Well, no one can say that Caitlin is stupid.

She asked the question that no one else thought to ask.  She opened a can of worms that the founder of Hit Rewind wanted to keep the lid sealed on.

Forever.

"What will you do if this fails to create the future you wish?" I ask through stiff lips.  "What will happen to us, our lives?"

Mr. Baker laughs, and the sound of it chills my blood.  "So predictable, Michael.  Every single time we stand here, you ask me the same question.  Up until this moment, I have given you the same answer."

"What answer?" I fight against the urge to scream the words out.

"We will rewind you again, but unlike the rewind two of you have experienced this time around, it will erase all memories of this incident from your mind.

"However, this time, we have an incentive that we haven't had in other scenarios.  I believe you, at least, will agree to help us."

I follow his eyes to where Caitlin is standing, and my breath catches in my throat.  Would he be right?

If I refused to help him, would I lose my girlfriend and the babies we made together?

"No," I moan and struggle to not fall to my knees.  "You're wrong.  Everything's going to be okay."

"Do you really want to pin your hopes on something that might be true?" Mr. Baker challenges.  "Even if the future doesn't unfold like we have seen it, we can make sure she makes it to the hospital.  We will take care of the medical bills."

Closing my eyes, I try to tell myself that he's just planting irrational fears in my head to get my cooperation.  That tiny voice is soon overtaken by the memories of doctors telling us how hard labor was going to be and the estimated hospital bills we had looked at.

"We'll make sure she gets the best medical care.  You won't have to worry about anything besides getting those little girls home and loving on them to your heart's desire."

I scoot closer to Caitlin, who shakes her head slightly at me.

Reaching up, she whispers in my ear, "It's not worth it.  He's asking us to trust him, and when the future doesn't work out like he wants it to, he will rewind us anyway."

Then her nails are digging into my arm and trying not to let out a strangled cry.

It hurts me to see her like this, and I clench the fist of the arm she's not holding onto.

Right now, there are two Leslies and two Wills in the room.  If we're all instrumental to Hit Rewind, where are Caitlin and me?  Why aren't they here?

"Where is the rest of us?" I ask as I pull my girlfriend into my arms and rub her back.

The smile that spreads across the older Will's face sends a chill through my body.  "That all depends on what you choose here, Michael.  If Caitlin dies, her future self dies too.  If she doesn't, then you can continue to negotiate with North Korea and Vietnam in the future."

I take a deep breath, weighing my options as Caitlin sobs in pain.  Can I live without her?  Could I live knowing that I could have saved her?

"I will help you, but I want you to honor your promise first.  I can't lose Caitlin, and if she dies, I swear that you won't exist anymore," I say in a deadly calm voice.  "I will kill your younger self if I have to."

The younger Will turns whiter than vanilla ice cream as the older Mr. Baker steps forward, hand extended.

I shake on it, feeling as if I just sold my soul to the devil.

Progress with 2746

Note: In the future, ensure that all agreements are written in contract form, that both parties hold a copy, and that you read the fine print.