Do You Remember Me?
The following day Connor asked if he could come along to the ARC - Maybe something there could jog his memory.
He walked in and pretended to be amazed at the ARC. He looked at the Anomaly Detection Device. "That's one hell of an upgrade..." He purposely blinked. "Hang on... I've said that before haven't I?" He looked at Jess trying to ignore Abby, it hurt to do it but he had to find out. Did she still love him? Smiling Jess nodded.
"I'm going to the menagerie, coming?" Abby asked Connor. Connor's stomach exploded into a million butterflies. Maybe there was still something there.
"Yeah, give me a minute." Trying to sound nonchalant, he looked at the Anomaly Detection Device. Hoping that it could somehow give him some magical information. He turned and then followed Abby.
As soon as he entered, Connor was accosted by Rex. The small lizard was so happy at seeing Connor that he flew a circle around him and landed on Connor's head. Abby could not help giggling.
"He's really pleased to see you." she commented, as Rex flew away.
"I can see that." Connor grinned. "And how about you, are you pleased to see me?" He softened as he turned to Abby.
Abby gave it a moment before answering. "Yeah." Connor walked towards her. Maybe this was it. Maybe he didn't have to pretend with Abby any longer. "Abby."
"Oh wait... Are you wearing aftershave?" Abby's stomach turned at the smell.
"Yeah... Why?" Connor froze.
"Oh, boy." Abby clamped her hand over her mouth and ran to the ladies.
"What did I say?" Connor spoke to Rex, the only living thing left in the room. When Rex chirped back, he could have sworn it sound like 'I dunno'.
Connor stood for a moment. Maybe he should find out where she went.
Maybe that was a hint to say 'Get Lost Connor'. He felt like a Geek again. He felt as if he was losing her. Getting his 'Girl' and keeping her was difficult. He decided to wait for her to return. He had waited for a full two minutes before deciding to go looking for her. Hearing Matt's Irish lilt, he froze in the corridor.
"You O.K. Abby?"
"Yeah fine." She sounded rough.
"Do you need a Doctor? A few days off maybe?" Matt stood opposite Abby. A concerned look on his face. Matt rubbed Abby's elbow, unaware that Connor was watching. "You can talk to me you know, about anything."
To Connor the whole scene looked... Intimate!
Connor felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach, killing off the butterflies that had fluttered only moments before. His guts were twisting and turning. He was losing Abby, and he couldn't bare it! He turned and went off to the break room. One minute she was talking to him, encouraging him, and the next running off as if she couldn't stand being in the same room as him.
How could Abby do that? To Him?
Well if that's what she wanted to do then... His sprits fell to an all time low, and he sighed. He didn't know what to do anymore. He just didn't know how to treat Abby anymore. Maybe he had listened to Philip once too often, and driven his girlfriend away in the process. He did know one thing.
He knew that he had caused a problem, and one way or another he was going to fix it!
"Something I ate last night didn't agree with me. I'll be O.K." Abby looked at Matt. He did look rather concerned. "Look if it carries on I'll go home."
Matt recalled the scene yesterday, when she had fallen asleep in front of her laptop. It was probably a sign of a healthy pregnancy, and that she probably was O.K.
"If you need to talk to me, you know where I am."
Connor decided to join Jess at the ADD. He took her a cup of tea. He set it down on her desk.
"I hope you like white tea. No sugar." He asked her.
"I usually take coffee, frothy, with one sugar, but thanks anyway." Jess wondered if he had anything better to do.
Connor winced; it was Abby who took her tea, white, with no sugar. He pulled up a chair and sat down. He put his elbow on the desk, and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. He scanned the rest of the Operations room hoping that Abby was not nearby. Even if she had moved on, there was no point in upsetting her. He didn't even like Jess that way, she was just a dear friend.
