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

Six!

Chapter Twenty Five- Together!

Lester and Ange were enjoying a leisurely meal in the hotel restaurant. It was the first time that they'd ventured out all day. They hadn't fancied going far as they had been enjoying their time together too much, and they both knew their days were numbered- the Six were due back through the anomaly very soon now, a fact that lay heavily on both their minds.

"Tell me about your life here." Ange had asked Lester. "Just so that I can think about you when we're apart!"

They spent an hour or so finding out more about each other, Ange laughing at Lester's sarcasm and dry sense of humour.

"What... what will you do when you go back?" Lester asked, his eyes reflecting their sadness.

"Oh, I don't know- find a new man. Spend time in lovely hotels..."

"Don't be flippant, please!" Lester said

"I'm sorry- I don't know how else to deal with this!" Ange cried. "I only expected to have some fun whilst I was here- not... not fall in love!"

Lester threw down his dessert fork and grasped Ange's hand in his own.

"I feel the same! Look- I know it could be dangerous but I'm prepared to take the risk... I'll contact you in two year's time! We'll arrange to meet up, I can't... I won't lose you now!"

Ange began to cry, but it was with tears of joy. "Oh, James! You don't know how I've wanted to hear you say that! But would it really change anything? Just a meeting between two lonely people? I mean, in my time, I'm alone- no man in sight. I... I did have a fling with Evan, but that's over now. How could it possibly cause anyone any harm?"

"I don't know- maybe only Connor Temple can answer that- and I'm not prepared to share this with him! I'm willing to take the chance... if you are?"

"Yes. Yes, please, James!"

Then there was no more time for talk or worries about the future as Lester quickly charged the meal to his credit card, and they left the restaurant to return to the sanctuary of their room where they could privately share their newly found love together...

~~oOOo~~

Emily had really enjoyed the evening- the singing around the campfire- the silly 'scary' stories they took turns in telling and laughing at Connor and his Urban myths. She had even joined in, telling a story about Spring Heeled Jack.

The evening was drawing to a close however, as people began to feel drowsy from the comforting flames of the fire, and couples were beginning to get closer together, whispering to their partners in between the general chat and laughter. No-one was surprised when Connor stood up with an exaggerated stretch, his arms raised high above his head, and with a huge yawn muttered a garbled sentence about 'being tired' and thinking it was time to 'hit the hay.' His adoring look at Abby, and her smirk in response, left no one in doubt that they wouldn't be sleeping much that night, but they all just said their goodnights without comment as Connor pulled Abby up from her seat, and drew her into his arms and they disappeared into their tent once again.

"Come on, Emily- let's go too." Matt suggested, and he took her hand and led her inside their tent.

Although Emily went rather reluctantly, she had to admit it was nothing like the makeshift tents she'd had to endure during her time anomaly hopping, and it was all very cosy and even quite roomy inside. Matt had laid out their two separated sleeping bags at opposite ends of the tent, and it all looked very civilised and non-threatening, even though she caught a few hopeful looks in her direction from him as he sat on his own sleeping bag, nursing a cup of coffee.

Emily sat down on her bag and wriggled a little, testing how soft- or hard- the ground would feel beneath her. She had to admit- it all seemed very comfortable, but how it would be after a few hours of sleep remained to be seen. As she and Matt caught each other's eye, she suddenly wondered if those sleeping bags were going to stay separated after all. She really didn't know what to say or do- and apparently neither did Matt!

An uncomfortable silence fell as they both retreated into their own thoughts- neither of them realising that they were both thinking the same- they wanted to be together but didn't know how to broach the subject! Emily opened her mouth a few times, to try to start a conversation, but the words seemed to die in her throat before they were even spoken out loud.

Matt suddenly turned to where she was fiddling with her pyjamas, not feeling at all shy about Matt seeing them- they'd lived together too long for her to worry about it, in fact she thought that these were the actual ones he had bought her when she'd first gone to stay with him in his flat and had been wearing one of his shirts as a nightdress. He'd flung the parcel at her, looking impassive as usual, except for the tell-tale giveaway of a soft pink flush on his cheeks.

"Here." he'd said, looking everywhere except at her. "You might find these are a bit better than my old shirt. I… I guessed the size- I hope they fit."

She'd slowly unwrapped the parcel, feeling like a child at Christmas, and couldn't help exclaim at the contents as she held the soft fabric up to her face.

"They're lovely…" she began.

"They're pyjamas."

"Pyjamas? Well they're perfect. Thank you, Matt- I'll just put them on and we can go out for dinner to celebrate." she'd naïvely said.

He'd finally looked up, then, laughing at her words. He'd grasped her hands as he smiled gently at her and explained that pyjamas were nightwear in this era. She'd laughed too, but was amazed at the lovely items in her hands. She'd been used to a long white gown, made with lace and covered with frills and ribbons. These were what these people called trousers and a top, in a bright blue checked pattern. The colour was vibrant and the material so soft that she'd rubbed it against her face again.

