Part 2

He saw the Councillor blink apprehensively. "Oh, I brought her back, all right," he said quickly. "But--but--she's been badly treated, sir. I don't know if the damage Sagginer's done to her mind can ever be repaired. I--"

The Councillor's eyes widened. "What are you talking about, Brek? What has happened to Dori? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."

"Why, she's right here--unconscious, in the back of the Time-Scoop," Brek said, puzzled. "And--" He turned to find the girl. "Why--she _isn't_ here!"

"Of course not," said the Councillor. "She's been right here, all the time. Where else should she be?"

Dimly, Brek began to realize what had happened. Some act of his--the shooting of Cactus, perhaps--had altered the future, his present, ever so slightly. Just enough so that in _this_ present, Sagginer had gone back alone--_without_ Dori.

A door opened, and a girl stepped out, clad in a white lab smock. Her eyes were bright and clear, and when she saw Brek, she gave a little scream of joy.

Then Brek folded her into his arms.