knitekat | Primeval fic: Endings and Beginnings (1b/6)

Title: Endings and Beginnings (1b/6)

Author: knitekat

Word Count: ~6020 in this part (~21500 in total).

Characters: Claudia Brown, Nick Cutter, Mr Harrison (OC), James Lester, Abby Maitland, David 'Ditzy'Owen (OC), Rex, Connor Temple.

Pairings: James Lester/Abby Maitland, James Lester/David 'Ditzy' Owen, Claudia Brown/Nick Cutter (implied), Tom Ryan/Connor Temple (implied)

Rating: 18

Disclaimer: Not mine, no money and will replace. Ditzy belongs to the wonderful Fredbasset.

Warning (for all parts): Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Het, Slash.

A/N: Thanks to the wonderful Fred for the beta.

A/N2: Split into two as LJ says the post is too large. Part 1a Part 2

Early the next morning Lester was woken up by his usual annoyingly painful headache. After a moment, chirps penetrated his consciousness. He paused, chirps were new. He slowly opened his eyes to see Rex staring back at him. Why is Rex looking at me? He blinked slowly as he tried to make sense of the previous night.

Abby wrapped her arms around Lester as she nuzzled against his neck and kissed his jaw. Her voice was sleepy as she said, “Don't think too hard about it.”

Lester expertly masked his pain as he rolled over and smiled at Abby before he dropped a kiss on to her nose. “If you say so...”

Abby grinned mischievously. “We could always talk about you doing it with Ditzy, if you prefer.”

Lester rolled his eyes. “What is it with you trying to set me up with a bloke?”

Fully awake now, Abby carefully considered her new lover. “You've been with men...?”

“One night in bed and you want to know my sexual history?” He sighed when he saw her expression. “Yes.”

Abby leant on her elbow and said, with disappointment colouring her voice, “Oh ... you're gay. I'm sorry, last night, I shouldn't of ... you weren't yourself.”

Lester kissed her again. “It's OK, Abby, I like both men and women.”

“Useful. So, do you like Ditzy?”

Lester laughed. “You really do want to set me up with a bloke? I'm not sure if I should be annoyed or pleased.”

Abby grinned. “You should laugh more.” She kissed him. “I just think it would be hot watching you with another man. And with me, of course.”

“Of course.” Lester grinned back. “Kinky aren't you? You don't even know if Ditzy goes with men.” He raised an eyebrow. “Or do you?”

“I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”

Lester blinked in shock before a slow smile appeared on his face. “He does?”

Abby raised an eyebrow, “Can I assume you like him too?” She tapped her lip, “Interesting.”

“It is? I thought you wanted me for yourself?”

“I do, but I find the thought of you and Ditzy together rather... hot. Just thinking about it...”

“You really are kinky, I never would have guessed.”

As Abby swatted him, her gaze fell on the bedside clock and she raised an eyebrow. “Do you normally wake up at 5 am?”

Lester sighed. “I have been recently. It's just a bit of insomnia. Why don't you go back to sleep until the alarm?”

Abby considered him thoughtfully. “What about you?”

“I usually need to get up and potter about for a while.” He smiled softly, “I have been cleaning but...”

“Oh, house-trained? It'll make a change from Connor. Poor Ryan, I feel for him having to deal with that mess.”

“Do you miss him?”

“No...” Abby sighed, “Yes. But he's happy with Ryan.” Her fingers trailed down Lester's chest. “And I've got you here.”

Lester chuckled before pressing a kiss lightly against her lips. “Try and get some sleep. I'll try not wake you when I come back up.”

*****

Lester sighed softly as he leaned over the sink in Abby's kitchen, swallowing as his stomach churned alarmingly. The tablets he had taken didn't seem to be working, but then again, they never seemed to, not recently. A cold shiver ran down his back as his thoughts turned maudlin. What if this is something more serious? He shook his head and swallowed hard as his nausea grew, No, its just old age and lack of sleep.

