Aftershock

'The course of true love never did run smooth.'-William Shakespeare

"Jacob what do you think?" she asked, turning in a circle to show off the small hat on her braided hair. I smiled at her childless. The blue beret matched her skirt and blended well with her white top.

"You pull it off Elizabeth. Now come on princess we got a tower to get you to." I said as I took her hand after paying the shop owner. The streets of Paris where bustling with people, some American tourists like us and some of the locals.

"God do you smell that? It's wonderful isn't it?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled me down the street and brought our bodies closer together. "Only thing I smell is baking bread and flowers." I said, earning a eye roll from Elizabeth.

"Pleasant smells aside, I'm more interested in the sights." I said as we entered the canal area. Small boats where on the water with couples in them, artists where capturing a scene on their canvases, and most importantly, the Eiffel Tower stood proud in the distance.

"I'll have to agree with that. It is beautiful." Elizabeth said dreamily as we walked towards the tower. I slid my arm around her arm, "Yea. But it'd be a lot less beautiful if you weren't here." I said, causing her to blush.

We walked in silence for a while as we approached the tower, when we made out way to the base of it Elizabeth spoke, "You know your dreaming right?"

I nodded, "Yeah...I know." I said as turned to see her face begin to shatter. I knew that this wasn't real the moment she was looking at little berets. The Eiffel Tower creaked, I looked up in time to see the structure fall on me.

...

Opened my eyes and sprang up from my bed, my body covered in sweat. The nightmare didn't scare me as much as it used to, but I still sweated like a pig whenever I had it. Though to be fair the Eiffel Tower falling ontop of me was a new one. Usually we make it to the top, she falls and I jump down after her.

When I calmed myself down I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. The nightmare happens about three times a month now, and it's the same thing every time. To be fair I think I expected all of this after my fiasco in Columbia.

After I...found my way home. I sat down with my mom, Eleanor Lamb, and told her everything. After I was done she made a call to someone, soon some men from one of the government agencies came by and asked me to tell him the same thing I told my mother.

Looking back, I guess when the Luteces helped my mother come to 1993 the government was sure to know about it. I'm still a little...perturbed that I was born on 1890, so I'm technically over a hundred and ten years old...not like it'd be recorded right?

So anyway, after I told the guy about what happened, he asked that me and my mother come with him to his agency building. After a blacked out window car ride for who knows how long, I sat down with some more suits and repeated to them what I said before. Thank god they recorded this one, I was not in the mood for a fourth time.

But when they asked me what my 'relation' was with Elizabeth I hesitated. I mean what's stopping them from using me like Comstock did with my mother? I mean I know the government's job is to protect it's people and all, but with what I went through the past few days in mind, I decided against fully revealing our...status.

After that, I turned in all evidence of Columbia over to them, that meant all my silver eagles. This economy right?

Though I was surprised when I got a big amount of cash from the value of how much they where each worth. Lets say for the time being, I'm fairly set for a while.

My mom was beside me through the whole thing, showing support however she could. I was really grateful for that. Especially when they wanted a big blood sample to view my Vigor capabilities.

Goddam big ass needles aren't exactly a wonderful experience.

And after going over what to say, how to react, and so on, the men that took us assured us that both me and my mother would live as normal lives as they could assure. I'm taking that as they'll stay out of my business for the most part. Thank god.

When I asked if that covered Elizabeth as well when she found me, the man who my mom called, Sullivan I think his name was; said, "Alive or not son, we'll do what we can."

Really wish he didn't say that.

I mean when the twins found me after I was supposed to die, keyword being supposed, they said that she was alive. And as annoying, misleading, creepy, smart, and just plain deceiving they are, they never once lied to me.

But it's been a full year.

One year since I killed someone for the first time. One year since I killed my father. And most importantly of all, one year since I fell in love with Elizabeth. And I fell hard.

Shaking those thoughts from my head, I slid my legs over the side of the bed. And in my pjs, walked to the living room to just calm myself down. And what better way to do that than watch TV?

