Title: Traditions 4: Lester

Author: Pinkcat4569

Description: Traditions that the ARC staff carry out during the holidays are as varied and different as the people.

Rating: G

Characters/Pairing: Lester is the focus. Becker/Jess, married Connor/Abby

Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters. This is only for fun.

Author's Note: It's Lester's turn. I apologize for adding Becker/Jess, but I just can't seem to help it. I include my OC Chef Rice but this is not related to any other stories, not even the other Traditions. Becker/Jess are not a couple yet.

2371 Words

Traditions 4: Lester: Remembering the Employees During the Holidays

"Yes, Uncle Alistair, I shall get you another blanket," said James Lester. He muttered as he walked to the linen closet. "I'm happy to play chamber maid. After all it's not like I'm the important head of a top secret government facility that keeps your sorry neck safe and sound from all matter of untimely deaths, now is it?"

He went back to his wife's aging relative and tucked the blanket around his frail bones with a smile. Yes, it was a forced smile, but still, he was keeping himself in check.

He sighed as he left for the solace of the kitchen. His wife saw his face and laughed. "You're a good sport dear, putting up with my relations."

"Don't I know it, darling. Don't worry, I shan't let you forget it either."

She laughed again, stirring the mashed potatoes.

"Where's a bloody disaster when I need one?"

"They are taking the holiday off, dear."

Just then Lester's cell beeped. He grabbed it and read the texts, then he smiled broadly. "Yes!"

She rolled her eyes. "It's not too big of a disaster, is it, darling?"

"Big enough to detain me for several hours, hopefully."

She stared at him. "You prefer a disaster to spending time with my family?"

He smiled. "Indeed," he said, kissing her cheek, and adding, "And I know that you're jealous."

She laughed as several people bellowed her name. "Just return to me in one piece, alive and well."

"I shall. I promise," he said, running with glee for his coat.

He strolled into Ops, hearing the happy humming of "Twelve Days of Christmas." As he got closer he saw the hummer: a small woman wearing a Father Christmas hat a short red skirt, trimmed in white fur, and a red vest. She also wore black boots.

"You are far too young and too female to be a convincing Father Christmas."

Jess Parker looked up and giggled. "I think I make a very nice Miss Claus."

"Miss?" asked Lester.

"Not for long," said a smooth voice. "In that outfit, she won't stay single."

She giggled as Lester rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you be in the field, Captain?"

Becker smirked. "I was. I'm back."

"Sorry to call you in on a false alarm, Lester," said Jess.

"False..." began Lester but he switched his train of thought. "You said we had multiple anomalies."

"We did," said Becker.

"And multiple incursions," said Lester.

"That was the false part," said Jess. "We only had the one which was a large bunch of deer like creatures but they swarmed back through the anomaly."

Becker chuckled. "Apparently they don't like the sound of car honking."

"Don't be smug," she said. "I'm surprised you aren't bummed that there was no shooting."

"Your outfit cheered me up," Becker said with a leer.

Jess blushed and giggled.

"Excuse me, but if two would stop flirting..."

"We aren't..." began Jess.

"Flirting," ended Becker.

"Save it," said Lester, tersely. "What about the multiple anomalies?"

"They closed once the first one did," said Jess. "So...the crisis is over."

"Yep," said Becker.

Lester stared. "Miss Parker, you are aware that you called me away from my family celebration, and on Christmas, are you not?"

"Yes, I am sorry."

"Sorry, Miss Parker? You're sorry?"

"Yes," she said, with a tiny voice and pouting face.

"Back off Lester. She didn't know they'd work themselves out," said Becker. "It looked pretty bad there for a moment."

"How gallant of you, Captain."

Jess broke in. "I'm very sorry, Lester. You can go back home. We're fine."

Becker nodded.

"Leave, and have the anomalies call me back? I don't think so," Lester said, walking to his office.

"Lester you're being silly. Go back home!"

"You order me, Miss Parker? How bold!"

"I think he's grateful for the escape," said Becker, smirking.

Lester glared at him, then winked.

Jess giggled as Lester withdrew to his office, pouring himself some brandy.

Lester sat in his office, a bit bored. There was no work to do. He watched Becker and Jess flirt and giggle together for a while, but then his stomach hurt and he realized that he was famished. He headed to the canteen.

Chef Bernie Rice looked up. "Sir? What on earth are you doing here today?"

"A good leader endures what his staff endures."

