Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.

Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Classes kept him busy, Tom and Duncan kept him busier. There was game night, with pepperoni pizza of course. A trip to a thrift shop found him with some clothes to wear. He started writing to his penpal in the Gambia again.

Somehow, his mum found out. Neither Tom nor Duncan would admit to saying anything, but something must have slipped, one of them said something to a parent, and then one thing led to another… She was there on the next train.

"Connor," said his mother in a troubled tone, "what kind of girl steals your furniture, destroys your books and clothes?"

"Dunno," he replied. He had met the pretty brunette last semester; they'd hit it off. He'd thought it was love, but now… he didn't know anymore.

"She didn't appreciate you…" started his mother.

His head jerked up and he turned to look at her. Please, he thought, she didn't really say that again.

Maybe she picked up on his thoughts, with that peculiar radar that mother's seem to have, because she looked closely at him, paused whatever she was going to say for a moment. Then continued carefully, "Connor," she said "next time, if you think there's potential for a real relationship… just take it slow. Get to know her first, yeah."

"Take it slow, yeah Mum. Got it," said Connor.

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Then there was the Forest of Dean. Wonders of time past paled in comparison to a petite blonde with an inquisitive mind and a love of lizards.

He'd tread carefully this time, do his research first. This Stephen… he looked to be an experienced man. His opinion might be helpful.

"Hey Stephen," Connor asked, "What do you think of Abby?"