby's - and Connor's. It was full of photos of them as a couple; their wedding, a beach holiday, several of Abby at various stages of pregnancy and then the baby photos. They looked so happy together, very much in love. To Danny, it was only a month ago that he'd left these two alone in the past - a pair of youngsters who so obviously belonged together but were too afraid or stubborn to cross the line. Seeing their relationship grow and blossom in the photos warmed Danny to the heart. He knew what he would do when he got back - he had to warn Connor about checking the air on the other side of anomalies before anyone went through. Connor and Abby should be together, and their son needed both parents.
Then he picked up a second photo album. It was still Connor and Abby, with Lucas growing up. Patrick appeared in a number of them too and it was obvious that he was considered a part of their family group. “At least someone looked after him when I wasn't there.” he thought. He came across a photo of Connor and Lucas fishing and it made him laugh - he really couldn't imagine Connor sitting still long enough for a start! Patrick had gone fishing with their father regularly as a boy, so Danny guessed he'd dragged Connor and Lucas along for some “father/son bonding”.
Finally, Danny opened the newest album. Only a few pages were filled - these photos were obviously taken after Connor's death. Patrick and Abby looked good together; they suited each other. One photo was of Patrick in a dinner suit with a bow-tie, and Abby in a black, strapless evening gown. They were arm in arm, in a pose very similar to one of the wedding photos of Abby and Connor. Abby looked equally as happy in both photos, and Patrick relaxed and obviously in love. Danny closed his eyes. If Connor didn't die, then this moment wouldn't happen and Patrick would not be with Abby.
“What the hell do I do?!” he said out loud, somehow hoping the answer would hit him. When it didn't, he placed the photo albums carefully back onto the shelf and looked around the flat. There was only one thing he could do. He had to leave things exactly as they were - things were meant to be this way, and 'Danny Quinn' should not even figure in anything that had happened in the last 20 years. Maybe he shouldn't be here at all?
Gathering together some of the clothes that Patrick had given him; he took one final look around the place and scribbled a note on the pad by the computer desk. He would make himself disappear again; begin a new life here in 2030 somewhere - he was certain he would be able to find work in security - a doorman at a nightclub or something. Anywhere away from people whose lives he should not interfere in.
-o-
It was several hours before anyone realised Danny had gone. Patrick didn't find the note until he and Abby had been home for a while. They'd just assumed Danny had gone for a walk alone to clear his head. Abby knew how he felt - a lot of painful memories had been dragged up today and all she wanted to do was be alone with her thoughts too. She'd shut herself in the bathroom with some candles and her favourite bubble bath; leaving Patrick with Lucas to discuss the anomaly that they would use to send Danny back.
They'd sort of agreed that it would cause the least disruption to what had already happened if Danny returned roughly around the same time that Connor and Abby had. It would pose no risk to Abby and Connor's relationship - and therefore Lucas would still be born; it would be too late to stop Sarah dying, and it would mean that various ARC personnel were in place - all essential characters that were needed to keep things as close as possible to the way they should be. Abby had been angry with Lucas and Patrick for allowing Danny access to the archives, but there was little she could do about it. It was down to Danny what he did now.
“Abby! He's gone!” Patrick yelled, banging on the bathroom door.
“Who?” Abby yelled back.
“Danny. He's decided to start a new life where he can't cause any problems.”
Abby was out of the bathroom as quickly as she could, a towel wrapped around her and dripping water all over the hall floor. “This is what happens when you start messing about with time!” she said angrily. She pushed Patrick aside and stormed into the bedroom. Patrick followed.
“You were the one that said we should rescue him.” Patrick said calmly. “Even though you knew it would cause issues.”
“He's your brother, Pat! All the time I've known you, you've wanted to get him back. At every anomaly, I could see the disappointment in your eyes every time it was someone else and not Danny that came through. It was the same with Danny - I didn't know him that long, but he said right from the start that everything he'd done in his adult life was about finding out what happened to you. It was the only thing to do.” Abby began to sob, and Patrick wrapped his arms around her. “I messed up, I'm sorry.”
“No, you didn't mess up.” Patrick said, stroking her wet hair. “If we'd stuck to the plan and not let him find out all those things... that's all my fault.”
“We have to find him.” Abby said.”He doesn't belong here any more than he belonged in the Rift Valley - and whilst his life isn't in danger here, he shouldn't be alone when he's so confused.”
