A/N Here we go :) Disclaimer: I only own Sofia...Much to my displeasure!
Episode 2 Series 4
Day after Chapter 3
Chapter 4- Back at it
Seeing as she lived closest to where Connor and Abby had spent the night she thought it logical that she be the one to bring them to the ARC, which was the reason she was now stood outside the flat they were given. Having only been at the ARC two weeks Sofia hadn't heard much about the two old employees, she'd read the files and Jess had mentioned them on a few occasion as had Matt. After only a few moments Abby answered the door.
"Good morning Miss Maitland I'm here to escort you and Mr Temple to the ARC." Sofia greeted with a smile.
"Abby please and Connor, he hates being called Mr Temple. And we're just finishing breakfast, would you like to join us?" Abby asked stepping to the side to let the Lieutenant in.
"I've already eaten but a coffee would be great if that isn't a problem?" Sofia asked stepping into the flat and looking round, it was actually quite nice.
"Not at all." Abby replied leading the way to the kitchen, where Connor was sat eating a bowl of cereal looking put out. When he heard them enter he looked up and offered them a smile before returning to glare at his breakfast. Sofia sat down opposite Connor while Abby made the coffee, she'd offered to help but Abby wouldn't allow it. Sofia decided now would be a good time to get to know them as they would be getting debriefed most of the day.
"So how you both doing today?" Sofia started, it must be strange going from living in the Cretaceous for a year back to modern life. Connor grinned at her.
"I am never going to take a bed for granted again!" Connor exclaimed.
"Or plumbing." Abby added.
"Or anything." Connor exclaimed again, Sofia couldn't help but laugh. She held a lot of respect for them, she loved reading about the Cretaceous period when she was younger and could never imagining someone surviving there for a year. And yet in front of her was two people that had.
"What time do we have to be at the ARC?" Abby asked taking a sip of her coffee.
"Not until 8 so we still have about 20 minutes." Sofia answered her, also taking a sip of her coffee. Silence came over the trio as they all got lost in there own thoughts.
"So how long have you been working at the ARC?" Connor asked breaking the silence.
"Not long, only about two weeks. I'm still the newbie." She smiled; Becker liked to tease her about being the newbie especially when she got lost around the ARC.
"Were you hired for just military support or..." Abby drifted off, the ARC must have more than enough military support by now she thought.
"No I was also hired for my knowledge on prehistoric creatures. Lester didn't think it was safe enough to have only one person on the field team with knowledge relevant to the creatures normally dealt with, but with the military background only rule there weren't exacty many people to choose from. And then he came across me, after the interview he told me I was perfect for the job and hired me on the spot." Sofia smiled.
"How you finding it all?" Connor asked, so much for her getting to know them. Looking at Connor she could see he was glaring at his cereal again. Sofia raised her eyebrow at him before answering.
"I love it, I was in the military for just over six years and decided I needed a change, and then this opportunity popped up. At first I was going to turn it down because the posistion was classed as military support and that was what I was trying to get away from, but then I saw I was sent the request because I had an extensive knowledge on prehistoric creatures. That got me curious so I agreed to attend an interview. I'm very glad I did. Connor is there a reason you keep glaring at your cereal?" Sofia asked her curiosity fianlly getting the best of her. At the question Abby burst out laughing, Sofia looked between Abby who was laughing hysterically and Connor who was now glaring even harder at his cereal.
"Connor was really looking forward to having a big breakfast when we got back, however the doctors thought differently. We've been told to take it easy and not have anything that will be to hard on our stomachs hence why he's eating Cornflakes and not looking to happy about it." Abby told her still sniggering.
"I was really looking forward to a full english." Connor claimed. Sofia couldn't help but join Abby in laughing.
"Oh there was something I wanted to ask you. Because of my knowledge on creatures I do a lot of work in the menagerie at the ARC, and I heard something about three of the creatures. Is it true Rex, Sid and Nancy used to be your pets?" Sofia questioned. The three dinosaurs were her favourite at the ARC, they have also seemed to have taken a liking to her, always coming over to greet her when she entered the menagerie and sometimes sitting with her while she worked in her office there. Looking at Abby and Connor she could see there eyes light up at the names.
"Yes they did! Where are they? Are they OK?"Abby asked nearly bouncing out of her seat.