When I said that I got a big thing of cash from the suits for the silver eagles, I used a good bit of that money to buy my own apartment. Rent really wasn't a issue for the time being so I got a decent sized apartment instead of my room closet of a dorm.

After I got through my two years if collage I managed to get a easy paying job at a advertising company. The pay was pretty good and I just worked out of home, so it was a win win.

My apartment consisted of three rooms, a bedroom, a bathroom, and the main room which had a living area, small dinner table, and a fully stocked kitchen. Which I grabbed a late night snack from.

One part of my life after Columbia that I also still wasn't used to us that I lived in New York City, not Michigan. It's hard because some mornings I wake up thinking I'm at my dorm in my make-believe life that my brain made before I went to rescue Elizabeth. But it doesn't happen much nowadays.

After getting a bag of chips from the cupboards, I flipped on the TV and flipped through the channels. "I save the whole universe and still, there's absolutely nothing on TV. What a waste." I said aloud as I stopped on a Star Wars movie that was on one of the channels.

After finishing off the bag of chips and getting comfortable on the couch, I felt my eyes get heavy just as Ben was giving Luke his dad's lightsaber. I let out a small chuckle, me and Luke had something in common, both of our dads where good guys turned bad.

...

"When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?" I looked up from my tea to my mother. I lived a few blocks away from my mom's orphanage, thank god that wasn't made up, and we met at this little cafe between our respective homes, "What day is it?" I asked. Mother gave me a cross look, but I caught the smirk she almost had.

"It's April 10th. Thursday." she said in her British accent. My mom originally was from Britain, her mom and dad separated when she was little and her mother got chief custody. Thankfully when mom got older she came straight to the US where my grandfather was, on account of her mother having almost complete control over her life.

And thank god she had the Luteces bring him along with mother, I'd hate to meet 'mega bitch' from my mom's childhood. Besides even through gramps can't talk, he's the nicest guy I know,"Seriously? Then it's been 9 days since a peaceful night's sleep." My mom cracked a smile, "So you haven't slept since April fools day? That's ironic isn't it?"

I felt the corner of my mouth twitch, "We'll with all those little pranksters that you have under one roof I'm surprised your still sane." Whenever I had a day off of something, I helped my mom out at the orphanage whenever I could. Even if I came home with glitter and paint or whatever.

I pulled my jacket closer to my body in a attempt to warm up, "Maybe you have insomnia from the weather, god knows it's just starting to actually begin to look like spring." Mom said as she took a sip of her drink. It was true, Mother Nature has been a cold bitch these past few months.

"I'm starting to regret telling you about this mom." I said as I blew on my tea. My mom has been acting as my unofficial therapist ever since I came back. So I told her about any weird dreams I had pertaining to Columbia. And since Elizabeth was pretty much the point of my journey we talked about her frequently.

"Well when you have dreams about my future daughter in law I'm naturally interested." I choked on my drink a little. I was really staring to regret this! I have no damn idea how she figured out what me and Elizabeth's relationship was, and I really hated that she knew that. It wasn't that I was ashamed or anything, in fact I was proud of it.

She just teases me so damn much.

"Can we get back on topic Dr. Lamb? I really don't like where this one is going." I said said pleadingly. My mother smiled, "Jacob don't worry. I'm sure she is fine."

I wanted to truly believe that but there's always this thing of doubt in the back of my mind, saying that she's dead. She isn't, "But she doesn't think I am. She thinks I'm capital d Dead. And I'm pretty sure the last thing she wants to do is think about me dead." I said as I finished up my tea.

"I'm sure Robert and Rosalind will tell her when they see her. They're not monsters Jacob." Mom said defensively, they where her friends after all. Speaking of which, I pulled my backpack out from behind my chair, "That reminds me, remember the one couple that said they where interested in Molly? The ones from Rhode Island?" I asked.

One of the things I did for the mom and the Little Sister orphanage was do some background checking on the people that looked into adoption. I mean when a single man comes to look at a place with Little Sisters in the name, that really should raise some red flags. So I browse whatever sources I can get my hands on and do a check on the people who come in.

