Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.

Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.

3.11 Fragile Freedom

"Abby and Connor both screamed."

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Abby gagged as the smell of burning flesh filled the air. She saw Connor's body arc against the tree for a moment and then slump motionless. The horse reared and whinnied in fright. The man standing next to it was having difficulty trying to calm the creature. Behind her, the monk released one hand, making a choking sound as he brought it to cover his mouth and nose.

That moment of fragile freedom was all Abby needed. She crouched low and pulled. The tonsured monk flew over her back and landed in the dirt with a resounding thump. Abby ran across the clearing towards Connor and the two men at his side.

Her first kick caught the big armored man in the jaw. It shook him, but he didn't go down. He released his hold on Connor's leg and chest, bringing his hands up to grab at Abby, but she had already moved. Spinning round, she kicked the man full on in the face. Blood spurted from his nose as he fell back howling.

The kneeling man was her next target. He was still hovering over Connor's body, concentrating on pressing the heated blade of the sword on Connor's calf. The gaunt man looked up at her approach and raised one hand as if to stop her. Abby glared at the man.

"Get away from him," Abby hissed.

The gaunt man raised his other hand in a placating gesture. He said something to Abby in a language she didn't understand.

"Get away," repeated Abby.

The man scooted backwards, leaving the sword behind. Abby knelt down and picked up the sword. She raised it high, looking around the campsite.

The big armored man was sitting on the ground, pinching his nose. The gaunt man said something and the big man tilted his head backwards. The man beside the horse was patting it, speaking soothingly to the animal. The monk was scrambling up from the ground, wiping the dirt from his robes. Beneath the next tree, the dark haired woman watched intently. No one appeared to be a threat.

"Don't anyone move," ordered Abby. She dropped her gaze to Connor.

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Connor lay unmoving. Abby's chin quivered. She couldn't tell if he was breathing or not. The skin on his calf was blistered bright red.

Abby reached for his wrist, but couldn't feel his pulse through the fingerless gloves. Her fingers fumbled with his glove, finally finding the edge. Abby pulled off his glove and turned his wrist over. Behind her, Abby heard the gaunt man gasp. She placed her fingers directly over the black markings of Connor's tattoo.

The steady thrum of Connor's pulse answered her touch. Abby smiled in relief. She looked up to see the four men staring at her. The monk was crossing his chest. The men looked frightened. The woman in the green dress however looked frightening.

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Danny heard the sudden intake of breath from the others at his words.

"No," cried Helen, as she buried her face in Nick's chest.

"Why?" asked Cutter bluntly.

"The woman was mad," Danny said shaking his head. "She brought clones into the ARC, trying to take over…."

"Clones?"

"What's the ARC?"

Danny gazed at the two professors levelly.

"I don't have time to explain the history of my world," the red headed man replied. "I need to get back to the Cretaceous and save my friends, then get us all back to my world. I'd like to live there."

Nick and Helen exchanged a glance.

"We can take you to the anomaly junction," replied Cutter "but you're on your own from there. We're staying here."

"What's the anomaly junction?"

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Lester pulled the ARCs SUV into the car park and turned off the ignition. Sarah, Becker and Jamal got out of the back seat. Lester looked at them worriedly as he got out of the driver's seat and stood next to the SUV.

"Call first before you come in to work tomorrow morning," Lester said "If Christine is really planning another takeover, it might be better if you weren't there."

"Yeah," agreed Becker. "What about the two of you?"

Vivian came around from the other side of the SUV. She placed her hand on Lester's arm.

"We'll be fine," she said reassuringly.

Becker nodded, and then turned to follow Sarah and Jamal to their cars. James and Vivian walked over to the jaguar and climbed in.

As Vivian buckled her seatbelt, James started the car. He turned to look at his wife while he buckled his seatbelt.

"We'll be fine?" Lester asked. She smiled and reached for his hand. Entwining her fingers in his, she nodded.

"I called your mother," said Vivian quietly "she's taking the children to your brother's… just in case."

Lester nodded. He shifted the car into gear and pulled out onto the roadway.

"Home James," said Vivian.

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Becker refused Sarah's offer of a ride to his flat.

"No," Becker replied "I'm going to see a friend, get some back up for tomorrow… just in case."

He drove out of the car park quickly, leaving Sarah and Jamal staring at each other.

"I have a really bad feeling about this," said Sarah.

"You shouldn't be alone tonight," said Jamal. "I've been in countries where the military has taken over... it's not safe."

"It's not a military take over of the whole country Jamal," replied Sarah "they're just trying to get control of one department… besides, I'm sure Lester will get it all straightened out with the minister tomorrow."

"If you'd like," offered Jamal "you can stay at my flat tonight. Nobody would connect us."

Sarah narrowed her eyes as she looked at Jamal.

"Well, that's lovely," she said "but where would I sleep?"

"On the sofa," replied Jamal "I don't do one night stands."

"Neither do I," said Sarah smiling up at him.

"If you're interested in a long term arrangement," whispered Jamal softly "there's room in the bed."

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Cutter entered the bedroom carrying a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a jar of Tabasco sauce. He looked at Claudia curiously.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked.

Claudia looked critically at the food in his hands. "Do we have any left over pepperoni pizza?"

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