isamazed

Title: Pride, Pups and Prejudice, Part 6/9
Author: isamazed
Word count: 16,500 in 9 parts (approx 2,500 in this part)
Characters: Becker/Ryan, Blade, Finn, Allen, Wilder, Vivien
Rating: MA
Warnings: pup!verse (Alpha/Omega verse with puppies and mpreg), lots of hurt, and only little comfort… If you read pup!verse for some TLC, you’ll probably regret opening this one!
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. I only write for fun…
Summary: Ryan and Becker struggle with their relationship.
A/N: The pups belong to fififolle. Allen and Vivien belong to clea2011. Blade and Finn belong to fredbassett. Thanks everyone for trusting me with your OCs!
Thank you, fifi, for the initail beta. I reworked this part a bit, so I claim each and every mistake for myself ;-)

Link to Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5

The next day, they had a call out to an anomaly in Tooting where a couple of Antarctopelta were blocking Tooting Broadway. It was beyond Becker how Jenny managed to keep the anomalies secret with things like that happening. They were trying to herd the dinosaurs back towards the anomaly when his phone rang. The display told Becker that it was his father. Shit, Allen calling could only mean that something was up with the pups.

“Hey Dad. Is everything okay with the pups?”

“Hilary. I am sorry to call. I know you’re at work right now.” The pups were whining in the background. Becker’s heart clenched.

“It’s okay, Dad. Just tell me what’s wrong.” Becker tried to keep an eye on his team and the beasts to make sure nobody was trampled while trying to fight the sinking feeling in his stomach.

“Alex is sick. He’s got a stomach bug. I can’t calm him down and Kay and Marcus keep making a fuss. I am really sorry. Is there a chance for you to make it home early today?”

Becker fought the urge to leave the site then and there. He glanced at the Antarctopelta. They were close to the anomaly now but had stopped in order to munch on a flower shop’s merchandise. He ran his hand through his hair. Damn it, he had known this was bound to happen one day. He had been hoping that it wouldn’t be while Ryan was away, though. He could hardly leave. He was the captain after all. If anything happened to his team, or to one of the civilians who were still watching the show from inside the Tube station and surrounding shops, he’d never forgive himself. Not to mention that Lester would eat him alive… “I’ll try to. I’m in the middle of a shout. I’m sorry. I’ll do my best to be home as quickly as possible.” They disconnected the call and Becker walked over to Blade, his second in command. He wished for the dinosaurs to go back to their own time, so that he could be with his pups. He hated himself for not being with them now.

“What’s up, boss? Everything all right?” Blade had realised the mood change of his captain.

“Alex is sick, and my dad can’t soothe him.” Becker sighed.

“Go home to your pups then, boss. Everything’s under control. We’ll take care of it,” Blade replied without hesitation.

Becker didn’t look convinced. As the captain, he couldn’t leave his team on his own. Even with herbivores like the Antarctopelta their job was dangerous.

“Don’t worry, Captain. Everything will work out fine. Look, it’s only a few more yards for them to go back to their own time. Go and look after your kids. They need you with them now.”

Defeated, Becker’s shoulders slumped. He couldn’t deny that the only place he wanted to be in right now was at home with his kids. Hearing them whining over the phone was fucking awful. Damn omega hormones. Becker hoped this wouldn’t turn out to be a mistake, but he couldn’t quite leave his sick pups on their own, could he? He had a nasty feeling that he was going to pay for it, though. “Alright, Blade. Be careful, okay? Call me every half hour to report on progress, and anytime in-between if something unexpected happens.”

Blade nodded, and Becker started to make his way home. It still felt utterly wrong but either way he would regret not being in two places at the same time.

+++

The window to the pups’ room was open by an inch, and Becker could hear the pups whining from the moment he got out of the car. His face turned into a frown. Gosh, they were clearly miserable. He jogged to the door and caught a disapproving glare from Mrs Bentham next door who watched him from her window. He ignored her. He really didn’t have the time to worry about the sensitivities of his picture-perfect neighbours.

“We’re in here, Hilary,” Allen called from the pups’ room as soon as Becker closed the front door behind him. Becker threw his jacket on the floor and just stopped long enough to get out of his Kevlar vest, put it into his bedroom and close the door firmly behind him.

