Home Again
Summary: In S3 E1, a Pristichampsus almost pulled Connor though the anomaly. This is my version of something that could happen if he did get pulled through. He's been gone for 3 years, but when he comes back it's only been 5 days. He's changed. But how? And how much?
Disclaimers: Don't own. If I did, I would have done this on the TV show. Only writing this for fun
*Warnings: Gore. Bad language. Hints of pre-slash or bro-mance Connor/Becker.
**A/N: The OC (Tarya)'s name is said Tar-e-a. The name 'Namir' is said Na-m-ear. So Connor's presents he is getting look like this:
Hat – 'Syfy's Alice, 2009, Hatter's hat'
Necklace - .uk/urban-male-jewellery/
Knives – 'Assassin's Creed Maria's Dagger'
Throwing Knives – 'Assassin's Creed 2 Ezio Belt with Throwing Knives'
Guns – 'Assassin's Creed 4 Spanish Officer Pistol'. The blue pistol
Split
Connor awoke. He was once again comfortable, no nightmares tormented his sleep. He gave a contented sigh and snuggled closer to his warm teddy bear.
Becker awoke to Connor moving, he worried it was another nightmare. But then he heard the young man give a content sigh and snuggle closer to him.
"This is nice," Becker commented.
"Yeah. I could get used to this," Connor replied.
"Hmm, same," the captain said.
The pair lay there for, what seemed like, hours. Then Becker's alarm went off.
Connor groaned, "not again."
"Yes," Becker said, "I'm afraid that getting up for work is a daily thing, Conn."
Connor laughed, "I know," he released Becker and left the bed.
Becker grabbed his surprising all black uniform as Connor left the room. He knocked on the door to his own room.
"You can come in, Connor," Tarya said from the inside.
Connor opened the door and walked inside, "morning."
"Hey," she replied. She was once again dressed- like brother, like sister- all in black. She was just strapping her machetes to her back and knives on her hips. Her machetes- like Connor's- were the same length as her lower arm, from her elbow to her fingertips.
Connor grabbed some black cargo trousers (like Becker's), a blue T-shirt, a black waistcoat, and a yellow hoodie. He opened another small drawer, he pulled out his black gloves and the blue scarf he wore the day before. Connor left to the bathroom and got dressed. He walked out of the room to get more breakfast ready. 'What should I make today?' Connor thought to himself. He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
Bacon? No. Chicken? No. Eggs? No. Beans on toast? No. Steak? Yes. Connor took out three steaks, it wouldn't take long, all three people liked rare steaks. In Connor's and Tarya's case they liked them almost still walking.
Tarya left her room to see how Connor was doing with breakfast. It smelt good from where she was standing.
"Smells good," Tarya commented.
"Good, good," Connor served up Becker's steak, more cooked than the others. He throw two more on the stove.
Becker left his room and walked towards the kitchen, "is that steak I smell?" he asked.
"Yup," Connor popped the 'p'.
"Wicked," he said as he sat beside his sister in the kitchen.
Connor served the other two steaks up, putting the plates on the table. He sat down opposite Becker. The trio ate their steaks in silence.
At some point in the meal, Becker noticed how blue Connor's and Tarya's steaks were, "wow. You sure that's cooked?" he asked.
"Yep," Connor confirmed, "very good. It also keeps the cravings away like this."
"That's good then," Becker replied.
They finished their meal in peace. Afterward, they put the dishes in the sink. Connor strapped his machetes to his back and the trio left for the ARC.
When they arrived, the ADD went off. Connor ran to the hub and located the Anomaly.
"No," Connor said, "nonononono," he began to type faster on another keyboard, flicking from one to the other.
"What is it?" Becker asked as he came up behind him.
"It can't be," Connor whispered. He typed some more.
"What? What can't be?" Becker asked.
"There's two Anomalies. Both in different places, they opened within minutes of each other," Connor explained.
"We have to split up," Becker said.
"Yep," Connor replied, "Cutter should go with Abby, Jenny and Tarya, you come with me and Sarah."
"Okay. Where we heading?" Becker asked.
Cutter and the others ran in, "where is it?"
"Right," Connor began, "Cutter, you, Tarya, Jenny and Abby head to Bracknell Forest. Sarah, Becker and I are heading to an abandoned construction site in Farnborough."
Connor left with his team and Cutter left with his, no arguments.
Connor and his division arrived at the Anomaly site. The trio jumped out of their shared car and ran towards the Anomaly site, military men in tow. They walked inside the half put together building. Immediately, the scent of fresh blood assaulted Connor's nose. He swallowed and closed his eyes, trying to control his Bloodlust.