*****

Abby woke with a start and glanced around the room as she tried to figure out what had woken her. Her eyes fell on the clock and she swore, it was 6 am and she was alone. “If you've fallen asleep on the settee, James...”

She smiled as she entered the lounge and saw that Lester was indeed asleep on the settee. Completely naked. It was a very nice view. Abby shook his shoulder, “James. I'm sure my bed is more comfortable.” She shook him harder when he didn't respond. “James?”

Lester blinked and looked up at her worried face. “Hmmm?”

“Are you feeling OK? You didn't answer me when I called you.”

“What?” Lester's eyes fell on the clock, “Um. Yes. Fine. I must have dozed off.”

Abby didn't look convinced as she followed Lester back to the bedroom. With some of her attention on her lover's arse, she noticed his collision with the door frame and his near stumble as he recovered. “I just need to get a glass of water, James.”

****

Lester sighed softly as he flopped back on the bed. Well, this is a turn up for the books, old man. A young slip of a girl interested in me? And, apparently, a rather hot man as well. I'm a lucky bugger.

*****

Taking a deep breath as she dialled the number, Abby waited impatiently for it to be picked up.

Ditzy's tired and irritable voice sounded over the line. “Finn, if you've...”

Abby cut him off, her voice quavering slightly, “Ditzy, it's me.”

“Miss Maitland? Is there a problem?”

“I'm worried about James. I can't put my finger on it, but I just know something's wrong.”

There was a pause on Ditzy's end of the line, then, “I'll be over in half an hour, Miss.”

“Thanks, Ditzy. I... thank you.”

*****

Abby wasn't sure whether she could wait downstairs for Ditzy to arrive. Should she really leave James alone? Sighing, she put the door on the latch and went back upstairs and stopped in the doorway of her bedroom. Lester had his arms wrapped around his stomach and was looked very pale and sweaty.

“James?”

“Feel sick.”

“Hold on.” Abby grabbed the bowl she had put out the previous evening and positioned it beside Lester. Her fingers gentle as she caressed his face. “I've called Ditzy.”

“I'm fine.”

“Yes, James. You're gone white and are sweating, not to mention feeling sick.” Abby ran a hand through his hair as she held him against her. “Just rest.”

*****

Abby gently stroked Lester's hair as he lay curled up in her bed. She glanced up at the clock wondering were Ditzy was and sighed as she realised it had only been fifteen minutes since she had phoned him. Returning her attention to Lester, Abby jumped as she heard her front door open.

“Miss Maitland?”

“Up here, Ditzy.”

Ditzy paused in mid-knock on the bedroom door as his eyes travelled over Lester's body. He licked his lips before blushing as he met Abby's grin as she said, “Like what you see, Lieutenant?

“Um.” Ditzy shook himself, he wasn't here to ogle Lester, no matter how much he wanted to take his time just looking at him. “Can you tell me what happened, ma'am?”

Ditzy's question wiped the smile from Abby's face and her voice wavered, “James woke up earlier with insomnia and got up for a while. I must have drifted off but when I woke up he wasn't back. I found him asleep on the settee but he didn't respond at first when I tried to wake him.” She took a deep breath, “When we came up here, he walked into the door frame and then stumbled. That's when I called you. I came back to find him pale, sweating and feeling sick. What's wrong with him?”

Ditzy nodded as his expression grew thoughtful, “Did anything else happen?”

Abby shook her head, “No, I think that's everything.”

Ditzy nodded again as he gently shook Lester's shoulder. “Sir James?” When Lester just moaned and shifted position on the bed, pulling the covers down to expose the top of his arse, Ditzy had to bite his own lip as he tried to will his erection away.

Abby snorted softly. “I can see that you like what you see.”

Ditzy began to blush as he muttered. “Um.”

Abby grinned at him. “Well, James likes you.”

Before Ditzy could think of an answer, a muffled mumble from the bed got their attention as Lester woke up. Lester frowned as he looked at the time; he didn't remember going back to bed.