"And? Please tell me they're clean, I really thought they where sincere." Mom said, I pulled out a paper from my bag, "Unfortunately yes. Those hardened criminals had two parking tickets in their names." I said jokingly as I handed her the paper on the couple.

My mom let out a sigh of relief, "Damnit I hate it when you do that. I thought I raised you better than that." she said as she took the paper. I smiled, "You really want to keep going with this conversation too?" Mom gave me 'the look'.

"I'm shutting up now." I said as she read the paper I had on the two.

...

"You didn't need to pay mom. Or stalk me back to my room." I said as she walked down the hall to my apartment, "And what mother would I be if I didn't make sure my son had a safe commute home?" she asked with fake concern.

"The kind that's envious of the fact I don't have over ten little boys and girls waiting at her workplace?" I said, earning a thwack in the chest, I smiled nonetheless. "Ok I can take a hint, I'll see you later sweetheart." she said, kissing my cheek.

And this just proves that mothers across time and space are all embarrassing.

I waved her goodbye as I entered my apartment. Slipping off my shoes, I took off my aviator and hung it and made my way towards the couch that I slept on the night before.

Only to find two people in my spot. I backed up into the kitchen and grabbed the nearest knife and readied it to fight.

"Nice to see you again Mr. Harper."

My jaw nearly dropped when i saw it was the Lutece twins in my , they may not be twins but how much closer can you get to the exact version of you but the opposite gender? The twins where almost neighbors to me, constantly dropping in on me when I least expected it.

Every single time I asked about Elizabeth they brushed it under the rug. I nearly blew a gasket every time, but one time they said, "What we said stands, what point is there of repeating recycled information?" I took that they where referring to how they said she'd be safe. And to be completely fair, they can basically see the future so I took their words for it.

"Jesus! You know there's this new thing called a door, I thought you guys of all people would know something about it!" I said, putting the knife away into one of the draws. The twins looked at one another for a second before looking back at me, "Was that a joke?" Robert asked.

I let out a sigh as I made my way around the couch to face them, "Yeah yeah yeah, I'm a regular Robin Williams. Now what are you two doing here?" I asked as I sat down in the hair beside the couch. The twins looked at each other with...apprehension?

"How is Miss. Lamb fairing today?" Oh right, the reason my last name is Harper and not lamb is because when I was little I wanted to meet my dad, thank god I didn't, so my mom told me his last name. I don't know why I'm still using it, all it is now is a bad memory that's not going away.

"She's...fine, you two actually just missed her a second ago...ok what's the news?" I asked. The two obviously had something to say, they might as well say it and not beat around the bush.

Robert looked at Rosalind, "Told you he'd be direct." he said, but without the snarky tone that he usually had in situations like this. Rosalind looked at me sadly, "Mr Harper...I'm afraid...that...Mis. Elizabeth has chosen a path that will lead to her death."

I felt my blood run cold. Elizabeth...dead? N-n-n-no! No no no no no no! NononoNONONONO! SHE'S NOT DEAD SHE CAN'T BE DEAD!

"WHAT!" I sprang up and grabbed the nearest one of them, "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN DEATH!" I couldn't breath, she can't be dead, she can't be dead, she can't be dead, she can't be dead! SHE CAN'T BE DEAD!

"S-S-S-She has to be alive! You said th-that- that she's alive! YOU SAID SHE WAS-" SLAP! Ok...I may have needed that. Still it stung like is bitch. Rosalind rubbed her hand from the impact on my face. "Now, you can either sulk on about it, or do something about it." Robert said, prying my grip off him.

I tried to calm myself down I really did. But my mind was going wild, I mean how? Was it peaceful? Was it a accident? Did...did someone kill her?!

When that thought went through my mind, I thought of what I did to Dr. Petifong. I cut off all his limbs with my skyhook and burned the wounds shut. I thought of how painful I would make THIS one, would I break all his bones? No, that's not good enough, how about I cut his tongue out and make him drink his own blood to survive for a week?

Ok I've been watching to many movies.

"Look...h...how..." Robert put a hand on my shoulder, "That tale is best left for later. Right now, we believe you have preparations to make." he said as the two sat up from the couch.

