Author's Note: Thanks to all the wonderful people who reviewed the last several chapters. It means more to me than you can know. I sure hope you enjoy all the highs and lows that are coming… Keep reading and reviewing! Also, you may want to set up an alert for this story, as I'm about to get really busy. I expect to have the next chapter up in two weeks (crosses fingers).

The Bad Day

The day was overcast, but very warm. Every creature in the area seemed to be on edge. Even the normally placid herd of duck-billed dinosaurs was restless. Connor and Abby cautiously skirted the edge of the herd moving slowly to prevent a stampede. The duck-bills stamped their feet and nervously called to one another. Two of the large males charged each other in irritation, then went back to their grazing.

The sounds of fights and death screams could be heard from all directions. Something was terribly wrong.

"Connor, I don't like the way the animals are acting today," Abby said as she watched the duck-bills.

"I know. Its weird," he answered as he tried to keep Abby as close to his side as possible. "Maybe there's another T-Rex in the area."

"Maybe," she said doubtfully. "More likely it's a big storm moving in. The animals at the zoo always got restless when the weather changed."

"O.K., keep watch on the sky, but I really want to finish this search," he insisted.

"I agree with you. It feels like we're running out of time," she answered softly.

Connor looked at her and wished he could say something cheerful, but he felt exactly the same. Time was running out. Soon they would be forced to give up the searches and prepare for winter.

Abby searched the ground carefully, hoping for a clue that another human being might have passed through the area. She heard a rustling in a nearby tree and stopped to check it out. Connor was at her side instantly, holding his spear ready while he looked up into the tree.

"Its safe. It's a family of some kind of marsupial," she said in relief.

"They still have teeth," Connor said as he watched them suspiciously. The creatures stared at him with their large, bulbous eyes before scurrying off. Connor didn't relax until the small creatures had moved through several more trees.

The drab, grey sky seemed to weigh them down as they continued to walk. The further they went, the more barren and depressing the land became. Ahead of them, the ground sloped into a natural bowl-shaped valley. They walked down the slope and continued into the valley. Abby crouched down to examine the tracks she noticed in the dirt. "Something small came through here after the last rain, maybe a velociraptor," she guessed.

Connor rubbed his forehead as he tried to will away the slight headache he felt developing. "I think you're right about a storm," he said. "My head is starting to throb."

"Sorry," she said with a sympathetic look. "Come on, let's get moving. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you can rest."

As they continued to walk, Abby noticed how quiet it seemed around them. She was about to mention it to Connor, when a sudden sharp stomach cramp grabbed her attention. "Connor, I feel sick," she said as she clutched her stomach and waited for the feeling to pass.

"We've both eaten the same food. Maybe you're getting a virus?" he suggested, but his mind jumped to another conclusion. What if Abby had morning sickness? A slight smile tugged at his lips while the idea took shape in his thoughts. Joy poured through him, followed quickly by surprise. He wanted to be a dad! Maybe here and now wasn't the best idea, but still…

Abby's voice pulled him out of his reverie. "I don't know what's wrong with me, but I want to get to the cave and lie down."

"O.K., just a little further and we'll go back," he said. He rubbed his forehead again, "Ah, my head is splitting."

Abby stopped walking and pointed to several shapes lying motionless on the ground ahead of them, "Connor… what's that?"

"Don't know. Let's check it out," he answered feeling suddenly wary.

"O.K." Abby took two steps and stumbled. Dizzy, she reached for Connor. "I need to sit down."

Connor looked closer at the shapes and realized they were animals scattered around the area. He tried to make sense of what he was seeing. From what he could tell, the creatures had lain down and died. There was no sign of any fights or wounds. Suddenly, everything clicked into place in his mind. He grabbed Abby with both hands and headed back the way they came. Abby was vaguely aware of his terrified voice as he said, "No… no… no!"

"Connor… I have to sit down," Abby insisted.

"Not yet," he pleaded. "You have to keep going." He half-dragged her up the slope, intent on getting them out of the valley.