"Conn, you alright?" Becker asked, noting how pale Connor had gone.
"I can smell it," Connor said.
"Smell what?" Sarah asked.
"The blood," he answered and began to move up the stairs, "Sarah take Jackson, Smith and Barker, search the lower floor. Becker and Lewis, come with me to search the second floor. If nothing's found after a complete search, we regroup on second and move up to third to search," his military training was beginning to kick back in again. He took the three best shots and strongest fighters one way, and sent more men the other.
Connor led his unit upstairs, searching strategically from room to room. Connor followed his nose towards the sweet metal scent. In the third room, it became thick in the air and the mere humans could begin to smell it as well.
"And, you've been smelling this the whole time?" Lewis asked, almost gagging on the stench of blood.
"Yes," Connor said and moved to the next room.
A human body- unidentifiable to even gender- lay torn to pieces on the floor, in a pool of blood. Connor moved forward, looking closely at the body, the others shied away, almost gagging at the sight and the thick stench of blood. As Connor took in all the detail he could, crouched beside the body, he decided what did this and that the body used to be a male construction worker.
Connor stood, "male construction worker, ripped to shreds, my best guess is a raptor."
"Raptor?" Becker checked.
"Yep," Connor confirmed, "lots of long, thick vertical tears, most likely made with the raptor's sickle claw- that's the big one on their feet- they used them to slash prey and climb."
"Right, so not a nice cuddle creature then?" Becker asked. He was really hoping for something more like a dodo.
"Not so much, no," Connor replied, "come on, let's keep moving."
Connor lead the way through the house, he smelt the faint scent of an Anomaly - metal, but more sharp and static than blood. He walked through to the next room, there it was. The Anomaly. The permanently exploding glass bowl, with a fire lit inside and different layers circling around itself. Connor smiled. Just, so amazing.
"Right, Lewis and Action Man, watch the Anomaly," Connor ordered, "I'm gonna search for the creature."
"Yes, sir," Lewis replied and stood, gun ready, watching the Anomaly.
Becker stood next to his soldier, "you sure, Conn?"
"I'm sure, we need more fire power to watch the Anomaly than we do to take the raptor down," Connor said. He walked off, using his sensitive hearing to listen for any creatures.
He could smell more blood and followed his nose to another room. Another body, half eaten lay in the half built room. He walked towards it. Definitely a raptor. Or, more than one. He made his way through the building, listening intently. He rounded a corner, then he heard it. A crackle like growl. He stopped and listened. He heard claws scratching on tiles behind him, he turned. Within seconds he verified his target and shot it, out cold. He holstered his traq. gun, on his thigh, and began to drag the raptor towards the Anomaly.
"Hey, Becks," Connor called ahead of him, dragging the dino by the tail behind him.
Becker turned, "nice work."
"Thanks," Connor said, "stand back a bit guys."
The two soldiers did as asked and stood out of the way. Connor moved forwards, throwing the raptor through the glowing orb.
"Great," Becker said, "that all then?"
"I don't know," Connor answered honestly, "let me regroup with the others and we'll search the building, you two need to stay here."
Becker nodded, "alright," the two soldiers went back to guarding the Anomaly.
Connor left the room and walked to the stairs. He waited for Sarah and the other soldiers to arrive upstairs. A few minutes later, Barker led the rest of the division up to the second floor.
"Hey," Connor said, "you cleared the first?"
"Yes, sir," Barker replied, "no creatures, sir."
"Okay," Connor nodded, "we need ta clear this level, then move up ta the third and fourth. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, there may be raptors on the loose."
"Yes, sir," Barker nodded.
Connor led the group through the second floor, clearing it. Then up to the third. He heard a curious crackle-squeak.
"Shh," he said. He stopped and signalled the others to stop moving.
He peered around the corner. Two raptors stood, tearing the flesh off another construction worker. Connor indicated to the others that there were two threats and a body through military signs. The soldiers nodded in understanding. Connor indicated that he was going to go left and that Barker should go right. The soldier nodded. The pair moved forward. Connor tranqued the first raptor, as Barker tranqued the other.
"Jackson, Smith," Connor said, the pair stepped forward, "take these two back to the Anomaly and send them home."
The pair did as asked. Connor, Sarah and Barker continued to clear the rest of the building. The rest of the third was clear. Connor led the other two up to the fourth and final floor. He was just about to call it clear, when he heard something different. It was a cross between a bird's squawk and a raptor's hiss. He followed his senses, and there it was. A segnosaurus. It stood two heads taller than Connor, had red feathers covering its body and seemed very lanky. It looked a bit like what would happen if a raptor, sloth and an ostrich had a child. Long, dangling arms, beak, bird's feet and hands. Its body and tail seemed like that of a sloth, its neck of a bird, with sharp eyes and claws of a raptor.
