Fandom: Primeval Characters: Connor Temple, Abby Maitland Rating: PG, at most Timeline: Set between 3.4 & 3.5 Disclaimer: Obviously a copyright infringement, but surely not worth suing over Summary: A string of bizarre deaths brings Abby Maitland face-to-face with a past she'd tried to forget, and her friendship with Connor Temple is tested as the team races to find the source of an ancient, deadly toxin.
A couple of hours tucked away in the paleo-botany lab with her laptop was just about enough to help Abby regain her equilibrium. Surrounded by the lush, exotic greenery and some of her smaller reptiles, Abby had always considered this her special place. Even Connor knew better than to come in here without an invitation. But she expected Barrington would be setting up his kit in here. Just one more thing for him to take from her.
Abby stabbed at the print button on her keyboard and waited for her report to print. Of course she would share her findings with her former professor — identifying the source of this toxin was more important than any personal animosities or lingering resentments. But the moment she handed off her report, Abby's obligation was fulfilled. She'd already filled out paperwork to take a holiday — a nice, long one — to commence immediately at the conclusion of the team meeting Lester had rescheduled for … Abby glanced down at her watch … just about now.
She smiled grimly as she imagined herself dramatically dropping her report in front of Barrington and walking out of the meeting. Perhaps she and Jack could spend a few weeks abroad, getting to know each other again; her baby brother's aimless attitude worried her, and she had been looking for an opportunity to have a serious talk with him about his future. It was the least she could do for him, after all. She was his only living relative – and he was her responsibility.
As the last page of her report dropped into the printer tray, Abby scooped it up and slipped it with the rest into a slim file she tucked under her arm. Freshly dressed in a t-shirt, form-fitting jeans and a smartly cut leather jacket, she marched determinedly off to face Dr. Michael Barrington again — this time on her terms.
But he wasn't there. Instead, when she reached the conference room this time, she found Becker, Sara, Danny and Connor in a tight cluster, engaged in an intense, half-whispered conversation … that came to an abrupt halt when they caught sight of her. Swallowing hard, Abby quashed a surge of indignation as she looked at their startled, guilty expressions. If it had been anyone else, Abby knew she would have been just as curious. But knowing she was the object of their speculation stung. She fixed Connor with a reproachful look, and felt a little satisfaction when his face reddened and he looked away.
Sarah flashed her a bright, if somewhat awkward, smile and crossed to Abby. "You look amazing," she said warmly. Abby was immediately sorry she had taken the time to fix her hair and make-up; she didn't want to give the impression she had anyone to impress here.
"Thanks," she answered her friend, then cast a quick look around the room. "Um, where's —"
"— the illustrious Dr. Barrington?" James Lester pulled the conference doors closed behind him as he entered. "He has retired to what is, I'm sure, an extremely well-appointed suite of rooms provided by your government and paid for out of my budget." He gestured for the team to take their places around the conference table.
"Since it seems Dr. Barrington will be an adjunct member of the team for some time," Lester began once they had settled themselves, "it seems prudent to make sure we are all on the same page. The Minister is very keen that Barrington be given every cooperation while he's with us." He crossed his arms and regarded his team archly. "Assuming, of course, his contributions warrant it."
"Frankly, I find it hard to see how some ivy-tower academic messing about is going to contribute anything but a damned nuisance," Danny snorted.
Lester gave his new team leader a sharp look. "Thank you for that eloquent assessment, Mr. Quinn. Sadly, the situation we're up against would seem to call for a slightly different set of skills than you bring to the table. Our immediate task, after all, is to identify where this toxin comes from." He shrugged diffidently. "Of course, once we do, we will certainly invite you to bludgeon whatever it is to death with your usual efficiency."
Connor, who had been listening with increasing agitation, now spoke up. "Yeah, but we don't need some outsider who doesn't know anything about the ARC and the Cutter's work comin' in here to muck about." He nodded in Abby's direction, "Besides, Abby is as capable as this bloke is of finding out what's going on."
"Actually, that's not true." Abby spoke quietly. "Thanks, though." She gave Connor a quick, appreciative smile, then became serious again. "The fact is that Michael Barrington is the world's foremost expert on psychoactive properties of living organisms. Whatever I might know about the subject I learned from him, and that's only a tiny portion of what he's discovered." She paused and sighed softly. "Whatever else he may be, the man is a genius."
"Hmm, so I've been given to understand," Lester responded. "Indeed, he made quite a point of sharing his credentials with me during our interview this afternoon. He also assured me that he's been completely advised of all aspects of our operation here and comes with the highest security clearances."
"So we're just supposed to give him free rein to poke about into whatever he wants around here?" Becker remarked tersely. "Thank you, but I'll want to see those security clearances before he gets access to my systems."
"All necessary precautions and standard security measures will of course be enforced during Dr. Barrington's stay with us," Lester responded. "The fact that he's been brought in to work on this one operation does not entitle him to his own key to the executive washroom." He ignored the ripple of laughter around the table and turned to Abby. "Miss Maitland, I'm wondering if there is anything else about Dr. Barrington that you'd care to share with us."
Abby felt like the proverbial deer in the headlights as all eyes turned to her. "I'm … um … not really sure…" she trailed off, then suddenly took a deep breath. "All right then, full disclosure," she said, giving Lester a steely look. "I was Dr. Barrington's research assistant … and … we had a personal relationship. It ended rather badly."
Abby saw raised eyebrows all around the table, except for Lester, who looked distinctly unimpressed. "Thank you, Miss Maitland, the colorful details of your personal life aren't my chief interest at the moment. I simply need to know two things from you: Can we trust Barrington — and will you be able to work with him?"
"I don't believe Dr. Barrington would do anything to put the ARC or our operations in jeopardy," Abby answered carefully. "And he will no doubt maintain strict confidentiality. Dr. Barrington is very good at keeping secrets." She pushed her file folder across the table toward Lester. "As for working with him, I don't believe that will be an issue. My notes are very detailed, and Dr. Barrington certainly has no need of my help."
"On the contrary, he was quite adamant that you will be invaluable to him in the lab," Lester said. "Whatever the circumstances of your former … association … he thinks very highly of your skills."
"That's very flattering," Abby said coldly, "but I had rather planned to take a holiday. I've already put in."
"You're going away?" Connor's voice contained surprise and concern. "For how long?"
"Actually, I've had to issue a moratorium on personal leaves for the moment," Lester said smoothly. "Given the urgency of the present issue, all hands are needed on deck." He noted Abby's look of indignation. "I do understand that this situation may create some awkwardness for you, Miss Maitland. However, in spite of your confidence in Barrington's professional integrity, I think it wise that someone I know I can trust remain closely involved in the project. That is, if you think you can manage all right, given the circumstances."
"Come on, Lester, you can't put her in that position," Connor interjected. "It's obvious she doesn't like the guy. You shouldn't make her be around him. Who knows what he really wants with her."
Abby flushed with sudden anger. "You don't need to speak for me, Connor," she snapped. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. What happened between Michael and me was a long time ago. I'm certainly professional enough to work with him if needed. And it's just possible," she added bitterly, "that it's actually my skills that he's interested in."
"I'm sorry, Abby, I didn't mean – " Connor stammered, but Abby was in no mood this time to forgive him.
"You can tell Dr. Barrington I will meet him in the lab tomorrow morning to go over what I've done so far," Abby said, rising. "Now, unless there's anything more, I'm going home. I told Jack I'd be early tonight." Before anyone could respond, she swept out of the room and fairly bolted for the car park.