Home for the Weekend

[jooles34]

Title: Home for the Weekend
Fandom: Primeval
Characters: James Lester
Words: 497
Rating,Warnings: PG
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Primeval.
Spoilers: Inspired by a throwaway line in 5.5 but bares no relation or reference to the episode or the series, so no spoilers.
AN: Huge thanks to the lovely lukadreaming for speedy beta.

James Lester pauses and rests his hand on the wood in front of him. It is a simple thing, one of billions in existence, but to him it is a barrier between worlds.

On this side is danger; political as well as real. There are secrets, suspicions, battles to be fought and won, and goddamn dinosaurs. But on the other...

James finally puts his key in the lock and turns it. He pushes his front door open and closes it swiftly behind him, shutting out the world of nightmares.

He puts down his briefcase and keys just in time for a brown labrador to barrel itself around a corner and stick its muzzle into his open hand.

"Hello boy," he greets him and receives tail-wagging so enthusiastic it makes the dog's whole body move. James rolls his eyes and wonders if the animal's mind will ever catch up to the fact that it is far from still being a puppy any more.

Releasing the dog he follows the way that it had come and enters the kitchen. His wife stands at the counter, flicking through a magazine, her back to him. He approaches, placing a hand in the small of her back and receiving a smile and a kiss in return. This is a Friday evening ritual now. Gone are the days of a big reunion at the end of the week. Instead, it is just another step in the pattern; a nice, safe reliable pattern that doesn't change, doesn't threaten anyone's careers or lives. It is a most attractive pattern.

"Can I get you a drink?"

Another ritual.

"Yes please."

Another comfort.

James watches his wife move. Though the years are slowly etching themselves onto her face he is suddenly struck by the feeling that she has never looked so beautiful.

She passes him his drink and he lets his fingers linger on hers; an acknowledgment, a request, a promise for later.

She pulls her hand slowly back and steps slightly away.

"Dinner will be ready soon. I bought you a new pair of boots. I thought we could go for a long walk tomorrow, maybe drive to the coast."

"I don't think that dog has got many long walks left in him. I'm not sure I have either for that matter."

But they both know they will be going.

James slides onto a stool at the worktop and watches his wife finish preparing the family meal, another Friday tradition, as he sips his drink. He takes a deep breath and the rest of the other world starts to slip away. He savours it, drinking in the familiar sounds, sights and smells, revelling in the peace and quiet that home brings.

A door slams upstairs and his eldest daughter shouts indecipherably at one of her siblings.

James sighs and sips his drink again. Okay. Maybe not so quiet.

Comments

[canadian-jay.livejournal.com]

Hee, not so quiet indeed! Lovely fic.

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you, so pleased you liked it.

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous scene -- and totally not what I was expecting!

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. Really chuffed you like it.

[fredbassett]

Aw, that's totally lovely :)

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you, so pleased you liked it.

[lilblubox.livejournal.com]

That's a really lovely scene! :) Great fic!

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, so glad you liked it.

[knitekat.livejournal.com]

Awww, that is a truely lovely scene.

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[telperion-15.livejournal.com]

A lovely moment of peace and almost-quiet! :)

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you, really pleased you liked it.

[sdkptibor.livejournal.com]

brilliant

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you

[bigtitch.livejournal.com]

Oh that was lovely. A very realistic glimpse into Lester's private life.

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you, really pleased you liked it.

[fififolle]

That was wonderful and very vivid and insightful :)
xxx

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Thank you so much!

[seren-ccd.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely! ♥

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[lsellersfic.livejournal.com]

Oh lovely!

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you mate!

[nietie.livejournal.com]

Bless Lester. This is a beautiful scene, love it.

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Thank you mate; really pleased you liked it.

[celeste9]

Aw, what a lovely, sweet fic. Lester deserves some normalcy!

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

He does! I just liked the idea that he has somewhere where he can be happy!

Thank you, pleased you liked it.

[phoebezu.livejournal.com]

How much I dreamed about Lester's weekends in family! Thank you for made it real! :)

[jooles34.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you so much for such a lovely comment; I'm really pleased you liked it! I like to think of Lester being happy with a little slice of normality in his life.

By the way, that is the lovliest Lester icon I've seen. Is it one othe people can use?

[phoebezu.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!! I'm very happy you like my icon! :)
Yes, it's usable :), I posted it on my LJ with a lot of similar others here: http://phoebezu.livejournal.com/29656.html.
Take anything you want! :D

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I always enjoy seeing glimpses of Lester's family life. Considering all of his complaints about Sid and Nancy, it's really sweet that he has a big friendly labrador. *g* I like the idea that he sees his home as a sanctuary, even if it isn't always perfect...or quiet. ;-)