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

6.5 Tomorrow and Today

just… just… just…

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

The first Wednesday in March, Connor woke up on the sofa at Sarah and Jamal's flat. His hand slipped off the seat cushion and hit the floor. Connor blinked in confusion. He stared first at his hand lying against the parquet floor, then at the green cushion he was currently drooling on.

"Ow," Connor muttered in a somewhat delayed reaction. Then his nose wrinkled up and he sniffed. The aroma of coffee brewing filled the flat. Connor pushed himself up to a sitting position.

Sarah entered the room carrying a tray with two mugs on it. Jamal followed behind her.

"I'll catch you up later at the restaurant," said Jamal as he let himself out of the flat.

Sarah set the tray on the low table in front of Connor. The dark haired archeologist sat down in the chair opposite the man rubbing his eyes.

"It's about time you woke up," chuckled Sarah. She reached for the first coffee mug and held it towards him.

"What am I doing here?" asked Connor.

A mischievous gleam sparkled in Sarah's eyes.

"What do you remember about your stag night?"

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

In another flat across town, Abby retched into the toilet, again. Jess handed the blonde a glass of water.

"How much did you drink last night?" asked the young brunette.

"Nothing," replied Abby, "I just wanted to have some fun with my friends on my hen night."

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

Sarah brushed Connor's dark hair back from his face. Then she reached her hand towards his throat.

"You clean up well," said Sarah with a smile as she adjusted his tie.

Connor looked past Sarah to his reflection in the mirror. The figure he saw, dressed in a fitted black suit bought especially for the occasion today and the white button down shirt, looked quite stylish.

"Are you sure I didn't do anything embarrassing last night?" Connor asked again.

Sarah decided if Connor didn't feel any effects from slam dancing with Stephen, it probably wasn't worth mentioning.

"You were fine," soothed Sarah. Changing the subject, she asked, "How was yesterday's lecture?"

Connor's face lit up in excitement.

"It went incredibly well," answered the young genius, "my revolving door theory of anomalies is finding widespread acceptance."

"I told you that was a good idea!" exclaimed Sarah.

Connor nodded happily and chattered on.

"Several of the professors already have funding appropriated," said Connor "to construct anomaly detectors, locking devices and mapping tools."

Sarah smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Professor Bertrand has already set up a university tour," continued Connor. "Abby and I will be leaving tomorrow for Switzerland, then France, Germany…"

"Is this a honeymoon," teased Sarah, "or work?"

Connor stopped babbling for a moment to consider the question.

"Both actually," he finally replied.

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

Abby brushed her teeth one more time. She heard the doorbell ring and Jess's voice as she let Jack in. Jack looked up at Abby when she walked into the living room. He gave a low whistle.

"Alright Sis," said Jack approvingly. "You look pretty good for someone who's going to be an old married lady by the end of the day."

Abby's short A-line dress was layered. White lace covered a bright blue shiny fabric. Matching blue tights and white ankle high boots with rounded toes completed her outfit.

"Jack!" hissed Jess.

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

Sarah stopped Connor by the front door.

"I'm supposed to protect you from bad luck," reminded Sarah.

"Yeah," agreed Connor, "and get me to the registry office on time… wouldn't want Abby to get tired of waiting and leave."

"Something old," said Sarah. She looked down at his dark brown boots. "They'll do."

She put a finger to her lips and looked at Connor thoughtfully.

"The suit's new," she mused.

Her eyes lit up. She pulled open the drawer of the nearby table. Digging through an odd collection of gloves, hats and scarves, she finally pulled out a bright blue silk scarf. She folded it into a small rectangle and tucked the cloth into Connor's suit pocket.

"Something blue," informed Sarah, "and I want it back afterwards, so it's borrowed as well."

"Isn't all that supposed to be good luck for the bride?" asked Connor.

"Work with me Connor," said Sarah. "I've had more experience as a bridesmaid than as a best man."

"Can we get going now?" asked Connor. "I don't want to be late to my own wedding."

"We're not done yet," replied Sarah.

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

Jess drove Abby and Jack through the streets of London. The bright orange car made a whining noise as they turned the corner.

"What's that funny noise?" asked Jack.

"The car has been whining ever since Becker left," explained Jess.

Jack raised his eyebrows.

"I'd be glad to look at the engine for you," said Jack in what he hoped was a flirtatious tone of voice.

"No. Definitely not," said Jess firmly. "There's nothing wrong with the engine… or anything else. Becker put the magnetite sword in the boot, and it makes the car whine."

"Well take it out then," responded Jack. "Put it in the house or work… or"

"Can't," replied Jess "the same magnetic field that makes the car whine, destroys computers and cell phones."

"I could help," began Jack.

Abby leaned forward from the back seat of the car and tapped her brother on the shoulder.

"Jack," advised Abby, "you're out of your league. And we've only just got Becker to where he doesn't want to kill you. Let's keep it that way, yeah."

A few moments later, Jess pulled up in front of the registry office.

"Here you are," said Jess with a bright smile. "Sarah will bring you all over to the restaurant afterwards. We'll be waiting."

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

The restaurant near the park wasn't usually open this early in the day, but sometimes… for special occasions, the small local favorite allowed private parties to be held inside. And the owner of the restaurant considered weddings to be very special occasions.

"We're here," said Sarah as she pulled her car into the space reserved with white ribbons.

"Let's get this party started," said Jack.

Abby's brother was out of the car and heading towards the restaurant before Sarah even had her seatbelt undone. She turned to look at her passengers in the rear seat. Abby and Connor were holding hands, leaned in towards each other, foreheads touching.