“We will. Get dressed, then we'll go out in the car to look.” Patrick said. “I just wish we knew where he'd go.”
“He won't have got far.” Lucas said, tentatively putting his head around the door. “He's on foot; he hasn't got any money and he doesn't know the area. If it was me, I'd be heading towards the town centre. There's a homeless shelter by the old church on Croft road.”
“Its a start, Lucas; good thinking.” Patrick said, grabbing his jacket. “Abby, meet us there as soon as you're ready.” They were out of the door before Abby could even respond.
-o-
By the time Abby had made her way to the homeless shelter, Patrick and Lucas had already been inside and were waiting for her. “A man matching his description was here earlier, but they had to turn him away because they don't have the room.” Patrick said. “If I'd seen that bloody note earlier...” he was angry.
“Shouting is not going help us find him.” Abby said. “He can't have got very far, he'll be somewhere nearby. I just hope we find him soon; sleeping rough in this city is not something I'd wish on anyone.”
“Relax mum!” Lucas said. “He's just spent the last month sleeping in a cave in the Pliocene era - this will seem like the Hilton in comparison.”
“That isn't what I meant!” Abby snapped.
“I think we all need to calm down and think about this logically.” Patrick said, taking a deep breath and sliding his hand into Abby's to squeeze it reassuringly. He turned his head, looking for inspiration. Across the road from the homeless shelter was the old church. It was boarded up, and had been for a number of years. “When we were kids, our parents and grandparents were very religious - Irish Catholic. We went to church every Sunday, and our Gran always used to say that if we were ever in trouble, the church would help. He'll be in there.” Patrick began to head towards the church.
“Danny wouldn't set foot in a church.” Abby said, pulling Patrick back. “He lost his faith after you disappeared and your parents died. That's the last place he'd go.”
“Worth a look though, eh?”
The church yard was incredibly dark since the street lights no longer faced there. Abby clung to Patrick's hand, feeling a chill down her spine. She hated graveyards, and had been relieved that Connor had left instructions for his ashes to be scattered in the same garden as his mother's ashes back home in Blackburn and didn't have to visit one regularly.
“Doesn't look like anyone's been here for centuries.” Lucas said. He pulled out his mobile phone and held it out so that the light acted like a torch. Moving ahead of Abby and Patrick, he searched along the walls of the church, looking for evidence that one of the boards had been moved or broken to allow someone to get inside. They had walked almost the whole way around and were about to give up when Lucas spotted a board swinging in the breeze. Instinctively, he pulled out his gun and beckoned for Patrick to follow him. Patrick also pulled out his gun and slid behind Lucas. Abby refused to carry a gun, unless it was loaded with tranquilliser, so she hung back and followed Patrick and Lucas through the opening and inside the church.
All three took out their phones and scanned around, trying to see if there was anyone inside. The air smelt of damp and mould and for a moment Abby panicked. This situation had suddenly reminded her of that dreadful day when she lost Connor. “Do you have an anomaly opening device with you?” she whispered to whoever was listening. Lucas held his up. “Switch it on, I want you to do an air test.” Since Connor and the others had died, the opening devices had been fitted with a sensor to measure the amount of oxygen in the air, and to detect the presence of a potentially harmful gas.
“Mum! We haven't gone through an anomaly... its just old, damp air you can smell.” Lucas sighed impatiently.
“Humour me!” Abby said. “Please.” She couldn't bare the thought that she could lose Patrick and Lucas as well. She watched Lucas sweep the device through the air around him, then he passed it to her so she could see for herself that it read 'normal'. She relaxed a little, and felt a little embarrassed that she'd over reacted.
There was a noise from the far end, and both Patrick and Lucas raised their guns and cocked them so that they were ready. Abby held her breath as her eyes strained to see. There was a figure moving around, a man. “Danny?” Abby called out.
“How did you find me?” Danny's voice said.
“Seems you're not the stranger Patrick thought you were.” She replied, glancing over at Patrick.
“What's going on, Danny? Abby and I told you that our home was yours as long as you needed it - and Lucas is almost ready to open the anomaly to send you back home anyway.” Patrick said softly.
