Title: The ring

Warnings: Angst, language and adult situations

Disclaimer: Primeval and it's character's belong to Impossible Pictures, no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: This will be a multi-chapter fic. I've had this idea swimming around in my head about Connor's ring for a while now and I just had to get it out, hope you enjoy.

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Connor was in his mood again it seemed. Abby had noticed (it was difficult not to) that every year around this time he got all moody and shut himself up in his room a lot. Only thing was, this year seemed far worse than in times gone by, he'd only really just come round from Cutter's death and she was sure that whatever it was that bothered him had brought that all back to him now as well.

She'd just made supper - cheese on toast for them both and he had come downstairs, head down, eyes all red and puffy and just grabbed the plate grunting his thanks before stomping back upstairs.

"Connor . . ." She called after him.

His door slammed shut.

Abby wasn't sure what to do, she knew all this moping and shutting everyone out wasn't good for him but Cutter had told her once, when she had been about ready to throttle Connor, that something bad had happened to him, something personal that he found difficult to talk about. Cutter would have known what to do she thought to herself.

She finished her food in silence, washing the dishes and then headed for a shower before bed.

Abby awoke the next morning to the sounds of crashing and banging coming from upstairs, she looked at the clock - 7am - what the bloody hell was he doing at 7am on a Sunday morning? She got out of bed and stormed out of her bedroom, this better be good!

"Connor what the hell are you doing?" She asked as she barged into his room unannounced.

She stopped and stared at the mess that was once his bedroom, a chair upturned, covers and clothes all over the floor, drawers flung open with their contents strewn about. Connor was currently on his hands and knees looking under the bed.

"What's all this mess? It looks like we've been burgled!" She exclaimed.

Connor stood and looked at her, hands on hips.

"You never heard of knocking?" He asked, sounding pissed off, so unlike him.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You just barge in here, what if I'd been naked or somethin'? I'd never just storm into your room like that, you'd kill me for a start!"

Abby was momentarily lost for words at his accusatory tone, she wasn't used to being spoken to like this by Connor.

"I . . . you . . . It's my flat!" She finally replied. "And when someone wakes me up at 7am on my day off making loads of racket, I feel I'm quite within my rights to barge in without knocking!"

He deflated a little, going back to whatever he'd been doing before.

"I've lost my ring." He said.

"What ring?"

"The one I wear round my neck, the one I've worn since we met, since long before we met."

"All this for a stupid bloody ring on a piece of thread? Get this mess cleaned up!" She stated in annoyance.

Connor turned and stalked towards her, nostrils flaring, and she could see now that he'd been crying again.

"A stupid ring? A . . . stupid . . . Ring?!" He choked on the words and looked down. "You've got no idea, no idea what that ring means to me! How . . . How dare you!"

He ran off down the stairs and Abby jumped as the front door slammed shut behind him.

"Shit." She cursed under her breath.

What had she done? She knew he was sensitive! Why hadn't she just kept her big mouth shut?"

Abby began picking things off the floor and putting his room back together once more, she'd never argued with Connor before, not like that, not with him shouting at her and all upset and . . . She wiped at her cheeks, realising that she was crying and she admonished herself. Abby Maitland does not cry at such silly things! She picked up his washing basket and took it down to put a wash on, wondering all the while whether she should go and look for him or just wait for his return.

After a cup of tea and a bowl of cereal, she decided it was best to leave him to simmer down and she went to her room to read her book.

It was quite a while later when the sound of the door woke Abby, she'd fallen asleep while reading. She jumped up instantly, rushing to the door to see Connor's back retreating up the stairs. She followed him, being sure to knock this time, but she felt disheartened by his reply.

"Go away!"

"Please Conn."

"I said go away!" He growled this time.

Abby winced, feeling tears sting at her cheeks again, she wiped them away with the back of her hand and opened the door slightly.

"I have to come in." She said softly.

"It's your flat I suppose."

He was sat with his back to her on the bed and she walked towards him slowly, stomach churning at what he might say, she hated arguments. She sat down next to him and placed a hand tentatively on his shoulder. He pulled away and Abby stifled a sob.

"I'm sorry Connor, I'm so Sorry, I never meant to . . . I mean, if I knew I . . . I'm sorry." She cried.

Connor's head whipped round suddenly at the sound of her stricken voice, his eyes wide and glassy.

"Oh God Abby!" He exclaimed, holding her head in his hands, wiping her tears with his thumbs.

She bit her lip, smiling with relief as the tears continued to flow.

"It's me who should be sorry!" He pulled her to him, holding her tight and she sobbed more. "I've been taking everything out on you and I'm so, so sorry!"

"P . . please let me help you" Abby begged as she pulled away to look up at him.

"I'm fine." He lied.

"No, you're not, I'm your best friend Connor, I know you better than anyone! Just . . . Talk to me about it, I won't judge you, I'll just listen."

"It's not about that, it's hard, I can't, it just . . . to talk about it . . . hurts."

"But it hurts anyway doesn't it?"

He looked down as he nodded in reply

"Then talking about it might help."

"I can't, not yet."

"Ok." She said, deciding not to push him further, after all 'not yet' was better than nothing.

"But will you stay?" He asked in a whisper.

"Of course."

She pulled away and walked around the bed, removing her jeans before lifting back the covers and slipping in. he just looked at her for a moment, as though he'd expected her to sleep on the floor or ask him to.

"Come on then, you look knackered." She said, pulling back the covers at his side.

He finally shook the cobwebs from his mind and stood, undressing to his underwear and joining Abby under the duvet.

"Thanks Abbs."

"For what?"

"For sticking with me and not throwing me out, even though I'm a pain."

She snuggled up to him and smirked as she felt him stiffen against her - in more ways than one.

"You're worth it." She replied. "Besides, how would I afford the rent without you?"

He batted her arm playfully and she giggled.

"Thanks." He replied sarcastically.