Disclaimer: Primeval and all its characters belong to someone else. Primeval- New World isn't mine either!

Six!

Chapter Seven- Girl Talk.

Jess and Abby were at the flat, getting ready for the evening. They were going out for a few drinks at a nearby club the ARC personnel sometimes went to in their free time. All the Canadians and Mac were going to go too- even the strange Lieutenant Leeds, who no one seemed to have bonded with, except for Emily who thought he was just shy.

Jess was particularly nervous- she wasn't sure what she should wear. She wanted to attract Becker, but she had no idea what sort of thing he liked. In the end, she decided that all she could do was to be herself- if he didn't like her as she was, she couldn't change everything just to suit him. She had to be true to herself. She so wanted him to like her, though. She thought about him as she dressed in a plain short red dress with flowing skirt. His eyes were beautiful, she thought. And that hair- she blushed as a sudden memory of someone saying 'You've got lovely hair' flashed into her mind. Had it really been her that had said those words out loud to him? To be fair, she had been pretty much out of it- going into an allergic coma obviously loosened one's tongue! She had to be thankful that was all she'd said, going by the thoughts that assailed her whenever she thought about him!

"Thinking about Becker?" Abby asked, passing Jess the hair straighteners.

"Am I so transparent?" Jess sighed.

"Pretty much." Abby laughed.

Jess finally laughed too, taking the straighteners with one hand and a glass of wine with the other. "Thanks! So…Abby…how are you and Connor? He was acting a bit…odd today."

"Was he- I didn't notice? Where is he, anyway?"

"He's gone back to the ARC for a bit. Said he'd meet us at the club later."

"Oh." Abby sounded disappointed, and lowered her eyes for a moment, before putting on a bright face and looking up again. "Well, I'd better get ready, then…"

"Abby? Is everything alright with you two? "

"Not exactly. Oh, Jess- it's not been the same since New Dawn! Connor…well it's almost like he's broken inside. He hasn't come near me since…"

"But you're always together?"

"Yes, we're together…just not…you know- in that way!" A lone tear dropped on Abby's cheek, and she wiped it away angrily. "I'm not even sure he wants me anymore."

"Oh! Abby…" Jess went to Abby and held her hands, looking into her sad eyes. "Connor loves you, everyone can see it. I catch him looking at you sometimes, but when you catch his eye he looks away. I think…and I'm obviously no expert or else Becker and I…anyway, I just think he's ashamed and embarrassed. He needs you to show him you still love him. I think you need to take the lead on this. He needs you, Abby- that is…if you still want him?"

"Yes! Of course I still want him! I love him! You know what…you're right, Jess! I'll talk to him tonight. Any chance you could stay at Beck…a friend's house tonight?"

"Abby!" Jess laughed. "I'll ask Toby if she'll let me stay over. We can have a lovely girly night!"

"Unless Becker asks first…"

"Abby!" Jess exclaimed again, blushing furiously. "He doesn't think about me like that."

"But you wish he did?"

"Maybe…oh, alright. Yes I do! But I don't think it'll ever happen."

"Hmm. Come on, Jess- let's get you all dolled up- he'll have to notice you then! Come on, I'll help you…"

~~oOOo~~

Dylan and Toby were also getting ready for the evening. Dylan brushed her hair and thought about Evan. He seemed to be more open with her here than at home. He'd even kissed her cheek. She hummed a tune to herself as her spirits lifted. She hoped she wasn't seeing things that didn't exist. She had to admit to herself that she really liked Evan- he was so much on her wavelength regarding the creatures and he was kind and thoughtful. She wasn't so shallow just to go by appearance- but his fit body and rugged good looks were certainly an added bonus!

"Ooh!" Toby remarked as she entered the room. "Someone's looking pretty pleased with themselves."

"Just looking forward to the evening, that's all." Dylan replied. "Haven't been out for ages. The ARC people seem fun- it'll be great to let our hair down for once."

"And…is there someone you like in particular? Connor- no too young. How about Matt? He's nice- I love his accent. Or could it be someone a bit nearer to home…Evan perhaps?"

"Toby!" Dylan complained. "What about you? Or are you stuck on Mac?"

"No- Mac and I are just friends. There is someone I'd like to get to know better…but that's between me and…them!"

"Do they know?"

"No! Soon will though- I intend to make my play tonight! I hope I don't get egg on my face, though! Oh well, if you don't try…"

The girls laughed together. They were enjoying themselves- it wasn't often that they had a chance to bond together like this. They were usually working, or chasing dinosaurs or something. Just then the bathroom door swung open and Ange emerged. The two girls stared at her.

"Ange! You look great!" Dylan said.

"Yes! You've certainly dressed for the occasion!" Toby agreed.

"Well, that girl…Jess got us all these lovely clothes- I couldn't upset her now, could I."

"Come on, Ange- out with it…there's someone you fancy too, isn't there?"

"Oh really! I'm far too old for that sort of thing. I just want to have a pleasant evening and learn more about our ARC colleagues."

"Do you…do you still hold a torch for Evan?" Dylan dared whisper, dreading the answer. She'd known they'd been close, but hadn't seen them together for a while. She had to know.

"No…no that's all over. Oh! It's like that, is it! It's OK, Dylan- he's all yours. I've moved on."

"As long as you're sure?"

"I'm certain. To be honest, that Mr Lester's a very smart man. I'm rather intrigued…what?"

The three women looked at each other, and then they all started laughing. "Well, he is." Ange finished. "It can't lead to anything, of course- we'll have to go back through the anomaly soon, but there's no harm in having a little fun while we're here- is there!"

The girls laughed again, and continued with their preparations for the evening ahead. Hmm, Ange thought to herself…no harm at all…..

To Be Continued…