Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
A/N after To Have Or Have Not and Another Show
9.1 A New Grocers
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Abby eyed the romaine lettuce critically before putting it in the shopping cart. The wheel squeaked in protest as she pushed the cart forward. Tomatoes imported from some country with a warmer climate… they looked a little overripe… and overpriced too… no. Carrots, celery and onions… yes. She stopped pushing the cart as Connor came into view.
"They didn't have the big jar," Connor explained as he set three small jars of nutella into the cart. "Anything else you crave?"
"No Connor," she answered with a smile as she rested her hand briefly on her expanding stomach "but we do need milk, would you go pick them up please?" As he turned to head towards the dairy section Abby added "I'll just be the next aisle over."
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The squeaking, squealing wheel announced Abby's arrival as she turned into the first canned goods aisle. A tall man, with a body that had once been muscled but was now turning to fat, turned his gaze from the green bean cans to stare at her.
"Abby Maitland," he said "long time no see… what's it been… ten… eleven years now?"
Not long enough was the first thought that crossed Abby's mind. The man continued talking as he approached.
"Might have known you'd get yourself knocked up," he sneered "and no rings… what did the bloke do… run when you told him?"
Abby's fingers had been swelling off and on during her pregnancy and she hadn't worn her rings for the past month. But for this man to make comments like that was just out of line. She started backing the squeaky cart out of the canned goods aisle.
"Now wait a minute Maitland," said the man grabbing the end of her cart, stopping it in the center of the aisle. "Where do you think you're going… we need to catch up now."
A carton of milk thumped into the cart. "It's Temple," said Connor glowering at the man. "Abby... Maitland... Temple," he said ennuciating each name in a steely tone. "Is there something I can help you with?"
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Abby stared at the two men.
Connor was several inches shorter than the tall man, but while the taller man had lost whatever looks and physique Abby had once found attractive, Connor had gotten better looking with each passing year. At this moment Connor was staring aggressively at the man. Connor stood with his shoulders thrown back, arms bent at the elbow, looking as if he was ready to pounce on the bigger man.
The tall man looked down at Connor and took an involuntary step backwards. He snorted. "She settled for the likes of you?" he asked incredulously.
"I didn't settle," Abby spoke up indignantly "I chose him… I asked him to marry me."
Abby thought the momentary look of confusion on the tall mans face was entertaining, but the smile that started on Connor's face at her declaration warmed her heart.
Without turning his gaze away from the taller man, Connor asked "Abby, did you wish to speak to this man?"
"No," she replied "the last time I saw him I called the coppers… I think there's still a restraining order…" Her words trailed off and turned into a chuckle as the tall man turned quickly and made a hasty retreat.
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It wasn't until they were outside and loading the groceries into the car that Connor said anything more about the tall man.
"Abby, is there anything you want to tell me about him?"
"Not much to tell Connor," she replied "just an old ex-boyfriend… I told you before, I made a few mistakes before I met you."
"Me too," he chuckled remembering some of their conversations from the cretaceous and even more recently.
"One good thing though," Abby added "I learned how to kick box because of him."
"What? Did he…" Connor turned to look at her with a stricken expression on his face.
"No, he never hurt me…" she interrupted reassuringly "he just liked to make threats."
"Must have been some sort of threats," said Connor "to get the police involved." He was watching her carefully.
Abby shivered. Connor was at her side in an instant, wrapping his arms around her, holding her tight.
"Abby," he whispered "are you all right?"
To run into that particular old boyfriend today after the encounter a few months ago with the strange brunette had shaken her. Abby still found it hard to believe that the woman had followed her and Connor home, stalked them, finally returning with shouts and bricks.
"I'm fine," Abby said "but maybe it's time for a new grocers."
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