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knitekatTitle: A Christmas To Remember
Author: knitekat
Word Count: 8,308
Characters: James Lester, Tom Ryan and an assortment of OCs, plus a guest appearance by Danny Quinn and Ditzy (OC).
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Secret Santa for Eriah211. For her pairing of Lester/Ryan and the prompts: 1) A collection of vintage cars; 2) “It has been said that civilisation is twenty-four hours and two meals away from barbarism.”; 3) “Is that blood yours?” “Might be.” 4) Slippery stones on a rainy night. Some are more miss than hit. Hope you liked it.
A/N 2: Thanks go to Fred for the beta, all remaining mistakes are mine.
Ryan paused on the steps outside J… Lester’s office and took a deep breath. Taking the time to just look at him and the changes their time apart what caused. He felt.. not fear. Trepidation was closer. Trepidation over what he would say and what Lester would say. Still Ryan was not a coward and he knocked firmly on the door.
“Come in.”
Ryan entered to find Lester still bowed over his paperwork, clearly busy and he wondered if now might not be the best time. Except Ryan was here now and… he was not a coward.
“Captain Ryan, sir. Reporting as ordered.”
Ryan watched as Lester’s back tensed before the Director took a deep breath and clearly gathered his facade about himself, as if it was armour to protect him, his heart from Ryan. And Ryan could not, would not fault him for that. He could only hope…
After what seemed like hours, Lester raised his head and met Ryan’s gaze, steeping his fingers as he seemed to be considering the soldier standing at attention before him. “You’re been away for a considerable length of time, Captain. Are you sure you are fully cleared for service?”
Ryan shifted nervously at Lester’s words, swallowing a suddenly dry mouth before he met Lester’s gaze. “Yes, sir. I believe the major emailed my clearance to Ms Wickes.” What he didn’t know was had Lester read it.
“I see.” Lester leaned back in his chair and contemplated Ryan, his eyes seeming to take in all the changes the long years had etched in the soldier, the same as Ryan had when he had paused before knocking. “And you think you can just return to this posting as if nothing has happened?”
Ryan felt those dismissive words strike his heart, piercing it deeply as his hopes bled out. “No, sir.” He looked down at the floor before he forced himself to meet Lester’s eyes once more. “I don’t expect I can.” His hopes might be torn in pieces and strewn across the floor of Lester’s office but he was still a soldier. Still an officer. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll see the major about being reassigned.”
As far away as he could manage. Maybe one day Ryan would forget what Lester had meant to him. Although he doubted it. Ryan’s shoulders slumped as he turned and began to walk away and he couldn’t force them to straighten.
“Stop!”
“Sir?” Ryan half turned back, hope flickering in his heart for a moment and eyes for a moment before it died.
“I’m sorry, too,” Lester began, his fingers playing with the documents on his desk. “I shouldn’t blame you for something you had no control over.” His gaze was fixed on the document before him. “I understand you tried to return multiple times...”
Ryan nodded, then realised Lester wouldn’t be able to see, so spoke. “Yes, sir. Once I had healed enough.” He shuddered as he remembered that time. Of waking beneath stone and dirt. Of staggering he knew not where and then… all he remembered was pain and no answers. Of not knowing why James and his own men had not visited. Of not knowing where he was. And then the questions had started. Over and over again and the… Ryan shook his head violently, he had no wish to remember those times.
“Ryan?”
Ryan could hear the concern in Lester’s voice, even if forgetting his title wasn’t enough of a clue that Lester was concerned about him. “I’m fine.”
“Really?” Lester didn’t sound convinced but he nodded. “What am I to do with you, Captain?”
Ryan wanted so much to go to Lester but it was his choice what happened next. “Do you want me to leave?” He cursed silently when he heard the hope in his voice that Lester wouldn’t send me away.
He could see the indecision in Lester and frowned. The James Lester he knew wouldn’t have let that show… but then, having your dead lover return would be a shock for anyone. Even James Lester. Ryan knew if Lester said yes that he would leave and never return, never face the heartbreak of bumping into Lester again and pretending the man meant nothing to him.
Lester look up and met Ryan gaze, the war within Lester as he wrestled with his own fears and demons clear on his face. He hoped Lester would let him stay, to have another chance. He remembered the first tentative steps they had begun to take before that disastrous trip to the Permian. He watched as Lester took a deep breath, held it before releasing it as if hoping it took all his pain and fear with it.
“No, I don’t, Ryan… Tom.” Lester’s voice broke and he swallowed hard.
Ryan almost sagged with relief at those words and took a step towards Lester, needing to offer him comfort.
He stopped when Lester shook his head and cleared his throat. “You’ve been back almost two months, Captain,” he said, his voice steadier. “It will take time for everyone to get used to you being back at the ARC.”
Ryan nodded, understanding Lester meant mostly himself getting used to Ryan being back. Still, he had to know if he had a chance with Lester. “At the ARC?” Ryan took a step closer, before cursing as Lester began to close down again. “Of course,” Ryan continued, hearing the bitterness in his own voice. “You’ve moved on.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “It was stupid of me to think otherwise.”
“No, Tom. I haven’t.” Lester spoke quickly, clearly not completely over whatever they had started, even if equally clearly uncertain if they should, or even if they could continue.
“But.. it’s been four years,” Ryan said, confusion clear in his voice.
“And longer for you?” Lester continued when Ryan nodded. “The first year was the worse and I,” he paused before seeming to force the bitter and self-loathing words out as he admitted to faults, one Ryan doubted he had voiced to anyone other than himself. “I took my eye off the ball. I didn’t notice the serpent in my own team until it was almost too late.”
“I heard.” Ryan voice was equally hard and cold. Anger and regret that he hadn’t been by Lester’s side, there to protect him, keen in his heart as his gaze flickered to Lester’s chest. To the scars Ryan knew Lester carried. Ones that Ryan hadn’t been able to prevent.
“I’ve healed,” Lester informed Ryan before pausing, clearly deciding what to say next or maybe how to say whatever he had to say. “Hart played the martyr after Helen bloody Cutter opened a rift between him and the Professor. Cutter was the first to him and declared him dead.” Lester shook his head and his hand clenched. “It turns out Cutter had no idea how to find a pulse.” He smiled, somewhat bitterly, at some memory. “Hadn’t. Ditzy had him practice for weeks until he could.”
“You hoped I was alive?” Ryan asked, hope edging into his voice once more.
“I did.”
Lester looked down at his desk and shuffled his paperwork as Ryan waited for his decision. He watched as Lester closed his eyes briefly before looking resigned and Ryan felt hope that they could have something wither and die once more. Maybe he should speak to the major after all. Being this close to Lester but always apart…
“I’d like to see if we can start again. If you want to?”
Ryan just stared at Lester for a long moment, hardly believing his own ears, until Lester began to crumple and Ryan realised he had remained silent too long. “That hope is what kept me fighting.”
Lester took a shakily breath before smiling, abeit somewhat wobbly. Ryan couldn’t say it surprised him when Lester said, “Slowly.” After all, too much time had past for them to just leap back together.
“As slow as you want.”
“Excellent.” Lester clapped his hands together. “Now, I believe you remember my address?”
“Lester?” Ryan blinked at Lester somewhat owlishly, feeling totally confused, hadn’t he just told been told they would be going slowly?
“Slowly doesn’t mean we can’t talk tonight.”
“Does that mean I get dinner too?” Ryan said, attempting to lift the solemn mood that had fallen over them.
“Yes, now some of us have work to do.”
Lester slowly woke and smiled at the pleasant memories of last night. Any thought of going slowly forgotten as they had talked and then kissed and…. he stretched, his arm falling across the bed and he found himself wide awake when it found only a cold sheet. Had it all been a dream? In truth, a nightmare to haunt his hours and tear his heart out to lie bloodied on the floor?
He peered around his bedroom, desperately searching for some sign it had been real. That Ryan had come back to him. But there was nothing to suggest it was anything but a horrible nightmare. He had to know, he had to find out. Lester rose, his feet slipping into slippers and his arms into his dressing gown, belting it against the chill as he padded through his apartment.
“I thought I was going to have to bring you your coffee.”
Lester stopped and span, hoping his mouth wasn’t gaping as he stared at Ryan. His shattered hopes rejoining, if somewhat jagged.
“James? Are you OK?” Ryan asked, stepping into Lester’s personal space as he reached out an arm towards him.
“I’m… I’m fine,” Lester lied, hoping his voice wasn’t shaking or, indeed, that he wasn’t shaking.
“You look like you’ve seen… Ah. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I… I should know. I do know but…” Lester shrugged helplessly, he was haunted by too many years and too many dreams before he woke to reality, to Ryan being back in his life.
“It took four long years for me to find my way back to you, James. You thought I was dead. It’s going to take time to get used to me being in your life again.”
Lester almost smiled at Ryan practicality, even as much as he wanted to deny everything Ryan said, something he knew he couldn’t do. It had hurt so much thinking Ryan had died in the Permian, even if it had only been for the first year of Ryan’s… absence. Lester took a deep breath, needing time to gather his facade about himself. “So… what’s for breakfast?”
Ryan shook his head, an amused smile playing about his lovely lips. “I made the coffee, you’re the cook.”
“Lazy arse,” Lester muttered before yelping as his own arse was swatted. “Do you want breakfast or not?”
“I’ll get the post”
Lester smiled as Ryan walked away before calling out, “What do you want?”
“Full English and then we can work the calories off.”
Lester raised an eyebrow. “We could have just stayed in bed.”
“I meant a run… but we can go back to bed as well.”
“How about instead of?” Lester asked, going for a run was not his idea of fun. Not when they could have more fun in bed together.
Ryan felt Lester entangling their legs together as they lay sated in bed. He felt gentle kisses placed against his hair as he luxuriated in Lester’s arms. He felt those arms hold him tight, as if to chase away those lonely months they had been apart.
“I’m here, James,” Ryan informed Lester as he turned in those arms and kissed Lester, all tongues and heat.
“I know.”
“James?” It was clear to Ryan that his… well, lover was definitely true… didn’t fully believe that. Not in his heart.
Before he could say another word, Ryan found himself being kissed in a very demanding way. It was clear Lester was not ready for that conversation. At least, not for that conversation right at this moment as he clearly sought to distract Ryan with every one of his considerable number of tricks. Finally they broke for air and Ryan smiled as he gazed into Lester’s eyes.
“Any plans for Christmas?”
“James?” It was clear that question had surprised Lester as much as it did Ryan.
“I…” Lester ran a hand through his hair.
Ryan caught that hand and kissed the palm, knowing it for the nervous gesture it was. “I’ve only been back two months, James. I don’t want to rush you.”
