Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me, this is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
3.4-2 - Crash
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Christine Johnson stared through the security glass to the glittering anomaly open in the adjacent room. Her mouth was slightly open, her teeth gleaming in the half light of the room, her eyes shone with a slightly feral gleam.
Captain Wilder shivered unexpectedly as he watched the woman. He thought the future creature they had contained in the next room was not the only dangerous predator in this building.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Danny Quinn parked his motorcycle and walked towards the large building in front of him.
He had always been good with machines. Summers working at his uncle's construction firm had given him experience with a variety of heavy equipment. He could drive just about anything: cars, trucks, forklifts, backhoes… he'd even taken flying lessons. He was qualified to fly small single engine planes and had started helicopter flying lessons. Today, that had proved fortuitous.
But if he was going to keep following those folks and their anomalies, there might come a time when he needed a different sort of ride. He stepped into the stable.
"Ahh, Mr. Quinn," greeted the owner, a sprightly older woman "ready for your horse back riding lesson?"
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Abby couldn't believe Jack had arrived needing a place to stay. Really?!
Her brother always had bad timing. Abby would have preferred to watch over Connor, he still wasn't himself after the near loss of Cutter. Knowing the Professor wouldn't be back to work anytime soon put a lot of pressure on Connor. He had to repair the equipment damaged in the explosion as well as finish building the Anomaly Locking Mechanism. Abby thought Lester was driving Connor too hard, she doubted Connor had slept an entire night in the weeks since Helen's attack.
To top it off, the ancient hot water heater in their flat had been acting up. The machine barely provided enough hot water for two quick showers and the washing up on a normal day with just Abby and Connor in the flat. Jack had already used up the entire supply of hot water… it would be evening before there was enough hot water for Abby to take a shower.
She hated asking Connor to find someplace else to go, but it was only temporary. At least Connor would get a hot shower and some sleep. Abby dreaded listening to Jack's loud music blaring at all hours.
"Just for a couple of days," Abby reminded Jack when the door closed behind Connor.
"Yeah sure Abs," Jack replied as he moved towards the window.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Jack watched Connor leave the flat. The man that his sister talked so much about for the past year and a half wasn't like any of her past boyfriends Jack decided.
Connor was definitely smarter than the men Abby had dated previously. And, Jack thought, the man actually seemed to be a more considerate person than the sort of bloke Abby had dated before. Abby might not have seen the look on Connor's face when Jack first introduced himself, but Jack did. He knew that hurt look. But Connor swallowed down whatever pain he might have felt and just responded with his name. There was no sign of jealousy or anger from Connor, just a quiet resignation. That was a big improvement in Jack's opinion. And, Jack hadn't missed the look of relief on Connor's face when Abby had clarified their relationship. Connor was happy to know that Jack was Abby's brother.
Jack let the curtain drop back down. Maybe this Connor character was good enough for his big sister, or maybe not. Only time would tell.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Connor felt better than he had ever since Abby said those dread words to him: "we need to talk."
With his last girlfriend, that phrase had always preceded an argument… which usually ended with the woman throwing things at him. Connor trudged down the sidewalk towards the bus stop. He felt a bit like a pack animal with his tote bag over one shoulder and his messenger bag over the other. Juggling Sid and Nancy in their carry containers, he climbed aboard the bus and sat down.
He sighed in relief as he put the carry cages down. Jack was Abby's baby brother. He grinned. Connor was perfectly glad to give up his room for her brother… although he didn't understand why the man couldn't sleep on the couch.
Connor had paid his share of the rent this month, hadn't he?
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Becker had the night watch at the ARC this evening. When he entered the recreation room he looked at Connor in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" Becker asked.
Connor looked at Becker in confusion. Then he pointed to the small telly in the corner.
"Brought my game equipment in…," Connor explained "for the staff on break. Do you fancy a game?"
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Sarah was working late, cleaning off the artifact.
Since breaking up with Jamal, she had plenty of time on her hands for tasks like this. She looked across the work table at the ruins of Cutter's anomaly map. She hadn't a clue as to how to start rebuilding that, but maybe… when Cutter was well enough for visitors…
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Percy was finishing up the last of the health and safety forms. If it hadn't been for Connor's head injury, he would have already been done and gone home for the day. He attached the form to the email and pressed the send button.
Six stitches; that knock on the baggage cart had to have hurt, thought Percy. And a mild concussion too. Percy texted Connor: don't forget to tell Abby – you have to be woken every hour. A few moments later, Connor texted back: not a problem, playing video games.
Percy shook his head. He wouldn't have thought of Abby as the type to play video games, but he was glad she was keeping Connor awake.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
James Lester thought the G-Rex and reporters getting eaten wasn't exactly calm, controlled and slightly dull, but Percy had done a good job today. The young man might make a good team leader in Cutter's absence.
He dialed the professor's home phone number. Claudia answered.
"May I speak with Cutter?" Lester asked.
"No," stated Claudia firmly "he's not to think about work. The doctor only released him on the condition that he gets plenty of rest. Don't you dare…"
"Claudia," Lester protested "I'm not trying to…"
"Oh yes you are," interrupted Claudia "Don't forget James… I know what it's like to work for you."
-x-x-x-x-x-x