“That's just it. I can't go home; not when I know the things I do. Abby said it herself - how can I look Connor in the eye knowing that he ends up being responsible for the deaths of two of his colleagues as well as his own, and that he leaves her behind to bring up their son alone. I'd have to tell him - and then where would that leave the project that you two run now? All those lives you've saved... and your relationship... how can I deny my brother his obvious happiness after all the years of being alone?” Danny slumped down onto one of the pews, his head in his hands. Abby sat next to him and stroked his back.
“It's your call, Danny. If you don't feel you can go back, then we won't force you.” Patrick said. “But you don't need to run away either. We can make this work.”
“I don't belong here.” Danny said. “You're supposed to be my younger brother... but look at you! You're what... almost 50 now?”
“Is that what this is about?! That you can't lord it over me as the older brother?” Patrick began.
“Stop it!” Abby hissed angrily. “This is not about who's the older brother... its about being alive and together again.” Patrick and Danny stared at each other until Danny lowered his head into his hands again. “Danny... Pat...this can work... but you both have to accept that its not quite how you'd imagined it to be.” Abby said softly.
“Abby's right.” Patrick said. “Come home with us, and we can talk. Please? I don't want to lose you again now that I've finally found you.”
“Me either.” Danny sighed. He stood up and hugged Patrick and then the pair of them headed out towards the hole they had come through, closely followed by a smiling Abby and Lucas. When they got back out onto the street, the four stood and looked at each other.
“You two go ahead. Lucas and I will make our own way home later.” Abby said. She watched Danny and Patrick drive off, and for a moment found herself drifting off into her own mind.
“Do you think Danny will change his mind and go back to 2010?” Lucas said, interrupting her thoughts. Abby shook her head. “You could have talked him into it - maybe you could've had dad back.”
Abby closed her eyes briefly, then looked at her son. “If Patrick wasn't around, then maybe that would be an option to try - but we've all moved on now.” she stroked Lucas's hair. “I miss your dad too, you know, and its OK to wish he was still with us... but we can't change the past. We just have to make the best of the present and the people we are with here and now.”
Lucas kissed Abby on the cheek. “Guess its my turn to buy pizza then?”
-o-
Danny and Patrick sat on the wall overlooking the beach. It had been three weeks since Lucas had rescued Danny from the Rift Valley, and Abby had decided they all needed to get away for a few days and spend some time getting to know each other. She had taken them to the place she had grown up in, and although many of her memories of this place weren't pleasant, it was also a place where she found peace. She was playing tennis with Lucas whilst Danny and Patrick watched.
“Do you remember when we went to the beach as kids?” Danny said. “Eating fish and chips and playing football with dad?”
“Yeah, and you spending half the time posing and trying to impress the girls!” Patrick laughed. “You'd give me 50p to disappear into the amusement arcades so that you could chat up some blonde.”
Danny's smiled dropped. “I blamed myself when you disappeared you know.” Patrick looked at him questioningly. “I spent half my time wishing you'd just go away... and then you did.”
“It wasn't anyone's fault, Danny. It just happened. It tore us apart and we went through hell … but here we both are. We made it, we found each other and we can be brothers again.” Patrick said. “And I reckon we'll get on better than we did 34 years ago.”
“I don't know. You might be older than me now, but you're still bloody annoying!” Danny laughed, giving Patrick a playful punch in the ribs. They both turned their attention to Abby and Lucas on the beach for a moment. Danny took a deep breath. “I'm going to move out and get a place of my own when we get back.”
“You don't have to, Danny. It's great having you around.” Patrick said.
“I know, but you and Abby should have some time alone now. I won't be far away, and Abby wants me to be a part of your team so you're not getting rid of me completely. I'm starting fresh and intend to make the most of this second chance I've been given.” Danny said.
Patrick smiled. “I'm glad you decided to stick around, Danny. Can't believe I got my brother back!”
“Me either... now - there was something else we used to do as kids and I bet I can still beat you!” Danny slid off the wall and started to run.
“Oi! Not fair!” Patrick yelled, running after him as the pair headed towards the sea; pausing briefly to remove their trainers and socks. Seconds later, they were play fighting; rolling around on the ground and getting soaked as the waves crashed onto the beach around them. For a moment, the Quinn brothers were young boys again, when the only worries they had in the world were next week's spelling test and whether they could sit still long enough in church to avoid getting cuffed around the ear by their grandfather.
Danny sat up and saw Lucas coming towards them. “I suppose we're going to have to give you a dunking too then Temple!” Patrick shouted, springing up and running over to Lucas.
