Title: Primeval Match . com, Chapter One
Author: Pinkcat4569
Rating: mostly G, it's about dating and romantic matches so there will probably be some innuendos.
Description: It's Valentine's Day and Jess throws the ARC a party, complete with "fun" computer dating. Will it be fun when certain people are not happy with who is supposedly perfect for them? Jess/Becker a couple.
Disclaimer: This is only for fun, I don't own Primeval, the characters, or the matching sites.
Author's Note: The title is taken from one of the many dating or romantic match sites in America. I've never been to one of the sites and I didn't want this to be an account of how they work. As Jess says, "it's fun." Connor though, in my opinion, would be intrigued by the science of matching people. I took information off the internet about how these sites match, but I didn't want to get too bogged down with details.
This is another late Valentine fic as I got shot by Cupid kind of late. P.S. The description of Coconut Ice was found on the internet.
1434 Words, this chapter
P.S. This site is altering the title. It's kind of funny. The title should be Match . com but all in one word, and it's not coming out that way.
Primeval Match . com, Chapter One
Jess hummed as she straightened the red lace overlay on the white table linen. "Perfect."
"Yes, you are," said Becker, staring at her and smirking.
"I meant the table," she said, giggling.
He smiled as she walked over to him and gave him a small kiss. "Thank you though."
"You sure are going all out," he said, looking around the canteen. "It looks like a swarm of cupids attacked."
She laughed and punched him slightly in the arm. "Stop it. I love Valentine's Day."
He smiled. "I know. That's why I brought you this," he said, handing her a small red foil-wrapped heart.
"Thank you!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "You're a good boyfriend."
He smiled. "I try."
She giggled. "Actually…" she said, moving over to her bag and taking something out of it, "I'm a fairly good girlfriend." She handed him a small tin.
He smiled. "Thank you, but seeing as how you'll probably be attacking these chocolates, it's kind of a selfish gift, don't you think?"
She swatted him again. "You better behave! That was rather a rude thing to say!"
He started opening the tin. "I notice you aren't denying that you'd do it."
"Actually I would," she said with a giggle. "That is, if they were chocolates."
"They're not? That was smart Jess," he said, "and considerate."
She smiled and watched with anticipation as he opened the gift. His brow wrinkled as he took in a strong smell of coconut. She giggled as he asked, "Jess, are these…"
"What, Honey?"
He pulled out a small pink sugary chunk. "Jess, this looks like Coconut Ice."
She smiled brightly. "Does it?" She giggled. "Well, you did mention how much you missed your great-grandmother's homemade sweets and I think you did specify that Coconut Ice was your favorite."
He bit into the square. Two things happened: his eyes shut automatically and he began to make a mmmm sound.
Jess giggled. "I guess you like them?"
He nodded. "Granny's didn't have a strawberry flavor to them but I'm not complaining."
She smiled. "Good."
"Yes, they are. I hope you kept the recipe."
She giggled. "I did. They're easy to make really, mostly just sugar, evaporated milk and coconut. The secret is to let them dry so they get a bit crumbly."
"Mmm. Sorry, what did you say, Honey?" he asked.
She laughed. "I'd be offended that you're ignoring me, but seeing how it's my fault, I'll let it go."
He nodded. "Good. I'm just going to ….sit over here…and get iced." He winked. "Thank you by the way."
"You're welcome," she said, giggling as she went back to her decorating.
"OK, Jess, we're all set," said Connor, walking in with a large stack of papers. He stopped talking as he saw Becker. "Oh, I didn't realize…" He stopped. "Becker's here," he said, quickly forcing a grin.
"Yes, he is," Jess said, "but don't worry. He's in a very good mood."
"Really? When we discussing the entertainment, he seemed…unhappy with our plan."
Jess laughed. "He's fine with it…now. Watch." She turned away from Connor and called to Becker. "Honey, we're going to hand out the results from the computer matches soon, is that fine?"
"Mmm…. What Jess? Oh, sure whatever you want. Great."
She turned back to Connor and smiled. "See?"
Connor laughed. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing. I just gave him a Valentine, that's all."
"Was it laced with alcohol?"
Jess giggled. "No. However strawberries and coconut appear to have a similar affect," she said as Connor looked baffled. "Let me see one of the result sheets."
Connor handed her a sheet of paper decorated with hearts and roses.
"Ooh, they look fantastic on the Valentine paper stock I found," said Jess.
