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: Becker is desperate to get Jess back, he'd do anything just to get her to talk to him. Including going along with Connor's plan.

Chapter Length: 2425

Author's Note: The version of the song Lay All Your Love On Me, that I was in this chapter isn't the original, but the one from Mamma Mia! (the soundtrack version, not the one in the movie, the movie one doesn't have the final verse). Just in case you want to listen to it, every time I do it makes me think of our favourite couple. Only two chapters to go! They'll be up tomorrow. Enjoy X

Open Mic Nights

Chapter 27 – Lay All Your Love On Me

It was incredible how many people from the ARC had come out tonight. Normally when they went out on a Friday night it was just the core team, not because they didn't invite anyone else, that was just how it turned out. But Abby and Connor had spread around that the team was going for drinks as a goodbye for Jess, and now the pub was filled mostly with ARC personal. Jess was touched that so many of her co-workers had come to say their farewells.

Currently, Jess was sitting in a booth with Abby and Emily; trying not to think about how this was probably the last time she would get to do this with them.

"So Jess, what are you planning to do now that you are leaving the ARC?" Emily asked her.

"I've got a friend from uni that's going to help me find another job. Once that's done and I've settled into the new job I'll look at finding a new place to live."

"You are going to move house as well?"

"Yeah. I want a fresh start and there are just too many memories in that place."

"I really wish you were not leaving."

Jess sighed. "If I'm being honest, I don't really want to go. I love working at the ARC and I'm going to miss all of you so much. Maybe if things with Becker had worked out it would be different, but as it is…I just feel like I have to go."

"Do you mean if you guys got back together?" Abby asked, after her conversation with Becker she wanted to see how Jess felt, that way she may be able to save him some embarrassment.

Jess sighed again. "I don't even know what I mean."

"Well, how do you wish things turned out?"

"Do you wish you had never broken up and could get back together?"

"Or do you just wish he was there to help you though the next 7 and a half months?"

"Do you want him to just be a part of the baby's life?"

"Or a part of yours as well?"

"Do you still love him?"

"Or are your feelings more platonic now?"

Jess' head reeled as Abby and Emily went back and forth, firing questions at her, trying to decipher what Jess felt.

"Enough." Jess said, putting an end to the countless questions. "I don't know how I wish this turned out. I mean, do I wish I had help though this? Yes, the thought of doing it alone still terrifies me. Do I want him to be a part of the baby's life? Yes, the kid deserves to know their father. Does that mean I want him to be a part of my life? Well, if he's part of one of our lives he's going to be a part of the other's life as well. Do I wish we were still together? I've wished that every day since we broke up. Are my feelings platonic? Not even close, I love him so much it hurts, it physically hurts, every time I see him. Would I take him back? In a heartbeat."

Abby and Emily smiled at her and Jess realised that she had just admitted to them things she had barely admitted to herself.

"Does that mean I'm a push-over?" Jess asked.

"What? Taking him back?" Abby asked.

Jess nodded.

"I do not think so. I think it means you are willing to give someone you care about another chance, just like you would any of us, if we had a falling out and stopped talking." Emily said.

"If he did it more than once and you kept taking him back, then, yeah, I'd be worried."

"Well it doesn't matter anyway, he's moved on. Besides, it's not just about me now, and I can't have him go running every time he gets scared. It's not fair on me or the baby."

"I'll be back in a moment." Abby said leaving the table, still grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

Jess couldn't believe what had just come out of her mouth. Though with her tendency for babbling, she really shouldn't be surprised. What was surprising was that she had meant every word she said. She did still love Becker and wanted to get back together with him.

But he's moved on. He's seeing that other woman now and there's no point in pining after him. It's never going to happen, and that's probably for the best.

Moments later Abby returned and told them they had to go stand up the front, by the stage. When Jess asked why, all she would say was that she didn't want to miss the next person singing.

Oh God, I hope this doesn't mean Connor's decided sing.

Jess shuddered at the thought, having heard him sing in the shower—loudly and off key—when the three of them had lived together.

They made it to the stage just as the emcee was getting ready to introduce the next person.

"Next up we've got a newbie to open mic night, so let's be gentle. They'd like to dedicate this song to their lost love, and asks that if you're willing to talk everything out, you join them on stage and sing the second half of the duet. And girl you better not leave him hanging after he put himself out there like this, cause that's just cold. Okay, put your hands together for Becker."

Jess felt shock course through her.

Surely he can't mean…

Her shock doubled as she saw Becker—her Becker—walk onto the stage. Then, just as she thought she couldn't possibly be any more surprised, he began to sing and her jaw dropped.

I wasn't jealous before we met.

Now every man that I see is a potential threat.

And I'm possessive, it isn't nice.

You've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice.

But now it isn't true,

Now everything is you.

And all I've learned,

Has over turned.

I beg of you…

Jess didn't know what to think. Was she the lost love that was meant to join him for the duet? Or had he done something to drive off his new girlfriend?

If it was her that he meant, should she go up there? On the one hand, it's Becker, the man she's loved deeply for longer than she's ever loved anyone before, and she could think of nothing better than getting back together with him. But on the other, she doesn't want to go through the pain of being left by someone she loves so much again, plus she had her baby to consider now.

Abby and Emily turned to her.

"Well?" Abby asked. "What are you going to do?"

"Yes, are you going to join him?"