The strange dinosaur turned and squawked. Connor raised his gun and shot the sloth-raptor-bird. It feel to the ground with a thud!
"That's the last of the rooms. Barker, I'm gonna need your help to get this this downstairs. Sarah go down and get Becker to help us with it," Connor said.
Sarah nodded and left to retrieve the captain. Barker moved forward and grabbed part of the segnosaurus. Connor and the soldier dragged the dinosaur towards the stairs. Just as they reach the top, Becker bounded up.
"Hey," Connor breathed out, "give us a hand."
"Sure," he swung the shotgun onto his back and grabbed part of the weird crossbreed. The trio dragged the beast downstairs and managed to push it through the Anomaly.
"Job done," Becker sighed and wiped his hands.
"Yep," Connor nodded, "Barker, Lewis, stay here and watch the Anomaly. The rest of you can go back to the ARC. If the Anomaly is still open tomorrow, then we'll send two more to take your place."
"Yes, sir," Lewis and Barker said, then moved to guard the Anomaly.
Connor left the building with the rest of his division. He jumped in the car with Becker and Sarah, the captain driving.
"Have your stitches ripped?" Becker asked as he started up the car.
"No, I used thin copper wiring to stitch it up, that way it wouldn't rip," Connor told his friend.
"Doesn't the wire rip your skin?" Sarah asked from the back.
"Naa, I have thicker skin now so the pulled of the wire won't do all that much," Connor explained.
"Oh, ok," Sarah said and nodded.
The rest of the car journey was sat in silence, with the radio singing in the background. Soon the trio reached the ARC. Connor jumped out and looked at his watch.
"Hey, Becks, it's 1pm, you ready?" Connor said.
"Of course. But the better question is, are you ready?" Becker replied.
Connor grinned at his friend. He turned to his newer friend, "we'll see ya later, Sarah."
"Ok, have fun," Sarah replied.
The captain and the Yorkshire man left for the training room. Sarah went back to the professor's office.
When Sarah got to Cutter's office, the professor was already there. Sarah sat at a desk and began to search for a new mythical creature to work on.
"Hi, Sarah," Cutter greeted.
"Hey, professor," she replied.
"So, how did your Anomaly go?" the professor asked.
"Pretty good actually. Although, Connor did have to drag a raptor and a segnosaurus back through the Anomaly, but Becker and Barker helped him with the segnosaurus," Sarah replied.
"A segnosaurus, really?" the professor asked. Sarah nodded, "was it really red? And did it have fur or feathers?" Cutter asked.
"It was red, yes, and it kind of had both fur and feathers. It had feathers on its head and neck, but fur on most of its body," Sarah replied.
"Finally, I have the real answer to that debate," Cutter said. Sarah laughed, "Was that all the creatures you had?" Cutter asked.
"No, there were another two raptors, and three human bodies," Sarah explained further, "not any of ours, Connor thinks they were construction workers."
"Right," Cutter nodded, "and, how was it with Connor in charge?"
"He was actually surprisingly good. It seemed quite natural to him, like he'd done it before, he made all the right calls and no one got hurt," Sarah said.
"Hmm, good ta know," he was quiet for a moment, then stood, "you got any other mythical beasts for me?" he asked as he walked over to Sarah.
"Not yet, I'm afraid, still working on the origin of Ogopogo, the lake monster reported to live in Okanagan Lake, Canada. I think it was seen by 'First Nations' people since the 19th Century, but I can't be sure it's not earlier than that," Sarah told the professor.
"So, what does this Ogopogo look like?" Cutter asked.
"It's described as 50 foot long sea serpent, a bit like the Lock Ness monster, a kind of primitive serpentine whale," Sarah replied.
"Okay. My best guess would be a...Basilosaurus," Cutter said.
"That was my thinking," Sarah nodded.
"Are you sure you're okay?" they heard Connor ask while trying to stifle a laugh.
Becker stopped walking and bent over, rubbing his chest, "I'm fine," he replied.
Connor stopped walking as well and turned to his friend. He put a hand over his mouth, trying to stop laughing, "I did warn you."
"Shut up," Becker said.
"Sorry," Connor continued to laugh.
Cutter walked out of his office, "what happened?"
"I kinda beat Action Man up a bit," Connor said, still trying to stop laughing.
