Nerves were feelings so they were more than welcomed. Negative, infuriating, stomach - dropping... It didn't matter. The only thing that counted was that there was something tugging at him, and he was not a block of stone.

Jimmy watched his friends and family, standing on the start of the ramp that would lead them to the spaceship. Spaceship. He was going to board a spaceship and take off into outer space. It almost sounded like gibberish.

He'd already hugged and said goodbye to everyone, but his other crew mates were not done. Plus, Jerry could use a few more moments with Sarah. A sea of people filled the small room tightly and everyone had to be careful not to bump shoulders, especially because the Agency had decided the occasion warranted the presence of a special committee. Jimmy lived for their validation, so it was great news. 

Not really. It was so hard not to scoff and roll his eyes, grit his teeth at their presumptuousness and incompetence. The faster he got away from them the better. Especially since they'd decided to name Lee Hannigan as the leader of the space mission while Jimmy headed the technical department. At least it was him and Roberta Sanchez, so he wasn't leading himself.

A sinking feeling caught hold of him as he took in his brothers. Sam and Tom both smiled at him. Sarah was too busy showering Jerry with affection, and the two of them had the attention of Kyle, Kay and Angie. Kyle and Kay were still stiff, but at least they didn't seem downright hostile towards each other which meant they were still holding on.

One thing at a time. First space, then fixing relationship issues. Because whatever Kyle and Kay had going on had to end one way or another.

Roberta made her way towards him, wiping a tear from her cheek. She stopped and bumped her fist against his shoulder. "Ready, Grant?"

"I was born ready, Sanchez."

She grinned at him and glanced over her shoulder. "Your family is huge."

"And awesome." Because they totally were. Just the fact that they'd flown over to say goodbye personally meant a lot to him. Also that they'd had the sense to leave his mother at home.

"That also appears to be true." Roberta gave him another playful punch. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting inside with the less fortunate ones."

Cynthia made her way past them, tall, skinny and blonde, but didn't start a conversation. She looked paler than usual and Jimmy wondered if she was having a bad reaction to Jerry's drug or it was just nerves. They'd find out soon enough. Roberta gave his shoulder a squeeze and headed inside, too.

Jerry finally detached himself from Sarah and joined Jimmy at the beginning of the ramp. He looked a little shaky.

"Ready?" he whispered.

Jimmy huffed. "Do we even have a choice not to be?"

The question brought a smile to Jerry's face. "Not really, but this time it's something different and exciting."

Jimmy couldn't deny that. Jerry waved one last time at their family and started up the ramp. Jimmy gave them one more lingering look to commit them to memory. As much as he'd buried himself in work and as cold as he'd been about all this, he wanted to remember every little detail about them because he was going to miss them.

Or never see them again. Huh, apparently he was full of over-dramatic bullshit today. Still feelings. 

"Go already!" Tom yelled at him.

Typical. Jimmy gave one last dramatic royal wave and turned around.

"Hey, get out of my way!"

The sound of a new voice froze him on the spot. It wasn't really a new voice, just one he hadn't heard in too long. It was his weird imagination, because he'd hoped so much. He whipped back around, his eyes scanning the crowd. The room was so full it was hard to see anything, and the Agency people were pushing together as if to form a wall.

What the...?

"You can't be in here!" someone shouted.

Suit-clad men moved to the size as a tiny body fought its way between them. A mass of orange curls appeared between robotic faces. A few well placed elbows later, Jessie made her way through the crowd. 

Jimmy stared at her, his heart beating erratically. He was definitely hallucinating. She couldn't be here.

"Jimmy!"

And yet, it was her voice. When she jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, it was her smell, her heat, her body. Even if it had been months since he'd last seen her, he remembered everything.

His arms caught her, tightened around her, pressing her so close it hurt. But at the same time, his head spun with a happiness he forgot could exist. For a moment, everything felt like before, as if she'd never left, as if he'd never found out she had secrets.

Her grip on him was equally strong. "I'm so sorry," she whispered into his neck, then raised her face.