"Yes there fine. There in the menagerie at the ARC, very friendly and energetic the three of them especially Sid and Nancy." Sofia answered smiling and shaking her head thinking of all the rules Lester had concerning Sid and Nancy.
"Would we be able to see them?" Connor asked.
"I don't see why not. And looking at the time we'll have to set off soon anyway." Sofia replied standing up and taking her mug to the sink. After Abby and Connor had cleared everything up and picked up everything they needed Sofia led them to her 2009 Toyota Hilux. It was exactly the same as what the ARC used but she didn't care, it was a present from her dad and she loved it. During the car ride Abby sat up front with Sofia much to Connor's displeasure and they got to know each other better. Connor eventually joined in after he had finished sulking. Sofia learnt a lot more about the old teams and what it was like at the start, while Connor and Abby learnt more about the new team and how things now worked at the ARC. Pulling up at the ARC Sofia explained breifly what was about to happen.
"Since Matt is team leader, and you have already spoken to Burton and Lester, you'll be meeting with him today. You'll speak with him seperatly most likely just going over the past year I know it's not what you want to hear but it has to be done."
"Do you think there is a chance we'll be able to get our jobs back?" Connor asked, a slight pleading edge to his words.
"In my honest opinion I don't think you should have lost them in the first place. The military rule is so that employees are capable of handling themselves on the field, but you two have been in this job the longest, your the experts on it, no one has more experience than you. But I don't get a say I'm only classed as military support. You can try and get your jobs back but there are no guarantees." Sofia told them softly. As Sofia finished talking the lift doors opened and the three of them exited into the ARCs opps room.
"Abby you'll be speaking with Matt first then you Connor. But first we need to inform Lester that you are here." Sofia announced heading over to Lester's office.
"Sir I'm here with Abby and Connor." Sofia informed him after he had granted her entrance to his office.
"Ah yes good morning all, I trust Lieutenant Bianco has told you what's going to happen today?" Lester questioned looking away from his computer towards the trio.
"Yes she has." Abby answered for them.
"Good, well get on with it then." Lester told them turning back to his computer. Abby and Connor turned to leave when Sofia told them to wait for outside.
"Sir?" Sofia said trying to get Lester's attention.
"Yes Lieutenant?" Lester answered sounding annoyed at the continued interuption.
"Connor and Abby inquired about seeing their old pets again. Since they are being interviewed seperatly I was wondering if I would be able to take them to the menagerie when they are not needed. They will be under my constant supervision." Sofia asked. Lester finally looked up at her and then looked to Connor and Abby who were outside in there own discussion.
"Fine, but they are to only go to the menagerie, nowhere else. Matt is in his office, the interview rooms are in that direction anyway. Off you go." Lester agreed now wanting to get rid of her so he could continue his work and not think about the fact that he has got to lose two of his best employees, not that he would ever say that out loud.
"Thank you Sir, and I know it's not my place to say so, but the military background rule doesn't technically apply to Connor and Abby since it was brought in after they started working here and they never offically resigned or were fired before the rule." Sofia said before leaving the office and joining Abby and Connor, missing the look Lester sent towards her.
"Everything OK?" Abby asked once Sofia had joined them again.
"Yes everything is good I was just getting permission to take you to see your pets." Sofia told them smiling.
"Oh my god. Thank you." Abby exclaimed before suddenly hugging Sofia. Sofia couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you." Connor told her more softly nodding his head towards her, Sofia gave him a soft smile before leaving Abby's hug.
"OK but it's going to work like this, I'm going to take you to the interviews rooms Abby will go first and I'll take Connor to the menagerie then we'll swap, I'll take Connor to the interview rooms and then take you, Abby to the menagerie. If were still still in the menagerie I'll ask Matt to just bring Connor there before going to Lester. So is that OK?" Sofia explained leading them down one of the ARCs many corridors. Both Connor and Abby nodded there understanding and continued following Sofia whilst taking everything in until eventually Sofia stopped at a door which was open, before leaning and talking to whoever was there.
"Good morning Matt."
"Fia, good morning, are Connor and Abby with you?" Matt greeted with a smile looking up from whatever it was that he was doing. Seeing Sofia nod he got up and left his office to greet the other two and head to where he was going to be talking to them.
"Good morning you two, if you would just follow me and Sofia we can get this over with as quick as possible." Matt announced before leading the way. Once he reached the interview room he turned towards Abby and Connor as Sofia had been walking next to him.