Lester just looked at Ryan and then at the bed, one eyebrow raised as if to remind Ryan what they had just indulged in. Ryan felt himself blush at some of those enjoyable things and then felt Lester kiss him again, seemingly not able to get enough of Ryan after four years apart. Lester finally pulled back, looked Ryan in the eyes and repeated, “Now what are your plans for Christmas?”
“I don’t really have any. It wasn’t Christmas when I… left and...” Ryan shrugged, Christmas had been the last thing on his mind once he had made it home. No, proving who he was and trying to get back to the ARC, back to Lester had been the most important thing.
“Five years is a long time,” Lester finished, looking uncertain for a moment before continuing, “I was planning on going to my place in the country... There is plenty of room for two.”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”
Ryan kissed Lester again, just because he could. Just to prove he was there, with Lester.
“Of course, Mrs Hawkins, I’ll phone when we arrive,” Lester smiled as he hung up. Mrs Hawkins was a godsend when he didn’t visit his house that often, cleaning it and making sure it was still inhabitable. He glanced at Ryan, frowning at the concern on his face. “Tom?”
“Are we driving or taking the train?”
“Public transport is diabolical where we’re going.”
“I don’t want you to drive all the way,” Ryan began, before he glanced out of the window. “If you don’t want me to take a turn with the Jag, can we take another car?”
“The Jaguar is the only one I have here.”
“Only one you have here?” Ryan repeated. “Just how many cars do you have?”
“A few,” Lester hedged. “And I do trust you to drive it.” He paused and glanced out of the window. “We will have to see what the weather is like though.” He might trust Ryan to drive, but he wasn’t going to take his pride-and-joy if the weather was even slightly bad. It had, after all, cost Lester a small fortune.
“It’s a lovely car,” Ryan murmured as he settled behind the wheel of Lester’s Jaguar, running a hand over the wood trim and leather seats, as Lester set the Satnav.
“My ex-wife thought it was a sign of a mid-life crisis.”
“It’s not red.” Ryan almost cursed when he blurted that.
“That’s what I told her. She didn’t appreciate the comment.” Lester shrugged. He shifted nervously on the leather seat before glancing at Ryan. “We’ve been divorced three years.”
“And separated for six or was it seven?” Ryan told Lester, reminding him that he did know that, even if the divorce had occurred when he had been… missing. “Ready? And don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”
Lester rolled his eyes before making himself comfortable. “I’ll do the jokes.” He paused before adding, “And she cost more than you earn in a year.”
“Probably more like two,” Ryan queried, wondering just how much Lester had paid for her and just how extra careful he would need to be.
“Probably,” Lester agreed as he watched intently as Ryan shifted gears and eased out of the parking spot. “You’ll do,” Lester muttered.
Ryan couldn’t help smile at that comment.
“Eyes on the road, please.”
“Yes, boss.”
The drive was pleasant and their conversation natural. A few breaks and swapping of drivers as they made excellent time on the quiet back roads Lester had programmed into the satnav. It was just getting dark and Ryan was looking forward to relaxing as Lester drove the final leg. Ryan was looking out for the stopping point when he glanced over and smiled at his peacefully sleeping lover. Although Ryan had agreed to take shifts driving, he found he couldn’t disturb Lester. He cancelled his indicator and continued to follow the satnav down increasingly windy roads through gently rolling hills.
Finally the satnav informed him to turn right into their destination and he turned into a gravel drive.
“You should have woken me,” Lester said, sounding more sleepily than annoyed.
“You looked too comfortable.” Ryan said before swearing as they rounded the bend in the drive. “This is your place in the country?” Ryan just stared at the golden-coloured large stone farmhouse. Lester’s comment that it was big enough for two had been more than a slight understatement when they would be room for the anomaly field team, soldiers included.
“Yes.” Lester smiled, clearly pleased by Ryan’s reaction. “Now park over there and we can get settled in. If I know Mrs Hawkins, the fire will be lit and a pot of stew will be simmering, ready for us.”
Ryan glanced in the direction Lester had pointed, his eyebrow raising at the matching stable block and barn. “Which one?”
“The stable block, I converted it to a garage.”
“Or several,” Ryan muttered.
Lester woke the next morning, once more alone in his bed. Before he could start to doubt his memory or cursing his dreams, he spotted the note in Ryan’s familiar hand. Not that he needed it to remind himself of Ryan’s terrible fondness for early morning runs.
He sighed, he had no wish to spend all day in bed, at least not alone, and reluctantly rose to complete his ablutions. He was just starting to prepare breakfast when he heard the front door. He called out, “I do hope you’re planning on having a shower.”
Ryan grinned as poked his head around the door. “And I thought you liked me all sweaty.”
“Not from a run.”
“You should join me,” Ryan suggested.
“On a run?”
“It’d be good for you,” Ryan continued, smiling at the displeased look Lester dispensed in his direction.
“Not my preferred exercise.”
“No, I know what that is,” Ryan said, amusement and innuendo clear in his voice.
“As if you don’t like it.”
“I never said that,” Ryan paused, raking his gaze up and down my body. “You could join me in the shower.”
“That is a better idea,” Lester said, glancing at the eggs he had just cracked before covering them for later.
“Oh. I met Mrs Hawkins,” Ryan said as he swiftly stripped.
“Did you?”
Ryan glanced over at Lester, smiling when he realised most of his lover’s attention was on his arse before he stepped under the shower.
“She said to remind you the Winter Fest had moved to this weekend…” Ryan wasn’t sure why Lester hadn’t mentioned it and cursed himself when Lester closed his eyes and groaned. “Don’t you want to go? She said George would be there…”
Ryan felt his heart miss a beat when a smile flickered across Lester’s features at that name. He had to wonder if this George had… scratched an itch when he had been away. “I’d understand,” Ryan began. “We had barely got together and I was away for four years.”
Lester frowned, opened his mouth before closing it and shaking his head. Ryan wondered if he had been about to ask if he had been with anyone before thinking better of the question. Lester bit his lip for a moment before turning to face Ryan, who braced himself for whatever Lester was about to tell him.
“I was tempted once or twice, Tom.” Before Ryan could say anything, Lester stepped closer, both men groaning when their cocks rubbed together. “And as for George, he’s married with kids.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow in pale imitation of his lover. That didn’t reassure him considering Lester had been married, abeit separated, with kids, when they had first become involved.
Lester clearly recalled the same as he added, “He is straight and is a trader. He is looking for car parts for me.”
Ryan frown and pushed Lester back a step. He noticed the concerned look on his lover’s face but had his own concerns which needed to be answered first. “For the Jag? She seemed fine to me.” He frowned. “Is she safe to drive?”
“I wouldn’t have driven her if she wasn’t, Tom.” Lester paused before adding when Ryan still looked worried. “No, it … er, it is for another car.”
“How many cars do you have?” Ryan asked.
“Can we have this conversation later?” Lester queried, grabbing him intimately.
“Later, definitely later.” Ryan ground against Lester.
Lester groaned before swiftly dropping to his knees. Ryan’s world narrowed to Lester looking up at him with desire-blown eyes before the man licked a stripe up Ryan’s cock.
Ryan groaned as he was engulfed by wet heat and worked expertly to the brink of orgasm over and over again, held on the edge for what felt like a lifetime. “Please, James. I’m so close.”
Ryan came back to find Lester looking like the cat which got the cream, even more so when he caught a trail of come with a finger before licking it clean.
“Turn around,” Lester ordered.
Ryan saw no reason to refuse, and was soon with his feet apart and his hands braced on the tiles.
“Eager, aren’t we,” Lester murmured before spreading Ryan’s arse, pausing long enough for Ryan to get twitchy and then swiping his tongue over and within Ryan’s entrance.
Ryan found himself expertly teased and that stubble was so, so interesting. “Please, James.” He gasped before he found his world narrowed to the fingers opening him and then that lovely cock sheathed within. Thrusting and… Ryan groaned as his prostate was speared with accuracy and soon he knew no more as Lester took him apart, a piece at a time.
Ryan shifted slightly as he sat eating breakfast, something that had Lester smiling in satisfaction of a job well done. When Ryan kept moving, Lester frowned, fearing he might have been somewhat over-zealous. “Are you OK?”
Ryan nodded before giving Lester a speculative look. “So… how many cars do you have?”
Lester inwardly cursed. It appeared the sex hadn’t been quite as mind-blowing as he could have hoped. Still he knew that look and, well, there wasn’t any reason not to answer now sex wasn’t imminent. “Apart from the Jaguar XK, I have a 1966 Series IIA Land Rover for bad weather.”
Ryan’s eyebrow rose, clearly he knew some of that vehicle’s history. “I’d like to see that.”
“Of course.”
“And?” Ryan pressed.
“And an Austin Martin DB4GT Zagato I’ve been restoring for the past three and a half years.”
“I’m pretty sure they make parts for those.”
“They only made nineteen, Tom,” Lester replied, before adding, “I’m trying to only use original parts, otherwise it would end up a reproduction.”
Ryan proved himself far to astute for Lester’s liking when he said, “It kept you busy.” When Lester nodded, he added, “And now?”
“You might be back, my dear boy,” Lester declared. “But I’m not one to compromise my standards.” Ryan’s sudden grin had him frowning. “Tom?”
“Cars? I just can’t imagine you as a petrol-head.”
“Vintage and classic car enthusiast, please, Tom.”
“Quinn would love it. After you bawled him out over his bike.”
“A bike is not a car,” Lester sniffed. “Besides, that thing he rides is a common, mass-produced urban street-fighter of a bike. Now, if he rode a Royal Enfield Bullet or Vincent Black Shadow…”
“You’re a snob.”
“The Jaguar wasn’t a clue?”
Ryan smiled before drawing Lester into a kiss. One that lasted some considerable time as they only emerged when their lungs rebelled. He continued to caress Lester’s face before asking, “So, what is this Winter Fest?”
Lester raised an eyebrow. “It’s a winter festival. Or was. It’s turned into a something of a competition over the past few years.”
“Willy-waving?” Ryan asked. “Between?”
“Two of the local bigwigs use it to one-up the other. Trying to put on a better show for the locals. Most people don’t mind until it gets a bit too blatant, then Mrs Hawkins steps in.”
“And no one crosses her?” Ryan looked thoughtful. “So, does that mean we’re going?”
“Yes.” As Lester had said, no one argued more than once with Mrs Hawkins.
“What can I look forward to? Or avoid?”
“It’s a cross between the winter festival and a car show.”
“So, they’re petrol-heads too?”
“Car enthusiasts, please.” Not that Lester thought Ryan would stop using that term. “At least at the festival.”
“They won’t like that term?”
“Not at all.”
“Sorry, James. I’ll stop using it.”
