Title: Anti Fraternization Policy, Chapter One
Author: Pinkcat4569
Spoilers: Season 5, references to major plot lines
Rating: G
Description: Everyone at the ARC is excited about Connor and Abby's wedding, and arranging dates, until an outside commission changes ARC policy on employee relationships.
Disclaimer: Just for fun, I don't own Primeval or the characters, so nothing is made.
Author's note: Mentions some of my original characters, but not related to other stories. Becker/Jess not a couple.
Total words over 6500, split into six chapters
Chapter One, Anti-Fraternization Policy
"Ah, Commissioner, to what do we owe this...pleasure?"
"I know you don't like us overseeing you're little facility, but in the wake of Burton and the near-end of the world, we feel its necessary that no one man has control of the ARC."
Lester grunted. "I was over-ruled, wasn't I?"
The commission smiled. "Indeed. I hope you keep in mind that I am doing my job, nothing personal."
"Of course not," said Lester. "What can I do for you today?"
"We've been going over the staff biographies. There are an alarming number of couples."
Lester shrugged. "It's a tad nauseating, but does make for a strong sense of loyalty. Not to mention good for morale."
"While the couples are happy."
Lester laughed. "Of course"
"Do you know how high the divorce rate in Britain is?"
"No, I do not, happily," Lester. "My time is taken up by more mundane things: anomalies, creatures, time travelers."
"Allow me to educate you: the divorce rate is rather high. Divorced couples can be very opportunistic and vindictive. I wonder how many will be tempted to divulge ARC secrets in divorce proceedings?"
"Commissioner, you do realize they would be divorcing each other, not the ARC?" asked Lester, smirking. This whole conversation was ludicrous in his opinion
"We think it may be time to institute an anti-fraternization policy."
"For the staff only or will you be applying it to the creatures as well?"
"This is no joke, Lester"
"Believe me, if you make such policy, no one at the ARC will be laughing."
Meanwhile, there was a party in the canteen. The ARC chef, Bernie, had brought out cupcakes, pies, cookies, and of course, champagne. He himself, popped open the first bottle.
"To Abby and Connor," said Matt. The crowd cheered and toasted the couple.
"Finally! You're really engaged!" cried Jess, handing Becker her champagne, "Hold this. Cupcake," she said, and bit into a chocolate one.
Becker laughed.
"Yeah, I finally gave in and said yes," Connor joked.
Abby elbowed him. "Sorry we didn't you tell all right away."
"You were busy," said Becker.
Matt snickered. "The end of the world had us all a bit tied up."
Everyone laughed.
"I wish you much joy," said Emily.
Everyone agreed, and raised their glasses. Jess, mouth stuffed, nudged Becker to raise her glass too. He shook his head, and did as bid.
"And lots of children," said Matt, winking.
"Oh, Lord," said Becker, turning green. "I just got an image of a whole lot of little Temples."
Everyone laughed.
"Excuse me...half Temple, half Maitlands," said Abby.
"Sounds brilliant," said Connor. Abby smiled and kissed him.
"Awww..." said Jess. "Hang on, though. Where's Lester?"
They all shrugged. Jess mumbled, stomping over to the intercom.
"Attention. James Lester please report to the canteen immediately. His two best and dearest staff members are announcing their engagement and he bloody better get down here and offer his congratulations."
She smiled, and returned to the group. Bernie offered her a strawberry cupcake.
"Thank you," she said. "Hold this, Becker. Cupcake."
Again, Becker was stuck with her champagne flute.
Lester and the commissioner were still in his office. The commissioner stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "Do you still believe our concerns are 'ridiculous?"
Lester shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Excuse me, I have congratulations to offer," he said, leaving.
"Give them mine as well," he said, in a flat tone.
Lester sighed and headed for the canteen. He got there as the crowd had dwindled to the main team and a few others.
"Couldn't you have timed this when the commissioner wasn't on my case about employee fraternization?"
"What?" asked Jess. "Why does he care?"
"Because Miss Parker, romantic relationships frequently devolve into feelings of hatred, pettiness, and revenge. Congratulations on your impending nuptials, you two."
Matt burst out laughing. "Nice tender speech."
"Really," said Connor.
"Aren't you grumpy."
"Yes, Miss Parker I am. I warn you, the commission is up to no good. Excuse me, I must get back to their representative."
"Sir, May I suggest," said Bernie, handing him a champagne bottle. "Couldn't hurt"
Lester smiled. "No, it couldn't. Won't it seem a bit like blackmail?"
"Tell him its compliments of the happy couple," suggested Abby.
"Just don't take the cupcakes," said Jess, working on an orange cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
"Excellent," said Lester, leaving with the bottle.
"What is anti-fraternization?" asked Emily.
"It means they don't want employees dating each other," said Matt.
Emily looked troubled. "Can they stop us?"
"They can," said Becker. "They can fire you. Some policies even terminate spouses."
"Don't care," said Connor.
"Really?" asked Jess
Abby smiled. "Everything we've been through? I'm not afraid of corporate rules."
"Especially dumb ones," said Connor.
Matt nodded, and put his arm around Emily. "The odds of finding each other were staggering, Em. No one in a suit is stopping me from loving you."
She smiled and kissed him.
Jess teared up. "That is all so beautiful," she said.
Becker made a face. "I think the champagne's coming back up," he said. "I'm going to Ops."
End of Chapter One