Before they made their way to the door I called out, "Wait! Did...did she...did she suffer?" I asked, fearing their answer. At least with them I could count on honesty, not comforting lies. Rosalind cast me her best look of sympathy, "She felt no pain."

As the door shut, I bolted into my room. When the twins said I had some preparations my mind seemed to calm down. The idea of a plan sounded Devine right now, some way to stop this, I mean if I can kill someone across reality I must be able to save one, right?

I opened my closet and dropped to my knees. Moving some fallen cloths aside, I pulled out a lockbox, I input the code, 1-9-1-2. Corny I know but who'd be lucky enough to guess it? Opening the lid, I took out my old Hand Canon from Columbia.

Before the suits even got to my house, I stuffed this under my bed so I wouldn't freak out anyone. I pulled out the holster that came along with it, as I put the leather over my grey under armor, the last contents of the box caught my eye.

One of them was a picture of Elizabeth I had from when I went to find her in Columbia, it didn't show her full face but it was enough to keep her beautiful face in my mind.

I thought of her body laying limp.

NO! Stop! Your going to save her Harper, you will save her! I've done it before and I'll do it again.

Pushing aside the picture, I grasped my most valued possession wrapped in a cloth. Unfolding the cloth from the item I let out a shakily breath, it was the pendant that I got her at battleship bay. She gave it to me when I was about to leave to kill Patri-Comstock.

And all I could give her was a bloody blue rag.

I looked at the bird for a moment before clasping my fingers over it. This gave Elizabeth hope when I was separated from her for six months, and when I found out she was alive I promised myself that I'd give it back to her.

And I intend to keep that promise.

I slipped the bird pendent in my pocket and grabbed my backpack as I approached the door, I slipped my aviator back on to hide the holster from anyone, I made sure the pistol was on safe before turning off the lights and heading for my mother's orphanage.

...

"Jacob!" one of the girls screamed, and I was doomed from the moment I walked in. The boy's and girls rushed me and jumped on me, "Are you here for story time?"

"Can you play airplane with me?"

"ARE YOU HAVING A SLEEPOVER?!" One of them yelled, getting the others to chant 'Sleepover'. It's a miracle I'm still in one piece. "Sorry guys, I have to see Mis. Lamb. Next time." I said getting the little kids off me one at a time. Leaving the slightly disappointed kids, I headed up the stairs from the lobby towards the managers office.

I spent alot of my spare time here to say the least. Or at least enough for all the little kids to have drawn pictures of me with 'big brother' on it. I loved kids, hell I even thought I'd have some one day. But I've been convinced for the past year that I'd die from vigor poisoning or something. Even though the people who took me and my mom said that the powers I had would be out of my system in a few months.

I did miss being able to charge my phone without needing to plug the charger into the wall.

Knocking on the door, I heard a muffled "Come in." from the other side. Opening the door, I saw that mom was expecting me, the Luteces beat me here.

"They...tell you the news?" I asked plainly. Mom gave me a empathetic look, "Jacob I'm..." she stopped, she knew that no amount of words could comfort me. "Right then. Now we can discuss the circumstances." Rosalind said calmly.

"Ok, lets start with...how it happened." I said, trying not to have that image in my mind. I still can't believe that...no. She's alive. She's alive as long as I am.

"Ms. Elizabeth has fallowed your example, in pursuing revenge." Wait what? I mean Elizabeth wanted blood for what Comstock did to her, that's understandable all things considered; but I can't think Elizabeth to go for revenge against anyone.

"Look as much as I...fairly trust you guys, Elizabeth is a kindhearted person, not...well me." I said. I did go after Comstock for blood, and I accept that it was my goal all along.

Mom looked at me uneasily, "Well...that's because of the person involved." Rosalind explained as she looked at her brother. He looked at me and my mother uneasily, "Well who the bloody hell is it?" Mom said, surprising us.

"Comstock."

The name hung in the air like a stench for a moment. The name that ruined the lives if everyone in this very room, and he's responsible for Elizabeth's death!