“Thank you.” Lester kissed him as a reward. “There will be collectors showing off their vehicles, part swaps and traders selling parts. There is usually a live band – often local – food stall, rides and games for all the family and usually someone puts on football, cricket or hockey. Then there are the nature trails, if the weather holds.”
“And this George is one of the traders?”
“He is.” When Ryan just nodded as if Lester had confirmed their relationship, Lester added, “And he isn’t why I didn’t want to go. It will be chaotic and noisy and then there is Bash himself.”
“Bash?”
“One of the… what did you call them? Willy-wavers? Sebastian Highmoor, one of the local squires. Or wannabes according to Mrs Hawkins.” Lester paused, considering his next words carefully before he decided it would be better for Ryan to know before they entered the Fest. “He’s got a display of animatronics dinosaurs this year. He emailed me and more-or-less demanded that I, as Director of the ARC, opened it. I, of course, declined.”
“That’s why you didn’t want to go.”
“It was but…” Lester paused, not wanting to admit he could face anything with Ryan by his side. It was far too sappy and he had to wonder what had got into him.
“But I’m here now.” Ryan’s eyes glittered with amusement, before he sobered. “And I’ll keep this Bash away if he tries to corner you on opening it.”
“Thank you, Tom,” Lester replied, wondering what he had done right to deserve Ryan in his life.
“Bloody hell,” Ryan said, earning himself a censoring glare from a woman with a pushchair.
“I told you it was excessive.”
“I don’t know,” Ryan said as he peered around and then at the list of events and their locations. “We can look at the cars and then wander about and see what else interests us.”
“Sounds sensible,” Lester agreed before linking arms with him. “However, firstly, Mrs Hawkins does an excellent tea and scones.”
Ryan soon decided his lover was probably correct, given the queue they joined. But he was pleasantly surprised when it moved quickly, although he spied a number of groups consuming tea and scones while sitting on benches and chairs outside the tent.
He cast a look around for an empty table while Lester ordered their snack.
“Over here!” A young woman called out, shifting her children up so Ryan could perch on the end of the bench. “You’re not from around here?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I haven’t seen you around in the village.”
“Ah.” Ryan smiled and shook his head. “No, I’m visiting with my…” He trailed off, he had no idea if Lester was out in the area.
“This is Tom Ryan, Susan,” Lester’s urbane tones cut in. “He’s my boyfriend. Tom, this is Susan Marshall, Bash’s long suffering PA.”
“Oh, James,” Susan cried as she leapt up to kiss Lester’s cheek. “I’m so happy for you. You’ve been miserable ever since that breakup four years ago.”
“Sh...sugar!” Ryan said, feeling himself pale.
“That was you?” Susan looked furious at Ryan and he found himself shrinking away from her. “James?”
“It was but Tom didn’t break up with me.” Ryan grasped his hand firmly when Lester paused and swallowed hard before he managed to continue, “He was listed as KIA.”
“KIA?” Susan said, her confusion slowly clearing. “Oh, James.” She swept Lester up in a hug, before Ryan found himself pulled into one.
Ryan slowly relaxed as Susan caught Lester up on the latest of village life, sipping his tea and munching on the scones. “These are excellent.”
“I did tell you.” Lester smiled before sitting up straighter when an older lady in a pressed apron bustled over.
“Any more, my lover?”
Ryan shook his head when Lester glanced at him. “Not at the moment, Mrs Hawkins.”
“I’ll drop some more scones off for thee later.”
“Thank you, Mrs Hawkins.”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs Hawkins. James wasn’t exaggerating when he said they were excellent.”
“Hark at ‘ee!”
Mrs Hawkins smiled at Ryan before she turned her attention back to Lester. He could almost see her looking deep into Lester’s eyes, for a moment Ryan thought into his lover’s very soul, before she gave a sharp, definite nod.
“Keep hold of this one, James, mind. Much better than your ex.” Mrs Hawkins turned back to Ryan. “Only met her once and her looked down her nose at everyone.” She turned back to Lester and added, “Definitely a keeper.”
Her words were firm, no nonsense and a clear instruction to Lester that he had better listen to her. Not that Ryan had any issue with that, he wasn’t going to leave Lester again.
Lester clearly agreed as he reached out for Ryan’s hand, lifted it to his lips for a kiss before saying, “I would have to agree, Mrs Hawkins.”
Lester found himself smiling and linked arms with Ryan as they walked into the car exhibition. Rank upon rank of gleaming engineering, all mother-henned by their adoring owners as they wiped off even the merest hint of a smudge, buffed panels or removed dust. He felt quite at home, but wasn’t sure if Ryan shared his enthusiasm. At least, not until he noticed Ryan’s eyes light up and he followed his gaze, smiling when he saw what had caught Ryan’s attention. “Like what you see?”
“That’s a FV107 Scimitar?” Ryan asked, before adding, “Becker would love to be here.”
Lester almost groaned at that thought. “Please don’t tell him, Quinn would be a nightmare, too.”
Ryan grinned. “If you make it worth my while.”
Lester glared at him before dragging Ryan in for a kiss, all heat and tongue. “Have a look at the Scimitar and I’ll see if I can find George.”
“I can look at her later.” Ryan informed Lester as he linked their arms. “Where you go, I go.”
“I do hope you like cars,” Lester murmured to Ryan as he walked amongst the various cars, stopping to chat to their owners and swap stories.
“James, shag!”
Lester felt Ryan tense at that call, before he led Ryan towards the man who had shouted out. Shorter than Lester, balding and bespectacled. “George. How are you, old man?”
George rolled his eyes before taking in Ryan’s somewhat proprietary grip on Lester’s arm. “Shag means friend here about, kiddie.” He turned to look at Lester, mischief on his face, as he said, “Ello me ‘ansome. T’is loverly to see you.”
“Drop the act, George, you married into the area, not born-and-bred.”
“Nope, that be thee.” George raised a hand at Lester’s glare. “Fine, OK. Sorry, mate,” He turned to Ryan. “I’m George Jenner, fellow car enthusiast. You and James should join us at the hog roast at four.”
“Us?” Lester asked. “Are Tammy and your kids here?”
“Enjoying the rest of the Fest. Deanna is keen on the dinosaurs.” George looked at both of them before dropping his voice to a confidential whisper. “When she hears you are here, she’ll want to know everything. You don’t do tours, do you?”
“No, George, we don’t.”
“Pity.” George shrugged good-naturedly. “Almost forgot. Those parts you wanted for your Zagato?”
“Did you find any?” Lester asked, wondering if that was why he had been called over.
“Not for a Zagato, I’m afraid,” George informed Lester apologetically. “But I did find some for a DB4GT, if you’d be interested?”
“Are they from the same year as my Zagato?” Lester asked, they might be acceptable, considering the Zagato was based on the DB4GT…
“Come and have a look,” George said, beckoning them forward.
Before Lester could examine whatever George had located, a scream shattered the air, bringing both men around at the sound of trouble.
“Stay here, sir,” Ryan informed Lester. “I’ll see what’s going on.”
“James!” George broke in. “Tammy and my kids are out there.”
“We will find them,” Lester replied, his tone firm and his gaze daring Ryan to challenge him.
Ryan backed down. “Stay with me.” He turned to George. “If you could start evacuating everyone, just in case.”
Lester wasn’t surprised when George looked Ryan in the eye and shook his head. “Abandon the cars? Never.”
“It might not be safe,” Ryan tried again, even though Lester knew it was pointless. George and the others would no more abandon their cars than he had abandoned his Jaguar to that Tree-creeper.
“Come on, Ryan,” Lester said as he watched George pull out a large wrench and hand it over to Ryan. Lester took a long screwdriver and noticed the other enthusiasts arm themselves with a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, mallets and in one case, a grease gun. “George, call this in for us.”
“On it.”
Ryan hefted the wrench. Not as good as a gun but it would definitely cause damage to whatever he hit with it. He glanced at Lester, his lover was clearly nervous but equally determined to accompany Ryan, no matter what Ryan thought about it. Damn, stubborn, pig-headed and Ryan loved him for it. “Stay close.”
“Always,” Lester breathed as he tried his own improvised weapon out.
Ryan closed his eyes for a moment as he tried to remember the layout of the place. “Lets see what we are dealing with.” He headed towards the screaming, soon encountering groups running towards them. He yelled at them to keep running before yanking one man to a halt. The man’s eyes darted about in fear.
“Let me go.”
“What’s out there? What scared you?” Ryan demanded in his most authoritative voice.
“I don’t know. We were looking at the dinosaurs when all hell broke lose. We thought it was just very realistic but then it leapt on someone and…” The man shivered before tearing free of Ryan’s grip and bolting away.
Before Ryan could stop him again, the man was grabbed by someone else and almost thrown into one of the many half-stone food-huts. “We’ll keep an eye on him,” a man wielding a length of broken post said. Ryan could see several of the other runners cowering behind the post-wielding man and his equally armed friend.
“Mark,” Lester said, nodding at the man who’d spoken.
“James,” Mark replied.
“Introductions later,” Ryan said before considering his new option, especially when rain began to fall and night began to fall early. He gripped his borrowed wrench tighter as the fading light made the situation even more dangerous. “James, please join Mark in the hut.”
“And leave you to have all the fun?” Lester said, his tone unarguable against the suggestion.
Ryan bit back his sigh and decided the sooner they dealt with this, the sooner he could get Lester somewhere safe. “Come on then.”
They entered the play area and Ryan shuddered to think of the carnage if the incursion, if it was one, had occurred there. He stopped to look around, noting the darker shadow anything could be hiding in before wishing he had brought a torch. He almost jumped out of his skin when a light began to play over the equipment, turning to see Lester had his phone out in flash-light mode. Ryan cursed for not thinking of that himself and turned his own mobile on. Breathing a sigh of relief when the shadows proved to be empty.
“This is taking too long,” Lester’s voice had Ryan spinning when he added, “We need to split up.”
“What?” Ryan just gaped at his lover.
“I know, never split the party.”
“What?” Ryan repeated, completely confused.
“Ask Temple.”
Ryan smirked, he had heard about Lester offering Connor the spare room when the lad had been made homeless. At least Ms Maitland had stopped blowing hot and cold with the lad. “I have no idea what you’re on about,” Ryan said as he decided asking Connor to explain that was probably not a good idea. “But I agree with him.”
“Hey, over here!”
That voice sounded full of bravado to Ryan and far too young to be out here alone with a dinosaur.
“Ten points to me,” a second voice cried out.
Ryan shook his head and headed off at a run towards those voices when a scream sounded. He slowed for an instant before giving into the inevitable – knowing that staying together might result in someone’s death.
“Go,” Ryan shouted at Lester. “And for fuck’s sake, be careful.”
“I love you too,” Lester replied as he broke off and raced away.