"I'm talking to Abby first right?" Matt inquired turning to Sofia.
"Right. Let me know when you have finished and I'll bring Connor." Sofia said tapping her ear piece indicating how he was to let her know.
"No problem, I will see you later. Abby, thank you." Matt replied holding the door open for Abby and then turning to follow her before turning to Sofia again. "Oh and Fia there are some files I need to go over with you about some of the creatures in the menagerie later." Matt informed her.
"Sure thing Matt, let me know." Sofia answered before turning back to Connor. "Ready to go see Rex, Sid and Nancy again."
"Defiantly." Connor said with a grin following her down the corridor.
"I heard Lester gave Abby a job to help you in the menagerie." Matt said as he sat opposite Sofia in the office she used that was just off the menagerie, looking up Fia smiled at him before replying.
"I'm more than happy to have her helping me, I just wish Connor got to stay as well, it's only fair after all they have been through." Sofia responded looking up just as Rex flew into the room landing next to her and lifting his head. Taking the hint Sofia began petting him. Matt smiled at her.
"You work really well with the creatures. And I agree to some degree, I think they could both use a bit of a break after everything they have been through. If Lester or Phillip find out you have left the airlock to the menagerie open they will not be happy." Matt stated looking pointedly at Rex
"It's only this once, it won't happen again. Especially not after what happened with the Dracorex." Sofia claimed. "Yeah, anyway you mentioned something about files earlier." Sofia stated looking at him.
"Yes I did and here they are." Matt smiled holding up the files and began explaining to her what they were. After a while they were deep in discussion, Matt was standing next to Sofia who was sat down at the desk both looking at the same file discussing certain changes that could be made when the sound of the door opening interupted them. Looking up they saw Abby and Jess enter who looked towards them. Jess just smiled a knowing smile at Sofia and couldn't help but think that Matt was closer to Sofia than necessarily needed.
"Ah well, Fia we can finish this later if thats OK? I think you should show your new partner around her new office." Matt said smiling and gathering the files that were spread across the desk.
"Sure thing Matt, I'll catch up with you later." Sofia agreed giving Matt a smile as he left. Then turning to Abby and Jess.
"He didn't have to go." Abby commented.
"It's fine, we weren't doing anything that was overly urgent. Anyway welcome to your new office, I'm afraid we're sharing though." Sofia announced smiling.
"That's fine." Abby replied.
Matt sat in his office watching Abby and Sofia over the CCTV on his laptop, Jess had just left. He needed to keep an eye on Abby now that she was working here again, that meant he was probably going to be keeping an eye on Sofia a lot again as they were going to be working closely together. Even though he was almost 100% sure it wasn't Sofia, it wouldn't hurt to still keep a close eye on her just like the others. His eyes focused in on Sofia, she once again looked beautiful today, he knew he was feeling something towards her but what, he wasn't sure. He'd never act on it anyway , he had to treat them all as though it was them he was after. Looking at his watch Matt decided to visit Gideon and inform him of the changes.
Entering the ARC again Matt could see Sofia leaning on the railings by Lester's office watching something.
"Everything OK?" Matt asked.
"Abby's acting strange." She stated.
"Strange how?" Matt asked looking up and seeing what she meant. Abby was at a laptop typing something whilst speaking quietly into her mobile before hurrying off. That's when Sofia went to the laptop Matt following close behind.
"What was she looking at?" Matt questioned looking over her shoulder at what was on the screen.
"She was looking at the docks." Sofia replied "Do you think we should follow? Seems an odd place to wonder off to." Sofia inquired.
"I think we should. Something might be wrong." Matt responded finishing just as Jess spoke.
"Anything I can help you two with?"
"No, It's fine. We're just going to pop out for a minute." Matt spoke smiling to Jess before looking at Sofia and turning to walk towards the exit with Sofia in tow.
"What if there's an anomaly." Jess called to them.
"Don't worry we have our black boxes." Sofia responded.
"Turned on?"
"Always." Matt answered this time.
"Bring me back some chocolate. Nothing with orange in it though, that's just weird." Jess called again, causing Sofia to laugh.
"Sure thing Jess." Sofia called following Matt once again.
"Sofia and Matt are acting strange." Jess told Becker.
"Really? In what way?"