Connor moved his chair closer to Jess at the Anomaly Detection Device, and rested his arm across the back of her chair, and then leaned closer. They were very close. Abby watched from the background. Then he whispered something in Jess' ear. For a moment Abby couldn't breathe, she felt a tightness in her chest that wouldn't go away. 'I can't watch anymore' she thought and turned on her heel ready to flee, when she bumped into someone.
"Sorry," she breathed, tears threatening to fall again.
"Abby?" Matt took in the scene at the ADD. What was Connor doing? Had the accident really affected him that badly? Didn't he realise what this was doing to Abby? Did he not realise that this was tearing her apart?
"Come in here, Lester's in a meeting with the minister, and I need to talk to you." Matt led her to Lester's glass walled office. He shut the door behind her.
"How much does Connor actually remember?" Abby stood with her back to the ADD.
She started to explain that Connor had not remembered anything much about the last three years. A tear ran down her face.
"He's forgotten me Matt," she sobbed miserably. Matt closed the distance between them and hugged her. If she was indeed pregnant then she would be very emotional, even more than usual. At this moment in time, she desperately needed a friend, and he could see that Connor's actions were hurting her.
"He hasn't remembered anything since Cutter died. Even then, he's barely remembered that. He said something about Danny though."
"He's not remembered anything about Philip and the work he's doing for him?" Matt still had his arms around Abby, he saw Connor glance in their direction. His arms dropped. Oh god, he hoped Connor hadn't seen that, memory or no memory!
Abby shook her head.
Matt wondered about Abby's pregnancy. How long had she known? Did Connor Know?
Why was she in constant tears? Was there anything he could do to help?
"Look Abby ... I ... I ... I I'm not prying but, are you pregnant?" Abby stared at him.
"How do you know?" She asked, tears still rolling down her face.
"When you fell asleep in your office yesterday, I couldn't help noticing the website you were on. Mumsnet is a bit of a giveaway." Matt hoped he was being tactful. He looked very sincere. "Look all I want to do is help."
Abby nodded.
Connor moved his chair closer to Jess and put his arm on the back of her chair. He didn't want anyone to hear what he said.
"Where's Philip today? And what's he doing?" Connor whispered.
"You remember Philip?" Asked Jess hopefully. Maybe this was a turning point, maybe he was getting his memory back after all.
"Little bits," Connor lied.
"He's at Prospero today, his OTHER venture." Jess told him. "I can call him if you want, tell him that you want to see him." Jess asked.
"No! ... Not yet... I need some more time before I meet him. He's the Big Boss isn't he?" Connor stammered.
Connor turned in his chair to scan the rest of the operations room again. He saw Becker coming down the corridor. He glanced into Lester's office and his mouth fell open.
Matt had his arms around Abby. That just said it all. Abby had moved on, without even saying anything! It seemed, as if she had made her decision who she wanted to be with ... Matt! He had been right. Since coming back from the Cretaceous they had drifted apart, she didn't want to know him anymore. Connor looked away, the sight of Matt and Abby was too painful, and he felt his heart shatter into a thousand pieces.
Jess pulled a face wondering what Connor was doing. He had pulled his chair closer, arm across her back, and was whispering in her ear. If anyone was watching this would look very awkward. She pushed a button on her console. One that would show her where everyone was.
Oh My God, Becker was walking down the corridor towards them. Abby was in Lester's office with Matt. THEY COULD ALL SEE HER AND CONNOR!
Jess seethed. What must Abby think! Even worse, what must Becker think! She had to do something. She got up and walked away from the Operations Area.
Angrily Jess walked up to Becker, grabbed his jacket lapels and kissed him. She then turned around to Connor who was watching from a distance. Jess was about to walk away when Becker grabbed her. One arm around her waist and one supporting her back. He dipped her slightly.
"You didn't think you were going to get away with doing that? Did you?" Becker kissed her back. More passionately this time. Jess gave in and kissed him back. Oh God, how much she had wanted to do that?