"I don't know what I should do. Would getting back together be the right thing to do? What if he doesn't want the baby?"

"Jess, no one is saying anything about resuming a relationship. He just wants to know if you would be willing to talk with him." Emily pointed out. "And having a conversation would be a good thing, would it not? It is what you had wanted, maybe once you have talked you will decide that you do not have to leave. Just talk with him and find out where you both stand, once that is done, think about the type of relationship you would both like."

"We don't even know if it's me he meant."

"Of course it's you! Believe me Jess, Connor and I had a long conversation with him. It's you."

"What about that other woman."

"Oh Jess, that was just a huge misunderstanding. But we don't have time to go into that now, you need to get up there, your part is about to begin."

Before she could protest, Abby was pushing her forward and up the stairs, onto the stage. Then she was being handed a microphone and before she knew it, Jess was singing the next verse.

It was like shooting a sitting duck.

A little small talk, a smile and baby I was stuck.

I still don't know what you've done with me.

A grown up woman should never fall so easily.

I feel a kind of fear.

When I don't have near.

Unsatisfied, I skip my pride,

I beg you dear…

Becker sang the chorus and Jess tried to get her wits back. She had never felt so dazed while on stage. Though she had never had someone use a song to try and win her back, so she supposed this was new territory all around.

J: I've had a few little love affairs.

They didn't last very long,

And they've been pretty scarce.

B: I used to think that was sensible.

It makes the truth even more,

Incomprehensible.

J&B: 'Cause everything is new.

And everything is you.

And all I've learned,

Has overturned.

What can I do…

The song went on, repeating the chorus three time before coming to an end. When they finished singing, Jess found herself standing face to face with Becker, staring up in to the brown eyes she loved so much. They stayed that way, staring into each other's eyes while the audience applauded.

The emcee came back on stage, breaking the spell that had come over them.

"Well who'd have thought the lost love would be our favourite open mic night singer, Miss Jessica Parker. Give them another round of applause. Hope you work it out guys." He said as Jess and Becker left the stage.

Once they were back in the main area of the pub Becker pulled Jess aside so they could talk. Though at first all they did was stand in silence.

"I didn't know you could sing." Jess said when the silence became too great.

"Ah, yes," Becker said as he ran his hand over the back of his neck. "Well, it's not something I generally like to do, but I needed to find a way to show you how I feel and that I really would like the chance to talk everything out with you."

"So, that wasn't some random song choice because you know I like ABBA? That song actually meant something to you?"

"It did."

Silence fell over them again, and this time it was Becker who broke it.

"Jess, I know I told you we couldn't be together because I couldn't have anything in my life that would distract me from my job, but I think we both know that's not true. The truth is, when you got injured out in the field, I thought I was going to lose you; and that terrified me. Then it turned out you would be fine, but the fear I was feeling stayed. I've gone through the pain of losing people so many times, and I knew, if I lost you, it would be so much worse. I thought if I put some distance between us it would make it easier, but all I did was cause both of us unnecessary pain, and I am so sorry for that. Could you ever forgive me?"

"You hurt me Becker. I thought you were someone I could trust, someone I loved who loved me back…"

"I do love you, Jess. So much so that I can't sleep at night because all I can think about is how incredibly stupid I was to breakup with you. That was the biggest mistake I have ever made, or will ever make."

"What about that other woman?"

"That meant nothing to me, I swear. Brittney came to my office with papers for me to sign and then she wouldn't leave. So I told her I hand a training session, in an attempt to get away from her, and as I went to leave she kissed me. I swear that's what happened, you can check the security footage if you like."

"That's not necessary. I know you well Becker and I can tell when you're lying. I believe you when you say that's what happened; and yes, I can forgive you. I know what you've been through and I can see how me getting injured would have brought all that pain back."

"Would you be willing to give me another chance?" Though he was smiling at the news that she forgave him, Becker's voice was timid as he spoke.

Jess really wanted to tell him yes, that she would give him another chance, and have him pull her into his arms. But she knew that before any of that could happen there was more they needed to talk about. He needed to know about the baby, and she need to know how he felt about it before they could have any chance at making a relationship work.

"I still love you, I really do. But I think there's still more we need to talk about and I don't want to get either of our hopes up. How about I come over to your place tomorrow and we can continue this then?"

"Okay," Becker agreed, though Jess could tell he did so reluctantly. "But promise me one thing; promise me that you won't leave the ARC. Don't leave a job you love and the friends who care about you just because I screwed up."

"I want to stay, I do. But it's too late, I've already given my resignation to Lester."

"I may be able to help with that," Connor said, coming up to them. "I wasn't eavesdropping, I swear. I just happened to hear that last part."

"What do you mean?" Jess asked. "About being able to help?"

"Well, I may have asked Lester to hang off on processing your request to leave the ARC."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because I promised I could change your mind by the end of the day Monday. That and it saves him from doing paperwork."

Jess couldn't believe Conner had done that. She felt like she should be mad at him for interfering, but she was too happy at having an opportunity to stay.

Maybe if all goes well with Becker tomorrow, I can stay and we can raise this little guy together.

The thought of the three of them getting to be a family made her smile, and she found herself agreeing to Becker's stipulation.

###

That night as Jess lay in bed it dawned on her that after tomorrow Becker would know he was going to be a father, and her life could very well change again.