Ryan watched him for a heartbeat before another shout reminded him he was needed. He broke into a run again before slowing. He had lost them… did he dare call out? He cast about and tried to listen for any sound. “Damn it.” He snarled before shouting out, “Where are you?”
A chitter replied and Ryan gripped his wrench harder, swinging it as he moved the phone light about. There. A flash of reflected light. He barely had time to swing the wrench and felt it connect with a crunch. Whatever the creature was lay unmoving. All Ryan could tell was it was fairly small but had sharp teeth and claws. Great, a meatosaurus.
A second and third chirp had Ryan tense and then more chittering sounded. He had the horrible feeling he was surrounded. Not that he’d go down without a fight and swung as something darted towards him. The crack of bone as much as the impact telling Ryan he had caught whatever it was. He kicked it away, hoping fresh meat might distract the others, as he looked around briefly for somewhere to make his stand.
Something sailed through the air and clouted another of the dinosaurs on the snout, sending it staggering away. More objects flew through the air and Ryan grunted as one of them hit his shoulder.
“Sorry!” a young sounding voice called out. “Caroline has shit aim.”
“Fuck you, Toby, you hit him.”
“Did not.”
“Did so.”
“Oi!” Ryan’s yell echoed in the sudden silence. “Where are you?”
“Over here at Tin Can Alley. Although could you collect our balls, I think we’ve ran out.”
Ryan headed in that direction and closed his eyes. The stall was temporary, not even half-stone as the previous huts had been. “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere safer.”
“Yeah? Who are you?”
“Captain Tom Ryan.” Ryan paused for a moment before adding the magic words. “I work at the ARC.”
He was correct as two teenagers appeared from the stall, grins on their faces. “Cool!” the boy said as the girl rolled her eyes and collected the balls in a bag. “Toby, help me, you git.”
Lester was having serious second thoughts about splitting up, his hand on the screwdriver sweaty and it slipped in his hand. He wiped his hand on this trousers, wincing slightly at such a barbaric act. He shook his head, now was really not the time to worry about social niceties.
He crept through the gathering gloom, every sense alert and half expecting something to jump out at him. His mouth was dry and he was in desperate need of a pee. Maybe leaving Ryan hadn’t been his best idea… except he had heard that scream of pure terror. He might still be too late, but at least he would have tried.
Lester froze, cocking his head to one side. Had he heard something on the other side of the wall? He edged forward, every step placed precisely as he tried to remain as quiet at the proverbial church mouse. He trailed a hand down the solid, oh so solid, stone of the wall and slowly peered around it.
Fuck!
He could see a small group pressed back against another stone wall. Their backs protected but a flock of something Lester could only assume was predatory arrayed before them. A brief smile lit his face when several hockey sticks lashed out at the dinosaurs, who hopped back out of range.
Still, all the dinosaurs needed was one clear shot and Lester glanced around for something more substantial. He smiled again when he spotted one of the half-stone huts, hopefully where the group had been heading. If they could reach it, they would have a chance. They could wait out the dinosaurs until the ARC team arrive. If they could reach it and he knew the only way they might.
He wiped his sweaty hand on his trousers once more before hefting his screwdriver. What he wouldn’t give for a gun, or better still, a soldier to wield it. He shook his head, closed his eyes for a moment and tried to calm his thudding heart.
A cry had him moving around the wall, although still with his back to it. “When I attract their attention, run for the hut.”
“And what about you, James?”
Lester smiled as he recognised that voice. “I’ll be joining you, Tammy. Now, when I say run, run.”
“OK,” Tammy didn’t sound happy. “OK, kids, when James says run, I want us all to run into that hut. Now, everyone remember to deke and dangle, Oh, Laura and Deanna, slash and hook when needed.” Two of the children hefted their hockey sticks with intent.
Lester slowly moved away from the wall, feeling every eye turn to him. “Come on, you buggers,” was muttered under his breath as not a creature stirred. He stepped further away from safety, both from the wall and the hut, knowing there was nowhere to hide behind him.
One of the dinosaurs turned and stared straight at him, then another and another. But they still hadn’t moved. He heard one chirp, then another one. They were watching his every move and he saw one of the hockey-stick wielding girls line up to take a swing at one of them.
“No!”
Every dinosaur turned at that yell and he took a step backwards and they followed.
And then another set of chirps sounded to his right and he glanced that way. His gaze flickering over the two packs as he counted and found the number less than reassuring. It was definitely too many to stand and fight and if he hadn’t found the small group… He shuddered, he’d seen wildlife documentaries.
“James?” Tammy’s voice attracted the creatures’ attention, the one thing Lester didn’t want them to do.
“Quiet!” Lester said as he took another step back, waved his screwdriver and tried to keep an eye on both packs as they followed him. Step for step.
He glanced back at Tammy and her charges. Was he far enough away for them to reach the hut? He didn’t think so. He also had no idea how long he had before the dinosaurs lost patience and charged and… He shuddered and took another step back. Retreating slowly as they paced him, step for step.
How he wished Ryan was with him… although considering the situation, maybe not.
A chitter and dart from the side had Lester retreat faster, which only seemed to encourage the creatures as one lunged for him.
Lester swung almost blindly at it, feeling the screwdriver blade strike home and the creature dropped, unmoving.
He retreated once more, swallowing bile as some of the pack broke free and began to tear into the corpse.
“Run!” he bellowed as he took another step back and tried not to think how much ground he had to cover once everyone was safe.
He took another step back, feeling like he was in some strange if deadly dance.
“We’re in,” Tammy cried.
“Thank fuck!” Lester murmured, ready to run. The pack seemed to sense that as they became embolden. He turned and ran, hearing the pack behind him. He cut left, heading towards the hut and hoping he had enough of a head start.
The dirt beneath his shoes changed to stone and he slid, almost falling to his knees before he scrabbled up once more.
“James! Come on!”
He could hear the tap of claws on stone behind him. His breath coming in pants and puffs as the building seemed so far away as he ran for his life, the door open as Tammy hefted a hockey stick.
Lester shoe came down but met slippery stone once more. His arms wind-milled as he sought to maintain his balance and then the ground was coming towards him far too rapidly. He grunted on impact, stunned for a moment and then he heard a chirp.
Ryan breathed in relief when his phone chirped with the news the field team would be with them shortly. Even if he kept glancing at his phone while it remained stubbornly silent, not even a text to say Lester was OK. His fingers itched to dial Lester’s number or even text him… but he didn’t. He had no idea if Lester was silent because he was hiding or… No, Ryan had to believe Lester was waiting for him.
Finally, after two increasingly anxious hours, the all-clear was given and Ryan herded his charges to the triage point. He would check in and then he would find Lester.
“Oi, Ryan,” Quinn bellowed. “You never said you were going to a car show. I can’t get Becks away from that bloody tank.”
Ryan grinned before calling back, “Not my problem.” He walked towards Quinn, noticing the man’s happiness and concluded everything was OK. “Quinn? Have you seen J… Lester?”
Quinn shifted slightly.
“Quinn? Where is James?” Ryan cursed his slip when Quinn grinned. “Is he OK?”
“Yeah, bit banged up but he’ll live.” Quinn pointed towards a tent with a red cross on it.
Ryan didn’t wait to see what else Quinn had to say as he hurried into the tent, his eyes desperately searching for Lester.
“Tom!”
Ryan’s knees almost buckled with relief at the sound of his lover’s voice. He turned to face him and closed his eyes. “Bloody hell, James. You scared the life out of me.”
“Sorry, I scared myself,” Lester admitted softly, reaching out a hand to take Ryan’s before wincing.
Ryan carefully grabbed his arm, angling it so he could see if properly, before he started at the blood on Lester’s face. “Is that blood yours?” Ryan winced at those words, of course it bloody was.
Lester shifted before admitting, “It might be,”
“James.”
Ryan winced as his voice cracked and he found himself hugged tightly. He could hear Lester’s voice repeating the same words, “I’m fine, Tom.”
Finally, Ryan managed to get his emotions under control and he pulled back to look at his lover. Quirking an eyebrow before asking, “What the fuck happened to you.”
“Well,” Lester hedged for a moment. “My shoes might not be ideal for running about on slippery stones on a rainy night.”
“You slipped?”
“I did,” Lester agreed.
“Why were you running,” Ryan pressed, sensing Lester was keeping something from him.
“I was trying to lead a pack away from civilians.” Lester tried to make it sound a minor inconvenience. When Ryan’s eyes widened, Lester added, “I really am fine, Tom. Luckily for me Tammy is an excellent hockey player. And Deanna has a good slash too.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Ryan declared, examining Lester’s bandaged arm and head.
“I think I will be,” Ditzy’s well-known voice almost had Ryan jump when it sounded behind him. “Sir James is fine, a minor concussion and a gashed arm. All he needs is rest and someone to keep an eye on him. Oh, Sir James, that includes no driving for a week or anything strenuous with the arm.”
“Hope you’re not right handed, guv.”
“Fuck off, Quinn,” Ryan snapped.
“I’m fine, Tom,” Lester told him, his voice firm and calm as he pulled Ryan in for a kiss. “Now, let’s see Tammy and Deanna. I do owe them a thank you.”
“I imagine they’d settle for a tour.”
“Hmm.”
Lester looked around the car exhibition and carefully shook his head, feeling Ryan’s grip on his arm tighten. Small bodies lay strewn everywhere as the car owners had clearly defended their vehicles – and themselves – from whatever dinosaur had come through the anomaly. He supposed he could ask Hart or Cutter, but he had no wish to read a report when he was still on holiday. An extended one if Ditzy or Ms Lewis had their way. Not that what they were mattered, he’d seen and felt their claws. The damage to the paintwork would have been horrific.
“I’m impressed,” Ryan murmured.
“Whoever said that civilisation is twenty-four hours and two meals away from barbarism, had never met a car enthusiast. If their pride-and-joy was even breathed on…”
“Only them?”
“Hmm?”
“I seem to recall hearing about someone getting all upset and taking it personal when that Tree Creeper was on their own pride-and-joy.”
“Precisely, my dear boy. Precisely.” Lester replied, linking his good arm with Ryan’s and setting off to find George and his family. He had his thanks to give and then… well, hopefully Ryan would take him home.
Author: knitekat
Word Count: 8,308
Characters: James Lester, Tom Ryan and an assortment of OCs, plus a guest appearance by Danny Quinn and Ditzy (OC).
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Secret Santa for Eriah211. For her pairing of Lester/Ryan and the prompts: 1) A collection of vintage cars; 2) “It has been said that civilisation is twenty-four hours and two meals away from barbarism.”; 3) “Is that blood yours?” “Might be.” 4) Slippery stones on a rainy night. Some are more miss than hit. Hope you liked it.