The scene he took in from the door to the pups’ room made his heart ache. Allen sat on the floor next to the puppy basket, a small bucket of water and a handcloth within easy reach to clean up the sick puppy when his body would be claimed by yet another wave of his stomach bug. Alex was lying in the basket with a fluffy towel underneath him. The golden pup was looked exhausted and had his head rested between his two front paws. His eyes looked up to Becker pleadingly, as if he were asking his dad to make the pain go away. Beautiful, big and strong Alex who reminded Becker so much of his alpha dad had been beaten by a stomach bug.

Kay and Marcus were sitting next to the basket, alternating between making soothing and whimpering noises. They were shaken by seeing their older, protective brother so vulnerable. Allen looked almost as exhausted as the pups. He clearly had gone out of his way trying to calm them down. A big laundry basket halfway filled with dirty towels was proving that Alex had been tormented by cramps for quite some time.

Becker dropped down to the floor next to the puppy basket and carefully stroked the paws of his eldest son while nuzzling his neck at the same time. Alex let out a distressed whine and relaxed a little. As if on cue, Kay and Marcus stopped whimpering and Becker gently stroked both of them with his other hand. He felt miserable that he hadn’t been with them when they obviously had needed their dad so much. God, he was a terrible father.

After a few minutes he let go of his kids and turned to Allen. “Why don’t you go home and get some sleep, Dad? You look tired. Thank you for taking good care of them! I appreciate it. A lot.”

Allen nodded and slowly got up. He carefully stretched his arms and legs and got down to his knees again to hug his grandchildren goodbye.

+++

Becker woke to the shrilling sound of the doorbell. It took a moment for him to wake up properly. He had fallen asleep on the floor next to the puppy basket. His neck and shoulders were screaming in protest. Kay and Marcus were curled up on one of their blankets and had snuggled up to Becker’s stomach. Alex lay in the basket. All three pups were sleeping peacefully. Becker had spent the whole night and morning looking after them. Alex had suffered from his stomach bug until around noon and Becker had spent all the time trying to soothe him and clean him up. The laundry basket was now filled with towels and handcloths.

Becker had had a hard time trying to get the puppies to eat and drink a little. Alex couldn’t keep anything in his stomach, and his brother and sister refused to eat in sympathy. It had taken all of Becker’s persuasiveness and their favourite food to make them feed. Alex had first managed to keep something down in the early afternoon. By then, all four of them had been exhausted enough to fall asleep right where they had been at that moment in the afternoon.

Another sound of the doorbell brought Becker back into present. The afternoon sun was claiming the room and he looked up at the clock. Damn it. He was due back in the ARC for his shift in 40 minutes, and he was still dressed in his combats from the day before. He slowly got up in order not to wake the pups and went to open door. His father was standing in front of him, looking fresh and energised but worried.

“Hello son. You didn’t answer your phone, so I thought I’d just come over and see if you’re ready to go to work today.” Allen took a closer look at his son and added, “Even though you look like you could use a day off.”

“Thanks, Dad. It’s been a hell of a night, but I think Alex is better now,” Becker stepped aside to let his father in. He was thankful for Allen’s support. Becker had shut him out of his life for so long, and still the older man would never let him down. He felt a pinch of guilt at the thought. “I’d better take a shower and leave then. But please call me immediately if the pups are uneasy. I’m sure I can find someone to cover for me if need be. Okay?” Becker had been noticing that Wilder was only waiting for him to make a mistake that would give him the excuse to report Becker to their superiors. So much for equality in the workplace. If he were an alpha, Wilder wouldn’t even think about it.

+++

Becker arrived five minutes late at the ARC and there was a hint of triumph in Wilder’s eyes from whom he took over. The week just kept getting better. Becker fought his increasing doubts that being a working omega dad was a good idea. Having grown up in a military family being late went against everything Becker believed in and yet he seemed unable to be punctual lately. In combat being on time was crucial to survive. After handover processes, Becker made his way to the armoury where his team should be on shooting practice. A few compassionate glances were shot in his direction as his men took in his appearance.

