Disclaimer: Primeval and all its characters belong to someone else.

Unfortunately this is the last chapter in this story- I'm going to miss it so much! It's been great fun to write, and I hope you have enjoyed it.

This chapter contains some fluff, as I couldn't end the story without there being some!

Shards of Glass

Chapter Nine- Back home?

Connor and Abby were taken to the ARC hospital where they were given a complete check up and treated for their various injuries. The medics also gave them some pain relievers for their numerous aches and pains, and once the doctors had seen them both, they gave them the all clear to leave.

"Matt- do we really have to stay in the apartments …please, can't we just go home?" Abby pleaded, feeling tearful and emotional. She just wanted a shower, some food and her bed!

"I'm sorry, Abby- its Lester's orders. He wants to make sure you're both alright. He wants you near the medical bay in case you need it…"

"But, we've had a clean bill of health- they said we're fine…"

"Abby- Lester will never tell you this, but he was really worried about you…both of you" Matt added as he turned to look at Connor who was standing by Abby's side. He turned back to Abby "He just wants to make sure…. He saw the 'Cleaner', Abby. He wants to make sure there aren't any more of them and that they won't harm either of you. Just one night and then you can speak to Lester. Once he's sure you'll be safe he'll let you go home, I promise. You've got to trust me!"

Abby finally gave in and nodded her head "Just one night, though" she said, showing a flash of her old spirit which made Matt smile. He was happy to know she was almost back to her old self again!

Becker gave them a lift to the ARC apartments, which were only a few miles down the road from the ARC.

They looked at the room, both remembering another time they had stayed there. It had all seemed so strange then. It seemed more relaxed this time round- maybe because they knew they were still wanted at the ARC, and knew they fitted in. Becker stayed with them for a little while, just talking small talk, none of them wanting to talk about what had happened through the anomaly just yet. Becker went a bit quiet and then said

"I… er... I… well, I'm not going to make a habit of this, but I'm really glad you're both back! I was afraid it was going to be a repeat of what happened before… and- if you ever repeat this, Connor, I'll shoot you myself, but I was really worried about you both! Matt wanted to go through the anomaly after you, but at first I refused- because of the rules, you know. When we lost Sarah…." He said, looking down at his feet.

"Hey, it's OK" whispered Abby "We understand"

"Matt wanted to go through, but I stopped him. He never gave up on you both, you know. He's like a beaver gnawing away until he gets what he wants. In the end, I said we'd just go through and wait just the other side of the anomaly. When I saw that dinosaur go for you Connor… well, I'm sorry. I should have listened to Matt..."

"Becker! Really, it's OK- we understand, really we do. You did the right thing. It all worked out in the end, didn't it?" Abby soothed.

"Yeah, mate. Don't be too hard on yourself. Just make sure you come after us next time, eh!" Connor said. They all laughed, lightening the atmosphere, and when the food arrived, they were all feeling more in the party mood, and invited Becker to join them. They had a lovely evening, just enjoying being free and alive, and when Becker said finally that he had to go, they felt much better than they had when they first got back. They thanked Becker and went to the door to see him off.

As Becker left them to the rest of their evening, Connor looked over at Abby, a huge grin on his face "I thought he'd never go!" he said

"Connor!" cried Abby

"You know, we never did make full use of that lovely big bed, last time" he said giving her a roughish look which made her blush a little.

"Well, we'd better try our best this time then, hadn't we?" Abby laughed back, as he pulled her closer to him into a passionate embrace, his tongue slipping into her mouth, savouring the taste of her.

As their kiss got more passionate, Connor fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, and Abby reached over to help him unbutton them. He helped her take off her top and as they stood together, their clothes cast aside at their feet, they melted into each other's arms, lost in the moment.

As their passion grew, they each grabbed handfuls of each others hair, and Connor easily swung Abby up into his arms and carried her towards the bedroom.

Just as they reached the bedroom, there was a loud knock on the door. They both looked at each other, concerned who it could be, Lester's fears uppermost in their minds. Connor put Abby down, and she grabbed the first thing she could find, which was a lamp and held it above her head, just behind the door. Connor glanced at her, gave a quick nod, and then pulled the door open quickly. Abby screamed and brought the lamp down hard. Just before the lamp could make contact, a figure appeared, and when Abby saw who it was, she dropped the lamp before it connected. The lamp fell to the floor and shattered.

"So that's the thanks I get for bringing you gifts!" a familiar voice said

"Jenny!" Abby and Connor exclaimed. Abby remembered her state of undress and hid behind Connor.

"Jenny! What are you doing here?" Connor said

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Abby cried at the same time.

"I'm fine. I'm fine! Can't say the same for that lamp though" she said gesturing to the broken pieces of lamp on the floor, and smiling.

"But what are you doing here?" Abby asked, putting on a dressing gown, and moving over to Jenny.

"Matt told me what happened, and I decided to make sure you were both OK… and to bring you this…" said Jenny, holding up a large bottle of champagne in each hand.

"That's… thanks, Jenny" said Connor, and dashed off to get some glasses.

As he left, Jenny smirked at Abby, and said "I haven't interrupted anything, have I?" gesturing at Abby and Connor's state of undress.