A/N 2: Thanks go to Fred for the beta, all remaining mistakes are mine.
Ryan paused on the steps outside J… Lester’s office and took a deep breath. Taking the time to just look at him and the changes their time apart what caused. He felt.. not fear. Trepidation was closer. Trepidation over what he would say and what Lester would say. Still Ryan was not a coward and he knocked firmly on the door.
“Come in.”
Ryan entered to find Lester still bowed over his paperwork, clearly busy and he wondered if now might not be the best time. Except Ryan was here now and… he was not a coward.
“Captain Ryan, sir. Reporting as ordered.”
Ryan watched as Lester’s back tensed before the Director took a deep breath and clearly gathered his facade about himself, as if it was armour to protect him, his heart from Ryan. And Ryan could not, would not fault him for that. He could only hope…
After what seemed like hours, Lester raised his head and met Ryan’s gaze, steeping his fingers as he seemed to be considering the soldier standing at attention before him. “You’re been away for a considerable length of time, Captain. Are you sure you are fully cleared for service?”
Ryan shifted nervously at Lester’s words, swallowing a suddenly dry mouth before he met Lester’s gaze. “Yes, sir. I believe the major emailed my clearance to Ms Wickes.” What he didn’t know was had Lester read it.
“I see.” Lester leaned back in his chair and contemplated Ryan, his eyes seeming to take in all the changes the long years had etched in the soldier, the same as Ryan had when he had paused before knocking. “And you think you can just return to this posting as if nothing has happened?”
Ryan felt those dismissive words strike his heart, piercing it deeply as his hopes bled out. “No, sir.” He looked down at the floor before he forced himself to meet Lester’s eyes once more. “I don’t expect I can.” His hopes might be torn in pieces and strewn across the floor of Lester’s office but he was still a soldier. Still an officer. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll see the major about being reassigned.”
As far away as he could manage. Maybe one day Ryan would forget what Lester had meant to him. Although he doubted it. Ryan’s shoulders slumped as he turned and began to walk away and he couldn’t force them to straighten.
“Stop!”
“Sir?” Ryan half turned back, hope flickering in his heart for a moment and eyes for a moment before it died.
“I’m sorry, too,” Lester began, his fingers playing with the documents on his desk. “I shouldn’t blame you for something you had no control over.” His gaze was fixed on the document before him. “I understand you tried to return multiple times...”
Ryan nodded, then realised Lester wouldn’t be able to see, so spoke. “Yes, sir. Once I had healed enough.” He shuddered as he remembered that time. Of waking beneath stone and dirt. Of staggering he knew not where and then… all he remembered was pain and no answers. Of not knowing why James and his own men had not visited. Of not knowing where he was. And then the questions had started. Over and over again and the… Ryan shook his head violently, he had no wish to remember those times.
“Ryan?”
Ryan could hear the concern in Lester’s voice, even if forgetting his title wasn’t enough of a clue that Lester was concerned about him. “I’m fine.”
“Really?” Lester didn’t sound convinced but he nodded. “What am I to do with you, Captain?”
Ryan wanted so much to go to Lester but it was his choice what happened next. “Do you want me to leave?” He cursed silently when he heard the hope in his voice that Lester wouldn’t send me away.
He could see the indecision in Lester and frowned. The James Lester he knew wouldn’t have let that show… but then, having your dead lover return would be a shock for anyone. Even James Lester. Ryan knew if Lester said yes that he would leave and never return, never face the heartbreak of bumping into Lester again and pretending the man meant nothing to him.
Lester look up and met Ryan gaze, the war within Lester as he wrestled with his own fears and demons clear on his face. He hoped Lester would let him stay, to have another chance. He remembered the first tentative steps they had begun to take before that disastrous trip to the Permian. He watched as Lester took a deep breath, held it before releasing it as if hoping it took all his pain and fear with it.
“No, I don’t, Ryan… Tom.” Lester’s voice broke and he swallowed hard.
Ryan almost sagged with relief at those words and took a step towards Lester, needing to offer him comfort.
He stopped when Lester shook his head and cleared his throat. “You’ve been back almost two months, Captain,” he said, his voice steadier. “It will take time for everyone to get used to you being back at the ARC.”
Ryan nodded, understanding Lester meant mostly himself getting used to Ryan being back. Still, he had to know if he had a chance with Lester. “At the ARC?” Ryan took a step closer, before cursing as Lester began to close down again. “Of course,” Ryan continued, hearing the bitterness in his own voice. “You’ve moved on.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “It was stupid of me to think otherwise.”
“No, Tom. I haven’t.” Lester spoke quickly, clearly not completely over whatever they had started, even if equally clearly uncertain if they should, or even if they could continue.
“But.. it’s been four years,” Ryan said, confusion clear in his voice.
“And longer for you?” Lester continued when Ryan nodded. “The first year was the worse and I,” he paused before seeming to force the bitter and self-loathing words out as he admitted to faults, one Ryan doubted he had voiced to anyone other than himself. “I took my eye off the ball. I didn’t notice the serpent in my own team until it was almost too late.”
“I heard.” Ryan voice was equally hard and cold. Anger and regret that he hadn’t been by Lester’s side, there to protect him, keen in his heart as his gaze flickered to Lester’s chest. To the scars Ryan knew Lester carried. Ones that Ryan hadn’t been able to prevent.
“I’ve healed,” Lester informed Ryan before pausing, clearly deciding what to say next or maybe how to say whatever he had to say. “Hart played the martyr after Helen bloody Cutter opened a rift between him and the Professor. Cutter was the first to him and declared him dead.” Lester shook his head and his hand clenched. “It turns out Cutter had no idea how to find a pulse.” He smiled, somewhat bitterly, at some memory. “Hadn’t. Ditzy had him practice for weeks until he could.”
“You hoped I was alive?” Ryan asked, hope edging into his voice once more.
“I did.”
Lester looked down at his desk and shuffled his paperwork as Ryan waited for his decision. He watched as Lester closed his eyes briefly before looking resigned and Ryan felt hope that they could have something wither and die once more. Maybe he should speak to the major after all. Being this close to Lester but always apart…
“I’d like to see if we can start again. If you want to?”
Ryan just stared at Lester for a long moment, hardly believing his own ears, until Lester began to crumple and Ryan realised he had remained silent too long. “That hope is what kept me fighting.”
Lester took a shakily breath before smiling, abeit somewhat wobbly. Ryan couldn’t say it surprised him when Lester said, “Slowly.” After all, too much time had past for them to just leap back together.
“As slow as you want.”
“Excellent.” Lester clapped his hands together. “Now, I believe you remember my address?”
“Lester?” Ryan blinked at Lester somewhat owlishly, feeling totally confused, hadn’t he just told been told they would be going slowly?
“Slowly doesn’t mean we can’t talk tonight.”
“Does that mean I get dinner too?” Ryan said, attempting to lift the solemn mood that had fallen over them.
“Yes, now some of us have work to do.”
***
Lester slowly woke and smiled at the pleasant memories of last night. Any thought of going slowly forgotten as they had talked and then kissed and…. he stretched, his arm falling across the bed and he found himself wide awake when it found only a cold sheet. Had it all been a dream? In truth, a nightmare to haunt his hours and tear his heart out to lie bloodied on the floor?
He peered around his bedroom, desperately searching for some sign it had been real. That Ryan had come back to him. But there was nothing to suggest it was anything but a horrible nightmare. He had to know, he had to find out. Lester rose, his feet slipping into slippers and his arms into his dressing gown, belting it against the chill as he padded through his apartment.
“I thought I was going to have to bring you your coffee.”
Lester stopped and span, hoping his mouth wasn’t gaping as he stared at Ryan. His shattered hopes rejoining, if somewhat jagged.
“James? Are you OK?” Ryan asked, stepping into Lester’s personal space as he reached out an arm towards him.
“I’m… I’m fine,” Lester lied, hoping his voice wasn’t shaking or, indeed, that he wasn’t shaking.
“You look like you’ve seen… Ah. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I… I should know. I do know but…” Lester shrugged helplessly, he was haunted by too many years and too many dreams before he woke to reality, to Ryan being back in his life.
“It took four long years for me to find my way back to you, James. You thought I was dead. It’s going to take time to get used to me being in your life again.”
Lester almost smiled at Ryan practicality, even as much as he wanted to deny everything Ryan said, something he knew he couldn’t do. It had hurt so much thinking Ryan had died in the Permian, even if it had only been for the first year of Ryan’s… absence. Lester took a deep breath, needing time to gather his facade about himself. “So… what’s for breakfast?”
Ryan shook his head, an amused smile playing about his lovely lips. “I made the coffee, you’re the cook.”
“Lazy arse,” Lester muttered before yelping as his own arse was swatted. “Do you want breakfast or not?”
“I’ll get the post”
Lester smiled as Ryan walked away before calling out, “What do you want?”
“Full English and then we can work the calories off.”
Lester raised an eyebrow. “We could have just stayed in bed.”
“I meant a run… but we can go back to bed as well.”
“How about instead of?” Lester asked, going for a run was not his idea of fun. Not when they could have more fun in bed together.
***
Ryan felt Lester entangling their legs together as they lay sated in bed. He felt gentle kisses placed against his hair as he luxuriated in Lester’s arms. He felt those arms hold him tight, as if to chase away those lonely months they had been apart.
“I’m here, James,” Ryan informed Lester as he turned in those arms and kissed Lester, all tongues and heat.
“I know.”
“James?” It was clear to Ryan that his… well, lover was definitely true… didn’t fully believe that. Not in his heart.
Before he could say another word, Ryan found himself being kissed in a very demanding way. It was clear Lester was not ready for that conversation. At least, not for that conversation right at this moment as he clearly sought to distract Ryan with every one of his considerable number of tricks. Finally they broke for air and Ryan smiled as he gazed into Lester’s eyes.
“Any plans for Christmas?”
“James?” It was clear that question had surprised Lester as much as it did Ryan.
“I…” Lester ran a hand through his hair.
Ryan caught that hand and kissed the palm, knowing it for the nervous gesture it was. “I’ve only been back two months, James. I don’t want to rush you.”
Lester just looked at Ryan and then at the bed, one eyebrow raised as if to remind Ryan what they had just indulged in. Ryan felt himself blush at some of those enjoyable things and then felt Lester kiss him again, seemingly not able to get enough of Ryan after four years apart. Lester finally pulled back, looked Ryan in the eyes and repeated, “Now what are your plans for Christmas?”
“I don’t really have any. It wasn’t Christmas when I… left and...” Ryan shrugged, Christmas had been the last thing on his mind once he had made it home. No, proving who he was and trying to get back to the ARC, back to Lester had been the most important thing.
