Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses, etc. are entirely fictitious.
A/N Part of the Claudia story verse (AU) Transitions, Transitions Too, Continuum, Trimming the Tree, Missing
6.3 Revolving
…in other places…
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Tuesday morning, Abby kissed Connor goodbye in the car park.
"We should be back sometime this afternoon," said Connor. He leaned in for one more kiss.
"Temple!" called Becker.
The Captain was already in the driver's seat of a large black pick up truck. This was the replacement for the SUV Stephen had used to ram the T-Rex during convergence. Cutter sat beside the soldier. Both men were staring at Abby and Connor impatiently.
"Go on now," encouraged Abby.
She waved once more as Becker drove off headed to inspect the underground bunker in New Forest.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Inside the ARC, Jess was already at her station. Her eyes looked a little red. Abby stopped by the big array of monitors to speak to her friend.
"Is it true?" the petite blonde asked.
Jess nodded.
"Becker got transfer orders yesterday," Jess said in a quiet tone. "When the ARC relocates at the end of the month, Hil goes to Cyprus… something about controlling the plesiosaur population in the Mediterranean. "
"We need Becker too," protested Abby.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Inside the SUV, Cutter turned to face Connor as Becker pulled the vehicle onto the motorway.
"We need to talk about your final paper for the grad program," said the Scot in his rolling brogue. "With a little work, I think you can turn your blog articles into your final thesis."
"Seriously? You want me to finish the grad degree now?" asked Connor in a surprised tone. "It just doesn't seem important anymore."
"Why would it not be important Connor?" asked the Professor. "A whole new field of temporal studies…"
Connor gestured impatiently to the motorway sign they were now passing.
"We're on our way to New Forest," reminded Connor, "to see that Aurora person's bunker. Finding out who she is really, where she came from, and how to stop her from ever coming back… that's important."
Cutter and Becker exchanged a glance. They'd been to the bunker already. The soldier's mouth pressed into a grim line, but he didn't say anything.
"Connor," began Cutter, "there was a fire. The bunker may not have the answers you're looking for."
"It's a start," replied Connor.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
In the menagerie, Abby checked on the smilodon. Lucy was one of the last creatures still at the ARC. Most had already been transferred to other locations.
"We'll get you a place outdoors soon," promised Abby before she continued on to her lab.
The lush green plants and bright grow lights made her lab an inviting place. Abby first checked her email to see if there was an update on the Quetzalcoatlus. After leaving Big Ben, the creature had flown south. It was now giving the Egyptian government problems. Abby looked up at the sound of tapping on the doorframe. Sarah and Claudia were standing there.
"Teatime," said Sarah with a smile.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Becker, Cutter and Connor arrived at the New Forest location by midday. Connor glanced at the blue sky above the parking area. A falcon soared and circled overhead.
"Connor," called the Professor. The tall blonde was standing at the edge of the forest trail. Ahead of him, Becker disappeared into the shadows of the woods.
"Coming," responded Connor. He hurried after Cutter and Becker.
The trail ended at a small, hastily built sentry outpost. Becker remained to confer with the security detail assigned to permanently monitor this New Forest location. Cutter and Connor followed Matt down the stairs into the underground bunker. One glance told Connor he wouldn't find any answers here. The dark haired scientist beamed his torch on the electric panel. He turned to Matt.
"This wasn't just an electrical surge," said Connor. "You shot the electric panel."
"Yeah," admitted Matt. "I did."
"Why?" asked Connor.
Matt glanced at the long narrow bunker. The devastated lab had been cleaned up, little remained of the horrors Matt and Emily had seen.
"In my time," said Matt heavily, "we lived underground, hiding from creatures… creatures like that woman was creating here. I couldn't let those things… this place…"
"This might have been our only chance to track that woman," said Connor bitterly.
"Connor," began the Scot.
"Cutter you don't understand," said Connor. His brown eyes were wide open and worried. "That Aurora woman, she came to our home."
"Yeah Connor, I know," replied the Professor. "I was there, I saw her."
"She knows where Abby and I live," continued the dark haired scientist. "If she came back… and hurt Abby… I couldn't live with that. I've got to stop her."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
In the break room Abby, Sarah, and Claudia chatted while making tea.
"We have to give the registry office sixteen days notice," said Abby. "The earliest we can get married is the first Wednesday in March."
"We'll just have to see if Lester can get Becker's transfer delayed then," said Claudia.
"Cancelled would be better," said Abby.
"I agree," said Sarah. "We should talk to Lester… see if there's anything to be done about that."
Abby moved to join Claudia at the small round table. The archeologist tossed her dark hair back as she followed and sat down next to Abby.
"Connor surprised me, by asking me to be his best man," added Sarah. "I thought he would have asked Becker."
"It's the best man's duty to protect the groom from bad luck," said Abby with a smirk. "Becker protects Connor from everything else."
The dark haired archeologist chuckled, remembering her first meeting with Connor.
"Abby, it might not be bad luck, but are you really sure you and Connor want to stay in your home?" asked Sarah.
Abby looked confused at the question. Sarah tried again.
"Even if Connor has managed to map the anomaly junction at your home," continued Sarah, "there is still a danger of an anomaly opening again."
Abby shook her head as she poured some milk into her tea.
"Connor mapped all six anomalies located in our home," Abby replied "according to Connor's calculations the next one is not due to open for one hundred and twelve years."
"Then you might want to tell your great-great-grandchildren to sell the place," teased Claudia.
"We haven't really decided if we want to try for children," said Abby.
"Oh," pouted Sarah, "shame if you don't."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
The drive back to the ARC began in silence. It wasn't until Becker reached the roundabout that Cutter spoke.
"Connor," said Cutter, "Matt did what he thought was best."
Connor slammed his hand down on the dashboard.
"That's all well and good for him," exclaimed Connor. "Matt's back to the facility at the Forest of Dean… has to get there in time for dance lessons with his wife."
Beside him, Becker snorted.
"It's not funny," said Connor. "He's worried about learning the tango…"
"You didn't see him trying to dance on New Year's," chuckled Becker. "Matt really needs dance lessons."
"And I'm worried about keeping some crazy woman," continued Connor "from killing Abby and myself."
Connor's outburst left Cutter and Becker silent for a moment.
"Having had a crazy woman try to murder me," began the Professor, "I can assure you we won't let Aurora hurt you or Abby.
"We've got your back Connor," added Becker quietly.
"Will you still have my back when you're in Cyprus?" asked Connor.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
