Title: Just a Costume 2: Redressed, Chapter One
Author: Pinkcat4569
Description: Sequel to Just a Costume. Jess is in the mood to costume shop since Halloween is close. This year is special; it's her one-year anniversary with boyfriend Becker. Light and silly fun.
Rating: At least Teen. Adult themes and innuendos. Nothing graphic, but younger readers (Under 14 or so) may be uncomfortable.
Pairing/Characters: Becker/Jess
Disclaimer: I only write for fun. I don't own Primeval or the characters. Some of the costumes are inspired by costumes from the internet. Others are completely made up.
Author's note: I'm American and we love Halloween so please forgive the fact that I believe Britain doesn't go as crazy as we do. This is just a fun story. It's over 8000 words and I haven't even started the second half. I envision that part to be a tiny bit darker. I'm thinking of adding a creature. Let me know how you like what I have. Thanks for reading!
1312 Words, this chapter
Just a Costume 2: Redressed, Chapter One
Jess hummed as she browsed through the racks of costumes. She was so happy. It was a few weeks away from Halloween. It was a very special time. In a few days she'd be celebrating her one year anniversary with her boyfriend.
She gave a low squeal.
"Oh. I guess you found something good," Becker said, moving over to her. He smirked. "Is it for private?"
She blushed and smiled. "No. Actually, that was an unintentional squeal. I was thinking of you."
He chuckled. "Oh. I'm flattered that I make you feel so...squeal-y."
She giggled. "It was actually our anniversary that made me squeal."
"It's not today, is it?"
"Becker!" she cried, punching him in the stomach. "Are you telling me that you don't know what day it is?"
He laughed. "I know what day it is. You just scared me for a moment. I thought I got the days mixed up."
"Well, let's check," she said, stamping her sparkly heel. "Becker, what day is our anniversary?"
He laughed again. "This Saturday."
She squealed again, only louder. "Good boy!" She then jumped onto him.
"Hey! No funny business in the shop!" cried a tall, straggly fellow with long, unruly hair. He didn't look like someone who could own anything, let alone the biggest, busiest costume shop in London.
"Sorry, Joe," said Becker. "I didn't intend any, my girlfriend though..."
"Becker! I don't intend any either!" she cried, pulling off him. She shot him a frosty glare.
Joe laughed. "Just checking. I love you guys. You're my best customers, but I don't let anyone fool around in the shop. Not even Linda."
"Ew, Joe!" cried Jess. "I do not want to know about your love life with your wife!"
"And I don't want to know about yours," he said. Then he winked and laughed. "More than I can guess from the costumes you buy."
Jess turned bright red and Becker was a light shade of pink. "All transactions should be confidential, you know," said the highly embarrassed young woman.
"Yeah, Joe. Have some ethics."
Joe laughed. "You're the ones hanging on each other in my establishment," he said. He winked again and walked to the front.
"Well, that was embarrassing," said Jess.
"Yeah," said Becker. "Control yourself."
She eyed him. "You behave or I'll be controlling myself all night long and maybe into tomorrow."
He answered her glare with his own. "Don't threaten me, Jess."
"Ooh...got you worried, huh?"
"No," he said, turning his attention to the costumes. "I know you have as much strength around me as I have around you."
Jess broke into giggles. "Point taken."
He smiled. "So...what are we shopping for? Halloween or...ourselves?"
She smiled back. "Don't know. I'm just waiting for something to speak to me."
His eyebrow jumped up. "If any of these start talking, Jess, I'm out of here."
She giggled. "That's not what I meant, idiot."
He smiled. They looked quietly through the costumes, but continued to look flirtatiously at each other.
"Hey, Jess," called Joe's voice from the front. "A new shipment just came in. They look like your kind of costumes."
"Mine? What do you mean?"
"He means they're colorful and short," said Becker.
Joe's laughter drifted from the front. "Actually they are."
Jess giggled as she ran through the shop toward the front. It was not an easy task. Joe's Costume Shop was packed full of movie, music, and pop culture decorations and memorabilia. And of course, it had costumes-lots, and lots of every imaginable costume.
Plus, it was always busy with customers from all walks of life, ages, and races. Many of whom Jess bumped into on her way to join Joe.
"Excuse me," she said.
"I'm so sorry," she told another.
"Cute outfit!" she cried to a third. Finally she reached the counter and Joe. "What have you got?" she asked, out of breath.
He laughed. "Come and see."
"Ooh, you're letting me behind the counter?" she asked, joining him. She saw loads of big boxes. "I feel so special."
"You are," he said, chuckling. "Dig in."
She giggled with glee as she attacked the first box. "I've already done a Geisha, but this is too cute to let go." She pulled one out and set it aside. "Nurse...have."
Joe smirked. "Yeah, but if I remember correctly it wasn't a traditional nurse."
Jess blushed. "No."
He laughed. "It was sold as a pair, right? The 'Naughty Nurse and Doctor Feel Good,' set I believe."
Jess stopped abruptly and tensed. Joe laughed as the young woman in the short, bright red skirt turned the same color.
"You know, Joe, you sold us the blasted things so you shouldn't be making fun."
"I'm not, really," he said, still chuckling. "I owe a large part of my income to those and similar 'blasted things."
"Yes, you do, so don't go there."
"Sorry," he said. "You know I love you."
She gave him a glare, then laughed. "I know. Sorry."
He laughed again. "So...see anything good?"
"Not yet. Princess: too cute. Crayon: bright but too immature. Nun: I don't think so."
Joe laughed. "Yeah, you don't scream black and white."
"No," she said and with a smirk added, "Not even if it was a 'naughty nun."
Joe laughed.
"What is this?" She pulled out a camouflaged package.
"Oh, that's one of the military-esque costumes I bought for some of your work pals."
Jess giggled. "Yeah. Soldiers have a hard time expressing themselves. I'm like, 'really? You need more fatigues?"
Joe laughed. "Hey, don't deprive me of the cash. I want to show these to the Captain." He left with an armful of fatigues and other uniforms and headed toward the back.
Jess stayed behind the counter, digging through boxes.
"Excuse me, Miss? Should you be there?" asked a voice.
Jess turned to see a man in a uniform, not police but some kind of security. "Who are you?" she asked.
He just stared. "Who are you?"
She was a bit perturbed at the question. "I'm a loyal customer and friend of the owner, Joe. Now it's your turn."
He chuckled and smiled. "I'm security."
"Joe has a security officer? He didn't say anything."
"No, he wouldn't. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I was just looking out for the store."
Jess blushed slightly. "Of course. I apologize for my attitude."
He smiled. "No problem...Miss..."
She smiled. "Jess."
"Nice to meet you, Jess. My name is Kenneth. Call me if you need anything," he said, handing her a card.
Jess took it, thinking it was odd that he'd hand her a professional business card. She didn't think security was in that much of demand. She blushed as she thought of Becker and how he was always in her demand. She smiled to herself but it faded when she read the card.
She was even more confused. It just had his name and a cell number. Odd.
"Finally, some decent military costumes that aren't stripper wear," said Becker, coming up front with Joe. "You've got to see some of these, Jess."
Jess looked up. "I don't think it's a good idea to let your security man hand out personal cards. I mean there's no mention of a company at all."
Joe wrinkled his brow. "My security man? Jess, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Kenneth, your security officer. He handed me this card."
Becker immediately took it. "Cheeky bloke. Where is he? Sorry, Joe, but I'm taking your security personnel to task over this. It's just wrong."
Joe stared at them. "I don't have any security."
Jess eyes doubled in size.
End of Chapter One