He forced her all the way to the top of the slope and even when the ground leveled out again, Connor showed no signs of stopping. Feeling sick to her stomach and totally confused by Connor's actions, Abby lost her temper. Jerking her hands free of his, she dropped to the ground and said angrily, "That's it. I'm done."

"Abby, breathe deeply now," he said as he watched her carefully.

"What was that all about?" she asked when her nausea started to ease.

Connor rubbed his forehead again and breathed through his mouth, gulping in air. "The dead animals, the low-lying ground, my head ache and your stomach ache… It was a death trap, Abby."

"What are you talking about?" she asked as the color drained from her face.

"Volcanic vents. They pump out carbon monoxide, which is heavier than air. It stays close to the ground but you can't see it or smell it. If we had stayed any longer, we would have joined those dead creatures."

"You're kidding. We've fought predators, up to and including a T-Rex for months, survived injuries and storms, and we almost get killed by carbon monoxide?"

"Yeah. Pretty ridiculous, huh?"

Abby slowly got to her feet and wrapped her arms around Connor. He felt her tremble as she said, "Just hold me for a minute."

He felt his own body begin to shake as he realized how close to death they had come. He eased back just enough to gently place a hand on her stomach. "Abby, when you first mentioned you felt sick, I wondered if it might be morning sickness," Connor admitted softly.

"Don't worry. Chances are I'm not pregnant," Abby replied.

"That's the thing… when I thought you might be, I was thrilled," he said as he looked into the distance, avoiding her eyes.

Abby looked at him, not sure how to respond. She knew Connor would make a great dad and if she believed the vision she once had, he would be the father of her children… but not yet. She gave up trying to voice her emotions and wrapped her arms more tightly around him, softly kissing his jaw.

He held her tightly, not wanting to let go. "Let's get back to the cave. This day is officially over," he mumbled into her hair.

They walked slowly, breathing in the oxygen-rich air to clear the poison from their bodies.

Connor felt tears on his cheek as he squeezed Abby's hand. The horror of the day seemed to crash down on him. The knowledge lodged in his heart that every day could mean death for one or both of them. He couldn't lose her… couldn't put her in danger any longer. "I'm going to stop searching," he announced. "Its too dangerous and I'm so tired of hoping we'll get home," he said sadly. "I can't do it anymore."

Abby stopped walking and turned to face him. She knew that arguing with him would do no good. Instead, she reminded him that he wasn't alone. She gently cupped his cheek with her hand and looked into his tortured eyes. "You can't give up on me now. I can't do this without you. I need you, Connor."

"I know. I know," he said feeling impatient with himself. He ran a hand through his hair as he tried to get a grip on his emotions. Eventually, he smiled at her through his tears, "O.K., sorry about the melt down."

Abby wrapped her arms around him, kissing him tenderly. Lifting her lips from his, she nestled her face against his neck and said softly, "That wasn't a melt down. A melt down involves lots of yelling and throwing things. You've done fantastically through this whole thing and taken care of both of us. It's O.K. for you to vent your feelings and to tell me when you're having a rough day. You don't have to be strong all the time," she assured him. "I want to be here for you. I want you to need me, too."

"God, Abby, I do. I would have given up on the first day without you." Connor quickly wiped the tears from his face.

"Right. So we need each other and neither one of us is giving up." She looked directly into his eyes to make sure he was listening. When he nodded his head in agreement, she tugged on him until they were again walking toward their cave. "The rest of the afternoon we are going to tell each other funny stories. Start thinking about the funniest thing that ever happened to you," she suggested.

"O.K." He pulled her to a stop and gave her a soft, undemanding kiss, "Thank you, Abby."

She smiled at him, "You're welcome. Now, did I ever tell you about the time Jack ran away from home and decided to live in Harrods Department Store?"

Connor gave a short laugh, ready to let Abby distract him. He took her hand, silently thanking the universe that she was all right. As he began to walk again he answered, "No I don't think you ever have."

As they reached the safety of their cave, the first drops of rain began to fall.

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