Her emerald eyes glittered and she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Yes, he was sorry, too, and maybe it was stupid, but in that moment, nothing mattered. His mouth landed over hers and when she kissed him back, he felt more alive than he had since the day she'd walked away.

Tears streamed down her face, dripping down his cheeks, and he couldn't get enough of her. She'd come. Whatever had happened, she was there. God, how could he go that long without kissing her, without running his hands through her hair?

"Grant!"

Hannigan's voice cut through his haze. Right, they had to take off to outer space. Things had happened. He and Jessie weren't technically together anymore.

And yet, as he pulled away from her, he couldn't stop staring. She was so beautiful, so perfect.

"Today, Grant!"

"I think I should go," he whispered.

She nodded and climbed off him, tears still in her eyes. "I know. Just... Know that I'll be here when you return." She shoved a tiny parcel in his hands. "No matter what, I love you."

Her words dazed him as much as her presence, and it was only another annoyed call from Hannigan that finally had him moving towards the spaceship again. Yes, he had to go, he had to... The door closed behind him as soon as he was in, and he practically stumbled into his seat.

"God, that was pathetic," Hannigan said with an eye roll.

Jimmy made a mental note to punch him in the face later, but for now just settled in his seat, trying to focus on take off. It was hard when he could still feel her on his lips. Her arms around him, the texture and smell of her hair. So many feelings. He grinned like an idiot squeezing the package in his hand. What could be in there? Whatever it was, it was hard, as if made out of wood. 

"That was a nice surprise," Jerry whispered from next to him.

It was. Something he hadn't expected, not even after her rambling voicemail. He did say she should come back, but he hadn't actually expected her to listen.

"Ready for takeoff?" Roberta asked.

He was ready for anything. His body went through the motions, pushing all the right buttons and turning all the right levers. He could do this in his sleep. What he couldn't do was wipe the grin spreading on his face.

The extreme torque pushed him into the seat as the rocket shot forward. Every organ in his body screamed in pain, but he could barely feel it. Speed was good, it took him towards his destination so that he could do his job and return. Never mind the pressure, the discomfort, the strain on his muscles. His stomach churned, but Jerry's wonder drug did what it was meant to do. There was no nausea, his face didn't sting, his head, even if throbbing, didn't feel like it was about to explode from the pressure.

You should've told her that you love her, too.

The miracle of hindsight. His mind kept buzzing as they exited the atmosphere. The parcel in his lap rose to eye-level. He laughed and prodded it. It floated away serenely, as if it were a snowflake.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Jerry announced, his voice filled with excitement. "We are officially out of this world."

♠️

Jessie's entire body trembled. She hugged herself as the spaceship rose into the air, taking Jimmy and Jerry along with it. But she'd done it, she was there, she'd given him what was important. The kiss, the declaration of love and the letter. Now it was up to him.

"I'm so proud of you," Kyle mumbled from behind her.

"Don't be," she said, finally turning to her friends. "Took me long enough. Life was just... It became a bit more than I thought, and I got stuck."

"I'm sure we're all dying to hear the story," Angie said, glancing towards the door where Sam and what looked like Agency people were arguing. "But I'd really rather do it somewhere where it's just us."

"Agreed." Jessie laughed as Tom wrapped her in a hug and lifted her off her feet.

"You suck, Stefani!" he said. "We missed you."

"I missed you guys, too. So much that I basically had to transform into a different person to cope without you." The thought brought the heat of shame to her cheeks, but with them she could be herself again, admit her flaws. Ask for forgiveness. "I'm so sorry, guys. For everything. Lying, leaving, the radio silence..."

Her voice faded as she took them in. Kyle, Tom and Angie smiled at her, together with the chestnut haired woman who was obviously Jerry's Sarah. Only Kay still frowned at her and Jessie had to admit she deserved it. If things had been as shitty as Jimmy mentioned in his letters, Kay had needed a friend. And she'd just packed up and left to play little miss CEO.

"Let's get out of here," Sam said, finally joining them. "Before I murder those assholes. I have no idea why they wouldn't let you through."