She might just have to thank Connor for it! Jess's heart fluttered, she was being kissed by Becker.
Becker decided that he needed somewhere to talk. He pushed open the nearest door, unaware that he was, in fact, pushing open the door to the ladies toilets. Emily gasped as she washed her hands.
"Becker!"
Becker suddenly realised where he was. "Sorry," he muttered, then dragged Jess to the elevator. He pressed the button and was pleased to find it empty when it arrived. He dragged Jess inside and pressed the button for the top floor. Once the elevator started moving he punched the stop button, trapping them between two floors, thus ensuring that he had no audience and no interruptions.
Becker kissed her again. After what seemed like eternity, they broke apart. Becker leaned his forehead against Jess'
"Why did I wait for so long to do that?"
Jess gulped. "I don't know, but we should definitely do it again!"
Becker smiled. "Could you tell me what's going on down there? It all looks so... WRONG!"
Jess looked at him questioningly.
"I mean Connor's sat there with his arms practically around you, something I take you're not happy with, and Abby's in Lester's Office, crying her eyes out."
"I'm not surprised she's been crying. Connor has forgotten everything they've been through. It's as if the Cretaceous never happened!" Jess explained.
She'd hated thinking that she had been involved with upsetting Abby. She would make amends later. Abby was her friend. She didn't want Abby to think that she was trying to take away her boyfriend from her! Especially now that Abby was pregnant!
Once they had finished talking Becker let the elevator go on its way.
Connor wandered up the stairs to his lab, cursing the elevator when it didn't come. He felt so hurt!
Unconsciously he reached for his laptop, booting it up without thinking. His thoughts still with Abby. Maybe she didn't love him after all.
He did a mental checklist:-
Abby hated Philip Burton and probably wished that he wasn't doing so much work for him. She had almost scoffed at the idea if Connor working for him in his spare time.
Abby had said that if anything happened to him. She wouldn't care less. She'd be "dating" within days. At the time he thought that she had been joking. That had been hurtful.
Then he'd caught her hacking into his computer. She knew that stuff was strictly P&C.
When he'd made the comment about the nurses, she'd merely walked away with a smile. That had been hurtful too. Even though he'd been pretending to have amnesia, surely a comment like that would have prompted some sort of reaction?He'd been paying more attention to Jess, even that hadn't prompted a reaction!
This morning when he'd planned to tell her everything, she'd practically run into Matt's arms. All he'd done was walk towards her! Then she'd been in Lester's office with Matt too!
He thought about the Cretaceous.
That had been trying, but as far as their relationship went, it was brilliant! They'd managed to become a proper couple. Their trust in each other building every day. They had needed to trust each other, rely on each other and be there for each other. The times he had saved her life, and she, his. She'd finally succumbed to his advances and become his girlfriend!
He thought about his actions since coming back from the Cretaceous.
He'd hated the thought of Abby being eaten by a Labyrinthodont at that Seaside place. That had been painful. The thought of losing Abby completely had been unbearable. It still was.
Abby had told him about Philip and told him not to trust him and what had he done...? Ignored her! He'd taken to working for Philip in his spare time, sometimes late into the night, not even going home.
Automatically he checked his e-mails. Six e-mails in all. Two were from April, asking when would he be ready to be back at work. The rest were from Philip, ordering him back to work. Connor grunted. If he really had lost his memory, would he be any help to Philip? - No.
Hell – there wasn't even any concern in those e-mails. No 'Hope you're feeling better Connor.'
Connor sighed; unwittingly he'd been helping Philip all along. Philip had used him, and had been prepared to destroy the ARC, with everyone still inside. If those bugs hadn't eaten through the electrics, everyone would be dead!
The bastard was ready to kill them all
without any remorse, and now he wanted Connor back at work. Well Philip could go to hell. The last e-mail, from Philip told him that he was able to construct an Anomaly Opening Machine without any more help from him. They would be opening the Anomaly today.
