Disclaimer: Primeval and all its characters belong to someone else.

Short chapter, but I hope you enjoy it!

Double Wedding

Chapter Four- Taking Time.

Abby and Connor.

Becker and Jess left for the ARC a short while after breakfast, but Connor and Abby had the rest of the day off as the doctor had told her she had to rest over the next few days and to go straight back if she felt any after effects of her fall. Connor was a little surprised when Matt told him Lester had said he could stay home with Abby to make sure she didn't overdo things, but Connor knew he had a soft spot for Abby even though he would never admit it out loud.

"It's gonna be a bit strange around here now with Becker sleeping over, isn't it! Imagine- seeing him in that dressing gown every morning!" Connor grinned once Becker and Jess had gone.

"It'll be fine, Connor." Abby replied. "I'm really happy for them. But…well, maybe we should go and look at a few flats today? It's really time we got our own place."

"Yeah, I guess Jess will be wanting us gone now that Becker will be here. You sure you're up to it? I can go by myself if you need to rest?"

"No, I told you- I'm fine. Stop fussing! I'll let you know if I have any pains or anything, I promise. It'll be fun. Our very own home!"

"Just you and me, like in the Cretaceous!"

"Yeah but with proper walls and electric, and no dinosaurs trying to eat us! Connor…there's something er…we need to talk about…"

Connor's grin faded as soon as he heard those words. He'd always hated it when people said 'we need to talk.' For him, it brought back memories of when he was dating at college. It usually meant he was about to get dumped- usually with the mandatory 'it's not you- it's me.' tagged on the end. Then of course, the last time Abby had said she needed to talk to him had been when she'd asked him to move out so that Jack could move in 'temporarily.' That hadn't turned out too well, either!

Abby noticed his expression and immediately went to him and kissed him tenderly. "Nothing like that, Connor! But…" Here it came, Connor thought. "If we can't find a flat straight away, and Becker's going to be around a lot more, well...we're going to have to talk to him."

"Talk to him? What about?"

"You. We're going to have to explain about…"

"No...! He'll think I'm weak. He doesn't need to know, we'll be in our own flat soon and anyway, and he won't be living here, will he!"

"Connor…"

"No. I mean…we live with Jess and she doesn't know…"

"Jess knows, Connor."

"What? How long has she…? How did she…?"

"It's nothing to be ashamed about! Jess knows about your sleepwalking and nightmares because one evening you walked in on her in the shower! You didn't say a word to her- just walked in, looked around and said 'no dinosaurs here, we're safe tonight' then walked out again. I had to explain to her that you've been having a problem since the Cretaceous. She understood…and so will Becker."

"No." Connor reiterated, looking faintly embarrassed about Jess.

"Think about it! What if you wander into their room when they…when they're…when they're sleeping!" Abby said pointedly. "He'd think it's a burglar or something, and probably shoot you!"

"Oh. Well, if you put it like that…but I am getting better now. I've only walked in my sleep once this past three months. The dreams are more often, but nothing too bad."

"I know…" she replied, stroking his back soothingly.

"I don't understand. You don't have nightmares…why am I always so feeble!"

"You're not, I promise. Besides, I have nightmares too."

"You do?"

"Yes." She whispered. "I have since we got back."

"You never said." he responded quietly, putting his arm around Abby.

"I haven't needed to. When I wake up after a bad dream, I see you next to me and know I'm safe. You make me feel safe. Sometimes I remember all we went through and can't sleep. Some nights I feel like I should still be keeping watch, like we used to. We'll both get over it in time, Connor, as you said it's getting easier. But for now, we have to tell Becker."

Connor groaned. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll do it next time he comes."

They sadly put their arms around each other. They were the only two people in the world who understood what they'd been through in the past…the fear…the worry- not knowing if they'd ever make it home. But together, they would get over it. Together they could conquer anything. It just took time…..

To Be Continued…

Becker and Jess next chapter….