Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval, its characters, or the lyrics I've used, they are the property of whoever has the rights to ABBA's songs.

Chapter Summary:It's been two weeks since Jess and Becker broke up and life at the ARC has been difficult.

Chapter Length: 1170

Author's Note: I'm so sorry I didn't get this chapter up last night after uploading chapter 19, like I said I would. My laptop disconnected from our wifi after I post the last chapter and it's taken for ever to fix the problem. But the issue's resolved now and everything's working, so here's chapter 20 for you, and I will have chapters 21 and 22 done by tomorrow. Enjoy X

Open Mic Nights

Chapter 20 – S.o.S

Becker was in his office, hiding, like he had been doing for the last couple of weeks, though if anyone asked he would just tell them he was catching up on paperwork, paperwork which no longer existed. Ever since his fight with Jess—and their subsequent break up—life at the ARC had been tense. The two of them had been doing everything possible to avoid being around each other, though they managed to act professional whenever they needed to work together.

Becker knew Abby, Connor, Matt, and Emily were trying hard to make sure it never looked like they were picking sides, and Becker was grateful for that. The four of them would make sure neither Jess nor Becker had lunch alone—even if they wanted too—and each day it was a different couple that turned up for the break. Becker suspected that they had a roster set up somewhere, detailing who would have lunch with whom and when.

But despite the effort his friends put in to making him feel cared about Becker still felt empty. He missed Jess terribly, but he knew he had made the right decision. He couldn't be with someone he cared about that much, it would only end in heart ache for one of them. Besides it was never a good idea to date a co-worker, something that the past weeks had reminded him of.

Needing to get out of his head, Becker went to the ARC's gym to workout, something that always managed to relax him.

###

Becker had been working out for half an hour when Connor and Matt came looking for him.

"What a surprise, Action Man's in the gym… again."

Putting the barbell down, Becker sat up and wiped the sweat off his face.

"Guys I really don't feel up to the team night out tonight."

"That's good, because it's been cancelled for this week. Connor and I wanted to know if you wanna go for a drink with us. The girls are taking Jess out and there's no reason we should stay home."

"I don't know."

"Come on man, you and Jess have both been far too depressed lately."

Becker winced at Connor's mention of how upset Jess has been.

"Seriously, I'm starting to worry about the girl." Connor continued, unaware of the effect his words had on Becker. "She's been so upset it's starting to make her physically sick, I can't remember the last time a day went by without her throwing up. I really hope Abby and Emily convince her to go see a doctor."

Learning that Jess was in such a bad way made Becker feel ten times worse, and it didn't help that he knew he was the cause of her turmoil. He wanted to go out even less now, but had a feeling Matt and Connor wouldn't let the topic drop until he agreed to go.

"Fine I'll go." Becker said, cutting off whatever Connor was saying.

They went to the pub the team goes to every Friday. The place was packed, like it was every week, and the line for drinks was growing larger by the second. Becker, Connor, and Matt, pushed their way through the crowded pub, looking for a table. They found one on the outskirts of the room, and it was as they sat down that Becker recognised the voice singing from the other end of the room.

Looking across the space Becker saw Jess on stage singing, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

You seem so far away though you are standing near

You made me feel alive, but something died I fear

I really tried to make it out

I wish I understood

What happened to our love, it used to be so good

Becker was mesmerised; it felt like it had been an eternity since he had seen Jess, let alone heard her voice. He couldn't move or look away, he could barely breath, the only thing he could do was listen as her voice washed over him.

So when your near me, darling can't you hear me

S. O. S

The love you gave me, nothing else can save me

S. O. S

When you're gone

How can I even try to go on?

When you're gone

Though I try, how can I carry on?

As the lyrics of the song registered with Becker, he came out of his daze. Needing to get out of there, Becker gets up and pushed his way back through the crowed and out the front entrance. Connor and Matt following him out of the pub.

"Becker, where are you going?" Matt asked. But Becker ignored the question and turned on Connor instead.

"What was that?" he demanded.

"What was what?"

"Did you know Jess was going to be here?"

"What! Of course not, I thought Abby and Emily were taking her to a movie. Why would I bring you here if I knew they would be here too?"

"Well you've always said she's like a sister to you. If someone put my sister through this, I'd want to get back at them."

"Do you really think I would do that to you? Yeah Jess is like a sister to me, but you're one of my closest friends."

"Okay, I think we all need a drink." Matt said cutting in. "There's a pub about a block from here."

Becker ran a hand through his hair.

"Yeah, okay." Becker felt like after the couple of weeks he'd had—plus the turn this day had taken—he could really use a drink.

They went to another bar and after a few drinks Becker found himself opening up to his friends.

"I didn't mean to hurt her, you know." He said quietly.

"We know that mate," Matt said, clapping Becker on the back. "We also know she's not the only one struggling with the break up."

Becker sighed. "You probably think I've made the biggest mistake of my life."

"Yeah, pretty much. I mean, I doubt you'd ever find another woman that'll love you as much as Jess does."

They turned to glare at Connor. Did he think he was helping? Deep down Becker knew Connor was right, he doubted he'd ever find the type of relationship he and Jess had had ever again, but that was the point. He couldn't be in a relationship with the job he did; it would just end in heartache for one of the people involved.

"Relationships and this job don't mix, it'll just end badly."

"Hate to break it to you mate, but it already has."

"Plus that's a lame excuse and you know it," Connor added. "But you clearly have some stuff to work through; I just hope you don't take too long."

Becker didn't know what Connor meant; he knew the reason why he ended things with Jess and didn't think he had anything to work out.

Well, except for a way to get rid of the black cloud hanging over my head.