Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or its characters.

Chapter Summary: The advice Connor gave Becker at the restaurant has repercussions that he couldn't have foreseen.

Chapter Length: 1221

Open Mic Nights

Chapter 9 – At the Caterer's

A week had passed since Becker had talked to them at the restaurant. As promised Connor had spoken to Abby about not teasing Becker and Jess as much, though she hadn't taken it the way he had expected her too.

"Are you kidding?!" She exclaimed. "This just means my plan's working. He's scared of losing her, which means he cares about her. He's so close to admitting his feelings for her, I know it; we just having to keep pushing them together."

Connor didn't try to talk Abby out of her plan. He knew she meant well, and really, what was the worst that could happen? That had been a week ago now, and to Connor it didn't look like Becker was any closer to professing his love.

Abby and Connor sat at the kitchen bench, having breakfast and laughing. They had considerably less to do for the wedding now, and it had left Abby in a much better mood.

Jess came into the kitchen then; pouring herself a cup of coffee she sat down across from Connor and Abby, sighing dramatically. Connor frowned, sharing a look with Abby.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "I would have thought you'd be in a good mood, you've got another day of wedding planning with Becker ahead of you."

"Ugh, don't mention that name."

"What's wrong?" Abby asked, concerned.

Jess sighed. "I don't know. Everything was fine, we were enjoying hanging out and I thought we were getting closer, but now it's like Becker wants nothing to do with me. Ever since last Saturday he's been avoiding me. No more stopping by in the morning to say hello. No more having lunch together. Not even any friendly chats while you're on your way to anomalies."

"Maybe he's just trying to stop people from talking." Connor said.

"What do you mean?"

"When we were paying for dinner last weekend, he mentioned that you were upset by everything people were saying, and asked us to lay off the teasing."

"That's so sweet of him."

"Yeah, anyway, I gave him some suggestions on how to get people to stop talking about you guys."

"Oh Connor, what did you do?" Abby groaned.

"Nothing, I swear! I just told him that if he didn't want people to get the wrong idea, maybe he shouldn't do things like buy you dinner."

"Great, and he took that to mean he should have nothing to do with me. I've lost him before I even had him." Jess said sadly.

Getting up, Jess put her coffee cup in the sink, and then went to her room to get ready for their appointment with the caterer. Abby followed her, wanting to try cheer up her friend, leaving Connor alone in the kitchen.

Connor felt horrible. He hadn't meant to ruin everything for Jess, he had just wanted to make Becker see that he was acting like her boyfriend, and maybe get him to finally realise he liked the girl.

Connor, Abby, and Jess arrived at the caterer's 10 minutes before their appointment. He heard Jess sigh as she noticed Becker waiting for them outside the building. Connor felt a pang in his gut. He hadn't meant to cause Becker to withdraw from Jess. He had honestly thought that if he could make Becker see that he was already acting like her boyfriend, he might wise up and realise that he had feelings for Jess, feelings that went far beyond friendship. Connor sighed and got out of the car.

I'm going to have to talk to him.

Becker smiled at them as they approached, and together the foursome entered the caterer's shop. The store was set out like a small restaurant. The front was adorned with small circler tables, each laid out with different settings. To the right of the entrance was a glass case filled with different types of cakes. Next to that was a small bar. Connor wondered what the likely hood was that the bar would be open, he felt like he was going to need a drink to be able to deal with Becker.

A door at the back of the room opened as a woman carrying a tray came in. Seeing them, she set the tray down, smiled, and walked over.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

"Hi, my name's Abby, I called last week to set up a taste testing."

The woman looked in a folder that was sitting on a table by the door. "Ah yes, for the Maitland – Temple wedding?"

"That's the one."

"Wonderful. My name's Mary, I handle all the bookings, event details, menu creating; pretty much everything except cooking the food. Now did you have any ideas, on the type of food you'd like to serve?"

As the women launched into a discussion about what food they thought would suit the wedding, Connor pulled Becker aside. They could be debating whether they should serve chicken or salmon for ages, and Connor was determined to talk to Becker today. Besides he didn't really mind what food was served, so long as it tasted good.

"What are you doing?" Connor asked as soon as they were out of hearing range.

"Currently I'm wondering why you pulled me over here to ask a ridiculous question."

"I mean with Jess. Why did you spend all week avoiding her?"

"I'm not avoiding her."

"Then why have you stopped having lunch with her? And the rest of us for that matter, but that's not important right now. Why are you only speaking to her about stuff related to work?"

"I've just been busy is all."

Connor stared at Becker. He knew what the Captain could be like when it came to dealing with feelings, and normally Connor would stay out of it. But this involved Jess and he couldn't stand seeing her put through this. The woman was so friendly and caring; she didn't deserve to be dragged around like this.

"Look, I'm just doing what you said I should. Changing my behaviour around her so people won't talk."

"I meant you should stop taking her to dinner and acting like an over protective boyfriend whenever someone else looks at her. Not ignore her completely."

"Well what did you expect me to do?"

"I was hoping you'd realise your already acting like her boyfriend and maybe make it official."

"Even if I had feelings for her—and I'm not saying I do—she doesn't feel anything other than friendship towards me, so there isn't anything to make official."

Connor was about to tell Becker that he was kidding himself if he thought that was true, when Mary's voice—suggesting they take a seat—interrupted them. They made their way over to the table the girls were seated at. Connor noticed that despite their conversation Becker still tried to maintain a distance between him and Jess, purposely choosing a seat across the table from her, instead of the available chair next to her. Connor stifled a sigh as he sat down. He had really screwed this up for Jess; he was going to have to find a way to make it up to her.

Maybe she'd like a box of chocolates…

Connor's eyes flickered to Jess, who was clearly trying to keep her feelings off of her face.

…and a bouquet of flowers.