Jessie had no idea either, but she'd rather not think about it right then.

"We have a lot of catching up to do." Sam glanced at his watch.

"Have somewhere to be?" Tom asked, raising his eyebrows above the line of his sunglasses.

Sam just hummed, clutching another watch in his hand. Jessie tilted her head, wondering whose broke or if Sam needed a new one for someone else. Sarah maybe?

"Who's that for?" she asked.

Everyone glanced at Sam and he looked at the object in his hand as if he was unaware it was there.

"No way," Tom said, his voice filled with laughter. "You had Jimmy make one for her?"

"For who?" Kay asked, sounding confused.

"Skye?" Kyle asked, trying very hard to keep a straight face.

Sam pressed his lips together, but finally grinned. "What the hell. Yes. The watch is for Skye. And before you start lecturing me, she's no longer my therapist."

Jessie stared, but laughter bubbled inside her chest as well. Kyle, Tom and Sarah looked thrilled, but the shock on Angie and Kay's faces was of a different nature. Jessie was suddenly glad she actually knew who Skye was and what they could be talking about. Jimmy's letters had been a goldmine in more ways than one.

"You finally hooked up?" Tom asked, slapping his hands together.

"What do you mean, finally?" Sam asked, feigning offense.

"No offense, kid, but I saw it coming long ago," Kyle said.

"You know, I actually blame you for planting the idea into my subconscious."

"Wait," Angie said. "You hooked up with your therapist?"

"Didn't he just say she's no longer his therapist?" Tom asked, his attention still on Sam. "I would hug you, but I don't like you that much."

"When?" Angie insisted.

"In Washington." Sam grinned at Jessie. "Camp syndrome, I guess."

Jessie couldn't help but laugh. "As long as you're happy, Sam, I'm thrilled camp syndrome is still a thing."

"I am. Never thought I could be. But as I've said, we have a lot of stuff to talk about."

"Wait," Tom said. "Exactly how happy are you? I mean I used hook up in the middle school sense. Did you two get it on while on a dangerous mission?"

"Of course not," Sam said in a very good imitation of an outraged Jerry. "We waited until we got home, like responsible adults."

There was an uproar of laughter and more questions, and Jessie couldn't help but laugh along. Sam had gotten over Christine. He was not the mess she'd left behind, but a confident, humorous, happy person. It was even better than the old Sam who would've probably cringed at this conversation. Now he just accepted it for what it was and faced life head on.

Sam had changed. Jerry had Sarah and looked more confident than Jessie had ever seen him. Tom and Angie seemed fine around each other, and even if Jimmy mentioned they hadn't gotten back together, she saw opportunity and hoped it would happen. She also needed to fix herself. But she could only do that by diving back into the life she'd chosen, the one she loved and wanted.

And what better way to do that then to try and make the people she loved as happy as possible? She had a lot of work to do.

♠️

Sam laid out the map of Cairo on his coffee table, trying to determine the time it would take them to complete the mission. Fat chance it would happen before New Year's, but who cared about things as trivial as holidays?

"I'm sorry it's this fast," Herrison said, unaware that Sam really didn't care about a new digit to the date.

"You shouldn't be. I'm an impatient potato," he mumbled, tracing his finger on the outskirts of town. "I asked you to do this and I'm glad they've agreed to send us."

"In spite of what you told me, I doubt the journey won't be dangerous," Herrison pointed out as if Sam couldn't tell Snitch Gravel might still make an appearance or send men after them even if there was no jewel.

"I also doubt it. So this is your chance to spill everything you know."

"I have something better." Herrison sat on the couch next to him.

It was a little weird, and Sam realized he needed to throw the damn thing out and never let anyone sit on it again. Mostly because of what he'd done with Christine on it. He put it out of his mind and focused on the hand-drawn map Herrison stretched out on the coffee table.

"I've had this for years and never turned it in. I made it after we finished the debacle and it's everything I remember about the layout of the tomb where we took that photograph."

"You mean where you found the jewel," Sam mumbled, already studying the drawing. It was very crude, but much better than no map at all.