"Well, I love them, and I'm sure I'll have wonderful dreams whilst wearing them!" she'd told him.

Emily was suddenly brought back to earth as Matt began talking, interrupting her fond memories.

"So, Emily..." Matt was saying. "I er... I know you didn't have a great marriage, and I haven't really had much time for romance- with my mission and everything..." Matt broke off, trying to gauge her expression. When he couldn't guess her thoughts, he continued to speak. "I went to visit Gideon's grave."

"What? Gideon? That was your father, wasn't it?" she was startled by his sudden change of topic.

"Yes. You were with me the day he died, remember?"

"I remember."

"You would have liked him." Matt continued, smiling slightly. "He taught me my love of botany. Because of where we lived, he grasped onto anything that was beautiful to get him through the dark days. So we read any books we could lay our hands on that showed the world as it should have been, and studied the plants and animals that lived, or, in the case of the dinosaurs, that had lived."

"He sounds wonderful, Matt. I wish I'd had the chance to get to know him."

"That's the thing, Emily. Because of the mission- he warned me not to get involved with you."

"Oh. Well, that's understandable, Matt. You had to save the world- that was a mammoth task... I..."

"No, Emily. He wanted me to use you as bait. For Ethan. We thought it was Ethan that was the one, you see."

"Oh."

"But I couldn't do it. I came after you, remember?" Matt said, almost pleadingly, as he moved over to her sleeping bag and took her hands in his. "I loved you even then Emily- but the mission had to come first. You must understand... it was to stop the destruction of the world. Nothing could interfere with that!"

"You had a terrible responsibility thrust on your shoulders, Matt." Emily whispered, stroking his cheek. "It's alright. I understand. And you did come after me! You saved me from being buried alive! I would have died for sure if it hadn't been for you. I'll never forget that, Matt."

"I went to his grave and explained. I told him I love you, that I was sorry for going against his wishes, but I loved you almost from the first time I saw you. When I found out you were married- I was in turmoil..."

"But, Matt! I had no option but to get married! I was pledged to Henry when I was but fourteen years old."

"It's alright. I understand now. Just like I need you to understand my actions."

"Matt- you've done nothing wrong. I really do understand. What happened at the graveside? You seemed happier somehow when you returned?"

"I felt like he understood. Like he forgave me, and gave me his blessing to love you. Does that sound stupid?"

"Not at all. And I'm sure he's there somewhere watching you now, happy that his son has found love at last. And I'm happy that his son has found love with me!"

"You are?" Matt whispered moving so close to Emily, she could feel his breath on her cheek.

"Yes." she replied softly. "Because I love his son too! Very much."

Their kiss was very soft and gentle, savouring the taste of each other, but still a little tentative so as not to frighten the other off. They were both a little afraid of their feelings for one another.

"Matt… if you want to… I'm ready." Emily brazenly whispered.

"Are you sure? Because I can wait… as long as you need."

In response, Emily grabbed Matt by his shirt and pulled him to her, and kissed him hard on the mouth. "Now, Matt! Right here in this little tent, as if you and I are the only two people in the world. It's time to forget Henry- he's gone now. Forget New Dawn- that's all in the past. We've finally found our true place in the world, Matt, here in this time, in this place. Where we belong. Together"

"Yes, Emily. We belong together." Matt agreed, his lips seeking out hers. As Emily moved down onto the sleeping bag, Matt suddenly shot up. "Wait!" he cried.

He jumped up and went over to where the other sleeping bag was set up, waiting for its lone occupier. He dragged it back to Emily and giggling like two school children, they zipped the two bags together.

"There!" he stated, satisfied. "Together."

As Emily smiled, tears glistening in her eyes, he pulled her roughly to him, lowering her onto the sleeping bags, his hands tangling in her hair as they fell, kissing each other all the while.

"Matt!" she cried. "I love you, you know."

"I know. I love you too…"

~~oOOo~~

As the fire began to die down, and the couples retired to their tents, Toby sadly went to her own tent alone. She called 'goodnight' to Dylan and Evan who were the last pair to leave, and gave a quick last look over her shoulder in the vague hope that Lorraine had changed her mind and was coming to join her after all. She sighed as she finally accepted the fact that she'd be the only one on their own this night, and slowly entered her tent. She wondered if she'd ever find someone to love. Oh well, no use moping… the others were having a good time, and that was important to her. So she smiled to herself as Dylan squealed at Evan flinging her over his shoulder caveman style as he carried her to their tent, and settled down in her sleeping bag, rubbing moisturiser on her face before going to sleep.

The figure on the hillside shifted slightly in the cold air. As soon as Evan and Dylan were in their tent, the figure finally stood up, and with a slight smile began the descent into the deserted camp…

To Be Continued…