"Well I've worked with Matt for eight months now and I have read his file backwards but I still don't feel I know him and Sofia, even though we have gone out a few times over the past two weeks, I have only known her two weeks, there could be loads I don't know."
"Leave it Jess they know what there doing." Becker said before walking off. Not satisfied with that Jess went over to the ADD to follow what they were doing via there black boxes, they seemed to serious for it to be anything personal and it also seemed like they were following Abby. After a while she could tell where they were heading and Becker had just entered the room again.
"Matt and Sofia are heading to the docks." She called to Becker.
"So what?" Becker asked sounding bored.
"Well why are they doing that?"
"I dunno Jess perhaps there buying a boat." Jess still not happy with Becker's lack of worry turned back to the ADD. After a bit longer Matt and Sofia's travel pattern's became erratic.
"Matt, Sofia please respond." Jess tried the comms. "There definantly up to something." She aimed at Becker. "Abby was on that computer earlier looking up maps of the docks and then Matt and Sofia used the terminal and left straight after her. And check this out there at the docks but they've split up and look at their erratic pattern of movement." Jess finished.
"Nothings showing, no anomalies." Becker said checking the hand held ADD.
"Well their chasing something."
"Or being chased. I'm gonna get a team together, you keep trying them." Becker ordered before going to get the team.
Upon reaching the docks Matt and Sofia could see Abby and Connor and some other guy being chased by a creature.
"Boar croc, fully grown by the looks of it we were right to follow." Sofia claimed.
"Yes we were." Matt agreed before beeping the horn and calling to the others "Hey!" Turning they all started running for the car. "Quick get in!" Matt ordered. Just as they got in the back the creature jumped onto the bonnet.
"Matt now would be a good time to drive." Sofia shouted, just as Matt put the car into reverse, pulling away from the creature causing it to run away.
Sofia and Matt stayed by the car as Abby and Connor went to check the nest.
"The nest is a mess, there's no sign of it." Abby said once they were back at the car.
"It could be anywhere." Connor added.
"OK so we have a Boar Croc on the loose and judging by the tusks a fully grown one." Sofia stated looking around the docks.
"We better check outside." Matt announced. Running to the car.
"Connor your with me. Sofia, you and Abby take the perimeter, head north we'll meet you on the other side." Matt ordered. "And be careful." Matt shouted as the girls had already began to run off, Abby noticed how his eyes seemed to focus on Sofia longer than her. Matt climbed into the car with Connor before setting off in the opposite direction.
"Here, your gonna need one of these." Matt said to Connor whilst handing him an ear piece, once Connor had taken it Matt contacted Jess. "Jess we have an incursion with no weapons."
"Matt what's going on?" Jess called.
"We need Becker down here now." Was the only reply she got.
"He's already on his way." Jess replied when Connor made a little noise of excitement, Matt looked towards him only to see him shrug.
"Sorry, it's quite cool." Connor stated pointing to the ear piece causing Matt to grin.
Jess looked up as Becker grabbed a black box and couldn't help the smug look that came to her face. Becker looked at her and shook his head smiling. He knelt down so he was eye level with her.
"Yes OK your brilliant." He admitted much to Jess's pleasure. She couldn't keep the grin off her face.
"All units listen up, got a creature report at the following coordinates. I've ordered the harbour master to shut off the port to in-going and out-going shipping, and will have the coast guard establish an exclusion zone one nortical mile out." Jess stated over all comms.
"Good thinking." Matt complimented.
"Becker's on his way." Jess finished.
Sofia and Abby were walking round the perimeter making sure to look all around and listen for any unusal sounds, when suddenly there was a splash.
"You hear that Abby." Sofia turning towards the sound.
"Yes it came from over here." Abby stated turning the same way as Sofia. They both ran to the noise.
"Matt we had a visual, it's in the water." Sofia called over the comms.
"Can we track it by road?" Matt inquired.
"No it's heading out into the harbour." Abby answered first. Feeling Sofia tap her shoulder Abby turned to see what she was gesturing to, a boat.
"Were on it." Abby stated.
"On it? What does she mean on it?" Connor asked.
Standing at the front of the boat Abby and Sofia tried looking for the creature.
"Abbs, right there." Sofia exclaimed "Matt we have it."
"Fia, Abby head back." Matt ordered.
