Disclaimer: Don't Own, Don't Sue! ;D
A/N: Dedicated to Drodgers89 for her birthday! Happy Birthday! Enjoy!
Captain Of The Opera: Part I
Becker walked down the hallway, repressing a yawn, despite the four cups of coffee he'd consumed in the past hour. It had been a long week, much longer than the past couple of months.
He'd been doubling both at the ARC and outside the ARC.
Tonight would be his first night off in months. Today was also Jess's birthday.
Becker carried a small box with him.
He had gotten Jess a bar of her favorite chocolate and two tickets for them to go and see a play that evening.
Just as he turned the corner that led to the Main Operations Room, his mobile went off.
Becker stopped and answered it. "Hello?"
He listened intently.
"Tonight was supposed to be my night off."
"I understand that, Hilary, but you're bound by contract. There's nothing I can do." The person on the other line explained.
"It's my girlfriend's birthday. I was taking her to see the play."
"Sorry dude, you're going to have to cover."
"What am I supposed to tell her?"
"We'll get her backstage access for another showing. Please. There's no one else that can cover the part."
Becker sighed. "Fine. What time?"
"Call's at 5:30pm."
"Fantastic."
"Don't be late."
"Right, see you then." Becker said before hanging up.
Brilliant, how the hell was he going to explain this to Jess?
'I bought us tickets to go see a play for your birthday! Unfortunately, I just got screwed over and now I can't spend my night off with you on your birthday.'
Becker opened the box and lifted the tickets out, before reclosing the box and replacing the ribbon. He'd just have to try and get tomorrow night off and exchange the tickets tonight for another showing.
Jess was ecstatic about today. Today she turned 22. She'd officially been working at the ARC for a little over two years now, going on three.
She had also been dating Captain Becker for at nearly six months and she'd never been happier.
Connor and Abby had found a new flat, but they had somehow managed to get into her flat this morning to make her breakfast, which was a great way to start off her birthday.
She was wearing her favorite dress. A dark blue dress that cut off just above her knees, with sleeves that just covered her shoulders and a large, 70's type belt that rested on her waist; and matching heels.
Jess hadn't seen Becker yet and had been scanning through the CCTV footage to find him.
"I don't think the CCTV is for personal use in searching for significant others." Lester cleared his throat.
Jess jumped and turned in her chair.
"I wasn't looking for anyone, just—doing my job." Jess smiled, as she typed a few keys to set the ADD to its screensaver.
Lester nodded. "I'm sure."
Lester reached into his suit pocket and produced an envelope.
"By the way, this came in for you." Lester said, handing Jess the envelope.
"What's this?" Jess asked turning the envelope in her hands.
Lester merely shrugged and turned to head back to his office.
Jess carefully opened the envelope to reveal a birthday card. It had a teddy bear on the front holding a balloon that read: 'Happy Birthday!' Jess smiled before opening the card. A small, plastic card fell onto her lap. She picked it up and examined it. It was a gift card to a new Thai restaurant in town.
Jess looked at the inside of the card. The printed letters from the card maker read: 'Enjoy you're beary special day!' Below it was elegantly written in cursive: "Breathe a word of this aloud, and you'll hear from my lawyers. Happy Birthday, Jessica."
Jess had to laugh to herself. She knew that deep down, Lester was a softie. He'd saved the creatures in the menagerie when Phillip had threatened to put them down. He was clearly worried about Connor, Abby, and Danny when they were lost in time; and Connor had told her once that Lester had even let him share his flat for a few months.
Jess felt someone place their hand over her eyes.
"Guess who?"
Jess knew it was Becker, but thought she'd have a bit of fun. It was her birthday after all.
"Hm, Matt?"
Becker took his hand away and frowned. "For someone who's really brilliant, you're a terrible guesser. I don't sound remotely like Anderson."
Jess kissed Becker on the cheek. "I was only kidding. I knew it was you."
Becker handed her the small box he'd been carrying. "Happy Birthday, Jessica."
Jess opened the box to reveal a chocolate bar from her favorite manufacturer, Marday's Chocolate. She felt a sinking feeling. For some reason, she was expecting something a little more than a bar of chocolate.
"Thank you." She looked a Becker with a smile.
Becker could see in her eyes that the chocolate bar had crushed her. He had to say something.
"There's a second part to your birthday present; but it's still being sorted." He smirked.
"Really?" Jess's eyes lit up.
"A surprise." Becker nodded.
"Speaking of surprise, did you know The Phantom of the Opera is in town this week?"
The play he'd planned on taking her to tonight.
"Really?" Becker ignored the lump in his throat.
"If you're not busy tonight, maybe we could go? I've also come upon a gift card to the new Thai restaurant in town. So dinner and a show?"
Becker felt really bad about what he needed to do, but if things worked in his favor, he could make up for it tomorrow night.
"I've been mandated tonight, Jessica." Becker spoke solemnly. "But I've requested to have the night off tomorrow, if you'd like to have a post birthday present? I'll get the tickets and everything."
Jess wanted to be mad, but couldn't. There was no harm in celebrating your birthday a day later, right?
"Of course! But no bailing tomorrow."
Becker made a face. "Of course not; we'll celebrate your birthday properly tomorrow night even if I have to get Temple to cover for me."
Jess laughed and kissed Becker.
"I think we better get back to work before Lester comes out and breaks everything up, again." Becker smiled, breaking the kiss.
Jess loved when Becker, smiled. It was one of the many things she loved about him.
However, the only times Becker really ever smiled was when he was with her or when Matt would get mildly battered or bruised on a mission. She'd probably never understand why Becker was so amused by Matt's pain.
"I'll see you later, Jess." Becker said.
Jess waved as Becker turned and left the room to head back to his duties.
'He seemed really exhausted.' Jess thought to herself.
She couldn't stop thinking about The Phantom of the Opera. She'd fallen in love with it as a child and had always pictured herself as the main character, Christine Daaé; and lately, she'd been picturing Becker as the title character.
I kinda got carried away with the story line and made this super long so, it'll be a two-parter! ^^;
Please Review! ;D