Abby stroked a gentle hand through Lester's hair. “Morning, James. How are you feeling?”

Lester blinked at the concerned face of Abby and then noticed Ditzy loitering in the doorway, “Fine. What happened? Why is ...” He paused, a look of concentration on his face, before he pointed at Ditzy. “He here?”

“Abby found you unresponsive downstairs and then feeling ill in bed, sir. I'd like to give you a quick examination, if you don't mind.”

“You would?”

“Yes. Abby's been worried about you, sir.”

Lester glanced over at Abby and realised just how worried she looked. “Fine. If it will make ... her ... stop worrying about me.”

“Thank you, James.”

Ditzy crouched next to Lester to check his eyes. “Hmm. Have you hit your head, sir?”

“What? No.” Lester paused for a moment, “I don't think so, why?”

“Your pupils are different sizes, sir. I think you might have a concussion. I'd like to book you in for a medical exam. Just as a precaution, sir.”

Lester looked from one set of worried eyes to the other and sighed. “OK, fine. But I want a ...” Lester paused again as he concentrated hard. “What's it called? You know, you stand in it under the water spray to wash yourself?” He looked at both his companions who looked slightly blank at him, before he finished his sentence. “I want a thingy first.”

Ditzy nodded. “One of us has to be with you, sir. In case you have another episode.”

Abby smothered a grin as she spoke. “Ditzy, can you do that? I wouldn't know what to do.”

Ditzy shot her a startled look. “OK, sir. Let's get you showered.”

*****

Ditzy stood with his back to Lester and did his best to think of anything but the sounds of Lester in the shower. Unfortunately, his mind was conjuring up some very nice images and Ditzy's cock was showing a definite liking for those images.

Lester's cry of “Fuck!” had Ditzy spinning around just in time to stop Lester overbalancing. Holding a soaking wet and naked Lester in his arms wasn't helping Ditzy's composure one bit.

“OK, sir?” Ditzy didn't release his hold even though Lester nodded.

“I don't need your help.”

Ditzy reluctantly let Lester go, but watched him like a hawk in case there were any other problems.

Lester finished and raised an eyebrow as he noticed Ditzy's obvious interest. “So, you do like me.”

“Um.”

Lester moved into Ditzy's personal space and pressed a kiss against his lips.

Ditzy kissed back for a moment before he grasped Lester's shoulders. “No, sir. We shouldn't.”

Lester pouted and, as he started to dry himself, Ditzy could have sworn that the man was sulking.

****

Although the drive to the hospital had seemed to be never ending at the time, they had arrived all too soon for Lester. His fears had gnawed at him now that both ... bloody hell, he knew their names, he knew he did. Why couldn't he think of them? He could almost see them, dancing just out of his reach and flowing like mist through his fingers as he tried to grasp them. Lester could feel himself becoming frustrated by his lack of success and winced as his headache grew. He rubbed his forehead as he mentally sighed. Fine, he'd no doubt remember them latter and he had other things to worry about. At least ... great, the name still eluded him, um ... at least he who had been driving, knew the people here and Lester found himself rushed through the preliminary tests. He supposed that was a good thing, although he couldn't help the feeling that it wasn't.

*****

Lester scowled as he pulled the hospital gown tightly closed, his fist bunching the material behind him to prevent it gaping. Why hadn't someone designed a more concealing one? He didn't like walking around wearing it, he might end up flashing the wrong person. Knowing my luck, it would be ... my memory really is rubbish today, yet another sign that I'm getting old. Right, think. Come on, think. He's annoying, he always argues with me even when he knows he is wrong ... come on, what's his name? Screw it, him. Now if it was ... fuck, what if this memory loss isn't old age? What if it's something more serious? Why else would I forget the names of those two I want to be with? She with the fierce heart of a protector, and he of the cold hands and warm heart? Now I won't mind flashing those two.