“Five years is a long time,” Lester finished, looking uncertain for a moment before continuing, “I was planning on going to my place in the country... There is plenty of room for two.”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”
Ryan kissed Lester again, just because he could. Just to prove he was there, with Lester.
***
“Of course, Mrs Hawkins, I’ll phone when we arrive,” Lester smiled as he hung up. Mrs Hawkins was a godsend when he didn’t visit his house that often, cleaning it and making sure it was still inhabitable. He glanced at Ryan, frowning at the concern on his face. “Tom?”
“Are we driving or taking the train?”
“Public transport is diabolical where we’re going.”
“I don’t want you to drive all the way,” Ryan began, before he glanced out of the window. “If you don’t want me to take a turn with the Jag, can we take another car?”
“The Jaguar is the only one I have here.”
“Only one you have here?” Ryan repeated. “Just how many cars do you have?”
“A few,” Lester hedged. “And I do trust you to drive it.” He paused and glanced out of the window. “We will have to see what the weather is like though.” He might trust Ryan to drive, but he wasn’t going to take his pride-and-joy if the weather was even slightly bad. It had, after all, cost Lester a small fortune.
***
“It’s a lovely car,” Ryan murmured as he settled behind the wheel of Lester’s Jaguar, running a hand over the wood trim and leather seats, as Lester set the Satnav.
“My ex-wife thought it was a sign of a mid-life crisis.”
“It’s not red.” Ryan almost cursed when he blurted that.
“That’s what I told her. She didn’t appreciate the comment.” Lester shrugged. He shifted nervously on the leather seat before glancing at Ryan. “We’ve been divorced three years.”
“And separated for six or was it seven?” Ryan told Lester, reminding him that he did know that, even if the divorce had occurred when he had been… missing. “Ready? And don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”
Lester rolled his eyes before making himself comfortable. “I’ll do the jokes.” He paused before adding, “And she cost more than you earn in a year.”
“Probably more like two,” Ryan queried, wondering just how much Lester had paid for her and just how extra careful he would need to be.
“Probably,” Lester agreed as he watched intently as Ryan shifted gears and eased out of the parking spot. “You’ll do,” Lester muttered.
Ryan couldn’t help smile at that comment.
“Eyes on the road, please.”
“Yes, boss.”
The drive was pleasant and their conversation natural. A few breaks and swapping of drivers as they made excellent time on the quiet back roads Lester had programmed into the satnav. It was just getting dark and Ryan was looking forward to relaxing as Lester drove the final leg. Ryan was looking out for the stopping point when he glanced over and smiled at his peacefully sleeping lover. Although Ryan had agreed to take shifts driving, he found he couldn’t disturb Lester. He cancelled his indicator and continued to follow the satnav down increasingly windy roads through gently rolling hills.
Finally the satnav informed him to turn right into their destination and he turned into a gravel drive.
“You should have woken me,” Lester said, sounding more sleepily than annoyed.
“You looked too comfortable.” Ryan said before swearing as they rounded the bend in the drive. “This is your place in the country?” Ryan just stared at the golden-coloured large stone farmhouse. Lester’s comment that it was big enough for two had been more than a slight understatement when they would be room for the anomaly field team, soldiers included.
“Yes.” Lester smiled, clearly pleased by Ryan’s reaction. “Now park over there and we can get settled in. If I know Mrs Hawkins, the fire will be lit and a pot of stew will be simmering, ready for us.”
Ryan glanced in the direction Lester had pointed, his eyebrow raising at the matching stable block and barn. “Which one?”
“The stable block, I converted it to a garage.”
“Or several,” Ryan muttered.
***
Lester woke the next morning, once more alone in his bed. Before he could start to doubt his memory or cursing his dreams, he spotted the note in Ryan’s familiar hand. Not that he needed it to remind himself of Ryan’s terrible fondness for early morning runs.
He sighed, he had no wish to spend all day in bed, at least not alone, and reluctantly rose to complete his ablutions. He was just starting to prepare breakfast when he heard the front door. He called out, “I do hope you’re planning on having a shower.”
Ryan grinned as poked his head around the door. “And I thought you liked me all sweaty.”
“Not from a run.”
“You should join me,” Ryan suggested.
“On a run?”
“It’d be good for you,” Ryan continued, smiling at the displeased look Lester dispensed in his direction.
“Not my preferred exercise.”
“No, I know what that is,” Ryan said, amusement and innuendo clear in his voice.
“As if you don’t like it.”
“I never said that,” Ryan paused, raking his gaze up and down my body. “You could join me in the shower.”
“That is a better idea,” Lester said, glancing at the eggs he had just cracked before covering them for later.
***
“Oh. I met Mrs Hawkins,” Ryan said as he swiftly stripped.
“Did you?”
Ryan glanced over at Lester, smiling when he realised most of his lover’s attention was on his arse before he stepped under the shower.
“She said to remind you the Winter Fest had moved to this weekend…” Ryan wasn’t sure why Lester hadn’t mentioned it and cursed himself when Lester closed his eyes and groaned. “Don’t you want to go? She said George would be there…”
Ryan felt his heart miss a beat when a smile flickered across Lester’s features at that name. He had to wonder if this George had… scratched an itch when he had been away. “I’d understand,” Ryan began. “We had barely got together and I was away for four years.”
Lester frowned, opened his mouth before closing it and shaking his head. Ryan wondered if he had been about to ask if he had been with anyone before thinking better of the question. Lester bit his lip for a moment before turning to face Ryan, who braced himself for whatever Lester was about to tell him.
“I was tempted once or twice, Tom.” Before Ryan could say anything, Lester stepped closer, both men groaning when their cocks rubbed together. “And as for George, he’s married with kids.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow in pale imitation of his lover. That didn’t reassure him considering Lester had been married, abeit separated, with kids, when they had first become involved.
Lester clearly recalled the same as he added, “He is straight and is a trader. He is looking for car parts for me.”
Ryan frown and pushed Lester back a step. He noticed the concerned look on his lover’s face but had his own concerns which needed to be answered first. “For the Jag? She seemed fine to me.” He frowned. “Is she safe to drive?”
“I wouldn’t have driven her if she wasn’t, Tom.” Lester paused before adding when Ryan still looked worried. “No, it … er, it is for another car.”
“How many cars do you have?” Ryan asked.
“Can we have this conversation later?” Lester queried, grabbing him intimately.
“Later, definitely later.” Ryan ground against Lester.
Lester groaned before swiftly dropping to his knees. Ryan’s world narrowed to Lester looking up at him with desire-blown eyes before the man licked a stripe up Ryan’s cock.
Ryan groaned as he was engulfed by wet heat and worked expertly to the brink of orgasm over and over again, held on the edge for what felt like a lifetime. “Please, James. I’m so close.”
Ryan came back to find Lester looking like the cat which got the cream, even more so when he caught a trail of come with a finger before licking it clean.
“Turn around,” Lester ordered.
Ryan saw no reason to refuse, and was soon with his feet apart and his hands braced on the tiles.
“Eager, aren’t we,” Lester murmured before spreading Ryan’s arse, pausing long enough for Ryan to get twitchy and then swiping his tongue over and within Ryan’s entrance.
Ryan found himself expertly teased and that stubble was so, so interesting. “Please, James.” He gasped before he found his world narrowed to the fingers opening him and then that lovely cock sheathed within. Thrusting and… Ryan groaned as his prostate was speared with accuracy and soon he knew no more as Lester took him apart, a piece at a time.
***
Ryan shifted slightly as he sat eating breakfast, something that had Lester smiling in satisfaction of a job well done. When Ryan kept moving, Lester frowned, fearing he might have been somewhat over-zealous. “Are you OK?”
Ryan nodded before giving Lester a speculative look. “So… how many cars do you have?”
Lester inwardly cursed. It appeared the sex hadn’t been quite as mind-blowing as he could have hoped. Still he knew that look and, well, there wasn’t any reason not to answer now sex wasn’t imminent. “Apart from the Jaguar XK, I have a 1966 Series IIA Land Rover for bad weather.”
Ryan’s eyebrow rose, clearly he knew some of that vehicle’s history. “I’d like to see that.”
“Of course.”
“And?” Ryan pressed.
“And an Austin Martin DB4GT Zagato I’ve been restoring for the past three and a half years.”
“I’m pretty sure they make parts for those.”
“They only made nineteen, Tom,” Lester replied, before adding, “I’m trying to only use original parts, otherwise it would end up a reproduction.”
Ryan proved himself far to astute for Lester’s liking when he said, “It kept you busy.” When Lester nodded, he added, “And now?”
“You might be back, my dear boy,” Lester declared. “But I’m not one to compromise my standards.” Ryan’s sudden grin had him frowning. “Tom?”
“Cars? I just can’t imagine you as a petrol-head.”
“Vintage and classic car enthusiast, please, Tom.”
“Quinn would love it. After you bawled him out over his bike.”
“A bike is not a car,” Lester sniffed. “Besides, that thing he rides is a common, mass-produced urban street-fighter of a bike. Now, if he rode a Royal Enfield Bullet or Vincent Black Shadow…”
“You’re a snob.”
“The Jaguar wasn’t a clue?”
Ryan smiled before drawing Lester into a kiss. One that lasted some considerable time as they only emerged when their lungs rebelled. He continued to caress Lester’s face before asking, “So, what is this Winter Fest?”
Lester raised an eyebrow. “It’s a winter festival. Or was. It’s turned into a something of a competition over the past few years.”
“Willy-waving?” Ryan asked. “Between?”
“Two of the local bigwigs use it to one-up the other. Trying to put on a better show for the locals. Most people don’t mind until it gets a bit too blatant, then Mrs Hawkins steps in.”
“And no one crosses her?” Ryan looked thoughtful. “So, does that mean we’re going?”
“Yes.” As Lester had said, no one argued more than once with Mrs Hawkins.
“What can I look forward to? Or avoid?”
“It’s a cross between the winter festival and a car show.”
“So, they’re petrol-heads too?”
“Car enthusiasts, please.” Not that Lester thought Ryan would stop using that term. “At least at the festival.”
“They won’t like that term?”
“Not at all.”
“Sorry, James. I’ll stop using it.”
“Thank you.” Lester kissed him as a reward. “There will be collectors showing off their vehicles, part swaps and traders selling parts. There is usually a live band – often local – food stall, rides and games for all the family and usually someone puts on football, cricket or hockey. Then there are the nature trails, if the weather holds.”
“And this George is one of the traders?”
“He is.” When Ryan just nodded as if Lester had confirmed their relationship, Lester added, “And he isn’t why I didn’t want to go. It will be chaotic and noisy and then there is Bash himself.”
“Bash?”
