Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.

Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.

2.7-3 Bad Timing

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Nick Cutter stood between Claudia and Connor as the funeral service was read.

The pale countenance of Stephen's mother faced him from across the casket. After the service concluded, he and Claudia walked over to the woman. Nick mumbled incoherent words of sympathy and loss, gradually running out of words.

"We're so sorry Mrs. Hart," added Claudia.

The grief stricken woman blinked her eyes, focusing for a moment on the pair in front of her.

"And who are you?" asked Stephen's mother.

"I'm Claudia Cutter, and this is my husband Nick," replied the younger woman.

The older woman turned her head to stare directly at the professor. Her chin was trembling, she sniffed audibly in an attempt to hold back her tears.

"I thought," Mrs. Hart said "when Stephen said he was a lab assistant… it was a safe field. I was glad he wasn't a soldier like his older brother and my husband had been."

The woman stared at Nick and Claudia for a moment before taking a deep breath and continuing.

"Do you want to tell me… how a lab assistant gets killed on the job?" she asked. "He was only thirty-two years old!"

Lester and his wife approached at that moment. Vivian took Mrs. Hart by the hand and lead her away.

Lester spoke. "We've got another anomaly."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Abby was walking beside Connor, trying not to trip in the high heels she was wearing. The shoes were made for a dance floor, not the gravel paths of a cemetery she thought.

Caroline approached Connor. The beautiful woman stammered an apology to Connor, never looking at Abby. Abby seethed inwardly. Was the woman trying to make a move on Connor… for real this time? Any kind thoughts Abby might have had for the woman disappeared as Caroline said "You have my number."

Hmmph. Abby certainly had that woman's number. Abby sneaked a peek at Connor. He still seemed shell shocked. He just blinked and turned away without saying a word. Abby turned quickly to join him.

Abby might have been amazingly thick where Connor had been concerned, but she wasn't going to make the same mistakes. She started to take his hand, but then withdrew. Now was not the right time… but soon.

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Connor had pulled the same black suit and blue shirt he had worn to Tom's funeral just a few short months ago out from the closet this morning. He had been somewhat surprised when Abby appeared dressed in matching black and dark blue. He was even more surprised when Caroline had stopped him after the funeral.

Connor thought he would never understand women… not in a million… no make that a hundred million... years.

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Percy had been walking behind Abby and Connor as they left the interrment and headed for the parking lot. When the pair had been interrupted by Caroline, he simply moved around them and kept on walking.

Then Cutter called. There was another anomaly. Percy strode quickly to join the professor. He climbed into the front of the SUV beside the man as Abby and Connor hurried to climb in the back.

-x-x-x-x-x-x

James Lester watched the team drive off. His wife came up to stand beside him, gently slipping her hand into his, squeezing it tightly for a moment before loosening her grip.

"Don't you think," Vivian asked "that it's a little soon for them to be getting back to work?"

"Work's the best thing for them," James answered "they need something… to take their minds off…"

"Work… without Stephen," suggested Vivian gently "might not be the best solution."

"Then what would you suggest?" asked James sarcastically turning to face her, "A walk in the park, drinks at the pub, maybe they should all take up writing fanfiction or sit on the sofa eating bonbons and watching telly..."

Vivian looked at her husband, his green eyes brimming with unshed tears. Stephen's death had been hard on all of them, including James Lester... although he would never admit it. She wrapped her arms around him, drawing him close.

"I think," she whispered "that you should come home with me now… be there when the children come home from school, spend the weekend doing ordinary things… don't think about work… and you might ought to give the others Monday off."

-x-x-x-x-x-x

Cutter looked in the rear view mirror. Abby was bent over changing her heels for the trainers she kept in the SUV. Connor was checking the safety on a tranquilizer gun.

Cutter slammed on the brakes.

"Connor! Who gave you a gun?" the professor roared.

-x-x-x-x-x-x