Connor suddenly realised what he must do, and how to do it!
Connor had to do something. He would have to tell someone. He thought about who he would ask to help him. Initially he wanted to ask Abby, but would she really understand what he was trying to do? Besides he wanted to look good for her. They had not been getting along recently. He wanted her back. He was going to get her back, and he would die trying.
He thought about the team leader Matt... Did he really know Matt; after all, he was the one going behind his back with Abby. Anyway, he would only go to Lester, and Lester would have the whole team involved. Including Abby! No, he could not, and would not, ask Matt.
Jess was indeed brilliant, but he needed someone who was good with a gun. Besides she was needed here. If she disappeared from her desk she would be missed. No, he could not ask sweet Jess.
That left Becker.
Becker was brilliant with a gun. He'd trust Becker with his life. Mind you, he'd trust Becker with the whole teams' lives! He was trustworthy. Knew when to keep his mouth shut, and, he was the best choice for back up. Yes, he would ask Becker.
He found Becker in the ARC Gym. It looked as if the Captain had just finished his training exercise.
"Becker, can I borrow you for a minute?" Asked Connor.
"Yeah, sure. But first this"
Becker raised his fist and punched him in the face. Connor rubbed his jaw.
"What was that for?"
"That... was for annoying Jess." He punched the other side of Connor's face. "That... was for upsetting Abby."
"Now... What can I do for you?"
Connor massaged his jaw. Why was everyone out to get him? ... Hang on ...Annoy Jess? ... Upset Abby? ... He took a deep breath before saying anything.
"How have I annoyed Jess? And what have I done to upset Abby?"
"How much do you actually remember?"
Connor sighed, "The truth?"
Becker nodded. Connor winced.
"You can't tell anyone, seriously NO-ONE! ... Not until I've finished what I need to do."
Becker eyed Connor suspiciously. "Go on," he had a feeling he was not going to like this. Connor held off until he was absolutely sure Becker would not repeat any of it until it was all over.
"Everything..." Connor waited. Becker threw his hands in the air; Connor didn't see it coming...
BOOF! Becker punched him again.
"That's ... for being a total and UTTER PRAT! ... Then you wonder why Abby's so upset?"
Connor massaged his aching jaw. "Have you finished using me as a punch bag? I didn't realise that she felt that way about me. Has she said anything about me?"
"She loves you Connor, she's been crying a lot since your accident. That day you were dragged underground by those huge beetles?" Abby was beside herself with worry. She even threatened to kill Matt if he let anything happen to you."
"And Jess?"
"Jess apparently has feelings for me. You've got Abby, hands off... She's mine." Becker growled. He smiled at the thought of kissing Jess. He recalled the feeling of her soft lips against his.
"I have been a right ... What did you call me?"
"Prat."
"That's what I am." Connor continued. "Will you still help?"
Becker nodded but insisted on taking the comms and the black boxes. Even if they didn't use them to stay in contact. Connor nodded. "O.K. what are we doing?"
"I need some back-up, I need to get to Prospero and I need someone to help me do something once I'm there."
Becker grabbed two EMD's before disappearing with Connor. They drove out as Lester drove in.
With one hand on the steering wheel, Becker pocketed his Comms link.
He glanced at Connor. "Are you going to tell me anything about what were going to do when we get there?"
Connor closed his eyes. Becker would find out soon enough. He opened his eyes and kept them on the road as he spoke. He explained how he had inadvertently given Philip the formula to opening the Anomalies. How Philip was going to create an even bigger one, and how he was planning to open it. TODAY!
Connor went on describing how he would have to disable the larger anomaly. He just needed Becker to ensure that he wasn't interrupted.
Becker nodded in agreement. He didn't agree with the way Connor had gone about this, but he thought of Connor as a very close friend. One that needed his help. If he couldn't help Connor now, how else was he going to help? In the past Becker had never forgiven himself for not being able to locate Connor, Abby and Danny. He had thought he had become a failure. Now was the chance he had of helping his friend. Even if Connor had hurt Abby, he wasn't going to give up on him now.