“One of the… what did you call them? Willy-wavers? Sebastian Highmoor, one of the local squires. Or wannabes according to Mrs Hawkins.” Lester paused, considering his next words carefully before he decided it would be better for Ryan to know before they entered the Fest. “He’s got a display of animatronics dinosaurs this year. He emailed me and more-or-less demanded that I, as Director of the ARC, opened it. I, of course, declined.”
“That’s why you didn’t want to go.”
“It was but…” Lester paused, not wanting to admit he could face anything with Ryan by his side. It was far too sappy and he had to wonder what had got into him.
“But I’m here now.” Ryan’s eyes glittered with amusement, before he sobered. “And I’ll keep this Bash away if he tries to corner you on opening it.”
“Thank you, Tom,” Lester replied, wondering what he had done right to deserve Ryan in his life.
***
“Bloody hell,” Ryan said, earning himself a censoring glare from a woman with a pushchair.
“I told you it was excessive.”
“I don’t know,” Ryan said as he peered around and then at the list of events and their locations. “We can look at the cars and then wander about and see what else interests us.”
“Sounds sensible,” Lester agreed before linking arms with him. “However, firstly, Mrs Hawkins does an excellent tea and scones.”
Ryan soon decided his lover was probably correct, given the queue they joined. But he was pleasantly surprised when it moved quickly, although he spied a number of groups consuming tea and scones while sitting on benches and chairs outside the tent.
He cast a look around for an empty table while Lester ordered their snack.
“Over here!” A young woman called out, shifting her children up so Ryan could perch on the end of the bench. “You’re not from around here?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“I haven’t seen you around in the village.”
“Ah.” Ryan smiled and shook his head. “No, I’m visiting with my…” He trailed off, he had no idea if Lester was out in the area.
“This is Tom Ryan, Susan,” Lester’s urbane tones cut in. “He’s my boyfriend. Tom, this is Susan Marshall, Bash’s long suffering PA.”
“Oh, James,” Susan cried as she leapt up to kiss Lester’s cheek. “I’m so happy for you. You’ve been miserable ever since that breakup four years ago.”
“Sh...sugar!” Ryan said, feeling himself pale.
“That was you?” Susan looked furious at Ryan and he found himself shrinking away from her. “James?”
“It was but Tom didn’t break up with me.” Ryan grasped his hand firmly when Lester paused and swallowed hard before he managed to continue, “He was listed as KIA.”
“KIA?” Susan said, her confusion slowly clearing. “Oh, James.” She swept Lester up in a hug, before Ryan found himself pulled into one.
Ryan slowly relaxed as Susan caught Lester up on the latest of village life, sipping his tea and munching on the scones. “These are excellent.”
“I did tell you.” Lester smiled before sitting up straighter when an older lady in a pressed apron bustled over.
“Any more, my lover?”
Ryan shook his head when Lester glanced at him. “Not at the moment, Mrs Hawkins.”
“I’ll drop some more scones off for thee later.”
“Thank you, Mrs Hawkins.”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs Hawkins. James wasn’t exaggerating when he said they were excellent.”
“Hark at ‘ee!”
Mrs Hawkins smiled at Ryan before she turned her attention back to Lester. He could almost see her looking deep into Lester’s eyes, for a moment Ryan thought into his lover’s very soul, before she gave a sharp, definite nod.
“Keep hold of this one, James, mind. Much better than your ex.” Mrs Hawkins turned back to Ryan. “Only met her once and her looked down her nose at everyone.” She turned back to Lester and added, “Definitely a keeper.”
Her words were firm, no nonsense and a clear instruction to Lester that he had better listen to her. Not that Ryan had any issue with that, he wasn’t going to leave Lester again.
Lester clearly agreed as he reached out for Ryan’s hand, lifted it to his lips for a kiss before saying, “I would have to agree, Mrs Hawkins.”
***
Lester found himself smiling and linked arms with Ryan as they walked into the car exhibition. Rank upon rank of gleaming engineering, all mother-henned by their adoring owners as they wiped off even the merest hint of a smudge, buffed panels or removed dust. He felt quite at home, but wasn’t sure if Ryan shared his enthusiasm. At least, not until he noticed Ryan’s eyes light up and he followed his gaze, smiling when he saw what had caught Ryan’s attention. “Like what you see?”
“That’s a FV107 Scimitar?” Ryan asked, before adding, “Becker would love to be here.”
Lester almost groaned at that thought. “Please don’t tell him, Quinn would be a nightmare, too.”
Ryan grinned. “If you make it worth my while.”
Lester glared at him before dragging Ryan in for a kiss, all heat and tongue. “Have a look at the Scimitar and I’ll see if I can find George.”
“I can look at her later.” Ryan informed Lester as he linked their arms. “Where you go, I go.”
“I do hope you like cars,” Lester murmured to Ryan as he walked amongst the various cars, stopping to chat to their owners and swap stories.
“James, shag!”
Lester felt Ryan tense at that call, before he led Ryan towards the man who had shouted out. Shorter than Lester, balding and bespectacled. “George. How are you, old man?”
George rolled his eyes before taking in Ryan’s somewhat proprietary grip on Lester’s arm. “Shag means friend here about, kiddie.” He turned to look at Lester, mischief on his face, as he said, “Ello me ‘ansome. T’is loverly to see you.”
“Drop the act, George, you married into the area, not born-and-bred.”
“Nope, that be thee.” George raised a hand at Lester’s glare. “Fine, OK. Sorry, mate,” He turned to Ryan. “I’m George Jenner, fellow car enthusiast. You and James should join us at the hog roast at four.”
“Us?” Lester asked. “Are Tammy and your kids here?”
“Enjoying the rest of the Fest. Deanna is keen on the dinosaurs.” George looked at both of them before dropping his voice to a confidential whisper. “When she hears you are here, she’ll want to know everything. You don’t do tours, do you?”
“No, George, we don’t.”
“Pity.” George shrugged good-naturedly. “Almost forgot. Those parts you wanted for your Zagato?”
“Did you find any?” Lester asked, wondering if that was why he had been called over.
“Not for a Zagato, I’m afraid,” George informed Lester apologetically. “But I did find some for a DB4GT, if you’d be interested?”
“Are they from the same year as my Zagato?” Lester asked, they might be acceptable, considering the Zagato was based on the DB4GT…
“Come and have a look,” George said, beckoning them forward.
Before Lester could examine whatever George had located, a scream shattered the air, bringing both men around at the sound of trouble.
“Stay here, sir,” Ryan informed Lester. “I’ll see what’s going on.”
“James!” George broke in. “Tammy and my kids are out there.”
“We will find them,” Lester replied, his tone firm and his gaze daring Ryan to challenge him.
Ryan backed down. “Stay with me.” He turned to George. “If you could start evacuating everyone, just in case.”
Lester wasn’t surprised when George looked Ryan in the eye and shook his head. “Abandon the cars? Never.”
“It might not be safe,” Ryan tried again, even though Lester knew it was pointless. George and the others would no more abandon their cars than he had abandoned his Jaguar to that Tree-creeper.
“Come on, Ryan,” Lester said as he watched George pull out a large wrench and hand it over to Ryan. Lester took a long screwdriver and noticed the other enthusiasts arm themselves with a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, mallets and in one case, a grease gun. “George, call this in for us.”
“On it.”
***
Ryan hefted the wrench. Not as good as a gun but it would definitely cause damage to whatever he hit with it. He glanced at Lester, his lover was clearly nervous but equally determined to accompany Ryan, no matter what Ryan thought about it. Damn, stubborn, pig-headed and Ryan loved him for it. “Stay close.”
“Always,” Lester breathed as he tried his own improvised weapon out.
Ryan closed his eyes for a moment as he tried to remember the layout of the place. “Lets see what we are dealing with.” He headed towards the screaming, soon encountering groups running towards them. He yelled at them to keep running before yanking one man to a halt. The man’s eyes darted about in fear.
“Let me go.”
“What’s out there? What scared you?” Ryan demanded in his most authoritative voice.
“I don’t know. We were looking at the dinosaurs when all hell broke lose. We thought it was just very realistic but then it leapt on someone and…” The man shivered before tearing free of Ryan’s grip and bolting away.
Before Ryan could stop him again, the man was grabbed by someone else and almost thrown into one of the many half-stone food-huts. “We’ll keep an eye on him,” a man wielding a length of broken post said. Ryan could see several of the other runners cowering behind the post-wielding man and his equally armed friend.
“Mark,” Lester said, nodding at the man who’d spoken.
“James,” Mark replied.
“Introductions later,” Ryan said before considering his new option, especially when rain began to fall and night began to fall early. He gripped his borrowed wrench tighter as the fading light made the situation even more dangerous. “James, please join Mark in the hut.”
“And leave you to have all the fun?” Lester said, his tone unarguable against the suggestion.
Ryan bit back his sigh and decided the sooner they dealt with this, the sooner he could get Lester somewhere safe. “Come on then.”
They entered the play area and Ryan shuddered to think of the carnage if the incursion, if it was one, had occurred there. He stopped to look around, noting the darker shadow anything could be hiding in before wishing he had brought a torch. He almost jumped out of his skin when a light began to play over the equipment, turning to see Lester had his phone out in flash-light mode. Ryan cursed for not thinking of that himself and turned his own mobile on. Breathing a sigh of relief when the shadows proved to be empty.
“This is taking too long,” Lester’s voice had Ryan spinning when he added, “We need to split up.”
“What?” Ryan just gaped at his lover.
“I know, never split the party.”
“What?” Ryan repeated, completely confused.
“Ask Temple.”
Ryan smirked, he had heard about Lester offering Connor the spare room when the lad had been made homeless. At least Ms Maitland had stopped blowing hot and cold with the lad. “I have no idea what you’re on about,” Ryan said as he decided asking Connor to explain that was probably not a good idea. “But I agree with him.”
“Hey, over here!”
That voice sounded full of bravado to Ryan and far too young to be out here alone with a dinosaur.
“Ten points to me,” a second voice cried out.
Ryan shook his head and headed off at a run towards those voices when a scream sounded. He slowed for an instant before giving into the inevitable – knowing that staying together might result in someone’s death.
“Go,” Ryan shouted at Lester. “And for fuck’s sake, be careful.”
“I love you too,” Lester replied as he broke off and raced away.
Ryan watched him for a heartbeat before another shout reminded him he was needed. He broke into a run again before slowing. He had lost them… did he dare call out? He cast about and tried to listen for any sound. “Damn it.” He snarled before shouting out, “Where are you?”
A chitter replied and Ryan gripped his wrench harder, swinging it as he moved the phone light about. There. A flash of reflected light. He barely had time to swing the wrench and felt it connect with a crunch. Whatever the creature was lay unmoving. All Ryan could tell was it was fairly small but had sharp teeth and claws. Great, a meatosaurus.
