Title: Rotation
Author: Pinkcat4569
Rating: Teen for brief descriptions of creature gore and some mild adult situations and language
Description: Jess and Becker's unique bond has led to Lester putting all field coordinators on rotation. Working different shifts and barely seeing each other, can they (and the ARC) survive?
Pairing: Becker/Jess, pre-relationship (romantic, that is)
Disclaimer: I write only for fun. I don't own Primeval or the characters.
Author's Note: 14475 total words, in ten chapters. Thanks to Primeval Denial's Fic Finishing Challenge for making me face my procrastination. It's done!
1787 Words this chapter
Rotation, Chapter One
Jess walked into Lester's office and smiled. Her boss sat, his head hanging over his desk. He looked tired. Perhaps that's why he was pouring himself a shot of brandy.
"Tough morning?" she asked.
He groaned. "I hate bloody evaluations."
"Really? I thought you'd love pointing out every little flaw in your employees," she said with a slight giggle.
"Yes, it sounds fun, at first."
She laughed and shook her head. "You have the finest staff in London. Myself, of course, included."
He looked at her bright smile. "Spare me the 'glass half full' cheeriness today Parker. Have a seat."
She smiled, sitting across from him.
He took a sip and then a breath. "Now, Miss Parker, the evaluations from your coordinating staff are...glowing."
She beamed. "Of course."
He rolled his eyes. "Apparently some people fall for that bright outlook and constant happy disposition of yours."
She giggled. "You don't?"
"It's tolerable, most days."
She laughed.
"As I was saying, the people under your direction adore you."
She smiled.
"You get ridiculously high marks across the board. More than one of your subordinates described you as 'a dream to work for and with.' Yuck."
"Yuck?" she asked with a chuckle.
"However..."
Her smile dropped. "What?"
"It seems that they all have one concern and it is rather important."
"What concern?"
"Well, they each made some comment that perhaps you do not truly trust them."
"What? They didn't say that. Did they?"
He nodded.
She jumped to her feet. "How could they? Of course I trust them! I've never given them reason to doubt, never!"
He took another sip. "According to these reports, you have."
"How could they?" she repeated. She paced a little in front of his desk. "I don't understand. We're a happy little section. I do trust them."
"It seems they all have the same specific complaint."
"What?" she asked, stopping in front of him.
He smirked briefly. It was very annoying to Jess. He cleared his throat and wiped the smirk off. "According to them, each and every other coordinator mind you, that you never let anyone but yourself work with the main team."
Jess' eyes got big. She gulped. She even blushed. "Oh."
"Oh?"
She smiled awkwardly.
"You admit it?"
"Well, I am the head field coordinator. Doesn't it make sense that the best should direct the best?"
Lester looked at her but said nothing.
"I'm usually on the same shift. It just works out that I'm their usual coordinator."
"You're not their 'usual,' Miss Parker. I checked. You're their only."
"That can't be true. I'm sure there are other times..."
"I said I checked," he said, a little gruffly. "There are not."
She fidgeted. "Is that true?" she asked, trying to sound surprised.
Lester sighed, shaking his head. "It isn't logical. You can't be here all the time. Allowing all the teams to become comfortable with all the coordinators makes sense, doesn't it?"
"Of course. I have nothing against the other coordinators, nothing."
"Good." He smirked again. "How about the teams? Is there something...special about the main team?"
She dropped open her mouth. "Of course not!"
He chuckled.
"They're the main team. I'm the head coordinator. We...complement each other."
"Of course," he said. "Still...one must wonder if there is a reason, a member of the team perhaps that draws all of your attention."
"Don't be silly, Lester."
"Hmm, no?"
"No."
"Good. So there is no problem?"
"Of course not."
"Excellent That's what I like to hear."
She smiled. "I will talk to my section at once. It's all a big, silly misunderstanding."
"No doubt," he said as she stood up to leave. "However, I was thinking that perhaps, a rotation of all coordinators might alleviate the situation."
She stopped. "Excuse me?"
"I think it's a smashing idea. It will allow all teams and all coordinators to get used to each other, as well as working at any time of the day or night. Anomalies can be so unaccommodating."
"I..I...I," Jess stammered.
"Yes?"
Jess stood dumbfounded and in shock. "Rotate?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"Oh, I think we should do it for a while," he said, as Jess turned pale. "Give you all a chance to work with as many teams as possible and during all the shifts."
"All the shifts?"
"Yes."
"But..."
"What, Miss Parker? You said there was no problem."
"There isn't! Rotating us all around like a bunch of pinwheels is extreme!"
"Excellent analogy," he said, grinning.
"It isn't necessary!"
"I think it is and I am the boss."
She glared at him. Finally after a few seconds she said, "But the team and I, the main team, I mean, we have a...rhythm...going. We're in synch."
He chuckled. "I'm sure Becker and the others will find a rhythm with the other coordinators as well."
She frowned. "Why... why did you say his name?"