Parking the SUV away from Prospero's building. Connor and Becker managed to creep unnoticed inside.
Meanwhile...
Lester walked over to the Hub where he was joined by Matt. Abby had gone to the break room to fix some "toast and ketchup" something that she found she could actually eat without the after effects of being sick.
"Another anomaly open?" Lester questioned.
"No, not that we know of." Jess replied, tapping away on her keyboard bring up various screens.
"Becker's just driven away with Connor in tow, I trust Connor's actually feeling better?"
Matt looked at Jess, who realised what was needed even before the words escaped his mouth.
"Tracking their movements now..."
"No idea they'd even left the building." Matt wondered where they were going and why.
He picked up a Communication link and inserted it into his ear.
"Becker are you there?" There was no answer.
Jess pointed to two dots travelling across a map on her screen. They were travelling across London.
Emily and Abby joined them, Abby finishing the last half of her toast. Matt mouthed to her 'Toast & Ketchup?' Then he smirked and shook his head. If that's what she wanted.
"They've gone to Prospero." Jess announced as she traced their location.
Jess told the others about her conversation with Connor. How he had tried to locate Philip, how he hadn't wanted to speak to him over the 'phone. Jess apologised to Abby explaining how angry she had been when Connor had draped his arm across the back of her chair. How it must have looked to Abby and how she had never even thought of Connor as a boyfriend. Connor belonged with Abby and that was that.
Abby smiled and accepted Jess' heartfelt apology and gave her a quick hug.
"Connor's gone to do something there, and I bet he's roped in Becker." Matt wished he knew what was going on. From the information he had retrieved from Connor's hard drive, he knew that it had to do with the anomalies.
"The other day, he managed to open an anomaly in his lab, what if Philip has already got the formula to open his own?" Abby offered.
"If that is the case I want you down there now! Do whatever you need to stop him!" Lester ordered.
Matt, Emily and Abby grabbed their Communication links and the black boxes and left as quickly as they could. Matt breaking several speeding and driving laws in getting to Prospero.
Back at Prospero...
Connor had managed to get to the Laptops in the rafters. He logged into the machine.
He would try to stop the Anomaly Generator from here. He heard Becker fire his EMD. Philip knew that they were there. His guards had began swarming around Becker. He fired five times each shot hitting their target. That left just one more. Becker turned his EMD around and used the handle as a club on the last guard.
Just then they heard a voice come across the tanoy. Both men looked at each other incredulously. Philip had started the countdown.
10
"Hurry up Connor..."
9
"I can't do it... Philip must have some sort of failsafe to stop anyone."
8
"What now?"
"The Anomaly Opening Device... I've got to change the polarity!"
"Do what you've got to do," Instructed Becker the implications of Connor's words not making any sense to him. He was a soldier after all! "I'll keep you covered."
7
Connor ran down the steps towards the huge machine. He climbed up.
Matt, Emily and Abby arrived in the car park. They ran over to the main building.
Matt went to the main control room to stop Philip. Abby and Emily ran to find Connor and Becker, guided by Jess back in the Hub.
6
Connor got into position ready to change the polarity. He tried to look at what he was doing and ended up staring straight down. He gulped. One slip would certainly mean death. He took a deep breath. He would have to do this blind, using only his fingers to sense what he was doing.
5
Connor saw the polarity cable and followed it down with his hand. He struggled to detached the positive polarity.
4
He gave it one sharp tug and then he had done it. Matt hammered on the main control room door. Begging Philip to stop the countdown.
3
He then felt for the Negative polarity with his fingers, found it!
Abby and Emily gathered alongside Becker. Watching Connor, hardly daring to breathe. Abby silently prayed that he would be successful with his mission.
2
I hope you liked that!