Cutter raised his eyebrows, "any particular reason?"
"He said that the only reason he wouldn't spar with me was because he didn't want ta hurt me," Connor replied.
"Okay," Cutter said, "good to know you did just want to beat him up."
"Yeah," Connor was still laughing.
Becker glared at him. Connor stopped laughing, "I've got work to do," he said as he walked towards the ops room.
Becker stood up properly again and stretched, back clicking.
"So, how'd your Anomaly go?" Cutter asked.
"Good. Three raptors, one segnosaurus, all threats neutralised, and two of my men are watching the Anomaly," Becker reported.
Cutter nodded, "and how was Connor as your leader?"
"He was good, a natural, I would follow him to the end of time and the Earth itself if he asked," Becker said.
Cutter smiled, "he's grown up a lot since he first joined the team."
Becker nodded, "so I've heard. How was your Anomaly?"
"Uneventful, the only creatures that came through were a flock of dodos, luckily, they weren't infected this time and none escaped," Cutter replied.
"Cutter," Sarah called from inside his lab.
The professor said goodbye to the soldier, turned and went back into his lab. Becker continued down the hall and to the ops room. He sat at the table behind Connor, watching him work.
"It's rude to stare, Becker," Connor said.
"I wasn't staring," the captain said, "I was merely looking over your shoulder."
Connor sprung out of his seat, "yes! I've done it. Finally!"
"Done, what, exactly?" Becker asked.
"I found a way to lock the Anomalies. All I 'ave ta do is build a machine which fires an EM pulse through the Anomaly which will revise the polarities of the Anomaly so nothin' gets in and nothin' gets out," Connor explained quickly, his accent thicker with excitement, "I'm going ta find Cutter," he called over his shoulder as he ran out of the hub.
"Okay..." Becker said as he stood and left to do more security checks.
"Cutter!" Connor called as he skidded around the corner and into the professor's lab.
"Connor?" Cutter asked.
"I found a way to lock the Anomalies, but the down side is that it'll be very expensive if done properly," Connor told his father figure.
"So, I'm gonna need to talk ta Lester about this, then?" Cutter asked. Although it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yeah," Connor nodded.
"Ok," Cutter sighed. He left the office to find his boss and ask for research money.
Connor collected the leftover work from Cutter's office and left for his own lab. He still hadn't collected the work from when he moved it during the Predator attack. The Yorkshire man opened the door to his lab and walked in. He piled the work to one side and looked around for some wires and anything else to use to start building his locking device.
"Right, listen up," Becker addressed his men/women in the training room, "we had a breach of security yesterday. Professor Cutter thinks it's Helen trying to brake in again. We have to do a complete search of the building. I want you to cover all vents, doors, windows, everything. I'm having a new lock installed today, it scans your hand print and has a facial recognition software, so I'm going to need all of you to register your hand prints and have your picture taken to allow you access into the building."
"Yes, sir," they all said.
"Right, Jackson, take your unit and search all the vents. Smith, take your unit and search all doors and windows. Taylor, take your unit and search all possible entry points," Becker ordered.
"Yes, sir," the soldiers said and moved out to do their job.
Cutter walked into Connor's lab as the man was running around looking for something.
"Connor?" the professor asked.
"Huh?" Connor replied, still searching for something.
"You've got one million pounds to make your locking device. Go nuts," Cutter declared.
"Really?" Connor stopped for a second and looked up.
"Yep," Cutter nodded.
"Thank you," the nerd went over and hugged the professor, lifting him off the floor then putting him back down.
"It's ok," Cutter laughed.
"Right, I've got lots of stuff ta do before tomorrow," Connor said, he ran out of the room and to the hub, starting up his laptop. He looked through all the scientific catalogues he knew and ordered all the parts he would need to build the locking device. They would arrive later that day and the following day.
Much later that day, Becker walked into the ops room. He walked towards Connor, who was building something or other.
"You coming home at all tonight?" Becker asked as he leant on the side next to Connor.
"I don't know," Connor said as he moved around to the other side of the table to start building on that side, "I need ta finish this tonight so I can add the rest tomorrow."
Becker sighed, "so...that's a no then?"
"I'm not sure," Connor continued to fix some wires in the device, "if I finish this tonight, then I'll come home. If not, then I'll see you tomorrow."
"What about dinner?" Becker asked.
"I probably won't have time," Connor said as he moved to a different part of the device.
"You need to eat, Connor, you'll make yourself sick if you don't," Becker said.
"I'm fine. I went days without food when I was stranded through the Anomalies," Connor told his friend.