"He is a member of the team in question, yes?"
"Yes," she said, blushing. "I just...why did you say him, specifically?"
He smirked. "No reason. You didn't infer one, did you?"
She blushed deeper. "No," she softly. She suspected all of this had to do with stupid rumors swirling around the ARC. Everyone seemed to think she had a huge crush on the security chief. It was annoying, whether or not it was true.
"Lester, are you ordering me to do this?"
He held her gaze. "Must I?"
She sighed and looked down. "No."
"Good. Cheer up, Parker, I'm not transferring you or anything."
"You may as well be! I'll be working with other teams! I'll hardly see him!"
She caught the huge smirk on Lester's face.
"Them. I mean them."
Not long later, Jess was seated in Ops, but not at the ADD. She was at another desk while one of her coordinators, Jalissa, was at the ADD.
The young Jamaican seemed happy while Jess seemed nervous and on edge.
"No anomalies yet," Jess said.
"I know. It's such a bummer. I'm ready for some action."
"Jalissa, please. This isn't a game, you know."
"I know. I didn't mean it like that." She turned to look at Jess. "I won't let them get hurt. I promise."
Jess nodded. "I know." She sighed. "I never meant...to hog one team. I guess...I've known the main team the longest. I was the only coordinator when the ARC restarted. I have an...attachment, with them."
Jalissa nodded. "It makes sense."
"It's nothing personal," Jess said.
"We know that," said Jalissa. "We just...wondered sometimes. Jess, I'm sorry. No one meant to get you in trouble."
"I know."
"Can you handle this, the rotation?"
Jess held her head up. "Of course. No problem."
"Good."
Jess sighed. "Rotation...will be fine," she said, like she was reassuring herself. She realized Jalissa was staring. Jess smiled. "I do trust you. I promise."
Jalissa smiled. "Thank you."
Jess nodded. "We're all very capable and so are the teams. It doesn't matter who's in the hot seat."
Jalissa laughed. "As long as the seat doesn't get too hot."
Jess giggled. "Yes. It's a tough job."
"It is."
Jess hoped it didn't get too hot while she was off on other shifts. She fidgeted. Actually, she was supposed to be leaving, to rest up in order to come back and take the overnight. She just didn't want to leave yet.
Not without seeing someone.
"Hey," said a voice that made her belly flop with just that one, short word.
Finally. He was here. She smiled, with a tinge of sadness and dread. "Hey, Becker."
"So you finally got rid of us, huh?"
She frowned. "It was not my idea."
He laughed. "I know. It's kind of silly if you ask me."
"I agree with you."
Becker looked over at Jalissa. "I know we'll be in good hands."
'Great,' thought Jess. 'He won't even miss me.'
"Although," began Becker, "it won't be the same."
She smiled, her heart flipping again. "You'll be fine," she said.
"We will," he said, drawing a bit close. "Make no mistake, Jess. You're the best. Period."
She blushed. "Thank you." They stared at each other.
Then Jalissa coughed. It rattled Jess and brought her back to earth. "Of course, I wouldn't leave you, uh, the team, if I didn't think Jalissa and the others could handle it. Lester be damned."
Becker laughed. "No, you'd guard the ADD, using one of your heels as a weapon."
She giggled. "I would!"
Lester walked in. "Parker? Are you still here?"
"I'm just leaving, Captain Bligh."
"Very humorous," said Lester. "Do not make me ask the Captain to escort you out."
"Oh, that would be my pleasure," Becker said, making Lester roll his eyes.
Jess blushed and giggled.
"That's enough, thank you," said their boss.
"I don't suppose I can make you change your mind?" she asked as he walked from Ops.
Lester only waved back.
"He is Captain Bligh," Jess repeated. She stuck her tongue out.
Becker laughed, looking at the distraught young woman. "I'll miss you."
She snapped to attention as Becker blushed. "Will you?"
He nodded. "I've gotten used to Katy Perry humming in my ear."
She giggled.
He then did something that nearly made her faint. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Come back soon."
She smiled. "I will. I'll get Lester off this crazy idea as fast as I can."
"Good," he said, smiling at her. "Of course, I could try." He smirked.
"Don't get yourself sacked," she said. "I want you here when I get back."
"I will be."
She nodded. She looked around Ops and sighed. "I guess the sooner I get going the sooner we can get back to normal." She gathered her stuff and slowly walked to the exit, looking back to smile at Becker. She then left Ops.
Jalissa chuckled. "Yeah, no one watching that little scene would infer anything," she mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
She looked at Becker, and dropped her amused face. The look he gave her...well, it could kill. She gulped. Then she actually shuddered. "Nothing. Nothing at all, Sir."
He stared at her with a a long, accusatory glare. She gulped again.
He finally moved, walking out with slow, heavy steps.
She sighed with relief, crumpling onto the keyboard. "Oh...jeez. They might survive, but will we?"
End of Chapter One