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

Sorry- it's a little short, but I hope you enjoy it all the same!

Six!

Chapter Eight- The Club

Connor walked into the club alone, he was a little late- he'd had to sort out Sid and Nancy first before showering and changing at the ARC. He hadn't wanted to go home - he needed time to think- to get his head together. He was going to tell Abby that it was alright- he understood. He was fine with it. They'd remain best friends and he'd always, always be there for her, but if she wanted to move on...well that was fine too.

But it wasn't fine, a voice in his head screamed- it wasn't. He might as well have remained in the future world and died a gruesome death either being torn apart by the future predators, like poor Stephen had, or suffocating from the toxic winds. Even worse- he may have survived for a while, living alone and in despair in the time that he'd helped create. It was no more than he deserved! He wiped the stray tear from his eyes- no more crying. He had to man up and face his fate.

He looked around the club as he entered, and immediately spotted the ARC team and the people who'd come through the anomaly. He did a quick count and suddenly realised that he wasn't the only one who was late- it seemed that Emily and that quiet chap in the strange uniform- Leeds- weren't there yet either.

His eyes automatically sought out Abby- there she was, looking stunning as usual. He slithered into a seat at the end of the table next to Dylan Weir, giving her a slight smile as he settled down. Abby suddenly looked around, as if she sensed he was nearby, and their eyes met. She gave him a dazzling smile, and his heart nearly broke in two as he held his resolve both not to cry and to set her free, and he turned resolutely away concentrating on the drink that was set in front of him.

Abby turned back to Mac who was animatedly telling them all a funny story about being chased by a creature, leading to him falling into a muddy pond and they were all joking and laughing, but the smile that was painfully plastered on Abby's face hid her real thoughts. Was Connor avoiding her? Before New Dawn, he'd have annoyed everyone by scrambling over anyone in his way in order to make sure he sat next to her. Maybe he liked that girl... but she liked Evan, didn't she? Right, she thought determinedly- I'm going to have this out with him tonight. She turned to look at him again, but as soon as she caught his eye he looked away, and started a conversation with Dylan.

"Sorry?" she said to Mac, who was no longer the centre of attention and spoke directly to Abby.

"You OK?"

"Yeah." she replied, plastering on that fake smile again. "I was miles away! What did you say?"

"I was asking if you'd like to dance?"

Abby looked at Connor again, but her eyes darkened angrily as he clearly avoided her gaze again, seemingly preferring to get as much alcohol down him as possible. "You know what- I would...let's go!"

She jumped up and began stomping her way to the dance floor, pulling Mac behind her and glaring at Connor as she passed by him. Mac wasn't sure what was going on with this girl, but wasn't complaining when she moved closer to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck as they swayed, not noticing one member of the ARC angrily watching his every move...

~~oOOo~~

Lester and Ange Finch were standing at the bar together. "I like your suit, James." she admired "Italian?"

He turned to her in surprise. "Yes…yep!" he responded, clearing his throat before taking a small sip of his drink.

"Yeah, it looks great on you, matches your eyes."

"Oh…well, thank you. And you look…er" he waved his glass in her general direction. He'd never been one for giving- nor taking compliments, and wasn't really sure what to say. It didn't seem to matter, though as his companion put her glass down on the bar and continued speaking.

"It's so hot in here. I'm feeling slightly faint. Would you mind taking me outside for a few minutes to get some air, James?"

"Er…do you need a doctor…shall I call someone?" he said worriedly, looking around him for someone who could possibly help them.

"No! James!" she laughed. "It's my feeble attempt at getting you alone. I can see you're a straight talking man…no games. Right, well- James…would you please take a walk with me. I'd like to get to know you better…" Ange reached up and stroked the lapel of Lester's suit, looking into his eyes as she caressed him. He felt incredibly nervous- he wasn't used to this. He was always firmly in control of every situation. A fleeting image of his wife came to mind, but the woman moved nearer to him and gently kissed his cheek, making any coherent thought disappear.

She pulled him with her as she exited the bar, and linked her arm in his as they began to stroll by the river. "Isn't this wonderful." She sighed as they strolled along. The moonlight reflected on the ripples of the water, making it shimmer and shine. Although the evening was warm, Ange shivered and sucked in a breath.

"It's a little chilly, don't you think?"

"Sorry, yes…sorry- I didn't think. Perhaps we'd better go back…?"

"No, no need for that. Here…ah! That's better." Ange had taken Lester's arm and put it around her shoulders, snuggling against him. "You don't mind, do you? I hope I'm not being too forward? It's just- I'm very drawn to you. You're obviously a very intelligent and powerful man. That does things to a girl… to me!"

Lester puffed out his chest, feeling rather pleased at the compliments. He often felt his work was overlooked by the Minister and those above- in fact, they had even thought of giving Philip Burton a knighthood…no mention of him at all! Everything he'd done on this project- who else in the world had done as much! Yet he was sidelined and treated as some sort of… lowly Civil Servant! He couldn't stop himself from warming to Ange…it was about time someone looked at him with admiration. So he puffed out his chest, straightened his tie and smiled, enjoying all the attention from this extremely attractive woman…

To Be Continued…