"It's a bit cutesy for me," said Connor, "but hey…it's Valentine's, so whatever. Anyway, it's what's on the frilly paper that's important."
Jess smiled. "Fun. It's fun. I hope no one takes it too seriously."
"You mean you hope Becker doesn't get angry and take it out on the poor blokes who happen to match with you?"
"Connor, that won't happen," said Jess. "Becker is my perfect match." She smiled.
Connor laughed. "I don't know. Don't get me wrong; you guys are cute, and Lord knows that Becker needs your calming influence. It's just…you two seem a bit…opposite…to me."
Jess laughed. "We might like different things. I like shopping. Becker doesn't care for it, unless it's guns."
Connor laughed, sneaking a look at Becker, who was still in another world.
"Plus, he seems to view life a bit less colorfully than I do," continued Jess.
Connor smiled. "Different philosophies. Yeah. You shop to live. He shoots to kill."
Jess giggled. "True love is one of the magical mysteries of life. Take you and Abby. It's hard to understand at times." She shot him a teasing glance.
He just smiled. "Abby and I make perfect sense. As far as figuring out love, that's where Science comes in."
Jess scoffed. "I refuse to believe that something as amazing as Love can be dissected and reduced to a formula or program." She stopped decorating and looked at him.
Connor smiled sheepishly.
"Connor, you did match people with my questionnaires, didn't you?"
"Of course," he said with a nod. Jess smiled. Then Connor admitted, "I also used the more scientific system that I developed."
"Connor, no! You promised!"
"It's fine, Jess. I worked all the bugs out of it. You'll approve now."
She stomped her foot. "Connor, that wasn't fair. You went behind my back!"
"I'm sorry, Jess, but the questionnaire is too easy to manipulate."
"It is not!"
"Really?" asked Connor, smirking. "You know you're going to match to Becker because you answered the questions in a way that will fix it."
Jess angrily stomped. "I did not!" She heard laughing behind her, very familiar laughing.
"Face it, Jess. Connor's figured you out. She so cheated," said her boyfriend.
"I did not!"
"And she 'suggested' my answers too."
"Becker!"
"See, fix," said Connor.
"It is not!"
Becker was laughing as he chewed. "What's it matter, huh? You said it's just for fun."
"It is," said Jess.
"Then why do you care what some computer says?" asked Becker.
"I…I don't."
"I'm happy with you, Jess, whether some machine says we're compatible or not."
Jess blushed and smiled. "I'm happy with you too." She walked over to him and kissed his head.
"And we are compatible," he said, pulling her onto his lap. "See, we fit together perfectly."
Jess giggled. Becker kissed her cheek and went on, "You figured out the perfect way to make me OK with this match business: bribery. Let me see Connor's program do that."
"Come on, guys, give me a chance," whined Connor.
"I'm sorry," said Jess. "I just don't see how science can accurately predict who a person will love." She looked at Becker. "Do you know how he's going to match people? He's going to do it with stupid things like height, weight, and how often they got chicken pox as a child."
Becker laughed.
"It's more complicated than that," said Connor, "but yeah, it's based on physiology and DNA."
Jess scoffed.
Connor said defensively, "It makes more sense than how a bloke answers questions like, "Do you like long walks on a moonlight beach?"
Becker laughed again.
Jess wasn't amused. "They're questions that weed out a person's likes, dislikes, behaviors, and goals. They find people who want the same things basically."
"And that's the flaw," said Connor. "It doesn't take into account things like opposites attract."
"Or in Abby Maitland's case how love is blind."
"Funny, Soldier Boy," said Connor.
"How does DNA pick who you'll love Connor?" asked Jess, a little derisively.
"It takes into account how a person's physical makeup affects choices. Let's say Becker can't have children…"
"Hey! My ability to…procreate…is none of your damn business!"
Jess giggled.
Connor ignored him. "Then he's more likely not to be compatible to someone who has a strong desire to have lots of children."
"We'll adopt," said Jess.
Becker turned red. "First of all, that won't be necessary," he said, winking at her, then he turned his attention to Connor, "Secondly, if you want to be able to have little Temple-Maitlands I'd suggest you change the subject."
Connor turned pink. "Changing subject. Trust me Jess, my program will work."
Jess shook her head skeptically.
"For what it's worth," said Becker, "I think both of your approaches are silly."
"Thanks," said Connor.
Jess just looked at him. "It's…fun…darn it!"
End of Part One