A soft snicker had Lester look up into the laughing eyes of his fierce protector. “I'm glad you find it amusing,” he groused.

“Sorry. How did the tests go? What happens next?”

Lester sighed. “They're setting up a scan.”

“What? Why?” Abby asked in alarm.

Lester gave her a small tight smile as he squeezed her hand. “Apparently some of my results are suspect. I'm sure it's nothing.” Once again Lester concentrated with a frown on his face, “Um ... you.” He waved a hand at Abby, before sighing in frustration, “Your name ... I know it ...” He sighed as he settled for his first choice, “You, my fierce protector, please don't worry about me. Everything will be fine.”

Abby raised an eyebrow at Lester's words and she looked so worried that Lester pulled her against him, pressing a gentle kiss against her hair.

Ditzy knocked on the open door to announce his presence before he joined the hug. His eyes were worried as he met Lester's equally concerned gaze.

****

Abby and Ditzy sat waiting for the scans to finish. Time seemed to be dragging as Abby kept looking repeatedly at her watch while Ditzy paced restlessly.

When Ditzy sighed softly, Abby looked up at him and grinned. “So, how long have you fancied Lester?”

“What?”

“He's attracted to both of us.” Abby smirked at Ditzy's caught-in-the-headlights expression.

“So that what he meant in the shower. That I did like him.”

Abby nodded. “It makes sense if we can get along, Ditzy.”

Ditzy shook his head and chuckled. “I wonder what Sir James would think of us planning his love life.”

Abby grinned. “Willing to share him, Dit... David?”

Ditzy paused in thought for a moment. “You are assuming he'd want to share. I know we've kissed, but ...” He shook his head. “I don't think we can take what happened to mean he wants to share. It probably meant nothing.”

Abby looked up sharply at him. “You think James would play ...” She stopped and looked worried. “You think it was something to do with his headaches and everything.”

Ditzy nodded. “We can't rule that out, ma'am.”

Abby grinned. “James didn't say no when I asked him earlier.”

“When you ...” Ditzy spluttered to a halt. “You asked him about me?”

“It came up in conversation.”

Ditzy grinned at her. “Bloody hell. If I wasn't gay I'd kiss you.”

Abby smiled. “You can anyway, David. Do you want to try it? The three of us? Together.”

Ditzy nodded. “If you do. If Sir... if James does.”

“Deal.”

Ditzy glanced at the clock and then at the door before glancing at his own watch.

“This is taking too long, isn't it?”

Ditzy heard the quaver in Abby's voice and sighed softly as he nodded. “I'll see what I can find out.”

The door of the waiting room swung open before Ditzy could move and two sets of eyes looked up expecting to see Lester. Instead, it was Mr Harrison, Lester's consultant. His serious expression wiped the grins from both Abby's and Ditzy's faces.

“Where's James?” Abby asked, sounding scared.

Mr Harrison gave them both a reassuring smile, one that made Ditzy feel just as scared as Abby had sounded. “I'm afraid Sir James collapsed and began to seize after his scan.”

“What? Is he OK?” Abby began to shake and welcomed the comforting arms of Ditzy as the soldier held her close.

“How is Sir James?” Ditzy repeated the question.

Mr Harrison ran a hand through his hair. “I'm afraid we don't know yet. As he was continuously convulsing before becoming unconscious, we decided it was best to perform emergency surgery immediately. I will keep you informed once I know more.”

Abby let out a sob and turned to bury her head against Ditzy. Her voice muffled, “I've ... we've only just got James. We can't lose him. Not now.”

Ditzy began to rock Abby gently. “We won't.” Although he didn't, he couldn't, feel as sure of that as he wanted Abby to believe.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

canadian-jay.livejournal.com

Ooooooh! Wow, uhm. Wow. This is. Ugh. So tense! And very wonderfully written. And the Abby/Lester and Ditzy/Lester stuff was wonderful and OMG MOAR SOON? *wibbles*

From:

Primeval fic: Endings and Beginnings (1b/6)

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