So this used to be chapter 3 of my story Afraid, but my muse took over and this is now going to be the first chapter of a new longer story I've got planned. Afraid is still a precoursor to this story. Takes place just before ep 5.05. Enjoy! -TJ xx

LAST TO KNOW

"Why do you think Matt called us all here?" Becker asked as he pulled into the underground car park of Matt's building.

"I don't know." Jess smiled at him from the passenger seat. "But I think Abby and Connor know something about it… Emily too." She tacked on as she got out of the car.

"I hate being the last to know things." Becker grumbled as he locked the car. He took Jess' hand in his as she rounded the vehicle and the two started for the lift. "How am I supposed to do my job when everyone's running around being all secretive?" Jess bit her lip and patted his hand with the one that wasn't clasped in his. "What?"

"You're not angry with Matt." She said as they stepped into the elevator.

"I'm always angry with Matt." Becker retorted "The man's a pain in my arse."

Jess frowned "Yes, well… You're not mad at him for keeping secrets."

"Then why, pray tell, am I irked?" Becker cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Because," Jess leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth softly "today is the first day off we've had together since…" she shuddered "the bug incident."

Feeling her shiver Becker let go of her hand and wrapped his arm about her shoulders instead. Leaning down he pressed a kiss to her hair, then he frowned. "Today was supposed to be our first proper date Jessica."

"I never knew you were such a romantic."

"I'm not a romantic." Becker denied vehemently.

"Sure you are, Hilary." She teased him.

The captain's eyes narrowed at Jess' use of his first name. "You know, Jess, the lighting in here makes your hair look positively red."

"My hair is brown." Jess insisted.

Becker could barely contain his amusement; Jess was just adorable when she was indignant. "Like I said, it must be the lighting in here." A grin turned up the corners of his mouth as he squeezed her shoulders lightly.

Jess, seeing his grin in the lift's mirrored doors, crossed her arms over her chest. "You're mean, you know that?"

"Yes, I do know," Becker recited his line "I'm very mean."

The petite field co-ordinator turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She leaned her head into his hand as he gently stroked her cheek and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Becker pretty much forgot everything else when Jess practically purred in his arms. He lowered his head so their foreheads were touching "Am I really mean, Jessica?"

Jess tried to focus on why she was angry, really she did, but Becker was doing his damnedest to distract her. Somehow one of his hands had made its way under her shirt and his thumb was stroking circles on her bare skin… His beautiful hazel eyes were boring into hers (and how had she never noticed how long his eyelashes were?) And his mouth, his lovely smiling mouth, was right there, so close she could feel his warm breath skitter across her cheek. She had no idea what he'd just asked her. "Hmm?"

Becker's dimples flashed as his smile deepened "I just wondered if you really thought I was mean?"

Jess shook her head slightly and stepped closer to him, moulding her body to his "No. You're nice really."

With that Becker closed the last inch of space between them. Jess sighed into the kiss and threaded her fingers through Becker's hair. She loved kissing him. His lips were warm and firm against hers and his slight stubble scratched deliciously against her chin. One of his hands had come up to tenderly cup her cheek while the other continued to trace distracting patterns on her back. So distracting, in fact, that neither of them noticed the lift doors open.

It wasn't until someone's throat cleared that Becker managed to pull away from Jess. He groaned when he turned around and saw Connor standing there. "Dammit."

Connor grinned (a little bit evilly in Becker's opinion) "Action Man. Mrs. Action Man. You two are late."

"We're not late." Becker disagreed.

Connor checked his watch "But-"

"Matt told us to be here at half nine," Jess said, straightening her light pink, floral blouse "and it's only quarter past now."

"He told me nine o'clock." Connor said as his teammates stepped off the lift.

"That's because you're usually late." Becker informed him, placing a hand on the small of Jess' back and leading her to Matt's door.

"I am not." Conner denied.

"Sorry Con," Jess smiled at her flatmate "but you kind of are." Her smile widened as Abby came through the stairwell door. "Hi Abby!" She chirped.

"Hi Jess." Abby greeted "Becker." Becker nodded his acknowledgement to the blonde. "Did you really have to run up the stairs?" She asked, frowning at Connor.

The dark haired genius shrugged sheepishly "I thought we were late."

Jess pressed face into Becker's side to keep herself from laughing at Connor's admission. Becker smirked and was about to say something snarky when Matt opened the door. "Come in." the Irishman addressed the team "We need to talk."

"Hi Emily!" Jess smiled as Becker ushered her into the apartment.

"Good morning Jess." The Victorian woman smiled back. "Would any of you like something to drink? Tea? Matt showed me how to use the electric kettle."

"Emily," Matt frowned "this isn't a social call."

"I'd love some tea, Emily." Jess overrode the team leader "Green, if you have it."

"Absolutely." Emily made a face at Matt as she led Jess into the kitchen.

"So what's this about, Anderson?" Becker asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Don't you dare start without me!" Jess called from the kitchen.

"Fine." Becker grumbled as he threw himself onto the sofa.

"Wa-pshh!" Connor grinned as he made the 'whipped' gesture. He paled slightly when Becker glared at him "I'm just going to go… um, help Emily and Jess."

"So," Becker said slowly after hearing Matt's tale "you've been lying to us this whole time."

"Yes." Matt said stoically.

"I knew you'd never climbed Everest!" Jess exclaimed. Matt just stared at her. "Unless you have climbed it…" Jess rambled "which I'm sure you could, if you wanted…" Becker placed his hand atop hers and attempted to hide his grin.

"I haven't climbed Everest, Jess." Matt rolled his eyes.

"I knew it." Jess whispered to Becker.

The captain grinned at her, before turning to the rest of the team. "So what are we going to do about this?"

"We should tell Lester." Abby decided "He hates Phillip as much as anyone."

"Lester doesn't know yet?" Jess asked. Matt shook his head, then he turned and started asking Connor questions about New Dawn. She leaned over so her lips were right next to Becker's ear. "At least you're not the last to know."