“You'll have to catch me first!” Lucas yelled back, running in the opposite direction.
Hearing the name “Temple” made Danny think of those that had sacrificed their lives over the years and allowed him to reach this point in his life. Sarah, Becker, Matt - a man he'd never even met but had a respect for because of what he'd done - and Connor. Watching Lucas now, Danny could see the Connor that he had known - at the age of 19, Lucas was in that slightly awkward transition stage, where he had the body of a man but hadn't quite grown into it yet. Danny knew Lucas would go on to do great things and would do the name “Temple” proud.
Then Danny looked over at Abby. She was trying to look disapproving at their antics, but the sparkle in her eyes told him she was laughing inside. The terrible things that had happened to her should have made her bitter and angry, but she was still the same Abby - the girl whose fighting spirit he had admired from the start, and felt a connection to when her brother had stumbled through that future anomaly.
Finally, he turned to Patrick who had stopped to get his breath back. He was only just getting to know Patrick again, but was quickly realising that they were very much alike. It was all good so far, although Danny suspected they would probably clash occasionally - that's what brothers do isn't it?
“Danny! Come and help me teach this young whipper snapper a lesson!” Patrick called.
“Be there in a minute!” Danny shouted back. He smiled. The journey he had started all those years ago was finally at an end. It had started with a simple desire to get his brother back, but he had found so much more. Friendship and loyalty meant more to him than words could ever say; and he'd now also gained a sister and a nephew - of sorts. There was no way he'd suggest that Patrick married Abby... not yet anyway, but he did consider Abby and Lucas a part of his family.
Family. A word Danny never thought he'd be able to use again. He took a deep breath before running to join his family and enjoy just being a part of their lives.
Author: Prehistoric Cat
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Danny, Abby, Patrick Quinn, Lucas Temple (OC)
Disclaimer: Not mine, no copyright intended
Warnings: Mild spoilers for series 4
Will Danny choose to save the life of a friend, or save the anomaly mission and the happiness of his brother?
Alone in the place that his brother and Abby called home, Danny tried to make sense of everything he'd learnt over the last few hours. After all his years of searching for answers as to what had happened to Patrick, he finally had them - but his brother was a stranger to him in many senses; coupled with the fact that in their current situation he was now the younger of the two. For that reason alone, he knew he should go back to his own time and hope that his presence wouldn't alter events too much. Then; what did he do with the knowledge he had about Connor's fate, and the others? He had to interfere as little as possible; let things run their natural course... but he couldn't just stand by and watch Connor lead the others to their deaths either, even if it did mean Connor and Abby stayed together and Patrick was alone.
Danny found some photo albums propped up on a shelf in the lounge. The first was obviously Abby's - and Connor's. It was full of photos of them as a couple; their wedding, a beach holiday, several of Abby at various stages of pregnancy and then the baby photos. They looked so happy together, very much in love. To Danny, it was only a month ago that he'd left these two alone in the past - a pair of youngsters who so obviously belonged together but were too afraid or stubborn to cross the line. Seeing their relationship grow and blossom in the photos warmed Danny to the heart. He knew what he would do when he got back - he had to warn Connor about checking the air on the other side of anomalies before anyone went through. Connor and Abby should be together, and their son needed both parents.
Then he picked up a second photo album. It was still Connor and Abby, with Lucas growing up. Patrick appeared in a number of them too and it was obvious that he was considered a part of their family group. “At least someone looked after him when I wasn't there.” he thought. He came across a photo of Connor and Lucas fishing and it made him laugh - he really couldn't imagine Connor sitting still long enough for a start! Patrick had gone fishing with their father regularly as a boy, so Danny guessed he'd dragged Connor and Lucas along for some “father/son bonding”.
Finally, Danny opened the newest album. Only a few pages were filled - these photos were obviously taken after Connor's death. Patrick and Abby looked good together; they suited each other. One photo was of Patrick in a dinner suit with a bow-tie, and Abby in a black, strapless evening gown. They were arm in arm, in a pose very similar to one of the wedding photos of Abby and Connor. Abby looked equally as happy in both photos, and Patrick relaxed and obviously in love. Danny closed his eyes. If Connor didn't die, then this moment wouldn't happen and Patrick would not be with Abby.
