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 story takes place after Detour.
10.3 A Matter of Time
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Becker stayed up late Tuesday after Connor left. The soldier puttered around the kitchen. He unpacked three boxes of kitchen stuff. An assortment of large utensils went into the red ceramic canister Jess had placed next to the shiny black stove. The primrose covered cabinets were loaded with an odd assortment of cups and plates from Becker's flat. He placed the mug his oldest niece had made for him in art class on the counter next to the sink. It was nearly midnight by the time his cell phone rang.
"Good morning Jess," said Becker. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm hmm, dreamt of you," mumbled Jess.
Becker's lips curled up in a smile.
"Lieutenant Ackles comes back today, right?" asked Jess.
"Tomorrow," answered Becker.
"No, he's supposed to be back Wednesday," replied Jess. She started talking rapidly. "You've got a flight to catch and it's a long trip and…"
"Jess," reminded Becker soothingly, "it's still Tuesday here."
"Oh, yeah," said Jess. Her voice softened and she chuckled. "That right, I keep forgetting about the time difference. We're a day ahead of you here."
Becker nodded, even though Jess couldn't see him.
"So what do you have planned for today?" asked Becker.
"If the airline doesn't return my luggage, we're going to do a quick shopping trip," answered Jess. "Kate said the Sydney Central Plaza should have boots for me. There's a Zara's on the Pitt Street Mall… I know they carry my size."
"I can bring more shoes," teased Becker.
"Hil, I don't need ordinary shoes," responded Jess, "I need boots that fit my feet for the trail ride this afternoon."
Becker's eyebrows went up at that comment. In his view, none of Jess's shoes were ordinary.
"Trail ride?" asked Becker.
"Kate and Gillian both ride every day," explained Jess. "So today, we're going on a trail ride at a city park this afternoon, some place called Centennial Park."
"Sounds like fun," replied Becker.
"Sounds boring," huffed Jess. "Evie and I spent summers riding on the moors. A city park… hmmph! But they insist that Evie and I prove we can ride before we go out on Friday."
"What's going on Friday?" asked Becker.
"Hank and Gillian have an all day trail ride planned," squealed Jess excitedly. "We're leaving Friday morning from Gillian's parent's place. There will be a picnic lunch and swimming in a lake and…"
"Jess…"
"Don't worry Hil," said Jess. "I told Gillian you were in the army and spent time with a cavalry unit… you won't have to prove you can ride."
"Jess, I spent two weeks assigned to a cavalry unit," said Becker, "the Royal Tank Regiment. I've never been on a horse in my life."
"Oh," Jess sounded surprised. "Never? Oh… well we can find something else to do when everyone else goes on the trail ride then."
Becker heard the sound of surprise in her voice change to disappointment.
"Never," said Becker, "but I'm a fast learner. You can teach me."
"No," replied Jess, "that could be dangerous."
"Riding a horse can't be more dangerous than chasing after dinosaurs," countered Becker.
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Becker woke up early the next morning. Jess had sent a picture to his cell phone. He recognized Jess's cousin Kate and Hank's fiancée Gillian standing beside Jess and Evie.
"Who took this picture?" mused Becker. "I thought Hank was working."
The four women stood on a paved street that had been closed to traffic and turned into a pedestrian walkway. Trees towered above them, a Gap store was on one side and Diva on the other. Jess was grinning. She had one foot clad in dark brown leather placed forward and gave a thumbs up gesture. Becker chuckled as he read the caption.
"Have boots, will ride."
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It was the middle of the afternoon in London when Becker received another picture on his cell phone. There was just one word in the caption. Echidna. Becker looked at the picture and shook his head and went looking for Connor.
"Have we heard anything from the Australian branch of the ARC about an anomaly opening?" asked Becker.
"What?" asked the ARC's technical wizard.
Becker showed Connor the picture. The dark haired scientist started to grin. He typed something into his computer and turned the laptop to face Becker.
"Don't you watch animal planet?" asked Connor. "Or use google?"
Becker stared at the screen.
"That thing is real?" the soldier asked. "Which end is the front?"
"Yeah it's real," replied Connor. He didn't hazard a guess as to which end of the creature was the front. "Where did Jess say she saw it? I thought she was in Sydney."
"She is in Sydney," replied Becker. "But I don't know where she saw that thing… you saw the picture and the text… one word."
"Sydney is a big city," said Connor. "According to the internet, the echidna can be found in parklands but usually further south."
Becker's cell phone vibrated in his hands. Another picture. This picture was a smaller prickly brown creature. The tiny lizard held its spiky tail curled up like a scorpion. The caption read Thorny Devil Lizard. Then another line of text. Cousin Richard has the most amazing pets.
"Who?" The soldier texted back, but he'd barely pressed send when Jess's next text arrived.
"It's been a wonderful day, xxx, talk to you tomorrow."
"Jess, I'll be on the plane," texted Becker, but there was no response. Looking at the time, the soldier realized it was late night in Sydney. Jess had probably put the phone on the charger and gone to bed.
"Are you packed yet?" asked Connor. "I'll be glad to take you to the airport..."
The blaring sound of the anomaly detector drowned out Connor's words.
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Becker slumped tiredly in the front seat of the SUV. The pack of Coelophysis had finally been contained and sent back through the anomaly. The shining spinning glowing light was locked. The soldier looked at the dashboard clock and groaned. There was no way he was getting to Heathrow in time to catch his flight.
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