Fringes: One of Those Days - Conclusion

[melworks]

Napoleon Solo placed his fingertips together and peered over them, at the Doctor.
“You saved reality with your hat.”
Just saying it made it sound even more incredulous.
The quartet had returned from California and were ensconced in Solo’s office at UNIT’s American headquarters.
The Doctor just smiled, modestly, and fiddled with the end of his long scarf.
“I don’t suppose I can convince you to file a report, can I?” said Solo.
“I think Agent Dunham can take care of that,” said the Doctor. He turned and gave Olivia his brightest smile. “Can’t you?”
“I suppose so,” said Olivia.
“What’s going to happen to Professor Arturo?” asked Peter. “He didn’t mean to cause any harm.”
“Right now,” said Solo, “UNIT is taking all of the professor’s research and equipment into custody. As for Arturo himself, we’re thinking of recruiting him into UNIT’s think tank organization. One of our science advisors, a Welshman named Malcolm Taylor, has been chomping at the bit to speak to Arturo. It seems Arturo is something of a celebrity in the scientific community.”
Solo didn’t sound pleased with the notion.
“As for you, Doctor. . . .”
“We’ll be leaving,” said the Doctor. “I really do need to get Uhura and Tony settled.”
“As you like, Doctor,” said Solo. “Will we see you again any time soon?”
“Perhaps.” The Doctor grinned. “I did promise Walter a trip in the TARDIS.”
Peter blinked. The idea of his father let loose on all of space and time made gooseflesh break out across his body.
“Until then, Doctor.”
Solo stood and extended his hand. The Doctor shook it, grinning broadly at the other man.
“Wait a minute,” protested Olivia. “What about the aliens? The ones from the other timelines?”
“Gone,” said the Doctor. “Returned to their own realities when the breach was sealed.”
“That’s convenient,” said Peter.
“The universe doesn’t like a mess,” said the Doctor. He shook Peter’s hand. “Goodbye, Peter. Goodbye, Agent Dunham. Give my best to your father and Astrid.”
Then, in a swirl of coat and scarf, the Doctor had left.
Olivia shook her head. “What an incredible man.”
“Infuriating as well,” said Napoleon Solo. “Now, Miss Dunham. Mister Bishop. I’d like to have a word with you about your Fringe Division.”
“What about it?” asked Peter.
“The incidents you’re investigating clearly fall within UNIT’s mandate,” said Solo.
“Meaning what?” asked Olivia.
“Meaning, Miss Dunham, that as of noon today, the Fringe Division and all relevant personnel have been transferred to UNIT.”
Olivia frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Agent Broyles will operate as our liaison with the U.S. government,” continued Solo. “But Fringe Division will no longer report to him. You’ll be reporting directly to me.”
Solo saw the shock and anger on their faces. He smiled and settled back into his chair.
“This is not a bad thing, Agent Dunham. Your team will remain intact and I think you’ll find UNIT better equipped to respond to these fringe incidents than the FBI.”
Olivia took a breath. “Do we have a choice in this, Mr. Solo?”
“Of course,” said the gray-haired gentleman. “You can always choose to leave.” His eyes hardened. “Whether you stay or go, however, Fringe Division is now part of UNIT.”

TO BE CONTINUED?