A method of protecting the free ends of communication lines (86,412,428) from debris during downhole connection in a subterranean well, the method comprising: a) positioning a first downhole assembly, having a first connector (158,424) with a free end of a first communication line (86,428) fixed thereto, at a downhole location in the wellbore; b) moving a second downhole assembly, having a second connector (147,408) with a free end of a second communication line (86,412) fixed thereto, into the wellbore and relative to the first downhole assembly; characterised by the steps of: c) moving a first reciprocating member (154,430), mounted for movement on the first downhole assembly from an initial position to an actuated position, the first reciprocating member (154,430) moving relative to the first connector (158,424); d) moving a second reciprocating member (140,414) mounted for movement on the second downhole assembly from an initial position to an actuated position, the second reciprocating member (140,430) moving relative to the second connector (147,424); e) moving a first protective cover (162,430), attached to the first reciprocating member (154,430), from an initial position wherein the free end of the first communication line is protected from debris to an open position wherein the free end of the first communication line exposed; f) moving a second protective cover (152,414), attached to the second reciprocating member (140,414), from an initial position wherein the free end of the second communication line is protected from debris to an open position wherein the free end of the second communication line is exposed; g) connecting the first and second connectors (154,147,424,408) and establishing communication across the free ends of the first and second communication lines; h) disconnecting the first and second connectors (154,147,424,408); and i) returning the first reciprocating member (140,414) to its initial position and the first cover (162,430) to its initial position wherein the free end of the first connector is protected from debris; and j) returning the second reciprocating member (140,414) to its initial position and the second cover (152,414) to its initial position wherein the free end of the second connector is protected from debris. a) positioning a first downhole assembly, having a first connector (158,424) with a free end of a first communication line (86,428) fixed thereto, at a downhole location in the wellbore; b) moving a second downhole assembly, having a second connector (147,408) with a free end of a second communication line (86,412) fixed thereto, into the wellbore and relative to the first downhole assembly; characterised by the steps of: c) moving a first reciprocating member (154,430), mounted for movement on the first downhole assembly from an initial position to an actuated position, the first reciprocating member (154,430) moving relative to the first connector (158,424); d) moving a second reciprocating member (140,414) mounted for movement on the second downhole assembly from an initial position to an actuated position, the second reciprocating member (140,430) moving relative to the second connector (147,424); e) moving a first protective cover (162,430), attached to the first reciprocating member (154,430), from an initial position wherein the free end of the first communication line is protected from debris to an open position wherein the free end of the first communication line exposed; f) moving a second protective cover (152,414), attached to the second reciprocating member (140,414), from an initial position wherein the free end of the second communication line is protected from debris to an open position wherein the free end of the second communication line is exposed; g) connecting the first and second connectors (154,147,424,408) and establishing communication across the free ends of the first and second communication lines; h) disconnecting the first and second connectors (154,147,424,408); and i) returning the first reciprocating member (140,414) to its initial position and the first cover (162,430) to its initial position wherein the free end of the first connector is protected from debris; and j) returning the second reciprocating member (140,414) to its initial position and the second cover (152,414) to its initial position wherein the free end of the second connector is protected from debris.