A second and third chirp had Ryan tense and then more chittering sounded. He had the horrible feeling he was surrounded. Not that he’d go down without a fight and swung as something darted towards him. The crack of bone as much as the impact telling Ryan he had caught whatever it was. He kicked it away, hoping fresh meat might distract the others, as he looked around briefly for somewhere to make his stand.
Something sailed through the air and clouted another of the dinosaurs on the snout, sending it staggering away. More objects flew through the air and Ryan grunted as one of them hit his shoulder.
“Sorry!” a young sounding voice called out. “Caroline has shit aim.”
“Fuck you, Toby, you hit him.”
“Did not.”
“Did so.”
“Oi!” Ryan’s yell echoed in the sudden silence. “Where are you?”
“Over here at Tin Can Alley. Although could you collect our balls, I think we’ve ran out.”
Ryan headed in that direction and closed his eyes. The stall was temporary, not even half-stone as the previous huts had been. “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere safer.”
“Yeah? Who are you?”
“Captain Tom Ryan.” Ryan paused for a moment before adding the magic words. “I work at the ARC.”
He was correct as two teenagers appeared from the stall, grins on their faces. “Cool!” the boy said as the girl rolled her eyes and collected the balls in a bag. “Toby, help me, you git.”
***
Lester was having serious second thoughts about splitting up, his hand on the screwdriver sweaty and it slipped in his hand. He wiped his hand on this trousers, wincing slightly at such a barbaric act. He shook his head, now was really not the time to worry about social niceties.
He crept through the gathering gloom, every sense alert and half expecting something to jump out at him. His mouth was dry and he was in desperate need of a pee. Maybe leaving Ryan hadn’t been his best idea… except he had heard that scream of pure terror. He might still be too late, but at least he would have tried.
Lester froze, cocking his head to one side. Had he heard something on the other side of the wall? He edged forward, every step placed precisely as he tried to remain as quiet at the proverbial church mouse. He trailed a hand down the solid, oh so solid, stone of the wall and slowly peered around it.
Fuck!
He could see a small group pressed back against another stone wall. Their backs protected but a flock of something Lester could only assume was predatory arrayed before them. A brief smile lit his face when several hockey sticks lashed out at the dinosaurs, who hopped back out of range.
Still, all the dinosaurs needed was one clear shot and Lester glanced around for something more substantial. He smiled again when he spotted one of the half-stone huts, hopefully where the group had been heading. If they could reach it, they would have a chance. They could wait out the dinosaurs until the ARC team arrive. If they could reach it and he knew the only way they might.
He wiped his sweaty hand on his trousers once more before hefting his screwdriver. What he wouldn’t give for a gun, or better still, a soldier to wield it. He shook his head, closed his eyes for a moment and tried to calm his thudding heart.
A cry had him moving around the wall, although still with his back to it. “When I attract their attention, run for the hut.”
“And what about you, James?”
Lester smiled as he recognised that voice. “I’ll be joining you, Tammy. Now, when I say run, run.”
“OK,” Tammy didn’t sound happy. “OK, kids, when James says run, I want us all to run into that hut. Now, everyone remember to deke and dangle, Oh, Laura and Deanna, slash and hook when needed.” Two of the children hefted their hockey sticks with intent.
Lester slowly moved away from the wall, feeling every eye turn to him. “Come on, you buggers,” was muttered under his breath as not a creature stirred. He stepped further away from safety, both from the wall and the hut, knowing there was nowhere to hide behind him.
One of the dinosaurs turned and stared straight at him, then another and another. But they still hadn’t moved. He heard one chirp, then another one. They were watching his every move and he saw one of the hockey-stick wielding girls line up to take a swing at one of them.
“No!”
Every dinosaur turned at that yell and he took a step backwards and they followed.
And then another set of chirps sounded to his right and he glanced that way. His gaze flickering over the two packs as he counted and found the number less than reassuring. It was definitely too many to stand and fight and if he hadn’t found the small group… He shuddered, he’d seen wildlife documentaries.
“James?” Tammy’s voice attracted the creatures’ attention, the one thing Lester didn’t want them to do.
“Quiet!” Lester said as he took another step back, waved his screwdriver and tried to keep an eye on both packs as they followed him. Step for step.
He glanced back at Tammy and her charges. Was he far enough away for them to reach the hut? He didn’t think so. He also had no idea how long he had before the dinosaurs lost patience and charged and… He shuddered and took another step back. Retreating slowly as they paced him, step for step.
How he wished Ryan was with him… although considering the situation, maybe not.
A chitter and dart from the side had Lester retreat faster, which only seemed to encourage the creatures as one lunged for him.
Lester swung almost blindly at it, feeling the screwdriver blade strike home and the creature dropped, unmoving.
He retreated once more, swallowing bile as some of the pack broke free and began to tear into the corpse.
“Run!” he bellowed as he took another step back and tried not to think how much ground he had to cover once everyone was safe.
He took another step back, feeling like he was in some strange if deadly dance.
“We’re in,” Tammy cried.
“Thank fuck!” Lester murmured, ready to run. The pack seemed to sense that as they became embolden. He turned and ran, hearing the pack behind him. He cut left, heading towards the hut and hoping he had enough of a head start.
The dirt beneath his shoes changed to stone and he slid, almost falling to his knees before he scrabbled up once more.
“James! Come on!”
He could hear the tap of claws on stone behind him. His breath coming in pants and puffs as the building seemed so far away as he ran for his life, the door open as Tammy hefted a hockey stick.
Lester shoe came down but met slippery stone once more. His arms wind-milled as he sought to maintain his balance and then the ground was coming towards him far too rapidly. He grunted on impact, stunned for a moment and then he heard a chirp.
***
Ryan breathed in relief when his phone chirped with the news the field team would be with them shortly. Even if he kept glancing at his phone while it remained stubbornly silent, not even a text to say Lester was OK. His fingers itched to dial Lester’s number or even text him… but he didn’t. He had no idea if Lester was silent because he was hiding or… No, Ryan had to believe Lester was waiting for him.
Finally, after two increasingly anxious hours, the all-clear was given and Ryan herded his charges to the triage point. He would check in and then he would find Lester.
“Oi, Ryan,” Quinn bellowed. “You never said you were going to a car show. I can’t get Becks away from that bloody tank.”
Ryan grinned before calling back, “Not my problem.” He walked towards Quinn, noticing the man’s happiness and concluded everything was OK. “Quinn? Have you seen J… Lester?”
Quinn shifted slightly.
“Quinn? Where is James?” Ryan cursed his slip when Quinn grinned. “Is he OK?”
“Yeah, bit banged up but he’ll live.” Quinn pointed towards a tent with a red cross on it.
Ryan didn’t wait to see what else Quinn had to say as he hurried into the tent, his eyes desperately searching for Lester.
“Tom!”
Ryan’s knees almost buckled with relief at the sound of his lover’s voice. He turned to face him and closed his eyes. “Bloody hell, James. You scared the life out of me.”
“Sorry, I scared myself,” Lester admitted softly, reaching out a hand to take Ryan’s before wincing.
Ryan carefully grabbed his arm, angling it so he could see if properly, before he started at the blood on Lester’s face. “Is that blood yours?” Ryan winced at those words, of course it bloody was.
Lester shifted before admitting, “It might be,”
“James.”
Ryan winced as his voice cracked and he found himself hugged tightly. He could hear Lester’s voice repeating the same words, “I’m fine, Tom.”
Finally, Ryan managed to get his emotions under control and he pulled back to look at his lover. Quirking an eyebrow before asking, “What the fuck happened to you.”
“Well,” Lester hedged for a moment. “My shoes might not be ideal for running about on slippery stones on a rainy night.”
“You slipped?”
“I did,” Lester agreed.
“Why were you running,” Ryan pressed, sensing Lester was keeping something from him.
“I was trying to lead a pack away from civilians.” Lester tried to make it sound a minor inconvenience. When Ryan’s eyes widened, Lester added, “I really am fine, Tom. Luckily for me Tammy is an excellent hockey player. And Deanna has a good slash too.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Ryan declared, examining Lester’s bandaged arm and head.
“I think I will be,” Ditzy’s well-known voice almost had Ryan jump when it sounded behind him. “Sir James is fine, a minor concussion and a gashed arm. All he needs is rest and someone to keep an eye on him. Oh, Sir James, that includes no driving for a week or anything strenuous with the arm.”
“Hope you’re not right handed, guv.”
“Fuck off, Quinn,” Ryan snapped.
“I’m fine, Tom,” Lester told him, his voice firm and calm as he pulled Ryan in for a kiss. “Now, let’s see Tammy and Deanna. I do owe them a thank you.”
“I imagine they’d settle for a tour.”
“Hmm.”
***
Lester looked around the car exhibition and carefully shook his head, feeling Ryan’s grip on his arm tighten. Small bodies lay strewn everywhere as the car owners had clearly defended their vehicles – and themselves – from whatever dinosaur had come through the anomaly. He supposed he could ask Hart or Cutter, but he had no wish to read a report when he was still on holiday. An extended one if Ditzy or Ms Lewis had their way. Not that what they were mattered, he’d seen and felt their claws. The damage to the paintwork would have been horrific.
“I’m impressed,” Ryan murmured.
“Whoever said that civilisation is twenty-four hours and two meals away from barbarism, had never met a car enthusiast. If their pride-and-joy was even breathed on…”
“Only them?”
“Hmm?”
“I seem to recall hearing about someone getting all upset and taking it personal when that Tree Creeper was on their own pride-and-joy.”
“Precisely, my dear boy. Precisely.” Lester replied, linking his good arm with Ryan’s and setting off to find George and his family. He had his thanks to give and then… well, hopefully Ryan would take him home.
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Date: 2025-12-29 09:16 pm (UTC)The beginning was a bit bittersweet, but the perfect light angst that I love and then they went back together and they were so sweet. And you ended the story with the action part! Splitting? Really? That's always a terrible idea, but if they didn't I wouldn't have had more delicious (and brief) angst and h/c to end the story ;)
Thank you very much again, this was wonderful!
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Date: 2025-12-29 10:15 pm (UTC)You're welcome and glad you liked it.
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Date: 2025-12-30 10:31 pm (UTC)That was fabulous!! I do love a Scimitar. The car angle was lots of fun.
Yay for Ryan and James getting back together. It was great angst, and a delicious reunion.
A real treat of a fic!
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Date: 2026-01-01 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-12-31 03:27 pm (UTC)Delightfully angsty beginning, and the actioning at the end was fab!
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Date: 2026-01-01 09:23 pm (UTC)The boys went angsty on me but the boys were always going to get back together. Good to know the action worked.
Thanks for reading.
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Date: 2025-12-31 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:24 pm (UTC)