"Do you want to lose it again?" Sofia asked, as they continued to follow it.
"Ease up." Abby suddenly ordered.
"What's going on?" Sofia asked.
"What's happening?" Matt asked over the comms.
"Can you see it?" Abby asked Sofia, while looking round.
"No." Sofia replied just as something knocked the bottom of the boat knocking them all off balance. Sofia suddenly regretted standing so close to the edge of the boat when the bump knocked her over board. Surfacing Sofia quickly looked round to get her bearings.
"Sofia get over here!" Turning round Sofia noticed that herself and the boat had drifted apart, as quickly as she could Sofia started swimming towards the boat, as she got to the edge Abby and one of the two men on the boat grabbed her arms. Just as they were pulling her Sofia felt something rub against her legs.
"Stop! Stop! Don't move." Sofia ordered quickly trying not to more. Any sudden movement would startle the Croc making it more likely to strike. Once she could no longer feel the Croc against her she looked up to Abby who was looking ahead.
"OK I can see it, quick lets get her back on." Abby said, both her and the young man pulled her onto the boat.
"Matt it's heading to the container port." Abby said as Sofia took out her comm, the water had broke it. "And Sofia's lost her comm."
"What happened?" Matt ordered quickly putting the car into drive and heading to the container port.
"Now really isn't the time." Abby stated. As Sofia ordered the men to go.
Pulling up opposite the cargo ship Matt, Connor and Duncun get out of the car.
"Duncun it's best if you stay here." Connor told him.
"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere." Duncun replied, just as a roar was heard followed by a mans scream. Matt and Connor quickly ran onto the cargo ship. Leaving Duncun by the car.
"Jess, Becker ETA on back up?" Matt called over the comms.
"Minutes away." Becker informed him.
"Connor take the left." Matt ordered jumping down some steps before taking a right. "Abby?"
"Me and Sofia are on board." Abby answered.
"Abby you get to the bridge, make sure the rest of the ship is evacuated. Tell Sofia to had to the front of the ship." Matt told her.
"Got you. Sofia, Matt wants you to head to the front." Abby informed her.
"OK see you later." Sofia called running to the front of the ship.
"Matt I can see the creature, it's on the forward deck." Abby stated over the comms. Matt slowed as he reached the front deck and looked round but saw no creature.
"Abby are you sure?" He asked just as Sofia ran onto the deck to the right, she was soaking wet. Matt ran over to her pulling out a spare comms. As he reached her he raised an eyebrow while giving her the ear piece. Sofia saw the look and sighed.
"Later." She said and he just nodded. Just then Connor joined them.
"So where is it?" Connor called while looking at Sofia's wet form. "Do you think it went over board?" He asked.
"No we would have heard it." Sofia answered first, noticing that both Matt and Connor both kept briefly looking at her chest.
"Right I'm checking the hull, Sofia your with me." Matt said running forward, with Sofia following.
"I'll double check, where we've just been, report back." Connor called.
"I thought you were meant to be fired." Matt claimed not looking back.
Matt and Sofia walked into an open area, both looking round and listening for any sudden noises that could be the creature. Matt looked to Sofia and his eyes drifted to her chest again before his mind snapped back to the job at hand. Looking around a corner he could see a man welding.
"Sofia you go that way, I'll go this way and get that man out of here." Matt told her already walking towards the welder.
"Hey!" He shouted but got no response. Running over he caught the mans attention. "You need to get out of here now."
"Matt!" Sofia shouted just as the man screamed and ran. Matt turned to see Sofia running towards him just as he heard the creature growl. Looking up he saw the creature jump down into the hull with them. Instinctivly Matt quickly pushed Sofia so she was behind him, slowly backing them both away from the Croc that was making it's way towards them. Matt had Sofia pressed against the wall, his back to her when the creature got right in front of them and reared up onto it's hind legs before coming back down onto all fours. Just as it was about to strike it collapsed showing Becker behind it aiming his EMD at it. Both Matt and Sofia let out a breath they had been holding and Sofia slid down the wall until she was crouched.
"Sorry guys, caught every red light. And Fia is there any particular reason your wet?" Becker asked walking over.
