Chapter 7

James Lester sat at his desk listening attentively as Danny and Abby took turns describing what had happened to them for the last several days. Connor added in a few short details, but generally stayed silent.

When Sarah and Becker started to talk about their search for the team, Abby's concentration drifted. She glanced at Connor, wondering why he was being so quiet. She let herself think back to when she and Connor had stepped through the anomaly at the race track several hours ago.

They had come through together, Abby supporting Connor, in case his ankle gave him trouble. As soon as they were through the anomaly, Connor had gently lifted his arm away from Abby's shoulders and stepped back. He had said thank you, but the expression on his face had been sad and his eyes had been distant.

Abby forced her attention back to the present and tried to listen to what Becker was saying.

"Yes, Sarah really saved the day with her ideas about the confetti and sound equipment," said Becker.

"And you saved me," added Sarah smiling at Becker.

Lester interrupted, "I'm so pleased that everyone was saved, but this isn't the Mutual Admiration Society. Could you please get on with your report?"

As Sarah continued, Abby looked over at Connor again. He seemed to be staring at the wall, his face turned away. Abby had the uneasy feeling that something was terribly wrong.

She remembered that Connor had been the first to go to the cars for the trip back to the ARC. He had gotten into the front seat of the nearest car, tipped his head back and closed his eyes. He no longer seemed to care whether Abby was following him or not. Abby was gripped by confusion and a sense of insecurity that she would never admit to feeling.

Abby shook her head and tried to focus on what Sarah was currently saying; surprised to find the meeting was almost over.

Sarah summed up by saying, "Becker's men brought back the console hard-drive as well as the pieces of the broken artifact. Plus we now have three of the anomaly opening / closing devices."

Abby spoke up, "It sounds like Connor is going to have his hands full, figuring out all that equipment."

Connor shifted nervously in his chair and glanced at Danny, then found something interesting to stare at on the floor.

Abby was starting to get truly annoyed. Connor still wouldn't look at her!

Lester rocked back in his chair, "Well, that's it then. Our three time-travelers have been medically cleared, fed and allowed to shower three days worth of prehistoric muck off themselves. I imagine you're all tired, so let's call it a night."

Connor stood up before Lester had finished speaking. "Brilliant," he said walking toward the door. "I need to get some sleep, so I'll see you all tomorrow."

Connor was out the door without a backward glance to anyone.

Abby's mouth hung open as she watched Connor practically run from the room. With a fierce scowl, she jumped out of her chair and chased after him.

Connor almost made his escape. He had been avoiding Abby all day.

He didn't want to hear Abby tell him that all the talk about dating and love had just been something to keep his spirits up until they were rescued. He just didn't have the strength to face it right now. All Connor wanted to do was go to the flat and get in his bed before Abby made it home.

He was almost to the exit door when he heard Abby's voice behind him.

"Connor, what's going on?" Abby winced at her tone of voice. Her words had come out much sharper than she had intended.

Connor stopped walking and briefly closed his eyes, before he turned to face Abby.

He plastered a strained smile on his face and said, "What do you mean?"

"You haven't said a word to me, or even looked in my direction since we came back through the anomaly."

Connor looked miserable, but he kept his tone light as he said, "Everything is fine. We're home and we can forget all the craziness that happened and everything we said when we thought we'd never get back. It's all in the past."

Connor paced away from Abby a few steps, and then spun back towards her, his arms spread wide.

"No weird areas, right?" "We're buddies!" said Connor in a desperate attempt to sound normal.

When Abby just stared at him, Connor turned and slowly walked away. He wondered if his heart had literally just broken into pieces.

Abby watched Connor walk away and thought a minute about the expressions she had seen on his face during his speech. She decided everything he had just said was rubbish. Not this time, Connor Temple, she thought.

Abby softly called his name, "Connor."

Without breaking his stride, Connor replied in a weary, resigned voice, "Yes, Abby."

"I love you."

Connor jerked to a stop, his back still to Abby and threw one syllable over his shoulder, "Eh?"

Abby replied, "I said, I love you." Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest as she waited for Connor's response.

Connor turned and slowly walked back to Abby with his head cocked and a confused expression on his face, "One more time, please?"

Abby smiled and drew out the sentence, "I… love… you…"

Connor grinned down at her before taking both of Abby's hands in his. Slowly, he lowered his lips to hers, stopping just short of contact, to say, "Isn't one of our phones supposed to ring now?"

Abby giggled, her eyes crinkled with happiness.

"Connor, shut up," was all Abby managed to say before he kissed her. They both sighed in contentment as one gentle kiss followed another.

….

Sarah and Becker strolled down the hall, listening to Danny and Lester arguing behind them.

Lester was saying, "You can't keep going off on your own. Don't force me to put Connor in charge."

Sarah turned the corner and stopped short, nearly causing Danny to walk into her.

"Becker, look," said Sarah, pointing down the corridor to Abby and Connor who were still kissing, totally lost in each other. "Oh, that's lovely."

Becker smiled, "Yeah, I never thought Connor would get around to it."

"Good on him," said Danny, laughing softly.

Lester adjusted his tie and looked disapproving. "I don't suppose we could ship one of them off," he muttered. "This is going to be unbearable." Then in a louder voice Lester said, "Excuse me… this is a government facility. Lover's Lane is three blocks to the north."

Connor and Abby jumped away from each other but continued to hold hands.

Connor looked guilty and a little flushed as he ducked his head for a minute. Then with a huge grin, he looked directly at their audience and said, "Sorry."

He turned to Abby, still smiling giddily and said, "I think we better check on Rex, Sid and Nancy, don't you?"

Connor and Abby gazed at each other for a second in silent communication. Abby's smile got bigger and bigger as she said, "Oh yeah, I'm sure they've missed us terribly."

Connor tugged Abby toward the door.

Behind them, Danny clapped, Lester rolled his eyes, and Sarah gave Becker a quick hug, laughing in sheer joy.

THE END.