“What the hell do I do?!” he said out loud, somehow hoping the answer would hit him. When it didn't, he placed the photo albums carefully back onto the shelf and looked around the flat. There was only one thing he could do. He had to leave things exactly as they were - things were meant to be this way, and 'Danny Quinn' should not even figure in anything that had happened in the last 20 years. Maybe he shouldn't be here at all?
Gathering together some of the clothes that Patrick had given him; he took one final look around the place and scribbled a note on the pad by the computer desk. He would make himself disappear again; begin a new life here in 2030 somewhere - he was certain he would be able to find work in security - a doorman at a nightclub or something. Anywhere away from people whose lives he should not interfere in.
-o-
It was several hours before anyone realised Danny had gone. Patrick didn't find the note until he and Abby had been home for a while. They'd just assumed Danny had gone for a walk alone to clear his head. Abby knew how he felt - a lot of painful memories had been dragged up today and all she wanted to do was be alone with her thoughts too. She'd shut herself in the bathroom with some candles and her favourite bubble bath; leaving Patrick with Lucas to discuss the anomaly that they would use to send Danny back.
They'd sort of agreed that it would cause the least disruption to what had already happened if Danny returned roughly around the same time that Connor and Abby had. It would pose no risk to Abby and Connor's relationship - and therefore Lucas would still be born; it would be too late to stop Sarah dying, and it would mean that various ARC personnel were in place - all essential characters that were needed to keep things as close as possible to the way they should be. Abby had been angry with Lucas and Patrick for allowing Danny access to the archives, but there was little she could do about it. It was down to Danny what he did now.
“Abby! He's gone!” Patrick yelled, banging on the bathroom door.
“Who?” Abby yelled back.
“Danny. He's decided to start a new life where he can't cause any problems.”
Abby was out of the bathroom as quickly as she could, a towel wrapped around her and dripping water all over the hall floor. “This is what happens when you start messing about with time!” she said angrily. She pushed Patrick aside and stormed into the bedroom. Patrick followed.
“You were the one that said we should rescue him.” Patrick said calmly. “Even though you knew it would cause issues.”
“He's your brother, Pat! All the time I've known you, you've wanted to get him back. At every anomaly, I could see the disappointment in your eyes every time it was someone else and not Danny that came through. It was the same with Danny - I didn't know him that long, but he said right from the start that everything he'd done in his adult life was about finding out what happened to you. It was the only thing to do.” Abby began to sob, and Patrick wrapped his arms around her. “I messed up, I'm sorry.”
“No, you didn't mess up.” Patrick said, stroking her wet hair. “If we'd stuck to the plan and not let him find out all those things... that's all my fault.”
“We have to find him.” Abby said.”He doesn't belong here any more than he belonged in the Rift Valley - and whilst his life isn't in danger here, he shouldn't be alone when he's so confused.”
“We will. Get dressed, then we'll go out in the car to look.” Patrick said. “I just wish we knew where he'd go.”
“He won't have got far.” Lucas said, tentatively putting his head around the door. “He's on foot; he hasn't got any money and he doesn't know the area. If it was me, I'd be heading towards the town centre. There's a homeless shelter by the old church on Croft road.”
“Its a start, Lucas; good thinking.” Patrick said, grabbing his jacket. “Abby, meet us there as soon as you're ready.” They were out of the door before Abby could even respond.
-o-
By the time Abby had made her way to the homeless shelter, Patrick and Lucas had already been inside and were waiting for her. “A man matching his description was here earlier, but they had to turn him away because they don't have the room.” Patrick said. “If I'd seen that bloody note earlier...” he was angry.
“Shouting is not going help us find him.” Abby said. “He can't have got very far, he'll be somewhere nearby. I just hope we find him soon; sleeping rough in this city is not something I'd wish on anyone.”
“Relax mum!” Lucas said. “He's just spent the last month sleeping in a cave in the Pliocene era - this will seem like the Hilton in comparison.”
“That isn't what I meant!” Abby snapped.
“I think we all need to calm down and think about this logically.” Patrick said, taking a deep breath and sliding his hand into Abby's to squeeze it reassuringly. He turned his head, looking for inspiration. Across the road from the homeless shelter was the old church. It was boarded up, and had been for a number of years. “When we were kids, our parents and grandparents were very religious - Irish Catholic. We went to church every Sunday, and our Gran always used to say that if we were ever in trouble, the church would help. He'll be in there.” Patrick began to head towards the church.