"Later." Was all she said still looking at the Creature. Matt was just grinning, this could have turned out very bad. Not long later they had the creature loaded into a crate and were lifting it off of the cargo ship, Becker was in the crane with the operator over seeing everything went smoothly. The rest of them were packing up the car. Sofia was scowling as she put everything away her back turned to everyone so they couldn't see. She had figured out why everyone kept looking at her chest. Of all days to wear a white shirt and a red bra, and what does she do, get wet and make her top see through. Luckily it was dry enough now that it wasn't really see through.
"Who's your friend Connor?" She heard Matt ask behind her, coming up next to her to put some cases in the back of the Hilux.
"He's an old friend." Connor replied looking over to Duncun, who was stood off to the side looking up at the crate. Which suddenly started swaying, just before a roar was heard causing everyone to look up.
"It's woken up and I think it's got a bit of a headache." Becker's voice came over the comms.
"We'll tranq him again as soon as we get him on the truck." Abby told him.
"hold on, how did you two know where we were?" Connor asked turning towards Sofia and Matt. Both of who just looked at Connor.
"When you turned up at the warehouse how did you..."
"They followed me." Abby answered for them.
"Why did you not call it in as soon as you knew?" Matt asked Connor.
"I don't work for the ARC remember, I was just a concerned citizen." Connor retorted causing Sofia to laugh. Another roar was heard causing them all to once again to look up to see the crate swaying more.
"That's not going to hold." Sofia stated.
"Matt it's coming loose." Becker comfirmed, just as the container broke free dropping to the ground. None of them noticing Duncun run into the maze of containers. Quickly surrounding the container they found that the creature had already gotten out. Duncun's cry was suddenly heard coming from the maze of crates.
"Duncun?" Connor stated before running to the containers, Matt made a grab for him but Connor break free.
"I am not letting another friend die. You do what you have to do." Connor told him before running to the containers. Abby made to follow him but Matt caught her.
"No no no, not you. Your on my team now you have to take your orders from me." Matt informed her while she glared at him. "I won't let him get hurt."
"OK everyone listen up, this creature sees in infa red." Matt called.
"Some reptiles do but we don't know for sure about the Boar Croc." Abby stated.
"Pretty sure." Matt returned.
"How?" Abby challenged.
"Instinct." Matt responded, finishing giving out the flares. Sofia tooked them into her pockets but made sure they were easily accessible, then she adjust her EMD. She noticed Abby looking at her out the corner of her eye. Abby was only allowed the medium sized EMD as she was only trained with tranqs, but Sofia refused to use them and opted for the large one. Becker liked to tease her by saying that the gun was almost bigger than her.
"So were gonna use the flares, to many points of light and heat will confuse it, if you come face to face flares are your best option." Matt finished.
"Only use your EMDs as a last resort. These are steel containers, they could ricochet anywhere." Becker informed them before everyone moved for the containers. Once in the maze of containers everyone split. Sofia was with one other soldier she knew as Paul. Sofia walked on ahead to check round the corner when she heard a bang, a roar and Paul scream. Running back round the corner Sofia could only see his EMD.
"Dammit!" she called putting it over her shoulder and carrying on. She could hear the creatures growls echoing round the containers which didn't help the situiation. Following the sounds as best she could she tried finding the creature only to run into Connor. Seeing the creature behind him, she decided to take a leap of faith, she knew from the files he wasn't good with guns but she throw him the spare EMD and then quickly pulled out a flare throwing it towards the creature, which turned away from it.
"It's heading dock side." She called over her comms just as Abby and the soldier she was with joined them.
"I'm here keep it coming my way." Becker's voice came over the comms. The group nodded to each other before heading the same way as the creature.
"We've lost visual." Sofia stated looking around.
"Becker it must be right in front of you." Matt announced when he joined Sofia, Connor and Abby.
"Well I don't see it." Becker claimed. Running they all headed towards Becker.
"It must be right there." Matt said again.
"Matt I do not have a target." Becker insisted. Looking round to see if she could see anything Sofia spotted it closing in on Becker on top of the containers.
"Look up!" She shouted causing everyone to look up. Jumping out the way, Becker hid behind some containers while everyone took a shot at the creature. Reaching the creature Sofia noticed it was shot to many times as it stopped breathing.
"Hey." Matt said softly causing both Abby and Sofia to look up. "We can't get them all back home." He said looking between them. They both just nodded. Matt, Sofia and Becker all headed over to the cars as Abby and Connor went to get Duncun.
