Disclaimer – I do not own Primeval, I merely enjoy playing with the characters (because honestly, who wouldn't want to play with Connor? Or Danny? Or Becker? Or Matt? Mmm). I make no money off of this and don't mean to infringe on any copyright.

A/N: This chapter is much more light-hearted then the previous. There's a Lester moment that just makes me want to go "awww!" So please enjoy!

Chapter Two

Family Reunion

Abby was laying on a very uncomfortable surface. She was also cold. She grumbled, sure Connor had stolen all the blankets again. Then a smell hit her and she grimaced. She knew that smell all too well, the combination of antiseptic and cotton. Groaning, Abby opened her eyes, blinking at the light.

"Good, you're awake," said a voice from beside. Abby turned and saw Lester sitting beside her bed, one eyebrow raised. "Everyone's been going crazy. There was nearly a revolt when the medics locked them out. I wanted to be here when you woke up, however, so I threatened to sack all the medics until one of them let me in."

"What happened?" Abby asked, trying to remember how on earth she had gotten to the medical bay. Then she remembered what happened at the pub. A shudder went through her body and suddenly she felt very exposed.

"Well," Lester said, pulling a blanket off the end of the bed and gently draping it over her. "The pressure of dealing with those three horrid individuals overwhelmed you, causing you to pass out cold in Temple's arms. And seeing as he can barely walk on his own without falling over his feet, Becker brought you to the car. He nearly had to fight Quinn for you. Matt only stopped the idiotic squabble by saying one could carry you to the car and the other into the medical wing. So Quinn carried you here, and then they were all thrown out by the medical staff. I believe the nurse had to threaten Temple with a sedative in order to stop him from clinging to you."

"How long was I out for," Abby asked, smiling at Lester's dry recollection of the tale.

"About two hours," Lester said, checking the clock. Abby swallowed, then asked the question she dreaded having answered.

"And… my father?" she asked quietly, looking away and studying her interlocked fingers intently.

"Oh don't worry, I had him, your brother, and their slovenly friend thrown through the nearest future anomaly," Lester said airily.

"Really?" Abby asked hopefully, looking up at Lester and smiling, knowing he was trying to make her feel better.

"Unfortunately, no," Lester replied, watching Abby intently. "They are, however, in jail. Your brother for various drug trafficking charges, your father for resisting government troops, and the other fellow for aggravated assault. Any charges you wish to add would be greatly appreciated."

"They're really in jail?" Abby asked, unable to believe her ears.

"Yes, Abby. They can't hurt you anymore," Lester replied, his voice as gentle as Abby had ever heard it. Abby felt the tears begin to well up. She tried to fight them down. Lester could see her struggling and reached out, gently covering her hands with one of his own, squeezing lightly. The walls Abby had been trying to build up broke at this gentle gesture and tears streamed down her face. Lester offered her a handkerchief, which she took gratefully and used to dab at her eyes, one hand still wrapped firmly around his.

"Did you…" Lester asked, his voice catching in his throat, forcing him to clear it. "Did you really mean what you said about me?" Abby looked at him and smiled, tears still running down her cheeks.

"Of course," she whispered, squeezing his hand. Lester smiled back at her before leaning forward to kiss the young woman gently on the forehead.

"If you were serious, about me walking you down the aisle… Then I would be honored," Lester said, looking at Abby and smiling.

"Thank you," Abby whispered, so overcome that she could barely speak. She threw her arms around her sarcastic, gentle-hearted boss and hugged him, trying to express the gratitude she felt with that gesture. Lester hugged her back, smiling. He felt himself begin to get a little teary-eyed and immediately pulled away, clearing his throat gruffly.

"I should let the others in before Quinn tries to go through the vents again," Lester said, straightening his tie and try to hide the fact that he was dabbing at his eyes. Abby just handed him his handkerchief, grinning when he shot her a baleful look.

"Be prepared for an unseemly amount of hugging and talking," Lester warned before opening the door and slipping out.

Immediately Abby's room was full of people. Connor was the first one to get to her, lifting her bodily off of the bed and spinning her around, holding her tight and talking a mile a minute. Abby couldn't understand much of what he was saying but it sounded like "I love you" over and over again. She kissed him and buried her face in his neck.

Another pair of strong arms scooped her up and again she was spun around in a circle. Abby smiled up into Danny's weatherworn face. He grinned at her and hugged her again, holding her tightly. Abby returned his embrace, hearing him murmur, "I'm never letting you out of my sight again."

Before she could reply Abby was pulled into another set of arms. Jess hugged her tightly, tears streaming unabashed down her face. Abby hugged her back, hearing her say, "I was so worried! I called Lester, but I was afraid he wasn't going to get there in time and those evil men would get away and then Becker would hunt them down and kill them before they could hurt you and Abby I love you so much!"

Then Becker was there, scooping her up into a hug, holding her so tightly that she nearly squeaked. She could see that he was trying to hide the fact that he was wiping away tears as he whispered, "I'm so sorry, Abby. I wish I could have saved you from them."

"You did," Abby whispered back, wiping away one of his tears before Emily's arms wrapped around her. The Victorian woman, like Jess, was weeping freely. The two shared a look. Emily knew what it was like to have your family use you. Abby hugged her hard, thanking Emily for standing by her.

Matt wrapped his arms around her then and she hugged him, surprised to see that the usually stoic Irishman had tears in his eyes. He held her tight, murmuring in his comforting voice, "Don't ever scare me like that again, Abby. I don't know how we would all survive if we lost you."

Abby was past from embrace to embrace. It seemed like no one could stop touching her. Every moment there was a different pair of arms there to hold her. It should have felt stifling, terrifying even. But it didn't. Abby had never felt more loved in her life then in that moment, when she stood held in the arms of her family, covered in their tears. Tears of her own streamed from her eyes, but they were not from sadness. Abby wept for joy, for she knew, in that moment, that she was truly home.

A/N: I know this was a short chapter. Consider it an epilogue. But there will be a sequel to this involving six chapters about different conversations Abby has with members of her "family". So please keep an eye out for that and please review! Thanks!