Fic: Buzzed (April Fic Challenge)

[csi_sanders1129]

Title: Buzzed
Chapters: 1/1
Author:csi_sanders1129
Ratings: K+
Word Count: 1028
Pairings/Characters: Connor Temple/Hilary Becker, other ARC crew.
Synopsis: In which Connor and Becker are closing an anomaly and something troublesome slips through.
Comments: Written for my April Fic Challenge 2021, Prompt: Bugs. Comments and kudos would be awesome. Enjoy!

"We might have a problem."

Becker's in the process of using the Anomaly Locking Mechanism to close the latest in a long line of recent anomalies that have been popping up across the UK. However, at Connor's words (as Connor is typically correct when he goes around announcing potential problems) he pauses in his work and spins around. He sees Connor standing behind him, but in the palm of his hand is the smashed remains of what appears to be a very large, very odd looking bug that most definitely is not native to the area but is probably native to whatever time-period this anomaly is connected to (early readings by the programs back at the ARC suggest it is likely a few hundred years in the future). On closer inspection, however, they both notice that while it appears to be something distantly related to a wasp, it is not, in fact, an insect at all, but rather a small piece of technology. Amidst the broken bits and pieces is a small glass vial with an odd blue liquid that seems to be glowing. In place of a stinger, there is instead a needle.

"Did that just sting you?" Becker asks, noting the way Connor has suddenly gone very pale.

Connor manages a curt nod in response, as well as some strangled noise of affirmation. He takes one single staggering step forward and promptly collapses to the ground.

"Connor!" He shouts, dropping to his knees beside the other man's abruptly unconscious form. To his relief, though, he finds Connor still breathing – whatever he'd been injected with wasn't immediately fatal, at least, but he still needs to get him to medical aid as soon as possible and get the bug to the ARC scientists to figure out what the hell it dosed him with. In order to do that, though, he either needs to get away from the anomaly or finish closing it beside there's no way he'll ever be able to get a call out for help with all the interference the anomaly produces. "This certainly is a problem, isn't it?"

As quickly as he can manage, he moves away from Connor and finishes up the correct sequencing of codes to get the Locking Device up and running. He heaves a sigh of relief as the machine starts to work, glad that no more of those weird not-bugs will be able to get through.

He checks his phone, glad to see that it has a signal.

"Lester?" he says, upon dialing into the ARC. "Gonna need a hand out here."

---

Becker's been watching Abby and Sarah poke and prod at the future bug for a few hours now. They've been inspecting it's odd construction while several of the ARC techs works at running tests on the liquid it contained in an attempt to figure out just what it is and what effects it might have on its victim. So far, with the man safely under observation in the ARC's medbay, there have been no obvious complications – Connor just seems to be taking a very sound nap.

Eventually, when the computers finally spit out the reports and the techs have sorted out an explanation, they learn that Connor was drugged with some sort of sedative. Its chemical structure appears similar to that of the types of medications given prior to surgery to induce anesthesia, they explain, though it is not a perfect match given the time differences and the expected advancements in medical technology. Still, Becker and the others are at a loss as to why an anesthetic is being carried and stealthily delivered by what is essentially a bug drone – there are endless possibilities (perhaps they combat some future animal, perhaps they're meant for security purposes, or perhaps something more nefarious). Good news for Connor, though. Based on the dosage remaining in the vial, it shouldn't take long for the effects to wear off.

With that sorted, Becker heads to medbay, where he finds that Connor has already started to come around a bit. He's more or less sitting up now, but he's clearly still very, very out of it – his wide eyes dart frantically around the room as if he doesn't recognize quite where he is, but when his gaze lands on Becker, something must click, there's a spark of relieved recognition there.

"What happened to me?" Connor wonders. He sounds drunk, his voice slurred and slow.

"You'll be fine," Becker is quick to assure him, crossing the room to sit at his bedside. "Just got a bit too friendly with the not-so-local wildlife, is all." He'll explain the situation more later, when he's sure the memory might actually stick – Connor doesn't look too concerned with the details right now, anyway.

"You're pretty," Connor blurts out, though whatever part of his brain is in charge of the last vestiges of his inhibition looks to be fighting the words as they leave his mouth, where a big dopey smile has taken up residence.

Becker chokes back his laughter, offers a smile of his own. "… Thank you?"

"D'you wanna go out for dinner sometime?" Connor dares to ask. "Y'know, with me. On a date."

"Tell you what," Becker says, trying to deftly navigate this situation. While he certainly would not mind dating Connor, the man is his friend as well as his co-worker and accepting drug induced invitations seems like it could lead to problems once the drugs wear off. "If you remember asking me that when you're feeling better, I will go out to dinner with you."

An unexpected voice cuts in. Danny, appearing in the doorway – no doubt he'd only just heard about the incident upon his return from a different anomaly and come to check in on Connor. "If he doesn't remember," their leader announces, "I'm sure the rest of us will be happy to remind him."

Becker doesn't bother with a response. Danny is wise enough to leave before the ARC's head of security happily reminds him of those early days where he mostly just had to run around the place putting him in handcuffs.

"I'll remember," Connor swears.

---

And he does.