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
6.5-8 – What's in a Name?
…unexplainable madness…
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Lester poked a pencil at the tiny black and yellow predator on the entomologist's table.
"Why would anyone want to create something like this?" asked the ARCs director.
The ARCs director frowned in thought as the others continued talking. The ARCs first encounter with the predators was not from the racetrack anomaly, but from Helen and the Permian. What if Cutter was right? What if all the unexplainable madness led back to Helen?
"These creatures are too tiny to do any serious damage," said Claudia. "You were able to swat them armed with nothing more than a jacket."
"Don't be so sure about that," objected Stephen. "Bees are small, but think about swarms of killer bees."
Danny was staring at the enlarged image of the creature's mouth on the projection screen. The lanky red head kept pinching his bottom lip between his thumb and his forefinger.
"The teeth look more like piranhas," muttered the former copper.
Stephen rolled his eyes at his partner's remark.
"Ok," said Stephen with a shrug, "think about schools of piranha then if you like… or sharks… or…"
"I'm just saying these little buggers look hungry," responded Danny. He ran his hand back across his forehead and through his hair. "And the hide… it's hard like bat wings
Cutter leaned across the desk and nodded.
"The miniature predators do look hungry," agreed the Scot, "and the DNA mix on the first predators we encountered was mostly rat and bat."
"And human," added Danny, "remember that woman's pet predator!"
The talk continued for several more minutes discussing what might have gone into the creation of such tiny flying predators. Theories were posed and discounted. It wasn't until Claudia leaned tiredly against the wall that Cutter spoke again.
"We can finish this talk about predators tomorrow," said the Professor. "It's getting late. Claudia and I need to go pick up our daughter and go home."
Lester looked up from the table at Cutter's remark.
"Don't let us keep you," replied Lester with a trace of his old sarcasm. "You don't work here anymore."
Cutter's eyes twinkled as he helped Claudia back into her coat.
"Getting out of the military's version of the ARC was a good idea," said Cutter. "You should all try it."
Protestations followed the Cutter's to the door.
"Someone has to work around here," teased Danny, "save the world from destruction… whether it's from dinosaurs or killer butterflies."
Cutter held the door open. As Claudia walked through, the professor turned and looked at Danny, Stephen and Lester.
"Those things aren't butterflies, killer or otherwise," replied Cutter with a smirk. Cutter stepped through the door after Claudia. "Here's to saving the world from destruction… again."
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The drive to Claudia's father's home was quiet. Both Claudia and Nick were lost in their own thoughts. As they stepped out of the car, Cutter struck the flat of his hand against his forehead and let out an exclamation.
"Augh!"
"Nick," said Claudia, "What's wrong?"
"Matt said he came to this time and place when he was a teen," reminded Cutter.
Claudia shook her head, her tousled hair flying over her shoulder.
"And?"
"We don't know where Matt came into this time and place," answered the Professor.
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Abby and Connor arrived at the hotel without further incident. Connor's dark brown eyes grew wide as they entered the fancy place.
"Right posh this is," whispered Connor. "Dorm rooms on the university tour will look really bare after being here."
For a wedding gift, the ARC's team had all chipped in and paid for an all inclusive nights stay at this well known Parisian hotel. The young genius released Abby's hand as they approached the ornate brass trimmed front desk.
"Bonne soiree," greeted the concierge. The older man smiled graciously at the young couple.
"Nous aimerions vérifier dans, s'il vous plait," said Connor slowly.
The dark eyed scientist looked at the petite blonde standing beside him. Connor nervously twisted the four leaf clover pin adorning the lapel of his black suit.
"My French is a bit rusty," explained Connor. "I think that's what I mean to say. It's been a long time since I took French in school."
"At least you took French, I took German," replied Abby. She looked up at the concierge. "We'd like to check in please."
"What name is the reservation under?" asked the concierge switching instantly to English.
"Maitland," replied Abby.
"Temple," answered Connor.
The newlyweds looked at each other. Abby and Connor didn't notice the amused expression that briefly crossed the concierge's face as they began whispering back and forth. The man turned to search for the keys. Then, with his features back under control, the concierge returned to face his waiting guests. Abby and Connor stopped speaking as the man held the room key out towards them.
"What name was the reservation under?" asked Connor. "It's not important… I'm just asking… so we know who should sign the register."
"The reservation was under the name Temple," answered the concierge. The man laid the key on the counter before the young couple.
Connor flashed a brilliant smile at Abby as he reached for the pen.
"Abby and Connor Temple," Connor said as he signed the registry.
Abby rolled her eyes, but she couldn't feel upset at Connor's obvious glee.
"My passport still says Maitland," Abby reminded.
The concierge smirked again, but this time Abby saw him. She tilted her head and looked at the man with a questioning gaze. The man gave a small shrug.
"Genealogy is a hobby of mine," confided the concierge. "I would have remembered the name Maitland."
"Why?" asked Abby curiously.
"The name Maitland is considered by some people to be taken from the French place name Mautalant," continued the concierge, "it is a town near where I was born. I understand some English historians believe the name came to your country during the Norman conquest and means inhospitable."
"Really," said Abby. She straightened in surprise, leaning back and staring at the man. "I've never heard that before."
"Well," said the concierge, "the only other option is the Old French word maltalent."
Connor had been listening intently. He now frowned in recognition.
"Bad tempered?!" Connor exclaimed. The dark haired man looked at Abby. "Oh! You have to take my name now Abby. You don't want people thinking you're inhospitable or bad tempered!"
"Dunno," replied Abby with a smirk as she turned back to face her husband. "What is the origin of the name Temple?"
Connor stood with their shared travel bag between his feet. The dark haired man spread his hands out wide on either side of his body. The light flashed on the lucky pins Sarah had placed on his lapel.
"Some people say it's a place name too, like Temple Church in London," said Connor with a grin, "but most people think the name originated with the Knights Templar."
Abby recognized the name Knights Templar. A group associated with conspiracy theories and secret knowledge in popular movies and books, it wasn't hard to see why Connor was grinning. Abby's lips curled up in an answering smile. In his smart suit, adorned with multi-colored pins, fedora and pale fingers extending beyond the edges of his fingerless gloves, Connor might not be everyone's idea of a knight, but to Abby he was her knight in shining armor. Abby picked up the room key and dangled it in the air between them.
"Let's get out of this place," suggested Abby. "I think it's time for the honeymoon to begin."
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Jess and Becker left the weaponry in the firing room and headed back for Jess's car.
"You could teach me," insisted Jess.
"Maybe," agreed Becker, "but I could use a refresher course. I'd rather we both took lessons together."
Jess turned the key in the ignition. She began to back the car out of the parking space.
"We can check the advertisements for safety training classes when we get back to my flat," said Jess.
Becker's eyes lit up. He had been looking forward to going to Jess's flat ever since he returned from Cyprus, but between weddings and hen nights and…
"After we check on Jack and Rex," added Jess.
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