“You look like shit, boss.” His second in command nodded greetingly.

“What was that, Lieutenant?” Becker raised an eyebrow at Blade’s blunt comment but his voice wasn’t sharp. He was too tired to keep up appearances.

“Are the pups better?” Finn strolled over to them. He really was a caring uncle.

“Yes, I think Alex is better now. It’s good that we have a free weekend though, so that he can fully recover.”

“Let us know if you need any help. You know we love to look after the little ones.” Finn looked almost hopeful.

“Thank you. And you’re great with them! I hope we’ll manage though.” He didn’t want to wear out the uncles’ offers for support too much.

Becker heard the door open behind him and a familiar voice said: “Having time to chat with your men, Captain? Well, that doesn’t look like you require the back-up you’ve been asking for so insistently.”

Becker’s eyes widened, and he felt his jaw drop. “Vivien?” He turned around to see his brother standing in the armoury.

“It’s Major Becker, Captain,” his alpha brother said with an eyebrow raised just like Becker had been doing it a minute earlier.

“What are you doing here?!” Why the hell was his brother standing in front of him? He didn’t even have the security clearance required for the project!

“I must insist on appropriate behaviour, Captain. Is this how you address your superior officer?”

“My… my what?” Becker gaped like a fish. They surely hadn’t…?

“Captain!”

Becker finally remembered his military training and stood to attention. He shot a sideway glance at his men who had acquired the position already. “Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir.”

“I’ve been informed about some… irregularities, Captain, so I came to see for myself. And I must say that I am concerned about what I find.” Vivien looked at him disparagingly as if they had never met before.

“Sir?” Becker’s heart was thumping in his throat. This was a complete nightmare. Vivien was his brother, for God’s sake. They had never been particularly close, but this was worse than anything he could have ever imagined. He felt Blade stiffen beside him.

“It was reported that there were three instances of absence from duty due to tardiness, Captain. I do not wish to repeat that a ranking officer is always a role model for his team. Much more serious, I was told that you left your team on their own in the middle of an operation yesterday. That could easily be interpreted as desertion, Captain.” Vivien went on throwing the open threat at him, his alpha eyes pinched together. “It might appear as if you were… overstrained, Captain.”

“I assure you, Sir, I am not.” Becker’s hands clenched into fists, trying to stop them from shaking. This couldn’t be true. Hearing these words from his brother was a complete betrayal. He knew that Vivien had never been happy with his omega brother joining the military, but he hadn’t expected him to go this far. He’d even thought that Vivien had been accepting it better after Becker and Ryan had mated. But maybe his brother just hadn’t wished to challenge another military alpha. Becker’s head was spinning.

“Captain Becker is the best CO we could hope for, Sir.” Blade was practically growling beside him, the aggression barely hidden in the alpha’s voice.

“Blade!” Becker hissed. Was he out of his mind?!

“Oh, another soldier desperately longing for a reprimand in his file? Be assured that that can be arranged, Lieutenant.” Vivien’s disapproving gaze dropped on the soldier. “It appears the entire squad needs to be reminded of appropriate behaviour. I think special training this weekend in Northumberland will help your memory a bit. Make sure to report at Otterburn Training Area at 8am tomorrow.” His voice was cold as ice. “And just to be clear: anyone showing up late, and if it’s only a second, will be discharged immediately. Dismissed.”

Vivien turned and left the room. The soldiers started murmuring. A captain being told off in front of his entire team was unthinkable. But they were upset for Becker, not because of him. Becker himself was still staring at the door through which his brother had left. His ears were ringing and he fought the urge to curl up into a tight ball. This was ridiculous. It had to be a bad dream.

“Sorry, boss. I should have kept my mouth shut.” He barely registered Blade’s voice through his whirling mind. He shook his head and turned to his second in command.

“No worries, Blade. I think this was decided long before you spoke up,” Becker said, resigned. Apparently, an omega captain was no longer welcome in the army, now that he didn’t have the protection of his military alpha mate anymore. They had tolerated him as long as he had portrayed the picture-perfect soldier, and now that he’d made a few mistakes he’d become a burden. But he would give a damn if he'd make it easy for them to get rid of him.

Part 7