"How! How after everything, is he still alive?!" I sneered, after all the death, all the violence, all the shit that me and her went through, how is he alive!

"As we've stated before,"

"Or rather her,"

"Infinite universes,"

"Infinite possibilities."

"I get it! I get it!" I said waving my hands, wanting them to stop. I sighed, so Comstock, or at least one version of him, is still alive. "So...what do I need to do? Kill him again?" I asked plainly. Hey if it worked once right?

"Actually that action is what is the cause of Ms. Elizabeth's...demise." Robert explained. My eyes widened, "So...killing him is what...yeah..." So death isn't the answer this time.

"Ok...so what are we waiting for? Send me there, I kill Comstock, get Elizabeth, and get her out of there." If I think about it I might have said the exact same thing that I said when I went to go after him the first time.

"Unfortunately it is not that simple."

"For how can you kill a man who doesn't exist?"

Mom looked at the two irritatedly, "For god's sake give it to us straight! For once!" And that's why I love my mom, Rosalind rolled her eyes, "Comstock does not exist." "But Patrick Harper does."

What?

"So...ok...I'm confused now...look. Can you two send me to Columbia and get this over with?" I asked pleadingly. I did have a map of Columbia in my head...sort of.

"We said nothing of Columbia. But another city,"

"Another lighthouse,"

"But the same man."

Mom looked at the two with panic hidden well behind her eyes, "So...what do we do?" she asked, carful not to make them talk in riddles again. As far as I was concerned, Patrick Harper and Zachary Comstock where two completely different people. Not just in looks, but in views, personalities, preferences, and just what kind of man each of them where.

"That depends on what Mr. Harper wishes. But, we will send you to critical point in this time." Robert said.

"One that makes what will happen...cloudy." Rosalind finished.

So I can count on these two helping me out. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not. As helpful as these two are, they have a tendency to baffle and confuse me. But they still did help me when I did need it, so I'll still miss them. I guess.

"I'm not exactly comfortable with my son going into this whole thing blind...can you at least tell us where he'll be going?" Mom asked the two, "Yeah I don't exactly like the idea of being in a a dangerous place, especially one that I'm not a bit familiar with." When I went to Columbia I basically stumbled my way through the dark until I got to the tower, from then on Elizabeth was pretty much a guide.

"We assure you it's nowhere new,"

"Just somewhere you won't expect."

I sighed, so I at least heard of it? I can deal with that. My mother stood from her seat, "So...when do you leave?" she asked. I could tell she didn't like this, hell I hated this, but I had to save Elizabeth. It's not only that, but I wanted to see her again, no matter what the circumstances.

"That's up to tweedle Dum and Dee here." I said, nodding my head to the respective twin. "Analogies aside, just reach for the door when you feel your ready." Robert said standing up, fallowed by his sister. As they went through the door I felt a small bit of excitement go through my body.

"Just be safe. That's all I want." Mom said as she gave me a hug. I returned it briefly, "She'll keep me in one piece mom. Don't worry." I said, hang on Elizabeth, Prince Charming is on his way. Ok maybe not charming but still!

I looked towards the door, this all felt so familiar, me going through a door into another time, and just to get the girl to safety. I once told Elizabeth I'd go through the hell known as Columbia all over again just to see her, time to see if I was just kidding myself and her.

I reach for the door handle and pulled it open.

I saw a blinding white light as I shut it behind me.

Elizabeth. I'm coming.

AN: I seriously hope this was a better first chapter than my last story. I loved the dream sequence in BaS episode 2 and I wanted to put my own spin on it.

As for the time gap, Elizabeth said that she spent six months as Cohen's understudy/muse, and I gathered that she found the last Comstock a while after booker's 'death'.

And with the federal people, I figure that the Luteces set Eleanor up in the other time, so they probably informed the government of what's gonna happen and put in contingency plans.

I planned on putting this up next week but I have my birthday tomorrow and I would probably be too preoccupied with what I get to post this chapter, so consider this my gift to all you guys!

I'll try and put up chapter two next week. Until then!

Also, more reviews = faster updates. Just saying.