"We're here," repeated Sarah with a chuckle.

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

Abby and Connor were bombarded with rice as they entered the restaurant. Shouts of "Congratulations!" rang out across the room. The restaurant was transformed. Tables covered with white linens had been moved into the center of the dining space. Strands of sparkling white lights twinkled over the tables. Edie, Abby's friend from yoga, was the first person to hug the bride.

"You look beautiful," whispered Abby's purple haired friend.

Duncan had followed Edie and now stood nearby looking at Connor with a puzzled expression on his face.

"What's with the pins Connor?" asked Duncan.

A dragonfly, a lady bug, a scarab, and a four leaf clover adorned the lapels of Connor's black suit.

"They're for good luck," answered Connor. He pulled a chain around his neck up to where Duncan could see a Saint Christopher's medal. "So is this," continued Connor. "And I've got an acorn in me pocket… that is if the hamster hasn't eaten it."

"A hamster?"

"Sarah insisted I needed a mascot," responded Connor.

"Mate," replied Duncan "all you had to do was ask. I would have been your mascot."

"But the mascot has to fit in my pocket on the way to the wedding," explained Connor.

"Right," said Duncan with a serious nod. He pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Better to have the hamster then."

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

Abby and Connor continued down the length of the room. Danny clapped Connor so hard on his shoulder that the groom staggered. Stephen helped steady Connor.

"Thanks mate," said Connor.

"Least I could do after your help last night," replied Stephen with a smirk.

"What?" asked Connor. "What about last night? What did I do?"

But Connor's questions were drowned out by Danny's roar.

"I love weddings."

Danny lifted Abby off her feet and gave her a great big hug and a kiss. The tall red head set Abby gently back down beside Connor.

"And may all your troubles be little ones," continued the former copper with a grin.

Somehow, Sarah had gotten in front of Abby and Connor. She was now standing with Jamal. Sarah said the same thing she'd said at the registry office when they said their vows.

"I'm so happy for both of you!"

Lester was standing beside a bucket of ice. Several bottles were chilling. He offered them champagne.

"No thank you," replied Abby, "nervous tummy this morning. Maybe later."

Beside her husband, Mrs. Lester looked over the rim of her fluted glass and raised her eyebrows.

"None for me either," replied Connor. "I think I had enough last night."

"You weren't drinking champagne last night," replied Lester enigmatically.

"What?" spluttered Connor. "What was I…"

Cutter grabbed Connor on the shoulder and spun him around.

"Congratulations Connor," said the Professor. The Scot grabbed his former student in a great big bear hug. "I'm so proud of you."

The Professor released Connor and moved to hug Abby. Connor found himself face to face with Claudia. The tawny haired woman smiled.

"This is what happens when you catch the bouquet," teased Claudia.

"It's the best thing in the world," replied Connor.

"Yeah," agreed Claudia with a nod. "It is."

Abby slipped her hand into Connor's. She pointed to the two empty seats at the head of the table.

"I think we're supposed to sit here," said Abby.

"Yeah," agreed Connor, "but where's Jess."

Connor looked from Abby to Claudia and Cutter.

"She was here just a minute ago," replied the professor.

The swinging doors to the kitchen opened as a petite brunette pushed them out of the way. A huge cart followed Jess. A three tiered wedding cake sat on the cart pushed by a tall dark haired man.

"Becker!" exclaimed Connor. "When did you get back? And what are you doing here pushing a cake?"

"Are you transferred back to London now?" asked Abby.

The soldier grinned.

"Yes," answered Becker. "I've resigned from the army. Got back last night… and Jess asked me to make sure the cake got here safely."

"You resigned your commission?" asked Abby.

Connor was standing beside her. He opened and shut his mouth wordlessly.

"It seems Central Metropolitan University needs to beef up their security team," answered Becker. "They need someone to keep the new junior professor of temporal studies out of trouble."

Connor blinked in amazement.

"How did you know I got the job?" asked Connor. "It hasn't been announced yet."

"Really Temple," said Lester with a long suffering sigh. "Can't we just eat? Some of us do have to get back to work this afternoon."

"You!" exclaimed Connor. "You arranged all this Lester!"

"Don't be ridiculous," replied Lester. He glanced from Cutter to Jess and then around the room at each of the other faces. "I had help."

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

The tinkling sound of spoons clanging against glassware echoed in the dining room.

"Speech! Speech!"

Connor looked at Abby. She squeezed his hand tightly and smiled at him. Connor stood up.

"Abby and I want to thank all of you for being here today," said Connor.

He looked around the room. Surrounded by friends, there wasn't anything to make him nervous.

"Abby keeps telling me that as long as we have each other everything will work out fine," continued Connor. "But as you know I've been a bit worried lately, what with convergence and finding out we live on top of an anomaly junction…"

Connor took a deep breath. Halfway down the table a voice sounded. Another voice, probably Stephen's, hissed sssh. It was definitely Stephen who poked Danny in the ribs.

"And finding out a mad scientist is after us," said Connor. "That was not good. Not good at all."

The room quieted at these words.

"Finding Sid and Nancy had a dozen baby diictodon's Monday was a good surprise," said Connor. "And remembering I went slam dancing last night was a surprise... not quite sure if it counts as a good one or not."

There were chuckles from several of the men who had been out with Connor last night.

"But all of that is from yesterday. Abby's right. Tomorrow and today are important, but tomorrow's not here yet," said Connor. "We have to get on with our lives... today."

The dark haired scientist grinned suddenly.

"Does anyone want a baby diictodon?"

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