Chef Rice laughed. "Wife has the house full again?"

"Yes, with her side this year."

The chef chuckled, passing him a glass.

"Ooh, your signature holiday punch?"

"Yes, sir."

"Spiked?"

"Not while we're all on duty, Sir. However, there are several bottles behind the counter for later." He winked. "We have a thoughtful director who takes care of his people and thinks ahead."

Lester smirked. "Man sounds top notch."

"Oh, he is," said the Chef. "Take the meal I'm serving tonight. He arranged for it personally."

Lester blushed a bit. "Oh well...they have to eat. It wouldn't do to have my staff passing out from hunger when they should be chasing dinosaurs, now would it?"

Bernie laughed. "No, Sir. I'm sure that was your only reasoning."

"Of course," said Lester. He walked past the chef to the meal line, looking over the entrees of roast chicken, roast beef, grilled fish, and spinach quiche. "Mmm...it looks delicious, Chef."

"Thank you. What can I get you?"

"Oh...just load me up with a bit of everything."

Bernie chuckled and nodded. "Save room for dessert though. I have traditional Christmas pudding, several pies, and of course, chocolate for Miss Parker."

"Of course. I'm surprised she worked today."

"Are you, Sir? I'm not. Your single staff members are always happy to take the holiday shifts for their comrades who have families."

"Yes, yes. I am aware," Lester said with a slight smile, "that they are good people. They don't need to be aware that I'm aware though."

The chef laughed and handed Lester his plate. "Have a good evening, Sir. Merry Christmas."

"Yes," he said. He softened and smiled. "You too, Bernie."

Chef Rice smiled and nodded.

Lester looked around for a seat. He sighed. Slowly and a bit reluctantly he sat beside Connor Temple.

"Boss? What are you doing here?"

"Trying to eat a holiday meal in peace, Connor."

"Why aren't you home?"

"Because you seem to be unable to predict anomaly behavior accurately."

"Its not my fault they do what they want," said Connor, defensively.

Lester shook his head, taking a bite of roast beef. He actually began to thaw a little inside. "Succulent," he whispered, taking another bite.

"Lester?" asked a familiar voice.

Abby sat down. "What..."

"Anomalies, Mrs. Temple," he said. "They stranded me here."

"You fibber!" cried Jess, entering with Becker, who carried a large box of wrapped presents. "He can leave!"

Becker laughed. "It's too crowded at home."

"Indeed."

"I think he misses us."

Lester scoffed. "You're delusional Miss Parker."

"I am?" she asked with a smile.

"Completely."

She shook her head as Becker laughed. "You're so silly!" she cried. "I know you like us, Lester."

"Delusional."

"Fine," she said, "but please explain why, once again, you've left us all presents."

"Damn," he said. "I knew there was a reason I stayed away on Christmas."

The little group broke into laughter.

"Let's all open them now," said Jess.

"No," said Lester. "I am trying to enjoy my meal. I would prefer peace and quiet."

"No, don't be like that Lester."

"Jess, no offense, but this is one of the reasons I fled my home: people and gift-giving." He shuddered.

"Then why did you give us presents?" she asked.

He looked at them. "I...didn't?"

They laughed.

"No, I did not," he said, with a new found confidence. "It wasn't me."

Becker chuckled, shaking his head. "He's going with the same excuse he used last year."

"And it's your fault again!" cried Lester. "You keep letting some deranged individual invade my personal office!"

They laughed harder.

"Oh, please! Some guy keeps breaking into your office and leaving gifts for your staff?"

"Yes, Miss Parker."

She giggled. "We didn't believe that last year! Why would we this year? It's so silly!"

"It's true."

"Stop it, Lester! You've been caught being nice."

"How dare you, Miss Parker! I could sack you on Christmas Day, how's that for nice?"

Jess just giggled.

Becker tossed a gift to Connor, and handed Abby hers.

"I agree with Jess," she said. "It isn't very logical. Why would someone leave presents in your office?"

Lester shrugged, shoveling his food in his mouth. "Don't know. Don't care."

"Lester!" cried Jess, giggling. "Just admit it!"

"Miss Parker, please. This meal is the only joy I get this holiday and I refuse to let your delusions ruin it!"

Jess shook her head. "Fine." She then bent down and kissed his cheek. "I apologize. Please don't fire me," she said with a teasing smile.