“Danny wouldn't set foot in a church.” Abby said, pulling Patrick back. “He lost his faith after you disappeared and your parents died. That's the last place he'd go.”
“Worth a look though, eh?”
The church yard was incredibly dark since the street lights no longer faced there. Abby clung to Patrick's hand, feeling a chill down her spine. She hated graveyards, and had been relieved that Connor had left instructions for his ashes to be scattered in the same garden as his mother's ashes back home in Blackburn and didn't have to visit one regularly.
“Doesn't look like anyone's been here for centuries.” Lucas said. He pulled out his mobile phone and held it out so that the light acted like a torch. Moving ahead of Abby and Patrick, he searched along the walls of the church, looking for evidence that one of the boards had been moved or broken to allow someone to get inside. They had walked almost the whole way around and were about to give up when Lucas spotted a board swinging in the breeze. Instinctively, he pulled out his gun and beckoned for Patrick to follow him. Patrick also pulled out his gun and slid behind Lucas. Abby refused to carry a gun, unless it was loaded with tranquilliser, so she hung back and followed Patrick and Lucas through the opening and inside the church.
All three took out their phones and scanned around, trying to see if there was anyone inside. The air smelt of damp and mould and for a moment Abby panicked. This situation had suddenly reminded her of that dreadful day when she lost Connor. “Do you have an anomaly opening device with you?” she whispered to whoever was listening. Lucas held his up. “Switch it on, I want you to do an air test.” Since Connor and the others had died, the opening devices had been fitted with a sensor to measure the amount of oxygen in the air, and to detect the presence of a potentially harmful gas.
“Mum! We haven't gone through an anomaly... its just old, damp air you can smell.” Lucas sighed impatiently.
“Humour me!” Abby said. “Please.” She couldn't bare the thought that she could lose Patrick and Lucas as well. She watched Lucas sweep the device through the air around him, then he passed it to her so she could see for herself that it read 'normal'. She relaxed a little, and felt a little embarrassed that she'd over reacted.
There was a noise from the far end, and both Patrick and Lucas raised their guns and cocked them so that they were ready. Abby held her breath as her eyes strained to see. There was a figure moving around, a man. “Danny?” Abby called out.
“How did you find me?” Danny's voice said.
“Seems you're not the stranger Patrick thought you were.” She replied, glancing over at Patrick.
“What's going on, Danny? Abby and I told you that our home was yours as long as you needed it - and Lucas is almost ready to open the anomaly to send you back home anyway.” Patrick said softly.
“That's just it. I can't go home; not when I know the things I do. Abby said it herself - how can I look Connor in the eye knowing that he ends up being responsible for the deaths of two of his colleagues as well as his own, and that he leaves her behind to bring up their son alone. I'd have to tell him - and then where would that leave the project that you two run now? All those lives you've saved... and your relationship... how can I deny my brother his obvious happiness after all the years of being alone?” Danny slumped down onto one of the pews, his head in his hands. Abby sat next to him and stroked his back.
“It's your call, Danny. If you don't feel you can go back, then we won't force you.” Patrick said. “But you don't need to run away either. We can make this work.”
“I don't belong here.” Danny said. “You're supposed to be my younger brother... but look at you! You're what... almost 50 now?”
“Is that what this is about?! That you can't lord it over me as the older brother?” Patrick began.
“Stop it!” Abby hissed angrily. “This is not about who's the older brother... its about being alive and together again.” Patrick and Danny stared at each other until Danny lowered his head into his hands again. “Danny... Pat...this can work... but you both have to accept that its not quite how you'd imagined it to be.” Abby said softly.
“Abby's right.” Patrick said. “Come home with us, and we can talk. Please? I don't want to lose you again now that I've finally found you.”
“Me either.” Danny sighed. He stood up and hugged Patrick and then the pair of them headed out towards the hole they had come through, closely followed by a smiling Abby and Lucas. When they got back out onto the street, the four stood and looked at each other.
“You two go ahead. Lucas and I will make our own way home later.” Abby said. She watched Danny and Patrick drive off, and for a moment found herself drifting off into her own mind.
“Do you think Danny will change his mind and go back to 2010?” Lucas said, interrupting her thoughts. Abby shook her head. “You could have talked him into it - maybe you could've had dad back.”
