Title: Interference
Rating: T
Spoilers: Series 5
Description: Becker's dad has a vision for his son's future, and he is determined that no one will interfere, not Becker himself and certainly not a 19 year old girl in short skirts and heels.
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters
Author's Note: This pre-ship, B/J. The idea for this came when I realized Becker, young for a captain, was probably thought by some people to be headed for a great military career. Those who don't know the secrets of the ARC, would probably wonder what the heck was he doing? How would Jess deal with the idea of him leaving? Into this story kernel, came Becker's father.
Interference, Part One
"What have you got Jess?" asked Becker.
"Anomaly detected at West Park."
"We're on it," said Matt, as the team collected the black boxes and ran out.
"Be careful," called Jess, turning in time to catch Becker's smile.
"Always," he said, and she smiled back.
They were still on route when Jess had some news. "I've intercepted several 911 calls about an attack on a jogger in the West Park."
"We're almost there," said Matt. A few minutes later, they arrived.
"Damn it! We're too late," said Becker.
The scene that greeted them marred the peacefulness of the park on this sunny, pleasant day. A jogger lay to the side of the paved jogging path.
"Something tried to drag him into the bushes."
"Must have been interrupted by the people who called 911," said Abby, examining the body. "There is one deep bite on the neck, and claw marks on the back and shoulder. He was jumped, and probably died instantly from the bite."
"So, now we have a killer on the loose," said Becker.
"The park's been evacuated," said Jess.
"Good," said Matt. "Where's the anomaly Jess?"
"Not far, keep moving straight ahead."
The team did as she told them, and ran not into the anomaly, but into a creature.
"What is it?"
"Castoroides, giant beaver," said Connor
"Giant is right. It's the size of a car!" cried Becker.
"I'd hate to see its lodge," said Abby, "housing that thing would take a whole forest of logs. Poor thing would have a lot of chewing to do."
"It could too," said Connor. "Look at the size of its teeth!"
"Connor, does that thing eat meat?" asked Becker.
"No."
Matt and Becker sighed. "Then we have a problem," said Matt.
"Oh, right," said Connor. "Then what killed the jogger?"
"We have another problem," said Jess. "The anomaly readings just stopped."
"It's closed," said Abby.
"Look around people, and be careful."
"What about the beaver?" asked Abby.
"Jess, send a recovery team for the beaver, but tell them we have an unidentified predator on the loose."
"They're on the way, Matt, with backup."
"She's so efficient," said Abby.
"No surprise there," said Becker. "She efficiently eats a chocolate bar in five seconds flat."
"It's a skill," said Jess.
They heard a scream behind them.
"I think we located the creature," said Connor.
They ran toward the scream, and found a bear looming over the body of another jogger.
"Get that bear off her!" screamed Matt.
They all fired, and soon the bear was unconscious.
"Is she alive?" asked Becker as Abby knelt beside the body.
"Yes, barely. Jess..."
"I know, ambulance already dispatched."
"I thought the park was evacuated!"
"That's what the police said Becker," said Jess.
"Can we do anything for her?" asked Matt.
"Try to stop the bleeding. That's about it," said Abby.
"The ambulance is three minutes away," said Jess.
"Good," said Matt.
Connor stood over the creature.
"It isn't a bear," said Connor, "it's a borhyaena, a bear-like predator, but its a marsupial. It had short little legs, see? They were ambush predators."
"You think this is the only one?"
"Probably. Yeah, it made two attacks, but look at the size of it, it's diet has to be huge."
"The joggers would be an easy target," said Becker.
Connor nodded.
"Let's do a sweep to make sure," said Matt.
The ambulance with ARC medics pulled up and they took care of the jogger.
The rest of the team searched the entire park.
"Nothing," said Matt.
"I am getting no reports of any more sightings Matt," said Jess.
"Good," said Abby. "Let's go."
Becker lingered. "I'm doing another sweep."
"Becker, we checked thoroughly," said Matt.
"You guys go on, I'll ride back with the recovery team," he said and walked away.
The team exchanged glances, and followed Becker.
Back in Ops, Emily had joined Jess at the ADD.
"They are not back yet," said Emily.
"Oh, they decided to search the park again, to make sure there were no more creatures," said Jess. "There was another attack after the team got there. Becker's taking it pretty hard," she said.
"He is quite devoted," said Emily.
"He's more than that Em," said Jess. "He takes every loss or injury personally, and it drives me crazy. I keep telling him that he isn't too blame for everything."
Emily smiled. "It is hard when someone you love is grieved."
"What? I'm not...I don't...We're just friends Emily."
Emily smiled. "I do not believe love can come without friendship."
"I know, but, Em we are just friends."
"Of course," said Emily.
Jess frowned. "Where are you guys?" she asked into the comms.
"Sweeping the park," said Matt, "again."
"I told you to leave," said Becker.
Matt smirked. "Can't, I'm team leader, what if you go missing or something? It's my head."
"And your shins once Jess starts kicking," said Connor.
"Oh, I hate to think of what Miss Parker would do to me if the Captain didn't come back," teased Matt.
Becker ignored him, but his face was a little red. In Ops, Jess' face was very red.
"For pity sakes, we're just friends," she muttered.
"There's nothing out here, Becker," said Abby.
"Right." said Becker. "It's best to be certain."
"Of course it is," said Matt, "but can we go now?"
"Yeah."
"Hurry back," said Jess' cheery voice.
Becker smiled. He saw Abby watching him, and blushed.
End of Part One