Primeval fic: Business as Usual/ Would have been Good
Title: Business as usual/Would have been good
Author: Stealingpennies
Word count: 100 x 2
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Becker, Jess, Abby, Connor, Lester, Danny
Written for P100 challenge 341: Fresh Meat
AN: AU Becker/Connor Regency romance of many clichés, bad history and assorted unlikely shenanigans. Becker and Connor have agreed to spend some time apart. Continues from here. Lester is in a bad mood and Becker inadvertently breaks a heart.
*
BUSINESS AS USUAL
A slammed door announced Danny Quinn’s arrival.
Abby, who was calculating materials expenses, looked up in annoyance as she lost track of her numbers. Connor dropped his pencil. Sidney and Nancy started barking.
“I’m finished,” snapped Quinn. “Lester can find a new manager.”
“What now?” asked Abby.
“Production targets,” raged Quinn. “You talk to him. No! Better still, send Connor, Lester’s being nice to him for some reason.”
Abby shifted uncomfortably. Connor stared at his designs.
Lester appeared. “Mr Quinn, my office, now. Connor, Abby, get on with your work.”
He glared at the dogs. Sid and Nancy obediently shushed.
*
WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD
Miss Parker waltzed delightfully. She looked delightful, too, in her gown of eau-de-nil silk. Becker knew that they attracted attention as he whirled her around the room.
“It’s been a long time since we danced,” said Miss Parker, slightly wistful. “You never attend balls any more.”
“Too many insipid debutantes,” said Becker, “Present company excepted.”
She smiled at that. “I could introduce you to non-insipid debutantes.”
He grinned back. “You’d be wasting your time.”
“Don’t you wish to marry?” she pouted.
“Very much.”
“So?”
“He’s yet to agree.”
“Oh! I didn’t...I wish you well.”
The music slowed. She pulled away.
*