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
6.5-5 Perspective
…to the train station…
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Becker and Jess watched as Connor and Abby entered the train station. Jess slipped her arm around Becker's arm and squeezed tightly.
"Quit worrying," chided Jess. "Each university has their own security set up. Connor and Abby will be fine."
The tall soldier shook his head and gave a rueful smile.
"I know," Becker agreed. "And I have to get CMU's security set up and ready for field expeditions when they return. They don't need me along for security on this trip."
"The university tour is a bit of a honeymoon too," reminded Jess. "Abby and Connor might want some privacy."
"Privacy?" asked Becker. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the pretty brunette standing beside him. "After convergence?"
Jess chuckled in agreement. Since convergence, the news cameras had kept an eye on ARC and certain team members received more press attention than others. Cutter had emphatically denied his role and explained his return to academia when the first microphone had been thrust into his face. As a result, the press had designated Connor as the world's leading expert on anomalies, while Abby was known as the leading expert on dinosaur care and feeding.
"Do you think the press will leave Abby and Connor alone when the announcement goes out that they're leaving the ARC?" asked Jess.
"Let's hope so," sighed Becker. He turned and looked at the petite woman beside him. "Are you sure you want to stay at the ARC?"
Jess nodded.
"Can't leave Lester alone now with over half the original team leaving for the university system," Jess replied. "Danny and Stephen would drive him crazy."
"Yeah," agreed Becker reluctantly. He opened the car door for Jess. "Did you practice much while I was gone?"
Jess's eyes opened wide. She flushed.
"Um, yeah," she mumbled. "About that… I know you said Stephen could show me just as well as you, but…"
"You didn't practice," stated Becker.
"There was a wedding reception to arrange," reminded Jess, "and all that paperwork Lester needed to get you back from Cyprus."
"Practicing is important," responded Becker in a grim tone.
The soldier walked around to the other side of the car and climbed in next to Jess.
"To the firing range," ordered Becker.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Danny and Stephen returned to the ARC. Lester was waiting as they pulled the SUV into the parking area. The director had his right arm crossed across his chest, holding his left elbow. His left hand was along side his face and Lester looked concerned.
"Hey Guv," greeted the former copper. He held the mad scientist's weapon out towards the director. "This is a bit more high powered than those electro-muscular disrupter devices Matt was recommending a few months back."
Lester stared at the black cylindrical device, then turned his gaze to the object Stephen was holding. The twisted, mangled metal had once been a black sword. Lester breathed in sharply.
"Put those in a secure lock box," ordered Lester. "We can't have them around the computers."
Stephen reached for the device Danny held and started towards the storage area.
"And label the box actuarial reports fiscal year 2006," Lester called after him.
Stephen stopped walking and turned to look at Lester. Danny too was looking at the director with a confused expression on his face.
"We don't want anyone to find the box soon," said Lester. "Hurry up and join us in the entomologist's lab."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Nick and Claudia dropped Jack off at Abby and Connor's home.
"Do you really think that asking Jack to housesit was a good idea?" asked the Professor.
They watched the Abby's brother juggle the cake box and house keys as he opened the dark green door.
"I think Rex will keep Jack in line," replied Claudia with a smirk as the young man disappeared inside the home.
"Or the fear of Abby's wrath," chuckled Cutter as he pulled the family car back into the street.
Claudia watched her husband as Nick drove to Claudia's father's home. Her father had watched little Stephanie for them while they went to Connor and Abby's reception.
"You don't seem too upset," said Claudia "about what Becker said."
"What?" asked Nick.
"About that crazy woman winding up in Lucy's cage," reminded Claudia. "If she's the bones that were found… with that ring…"
Cutter's eyebrows went up as he finally realized what Claudia was leading too.
"From where we were standing," reminded Nick "we couldn't see into the anomaly. I don't know if that woman backed into the our smilodon's cage or a different smilodon cage."
"Becker didn't say a cage like Lucy's, he said Lucy's cage," insisted Claudia. "And that woman had a ring around her neck. The ring that was found in the cage was Helen's wedding ring."
Cutter pulled the car up in front of his father-in-law's home. He turned off the ignition and faced Claudia.
"You don't have to worry about Helen's ring," began the Scot, "and thinking that woman might be my daughter or something."
"How can you be so sure?" demanded Claudia.
Cutter sighed and closed his eyes.
"I loved Helen once," admitted Cutter, "or I thought I did, but I don't think I ever really knew her."
"Helen left you and went God knows when," said Claudia. "She could have been pregnant when she left."
"No," stated Cutter. "She couldn't have been. It was one of the things Helen and I argued about."
Claudia gazed at her husband uncomprehendingly.
"Helen had her tubes tied before I ever met her," explained Cutter. "And she didn't bother to tell me until after our second anniversary… when I started talking about having children together."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
Connor and Abby settled into their seats on the Eurostar.
"Paris here we come," grinned Connor.
Abby lifted up the armrest separating the two chairs and leaned against her husband's chest. Her small hand reached up and pushed the ring dangling from the chain around his neck to one side. Abby snuggled in closer, listening to the beat of Connor's heart.
"Mmm," murmured Abby contentedly. "And we don't have to be to the university until tomorrow."
Connor brought his arm around to hold her tight. He placed his hand across hers. The matching gold rings shone in the afternoon sunlight.
"Are you ever going to get rid of that old Lord of the Rings thing around your neck?" asked Abby.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