Herrison stiffened next to him and refused to dignify Sam's affirmation with an answer. Sam let him take his time while he memorized as much of the map as possible just in case Herrison decided to take it away. He should really just take a picture, it would last longer.

"Can I have this?"

"Yes, I guess you can. Not like I can put it to better use."

"Why can't you just admit that you have one of the jewels? I mean you basically said it when we first met."

"It's just..." Herrison let out a long sigh. "Very complicated. Where you're about to go... It's a half-buried temple of Isis which has not been officially discovered and which should remain that way."

Yeah, right. Sam was letting the world know it was there. Fuck the Agency and keeping everything secret.

"What really happened there? It's obvious that you got a jewel and some information that you're unwilling to share. You also probably lost Snitch Gravel after that mission."

"I just do my best not to think about it."

"Why? Ashamed of what you've done? Of what you keep doing?" Anger was starting to build inside Sam, and this time it was directed at Herrison, the man who was supposed to be his mentor, the man he trusted and who should trust him back. "Come on. There are no microphones in here. You can be honest for once. What happened?"

"People died, okay?" The harshness of Herrison's words, the pain in his voice drew the anger out of Sam. "They died," Herrison said again, his voice clogged with pain. "And it was the moment I realized I can't cope with this, with watching people die. I'm not like you, I never was. They were my friends, we were recruited together. To see the light fading from their eyes, the way their bodies were used afterwards..."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked, though he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Herrison sniffed and seemed to pull himself together. "Things had to be done. They still do, and I'm not always strong enough to do them. Apparently, not even order them. Because I care about you a lot and I don't want any of you to get hurt. The traps in those temples are deadly. But I'm thinking that if you got past the ones in Mexico, you could do it here too, with my map. Just... Remember there is no jewel. That you're only doing this for information that may not be worth it."

"Herrison, I'll be honest with you. There could be more jewels in there."

Herrison shook his head. "They're not worth it, Sam. They never were."

It was a little shocking to see Herrison like this, emotional and finally honest. He had a point, but they were too far into this to give up now.

"What's the real deal with the jewels?" Sam asked, hoping candor would extend to more information.

"I don't know, because I refused to find out. Sometimes, it's easier to go on without knowing. I have my hunch, which is what I told you when I recruited you for this project, but nothing else."

Sam bit his lip, feeling half bad for Herrison and half annoyed at him. Ignorance was rarely bliss, especially in their line of work. "If you can't handle it, why can't you retire? Or get out."

Herrison's smile was bitter. "And leave Harry to them? He's young and impressionable and dreams he can be a superhero. I didn't raise him well, Sam. Not at all."

Sam agreed, but for different reasons, so he kept quiet. He was sure Herrison was blissfully unaware of what his son had done, of the fact that he and Sam weren't friends anymore.

"I just couldn't handle the field," Herrison said. "And I thought an office job would fix the issue. It did, until I was brave enough to believe I was ready again. Mexico proved I wasn't. And now... Even if I'm done with field work, I can't let you guys go. I have to be here for you."

"No, you don't. We're not your responsibility, Herrison."

"I owe it to Freider."

His words made Sam cringe. He didn't like to think about his father, not in connection with the craziness in their lives. He didn't want to be reminded how he'd died and taken every bit of life saving information with him. How he could've left them some sort of clue that would shed light on why Snitch Gravel was trying to kill them. He hadn't. Freider Grant had been as frustrating and as mysterious in death as he had been in life.

But he wouldn't argue anymore. If Herrison wanted to torture himself in the memory of a man who had been his friend, so be it.

"I brought you your gear," Herrison said after a few moments of awkward silence. He nodded to a large duffel bag and what looked like a bax of water. "You have your usual."

"Water for the desert? You know we don't have to fly it to Cairo. They probably have running water there as well."

"It's a special type with electrolytes which should hydrate you more and give you a boost in energy." Herrison shrugged. "New formula."

Sam narrowed his eyes. "Did Jerry develop it and forgot to mention it?"

"Our tech and research labs extend beyond Jerry and Jimmy, you should know that."