Becker sighed in defeat, "fine. I'll see ya later then, yeah?"
"Yep," Connor said dismissively. He continued to run around the device and attach bits and bobs to it.
Becker drove Tarya home and told her that he was going back out. The captain grabbed some supplies and drove back to the ARC, stopping by a Chinese shop to pick up some food on the way. He hopped out of his car and grabbed the supplies. Becker made his way back to the ops room, dropping some stuff in the break room first.
"OW!" he heard Connor shout.
"Connor?" Becker called ahead of him, "you alright?"
"I'm fine," Connor shouted back.
Becker walked into the ops room.
"Becker? What you doing back here?" Connor asked.
"Nice to see you too," Becker replied.
"Sorry, just didn't expect to see you," Connor gave a small smile.
Becker laughed, "it's okay. I'm here, because I brought you some food."
"Oh, really?" the Yorkshire man asked. He smiled, "thanks."
"No problem," Becker said, "so what happened to make you yell 'ow'?"
"Oh, I, er, shocked myself," Connor explained.
Becker tried not to laugh, "nice."
"It's not funny," Connor insisted.
Becker laughed, "yeah it is."
Connor glared at the soldier, then laughed, "okay, it is quite funny."
The pair sat in the break room, eating their duck pancakes, and sweet and sour chicken. At some point, Becker pulled a bag out of nowhere and passed it to Connor.
"What's this?" Connor asked.
"Happy birthday," Becker said and smiled.
"Thanks," the Yorkshire man said and gave a sincere smile.
"No problem," the captain gave a sincere smile back, "there's one from me, and one from Tarya in there."
Connor opened the bag and pulled two boxes out. One was a square, like a big jewellery box, and the other was a rather big square and a bit like a shoe box. Connor unwrapped the second box and opened it. Inside, lay a brown, wicker-like fedora. He pulled the hat out and looked at it.
He turned to Becker, "thank you," he grinned at his friend and flipped the hat onto his head.
"Your welcome, and there's more in the box," Becker replied.
Connor looked into the box and pulled out a leather strap necklace. It had a small metal rope (like an upside down noose) attached to it. Two metal feathers and an old coin dangled from the metal rope. He put it over his head and looked back in the box. At the bottom, there lay a key. Connor looked to his friend, confused, as he held up the key.
"I thought it was about time you got one considering you're not going to be moving out any time soon," Becker elaborated.
"Thanks," Connor gave his friend a dimpled grin, "I love it all."
Becker gave one of his rare, meaningful smiles, and a nod of 'you're welcome'. Connor put the box on the floor, the key in his pocket and began to unwrap the first box. It was a blue jewellery box. He opened it and smiled at the site. Inside, lay two all metal knives. The metal of the knives bent round at the end and towards the blade edge, they both had a swirly pattern in the middle. Beneath the knives, lay two holsters. Connor pulled the knives and black leather holsters out.
"She found them," Connor said.
Becker knew what he was talking about, Tarya had explained that the present she was giving Connor was all the stuff he left in The Future. Connor looked back in the box. At the bottom lay ten all metal throwing knives and a black leather holster for them. He slipped one of the knives out. It was a standard throwing knife: thin, silver. Except the handle had a small line design on it. Beneath them, lay another two black holsters and two gun. His small EMDs! The big one had broken, but he had left the small ones in The Future. They were pistol sized weapons, and for something so small, they had a lot of power.
"Nice," Becker commented.
"Yeah," Connor smiled.
"Try 'em on," Becker said.
"Okay," Connor stood and began to attach the weapons to himself.
He removed his hoodie and waistcoat and threw them on the sofa. He strapped the two knives to his thighs, the EMDs on his chest and the throwing knives to his lower rips, under the guns.
"If you didn't have the hat on, I'd say you look like you're ready to become the next Jack the Ripper," Becker commented.
"Is that a good thing?" Connor asked.
"It depends. I wouldn't say walk around town like that and you'd won't get arrested, but in this line of work, it would be very useful," Becker replied.
"Thanks very much," Connor said.
Becker laughed a bit. The pair went back to eating their Chinese. Soon, they were both tired. Connor decided to finish the locking device the following day. Becker had brought a DVD with him as well, so they stuck the film on and sat back on the sofa. At some point, Connor removed all his knives and guns, and eventually the pair fell asleep on the sofa.
If you didn't read the A/N at the top, and want to know what the weapons look like, read the A/N at the top. The next few chapters will probably take longer.
Please let me know if you have any ideas for future chaps, I really do need them.
Any other pairings you want to see, please let me know.
Thanks for reading,
Shunters