[For just one moment, her eyes slide over, focusing on Jim. Confusion registers over her face, wild uncertainty, because that isn't what she's used to him wearing. Those aren't a captain's pips on his uniform, and it must be a uniform, so what--?

If I get caught, it's going to be a very long time before we see each other! Robert says, and her attention snaps back, focusing on her beloved once more. Urgency is clear in her expression, and she holds out her hand again.]

You will not get caught, I promise! Now come!

[You can't promise me that! His anxiety seems to grow worse, dancing from foot to foot, torn between desperately wanting to come through and possessing a healthy fear of being killed as he tries. But the argument behind him is getting ever louder, and Robert finally seems to see sense. He darts through, one quick movement, leaping and gasping as Rosalind catches him.

Shut the machine down, the bearded man roars, and follows right on Robert's heels, the baby still in his arms. Shut it down, shut it down right now--

Give me back my daughter! the alcoholic bellows, but it's too late: Rosalind has turned, following that order breathlessly, and with a whine the machine shuts down. The portal closes, expanding one last time before collapsing-- and as it does, the infant turns, reaching for her father. Her mouth drops open, her arm stretching out . . . and her pinky, small and slight, gets caught just as the portal closes.

There's a breathless moment of silence before the screaming begins. Blood gushes out, and Rosalind shouts as she comes forward, grabbing a first aid kit.]

She's all right.

[Rosalind-- Jim's Rosalind, older and less expressive, her body held tightly-- murmurs it from behind him.]

She lost the finger, but that was the least that could have happened to her.