Abby closed her eyes briefly, then looked at her son. “If Patrick wasn't around, then maybe that would be an option to try - but we've all moved on now.” she stroked Lucas's hair. “I miss your dad too, you know, and its OK to wish he was still with us... but we can't change the past. We just have to make the best of the present and the people we are with here and now.”
Lucas kissed Abby on the cheek. “Guess its my turn to buy pizza then?”
-o-
Danny and Patrick sat on the wall overlooking the beach. It had been three weeks since Lucas had rescued Danny from the Rift Valley, and Abby had decided they all needed to get away for a few days and spend some time getting to know each other. She had taken them to the place she had grown up in, and although many of her memories of this place weren't pleasant, it was also a place where she found peace. She was playing tennis with Lucas whilst Danny and Patrick watched.
“Do you remember when we went to the beach as kids?” Danny said. “Eating fish and chips and playing football with dad?”
“Yeah, and you spending half the time posing and trying to impress the girls!” Patrick laughed. “You'd give me 50p to disappear into the amusement arcades so that you could chat up some blonde.”
Danny's smiled dropped. “I blamed myself when you disappeared you know.” Patrick looked at him questioningly. “I spent half my time wishing you'd just go away... and then you did.”
“It wasn't anyone's fault, Danny. It just happened. It tore us apart and we went through hell … but here we both are. We made it, we found each other and we can be brothers again.” Patrick said. “And I reckon we'll get on better than we did 34 years ago.”
“I don't know. You might be older than me now, but you're still bloody annoying!” Danny laughed, giving Patrick a playful punch in the ribs. They both turned their attention to Abby and Lucas on the beach for a moment. Danny took a deep breath. “I'm going to move out and get a place of my own when we get back.”
“You don't have to, Danny. It's great having you around.” Patrick said.
“I know, but you and Abby should have some time alone now. I won't be far away, and Abby wants me to be a part of your team so you're not getting rid of me completely. I'm starting fresh and intend to make the most of this second chance I've been given.” Danny said.
Patrick smiled. “I'm glad you decided to stick around, Danny. Can't believe I got my brother back!”
“Me either... now - there was something else we used to do as kids and I bet I can still beat you!” Danny slid off the wall and started to run.
“Oi! Not fair!” Patrick yelled, running after him as the pair headed towards the sea; pausing briefly to remove their trainers and socks. Seconds later, they were play fighting; rolling around on the ground and getting soaked as the waves crashed onto the beach around them. For a moment, the Quinn brothers were young boys again, when the only worries they had in the world were next week's spelling test and whether they could sit still long enough in church to avoid getting cuffed around the ear by their grandfather.
Danny sat up and saw Lucas coming towards them. “I suppose we're going to have to give you a dunking too then Temple!” Patrick shouted, springing up and running over to Lucas.
“You'll have to catch me first!” Lucas yelled back, running in the opposite direction.
Hearing the name “Temple” made Danny think of those that had sacrificed their lives over the years and allowed him to reach this point in his life. Sarah, Becker, Matt - a man he'd never even met but had a respect for because of what he'd done - and Connor. Watching Lucas now, Danny could see the Connor that he had known - at the age of 19, Lucas was in that slightly awkward transition stage, where he had the body of a man but hadn't quite grown into it yet. Danny knew Lucas would go on to do great things and would do the name “Temple” proud.
Then Danny looked over at Abby. She was trying to look disapproving at their antics, but the sparkle in her eyes told him she was laughing inside. The terrible things that had happened to her should have made her bitter and angry, but she was still the same Abby - the girl whose fighting spirit he had admired from the start, and felt a connection to when her brother had stumbled through that future anomaly.
Finally, he turned to Patrick who had stopped to get his breath back. He was only just getting to know Patrick again, but was quickly realising that they were very much alike. It was all good so far, although Danny suspected they would probably clash occasionally - that's what brothers do isn't it?
“Danny! Come and help me teach this young whipper snapper a lesson!” Patrick called.
“Be there in a minute!” Danny shouted back. He smiled. The journey he had started all those years ago was finally at an end. It had started with a simple desire to get his brother back, but he had found so much more. Friendship and loyalty meant more to him than words could ever say; and he'd now also gained a sister and a nephew - of sorts. There was no way he'd suggest that Patrick married Abby... not yet anyway, but he did consider Abby and Lucas a part of his family.
Family. A word Danny never thought he'd be able to use again. He took a deep breath before running to join his family and enjoy just being a part of their lives.