Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, nor does Beyonce's song Irreplaceable nor the song performed by several different artists "Holding Out For A Hero". This is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
A/N: A collaboration with Mijo54. A/N2 story takes place after Detour.
10.3 Transit
…to the left…
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Becker scrambled off the white shuttle van onto the wide cement walkway. He stopped and stared. The huge airport was one of the oldest in the world and one of the busiest. Even at this time of night, the terminal was crowded. A long line of cabs was idling in front of the white shuttle van. A set of doors further up the walkway spewed forth weary travelers. As people coming out of the terminal building climbed into the lead cab and departed, the line of cabs moved slowly forward.
"Don't just stand there," chided an elderly woman waiting impatiently on the steps of the shuttle van. She tapped Becker on his shoulder and pointed towards the nearest set of doors. "Some of us have planes to catch!"
As Becker hurried through the doors directly in front of him, he didn't see a big man open the doors nearest to the lead cabs. Hank and Jess exited the terminal.
"We'll come back when he arrives," soothed Hank. The big man and his petite cousin crossed the pedestrian walkway to the short term parking lot.
"I just don't understand where he could be," said Jess.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Becker looked around the busy terminal building. He didn't see Jess anywhere. And he didn't see an international arrivals sign, but he did see another information booth. Like the booth in terminal three, this booth was manned by a bored looking young man. The young man at this booth was taller, his ears stuck out on either side of his head, and he was a bit more helpful.
"International arrivals and the sign are over there," replied the young man, pointing to the left. "But are you looking for the sign, or for someone?"
Becker's cell phone had just enough power to show the screen saver. The picture of Jess with her eyes shining brightly and a big smile on her face was instantly recognizable.
"You just missed her," replied the helpful airport attendant. He pointed to the second set of doors leaving the terminal. "She left with a big man, they went that way."
Becker quickly muttered his thanks and sprinted towards the exit. The tall soldier stepped outside on the walkway in time to see a sedan pulling past the parked cabs. Becker saw Jess in the front passenger seat, but she was turned away from him talking to the driver. Hank had his eyes firmly facing forward. Neither person saw Becker waving his arm frantically. Becker watched in dismay. The dark haired man turned to the cab driver standing before him. The cabbie was holding the rear door of his vehicle open expectantly.
"I need you to follow that car," said Becker. He pointed in the direction of the retreating sedan.
At first, the young cabbie rolled his eyes and Becker could have sworn he heard a muttered "tourist!" under the man's breath. Then the man smiled. The cabbie pointed past Becker to the long line of people waiting for their turn at a cab. The soldier turned and flushed.
"I'm sorry," began Becker, "I didn't realize…"
"You've watched too many movies, pal," interrupted the cabbie. "You're not 007. And here in Sydney, we take our turn in line."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
The line waiting for cabs moved quickly. Becker finally made it to the front and climbed into the waiting vehicle.
"The Oxford Art Factory," said Becker. "And hurry please, I'm late."
"Must be meeting someone special," chuckled the friendly cab driver.
"Yeah," agreed Becker as the cab pulled away from the curb and headed toward the city lights.
The cabbie was proud of his city, and upon learning that this was Becker's first visit to Australia, began pointing out landmarks. Southern Cross Drive was a wide modern motorway. Conifers growing beside the pavement soon gave glimpses of homes between the branches. As the cab neared the city, homes were replaced by businesses.
"Bought my cab there," said the driver gesturing to the large Mitsubishi dealership on the left.
The driver soon pulled up near a busy chrome and glass entrance. A white, yellow and gray sign announced the Oxford Art Gallery. It wasn't until the driver announced the fare that Becker thought of Australian currency. Becker was thankful the best field coordinator around was also a skilled vacation planner. Jess had the foresight to ensure both of them had Australian currency in their wallets before departing the United Kingdom.
"Most folks just charge the cabs now," said the driver as Becker carefully counted out the fare and tip.
The soldier winced. After having charged a flight from Perth to Sydney, Becker didn't want to use his credit card again unless it was an emergency.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Becker paid the entrance fee to the noisy crowded club. The soldier asked the door attendant where Hank and Gillian's singles night party was being held.
"What?" asked the young man. He was already taking fees from the next couple in line. The young man gestured towards the rear of the club. "Art After Dark or the Live Art Space. Follow the music, you'll find them."
Becker followed the sounds of a refrain. To the left, to the left… The words of a song made famous by an American vocalist a few years earlier were somewhat familiar, but the Australian voice and a slightly different instrumental arrangement gave a fresh feeling to the music. The soldier continued through the crowd. Suddenly Becker was grabbed in a great bear hug and lifted off his feet.
"Hilary!" roared Hank in delight. "You're here! It's good to see you!"
One of the few men in the room that could lift Becker up like that, Jess's cousin was a welcome sight.
"It's good to see you too," said Becker, as his feet reached the floor. "Where's Jess?"
Hank grabbed Becker by the shoulders and turned him towards the dance floor. Through the gap in dancers, Becker could now see Jess at a table with her sister Evie, cousin Kate, and Hank's fiancée Gillian. Becker felt a twinge of jealousy as he realized the man from the cell phone pictures, Richard, was also there. Becker saw Richard pull Jess's wrist, obviously urging her to the dance floor. Jess was shaking her head, but to no avail. The petite woman was pulled to the dance floor as applause rang out for the final lyric of the song… thinkin' you're irreplaceable.
"Jess!" Becker knew she couldn't hear him from this distance. The soldier started through the crowd, oblivious to Hank's call.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Jess listened closely to the man coaxing her to the dance floor.
"You need to have fun tonight too Jess," urged Richard. "If you sit around looking lonely, Hank and Gillian will feel bad."
The dark haired beauty didn't want to upset anyone. Jess turned to look back at the table she had just left. Evie, Kate, and Gillian were watching. Evie made a shooing motion with her hands. Jess nodded.
"I suppose you're right," agreed Jess as she turned to face Richard, "but just until Hil gets here."
The taller man blocked Jess's view of the dance floor as he drew her close.
"Do you really think," asked Richard, "that he'll be here in time for the wedding?"
"He promised!" said Jess.
Behind Richard, a low rumbling sound was heard.
"Ahem," said Becker.
Richard turned. The Australian man's eyes travelled up and down Becker's tall athletic frame. Jess's happy squeal identified the man.
"Hil!"
"May I cut in?" asked Becker.
Richard smiled and released his hold on Jess's arms.
"Certainly," said the man. Becker glared after the man as Richard stepped back and faded into the crowd of dancers eagerly waiting for the next song.
"Hil," said Jess again.
Becker held out a hand towards Jess as the music started. Jess pressed close into Becker's embrace. The haunting vocalist started with another new variation on a well known song… Where have all the good men gone?
"I'm so glad you're finally here," said Jess.
"Me too," agreed Becker as they started swaying slowly side to side. "And I'm glad that bloke trying to make a move on you had the sense to disappear."
"What?" asked Jess. She looked up at Becker in surprise.
"He obviously recognized the alpha male," said Becker. The soldier squared his shoulders, trying to impress Jess. "That man looked at me and left."
Jess's face twitched in a smirk.
"Hil," said Jess, ""Richard left because he knew I didn't need a dance partner anymore."
"Oh," said Becker. "Uh… I thought…"
Jess's eyes opened wide.
"Were you jealous?" asked Jess.
Becker's silence answered Jess's question. Over Jess's shoulder, Becker saw Richard dance by with Evie. At the table, Hank was now sitting with Gillian, while a tall man was speaking with Kate.
"Why?" asked Jess.
-x-x-x-x-x-x