"Er…no- no of course not" said Abby, going red and sounding so totally unconvincing that Jenny laughed, and Abby suddenly saw the funny side and joined in. Connor returned wearing a new t- shirt, waving some glasses at the girls, and they all sat down to chat together. As the evening wore on, they all began to get slightly tipsy and giggled and made silly jokes about nothing in particular. Abby suddenly gave a huge yawn. She hadn't meant to, but it just popped out- she was so tired and weary, even though she was enjoying Jenny's company.

"Oh, dear!" said Jenny "I think I'd better be off- of course you're both tired after your adventures"

"No…really…" began Abby

"No, it's OK. I have to be going anyway. Michael will be wondering where I am! Don't worry, I'm not driving- Matt lent me one of the men from the ARC! Goodnight, you two. I'm so glad you're alright!"

Abby and Connor both kissed and hugged Jenny, and saw her to the door. Just as she was leaving, Jenny said "Have fun, now!" and with a smirk on her face as she departed.

"Jenny!" Abby cried after her, and they could hear Jenny's laughter as she went down the stairs.

Abby and Connor looked at each other as she left. "That was nice of her" said Abby

"Yeah" agreed Connor "And, you know what Abby- We've seen Becker; Matt and Emily. We know Jenny's here, and she's still married to Michael, so nothing's changed! We did it! We went through and didn't change anything! "Connor grabbed Abby's hands and they laughed in relief "Although, Lester being worried about us is a bit…odd!" he joked.

"Connor, do you want the first shower?" asked Abby, as she gave a huge yawn. "You take less time than me, and I'll go and make us both a hot chocolate."

"If you're sure, I won't take long, I promise."

Connor was as good as his word, and a very short time later came out of the shower, glowing and pink faced from the steamy water. He had a small towel around his waist and looked up as Abby walked back into the room. She was wearing just a tiny pair of panties and her bra top, and they stood there for a long while, just looking into each other's eyes. Abby broke the look when her eyes travelled over Connor's body. His hair was still wet from his shower, and drops of water dripped from his hair onto his chest and rolled down to his hips where the towel stopped their journey.

Abby ran her tongue over her lips, and Connor stifled a groan at the action. He too looked at Abby, noticing the slight flush on her face, and her perfect curves in the scant clothing. Connor moved swiftly to Abby's side, and as he put his arms around her, his mouth came down softly to hers. Their kisses got more passionate and needy as they moved into the bedroom, still locked in a passionate embrace…..

…..

They woke up the next morning to bright sunlight coursing through the French windows. They smiled at each other and kissed as they said good morning. Abby got up and put on a dressing gown, and went out onto the balcony. Connor got up and joined her outside, wrapping his arms around her. She lay her head contentedly on his chest, eyes closed and they stood like that for a while, enjoying being alive and together. Connor remembered another occasion when they had stood in the same spot, in the same position. That seemed so long ago, now!

Some time later, after they had showered, dressed and eaten breakfast, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Becker stood there, smiling down at them both.

"Hey" he aid "Are you both OK? I've come to take you to the ARC for the de-briefing with Lester, if you feel up to it?"

"Yeah, we're fine- no after effects at all!" smiled Abby

"I've got a bit of a headache, myself" said Connor. As Becker and Abby looked at him, he added "From the champagne you know! Not really used to drinking it!"

They left the apartments with Becker and he drove them back to the ARC. As they walked in, they suddenly heard a squeal, and a vision in lurid orange flung herself at them.

"Jess!" They laughed

"It's so good to see you!" she cried "Are you OK? Oh, I've missed you both so much! I was so worried… well we all were… especially Becker…well and Matt of course, but…." She continued, rambling on in only the way Jess could. They all laughed at Becker who was standing beside Jess, his arms folded across his chest, a stony look on his face.

"It's OK, mate" said Connor, clapping Becker on the shoulder "We missed you too!"

Becker didn't have the opportunity to respond when Matt suddenly arrived. "Lester wants us all in his office now, for the de-brief" he said. They all walked into Lester's office, Jess still talking nineteen to the dozen. Some of them sat on the chairs placed around the table, Becker and Matt stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall, and Jess sat on a table, her legs swinging to and fro.

Lester entered the room, and walked over to his desk, and sat down. I'm very glad to see you both" he said "But really, Connor- can't you ever stay out of trouble!"

Connor looked down "Sorry" he said

"Well, do you want us to tell you what happened?" Abby asked

"We'll just wait for the stragglers!" said Lester "Always late!"

"Who're we waiting for?" asked Connor "We're all here aren't we- oh unless you mean Jen…."

Connor broke off mid sentence, mouth gaping wide open. He half rose in his chair. Beside him, Abby squawked, her hand rushing up to cover her mouth.

"Hey, everyone" a voice said "I haven't kept you waiting, have I?" said the latecomer in a broad Scottish accent. "What's Sid and Nancy been up to now?"

Connor and Abby stared as if their eyes would pop out of their heads. In the doorway stood Nick Cutter with Stephen Hart standing by his side….

THE END

Did you guess? Well, that's the end of Shards of Glass- all started from walking to work on a really rainy, windy day!

Thanks for reading!