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 refers to chapter 2

21.5 Lester's Retirement

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Abby opened the cream colored envelope. Formal invitations sent by ground mail were a rarity these days. Most correspondence was done by email. She smiled when she read the card inside.

"Connor," she said looking across the living room at her husband, "we've been invited to the Lester's retirement party.''

"Yeah," replied Connor "it will be great to see everyone… under better circumstances."

Lester hadn't been the same since Helen's invasion into the ARC a couple of months ago. The attack, and Michael's funeral, had taken something out of the man. When his annual physical came around, the doctor said something about a heart murmur and recommended he retire.

Vivian Lester had been the one to finally convince the great man that it was indeed time to step down. His assistant Lucien was more than capable of handling the International Anomaly Research Center. In fact, Vivian informed James, she was retiring too… she thought she'd like to travel… see the world… you can come too James, if you like.

And of course, James Lester would follow Vivian anywhere.

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Lucien, and his assistants, had gone all out for Lester's retirement party. A very posh London restaurant had been booked. Guests came from all over the world, and thankfully speeches had been kept to a minimum. In short, the party had been wonderful. But it was winding down now, most of the guests were gone. Connor and Abby made their way across the large banquet room to the Lester's table for their goodbyes.

"Lester," began Connor "we just wanted to wish you…"

Abby looked at Connor in surprise. He seemed to be at a loss for words.

"I mean… really," he stammered "it just won't be the same…"

Lester rose from his chair to stand facing Connor and Abby. The table between them was reminiscent of his office desk so long ago.

"This isn't the end of everything you know," said Lester "we're just moving on to a different chapter of our lives now."

"Yeah," said Connor with a crooked smile "we'll still see you and Mrs. Lester… and of course Gail's working at the London ARC now… and…"

He was babbling again realized Abby with a chuckle. She reached out a hand to clasp her fingers around Connor's hand.

"Connor," Abby said "shut up."

Abby and Connor made their farewells and started to turn, but Lester spoke again.

"Wait a minute…" he said patting his suit pockets "I've got something for you."

Lester pulled out a small folded piece of blue lined paper.

"There it is," he said with a satisfied air. He held the paper out towards Connor.

"What is it?"

"Cutter's third prediction," replied Lester "really, I should have given it to you fifteen years ago… but, it's been a bit busy… and it's not like it's expected any time soon… if anything opens at all."

Abby remembered Cutter's first prediction had been for an anomaly to open in a grand old Tudor style house, but hadn't specified when. That was where she, Jenny and Connor had first met Danny. That anomaly had a most peculiar creature incursion. The camouflage beast as she remembered it wasn't something found in a paleontology book. The creature was more the stuff of fiction Connor had always claimed. Maybe, if Sarah had lived, she would have been able to determine the origins of the creature. Her studies on myths and legends had been invaluable to Cutter in his creation of the first anomaly map.

Cutter's second prediction had been more specific. An anomaly was supposed to open in Hyde Park… the date was three days after she, Danny and Connor had disappeared chasing Helen through the race track anomaly. Lester believed in Cutter's work enough that he had a team stationed in Hyde Park waiting… hoping the anomaly was going to bring them all back from whenever they had disappeared to, but nothing had come of it.

Cutter's third prediction was written on the piece of blue lined paper Lester now passed carefully to Connor.

"It's in your hands now," said Lester with an arch look "Do be careful… wouldn't want Lucien to have to write up any accident reports."

"Lester," exclaimed Connor looking at the date written on the paper "that's not for another fourteen years."

"Then you'll have plenty of time to get ready," replied Lester.

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