Lester looked at her, a twinkle in his eye as he kept the sour expression. "Very well, after all, it is Christmas."

"Thank you, Lester," she said, giggling. "Come on, Captain, let's hand these...mystery gifts out."

"Yes, Miss Claus," said Becker, smirking, "Or have you found a Santa yet?"

Lester shook his head as they left, Jess saying, "Not yet..." with a giggle. Then he heard Becker answer with a "good."

"Did you get presents for everyone?" asked Connor. "Or just the skeleton crew, like last year?"

Lester sighed. "I told you, Connor, it wasn't me, but no, the gifts are just for the people sacrificing their holiday for the greater good."

"How do you know that if it's not you?" asked Connor, smirking.

"Connor, do not make me throw this exquisite cuisine at you."

Abby laughed. "You're pushing him too hard, Connor."

"Much too hard. Go away."

Connor laughed.

"Fine, we'll leave," said Abby, "But first..."

Lester groaned.

She chuckled. "Whoever it was," she began, "It was very thoughtful."

Lester looked at her. "I suppose it was."

Abby smiled and she too kissed his cheek. "If you find out who it is, pass on my thanks."

"I will not kiss anyone, Abby."

"I didn't think you would," she said with a laugh. "Come on Conn. I have to give the animals their Christmas presents."

"Presents for the creatures? Who's paying for that ridiculousness?"

"No worries, Lester, I am."

"Oh, in that case, you may proceed, Mrs. Temple."

"Thank you, Lester. Merry Christmas."

Lester groaned but nodded. After they left he muttered, "Finally, some peace."

He had barely swallowed his grilled fish when he heard a squeal followed by a flurry of heels. "Oh, no," he moaned.

Then a red and white blur pounced on him. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Miss Parker! Please! Have some decorum!" he yelled as she hugged him.

"I can't! You gave me my favorite perfume! It's so pricey, too! You're an angel!"

"Captain! Don't just stand there laughing! Get this fuzzy yuletide mass off me!"

Becker laughed, pulling Jess from Lester's side.

He straightened his suit. "Really! This is a place of business! Besides, for the last time, it wasn't me!"

"Oh, stop! It was too! Just like last year, but last year you gave me a huge box of chocolate, which was a really good present too."

Lester sighed, shaking his head. "I should have stayed home."

"No! Then I couldn't thank you!"

"Which would have been wonderful, Jess."

She looked at him. "At least you admit it was you."

"I did not!"

She put her hands on her hips. "Fine, then who?"

He looked at Becker. "An admirer, perhaps?"

Becker turned red as Jess looked at him. "No, he gave me my present, see?" She pulled a dainty blue snowflake locket from her neck.

"Jewelry, Captain? That's quite personal and intimate."

"It isn't...I didn't...I..." he stammered as Jess looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Then he shrugged. "She gave me a kiss, all you got was a hug."

Lester had to laugh at that. "In that case, you're smarter than I thought, Captain."

"It was extremely kind of you to remember us," said Jess.

Lester shook his head and opened his mouth.

"No," she continued. "It was. You know that we're all here instead of with family and..." she looked at Becker, "others." She blushed as he smiled. "Anyway, it's kind. That's all I'm going to say."

"Promise?"

She laughed. "Yes, Mr. Grumpy pants. I'm going back to the ADD."

"Good."

She shook her head and began to walk out. Then she smirked at Becker and ran to Lester, hugging him tightly.

"Miss Parker!"

She giggled and walked out.

Becker stood still, laughing and watching her leave.

"You aren't following after her?"

"I know where she is."

Lester smirked.

Becker cleared his throat. "Um..Lester..."

Lester sighed and threw down his fork. "Not you too. Please, Captain, don't say a word."

"Fine." He turned and took three steps. "But your people appreciate you too."

Suddenly Chef Rice placed a box in front of Lester. "Ooh, that's my favorite Scotch, Bernie. I may have to confiscate the whole lot."

"Go ahead," said Becker.

Lester raised his eyebrow.

Bernie laughed. "There's a card, Sir."

Lester took it and read, "To Our Director. Happy holidays and thanks for everything. From your staff."

He was quiet.

"Like I said, Lester..." said Becker. "We know."

Lester looked up, smiled slightly, and nodded.

Becker nodded back, then turned and left.

"Heading to Ops?" Lester called after him.

"Duh," came the reply.

Lester smirked. He stared at the scotch and the card. "They are very good people indeed."

The End