Sam knew that. It didn't mean he trusted any experimental thing coming from anyone else. Not after the power bar incident which made him so nauseous, he couldn't eat anything for three days. A lot of fun that had been.

"It will help," Herrison said, his tone certain.

"Yeah, okay, sure."

Herrison stood from the couch and the tension in Sam's shoulders eased. They were really doing this. The next day, they'd be leaving for Egypt. Jerry and Jimmy would be back in ten days. If everything went according to plan, they could wrap it up in time to greet them in Huston.

"Jessie coming back was a surprise," Herrison said as an afterthought. "I'm glad I managed to secure everything for her to join you. The higher ups were a bit ticked that she just left town and went rogue." There was a very heavy pause. "I mean under radar."

Sam squinted at him. "Are you afraid we'll go rogue?"

"I didn't say that. But you have to admit Jessie just disappeared. You guys should know that you can't do that. It... Looks bad."

For some reason Angie immediately came to mind, but Sam pushed the thought away. Angie was a tricky subject, especially since she seemed to be acting a bit differently towards him ever since she found out about him and Skye. Which was very stupid. There had never been anything between the two of them. Angie had even joked about him and Skye from day one. Plus, she'd actually spent Christmas with Tom and she only had eyes from him. And it was mutual.

"There is another... issue."

Oh, what now? "Yes?"

"Are you sure you need Doctor Brandon to come with you?"

Yeah, about that... "She knows better. If she thinks she should, then she should."

Herrison didn't seem fooled, even if Skye hadn't officially dropped him as a patient. "She's done a great job on you. You are much better. I would even say you're back to your usual self. I fully trust you to handle this mission, especially since your team is joining you. I don't believe it's worth putting the good doctor in danger."

Sam knew Herrison had a point. He'd already discussed all these aspects with Skye. She didn't have to come, he was worried about her, he didn't want to risk her life in any way.

Her answer had been very clear. Shut up, Snowflake, I'm grownass woman. And then she'd kissed him, so he'd stopped arguing.

"I think that's up to her."

Herrison narrowed his eyes. "Look, I don't know what the deal with you two is, or between the to of you, but... You should think about keeping her safe. I mean I remember you used to rage whenever we even thought about sending Christine out in the field."

Sam blinked. It wasn't even comparable. Christine was a field disaster, a liability. Skye was a lot more useful and resourceful and she made him feel safe. But since Herrison would probably not understand that and immediately pull her off his case if he found out they were hooking up on the side, a different strategy was in order. He had, after all, mentioned Christine's name. Which once again reminded him what had happened on the couch he was sitting on.

He jumped off the couch and pulled away until his back hit the wall next to the door, his gaze never leaving the couch, as if the ghost of his naked girlfriend was still there.

"Sam?"

Oh yes, that's right, think I'm still wacko. Christine's name was a perfectly reasonable trigger, wasn't it?

"It's just...." he stuttered, lowered into a crouch, still glaring at the couch as if it had eaten his newborn.

"Shit," Herrison muttered.

Yeah, Sam shouldn't overdo it or he wouldn't get to go to Egypt either. So he shook his head and straightened, doing a bit of trembling for show. "Sorry about that. It's just so hard to talk about her. About what happened. Sometimes I feel like I'm suffocating."

"Okay, I understand. I'm sorry. Maybe Doctor Brandon coming with you isn't such a bad idea."

Of course it wasn't. As long as she wanted to, it was an awesome idea. But the moment she'd say no, Sam would rage at Herrison and the entire Agency, just like he'd done when it came to Christine. Except Skye wasn't like that. She would never abandon him. She would never cheat on him. She was different.

Just like this mission would be different. He'd keep her safe. No fuckups. Too much was at stake and he couldn't afford them.

End of Part II

And we are officially done with part II. Which was long as fuck. Moving on... I hope you enjoyed this. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Now there will be a small update break and I will revert with part III which is also the final part and will probably have around seven chapters (more or less). Hold on to your adventure hats! It's about to go down.

Don't forget to vote and comment if you're still enjoying the ride.