The departure time is always tough. In my last role my director never bothered to tell the team I was leaving because she was mad I decided to leave. My decision to leave was that much more confirmed that it was the right choice, because although I busted my ass for her, she was too childish to be a professional and do what was right.
Consulting work can be a good thing because you get to provide outside perspectives and insight into things that internally are sometimes difficult to convey without repercussions. Hopefully one of the other teams hires you as a contract worker, it certainly makes it easier when you are familiar to them!
I worked for a small company once that did this when someone left and they treated her badly. As a result, the entire team fell apart after and the business failed, as the woman was the social glue and kept them centered.
I had some meetings today and while no promises, it looks promising for end of Q1. I will keep hounding them ;)