"Where's Paul?" Becker asked, Sofia looked towards the water.
"The creature must have got him, all I could find was his gun." Sofia answered softly. Becker nodded while Matt put a comforting hand on her back.
Getting to the ARC Sofia turned to Becker because he was closest.
"Could you give these to Jess please. I really need a shower and change of clothes after that dip in the sea." Sofia asked handing Becker her black box and a bar of chocolate. Becker raised his eyebrow at the second.
"What? I knew Matt would forget." Sofia claimed.
"Hey!" Matt exclaimed looking over his shoulder at her. "I was busy."
"So was I." Sofia stated turning back to Becker to see he had pulled out a bar of chocolate. "You got her one to! Yes, that means I can have this one. Thank you." Sofia called turning down a different corridor to head to the showers while the guys went to the opps room.
"Hey." Matt said to Jess handing her his black box.
"Thank you." Jess said taking the black box from him. Turning round Matt caught the last of Phillips sentence.
"...Crisis averted, well done Matt."
"It wasn't down to me, if it hadn't been for Abby and Connor that creature would still be out there." Matt corrected.
"I thought they were supposed to be out of the front line." Phillip stated looking slightly annoyed.
"Oh they are, they just don't seem to know it." Matt answered.
"We can't have rouge operatives out in the field." Phillip continued getting more annoyed and angry.
"Well then you'll have to lock them up." Matt said looking between Lester and Phillip. "It's the only way you'll stop those two. Look there experience is to valuable to be wasted behind a desk and I would really like to have them back on full opperational duty." Matt finished just as Sofia entered the room wearing fresh clothes, her hair still damp from the shower.
"I thought I made it very clear to you..." Phillip began before being cut off.
"Hmm Phillip it's been brought to my attention that given that Abby and Connor were formally employed before the military rule came into affect that technically they aren't covered by it." Lester stated. Out the corner of his eye Matt could see Sofia smirking and knew it was her who brought that piece of information to Lester's attention.
"So there back in?" Matt asked.
"Legally they were never out." Lester claimed. At this Matt could see Sofia grin and leave the room again.
"I take it you have no objections." Lester asked Phillip turning towards him.
"No, it's entirely up to you I won't stand in your way." Phillip replied stiffly before walking away.
"Thanks Phillip." Matt called after him.
After Lester had also left and Connor and Abby had finally turned up Jess turned on Matt.
"By the way wheres my chocolate?" She questioned.
"I was kind of busy." He replied just as Becker walked up to her and old out a bar of chocolate and left it on the ADD next to her.
"Thank you." Jess said sounding a bit surprised.
"Nothing with orange right?" Becker asked.
"Right."Jess answered nodding and smiling.
Looking up Matt could see Lester leaving his office, time to inform Connor he was officially back.
Wondering down the corridor, Matt was thinking about how he hadn't really seen Sofia since they got back. Letting himself into her office he looked around but she wasn't there, so he went to the next most likely place, the menagerie. Walking in her saw her sat on the floor leaning against the wall petting Rex and just staring through the window at the other creatures.
"You OK?" Matt asked sitting next to her.
"Just thinking about our little talk yesterday." Sofia responded softly.
"Does this have to do with how you ended up soaking."
"Yes."
"Are you going to tell me how you ended up soaking?" Matt pushed. Sofia sighed and then moved away from him a bit so she could turn and face him.
"When we were on the boat the Croc knocked into us and I was to close to the edge and fell in. As they were pulling me back onto the boat the Croc came back over, I could feel it rubbing along my legs. Those had to have been the scariest five seconds of my life. When you were going on yesterday about being more careful, I thought I understood where you were coming from but I didn't see how close the Spinosaurus was. The thought that in less than a second that Croc could have dragged me under has really put all this into perspective." Sofia couldn't stop the shiver that ran threw her body thinking about the what ifs.
"Hey it's OK now. Just like I said yesterday, be more careful." Matt said gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her softly in a sideways hug.
"I will and thank you Matt." Sofia said quietly pulling away to face him and offer him a smile which he returned. Getting off the floor Matt turned towards Sofia and held out a hand to help her up. As they walked back through to Sofia's lab she turned towards Matt.
"So what's happening with Abby and Connor?" She inquired.
"Oh there back at it."
Hope you enjoyed! Review please let me know what you think :)
Cammie x